Abstract:
There is disclosed a treatment table that has a footbath in the leg section. The treatment table can be positioned in many different configurations.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 US 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/303,606, filed Jul. 06, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to tables used in treatment of patients and in particular to a massage table with a footbath in the center of the leg panel.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Massage tables with motorized lift sections are well known in art. (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,861) These tables allow for a patient to be positioned in a flat position or the sections of the table can be individually raised or lowered to put the patient in a vast variety of positions.  
           [0004]    There is also disclosed in the art numerous chairs for a patient to sit and place the feet in a bath. U.S. Des. 429,380 and U.S. des 429,370 both disclose a pedicure chair design for this purpose. U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,457 discloses a bench unit with a variety of compartments of such a height to enable a seated patient to rest the feet in the open compartments. The compartments are fitted with removable feet bath tubs.  
           [0005]    A major disadvantage of the prior massage tables is that they do not include a foot section with a foot bath tub to receive a patient&#39;s feet for treatment.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The instant invention provides a massage table that has a tub capable of receiving one or both of the patient&#39;s feet within the leg section of the table.  
           [0007]    In another form, the massage table is motorized to lift mechanically the different sections of the table independent from the other sections. In the leg section there is a footbath for receiving the patient&#39;s feet. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a front elevated view of one of the embodiment of the multipurpose massage table.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a rear elevated view of one of the embodiments of the multipurpose massage table with water in the footbath tub.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a cutaway view illustrating one embodiment of the footbath with a drain assembly to allow for discharge of the used water.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 are an embodiment of the massage table  10 , which includes a base frame assembly  12 . In one embodiment Base assembly  12 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is comprised of a foot  9 , an upright support  11  and a base assembly top  13 . However other type of base assemblies can be used such as without the base top  13 . In another embodiment the base frame  12  can be standard legs or any other design that will support the table top  19 .  
         [0012]    Supported above the base frame assembly  12  is a table top  19  which comprises an optional head support section  14 , an abdominal or upper support section  16  which can also be shaped to function as the head support, optional pivot support section  17 , a pelvic or center support section  18  and a foot support section  20 . At the end of the foot support section  20  is an optional footrest  22 .  
         [0013]    Attached to abdominal support section  16  is optional arm support  24 . The arm support  24  can pivot below table  16  when not needed.  
         [0014]    Within foot support section or caudal section  20  is bath tub  30 . Bath tub  30  can be removable thereby allowing the used water to be dumped out. In FIG. 3 bath tub  30  is shown being permanently attached with a drain hose allowing for discharge of used water. When fresh water is added, a plug, valve or the like, is used to prevent discharge until desired.  
         [0015]    A cushion or cover plug can be installed which is sized to fit the size of the opening of the footbath or tub  30 . The cushion insert is normally made of the same material as the top section of the table  10 .  
         [0016]    In one of the embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 The top sections of the table  10  are lifted and lowered independently using rods  40  attached to normal lift mechanisms. However a variety of “lift mechanisms” are known in the art such as electric motors, non-electric hydraulic lifts, gas spring assisted lifts and pneumatic lifts or a manual system like a ratchet or strut support system. Foot pedals are normally installed on the table  10  to allow for hands free lifting of the table and/or table top sections  16 ,  18 , and  20  together or independently.  
         [0017]    In another embodiments the lift mechanisms  40  are not used. The tabletop  19  is attached directly to the base assembly  12 . This is a preferably means when the table  10  is intended to be portable.  
         [0018]    Tabletop sections  16 ,  18  and  20  can be adjusted to create a single plane for the patient to recline thereby allowing the table  10  to be used as a normal massage table. When used in this mode a foot bath plug or cover (not shown) can be installed.  
         [0019]    When the patient&#39;s feet are to be worked on the footbath plug is removed to allow one or both feet to be put in the tub  30 . Depending on the type of treatment, the tub can be filled with water or the like. In some cases, the tub will be empty and used to collect discharge from the foot tub  30 . The top sections  16 ,  18  and  20  can be mechanically adjusted to be positioned as desired by the caregiver.  
         [0020]    It is envisioned that the table  10  could be used to provide pedicure and reflexology with the use of the foot tub  30 . It could also be used to perform operations on the patient&#39;s foot. The tub could serve as collection respectable during theses procedures.  
         [0021]    In other possible embodiments the footbath  30  could include a means to heat the footbath tub  30 , means to fill the tub  30  with water or airjets to create a whirlpool action.  
         [0022]    The multipurpose table  10  creates a massage table and pedicure “chair” in one device. This eliminates the need for multiple types of tables/chairs. It will allow the patient to receive facials and pedicure in one comfortable setting.  
         [0023]    The table  10  also allows the foot therapist to sit in a chair while giving therapy to the patient&#39;s feet. It also allows for a convenient means to clean a patient&#39;s feet before therapy.  
         [0024]    Since obvious changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described herein, each modification being the spirit and scope of the invention claimed it is indicated that all matter contained herein is intended as illustrative and not limiting in scope.