Adjustable armrest assembly for massage table

Abstract

An armrest assembly for attachment to a massage table having a first leg and a second leg that is spaced apart from the first leg is used to support an arm of a person during a massage. The armrest assembly can include a first arm frame, a second arm frame, a frame connector, and an armrest attachment assembly. The first arm frame includes a first leg engager that engages the first leg. The second arm frame includes a second leg engager that engages the second leg. The arm frames cooperate to support the arms of the person. The frame connector assembly connects the arm frames together and allows for relative movement between the first leg engager and the second leg engager. The armrest attachment assembly attaches the arm frames to the massage table. With this design, the armrest assembly is uniquely designed to selectively fit different sized massage tables and the same armrest assembly can be used on many different models of massage tables. Further, the armrest assembly can be easily and quickly attached to the massage table.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/828,709 filed on Oct. 9, 2006 and entitled “ADJUSTABLE ARMREST ASSEMBLY FOR MASSAGE TABLE”. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/828,709 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 comfortably while receiving a massage.

Unfortunately, existing accessories to massage tables are not entirely satisfactory.

SUMMARY

An armrest assembly for attachment to a massage table having a first leg and a second leg that is spaced apart from the first leg is provided herein. The armrest assembly supports an arm of a person during a massage. In one embodiment, the armrest assembly includes a first arm frame, a second arm frame, a frame connector, and an armrest attachment assembly. The first arm frame includes a first leg engager that engages the first leg. The second arm frame includes a second leg. engager that engages the second leg. The arm frames cooperate to support the arms of the person. The frame connector assembly connects the arm frames together and allows for relative movement between the first leg engager and the second leg engager. The armrest attachment assembly attaches the arm frames to the massage table. With this design, in certain embodiments, the armrest assembly is uniquely designed to selectively fit different sized massage tables. As a result thereof, the same armrest assembly can be used on many different models of massage tables. Further, the armrest assembly can be easily and quickly attached to the massage table.

In one embodiment, the frame connector assembly includes a frame pivot that allows the first arm frame to pivot relative to the second arm frame. Further, the frame connector assembly can include a frame lock that selectively locks the first arm frame to the second arm frame to selectively inhibit the first arm frame from pivoting relative to the second arm frame. In one embodiment, the frame lock includes a threaded pin that fits into a slot in the second arm frame and a locking nut that selectively threads onto the pin.

The armrest attachment assembly can include a plurality of spaced apart strap assemblies that extend between the first arm frame and the massage table. In one embodiment, each strap assembly can include a table strap that is secured to and extends away from the massage table, an armrest strap that is secured to and extends away from the first arm frame, and a strap connector that selectively secures the table strap to the armrest strap.

The present invention is also directed to a massage table assembly that includes a massage table and the armrest assembly described above. The present invention is also directed to a method for supporting the arms of a person that is receiving a treatment on a massage table. The method can include the steps of: (i) providing a first arm frame that includes a first leg engager that engages a first leg of the massage table, the first arm frame supporting one of the arms of the person; (ii) providing a second arm frame that includes a second leg engager that engages a second leg of the massage table, the second arm frame supporting one of the arms of the person; (iii) connecting the arm frames together with a frame connector assembly, the frame connector assembly allowing for relative movement between the first leg engager and the second leg engager; and (iv) attaching the arm frames to the massage table with an armrest attachment assembly.

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 simplified top perspective view of a massage table assembly having features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified view of a portion of the massage table assembly;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the massage table assembly;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the massage table assembly;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the massage table assembly;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an armrest having features of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the armrest of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the armrest of FIG. 6; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are alternative views of a portion of the armrest.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a massage table assembly 10 having features of the present invention. In this embodiment, the massage table assembly 10 includes a massage table 12 and an armrest assembly 14 that can be selectively secured to the massage table 12. The armrest assembly 14 is adapted to support the arms 16 (represented as boxes) of a patient during a procedure. In certain embodiments, the armrest assembly 14 is uniquely designed to selectively fit different sized massage tables 12. As a result thereof, the same armrest assembly 14 can be used on many different models of massage tables 12.

In one embodiment, the massage table 12 includes a table top assembly 18, a leg assembly 20, a cable assembly 22 and a brace assembly 24. The design of the various components of the massage table 12 can be varied to achieve the desired shape, weight, and strength characteristics of the massage table 12. Alternatively, the massage table 12 can be designed with fewer or more components than that illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the massage table 12 could be designed without the cable assembly 22 or with a different type of cable assembly 22 than that illustrated in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, the massage table 12 is moveable between a working configuration (illustrated in FIG. 1) and a transport configuration (not shown). In the working configuration, the massage table 12 can be set up on a surface 26, e.g. a floor, and the massage table 12 is ready for supporting a person above the surface 26 for a massage. In the transport configuration, the massage table 12 is folded and can be moved relatively easily.

The table top assembly 18 provides a surface for a person to rest on during a massage. In one embodiment, the table top assembly 18 includes a first table top 28A, an adjacent second table top 28B, a hinge assembly 30 (illustrated in FIG. 3), and a headrest (not shown).

In the FIG. 1, each table top 28A, 28B is generally rectangular shaped. Alternatively, for example, one or both table tops 28A, 28B 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 28A, 28B includes a frame, a pad (not shown), and a covering. Alternatively, for example, one or both of the table tops 28A, 28B can be made without the pad or covering.

The frame is generally rigid and can be made of a rigid material such wood, aluminum, plastic or other suitable materials. 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 secures the pad to the frame and provides a protective covering for the pad. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the covering include leather, plastic, and cloth.

In one embodiment, each of the table tops 28A, 28B includes a handle 34 that facilitates carrying of the massage table 12 when the massage table 12 is in the transport configuration.

The hinge assembly 30 connects the table tops 28A, 28B together and allows the table tops 28A, 28B to pivot relative to each other between (i) the working configuration in which the table tops 28A, 28B are substantially in the same plane, and (ii) the transport configuration in which the table tops 28A, 28B are in substantially parallel planes with the table tops 28A, 28B being side by side. In one embodiment, the hinge assembly 30 is a piano hinge that is attached each of the table tops 28A, 28B. Alternatively, the hinge assembly 30 can have another design.

The headrest provides a place to rest the head of the person receiving the massage. In one embodiment, the headrest is selectively attached to the front of the first table top 28A. Alternatively, the headrest may include a face opening that is designed into the first table top 28A near the front of the first table top 28A.

The leg assembly 20 extends between the table top assembly 18 and the surface 26 to maintain the table top assembly 18 positioned above and away from the surface 26. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the leg assembly 20 includes four spaced apart legs 36 that are secured to and cantilever downward from the table top assembly 18. Alternatively, the leg assembly 20 could be designed to have more than four or less than four legs 36. Each of the four legs 36 can be secured to the table top assembly 18 near the outer peripheral portions of the table top assembly 18 so as to effectively support the table top assembly 18 when the massage table 12 is in the working configuration. In certain embodiments, the legs 36 can be pivotally secured to the table top assembly 18 to allow the legs 36 to fold up underneath and inside the table top assembly 18 for easier and more compact portability and storage.

Additionally, one or more of the legs 36 can be designed so that the length of the legs 36 can be adjusted to change the height of the massage table 10 while the massage table 10 is in the working configuration. For example, each of the legs 36 can include an upper leg segment 36A, a lower leg segment 36B, and a segment connector 36C that selectively secures the leg segments 36A, 36B together.

In the present invention, one of the front legs 36 shall be referred to as a first leg 38A and the other front leg 36 shall be referred to as a second leg 40A. As discussed below, the armrest assembly 14 engages (i) a front 38B and an outer side 38C of the first leg 38A, and (ii) a front 40B and an outer side 40C of the second leg 40A. Alternatively, the armrest assembly 14 can be designed to engage an inner side 38D of the first leg 38A, and an inner side 40D of the second leg 40A.

In one embodiment, the front legs 36, e.g. the first leg 38A and the second leg 40A are spaced apart a leg separation distance 41. Moreover, different massage tables 12 have different leg separation distances 41.

The cable support assembly 22 supports the legs 36 with the table tops 28A, 28B in the working configuration. In one embodiment, the cable support assembly 22 can include a plurality of cables that extend between the various elements of the massage table 12 to provide additional strength, stability and rigidity to the massage table 12 during operation and while in the working configuration. The cable support assembly 22 also allows for easier fold-up and storage of the massage table 12. The features of suitable cable support assemblies 22 are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,998 issued to Everett et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,170 issued to Spehar, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The brace assembly 24 provides additional support to the leg assembly 20 when the massage table 12 is in the working configuration. Further, the brace assembly 24 allows the legs 36 to be easily moved between the folded position (not shown) as utilized in the transport configuration, and the unfolded position illustrated in FIG. 1 as utilized in the working configuration.

In one embodiment, the brace assembly 24 includes (i) a rigid first leg cross brace 42A that is attached to and extends between the legs 36 secured to the first table top 28A, and (ii) a rigid second leg cross brace 42B that is attached to and extends between the legs 36 secured to the second table top 28B. The leg cross braces 42A, 42B provide additional support to the legs 36 and facilitate movement of the legs 36 between the positions. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the leg cross braces 42A, 42B include wood, plastic, or aluminum. Alternatively, the massage table 12 can be designed without one or both leg cross braces 42A, 42B.

The armrest assembly 14 is selectively secured to the massage table 12 near the front of the first table top 28A and below where the headrest would be located. In one embodiment, the armrest assembly 14 includes an armrest attachment assembly 44 and an armrest 46. The design of each of these components can be varied pursuant to the teachings provided herein.

The armrest attachment assembly 44 selectively secures the armrest 46 to the massage table 12. The design of the armrest attachment assembly 44 can vary. In one embodiment, the armrest attachment assembly 44 includes three spaced apart strap assemblies, namely a first strap assembly 48A, a second strap assembly 48B, and a third strap assembly 48C that cooperate to selectively secure the armrest 46 to the massage table 12. Alternatively or additionally, the armrest attachment assembly 44 can be attached to a portion of the headrest assembly (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a simplified end view of a portion of the massage table 12, the armrest 46, and the armrest attachment assembly 44 including the three spaced apart strap assemblies 48A, 48B, 48C. In this embodiment, each of the strap assemblies 48A, 48B, 48C includes (i) a flexible table strap 50A (e.g. nylon) that is fixedly secured (e.g. with a bolt or other means) to the frame of the massage table 12, and that extends away from the massage table 12 (ii) a male connector 50B that is secured to the free end of the flexible table strap 50A, (iii) a flexible armrest strap 50C that is fixedly secured to the armrest 46 and that extends away from the armrest 46, and (iv) a female connector 50D that is secured to the free end of the flexible armrest strap 50C. With this design, the female connector 50D can selectively engage the male connector 50B to selectively attach each of the strap assemblies 48A, 48B, 48C together. Stated in another fashion, the female connector 50D and the male connector 50B cooperate to form a strap connector that can be used to selectively secure the free end of the table strap 50A to the free end of the armrest strap 50C. As a result thereof, the armrest 46 can be easily attached and detached from the massage table 12.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the first strap assembly 48A and the second strap assembly 48B extend between the back of the armrest 46 and the massage table 12, and the third strap assembly 48C extends between the front of the armrest 46 and the massage table 12. Thus, the strap assemblies 48A-48C provide three places that attach the armrest 46 to the massage table 12 and that urge the armrest 46 against the front legs 38A, 40A.

The armrest 46 provides a comfortable place to rest the arms 16 of a person during a massage or other procedure. In certain embodiments, the armrest 46 is uniquely designed to selectively fit different sized massage tables 12. For example, the armrest 46 can be adjustable to engage the front legs 36 for a number of the massage tables 12 which have different separation distances 41 between the front legs 36. Stated in another fashion, different massage tables 12 have different leg separation distances 41. The armrest 46 provided herein can be adjusted to accommodate the different leg separation distances 41.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the armrest 46 can include an armrest pad assembly 54 and an armrest frame assembly 56.

FIG. 3 a bottom view, FIG. 4 is a side view, and FIG. 5 is an end view of the massage table assembly 10. More specifically, these Figures also illustrate (i) the massage table 12 including the table top assembly 18, the leg assembly 20, the cable support assembly 22, and the brace assembly 24; and (ii) the armrest 46.

FIGS. 6-8 are alternative views of one embodiment of the armrest 46. In this embodiment, the armrest 46 includes the armrest pad assembly 54 and the armrest frame assembly 56. In FIGS. 6-8, the armrest pad assembly 54 includes a first pad 54A that supports the left arm 16 (illustrated in FIG. 1) of the person, and a second pad 54B that supports the right arm 16 (illustrated in FIG. 1) of the person. In one embodiment, each pad 54A, 54B includes a piece of foam and a resilient covering that covers and protects the foam. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the pad include foam, memory foam, fleece pads, etc. The covering secures the pad to the frame and provides a protective covering for the pad. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials for the covering include leather, plastic, and cloth.

The armrest frame assembly 56 supports the pads 54A, 54B. In this embodiment, the armrest frame assembly 56 includes a first arm frame 56A, a second arm frame 56B, and a frame connector assembly 56C. In one embodiment, each arm frame 56A, 56B is shaped somewhat like a quarter circle. Each arm frame 56A, 56B is generally rigid and can be made of a rigid material such wood, aluminum, plastic or other suitable materials.

Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the first arm frame 56A can include a first leg engager 56D that engages the first leg 38A, and the second arm frame 56B can include a second leg engager 56E that engages the second leg 40A. In one embodiment, each leg engager 56D, 56E is a projection that extends away from the respective arm frame 56A, 56B. With this design, the first arm frame 56A is urged against and engages the front 38B and outer side 38C of the first leg 38A, and the second arm frame 56B is urged against and engages the front 40B and outer side 40C of the second leg 40A. This connection inhibits side to side movement of the frames 56A, 56B and the armrest 46.

The frame connector assembly 56C connects frames 56A, 56B together and allows the frames 56A, 56B to move, e.g. pivot relative to each other to fit massage tables 12 (illustrated in FIG. 1) with different leg separation distances 41 (illustrated in FIG. 1). With this design, the frames 56A, 56B can be moved to a variety of relative positions to suit the design of the massage table 12. In FIGS. 6-8, the frame connector assembly 56C includes a frame pivot 58A and a frame lock 58B. In one embodiment, (i) the frame pivot 58A is a pin that extends through and connects the frames 56A, 56B, and (ii) the frame lock 58B includes (a) a threaded pin 60A that is fixed to the second arm frame 56B, and the fits in a slot 60B in the first arm frame 56A, and (b) a locking nut 60C that is threaded on the threaded pin 60A and that can selectively urge and lock the frames 56A, 56B together. In this embodiment, the frame pivot 58A allows the frames 56A, 56B to pivot relative to each other, and the frame lock 58B can be used to selectively lock the frames 56A, 56B together at different relative pivot positions.

In one non-exclusive embodiment, the armrest frame assembly 56 is adjustable to fit alternatively leg separation distances 41 of between approximately 20 and 40.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate the armrest frame assembly 56, including the adjustability range of the first arm frame 56A and the second arm frame 56B in more detail. FIG. 9A also illustrates that the armrest frame assembly 56 can include three slots 62 for receiving the three armrest straps 50C (illustrated in FIG. 2) of the armrest attachment assembly 44 (illustrated in FIG. 2).

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. An armrest assembly for attachment to a massage table having a first leg and a second leg that is spaced apart from the first leg, the armrest assembly being adapted to support an arm of a person during a massage, the armrest assembly comprising:

a first arm frame that includes a first leg engager that is adapted to engage the first leg, a second arm frame that includes a second leg engager that is adapted to engage the second leg, and a frame connector assembly that connects the arm frames together and allows for relative movement between the first leg engager and the second leg engager, the arm frames being adapted to support the arm of the person; and

an armrest attachment assembly that attaches the arm frames to the massage table.

2. The armrest assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame connector assembly includes a frame pivot that allows the first arm frame to pivot relative to the second arm frame.

3. The armrest assembly of claim 2 wherein the frame connector assembly includes a frame lock that selectively locks the first arm frame to the second arm frame to selectively inhibit the first arm frame from pivoting relative to the second arm frame.

4. The armrest assembly of claim 3 wherein the frame lock includes a threaded pin that fits into a slot in the second arm frame and a locking nut that selectively threads onto the pin.

5. The armrest assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame connector assembly includes a frame lock that selectively locks the first arm frame to the second arm frame to selectively inhibit the first arm frame from moving relative to the second arm frame.

6. The armrest assembly of claim 1 wherein the first leg engager includes a projection that engages a side of the first leg, and the second leg engager includes a projection that engages a side of the second leg.

7. The armrest assembly of claim 1 wherein the armrest attachment assembly includes a strap assembly that extends between the first arm frame and the massage table.

8. The armrest assembly of claim 7 wherein the strap assembly includes a table strap that is secured to and extends away from the massage table, an armrest strap that is secured to and extends away from the first arm frame, and a strap connector that selectively secures the table strap to the armrest strap.

9. The massage table assembly including a massage table and the armrest assembly of claim 1 attached to the massage table.

10. An armrest assembly for attachment to a massage table having a first leg and a second leg that is spaced apart from the first leg, the armrest assembly being adapted to support an arm of a person during a massage, the armrest assembly comprising:

a first arm frame that includes a first leg engager that is adapted to engage the first leg, a second arm frame that includes a second leg engager that is adapted to engage the second leg, and a frame connector assembly that connects the arm frames together and allows for relative pivoting between the first leg engager and the second leg engager, the arm frames being adapted to support the arm of the person; wherein the first leg engager includes a projection that engages a side of the first leg, and the second leg engager includes a projection that engages a side of the second leg and

an armrest attachment assembly that attaches the arm frames to the massage table, the armrest attachment assembly including a plurality of spaced apart strap assemblies that extend between the arm frames and the massage table.

11. The armrest assembly of claim 10 wherein the frame connector assembly includes a frame lock that selectively locks the first arm frame to the second arm frame to selectively inhibit the first arm frame from pivoting relative to the second arm frame.

12. The armrest assembly of claim 10 wherein each of the strap assemblies includes a table strap that is secured to and extends away from the massage table, an armrest strap that is secured to and extends away from one of the arm frames, and a strap connector that selectively secures the table strap to the armrest strap.

13. The armrest assembly of claim 10 further comprising a first pad that is positioned on the first arm frame, and a second pad that is positioned on the second arm frame.

14. The massage table assembly including a massage table and the armrest assembly of claim 10 attached to the massage table.

15. A method for supporting the arms of a person that is receiving a treatment on a massage table, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first arm frame that includes a first leg engager that engages a first leg of the massage table, the first arm frame supporting one of the arms of the person;

providing a second arm frame that includes a second leg engager that engages a second leg of the massage table, the second arm frame supporting one of the arms of the person;

connecting the arm frames together with a frame connector assembly, the frame connector assembly allowing for relative movement between the first leg engager and the second leg engager; and

attaching the arm frames to the massage table with an armrest attachment assembly.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of connecting includes the step of selectively locking the first arm frame to the second arm frame to selectively inhibit the first arm frame from moving relative to the second arm frame.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the first leg engager includes a projection that engages a side of the first leg, and the second leg engager includes a projection that engages a side of the second leg.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of attaching includes the step of providing a strap assembly that extends between the first arm frame and the massage table.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the strap assembly includes a table strap that is secured to and extends away from the massage table, an armrest strap that is secured to and extends away from the first arm frame, and a strap connector that selectively secures the table strap to the armrest strap.