Patent ID: 6814710
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
A massaging apparatus comprising:at least one guide rail affixed to a support structure, the guide rail including a raceway having a generally V-shaped cross section and a bearing surface; a carriage assembly including at least one rotatably attached guide wheel and at least one biasing member acting in opposition to the guide wheel, the guide wheel being adapted to travel within the raceway, thereby coupling the carriage assembly to the guide rail, and the biasing member being adapted to bear against the bearing surface, wherein force applied by the biasing member and the V-shaped cross section of the raceway center the guide wheel within the raceway; the carriage assembly further including a massage member and means for driving the guide wheels, wherein the carriage assembly translates axially along the guide rails; wherein the biasing member includes self adjusting means for maintaining the carriage within the rail, thereby alleviating slack caused by wear to the wheel.