Portable massager

What is this patent about?

'755 is related to the field of medical devices, specifically portable hand-held massage units designed to apply vibratory force for therapeutic purposes. These devices are used to loosen bronchial secretions, improve blood circulation, and relax muscles. The background art includes hand massage, percussion-type massagers, and oscillation-type massagers, each with drawbacks such as potential for injury, ineffectiveness in mobilizing secretions, and limited effect on deeper venous flow. Prior art devices also transmit significant vibration to the user, leading to potential repetitive motion injuries.

The underlying idea behind '755 is to create a portable massage unit that efficiently delivers oscillatory motion while minimizing vibration transmitted to the user's hand. This is achieved through a direct drive from the motor to a vibratory head assembly, where rotational motion is converted into oscillating orbital motion using an offset cam and a counterbalanced eccentric. The counterweight within the eccentric is key to reducing vibrations and isolating the oscillating vibration.

The claims of '755 focus on a portable massage unit comprising a motor with a rotating output shaft directly connected to a vibratory head assembly. The vibratory head assembly includes an adapter portion where the rotational motion is transformed into oscillating orbital motion via an offset cam integrated with a counterbalanced eccentric. The claims emphasize the counterweights within the eccentric for vibration reduction and isolation.

In practice, the motor's rotational output is directly coupled to the driveshaft of the vibrator head assembly. The rotation of the driveshaft turns the counterbalanced eccentric, causing the offset cam to move in an orbital path. This orbital motion is then transferred to a front bearing plate and, subsequently, to a massage adapter attached to the plate. As the adapter is applied to the body, it imparts both a percussive force and a directional stroking force, aiding in loosening secretions or improving blood flow.

The key differentiation from prior approaches lies in the direct drive and the use of a counterbalanced eccentric. The direct drive simplifies the design and improves efficiency, while the counterweight significantly reduces vibration transmitted to the user's hand. This addresses the problem of repetitive motion injuries associated with prolonged use of prior art massage devices. The design also incorporates a rubber boot to stabilize the vibrator head assembly and prevent unwanted rotation, further enhancing the device's effectiveness and user comfort.