Abstract:
The invention relates to a massage chair which comprises a seat and an adjoining seat back, said seat back comprising a massage devise and said massage chair being collapsible.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a massage chair which comprises a seat and an adjoining seat back, wherein the seat back comprises a massage device.  
           [0002]    A massage chair has become disclosed, for example, in the present Applicants&#39; German Utility Model 298 23 109.3. A massage chair of this type comprises various massage devices which are preferably arranged in the seat back and act on the user&#39;s back through massage rollers or similar elements.  
           [0003]    The massage chairs described above are often sold as massaging easy chairs. In accordance with the invention, easy chairs are also described as chairs. The known massaging easy chairs are relatively bulky and are therefore difficult to transport.  
           [0004]    It should also be noted that increased leisure time on the one hand, and the quest for health on the other hand, mean that more attention is paid nowadays to improving health. Many people set great store by also being able to use appropriate devices at home at any time. Often, however, lack of space prevents the acquisition of suitable massage chairs.  
           [0005]    It is accordingly the object of the invention to provide a massage chair which is much more versatile.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention provides a massage chair substantially consisting of a seat and an adjoining seat back, the seat back comprising a massage device, wherein the massage chair is collapsible.  
           [0007]    The space required for the massage chair is considerably reduced owing to the foldable design, so it can also be used in confined spaces. In particular when it is not in use it can be stored easily in its collapsed state and is also easy to transport. The design according to the invention also simplifies transportation, for example in a normal vehicle (and not with a goods vehicle) It is clear that the known massaging easy chairs can only be transported with great difficulty. The design according to the invention, however, allows simple transportation and provides a massage chair which can be handled easily, for example, for a presentation of the effect of a back massage in the chair.  
           [0008]    For this purpose it has proved to be desirable for the seat back and seat to be articulated to one another. Therefore the seat can be folded against the seat back for transportation or storage of the chair, thus considerably reducing the space required.  
           [0009]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention the seat back has a frame which carries the massage device. As the seat back can be adjusted in its angular position in relation to the seat, the massage device is simultaneously also positioned relative to the back. In this case the massage device is secured directly in the frame of the seat back.  
           [0010]    Alternatively, the massage device is modular in design. This provides a further advantage. Thus, for example, the massage device can be removed completely from the frame and if necessary replaced for repair or replacement thereof or parts thereof. It is not necessary to send the whole chair, for example, away for repair. This further development according to the invention affords the particular advantage that a massage chair according to the invention no longer has to be sent away for repair. Owing to the modular construction, the user can return the massage device as a module through a parcel carrier, the massage device being relatively compact in design, so a minimal volume is required and the massage device is also much lighter than the complete chair. Consequently, expenditure is considerably reduced in the event of a repair.  
           [0011]    The chair can also be used without the massage device, or a massage device can be incorporated into the chair at a later stage. In this case appropriate padding is incorporated or fitted in place of the massage device. This can be provided, for example, in particular in the case of a repair in order to have a chair available which can still be used despite the repair.  
           [0012]    It is desirable if the massage device has a stand which carries the drive and the massage arms driven by the drive. The module is formed substantially from this stand and allows easy replacement.  
           [0013]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the massage chair has one or more support rods by which the massage chair is supported on the floor and the support rods are optionally also articulated collapsibly on the massage chair. In this embodiment the user&#39;s comfort level is increased, as the seat back is supported with a slight inclination by the support rods on the floor. The support rods can be collapsed or telescoped for transportation or storage, so that little space is required.  
           [0014]    In an alternative preferred embodiment of the chair according to the invention the massage device is rigidly connected to the seat back or the frame. The massage device is therefore, for example, welded or screwed to the frame. In this design it is also provided that the elements of the massage device are secured to the frame of the seat back without a separate stand being provided for the massage device. For easy transportation, for example, the entire seat back can easily be removed from the massage chair. Alternatively, it is, however, also possible for the stand carrying the massage device to be rigidly connected to the frame of the seat back, for example by a screw connection.  
           [0015]    In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the massage device can be fitted in the seat back or the frame. In this embodiment the massage device can be removed and reattached easily for repair or other purposes. Maintenance is also simplified in this way as the massage device can easily be removed and is therefore accessible from all sides. The chair can also be used as a folding chair without a massage device. Instead of the massage device as seat back a normal seat back, optionally with padding etc., is then fitted. The advantage lies, in particular, in the extremely quick exchange of the two elements.  
           [0016]    It is not necessary to undo additional screws etc. and the weight of the massage device is such that it can be lifted out of the massage chair easily and without great effort.  
           [0017]    It has proved to be desirable if a flexible mounting, in particular a rubber mounting, is provided between the massage device and the seat back or the frame. This is, for example, a rubber buffer or the like which is arranged between the stand, which carries the massage device, and the frame or the seat back. This rubber buffer acts in a vibration-damping manner so the comfort level of the chair is increased. Springs or other vibration-damping connecting parts can also be provided.  
           [0018]    The flexible mounting or rubber mounting is also possible with a rigid connection, wherein these rubber mountings then, for example, simultaneously comprise a screw connection in order to be arranged on the frame on the one hand and on the stand on the other hand. It is, however, also possible to design the fitting in such a way that corresponding holding bolts of the stand rest in corresponding rubber mountings on the frame and therefore undergo vibration-damping.  
           [0019]    It is desirable if a padded sleeve is provided which can be slipped on over the seat back with the frame and the massage device. The massaging effect is even more pleasant owing to the padding, the appearance of the chair is improved and the individual components of the massage device are also protected against soiling and damage in this way. The padded sleeve can be easily cleaned and replacement is also straight forward. The padded sleeve has, for example, a core with appropriate resilient padding material.  
           [0020]    It is advantageous if the seat has L-shaped struts on both sides and/or the arm rest is formed by an L-shaped strut, the ends of the short legs of the L&#39;s being secured to the frame with the aid of pivot joints. The joints are preferably designed such that the L-shaped struts may be pivoted upwards and are delimited at the bottom by a stopper or stop, so the seat or arm rest is held in an approximately horizontal position.  
           [0021]    To improve the stability it has proved to be desirable if a support pivotally adjoins the seat at the front. The connection to the seat is again by a hinge-type joint, so this support can also be folded up for transportation or storage.  
           [0022]    In a further embodiment of the invention a foot part adjoins the seat optionally also pivotally. The foot part is either formed as one piece and supported on the floor or a multi-part design is also conceivable.  
           [0023]    The support rod is advantageously pivotally arranged on the frame in the region of the pivot joint for the L-shaped strut of the seat. This joint can, for example, also be fixed and may be pivoted upwards for transportation or storage, thus reducing the space requirement.  
           [0024]    In another alternative embodiment, the support rod is arranged beneath the L-shaped strut for the seat and supports this additionally from below while the other end of the support rod is supported on the floor.  
           [0025]    The arm rests are also pivotally arranged on the frame either as L-shaped struts, as mentioned above, or as simple horizontal parts which are then also folded upwards.  
           [0026]    The seat back advantageously extends to the floor, castors, for example, being provided at the bottom of the seat back or the frame. The collapsed massage chair can be moved with the aid of these castors. The chair can also be moved when in use.  
           [0027]    Transportation of the chair is further facilitated by the handle which is provided in the upper region of the seat back. The handle is integrated, for example, into the frame. Alternatively, a handle is also arranged on the massage device or its stand. It is also possible for the handle to remain accessible even with padding and therefore allows the massage chair, for example, to be pushed around. The arrangement of the handle on the massage device has the particular advantage that, for example, the massage device can be manipulated at the handle even when the massage device is removed from the massage chair.  
           [0028]    It is advantageous if seat back, seat, arm rests and/or foot part are each provided with padding. A padded sleeve, for example, is provided for the seat back, while seat, arm rests and foot part are provided with permanently mounted padding. In this way a comfortable chair is produced which may also be used for purposes other than massage, in particular if the chair is used without the massage device.  
           [0029]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention arm rests, foot part, support rod, support and/or seat extend substantially parallel or at an acute angle to the frame or the seat back in the collapsed state. Therefore, in the collapsed state the dimensions of the frame or the thickness of the padding of the seat back are substantially obtained, so the entire chair may be collapsed with very compact dimensions. Depending on the construction of the massage chair according to the invention, either all of the above-mentioned elements or only the seat can be folded up to the seat back in such a way that these two elements are oriented substantially parallel to one another. The L-type design of the struts is particularly helpful in this regard. While the L-type design requires a certain height it does, however, allow a portion of the strut to extend substantially parallel to the frame and, more precisely, at a certain distance which simplifies folding as the portion can be gripped at this point. The danger of trapping fingers between two tubes extending close to one another is reduced considerably as a result. It should be noted in this case that the massage chair according to the invention may be collapsed so that individual elements are practically parallel, but also, depending on the construction selected, so that the elements are merely folded at an acute angle (of approximately 0° to 45°) in order to be stored or transported in a compact manner.  
           [0030]    In a further development of the invention the chair has a lounger-type seat. In this case the lounger-type face is directly connected to the seat back and has at its foot end a support pointing substantially perpendicularly downwards which is supported on the floor. The lounger-type face is also padded and has a frame which is extended to the rear and carries, for example, a wheel, with the aid of which the lounger may be transported in the collapsed state. The seat back is substantially designed as in the massage chair. Handle and arm rests can also be provided.  
           [0031]    The present invention relates not only to a massage chair as described at the outset but in the same way can also be interpreted as a correspondingly designed folding chair which, apart from the arrangement of the massage device, has the same constructional elements. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]    An embodiment of the chair according to the invention is described schematically in the drawings, in which:  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a massage chair according to the invention with two-part foot support,  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 shows a side view of a lounger according to the invention,  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 shows a side view of a massage chair without foot support,  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 shows a side view of a chair with one-part foot support,  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 shows a side view of a massage chair in the collapsed state and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 shows a back view of a collapsed massage chair according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0039]    The chair  18  comprises a seat  14  and a seat back  20 , the seat back  20  being formed by a frame  2  which receives the other elements of the seat back  20 . In a further design, arm rests  13  are provided on the frame  2 . In the embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 the chair  18  is also provided with a foot part  15  which is designed in one or two parts.  
         [0040]    The frame  2  of the chair  18  has, at its upper end, a carrying handle  1  and castors  17  are provided at the bottom end. The frame  2  also receives all essential massage devices, and in particular, the drive motor  51  for the massage devices  50 .  
         [0041]    The design of the frame  2  and its characteristics are known, for example, from the Applicants&#39; Utility Model mentioned above. A sliding spindle  3 , which is driven by the motor  19 , moves a carriage  4 , for example with two motors which move the massage arms  5 , in the vertical direction, massage rollers which act on the user&#39;s back being arranged on the ends of the massage arms  5 . An electronics box  6  is also integrated into the frame  2 . The entire frame with the massage devices  50  is enclosed by a padded sleeve  16 .  
         [0042]    The massage device  50  is fitted in the frame  2 , so it can be easily removed again. Rubber mountings  49 ,  49 ′ provide the connection between frame  2  and massage device  50 , which rubber mountings  49 ,  49 ′ also dampen vibration. The arrangement for fitting the massage device  20  in the frame  2  is such that a recess, for example, is provided in the upper rubber mountings  49  in which the rubber mounting, or a corresponding holding bolt on a corresponding rubber mounting, can be placed. The massage device  50  is fitted on the frame  2  here. A rubber mounting  49 ′ on which the massage device  50  is supported or rests, optionally also on the frame  2 , is proposed in the lower region. The rubber mounting  49 ′ also acts here in a vibration-damping manner.  
         [0043]    A further possibility consists in connecting the massage device  50  rigidly to the frame  2 , for example by welding or screwing.  
         [0044]    A further massage device can also be provided in the seat  14 .  
         [0045]    The padded sleeve  16  is placed over the frame  2  with the massage device  50 , so the massage arms  5  act indirectly on the user&#39;s body.  
         [0046]    The frame also receives, as mentioned above, the arm rests  13  and the seat  14  which are both pivotally arranged by means of hinge-type joints  7 ,  8  and can be folded upwards for transportation or when not in use. The folded-up arrangement can be seen, for example, in FIG. 5 and  6 .  
         [0047]    In the arrangement in FIG. 1, a support rod  10 , which is also arranged on the frame  2  with the aid of a joint  9 , is provided beneath the pivot joint  8  which supports the seat  14 . The support rod  10  on the one hand supports with its end  12  the seat  14 , on the other hand, it may be extended with the aid of a telescopic rod  11  until support on the floor  27  is produced.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 and  4  show a further arrangement of a support rod  10  in which the joint  9  for the support rod  10  is arranged on the frame  2  at the same height as the joint  8 . In this case, the support rod  10  also only provides support on the floor  27  and may be folded in at the bottom, for example for transportation.  
         [0049]    All joints of the seat, arm rests, support rod and the like can be fixed, in other words secured, and can also be replaced in modified constructions by sliding mounts, clips, catches or fixing screws. For the transportation position in FIG. 5, the elements  10  to  15  can be collapsed and folded to the frame  2  in such a way that the external dimensions are only very small.  
         [0050]    A preferred embodiment of the seat  14  comprises of two L-shaped struts  22  which are fastened parallel to one another to the two sides of the frame  2 , so the pivot joint  18  movably fixes the short leg  24  of the L&#39;s on the frame. The strut  22  then carries the seat  14  which, for example, is provided with padding  30 . The foot part  15 , also provided with a joint  28 , adjoins the seat  14 , wherein the foot part can also be provided with padding  32 . The foot part  15  either supports itself on the floor  27  or it is connected with the aid of a further joint  29  to a support  25  which is then, for its part, supported on the floor.  
         [0051]    The arm rests  13  are either connected by the joint  7  directly to the frame as straight parts, as can be seen in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 to  5  to arm rests  13  are also formed by an L-shaped strut  33 , the short end  34  of which, like the short leg  24  of the L-shaped strut  22 , is connected to the frame  2  by a joint  7 . The joint  7  is pivotal, so the L-shaped strut  33  may be folded upwards. To increase the level of comfort, the L-shaped strut  33  can be provided on its upper side with padding  31 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 2 shows a variation of the invention in which a lounger  40  which is also collapsible can be seen. The seat back  20  of the lounger  40  is also formed by a frame  2  which receives the corresponding massage devices  15 . The carrying handle  1  is arranged at the upper end of the frame  2  while the castors  41  are arranged on the extension  45  of the lounger-type face  42 . The lounger-type face  42  is also arranged at the lower region  44  of the frame  2  by means of a joint  43 . In the collapsed state the lounger-type face  42  is pivoted upwards while the extension  45  points downwards, so the castors  41  are in contact with the floor  27 . A substantially perpendicular support  47 , which is supported on the floor  27  during use is provided at the end  46  of the lounger-type face  42 . The lounger-type face  42  is provided with a layer of padding  48 .  
         [0053]    If the chair is used for massage purposes then the massage device  50 , which is located in the region  21  on the frame  2 , is used. The massage device  50  can travel into the upper region  26  of the frame with the aid of the sliding spindle  3 , and can therefore treat the user&#39;s entire back and neck. The massage arms  5  are moved by drives or shafts of the massage device and therefore execute an appropriate kneading, massaging movement. The massage device can be adjusted in height by the adjusting spindle and can therefore be appropriately positioned at the region of the back where a massage is desired.  
         [0054]    The claims filed with the application and filed subsequently are attempts at wording without prejudice to achieve extensive protection.  
         [0055]    The references made in the dependent claims refer to the further development of the subject of the main claim owing to the features of the respective sub-claim. However, these are not to be understood as a rejection of the aim of independent, representational protection for the features of the sub-claims referred to.  
         [0056]    Features which were hitherto disclosed only in the description can be claimed in the course of the proceedings as being of essential importance to the invention, for example as a demarcation from the state of the art.