Thermal Massager

• US 20100274162A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dale Marlyn Marie Evans
• Original Assignee: Dale Marlyn Marie Evans
• Inventors: Evans, Dale Marlyn Marie
• Application Number:
  US12/427,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20100274162A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0296 Intervals of heating alternated with intervals of cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0092 hand-held A61H15/0085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0064 with freely rotating spheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1685 interchangeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5023 Interfaces to the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses

Abstract

The technology described herein provides a handheld massager. The handheld massager includes a housing dimensioned for handheld grip by a user; a massage head capsule within which a massage roller ball rotates; a thermoelectric assembly configured to selectively and incrementally heat and cool the massage roller ball; a temperature control to control a temperature of the thermoelectric device; a fluid reservoir configured to hold a massage fluid for dispensing to the massage roller ball; a fluid dispenser configured to control the release and volume of the massage fluid from the fluid reservoir; a vibrator motor configured to provide a vibration to the massager; a power source configured to provide power to the massager; user controls configured to variably control vibration, temperature, and power; and a controller configured to electronically couple and control the plurality of user controls, the power source, the fluid dispenser, the temperature control, and the thermoelectric assembly.

Claims

1. A handheld massager comprising:

a housing dimensioned for handheld grip by a user;

a massage head capsule within which a massage roller ball rotates, wherein the massage roller ball is configured to be heated and cooled selectively and incrementally to provide variable hot and cold therapy;

a thermoelectric assembly configured to selectively and incrementally heat and cool the massage roller ball;

a temperature control to control a temperature of the thermoelectric device;

a fluid reservoir configured to hold a massage fluid for dispensing to the massage roller ball;

a fluid dispenser configured to control the release and volume of the massage fluid from the fluid reservoir;

a vibrator and rotator motor configured to provide a vibration and rotation to the massager;

a power source configured to provide power to the massager;

a plurality of user controls configured to variably control vibration, temperature, and power; and

a controller configured to electronically couple and control the plurality of user controls, the power source, the fluid dispenser, the temperature control, and the thermoelectric assembly.

2. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the massage head capsule is detachable from the massager housing and is both replaceable and interchangeable, thereby providing the massager with a plurality of massage options and a plurality of massage roller balls of varying sizes.

3. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the fluid dispenser is a cartridge that is both interchangeable and disposable.

4. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric assembly configured to selectively and incrementally heat and cool the massage roller ball further comprises a heat sink.

5. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric assembly configured to selectively and incrementally heat and cool the massage roller ball further comprises a fan.

6. The handheld thermal massager of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric assembly configured to selectively and incrementally heat and cool the massage roller ball further comprises a universal heat exchange device.

7. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric assembly configured to selectively and incrementally heat and cool the massage roller ball further comprises a conversion heat exchange device.

8. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the massage roller ball is a metal ball.

9. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the power source further comprises a rechargeable battery and the handheld massager is configured to be cordless while in operation.

10. The handheld massager of claim 9, further comprising:

a charger assembly to recharge the rechargeable battery and to provide power for use while rechargeable battery is recharged.

11. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the power source further comprises a solar cell.

12. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the temperature control to control a temperature of the thermoelectric device is selectively and incrementally controlled by the user operating one or more of the plurality of user controls to heat and cool the massage roller ball.

13. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user controls configured to variably control vibration, temperature, and power further comprises a vibration on/off switch and an intensity of vibration control.

14. The handheld massager of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to automatically shut-off power to the massager once a predetermined time has elapsed and once a predetermined temperature has been exceeded.

15. The handheld massager of claim 1, further comprising:

a saturating sponge disposed within the massage head capsule and configured to absorb dispensed fluid and provide an even distribution of the fluid onto the massage roller ball as it rotates over the saturating sponge.

16. The handheld massager of claim 1, further comprising:

a quick release button disposed upon the housing of the massager and configured to be actuated by the user to remove the massage capsule from the massager for interchangeability and replaceability.

17. The handheld massager of claim 1, further comprising:

a removable protective cap configured to protect the massage capsule and massage roller ball from debris and damage.

18. The handheld massager of claim 17, wherein the protective cap is threaded.

19. The handheld massager of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature display window configured to provide the user with a current temperature of the massage roller ball.

20. The handheld massager of claim 1, further comprising:

a turning wheel having a stem disposed upon the massage capsule and configured for operative engagement to release massage fluid from the massage reservoir.