Theraputic support device

The present invention relates to therapeutic furniture and apparatus and therapeutic method wherein a recumbent or semi-recumbent therapist applies foot or hand pressure therapy to the patient seated in tandem configuration in front of therapist, and wherein both patient and therapist are supported by device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to therapeutic furniture and apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to touch therapy-facilitating furniture adapted to support both patient and therapist in a tandem configuration.

BACKGROUND

Tables and chairs, typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,934,988 and 4,662,361, are known for the support of patients during delivery of physical therapy in the form of manual massage by a therapist. Those tables and chairs have the disadvantages of 1) fatigue and repetitive stress injury to the therapist's hands and limbs, and 2) fatigue to the torso of the therapist from leaning over the patient.

SUMMARY

The present invention avoids the disadvantages of the prior art by presenting the patient to a seated or recumbent therapist in such a manner that the therapist may use the stronger and more fatigue resistant muscles of the feet, legs, and thighs in delivering therapy to the patient. The structure disclosed also reduces back and abdominal fatigue to the therapist during manipulation by supporting the torso of the therapist.

OBJECTS

An object of the present invention is to reduce fatigue and repetitive stress injury to the hands, wrists, arms and upper body of the therapist.

An additional object of the present invention is to reduce fatigue to the back and torso of the therapist by supporting the therapist in a comfortable reclining position during the therapy.

An additional object of the present invention is that the duration of therapy may be longer and more effective before the therapist is fatigued.

An additional object of the present invention is that a therapist, even one with low upper body strength, may deliver therapy at a high energy level.

An additional object of the present invention is that a therapist may obtain exercise benefits by working large long muscles over a longer time period to burn a greater number of calories than would be possible by using the muscles of the upper body.

An additional object of the invention is to enable the patient to assist in directing his own therapy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention as disclosed in the drawings and the claims provides for the tandem seating of patient and therapist.

InFIGS. 5A and 6A, patient10sits on first seat1supported by first lateral rest2which may include head rest means3in rigid fixed or adjustable proximity thereto.

InFIG. 11C, first seat1preferably includes vertical adjusting means, preferably aided by vertical gas cylinder4, preferably having hydraulic release lever5extending from upper end of cylinder. First seat preferably includes means for angular adjustment about a pivot point6between seat1and cylinder4as inFIG. 1AorFIG. 4, or between cylinder4aand support frame15, as inFIG. 1C. Lateral rest8may include separate adjusting means about separate pivot point6aas inFIG. 4, and headrest means3preferably includes separate adjusting means about headrest pivot6b.

InFIGS. 5A and 6A, therapist11is supported by second seat7and second lateral rest8, both of which may be adjusted laterally toward or away from patient by adjusting means9, and which may be further adjusted by seat and lateral angular adjusting means12and13, as inFIGS. 1A,1B, and1C.

InFIG. 1Bcommon framework15, in combination with said lateral supports and adjusting means hold the two occupants in fixed position. Substantially vertical sleeves15aand15breceive first and second vertical legs14aand14b, extending from horizontal foot means14cand14d. First leg14aextends into first chair sleeve14e. Vertical adjusting means4, preferably in the form of a pneumatic cylinder inside first leg means14a, allows vertical adjustment of first scat with minimal leg effort by patient.

Second seat is preferably supported by carriage means21, preferably constrained by wheel means22on track means16extending longitudially along an axis substantially parallel to an axis extending between first and second seats.

Second seat and lateral rest means may also optionally be adjustable vertically by second vertical adjusting means14b, which may lift just the second seat as inFIG. 4, or lift an end of support rail16as inFIG. 1A, or lift the entire end of common framework15supporting both first and second seat, as inFIG. 1B, thereby adjusting the angle of front seat and track simultaneously.

Lateral or angular or vertical adjusting means may be by any suitable mechanism, including hydraulic cylinders, stacked plate spring clamps, jack screws, or simple slides and locking screws, preferably assisted by force means such as springs or gas cylinders.

Force means17, for instance gravity, spring, or gas cylinder or combination thereof, urges second seat means7preferably toward first seat means, opposed by positioning leg effort by therapist. Preferably damping means18attached to second seat, for instance a hydraulic cylinder, prevents rapid motion of said second seat when unrestrained by user or locking means.

A preferred embodiment of damping means18inFIG. 9Acomprises a viscoelastic wheel means19, the axis of which travels in slot or track20s, oblique to carriage means21holding second seat means7, and riding on track means16, tightening or loosening said wheel against said track means16depending on the direction of travel of said carriage means.

Alternatively said wheel axis may pivot on eccentric lever means20. Lever arm of said eccentric is sharply obique to the track surface, pivoting in such a manner that motion of carriage means21in the direction of force means17causes lever20to rotate to tighten said viscoelastic wheel against track, creating a damping force resisting linear motion, while motion in opposite direction rotates lever to loosen said wheel. Spring or other means is used to urge wheel against track when not forcefully engaged by eccentric.

Said viscoelastic wheel may have rigid core means20aand viscoelastic outer tire20b, as inFIG. 9B.

Alternatively said viscoelastic wheel may preferably have rigid core means20aand rigid outer tire20cwith viscoelastic material20bin the anulus therebetween, as inFIG. 9C.

Alternatively said tire may be of rigid material riding on a viscoelastic track surface, preferably in the form of an elastomer-coated preferably flat bar or cable20dpulled taught by its ends along the path of said wheel, ifFIG. 9D.

InFIGS. 7A and 7Bsaid carriage means preferably comprises opposing members21A and211B, stradling I-beam rail means16. Opposed clamping means (for instance solid bars)30aand30bpulled together by tie rod means31A and31B, preferably above and below track16, in combination with spring means37apply pressure to opposing piston means34, which in turn apply pressure normal to surfaces of interleaving fixed longitudinal friction plates32and movable friction plates33attached flexibly to carriage21by anchor means35.

Release handle39, preferably coaxial with spring means37on tie rod31A rigidly connects to preferably domed lever means38which functionally engages shoulder means31C and clamp means30to force clamps30aand30bapart with mechanical advantage when force is applied to handle39in preferably any direction, thereby relieving pressure on friction plates32and33.

FIGS. 7C and 7Dshows typical friction means used for angular adjustment of first or second seat or lateral supports or headrest means. Preferably slotted friction plates42having slot45and one or more anchor means46in a stack penetrated by tie rod41are pressed in friction engagement with interleaving friction plates43in the form of washers inFIGS. 7C and 7Dor plates pivoting plates47inFIG. 7E.

Track means16is preferably a monorail, and may be for example a box as inFIG. 8Cor an I shape as inFIG. 8Aor8B. Alternatively, track means may comprise multiple rails, for instance twin horizontal rails shown inFIG. 8D, or preferably an extruded or formed cross section of any appropriate shape as inFIG. 8E. Web means16bextending from bottom of rail16, inFIG. 8Emay serve as a support for a stack of longitudinal friction plates, which may be penetrated by a tie rod slot, or it may utilize c-clamp means or dual tie rod means for clamping as in FIG.8Aa.

Track means16preferably includes support surfaces16band16cby which guides or wheels mounted to carriage means support said carriage in fixed orientation to said track means. Wheels may have lateral support means, such as flanged wheels22b. The preferred embodiment employs simple low-friction polymer skid plate means22c, constrained from planar displacement by loose engagement with axles, tie rods, or standoffs, and attached preferably to said carriage means, and engaging carriage and track means in lateral alignment of carriage to said track means. Carriage may then preferably use simple bearing means or cylindrical wheel means22aas shown for vertical support and alignment.

A preferred track and carriage combination inFIG. 7Fincludes track means16having a substantial horizontal surface16bengaging linear bearing means22d, preferably in the form of a continuous ball race, which provides vertical support for said carriage means21.

A preferred track configuration has a concavity in lower surface concealing adjusting means and/or damping means. Adjustment locking means may be, for example, a valved cylinder as shown in previous figures, or as shown inFIG. 7F, a stacked plate set having a single tie rod31through slot in fixed plates32sand hole in moving plate33sfunctionally attached to said carriage. Track means preferably has tubular component or components16eto resist torsion.

An alternative adjusting mechanism for the headrest includes two stacks of interleaving plates47aand47bcompressed by tie rod41at headrest pivot axis6b, and rotationally fixed to support and headrest means by anchor means46aand46b.

Anchor means35,36, and46may be any means resisting linear displacement of a plate parallel to its surface, but are preferably cylindrical means such as a pin or shoulder bolt, through a loosely fitting hole in said plate.

An advantage of clamp bars30is that it avoids weakening track16with a slot, and it multiplies the force of spring means37through mechanical advantage to the friction plates, as compared to slotted plates penetrated by a single sprung tie rod.

An alternative embodiment may include fixed, adjustable, or retractable footrest means50or knee rest means51, as inFIGS. 5B and 6Bfor either occupant.

Seats and lateral rests preferably include padded upholstery.

InFIG. 3, either of first or second seats may be contoured to enhance comfort, and swivel means40about a vertical axis may be provided for one or both seats to enhance comfort when the seating position of one or both occupants is reversed.

The therapist applies hand or foot pressure, or a combination thereof, to the patient. In applying foot pressure to massage a back, the therapist avoids fatigue and repetitive stress injury to hands, wrists, and arms by utilizing the larger and more durable muscles and joints of the legs and feet. Further, the back support provided to the therapist during manipulation is not found in other massage chairs, and reduces spinal and abdominal exertion and fatigue.

Vertical adjustment means4and5enable patient in first seat to adjust his own vertical position during therapy, thereby directing and assisting in his own therapy.

Carriage may travel freely along track during therapy or remain in fixed adjusted position relative to first occupant. Device may include separate therapeutic pressure limiting means, for example a relief valve on a cylinder controlling horizontal motion.

The description and illustrations enclosed herein are merely schematic examples of the claimed invention. Obvious modifications which might facilitate use for intimate contact are included within the scope of the present invention. Deviations from the configurations described herein which may be obvious to those skilled in the art, fall within the scope of this invention, as does the described method of providing massage therapy from a tandem seated position using furniture providing adequate support.