Abstract:
An air foot massaging apparatus for massaging and stimulating tired feet, and thereby creating beneficial physiological effects throughout the body and including a pair of boot shaped structures for adapting to the user&#39;s feet or a unitary fluid-tight container for retaining fluid therein and adapting to a user&#39;s feet. Each boot shaped structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes which engage with the user&#39;s foot, a compressor to inflate or deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, a vibration motor for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, and a control mechanism for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of massaging devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of fluid and non-fluid foot massaging devices for relieving and soothing the tired feet of a person, thereby creating beneficial physiological effects throughout the body. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of vibrational foot massaging devices is known in the prior art. Specifically, foot massaging devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of massaging a person&#39;s feet are known, but they have not been satisfactory. These prior art foot massaging devices do not provide an effective massaging pattern to make them beneficial to fully provide a soothing and relaxing effect. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved foot massaging apparatus which can be used for massaging a person&#39;s feet. 
     It is desirable to provide an air foot massaging apparatus which provides an air matrix arrangement surface that is both supportive and pliable with minimal surface tension. It is also desirable to provide an air foot massaging apparatus that not only supports the user&#39;s feet but also provides an effective massaging pattern on the user&#39;s feet when the feet are positioned within the air foot massaging apparatus. It is further desirable to provide an air foot massaging apparatus which can be utilized with fluid or without fluid. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a novel and unique air foot massaging apparatus for massaging and stimulating tired feet, and which thereby creates beneficial physiological effects throughout the body. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an air foot massaging apparatus which includes a pair of boot shaped structures, each having a plurality of spaced apart interior compressible and expandable air nodes or glands which engage with a user&#39;s feet for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide an air foot massaging apparatus that is fluid-tight for retaining fluid therein to provide lubrication to the user&#39;s feet, where a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes or glands along with the fluid provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an air foot massaging apparatus which includes an eccentric vibration means for generating vibrations to and through a plate which in turn creates resonance vibrations to massage the user&#39;s feet. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an air foot massaging apparatus which massages and stimulates the tired feet of a user. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an air foot massaging apparatus which may be employed with the user in the sitting position. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an air foot massaging apparatus that is simple, durable, economical and lightweight. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air foot massaging apparatus includes a pair of boot shaped structures for adapting to the user&#39;s feet. Each boot shaped structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes or glands which engage with the user&#39;s foot, means to inflate and deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, vibration means for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, and control means for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the air foot massaging apparatus includes a unitary fluid-tight foot structure for retaining a fluid such as water therein and adapting to a user&#39;s feet. The structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes or glands which engage with the user&#39;s feet, means to inflate and deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, vibration means for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, and control means for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes. 
     Another alterative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus includes a pair of boot shaped structures for containing a fluid such as water therein and adapting to the user&#39;s feet. Each boot shaped structure has a plurality of interior compressible and expandable air nodes or glands which engage with the user&#39;s foot, means to inflate and deflate the compressible and expandable air nodes for providing an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, vibration means for providing a vibrational massage to further provide an effective massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet, and control means for controlling the inflating and deflating of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus with portions thereof broken away to better illustrate the interior structure of the components forming a part of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air foot massaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the right-side air massage insert of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the left-side air massage insert of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of two of the compressible and expandable air nodes of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus that is similar to FIG. 3 except that there is shown a plurality of supporting dividers; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative arrangement of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus with portions thereof broken away to better illustrate the interior structure of the components forming a part of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 — 10  of the FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus with a portion thereof broken away to better illustrate the interior structure of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus shown in FIG. 11 with portions thereof broken away; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus with portions thereof broken away, showing a different arrangement of the components shown in FIGS. 11 through 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus with portions thereof broken away, showing another arrangement of the components shown in FIGS. 11 through 13; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus; 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus shown in FIG. 16 with a portion thereof broken away; and 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus with a portion thereof broken away, showing a different arrangement of the components shown in FIG.  17 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     For clarity purposes in these figures, pneumatic tubing and electric wiring are not illustrated, but are conventional in the art and would be easily accomplished by persons skilled in the art. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown at  10  a preferred embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus for adapting to and massaging a user&#39;s feet. The air foot massaging apparatus  10  includes a pair of right and left boot shaped structures  12  and  14  connected together by a flexible connecting member  16  which is attached to the rear ends of the pair of boot shaped structures  12  and  14 , so that the air foot massaging apparatus  10  can be used as a stationary device to prevent injury. 
     Because the pair of boot shaped structures  12  and  14  are preferably a mirror image of each other in construction, only the right boot shaped structure  12  will be described in detail below. The boot shaped structure  12  includes a shoe body  18  and a sole portion  22  that is generally shaped like the bottom of a human foot which extends from the toes to the heel of the foot and a periphery formed therearound. The shoe body  18  is integrally connected to the periphery of the sole portion  22  and extends upwardly to form the boot shaped structure  12 . A front sleeve portion  20  is pivotably attached to the front end of the shoe body  18  for allowing a user&#39;s foot to be positioned within the boot shaped structure  12 . The front sleeve portion  20  is secured thereto by a pair of fastener means  32 . The shoe body  18 , the sole portion  22  and the front sleeve portion  20  form an enclosed interior foot chamber  29  with a front lower member  26  that covers the toe area and the instep area of the user&#39;s foot and a rear upper member  24  that covers the heel area and ankle area of the user&#39;s foot. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  10  is not limited to the VELCRO® fastener means  32  as shown in FIG.  1 . It is emphasized that while the VELCRO® fastener means are preferred, it is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to utilize zipper means, snap means or other suitable means for connecting the front sleeve portion  20  to the shoe body  18  of the boot shaped structure  12 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  5 ,  6  and  7 , the air foot massaging apparatus  10  further includes right and left air massage inserts  34  and  36  that respectively match the interior of the right and left boot shaped structures  12  and  14 . These air massage inserts  34  and  36  are airtight and fluid-tight to prevent air or fluid leakage. Because the air massage inserts  34  and  36  are preferably mirror-image in construction, only the right air massage insert  34  will be described in detail. The air massage insert  34  includes a vamp massage section  80  and an upper massage section  82 . The air massage insert  34  may be constructed by a flexible top layer  38  and a flexible bottom layer  40  permanently affixed to the top layer  38  by ultrasonic welding, radio frequency (RF) and heat welding or other suitable means to form a plurality of spaced apart hollow adjustable air nodes or glands  42  (only two air nodes  42  are shown in FIG. 7) which are compressible and expandable. The top and bottom layers  38  and  40  form a base, where the air nodes  42  extend upwardly therefrom. The air nodes  42  are formed in a matrix arrangement and may be further customized by utilizing zoned distribution, where the air massage insert  34  may include at least two different zone sections therein, wherein each zone section can be pressurized at different intervals or times. 
     It will be appreciated that the construction of the air massage insert  34  is not limited to the description just discussed above. It is emphasized that while the construction method disclosed above is the preferred method, it is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to utilize other types of the construction methods known in the art. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of air nodes  42  are substantially identical, and therefore, only one will be described in detail below. Each hollow air node  42  has a generally cylindrical shaped configuration with a distal end  44  and an open proximal end  46 . The proximal end  46  is integrally formed with the top layer  38  of the air massage body  36  such that the hollow air nodes  42  are compressible when a downward pressure is applied or expandable when a pneumatic compressor means  48  supplies air to the air nodes  42 . 
     There is provided a plurality of pneumatic connecting tubes or fluid ducts  50  (only one is shown) which are substantially identical, and therefore, only one will be described in detail. Each connecting tube  50  is integrally formed with the top layer  38  of the air massage insert  34 , where each connecting tube  50  is respectively interconnected to adjacent air nodes  42  for allowing pneumatic or fluid to flow in between the air nodes  42 . It will be appreciated that the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  10  is not limited to the plurality of connecting tubes  50  as shown. It is emphasized that while the connecting tubes  50  are preferred, it is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to utilize other types of pneumatic or fluid transfer means for allowing pneumatic or fluid to flow in between the plurality of air nodes  42 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the ability of the air foot massaging apparatus  10  to adjust the relative pressure over a range to suit various foot sizes creates a comfortable sensation for the user. The massaging apparatus  10  further has the capability of rapidly inflating and deflating the plurality of hollow air nodes  42  of each air massage insert at different intervals or times to create an effective massaging pattern for massaging the user&#39;s feet positioned within the air foot massaging apparatus  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, each boot shaped structure has an eccentric vibration motor or means  62  which is conventional in the art, and therefore, it will only be described in general terms. The eccentric vibration means  62  is mounted by conventional means against the underside of a semi-flexible wave shaped support plate  66  for generating vibrations to and through the plate  66  which in turn creates resonance vibrations to massage the user&#39;s feet. The vibration means  62  may include a sonic transducer, magnetic vibratory means or other vibratory means. The support plate  66  is mounted within the interior foot chamber  29  and above the sole portion  22  and located adjacent to and parallel to the sole portion  22  of the boot shaped structure  12 . There is provided an adjustable air bladder  86  which is positioned between the semi-flexible wave shaped support plate  66  and the sole portion  22  for adjusting the height of the support plate  66  to accommodate different sizes of feet within the boot shaped structure  12 . This adjustable air bladder  86  is connected to the compressor means  48  by conventional means. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the air massage insert  34  has at least two ports  52  which allow pneumatic fluid to enter or evacuate from the insert  34 . The ports  52  are connected to the compressor means  48  via elongated pneumatic supply tubes which are conventional in the art. In this case, a manifold (not shown) may be utilized and is connected between the ports  52  of the air massage inserts  34  and  36 . The ports  52  may be connected to a conventional solenoid valve  76 , which operates in a known manner to control the flow of pneumatic fluid into or out of the plurality of air nodes  42  of each air massage insert. In the preparation of the air massage inserts  34  and  36  for use, the valve is open, so that any pneumatic fluid under pressure is supplied through the ports  52  to the pneumatic supply tubes which in turn supply the fluid such as compressed air to the air massage inserts  34  and  36 . The connecting tubes  50  are then supplying the compressed air under pressure to all of the air nodes  42  within each air massage insert, where the hollow air nodes  42  of each air massage insert are inflated to a desired stiffness. When the air massage inserts  34  and  36  have been filled with the desired amount of compressed air, the ports  52  are closed off by a suitable cap (not shown). 
     Referring to FIG. 3, an elongated electric cord  70  is provided with the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  10  and has a plug  72  at its end for connection to an appropriate wall outlet (not shown). The electric cord  70  supplies electric current to the vibration means  62  and the compressor means  48 , where the controller means  64  is electrically connected to the vibration means  62  and the compressor means  48  and controls all operation of the air foot massaging apparatus  10  by the switches  74 . The controller means  64  cycles the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes  42  of each boot shaped structure to create a massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the air foot massaging apparatus  10 . 
     One of the unique features of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  10  is that the vibration means has the capability of breaking the contact between the user&#39;s feet and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes  42 . 
     There are provided a plurality of adjustable air bladders  88  which are similar to the adjustable air bladder  86 . These adjustable air bladders  88  are positioned between the interior surface of the shoe bodies  18  and the inserts  34  and  36  for adjusting the inserts  34  and  36  inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different sizes of feet within the boot shaped structures  12  and  14 . The adjustable air bladders  88  are connected to the compressor means  48  by conventional means. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus which is very similar to the preferred embodiment just discussed. All of the parts of this alternative embodiment of the air foot massaging apparatus  110  are numbered correspondingly with 100 added to each number. Since it assembles and functions the same as previously described above except that the adjustable air bladder  86  (shown in FIG. 3) is substituted with a plurality of spaced apart vertical supporting dividers  186  for supporting the semi-flexible support plate  166 , the description thereof will not be repeated. 
     Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  210  which is very similar to the preferred embodiment discussed above and the only differences are the nature and configuration of the air compressor means  248  and the plurality of spaced apart vertical supporting dividers  286 . All of the parts of this embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  210  are numbered correspondingly with 200 added to each number. 
     The air foot massaging apparatus  210  includes a pair of right and left boot shaped structures  212  and  214  connected together by a flexible connecting member  216  which is attached to the rear ends of the pair of boot shaped structures  212  and  214 , so that the air foot massaging apparatus  210  can be used as a stationary device to prevent injury. 
     Because the pair of boot shaped structures  212  and  214  are preferably mirror image of each other in construction, only the right boot shaped structure  212  will be described in detail below. The boot shaped structure  212  includes a shoe body  218  and a sole portion  222  that is generally shaped like the bottom of a human foot which extends from the toes to the heel of the foot and a periphery formed therearound. The shoe body  218  is integrally connected to the periphery of the sole portion  222  and extends upwardly to form the boot shaped structure  212 . A front sleeve portion  220  is pivotably attached to the front end of the shoe body  218  for allowing a user&#39;s foot to be positioned within the boot shaped structure  212 . The front sleeve portion  220  is secured thereto by a pair of fastener means  232 . The shoe body  218 , the sole portion  222  and the front sleeve portion  220  form an enclosed interior foot chamber  229  with a front lower member that covers the toe area and the instep area of the user&#39;s foot and a rear upper member that covers the heel area and ankle area of the user&#39;s foot. 
     The air foot massaging apparatus  210  further includes right and left air massage inserts which are exactly the same as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and therefore, the description thereof will not be repeated. The inserts respectively match the interior of the right and left boot shaped structures  212  and  214 . These air massage inserts are airtight and fluid-tight to prevent air or fluid leakage. 
     Each boot shaped structure has an eccentric vibration motor or means  262  which is conventional in the art, and the description thereof will only be described in general terms. The eccentric vibration means  262  is mounted by conventional means against the underside of a plate  265  which is supported by a plurality of spaced apart vertical ribs  286  and located parallel to the sole portion  222 . A semi-flexible solid or hollow wave shaped support plate  266  is positioned against the plate  265 . The vibration means  262  generates vibrations to and through the plate  265  which in turn creates resonance vibrations to the wave-shaped support plate  266  to massage the user&#39;s feet. The vibration means  262  may include a sonic transducer, magnetic vibratory means or other vibratory means. 
     The ports of each of the air massage inserts are connected to each of the compressor means  248  via elongated pneumatic supply tubes which are conventional in the art. In this case, a manifold (not shown) may be utilized and is connected between the ports of the air massage inserts. The ports of each of the air massage inserts may be connected to a conventional solenoid valve, which operates in a known manner to control the flow of pneumatic fluid into or out of the plurality of air nodes of each air massage insert. 
     An elongated electric cord  270  is provided with the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  210  and has a plug  272  at its end for connection to an appropriate wall outlet (not shown). The electric cord  270  supplies electric current to the vibration means  262  and the compressor means  248 , where the controller means  264  is electrically connected to the vibration means  262  and the compressor means  248  and controls all operation of the air foot massaging apparatus  210  by the switches  274 . The controller means  264  cycles the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of each boot shaped structure to create a massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the air foot massaging apparatus  210 . 
     There are provided a plurality of adjustable air bladders  288  which are similar to the adjustable air bladder  86  (shown in FIG.  3 ). These adjustable air bladders  288  are positioned between the interior surface of the shoe bodies  218  and the inserts for adjusting the inserts inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different sizes of feet within the boot shaped structures  212  and  214 . The adjustable air bladders  288  are connected to the compressor means  248  by conventional means. 
     Referring to FIGS. 11 through 13, there is shown at  310  an alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus adapted to support the user&#39;s feet and retain fluid therein. The fluid-tight housing  312  includes a base wall  322  and four walls  324  integrally connected with the base wall  322  and which extend upwardly therefrom to form a foot chamber  329  adapted to support the user&#39;s feet and retain fluid such as water therein. A lid  326  is hingably connected to an upper edge of a respective one of the four walls  324  for covering the foot chamber  329 . The lid  326  can be opened to allow the user&#39;s feet to be positioned within the housing  312  or closed such that the lid  326  is parallel to the base wall  222 . 
     The air foot massaging apparatus  310  includes a plurality of air massage inserts  336  that are airtight and fluid-tight to prevent leakage. Each air massage insert  336  includes a plurality of spaced apart hollow vertical adjustable air nodes or glands  342  (see FIG. 7) which are compressible and expandable, and a plurality of pneumatic fluid connecting tubes or fluid ducts (not shown but exactly the same as shown in FIG.  7 ). Because the plurality of air massage inserts  336  are preferably identical in construction (see FIGS.  5  and  6 ), and the process was disclosed in the preceding embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, the description thereof will not be repeated. 
     There is provided an eccentric vibration motor or means  362  which is conventional in the art, and the description thereof will only be described in general terms. The eccentric vibration means  362  is mounted by conventional means against the underside of a semi-rigid transmission plate  366  for generating vibrations to and through the transmission plate  366  which in turn creates resonance vibrations to the plurality of air nodes  342  to massage the user&#39;s feet. The vibration means  362  may include a sonic transducer, magnetic vibratory means or other vibratory means. The semi-rigid transmission plate  366  is mounted within the interior foot chamber  329  and above the base wall  322  and located adjacent to and parallel to the base wall  322 . 
     Each air massage insert  336  has a port which allows pneumatic fluid to enter or evacuate from the insert and connected to the compressor means  348  by a pneumatic supply line for supplying compressed air. The compressor means  348  may be connected to a conventional solenoid valve  376 , which operates in a known manner to control the flow of pneumatic fluid into or out of the plurality of air nodes  342  of each air massage insert  336 . In the preparation of the air massage bodies  336  for use, the valve is open, so that any pneumatic fluid under pressure is supplied to the air massage inserts  336 . The connecting tubes are then supplying the compressed air under pressure to all of the air nodes  342  within each air massage insert  336 , where the hollow air nodes  342  of each massage insert  336  are inflated to a desired stiffness. When the air massage inserts  336  have been filled with the desired amount of compressed air, the valve  376  is closed off by a suitable cap (not shown). 
     An elongated electric cord  370  is provided with the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  310  and has a plug  372  on its end for connection to an appropriate wall outlet (not shown). The electric cord  370  supplies electric current to the vibration means  362  and the compressor means  348 , where the controller means  364  is electrically connected to the vibration means  362  and the compressor means  348  and controls all operation of the air foot massaging apparatus  310  by the switches  374 . The controller means  364  cycles the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes  342  of each air massage insert  336  to create a massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the air foot massaging apparatus  310 . 
     There are provided a plurality of adjustable air bladders  388  which are similar to the adjustable air bladder  86  which is shown in FIG.  3 . These adjustable air bladders  388  are positioned between the interior surface of the lid  326  and the upper inserts for adjusting the inserts inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different sizes of feet within the fluid-tight housing  312 . The adjustable air bladders  388  are connected together by an elongated tube  389  which in may be connected to the compressor means  348  for supplying compressed air to the adjustable air bladders  388 . 
     Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown at  410  an alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus which is very similar to the embodiment just discussed above. All of the parts of this alternative embodiment of the air foot massaging apparatus  410  are numbered correspondingly with 400 added to each number. Since it assembles and functions the same as previously described above except that the floor of the fluid-tight housing  412  has a semi-flexible solid or hollow wave shaped support plate  466  supported by a plurality of spaced apart vertical supporting dividers  486  (only one is shown), the description thereof will not be repeated. 
     Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown at  510  a further alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus which is very similar to the embodiment discussed above. All of the parts of this alternative embodiment of the air foot massaging apparatus  510  are numbered correspondingly with 500 added to each number. Since it assembles and functions the same as previously described above except that the floor of the fluid-tight housing  412  has a semi-flexible solid or hollow wave shaped support plate  566  supported on a plate  565  by a plurality of spaced apart vertical supporting dividers  586  (only one is shown), the description thereof will not be repeated. 
     Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is shown a further alternative embodiment of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  610  for adapting to and massaging a user&#39;s feet and retaining fluid therein. The air foot massaging apparatus  610  includes a pair of right and left boot shaped structures  612  and  614  connected together by a flexible connecting member  616 , so that the air foot massaging apparatus  610  can be used as a stationary device to prevent injury. 
     Because the pair of boot shaped structures  612  and  614  are preferably mirror image of each other in construction, only the right boot shaped structure  612  will be described in detail below. The boot shaped structure  612  includes a shoe body  618  and a front sleeve portion  620  which is pivotably attached to the front end of the shoe body  618  for allowing a user&#39;s foot to be positioned within the boot shaped structure  612 . The front sleeve portion  620  is secured thereto by a fastener means  632 . The shoe body  818  and the front sleeve portion  20  form an enclosed interior foot chamber  629  with a front lower member that covers the toe area and the instep area of the user&#39;s foot and a rear upper member that covers the heel area and ankle area of the user&#39;s foot. 
     The air foot massaging apparatus  610  further includes right and left air massage inserts which are exactly the same as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the description thereof will not be repeated. The inserts respectively match the interior of the right and left boot shaped structures  612  and  614 . These air massage inserts are airtight and fluid-tight to prevent air or fluid leakage. 
     Each boot shaped structure has a bottom heel portion  667  which stores an eccentric vibration motor or means  62  which is conventional in the art, and the description thereof will only be described in general terms. The eccentric vibration means  662  is mounted by conventional means against the underside of a plate  665 . A semi-flexible solid or hollow wave shaped support plate  666  is positioned on top of the plate  665 . The vibration means  662  generates vibrations to and through the plate  665  which in turn creates resonance vibrations to the wave-shaped support plate  666  to massage the user&#39;s feet. The vibration means  662  may include a sonic transducer, magnetic vibratory means or other vibratory means. 
     The ports of each of the air massage inserts are connected to each of the compressor means via elongated pneumatic supply tubes which are conventional in the art. In this case, a manifold (not shown) may be utilized and is connected between the ports of the air massage inserts. The ports of each of the air massage inserts may be connected to a conventional solenoid valve, which operates in a known manner to control the flow of pneumatic fluid into or out of the plurality of air nodes of each air massage insert. 
     An elongated electric cord  670  is provided with the present invention air foot massaging apparatus  610  and has a plug  672  at its end for connection to an appropriate wall outlet (not shown). The electric cord  670  supplies electric current to the vibration means  662  and the compressor means, where the controller means is electrically connected to the vibration means  662  and the compressor means and controls all operation of the air foot massaging apparatus  610  by the switches. The controller means cycles the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of each boot shaped structure to create a massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the air foot massaging apparatus  610 . 
     There are provided a plurality of adjustable air bladders  688  which are similar to the adjustable air bladder  86  shown in FIG.  3 . These adjustable air bladders  688  are positioned between the interior surface of the shoe bodies  618  and the inserts for adjusting the inserts inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different sizes of feet within the boot shaped structures  612  and  614 . The adjustable air bladders  688  are connected to the compressor means by conventional means. 
     Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown a further arrangement of the present invention air foot massaging apparatus shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, and is very similar to the preceding embodiment just discussed. All of the parts of this embodiment of the air foot massaging apparatus are numbered correspondingly with 700 added to each number. Since it assembles and functions the same as previously described above except that there is an adjustable air bladder  786  (shown in FIG. 3) which is located between a semi-flexible solid or hollow wave shaped support plate  766  and a plate  765 , the description thereof will not be repeated. 
     The present invention conforms to conventional forms of manufacture or any other conventional way known to one skilled in the art, and is of simple construction and is easy to use. The manufacturing process which could accommodate the construction of the air foot massaging apparatus may be injection, thermoform, etc. or other molding process. By way of example, the boot shaped structures and the fluid-tight housing can be made of plastic material. By way of example, the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes can be made of urethane material, vinyl material or any other suitable material known in the art. 
     Defined in detail, the present invention is a portable air foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s feet, comprising: (a) a pair of spaced apart boot shaped structures connected to each other by a flexible connecting member, each structure having a sole portion, a generally shaped shoe body integrally formed with the sole portion and extending upwardly therefrom, and a sleeve portion pivotably attached to a front end of the shoe body for allowing the user&#39;s foot to enter or exit the shoe body; (b) a semi-rigid support plate respectively mounted within the each boot shaped structure and spaced above and parallel to the sole portion of the each boot shaped structure and supported by a support means; (c) an insert having a plurality of spaced apart compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior surface and protruding inwardly therefrom, the insert respectively positioned within the shoe body of the each boot shaped structure such that the plurality of spaced apart compressible and expandable air nodes engage with the user&#39;s foot; (d) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (e) compressor means respectively mounted within the each boot shaped structure for supplying compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the insert of the each boot shaped structure; (f) valve means connected to the compressor means to control the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the insert of the each boot shaped structure to a desired stiffness; (g) a controller having means for cycling the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the insert of the each boot shaped structure to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the pair of boot shaped structures; and (h) eccentric vibration means respectively mounted to the underside of the semi-rigid support plate of the each boot shaped structure for generating vibrations to and through the semi-rigid support plate which in turn creates resonance vibrations to massage the user&#39;s feet; (i) whereby when the user&#39;s feet are respectively positioned within the pair of boot shaped structures and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s feet, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     Defined broadly, the present invention is a foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s feet, comprising: (a) at least two boot shaped structures connected to each other by a connecting member, each structure having a sole portion, a shoe body formed with the sole portion and extending upwardly therefrom, a sleeve portion pivotably attached to the shoe body for allowing the user&#39;s foot to enter or exit the shoe body; (b) a plate respectively mounted within the each boot shaped structure and supported by a support means; (c) a plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior of the shoe body of the each boot shaped structure; (d) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (e) at least one compressor means for supplying compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the each boot shaped structure; (f) means for connecting the at least one compressor means to control the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the each boot shaped structure to a desired stiffness; (g) means for cycling the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the each boot shaped structure to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the at least two boot shaped structures; and (h) means for generating vibrations to and through the plate of the each boot shaped structure which in turn creates resonance vibrations to massage the user&#39;s feet; (i) whereby when the user&#39;s feet are respectively positioned within the at least two boot shaped structures and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s feet, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     Defined more broadly, the present invention is a foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s feet, comprising: (a) at least two structures connected to each other by a connecting member, each structure having a bottom portion and a body attached to the bottom portion, and means for allowing the user&#39;s foot to enter or exit the body; (b) a plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior of the body of the each structure; (c) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (d) at least one compressor means for supplying fluid such as compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the each structure; (e) control means for connecting to the at least one compressor means to supply the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the each structure to a desired stiffness; and (f) means for cycling the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes of the each structure to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the at least two structures; (g) whereby when the user&#39;s feet are respectively positioned within the at least two structures and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s feet, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     Defined even more broadly, the present invention is a foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s foot, comprising: (a) at least one structure having a bottom portion and a body attached to the bottom portion, and means for allowing the user&#39;s foot to enter or exit the body; (b) a plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior of the body; (c) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (d) at least one compressor means for supplying fluid such as compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes; (e) control means for connecting to the at least one compressor means to supply the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to a desired stiffness; and (f) means for cycling the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s foot within the at least one structure; (g) whereby when the user&#39;s foot is positioned within the at least one boot shaped structure and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s foot, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s foot which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     Defined alternatively defined in detail, the present invention is a portable air foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s feet, comprising: (a) a fluid-tight housing having a base wall and four walls integrally connected with the base wall and extending upwardly therefrom to form a foot chamber adapted to support the user&#39;s feet and containing fluid therein; (b) a lid hingably connected to an upper edge of a respective one of the four walls for covering the foot chamber; (c) a semi-rigid plate mounted within the fluid-tight housing and spaced above and parallel to the base wall and supported by a support means; (d) a plurality of spaced apart compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior of the four walls and the lid and protruding inwardly therefrom; (e) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (f) compressor means mounted within the fluid-tight housing for supplying fluid such as compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes; (g) valve means connected to the compressor means to control the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to a desired stiffness; (h) a controller having means for cycling the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the fluid-tight housing; and (i) eccentric vibration means mounted to the underside of the semi-rigid plate for generating vibrations to and through the semi-rigid plate which in turn creates resonance vibrations to massage the user&#39;s feet; (j) whereby when the user&#39;s feet are respectively positioned within the fluid-tight housing and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s feet, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively sooth and relax the user. 
     Defined alternatively defined broadly, the present invention is a foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s feet, comprising: (a) a fluid-tight housing having a base and at least three walls connected with the base and extending upwardly therefrom to form a foot chamber adapted to support the user&#39;s feet and containing fluid therein; (b) a lid hingably connected to an upper edge of a respective one of the at least three walls for covering the foot chamber; (c) plate means mounted within the fluid-tight housing and spaced above the base; (d) a plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior of the at least three walls and the lid and protruding inwardly therefrom; (e) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (f) at least one compressor means for supplying fluid such as compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes; (g) means for connecting the at least one compressor means to control the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to a desired stiffness; (h) means for cycling the inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the fluid-tight housing; and (i) means for generating vibrations to and through the plate means which in turn creates resonance vibrations to massage the user&#39;s feet; (j) whereby when the user&#39;s feet are respectively positioned within the fluid-tight housing and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s feet, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     Defined alternatively more broadly, the present invention is a foot massaging apparatus for massaging a user&#39;s feet, comprising: a fluid-tight housing adapted to support the user&#39;s feet and fluid therein; (a) a plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes affixed to the interior of the fluid-tight housing and protruding inwardly therefrom; (b) means to interconnect the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes for transferring fluid in between; (c) at least one compressor means for supplying fluid such as compressed air to the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes; (d) control means for connecting to the at least one compressor means to control the compressed air to inflate the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to a desired stiffness; and (e) means for cycling inflation and deflation rates at different intervals of the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes to create at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet within the fluid-tight housing; (f) whereby when the user&#39;s feet are respectively positioned within the fluid-tight housing and the plurality of compressible and expandable air nodes are engaged with the user&#39;s feet, and thereby massage and generate the at least one massaging pattern to massage the user&#39;s feet which effectively soothes and relaxes the user. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. 
     The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.