Massaging device

Sept 9, 1941

G. A. SMITH

2,255,684

MASSAGING DEVICE

Filed Feb. 4, 1939

Sheets-Sheei 1

<img file="US2255684A_D0001.tif" />

ATTORNEY.

Sept 9, 1941

2,255,684

G. A. SMITH

MASSAGING DEVICE

Filed Feb. 4, 1939

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US2255684A_D0002.tif" />

ATTORNEY.

Sept 9, 1941.

G. A. SMITH

MASSAGING DEVICE

Filed Feb. 4, 1939

2,255,684

Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US2255684A_D0003.tif" />

Patented Sept. 9, 1941

2,255,684

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,255,684 MASSAGING DEVICE George A. Smith, Baltimore, Md. Application February 4, 1939, Serial No. 254,551

Claims.

This invention relates to a massaging apparatus and more particularly to a massaging apparatus in which a vacuum or suction is used as the massaging agent, this vacuum or suction being either manually or automatically controlled. The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved form of massage apparatus of the type specified in which means is provided for automatically controlling the vacuum or suction effect when the device is being operated on the face or body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device so controlled that the skin of the face or body will be drawn into and released from the massaging head intermittingly so as to give a slapping effect to the skin.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device in which the degree of suction may be regulated in order to draw the skin into the massaging head with exactly the proper force.

The invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of the parts and combination of parts hereinafter more fully set forth in the following specification and pointed out in detail in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of my invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4—4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section of Figure 1 on the line 5—5.

Figure 6 is a section of Figure 1 on the line 6—6.

Figure 7 is a bottom view of Figure 1 with the massaging head removed therefrom.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the revolving valve.

Figure 9 is a side view of the rubber massaging head.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of Figure 10.

Figure 11 is a modification showing a single massaging head.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts through the several views thereof, 20 is a body provided with a handle 21 which is connected to any suitable suction-producing mechanism. This handle 21 is made detachable and is fitted so that when detached, the same coupling will fit the body 20 in place of the handle. This is so that the apparatus may be used either with or without the handle, whichever is desired at the (Cl. 128—40) moment. The body 20 has a passage 22 at one side communicating with said handle and with the vacuum chamber 23. Above the vacuum chamber 23, the body is provided with a chamber 24 in which is revolubly mounted a fan 25. The chamber 24 is connected with the passage 23 by means of the small pipe 26. Between the passage 23 and the small pipe 26 is a cylinder 27 in which is slidably mounted a valve 28 having a number of ports 29 therethrough of various sizes which control communication between the chamber 24 and the passage 22. On the opposite side of the body 20 is a projection 30 having an opening 3i communicating with the chamber 24 through which air is drawn by the action of the suction through the small pipe 26 and the passage 22. As the air is drawn through the opening 31 by the action of the suction just described, the fan 25 will be revolved and the speed of the revolution is controlled by the valve 28. On the lower end of the fan shaft 32 is rigidly mounted a valve 33 having a number of downwardly-projecting lugs 34, each having a slot 35 adapted to register with the apertures 36 in the fingers 37 of the head 38 as the said valve 33 is revolved by the action of the fan 25. The body 20, near its lower end, is screw-threaded on its inner surface to receive the screw-threaded plate 39 which holds the parts securely in position in said body. This plate 39 is provided with apertures 40 directly below similar apertures in the bottom of the suction chamber 23 which also register with the apertures 36 in the head 38. The fingers 37 are each formed with a cup 4f at its lower end in which the apertures 36 terminate. The head 38 is made of rubber or other suitable material and the fingers 37 are pliable enough to permit the vacuum cups 41 to adapt themselves to the contour of the face or body on which the device is being used. The cups, forming the bottom of this head, could be arranged all in one plane as shown, or slightly concave or cup-shaped as shown by the dotted line in Figure 4. These fingers 37 may also be provided with coiled springs 42 to reinforce them and prevent their collapsing. The head 38 is held in position by the ring 45. When the device is in use, the vacuum cups 41 are placed against the face or body and the suction-producing mechanism started, which causes the suction to draw the air through the opening 31 to the fan chamber and revolve the fan which carries with it the valve 33 and as the apertures 35 come in line successively with the apertures 36, the flesh will be drawn up into the vacuum cups 41 and re10

2,255,684 leased when the apertures 35 pass the apertures 36, which action is continuously repeated as the valve 33 revolves. In the present instance, the suction will be created in three of the vacuum cups at a time and as the lugs 34 pass over the apertures in the plate 39, the flesh Will be released from the cups by the air in the chamber 43 which comes in through the aperture 44. As the valve 33 revolves, there is a continuous drawing in and releasing of the flesh, causing a sort of slapping and stimulating effect.

In Figure 11 of the drawings, I have shown a modification in which only one vacuum cup 45 is employed but which is operated to produce the same effect as that described for Figures 1 to 10.