Patent Publication Number: US-7722553-B2

Title: Massage apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/085,408 filed Mar. 21, 2005 and issued on Jan. 29, 2008 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,946 B2, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/554,613 filed Mar. 19, 2004, which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a massage apparatus for massaging the feet and other parts of the body. 
     2. Background Art 
     Most people experience foot problems at some time in their lives. This is not surprising, considering that many people are employed in jobs that require them to be on their feet all day. In fact, even an average day of walking can exert force equal to several hundred tons of pressure on the feet. 
     Power operated foot massagers are often used to treat muscle tension and fatigue, where massage increasing circulation as well as relaxing and massaging the muscles. Conventionally, foot massaging devices for home use have included kneading ball-type massagers, roller type massagers, and vibrating massagers. However, a need exists for a foot massager which offers finer control of massage features, as well as provides the ability to provide heat and massage simultaneously to the feet specifically at those areas targeted by a user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a massage apparatus is provided which includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and at least one massage center provided on the housing. The massage center includes an outer massage member and an inner massage member, where the outer massage member at least partially circumferentially surrounds the inner massage member. The outer and inner massage members are operably connected to the motor for providing rotation of the massage members. 
     The outer massage member and the inner massage member can have a concentric configuration, where the inner massage member can be generally circular and the outer massage member can be generally annular. Each of the massage members can include a base and a cover, and massage balls can be housed between each massage member base and corresponding massage member cover, and protrude at least partially through apertures provided in each cover. According to one aspect of the present invention, the cover of one of the inner massage member and the outer massage member, or both, can be generally translucent. 
     The inner and outer massage members can rotate in different directions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the motor imparts rotary motion to the inner and outer massage members via a gear train, the gear train having at least one gear shaft extending through an aperture in the housing and arranged to receive the inner massage member. A first gear can be provided on the inner massage member which cooperates with a second gear provided on the outer massage member, such that rotation of the gear shaft causes rotation of the inner massage member in a first direction which in turn drives the outer massage member in a second direction opposite the first direction. According to one aspect of the present invention, the first and second gears cooperate via counterclockwise gears disposed therebetween and mounted to the housing. 
     A heating assembly can be disposed within the massage center for providing heat to the user&#39;s foot when the foot is placed on the massage center. According to one aspect of the present invention, the heating assembly can include a printed circuit board mounted within the outer massage member, the printed circuit board having infrared lamps provided thereon. 
     An upper surface of the housing can include a plurality of raised ribs, and the housing can also include a switch for providing power to the motor. The switch could be a multifunction switch that provides a different mode of operation of the massage center with every press. Still further, an indicator light can be provided to indicate a mode of operation of the massage apparatus. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, the housing can include a bath chamber having a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, where the massage center is disposed on the bath chamber bottom surface. According to another aspect of the present invention, a cover constructed of a cushioning material can be provided which is arranged to cover the housing. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, a massage apparatus is provided which includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and two spaced massage centers provided on the housing. Each massage center includes a generally circular inner massage member and a generally annular outer massage member disposed in a concentric configuration, where the outer and inner massage members are operably connected to the motor for providing rotation of the inner massage member in a first direction and rotation of the outer massage member in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     Still further, according to another aspect of the present invention, a foot massager is provided which includes a housing, a motor disposed within the housing, and at least one massage center provided on the housing and including an outer massage member and an inner massage member. The outer massage member at least partially circumferentially surrounds the inner massage member, where the outer and inner massage members are operably connected to the motor for providing rotation of the massage members. A heating assembly is disposed within the massage center for providing heat to a user&#39;s foot when the foot is placed on the massage center. 
     The above features and advantages, along with other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a massage apparatus according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the massage apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary view of the motor shaft and gear assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the motor and gear box mounted to the top housing, wherein the bottom housing is removed and a partial view of one recess is shown; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, exploded view of the outer gear and gear box assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, exploded view of the assembly of the counterclockwise rotation gear to the top housing; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the outer massage member base; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an alternative foot bath embodiment according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative cushion embodiment according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-2 , a massage apparatus constructed according to the present invention is depicted and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . Massage apparatus  10  can be used to provide massage and heat to body parts, such as the feet. Massage apparatus  10  is preferably constructed from a plastic material so as to be lightweight, portable, durable, and capable of supporting a user&#39;s feet thereon. Massage apparatus  10  advantageously provides deep kneading action to a user&#39;s feet via counter-rotating massage members as described below. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , massage apparatus  10  includes a housing configured to be placed on a generally planar support surface, such as a floor or the like, and which is preferably constructed from two pieces, a top housing  12  and a bottom housing  14 . Top housing  12  includes an upper surface  16  which can be generally parallel to the support surface on which massage apparatus  10  is placed, or alternatively, can be slanted downward toward the user. As shown, upper surface  16  preferably includes a plurality of raised ribs  18  which can massage a user&#39;s feet upon contact. Of course, other shapes, sizes, and configurations of ribs  18  are fully contemplated according to the present invention. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , bottom housing  14  is preferably provided with feet  20  attached thereto, wherein feet  20  are preferably constructed from a material such as rubber to prevent movement of massage apparatus  10  along the support surface. Massage apparatus  10  is of a length and width to accommodate the feet of an adult user and allow for targeted therapy as described below. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , upper surface  16  includes one or more massage centers  22  which allow for massage and heat to be targeted to specific locations of the foot such as the ball, heel, or arch. According to one aspect of the present invention, two spaced massage centers  22  are provided, one for each foot. Massage centers  22  each include at least two rotatable massage members  24 ,  26 , wherein rotation of the massage members  24 ,  26  is motorized as described below. Advantageously, massage centers  22  are configured such that an outer massage member  26  at least partially circumferentially surrounds an inner massage member  24 . Preferably, outer massage member  26  and inner massage member  24  are concentric, but could alternatively have an eccentric configuration. The arrangement of massage members  24 ,  26  according to the present invention allows massage members to be rotating in different directions as further described below to provide a more unique massage experience. While two spaced massage centers  22  are shown and described herein, it is understood that any number and placement of massage centers  22  on upper surface  16  is contemplated in accordance with the present invention. 
     Massage members  24 ,  26  depicted herein each include massage balls  27  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) which provide pressure points to gently massage a user&#39;s foot when contacted. Rotation of massage members  24 ,  26  in contact with a user&#39;s foot helps relieve tightness and tiredness along the feet, as well as for reflexology purposes. The applied pressure of the foot on massage members  24 ,  26  can be adjusted by the user for optimum comfort. It is understood that the particular massage members  24 ,  26  shown and described herein are merely exemplary, and that any other suitable massage members can be used in accordance with the present invention. 
     Massage apparatus  10  receives power through an electrical cord  28  ( FIG. 2 ), which is configured to plug into a standard electrical outlet. Alternatively, massage apparatus  10  could be battery-operated. Because massage apparatus  10  may include devices and electrical circuits that require a voltage other than that provided by a standard electrical outlet, a transformer (not shown) can be provided. Referring again to  FIGS. 1-2 , a switch  30  is accessible via upper surface  16  of top housing  12 , where switch  30  can be depressed by a user to selectively provide power to a motor  36  for the rotation of massage members  24 ,  26 , and additionally for providing power to a heating assembly  83  to provide heat to a user&#39;s feet as described below. Switch includes a flexible, preferably rubber, cover  32  ( FIG. 2 ) which is flexible enough to allow for depression using a user&#39;s foot or toe. As shown, switch  30  is preferably ergonomically located in a central region of upper surface  16  close to the user. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, switch  30  is a multi-position push switch which is in communication with motor  36  and heating assembly  83 . For example, switch  30  can be depressed once to cause rotation of massage members  24 ,  26 , depressed a second time to activate heating assembly  83  in addition to massage members  24 ,  26 , and depressed a third time to turn off massage apparatus  10 . Correspondingly, an indicator light  34 , such as an LED, can also be provided on upper surface  16  in communication with switch  30  to inform the user as to the mode in which massage apparatus  10  is currently operating. Specifically, indicator light  34  is preferably illuminated in a first color, such as blue, when switch  30  is depressed once and massage members  24 ,  26  are activated, and then illuminated in a second color, such as red, when switch  30  is depressed a second time and heating assembly  83  is additionally activated. 
     In addition to the modes described above, switch  30  could have even more positions to allow for multiple modes of activation of massage apparatus  10 , such as different rotation speeds or directions of massage members  24 ,  26  with every press. In an alternative embodiment, separate push-push (push ON, push OFF) switches could be provided for separately activating the massage and heat functions of massage apparatus  10 . Additionally, it is contemplated that switch  30  could be replaced by a rotatable selector knob. 
     Although the activation of motor  36  is preferably provided upon depression of a push-type switch  30  as described above, the motorized rotation of massage members  24 ,  26  could alternatively be activated by pressure of a user&#39;s foot applied thereon, which then would establish electrical contact to supply power to motor  36 . In this case, the operation of motor  36  would not governed by switch  30 , but rather power would be supplied to motor  36  as long as massage apparatus  10  was plugged in. 
     For the operation of massage centers  22 , a motor  36  is mounted on an underside of top housing  12  as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . Motor  36  imparts rotary motion via a multi-stage gear train to massage members  24 ,  26 . Specifically, motor  36  includes a threaded output shaft  38  that is rotatably driven by motor  36  and engages inner gears  40  on either side thereof Inner gears  40 , in turn, engage intermediate gears  42 , which in turn engage outer gears  44 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the gear train is disposed within a gear box which is typically of two-piece construction and includes an upper gear box  46  and a lower gear box  48 . Each outer gear  44  includes a gear shaft  50  protruding upwardly therefrom as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , where gear shafts  50  extend through upper gear box  48 . Top housing  12  includes recesses  52  provided therein which include apertures  54  sized to allow gear shafts  50  to extend therethrough. Although a specific gear train configuration is shown and described herein, it is understood that other gear assemblies could be used to affect rotation of the massage members  24 ,  26  in accordance with the present invention. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , gear shafts  50  extend through various components of heating assembly  83  and outer massage member  26  as described below to receive inner massage member  24  thereon. Specifically, inner massage member  24  includes a base  56  having a downwardly extending shaft  58 , where shaft  58  includes a gear  60  provided thereon. A cover  62  is fitted over base  56  to form the assembled inner massage member  24 , where massage balls  27  are received in apertures  64  provided in cover  62  to as to extend above cover  62  but still be movable with respect thereto for massaging a user&#39;s feet upon contact. 
     With reference to FIGS.  2  and  6 - 7 , two counterclockwise gears  66  and corresponding gear shafts  68  are mounted within recesses  52  and are constrained from axial movement by retaining clips  70 . Outer massage member  26  includes a substrate, such a base  72  having an aperture  74  through which gear shaft  50  extends. As best shown in  FIG. 7 , base  72  includes a ring gear  76  provided in a hub  78  thereof. Counterclockwise gears  66  engage ring gear  76  as well as gear  60  provided on shaft  58  of inner massage member base  56 . As such, rotation of gear shaft  50  causes rotation of inner massage member  24  in one direction, where gear  60  cooperates with counterclockwise gears  66  to drive outer massage member base  72  in the opposite direction about an axis. As with inner massage member  24 , an annular cover  80  is fitted over base  72  to form the assembled outer massage member  26 , where massage balls  27  are received in apertures  82  provided in cover  80 . Cover  80  is preferably translucent so as to allow for the function of heating assembly  83  as described below. 
     For inner and outer massage members  24 ,  26 , any number of massage balls  27  could be utilized. Massage nodes could alternatively be integrally formed in covers  62 ,  80 , and the respective covers  62 ,  80  and bases  56 ,  72  could instead be of one piece construction. Preferably, inner massage member  24  is affixed to gear shaft  50 , thereby preventing the removal of outer massage member  26  as well, such that massage members  24 ,  26  will continue to rotate even when in contact with a user&#39;s foot. Of course, it is fully contemplated that inner and outer massage members  24 ,  26  could instead be removable and interchangeable by a user as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,000 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     As shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 2 , massage apparatus  10  includes a heating assembly  83  within massage centers  22  for providing heat to the foot surface when the foot is placed on massage centers  22 . According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, heating assembly  83  uses infrared rays. Infrared rays allow heat to penetrate deep underneath the surface of the skin, causing the pores of the skin to be opened and promoting metabolism and excretion of the body through increased blood circulation. Heating assembly  83  includes a conductive contact, such as an annular conducting plate  84  disposed in each recess  52  and in electrical communication with switch  30 . An annular printed circuit board  86  is mounted between outer massage member base  72  and cover  80 , where printed circuit board  86  includes infrared lamps  88  provided thereon. Printed circuit boards  86  are in electrical communication with each conducting plate  84  via a conductor  90 , such as a brush, so that electrical communication is maintained while printed circuit board  86  rotates with outer massage member base  72 . Upon activation of the massage and heating mode via depression of switch  30 , power is supplied to printed circuit board  86  and infrared lamps  88 , providing infrared heat to a user&#39;s foot via outer massage member  26 . Of course, it is understood that inner massage member  24  could include infrared lamps  88  in addition to or as an alternative to outer massage member  26 . 
     While the components of massage members  24 ,  26  and heating assembly  83  have been separately described above, reference should be made to the exploded view of  FIG. 2  for the order of assembly of the components on gear shafts  50  and within recesses  52 . It is also understood that various changes to the specific configuration of heating assembly and massage member components can be made while still maintaining their function as described herein. 
     Although massage apparatus  10  is illustrated and described herein as being particularly adaptable for use as a foot massager, it is understood that massage apparatus  10  of the present invention may have other embodiments as described below, wherein the components and operation are similar to that previously described except as noted. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , a foot bath embodiment is depicted, wherein foot bath  100  includes a bath chamber  102  for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving a user&#39;s feet therein. Bath chamber  102  includes a bottom surface  104  and a wall structure  106  extending upwardly therefrom. Bottom surface  104  includes two spaced massage centers  22  as described above. Advantageously, placement of a user&#39;s feet on massage centers  22  allows for both feet to receive targeted therapy simultaneously while the feet are still submersed in the water filling bath chamber  102 . Although not shown, gear shafts  50  extend through apertures provided in bottom surface to mate with massage members  24 ,  26 , and seals (not shown) sized to be received on gear shafts  50  are provided to protect against leakage of fluid beneath bath chamber bottom surface  104 . At least one switch  30  is provided on wall structure  106  to operate massage centers  22  in the manner described above. While two spaced massage centers  22  are depicted, it is understood that any number and placement of massage centers  22  within bottom surface  104  is contemplated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an alternative massage cushion embodiment is illustrated. Massage cushion  200  is sized to be affixable to a chair or the like, and includes a cover  202  made from a cushioning material which covers an internal housing (not shown) to provide comfortable support to a user. Massage centers  22  can protrude from cover  202  as shown at a location optimized for providing the massage effect to a portion of the back of a user when sitting in the chair. Alternatively, massage centers  22  could be located underneath cover  202  and their massaging effect felt through cover  202 . Massage cushion  200  can further include a strap or plurality of straps (not shown) for securing massage cushion  200  to an upright back support of the chair. Switches (not shown) for operating the massage and heat functions can be mounted to one of the sides massage cushion  200  or can be included in a hand-held remote (not shown) in communication with massage cushion  200  for ease in operation while sitting in the chair. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.