Attachment system for a plurality of treatment members
Patent No. US10470970 (titled "Attachment system for a plurality of treatment members") on Jul 3, 2018. The application was issued on Nov 12, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’970 is related to the field of therapeutic massage and percussive treatment devices. Specifically, it addresses the mechanical challenges of securely attaching interchangeable massage heads to a high-frequency reciprocating shaft, where intense vibrations often cause standard components to loosen or fail during operation.
The underlying idea behind ’970 is a modular branching adapter that converts a single reciprocating output into a multi-point treatment surface while maintaining a uniform connection standard. By utilizing a yoke-style main body, the invention allows a user to transition from a single-point massage head to a dual-head configuration without requiring specialized tools or different mounting hardware for the various components.
The claims of ’970 focus on a universal adapter assembly that employs a consistent interchangeable interface across three distinct connection points: the shaft-to-adapter junction and the two adapter-to-treatment-head junctions. This symmetry ensures that the same mechanical locking mechanism used to secure a single head to the device is also used to secure the adapter itself and the subsequent multiple heads attached to it.
In practice, the system utilizes a specialized geometry featuring opposing flat surfaces and spring-loaded detents to prevent rotational slip during high-speed percussion. This mechanical interface ensures that the adapter remains indexed correctly relative to the device housing, while the spring-biased balls provide a tactile snap-fit that resists the axial forces generated during deep tissue treatment.
This approach differs from prior solutions by providing a scalable architecture rather than a fixed, single-purpose attachment. By integrating the same type of attachment system across all interfaces, the invention allows for a seamless ecosystem of parts where the user can swap between single heads and multi-head adapters using a standardized push-pull or twist-lock motion that remains secure under heavy vibration.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the late 2010s when ’970 was filed, handheld therapeutic devices were typically implemented using single-point reciprocating shafts designed for a one-to-one connection with a specific massage head. At a time when high-frequency vibration and percussive forces were standard, systems commonly relied on simple friction-fit or threaded interfaces that were prone to loosening under mechanical stress. Hardware constraints made the secure, simultaneous operation of multiple treatment heads non-trivial, as the rotational and axial forces generated by reciprocating motors often compromised the stability of multi-component attachments.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention represents a technical advancement through an architectural shift from single-point contact to a multi-node adapter assembly that enables simultaneous treatment with multiple elements. This is achieved via a specialized interface utilizing a combination of flat surfaces and biased detent mechanisms, which provides a robust mechanical lock capable of resisting the high-vibration environment of a reciprocating shaft. The integration of a main body with diverging arms and standardized male/female attachment members overcomes the constraint of limited treatment surface area while ensuring that interchangeable components remain securely seated during high-frequency operation.
Claims
The patent contains a total of 8 claims, with claims 1 and 6 serving as the independent claims. The independent claims focus on a reciprocal treatment device and a corresponding method of use, specifically featuring an adapter assembly that enables multiple treatment members to be simultaneously connected to a single reciprocating shaft through standardized attachment systems. The dependent claims serve to further define the physical geometry of the adapter arms, specify the use of interchangeable treatment members with varying shapes, and detail the mechanical components of the male and female attachment interfaces.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Litigation Cases New
US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.
Patent Family
File Wrapper
The dossier documents provide a comprehensive record of the patent's prosecution history - including filings, correspondence, and decisions made by patent offices - and are crucial for understanding the patent's legal journey and any challenges it may have faced during examination.
Get instant alerts for new documents
US10470970
- Application Number
- US16027008A
- Filing Date
- Jul 3, 2018
- Status
- Granted
- Publication Date
- Nov 12, 2019
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents