FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to extension arms for portable devices, and in particular to an extension arm attachment configured for engaging a portable “T”-style hand-held massager device.
BACKGROUND
Portable hand-held massager devices, such as “T”-style hand-held percussion massager devices, are well known for providing rehabilitative and therapeutic massaging effects to a user. Typically, these types of portable massager devices are held by the hand and manipulated by the user to massage particular portions of the body; however, areas of the body, such the back, are difficult to reach and directly apply the portable massager. As such, portable hand-held massager devices lack a means for allowing a user to contact those hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as the upper and lower back areas.
It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of the extension arm attachment engaged with a conventional portable massager device.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the extension arm attachment engaged to the conventional portable massager device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the extension arm attachment of FIG. 1 showing an extension arm, coupling member, hand grip, and plastic end cover.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the coupling member engaged to the extension arm without the clamping member.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the extension arm attachment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the extension arm attachment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a proximal end view of the extension arm attachment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a distal end view of the extension arm attachment showing the inner channel and inner shoulder configured to receive and engage a handle of the conventional portable massager device of FIG. 1.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings. The headings used in the figures do not limit the scope of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments of an extension arm attachment configured for securely mounting a portable massager device, such as a “T”-style portable massager devices, that extends the reach of the portable massager device such the user can reach previously inaccessible areas of the body with the portable massager device due to the additional extension provided by the extension arm attachment when mounted to the portable massager device. In some embodiments, the extension arm attachment includes an extension arm forming an elongated body coupled with a coupling member mounted to one end of the extension arm. In one aspect, the coupling member defines an inner channel configured to receive the handle of a portable massager device and collectively forms an inner shoulder with the extension arm to define a mounting surface for mounting the portable massager device to the inner channel of the coupling member. In some embodiments, a cable tie is provided to securely mount the portable massager device to the extension arm. Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of an extension arm attachment for coupling with a massager apparatus is illustrated and generally indicated as 100 in FIGS. 1-8.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an embodiment of the extension arm attachment, designated 100, is illustrated. As shown, the extension arm attachment 100 includes a hollow, tubular-shaped extension arm 101 configured to securely engage a coupling member 102. In some embodiments, the extension arm 101 and coupling member 102 are made from an ABS material that allow a cable tie 103 to securely couple the attachment arm 101 to the coupling member 102. In one method of assembly, the attachment arm 101 is received within the coupling member 102 such that the attachment arm 101 extends a distance within the coupling member 102. In some embodiments, a band 111 of a cable tie 103 may be tightened around groove 114 of the coupling member 102 by inserting the band 111 through a housing 110 that engages serrations (not shown) formed along one side of the band 111 until the band 111 produces a compressive force around the coupling member 102 such that the coupling member 102 cannot be disengaged from the extension arm 101. In some embodiments, the cable tie 103 may be tightened around the coupling member 102 either by hand or by machine. In some embodiments, the extension arm 101 and coupling member 102 may be manufactured as a single unitary construct without requiring prior assembly during manufacture.
Referring back to FIG. 1, as noted above the extension arm attachment 100 is configured to be coupled with a conventional portable massager apparatus 10, for example, a “T”-style portable percussion massager apparatus; however, any portable massager apparatus with a suitable handle may be coupled to the extension arm attachment. The extension arm attachment 100 is configured to be coupled with the handle 14 of the portable massager apparatus 10. In one method of assembling the portable massager apparatus 10 to the extension arm attachment 100, the handle 14 may be partially disposed within the coupling member 102 such that the rubberized grip of the portable massager apparatus 10 is either partially or fully disposed within the coupling member 102. In some embodiments of the portable massager apparatus 10, remains exposed and only the free end of the handle 14 is engaged with the coupling member 101, while in other methods of assembly the handle 14 is fully disposed within the coupling member 102 of the extension arm attachment 100. In either case, a user will be able to grip the handle 14 and operate the portable massager apparatus 10 under normal use once the extension arm attachment 100 is connected.
Referring to FIG. 3, the extension arm 101 forms an elongated tubular-shaped body forming a distal end portion 104 configured for mounting the coupling member 102 with the portable massager apparatus 10 and an opposite proximal end portion 105 configured to be used as a gripping surface 116. As further shown, an end cap 117 seals off the proximal opening 115 of the extension arm 101. The extension arm 101 defines a distal opening 112 formed at the distal end 104 of the extension arm 101 that communicates with an inner channel 113 that extends the length of the extension arm 101.
As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling member 102 forms a body 106 defining a distal end 108 and an opposing proximal end 109 with an axial channel 107 formed between and in communication with a distal end 108 and a proximal ends 109, respectively. In some embodiments, the coupling member 102 may be attached or formed integral with the distal end portion 104 of the extension arm 101. Once engaged to the extension arm 101, the coupling member 102 is configured to receive the handle 14 of the portable massager apparatus 10 such that the portable massager apparatus 10 is securely mounted to the coupling member 102 of the extension arm attachment 100. In one aspect, the body 106 of the coupling member 102 defines a shallow circumferential groove 114 configured to receive the clamping tie 103 for tightening and securing the distal end 104 of the extension arm 101 to the proximal end 109 of the coupling member 102. In another aspect, the handle 14 of the portable massager apparatus 10 may be configured to house a conventional lithium ion battery which engages the coupling member 102 in which the friction and suction between the rubber material of the coupling member 102 and the handle 14 is sufficient to hold the extension arm attachment 100 to the portable massager apparatus 10 securely together.
In some embodiments, a flexible retention band, such as a flexible band made from VELCRO, may be engaged around the portable massager apparatus 10 for further securing the portable massager apparatus 10 with the extension arm attachment 100. In some embodiments, a gripping handle may be a padded hand grip 116 engaged along the extension arm 101 along the proximal end portion 105 for providing a gripping surface for the user when handling the extension arm attachment 100.
In one aspect, engagement of the extension arm attachment 100 to the portable massager device 10 decreases the degree of vibration felt by the user handling the extension arm 101 due to the coupling member 102 and the addition of the padded hand grip 116.
It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teachings of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
Patent Application
20210161759
