CN1348350A - Foldable, portable platform for massage and other treatments - Google Patents

Abstract

A foldable, portable platform, having a base frame (2) for supporting a table top (3) on which a person can lie, characterized in that the length and width of the table top (3) are greater than the length and width of the supporting surface of the base frame (2) on the floor. The bottom surface of the table-board (3) has a mechanism which can be assembled on the chassis to wrap and clamp the periphery of the box-type component forming the chassis (2). The hinged connection between the two panels (9) forming the table (3) is obtained by means of a connecting panel (12) connected on both sides to the single panel (9) to form two hinge joints (13), the width of said panel (12) being less than the total thickness of the foldable side walls of the box-like elements forming the underframe (2), the dimensions of the two single panels (9) forming said table (3) being substantially equivalent to the height and width of the unfolded sides of the single box-like elements forming the underframe.

Description

Foldable, portable platform for massage and other treatments

technical field

The invention relates to the technical field of treating a person lying directly on the ground or on a platform in order to exercise him or to be treated and/or healed, for example during a massage.

In particular, the present invention relates to novel foldable portable platforms, which are conventionally formed from a base frame and a table top for supporting a person lying down.

In this specification, the novel platform of the present invention is sometimes referred to as a "massage table", although it can be used for other purposes as well.

current technology

In the prior art, besides the common massage table whose base frame is permanently connected with the table top, it has long been proposed to manufacture a foldable and portable platform for the above-mentioned purpose.

Among the various solutions proposed so far, this type of inventive subject matter has been mentioned, inter alia, in French patents 2611123, 2591475 and 2555422.

In all devices generally comparable to folding platforms used in the leisure sector, the base frame is permanently fixed to the table top and has a beam hinged to and foldable against the table top Connected columns. The table above also consists of a plurality of parts which are folded one against the other. Among the above-mentioned devices, the most attractive solution is the invention contained in French patent FR 255422, in which the table top consists of two equal parts hinged together, and has legs that can be folded under the above-mentioned table top, so that the Possibly in the folded and closed state it becomes an assembly somewhat like a suitcase.

However, this type of embodiment is relatively complex and in fact the bearings supporting the hinge pins may wear out and become damaged. In addition, while it may seem tempting for the platform to have height-adjustable outriggers, this feature is detrimental to the stability of the platform, and the leveling requirements of the platform are complex because the platform must have 8 The legs are individually adjustable.

It is proposed, for example, in French patent FR-A-2572633 to make a collapsible device with a chassis for supporting a table top.

In this embodiment, the chassis is a parallelepiped member with four vertical faces hinged in pairs one after the other along their common edge, thereby forming a box-like structure open at the bottom and at the top together.

However, such solutions do have problems when it is necessary to store and transport the folded assembly. Since the sides of the chassis are simply folded over each other, this can result in a substantial portion of the length of the chassis along its length. Twice the width of each side of the chassis.

In the U.S. Patent No. 4138951 that relates to a collapsible platform, the platform is also composed of a chassis and a table that can be placed on the top of the chassis. The side of the chassis has a folding area, so the assembly can be reduced. The volume is convenient for storage and handling. Likewise, its table top can also be folded in its middle.

However, this solution is not entirely satisfactory, since the floor space occupied by the base frame is the same size as the table top, and the fixing method on the above table is also lacking in reliability.

Additionally, when the chassis and table are folded, it becomes a relatively loose entity that is difficult to carry and store.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims at proposing a new type of foldable and portable massage table, which not only has a very simple structure but also has good stability in use.

The object of the invention is also to propose a new type of platform which does not suffer from any problems of wear and damage at the hinge joints of the prior art.

Finally, the invention proposes to manufacture a structure whose table top can not only be used normally in combination with the base frame, but can also be used by placing it directly on the ground, thus becoming a cushion for the user to practice.

In general, according to the present invention, the foldable and portable novel platform has a base frame for supporting a table on which a person can lie down, wherein:

- said base frame is formed of at least one parallelepipedic element having four vertical faces, hinged together in pairs one after the other along their common sides, forming a box-like element open at the bottom and at the top;

- said worktops consist of at least two panels hinged together;

The platform of the present invention is characterized by:

- The length and width of the above-mentioned table top exceed the length and width of the landing area of the bottom surface;

- the bottom surface of said table top has a mechanism that can be assembled on the chassis to enclose and grip the periphery of the box-like elements that make up said chassis;

- a hinge joint is formed between the two panels forming the table by a connecting strip whose two sides are respectively connected to the single-piece panels forming the table top to form two hinged joints, the width of said connecting strip being at least equal to the width of the frame forming the chassis The total thickness of the foldable side walls of the single box or boxes of said deck, the dimensions of the two single-piece panels making up said deck are approximately equivalent to the dimensions of the single box or boxes of said chassis The height and width of the non-collapsed sides.

According to the simplest embodiment, the base frame is a single parallelepiped member with a plurality of folding zones on its lengthwise sides.

According to a preferred embodiment, said base frame preferably consists of two parallelepiped-shaped elements which can be pushed together, the two opposite faces of which have folded areas in their middle.

In the preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the central connecting slat has a mechanism for fitting over and enclosing the ends of each side panel on the opposite sides of the two one-piece box members forming the chassis, thereby improving the overall stability.

The materials used to make the box-type components that make up the chassis can be compacted boards, plastic boards, etc., to make a parallelepiped-shaped product whose four corners are hinged together in the non-folded state, called " The two opposite side walls of the "front" and "rear" also have folded areas along their entire height.

With the above structure, the two box members can be folded so that the folded front and rear of the box members are sandwiched between the two sides. In carrying the platform, the above-mentioned folded box-like structure is placed between the single-piece panels forming the deck and fastened together with suitable parts such as straps, which form a compact entity for easy storage and portability.

The table above may consist, for example, of a plastic sheet having one or two folded regions along its length, on which is laid a layer of user-comfortable material, such as a layer of heat-pressed foam forming a cushion plastic.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood from the following non-limiting description of specific exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the attached picture:

Fig. 1 simply shows the perspective view of a massage table of a preferred form in use of the present invention;

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the steps of folding and folding the various components making up the platform so that they can be packaged together (Figure 5) when the platform needs to be carried;

Fig. 6 shows another form of box member constituting the underframe of the platform of the present invention;

Figures 7 and 8 are respectively transverse and longitudinal cross-sectional views of the platform manufactured according to the present invention, more specifically showing the connection method of the table top of the workbench and its underframe;

Figure 9 shows a simplified form of a modification of the folding chassis for making the workbench of the invention.

Example details

Embodiments of the present invention are described below.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the novel platform of the present invention (represented generally by reference numeral 1) has an underframe (represented generally by reference numeral 2) supporting a table 3 on which a person can lie down. The base frame 2 is composed of two parallelepiped parts (both referenced 4 ) which are open on the bottom and on the top. There are thus four vertical faces 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b hinged in pairs one behind the other along their common edge 7, wherein the two opposing faces 6a, 6b have a folding zone 8 in their middle.

The length and width of the table top 3 exceed the landing area of the chassis consisting of two close together box members. The table top 3 consists of at least two panels 9 hinged together.

The upper surface of the table top 3 is covered with a material that makes the patient feel comfortable.

The bottom surface 10 of the table top 3 has a mechanism 11 which can be fitted on the box-like member by resting on the periphery of the box-like member constituting the chassis 2 as described above.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the two main parts constituting the table top 3, i.e. the panel 9, are hinged together by connecting slats 12, the two sides of the slat 12 being connected to the panel 9 respectively to form two hinged joints 13 .

The shape of the bottom surface of the above-mentioned connecting slats 12 is made into an undulating surface, wherein a groove is formed between the two convex parts 14 to clamp the two sides 6a, 6b of the above-mentioned two box-type components inside (see Figure 8) .

The table top 3 described above is preferably produced by thermoforming plastic.

When the table top 3 and the chassis 2 are connected to each other (as shown in Figures 1, 7 and 8), a stable platform is formed.

In order to obtain a solid structure that can be carried with a minimum volume, the single box-like element 4 is dimensioned such that the area of its side walls 5a, 5b corresponds to the area of the panels 9 constituting the table top 3 .

In addition, the width of the connecting strip 12 is made approximately equal to 8 times the thickness of the side wall of the box member.

Illustrating, in the case of a massage table with a total length of 180cm and a height of 69cm, the box-like member constituting the chassis is made of a material such as a compacted board with a thickness of 1.5cm, and the side panels 5a, 5b Height is 67cm, length is 82cm, and the width of side panel 6 is 63cm, and the size of single table panel 9 is suitable with the size of side panel 5, and the width of connecting lath 12 is 14cm.

According to the above-mentioned design, as shown in Figures 3-5, the above-mentioned platform is easy to fold up, and each box-shaped member is folded in such a way that the sides 6a, 6b are folded around the vertical axis 8 and sandwiched between the sides 5a, 5b, the table top 3 itself can also be folded and placed around the box-like structure (FIG. 4) and the ends of the table 3 are then fastened together on both sides by suitable means such as a strap.

After the two sides of the table top are folded in the above-mentioned manner, all the parts constituting the platform are easy to store and carry.

When the above-mentioned platform is to be erected, the buckle can be opened (see Figure 5), and then the box-type member (see Figure 4) and the table top (see Figure 3) can be unfolded, and the platform can be erected very quickly, that is, two box-type The components are pushed together, and then the underside of the table 3 described above is fitted to the chassis 2 formed.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described, it can be modified, as shown in Figure 6, other box members designed with transverse reinforcements can be installed, and the above-mentioned reinforcements can be installed, for example. Plates in the upper grooves on the sides 5 of each box member.

In addition to being easy to install, the platforms described above have other advantages, for example, they can be used to carry decorations or billboards because the side walls of the chassis are solid and strong.

In addition, other mechanisms can be used to keep the single box-like member in its folded state, for example, Velcro-type connectors can be provided on the folded surface.

Likewise, when the chassis is composed of two basic box-like members, it is also possible to provide nylon drawstring (Volcro) type connectors on their faces facing each other.

This device can also provide lateral openings in the side walls of the box-like component or the component forming the chassis, and these holes are used for mounting various accessories.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 9, the above-mentioned chassis may also conveniently consist of only a single integral parallelepiped-shaped piece.

In this embodiment the sides will have folded areas 8, while the front and rear parts will be made of rigid panels.

As in the previously described preferred embodiment, the chassis can be folded to have a thickness in its folded state equal to the sum of the thicknesses of each of the hinged side walls.

In such an embodiment, the table top is preferably constructed as before with a central folding region 12 whereby this portion allows the table top to fold over the chassis in the folded state.

Claims (7)

1. A collapsible portable platform having an underframe (2) for supporting a table (3) on which a person can lie down, in said workbench: - The above-mentioned underframe (2) consists of at least one parallelepiped member having 4 vertical faces and forming a box-like member whose bottom and top are open. said vertical planes are hinged together in pairs one after the other along their common sides; - said face (3) consists of at least two panels (9) hinged together; It is characterized by: - The length and width of the above-mentioned table tops exceed the landing area of the chassis; - the bottom surface of the above-mentioned table top (3) has a mechanism that can be assembled on the chassis and clamped outside the periphery of the box-shaped member that constitutes the above-mentioned chassis; - A connecting strip (12) that forms two hinged joints (13) by connecting the two sides to the single-piece panel (9) that constitutes the table top forms a hinge connection area between the two panels that constitute the table top, the above-mentioned connecting plate The width of the strip (12) is at least equal to the total thickness of the folded side walls of the single box member or members constituting the chassis, and the dimensions of the two single-piece panels (9) constituting the said deck are approximately equivalent to the dimensions of the single The height and width of the unfolded sides of the box or boxes. 2. The collapsible portable platform of claim 1, wherein said table top is covered with a material that is comfortable for the patient. 3. Platform according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said underframe (2) consists of a single parallelepiped-shaped box-like element, the longitudinal sides of which have a plurality of folding zones. 4. Platform according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said chassis (2) consists of two parallelepiped parts (4) that can be pushed together, the two opposite faces of which (6a, 6b) have a folding zone (8) in the middle. 5. The platform according to claim 4, characterized in that, the bottom surface of the above-mentioned connecting slats (12) has a panel end that can be clamped on both sides of the side-by-side surfaces of the two box-type members forming the above-mentioned chassis. institutions (11). 6. The platform according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the above-mentioned box-like member or a plurality of box-like members constituting the underframe (2) are made of compacted boards, plastic boards and the like. 7. The platform according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the above-mentioned table top (3) is made of a thermoformed plastic plate, on which a layer of material that can make the user feel comfortable, such as thermal The foam plastic layer is pressed, and the bottom surface of the above-mentioned platform (3) has a concave-convex area that can be stuck in the box-shaped component or multiple components that constitute the underframe and rest on or wrap on the side wall of the above-mentioned box-shaped component.

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