The present invention relates to a roller massage table.
There are a great many people who suffer from back pain that is derived from a number of sources. Relief in the form of a massage is often the preferred remedy for many. Such massages can range from private massages from a masseuse or masseur to medical massages provided by a health care professional. One type of back massage that is favored by many is that obtained from a “Roller Table” which provides for spinal mobilization and pre-adjustment chiropractic operations. These tables provide a deep shiatsu style massage that helps relieve muscle spasms via a rolling wheel that moves back and forth over the patient's back area.
Unfortunately, such tables are expensive and as such, are typically only found in chiropractor's offices. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which automated medical grade roller massages can be provided virtually anywhere, including the comfort of one's home in a cost-effective manner. The development of the portable roller massage table fulfills this need.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable roller massage table device comprises a table surface supported by an apron. The table surface is provided with a rectangular opening which will generally align with a spine area of a user when lying upon the table surface with their head at a head placement area in a supine position. The table surface is provided with a padded covering. A massaging effect may be provided by the massage wheel penetrates the padded covering.
The device also comprises a fixed frame which is provided below the table surface and centered about the rectangular opening. The device further comprises a movable frame which is mounted on the fixed frame by use of a plurality of track guides. The track guides ride in a pair of tracks. The movable frame supports a massage wheel which travels back and forth along the rectangular opening in a reciprocating travel path. The movable frame is propelled along the reciprocating travel path by a transit drive chain supported between a drive axle and an idler axle. The drive axle and the idler axle are connected to the fixed frame. The massage wheel is connected to the movable frame by a spring adjustable frame. The massage wheel extends above the table surface. The movable frame travel is limited and reversed with aid of a pair of travel limit switches which operate in a sequential manner to reverse rotation of the DC motor. The spring adjustable frame includes a vertical member connected to a pivot point and the movable frame and a sprocket gear that connects the transit drive chain to the drive axle and the idler axle. The pivot point is structurally supported by a diagonal brace connected to the movable frame. Variable movement afforded the pressure spring accounts for variations in the user's spine, the user's small of the back, and the user's shoulder blade area. An electrical control box powers the portable roller massage table. The electrical control box includes a power switch to control power to the massage wheel stopped along the reciprocating travel path to apply continuous single point pressure and a table underside providing support to the apron and the fixed frame.
The table surface may be provided without the padded covering and may be six feet long and thirty inches wide. The fixed frame may be made of steel shapes. The pair of tracks may include four track guides. The track guides may be cylindrical-shaped or are L-shaped. The massage wheel may be made of material selected from the group consisting of rubber, foam, or other durable material that retains its shape and deform under moderate force.
The drive axle and the idler axle may be connected to the fixed frame by a plurality of bearings. The transit drive chain may be connected to the movable frame via a mechanical connection. The mechanical connection may be a bolt at each of a first pair of points. The mechanical connection may be a clamp at each of a second pair of points. A central support member that extends upward from a connection point of the movable frame and the diagonal brace. The central support member may be braced by a pivoting horizontal member that is connected to the pivot point. The pivoting horizontal member may swing up and down on an axis of the pivot point.
The device may further comprise a pressure spring mechanism that includes a rod and a pressure spring. The rod may be made of aluminum. When power is passed to a 2-coil latching relay which works in conjunction with a pair of travel limit switches to allow for reciprocating travel. The 2-coil latching relay may provide a voltage to a double-pole double-throw relay which sends polarity to a variable speed circuit. The electrical control box may power the portable roller massage table by an alternating current power cord.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.
Referring now to
A fixed frame 40, envisioned to be made of steel shapes, is provided below the table surface 15 and centered about the rectangular opening 30. A movable frame 45 is mounted on the fixed frame 40 by use of four (4) track guides 50 of which only two (2) are shown due to illustrative limitations. The track guides can be cylindrical or “L”-shaped. The track guides 50 ride in two (2) tracks 55 (of which only one (1) is shown due to illustrative limitations). The movable frame 45 supports a massage wheel 60 which travels back and forth along the rectangular opening 30 in a reciprocating travel path “b” 65. The massage wheel would be made of rubber, foam, or other durable material that while it retains its shape, will deform under moderate force. The device 10 is powered by an alternating current (AC) power cord 75 and is controlled by an electrical control box 70. It is noted that the table surface 15 may or may not be provided with a padded covering 85 (not shown due to clarity). Should the padded covering 85 be provided, it is envisioned that the massaging effect provided by the massage wheel 60 would penetrate the padded covering 85 and still provide health benefits to the user.
Referring next to
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The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the device 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
After procurement and prior to utilization, the device 10 would be prepared in the following manner: the device 10 would be placed in an upright position in a suitable location; and the AC power cord 75 would be connected to a suitable source of AC power.
During utilization of the device 10, the following procedure would be initiated: the user 190 would lay across the surface of the table surface 15 in general accordance with
After use of the device 10, it may be left in place until needed again; or stored away by unplugging the AC power cord 75. This usage may continue at a later time as aforementioned described in a circular repetitive manner.
The device 10 is ideal for use in therapy centers, health centers, private doctor's offices, health clubs, and for home use.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
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Number | Date | Country |
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WO-9966874 | Dec 1999 | WO |