WO1997049372A1

WO1997049372A1 - Powered foot massager and method

Info

Publication number: WO1997049372A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/010908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gordon Russell
Original assignee: Step To Health, L.L.C.
Priority date: 1996-06-24
Filing date: 1997-06-24
Publication date: 1997-12-31
Also published as: AU3499597A

Abstract

A foot massager (10) simulates hand therapeutic and Reflexology massage, allowing both of a human's feet to be automatically massaged at the same time, in about a third of the time that a manual massage would require. The massager includes a first powered section (11) comprising horizontally rotatable hard rollers (26) powered for rotation about a vertical axis (28) for massaging the balls of the feet; a second powered section (12) comprising a plurality of arcuately spaced horizontal shafts (38) mounting hard rollers for rotation and a common shaft powered about a common horizontal axis (41), for massaging arches; and a third section (13) for massaging the heels, including along the sides of the heels. The third section includes flexible rollers (52, 53) mounted on generally vertically extending elements (50, 51) spring biased against the sides of the heel as they are reciprocated in the direction of elongation of the foot. The ball massaging elements are rotated at a speed of between about 25-55 rpm, the arch massaging elements are rotated at a speed of between 10-30 rpm, and the heel massaging elements are reciprocated at a speed of between about 10-30 cycles per minute.

Description

POWERED FOOT MASSAGER AND METHOD

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Foot massage can be very therapeutic, in addition to being relaxing Hand massage done by experienced therapists, practicing the science of Reflexology, can be particularly therapeutic However, hand massage therapy can be expensive, and requires appropriate scheduling of a massage therapist It is for those reasons that numerous proposals have been made in the past for various types of foot massaging devices that are either powered by the person being massaged moving his or her legs, or by utilizing powered rotating elements None of the known proposals for automatic foot massage have been able to adequately simulate a hand massage so that desirable therapeutic effects thereof are achieved

According to the present invention it is possible to effectively simulate the therapeutic effects of a trained masseuse practicing Reffexology utilizing a massaging machine. Utilizing the massager according to the present invention it is possible to accomplish approximately 90% of a professional Reflexology session in approximately one-third of the time that it takes when performed manually This may be accomplished, according to the invention, due to the combined mechanical action of elements acting on three different parts of the foot at the same time, and by acting on both feet at once The massager according to the present invention has many novel aspects Not only is the combination of the different components for acting upon the balls, arches, and heels of a human's feet novel, but the individual elements could be utilized individually with highly desirable results

According to one aspect of the present invention a massager for a human foot, having balls, an arch, and a heel, is provided. The massager compπses the following components: A first powered section for massaging the balls of a human foot. A second powered section for massaging the arch of a human foot. And a third powered section for massaging the heel of a human foot, including along the sides of the heel The massager further preferably comprises powering means for substantially simultaneously powering the first, second and third sections In fact the powering means may comprise a single electric motor which operates through belts, gears, chains, pulleys, traveling nuts and screws, crankshaft levers, or the like to achieve the significantly different actions of each of the various sections, which actions are particularly therapeutic for each part of the foot. While the massager may be designed to accommodate one foot at a time, it preferably is designed to allow both of a human's feet to be massaged at the same time. That is, preferably each of the first, second and third sections have first and second sets of components for acting upon two human feet at the same time, and the powering means comprises means for substantially simultaneously powering both the first and second sets of all of the first, second, and third sections.

The first powered section, in the massager in general according to the invention, or in a separate unit just for massaging the balls of the feet, preferably compπses a plurality of hard rollers (e.g. nylon rollers which imitate the size and contact of the thumb and fingers) mounted on a first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and a first substantially vertical shaft mounting the first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a first substantially vertical axis and means for powering the first substantially vertical shaft for rotation about the first substantially vertical axis [The terms "horizontal" and "vertical" as used in the present specification and claims are relative only, and do not mean that the invention is restricted in any way to true horizontal or vertical components -- any orientation is appropriate ] For a massager capable of massaging both feet at once, the components are duplicated for the second set, with a common means for powering the vertical shafts of the first and second sets, and for powering them for rotation in opposite directions Typically, both vertical shafts are powered so that the right set for engaging the right foot ball rotates clockwise, while the left set shaft rotates counterclockwise

Also, according to the present invention the second powered section, as part of the complete massager, or as an individual unit for massaging the arches of a foot, comprises a plurality of substantially horizontal shafts each having a plurality of hard rollers (e.g. of the same material and roughly the same size as those for the first section) thereon for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; a common mounting element for mounting the shafts for rotation about the plurality of substantially horizontal shafts; a common substantially horizontal shaft for mounting the common mounting element for rotation about a common substantially horizontal axis, and means for powering the common shaft for rotation about the common substantially horizontal axis. In a massager having the capability of massaging both feet at the same time the second set of elements is identical to the set as descπbed above, with a common substantially horizontal shaft for mounting the first and second common mounting elements for rotation about a common substantially hoπzontal powered shaft. The means for powering the common shaft typically powers it in a direction facilitating venous blood return, that is rotating the common shaft so that the rollers engage a forward part of the arch and rotate toward a rearward part of the arch.

The third section of the composite massager according to the invention, which also may be an individual unit for just operating on the heels, is particularly effective in simulating hand massage which moves along the sides of the heels, helping wrth most heel pain and heel spurs. This third section, or stand alone assembly, typically comprises at least first and second generally vertically extending elements each having at least one roller mounted thereon, the elements biased to a first position wherein the rollers are spaced from each other a first horizontal distance, and movable against the bias to a second position wherein the rollers are spaced from each other a second horizontal distance greater than the first distance; and powered means for reciprocating the first and second elements in a substantially horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to the first and second horizontal distances, so as to move the rollers against the sides of a human heel to simulate hand Reflexology massage. The third section rollers typically are of flexible or hard, contoured material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, to provide a contoured contact with the sides of the heel which is important in providing a "squeezing" action while at the same time stimulating the reflexes in the heel. The first and second elements are preferably mounted for pivotal movement about axes substantially parallel to the substantially horizontal dimension, and the elements are biased by a spring mounted to the elements. Of course, in the embodiment where both feet are acted upon at the same time a duplicate set of elements is provided for acting on a human's other foot, the heel massaging elements preferably being reciprocated in tandem

The massager as described above may include means for maintaining a human foot in secure contact with the first, second and third sections thereof Such maintaining means may comprise a foot engaging structure above the balls and arch elements, which is similar to a water ski boot holding element, or it may be a cover of relatively rigid material which has a foam pad or pads which put pressure on the top of the foot, and allowing for the addition of removable foam inserts Or downward pressure may be increased by utilizing a mechanical or pneumatic device which exerts an adjustable downward force on a flexible pad covering the top of the foot

The massager according to the invention may be mounted in a wide variety of casings. For example, the massager may be mounted on a substantially horizontal surface (e.g floor) so that the first section is higher than the second section, and the second section higher than the third section, so that the massager accommodates the natural angle human feet make with the horizontal (floor) when seated. The housing may not only contain the first and second sections and mount the sections with respect to each other as described above, but may include an integral seat for a human to sit on with her or his feet in contact with the first and second parts of each of the first, second and third sections, and a video display may be mounted by the housing (as well as a number of other components, such as a money receiving actuator, a phone, tissues, or the like) The invention also relates to a method of massaging a human foot comprising the steps of substantially simultaneously: (a) Rotating about a first substantially vertical axis a plurality of first (e.g. hard) rollers rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, so that the first rollers come into contact with the balls of a human's foot, (b) Rotating about a first substantially horizontal common axis a plurality of second (e.g. hard) rollers rotatable about a plurality of arcuately spaced horizontal axes, so that the second rollers come into contact with the arch of a human's foot. And (c) reciprocating, in a dimension extending from a human foot heel toward a human foot balls, a pair of third (e.g. flexible or hourglass shaped) rollers biased into contact with the heel of a human's foot so that the third rollers engage the sides of the heel.

Steps (a) through (c) are preferably practiced automatically, powering the rollers during movement thereof. Step (a) may be practiced so that the rollers are rotated about the substantially vertical axis at a speed of between about 25-55 rpm (e.g. about 28 rpm). Step (b) may be practiced at a speed of between about 10-30 rpm (e.g. about 15 rpm). Step (c) may be practiced at a speed of between about 10-30 cycles per minute (e.g. about 15 cycles per minute). Steps (a) through (c) are preferably practiced on both feet of a human at the same time, and so as to simulate hand therapeutic Reflexology massage.

It is a primary object of the present invention to mechanically effectively simulate manual therapeutic foot massage, in an efficient manner. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention, and from the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the operative components of an exemplary foot massager according to the present invention, shown with all covering housing components removed;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the massager of the FIGURE 1 showing the enclosing casing components, and partly in cross section and partly in elevation;

FIGURE 3 is a detail side view of the heel roller and arch roller components of the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2, showing the heel roller in forwardmost position in solid line; and

FIGURE 4 is a top schematic view of a complex housing which includes the foot massager of FIGURES 1 through 3, a seat, a video display, and other components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary massager according to the present invention is shown generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGURES 1 and 2. The basic components of the massager are a first powered section, shown generally by reference numeral 11 in FIGURES 1 and 2, for massaging the balls of a human foot; a second powered section, shown generally by reference numeral 12 in FIGURES 1 through 3, for massaging the arch of a human foot; and a third powered section, shown generally by reference numeral 13 in FIGURES 1 through 3. for massaging the heel of a human foot, including along the sides of the heel. A human foot in association with the massager 10 is shown schematically in dotted line at reference numeral 14 in FIGURE 2, including balls 15, an arch 16, and a heel 17. 5 As seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, the massager 10 preferably comprises powering means, shown schematically at 18 in FIGURES 1 and 2, for substantially simultaneously powering the first, second and third sections 11 through 13. The powering means may comprise a number of different powered components such as electric motors,

10 pneumatic or hydraulic actuators or motors, internal combustion engines, or the like. However, in the preferred embodiment a single 110 volt AC electric motor 19 (either single or variable speed) is provided having a single output shaft 20 which is connected to each of the sections 11 through 13 as will be hereinafter described for powering each. The shaft

15 20 is rotatable about a generally horizontal axis mounted by conventional bearings in frame components 21 , 22, for example.

While the massager 10 illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 is specifically designed for massaging both of a human's feet at the same time, having substantially identical first and second sets of components,

20 shown schematically at 23 and 24 in FIGURE 1 , mounted on opposite sides of the shaft 20, it is to be understood that a single set of components 23, 24 may be utilized so that one foot is massaged at a time. Also, the individual sections 11 through 13 may be used by themselves (or in combinations where the first and second sections 11 ,

25 12 only are provided, or the first and third sections 11 , 13 only, or the second and third sections 12, 13 only) for particular situations. Most effective massage for therapeutic purposes is provided by utilizing all three sections 1 1 through 13 in the same massager 10, and all operating substantially simultaneously (although they can be operated in a single sequence, or repeating sequences).

The first section 11 includes a first plurality of rollers 26 mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal first shaft 27, and a second plurality of rollers 26' mounted for rotation by the second substantially horizontal shaft 27'. The rollers 26, 26' are of a hard material, such as nylon or another suitable hard plastic, or wood, or metal, although since socked feet will be brought into indirect contact herewith it is desirable that the rollers 26, 26' (at least the portions thereof actually contacting the human foot 14) are of a material having a relatively low heat conductivity like nylon, rather than a relatively high heat conductivity like metal. The entire contact surface of the machine is covered with a flexible, durable, nylon type of cloth. The rollers 26, 26' are dimensioned and shaped so that they imitate the size and contact of a human thumb and fingers. For example, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings they are substantially circular in cross section having a maximum diameter of between about three-quarter inch and one inch (e.g. 15/16 of an inch), and having three dimensional tapered surfaces as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, having a substantially ovoid (racetrack) configuration in plan view as seen in FIGURE 1.

The shafts 27, 27' are mounted for rotation with substantially vertical shafts 28,28' about substantially vertical axes. The shafts 28,28' may be joumalled or mounted in bearings by any suitable conventional manner, a suitable bearing being shown schematically at 29 for the shaft 28' in FIGURE 2, the bearing 29 journalled in a frame component 30.

The first section 11 also comprises means for powering the shafts 28, 28' for rotation about their substantially vertical axes. The powering means may comprise any suitable element, such as gears driven by the shaft 20, chain and sprocket components, belt and pulley arrangements, or variable speed or single speed electric or fluid powered motors directly connected to the shafts 28, 28'. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the powering means comprises a collar 32 splined or otherwise connected to the shaft 20 for rotation therewith, and a substantially circular cross section belt of rubber, urethane, or the like, 33, 33', extending from the collar 30 and wrapped around a collar 34, 34', respectively, associated with each of the shafts 28, 28', respectively, so that substantially horizontal axis rotation of the shaft 20 effects substantially vertical axis rotation of the shafts 28, 28'. Preferably the components of the powering means, 33, 33', 34, 34', are dimensioned and positioned so that the shafts 28, 28' rotate in opposite directions. As illustrated by the arrows 35, 35' in FIGURE 1 , for example, the shaft 28 (associated with the components 23 which engage the left foot balls) rotates in the counterclockwise direction 35, while the shaft 28' (associated with the right foot components 24) rotates in a clockwise direction 35'.

The second section 12 includes, for each of the sets 23, 24, a plurality of substantially horizontal shafts 38, 38' each having a plurality of hard rollers 39, 39' thereon mounted for rotation about substantially horizontal axes. In FIGURE 1 only a few of the shafts 38, 38^* are illustrated, FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrating more of the shafts. The rollers 39 are preferably made of nylon, wood, or a like hard material - like the rollers 26, 26' - and the rollers 39, 39' also are dimensioned and configured to generally simulate a thumb or finger. In the preferred embodiment the rollers 39, 39' are between about 7/8 inch and 1 3/8 inches in diameter (e.g. about 1 1/8 inches in diameter) having a circular cross section, and are substantially ovoid (racetrack shaped) in plan view, as seen in FIGURE 1 , being three dimensioπally tapered.

The second section 12 also comprises first and second common mounting elements 40, 40' for the shafts 38, 38', respectively. The common mounting elements, as seen in FIGURES 1 through 3, preferably comprise disks which are spaced apart from each other by the shafts 38, 38', respectively, and with the shafts 38, 38' joumalled therein for rotation. The section 12 also comprises a common substantially horizontal shaft 41 for mounting the common mounting elements 40, 40' for rotation about a common substantially horizontal axis parallel to the axes of the shafts 38, 38' but substantially transverse to the substantially horizontal axis of the shaft 20. Also, there are means for powering the common shaft 41 for rotation about the common substantially horizontal axis. The powering means may comprise a separate electric or fluid powered motor for the shaft 41 , or gears, chains and sprockets, or pulleys and belts cooperating with the shaft 20, or the like. In the embodiment actually illustrated in the drawings, the powering means comprises a collar 43 splined or otherwise connected to the shaft 20 for rotation therewith, a collar 44 (see FIGURE 2) around the shaft 41 and splined thereto, and a crossed belt 45 (see FIGURE 2) like the belts 33, 33' and extending between the collars 43, 44 for transferring rotation about the horizontal axis of the shaft 20 to rotation about the substantially transverse horizontal axis of the shaft 41. In a preferred embodiment the shaft 41 is driven in the direction of the arrow 46 seen in FIGURE 2, to facilitate improved circulation since the direction 46 is in the direction of venous blood flow. The third section 13 has components that are configured and dimensioned and moved so that optimal contact is achieved on the inside, outside, and back edge of the human heel 17. The third section 13 includes, for the set of components 23, at least first and second elements 50, 51' each having at least one roller 52, 53 mounted thereon. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 the elements 50, 51 are rods that are substantially vertically extending, and they are biased to a first position (seen in FIGURE 1 ) wherein they are spaced from each other a first horizontal distance 54 (which is narrower than the width of a normal heel 17 of an adult human), and movable against the bias to a second position wherein the rollers 52, 53 are spaced from each other a second horizontal distance (55, a distance corresponding to the width of the heel 17 between them) greater than the first distance 54. A second set of components associated with the section 13, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 3, has the same reference numerals as those of the components for the first set 23 only followed by a " ' ". FIGURE 1 shows in the dotted line position the rollers 52', 53' moved against the bias to the second distance 55.

While the bias may be provided by a wide variety of different means, such as coil, tension, leaf, or solid compression springs, or pneumatic cylinders or the like, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings bias is provided by the coil tension springs 56, 56', with the rods 50, 51 , 50', 51', being pivotally mounted on the opposite sides of the springs 56, 56' from the rollers 52, 53, 52', 53'. If the pivot pins are between the rollers and the springs 56, 56', then the springs will be coil or solid material (e.g. rubber) compression springs. The third section 13 also comprises powered means for reciprocating the elements 50 51 and 50', 51' in a dimension 60 substantially perpendicular to the horizontal distances 54, 55, so as to move the rollers 50, 51, 50', 51' against the sides of human's heels (like heel 17) to simulate hand Reflexology massage The massager 10 includes a support plate 58 for the heels, having elongated openings 59, 59' therein, to accommodate movement of the rollers 52, 53, 52', 53' while reciprocated in the dimension 60 While the reciprocating means may comprise fluid powered cylinders, traveling nuts on screws, solenoids, or other individual elements associated with each of the rod sets 50, 51 and 50', 51', or the like (or ganged together), in the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3 the reciprocating means comprise slider crank mechanisms powered by the shaft 41 The cranks 62, 62' are connected to the shaft 41 by a suitable conventional clamping mechanism, shown at 63, 63', respectively, in FIGURES 2 and 3, the cranks 62, 62' being connected to crank levers 64, 64', respectively, by pivot pins 65, 65' At their opposite ends the levers 64, 64' are connected by pivot pins 66, 66', respectively, to a crank slide 67, 67' which is connected to a rod 50, 50' The slides 67, 67' each slide in a cavity 68, 68' of slide blocks 69, 69' which are part of the frame, the cavities 68, 68' guiding the blocks 67, 67' in the reciprocal movement in dimension 60

The rollers 52, 53, 52', 53' preferably are made of flexible mateπal (e g completely flexible, or preferably a hard core covered by flexible mateπal) rather than hard material to provide a contoured contact to the sides of the heel 17 in order to simulate the squeezing massage feeling of manual massage, and at the same time to stimulate the reflexes in the heel 17 For example, the rollers 52, 53, 52', 53' may be made of a flexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber While it is preferred that the rollers 52, 53, 52', 53' be able to rotate about axes defined by the rods 50, 51 , 50', 51', this is not required in all circumstances

Alternatively, the rollers 52, 53, 52', 53' could be made of a hard material, like nylon, but shaped to provide a squeezing type action A suitable shape would be a generally hourglass shape, with larger end portions above and below a tapered central portion

It is preferred that the massager 10 be mounted with the orientation illustrated in FIGURE 2 with respect to a horizontal surface 70, such as a floor That is, the massager 10 also comprises means for mounting sections 11 through 13 on a substantially horizontal surface 70 so that the first section 11 containing the rollers 26, 26' (see FIGURE 2) is higher than the second section 12 containing the rollers 39, 39', which in turn is higher than the third section 13 containing the rollers 52, 53, 52', 53', so that the massager accommodates the natural angle human feet make with the floor (70) when seated. This angle α, seen in FIGURE 2, preferably is between about 5-12°, e.g. about 8°. Such means may comprise any suitable components, such as the metal support plate 71 which makes the angle α with the bottom support plate 72. Wedges, adjustable ramps, or any other suitable conventional components may be provided for establishing the angle α. Note that because of the preferred angle α the axes defined by the various components (such as the shaft 20 and the shafts 28, 28' and the rods 50, 51 , 50^*, 51', even if the floor 70 is truly horizontal are not truly horizontal or vertical but are typically off horizontal or off vertical by an angle similar to the angle α

As seen in FIGURE 2, there preferably is a cover, such as molded of plastic or fiberglass, shown generally by reference numeral 75 for covering the top of the user's foot while his or her foot is in contact with the massager 10 The cover 75 may take a wide variety of forms For example, it could be similar to a flexible foot engaging device such as used on a water ski, or it can comprise a housing shell 76 which is of relatively rigid mateπal but includes therein one or more pads 77, 78 of a resilient foam which serves to put pressure down on the top of the foot, pressing the foot against the elements of the sections 11 through 13 For example, one foam pad 77 may always be provided, mounted within a flexible material (e g natural or synthetic rubber, cloth with spandex, or the like) envelope 79 Other foam pads, of almost any number, 78 may be inserted into the envelope 79 to adapt to a particular user's foot 14 so as to properly press the foot 14 into contact with the operative elements of the massager 10 Alternatively, or in addition, all or part of the housing shell 76 may be made of a material that will flex, and a conventional force applicator 80 may be provided, such as a mechanical or a fluid controlled device, or a solenoid, for moving a cam, piston rod, or like mechanical element in the dimension 81 illustrated in FIGURE 2 to provide the necessary pressure on the foot 14 The force applicator device 80 could, of course, be easily adjustable either by the operator, or automatically by sensing the resistance to rotation of the shafts 28, 28', and/or 41

In each of the sections 11-13 the rollers - rather than having completely continuous peripheries - may be in the form of brushes, star wheels, or the like.

The massager 10 according to the present invention may be constructed in a wide variety of models which include variable speed motors, single speed motors, or any types of accessory equipment. For example, as an accessory component a tube could extend upwardly from the front of the massager 10 and then horizontally toward the front of the machine at about lap height so that a user, when sitting down, could put work papers, reading material, a computer keyboard (which could be built in), an electronic appliance, or the like on a shelf so that while massaging was being effected by the massager 10 the user could be entertained, do office work, or the like.

Another configuration that the accessory components associated with the massager 10 could take is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The massager is shown there generally by reference numeral 10 in FIGURE 4 but the internal components are not visible. Integral with or attached to the housing components for the massager 10 may be a one-piece molded fiber glass stand 85 with integral seat 86, or the like. The user then sits on the seat 86 while using the massager 10. The stand 85 could have a video display 87 which provides instructions, a TV screen, a computer screen, entertainment, or the like. The embodiment of FIGURE 4 could be operated by inserting coins or bills, using a conventional money receiving apparatus 88, and a control panel 89 may be provide to specifically control the speeds of operation of the various components of the massager 10, the length of the massage, or a variety of other factors. A built-in phone, shelf, or other accessories may also readily be provided. Utilizing the massager 10 according to the present invention it is possible for one to accomplish approximately 90% of a professional Reflexology session in approximately one-third the time that it takes to perform such a session manually. The massager may be used at any time and if used frequently is much less costly per session than a hand massage. While the invention has been herein shown and described in what is presently conceived to be the most practical preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and methods.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1 A massager for a human foot, having balls, an arch, and a heel, said massager comprising a first powered section for massaging the balls of a human foot, a second powered section for massaging the arch of a human foot, and a third powered section for massaging the heel of a human foot, including along the sides of the heel

2. A massager as recited in claim 1 further comprising powering means for substantially simultaneously powering said first, second and third sections

3 A massager as recited in claim 2 wherein each of said first, second and third sections have first and second sets of components for acting upon two human feet at the same time, and said powering means comprises means for substantially simultaneously powering both said first and second sets of all of said first, second, and third sections.

4. A massager as recited in claim 1 wherein said first powered section comprises a plurality of hard rollers mounted on a first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a first substantially vertical shaft mounting said first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a first substantially vertical axis; and means for powering said first substantially vertical shaft for rotation about said first substantially vertical axis

5. A massager as recited in claim 3 wherein said first powered section first set comprises a plurality of hard rollers mounted on a first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a first substantially vertical shaft mounting said first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a first substantially vertical axis; and means for powering said first substantially vertical shaft for rotation about said first substantially vertical axis; and wherein said first powered section second set comprises a plurality of hard rollers mounted on a second substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a second substantially vertical shaft mounting said second substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a second substantially vertical axis; and means for powering said second substantially vertical shaft for rotation about said second substantially vertical axis; said means for powering said substantially vertical shafts powering them for rotation in opposite directions.

6. A massager as recited in claim 1 wherein said second powered section comprises a plurality of substantially horizontal shafts each having a plurality of hard rollers mounted thereon for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; a common mounting element for mounting said shafts for rotation about said plurality of substantially horizontal shafts; a common substantially horizontal shaft for mounting said common mounting element for rotation about a common substantially horizontal axis; and means for powering said common shaft for rotation about said common substantially horizontal axis.

7. A massager as recited in claim 3 wherein said second powered section first part comprises a first plurality of substantially horizontal shafts each having a plurality of hard rollers mounted thereon for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; a first common mounting element for mounting said shafts for rotation about said plurality of substantially horizontal shafts; and wherein said second powered section second part comprises a second plurality of substantially horizontal shafts each having a plurality of hard rollers mounted thereon for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; a second common mounting element for mounting said shafts for rotation about said plurality of substantially horizontal shafts; a common substantially horizontal shaft for mounting said first and second common mounting elements for rotation about a common substantially horizontal axis; and means for powering said common shaft for rotation about said common substantially horizontal axis.

8. A massager as recited in claim 7 wherein said means for powering said common shaft powers it in a direction facilitating venous blood return.

9. A massager as recited in claim 3 further comprising mounting means for mounting said sections on a substantially horizontal surface so that said first section is higher than said second section, and said second section is higher than said third section, so that said massager accommodates the natural angle human feet make with a floor when seated in a seat supported by the floor.

10 A massager as recited in claim 1 wherein said third section comprises at least first and second generally vertically extending elements each having at least one roller mounted thereon, said elements biased to a first position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a first horizontal distance and movable against said bias to a second position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a second horizontal distance greater than said first distance, and powered means for reciprocating said first and second elements in a substantially horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to said first and second horizontal distances, so as to move said rollers against the sides of a human heel to simulate hand Reflexology massage

11 A massager as recited in claim 10 wherein said third section rollers are of flexible mateπal

12. A massager as recited in claim 10 wherein said first and second elements are mounted for pivotal movement about axes substantially parallel to said substantially horizontal dimension, and wherein said elements are biased by a spring mounted to said elements

13. A massager as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said first and second parts of said third section comprises at least first and second generally vertically extending elements each having at least one roller mounted thereon, said elements biased to a first position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a first horizontal distance, and movable against said bias to a second position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a second horizontal distance greater than said first distance and powered means for reciprocating said first and second elements of both said first and second parts in a substantially horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to said first and second horizontal distances, so as to move said rollers against the sides of human heels to simulate hand Reflexology massage

14 A massager as recited in claim 3 wherein each of said first and second parts of said third section comprises at least first and second generally vertically extending elements each having at least one roller mounted thereon, said elements biased to a first position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a first horizontal distance, and movable against said bias to a second position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a second horizontal distance greater than said first distance; and powered means for reciprocating said first and second elements of both said first and second parts in a substantially horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to said first and second horizontal distances, so as to move said rollers against the sides of human heels to simulate hand Reflexology massage; and wherein said first powered section first set comprises a plurality of hard rollers mounted on a first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a first substantially vertical shaft mounting said first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a first substantially vertical axis; and means for powering said first substantially vertical shaft for rotation about said first substantially vertical axis; and wherein said first powered section second set compπses a plurality of hard rollers mounted on a second substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a second substantially vertical shaft mounting said second substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a second substantially vertical axis, and means for powering said second substantially vertical shaft for rotation about said second substantially vertical axis; said means for powering said substantially vertical shafts powering them for rotation in opposite directions; and wherein said second powered section first part comprises a first plurality of substantially horizontal shafts each having a plurality of hard rollers mounted thereon for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; a first common mounting element for mounting said shafts for rotation about said plurality of substantially horizontal shafts; and wherein said second powered section second part comprises a second plurality of substantially horizontal shafts each having a plurality of hard rollers mounted thereon for rotation about substantially horizontal axes; a second common mounting element for mounting said shafts for rotation about said plurality of substantially horizontal shafts; a common substantially horizontal shaft for mounting said first and second common mounting elements for rotation about a common substantially horizontal axis; and means for powering said common shaft for rotation about said common substantially horizontal axis.

15. A massager as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining a human foot in secure contact with said first, second and third sections.

16. A massager as recited in claim 3 further comprising a housing for containing said sections, and including an integral seat for a human to sit on with her or his feet in contact with said first and second parts of each of said first, second and third sections, and a video display mounted by said housing

17. A massager for a heel of a human foot, comprising: at least first and second generally vertically extending elements each having at least one roller mounted thereon, said elements biased to a first position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a first horizontal distance, and movable against said bias to a second position wherein said rollers are spaced from each other a second horizontal distance greater than said first distance; and powered means for reciprocating said first and second elements in a substantially horizontal dimension substantially perpendicular to said first and second horizontal distances, so as to move said rollers against the sides of a human heel to simulate hand Reflexology massage.

18. A massager as recited in claim 17 wherein said first and second elements are mounted for pivotal movement about axes substantially parallel to satd substantially horizontal dimension; and wherein said elements are biased by a spring mounted to said elements

19. A massager for the balls of a human foot, comprising: a plurality of rollers mounted on a first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a first substantially vertical shaft mounting said first substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a first substantially vertical axis; and means for powering said first substantially vertical shaft for rotation about said first substantially vertical

20. A massager as recited in claim 19 wherein said first shafts comprise a first part of said massager for one human foot, and further comprising a second part of said massager for a second human foot, said second part comprising a plurality of hard rollers mounted on a second substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, and a second substantially vertical shaft mounting said second substantially horizontal shaft for rotation about a second substantially vertical axis; and wherein said means for powering comprises means for powering both said substantially vertical shafts, powering them for rotation in opposite directions.

21. A method of massaging a human foot having balls, an arch, and a heel, comprising the steps of substantially simultaneously: (a) rotating about a first substantially vertical axis a plurality of first rollers rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis, so that the first rollers come into contact with the balls of a human's foot; (b) rotating about a first substantially horizontal common axis a plurality of second rollers rotatable about a plurality of arcuately spaced horizontal axes, so that the second rollers come into contact with the arch of a human's foot; and (c) reciprocating, in a dimension extending from a human foot heel toward a human foot balls, a pair of third rollers biased into contact with the heel of a human's foot so that the third rollers engage the sides of the heel. 22 A method as recited in claim 21 wherein steps (a)-(c) are practiced automatically, powering the rollers duπng movement thereof, step (a) being practiced so that the rollers are rotated about the substantially vertical axis at a speed of between about 25-55 rpm, and step (b) being practiced at a speed of between about 10-30 rpm, and step (c) being practiced at a speed of between about 10-30 cycles/mm

23 A method as recited in claim 21 wherein steps (a)-(c) are practiced on both feet of a human at the same time

24 A method as recited in claim 21 wherein steps (a)-(c) are practiced so as to simulate hand therapeutic Reflexology massage