Patent Publication Number: US-11382823-B1

Title: Roller massage table

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a roller massage table. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are a great many people who suffer from back pain that is derived from a number of sources. Relief in the form of a massage is often the preferred remedy for many. Such massages can range from private massages from a masseuse or masseur to medical massages provided by a health care professional. One type of back massage that is favored by many is that obtained from a “Roller Table” which provides for spinal mobilization and pre-adjustment chiropractic operations. These tables provide a deep shiatsu style massage that helps relieve muscle spasms via a rolling wheel that moves back and forth over the patient&#39;s back area. 
     Unfortunately, such tables are expensive and as such, are typically only found in chiropractor&#39;s offices. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which automated medical grade roller massages can be provided virtually anywhere, including the comfort of one&#39;s home in a cost-effective manner. The development of the portable roller massage table fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable roller massage table device comprises a table surface supported by an apron. The table surface is provided with a rectangular opening which will generally align with a spine area of a user when lying upon the table surface with their head at a head placement area in a supine position. The table surface is provided with a padded covering. A massaging effect may be provided by the massage wheel penetrates the padded covering. 
     The device also comprises a fixed frame which is provided below the table surface and centered about the rectangular opening. The device further comprises a movable frame which is mounted on the fixed frame by use of a plurality of track guides. The track guides ride in a pair of tracks. The movable frame supports a massage wheel which travels back and forth along the rectangular opening in a reciprocating travel path. The movable frame is propelled along the reciprocating travel path by a transit drive chain supported between a drive axle and an idler axle. The drive axle and the idler axle are connected to the fixed frame. The massage wheel is connected to the movable frame by a spring adjustable frame. The massage wheel extends above the table surface. The movable frame travel is limited and reversed with aid of a pair of travel limit switches which operate in a sequential manner to reverse rotation of the DC motor. The spring adjustable frame includes a vertical member connected to a pivot point and the movable frame and a sprocket gear that connects the transit drive chain to the drive axle and the idler axle. The pivot point is structurally supported by a diagonal brace connected to the movable frame. Variable movement afforded the pressure spring accounts for variations in the user&#39;s spine, the user&#39;s small of the back, and the user&#39;s shoulder blade area. An electrical control box powers the portable roller massage table. The electrical control box includes a power switch to control power to the massage wheel stopped along the reciprocating travel path to apply continuous single point pressure and a table underside providing support to the apron and the fixed frame. 
     The table surface may be provided without the padded covering and may be six feet long and thirty inches wide. The fixed frame may be made of steel shapes. The pair of tracks may include four track guides. The track guides may be cylindrical-shaped or are L-shaped. The massage wheel may be made of material selected from the group consisting of rubber, foam, or other durable material that retains its shape and deform under moderate force. 
     The drive axle and the idler axle may be connected to the fixed frame by a plurality of bearings. The transit drive chain may be connected to the movable frame via a mechanical connection. The mechanical connection may be a bolt at each of a first pair of points. The mechanical connection may be a clamp at each of a second pair of points. A central support member that extends upward from a connection point of the movable frame and the diagonal brace. The central support member may be braced by a pivoting horizontal member that is connected to the pivot point. The pivoting horizontal member may swing up and down on an axis of the pivot point. 
     The device may further comprise a pressure spring mechanism that includes a rod and a pressure spring. The rod may be made of aluminum. When power is passed to a 2-coil latching relay which works in conjunction with a pair of travel limit switches to allow for reciprocating travel. The 2-coil latching relay may provide a voltage to a double-pole double-throw relay which sends polarity to a variable speed circuit. The electrical control box may power the portable roller massage table by an alternating current power cord. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable roller massage table  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the portable roller massage table  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the portable roller massage table  10 , as seen along a line I-I, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the portable roller massage table  10 , shown in a utilized state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of the portable roller massage table  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable roller massage table 
               15  table surface 
               20  apron 
               30  rectangular opening 
               35  head placement area 
               40  fixed frame 
               45  movable frame 
               50  track guide 
               55  track 
               60  massage wheel 
               65  reciprocating travel path “b” 
               70  electrical control box 
               75  AC power cord 
               85  padded covering 
               90  table underside 
               95  transit drive chain 
               100  drive axle 
               105  idler axle 
               110  bearing 
               115  sprocket gear 
               130  DC motor 
               135  travel limit switch 
               140  spring adjustable frame 
               145  mechanical connection 
               150  vertical member 
               155  pivot point 
               160  diagonal brace 
               165  central support member 
               170  pivoting horizontal member 
               172  pressure spring mechanism 
               180  pressure spring 
               185  force exertion path “f” 
               190  user 
               195  right hand 
               200  power switch 
               205  DC power supply 
               210  2-coil latching relay 
               215  double-pole double-throw relay 
               220  variable speed circuit 
               225  variable speed control potentiometer 
           
         
       
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the portable roller massage table  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The portable roller massage table  10  (herein also described as the “device”)  10 , includes a table surface  15  with the approximate dimensions of six feet (6 ft.) long and thirty inches (30 in.) wide. It is supported by an apron  20 . The table surface  15  is provided with a rectangular opening  30  which will generally align with the spine area of a user when he or she lies upon the table surface  15  with their head at a head placement area  35  in a supine position. Further information on the use of the device  10  will be provided herein below. 
     A fixed frame  40 , envisioned to be made of steel shapes, is provided below the table surface  15  and centered about the rectangular opening  30 . A movable frame  45  is mounted on the fixed frame  40  by use of four (4) track guides  50  of which only two (2) are shown due to illustrative limitations. The track guides can be cylindrical or “L”-shaped. The track guides  50  ride in two (2) tracks  55  (of which only one (1) is shown due to illustrative limitations). The movable frame  45  supports a massage wheel  60  which travels back and forth along the rectangular opening  30  in a reciprocating travel path “b”  65 . The massage wheel would be made of rubber, foam, or other durable material that while it retains its shape, will deform under moderate force. The device  10  is powered by an alternating current (AC) power cord  75  and is controlled by an electrical control box  70 . It is noted that the table surface  15  may or may not be provided with a padded covering  85  (not shown due to clarity). Should the padded covering  85  be provided, it is envisioned that the massaging effect provided by the massage wheel  60  would penetrate the padded covering  85  and still provide health benefits to the user. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a bottom view of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. A table underside  90  is readily visible and provides support to apron  20  as well as hanging support for the fixed frame  40 . The attachment of the movable frame  45  to the fixed frame  40  is accomplished by the four (4) track guides  50  residing in the two (2) tracks  55 . The movable frame  45  is propelled along the reciprocating travel path “b”  65  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) by the use of a transit drive chain  95  supported between a drive axle  100  and an idler axle  105 . Both the drive axle  100  and the idler axle  105  are connected to the fixed frame  40  by use of two (2) bearings  110  each for a total of four (4). A sprocket gear  115  connects the transit drive chain  95  to the drive axle  100  and the idler axle  105 . The drive axle  100  is rotationally driven by a DC motor  130 . The travel of the movable frame  45  is limited and reversed with the aid of two (2) travel limit switches  135  which operate in a sequential manner to reverse the rotation of the DC motor  130 . Further description on the sequence of operation and use of the travel limit switches  135  and the DC motor  130  will be provided herein below. The massage wheel  60  is connected to the movable frame  45  by a spring adjustable frame  140 . The spring adjustable frame  140  will be described in greater detail herein below. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the device  10 , as seen along a line I-I, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure provides further clarification on the reciprocating nature of the massage wheel  60 . The tracks  55  are supported by the fixed frame  40  attached to the table underside  90  of the table surface  15 . The transit drive chain  95  is connected to the movable frame  45  via a mechanical connection  145  such as a bolt or clamp at two (2) points. The spring adjustable frame  140  includes a vertical member  150  connected to a pivot point  155  and the movable frame  45 . The pivot point  155  is structurally supported by a diagonal brace  160  also connected to the movable frame  45 . A central support member  165  then extends upward from the connection point of the movable frame  45  and the diagonal brace  160  and is braced by a pivoting horizontal member  170 , also connected to the pivot point  155 . The pivoting horizontal member  170  swings up and down on the axis of the pivot point  155 . A pressure spring mechanism  172  includes an aluminum rod (not shown due to illustrative limitations and a pressure spring  180  Outside ends of the male and female parts are attached to perpendicular aluminum rods (similar to the pivot point  155 ) and serve to keep springs in place. It is noted that the massage wheel  60  extends above the plane of the table surface  15 . The variable movement afforded by the pressure spring  180  accounts for variations in the user&#39;s spine such as the small of the back, shoulder blade area, and the like. It is noted that the components described in  FIG. 3  are typically one (1) of a set of two (2) with the remaining set not visible due to illustrative requirements. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the device  10 , shown in a utilized state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. A user  190  is positioned on the table surface  15  in a supine position. It is envisioned that the benefits afforded by the device  10  could be utilized by men and women of all ages. In the suggested position as shown, the electrical control box  70  is near the right hand  195  of the user. The controls afforded by the electrical control box  70  include ON/OFF, allowing the massage wheel  60  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to move or be stationary, and the speed at which the massage wheel  60  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) reciprocates along the reciprocating travel path “b”  65  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). These treatment sessions are envisioned to last from up to thirty minutes (30 min.), under medical guidance. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Incoming AC power is provided by the AC power cord  75 . A power switch  200  control the application of power to the device  10  and allows for the massage wheel  60  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to be stopped anywhere along the reciprocating travel path “b”  65  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to apply continuous single point pressure. A direct current (DC) power supply  205  converts AC to DC to facilitate direction control. The resultant DC power is then passed to a 2-coil latching relay  210  which works in conjunction with the two (2) travel limit switches  135  to allow for reciprocating travel. As controlled by the 2-coil latching relay  210  voltage of the proper polarity is supplied to a double-pole double-throw relay  215  which sends the correct polarity to the variable speed circuit  220 . Resultant power from the double-pole double-throw relay  215  is then applied to a variable speed circuit  220  with works with a variable speed control potentiometer  225  (mounted on the outer surface of the electrical control box  70 ) to supply power to the DC motor  130 . 
     2. OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the device  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 . The user  190  would procure the device  10  through normal retail, health appliance or rental organizations. Due to its envisioned low cost, and ability to be easily stored in a minimal amount of space, the device  10  may be purchased outright as well. 
     After procurement and prior to utilization, the device  10  would be prepared in the following manner: the device  10  would be placed in an upright position in a suitable location; and the AC power cord  75  would be connected to a suitable source of AC power. 
     During utilization of the device  10 , the following procedure would be initiated: the user  190  would lay across the surface of the table surface  15  in general accordance with  FIG. 4 ; the right hand  195  of the user  190  would manipulate the power switch  200  and variable speed control potentiometer  225  on the electrical control box  70  to achieve the desired reciprocating speed of the massage wheel  60  along his or her spinal area. This massaging action would continue as desired by the user  190 . 
     After use of the device  10 , it may be left in place until needed again; or stored away by unplugging the AC power cord  75 . This usage may continue at a later time as aforementioned described in a circular repetitive manner. 
     The device  10  is ideal for use in therapy centers, health centers, private doctor&#39;s offices, health clubs, and for home use. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.