Description A MASSAGER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for relieving a kind of muscle tightening, which frequently occurs in various region of the human body such as back, neck, or shoulder, and in more particular, to a massager in which a rotatable connection member is provided at the middle portion of a hook- shaped main body of the massager, the main body having an acupressure means, to thereby provide easiness in use as well as effectiveness in massage therapy.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, a muscular lesion can generally be classified into trigger point and myofascial strain. The trigger point looks like a hump generated in the muscle fascia, and leads to decrease blood circulation in the muscle tissue and further leads to contract muscles, i.e., inhibit muscular relaxation, to thereby limit and distort the muscular movement. The myofascial strain refers to a fascial adhesion generated in a direction parallel to the elongated axis of muscle tissue, that is, to a muscular contraction where the muscle tissue is tangled like a rope without permitting its relaxation.

[4] First, there are therapy methods for relieving symptoms of the trigger point, in which, after local anesthetic is administered, a needle attached to a syringe is advanced slowly toward the fascia of the trigger point several times or the pressurization against the trigger point is continued for several minutes (more than 5 through 10 minutes). In case of the myofascial strain, it is relieved by stretching. However, as for the therapy method for the myofascial strain, when a person stretches his or her back muscle while bending the neck forward, the entire of the muscle is generally pulled upwardly due to excessiveness of the muscular contraction and the fascial adhesion. In this instance, it is stretched from his or her waist rather than from his or her back.

[5] The Korean Utility Model Publication No.258692(registered : December, 12, 2001, hereinafter referred to a prior art), which is entitled kneader installed with a back scratcher has been disclosed as a technical solution to solve the above problems.

[6] Hereinafter, the details disclosed in the prior art will be explained with reference to the appended drawings.

[7] As shown in FIG. 1, the prior art has been suggested in order to facilitate massage therapy or eliminate the itching due to the blood circulation, which is restored by the stimulus tosubcutaneous capillary. The prior art has a modified shape as a whole

consisting of a hook-shaped shoulder holder 1, a pressurization portion 2 formed at a distal end of the shoulder holder, and a grip 3 integrally formed therewith. Further, a cover member 4 having a plurality of protrusions 4a formed on the outer surface thereof is coupled to the middle portion of the entire body, i.e., the portion running from the shoulder holder 1 to the grip 3. In particular, a back scratcher 3a is provided at a distal end of the grip 3 in such a manner as to have predetermined grooves formed thereon.

[8] As for the technical solution of the prior art described above, there are several features in that it can facilitate the acupressure and massage against particular regions of the human body, eliminate readily the itching and the like, which are caused by the smooth blood circulation due to the stimulus toward subcutaneous capillary, using the back scratcher 3a, and stimulate the meridian points of a user palm by tightly gripping the cover member 4 having a plurality of protrusions 4a with her or his hand.

[9] However, as shown in FIG. 2, the prior art has a problem in that when the shoulder holder 1 is held on a user shoulder to pressurize the taut muscle of the upper back region, the entire shape thereof is integrally formed in a modified shape, which results in difficulty in transmitting the power required for acupressure to the pressurization portion 2. In other words, when a user hangs the holder 1 of the prior art on his or her shoulder, the grip 3 is positioned under the arm, and thus, it causes discomfort in motions such as that the grip 3 must be pulled or pushed or the like due to a short- spacing distance between the grip 3 and the corresponding bodily region based on the human body structure.

[10] In particular, in the prior art, the pressurization portion 2 for pressurizing the affected region of a user is formed at a distal end of the shoulder holder 1. So, when a muscular lesion induced on his or her back is transferred to the neck or shoulder, it cannot provide sufficient acupressure effect on the transferred regions. Also, when considering that the lesion induced on the back region may frequently accompany the pain of the arm or shoulder based on the epidemiological structure of the human body, the prior art, which transmits the power directly to the pressurization portion 2 through the grip 3 using the movement of the arm or shoulder, is not substantially effective. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[11] The present invention has been made to solve the above- mentioned problems occurring in the conventional art, and it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a massager

[12] in which a rotatable connection member is provided at the middle portion of a hook-shaped main body of the massager, the main body having a acupressure means,

to thereby provide easiness in use as well as effectiveness in massage therapy.

[13] In particular, another object of the present invention is to provide massager including a freely attachable and detachable acupressure means and fastening holes provided at the curved portion of the main body so that a user can selectively apply the optimum acupressure means depending on the location and condition of the affected region requiring an acupressure, to thereby increase effectiveness in massage therapy.

[14] Another object of the present invention is to provide a massager including an adjustment means provided on the connection member and the main body, respectively, so that it can be selectively adjusted and used according to various bodily shapes and conditions. Technical Solution

[15] To accomplish the above objects, there is a main feature of the massager according to the present invention in that it has a modified shape in its entirety consisting of a hook-shaped main body, a rotatable connection member, and an acupressure means.

[16] In particular, the connection member of the present invention may be constructed to have a joint type enable to be freely rotated in all directions, to thereby attempt variety in its usage. The acupressure means can be configured to be freely attachable/ detachable to/from the main body and to be additionally fastened to the fastening holes provided at the curved portion of the main body, to thereby increase the acupressure effect. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a massager according to an embodiment of the conventional invention.

[18] FIG. 2 is a view showing a state of using a massager according to an embodiment of the conventional invention.

[19] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a massager according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[20] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state where the massager is operated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[21] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

[22] As shown in FIGs. 3 through 4, the massager of the present invention is constructed such that main bodies 10a, 10b having acupressure means 20a, 20b are coupled to two opposite sides of a rotatable connection member 50, respectively, so that its entire shape can be a shape.

[23] The acupressure means 20a, 20b of the present invention are adapted to directly

pressurize or rub the affected region of a user, such that it is integrally protruded in a form of a ball from distal ends of the main bodies 10a, 10b shaped of a hook or a question mark, or a ball-shaped acupressure member 21a, 21b having fastening members 22a, 22b integrally formed therefrom are detachably fastened to the main bodies 10a, 10b. Here, the fastening members 22a, 22b integrally fastened to the ball- shaped acupressure members 21a, 21b are formed with a screw thread such as a bolt to be fastened to the main body. Further, the fastening members may have additional members, so that the ball-shaped acupressure member 21a, 21b can be rotated.

[24] In case where acupressure means 20a, 20b are constructed to be attachable/ detachable to/from the main body, a circular cross section of the distal end of main bodies 10a, 10b is formed in a centrally depressed shape. Here, a fastening hole 30a having screw thread such as a nut is formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof of the central depression. Further, fastening holes 30b as described above are provided on the inner sides of curved portions 1 Ia, 1 Ib of main bodies 10a, 10b so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Here, it is more favorable that the acupressure means 20a, 20b are selectively fastened to each of the fastening holes, because the acupressure means 20a, 20b and the fastening holes 30a, 30b are selectively used depending on the specific locations of the affected region such as an upper portion of the shoulder or a back portion of the neck of the user and the like, so that acupressure and therapy against the corresponding affected regions can be simultaneously collectively performed by one motion of a user.

[25] Further, an outer appearance of the distal end of main bodies 10a, 10b is preferably formed in a funnel shape, which is gradually widened toward its end, or otherwise a cylinder shape having a circular cross section at its bottom, so that it can provide a sense of integration and stability in fastening to the main body due to the cross section of the streamline shape or the cylinder shape, when various-sized detachable acupressure means 20a, 20b are fastened to the main body, to thereby prevent the acupressure members 21a, 21b from being distorted.

[26] In this regard, the ball-shaped acupressure members 21a, 21b of the acupressure means 20a, 20b according to the present invention are made by various materials ranging from soft to hard materials, and have diverse sizes ranging form small to big sizes, so that they can be selectively used depending on the degree of muscular stiffness, and the location of the affected region, to thereby increase effectiveness in massage therapy and acupressure.

[27] Meanwhile, the main bodies 10a, 10b are coupled to two opposite sides of the connection member 50, respectively, on either side of which a rotatable joint is formed. Such a rotatable joint may be selectively operated with any type such as the hinge with a pin, which can be rotated in one direction, or the universal joint freely rotatable in all

directions, and the like.

[28] In this instance, the connection member 50 is provided with an operation- switching means 51 of the push-button type so as to limit the rotation of the joint. The operation- switching means 51 of the push-button type is constructed such that the rotation of the joint is fixed in a predetermined location, i.e., where the button is pushed when pressing the button, and then the fixed state of the joint is released to restore to its rotatable state by repressing the button. In other words, the operation- switching means 51 functions to change a kind of operation mode.

[29] In particular, in case where a joint of the connection member 50 is rotated in one direction like the hinge with pin, as shown in FIG. 4, the massager according to the main bodies 10a, 10b, which are respectively coupled to two opposite sides of the connection member 50, has a distorted S shape as a whole, i.e., a shape where the upper and lower main bodies 10a, 10b are arranged to be run counter to each other. Accordingly, with the use of a principle such that muscles to be used become different according to the movement of arm, which results in the difference of the power to be transmitted, that is, with the application of the principle in which muscles of arm of a user is used in the humb-up grip type, and muscles of shoulder of a user is used in the hump-in grip type, muscles of shoulder of a user is mainly used in the type of the present invention described above, to thereby allow the user to obtain more powerful acupressure effect at a comfortable posture.

[30] The massager of the present invention having the connection member 50 constructed above features that it is possible to provide various usage methods such as a pressurization method by use of a hand of a user, a pressurization method by use of a leg of a user such that the main body 10b is held on the rear of thigh or knee so as to be pulled downwardly and the like, or a pressurization method by use of a third means such as a string or a cord.

[31] Further, as for the massager of the present invention, the main body 10a and the connection member 50 are provided with an adjustment means 40 for adjusting the size of the massager, i.e., the length of the massager so as to be fitted to a bodily condition such as bodily shape or stature of a user. As for a preferred embodiment of the adjustment means 40, a hole with screw thread is formed on the opposite side of where the acupressure means of the main body 10a is formed, and a bolt is formed on the opposite side of where the joint of the connection member 50 is formed, respectively, so as to function like a male screw, i.e., a bolt, and the corresponding female nut. In other words, since an outer screw thread 41 protrudingly formed from an end of the connection member 50 by a predetermined length is co-operation with an inner screw thread 42 of the main body 10a, the entire length of the massager of the present invention can be adjusted according to the engaging length of the outer screw thread 41

and the inner screw thread 42. However, differently from the above engaging method, it is possible to apply an engaging method in which a hole and a projection having the stopper function are employed to be co-operation with each other.

[32] Further, as for the massager of the present invention, the main bodies 10a, 10b coupled to two opposite sides of the connection member 50 have different sizes to each other, i.e., are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center of the connection member, so that the massager can be readily used according to the bodily stature or shape of a user.

[33] Hereinafter, the operating relationship between components of the present invention constructed above will be explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings.

[34] First, the massager of the present invention is constructed such that acupressure means 20a, 20b consisting of acupressure members 21a, 21b and fastening members 22a, 22b are selectively fastened to the fastening holes 30a, 30b provided on distal ends or inner sides of the curved portion 11a, 1 Ib of the main bodies 10a, 10b according to the degree of muscular stiffness or the location of the affected region, thereby allowing users themselves to relieve dysfunction such as muscle tightening which occurs in various regions such as back, neck, or shoulder of a user. In this instance, the user is able to select the material and size of the acupressure member 21a, 21b of the acupressure means 20a, 20b considering condition of the affected region.

[35] In addition, the entire size of the massager is adjusted by use of the adjustment means 40 according to the bodily stature or shape of a user, and the main bodies 10a, or 10b are selectively held on the shoulder, so that effective therapy to be fittable to the user body can be carried out.

[36] Figs. 5 through 7 are views showing states where the massager is used by respective types of applications. Fig. 5 is a view showing a state where a patient uses the massager of the present invention by using his or her arms, FIGs. 6 through 7 are views showing a state where a patient who has difficulty in using his or her arms or shoulder uses the massager of the present invention.

[37] As shown in FIG. 5, the main body 10b is held on the user shoulder in such a manner that the acupressure means 20b provided on the main body 10b is located coincident with the position of a certain affected region, and then the other main body 10a, which is located in front of the chest of the user, is pivotably rotated about the connection member 50 to an appropriate position, so that the user can maintain comfortable posture of his or her arms, when pressurizing, due to the rotation by the connection member 50. Accordingly, transmission of force to the acupressure means 20b, which is located coincident with the position of the affected region of shoulder or back, is easily carried out by pulling or pushing his or her arms in such a posture, to thereby facilitate the adjustment of force required for rubbing or pressurizing the

affected region.

[38] Meanwhile, referring to FIGs. 6 and 7, the main body 10b is arranged at its normal position in the same way as FIG. 5, and then the connection member 50 is pivotally rotated in such a manner that the curved portion 1 Ia of the other main body 10a is held on the rear of thigh while gripping the connection member with a user hand, so that the massage therapy can be carried out, as shown in FIG. 6. Further, FIG. 7 is a view showing the massager operated in a condition where a closed string or cord loop is hung on the curved portion 1 Ia of the other main body 10a and the other end of the loop is fixed to the feet of a user or a third means.

[39] As shown in FIG. 6, the acupressure means 20a, 20b pressurize the affected region by actions such as stretching or bending the legs and the upper body of a user, to thereby obtain acupressure effect simultaneously against the corresponding pressurized regions of the rear of thigh as well as back and shoulder of the user. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a user moves his or her upper body to right and left or up and down in a state of gripping and fixing the connection member 50 by a hand in the same way as FIG. 6, so that the corresponding affected regions of the shoulder and the back can be readily pressurized as described above.

[40] Here, as for the direction of the force acting in FIGs. 6 and 7, the vector of the force pulled from legs or a third means is oriented toward the forward and downward direction as shown in the dotted arrow of in the drawings, and a force vector for therapy of the back, which pressurizes the back of the user, is oriented toward the forward direction as shown in the dash dot arrow in the drawings. In other words, since the contact region between the massager of the present invention and the thigh of a user is positioned to be lower than that between the massager and the back upon the use of a leg or feet, the massager is pulled downwardly, to thereby obtain the force vector which is oriented toward the forward and downward direction. Such vector pushes the connection member 50 toward the body thereby to permit the acupressure members 21a, 21b, which are located in the back, to be kept apart from the body. Consequently, it fails to provide sufficient pressurization against the back and the like by use of the acupressure members 21a, 21b.

[41] In this instance, it is possible to solve the problem described above simply by fixing the rotation of the main body 10a in its certain position using the operation- switching means 51 of the push-button type. In other words, when a user desires to apply a pressurization against the affected region by using legs of the user or a third means, the connection member 50 is forwardly pushed from the user body so as to be arranged at least in a straight line or positioned to be more forward than the straight line arrangement in the condition where the main body 10b has been held on the shoulder, and then the rotation of the connection member 50 is fixed using the operation-

switching means 51, to thereby allow the back to be pressurized by the vector direction of the acupressure member 21a, 21b located on the back.

[42] While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Industrial Applicability

[43] As described above, the massager according to the present invention comprises a rotatable connection member provided at the middle portion of a hook- shaped main body of the massager, the main body having a acupressure means, so that it can improve convenience in use as well as acupressure effect, to thereby provide excellent preventive and therapeutic effects on a variety of disease caused by muscle pain.

[44] Further, it is possible to provide a constant acupressure effect irrespective of the bodily condition of a user by means of the main bodies, which are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center of the connection member, or the adjustment means provided on the main body and a connection member, respectively. In particular, economic effect can also be expected through the improvement in productivity and reduction in cost owing to its simple construction.