GB2184947A - Massage Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A massage apparatus built into a chair includes flexible sheets 7 abutting pre-set areas of a user, behind which fluid is directed from outlets fed by a suitable fluid supply system. A flexible pipe 12 also permits massage where desired. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A massage ap,slaratus The present invention relates to a massageapparatus and particularly to a liquid jet massage apparatus.

Conventional massage devices comprise rubberor plastic balls, rollers or granulating parts applying fixed mechanical force on the human body without consideration of the different configurations which might result in pains or uncomfortablefeelings.

Basing on the water injection impact on the body when showering,this massage apparatus is designed to perm it the concentration of pressured liquid in a control bagorflexiblemeanssoasto permit an increase in the adaptability for body massaging.

According to the present invention there is provided a massage apparatus comprising a flexible sheet of material against which a user may abut, at least one fluid outlet means directed towards said flexible sheet and having fluid ducting means leading thereto to enablethesupplyoffluid underpressureto said flexible sheet, and means defining an enclosed space with said flexible sheet for ducting fluid which has impacted said sheet material.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a massage apparatus comprising support means for at least part ofthe body of a user, a flexible sheetdisposed on said support means and against which sheetthe user may abut, fluid ducting means leading to fluid outlet means and directed towards saidflexiblesheetto enablefluid to be supplied to said sheetto have a massaging effectonthe partofthe body of a user abutting againstthe opposite side of said flexible sheet, and away-flow means defining an enclosed space with said flexible sheet for ducting fluid which has impacted said flexible sheetfrom said sheet.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a massage apparatus comprising seating means having a seat portion, a back portion and a foot supporting portion with each of said portions having a flexible sheet portion ormemberagainstwhich sheet a user may abut, a liquid reservoir in a lower part of the seating means,a pump communicating with said liquid reservoir, liquid ducting means leading from said pump to at least one nozzle directed towards said flexible sheet in each said portion of the seating means, and liquid return ducting means for returning liquid to said reservoir after impaction of said flexible sheets.

Whilstthefluid pressure may be pneumatic pressure e.g. pressurised air, the present apparatus is normally intended to utilize pressurised liquid e.g.

pressurised water or other hydraulic liquid. Whilst generally the flexible sheet is referredto as being on a supportwhich maycom prise a portablehand device or a bed, the support-is normally intended to comprise a seating means preferably including a seat, back and pedestal portions each preferably with flexible sheet means and fluid supply ducts. It is further envisaged fluid flow control means may include flow pulsating creation means and/orfluid heating means.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a massage apparatus illustrating the internal components; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

A massage apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and includes support means in the form of seating means or a chair having a frame forming a horizontal seat portion, a back portion and pedestal orfoot massaging portion each having aflexiblesheet7 (and 7') overlying such and against which a portion of a user's body may abut to be massaged by pressurised liquid supplied by a circulatory hydraulic system within the chair. The pressurised liquid creates bulges in the sheets 7 to provide the massaging effect.

As shown in Fig. 1,the hydraulic system mainly comprises a motor 1, a pump 2, a filter 3, reservoir bag orcontainer 9 and a manifold check or control valve 6.

The manifold check valve 6 is operable by means of control members (seen in the side of the chain in Fig.

2)so as to connect the pressurised liquid from pump 2, as required, to hoses or pipes P1 - P5 forming fluid ducting means. In Fig. 1, there are five hoses P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 respectively installed for five nozzles to create, in use, massaging bulges in sheets 7 (and 7').

Hoses P1, P2 and P3 are set in the bigger bag or massage flow retu rn section 8 and secu red beneath the soft skin, flexible sheet7 ofthe chairto permit, in use, the nozzles to direct liquid to form bulges in the sheet material 7 to massage neck, back or hip parts of a user when sitting. The ejected liquid flow will return to reservoirtank9throughtheaway-flow ducts in the section 8 as indicated by arrows for subsequent re-circulation. The nozzles P1, P2, P3 can be increased in number and moved to other locations following a proper massage procedure.

Aflexible extension informed by hose or pipe P4 located within return ducting pipe 12 and is manually displaceable and extensible to reach other parts ofthe user's body, as desired. A nozzle is provided at the end of pipe P4 and has a flexible or resilient cover thereon to form flexible sheet 7. Hose or pipe P5 extends to a nozzle directed to flexible sheet 7 in the pedal or foot massager partforsole points of the feet and as shown in Fig. 1. A return duct 1 2for pipe P5 is provided outwardly thereon in the foot section ofthe chair frame.

Upon starting motor 1, pump 2will pump liquid fromtank9tothemanifoldcheckorcontrolvalve6 through filter 3 and reservoir bag or vessel 4with constant pressure and then to the nozzles under control for separate or joint injection operations. The liquid flow of pipes P1, P2 and P3 will be collected and returnedbythelargerducting return means 8 while the liquid flowing from pipes P4 and P5 will be collected and returned to their respective return tubes 12 and ducts to permitflow backto tank 9 for further circulation.

A pressure valve5 (adjustable pressure-reliefvalve) is installed between reservoirvessel 4 and pump 2 to adjustforthe proper pressure forthe hydraulic system and valve 5 has a return pipe to tank9. If the check valve is turned tightly an increase in injection pressure may result. The properly controlled flow injections should provide wonderful and comfortable massaging effect.

It is an advantage ofthe apparatus according to the invention to permit massaging operations by the injection or jet force produced by the hydraulic current through controlled systems. The liquid flow can be recollected by the return piping and ducting means and accumulators for subsequent re-circulation.

Claims (22)

1. A massage apparatus comprising a flexible sheet of material againstwhich a user may abut, at least one fluid outlet means directed towards said flexible sheet and having fluid ducting means leading thereto to enablethe supply of fluid under pressure to said flexible sheet, and means defining an enclosed space with said flexible sheet for ducting fluid which has impacted said sheet material.

2. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1,whereinfluid flow control means are provided which include means for providing a pulsating fluid pressure.

3. A massage apparatus comprising support means for at least part ofthe body of a user, a flexible sheet disposed on said support means and against which sheetthe user may abut, fluid ducting means leading to fluid outlet means and directed towards said flexible sheet to enable fluid to be supplied to said sheet to have a massaging effect on the part ofthe body of a user abutting againstthe opposite side of said flexible sheet, and away-flow means defining an enclosed space with said flexible sheet for ducting fluid which has impacted said flexible sheet from said sheet.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the fluid is hydraulic liquid and the hydraulic supply system includesa motorand pump components for circulatory pumping ofliquid.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or4, in which the support means is a seating means for a user.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claimS, in which the seating means is a chair.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the chair has a seat portion, a back portion and a pedestal orfoot portion and in which all said portions have a flexible sheet for impaction by liquid.

8. Apparatusasclaimed in anyofclaims3to7,in which said fluid ducting means comprise at least one pipe orconduitleading to at least one nozzle forming said outlet means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3to 8, in which the away-flow means comprises channels and/orconduitsinthesupportmeans.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claims 5 or 6 and claim 9, in which the channels and/orconduits reformed as partsofthechairwhichcarriestheflexiblesheet.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, inwhichthefluidducting means arse hoses or pipes each leading from a manifold to a nozzle and the manifold is supplied by a pump which draws liquid from reservoir means in said support means, which reservoir means receives liquid from said away-flow liquid ducting means which thusform liquid return means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, in which the liquid return means comprise channelsand/orducts within the support means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any ofclaims3to 12, in which liquid flow control means are mounted on said support means.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, in which the flexible sheet is made of a soft and elastic material.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, in which an extension is provided comprising a further ducting means extending from said support means and leads to an outlet means which has a flexible sheet mounted in front thereof, and in which a flow return ducting means is provided as part of said extension to return liquid.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, in which said extension is flexible by virtue ofthe further ducting means and return ducting means being flexible pipes.

17. Apparatus as claimed in anyofclaims 1 to 16, in which said flexible sheet is a bag covering the outside ofthe piping and outlet parts.

18. A massage apparatus comprising seating means having a seat portion, a back portion and a foot supporting portion with each of said portions having a flexible sheet portion or member against which sheet a usermayabut, a liquid reservoir in a lowerpartofthe seating means, a pump communicating with said liquid reservoir, liquid ducting means leading from said pump to at least one nozzle directed towards said flexible sheet in each said portion ofthe seating means,and liquid return ducting means for returning liquid to said reservoir after impaction of said flexible sheets.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, in which liquid flow control means are provided.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claims 18 or 19 in which aflexible extension extends from said seating means and includes a liquid ducting means leading to a flexible sheet portion and a liquid return duct leading to said reservoir.

21. A liquid injection massage apparatus which includes a hydraulic system comprising motorand pump components to be installed under a chair which may produce circulative currentflowfor operation; a piping system and nozzle parts connected with the said hydraulic system as well as intake and return tubes and hoses; and a massage bag or enveloping means covering outside of the piping and nozzle parts with skin made of soft and elastic material.

22. Massage apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.