Massage device having variable stroke length

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of massaging devices are disclosed herein. One exemplary embodiment includes a piston having a longitudinal axis, a massaging head connected to the piston, a motor located on a first side of the longitudinal axis and a handle located on a second side of the longitudinal axis. A drive mechanism for moving the piston and massage head is also included.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a housing;   a handle on the housing;   a piston having a proximal end and a distal end;   a motor within the housing operatively connected to the proximal end of the piston, wherein the motor is configured to cause the piston to reciprocate between a minimum reciprocation stroke length and a maximum reciprocation stroke length at a first speed;   a cam having a first rotational position that controls a predetermined stroke length of the piston to the minimum reciprocation stroke length, a second rotational position that controls the predetermined stroke length of the piston to the maximum reciprocation stroke length, and a plurality of intermediate rotational positions that control the predetermined stroke length of the piston to a plurality of intermediate stroke lengths between the minimum reciprocation stroke length and the maximum reciprocation stroke length;   a connection mechanism at the distal end of the piston; and   a first massaging head releasably coupled to the distal end of the piston via the connection mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the maximum reciprocation stroke length corresponds to the distal end of the piston being positioned furthest from the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second massaging head configured to releasably couple to the distal end of the piston via the connection mechanism.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection mechanism is a quick release connector. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is configured to cause the piston to reciprocate between the minimum reciprocation stroke length and the maximum reciprocation stroke length at a second speed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first speed and the second speed are each less than or equal to 3600 strokes per minute. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first speed and the second speed are each greater than or equal to 600 strokes per minute. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first speed and the second speed are each selectable from a plurality of predetermined speeds in a range of 600 strokes per minute to 3600 strokes per minute. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a control panel positioned on an exterior of the housing.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control panel is configured to display one or more visual indicators. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control panel has a display device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control panel has one or more inputs. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more inputs comprise at least one of: a button, a switch, and a dial. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first speed and the second speed are each selectable via the one or more inputs. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a first selection of the one or more inputs is configured to cause the apparatus to power on and wherein a second selection of the one or more inputs is configured to cause the apparatus to power off. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an audible feedback device configured to generate one or more audible signals. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller having, a processor, a memory, and a data connection. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the data connection is a wireless data connection. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to send, by the data connection, first data to an external computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first data is indicative of usage of the apparatus for providing a massage.