Collapsible massage roller

Abstract

The invention relates to collapsible in-home massage devices. A collapsible massage roller consists of a massage skin and, disposed thereinside, a support structure consisting of stiffening ribs along the longitudinal axis and rigid discs fastened to mounting strips. At the edges of the discs are levers which are connected to one another in two groups by arms, and technical cutouts, the inner edge of which serves to restrict the pivoting of the discs about their axes to 90 degrees. The massage roller has a control cord at each end, each cord being fastened to one of the levers of each of the groups of discs that are connected by the arms and passing through a shackle ring such as to allow the grouped discs to pivot simultaneously in a circle about their axes in a horizontal plane by an angle of 90 degrees. This simplifies the collapsible support structure of the massage roller, while also enhancing operational reliability.

Description

[0001] Folding massage roller

[0002] The invention relates to home training devices, namely, to a folding massage roller.

[0003] Massage and self-massage techniques using various devices are well known. Massage foam rollers have become widely used as an effective tool for massaging the back and limbs using bodyweight pressure. The roller helps to loosen muscles, relieve spasms, and gently adjust the position of the vertebrae in the spine, thus ensuring rapid restoration of function. Moreover, the effectiveness of these techniques increases with regular and systematic practice.

[0004] A method for restoring the functional state of the body by correcting the spine and a simulator for massaging and adjusting the vertebrae are known (RU 2273466 C2, A61H 1 / 00, A63B 23 / 00, published 10.04.2006). The simulator comprises a base with rows of massage elements and rollers arranged on its contact surface, separated by a recess, and the depth of the recess section is adequate for the height of the vertebrae. The simulator is equipped with a telescopic stand installed in the base of the stand and pivotally connected to a telescopic U-shaped rod, fixed to the telescopic stand with the ability to move along it, wherein the base of the simulator is fixed to the stand, its side edges are made at an angle of <90°, and the telescopic stand and the telescopic U-shaped rod have fastening mechanisms according to the height of the stand and the length of the rod.The device applies pressure in the frontal and sagittal planes to the displaced vertebra by placing the arms on the U-shaped pulley, the back on the massage elements, and then the spine on the side of the base. The spine is simultaneously stretched vertically by the patient's weight through knee bending, which both massages the muscles along the spine and corrects the displaced vertebrae. The device's large weight and mass determine its use in a stationary mode; it requires a large installation area and is not intended for mobile use.

[0005] A device for treatment, fitness and sports is known

[0006] (US20120035029, A63B 21 / 00, A61H 15 / 00, B29C 47 / 00, B29C 45 / 00, B29C 53 / 40, B29C 65 / 48, published 09.02.2012) and the method of its application in various situations for solving various problems. The device is non-disassemblable, the body is made of foam material of a given density, weight and size, various protrusions are made on the surface of the device to achieve the maximum massage effect. The known device has the same drawback - a large volume and bulky design, which complicates transportation and storage. In addition, the protrusions on the roller are permanent, that is, to obtain a different shape of the protrusions for solving other health problems, another roller corresponding to the required shape of the protrusions is required.

[0007] A massage roller is known (RU 204884 Ul, A61F 5 / 01, A61H 15 / 00, published 06 / 16 / 2021), which is a three-dimensional geometric body in the form of a closed shell made of wear-resistant textile material, filled with fragmented filler. A discrete coating is applied to the outer surface of the shell in the form of microprotrusions made of thermoplastic material and located on the outer surface of the shell at a distance of 0.5 ... 5 mm from each other to form a dotted relief pattern, wherein the height of the microprotrusion is 0.1 ... 5 mm, the largest cross-sectional size of the base is 1 ... 10 mm, and a fragmented filler consisting of unconnected fragments, for example, polyester fiber, buckwheat husk, cedar shavings, cedar nut film, lavender, aromatic herbs, is used as a shaping filler.Based on medical analysis, the shape and spacing of the micro-convexities are carefully selected for each individual body part. This means that each specific part requires a specific shell with massage elements, and overall, a set of shells. Due to the weak elastic properties of the shell's volumetric filler and its subsequent deformation during use, the roller cannot be used effectively for massaging the back and limbs under bodyweight pressure. Rather, it is best used for manual massage of body parts with corresponding micro-convexities in the shells, which is quite difficult when massaging the back muscles along the spine.

[0008] A myofascial roller cover (US77113598, A61H 7 / 00, A61H 15 / 0092, A61H 2015 / 0014, A61H 2201 / 1685, USA, published: 11.04.2013) is known, which is a cover for a massage roller. The cover includes an elongated tubular structure. The wall of the cover may have an inner surface, which is configured to cover the outer surface of the massage roller. The outer surface of the elongated tubular structure may have a textured surface, and the elongated tubular structure has a density specified for myofascial muscle release. The inner surface of the wall and the outer surface of the wall determine the thickness of the cover for the exercise machine. The technical solution may also include a method of using a sequence of covers having different densities, thicknesses and textures to ensure myofascial release.The known technical solution is designed for use with an existing hard massage roller, over which the proposed technical solution is placed as a shell or outer covering. This technical solution addresses a number of issues related to restoring muscle function using various shapes and textures of massage contact surfaces. The known technical solution demonstrates the effectiveness and benefits of self-massage using a roller with a special coating under the pressure of its own weight. However, its use requires a roller of a specified length and diameter that fits the proposed cover. The authors do not claim or specify the roller's characteristics, but most rollers available on the market that are suitable for use with the proposed cover have the same drawbacks as outlined below: their size, weight, and shape make them difficult to transport and use on the go.

[0009] Typically, well-known devices consist of covers with various shapes and textures, selected for appropriateness based on the user's medical needs, placed on a rigid cylinder, typically 10-20 centimeters in diameter. When used, the user lies on the roller, allowing their body weight to apply pressure to the muscles directly above the roller. By rolling back and forth on the roller, the user effectively kneads the muscles and gently adjusts the vertebrae in the spine. A full range of motion is possible, but this device is most often used for the muscles of the back, legs, arms, and neck. Using a roller is a good alternative to regular visits to a massage therapist or chiropractor.

[0010] Conventional rollers are made of polymeric materials, such as foam, rubber, and similar elastic or hard materials. This often makes these devices quite bulky and sometimes heavy, making them difficult to transport and store.

[0011] Foam and polystyrene rollers are typically lightweight. However, users, such as athletes who require regular massage, regardless of their location (training, home, work, or travel), cannot carry a bulky, cumbersome device. Therefore, there is a need for a massage device designed to create a rigid cylindrical roller when used for massage and a flattened shape when folded for transport or storage.

[0012] A portable massage roller is known (US20150190304 Al, A61H 7 / 00, A61H 15 / 0092, A61H 2015 / 0014, A61H 2201 / 1685, published on 11.04.2013), comprising an outer contact shell having a number of longitudinal stiffening ribs parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the contact shell has an internal cavity and a folding support structure having a plurality of stiffening disks located at a distance from each other, located in the internal cavity of the contact shell and having dimensions that ensure contact and internal radial support of the longitudinal stiffening ribs to ensure an expanded, cylindrical shape of the contact shell.Each stiffening disk has a single attachment point capable of rotation from a first orientation perpendicular to the longitudinal stiffening ribs to a second orientation parallel to the longitudinal stiffening ribs, allowing the device to fold to a volume smaller than the expanded form, from a cylindrical expanded form adapted to support the weight of a person rolling on the roller to a compressed, flattened form. A collapsible support structure (Fig. 1) is housed within the internal cavity of the contact shell. It includes a plurality of stiffening disks, circular or polygonal, sized to contact and radially support the stiffening ribs in the expanded form of the contact shell.Each stiffening disk is equipped with two diametrically located cylindrical hinges, one of which is secured to a stiffening rib or to a separate mounting strip, and the second - to a rocker arm, with the ability to simultaneously rotate a group of disks hingedly connected by the rocker arm from an orientation perpendicular to the stiffening ribs to an orientation parallel to the ribs, wherein at least two of the disks are connected for rotation together, as shown in Fig. 1. The stiffening disks may contain cutouts to reduce weight. The collapsible support structure is equipped with a fastening system with cords, rigging loops (Fig. 2), passing and secured between the stiffening disks to coordinate their transformation between the first and second orientations, as shown in Fig. 1. The collapsible massage roller has tension rings at both ends of the roller, which, when pulled out, activate the support structure and transform the roller from its folded flat configuration to an unfolded three-dimensional one.At the same time, the end support disks on both sides of the roller are secured with a spring-loaded latch when in operation, that is, at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees, to ensure a secure and safe position under operational loads, preventing accidental folding. Disadvantages of the folding support structure include the following: the unreliability of the fastening points of the small cylindrical hinges under expected loads exceeding 100 kg, the dimensions of which are determined by the narrow width of the mounting plate or the width of the stiffener. Furthermore, each cylindrical hinge on both the disk and the mounting plate has two closely spaced through holes for fastening, for example, with rivets, to small hinge mounting pads, which not only complicates the design but also weakens it. The disks rotate in different directions: the outer ones rotate in one direction, and the inner ones, when combined in a group, rotate in the other, thereby stacking on top of each other.Therefore, a complex, multi-pass kinematic system consisting of pull cords and rigging loops is required to simultaneously rotate the disks in a group to form an extended roller. This system is not designed to ensure reliable operation, as it requires a strong dynamic force from both sides, ensuring that the disks are engaged in the latches on the first attempt. Testing by the authors of the purchased product, which incorporates the technical solution described in this patent, confirmed the unreliability of the kinematic system—repeated, multi-directional, sharp dynamic force from both hands is required on the cord rings to engage the outer disks. The design does not provide for static tensioning of the outer disks before engaging the supporting disks.

[0013] The objective of the claimed device is to create a reliable supporting structure for a folding massage roller with a simple kinematic control scheme for the support stiffening disks, allowing for quick and easy unfolding from a flat, folded rectangular shape into a cylindrical, expanded shape, and adapted to support the weight of a person rolling on the roller.

[0014] The technical result of the proposed technical solution is a simplification of the folding support structure of the massage roller and an increase in operational reliability.

[0015] The technical result is achieved in that the folding massage roller consists of an external contact shell having a number of longitudinal stiffening ribs parallel to the longitudinal axis, a folding support structure in the internal cavity of the shell consisting of several stiffening disks located at a distance from each other, providing contact and radial support of the longitudinal stiffening ribs with a perpendicular orientation of the disks with respect to the stiffening ribs to ensure the cylindrical shape of the contact shell in the open state, each disk is pivotally fixed to a mounting bar on one side and in groups are pivotally connected by rocker arms with the possibility of simultaneous rotation by 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, the disks are connected to each other by a single traction control system consisting of cords with rings at the end, passed through rigging loops,to transmit the user's efforts to give the shell a cylindrical shape and a flat spring latch to fix the shape in the open state and the ability to fold the roller into a flat shape when removed from the latch, the feature is that the supporting structure has two diametrically located strips, on which each disk is fixed with the help of ball support hinges and additionally has a lever diametrically located on the edge of each disk perpendicular to its plane, the length of which is no more than half the width of the mounting bar, the levers are pivotally connected to each other by rocker arms with a freely rotating axis in two groups, at the level of the rocker arms the disks have technological cutouts, the inner edge of which is a stop for limiting rotation, the above-mentioned cord is fixed to one of the levers of each group of disks connected by rocker arms and passed through a rigging loop,located on the stiffening rib in the middle between adjacent disks at the level of the longitudinal axis of the roller with the possibility of simultaneous rotation of the connected disks around their axis in the horizontal plane at an angle of 90 degrees, with the creation of oppositely directed traction forces by the consumer, followed by fixation of the end disks of each group with a spring latch.

[0016] A technical feature is that in all the described designs of the closest analogue, the cylindrical hinge has a single attachment point and, as a result, one degree of freedom and allows limited rotation of the supporting disks relative to the stiffening ribs only around a common axis. The proposed technical solution, however, utilizes a support ball joint with rotation of the parts around a point with two degrees of freedom, expanding the possibilities for directional transformation of the roller shape. Furthermore, a cylindrical hinge requires at least two attachment points to each disk, as well as to the mounting plate and rocker arms, weakening the structure, while a ball joint requires one in two opposite attachment points. For example, in the prototype implementation (Fig. 1) with four disks, 16 attachment points are required, which not only weakens but also complicates the design of the stiffening disk fastening and the kinematic control scheme for their transformation from a flat to a cylindrical shape (Fig. 2).

[0017] The design of a folding massage roller is illustrated as follows:

[0018] In Fig. 1 there is shown a folding support structure of a portable roller on cylindrical hinges from a US prototype patent in the working and folded states with explanatory inscriptions; in Fig. 2 there is shown a multi-step kinematic diagram of control of disks on cylindrical hinges according to a US patent in a section in an embodiment with four disks with explanatory inscriptions; in Fig. 3 there is shown a side view (in Fig. 6 in 3D) of the support structure in section of the claimed folding roller in the folded, transport, state and in Fig. 4 in the unfolded, working, state with a single-step kinematic diagram of control of disks; in Fig. 5 there is shown a sectional axonometric view of the claimed folding roller and in Fig. 7 in 3D.

[0019] The illustrated collapsible massage roller, 35 cm long and with a support structure diameter of 10 cm, consists of two main elements (shown in an expanded configuration in Figs. 4, 5, 7): an outer contact shell 1 of cylindrical shape, the length and diameter of which can vary, and an inner collapsible support structure 2 (both are shown by an arrow in Fig. 5). The outer contact shell 1 contains a plurality of longitudinal stiffening ribs 3, for example, made of duralumin, which are arranged in a circle and extend along the entire length of the roller parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical shell 1.The outer contact shell 1 is made of durable, wear-resistant textile and is additionally equipped with a non-slip elastic coating 4. This coating can optionally be covered with a textile cover containing specific massage elements of varying density, thickness, and texture, such as micro-convexities similar to those described above, which are selected based on the user's medical and / or general wellness needs. The coatings 4 of shell 1 are not the subject of the proposed technical solution and are not further discussed.

[0020] The supporting folding structure 2 comprises internal cylindrical stiffening disks 5 supporting stiffening ribs 3, spaced apart within the roller such that the massage roller is sufficiently strong to withstand the pressure generated by the user's entire weight when rolling the roller while lying on their back. In the illustrated embodiment (Fig. 5), there are four stiffening disks 5, one at each end and two intermediate disks, evenly spaced between them, and 16 symmetrically arranged stiffening ribs 3.

[0021] In the folded, flat form of the massage roller, the internal stiffening discs 5 lie flat within the internal cavity of the contact shell 1, parallel to the stiffening ribs 3. In the expanded form, the outer contact surface 1 is essentially cylindrical. When the massage roller is folded, the outer contact shell folds, forming a roughly rectangular shape. The ability to fold the massage roller significantly reduces its overall volume and allows for more efficient storage and transportation.

[0022] Each of the stiffening disks 5 is secured on supporting ball joints 6 (cylindrical ones as an option), the ball-shaped (cylindrical) pins of which are clamped in a housing with a spherical / cylindrical recess. Taking into account the periodic use of the roller with low intensity, a cylindrical recess in the mounting plate of the fastening 7 with a support on it, or a cylindrical through hole in the plate 7 with a support on the stiffening rib 3, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is sufficient as the hinge housing. The hinges 6 are located on common longitudinal mounting plates 7, the length of which corresponds to the main length of the massage roller, secured to diametrically located stiffening ribs 3 (on the 1st and 8th rib, Fig. 5) by any known method, for example, with glue or rivets. In this case, the hinge axes of the two outermost disks 5 on both sides of the roller are shifted inward by the length of the radius of the disk 5 so that the edge of the disks does not protrude beyond the dimensions of the roller in the folded state.

[0023] Thus, each of the stiffening disks 5 is pivotally secured relative to two fixed points 6 of the bars 7 with the ability to rotate within the internal cavity of the contact shell 1 when a pulling force is created by the user. Each disk 5 is equipped with a lever 8 with a through hole at the end, radially located at 90 degrees from the vertical diametrical axis of the hinge 6 and perpendicular to the plane of the disk 5 with an indentation from its edge. The lever 8, no longer than half the width of the bar 7, protrudes slightly from the plane of the disk 5. The disks 5 are connected in pairs, on both sides of the roller, by a rocker 9, for example, in the form of a narrow metal plate with through holes or a rigid wire with rings at the ends, which are secured in the through holes of the levers 8 by a freely rotating axis, which allows the pair of disks 5 connected by the rocker 9 to rotate simultaneously.On the lever 8 of each second disk 5 there is a second hole intended for fastening the control cord 10 with traction rings 11 at the ends, located beyond the overall dimensions of the roller on both sides. In order to create a torque for paired rotation of the disks 5 with an external pulling force of the user on the rings 11, when the disks 5 are located in the folded state along the central axis of the roller, a rigging loop 12 is provided, rigidly fixed to the stiffening rib 3 and located in the middle between the paired disks 5 at the level of the central axis of the roller. To open the roller, the disks 5 are controlled in pairs by means of cords 10, rings 11 and rigging loop 12, therefore the levers 8 and rocker arms 9 of one pair are located on one side of the roller, the second - on the opposite side.To limit the angle of rotation of each disk 5 to slightly more than 90 degrees, technological recesses 13 are made in the end disks 5 on the side of the levers 8 for the passage of the rocker arm 9 with a depth slightly greater than the width of the lever 8, the inner edge of which acts as a rotation limiter.

[0024] To enhance safety and prevent the support structure from collapsing during intensive roller use, the user has provided metal latches 14 with a flat spring, located on both sides of the roller ends, which are used to secure the end disks 5 in the open position. Latches 14 are rigidly attached to longitudinal stiffener 3 on the inner surface of the outer contact shell 1 such that when the two end disks 5 rotate, they compress the flat spring of latches 14 and are guaranteed to lock at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees.

[0025] In this embodiment, the disks 5 are pivotally mounted for simultaneous rotation in one direction (clockwise in Fig. 5). The axes of the support hinges 6 of the end disks 5 are shifted inward from the end of the roller by an amount no less than the radius of the disk 5, so that when folded, they do not extend beyond the dimensions of the device. Each of the disks 5 is pivotally connected in pairs by a rocker arm 9 through levers 8 mounted on the disks 5 towards each other in each pair and on opposite sides with respect to the inner surface of the shell 1, which allows for the simultaneous rotation of the paired disks 5 upon application of a multidirectional pulling force by the user and their installation at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the stiffening ribs 3.To transmit traction force to the levers 8 of the inner disks 5 of each pair, a cord 10 is rigidly secured and passed through a rigging loop 12 located at an angle to the lever 8 on the inner surface of the rib 3 midway between the paired disks 5 in the horizontal plane of the central axis of the roller. This midway location of the rigging loop 12 eliminates the interference with the rotation of the disk 5 by the loop protruding from the inner surface and creates a torque of its tangential component. Cord 10 is then passed through a technological recess 13 of the end disk 5 and a guide loop 12 located at the same horizontal level as the rigging loop 12 at the end of the roller. To facilitate the grip of cord 10 by the user, a ring 11 is rigidly secured at their ends, which slightly extends beyond the dimensions of the roller on both sides of the folded roller.In the working state, the cord 10 and ring 11 extend beyond the dimensions of the roller by a length equal to the radius of the disk 5, and when folded, due to the simultaneous rotation of the disks 5, they are drawn into the internal space of the shell 1.

[0026] The device operates as follows. When the roller is folded, the user (Fig. 3, 6) grasps both traction rings 11 and applies force to them in opposite directions. This force is transmitted through single-pass cords 10 and applied at an angle by rigging loops 12 to the inner levers 8 of the second discs 5 from the roller ends, turning them due to the generated torque. The rocker arms 9, which are pivotally attached to the levers 8 and have a freely rotating axis, push the adjacent disk 5 by transmitting the torque to the outer disks 5, which are extreme to the ends of the roller, simultaneously turning them to the stop determined by the technological recess 13, at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees to the stiffening ribs 3 and fixing them in this position with a flat spring latch 14. After which, in order to avoid abnormal folding of the disks 5 during intensive use of the roller, visually and tactilely check the working position of both latches 14 and the device is ready for operation (Fig. 4, 5, 7).

[0027] Unlike the prototype device, the roller is folded vertically rather than horizontally, as follows (Figs. 3 and 6). Using the fingers of each hand, press inward on the edge of outer disk 5 opposite latch 14 on both sides of the roller. Removed from the latch, outer disk 5 rotates inward on the roller, simultaneously engaging the second, inner disk 5 through rotation of rocker 9. The user then presses the sides of the roller with his hand, and through the pressure of stiffeners 3, completes the rotation of the paired disks 5 in the vertical plane. The user simultaneously performs similar actions with the opposite second pair of disks 5, and the folded device, close to a rectangular shape, is ready for storage or transportation. If necessary, for example, if the user's effort is insufficient, the finger of the other hand simultaneously presses on the flat spring of latch 14 on one side, and then on the other.

[0028] As an option, to expand the consumer capabilities, the roller is additionally equipped on both sides with rigid pushers with rings 11 at the end, in the form of metal spokes (not shown in Fig. 5), on which traction cords 10 are fixed, and the second end of each pusher is passed through a technological recess 13 and is pivotally fixed on the same lever 8, on which the second end of the cord 10 is fixed, each group of disks 5 connected by rocker arms 9 with the ability to rotate the disks by 90 degrees into a folded flat shape when a counter force is created by the consumer.

[0029] The use of 2 thrust hinges 6 in each disk 5 in the supporting structure, which are additionally hinged in pairs or in groups of three or four depending on the required dimensions of the roller, by rocker arms 9 with the possibility of their simultaneous rotation around two fixed points to a perpendicular position with respect to the stiffening ribs 3 in the working state, makes it possible to significantly simplify the design of the folding massage roller, eliminating the need to fold the disks 5 in different directions and on top of each other in the horizontal plane of a complex multi-way traction system of cords and rigging loops; to increase the reliability of the opening of the structure by creating additional pressure with a finger on the outer disk 5 before placing it in the latch 14, which, if necessary, cannot be done in the prototype device, thereby increasing safety during intensive use of the roller during massage.

[0030] The authors constructed a working model of a 35-cm-long folding support structure. It was constructed with four steel stiffening disks, fiberglass stiffening ribs, polyethylene plate mounting bars riveted to the ribs, and diametrically opposed flat protrusions on the disks with polyethylene washers inserted into cylindrical recesses in the mounting bars. Steel wire rocker arms with eyelets at the ends served as support hinges. Testing demonstrated that the design met the stated objectives and confirmed the technical achievements in terms of the simplicity of the rotating structure and kinematic transformation scheme, as well as operational reliability under intensive use with a load of up to 150 kg.

Claims

Formula A folding massage roller consisting of an outer contact shell having a number of longitudinal stiffening ribs parallel to the longitudinal axis, a folding support structure in the inner cavity of the shell consisting of several stiffening disks located at a distance from each other, providing contact and radial support of the longitudinal stiffening ribs with a perpendicular orientation of the disks with respect to the stiffening ribs to ensure the cylindrical shape of the contact shell in the open state, each disk is hingedly attached to a mounting bar on one side and groups are hingedly connected by rocker arms with the possibility of simultaneous rotation by 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, the disks are connected to each other by a single traction control system consisting of cords with rings at the end, passed through rigging loops,for transmitting the user's efforts to give the shell a cylindrical shape and a flat spring latch for fixing the shape in the open state and the ability to fold the roller into a flat shape when removed from the latch, characterized in that the support structure has two diametrically located strips, on which each disk is fixed with the help of ball support hinges and additionally has a lever diametrically located on the edge of each disk perpendicular to its plane, the length of which is no more than half the width of the mounting strip, the levers are pivotally connected to each other by rocker arms with a freely rotating axis in two groups, at the level of the rocker arms the disks have technological cutouts, the inner edge of which serves as a stop for limiting rotation, the aforementioned cord is fixed to one of the levers of each group of disks connected by rocker arms and passed through a rigging loop,located on the stiffening rib in the middle between adjacent disks at the level of the longitudinal axis of the roller with the possibility of simultaneous circular rotation of the connected disks around their axis in the horizontal plane, at an angle of 90 degrees, by creating oppositely directed traction forces by the consumer, followed by fixing the end disks of each group with a spring latch.

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