Vertically Reciprocating Platform Patents (Class 601/100)
  • Patent number: 11535139
    Abstract: A seat device is provided with: a first air bag expanding and contracting inside a seat surface skin; a holding member for holding the first air bag and movable along the inner surface of the seat surface skin; a drive device for moving the holding member so as to change the arrangement of the first airbag; and a second air bag independent of the first air bag, the second air bag expanding inside the seat surface skin so as to press the seat surface skin to separate the seat surface skin from the first air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ogiso, Kazuo Noso
  • Patent number: 11452667
    Abstract: Methods of driving a massage chair are described for dispensing effective massage to reduce stress and relieve pain in an effective manner. The massage chair includes a backrest, a seat, two massage arms assembled with the backrest and having at least two contact members, a plurality of bottom airbags disposed in the seat, and a plurality of lateral airbags disposed at a left and a right side of the seat. The method includes defining a coordinate reference including a lengthwise axis extending along a length of the backrest, a transversal axis extending from a left toward a right side of the backrest, and a front-rear axis extending from a front toward a rear of the backrest, and driving the massage arms to perform certain sequences of massage actions to provide relief in the neck and shoulder areas, the lower back, and thigh and hip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: OSIM International Ltd.
    Inventors: Kia Tong Tan, Tsuyoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9999564
    Abstract: In a back massaging apparatus capable of projecting a massaging mechanism forward and returning the same to an original normal position, a motion amount is to be sufficient. The back massaging apparatus provided in a chair-type massaging machine includes: a massaging mechanism having: left and right paired massaging members each of which is provided with a treatment unit performing a massaging operation; and a drive unit transmitting a massaging operation to the massaging members; and a projection amount variable mechanism which moves the massaging members so that a projection amount of the treatment unit in the back and forth direction is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: DAITO ELECTRIC MACHINE INDUSTRY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Fumitaka Ishiguro, Ken Tamaki, Shinsaku Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9615993
    Abstract: The present invention is a massage chair, having a main frame with specific curve, a chair back located by a chair seat with a rotation angle; wherein the main frame including back section, buttock section and leg section, the buttock section has an upward curve and the leg section has a downward curve, thus, massage provider can provide massage service to human thigh when the rotation angle is more than 110 degree; a seat supporter is restricted by a restriction supporter, then the rotation angle is smaller as a first rotation supporter rotates counter-clockwise and the main frame rotates clockwise, wherein the seat supporter is disposed within the chair seat, and the first rotation terminal is disposed under the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NINGBO COMFORT HEALTH EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haiming Wang, Qiankun Gu, Weifeng Li
  • Patent number: 9532921
    Abstract: The present invention is a massage chair, having frame body with specific curve, a chair back located by the chair seat, wherein the chair back is adjusted properly by the chair seat for rotating and having a rotation angle; wherein the frame body including back section, buttock section and leg section, the buttock section has a downward curve and the leg section has an upward curve, thus, massage module can provide massage service to human thigh when the rotation angle is more than 110 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NINGBO COMFORT HEALTH EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haiming Wang, Qiankun Gu, Weifeng Li
  • Patent number: 9532920
    Abstract: The present invention is a massage chair, having main frame with specific curve, a chair back located by the chair seat, wherein the chair back is adjusted properly by the chair seat for rotating and having a rotation angle; wherein the main frame including back section, buttock section and leg section, the buttock section has an upward curve and the leg section has a downward curve, thus, massage provider can provide massage service to human thigh when the rotation angle is more than 110 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NINGBO COMFORT HEALTH EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Haiming Wang, Qiankun Gu, Weifeng Li
  • Patent number: 8986232
    Abstract: An actuator (10) includes a body (12), an output member (14) slidably received in the body (12) along— a first axis (X1), an electric motor (18) arranged to set into rotation a motor shaft (20) about a, second axis (X2) and a motion conversion mechanism (22) for converting the rotary motion produced by the electric motor (18) about the second axis (X2) into a translational motion of the output member (14) along the first axis (X1). The motion conversion mechanism (22) includes a driving pulley (24) which is drivingly connected for rotation with the motor shaft (20) and an elongated mechanical transmission member which is wound onto the driving pulley (24) and is fastened at its two opposite ends to the output member (14) to draw this latter in either direction along the first axis (X1) as a result of the rotation of the driving pulley (24) in either direction. The output member (14) is shaped as a rod and is received in a cylindrical cavity (16) of the body (12) so as to project partially therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
    Inventors: Jody A. Saglia, Nikos G. Tsagarakis, Jian S. Dai, Darwin G. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 8840186
    Abstract: A support assembly having a first support region with adjustable degree of support and a second support region with adjustable degree of support includes a support member for incorporation into a seat frame, a first adjustment arrangement for adjusting the degree of support in the first support region, and a second adjustment arrangement for adjusting the degree of support in the second support region. An actuator is coupled to the first adjustment arrangement and to the second adjustment arrangement. The actuator is configured to simultaneously act on the first and second adjustment arrangements in opposite directions. A wire-length control mechanism is coupled to one of the first adjustment arrangement and the second adjustment arrangement and is configured to absorb an excessive length of a wire of the one of the first adjustment arrangement and the second adjustment arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: L&P Swiss Holding AG
    Inventor: Maxime Samain
  • Publication number: 20140046231
    Abstract: A method for providing vestibular stimulation includes: providing an infant in a vestibular stimulation device; associating sensors to the infant; moving the vestibular stimulation device to provide vestibular stimulation treatment; and obtaining sensor data during the treatment. The vestibular stimulation device includes a holder member; a platform; a mechanical system coupling the holder member to the platform; sensors configured to detect one or more parameters of the infant; and a computing system having a user input and/or output interface operably coupled to the mechanical system and the sensors to provide mechanical data to the mechanical system in order to control movement of the holder member relative to the platform and to collect the one or more parameters of the living subject from the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: The University of Kansas
    Inventors: Steven M. Barlow, Douglas S. Kieweg, Emily Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20130245514
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a body massager comprising a portable housing including a backrest and a seat support. A longitudinal guide is provided in the backrest cooperating with a carriage for translation of the carriage within the backrest and a motor drives the carriage along the guide. A pair of massage members are supported by the carriage and extend from the backrest for imparting a rolling massage effect upon the back of the user. A second motor drives the massage members for generating a rotary kneading massage effect or for adjusting a width of the rolling massage effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: FKA Distributing Co., LLC d/b/a HoMedics, LLC
    Inventors: Roman Ferber, Stephen Chung
  • Patent number: 8378612
    Abstract: A control system for a massage device. The massage device has a base, a carriage movably engaged with the base, a plurality of kneading heads mounted on the carriage, and a motor operative to drive the plurality of kneading heads to produce a kneading effect on a body of a user and to drive the carriage up and down relative to the base such that various areas of the body can be massaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Chichun Wu
  • Patent number: 8192379
    Abstract: A single-motor massager has a base, a carriage, a gear shaft assembly, a massager assembly and a motor. The base has two gear racks. The carriage is mounted movably on the base. The gear shaft assembly is mounted on the carriage and is mounted movably on the gear racks of the base. The massaging assembly is mounted on the carriage and connects to the gear shaft assembly. The motor drives the massaging assembly of the massager assembly to provide massaging function and to move the carriage and the gear shaft assembly and the massaging assembly along the base. With the two gear racks, the massaging assembly moves stably. With only one motor and the simplified gear shaft assembly and massager assembly, the manufacturing process of the massager is simplified and the cost of the massager is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 8114036
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for therapeutically treating at least a portion of a body. Apparatus and methods according to various embodiments of the disclosure include a platform for supporting at least a portion of a body. The platform includes at least one plate, a drive lever supported from the plate, and a damping member including a cantilever spring in contact with the drive lever. The platform is actuated at a first frequency. Next, the damping member is oscillated to create a force with a second frequency. Then, the force is distributed to at least a portion of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: American Medical Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Donald E. Krompasick
  • Patent number: 8092407
    Abstract: A massage machine using a small size and high torque brushless DC motor includes a driving unit moved up and down along guide rails of a chair and a first motor for moving the driving unit up and down. A pair of treatment head bases are driven reciprocally in opposite directions to each other; and a second motor reciprocally drives the treatment head bases in opposite directions to each other. Treatment heads are respectively supported by the treatment head bases; and a third motor drives the treatment heads in a plane substantially perpendicular to a backrest. A control circuit drives the respective motors respectively independently of one another. Each motor is a brushless motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Tsukada, Motoharu Muto, Satoshi Kajiyama, Hiroki Inoue, Masayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8011044
    Abstract: A body support is provided utilizing a cushion formed in rectangular segments in which the segments alternately pivot to change pressure points on the surface of the user's skin. The body support can be used as a wheelchair seat cushion to prevent non-ambulatory patients from developing bedsores and other ailments. Electrical circuitry provided includes a timer to adjust the length of time between activation cycles thereby changing the pressure points at desired intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: George B. Jones
  • Patent number: 7985191
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for therapeutically treating bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue conditions. A platform supports a body to be treated. An oscillator is positioned within the platform and is configured to impart an oscillating force on the body. A capacitor assembly is positioned adjacent the platform for automatically determining the mass of the body being supported on the platform. Once the mass of the body is determined, an amplitude of the frequency of the oscillating force is adjusted to provide a desired therapeutic treatment to the patient. Also, the capacitor assembly is configured to turn the oscillator on and off as a function of whether or not a body is being supported on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: American Medical Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Titi Trandafir, Donald E. Krompasick
  • Patent number: 7976485
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a massager moves on a pair of undulated tracks. The massager comprises a massaging core 1, and a base 2, which includes a tow unit 3, a shank 4, a pair of tracks 51 and a pair of undulated tracks 52. The tow unit 3 is slided along the tracks 51, the tow unit is connected to the massaging core 1 by a pivotal axle. And the massaging core 1 is further guided to move along the undulated tracks 52. Tow unit 3 meshed with the shank 4 can be driven by a driving unit and a transmission unit, thereby, the tow unit 3 can be glided along the shank 4 and the track 51. The massaging core 1 connected to a tow unit 3 can slide along a pair of undulated tracks similar to waist, back, and neck portions of human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Xiang-Yi Huang
  • Publication number: 20110009780
    Abstract: A muscle stretching structure for a foot massager includes a massaging base, two rocking boards, a first supporting element and a second supporting element. The massaging base has two bottom spaces, a first supporting surface and a second supporting surface, and a lifting unit disposed on each first supporting surface. Furthermore, a bottom side of each rocking board is attached to a respective rocking module. The first supporting element has two containment spaces and is pivoted to the first supporting surface of the massaging base with the first hinges. A second supporting element has two upper spaced and a driving unit is attached to the bottom of the second supporting element. The driving unit is disposed between the second supporting element and the second hinges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: HSIN HAO HEALTH MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuan-Chuen Chen
  • Publication number: 20100268133
    Abstract: A support assembly having a first support region with adjustable degree of support and a second support region with adjustable degree of support for use in a seat structure is provided. The support assembly comprises a support member for incorporation into a seat frame, a first adjustment arrangement (10a) for adjusting the degree of support in the first support region, and a second adjustment arrangement (10b) for adjusting the degree of support in the second support region. The support assembly further comprises an actuator (20) coupled to the first adjustment arrangement (10a) and to the second adjustment arrangement (10b). By Bowden cables, the actuator being configured to simultaneously act on the first adjustment arrangement (10a) and on the second adjustment arrangement (10b) in opposite directions, and a wire-length control mechanism (60) to avoid problems due to a lack of tension of one of the Bowden cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Maxime Samain
  • Patent number: 7784372
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for a massaging device includes a housing, a driven gear rotatably mounted in the housing, a driven shaft secured to a first side of the driven gear, and an adjusting shaft mounted on a second side of the driven gear. Thus, when the driven gear is rotatable in a first direction, the adjusting shaft and the driven shaft are rotated with the driven gear simultaneously, so that the two swinging members are moved in the same direction, and when the driven gear is rotatable in a second direction, the adjusting shaft and the driven shaft are rotated with the driven gear with a time lag, so that the two swinging members are moved in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Hsin Hao Health Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Chuen Chen
  • Patent number: 7645249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical apparatus for spinal therapy, which is a bed-type apparatus equipped with a treatment head and performs message and acupressure while moving along the length of the spine, and more particularly to a fixing structure of a treatment head in the medical apparatus, which wears out slowly and allows the treatment head to move in a vertical direction. The medical apparatus for spinal therapy having the fixing structure of a treatment head is advantageous over known apparatuses in that it can give various types of stimulation to human body parts and incurs lower maintenance expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Happy Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Sang Kim, Heung Gu Im, Se Yun Kim
  • Publication number: 20090299238
    Abstract: A single-motor body massager has a base, a carriage, a motor, a transmission assembly, two massaging assemblies, a moving gear assembly and an outer cover. The carriage is mounted movably on the base. The motor is mounted on the carriage. The transmission assembly is mounted on the carriage and is driven by the motor. The massaging assemblies and the moving gear assembly are mounted on the carriage and are driven by the motor. The outer cover is mounted on the base to protect the components. The single-motor body massager uses only one motor to provide a moving and swiveling massaging function. Thus, the single-motor body massager has simplified structure and reduces the manufacture cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Chien-Ming HUANG
  • Publication number: 20090093742
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a body massager comprising a portable housing including a backrest and a seat support. A longitudinal guide is provided in the backrest cooperating with a carriage for translation of the carriage within the backrest and a motor drives the carriage along the guide. A pair of massage members are supported by the carriage and extend from the backrest for imparting a rolling massage effect upon the back of the user. A second motor drives the massage members for generating a rotary kneading massage effect or for adjusting a width of the rolling massage effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: FKA DISTRIBUTING CO. D/B/A HOMEDICS, INC.
    Inventors: Roman Ferber, Stephen Chung
  • Patent number: 7470242
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a body massager comprising a portable housing including a backrest and a seat support. A longitudinal guide is provided in the backrest cooperating with a carriage for translation of the carriage within the backrest and a motor drives the carriage along the guide. A pair of massage members are supported by the carriage and extend from the backrest for imparting a rolling massage effect upon the back of the user. A second motor drives the massage members for generating a rotary kneading massage effect or for adjusting a width of the rolling massage effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: FKA Distributing Co.
    Inventors: Roman Ferber, Stephen Chung
  • Patent number: 7429251
    Abstract: A massaging device gives different massaging patterns to different parts of a user's body for enhanced and pleasant massaging effect. The device includes an applicator applying a massage force to the user, and at least two driving units for driving the applicator to make different reciprocating movements respectively in different directions from each other. The least two driving units is controlled to reciprocate the applicator for providing the massaging force in different massaging patterns. A sensor is provided to acknowledge the position of the applicator. A massage pattern selector is provided to select one of the massaging patterns depending upon the position of the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Tanizawa, Masamichi Miyaguchi, Fumihiro Nishio, Daisuke Tsukada, Yuuichi Nishibori, Motoharu Muto
  • Publication number: 20080234612
    Abstract: A massage carriage comprises a drive (1) that contains at least one motor and gearing parts, a first shaft (6) that can be moved by the drive (1) and a second shaft (7) that can be moved by the drive (1), two first arms, which are connected to the first shaft (6), can be moved by the first shaft (6) and on each of which a massage element is mounted, and two second arms, which are connected to the second shaft (7) and can be moved by the second shaft (7), one of which each acts on one of the first arms. In order to design the drive to be as compact, particularly as flat, as possible, it displays a single motor (2) with a motor shaft (3), by means of which the first and second shafts (6, 7) can each be moved via a reduction gear (4, 5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: OKIN GESELLSCHAFT FUR ANTRIEBSTECHNIK MBH
    Inventor: Dietmar Koch
  • Publication number: 20080234613
    Abstract: A massage carriage comprises a drive (1), a first shaft that can be moved by the drive (1) and a second shaft that can be moved by the drive (1), two first arms (3), which are connected to the first shaft, can be moved by the first shaft and on each of which a massage element (4) is mounted, and two second arms (6), which are connected to the second shaft and can be moved by the second shaft, one of which each acts on one of the first arms (3). To relieve the back of the person using the chair when the massage function of a massage chair is not in use, or when the backrest is moved far backwards or downwards, the length of the second arms (6), i.e. the distance between the point of connection to the second shaft and the point of action on the respective first arm (3), is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: OKIN GESELLSCHAFT FUR ANTRIEBSTECHNIK MBH
    Inventor: Uwe Schefthaler
  • Publication number: 20080125681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a massaging machine that incorporates a motor, a main body having a top carriage, a bottom carriage and a massage driving assembly and a traveling driving assembly provided between the top carriage and the bottom carriage, and a massage head assembly having at least a massage head, a massage assembly and a massage head driving assembly. The massaging machine drives through engagement among a worm and a worm wheel, the massage driving assembly, gears and a gear rack, and a planet gear and a sun gear. The massage heads can make four types of movement simultaneously to achieve continuous variations among different massage positions within a relatively large area of a human body, while at the same time continuously varying the massaging forces applied to the human body. The present invention can also continuously massage a fixed portion of a human body. The present invention is easy to assemble and carry with its simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jianhong Zhong
  • Patent number: 7367957
    Abstract: A vibration training apparatus includes a base, a swinging link rod module and a driving mechanism. The swinging link rod module installed on the base has a driving mechanism for driving several swinging link rods for a link rod movement. An eccentric transmission shaft driven by a motor drives the swinging link rod module to produce a linear vibration during the swinging process, and matches with the rotation speed of the motor to drive a support stand to produce vertically up-and-down displacements with vibrations of different frequencies. An adjusting device can be installed between the swinging link rod module and the base for changing the swinging amplitude of the swinging link rod module, such that the driving mechanism can drive the swinging link rod module to linearly change the vibration amplitude and achieve a whole-body vibration effect to stimulate internal organs and improve muscle strengths and blood circulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsun Huang, Yu-Chu Chen, David Shih
  • Patent number: 7354406
    Abstract: As one of exercising apparatuses, in particular an exercising apparatus giving exercising effect by contracting and relaxing user's muscles, an exercising apparatus which includes at least one motion unit including a moving unit installed at one end thereof with a hinge unit rotatably fixed; and an up-and-down reciprocating unit connected with the other end of the moving unit, the up-and-down reciprocating unit reciprocating upward and downward and making the moving unit rotate in an angular interval, and a driving unit connected with the up-and-down reciprocating unit of the motion unit, the driving unit driving the up-and-down reciprocating unit to reciprocate upward and downward is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Human Medextec Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7338459
    Abstract: The invention is a synchronous impact system. Generally, the synchronous impact system includes a control system, a power system coupled to the control system, a lift system coupled to the power system, and a patient support system coupled to the lift system. The invention is also a method of balancing body connective tissue function, and body fluid motion. The method includes inducing a single impact wave in an impact table where the impact wave is induced across an area approximately the size of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Steven A. Swidler
  • Patent number: 7335173
    Abstract: An impact table includes a table sufficiently large to support a person. The table has a drive plate engagement portion on a bottom portion of the table. A drive system comprises a drive plate having an engagement portion mechanically disposed on the drive plate. The drive plate has at least one inclined plane portion such that as the drive plate rotates, the drive plate engagement portion rises and falls upon the drive plate. An axle couples the drive plate to a drive motor such that the drive plate rotates as the drive motor rotates the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Steven A. Swidler
  • Patent number: 7207955
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for therapeutically treating at least a portion of a body. Apparatus and methods according to various embodiments of the disclosure include a platform for supporting at least a portion of a body. The platform includes at least one plate, a drive lever supported from the plate, and a damping member including a cantilever spring in contact with the drive lever. The platform is actuated at a first frequency. Next, the damping member is oscillated to create a force with a second frequency. Then, the force is distributed to at least a portion of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Juvent, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Krompasick
  • Patent number: 7207954
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for therapeutically treating bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue conditions. A platform supports a body to be treated. An oscillator is positioned within the platform and is configured to impart an oscillating force on the body. A capacitor assembly is positioned adjacent the platform for automatically determining the mass of the body being supported on the platform. Once the mass of the body is determined, an amplitude of the frequency of the oscillating force is adjusted to provide a desired therapeutic treatment to the patient. Also, the capacitor assembly is configured to turn the oscillator on and off as a function of whether or not a body is being supported on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Juvent, Inc.
    Inventors: Titi Trandafir, Donald E. Krompasick
  • Patent number: 7207956
    Abstract: A pressure-sensing massage machine that resolves the problems of difficult assembly and adjustment and the occurrence of operational errors common to a sensing mechanism that uses many components and devices. The massage machine of the present invention is able to monitor the pressure applied to the massage recipient by a motor-driven movably extending massaging member. A flexible member is provided in the transmission located between the massage member and the motor that drives the massage member, and a pressure sensing mechanism monitors the pressure applied to the massage recipient through the flexible displacement of the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Souichirou Mizoguchi, Junji Nakamura, Masatoshi Dairin, Munekiyo Ikebe, Masahiro Kirigaya
  • Patent number: 7179240
    Abstract: This invention relates to a push kneading device of massager which is composed of main base and driving motor, worm rod, worm gear wheel and massage body fixed inside this main base, wherein, one set of driving motor with worm rod at one terminal and two worm gear wheels geared up with worm rod are fixed inside the main base; and the limiting transmission shafts are respectively installed on the protruding positions of offset of worm gear wheel, two pivot rods are also fixed respectively corresponding to the center of worm gear wheel in the proper position of main base; massage surfaces are fixed on the top side of massage body with one locating hole and long runner at its bottom; thereby, to connect locating hole and long runner of massage body respectively with limiting transmission shaft and pivot rod, the worm gear wheel may generate rotation by use of running position of long runner and locating hole that may make massage body move up-and-down repeatedly and vibrate to left and right so as to provide pus
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 7125389
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is spinal massager capable of performing oscillating or chiropractic operation along the vertebrae of a user who lies on the massager with the feet elevated above the head. The spinal massager allows a herniated spinal disc to be readily restored into a gap produced between the vertebrae, resulting in improved blood circulation and muscle relaxation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: Hyunkwon Sin
  • Patent number: 7118541
    Abstract: A lie-down massager comprises a frame, a rider below a top panel of the frame, a guide member engaged between the frame and the rider to allow a horizontal reciprocation to the rider, and a lifter carrying massage bumps. A gear unit includes a bolt gear downwardly extending from the lifter, a nut type gear having a outer periphery, a first gear incorporated on the periphery, and a second gear engaged to the first gear. The bolt gear is releasably engaged in the nut type gear whose bottom end is rotatably attached to and supported by the rider, whereby the second gear rotation generates the first gear rotation and the subsequent rotation of the nut type gear enables the lifter to make a vertical reciprocation by the releasable engagement of the bolt gear and the nut type gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Hakjin Kim
  • Patent number: 7094211
    Abstract: Systems and methods for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, or osteoporosis. Systems and methods according to various embodiments of the invention include an oscillating platform for therapeutically treating damaged tissues, bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue conditions in a body. The oscillating platform supports a body. The oscillating platform includes an upper plate; a lower plate; a drive lever supported from the lower plate; a damping member in contact with the drive lever; and a distributing lever arm in contact with the upper plate. The drive lever actuates at a first predetermined frequency. Next, the damping member damps the actuation of the drive lever, creating an oscillating force at a second predetermined frequency. A portion of the oscillating force transfers from the damping member to the distributing lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Donald E. Krompasick
  • Patent number: 7083582
    Abstract: A massaging machine comprises a plurality of massaging rollers, a rubbing mechanism for actuating the massaging rollers to engage in a rubbing action, a pounding mechanism for actuating the massaging rollers to engage in a pounding action, and a horizontal displacement mechanism for causing the massaging rollers to engage in a horizontal displacement on a rubbing shaft of the rubbing mechanism, so as to widen the massaging range of the massaging rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Ko-Po Chen
  • Patent number: 7066898
    Abstract: A vibrator has massaging balls supported by a treating unit that may be shifted along a subject portion for treatment, guided by guiding members. The treating unit is supported by a supporting structure with respect to the guiding members. A position or orientation altering mechanism is provided for altering the position of the treatment unit in a direction orthogonal to the direction of its shifting or the orientation of the treating unit with respect to the guiding members. The supporting structure may include an engaging unit that engages the guiding members and an arm for supporting the engaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Mori, Akitoshi Miki, Koichi Tanaka, Kuniyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7048701
    Abstract: A lie-down massager comprises a frame having an elongated top panel with an elongated opening, a rider below the top panel, a guide member movably engaged between the base frame and the rider to enable the rider to make a horizontal reciprocation relative to the frame, and a lifter moving vertically relative to the rider. A shaft is rotatably engaged to the rider and eccentrically connected to a cam so the shaft rotation generates an eccentric rotation of the cam defined by an inner disk, an outer ring, and ball bearings circularly provided between the inner and outer disks where an outer rim of the outer ring abuts to a bottom of the lifter so the shaft rotating further generates vertical reciprocation of the lifter relative to the rider by the eccentric rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Hakjin Kim
  • Patent number: 7029453
    Abstract: A massaging machine is provided with a massaging mechanism comprising a displacement device, a rubbing device, a pounding device, and an angle-adjusting device. The rubbing device and the pounding device are provided with a shaft driven by a motor. The shaft of the rubbing device is provided at two ends with a plurality of rubbing rollers. The displacement device comprises a shaft, and a worm wheel set driven by a motor to actuate the shaft which is linked with a transmission device to enable the massaging mechanism to engage in a linear motion on a machine frame of the massaging machine. As the body of a person comes in contact with the rubbing rollers, the massaging mechanism is securely located in place, thanks to the self-locking action of a worm wheel set of the displacement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Ko-Po Chen
  • Patent number: 7022091
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a massaging chair includes an integral transmission casing with a longitudinal passage and two latitudinal passages to respectively receive therein a longitudinal shaft, a chopping shaft and a rubbing shaft so that minimal noise is created during operation of the transmission assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Peter Chen
  • Patent number: 7022092
    Abstract: A massaging mechanism includes a first rotary shaft supported in a right-and-left direction right and left swing arms relatively rotatably mounted on the first rotary shaft, massaging heads each secured to an upper and a lower end portion of each of the swing arms, a bracing member engaged with each of the swing arms to restrain the swing arm from rotating in connection with rotation of the first rotary shaft, a first operating mechanism for swinging the swing arms in opposite directions in the right-and-left direction to each other so that a right and left pair of massaging heads respectively secured to the upper end portions move toward each other while the massaging heads respectively secured to the lower end portions of the swing arms are moved away from each other in the right-and-left direction, and vice versa, by the rotation of the first rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Daito Electric Machine Industry Company Limited
    Inventors: Nobuzo Shimizu, Satoru Shiraishi, Shu Lv
  • Patent number: 7018347
    Abstract: A lie-down massager comprising a first mat with an elongated opening, a sliding member in the first mat hingedly engaged to a base to allow an angular lifting of the first mat from the base, a support downwardly attached to the base, a nut gear rotatably engaged to the support and having a wheel gear along an outer periphery of the nut gear, the wheel gear engaged to a second wheel gear, a shaft gear having a hinge end and a gear end received into the nut gear. A substantially bent rod has an upper end hingedly engaged to the first mat, a lower end hingedly engaged to the hinge end, and a hinge point between the upper end and the lower end, the hinge point hingedly engaged to the base frame, massage bumps carried on top of a rider reciprocating along the elongated opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Hakjin Kim
  • Patent number: 7004916
    Abstract: An adjustable massaging device includes a track comprising two rails formed on a support structure. The device includes a carriage assembly that causes a massaging unit comprising a pair of massaging members to move back and forth along the rails on the support structure. The massaging members are mounted to a rotatable shaft in such a fashion as to perform a finger pressure-like massage or a tapping massage on the interior of the massaging surface, such that a user may be massaged by contacting the exterior of the massaging surface. The adjustable massaging device may be used in the back of a chair, for example, to massage a user's back. The support structure on which the massaging unit is formed is adjustable within the chair such that, in a retracted position, the massaging members are distanced from the massaging surface and the chair may be used as a standard office chair without any massaging parts contacting the massaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Interactive Health, LLC
    Inventor: Hans Dehli
  • Patent number: 6991609
    Abstract: A massage assembly (20) wherein a massage unit (40) comprising a therapeutic member (50) for massaging the body of the user by a kneading and/or tapping movement is reciprocatingly moved between a pair of frames (22) (23) and which comprises a motion converting mechanism for converting the reciprocating movement of the massage unit (40) to the kneading and/or tapping movement of the therapeutic member (50). The massage assembly (20) is incorporated in a backrest (16) of a chair (12) or a bed to provide a massage machine (10) of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kan, Nobuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6974426
    Abstract: A massaging structure with a buffer function includes a threaded rod positioned in a frame, and a coil spring respectively provided at an upper end section and a lower end section of the threaded rod. When a moving member of a massaging roller moves to the highest point or to the lowest point of the threaded rod, a micro switch at the highest point and at the lowest point of the threaded rod is contacted by the moving member, turned on and activating a motor to reverse its rotating direction. If the motor stops in case of a disorder, the coil springs can let the moving member jump up and down so that a user may know a disorder happened and correct it. Thus, the threads of the threaded rod and the moving member can be protected from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Ching-Yao Liang
  • Patent number: 6932779
    Abstract: In operating a massaging machine having massaging members and a motor for causing the massaging members to vibrate to massage a patient, a pulsed driving signal is applied to the motor for repetitively switching on and off the motor for specified time lengths such that the motor is intermittently activated, rather than continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Kasai