Healthy body ball

• US 7,458,945 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cheryl E. Zemont
• Original Assignee: Cheryl E. Zemont
• Inventors: Zemont, Cheryl E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/612,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,980 Days
• Field of Search: 473/595, 473/596, 473/614, 601/131, 601/135, 601/134
• US Class Current: 601/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0092 hand-held A61H15/0085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0064 with freely rotating spheres

Abstract

A method for performing trigger point therapy using a massage device having a spherical ball with an array of pliable nodes that project axially from the surface of the ball. The massage device can be manipulated by the user or a second person. Effective manipulation to the user'"'"'s back and neck are achieved when the user places the device between himself and a rigid surface and rolls the ball at a trigger point location.

Claims

1. A method for performing a trigger-point massage, comprising the following steps:

(a) providing a spherical ball having an array of between 8 to 14 pliable nodes projecting axially from the surface of the spherical ball, wherein said pliable nodes are substantially cylindrical; and

(b) applying localized pressure to a trigger-point using a single pliable node of said spherical ball;

wherein said pliable nodes are between one-half inch to one inch in both length and diameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the spherical ball and pliable nodes are composed of rubber or plastic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pliable nodes of said spherical ball are equally spaced apart from each other.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pliable nodes of said spherical ball have a flat end.

5. A trigger-point therapy device, comprising:

a spherical ball; and

an array of between 8 to 14 pliable nodes projecting axially from the surface of the spherical ball, wherein said pliable nodes are substantially cylindrical and are between one-half inch to one inch in both length and diameter.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the spherical ball and the pliable nodes are composed of rubber or plastic.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the pliable nodes of said spherical ball are evenly spaced apart from each other.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the pliable nodes of said spherical ball have a flat end.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein at least one of said pliable nodes are disposed upon a rigid pin in press-fit arrangement with said spherical ball.

10. A trigger-point therapy device, comprising:

a spherical ball; and

an array of 10 pliable nodes projecting axially from the surface of the spherical ball, wherein said pliable nodes are substantially cylindrical, are evenly spaced apart from each other, and are disposed upon a rigid pin in press-lit arrangement with said spherical ball, wherein said pliable nodes are between one-half inch to one inch in both length and diameter.