Foot Patents (Class 601/22)
  • Patent number: 10867526
    Abstract: A haptic communication device includes an array of cutaneous actuators to generate haptic sensations corresponding to actuator signals received by the array. The haptic sensations include at least a first haptic sensation and a second haptic sensation. The array includes at least a first cutaneous actuator to begin generating the first haptic sensation at a first location on a body of a user at a first time. A second cutaneous actuator begins generating the second haptic sensation at a second location on the body of the user at a second time later than the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Israr, Freddy Abnousi, Frances Wing Yee Lau
  • Patent number: 9022957
    Abstract: A foot rest including: a foot receptacle, the foot receptacle including a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion intersects the second portion; a cross-member disposed on a first side of the first portion; and a bucket connector disposed on the first side of the first portion of the foot receptacle, wherein the cross-member is proximate an end of the first portion and the bucket connector is distal to the end of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ankleaid, LLC
    Inventor: Scott McKay
  • Publication number: 20150038885
    Abstract: A foot therapy apparatus, including a base, a pedal, an electric host, and an electrode. The electric host is disposed in the base and a display and/or an operation button of the electric host is disposed on the surface of the base. The pedal is connected to the base. The electrode is disposed at the upper surface of the pedal, and is connected to the electric host. The electric host is configured to drive the pedal to move, or to provide electric current for the electrode, or a combination thereof. The electric host includes a pedometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Zhigang ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20140249455
    Abstract: A control unit coupled to a thermal therapy device, a compression therapy device and DVT therapy devices is provided. The thermal therapy device includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient. The compression therapy device includes an gas bladder for providing compression to a patient. The DVT therapy devices provide pulsed compression in coordination with the compression therapy device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: ThermoTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Overton L. Parish, Tony Quisenberry, Niran Balachandran, Sam K. McSpadden
  • Patent number: 8308665
    Abstract: A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Atilla A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
  • Patent number: 8296874
    Abstract: A spa device including a basin with at least one agitation device and at least one foot massaging device. The agitation device is a pipeless fluid jet. The massaging device may be a three piece massaging foot roller which is placed in a cavity in the bottom surface of the basin. The spa device may include electronic controls for controlling the fluid and agitation devices. The spa device electronic control system may include a fluid level sensor. When the fluid level in the basin reaches a predetermined high level the control system turns off the fluid. When the fluid level in the basin reaches a predetermined low level the control system turns off the jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Continuum Footspas, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Galati, Jr., John Meyerovich
  • Patent number: 7815583
    Abstract: A device for applying treatment, or therapy, to a body part directs air efficiently and effectively to the body part by using an air diverter. In particular, a device for treating a body part, such as a massager, has one or more treatment areas positioned to deliver treatment to the body part and an air blower having an air outlet that creates a flow of air in an outward direction from the air outlet. The air diverter is positioned to divert the flow of air to the one or more treatment areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Harris, Stephen B. Mills, Charles J. Burout
  • Publication number: 20100229884
    Abstract: A system for treating a foot. One system comprises an external container comprising tracks; and an inner appliance comprising foot treating elements. In operation, the foot is placed within the inner appliance and in contact with the foot treating elements, which are associated with the tracks such that moving the foot within the inner appliance back and forth in the external container activates the foot treating elements to apply a foot treatment. In embodiments, the foot treating elements comprise wheels operatively associated with the tracks, brushes, massaging elements, manicure elements and so forth. One system further comprises a double layered pellets' sock arranged to enhance massaging. One system further comprises a lotion sock comprising inbound pores connected to ducts connected to lotion bags with therapeutic lotion, excreted by motion of the foot treating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Nir Alony
  • Patent number: 7682320
    Abstract: A device and method of treatment to manage or alleviate pain in an individual operates such that, from any specific complaint point on the body, a series of specific, related points can be found such that treatment of those points, either singly or in some combination, will alleviate or reduce the degree of soreness of the original complaint point. Correlation is provided between the feet, torso, head, arms and legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: David Recker, Eugene Recker
  • Patent number: 7675219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an ultrasonic unit f an ultrasonic cleaning system with at least one control unit, one generator unit and one hand-held unit containing the ultrasonic unit and one switching module provided for starting the ultrasonic unit, wherein mechanical oscillations can be generated via the ultrasonic unit and transmitted to an instrument that is mechanically connected to the ultrasonic unit. In a preferred embodiment, the resonant frequency required for operation of the ultrasonic unit in resonance is determined by a control routine executed in the control unit, and a control signal (ss) based on the determined resonant frequency is generated in the generator unit and is sent to the ultrasonic unit for operation of the ultrasonic unit in resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Tanzer, Bernhard Jung
  • Patent number: 7559096
    Abstract: A soaking apparatus utilizing a soaking basin and a disposable liner configured to fit within the basin cavity. The basin is comprised of a material layer formed to define an integral floor and a peripheral wall projecting upwardly therefrom. The basin floor and peripheral wall together define the boundary of a basin cavity. An elongate protrusion protrudes from the floor into the basin cavity between left and right foot areas. The liner is comprised of a thin (e.g., 3-12 mils) material layer formed to define an integral floor and peripheral wall projecting upwardly therefrom. The liner floor and peripheral wall are dimensioned to closely nest within the basin cavity. The liner floor also defines left and right foot areas spaced by a protrusion projecting into the liner cavity. The underside of the liner protrusion forms a concave recess for accommodating the basin floor protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Vladimir Zolotnik
  • Publication number: 20080243197
    Abstract: This invention includes embodiments which combined the application or simultaneous application of magnetism, light waves and sound for a therapeutic effect, all through one applicator. The controller may be programmed or configured to provide relative timing of the application of the magnetism, light waves and sound relative to one another and in an intermittent way for a desired therapeutic effect. The applicator may also provide embodiments wherein one or more of magnetism, light waves and sound may be utilized to prepare the recipient to be a better recipient of one or more applications of magnetism, light waves and sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Bove
  • Patent number: 7427274
    Abstract: A massage base having a top surface contains at least one massage node base wherein the massage node base is motile in relation to the massage base. At least one massage node is mounted on each of the massage node bases and at least partially protrudes from the top surface. The massage node is mounted for rote movement in relation to the massage base. A motor, connected to the massage node base, engages the massage node in rote movement in relation to the massage base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth David Harris, Jr., Charles J. Burout, III, James C. TerMeer, Stephen B. Mills, J. Neil Gleason, Laura G. Warnock
  • Publication number: 20080189848
    Abstract: A foot soak tray includes a base housing, a container disposed above the base housing and having a space for receiving water in the space of the container, and a heating device disposed in the chamber of the base housing for heating the water received in the space of the container. A reflector may be disposed below the heating device for reflecting a heat generated by the heating device. A massage device may be disposed in the container and includes one or more rotatable rollers having a number of protrusions for massaging the feet of the user. The massage device preferably includes a length shorter than that of the container for forming an opening between the container and the massage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Chien Hsin Chao
  • Publication number: 20080195005
    Abstract: Portable devices and methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by assuring that the ankle is flexed and extended sufficiently to promote blood flow in the lower leg are disclosed. The device includes an actuator with a free movement mode that allows a patient to move freely between activations or to initiate movement to delay a next automatic activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Kern Bhugra, Thomas J. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 7163517
    Abstract: An electro-stimulation feet acupuncture channel physiotherapy shoe comprised of a pair of physiotherapy shoes and an accompanying physical treatment appliance. Conductive metal wires are directly embedded along the interior extent of the shoe body, a small hole is formed in the rear surface of each shoe body, a surrounding edge is disposed along the periphery of the sole, and three-dimensional acupressure point protrusions and massage protrusions with built-in wire wound coils that provide for electrical conductance are reliefed along the instep. The physical treatment appliance enables the physiotherapy shoe to become positively and negatively conductive, causing the generation of low and medium frequency electric waves that have physical therapy and health care effectiveness at the reflex areas along the soles of the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: Chieh-Lin Liu, Hao-Hua Hung
  • Patent number: 7150720
    Abstract: A foot massaging device has a body section. A pair of foot holding devices are coupled to an interior of the body section. The foot holding device has an elongated housing for holding a foot and an opening located at a top section of the elongated housing for inserting the foot into the elongated housing. At least one massaging device is coupled to an interior section of the elongated housing for massaging the foot and for applying pressure to certain areas of the foot to relieve body aches based on reflexology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventors: Victor J. Adkins, Chikae Adkins
  • Patent number: 7033329
    Abstract: A human body massager is constructed to include a base, the base having a supporting portion adapted for supporting a part of the user's body, and a magnetic field generator installed in the base and adapted for generating a variable magnetic field involved with the part of the user's body supported on the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Lu-Jung Liao
  • Patent number: 7001316
    Abstract: A shaped body (1) of plastic material with rounded outer contours is used for carrying out a method of active motion therapy by filling bulk material (11) of shaped bodies (1) into a container (12). The limbs (13) to be trained are immersed into the bulk material (11) and exercises are carried out. The shaped body (1) is symmetrical relative to a first plane defined by a first substantially oval outer periphery (U1) of the shaped body (1), asymmetrical relative to a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane and defined by a second substantially oval outer periphery (U2) of the shaped body (1), and asymmetrical relative to a third plane defined by a third outer periphery (U3) of the shaped body (1), which is substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes. The shaped body effects a resistance to motion which is nearly independent of the exercising direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Trelogo KG
    Inventors: Ludolf Jakobs, Angelika Werner-Jakobs
  • Patent number: 6979300
    Abstract: A massage system includes a magnetic massage head which produces a pulsating magnetic field. The massage system also includes a foot pad which includes raised areas for massaging the arch and toes of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventors: Mark C. Julian, Michael K. Julian
  • Patent number: 6916297
    Abstract: A care or treatment attachment for a foot care apparatus, comprising at least one movable care or treatment element as well as a coupling piece, with which the attachment can be connected to the movement of a motor-driven driving shaft 8 inside the foot care apparatus 6. The attachment comprises a housing which is secured in position on the housing so that driving movement transmitted from the driving shaft does not move the housing. A coupling piece is movable mounted in housing and is supported movably corresponding to the driving movement transmitted from driving shaft of the foot care apparatus. The coupling piece at the driven side drives a power converter for the conversion of the driving movement into a differing movement which powers the one or more movable care or treatment attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Wik Far East Ltd.
    Inventor: Klaus Hafemann
  • Patent number: 6805678
    Abstract: A foot treating apparatus comprising a basin that is adapted for accepting and containing bathing water and is shaped and arranged to accommodate two human feet within the bathing water. A steam generator is included and adapted to accept and contain steamable water, to convert the steamable water into steam, and to direct the steam through a steam vent disposed above the bathing water and at one or both of the soles of those feet when the feet are removed from the bathing water. Dry massage means, heating means, vibration, and aeration are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Helen of Troy
    Inventor: Michael Cafaro
  • Patent number: 6790188
    Abstract: A foot-immersing massaging machine includes a body and an immersing vessel combined on the body. The body has a housing, a motor, a switch, a power cord, and a vibrator. The vibrator is fixed on an upper end of the shaft of the motor, and produces vibration when rotated by the motor. The immersing vessel has a vessel body and a soft massage cushion. The vessel body has a through hole in the bottom center for an upper portion of the vibrator to extend through upward, and the massage cushion is placed on the bottom of the vessel body and closes up the through hole, covering the vibrator with a gap between itself and the vibrator. Then a user can put the feet in the immersing vessel and receive massage performed by the vibrator at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Chao Yang Chen
  • Publication number: 20040082890
    Abstract: A foot kneading rug includes a base panel having a number of bulges and swellings extended upwardly from the upper portion of the base panel. The swellings may include a height greater than that of the bulges, and may include a hardness greater than that of the bulges for resiliently supporting users' feet before the users' feet contacting with the bulges. An anti-slippery device includes a sheet member secured to the bottom portion of the base panel, and a number of suction cups attached to the sheet member for anti-slippery purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Chun Fu Kuo
  • Patent number: 6725471
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom. A pump is disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the bath chamber, and a bubble egress tube is provided in communication with the pump and the bath chamber bottom surface. The bubble egress tube has a continuous configuration which traverses a surface area of the bath chamber bottom surface having a width dimension greater than the width of the egress tube. Air from the pump is directed into the bath chamber through egress holes formed in the bubble egress tube, thereby generating air bubbles in the fluid contained in the bath chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman S. Ferber, Alex Wong Chi To
  • Publication number: 20040030270
    Abstract: A therapeutic garment combining compression therapy such as gradient compression of a body part or tissue of a human or animal subject with electrical or other form of delivered-energy stimulation. Garment electrodes have conductive portions contiguous or integral with elastic portions for delivering electrical stimulation to a treated area that is under compression. The combination of electrotherapy in conjunction with compression can help reduce edema and promote optimum blood circulation and improved healing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: James P. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040006289
    Abstract: A human body massager is constructed to include a base, the base having a supporting portion adapted for supporting a part of the user's body, and a magnetic field generator installed in the base and adapted for generating a variable magnetic field involved with the part of the user's body supported on the supporting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Lu-Jung Liao
  • Patent number: 6656138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunction hyperthermo-therapeutical apparatus, and more particularly, to a multifunction hyperthermo-therapeutical apparatus which basically uses the hyperthermo-therapeutical apparatus and, of course, selectively uses one or more specific appliances according to the selection of a user by installing a sleep aid means, foot pressure means and vertebral correction means with additional functions at the one hyperthermo-therapeutical apparatus, thereby maximizing a hyperthermo-therapeutical curative effect and achieving an optimum sleep, blood circulation and vertebral correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dwzone Medical Instruments Co., LTD
    Inventor: Myeong-su Kim
  • Publication number: 20030220593
    Abstract: A foot spa and a method for controlling the foot spa is provided. The foot spa has a housing defining a reservoir for locating feet and a touchpad control unit for controlling a function of the foot spa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: CONAIR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin Joseph Morton
  • Patent number: 6568000
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom. A hood is attached to the wall structure and is arranged to at least partially cover the bath chamber, and a motor is mounted on an underside of the hood. At least two spaced therapy centers are disposed on the hood, where the therapy centers are operably connected to the motor for providing therapy to the body part when the body part is placed on one of the therapy centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alon D. Kaufman, Alex Wong Chi To
  • Patent number: 6505358
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall structure has a contact area adapted to be exposed when fluid is contained in the bath chamber. A heating member is provided on the contact area for providing heat, such as infrared rays, to the body part when the body part is placed on the contact area. In addition, the bath apparatus can include at least one massage attachment adapted to be received on the contact area for massaging the body part when the body part engages the massage attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman S. Ferber, Alex Wong Chi To
  • Publication number: 20030004443
    Abstract: A sole massage and pain-relief board that includes a substrate and a plurality of massage grains. A plurality of small orifices are formed within the outlines of the two footprints on the substrate. Each orifice is individually numbered and the orifices are distributed in positions corresponding to the positions of the reflex acupuncture points on the soles of the feet. The lower ends of the massage grains possess short handles to permit the insertion of the massage grains into the small orifices. The massage grains can be disposed on the substrate in positions that correspond to the acupuncture points on the soles of the feet for different types of pain in order to apply pressure to different locations on the soles of the feet of the sufferer, thus providing a targeted pain-relief effect. Better effects can be achieved by employing magnetic type massage grains to provide stimulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Kwok Ching Chan
  • Publication number: 20030004442
    Abstract: A care or treatment attachment for a foot care apparatus, comprising at least one movable care or treatment element as well as a coupling piece, with which the attachment can be connected to the movement of a motor-driven driving shaft 8 inside the foot care apparatus 6. The attachment comprises a housing which is secured in position on the housing so that driving movement transmitted from the driving shaft does not move the housing. A coupling piece is movable mounted in housing and is supported movably corresponding to the driving movement transmitted from driving shaft of the foot care apparatus. The coupling piece at the driven side drives a power converter for the conversion of the driving movement into a differing movement which powers the one or more movable care or treatment attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus Hafemann
  • Publication number: 20020133101
    Abstract: A method and device for improving blood circulation to an area of interest within a patient' heart is described. The method comprises inserting a guidable elongated flexible ultrasound device into a patient's vasculature, applying ultrasonic energy to an area in need of improved circulation, and injecting materials such as angiogenic materials or contrasting agents into the area of interest. The device, suitable for performing the method, comprises an elongated tubular body, a distal head of the elongated tubular body for introducing ultrasonic energy to an area of interest, and a needle to deliver materials to an area of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Lauri J. DeVore
  • Patent number: 6405390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multifunctional foot spa comprising a chassis; a container disposed on the chassis comprising a left part and a right part; a foot rest arranged between the left part and the right part; central massage means including a massage axle and a massage accessory positioned on the foot rest; driving means comprising a plurality of motors for respectively driving the central massage means and producing hydraulic vibrations and bubbles in water filled in the container; heating means including a circuit for keeping the water at a predetermined temperature, and control means for controlling the driving means and heating means, wherein a plurality of holes and bulges are well-distributed on the base surface of the container, and a plurality of releasable and rotatable massage rollers are provided to match a plurality of recesses at the center of the base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Kenford Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu King Kuen
  • Patent number: 6393633
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bathing body parts, such as the feet. The apparatus includes a bath chamber for containing fluid, such as water, and receiving the body part therein. The bath chamber includes a bottom surface and a wall structure extending upwardly therefrom. A pump is disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the bath chamber, and a bubble egress tube is provided in communication with the pump and the bath chamber bottom surface. The bubble egress tube has a continuous configuration which traverses a surface area of the bath chamber bottom surface having a width dimension greater than the width of the egress tube. Air from the pump is directed into the bath chamber through egress holes formed in the bubble egress tube, thereby generating air bubbles in the fluid contained in the bath chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: HoMedics, Inc.
    Inventor: Roman S. Ferber
  • Patent number: 6309366
    Abstract: A foot therapy device including a portable housing with an annular wall having an upper edge and defining a reservoir for retaining a volume of liquid to be used during foot therapy; a lid covering a given portion of the reservoir and secured to a continuous portion of the upper edge; and a liquid seal member disposed between the lid and the given upper edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Helen of Troy
    Inventor: Randolph E. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6258048
    Abstract: An electric foot massaging assembly is provided including a slipper mount. A flexible slipper is positioned on the slipper mount with an opening formed in an upper extent thereof for receiving a foot therein. A roller assembly includes a plurality of rollers mounted on the slipper mount for massaging a foot within the slipper. A motor is included for rotating the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: David L. Montague
  • Patent number: 6149611
    Abstract: A foot massager, which includes a casing, a massaging disk supported on elastic blocks inside the casing, two massaging foot plates suspended in respective foot recesses at the massaging disk, a plurality of infrared light emitting devices respectively installed in the foot recesses below the massaging foot plates, a motor mounted in the casing and controlled to rotate two massaging plates through a worm and two gear meshed with the worm at two opposite sides, and a weight fastened to the motor shaft of the motor to increase the amplitude of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Kim-Chu Chen
  • Patent number: 5989203
    Abstract: A steam massaging device includes a steam generator, a main tube and a massaging means. The steam generator comprises a boiler, a seal lid and a steam outlet. The steam outlet has one end located above the boiler and the other end connected to one end of the main tube. The main tube has the other end connected to the massaging means for conducting steam to an interior of the massaging means. The massaging means comprises at least one massaging plate assembly or one massaging rod assembly. The massaging plate assemblies are interconnected, and the massaging rod is connected to the massaging plate assembly/assemblies so that steam can flow through them. The massaging device may be used to massaging the back and waist as well as the soles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Inventor: Chun-chung Wang
  • Patent number: 5868688
    Abstract: A foot massaging appliance, includes a housing adapted to be supported on a flat horizontal surface and including an upper face facing upwardly of the housing when so supported; at least one massaging unit mounted within the housing for cyclical movement and including a plurality of massaging elements projecting upwardly from the upper face thereof for massaging the sole of a user's foot when placed thereon; and a motor drive for cyclically moving the massaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Yonitech Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Avidor, Igal Benbasat, Nitza Kardish
  • Patent number: 5797859
    Abstract: A massager for producing rotary and/or vibratory massage motion includes a base structure, a support plate with a contact surface and a mounting surface, and resilient mounts for coupling the support plate to the base structure. At least one rotator structure is associated with the contact surface of the support plate and includes massage members extending therefrom. A motor is attached to the mounting surface of the support plate and manifests a first direction rotary output and a counter direction rotary output. A gear structure couples the motor to the at least one rotator structure to cause rotary movement thereof, upon actuation of the motor. The massager includes an eccentric weight and a clutch system for driveably coupling the eccentric weight to the motor when the motor produces a first direction rotary output; and for decoupling the eccentric weight from the motor when the motor produces the counter-direction rotary output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventor: Barry V. Prehodka
  • Patent number: 5588161
    Abstract: A wet/dry foot bath having a tub with foldable sides a motor with vibrating coils for reciprocating movement of the tub floor, a rope heating with reflecting plates for radiating heat throughout the floor of the tub, the floor having foot massage bumps and a central arch massager, and a remote control device for operating the foot bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: George Barradas
  • Patent number: 5443440
    Abstract: A medical device is provided for applying compressive pressures against a patient's foot. The device comprises first and second panels of flexible material secured to one another to form an inflatable bag to be fitted upon the foot. The bag has first and second separate fluid bladders. The first fluid bladder is adapted to engage a first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder is adapted to engage a second portion of the foot. A boot is provided for holding the inflatable bag to the foot. A fluid supply is provided for applying pressurized fluid to the first and second fluid bladders such that the first fluid bladder applies a first compressive pressure upon the first portion of the foot and the second fluid bladder applies a second compressive pressure upon the second portion of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: NDM Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Tumey, Robert L. Cartmell, Timothy J. Riazzi, Abdou F. DeBan, David B. McQuain
  • Patent number: 5354260
    Abstract: A one-piece slipper construction, into which an inflatable foot-pump bag or bladder is permanently integrated and wherein a thin reinforcement panel is fully contained and located within a flat-foldable wrap, for selective completion of the circumferential tie that is needed for assurance of stimulated foot-pump action. In the preferred embodiment, the wrap is so further devised as to provide a flexibly reinforced, non-stretch backing reference for a laterally extending portion of the inflatable bag, for active stimulation of the adjacent dorsi-medial region, where further blood accumulates as part of the pool from which venous return flow can be driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Novamedix, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon J. Cook