WO2008078243A1

WO2008078243A1 - A portable massage cushion device

Info

Publication number: WO2008078243A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/055130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mun T. Ma; Yong Jiang; Chandra M. Janakiraman; Millind Date; Chong K. K. Lim
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2006-12-20
Filing date: 2007-12-14
Publication date: 2008-07-03

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable massage cushion device (1). The device has a massage face (3) for making contact with a portion of a person and a support face (7) for making contact with an external stable supporting structure. The cushion device is provided with a set of massage members (20) for excitation of the excitatable portion (5). The massage 5 members are suspended from a suspension frame (25), which suspension frame (25) has a fixed position relative to the support face (7). Each massage member is independently suspended from the other massage members.

Description

A PORTABLE MASSAGE CUSHION DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a portable massage cushion device provided with a massage face for making contact with a portion of a person, which massage face has an excitatable portion, and a support face for making contact with an external stable supporting structure, the cushion device comprising a set of massage members for excitation of the excitatable portion, a suspension frame for suspension of the set of massage members, the frame having a fixed position with respect to the support face, a drive for driving at least one of the massage members, and a cushion body provided in an interspace between the suspension frame and the massage face.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A portable massage cushion is known from JP2005265188, in which cushion a massage machine is described for use on a chair or on a seat. The massage machine comprises vibration sources to generate vibrations by means of a motor that drives an eccentric weight. The massage machine also comprises punching sources to generate punching motions by means of a solenoid. The vibration sources and the punching sources are fixed to a frame having a flat plate shape. A cushion object accommodates the frame.

However, the massage treatments provided by portable devices as described above are perceived as less effective and less satisfactory than the treatments provided by stationary equipment, such as massage chairs, massage beds or massage sofa's.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a portable massage cushion device of the kind set forth in the opening paragraph that provides an accurate massage. According to the invention this object is realised by applying independent suspension of each massage member with regard to the other massage members of the set of massage members. The portable massage cushion device according to the invention is defined in claim 1. During operation of the portable massage cushion device, the massage face makes contact with the portion of a person experiencing the massage. The massage face comprises the excitatable portion. During use, the excitatable portion exerts forces to the portion of the person that experiences the massage. These forces can be of e.g. rubbing, kneading or tapping nature to aid circulation of blood, relaxation of muscles and the like. The massage forces should be accurately applied in well-defined regions of said portion to realise a beneficent circulation or relaxation. If the massage action is accurately applied by the individual massage members, the massage is perceived as effective.

The external stable supporting structure, e.g. a chair or a bed, is used for support of the portable massage cushion device. The stable supporting structure is, during use, in close contact with the support face of the portable massage cushion device. For this reason, the support face is stabilised. Because the suspension frame has a fixed position with respect to the support face, it is stabilised with respect to the external supporting structure. Being independently suspended from the other massage members, each massage member can move without affecting the position of other massage members and without being affected by the other massage members. For this reason, the position of each massage member is stabilised with respect to the external supporting structure and not influenced by any forces or movements that are exerted by the other massage members, thus providing an accurate massage action. The massage forces are abutted completely isolated via the individual suspension of each massage member thus minimising the transmission of vibrations between the massage members. A massage member may be driven by a controllable drive. The invention provides a mechanically isolating effect, such that each massage member is independently driveable. Providing an individual control to a massage member or a group of massage members may benefit from the advantages of the massage members being independently driveable; minimal mutual influencing between the actions of the massage members, as set by the individual controls, is obtainable. The user has extended ease of use in the recreation of preferred settings. This is beneficial for the reproducibility of possible control settings applied by the user. A further advantage relates to the freedom of design in the suspension of the massage members. The applied independent suspension can be dimensioned such that the massage members have the freedom to move substantially perpendicular to the massage face, when a user depresses the cushion. By such dimensioning, the positioning of the massage members conforms to the curvature of the portions of the person experiencing the massage. The characteristics of the cushion body may be utilized to provide a soft filling, used for resting or reclining, while being massaged at the same time.

An advantageous embodiment of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention is characterized in that the suspension frame is secured to a rigid substructure having the support face. The substructure facilitates an efficient assembly of the massage device and at the same time provides supportive rigidity to the suspension frame. The substructure may be used to provide shape to the portable massage cushion device. The substructure may be shaped to provide a portable massage cushion device, which is integratable with stationary furniture. An advantageous embodiment of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention is characterized in that each massage member is suspended by an individual elastic suspension element. The massage members being elastically suspended, the positioning of the individual massage members conforms to the curvature of the portion or portions of the person experiencing the massage and prevents concentration of pressure or force, that is exerted by an individual massage member.

An advantageous embodiment of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention is characterized in that the elastic suspension element comprises a flexible elongated body. Such flexible elongated bodies may be commercially widely available bodies, and facilitate efficient production and assembly of the cushion device. Widely known processes such as extrusion may also be used to provide such flexible elongated bodies.

An advantageous embodiment of the portable device according to the invention is characterized in that the flexible elongated body comprises a flexible tube. During assembly a flexible tube can be efficiently handled, manipulated and positioned or fastened to its mounting position. Tubes provide favourable possibilities for securely mounting the massage members to the suspension element.

An advantageous embodiment of the portable device according to the invention is characterized in that the suspension element particularly is made of polyurethane, possibly reinforced with commercially available fibres or fabrics. Polyurethane provides sufficient elasticity to the suspension element, while at the same time reducing vibration and transmission of vibration via the suspension by its damping characteristics. Also vibrations causing possibly annoying noises and propagation and amplification of such vibrations are advantageously dealt with by the independent suspension of the invention, which suspension comprises polyurethane. The reinforcement structure may be used to provide additional strength to the suspension element.

The invention also relates to a massage set comprising the massage cushion device according to the invention and a stable supporting structure, such as a chair, a couch or the like. The portable massage cushion device according to the invention may be of a design that harmonises with the design or style of the furniture, which furniture serves as a stable supporting structure for the portable massage cushion device according to the invention. If the stationary furniture comprises detachable cushioning, the detachable cushioning may be temporarily exchanged for the massage device according to the invention. The portable massage cushion device may be available as an accessory, which accessory is usable in several positions and orientations of the stationary equipment.

The invention also relates to any possible combination of features or subject matter as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the portable massage cushion device will be further elucidated and described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 2 are side views, schematically depicting different uses of an embodiment of the cushion device according to the invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the cushion device according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the cushion device according to the invention. Fig. 6 shows a detail of the embodiment of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line VII-VII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6.

DETAILED EMBODIMENTS In the figures the same reference signs are used for corresponding parts in the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified.

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a person 11, experiencing a massage by a portable massage cushion device 1 according to the invention. In this example, the portable massage cushion device 1 is externally supported by a stable structure 9, being e.g. the back of a chair 9; in this example of a possible use, the portable massage cushion device 1 is used as a back massager. The scope of possible use of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention may also comprise abutment of the device by a wall, a bench or a couch as a stable supporting structure for the device according to the invention. The portable massage cushion device 1 is provided with a massage face 3 for making contact with a portion of the person 11. The massage face 3 has an excitatable portion 5. The cushion device is provided with a support face 7 for making contact with the external stable supporting structure 9. In the present example, the portable massage cushion device is used as a back massager. The use of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention may also involve a massage treatment of portions of the body that are different from the back.

Fig. 2 schematically depicts a person 11, using the portable massage cushion device 1 in a different position. The massage cushion device 1 being portable, it can be used separately from an external supporting structure 9, e.g. a bed or the seat of a bench, couch or sofa or the floor. The portable massage cushion device may also be designed as a detachable interchangeable accessory or supplementary item of a set or stationary furniture. The detachable interchangeable accessory may be designed according to the design of said stationary furniture. Such a massage set may integrate the portable massage cushion device according to the invention into the design of a stable supporting structure. A chair, a couch or the like may provide the supporting structure and the design of the supporting structure may harmonise with the design of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention.

In the embodiment of the portable massage cushion device 1 according to the invention as depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, the set of massage members comprises four massage members 20a, 20b, 20c, 2Od for excitation of an excitatable portion 5. In this example, the massage members 20a, 20b, 20c and 2Od are arranged in two rows and two columns. In this square arrangement, each row and each column comprises two massage members. The arrangement of the massage members is however not necessarily square; the distance between massage member 20a and massage member 20b is not necessarily equal to the distance between massage member 20c and massage member 2Od. The distribution of the massage members across the portable massage cushion device may be according to the specific anatomy of portions of the body. If a shoulder massage is envisaged, the distribution of the massage members may be according to the distribution of muscles in the shoulder portion. If a back massage is envisaged, the distances between the massage members may be adapted to the proportions of the lower back. It is also possible to vary the number of massage members, e.g. by applying two rows having three massage members each. Numerous arrangements are possible and the examples given are not limiting the scope of the invention.

The portable massage cushion device 1 is provided with a massage face 3 . A massage face 3 establishes, during use, contact with a portion of a person (not shown in Fig. 4). The massage face 3 has the excitatable portion 5. The cushion device is provided with a support face 7 for making contact with an external stable supporting structure (not shown in Figs. 3 and 4). A substructure 30 comprises vent-holes 38 for cooling purposes. In this embodiment the cushion device 1 comprises a set of four massage members 20a, 20b, 20c, 2Od for excitation of the excitatable portion 5. Two massage members 20a, 20b of the set of massage members 20a, 20b, 20c, 2Od are suspended from a suspension frame 25. Portions 25 a, 25b of the suspension frame 25 individually and independently suspend massage members 20a and 20b respectively as will be explained hereafter. Massage member 20a is suspended from an individual suspension frame 25 a.

The individual suspension frame 25a comprises holding members 22aa, 22ab, 24aa and 24ab for securing an elastic suspension element 26a. Securing may be realised by means of an adhesive. Alternatively, the holding members may have a clamping function and thus be clamping means or members. The massage member 20a is suspended from the individual suspension frame 25a by an elastic suspension element 26a, which suspension element 26a may for example be realised by a flexible tube, e.g. made of polyurethane. Holding members 24aa and 24ab secure the suspension element 26a on a first side of the suspension element 26a; holding members 22aa and 22ab secure the suspension element 26a opposite to the first side. Holding member 22ab also secures a suspension element 26b of massage member 20b. The suspension elements 26a and 26b comprise portions that are held by the holding members 22aa, 22ab, 24aa and 24ab. While the positions of the massage members 20a and 20b may vary independently from each other with respect to a support face 7 of the cushion device, the positions of the holding members 22aa, 22ab, 24aa and 24ab remain fixed with respect to the support face 7. For this reason, each massage member is movable without affecting the position of other massage members and without being affected by the position of the other massage members, i.e. the massage members are individually and independently suspended. The result of independent suspension according to the invention may also be achieved with a different arrangement of the holding members. It is possible for example to replace the members 24ab and 24ba by a one-piece holding element (not shown), securing both suspension elements 26a and 26b or to replace holding member 22ab by two holding members (not shown) opposite of holding members 24ab and 24ba. In all cases independent suspension is achieved and e.g. ease of production or assembly may be served by a different arrangement of the holding members.

Drive coils 36a and 36b for driving the massage members 20a, 20b respectively are provided and will be further explained hereafter with reference to Fig. 7. Vibrations generated by the massage members 20a and 20b, are transmitted via the holding members directly to a rigid substructure 30. The suspension of the other massage member 20b is advantageously relieved from transmission of such vibrations. Massage member 20a can go up and down without affecting the massage performance of the other massage member 20b and vice versa. A cushion body 28 is provided in an interspace between the suspension frame 25 and the massage face 3. The cushion body cushions the portion of the body during massage. The individual elastic suspension element 26 is realised by a polyurethane tube. Clamping elements, as will be schematically depicted in Fig. 8, may embody holding members. In another embodiment of the portable massage cushion device according to the invention as depicted in Fig. 5, a set of massage members comprises two massage members 20a and 20b. Both members 20a and 20b are suspended from a suspension element 27. The suspension element 27 is secured by holding members 22aa, 22ab, 22bb, 24aa, 24ab and 24bb. The suspension element 27 has portions 27a, 27b and 27c. The positions of the portions 27a, 27b and 27c remain fixed with respect to a support face 7, because the suspension element 27 is secured by the holding members 22aa, 22ab, 22bb, 24aa, 24ab and 24bb near said portions. For this reason, each massage member is movable without affecting the position of the other massage members and without being affected by the position of the other massage member, i.e. the massage members are individually and independently suspended.

The same principle may be advantageously used in the suspension of three or more massage members by a common suspension element, by securing the position of the common suspension element between two adjacent massage members with respect to a support face of the massage device. Drive-coils 36a and 36b for driving the massage members 20a and 20b are provided. Noise generated by said coils may be damped by the suspension element 27. In this example the suspension element is made from reinforced polyurethane, having advantageous damping characteristics. Reinforced polyurethane may also provide advantageous elastic properties. Said elastic properties may be used to provide an independent suspension with predetermined and desired spring stiffness distribution of the independent massage members. The stiffness of the independent suspension according to the invention may be adjusted to correspond to weight classes of persons using the device. It may also be adjusted to correspond to individual preferences of the person experiencing the massage.

Figs. 6 and 7 are schematic representations of a detail of the cushion device 1, depicted in Figs. 3 and 4. The massage member 20a comprises a transmission member 32 provided with an excitation member 34. The massage member 20a exerts, during use, a force to the excitatable portion of the massage face (not shown) via the excitation member 34. The suspension element 26a supports a drive-coil 36a. The connection between the suspension element 26a and the suspension frame (not shown) is discussed above. Drive-coil 36a translatably drives the transmission member 32. The massage member 20a is mounted to the suspension element 26 via an interface 35. In this embodiment the suspension element 26a has the shape of a rubber band or strip (Fig. 6). Different arrangements and shapes of the suspension elements are possible, such as two tubes, which tubes are mounted in parallel between the holding members. A control unit is provided for controlling said drive coils. In this example the control unit has a mode wherein one or more massage members perform a tapping function. In this embodiment holding members 22aa, 22ab, 24aa and 24ab are clamping members. The clamping members 22aa, 22ab, 24aa and 24ab are preformed to enable clamping and easy mounting of the suspension element 26a. The clamping function is e.g. realised by providing a positioning groove 23g (Fig. 8) to the clamping member 24aa and by providing a counterpart 23c to clamping member 22aa, which positioning groove 23g and counterpart 23c have cross-sections corresponding to the cross-section of the suspension element 26a (Fig. 8). In this embodiment the suspension element snugly fits into the groove, which is favourable for the lifetime of the suspension element. In this embodiment a circular cross-section is indicated. The cross-section may also be of a different, e.g. a rectangular shape. Projected in a direction perpendicular to the cross-section of Fig. 8, the groove has a guiding shape that corresponds to the shape of the suspension element as can for example be seen in Fig. 6. By the guiding shape of the groove it is possible to guide the suspension element with predefined curvature, such that buckling of the tubular wall- structure of the suspension element is prevented. Buckling of the suspension element may occur at the transition from the clamping members to the parts of the tube that are freely deformable between the clamping members and the interface 35.

A distance D between the clamping elements 22 and 24 is fixed because the clamping members 22 and 24 are secured to a rigid sub-structure (not shown). Distance D being fixed, the suspension element 26a is mountable under pretension. This pretension is adjustable by the length of the suspension element 26a. The pretension effect is advantageously applicable to provide a portable massage cushion device that corresponds to the weight class of the person using the device. It also enables adaptation of the resilience of the suspension elements according to predefined patterns. Use of the cushion device as a back massager, may require a different suspension stiffness or resilience than use of the cushion device as a shoulder massager.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. Devices, elements and components, known per se, have not been described in detail, as the skilled person is familiar with the matter. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single mechanism or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable massage cushion device (1) provided with a massage face (3) for making contact with a portion of a person (11), which massage face (3) has an excitatable portion (5), and a support face (7) for making contact with an external stable supporting structure (9), the cushion device (1) comprising a set of massage members (20) for excitation of the excitatable portion (5), a suspension frame (25) for suspension of the set of massage members (20), the frame (25) having a fixed position with respect to the support face (7), - a drive (40) for driving at least one of the massage members (20), and a cushion body (28) provided in an interspace between the suspension frame (22, 24, 26, 27) and the massage face (3), wherein each massage member (20) is independently suspended with regard to the other massage members of the set of massage members.

2. A cushion device according to claim 1, wherein the suspension frame is secured to a rigid substructure (30) having the support face (7).

3. A cushion device according to claim 1, wherein each massage member (20) is suspended by an individual elastic suspension element (26, 27).

4. A cushion device according to claim 3, wherein the elastic suspension element (26, 27) comprises a flexible elongated body.

5. A cushion device according to claim 4, wherein the flexible elongated body

(26, 27) comprises a flexible tube.

6. A cushion device according to claim 3, wherein the suspension element (26,

27) comprises polyurethane.

7. A cushion device according to claim 1, wherein at least one massage member (20) is able to perform a tapping function, said member (20) being electrically drivable by a control unit provided to the massage cushion device for individual adjustment of each massage member (20) of the set of massage members.

8. A cushion device according to claim 1, wherein each massage member (20) comprises a transmission member (32) provided with an excitation member (34) for excitation of the excitatable portion (5), wherein a drive-coil (36), being supported by the suspension element (26), is provided for translatably driving the transmission member (32).

9. A cushion device according to claim 2, wherein the substructure (30) comprises at least one vent-hole (38) for cooling of at least one massage member (20).

10. A massage set comprising the portable massage cushion device according to claim 1 and a stable supporting structure.

11. A set according to claim 10, wherein a chair, a couch or the like provides the supporting structure.