# US 10,441,496 B1 · Massage device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,496 B1 - Document ID: US10441496B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/595,613 - Filed: 2015-01-13 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Applicants: Michael A Cohen - Inventors: Michael A Cohen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441496B1 ## CPC - A61H 7/007: {Kneading} - A61H 7/001: {without substantial movement between the skin and the device} - A61H 15/00: Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains - A61H 15/0092: {hand-held (A61H15/0085 takes precedence)} - A61H 15/02: adapted for simultaneous treatment with light, heat or drugs - A61H 39/04: Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu {or Acupressure}(Massage or pressure on general areas A61H9/00 - A61H23/00) - A61H 2015/0014: {cylinder-like, i.e. rollers} - A61H 2201/0111: watertight - A61H 2201/0157: portable - A61H 2201/0207: heated - A61H 2201/0257: by a heat accumulator, e.g. a sand or liquid reservoir - A61H 2201/1284: using own weight - A61H 2201/1623: Back - A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal - A61H 2201/1645: contoured to fit the user - A61H 2201/168: not moving - A61H 2201/169: Physical characteristics of the surface, e.g. material, relief, texture or indicia - A61H 2201/1695: Enhanced pressure effect, e.g. substantially sharp projections, needles or pyramids - A61H 2203/0431: in 90°/90°-position, like on a chair - A61H 2203/0456: Supine - A61H 2205/081: Back - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A massage device has an elliptical shaped housing having an upper end and a lower end and sidewalls therebetween, an upper massage surface and a lower base surface, the upper massage surface having a curvature with a peak at substantially a middle section of the upper massage surface. A central groove runs through the upper massage surface. A row of inwardly facing ribs lines at least a part of the central groove so as to extend at least partially into or over the central groove, and a plurality of rows of upwardly facing ribs are formed on the upper massage surface between the inwardly facing ribs and the upper and lower ends respectively. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A massage device comprising: an elliptical shaped housing having an upper end and a lower end and sidewalls therebetween, an upper massage surface and a lower base surface, the upper massage surface having a continuous convex curvature with a peak at a middle section of the upper massage surface; a central spinous groove configured to accommodate a human spine having a consistent width extending over the entire upper massage surface between the sidewalls; a row of inwardly facing ribs lining at least a part of the central groove so as to extend at least partially into or over the central groove; a plurality of rows of upwardly facing ribs on the upper massage surface between the inwardly facing ribs and the upper and lower ends respectively; and at least one row of end zone ribs between the rows of upwardly facing ribs and the upper and lower ends respectively. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central groove extends transversely over the upper massage surface between the sidewalls thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central groove comprises a rounded base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inwardly facing ribs comprise a generally cylindrical base member and a rounded portion on the cylindrical base member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A massage device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inwardly facing ribs are all the same size and shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A massage device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the inwardly facing ribs have sizes and shapes which are different relative to each other. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inwardly facing ribs are inclined at approximately 45 degrees relative to the upper surface so that they extend partially into or over the central groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are ten rows of upwardly facing ribs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A massage device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the upwardly facing ribs are of the same size and shape. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A massage device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the upwardly facing ribs have several sizes and shapes relative to each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A massage device as claimed in claim 8 wherein there are more upwardly facing ribs in the row or rows nearer the inwardly facing ribs than the row or rows furthest or further from the inwardly facing ribs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end zone ribs are arranged in seven rows. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end zone ribs are generally rectangular in cross section, and comprise a base attached to the upper surface, partially flat front and rear walls, and a rounded outer end opposite the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end zone ribs are or the same size and shape. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end zone ribs have different shapes and sizes relative to each other. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inwardly facing ribs, the upwardly facing ribs, and the end zone ribs cover the entire upper surface of the massage device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 wherein spaces are provided between one or more of the inwardly facing ribs, upwardly facing ribs and end zone ribs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one hollow cavity formed therein, the hollow cavity having an outlet channel and a plug for selectively sealing and opening access to the hollow cavity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A massage device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a fill material located in the hollow cavity thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A massage device as claimed in claim 1 comprised of materials which are heated and retain heat for a period of time. ### Claim 21 A method of applying therapeutic pressure to the back of a user, the method comprising applying a massage device having an elliptical shaped housing having an upper end and a lower end and sidewalls therebetween, forming on the housing an upper massage surface and a lower base surface, configuring the upper massage surface with a curvature with a peak at a midpoint of the upper massage surface; providing a central groove running through the upper massage surface; forming a row of inwardly facing ribs lining at least a part of the central groove to extend at least partially into or over the central groove; forming a plurality of rows of upwardly facing ribs on the upper massage surface between the inwardly facing ribs and the upper and lower ends respectively; providing at least one row of end zone ribs between the rows of upwardly facing ribs and the upper and lower ends respectively, and moving the massage device over the back of the user. ### Claim 22 A massage device comprising: a shaped housing having an upper massage surface and a lower base surface, the upper massage surface having a curvature with a peak at substantially a midpoint of the upper massage surface; a central spinous groove having a consistent width extending over the entire upper massage surface; inwardly facing ribs lining at least a part of the groove so as to extend at least partially into or over the groove; a plurality of rows of upwardly facing ribs on the upper massage surface.