WO2023025924A1

WO2023025924A1 - Massage applicator with a non-circular cross-section

Info

Publication number: WO2023025924A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/073747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bostjan Buc
Original assignee: Bb3000m d o o
Current assignee: Bb3000m d o o
Priority date: 2021-08-27
Filing date: 2022-08-26
Publication date: 2023-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-27

Abstract

The present invention relates to a massage applicator (1) with a longitudinal axis (2) comprising a body (3) with a first surface (4) for contacting a massaging surface and a first portion (5) having an outer surface (6) for being mounted in a cavity (7) of a massage device (41). The outer surface (6) has a non-circular cross-section (9) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2). The invention further relates to a massage piston (8) for a massage device (41), a massage device (41) and a massage system (42) comprising a massage device (41) and a series of massage applicators (1).

Description

Massage applicator with a non-circular cross-section

The present invention relates to a massage applicator, a massage piston, a massage device and a massage system.

Massaging applicators known in the state of art have usually connector portions with complex patterns for a secure attachment to a correspondingly patterned connector portion of a massage device. US 10,314,762 B1 discloses a percussive massage device with an applicator head. The applicator head is attached to the piston by threading the engagement portion of the applicator head into the threaded first portion of the piston.

The present invention has the object of providing an improved massage applicator, an improved massage piston, an improved massage device and an improved massage system.

The invention provides a massage applicator with a longitudinal axis comprising a body with a first surface for contacting a massaging surface and a first portion having an outer surface for being mounted in a cavity of a massage device, the outer surface having a non-circular crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In particular, the longitudinal axis extends in the axial direction. The first portion may be formed by a separate part or integrally with the massage applicator. The first portion may be a straight bar. The first portion may be adapted to avoid rotation between the massage applicator and the massage device. The first portion may be a connection bar for a secure connection with the massage device comprising a complementary cavity. The first portion may be securely engageable with the cavity of the massage device by a translational movement along the longitudinal axis. The outer surface may be an even surface, preferably without protrusions and recesses along the outer surface. Thus, the massaging applicator may be easily inserted in the cavity of the massage device. The necessary force for inserting the massage applicator in the cavity of the massage device may be reduced. The outer surface of the first portion may be free of protrusions.

A connection element for a secure and easy attachment of the massage applicator with the massage device may be provided.

Preferably, a sealing element is provided on the outer surface of the first portion. The sealing element may improve the retaining of the massage applicator in the cavity of the massage device, due to increased friction.

Preferably, the massage applicator has a massage application interface with a negative pressure cavity. Preferably, the first portion comprises a cavity being a portion of the negative pressure cavity.

Preferably, the massage applicator has a massage application interface with a closed massage application surface. Preferably, the massage applicator is a removable massage applicator. The massage applicator may be adapted to provide a tool-less connection with the massage device.

Preferably, the non-circular cross-section is invariable along an entire longitudinal length of the first portion. The non-circular cross-section of the outer surface may be uniform along the entire longitudinal length of the first portion. The non-circular cross-section of the outer surface may have a uniform contour along the entire longitudinal length of the first portion. The non-circular cross-section of the outer surface may be constant in size and form along the entire longitudinal length of the first portion. The outer surface of the first portion may be an even surface along the entire longitudinal length of the first portion.

Preferably, the non-circular cross-section has at least three peak spots, and preferably less than ten peak spots. Each peak spot may create a form-fit to prevent rotation of the massage applicator around the axial direction relative to the cavity of the massage device. This may provide a secure attachment between the massage applicator and the massage device. The rotational forces acting on the massaging applicator may be distributed evenly among the three peak spots. The non-circular cross-section with three peak spots corresponds in particular to a triangle with rounded edges at the peak spots. The non-circular cross-section with four peak spots corresponds in particular to a rectangle with rounded edges at the peak spots. The non-circular cross-section with five peak spots resembles a pentagon with rounded edges at the peak spots. The non-circular cross-section with six peak spots corresponds in particular to a hexagon with rounded edges at the peak spots. The non-circular cross-section with seven peak spots corresponds in particular to a heptagon with rounded edges at the peak spots. The non-circular cross-section with eight peak spots corresponds in particular to an oktagon with rounded edges at the peak spots.

Preferably, the peak spots are rounded. This may reduce stress intensities created at the peak spots upon an application of rotational force during the use. This may improve damagetolerance of the massage applicator and the massage device, in which the massage applicator is mounted.

Preferably, a radius of curvature of the peak spots is smaller than a radius of curvature of intermediate sections extending between the peak spots.

Preferably, the first portion has the shape of a cylinder in its mathematical sense. The outer surface of the first portion may have the shape of a cylinder in its mathematical sense. The outer surface of the first portion may have the shape of a cylinder surface in its mathematical sense. In the mathematical sense, a cylinder may be a straight element connecting two plane surfaces arranged perpendicular each other. In the mathematical sense, a cylinder surface may be a straight surface connecting two plane surfaces arranged perpendicular to each other. The two plane surfaces may be identical to each other.

Preferably, the first portion is a triangular bar. The triangular bar may have rounded corners. Preferably, the body comprises a second portion extending from the first portion along the longitudinal axis in the opposite direction of a mounting direction. The second portion may be a massage application interface with a negative pressure cavity. The second portion may be a massage application interface with a closed massage application surface.

Preferably, the first portion comprises a first cavity and the second portion comprises a second cavity. The second cavity may be larger than the first cavity.

Preferably, the body comprises a third portion extending from the second portion along the longitudinal axis in the mounting direction. The mounting direction may be the direction, in which the longitudinal length of the first portion extends.

Preferably, the third portion comprises a third cavity with an inner surface for being mounted on an outer surface of a massage piston of a massaging device. The third portion may provide protection and sealing forward the massage device to which the massage applicator is connected.

The invention further provides a massage piston for a massage device with a longitudinal axis comprising a body with a cavity having an inner surface for being mounted on a massage applicator, wherein the inner surface has a non-circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cavity of the massage piston may be adapted to prevent rotation between the massage piston and the massage applicator. The inner surface may be an even surface, preferably without peaks and recesses along a normal to the inner surface. The inner surface may be an even surface, preferably without peaks and recesses along a vector perpendicular to the inner surface. The inner surface may be a cylindrical surface in its mathematical sense. In the mathematical sense, a cylinder surface may be a straight surface connecting two plane surfaces arranged perpendicular to each other. The two plane surfaces may be identical to each other. The inner surface may be adapted to receive and engage with a triangular bar. A sealing element may be provided at the inner surface. The non-circular cross-section of the inner surface may be constant along an entire longitudinal length of the cavity. The non-circular cross-section of the inner surface may be uniform along the entire longitudinal length of the cavity. The non-circular cross-section of the inner surface may have a uniform contour along the entire longitudinal length of the cavity. The non-circular cross-section of the inner surface may be constant in size and form along the entire longitudinal length of the cavity. The non-circular cross-section of the inner surface may be an even surface along the entire longitudinal length of the cavity. The piston may be adapted to move reciprocatingly in an axial direction of the piston. The cavity may be a portion of the negative pressure cavity of the piston. The outer surface of the piston may have also a non- circular cross-section. The outer surface of the piston may have a circular cross-section. The piston may have a suction opening. The suction opening may connect the negative pressure cavity with a suction pump via a tube.

Preferably, the cavity of the massage piston is provided only at a first portion of the massage piston with a first longitudinal length. The first longitudinal length may be smaller than the whole longitudinal length of the massage piston. The cavity of the massage piston have an even inner surface along the first longitudinal length.

Preferably, the non-circular cross-section of the surface has at least three peak spots. Each peak spots may create a further obstacle to avoid rotation between the massage piston and the massage applicator. This may provide a secure attachment between the massage piston and the massage applicator. The rotational forces acting on the massaging applicator may be distributed evenly among the three peak spots. The peak spots may be rounded. This may reduce stress intensities created at the peak spots upon an application of rotational force during the use. A radius of curvature of the peak spots may be smaller than a radius of curvature of intermediate sections extending between the peak spots.

Preferably, the massage piston is detachably mountable on the massage applicator without using a tool.

Preferably, the piston comprises massage applicator engagement element. The massage applicator engagement element is adapted to retain the massage applicator in the engaged position. The inner surface of the cavity may comprise at least a first recess for receiving a first mounting portion of the massage applicator engagement element. The inner surface of the cavity may comprise a second recess for receiving a second mounting portion of the massage applicator engagement element. The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion may have triangular shapes. The first recess and the second recess may be aligned with each other along a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The massage applicator engagement element may be a bushing. The first mounting element may extend from an outer circumferential surface of the massage applicator engagement element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second mounting element may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the massage applicator engagement element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. From an inner circumferential surface of the massage applicator engagement element, at least a first protrusion may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. From an inner circumferential surface of the massage applicator engagement element, at least a second protrusion may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be aligned with each other along a direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the massage piston. Further protrusions may be arranged spaced apportion from the first protrusion along the longitudinal axis. Further protrusions may be arranged spaced apportion from the second protrusion along the longitudinal axis.

The invention further provides a massage device comprising a massage applicator and a massage piston. The massage applicator may have the features as described above. The massage piston may have the features as described above. An outer surface of a first portion of the massage applicator and an inner surface of a cavity of the massage piston for receiving the connection bar may be identical in cross-sectional forms. The first bar may be a connection bar, which is adapted for the massage applicator to be mounted in the cavity of the massage piston. The outer surface of the first bar of the massage applicator and inner surface of the cavity of the massage piston may have even surfaces along their entire longitudinal lengths, preferably free from protrusions and recesses.

The massage device may be a portable electromechanical device that may be used for percussive massage application. The operation modes of the massage device may include the operation modes: rapid strokes, suction, and a combination of rapid strokes and suction. The massage device may comprise a main body. The main body may comprise a rear portion and a front portion. The massage piston may be arranged in the front portion on a platform. The massage piston may comprise a front end and a rear end. The rear end of the massage piston is closer to the rear portion of the massage device than the front end of the massage piston. The massage piston may comprise a negative pressure cavity. On a top section of the massage piston extending in an axial direction, a suction opening may be provided. The suction opening may connect the negative pressure cavity with a suction pump via a tube. The suction pump may be arranged above the platform. The suction pump may be arranged below the platform. A gripping section may be provided for a user to hold the massage device. The gripping section may be arranged at the rear portion of the massaging device. The gripping section may be positioned below the platform. An actuator may be provided, which is partially arranged in the gripping section and extends above the platform. It may be possible that the actuator is arranged below the platform. The actuator may comprise a crank drive. The crank drive may comprise a drive shaft. The drive shaft may be connected to a motor, preferably a brushless DC motor. The drive shaft may be eccentrically fixed in a crank body. A connecting rod may be provided to connect the piston to the actuator via a connecting means. A bearing may be provided between the crank body and a connecting rod. The diameter of the bearing may be bigger than twice the radius of the eccentricity. The eccentricity may be defined by the offset between a center of the crank body and a center of the drive shaft.

The invention further provides a massage system comprising a massage device and a series of massage applicators, comprising at least two massage applicators with different massage application interfaces, in particular, wherein the massage device is adapted for reciprocatingly actuating the massage applicator in an axial direction, wherein each massage applicator of the series of massage applicators has an according first portion, such that the massage device may receive any of the series of massage applicators. The massage device may have the features as described above. Each massage applicator in the series of massage applicators may have the features as described above.

Preferably, at least one massage applicator may have a massage application interface with a negative pressure cavity. At least one massage applicator may have a massage application interface with a closed massage application surface. The invention further provides a use of a triangular bar in a massage applicator.

The invention further provides a use of a triangular bar in a massage applicator for connecting the massage applicator with a compatible massage device.

The invention will now be further explained with reference to an exemplary embodiment as shown in the figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the massage applicator and the massage piston according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the non-circular cross-section of the massage applicator and the massage piston shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the massage applicator and the massage piston shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the massage piston.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the massage device and the massage applicators of the massage system.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the massage applicator 1. The massage applicator 1 has a first longitudinal axis 2. The massage applicator 1 comprises a body 3 with a first surface 4 for contacting a massage surface. The massage applicator 1 comprises a first portion 5 having an outer surface 6 for being mounted in a cavity 7 of a massage piston 8. The outer surface 6 has a first non-circular cross-section 9 perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis 2. The first portion 5 is a straight bar-shaped part. The first portion 5 may be adapted to avoid rotation between the massage applicator 1 and the massage piston 8. A first sealing ring 10 and a second sealing ring 11 are provided on the outer surface 6 of the first portion 5. The first sealing ring 10 and the second sealing ring 11 are spaced apart from each other along the first longitudinal axis 2.

The massage piston 8 comprises a second longitudinal axis 12. The massage piston 8 comprises a second body 13 with the cavity 7. The massage piston 8 has an inner surface 14 for being mounted on the massage applicator 1. The inner surface 14 of the massage piston 8 has a second non-circular cross-section 15 perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis 12. The inner surface 14 of the massage piston 8 is adapted to receive the outer surface 6 of the massage applicator 1 .

Figure 2 shows the first non-circular cross-section 9 and the second non-circular crosssection 15. The first non-circular cross-section 9 of the massage applicator 1 and the second non- circular cross-section 15 of the massage piston are identical. The first non-circular cross-section 9 comprises three peak spots 16. The second non-circular cross-section 15 comprises three peak spots 17. Intermediate sections 18 extend between the peak spots 16 of the first non-circular cross-sections 9. Intermediate sections 19 extend between the peak spots 17 of the second non- circular cross-sections 15. A radius of curvature 20 of the peak spots 16 of the first non-circular cross-sections 9 is smaller than a radius of curvature 21 of intermediate sections 18 extending between the peak spots 16. A radius of curvature 22 of the peak spots 17 of the second noncircular cross-sections 15 is smaller than a radius of curvature 23 of intermediate sections 19 extending between the peak spots 17.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the massage applicator 1 and the massage piston 8. The first portion 5 of the massage applicator 1 has a longitudinal length 24. The first portion 5 is uniform in shape and size along the entire longitudinal length 24 of the first non-circular cross-section 9 shown in figure 1 and figure 2. The first body 3 comprises a second portion 25 extending from the first portion 5 along the first longitudinal axis 2 in the opposite direction of a mounting direction 26. The first portion 5 comprises a first cavity 27 and the second portion 25 comprises a second cavity 28. The second cavity 28 shown in this embodiment is a cup-shaped cavity. The second portion 25 forms a massage application interface 29. The cavity 7 of the massage piston 8 forms a negative pressure cavity 30. When the massage applicator 1 is engaged with the massage piston 8, the first cavity 27 and the second cavity 28 are portions of the negative pressure cavity 30. The first body 3 comprises a third portion 31 extending from the second portion 25 along the first longitudinal axis 2 in the mounting direction 26. The third portion 31 comprises a third cavity 32 with an inner surface 33 for being mounted on an outer surface 34 of the massaging piston 8.

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the massage piston 8. The massage piston 8 comprises a massage applicator engagement element 35. The massage applicator engagement element 35 is adapted to retain the massage applicator 1 in the engaged position. The inner surface 36 of the cavity 7 of the massage piston 8 may comprises at least a first recess 37 for receiving a first mounting part 38 of the massage applicator engagement element 35. The inner surface 36 of the cavity 7 may comprise a second recess 38 for receiving a second mounting part 39 of the massage applicator engagement element 35. The first mounting part 38 and the second mounting part 39 have triangular shapes. The massage applicator engagement element 35 comprises protrusions 39 extending from an inner circumferential surface 40 of the massage applicator engagement element 35 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12 of the massage piston 8. The protrusions 39 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis 12 of the massage piston 8 and along the inner surface 36 of the cavity 7.

Figure 5 shows a massage system 42 comprising a massage device 41 with the massage piston 8 and a series of massage applicators 43, 44, 45. The massage applicators 43, 44, 45 have a first portion 5 with a non-circular cross-section 9 as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The massage applicators 43, 44, 45 have differently shaped second portions 25 forming different massage application interfaces 29. The massage applicator 43 has a cone-shaped massage application interface 29 with a negative pressure cavity 30. The massage applicator 44 has a flatshaped massage application interface 29 with a negative pressure cavity 30. The massage applicator 45 has a ball-shaped massage application interface 29 with a closed massage application surface 46. On a top section 47 of the massage piston 8 extending in the longitudinal axis 12, a suction opening 48 is provided. The suction opening 48 is connected to the negative pressure cavity 30 with a suction pump 49 via a tube 50. A gripping section 51 is provided for a user to hold the massage device 41. An actuator 52 is provided, which is partially arranged in the gripping section 51.

Claims

1. A massage applicator (1) with a longitudinal axis (2) comprising a body (3) with a first surface

(4) for contacting a massaging surface and a first portion (5) having an outer surface (6) for being mounted in a cavity (7) of a massage device (41), characterized in that the outer surface (6) has a non-circular cross-section (9) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2).

2. The massage applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the non-circular cross-section (9) is constant along an entire longitudinal length (24) of the first portion (5).

3. The massage applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-circular cross-section (9) has at least three peak spots (16).

4. The massage applicator according to claim 3, wherein the peak spots (16) are rounded.

5. The massage applicator according to claim 4, wherein a radius of curvature (20) of the peak spots (16) is smaller than a radius of curvature (21) of intermediate sections (18) extending between the peak spots (16).

6. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion

(5) has the shape of a cylinder in its mathematical sense.

7. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (3) comprises a second portion (25) extending from the first portion (5) along the longitudinal axis (2) in the opposite direction of a mounting direction (26).

8. The massage applicator according to claim 7, wherein the first portion (5) comprises a first cavity (27) and the second portion (25) comprises a second cavity (28).

9. The massage applicator according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the body (3) comprises a third portion (31) extending from the second portion (25) along the longitudinal axis (2) in the mounting direction (26).

10. The massage applicator according to claim 9, wherein the third portion (31) comprises a third cavity (32) with an inner surface (33) for being mounted on an outer surface (34) of a massage piston (8) of the massage device (41).

11. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (3) comprises only one first portion (5).

12. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (5) is formed as a single piece.

13. The massage applicator according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first portion (5) and the second portion (25) are formed as a single piece.

14. The massage applicator according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first portion (5) and the second portion (25) and the third portion (31) are formed as a single piece.

15. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (5) comprises a cavity being a portion of a negative pressure cavity.

16. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion (5) comprises a cavity for being a portion of a negative pressure cavity of the massage device (41).

17. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the massage applicator (1) is configured such that between the massage applicator (1) and the cavity (7) of the massage device (41) a continuous contact surface along a circumferential direction of the outer surface (6) is provided.

18. The massage applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface (6) is an even surface without protrusions and recesses along the outer surface (6).

19. A massage piston (8) for a massage device (41) with a longitudinal axis (12) comprising a body (13) with a cavity (7) having an inner surface (14) for being mounted on a massage applicator (1), characterized in that the inner surface (14) has a non-circular cross-section (15) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (12).

20. The massage piston according to claim 19, wherein the non-circular cross-section (15) has at least three peak spots (17).

21. The massage piston according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the massage piston (8) is adapted to move reciprocatingly in an axial direction (12) of the massage piston (8).

22. The massage piston according to any one of the claims 19-21 , wherein the cavity (7) is a portion of a negative pressure cavity of the massage piston (8).

23. A massage device (41) comprising a massage applicator (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 18 and a massage piston (8) according to claims 19 to 23.

24. A massage system (42) comprising a massage device (41) and a series of massage applicators (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 18, comprising at least two massage applicators (1) with different massage application interfaces (29), respectively, wherein the massage device (41) is adapted for reciprocatingly actuating the massage applicator (1) in an axial direction (12), wherein each massage applicator (1) of the series of massage applicators (1) has an according first portion (5), such that the massage device (41) may receive any of the series of massage applicators (1).

25. Massage system according to claim 24, wherein at least one massage applicator (1) has a massage application interface (29) with a negative pressure cavity (30), and wherein at least one massage applicator (1) has a massage application interface (29) with a closed massage application surface (46).