Patent Application
20140312186
The present invention relates to a headrest for a massage and, more particularly, to a freestanding foldable headrest for a massage.
A massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, decrease muscle reflex activity, inhibit motor-neuron excitability, promote relaxation and well-being, and as a recreational activity. Specialized massage tables are used to position recipients during massages. A typical commercial massage table has an easily cleaned, heavily padded surface, and a horseshoe-shaped head support that allows the client to breathe easily while lying face down and can be stationary or portable. However, massage tables are expensive and heavy.
As can be seen, there is a need for an alternative to the massage table for home use.
In one aspect of the present invention, a contractible headrest comprises: a first leg stand comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is configured to rest on a surface; a C-face pillow attached at the top end of the first leg stand; and a second leg stand comprising a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end is configured to rest on a surface and the top end is pivotally attached to the first leg stand, wherein the foldable headrest comprises an expanded form and a contracted form, wherein the expanded form comprises the second leg stand pivoted away from the first leg stand, wherein the contracted form comprises the second leg stand pivoted towards the first leg stand.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a free standing foldable headrest and stand to adapt to an existing bed height. The present invention may provide for a comfortable headrest with easy breathing. Further, the present invention uses a bed as a massage table while keeping a user's head in a perfect position, maintaining easy breathing and relaxation during a massage
The present invention is easy to use and turns a user's bed into a temporary massage table. The present invention will even adapt to an existing bed height. The present invention easily folds up and stores under the bed or near the side of a dresser neatly out of the way. The present invention opens to free stand on a floor. The present invention's head cradle base swings on hinges to open 90 degrees. Further, the head cradle may be adjusted up or down and locked to a desired height.
Referring to
The contractible headrest 10 includes an expanded form and a contracted form. The expanded form includes the second leg stand 14 pivoted away from the first leg stand 12. The expanded form is configured to support the C-face pillow 36 in an upright position when the first leg stand 12 and the second leg stand 14 are resting on the surface. The contracted form includes the second leg stand 14 pivoted towards the first leg stand 12. The first leg stand 12 and the second leg stand 14 may be substantially parallel relative to one another in the contracted form. Therefore, the contractible headrest 10 may be stored away, such as placed under a bed 56.
In certain embodiments, the second leg stand 14 may be attached to the first leg stand 12 by a U-bracket 16. The U-bracket 16 may wrap around the first leg stand 12 and pivotally securing the first leg stand 12 to the second leg stand 14. The U-bracket 16 may include apertures running through that align with an aperture on the second leg stand 14. Bolts 44 may run through the apertures and pivotally connect the second leg stand 14 to the U-bracket 16 by securing nuts 46. The top end of the second leg stand 14 may include an angled top end so that the second leg stand 16 may pivot from a parallel position to a maximum distance from the first leg stand 12 and stop.
In certain embodiments, the C-face pillow 36 may be a telescoping C-face pillow 36. Therefore, the height of the first leg stand 12 may be adjustable. In certain embodiments, the first leg stand 12 includes a hollow body forming an opening at the top end and an inner tubing 26 that fits within the opening. The C-face pillow 36 may be attached to the inner tubing 26. The inner tubing 26 may be in a fixed position, and may be in a moveable position to adjust the height of the first leg stand 12. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a tube clamp 18. The tube clamp 18 may include a knob 38 connected to a clamp ring 40. The tube clamp 18 may be attached within the first leg stand 12 and the knob 38 may extend from a tub clamp slot 42. The knob 38 may be turned to expand and contract the clamp ring 40. The inner tubing 26 may fit through the clamp ring 40. Therefore, the knob 38 may be rotated to locked position so that the inner tubing is fixed within the first leg stand 12. The knob 38 may be rotated in an unlocked position so that the inner tubing 26 is moveable within the first leg stand 12 and therefore may be adjusted.
In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a cradle base 34. The cradle base 34 may be a rigid plate conforming to the shape of the C-face pillow 36. The C-face pillow 36 may be attached to the cradle base 34 for support. In certain embodiments, the C-face pillow 36 may be removeably attachable to the cradle base 34. Therefore, the C-face pillow 36 may easily be exchanged and cleaned. In certain embodiments, the C-face pillow 36 is attached to the cradle base by a hook and loop fastener 54. However, the C-face pillow 34 may be releasably attached to the to the cradle base 34 by other devices, such as snaps, clips, ties and the like.
In certain embodiments, the C-face pillow 36 may be pivotally attached to the top end of the first leg stand 12. For example, the cradle base 34 may be pivotally attached to the inner tubing 26. In such embodiments, an angle clamp 30 may be attached to the inner tubing 26 by an inner tubing re-enforcement sleeve 28 and angle bar bolts 48. The cradle base 34 may be pivotally attached to the angle clamp 30 by hinges 32. The hinges 32 may attach to the cradle base 34 by rivets 50, and the hinges 32 may be attached to the angle clamp 30 by rivets 52. The cradle base 34 may pivot along the angle bar 30. Therefore, the angle bar 30 limits the pivoting range of the cradle base 34 to around 90 degrees.
In certain embodiments, the bottom ends of the first leg stand 12 and the second leg stand 14 may be easily taken apart. Each of the bottom ends may include a tee support 20 having two side openings and a top opening. The leg stands 12, 14 may extend from the top openings of the tee support 20. Legs 22 may attach to and extend from the side openings. A plurality of caps 24 may attach to the ends of the legs 22.
Due to the pivoting C-face pillow 36 and the pivoting second leg stand 14, the present invention may be easily expanded for use and contracted for storage. As illustrated in
The C-face pillow 36 may be pivoted so that a user 58 may place their head on the C-face pillow 36. When the message has been completed, the second leg stand 14 may be pivoted towards the first leg stand 12, and the C-face pillow 36 may be pivoted upward, and thereby substantially parallel to the first leg stand 12. In the contracted state, the present invention may be easily placed under a user's bed 56.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/814,021, filed Apr. 19, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61814021 | Apr 2013 | US |
