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US 4,224,932 AGranted
Vibratory massage unit
OwnerNorman E. Farbinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A handle for a vibratory massage unit of the type including an applicator head which translates laterally in a circular motion upon rotation of a drive shaft. The handle solves the problem of excessive vibration by providing static and dynamic balancing of the moving parts so as to prevent operator fatigue. A pair of offset bearings provide the transition from pure rotational motion to translational motion and an oppositely offset counterweight provides the static and dynamic balancing.
Claims23
A handle for a vibratory massage unit connectable to a drive cable within a coaxial cable sheath comprising:
- an elongate handle sleeve connectable to said cable sheath;
- a drive shaft connectable to said drive cable;
- first bearing means for supporting said drive shaft coaxially within said handle sleeve for rotation relative thereto;
- housing means surrounding said drive shaft;
- second bearing means operatively connected to said housing means;
- means for connecting said second bearing means to said drive shaft for permitting rotation of said drive shaft relative to said housing means, said connecting means supporting said second bearing means with the axis thereof offset on one side of said drive shaft whereby said housing means translates laterally in a circular pattern upon rotation of said drive shaft;
- an applicator head connectable to said housing means;
- and
- a counterweight operatively connected to said drive shaft with the axis of said counterweight offset on an opposite side of said drive shaft from said one side thereof for balancing the weight of said housing means, said second bearing means, and said applicator head.
6 more elements
A vibratory applicator handle comprising:
- a drive shaft;
- an elongate handle sleeve;
- first bearing means operatively positioned between said handle sleeve and said drive shaft for supporting said drive shaft coaxially within said handle sleeve for rotation relative thereto;
- a cylindrical support member having an offset axial hole extending therethrough, said drive shaft extending through said hole in said support member and being connected thereto;
- an elongate housing sleeve surrounding said support member;
- second bearing means operatively connected between said cylindrical support member and said housing sleeve, said cylindrical support member supporting said second bearing means and said housing sleeve with the axes thereof coaxial and offset from said drive shaft axis;
- flexible means connected between said handle sleeve and said housing sleeve for preventing rotation of said housing sleeve relative to said handle sleeve whereby said housing sleeve translates laterally in a circular pattern upon rotation of said drive shaft;
- and
- a counterweight operatively connected to said drive shaft with the axis of said counterweight offset on an opposite side of said drive shaft axis from the axis of said second bearing means for balancing the weight of said housing sleeve, said second bearing means, and said applicator head.
6 more elements
An applicator handle comprising:
- an elongate handle sleeve;
- a drive shaft;
- first bearing means operatively positioned between said handle sleeve and said drive shaft for supporting said drive shaft coaxially within said handle sleeve for rotation relative thereto;
- a cylindrical support member having an offset axial hole extending therethrough, said drive shaft extending through said hole in said support member and being connected thereto;
- an elongate housing sleeve surrounding said support member;
- second bearing means operatively connected between said cylindrical support member and said housing sleeve, said cylindrical support member supporting said second bearing means and said housing sleeve with the axes thereof coaxial and offset from said drive shaft axis;
- flexible means connected between said handle sleeve and said housing sleeve for preventing rotation of said housing sleeve relative to said handle sleeve whereby said housing sleeve translates laterally in a circular pattern upon rotation of said drive shaft;
- and
- a second cylindrical support member having an offset axial hole extending therethrough, said drive shaft extending through said hole in said second support member and being connected thereto, said second bearing means being operatively connected between said first-mentioned and said second support members and said housing sleeve.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.