US20020096929A1

US20020096929A1 - Portable massage chair converter

Info

Publication number: US20020096929A1
Application number: US09/767,070
Authority: US
Inventors: Chris Showerman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-23
Filing date: 2001-01-23
Publication date: 2002-07-25

Abstract

A portable massage chair converter including a base portion for coupling with a backrest of an armless chair. A headrest portion is coupled with respect to the base portion. The headrest portion is both adjustable vertically with respect to the base portion and adjustable angularly with respect to the base portion. The headrest portion includes a padded portion for receiving a face of a person seated in the armless chair therein. A pair of forearm supports are coupled with respect to the base portion to allow a forearm of the person seated in the armless chair to rest thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable massage chair converter and more particularly pertains to attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair.

Body massaging is done for pleasure and for therapeutic reasons. Typically, obtaining a massage requires a visit to the offices of the person administering the massage. Clients are usually massaged while laying down in a specially configured massage table. Such massage tables are generally portable. Massage chairs are also used for administering massages to clients. Clients usually sit in these massage chairs in a position facing the chair so that their back, shoulders, or neck are accessible to the person administering the massage. Some massage chairs are non-portable, and the client must visit the offices of the massage therapist. Some massage chairs are bulky, making their transport a cumbersome task. What is needed is a massage chair that can be easily transported.

The present invention attempts to solve the abovementioned problem by providing a device that will covert a standard armless chair into a chair that a person can be comfortably seated in to receive a massage.

The use of massage chairs is known in the prior art. More specifically, massage chairs heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of allowing an individual to receive a massage are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,485 to Clark discloses an adjustable, folding chair for massage. U.S. Pat. No. 2,566,757 to Alexander discloses a headrest. U.S. Pat. No. 380,251 to Dillon et al. discloses a head rest. U.S. Pat. No. 165,286 to White discloses a head-rest. U.S. Pat. No. 482,520 to Field et al. discloses a portable dental chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,823 to Riach discloses an adjustable headrest. U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,590 to Haynes discloses a chair to promulgate kinesthetic therapy: apparatus and method. U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,696 to Gillotti discloses an adjustable massage chair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,546 to Danis discloses a portable headrest having a base support member with air passages for use while sunbathing. U.S. Pat. No. 6,049,926 to Amaral discloses a head cradle for a therapy table. U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,184 to Kofoed discloses a face and head supporting device for use with a lounge chair or the like.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a portable massage chair converter for attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair.

In this respect, the portable massage chair converter according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved portable massage chair converter which can be used for attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of massage chairs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved portable massage chair converter. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a base portion being comprised of a plate portion. The plate portion has an upper edge, a lower edge, opposed side edges, a front surface, and a back surface. The front surface has a pair of inverted U-shaped supports secured thereto for coupling the base portion with a backrest of an armless chair. A headrest portion is coupled with respect to the base portion. The headrest portion is both adjustable vertically with respect to the base portion and adjustable angularly with respect to the base portion. The headrest portion includes a padded portion for receiving a face of a person seated in the armless chair therein. The padded portion is positioned between a pair of slotted brackets whereby the padded portion can be vertically adjusted with respect to the base portion between the brackets. The slotted brackets have lower ends having a horizontal member extending therebetween. The headrest portion includes a pair of vertical rails coupled with the back surface of the plate portion of the base portion. The vertical rails have upper ends adjustably coupled with the horizontal member whereby the padded portion can be angularly adjusted with respect to the base portion. A pair of forearm supports are coupled with respect to the base portion. The forearm supports are each comprised of a vertically oriented segment extending downwardly from the lower edge of the plate portion. The vertically oriented segment has a lower end having an arcuate recess formed therein for being positioned on a thigh of the person seated in the armless chair. The forearm supports each include an arm support plate extending forwardly from the vertically oriented segments to allow a forearm of the person seated in the armless chair to rest thereon.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter which has all the advantages of the prior art massage chairs and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter which is of durable and reliable construction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a portable massage chair converter economically available to the buying public.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter for attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair.

Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable massage chair converter including a base portion for coupling with a backrest of an armless chair. A headrest portion is coupled with respect to the base portion. The headrest portion is both adjustable vertically with respect to the base portion and adjustable angularly with respect to the base portion. The headrest portion includes a padded portion for receiving a face of a person seated in the armless chair therein. A pair of forearm supports are coupled with respect to the base portion to allow a forearm of the person seated in the armless chair to rest thereon.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: [0021]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the portable massage chair converter constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention illustarted in pace on an armless chair. [0022]
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention illustrated in use. [0023]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention. [0024]
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures. [0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved portable massage chair converter embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number [0026] 10 will be described.
Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a portable massage chair converter for attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair. In its broadest context, the device consists of a base portion, a headrest portion, and a pair of forearm supports. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective. [0027]
The [0028] base portion 12 is comprised of a plate portion 14. The plate portion 14 has an upper edge 16, a lower edge 18, opposed side edges 20, a front surface 22, and a back surface 24. The front surface 22 has a pair of inverted U-shaped supports 26 secured thereto for coupling the base portion 12 with a backrest 28 of an armless chair 30. The supports 26 could be provided with protective knobs 32 on their free ends to prevent the backrest 28 from being damaged. The plate portion 14 has a generally rectangular configuration with the lower corners thereof being cut out to eliminate a potentially dangerous pointed edge.
The [0029] headrest portion 34 is coupled with respect to the base portion 12. The headrest portion 34 is both adjustable vertically with respect to the base portion 12 and adjustable angularly with respect to the base portion 12. The headrest portion 34 includes a padded portion 36 for receiving a face 38 of a person seated in the armless chair 30 therein. The padded portion 36 is designed specifically to receive the face 38 therein. The padded portion 36 has a generally ring-shaped design provided with a central opening 40 to provide access to air to the person while their face is positioned within the padded portion 36. The padded portion 36 is positioned between a pair of slotted brackets 42 whereby the padded portion 36 can be vertically adjusted with respect to the base portion 12 between the brackets 42. The padded portion 36 includes an adjustment handle 44 that can be loosened to allow the padded portion 36 to slide with respect to the slotted brackets 42 in order to attain the proper positioning of the padded portion 36 for the person seated in the chair 30. The slotted brackets 42 have lower ends having a horizontal member 46 extending therebetween. The headrest portion 34 includes a pair of vertical rails 48 coupled with the back surface 24 of the plate portion 14 of the base portion 12. The vertical rails 48 are held in place on the plate portion 14 through the use of brackets 50. The vertical rails 48 have upper ends adjustably coupled with the horizontal member 46 whereby the padded portion 36 can be angularly adjusted with respect to the base portion 12. The upper ends of the vertical rails 48 are coupled with the horizontal member 46 through the use of an adjustment handle 52 whereby manipulation of the adjustment handle 52 will allow the padded portion 36 to be raised or lowered with respect to the base portion 12.
The pair of forearm supports [0030] 54 are coupled with respect to the base portion 12. The forearm supports 54 are each comprised of a vertically oriented segment 56 extending downwardly from the lower edge 18 of the plate portion 14. The vertically oriented segments 56 are preferably pivotally coupled with the plate portion 14. The vertically oriented segment 56 has a lower end having an arcuate recess 58 formed therein for being positioned on a thigh 60 of the person seated in the armless chair 30. The forearm supports 54 each include an arm support plate 62 extending forwardly from the vertically oriented segments 56 to allow a forearm 64 of the person seated in the armless chair 30 to rest thereon. The arm support plates 62 can be folded up against the vertically oriented segments 56 when not in use.
In use, the present invention essentially converts a [0031] standard armless chair 30 into a massage chair. The present invention can be folded and unfolded. When unfolded, it attaches to the backrest 28 of the armless chair 30 and a person can then sit in the chair 30 facing the backrest 28. The person rests their face 38 on the padded portion 36 and their forearms 64 resting on the arm support plates 62 as the vertically oriented segments are atop the thighs 60 on the person.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. [0032]
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. [0033]
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. [0034]

Claims

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by letters patent of the united states is as follows:

1. A portable massage chair converter for attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair comprising, in combination:

a base portion being comprised of a plate portion, the plate portion having an upper edge, a lower edge, opposed side edges, a front surface, and a back surface, the front surface having a pair of inverted U-shaped supports secured thereto for coupling the base portion with a backrest of an armless chair;

a headrest portion coupled with respect to the base portion, the headrest portion being both adjustable vertically with respect to the base portion and adjustable angularly with respect to the base portion, the headrest portion including a padded portion for receiving a face of a person seated in the armless chair therein, the padded portion being positioned between a pair of slotted brackets whereby the padded portion can be vertically adjusted with respect to the base portion between the brackets, the slotted brackets having lower ends having a horizontal member extending therebetween, the headrest portion including a pair of vertical rails coupled with the back surface of the plate portion of the base portion, the vertical rails having upper ends adjustably coupled with the horizontal member whereby the padded portion can be angularly adjusted with respect to the base portion; and

a pair of forearm supports coupled with respect to the base portion, the forearm supports each being comprised of a vertically oriented segment extending downwardly from the lower edge of the plate portion, the vertically oriented segment having a lower end having an arcuate recess formed therein for being positioned on a thigh of the person seated in the armless chair, the forearm supports each including an arm support plate extending forwardly from the vertically oriented segments to allow a forearm of the person seated in the armless chair to rest thereon.

2. A portable massage chair converter for attaching to an armless chair to create a massage chair comprising, in combination:

a base portion coupling with a backrest of an armless chair;

a headrest portion coupled with respect to the base portion, the headrest portion being both adjustable vertically with respect to the base portion and adjustable angularly with respect to the base portion, the headrest portion including a padded portion for receiving a face of a person seated in the armless chair therein; and

a pair of forearm supports coupled with respect to the base portion, the forearm supports allowing a forearm of the person seated in the armless chair to rest thereon.

3. The portable massage chair converter as set forth in claim 2, wherein a base portion being comprised of a plate portion, the plate portion having an upper edge, a lower edge, opposed side edges, a front surface, and a back surface, the front surface having a pair of inverted U-shaped supports secured thereto for coupling the base portion with the backrest of the armless chair.

4. The portable massage chair converter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the padded portion being positioned between a pair of slotted brackets whereby the padded portion can be vertically adjusted with respect to the base portion between the brackets.

5. The portable massage chair converter as set forth in claim 4, wherein the slotted brackets have lower ends having a horizontal member extending therebetween, the headrest portion including a pair of vertical rails coupled with the base portion, the vertical rails having upper ends adjustably coupled with the horizontal member whereby the padded portion can be angularly adjusted with respect to the base portion.

6. The portable massage chair converter as set forth in claim 2, wherein the forearm supports each being comprised of a vertically oriented segment extending downwardly from the base portion, the vertically oriented segment having a lower end having an arcuate recess formed therein for being positioned on a thigh of the person seated in the armless chair.

7. The portable massage chair converter as set forth in claim 6, wherein the forearm supports each including an arm support plate extending forwardly from the vertically oriented segments to allow the forearm of the person seated in the armless chair to rest thereon.