AU2006235866A1 - Portable massage mat - Google Patents

Description

N Description 0 0 z PORTABLE MASSAGE MAT N Description The invention relates, primarily, to improvements in devices for enabling successful Idelivery of massages or similar therapies. More specifically, to compact portable Idevices utilising an existing base such as a bed.

V Over the past few decades there has been a steady growth in the understanding of the rn N benefits of physical therapies; not least of all massage. Consequently, there has been oan increase in professionals satisfying these needs and courses for people to obtain training for home use.

In the professional environment there is a large array of well-suited tables to facilitate these therapies. However, in the home environment massage is principally undertaken on one of two mechanisms; either on a relatively flat surface (eg. bed, floor, lounge, etc), or on a portable freestanding massage table.

The first mechanism, lying on a flat surface, causes the recipient to place themselves in a less than ideal position such as twisting their neck to the side or jamming their face into the surface putting pressure on the neck and making breathing difficult. This causes the neck to be in a position of discomfort unpleasant for the recipient and counter-productive to the massage.

The second mechanism, a portable massage table, allows the massage recipient to lie with their neck in comfort. This is achieved by having a padded hole either in the table, or extending out from the end of the table, in which they can place their face.

However, the cost and space required to use and store these tables makes them unattractive for domestic use. An additional issue with most portable tables, with the exception of the more expensive ones, is that they don't allow for varying the position of the head relative to the body. It is often advantageous to alter the position of the head for the comfort of the recipient as well as offering the person giving the massage improved access to the neck and head area.

There have been a few attempts at trying to create a compact portable solution for these problems. Where these have not fully succeeded this invention does overcome these problems.

I The actual inventive concept identified is a device primarily used in providing or Oreceiving massage therapy comprising a mat that rolls out over and rests on a supporting structure such as a bed; projecting parallel to the mat out from the

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0 supporting structure, is a headpiece that may be adjusted above and below the parallel Iplane. This padded headpiece supports the head of the massage recipient in such a way as to ensure their comfort and that they can breath freely and without impeding vision. Thus comfortably placing the person in a position similar to a standard ND massage table. The headpiece and mat are connected in such a way that when the weight of the massage recipient is placed on the device the headpiece attains sufficient rigidity to securely support their head. The entire device can then be rolled up into a compact unit.

In one form of the invention, the headpiece is attached to a supporting backboard with hinges allowing it, when rolled, to lie flat against the supporting backboard. When unrolled the headpiece is held in place by an adjustable U or V-shaped brace fixed either side of the hole in the headpiece making it into a single secure unit. To this secure unit a protective mat is attached and is extended back from it across the support base.

The way this form of the invention works is that; the mat section is rolled out and placed, for example, on a bed either in a lengthwise position (single or double bed) or in a perpendicular position (double or king size bed). The supporting backboard is placed over the edge of the bed and is pulled firmly back against the side elevation of the bed. The headpiece extends beyond the bed. The recipient of the massage lies upon the mat. The weight of the recipient holds the mat and the headpiece in place and stops it sliding forward. The weight of the recipient's head will present a force down upon the headpiece and hence the supporting backboard. This downward force is resisted by the supporting backboard, as it is rigidly attached to the mat. However, the headpiece extends beyond the supporting backboard and hence the join of the supporting backboard and the mat act as a fulcrum resulting in a lateral force in the direction of the mat. As the supporting backboard is pulled firmly against the bed this lateral force is resisted by the bed. This results in the body and the face being securely supported as if on a standard massage table. The portable massage table can now be used as a conventional massage table.

When this form of the invention is in use the brace enables the angle between the mat and the headpiece to be altered to achieve maximum comfort and functionality for the I recipient and the masseur. The usual starting position for the headpiece is 0 o perpendicular to the supporting backboard and hence parallel to the ground.

Once finished with, the brace can be released and the portable massage table can be 0 z rolled up into a compact article, which can then be stored easily.

IThe brace or braces, which support the headpiece, can be fully adjustable relative to the backboard from 0 degrees to greater than 90 degrees. They may be incrementally Iadjustable or lockable at any angle.

N The hinges can be of any suitable type to fit the motion determined by the type of brace utilised and to function under the force of the massage.

Optionally, the hinge and brace structure can be replaced with adjustable, locking ohinges of sufficient strength, or a rigid structure placing the headpiece in a fixed position (such as a right angle bracket).

The mat and the covering for the headpiece and supporting backboard can be any suitable material, preferably one that can be easily wiped clean such as vinyl or PVC.

The mat may be lined with non-slip material or coated with non-slip spray paint to decrease the likelihood of slippage.

The mat is of sufficient length and width to ensure the support base is protected from such things as oils used in the massage. For example, at least reach across a King size bed.

The supporting backboard should be of sufficient size and strength to distribute the force of the head during massage. It can be wood, plastic, or any other suitable material. It should be sufficiently soft in itself or due to it's covering, to not cause damage to the support base.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown on a supporting structure in this instance a bed showing the general features of the device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of a portion of the present invention showing the means by which the headpiece is attached to the supporting backboard and the means by which the headpiece can be adjusted.

Figure 3 is a perspective view from the side of the present invention shown on a supporting structure in this instance a bed accommodating a person lying in a prone position on the mat with their face in the headpiece as in a massage and showing the means by which the supporting backboard presses into the bed's side elevation and the mat extends over the width or length of the support structure.

I Figure 4 is a perspective view of the present invention in its rolled up portable form Oand showing a handle by which the device can be carried to and from storage.

From figure 1 it can be seen that this embodiment of the invention consists of a mat 1 that is attached to the supporting backboard 2 and a headpiece 3 mounted on the Isupporting backboard 2. Underneath the mat is attached a non-slip component 4. This could be either non-slip material or a non-slip substance that can be either sprayed or Ipainted on.

IThe headpiece 3 consists of a support base 5, such as a board, and a cushioning component 6 for the persons face. As can be seen in figure 2, through both the support base 5 and the cushioning component 6 there is an aperture 7 sized to support a human face. The headpiece 3 may be covered by the same material as used to construct the mat 1.

As shown in figure 2, one way in which the headpiece 3 may be attached to the supporting backboard 2 is by the use of a hinging mechanism 8 at such a position near the top edge of the supporting backboard 2 to ensure the top surface of the headpiece 3 aligns with the mat 1, see figure 3. To supply strength and stability to the headpiece 3 an adjustable brace 9 or braces may be attached using brackets 11. The brace 9 is shaped and mounted in such a way as to not cross the aperture 7. Rising vertically from the lower edge of the supporting backboard 2 are support hooks 10. These allow the headpiece 3 angle, relative to the mat 1, to be modified. The brackets 11 allow the free movement of the brace 9 enabling it to placed in the varying hook 10 positions and to swing away past the aperture 7 allowing the base of the headpiece 3 to lie flush against the supporting backboard 2. This enables the entire device to be rolled up, see figure 4, for storage.

Figure 4 shows the present invention after it has been rolled up and is ready for storage. The end of the mat fastens to itself with an attachment such as hook and loop fasteners 15. A handle 14 is attached to the mat to carry the device.

As shown in figure 3, when placed upon a supporting structure 12, such as a bed, the dimensions of the mat are sufficiently wide and long to accommodate a small or a large person 13.

It will be realised that a portable massage mat according to this invention is not restricted to the form shown in this example. The adjustable and collapsible nature of the headpiece as described in this embodiment of the invention is but one way to achieve the goal. For example, adjustable but locking ratchet hinges may replace the IO hinging mechanism 8, the brace 9, and the brackets 11. Similarly, other mechanisms 0 Smay be used to achieve a similar result whilst remaining within the scope of this invention.

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Claims (9)

1. The portable massage mat device which, when unrolled or unfolded over an IN existing supporting structure, such as a bed, then supports the head when lying in a Iprone position for such purposes as massage and comprises of; a section which extends over part of or all of the supporting structure on which the Iuser lies, oa headpiece section which protrudes beyond the edge of the supporting structure and which will support the head whilst enabling the user can see and breath, and a mechanism, which, when the weight of the user is placed upon the device renders the headpiece rigid, supporting the weight of the head.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the mechanism which renders the headpiece rigid can consist of a supporting backboard which attaches substantially perpendicularly to the headpiece end of the mat and to which the headpiece is then attached so that when placed on the support structure and the massage recipient lies thereon the force down onto the headpiece is transferred into the supporting backboard which then presses into the side elevation of the support structure.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the headpiece is attached to the support board, with flexible attachments such as hinges allowing it, when rolled, to lie flat against the supporting backboard and when unrolled the headpiece is held in place by an adjustable brace making it into a single secure unit enabling it to adjust to different elevations above and below the supporting structures plane.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the mechanism which renders the headpiece rigid can be a firm structure embedded in the end of the mat to which the headpiece attaches in a parallel orientation and sits on the support structure under the chest of the user.

The device of claim 4 wherein the firm structure embedded in the end of the mat can be padded for the comfort of the user.

6. The device according to claims 2 and 4 wherein the headpiece attaches to the mechanism that renders the headpiece rigid with hinges of sufficient strength that can lock at varying angles relative to the mat. O

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the mechanism that renders the headpiece rigid is created by having the entire mat and headpiece being a single hollow unit which is then inflated and once the weight of the massage recipient is placed on top of 0 the structure the increased air pressure within the device creates the rigid mechanism O which supports the headpiece.

8 The device according to any of one of the claims 1, 2, 4 and 7 wherein the NOdevice can be manufactured from a large variety of flexible fabrics or durable NOmaterials including vinyl, cloth, rubber, plastics and canvas.

9. The device according to any of the claims 1, 2, 4 and 7 can rollup into a Scompact unit. A portable massage mat substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dane Gardner and Rebecca Gardner 6 November, 2006