US2039180A - Massage device - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1936- J. J. MENDENHALL 2,039,180

MASSAGE DEVICE Filed Aug. 20, 1 955 E Z5 Z31 Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a massage device.

The object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for cleansing the pores of the skin of foreign matter and to cause a circulation and reaction of blood near the surface of the skin thereby providing one with disease resisting condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to for eliminating wrinkles and imparting to the face a younger appearance and a satisfactory complexion.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a massage device of the suction or vacuum type for action upon the face, limbs and body and whereby the degree of suction is regulated by the application of hand pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a massage device for application to the skin including a unit formed of revoluble .resilient cylinder carrying valve controlled resilient suction or vacuum cups "having a valvular action as the cylinder is rolled over the skin, and as the cylinder, as well as the cups are resilient the unit, when active is applied to a greater portion of a convex surface with relation to the skin.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a massage device including a unit formed of a resilient cylinder for rolling, during the application of pressure thereto, over the skin and with the cylinder provided with radially disposed resilient extended valve controlled suction or vacuum cups whereby when the device is active and due to the resilient characteristic of the cylinder and cups, as well as the valvular action with respect to the cups, there is provided a quick and easy action of pulling the blood to near the surface of the skin as well as cleansing the pores of the skin of any foreign matter without discomfiture to the person to which the device is applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a massage device which may be used by either hand of an operator to reach any part of the body which is to be acted upon.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a valved resilient revolu'ble unit so formed as to provide rapid intermittent and alternating pressure and suction to the body to quickly pull the blood to near the surface .and to remove foreign matter from the pores of the skin, thereby producing the same or better results than that obtained by massage devices employed for like purposes and that obtained by the direct application of the fingers and finger tips of professional masseurs.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a massage device for the purpose referred to which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily assembled, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently operated and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects as will hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described and as is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional plan of the device,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View intop plan,

Figure 4 is a sectional detail of the resilient revoluble unit,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the form of combined end reinforcing and wheel element employed for the resilient unit,

Figure 6 is a perspective of the form of valved resilient suction or vacuum cups employed as a part of the resilient unit, and

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a modified suction or vacuum cup.

The device includes a revoluble resilient unit 8 formed of a resilient cylinder 9 provided with circular parallel rows of spaced radially disposed extended resilient suction or vacuum cups l0 having'their inner portions split, as at H to provide valves therefore. The inner portion of the splits I i are disposed parallel to the axis of cylinder 9. The latter and the cups l0 provide an integral structure formed from rubber. The cups ID are of greater resiliency than cylinder 10.

Each cup ll! with reference to Figure 4, includes an inner part I2, an intermediate part l3 and an outer part Hi. The part I? which extends inwardly from the inner face of cylinder 9, includes a normally closed inner end l5, an open outer end l6 and is of semi-oval contour. The part I3 is of circular form, of uniform diameter and merges at its outer face into the body of cylinder 9. The part I4 is hollow and open at each end, is of flared contour, extends outwardly from the outer face of cylinder 9 and has its body gradually increase in thickness from its inner to its outer end, as indicated at H. The part I2 merges into the inner end of part I3. The outer end of part I3 merges into the inner end of part I4. The part I3 is of greater resiliency than part I5. The latter is of greater resiliency than the body of cylinder 9. The split I I is formed in part I3. The ends of split I I are positioned at the inner face of cylinder 9. The split II extends throughout part I3.

The splits II provide normally closed valvular means for the cups I9 and open on the application of pressure to the parts I4 to provide for the exhaust of air from the cups when the latter are compressed. When a cup is compressed, that portion of the body of cylinder 9 which borders the cup moves inwardly and provides for the expansion of the part I2 of the cup, to an extent for the edges of the split to move apart whereby the air is expelled or discharged from the cup into the cylinder.

There is associated with the cylinder 9 a revoluble carriage, which not only causes the cylinder to revolve therewith, but also acts as means to provide rigid reinforcement for each end of cylinder 9. The carriage includes a pair of oppositely disposed wheel elements I8, I 9 formed of rigid material and each consists of an inwardly opening channel shaped rim 29, a hub 2| and a series of spokes 22 integral with the inner edge of rim 20 and outer face of hub 22. The wheels are revolubly mounted on an axle 23 adjacent the reduced threaded end portions 24 of the latter. Retaining nuts 25 are mounted on said end portions 24.

The device includes a handle structure 26 for imparting a rolling action to the carriage and the application of pressure to the unit 8. The pressure is hand pressure distributed through the handle structure upon the axle 23 of the carriage. The handle structure consists of a yoke or bail 21 formed with a shank 28 upon which is mounted a handle member 29. The latter is clamped against the fork or bail 21 by a nut 30 carried by shank 28. The nut 30 is countersunk in and abuts the rear end of member 29. The forward ends 3| of the arms of the yoke or bail are apertured and are seated upon the end portions 24 of the axle 23. The rims of the yoke or bail are maintained in position by the nuts 24. The nuts 24 and ends 3| prevent the wheels I8, I9 from slipping entirely off of the ends of the cylinder 9.

The modified form of suction or vacuum cup 32 shown in Figure 7 is of the same construction as the cups I9, with this exception that the inner portion of slit 33 in cup 32 is disposed at right angles to the axis of the cylinder 9. Otherwise than there is stated the cup 32 will be of the same construction as the cups ID.

The rolling of the cylinder 9 over the body will cause the cups to compress and extend, and on the extension of the cups the foreign matter will be removed from the parts of the skin and the blood will be drawn to near the surface of the skin.

What I claim is:

1. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups x ending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor.

2. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor, that portion of said cups extending outwardly from the body of the cylinder being flared.

3. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor, that portion of said cups extending outwardly from the body of the cylinder being flared, and having its body gradually increasing in thickness from its inner to its outer end.

4. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and. normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor, that portion of said cups extending outwardly from the body of the cylinder being flared, and having its body gradually increasing in thickness from its inner to its outer end, and that portion of said cups extending inwardly from the body of the cylinder having its body of less thickness than the body of the portion of sdaid cups extending outwardly from said cylin- 5. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from the body of said cylinder being of greater resiliency than that portion of said cups Extending outwardly from the body of said cylin- 6. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor, a revoluble carriage having means at its ends for encompassing the ends of said cylinder and an axle extending through said cylinder, and a handle structure for the carriage secured on said axle at spaced points thereof.

7. In a massage device a revoluble resilient cylinder provided with permanently open outer end and normally closed inner end suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the body of the cylinder, that portion of said cups extending inwardly from said cylinder being provided with normally closed valvular means therefor, a carriage for said cylinder, said carriage including revoluble elements encompassing and reinforcing the ends of the cylinder, and a handle structure attached to said carriage.

8. In a massage device a revoluble one-piece resilient unit consisting of a cylinder provided with rows of spaced suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the cylinder, each of said cups being formed with a slit inwardly of said cylinder.

9. In a massage device a revoluble one-piece resilient unit consisting of a. cylinder provided with rows of spaced suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the cylinder, each of said cups being formed with a slit inwardly of said cylinder, and a pressure applied handle propelled carriage for revolving said unit, said carriage including spaced means for encompassing and reinforcing the ends of the cylinder.

10. In a massage device, a. revoluble one-piece resilient unit consisting of a cylinder provided with rows of spaced suction cups extending inwardly and outwardly with respect to the cylinder, each of said cups being formed with a slit inwardly of said cylinder, and a hand pressure applied handle propelled carriage for revolving said unit, said carriage including a pair of revolubly mounted spaced wheels formed with inwardly opening channel shaped rims, the ends of said cylinder extending into said rims whereby the unit is connected to the carriage, and said ends reinforced.

JOHN J. MENDENHALL.

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