Abstract:
A portable bar apparatus for use in massage treatments. The present invention provides a portable bar apparatus for use in massage treatments utilizing foot pressure. The portable bar apparatus is collapsible for ease of transport and storage. The apparatus, in a preferred embodiment, includes two substantially triangular shaped end supports with two parallel bars mounted on the upper ends of the end supports.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    Massage therapy, or as it is commonly referred to, bodywork, is an important non-surgical therapeutical treatment to relieve mental and physical stresses, chronic conditions such as low back pin, arthritis, bursitis as well as physical rehabilitation. Massage therapy and bodywork is commonly defined as the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. There are many forms of massage and/or bodywork treatments including such traditional massage therapy techniques as deep tissue, myofascial release, reflexology, Reiku, Rosen method, Swedish massage (including techniques such as effleurage, friction, petrissage), tapotement, trigger point, oriental-based systems such as shiatsu and acupressure, and other techniques. Each of these different treatments have different approaches and benefits.  
           [0002]    Often, certain of these techniques, such as shiatsu and acupressure, require the therapist to exert considerable wrist and thumb pressure in order to be effective. This is particularly necessary in order to provide deep tissue relief or when working with tightly muscled patients. This has led to pain and chronic injury to many therapists using such techniques.  
           [0003]    Many therapists have turned to foot pressure methods to improve the relief to their patients as well as to reduce wrist and thumb injuries. These techniques include such therapies as barefoot Shiatsu mat work where a patient lies on a mat and a therapist applies massage through bare feet. This particular technique is difficult to apply because the therapist is unsupported and the entire body weight is on the patient. Occasionally, a therapist may use a nearby chair or even a walker to partially support their body weight during a treatment. However, this can cause the therapist to be off-balance and can hinder an effective massage therapy session.  
           [0004]    A particular form of massage therapy has been developed to provide the benefits of foot pressure massage without the detriments described above. An example of this form of massage therapy was developed by Ruthie Hardee, Denver, Colo., that is referred to as Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy. This technique of bodywork combines the use of parallel overhead bars to enable the therapist to control and support their personal body weight while concentrating on the massage techniques. These techniques include a protocol of strokes that gliding with the pressure of the therapists feet. The strokes are performed with smooth, flowing, gliding pressure using all parts of the foot.  
           [0005]    One problem with this massage modality is the necessity of overhead bars. Typically, the bars are hard-mounted into a ceiling structure to ensure safety of the therapist. This limits the use of this technique to rooms with relatively low ceilings and to permanently mounted bars. This is a detriment to the use of this therapy as many therapists frequently travel to spas, health and fitness organizations, sporting events, clients homes and other locations.  
           [0006]    Thus a problem presently exists in the lack of a portable apparatus to enable supported barefoot massage treatments to be done at remote locations.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a portable bar apparatus for use in massage and other treatments. The present invention enables a trained therapist to provide massage treatments to a patient with the use of foot pressure in a controlled and safe manner. Therapists who have been properly trained are able to apply deep controlled pressure using all parts of the foot in a variety of strokes.  
           [0008]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bar apparatus is able to be easily assembled and disassembled for portability, for ease of transport and for storage. The bar apparatus in this embodiment is designed to be stowed in a bag for transport in cars, trains and airplanes without extra expense or trouble. The bar apparatus can be transported to remote locations including spas, gyms, health and fitness clubs, trade shows, exhibits, sporting events and clients home and offices.  
           [0009]    The bar apparatus of a preferred embodiment can be quickly assembled with little or no tools. The bar apparatus is put together with connecting mechanisms that can be tightened and loosened by hand. The assembly and disassembly only requires minutes and can be done by a single person.  
           [0010]    The bar apparatus of a preferred embodiment can be used with a massage table mounted as part of the apparatus or with a free-standing massage table. The massage tables can also be provided as part of a kit or provided separately.  
           [0011]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a stable platform for the trained therapist to safely use without fear of harm to themselves or to patients. The therapist can provide controlled foot pressure without fear of damage to the patient.  
           [0012]    These and other features of the present invention are provided by a portable bar apparatus having opposing, substantially triangularly shaped end supports. Two parallel support bars are mounted between the end supports over as massage table. The trained therapist is able to safely support and/or control their body weight while applying deep pressure from their feet to a patient on the massage table. The wider base portion of the end supports provide stability to the structure. Additional cross-members may be added to the end supports to further stabilize the structure.  
           [0013]    The apparatus in a preferred embodiment is formed of components that can be quickly assembled. These components may include bar supports that may either be attached together or even telescoped together to form a compact structure for transport.  
           [0014]    These and other features will be evident from the ensuing description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable bar apparatus of preferred embodiment of the present invention FIG. 2 is a front view of the portable bar apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unassembled top bracket.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a view of the assembled top bracket.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a partial view of an assembled end support.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a partial view of the lower portion of an assembled end support.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a view of an assembled end support.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a partial view of the assembled top bar.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the portable bar apparatus.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is another view of the embodiment of FIG. 9. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    The present invention provides an apparatus for use in providing massage treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is particularly useful for providing Ashiatsu massage therapy. It is to be expressly understood that the descriptive embodiments set forth herein are intended for explanatory purposes and are not intended to unduly limit the scope of the claimed inventions. Other embodiments and applications not described herein are considered to be within the scope of the invention. It is also to be expressly understood that while specific embodiments for the components of the apparatus are discussed, other equivalents to these embodiments that perform substantially similar functions are within the scope of the claimed inventions.  
         [0025]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 8 . In this preferred embodiment, described herein for explanatory purposes and not to limit the scope of the claimed inventions, the apparatus  10  includes two parallel bars  20 ,  22  suspended between end supports  30 ,  32 . In this preferred embodiment, massage table  12  is mounted to the end supports  30 ,  32 . It is to be expressly understood that the massage table  12  could also be free standing between the supports, or mounted in another manner.  
         [0026]    In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, apparatus  10  is intended to be portable for ease of transport and storage. End support  30  includes bottom supports  34 ,  36  extending angularly upward, and opposing bottom supports  38 ,  40  also extending angularly upward. Top brackets  42 ,  44  are attached to the upper ends of the bottom supports  34 ,  36  and  38 ,  40 , respectively. Bottom member  46  attaches to the lower ends of bottom supports  34 ,  36  and  38 ,  40 . In this preferred embodiment, cross-member  48  extends between the bottom supports at the level of the massage table  12 . Upper cross-member  50  extends between top brackets  42 ,  44 .  
         [0027]    End support  32  is constructed in a similar manner with bottom supports  54 ,  56  and  58 ,  60  extending angularly upward and attached to top brackets  62 ,  64 . Bottom member  66  attaches to the lower ends of the bottom supports with cross-member  68  extending between the bottom supports at a mid section. Upper cross-member  70  extends between the top brackets  62 ,  64 .  
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the attachment of the bottom supports to the top brackets includes an adjustment mechanism  72  to allow the height of the apparatus  10  to be adjusted. This adjustment mechanism can be a plurality of spaced holes, slots or other well-known adjustment devices.  
         [0029]    The top bars  20 ,  22  are fastened to the top brackets  42 ,  44  and  62 ,  64 , as shown in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing between the top bars  20 ,  22  may be adjusted as well.  
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the various supports, brackets, cross-members, bars and other components are sized to fit within a travel bag. These components are attached to one another by screws, bolts, nuts, snap-fasteners, dowels and/or other attachment devices that can be easily tightened and loosened by hand or with simple tools.  
         [0031]    In use, the components are laid out prior to assembly. The upper cross-member  50  is inserted in top brackets  42 ,  44 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and bolted together. In this preferred embodiment, although not shown, bolts with star wheels for ease of use are utilized to allow assembly by hand. The bottom supports  34 ,  36  are then bolted onto top bracket  42 , as shown in FIG. 5 and bottom supports  38 ,  40  are bolted onto top bracket  44 . Cross-member  48  is then bolted to bottom supports  38 ,  40  (shown in FIG. 6) and to bottom supports  34 ,  36 . Bottom member  46  is bolted to bottom supports  38 ,  40  and to bottom supports  34 ,  36 . The assembled end support  30  is shown in FIG. 7. End support  32  is assembled in a similar manner with its respective components.  
         [0032]    The parallel bars  20 ,  22  are then bolted onto the underside of the top brackets  42 ,  62  and  44 ,  64 , respectively, as shown in FIG. 8. The assembled apparatus can then be rolled, lifted or tilted over into its upright position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0033]    It is to be expressly understood that the components of the apparatus can be assembled in any desired order. The height and spacing of the top bars  20 ,  22  above the massage table  12  can be adjusted to fit the therapist or person using the apparatus as well. The apparatus can be quickly assembled as well as disassembled for transport and storage.  
         [0034]    In the preferred embodiment, the components are formed of wood, plastic, aluminum or other lightweight, high-strength structural materials. The massage table  12  can be an integral part of the apparatus or an add-on component. Typically, the massage table may be a foldable table for ease of transport and storage.  
         [0035]    Another preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The apparatus  100  of this preferred embodiment includes end supports  110 ,  112  formed of telescoping poles  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  that lock in place with sleeves  122 . Alternatively, the end support poles may be in sections that snap together (with or without tensioning cords) or are otherwise fastened together. Bottom side members  126 ,  128  are also secured to the end support poles and include locking arms  130 .  
         [0036]    Bottom cross-members  132 ,  134  extend between bottom side members  126 ,  128  and are attached thereto. Upper cross-members  136 ,  138  attach between the poles  114 ,  116  and  118 ,  120  respectively. The poles  114 ,  116  and  118 ,  120  attach at their upper ends, respectively. Pole members  140 ,  142  are mounted to the support poles  114 ,  118  and  116 ,  120 , respectively as well. The pole members can be secured by locking arms  144 , if desired as well.  
         [0037]    In use, this preferred embodiment can be quickly assembled by snapping the components together, or if telescoping, then slid and locked into place. This embodiment is intended for use with a free-standing massage table.  
         [0038]    Other embodiments of the present invention are also contemplated using different types of easily assembled, yet sturdy structures. Essentially, the apparatus of the present invention include a stable base with at least one and usually two parallel bars extending horizontally over a massage table.  
         [0039]    The present invention provides a stable apparatus for allowing properly trained massage therapists to support their weight in order to apply pressure from their body weight in massage therapy to clients. This greatly reduces the stress on wrists, hands and arms while providing a deep massage to clients. The present invention enables therapists to serve their clientele in a variety of settings without the need of an existing hard-mounted apparatus.  
         [0040]    It is to be expressly understood that these descriptive embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of the claimed inventions, and that the claimed inventions are intended to encompass other equivalent structures and mechanisms for performing the equivalent functions.