Patent Publication Number: US-2020276076-A1

Title: Apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage in a reclined position

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/811,928, filed Feb. 28, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus for applying a massaging effect to the body of a user and, more particularly, to dry hydro-therapy body massage apparatus utilizing a fluid spray assembly for massage effect. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Massage is a time-honored and effective therapy for muscular injuries, strains and general soreness. However, although massage is recommended by many physicians for such purposes, this therapy has limited availability due to a scarcity of trained, qualified masseurs. As a result, many devices and apparatus have been proposed in the past for producing a massage-like manipulation of a user&#39;s body by various means, ranging from mechanically or electrically-generated vibrations or pulsations, usually accompanied by heating, to pulsations of pressurized water, applied either in a wet environment, such as partially submerging the user&#39;s body in a bath device, or in a dry environment in which a fluid spray assembly is housed in a fluid-tight bed or chair-type structure for applying a massaging effect to the user&#39;s body without requiring the user to disrobe. 
     Representative examples of the latter form of apparatus, often commonly referred to as dry hydro-therapy massage, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,635,620; 4,751,919; 4,757, 808; 4,908,016; 4,976,256; 5,074,286; 5,713,834; and 6,036,663. Such apparatus have met with moderate success, and efforts continue within the relevant industry to expand their acceptance, availability and usefulness. 
     The majority of such known hydro-therapy massage apparatus are in the form of a bed-type structure having an essentially horizontal user support surface on which the user may lay in a recumbent position. Advantageously, the horizontally recumbent position of the user&#39;s body in such bed-type structures enables the massaging fluid spray to be applied via a manifold device arranged for lengthwise travel within the interior of the apparatus in an essentially linear path of travel alongside the body of a user, allowing either a portion or the entire length of the user&#39;s body to be treated by the hydro-therapy massage. 
     On the other hand, one of the perceived disadvantages of a bed-type dry hydro-therapy apparatus is that the supine disposition of the user is not conducive to enabling the user to engage in other activities during the operation of the apparatus, e.g., reading, watching television, operation of a laptop computer or other personal electronic device, etc. Additionally, experience has shown that many individuals feel uncomfortable using a massage apparatus in public in which they are required to lie down on the machine. Many users suggest that a reclined or seated disposition would lead them to feel less vulnerable. For such reasons, a desire has been expressed in the industry for a dry hydro-therapy massage apparatus wherein the user rests in a generally seated disposition during operation of the apparatus, allowing the user to read a book or magazine, watch television, or remain otherwise occupied with other activities. 
     Some known apparatus to address this need include a chair for performing dry hydro-massage on a user in a seated position. While such chair apparatus have met with a reasonable degree of success, a limitation of the apparatus is that due to the position of the user being in a seated position, the force exerted on the upper body portion of the user by the pressurized water jets may cause the user to slide along the support surface on which the user is disposed. As such, it is not uncommon for the pressurized water jets to not make contact with the optimal position on the user for achieving the desired massage results. As such, the need remains for hydro-therapy massage apparatus in which the user is maintained in the desired reclined and/or seated position during the massage operation. 
     Another common issue with existing hydro-therapy massage apparatus is the egress of water vapor from the interior as a user gets on the apparatus, and the subsequent ingress of ambient air into the interior of the apparatus when the user gets off of the apparatus. For example, typical hydro-therapy massage apparatus include a tank of water holding between 20 and 80 gallons of water, a small amount of which exits the apparatus as water vapor when the user gets on the unit and the interior volume of the apparatus is slightly reduced. For example, existing apparatus may have approximately a cubic foot of air and entrained water vapor that is pushed out of the apparatus with each use. This small loss of water from the apparatus with each use ultimately requires that additional water be added to the interior of the apparatus, such as up to three gallons a day. Moreover, the ingress of ambient air along with the corresponding potential contaminants such as, but not limited to, dust, dirt, dander, etc., may increase the need for periodic maintenance as the interior components of the apparatus may become fouled more frequently. As such, there exists a need for hydro-therapy massage apparatus with improved retention of water vapor as users lie/sit on the support surface of the apparatus. 
     As noted above, typical prior art hydro-therapy massage apparatus utilize from between 20 to 80 gallons of water, which is retained within their interior volumes. Such high volumes of water may be impractical for known apparatus to provide a secondary containment volume for retaining such amounts of water should a catastrophic and/or extended minor leak from the apparatus occur. As such, there exists a need for hydro-therapy massage apparatus that utilize smaller volumes of water to help prevent damage from potential leaks. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure is an apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user in a reclined position, including a housing structure having a user support surface for supporting the user in a seated position, the user support surface including a substantially-planar seat back portion, a seat portion with a semi-cylindrical main seat section and a substantially-planar leg seat section, wherein the seat back portion and the leg seat section are in relative angular relation to each other and the main seat section is disposed therebetween, and the seat back portion is adapted to support an upper body portion of the user, the leg seat section is adapted to support an upper leg extent of a lower body portion of the user, and the main seat section is adapted to support a buttocks of the user, and a fluid spray assembly interiorly within the housing structure for directing a fluid stream at the user support surface for imparting a massaging effect through the user support surface to the upper body portion and lower body portion of the user. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user including a housing structure having a housing shell and a user support surface for supporting the user in a reclined position, the housing shell including a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the user support surface is secured to an upper perimeter of the side walls, thereby defining an interior chamber, a vapor circulating system including a body defining an interior chamber, wherein the interior chambers of the housing structure and the vapor circulating system are in fluid communication with each other via a first passage, and the interior chambers of the housing structure and the vapor circulating system form a closed system. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective and side views of a dry hydro-therapy massage apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are partial cut-away views of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a head/neck spray deflector of the massage apparatus as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of a water vapor circulating system of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an elongated massage spray head of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a housing shell of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the housing shell shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side plan view of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the user support retention system of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are inner and outer plan views of the elongated massage spray head shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are outer and inner plan views of the elongated massage spray head shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C  are top, rear, and front views of the elongated massage spray head shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the massage apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , showing the leg spray deflector; and 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a housing shell of an alternate embodiment of a dry hydro-therapy massage apparatus in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As will be readily understood by persons skilled in the relevant art, the dry hydro-therapy apparatus of the present disclosure is readily adapted to be embodied in many and various forms to accommodate massage of a user in differing seated positions. The present disclosure is described herein in one contemplated embodiment of such apparatus, but only for purposes of providing an exemplary enabling disclosure of the invention and, in particular, the invention is not intended to be limited, and should not be construed as limited, to application or embodiment in such apparatus nor any other particular structure except as defined in the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring now to the accompanying drawings and initially to  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3 , a dry hydro-therapy body massage apparatus  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated at  10 . The body massage apparatus  10  includes a housing structure, generally indicated at  12 , generally in the form of a lounge chair style structure, presenting an upwardly facing side  14  forming a user support surface configured for a user  100  to rest thereon for massage treatment in a seated reclining position, as more fully explained hereinafter. A fluid spray assembly, generally indicated at  16  ( FIG. 2 ), is disposed within the housing  12  in association with a pressurized fluid supply arrangement, generally indicated at  18  ( FIG. 3 ) which pulls from the pump  28  ( FIG. 7B ), for directing a pressurized fluid emission at the underside of the user support surface  14  to transmit a massaging effect there-through to the body of the user  100  seated thereon. 
     The lounge chair structure  12  includes a chair body formed as a substantially hollow housing shell  20  ( FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8 ) generally in the form of a tank or tub of an elongated configuration closed at its bottom  30  and side walls  21  and substantially open at its top to define an upwardly-facing elongated opening. The housing shell  20  may be fabricated of any suitable watertight, rigid material of appropriate strength which may be formed to the desired configuration herein described, e.g., fiberglass, plastic, or a like material. The housing shell  20  is supported on a floor-standing frame  25  ( FIG. 3 ), e.g., fabricated of any suitable structural material (metal bar stock, tubing, fiberglass or the like), to elevate and orient the user support surface  14  at a desired height and inclination above the floor while also providing an open volume  19  ( FIGS. 2 and 9 ) within the frame  25  and beneath the housing  20  for enclosure of various operating components of the body massage apparatus  10 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , standing frame  25  of the body massage apparatus  10  includes a continuous upwardly-extending bottom lip  25 ′ that forms a leak-proof volume with a bottom wall  17  of the frame  25 . As such, in the unlikely event that a leak develops in the housing shell  20 , or any of the components and piping supported by the frame  25 , the water will be retained within the frame  25 , thereby preventing damage to carpets, flooring, etc., that are disposed under the body massage apparatus  10 . As discussed in greater detail below, the ability of the disclosed body massage apparatus  10  to continuously function with as little as 8 to 12 gallons of water retained therein is what makes inclusion of the described leak retention volume possible. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1B , the lateral side walls  21  of the housing shell  20  are contoured to form a substantially-planar seat back portion  22  and a seat portion  24  having a substantially-planar leg seat section  24 ′, an ottoman section  24 ″, and a main seat section  29 , the ottoman section  24 ″ being angularly oriented with respect to the leg seat section  24 ′, forming the user support surface  14 . Preferably, the seat back portion  22  and the leg seat section  24 ′ are angularly oriented with respect to each other, with the main seat section  29  being disposed therebetween. The user support surface  14  is configured so that the upper and lower body portions  101  and  103 , respectively, of the user  100  are supported in a generally reclining seated disposition comparable to that of a lounge style chair wherein the user&#39;s body rests bent at the waist and knees with the upper body portion  101  partially reclined on the seat back portion  22 , the upper leg extent  103 ′ of the lower body portion  103  slightly inclined on the leg seat section  24 ′, and the lower leg extent  103 ″ slightly declined on the ottoman section  24 ″. The slight bend of the knees of the user&#39;s legs help to push the legs down into the user support surface  14 , resulting in a more effective massage than with traditional units having planar support section for the lower body of the user. 
     As shown, main seat section  29  is semi-cylindrical in shape and extends below the area that would be the intersection of seat back portion  22  and leg seat section  24 ′. As such, a slight ridge  31  is formed at the intersection of main seat section  29  and leg seat section  24 ′. As such, when a user is disposed on the user support surface  14 , the ridge  31  prevents the force exerted by the pressurized fluid jets that impact the user from causing the user to slide along the leg seat section  24 ′. As well, the main seat section  29  helps to position the user&#39;s lower back and buttocks for a stronger massage as the majority of the user&#39;s weight is supported by these areas. As such, proper positioning of the user on the user support surface  14  is maintained and, subsequently, the pressurized water jets will impact the user in the proper areas of the user&#39;s body to achieve the desired massaging effect. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a hollow interior chamber  27  is defined by the housing shell  20 . The bottom wall  30  of the housing shell  20  forms a drainage surface inclining into a reservoir basin  28  centrally along the lengthwise extent of the housing shell  20 . Preferably, to ensure the water returning to the reservoir basin  28  flows down the drainage surfaces at the desired rate, a plurality of water features in the form of dams  33  extend upwardly from the bottom wall  30  of housing  20 . If water returning to the reservoir basin  28  flows down the drainage surfaces too quickly, it is possible that the water will pass over the reservoir basin  28  rather than entering it. Such rapid water return rates require that a larger volume of water be maintained in the reservoir basin  28  to ensure continuous operation of the massage apparatus  10 . By utilizing dams  33  to control the rate of return of water to the reservoir basin  28 , the present embodiment of massage apparatus  10  is capable of operating with as little as 8 to 12 gallons of water retained within the apparatus. The present embodiment of massage apparatus  10  is capable of flowing water through the fluid spray assembly  16  at the rate of approximately 105 gallons per minute, with only the 8 to 12 gallons retained within the apparatus, although alternate embodiments function at varying flow rates. As previously noted, existing apparatus require a minimum of 20 gallons of water to be retained therein for continuous operation. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a baffle plate  45  is disposed in the opening to the reservoir basin  28 . The baffle plate  45  includes a plurality of baffles  47  extending upwardly therefrom, and a plurality of openings  49  disposed therebetween. The baffles  47  assist in redirecting the flow of water downwardly into the reservoir basin  28  in a uniform manner so that the water in the reservoir basin is less turbulent than in prior art massage apparatus. As such, the potential for cavitation within the liquid pump  88  of the pressurized fluid supply arrangement  18  is decreased. 
     A liquid material is preferred as the fluid medium utilized by the body massage apparatus  10  for supply to and emission from the fluid spray assembly  16  to produce a massage effect as hereinafter described, water being an optimal liquid in view of its ready availability and generally non-corrosive and non-caustic character. As noted, a suitable supply of water (8 to 12 gallons), or another appropriate liquid, is stored in the reservoir basin  28  for continuous circulation through the fluid supply arrangement  18  and the fluid spray assembly  16 , the bottom drainage wall  30  as well as the other interior surfaces of the housing shell  20  being configured to drain the liquid emitted from the fluid spray assembly  16  into the basin  28 . Of course, as those persons skilled in the art will readily recognize, pressurized air, other gases, and other fluidic materials could also be utilized as the fluid massaging medium without departing from the scope and substance of the present disclosure and, accordingly, the present disclosure is not intended to be and should not be construed as limited to the use of water or another liquid massage medium. 
     It is also preferred that the water or other massage liquid be heated to enhance the massaging effect produced by the liquid, e.g., to a temperature approximating normal body temperature, preferably in the range of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, although the apparatus has the capability of a broad range of liquid temperatures. For this purpose, a heater element (not shown) may be provided, e.g., mounted within the liquid reservoir basin  28  below the normal level of massage liquid therein to be substantially continuously submerged in the stored massage liquid. A thermostat (not shown) is preferably provided in the electrical circuit to the heating element to provide selective control of the temperature of the massage liquid. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus is also preferably provided with a liquid cooling system  70  to offset heat gain to the massage liquid that may occur from frictional contact of the liquid while being circulated through the apparatus. As shown, the liquid cooling system  70  includes a heat exchanger  72  in the form of a radiator and one or more fans  74  to draw air across the radiator  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the liquid cooling system  70  is disposed at the foot of the massage apparatus  10 , where it draws in air, the air travels the length of massage apparatus  10  in the volume  19  that exists between the housing shell  20  and the outer housing of the massage apparatus, and then exits the apparatus at its head end. Note, however, the liquid cooling system  70  may be positioned at any point along the length of the massage apparatus  10 . Preferably, the open volumes defined between the hollow shell  20 , in particular the bottom wall  30 , and the outer housing are greater at the foot  19 ″ and the head  19 ′ of the massage apparatus than along the center portion  19 ′″ of the massage apparatus  10 . In this manner, ambient air flow drawn into the massage apparatus by the fans  74  ( FIG. 3 ) of the liquid cooling system  70  will undergo a venturi-effect as the air flows from the large foot section, along the smaller center portions, and out the larger head section and exits the massage apparatus  10 . The venturi-effect on the air flow assists in more efficiently cooling the interior of the massage apparatus  10  as well as its internal components as the speed of the air increases as it passes over the internal components. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the shell  20  includes a plurality of vertically-extending ribs  76  disposed on the outer surfaces of the lateral side walls  21 , as well as a plurality of horizontally-extending ribs  78 , extending along the width of the bottom wall  30  of the hollow shell  20 . The vertical ribs  76  lend rigidity to the lateral side walls  21 , whereas the horizontal ribs  78  lend rigidity to the bottom wall of the hollow shell  20 . As such, the amount of material utilized in forming both the lateral side walls  21  and the bottom wall  30  of the hollow shell  20  may be reduced, while still maintaining the rigidity of a thicker walled shell. As such, the vertical ribs  76  and horizontal ribs  78  allow for an overall reduction in the weight of the massage apparatus  10  as compared to existing units. The uppermost extent of the housing shell  20  forms a flange surface  32  for mounting thereto of the user support surface  14 . 
     The user support surface  14  may be formed of a relatively thin sheet  34  of a waterproof material affixed in watertight relation across the flange  32  bordering the upwardly facing opening. The sheet  34  preferably is sufficiently thin that the impact of fluid emitted from the fluid spray assembly  16  against the underside of the sheet  34  transmits a massaging effect through the sheet  34  to the body of the user. Further, the sheet  34  is preferably of a sufficient flexibility and resiliency to substantially conform to the body of the user for maximum transmission of the massage effect through the sheet  34  to the user. In this manner, the sheet  34  functions in the nature of a waterproof membrane to keep the user dry during operation of the body massage apparatus  10  without noticeably dampening the massaging impact of fluid emitted from the fluid spray assembly  16 . For example, a latex rubber in sheet form, in the range of 15 to 55 mil. thickness, is a suitable material to provide these characteristics for the sheet  34 , although various other commercially available rubber and plastic sheeting materials should also provide suitable results. 
     As a primary means of weight bearing support of the user, an open-mesh netting  35 , partially shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 1 , may be affixed in tensioned condition to the flange  32  of the housing shell  20  horizontally across its opening immediately beneath the sheet  34 . The netting  35  should be of sufficient strength to independently support the weight of a user to provide a safety barrier in the event of a rupture or other failure of the sheet  34 . At the same time, the open-mesh construction of the netting  35  permits essentially unrestricted transmission of fluid from the fluid spray assembly  16  through the netting  35  and against the underside of the sheet  34 . Preferably, the netting  35  is not as taught in the areas of the user support surface  14  that are beneath the user&#39;s head and lowermost leg areas. As such, as compared to the remainder of the user support surface, the head and feet of the user are able to “sink” into the user support surface  14  for better positioning and enhanced massaging effect. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1, 7A, and 10 , the flange  32  as well as the side walls  21  of the housing shell  20  are covered by frame panels  36  to provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior enclosure of the overall housing shell  20  and the internal operational components housed beneath the shell  20 . Specifically, it is important to maintain a proper seal between the interior chamber  27  of the hollow shell  20  and the sheet  34  in order to prevent the loss of water from the interior of the massage apparatus  10 . As such, a continuous groove  41  is provided along the entire length of the upper surface of the flange  32  of the hollow shell  20 , with the continuous groove  41  being configured to receive an O-ring  39  therein. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the outer perimeter of sheet  34  extends over the annular groove  41  in which the O-ring  39  is then placed. With the O-ring  39  in place, a series of interlocking frame panels  36  are fastened into place by threaded knobs  23  that engage the underside of the flange  32 , thereby securing the sheet  34  to the flange  32 . In alternate embodiments, frame panels  36  may be secured to flange  32  by snapping them into place via interlocking features with the flange  32 . A downwardly-extending protrusion  36 ′ extends from the bottom surface of each frame panel  36  into the continuous groove  41 , thereby compressing the O-ring  39  and enhancing the water tight seal of the massage apparatus  10 . Note, the interlocking features of the frame panels  36  allow the frame panels  36  to be removed and re-installed without the use of tools, as necessary for servicing the unit. Additionally, the upper surface of the frame panels  36  covering and bordering the flange  32  may preferably be cushioned for the comfort of the user during ingress and egress of the user support surface  14 . 
     Other than the portion of the interior chamber  27  occupied by the water stored in the basin  28  and the area occupied by the fluid spray assembly  16  and the fluid supply arrangement  18 , the interior chamber  27  of the housing shell  20  is substantially filled with air. As such, as one would expect, when a user lies down on the user support surface  14 , thereby reducing the interior volume of the interior chamber  27  as the user support surface  14  moves slightly downwardly into the interior chamber  27 , some air and potentially entrained water vapor would be expected to egress from the hollow shell  20 . In order to prevent a subsequent ingress of surrounding air and dust, dirt, etc., into the interior of the hollow shell  20 , the present massage apparatus  10  includes a water vapor circulating system  130 , as best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 . As shown, the water vapor circulating system  130  includes an inflatable chamber  131  that is secured to the outer surface of the head portion of the hollow shell  20 , and is connected to the interior of the hollow shell  20  via piping  134  that is connected to an inlet  132  of the chamber  131 . As such, when air and entrained water vapor is forced out of the hollow shell  20 , it is collected in the chamber  131  rather than egressing to the surrounding environment. When a user dismounts the user support surface  14 , rather than drawing in air from the surrounding environment, air is simply drawn back into the hollow shell  20  from the chamber  131 . An outlet  136  is provided in the bottom of the chamber  131  to allow the return of condensed water vapor to the hollow shell  20  therethrough. As such, the interior of the hollow shell  20  and the chamber  131  form a closed system, thereby helping to maintain the desired water volume within the massage unit  10 , as well as preventing the ingress of dust, debris, etc., from the surrounding environment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the fluid spray assembly  16  includes an elongate massage spray head, generally indicated at  44 , oriented transversely across substantially the widthwise extent of the user&#39;s body. The massage head  44  may be of any of various possible configurations and componentry adapted to emit the massage fluid under pressure against the underside of the membrane sheet  34 . For example, in one possible configuration, the massage head  44  may have a substantially hollow outer body  52  with a plurality of emission openings  56 , each in the form of a nozzle, over substantially the full extent of the upward surface of the body  52  which faces the sheet  34 . The emission openings  56  deliver pressurized fluid from the body  52  in a jet-like spray upwardly therefrom against the underside of the membrane sheet  34 . Preferably, the elongate massage head  44  and emission openings  56  are configured to provide a jet-like spray that is a combination of both laminar and turbulent flows. Often, existing massage apparatus have jet-like sprays that are strictly laminar flow or strictly turbulent flow. A strictly laminar massaging spray concentrates the force of the spray in a small of an area on the user which can lead to pain and discomfort. On the other hand, strictly turbulent flow can cause the pressure of the massaging spray to be spread out over a large of an area so that the desired massaging effect is not achieved. The present massage apparatus  10  obtains the desired combination of a combined laminar and turbulent flow massaging spray by way of the design of the massage spray head  44  and corresponding emission opening  56 , as discussed below. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 11A through 12B , the hollow outer body  52  of the massage spray head  44  is preferably formed of an injection molded upper body portion  82  and an injection molded lower body portion  86 . As shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , lower body portion  86  includes a smoothly radiused inlet  84  and a plurality of brackets  46  on each end for receiving corresponding rollers or wheels  48  ( FIG. 13 ). The radiused inlet is configured to provide a smooth inlet flow of water into the interior of the outer body  52  so that the flow within the outer body  52  is less turbulent. As best seen in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the upper body portion  82  of the outer body  52  also includes the radiused inlet  84  as well as the plurality of emission openings  56 . As shown, the emission openings  56  are disposed along a line that is offset from the longitudinal center axis  89  of the upper body portion  82 . The combination of the radiused inlet  84 , subsequent laminar flow within outer body  52 , and the offset emission openings  56  allow the massage spray head  44  of the present massage apparatus  10  to attain an optimal massage spray that includes both laminar and turbulent flows, resulting in the desired massaging effect. Preferably, the modular design of the massage spray head  44  allows the desired massaging spray pattern to be changed by simply replacing the upper body portion  82  of the outer body  52  with an alternate upper body portion having a different arrangement of emission openings  56 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 13A through 13C , the elongate massage head  44  is supported at each opposite end by brackets  46  with rollers or wheels  48  ( FIG. 13 ) for rolling travel along tracks  26  traversingly back-and-forth through substantially the full lengthwise extent of the chamber  27  along angularly changing paths of travel following the angular configuration of the tracks  26 . The pair of angular tracks  26  are affixed interiorly to the bottom wall  30  of the housing shell  20 , each extending in angular sections in parallel spaced relation to each other through substantially the full lengthwise extent of the chamber  27 . The rollers  48  travel along the tracks  26  during lengthwise traversing travel within the chamber  27 . Preferably, each track  26  is a one-piece construction, while alternate embodiments may include multi-piece tracks. 
     The traversing travel of the massage head  44  is driven reciprocally back-and-forth through the lengthwise extent of the massage chamber  27  via any suitable drive mechanism. For, example, in the illustrated embodiment, a toothed timing belt  66  ( FIG. 2 ) is attached at opposite belt ends to each respective bracket  46  at the ends of the massage head  44 , forming two endless drive belt loops which are trained about a series of toothed guide pulleys  68  rotatably mounted to the interior surfaces of the side walls  21  adjacent the tracks  26  at each opposite end of the chamber  27  and also at the location of each change of angular direction in the tracks  26 . The pulleys  68  at one end of the chamber  27  are secured to a common drive shaft journaled through one side wall  21  and connected exteriorly thereof to a reversible drive motor  70  for imparting synchronous drive motion to the belts  66  and, in turn, to the massage head  44  to travel along the tracks  26 . Any suitable form of sensors, such as electric eyes (not shown), may be provided at the limits of the massage head travel to control reversal of the drive motor  70 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the pressurized fluid is delivered from the fluid supply arrangement  18  to the massage head  44  in any suitable way. For example, the pressurized fluid supply arrangement  18  may have an electric motor  90  driving a liquid pump  88  to draw fluid from the liquid reservoir basin  28  of the housing shell  20 , e.g., via a submerged tubular fitting. The outlet side of the pump  88  delivers the fluid under pressure to the massage head  44  through a conduit  92  with a flow control valve (not shown) disposed therein and a length of flexible tubing (not shown) connected between the conduit  92  and a fitting on the outer body  52  of the massage head  44 . 
     As will be understood, the widthwise reach of the massage head  44  laterally across the interior chamber  27  effectively applies a massaging action to the full lateral extent of the body of a user supported on the user support surface  14 , and in particular across the full width of the user&#39;s shoulders, back or chest, mid-section and hips. In the distal head region  110  ( FIG. 1B ) and leg region  112  of the user support surface  14 , by contrast, the fluid spray is not needed across the full widthwise reach of the massage head  44  to accomplish an effective massaging action of the more narrow neck and legs of the user. Therefore, to insure an optimum application of the massaging spray to these selected areas of the user&#39;s body, the present disclosure provides a control arrangement, preferably in the form of two deflectors  114 ,  116 , arranged in the interior chamber  27  intermediate the fluid spray assembly  16  and the underside of the user support surface  14  to selectively alter and redirect the directional flow of the fluid spray to be concentrated in a more narrow widthwise portion of the user support surface  14  at predominantly only the user&#39;s neck and legs. 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the head/neck deflector  114  comprises two pairs of deflector plates  118   a  and  118   b  affixed within the interior chamber  27  to the end wall of the housing shell  20 , the deflector plates within each pair being at a lateral spacing from one another and extending from the end wall longitudinally of the housing along the underside of laterally outer margins of head region  110  of the user support surface  14  and above the fluid spray assembly  16 . The deflector plates  118   a  and  118   b  are thereby respectively disposed outwardly alongside the area of the user support surface  14  on which a user&#39;s neck and head will rest and the plates  118   a  and  118   b  within each pair are inclined toward one another in converging relationship for deflecting inwardly toward the underside of the user support surface  14  in the spacing between the plates the portions of the fluid stream from the emission openings  56  of the massage head  44  which would otherwise impact unoccupied areas of the user support surface  14 , to thereby redirect the deflected portions of the fluid spray to impact against the neck of the user. In the preferred embodiment shown, there is a deflector plate for each emission opening  56  of the massage spray head  44  so that no massage spray stream impacts directly on the head/neck of the user without first contacting the corresponding deflector plate. The head/neck deflector  114  helps to maximize the massaging effect of the massage head  44  in the soft tissue of the neck area of the user by preventing the direct impingement of any of the water jets on the spinal cord area without first being re-directed by a deflector plate. As well, the deflector plates prevent the water jets from impinging on areas of the user support surface that are outside the areas that are directly supporting the user, thereby reducing extraneous noise from the jets. 
     Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the leg deflector  116  ( FIG. 2 ) comprises a pair of deflector plates  120  affixed within the interior chamber  27  to the opposite end wall of the housing shell  20  immediately adjacent one another and extending from the end wall longitudinally of the housing centrally along the underside of the leg region  112  of the user support surface  14  and above the fluid spray assembly  16 . The deflector plates  120  are thereby respectively disposed alongside the central longitudinal area of the user support surface  14  between the outward areas on which a user&#39;s legs will rest. The plates  120  abut one another along common lower plate edges and are inclined upwardly away one another in diverging relationship for deflecting outwardly toward the underside of the user support surface  14  outwardly of the plates  120  the portions of the fluid stream from the central extent of the massage head  44  which would otherwise impact the unoccupied area of the user support surface  14  between the user&#39;s legs, to thereby redirect the deflected portions of the fluid spray to impact against the legs of the user. 
     The operation of the body massage apparatus of the present disclosure may thus be understood. As the massage head  44  travels back-and-forth lengthwise within the chamber  27 , the pressurized liquid is delivered from the pump  88  through the intervening conduits into the interior of the outer body  52  of the massage head  44  and in jet-like spray therefrom through the emission openings  56 . The relative thinness of the sheet  34  together with its resilient flexibility causes the sheet  34  to conform relatively closely to the shape and contours of the user&#39;s body and, in turn, the impact of the jetted liquid against the underside of the sheet  34  is readily transmitted therethrough to the body of the user to produce a massaging effect on the user&#39;s body. As the massage head  44  reaches each opposite end of the interior chamber  25  in its traveling movement, the electric eyes or other sensors recognize the presence of the massage head  44  and, in turn, actuate reversal of the electric motor  70  to initiate driving of the massage head  44  in the opposite direction. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , a housing shell  120  in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The housing shell  120  differs primarily from the previously discussed embodiment, in that rather than a travelling fluid spray assembly  16  ( FIG. 2 ), the present housing shell  120  includes a plurality of fluid nozzles  156  directed upwardly from the bottom wall  130 . This design allows for the omission of various components required in the embodiment having a travelling fluid spray assembly  16 . As shown, the fluid nozzles  156  are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows along the bottom wall  130 . Note, however, the fluid nozzles  156  may be positioned in any desired pattern, such as, but not limited to, circular, staggered, varying spacing based on location, etc. Note also, during use the spray nozzles  156  may be operated simultaneously, in selected zones based on position of the user, independently, etc. 
     It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is susceptible of a broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present disclosure other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present disclosure and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, while the present disclosure has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present disclosure or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present disclosure being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.