EP4245281A2 - Device for dry massage by means of water jets - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dry water jet massage, comprising a tub filled with massage water with a film material that also serves as a lying surface for a person to be treated; a nozzle carriage (1) which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub and carries at least two nozzles (D, D'); a first drive for moving the nozzle carriage (1) forward and backward; and a second drive (5, ZR, Z) which displaces the nozzles (D, D') in the transverse direction of the tub; wherein a nozzle holder (DH) is arranged on the nozzle carriage (1), and at least one of the nozzles (D, D') is arranged on the nozzle holder (DH). A device for dry water jet massage is created in that the nozzle holder (DH) and the at least one of the nozzles (D, D') are axially displaceable along an axis (14') of the nozzle carriage (1) which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tub , and that the nozzle holder (DH) is connected to a rack (Z), which, as part of the second drive, enables individual adjustment of the nozzle holder (DH) in the transverse direction of the tub with a gear of the second drive.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dry massage using water jets. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for dry massage with water jets, with which the body of a user or patient can be massaged in a variety of ways using water jets using a variety of massage step sequences, without having to accept that the body will become wet.

A water jet massage is a long-standing type of massage in which a user's body is subjected to the massaging treatment of a jet of water. Certain parts of a person's body that are reached by the water jet are touched by the mechanical impact of the water jet under a certain pressure. By applying pressure repeatedly and/or over a longer period of time to certain parts of the person's body, a pleasant, relaxing and, in many cases, healing massage of certain parts of the body or the entire body of the person being treated is achieved. Such massages, particularly as so-called “underwater massages”, have long been an integral part of the treatment plan of many people in need of massage treatment.

In the meantime, devices for dry water jet massage have also become known in the art. In the present description and in the patent claims - as well as in the prior art - "dry water jet massage" is understood to mean that the body of a user of a corresponding device or the body of someone in need of a massage, e.g. B. a patient, is bedded on a material that transmits a pressure pulse, for example on a plastic film or a rubber film, a device. Under this material, the device has a device for dispensing an adjustable pressure, movable jet pulse, for example one or more nozzles each ejecting a water jet, with the jet direction attached to the underside of the film material transmitting pressure pulses. The device mentioned consists of a nozzle carriage which can be moved via a toothed belt drive along the longitudinal axis of the device and which "travels" on rollers on a - often double-track - rail on the bottom of the tub and has a lower part on which an upper part with one or more nozzles is attached. This nozzle(s) is/are mounted so that they can pivot transversely to the direction of movement of the nozzle carriage. The water jet(s) ejected from the nozzle(s) transfer(s) the momentum to the plastic or rubber sheet material, e.g. B. the lying surface made of natural rubber, and this (s) transmits the impulse to the body parts of the user/patient lying on the material. The pulse has the desired massaging effect on the parts of the body in contact with the film material transmitting a pulse, thus simulating a massage treatment similar to an underwater massage. This also applies to the transfer of heat from the massage medium (water) to the body of a user/patient lying on the film material. During such a massage treatment, the user of the device or the person being treated remains dry. Predefined massage programs or those put together by a masseur or therapist can be transferred to the device control via a chip card. Such devices are commercially available, for example, under the name “HYDROJET” from Wellsystem GmbH. They enable water jet massage both in an environment where facilities for a proper underwater massage are not available or the necessary wet rooms cannot be set up, as well as for people/patients who cannot be treated underwater for hygienic or health reasons , for example because of wounds that have not yet healed.

KR 10 2011 129 315 A describes a device designed as a massage chair for dry water jet massage, in which the area of a backrest is covered with a flat film, and in particular the area of the seat is provided with a container for water. A nozzle carriage carrying two nozzles is moved in a plane along a guide using a belt drive and a motor provided in the backrest. The nozzles for ejecting massage water can be moved individually via a belt drive with a motor and a belt in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage. Furthermore, the nozzles can be pivoted by a separate drive and an associated gear about a pivot axis aligned parallel to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage. The disadvantage of the known device is, on the one hand, that only the back can be massaged. Furthermore, the parts of the body that do not rest directly on the film are not reached by the massage jet.

US 2009 031 26 80 A1 describes a device for dry water jet massage, which is designed either as a bed or as a massage chair, in which a tub filled with massage water with a foil material that simultaneously serves as a lying surface for a person to be treated and enables pressure pulse transmission is used as the tub waterproof cover on the top. Here, a nozzle carriage is provided which can be moved along rails arranged above the bottom of the tub by means of a carriage with wheels connected to the end of the nozzle carriage, the nozzle carriage having a spindle nut connected to it and a spindle screw passing through the tub in the longitudinal direction between the rails, which is driven by a motor, can be displaced in the longitudinal direction within the trough. Here, the nozzle carriage has a hollow outer plate body, on which several nozzles that can be fed by a pump are provided for ejecting a water jet against the underside of the film material, which are supplied with massage water from the tub via a flexible hose connection. Here, the movement of the nozzles forwards and backwards in the longitudinal direction of the tub takes place with the movement of the nozzle carriage, while movement in the transverse direction is not provided. Below the film, in places where the water jet is to be concentrated, Above the nozzles, diverting devices in the form of deflector plates are provided, which either concentrate the ejected water centrally on the film in the area of the head/neck or, for example, distribute it in the area of the foot in such a way that two mountains are created in the film.

The publication EP 1 666 017 A1 describes a device for dry water jet massage with a tub which is covered by a film serving as a support surface for the patient, and with a nozzle carriage mechanism arranged within the tub for generating at least one massage water jet directed against the underside of the film. The nozzle carriage mechanism has at least one motor-rotatable guide rail within the trough about a longitudinal axis of rotation, and the nozzle carriage mechanism on the rotatable guide rail has a motor-driven nozzle carriage or nozzle carriage movable along the guide rail, which generates at least one nozzle fed from a pump of a massage water jet. When the guide rail, which can be rotated by motor around the longitudinal axis of rotation, is pivoted, the nozzle carriage or nozzle carriage running parallel to the axis of rotation on the guide rail also pivots, so that the nozzle arranged on its top side can change the direction of the water jet emerging under pressure at a right angle to the axis of rotation. Together with the path of the nozzle carriage running along the axis, the massage water jet can be directed in flat patterns that strike the underside of the lying liner, the course of which in the longitudinal direction of the tub is determined by the movement of the jet carriage on the guide rail and its course in the transverse direction of the tub is determined by pivoting the guide rail and the nozzle carriage pivoting with the guide rail with the nozzle arranged thereon.

The publication describes further state of the art EP 2 327 386 A1 a tub-shaped device for dry massage using water jets of the type already mentioned, ie the type with rails on rollers fixed to the bottom of the tub in the longitudinal direction movable nozzle carriage driven by a motor that can be operated outside the tub under a lying film that covers and seals the tub. The nozzle carriage carries at least two nozzles that can be pivoted transversely to the rails, each for ejecting a jet of water against the underside of the lying film. The two pivoting nozzles are independently controlled by means of a splined shaft that is rotatably mounted around its own axis in the longitudinal direction of the tub and runs load-free through a sliding bush in the nozzle carriage. The back-and-forth movement of each spline shaft, which can be controlled as desired by motor (also electronically via a program), is ultimately transmitted to the bearing of one of the at least two pivoting nozzles via kinematics arranged on the nozzle carriage with positive power transmission, so that these - depending on the Scope of the rotational movement of the associated spline shaft - deflects the respective water jet to a greater or lesser extent transversely to the direction of travel of the nozzle carriage, which allows the desired water jet massage pattern to be created on the underside of the lying film.

The disadvantage of the devices for dry water jet massage known from the prior art is that - without exception - all devices are limited to having a massage effect only on the parts of the body of the person in need of a massage, e.g. B. a patient, which are in direct contact with the lying foil when the patient has sat down on the lying foil for the massage. This is unsatisfactory because areas of the body such as the upper shoulder muscles, the side areas of the neck, the inside and outside of the arms and legs are, for many people, places where pain and discomfort occur, which can be solved with a massage - and also with treated with a dry massage using water jets. However, these areas cannot be brought into contact with the lying film. They cannot therefore be massaged with a dry massage using water jets with the previously known devices.

The invention has set itself the task of remedying this disadvantage. The invention surprisingly provides a device for dry massage using water jets, which can also massage the body in places that were previously inaccessible to dry massage using water jets. Examples include the shoulders or the soles of the feet.

According to one aspect of the invention, a device for dry water jet massage is created, comprising a tub filled with massage water, extending from a head end in the longitudinal direction to a foot end and from a left side in the transverse direction to a right side, with a at the same time as a lying surface for a The person to be treated is made of foil material that enables pressure pulse transmission as the tub on the top of the watertight cover; a nozzle carriage which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub and carries at least two nozzles, the nozzles for ejecting a jet of water against the underside of the film material being able to be fed with massage water from the tub via a flexible hose connection using a pump; a first drive for moving the nozzle carriage forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the trough, the movement of the at least two nozzles forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the trough occurring with the movement of the nozzle carriage; and a second drive which displaces the nozzles in the transverse direction of the tub, and this is characterized in that the film material has one or more transversely extending ones directed towards the person lying on the film material. and the film has one or more cavity(s) forming a convex elevation on the top side of the film and cavity(s) on the underside of the film.

A favorable development results from the fact that means are provided for displacing or pivoting the nozzles out of the plane of the tub, which direct the ejected water jet against the cavity(s) on the underside of the film and in particular against one towards the plane of the film inclined surface of the foil underside cavity(s). enabled. These means in particular allow the nozzle holders carrying the nozzles to be pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage, whereby the water jet ejected from the nozzle is given a component of orientation opposite or in the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage, so that in particular the area of a cavity on the underside of the film , which protrudes almost vertically from the film, can be easily reached, and in particular can be treated with the water jet at a relatively small angle to the normal. In this way, the shoulders of a patient in particular, but also other parts of the body adjacent to the elevations, can be effectively applied with the massage jet.

Preferably, it is further provided that a part of the nozzle carriage carrying the nozzles can be pivoted relative to the nozzle carriage about an axis in the direction of the film, and that the ejected water jet assumes an angle to the normal of the film as a result of the pivoting.

The pivoting movement of the part carrying the nozzles is expediently achieved by a ramp arranged in the trough, the forward and backward movement generated by the first drive displacing the part with respect to the ramp and thus around a horizontal axis, preferably perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage pivoted upwards.

Here, in a favorable embodiment, the nozzle is held eccentrically to the pivot axis by means of the nozzle holder forming a handlebar, so that the pivoting not only advantageously causes a change in the angle of the water jet, but at the same time also causes a displacement with a component in the z direction, which leads to the The direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage and the direction of displacement of the nozzle holder perpendicular thereto are each perpendicular. In this way, the distance between the nozzle and the film can be advantageously changed without the nozzle carriage itself having to leave its travel plane, whereby its drive can be designed simply.

Each of the nozzles is expediently arranged in its own nozzle holder, which can be independently pivoted upwards with respect to the travel path of the nozzle carriage. Preferably, all nozzle holders are pivoted together, for example by being coupled to a part of the nozzle carriage that is deflected by the ramp or ramps. The coupling is expediently carried out via a rigid axis that pivots through all nozzle holders.

According to a favorable embodiment, it is provided that the nozzle holder is connected to a rack, which, as part of the second drive, enables individual adjustment of the nozzle holder in the transverse direction of the tub with a gear of the drive. The rack is expediently connected to a cage which is axially displaceable along a first axis and which takes the nozzle holders in the direction of this axis, for example by encompassing the nozzle holders on both sides. This advantageously transfers the displacement of the cages with the rack in the transverse direction, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage, to the nozzle holders, regardless of the angle that the nozzle holder assumes around its pivot axis. This advantageously ensures that the rack is coupled to the associated second drive at all times, even when a ramp is being driven over, so that an adjustment or movement of the nozzle in the transverse direction is ensured even while the nozzle holders are pivoting.

Preferably, the nozzle holder can therefore also be pivoted relative to the rack, with in a favorable variant the rack being displaceably connected to two axes of the nozzle carriage, one of which is preferably also the axis on which the nozzle holder can be pivoted.

This advantageously ensures that the nozzle holder is connected to a rigid axis of the nozzle carriage in an axially displaceable and pivotable manner.

1. (a) eine mit Massagewasser gefüllte, sich von einem Kopfende in Längsrichtung zu einem Fußende und von einer linken Seite in Querrichtung zu einer rechten Seite erstreckende Wanne mit einem gleichzeitig als Liegefläche für eine zu behandelnde Person dienenden, eine Druckimpuls-Übertragung ermöglichenden Folien-Material als die Wanne auf der Oberseite wasserdicht schließender Abdeckung;
2. (b) wobei das Folien-Material einen oder mehrere, sich in Querrichtung erstreckende(n), auf die auf dem Folien-Material liegende Person gerichtete(n) und die Folie zu einer oder mehreren, Folien-oberseitig konvex ausgebildete Erhöhung(en) ausformende(n), Folien-unterseitige(n) Hohlraum/Hohlräume aufweist;
3. (c) einen auf zwei auf dem Boden der Wanne fixierten Schienen auf Rädern in Längsrichtung der Wanne verfahrbaren, mindestens zwei Düsen tragenden Düsenwagen mit einem mittels eines innerhalb der Wanne gelagerten und von außerhalb der Wanne mittels Motor betreibbaren, auf der Unterseite des Düsenwagens angreifenden Antrieb zum auf den Rädern fahrenden Vorwärts- und Rückwärts-Bewegen des Düsenwagens in Längsrichtung der Wanne;
4. (d) wobei der Düsenwagen parallel zum Wannenboden eine auf den Rädern in Wannen-Längsrichtung verfahrbare horizontale Bodenplatte mit je einer an der Bodenplatte linksseitig und rechtsseitig fixierten vertikalen Seitenplatte umfasst, wobei eine in Querrichtung der Wanne verlaufende erste Schwenkachse und optional eine in Querrichtung der Wanne verlaufende, versetzt zur ersten Schwenkachse angeordnete zweite Schwenkachse, die befähigt ist, zu Führungszwecken zu dienen, die vertikalen Seitenplatten fest verbindet,
5. (e) wobei an den jeweiligen Außenseiten der Seitenplatten je ein Kippblech um die in Querrichtung der Wannenverlaufende erste Schwenkachse schwenkbar an dieser angeschlagen ist und ein in Querrichtung der Wanne verlaufende starre Achse die Kippbleche miteinander verbindet, wobei jedes der Kippbleche auf der (in Querrichtung) Außenseite an dem dem Kippblech-Anschlag gegenüber liegenden Ende je ein Laufrad mit je einer zu den ersten und zweiten Schwenkachsen parallelen Rad-Achse aufweist;
6. (f) und wobei der Düsenwagen mindestens zwei auf dem Düsenwagen bewegbare, über eine flexible Schlauchverbindung mit Massagewasser aus der Wanne mittels einer Pumpe speisbare Düsen zum Ejizieren je eines Wasserstrahls gegen die Unterseite des Folien-Materials aufweist,
7. (g) wobei die Bewegung der mindestens zwei Düsen vorwärts und rückwärts in Längsrichtung der Wanne mit der Bewegung des Düsenwagens erfolgt; die Bewegung der mindestens zwei Düsen in Querrichtung der Wanne mittels zweier parallel zur Längsachse der Vorrichtung durch je eine Laufbuchse auf der Unterseite des Düsenwagens verlaufender, im Eingriff mit je einem auf der Unterseite des Düsenwagenbodens angeordneten Zahnrad mit Radachse konzentrisch mit je einer der Keilwellen bewirkt werden kann, und die Keilwellen kopfseitig in je einem im Wannen-Innern liegenden Lager um die eigene Achse drehbar gelagert sind und fußseitig von je einem außerhalb der Wanne liegenden Antriebsmotor zur Ausführung einer drehenden Hin- und Her-Bewegung um die jeweilige Keilwellen-Längsachse angesteuert sind, wobei die mit je einer Keilwelle im Eingriff befindlichen Zahnräder ihrerseits im Eingriff mit parallel zu den Schwenkachsen an unteren Düsenhalterungen angeordneten, eine Düsenbewegung in Querrichtung der Wanne entlang der Schwenkachsen bewirkenden Zahnstangen sind, ohne dass den Keilwellen lastentragende, insbesondere den Düsenwagen tragende Funktion zukommt;
8. (h) wobei mindestens eine der Düsen dafür befähigt ist, ihren ejizierten Wasserstrahl auf der Unterseite des Folien-Materials auf das Innere des einen oder der mehreren, auf der Oberseite des Folien-Materials konvex ausgebildete Erhöhungen ausformenden, Folien-unterseitigen Hohlräume zu richten.

One aspect of the invention relates to a dry water jet massage device comprising:

1. (a) a tub filled with massage water, extending from a head end in the longitudinal direction to a foot end and from a left side in the transverse direction to a right side, with a film material that simultaneously serves as a lying surface for a person to be treated and enables pressure pulse transmission as the pan on the top waterproof closing cover;
2. (b) wherein the film material has one or more transversely extending elevations directed towards the person lying on the film material and the film forms one or more elevations which are convex on the top side of the film. has molding cavity(s) on the underside of the film;
3. (c) a nozzle carriage which can be moved on two rails fixed to the bottom of the trough on wheels in the longitudinal direction of the trough and carries at least two nozzles, with a drive acting on the underside of the nozzle carriage by means of a motor which is mounted inside the trough and can be operated from outside the trough for moving the jet carriage forward and backward on the wheels in the longitudinal direction of the tub;
4. (d) wherein the nozzle carriage comprises, parallel to the tub floor, a horizontal floor plate that can be moved on the wheels in the tub's longitudinal direction, each with a vertical side plate fixed to the bottom plate on the left and right sides, with a first pivot axis running in the transverse direction of the tub and optionally one in the transverse direction of the tub running second pivot axis, arranged offset to the first pivot axis, which is capable of serving for guidance purposes, firmly connects the vertical side plates,
5. (e) whereby on the respective outer sides of the side plates there is a tilting plate about the first pivot axis running in the transverse direction of the tub is pivotally attached to this and a rigid axis running in the transverse direction of the tub connects the tilting plates with each other, each of the tilting plates on the (in the transverse direction) outside at the end opposite the tilting plate stop has an impeller each with one for the first and second Pivot axes have parallel wheel axis;
6. (f) and wherein the nozzle carriage has at least two nozzles that can be moved on the nozzle carriage and can be fed with massage water from the tub using a pump via a flexible hose connection for ejecting a jet of water against the underside of the film material,
7. (g) wherein the movement of the at least two nozzles forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the tub occurs with the movement of the nozzle carriage; the movement of the at least two nozzles in the transverse direction of the tub by means of two parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, each running through a bushing on the underside of the nozzle carriage, in engagement with a gear wheel arranged on the underside of the nozzle carriage base, each with a wheel axis concentric with one of the spline shafts can, and the spline shafts are rotatably mounted on the head side in a bearing inside the tub about their own axis and are controlled on the foot side by a drive motor located outside the tub to carry out a rotating back and forth movement about the respective spline shaft longitudinal axis , whereby the gear wheels, each in engagement with a spline shaft, are in turn in engagement with racks arranged parallel to the pivot axes on lower nozzle holders, which cause a nozzle movement in the transverse direction of the tub along the pivot axes, without the spline shafts having a load-bearing function, in particular the nozzle carriage;
8. (h) wherein at least one of the nozzles is capable of directing its ejected water jet on the underside of the film material onto the interior of the one or more film-underside cavities forming convex elevations on the top side of the film material.

Preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention are claimed in the dependent claims.

One aspect of the invention also relates to a dry water jet massage method in which the body of a person to be treated, which is arranged on a film material enabling pressure pulse transmission as the top cover of a device according to the detailed description below, is provided with at least one Nozzle onto the underside of the film material and optionally into the interior of at least one of the one or more transversely extending, directed towards the person lying on the film material and the film into one or more films -convex elevation(s) on the top, forming the hollow space/cavities on the underside of the film, exposes the ejected water jet pressure pulse under translational movement of at least one of the nozzles supplying the pulse in the longitudinal direction and transverse direction of the tub for a time that produces a massage. effect on the body of the person being treated or in need of a massage.

In particular, the device of the invention enables or facilitates a massage of a person to be treated or a person in need of a massage by the "dry water jets" on themselves, so that under certain conditions the masseur is unnecessary or in parallel can devote to the massage of several people using the device according to the invention.

Finally, one aspect of the invention also relates to the use of the device according to the following detailed description for body massage, preferably for massage to relieve cramps and tensions, for relaxation, for eliminating muscular imbalances, for eliminating stress-related muscular tension, for pain relief, especially in the case of sports injuries and/or for the treatment of cervical migraine and for other indications.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a dry water jet massage device as described above, comprising the step of directing the water ejected from a nozzle Water jet against that the film material and / or one of the film underside cavity / cavities while simultaneously pivoting a nozzle holder carrying the nozzle about an axis perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage, whereby the distance of the nozzle from the film is reduced and /or the parts of the film underside cavity(s) are targeted with the water jet. This makes it particularly unnecessary to provide guide or deflection plates in the tub, which dampen the water jet and extremely restrict the use of the device.

According to a favorable feature, it is provided that the nozzle is raised or pivoted into the cavity in order to apply the water jet to the inner peripheral wall of the cavity. This has the special feature that the nozzle is used above the actual level of the film or the lying surface, so that a very placed massage is possible.

Preferably, the impact angle of the water jet ejected onto the underside of the film can be reduced from a value of 90 °, i.e. perpendicular to the underside of the film, to acute angles, preferably to a value of the impact angle of <10 °, for example approximately 6 ° be reduced in size. Accordingly, the swivel angle that a nozzle holder covers is almost 90°.

Further advantages, properties and further developments of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment and from the dependent claims.

Fig. 1A

zeigt eine Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik.

Fig. 1 B

zeigt eine Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Fig. 2A

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht der Folienmaterial-Wannenabdeckung W von oben.

Figur 2B

zeigt eine perspektivische Ansicht der Folienmaterial-Wannenabdeckung von unten.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Figur 1B ähnliche Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung, jedoch ohne die obere Folien-Abdeckung; gezeigt sind beispielsweise auch links und rechts des Kopfes der zu massierenden Person Pe je eine Auflagefläche S für die Folienabdeckung.

Fig. 4A und 4B

zeigt den Düsenwagen der erfindungsgemäßen Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung.

Fig. 5

zeigt eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung ohne abdeckende Liege-Folie mit dem die Düsen D, D' tragenden und in Position zum Ejizieren von Massagewasser bringenden Düsenwagen 1 in der Ausgangsposition am Fußende der Wanne.

Fig. 6A und 6B

zeigt zwei Ansichten einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung in einem Stadium, in dem der Düsenwagen über den dafür vorgesehenen Antrieb weiter in Richtung auf das Kopfende der Vorrichtung bewegt wurde.

Fig. 7A bis 7E

zeigt fünf weitere Ansichten einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung, in denen die Düsen des Düsenwagens mit dem Ziel, Massagewasser in in der Unterseite der Liegefolie gebildete konkave Hohlräume zu ejizieren, auf das Kopfende der Wanne bewegt wird, wo die Laufräder der Kippbleche über eine in Richtung auf das Kopfende der Wanne ansteigende Rampe aus der Position nahe den Schienen auf dem Wannenboden gefahren werden und sich der Auftreff-Winkel des auf die Unterseite der Folie ejizierten Wasserstrahls von einem Wert von 90 °, also senkrecht zur Unterseite der Folie, hin zu spitzen Winkeln verkleinert, vorzugsweise auf einen Wert des Auftreff-Winkels von < 10 °, beispielsweise etwa 6 °.

Fig. 8A bis 8C

zeigt drei weitere Ansichten desselben Vorgangs, wie er in den Figuren 7A bis 7E gezeigt ist, jedoch in seitlicher Ansicht.

Fig. 9A bis 9B

zeigt beispielhaft Antriebe für die Bewegung des Düsenwagens in der Längsrichtung der Wanne, also einen Zahnriemen und ein metallenes Lochband.

Fig. 10

zeigt beispielhaft Skizzen von möglichen, durch die erfindungsgemäße Wasserstrahl-Massagevorrichtung ausführbaren Massagebildern an der zu massierenden Person.

The invention is described below with reference to figures which merely describe preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention. However, neither the figures referred to below nor the following description are intended as a limitation Invention to understand the preferred embodiments shown or described.

Fig. 1A

shows a water jet massage device according to the prior art.

Fig. 1 B

shows a water jet massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A

shows a perspective view of the foil material tub cover W from above.

Figure 2B

shows a perspective view of the foil material tub cover from below.

Fig. 3

shows one Figure 1B Similar embodiment of a water jet massage device according to the invention, but without the upper film cover; For example, a support surface S for the film cover is also shown on the left and right of the head of the person to be massaged Pe.

Figures 4A and 4B

shows the nozzle carriage of the water jet massage device according to the invention.

Fig. 5

shows an embodiment of the water jet massage device according to the invention without a covering lying film with the nozzle carriage 1 carrying the nozzles D, D 'and bringing it into position for ejecting massage water in the starting position at the foot of the tub.

Figures 6A and 6B

shows two views of a further embodiment of the water jet massage device according to the invention at a stage in which the nozzle carriage has been moved further towards the head end of the device via the drive provided for this purpose.

7A to 7E

shows five further views of an embodiment of the water jet massage device according to the invention, in which the nozzles of the nozzle carriage with the aim of ejecting massage water into concave cavities formed in the underside of the lying film on the head end of the tub is moved, where the impellers of the tilting plates are moved over a ramp rising towards the head end of the tub from the position near the rails on the tub floor and the impact angle of the water jet ejected onto the underside of the film has a value of 90 ° , i.e. perpendicular to the underside of the film, reduced to acute angles, preferably to a value of the impact angle of <10 °, for example about 6 °.

8A to 8C

shows three further views of the same process as in the Figures 7A to 7E is shown, but in a side view.

9A to 9B

shows an example of drives for the movement of the nozzle carriage in the longitudinal direction of the tub, i.e. a toothed belt and a metal perforated belt.

Fig. 10

shows exemplary sketches of possible massage images on the person to be massaged that can be carried out by the water jet massage device according to the invention.

It will now open Figures 1A and 1B Referenced. Figure 1A shows a device V for dry water jet massage according to the prior art, for example a device as has been on the market for a long time under the name "HYDROJET" and is offered by Wellsystem GmbH; and Figure 1B shows a device for dry water jet massage according to the present invention.

Such devices V for dry water jet massage - for the definition of this term reference is made to the introduction to the description - usually consist of a tub W, which is designed inside for permanent contact with water or aqueous liquids, for example in terms of temperature, Tightness and rust resistance. Such a device V is usually provided with a film material F that serves as a cover and at the same time as a lying surface to protect against water splashing around and emerging from the tub W on the one hand and to support a person Pe to be treated on the other hand closed and therefore secured and tensioned in a liquid-tight manner on the upper edge of the trough W. The elasticity of the material of the film F not only allows the person to be treated Pe to get on and off the film F comfortably and the person to be treated Pe to lie comfortably, but it also allows the transfer of a pressure pulse to the film F The water jet (or several water jets) striking the underside of the foil F from the foil surface onto the body of the person Pe lying on the foil material F. Further requirements for this film material F are, in particular, hygienic ones: The material must be suitable for being treated with agents intended for cleaning and disinfection purposes. Furthermore, the film material F should also be permeable to heat transported by the water jet. This means that the massaging effect of the water jet pulse can be intensified by applied heat - if PE is desired by the person to be treated or prescribed by the treating person. The expert knows numerous materials that can be used for the desired purposes for the cover/bed film F and can easily test and select them for their suitability based on the specified parameters. Natural rubber has proven to be particularly advantageous as a material for the covering/lying film F, and natural rubber films are therefore preferred, optionally with a carrier layer made of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM).

In Figure 2A is a top perspective view of the sheet material tub cover W in the tensioned condition (as disposed on the top of the tub W), and shown in Figure 2B is a perspective view of the sheet material tub cover in the tensioned condition (as positioned on the top of the tub W) shown from below.

According to the invention, the film material F has one or more, extending in the transverse direction, directed towards the person Pe lying on the film material F, and the film F has one or more, convex elevations on the top side of the film ( en) 100 forming, foil-underside cavity(s) 100. In preferred embodiments of the In the invention, one cavity or two cavities, three cavities, four cavities or even more cavities can be formed. Very particularly preferably, the film material F has two extending in the transverse direction of the film F, directed towards the person Pe lying on the film material F and shaping the film F into one or more elevations 100 which are convex on the top side of the film , foil underside cavities. By way of example, but not as a limitation, two such transversely extending, directed towards the person Pe lying on the film material F and forming the film F into two convex elevations 100 on the upper side of the film, are hollow spaces on the underside of the film Figure 1B as well as in the Figures 2A and 2B visible.

The production of such, on the top of the film (see Figure 2A ) appearing as convex elevations 100 on the underside of the film (see Figure 2B ) appearing as concave cavities 100 "hump" can be done in any manner known to those skilled in the art and practically depends on the material used for the film F. In the preferred embodiment of a natural rubber film, a shaping corresponding to the "humps" can take place simultaneously with the production of the film, for example in a vulcanization process: tools with the corresponding shapes are fitted together, leaving a suitably selected cavity between two tool halves, whereby the thickness of the film can be selected by the expert according to the circumstances depending on the cavity left. The tools are used in the desired areas - for example, to form one in the Figures 2A and 2B shown film - the elevations and depressions forming the humps are provided. The cavity is filled with the polymer for producing the film material F, and the filled polymer layer is polymerized or vulcanized under the appropriate conditions (e.g. with heating or using vulcanization aids). The finished film provided with the cavity(s) is then removed after polymerization or vulcanization has been completed. The production of such films and suitable devices for use in production are the Known to those skilled in the art and can be provided for the present invention as appropriate without the present invention imposing any restrictions in this regard.

In principle, a person skilled in the art can freely choose the position of the elevations/depressions/humps 100 in the area of the film material. In terms of function, also (with a person lying down Pe as in Figure 1B ) to reach vertical parts of the body of the person to be massaged with the water jets of a dry water jet massage, such elevations/depressions/humps 100 are preferably attached, for example, in the areas of the film F, which are the shoulders, the soles of the feet, the inside of the arms. and outer sides and the inner and outer leg sides of the person Pe lying on the film material F. The elevations/recesses/humps are preferably attached in the areas of the film F that correspond to the shoulders or soles of the feet of the person Pe lying on the film material F. Accordingly, both Figures 2A and 2B show the (non-limiting) example that two elevations/depressions/humps 100 are preferably attached, for example, in the areas of the film F that correspond to the shoulders of the person Pe lying on the film material F. As a rule, the film arranged on the top of the tub W is manufactured in such a way that the elevations/recesses/humps 100 are located at a point on the film F that is suitable for the dry water jet massage of one of the areas specified above (for example the shoulders of the person Pe in the case of in the Figures 1B , 2A and 2B cases shown).

In preferred embodiments of the invention, which can be implemented alone or in combination with another embodiment or another feature or with several or all other embodiments or features of the invention, without being limited thereto, in the dry water jet massage device V according to the invention the transversely extending, directed towards the person Pe lying on the film material F and the film F into one or several, preferably two, film-top convex elevation(s) 100 forming, film-bottom cavity(s) of the film material F concave round shape or a concave longitudinal shape (see Figures 2A, 2B ) with a depth in the range of 1 mm to 200 mm, calculated from the inner surface of the film material F, and preferably with a depth in the range of 1 mm to 100 mm. This is advantageous according to the invention because at this depth, water jets ejected into the cavity(s) from one of the nozzles D, D', D", D‴ have a particularly good massage effect on vertically arranged areas of the body of the person Pe lying on the film can.

The invention is further explained below with reference to concave formations/cavities 100, as shown in Figure 2A and in Figure 2B are shown. The for the inclusion of such, in the Figures 2A and 2B However, the features shown and described in the concave formations/cavities 100 are not limiting, but are exemplary and are only intended to provide a better understanding of the invention.

How out Figure 3 As can be seen, concave formations/cavities 100 are placed "on" the film surface on which the person P to be treated / the patient lies, so that the person P to be treated / the patient can lie down on the film F in such a way that his/her shoulders come to rest on the “foot” side of the two concave formations/cavities 100 or lean against the “foot” side. Alternatively or together with this (not shown), concave formations/cavities 100 are placed "on" the film surface on which the person P to be treated / the patient lies, so that the person P to be treated / the patient lies on the Foil F can be laid down so that the inside of his/her arm rests on the right or left side of the two concave shapes/cavities or leans against the right or left sides. Alternatively or together with this (not shown), there are concave formations/cavities 100 "on" the film surface on which the person P to be treated / the patient is placed in such a way that the person Pe to be treated can lie down on the foil F in such a way that the soles of his/her feet come to rest on the "head" side of the two concave formations/cavities or are on the "head" side. "Lean on the sides of the concave formations/cavities.

In this position of the person to be massaged Pe / the patient, all parts of the body of the person to be massaged Pe can be treated as before with a dry water jet massage, which is carried out by the person to be treated Pe / the patient lying down (as before) with the Foil material can come into contact: As is known to those skilled in the art, by moving the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tub W with the help of a corresponding motor 2 and by moving the at least two nozzles D, D ', which are slidably arranged on the nozzle carriage 1, perpendicular to the tubs -Longitudinal direction by means of the splined shafts 5, 5' which can be rotated about their longitudinal axis by one or more suitable motor(s) 2', 2", which are described below in Figure 10 The massage pattern shown on the underside of the film material F is generated and the pressure pulses and the heat of the massage medium (e.g. water) are applied by means of the film material F to the parts of the body that come into contact with the film material F transferred to the person to be treated / the patient.

In this way, patterns of dry water jet massage can be created as they appear Figure 10 and the massage experiments described below.

That's how it is (left sketch in Figure 10 ) possible to give the person being treated a circular massage. To do this, the nozzle carriage 1 is slowly moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub, while the two splined shafts are slowly moved back and forth in mirror image (clockwise or counter-clockwise) to each other. In this way, the two nozzles create a spiral movement that is a mirror image of each other. The person to be treated Pe is given a spiral circle-shaped massage, for example of the back.

The parallel massage picture in Figure 10 (second figure above from the left) results from slow movement of the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tub and parallel zigzag movement of the nozzles D, D 'by parallel control of the spline shafts 5, 5' (ie together in a clockwise direction or together in a counterclockwise direction -clockwise).

The mirror image massage results accordingly Figure 10 (fourth figure above from the left) with the nozzle carriage slowly moving in the longitudinal direction of the tub and mirror-image zigzag movement of the nozzles D, D' by controlling the spline shafts 5, 5' in opposite directions (ie clockwise for nozzle D and counterclockwise for nozzle D' and vice versa).

Accordingly, point massages ( Figure 10 , third figure above from the left) by massaging one after the other, each for a certain time, while locking the nozzles (ie, for the time of massaging the specific point, neither moving the nozzle carriage in the longitudinal direction of the tub nor moving the nozzles in the direction transverse to the tub longitudinal direction).

Parallel stroking massages (see Figure 10 , Figure below) are given by successively adjusting the nozzles D, D' to one point each (in the direction transverse to the tub's longitudinal direction) by locking the spline shafts 5, 5' and moving the nozzle carriage back and forth in the tub's longitudinal direction, subsequent readjustment of the nozzles in the direction transverse to the tub's longitudinal direction by means of the spline shafts 5, 5 'and renewed movement of the nozzle carriage 1 back and forth in the tub's longitudinal direction, etc..

The massage patterns mentioned are merely examples and the invention is not limited to these patterns. The person skilled in the art recognizes that by combining the movements in any way (ie moving the nozzle carriage in the longitudinal direction of the tub and laterally displacing the nozzles by means of the splined shafts 5, 5 'in the direction of the longitudinal walls of the tub or away from these, in each case using suitable motors 2) any beam combinations can be generated (including asymmetrical or even arbitrarily spontaneously generated ones).

In a manner known to those skilled in the art, it is possible to control the (electric) motors 2, 2', 2" manually or electronically, so that certain massage patterns are pre-programmed and carried out on the persons to be treated as desired or required and even carried out repeatably let.

This makes it possible according to the invention to use the device described in detail above for body massage, specifically for the dry body massage of a person to be treated using water jets, the impulse of which is transmitted to the underside of the lying/covering film and from there to the person lying on the film . In principle, it is also conceivable to massage only part of the body of a person to be treated that requires a dry water jet massage treatment, or to massage the body of an animal to be treated.

According to the invention, the device for dry water jet massage further comprises a nozzle carriage 1 which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub W on two rails on wheels 4, 4 ', 4" fixed on the floor B of the tub W. A preferred one, which is not to be understood as a limitation of the invention and an example of such a nozzle carriage, which serves primarily to provide a better and more understandable description of the invention, is from the Figures 4A and 4B visible. The wheels 4, 4 ', by means of which the nozzle carriage 1 moves on the two rails fixed on the floor B of the trough W and is thereby moved in the longitudinal direction of the trough W, have wheel axles which are arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the nozzle carriage 1. According to the invention, the nozzle carriage can be moved on four or six or eight wheels, the axles of which are arranged in such a way that the load can be evenly distributed over the entire nozzle carriage. Accordingly, the full burden lies on the weight of the jet carriage and the load the impulse forces, which are exerted by the ejection of the massage water from the nozzles onto the underside of the film material F, on the wheels 4, 4 'and are transmitted from them to the two rails on the bottom of the tub W. Although it is not absolutely necessary that the wheels 4, 4 'on both sides of the nozzle carriage 1 move on the rails "in a left and right track", it is preferred if the wheels on the rails are "in track" drive. The main advantage is the even load distribution and load transfer from the nozzle carriage 1 to the wheels 4, 4 'and from these to the two rails.

In addition to the above-described load-bearing wheels 4, 4' on the nozzle carriage, one wheel 4" or several wheels 4" can be mounted on both sides of the nozzle carriage 1 or several wheels 4" on one side of the nozzle carriage, the axes of which are arranged vertically and which move laterally along a rail or on both rails or on two sides of a rail and thus keep the jet carriage "on track" or on the rail. The expert knows based on the requirements that arise in each individual case whether such wheels 4 " should or must be provided and can accordingly advantageously provide such wheels 4" to ensure permanent and reliable running of the nozzle carriage 1 on the rails and also select their number.

According to the invention, a drive 3 is provided on the device V for dry water jet massage for the forward and backward movement of the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tub W on the wheels 4, 4 ', 4". The person skilled in the art knows from the prior art suitable drives 3 and can select them based on his technical knowledge according to the circumstances without being subject to any restrictions when selecting a drive 3. Examples of corresponding drives 3 are toothed belts (see Figure 9A ), perforated steel strips (see Figure 9B ), chains, ropes (e.g. wire ropes), a trapezoidal screw, a rack and others. For such drives 3, a drive motor 2 is usually provided (also within the scope of the invention), which is outside the wet area of the tub W is arranged. The drive motor 2 outside the tub transmits a rotational movement from the outside of the tub W, for example from the bottom of the tub W, into the tub W via an interlocking gear combination, as the person skilled in the art knows from conventional power transmission devices, to a deflection roller 11. The deflection roller 11 rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tub (essentially vertical in the device in operation) and transmits its rotational movement into a translational movement of the nozzle carriage or nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tub W. Usually There are two such deflection rollers, one of which is arranged, for example, at the head end of the tub W and one at the foot end of the tub W. One or both deflection rollers can be driven by a drive 3, or an embodiment can be selected in which only one of the deflection rollers is driven by a drive 3 and the other runs "passively".

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotational movement of the deflection roller(s) is transferred into a translational movement of the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tub by means of a toothed belt (see Figure 9A ). The toothed belt engages in a corresponding gear in the driven deflection roller on the one hand and in the nozzle carriage 1 on the other. A rotation of the deflection roller moves the toothed belt in the longitudinal direction of the tub. The toothed belt 12 also moves the nozzle carriage on both tracks of the guide rail in the longitudinal direction of the tub.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotational movement of the deflection roller(s) is transferred into a translational movement of the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the trough W by means of a perforated band (see Figure 9B ), for example a perforated stainless steel band. The perforated band 13 engages in the elevations on the guide area of the corresponding deflection roller on the one hand and in the nozzle carriage 1 on the other hand. A rotation of the deflection roller 11 moves the perforated belt in the longitudinal direction of the tub and the perforated belt moves the nozzle carriage 1 on the guide rails also in the longitudinal direction of the tub.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, the transfer of the rotational movement of the deflection roller(s) into a translational movement of the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the trough in the manner described in more detail above can also take place by means of transmission means other than toothed belts 12 and perforated band 13. The person skilled in the art knows such transmission means and can, for example, provide a chain or a rope, for example a wire rope, a trapezoidal thread spindle, a rack or other comparable means.

According to the invention, the nozzle carriage 1 carries the nozzles which eject the massage water onto the underside of the film material. According to the invention, at least two nozzles D, D', D" are provided on the nozzle carriage 1.

In principle, according to the invention, the number of nozzles is not limited. Two, three, four or even more nozzles can be arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 or can be included in the device V according to the invention for dry water jet massage. However, for reasons of reliable operability of the water jet massage device V according to the invention, it has proven useful to provide at least two nozzles D, D'. In further preferred embodiments of the invention (on and therefore with the nozzle carriage 1), these are not only movable in the longitudinal direction of the tub, but can also be moved in the transverse direction to the tub's longitudinal direction by means of a mechanism to be described separately below, which - as described below - This means that these (preferably both) nozzles D, D' can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub W and in the transverse direction of the tub W independently of one another or with the same movement pattern. This creates the possibility of performing a variety of dry water jet massage patterns on the underside of the foil F (and thus also on the body of the person being massaged) by means of the water jets ejected onto the underside of the foil material F person Pe). This means that the type of dry water jet massage can be selected from a variety of such massage patterns.

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, which can be implemented alone or in combination with another embodiment or another feature or with several or all other embodiments or features of the invention, without being limited thereto, are on the nozzle carriage 1 in addition to the at least two nozzles D, D' and another nozzle D" attached. Preferably, this further nozzle D" can be arranged fixed on the nozzle carriage 1. This additional nozzle D" on the nozzle carriage 1 would eject massage water onto the underside of the film material F in such a way that the massage pattern can only be varied in the longitudinal direction of the tub W by the translational movement of the nozzle carriage 1 with the nozzle D" fixed thereon. As a result, if the additional nozzle D" continuously ejects massage water onto the underside of the film material F, it would produce a water jet massage pattern running in the form of a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the tub. However, these additional nozzles could also be operated in this way that it could basically eject the massage water in the line massage pattern described above, but is operated in such a way that its water jet - at a certain position of the nozzle carriage 1 with the water jet ejection direction of the nozzle D" fixed and, if necessary, when the translational movement of the nozzle carriage is stopped under the concave cavity 100 - ejected exactly into one of the concave cavities 100 / hump on the underside of the film F. In such an operation, a "special massage" of the body parts of the person to be massaged, which is independent of the other massage actions of the device V for dry water jet massage, could be effected, which corresponds to the concave cavity 100 on the underside of the film or the concave cavities 100 on the underside of the film are adjacent to the top of the film.

In the in the Figure 1A shown device for dry water jet massage according to the prior art ( Figure 1A ) is on one double-track guide rail, which is fixed to the bottom of the trough W, a multi-part nozzle carriage is arranged, which moves on wheels on the double-track guide rail parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trough W (defined here and below also for the present invention as the "X direction") can be. The nozzle carriage of this prior art consists of an upper part with one or more fixed nozzle (s) and a lower part with a device that can be operated via a rotating toothed belt system for moving the nozzles in a more or less perpendicular to the X direction, at least at an angle direction lying between 30 and 60 ° to the X direction (defined here and below also for the present invention as the “Y direction”). By operating the latter device, which causes the nozzles to move in the Y direction, the massage water jet can be directed over an area determined by the length of movement of the one or more, usually two, nozzles on the nozzle carriage is defined by the movement in the X direction and by the respective movement of the nozzle (s) by the movement in the Y direction. The disadvantage of this solution is that only a massage "corridor" of the two nozzles that is comparatively narrow in the Y direction can be supplied with water and - with several, for example two, nozzles only a completely identical movement, only shifted in the Y direction ( and thus massage actuation) of the nozzles can be realized.

The present invention provides a different approach to this solution, which in itself is already advanced compared to previous solutions: this surprisingly enables a completely independent movement of the nozzles, at least in the transverse direction of the tub W, and thus allows - as will be described in detail below - a variety of new forms of massage for the dry water jet massage (see Figure 10 ). In addition, at least two nozzles D, D' carried by the nozzle carriage 1 can also eject water jet massage water into the cavities 100 formed on the underside of the film material F and thereby also massage areas of the body of the person to be massaged Pe that are vertical (i.e are arranged more or less at right angles to the surface of the film material F), such as for example, shoulders or soles of the person being massaged. This was not possible with the previously known water jet massage devices.

According to the invention, the device V for dry water jet massage further comprises a nozzle carriage 1. This is described below with reference to Figures 4A and 4B described in more detail. The nozzle carriage 1 comprises, parallel to the tub floor B, a horizontal base plate 10 which can be moved on the wheels 4, 4', 4" in the tub's longitudinal direction, each with a vertical side plate 12, 12' fixed to the bottom plate 10 on the left and right sides. One connects in the transverse direction The first pivot axis 14 extending from the trough W and optionally a second pivot axis 14' running in the transverse direction of the trough W and arranged offset to the first pivot axis 14, which is capable of serving for guidance purposes, rigidly interconnect the vertical side plates 12, 12'.

Furthermore, the device V for dry water jet massage comprises a vertically extending tilting plate 16, 16' on the respective outer sides of the side plates 12, 12 ', which can be pivoted about the first pivot axis 14 running in the transverse direction of the tub W on one of these side plates 12, 12' is posted. A connection support 16a, which is mounted horizontally on the underside of the two vertical tilting plates 16, 16', and a rigid axis 14" running in the transverse direction of the trough W, rigidly connect the tilting plates 16, 16' to one another. Furthermore, each of the tilting plates 16, 16' points on the (in the transverse direction) on the outside at the end of the tilting plate opposite the tilting plate stop there is an impeller 17, 17', each with a wheel axle parallel to the first and second pivot axes 14, 14'.

Like from the Figures 4A and 4B As can be seen, the two tilting plates 16, 16 'are connected together with the horizontal connecting support 16a and the rigid axis 14" to form a rigid unit which can be pivoted about the horizontal pivot axis 14. The nozzle holders DH carrying the nozzles D, D' are can also be pivoted about the pivot axis 14 and are raised from the horizontal "rest position" under the influence of the rigid, also horizontally extending axis 14" as soon as the nozzle carriage 1 with the tilting plates 16, 16 'arranged on the additional rails 18, 18' and the impellers 17, 17' running on the ramps R, the ramps R are moved upwards. The additional optional second pivot axis 14', which also runs in the transverse direction of the trough W and is offset from the first pivot axis 14, allows the nozzles to be raised for alignment with the Formations/cavities 100 of the film material F and a subsequent ejection of water into them for massage purposes do not only take place depending on the rise of the impellers 17, 17' on the ramps R, but can be achieved by the offset arrangement of the two horizontal pivot axes 14, 14' in a disproportionate lifting (compared to the rise of the wheels 17, 17` up the ramps). This advantageously ensures that the water ejection direction of the nozzles D, D' in the nozzle holders DH is from (essentially) vertically upwards (starting position, compare) with comparatively little effort and simple mechanical means Figures 7A, 7B , 8A ) via a transitional position (compare Figures 7C, 7D ) in (essentially) horizontal towards the foot of the trough W (ejection position, compare Figures 7E , 8B ) can be changed. In the ejection position, the massage water is essentially ejected into the bulges/cavities 100 in the film material F, thereby causing a massage of the parts of the body of the person to be treated Pe that are adjacent to the bulges/cavities 100. This is an example of massaging the shoulder of a person being treated Pe in Figure 8C shown where "F" denotes the film as a whole and the bulge/cavity is denoted "100".

The main advantage of this structure of the nozzle carriage 1 according to the invention is that it makes it possible to direct massage water not only vertically (ie at an angle of essentially 90 ° in relation to the underside of the film) onto the underside of the film material, while the nozzle carriage, and with it the at least two nozzles D, D ', are moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub W and the at least two nozzles D, D' - as explained in detail below - are moved in the transverse direction of the tub W in order to achieve a desired massage pattern (see Figure 10 ) to generate Pe on the underside of the foil material F and thus also on the body of the person to be massaged. Rather, in addition (and in contrast to the prior art), the at least two nozzles D, D 'on the nozzle carriage 1 can be moved out of the plane of the base plate 10 by means of the pivotable tilting plates 16, 16' and thus their massage water jet can be positioned in special positions of the Also eject the nozzle carriage 1 into the cavities 100/humps/bulges formed on the underside of the film material F. This is described in detail below.

As in the prior art, according to the invention the nozzle carriage 1 comprised by the device V for dry water jet massage has at least two nozzles D, D', D which can be moved on the nozzle carriage 1 and can be fed with massage water from the tub W by means of a pump P via a flexible hose connection "to eject a jet of water against the underside of the film material F and / or against the cavities on the underside of the film. The pump for feeding massage water from the tub W into the at least two nozzles can be a conventional pump for conveying liquids into the be at least two nozzles D, D', as the person skilled in the art knows and can select according to the requirements of the individual case. Their output on the delivery side is preferably equipped with flexible hoses made of a material that can withstand continuous operation in the massage water and is adapted to the nozzle inlet of the at least two nozzles D, D'. During operation of the device V for dry water jet massage, the at least two nozzles then eject massage water essentially vertically onto the underside of the film material F and/or against the cavities on the underside of the film.

The movement of the at least two nozzles D, D 'forwards and backwards in the longitudinal direction of the tub W takes place with the movement of the nozzle carriage 1. The nozzle carriage 1 is therefore driven by a motor 2 via the Drive 3, on the wheels 4, 4 'move in the longitudinal direction of the tub W, the at least two nozzles D, D', D" mounted on the nozzle carriage 1 next to each other in the width direction of the tub W also move parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the tub W. When the pump is operating (without transverse movement of the at least two nozzles D, D', D"), two/three massage water jets hitting the underside of the film parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the tub W would be from the at least two nozzles D, D', D" ejected.

Regardless of the movement of the at least two nozzles D, D', D" in the longitudinal direction of the trough, the movement of the at least two nozzles D, D' in the transverse direction of the trough W can take place in that two are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device V through a bushing each LB splined shafts 5, 5' running on the underside of the nozzle carriage 1 are controlled by a drive for carrying out a rotating back and forth movement about the respective splined longitudinal axis. According to the invention, the two splined shafts 5, 5' are located on the head side in one in the tub -Inner bearings L, L 'are mounted rotatably about their own axis and are controlled on the foot side by a drive motor located outside the trough W to carry out the rotating back and forth movement about the respective spline shaft longitudinal axis.

Furthermore, the two splined shafts 5, 5' are each in engagement with a gear ZR arranged on the underside of the nozzle carriage base with a gear axis concentric with one of the splined shafts 5, 5'. In addition, the two gears ZR, each in engagement with a spline shaft 5, 5', are in turn in engagement with two parallel to the pivot axes 14, 14', 14" arranged on the lower nozzle holders DH, an independent movement of the nozzles in the transverse direction of the tub along the Racks Z enabling swivel axes 14, 14', 14".

In further preferred embodiments of the invention, which alone or in combination with another embodiment or one other feature or with several or all other embodiments or features of the invention can be realized, without being limited thereto, the at least one drive motor 2 '(arranged outside the trough W) is capable of driving one or both of the splined shafts mounted within the trough W 5, 5' independently of each other to rotate back and forth in order to control the respective spline shaft axis running along the longitudinal direction of the trough W. The spline shafts 5, 5', which are mounted on the respective two spline shaft ends and run through each bushing, are not supported by the bushings LB, but run through them essentially without contact (when the nozzle carriage 1 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the trough W). In each case a gear ZR arranged below the nozzle carriage floor, the gear axis of which is concentric to the respective axis of rotation of the associated spline shaft 5, 5 ', is moved back and forth with a back and forth movement of the associated spline shaft 5, 5' . Each of the at least two nozzles D, D', D" arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 has a nozzle holder DH which connects the lower end of the respective nozzle to the nozzle carriage. Each of the nozzle holders DH is equipped with a nozzle holder DH in the transverse direction (i.e. parallel to the pivot axes 14, 14 ', 14") arranged rack Z. Each of the two racks Z is in engagement with the associated gear ZR, which is arranged below the nozzle carriage floor and extends through a gap in the nozzle carriage floor above the nozzle carriage floor. Consequently, the clockwise or anti-clockwise movement (seen along the spline shaft axis) of the two spline shafts 5, 5', when controlled by the spline shaft drive via the at least one motor 2', is converted into a corresponding movement of the respective gear ZR im Clockwise or counter-clockwise. The two gears ZR, which are each in engagement with a rack Z arranged on one of the at least two nozzles D, D', D", set the two gears in motion to the left or right side of the trough W, which has the associated nozzles D , D' along the pivot axes 14, 14', 14". The movement of the two spline shafts ultimately results in a movement of the at least two nozzles D, D' in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tub.

If the at least two nozzles D, D' of the nozzle carriage 1 are moved together with the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the trough W, and the nozzles are moved - independently of one another, individually, together or in different ways - by moving the splined shafts 5, 5' (independently from the movement in the longitudinal direction of the tub W) clockwise or counter-clockwise to the right or left side of the tub W, this leads to a longitudinal movement and simultaneous transverse movement of the at least two nozzles. This transverse movement of the at least two nozzles D, D 'can be combined with the longitudinal movement of the nozzles on/together with the nozzle carriage 1 to form any symmetrical or asymmetrical water jet massage pattern on the underside of the film material and thus also on the body of the person to be massaged be (see Figure 10 ).

With regard to the functions of the splined shafts 5, 5', it should be noted that the splined shafts 5, 5' - including via the bushings LB - do not have any load-bearing nozzles, in particular no at least two nozzles that carry the weight of the nozzle carriage 1 and no at least two nozzles that eject the pressure pulse of the massage water D, D' has an "intercepting" function.

The splined shafts 5, 5' can be any rods known to those skilled in the art that are suitable as power transmission shafts, for example two rods with a triangular or square cross section. According to the invention, two such spline shafts 5, 5 'are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device V within the trough W. According to the invention, the spline shafts 5, 5 'in the interior of the tub are preferably on the head side (i.e. on the side of the tub W on which the head of the person to be treated usually lies (see also Figure 1B with a sketch of the person to be treated) in a bearing L, L 'located inside the tub and rotatable about the axis. The spline shafts 5, 5 'are also on the foot side (i.e. on the side of the tub W, on which usually the feet of the person to be treated are lying (compare also Figure 1B with sketch of the person to be treated) each controlled by a drive motor 2', 2". The drive motors 2', 2" are located outside the tub W and can be motors known to those skilled in the art for this purpose, which can be selected arbitrarily based on known criteria. In preferred embodiments, these are, for example, electric motors. By means of these motors 2', 2", the respective splined shafts 5, 5' can be set in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the splined shafts 5, 5', namely in rotation in both directions (clockwise and counter-clockwise, viewed along the splined shafts -Axis). This makes back-and-forth rotations of the spline shafts 5, 5' about their longitudinal axis possible. As is known to those skilled in the art, the spline shafts 5, 5' are in engagement with the base side through sealed guides from the inside of the trough W to the outside Motors 2', 2" guided.

According to the invention, at least one of the nozzles D, D', D" is capable of directing its ejected water jet on the underside of the film material F onto the interior of one or more convex elevations on the upper side of the film material F 100 forming cavities 100 on the underside of the film.

As described above, this can be done in such a way that at least one nozzle is rigidly arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 in such a way that when the nozzle carriage reaches a certain (adjustable) position, it directs its massage water jet exactly into one on the underside of the film formed lower cavity 100 (hump).

This solution is one of the conceivable possibilities, but requires that the nozzle carriage 1 must be moved into the specific position that the massage water jet is aimed at with the aim of directing the massage water jet precisely into the concave cavity on the underside of the film material F -Ejection into the desired cavity 100 / into the desired cavities 100 allowed, and also remains there for a time allowing a dry water jet massage. Because the nozzle D‴ is rigid on the nozzle carriage 1 arranged and can therefore only change the direction of the massage water jet ejection in the longitudinal direction of the tub W together with a movement of the nozzle carriage 1.

Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, which may be practiced alone or in combination with, but not limited to, another embodiment or feature, or with several or all other embodiments, or several or all other features of the invention, the invention includes: Device V for dry water jet massage at least two nozzles D, D 'on the nozzle carriage 1, which are capable of moving the nozzle carriage 1 in a plane parallel to the bottom of the tub 1 and spanned by the long sides and the transverse sides of the tub W to direct the respective ejected water jets essentially vertically onto the underside of the film material F. This is done in the manner described above in that the nozzle carriage 1 with its wheels 4, 4 'is moved on the rails attached to the trough floor in the longitudinal direction of the trough W and the two nozzles D, D' simultaneously move the spline shafts 5, 5 by means of the drive ' clockwise or counter-clockwise together or independently of each other and thereby the at least two nozzles D, D 'can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tub towards the sides or towards the center of the tub.

In further, even more preferred embodiments of the invention, which may be embodied alone or in combination with, but not limited to, another embodiment or feature, or with several or all other embodiments, or several or all other features of the invention, includes the device V for dry water jet massage on the respective left and right outer sides of the two rails fixed on the floor B of the tub W in the longitudinal direction of the tub W for moving the nozzle carriage 1, an additional rail 18, 18 'for the running of the both tilting plates 16, 16 'mounted wheels 17, 17' parallel to the The wheels 4, 4', 4" run on the bottom of the tub W when the nozzle carriage 1 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub W. The rails 18, 18' run at one or more points, preferably in the area of the head end and/or in the Area of the foot end of the trough W, towards the end of the trough on rising ramps. The ramps rising towards the end of the trough are able to hold the ends of the tilting plates 16, 16 'on the nozzle carriage end when the wheels 17, 17 'are driven uphill on the ramps around the first To pivot the pivot axis 14 away from the bottom B of the tub W towards the film F, whereby the angle of the respective massage water jet of the respective nozzle D, D' rigidly connected to the tilting plate 16, 16 'with the underside of the film increases Pivoting the tilting plates 16, 16' changes from essentially 90 ° to acute angles, preferably up to an angle of <10 °, for example up to an angle of 6.5 °, based on the underside of the mat.

As a result, the at least two nozzles D, D 'on the nozzle carriage 1 are capable of directing their respective ejected water jet onto the interior of at least one of the one or more transversely extending person(s) lying on the film material F Pe directed and the film F to form one or more, film-top convex elevation(s) 100 forming, film-bottom cavity(s) 100. The person Pe who is to be subjected to a dry water jet massage with his body, in particular with its vertical parts, resting against the bumps 100 formed on the top of the film receives the water jet massage pressure pulse via the film material walls of the bumps and thus becomes dry on them massaged.

This will be discussed below with reference to the Figures 5 , 6A and 6B , 7A to 7E and 8A to 8C explained further in detail.

Assuming that cavities/bumps 100 are formed on the underside of the film material in the area of the head, as shown in FIGS Figures 2A and 2B is shown, the position of the nozzle carriage 1 shown in Figure 5A near the foot end of the tub W and with nozzles 2, 2'"remaining" near the bottom of the tub can be the starting point of the method for dry water jet massage on a person to be massaged. To simplify the illustration, the foil material F used to cover the tub W and to lie down the person to be massaged Pe is not shown in the figures in all of the above-mentioned figures (except where explicitly stated otherwise) for reasons of simplifying the figures (exception: Figures 8A , 8C ).

Starting from the foot end of the tub W, the nozzle carriage 1 with the two nozzles D, D' arranged on it, preferably with exactly two nozzles D, D', can move at any speed (rather slower for reasons of a thorough massage) on the rails running wheels 4, 4 'in the direction of the head end of the tub W, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the tub W. The speed of the process can be in a range such that the nozzle carriage 1 covers the distance between the foot end and the head end of the tub in (for example and without limitation) 1 to 2 minutes. The nozzle carriage can then be moved along the same path back to the foot of the trough W; etc. However, the time can be shorter or longer in individual cases due to the requirements of a massage and can, for example, be set by a person supervising the dry water jet massage on the person to be massaged. Such settings can be: both the movement of the at least two nozzles D, D', D" in the longitudinal direction of the tub W, and the movement (to be explained in detail below) of the at least two nozzles D, D', D" in the transverse direction of the Tub W, as well as the movement of the at least two nozzles D, D 'with adjustment of the direction of the massage water jet to one of the cavities 100 arranged on the underside of the nozzle of the film F.

During the movement of the nozzle carriage 1 with the nozzles D, D' arranged thereon from the foot end of the tub W to the head end of the tub W and back, one or both of the at least two nozzles D, D' can be moved on the nozzle carriage in a lateral direction by means of one or both of the spline shafts 6, 6', i.e. in directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tub. This can be done together by synchronous rotation of the spline shafts 6, 6 'in the same direction or independently of one another by asynchronous or counter-rotating rotation of the spline shafts 6, 6' or by moving one spline shaft while keeping the other spline shaft stationary or by quickly moving a spline shaft 5 in any direction and done by slowly moving the other spline shaft 5' in any direction.

The respective rotation of the spline shaft(s) clockwise or counter-clockwise about their axis running longitudinally to the trough W causes the gear ZR, which is arranged concentrically with the respective spline shaft, to rotate in the same direction and in the same circular (partial) circumference. Both gears ZR are in engagement with respective racks Z arranged above the base plate of the nozzle carriage 1. The latter are attached in the transverse direction of the trough W to the lower ends of the holder of the respective nozzles D, D '. The racks Z, which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tub, and thus also the nozzles D, D', are moved laterally (to the left or to the right) by the gears ZR controlled by the spline shafts 6, 6', namely along the pivot axes 14, 14 ', 14', which also run transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tub W.

The control of the transverse movement of the nozzles D, D' by rotating the spline shafts 6, 6' clockwise or counter-clockwise is independent of the movement of the nozzles D, D' on and with the nozzle carriage 1 in the longitudinal direction of the tub. This makes it possible to use a previously unknown variety of water jet massage patterns, including: Figure 10 only a few are shown. The transverse movement of the nozzles D, D' is not shown in any of the figures; However, the person skilled in the art understands the connection between the control of the movement of the nozzles D, D 'in the transverse direction of the trough W by a movement of one or both of the spline shafts 6, 6' in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction and the actual movement of the Nozzles D, D' in the transverse direction of the tub W via the gears ZR and racks Z based on the detailed description above.

As long as the nozzle carriage 1 with the wheels 4, 4 ', 4 "on the bottom of the trough W is moved "in the plane" by means of the drive 3 and the nozzles D, D 'are moved (or separately from it) in the manner described above are moved back and forth laterally (across the tub's longitudinal direction), the massage water jet ejected from the nozzles D, D' hits the tub's longitudinal direction regardless of the movement of the nozzle carriage 1 (due to the movement of the nozzle carriage 1 on the wheels 4, 4', 4") and also independently of the more or less strong displacement of the nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 in the transverse direction of the tub, essentially perpendicular to the underside of the film material F on which the person to be massaged is placed Pe lies. The parts of the body of the person to be massaged that face the film material and are accessible to the pressure pulse of the massage water jet are therefore massaged in the desired manner by the massage water jet that hits the underside of the film essentially perpendicularly. This process makes it possible to massage all parts of the body of the person to be massaged that come into contact with the material of the film F, i.e. that rest on the film F, with a selectable, for example (without limitation) constant pressure of the massage water jet. This happens - mentioned in the example described above - starting from the foot end of the tub W, where, for example, as the at least two nozzles D, D 'on the nozzle carriage 1 progress in the longitudinal direction of the tub W towards its head end and with controlled back and forth Moving the at least two nozzles D, D' in the transverse direction of the tub through a synchronous or asynchronous or completely independent repeated or even just individual movement of one of the at least two nozzles D, D' by means of the splined shafts 5, 5', the heels of the feet, the calves, the undersides of the thighs, the buttocks, the hips, the back, the shoulder blades (possibly also the neck) of the person to be massaged are massaged dry with the massage water jets that hit the underside of the film essentially perpendicularly. In the event that the too If the person massaging Pe lies on their stomach on the cover film F, the corresponding front parts of the body of the person to be massaged can also be moved from the foot end to the head end of the tub W.

The process can be carried out by moving the nozzle carriage in the reverse direction (from the head end to the foot end) and with controlled back and forth movement of the at least two nozzles D, D 'in the transverse direction of the tub by a synchronous or asynchronous or completely independent repeated or even only individually moving one of the at least two nozzles D, D' by means of the spline shafts 5, 5' are repeated; etc..

With this procedure, the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D 'can be moved on the wheels 4, 4', 4" with controlled back and forth movement of the at least two nozzles D, D' in the transverse direction of the tub synchronous or asynchronous or completely independent repeated or even just individual movement of one of the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 by means of the spline shafts 5, 5' from the in Figure 5 shown condition (at the very end, nozzles in the "level") to that in the Figures 6A, 6B shown state (nozzles in the "level"; nozzle carriage near the head end) and moved back. If desired, this can be done in several cycles running one after the other or in several movement sequences described above of the movement of the nozzle carriage 1 from the foot end to the head end or from the head end to the foot end with the respective return of the nozzle carriage to the respective starting position on a "quick" direct path without ejecting massage water.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one of the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 is capable of moving one or two of the at least two nozzles D, upon further movement of the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged thereon. D 'to bring into a position in which at least one of the at least two nozzles D, D', preferably even two of the at least two nozzles D, D', their respective can direct the ejected massage water jet into at least one, preferably into at least one of the cavities 100 formed on the underside of the film. Preferably, two of the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 are capable of moving one or two of the at least two nozzles D, D' into a position when the nozzle carriage 1 is further moved with the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged thereon bring, in which at least one of the at least two nozzles D, D ', preferably even two of the at least two nozzles D, D', their respective ejected massage water jet into at least one, preferably each into at least one of the cavities formed on the underside of the film 100 can/are able to judge. This process is in the Figures 7A to 7E and 8A to 8C and is described in detail below.

Like in the Figures 7A and 8A is shown, are laterally on the outside of the rails on the floor B of the tub, on which the nozzle carriage 1 is moved on the wheels 4, 4 ', 4", and each parallel to these rails fixed on the floor B of the tub W additional rails 18, 18 'are created at least in the area of the head end of the tub W. In further preferred embodiments of the device V according to the present invention, these additional rails 18, 18' run towards the respective tub end, i.e. in the case described here, to the head end of the tub W The angle of rise compared to the bottom of the tub can be chosen by the person skilled in the art to adapt to the technical requirements, for example to adapt to the available space requirements, and is - for example and not limiting - 10° to 60°, preferably 15° to 45°. The angle of rise can be the same over the entire length of the additional rails 18, 18', so that the rails 18, 18', starting from a specific point, run on a uniformly rising ramp. Alternatively, the angle of rise can be different over the course of the ramp, for example (without limitation) increasing towards the end of the ramp. The specialist can choose this and adjust it accordingly depending on the circumstances of the individual case.

As soon as - how in particular from Figure 7A can be seen - the nozzle carriage 1 on the rails arranged on the floor B of the trough W on the wheels 4, 4', 4""in the plane", i.e. without lifting the at least two nozzles D, D' by means of the tilting plates 16, 16' and their outside impellers 17, 17 ', so far towards the end of the tub - in Figure 7A : in the direction of the head end of the tub W - was moved so that the outside running wheels 17, 17' assigned to the tilting plates 16, 16 'are at the beginning of the rail 18, 18' rising to the ramp, any further movement of the nozzle carriage 1 on the rails arranged on the floor B of the tub W on the wheels 4, 4 ', 4" towards the end of the tub W - in Figure 7A : towards the head end of the tub W - so that the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D 'arranged thereon on the rails arranged on the floor B of the tub W on the wheels 4, 4 ', 4" further in Direction towards the head end of the tub W is moved, but the outside running wheels 17, 17' assigned to the tilting plates 16, 16 'on the respective additional outside parallel rail 18, 18' begin to "run up" onto the ramps on both sides. This is shown, for example Figures 7A and 7B . The outside running wheels 17, 17' and the tilting plates 16, 16' connected to them are raised in accordance with the rise of the ramps 18, 18' on both sides and pivoted about the pivot axis 14 in the direction of the underside of the film F. This pivoting process takes place on both sides of the nozzle carriage with the same increase, since the tilting plates are rigidly connected via the additional axis 14". In Figure 7B the radiation or ejection direction of the at least two nozzles D, D' is sketched schematically with arrows. In Figure 7B It can be seen that already in this stage the angle of the massage water ejection direction with the underside of the film material F (essentially 90 ° with the film underside) changes to a smaller, ie more acute angle, compared to the ejection direction of the massage water jet the at least two nozzles D, D' when moving the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D'"in the plane".

In the course of this process, the movement of the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 in the transverse direction of the tub can be carried out independently - as described above - by rotating the two splined shafts 5, 5' clockwise or counter-clockwise about the longitudinal axis of the Splined shafts 5, 5 'can be carried out without being subject to any restrictions - such as "in the plane".

During further movement of the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged thereon in the direction - for example (without limitation) - towards the head end of the tub W on the rails on the wheels 4, 4' arranged on the floor B of the tub W. , 4", the outside wheels 17, 17' are moved further up the ramp on the additional rail on the ramp 18, 18'. The movement of the wheels 17, 17' up the ramp is - as described above and from the Figures 4A, 4B and 7A to 7E can be seen - "translated" by the offset pivot axes 14, 14' into a disproportionate lifting of the tilting beams 16, 16' with the nozzles D, D' arranged thereon. This is from comparing the Figures 7C and 7D with Figure 7B visible. Due to the rise of the outside running wheels 17, 17' on the additional parallel rails on the ramps 18, 18', the tilting plates 16, 16' rise further and pivot further towards the underside of the film around the pivot axis 14", together with the nozzle holders and the at least two nozzles D, D'. Also in these two Figures 7C and 7D the further changing radiation or ejection direction of the at least two nozzles D, D 'is sketched schematically with arrows. It can be seen that the angle of the massage water ejection direction changes to ever smaller acute angles with the underside of the film material F, compared to Figure 7B .

Finally it's in Figure 7E shown that during the further movement of the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged thereon in the direction - for example (without limitation) - towards the head end of the tub W on the rails on the wheels 4 arranged on the floor B of the tub W , 4', 4" the outside wheels 17, 17' on the additional Rail on ramp 18, 18' continue up the ramp to the (in Figure 7E shown) move towards the head end of the tub W. Due to the further rise of the outside running wheels 17, 17' on the additional parallel rails on the ramps 18, 18', the tilting plates 16, 16' continue to rise into the in Figure 7E end position shown and pivot towards the underside of the film about the pivot axis 14", together with the nozzle holders and the at least two nozzles D, D'. Figure 7E shows that - compared to the Figures 7C and 7D - the impact angle of the massage water jet on the underside of the film has further reduced the course of the underside of the film in the end position of the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two fully opened nozzles D, D '. In Figure 7E The (optional) support surfaces S for the covering and lying foil F are also designated separately.

The same sequence of rising movements of the outside running wheels 17, 17' with pivoting movement of the tilting plates 16, 16' about the pivot axis 14" as in the Figures 7A to 7E also show the side view of the nozzle carriage 1 Figures 8A to 8C . In the Figures 8A to 8C The (optional) support surfaces S for the covering and lying foil F above the shoulders next to the head of the person to be massaged are also designated separately. The side views differ Figures 8B and 8C only because of that Figure 8B the covering and lying film F does not show, but the covering and lying film F does Figure 8C is shown.

Figure 8A shows one Figure 7A Comparable view of the device V according to the invention for dry water jet massage, but in a side view of the nozzle carriage 1. In the in Figure 8A The side view shown shows the nozzle carriage 1 with the at least two nozzles D, D '. Up to this point, the nozzle carriage 1 has moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub W from the foot end towards the head end of the massage tub W "in the plane", i.e. by moving on the rails arranged on the tub floor by means of the wheels 4, 4 ', 4' in the longitudinal direction of the tub W. The at least two nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 move i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the tub W together with the nozzle carriage 1 and on the nozzle carriage 1. At the same time, up to this point, the at least two nozzles D, D 'are in the transverse direction of the tub by means of the two splined shafts 5, 5' by rotating them about their length in the tub longitudinal direction axis of rotation running in the lateral direction (= transverse direction of the massage tub W) on the nozzle holders DH outwards (ie towards the side tub walls) or inwards (ie away from the side tub walls) along the pivot axes 14, 14 ', 14". The massage water hitting the underside of the covering or lying foil F at a (nearly) right angle exerts - as described above - a massage impulse on the underside of the covering or lying foil, which affects the person's body Pe is transferred, which lies on the foil F, and massages this person in this way.

In the Figure 8A The position of the nozzle carriage 1 shown is the one at which, as the nozzle carriage 1 moves further towards the head end of the tub, the outside running wheels 17, 17' begin on the outside of the two tilting plates 16, 16', on the additional outside ones that move up a ramp Rails 18, 18 'to move "uphill" and thus to pivot the two tilting plates 16, 16' together about the pivot axis 14 out of the plane towards the underside of the film. As part of this pivoting movement, which continues with further uphill travel of the outside wheels 17, 17 'and further pivoting of the tilting plates 16, 16' in the Figures 8B and 8C As shown, the water jet ejection direction of the at least two nozzles D, D' changes from (substantially) right angle in relation to the film underside (as shown in the sequence of Figures 7A to 7E can be seen) to smaller, essentially small acute angles, more preferably to angles <10 °.

This is also in the Figures 8A , 8B and 8C shown: While the angle, based on the underside of the film, in Figure 8A is about 90°, the ejection angle is in Figures 8B and 8C significantly smaller and is preferably a small acute angle <10°. This leads - as can be seen from the sketch of Figure 8C with the Section of the covering and lying film results in an impact angle of the massage water jet ejected from the at least two nozzles D, D ' onto the inside of the film cavities 100 of approximately 90 ° and thus in an application of a massage water pulse by at least one of the at least two Nozzles D, D' at an advantageous angle, which achieves a good massage effect, on the concave cavity wall for massaging the body surface area of the person to be massaged adjacent to the wall on the top side of the film.

After achieving this massage effect, for a time sufficient or desired for a dry water jet massage or at least a fraction thereof, whereby several similar and similarly long massages can be combined to form an entire massage, on the body parts of the person to be massaged adjacent to the cavities 100 , which are arranged essentially perpendicular to the lying foil F, when the person Pe lies on the lying foil F, for example the shoulders or the soles of the feet of the person to be massaged, the nozzle carriage is moved from the position furthest from the head end of the massage tub (see Figures 8B and 8C ) move towards the foot of the massage tub. This can be done by following the same steps of pulsing the water jets ejected from the at least two nozzles D, D' in reverse order as described above (see Figures 8C, 8B and 8A or. Figures 7E , 7D , 7C , 7B, 7A ) or can happen in one quicker step or several quick steps in reverse order as described above. The procedure can be controlled by the specialist according to the circumstances of the specified massage patterns and/or wishes of the person to be massaged.

The process of the dry water jet massage can then be started again according to the above description by starting again to move the nozzle carriage 1 and thus also the at least two nozzles D, D' arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 "in the plane" from the foot end on the rails attached to the bottom of the tub by means of the wheels 4, 4 ', 4" towards the head end of the tub W and at the same time move the at least two nozzles D, D' transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tub by means of the spline shafts 5, 5' and thereby create different patterns of a dry water jet massage (see Figure 10 for some examples) on the parts of the body of a person to be massaged that rest on the foil F and come into contact with the foil F.

Such "in-plane" massage processes can be combined in any number and order with any number (and in any order) of massage processes in the concave cavities 100 formed on the underside of the film. A specialist experienced in this technical field can adjust this according to the circumstances of the person to be massaged, Pe, in accordance with the requirements, for example the wishes of the person to be massaged, or the treatment indication for the person to be massaged.

Furthermore, all of the massage processes described can be carried out with massage water jets with continuous, consistent pressure that is pleasant for the person being treated. Alternatively, it is also possible to change the pressure during the dry water jet massage or to apply a “pulsating print image”. The specialist can adapt this to the circumstances and requirements of the individual case, for example also the physiological requirements of the person to be massaged.

In preferred embodiments (not shown in one of the figures) of the invention, which can be implemented alone or with another feature of the invention or with several other features of the invention or together with all other features of the invention, without limiting the invention thereto, includes the device V further has at least one nozzle D‴, which is not arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 and is capable of directing its ejected water jet onto the concave interior of at least one of the one or more concave formation (s) / cavity / cavities 100.

This can be done in any manner known to those skilled in the art, for example continuously or intermittently or pulsatingly or in a rhythm coordinated with the massage water ejection from the nozzles mounted on the nozzle carriage 1. Because the water jet ejected from the nozzle D‴ not arranged on the nozzle carriage 1 is continuous or intermittent or pulsating or in a rhythm coordinated with the nozzle massage water ejections mounted on the nozzle carriage 1 onto the interior of at least one of the several concave shapes (en) / cavity / cavities 100 is directed, a continuous or intermittent or pulsating or coordinated to the massage pulse of the nozzle (s) mounted on the nozzle carriage can be effected on the body parts of the person to be massaged / the patient, which is in terms of Lying position of the person to be treated Pe / the patient who is adjacent or adjacent to at least one of the one or more concave formation (s) / cavity / cavities 100. This massage effect is obviously temporally and spatially independent of that which the nozzle(s) D, D', D" mounted on the nozzle carriage exert on the body of the person to be treated P / on the patient. Because while they are not on the nozzle carriage arranged nozzle D‴ massage water is ejected (or not ejected) onto the interior of at least one of the one of the several concave formations (s) 100, the nozzle carriage 1 with the massage nozzles D, D', D" arranged thereon can move independently in the longitudinal direction of the tub The nozzles D, D' are or can be moved in the Y direction by means of the spline shafts 5, 5' (and can thereby - as described above - independently generate any massage patterns of a dry water jet massage (or in the case of non-methods or not -Moving the nozzles D, D' cannot be generated)) without this having an influence on the dry water jet massage through the nozzle D' of the device V according to the invention, which is not arranged on the nozzle carriage 1.

In the same way as described above, the massage pulse exerted by the massage water of the nozzle D‴ can also preferably be applied the controlled concave shape(s) and thus on the body parts of the person to be treated P / the patient can be changed independently of the massage impulses that are applied by the other nozzles or can also be specifically adapted to them . The same applies to the massage water temperature: This can also be selected, varied or adjusted independently.

The invention also relates to a dry water jet massage method. In this case, the body of a person to be treated Pe / a patient, which is arranged on a film material F that enables pressure pulse transmission as the upper cover of a device V, as described in detail above as according to the invention, is placed in one by at least one of the nozzles D, D', D", D' onto the underside of the film material F and optionally into the interior of at least one of the one or more elevations 100 that form convex surfaces on the top of the film and cavities 100 that form concave cavities on the bottom of the film Water jet pressure pulse at least one of the nozzles D, D', D" providing the pulse for a time that causes a massage effect on the body.

In contrast to the prior art, with the dry water jet massage method according to the invention, not only the diverse flat massage images described above can be generated on the underside of the lying film F, with which a massaging pressure pulse is applied via the lying film F to the body parts of the person to be treated which rest directly on the film material F. Rather, massage pulses can also be applied to parts of the body of the person P to be treated via the one or more concave formations/cavities/cavities 100 which are attached to the film according to the invention and which are open to the underside of the film. which rise vertically above the surface of the lying film and which rest against the one or more concave formations/cavities/cavities 100. This can be done either at least one, preferably one, not on the nozzle carriage 1 arranged nozzle D‴, which is/are capable of directing its ejected water jet onto the interior of at least one of the one or more concave formations 100, or at least one, preferably one, nozzle D″ arranged on the nozzle carriage 1, which is capable of doing so / are to direct their ejected water jet onto the interior of at least one of the one or more concave formations 100, or at least two D, D 'of the nozzles on the nozzle carriage 1, which are capable of directing their ejected water jet onto the interior at least one or two of the several concave formations 100 can be provided. This has been described in detail above, and reference is made to these above descriptions for the method according to the invention for dry water jet massage.

As with a usual massage or water jet massage, the dry water jet massage according to the invention can be carried out with the device of the present invention and used as a body massage, preferably for relieving cramps, tension (for example muscle tension), tension (for example stress-related muscular tension) , to reduce stress (e.g. to eliminate stress or posture-related hardening of the trapezius muscle ), to relieve or eliminate pain (e.g. in sports injuries or to relieve or eliminate back or joint pain, muscular imbalances, muscular fatigue, disorders muscle tone), to improve blood circulation (for example to eliminate (chronic) venous stasis syndrome or circulatory and metabolic disorders), to treat cervical migraines, to treat fibromyalgia, to eliminate reversible spinal dysfunction and to combat the Cervical and thoracic spine syndromes and the so-called lumbar syndrome. The terms “cervical spine syndrome”, “thoracic spine syndrome” and “lumbar spine syndrome” each mean a condition in which pain is present in the area of the cervical spine, thoracic spine or lumbar spine in general and without specific information Cause of pain. The respective syndromes are generally difficult to combat or alleviate, but according to the invention they are specifically alleviated or combated with the new device.

Further possible uses include using the device according to the invention to increase metabolic performance, to loosen the subcutaneous cell tissue, to decongest venous and lymphatics, to loosen scar tissue, and to activate and dampen the autonomic nervous system with beneficial effects on the internal organs.

• Für mehrere, vorteilhafterweise zwei, Düsen D, D' ist ein zentraler Wasser-Druckanschluß installierbar. Beide Düsen sind D, D' auf einem einzigen Düsenschlitten 1 angebracht und lassen sich in Querrichtung der Wanne W voneinander weg und aufeinander zu bewegen.
• Die Antriebsmotoren 2, 2', 2" sind außerhalb der Wanne anbringbar und können über Toleranz-ausgleichende Kreuzkupplungen jeweils eine Welle (Keilwellen 5, 5' oder einen Antrieb 3) antreiben.
• Düsenbewegungen in Längsrichtung und in Querrichtung der Wanne A sind gleichzeitig möglich, können überlagert werden und erlauben Bewegungen der auf dem Düsenwagen montierten mindestens zwei Düsen D, D' in Querrichtung der Wanne W unabhängig voneinander aufgrund der unabhängig voneinander steuerbaren Keilwellen 5, 5', denen keine Lasten tragende Funktion zukommt; die Keilwellen 5, 5' dienen lediglich der durch die Bewegung der Keilwellen 5, 5' um ihre eigene Längsachse initiierten Verschiebung der auf dem Düsenwagen 1 jeweils entlang der Schwenkachsen 14, 14` verschiebbaren Anordnungen der mindestens zwei Düsen D, D'.
• Der Abstand der Düsen D, D' in Querrichtung ist stufenlos von minimal bis maximal variierbar.
• Sämtliche Düsenpositionen sind von außerhalb der Wanne W über eine Drehwinkelmessung der Keilwellen-Antriebe erfassbar.
• Die für das Verschieben der Düsen verantwortliche Einrichtung wie auch der Düsenwagen sind komplett vormontierbar.

Advantages of the device V according to the invention for dry water jet massage compared to the prior art include:

• A central water pressure connection can be installed for several, advantageously two, nozzles D, D'. Both nozzles are mounted D, D' on a single nozzle carriage 1 and can be moved away from and towards each other in the transverse direction of the trough W.
• The drive motors 2, 2', 2" can be attached outside the trough and can each drive a shaft (splined shafts 5, 5' or a drive 3) via tolerance-compensating cross couplings.
• Nozzle movements in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction of the trough A are possible at the same time, can be superimposed and allow movements of the at least two nozzles D, D 'mounted on the nozzle carriage in the transverse direction of the trough W independently of one another due to the independently controllable spline shafts 5, 5', which no load-bearing function is assigned; The splined shafts 5, 5' only serve to shift the arrangements of the at least two nozzles D, D' on the nozzle carriage 1 along the pivot axes 14, 14', initiated by the movement of the splined shafts 5, 5' about their own longitudinal axis.
• The distance between the nozzles D, D' in the transverse direction can be infinitely varied from minimum to maximum.
• All nozzle positions can be detected from outside the trough W by measuring the angle of rotation of the spline shaft drives.
• The device responsible for moving the nozzles as well as the nozzle carriage can be completely pre-assembled.

The invention was explained above using preferred embodiments merely by way of example, without being limited to the preferred embodiments.

Reference symbol list

b

Bottom of the tub W

D, D', D", D‴

nozzles

DH

Nozzle holders

F

Foil material

L, L'

Bearings of the spline shafts 5, 5'

L.B

liners

Pe

person

R

ramp

S

Support surface for foil cover F

v

Device for dry water jet massage

W

tub

Z

Racks arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tub

ZR

Gears coaxial and in engagement with the spline shafts 5, 5'

1

Jet car

2

engine

3

drive

4, 4', 4"

Wheels for moving the nozzle carriage 1 on rails on the bottom of the tub

5, 5`

Splined shafts

6, 6`

Splined shafts

10

base plate

12, 12'

vertical left/right side panels

14, 14', 14"

Swivel axes in the transverse direction of the tub W

16, 16`

Tilting plates

16a

horizontal connecting beam

17, 17'

external running wheels on the tilting plates 16, 16'

18, 18'

Additional external parallel rails with rising ramp

100

Convex shape on the top side of the film / concave cavities on the bottom side of the film F

Claims (15)

Device (V) for dry water jet massage, comprising a tub (W) filled with massage water, extending from a head end in the longitudinal direction to a foot end and from a left side in the transverse direction to a right side, with a tub (W) which simultaneously serves as a lying surface for a person to be treated (Pe) and enables pressure pulse transmission Foil material (F) as the tub (W) on the top of the waterproof cover; a nozzle carriage (1) which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) and carries at least two nozzles (D, D', D"), the nozzles (D, D', D") each being used to eject a jet of water against the underside of the film -Material (F) can be fed via a flexible hose connection with massage water from the tub (W) using a pump (P); a first drive (3) for moving the nozzle carriage (1) forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the trough (W), the movement of the at least two nozzles (D, D ') forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the trough (W). the movement of the nozzle carriage (1); and a second drive (5, ZR, Z) which displaces the nozzles (D, D') in the transverse direction of the trough (W); wherein a nozzle holder (DH) is arranged on the nozzle carriage (1), and wherein at least one of the nozzles (D, D') is arranged on the nozzle holder (DH), characterized, that the nozzle holder (DH) and the at least one of the nozzles (D, D') are axially displaceable along an axis (14') of the nozzle carriage (1) arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the trough (W), and that the nozzle holder (DH) is connected to a rack (Z), which, as part of the second drive, enables individual adjustment of the nozzle holder (DH) in the transverse direction of the tub with a gear of the second drive. Device according to claim 1, wherein the rack (Z) is connected to at least one rigid axis (14; 14') of the nozzle carriage (1) in an axially displaceable manner. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a component coupling the rack (Z) to two axes (14; 14 ') of the nozzle carriage (1) takes the nozzle holder (DH) with it in the transverse direction, but is decoupled from the nozzle holder (DH) in the pivoting direction . Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rack (Z) is connected to a shaft, in particular a splined shaft, of the second drive, and wherein the movement of the shaft of the second drive is converted into the axial movement of the rack (Z) in the transverse direction. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein means for pivoting the nozzles (D; D') about an axis in the direction of the film (F) from an axis parallel to the bottom of the trough (1) through the long sides and the transverse sides of the trough ( W) spanned plane of the tub are provided, and that the ejected water jet occupies an angle to the normal of the film (F) due to the pivoting. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivoting movement of the nozzle holder (DH) carrying the nozzles (D; D') is achieved by a ramp (R) arranged in the trough (W), and wherein the forward motion generated by the first drive and backward movement the nozzle holder (DH) with respect to the ramp (R) shifted and thus pivoted upwards about a horizontal axis (14 '). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle holder (DH) can be pivoted relative to the rack (Z). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle carriage (1) can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W) on two rails on wheels (4, 4 ', 4") fixed on the floor (B) of the tub (W), and wherein the nozzle carriage (1) is connected to the first drive (3), which is mounted inside the trough (W) and can be operated from outside the trough (W) by means of a motor (2") and acts on the underside of the nozzle carriage (1). the wheels (4, 4', 4") can be operated by moving the nozzle carriage (1) forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the tub (W). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle carriage (1) has a horizontal base plate (10) which can be moved parallel to the trough floor (B) on the wheels (4, 4 ', 4") in the longitudinal direction of the trough, each with one on the base plate (10 ) vertical side plate (12, 12 ') fixed on the left and right sides, a first pivot axis (14) running in the transverse direction of the trough (W) and optionally a first pivot axis (14) running in the transverse direction of the trough (W), offset from the first pivot axis (14). second pivot axis (14`), which is capable of serving for guidance purposes, rigidly connects the vertical side plates (12, 12'). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the respective outer sides of the side plates (12, 12 ') there is a vertically extending tilting plate (16, 16') which can be pivoted on the first pivot axis (14) running in the transverse direction of the trough (W). is attached and a rigid axis (14") running in the transverse direction of the trough (W) rigidly connects the tilting plates (16, 16 ') to one another, wherein each of the tilting plates (16, 16') has an impeller (17, 17') on the outside (in the transverse direction) at the end opposite the tilting plate stop, each with one for the first and second pivot axes (14, 14'). has parallel wheel axle; Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the at least two nozzles (D, D ') in the transverse direction of the trough by means of two running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device (V) through a bushing (LB) on the underside of the nozzle carriage (1). , can be effected in engagement with a gear (ZR) arranged on the underside of the nozzle carriage base with a wheel axis concentric with one of the spline shafts (5, 5'), and the spline shafts (5, 5') on the head side in one in the tub Internal bearings (L, L') are rotatably mounted about their own axis and are driven on the foot side by a drive motor (2, 2') located outside the trough (W) to carry out a rotating back and forth movement around the respective spline shaft. Longitudinal axis are controlled, the gears (ZR), each of which is in engagement with a spline shaft, in turn in engagement with the lower nozzle holders (DH) arranged parallel to the pivot axes (14, 14 ', 14"), an independent movement of the nozzles in the transverse direction of the trough along the pivot axes (14, 14 ', 14") are racks (Z) without the spline shafts (5, 5') having a load-bearing function, in particular the nozzle carriage (1); Device (V) for dry water jet massage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the film material (F) has one or more transversely extending person (Pe) lying on the film material (F). directed (n) and the film (F) has one or more, convex elevation (s) (100) on the top side of the film (100), forming cavity (s) on the bottom side (n), and wherein the one or more , extending transversely, onto the person lying on the film material (F). (Pe) directed and the film (F) to form one or more, convex elevation(s) (100) on the top side of the film, hollow space(s) on the bottom side of the film material (F ) have a depth, calculated from the inner surface of the film material (F), in the range of 1 mm to 200 mm, preferably in the range of 1 mm to 100 mm. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the nozzles (D, D', D") is adapted to direct its ejected water jet on the underside of the film material (F) onto the interior of the one or more on the top side of the film -Material (F) to direct convex elevations (100) forming the foil underside cavities (100), and the foil material (F) which enables pressure pulse transmission as the upper cover of the device (V) also results in a heat is capable of transfer; preferably, the film (F) serving as the upper cover of the tub (W) comprises a natural rubber film, optionally with a carrier layer made of chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM). Device (V) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two nozzle holders (DH) are arranged on the nozzle carriage (1), each of which can be displaced independently of one another in the transverse direction by an associated second drive (5, ZR, Z), and that the two Nozzle holders (DH) are connected to be axially displaceable in the transverse direction along at least one common rigid axis (14; 14 ') of the nozzle carriage (1). Method for operating a device (V) for dry water jet massage according to one of claims 1 to 14, with the following steps Positioning the nozzle (D; D') arranged on the nozzle holder (DH) in the longitudinal direction by the first drive (3); Positioning the nozzle (D; D') arranged on the nozzle holder (DH) in the transverse direction by the second drive (5, ZR, Z); and Pivoting the nozzle holder (DH) carrying the nozzle (D; D') about an axis (14') perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the nozzle carriage, whereby the distance of the nozzle (D; D') from the film is reduced; Directing the water jet ejected from a nozzle (D; D') against the film material (F) and/or a cavity (100) on the underside of the film.

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