U.S. patent application number 12/474007 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for anatomical massage table.
Invention is credited to Adelaide Andrews.
Application Number | 20100299835 12/474007 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43218535 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100299835 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andrews; Adelaide |
December 2, 2010 |
ANATOMICAL MASSAGE TABLE
Abstract
A massage table has a table top with a padded upper surface and
support frame which supports the padded table top in a raised,
generally horizontal orientation. The padded upper surface can
support a male or female user in a face down, prone position on the
surface, and has a first, female anatomical recess and a second,
male anatomical recess. The female and male recesses are designed
to receive anatomical protuberances on the female and male body,
respectively, when lying face down on the table.
Inventors: |
Andrews; Adelaide;
(Encinitas, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP
525 B STREET, SUITE 2200
SAN DIEGO
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
43218535 |
Appl. No.: |
12/474007 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/620 ; 5/600;
5/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 13/121 20130101;
A61G 13/105 20130101; A61G 2200/325 20130101; A61G 13/009 20130101;
A61G 7/05723 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/620 ; 5/600;
5/622 |
International
Class: |
A47B 3/00 20060101
A47B003/00 |
Claims
1. A massage table, comprising: a table top having a padded upper
surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and opposite
sides; a support frame which supports the padded table top; the
padded upper surface being adapted to support a male or female user
in a face down, prone position on the surface; the table top having
at least a first, female anatomical recess which extends at least
partially through the table top from the upper surface, and a
second, male anatomical recess which is spaced from the female
anatomical recess and extends at least partially through the table
top from the upper surface; the female anatomical recess being
adapted to receive the breasts of a female lying face down on the
upper padded surface; and the male anatomical recess being adapted
to receive the genital region of a male lying face down on the
upper padded surface.
2. The table of claim 1, wherein each anatomical recess is an
opening which extends completely through the table top and has an
open lower end, and first and second cover members extend over the
open lower ends of the respective recesses.
3. The table of claim 2, wherein each cover member extends
downwardly from the lower surface of the table to form a pocket
beneath the respective opening.
4. The table of claim 3, wherein the cover members are of fabric
material.
5. The table of claim 1, further comprising first and second insert
pads which are adapted for engagement in the respective first and
second anatomical recesses when not in use, each insert pad being
of predetermined shape and dimensions substantially matching those
of the respective anatomical recess, and having an upper surface
which is flush with the upper surface of the table top when the
insert pad is inserted in the matching recess.
6. The table of claim 1, wherein the first, female anatomical
recess is of an elongate shape with rounded ends, and has a central
longitudinal axis which extends transverse to the table top.
7. The table of claim 1, wherein the second, male anatomical recess
is of smaller dimensions than the first anatomical recess and is
elongated in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis
of the table.
8. The table of claim 1, further comprising a head rest secured to
the first end of the table.
9. The table of claim 1, wherein the first anatomical recess is
located at a spacing from the first end of the table and the second
anatomical recess is located between the first anatomical recess
and the second end of the table.
10. The table of claim 1, wherein the upper surface has more than
two anatomical recesses.
11. The table of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises fixed
legs.
12. The table of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises
foldable legs and the table is portable.
13. A massage table, comprising: a table top having a padded upper
surface, a lower surface, a first end, a second end, and opposite
sides; a support frame which supports the padded table top; the
padded upper surface being adapted to support a user in a face
down, prone position on the surface; the table top having at least
one opening spaced between the ends and adapted to receive a
protruding part of the body of a user lying face down on the padded
upper surface.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention concerns a portable or stationary
massage table.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Massage tables are designed to support an individual lying
face down or face up while undergoing massage therapy. Massage
often involves manipulation of the spinal areas along the length of
the spinal column by masseurs, athletic trainers and chiropractors,
while the individual lies in a prone, face down position on the
massage table. Massage tables may be stationary with fixed legs of
adjustable height, or may have collapsible legs so that they can be
carried to different locations for performing massage. Such tables
typically have a padded upper horizontal surface, and may have a
head rest with an opening for receiving the individual's face when
lying face down.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention provides a portable or stationary
massage table which has anatomical recesses or openings which are
designed to receive anatomical protuberances of a person's body in
a comfortable manner while they are undergoing a back massage.
[0006] In one embodiment, a massage table has an upper padded
surface and a floor-engaging support frame which supports the upper
padded surface in a raised, substantially horizontal orientation.
The upper padded surface has a first end, a second end, and
opposite sides and is of predetermined width and length to support
an individual in a prone position with their feet in the vicinity
of the second end of the padded surface. A head support region may
be formed integrally at the first end of the upper padded surface
or may be a separate head support pad which is secured to the first
end of the padded surface, and has an opening for receiving the
face of an individual who is lying face down on the table. At least
one anatomical recess is provided at a predetermined location on
the upper padded surface to receive an anatomical protruberance of
a person's body in a comfortable manner while they are undergoing a
back massage. In one embodiment, two spaced anatomical recesses are
provided at predetermined locations in the upper padded surface,
with the first anatomical recess adapted to receive the breasts of
a female when lying face down on the table, and the second
anatomical recess adapted to receive the genital region of a male
when lying face down on the padded surface.
[0007] In one embodiment, the recesses comprise openings which
extend completely through the padded upper surface, depending on
the thickness of the padded surface, or they may extend only
partially through the padded surface if it is of sufficient
thickness. Where the openings extend through the surface,
detachable privacy shields cover the lower end of each opening.
Additional recesses may be provided in other embodiments for added
comfort. Removable first and second insert pads are provided for
fitting into the respective first and second anatomical recesses,
with the second insert pad engaged in the second anatomical recess
when a female is undergoing a massage, and the first insert pad
engaged in the first anatomical recess when a male is undergoing a
massage. Both insert pads are engaged in the respective openings
when a person is lying face up during massage of front regions of
the body.
[0008] The massage table is more comfortable for a person having a
back massage since protruding parts of the front of their body are
not unduly pressured or squashed while the masseur presses down on
their back. The support frame may be stationary or collapsible to
provide a stationary or portable massage table.
[0009] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The details of the present invention, both as to its
structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to
like parts, and in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a massage
table having anatomical recesses in the upper padded surface;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the massage table,
with the collapsible support stand omitted;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the massage table;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a left-side elevational view of the table, showing
fabric or canvas detachable privacy shields;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the table of FIGS. 1 to 4, with
removable insert pads placed in the anatomical recesses;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the table of FIGS. 1 to
5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view on the lines 7 to 7 of FIG.
5, with one of the removable insert pads removed from the table to
reveal the anatomical recess or opening in the table; and
[0018] FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of the insert pad which
is removed from the table in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Certain embodiments as disclosed herein provide for a
portable or stationary massage table with a padded surface having
anatomical openings or recesses to receive female or male body
protuberances when lying in a prone, face down position on the
padded surface during a massage.
[0020] After reading this description, it will become apparent to
one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various
alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However,
although various embodiments of the present invention will be
described herein, it is understood that these embodiments are
presented by way of example only and not limitation. As such, this
detailed description of various alternative embodiments should not
be construed to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention
as set forth in the appended claims.
[0021] FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate one embodiment of a massage table
10. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the massage table comprises a
rectangular table top having a padded upper surface 12 and a
support frame 14, which is illustrated in dotted outline in FIG. 1
and omitted in FIGS. 2 to 7 to reveal details of the padded table
top or upper surface 12. The table top may have a rigid base, such
as a base support plate 17 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 or a base
frame, and a rectangular pad 19 of foam or other suitable padding
material is supported on the base. A cover material of a suitable
fabric may be secured over the pad 19.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, a separate head supporting
pad 15 is adjustably secured to the head or first end of the upper
padded surface or table top 12 by a pair of securing posts 16. As
best illustrated in FIG. 6, posts 16 are telescopically received in
adjustment tubes on the undersurface of pad 15, as illustrated in
FIG. 6. The distance of the pad 15 from the table may be adjusted
as needed based on dimensions of the person undergoing a massage.
Alternatively, a head support region may be formed integrally with
the padded surface 12. The support frame 14 may be any suitable
massage table supporting structure. In the illustrated embodiment,
frame 14 is a non-collapsible frame as illustrated in FIG. 1 which
has four legs 18 of adjustable height at the respective corners of
the table, along with a connecting frame structure 21 between the
legs for added stability. In alternative embodiments, the table may
have a different support frame, and may be a portable massage table
having a collapsible frame or collapsible or foldable legs.
[0023] Head supporting pad 15 may be a conventional, generally
U-shaped pad surrounding an opening 20, which is designed to engage
the periphery of a user's head when lying prone on padded surface
12. If the user is lying face down, the pad 15 engages the forehead
and sides of the user's face, with central face region including
the eyes, nose, mouth and chin extending partially through the
opening, so that the user is comfortable and able to breathe easily
during a massage treatment.
[0024] The padded support surface 12 has a first end 22, a second
end 24, and opposite right and left sides 25, and has a first,
female anatomical recess or opening 26 adjacent the first or head
end of the table, and a second, male anatomical recess or opening
28 spaced between the first recess 26 and the second end 24 of the
table. The recesses or openings are generally centrally located
between the opposite sides of the padded surface. First and second
padded filler members or insert pads 30 and 32 are removably
engaged in the respective recesses 26 and 28 in FIGS. 1 and 5, and
the appropriate insert pad is removed from its recess depending on
whether a male or female is to receive a massage.
[0025] The recesses 26 and 28 are suitably positioned on the padded
surface and are of predetermined shape and dimensions substantially
matching the shape and maximum dimensions of an anatomical
protuberance which is intended to extend into the respective
recess. The first or female anatomical recess or opening 26 is
generally elongate in a direction transverse to the longitudinal
axis of the table, and has rounded ends. Recess 26 is of
predetermined shape and dimensions to receive the breasts of a
female when lying face down on the support surface with their head
engaging head pad 15, so that they can lie more comfortably on the
table. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A, the first or female insert
pad 30 is removed from recess 26 when a female is to receive a
massage, revealing the opening or recess 26. The second or male
anatomical recess or opening 28 is suitably positioned on the
support surface and is of predetermined shape and dimensions to
receive the male genital region of a male when lying face down on
the support surface with their head engaging the head pad 15, so
that they can lie more comfortably on the table while receive a
back massage. The male insert pad 32 is removed from recess 28 when
a male is to receive a back massage, revealing opening or recess
28.
[0026] The female insert pad 30 is of shape and dimensions
substantially matching those of opening 26 so that it substantially
fills the opening when inserted, with the upper surface 34
substantially flush with the upper surface of the padded table top,
as seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Similarly, the second or male insert
pad 32 is of shape and dimensions substantially matching those of
opening or recess 28, so that it substantially fills the opening
when inserted, with its upper surface 35 substantially flush with
the surrounding padded surface, as seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. The
insert pads may be of the same material as the padded upper surface
of the table top, and may have straps or handles (not illustrated)
for easy removal as needed.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 7 and in dotted outline in FIG. 4, in
this embodiment each recess 26, 28 comprises a hole which extends
completely through the table top, although these recesses may
terminate short of the lower surface of the table top in
alternative embodiments, depending on the thickness of pad 19. The
lower open end of each recess 26, 28 is suitably covered by a
respective fabric or canvas detachable privacy shield 36, 38. As
seen in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 7, each privacy shield hangs down below
the lower surface of the table and forms a pocket 40 below the
recess or opening so as to increase the overall recess depth.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the first or female recess 26 is
located a short distance away from the first end of the padded
table top, while the second or male recess 28 is located just over
halfway between the first and second ends. The table may be of any
suitable dimensions to accommodate the normal range of human sizes,
and in one embodiment the table was approximately 73 inches long
and approximately 30 inches wide, although these dimensions may be
larger in other embodiments. The combined depth of the recess or
opening 26 and aligned pocket 40, and the length and width of the
recess 26, are sufficient to accommodate most or all female breast
sizes. In one embodiment, the depth of the recess 26 and pocket was
approximately four inches, the width of recess 26 was approximately
seven inches, and the length of the recess was approximately
sixteen inches. The recess 26 begins at a location approximately
four inches from the top end 22 of the table.
[0029] The male recess 28 is smaller in dimensions and is elongated
in a direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the
table, with tapered side walls 42 to define a generally triangular
shape. In one embodiment, the recess 28 and aligned pocket had a
combined depth of approximately four inches, the length of recess
28 was approximately four inches, and the maximum and minimum
widths were approximately six inches and three inches,
respectively, while the top end of the recess was located
approximately 26 inches from the top end 22 of the table.
[0030] When a person is to lie face up on the massage table, insert
pads 30 and 32 are both left in their respective openings or
recesses so that the person's back is supported on a continuous
padded surface. When a female is to lie face down on the surface
while her back is massaged, insert pad 30 is removed from the first
recess or opening 26, while insert pad 32 is left in place. The
female can then comfortably lie face down on the padded surface
with the breasts extending into opening 26 without being compressed
during the massage. When a male is to lie face down on the surface
during a back massage, the female insert pad 30 is left in place
while the second or male insert pad 32 is removed. The male can
then lie comfortably in a face down position on the surface with
the genital region engaging in opening 28 to avoid compression
during the massage.
[0031] Although two anatomical recesses are provided in the
illustrated embodiment, only one anatomical recess, such as female
recess 26 or male recess 28 only, may be provided on the padded
surface in alternative embodiments. In other embodiments, more than
two recesses may be provided to accommodate other protruding parts
of a user's body, or the illustrated recesses may be extended. For
example, suitably shaped recesses for receiving the arms or
shoulders may be provided. In other embodiments, a larger opening
may be provided for receiving the protruding abdomen of a pregnant
woman lying face down on the padded surface, with a suitable padded
filler member or insert pad for filling the opening when it is not
needed.
[0032] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented
herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention
and are, therefore, representative of the subject matter which is
broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further
understood that the scope of the present invention fully
encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those
skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is
accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
* * * * *