Abstract:
A portable recumbent therapeutic system that can be used for relaxing, exercising and stimulating a user&#39;s legs, sacrum, back, arms and other parts of the body, and to do so all at the same time while minimizing the negative effect of a person&#39;s own body weight. The therapeutic system utilizes three complementary and interdependent support members while the user is in a horizontal reclined position. Because the three members are complementary and interdependent on each other the user often feels a sensation of weightlessness similar to exercising in water. The user&#39;s arms, for example, are able to swing freely as desired which simultaneously changes or affects the movement and utilization of the other two members and vice versa. When listening to music the system can provide the user with perhaps a feeling of dancing on air. The therapeutic system moves in response to the user and requires no power source.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The subject invention generally pertains to a therapeutic and relaxation system and more specifically to a system that emulates dancing in a generally horizontal position. 
   BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART 
   Various therapeutic devices have been developed for rehabilitating individuals with physical injuries or other problems. Such devices are often designed for treating a certain type of injury and thus focus on a particular area of a patient&#39;s body. U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,742, for instance, discloses a rocking device for stretching or relaxing a person&#39;s back muscles. A person engages the device with their feet, hips and hands and then rocks, oscillates or rotates his body to stretch or relax the back muscles. Since the feet, hips and hands all engage elements that are restrained or attached at a generally fixed location relative to each other, there is limited relative movement of those body parts as the person uses the device. 
   Other exercise devices, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,248 to Batscher, permit much greater freedom of movement. The Batscher device, however, appears to be meant for individuals that are sufficiently coordinated and are in relatively good physical condition. Many of the elderly or other people who have difficulty supporting their own weight while exercising might have trouble using the Batscher device. 
   To reduce the load of a person&#39;s body weight, many patients prefer exercising in water. Although this can be effective, swimming pools are often quite expensive, they are not always readily available, and they are typically not portable. 
   Other therapeutic or relaxation devices require an electrical power source, and such electrical power might not always be readily available. Moreover, electrically powered devices might force users into certain movements without the users having to exert any useful energy of their own. 
   Consequently there is need for a portable therapeutic system that can exercise or stimulate a person&#39;s whole body by producing and enhancing a gentle rebound reaction that can have a wave like reaction throughout the user&#39;s body. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic system (i.e., therapeutic device and/or therapeutic method) that can be used for relaxing, exercising and/or stimulating a user&#39;s legs, sacrum, back, arms and other parts of the body, and do so all at the same time. 
   Another object is to provide a user-powered therapeutic system that can be used for exercising and stimulating a user&#39;s legs, sacrum, back, arms and other parts of the body without the need for an electric power source. 
   Another object is to provide a therapeutic system that can be used for exercising and stimulating a user&#39;s legs, sacrum, back, arms and other parts of the body, while minimizing the negative effect of a person&#39;s body weight. 
   Another object is to provide a therapeutic system that can be used for relaxing, exercising and stimulating a user&#39;s legs, sacrum, back, arms and other parts of the body and perhaps improving a person&#39;s lymphatic system by producing a gentle rebound reaction through utilization of a cradle/springboard member. 
   Another object of some embodiments, is to add music and emulate dancing; however, the “dancing” is done in a generally horizontal position to reduce the load and impact of the user&#39;s body weight. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic system that permits relative movement of a person&#39;s limbs while helping create a sensation of swimming or weightlessness without the need for water. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic system that might help a person relax. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic system that might increase a person&#39;s flexibility. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic system that might improve a person&#39;s blood circulation, metabolism, and/or immune system. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic system that might help a person feel good mentally, emotionally and/or physically. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic device that can be readily adjusted to fit users of various hip-to-calf dimension, various hip-to-head dimension, and various combinations thereof. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic device that operates under the impetus of user movement, thus avoiding the need for electrical source. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a sacrum/lowback-supporting member that can swivel to accommodate a user&#39;s calves rocking from side to side. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a sacrum/lowback-supporting member having a relative coefficient of friction that enables the sacrum/lowback-supporting member to rotate back and forth while providing sufficient friction to inhibit the user from sliding off the support. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a sacrum/lowback-supporting member with a contoured and supportive body engaging surface that is softer than its downward facing contact surface so that the sacrum/lowback-supporting member is both comfortable and rotatable. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic system that is collapsible and portable. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic device with support members comprised of a plurality of foam pads of varying-compressibility to create a progressive response to weight applied to the support members. 
   Another object of some embodiments is to provide a therapeutic device with support members that avoid localized pressure points by providing the support members with cavities and/or a plurality of foam pads of varying compressibility. The support members provide comfort and support for bony structures like the spine and sacral areas. 
   One or more of these and/or other objects of the invention are provided by a recumbent therapeutic device and/or method that can be used for exercising, relaxing and/or stimulating a user&#39;s legs, sacrum, back, arms and other parts of the body, and do so all at the same time while minimizing the negative effect of a person&#39;s body weight. 
   In some embodiments, the invention involves the use of a bed, massage table or floor; a board of strong material adapted to be set upon the bed, massage table or floor; a cradle/springboard including a contoured soft and supportive ankle, calve or thigh engaging surface made of wood and various densities of cushions. This cradle is attached to a springboard consisting of flexible plywood, which is secured to a mat at both ends in the front and bottom area of the tapered flexible material, which is cushioned by a ¼ in rubber riser, which is secured to the mat. The back bottom of springboard is contoured and cushioned with an adjustable wood riser in the center attached by hook and loop to the underside of the mat. When the user activates either the ankles, calves or thighs horizontally, vertically or sideways along cradle the weight and shift creates a gentle rebound reaction coming from the springboard and affecting other areas of the user&#39;s body in a gentle and stimulating ripple/wave like affect. Once activated, the three members have a rebound affect on each other thus making the exercise almost effortless and creating a sensation of floating on water or dancing effortlessly in air. A disc which is a sacrum/low back supportive member with a contoured and supportive body engaging surface and an adjustable downward engaging surface that attaches and is secured in various positions by hook and loop contact to the mat. The back supporting member for supporting the upper back and torso of the user is contoured and cushioned to aid in comfort, support and flexibility of the user. This member adjusts user&#39;s height and remains stable during use as does the cradle. During use of the device the user utilizing the disc member moves horizontally between the fixed cradle/springboard and back supporting members. All three members raise their body area and have a pivot process in common creating and allowing an extended range of motion of flexibility and maneuverability in all aspects of user&#39;s body based on their coordination and awareness. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a recumbent therapeutic system. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a right end view of  FIG. 1  but showing the calve-supporting member tilted toward one side. 
       FIG. 4  is a right end view similar to  FIG. 3  but showing the calve-supporting member having rocked toward an opposite side. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view similar to  FIG. 2  showing the mat in an operative position. 
       FIG. 9  is a side view similar to  FIG. 8  but showing the mat in a stored position. 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of a cradle. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 5  but illustrating an alternate embodiment. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 6  but showing an alternate embodiment with interchangeable buttons. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-4  and  FIGS. 8-9  show a therapeutic device  10  for relaxing and revitalizing a user  12 . Additional details of device  10  can be seen in  FIGS. 5-7 . Device  10  includes a back/head-supporting member  14 , a sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16 , and a cradle  18  that together help support user  12  in a generally reclined, horizontal position. Back/head-supporting member  14  helps support a head  20  and upper back; sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  supports a sacrum  22  and lower back; and cradle  18  helps support calves  24 , thighs and ankles of user  12 . Cradle  18 , sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16 , and/or back/head-supporting member  14  can be supported by a mat  26 , which in turn can be set upon a surface  28  (e.g., a floor, bed, massage table, etc.). Mat  26  could be flexible or rigid. When properly set up, back/head-supporting member  14 , sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  and cradle  18  lie along an imaginary longitudinal axis  30  that runs generally lengthwise and horizontally along mat  26 . 
   When user  12  is lying face up on device  10  with the user&#39;s head  20  resting comfortably upon back/head-supporting member  14  (with or without an additional pillow or neck support member), cradle  18  enables user  12  to easily rock  31  calves  24  and thighs from side to side (arrows  31  and  35 ) and front to back (arrow  37 ), as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . As calves  24  and thighs rock about an imaginary rocking axis  32  that is preferably above and substantially parallel to axis  30 , sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  is free to swivel  33  or rotate back and forth about an imaginary vertical axis  34  that is substantially perpendicular to axes  30  and  32 . In addition to being able to rotate, sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  can also rock from side to side (arrow  39 ) and front to back (arrow  74 ). The rotating and rocking action of sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  helps avoid straining user  12  as the user&#39;s calves  24  and thighs rock. 
   While members  14 ,  16  and  18  support much of the user&#39;s body weight, the user&#39;s arms  36  can swing as desired or simply rest upon surface  28 . In some cases, therapeutic device  10  can provide user  12  with an unusual sensation of weightlessness or a feeling of floating on water. To further enhance the pleasant sensation and encourage user  12  to move head  20 , sacrum  22 , arms  36 , and calves  24  simultaneously, rhythmically, and harmoniously; music  38  from a speaker  39  can be played nearby, thereby providing user  12  with perhaps an additional feeling of dancing weightlessly in air. 
   Although the structural details of therapeutic device  10  may vary, in a currently preferred embodiment, back/head-supporting member  14  comprises a plurality of resiliently compressible foam pads  40 ,  42  and  44 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The density or compressibility of pads  40 ,  42  and  44  can be similar or identical, or their material properties can vary. Pad  40 , for example, can be softer than pads  42  and  44  (or vice-versa), and one or more of pads  40 ,  42  and  44  could be comprised of a memory-type foam material. To provide back/head-supporting member  14  with body and support, a generally rigid foam panel  46  can be added. Panel  46  and pads  40 ,  42  and  44  are preferably contained within a readily removable fabric cover  48 . An alternate version of back/head-supporting member  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  can also be comprised of a plurality of resiliently compressible foam pads  50 ,  52  and  54  contained within a fabric cover  56 . The density or compressibility of pads  50 ,  52  and  54  can be similar or identical, or their material properties can vary. Pad  50 , for example, can be softer than pads  52  and  54  (or vice-versa), and one or more of pads  50 ,  52  and  54  could be comprised of a memory-type foam material. Sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  might also include a generally rigid foam panel  58  that defines a recess or cavity  60  that helps member  16  from exerting localized pressure against, for example, the user&#39;s tailbone. 
   A panel  62  made of wood or similarly stiff and strong material helps transfer the user&#39;s body weight from a contoured and supportive body engaging surface  64  of member  16  to a downward facing contact surface  66  of member  16 . By virtue of a wood button  68  and an optional hard plastic cap  70  (i.e., button  68  could be made solely of wood with or without Velcro underneath it), downward facing contact surface  66  protrudes from the underside of panel  62  and engages an upward facing contact surface  72  of mat  26 . A first coefficient of friction between surfaces  66  and  72  is relatively low to allow sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  to freely swivel or rotate about axis  34 . The protruding button  68  also provides sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  with a fulcrum upon which sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  can rock (arrows  39  and  74 ), thereby providing user  12  with additional freedom of movement. To limit the degree to which member  16  can tilt or rock, member  4  has a width or outer periphery that is wider than the diameter of button  68 . A second coefficient of friction of contoured and supportive body engaging surface  64  with respect to a fabric-like material, such the user&#39;s clothing or the upward facing contact surface  72 , is preferably greater than the first coefficient of friction to help ensure that user  12  does not accidentally slip off of sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16 . In other versions of the design, however, Velcro is attached to the underside of button  68  to help hold the button in position. Such an alternate design will be explained later with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
   In some cases, mat  26  comprises an upper layer  76  made of a carpet-like material and a lower layer  78  made of a stiffer but still flexible material (e.g., ⅛-inch wood paneling or ⅜-inch plywood 2-ft.×4-ft.). Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , layers  76  and/or  78  can be provided with a bendable edge  80  (e.g., mechanical hinge, taped joint, integral living hinge, etc.) so that mat  26  can be selectively configured between an operative position ( FIG. 8 ) and a stored position ( FIG. 9 ). A carrying strap  82  or equivalent cord connected to mat  26  can be used to help hold mat  26  in the stored position and make it easier to hand carry and transport device  10 . 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , slightly elevated guide tracks  84  (optional) running generally parallel to longitudinal line  30  can be added to mat  26  to help keep button  68  of sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  properly aligned to line  30  while permitting sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  to be adjustable in a direction substantially parallel to longitudinal line  30 . Such adjustments helps fit device  10  to users of different size. It should be noted that guide tracks  84  are optional and that other means for restraining button  68  to mat  26  are possible, as will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
   Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , cradle  18  comprises a cushion assembly  86 , a rocking assembly  88 , a springboard  90 , and an optional spacer  92  (i.e., space  92  is not absolutely necessary and thus could be eliminated). In this particular example, cushion assembly  86  comprises a wood base  94  with upper recesses  96  for receiving calves  24 . A plurality of resiliently compressible foam pads  98 ,  100 ,  102  and  104  are stacked atop base  94 , and this assembly is then contained within a fabric cover  106 . For additional protection and ease of cleaning, a readily removable fabric cover  108  can also be added. 
   The density or compressibility of pads  98 ,  100 ,  102  and  104  can be similar or identical, or their material properties can vary. Pad  98 , for example, can be softer than pads  100 ,  102  or  104  (or vice-versa), and one or more of the pads could be comprised of a memory-type foam material. Foam pad  104  is preferably relatively dense to help protect calves  24  from feeling any sharp edges of base  94 . 
   Springboard  90 , which is made of a resiliently flexible material, couples cradle  18  to mat  26 . Springboard  90  helps hold cradle  18  at a proper position on mat  26 , yet the flexibility of springboard  90  provides cradle  18  with the freedom to rock relative to mat  26 . The rocking direction can be side to side as indicated by arrows  31  and  35  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), and/or the rocking action can be from front to back as indicated by arrow  37  of  FIG. 2 . Springboard  90  can be attached to mat  26  and cradle  18  using any suitable means including, but not limited to, staples, hook-and-loop fastener, rivets, tacks, wire, etc. If a hook-and-loop fastener  110  is used (see  FIG. 1 ), such a fastener between springboard  90  and mat  26  allows the position of cradle  18  to be readily adjusted relative to mat  26 . In an alternate embodiment, a single rubber piece and hook-and-loop fastener are centrally mounted to the underside of the springboard. Such an alternate design will be explained later with reference to  FIG. 10 . 
   For the example shown in  FIG. 7 , rocking assembly  88  comprises an upper wood panel  112  from which a wood peg  114  extends downward to provide cradle  18  with a fulcrum upon which to rock. A foam pad  116  adjacent to panel  112  and peg  114  can be used to help dampen the rocking movement. A protective cover  118  preferably encases panel  112 , peg  114  and pad  116 . 
   A hook-and-loop fastener  110  can be used for attaching rocking assembly  88  directly to the underside of cushion assembly  86 , or spacer  92  can be interposed between assemblies  86  and  88  to adjust or vary the elevation of cushion assembly  86 . Again, it should be noted that spacer  92  is optional and could be eliminated. To adjust the elevation, spacer  92  could be made of various heights, or multiple spacers  92  can be installed in a stacked arrangement. 
   Variations well within the scope of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 10-12 .  FIG. 10  shows an underside view of an alternate cradle  18 ′, wherein cushion assembly  86  is mounted to a springboard  90 ′ that is similar to springboard  90 . Springboard  90 ′, however, includes shock absorbing carpet-like pads  120 , a rubber-like pad or protrusion  122  that promotes the spring/rocking action of cradle  18 ′, and a series of rubber-like bumpers  124  that softly limit the rocking motion of cradle  18 ′. A hook-and-loop fastener  126  facilitates the addition or removal of various risers underneath springboard  90 ′. One or more straps  128  can be used to help tether springboard  90 ′ to mat  26 . 
   As an alternative to back/head-supporting member  14 ,  FIG. 11  shows a back/head-supporting member  14 ′ that includes a generally rigid foam panel  46 ′. To avoid applying concentrated pressure against a user&#39;s backbone, panel  46 ′ includes a recess or cavity  47  for relieving such pressure. Panel  46 ′ includes a series of steps  49  for comfort and to promote the rocking motion of the user. 
     FIG. 12  shows how buttons  68   a  or  68   b  can be used instead of button  68  to help hold sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16  to mat  26 . In this case, buttons  68   a  and  68   b  include a hook-and-loop fastener  130  that can grip the carpet-like surface of mat  26 , thus guide tracks  84  can be omitted. Buttons  68   a  and  68   b  are of different height so that user  12  can selectively vary the degree to which sacrum/lowback-supporting supporting member  16  can rock. Another hook-and-loop fastener  132  can be used to add and remove buttons  68   a  and  68   b  to the underside of sacrum/lowback-supporting member  16 . 
   Although the invention is described with respect to a preferred embodiment, modifications thereto will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention, therefore, is to be determined by reference to the following claims: