Foot massaging-reactivating device

Abstract

 A massaging-reactivating device for feet, comprising two half-shells (10, 11) which complementarily define a housing (13) for at least one foot and which are kept closed on the foot by an elastic or spring fastening (14). The half-shells are susceptible to alternate movements reciprocally moving apart and together controlled by at least one actuator (15, 16) to develop an action of compression/expansion on the foot with a massaging effect reactivating blood circulation.

Description

[0001] The present invention pertains to a massaging-reactivating device designed specially for the feet.

[0002] The fundamental cause of tired feet at the end of a working day is linked to poor circulation of blood and liquids with a consequent accumulation of lactic acid in the tissues in the distal parts of the lower limbs. The proof being that the subjects worst hit are the ones who have to be standing for long periods.

[0003] The oldest remedy for this tiresome disorder consists of sitting down with one's feet up in order to help the flow of blood and eliminate the acid from feet.

[0004] Every kind of relaxer proposed to date, with vibration, hydromassage, etc., starts from the supposition of reactivating the physiological circulation of the feet.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to propose a new, original kind of massaging-reactivating device for feet which, as well as working on the same principles of stimulating blood circulation, truly "squeezes" feet, operating as a "peristaltic pump" for the blood and liquids with poor circulation. Such an effect basically copies the function of muscles which, with movements of contraction and relaxation allow a physiological return of the venous blood to the heart: this function is unfortunately insufficient in feet, which notoriously have small muscle masses.

[0006] The system of massage-reactivation proposed herein is especially effective and beneficial, in just a few minutes it enables full drainage of the lactic acid deposited in feet during the day, providing fast and effective relief.

[0007] Such an object is achieved with a massaging-reactivating device comprising two half-shells complementarily defining a housing for at least one foot, which are kept closed on the foot by an elastic fastening and which are susceptible to alternate movements going apart and coming together by means of at least one actuator to develop an action of compression/expansion on the foot.

[0008] The device can be designed and structured to receive one foot or two feet at the same time.

[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate a practical embodiment of the invention.

[0010] In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an outer view of the massaging device in a closed position; and

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device when it opens during operation.

[0011] The device proposed comprises two half-shells 10, 11 shaped and overlapping so as to form complementarily a unit having the shape of at least one boot.

[0012] The two half-shells 10, 11 have a hinge 12 at one of their ends, for example at the tip of the boot unit, and they can be opened and closed in an established measure for rotation on said hinge 12.

[0013] On the inside, the complementary half-shells 10, 11 have a covering, for example in polyurethane or another material, such as to define a housing 13 for at least one foot, this being represented with dotted lines in the drawings.

[0014] The half-shells 10, 11 are provided with an elastic fastening 14 or elastic means tending to keep the two half-shells close together closed on the foot, anyhow allowing the half-shells limited alternating movements further apart and closer together. These movements are controlled by at least one actuator 15 operated by an electric geared motor 16, preferably powered by low voltage current.

[0015] The device can be designed and sized to take one foot or both feet at the same time. In the first case there may be two actuators 15, 16 on opposite sides of the half-shells and synchronized to make opening and closing movements parallel with the two elements. In the second case just one actuator 15, 16 may be sufficient, placed in a middle position between the housings for the two feet.

[0016] The inner covering conforms and adheres to each foot when the half-shells are brought together and held closed by the elastic fastening or by the spring means, in order to fit the different sizes or shapes. This fastening may be of any kind and, advantageously, with adjustable closing.

[0017] The device described herein may also incorporate heating elements, vibrating means, anatomical arch supports and/or other accessories that may be useful.

[0018] In practice, once the device has been closed on the foot, or feet, by means of the elastic or spring fastening, starting up the actuator 15, 16 produces continuous movements opening and closing the two half-shells with the aid of the same elastic or spring fastening. The device thus develops a "pumping" action on the feet, that is to say an action of compression and relaxation of the tissues bringing the beneficial effects referred to in the preamble and not obtainable with the ordinary appliances known to date.

Claims

1. A massaging-reactivating device for the feet, characterized in that it comprises two half-shells (10, 11) complementarily defining a housing (13) for at least one foot and which are kept closed on the foot by an elastic or spring fastening (14) and in that said half-shells are susceptible to alternate and continuous movements of reciprocal moving apart and together controlled by at least one actuator (15, 16) to develop an action of compression/expansion on the foot with a massaging effect reactivating blood circulation.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said half-shells (10, 11) are shaped and overlapping to form complementarily a unit with the shape of at least one boot, and wherein said half-shells have a covering designed to adapt to the feet even of different subjects.

3. A device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein said half-shells (10, 11) are hinged together at one of their ends (12), they are kept closed together by the elastic or spring fastening (14) and can be opened or closed by at least one actuator (15, 16) by rotation at the level of said hinge.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said actuator comprises an element (15) operated by a geared motor, the element being placed and acting between the two half-shells to open/close them continuously with the aid of the elastic fastening.

5. A device according to the above claims, wherein the two half-shells with an inner covering define a housing for a foot and two actuators (15, 16) are applied on the two half-shells on opposite sides.

6. A device according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the two half-shells with an inner covering define two housings for two feet and at least one actuator (15, 16) is applied on the half-shells in a middle portion between said housings.

7. A device according to the above claims, possibly incorporating heating elements, vibrating means, and/or anatomical arch supports.

Drawing