# US 11,026,861 B2 · Physical therapy device

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- Number: US 11,026,861 B2
- Document ID: US11026861B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/417,707
- Filed: 2019-05-21
- Published: 2019-09-05
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-21
- Applicants: Michael Paniccia
- Inventors: Michael Paniccia
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026861B2

## CPC

- A61H 1/00: Apparatus for passive exercising (A61H5/00 takes precedence); Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
- A61H 15/00: Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
- A61H 7/007: {Kneading}
- A61H 1/0237: {for the lower limbs}
- A61H 2015/0014: {cylinder-like, i.e. rollers}
- A61H 2201/0119: Support for the device
- A61H 2201/0173: Means for preventing injuries
- A61H 2201/0192: Specific means for adjusting dimensions
- A61H 2201/1253: driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven
- A61H 2201/1284: using own weight
- A61H 2201/164: Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
- A61H 2201/1671: rotational
- A61H 2201/169: Physical characteristics of the surface, e.g. material, relief, texture or indicia
- A61H 2203/03: especially adapted for animals
- A61H 2205/10: Leg
- 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

The physical therapy device is a therapeutic device. The physical therapy device is adapted for use with a patient. The physical therapy device massages a leg of the patient. The physical therapy device comprises a base, a plurality of telescopic stanchions, and a massaging structure. The massaging structure and the base attach to the plurality of telescopic stanchions. The plurality of telescopic structures elevate the massaging structure above a supporting surface. The massaging structure rotates such that the rotation of the massaging structure massages the leg of the patient. The base is a pedestal that forms the final link in the load path between the massaging structure and a supporting surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A therapeutic device comprising:
a base, a plurality of telescopic stanchions, and a massaging structure;
wherein the massaging structure and the base attach to the plurality of telescopic stanchions;
wherein the plurality of telescopic stanchions elevate the massaging structure above a supporting surface;
wherein the therapeutic device is adapted for use with a patient;
wherein the therapeutic device massages a leg of the patient;
wherein the massaging structure rotates such that the rotation of the massaging structure massages the leg of the patient;
wherein the massaging structure comprises a roller structure and a foam cushion;
wherein the roller structure is a prism-shaped structure;
wherein the roller structure is a rotating structure;
wherein the foam cushion covers a lateral face of the prism-shaped structure of the roller structure;
wherein the roller structure comprises a first rolling element bearing, a second rolling element bearing, and a rotating shaft;
wherein the first rolling element bearing attaches a sixth arm to the rotating shaft such that the rotating shaft rotates relative to a fifth arm of a rotating post;
wherein the second rolling element bearing attaches a second roller post of a third arm to the rotating shaft such that the rotating shaft rotates around an axis of rotation with a center axis of the rotating shaft.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The therapeutic device according to claim 1
wherein the base is a pedestal;
wherein the base forms the final link of the load path between the massaging structure and the supporting surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The therapeutic device according to claim 2
wherein the plurality of telescopic stanchions is an extension apparatus;
wherein each of the plurality of telescopic stanchions is identical;
wherein each of the plurality of telescopic stanchions is a composite prism structure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The therapeutic device according to claim 3
wherein each telescopic structure selected from the plurality of telescopic stanchions is adjustable such that the span of the length of the center axis of the composite prism structure of the selected telescopic structure is adjustable;
wherein the elevation of the massaging structure above the supporting surface adjusts by adjusting the span of the length of each telescopic structure selected from the plurality of telescopic stanchions.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The therapeutic device according to claim 4
wherein the massaging structure is a prism-shaped structure;
wherein the massaging structure is a rotating structure;
wherein the rotation of the massaging structure generates a kneading action;
wherein the leg rests on the superior surface of the massaging structure such that the movement of the plurality of telescopic stanchions rotates the massaging structure which generates a kneading of the leg characteristic of a massage.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The therapeutic device according to claim 5
wherein the plurality of telescopic stanchions comprises a first telescopic stanchion and a second telescopic stanchion;
wherein the first telescopic stanchion attaches to the base in the manner of a cantilever;
wherein the second telescopic stanchion attaches to the base in the manner of a cantilever.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The therapeutic device according to claim 6
wherein the axis of rotation of the roller structure aligns with the center axis of the prism structure of the roller structure;
wherein the roller structure attaches the foam cushion to the first telescopic stanchion and the second telescopic stanchion of the plurality of telescopic stanchions.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The therapeutic device according to claim 7
wherein the first telescopic stanchion is a telescopic structure that comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a first detent;
wherein the second telescopic stanchion is a telescopic structure that comprises the third arm, a fourth arm, and a second detent;
wherein the first detent is a mechanical device that locks and secures the first arm to the second arm;
wherein the second detent is a mechanical device that locks and secures the third arm to the fourth arm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The therapeutic device according to claim 8
wherein the first arm is a hollow prism that is further defined with an inner dimension;
wherein the second arm is a hollow prism that is further defined with an outer dimension;
wherein the second arm is geometrically similar to the first arm;
wherein the span of the outer dimension of the first arm is lesser than the span of the inner dimension of the second arm such that the first arm inserts into the second arm in a telescopic fashion to form a composite prism structure;
wherein the position of the second arm relative to the first arm is held in position using the first detent.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The therapeutic device according to claim 9
wherein the third arm is a hollow prism that is further defined with an inner dimension;
wherein the fourth arm is a hollow prism that is further defined with an outer dimension;
wherein the fourth arm is geometrically similar to the third arm;
wherein the span of the outer dimension of the third arm is lesser than the span of the inner dimension of the fourth arm such that the third arm inserts into the fourth arm in a telescopic fashion to form a composite prism structure;
wherein the span of the length of the second telescopic stanchion adjusts by adjusting the relative position of the third arm within the fourth arm;
wherein the position of the third arm relative to the fourth arm is held in position using the second detent.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The therapeutic device according to claim 10
wherein the end of the second arm that is distal from the first arm attaches to the base;
wherein the end of the fourth arm that is distal from the third arm attaches to the base.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The therapeutic device according to claim 11
wherein the first arm further comprises a first roller post and a first tee handle;
wherein the first roller post is a mechanical structure that attaches the massaging structure to the first telescopic stanchion of the plurality of telescopic stanchions;
wherein the first tee handle is a prism-shaped shaft that attaches to the end of the first arm that is distal from the second arm;
wherein the first tee handle forms a grip used to carry the therapeutic device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The therapeutic device according to claim 12
wherein the third arm further comprises a second roller post and a second tee handle;
wherein the second roller post is a mechanical structure that attaches the massaging structure to the second telescopic stanchion of the plurality of telescopic stanchions;
wherein the second tee handle is a prism-shaped shaft that attaches to the end of the third arm that is distal from the fourth arm;
wherein the second tee handle forms a grip used to carry the therapeutic device.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The therapeutic device according to claim 13
wherein the first roller post further comprises the rotating post and a locking hinge;
wherein the rotating post further comprises a fifth arm and a sixth arm;
wherein the rotating post is a mechanical structure that attaches the first arm of the first telescopic stanchion to the roller structure of the plurality of telescopic stanchions;
wherein the rotating post is a rotating structure formed such that the center axis of the prism structure of the roller structure rotates in a horizontal direction towards and away from the second telescopic stanchion of the plurality of telescopic stanchions;
wherein the locking hinge is a lockable fastening structure that attaches the fifth arm to the sixth arm such that the sixth arm rotates relative to the fifth arm;
wherein the fifth arm is a prism-shaped shaft structure;
wherein the fifth arm is the fixed arm of the rotating post structure of the first roller post;
wherein the fifth arm attaches to the lateral face of the prism structure of the first arm;
wherein the fifth arm projects radially away from the lateral face of the first arm in a direction away from the center axis of the first arm;
wherein the sixth arm is a prism-shaped shaft structure;
wherein the sixth arm is the rotating structure of the rotating post of the first roller post;
wherein the sixth arm rotates relative to the fifth arm;
wherein the sixth arm attaches the rotating post to the first rolling element bearing of the roller structure such that the center axis of the roller structure rotates horizontally away from the plurality of telescopic stanchions.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The therapeutic device according to claim 14
wherein the second roller post further comprises a spring detent;
wherein the spring detent is a mechanical device that attaches the rotating shaft to the second roller post such that the rotating shaft can rotate relative to the third arm;
wherein the spring detent allows the end of the rotating shaft that is distal from the rotating post to: a) securely attach the roller structure to the second telescopic stanchion; while, b) simultaneously allowing the roller structure to be removed and replaced during maintenance activities on the therapeutic device.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The therapeutic device according to claim 15
wherein the first tee handle attaches to the first arm such that the center axis of the first tee handle is perpendicular to the center axis of the first arm;
wherein the second tee handle attaches to the third arm such that the center axis of the second tee handle is perpendicular to the center axis of the third arm.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The therapeutic device according to claim 16
wherein the base is an openwork structure;
wherein the base has a rectangular shape.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The therapeutic device according to claim 17 wherein the foam cushion is a polyurethane foam structure.