Massage table with integrated arm sections

Abstract

A massage table (10) for supporting a person above a surface (20) during a massage includes a table top assembly (12), a leg assembly (14), and a first support assembly (46A). The table top assembly (12) supports the person. The leg assembly (14) including a first pair of spaced apart legs (40A) that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly (12). Each leg (38A) (38B) (38C) (38D) is moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the first pair of legs (40A) support the table top assembly (12) above the surface (20) and a folded configuration. The first support assembly (46A) supports the first pair of legs (40A) in the unfolded configuration. The first support assembly (46A) includes a first arm segment (48A) and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments (48B) that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly (12) and the first pair of legs (40A). In one embodiment, the first arm segment (46A) includes an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections (56A) and a transverse section (56B) that maintains the side sections (56A) apart.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/683,166 filed on May 20, 2005. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/683,166 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

As 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 patient to be resting while receiving a massage. Important features for massage tables include high strength, light weight, easy to manufacture, stable, and easy to adjust and fold.

SUMMARY

A massage table for supporting a person above a surface during a massage includes a table top assembly, a leg assembly and a first support assembly. The table top assembly supports the person. The leg assembly including a first pair of spaced apart legs that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly. Each leg is moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the first pair of legs support the table top assembly above the surface and a folded configuration. The first support assembly supports the first pair of legs in the unfolded configuration. The first support assembly includes a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the first pair of legs. In one embodiment, the first arm segment is an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart.

As a result of the design of the first arm segment, in certain embodiments, the first arm segment is stronger, easier to manufactured, and easier to assembly to the rest of the massage table. Moreover, the first arm segment can be made lighter.

In one embodiment, the first arm segment is generally “U” shaped. Further, in one embodiment, each of the side sections of the first arm segment can be pivotable attached to the table top assembly, one of the second arm segments can be pivotable attached to one of the legs of the first pair of legs, and the other of the second arm segments can be pivotable attached to the other of the legs of the first pair of legs. Further, the first arm segment can be pivotable attached to the second arm segments and/or the first arm segment maintains the second arm segments apart. Additionally, the second arm segments can be pivotable attached to the first arm segment near the transverse section.

In another embodiment, each of the side sections of the first arm segment is pivotable attached to one of the legs of the first pair of legs and the second arm segments are pivotable attached to the table top assembly.

Additionally, the leg assembly can include a second pair of spaced apart legs that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly. In this embodiment, each leg is moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the second pair of legs support the table top assembly above the surface and a folded configuration. The massage table further comprises a second support assembly that supports the second pair of legs in the unfolded configuration. The second support assembly includes a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the second pair of legs. In this embodiment, the first arm segment is an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart.

In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for making a massage table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The 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:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a massage table having features of one embodiment to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view and FIG. 2B is a side view of a portion of the massage table;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the first arm segment; and

FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the massage table with the legs folded.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective view of a massage table 10 having features of one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the massage table 10 includes a table top assembly 12, a leg assembly 14, a cable assembly 15 and an arm assembly 16. The design of these components can be varied to achieve the desired shape, weight, and strength characteristics of the massage table 10. Alternatively, the massage table 10 can be designed with fewer or more components than that illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the massage table 10 could be designed without the cable assembly 15 or with a different type of cable assembly 15 than that illustrated in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, the massage table 10 is moveable between a working configuration 18 and a transport configuration (not shown). In the working configuration 18, the massage table 10 can be set up on a surface 20, e.g. a floor, and the massage table 10 is ready for supporting a person above the surface for a massage. In the transport configuration, the massage table 10 is folded and can be moved relatively easily.

As an overview, in certain embodiments, the arm assembly 16 is uniquely designed so that the massage table 10 is easy to assembly, strong, lightweight, and easy to move between the working configuration 18 and the transport configuration.

The table top assembly 12 provides a surface for a person to rest on during a massage. In one embodiment, the table top assembly 12 includes a first table top 22A, an adjacent second table top 22B, a hinge assembly 24 (illustrated in FIGS. 2B) and a headrest 26.

In the FIG. 1, each table top 22A, 22B is generally rectangular shaped and includes (i) a left front edge 28LF, (ii) a left back edge 28LB, (iii) a right front edge 28RF, and (iv) a right back edge 28RB. Alternatively, for example, one or both table tops 22A, 22B can be another shape, such an oval shape, an oblong shape, or rectangular shape with one or more rounded corners.

In one embodiment, each table top 22A, 22B includes a frame 30 (illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C), a pad (not shown), and a covering 32. Alternatively, for example, one or both of the table tops 22A, 22B can be made without the pad or covering.

The pad provides a cushion for the comfort of the person resting on the massage table. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the pad include foam, memory foam, fleece pads, etc.

The covering 32 secures the pad to the frame 30 and provides a protective covering for the pad. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the covering 32 include leather, plastic, and cloth.

In one embodiment, each of the table tops 22A, 22B includes a handle 34 that facilitates carrying of the massage table 10 when the massage table 10 is in the transport configuration.

The headrest 26 provides a place to rest the head of the person receiving the massage. In one embodiment, the headrest 26 is selectively attached to the front of the first table top 22A.

The leg assembly 14 extends between the table top assembly 12 and the surface 20 to maintain the table top assembly 12 positioned above and away from the surface 20. In one embodiment, the leg assembly 14 includes a first leg 38A, a second leg 38B, a third leg 38C, and a fourth leg 38D. Alternatively, the leg assembly 14 could be designed to have more than four or less than four legs. It should be noted that the terms first, second, third and fourth are used for convenience and that any of the legs can be designated as the first, second, third or fourth leg.

In one embodiment, (i) the first leg 38A and the second leg 38B form a first pair of legs 40A that support the first table top 22A, and (ii) the third leg 38C and the fourth leg 38D form a second pair of legs 40B that support the second table top 22B. In one embodiment, each leg 38A-38D is a rigid beam. For example, one or more of the legs 38A-38D can have a rectangular, circular, oval, or tubular shaped cross-section. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the legs 38A-38D include wood, plastic, or aluminum.

In the Figures, (i) the first leg 38A is secured and coupled to the table top assembly 12 near the left front edge 28LF of the first table top 22A, (ii) the second leg 38B is secured and coupled to the table top assembly 12 near the left back edge 28LR of the first table top 22A, (iii) the third leg 38C is secured and coupled to the table top assembly 12 near the right front edge 28RF of the second table top 22B, and (iv) the fourth leg 38D is secured and coupled to the table top assembly 12 near the right back edge 28RB of the second table top 22B. Alternatively, the legs 38A-38D can be secured to the table top assembly 12 in other locations than the perimeter of the massage table 10.

It should be noted that one or more of the legs 38A-38D can be designed so that the length of the legs 38A-38D can be adjusted to change the height of the massage table 10 in the working configuration 18. For example, one or more of the legs 38A-38D can include a first leg section 42A, a second leg section 42B, and a section attacher 42C that selective secures the leg sections 42A, 42B together. In FIG. 1, for each of the legs 38A-38D, the first leg section 42A is a tube, the second leg section 42B is a tube that partly fits within and can move relative to the first leg section 42A, and the section attacher 42C selectively locks and unlocks the leg sections 42A, 42B together. Alternatively, the leg sections 42A, 42B can have another configuration.

Additionally, the bottom of one or more of the legs 38A-38D can include a contact pad 42D that engages the surface 20. For example, the contact pad 42D can be made of a resilient material.

In one embodiment, the massage table 10 includes (i) a rigid first leg cross brace 44A that is attached to and extends between the first pair of legs 40A, and (ii) a rigid second leg cross brace 44B that is attached to and extends between the second pair of legs 40B. The leg cross braces 44A, 44B provide additional support to the legs 38A-38D and facilitate movement of the legs 38A-38D between the positions. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the leg cross braces 44A, 44B include wood, plastic, or aluminum. Alternatively, the massage table 10 can be designed without one or both leg cross braces 44A, 44B.

In FIG. 1, each cross brace 44A, 44B includes a brace transverse section 45A that extends transversely between the respective pair of legs 40A, 40B, and a pair of brace leg sections 45B that extends along a portion of the legs of the respective pair of legs 40A, 40B. In FIG. 1, the brace transverse section 45A is located near the top of the respective pair of legs 40A, 40B. Alternatively, each cross brace 44A can have another configuration or be in another location. For example each cross brace 44A can have only the brace transverse section 45A that extends between the respective pair of legs 40A, 40B. In this design, the cross brace 44A can be positioned intermediate the top and bottom of the respective pair of legs 40A, 40B.

The cable assembly 15 supports the leg assembly 14 and the arm assembly 16 when the massage table 10 is in the working configuration 18. The design of the cable assembly 15 can be varied. One embodiment of a suitable cable assembly 15 is disclosed U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,170, issued to Spehar, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In FIG. 1, the cable assembly 15 includes (i) a first cable subassembly 47A that extends from the left front edge 28LF of the first table top 22A to the arm assembly 16 and to the right front edge 28RF of the second table top 22B, (ii) a second cable subassembly 47B that extends from the left back edge 28LB of the first table top 22A to the arm assembly 16 and to the right back edge 28RB of the second table top 22B, (iii) a first cable connector 47C that extends between the first cable subassembly 47A and the table top assembly 12, (iv) a second cable connector 47D that extends between the second cable subassembly 47B and the table top assembly 12, and (v) a resilient connector 47E that extends between the cable subassemblies 47A, 47B to urge the cable subassemblies 47A, 47B together. The cable subassemblies 47A, 47B, and the cable connectors 47C, 47D can be made of cable. The resilient connector 47E urges the cable subassemblies 47A, 47B together to facilitate folding of the massage table 10.

The arm assembly 16 extends betweens the table top assembly 12 and leg assembly 14 to provide additional support to the leg assembly 14 when the massage table 10 is in the working configuration 18. Further, the arm assembly 16 allows the legs 38A-38D to be easily moved between the folded position illustrated in FIG. 4, and the unfolded position illustrated in FIG. 1. In the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the arm assembly 16 includes a first support assembly 46A that supports the first pair of legs 40A, and a second support assembly 46B that supports the second pair of legs 40B.

In one embodiment, each support assembly 46A, 46B includes an upper first arm segment 48A that is attached and coupled to the table top assembly 12, and a pair of spaced apart, lower second arm segments 48B that are pivotably attached and coupled to the legs 38A-38D. The second arm segments 48B are pivotably attached and coupled to the first arm segment 48A. The shape of the first arm segment 48A can be varied.

In FIG. 1, the first cable subassembly 47A is pivotable attached to each of the support assemblies 46A, 46B near or at the joint between the arm segments 48A, 48B, and the second cable subassembly 47A is pivotable attached to each of the support assemblies 46A, 46B near or at the joint between the arm segments 48A, 48B.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view and FIG. 2B is a side view of a portion of the massage table 10 without the cable assembly 15. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate that the frame 30 of each table top 22A, 22B can include a generally rectangular plate shaped frame base 50 and a rectangular shaped peripheral border flange 52 that is secured to and cantilevers downward from the perimeter of the frame base 50. The frame base 50 and/or the border flange 52 can be made of a rigid material such wood, aluminum, plastic or other suitable materials. Alternatively, for example, the frame base 50 can include one or more straps (not shown).

The hinge assembly 24 connects the table tops 22A, 22B together and allows the table tops 22A, 22B to pivot relative to each other between (i) the working configuration 18 in which the table tops 22A, 22B are substantially in the same plane, and (ii) the transport configuration in which the table tops 22A, 22B are in substantially parallel planes and the border flange 52 of the first table top 22A is adjacent to the border flange 52 of the second table top 22B. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly 24 is a piano hinge that is attached to the border flange 52 of the first table top 22A at the right side, and the border flange 52 of the second table top 22B at the left side. Alternatively, the hinge assembly 24 can have another design.

In one embodiment, for each leg 38A-38D, the massage table 10 includes a leg pivot 54 that secures the respective leg 38A-38D to the table top assembly 12. The leg pivots 54 allow the legs 38A-38D to move between the unfolded position and the folded position.

Further, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the leg cross braces 44A, 44B and the arm assembly 16 in more detail. For example, these Figures illustrate the arm segments 48A, 48B of each of the support assemblies 46A, 46B. In this embodiment, the first arm segment 48A is somewhat “U” shaped and each second arm segment 48C is generally beam shaped. Further, the first arm segment 48A can optionally include a three bend radii. These bends can be for cosmetic purposes. For example, the shape of the bends can correspond to the shape of the leg cross-braces 44A, 44B. Alternatively, one radius or three straight sections with radii there between can be used.

In this embodiment, for each of the support assemblies 46A, 46B, the first arm segment 48A and the pair of spaced apart second arm segments 48B cooperate to extend between the table top assembly 12 and the respective pair of legs 40A, 40B. Further, the first arm segment 48A includes an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections 56A and a transverse section 56B that maintains the side sections 56A apart.

It should be noted that the one piece, integrated first arm segment 48A can be used instead of two upper arm segments (not shown) that are attached together with an arm cross-brace (not shown). With this design, in certain embodiments, the massage table 10 is easier to assembly, lighter in weight, and/or stronger.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for each arm segment 48A, 48B, each of the side sections 56A is pivotable attached to the table top assembly 12 with a table/arm pivot 58A, each of the second arm segments 48B is pivotable attached to one of the legs 38A-38D with a leg/arm pivot 58B, and each of the second arm segments 48B is pivotable attached to the first arm segment 48A with an arm/arm pivot 58C.

Stated in another fashion, for the first support assembly 46A, (i) the top of the first arm segment 48A is pivotable secured and coupled to the table top assembly 12 near the right front edge 28RF and the right back edge 28RB of the first table top 22A, (ii) the front second arm segment 48B is pivotable coupled to the first leg 38A, and (iii) the back second arm segment 48B is pivotable coupled to the second leg 38B. Similarly, for the second support assembly 46B, (i) the top of the first arm segment 48A is pivotable secured and coupled to the table top assembly 12 near the left front edge 28LF and the left back edge 28LB of the second table top 22B, (ii) the front second arm segment 48B is pivotable coupled to the third leg 38C, and (iii) the back second arm segment 48B is pivotable coupled to the fourth leg 38D.

Further, for each support assembly 46A, 46B, the first arm segment 48A maintains the second arm segments 48B apart. Moreover, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the second arm segments 48B are pivotable attached to the first arm segment 48A near the transverse section 56B.

Each arm segment 48A, 48B is rigid and can have a rectangular, circular, oval, or tubular shaped cross-section. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the arm segments 48A, 48B include wood, plastic, or aluminum. For example, the first arm segment 48A can be made of a bend aluminum tube or curved plywood.

FIG. 3 is a top view of one embodiment of the first arm segment 48A including the side sections 56A and the transverse section 56B. In this embodiment, the first arm segment 48A is an integrally formed, unitary, one piece tube that is bent and/or formed into the desired configuration.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the massage table 10 that illustrates the pairs of legs 40A, 40B and the support assemblies 46A, 46B in the folded configuration.

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 other than as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A massage table for supporting a person above a surface during a massage, the massage table comprising:

a table top assembly that supports the person;

a leg assembly including a first pair of spaced apart legs that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly, each leg being moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the first pair of legs support the table top assembly above the surface and a folded configuration; and

a first support assembly that supports the first pair of legs in the unfolded configuration, the first support assembly including a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the first pair of legs, the first arm segment including an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart.

2. The massage table of claim 1 wherein the first arm segment is generally “U” shaped.

3. The massage table of claim 1 wherein each of the side sections of the first arm segment is pivotable attached to the table top assembly, one of the second arm segments is pivotable attached to one of the legs of the first pair of legs and the other of the second arm segments is pivotable attached to the other of the legs of the first pair of legs.

4. The massage table of claim 3 wherein the first arm segment is pivotable attached to the second arm segments.

5. The massage table of claim 4 wherein the first arm segment maintains the second arm segments apart.

6. The massage table of claim 3 wherein the second arm segments are pivotable attached to the first arm segment near the transverse section.

7. The massage table of claim 1 wherein the first arm segment is a continuous, formed tube.

8. The massage table of claim 1 wherein the leg assembly includes a second pair of spaced apart legs that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly, each leg being moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the second pair of legs support the table top assembly above the surface and a folded configuration; and the massage table further comprises a second support assembly that supports the second pair of legs in the unfolded configuration, the second support assembly including a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the second pair of legs, the second arm segment including an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart.

9. A massage table for supporting a person above a surface during a massage, the massage table comprising:

a table top assembly that supports the person;

a leg assembly including a first pair of spaced apart legs that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly, and a second pair of spaced apart legs that are pivotable connected to the table top assembly, each leg being moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the legs support the table top assembly above the surface and a folded configuration;

a first support assembly that supports the first pair of legs in the unfolded configuration, the first support assembly including a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the first pair of legs, the first arm segment including includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart, the first arm segment including a continuous, formed tube that defines the side sections and the transverse section; and

a second support assembly that supports the second pair of legs in the unfolded configuration, the second support assembly including a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the second pair of legs, the second arm segment including an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart, the second arm segment including a continuous, formed tube that defines the side sections and the transverse section.

10. The massage table of claim 9 wherein (i) for the first support assembly, each of the side sections of the first arm segment is pivotable attached to the table top assembly, one of the second arm segments is pivotable attached to one of the legs of the first pair of legs and the other of the second arm segments is pivotable attached to the other of the legs of the first pair of legs, and (ii) for the second support assembly, each of the side sections of the first arm segment is pivotable attached to the table top assembly, one of the second arm segments is pivotable attached to one of the legs of the second pair of legs and the other of the second arm segments is pivotable attached to the other of the legs of the second pair of legs

11. The massage table of claim 10 wherein (i) for the first support assembly, the first arm segment is pivotable attached to the second arm segments, and (ii) for the second support assembly, the first arm segment is pivotable attached to the second arm segments.

12. The massage table of claim 11 wherein (i) for the first support assembly, the first arm segment maintains the second arm segments apart, and (ii) for the second support assembly, the first arm segment maintains the second arm segments apart.

13. The massage table of claim 12 wherein (i) for the first support assembly, the second arm segments are pivotable attached to the first arm segment near the transverse section, and (ii) for the second support assembly, the second arm segments are pivotable attached to the first arm segment near the transverse section

14. A method for making a massage table for supporting a person above a surface during a massage, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a table top assembly that supports the person;

connecting a leg assembly including a first pair of spaced apart legs to the table top assembly, each leg being moveable between an unfolded configuration in which the first pair of legs support the table top assembly above the surface and a folded configuration; and

supporting the first pair of legs in the unfolded configuration with a first support assembly, the first support assembly including a first arm segment and a pair of spaced apart second arm segments that cooperate to extend between the table top assembly and the first pair of legs, the first arm segment including an integrally formed structure that includes a pair of side sections and a transverse section that maintains the side sections apart.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of supporting includes the steps of (i) pivotably attaching each of the side sections of the first arm segment to the table top assembly, (ii) pivotably attaching one of the second arm segments to one of the legs of the first pair of legs, and (iii) pivotably attaching the other of the second arm segments to the other of the legs of the first pair of legs.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of supporting includes the step of pivotably attaching the first arm segment to the second arm segments.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of supporting includes the step of pivotably attaching the second arm segments to the first arm near the transverse section.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of supporting includes the step of forming the first arm segment from a continuous tube.