EP2775985B1

EP2775985B1 - Roller massage system

Info

Publication number: EP2775985B1
Application number: EP12848115.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeremy J. NELSON
Original assignee: Roll Recovery LLC
Current assignee: Roll Recovery LLC
Priority date: 2011-11-07
Filing date: 2012-11-06
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-06
Also published as: EP2775985A4; ES2742833T3; EP2775985A1

Description

I. TECHNICAL FIELD

A roller massage system provides a pair of roller massage assemblies in opposed adjustable spaced relation to allow engagement of each one of the pair of roller massage assemblies on a corresponding massageable portion of the body.

II. BACKGROUND

Conventional massage devices may provide a roller which can be drawn along the surface of the body. The amount of pressure exerted by the roller on the surface of the body depends directly on the amount of force exerted by the user on the massage device. Accordingly, different parts of the body may be treated differently. Additionally, the user may experience fatigue and the amount of force applied may vary to a greater or lesser degree on the massageable portion of the body or the user may not be able to complete the massage of the massageable portion of the body. For instance, patent document US 1,400,547 discloses massage device comprising opposed oppositely bowed frames; similarly curved rows of parallel of massaging rollers carried by said frames; a pair of self separating handles extending from said frames at an angle to the roller axis; and a coiled spring connecting the outer ends of said handles and serving to normally separate said handles. Further, patent document US 3,759,250 on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, is concerned with a massage device comprising a rectangular frame having spaced apart substantially parallel side members and a pair of U-shaped end members, wherein said end members each include an outer cross member and a pair of legs which extend inwardly from the ends of the cross members and which fit slidably and adjustably in corresponding ends of side members; a pair of rollers, and means rotatably and and slidably mounting said rollers in the frame in spaced apart substantial parallel relation to one another. Furthermore, patent document US 3,465,750 describes a body massaging apparatus comprising a support for the user to stand on, movable means on opposite sides of the support adapted to be grasped by the user, massaging means, such as rollers, mounted on the movable means in a position to engage the body of a user, and means for biasing the movable means toward each other. Moreover, the patent application US 2005/0203445 A1 discloses a massager having a massaging head and a camshaft, the camshaft being arch-shaped having two ends connected to the massaging head with massaging function, characterized in that the massaging face at the bottom section of the massaging head is provided with a heating section, rollers, radiation section and low frequency conducting head, the interior of the massaging head has a motor via a reciprocation device which is connected to an impaction base seat having protrusions so as to form a vibration beating section. Similarly, patent application JP H11 267167 (A ) describes a manual massager comprising massaging rollers inserted onto a stem in the first place, and massaging rollers that are inserted alternately onto the stem, wherein the stem is inserted to a central projection from a grip. In addition, patent application US 2005/0159688 A1 is concerned with a massager comprising a stay member, an operating part formed on said stay member, and roller means rotatably supported by said stay member, characterized in that said roller means is composed of a plurality of rollers, said operating part is formed in a direction in which said stay member between said rollers extends, wherein said stay member is changed in inclination to adjust the distance between said rollers to bring about a rolling pressure in accordance with the shape of an arm or leg of a user and regulate rolling pressure exerted on the arm or leg.
The instant invention provides a roller massage system and method of massaging which addresses the problems related to conventional massage devices.

III. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to provide a roller massage system having a pair of roller massage assemblies in opposed adjustable spaced relation to allow engagement of each one of the pair of roller massage assemblies on a corresponding massageable portion of the body.
Another substantial object of the invention can be to provide a roller massage system having a first and second pair of handle supports which function to allow the pair of roller massage assemblies to travel between a closed condition and an open condition while maintaining a substantially parallel opposed relation useful in engaging each one of the roller assemblies on a corresponding massageable portion of the body.
Another substantial object of the invention can be to provide a pair of handles one each coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of roller massage assemblies which allows the pair of roller massage assemblies to travel between the closed condition and the open condition by drawing the pair of handles apart under forcible urging of the user's hands.
Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an illustration of a method of using an embodiment the inventive roller massage device.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device.
Figure 3 is a front view of a particular embodiment the inventive roller massage device in the closed condition.
Figure 4 is a front view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device in the open condition.
Figure 5 is a side view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device.
Figure 6 is a top view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device.
Figure 7 is a bottom view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device.
Figure 8 is a side view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device having a pair of linear axels and an elastic member in the form of an extension spring.
Figure 9 is a side view of a particular embodiment of the roller massage device not falling under the scope of the claims having cross member sufficiently resiliently flexible to allow a pair of handles to be drawn apart.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a particular embodiment of the inventive roller massage device having a cross member which includes a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion to allow a pair of handles to be drawn apart.

V. MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, referring primarily to Figures 1-8 and 10, embodiments of the inventive roller massage device (1) provide a pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) in opposed adjustable spaced relation. Each of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can include one or more roller elements (4). As to particular embodiments, each of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can have one roller element (4). As to other embodiments, each of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can have a plurality of roller elements (4), such as two, three, four, five, six or more depending upon the application. The one roller element (4) or the plurality of roller elements (4) of each of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can be correspondingly rotatably coupled to a pair of axles (5)(6).
As to embodiments having a plurality of roller elements (4), each of the plurality of roller elements (4) of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can be correspondingly rotatably coupled to the pair of axles (5)(6) in adjacent abutted engagement (7)(as shown in the example of Figure 8) or spaced engagement (8) (as shown in the examples of Figures 3 and 4) along the length of each of the pair of axles (5)(6).
As to particular embodiments, the pair of axles (5)(6) can be disposed or maintained in mirror image symmetry a distance apart to correspondingly locate an outer periphery (9) of the one or more roller elements (4) of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) in opposed adjacent relation (10) (as shown in the example of Figure 3) or opposed mirror image symmetry (10) a distance apart (as shown in the example of Figure 4).
As to other embodiments, the pair of axles (5)(6) and the corresponding pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can be adjusted to dispose the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) in various spatial relationship as further described below.
Each of the pair of axels (5)(6) can be linear (13) (as shown in the example of Figure 8) having a length disposed between opposed axel ends (11)(12); however, the invention is not so limited, and each of the pair of axels (5)(6) can be arcuate or have an amount of curvature (14) between the opposed axel ends (11)(12)(as shown in the examples of Figures 3 and 4). The amount of curvature (14) in each of the pair of axels (5)(6) can be a greater or lesser amount of curvature (14) to provide the advantage of engagement of the one or more roller elements (4) with corresponding curvature of a massageable portion (15) of a body (16).
As shown by the example of Figure 1, the massageable portion (15) of the body (16) may be generally tubular such as the upper portion of the leg (17). The amount of curvature (14) as to particular embodiments can be sufficient to allow a plurality of roller elements (4) to engage the corresponding curvature of the massageable portion (15) of the body (16) with greater uniformity than in embodiments in which the pair of axles (5)(6) are generally linear (13) in configuration. As to particular embodiments, the amount of curvature (14) in each of the pair of axles (5)(6) can define a radius in the range of about 12 inches to about 30 inches; although as to particular embodiments, the radius defined by the amount of curvature (14) of each of the pair of axles (5)(6) can be greater or lesser depending on the application.
Now referring primarily to Figures 1-8 and 10, the one or more roller elements (4) can each be in the form of an annular member (18) which defines an outer periphery (9) and a central aperture element (19). One of the pair of axles (5)(6) passes through the central aperture element (19) allowing adjacent abutted engagement (7) or spaced engagement (8) of the plurality of roller elements (4) along the axle length (20). As to certain embodiments, each of the one or more roller elements (4) can further include a hub element (21) which includes the central aperture element (19). The annular member (18) can be in secured fixed relation to the hub element (21) such that rotation of the hub element (21) about one of the pair of axles (5)(6) generates a corresponding rotation in the annular member (18). The central aperture element (19) can be in the form of one or more roller element bearings (22) having an bearing inner race (23) which defines the central aperture element (19) and an bearing outer race (24) separated by bearing elements (25) which assist to reduce friction in rotation of the one or more roller elements (4) about the corresponding one of the pair of axles (5)(6). The hub element (21) can be made from any substantially rigid material such as a metal, a ceramic, a plastic, a wood, or the like. Particular embodiments of the annular member (18) can also be made from a substantially rigid material, as above described, or as to other embodiments can be made from a resiliently elastic material which to an extent deforms on engagement with the massageable portion (15) of the body (16) such as a plasticized resin, a silicone rubber, a fluoropolymer, a natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane, or the like.
Now referring primarily to Figures 2 and 7, the one or more roller elements (4) can define a generally circular outer periphery (9) (as shown in the example of Figure 2); however, the invention is not so limited and each of the roller elements (4) can define an outer periphery (9) useful in massaging a massageable portion (15) of the body (16). The outer periphery (9) can, as illustrative examples, define a circular outer periphery, an oval outer periphery, a hexagonal outer periphery, a septagonal outer periphery, an octagonal outer periphery, or the like, which can be used in various permutations and combinations.
As to the illustrative example shown in Figures 1-8 and 10, four roller elements (4) can be rotationally coupled to each of the pair of axels (5)(6) each having a diameter (26) in the range of about one to about three inches (as shown in the example of Figure 5) and a thickness of about three eighths inch to about one inch (as shown in the example of Figure 5) depending upon the application; however, the invention can include embodiments having a greater or lesser diameter (26) depending upon the application. Spaced engagement (8) of the four roller elements (4) as shown can provide an inter-roller space (27) in the range of about one-eighth inch to about one half inch depending on the application; however, certain embodiments may have roller elements (4) having adjacent abutted engagement (7) as above described (as shown in the example of Figure 8).
As to particular embodiments, each of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) can be provided as a one piece roller (28) having a plurality of roller elements (4)(as shown in broken line in the example of Figure 8). Embodiments of the one piece roller (28) can provide a plurality of roller elements (4) discretely formed or fabricated and subsequently interconnected to provide a one piece roller (28), or a plurality of roller elements (4) formed or fabricated in common as a one piece roller (28). In embodiments which provide a one piece roller (28), the plurality of rollers (4) all rotate about a corresponding one of the pair of axels (5)(6) at the same rate about a linear axle (13) (as shown in the example of Figure 8 with the one piece roller (28) shown in broken line). As to particular embodiments, the one piece roller (28) can provide a medial portion (69) disposed can have a pair of end portions (70). The portion of the plurality of roller elements (4) disposed in the medial portion (69) can have lesser diameter than the portion of the plurality of roller elements (4) disposed in the pair of end portions (70).
Now referring primarily to Figures1, 3 and 4, the roller massage device (1) further provides a pair of handles (29)(30) each configured for grippable engagement with a corresponding one of a pair of hands (31)(32) of a user (33)(as shown in the example of Figure 1). The pair of handles (29)(30) can be made responsive to the corresponding pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) such that travel (67)(68) of the pair of handles (29)(30) results in corresponding travel of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3). Each one of the pair of handles (29)(30) includes a handle grip (34) disposed between a handle first end (35) and a handle second end (36), and a pair of axle supports (37)(38) correspondingly coupled to the handle first end (35) and said handle second end (36). The pair of axle supports (37)(38) correspondingly extend from the handle first end (35) and the handle second end (36) of the handle grip (34) in generally opposed relation to define a pass through (39). The opposed axle ends (11)(12) (also referred to as the axle first end (11) and the axle second end (12)) correspondingly couple to the pair of axle supports (37)(38) to dispose a corresponding one of the pairs of roller assemblies (2)(3) within the pass through (39). The pass through (39) further provides sufficient open space between the outer periphery (9) of the one or more roller elements (4) of the corresponding one of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) and the corresponding one of the pair of handles (29)(30) to allow one of the pair of hands (31)(32) of the user (33) to grippingly engage the handle grip (34) of one of the pair of handles (29)(30) without engaging the outer periphery (9) of the corresponding one of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3).
Now referring primarily to Figures 1-8 and 10, the roller massage device (1) further includes a cross member (40) to which the pair of handles (29)(30) are directly or indirectly coupled to dispose the one or more roller elements (4) of the pair of roller massage assemblies (2)(3) in substantially opposed adjacent relation (10) (as shown in the example of Figure 3)(also referred to as the "closed condition" (41)). The structure of the cross member (40) or the manner in which the pair of handles (29)(30) couple to the cross member (40)(or both) allow the user (33) to draw the pair of handles (29)(30) apart under outward forcible urging to dispose the one or more roller elements (4) a sufficient distance apart to be disposed about the massageable portion (15) of the body (16)(as shown in the example of Figure 4)(also referred to as the "open condition" (42)).
Now referring primarily to Figure 9, as to certain embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims, the pair of handles (29)(30) can be correspondingly connected proximate a first cross member end (43) and a second cross member end (44). The cross member (40) can be sufficiently resiliently flexible (45) to allow the pair of handles (29)(30) to be drawn apart under outward forcible urging by the user (33) toward the open condition (42). As to these embodiments, the cross member (40) and the pair of handles (29)(30) may be produced as a one piece.
Now referring primarily to Figure 10, as to other embodiments, the cross member (40) can be formed from a first portion (46) and a second portion (47) centrally pivotally joined to allow the pair of handles (29)(30) to be drawn apart under sufficient forcible urging to generate rotation of the pair of handles (29)(30) about a central pivot axis (48) of a cross member pivot element (49) to achieve the open condition (42).
Now referring primarily to Figures 1-7, the roller massage device (1) further includes a first pair of handle supports (50)(51) each having length disposed between a handle support first end (52) and a handle support second end (53). Each of the first pair of handle supports (50)(51) are pivotally coupled by a handle support first end (52) to a corresponding one of the first cross member end (43) and the second cross member end (44) of the cross member (40). Each the first pair of handle supports (50)(51) are pivotally coupled by a handle support second end (53) to a corresponding one of the pair of handles (29)(30).
Outward forcible urging of the pair of handles (29)(30) by the user (33) toward the open condition (42) generates rotation of the first pair of handle supports (50)(51) about a corresponding pair of handle support first end pivots (54). The pair of handles (29)(30) can be further rotated about a corresponding pair of handle support second end pivots (55) to alter spatial relation of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3).
The first pair of handle supports (50)(51) afford the advantage of allowing the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) to be disposed in opposed bilateral symmetry over a greater range of travel, and further affords the advantage of allowing the user (33) to dispose the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) other spatial relations depending upon the application.
Again referring primarily to Figures 1-7, the roller massage device (1) can further include a second pair of handle supports (56)(57) each having length disposed between a second handle support first end (58) and a second handle support second end (59). Each of the second pair of handle supports (56)(57) can be pivotally coupled to the cross member (40) a distance inward of the first pair handle supports (50)(51) by the second handle support first ends (58) and pivotally coupled to the handles (29)(30) a distance inward of the first pair of handle supports (50)(51) by the second handle support second ends (59).
Outward forcible urging of the pair of handles (29)(30) by the user (33) toward the open condition (41) generates rotation of the first pair of handle supports (50)(51) and the second pair of handle supports (56)(57) about the corresponding pairs of first and second handle support first end pivots (54)(58) and pairs of first and second handle support second end pivots (55)(59) allowing the pair of handles (29)(30) to be drawn apart. However, the second pair of handle supports (56)(57) limits the range of rotation of the pair of handles (29)(30) in relation to the first pair of handle supports (50)(51) to disposing the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) in generally opposed mirror image symmetry over the entire range of travel between the closed condition (41) and the open condition (42) (as shown in the examples of Figures 3 and 4).
Again referring primarily to Figures 1-8, the roller massage device (1) can further include one or more elastic elements (60) which act on the pair of handles (29)(30) to generate travel of the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) toward the closed condition (41). The elastic elements (60) can comprise or be selected from the group consisting of an elastic member, elastic cord, elastic bands, springing element, extension spring, coil spring, torsional spring, or the like, which when stretched or twisted exerts a restoring force which tends to return the elastic element (60) to the original unstretched or untwisted condition.
As one illustrative example, an elastic element first end (61) and an elastic element second end (62) of an elastic element (60) in the form of an elastic band, elastic cord, or extension spring can be correspondingly connected proximate the center of the cross member (40) and each of the corresponding handles (29)(30) to generate travel of the corresponding pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) toward the closed condition (41) (as shown in the example of Figure 8).
As another illustrative example, an elastic element (60) in the form of a torsion spring (69) can wound about the handle support first end pivots (54)(as shown in the examples of Figures 1-7). Each of the spring first ends (63) can be engaged to the cross member (40) and each of the spring second ends (64) can be responsive to movement of a corresponding one of the pair of handles (29)(30). Outward forcible urging of the pair of handles (29)(30) by the user (33) toward the open condition (42) twists the torsion spring (69) about a spring axis (65) coincident with the pivot axis (66) of the handle support first end pivots (54). Release of forcible urging of the pair of handles (29)(30) returns the torsion spring (69) toward the untwisted condition urging the pair of handles (29)(30) toward the closed condition (41).
Now referring primarily to Figure 1, which illustrates a method of massage using the embodiment of a roller massage device (1) shown in Figures 1-7 although the method can be applied to other embodiments including but not limited to Figures 8 and 10. A user (33) can grippingly engage a pair of handles (29)(30) one each in a corresponding one of a pair of hands (31)(32). The pair of handles (29)(30) in the closed condition (41) (as shown in the example of Figures 2, 3 and 8 through 10) can be drawn a sufficient distance outwardly toward the open condition (42)(as shown in the example Figures 1 and 4) to correspondingly dispose a pair of roller massage assemblies (2)(3) in opposed relation about a massageable portion (15) of a body (16). The user (33) can allow the pair of handles (29)(30) to return toward the closed condition (42) a sufficient distance to engage each one of the pair of roller massage assemblies (2)(3) on a massable portion (15) of the body (16). The user (33) can generate travel (67)(68) in the pair of roller assemblies (2)(3) by forcibly urging on each of the pair of handles (29)(30) in a first direction (67) on the massageable portion (15) of the body (16). The user (33) can forcibly urge each of the pair of handles (29)(30) in a second direction (69) to correspondingly generate travel in the pair of roller massage assemblies (2)(3) on the massageable portion (15) of the body (16) in the second direction (68).
While the illustrative example of Figure 1 shows the massageable portion (15) of the body (16) as the upper portion of a leg (17) of a person; the invention is not so limited, and the massageable portion (15) of the body (16) can be any portion of the body (16) which can be massaged by travel of the pair of roller massage assemblies (2)(3) on the massageable portion (15) such as the lower leg, upper arm, lower arm, upper body, lower body, buttocks, hands, feet, or the like. Additionally, while the roller massage device (1) is shown massaging a portion of a body (16) of a person, the invention is not so limited, and applications may include a massageable portion of the body of other animals, such as cattle, horses, dogs, cats, or the like. Moreover, while the example of Figure 1 shows the user (33) of the roller massage device (1) massaging the user's own massageable portion (15) of the body (16); the invention is not so limited, and the user (33) of the roller massage device (1) can be separate or independent or discrete from the massageable portion (15) of the body (16).
Now referring primarily to Figure 9, as to particular embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims, the method can further include resiliently flexing the cross member to draw said pair of roller assemblies toward said drawn condition, or as to other particular embodiments as shown in Figure 10, generating rotation of a first portion (46) and a second portion (47) of the cross member (40) about a central pivot axis (48) of cross member pivot element (49).

Claims

A massage device (1), comprising:
a) a cross member (40) having a length disposed between a cross member first end (43) and a cross member second end (44);

b) a pair of handles (29, 30) correspondingly coupled to said cross member first end (43) and said cross member second end (44); and

c) a pair of roller assemblies (2, 3) in opposed adjustable spaced relation correspondingly rotatably coupled to said pair of handles (29, 30), said pair of roller assemblies (2,3) generally disposed in adjacent relation between said pair of handles,
wherein each of said pair of handles (29, 30) comprises:
a) a handle grip (34) disposed between a handle first end (35) and a handle second end (36); and

b) a pair of axle supports (37, 38) correspondingly coupled to said handle first end (35) and said handle second end (36), said pair of axle supports (37, 38) extending a distance outward of said handle grip (34), wherein one of said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3) rotatably couples to each of a pair of axles (5, 6), said pair of axles (5,6) each having an axle first end (11) and an axle second end (12) which correspondingly couple to said pair of axle supports (37, 38),
wherein said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3) rotatably coupled to said pair of axles (5, 6) each defines a pass through (39) between an outer periphery (9) of one of said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3) and one of said pair of handles (29, 30), each said pass through (39) having sufficient dimensional relations to allow a hand (31) to grippingly engage said handle grip (34) of said handle (29, 30) without engaging said outer periphery (9) of a corresponding one said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3),
characterized in that the massage device (1) further comprises a first pair of handle supports (50, 51), each of said first pair of handle supports (50, 51) having a length disposed between a handle support first end (52) and handle support second end (53), said handle support first ends (52) correspondingly pivotally coupled proximate said cross member first end (43) and said cross member second end (44), said handle support second ends (53) correspondingly pivotally coupled proximate said handle first ends (35).
The massage device (1) of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3) comprises a plurality of roller elements (4), each of said plurality of roller elements (4) discretely rotatably coupled to a corresponding one of said pair of axles (5, 6).
The massage device (1) of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of axles (5 ,6) has a linear configuration (13), and wherein said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3) each comprise a one piece roller (28) having a plurality of roller elements (4).
The massage device (1) of claim 3, wherein said one piece roller (28) has a medial portion (69) disposed between a pair of end portions (70), and wherein said plurality of roller elements (4) in said medial portion (69) have a lesser diameter than said plurality of roller elements (4) in each of said pair of end portions (70).
The massage device (1) of claim 2, wherein said plurality of roller elements (4) have spaced engagement (8) along said axle (5, 6).
The massage device (1) of claim 2, wherein said plurality of roller elements (4) have adjacent engagement (7) along said axle (5, 6).
The massage device (1) of claim 2 wherein said axle (5, 6) has an amount of curvature (14) between said axle first end (11) and said axle second end (12).
The massage device (1) of claim 2, wherein each of said roller elements (4) include an annular member (18) coupled about a hub element (21) rotatably engaged to said axle (5, 6).
The massage device (1) of claim 8, wherein said annular member (18) comprises a substantially rigid annular member.
The massage device (1) of claim 8, wherein said annular member (18) comprises a resilient elastic annular member.
The massage device (1) of claim 1, further comprising a second pair of handle supports (56, 57), each of said second pair of handle supports (56, 57) having a length disposed between a handle support first end (58) and handle support second end (59), said handle support first ends (58) correspondingly pivotally coupled to said cross member (40) inward of said first pair of handle supports (50, 51), said handle support second ends (59) correspondingly pivotally coupled to said pair of axle supports (37).
The massage device (1) of claim 11, further comprising one or more elastic elements (60), said pair of handles (29, 30) rotatably responsive to said elastic elements (60) to reduce distance between said pair of roller assemblies (2, 3).
The massage device (1) of claim 2, wherein said cross member (40) resiliently flexes upon forcible urging to dispose said pair of roller massage assemblies (2, 3) a greater distance apart.