Patent US5263474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5263474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Foot massaging device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-06-03
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Granted: 1993-11-23
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Expires: 2012-06-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved foot massaging device is provided which consists of a rigid unitary frame member being of a size and strength to support the feet and weight of a person standing thereon. A mechanism is within the frame member for effectively simulating a finger point pressing and kneading action against the underside of the feet.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey Agader
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H15/00; A61H2015/0064; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/12; A61H2201/1253; A61H2201/1261; A61H2201/1284; A61H2205/00; A61H2205/12; A61H7/00; A61H7/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
An improved foot massaging device which comprises: a) first means for effectively simulating a finger point pressing and kneading action against the underside of the feet, said first means being balls, said balls being positioned on a hard base void of all liquid so that the roll of said balls will effectively simulate said finger point kneading action because the roll of said balls would be limited, since said balls have a limited roll the improved foot massaging device is easier to use; b) a rigid unitary frame member being of a size and strength to support the feet and weight of a person standing thereon, said rigid unitary frame member having a center and side walls extending generally perpendicular from said hard base, the center and side walls are continuous and intersecting defining two open halves of the rigid unitary frame member; and c) second means disposed in both halves of said rigid unitary frame member, said second means being a square grid, said square grid comprised essetially of continous wall sections that intersect each other forming square openings and allowing said balls to be moved from one part of the grid to another to alter the pattern and massage action and focus on specific areas of said feet, said rigid unitary frame member having a center and side walls which can be used to massage said feet, the size of the square grid members enable said balls to rotate from multiple positions to better simulate said finger point kneading action.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
An improved foot massaging device which comprises: a) first means for effectively simulating a finger point pressing and kneading action against the underside of the feet, said first means being balls, said balls being positioned on a hard base void of all liquid so that the roll of said balls will effectively simulate said finger point kneading action because the roll of said balls would be limited, since said balls have a limited roll the improved foot massaging device is easier to use; b) a rigid unitary frame member being of a size and strength to support the feet and weight of a person standing thereon, said rigid unitary frame member having a center and side walls extending generally perpendicular from said hard base, the center and side walls are continuous and intersecting defining two open halves of the rigid unitary frame member; and c) second means disposed in both halves of said rigid unitary frame member, said second means being a square grid, said square grid comprised essetially of continous wall sections that intersect each other forming square openings and allowing said balls to be moved from one part of the grid to another to alter the pattern and massage action and focus on specific areas of said feet, said rigid unitary frame member having a center and side walls which can be used to massage said feet, the size of the square grid members enable said balls to rotate from multiple positions to better simulate said finger point kneading action.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame member includes: a) a base portion to sit upon a flat horizontal surface b) an upstanding side wall portion extending about the perimeter of said base portion; and c) an upstanding center wall portion extending from said base portion to divide said frame member into two equally sized open top compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 2, wherein a top edge of said side wall portion and a top edge of said center wall portion are rounded and of the same height, so that the feet can be placed onto said top edge of said side wall portion and said center wall portion, to simulate a massage using the edges of a palm of a hand when a desired downward pressure is applied from a standing position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 3, further including a pair of grid members having a plurality of square retainer areas, with each said grid member located within one of said open top compartments on said base portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 4, wherein a top edge of each said grid member is rounded and lower in height than said side wall portion and said center wall portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 5, wherein said simulating means includes a plurality of spherical balls, each sized to fit into each said square retainer area in said grid members, so that said spherical balls will roll freely within said square retainer areas and just extend above the height of said side wall portion and said center wall portion, so that said square retainer area and the interior surface of said side wall portion and said center wall portion in each said open top compartment, will limit the roll of said spherical balls for effectively simulating the finger point pressing and kneading action against the underside of the feet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 6, further including means for holding said spherical balls in position within said square retainer areas in said grid members, so that said device can be transported from one location to another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 7, wherein said holding means includes: a) each said open top compartment having an groove in said interior surface adjacent said top edge of said side wall portion and said center wall portion; and b) a pair of upper grid members having a plurality of upper square retainer areas, so that each said upper grid member can snap into each said groove to retain said spherical balls in a rotatable relationship within each said open top compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 8, wherein said rigid unitary frame member is fabricated out of a durable strong material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 9, where each said grid member is fabricated out of a durable strong material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 10, wherein each said spherical ball is fabricated out of a durable strong material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved foot massaging device as recited in claim 11, wherein each said upper grid member is fabricated out of a durable strong 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) | 1996-11-22 | 1997-05-24 | 1997-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-22 | 2001-05-24 | 2001-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-22 | 2005-05-24 | 2005-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |