The subject of the invention is the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts where the coupling problem of two parts is solved in a simple way; in addition, it allows for adjustment and/or change of the reciprocal position of such coupled parts without any uncoupling. The invention will be explained on the example of its application in the hand massage appliance. With reference to its design the invention is classified under F 16B 17/00 although with reference to its application it may as well rank into Class A 61 H 15/00 of the international patent classification.

The technical problem successfully solved by the submitted invention

involves the design and production of such mechanism that will allow for coupling of two construction elements in the way to allow for change of the reciprocal position of the two coupled elements; in addition, the mechanism in question shall provide a simple and reliable coupling with the smallest possible number of construction elements. In the proposed version of the respective mechanism the solution of the target technical problem leads to the application of the submitted mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of reciprocally coupled parts of the hand massage appliance that consists of two or several pairs of massage wheels whereof the different position extends its application range and at the same time secures easier packing of the hand massage appliance.

The constructions of known mechanisms for coupling of reciprocally coupled parts may be divided into several groups. With some solutions the coupling of two parts requires the addition of a special fixing element. Such solution is, for instance, described in WO 92/08902 where the two parts are coupled with a screw-like element with the shank threaded in the form of a pine-tree, whereas the opposite part of the fixing element has a flexible fitting edge. With reference to the different gauges of the coupled parts the fitting edge fits into the gripping edge on a definite height of the screw. Such coupling can be easily established but cannot be easily uncoupled; besides, it does not provide adjustable movement of coupled parts.

Simple coupling and subsequent uncoupling of two parts is also possible by means of the gripping element described in WO 92/06308. On its free end the gripping element ends in a plastic "cap" that is to be plugged

into the hole on the part to be coupled. The coupling is achieved through partial deformation of the plastic cap when plugged into the hole on the other part. After the cap passes through the hole it reassumes its original form and thereby keeps both coupled parts linked together. Such gripping element is particularly suitable for coupling of parts at different assembly procedures; it is, however, not appropriate for repeated uncoupling and coupling and it does not allow for adjustable shifting of both coupled parts.

In addition to the above examples there exist a whole range of couplings, from the very simple screw coupling to the gripping mechanisms where the return of gripping parts requires the springs (e.g. WO 92/08901).

Among known mechanisms we have not come across such mechanism that would allow for both easy coupling and adjustable movement of two coupled parts without uncoupling them. Moreover, the usual mechanisms consist of a large number of parts that make the production of the mechanism more expensive and are more complicated at coupling and uncoupling.

The mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts, which is the subject of the described invention, consists of only two constructional parts, the plug-in element (A) and the socket (B). The design and the form of both parts secures a reliable coupling that does not fall apart at movement of one part towards the other. This is provided by a specially designed plug-in element with a bevelled edge (4a) on the rim of shanks (4); on the passage between the main part (1) and the body (3) is a toothed prolongation (2); at coupling the edges (4a) of shanks (4) fit snugly

into the edge (8) of the borehole (7) of the socket (B), whereas the teeth (2a) fit into the grooves (7a) on the top of the borehole (7) of the socket (B). When pushing one part towards the other the two shanks (4) glide along the edge (8) of the socket (B) in the way that the plug-in element (A) does not fall out of the grip.

The invention will be explained in detail on the example of its application in practice and by the help of the following figures:

Figure 1 Plug-in element (A) of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts - side view

Figure 2 Socket (B) of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts - side view;

Figure 3 Coupling of the plug-in element (A) and of the socket (B) of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts - side view and partial cross-section;

Figure 4 Example of application of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts in a hand massage appliance (position I) - side view;

Figure 5 Example of application of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts in a hand massage appliance (position I) -

top view;

Figure 6 Example of application of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts ina hand massage appliance (position II) - side view;

Figure 7 Example of application of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts ina hand massage appliance (position II) - top view.

Figure 1 shows the side view of the plug-in element (A) of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts. It consists of the main part (1), in the shown case in the form of a short cylinder, which may continue into the handle of the hand massage appliance on one end, whereas on the other end it passes over a slight elevation into the prolongation (2) that ends in a strong toothed edge (2a). The plug-in element further continues into a cylindrical plug (3) which approximately at half of its length branches into two shanks (4) ending from the outer side into a bevelled edge (4a), whereby the angle C between both bevellings equals 90 degrees.

Figure 2 shows the side view of the socket (B) of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts. It consists of the body (6) with a borehole (7) whereof the diameter matches the gauge of the cylindrical plug (3) of the element (A). The upper edge of the borehole (7)

ends in grooves (7a) whereof the size and arrangement equal the size and arrangement of the teeth (2a) of the prolongation (2) of the element (A). On the lower edge of the borehole (7) the edge (8) is bevelled from inside in the way that the inclination D of the bevelled edge equals the angle C between the bevellings of shanks 4a of the element (A). In the described example the socket (B) continues into two supports (9) of massage wheels, fixed perpendicularly to the axle of the borehole (7).

Figure 3 shows the side view and the partial cross-section of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts. The length of the body (3) including the shanks (4) is such that at fitting of teeth (2a) of the element (A) into the grooves (7a) of the socket (B) the bevelled edge (4a) of shanks (4) fits into the bevelled edge (8). Due to the grip of the teeth (2a) and the grooves (7a) and because the shanks (4) fit to the edge (8), the element (A) and the socket (B) are coupled in the same position. For changing the reciprocal position of the element (A) and the socket (B) it is sufficient to move one of both parts. Due to the bevelled teeth (2a) and/or grooves (7a) the twist of one of both parts may result in a new grip of the teeth (2a) and grooves (7a) in a new position. The height of the teeth (2a) and the width of the bevelling (4a) on the shanks (4) match each other in the way to avoid any uncoupling. On the other hand, the angle E - in our example 15 degrees - and the flexibility of the material of the plug-in element (A) secure that the bevelling (4a) constantly fits snugly to the edge 8 of the socket (B).

The number of teeth (2a) and/or grooves (7a) may be optional. The

described example of application of this invention has four teeth (2a) and four grooves (7a).

Figures 4 through 7 show the application of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts on the example of a hand massage appliance. The hand massage appliance consists of two ranges of massage wheels fixed on both ends of the handle. Each range of massage wheels is mobile in the sense of the arrow F (Figure 4). In case of stiff coupling of both ranges of massage wheels with the handle, the massage appliance may reasonably be moved only longitudinally.

As it can be seen from Figures 4 through 7, the application of the mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts on both couplings of the ranges of wheels with the handle allows for different possible positions of individual range of wheels, which increases the application range of the massage appliance. Further, in a certain position of the mobile range of massage wheels, it is possible to lower the handle (Figure 7), which is of special practical importance because it involves smaller packaging and handy storage of the massage appliance.

The mechanism for coupling and adjustable movement of coupled parts under the invention in question may, of course, also be used in massage appliances with several ranges of massage wheels fixed on a single handle.