Abstract:
A massage device that allows an individual or therapist to control a massaging implement through the manipulation of control levers. The massage device employs a frame that houses the positioning motors within individual frame members to allow a simplified control scheme of vertical and horizontal movements that operate in a parallel plane to the body of an individual receiving the massage. A massaging implement pivots and rotates along a positioning arm and engages an individual by gravity. A moveable platform allows an individual to be properly positioned for the massage and permit the device to consume a small footprint during storage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to massage devices and in particular to a storable massage device that allows an individual to obtain a massage while laying down or seated by manipulation of a massage head controlled by the individual receiving the massage or by a therapist providing the massage. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The benefits of a massage is well-known, unfortunately the ability to retain a masseur when an individual would like a massage is not always practical. Further, the need to travel to a location that provides massages can be a major inconvenience especially if the massage is needed for recovery due to an injury. For these reasons there has been numerous electro/mechanical devices directed to replicating the benefits of a massage which have gained widespread use. For instance, a typical hand held massager is a device that allows an individual to obtain the benefits of a massage to any portion of the body that can be reached with the device. Unfortunately, various portions of the body cannot be easily reached necessitating the need for remotely operated back massaging devices that may be expensive or difficult to operate. 
     For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,136 discloses a massage apparatus for use in a bathtub. This device employs an electrical motor for the rotation of rollers and an individual sits in the bathtub to receive a massage. Beyond the basic problem of using electricity near water, the device limits how an individual is positioned within the tub thereby limiting use to those individuals agile enough to move into a particular position that requires the massage. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,552 discloses a computer controlled massaging unit that includes pressure sensors to determine the position of the individual for coordinating with a computer program for operating of the massage unit. An edge detector sensor is employed for detecting the perimeter of the individual&#39;s body which allows movement along the individuals perimeter. A unique track system is also claimed for operating the massage unit along a predetermined plane. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,656 discloses a back massaging device wherein the massaging implement is moved along a frame by stepper motors. The device employs a sensor or pressure transducer positioned between an applicator and a frame in order to sense the amount of force applied by an individual&#39;s body. This invention relies upon the sensor device in order to sense the amount of force applied to the body portion and provide a control signal according to the sensed force. Upon receipt of the control signal, the massage unit controller is moved accordingly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,568 discloses a back massaging device that allows for attachment to the side of a bed or the like rigid frame. A massage head is placed along the distal end of a control arm and manipulated by use of a hydraulic cylinder controlled by a hand operated joystick. This device is held in a fixed position wherein any rotational aspects must be manipulated by the hydraulic ram. The disclosure and claims further rely upon a lotion applicator that is used in conjunction with the programmable massaging implement. It is noted that pressure on the massage applicator is directly from the hydraulic positioning unit with no accommodations made for movement by the individual. The massage implement is based upon a singular support structure wherein movement of the massage implement along the torso of an individual requires movement of the hydraulic ram. However, movement from the pivot point defeats the ability to make a smooth massage and results in continuous control operation as the device is operating as a robotic arm. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,047 discloses a therapeutic pressing device which operates parallel to the back of an individuals spine for purposes of applying pressure to the spine for detecting spinous process. 
     Thus, what is lacking in the art is a low cost, storable massage device that can used by an untrained individual for purposes of obtaining a self massage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a massage device that allows an individual to control a massaging implement through the manipulation of control levers. The massage device employs a frame that houses the positioning motors within individual frame members to allow a simplified control scheme of vertical and horizontal movements. A massaging implement pivots both vertically and horizontally along a positioning arm and engages an individual&#39;s torso by gravity. The articulating massage implement allows for curvatures to be followed and massaged at various angles. A platform allows an individual to be properly positioned for the massage and can be placed into a storage position allowing the device to consume a very small footprint. Alternatively, the device may be placed upright allowing an individual to receive a massage while seated. 
     The massaging device employs two vertical support structures having at least one vertical trolley for movement of a positioning arm support bracket and boom support placed between the support structures. The positioning arm also includes a trolley assembly that controls the horizontal placement of a gravity held massaging implement. An individual may control each of the positioning motors for precise placement of the massaging implement. 
     An objective of the invention is to disclose a low cost, storable massage device that can be precisely controlled by the individual receiving the massage or by a therapist providing the massage. 
     Another objective of the invention is to disclose the use of a gravity weighted massage implement providing a range of movement by the individual without affecting implement pressure. 
     Another objective of the invention is to disclose vertical and horizontal positioning controls for parallel body movement to allow an individual instant recognition of operational control. 
     Still another objective of the invention is to disclose a massage device that allows a therapist to control a massage without physically performing the massage. 
     Yet another objective of the invention is to disclose a frame that permits a positioning platform to be folded into a storage position providing the massaging device to consume a small footprint while stored. 
     Another objective of the invention is to disclose the use of a frame that also houses the positioning motors providing quiet operation, reduced mass, and protection from moving parts. 
     Still another objective of the invention is to disclose a storable back massage device that can be used by an individual in a seated or laying position. 
     Another objective of the invention is to disclose a storable back massage device that includes a means for parking the massage implement after use allowing for ease of access in entering or leaving the platform. 
     Yet still another objective of the invention is to disclose the use of common trolley motor/screw combinations which could provide commonality in parts for ease of repair and low cost of manufacture. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the massage unit of the instant invention in a stored position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the massage unit in an operating position; 
     FIG. 3 is a plane view of the boom arm depicting a trolley motor and positioning screw; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the massage unit in a vertical position; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the instant invention placed in an upright position; and 
     FIG. 6 is a plane view illustrating one embodiment of the controller. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the storable body massage device  10  of the instant invention is depicted in both a storage position and an operating position. The massage device has a frame formed from a first vertically disposed support structure having a base  14  and a top  16  with a first vertical trolley assembly  18  placed therebetween. For purposes of example, the trolley  18  used herein may employ a parallel shaft AC gear motor  20  such as that manufactured by LEESON M1125132. The trolley  18  includes a lead screw  22  directly coupled to the motor  20  for use in the vertical movement of a first positioning arm support bracket  24  between the bottom base  14  and the top  16 . The reverse motor  20  allows the lead screw  22  to be rotated in either direction. Alternatively, a scissors style trolley assembly can be employed. 
     A second support structure  30  is vertically disposed in a parallel plane to the first support structure  12 . The second support member  30  may operate as an idler having a second support bracket  32  for tracking of the positioning arm support bracket  24  or include a second trolley assembly providing direct cooperating support of the positioning arm  34 . 
     The positioning arm  34  is securable to the first  24  and second  32  positioning arm support brackets. The positioning arm  34  includes a first horizontal trolley assembly  36  for moving a boom mount support bracket  38  between the first support bracket  12  and second support bracket  30 . The trolley  36  used herein is similar to the first vertical trolley employing an AC gear motor  40  with a lead screw  42  directly coupled to the motor  40  for use in the horizontal movement of the boom mount support bracket  38 . It should be noted and understood that the electric motor  40  can be substituted for a hydraulic motor, not shown, employing the same concept of support bracket movement. Further, a scissors style assembly, not shown, can be employed for movement of the support brackets. A lower positioning arm  44  may be used in a parallel plane to the positioning arm  34  and operate as an idler, having a second support bracket  45  for tracking of the boom mount support bracket  38 , or include a second trolley assembly providing direct cooperating support of the boom mount support bracket  38 . 
     A body supporting member  50  is hingedly coupled to the first support structure  12  and second  30  support structure. The body supporting member  50  is defined by an upper surface  52  and a lower surface  54  that is movable from a vertical position for storage as shown in FIG. 1 to a horizontal position for support of a body as shown in FIG.  2 . The lower surface  54  has support legs  56  and  57  hingedly coupled thereto for support of the body supporting member  50  when placed into a horizontal position. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the boom arm  60  and the boom mount support bracket  38  are hingedly coupled  61  to the positioning arms  34  and  44  and employs a second horizontal trolley assembly  62  comprising an electric motor  64  and lead screw  68  for use in moving a massage head support bracket  66  along a horizontal plane over the body supporting member  50 . The massaging implement  70  is designed to provide a comfortable massage that duplicates a therapist massage, such as that provided by a Brookstone  15  speed percussion massage unit that is hingedly secured to the support bracket  66 . The massage implement provides a vibrating head found beneficial for hand held massage devices. The boom arm  60  relies upon gravity to support the massage implement  70  with an example embodiment depicted wherein the boom arm  60  includes a hinge coupling  63  providing both horizontal and vertical movement and held together by a hinge pin  65 . The hinge coupling  63  includes a boom arm stop  69  to prevent the boom arm from over extending the horizontal position. Each trolley unit is placed in a tube shaped housing having a motor support bracket located along one end with a lead screw coupled thereto. A lead screw has a bearing support bracket along the opposite end wherein one of the support brackets engages the lead screw and is accessible along one side of the tube shaped housing. Each support bracket is moveable along the length of the housing during rotation of the lead screw. As previously mentioned, a scissor jack may be substituted for the lead screw arrangement. 
     FIG. 6 depicts the controller  80  which is electrically coupled to the trolleys allowing an individual laying on the body supporting member  50  to actuate each trolley allowing traverse positioning of the massaging implement  70  over the individuals body for self controlled massage. The positioning actuator can be a joystick such as that depicted or a trackball. The preferred controller  80  has a simplified control system having a first joystick  82  for controlling the vertical movement of the massage implement. A second joystick  84  for controlling the horizontal movement of the massage implement, that is the movement between the head and the lower torso of an individual laying on the platform. A third joystick  86  moves the massage implement along the length of the boom arm  60 , that is the movement across the width of the individuals body. An on/off switch  88  provides operation of the massage implement and may also be used as a master control switch for each of the track assemblies. More extensive controllers include mapping of the torso for repeatable massages or use of less joystick controller by incorporating multiple functions into a single actuating device. In addition, the controller may be programmed to “park” the massage implement when the off switch  88  is actuated. In this manner, the implement is moved up and away from the body to a position that allows ease of access for the individual laying on the platform. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein the massage device can be used in a vertical format allowing an individual to obtain a massage while in a seated position. In this embodiment, the platform is removed and the device placed into an upright vertical position. The previously defined vertical support structures  100  and  102  are now in a horizontal position. However, the trolley assembly  104  operates in the same manner only to move the upright support  106  in a horizontal plane. The upright support  106  is then used to move the boom support bracket  108  in a vertical relationship. The boom support  108  includes a trolley assembly for moving a massage implement  110  in an outward manner allowing a seated individual, not shown, to obtain a massage as set forth in the first embodiment. The operation of the trolleys and controller are similar to the first embodiment as if restated in its entirety. 
     It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification.