Abstract:
The disclosed system enables the conversion of a massage table to a hydrotherapy wet-table through use of a frame. The frame consists of a horizontal foot panel, connected to a drain system, and a foot upright affixed to the foot brace. A pair of prongs extend from the foot brace to be received by holes within the table. The head panel also has a substantially horizontal head brace, with a head upright affixed to the head brace. A head support is placed within the table to provide support for the head panel. Sidepieces are connected to the foot and head uprights to complete the frame. A waterproof sheet covers the table and frame and is secured by releasable attachments members. The system can also have an overhead U-shaped frame formed from a pair of frame walls rotatably attached to the sidepieces. A waterproof covering can be placed over the frame walls and top frame to maintain the water within the confines of the hydrotherapy table.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of No. 60/200,582, filed Apr. 28, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a portable conversion system to convert massage tables into hrydo wet tables and Vichy showers. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Day spas, destination spas, hair salons, health and fitness centers are now offering spa treatments given by professional massage therapists and estheticians that require a treatment table that allows water to be brought to the client on the treatment table to either wet the skin, rinse the skin or massage the skin. Spa treatments are also being offered that require several shower heads to be placed above the client on the massage table for the purpose a hydro pressure massage and to rinse the skin. There are currently available for this purpose wet-tables that are made out of molded plastic with a waterproof pad that the client lays on. Most of these tables are designed for use only in a wet-room, which is a tiled room with a floor drain so that the water drains from the table to the floor and to a floor drain. Wet-rooms are very expensive to construct with a minimum investment of $10,000 and most buildings are leased by the spa. Wet-rooms are also less comfortable than normal treatment rooms and are more likely to have accidents as a result of slipping on a wet floor. 
     The rooms required for prior art tables are expensive to build and are difficult to retrofit due to the plumbing requirements. A standard massage table is also required as a normal function of the business, thereby increasing the cost to the professional. Most spas are privately owned business by owners who are estheticians or massage therapists that have limited capital to invest in equipment. They also have limited capital to invest in major facility renovations on buildings which are leased for use as a spa for a limited period of time. The day spa and destination spa is a rapidly growing industry with more than 100,000 licensed massage therapist in the USA and more than 18,000 in Florida alone. According to a recent study published in Day Spa Magazine, February 2000, 93% of day spas offer massage treatments, 89% offer body scrubs which can be done best on a wet-table and 25% offer other forms of hydrotherapy treatments. According to the survey, 10% of existing spas plan to add hydrotherapy systems designed to provide treatments that could be done with the disclosed system. 
     The disclosed system overcomes the foregoing problems by affordably transforming any conventional massage table into a hydro wet-table. Because the disclosed system allows treatments to be done in a normal treatment room and does not require a wet-room, spas that want to do hydro wet-table treatments but cannot afford a wet-room will now have the option to offer hydro wet-table treatments. 
     The disclosed system also improves hygiene compared to conventional wet-tables where the client lays on a foam pad, by using a vinyl cloth that covers the massage table surface and then another piece of comfortable, washable cloth is placed on the table that the client lays on. This additional cloth is machined washed after each treatment with a disinfectant for maximum hygiene. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed system enables a conventional massage table to be used both as a massage table and a hydro wet-table at the same time, eliminating the need for specially built tables and rooms by permitting the hydro wet-table treatments to be done in a normal treatment room. The client benefits from the full comfort of a massage table for massage treatments and hydro wet-table treatments and the client does not need to leave the treatment table during a series of massage and hydro wet-table treatments. This means that more treatments can be done in one room, which improves the profitability of the room space by making it more multi-purpose. On other wet-tables, the client is laying on an uncomfortable pad during the wet-table treatment. 
     The disclosed system enables the conversion of a massage table to a hydrotherapy wet-table through use of a frame dimensioned to have an interior perimeter slightly greater than the massage table exterior perimeter. The frame consists of a foot panel having a horizontal foot brace and a foot upright affixed to the foot brace at approximately a right angle. A pair of prongs extend from the foot brace and are dimensioned to be received by holes within a first end of the massage table. The frame also has a head panel having a substantially horizontal head brace, with a head upright affixed to the head brace at approximately a right angle. Preferably the head brace incorporates a head hole that extends through the head brace and aligning with a head hole in the massage table to enable a user to lie face down. 
     A head support, consisting of a support panel and a pair of prongs is placed within a second end of the massage table to provide support for the head panel. The head support can be dimensioned to raise the head panel slightly to run water down toward the foot of the table. Sidepieces are connected to the foot and head uprights to complete the frame. Preferably the head and foot uprights are slightly shorter than the foot and head braces, enabling the sidepieces to rest on the braces. In an alternate embodiment, the sidepieces can be two or more lengths to enable the sidepieces to be folded for additional portability. 
     A waterproof sheet is used to cover the massage table and frame and is maintained in place by releasable attachments members. A cover cloth is preferably placed over the waterproof liner to provide for user comfort. 
     To prevent water build up, a drain hole is placed within the foot brace, and connected to a drain system. In one embodiment the drain system is a water recycling system comprising a pump, a hand held shower and a retaining vessel to receive water from the wet-table. The pump pumps water from the retaining vessel to the hand held shower, thereby circulating said water. Preferably the recycling system has a heater within said retaining vessel to maintain the water at a predetermined temperature. 
     The system can also have an overhead U-shaped frame formed from a pair of frame walls rotatably attached to the sidepieces. Both of the frame walls have an attachment base having a length less than the length of the sidepieces and a parallel horizontal support with a length about equal to the attachment base. At least two vertical supports each have a first end attached to the attachment base and a second end attached to the horizontal support. One of the frame walls has frame receiving members positioned along the horizontal support 
     A top frame has at least a pair of supports, each of which has rotatable attachment members at a first end and interlocking members at a second end. The interlocking members being positioned to be received by the frame receiving members. A brace extends between the supports proximate the interlocking members. An appliance bar extends between the supports to enable at least one appliance to be positioned over a user. In one embodiment on end of the appliance bar is connected to a water source and sealed at a second end with multiple showerheads arranged along the bar. Alternatively heat lamps, fans or other appliances can be attached to the bar. A waterproof covering is preferably placed over the frame walls and top frame to maintain the water within the confines of the hydrotherapy table. The ends of the canopy structure can also be covered. 
     In the embodiment incorporating the canopy, the client is completely covered by the hydro wet-table canopy, blocking the client&#39;s body from view by the therapist, with the exception of the head. This provides complete privacy, as well as maintains the temperature inside at approximately 90 degrees. On conventional wet-tables the client is in full view of the therapist and because the room temperature is approximately 70 degrees, the client often gets cold during the treatment. 
     The disclosed system is more hygienic than current hydro wet-tables by providing a vinyl cloth that covers the massage table surface and then another piece of comfortable, washable cloth is placed on the table that the client lays on. This cloth is machined washed after each treatment with a disinfectant for maximum hygiene. The disclosed drain system connects to an existing drain in the room or a drain can be brought to the wall of the room from water lines in the building. The hydro wet table conversion kit also eliminates the need for a wet-room as all the water during the treatment drains to the back of the table and to a drain and does not get on the floor. 
     The invention can also be used in a residential setting for persons who want spa treatments including hydrotherapy treatments in their home. They can have a trained massage therapist or esthetician come to their residence to perform treatments, which is already a common practice. The invention gives them the option to create a spa in their own home and when the room is needed for other purposes, the system can be easily disassembled and stored. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the unassembled conversion kit of the disclosed invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the partially assembled conversion kit mounted on a table; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the covers used with the disclosed invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled massage table; 
     FIG. 5 is a cut away side view of the plumbing assembly; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the disclosed table attached to a sink; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an example hose attachment for use with the disclosed table; 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the assembled table conversion system and massage table; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of one of the Vichy shower side panels; 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded side view of the second side panel with the top and shower heads; 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the Vichy shower prior to assembly; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled Vichy shower frame; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assembled Vichy shower with the sides dropped; 
     FIG. 14 is a front view of an example water connection system for use with the disclosed wet table; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the front of the assembled Vichy shower with cover; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the back of the covered Vichy shower; 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of an alternate drain system for use with the disclosed system; and, 
     FIG. 18 is a example of a system for recycling water for use during a Vichy shower treatment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed system enables a standard massage table to be converted to a wet-table and/or Vichy shower. Wet-tables are used in the field of hydrotherapy to allow water to be brought to the client on the treatment table, usually in the form of a handheld shower and/or showerheads above the person lying on the treatment table. The purpose is to bring water to the skin, massage the skin with water under pressure, rinsing the skin of spa products such as massage oil, medicinal mud, seaweed, etc. The disclosed system transforms any conventional massage table, portable or stationary, to a wet-table table with hydrotherapy capabilities that can be used in a normal treatment room, eliminating the need for a tiled wet room. 
     The table conversion system consists of a frame that has five separate pieces. The frame, illustrated in FIG. 1, can be manufactured from a durable wood, such as oak, plastic, lightweight metal or other applicable, water resistant material. The foot panel assembly  1  is slightly longer than the width of the massage table and comprises a foot brace  20  and foot upright  22 . In the illustrated embodiment, the foot brace  20  has a greater length than the foot upright  22  to receive the sidepieces  6   a  and  6   b . This enables the sidepieces  6   a  and  6   b  to rest on the foot brace  20  for support, as well as maintaining a flush outer surface. A hole  2  is placed in the center of the foot brace  20  to receive the drain (not shown). The foot brace  20  and foot upright  22  are at right angles to one another and secured together through means applicable to the materials used. Since the frame could be exposed to water, a sealant should be used to prevent water leakage at the juncture of the brace  20  and upright  22 . On the bottom of the foot brace  20  two wooden dowels  3   a ,  3   b  are attached, extending toward the head panel assembly  4 . The dowels  3   a ,  3   b  will be inserted into the two holes that come with all massage tables  30   a ,  30   b  (FIG. 8) at both the head and foot end of the massage table. These holes are placed in all conventional massage tables for the purpose of installing a headrest or foot rest, as described further herein in conjunction with FIG.  8 . The head panel assembly  4  is slightly longer than the width of the massage table and is generally equal to the length of the foot panel assembly  1 . The head brace  24  and head upright  26  are at right angles to one another and dimensioned to enable the sidepieces  6   a  and  6   b  to rest on the head brace  24 . A head panel support  5  is used to support the head panel assembly  4  at the head of the table. The dowels  5   a  and  5   b  of the head panel support  5  are dimensioned to be received by the holes at the head of the table, thereby causing the head panel support  5  to extend parallel to the ground. The head brace  24  is then supported on the head panel support  5 . A face hole  70 , approximately 6″ in diameter, is preferably centered in the head brace  24  to enable use of the head rest  72  that comes with the system. The headrest  72  is used when it necessary for the client lay face down on the massage table for long periods of time. 
     A pair of side pieces  6   a  and  6   b  extend the length of the table and are secured at right angles to the head panel  4  and the foot panel  1 . As stated heretofore, the sidepieces  6   a  and  6   b  rest, and are secured to, on the foot brace  20  and the head brace  24 . In an alternate embodiment, the sidepieces  6   a ,  6   b , can be divided into two equal pieces and attached with a hinge so that they can fold into lengths of 3′8″. This would allow a therapist to put the entire kit into a duffel bag a transport it along with a portable massage table easily by car to any location. 
     An example of typical dimensioning for the frame would be a foot panel having a length of about 27″ to 35″, about 5″ wide and about 4″ high. The head panel would have a length about 27″ to 35″, 11″ wide and 4″ high. The sides pieces are generally about 89″ long, 4″ high and ¾″ in width. The frame can be secured together through use of dowels, screws, adhesives, or other applicable materials. These dimensions can easily be altered to adapt to any table or surface based upon the teachings herein. 
     To assemble the frame  52  each of the side pieces  6   a  and  6   b  is attached to the foot brace  1  with the head piece  4  then being connected to other end of the side pieces  6   a  and  6   b . To attach the assembled frame  52  to the massage table  50 , as illustrated in FIG. 8, the head support piece  5  is inserted into the two holes  34   a  and  34   b , at the head end of the massage table  50 . Then the assembled frame is lifted above the table and the two dowels  3   a  and  3   b  are inserted into the two holes  30   a  and  30   b  in the massage table at the foot end. The headpiece  4  is then laid on top of head support piece  5 . The frame is now attached to the massage table. Once the assembled frame  52  is placed on the table, the head support cushion  12  is placed on the head piece  5 , as illustrated in FIG. 2, to prevent the client&#39;s head from coming in contact with the hard frame. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3, Velcro®  32  or other similar material or removable adhesive members, is preferably placed along the edge of the assembled frame  52 . The vinyl sheet  13  is now placed over, and attached to, the frame  52  by matching the Velcro® on the vinyl sheet  13  with the Velcro® on the frame  52 . It should be noted that the drain hole  34  in the vinyl sheet  13  must align with the drain hole  2  in the frame  52 . Once the vinyl sheet  13  is secured, a piece of specialized cloth  14  is placed on the table on top of the vinyl sheet  13  before the client lies on the table. This cloth provides greater comfort than the vinyl sheet  13  and should cover the entire table to prevent leakage of the water to the frame. An example of appropriate dimensions would be 6′ long and 28″ wide. The most important reason for this cloth is that it can be washed in a regular washing machine with a disinfectant that provides the greatest hygienic protection for the client. The kit comes with two vinyl cloths  13  and four of the cover cloths  14 . FIG. 4 shows the completed assembly. 
     All conventional massage tables can be adjusted to various heights in order to enable the water to drain properly. The massage table is adjusted so the head end is 2″ higher than the foot end. Thus, any water that comes on the massage table will drain to the drain at the back of the massage table. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example of the hardware applicable for use for the drain system of the disclosed invention. The 2″ stainless steel drain  17  is inserted into the hole  2  in the foot brace  20 . The rim of the drain  17  is positioned over the vinyl sheet  13  to seal the sheet and prevent the water from leaking. A 1½″ PVC threaded elbow  18  is screwed on to the stainless steel drain and tightened to create a waterproof seal. A 1½″ PVC pipe  19   a , approximately 3′ long, is now attached to the drain  18  at one end. When the PVC pipe  19  is connected under the sink to the drain, then the other end of the PVC pipe  19  is connected to the T adapter  19   a , with sealing cap that is placed between the trap and the drain. This enables the PVC pipe to be connected when needed and removed when not needed. If the PVC pipe  19  is going to be connected to a drain at the wall, then the pipe  19  will connect to a 1½″ connector above the trap as illustrated in FIG.  17 . 
     In one embodiment, the handheld shower system illustrated in FIG. 7 can be used with the table to bring water to the client. The handheld shower  20  should have sufficient hose  21  length to enable the entire surface of the massage table to be reached during treatments. Also, a scald protection device  22  is connected to the hose to prevent the water temperature higher than 114 degrees Fahrenheit from coming in contact with the client on the massage table. An adapter  23  is connected to the end of the faucet at the sink that has a hose fitting. A brass female quick connect  24  is attached to this fitting. The brass quick connect male  25  is connected an adapter  26  that then attaches to the handheld shower hose  21 . The handheld shower can now be quickly and easily connected and disconnected to the faucet at the sink and the sink can be used as normal when the hose is not connected to it. The holder  27  can be attached to the wall or the side of the table to store the showerhead  20  when not in use. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed table can include a hydro cover and showerheads for use alone or in conjunction with the handheld shower. In FIGS. 9-15, the disclosed table has been covered with a unique Vichy Shower system that is designed to work in conjunction with the table. The plumbing for the hydro massage system, can be any standard Vichy Shower plumbing having a mixing valve  60  that provides both scald protection and pressure balancing and enough flow rate. There is a temperature gauge  61  above the mixing valve and above that a valve  62  that allows the water to flow to the handheld shower  63 . Above valve  62  is a valve  63  that allows the water to flow to the showerheads inside the hydro cover via a flexible steel hose  64 . An example of a plumbing system is illustrated in FIG.  14 . 
     The hydro cover side panels  31  and  32  are basically rectangular frames manufactured from wood, PVC or other lightweight, and preferably water resistant, material. Since the side panels  31  and  32  differ slightly they will be described separately, however it should be noted that the basic dimensions and construction are the same. The attachment base  36  can be manufactured from wood or other material that will easily receive the hinges  37   a  and  37   b , as well as the ends of the vertical supports  35   a ,  35   b  and  35   c . The hinges  37   a  and  37   b  enable hydro cover side panels  31  to be attached to the table frame  52 . Thus, when the hydro cover system is not in use, the panels  31  and  32  hang at the side of the massage table in such a way that they do not interfere with massage therapy or other treatments. Three connectors  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c  are provided on the horizontal support  34  that provide a method of receiving, and supporting, the top panel  140 , illustrated in FIG. 10, to the side panel  31 . 
     The attachment base  41  of the side panel  32  is hinged as noted above with hinges  42   a  and  42   b , and receives the vertical supports  40   a ,  40   b  and  40   c . The horizontal support  39  is dimensioned to rotatably receive the connectors  142  of the top panel  140 . This is easily accomplished by dimensioning the connectors  142  to have an interior diameter slightly larger than that of the horizontal support  39 , thereby enabling the top panel  140  to rotate around the horizontal support  39 . 
     The top panel  140  has one horizontal connector pole  44  and three supporting cross poles  43   a ,  43   b , and  43   c . The support cross poles  43   a ,  43   b  and  43   c  are attached at one end to rotating connectors  142  and to the cross pole connectors  148  at the other end. At about the center of each of the three cross poles  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c , there is a shower pipe receiving hole  158  to receive the showerhead pole  45 . At the end of each cross pole  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c  there is a T shaped connector  142  that allows it to rotatably attach to the horizontal pole  39 . Because the diameter of the connectors  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c , is greater than the diameter of the horizontal pole  39 , the panel  140  can rotate when disconnected from panel  31  and fold at the side of the massage table adjacent to the panel  32 . 
     The showerhead pipe  45 , holding the showerheads  245 , is constructed of PVC, CPVC, copper pipe or similar material. The showerheads  245  can be connected to the pipe  45  in any variety of positions. The connectors between the showerheads and the pipe  45  allow for the rotation of the showerheads  245 , thereby enabling the showerheads to lie in a vertical position when folded, as illustrated in FIG.  13 . In the illustrated example, seven showerheads  245  are connected to the pipe  45 , although any number can be used. The positioning of several showerheads in a straight line above a spa customer lying on a treatment table is termed a “Vichy shower” in the spa industry. However, it is possible to create various patterns of showerheads over the treatment table. It would be possible to have two or even three pipes with different numbers of showerheads inside to create different combinations and patterns of water showering on to the client&#39;s body. At one end of the pipe  45 , there is a brass quick connect male ½″ piece  46  that will allow the pipe to be connected to a water source while the opposite end is plugged to force the water to exit through the showerheads  245 . 
     In one construction format, the sides panels  31  and  32  are manufactured from PVC tubing, preferably having a diameter of about ½″. The attachment base  36  is a wood that has been drilled to receive the vertical supports  35   a ,  35   b , and  35   c  and has been fitted with the hinges  37   a  and  37   b . The vertical supports  35   a  and  35   c  are connected to the horizontal support  34  by elbows  132 . The center vertical support  35   b  is connected to the horizontal support  34  through use of a T  134 . Connector Ts  38   a ,  38   b  and  38   c  are placed along the horizontal support  34  to receive the top panel  140 . The top panel  140  has one pole  44  75 inches long with three 20 inch long cross poles  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c  attached to the pole  44 . At the center of each of the three cross poles  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c , there is a ¾″ diameter hole that will allow a ½″ diameter pipe with showerheads  245  to connect through it. At the end of each cross pole  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c  there is a T shaped connector with a ¾″ diameter hole that allows it to attach to pole  39 . Because the diameter of the connectors  43   a ,  43   b ,  43   c , is greater than the diameter of the pole  45 , the panel  33  can rotate when disconnected from panel  31  and fold at the side of the massage table with panel  32 . 
     To assemble the tent structure  225 , the panel  32  is first brought up into position and then the second panel  31  brought into position. The top panel is then placed over and secured, forming the tent structure  225 . 
     The complete assembly of panels  31  and  32 , their attachment to the wooden frame and to each other, is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The tent structure  225  formed by the panels  31 ,  32  and  45  is then covered with a waterproof cloth  250 , such as waterproofed nylon. The fabric  250  is attached to the tent structure  225  panels through the use of Velcro®, or other materials, affixed to the fabric  250  or, alternatively to the tent structure  225 . When the tent structure  225  is covered with the fabric  250 , the water from the showerheads  245  will drain inside of the hydro cover and not on the floor. A front piece of waterproof cloth  251  will be attached at the head end using Velcro® to prevent water from splashing out the head end when in use. A piece of waterproof cloth  251  (FIG. 16) is attached at the back end of the hydro cover  250  to prevent water from splashing out at the back end. 
     Although the foregoing tent structure is disclosed as being used as a shower, it should also be noted that lamps, fans or other appliances could also be used, depending upon end use. 
     It is also possible to use as a plumbing system to bring water to the handheld shower and showerheads a re-circulating pump to re-circulate heated water through the showerheads and handheld shower to significantly reduce the amount of water used. One example of a re-circulating system is illustrated in FIG. 18 wherein the water is fed into the container  320  from a standard hot/cold plumbing  302 . The water is pumped from the container  320 , into the piping system  322 , through use of a pump 304 . The piping system is provided with a number of valves  324 ,  326  and  328  that serve to direct the water. The user has the option of directing the water to either the handheld shower  310  or to the Vichy shower  308  by opening or closing the respective valves  326  or  328 . The water is drained from the table back into the container  320  through the table drain  306 . Once the user has completed the treatment, the valve  326  to the handheld shower  310  and the valve  328  to the Vichy shower  308  are turned off and the drain valve  324  opened. The water is then pumped to the drain until the container  320  is emptied.