Abstract:
The present invention discloses a dynamic massaging device coupled to an exercise apparatus. This unique system allows users to increase the amount of physical activity in their daily lives while simultaneously stimulating the natural ability of the body to heal itself through induced relaxation and decreased stress. The device provides for an adjustable walking surface. The walking surface contains a belt or mat which in turn support a variety of small protruding elements from the surface. Both the belt and protruding elements on the belt are adjustable to provide different walking environments. The purpose of the belt and various mechanisms located on the belt are ultimately to change the location of the protruding elements over time. The purpose of the protruding elements are to cause a depression in some part of the body, particularly the feet. These elements are adjustable in that they can be changed between sessions of use or during sessions of use to provide varied sensations.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. § 111(b) and the filing date of provisional application 60/1716, 263, entitled TREADMILL FOR WALKING WITH SIMULATED COBBLESTONE TREADMILL BELT, filed Sep. 12, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of health care. More specifically, the invention relates to the technical field of reflexology and massaging induced by ambulatory movement.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.  
         [0004]     The growing segment of the aging Baby Boomer generation will likely develop an increased number of health problems relating to declining physical function and stability. Many of these problems can be prevented or eased by participation in regular physical activity; however, impediments in our busy daily lives can prohibit this activity from occurring. Unfortunately, optimal exercise prescriptions and tools for aging adults are not yet well established. Many conventional exercise programs such as aerobics or weight training also become overly physically challenging, costly and inconvenient. Thus, there remains a need to develop simple and readily accessible exercise tools and programs that will reduce chronic health problems and diseases associated with aging by simply increasing the amount of physical movement people experience.  
         [0005]     Mounting research suggests that regular physical activity or exercise by aging adults is associated with numerous health benefits including improved muscle function, improved balance, improved joint mobility and a reduction in blood pressure and stress. Increased research is being directed at new alternative forms of low impact exercise that appear to have very promising results. One of these forms of exercise is cobblestone walking. Tremendously popular in China and other Asian countries, cobblestone walking has been associated with greater health benefits for centuries. The individual benefits of walking combined with the accupressural stimulation of the feet and the strengthening of the small support muscles of the foot by walking on uneven surfaces all coincide to contribute to this achieved improvement in overall health.  
         [0006]     Although, it has only been recently that medical research has begun to quantitatively prove the health benefits of cobblestone walking. In a landmark paper from the Oregon Research Institute, Drs. Lee, Fisher, and Harmer concluded, “Cobblestone mat walking improved physical function and reduced blood pressure to a greater extent than conventional walking in older adults. Additional benefits of this walking program included improved health related quality of life. This new physical activity may provide a therapeutic and health enhancing exercise alternatives for older adults.” (Journal of American Geriatric Society, 2005).  
         [0007]     As the benefits of cobblestone walking are becoming more clear, there is one problem that confronts older adults who wish to pursue this type of low-impact exercise program. There are very few cobblestone walking paths available in western-cultured societies. While widespread in Asia, these paths are rare in Europe and virtually nonexistent in the United States. Cobblestone mats, such as those used in the O.R.I. study, provide limited access, but are also too short in length to provide any sustained, continuous exercise program.  
         [0008]     One idea that has been disclosed, which suffers from one or more obvious drawbacks, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,859 to Yeh (“&#39;859”). &#39;859 discloses a treadmill having a massaging device underneath it. The drawback is that the massaging device in &#39;859 is composed of a static system of knobs that are attached to an immobile structural support. This causes any user with a particular length stride to come in contact with the same knobs on the same part of the foot with every step. Thus, &#39;859 completely denies the benefits associated with cobblestone walking and explained by reflexology theory.  
         [0009]     Another idea stemming from Patent Application No. 2005/0059912 to Ishiguro et al. (“&#39;912”) suggests a massaging device for the feet. It contains many elements capable of massaging both top and bottom of the foot to improve blood circulation. However, &#39;912 fails to provide a simple apparatus by necessitating the use of various drive shafts and drive mechanisms. Utilizing these mechanisms also destroys one benefit of the presently disclosed invention which is allowing the user to provide the power to the system while simultaneously increasing strength and cardiovascular health.  
         [0010]     The solution to this problem of decreased physical activity, which is the subject matter of the present application, is simply to provide more access to a continuous and continuously changing ambulatory device. The following disclosure having the benefit of those skilled in the art achieves such a desired result while providing the additional benefits associated with cobblestone walking.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present disclosure provides for a dynamic massaging device coupled to an exercise apparatus. This unique system allows users to increase the amount of physical activity in their daily lives while simultaneously stimulating the body&#39;s natural ability to heal itself through induced relaxation and decreased stress.  
         [0012]     More specifically, the present disclosure provides for an adjustable walking surface. The walking surface contains a belt or mat which in turn contains a variety of small protruding elements from the surface. Similar to a treadmill, the walking surface can be elevated to produce an angled platform. Both the belt and protruding elements on the belt can be adjustable or completely removable to provide different walking environments for the user. The purpose of the belt and various mechanisms located on the belt are ultimately to change the location of the protruding elements over time while the purpose of the protruding elements are to cause a depression in some part of a body, particularly the feet. These elements are adjustable in that they can be changed between sessions of use or during sessions of use, due to swelling or inflation to provide varied sensations. The various methods of altering the protruding elements will be more clearly explained in the following disclosure. All parts to the disclosed device may optionally be individually powered.  
         [0013]     These and other objectives of the claimed invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a treadmill of the prior art.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a treadmill of the prior art.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a cobblestone walking mat of the prior art.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of the outer surface of the belt of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of another embodiment of the outer surface of the belt of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the outer surface of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the belt and protrusions of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment of the belt and protrusions of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the belt and protrusions of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  diagrams a flowchart of the preferred method of using the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a treadmill of the prior art is illustrated. Treadmill  10  includes structural support  12  for platform  14  and revolving belt  16 . Belt  16  revolves around a pair of rollers  18  located at the front and back of structural support  12 . Belt  16  contains either none or a very small amount of tread which may come in contact with the feet of a user. As shown by  FIG. 1 , treadmill  10  does not contain any protruding elements from belt  16 .  
         [0026]     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a top view of a treadmill of the prior art is illustrated. Treadmill  10  includes structural support  12  for platform  14  and revolving belt  16 . The pair of rollers  18  are required in order for belt  16  to revolve adequately and treadmill  10  to operate sufficiently.  
         [0027]     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a top view of a cobblestone walking mat of the prior art is illustrated. Walking mat  32  is usually made of a plastic, rubber or vinyl material and contains a random assortment of imitation rocks  34 , which are shown by the smaller shaded regions in  FIG. 3 . One of the disadvantages with walking mat  32 , such as the one illustrated, is the possibility of tearing. Another disadvantage of walking mat  32 , such as the one illustrated, is the finite length which only allows for a limited amount of walking space. Still, another disadvantage of walking mat  32 , such as the one illustrated, is the static nature and static positioning of rocks  34 . These disadvantages are eliminated by the belt presently disclosed as shown in  FIGS. 4-12  and having the benefit of those skilled in the art.  
         [0028]     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Treadmill  40  comprises structural frame  41 , handles  42 , pair of rollers  43 , belt  44 , outer surface  45  of belt  44 , a number of various protrusions  46 - 48  and platform  49 . In one embodiment, treadmill  40  may also include power source  10 . Power source  10  may be one or a combination of one or more electric motor, battery pack, solar powered paneling, or electrical cord and may be physically located on treadmill  40  or located at some remote site (not shown). In another embodiment, treadmill  40  may be powered by the movement of belt  44 , itself. In yet another embodiment, treadmill  40  may be powered manually. Power distribution may be activated by switch located on treadmill  40  or a remote control or movement of belt  44 .  
         [0029]     Again referring to  FIG. 4 , structural frame  41  may in one embodiment form an L-shape by extending parallel to the ground along platform  49  and then jutting vertically upward at one end. In this embodiment, structural frame  41  may comprise handles  42  along the vertical portion. The vertical and horizontal portions may be permanently fixed or hinged about an axis point to allow the vertical portion and handles  42  to move back and forth either independently or in concert. The vertical portion of structural frame  41  may consist of a plurality of members or no members at all. The horizontal portion of structural frame  41  may be used to connect platform  49  and rollers  43 . It may also be elevate at one end in order to create an angle with the ground plane from zero to ninety degrees. Similar to the vertical portion, in one embodiment, the horizontal portion may also be completely absent.  
         [0030]     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , in the preferred embodiment, belt  44  revolves around rollers  43  in a single direction. The tension of belt  44  is great enough to keep belt  44  in place and firmly mounted around rollers  43 . In another embodiment belt  44  is divided into strips which independently revolve around rollers  43  which are capable of rotating in several alternate directions. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, belt  44  does not revolve around rollers  43 , but instead, slides back and forth on a single or multiple tracks.  
         [0031]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , belt  44  comprises outer surface  45  which in the preferred embodiment is studded with a variety of protruding elements, or protrusions  46 - 48 . Protrusions  46 - 48  may be formed by an extension of outer surface  45 , itself or be formed by separate elements attached to outer surface  45 . In the preferred embodiment, protrusions  46 - 48  consist of randomly shaped elements movably affixed to outer surface  45  and grouped haphazardly in relation to one another. Any one protrusion,  47  may be comprised of almost any type of material such as metal, stone, tile, cement, brick, mineral, plastic, rubber, fiber, gas, liquid or some composition of these materials. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the consistency and grouping of protrusions  46 - 48  may appear more regular, as more clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  
         [0032]     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a top view of the preferred embodiment of the outer surface of the belt of the present invention is illustrated. Outer surface  45  is shown studded with various protrusions  46 - 48 . The patches of protrusions  46 - 48 , shown in  FIG. 5 , merely serve as samples of any possible configuration of pattern of protrusions  46 - 48 . In the preferred embodiment, any sample patch of protrusions  46 - 48  will contain protrusions  46 - 48  of varying height, width, density, shape and shore. However, in the preferred embodiment, the pattern of these protrusions  46 - 48  will be somewhat regular in terms of distance between protrusions  46 - 48 . In another embodiment, the pattern of protrusions  46 - 48  could appear more sporadic, possibly even containing areas where outer surface  45  appears bald. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the height, width, density, shape or shore of protrusions  46 - 48  will appear more regular. Outer surface  45  might even contain any one particular protrusion  46  repeated throughout any pattern over entire outer surface  45 .  
         [0033]     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , a top view of another embodiment of the outer surface of the present invention is illustrated. Groups of protrusions  46 - 48  are shown in distinct areas or tracks. These distinct areas correspond with divisions in outer surface  45 . The divisions are created so that not all protrusions  46 - 48  move in unison or even in the same direction. It is possible for protrusions  46 - 48  on adjacent tracks to move independently and even contradictory to each other. The tracks may simply slide back and forth against each other or continually revolve in an elliptical motion as if located on a belt. This system allows for a continually changing combination of protrusions  46 - 48  to come in contact with the user of the device (not shown). Direction arrows are shown in  FIG. 6  to indicate various exemplary directions of movement of distinct areas or tracks of outer surface  45  and any particular protrusion  46  located on that track.  
         [0034]     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the outer surface of the belt of the present invention is illustrated. Protrusions  46 - 48  of varying shape are shown floating in fluid layer  70 . Fluid layer  70  may be located above or contained within outer surface  45  of belt  44 . In the system of this device, protrusions  46 - 48  are given a broader range of motion and are not locked into place. Similar to the system of the device described in  FIG. 6 , this system also allows for a continually changing combination of protrusions  46 - 48  to come in contact with the user of the device (not shown). Direction arrows are shown in  FIG. 7  to indicate various exemplary directions of movement of any one protrusion  46 . Movement may be caused by external contact with outer surface  45 , a propulsion or hydraulic device located within belt  44  or even the collision of protrusions  46 - 48  into each other.  
         [0035]     Now referring to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the belt and protrusions of the present invention is illustrated. Outer surface  45  of belt  44  is shown studded with various protrusions  46 - 48 . In this preferred embodiment, belt  44  is shown as one continuous looping segment but in other embodiments belt  44  could be divided into multiple segments. The ends of belt  44  are capable of revolving around a roller or pulley. Protrusions  46 - 48  remain adjustable fixed to belt  44 , while it revolves. In order to accomplish revolution, protrusions  46 - 48  could be spaced differently on outer surface  45 , the size of each could be diminished, the material used to construct each could be altered, surface contact with outer surface  45  could be altered or thin vertical slits could be made in each protrusion  46 - 48  to facilitate bending.  
         [0036]     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , a side view of the preferred embodiment of the belt and protrusions of the present invention is illustrated. Belt  44 , with its top-most layer, outer surface  45 , form the contact surface between the disclosed invention and user of the device (not shown). In this preferred embodiment, the varying heights and shapes of protrusions  46 - 48  becomes more easily apparent. One protrusion  46  might have sharper edges than another protrusion  48 . One protrusion  48  might be smaller in height or width than another protrusion  46 . Still, one protrusion  47  might be constructed of less dense material or under less pressure than another protrusion  46 . Varying density or pressure of protrusions  46 - 48  is important for the device to be used at different speeds. While belt  44  is moving at higher speeds, it remains important for protrusions to be under less pressure or constructed of less dense material. As described in previous figures, these different properties have the ability to change while the device is in use. In another embodiment of the present invention, belt  44  or protrusions  46 - 48  are removable or adjustable to alter the properties of the presently disclosed device for specific uses.  
         [0037]     Now referring to  FIG. 10 , a side view of another embodiment of the belt and protrusions of the present invention is illustrated. Belt  44 , with its top-most layer, outer surface  45 , form the contact surface between the disclosed invention and user of the device (not shown). Belt  44  may also come in contact with or contain a vibrating mechanism, capable of vibrating either outer surface  45  or protrusions  46 - 48 . In this alternate embodiment, the varying heights and shapes of protrusions  46 - 48  are shown in conjunction with the different possible patterns, previously illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Spacing between protrusions  46 - 48  may increase or decrease in length to reveal more or less of outer surface  45 . As described of  FIG. 9 , these various patterns may be removable or adjustable to alter the properties of the presently disclosed device for specific uses.  
         [0038]     Now referring to  FIG. 11 , a flowchart diagramming the preferred method of using the present invention is shown. The mat referred to and described in  FIG. 11  could also be substituted for the belt illustrated and described in previous figures. In process block  100 , the action of selecting an anatomical area to contact with the mat is commenced. The user of this device could include a human, a pet, or any object that requires a massaging effect. The selected area could include almost any part of the body such as the digits, limbs, hands, feet, head, buttock, back or abdomen. Although, it is suggested that the most beneficial effects will be achieved with a person while ambulating on the device. In process block  102 , the action of positioning the selected anatomical area in contact with the mat is performed. Next, in process block  104 , actuating the mat occurs. This step causes movement of the belt or protrusions of the presently disclosed device either manually or mechanically. After movement of the belt, mat, or protrusions occurs, decision block  106  is reached. Decision block  106  queries whether the selected anatomical area is the feet. An affirmative response to the query causes the path in  FIG. 11  to continue to process block  108 . Process block  108  calls for commencing ambulation. Alternatively, a negative response to the query posed in decision block  106  bypasses process block  108  and concludes at process block  110 . Finally, process block  110  provides the result of sensing the effects of a plurality of protrusions. These effects could include decreased stress, improved circulation, improved immunological response, relaxation of muscles, strengthened skin tone or other benefits associated with the art of reflexology.  
         [0039]     The spirit of the present disclosure provides a breadth and scope that includes all variations of constructing the disclosed machinery and all methods of using the same. Any variation on the theme and specific embodiments of accomplishing the same that are not described herein would be considered equivalent and under the scope of the present disclosure.