Patent Application
20070100259
The present document relates to a massage apparatus, and more particularly to a massage apparatus that produces a vacuum.
In one embodiment, the massage apparatus comprises a body having a handle engaged to a vibratory casing, the handle including a vacuum pulsation generator disposed therein, the vacuum pulsation generator for generating a vacuum effect and having a means for automatically generating a varied pulsed vacuum effect, and a suction cup engaged to the vibratory casing for producing a varied pulsed vacuum and/or vibrating effect.
In another embodiment, the massage apparatus comprises a handle having a vacuum pulsation generator disposed therein, the vacuum pulsation generator in operative association with a conduit, the vacuum pulsation generator providing a means for generating a varied pulsed vacuum effect through the conduit,
a vibrator casing operatively associated with the handle through a flexible member forming the conduit, the vibrator casing having a vibratory component disposed therein for providing a vibrating function, and a swivel head operatively engaged to the vibratory casing through the flexible member, the flexible member being capable of retaining a bent orientation relative to the handle.
In yet another embodiment, the vacuum pulsation generator comprises an upper casing and a lower casing collectively defining a main chamber having a motor operatively disposed therein, the upper casing defining an inlet in selective fluid flow communication with an air-intake check valve operable between open and closed positions for permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through the inlet, the upper casing further defining an outlet in selective fluid flow communication with an air-exhaust check valve operable between an open and closed positions for permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through the outlet, the motor being operatively associated with a flexible diaphragm through a movable link driven by operation of the motor.
In another embodiment, the massage apparatus comprises a body having a conduit in fluid flow communication with a vacuum pulsation generator disposed inside the body, the vacuum pulsation generator being adapted to generate a varied pulsed vacuum effect through the conduit.
Implementation of the above embodiments may include one or more of the following features:
The vibrator casing is engaged to the handle through a flexible member, the vibrator casing including a vibratory component disposed therein for providing a vibratory effect.
The flexible member permits the suction cup to be positioned in various orientations relative to the hollow body and retain that bent orientation.
The vacuum pulsation generator comprises upper and lower casings defining a main chamber.
The vacuum pulsation generator comprises a flexible diaphragm operatively disposed inside the main chamber, the diaphragm being operable to that generate the varied pulsed vacuum effect by varying volume above the diaphragm on the main chamber.
The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises an air-intake check valve in selective fluid flow communication with the main chamber for preventing or permitting fluid flow in communication with the main chamber.
The air-intake check valve is in operative engagement with a control switch, the control switch having a means for automatically providing a varied pulsed vacuum effect.
The air-exhaust check valve is in operative engagement with a vacuum release button, the vacuum release button providing a means for releasing vacuum from the main chamber when the air-exhaust check valve is in the open position.
The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises a diaphragm-pushing holder operatively engaged to the diaphragm and defining a fixed pivot, the diaphragm-pushing holder being operatively engaged to a movable link, wherein movement of the movable link causes the diaphragm-pushing holder to move the diaphragm in a reciprocating movement for producing a varied pulsed vacuum effect.
The movable link is operatively engaged to a shaft of a motor, the shaft defining a moving pivot, wherein movement of the moving pivot relative to the fixed pivot by the movable link when the motor is operable causes the diaphragm-pushing holder to move the diaphragm in the reciprocating movement.
The moving pivot is eccentrically mounted to the shaft.
The diaphragm has a peripheral area operatively engaged to a support spring.
The suction cup is in fluid flow communication with the vacuum pulsation generator through a conduit for providing the varied pulsed vacuum effect.
The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises a control switch for providing a vacuum mode for generating a vacuum in the vacuum environment.
The vacuum pulsation generator further comprises a vacuum release button operable to release vacuum from the main chamber.
Additional features will be set forth in the description which follows or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and detailed description which follows.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding elements among the view of the drawings.
Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the massage apparatus is illustrated and generally indicated as 10 in
In one embodiment, the swivel head 16 may be made of a resilient material and has a generally cylindrical shape with a double-layered construction comprising a flexible suction cup 18 engaged to a support cup 20. Referring to
As further shown, the handle 14 defines a chamber 46 that communicates with an open end 44 and is adapted to house a vacuum pulsation generator 30 therein for providing an automatic and varied pulsed vacuum effect. The chamber 46 also houses a battery source 34 comprising a plurality of batteries 35 encased in a battery casing 28 that provide a power supply to the various components of the massage apparatus 10, such as the vibratory component 32 and vacuum pulsation generator 30 through a wire 58. In addition, wire 58 may also be adapted to transmit signals that control operation of various components of massage apparatus 10. An end cap 26 may define at least one protrusion 140 adapted to engage at least one L-shaped slot 52 defined around the periphery of open end 44 of handle 14 in order to secure the end cap 26 to handle 14. A plurality of extruded profiles 48 may be defined along the exterior of handle 14 for providing an ergonomic and comfortable gripping surface for the user. The handle 14 may further comprise a vacuum release button 50 that is operatively associated with vacuum pulsation generator 30 for controlling vacuum release operation of the massage apparatus 10.
In one embodiment shown in
Referring to
As further shown, the air-intake check valve 36 may include a first chamber 98 in communication with a second chamber 100 through a port 126 at one end and a conduit 138 at another end, while second chamber 100 may be in fluid flow communication with main chamber 74 through an inlet 128. The air-intake check valve 36 may further include a rod 86 that is operatively associated with control switch 42 for controlling the operation of air-intake check valve 36. The rod 86 is slidably disposed through channel 96 and includes a stop 156 that is engageable with the wall of chamber 98 along opening 124 for controlling the lateral movement of rod 86. Rod 86 is operatively engageable with a plug 88 that is adapted to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow communication through port 126 of air-intake check valve 36. As further shown, control switch 42 may include a spring 114 operatively engaged to rod 86 at one end, while a spring 116 is operatively engaged to plug 88. Spring 116 applies a bias to the plug 88 and spring 114 applies a counter bias against handle 154 by rod 86 such that control switch 42 is operatively associated with plug 88 for selectively permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through opening 126 upon actuation of switch 42. A pair of sealing elements 122 made of a resilient material is disposed around channel 96 for providing a fluid tight seal around rod 86.
The air-exhaust check valve 38 may include a first chamber 92 in communication with a second chamber 94 through an opening 108 and the main chamber 74 through an outlet 130. In addition, vacuum release button 50 may include a handle 154 operatively engaged to a rod 82 that communicates with first chamber 92 through a channel 90. The rod 82 may be operatively associated with a stop 158 that is engageable with the wall of chamber 92 along opening 106 for controlling the lateral movement of rod 82. Rod 82 may be operatively engageable with a plug 83 that is adapted to selectively permit or prevent fluid flow communication through opening 108 when actuated by the vacuum release button 50. As further shown, second chamber 94 defines a port 104 in fluid flow communication with atmosphere for permitting bi-directional airflow from the main chamber 74. Vacuum release button 50 may include a first spring 110 operatively associated with rod 82 at one end, while a second spring 112 is operatively engaged to plug 83. Spring 112 applies a spring bias to the plug 83 and spring 110 applies a counter spring bias against handle 154 by rod 82 such that the vacuum release button 50 is operatively associated with plug 83 for selectively permitting or preventing fluid flow communication through opening 108 upon actuation of button 50. Finally, first and second sealing elements 120 may be disposed around channel 90 for providing a fluid-tight seal around rod 82.
As further shown, flexible diaphragm 76 may be engaged along its peripheral area to a support spring 78 mounted between the upper and lower casings 68, 70 of the vacuum pulsation generator 30 for facilitating a reciprocating movement by diaphragm 76. The flexible diaphragm 76 is operatively engaged to a movable link 132 through a diaphragm-pushing holder 118 that provides a means for transmitting a force to flexible diaphragm 76 that causes diaphragm 76 to move in a reciprocating movement such that a varied pulsed vacuum effect is provided when actuated by the user. This varied pulsed vacuum effect produced by the vacuum pulsation generator 30 automatically generates pulses of vacuum in a varied, non-periodic manner through a conduit 138 that is defined through tubing 59 and in selective fluid flow communication between the suction cup 18 and the vacuum pulsation generator 30.
To provide this varied pulsed vacuum effect, the movable link 132, for example a flexible belt, may be operatively engaged to the diaphragm-pushing holder 118 at one end and a moving pivot 136 at the opposite end thereof. In addition, the movable link 132 may be operatively engaged to a motor 72 and transmits a force generated by the rotation of moving pivot 136 by motor shaft 144 about a fixed point 137 relative to a fixed pivot 136 defined by the diaphragm-pushing holder 118. The rotating action of the moving pivot 136 about fixed point 137 along pathway 160 transmits a generally reciprocating force to the diaphragm- pushing holder 118 that causes the flexible diaphragm 76 to move in a reciprocating movement illustrated by directions B and C. The movable link 132 may be eccentrically mounted to the motor shaft 144 for generating this reciprocating movement for producing varied, non-periodic pulses of vacuum.
As noted above, the control switch 42 may control the operation of the massage apparatus 10 in one of three modes; OFF mode; VACUUM mode; and VIBRATION mode by moving the switch 42 in one of three positions that correspond to each respective mode. When the control switch 42 is placed in the VACUUM mode, a continuous vacuum is then generated that draws air into the vacuum pulsation generator 30 from the suction cup 18 and through conduit 138. If it is desired to release vacuum, the user may actuate the vacuum release button 50 as discussed below. When the control switch 42 is placed in the VIBRATION mode, the vibratory component 32 is activated which causes the vibratory component 32 to generate a vibration movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the component 32. This vibration movement causes the entire swivel head 16 to vibrate while vacuum may be simultaneously generated by massage apparatus 10 and applied by suction cup 18.
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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 teaching of this invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.
