Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Vibrator
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-19
2001-07-31
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Vibrator
C601S072000, C601S070000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267736
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hand-held massage apparatus. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a massage apparatus capable of corresponding to the position of a user's hand. The present invention is further directed to a massage apparatus selectively capable of oscillating in a variety of different directions and at a variety of different frequencies.
2. Description of Related Art
Hand-held massage apparatus are well known and often used to improve both the depth and quality of massage applications, particular when actually using the hand and fingers to apply the massage. A primary objective of such apparatus is to increase the oscillatory movement of the user's hand relative to the recipient of the massage. Such hand-held massage apparatus therefore must be light weight and easy to handle, yet effectively transfer oscillatory movement through the user's hand.
Generally, conventional hand-held massage apparatus include a substantially rigid plate that is secured to the back of the user's hand by elastic straps or springs. A cushion often is provided to engage a continuous portion of the back of the hand, as well as the fingers. Examples of such conventional configurations are evident in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,198,442; 2,200,635; 2,468,949 and Re. 24,630. Although this known configuration often is capable of oscillating the user's hand, the rigidity of the plate, which may or may not be contoured to fit the hand, generally restricts movement of the hand.
Alternatively, it is known to use individual pads in predetermined locations when securing a massage apparatus to the user's hand so as not to continuously engage the back of the hand and fingers. These individual pads are fixed relative to each other by a substantially rigid plate that supports the vibratory mechanism of the massage apparatus. With the individual pads in position, the massage apparatus is secured to the user's hand by elastic straps or springs. Examples of various designs employing this arrangement are presented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,818,287; 1,918,458 and 2,018,046. Although this arrangement allows for greater movement of the hand, the oscillations generated by the vibratory mechanism generally are impaired due to the limited surface area of the pads. Likewise, it is possible that the pads can become partially or totally disengaged from the hand during operation if not properly and securely positioned.
With regard to the mechanism used to oscillate the massage apparatus, and thus the user's hand, several constructions are known and often used. For example, one such known construction employs an electromagnet that engages an armature in response to the application of an electric current. The armature is attached to a plate or pad which, in turn, is secured to the user's hand. Vibrations therefore are transmitted through the armature to the hand. U.S. Pat. No. 1,918,458 discloses an example of this construction. This known construction, however, requires that the armature be tuned to resonate with the frequency of the electromagnet. This apparatus therefore is limited in the frequency of oscillation, as well as the direction in which the oscillation can be generated.
Another known massage apparatus uses a single electric motor having a rotatable shaft with an eccentric weight attached thereto. As the shaft rotates, the eccentric weight causes the motor to vibrate in relation to the speed of rotation. The vibrations are transmitted to the hand through a plate or pad that engages the back of the hand and fingers. A typical example of this known construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 994,270 and 2,018,046. Although an apparent improvement to the electromagnetic construction, this known construction only generates oscillations along the plane perpendicular to the rotatable shaft of the single motor. The use of a solenoid as an oscillating mechanism also is known, as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 2,468,949, but likewise is limited to oscillations in a single direction.
In view of the above, there remains a need for a massage apparatus capable of more adequately corresponding to the position of a user's hand. There also remains a need for a massage apparatus capable of vibrating or oscillating in a variety of different directions and at a variety of different speeds or frequencies. Particularly, there remains a need for a massage apparatus that allows independent selection of such directions and frequencies of oscillation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose and advantages of the invention will be set forth in and apparent from the description and drawings that follow, as well as will be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the elements of the apparatus and method particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a new and useful massage apparatus having a base structure capable of being supported by the hand of a user is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the base structure includes a first section to be positioned proximate a central portion of the hand and a second section to be positioned proximate a distal portion of the hand. The second section of the base structure is hingedly connected to the first section for articulated movement therebetween so as to correspond to movement of the distal portion of the hand relative to the central portion of the hand.
Preferably, and as embodied herein, the base structure is a housing having a first surface to be located adjacent the hand of the user and a second surface opposite the first surface. To accommodate this interaction with the user's hand, as well as with the surface on which the massage is to be applied, a resilient pad preferably is provided on at least one of these surfaces. Additionally, a connector is provided to couple the massage apparatus releasably with the hand of the user. The connector may include at least one flexible member extending from the base structure to encircle the user's hand, although a separate flexible member for each section of the base structure is preferred. To further assist in engagement of the user's hand with the massage apparatus, a lip extending from the base structure and shaped to conform substantially to the distal portion of the hand also is provided.
The massage apparatus also includes a driving device to oscillate the base structure in at least one direction. Preferably, however, the driving device is mounted on the second section of the base structure so as to be proximate the distal portion of the user's hand. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the base structure of the hand-held massage apparatus is oscillated in at least two different directions. A controller is provided to control operation of the driving device; preferably so as to control the frequency in which the driving device oscillates the base structure in the first direction and independently control the frequency in which the driving device oscillates the base structure in the second direction.
The driving device embodied herein includes a first drive motor having a first eccentric member rotatably attached thereto so as to oscillate the base structure in the first direction upon rotation of the first eccentric member by the first drive motor. Similarly, a second drive motor having a second eccentric member rotatably attached thereto so as to oscillate the base structure in the second direction upon rotation of the second eccentric member by the second drive motor. When using electrically-operated drive motors, the controller preferably includes at least one electrical switch to control an electrical supply to the drive motors, preferably, in combination with a selection of resistors to control the frequency in which the driving device oscillates the base structure in the firs
McCambridge James E.
Wahl Gregory
Brown Michael A.
Koo Benjamin K.
Mayer Brown & Platt
Wahl Clipper Corporation
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