MOVEMENT PROVIDING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to bodily movement systems, including body supports adapted to provide motion to one's body during sexual intercourse.

BACKGROUND

Sexual intercourse has been enjoyed by human beings since the beginning of time. However, as is known, the physical exertion involved with the activity oftentimes requires stamina and a wide range of movement.

However, people with disabilities and/or other limiting physical conditions may not be able to partake in such a physical activity, and as such, may miss out on the pleasures and intimacy associated with sexual intercourse.

Accordingly, there is a need for a movement system that provides the motions associated with sexual intercourse for those who may require such assistance.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, one or more embodiments are provided below for a movement providing system. The movement providing system may include a support assembly including an upper surface and a lower surface defining an inner volume therebetween, and a controllable movement assembly configured at least partially within the inner volume and adapted to provide upward and/or downward movement to the upper surface and/or to the lower surface, wherein the support assembly is adapted to be placed against a user's body during sexual intercourse.

In another embodiment, the support assembly includes a proximal end and a distal end, and the movement providing system further comprises a back support coupled to the proximal end and extending laterally therefrom.

In another embodiment, the upper surface and/or the lower surface includes at least one concave and/or convex curvature extending between the proximal end and the distal end.

In another embodiment, the back support includes a rectangular cuboid shape.

In another embodiment, the support assembly includes a first height, and the back support includes a second height, and the second height substantially matches the first height.

In another embodiment, the back support is coupled to the proximal end at a pivot point about which the upper surface is adapted to rotate.

In another embodiment, the controllable movement assembly includes a rotary motion to linear motion translation mechanism.

In another embodiment, the rotary motion to linear motion translation mechanism includes at least one of a cam and follower mechanism, a slider-crank linkage, a Scotch yoke mechanism, and a rack and pinion mechanism.

In another embodiment, the controllable movement assembly includes at least one of a scissor lift, a hydraulic lift, a pneumatic lift, and a jackscrew lift.

In another embodiment, the controllable movement assembly includes at least one control mechanism adapted to enable user control of at least one parameter of the controllable movement assembly.

In another embodiment, the at least one parameter of the controllable movement assembly includes at least one of movement frequency, movement range, and movement speed.

In another embodiment, the at least one control mechanism includes at least one of a dial, a button, a slider, and a graphical user interface.

In another embodiment, a first length of the support assembly from the support assembly's proximal end to its distal end is about 8″-18″ and a second length of the back support from a coupling point between the support assembly and the back support to an end of the back support opposite the coupling point is about 12″-36″.

In another embodiment, the first length is about 12″-14″ and the second length is about 14″-24″.

In another embodiment, the upper surface of the support assembly is adapted to transition sequentially from a first upper position to a first lower position to a second upper position as the controllable movement assembly provides upward and/or downward movement to the upper surface and/or to the lower surface.

In another embodiment, a first height of the first upper position is equal to a second height of the second upper position.

In another embodiment, a first height of the first upper position is unequal to a second height of the second upper position.

In another embodiment, the support assembly is adapted to support a user's buttocks and the back support is adapted to support a user's back during sexual intercourse.

In another embodiment, the upward and/or downward movement includes a smooth periodic oscillation.

In another embodiment, the controllable movement assembly is controlled using a mobile application.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a movement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a movement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 3 shows a series of schematic side views of a movement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 4 shows a cam and follower mechanism according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of a movement providing system according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of a movement providing system and a control panel according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 7A shows a schematic side views of a support assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 7B shows a schematic side views of a support assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of a support assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof; and

FIG. 9 shows a movement providing system including a back support according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, a motorized movement providing system for use during sexual intercourse is provided. The movement providing system is preferably portable and designed to be placed under the lower back, buttocks or other portion of an individual engaged in sexual intercourse. The system includes a padded exterior body configured with an internal motor that extends and subsequently lowers the upper surface of the system continuously up and down to provide the required movement for the activity. In this way, the system may enable fatigued persons and/or persons with disabilities or lower back pain to engage in sexual intercourse by providing the required motion.

In one exemplary embodiment hereof, as shown in FIG. 1, the movement providing system 10 includes a movement assembly 100, and a support assembly 200. In general, the support assembly 200 is adapted to support a person's body and the movement assembly 100 is adapted to provide a controllable movement (e.g., up-and-down) to the support assembly 200. The movement support system 10 also may include other elements and/or components as necessary to perform its functionalities.

Note that the assemblies 100 and 200 are depicted as basic shapes to represent the general configuration of the assemblies 100, 200 with respect to one another. However, it is understood that the representations do not necessarily represent the size, shape and/or form of the assemblies 100, 200 nor the proportional sizes of the assemblies 100, 200 with respect to one another. These details will be described in other sections.

Movement Assembly 100

In some embodiments hereof as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the movement assembly 100 generates a motion and applies the motion to the support assembly 200. In some embodiments, the motion may include any type(s) of motion such as, without limitation, (i) linear motion, (ii) rotary motion, (iii) reciprocating motion, (iv) oscillating motion, (v) other types of motion, and (vi) any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the movement assembly 100 includes a base 102, a motion generator 104, and an upper support 106. In general, the base 102 provides foundational support to the motion generator 104, and the motion generator 104 provides motion to the upper support 106 relative to the base 102. While this specification may describe the motion provided by the motion generator 104 primarily as being provided to the upper support 106, it is understood that the motion may be provided to both the upper support 106 and the base 102 relative to one another. In this way, the movement assembly 100 may be functional regardless of its orientation as will be described in other sections.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, the movement assembly 100 may provide up-and-down movement to the upper support 106 in the direction of the arrow A along the Y-axis as shown. In these embodiments (as will be described in detail in other sections), the upper support 106 may include one or more support and guide members to direct the upper support 106 in the desired direction.

In other embodiments as shown in FIG. 2, the upper support 106 may rotate about a pivot point 107 as the movement assembly 100 provides its movement.

In one example as shown in FIG. 3, the movement assembly 100 may begin in an extended configuration with a height H₁as shown at (1). The movement assembly 100 may then retract in the direction of arrow B to a height H₂as shown at (2). The movement assembly 100 may then extend in the direction of arrow C to a height H₃shown at (3). Accordingly, the movement assembly 100 may provide a downward movement to upper support 106 between (1) and (2), and a subsequent upward movement between (2) and (3). This patterned motion may continue thereby providing an up-and-down motion to the upper support 106 as the movement pattern repeats (cycles). Note that the heights H₁, H₂, and H₃may be controllable and that the height H₃may or may not equal the height H₁. In addition, the heights H₁, H₂, and H₃may be variable and may not be consistent from cycle to cycle. This will be described in other sections. While the architecture of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 generally corresponds to the architecture of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it is understood that the architecture of the embodiment of FIG. 2 also may be caused to move in a generally up and down direction using the movement assembly 100.

In some embodiments such as that shown in FIG. 4, the movement assembly 100 may provide movement to the upper support 106 in other directions that may be at different angles (offset angles) with respect to the vertical (e.g., in the directions of arrowed lines D-D′ and/or E-E′). Note that while angled arrow lines D-D′ and E-E′ may be shown in the drawing in FIG. 3 as generally offset at approximately 45° with respect to lines A-A′, the lines D-D′ and E-E′ may be offset at any angles or any combinations of angles with respect to arrowed lines A-A′. While the arrowed lines in FIG. 3 show four generally opposing directions (A-A′, D-D′, E-E′, F-F′), those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand that any directions or number of directions are possible. Furthermore, the angles between the arrowed lines in FIG. 3 are not necessarily to scale or representative of actual angles.

In some embodiments, the motion generator 104 may include any type of motion generating mechanism that is capable of providing the desired motion to the upper support 106 as described herein or otherwise. The motion generator 104 may be battery powered (preferably rechargeable), plugged into an electrical outlet to receive power, may utilize other types of power sources, and any combinations thereof.

For example, in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, the motion generator 104 may include a motor 108 that provides rotary motion, and one or more motion translation mechanisms 111 adapted to translate the rotary motion into reciprocating (oscillating) motion and to provide the reciprocating motion to the upper support 106.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, the motion translation mechanism 111 may include a cam-and-follower mechanism 110. The cam-and-follower mechanism 110 may include a cam 112 coupled to a rotating crankshaft 114 provided by the motor 108, and a follower 116 configured to engage the cam 112 and follow its peripheral shape as the cam 112 rotates about its center of rotation 118, thereby moving up and down. The cam 112 and follower 116 may be configured in-line, radial, offset, and/or in any other suitable configurations. The follower 116 may include any type of follower including, without limitation, (i) a flat follower, (ii) a point follower, (iii) a roller (as shown in FIG. 5), (iv) a mushroom follower, (v) other types of followers, and (vi) any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the cam 112 may include a slot within which the follower 116 may be engaged.

In some embodiments, the motion translation mechanism 111 may include a slider-crank linkage adapted to translate the rotary motion into reciprocating motion. The slider-crank linkage may include one or more cranks, slider links, rams, slotted bar links, and/or other elements as known in the art.

In other embodiments, the motion translation mechanism 111 may include one or more Scotch yoke mechanisms adapted to translate the rotary motion to reciprocating motion.

In other embodiments, the motion translation mechanism 111 may include one or more rack and pinion mechanisms adapted to translate the rotary motion to reciprocating motion.

It is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable type of motion translation mechanism 111 may be used to translate the rotary motion to reciprocating motion, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of motion translation mechanism(s) 111 that it may include.

As is known in the art, the shape and orientations of the elements that comprise the various motion translation mechanism(s) 111 described herein or otherwise may be chosen to provide a desired periodic motion. Using the cam-and-follower mechanism 110 as an example, the peripheral shape of the cam 112 may be chosen to provide a specific periodic motion profile. For example, in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, the cam 112 may include an oval shaped cam 112. However, it is understood that the cam 112 may include any shaped cam 112 (depending on the type(s) of periodic motions desired), such as, without limitation, (i) circular (e.g., round), (ii) oval, (iii) pear shaped, (iv) snail or drop shaped, (v) heart shaped, (vi) egg shaped, (vii) eccentric, (viii) elliptical, (ix) polygon shaped (e.g., hexagon shaped), (x) star shaped, (xi) shaped to include one or more negative radiuses, (xii) any other type of shape, and (xiii) any combinations thereof. In this way, the cam 112 may be designed to provide the specific type of periodic motion desired by the users of the system 10. For example, a cam 112 may be shaped to provide a smooth and slow transition when changing directions and a faster movement therebetween, or faster and more abrupt direction-changing transitions with a slower movement therebetween. It is understood that the cam 112 may be shaped to provide any type of movement profile and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the shape(s) of the cam(s) 112. The size of the cam 112 may be chosen to provide the desired range of motion (e.g., the stroke), e.g., the heights H₁, H₂, and H₃of FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the motion generator 104 includes a plurality of interchangeable motion translation mechanisms 111 that may be chosen during use of the system 10 to provide different and distinct periodic motion profiles. Using the cam-and-follower mechanism 110 as an example, in some embodiments, the cam-and-follower mechanism 110 includes a plurality of interchangeable cam 112 and corresponding follower 116 pairs, with each cam 112 preferably including a different shape in order to provide a different periodic motion to the upper support 106. In this way, e.g., the cam-and-follower mechanism 110 may interchange a first cam 112 and follower 116 pair with a second cam 112 and follower 116 pair. The first cam 112 profile is preferably distinctly different from the second cam 112 profile (e.g., eccentric vs. oval) such that the two cam 112 and follower 116 pairs provide distinctly different periodic motions to the upper support 106. Accordingly, by swapping different cam 112 and follower 116 pairs, the cam-and-follower mechanism 110 may enable the user to change or otherwise control the periodic motion provided by the motion generator 104 and therefore by the overall system 10. While it is preferable that the interchanging of the different cam 112 and follower 116 pairs be controllable by the user during use (e.g., in real time via an electronic control mechanism as described in other sections), it is understood that the interchanging of the different cam 112 and follower 116 pairs may be performed manually or by any other suitable action(s). To engage with and/or disengage from the upper support 106, the various cam 112 and follower 116 pairs may be raised and/or lowered, moved to the side, or otherwise repositioned as required.

It is understood that the example described above with relation to the cam-and-follower mechanism 110 is meant for demonstration and that the motion generator 104 may include a plurality of any type of interchangeable motion translation mechanisms 111 that may be chosen during use of the system 10 to provide different and distinct periodic motion profiles.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, the motion generator 104 (e.g., the motion translation mechanism 111 such as a cam-and-follower mechanism 110) includes a guide 120 configured to support and direct the motion provided by the motion generator 104 in a particular direction. For example, in some embodiments, the guide 120 may support and direct the follower 116 in a generally vertical up-and-down direction as depicted by the arrow L in FIG. 5. However, it is understood that the guide 120 may be oriented to direct and support the movement of the follower 116 in any desired direction (e.g., in the directions described in relation to FIG. 4).

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, the motion generator 104 (e.g., the motion translation mechanism 111 such as a cam-and-follower mechanism 110) includes a dampening mechanism 122 (e.g., a spring) configured with the follower 116 and/or with the guide 120 to provide dampening (softening) to the overall movement provided by the motion generator 104. This may enable the system 10 to provide a less abrupt and more gentle motion as desired.

In other embodiments, the motion generator 104 may include one or more scissor lift systems, one or more hydraulic lift systems, one or more a pneumatic lift systems, one or more jackscrew lift systems, other types of lift systems and any combinations thereof. The lift systems may be adapted to lift and lower the upper support 106 relative to the base 102 as required by the system 10. In some embodiments, the motion generator 104 also may include one or more levers each with a fulcrum to provide lift to the load (e.g., to the person's body).

It is understood that the motion generator 104 may include any type(s) of mechanical mechanism(s) that may provide movement, preferably continual and/or repeating up-and-down movement, to the upper support 106 as required. It also is understood that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the type of motion generator(s) 104 employed by the system 10.

In some embodiments, the movement assembly 100 is controllable with regards to the type(s) of movements provided at any moment in time. In some embodiments, the following parameters of the movement may be controlled, without limitation: (i) the frequency, period, and speed of the movements, (ii) the timing of the movements, (iii) the range of motion of the movements (e.g., the stroke), (iv) the angle of the movements (as shown in FIG. 4), (v) other parameters associated with the movements, and (vi) any combinations thereof. In this regard, the movement assembly 100 may include a controller and control panel 124 (as described below) and implement the commands to the motion generator 104.

In some embodiments, the motion generator 104 may provide a smooth periodic oscillation (e.g., sinusoidal), a non-smooth periodic oscillation, a non-periodic oscillation, random motions, one or more programable motions, other types of motions and any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the up-and-down range of motion of the motion generator 104 (e.g., H₁-H₂of FIG. 2) is about 1″-12″, or preferably 3″-8″, or more preferably about 4″-6″.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, the system 10 may include a controller and control panel 124 including control mechanisms 126 (knobs, buttons, sliders, etc.) that may be used to control the various controllable parameters of the system 10 (e.g., the motion generator 104 as described above). In one embodiment, the controller and control panel 124 may be integrated into the body of the system 10 and made available on a surface of the support assembly 200. In another embodiment, the controller and control panel 124 may include a standalone console that may extend from the support assembly 200 (via an extendable cable or wire), or a wireless console that may pair with the movement assembly 100 wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and/or using other types of pairing protocols.

In other embodiments, the control panel 124 may include a virtual control panel integrated into a graphical user interface (GUI) and provided on a mobile application that may be loaded onto and run from the user's electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet computer, etc.). In this embodiment, the system 10 may include the mobile application, a cloud server, and other elements necessary to provide the mobile application and its functionalities.

In any event, the control panel 124 may generally receive one or more commands from the user to adjust one or more parameters of the motion generator 104, and subsequently use its controller to implement the control commands to the motion generator 104. In this way, the user(s) of the system 10 may have easy access to the control panel 124 and may adjust the motions of the system 10 during use.

In some embodiments, the control panel 124 may be programmable such that the user, e.g., via the GUI on the mobile application, may program the motion generator 104 to perform a defined sequence of movements. For example, the motion generator 104 may be programed to provide a series of six 3″ thrusts, followed by a slower 4″ thrust, followed by an even slower 6″ thrust. In some examples, the different sized thrusts may be provided by interchanging different cam 112 and follower 116 pairs as described in other sections, and the speed and/or frequency of the thrusts may be determined by the speed of the motor 108 (see FIG. 4). It is understood that this example is meant for demonstration and that the motion generator 104 may be programmed to provide any sequence of motions, and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the types of motions that the motion generator 104 may be programmed to provide.

In some embodiments, the control panel 124 may be voice controlled so that the user(s) may speak commands that the control panel 124 may receive (e.g., via a microphone) and subsequently implement. For example, a user may instruct the control panel 124 to speed up the motion provided by the motion generator 104 by speaking the command “faster” or slow down the movement by speaking the command “slower”. It is understood that the examples provided are meant for demonstration and that the user may control the motion generator 104 by using any desired spoken commands.

Support Assembly 200

In some embodiments as shown in the side-view cross-sections of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the support assembly 200 may include a body 202 with a left side 203, a right side 205, a distal end 207, a proximal end 209, and an upper surface 204 and a lower surface 206 defining an inner volume 208 within which at least a portion of the movement assembly 100 may be configured.

In some embodiments, the body 202 of the support assembly includes a flexible shell 210 (e.g., fabric, rubber, etc.) that may accommodate the movement provided by the movement assembly 100. For example, the body 202 may be adapted to expand upward when the movement assembly 100 provides an upward expanding movement, and subsequently contract when the movement assembly 100 provides a downward contracting movement. In this way, the body 202 of the support assembly 200 may generally expand and contract in unison with the motion provided by the movement assembly 100.

In some embodiments, the body 202 includes padding on its upper surface 204, on its lower surface 206, and/or on any other surface. In this way, the body 202 may resemble a cushion and/or a pillow. The padding may include foam, memory foam, rubber, stuffing, other types of padding and any combinations thereof.

The upper surface 204 may include a flat surface (see FIG. 1), and/or may include one or more curvatures (FIGS. 7A and 7B). In some embodiments, the upper surface 204 may include one or more convex curvatures (FIG. 7A) extending from its proximal end 209 to its distal end 207 and/or from its left side 203 to its right side 205. In other embodiments, the upper surface 204 may include one or more concave curvatures (FIG. 7B) extending from its proximal end 209 to its distal end 207 and/or from its left side 203 to its right side 205. These curvatures may be adapted to receive portions of the user's body (e.g., his/her buttocks or lower back) to provide further comfort and support. It also is understood that the upper surface 204 may include any combination of flat surfaces, convex curvatures, concave curvatures, other types of curvatures, and any combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the lower surface 206 may be generally flat to provide support to the assembly's body 202. In other embodiments, the lower surface 206 may include one or more curvatures similar to those described above in relation to the upper surface 204. In this way, the support assembly 200 may be turned over so that the lower surface 206 may become a usable upper surface. In some embodiments, the upper surface 204 includes different curvatures than the lower surface 206 so the assembly 200 may provide different curvatures of support depending on the orientation of its body 202. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the upper surface 204 may include a convex curvature and the lower surface 206 may include a concave curvature. In this way, the body 202 may be used right-side-up to provide an upper convex curvature or flipped over upside-down to provide an upper concave curvature.

It is preferred that the curvatures of the upper surface 204 and/or of the lower surface 206 are chosen to provide comfortable support to the body portion of the user to which the surfaces 204, 206 may provide support. For example, in some embodiments, the support assembly 200 may be adapted to be placed under the buttocks of the user, and in such a case, a concave upper surface 206 may be preferable to receive the convex curvature of the user's buttocks. In another example, the support assembly 200 may be adapted to be placed under the user's lower back, and in such a case, a flat or convex upper surface 206 may be preferable to support the user's lower back.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the upper support 106 may include a curvature that generally matches the upper curvature of the body's upper surface 204. For example, the upper support 106 may include a convex curvature to complement a convex curvature of the upper surface 204 (FIG. 7A) or a concave curvature to complement a concave curvature of that upper surface 204 (FIG. 7B). However, this may not be necessary.

The size of the support assembly 200 may be chosen to accommodate a user's body as described herein. For example, the body 202 of the support assembly 200 may be about 6″-2′ in length, 6″-2′ in width, and about 4″-12″ tall. In other embodiments, the body 202 may be about 8″-12″ in length, 12″-18″ in width, and about 6″-8″ tall. It is understood the dimensions provided above are meant for demonstration and that the assembly 200 may include any dimensions as necessary to perform its functionalities.

In some embodiments, the support assembly 200 is adapted to be placed on a generally horizontal surface with either its lower surface 206 or its upper surface 204 (upside-down) facing down. In this configuration, the system 10 may generally provide vertical (and/or angular) up-and-down motion to the user. For example, the support assembly 200 may be placed on the top of a bed, on the top of a massage table, or on any other generally horizontal surface and the user may place his/her body on top of the system's upper surface 204.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 9, the support assembly 200 includes a back support portion 212 (comprising memory foam, pillow materials, and/or other types of padding) coupled to a side (e.g., the proximal end 209) of the support assembly's 200's body 202 and generally extending laterally away therefrom. The height 114 of the back support portion 212 is chosen to generally correspond to the height of the support assembly 200 when in its lower position (e.g., the height 112 of FIG. 3). In this way, a user may lay with his/her back (represented by line I in FIG. 9) resting on the back support portion 212 and his/her buttocks (represented by line J in FIG. 9) resting against the upper surface 204 of the support assembly's 200's body 202. The back support portion 212 elevates the user's back to be generally even with the support assembly 200 (when in its lower position) thereby eliminating discomfort to the user caused by an unevenness between his/her back and his/her buttocks during use of the system 10. In this embodiment, the upper surface 204 may be caused to rotate up and down in the direction of the arrow K about the rotation point 214 by the movement assembly 100. It is understood that a portion of the movement assembly 100 may be located within the back support portion 212 and/or within the support assembly 200 as required given size requirements.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 9, the height 114 of the back support portion 212 is about 3″-6″ tall (as is the height of the support assembly 200 when in its lower position) and the height H₅of the support assembly 200 is about 7″-10″ tall when in its upper position.

In some embodiments, the back support portion 212 is detachable from the side of the assembly's 200's body 202 while in other embodiments the back support portion 212 is fixedly attached to the assembly's 200's body 202.

In some embodiments, the length of the assembly's 200's body 202 from its proximal end 209 to its distal end 207 is about 8″-18″, and preferably about 10″-16″, and more preferably about 12″-14″. In some embodiments, the length of the back support portion 212 from its coupling location with the assembly's 200's body 202 (its proximal end 209) to its side opposite the coupling location is about 12″-36″, and preferably about 18″-30″, and more preferably about 14″-24″.

In some embodiments, the support assembly 200 and/or the back support portion 212 includes weighted material (e.g., sand, metal beads, etc.) within a lower portion of an inner volume to provide further stability to the system 10.

In other embodiments, the support assembly 200 is adapted to be mounted on a vertical surface such as a wall or door to provide generally horizontal (and/or angular) motion to the users. The upper surface 204 and/or the lower surface 206 may include mounting members (e.g., brackets) that may be coupled to the wall. In this configuration, a standing user may lean his/her back or front against the outward facing surface (e.g., the body's upper surface 204 or lower surface 206 depending on what surface is configured with the wall) to receive the motion.

It is understood that the assembly 200 may be positioned in any orientation in conjunction with any oriented surface and that the scope of the system 10 is not limited in any way by the surface on which the system 10 is configured for use.

In some embodiments, the support assembly 200 and the overall system 10 may be waterproof for use in a jacuzzi or bathtub.

In some embodiments, the system 10 may include one or more vibrating mechanisms to provide a vibration to the body's upper surface 204 and/or lower surface 206.

In some embodiments, the system 10 may include one or more straps configured to secure a user to the system 10 (e.g., to the support assembly 200). For example, the support assembly 200 may include a strap configured to extend around a user's waist or thighs to generally secure the upper surface 204 to the user's lower back and/or buttocks region.

In some embodiments, the movement assembly 100 is designed to lift the weight of a human body as described herein. For example, the movement assembly 100 may be designed to lift and lower 100 lbs to 300 lbs.

It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any embodiment of the system 10 described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way with any other aspect and/or element of any other embodiment to form additional embodiments of the system 10 all of which are within the scope of the system 10.

Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.

As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”

In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.

It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.

As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.

It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

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