Portable massage device

• US 8,956,314 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Issued: 02/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vibrasys Pte., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Vibrasys Pte., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yeo, Poh Seng, Seet, Kai How, Chiou, Che Ooi, Yeo, Poh Teck
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, PRITESH ASHOK
• Application Number:
  US12/675,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20100234778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,484 Days
• Field of Search: 601/65, 601/46, 601 70- 72, 601/48, 601/74, 601/78
• US Class Current: 601/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0169 Noise reduction
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/165 Wearable interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5035 Several programs selectable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5038 freely programmable by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/102 Knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0254 with rotary motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses

Abstract

A portable massage device and method for reducing soreness in muscles or joints. The device includes a cage having a plurality of ventilation apertures that assist in cooling an internal motor.

Claims

1. A portable massage device for reducing soreness in muscles or joints, the device comprising:

a motor adapted to produce vibrations, said motor comprising an axle having an eccentric load;

a cage having an interior sized to contain said motor, said cage including a plurality of ventilation apertures;

a carrying device adapted to be worn by a user, said carrying device being configured to fasten said cage to the user; and

a control means for controlling the output of said motor comprising a memory containing a vibration frequency range programmed therein for a type of mechanoreceptor;

wherein the eccentric load comprises a fly wheel shaped so that the rotation of the fly wheel produces an air disturbance.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cage is formed from a metallic material.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said cage includes a thin foil wall.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said cage is formed from a plastic material.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an outer cover adapted to separate a portion of said cage from the user while the device is being used by the user.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said carrying device includes a platform, said cage being detachable from said platform.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power source adapted to be carried by said carrying means.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the fly wheel comprises a projection to enhance air disturbance of the fly wheel in rotation.

9. The device of claim 3, wherein the cage has a base plate and the motor is positioned on the base plate and is not in direct contact with the thin foil wall.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said control means is programmable by a user.

11. A method for reducing soreness in a muscle or joint of a user, the method comprising:

(a) attaching the device of claim 1 to a target area on an exterior portion of the user;

(b) determining the type of mechanoreceptor at the target area;

(c) selecting an amount of vibration to impart to the target area based on the type of mechanoreceptor; and

(d) imparting the selected amount of vibration to the target area.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device is attached to a carrying device adapted to be worn by the user for placement against the target area, further comprising detaching the device from the carrying device and attaching the device to a different carrying device adapted for placement against another target area on an exterior portion of the user.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising repeating steps (a) to (d) for a different target area on an exterior portion of the user.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the motor is contained within a cage, a portion of which is plastic, further comprising contacting the plastic portion of the cage with the target area.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the motor is contained within a cage, further comprising permitting the motor to be ventilated through the cage.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising repeating steps (a) to (d) for a different target area on an exterior portion of the user.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor is contained within a cage, a portion of which is plastic, further comprising contacting the plastic portion of the cage with the target area.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor is contained within a cage, further comprising permitting the motor to be ventilated through the cage.

19. The device of claim 2, wherein said cage includes a thin foil wall.