Title:
FOOT MASSAGE ROLLER
United States Patent 3662748
Abstract:
A massage roller for rolling with the sole of the foot has faceted side flanges containing serrations to grip a surface, the faceted side flanges causing a vibration of the roller on rolling it, and the roller has a smaller diameter center portion between the side flanges formed as adjacent disks with rounded edges, the disks having shallow "V" shaped notches equally spaced about their edges with adjacent disks having their notches offset relative to each other.
US Patent References:
Foot massaging or exercising device
Illch - May 1937 - 2080208
Foot exerciser
Gartner - July 1935 - 2006350
Foot massaging or exercising device
Illch - May 1937 - 2080208
Foot exerciser
Gartner - July 1935 - 2006350
Application Number:
05/116561
Publication Date:
05/16/1972
Filing Date:
02/18/1971
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Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A61H15/00; A61H23/00; A61H15/00
Field of Search:
128/25B,57,24.3,67
Primary Examiner:
Trapp L. W.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A roller for foot massage comprising, in combination, a center portion, and larger diameter end flanges at the ends of said center portion, said end flanges having edges containing aligned facets to vibrate said roller rolling on said flanges, said center portion having adjacent disks with rounded edges, said edges of said disks containing equally spaced shallow "V" shaped notches, said notches in adjacent disks being offset in relation to each other.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said flanges has between eight and 16 facets.
3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said facets have longitudinal serrations formed therein.
4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the edges of said disks are semicircular in section.
5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said disks each have two, three, or more shallow "V" shaped notches formed therein extending about one-half the outer circumference of each disk.
6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said disks are between 1/4 and 1 inch wide.
7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said "V" shaped notches have sides which are surfaces curved about one axis, the center of curvature of each of said sides being the remote end of the adjacent "V" shaped notch.
1. A roller for foot massage comprising, in combination, a center portion, and larger diameter end flanges at the ends of said center portion, said end flanges having edges containing aligned facets to vibrate said roller rolling on said flanges, said center portion having adjacent disks with rounded edges, said edges of said disks containing equally spaced shallow "V" shaped notches, said notches in adjacent disks being offset in relation to each other.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein each of said flanges has between eight and 16 facets.
3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said facets have longitudinal serrations formed therein.
4. The combination according to claim 2 wherein the edges of said disks are semicircular in section.
5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said disks each have two, three, or more shallow "V" shaped notches formed therein extending about one-half the outer circumference of each disk.
6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said disks are between 1/4 and 1 inch wide.
7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said "V" shaped notches have sides which are surfaces curved about one axis, the center of curvature of each of said sides being the remote end of the adjacent "V" shaped notch.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Ailments of the feet are well known and vary widely in cause. Poor circulation, poor muscle tone, atrophied muscle structures, and many other foot problems respond rapidly and are relieved by foot massage. This invention provides a new and improved foot massage roller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side view of a roller according to my invention with one side broken away in longitudinal, vertical section;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the roller; and
FIGS. 3 and 4 are transverse, vertical sections taken on lines 3--3 and 4--4 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the roller of my invention has a central portion 10 and two larger diameter end flanges 11 and 12 at the ends thereof. The end flanges 11 and 12 have flats or facets 14 formed on their circumferences. The roller is used by placing the sole of a foot on it and rolling it back and forth with the sole of the foot resting on the central portion 10. The facets 14 are aligned on both end flanges 11 and 12 to impart a vibration to the entire roller as it rolls on a surface. Twelve facets 14 have been found to be most desirable and effective, although eight to 16 facets 14 can be provided. More than 16 facets 14 provide too little vibration and less than eight facets 14 make the roller too difficult to roll and overly reduce the number of vibrations.
The roller is rolled on a rubber mat or carpet (not shown) so that the intensity of the vibrations depends on the cushion effect of the surface used. Serrations 15 are provided in each facet 14 to grip the surface to ensure that the roller rolls and does not slide.
While the roller may be fabricated of wood or other material, it may also be molded of plastic as shown. If molded, material may be saved and weight reduced by providing a hollow core 16 with end openings 17 and 18 in the flanges 11 and 12.
The central portion 10 of the roller which touches the sole of a foot is very critical in its shape. It is formed as a number of adjacent disks 20 having edges 21 which are substantially semicircular in section. The disks 20 are preferably 5/8 inches wide, although they may vary between 1/4 and 1 inch in width.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, shallow "V" shaped notches 22are equally spaced about the periphery of each edge 21 and occupy about one half the circumference of each edge 21. Three notches 22 are preferably formed in each edge 21 with sides 23 and 24 of each notch 22 formed as a surface curved about one axis with a center of curvature at 25 for side 23 and at 26 for side 24. Centers 25 and 26 are the remote ends of the other notches 22 in each disk 20.
The notches 22 in adjacent disks 20 are staggered or offset in relation to each other. Disks 20 are best about 21/4 inches in diameter, although they may be formed between 11/2 to 3 inches in diameter. Flanges 11 and 12 should be slightly larger in diameter than center portion 10 and have sufficient space between them to receive the foot of a user. The structure of my roller both kneads and vibrates the foot of a user to provide maximum therapeutic effect.
While this invention has been shown and described in the best form known to me, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Ailments of the feet are well known and vary widely in cause. Poor circulation, poor muscle tone, atrophied muscle structures, and many other foot problems respond rapidly and are relieved by foot massage. This invention provides a new and improved foot massage roller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side view of a roller according to my invention with one side broken away in longitudinal, vertical section;
FIG. 2 is an end view of the roller; and
FIGS. 3 and 4 are transverse, vertical sections taken on lines 3--3 and 4--4 of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the roller of my invention has a central portion 10 and two larger diameter end flanges 11 and 12 at the ends thereof. The end flanges 11 and 12 have flats or facets 14 formed on their circumferences. The roller is used by placing the sole of a foot on it and rolling it back and forth with the sole of the foot resting on the central portion 10. The facets 14 are aligned on both end flanges 11 and 12 to impart a vibration to the entire roller as it rolls on a surface. Twelve facets 14 have been found to be most desirable and effective, although eight to 16 facets 14 can be provided. More than 16 facets 14 provide too little vibration and less than eight facets 14 make the roller too difficult to roll and overly reduce the number of vibrations.
The roller is rolled on a rubber mat or carpet (not shown) so that the intensity of the vibrations depends on the cushion effect of the surface used. Serrations 15 are provided in each facet 14 to grip the surface to ensure that the roller rolls and does not slide.
While the roller may be fabricated of wood or other material, it may also be molded of plastic as shown. If molded, material may be saved and weight reduced by providing a hollow core 16 with end openings 17 and 18 in the flanges 11 and 12.
The central portion 10 of the roller which touches the sole of a foot is very critical in its shape. It is formed as a number of adjacent disks 20 having edges 21 which are substantially semicircular in section. The disks 20 are preferably 5/8 inches wide, although they may vary between 1/4 and 1 inch in width.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, shallow "V" shaped notches 22are equally spaced about the periphery of each edge 21 and occupy about one half the circumference of each edge 21. Three notches 22 are preferably formed in each edge 21 with sides 23 and 24 of each notch 22 formed as a surface curved about one axis with a center of curvature at 25 for side 23 and at 26 for side 24. Centers 25 and 26 are the remote ends of the other notches 22 in each disk 20.
The notches 22 in adjacent disks 20 are staggered or offset in relation to each other. Disks 20 are best about 21/4 inches in diameter, although they may be formed between 11/2 to 3 inches in diameter. Flanges 11 and 12 should be slightly larger in diameter than center portion 10 and have sufficient space between them to receive the foot of a user. The structure of my roller both kneads and vibrates the foot of a user to provide maximum therapeutic effect.
While this invention has been shown and described in the best form known to me, it will nevertheless be understood that this is purely exemplary and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.