Massaging Device

Abstract

A body manipulating and massaging device which includes means for alternately lifting and lowering selected body portions while the body is in a supine condition, to effect a simulated massaging effect; and further, to lift spaced body portions while simultaneously lowering spaced body portions immediately adjacent the lifted body portions and alternating these operations in a rhythmic manner, to further simulate a massaging action.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various devices have been suggested for massaging the human body. Such devices are mainly of the vibratory type operating at high frequencies. These devices also are arranged for operation at somewhat lower frequencies through complicated motor driven linkages, or the like. However, they all rely on a vibratory action which is quite different from the hand massage as practiced by a masseuse.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved device of the character described, which more closely simulates hand massaging.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which is in the form of a mat for contacting selected portions of the human body; such mat having one or more chambers defined by flexible walls, the chamber or chambers being alternately expanded and collapsed to induce a lifting and lowering of the pertinent body portions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, wherein a mat is comprised of a plurality of laterally adjacent, flexible walled chambers which are in a closed circuit with air moving means whereby predetermined chambers are progressively expanded while other chambers are progressively contracted in response to predetermined air movements; thereby allowing certain body portions to be lifted while other body portions are lowered, with a reversing pattern of the lifting and lowering operations at predetermined frequencies.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described and including a chambered mat of selected configuration and a selected pattern of chambers which at any given time are being selectively expanded and contracted, to produce a body-manipulating action which closely simulates hand massaging.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a massaging device embodying the invention disposed on a contour chair as a support for the same;

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing of a system including the massaging means and auxiliary equipment for the same;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the chambered elements of the device;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing the chambered elements in assembled relation;

FIG. 5 is an end view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing another form of the chambered elements;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing still another form of the chambered elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in detail to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the massaging device embodying the invention, is generally indicated at 10; the same being supported on a sectionalized contour chair 11, together with a combination operating and control console 12 and flexible conduits 13, 14 connecting the console with the device 10.

The chair 11 comprises the usual sections 15, 16, 17 together with a headboard 18 and a footboard 19. The chair 11 is mounted on a rolling base 20 having rollers 21. A mattress or the like M is disposed on chair 11 and in turn supports device 10. The device 10 may take single or multiple form for suitable disposition in respect to selected portions of the human body which are to be manipulated or massaged; the individual reclining on chair 11.

The device 10 is in flexible mat form and comprises a series of laterally adjacent, thin rigid panels 22 which may be formed of plywood or the like. The panels 22 are held in hinged relation to each other by a sheet of fabric 23 adhesively secured to the top surfaces thereof. A flexible chambered construction generally indicated at 25 is mounted on panels 22. The same may comprise a pair of comblike sections 26, 27 of a configuration and dimensions to allow the same to be interfitted to form a rectangular shaped mat of substantially uniform thickness. The sections 26, 27 are formed of fabric which has been impregnated with rubber, plastic or the like, to render the same air impervious and of limited elasticity.

Section 26 comprises fingerlike, parallel portions 28, 29 and 30 which are hollow and in intercommunicating relation by way of a transverse manifold portion 31 provided with an inlet 32. Similarly, section 27 comprises parallel hollow chamber portions 33, 34 and 35 which are in intercommunicating relation by way of a manifold portion 36 having an inlet 37.

The sections 26, 27 are interfitted to provide a composite mat 25 having substantially flush top and bottom surfaces, by way of cutout portion 38 on section 26 and a corresponding cutout portion 39 on section 27. Thus, portions 28--30 are in alternating, lateral relation to portions 33--35, as indicated in FIGS. 4, 5. A fabric envelope E of stretchable material encases mat 25 and its supporting panels 22; allowing the mat to flex and take desired positions in respect to the human body overlaying the same, as in chair 11.

The mat 10 is adapted to lift spaced portions of the human body overlying the same, while adjacent body portions are being lowered, with successive alternation of these operations to produce a simulated kneading or hand massage effect. Accordingly, air is introduced into the chambers of one of sections 26, 27 while simultaneously air is being withdrawn from the chambers of the other section; such action being repeated in an alternate manner.

To this end, there is provided within console 12 a pair of collapsible air chambers 40, 41 which are connected in a closed circuit with sections 26, 27 of one or more mats 25 by way of inlets 32, 37 thereof. Each of chambers 40, 41 comprises a flexible walled portion 42 with rigid headers 43, 43' and rigid base supports 44, 44'.

Each of the chambers 40, 41 is alternately expanded and contracted with one chamber being expanded while the other is contracted. For this purpose there is provided an inverted T-shaped rocker member 45 having a horizontal arm portion 46 which is connected at the outer ends thereof to headers 43, 43' by links 47, 47'. The arm portion 46 is pivoted at its midpoint as at 48.

Rocking motion is imparted to member 45 by means of a motor 49 having a speed control 50, which is connected to a crank means 51 by means of a belt 52 and pulleys 53, 54. A crank arm 55 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to crank means 51, as at 56 and is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a nut 57, as at 58. Nut 57 is slidably mounted in a slot 59 formed in the vertical arm 60 of member 45 and in threaded engagement with a screw member 61 mounted in slot 59 for rotation. A flexible cable 62 connected at one end to an outwardly projecting end of screw member 61 and at the other end thereof to a crank handle 63, to adjust the position of nut 57; provides for regulation of the amplitude of movement of member 45.

Chambers 40, 41 are arranged for communication with one or more mats 25, and for the purpose of illustration, such connection is made to two mats 25, 25', FIG. 2. Here the mat 25 is located in contact with upper portions of the human body while mat 25' is in contact with lower portions of said body.

Thus, chamber 40 is connected to inlets 32, 32' of mats 25, 25' through conduits 65, 66 and 66' while chamber 41 is connected to inlets 37, 37' through conduits 67, 68 and 68'. Valves, not shown, may be suitably located in the conduits to provide for use of mat 25 or mat 25'; or mats 25, 25' simultaneously. The air within the pads 25, 25' may be warmed by the use of electric resistance elements indicated by 69, which are suitably embedded within inlets 32, 37; 32', 37 or the conduits connected to the same. A rheostat control indicated at 69' on console 12, regulates the heat supplied by the elements 69.

It will be apparent that with the body B resting on pads 25, 25' and motor 49 in operation; the chambers 40, 41 will displace air in a manner to alternately expand and contract one set of chambers 28--30 and to alternately contract and expand the other set of chambers 33--35; thus lifting and lowering adjacent portions of body B, to provide a kneading or massaging effect.

Since the weight of body B will determine the maximum expansion of the chambers of mats 25, 25'; it may be necessary to introduce additional air into the system, as in the case of bodies of greater weight. To this end, an air tank 70 is provided with a pump 71 and motor 72 for operating the same, together with a supply conduit 73 and a valve 74, to introduce air as required into conduits 66, 68.

It is understood that mats 25, 25' may have varying patterns of chambers to provide desired patterns of kneading or massaging effects. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the pad 80 is made up of a set of chambers 81 suitably interconnected to each other and a second set of chambers 82 suitably interconnected to each other; with an inlet 83 for chambers 81 and an inlet 84 for chambers 82. Here the individual chambers 81, 82 are arranged in checkerboard fashion.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the pad 85 is made up of spaced chambers 86 in alternating relation with spaced chambers 87, with arcuate lines 88 separating the adjacent chambers. Inlet 89 is connected to interconnected chambers 86 while inlet 90 is connected to interconnected chambers 87.

It is also understood that water or other hydraulic fluid may be used in lieu of air to effect the expansion and contraction of the chamber portions of mats 25, 25'. In such case, suitable pump and valve means may be provided to move the liquid into and out of said chamber portions to produce the desired body lifting and lowering actions.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device for manipulating the human body comprising base means, said base means comprising a plurality of laterally adjacent rigid panels and means for hinging said panels together, pad means on said base means, said pad means comprising a pair of chamber sections, each chamber section comprising a plurality of parallel chamber portions, and a manifold portion interconnecting said chamber portions, said manifold portions being of thickness less than that of said chamber portions, said chamber sections being arranged in interfitted relation with the chamber portions of one section being disposed respectively between chamber portions of the other section, the manifold portions of said sections being in superposed relation, the combined thickness of said manifold portions being substantially equal to the thickness of one of said chamber portions, and means for alternately expanding and contracting the chamber portions of said chamber sections in a sequential manner, to thereby alternately raise and lower body portions relative to said base means.