US2910060A

US2910060A - Massage machine

Info

Publication number: US2910060A
Application number: US677124A
Authority: US
Inventors: Werner John; Raymond F Borowski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-08-08
Filing date: 1957-08-08
Publication date: 1959-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1976-10-27

Description

Oct. 27, 1959 J. WERNER ET AL MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORSZ JOHN WERNER RAYMOND F. BOROWSKI ATT'YS J. WERNER ETAL- MASSAGE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTORS: JOHN WERNER RAYMOND F. BOROWSKI @W 1 ATT YS Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Aug. a, 1957 M. 3 nu Oct. 27, 1959 J. wERNEiQ EI'AL MASSAGE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 8, 1957 INVENTORS: JOH N WER NER RAYMOND F. BOR'OWSKI vwE Oct. 27, 1959 WERNER EI'AL 2,910,060

MASSAGE MACHINE Filed Aug. 8, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTORS: W GYRO FIG. I l JOHN WERNER RAYMOND F. BOROWSK! g Q 4 3/2,, ATT'YS United States Patent MASSAGE MACHINE John Werner and Raymond F. Borowski, Chicago, 111.;

, said 'Borowski assignor to said Werner Application August s, 1957, serial No. 677,124

4 Claims. Cl. 128-33) This invention relates to a machine for mechanically effecting the over-all massaging of a human body.

The aim in body massaging is to produce a relaxation of tension on the muscular system and a tonic or sedative elfect on the nervous system. Such results are sought by four major forms of manipulation. Stroking promotes the circulation of the blood and tissue juices. Kneading tends to strengthen the muscles and increase their blood supply. Percussion and/ or vibration tends to harden the muscles and relieve nervous pains and strengthen wearied nerves. Rubbing tends to remove remnants of inflammatory processes and to distribute blood exuded under the skin after injuries facilitatingtheir absorption of the lymphatics.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a machine whereon a recumbent person may be selectively subjected to any one or all of the major forms of manipulation characteristic of manual body massaging; to provide an improved machine of this kind having certain actuable parts selectively or simultaneously operable for effecting these major manipulations, namely, stroking, kneading, percussion (or vibration), and rubbing; to provide an improved machine of this kind whereon these several manipulations may be effected under the control of either the patient or an attendant; to provide an improved mechanical massage machine having several differently actuated elements so horizontally arranged and relatively positioned as to permit a patient to subject almost any part of the body to any one or more of the four major forms of massage manipulation; and to provide a. massage machine of this kind having an improved atrangement of mechanisms for selectively actuating the several massage-manipulating elements for predetermined periods of time.

In the adaptation shown in the accompanying drawmgs:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a massaging machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the motordriven mechanisms for the several elements;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective of the machine with the side and end panels removed;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional, elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of one of the massaging elements taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, perspective view of the carriagemounted roller which eflects the undulation of the mas-' saging element shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the tract structure whereon reciprocates the roller-mounted carriage shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View taken on the-plane of the line 99' of Fig. 4; i

the motor-driven mechanisms for the massage machine.

The essential concept of this invention involves three substantially coplanar cushion elements, two of which elements are juxtaposedly hinged at the top of a supporting base, and each mounting a vibrator, which elements are simultaneously actuated by motor-driven mechanism to be tilted in opposite directions with respect to each other and to the horizontal, the third of which elements is a flexible pad spanning an open part of a top base frame and given an undulating effect by a horizontally reciprocable carriage-mounted roller.

A machine embodying the foregoing concept comprises a supporting base 12 mounting a top frame 13 wherein is arranged three

massaging elements

14, 15 and 16, in substantially coplanar relationship, and which are Variously actuated by motor-driven

mechanisms

17 and 18 to effect anopposite tilting of the

elements

14 and 15 and-- an undulation of the element 16.

The supporting base 12 is an angle-bar framework of conventional construction. It is mounted on casters 19' and overlaid with side and end panels 20, of suitable material, to provide a dust-protected enclosure for the motor-driven

mechanisms

17 and 18. A top frame 13 rests on the framework 12 and encloses or mounts the

several massaging elements

14, 15 and 16.

The

massaging elements

14 and 15 each comprises a plate 21 covered with a cushion pad 22. Each plate is secured to bars 23, by flexible fasteners 24, transversely arranged at the ends of members 25. Themembers 25 are trunnioned in bearings 26 secured to the under side of the top lateral rails 27 of the framework 12.

The plates 21 are of rectangular form and the cushion firm material, such as a good grade of sponge rubber, so

as to afford a yieldingly firm support to the patient recumbent on the machine.

The flexible fasteners 24, whereby the plates 21 are connected to their respective supporting bars 23, are con- As most clearly shown in Fig. 9, these fasteners 24 comprise a flanged cup 20 the base of which is a flexible disk 31 in which is seated a nipple 32. The nipple 32-is internally threaded to receive a bolt 33 extending through the end of a bar 23.

The members 25 are here shown of rectangular crosssection, formed at their ends. with trunnions 34 journaled in the bearings 26. These members 25 are disposed transversely of the framework 12 in longitudinally spaced relationship inwardly from one end of the framework 12.

As presently will be pointed out more specifically, the

members 25 are connected to the motor-driven mechanism 17 so that the elements 14 and Y15 tilt on the framework 12 in opposite directions on opposite sides of the horizontal. That is, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the two

elements

14 and 15 in one extreme of the respective rocking are angulated. downwardly toward each other below the horizontal. In the opposite extremity of their tilting, the

elements

14 and 15 are angulated upwardlytoward each other above the horizontal.

The form of manual massage manipulation which this simulates will be explained later. i

The space between the perimeters of these

elements

14 and 15 and the surrounding top frame 13 is spanned I by flexible strips 35 to keep dust and dirt from entering the panelled framework 12 and to avoid clothing from ing 36. The construction of this massaging cushion ele- I ment 16 is indicated in Fig. 6. Preferably it is a sponge rubber core 41 overlaid with fabric 42 in a manner conventional with mattress construction. Around its perimeter, the element 16 is firmly secured to the top frame 13 by conventional fasteners.

The roller carriage 38 comprises a pair of inverted U- shaped brackets 43 transversely connected together by rods 44 and, at their lower ends, mounting wheels 45 for travel on the tracks 39. The tracks 39 here are shown in the form of rods 46 seated in grooves on vertically-spaced parallel runners 47 of a frame 48. Two of these frames 48 are opposedly arranged on the intermediate lateral rails 49 of the supporting framework 12.

The height of these brackets 43 and the disposition of the track frames 48 are such as to position the roller 37 to press the element 16 upwardly above its normal plane as the carriage 38 reciprocates back and forth on the tracks 39, so as to effect an undulation of the element 16.

The form of manual massage manipulation simulated by this roller-undulated cushion element 16 will be explained presently.

The motor-driven mechanism 17 comprises an electric motor 51, reduction gearing 52 and a pair of pitmans 53 and 53' connected by posts 50 and 50' to the members 25 of the

respective massage elements

14 and 15. The

pitmans

53 and 53 are also connected to the

respective sprockets

54 and 54 driven by a sprocket chain 55 from a sprocket 56 on the reduction gearing 52. It is the respective lengths of the pitmans 53 and 53' and the relative positioning of the chain-driven sprockets 5454 that determines the tilting relationship of the

massaging elements

14 and 15.

The motor-driven mechanism 18, for the reciprocation of the element-undulating roller 37, comprises an electric motor 57, reduction gearing 58 and pitman 59 and crank 60 driven by chain-connected

sprockets

61 and 62. The pitrnan 59 is connected at one end to the roller carriage 38 and at the other end to the crank 60. These parts are of such a length and positioning that a complete revolution of the crank 60 effects a complete reciprocation of the carriage 38, causing the roller 37 to traverse the element 16 from one end to the other and back again.

The massage elements 14 and are each supplemented with a vibrator 63 of conventional construction, such as shown in Fig. 10. Angle brackets 64 are bolted to a vibrator 63 and in turn bolted to the under face of a plate 21 of the

respective massaging elements

14 and 15. When these vibrators are activated they transmit the vibrations, somewhat modified, through the cushion pads 22, as presently will be explained more fully.

The controls for the motor-driven

mechanisms

17 and 18 and for the vibrators 63 comprise four conventional electric time switches 65, 66, 67 and 68 (see Figs. 1 and 11).

Switches

65 and 68 control the operation of the motor-driven

mechanisms

17 and 18, respectively, whereas the

switches

66 and 67 control the operation of the two vibrators 63, attached to the massaging

elements

14 and 15. Any one of these switches may be set to operate the respective part of the machine for a predetermined period of time, either separately or in synchronization.

The improved massaging machine is used in the following manner:

One who is to have a massaging treatment, either because it is prescribed or because it is desired, generally will position oneself either face up or face down, or on one side or the other, depending upon circumstances.

On occasion a person may sit upright on any of the massaging

elements

14, 15, or 16, again, depending upon the results that are being sought.

However one may position oneself on the machine, the

several elements

14, 15 and 16 and the two vibrators 63 always function the same, with the intent of securing results characteristic of the movements and reactions of those several parts of the machine.

The

elements

14 and 15 are designed to simulate the kneading manipulation of manual massaging. The element 16 is designed to simulate the stroking manipulation of manual massaging. These three elements also involve an actionwhich simulates the rubbing manipulation of manual massaging. The vibrators are designed to simulate the percussion manipulation of manual massag- In the more conventional use of the machine, the one would lie supine with the buttock on the element 15 and the back on the element 14, with the head resting on a pillow on the headboard 69. The small of the back would be disposed over the space between the

elements

14 and 15 and the legs would be resting on the cushion of the element 16. As circumstances require, or as desires dictate, one or another of the time switches 5-68 would be turned to on position for such period of time as required.

When the switch 65 closes the circuit to the motordriven mechanism 17 the

elements

14 and 15 are tilted back and forth from the position in which they are shown in Fig. 4 to oppositely inclined positions. Such back and forth movements of these

elements

14 and 15 tend to knead and rub the patients buttock and back.

When the switch 68 closes the circuit to the motordriven mechanism 18 the reciprocation of the carriage 38 causes the roller 37 to reversibly traverse the under side of the cushion 36 of the element 17 thus effecting an undulation of the cushion 36. Such action tends to stroke the leg muscles very much as is done by the hand in manual massaging.

When either or both of the switches 66 and/ or 67 close the circuit or circuits to one or both vibrators 63, the resulting vibrations from the respective units are transmitted to the respective plates 21 and pads 22 and thence to ones back and buttock respectively.

When occasion requires, or desire dictates, one may lie on the machine face down or on one side or the other, or even reverse oneself with the back or breast positioned on the element 16 and the legs positioned over the

elements

14 and 15. Moreover, if one requires or desires a special action on the buttock one may sit on the

elements

14 and 15.

In any use of the machine, the separate or simultaneous operation of the

several elements

14, 15 and 16 and the vibrators 63, as well as the periods of time, must be determined by what may be prescribed, if one is following the guidance of an experienced massagist, or what may be desired, if one is following ones own fancy.

Although but one specific embodiment of this inven tion is herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

We claim:

1. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of members transversely trunnioned on fixed axes on the frame in spaced coplanar relationship longitudinally of the frame, a pair of bars secured to each member transversely adjacent the respective ends, cushion fasteners secured to the ends of each bar, a rectangular-shaped plate secured adjacent its corners to the respective cushion fasteners, padding covering the top of each plate to support a recumbent body, motor-driven pitman mechanism connected to the members to cause a simultaneous opposite tilting of the padded plates in opposite directions out of the ntal 9 first a manipulation of the p contacting portions of a recumbent body, and switch means for controlling the operation of the motor-driven pitman mechanism.

2. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of padded elements juxtaposedly hinged to the frame in substantial coplanar relationship to support a recumbent body, each element hinge being located transversely medially of the respective element, a cushion spanning an open top part of the framelongitudinally adjacent one of the elements and coasting with the elements to support a recumbent body, a roller mounted for reciprocation on the frame in contact with the under face of the cushion, motor-driven mechanism for causing a simultaneous opposite tilting of the two elements in opposite directions out of the horizontal to effect a manipulation of the element-contacting portions of a recumbent body, other motor-driven mechanism connected to reciprocate the roller to undulate the cushion to effect a manipulation of the cushion-contacting portions of a recumbent body, and switch means for causing the independent or simultaneous operation or" the two motor-driven mechanisms.

3. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of padded elements juxtaposedly hinged to the frame in substantial coplanar relationship to support a recumbent body, each element hinge being located transversely medially of the respective element, a cushion spanning an open top part of the frame longitudinally adjacent one of the elements and coacting with the elements to support a recumbent body, a roller mounted for reciprocation on the frame in contact with the under face of the cushion, motor-driven mechanism for causing a simultaneous opposite tilting of the two elements in opposite directions out of the horizontal to elfect a manipulation of the element-contacting portions of a recumbent body, other motor-driven mechanism connected to reciprocate the roller to undulate the cushion to efiect a manipulation of the cushion-contacting portions of a recumbent body, a vibrator connected to each of the pair of elements, and switch means for selectively controlling the independent or simultaneous operation of the two motordriven mechanisms and the vibrators.

4. A massage machine comprising, a base frame, a pair of members transversely trunnioned on the frame in spaced coplanar relationship longitudinally of the frame, a rectangular plate secured medially to each of the members, padding covering the top of each plate, a cushion spanning an open top part of the frame longitudinally adjacent one of the padded plates and coacting with the padded plates to support a recumbent body, a roller mounted for reciprocation on the frame in contact with the under face of the cushion, motor-driven mechanism for causing a simultaneous opposite tilting of the two ele-.

ments in opposite directions out of the horizontal to efiect a manipulation of the element-contacting portions of a recumbent body, other motor-driven mechanism connected to reciprocate the roller to undulate the cushion to effect a manipulation of the cushion-contacting portions of a recumbent body, a vibrator mounted on the under side of each of the plates, and switch mechanism for selectively controlling the independent or simultaneous operation of the two motor-driven mechanisms and the vibrators.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,152,431 Jensen Mar. 28, 1939 2,448,162 Wettlaufer Aug. 31, 1948 2,660,999 Thornton Dec. 1, 1953 2,666,429 Alexander Jan. 19, 1954 2,722,929 Little Nov. 8, 1955