US2836174A - Foot massage machine - Google Patents

Description

y 7, 1958 A. w. INFANGEIR 2,836,174

FOOT MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Aug. 31, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TOR. An.'5hua V Im mgzn A ORNKY May 27, 1958 A. w. INFANGER 2,836,174

FOOT MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Au 51, 1955 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Anthun W INFANJER All ORNEY United States Patent FOOT MASSAGE MACHINE Arthur W. Infanger, Cayuga, N. Y., assignor to Auburn Machine and Tool Co., Inc., Auburn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 31, 1955, Serial No. 531,723

6 Claims. (Cl. 128-25) This invention relates to health exercise apparatus and more particularly to a foot massage machine.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and novel foot massage machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel foot massage device which actuates leg muscles, gently flexes the feet, and promotes circulation without the slightest physical effort or strain.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel foot massage machine which soothes and relaxes tired feet and legs.

Still another object of thisinvention is to provide a foot massage machine which combines simplicity of construction and efficiency of operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel foot massage machine of sturdy and durable construction to assure uninterrupted, trouble-free operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel motor driven means for imparting a rotating, pulsating motion to a diaphragm which is in contact with the foot of the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel foot massage machine which has an adjustable foot positioning and securing means for accurately positioning and securing the foot of the user to the machine, in order to derive the full benefit of its operation.

These and other advantages of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be apparent from the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side view of the foot massage machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the foot massage machine;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the means for positioning and securing the foot of the user to the machine;

Figure 4 is a side view of the foot massage machine partly in section showing a portion of the motor driven operating mechanism;

Figure 5 is a side view of the motor drive mechanism which is shown in section;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the motor drive and the structure actuated thereby;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of Figure 2.

For sake of simplicity, like elements will be designated with like reference characters.

Figure 1 shows a foot 17 in phantom cooperatively positioned in a foot massage machine generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The foot massage machine 10 is encased by a top or foot support plate 12, support members 13 and 14 and base member 15. The device 10 is supported by feet 16. A foot positioning yoke-shaped member 18 is integrally associated with a channel shaped block 21 and is adapted to be slidably all engaged about track 22 which is secured to the top plate 12 by screws 23 and 24. Spacers 25 and 26 elevate the track 22 from plate 12 to allow block 21 to slide along track 22. The sliding block 21 may be locked in any desired position by a thumb screw 27. This structure is clearly shown in Figure 3. Cup- shaped members 19 and 20 of yoke 18 are adapted to receive and position the left and right heels of the user to properly position the feet of the user in the machine. Since this positioning structure is adjustable, the machine is adapted to 7 accommodate any shape or size foot.

' slotted sleeve 49 which is adapted to receive pin 39. A v

The feet are secured to machine 10 and held firmly in position thereto by means of straps 28 and 29. Straps 28 and 29 each have one end fastened to a side plate of machine 10, and the other ends adjustably secured by strap- holders 30 and 31 which are mounted to the other side plate of machine 10. Figure 7 shows strap holder 31 secured to the side wall of the casing of machine 10 by screw 86. An eccentric 82 is rotatably secured to member 84 of holder 30 by pin 81. The strap 28 must pass between the bolt head 83 and eccentric 82. As will appear obvious, when strap 28 is pulled down and released, it is secured in place by the pressure exerted on the strap against bolt 83 by eccentric S2. The strap 28 may be loosened by pulling horizontally toward eccentric 82 and releasing it.

As shown in Figure 2, plate 12 has two elongated openings 35 and 36. The feet of the user, when properly positioned by cup-shaped members 19 and 2t) and secured by straps 28 and 29, extend over these openings. Resilient diaphragms 32 and 33 are mounted to plate 12 by screws 34. The openings 35 and 36 allow diaphragms 32 and 33 to be exposed to and in contact with the feet of the user. Any movement of diaphragms 32 and 33 is thus imparted to the feet of the user.

A gentle, pulsating movement which extends both horizontally and vertically is applied to diaphragms 32 and 33 by the motor driven structure shown in Figures 4-6. As best shown in Figure 5, motor 37 has a shaft 38. A cross pin 39 mounted on shaft 38 cooperates with a shaft 41 which is secured to sleeve 4% is held in rotatable alignment by means of bearing 42 and bushing 43 which are both positioned in a housing 44. Worm gear 45 mounted on shaft drives worm gear 46 which is secured to shaft 47 by pin 48 (see Figures 5 and 6). Consequently, shaft 47 is driven by motor 37 through shaft 41 and gears 45 and 46.

In Figure 6, shaft 47 is provided with bushings 49 and 50, which are secured in housing 44. Two eccentrically bored couplings 51 and 52 are secured to opposite ends of shaft 47 by pins 53 and 54, respectively. Stub shafts 55 and 56 are secured to couplings 51 and 52 respectively by pins 57 and 58, respectively. These couplings eccentrically associate the crank arms with shaft 47'. Rotatably engaged on stub shafts 55 and 56 are crank'arms 59 and 60. Lock rings 61 and 62 are provided to hold crank arms 59and 60 in place. Crank arms 59 and 60 driven by shaft 47 through couplings 51 and 52, and stubs shafts 55 and 56, oscillate slidably about fixed rollers 63 and 64 which are mounted on shafts 65 and 66, respectively, which, in turn, are secured to housing 44 by pins 67 and 68. With this structure, it will appear obvious that a rockable and slidable movement is imparted to the crank arms 59 and 60. Integral with crank arms 59 and 69 are mounting plates 71 (shown in Figure 6) and 72 (shown in Figure 4).

Figure 4 shows a side view of the motor driven structure, imparting movement to one diaphragm. Since the diaphragms are driven similarly, it will suflice to describe the linkage of only one crank arm to the diaphragm as i J assert shown in Figure 4. It should be noted, however, that 7 although crank arms 59 and 60 impart the same move- V feature provides different massage movement on each foot at any given time.

In Figure 4, mounting plate 72 of crank arm 60 is secured to a cup-shaped member 7'3 by screws 74 and 75. A pad 76 is positioned in cup 73 contiguous to and in contact with diaphragm 33. ,The pad 76 allows the 'mot-i'on-which ist-ransmitted from crank arm 60 to diaphragm 33 to move thediaphragm gently and evenly. The housing 44 is bolted to base plate 15 by bolts 77 and, 78. 'Motor 37 is secured to housing 44 by bolts; 79 and 80. An on-off switch 85 for supplying operating power to motor 37 is located'on the side of machine near the strap holders '(see Figure 1).

The sliding and rocking motion of crank arms 59 and 60 is applied to the feet of a 'user by diaphragms 32 and 33 which gently and continuously'massage the feet of the user.

as previously explained, the massaging action is different Since the crank arms are cycled differently,

for each foot. This promotes circulation and tends to eliminate any monotonous repetition'of motion which might arise if both feet were massaged with the same motion simultaneously. This gentle action improves circulation, rests and relaxes tired feet and legs, promotes flexible joints and muscles, and does so Without the slightest effort or strain on the part of the user. For those who have physical disabilities which restrict physical activity, this invention provides a gentle passive exercise which will provide beneficial relief without aggravating existing conditons.

'The machine is soundly constructed to assure uninterrupted, trouble-free operation. It may beeasily cleaned and sterilized. Furthermore, the device is easy to' use poses of disclosure and covers all changes and modifica- V tions. which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim: a

1. In combination, a motor, a shaft, means connected to said motor for rotating said shaft, a stub shaft, coupling means for coupling said stub shaft eccentrically to said first named shaft, a crank arm mounted on said stub shaft, a ring positioned on'said stub shaft for locking said crank arm to said stub shaft, a fixed roller associated with said crank arm whereby said crank arm reciprocates about said fixed roller when driven by said shaft, a diaphragm associated with saidshaft whereby the rotating,

eccentrically to said first shaft at opposite ends .there- 7 of, a pair of crank arms mounted on said stub shafts whereby rotation of said first shaft imparts a rotating,

rocking motion to said crank arms, a pair of fixed rollers associated with said crank arms whereby said crank arms oscillate slidably on said rollers,.a pair of diaphragms,

means linking said cranks arms with said diaphragms whereby the rockable, sliding movement of said crank arms is transmitted to said diaphragms, the force of which gently flexes the diaphragms'in a circular, recipro-f cal path. I

3. The structure as defined in claim 2, having the crank arms phased in opposition whereby as one arm moves upward the other moves downward' 7 4. A foot massage device adapted to massage the feet of the user when positioned thereon, comprising a casing having two elongated openings in the top portion thereof,

resilient diaphragms mounted in said openings, adjustable feet positioning means mounted adjacent said openings, adjustable feet securing means attached to'said casing whereby said feet positioning and securing means cooperate to, position the feetof the user on said diaphragms,

pulsating motion of said crankarm is transmitted to said shafts, coupling means for coupling said stub shafts motor driven crank ar ms associated with and for imparting motion toisaid diaphragrns, means for rockably and slidably driving said crank arms whereby said diaphragms are flexed with a rotating, reciprocal motion which gently massages the feet of the user, cup-shaped members, having pads therein secured to said' crank arms, said pads being contiguous to and in contact with said diaphragms.

5. A'foot massage deviceadapted to massage the feet of the user when positioned thereon, comprising a casing hevingtwo elongated openings in the top portion thereof, resilient diaphragms mounted in said openings, adjustable feet'positioning means mounted adjacent said openings, adjustable feet securing means attached to said casing whereby said feet positioning and securing means coop crate to position the feet of the user'on said diaphrag'ms, a motor driven shaft, mounted in said casing, a pair' of stub shafts, coupling means for coupling said stub shafts eccentrically to said motor'driven shaft atopposite ends thereof, a pair of crank arms mounted on said stub shafts whereby rotation of said first shaft imparts a rotatable, rocking motion to said crank arms, a'pair of fixed rollers associated with said crank arms whereby said crank arms oscillate slidably on said rollers, means linking said crank arms with said diaphragms whereby said .diaphragms are foot at any given time.

References Cited in thefile of this lpatent 7

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