WO2009152121A1

WO2009152121A1 - Body therapy apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009152121A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/046688
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roman S. Ferber; Mordechal Lev; Elizabeth Harrison-Meyer; Hing Wah Tsang; Zou Jian Han
Original assignee: Fka Distributing Co. D/B/A Homedics, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-06-09
Filing date: 2009-06-09
Publication date: 2009-12-17

Abstract

A body therapy apparatus is provided with a backrest having an upper torso region and a lower torso that collectively provide a body contact surface. The backrest is contoured such that the lower torso region has a thickness greater than that of the upper torso region. The backrest has a ventilation outlet on the body contact surface. The lower torso region has a ventilation inlet that is not on the body contact surface. A ventilation assembly is oriented in the lower torso region of the backrest in fluid communication with the ventilation outlet and the ventilation inlet for conveying ambient air into the ventilation inlet and out of the ventilation outlet. A remote controller is provided with an elongate light pipe is displaced along a length of the controller for indicating a mode of operation. A plurality of heaters are oriented beneath an air outlet region for heating the air.

Description

BODY THERAPY APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 61/059,905 filed June 9, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Embodiments of the invention relate to body therapy apparatuses.

2. Background Art

Body therapy apparatuses are provided in the art for providing various body therapy effects. For example, the prior art has provided body therapy apparatuses that provide heat, ventilation or massage.

SUMMARY

An embodiment discloses a body therapy apparatus with a backrest having an upper torso region and a lower torso region. The upper torso region and the lower torso region collectively provide a body contact surface. The backrest is contoured such that the lower torso region has a thickness greater than that of the upper torso region. The backrest has a ventilation outlet on the body contact surface.

The lower torso region has a ventilation inlet that is not on the body contact surface. A ventilation assembly is oriented in the lower torso region of the backrest in fluid communication with the ventilation outlet and the ventilation inlet for conveying ambient air into the ventilation inlet and out of the ventilation outlet. Another embodiment discloses a body therapy apparatus with a mat having a body contact surface. A motorized therapy assembly is oriented in the mat. A remote control assembly has a housing with a contoured shape to facilitate manual grasping and operation. A controller is oriented in the housing in communication with the motorized therapy assembly for manual control of the motorized therapy assembly. A keypad is provided on the housing for manual operation of the controller. An elongate light pipe is displaced along a length of the housing. A light emitting diode is oriented beneath the light pipe and is in communication with controller for illuminating the light pipe to indicate a mode of operation.

Another embodiment discloses a body therapy apparatus with a mat having a body contact surface with an air outlet region. A ventilation assembly is oriented in the mat for conveying ambient air through the air outlet region. A plurality of heaters are oriented beneath the air outlet region for providing heat transfer therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a body therapy apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of a remote controller for the body therapy apparatus of Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the controller of Figure 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view illustrating the body therapy apparatus of Figure 1, utilized in combination with an office chair;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating the body therapy apparatus of Figure 1, utilized in combination with a vehicle seat; FIGURE 6 is another perspective view of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 1;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 1;

FIGURE 7a is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a heater of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 7;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a seat support of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 1;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a seat support of a body therapy apparatus according to yet another embodiment;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the seat support of Figure 9;

FIGURE 11 is a front side schematic view of a body therapy apparatus according to another embodiment;

FIGURE 12 is a section view taken along section line 12-12 of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 11;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged section view taken along section line 13-13 of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 11;

FIGURE 14 is an exploded perspective view of the body therapy apparatus of Figure 11; and

FIGURE 15 is an exploded perspective view of a ventilation assembly according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a body therapy apparatus is illustrated according to at least one embodiment and is referenced generally by numeral 20. The body therapy apparatus 20 provides therapeutic effects to a user, such as ventilation and massage. The body therapy apparatus 20 may be embodied in a therapy cushion 20 that is portable and sized to be received and supported by a conventional chair. The therapy cushion 20 includes a backrest 22 and a seat support 24. The backrest 22 and seat support 24 are collectively retained within a flexible cover 26, which may be formed of any suitable material, such as a polyester fabric, vinyl, leather, or the like. The cover 26 may provide a pivotal connection at a lower longitudinal end of the backrest 22 and a rearmost end of the seat support 24. The flexible material of the cover 26 provides a living hinge at the pivotal connection permitting user adjustment of the included angle between the backrest 22 and the seat support 24.

The ventilation effect includes forced air through an outlet region 28 in the backrest 22, and through an outlet region 30 in the seat support 24. The ventilation may include forced ambient air for providing a cooling effect by convection. Additionally, the ventilation may also provide heated air for providing a heated ventilation therapy effect. Additionally, the cushion 20 is provided with a series of support nodes 32 in the outlet regions 28, 30 for supporting the user and providing a therapeutic nodal support to the user. The therapy cushion 20 has a contoured backrest 22 including an extended lumbar region 34 for providing support to a lumbar region of the user's back. Additionally, the lumbar region 34 is heated to provide a heated therapy effect to the lumbar region of the user. The massage effects provided by the therapy cushion 20 includes a massage effect to the backrest 22, such as a vibratory massage effect. Other massage effects may be utilized in combination with the ventilation of the therapy cushion 20.

In at least one embodiment, the backrest 22 is sized to be received upon a backrest of a conventional chair. Likewise, the seat support 24 is sized to be received upon a seat support of a conventional chair. In at least one embodiment, the therapy cushion 20 is portable due to its compact size and light weight so that the user may place the therapy cushion 20 upon a conventional chair for receiving ventilation and/or massage effects when seated upon the chair. The adjustability of the included angle between the backrest 22 and the seat support 24, as well as the flexibility of the backrest 22 and the seat support 24 accommodates a wide range of angles and variety of contours that may be employed by conventional chairs. Alternatively, the therapy cushion may be utilized without a chair for various seating and resting positions.

The backrest 22 includes a height and width corresponding to the conventional chair and has a thickness that is adequate for housing ventilation and massage assemblies therein while avoiding disruption of comfort and support provided by the underlying chair. Likewise, the seat support 24 has a width and depth corresponding to that of the corresponding seat support and has a thickness that is adequate for housing ventilation features while avoiding disruption of comfort and support provided by the underlying chair. Additionally, the backrest 22 may include a pair of straps mounted from its lateral sides for securing the therapy cushion 20 to the conventional chair. The therapy cushion 20 further includes a manual remote controller 36 connected to the therapy cushion 20 for controlling the therapy operations.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the remote controller 36 is illustrated according to at least one embodiment. The remote controller 36 has a contoured shape to facilitate manual grasping and operation. The controller 36 is provided with a power button 38 for providing power to the therapy cushion 20. A pair of massage buttons 40, 42 are provided for providing a massage effect to the backrest 22 and seat support 24 respectively. For example, depression of each of the massage buttons 40, 42 imparts a massage effect, such as a vibratory massage effect, to each of the associated regions. Multiple depressions of each of the buttons 40, 42 changes the intensity of the massage, with options such as high, medium and low settings which are depicted on the controller 36 and may be indicated by a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED). The intensity may be varied through the settings based on a speed of the motor that provides the massage effect. For example, the massage effect can be provided by vibratory massage units that each employ a motor for driving an eccentric weight. By varying the speed of the motor, the intensity of the massage effect is varied.

The remote controller 36 also includes a ventilation button 44 which controls the ventilation of the therapy cushion 20. The ventilation button 44 operates the ventilation feature which forces air through the outlet regions 28, 30 of the backrest 22 and seat support 24 for cooling the user by convection. The ventilation feature may include multiple settings for multiple intensities. The settings are depicted as low, medium and high and are indicated by illumination from an LED. The various intensities may be selected by control of the ventilation assembly. For example, the ventilation assembly may include a motor driven fan and the various intensities may correspond to a speed of the fan. A heat button 46 is also provided for selecting a heat therapy effect. In one embodiment, the heat button 46 controls operation of heat from the ventilation assembly and from the lumbar region 34. Alternatively, the various heat therapy features may be controlled separately. Depression of the heat button 46 also drives the ventilation assembly for providing heated ventilated air to the user.

Additionally, a demonstration button 48 is provided so that the user can select a demonstration operation which demonstrates the various therapy effects and combinations of the effects for the user.

The remote controller 36 additionally includes a pair of elongate light pipes 50. The light pipes 50 are illuminated from an underlying light source, such as a colored LED or one of a plurality of different colored LEDs. For example, in the embodiment depicted, a red LED and a blue LED are provided beneath each light pipe 50. During a unheated ventilation operation, the light pipes 50 are illuminated blue. Likewise, during a heated ventilation operation, the light pipes 50 are illuminated red. Thus, the remote controller 36 provides an ornamental and intuitive indication to the user and others, which ventilation operation has been selected.

As discussed above, the therapy cushion 20 may be utilized in various settings, and in combination with various conventional chairs. One such example is an office chair 52, which is depicted in Figure 4. Alternatively, the therapy cushion 20 may be incorporated into the office chair 52. Another such example is a vehicle seat 54 as depicted in Figure 5. Accordingly, the therapy cushion 20 is provided with multiple power source connections including alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) connections for powering the therapy cushion in various settings for providing ventilation and/or massage effects to the desired seat or chair.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the therapy cushion 20, which illustrates one array for the support nodes 32. Figure 7 illustrates the therapy cushion

20 exploded for illustrating the internal components. The cover 26 includes a rear cover portion 56, which may be formed of a suitable material such as a polyester fabric. A pair of cloth panels 58, 60 are provided upon the rear cover portion 56 of the cover 26. A ventilation assembly 62 is provided on the rear cover portion 56 between the cloth panels 58, 60. The ventilation assembly 62 includes a base 64 that is formed from a suitable material, such as a structural polymer. The base 64 is conveniently located within the lumbar region 34 in order to provide support to the lumbar region of the user and to orient the ventilation assembly 62 in a region where it can be housed without disrupting the therapy effects provided by the therapy cushion 20.

A motorized fan assembly 66 is mounted centrally to the base 64. The fan assembly 66 may be a DC brushless axial infeed and tangentially output fan assembly 66 as depicted. A cover 68 is provided mounted to the base 64 for concealing the fan assembly 66. The cover 68 is generally arcuate and is shaped to match the contour of a lumbar region of the user's back. The cover 68 cooperates with the base 64 to provide inlets 70 at lateral sides of the cover 68 for receiving ambient air. The base 64 includes a pair of tangential outfeed ducts 72, 74 directed towards the seat support 24 and a region of the backrest 22 that is above the lumbar region 34, respectively. During operation of the fan assembly 66, air is conveyed through the inlets 70 to the fan assembly 66 and subsequently through the ducts 72, 74. The cover 68 may include a pair of air permeable regions, or vents 76, 78 for enhancing flow of air from the fan assembly 66 to the outlet regions 28, 30.

The fan assembly 66 is controlled by the remote controller 36.

Additionally, a printed circuit board (PCB) 80 may be mounted to the base 64 enclosed by a cover 82 for providing some of the controls of the therapy apparatus 20.

The backrest 22 and the seat support 24 each include a support mat 84, 86 respectively. Each support mat 84, 86 is formed from a flexible yet resilient material, such as a polymer for providing adequate support, while permitting flexibility of the therapy apparatus 20. The inboard end of each support mat 84, 86 may be fastened to the fan cover 68. Each of the support mats 84, 86 is sized to extend beneath the corresponding outlet region 28, 30.

Each support mat 84, 86 is provided with a series of the support nodes 32 formed on a forward- facing side. The support nodes 32 may be formed integrally with each support mat 84, 86, for example, by an injection molding process. Each support mat 84, 86 also includes a series of posts (not shown) extending from a rearward-facing side for supporting the mats 84, 86 from the rear cover portion 56 and the associated cloth panels 58, 60. The posts support the support mats 84, 86 at a distance spaced away from the underlying panels 58, 60 and the cover portion 56 so that air may flow from the ventilation assembly 62 beneath the support mats 84, 86. Each of the support mats 84, 86 has a series of apertures 88 formed through the mats 84, 86 so that air can flow from beneath the support mats 84, 86, through the apertures 88 and out of the corresponding outlet regions 28, 30.

The cover 26 also includes a front cover portion 90 that is secured to the rear cover portion 56 for retaining the components therein. The front cover portion 90 may be formed of a fabric such as polyester fabric and may be padded on its underside for providing comfort to the user. The front cover portion 90 includes a pair of openings 92, 94 for providing the outlet regions 28, 30. The openings 92, 94 are aligned with the support mats 84, 86 so that air that is forced through the apertures 88 exits the openings 92, 94. Additionally, a pair of lateral openings 96, 98 are provided that are aligned with the inlets 70 of the ventilation assembly cover 68 for permitting air to enter the ventilation assembly 62.

The cover 26 also includes a pair of mesh layers 100, 102 each mounted to the front cover portion 90 for covering one of the outlet openings 92, 94. The mesh layers 100, 102 permit air to pass therethrough, yet are utilized to enclose the outlet regions 28, 30 for preventing objects from entering the cover 26. Likewise, the cover 26 includes a pair of inlet covers 104, 106 for covering the inlet openings 96, 98 of the front cover portion 90. The inlet covers 104, 106 may each be formed of a flexible polymeric material in order to cover the inlet covers 96, 98 and prevent objects from contaminating the ventilation assembly 62. The inlet covers 104, 106 are formed from a flexible plastic in order to maintain flexibility of the therapy apparatus 20, while protecting the inlet openings 96, 98.

When the ventilation assembly 62 is powered, the fan assembly 66 is driven, thereby forcing ambient air through the inlet covers 104, 106, consequently through the inlet openings 96, 98 and into the inlets 70 of the ventilation assembly cover 68. The air is then forced through the ducts 72, 74 and vents 76, 78 to beneath the support mats 84, 86. The forced air is then conveyed through the apertures 88 in the support mats 84, 86 and exits the outlet openings 92, 94 through the mesh layers 100, 102 for ventilating the user. By forcing ambient air across the user, a cooling effect is provided by way of convection.

The forced air may also be heated for heating the user. For example, a series of heat lamp assemblies 108 may be secured to an aperture 110 in one of the support mats 84, 86, such as the support mat 86 for the seat support 24 as depicted in

Figure 7. One of the heat lamp assemblies 108 is illustrated exploded and enlarged in Figure 7a. The heat lamp assemblies 108 each include a threaded nut 112 that is provided beneath the seat support 86. A heat lamp 114 is provided within a nut 112 for providing a radiated heat effect. A threaded cover 116 is provided on a top side of the support mat 86 and threads into engagement with the threaded nut 112 for covering the heat lamp 114. The cover 116 permits heat from the lamp 114 to radiate out of the lamp assembly 108 thereby providing heat to the user.

Referring again to Figure 7, the ventilation assembly 62 is conveniently located in the lumbar region of the backrest 22 so that the backrest 22 has a contour to match that of the user. Additionally, by providing lateral inlets 70, air can be drawn from the environment at a location that is not engaged by the user. To provide additional comfort to the user, a cushion 118 can be provided over the ventilation assembly cover 68. The cushion 118 may be formed of an air permeable material, such as a sponge to provide padding support to the user while preventing air to pass through the vents 76, 78 of the cover 68.

The heated therapy effect may be further enhanced by utilization of a wire heater 120 that is oriented over the cushion 118 of the ventilation assembly 62 for heating the lumbar region of the user.

The ventilation therapy effects may be provided in combination with a massage therapy effect. One such example is a vibratory massage effect which may be provided by a series of vibratory massage assemblies 122. Each vibratory massage assembly 122 includes an eccentric weight driven by a motor for providing the rotary vibrational massage effect. A pair of the massage assemblies 122 are each provided beneath a laterally outward bolster region 124, 126 out of the front cover portion 90 for providing the vibratory massage effect to the back of the user.

Figure 7 also depicts the remote controller 36 exploded. The controller 36 includes an upper housing portion 128 and a lower housing portion 130. A printed circuit board (PCB) 132 is provided within the housing cover portions 128, 130. A flexible cover 134 is provided on the upper housing portion 128 for permitting the user to actuate switches that are provided upon the PCB 132. A pair of LED circuit boards 136 are provided within the housing 128, 130 facing laterally outward and are covered by a pair of translucent covers 138 so that the LED circuit boards 136 can illuminate the side regions of the controller 36 with a color associated with a corresponding therapy effect. Additionally, a cable 140 is connected to the housing 128, 130 for conveying control signals from the controller 36 to the ventilation assembly 62 and for conveying power from a power source to the controller 36.

Referring now to Figure 8, the seat support 24 is illustrated enlarged for depicting the outlet region 30. The support mat 86 includes a series of support nodes 32 and an array of heat lamp assemblies 108. The apertures 88 are spaced about the support nodes 32 and lamp assemblies 108 for permitting air to pass through the support mat 86.

Figure 9 illustrates a seat support 142 of a body therapy apparatus 144 according to another embodiment. The seat support 142 includes an outlet region 146 aligned with a support mat 148. Unlike the prior embodiment, the support mat 148 does not include heat lamp assemblies and therefore is provided with a series of support nodes 150 and a series of apertures 152 spaced about the nodes 150.

Referring now to Figure 10, an underside of the support mat 148 is depicted. The support mat 148 includes a series of posts 154 each oriented beneath one of the support nodes 150 for supporting the support mat 148 spaced apart from the underlying cover. In this embodiment, a heated ventilation effect is provided by a wire heater 156 that is provided by heated wire that is wrapped around a series of the posts 154. As air is forced beneath the support mat 148 and subsequently through the apertures 152, heat is convected through the apertures 152 and subsequently to the user.

Figure 11 illustrates another body therapy apparatus 158 according to another embodiment. The therapy apparatus 158 includes a backrest 160 and a seat support 162, each with outlet regions 164, 166. Unlike the prior embodiments, a pair of fan assemblies 168, 170 are provided in the lumbar region. A pair of inlets 172, 174 are provided in laterally outboard regions of the lumbar region of a cover 176 for permitting air to enter. During operation of the fan assemblies 168, 170, air enters the inlets 172, 174 as depicted in Figures 11 and 13. The air is drawn axially into the fans 168, 170 as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. The air is forced tangentially from the fan assemblies 168, 170 through ducts 178, 180. A pair of support mats 182, 184 are each provided beneath one of the outlet regions 164, 166. The support mats 182, 184 each include a series of posts 186 oriented beneath corresponding support nodes 188. The forced air flows between the support mats 182, 184 and the cover 176 due to the spacing provided by the posts 186. The forced air subsequently exits the outlet regions 164, 166 through a plurality of apertures 190 formed through the support mats 182, 184.

Figure 14 illustrates the body therapy apparatus 158 exploded. The cover 176 includes a rear cover portion 192 and a front cover portion 194. The cover 176 also includes a pair of fabric panels 196, 198 each displaced within one of the backrest 160 and seat support 162. The cover also includes a pair of straps 200, 202 for securing the therapy apparatus 158 to a seat.

The therapy apparatus 158 includes a ventilation assembly 204 in a lumbar region. The ventilation assembly 204 includes a base 206 for housing the fan assemblies 168, 170. The ventilation assembly 204 also includes a cover 208 that is fastened to the base 206 for retaining the fan assemblies 168, 170. A printed circuit board (PCB) 210 is also provided in the ventilation assembly 204 for controlling the various therapy effects.

Similar to one of the prior embodiments, a series of heat lamp assemblies 212 are secured to the support mat 184 of the seat support 162 for providing a heated therapy effect. Additionally, a wire heater 214 is provided on the posts 186 of the support mat 184 for heating the air as it is forced about the posts 186.

Although two fan assemblies 168, 170 are illustrated, any number of fan assemblies is contemplated. By providing multiple fan assemblies, the ventilation effect provided by each outlet region 164, 166 can be independently controlled. Although heat lamp assemblies 212 and a wire heater 214 are illustrated, various heat therapy effects and combinations are contemplated. For example, heat lamp assemblies 212 can be used alone, on either support mat 182, 184, or in combination with the wire heater 214. The wire heater 214, likewise can be provided on either support mat 182, 184. Alternatively, the forced air may be heated at the fan assemblies 168, 170. For example, a wire heater may be provided for heating the air prior to, or subsequent from, passing through the fan assemblies 168, 170. As yet another alternative, the forced air may also be cooled for presenting air to the user at a temperature that is less than ambient air. For example, a Peltier chip may be employed in the passage of air flow for cooling the air. The polarity of the Peltier chip may be reversed for heating the air when a heated ventilation effect is desired.

The therapy apparatus 158 may also include other therapy features, such as a wire heater 214 on the lumbar cover 208 and a plurality of massage assemblies 216. The body therapy apparatus 158 may also include a remote controller 36, which is illustrated similar to that of one of the prior embodiments. The controller 36 may include other control features, such as an automatic shut off of some of the operations, such as the heat function.

The invention contemplates that the ventilation assembly 204 may be removable for maintenance and repair. Alternatively, the ventilation assembly 204 may be removable for interchanging with other therapy assemblies, such as a massage assembly, or a structural blank, such as a cushion or a pad.

Figure 15 illustrates another ventilation assembly 218 according to another embodiment. The ventilation assembly 218 includes a base 220, which may be mounted within a lumbar region of the associated cushion or chair. The base 220 forms a part of a housing of the ventilation assembly 218. The ventilation assembly 218 also includes a cover 222, which provides another part of the housing of the ventilation assembly 218. The cover 222 includes an inlet 224, which may be oriented at a region of the cushion that would not be blocked by the user. An inlet duct 226 is oriented beneath the inlet to direct ambient air into a volute air shroud 228. A radial infeed fan 230 is provided within the shroud 228 and forces air into the inlet 224, through the inlet duct 226, into the shroud 228 and into the base 220. From the base 220, the air can exit through a pair of exit ports 232, 234. The outlet ports 232, 234 may each be in fluid communication with a region of the cushion. Additional ducting 236, 238 may be employed to convey the forced air from the base 220 to the a seat bottom.

A heat transfer unit 240 may be provided in the base 220 for heating or cooling the forced air before exiting the base 220. The heat transfer unit 240 is a

Peltier chip for cooling the air before exiting the base 220. Alternatively, the current to the Peltier chip can be reversed for heating the air. An intermediate housing part

242 is employed for retaining the heat transfer unit 240 in the base 220. The intermediate housing part 242 also provides a third outlet port 244 for the forced air. A second Peltier chip 246 is provided in the intermediate housing part 242 with a heat sink 248 for providing further heat transfer to air that is forced through the intermediate housing part 242. The heat sink 248 draws heat from the forced air to the

Peltier chip, thereby cooling the air forced through the intermediate housing part 242.

A rotary axial fan 250 can also be provided within the intermediate housing part 242 for forcing the air from the base 220 through the intermediate housing part 242. A cover 252 is provided to the intermediate housing part 242 for retaining the fan 250, heat sink 248 and Peltier chip 246. The cover 252 includes an outlet port 254 aligned with an outlet port 256 of the housing cover 222 for conveying the air out of the ventilation assembly 218. The outlet port 256 may be aligned with a lumber region of the associated cushion or chair.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A body therapy apparatus comprising: a backrest having an upper torso region and a lower torso region, the upper torso region and the lower torso region collectively providing a body contact surface, the backrest being contoured such that the lower torso region has a thickness greater than that of the upper torso region, the backrest having at least one ventilation outlet on the body contact surface, the lower torso region having at least one ventilation inlet that is not on the body contact surface; and a ventilation assembly oriented in the lower torso region of the backrest in fluid communication with the at least one ventilation outlet and the at least one ventilation inlet for conveying ambient air into the at least one ventilation inlet and out of the at least one ventilation outlet.

2. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one ventilation inlet is oriented on a lateral side of the lower torso region.

3. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one ventilation inlet further comprises a pair of ventilation inlets each oriented on one of a pair of opposed lateral sides of the lower torso region.

4. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one ventilation outlet is provided in the upper torso region.

5. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lower torso region is further defined as a lumbar region.

6. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ventilation assembly further comprises a motorized fan.

7. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a heater oriented in the lower torso region between the ventilation assembly and the body contact surface.

8. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ventilation assembly further comprises a cooling chip for cooling air that is conveyed out of the ventilation outlet.

9. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a massage assembly oriented in the backrest.

10. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 wherein the backrest includes an air outlet region and the at least one ventilation outlet is provided in the air outlet region.

11. The body therapy apparatus of claim 10 wherein the backrest includes a cavity provided by a plurality of spaced apart support members oriented beneath the outlet region for spacing the outlet region from an associated rear portion of a cover of the backrest and for permitting air to pass around the support members.

12. The body therapy apparatus of claim 11 wherein the air outlet region further comprises a mat with a plurality of apertures formed therethrough.

13. The body therapy apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of support members further comprises a plurality of support nodes.

14. The body therapy apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of support members further comprises a plurality of posts; and wherein the body therapy apparatus further comprises at least one wire heater coiled about at least one of the plurality of posts.

15. The body therapy apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a seat support connected to the backrest, wherein the seat support includes at least one ventilation outlet in fluid communication with the ventilation assembly.

16. The body therapy apparatus of claim 15 wherein the seat support includes an air outlet region and the at least one ventilation outlet of the seat support is provided in the air outlet region of the seat support.

17. A body therapy apparatus comprising: a mat having a body contact surface; a motorized therapy assembly oriented in the mat; and a remote control assembly comprising: a housing having a contoured shape to facilitate manual grasping and operation, a controller oriented in the housing in communication with the motorized therapy assembly for manual control of the motorized therapy assembly, a keypad provided on the housing for manual operation of the controller, at least one elongate light pipe displaced along a length of the housing, and at least one light emitting diode oriented beneath the at least one light pipe and in communication with controller for illuminating the at least one light pipe to indicate a mode of operation.

18. A body therapy apparatus comprising: a mat having a body contact surface with an air outlet region; a ventilation assembly oriented in the mat for conveying ambient air through the air outlet region; and a plurality of heaters oriented beneath and adjacent to the air outlet region for providing heat transfer therefrom.

19. The body therapy apparatus of claim 18 wherein the plurality of heaters further comprises a plurality of heat lamp assemblies.

20. The body therapy apparatus of claim 18 wherein the plurality of heaters further comprises a series of wire heater coils.