Furniture that converts into a massage device
A convertible furniture assembly (10) for positioning on a floor (18) includes a furniture frame (20), a top assembly (22), and a mover assembly (24). The furniture frame (20) engages the floor (18). The top assembly (22) is generally flat. The mover assembly (24) couples the top assembly (22) to the furniture frame (20). The mover assembly (24) allows the top assembly (22) to move between a furniture configuration (12) in which top assembly (22) and the furniture frame (20) cooperate to define a piece of furniture, and a massage configuration (14) in which the top assembly (22) provides a generally flat massage upper surface (16B) for supporting a person during a massage. For example, the top assembly (22) can positioned a greater distance from the floor (18) in the massage configuration (14) than in the furniture configuration (12). With this design, the furniture assembly (10) easily converts between the piece of furniture in the furniture configuration (12) and the massage table in the massage configuration (14). As a result thereof, the furniture assembly (10) has multiple functions.
This application claims priority on pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/810,471 filed on Jun. 2, 2006 and entitled “Furniture That Converts Into a Massage Device”. As far as is permitted, the contents of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/810,471 are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDAs the benefits of therapeutic massage are becoming more widely appreciated, more and more people are participating in therapeutic massage. A typical massage table allows the person to be lying down while receiving a massage. Further, a typical massage table maintains the person at a good height so that the person administering the massage can comfortably administer the massage. Existing massage tables fold up into a travel configuration. Unfortunately, even in the travel configuration, the massage table can take up a significant amount of closet storage space. As a result thereof, massage tables are not very common in most homes.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to a convertible furniture assembly for positioning on a floor. In one embodiment, the convertible furniture assembly includes a furniture frame that engages the floor, a generally flat top assembly, and a mover assembly that couples the top assembly to the furniture frame. The mover assembly allows the top assembly to move between a furniture configuration in which top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to define a piece of furniture and a massage configuration in which the top assembly provides a generally flat, massage upper surface for supporting a person during a massage. In this embodiment, the top assembly in the massage configuration is positioned a greater distance from the floor than in the furniture configuration.
With this design, the furniture assembly easily converts between the piece of furniture in the furniture configuration and the massage table in the massage configuration. As a result thereof, the furniture assembly has multiple functions and the massage table does not have to be stored during non-usage. Further, furniture assembly is very versatile and can be adapted for use for a number of different projects in the home.
In one embodiment, the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a bench in the furniture configuration, and the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a massage table in the massage configuration.
In one design, the top assembly includes a first top section and a second top section and the mover assembly allows the first top section to move relative to the furniture frame independently from the second top section. For example, in this design, the mover assembly can (i) pivot the first top section relative to the furniture frame and the second top section during movement between the configurations, and/or (ii) pivot the second top section relative to the furniture frame and the first top section during movement between the configurations.
Additionally, the top assembly can include a third top section that fits between the first top section and the second top section after the first top section and the second top section have been moved to the massage configuration. In one embodiment, the third top section can be stored within the furniture frame when it is not in the massage configuration.
In one embodiment, the mover assembly includes a mover bias that urges the top assembly to the furniture configuration when the top assembly is near the furniture configuration. Further, the mover bias can urge the top assembly to the massage configuration when the top assembly is away from the furniture configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
The present invention is directed a convertible furniture assembly 10 that can be converted from a common piece of household furniture into a massage device. A number of non-exclusive embodiments of the convertible furniture assembly are disclosed herein. For example,
It should be noted that, in certain embodiments, the furniture configuration 12 can be referred to as the first or retracted configuration and the massage configuration 14 can be referred to as the second or expanded configuration.
A number of Figures include an orientation system that illustrates an X axis, a Y axis that is orthogonal to the X axis and a Z axis that is orthogonal to the X and Y axes. It should be noted that these axes can also be referred to as the first, second and third axes.
The design of the convertible furniture assembly 10 can vary, as well as the size and shape of the furniture assembly 10 in the two configurations 12, 14 can vary. In
In other non-exclusive embodiments, in the furniture configuration 12, the convertible furniture assembly 10 can be and function as a coffee table, an end table, a love seat, a couch, a chaise lounger, an ottoman, or a bench.
Further, in the embodiment illustrated in
Thus, in the examples discussed above, the massage upper surface 16B is between approximately eight and twenty higher than the bench upper surface 16A. However, other ranges of movement can be utilized.
Further, in certain embodiments, the massage upper surface 16B is wider than the bench upper surface 16A. For example, the massage upper surface 16B can be approximately 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 percent wider than the bench upper surface 16A. However, other widths can be utilized.
In one embodiment, the convertible furniture assembly 10 includes a furniture frame 20, a top assembly 22, and a mover assembly 24. Alternatively, the furniture assembly 10 can be designed to include more or fewer components than those illustrated in
The furniture frame 20 supports some of the other components of the furniture assembly 10. The design of the furniture frame 20 can varied to achieve the desired piece of furniture in the furniture configuration 12. In
The leg assembly 26 supports the furniture body 28 above the floor 18. The design of the leg assembly 26 can vary. In
In this embodiment, each of the legs 26A is somewhat cane shaped with a generally rectangular shaped cross-section. Alternatively, one or more of the legs 26A can have a configuration different than that illustrated in
The furniture body 28 supports the mover assembly 24 and provides an area for storing objects, such as a portion of the top assembly 22, massage related products, or other materials.
The top assembly 22 forms the bench upper surface 16A of the piece of furniture in the furniture configuration 12, and forms the massage upper surface 16B of the massage table in the massage configuration 14. The design of the top assembly 22 can be varied according to the desired piece of furniture in the furniture configuration 12. In the embodiment illustrated in
In one non-exclusive embodiment, the top assembly 22 includes four top sections 30, namely a first top section 30A, a second top section 30B, a third top section 30C, and a fourth top section 30D. In this embodiment, the first top section 30A and the second top section 30B are positioned adjacent to each other in the same plane and cooperate to form the bench upper surface 16A in
In this embodiment, the third top section 30C and the fourth top section 30D can be stored in the furniture frame 20 below the first and second top sections 30A, 30B when the assembly 10 is in the furniture configuration 12.
The mover assembly 24 facilitates movement of the first and second top sections 30A, 30B relative to each other and the furniture frame 20 to move the top assembly 22 between the configurations 12, 14. Further, the mover assembly 24 connects the first and second top sections 30A, 30B to the furniture frame 20.
These Figures also illustrate the furniture body 28 in more detail. In this embodiment, the furniture body 28 is shaped somewhat similar to generally rectangular, open box and includes a front side 28A, a rear side 28B, a right side 28C, a left side 28D, and a bottom 28E. In this embodiment, each side 28A-28D and the bottom 28E is each generally flat plate shaped. Alternatively, the furniture body 28 can have a different configuration than that illustrated in these Figures.
The design of each of the top section 30A-30D can be varied pursuant to the teachings provided herein. In
In one embodiment, each of the upper regions 34A, 36A, 38, 40 is generally rectangular shaped and includes (i) a rectangular plate shaped upper region support base (not shown), (ii) a cushion pad (not shown) that is positioned on the support base, and (iii) a covering 44 that is wrapped around the cushion pad and that is secured to the support base. The cushion pad provides a cushion for the comfort of the person resting on the upper regions 34A, 36A, 38, 40. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the cushion pad include urethane foam, foam rubber, and memory foam. In non-exclusive embodiments, the cushion pad has a thickness of approximately 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2 inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, or 4 inches. The covering 44 secures the cushion pad to the support base and provides a protective covering for the cushion pad. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the covering 44 include leather, plastic, cloth, sheet vinyl and urethane artificial leather.
The first support plate 34B is rigid and supports the first upper region 34A. Somewhat similarly, the second support plate 36B is rigid and supports the second upper region 36A. In
The dual support plate 42 is rigid and supports the third and fourth upper regions 38, 40. In
Suitable materials for the support plates 34B, 36B, 42 include plywood or another rigid material.
In one embodiment, the first top section 30A also includes a first section pivot 34C (illustrated in phantom) that pivotable connects the first upper region 34A relative to the first support plate 34B. Somewhat similarly, the second top section 30B also includes a second section pivot 36C (illustrated in phantom) that pivotable connects the second upper region 36A relative to the second support plate 36B. With this design, the first upper region 34A and the second upper region 36A can be independently rotated about the Z axis relative to the respective support plate 34B, 36C and the furniture body 28 to change the width of the upper surface. For example, each of the pivots 34C, 36C can be a roller bearing or another type of pivot. In
As discussed above, the mover assembly 24 facilitates movement of the first and second top sections 30A, 30B relative to each other and the furniture body 28, and the mover assembly 24 connects the first and second top sections 30A, 30B to the furniture body 28. The design of the mover assembly 24 can be varied pursuant to the teaching provided herein. For example, in
In
In one embodiment, each of the mover frames 48A, 48B is generally rectangular frame shaped and includes a pair of spaced apart side members 50 and a pair of spaced apart transverse members 52 that extend between the side members 50. Further, in this embodiment, each of the mover frames 48A, 48B includes a pair of proximal connectors 54A, and a pair of distal connectors 54B. Each proximal connector 54A pivotable connects a proximal end of one of the side members 50 to either the front or rear side 28A, 28B of the furniture body 28. Somewhat similarly, each distal connector 54B pivotable connects a distal end of one of the side members 50 to the bottom of one of the top sections 30A, 30B. For example, each of the connector 54A, 54B can be a roller bearing or another type of pivot.
The mover biases 48C, 48D facilitates movement of the first and second top sections 30A, 30B between the configurations. In one embodiment, the mover biases 48C, 48D are uniquely designed and positioned (i) to urge the top sections 30A, 30B towards the massage configuration 14 (illustrated in
In one embodiment, each of the mover biases 48C, 48D includes a proximal end that is pivotable connected to the rear side 28B of the furniture body 28 and a distal end that is pivotable connected to one of the side members 50.
The design of each mover bias 48C, 48D can vary. For example, each of the mover biases 48C, 48D can be a pneumatic cylinder, a spring, or another type of resilient member.
Moreover, each of the mover subassemblies 46A, 46B can include a pair of attachment brackets 56 that facilitate attachment of the side members 50 to the front side 28A or the back side 28B of the furniture body 28.
Thus, referring to
For example,
Alternatively, referring to
Next, referring to
With this design, a user can manually move the side member 50 downward from the massage configuration 14 to the furniture configuration 12 by pushing on and rotating the respective top section. Once in the furniture configuration 12, the force 59 from the mover bias maintains the side member 50 in the furniture configuration 12. Next, by simply lifting the top section slightly, the side member 50 is rotated until the force 59 generates a torque on the side member 50 that moves the side member 50 to the massage configuration 14.
While the current invention is disclosed in detail herein, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown.
Claims
1. A convertible furniture assembly for positioning on a floor, the convertible furniture assembly comprising:
- a furniture frame that engages the floor;
- a generally flat top assembly; and
- a mover assembly that couples the top assembly to the furniture frame, the mover assembly allowing the top assembly to move between a furniture configuration in which top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to define a piece of furniture, and a massage configuration in which the top assembly provides a generally flat massage upper surface for supporting a person during a massage, wherein top assembly is positioned a greater distance from the floor in the massage configuration than in the furniture configuration.
2. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a bench in the furniture configuration and wherein the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a massage table in the massage configuration.
3. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein the top assembly includes a first top section and a second top section, and wherein the mover assembly allows the first top section to move relative to the furniture frame independently from the second top section.
4. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 3 wherein the mover assembly pivots the first top section relative to the furniture frame and the second top section during movement between the configurations.
5. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 4 wherein the mover assembly pivots the second top section relative to the furniture frame and the first top section during movement between the configurations.
6. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 4 wherein the top assembly includes a third top section that fits between the first top section and the second top section after the first top section and the second top section have been moved to the massage configuration.
7. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein the top assembly includes at least one top section that can be stored within the furniture frame.
8. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein the mover assembly includes a mover bias that urges the top assembly to the massage configuration when the top assembly is away from the furniture configuration.
9. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 8 wherein the mover bias urges the top assembly to the furniture configuration when the top assembly is near the furniture configuration.
10. A convertible furniture assembly for positioning on a floor, the convertible furniture assembly comprising:
- a furniture frame that engages the floor;
- a top assembly; and
- a mover assembly that couples the top assembly to the furniture frame, the mover assembly allowing the top assembly to move between a furniture configuration in which top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to define a piece of furniture and a massage configuration in which the top assembly provides a generally flat massage upper surface for supporting a person during a massage, wherein the top assembly includes a first top section and a second top section, and wherein the mover assembly allows the first top section to move relative to the furniture frame independently from the second top section.
11. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 10 wherein the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a bench in the furniture configuration, and wherein the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a massage table in the massage configuration.
12. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 10 wherein the mover assembly pivots the first top section relative to the furniture frame and the second top section during movement between the configurations.
13. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 12 wherein the mover assembly pivots the second top section relative to the furniture frame and the first top section during movement between the configurations.
14. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 13 wherein the top assembly includes a third top section that fits between the first top section and the second top section after the first top section and the second top section have been moved to the massage configuration.
15. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 10 wherein the top assembly includes a third top section that can be stored within the furniture frame.
16. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 10 wherein the mover assembly includes a mover bias that urges the top assembly to the massage configuration when the top assembly is away from the furniture configuration.
17. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 16 wherein the mover bias urges the top assembly to the furniture configuration when the top assembly is near the furniture configuration.
18. A convertible furniture assembly for positioning on a floor, the convertible furniture assembly comprising:
- a furniture frame that engages the floor;
- a generally flat top assembly; and
- a mover assembly that couples the top assembly to the furniture frame, the mover assembly allowing the top assembly to move between a furniture configuration in which top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to define a piece of furniture, and a massage configuration in which the top assembly provides a generally flat massage upper surface for supporting a person during a massage; wherein top assembly is positioned a greater distance from the floor in the massage configuration than in the furniture configuration; wherein the top assembly includes a first top section and a second top section; wherein the mover assembly allows the first top section to move relative to the furniture frame independently from the second top section; and wherein the mover assembly includes a mover bias that urges the top assembly to the massage configuration when the top assembly is away from the furniture configuration.
19. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 18 wherein the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a bench in the furniture configuration and wherein the top assembly and the furniture frame cooperate to form a massage table in the massage configuration.
20. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 18 wherein the mover assembly pivots the first top section relative to the furniture frame and the second top section during movement between the configurations; and wherein the mover assembly pivots the second top section relative to the furniture frame and the first top section during movement between the configurations.
21. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 18 wherein the top assembly includes a third top section that fits between the first top section and the second top section after the first top section and the second top section have been moved to the massage configuration.
22. The convertible furniture assembly of claim 18 wherein the mover bias urges the top assembly to the furniture configuration when the top assembly is near the furniture configuration.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 1, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 24, 2008
Inventors: Jon Roleder (San Diego, CA), Robson Splane (Valley Center, CA), Richard Estrada (Oceanside, CA), William Chow (Del Mar, CA)
Application Number: 11/809,622
International Classification: A47B 85/00 (20060101);