U.S. patent number 3,672,355 [Application Number 05/101,687] was granted by the patent office on 1972-06-27 for electro-massager.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hitachi, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hisasi Nakagawa, Hiroshi Ogawa, Akinari Uchida, Sigeto Yamane.
United States Patent |
3,672,355 |
Ogawa , et al. |
June 27, 1972 |
ELECTRO-MASSAGER
Abstract
An electro-massager comprising a casing having a handle, a pair
of motors disposed in the casing for actuating a pair of vibrating
heads, each including an eccentric balance weight therein, which
are, respectively, rotatably coupled with the motors through
flexible coupling means, whereby the eccentric balance weights are
subjected to rotation in the vibrating heads thereby to both
vibrate and massage the objective portion of the body inserted
therebetween.
Inventors: |
Ogawa; Hiroshi (Hitachi,
JA), Yamane; Sigeto (Hitachi, JA),
Nakagawa; Hisasi (Hitachi, JA), Uchida; Akinari
(Hitachi, JA) |
Assignee: |
Hitachi, Ltd. (Tokyo,
JA)
|
Family
ID: |
14379737 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/101,687 |
Filed: |
December 28, 1970 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 26, 1969 [JA] |
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44/104403 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
601/73; 601/135;
D24/211 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H
23/0263 (20130101); A61H 2023/0272 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
23/02 (20060101); A61h 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/32-36,24.1,24.2,59 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; L. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electro-massager comprising a casing, a pair of vibrator
heads projecting from one side of said casing in spaced
relationship, each of said vibrator heads having an eccentric
balance weight rotatably mounted therein, drive means disposed in
said casing for rotating the balance weights in said vibrator
heads, and flexible coupling means for coupling said drive means to
said vibrator heads so as to effect rotation of said balance
weights while permitting flexible movement of said heads by a body
part inserted in the space between said heads.
2. An electro-massager as defined in claim 1, wherein said vibrator
heads extend out of said casing at an angle to one another so that
the space between the heads increases with distance from the
casing.
3. An electro-massager as defined in claim 2, wherein each vibrator
head includes a rotatable shaft carrying said eccentric balance
weight and said drive means includes a drive shaft for each
vibrator head, said flexible coupling means including a helical
spring connecting said rotatable shaft in the vibrator head to the
drive shaft in said drive means so as to cause vibration and swing
movement in the heads by rotation of the eccentric balance
weight.
4. An electro-massager as defined in claim 1, further including a
fan driven by said drive means for blowing heated air generated by
the components in said casing out of the casing in the direction of
said vibrator heads.
5. An electro-massager as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said
vibrator heads is provided with an elastic outer ring shaped in the
form of a polygon having a plurality of extending convex
portions.
6. An electro-massager as defined in claim 1, wherein each vibrator
head includes a rotatable shaft carrying said eccentric balance
weight and said drive means includes a drive shaft for each
vibrator head, said flexible coupling means including a helical
spring connecting said rotatable shaft in the vibrator head to the
drive shaft in said drive means so as to cause vibration and swing
movement in the heads by rotation of the eccentric balance
weight.
7. An electro-massager as defined in claim 6, wherein said drive
means includes an electric motor for each vibrator head mounted
within said casing, and said flexible coupling means additionally
includes a second helical spring interconnecting the body of said
motor with the vibrator head and a flexible housing for said second
helical spring.
8. An electro-massager as defined in claim 7, wherein said vibrator
heads extend out of said casing at an angle to one another so that
the space between the heads increases with distance from the
casing.
9. An electro-massager as defined in claim 8, further including a
fan driven by said drive means for blowing heated air generated by
the components in said casing out of the casing in the direction of
said vibrator heads.
10. An electro-massager as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said
vibrator heads is provided with an elastic outer ring shaped in the
form of a polygon having a plurality of extending convex portions.
Description
BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to an electro-massager of the
type having two vibrating heads, and more particularly to a device
of this type which is capable of providing multi-massage
characteristics.
All of the existing electro-massagers are adapted to effect massage
by use of any one of a plurality of generally used functions, such
as vibration, tap or massage; however, there is no known
electro-massager which is capable of providing two simultaneous
functions, such as massage and vibration at one time. More
effective massage requires an electro-massager capable of providing
two simultaneous functions at one time.
It is a principle object of the present invention to meet this
demand with an electro-massager of simple construction which is
adapted to provide both vibration and massage functions
simultaneously.
In an embodiment of the electro-massager according to the
invention, two micromotors are provided in a case having a handle,
and these micromotors are connected to rotate respective eccentric
balance weights. Two vibrating heads, each being vibrated by the
rotation of the eccentric balance weight positioned therein, are so
arranged at an angle to each other that the distance therebetween
is widened nearer the ends thereof, and each vibrating head is
connected to the case through a flexible coupling. This structure
facilitates the inserting of affected body parts, such as arms,
legs, shoulder or neck, into the space between said two vibrating
heads and also facilitates quick transfer of the electro-massager
to other affected parts of the body to be massaged while the
affected parts are held between the two vibrating heads. When the
micromotors are driven, the vibrating heads apply vibration to the
affected parts from their opposite sides, and therefore the same
effect as a massage is provided successively. This also permits
easy massage of any affected body parts at any place on the human
body. As the present electro-massager is mainly made up of two
micromotors, two vibrating heads and a case with a handle for the
micromotors, it can be miniaturized and portable with the result
that the massager becomes convenient for home use.
In another embodiment of the electro-massager, the distance between
the two vibrating heads can be widened at will so that the affected
parts on different size arms, legs, back or neck may be placed in
the space between the vibrating heads. Namely, each vibrating head
is directly coupled to a micromotor by an elastic member which in
turn passes through a relatively larger opening provided in the
front face of the case. A coil spring is placed between the
micromotor and the case, and thus the distance between the two
vibrating heads can be changed by properly adjusting the positions
in which the two micromotors are mounted. In this manner, the
distance between the two vibrating heads, suitable for the size of
the user's arms, legs, back, or neck, is well obtainable, and
thereby the device of the present invention is useable by all
persons, regardless of their size.
In still another embodiment of the electro-massager, the outer
peripheral shape of the vibrating heads is designed to provide a
more effective massage function. For this object, it is suggested
that an elastic ring having a plurality of projections be provided
releasably on each of the two vibrating heads. It is also suggested
that the corner portions of the opposite faces of said two
vibrating heads be rounded.
In still another embodiment of this invention, the effect of
massage may be improved by blowing warm air against the affected
body parts which are placed between the vibrating heads so as to
promote the circulation of the blood through these areas. A fan is
provided in the case, which fan is rotated by said micromotors.
With the arrangement as above mentioned, heat generated in the
motor and a resistor selectively connected in circuit with the
motors is blown through an exhaust port against the affected body
parts by the fan. As the heat is ceaselessly exhausted to the
outside of the casing by the fan as mentioned above, an increase in
temperature is restrained within the case. This is effective in
preventing damage due to overheat of the micromotors and other
parts of the device.
According to the present invention, as outlined above, there is
provided a small-size, inexpensive electro-massager which may be
comfortably used at home, and by which vibration and massage may be
simultaneously applied to affected body parts and the best effect
of massage may be constantly obtained in accordance with the
conditions of the affected parts to be massaged.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description thereof when taken with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention, and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of the electro-massager in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the electro-massager shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a back view of a portion of the casing of the device
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the head portion of the
electro-massager;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the operation of the head portion
of the electro-massager;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the head portion of another
embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the mode of use of the
electro-massager as shown in FIG. 6;
FIGS. 8a through 8d are explanatory views illustrating different
modes of use of a third embodiment of the electro-massager of this
invention; and
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit employed in
the electro-massager.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention will be explained with reference to the embodiments
shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
are used to designate corresponding parts. 1 designates a case
comprising two divided portions, which may be made of plastic, for
example, in which are positioned micromotors 2 and 2' disposed at
an angle to each other. A handle 3 is formed integrally with the
case 1 and the two micromotors 2 and 2' are arranged one above the
other in the upper portion of the handle 3. The rotating shaft 4 of
each of the micromotors 2 and 2' is provided at the end thereof
with a fan 5, as seen in connection with the motor 2 in FIG. 1.
A resistor arrangement 19 is disposed between the two micromotors 2
and 2' for switching them between high and low positions. An
exhaust port 20 is also provided on a front surface of the case 1
positioned adjacent to the resistor 19, which is connected in
series circuit with the micromotors 2 and 2', and an inhalation
port 21 is provided on a rear surface of the case 1 positioned on
the opposite side of the resistor 19 from the port 20 so that air
brought in the port 21 by the fan 5 will be heated by the resistor
19 and forced out the port 20.
A retaining ring 6 is affixed on the front surface of each of the
micromotors 2 and 2', as seen in FIG. 4, and an opening 7 is
provided on the front surface of the case 1, around which opening 7
another retaining ring 8 is also fixedly mounted. A coil spring 9
has its respective ends fixedly coupled to said rings 6 and 8, and
a pair of vibrating heads 10 and 10' are fixed to the retaining
ring 6 of their respective motors through the opening 7 by means of
a coil spring 11. A housing 12 is provided for coil spring 11,
which housing is made of elastic or other flexible material. A
rotating shaft 13 is supported by bearings 14, and 14' within the
vibrating heads 10 and 10', respectively, to which shaft 13 an
eccentric weight 15 is connected by means of a screw 28 or other
fastening device. A flexible coupling 16 connects the rotating
shaft 4 of the motor to the rotating shaft 13 by means of which
shaft 16, the eccentric weight 15 is rotated to vibrate the heads
10 and 10'. An elastic member 17 is provided on the front surface
of the vibrating heads 10 and 10' and around the sides thereof.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, another embodiment of the mounting
structure for the micromotors 2 and 2' will be explained. The angle
.theta. as shown in FIG. 1 can be varied by arranging the
micromotor 2 so that it can move in the direction as shown by an
arrow Q in FIG. 5. As the micromotors 2 and 2' are mounted on the
case ' through an elongated hole and screw, the mounting position
of these micromotors 2 and 2' can be adjusted by loosening the
screw to shift it along the hole. In this way, the space between
the heads can be adjusted.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, another embodiment of the
invention relating to the structure of the vibrating heads 10 and
10' will be explained. As is clearly seen from the drawing, the
corner portion of the end of the vibrating heads 10 and 10' is
rounded. This provides smooth insertion of the affected body parts
x, such as arms or legs, into the space between these vibrating
heads. Thus, a massaging of the body part along with vibration
thereof is easily carried out.
Another embodiment of the elastic ring 17 is explained with
reference to FIGS. 8a through 8d. This ring 17 is made in a form of
polygon to provide a plurality of convex portions 26 thereon. This
elastic ring 17 is releasably mounted on the vibrating heads 10 and
10', and is rotatably provided thereon. This particular shape of
the heads is effective in making the present electro-massager
applicable to different shapes of the affected body parts x.
With the above-described structure, when the affected body parts x
are inserted into the space between the vibrating heads 10 and 10',
as shown in FIG. 7, vibration is applied to the affected parts x
from either side thereof and the same effect as a massage is
obtained. Therefore, the electro-massager according to this
invention can be used under its best conditions according to the
thickness of the affected body parts and in compliance with the
user's taste, by changing the mounting position of the elastic ring
17, changing the distance between the vibrating heads 10 and 10' or
employing elastic rings 17 of different shape.
In case an improvement on the effect of the massage is desired, the
circulation of blood in the affected body part may be promoted by
supplying the resistor 19 with current so that the fan 5 will blow
warm air against the affected parts x from the exhaust port 20.
A switch 22 is provided on the handle 3 and connected in series
with the resistor 19 as seen in FIG. 9 for adjusting the speed of
the micromotors 2 and 2'. A capacitor arrangement 23 is also
provided in the handle 3 for prevention of occurrence of noise,
which arrangement is connected in parallel to the micromotors 2 and
2'. The motors 2 and 2' are supplied with power from a power source
25 through a standard rectifier arrangement 24; however, the device
may also be battery operated by the provision of suitable batteries
in the handle.
While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance
with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not
limited thereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and
modifications as known to a person skilled in the art, and we
therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
* * * * *