GB2281699A - Massaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A massaging machine includes (a) a panel 30 carrying a first device e.g. rods 36 for massaging when moved reciprocally or along a circle on a plane and (b) a base 10 containing a second device for connecting with said panel 30 and for restraining said panel from rotating relative thereto and a device (20, Fig. 2) for driving said panel. <IMAGE>

Description

Massaging Machine The present invention relates to a massaging machine.

Conventionally, some electrical machines have been used for massaging by inducing currents through human bodies.

Some mechanical machines have been used for massaging by reciprocating a number of rods periodically contacting human bodies. Such mechanical machines may not provide sufficient vibration for feet when applied to the same, and may provide vibration too strong for the internal organs to endure when applied to the same. Therefore, the present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a massaging machine comprising a panel in which a number of rods are fixed and a base carrying a device for driving the panel along a circle on a plane so that the rods contact and slide on human bodies.

For a better understanding of the present invention and objects thereof, a study of the detailed description of the embodiments described hereinafter should be made in relation to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a massaging machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of a massaging machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional partial view of a massaging machine in accordance with the preferred embodim.

of the present invention, particularly showing a device for connecting a panel and a base thereof; Figures 4 and 5 are schematic views of a device for moving a panel relative to a base of a massaging machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the panel in two positions relative to the base; Figure 6 is a back view of a massaging machine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional partial view taken along a line 7-7 in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional partial view taken along a line 8-8 in Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a schematic view of a massaging machine attached to a chair back in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing a preferred embodiment thereof.

Initially referring to Figure 1, a massaging machine has a base 10 and a panel 30. The base 10 and the panel 30 are joined together in a way which will be described later.

The panel 30 is moved relative to the base 10 by means of a device which will be described later. The panel 30 has a number of bores 35 which do not extend throughout the panel 30. A corresponding number of rods 36 are securely received in the bores 35, i.e., the rods 36 do not move in the bores 35. A sheet 60 of flexible material is attached to the base 10 by hook-and-loop means 19 and 61 so that the rods 36 are firmly sited in the bores 35.

Additionally referring to Figure 2, the base 10 has' four cylinders 101 formed at four corners thereof. Each of the cylinders 101 defines a semi-spherical recess in its tip. Four spherical bearings 102 are mounted in the semispherical recesses defined in the cylinders 101. The panel 30 has four bosses 31 formed at four corners thereof. Each of the bosses 31 defines a recess. Each of the spherical bearings 102 is sandwiched between one pair of cylinder 101 and boss 31 when the base 10 is linked to the panel 30.

The base 10 has two semi-spherical portions 15. Each of the semi-spherical portions 15 defines a semi-spherical profile and a semi-spherical recess, and further defines a central hole 151. The panel 30 has two semi-spherical portions 33. Each of the semi-spherical portions 33 defines a semi-spherical profile and a semi-spherical recess, and further defines a central hole 331. The semi-spherical portions 15 are convex toward the semi-spherical portions 33 when the base 10 is linked to the panel 30.

Additionally referring to Figure 3, details are given only to one of the semi-spherical portions 15 for the convenience of description. A semi-spherical washer 41 defining a central hole is sited in the semi-spherical recess defined in the semi-spherical portion 15. A sleeve 43 defining a relatively large head is inserted through the central hole defined in the semi-spherical washer 41 and the central hole 151. A semi-spherical washer 45 defining a central hole is sited in the semi-spherical recess defined in the semi-spherical portion 33. A bolt 46 defining a relatively large head is inserted through the hole defined in the semi-spherical washer 45 and the central holes 331.

The bolt 46 threadably engages in the sleeve 43. A nut 48 threadably engages with the bolt 46, firmly against the sleeve 43, for restraining sleeve 43 from disengaging from the bolt 46. Thus, the base 10 is firmly linked to the panel 30 and the spherical bearings 102 are retained in the recesses defined in the bosses 31. The semi-spherical portions 15 and 33 and the semi-spherical washers 41 and 45 also function as bearings as the engaged sleeve 43 and bolt 46 pivot when the panel 30 slides on the base 10.

The sleeve 43 threadably engages with the bolt 46 only to an extent that the base 10 and the panel 30 is in a slightly slack relation so that the panel 30 is permitted to slide on the base 10. However, it is desirable that the base 10 and the panel 30 move smoothly and quietly. Four bosses 14 are formed on the base 10. Four bosses 32 are formed on the panel 30. Four springs 141 are compressed between the base 10 and the panel 30. Each of the springs 141 has a first end in which a corresponding one of the bosses 14 is received and a second end in which a corresponding one of the bosses 32 is received.

It is desirable that the nuts 48 are accessible for adjusting thereof. Therefore, the base 10 has only two parallel walls 11 integrating with four cylinders 101 formed at the corners thereof. One of the walls 11 is integrated with two of the cylinders 101 while the remaining of the walls 11 is integrated with other two of the cylinders 101.

However, it is also desirable that the massaging machine can be closed. The base has four blocks 12 formed against the cylinders 101 formed at the corners thereof. Each of the blocks 12 has a bore 121 facing the exterior of the base 10.

Each of two walls 13 has two stems 131 projecting therefrom.

The stems 131 are received in the bores 121, so that the walls 13 are attached to the blocks 12.

Further referring to Figure 2, a motor 20 is mounted on the base 10. The motor 20 is operatively linked to a worm gear 21 mounted on the base 10. A gear 22 and a pinion 23 are mounted on a common shaft 27. A gear 24 and an inner gear 25 are firmly co-axially joined together. The inner gear 25 has a circular outline. A number of screw-receiving cylinders are formed on the base about the gears 22, 23, 24 .. , and 25. A mounting plate 26 defines a first shaft-receiving hole 28, a second shaft-receiving hole and a number of screw-receiving holes. A number of screws are inserted the screw-receiving holes and secured in the screw-receiving cylinders. The shaft 27 is received in the first shaftreceiving hole 28, and the inner gear 25 is received the second shaft-receiving hole. The gears 22, 23, 24 and 25 are rotatably mounted on the base 10. The worm gear 21 engages with the gear 22, and the pinion 23 engages with the gear 24.

Additionally referring to Figures 4 and 5, the inner gear 25 has five concave portions F, G, H, I and J and a center K. A gear 34 comprising four lobes A, B, C and D and a center E is firmly attached on the panel 30. The motor 20 can be actuated in order to rotate the inner gear 25 by means of the worm gear 21 and the gears 22, 23 and 24.

Different concave portions of the inner gear 25 engage with different lobes of the gear 34. The center E is moved, i.e., the panel 30 is moved. Thus, the rods 36 move in a circle on a plane parallel to the base 10 (see Figure 1).

The rods 36 do not move relative to the panel 30 as those in prior art. Therefore, the rods 36 received in the bores 35 defined in the panel 30 can be replaced with a number of bosses formed on the panel 30.

Additionally referring to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, a device for attaching the massaging machine to a chair back is shown. The attaching device has two T-slots 17. One of the T-slots 17 extends through one of the walls 11 while the remaining of the T-slots 17 extends through the remaining of the walls 11. As clearly seen in Figure 7, each of the Tslots 17 has an inverted T-like form.

The attaching device further has two rings 51. Each of the rings 51 has a rectangular form consisting of a first boundary member, a second boundary member, a third boundary member and a fourth boundary. Each of the rings 51 further has a middle member extending parallel to the first and third boundary members thereof.

The attaching device further has two straps 50. Each of the straps 50 is induced between the first boundary member and the middle member, and induced between the middle member and the third boundary member. Each of the straps 50 is firmly attached to the chair back at its two ends.

The attaching device further has four holes 171 defined in the base 10. Two of the holes 171 communicate with one of the T-slots 17 while the remaining of the holes 171 communicate with the remaining of the T-slots 171. The attaching device further has two buckles 18 firmly attached on the base 10. However, details will be given to only one of the T-slots 17, one of the buckles 18, one of the straps 50 and one of the rings 51 as shown in Figure 8. The ring 51 is inserted in the T-slot 17. The buckle 18 has two Vlike locking portions. The V-like locking portions protrude through the holes 171 for trapping the second member of the ring 51.

The motor 20 connects with a wire 70 connecting with a plug 71. The plug 71 fits in a socket for an electrical cigarette lighter in a car (not shown) for powering the motor 20. Alternatively, the plug 71 can mate with an electrical rectifier 74 for powering the motor 20 by means of mains electricity system. The motor 20 also connects with a wire 72 connecting a switch 73 for controlling the motor 20. Those electrical elements are conventional and, therefore, details thereof will not be necessary.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this specification. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover all such variations as shall fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A massaging machine comprising: a panel carrying a first means for massaging when reciprocated on a plane; a base containing a second means for connecting with said panel and for restraining said panel from rotating relative thereto and a means for driving said panel.

2. A massaging machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a number of rods attached to said panel.

3. A massaging machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said panel comprises a number of bores formed therein and said first means comprises a number of rods partially received in said bores.

4. A massaging machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second means comprises: at least one first semi-spherical portion, with a central hole, being defined in said panel; at least one first semi-spherical washer, with a central hole, sited in said at least one first semispherical portion; at least one second semi-spherical portion, with a central hole, being defined in said base; at least one second semi-spherical washer, with a central hole, sited in said at least one second semispherical portion; at least one linking member protruding through said central holes and comprising two relatively large ends sited behind said at least one first semi-spherical washer and sad at least one second semi-spherical washer; at least three first recesses formed in said panel; at least three second recesses formed in said base; and at least three spherical bearings sited in said first recesses and said second recesses.

5. A massaging machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second means comprises: at least two first semi-spherical portions defined in said panel, each of said first semi-spherical portions defining a central hole; at least two first semi-spherical washers sited in said first semi-spherical portions, each of said first semispherical washers defining a central hole; at least two second semi-spherical portions defined in said base, each of said second semi-spherical portions defining a central hole; at least two second semi-spherical washers sited in said second semi-spherical portions, each of said second semi-spherical washers defining a central hole; ; at least two linking members, each of said linking members protruding through said central holes defined in one corresponding set of said first semi-spherical washer, said first semi-spherical portion, said second semi-spherical portion and said second semi-spherical washer and comprising two relatively large ends sited behind one corresponding pair of said first semi-spherical washer and said second semi-spherical washer.

6. A massaging machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises: a gear attached on said panel; and an inner gear being attached on said base and engaging with said gear for driving said panel when rotating.