Abstract:
A massage system includes a tub containing a fluid. The tub is covered by a surface on which a person receiving a massage lays. A pump receives the fluid from the tub and delivers the fluid to an input of at least two zone control valves. An output of each of the zone control valves is in fluid communication with a corresponding zone of water jets; each located within the tub and aimed at the surface. A controller selectively signals the zone control valves to open and close, thereby providing massage pressure in an area aimed at by water jets of the zone associated with an open zone control valve.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/103,780 filed on Jan. 15, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of therapy and more particularly to a system for providing a massage to a person. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many people receive various types of massages to make them feel better and/or to relieve aches and pains. Most typically, a massage is provided by a masseuse who is trained in the art of recognizing symptoms of such aches and providing appropriate pressure and movement to the areas of such pain. Such professional massages are often costly, in that, the trained masseuse must spend on the order of one half to one hour massaging the patient to help relieve the pain and comfort the patient. Such activity is often strenuous, making even a well-fit masseuse tired. 
         [0004]    To provide a massage mechanically, systems have been marketed that use water jets to provide deep tissue simulation. Such systems, often called hydro-massage systems, employ a bed containing water on which the recipient of the massage lay. A movable orifice is then pressurized with water, aiming a jet of water onto a resilient surface upon which the recipient of the massage lay, thereby exerting pressure into the recipient of the massage, typically the back of the recipient of the massage. The movable orifice is slowly moved to provide pressure from the water jet beneath other parts of the recipient of the massage&#39;s body. Although such systems provide a massage to the recipient of the massage, implementing the movable orifice is often difficult, as it must be performed within the water of the bed. Furthermore, because of the nature of the movable orifice being submerged in water, the movable orifice is difficult to maintain and lubricate, leading to reliability issues that, once occur, the bed must be drained to access the movable orifice. Because of the mechanisms required to change positions of the movable orifice, such mechanical systems often emit unwanted noise that does not lead to relaxation in the patient using such systems. Furthermore, due to inertia and resistance of the water, it is difficult to move such orifices significant distances in short amounts of time, and, therefore, such systems are limited to sequential massages, starting at one end and slowly moving down the body of the recipient of the massage. Randomly locating the orifice is not possible with such a system and, therefore, one cannot program such a system to massage the lower area of the recipient of the massage, then the upper shoulder area, then the mid-section, etc. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a system that will provide massages with greater reliability and lower noise. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one embodiment, a massage system is disclosed including a tub containing a fluid and covered by a surface (e.g., a flexible surface such as rubber, leather, etc.). A pump receives the fluid from the tub and pressurizes the fluid. There are at least two zones, each having at least one water jet that is aimed at the flexible surface and at least two zone control valves. Each of the zone control valves is in fluid communication with the water jets of a corresponding one of the at least two zones and each of the zone control valves receives the pressurized fluid from the pump. Each of the zone control valves selectively delivers the pressurized fluid to the corresponding zone, thereby independently controlling delivery of the pressurized fluid to the at least one water jet in that zones. A controller signals the zone control valves to open to provide massage pressure in an area aimed at by the water jet(s) of that zone. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a massage system is disclosed including a tub containing a fluid. The tub is covered by a surface on which a person receiving a massage lays. A pump receives the fluid from the tub and delivers the fluid to an input of at least two zone control valves. An output of each of the zone control valves is in fluid communication with a corresponding zone of water jets; each located within the tub and aimed at the surface. A controller selectively signals the zone control valves to open and close, thereby providing massage pressure in an area aimed at by water jets of the zone associated with an open zone control valve. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a method of providing a message is disclosed including lying on a top of a surface that is suspended above a tub, the tub containing a fluid. A first zone is controlled to emit the fluid from a first set of water jet(s) aimed at a first underside location of the surface, then a second zone is controlled to emit the fluid from a second set of water jet(s) aimed at a second underside location of the surface. After the second zone is controlled to emit, the first zone is controlled to stop the fluid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cut-away view of a massage system showing the contents of the tub. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom plan view of the massage system. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top perspective view of the tub and contents with the cover removed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates an elevation view of the massage system without side panels. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the massage system showing the covering surfaces. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of a water jet of the massage system without a cover. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of the massage system with adjustable netting in place. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a schematic view of the massage system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a view of a first typical control user interface of the massage system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a view of a second typical control user interface of the massage system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0021]    To achieve the goals of the disclosed massage system, instead of moving an orifice (or jet) to massage different regions of the patient&#39;s body, a series of water jets are independently activated, thereby presenting water jets from the activated water jets. In doing such, the disclosed massage system is has the ability to randomly massage different areas of the patient&#39;s body with little or no delay between redirection of the massaging pressure. For example, the water jet(s) aimed at the patient&#39;s neck are activated, providing pressure to the patient&#39;s neck area, then, without delay, the water jet(s) aimed at the patient&#39;s lower back are activated, providing pressure to the patient&#39;s lower back, without waiting for a moving orifice to relocate from the neck area to the lower back area. Such changes to the pressure location are made without horizontal movement of a single orifice (or set of orifice), therefore improving reliability and flexibility while reducing noise. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an elevation view of a massage system  10  is shown. The massage system  10  includes a tub  22  or other fluid containment area (e.g. bladder, pool liner, etc.). In general, the fluid used is water  2 , though any fluid is anticipated including water mixed with other chemicals such as bromine, chlorine, sodium chloride, etc. Throughout this description, the fluid will be referred to as water  2 , though it is understood that any fluid is anticipated. 
         [0023]    An upper frame  26  is supported above a lower frame  20  by posts  24 , though any structural form is anticipated. From the side view, some of the plumbing is visible, as is a pump motor  30  (pump  31  is hidden, see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ), control panel  54 , heater  60 , and valves  32 / 34 , the configuration and operation of which will be described later. The drain/fill line  28  is used to provide fluid (e.g., water) into the tub  22  and/or to drain the fluid from the tub  22 . A cooling radiator  50  (not shown) is optionally provided to cool the fluid when a cooler massage surface  29  (see  FIG. 5  for details) is desired. Likewise, for heating of the fluid, an optional heater  60  is provided, for example, an immersion heating element  60 . In some embodiments, one or more wheels (not shown) are affixed to the lower frame  20  to facilitate relocation of the massage system  10 . 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, the surface  29  (e.g., the surface upon which a person receiving a massage lay) is supported by a sub-surface  27 , for example, netting. The sub-surface  27  is preferably adjustable by increasing/decreasing tension using an adjustment mechanism  23 . Both the surface  29  and sub-surface  27  are flexible for comfort and to conduct massage therapy from one or more jets  44  aimed at the sub-surface  27  and surface  29  to the person receiving the massage. 
         [0025]    As will be described, water flows from the pump  31 , under pressure, through a pressure control system having, for example, one or more pressure control valves  32  that, when open, direct water pressure from the pump  30  back into the tub  22  (e.g., bypassing jets  44 ). Water pressure from the pressure control system is routed to an input side of one or more zone control valves  34 , each being associated with a zone of jets  44  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The output side of each of the zone control valves  34  is fluidly connected to a respective zone of jets  44  through a connection tube  40 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 , a plan view of the massage system  10  is shown from the bottom. In this view, the bottom surface of the tub  22  is shown transparently, exposing the zone distribution tubes  42 . Also, the exemplary pressure control system is shown, in this example having two pressure control valves  32 . Pressurized fluid from the pump  31  operated by a pump motor  30  enters the pressure control system through a conduit  33  and flows to the pressure control valves  32  through a preferably smaller conduit  35 . The pressurized fluid flows in parallel to the zone control valves  34  through preferably larger conduit  38 . When greater pressure is desired, both pressure control valves  32  are closed, thereby directing all fluid (and pressure) from the pump  31  to the zone control valves  34  and when less pressure is desired, one or both pressure control valves  32  are opened to drain some of the pressure back into the tub  22  through pressure relief tubes  36 . There is no limitation on the number of pressure control valves  32 , providing any degree of pressure control. The example shown having two pressure control valves  32  provides three pressure settings, high (both pressure control valves  32  closed), medium (one pressure control valve  32  closed and one pressure control valve  32  open), and low (both pressure control valves  32  open). 
         [0027]    Note that the pressure control valve  32  disclose one mechanism for controlling pressure, but many ways of controlling the pressure to the jets  44  are anticipated. For example, using a variable speed motor that operates the pump  31 , or having one or more analog pressure control valves  32  that open proportional to the amount of pressure that is to be provided to the jets  44 . 
         [0028]    The zone control valves  34  are connected to zone distribution tubes  42  by riser tubes  40  that pass through seals  41  (see  FIG. 3 ) into the tub  22 . In  FIG. 2 , the zone distribution tubes  42  is visible (though partially hidden) and is shown from the opposite side in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a top perspective view of the massage system  10  without the surface  29  and sub-surface  27  is shown. In this view, the zone distribution tubes  42  receive fluid pressure from the zone riser tubes  40  when a corresponding zone control valve  34  is open. Each zone distribution tube  42  supports one or more jets  44 , as shown, and any number of jets  44  per zone is anticipated, including on jet  44  per zone. Any type and arrangement of jets  44  is anticipated. In this example, each jet  44  has two offset orifices  45  in a jet disc  47 , the jet disc  47  rotatable (see  FIG. 6 ). As fluid flows out of the orifices  45 , the jet disc  47  rotates. Again, any type and arrangement of jets  44  is anticipated, including those available for hot tubs and spas. 
         [0030]    Also, in  FIG. 3 , the pressure relief tube  36  is shown terminating within the tub  22 . As described above, when one or both pressure control valves  32  are open, pressure from the pump  31  is routed into the tub  22  to provide a lower pressure at the operating jets  44  (jets  44  associated with an open zone control valve  34 ), thereby allowing continuous operation of the pump motor  30  and reducing overload on the pump motor  30 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of plumbing of the massage system  10  without side panels  99  is shown. In this, typical positioning of the zone control valves  34  is shown. Although shown as typical sprinkler control valves  34 , any type of valves are anticipated, for example, electrically controlled or pneumatically controlled valves  34 . 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, a control panel  110  is provided from an adjustable arm  112 , an exemplary operation of which is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In some embodiments, the control panel  110  has the ability to display content (e.g. video content) for the pleasure of a user of the massage system  10 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a top plan view of the massage system  10  is shown with the surface  29  (see  FIG. 8 ) partially cut-away. In this, the sub-surface  27  is partially shown. The sub-surface  27  is preferably adjustable to provide compensation for material changes over time and to provide compensation to various weights of users. As the sub-surface  27  stretches over time, additional tension is added to keep the sub-surface taught, thereby supporting the surface  29 . It is anticipated that the surface  29  be any known surface  29 , such as plastic, cloth, leather, etc. It is preferred that the surface  29  be cleaned after use. In  FIG. 5 , the side panels  99  and top panel  37  are shown, hiding the plumbing and tub  22 . In some embodiments, a control panel  110  is provided from an adjustable arm  112 , an exemplary operation of which is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In some embodiments, the control panel  110  has the ability to display content (e.g. video content) for the pleasure of a user of the massage system  10 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a view of water jets  44  of the massage system  10  are shown. Again, any number, type, style, feature of water jet  44  is anticipated and the water jets  44  shown are for example purposes and in no way limit the disclosed system. In this example, there are three water jets  44  in one zone. The water jets  44  are fluidly connected and supported by the zone distribution tubes  42 . 
         [0035]    Each water jet  44  has two orifices  45  through which the fluid  2  (e.g. water) is expelled. The water jets  44  expel fluid  2  in a direction of the user that is resting on the surface  29  and supported by the sub-surface  27 . Again, it is anticipated that there be any number of water jets  44 , having any number of orifices  45  in any configuration and there is no limitation that all water jets  44  be the same. In this example, the orifices  45  are located on a rotatable disc  47  and the orifices are aimed slightly offset to each other such that, when water pressure flows through the orifices  45 , this slight offset causes the rotatable disc  47  to rotate within the water jet  44 , thereby covering a larger area of the user who is resting upon the surface  29 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of the adjustable sub-surface  27  is shown with the surface  29  removed. In this view, the surface  29  is not shown to improve clarity of the sub-surface  27 . The sub-surface  27  provides support to a person receiving a massage who is resting upon a surface  29  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) laid over the sub-surface  27 . The sub-surface  27  provides support to counteract the weight of the person receiving a massage. During use, it is anticipated that the sub-surface  27  stretches out of shape slightly and, therefore, there are adjustments  23  to increase tension on the sub-surface  27 . These adjustments are also anticipated to increase tension when the person receiving the massage is of greater weight. An example of an adjustment mechanism includes a tube (e.g., aluminum tube) inside the upper frame  26  of the massage system  10 . The tube has through-bolts that adjust to pull the tube farther and tighter into the upper frame  26  and therefore tightening the sub-surface  27 . The sub-surface  27  is affixed to the tube, thereby holding the sub-surface  27  in place. The through-bolts are tightened or loosened in order to adjust firmness. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a schematic view of the massage system  10  is shown. In this, a controller  90  (e.g., within the control panel  54 ) includes logic or a processor that presents user controls (e.g. shown as a user interface in  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The controller  90  accepts user inputs, and controls various relays (e.g., solid-state or electro-mechanical relays), drivers, displays, etc., to control the massage system  10 . In one embodiment, a processor presents user interfaces similar to those in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , accepts user inputs regarding heating, cooling, pressure, sequencing, etc. (e.g. through touch inputs), and then implements the massage based upon such inputs. To do such, in this example, the controller independently operates each of the zone control valves  34 , each of the pressure control valves  32 , the pump  31  (e.g. pump motor  30 ), the heating element  60 , etc., through any driver mechanism known such as relays, solid-state relays, power transistors or FETs, etc. 
         [0038]    To control pressure responsive to user programming/inputs, the controller  90  opens/closes one or both pressure control valves  32  (note that although two pressure control valves  32  are shown, any number are anticipated as is any other mechanism for controlling pressure including, but not limited to, controlling the speed of the motor driving the pump motor  30  and/or analog valves that open partially). Therefore, if the user requests high pressure, both pressure control valves  32  are closed by the controller  90  and all pressure from the pump is directed to the inputs of the zone control valves  34 . If the user requests medium pressure, one pressure control valve  32  is opened and the other pressure control valve  32  is closed by the controller  90 . Opening of one pressure control valve  32  directs some of the pressure from the pump  31  through the pressure relief tubes  36  back into the tub  22 . If the user requests low pressure, both pressure control valves  32  are opened, directing more of the pressure from the pump  31  to through pressure relief tubes  36  back into the tub  22 . 
         [0039]    If the person receiving the massage desires pressure be directed to a certain area of the body (e.g. neck area), the controller opens a corresponding zone control valve  34 , directing the selected pressure to the corresponding water jets  44  connected to the zone control valve  34  by the zone distribution tubes  42 . 
         [0040]    If the user requests heating, the controller initiates power to the heating element  60 . 
         [0041]    The sub-surface  27  is shown over the tub  22  with adjustable support tubes  23  that are tensioned by through-bolts (not shown) to increase/decrease tension on the sub-surface  27 . The surface  29  above the sub-surface  27  limits provides additional comfort to the person receiving the massage, provides for cleaning, and isolates the fluids  2  within the tub  22 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , views of typical user interfaces of the massage system  10  are shown. This user interface  80  is an example, as any user interface is anticipated, either based upon a computer user interface (e.g., as shown), a set of electrical and mechanical devices (e.g., switches, buttons, and indicators), or combinations of such. 
         [0043]    In the examples shown, the interface  80  presents various features/settings that are controlled through, for example, touch or mouse operations. For example, invoking the “+” operation of the water temperature feature  81  will increase the power to the water heating element  60  and, hence, the temperature of the water in the tub  22 . Invoking the “−” operation will decrease power to the water heating element  60  and, hence, the temperature. In such, the current temperature setting is shown within the feature  81  (20 degrees C. in this example). Through the various features, the user/patient is able to control the temperature setting  81 , the pressure  82 , which areas will receive massage therapy  88  (depicted on a form of a body  87 ), specific program settings  90 / 92 / 94 / 96 / 98 , the duration of the operation  83 , and the speed of operation  84 . The speed of operation  84  controls how soon subsequent zones are changed, in that, at a fast speed, pressure transfers between zones faster than at a slow speed (e.g., one zone control valve  34  is closed and a different zone control valve  34  is opened). 
         [0044]    In the examples shown, the user selects pre-programmed operations such as full-body massage  90 , upper body massage  92 , lower back massage  94 , or quick start  98 . If the user/patient desires a specific massage sequence or area of concentration, the user selects custom massage  96  then, as shown in  FIG. 10 , selects the specific areas of the body that the user wants to have massaged, as indicated by the darkened areas  88 A. 
         [0045]    Once programing of the massage system  10  is finished, the person receiving the massage (or operator) selects the start operation  86  to initiate the operation while the person receiving the massage lies upon the surface  29  to receive the massage. The massage will continue for the requested time (or indefinitely if that option is presented) or until the stop  85  is operated. 
         [0046]    Through the disclosed hydraulic mechanisms, a massage is provided to a person receiving the massage lying on the surface  29  with limited noise, independent zone operation, and improved reliability. Any zone sequence is anticipated as well as concurrent operation of more than one zone, such not being possible with prior systems that mechanically moved jets. 
         [0047]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0048]    It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.