Abstract:
A face cradle insert device for providing extra support to the neck and head area of a person during a massage. The face cradle insert device includes a pad and a receiver opening, wherein the pad is removably attached to a face cradle of a massage table. The receiver opening extends through the pad and includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. The first portion and the second portion are comprised of a configuration to comfortably fit the face of a user.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable to this application. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable to this application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to massage tables and more specifically it relates to a face cradle insert device for providing extra support to the head and neck area of a person during a massage. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
         [0007]    Massage tables have been in use for years. Typically, massage tables are used in commercial massaging environments. A patient generally lies down on their stomach or back on the massage table. The massage tables are generally comprised of a foam or other cushiony material and usually include a face cradle. The face cradle generally extends from one end of the massage table and is comprised of a horseshoe structure. The face cradle allows the patient to stretch out on the massage table in a flat position. 
         [0008]    Face cradles are generally manufactured to a single size. When a patient puts their face in the face cradle, the face cradle may prove to be uncomfortable for certain patients. The face cradle may be too small or just overall uncomfortable for individuals, wherein such individuals include but are not limited to smaller framed individuals and children. 
         [0009]    In the past, people giving massages have generally placed a towel or other sheet material within the horseshoe of the face cradle to accommodate smaller framed patients. Placing a towel or other sheet over the face cradle can be uncomfortable for the patients and also does not generally provide an efficient place for the patient to put their head. 
         [0010]    While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for providing extra support to the neck and head area of a person during a massage. Standard face cradles generally come in a single size and are not adjustable. Massages can be uncomfortable for smaller framed individuals when the face cradle is too large. 
         [0011]    In these respects, the face cradle insert device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing extra support to the neck and head area of a person during a massage. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of massage tables now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new face cradle insert device construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing extra support to the neck and head area of a person during a massage. 
         [0013]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new face cradle insert device that has many of the advantages of the massage tables mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new face cradle insert device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art massage tables, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0014]    To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a pad and a receiver opening, wherein the pad is removably attached to a face cradle of a massage table. The receiver opening extends through the pad and includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. The first portion and the second portion are comprised of a configuration to comfortably fit the face of a user. 
         [0015]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0016]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0017]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a face cradle insert device that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
         [0018]    A second object is to provide a face cradle insert device for providing extra support to the neck and head area of a person during a massage. 
         [0019]    Another object is to provide a face cradle insert device that is contoured to fit a massage table face cradle. 
         [0020]    An additional object is to provide a face cradle insert device that may be adaptable to different color choices and personalized covers. 
         [0021]    A further object is to provide a face cradle insert device that increases the comfort for smaller framed patients/children during a massage. 
         [0022]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0023]    To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of the present invention exploded from a massage table. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of the present invention in use. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the present invention showing the preferred alignment of a face positioned within the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
       [0032]    Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 7  illustrate a face cradle insert device  10 , which comprises a pad  20  and a receiver opening  30 , wherein the pad  20  is removably attached to a face cradle  14  of a massage table  12 . The receiver opening  30  extends through the pad  20  and includes a first portion  32  and a second portion  34  extending from the first portion  32 . The first portion  32  and the second portion  34  are comprised of a configuration to comfortably fit the face of a user. 
         [0033]    The face cradle  14  preferably extends out from an end of the massage table  12 . The face cradle  14  is preferably comprised of a horseshoe configuration; however other structures and configurations of face cradles  14  may be utilized during the use of the face cradle insert device  10 . The face cradle  14  and the massage table  12  are also both preferably comprised of a standard face cradle  14  and massage table  12 . 
         [0034]    It is also appreciated that the face cradle insert device  10  may be utilized without the use of the face cradle  14 . Also, the face cradle insert device  10  is preferably a separate device than the face cradle  14 ; however the face cradle insert device  10  may be integrally formed with the face cradle  14 . 
       B. Pad 
       [0035]    The pad  20  preferably fits within the face cradle  14  of the massage table  12  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The pad  20  is preferably comprised of an oval shape to fit securely in the face cradle  12 ; however other shapes may be utilized in the construction of the pad  20 . The pad  20  is also preferably comprised of a foam material. It is appreciated that the pad  20  may be comprised of a variety of materials other than the foam material. It is further appreciated that the face cradle insert device  10  may include a plurality of pads  20  stacked upon one another, rather than a single pad  20 . 
         [0036]    The pad  20  is preferably tapered vertically so as to be wedged into an opening of the face cradle  14  of the massage table  12 . The pad  20  is preferably tapered in a manner that a perimeter of an upper side  24  of the pad  20  is greater than a perimeter of a lower side  26  of the pad  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The perimeter of the upper side  24  of the pad  20  is also preferably greater than the perimeter of the opening of the face cradle  14  and the perimeter of the lower side  26  is preferably of a lesser distance than the perimeter of the opening of the face cradle  14  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0037]    The pad  20  also preferably includes a cover  22 . The cover  22  preferably completely surrounds the pad  20  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The cover  22  also preferably surrounds the walls of the receiver opening  30 . The cover  22  is also preferably comprised of a vinyl material; however other material may be utilized in the construction of the cover  22 , such as but not limited to fleece and terry cloth. The cover  22  also may also be personalized to include various indicia and colors. 
       C. Receiver Opening 
       [0038]    The receiver opening  30  is comprised of a configuration to promote easy breathing by the user while the user&#39;s face is against the upper side  24  or lower side  26  of the pad  20 . The receiver opening  30  extends vertically through the pad  20 . The receiver opening  30  preferably includes a first portion  32  and a second portion  34 . 
         [0039]    The second portion  34  of the receiver opening  30  preferably horizontally extends from the first portion  32  of the receiver opening  30  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1  through  7 . A centroid of the first portion  32  and a centroid of the second portion  34  also preferably align with a longitudinal center axis of the pad  20 . 
         [0040]    The first portion  32  of the receiver opening  30  is preferably substantially comprised of a triangular configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The first portion  32  also preferably includes a plurality of corners. The latitudinal outer corners of the first portion  32  are preferably of a width great enough to receive the user&#39;s eyes so the user may see through the receiver opening  30  while the face cradle insert device  10  is in use as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The corners of the first portion  32  are also preferably rounded so as to better conform to the contours of the user&#39;s face. It is appreciated that the first portion  32  may be comprised of other configurations, such as but not limited to a square, a rectangle or a circle. 
         [0041]    The second portion  34  of the receiver opening  30  is preferably substantially comprised of a rectangular configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The second portion  34  preferably extends substantially away from the first portion  32  to receive the user&#39;s chin as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . It is appreciated that the second portion  34  may be comprised of other configurations, such as but not limited to a square, a triangle or a circle. 
       D. In Use 
       [0042]    In use, the face cradle insert device  10  is placed within the opening of the face cradle  14  of the massage table  12  so the lower side  26  of the face cradle insert device  10  is facing the floor. A downward force is applied to the pad  20  of the face cradle insert device  10  until the pad  20  is secure within the face cradle  14  of the massage table  12 . 
         [0043]    The user or patient then lies face down on the massage table  12  while placing their face over the receiver opening  30  of the pad  20 . The user aligns with the receiver opening  30  so that the user&#39;s eyes are within the outer edges of the first portion  32  of the receiver opening  30  and the user&#39;s chin is positioned near a lower end of the second portion  34  of the receiver opening  30 . 
         [0044]    What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.