WO2014125312A1

WO2014125312A1 - Headrest for massage table

Info

Publication number: WO2014125312A1
Application number: PCT/HU2014/000014
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ádám KÁLLAY
Original assignee: Kállay Ádám
Priority date: 2013-02-18
Filing date: 2014-02-06
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Also published as: EP2956108A1; HUP1300098A2; HU230016B1

Abstract

Headrest for massage table comprising the headrest and a massage bed. The headrest (1) comprises at least a base plate (3) and a head bolster (5). The base plate (5) is connected to the massage bed (2) through a rotatable element (8). The distance between the headrest (1) and the massage bed (2) is adjustable by means of a distance adjuster (13). The angle (?) between the plane of the headrest (1) and the plane of the massage bed (2) is variable by means of the rotatable element (8). The axis of rotation of the rotatable element (8) is rotatable in the plane of the massage bed (2) and/or in a direction different from the plane of the massage bed (2) through at least one axis of rotation, preferably at least through one height adjuster (12) having a vertical axis of rotation and/or through a vertical tilting element (26) having a horizontal axis of rotation.

Description

HEADREST FOR MASSAGE TABLE

The invention relates to a headrest for massage table wherein the massage table contains a headrest and a massage bed. The headrest comprises at least a base plate and a head bolster. The base plate is connected to the massage bed through a rotatable element. The distance between the headrest and the massage bed is adjustable. The angle between the plane of the headrest and the plane of the massage bed can be changed by means of the rotatable element. The axis of rotation is a height adjuster having a vertical axis of rotation and/or a vertical tilting element having a horizontal axis of rotation.

As a matter of fact, a conventional massage table consists of a plane surface provided with a fixed headrest. This construction is not suitable for treating numerous problems of the cervical spine and lumbar spine. Many professional massage tables are known in which the bed surface is divided into segments. The angles of these segments can be set variously as it is required for the treatment thereby treatment of the spinal column becomes easier. However, the distance between the hip support and the headrest is constant, it cannot be varied. Consequently, in many cases a support for persons of different heights cannot be satisfactorily ensured.

There are known solutions in which the headrest of the massage table can be tilted in vertical direction. Solutions also exist in which the distance between the headrest and the massage table can be adjusted.

Patent application US 2008/0271248 describes a solution in which the distance between the headrest and the massage bed and also the angle of the headrest can be changed.

Patent application WO2006138298 discloses a headrest assembly for supporting the face of a user of a massage device including a support frame and a resilient assembly. The support frame is coupled to the massage device and the resilient assembly is coupled to the support frame. The resilient assembly comprises a joint through which the side parts are connected to the headrest assembly. By means of this joint the middle part can be lowered and the side parts can be turned down when the head of the user is supported by the headrest assembly. Both the distance and the height of this headrest can be adjusted.

Patent application US 5 427 436 discloses a massage table having a massage bed and a headrest. The solution of this document makes the height and angle adjustment of the headrest - relative to the plane of the stationary table - possible to a limited extent.

It is not disclosed in these documents that the axis of rotation of the rotatable element coupled to the massage bed is placed rotatably in the plane of the massage bed and/or in a direction different from the plane of the massage bed through one height adjuster having at least one vertical axis of rotation and/or through a vertical tilting element having a horizontal axis of rotation.

Patent application US 7 730 563 describes a surgical head support system in which the axis of rotation of the rotatable element coupled to the massage bed is placed rotatably in the plane of the massage bed and/or in a direction different from the plane of the massage bed through one height adjuster having at least one vertical axis of rotation and/or through a vertical tilting element having a horizontal axis of rotation. (A similar, simpler solution is described in patent application DE 91 16002.) This surgical head support can be used for improving the headrest of the known massage tables. However, the present invention provides an entirely different solution which cannot be realized even if by combination of the related documents. The known headrests move around a fixed point along an arc of a circle. In these cases when the headrest is required to be tilted while the head is accommodated in the headrest, a pulling force is exerted on the head and neck since the distance between the chin placed in the headrest and the collar-bone does not change. In any case, when the head moves downwards the chin comes closer to the collar-bone. This form of motion cannot be ensured with these headrests. They can be tilted only when the head is not in the headrest. In case of other known headrests adjustment of the distance between the headrest and the massage bed is ensured but they are not able to provide proper support for the head of the patient and they are not able to ensure continuous, smooth movement along an arc of a circle during treatment. This is very important when specific treatment is required for the neck since moving the patient during treatment in some cases may elicit muscular tension as a reflex-like reaction.

Neither of the known solutions is able to ensure smooth, fine control of the headrest during treatment. Since the known headrests are fixedly coupled to the massage bed, movement of the head and the hip relative to each other is not possible which is essential for proper treatment. During treatment a therapeutist moves, substantially stretches the muscles whereupon the vertebrae move away from each other, so the distance between the hip and the head changes. To sum it up, the construction of the known massage tables cannot ensure the most suitable lying position for each and every patient, neither the quick and simple setting of the required parameters nor the possibility of documentation of the set values.

The known massage tables which consist of a flat lying surface and a headrest attached to it are not suitable for treating more serious problems of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the known solutions by providing a headrest which can be attached resiliently to the massage table, which is movable (tiltable, rotatable) in all direction of the spatial coordinate system within an expected range according to the anatomical requirements of a patient ensuring natural position and free movement of the head during treatment while providing stabile support. In this manner the vertebrae and the muscles of the neck are in a loose state. Through the solution of the present invention the required moving, stretching of the vertebrae and the muscles of the neck during treatment is ensured.

It has been realized that if the head bolster is placed on a rotating-tilting assembly, the head of the patient can be tilted sideways and it can be turned round the longitudinal axis of the spinal column to a required extent. Namely, if the axis of rotation of the rotatable element coupled to the massage bed is rotatable in the plane of the massage bed and/or in a direction different from the plane of the massage bed through axis/axes of rotation which are coupled to each other preferably by means of a coupling element the aim can be realized.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a headrest for massage table wherein the massage table contains a headrest and a massage bed. The headrest comprises at least a base plate and a head bolster. The base plate is connected to the massage bed through a rotatable element. The distance between the headrest and the massage bed is adjustable by means of a distance adjuster. The angle between the plane of the headrest and the plane of the massage bed can be changed by means of the rotatable element. The axis of rotation of the rotatable element coupled to the massage bed is rotatable in the plane of the massage bed and/or in a direction different from the plane of the massage bed through at least one axis of rotation. The axis of rotation is a height adjuster having a vertical axis of rotation and/or a vertical tilting element having a horizontal axis of rotation. The height adjuster is arranged in a seat. The seat is coupled to the distance adjuster by means of a joining element. Preferred embodiments of the headrest according to the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows the headrest according to the invention together with the massage bed as viewed from the side, here the joining element is fixedly attached to the coupling element;

Figure 2 shows the headrest of Figure 1 provided with a self-adjusting head bolster as viewed from the side;

Figure 3 shows the headrest of Figure 2 as viewed from the side, the joining element is provided with a vertical tilting element;

Figure 4 shows the headrest of Figure 1 as viewed from the side, the joining element is provided with a vertical tilting element and also with a horizontal turning element; Figure 5 shows the headrest of Figure 3 as viewed from the side, the joining element is provided with a vertical tilting element and also with a horizontal turning element; Figure 6 shows the headrest as viewed from above together with a portion of the massage bed, the headrest is turned around the height adjuster;

Figure 7 shows the headrest as viewed from above together with a portion of the massage bed, the headrest is turned around the horizontal turning element;

Figure 8 shows the headrest as viewed from above together with a portion of the massage bed, the headrest is turned around the height adjuster and also around the horizontal turning element;

Figure 9 shows the headrest fixed to the massage bed as viewed from the front, the headrest is tilted around the distance adjuster;

Figure 10 shows the headrest fixed to the massage bed as viewed from the front, the headrest is tilted around the vertical tilting element; and

Figure 1 1 shows the headrest fixed to the massage bed as viewed from the front, the headrest is tilted around the distance adjuster and also around the vertical tilting element. The headrest construction of a massage table according to the present invention is an improved version of the headrest disclosed in an earlier patent application P 12 00153 to the same inventor. Therefore the process of moving/positioning head bolster 5 on base plate 3 will not be described here in detail. Naturally, the solution disclosed in the related document can also be used with the present invention.

The improved massage table of the present invention comprises a headrest 1 and a massage table 2. Headrest 1 comprises a base plate 3 and a head bolster 5. The base plate 3 is connected to the massage bed 2 through a rotatable element 8. The distance between the base plate 3 and the massage bed 2 is adjustable by means of a distance adjuster 13. Rotatable element 8 may be a simple hinge or any similar mechanism. This makes tilting of the headrest 1 upwards or downwards possible relative to the lying surface of the massage bed 2. That is, the angle a between the plane of the headrest 1 and the plane of the massage bed 2 can be adjusted by means of rotatable element 8. The position of the headrest 1 can be set by means of adjusting rod 1 which passes through arrester 25. Adjusting rod 1 1 is provided with an adjusting spring 14 and a fixing element 15 by means of which the position of base plate 3 can be set (Figure 1 ). One end of the adjusting rod 1 1 passes through arrester 25 fixed to base plate 3, the other end of it is connected rotatably to shaft 23 which is coupled to height adjuster 12. Adjusting rod 1 1 is provided with an adjusting spring 14 between shaft 23 and arrester 25. By means of adjusting spring 14 leaning against arrester 25 and by means of fixing element 15 placed in one of the boreholes formed in adjusting rod 1 1 the position of headrest 1 can be set. Adjusting rod 1 1 and the additional elements belonging to it may be replaced for example by a hydraulic piston (telescope) which might as well be operated by foot. Implementation of it is well known for those skilled in the art.

The axis of rotation of rotatable element 8 coupled to massage bed 2 that is headrest 1 is continuously adjustable in the plane of massage bed 2 and perpendicular to the plane of the massage bed 2 through vertical and/or horizontal axis of rotation provided with bearings.

In particular, headrest 1 is turnable in the plane of the massage bed 2 by means of horizontal turning element 27, and in a direction different from the plane of the massage bed 2, essentially perpendicular to it, by means of vertical tilting element 26. Height adjuster 12 is arranged rotatably in seat 4 and its vertical position can be adjusted by means of leveller 22. Seat 4 is fixed to distance adjuster 13 through joining element 7 and coupling element 21 .

Naturally, partial turning of headrest 1 in different directions as described above is also possible. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 turning of headrest 1 in the plane of the massage bed 2 is ensured only by height adjuster 12. A more complicated embodiment is shown in Figure 6 illustrating a state when headrest 1 is only turned around height adjuster 12. Figure 2 shows an embodiment in which a self-adjusting head bolster 5 is used. Here, the distance adjuster 13 also can be turned. In this manner the axis of rotation of the rotatable element 8 can be rotated not only in the plane of the massage bed 2 but also perpendicular to it. Figure 9 shows how headrest 1 can be turned around distance adjuster 13. It is to be noted that distance adjuster 13 can be made turnable in any of the embodiments if required. In the solution shown in Figure 3 the headrest of Figure 2 can be turned both around height adjuster 12 and vertical tilting element 26. A possible position of headrest 1 turned around vertical tilting element 26 is shown in Figure 10. In case of the embodiments shown in figures 4 and 5 headrest 1 can be turned around the axis of rotation of height adjuster 2 and the axis of rotation of the horizontal turning element 27 (Figure 8) and around the axis of rotation of the vertical tilting element 26 (Figure 10) and advantageously also around the axis of rotation of distance adjuster 13 (Figure 1 1 ). Figure 7 shows the position of headrest 1 when it is turned only around the axis of rotation of the horizontal turning element 27. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 has additional fixing seats 29 by means of which the individual axes of rotation can be fixed in a determined position. For example, by placing a fixing screw in the respective fixing seat headrest 1 can be fixed in a determined position.

Certain Figures (2, 3, 5-8) show a simpler embodiment of headrest 1 according to the aforementioned earlier application to the present inventors but naturally headrest 1 can be realized in any known manner. In case of the aforementioned simpler headrest 1 a supporting plate 6 is placed between base plate 3 and head bolster 5. A transmission means 9 between base plate 3 and supporting plate 6 makes moving of supporting plate 6 that is head bolster 5 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of rotatable element 8 possible. Advantageously, the transmission means 9 is a system comprising a pair of rails. This makes moving of base plate 3 and headrest 1 independent of each other in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis of the massage bed 2 possible. This movement ensures that head bolster 5 does not exert excessive force on the head of the patient. That is, the patient's head is not moved (pulled or pushed) in the direction of the spine when headrest 1 is tilted. A moving rod 10 is installed between supporting plate 6 and height adjuster 12. One end of the moving rod 10 is attached to stud(s) 24 which are fixed to the supporting plate 6. The other end of the moving rod 10 is attached rotatably to shaft 23. An adjusting rod 1 1 is installed between base plate 3 and height adjuster 12.

When headrest 1 is tilted downwards head bolster 5 together with the supporting plate 6 moves along the system of rails in the direction of the massage bed. This is ensured by moving of supporting plate 6 by means of moving rod 10 which is attached rotatably to shaft 23 of height adjuster 12. That is, on tilting headrest 1 downwards supporting plate 6 moves the head bolster 5 placed on it towards the patient.

Distance adjuster 13 is provided with positioning bore-holes 16 in which suitable pins (not shown in the Figures) can be placed for fixing the position of distance adjuster 13. Bridles 30 having a suitable circular cross-section may be used for holding distance adjuster 13 placed under the massage bed 2. Positioning seat 20 makes turning of distance adjuster 13 possible in the set position. By means of fixing seats 29 formed in bridles 30 the distance adjuster 13 can be fixed in the determined position.

To hold head bolster 5 in proper position a head bolster positioning frame 17 encircling supporting plate 6 of headrest 1 is attached to supporting plate 6. In another solution head bolster 5 may be attached to supporting plate 6 by means of Velcro. Between head bolster positioning frame 17 and supporting plate 6 a supporter 19 provided with a compensating spring 18 is installed for controlling movement of head bolster 5 relative to supporting plate 6 (Figures 5-8). The tightness of compensating spring 18 can be adjusted by means of positioning element 28. In this embodiment the positioning element 28 is a screw. The distance between supporter 19 and head bolster positioning frame 17 can be set by means of positioning element 28 for each and every patient.

During operating the headrest 1 the main principal is that the patient must solely get the physical effects which are required and advantageous for him during treatment. The head of the patient can be raised or lowered and turned to a required natural position by means of height adjuster 12. The same can be done by means of horizontal turning element 27 but around a greater radius. By means of distance adjuster 13 headrest 1 can be moved forwards or backwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the massage bed 2 and the head of the patient can be turned around the longitudinal axis of his spine to ensure a required and comfortable position. The same can be done by means of vertical tilting element 26 but around a greater radius. The height of the headrest 1 relative to the massage bed can be adjusted by means of leveller 22 and its distance from the massage bed 2 can be adjusted by means of distance adjuster 13. The position set in this manner can be fixed by using suitable pins.

The advantage of the invention is that the position of the headrest relative to the massage bed can be optimally adjusted so that each patient can get the most effective treatment. The headrest according to the invention can be moved continuously, smoothly during treatment. In case of known headrests the patient had to raise his head while the therapeutist was setting the headrest in position. According to the solution of the present invention the patient does not have to move his head during treatment. With the headrest of the present invention his head is smoothly moved to the right position in the right angle. The head bolster can be moved in all direction. On the one hand it can be moved horizontally along two circles with different radii on the other hand it can be moved vertically along two different sectors thereby the position of the head can be the most optimal thus the treatment is more effective. By using the horizontal turning element the headrest can move along a sector of greater radius and by using the height adjuster it can move along an arc of a circle having smaller radius. As the patient lies in the most optimal position, the muscles connecting the head and the upper cervical vertebrae become entirely relaxed. A massage bed provided with the headrest according to the present invention ensures that moving, stretching of the muscles during treatment can be done smoothly and more effectively.

Claims

1. Headrest for a massage table wherein the massage table comprises a headrest and a massage bed, said headrest (1 ) comprises at least a base plate (3) and a head bolster (5), said base plate (3) is connected to the massage bed (2) through a rotatable element (8), the distance between said headrest (1 ) and said massage bed (2) is adjustable by means of a distance adjuster (13), and the angle (a) between the plane of said headrest (1 ) and the plane of said massage bed (2) can be changed by means of said rotatable element (8), the axis of rotation of said rotatable element (8) coupled to said massage bed (2) is rotatable in a direction different from the plane of said massage bed (2) through at least one axis of rotation, the axis of rotation is a height adjuster (12) having a vertical axis of rotation and/or a vertical tilting element (26) having a horizontal axis of rotation, characterized in that said height adjuster

(12) is arranged in a seat (4) and said seat (4) is coupled to said distance adjuster

( 3) by means of a joining element (7).

2. Headrest for a massage table according to claim 1 characterized in that said seat (4) is provided with a leveller (22).

3. Headrest for a massage table according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said seat (4) is coupled to said distance adjuster (13) by means of a coupling element (21 ).

4. Headrest for a massage table according to any of claims 1 -3 characterized in that said vertical tilting element (26) is installed between said coupling element (21 ) and said seat (4) of said height adjuster (12), and it forms a part of said joining element (7).

5. Headrest for a massage table according to any of claims 1-4 characterized in that said joining element (7) is coupled to said coupling element (21 ) through a horizontal turning element (27).

6. Headrest for a massage table according to any of claims 1-5 characterized in that said distance adjuster (13) can be turned around its horizontal axis, it is arranged in a positioning seat (20) and is provided with positioning bore-holes (16).

) 7. Headrest for a massage table according to any of claims 1 -6 characterized in that said rotatable element (8) can be turned in the plane of said massage bed (2) and/or in a direction different from the plane of said massage bed (2) through axis/axes of rotation, its axial position is adjustable and can be fixed in the adjusted position.

8. Headrest for a massage table according to any of claims 1 -7 characterized in that a supporting plate (6) is installed between said base plate (3) and said head bolster (5), between said base plate (3) and said supporting plate (6) a transmission means (9) is installed to make movement of said supporting plate (6) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said rotatable element (8) possible, advantageously said transmission means (9) is a system comprising a pair of rails, further, at least one moving rod (10) is installed between said supporting plate (6) and said height adjuster (12), and an adjusting rod (1 1 ) is coupled between said base plate (3) and height adjuster (12).