WO2001058407A2

WO2001058407A2 - Massaging armchairs

Info

Publication number: WO2001058407A2
Application number: PCT/EP2001/001387
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clara Ambrosio; Pier Giuseppe Doldi; Massimo Brambilla
Original assignee: Compact S.R.L.
Priority date: 2000-02-11
Filing date: 2001-02-09
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: ITMI20000232A1; IT1316360B1; ITMI20000232A0; WO2001058407A3; AU4060401A

Abstract

An armchair is provided with a massaging device made up of a plurality of powered massaging assemblies (13, 113, 213). Each assembly comprises massaging means (14, 114, 214) to exert, at a preestablished region, a massaging pressure moving along a massage stretch substantially parallel to the rest surface of the human body on the armchair at such a region.

Description

MASSAGING ARMCHAIRS

The present invention relates to armchairs having an innovatory massaging device incorporated thereinto. Armchairs comprising massaging devices have been known. Generally such devices are embodied by cams that are disposed under the backrest padding and that, by rotating, alternately exert pressure against the user's back. As an alternative, pneumatic devices are used that cause inflation and deflation of bags disposed within the armchair back. These known apparatuses have a disadvantage because they act on the user's back with pressure movements and do not exert a true massaging action. For this reason, with use of these apparatuses dorsal pains are often generated or increased and, at all events, no relaxing effect is created on the user.

It is a general aim of the present invention to obviate the above mentioned drawbacks by providing an armchair generating a true massaging effect, with user's relief and relaxation.

In view of this aim, in accordance with the invention, an armchair has been conceived which is provided with a massaging device made up of a plurality of powered massaging assemblies, each assembly comprising massaging means to exert, at a preestablished region, a massage pressure moving along a massage stretch substantially parallel to the rest surface of the human body on the armchair at such a region. For better explaining the innovatory principles of the present invention and the advantages it offers over the known art, possible embodiments applying these principles will be described hereinafter, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: - Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic rear view of a backrest of a massaging armchair in accordance with the invention;

- Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view, taken along line II- II in Fig. 1, of a detail of the armchair back;

- Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view, taken along line III- III in Fig. 1;

- Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic front view of a second embodiment of a massaging armchair back in accordance with the invention;

- Fig. 5 is a partial diagrammatic view taken along line V- V in Fig. 4;

- Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third embodiment of an armchair in accordance with the invention;

- Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a massage module of the embodiment in Fig. 6; - Fig. 8 is an elevation side view of a massaging element of the armchair shown in Fig. 6;

- Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the synchronism of the massaging elements in the armchair in Fig. 6.

With reference to the drawings, a first embodiment of a massaging armchair is shown in Fig. 1 and generally identified by 10. The armchair comprises a backrest 11, hinged on the seat portion of the armchair along an axis 12 thereof. The remaining parts of the armchair will not be herein further shown or described as they can be of any known type, easily conceivable by a person skilled in the art.

The backrest 11 is provided with a massaging device for the user's back made up of a plurality of powered massaging assemblies 13. Advantageously, the massaging assemblies 13 are at least four in number, disposed in the backrest so that two (13a) are generally located close to scapular regions and two (13b) close to lumbar regions of the user's back. As is also apparent from Figs. 2 and 3, each assembly 13 comprises at least one pressure member 14 which is movable along a closed trajectory having a massage stretch 15 parallel to the backrest and a return stretch 16 withdrawn within the backrest.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3, between the backrest and pressure member 14 there is the presence of a ball net 17 where the balls are disposed in side by side relationship and yieldingly supported in the backrest, through small cables for example, passing through holes in the balls and fastened to a backrest frame 18. The pressure member comprises a plate 14 that, in the massage stretch of the trajectory, pushes some balls of the ball net outwardly of the backrest, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thus a distributed massaging effect is obtained. The massage trajectory is directed obliquely upwardly and outwardly, in order to provide a massaging action on the user's back which is substantially directed from bottom to top and, advantageously, from the backbone outwardly. For movement of the pressure member 14 along its trajectory, each massaging assembly 13 comprises a matched pair of belts 19, 20 power-driven by an electric motor 21, between which the pressure member is fastened. To avoid elastic yielding of the belts giving rise as a result to a reduction in the massaging effect, the pressure member runs over a rigid support element 22 at least in the massage stretch of its trajectory.

The backrest can be covered with a yielding padding 25 to make sitting more comfortable.

The armchair comprises a control unit 23 piloting the massaging assemblies 13 depending on commands imparted by an actuating unit 24 (even a simple on/off switch, for example) .

Advantageously, on receiving a command of switching the massaging action off, the control unit 23 drives all the pressure members to bring them out of the massage stretch of the trajectory before stopping movement of same. In this way, the backrest is brought to an undeformed condition and the armchair can be used as a standard armchair. In order to be sure that the pressure members reach the rest position out of the massage trajectory before stopping them, the control unit may advantageously comprise sensors 26 to detect passage of the massage members to a position out of said massage stretch of the trajectory. Sensors can be of a mechanical, optical, inductive type, and so on, as can be easily understood by those skilled in the art. On receiving the switch-off command the control unit 23 goes on moving the massage members until sensors 26 signal their having detected passage of the massage member to the rest point. Shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is a possible alternative embodiment of a massaging armchair in accordance with the invention. For convenience, in these figures elements similar to those of the preceding embodiment are allocated the same reference numerals increased by one hundred.

There is therefore a massaging armchair generally denoted by 110, with a backrest 111, hinged on the seat portion of the armchair along an axis 112 thereof and provided with a massaging device for the back of a user made up of a plurality of massaging powered assemblies 113. The massaging assemblies are advantageously four in number, disposed close to scapular and lumbar regions of the user's back.

Each assembly 113 comprises a pair of pressure members 114, movable along a closed trajectory having a massage stretch

115 parallel to the backrest and a return stretch 116 withdrawn within the backrest.

The massage trajectory is substantially directed upwardly.

The pressure members 114 are two in each assembly, disposed opposite to each other along the trajectory so that, when a pressure member leaves the massage stretch, the other pressure member starts moving on the massage stretch. In a rest position (shown in Fig. 4) the massaging members of each assembly are at the opposite extremities of the trajectory out of the massage stretch, so that the backrest can be compared to a standard armchair backrest and used as such.

As clearly viewed from the figures, the pressure member comprises a plurality of rollers 127 disposed in side by side relationship on a common axis 128 transverse to the movement direction along the trajectory.

For movement, the pressure members 114 are mounted between pairs of power-driven belts 119, 120. A support plate 122 avoids yielding of the belts when the pressure member travels over the massage stretch of the trajectory.

The backrest can be covered with a yielding padding 125 to make sitting more comfortable and mitigate the massage action of rollers 127. The armchair comprises a control unit 123, with an actuating unit 124, to pilot the massaging assemblies 113.

Advantageously, sensors 126 detect when the pressure members are in a rest position, enabling a precise stopping of the assemblies with the pressure members in such a position, as described for the preceding embodiment.

A third possible alternative embodiment of a massaging armchair in accordance with the invention is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. For the sake of simplicity, the armchair is shown without its support legs and the view is taken from the rear and the bottom of the armchair.

For convenience, in these figures too, elements similar to those in the preceding embodiment are allocated the same reference numerals increased by one hundred. Therefore, there is a massaging armchair generally denoted by 210, with a backrest 211, hinged on the seat portion of the armchair along an axis 212 thereof and provided with a massaging device for the user's back made up of a plurality of powered massaging assemblies 213. In order to offer a wider possibility of massage, the armchair 210 also comprises a massaging assembly 213 at a leg-rest portion of same which is hinged on the seat portion 250 of the armchair along an axis 253 thereof. The leg-rest portion is divided into a first section 251 for thighs and a second section 252 for calves which are hinged on each other along an axis 254.

The armchair will be provided with known mechanisms (not shown) to incline the backrest and leg-rest portion with respect to the seat portion. The massaging assemblies 213 comprise shaped massaging elements or rollers 214 extending transversely of the armchair and which are rotatably supported at the ends by a frame 255. Each element 214 is supported along an eccentric axis 256 driven in rotation by a kinematic chain 257 (advantageously a gear chain) power-driven by an electric motor 258. The armchair comprises a control unit 223, with an actuating unit 224, to pilot the massaging assemblies 213.

As will become clear in the following, the eccentric rotation movement of the massaging elements disposed in side by side relationship is synchronised, so as to give a feeling of a sliding massaging action in a direction parallel to the plane along which the user's body rests on the armchair. The massaging assemblies are advantageously made in a modular form so that they can be disposed in mutual side by side relationship in a number adapted to cover the whole surface of interest. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, the number of the roller elements 214 for each assembly may vary depending on requirements. Shown in Fig. 7 is an assembly consisting of three rollers driven by a single motor. In Fig. 8 an advantageous conformation of a massaging roller is shown which comprises a plurality of disc-shaped regions of greater diameter 260, alternated with regions of reduced diameter 261. At least at the central region the backrest rollers have a wider area of reduced diameter 267 so as to avoid harmful massaging actions at the user's backbone region.

Shown in Fig. 9 is a rotation synchronism which is advantageous for elements disposed in side by side relationship. As viewed from said figure, the elements are rotated with respect to each other in such a manner that the two elements at the opposite ends are offset through 180° with respect to each other, whereas the intermediate elements are gradually rotated from the position of one extremity to the position of the opposite extremity, so as to give the above mentioned feeling of a sliding massage. For instance, in the assembly of three rollers shown in the figure the two end rollers 214a, 214c are rotated through 180° with respect to each other, whereas the intermediate roller is rotated through 90°. Thus a "wave-like" massage sliding along the massaging unit is generated. The whole structure will be obviously covered with a slight padding (not shown) .

As in the case of the preceding embodiments, when the massage functions are stopped, the rollers will advantageously take a position of less nuisance. At this point it is apparent that the intended purposes are achieved. Massages produced by the backrest form massage "waves" running parallel to the rest surface, without points of localised pressure. In other words, the massage units accomplish, at a predetermined region, a massage pressure which is movable along a massage stretch substantially parallel to the rest surface of the body on the armchair, at such a region.

This solution is found to be optimal for a real use of a massaging armchair. In addition, the structure of an armchair in accordance with the invention is simple, relatively inexpensive and greatly strong in operation. Obviously, the above description of an embodiment applying the innovatory principles of the present invention is given by way of example only and therefore must not be considered as a limitation of the patent rights as herein claimed. For instance, the control unit may be more complicated than a mere on/off unit and offer more complicated massage programs, as those skilled in the art will readily understand.

The actual conformation of the backrest and the remaining part of the armchair can also be different from the one shown, so as to adapt itself to particular functional and aesthetic lines of the specific armchair to be manufactured.

Finally, the massage assemblies of the two first embodiments can be arranged not only in the backrest but also in other regions of the armchair, as shown in the third embodiment, and vice versa.

Claims

1. An armchair provided with a massaging device made up of a plurality of powered massaging assemblies (13, 113, 213), each assembly comprising massaging means (14, 114, 214) to exert, at a preestablished region, a massage pressure moving along a massage stretch substantially parallel to the rest surface of the user's body on the armchair at such a region.

2. An armchair as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the massaging means comprises a pressure member (14, 114) which is movable along a closed trajectory having a massage stretch (15, 115) parallel to the body rest surface and a return stretch (16, 116) withdrawn within the armchair.

3. An armchair as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the pressure member (114) comprises a plurality of rollers (127) disposed in side by side relationship on a common axis (128) transverse to the movement direction along said trajectory.

4. An armchair as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that a ball net (17) is present between the user and the pressure member wherein the balls are disposed in side by side relationship and yieldingly supported in the armchair, the pressure member comprising a plate (14) that, in the massage stretch of the trajectory, pushes some balls of the ball net outwardly.

5. An armchair as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that, in order to enable the balls (17) to be supported, they are provided with holes passed through by small cables fastened to an armchair frame.

6. An armchair as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that, for movement of the pressure member (14, 114) along its trajectory, each massaging assembly comprises a matched pair of power-driven belts (19, 20, 119, 120) between which the pressure member is fastened.

7. An armchair as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that at least in the massage stretch of its trajectory, the pressure member runs over a rigid support element (22, 122).

8. An armchair as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the pressure members are two in number in each assembly, disposed opposite to each other along the trajectory in such a manner that, when a pressure member leaves the massage stretch, the other pressure member starts moving on the massage stretch.

9. An armchair as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the massage stretch is directed towards the head region of the armchair and from the centre outwardly, so that it provides a massaging action which is substantially directed from bottom to top and from the user's backbone outwardly.

10. An armchair as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a control unit (23, 123, 223) piloting the massaging means in such a manner that, on receiving a switching-off command of the massaging action, the pressure members are brought out of the massage stretch before the movement is stopped.

11. An armchair as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the control unit comprises sensors (26, 126) to detect passage of the massaging members to a position out of said massage stretch, on receiving the switching-off command an actuating unit going on moving the pressure members (14, 114) until a passage-detecting signal is sent from said sensors.

12. An armchair as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the massaging assemblies are at least four in number, disposed in the backrest, so that two are generally located close to scapular regions and two close to lumbar regions of the user's back.

13. An armchair as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the massaging means comprises shaped rollers (214) disposed transversely in the armchair and such supported that they carry out an eccentric rotation with respect to their axis, upon command of a motor, the rollers being grouped to form massaging assemblies (213) in each of which the rollers are mutually offset around the rotation axis (256) to provide a sliding massaging pressure.

14. An armchair as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the massaging rollers comprise a plurality of discshaped regions (260) of greater diameter, alternated with regions of reduced diameter (261).

15. An armchair as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that at the central region at least the backrest rollers have a wider area of reduced diameter (267) so that harmful massaging actions are avoided in the user's backbone region.

16. An armchair as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that the rollers are offset in such a manner that rollers at opposite ends of the assembly are offset through 180° with respect to each other, whereas the intermediate rollers are gradually rotated from the position of one extremity to the position of the opposite extremity.

17. An armchair as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the rollers of an assembly are kinematically connected for rotation with each other and with an electric motor through a gear chain.