GB2362315A - Seating and support apparatus for use in manipulation therapies - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (10), for use by practitioners of a manipulation treatment or therapy such as reflexology or chiropraxy, comprises a platform (19) on which the recipient of treatment or therapy rests a part of their body, the platform (19) being supported in a spaced relationship to a seating member (21). The platform (19) and the seating member (21) are adjustably mounted on a supporting framework which includes means (22) for rotating the seating member (21) around the platform (19). The platform (19) is tiltable to enable the recipient's limb or part thereof to rest comfortably. The distance of the seating member (21) from the platform (19) and the height of the seating member (21) and the platform (19) is also adjustable. A motor to drive the seating member (21) around the platform (19) is also considered.

Description

1 j 2362315 IMPROVED SEATING APPARATUS FOR USE IN MANIPULATION THERAPIES

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved seating arrangement, particularly for use in, for example, reflexolog, chiropody or head massage.

0Y Back-ground to the Invention In recent years the use of so-called "alternative" or "complementary" therapies has increased dramatically. Amongst such therapies, manipulation techniques in which pressure is applied to one area of the body to treat the whole body play a prominent role. One of these techniques, namely reflexology, in which a therapist manipulates parts of the body, for example, the hands or more usually the feet, is proving to be particularly popular.

0 Normally, during a reflexology therapy session, the patient or recipient of the 1 1 therapy sits or lies down in as relaxed a position as possible, the relaxation playing an important part, whilst the therapist carries out the manipulation. As a session can last a long time, the therapist is usually seated for the greater part of that time. It has been found, however, that when the therapist requires to change position in order to manipulate another area, the therapist's movement causes the patient to be disturbed from the relaxed state. Furthermore, if the recipient of the manipulation is required to move often during therapy, much of the relaxing 0 C benefit of the therapy may be lost- Additionally, if the equipment (bed or platform) is not correctly set up, the therapist may find that their posture is uncomfortable to maintain and fatigue affects their efficiency.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seating arrangement which reduces the necessity for a therapist to stand up during a treatment session and minimises disturbance to the patient.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for use by practitioners of manipulation treatment or therapy, the apparatus comprising a platform on which the recipient of treatment or therapy rests a part of their body, the platform being supported in spaced relationship to a seating member, the platform and seating member being adjustably mounted on a supporting framework which includes means for rotating the seating member around the platform.

The supporting framework preferably comprises an upright platform support member adapted to telescopically receive the platform and a plurality of base leo=,> members for stability.

The supporting framework includes a horizontally extending arm to support the seating member, being mounted rotatably at a first end about the upright platform support member.

The horizontally extending arm is conveniently supported at a second end by a ground-engaging wheel.

Intermediate the first and second ends of the arm, there is provided a member for telescopingly receiving the seating member and maintaining the seating member horizontally spaced in relation to the upright platform support member.

Advantageously, the length of the arm may be adjusted to suit the stature of the c person carrying out the manipulation.

The platform is preferably tiltable to allow the recipient's limb or part thereof to rest comfortably. Where the recipient's foot is being manipulated. for example during treatment by reflexology an angle of between 10' and 20' has been found to be particularly advantageous.

The motion of the seating member around the platform is advantageously assisted by motorised means.

The base leg members are advantageously arranged to form a "T" shape, to allow the apparatus to be brought in close proximity to the chair, couch or other seating arrancement on which the recipient of treatment or therapy is seated.

0 The invention includes within its scope a chair, couch or other seating arrangement incorporating apparatus as herein described.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described more particularly with reference to accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of seating apparatus according to the invention. In the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the base of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of a base leg., 1 Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of a telescoping part of an upright platform ZY support; Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of part of a fitting for the platform; 111) Figure 6 is a perspective view of an assembled platform including a member for c telescopic engagement with the upright platform support member of the framework; Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of the arm for supporting the seating member; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of a ground-engaging wheel including a protective wheel cover.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, a seating apparatus 10, which is suitable to be used by a reflexologist, for example, comprises a base unit 11 having couplers 12A, 12B, 12C for engaging leg members 13A, 13B, 13C. Each coupler 12A, 12B, 12C has, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, a rectangular cross-section In to engage its correspondingly cross-sectioned leg member 13A, 13B, 13C to It> provide additional stability to the seating apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 comprises a framework including an upright support member in the form of a vertically extending tube 14 to receive a platform pillar 15. The platform pillar 15 is slidably housed within the tube 14, the height of the platform pillar 15 being releasably fixed therein by means of a locking member 16. The locking member 16 passes through a hole 17 in the tube 14 and one of a number of corresponding holes 18 in the platform pillar 15. The height of the platform pillar 15 is adjusted by use of the appropriate hole 18 in the platform pillar 15. At the upper end of the platform pillar 15 a platform 19 is tiltably mounted.

Although the platform 19 may be adopted or adjusted for use with many different parts of the body, for example, the head or hands, reference is made hereinafter to a footrest, such reference not being intended as limiting.

The framework also includes a horizontally extending arm 20, to support a seat 21 for the reflexologist practitioner, and has at a first end a collar 22 which fits around and is rotatable with respect to the tube 14. The collar 22 is retained by a collar support 23 which is welded to the tube 14. At the opposite end of the arm 20 there is provided a groundengaging wheel 24, mounted such that its axis is parallel to the mounting arm 20. The seat 21 and the footrest 19 are covered with an easily maintainable material such as PVC.

The arm 20 has along its length and adjacent to the wheel a collar 25 to receive a seat support 26 for the scat 21. The height of the support 26 is releasably fixed by means of a locking member 28. The locking member 28 passes through a hole 29 in the collar 25, and thence through a corresponding hole 30 in the scat support 26.

In use, the patient being treated sits or reclines on a chair or bed (not illustrated) Z.

with their feet resting on the footrest 19. Once the height and tilt angle of the t) n 1 1 footrest 19 have been adjusted, the tilt angle to approximately 15', to make the 1 patient comfortable, the reflexologist adjusts the height of the seat 21 to a height at which administration of the treatment is most convenient, and which causes minimal stress to the reflexologist's body, particularly their back.

The rotatably-mounted arm 20 on which the seat 21 is supported allows the reflexologist to access the patient's feet at any angle without rising ftorn the seat 21. By using pressure from the feet, the reflexologist can cause the seat 21 to Z move in circular motion about the footrest 19.

It is important that the whole apparatus is stable towards tipping over or tilting. It is also important that the base 11 and the legs 13A, 13B, 13C do not interfere with the reflexologist's movement around the patient. Where necessary therefore the length of the legs 13A, 13B, 13C may be adjusted. A suitable mechanism for enabling the length adjustment is shown in Figure 3. The outrigger 40 fits slidably within the base unit arm 4 1. In use the outrigger 40 is slid within the base unit arm 41 until the required length is achieved. The locking nut 42 threadably engages the hole 43 in the base unit arm 41 and is tightened until it presses against, and holds in position the outrigger 40.

C A mechanism to allow the footrest 19 to tilt to the required angle is shown in Figures 4-6. Figure 4 shows a footrest support 50. The footrest support 50 is of smaller diameter at a footrest- engaging end 5 1. A mounting plate 52 has holes 53 through which screws may pass to secure the footrest 54 to the mounting plate 52. The mounting plate 52 further comprises two mounting brackets 55A, 55B each having a hole 56A, 56B through which a screw or nut can pass. In use, the mounting brackets 55A, 55B are positioned around the footrest-engaging end 51, the holes 56A, 56B being lined up with corresponding holes 57 in the footrestengaging end 5 1. The mounting plate 5 2 is then secured by means of a nut 5 8 and bolt 59. The footrest normally tilts at an angle of from 10 to 20'.

The footrest engaging end 51 is slightly flatter along its length in order to better engage the mounting brackets 55A, 5513.

The length of the arm may also be adjusted as illustrated in Figure 7. The arm, referenced 70 is in two sections, the outer section 71 being slidably mounted in the inner section 72. By sliding the outer section 71 within the inner section 72 therefore, the overall length of the mounting arm 70 may be adjusted to the desired length. The length is subsequently fixed in a similar fashion to that used for the base unit arm 41 and the outrigger 40 as shown in Figure 3.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated the legs can have a larger crosssection than the couplers to enable the legs to slidably fit around the corresponding coupler. The legs are then fixed into position as described above. Similarly the outrigger may also fit around the base unit arm. In a further embodiment, in place of each of the pairs of couplers and legs, the apparatus can have a stowable telescopically extending member adjustable to the desired length to prevent the apparatus from tipping over when in use.

The apparatus may additionally comprise a wheel cover 80. The wheel cover acts to protect the wheel from damage, as well as protecting the reflexologist's clothing from becoming trapped in the wheel. It can also serve as a useful surface on which a badge or logo can be incorporated onto the apparatus.

1 The apparatus as described above can be easily transported from one location to another, to assist a therapist whose patients need to be treated in their homes. Where necessary it is also easily demountable to fit into a smaller space for storage. To further provide for the apparatus to fit into a small storage space, the legs 13A, 13B, 13C may be hingeably mounted such that they can fold into a position in line and adjacent the tube 14. Means may also be provided to secure the legs 13A, 13B, 13C to the tube 14 during storage.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the therapist's seat and/or the footrest may also be incorporated into a chair or a couch for use in a permanently located practice.

It will of course be recognised that instead of the wheel shown in Figure 1, then mechanical equivalents such as a roller or even a low friction runner may also be used. Where the apparatus is permanently situated in one location, a track may be incorporated into or on the flooring surface to engage the wheel, roller or runner.

To assist the therapist, a motor may also be incorporated into the apparatus to drive the movement of the therapist's seat around the footrest.

The apparatus as described herein is suitable for use when carrying out treatments or therapies other than reflexology, for example to enhance the relaxed state of the person undergoing treatment or to minimise the tiring effects to the practitioner of administering the treatment or therapy. For example, the apparatus could be used whilst administering a manicure, pedicure or whilst practising chiropody. It could also be used when administering massage to the head or the foot. The apparatus could also find use during operations on a particular limb, allowing the surgeon to sit down during long or delicate procedures.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

1. An apparatus for use by practitioners of manipulation treatment or therapy, the apparatus comprising a platform on which the recipient of treatment or therapy rests a part of their body, the platform being supported in spaced relationship to a seating member, the platform and seating member being adjustably mounted on a supporting framework which includes means for rotating the seating member around the platform.

   2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the supporting framework comprises an upright platform support member adapted to telescopically receive the platform.

   An apparatus according to either of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the supporting framework comprises a plurality of base leg members for stability.

   4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the supporting framework includes a horizontally extending arm to support the seating =1 1 member.

   An apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the horizontally extending arm is mounted rotatably at a first end about the upright platform support member.

   7.

   An apparatus according to either of Claims 4 or 5, wherein the horizontally extending arm is supported at a second end by a groundengaging wheel.

   An apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein intermediate the first and second ends of the arm, there is provided a member for telescopingly receiving the seating member and maintaining the seating member horizontally spaced in relation to the upright platform support member.

   An apparatus according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the length of 1 the arm may be adjusted to suit the stature of the person carrying out the manipulation.

   An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the platform is I.) tiltable to enable the recipient's limb or part thereof to rest comfortably.

   10. An apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the platform is tiltable at an angle of between 10' and 2T.

   11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the motion of the seating member around the platform is driven by motorised means.

   12.An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 11, wherein the base leg members are arranged to form a "T" shape.

   13. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

   1 cl 14. A chair, couch or other seating arrangement incorporating an apparatus as claimed in Claim 1