Patent ID: 7052475
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
1. A lie-down massager, comprising: a) a base frame having an elongated top panel, wherein an elongated top opening is formed centrally and lengthwise through the elongated top panel; b) a rider provided below the elongated top panel of the base frame; c) a guide member movably engaged between the base frame and the rider so as to enable the rider to make a horizontally reciprocal movement relative to the base frame; d) a lifter having a top plate and a bottom plate, a hydraulic actuator fixed to the bottom plate, and a hydraulic controller, wherein the hydraulic controller controls operation of the hydraulic actuator, wherein the top plate has a top upper surface portion and a top lower surface portion, wherein the bottom plate has a bottom upper surface portion and a bottom lower surface portion, wherein the hydraulic actuator has a hollow cylinder, a plunger reciprocating in the cylinder, and a shaft fixed to the plunger and the top plate; e) one or more lifter guides extending downward from the top lower surface portion of the top plate; f) one or more lifter guide bushes extending upward from the bottom upper surface portion of the bottom plate to releasably receive the lifter guides; g) massage bumps attached to the top upper surface portion of the lifter and moving vertically and/or horizontally along the elongated top opening of the elongated top panel of the base frame; wherein the cylinder of the hydraulic actuator comprises a upper hole positioned near one end of the hydraulic actuator that is directed toward the top plate of the lifter, and a lower hole positioned near the other end of the hydraulic actuator, wherein the hydraulic controller supplies hydraulic fluid to the cylinder via the lower hole and recovers hydraulic fluid via the upper hole when the hydraulic actuator lifts the top plate, and wherein the hydraulic controller supplies hydraulic fluid to the cylinder via the upper hole and recovers hydraulic fluid via the lower hole when the hydraulic actuator lowers the top plate; h) wherein the hydraulic controller comprises a pump that pressurizes hydraulic fluid, and a valve assembly that selectively provides hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve chamber, a first piston, a second piston, a valve conduit and a valve rod, wherein the first piston and the second piston are fixed to the valve rod and move reciprocally in the valve chamber, wherein the valve chamber comprises a first hole, a second hole, a third hole, a fourth hole, a fifth hole, a sixth hole and a first rod hole, wherein the valve rod extends out the valve chamber through the first rod hole, wherein the valve conduit is positioned outside the valve chamber and connects the fifth hole and the sixth hole, wherein the hydraulic controller further comprises a first conduit that connects the first hole of the valve chamber and the upper hole of the hydraulic actuator, a second conduit that connects the pump and the second hole of the valve chamber, a third conduit that connects the third hole of the valve chamber and the lower hole of the hydraulic actuator, a fourth conduit that connects the fourth hole and the pump, wherein when the top plate is lifted, the first piston and the second piston are moved to a lifting position in which the first piston and the second piston partition the valve chamber such that hydraulic fluid flows from the pump to the lower hole of the hydraulic actuator via the second conduit and the third conduit so that the plunger is pushed upward, and hydraulic fluid flows from the upper hole of the hydraulic actuator to the pump via the first conduit, the valve conduit, and the fourth conduit so that hydraulic fluid is recovered, wherein when the top plate is lowered, the first piston and the second piston are moved to a lowering position in which the first piston and the second piston partition the valve chamber such that hydraulic fluid flows from the pump to the upper hole of the hydraulic actuator via the first conduit and the second conduit so that the plunger is pushed downward, and hydraulic fluid flows from the lower hole of the hydraulic actuator to the pump via the third conduit and the fourth conduit so that hydraulic fluid is recovered, wherein when the top plate is neither lifted nor lowered, the first piston and the second piston are moved a neutral position in which the first piston and the second piston block the first hole and the third hole such that hydraulic fluid flow between the hydraulic controller and the hydraulic actuator does not occur.