Prior art — US Patent 11938082

US Patent 11938082, titled "Massage device having variable stroke length," was granted on March 26, 2024, from an application filed on November 20, 2023, claiming priority back to a provisional application filed on July 1, 2013. The patent describes exemplary embodiments of percussive massaging devices, focusing on features such as a quick-connect system for massage heads, a unique drive mechanism with a crank bearing and spring bars, a separated cooling system, and variable stroke length capabilities. The claims provided (1-18) largely focus on the quick-connect system and the fundamental components of a percussive massager.

The patent lists a significant number of prior art citations (502 in total). A comprehensive analysis of all 502 citations is beyond the scope of a concise response. Therefore, a selection of the most relevant prior art documents has been made based on their titles, focusing on those that appear to disclose percussive/vibration massage devices, reciprocating mechanisms, and interchangeable heads or adjustable stroke features. This analysis offers potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which relates to novelty.

The most relevant prior art for US11938082, chosen for their direct relevance to the claimed features, include:

US3494353A - Reciprocating vibratory massaging device
- Full Citation: US3494353A - Reciprocating vibratory massaging device
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1970-02-10 (Filed: 1968-12-04)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a device that provides reciprocating vibratory motion for massage purposes, implying a motor and drive mechanism to achieve this motion.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble, Housing, Piston, Motor, Drive mechanism, reciprocating motion, predetermined stroke length): The core concept of a percussive massager with a piston and motor-driven reciprocating motion.
  - Claim 7 (Flywheel, crank pin): If the reciprocating mechanism is a common crank-flywheel system.
  - Claim 18 (Method of assembling): The basic method of operatively connecting a motor to a piston for reciprocating motion.
US4079733A - Percussion vibrator device for treatment of patients to assist expectoration of retained secretions
- Full Citation: US4079733A - Percussion vibrator device for treatment of patients to assist expectoration of retained secretions
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1978-03-21 (Filed: 1976-06-02)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a percussion vibrator, directly indicating a device that delivers percussive action, likely via a reciprocating element, for therapeutic purposes.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble, Housing, Piston, Motor, Drive mechanism, reciprocating motion, predetermined stroke length): The fundamental idea of a percussive massager with these components.
  - Claim 7 (Flywheel, crank pin): If using a common rotary-to-linear conversion mechanism.
  - Claim 18 (Method of assembling): The general method for constructing such a device.
US4730605A - Percussing body massager having amplitude adjustment means
- Full Citation: US4730605A - Percussing body massager having amplitude adjustment means
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1988-03-15 (Filed: 1985-12-31)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a body massager that provides percussive action and explicitly includes "amplitude adjustment means," which directly relates to varying the stroke length of the percussive element.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble, Housing, Piston, Motor, Drive mechanism, reciprocating motion, predetermined stroke length): The core elements of a percussive massager.
  - Claim 10 (Offset between flywheel axis and crank pin axis controls the predetermined stroke length): If the amplitude adjustment is achieved through a mechanism similar to varying the offset in a crank drive.
  - Claim 2 (Second speed): If amplitude adjustment implies control over operating parameters which might include speed.
  - Claim 18 (Method of assembling): The general method of assembly for a percussive massager with adjustable stroke.
US5134777A - Adjustable stroke reciprocating mechanism for a power tool
- Full Citation: US5134777A - Adjustable stroke reciprocating mechanism for a power tool
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1992-08-04 (Filed: 1991-12-05)
- Brief Description: While for a general power tool, this patent clearly teaches an "adjustable stroke reciprocating mechanism," which is directly relevant to the drive mechanism of a percussive massager that might have variable stroke length.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Drive mechanism that controls a predetermined stroke length of the piston): The concept of a drive mechanism providing controlled reciprocating motion and a definable stroke length.
  - Claim 7 (Flywheel, crank pin): If the reciprocating mechanism employs these elements.
  - Claim 10 (Offset between flywheel axis and crank pin axis controls the predetermined stroke length): This is a common way to adjust stroke in reciprocating mechanisms.
  - Claim 18 (Providing a drive mechanism configured to control a predetermined stroke length of the piston).
US5215078A - Reciprocating double applicator massager
- Full Citation: US5215078A - Reciprocating double applicator massager
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1993-06-01 (Filed: 1992-03-02)
- Brief Description: This patent describes a massager with "reciprocating" motion and "double applicator," suggesting the use of multiple or interchangeable massage heads.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble, Housing, Piston, Motor, Drive mechanism, reciprocating motion, predetermined stroke length): Basic percussive massager components.
  - Claim 1 (Quick-connect system comprising the distal end of the piston and a first massaging head): The concept of interchangeable applicators/heads. However, the specific feature of inserting/removing while reciprocating would likely not be anticipated by this title alone.
  - Claim 13 (Substantially cylindrical bore in piston): If the applicator attachment involves a bore.
  - Claim 17 (Proximal end of first massaging head has a pocket to receive distal end of the piston): If the applicator attachment uses a pocket.
  - Claim 18 (Method of assembling): The general method for such a massager.
US5417644A - Reciprocating massage apparatus
- Full Citation: US5417644A - Reciprocating massage apparatus
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1995-05-23 (Filed: 1993-12-02)
- Brief Description: This patent describes an apparatus for reciprocating massage, covering the core function and mechanism of many percussive massagers.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble, Housing, Piston, Motor, Drive mechanism, reciprocating motion, predetermined stroke length): The fundamental components and action.
  - Claim 7 (Flywheel, crank pin): If a common reciprocating drive is used.
  - Claim 18 (Method of assembling): The basic manufacturing method.
CN2207816Y - Beating type massager
- Full Citation: CN2207816Y - Beating type massager
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication Date: 1995-09-20 (Filed: 1995-03-20)
- Brief Description: The title "Beating type massager" directly implies a percussive or impact-based massage device.
- Potentially Anticipates:
  - Claim 1 (Preamble, Housing, Piston, Motor, Drive mechanism, reciprocating motion, predetermined stroke length): The core definition of a percussive massager with its basic mechanical components.
  - Claim 7 (Flywheel, crank pin): If the beating action is generated by a rotary-to-linear conversion.
  - Claim 18 (Method of assembling): The general assembly process.

It is important to note that while these prior art documents potentially anticipate various individual elements or combinations of elements found in the claims of US11938082, the specific combination and unique features of US11938082, such as the quick-connect system allowing insertion/removal while the piston reciprocates (as stated in claim 1), or the details of the crank bearing with spring bars (described in the specification but not explicitly in these selected claims), would need a more detailed comparison with the full content of each cited prior art patent to determine actual anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102. This analysis is based solely on the provided information and titles.