US4329981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foot massage mat
Assignee: Semperit AG Holding
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Filing: 1980-01-28
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2000-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A foot massage mat formed of rubber, plastics material or the like wherein the mat possesses hill-like protuberances.
Inventors
- 👤 Willi Dungl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H7/00; A61H7/001; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/12; A61H2201/1253; A61H2201/1261; A61H2201/1284; A61H2205/00; A61H2205/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A foot massage mat formed of rubber, plastics material or the like, comprising: a mat structure provided with hill-like proturbances; said protuberances being spaced from one another to form valleys therebetween; each of said protuberances has an approximately circular configuration in plan view, the diameter of said circular configuration being between five and ten centimeters; a plurality of said protuberances are distributively arranged in spaced relationship from one another; the spacing of said protuberances from one another, measured from apex to apex between neighboring protuberances, amounts to between about eight and fifteen centimeters; and the spacing of said protuberances is coordinated to the foot of the user such that the heel and toe ball of the foot rest in a valley between said protuberances and the foot arch and toes rest upon raised portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A foot massage mat formed of rubber, plastics material or the like, comprising: a mat structure provided with hill-like proturbances; said protuberances being spaced from one another to form valleys therebetween; each of said protuberances has an approximately circular configuration in plan view, the diameter of said circular configuration being between five and ten centimeters; a plurality of said protuberances are distributively arranged in spaced relationship from one another; the spacing of said protuberances from one another, measured from apex to apex between neighboring protuberances, amounts to between about eight and fifteen centimeters; and the spacing of said protuberances is coordinated to the foot of the user such that the heel and toe ball of the foot rest in a valley between said protuberances and the foot arch and toes rest upon raised portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: the height of the protuberances is in the order of between about one and four centimeters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: the distribution of the protuberances is essentially uniform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: the distribution of said protuberances is essentially irregular.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: said protuberances comprise raised portions at the surface of the mat and selectively having at least any one of different size or different spacing from one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: at least said protuberances have a structured surface pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 6, wherein: said surface pattern comprises adjacently arranged naps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 6, wherein: said surface pattern comprises a round pebble-like structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 8, wherein: said round pebble-like structure is formed by pebble elements of different size and having a length between about one to three centimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 9, wherein: said pebble elements at least partially protrude from the surface of the mat by an amount in a range of about three to seven millimeters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 6, wherein: said surface pattern is structured such that it enables complete run-off of liquid from the foot massage mat when inclined at an angle of about 45°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: the foot massage mat has a surface which inclusive of possibly structured portions is macroscopically smooth and closed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: the mat is assembled from tile-like individual elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 13, wherein: the edges and corners of the tile-like individual elements are formed so as to provide parts of the protuberances which can be augmented by analogously constructed neighboring individual elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 14, wherein: the individual elements comprise essentially square individual elements having the parts of the protuberances formed at the edges and corners and merging at all four sides into approximately the same contour.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 13, wherein: the tile-like individual elements are provided with mating lateral projections and recesses for joining together the individual elements.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 16, wherein: the lateral projections and recesses possess an essentially dovetail-shaped configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: the mat is formed of semi-rigid polyurethane integral foam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The foot massage mat as defined in claim 1, wherein: said mat structure contains a base portion supporting said hill-like protuberances; and said mat base portion and hill-like protuberances being formed of the same material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |