U.S. patent application number 11/715895 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for finger pressing massage glove.
Invention is credited to Shen-Hai Tsai.
Application Number | 20080216207 11/715895 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740119 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsai; Shen-Hai |
September 11, 2008 |
Finger pressing massage glove
Abstract
The present invention is a fingertip massaging glove;
particularly, a glove massager to facilitate a user in operation
according to his preference. The glove massager includes a glove 10
fit out one's hand for vibration, a vibration device 20 enclosed
inside of the glove 10 includes a panel 21 with an interface 21h
displayed on a hand back of the glove 10, a number of eccentric
vibrators 23 connected to the panel 21 by leads 22. A set of
batteries 21g are disposed inside the panel 21 to supplement power
to the glove. When the vibrators are powered to vibrate, affected
part of a user can be relieved pain or sore. Furthermore, a second
side of the glove includes palm, fingertips portions embossed with
grip dots has a depth deeper than a normal breadth of the
glove.
Inventors: |
Tsai; Shen-Hai; (Ta-Ya
Village, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Tsai, Shen-Hai
P.O.Box 166-13
Taipei
115
TW
|
Family ID: |
39740119 |
Appl. No.: |
11/715895 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/160 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 23/0263 20130101;
A61H 2205/067 20130101; A61H 2201/165 20130101; A61H 2201/5023
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/160 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. A glove massager comprising a glove (10) worn by hand; a
vibration device (20) enclosed inside of the glove (10) includes a
panel (21) displayed on a hand back portion of a first side of the
glove (10), the panel (21) has an interface (21h), a number of
eccentric vibrators (23) connected to the panel (21) by leads (22),
a set of batteries (21g) mounted inside the panel as a power
source; characterized in that: the glove (10) is embossed with a
plurality of grip dots (11) distributed over a second side,
included center of palm and fingertips surfaces of the glove (10),
the panel (21) is equipped with a first button (21a) having
function keys T key, I key to activate vibrator and grip dots of a
thumb portion, an index fingered portion respectively; a second
button (21b) to activate vibrators and grip dots of the glove (10);
a frequency button (21c) with forward and backward function keys
for increment or decrement operation frequency; and a power switch
(21d) to switch on or off power source.
2. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the eccentric vibrators
(23) are located on the fingertips included thumb portion, index
fingered portion, middle fingered portion, ring fingered portion
and little fingered portion of the glove (10).
3. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the eccentric vibrators
(23) are located on a palm portion of the glove (10).
4. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the eccentric vibrators
(23) are located on a hand back portion of the glove (10).
5. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the eccentric vibrator (23)
is enclosed inside of a housing (24), which is shaped as a
tube.
6. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the panel has a number of
light emitting diodes (LEDs) (21e) for showing response
signals.
7. A glove massager as mentioned above, the set of batteries (21g)
are direct current (DC) 650-900 milli-Ampere-hour capacity (AAA)
batteries or Nickel-Metal Hybride (Ni-Mh) AAA rechargeable
batteries.
8. A glove massager as claim 7 claimed, a transformer converts
alternate current (AC) into direct current (DC) to the rechargeable
batteries.
9. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the glove 10 is a heavy
rubber glove made of silicone, synthesis resin, or rubber.
10. A glove massager as claim 1 claimed, the glove 10 is embossed
with a plurality of grip dots as heavy rubber glove, at least, palm
and fingertips portions with grip dots has a depth one and half
times deeper than a breadth of the glove.
Description
FILED OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related to a finger pressing
massage glove, which is portable, easy to preserve, and operated
according to user's preference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Gloved hand massaging is manipulated by user's hand; persons
skilled in the art have provided kinds of glove massager. For
instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,604 entitled "Glove massager" to
Duboff et al. on Jun. 15, 2004 disclosed a glove which includes
massage elements within each of the fingertips of the glove. Each
massage element includes a housing and a motor therein for
vibrating the housing. Or U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,509 entitled
"Fingertip massager" to Gary Duboff on Mar. 20, 2001, a plurality
of panels attachable to and detachable from the housing of the
massager for vibration with the housing on fingertip. A securing
strap is provided for attaching the device to the single finger of
a user.
[0003] Obviously, fingertip massager mountable to a user's
fingertip can be assembled to form a glove massager worn by hand;
only the massage elements can be located proximate to the palm. A
massage element is not only shaped with a convex (i.e. hemispheric)
or concave surface, but a first portion of the housing abuts
against topside of the finger, a second portion detachable from the
housing one may obtain access to a motor for its servicing or
replacement. Maintenance work of separate fingertip massagers
assembled on a glove will be hard to be fulfilled. Since there are
numerous portions, convex and concave surfaces among fingertips and
palm, securing straps or fasteners are required for attaching
massagers to fingertips or center of palm, or wrist; otherwise,
massagers may be vibrated to go wrong track, or the glove may drop
out thereof. Massaging effect is dependent on hemispheric massage
element or node activated by motor only, no other options, no more
marginal utilities can be expected.
[0004] A massager can be embodied by a permanent magnet such as
published US 2005137445 entitled "eye massager for receiving
magnetic devices" to Chang et al. on Jun. 23, 2005. A mask body is
formed with two through holes at positions corresponding to those
of user's eyes. Each through hole enclosed by a rubber ring is
passed through by and fixed with a permanent magnet sealed in a
handle by a plug. Magnetic fields generated from the permanent
magnet will pass through bottom planes and grooves of the plugs to
activate the eye's nerves so as to adjust the function of eyes. But
magnets incorporated into a glove massager for vibration may be a
time consuming task, because magnets should be identified and
arrayed according to their polarities or magnetic force, such as a
massager need to loose grip or knuckle, permanent magnets could not
produce constant vibrations to the glove. Further, to manipulate
such a magnetic glove massager worn by hand, the user must exert
more force through his palm, or fingers.
[0005] Or embodied as published US 200621961 entitled "Massager
with shock absorption, multiple contact surface and visual therapy
effects" to Meyer Elizabeth et al. on Sep. 21, 2006, basically two
or more hemispheric massage nodes are expected from US 200621961 as
described in its parent patented case U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,722,
entitled "Percussive massager with variable node spacing" to
Mordechai et al. on Oct. 31, 2006 incorporated into US 200621961.
To reduce shock and vibration imparted to hand or wrist, spring and
dampener are aligned coaxially at a connection between handle and
massage head. The dampener may contain gel, fluid and so on to
improve the absorption of shock and vibration. It is assumed that
the anti-shock dampener is mainly dependent on the co-axial spring,
but such a combination of spring and dampener is further restricted
to a linear movement likely applications of Hook's law.
[0006] Moreover, use of latex gloves and finger cots in combination
with lubricants, vinyl gloves--which are traditionally used to
replace latex--are even worse as far as permeability and damage
from non-water based lubricants are concerned. Therefore, a glove
embossed with hundreds of "grip dots" distributed over its surface
in contact with skin, at least, will be a better choice for users
than traditional gloves or cots, such grip dots is incorporated
into the glove massager of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is to provide an
eccentric vibration glove massager being portable, easy to
preserve, and manipulated according to user's preferences.
[0008] Point against aforesaid defects of prior arts, the present
invention is to provide a glove massager comprising a glove 10 worn
by hand; a plurality of grip dots 11 are distributed over a second
side included center of palm and fingertips surfaces of the glove
10; a vibration device 20 enclosed inside of the glove 10 includes
a panel 21 displayed on a first side of hand back portion of the
glove 10, the panel 21 has an interface 21h, a number of eccentric
vibrators 23 connected to the panel 21 by leads 22, a set of
batteries 21g mounted inside the panel 21 as a power source; the
panel 21 is equipped with a first button 21a with two keys to
activate vibrator and grip dots on a thumb portion, an index finger
portion respectively, a second button 21b to activate vibrators and
grip dots of the glove, a frequency button 21c with forward and
backward function keys for increment or decrement operation
frequency, and a power switch 21d for switching on or off power
source.
[0009] Glove massager as mentioned above, the eccentric vibrators
23 are located on the fingertips of the glove 10.
[0010] Glove massager as mentioned above, the eccentric vibrators
23 are located on a palm portion of the glove 10.
[0011] Glove massager as mentioned above, the eccentric vibrators
23 are located on a hand back portion of the glove 10.
[0012] Glove massager as mentioned above, the eccentric vibrator 23
is enclosed inside a housing 24, which is shaped as a tube.
[0013] Glove massager as mentioned above, the panel has a number of
light emitting diodes (LEDs) 21e for showing response signals.
[0014] Glove massager as mentioned above, the set of batteries 21g
are direct current (DC) 650-900 milli-Ampere-hour capacity (AAA)
batteries or Nickel-Metal Hybride (Ni-Mh) AAA rechargeable
batteries.
[0015] Glove massager as mentioned above, a transformer converts
alternate current (AC) into direct current (DC) to the rechargeable
batteries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1: shows an exploded view of the glove massager;
[0017] FIG. 2: shows a perspective view of the glove massager;
[0018] FIG. 2A: shows an enlarged elevated view of the panel of
FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 2B: shows an enlarged exploded view of the eccentric
vibrator of FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 3: shows a perspective view of the glove massager with
the thumb portion pointing up toward affected area;
[0021] FIG. 4: shows a side view of the glove massager moved the
thumb portion and mitten portion;
[0022] FIG. 5A: shows a diagrammatic view of the eccentric vibrator
in rotary motion in clockwise;
[0023] FIG. 5B: shows a cross sectional view of the eccentric
vibrator of FIG. 5A;
[0024] FIG. 6A: shows a diagrammatic view of the eccentric vibrator
in rotary motion in clockwise following up FIG. 5A; and
[0025] FIG. 6B: shows a cross sectional view of the eccentric
vibrator of FIG. 5B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The description is described in detail according to the
appended drawings hereinafter.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a glove massager 20 equipped
with eccentric vibrators 23 is composed of a glove 10, and a
vibration device 20 is hidden from view and enclosed inside of the
glove 10. The vibration device 20 includes a panel 21 displayed an
interface 21h on a first side (i.e. hand-back portion) of the glove
10. The panel 21 has a set of batteries 21g to supply power to the
glove 10. A number of leads 22 are connected to a number of
eccentric vibrators 23 on fingertips, palm, and hand-back portions
respectively. In other words, the vibrators 23 are in parallel
connection with the panel 21 to be operated subsequently. Such
vibrators in parallel connection to the panel are mainly divided
into a first dominated portion, a second attached portion. But the
glove takes shape of user's hand is obviously divided into thumb
and mitten portions with alternative postures--either a pointed or
a curved posture--can be practiced for a grip massaging; but the
vibrators 23 of fingertips etc., are activated by pressing buttons
21a or 21b. A massage grip can be formed by means of the mitten
portion in a coordination action with the thumb portion of the
glove, or a thumb portion pointing up is directly opposite to an
affected part. Or a vibrator of an index fingered portion is
activated duly for the patient's use. Or a thumb portion and an
index finger portion of the glove can be combined in use. Thereby,
a first button 21a of the panel 21 can activate a thumb portion, an
index fingered portion, or both according to the user's preference.
Other than the mitten portion is in coordination with the thumb
portion with an enhanced massage effect, a glove massager put on
hand is to be dominated by vibrators of the thumb portion or the
index fingered portion to exert pressure to relieve a local aching;
but vibrators of a second attached portion, namely part of the
mitten portion includes a middle, ring and little fingered portion,
are not activated independently but attached to the first dominated
portion in use. Vibrators of both the first dominated and the
second attached portions of such a glove can be activated by a
second button 21b of the panel 21. But only first dominated portion
can be activated by the button 21a optionally. Vibrators can also
be added to a second side (i.e. center of palm portion) of the
glove, and a first side (i.e. hand back portion) about the wrist,
once the palm portion or hand back portions are added with
vibrators, they are broadly defined and included in the mitten
portion and controlled by the second button 21b, all of the
vibrators 23 can be activated by pressing the second button 21b of
the panel 21 in one step. A hand-back portion added with vibrator
can be suitable for a pet massage in contact with soft fur instead
of massaging grip. And a palm portion added with vibrators can also
expand the massaging area. To activate hand-back portions vibrators
can also be suitable for massaging with a knuckle. Both the palm
and hand-back portion vibration can be suitable for massaging
affected areas about armpits or calf and behind knee or shoulder
about neck by a patient himself.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2A, the panel 21 is equipped with buttons
21a, 21b, and 21c and power switch 21 d. Where the button 21a
having "T" key electrically connected to the thumb portion and "I"
key electrically connected to the index fingered portion, vibrators
of the thumb, index fingered portions can be activated immediately
by pressing the T, or I key of button 21a respectively. A user can
optionally select the thumb portion, the index fingered portion or
both for vibration by pressing T key or I key or both keys of the
button 21a at the same time. The glove is made of synthesis resin,
rubber, or silicone to form a heavy rubber glove; further, the
second side of the glove 10 is distributed with grip dots;
therefore, as the mitten portion of the glove 10 takes user's hand
shape, at least, can be implemented in a normally curved posture as
FIG. 2 depicted or curling around posture as FIG. 3 depicted or
pointing up posture as FIG. 4 depicted. The button 21b is designed
to activate not only the first dominated portion, but also the
second attached portion. While a second side (i.e. center of palm),
or a first side (i.e. back of hand) of the glove 10 can also be
equipped with vibrators activated by the same button 21b for
vibration. According to such an arrangement, either the first side
(i.e. back of hand) or the second side (i.e. palm portion) for
vibration is not separated from the mitten portion and controlled
by the second button 21b. The button 21c is further provided with a
forward and a backward function key indicated that the frequency of
vibrators can be adjusted higher or lower than a default frequency
by pressing the forward or backward function key, for example, the
button 21c may be combined with a sliding variable resistor which
permits the speed of a motor and hence the frequency of the
vibrations generated by eccentric mass to be controlled, once
pressing on the function key comes to a halt, that is a "broken
circuit" happened to the button 21c. User can adjust the frequency
anew by pressing one of the function keys or both. The power switch
21d is to switch on or off the power source. All the buttons and
switch can be operated according to user's preference. A number of
light emitting diodes (LEDs) 21e are responsive to the operations
of the buttons and switch; accordingly, statuses of the glove 10 in
use can be easily inferred from signals shown by LEDs 21e.
[0029] The glove 10 is made of flexible rubber, silicone, synthesis
resin etc., all snugly fit one's hand. A lid 21f is covered over
the set of batteries 21g to reduce electricity leakage further
facilitate replacement of used batteries with new batteries.
[0030] Eccentric vibrators 23 of the invention can be known from
use of eccentric masses concurrently rotated about parallel axes in
opposite directions. Such vibrators may be activated at the same
time, but not vibrate at the same frequency, since vibration
frequency can be adjusted separately after activating only one
portion such as the thumb portion at an adjusted speedy frequency
for a while, but to activate the other portion such as the index
fingered portion later at a default frequency unless the user
adjust the frequency also. Vibrators 23 are mainly installed to
fingertips of the glove 10, or center of palm of the glove 10,
further can be installed to hand-back portion of the glove 10. In
practice, eccentric vibrators are firstly installed to the
fingertips portions, secondly to center of palm portion, thirdly to
hand-back portion.
[0031] The set of batteries 21g are direct current batteries or
rechargeable batteries, or alternating current (AC) converted into
direct current (DC) supplements power to the rechargeable
batteries. The set of batteries 21g are direct current (DC) 650-900
milli-Ampere-hour capacity (AAA) batteries or Nickel-Metal Hybride
(Ni-Mh) AAA rechargeable batteries.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2B, the eccentric vibrator 23 is composed
of an eccentric mass 23a and a motor 23b; furthermore, the
eccentric vibrator 23 is enclosed by a tubular housing 24.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the mitten portion 12 of the
glove 10 further divided into four compartments can accommodate
index finger, mid finger, ring finger and little finger wearing the
glove corresponding to the compartments in place. Whereby, a
pointed up thumb portion as depicted in FIG. 3 or an index finger
portion separated from the mitten portion can be used for vibration
with as a relief of local aching. Or a grip of the thumb portion in
coordination action with mitten portion of a curved posture for
massaging as depicted in FIG. 4 or as the second attached portion
combined to first dominated portion for vibration as a massaging
grip. As the eccentric vibrators 23 are activated, the grip dots 11
distributed over fingertips, center of palm around vibrators 23 are
moved to and fro to exert pressure to the affected area. The grip
dots 11 are mainly formed on the fingertips and palm integrally
with the glove by injection molding. As a result, the second side
of the glove is embossed with hundreds of grip dots to increase a
depth of the glove with an evenly distributed convex and concave
surface popped to the affected area, so that a breadth of the glove
is increased to the second side of the glove 10. Where vibrator
with grip dots can be kept for a constant vibration since the grip
dots are evenly distributed with equal size, equal spacing;
therefore, the vibrator can be operated with efficiency. Due to the
grip dots have a certain depth increased to the surface of the
glove being in contact with patient's skin, at least, grip dots
incorporated into the surface of the glove is one and half times
deeper than the glove breadth. Where the embossed grip dots can be
kept intermittent gaps between the affected part and the second
side of the glove, further air-circulation space could be retained,
at least, to limit expansion of diseases such as dermatitis etc.,
from affected part to others directly. Since the grip dots shaped
on one side of the glove can be shaped wavelike (such as sinusoidal
waveform) with soft pressure effective in supporting the glove
massager in contact with skin, further a massage effect increased
to the affected part, and grip dots are easy to clean, even can be
immersed through non-water based detergents without
deterioration.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, an eccentric vibrator
23 is composed of an eccentric mass 23a and a motor 23b. Owing to
the gravity center is not located at a center of the vibrator 23,
the eccentric mass 23a of the vibrator 23 may be vibrated to go
wrong track, but a housing 24 can locate the eccentric vibrator 23
in place make constant vibration possible, further can be avoided
damage from force outside.
Advantages of Embodiments of the Invention
[0035] Glove massager of the invention is easy to manipulate due to
switches 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, can be operated optionally,
thereby the massager can relieve a pain or sore affected part.
Interface 21h of the panel 21 is designed to achieve a massage
effect according to one's preference. Statuses of massaging can be
inferred from response signals shown with a number of LEDs 21e
above all ambiguity.
[0036] Further, vibration device 20 is hidden from view and
enclosed inside of the glove 10 worn by hand. A glove with
vibration device put on one's hand from fingertips to the wrist.
Since a glove takes user's hand shape is divided into a thumb and a
mitten portion, but in use, is substantially divided into a
dominated first portion and an attached second portion electrically
connected to the activated buttons 21a, 21b. The mitten portion of
the glove takes user's hand shape is further divided into four
compartments for fitting in index finger, middle finger, ring
finger and little finger with a little curved posture, glove
massager worn on hand is neither dropping out nor vibrating to go
wrong track. Glove massager made of soft silicone, rubber, or
synthesis resin is portable and easy to preserve. Further hundreds
of grip dots distributed over the glove massager, on one hand, may
increase its depth to protect the user from infected with such as
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); on the other hand, the glove
surface embossed with grip dots may be shaped by injection molding
in one step. As grip dots are integrally formed on the surface of
fingertips, palm, or even hand back, which are easy manipulation
and shock absorption.
[0037] Fingertips 12 of the glove 10 are separated from each other;
hence a thumb portion, or an index fingered portion, or a dominated
first portion included both thumb and index finger can exert force
that uses trigger point therapy to relieve pain and sore affected
areas, fingertips of a mitten portion (i.e. four fingered portion)
is divided into four compartments, part of the mitten portion as
the second attached portion included middle, ring and little
fingered portions etc., can be optionally activated to exert more
massage force in addition to the first dominated portion on an
affected part by pressing the second button 21b one and all. User
also can put both hands with glove massagers having both, for
example, thumb and mitten portions thereon. But, the glove massager
can be provided according to one's handedness, or a pair of glove
massagers provided to both hands for a user.
[0038] A set of batteries 21g are assembled to the panel 21, which
is connected to the glove 10 integrally as a whole, a lid 21f is
covered over the set of batteries 21g to reduce electricity leakage
further facilitate replacement of used batteries with new
batteries.
[0039] Eccentric vibrator 23 enclosed by a tubular housing 21 may
avoid from impacts caused by outer force. The tubular housing 21
also can prevent the eccentric vibrators 23 from abrasion caused by
constant friction between glove 10 and vibrators 23. That may cause
the eccentric vibrators 23 dropped out of the glove 10.
* * * * *