CA1054887A - Massage device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A hollow cylindrical massage device has skull-cap recesses raised dimples and ribs on its outer surface. The ribs extend longitudinally along the axis of the device. Hot liquid is place inside the cylinder and is radiated to the outside of the device.

Description

1~54887 This invention relates to an improved hollow cylindrical massage device.
There are massage devices for massaging parts of the body and in particular for nassaging the feet. The devices con-sist of a ceramic cylindrical roller which is hollow and capable of holding hot liquid. The outside of the roller has a plurality of skull-cap shaped recesses which provide a suction type effect with the foot. This roller is designed to assist those who suffer from painful sore feet, muscular strains, varicose veins, backaches and knee and leg pain. Massaging the feet with this device helps to relieve tension and fatigue and can overcome circulatory problems caused by cold tired feetO The massage resulting in therapeutic action i8 accomplished by pressure of the foot on top of the roller which is moved in a reciprocating rotary motion by the foot on a floor. The skull-cap recesses provide additional massaging to the muscles in the footO This type of cylindrical roller is shown in German Gebrauchsmuster-schrift NoO 1,692,898, issued January 19, 19550 One problem encountered with this device is that it moves too freely and has a tendency to get away from the foot as it is being rolled on the floorO
My present invention overcomes this problem and at the same time increases the massage capabilities and heat transfer capabilities of the heat from the liquid to the footO
I pro~ide a hollow cylindrical massage device with skull-cap recesses, raised dimples, and raised ribs on the surface of the cylinder~
Other details, objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the present preferred embodiments proceeds. In the accompanying drawing I
~k have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the hollow cylindrical ~hape massage device.
A hollow cylindrical massage device is generally shown as 10 in Figure 1. The surface of the cylindrical shape massage device 10 has a plurality of raised dimples 12, skull-cap recesses 14, and a plurality of ribs 16. The ribs 16 are shown extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical shape 10. As shown in Figure 1, the ribs 16 extend to one-half of the longitudinal axi~. The other half of the longitudinal axiR has a plurality of randomly placed raised dimples 12. The diameter of the cylinder becomes larger as the longitudinal axis approache~ the center of the axis and the diameter of the oylinder becomes smaller near the ends and then ~ncrea~es to form a neck at each end of the cylinder. This gives the ef~ect of a tapered convex shape on which the foot can rest.
Fla~ges 18 and 20 adjacent to each neck form the ends of the cylinder. Each flange 18 and 20 has a plurality of ribs 22 and 24 extending radially about the longitudinal axis. The inside of the cylinder is glazed (not shown) to provide better heat conduc-tivity to the outside surface of the cylinder which is preferably of ceramic material. One end of the cylindrical shape has a hole 26 to receive the liquid. To enhance the conductivity of the heat from the heated liquid to the foot, the raised dimples 12 are reinforced underneath with copper (not shown). The raised dimples 12 and the ribs 16 act as further resistance of the roller to the floor and at the same time enhance massaging surfaces on the foot.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A hollow cylindrical shaped massage device comprising: (a) a wheel-like flange at each end of the device, each flange having a plurality of longitudinal spaced ribs; (b) an outer cylindrical surface shape which is necked at a small diameter adjacent each flange and having an increasing diameter as the longitudinal axis approaches from the neck to the center of the device which is of less diameter than the flanges; (c) a plurality of spaced longitudinal rows of spaced recesses around the periphery of the surface between the flanges; (d) a plurality of raised ribs between the rows of recesses and extending longitudinally along a first half of the length of the device; and (e) a plurality of rows of raised dimples between the rows of recesses and extending longitudinally along a second half of the length of the device.