# US 2014/0155794 A1 · Massage Device and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155794 A1 - Document ID: US20140155794A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/097,139 - Filed: 2013-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Inventors: Yana Marie Tambakis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155794A1 ## CPC - A61H 11/00: Belts, strips or combs for massage purposes - A61H 15/0092: {hand-held (A61H15/0085 takes precedence)} - A61H 2015/0042: {Balls or spheres} - A61H 2201/1253: driven by a human being, e.g. hand driven - A61H 2201/1284: using own weight - A61H 2201/1685: interchangeable - A61H 2201/1695: Enhanced pressure effect, e.g. substantially sharp projections, needles or pyramids - A61H 2205/06: Arms - A61H 2205/062: Shoulders - A61H 2205/081: Back - 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 A massage device for self-massage by a user. The device including: a body defined by an elongate element adapted to form a closed loop; and a plurality of massage elements located spaced apart along the elongate element such that each one of the plurality of massage elements can be substantially used in isolation; each of the plurality of massage elements having a massage portion being inwardly directed with respect to the closed loop and an outwardly directed abutment portion with respect to the closed loop; each massage element being coupled about the midsection to the elongate element; and each one of the plurality of massage elements having a respectively different configuration. An embodiment device including at least two massage elements, each including a respective massage portion having a different effective massage size. ## Claims ### Claim 1 The massage device for use in self-massage by a user, the device including: a flexible elongate body element; a least one substantially spherical massage element coupled to the elongate element; each massage element located along the elongate element such that a first massage element can be substantially used in isolation during self-massage by the user; the at least one substantially spherical massage element having a first massage contact surface and a second massage contact surface; the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface being located on opposite regions of the massage element; wherein surface texture of the first massage contact surface is different to surface texture of the second massage contact surface; the elongate element being coupled to each massage element about opposite sides of the respective massage element between the first massage contact surface and second massage contact surface; wherein, in use, either the first massage contact surface or the second massage contact surface of the first massage element can be selected to exert a localized pressure on the user for produce a massaging effect. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The massage device according to claim 1, wherein the body element is an elongate band element having first band surface and an oppositely directed second band surface, the elongate element having a width less than the height of each massage element; each massage element having an intermediate sectional plane that defines the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface; the body element being coupled to each massage element substantially about the intermediate sectional plane; each massage element has the respective first massage contact surface protruding from the first band surface and the respective second massage contact surface protruding from the second band surface; wherein, by reversing the band, a user selectively presents either the first massage contact surface or the second massage contact surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The massage device according to claim 2, wherein a massage element coupled to the elongate element has the respective first massage contact surface and the respective second massage contact surface comprising different configurations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The massage device according to claim 2, wherein each massage element coupled to the elongate element has the respective first massage contact surface and the respective second massage contact surface comprising different textures. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The massage device according to claim 4, wherein each massage element is fixedly coupled to the elongate element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The massage device according to claim 2, including: a plurality of massage elements; each of the plurality of massage elements having a different configuration; and the plurality of massage elements being located along the elongate element, such that each massage element can be substantially used in isolation during self-massage by the user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The massage device according to claim 2, including: a plurality of massage elements; each of the plurality of massage elements having a different surface texture; and the plurality of massage elements being located along the elongate element, such that each massage element can be substantially used in isolation during self-massage by the user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The massage device according to claim 2, wherein the elongate band element has a width that is less than the diameter of each massage element and greater than one-third the diameter of each massage elements. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The massage device according to claim 2, wherein ends of the flexible elongate body element have co-operating coupling elements; wherein with the co-operating coupling elements contacted the flexible elongate body element forms a size adjustable flexible closed loop. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The massage device according to claim 9, wherein the closed loop is size adjustable for enabling fitting around a torso of the user. ### Claim 11 The massage device for use in self-massage by a user, the device including: a flexible elongate body element; one or more of massage element coupled to the elongate element; each massage element located along the elongate element such that a first massage element can be substantially used in isolation during self-massage by the user; each massage element having a first massage contact surface and a second massage contact surface; the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface being located on opposite regions of the massage element; the elongate element being coupled to each massage element about opposite sides of the respective massage element between the first massage contact surface and second massage contact surface; the body element being an elongate band element having first band surface and an oppositely directed second band surface, the elongate element having a width less than the height of each massage element; each massage element having an intermediate sectional plane that defines the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface; the body element being coupled to each massage element substantially about the intermediate sectional plane; each massage element has the respective first massage contact surface protruding from the first band surface and the respective second massage contact surface protruding from the second band surface; wherein, in use, either the first massage contact surface or the second massage contact surface of one massage element can be selected to exert a localized pressure on the user for produce a massaging effect; and wherein, by reversing the band, the user selectively presents either the first massage contact surface or the second massage contact surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The massage device according to claim 11, wherein the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface of each massage element have a different configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The massage device according to claim 12, wherein the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface of each massage element have a different surface texture. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The massage device according to claim 13, wherein each massage element is fixedly coupled to the elongate element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The massage device according to claim 13, wherein ends of the flexible elongate body element have co-operating coupling elements; wherein with the co-operating coupling elements contacted the flexible elongate body element forms a size adjustable flexible closed loop. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The massage device according to claim 11, wherein the first massage contact surface and the second massage contact surface of each massage element have a different surface texture. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The massage device according to claim 16, wherein each massage element is fixedly coupled to the elongate element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The massage device according to claim 16, wherein ends of the flexible elongate body element have co-operating coupling elements; wherein with the co-operating coupling elements contacted the flexible elongate body element forms a size adjustable flexible closed loop.