This invention relates to a massaging device.

Background to the invention

The applicant is aware of oil massaging techniques. These techniques require special skills and training and it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus that simplifies oil massaging techniques. In addition, oil massaging techniques also causes a massager's hands to be covered in the oil used and it is a further object to allow a massager's hands to remain oil free.

General description of the invention

According to the invention there is provided a massage apparatus, which apparatus includes:

a housing, housing at least two ball seats with each seat rotatably capturing a ball such that a portion of the ball protrudes from the housing on one side of the seat;

at least one reservoir inside the housing in fluid communication with the surface of the balls, which surface is not protruding from the housing; and

a ball seated in each seat.

The housing may have a shape in the form of a grip formation to allow a person to grip the housing with the balls available to apply massaging pressure. The housing may be curved, such as in a kidney or bean shape, in order to assist in forming the grip formation. The gripping formation may include a groove provided about the housing or indentations included in parts of the housing in order to improve the grip of a person on the apparatus. The grip formation provided by the housing may be such that the need for contact between a person performing a massaging action and a person being massaged is negated. The apparatus may additionally function as a roll-on applicator for dispensing oil in the reservoir while the balls are being used to apply massaging pressure to a person without coming in contact with the oil or the person being massaged.

The apparatus may include any number of balls but will typically contain two that are positioned side by side, with both protruding from the same side of the housing and each ball in fluid contact with a reservoir.

The centre of the housing may be hollow in order to form one or more reservoirs. Alternatively separate reservoirs in the form of containers may be inserted into the housing wherein each container is in fluid communication with the surface of a ball. Each reservoir may be provided with a closable opening on the surface of the housing such that the content of the reservoir can be filled or emptied.

The closable opening may be closable with a stopper provided with an o- ring for sealing the opening, which stopper is included with the apparatus.

The housing may be provided with a snugly fitted lid in order to cover the arrangement of balls. The lid may be provided with recesses coinciding with the balls in order to cover the balls whilst limiting the total volume of the apparatus.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention is now described by way of non limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a cross sectional front view of a first embodiment of a massage apparatus, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the first embodiment of the massage apparatus; Figure 3 shows an end side view of the first embodiment of the massage apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the first embodiment of the massage apparatus; Figure 5 shows a cross sectional perspective view of a second embodiment of a massage apparatus, in accordance with the invention;

Figures 6 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the massage apparatus;

Figure 7 shows a top view of the second embodiment of the massage apparatus; Figure 8 shows a cross sectional perspective view of a third embodiment of a massage apparatus, in accordance with the invention; and

Figures 9 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the massage apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, the massage apparatus, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

With reference to figures 1 through 4 in a first example the massage apparatus 10 includes a housing in the form of a block 12 provided with a pair of ball seats 14 inside the block 12 with each rotatably capturing a ball 16, which seats 14 are configured to capture the balls 16 such that a portion of the balls 16 protrudes out of the block 12 on the underside of the seat 14. The massager further includes a reservoir 18 inside the block 12 in fluid communication, via feeder tubes 20, with the surface of the ball 16 on the other side of the seat 14 inside the block 12. The reservoir 8 is provided with a closable opening 22 on the upper surface of the block 12. The opening 22 is closable by means a stopper 24 provided with an o-ring 26 for sealing the opening, which stopper is included with the apparatus. The block 12 is oblong shaped with a groove grip formation 28 to allow a person to grip the block with the balls available to apply massaging pressure.

With reference to figures 5 through 7 in a second example the massage apparatus 10 includes a housing 11 formed into a kidney shape such that the massage apparatus 10 can be gripped properly by a person performing a massaging action, without coming into contact with a person being massaged or any oils being used. The housing 11 is provided with a pair of ball seats 14 each rotatably capturing a ball 6 such that a portion of the ball 16 protrudes from the housing 11. The housing 11 encloses reservoirs in the form of a pair of containers 30 which are attached to the ball seats 14 in a liquid tight manner such that the contents of the container is in fluid communication with the surface of the ball 16 not protruding from the housing 11. The housing is provided with grooves and recesses 28 in order to increase the persons grip on the massager 10. The apparatus 10 is provided with a lid 32 in order to prevent exposure of the balls 16 and oils to atmosphere when not in use.

With reference to figures 8 through 10 in a third example the massage apparatus 10 includes a housing 11 formed into a kidney shape such that the massage apparatus 10 can be gripped properly by a person performing a massaging action, without coming into contact with a person being massaged or any oils being used. The housing 11 is provided with a pair of ball seats 14 each rotatably capturing a ball 16 such that a portion of the ball 16 protrudes from the housing 11. The housing 11 is shaped to form a reservoir such that the content of the reservoir is in fluid communication with the surface of each ball 16 not protruding from the housing 11. The housing is provided with a groove 28 in order to increase the persons grip on the massager 10. The apparatus 10 is provided with a lid 32 that includes recesses 34 in order to prevent exposure of the balls 16 and oils to atmosphere and other surfaces when not in use.

It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.