US2258931A - Massaging and invigorating device - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 14, 1941. F. c. HEER ETAL MASSAGING AND INVIGORATING DEVICE Filed May 2a, 1940 Francis CZHeer Lou/s Liebfl 57.",

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 T UNITED sTA'r-Es or Pic E.

MASSAGING'ANDIINVIGORATING'DEVICE: r v Francis C. Beer and Louis Liebl,1Sr1, Lindenhurst, i" .I

Application May 28, 1940, Serial No. 3 ,7 ,5 f 3Clai ms. (C1.

This invention relates to a device for massaging the body so as to reduce excess fat and stimulate circulation of the blood.

It is aimed to provide such a device in the form of a rotating means'simulating a wheel equipped with elements independently rotatable or movable thereon for direct contact with the skin and which elements are variously spaced with respect to the axis of rotation of said means so as to travel in a multiplicity of different paths for maximum massaging and stimulating action and effect on the body. I

Another object is to provide a novel assembly attaining the ends mentioned which includes a ball bearing structure for the rotating means mounted by a coacting and protecting shield adapted to be held steady.

Various additional objects and advantages will inpartbe pointed out and otherwise become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating one operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure l is a View of the device in plan;

Figure 2 is a diametric section taken on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure l, and each of Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 is an elevation of a different form of rotatable element which may be used.

Referring specifically to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, a rotatable hub is provided at [0. Such hub may be driven in any suitable manner as by means of a flexible shaft coupled to a screw-threaded socket ll thereof or by means of a solid shaft attached to said socket II, the flexible shaft or solid shaft being driven by an electric motor or otherwise under appropriate control.

Radiating from and fixed to the hub I0, in any suitable manner, as in sockets l2 peripherally thereof are rods [3, preferably equidistantly spaced, which rods at their outer ends, are fastened in sockets M of an annular ring l concentric with the hub l0.

Elements 5 are carried by the rods I3 and adapted for direct engagement with the skin to impart a massaging and stimulating effect on the body. These elements l6 may be of any desired material and shape, for instance, being of elastic rubber, metal, synthetic resin, solid or hollow, spherical, ellipsoidal or otherwise. The skin engaging surfaces of the elements [6 may be variously shaped to enhanc the massaging and stimulating action. As shown in Figures 1 '7, they may have rounded projections 2|. said Figures 3, 4', 5, 6 and 7, the elements, equivalent tothose at 16, are respectively designated 16a, I61), I60, 'lBd'and lBe. r

and 2, such skin engaging surfaces may be smooth; as shown in Figure 3,-=they may have a rib -'l1 as shown in Figure 4, theymay have depressions l8; as shown inFigure- 5, they may have a network ofor intersecting ribs H); as shown 'in-Figure 6, they-may have "approximately pyramidal-projections 20, and as shownin Figure In Each-of'the elements l6, I611, I613, [60, Mid and [66 has a diametric-opening or recess 22 whereby -it is loosely and rotatably strung upon the adjacent rods l3.

Attention is called to the fact that as shown in Figures 1 and'2 by the elements 16, that the massaging elements -are ,variouslyspaced with ing the skin, to attain the maximum massaging and stimulating effect. To the end stated, spacing sleeves 23, of various lengths, are loosely and rotatably mounted upon the rods or spokes l3. It will be noted that the elements l6 and sleeves 23, in addition to being rotatable on the rods I3, have limited sliding movement thereon to avoid binding action of any of the parts.

At the driven side of the device, a protector or shield 24 is provided which is preferably metallic and has a marginal rim 25 terminating relatively close to and surrounding the ring I5.

A bearing structure is provided preferably in the nature of a ball bearing having an inner race member 26 and an outer race member 21 adapted to be grasped by and held steady in the hand. Balls 28 are disposed between the race members and in addition to their anti-friction function, serve to inseparably connect said race members.

Inner race member 26 is swaged on to the hub II] or in any other suitable manner rigidly attached thereto. The outer race member 21 is rotatable relative to the inner race member and is rigidly fastened-in a recess 29 of a mounting 30 having a port 3| through and beyond which the hub l0 extends.

Said mounting 30 is cut away peripherally and at one face as at 32 forming a seat which is engaged bythe guard 24 and to which seat such guard is welded or in any other manner, rigidly attached. Said mounting 30 is also cut away annularly at 33 to provide a seat to which a shield ring 34 is welded or rigidly connected and which ring has a central opening 35 through which the hub l passes.

In the use of the device, it will be understood that it is manually held by means of the mounting 30 and that the hub I0 is positively driven so as to rotate the same, the rods l3, balls l6 and sleeves 23 as a unit and relatively to the shield 24. At the same time, the traction of the element I6 with the skin, will impart an independent rotation or movement thereto, whereby the body or skin Will be efficiently massaged and stimulated. It is clear that the balls l6 may be replaced, if desired, by a set entirely like those of Figure 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, or, if preferred, the balls 16 may be replaced by ones of various shapes, being one or more of each of the shapes shown in Figures 3 to 7, with or without one or more balls like IS with plain surfaces,

Various changes may be resorted toiprovided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is: V I q 1. A device of the class described having a shield, a rotatable hub passing throu h the shield and projecting on opposite sides thereof and adapted for attachment at one side thereof to a driving means mounted independently of the shield, an exposed mounting member on saidone side carrying said shield and of a size to be manually gripped to hold the devicesteady, said -hub passing through said mounting member, an antifriction bearing means between ;the ;hub and mounting member functioning to unitarily conmeet the hub and mounting member together, said anti-friction bearing means including a race member surrounding and rigid'with said hub and a race member of greater diameter than the ,first race member enclosing and inseparable from the first race member and rigid .with the mounting member, rods radiating from the ,hub at the other side of the shield, and skin-contacting elements journaled on said rods.

2. A device of the class described having an exposed mounting member of cup shape, a relatively short rotatable hub having an end portion journaled centrally of the mounting member and adapted at said end portion for attachment to a driving means mounted independently of the device, an anti-friction bearing mean located within said mounting member and consisting of inseparable race members rigid respectively with the mounting member and hub, one of the race members being of greater diameter than and enclosing the other race member, rods mounted by the hub and radiating therefrom at the end portion thereof opposite to said mounting member, and skin-contacting elements jourinaled on said rods.

3. A device of the class described having an exposed mounting member of cup shape, a relatively short rotatable hub having a reduced end portion journaled centrally of the mounting member and adapted at said end portion for attachment to a driving means mounted independently of the device, an anti-friction bearing means located within said mounting member and consisting of inseparable race members rigid respectively with the mounting member and reduced portion of the hub, one of the race members bein of greater diameter than and enclosing the other race member, said hub having an enlarged end portion, rods interfitted in said enlarged end portion and radiating therefrom, a ring with which the outer ends of the rods are interfitted, spacers and skin-contacting elements rotatable and slidable on said rods, said mounting member at the inner side having inner and outer seats, and shields secured in said seats. FRANCIS C. HEER. LOUIS LIEBL, Sm,

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