Foot Patents (Class 601/104)
  • Patent number: 11819469
    Abstract: A rehabilitation exercise device for upper and lower limbs includes: a base plate; a mounting plate on which a rehabilitation exercise unit is mounted, the rehabilitation exercise unit including a first support for supporting a user's hand or foot, a second support for supporting a user's forearm or calf, a third support for supporting a user's upper arm or thigh, the mounting plate having a first side that is coupled to the base plate to be horizontally movable along a plate surface thereof; and a link member having opposite sides that are rotatably coupled to the base plate and the mounting plate, respectively, and configured to adjust an angle between the base plate and the mounting plate being rotated when the first side of the mounting plate is moved horizontally along the plate surface of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: H ROBOTICS INC.
    Inventors: Byeong-Geol Choi, Ho-Moon Kim, Chang-Hwa Jung
  • Patent number: 11103411
    Abstract: The driving system comprises: a first support structure; a second support structure supported by the first support structure for rotation about a stationary axis of rotation; a first actuation unit having a first motor device and a first output member; and a second actuation unit having a second motor device and a second output member. The first output member is drivingly connected with the second support structure for rotation about the first axis of rotation. The first motor device controls the rotation of the first output member, along with the second support structure, about the first axis of rotation. The second output member is supported by the second support structure for rotation about a second axis of rotation. The second motor device controls the rotation of the second output member about the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
    Inventors: Jody Alessandro Saglia, Stefano D'Angella, Lucia Ciaccia, Carlo Sanfilippo, Simone Ungaro
  • Patent number: 10039689
    Abstract: A device for massaging either a human hand or a human foot includes a number of massage elements formed on a plate that is moved within a carriage adjacently below an opening in a housing. The sole of the foot or the palm of the hand is held in contact with the massage elements or in contact with a flexible sheet extending within the opening by an enclosure. In one version, separate enclosures are provided for the hand and for the foot; in another version, the enclosure is adjustable for use with either a hand or a foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Inventor: Zoya Hajianpour
  • Patent number: 9320670
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for rehabilitating an individual's leg after the individual has undergone a knee replacement. The apparatus reduces the individual's awareness of discomfort produced while increasing the range of motion of the individual's leg. The individual's awareness is decreased by having the individual focus simultaneously on a display screen indicating range of motion and on manually operating the apparatus to increase range of motion of the individual's lower leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Roger A Spade
  • Patent number: 9314083
    Abstract: A fingernail cleaning apparatus (10), comprising: a chamber (60) into which fingernails (44) of a user are placed; a compressor (22), for generating a jet (42) of abrasive powder (40); and a first nozzle (30), for directing the abrasive powder jet (42) onto a front side of the fingernails (44) when placed in the chamber (60); thereby allowing cleaning the front side of the fingernails (44) and/or roughening the front side of the fingernails (44) by the abrasive powder (40) as a preceding step for applying nail polish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Shaul Shaul
  • Patent number: 9238496
    Abstract: Vibration generators are provided on a vehicle to give vibration to the body of an occupant in response to outside information inputted from the outside of the vehicle, or vehicle information outputted from an in-vehicle system. The vibration generators are installed under the seating faces or inside the back of the occupant seats, or in the side wall surface of a fuel tank. The vibration generators are driven by information on predetermined contents among outside information obtained by two-way radio communication with another vehicle using radio communication equipment. The vibration generator provided in the occupant seats can be operated as speaker means producing deep bass sound in response to an audio signal of an in-vehicle audio unit. The resulting configuration enables information to be transmitted to the occupant of the vehicle by vibration given to his/her body, rather than being transmitted audibly or visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Tsutsumi, Tadatoshi Shigetomi, Mutsumi Katayama
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140371641
    Abstract: A foot massager comprising a motor and a human foot receiver holding assembly comprising at least one human foot receiver for constraining at least one foot therein wherein the motor is provided for driving the human foot receivers such as to massage feet in the human foot receivers holding assembly, characterised in that the foot massager is provided with an eccentric block such that the motor, the eccentric block, the human foot receiver holding assembly and the human foot receiver are interconnected such that when driven by the motor the human foot receiver describes an elliptical translational movement such that the rotation axis of the elliptical translational movement intersects with the longitudinal direction of said human foot receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: MARTINE VLAEMINCK
    Inventor: Andre Vlaeminck
  • Patent number: 8500664
    Abstract: A massage chair with a foot massaging device, which includes a seat unit, a backrest unit, and the foot massaging device located at a front portion of the seat unit, can make the structure simpler, the weight lighter, and the cost lower all at once. The massage chair is provided under the seat unit 2 with a back-and-forth motion mechanism 15 joined to the foot massaging device 5, and when the back-and-forth motion mechanism 15 protrudes forward, the foot massaging device 5 advances to a using position U which is located in front of the seat unit 2 and at which a lower leg of a user can be massaged, while when the back-and-forth motion mechanism 15 retracts backward, the foot massaging device 5 is housed in a housing position P formed under the seat unit 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Daito Electric Machine Industry Company Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Numata, Shinsaku Shimizu, Shigeki Noda
  • Publication number: 20130041298
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to the venous plexus region of the foot. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the foot. Improved blood circulation may reduce the occurrence of undesirable complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Avex, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Mayer, Peter E. Von Behrens, David M. Mayer, Gerhard Rill
  • Patent number: 8282583
    Abstract: A massage device includes a housing, a driving unit and two massage units driven by the driving unit. Each massage unit includes a planetary gear disc assembled with a universal joint, an inner gear engaged with the planetary gear disc, and a massage disc assembly disposed on a top of the inner gear and driven by the universal joint. The driving unit drives the planet gear disc to rotate and the universal joint drives the massage disc assembly to rotate, thereby providing kneading massage. The inner gear has an incline top surface. When the planet gear disc drives the inner gear to rotate, the incline top surface makes the massage balls on the massage disc assembly to move up and down, thereby providing patting massage. Thus, the massage device can produce kneading and patting massage actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Ming-Wei Tsai
  • Patent number: 8246556
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to the venous plexus region of the foot. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the foot. Improved blood circulation may reduce the occurrence of undesirable complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Avex, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Mayer, Peter E. Von Behrens, David M. Mayer, Gerhard Rill
  • Patent number: 7909783
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to the venous plexus region of the foot. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the foot. Improved blood circulation may reduce the occurrence of undesirable complications such as deep vein thrombosis, ulcers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Leap Frogg, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Mayer, Peter E Von Behrens, David M. Mayer, Gerhard B. Rill
  • Publication number: 20110066090
    Abstract: A massage chair with a foot massaging device, which includes a seat unit, a backrest unit, and the foot massaging device located at a front portion of the seat unit, can make the structure simpler, the weight lighter, and the cost lower all at once. The massage chair is provided under the seat unit 2 with a back-and-forth motion mechanism 15 joined to the foot massaging device 5, and when the back-and-forth motion mechanism 15 protrudes forward, the foot massaging device 5 advances to a using position U which is located in front of the seat unit 2 and at which a lower leg of a user can be massaged, while when the back-and-forth motion mechanism 15 retracts backward, the foot massaging device 5 is housed in a housing position P formed under the seat unit 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Koichi Numata, Shinsaku Shimizu, Shigeki Noda
  • Patent number: 7854709
    Abstract: A muscle stimulation and massage apparatus is provided that includes (a) a foot plate which is provided with rollers or skids, (b) a column arranged perpendicularly on the foot plate, and (c) a vibration unit that is arranged on a lift, wherein the lift may travel on guide rails of the column and is fastened in a lockable manner at different heights, with the vibration unit being located on a side outside the region of the column. In one embodiment, the lift may continuously travel up and down over a predetermined height range for a period of time in a programmed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Josef Neff
  • Publication number: 20100228168
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a reciprocating type foot massage device which can promote the blood circulation of feet so as to achieve the effect of feet treatment and health care by a way that a plurality of massage wheels conduct a reciprocal arcus rising movement at the planta pedis. The device comprises a motor and a massage part situated in a hole of a support plate. Two groups of symmetrical motion control parts are arranged beneath the support plate. Each motion control part is composed of a wheel disk on the shaft of the motor, a pin at an eccentric position on the wheel disk, a connecting rod and a rocking beam connected in turn. The connecting rod is connected to the middle of the rocking beam. A massage wheel is arranged at the upper end of the rocking beam. Each group of motion control parts comprise 2˜3 kits, and are distributed laterally in parallel. The width of the distributed area of each group of motion control parts is 5˜10 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Kelin Xu, Shulin Ning
  • Patent number: 7654971
    Abstract: A massage device includes a frame including a top board, a support plate, and a forward support; a drive unit including a rod interconnected a motor driven flywheel and a transverse bar in the support, and a pivotal arm having a lower end pivotably connected to the bar; a feet massage unit including a forward brace plate releasably secured to an upper portion of the arm; and a calf massage unit mounted on the board. Resting the calves on rollers of the calf massage unit, contacting bottoms of the feet with rollers of the feet massage unit, resting the ankles on the support plate, and powering on the drive unit will rotate the rollers to massage the calves and the bottoms of the feet and relieve pain on nerve centers in the parts of the legs below the knees with the foot massage unit reciprocated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Chun-Chien Yu
  • Patent number: 7530959
    Abstract: A device for the stimulation of the locomotor apparatus muscles comprising a solid footboard (2), which is oscillated about a central axis (6) of oscillation having a transversal extension with respect to the footboard and dividing the latter into a first arm (A) and a second arm (B), characterized in that there is provided a drive mans operating at least one arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Valerio Matano′, Piero Pau
  • Patent number: 7413553
    Abstract: An exercising apparatus includes a base, two supporting brackets, a driving assembly, a pedal assembly and a case. The supporting brackets are mounted on the base. The driving assembly includes a motor, an eccentric wheel and a lifting bracket. The motor has a motor shaft. The eccentric wheel is mounted eccentrically on the motor shaft. The lifting bracket has a wheel slot and two pivoting brackets. The wheel slot is defined through the lifting bracket and engages the eccentric wheel. The pivoting brackets are formed near two ends of the lifting bracket. The pedal assembly includes two pedals and two pedal pads. The pedals are mounted respectively and pivotally on the supporting brackets and the pivoting brackets of the lifting bracket. The pedal pads are mounted respectively on the pedals. The case is mounted on the base and has two openings corresponding to the pedal pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Te Chen
  • Publication number: 20080183112
    Abstract: This invention provides a leg massage machine comprising an acupressure member which is adapted to move past a desired portion in the sole of the user to produce an enhanced massage effect and which is unlikely to cause the user to feel a pain or discomfort. The leg massage machine comprises a recessed portion 70 for the user to insert his or her foot thereinto, an acupressure member 85 disposed on a bottom wall of the recessed portion for applying pressure to the sole of the user, a drive mechanism 89 for reciprocatingly moving the acupressure member along the bottom wall of the recessed portion longitudinally thereof, an air bag 80 disposed on each of opposite side walls of the recessed portion, and control means 90 for inflating and contracting the air bags on opposite side walls and controlling the drive mechanism. The control means controls the inflation of the air bags on the side walls and the movement of the acupressure member by the drive mechanism cooperatively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: MASAYA TAKEBE
  • Publication number: 20080167589
    Abstract: A foot massager apparatus (10) includes a flexible membrane (16) that transmits percussive forces to the water above the membrane (16) to provide massaging, percussive water wave effects, audio speakers (100), mp3 player capability (106), and voice data input capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: KAM FAI FUNG
  • 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: 7150720
    Abstract: A foot massaging device has a body section. A pair of foot holding devices are coupled to an interior of the body section. The foot holding device has an elongated housing for holding a foot and an opening located at a top section of the elongated housing for inserting the foot into the elongated housing. At least one massaging device is coupled to an interior section of the elongated housing for massaging the foot and for applying pressure to certain areas of the foot to relieve body aches based on reflexology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventors: Victor J. Adkins, Chikae Adkins
  • Patent number: 6916297
    Abstract: A care or treatment attachment for a foot care apparatus, comprising at least one movable care or treatment element as well as a coupling piece, with which the attachment can be connected to the movement of a motor-driven driving shaft 8 inside the foot care apparatus 6. The attachment comprises a housing which is secured in position on the housing so that driving movement transmitted from the driving shaft does not move the housing. A coupling piece is movable mounted in housing and is supported movably corresponding to the driving movement transmitted from driving shaft of the foot care apparatus. The coupling piece at the driven side drives a power converter for the conversion of the driving movement into a differing movement which powers the one or more movable care or treatment attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Wik Far East Ltd.
    Inventor: Klaus Hafemann
  • Publication number: 20040102724
    Abstract: Characterised in that it includes a pair of supports (4) for the legs of the user, said supports (4) being movable so that they approach and move away from each other, and said supports (4) being associated with driving means. Said supports (4) are padded and mounted on a height-adjustable plate (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Hirt
  • Publication number: 20030050579
    Abstract: A bi-directional oscillation leg massager including a housing, a power drive mounted in the housing and adapted to output a rotary driving force, and a combination oscillation mechanism. The combination oscillation mechanism includes a drive member for synchronous rotation with the power drive, a first driven member adapted to reciprocate in a first linear path upon rotation of the drive member, a second driven member adapted to reciprocate in a second linear path not parallel to the first linear path upon reciprocation of the first driven member, and a guide member coupled between the first driven member and the second driven member and adapted to guide reciprocating motion of the second driven member in the second linear path. A support block is fastened to the second driven member and is adapted to support the users legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Paul Hsieh, Lawrence Lin
  • Publication number: 20030045817
    Abstract: A massage and exercise device includes a main body provided with a supporting groove in which a calf of a leg can be disposed, a sliding member slidably inserted into the main body, a first massager for massaging the calf, and a controller for controlling the first massager. The first massager is installed on a rear side of the supporting groove and includes an electric motor, a power transmission device for converting a rotational motion of the motor into a reciprocal motion, and a first massage member for massaging the calf while moving along the supporting groove. The first massage member is fixed on the power transmission device. An exercise device is provided on the sliding ember.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jeong-Joo Suh
  • Publication number: 20030004442
    Abstract: A care or treatment attachment for a foot care apparatus, comprising at least one movable care or treatment element as well as a coupling piece, with which the attachment can be connected to the movement of a motor-driven driving shaft 8 inside the foot care apparatus 6. The attachment comprises a housing which is secured in position on the housing so that driving movement transmitted from the driving shaft does not move the housing. A coupling piece is movable mounted in housing and is supported movably corresponding to the driving movement transmitted from driving shaft of the foot care apparatus. The coupling piece at the driven side drives a power converter for the conversion of the driving movement into a differing movement which powers the one or more movable care or treatment attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus Hafemann
  • Patent number: 6475171
    Abstract: A massage device for massaging back and/or feet of a user consists of groups of massaging elements connected together so that the elements of each group move together to execute a recurrent motion and press against a resilient surface in contact with the user. The elements in each group are able to move independently of the other groups and the elements are arranged in parallel rows with the massaging elements of each row staggered along the row with respect to the massaging elements of an adjacent row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Stella M. Williams
  • Patent number: 6447466
    Abstract: An apparatus for massaging toes having a plurality of massaging fingers which provide the massaging effect on and between the toes of a user. The massaging fingers are powered by a drive mechanism means, such as an electric motor and a motion transfer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Gregory D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6213963
    Abstract: An apparatus for massaging toes having a plurality of massaging fingers which provide the massaging effect on and between the toes of a user. The massaging fingers are powered by a drive mechanism means, such as an electric motor and a motion transfer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Gregory D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6106491
    Abstract: A device and method for treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease involves a shaking device with a horizontally, linearly, sinusoidally reciprocating foot support pad connected to a motor via a flywheel and linkage mechanism enclosed in a housing. The motor, linkage and flywheel, as well as the foot support pad are slidably supported on a pair of rails within the housing. The motor-flywheel-linkage assembly and the foot support pad have opposite, complementary balancing motion to minimize the vibration induced to the housing of the shaking device. In the treatment method, the patient is placed on a support and the patient's foot is placed on the foot support pad, at which time the shaking device is activated for a period of time. The orientation of the shaking device and the positioning of the patient can be varied to direct the shaking effect induced in the patient's body to certain desired areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Weller Mobilizer, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Gianutsos
  • Patent number: 5935089
    Abstract: A tapping-type massaging mechanism includes a drive motor; a support plate secured to the drive motor so as to extend radially outwardly of the motor; a crank pin eccentrically secured to an output shaft of the drive motor; an elastically deformable connecting member secured to the support plate at one end thereof so as to extend in the same direction as the output shaft; a vibrating plate secured to the other end of the connecting member so as to be movable relative to and in parallel with the support plate, the vibrating plate receiving therethrough the crank pin for rotation; and a tap-massaging member mounted on an end of the vibrating plate so as to orient toward a direction orthogonal to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Daito Electric Machine Industry Company Limited
    Inventor: Nobuzo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5868688
    Abstract: A foot massaging appliance, includes a housing adapted to be supported on a flat horizontal surface and including an upper face facing upwardly of the housing when so supported; at least one massaging unit mounted within the housing for cyclical movement and including a plurality of massaging elements projecting upwardly from the upper face thereof for massaging the sole of a user's foot when placed thereon; and a motor drive for cyclically moving the massaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Yonitech Laboratories Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph Avidor, Igal Benbasat, Nitza Kardish
  • Patent number: 5772615
    Abstract: An improved motorized foot massager having three pairs of massaging modules. Each pair of massaging modules is comprised of a centrally located motor and gear reduction assembly and a left and right set of massaging cams. Each cam set is comprised of a plurality of horizontally disposed shafts, each shaft having a plurality of off set cams. The front pair of massaging modules is intended for the toes and ball of the foot. The middle section is intended for the arch area and the Rear section is intended for the heal portion of the foot. The front and rear section are slidable and lockable so that the unit can be adjusted to a particular persons foot. A cloth housing covers the rotating cams to prevent a users toes from being pinched by the rotating cams. The center, arch massaging modules are able to be raised or lowered to accommodate for an individuals arch height. A heal guide attached to the rear massage modules helps a person place his or her foot in the proper location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventors: Bill M. Elder, Kenneth Tarlow
  • Patent number: 5773275
    Abstract: An inflatable thermal blanket for thermal blanket and bathing a patient in a thermally-controlled inflating medium includes an inflatable thermal blanket with selectively activated ties to secure the thermal blanket to itself or hospital equipment. The inflatable thermal blanket has an outer edge and one or more substantially flat flexible flaps along the outer edge. Selected portions of the flaps include boundaries, such as perforations, defining corresponding ties. Selected ones of the ties are activated by detaching them along their respective boundaries. Then, the ties are attached to hospital equipment, or opposing ties may be attached to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Augustine Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Anderson, Mark F. Brier
  • Patent number: 5755676
    Abstract: The transmission mechanism of the vibrating massager includes a stator, a movable frame supported on springy members and movably mounted around the stator, and a magnetic coil mounted around the stator and fixedly secured to the movable frame and energized to produce a magnetic force, causing the movable frame to be reciprocated relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Harrison Chen
  • Patent number: 5729841
    Abstract: A foot massager is provided in the form of a footbath (1) having first and second foot receiving portions (10). The base (2) of the footbath (1) is provided with a plurality of movable massaging elements (31, 50) to perform a massaging function on the feet. In one embodiment, the massaging elements are half-round projections (31) formed on a movable member (30) and which project through apertures (33) in an overlying fixed member (32), while in a second embodiment the massaging elements are rotating wheels (50) fixed on the movable member (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: China Pacific Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Wing Kin Chan
  • Patent number: 5681266
    Abstract: A sole massager including a housing having a plurality of perforations, a base mounted on a bottom of the housing, a pressure regulating device installed on the base and having a plurality of sliders provided with a plurality of massaging pins aligned with the perforations of the housing, a plurality of acupoint selecting devices arranged into respective sliders, and a sole size adjusting device, whereby a user can control the sole massager to massage his sole as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Pin-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 5605533
    Abstract: A touch activated foot massage device including a housing that has a front portion, back end and side walls. The housing has a top with a plurality of ball chambers and a bottom. Included is a U-shaped cover with an upper portion that has a pair of sleeves that are in communication with the side walls of the housing. A plurality of balls are provided. Each ball has a rigid interior with a crank pin within. Included is a plurality of crank shafts. Each crank shaft has a coupling end, a rotation end and a crank. The crank extends into each rubber ball and is in communication with the crank pin of the ball. Each crank shaft is supported within the housing by a pair of projections. Lastly, a motor is positioned within the front portion of the housing. The motor has a shaft rod with a gear. The gear has a tooth belt that extends around the pulley of each crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventor: Bernard D. Badilla
  • Patent number: 5588161
    Abstract: A wet/dry foot bath having a tub with foldable sides a motor with vibrating coils for reciprocating movement of the tub floor, a rope heating with reflecting plates for radiating heat throughout the floor of the tub, the floor having foot massage bumps and a central arch massager, and a remote control device for operating the foot bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: George Barradas
  • Patent number: 5573500
    Abstract: A housing having an inclined surface and a pair of footrests is provided. A plurality of impact rods are disposed in perpendicular to the inclined surface and axially slidably mounted in the housing. An impact head is secured to a top of each of the impact rods. A reciprocating device is provided for reciprocating the impact rods so as to impact a sole of a user mounted on the footrest. A reciprocating device and a drive motor for actuating the reciprocating device are disposed in a mass block that is suspended from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Biopit Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Katsunuma, Tomio Fujikawa, Seiya Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 5417644
    Abstract: A massage apparatus for massaging ankles or calves by means of reciprocating movement, comprising driving means which drives a bearing seat and a bearing fixed thereto to eccentrically rotate; the bearing being closely fitted in a slant guide area disposed in front of a self-lubricating sliding member which is pushed to reciprocate in lateral directions along a set of shafts when the bearing is driven by the driving means to eccentrically rotate and generates a horizontal component applying on the wall of the slant guide area; and a rest member for supporting a user's ankles or calves being connected to top end of the sliding member is thereby do lateral reciprocating movement to provide the chiropractic and massage effect on the user's ankles or calves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Ming L. Lee
  • Patent number: 5407418
    Abstract: A non-stretchable flexible band is wrapped around the arch of a foot and has end portions connected by an adjustable fastener. The bottom portion of the band is attached to a compressor hinge and carries a rigid arcuate pad on which is releasably mounted a replaceable resilient pad. The compressor hinge is connected to a flexible cable and a surrounding sheath which are removably coupled to a power drive unit. The power drive unit reciprocates the cable within the sheath and pivots the compressor hinge between a collapsed position and an extended position where the pads are compressed against a localized region on the bottom of the foot. The drive unit includes an electric motor which is momentarily energized and controlled by a timer module to reciprocate a spring bias rack connected to reciprocate the flexible cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Roman Szpur