Abstract:
An accessory bar for a treatment bed is disclosed. The bar comprises a bracket releasably mounted, in use, to said treatment bed. An upright extends upwardly from the bracket in use. In one embodiment, an arm extends transversely from the upright. The arm has extending therefrom one or more pairs of posts. The posts extend generally horizontally, towards the area over the bed, in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/505,135 filed Apr. 30, 2012, which is the U.S. National Phase of PCT/US2009/062690 filed Oct. 30, 2009. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of personal wellness. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Thermal (infrared) massage, as a tool to enhance personal wellness and immune function, is gaining consumer acceptance worldwide. As a result of this increased awareness and acceptance, a plurality of specialized tools are reaching the marketplace. One type of tool that has reached the marketplace is a treatment system which includes a treatment bed, first and second treatment appliances, a treatment mat and first and second remote control units. The treatment bed has a main body pad, a lower body pad, a bed frame and a pair of grips. The main body pad is for supporting and selectively applying heat and massage to the main (upper) body of a user in the supine or prone position. The lower body pad is for supporting and selectively applying heat and massage to the lower body of the user. The bed frame is for supporting the main body pad and the lower body pad in use. The grips are bolted on opposite sides of the frame and are for assisting the user in movement to and from the supine and prone positions on the treatment bed. The first and second treatment appliances are for placement against a selected body region and selectively applying heat and point pressure thereto. Each appliance includes a waisted portion and the second appliance is larger than the first. The treatment mat has a hand-grip and is for producing far infrared radiation and negative ions. The first remote control unit is for controlling the first and second treatment appliances and the main and lower body pads. The second remote control unit is for controlling the mat and has a socket defined therein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Forming one aspect of the invention is, in combination: (1) an energetic medical device having a waisted portion; (2) a treatment bed having one or more cushions for supporting a user in the supine or prone position and a bed frame supporting the one or more cushions; and (3) a support frame: bolted to the bed frame; and including a pair of horizontally extending posts adapted to receive therebetween the waisted portion of said energetic medical device to support the energetic medical device in elevated relation above and to one side of the treatment bed. 
     Forming another aspect of the invention a system for use with: (1) a treatment bed having: one or more cushions for supporting a user in the supine or prone position; a bed frame supporting the one or more cushions; and a pair of grips, bolted on opposite sides of the bed frame, for assisting the user in movement to and from the supine and prone positions; and (2) an energetic medical device having a waisted portion. 
     This system comprises: a support frame adapted to be bolted to the frame to define an upright disposed to one side of the treatment bed, the upright having a plurality of bores defined therein; a lateral having a plurality of bores defined therein, at least a pair of the bores being spaced apart the width of the waisted portion; a cruciform bracket adapted to couple the lateral to the upright in use such that the bores present towards the treatment bed; posts engageable in the pair of bores such that, when the frame, lateral, cruciform bracket and posts are operatively assemble, the posts are adapted to support the energetic medical device in elevated relation above and to one side of the treatment bed. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the system can comprise a hook adapted to be secured to the lateral to support a treatment mat. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, the system can comprise a mounting block adapted to be secured to any of the bores of the upright or the lateral. 
     According to another aspect of the invention: the support frame can be adapted to be secured to the bed frame in use such that one or more of the bolts bolting the support frame to the bed frame can form part of the bolts by which the grips are mounted to the bed frame; and the system can further comprise a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to the bed frame and to support the upright without use of the bolts by which the grips are mounted to the bed frame. 
     Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter being briefly described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a prior art treatment system; 
         FIG. 2  shows apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in use with part of the structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in use with another part of the structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2  in use with the structure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a view of apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but showing apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  but showing apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of a second appliance of the prior art treatment system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view of the components of a system according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a bracket that forms another part of the system of  FIG. 12  coupled to a light therapy device; 
         FIG. 14  is a view of a universal joint coupled to the structure of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a view of the system of  FIGS. 12 through 14  in use; 
         FIG. 16  is a view similar to  FIG. 14  showing a tablet bracket coupled to the universal joint; 
         FIG. 17  is a view of components of another system that forms another aspect of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a view of an exemplary arrangement of the components of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a view of a further exemplary arrangement of components of  FIG. 17 , in use; 
         FIG. 20  is a view of another exemplary arrangement of the components of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 21A  is view of another embodiment of the structure of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21B  is a view of another embodiment of a portion of the structure of  FIG. 19 ; and 
         FIG. 21C  is a view of another embodiment of the structure of  FIG. 21B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to the field of wellness and, in an exemplary embodiment, relates to a treatment system. For clarity in the description of the invention, a prior art treatment system  11 , with which the invention can be used but which forms no part of the invention, will firstly be described with reference to  FIG. 1   
     The treatment system  11  is of the type including a treatment bed  12 , first  14  and second  16  treatment appliances, a treatment mat  18  and first  20  and second  22  remote control units. 
     The treatment bed  12 , first  14  and second  16  treatment appliances and first remote control unit  14  are sold by Migun Medical Instrument Co. under Model No. HY-7000 UM. 
     The treatment mat  18  and the second remote control unit  22  are sold by Migun Medical Instrument Co. under Model No. MG-3600. 
     The treatment bed  12  has a main body cushion  24 , a lower body cushion  26 , a bed frame  28 , a pair of grips  30  and a cradle  46 . 
     The main body cushion  24  is for supporting and selectively applying heat and massage to upper body of a user in the supine or prone position on the treatment bed. The lower body cushion  26  is for supporting and selectively applying heat and massage to the lower body of the user. For the purpose of applying heat and massage, each of the main body  24  and lower body  26  cushions includes devices for producing far infrared radiation, and well as vibrators. 
     The bed frame  28  is for supporting the main body cushion  24  and the lower body cushion  26  in use and is formed out of tubular elements, bolted together. 
     The grips  30  are bolted on opposite sides of the frame  28  and are for assisting the user in movement to and from the supine and prone positions on the bed  12 . 
     The first  14  and second  16  treatment appliances are for placement against a selected body region and selectively applying heat and point pressure thereto. Each appliance includes a waisted portion  14 A,  16 A and the second appliance  16  is larger than the first appliance  14 . For the purpose of applying heat each of these appliances  14 , 16  includes a device for producing far infrared radiation. 
     For the purpose of applying point pressure, each of these devices includes hard surfaces, specifically, jade stones  32 . The first device  14  includes two stones  32 , and the second device  16  includes 15 stones. 
     The cradle  46  is releasably mounted to the frame  28  via an intermediate flexible shaft  45  having a threaded bore at its end (not shown) and releasably receives the first remote control unit  20 , discussed below, when not in use. To releasably mount the cradle  46  to the frame  28 , a bolt (not shown) passes through a bore (not shown) in the frame  28  and threads into the threaded bore at the end of shaft  45 , to secure the shaft  45  to the frame  28 . 
     The treatment mat  18  has a hand-grip  34  and is adapted to produce far infrared radiation, for heating purposes, as well as negative ions. 
     The first remote control unit  20  is for controlling the first  14  and second  16  treatment appliances and the main  24  and lower  26  body cushions. 
     The second remote control unit  22  is for controlling the treatment mat  18  and has a socket  60  defined therein, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Turning now to the apparatus of the present invention, same will be seen in isolation in  FIG. 2  and will be seen to comprise a support frame  36  which includes an upright  38 , an arm  40 , a bracket  42 , posts  44 , pin  47  and a hook  48 . The upright  38  forms part of a crook  50 . The arm  40  extends transversely from the upright  38  and has pin  47  extending therefrom and a bore  51  defined therethrough. Bracket  42  is rigidly connected, by welding, to the base of the upright  38 . Two pairs of posts  44  are provided, which protrude from the arm  40 . The hook  48  defines the terminus of the crook  50 . The crook  50 , the upright  38  and the arm  40  are substantially coplanar, with the hook  48  and the arm  40  lying on opposite sides of the upright  38 . At the base of the upright  38 , immediately preceding the bracket  42 , the upright  38  jogs slightly. 
     For use, the support frame  36  is releasably secured, specifically, by bolts  54 , to the bed frame  28  in use, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . More particularly, the support frame  36  is bolted to the bed frame  28  in use using the same bores as used to secure one of the grips  30 , i.e. one or more of the bolts  54  bolting the support frame  36  to the bed frame  28  form part of the bolts by which the grips  30  are mounted to the bed frame  28 . The bolt holding the flexible shaft  45  of the cradle  46  is also removed from the bed frame  28 , to release shaft  45 , and the bolt is fitted through bore  51  of the support frame, and thence back into the threaded bore in the shaft  45 , to secure the shaft/cradle to the support frame. 
     The apparatus is shown in use in  FIG. 5 . Herein, it will be seen that the apparatus is adapted to releasably receive and supporting in elevated relation, above and to one side of the treatment bed  12 , each of the first  14  and second treatment  16  appliances, the treatment mat  18  and the first  20  and second  22  remote control units. More particularly, the waisted portions  14 A,  16 A of each appliance  14 , 16  are releasably received between a respective pair of posts  44 , the cradle  46  is in releasably receipt of the first remote control  20 ; the pin (not visible in  FIG. 5 ) is in releasable receipt of the socket of the second remote control unit  22  and the hook  48  is in releasable receipt of the hand-grip  34  of the mat  18 . 
     The apparatus will thus be seen to conveniently store all of the accessories associated with the treatment system, and thus is aptly described as an ‘accessory bar’. The accessory bar avoids damage/injury that might otherwise occur if the appliances/remote controls were simply left between use on the bed itself or the surrounding floor surface. As well, the bar keeps the appliances/controls in a location convenient for self-users, who might otherwise be required to lift them from the floor while on the bed, or hold onto them while mounting and dismounting the bed, adding to the potential for injury. The ‘jog’ in the upright, previously mentioned, ensures that the accessory bar and the accessories themselves, are disposed slightly to the side of the table, about 3″ from the edge of the cushions, so as not to interfere with ingress/egress. 
     Variations of this are, of course, possible. 
       FIG. 6 , for example, shows a variation  36 A which does not include the hook/crook. This could be advantageous, as not all users will have use for and purchase the treatment mat. 
       FIG. 7  shows another example  36 B, wherein the posts protrude from the upright, i.e. with no transverse arm. 
     As well, whereas a specific model of treatment bed is illustrated and referenced, it will be understood that the support frame could be utilized with beds of other manufacturers and other styles.  FIG. 8 , for example, shows a variant of the mounting bracket mounted to a treatment bed of the type formed out of wood panels. Depending upon the treatment bed with which the support frame is used, suitable accommodation will need to be made, inter alia, to the jog in the upright, to provide sufficient clearance to users, as will be evident to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The support frame could also be adapted to receive a video monitor  100 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The monitor  100 , which becomes easily viewable when mounted on the support frame, could be used advantageously for marketing and instructional purposes. 
     As well, whereas specific treatment appliances and mats are herein shown and described, it will be understood that the invention could readily be used with other energetic medical devices and diagnostic devices, either as substitutes for, or supplemental to, those illustrated and described herein.  FIG. 10 , for example, shows the accessory bar in use with a diagnostic device  102 . 
     Further, although not shown, the bar could be made telescopic, for greater flexibility. 
     Also not shown, a credit card reader could be provided and received, for example, in a manner analogous to the manner in which the video monitor is mounted. This would, for example, allow the treatment system to be installed on a pay-per-use basis in airports, hotels, etc. 
       FIGS. 12 through 14  show the components of a system  200  which forms another aspect of the invention. 
     The system  200  is also for use with (i) a treatment bed having: one or more cushions for supporting a user in the supine or prone position; a bed frame supporting the one or more cushions; and a pair of grips, bolted on opposite sides of the bed frame, for assisting the user in movement to and from the supine and prone positions; and (ii) an energetic medical device having a waisted portion, all as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The system  200  comprises an extension tube  202 , a mounting block  204 , a threaded pin  206 , a threaded knob  208 , a clamp  210 , a bracket  212  and a universal joint  216 . 
     The extension tube  202  comprises a pair of tubes  202 A,  202 B telescopically mounted to one another and a clamp  202 C adapted for securing the tubes  202 A, 202 B against movement. The mounting block  204  has a plurality of threaded sockets  205 . The threaded pin  206  has a threaded end adapted for threaded engagement in the socket  205  and an unthreaded end adapted for engagement in the socket  205 . The clamp  210  is adapted to grasp either end of the extension tube  202  and also has a pair of threaded sockets  205 . The knob  208  has a threaded end adapted for engagement in any of the threaded sockets  205  and a ball. 
     The bracket  212  is adapted to be secured to a therapy light and terminates in a ball  214  equal in size to that of the knob  208 . 
     The universal joint  216  has a pair of ends each adapted to grasp a respective knob or ball. 
     The system  200  is shown in use in  FIG. 15 . Here: a mounting block  204  will be seen secured to the end of a horizontal arm; one of the pins  206  has the unthreaded disposed in the mounting block  204  and another threaded end coupled to a clamp  210  to allow for rotational movement of the clamp  210 ; the clamp  210  is disposed in gripping relation to one end of an extension tube  202 ; a further clamp  210  is disposed at the other end of the extension tube  202 ; a threaded knob  208  is disposed in threaded relation in the further clamp  210 ; the universal joint  216  grasps the ball of threaded knob  208 ; the ball of the therapy light bracket is grasped by the other end of the universal joint  216 , all such that the therapy light  213  is disposed over the bed. 
       FIG. 16  shows a variation of the structure of  FIG. 14 ; here, instead of a therapy light bracket  212 , a tablet computer bracket is shown  218 . 
       FIG. 17  shows the components of yet another system  300 . 
     This system  300  comprises: a support frame  302  in the form of a square tube including a plurality of threaded bores  304  defined therein and terminating in a bracket  42  similar to that of  FIG. 2 ; a lateral  306  in the form of a square tube having a plurality of threaded bores  308 ,  308 ′ defined therein, at least a pair of the bores  308 ′,  308 ′ being spaced apart the width of the waisted portion; a cruciform bracket  310 ; posts  312  engageable in the threaded bores; a hook  314 ; and a mounting bracket  320 . 
     The support frame  302 , lateral  306 , posts  312 , hook  314  and cruciform bracket  310  are shown in use in  FIG. 18 . 
     In this figure, these components will be seen to have been configured to assemble a structure similar in functionality to the structure of  FIG. 2 , i.e. which (i) can be secured to the bed frame in use, as shown in  FIG. 3 , such that one or more of the bolts bolting the support frame to the bed frame can form part of the bolts by which the grips are mounted to the bed frame, and (ii) can also be used as shown in  FIG. 5 , i.e. to support a treatment mat via the hook  214  and to support the energetic medical device via posts  212 . More particularly, it will be seen that a pair of laterals  306  are each secured to the frame  302  via a respective cruciform bracket  310  [secured via bolts  311 ], and that the posts  312  are threaded into the sockets  308 ′ to provide a rest for the energetic medical device. 
     The mounting block  204  is also shown in  FIG. 18  and will be understood to be secured by a bolt  311  to a threaded socket  304  at the terminus of the upright for receiving, via the sockets  205 , other fixtures such as lights, arms, etc. 
     The mounting bracket  320  is shown in  FIG. 19  and will be seen to permit the support frame  302  to be mounted to the bed frame without use of the bolts by which the grips are mounted to the bed frame, more particularly, the bracket  320  is secured to the bed frame by bolts  211  which are unrelated to the grips, and the bracket  42  of the support frame is secured to the mounting bracket  320  by further bolts  213  which engage threaded sockets  321  in the bracket  320 . 
       FIG. 20  shows yet another embodiment of the invention, wherein the support arm  302  is coupled to a rolling cart  400 . 
       FIG. 21A  shows another embodiment of the structure of  FIG. 19  wherein a modified support arm  302  is secured to the treatment bed by means of a base bracket  400  that is secured to the treatment bed by bolts  211 , and a cover bracket  402  that is secured to the base bracket by bolts  404  and grips around the modified support arm  302 A. 
       FIG. 21B  shows a variant of the structure of  FIG. 21A , wherein a modified base bracket  406  terminates in an angle and is thereby adapted, for example, to be secured to square tubing. 
       FIG. 21C  shows yet another variant, wherein a further modified base bracket  408  terminates in a flat plate. 
     Whereas in embodiments herein shown and described, the accessory bar is ostensibly an aftermarket type of product, it will be evident that the same could be added or combined to a treatment bed. Further, whereas a specific treatment bed is shown, it will be evident that the bed could, for example, be a vibrating bed, a traction device, etc. 
     Accordingly, the present invention should be understood as limited only by the accompanying claims, purposively construed.