Patent Application
20050245851
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to massagers, particularly to portable body massagers.
2. Background Art
The prior art includes body massagers provided within chairs, as well as in portable cushions. These prior art body massagers commonly include a track or guide for moving a massage assembly longitudinally within the chair or cushion. The prior art body massagers are relatively complex and utilize many components, thereby requiring sufficient structure to support the massager and limiting the portability of the massager. Due to the complexities of conventional body massagers, a consumer's ability to procure such massagers is limited due to value and affordability.
For example, many prior art body massagers include a complex guide system and frame thereby requiring a housing that is sufficiently robust, such as a chair. Many prior art body massagers require two motors, one for translating the massage mechanism, and the other for imparting the massage effect from the massage mechanism. Accordingly, these drawbacks of the prior art add both cost and weight to the prior art body massagers.
A goal of the present invention is to provide a simplified body massager having improvements in massage function, portability and cost in view of the prior art.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a body massager comprising a portable housing having an external contact surface for receiving a portion of a body of a user. A longitudinal guide is mounted in the housing; and a carriage is oriented in the housing and cooperating with the guide for limited longitudinal translation. A motor is supported by the carriage or the housing for translating the carriage along the guide. A pair of massage members are supported by the carriage for rotation relative to the carriage. The massage members extend out of the housing through an aperture formed through the body contacting surface for providing a massage effect to the user.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable body massager comprising a longitudinal backrest housing having an external surface sized to receive a back of a user thereon. A longitudinal guide is mounted in the backrest housing. A carriage is oriented in the backrest housing and cooperating with the guide. A motor is supported by one of the carriage and the backrest housing that is operably coupled to the other of the carriage and the backrest housing for translating the carriage along the guide. Massage members are supported by the carriage for rotation relative to the carriage, and extend out of the housing through an aperture formed to the body contacting surface for imparting a massage effect upon the back of the user as the carriage is translated relative to the backrest housing. A seat support housing is sized to seat the user thereon and is pivotally connected to the backrest housing at a longitudinal end of the backrest housing. A massager is oriented within the seat support housing for imparting another massage effect to the user.
The above aspects and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying brief description of the drawings.
With reference to
Massage effects provided by the body massager 10 include a kneading massage effect provided in the backrest support 12, which is operable to provide the kneading massage effect longitudinally along the length of the backrest region 12. The seat support region 14 provides a vibratory massage effect to the user seated thereupon.
The backrest region 12 is sized to be received upon a backrest of a conventional chair. Likewise, the seat support region 14 is sized to be received upon a seat support of a conventional chair. Additionally, the body massager 10 is portable due to its compact size and light weight so that the user may place the body massager 10 upon a conventional chair for receiving a massage when seated upon the chair. The adjustability of the included angle between the backrest region 12 and the seat support region 14 accommodates a wide range of angles that may be incorporated in conventional chairs.
The backrest region 12 includes a height and width corresponding to the conventional chair and has a thickness that is adequate for housing the massager assembly therein while avoiding disruption of comfort and support provided by the underlying chair. Likewise, the seat support region 14 has a width and a depth corresponding to that of the conventional seat support and has a thickness that is adequate for housing the associated massager assembly while avoiding disruption of comfort and support provided by the underlying chair. Additionally, the backrest region 12 includes a pair of straps 20 mounted from its lateral sides for securing the body massager 10 to the conventional chair. The straps 20 each include one of a hook and loop material for securing the straps 20 about the backrest of the conventional chair. Of course, any engagement mechanism is contemplated, such as a belt buckle, a clip or the like.
By way of example, the backrest region 12 has a height of approximately twenty-five inches, an overall width of approximately eighteen inches, and a thickness of approximately two and a half inches. Also, by way of example, the seat support region 14 has a width of approximately sixteen and a half inches, a depth of approximately fourteen and a half inches, and a thickness of approximately one and three quarter inches. Of course, the invention contemplates that the body massager may have dimensions adequate to be received by any conventional chair. However, the dimensions of the preferred embodiment are suitable for most conventional chairs.
The seat support region 14 includes a seating surface 22 provided thereon for receiving the user when seated. The backrest region 12 includes a backrest surface 24 for receiving and supporting the back of the user thereupon. The massage assemblies of the backrest region 12 and the seat support region 14 impart the respective massage effects through the backrest surface 24 and seating surface 22 respectively. The cover 16 includes a removable flap 26 mounted to the backrest region 12 along the backrest surface 24. The flap 26 is removably attached by hook and loop material so that the user may remove the flap 26 and expose a woven fabric (not shown). The flexible material of the flap 26 includes dampening characteristics which reduce the massage effect imparted to the backrest surface 24. Accordingly, the user may remove the flap 26 to increase the massage intensity.
The body massager further includes a remote 28 connected thereto for controlling the operations of the massager 10. The cover 16 has a pocket 30 mounted to a lateral side of the seat support region 14. The pocket 30 has an opening provided in its rearward end so that the remote 28 may be conveniently retained when not in use.
With reference now to
The guide 41 of the lower housing portion 34 further comprises a pair of longitudinal rails 56, 56′ provided within the lower housing portion 34 and extending upward therefrom. A pair of keyways 58, 58′ are formed longitudinally through the carriage 40. The keyways 58,58′ are sized to receive the rails 56, 56′, respectively. The cooperation of the rails 56, 56′ and keyways 58, 58′ provides transverse guidance and support to the carriage 40 as it translates along the guide 41. The carriage 40 includes a plurality of roller bearings 60, which are each pivotally connected to the carriage 48 and are offset from the keyways 58, 58′ and adjacent thereto for engaging a bearing surface provide upon each rail 56, 56′. As the carriage 40 translates along the guide 41, the carriage 40 is bearingly supported by the roller bearings 60 as they engage the surfaces provided by the rails 56, 56′.
The lower housing portion 34 includes a series of ribs 62 formed therein for providing cross support to the lower housing portion 34 and the gibs 42, 44, 46, 52. Accordingly, the two piece housing 32, 34 provides both a housing and a structural frame for the massager assembly 38. Both housing portions 32, 34 are each formed from an injection molding process or the like to provide low weight, yet rigid structural members. Additionally, the upper gib 42, central gib 44, lower gib 46 and rails 56, 56′ are integrally formed with the lower housing portion 34 thereby enhancing rigidity and structural cooperation therebetween and minimizing costs in components and assembly.
The upper housing portion 32 has a peripheral contour that exceeds the overall dimensions of the lower housing portion 34. This feature is to provide broad lateral support to the user that is distributed directly to the lower housing portion 34. A pair of lateral cushions 64, 64′ are each adhered to lateral undersides of the upper housing portion 32 to provide an overall thickness of the two piece housing that is generally uniform. Additionally, another cushion (not shown) is provided within the cover 16 and attached therein. The cushion is oriented to engage the top side of the upper housing portion 32 about its periphery for providing padded comfort and support to the user as the user rests its back against the backrest surface 24. The cushion is provided within the cover 16 rather than being adhered atop the upper housing portion 32 to permit access to the fasteners 36 that fasten the housing portions 32, 34 together.
The massage assembly 38 includes a motor 66, which is mounted to the carriage 40 and retained by a cover plate 68. The cover plate 68 and the carriage 40 collectively define a motor mount for the motor 66 and are fastened together by a plurality of fasteners 70. The motor 66 is operable to impart a massage effect from the massage assembly 38 and translate the carriage 40 along the guide 41 of the lower housing portion 34. The motor 66 includes a motor output shaft 72 extending from the motor 66 and driven thereby. A worm 74 is provided on the motor output shaft 72 and fixed relative to the shaft by a fastener 76. The worm 74 drives a pair of worm gears 78, 78′ in opposed rotational directions. Each worm gear 78, 78′ is secured to a gear shaft 80, 80′ by a fastener 82, 82′. The gear shafts 80, 80′ are each rotatably connected to the carriage 40 and the cover plate 68 so that the worm 74 drives the worm gear 78, 78′ in opposite rotary directions relative one another in a reduced rotation from that of the motor 66. The gear shafts 80, 80′ extend in direction z, which is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction y and the transverse direction x.
Each gear shaft 80, 80′ extends through the cover plate 68 and receives a massage bracket 84, 84′, which are each fastened to the respective gear shaft 80, 80′ by a fastener 86, 86′. The massage brackets 84, 84′ are transversley spaced about the longitudinal axis yL. Each massage bracket 84, 84′ includes a first massage hemispherical node 88, 88′ and a second hemispherical massage node 90, 90′ mounted to the respective bracket.
The gear shafts 80, 80′ are oriented perpendicular to the guide 41 and extend in the z direction towards the backrest surface 24. The massage nodes 88, 88′, 90, 90′ each rotate relative to the respective massage bracket 84, 84′ about an axis that is offset from that of the respective gear shaft 80, 80′. The massage nodes 88, 88′, 90, 90′ extend through a corresponding aperture 92, 92′ formed through the housing upper portion 32 for imparting the massage effect to the user through the cover 16. As the massage nodes 88, 88′, 90, 90′ revolve around the corresponding gear shaft 80, 80′ a rotary kneading massage effect is imparted upon the user, which is commonly referred to as a Shiatsu massage.
Each massage node 88, 88′, 90, 90′ is rotatably connected to the corresponding massage bracket 84, 84′ to reduce friction generated in the rotary kneading massage effect. Further, each massage node 88, 88′, 90, 90′ is axially translatable relative to the corresponding massage bracket 84, 84′ and is urged to an extended position in the z direction by a spring (not shown) retained between the corresponding massage node 88, 88′, 90, 90′ and the respective massage bracket 84, 84′. The springs cause the massage nodes 88, 88′, 90, 90′ to extend and engage the user, yet permit the respective massage node 88, 88′, 90, 90′ to be urged to a retracted position upon a load provided by the user resting thereagainst thereby enhancing the kneading massage effect by adding axial compliancy to the operation of the rotary massage effect.
Additionally, the first massage nodes 88, 88′ have an overall height in the z direction greater than that of the second massage nodes 90, 90′ to extend further from the corresponding massage brackets 84, 84′. The first massage nodes 88, 88′ also have a diameter greater than that of the second massage nodes 90, 90′. These variations are utilized for varying the engagement of the rotary kneading effect with the user, resulting in a kneading effect that is nonsymmetrical and similar to a massage provided by the hands of a skilled massage therapist.
The apertures 92, 92′ formed through the upper housing portion 32 are generally elongate for permitting the massage nodes 88, 88′, 90, 90′ to pass therethrough as the carriage 40 is translated relative to the guide 41. Further, the cover plate 68 includes a roller bearing 94 pivotally connected thereto for engaging an underside bearing surface formed within the upper housing portion 32, thus providing bearing support between the carriage 40 and the upper housing portion 32. Accordingly, loading imparted upon the backrest surface 24 is translated through the upper housing portion 32 to the carriage 40 through roller bearing 94, to the lower housing portion 34 through the roller bearings 60 for providing bearing support therebetween and preventing such loading from inhibiting the translation of the carriage 40 along the guide 41.
A first pinion gear 96 is mounted upon gear shaft 80′ between the worm gear 78′ and the carriage 40 for being driven by rotation imparted upon the worm gear 78′. A first reduction gear 98 is rotatably mounted upon an intermediate shaft 100 that is supported by the carriage 40 for rotation about an axis in the z direction. A second pinion gear 102 is secured to the first reduction gear 98 and driven by the rotation imparted upon the first reduction gear 98. The second pinion gear 102 is engaged with a second reduction gear 104. The second reduction gear 104 is rotatably coupled to the carriage 40 about a shaft 106, which is supported between the carriage 40 and the cover plate 68 for rotation about an axis in the z direction. A third pinion gear 108 is secured to the second reduction gear 104 and oriented about the shaft 106 between the second reduction gear 104 and the carriage 40. The third pinion gear 108 is engaged to a gear rack 110 formed along the retainer gib 52.
The worm 74, worm gear 78′, first pinion gear 96, first reduction gear 98, second pinion gear 102, second reduction gear 104, third pinion gear 108 and gear rack 110 provide a transmission such that rotation from the motor output shaft 72 experiences three stages of reduction for reduced rotation of the third pinion gear 108 relative to the motor output shaft 72 and two stages of reduction relative to the massage nodes 88, 88′, 90, 90′. Since the rack 110 is fixed relative to the guide 41, rotation of the third pinion 108 translates the carriage 40 along the guide 41. Accordingly, the rotation of the motor output shaft 72 results in both a rotary kneading massage effect and translation of the carriage along the guide due to the engagement with the gear rack 110.
Due to the translation of the carriage 40 and the motor 66, cord management is necessary to ensure that a power cord 112, which provides power to the motor 66 does not interfere with, nor get damaged by the operations of the massage assembly 38. Accordingly, a longitudinal bar 114 is provided within the backrest region 12 mounted to the lower housing portion 34. The power cord 112 is coiled about the bar 114 for extension and retraction thereabout as the carriage 40 is translated along the guide 41.
The motor 66 is directly coupled to the associated transmission for translation of the carriage 40 when the motor 66 is powered. In order to reverse direction of the carriage 40, the rotational direction of the motor 66 is reversed as well. In order to control the reversal of power to the motor 66, a series of limit switches 116a-116f are provided along the guide 41. Each limit switch 116a-116f includes a leaf spring which extends in an unloaded position thereof. Upon actuation of each leaf spring, the respective limit switch 116a-116f sends a signal indicating the actuation. Accordingly, the limit switches 116a-116f are each oriented so that the associated leaf spring extends into the path of travel of the carriage 40 for actuation thereby. The signals provided by the limit switches 116a-116f are processed by a central processing unit provided at a circuit board 118, mounted within the backrest region 12 to the lower housing portion 34 as illustrated in
The user operates the remote 28 to select a desired target range of massage to be imparted to the user's back. The range selected on the remote 28 is processed so that a pair of limit switches 116a-116f provide the range of travel of the carriage 40. For example, if the user selects a range of massage associated with the entire back, the limit switches 116a-116f control this operation. For example, referring to
Various ranges of massages are provided by the series of limit switches 116a-116f so that the user may target desired regions of massage upon the back of the user.
In order to simplify the manufacture of the backrest region 12, the limit switches 116a-116f are each adhered to the housing lower region 34 by resistance welding, friction welding, adhesives or the like.
Briefly, the kneading massage effect is generated from the simplified massage assembly 38 and corresponding support frame and guide 41. Accordingly, the kneading massage effect is provided within the body massager 10 without limiting the portability and weight of the massager 10. Additionally, the motor 66 is provided upon the carriage 40 to overcome short comings of prior art kneading massagers that require either two motors to provide both a massage effect and translation of the massage effect or a complex drive system for providing both effects, which commonly requires a heavy duty frame for supporting the complex drive system.
Referring now to
Each vibratory massage assembly 122, 122′ includes a bracket 130, 130′ for securing the respective assembly to the underside of the cushion. Specifically, each bracket 130, 130′ may be adhered to the underside of the cushion 120 by an adhesive. Each vibratory massage assembly 122, 122′ includes a motor mount bracket 132, 132′ for securing the respective motor 126, 126′ to the corresponding bracket 130, 130′.
The operation of the vibratory massage assemblies 122, 122′ is controlled by the remote 28. Therefore, the vibratory massage effect may be imparted to the user alone or in combination with the rotary kneading massage effect. By way of example, the operation of the vibratory massage assemblies 122, 122′ includes a steady massage, wherein both vibratory massage assemblies 122, 122′ provide a consistent vibratory massage effect to the user. Additionally, a tapping massage effect is provided wherein both vibratory massage assemblies are operated synchronously with a common direction of rotation relative to another so that the user experiences a vibratory massage effect that is generally enhanced rather than merely vibrating. Additionally, a side to side vibratory massage effect is provided wherein each vibratory massage assembly 122, 122′ cycles alternatingly so that the user experiences a vibratory massage effect that is directed from one of the vibratory massage assemblies 122 to the other 122′. The remote 28 provides control of the intensity of the vibratory massage effect such as low, medium and high wherein the intensity is a result of the speed of the motors 126, 126′.
In summary, the body massager 10 provides an efficient, portable, lightweight, sturdy massage apparatus which generates two types of massage to two areas of the body with operational variations thereof so that the user may experience a variety of massage effects or a desired targeted massage effect, while minimizing the costs of the overall massager.
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
