Patent Abstract:
A foldable massaging bed cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position has a backrest with two side edges, two armrests rotatably coupled to the backrest, and one or more massaging units within the backrest. The two armrests can rotate from a sitting position to a folded position along the two side edges of the backrest. The foldable massaging bed cushion can also have one or more heating units and one more massaging units located within the backrest and a control panel to control the massaging units and heating units.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to a massaging bed rest, and more particularly is related to a massaging bed rest with rotatable armrests. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cushioned bed loungers are known in the art. Bed loungers normally include a back portion and arm rests or elbow rests. The back portion may be contoured and may include a padded neck or head rest. Chair back massagers also are known in the art. One form of prior art back massager is in the form of a pad containing a mechanical massage arrangement powered by electricity. In use, a person places the massager against the back of a chair, automobile seat, or couch and then sits downs and leans back against the massaging device. Other configurations have the massaging elements built into the seat back, for example in a lounge chair or automobile seat. Such massagers include a back portion including a massaging element driven by an electric motor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,365, by Tomlinson, discloses a bed rest cushion for providing a vibrating massage including a back portion and two armrests. The two armrests are pivotally coupled to the back portion. However, the armrests are coupled to allow the armrest to rotate outward from the back portion. The armrests do not rotate about the sides of the back portion. The rotation of the bed rest cushion described by Tomlinson does not facilitate storage of the bed rest cushion, nor using the bed rest as a flat massaging cushion for placement in a chair or under the chest of a person when laying down on their stomach. 
     Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention features a foldable massaging bed cushion for supporting a person in a sitting position. The massaging bed cushion contains a backrest with two side edges, two armrests rotatably coupled to the backrest, and one or more massaging units within the backrest. The two armrests can rotate from a sitting position to a folded position along the two side edges of the backrest. 
     The two armrests can be perpendicular to the backrest in the sitting position. In addition, the two armrests can rotate from zero to one hundred and eighty degrees from the backrest. The sitting position is formed by rotating the two armrests from about forty-five to about one hundred and thirty-five degrees from the backrest. Preferably, the sitting position is formed by rotating the two armrests to ninety degrees (90°) from the backrest. The backrest and the two armrests can form nearly a rectangular top profile in the folded position. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the massaging cushion unfolded for use in a sitting position, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the massaging cushion of  FIG. 1  unfolded for use in the sitting position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the massaging cushion of  FIG. 1  unfolded for use in the sitting position. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a block diagram illustrating interaction of the interior components of the massaging cushion of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a block diagram illustrating the interaction of the interior components of the massaging cushion of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the massaging cushion of  FIG. 1  folded into a storage position or for use in a laying down position. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the massaging cushion of  FIG. 1  folded into a flattened position for use in a laying down position or for storage in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a massaging cushion folded into a flattened position for use in a lying down position or for storage in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view,  FIG. 2  is a side view, and  FIG. 3  is a front view of the massaging cushion  100  unfolded for use in a sitting position, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The massaging cushion  100  comprises a backrest  102 , a right armrest  104 , and a left armrest  106 . An axle  108  couples the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  to the backrest  102 . In addition, the axle  108  runs through a lower portion  110  of the backrest  102 . The axle  108  allows the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  to rotate about the backrest  102  as indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . When the massaging cushion  100  is unfolded into a sitting position, the user sits between the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106 . The right and left arms of the user rest on the right armrest  104  and the left armrest  106 , respectively. The back of the user rests on a front surface  118  of the backrest  102  of the massaging cushion  100 . The weight of the arms and upper body of the user rests upon the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106 . The weight on the armrests  104  and  106  upon the floor provides a frictional force that prevents the backrest  102  from sliding backwards when using the massaging cushion  100  in the sitting position. Alternatively, while resting on the massaging cushion  100 , a back surface  120  of the backrest  102  may be leaned against a wall, a back portion of a bed, or any other surface that will prevent the backrest  102  from moving backward. 
     The axle  108  allows the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  to rotate about the backrest  102 . In the first exemplary embodiment, the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  can rotate one hundred and eighty degrees from the backrest  102 . When the massaging cushion  100  is in the sitting position, the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  are rotated between about ninety degrees to about one hundred and twenty degrees from the backrest  102 . The lower backside of the user prevents the backrest  102  from rotating out of the sitting position. The user can adjust the slant of the backrest  102  by moving the lower backside of the user closer or further away from the lower portion  110  of the backrest  102 . By moving the lower backside of the user closer to the backrest  102 , the angle between the armrests  104  and  106  and the backrest  102  is decreased. By moving the lower backside of the user further away from the lower portion  110  of the backrest  102 , the backrest  102  is allowed to rotate, increasing the angle between the armrests  104  and  106  and the backrest  102 . 
     The left armrest  106  and right armrest  104  may rotate about the axle  108  together or separately. As an example, movement of the left armrest  106  may force the right armrest  104  to rotate with the left arm rest  106 . Alternatively, the left armrest  106  may rotate about the axle  108  independent from the right armrest  104  These different examples of movement of the left armrest  106  and right armrest  104  may be made possible by a series of gears, joints, or any other device known by those having ordinary skill in the art that may allow and/or limit rotation about the axle  108 . 
     In another embodiment, a rotation latch (not shown) can be used to prevent the backrest  102  from rotating out of the sitting position. The rotation latch prevents the right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  from rotating beyond a desired angle from the backrest  102 . For example, the rotation latch can allow the backrest  102  to rotate one hundred degrees from the right armrest  104  and the left armrest  106 . This allows the massaging cushion  100  to remain in the sitting position without relying on support from the arms and lower backside of the user. In addition, the rotation latch can also be an adjustable latch that allows the user to set a maximum angle of rotation. This allows the user to customize and set the maximum angle between the armrest  104 ,  106  and the backrest  102  that is allowed by the massaging cushion  100 . 
     A control panel  112  located on a top surface of the right armrest  104  allows the user to activate one or more massaging units  114  and one or more heating units  116 . The location of the control panel  112  provides easy access by the hands of the user when the user is being supported by the massaging cushion  100  adjusted to the sitting position. The control panel  112  is not limited to being located on the top surface of the right armrest  104 . The control panel  112  can instead be mounted on a variety of different locations and surfaces of the massaging cushion  100 . The control panel  112  can contain various displays, switches, and knobs used to control the one or more massaging units  114  and the one or more heating units  116 . For example, the knobs or switches can be used to control the amount of heat provided by the heating units  116 . The knobs or switches can also be used to control the massaging intensity and motion of the massaging units. The display can be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display that shows the current settings of the one or more massaging units  114  and one or more heating units  116 . 
     The one or more massaging units  114  can be located within the backrest  102 . In addition, the one or more massaging units  114  can be built into the cushion of the backrest  102 . The massaging units  114  can be a variety of massaging devices arranged within the backrest  102 , for example, but not limited to, massage motors, pulsating transducers, and powered rollers. The location of the massaging units  114  can be a variety of locations and surfaces on the massaging cushion  100 , for example, but not limited to, the top surface or inside surface of the armrests  104  and  106 . 
     Along with the one or more massaging units  114 , the massaging cushion  100  can also have the one or more heating units  116 . Similar, to the massaging units  114 , the one or more heating units  116  can also be built into the cushion of the backrest  102 . The heating units  116  also can be located in a variety of locations and surfaces of the massaging cushion  100 . In addition, the heating units  116  may be located within the armrests  104 ,  106 . During use, the heating unit  116  can generate heat when current is applied to the heating element. Other means for providing heat would be known by those having ordinary skill in the art. 
     The control panel  112  can regulate both the one or more massaging units  114  and the heating units  116 . The control panel  112  can also selectively activate the massaging units  114  and heating units  116  in a variety of patterns, providing different massaging sequences. These sequences can be stored in a memory of the control panel  112 . A user can select a desired sequence on the control panel  112  and the control panel  112  can activate the different massaging units  114  and heating units  116  based on the selected pattern of the user. 
       FIG. 4   a  is a block diagram illustrating interaction of interior components  400   a  of the massaging cushion  100  in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The control panel  112   a  can be electrically coupled to each massaging unit  114   a  and each heating unit  116   a.  A power source  402   a  supplies the power to operate the control panel  112   a.  The control panel  112   a  selectively supplies power to each of the massaging units  114   a  and each of the heating units  116   a  depending on the control panel  112   a  setting. The control panel  114   a  controls each massaging unit  114   a  and each heating unit  116   a  by varying the amount of current supplied to each massaging unit  114   a  and each heating unit  116   a.    
       FIG. 4   b  is a block diagram illustrating interaction of interior components  400   b  of the massaging cushion  100  in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. The power source  402   b  can be electrically coupled to the control panel  112   b,  the one or more massaging units  114   b,  and the one or more heating units  116   b.  The power source  402   b  supplies power directly to each component. The control panel  112   b  can be electrically coupled to each massaging unit  114   b  and each heating unit  116   b  or the control panel  112   b  can be connected to each massaging unit  114   b  and each heating unit  116   b  by wireless communication. The control panel  112   b  signals each of the massaging units  114   b  and each of the heating units  116   b  by electrical pulse or a wireless communication protocol based on the desired setting selected by the user via the control panel  112   b.  Each of the massaging units  114   b  and each of the heating units  116   b  respond to the signals by adjusting to the desired setting. For example, a heating unit  116   b  that receives the signals from the control panel  112   b  to increase the temperature, would increase the current to the heating unit  116   b.    
     The power source  402   a  and  402   b  can be a battery mounted within the backrest  102 , the right armrest  104 , or the left armrest  106 . In addition to the power source  402   a,    402   b  being a battery, the power source  402   a,    402   b  can also be an electrical plug that enters through a surface on the massaging cushion  100 . The user would plug the electrical plug into a wall socket to supply the power to run the control panel  112 , the one or more massaging units  114 , and the one or more heating units  116 . The power source  402   a,    402   b  can also be a combination of the electrical plug and the battery. For example, the battery can be a rechargeable battery that supplies the power for the massaging cushion  100  when the massaging cushion  100  is used in a location remote from a wall socket. The massaging cushion  100  can also have the electrical plug used to recharge the battery or supply power when the massaging cushion  100  is used in a location within reach of a wall socket. 
     The massaging cushion  100  can be constructed of a solid frame with foam or padding material located between the solid frame and a cover. The cover can be made from a variety of materials, for example, but not limited to, fabric, leather, or vinyl. The solid frame can be made of a variety of materials, for example, wood, metal, or plastic. Instead of a solid frame surrounded by padding material, the frame can also be constructed using a semi-hard foam rubber. The semi-hard foam rubber would not require the additional padding material. The control panel  112 , massaging units  114 , and heating units  116  can be supported by the solid frame or the semi-hard foam rubber frame within the massaging cushion  100 . The massaging cushion  100  can be constructed to have a relatively flat surface profile as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The massaging cushion  100  can also be constructed to have a more contoured profile that conforms to the contours of the human body. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view and  FIG. 6  is a top view of the massaging cushion  100  folded into a flattened position for use in a lying down position or for storage in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. The right armrest  104  and left armrest  106  may be folded inline with the backrest  102 . This allows the massaging cushion  100  to have a rectangular shape when in the flattened position to facilitate storage. Due to rectangular shape when in the flattened position, multiple massaging cushions  100  can be stacked vertically or the massaging cushion can be easily stored on a shelf in the folded position. In addition, when in the flattened position, the massaging cushion  100  easily fits within a rectangular storage device, such as, but not limited to, a box. 
     The massaging cushion  100  can also be used as a massaging pillow in the folded position. The user can sit on top of the massaging cushion  100  while the massaging cushion  100  provides a massage to the lower back and thighs of the user. A user can also use the massaging cushion  100  in the folded position to prop up the chest of the user when the user is lying on their stomach. In this position the massaging cushion  100  can be used to provide a massage to the chest of the user. As previously discussed, the massaging units  114  and heating units  116  can be provided on a variety of surfaces and locations on the massaging cushion  100 . The massaging units  114  and heating units  116  can be provided on both the back surface  120  and the front surface  118  of the backrest  102 . This allows the user to use the massaging cushion  100  in the sitting position or in the folded position as a pillow while maintaining easy access to the control panel  112 . The massaging units  114  and heating units  116  can also be centrally located within the backrest  102  so as to provide a massaging effect and heating to both the back surface  120  and the front surface  118  of the backrest  102  from within the backrest  102 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the massaging cushion  700  folded into a flattened position for use in a lying down position or for storage in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the third exemplary embodiment, the axle  108  shown in  FIG. 1  does not run all the way through the backrest  102 . Instead, in the third exemplary embodiment of the right armrest  706  is coupled to the backrest  702  by a right axle  707  and the left armrest  704  is coupled to the backrest  702  by a left axle  709 . The right axle  707  and left axle  709  allow the right armrest  706  and left armrest  704  to rotate about the backrest  702 . The third exemplary embodiment also allows the right armrest  706  and left armrest  704  to rotate independently about the backrest  702 . 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8