HANDHELD MASSAGE DEVICE

Abstract

Portable massage device The present invention relates to a massage device (1) for forming and tightening a fold of skin, notable in that it is generally L-shaped, comprises a casing (2) forming a single handle (3) of elongated shape and a working head (4) arranged at the distal end of said handle (3), and comprises at least: - a fixed jaw (5) originating from the end of the working head (4) opposite the handle (3) and extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (6) of said handle (3), - a movable jaw (7) arranged between the handle (3) and the fixed jaw (5), extending opposite and in the same direction as said fixed jaw (5), and pivotally mounted on the working head (4), said casing (2) containing at least pivoting means (9) for pivoting the movable jaw (7). Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: PORTABLE MASSAGE DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable human body massage device, usable by any person, in particular for performing a "push-pull" type massage. State of the art

[0002] In the field of massage, there are currently on the market various human body massage devices comprising a working head intended to be placed and moved manually by a practitioner on a skin surface, to perform a massage of the "evaluate-press-pull" type.

[0003] In this respect, a massage device is known comprising a working head provided with means for forming a fold of skin comprising a compression mechanism comprising two skin clamping jaws each pivoting around an axis parallel to the plane of the skin and at the ends of which massage fingers are fixed, said device comprising means for pivoting the two jaws towards each other and vice versa, in order to clamp the skin together so as to form a fold of skin in order to allow decongestion of the treated tissues.Said means for pivoting the two jaws comprise at least one clamping cable and one release cable, the arrangement of the jaws and the clamping and release cables being such that a pull exerted on the clamping cable causes a simultaneous pivoting of the two jaws towards each other, and that a pull exerted on the release cable causes a reverse pivoting movement causing the jaws to move apart.

[0004] This type of device is certainly effective, but it has the major drawbacks of being particularly bulky and cumbersome and of only being able to be used by a practitioner in order to avoid any risk of injury. In addition, without the help of a third party: the practitioner, a user cannot use this type of device on, for example, his back. Summary of the invention

[0005] The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose an alternative to known human body massage devices, this alternative being solid, durable, compact so as to be portable and able to be easily implemented and used by any person and not exclusively by a practitioner.

[0006] In accordance with the invention, there is therefore proposed a massage device intended for a user from the general public and making it possible to form and tighten a fold of the skin of said remarkable user in that it is generally L-shaped, comprises a casing forming a single elongated handle and a working head arranged at the distal end of said handle, and comprises at least: - a fixed jaw originating from the end of the working head opposite the handle and extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle, - a movable jaw arranged between the handle and the fixed jaw, extending opposite and in the same direction as said fixed jaw, and pivotally mounted on the working head around an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle, said casing containing at least pivoting means allowing the movable jaw to pivot towards the fixed jaw to tighten the skin and form a fold, and vice versa.

[0007] The movable jaw advantageously has a fold so that its part located outside the working head is inclined towards the handle.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the fixed and movable jaws each comprise at their free end a portion inclined towards the opposite jaw.

[0009] Said respective inclined portions of the fixed and movable jaws each preferably receive a silicone sleeve.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, said pivoting means comprise an electric motor connected to a power source and the shaft of which drives a worm screw in rotation around an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, said worm screw driving a wheel in rotation around the pivot axis of the movable jaw, said wheel then being integral with said movable jaw.

[0011] The electric motor is advantageously started using a control member secured to the casing.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment, the control member is of the pivoting wheel switch type or sensitive switch coupled to a pressure sensor.

[0013] The energy source is preferably at least one rechargeable battery.

[0014] The rechargeable battery is advantageously associated with a display means making it possible to visualize the available energy level.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the display means comprises a physical display secured to the casing, and / or a screen displayable on a remote control or on a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar, via a wireless connection.

[0016] The massage device advantageously comprises pressure sensors integral with each of the fixed and movable jaws.

[0017] The pressure sensors are advantageously associated with a display member allowing visualization of the clamping pressure exerted on the user's skin by said fixed and mobile jaws.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment, the display member comprises a physical display secured to the casing and / or a screen displayable on a remote control or on a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar, via a wireless connection.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the massage device is associated with a database stored in a computer server and consultable remotely via a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar. Brief description of the figures

[0020] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figure in which:

[0021] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of the massage device according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] is a side view of the massage device of [Fig.l],

[0023] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the massage device of [Fig.l] in which the casing is cut according to a plane of longitudinal symmetry. Description of the embodiments

[0024] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the massage device 1 according to the invention is designed to form and tighten a fold of the skin of a user, with a view to decongesting the tissues of the latter, said user belonging to the general public, that is to say not necessarily being a practitioner in the medical field.

[0025] For this, the massage device 1 comprises a casing 2 forming a single handle 3 of elongated shape and a working head 4 arranged at the distal end of said handle 3, and comprising at least: - a fixed jaw 5 coming from the end of the working head 4 opposite the handle 3 and extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 6 of said handle 3, - a movable jaw 7 arranged between the handle 3 and the fixed jaw 5, extending opposite and in the same direction as said fixed jaw 5, and pivotally mounted on the working head 4 around an axis 8 generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 6 of said handle 3, said casing 2 containing at least pivoting means 9 allowing the movable jaw 7 to pivot towards the fixed jaw 5 to tighten the skin and form a fold, and vice versa.

[0026] Here we denote by "globally perpendicular" and "globally parallel" two elements or parts of elements of the massage device 1 according to the invention forming an angle between them respectively between 70 and 110°, and -20 and 20°.

[0027] The movable jaw 7 advantageously has a fold 10 so that its part located outside the working head 4 is inclined towards the handle 3, in order to increase the spacing between the free ends of the two fixed jaws 5 and movable jaws 7 and to be able to treat a wider part of tissue.

[0028] However, according to an embodiment facilitating the formation of the skin fold, the fixed 5 and movable 7 jaws each comprise at their free end an inclined portion 11, 12 advantageously in the direction of the opposite jaw.

[0029] Similarly, to adapt their grip and sliding to the quality of the skin and the treatment to be carried out, the respective inclined portions 11, 12 of the fixed 5 and movable 7 jaws each receive a sleeve 13, 14 made of a material compatible with skin contact. Several tests have shown that sleeves 13, 14 made of silicone make it possible to obtain optimal comfort and massage effectiveness. Each sleeve 13, 14 is preferably removable but may also be fixed to the associated inclined portion 11, 12 by being, for example, produced by overmolding.

[0030] Furthermore, each of the fixed jaws 5 and movable jaws 7 are advantageously made from a possibly folded metal plate. In this case, in order to limit the thickness and therefore the mass of the metal plate, the massage device 1 comprises a mechanical reinforcement 15 fixed to the movable jaw 7 on the side opposite the fixed jaw 5, this mechanical reinforcement 15 being made of light synthetic material and making it possible to increase the mechanical resistance of the movable jaw 7 without increasing its mass too much.

[0031] As described above, the massage device 1 comprises a casing 2, advantageously made of synthetic material for obvious reasons of lightness, containing at least pivoting means 9 allowing the movable jaw 7 to pivot towards the fixed jaw 5 and vice versa.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment, said pivoting means 9 comprise an electric motor 16 connected to a power source 17 and whose shaft drives a worm screw 18 in rotation around an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 6 of the handle 3, said worm screw 18 driving a wheel 19 in rotation around the pivoting axis 8 of the movable jaw 7, said wheel 19 then being integral with said movable jaw 7 so that the rotation of the shaft 17 of the electric motor 16 drives the pivoting of said movable jaw 7 around said axis 8 thanks to the worm screw 18 - wheel 19 assembly.

[0033] Furthermore, the electric motor 16 is started by means of a control member 20 secured to the casing 2. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, this control member 20 is advantageously of the pivoting wheel switch type allowing the user of the massage device 1 to pivot the movable jaw 7 to bring it closer to the fixed jaw 5, up to the desired spacing to form the fold of skin, by turning said wheel switch in one direction, and conversely to move the movable jaw 7 away from the fixed jaw 5 in order to release the skin by turning said wheel switch in the other direction. This type of control member 20 allows the user to easily use said massage device 1 using only one hand.

[0034] It is understood that the control member 20 could be of a completely different type such as, for example, a rotary or lever on / off switch, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, according to an embodiment not shown, the control member 20 is a sensitive switch coupled to a pressure sensor, for example of the strain gauge type, so as to be able to react according to the pressure exerted by the user. Thus, the more the user presses the control member 20, the more the movable jaw 7 will move closer to the fixed jaw 5 and exert pressure on the fold of skin. This type of control member 20 is interesting because it makes it possible to create a user interface of the Human-Machine Interface type and to allow the user more intuitive control of the pressure exerted on his skin.

[0035] The electric motor 16 may also be started remotely via a wireless connection of the infrared, Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) or similar type, and a remote control or a device connected to the internet network of the smartphone, tablet or similar type.

[0036] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the pivoting means 9 could be of a completely different type such as, for example, a manual screw-nut assembly, a set of bevel gears or even an inflatable member, without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, all these other embodiments of the pivoting means 9 are bulky, heavy and do not allow for sufficient amplification of the clamping force of the jaws.

[0037] For ergonomic reasons, said energy source 17 is preferably at least one battery rechargeable by any suitable means connected to the mains such as, for example, a wired charger intended to be connected to the massage device 1 or a wireless charger based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Said rechargeable battery is advantageously associated with a display means, not shown, making it possible to display the available energy level and to proceed, if necessary, to recharge said rechargeable battery. Said display means may comprise a physical display secured to the casing 2 such as, for example, an electronic screen of the liquid crystal type or an electro-diode display. luminescent, and / or a screen displayable on a remote control or on a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar, via a wireless connection such as infrared, Bluetooth (Registered Trademark), or similar.

[0038] However, it goes without saying that the energy source 17 could be, without departing from the scope of the present invention, of a completely different type such as, for example, one or more removable batteries of the rechargeable or non-rechargeable electric battery type, an electric cable allowing the electrical connection of the massage device 1 to the mains or even a connector capable of cooperating with an electric cable to connect the massage device 1 to the mains.

[0039] For obvious safety reasons, the massage device 1 further comprises pressure sensors integral with each of the fixed 5 and movable 7 jaws and preferably associated with a display member, not shown, making it possible to display the clamping pressure exerted on the user's skin by said fixed 5 and movable 7 jaws, in order to control said clamping pressure in real time and to limit the latter to a predetermined pressure, so as to avoid any risk of injury due to excessive pressure. Said pressure sensors are advantageously of the strain gauge type.Said display member may comprise a physical display secured to the casing 2 such as, for example, an electronic screen of the liquid crystal type or a light-emitting diode display, and / or a screen displayable on a remote control or on a device connected to the internet network of the smartphone, tablet or similar type, via a wireless connection of the infrared, Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) type, or similar. These pressure sensors and display member allow the user to use said massage device 1 independently and in complete safety.

[0040] The massage device 1 according to the invention can be associated with a database stored in a computer server and consultable remotely via a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar. Thus, the user will be able to obtain, depending on the location of his pain, information on the correct positioning of the massage device 1, on the tightening pressure value to be exerted or on the duration of the pressure maintenance to be implemented to effectively treat said pain.

[0041] It is understood that the generally L-shaped configuration of the massage device 1, with the fixed 5 and movable 7 jaws extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle 3, improves the ergonomics of said massage device 1 and allows a user from the general public to use the latter with one hand and in complete autonomy to treat all of his body areas, including the rear areas such as the back, the calves, or even the buttocks, without having to call on a third person or to bend his wrist to apply said massage device 1 against said rear areas. This L-shaped configuration also makes it possible to easily twist the fold of skin, around an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the skin, which has the effect of accentuating the action of said massage device 1 on the tissues to be decongested.

[0042] Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the fixed and movable jaws would extend in line with the handle, the massage device 1 has, with its L-shaped configuration, a center of gravity located as close as possible to the plane of the user's skin, which possibly makes it possible to release the massage device 1 once the fold of skin has formed between the fixed 5 and movable 7 jaws, without the risk of seeing said massage device 1 become detached from the skin.

[0043] Finally, the fact that the movable jaw 7 is arranged between the handle 3 and the fixed jaw 5 located at the distal end of the massage device 1 allows the user to see, in many cases, the movement of said movable jaw 7 and therefore to visually control the formation and tightening of the skin fold.

[0044] It is understood that the massage device 1 according to the invention is, of course, a portable device used by a user from the general public to form and pinch a fold of the skin of said user.

[0045] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of massage device 1 according to the invention that have just been given are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting the fields of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Massage device (1) intended for a user of the general public and making it possible to form and tighten a fold of the skin of said user, said massage device (1) being generally L-shaped, comprising a casing (2) forming a single handle (3) of elongated shape and a working head (4) arranged at the distal end of said handle (3), and being characterized in that it comprises at least: - a fixed jaw (5) coming from the end of the working head (4) opposite the handle (3) and extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (6) of said handle (3), - a movable jaw (7) arranged between the handle (3) and the fixed jaw (5), extending opposite and in the same direction as said fixed jaw (5), and pivotally mounted on the working head (4) around an axis (8) generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (6) of said handle (3),said casing (2) containing at least pivoting means (9) allowing the movable jaw (7) to pivot towards the fixed jaw (5) to tighten the skin and form a fold, and vice versa.,

2. Massage device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the movable jaw (7) has a fold (10) so that its part located outside the working head (4) is inclined towards the handle (3).

3. Massage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixed (5) and movable (7) jaws each comprise at their free end an inclined portion (11, 12) in the direction of the opposite jaw.

4. Massage device (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that the respective inclined portions (11, 12) of the fixed (5) and movable (7) jaws each receive a silicone sleeve (13, 14).

5. Massage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said pivoting means (9) comprise an electric motor (16) connected to a power source (17) and the shaft of which rotates a worm screw (18) around an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis (6) of the handle (3), said worm screw (18) rotating a wheel (19) around the pivoting axis (8) of the movable jaw (7), said wheel (19) then being integral with said movable jaw (7).

6. Massage device (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that the electric motor (16) is started by means of a control member (20) integral with the casing (2).

7. Massage device (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the control member (20) is of the pivoting wheel switch type or sensitive switch coupled to a pressure sensor.

8. Massage device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7 characterized in that the energy source (17) is at least one rechargeable battery.

9. Massage device (1) according to claim 8 characterized in that the rechargeable battery is associated with a display means making it possible to display the available energy level.

10. Massage device (1) according to claim 9 characterized in that the display means comprises a physical display secured to the casing (2), and / or a screen displayable on a remote control or on a device connected to the internet network of the smartphone, tablet or similar type, via a wireless connection.

11. Massage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises pressure sensors integral with each of the fixed (5) and movable (7) jaws.

12. Massage device (1) according to claim 11 characterized in that the pressure sensors are associated with a display member making it possible to display the clamping pressure exerted on the user's skin by said fixed (5) and mobile (7) jaws.

13. Massage device (1) according to claim 12 characterized in that the display member comprises a physical display secured to the casing (2) and / or a screen displayable on a remote control or on a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar, via a wireless connection.

14. Massage device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is associated with a database stored in a computer server and consultable remotely via a device connected to the internet network such as a smartphone, tablet or similar.

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