MASSAGE APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a massage apparatus. More particularly this invention relates to a massage apparatus with a rotatable head unit to which an applicator may be releasably attached.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The benefits of massage and acupressure have been known for thousands of years, being used in Roman times as well as ancient China. Massage refers to the rubbing or kneading of muscles and joints of the body. While acupressure is a specific type of massage consisting of applying localised pressure to specific points on the body. The beneficial effects of massage and acupressure are well documented and include reduction in pain, muscle tension and stress.

[0003] Body massagers, often referred to simply as massagers, allow a user to massage parts of their body. Massage is often most effective when performed by another person, especially an experienced and qualified practitioner. However, people do not always have the time, funds or opportunity to regularly acquire massages from trained individuals and therefore various massagers have been developed to allow persons to massage themselves on a more regular basis.

[0004] Massagers typically allow a user to massage a specific area or portion of their body and the applicant is aware of a number of other previous massagers based on the inclusion of at least one arcuate or straight member, such as, U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,663 to Eitzen; U.S. Pat. No. 6,241 ,693 to Lambden; U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,171 to Ewell et. al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4493315 to Iwahashi; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0023807 to Hennessey. All of these above mentioned devices are essentially fixed in their configuration and size or the position of use.

[0005] Additional existing devices, U.S. Pat. No. 2,168,975 to Clarke; U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,708 to Sprat, and WO 2006/097573 to Kahonen, disclose devices designed to massage the back, or back portion of the body. Each of these apparatus allow for some adjustment of the handles (or arms), however are limited to one adjustable joint on each arm. [0006] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is a preferred object of the embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus that addresses or at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art and/or provides a useful commercial alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Generally, embodiments of the present invention relate to a massage apparatus with a rotatable head unit to which an applicator may be releasably attached.

[0009] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, the invention resides in a massage apparatus comprising:

a body comprising a head unit and a handle;

the head unit comprising a head attachment comprising two head arms between which an applicator can be mounted; and

the handle comprising a pair of arms, each arm comprising articulated arm segments joined by articulation joints;

wherein the head unit and handle are connected by one or more elbow joint.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the pair of head arms are disposed on opposing sides of the head unit.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the applicator is releasably mounted in the head unit.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the head unit can mount a variety of different applicators.

[0013] According to another embodiment, each articulated arm segment is able to rotate on articulation joints through 360 degrees.

[0014] According to another embodiment, each articulated arm segment may be locked in place at different angular positions. The arm segment angular positions may be at regular intervals. There may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 48, 50, 60 or 72 arm segment angular positions. The ann segment angular positions may be at the regular angular intervals of 180, 120, 90, 72, 60, 45, 40, 36, 30, 24, 22.5, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7.5, 7.2, 6 or 5 degrees. [0015] In another embodiment, the one or more elbow joints are able to rotate through 360 degrees.

[0016] The one or more elbow joints may comprise a spring loaded lock that is lockable at different angular positions.

[0017] The spring loaded lock angular positions may be at regular intervals. The spring loaded lock angular positions may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 48, 50, 60 or 72 angular positions. The spring loaded lock angular positions may be at the regular angular intervals of 180, 120, 90, 72, 60, 45, 40, 36, 30, 24, 22.5, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7.5, 7.2, 6 or 5 degrees.

[0018] In another embodiment, the one or more elbow joints comprise a spring release allowing the head unit to be rotated quickly and simply before locking into place at the desired position.

[0019] The apparatus may comprise a connection between the head unit and the handle is a nut and bolt. In another embodiment the connection may comprise an interference fit, an interconnecting fit, a spring loaded connection. In a further embodiment the connection may comprise a magnetised connection. The interconnecting fit may comprise a male- female interconnection.

[0020] The applicator may comprise one or more wheels. Each of the one or more wheels may comprise a different width and/or surface. The one or more wheels may be mounted using an axel that runs between the head arms. The one or more wheels may comprise two narrow rotating surfaces separated by a channel. The one or more wheels may comprise different surfaces. The different wheel surfaces may comprise either a smooth surface or a rougher texture.

[0021] The applicator may comprise one or more fixed shape for applying acupressure.

[0022] The applicator may comprise one or more finger-like projection, a plurality of studs and a narrow rotating surface.

[0023] In a second form the invention relates to a massage apparatus kit comprising:

a body comprising a head unit and a handle;

the head unit comprising a head attachment comprising two head arms between which an applicator can be mounted; and

the handle comprising a pair of head arms, each head arm comprising articulated arm segments joined by articulation joints;

wherein the head unit and handle are connected by one or more elbow joint. [0024] In a third form the invention relates to a method of assembling a massage apparatus, the method comprising:

assembling a body by attaching a head unit to a handle through one or more elbow joint;

mounting an applicator between two head arms comprised on a head attachment of the head unit; and

assembling a pair of head arms, each head arm comprising articulated arm segments joined by articulation joints.

[0025] In a fourth form the inventi on relates to a method of massaging comprising:

gripping a handle comprising a pair of head arms, each head arm comprising articulated arm segments joined by articulation joints;

wherein the handle is attached to a head unit by one or more elbow joint; and wherein the head unit comprises a head attachment comprising two head arms between which an applicator is mounted.

[0026] Further aspects and/or features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example only, wherein:

[0028] Figures 1 A to ID: are perspective (Figures 1 A, 1 C and ID) views and a schematic (FIG. 1 B) view according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Figure 2: is a schematic diagram showing a close up view of the portions of the head-unit according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figures 3 to 3D: show a selection of the types of attachments that can be mounted to the head-unit.

[0031] Figure 4: shows another embodiment of the invention with four arms attached.

[0032 ] Figure 5: shows another embodiment of the invention with six arms attached.

[0033] Figure 6: is a schematic illustration of a selected variety of configurations of the invention.

[0034] Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be distorted to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention will be described with regard to the accompanying drawings which illustrate various features of the invention. In this regard, the present invention generally relates to a method and an apparatus for applying pressure, transient or fixed, to various portions of the user's body without the need for assistance from another person.

[0036] The present invention is broadly directed to an apparatus and method for self- application of pressure to all body parts.

[0037] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of an apparatus 100 according to the invention. Apparatus 100 comprises a head unit 102 and a handle 120. Head unit 102 is capable of releasably mounting a variety of different applicators or attachments 140 between head arms 108a and 108b. The applicators 140 are used to apply transient or fixed pressure. The application of force is enhanced by the apparatus's handle 120 which comprises two arms 124a, 124b disposed on opposing sides of and connected to head unit 102 through respective elbow joints 122a, 122b.

[0038] The embodiment shown in Figures lA-D shows each of pair of arms 124a, 124b to comprise a single arm segment 126a, 126b. This is the simplest construction of an apparatus 100 according to the invention. In other embodiments, like the one shown in Figure 4, arms 124a, 124b may be assembled to comprise a plurality of articulated arm segments 126a, 126b. Each articulated arm segment 126a, 126b is connected by an articulation joint 128a, 128b. The articulation joints 128 comprise a pivot 132 that is secured to either the head support 106 or to a neighbouring arm segment 126. To allow the plurality of arm segments 126 to be joined together, each arm segment 126a, 126b comprises an orifice 130 at either end for joining to pivot 132. This highlights one advantage of the present invention, which is that the user can then customise the shape, length and position of each arm 124.

[0039] Each articulated arm segment 126a, 126b is able to rotate on articulation joints 128a, 128b through 360 degrees, so that the direction of the applied force relative to the arms 124 can be optimised. In the embodiment shown, articulation joints 128a, 128b comprise a hinge joint and rotate in a single plane having one degree of freedom. In other embodiments, articulation joints 128a, 128b rotate in more than one plane and have more than one degree of freedom. [0040] Advantageously, articulated arm segments 126a, 126b may be locked in place at different angular positions. These angular positions may be at regular intervals. There may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 48, 50, 60 or 72 angular positions. These angular positions may be at the regular angular intervals of 180, 120, 90, 72, 60, 45, 40, 36, 30, 24, 22.5, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7.5, 7.2, 6 or 5 degrees. From the teaching herein a skilled person is readily able to select a suitable number of angular positions and regular angular intervals.

[0041 J In one embodiment the locking of each arm segment 126 at different angular positions, or staged rotation, is achieved by a spring loaded lock 136 (not shown) that can be depressed to retract the lock to allow rotation. The spring loaded lock may comprise one or more spines (not shown) that are retracted when the lock 136 is depressed to allow rotation.

[00421 By having a plurality of articulated arm segments 126, each capable of rotation, attached together by a respective one or more articulation joints 128, each of which is capable of rotating through 360 degrees relative to the previous arm segment 126, the present invention provides a great amount of flexibility in being able to be arranged into the exact shape required to practically massage the desired body part. Along with the head unit 102 being able to rotate, this provides the opportunity to be able to practically massage vertically along the spine, or horizontally along the spine in a practical way regardless of an individual's girth.

[0043] Some of the most common configurations of the invention are displayed in Figure 6. With these configurations an individual is able to practically massage all of the following areas including the soles of the feet, the head, all major muscle groups of the back, neck, shoulders, pectorals, gluteals, hamstrings, adductors, hip flexors, illio-tibial band, calves, front of the shins, and quadriceps, applying pressure either statically, along the length of the muscle, or perpendicular to the length of the muscle.

[0044] Attachment head 104 of the head-unit 102 is connected to the handle 120 of the massage apparatus 100 by two elbow joints 122a, 122b which are able to rotate through 360 degrees, so that the direction of the applied force relative to the arms 124 can be optimised. Elbow joints 122a, 122b comprise a hinge joint and rotate in a single plane having one degree of freedom. In other embodiments, elbow joints 122a, 122b rotate in more than one plane and have more than one degree of freedom.

[0045] Advantageously, head unit 102 may be locked in place at different angular positions. These angular positions may be at regular intervals. There may be 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 45, 48, 50, 60 or 72 angular positions. These angular positions may be at the regular angular intervals of 180, 120, 90, 72, 60, 45, 40, 36, 30, 24, 22.5, 20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7.5, 7.2, 6 or 5 degrees. From the teaching herein a skilled person is readily able to select a suitable number of angular positions and regular angular intervals.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , head unit 102 is able to be locked at 8 different angular positions at the regular angular intervals of 45 degrees.

[0047| Elbow joints 122 comprises a spring release 134 (not shown) and by simply depressing the release 134, head unit 102 is able to be rotated quickly and simply before locking into place at the desired angular position. In one embodiment the staged rotation of the head unit 102, i.e. the locking at different angular positions, is achieved by depressing release 134 which retracts one or more spines (not shown) and thereby allows rotation.

[0048| Connection 1 12 between head unit 102 and handle 120 is a nut 1 14 and bolt 1 16. In other embodiments, connection 112 may comprise an interference fit, an interconnecting fit, male-female fitting, a spring loaded connection or a magnetised connection which would allow for easier adjustment of the position of head unit 102 relative to handle 120. The interconnecting fit may comprise a male-female interconnection.

[0049] Applicators 140 range from wheels 140a with different widths and surfaces to fixed shapes 140b for applying acupressure. As shown in Figure 3, the applicators 140 may also comprise one or more of a finger-like projection 144, a plurality of studs 146 and a narrow rotating surface 148.

[0050] The wheels 140a are mounted using an axel 150 that runs between head arms 108. Axel 150 allows wheels 140a to rotate and the user to apply pressure to the chosen body part by moving the wheel 140a backwards and forwards. The wheels 140a are available in different shapes with wider wheels 140a allowing for a more diverse application of pressure and thinner wheels 140a for a more targeted or deeper pressure. Alternatively other wheels 140a may also be shaped differently and allow the user to provide pressure to both sides of the spine without applying pressure directly on the spine. Such a wheel 140a may comprise two narrow rotating surfaces 148 separated by a channel (not shown). The wheels 140a may also be manufactured with different surfaces, allowing for a different style of massage depending on the user's needs. From the examples illustrated in Figure 3, the wheels 140a shown in Figures 3 A and 3D have a smooth surface, while wheel 140a in Figure 3C has a rougher texture, comprising a plurality of studs 146, to provide a different stimulus to the body. [0051] Attachments 140 for applying acupressure are also included with the invention as illustrated in 3B, which shows a fixed shape 140b in the form of a finger-like projection to provide static pressure to body parts.

[0052] In other embodiments attachments 140 may be powered to apply for example, a pulsating movement.

[0053] The prior art devices which have only one adjustable joint are limited by the ability to suit a wide range of positions, body shapes and obtaining the optimal angle to apply pressure. Unlike these devices and other fixed devices of the prior art, which allow for very little or no adjustment based on the size of the user, from the above description it is readily apparent that one advantage of the present invention is that by constructing apparatus 100 from a pair of elbow joints 122a, 122b, pair of arms 124a, 124b and rotatable head-unit 102, apparatus 100 may be disassembled and reduced in size for increased portability and storage. This is true regardless of how many arm segments 126 and joints 128 are used to make up pair of arms 124a, 124b.

[0054] In one embodiment, the current invention includes multiple joints 122, 128 on each arm 124 of apparatus 100 which are each capable of rotating through 360 degrees and can be fixed in a variety of specific positions to enable the ideal configuration to provide adequate force application to the desired body part, including anterior and posterior body parts, as well as allowing for significantly reduced size for portability and storage. In addition, the current invention features a head unit 102 capable of rotating relative to the arms 124, an additional customisation not present in the prior art. This rotating head unit 102 ensures there can be an optimal configuration to provide the desired pressure to any body part while maintaining a practical means to be able to apply the pressure.

[0055] The provision of the current apparatus 100 allows an individual to adjust the configuration of the arms 124 of the apparatus 100 and the rotation of the alignment of the applicator 140 to the optimal configuration necessary to effectively massage any part of their body. This includes accessing hard to reach areas such as the back and neck, as well as more effectively applying pressure to accessible areas such as the calves, hamstrings or quadriceps. Due to the flexibility and weight of the apparatus 100, it is also able to fold down to make it compact for storage or transport purposes.

[0056] In another particularly advantageous configuration, only head unit 102 and applicators 140 may be combined to give a compact device particularly suitable to travel and other applications where a smaller device without additional parts is desirable. [0057] In this specification, the terms "comprises", "comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

[0058] Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.