US2685287A - Massage instrument - Google Patents

Description

3,1954 1.. GOLFIER EIAL 2,685,287

MASSAGE INSTRUMENT Filed Jan. 7, 1953 INVENTORS- k A! 4'' BY 14444? \f fi aw y" 941 1 1/ 1 A RNEY Patented Aug. 3, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,685,287 MASSAGE INSTRUMENT Leon Golfier and Charles LHeureux, Clermont- Ferrant, France Application January 7, 1953, Serial No. 330,079

7 Claims. 1

The invention refers to massage instruments such as used to treat parts of the human body by repeated mechanical action.

One object of the invention is to provide an instrument which is simple and portable so that it may be used by the individual even while travelling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massage instrument which permits to treat the tissues and the muscles of the gums and the cheeks.

Other objects of the invention are clarified hereafter in connection with the drawing. which shows in Fig. 1 in top view an example of the invention, while Fig. 2 shows the same instrument in side view.

Figs. 3 and 4 show in front and side view respectively another execution of the actuated part of the instrument.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the instrument according to the invention consists of an inflatable bag I, which is connected through a flexible hose 2 with an air-bellows 3, of the usual pear shape. The flexible hose 2 may be attached to the neck 4 of the bellows and enter with a stem 5 into a joint 6 of the bag I.

The inflatable bag in the execution shown consists of two pocket like extremities 8 connected by a relatively narrow section I with each other and the joint 6. The inside contour of the bag, when not inflated, is concave as shown at II, to conform to the gums. The outside contour, as shown at I0, is convex. The pocket-shaped extremities extend, as shown at 9, also to fill the space between gums and cheeks.

To use the instrument according to the invention it is only necessary that the individual desiring the treatment closes his or her mouth and in lifting the lips inserts the bag I between the gums and the cheeks. By alternatively compressing and releasing the bulb 3 the bag I is inflated and deflated and massages the tissues and the muscles. This produces exercise of the muscles of the face, brings increased blood circulation through the action of the arteria of the face as well as an increased action of the glands. The result is not only strengthening of the muscles and the tissues which often brings with it that wrinkles of the adjoining skin disappear but it also has been found that the teeth are strengthened and held more securely in the jaw.

If desired the pocket like extremities of bag I can be shaped as more or less circular parts I2 of such size that they cover, when inserted into the mouth the upper and the lower gums. The narrower section l3 carries the joint 6 in such way that the action upon the gums is not restricted. In the side View the bag I is relatively flat as shown at I4.

It has further been found that the action of the bag I can be directed more specifically towards certain parts of its contact with the muscles and tissues by providing local stiffening reinforcements a shown at I5. As example, by providing the stiflening ridge on the side of the gums, the action of the bag I will be directed mostly towards the muscles and tissues of the cheeks. In other cases it might be preferred to stiffen that side of the bag I which is in contact with the checks. The massage action will then be directed mainly towards the gums as it might be desired in cases of orthodentistry.

The massage instrument is manufactured from resilient, elastic material such as natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomers. It is preferred to use such strength and thickness of material that it returns to its shape due to its own elasticity as soon as the bulb 3 is released and the compression ceases.

While other executions of the invention are possible without deviation from its substance, what is claimed is:

1. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient, elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the check, a flexible connection to and means for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag.

2. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient, elastic material, of relatively flat shape when no inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the check, a flexible connection to and means for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said means comprising a bellow.

3. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient, elastic material, of relative- 1y flat shape when not inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible hose connection and an air-bellow for hand operation for alternatively inflating and deflating Said bag.

4. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient, elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible connection to and means for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bag comprising two pocket shaped extremities connected by a nar- 3 row section and a joint for connection with the inflating and deflating means, said joint located outside of the part to be inserted between cheek and gum.

5. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient elastic material of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible connection to, and means for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bag comprising two pocket shaped extremities, connected by a center part of concave inner contour with a joint for connection to said inflating and deflating means.

6. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient, elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the cheek, aflexible connection to and means for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bag comprising two pocketshaped extremities extending over the area of the upper and the lower gums, and a 4 narrow section with a joint for connection with the inflating and deflating means.

7. Massage instrument, comprising an inflatable bag of resilient, elastic material, of relatively flat shape when not inflated, fitted to be inserted between the gum and the cheek, a flexible connection to and means for alternatively inflating and deflating said bag, said bag provided with local stifiening means to restrict the deformation of said bag during inflation to the not stifiened sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 712,354 Best Oct. 28, 1902 2,014,009 Vance Sept. 10, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 287,514 Italy Nov. 22, 1929

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