Abstract:
There is provided a massage pad having a surface for removeably retaining one or more selectively positionable massage actuators. The massage pad permits a user to selectably adjust the position of the one or more actuators in order to provide a variety of different massaging effects. Further, the massaging pad is provided with a controller for selectively controlling the actuation of the one or more massage actuators and a heating element to provide an even greater variety of massaging effects. Also, the massaging pad is adapted to cooperate with a variety of different therapeutic devices.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field Of The Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a massage device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a massage pad having various actuators selectively positionable on a pad or cushion.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Massage pads having a number of individual actuators are well known in the art. Such cushions may include a series of raised portions or nodes under which lies an actuator such as a vibrating motor. These motors are fixedly positioned on a pad such that when the pad is brought into engagement with a user of the device, the vibrating nodes massage a particular area of the body.  
           [0005]    Vibrating massage pads of the prior art are typically in the form of a seat cushion having a lower seating portion and a back rest portion. To accommodate variations in user physiology, as well as one&#39;s positioning on the pad, a variety of actuators are employed to insure that the desired location to be massaged is covered by an actuator. To achieve a wide range of coverage, a variety of nodes, each having a motor, are employed. Such a design typically includes an array of nodes extending along the cushion. Each of the motors may be selectively energized by a controller, thereby permitting the user to turn on the particular message actuators as desired. In addition, different zones on the cushion may incorporate one or more actuators that may be selectively and individually energized. In addition, the controller may allow a user to vary the intensity and sequence of vibration of the various actuators.  
           [0006]    The actuators are typically fixed within the cushion and are not movable by the user. Therefore, the cushion must include a significant number of actuators in order to ensure that a particular desired massage point on the body is in close proximity to an actuator. Since a numerous number of motors are required, such a device can be expensive to manufacture and difficult to control.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an economical massage cushion that can accommodate a wide range of user physiologies, as well as have a broad coverage area, without employing a large number of actuators.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a massage cushion having selectively positionable massage actuators.  
           [0009]    It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a massage cushion having a surface for removably retaining a plurality of massage actuators.  
           [0010]    It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a massage cushion having a plurality of pockets each able to receive a massaging actuator.  
           [0011]    It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a massage cushion having an attachment surface including a first attachment device and a massage actuator having a second attachment device securable to the first attachment device, wherein the massage actuator is removably securable to the attachment surface.  
           [0012]    It is still another advantage of the present invention to provide a massage cushion including a plurality of vibrating motors, which are selectively positionable in discreet pockets formed in the massage cushion.  
           [0013]    It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a massage cushion having a plurality of selectively positionable massage actuators, wherein the massage actuators are removably attachable to the cushion.  
           [0014]    These and other advantages are obtainable by way of the preferred embodiments of the present invention including a cushioned surface having an attachment surface and a massage actuator removable securable to the attachment surface at a first position. The massage actuator is removable from the attachment surface and positionable to a second location on the attachment surface where it is removably securable thereto. There is also provided a control that is electrically connectable to the massage actuator for supplying power to the massage actuator. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the massage cushion of the present invention showing the pockets for receiving an actuator and wiring in dotted lines.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the massage cushion of FIG. 1 of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a massaging actuator being inserted in the massage cushion of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the controller of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the massage cushion of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the massage cushion of the present invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a massage actuator of the massage cushion of FIG. 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    Referring to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, there is provided a massage pad of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral  10 . Massage pad  10  of the present invention provides a user with the ability to selectively position massage actuators at different locations of a cushion in order to obtain the desired massage effect. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the massage pad  10  generally includes a cushioned surface  14  having an attachment surface  15  that may include an array of spaced pockets  18  formed therein and a plurality or number of massage actuators  16  selectively insertable in cavity-like pockets  18 . Cushion  14  has preferably includes a seat portion  19  and backrest portion  20  to accommodate a user in the seated position. However, it is within the contemplation of the present invention that the cushion may take a variety of configurations including a pad that is attachable to a particular part of the body such as the legs, arms or back.  
         [0023]    Cushion  14  is preferably formed of a resilient material to provide a padded base for supporting the vibration actuators. The front side  14   a  of cushion may include a relatively smooth surface adapted to comfortably engage a user&#39;s body. Alternatively, front surface  14   a  may include a plurality or number of raised protrusions (not shown), which resiliently support one&#39;s body. The reverse side  14   b  of the cushion may include a series of pockets  18  each adapted to receive a separate one of the massage actuators  16 . The number of pockets  18  may be varied depending on the size of the cushion  14  and the degree of positional adjustablity. Massage actuators  16  are preferable vibrating devices, which may include an electric motor driving an eccentric cam as is well known in the art. Alternatively, massage actuators  16  may include any device that would generate a massage action such as a kneading, reciprocating, tapping or oscillating motion. Cushion  14  may include an array of pockets  18 , which gives a user the ability to place the massage actuator  16  in the most desired position. For example, if a particular area of one&#39;s back is in need of massaging, a user may place massage actuators  16  in the appropriate locations for massaging the desired area of the body. The number of massage actuators  16  may vary from just one to a number equal to the number of pockets  18 .  
         [0024]    In the preferred embodiment, cushion  14  may include a cushioning material  24  such as a gel packet disposed between actuator pockets  18  and the front surface of cushion  14 . The cushioning material  24  would help distribute the massage action in a comfortable manner. Cushion  14  may further include protrusions or nodes extending outwardly from the front surface of the cushion. The nodes may be formed of resilient material in order to provide a cushioned vibration. This cushioning may be enhanced by the use of cushioning material  24  disposed between the surface of the node and the actuator inserted within the corresponding pocket  18 . Alternatively, some or all of the nodes may be rigid members providing a different type of massage therapy. The present invention contemplates that the front surface of cushion  14  may take a variety of shapes and forms in order to achieve a desired massage characteristic.  
         [0025]    Referring to FIG. 2, a massage actuator  16  may be selectively placed in any one of the pockets  18  formed in cushion  12  by the user. The particular pocket  18  selected would be positioned such that when massage pad  10  is used, the actuator  16  would act on a desired portion of the body. Massage actuators  16  are removably attached to pockets  18 , thereby permitting the actuators to be repositioned within cushion  12  as desired. The ability to move message actuators  16  between the various pockets  18  allows for a wide range of coverage with a limited number of massage actuators.  
         [0026]    With reference to FIG. 3, each massage actuator  16  may include an electric motor  42  that can create a vibration for producing a messaging effect. The motor  42  may include an eccentric cam or other member, which converts the rotation of the motor into a suitable vibration as is known in the art. Motor  42  may be contained in a two-part housing  40 , which is then inserted into one of the pockets  18 . Each pocket  18  may include a cup-shaped body  25  fixedly secured to cushion  14  and sized to retain motor housing  40 . Housing  40  may include tab  44  extending therefrom, which engages a slot  46  formed in pocket  18 . The configuration of tab  44  and slot  46  may be such that locking engagement between housing  40  and pocket  18  is achieved by rotating the housing relative to the pocket. Reversing rotation would release actuator  16  from pocket  18  in order to permit the actuator to be inserted in another pocket. Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, the body of motor  42  itself may be adapted to directly be attachable to a pocket  18 .  
         [0027]    It is within the contemplation of the present invention that mechanical connection between cushion  14  and massage actuator  16  may be effected by a number of known attachment methods including threads, clips, snaps, hooks, straps, hook and loop strips and the like. Alternatively, pockets  18  may be partially covered by material (not shown) that would permit an actuator  16  to be removably retained therein.  
         [0028]    Once the massage actuator  16  is inserted in a particular pocket  18 , it may be energized, causing the corresponding portion of the cushion on the front of the cushion to vibrate as desired. In the preferred embodiment, each pocket  18  includes electrical connectors  30  connected to wiring  32  for supplying power to the massage actuator  16 . Wiring  32  may be integrated with cushion  14  and formed beneath an outer covering layer  14   a  thereof (shown in FIG. 1). Connectors  30  are preferably located on a base wall  50  of pocket body  25 , and are positioned to align with contacts  52  positioned on the front face of motor housing  40  when massage actuator  16  is secured in pocket  18 . Contacts  52  are electrically connected to motor  42  contained in motor housing  40 . Pocket body base wall  50  may further include a sensor  54  that activates when actuator  16  is inserted in pocket  18 . Sensor  54  may be in the form of a micro switch or proximity sensor, and upon activation thereof sends a signal to a controller  60  indicating that a message actuator  16  is inserted in a particular pocket  18 . Electrical power may be supplied by a corded plug  56  that can be connected to a standard household outlet. Power may alternatively be supplied by a vehicle, such as a car, by interfacing with a power outlet.  
         [0029]    With reference to FIG. 4, controller  60  is preferably wired to each pocket  18  to permit massage actuators  16  to be centrally controlled by a user when the actuators are placed in any of the pockets  18 . Controller  60  may include a hand held unit  62  operatively connected to cushion  14  by a flexible cable. Various controls  64  and displays  65  are disposed on controller  60  to permit a user to operate the desired actuators  16  secured to cushion  14 . Alternatively, controller  60  may be secured directly to cushion  14  or located remotely therefrom and have the ability to operate pad  10  by the emission of radio or infrared signals.  
         [0030]    In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 5, massage actuators  16  may be connected to wires  61  that are external to the cushion. The wires  16  may terminate in a junction  63  connected to controller  60  permitting each of the actuators  16  to be controlled in a convenient manner by a user. The connecting wires  16  would preferably be of such a length to permit the actuators  16  to be placed in any one of the pockets  18 .  
         [0031]    In the preferred embodiment, controller  60  permits a user to activate each actuator  16  inserted in a pocket  18 . Accordingly, when a user-operated switch  64  on controller  60  is turned on, each of the massage actuators  16  will begin to vibrate. Controller  60  may also regulate the intensity of vibration by varying the speed of the motors  42 , and may control power to heating element  66  supported by cushion  14 . A signal sent by an activated sensor  54  is sent to controller  60  and may activate a display to indicate that a particular pocket  18  contains a massage actuator  16 . Sensors  54  may be employed to control energizing the contact in the pockets  18 . For example, in unoccupied pockets  18  the inactivated sensor may prevent the connectors therein from being energized in order top prevent unwanted contact with electrified components.  
         [0032]    In an alternative embodiment, controller  60  may be used to turn on specific individual pockets  18  and the actuators  16  inserted therein. This may be achieved by including controller  60  located switches corresponding to each pocket  18 . Alternatively, the controller  60  may provide a user the ability to selectively energize pockets  18  within various predetermined zones, e.g. seat or backrest. In this embodiment, any actuator  16  located in a particular zone would be energized.  
         [0033]    Such selective control may be achieved by circuitry well known in the art. The controller  60  may further provide sequencing of the various actuators  16 , alternating one or more on or off at a particular time in a manner which is well known in the massage cushion art.  
         [0034]    By permitting massager actuators  16  to be selectively positioned in the various pockets  18 , the present invention can accommodate a wide range of physiological variations between users and permit a wide range of areas to be massaged while using only a limited number of massage actuators  16 . This provides a cost benefit in that only a limited number of actuators  16  are required. It also provides flexibility to permit the user to ensure that the massage action is located at the optimum location.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further alternative embodiment of the massaging pad  10 ′ of the present invention is provided. Massage pad  10 ′ includes a cushioned surface  14 ′ having a seat portion  19 ′ and a backrest portion  20 ′. The front side  14   a ′ of cushion  14 ′ may be formed similarly to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. However, the back surface  14   b ′ is modified to include a flap  70  that selectively covers an actuator attachment surface  72  extending along the length and width of massage pad  10 ′. Flap  70  may be releasable securable to back surface  14   b ′ by way of a fastener  71 , which may include a zipper, hook and loop, snaps or any of a number of well known fastener devices. Attachment surface  72  includes a first attachment device  74 , which cooperates with a second attachment device  75  secured to movable massage actuators  76 .  
         [0036]    In this embodiment, massage actuators  76  may include an eccentric motor  78  covered in a resilient material  80  to form a pod-like structure, which vibrates when energized. Alternatively, massage actuators  76  may include any device that would generate a massage action such as a kneading, reciprocating, tapping or oscillating motion. Each massage actuator  76  includes a mounting surface  82  that includes second attachment device  75 . In the preferred embodiment, first and second attachment devices,  74  and  75 , are each one part of a hook and loop attachment system of the type well known in the art. It is within the contemplation of the present invention the first and second attachment devices  74 ,  75  may be any one of a number of well known securement devices such as snaps, button, hooks, clips, etc.  
         [0037]    As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, each massage actuator  76  is connected to a junction  82  by its own wire  84 . A user is free to place a massage actuator  76  on any desired location of the attachment surface  72 . Accordingly, a user has an infinite possibility of locations to attach massage actuators  76  that the desired areas of the body can receive stimulation. Several alternative massager locations are shown in phantom in FIG. 6. Once massage actuators  76  are positioned as desired, flap  70  may be closed to cover attachment surface  72  and the massage actuators secured thereto. Adjusting a massage actuator&#39;s location, merely requires opening flap  70  and pulling an actuator  76  loose from attachment surface  72  and reattaching the actuator to its new location. By operating controller  60 , a user may energize each massage actuator  76  to provide the vibratory massage action.  
         [0038]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.