Ball-massaging board

• US 5,913,839 A
• Filed: 11/12/1996
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher P. Wincek
• Original Assignee: Christopher P. Wincek
• Inventors: Wincek, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koo, Benjamin K.
• Application Number:
  US08/745,746
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 601/134-138, 601/128, 601/129, 601/131, 601/115, 601/118, 601/84, 606/204
• US Class Current: 601/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/00 Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0042 Balls or spheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1284 using own weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device

Abstract

A ball-massaging board (14) molded out of plastic with a curved surface to comfortably support a person'"'"'s spine in the supine position. Attached to the surface of board (14) are a number of rubber balls (15/16) that have a bolt head (18) bonded inside them, and a threaded portion (19) protruding outside them. Threaded portion (19) is inserted through a hole (21) in board (14), then secured in place by a lock nut (20). Because hole (21) is larger in diameter than the diameter of threaded portion (19) balls (15/16) are able to freely spin about the surface of board (14). Balls (15/16) are able to spin and roll simultaneously along the surface of board (14) while remaining attached to board (14). As an individual lies on the massaging board (14) and swivels his or her hips a combined spinning and rolling effect is created by balls (15/16) on the user'"'"'s back and neck, simulating a real life massage. The user experiences deep penetrating massage therapy by lying on the entire diameter of balls (15/16) which effectively relieve trigger points throughout the entire back, shoulders, and neck, while rehabilitating various muscles.

Claims

1. A back and neck massaging device comprising:

an angled, solid, support board having a flat surface adapted to support a person'"'"'s spine in a supine position, said surface having a plurality of hollow resilient balls individually attached thereon, and a fastening post secured within each of said balls and extending out of said balls at a single location, said posts extending through a hole in said board and secured under said board, wherein said balls may spin about said post on said surface and are adapted to allow limited rolling movement across said surface.

2. The back and neck massager of claim 1 wherein:

said holes each having a diameter and said posts having a smaller diameter than the diameter of said holes to allow spinning movement of said balls about said posts.