Method and apparatus for treating cellulite containing areas of the human body

• US 4,086,922 A
• Filed: 09/08/1976
• Issued: 05/02/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Burnis Henderson
• Original Assignee: Burnis Henderson
• Inventors: Henderson, Burnis
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, Lawrence W.
• Application Number:
  US05/721,452
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 128/57, 128/24.3, 128/67, 128/25 B
• US Class Current: 601/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0092 hand-held A61H15/0085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0057 the axis being resiliently biased
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0064 with freely rotating spheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0228 heated by an electric resistance element
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0242 by a fluid circulating in the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2207/00 Anti-cellulite devices

Abstract

An instrument for massaging and kneading areas of the human body having cellulite therein and having a base member larger than a hand of a user with a flexible member extending thereover and having an opening for the user'"'"'s hand to be positioned on the base member. A plurality of closely spaced balls are supported under the base plate for rotation with the axes of rotation substantially parallel and generally in a plane spaced below the base member. The balls are resiliently mounted to permit movement of the balls in a direction normal to the axial plane thereof to tend to equalize the pressure of the balls on an uneven surface engaged thereby. Heating means is supported by the base plate and positioned to apply heat to the balls and the body area thereunder.

Claims

1. An instrument for treating areas of the human body having cellulite therein comprising:

(a) a base member having an upper portion and a lower portion;

(b) a member connected to said base member and adapted for connecting a user'"'"'s hand to said base member for manipulating and applying pressure thereto;

(c) a plurality of balls;

(d) means on said base member rotatably supporting said balls below and spaced from the base lower portion with the balls closely spaced and the centers thereof generally in a plane substantially parallel to said base member, the mounting permitting substantially independent movement of the balls in a direction normal to said plane;

(e) controlled heating means mounted on said base lower portion and positioned between said balls and said base member;

said heating means being spaced a predetermined distance from said balls and transmitting heat thereto through air convection; and

(f) means applying pressure to the balls to urge same downwardly to said plane and tending to equalize pressure of the balls on an uneven surface engaged thereby.

2. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said support means include pairs of arms on said base member and depending therefrom, and an axle member mounted on each pair of said arms, at least two of said balls being rotatably mounted on each of said axle members; and

(b) said balls being arranged in rows with the balls on one axle being in one row and off set relative to balls on an axle in an adjacent row to provide close spacing between each ball and two adjacent balls on the adjacent axle.

3. An instrument as set forth in claim 2 including:

(a) means limiting the movement of the balls in the direction normal to said plane and preventing engagement between said balls and said heating means.

4. An instrument as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

(a) said axle members are mounted in slots disposed in an associated pair of arms; and

including

(b) a coil spring disposed in each of said slots and resiliently urging said axle members away from said base member.

5. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said heating means are electrical heating elements supported by the base member between the lower portion thereof and said balls and a connection to a source of electric current with a thermostatic switch operative to interrupt the current when the temperature adjacent the balls is at a predetermined maximum; and

(b) said means urging the balls downwardly is a resiliency of the mounting of the balls.

6. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said base member being generally planar and of an area larger than a person'"'"'s hand with an upper portion of a cushion material for engagement by the palm and fingers of a user'"'"'s hand;

(b) said base member has portions that are of material that are electrically non-conductors and of low heat conductivity to protect the hand of the user from the heat and current; and

(c) said member comprising a strap extending over a portion of the base upper portion and co-operating therewith to define an opening for receiving the hand of the user therein.

7. An instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said ball supporting means are pistons slidably mounted in bores in the base member with sockets in lower ends of the pistons having the respective ball rotatably contained therein, said pistons and base member have cooperative abuttments limiting movement of the pistons outwardly of the base member;

(b) said base member being hollow and having a chamber therein connected to a source of fluid of controlled temperature and under a selected pressure whereby said fluid heats the pistons and balls and urges the pistons outwardly of the body member; and

(c) seal means in said bores and engaging said pistons.