Patent Application
20210244606
The present invention relates to a configurable therapeutic roller kit, to a configurable therapeutic roller apparatus, and to methods of using the kit and apparatus.
For anyone who undergoes a certain amount of physical activity, such as an athlete or a physical fitness aficionado, injuries may occur, and therapeutic and/or preventative measures must be taken so that such injuries heal and do not become worse.
Compressing (massaging), icing, or heating injuries are the most common methods of short-term treatment, and can provide several major benefits. However, the methods of delivering these treatments are tedious and can be time consuming.
In a case of icing an injury, for example, ice melts over a relatively short period of time, and the resulting water is difficult to contain and can cause a mess. Applying ice to injuries also does not provide the benefit of compression, which massages the injury location and prevents further swelling.
A number of different tools are known for use in therapeutic massage. Examples of some of these known tools include those described in U.S. Pat. D259,142, U.S. Pat. D272,090, U.S. Pat. D378,539, U.S. Pat. D501,257, U.S. Pat. D829,334, U.S. Pat. D870,908, U.S. Pat. No. 622,350, U.S. Pat. No. 1,844,247, U.S. Pat. No. 1,904,042, U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,326, U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,159, U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,285, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,783.
Although the known massage rollers and related tools are usable for their intended purposes, a need still exists in the art for improved therapeutic massage rollers and related methods.
The present invention provides a configurable therapeutic massage roller apparatus, and in an alternate embodiment, provides a kit of components which may be assembled to form the apparatus, or to form other subassemblies which are discussed further herein.
The kit or apparatus hereof includes including a main roller body having several selectively connectable components made of a reasonably insulating material, such as plastic.
The main roller body includes a substantially cup-shaped lower encasement member, a modified goblet-shaped upper encasement member and a ring-shaped middle encasement member which is selectively attachable to either or both of the upper and lower encasement members.
The kit or apparatus also includes a hollow roller ball which fits nestingly inside of the main roller body. The roller ball is made of a heat-conductive material, which may be formed of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The roller ball contains a thermally stable material which may be a refrigerant, such as any of the known materials used inside of re-usable ice packs.
The lower encasement member has a first concave opening formed therein and also has a flattened lower surface on a side opposite the first concave opening. The lower encasement member also has an upper edge portion with at least one first attachment structure thereon for connecting to the middle encasement member. The first attachment structure may include threads, a first part of a resilient plastic snap connector, a first part of a bayonet connection, or other known attachment structure.
The middle encasement member is a substantially cylindrical ring-shaped member having a hollow central opening formed therein. The middle encasement member also has a lower edge portion with a second attachment structure thereon for selectively connecting to the first attachment structure of the lower encasement member. The middle encasement member also has an upper edge portion with a third attachment structure thereon for selectively connecting to a fourth attachment structure of the upper encasement member;
The hollow central opening of the middle encasement member is formed with a tapered interior shape, having a first diameter at the upper edge portion thereof, and having a second diameter at the lower edge portion, where the second diameter is less than the first diameter.
This reduced diameter feature of the middle encasement member retains the roller ball within the assembled apparatus when the middle encasement member is attached to either the upper encasement member or to the lower encasement member with the roller ball therein.
The upper encasement member includes a cup-shaped portion having a second concave opening formed therein and having a handle attached to an upper end thereof. The upper encasement member has a lower edge portion with at least one fourth attachment structure thereon for connecting to the middle encasement member.
The roller ball is capable of being removed from the main roller body, and may be either heated or cooled to a desired target temperature. As further described in subsequent sections, the middle encasement member can be selectively connected to other components of the kit or apparatus to provide a massage roller apparatus which is usable to provide a therapeutic massage treatment to a patient.
Several advantages are associated with the use of a configurable apparatus described: to provide portability of a therapeutic massage configurable apparatus, to provide ergonomic handling of such a configurable apparatus, to provide user flexibility in the configurations in which the configurable apparatus can be used, and to enable the configurable apparatus to be utilized in a cold state for a relatively long amount of time.
The configurable therapeutic roller configurable apparatus according to the present invention provides a versatile solution to problems associated with massaging an injury and applying different temperatures to such injury.
Firstly, it is able to combine the benefit of a configurable athletic massage apparatus, in a manner comparable to a foam roller, and the added benefit of applying low or high temperatures to an injury. Secondly, it minimizes the hassle associated with handling a material such as ice, as described above. This means that it takes less effort to prepare, and there is no mess to clean up after the user finishes using the configurable apparatus.
Additionally, the configurable apparatus is portable, so that the user can easily store the configurable apparatus and bring it to an athletic event, a trip to the gym, etc. This is possible because the insulating aspect of the configurable apparatus minimizes heat transfer, keeping the configurable apparatus at a target temperature for long amounts of time.
Another beneficial property of this configurable apparatus is the ability for the user to manipulate the components into several configurations. This gives the user flexibility in how they would like to utilize the configurable apparatus, whether with a handle, without a handle, or in a modified form, with some other handle portion that gives the user better gripping ability.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.
Throughout the present specification and claims, relative positional terms like ‘upper’, ‘lower’, ‘middle’, ‘front’, ‘rear’, ‘top’, ‘bottom’, ‘horizontal’, ‘vertical’, and the like are used to refer to the orientation of the apparatus as shown in the drawings. These terms are used in an illustrative sense to describe the depicted embodiments as shown, and are meant to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention.
It will be understood that the depicted apparatus may be placed at an orientation different from that shown in the drawings, such as inverted 180 degrees or transverse to that shown, and in such a case, the above-identified relative positional terms will no longer be accurate.
Referring now to the drawings, a configurable therapeutic massage roller apparatus, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention, is shown generally at 10 in
The apparatus 10 includes a main roller body 12, formed of several selectively connectable components which are made of a reasonably insulating material, such as plastic, and also includes a roller ball 14 which fits inside of the main roller body 12.
The present invention also relates to a kit 100 of components, shown separately in
As noted above, the kit 100 or apparatus 10 also includes a hollow roller ball 14, which fits inside of the main roller body 12.
The main roller body 12 is hollow and includes an lower encasement member 16, a middle encasement member 20, and an upper encasement member 18. The main roller body 12 is made of materials capable of exhibiting heat insulating properties such as plastic, but any substitution with other materials having such properties may alternatively be used.
The lower encasement member 16 has a flattened lower surface 16s which is provided so that the assembled apparatus 10 can stand statically. The lower encasement member 16 is a generally cup-shaped member having a concave socket 22 formed therein, and at an upper end thereof, the lower encasement member 16 is provided with a first attachment structure 24. In the depicted embodiment, the first attachment structure takes the form of female threads engraved around the inner circumference of the upper end, as shown.
The middle encasement member 20 is generally in the form of a circular ring 40 which is extended by a second attachment structure 42 at the lower end thereof, and by a third attachment structure 44 at the upper end thereof. In the depicted embodiment, each of the second and third attachment structures takes the form of male threads engraved around the outer circumference of the lower and upper ends of the middle encasement member 20, as shown.
The middle encasement member is threadably engageable with the first attachment structure of the lower encasement member via either of the second attachment structure 42 or the third attachment structure 44 fitting into the first attachment structure, depending on the desired use of the kit 100 or apparatus 10.
An interior surface of the annular middle encasement member 20 forms a hollow cylindrical space 48 configured and dimensioned to receive a central portion of the roller ball 14.
D2, however, represents a smaller diameter, by approximately several millimeters, at the narrowest part of the of the second attachment structure 42, which defines a narrow portion 45. This is because the hollow cylindrical space 48 begins to taper inwardly at the lower end of the middle encasement member 20, as shown, where the second attachment structure 42 is located, meaning that the inner surface of this ring is curved inwards so that when the widest part of the the roller ball 14 contacts the narrow portion 45, the roller ball 14 becomes obstructed and cannot completely pass through this part of the middle encasement member.
The upper encasement member 18 is formed in an inverted modified goblet shape, as shown, including an inverted cup-like base portion 32 having a concave hollow socket 34 (
In the depicted embodiment, the upper encasement member 18 also includes a handle portion 35 extending upwardly out of the base portion 32 on a side opposite the concave socket 34. The handle portion 35 could possibly have a hollow opening 36 formed therethrough to allow for hanging storage of the apparatus. The handle portion 35 could be made in a different shape as desired, such as in a grippable loop having projections extending inwardly thereon to fit between the fingers of a user.
The inverted cup-like base 32 has a fourth attachment structure 38 is provided inside of the concave socket 34 formed therein, and at the lower end of the base 32. In the depicted embodiment, the fourth attachment structure 38 takes the form of female threads engraved around the inner circumference of the lower end of the base 32, as shown.
The roller ball 14 is made of a material capable of exhibiting heat conducting properties such as a metal, but other alternative materials with such properties may also be used. The roller ball 14 has a substantially hollow interior so that it may enclose a substance with a high heat capacity, which is capable of absorbing quantities of heat energy.
In this tool 50, the lower encasement member 16 of the configurable apparatus 10 is removed, but the upper encasement member 18 and the middle encasement member 20 hold the roller ball 40 in place. The concave socket 34 of the inverted cup-like base 32 serves as a partial housing to supportively receive a portion of the roller ball 14 therein.
The inverted cup-like base 32 of the upper encasement member 18 contains the fourth attachment structure 38, which combines with the third attachment structure 44 of the middle encasement member 20. In the depicted embodiment, this is accomplished by engaging the male threads of the third attachment structure 44 into the female threads of the fourth attachment structure 38.
It is important to note that only an attachment between the third attachment structure 44 and the fourth attachment structure 38 specifically will allow for this configuration. This is because the portion of the middle encasement member having the third attachment structure thereon contains the correct diameter portion of the cylindrical space 48 configured and dimensioned to receive a central portion of the roller ball 14..
In the arrangement of the tool 50 shown in
The cup-shaped lower encasement member 16 contains the first attachment structure 24, which combines with the third attachment structure 44 of the middle encasement member 20. In the depicted embodiment, this is accomplished by engaging the male threads of the third attachment structure 44 into the female threads of the first attachment structure 24.
It is important to note that only an attachment between the third attachment structure 44 and the first attachment structure 24 specifically will allow for this configuration. This is because the portion of the middle encasement member having the third attachment structure 44 thereon contains the correct diameter portion of the cylindrical space 48 configured and dimensioned to receive a central portion of the roller ball 14..
In the arrangement of the tool 60 shown in
In operation, the roller ball 14 is heated or cooled until it reaches a desired temperature. When this is achieved, the user should then assemble the configurable apparatus into the either of the massage tools 50 or 60. This can be accomplished by manipulating either the upper encasement member 18, middle encasement member 20, or lower encasement member 16, such that the second attachment structure 42 of the middle encasement member 20 engages the fourth attachment structure the upper encasement member 18 or alternatively, that the second attachment structure 42 of the middle encasement member 20 engages the first attachment structure 24 of the lower encasement member 16, depending on the desired configuration.
When using the first tool 50, the user may hold the handle portion 35, and when using the second tool 60, the user may hold onto the combination of the middle encasement member 20 and lower encasement member 16. In either case, the user can apply the roller ball 14 to selected parts of a patient's body for therapeutic effect. This application is accomplished by the following:
The roller ball 14 is able to rotate freely because it is held within the components described above. It does not fall out due to the construction of the middle encasement member 20. Specifically, the diameter of the middle encasement member at the narrow portion 45 is smaller than that of the widest portion of the roller ball 14, thus obstructing the roller ball's passing through the area.
The user can apply pressure and use the configurations to roll the roller ball 14 across parts of the body. This produces a massage effect.
The low or high temperature of the roller ball 14 changes the temperature of parts of the body on contact. This produces a cooling or heating effect.
When the configurable kit 100 or apparatus 10 is not in therapeutic use, the user may assemble the configurable apparatus as presented in
A first method of using the kit 100 involves a first step of placing the roller ball 14 inside of the hollow space 48 of the middle encasement member 20 so that the narrow portion 45 retains the roller ball therein.
The first method also includes a second step of engaging the third attachment structure 44 of the middle encasement member 20 with the fourth attachment structure 38 of the upper encasement member 18 to form the first therapeutic massage tool 50, wherein the roller ball 14 is retained within the tool by the narrow portion 45 of the middle encasement member.
A second method of using the kit 100 involves a first step of placing the roller ball 14 inside of the hollow space 48 of the middle encasement member 20 so that the narrow portion 45 retains the roller ball therein.
The second method also includes a second step of engaging the third attachment structure 44 of the middle encasement member 20 with the first attachment structure 24 of the lower encasement member to form the second therapeutic massage tool 60, wherein the roller ball 14 is retained within the tool by the narrow portion 45 of the middle encasement member..
Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to a number of specific illustrative embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, rather than to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the illustrative embodiment could be made which would be operable. All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
Apparatus 10
Main roller body 12
Roller Ball: 14
Lower encasement member: 16
Flat surface of lower encasement member: 16s
Upper encasement member: 18
Middle encasement member: 20
Concave socket of lower encasement member 22
First attachment structure of lower encasement member: 24
Cup-like base of upper encasement member: 32
Concave socket of upper encasement member: 34
Handle portion of upper encasement member: 35
Hollow opening in handle portion: 36
Fourth attachment structure: 38
Middle ring of middle encasement member: 40
Second attachment structure of middle encasement member: 42
Third attachment structure of middle encasement member: 44
Narrow portion of middle encasement member: 45
Hollow cylindrical space within middle encasement member: 48
First massage tool 50
First diameter of the hollow cylindrical space: D1
Second diameter of the hollow cylindrical space: D2
Kit of components 100
The present application is based on, and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/971,964, filed Feb. 8, 2020. The entire contents the referenced priority application, including specification and drawings, are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62971964 | Feb 2020 | US |
