Patent ID: 8641143

Claim:
A therapeutic support apparatus comprising: first and second chairs adapted to support first and second occupants respectively, said first and second chairs defining first and second ends of a main axis, each said chair comprising at least one support surface, each said chair adapted to apply vertical and horizontal support to an occupant, each said chair comprising a torso rest component comprising a surface adapted to engage the torso of its occupant, at least said first said chair comprising a seat component configured at a fixed or variable angle relative to the torso rest of said first chair, each said chair configured to position the torso of an occupant engaged by its torso rest substantially between said torso rests; said apparatus comprising a frame connecting said chairs; a combination of said frame and said first chair adapted to provide open area of sufficient size and shape to enable the substantially forward extension of thighs by an occupant positioned between said torso rests with chest against the torso rest of said first chair; said combination of said frame and said first and second chairs adapted to resist the force and moment resulting from substantially horizontal therapeutic massage pressure by one occupant on the body of the other with a degree of resistance sufficient to maintain a substantially fixed distance between the two occupants while one occupant exerts a force sufficient for providing therapeutic massage to the other occupant; said apparatus further comprising a carriage associated with at least one of said chairs, and said apparatus comprising a track associated with or integral with said frame component, said carriage adapted to travel in a direction defined by said track, in sliding or rolling engagement with said track, such that movement of said carriage along said track substantially alters a vertical position of said at least one said chair or of said at least one said chair.