EP0619996A1 - Massage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a massage apparatus 10 for rolling massage of skin and reflex zones of the human body, in which a wheel shaft 24 which is located in arch shape on a handle is provided with massage rings or rolling bodies 26 mounted thereon so as to be freely rotatable. These massage rings or rolling bodies are each provided with projections 28 which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction and are preferably made of needle tips. In order to ensure an optimum massaging effect the invention proposes that the wheel shaft 24 carrying the massage rings or rolling bodies 26 be mounted with the handle 12 in a connection 30, 32, 34, 36 which is resilient at least to a limited extent transversely to its longitudinal direction. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a massager for roller massage of skin and reflex zones on the human body, which has an axis seated on a handle with freely rotatable massage rings or roller bodies, which are each provided with projections arranged uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction, which are preferably made of needle tips consist.

A massage device of this type is already known from EP-B1-0 142 132 and has proven itself very well in practical use. It has an acupuncture-like mode of action, which means that it produces a selective massage effect and can therefore be used in self-treatment for rolling massage of skin and reflex zones. It is essential here that the skin irritation caused by the roller massage can often achieve beneficial therapeutic effects, provided a good area massage is carried out on the painful parts of the body and / or the relevant reflex zones.

In the massage device described above, the handle is at least limitedly adjustable in angle relative to the axis supporting the massage rings or rolling elements about a transverse joint from the axial alignment position, because this enables an optimal surface rolling massage in self-treatment even on such painful parts of the body or on reflex zones to be treated. if these are difficult to access, e.g. in the back area. The hand holding and / or guiding the massager can make the necessary movements carry out without reaching extreme positions, which could make the desirable intensive handling difficult and thus impair the therapeutic effect.

DE-U-90 10 455 and EP-A1-0 465 758 have proposed a massage device of the type mentioned at the outset, which has a structure in which the axis of the massage rings or rolling elements carrying the side of the handle in a through a pivot axis Is pivotally connected to the handle fork part and the pivot axis extends centrally in the fork part and thus also centrally to the massage rings or rolling elements.

This embodiment of a massage device is intended to make it possible to use it easily and effectively without risk of injury to the skin, even in the case of more curved body parts.

The design, which is modified compared to the massage device of the first-mentioned type, is primarily intended to ensure that the handle is at such a distance from the body part to be treated that contact with the skin by the handle is excluded during the massage. The oscillating suspension of the axis of the massage rings or rolling elements next to the handle should make it possible for their position to automatically adapt to the course of the skin areas to be massaged during massaging, even with a constant angular position of the handle, so that the massage rings or Rolling body is guaranteed.

The practical use of massage devices of the latter type has shown that in most applications the therapeutic effect that can be achieved with the massage device of the first type cannot be achieved or can only be achieved to a limited extent. The system pressure exerted on the massage rings or rolling elements by means of the handle by means of the axis is namely applied to the skin or Parts of the body practically only in the immediate vicinity of the pivot axis, namely in the area of an effective plane placed through the pivot axis and crossing the axis carrying the massage rings or rolling elements at a right angle. At all points away from this active level, on the other hand, the system pressure deviates more or less strongly from the desired value in the positive and / or negative sense and thus permanently impairs the desirable favorable therapeutic effect, as can be achieved with the practice-proven massage device of the first type.

The aim of the invention is to show a possibility with which the sensitivity or sensitivity in the handling of massage devices can be improved, regardless of whether they have one or the other of the two types described above.

In other words: The pressure force exerted on the massage device by the handle should not only be distributed as evenly as possible over the entire length of the axis carrying the massage rings or rolling elements, but at the same time it should also have the optimal effect on the areas of the body and / or reflex zones treated Get dosage. To a certain extent, a sensor system is to be provided in the flow of force from the handle to the axis carrying the massage rings or rolling elements, which brings the effective pressure of the needle tips present on the massage rings or rolling elements as projections onto the treating skin and reflex zones to the therapeutically most effective level.

This object can be achieved in a surprisingly simple manner according to the invention in that the axis carrying the massage rings or rolling elements is held with the handle in an elastically flexible connection which is at least to a limited extent transverse to its longitudinal direction.

The degree of elasticity µ _{e of} the limitedly flexible connection can be adjusted to the needs corresponding to the respective therapeutic effect by selecting the material and / or shaping the functional parts forming it.

The idea of the invention can be realized in a simple manner on a massage device in which the axis carrying the massage rings or rolling elements is arranged on the side of the handle in a fork part movably connected to it, in that the fork part is in a limited elastically flexible support connection with the handle .

The invention provides that the support connection is formed by at least one elastomer block resting on the one hand on the fork part and on the other hand on the handle. However, it can also be supported by at least one spring supported on the one hand on the fork part and on the other hand on the handle, e.g. B. are formed by several helical compression springs or by leaf spring bracket.

A particularly favorable design for such a massage device is obtained according to the invention proposal if the fork part with the elastomer block and / or the springs is accommodated in a side open pocket of the handle, because the fork part in the pocket receives an exact support in the direction of two spatial dimensions can, by which undesirable side forces are kept away from the elastomer block and / or the springs. This makes it possible to keep the fork part in operative connection with the handle solely by the elastomer block and / or the springs.

In some cases, however, it can also prove to be advantageous if, according to the invention, the fork part is held in the pocket by means of longitudinal slots penetrated by bolts. In this case, there is the possibility of the elastomer block and / or the spring being loosely or releasably within the pocket between the fork part and the handle insert so that they can be exposed and replaced by removing the bolts from the longitudinal slots. It is therefore possible here to vary the degree of elasticity of the fork part relative to the handle by carefully selecting the elastomer block and / or the spring.

The invention further provides that at least two fork parts with massage rings or rolling elements can be moved independently of one another and can be provided one behind the other on the handle.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the leaf spring clip which provides the resilient support of the massage rings or rolling elements has an approximately W-shaped basic shape and is supported with the bent free ends of its two W legs against the bottom of the pocket or adjusting screws located therein is, and if the leaf spring clip has a flat trapezoidal cranked middle part, in which a cusp engages positively, which protrudes from the back of the fork part and is preferably located in one of the lateral guides of the leaf spring clip serving longitudinal groove of the fork part. The leaf spring clip designed and arranged in this way has a constant material cross-section over its entire length and is thereby given an optimal durability, i. that is, it practically does not break under the influence of the load changes occurring in use.

Massage devices of this type are also within the scope of the invention, in which the connection area of the handle to the axis is inherently flexible.

Such a design for massage devices can be realized, for example, in that the connection area of the handle to the axis consists of an elastomer section and / or of bending rod springs.

On the other hand, according to the invention, the handle in A length region adjoining the axis is provided with cross cuts which are mutually offset in the longitudinal direction and lead to a zigzag or wavy cross-sectional reduction in the length region in question, from which the desired bending elasticity then results.

For massagers of the generic type, in which the handle can be adjusted in angle relative to the axis supporting the massage rings or rolling elements about a transverse joint, it is finally advisable to provide the transverse joint between the handle and the axis with elastic support, e.g. B. assign a spring element or an elastomer cushion.

Advantageously, a relatively large-scale and simultaneous treatment of the skin or body parts can be achieved in that a larger number of fork parts with massage rings or rolling elements can be moved independently of one another and is carried in several rows parallel to one another by a handle. A massager has proven particularly useful in which three rows of fork parts with massage rings or rolling elements are carried by the handle. B. in the first and in the third row two fork parts are provided side by side in the axial direction, while in the second or middle row only one fork part is arranged and is provided on the gap to the fork parts of the other two rows.

A base plate can be used as a support for the larger number of fork parts in a particularly expedient manner, from which the handle protrudes in the center and in the transverse direction.

Figur 1

teilweise im Längsschnitt eine erste Ausführungsform eines Massagegerätes,

Figur 2

ebenfalls teilweise im Längsschnitt eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Massagegerätes,

Figur 3

in Seitenansicht eine Weiterbildung eines Massagegerätes der Bauart nach Figur 1 oder Figur 2,

Figur 4

in Seitenansicht eine wieder andere Bauart eines Massagegerätes und

Figur 5

in Seitenansicht eine weitere Ausgestaltungsform für ein Massagegerät, während

Figur 6

in räumlicher Ansicht von vorne und

Figur 7

in Ansicht von unten eine besondere Ausführungsform für ein Massagegerät wiedergibt.

In the accompanying drawing, several embodiments of massage devices are shown, which are explained in detail below. Show it

Figure 1

partly in longitudinal section, a first embodiment of a massage device,

Figure 2

also partially in longitudinal section a second embodiment of a massage device,

Figure 3

a side view of a further development of a massage device of the type according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2,

Figure 4

a side view of yet another type of massager and

Figure 5

in side view a further embodiment for a massager, while

Figure 6

in a spatial view from the front and

Figure 7

reproduces a special embodiment for a massager in bottom view.

FIG. 1 of the drawing shows a massage device 10 which has a handle 12, the front end 14 of which has a thickened or raised design. In this case, a pocket 16 which is open on one longitudinal side is molded into the thickened or raised end 14. With a block-like rear part 18, a fork part 20, in whose two fork legs 22 an axis 24 is held, runs in this pocket 16. A larger number of massage rings or rolling elements 26 are each freely rotatably mounted on this axis 24, each of which is occupied over its circumference with a large number of projections 28 which are arranged uniformly distributed and each form a needle point. At least each projection 28 of the massage rings or rolling elements designed as a needle tip is provided with a noble metal coating, for example made of silver or gold.

An essential design feature of the massager 10 according to FIG. 1 is that the block-like rear part 18 of the fork part 20 is received by the pocket 16 of the handle 12 in such a way that it can be displaced only parallel to its main plane and essentially transversely to the axis 24 can. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the fork part 20 interacts with the front end 14 of the handle 12 via elongated holes 32 each penetrated by a bolt 30 in the transverse direction. According to FIG. 1, the bolts 30 are inserted into holes in the block-like rear part 18 and interact with elongated holes 32 in the side walls of the front end 14 delimiting the pocket 16. The reverse arrangement of bolts 30 and elongated holes 32 is of course also possible.

In the case of the massage device 10 according to FIG. 1, the fork part 20 interacts with the front end 14 of the handle 12 via two bolts 30 and associated elongated holes 32. Instead, it would also be conceivable to use only one bolt 30 with associated elongated holes 32 and then to arrange these functional elements halfway along the length of the fork part 20 and the pocket 16.

An essential training feature for the massage device 10 according to FIG. 1 is that the axis 24 carrying the massage rings or rolling elements 26 is held with the handle 12 in a support connection which is elastically yielding at least to a limited extent transversely to its longitudinal direction. To form this elastically flexible support connection, it is possible to use a plurality of helical compression springs 34 between the block-like rear part 18 of the fork part 20 and the bottom of the pocket 16 at the front end 14 of the handle 12. According to FIG. 2, for example, two helical compression springs 34 are each provided in the vicinity of the guide and holding connection consisting of bolts 30 and elongated holes 32. It has proven to be advantageous to have the helical compression springs 34 each engage in a blind hole that faces the rear end surface of the block-like The rear part 18 is open.

By loosening the guide and holding connection consisting of the bolts 30 and the elongated holes 32, it is possible to expose the helical compression springs 34 and to exchange them for those with a different spring force if it is important to vary the intensity of the elastically flexible connection.

To form the limited elastic yielding connection, it is also possible to use an elastomer block 36 instead of or in addition to the helical compression springs 34. This is also installed between the block-like rear part 18 of the fork part 20 and the bottom of the pocket 16 in the front end 14 of the handle 12. The elastomer block 36 can also partially engage in a recess which is open to the rear end face of the block-like rear part 18. As a material for the elastomer block 36, the use of foam rubber or a similar material is recommended, which can be compressed without its restoring force being significantly increased.

In FIG. 2 of the drawing, a massage device 10 is shown, which essentially corresponds to the massage device 10 according to FIG. 1. To form the at least limited elastic yielding connection between the fork part 20 and the handle 12, only a leaf spring clip 38 is used instead of the helical compression springs 34 or the elastomer block 36, which lies in the pocket 16 and on the one hand rests against the bottom of this pocket 16 and on the other hand supports against the rear end face of the block-like rear part 18. The use of leaf spring clips 38 as an elastically flexible support element is particularly recommended when it is important to vary the elasticity behavior. It is then possible to provide adjustment screws 40 in the bottom of the pocket 36, with the aid of which the elastic prestressing of the leaf spring bracket 38 can be influenced.

It has proven particularly useful in practice to give the leaf spring bracket 38 an approximately W-shaped basic shape and to support the bent free ends 42 of the two W legs 44 against the bottom of the pocket 16 or against the adjusting screws 40 seated therein. In the relatively flat and trapezoidal cranked middle part 46 of the leaf spring bracket 38, a hump 48 engages, which projects from the back of the block-like rear part 18 on the fork part 20. The hump 48 is preferably located in the region of a longitudinal groove which serves to guide the leaf spring bracket 38 and which is incorporated into the back surfaces of the block-like rear part 18. The leaf spring clip 38 is kept permanently in its proper functional position between the bottom of the pocket 16 and the back of the fork part 20 solely under the effect of its pretension.

Since the leaf spring clip designed and arranged in this way has a constant material cross section over its entire length, it has an optimal durability, i. that is, it practically does not break under the influence of the load changes occurring in use.

While in the massage devices 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 each handle 12 is only equipped with a fork part 20 which carries the massage rings or rolling elements 26 on its axis 24, an embodiment of such a massage device 10 can be seen in FIG. 3, in which the Handle 12 is equipped with two fork parts 20, each of which carries the massage rings or rolling elements 26 with the projections 28 designed as needle tips on the axis 24 held in its legs 22.

According to FIG. 3, each of the two fork parts 20 is connected to the handle 12 with limited elastic flexibility in the same manner, as is shown by the examples according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The interaction of the fork parts 20 with the handle 12 can also be achieved in other ways than the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the holding and guiding connections consisting of the bolts 30 and the elongated holes 32 can also be replaced by passing 16 head bolts through holes in the bottom of the pocket 16 in the front end 14 of the handle 12 and then anchoring them in the block-like rear part 18 of the fork piece 20 will. These head bolts can then be arranged, for example, in the axial alignment with the helical compression springs 34.

On the other hand, there is also the possibility of gluing the elastomer block 36 on the one hand to the bottom of the pocket 16 and on the other hand to the fork piece 20 in order to obtain an inseparable but elastically flexible holding connection of the fork part 20 to the handle 12.

FIG. 4 of the drawing shows a massage device 50 which is provided with a rod-shaped handle 52 which bears an axis 54 on which a large number of freely rotatable massage rings or rolling elements 56 are seated. Each of these massage rings or rolling elements 56 is provided with projections 58 in the form of needle tips, evenly distributed over its circumference, at least the latter having a surface coating of noble metal, such as silver or gold.

The essential feature of the massage device 50 according to FIG. 4 is that the connection area 60 between its handle 52 and the axis 54 supporting the massage rings or rolling elements 56 has an inherently flexible design.

This flexurally elastic design can be achieved, for example, in that the connection area 60 consists of an elastomer section and / or of bending rod springs.

However, FIG. 4 shows a type of construction in which the handle 52 in its connecting region 60 adjoining the axis 54 is provided with mutually molded transverse incisions 62 which are offset in the longitudinal direction. The transverse incisions 62 diverge from the inside to the outside in a wedge or V-shape and delimit a zigzag or undulating shaft section with a considerably reduced, effective cross-section over the connection area 60. This gives the handle 52 a certain bending elasticity over its connection area 60, even if the material used to produce the handle 52, in particular plastic, is itself relatively dimensionally stable. The resilient behavior of the connecting area 16 can be influenced as required by the position and shape of the transverse incisions 62.

The massage device 70 shown in FIG. 5 is structurally very similar to the massage device 50 according to FIG. Its rod-shaped handle 72 carries the axis 74, on which the massage rings or rolling elements 76 are freely rotatably mounted, each of which is provided on its circumference with projections 78 in the form of needle tips that are evenly distributed.

Different from the massager 50 according to FIG. 4, however, is that the axis 54 is connected to the handle 72 via a transverse joint 80. This transverse joint 80 gives the axis 74 a certain angular mobility in relation to the handle 72. This angular mobility is used in the present case in order to obtain an at least limited elastic yielding connection between the axis 74 and the handle 72. For this purpose, above the transverse joint 80, a tubular elastomer body 84 is received in a sleeve part 82, into which a mandrel 86 engages, which protrudes from the handle 72.

This is determined by the elasticity inherent in the elastomer body 84 Extent of the angular displacement of the axis 74 about the transverse joint 80 relative to the handle 72 when a pressure force is exerted on the axis 74 carrying the massage rings or rolling elements 76 via the handle 72.

It goes without saying that the drawing and the preceding description only deal with exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention and the latter is not restricted to this. Rather, the object of the invention are all massage devices of the generic type, provided that they have a design in which the axis carrying the massage rings or rolling elements is held with the handle in an elastically flexible connection that is at least limited transversely to its longitudinal direction.

In FIG. 6 of the drawing, a massage device 100 can be seen, in which a head piece 104 is connected to a handle 102 with a base plate 106, which lies on a plane below the handle 102, which is preferably relatively less pointed than the main direction of expansion Angle extends.

In a manner similar to that of the thickened or raised end 14 of the massage devices 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the base plate 106 on the head piece 104 of the handle 102 also has pockets 16 which are open at the bottom, as in FIG. 7 of the drawing see is. It can be seen there that the base plate 106 is equipped with three mutually parallel pockets 16. In the front and in the rear pocket 16, two fork parts 20 with massage rings or rolling elements 26 are arranged side by side in the axial direction, while in the middle pocket 16 only one fork part 20 with such massage rings or rolling elements 26 is arranged. The fork part 20 with the massage rings or rolling elements 26 in the middle pocket 16 is arranged in each case on a gap to the two fork parts 20, which are located in the first and the last pocket 16 of the base plate 106, like that can be clearly seen in Figure 7.

It should be pointed out here that the fork parts 20 with their massage rings or rolling bodies 26 in the embodiment of the massage device 100 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 have the same suspension within the pockets 16 as they already described further above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3 the drawing has been explained. The special feature of the massage device 100 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is, however, that the number of fork parts 20 equipped with massage rings or rolling elements 26 has been multiplied in order to enable rational, simultaneous treatment of relatively large skin or body parts. Since each fork part 20 with its massage rings or rolling elements 26 is held in the pockets 16 of the base plate 106 so as to be movable, it is ensured that even with a large-scale treatment of skin or body parts, the sensitivity or sensitivity during handling is retained.

List of reference numbers

10th

Massager

12th

Handle

14

front end

16

bag

18th

block-like buttocks

20th

Fork part

22

Fork leg

24th

axis

26

Massage rings / rolling elements

28

Projections / needle tips

30th

bolt

32

Elongated holes

34

Helical compression springs

36

Elastomer block

38

Leaf spring clip

40

Adjusting screws

42

free end

44

W-leg

46

Middle section

48

Hump

49

Longest slot

50

Massager

52

Handle

54

axis

56

Massage rings / rolling elements

58

Projections / needle tips

60

Connection area

62

Cross cuts

70

Massager

72

Handle

74

axis

76

Massage rings / rolling elements

78

Projections / needle tips

80

Transverse joint

82

Sleeve part

84

Elastomer body

86

mandrel

100

Massager

102

Handle

104

Headpiece

106

Base plate

Claims (16)

Massage device for rolling massage of skin and reflex zones on the human body, in which an axis (24; 54; 74) sitting on a handle (12; 52; 72) with massaging rings or rolling bodies (26; 56; 76) mounted freely rotatably on it is provided which each have projections (28; 58; 78) which are arranged uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and which preferably consist of needle tips,
characterized,
that the axis (24; 54; 74) carrying the massage rings or rolling elements (26; 56; 76) is held with the handle (12; 52; 72) in an elastically flexible connection at least to a limited extent transversely to its longitudinal direction. Massage device according to Claim 1, in which the axis (24) carrying the massage rings or rolling elements (26) is arranged on the side of the handle (12) in a fork part (20) which is movably connected to the latter,
characterized,
that the fork part (20) with the handle (12) is in a limited elastic yielding support connection (30, 32 and 34 or 36 or 38). Massage device according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the support connection is formed by at least one elastomer block (34) resting on the one hand on the fork part (20) and on the other hand on the handle (12). Massage device according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the support connection by at least one on the one hand on the fork part (20) and on the other hand on the handle (12) supported spring (34 or 38) z. B. helical compression springs (34) or leaf spring bracket (38) is formed. Massage device according to one of claims 2 to 4,
characterized,
that the fork part (20) with the elastomer block (36) and / or the springs (34 and 38) is received in a laterally open pocket (16) of the handle (12). Massage device according to one of claims 2 to 5,
characterized,
that the fork part (20) is held in the pocket (16) by means of longitudinal slots (32) penetrated by bolts (30). Massage device according to one of claims 2 to 6,
characterized,
that at least two fork parts (20) with massage rings or rolling elements (26) are movable independently of one another and arranged one behind the other on the handle (12) (FIG. 3). Massage device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the connecting area (60) of the handle (52) to the axis (54) is inherently flexible. Massage device according to one of claims 1 and 8,
characterized,
that the connection area (60) of the handle (52) to the axis (54) consists of an elastomer section and / or of bending rod springs. Massage device according to one of claims 1 and 8,
characterized by
that the handle (52) is provided in a length region (60) adjoining the axis (54) with mutually and longitudinally offset transverse incisions (62) (Figure 4). Massage device according to Claim 1, in which the handle (72) can be moved angularly about a transverse joint (80) relative to the axis (74) carrying the massage rings or rolling elements (76),
characterized,
that the transverse joint (80) between the handle (72) and the axis (74) has an elastic support (84, 86), for. B. a spring element or an elastomer pad (84) is assigned (Figure 5). Massage device according to one of claims 1 and 7,
characterized by
that a larger number of fork parts (20) with massage rings or rolling bodies (26) can be moved independently of one another and is carried in several mutually parallel rows by a handle (102) (104, 106). Massage device according to claim 12,
characterized by
that three rows of fork parts (20) with massage rings or rolling elements (26) are carried by the handle (102) (104, 106), z. B. in the first and in the third row two each Fork parts (20) are provided side by side in the axial direction, while only one fork part (20) is arranged in the second or middle row and is aligned with a gap to the fork parts (20) of the other two rows. Massage device according to one of claims 12 and 13,
characterized by
that a base plate (106) or a head piece (104) is provided as a support for the fork parts (20), from which or from which the handle (102) projects in the center and in the transverse direction. Massage device according to one of claims 12 to 14,
characterized by
that the base plate (106) or the head piece (104) is provided on the underside with a plurality of molded-in pockets (16), in which the fork parts (20) with the massage rings or rolling elements (26) are accommodated, at least to a limited extent, elastically, resiliently transversely to their longitudinal direction . Massage device according to one of claims 4 to 6
characterized,
that the leaf spring clip (38) has an approximately W-shaped basic shape and is supported with the bent free ends (42) of its two W legs (44) against the bottom of the pocket (16) or against adjusting screws (40) seated therein, and that the leaf spring clip (38) has a flat trapezoidal cranked middle part (46) into which a cusp (48) engages, which protrudes from the back of the fork part (20), and is preferably used in one of the side guides of the leaf spring clip (38) Longest groove (49) of the fork part (20).

Images