Couch, Chair, Or Other Body Support Patents (Class 601/98)
  • Patent number: 11529972
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle is provided with a touch panel that enables an operator to input vehicle speed control instructions during an automatic driving mode and a mechanical operation unit for inputting driving control instructions. When the driving mode of the autonomous vehicle is the automatic driving mode or a semi-automatic driving mode, a driving control unit of the autonomous vehicle prioritizes a vehicle speed control instruction input from the touch panel over a vehicle speed control instruction input from the mechanical operation unit and executes vehicle speed control for the autonomous vehicle based on the prioritized instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirohito Ide, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11504294
    Abstract: An apparatus for promoting vascular circulation, including a garment configured to at least partially surround an anatomical structure of a patient. A compression element is coupled to the garment and configured to compress at least a portion of the anatomical structure when the compression element is actuated. A controller is configured to selectively actuate the compression element over a plurality of cycles. Each cycle has an actuated time during which the compression element is arranged to exert a first pressure and an unactuated time during which the compression element is arranged to exert a second pressure different than the first pressure, and the controller is configured to use a random value in determining the deflated time of one or more of the cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Arjo IP Holding AB
    Inventors: Michael David Newton, Rhys John Morris
  • Patent number: 11382823
    Abstract: A roller massage table has a leg under each comer, a leg disposed under the center of the table, and a roller mechanism mounted within the center of the table. The roller mechanism includes a spring-loaded wheel and is slidingly mounted to a pair rails on the underside of the table enabling the roller mechanism to move up and down along a single axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: William Campbell
  • Patent number: 11357687
    Abstract: A birth assisting module for being arranged in a region of a birth furniture where a pelvis of a mother is intended to be placed during birth, includes a pelvis mobilization support, a movement mechanics and a drive unit. The pelvis mobilization support is coupled to the movement mechanics. The movement mechanics is adapted to induce a controlled cadenced displacement of the pelvis mobilization support. The controlled cadenced displacement moves the pelvis mobilization support by at least 1 cm or at least 3 cm and preferably by at least 5 cm. The drive unit is connected to the movement mechanics to actuate the movement mechanics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: VIBWIFE AG
    Inventors: Tobias Nicolas Von Siebenthal, Sophia Anna Bella von Siebenthal, Pascal André Schnell
  • Patent number: 11229768
    Abstract: Various implementations include wearable devices and methods for managing respiration and user health. In some particular implementations, a wearable device includes: a mount sized to couple with a body part of a user; and a housing coupled with the mount. The housing at least partially contains: a contact element for applying pressure to the body part; and an actuator coupled with the contact element, the actuator configured to actuate the contact element in applying pressure to the body part according to a prescribed pattern. The prescribed pattern includes at least two repetitions, each repetition having: a first segment at a progressively increasing pressure; a second segment at a substantially constant pressure, following the first segment; a third segment at a progressively decreasing pressure, following the second segment; and a fourth segment at a substantially constant pressure that is less than the substantially constant pressure of the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Rene Naseeb Naddaff, Kemal Kulovic, John Andrew Trotter
  • Patent number: 11123257
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus, comprising an elongate base platform having a top planar surface, bottom planar surface, a depth, a length and a width. A seat assembly is supported by the base, the seat assembly includes a top planar surface, a bottom surface and wheels attached to the bottom surface. A pliable rolling device is utilized with the apparatus, wherein channels are formed in the depth on the top planar surface of the base platform enabled to accept the wheels and with a first area of a user resting on the seat assembly, a second area of a user resting on the foam roller, the user translates the seat assembly along the channels causing the second area to be translated on the foam roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Crocco
  • Patent number: 10881215
    Abstract: A reciprocating device applied to a load-bearing member includes a motor, an eccentric wheel, a first pulley disposed on a movable base of the load-bearing member, a first belt, and a recovery mechanism disposed on the movable base. The motor and the eccentric wheel are disposed on a fixed base of the load-bearing member. The eccentric wheel is connected to the motor to be driven to rotate around an eccentric shaft of the eccentric wheel. The first belt surrounds the eccentric wheel and the first pulley. The eccentric wheel is operatively coupled to the first pulley via the first belt. When the eccentric wheel is rotated by the motor, the first pulley and the movable base connected to the first pulley is operatively coupled to the eccentric wheel. The recovery mechanism provides a reverse force to the movable base according to said linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TUNG KENG ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Yen Huang
  • Patent number: 10780016
    Abstract: A vertical motion adjuster for a thermotherapy device includes a conveyance unit provided with a movable member configured to move along a mat, a support unit having a first side and a second side, the first side rotatably coupled to one side of the conveyance unit, and an elevation unit installed between the conveyance unit and the support unit and configured to adjust an angle of inclination of the support unit by raising or lowering the second side of the support unit such that the second side of the support unit is moved in the shape of an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: CERAGEM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 10610442
    Abstract: There is provided a massage device for performing a grabbing massage such as to grab a to-be-massaged area. The massage device (1) comprises: a kneading massage member (2) having a kneading massager (9) at its front end; and a grabbing massage member (8) having a grabbing massager (7) at its front end, which is disposed on the base end side of the kneading massage member (2), and, the grabbing massage member (8) is designed to perform a grabbing massage by moving the grabbing massager of the grabbing massage member (8) close to and away from the kneading massager (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DAITO ELECTRIC MACHINE INDUSTRY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Fumitaka Ishiguro, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Shinsaku Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10576012
    Abstract: A massaging apparatus has two massaging systems arranged proximate to each other for performing more elaborate massage on target body areas. The massaging apparatus includes a first massaging member pair for massaging target areas; a second massaging member pair, provided independently of the first massaging member pair, for massaging target areas; a rotation shaft rotatably driven; a paired first conversion mechanisms, each disposed on a corresponding one of the first massaging members, for converting rotation of the rotation shaft into mutually approaching and separating movements of the first massaging members; and a second conversion mechanism for converting rotation of the rotation shaft into mutually approaching and separating movements of the paired second massaging members. The second massaging member pair is disposed between the paired first massaging members, and the second conversion mechanism is disposed between the paired first conversion mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DAITO ELECTRIC MACHINE INDUSTRY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Shinsaku Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10493314
    Abstract: A workout apparatus that is secured to an office chair to allow a person sitting in the chair to utilize the workout apparatus to exercise while he or she is sitting in the chair. The workout apparatus has a back plate assembly secured to the back of the chair, a post strap assembly secured around the center post of the chair that connects the base of the chair to the seating section of the chair, a connecting strap assembly that connects the back plate and post strap assemblies, a support strap that secures the back plate assembly to the chair and one or more exercise components that are attached to the back plate assembly. Preferably, all of the components of the workout apparatus are removably connected to each other for ease of installation and flexibility with regard to exercises. The exercise components have handles attached to a resistance band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Andres M. Lujan
  • Patent number: 9852566
    Abstract: An electronic locking device for selectively locking a medical device includes an antenna configured to wirelessly receive information from an identification tag, wherein the identification tag comprises unlocked duration period data, a motor coupled to the antenna, and a locking pin coupled to the motor, wherein the motor is configured to transition the locking pin from a locked position to an unlocked position for a predetermined period of time prescribed by the unlocked duration period data in response to an unlocking signal received by the antenna from the identification tag, wherein the locking pin is configured to prevent usage of the medical device in the locked position and allow usage of the medical device in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Orthopedic Technologies, IOT, AG
    Inventor: Manfred Menzi
  • Patent number: 9775762
    Abstract: A three-dimensional spine correction robot includes: a pillar, a seat, human body fixing belts, a head fixing apparatus, a bracket, pillar casing pipes, a spine lateral push-and-pull apparatus and a seat locking mechanism. The head fixing apparatus is fixed on the top of the bracket. The pillar casing pipes are movably sleeved over the pillar, and each pillar casing pipe is connected to a human body fixing belt. The lower end of the pillar casing pipe is connected to the seat, and the upper end is connected to the pillar. A first elastic connection object is connected between the pillar casing pipes. The spine lateral push-and-pull apparatus may move up and down along the pillar and swing. The seat is connected to the pillar through a bearing, and may move up and down along the pillar. The seat locking mechanism is fixed between the bracket and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Jilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 9205300
    Abstract: Training system including: a training machine including: a Magnet Rheological fluid (MR-fluid) load generating unit generating a load to be exerted on the trainee, by using an MR-fluid having a variable viscosity depending on a magnetic field strength; mechanical arrangements; a displacement detection sensor; a power-assisting motor; a storage unit configure to store MR-fluid load characteristic information on a relationship between a current through the MR-fluid load generating unit and the load generated by the MR-fluid load generating unit; and chain and sprocket arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: HITACHI, LTD., TAKEI SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD., YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Shizuo Takatou, Kenichi Honda, Hajime Watanabe, Kouichi Yamada, Yasuyuki Murayama, Toshihiko Shiraishi, Shin Morishita
  • Patent number: 9033904
    Abstract: A vibrating device for use in comforting an infant includes a motor and an arm operatively coupled to the motor. The arm includes a first end operatively coupled to the motor and a distal end displaced from the proximal end, the arm being repeatedly movable between first and second configurations when the motor is energized. A pad member is fixedly connected to the distal end of the arm, the pad member having a soft construction configured to prevent injury when pad member contacts an infant. The vibrating device includes a housing including side walls defining an interior area configured to contain the motor. A housing side wall defines an aperture through which the arm extends away from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Tim DiGiacomo
  • Publication number: 20140364781
    Abstract: A massage machine includes a seat portion, a backrest portion and a rocking mechanism center where the backrest portion reclines at a back portion side of the seat portion about a reclining center. The rocking mechanism portion swings the backrest portion and the seat portion about a rocking center, and the rocking center exists below a swing track of the reclining center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Fukuyama
  • Publication number: 20140343467
    Abstract: The massage machine includes a chair main body that includes: a seat part on which a person to be treated is seated, a backrest part, which is provided at a back part of the seat part, and on which the person to be treated leans, and a footrest which is provided at a front part of the seat part and supports leg parts of the person to be treated; guide rails and which are provided at the chair main body; and a first massage part and a second massage part which are configured to respectively move in the height direction along the guide rails. The first massage part moves at least from a position corresponding to the backrest part to a position corresponding to the seat part, and the second massage part moves at least from a position corresponding to the footrest to the position corresponding to the seat part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: FAMILY INADA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Fukuyama, Nobuhide Kimura
  • Patent number: 8888726
    Abstract: A two dimensional moving massage device includes a base, a first movable device in the base, a second movable device in the first movable device, and two massage assemblies disposed on the second movable device. The first stage power gear of the first motor cooperates with the toothed bar of the base to make the first movable device move in the up-and-down direction. The left-and-right moving driven gear is restricted to only be movable in the left-and-right direction and in the up-and-down direction by the first guiding portions and the direction restricting groove. Therefore, rotation of the left-and-right moving driven gear will be converted into displacement of the left-and-right moving driven gear along the left-and-right direction and the up-and-down direction. The massage assembly disposed on the second movable device is also capable of moving both in the up-and-down and left-and-right directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jui Yao Chen
  • Patent number: 8882686
    Abstract: A movable massage device is capable of overcoming the fixed-point type massage device and is provided with an outer housing, a toothed bar, an inner housing, a driven assembly, a drive assembly, a first massage head and a second massage head. With the cooperation of the driven and drive assemblies, the inner housing is able to drive the first and second massage heads to reciprocate transversely within the outer housing, to perform a local massage in a non-fixed-point manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Listore International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui Yao Chen
  • Publication number: 20140323933
    Abstract: A massaging system and method that includes a base carrying a massager head, carriage and drive arrangement resiliently biased by a massager suspension arrangement formed by part of a resilient deformable person support disposed between the massager head and a person supporting surface upon which a person being massaged by the massaging system. The massager suspension arrangement is formed by part of the resilient deformable person support that can be formed of foam, preferably memory foam, which provides or defines a spring of the suspension arrangement capture in compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Innovative Standards, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8827938
    Abstract: A massage machine includes a seat portion, a backrest portion and a rocking mechanism center where the backrest portion reclines at a back portion side of the seat portion about a reclining center. The rocking mechanism portion swings the backrest portion and the seat portion about a rocking center, and the rocking center is apart or different from the reclining center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Family Inada Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Fukuyama
  • Publication number: 20140200495
    Abstract: A massaging system and method that includes a base carrying a massager head, carriage and drive arrangement resiliently biased by a massager suspension arrangement formed by part of a resilient deformable person support disposed between the massager head and a person supporting surface upon which a person being massaged by the massaging system. The massager suspension arrangement is formed by part of the resilient deformable person support that can be formed of foam, preferably memory foam, which provides or defines a spring of the suspension arrangement capture in compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Innovative Standards, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8684955
    Abstract: A back kneading device capable of causing a massage mechanism to protrude forward and return to an original normal position is provided with no increase in size and complexity in construction. The back kneading device mounted in a chair massage apparatus includes the massage mechanism having a pair of right-hand and left-hand massage members, a base member for pivotally supporting the mechanism at its lower end, a vertical movement mechanism for imparting a vertical motion to the base member, an advancing and retracting mechanism for rockably driving the massage mechanism, and a rock restricting mechanism for an adjusting an angle of rotation of the massage mechanism so that, when the device is in an upper position, an upper end of the massage member protrudes forward, whereas, in a lower position, a lower end thereof protrudes forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Daito Electric Machine Industry Company Limited
    Inventors: Ying Liu, Koichi Numata, Shinsaku Shimizu, Fumitaka Ishiguro
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8551028
    Abstract: A force sensing mechanism of the massage machine contains: a frame, a swing seat, a connecting member, and at least one sensing apparatus. The frame includes a rotary shaft fixed thereon and displaces vertically on a second sliding rail of a massage chair. The swing seat is connected with the rotary shaft and includes at least one roller. A first end of the connecting member is coupled with the swing seat, and a second end of the connecting member is connected with a first end of the stopping member, a second end of the stopping member is coupled on the frame. The at least one sensing apparatus is arranged on the frame relative to the stopping member so as to sense a movement of the stopping member, and the sensing apparatus is connected with a controller to transmit a sensing signal toward the controller so that the controller calculates a massage force of the at least one roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Ko-Po Chen
  • Patent number: 8480603
    Abstract: A driving mechanism for a massage chair, the massage chair has a primary frame and a massaging set, the primary frame having a vertical bidirectional screw rod, a passive member connected to the massaging set jacketed onto the bidirectional screw rod. The massaging set utilizes the driving motor to provide synchronized massage movements and vertical movements, and the massaging set engages with the passive member and the bidirectional screw rod such that when the massaging set reaches to the very top end or the very bottom end the bidirectional screw rod it directly changes its direction of movement without any sensor, which can reduce and simplify structural costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hsin Hao Health Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Chuen Chen
  • Publication number: 20130165826
    Abstract: A massage chair for a foot massager contains a base including two sliding rails parallel to each other mounted on an upper surface thereof; a frame including two grooves parallel to each other secured on a lower surface thereof to fit with the two sliding rails of the base, the frame also including two side plates disposed thereon and a resilient layer defined between top surfaces of the two side plates and separated by a plurality of flexible ropes, the resilient layer including a soft pad disposed thereon; a back support axially coupled with a back side of the frame; and at least one movable driving device defined between the base and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Danny Jan
  • Patent number: 8418298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a sleep system is provided. More specifically, the invention provides a method and apparatus for an adjustable mattress that allows the user to increase or decrease the firmness of the mattress. Furthermore, the adjustable mattress has zones of adjustability thereby allowing two users to adjust the firmness of the mattress of each user's zone. The adjustable mattress is also multimodal. The motorized foundation contains adjustable massaging units that may be used for physical therapy and relaxation. Likewise, the motorized foundation may be used in relax mode to assist in obtaining sleep and awaken mode to gently awake the user by the stimulation of the adjustable mattress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Innovative Standards, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8414510
    Abstract: A massage device has a massage head distance adjustment mechanism. In one embodiment, the massage head distance adjustment mechanism includes a first motor, a first worm coaxially connected to the first motor, a first worm wheel meshing with the first worm, a first gear meshing with the first worm wheel, and a pair of second gears having one second gear meshed with the first gear. The pair of second gears meshes with each other. In operation, the first motor drives, in sequence, the first worm, the first worm wheel, the first gear, and the pair of second gears, thereby causing the pair of massage heads to move along a corresponding pair of arc-shaped slots. Accordingly, the distance between the two massage heads is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Chichun Wu, Zhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8394041
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a body massager with a backrest, a lower torso massager, and an upper torso massager. The upper torso massager extends from the backrest for imparting a massage effect to the upper torso of the user. A biasing member is connected to the backrest and the upper torso massager for urging the upper torso massager into contact with the user. Another embodiment provides a body massager with a housing having a first guide oriented generally in a longitudinal direction of the housing. A carriage cooperates with the guide for limited longitudinal translation. A motor translates the carriage along the guide. A second guide is canted relative to a longitudinal direction of the housing. A massage member is supported on the carriage and cooperates with the second guide such that as the carriage is translated along the guide, the massage member is translated transversely relative to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: FKA Distributing Co., LLC
    Inventors: Roman S. Ferber, Elizabeth Harrison Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130030336
    Abstract: A massage device comprises an outer housing, an inner housing, a drive motor, a gear assembly, an one-way bearing, a drive gear wheel, at least one massage member, and a linear motion device. The massage member can perform massage through rotary motion and linear motion, and can massage by repeatedly moving forwards and backwards with respect to the user or at fixed positions. Furthermore, the gear wheels of the gear assembly are vertically disposed in the inner housing, while the drive motor is arranged in an oblique manner, therefore, the inner housing doesn't need a large space to accommodate the gear assembly, and consequently, the outer housing is also reduced in width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: JUI YAO CHEN
  • Publication number: 20120271205
    Abstract: A light therapy and massaging apparatus comprises a base and a chair. A first movement imparting mechanism is provided for displacing the chair assembly relative to the base for displacing a user on the chair assembly in a repeated motion. Infrared light sources are provided in the chair assembly for delivering high energy to the user's body. Paddles extend within openings in the chair assembly for massaging the user's buttocks, the paddles being driven by a second movement imparting mechanism. Protrusions are provided transversally on the chair assembly and opposite the user's legs so as to act on the user's legs when the chair assembly is displaced by the first movement imparting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Kirkor KIREMITCI
  • Patent number: 8282582
    Abstract: A chest physiotherapy device which allows self administered chest physiotherapy to assist in transfer of airway passage secretions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Lee Starner
  • Patent number: 8282584
    Abstract: A massage chair is adapted to give a massage to a user using a massaging element attached to a massaging unit. The massage chair comprises a body-shape-information acquisition section for acquiring body-shape information of the user based on loads imposed on the massaging element from respective regions of the user, a shoulder-position detection section for detecting a shoulder position of the user based on the body-shape information, and a shoulder-position identification section. The shoulder-position identification section is operable to thrust the massaging element in a direction for a target protrusion distance at the detected shoulder position while measuring a load imposed on the massaging element. Then, the shoulder-position identification section is operable, based on the measured load, to determine whether the detected shoulder position is a true shoulder position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Tsukada, Masamichi Miyaguchi, Fumihiro Nishio, Yuichi Nishibori, Takayoshi Tanizawa, Takeo Iijima
  • Patent number: 8277400
    Abstract: A chest physiotherapy device which allows self administered chest physiotherapy to assist in transfer of airway passage secretions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Lee Starner
  • Publication number: 20120245496
    Abstract: In a chair-type massaging machine, when using a leg massaging device or when used as merely a chair or a sofa, it is made possible for a user to take a relaxed posture such as stretching legs forward. The leg massaging device provided in the chair-type massaging machine of the present invention is provided with an advancing and retreating mechanism. The advancing and retreating mechanism allows the leg massaging device to advance and retreat between a zero position in which the treating surface of the leg massaging device hangs down at the front end of the seat section and a second massaging position in which the treating surface is kept substantially horizontal in a massaging mode time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ishikawa, Mikitaka Aoki, Shinsaku Shimizu, Koichi Numata
  • Patent number: 8246557
    Abstract: A health mat (2) and a health bed (10) with the health mat (2) are provided. The health mat (2) includes a fixed bar unit (3), a movable bar unit (4) that can move relatively to the fixed bar unit (3), and a mat body unit (5) that is on the movable bar unit (4) and can move with it. The reciprocation of the movable bar unit (4) makes the mat body unit (5) move and makes the mat body unit (5) do reciprocative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Diehsu Huang, Haowen Huang, Haozhong Huang
  • Patent number: 8202235
    Abstract: A single-motor massager has a housing, a carriage and a lead threaded rod mounted in the housing, a guiding assembly, two transmission assemblies and a driving assembly mounted in the carriage, and two massage assemblies respectively driven by the transmission assemblies. The lead threaded rod has a right-handed thread and a left-handed thread so the carriage moves back and forth along the lead threaded rod and the massage assemblies can massage a large area of an operator's back. One of the transmission assembly has a one-way bearing so the carriage is able to stop at any position of the lead threaded rod and the massage assemblies are able to focus on a massage function at a specific position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: Chien-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 8201293
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a sleep support surface that includes a resiliently deformable sleep support having a person-supporting surface and a resiliently deformable layer with a substantially closed elongate opening that accommodates part of a massaging apparatus that has resistive compressive properties of a resiliently deformable layer lacking an elongate opening when the opening is closed. In one embodiment, the sleep support is a mattress having a foam layer with a slit formed therein in which a movable massager that is a massager head of the massaging apparatus is received. One mattress embodiment includes a foam submattress having a lengthwise extending slit extending substantially the length of the mattress and a mattress topper overlying the massager head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Innovative Standards, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Jones
  • Patent number: 8182436
    Abstract: A massage device includes a motor, a body mechanism and a massage mechanism. The body mechanism includes a faceplate, a soleplate, a massage transmission assembly and a move transmission assembly which are disposed between the faceplate and the soleplate. The massage mechanism fixed to the body mechanism includes at least one massage head, a massage assembly and a massage-head transmission assembly. The transmission of the massage device is through the engagement of the worm, the worm wheel, the massage transmission assembly, the gears, the gear rack, the planetary gear and the central gear. Such transmission enables the massage head to make four kinds of motions at the same time to achieve a variety of massage effects, change the intensity of strength and vary the massage position continuously in a larger region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Jianhong Zhong
  • Patent number: 8167828
    Abstract: A massage assembly includes a top cover and a base which is connected to the top cover to define a space therebetween, a massage unit and a movable unit is received in the space. The massage unit is connected to the movable unit, and a transmission mechanism is received in the movable unit to drive the movable unit to move reciprocally in the massage assembly so as to massage the user's body by the massage unit. The massage unit provides different types of massage features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Ming-Wei Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120071799
    Abstract: Provided is a massage machine capable of performing a rubbing operation and a pressing operation separately on different areas of the back surface of a body part of a person to be treated while performing the rubbing operation on the side surface of the body part. Specifically provided is a massage machine (M1 (M2)) provided with a rubbing unit (1) comprising a pair of rubbing parts (2, 2) for applying a rubbing massage to a body part of a person to be treated and a rubbing driving part (3) for driving the rubbing parts (2). The rubbing parts (2) comprise a pair of first rubbing parts (12, 12) disposed on both sides of the body part and reciprocating in the direction along the side surface of the body part, and a pair of second rubbing parts (13, 13) disposed on the back surface of the body part and reciprocating in the direction along the back surface of the body part and in the direction crossing the back surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Family Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nichimu Inada, Hideshi Kondo, Yoshifumi Fukuyama, Nagatoshi Harada, Hiroo Hujita, Yoshiyuki Hamada, Yasuhiro Sugino, Myongsik Kim, Mitsuo Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8128582
    Abstract: A back massaging device includes two eccentric rotation members each having an eccentric hole and a resting face, and two swing arms each provided with a mounting hole which has a sliding face. Thus, when each of the swing arms is pressed by the user's body, the sliding face of each of the swing arms is slidable on the resting face of the respective eccentric rotation member to freely adjust the angle of each of the swing arms, so that the first massaging member and the second massaging member of each of the swing arms touch the user's body evenly and exactly, and the pressing force applied by the first massaging member and the second massaging member are distributed evenly and smoothly on the user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Dong-Her Wu
  • Patent number: 8123708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a massage device. In one embodiment, the massage device includes a massage assembly and a transmission assembly for driving the massage assembly to provide massage effects. The massage assembly includes a driving shaft engaged with the transmission assembly and a pair of massage members. Each massage member has an eccentric wheel engaged with the driving shaft, a massage bracket engaged with the eccentric wheel, a guiding block in communication with the massage bracket, and a massage foot attached to the massage bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Weightec Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chichun Wu, Chi-Wu Chiang
  • 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: 8083698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a massage device. In one embodiment, the massage device includes a massage assembly and a transmission assembly having a hoist transmission mechanism for driving the massage assembly to provide massage effects. The massage assembly includes a pair of massage members. Each massage member has a driving member having an eccentric wheel and an eccentric block, a massage bracket engaged with the driving member and a plurality of massage heads attached to the massage bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weightec Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chichun Wu, Zhao Zhang, Chi-Wu Chiang
  • Patent number: 8083697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a massage device. In one embodiment, the massage device includes a massage assembly and a transmission assembly having a threaded bolt transmission mechanism for driving the massage assembly to provide massage effects. The massage assembly includes a pair of massage members. Each massage member has a driving member having an eccentric wheel and an eccentric block, a massage bracket engaged with the driving member and a plurality of massage heads attached to the massage bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weightec Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chichun Wu, Zhao Zhang, Chi-Wu Chiang
  • Patent number: 8062240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a massage device. In one embodiment, the massage device includes a massage assembly and a transmission assembly for driving the massage assembly to provide massage effects. The massage assembly include a pair of massage members. Each massage member has a driving member having an eccentric wheel and an eccentric block, a massage bracket engaged with the driving member and a plurality of massage heads attached to the massage bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Weightec Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Wu Chiang
  • 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