WO2011002644A1

WO2011002644A1 - Body massage apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011002644A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/039602
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert T. Mcculloch; Sara Robertson; Mordechai Lev
Original assignee: Fka Distributing Co. D/B/A Homedics, Inc.
Priority date: 2009-06-30
Filing date: 2010-06-23
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: CN201987844U

Abstract

A body massager is provided with a housing having an external contact surface, and a first guide. A first carriage is oriented in the housing and cooperates with the first guide for translation in the housing. A first motor is operably connected to the housing and the first carriage to translate the first carriage along the first guide. A second guide is mounted on the first carriage, nonparallel to the first guide. A second carriage is oriented in the housing and cooperates with the second guide for translation in the housing. A second motor is operably connected to the first carriage and the second carriage to translate the second carriage along the second guide. At least one rotary kneading massage member is supported by the second carriage for imparting a massage effect as at least one of the first carriage and the second carriage is translated relative to the housing.

Description

BODY MASSAGE APPARATUS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 61/221,606 filed June 30, 2009; the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to portable body massagers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a body massager according to an embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic view of the body massager of Figure 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a remote controller for the body massager of Figure 1;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation view of a body massager according to another embodiment;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged front elevation view of a massage assembly of the body massager of Figure 4, illustrated partially disassembled;

FIGURE 6 is a rear side elevation view of a nut of the body massager of Figure 4; FIGURE 7 is an enlarged front perspective view of the massage assembly of Figure 5; and

FIGURE 8 is a top plan view of a remote controller of the body massager of Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1 , a body massager is illustrated according to an embodiment and is referenced generally by numeral 10. The body massager 10 is depicted as a portable body massager that is sized to be received and supported by a conventional chair. The body massager 10 includes a backrest 12 and a seat support

14. The backrest 12 and seat support 14 are collectively retained within a flexible cover 16, which may be formed of a high quality fabric, leather, vinyl, or the like. The cover 16 may provide a pivotal connection 18 at a lower longitudinal end of the backrest 12 and a rearmost end of the seat support 14. The flexible material of the cover 16 provides a living hinge at the pivotal connection 18 permitting user adjustment of an included angle between the backrest 12 and the seat support 14.

Massage effects provided by the body massager 10 include a kneading massage effect provided in the backrest 12, which is operable to provide the kneading massage effect longitudinally along the length of the backrest 12, transversely across the width of the backrest 12, or at any targeted location within these ranges. The seat support 14 may provide a vibratory massage effect to the user seated thereupon.

The backrest 12 is sized to be received upon a backrest of a conventional chair. Likewise, the seat support 14 is sized to be received upon a seat of a conventional chair. Additionally, the body massager 10 is portable due to its compact size and light weight so that the user may place the body massager 10 upon a conventional chair for receiving a massage when seated upon the chair. The adjustability of the included angle between the backrest 12 and the seat support 14 accommodates a wide range of angles that may be incorporated in conventional chairs. Alternatively, the body massager 10 may be utilized without a chair for various seating and resting positions. Alternatively, the body massager 10 may be incorporated into a chair, such as a lounge chair, an office chair, or the like.

The backrest 12 includes a height and width corresponding to the conventional chair and has a thickness that is adequate for housing massage assemblies therein while avoiding disruption of comfort and support provided by the underlying chair. Likewise, the seat support 14 has a width and a depth corresponding to that of the conventional seat and has a thickness that is adequate for housing a cushion while avoiding disruption of comfort and support provided by the underlying chair. Additionally, the backrest 12 may include a pair of straps mounted from its lateral sides for securing the body massager 10 to the conventional chair. The body massager 10 further includes a manual remote controller (Figure 3) connected to the body massager 10 for controlling the massage operations.

The seat support region 14 includes a seating surface 20 for receiving the user when seated. The backrest 12 includes a backrest surface 22 for receiving and supporting the back of the user. The massage assemblies of the backrest 12 and the seat support 14 impart the respective massage effects to the backrest surface 22 and the seating surface 20 respectively. The cover 16 includes a central region 24 formed from a woven fabric or a mesh, which may be more flexible for conveying the massage effect through the backrest surface 22. Referring now to Figure 2, the backrest 12 is illustrated with the cover 16 removed. The backrest 12 includes a housing 26, which retains a massage assembly 28. The housing 26 includes a transverse guide 30; and the massage assembly 28 includes a first carriage 32 operably connected to the guide 30 for limited transverse translation within the housing 26. The first carriage 32 includes a first motor 34 for driving a first transmission 36. The first transmission 36 provides an output rotation to four pinion gears 38. A first pair of the pinion gears 38 are provided at a lower longitudinal end of the first carriage 32, and a second pair of the pinion gears 38 are provided at an upper longitudinal end of the first carriage 32. Each of the pinion gears 38 is engaged with a gear rack 40, 42 provided by the transverse guide 30. Although four pinion gears 38 are depicted, the invention contemplates utilization of any number of pinion gears, such as one, or a pair of spaced apart pinion gears 38, each engaged with one of the gear racks 40, 42. A suitable motor-driven carriage transmission and guide arrangement is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 7,470,242 B2, which issued to Ferber et al. on December 30, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Another suitable motor-driven carriage transmission and guide arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0106185 Al, which published to Ferber et al. on May 10, 2007, and which discloses a pair of output pinion gears that each engage a gear rack, and the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The gear racks 40, 42 extend transversely along the housing 26 to provide a wide range of transverse translation. Likewise, the gear racks 40, 42 are spaced longitudinally to provide clearance for a long range of longitudinal translation.

A longitudinal guide 44 is provided on the first carriage 32. A second carriage 46 is provided in the housing 26 upon the first carriage 32 in engagement with the longitudinal guide 44 for limited longitudinal translation along the longitudinal guide 44. Similar to the first carriage 32, the second carriage 46 includes a second motor 48, which drives a second transmission 50. The output of the second transmission includes a pair of pinion gears 52, each engaged with a pair of gear racks 54, 56 provided by the longitudinal guide 44. Although a pair of pinion gears 52, is depicted, the invention contemplates any number of pinion gears. The motor 48 and carriage transmission 50 in combination with the guide 44, may be any suitable carriage motor-driven transmission and guide arrangement such as those disclosed in the aforementioned '242 patent, and the '185 patent application.

By controlling the first and second motors 34, 48, the transverse and longitudinal position of the second carriage 46, can be controlled for moving the second carriage 46 to various transverse and longitudinal positions within the ranges of the transverse guide 30 and the longitudinal guide 44.

A pair of massage members 58 are provided on the second carriage 46 to provide a translating massage effect as the second carriage 46 is translated transversely and/or longitudinally. Additionally, a third motor 60 may be provided on the second carriage 46 for driving a transmission 62 for imparting a massage effect upon the massage members 58. The massage members 58 may each include a pair of hemispherical nodes 64, 66 for providing a rotary kneading massage effect, often referred to as a Shiatsu massage effect. The massage transmission 62, may include a worm drive (not shown) that is driven by the motor 60 and engaged with a pair of worm gears 68. Each worm gear 68 can be connected to one of the massage members 58 for rotating the massage member 58 in response to rotation imparted upon the corresponding worm gear 68. Alternatively, the massage transmission 62 may be driven by one of the motors 34, 48 which are employed for moving the carriages 32, 46.

By controlling the rotation of the three motors, a user may experience a rolling massage effect in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction, a rotary kneading massage effect in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction; or a targeted rotary kneading massage effect with transverse and/or longitudinal adjustment. Referring now to Figure 3, a manual remote controller 70 is depicted, which is in electrical communication with the massage assembly 28. The remote controller 70 may include a tether 72 for connecting the controller 70 to the body massager 10, while incorporating wiring within the tether 72 for providing the electrical communication within the controller 70 of the massage assembly 28. The remote controller 70 includes a series of push buttons 74, 76, 78, which may be utilized for controlling various functions of the massager 10, such as power on/off, massage on/off for driving the third motor 60, heat, control of a massage assembly within the seat support 14, or the like. Additionally, the controller 70 includes a dual axis actuator 80, often referred to as a joystick, which may be provided by a ball and socket connection. Transverse actuation of the manual actuator 80 results in operation of the first motor 34 for transverse translation of the first carriage 32, and consequently the massage members 58. Longitudinal actuation of the manual actuator 80 results in control of the second motor 48 for longitudinal translation of the second carriage 46 and consequently the massage members 58. Combinations of transverse and longitudinal actuation of the manual actuator 80 results in combined control of the first motor 34 and the second motor 48 for targeted control of the massage members 58. Thus, the user can control the translation of the massage members 58 in both transverse directions and both longitudinal directions for getting a targeted massage effect from the massage assembly 28.

Additionally, the controller 70 may be provided with a demonstration button, or various program buttons for providing a software controlled massage that utilizes various combinations of control of the three motors 34, 48, 60 for providing various massage effects to various locations. Figure 4 illustrates a body massager 82 according to another embodiment. The body massager 82 has a housing 84 for supporting an upper massage assembly 86 and a lower massage assembly 88. The upper massage assembly 86 is similar to that disclosed in Ferber et al. U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0262398 Al ; the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The lower massage assembly 88 is similar to the massage assembly 28 of the prior embodiment.

The housing 84 includes a longitudinal guide 90; and the lower massage assembly 88 includes a first carriage 92 mounted for translation upon the longitudinal guide 90. The first carriage 92 is illustrated with a cover plate 94 in Figure 4. Figure 5 illustrates the first carriage 92 with the cover plate 94 removed. A first motor 96 is provided on the first carriage 92. The first motor 96 has an output worm drive 98 which drives a worm gear 100 that is mounted to the first carriage 92 and retained by the cover plate 94. The worm gear 100 drives a coaxial first pinion gear 102, which is engaged to and drives a reduction gear 104. The reduction gear 104 is also mounted for rotation on the first carriage 92 and retained by the cover plate 94. The first reduction gear 104 drives a coaxial second pinion gear 106. The second pinion gear 106 is engaged with a second reduction gear 108, which is mounted for rotation on the first carriage 92 and retained by the cover plate 94. The second reduction gear 108 drives a third pinion gear 110, which is engaged to a longitudinal gear rack 112 provided on the housing 84. Thus, operation of the first motor 96 provides translation of the first carriage 92 along the longitudinal guide 90. The multiple gears reduce the rotation of the first motor 96 and increase the torque for steady translation of the first carriage 92.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, a pair of magnets 114, 116 are mounted upon the first carriage 92. A pair of induction sensors 118, 120 are mounted on the housing 84 for detecting the presence of the corresponding magnet 114, 116 for communicating a signal to a controller of the body massager 82 for indicating the position of the first carriage 92.

Referring now to Figure 5, a second motor 122 is also mounted on the first carriage 92. The second motor 122 drives a worm drive 124. The worm drive

124 drives a worm gear 126, which is mounted upon a threaded shaft 128. The threaded shaft 128 is journaled upon the first carriage 92. A second carriage 130 is mounted on the first carriage 92 and cooperates with a transverse guide 132 for translation along the first carriage 92. The second carriage 130 is provided with a nut 134, which is retained beneath a cover plate 136. Referring now to Figure 6, the nut

134 is illustrated having a generally rectangular body with a threaded slot 138 formed into one side of the body. The nut 134 is maintained in engagement with the threaded shaft 128 by the cover plate 136. Thus, rotation of the motor rotates the worm drive

124 and the worm gear 126 for rotating the threaded shaft 128 for moving the second carriage 130 along the second guide 132. Referring now to Figure 7, the second carriage 130 is illustrated without the cover plate 136 that covers the nut 134, and another cover plate 140 (Figure 5). A third motor 142 is provided on the second carriage 130 and drives a worm drive 144. The worm drive 144 is engaged to a pair of worm gears 146, 148 that are each mounted for rotation upon the second carriage 130. Each of the worm gears 146, 148 drives a first pinion gear 150, 152 respectively. Each of the first pinion gears 150, 152 are engaged to a first reduction gear 154, 156 respectively. Each of the first reduction gears 154, 156 are mounted for rotation upon the second carriage 130 and drive a coaxial second pinion gear 158, 160 respectively. Each of the second pinion gears 158, 160 are engaged to and drive a second reduction gear 162, 164 respectively. Each of the second reduction gears 162, 164 are mounted for rotation upon the second carriage 130 and drive a gear shaft 166, 168 respectively.

Each of the gear shafts 166, 168 extend through the cover plate 140 and drive a massage formation 170, 172 respectively. In the depicted embodiment, each massage formation 170, 172 includes a hemispherical massage node that is offset from the axis of rotation of the gear shaft 166, 168 to provide a rotary kneading massage effect. The massage nodes of the massage formations 170, 172 may also be heated.

Referring again to Figure 7, a pair of magnets 174, 176 are mounted on the second carriage 130. Referring again to Figure 5, a pair of induction sensors 178, 180 are mounted on the first carriage 92 for detecting if the second carriage 130 is at a limit to a range of travel in the transverse direction. The induction sensors 178, 180 are also in communication with the controller of the massager 82 for controlling the travel of the second carriage 130.

Figure 8 illustrates a manual remote controller 182, which is in electrical communication with the massage assemblies 86, 88. The controller 182 includes a power button 184 for controlling the power to the massager 82. The controller 182 includes a dual axis actuator 186, often referred to as a joystick, which is provided with a ball and socket connection. Transverse actuation of the manual actuator 86 results in operation of the second motor 122 for transverse translation of the second carriage 130, and consequently the massage formations 170, 172. Longitudinal actuation of the manual actuator 186 results in control of the first motor 96 for longitudinal translation of the first carriage 92 and consequently the massage formations 170, 172. Combinations of transverse and longitudinal actuation of the manual actuator 186 results in combined control of the first motor 96 and the second motor 122 for targeted control of the massage formations 170, 172. Thus, the user can control the translation of the massage formations 170, 172 in both transverse directions and both longitudinal directions for getting a targeted massage effect from the lower massage assembly 88.

The remote controller 182 includes buttons for the shoulders, which control the upper massage assembly 86. A Shiatsu button 188 imparts a rotary kneading massage effect from the upper massage assembly 86. Height adjustment buttons 190, 192 control a height adjustment position of the rotary kneading massage effect. A heat button 194 imparts heat from the upper massage assembly 86.

The controller 182 includes a series of buttons for the lower massage assembly 88. A Shiatsu button 196 controls the third motor 142 for imparting the rotary kneading massage effect. A rolling button 198 controls the first and second motors 96, 122 for rolling the massage formations 170, 172 along the user's back. A full back button 200 controls the first and second motors 96, 122 for providing the rolling massage effect upon the back of the user. If used in combination with the rolling button 198, a rolling massage effect is provided. If used in combination with the Shiatsu button 196, a rotary kneading massage effect is provided upon the back of the user. A pair of width adjustment buttons 202, 204 are provided to permit the user to manually selectively control the third motor 142 for selecting a width adjustment of the massage formations 170, 172. An upper back button 206 and a lower back button 208 are provided for providing the massage effect to selected regions of the back and can be utilized in combination with the Shiatsu button 196, the rolling button 198, or the width adjustment buttons 202, 204. A heat button 210 is provided for imparting heat from the massage formations 170, 172. A demonstration button 212 is provided for providing a demonstration of the various massage effects provided by the massager 82. 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 massager comprising:

a housing having an external contact surface for receiving a portion of a body of a user;

a first guide mounted in the housing;

a first carriage oriented in the housing and cooperating with the first guide for translation in the housing along the first guide;

a first motor operably connected to the housing and the first carriage to translate the first carriage along the first guide;

a second guide mounted on the first carriage, the second guide being nonparallel to the first guide;

a second carriage oriented in the housing and cooperating with the second guide for translation in the housing along the second guide;

a second motor operably connected to the first carriage and the second carriage to translate the second carriage along the second guide; and

at least one rotary kneading massage member supported by the second carriage for imparting a massage effect upon the portion of the user's body as at least one of the first carriage and the second carriage is translated relative to the housing.

2. The body massager of claim 1 further comprising a remote controller in communication with the first and second motors for controlling the operation of the first and second carriages, the remote controller comprising a dual axis actuator for manual control of both motors in both directions.

3. The body massager of claim 2 further comprising:

a magnet provided on one of the first carriage and the second carriage; and

an inductive sensor provided on one of the first carriage and the housing for detecting a position of the magnet and the corresponding carriage for sensing a limit of a range of travel, the inductive sensor being in communication with the remote controller for conveying the position of the carriage to the controller.

4. The body massager of claim 1 further comprising a third motor operably connected to the second carriage and the at least one rotary kneading massage member to impart rotation to the at least one rotary kneading massager member.

5. The body massager of claim 4 further comprising a transmission driven by the third motor and operably connected to the at least one rotary kneading massage member to impart a reduced rotation to the at least one rotary kneading massager member.

6. The body massager of claim 1 further comprising a transmission driven by the first motor and operably connected to the housing to translate the first carriage along the first guide.

7. The body massager of claim 6 further comprising at least one output pinion gear provided on the first carriage and driven by the transmission.

8. The body massager of claim 7 further comprising at least one gear rack provided on the housing in engagement with the at least one output pinion gear such that rotation of the at least one output pinion gear translates the first carriage along the at least one gear rack.

9. The body massager of claim 1 further comprising a transmission driven by the second motor and operably connected to the first carriage to translate the second carriage along the second guide.

10. The body massager of claim 9 wherein the transmission comprises:

a lead screw mounted for rotation on the first carriage and driven by the second motor; and

a nut mounted on the second carriage in engagement with the lead screw.

11. The body massager of claim 10 wherein the nut has a body with a threaded slot formed into one side; and

wherein the second carriage comprises a retainer for retaining the nut such that the threaded slot is in engagement with the lead screw.

12. The body massager of claim 9 further comprising at least one output pinion gear provided on the second carriage and driven by the transmission.

13. The body massager of claim 12 further comprising at least one gear rack provided on the first carriage in engagement with the at least one output pinion gear such that rotation of the at least one output pinion gear translates the second carriage along the at least one gear rack.

14. The body massager of claim 9 further comprising a pair of output pinion gears provided on the second carriage and driven by the transmission.

15. The body massager of claim 14 further comprising a pair of spaced apart gear racks provided on the first carriage , each gear rack in engagement with one of the pair of output pinion gears such that rotation of the pair of output pinion gears translates the second carriage along the pair of gear racks.

16. The body massager of claim 15 wherein the pair of gear racks are each oriented longitudinally and are spaced apart transversely.

17. The body massager of claim 1 wherein the first guide is oriented in a transverse direction of the housing.

18. The body massager of claim 1 wherein the at least one rotary kneading massager member comprises a pair of rotary kneading massage members spaced apart in a transverse direction of the housing.

19. A body massager comprising: a longitudinal housing having an external contact surface for receiving a portion of a body of a user;

a transverse guide mounted in the housing;

a first carriage oriented in the housing and cooperating with the transverse guide for translation in the housing along the transverse guide;

a first motor operably connected to the housing and the first carriage to translate the first carriage along the transverse guide;

a longitudinal guide mounted on the first carriage;

a second carriage oriented in the housing and cooperating with the longitudinal guide for translation in the housing along the longitudinal guide;

a second motor operably connected to the first carriage and the second carriage to translate the second carriage along the longitudinal guide; and

at least one massage member supported by the second carriage for imparting a massage effect upon the portion of the user's body as at least one of the first carriage and the second carriage is translated relative to the housing.

20. A body massager comprising:

a longitudinal housing having an external contact surface for receiving a portion of a body of a user;

a first guide mounted in the housing;

a pair of transversely spaced massage members supported by the second carriage for imparting a massage effect upon the portion of the user's body as at least one of the first carriage and the second carriage is translated relative to the housing.