WO2000028935A1 - Transportable massage table - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transportable massage table whose patient surface is made up of three padded frames which are joined to each other in an articulated manner and when folded receive the support legs between them. The frames, which are of approximately equal size, have ledges and/or ledge parts which extend generally below and alongside the patient surface and at the level of the two outer frames are of such a height that the support legs, which are preferably articulated against the head or foot of the table and thus on the two outer frames of same, can be folded inwards between said frames at least to a significant degree. The ledges and/or ledge parts of the middle frame have cheeks against which the two outer frames are articulated in a transverse manner such that they move inwards. The first outer frame is articulated inwards also in the longitudinal direction and the second outer frame is articulated at a level lower than the first frame.

Description

 "Portable massage table"

description

The present invention relates to a portable massage table according to the preamble of claim 1.

Transportable massage tables are known. They are needed, for example, when a masseur makes home visits to sick, unfit people to carry out medical massages on them.

In order to enable an optimal massage on such couches, it is necessary that continuous padding is provided without edges or other hard parts in the treatment zone, since the massage therapist and / or the patient to be treated could bump into them.

Furthermore, such massage tables must be adjustable in height if possible and give the possibility to massage the patient equally well from all sides. You have to be able to carry a heavy weight, as certain massage types and heavy masseurs and / or patients can lead to dynamic loads of up to 300 kg or more.

Despite these requirements, the portable massage table should be easy to transport.

Various foldable massage tables are commercially available. A first way, such as from from Robert Hunter, Portland, Oregon, is foldable in the middle and has a cable-tensioned foot structure. The folding only to be carried out in the middle of the bed necessitates large dimensions in the folded state, which makes it difficult to carry the folded massage bed, for example, through a narrow stairwell without damaging the walls and / or bed by bumping.

Furthermore, foldable, three-part aluminum couches are already known, such as those manufactured by the Medimobil company in Oberhausen. These foldable massage tables with aluminum frames have a central area for the patient's torso, a foot area that can be folded down and a third head area that is articulated to the torso area. The legs are hinged to the middle frame and led outwards under the head or foot area, which are supported by struts. Due to the central arrangement of the legs, this arrangement has a comparatively low stability and is also determined in its dimensions by the lying surface provided for the trunk. Due to the arrangement of the extendable legs that can be folded onto the trunk part when folded, it is also not possible to reach the patient equally well from all sides or to significantly reduce the area of the trunk area without further impairing the maximum possible height or stability.

There is also a massage table available, which consists of two beds of the same size and a smaller head area, whereby a total of six legs are provided for the bed in order to achieve sufficient stability, which, however, in practice means that not all areas of the bed Patients can be reached without problems because the six Legs also affect the positioning of the masseur.

Three-part foldable wallpapering tables are also known. The application of padding on the same would not lead to a massage table, which allows good massage on all sides with high stability.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a compactly foldable, light and easily transportable massage table which ensures a stable stand despite easy and easy accessibility of the patient on all sides.

The aim of the present invention is achieved by a massage table with the features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

According to the invention it is thus proposed that in a portable massage table, the support surface of which is formed from three articulated interconnected and padded frames, between which the legs are accommodated in the folded state, the frames are formed approximately the same size and strips or at least parts of the strip running along the support surfaces have, the strips or skirt parts on the two outer frames have such a height, that is, extend so far away from the padded surface that the feet or foot structures or legs preferably articulated on the head or foot edges of the bed at least To a large extent, they can be folded in between the strips. It is not necessary that complete folding in between is possible, but that a considerable part of the height is necessary for the folded legs is required, is provided by the last, so the last at least essentially include the foot structure. The strips of the middle frame are at the same time provided with articulation points formed in cheeks, to which the two outer frames are articulated. The first outer frame can be articulated both in the longitudinal and in the transverse direction, that is, below the upholstery, so that when it is folded in with its folded leg it comes to rest on the underside of the middle frame, while the second outer frame in the longitudinal direction is articulated outwards and at a height below the first frame, so that it comes to rest with its foot structure on the cushion surface of the first outer frame. What is important here is the arrangement of the preferably, but not necessarily, continuous strips on the frame, which on the one hand enable the foot structure to be accommodated and on the other hand enable the folding desired according to the invention, the legs in particular being able to be arranged in the outer region of the bed.

In the bed according to the invention, the first outer frame is preferably slightly narrower than the middle frame, so that it can be accommodated between the latter and the second outer frame when folded.

The standing leg articulated on the first outer frame or the foot arrangement of the foot structure can have such a great thickness or height when the bed is folded up that it protrudes slightly beyond the longitudinal bar and thus comes to rest on the underside of the middle frame. Since the pillar is also encompassed by the bar on the middle frame, provided that the swivel joint between the first outer frame and the middle frame is arranged slightly offset downwards, the bar can turn out to be somewhat narrower overall. Cross bars are preferably provided on the first outer, narrower and middle frame, which are generally flush with the upholstery and move in abutment with one another when the couch is unfolded. This ensures high stability against pressure forces acting from above. The generally flush arrangement of the upholstery means that the upholstery of the middle and the outer frame adjoins one another directly, so that no hard abutting edges are exposed and yet, thanks to the flexibility of the upholstery, the force is transmitted to the transverse strips.

Between the second outer frame and the middle frame, a connecting piece is preferably provided transversely inward, via which the two frames are articulated to one another. The second outer frame and the middle frame can have the same width and the strips or strip parts provided underneath can be flush with one another.

In such a case, it will be preferred if the longitudinal bars arranged on the same width on the outer edge of the massage table have abutment or abutment surfaces which are in abutment with each other when the bed is unfolded and which are generally flush with the upholstery of the frame.

The longitudinal strips on the second outer and middle frame can also provide stop surfaces on the side facing away from their articulated connection, which abut against one another in the folded state. You keep the frame there so far apart that between the first outer frame together with its foot construction and the folded foot construction of the second outer frame completely without b

Wasted space can be absorbed. This is the case if the two foot constructions do not rattle while being worn and at the same time the foot construction articulated on the second outer frame is the upholstery of the first outer frame on which it lies folded, provided that they are not completely absorbed by the bar of the second outer frame. do not damage.

However, the frame-last arrangement of the present invention not only allows a compact bed to be created despite the highly stable construction, but also enables the upholstery to be made removable and replaceable, e.g. on a base plate that can be removed from the frame. The frame and base plate are preferably connected by screwing.

The foot structure can each comprise one or more legs that can be pulled out and in particular braced with wire ropes in a manner known per se. They are preferably not led exactly vertically downward, but protrude outward at an angle greater than 90 ° beyond the head and foot side.

Fastening means for a separate headrest and / or armrest are preferably provided in the frame on the head side, e.g. Holes through which this is inserted andexxx.

The invention is described below only by way of example with reference to the drawing. In this shows

Fig.l the massage table of the present invention in the unfolded state with attached headrest 2 shows the bed of Fig.l in the folded state;

3 shows a side view of the folded massage table, partly in section;

According to Fig.l, a massage table 1, generally designated 1, comprises a padded lying surface 2, which is formed from three individual cushions 2a, 2b, 2c, which are provided on hinged frames 3a, 3b, 3c. At the foot area lc and in the head or shoulder area la of the bed, extendable legs 4a and 4b, which are pivoted downward and are stabilized via a cable system 5 and struts 6 to the frames 2a, 2c. On the bed 1 there is also a head or neck support 7 and an armrest 8, which in particular has a padding 7c made of thermoformable foam or the like, which adapts to the body contour of the person under the body heat.

According to FIG. 2, the upholstery 2b and 2c are on the outside in the folded state of the massage table 1, while the upholstery 2a together with the supporting legs 4a, 4b, the struts 6 and the wiring β are folded inwards and accommodated between the other parts. Headrest 7 and armrest 8 are removed.

The structure of the portable massage table in the folded state is described below with reference to FIG. 3. In Figure 3, for the sake of clarity, no feet or legs 4a, 4b drawn, just as the clamping system 5 or the struts 6. The points at which the out ^¬ draggable legs 4a, 4b are articulated, but are with Reference number 9 marked. Furthermore, in order to increase the clarity of the real couch, matching and flush-fitting parts are sometimes not drawn flush, in order to be able to better graphically separate the individual parts, which are located one behind the other. It should also be pointed out that the drawing is not to scale and in particular shows a couch that would be significantly shorter when unfolded than would be practical in practice. The individual parts therefore typically have to be stretched significantly in practice compared to the drawing. This is preceded by the structure of the couch as follows:

According to FIG. 3, on its central frame 3b, the bed comprises on its first side a joint 10ab spaced from the upholstery 2b, to which the frame 3a is articulated and about which this frame can be pivoted. A bearing 9a for the foot parallel to the bearing 10ab is provided on the side of the frame 3a opposite the longitudinal direction. For frequent, wear-free and low-friction actuation, the joints 10ab and 9a can be equipped with plastic bushings or the like, in which suitable bolts rotate.

On the side opposite the joint 10ab in the longitudinal direction, a cheek 11 is provided on the frame 3b and offset downwards, on which the third frame 3c is articulated via a connecting piece 12 (shown in broken lines) at a pivot point 10bc. The third frame 3c has an articulation point 9c for the foot 4b near its end of the frame 2c opposite the joint 10bc.

In the arrangement described, the following should now be emphasized: The frames 3a, 3b and 3c are formed on their long side with longitudinal strips 13a, 13b and 13c, the general shape of which can be clearly seen from FIG. These strips 13a to ^* 13c are connected to one another by cross struts 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2; not shown in FIG. 3). The cross bars on frame 3a and frame 3b, which are opposite one another when the bed is unfolded, abut directly against one another and thus prevent the frame 3a from being rotated by more than 180 ° about the joint 10a, 10b. The longitudinal bar 13b of the frame 3b and the longitudinal bar 13c of the frame 3c have abutting edges 15b, 15c at their end facing away from the cheek 11, on which the frames abut one another.

The cross struts 14 and the strips 13 are connected to one another via angles or the like, in particular screwed, in such a way that the frames 3 are self-supporting and dimensionally stable even without a bearing surface thereon. The upholstery can thus be arranged on base plates 16a, 16b, 16c which are screwed to the respective frames and are easily replaceable.

The strip 13c is shaped in its area near the articulation point 10bc in such a way that it can be rotated around the cheek 11, namely against the edge 17c of the frame 3c against the edge 17b of the frame 3b. As can be seen from Figure 2, the frames 3b and 3c have the same width, while the frame 3a has a different width, it should be noted that only for reasons of clarity, the frames 3a and 3b near the joint 10ab are not as flush are shown, as well as the parts in the area 3c, 17c, 12 as a net unshielded Drawn ^¬. It should also be noted that the distance of the articulation point 10ab from the base plate 16b of the frame 2b is significantly smaller than the perpendicular point of the articulation point 10bc to the base plate 16b. The distance between the articulation point 10ab and the base plate 16b is selected so that the foot construction articulated on the foot 9a is accommodated well and in particular without rattling in the frame 3a between the base plate 16a and 16b. The distance 10b, 10c is selected so that the frame 3a together with the associated foot can be accommodated between the frames 2b and 2c without the pad 18a on the base plate 16a of the frame 2a being damaged by the foot 9c.

The massage table of the present invention is folded up from the operating state shown in FIG. 1 by first lifting the feet 4a, 4b completely after removing the headrest, and the support struts 6a, 6b being folded inwards, the cable system 5 automatically relaxing and at the same time the feet 4a, 4b are placed on the base plates 16b, 16c, the smaller frame 10a is folded in around the joint 10ab and then the bed is folded in by pivoting the frame 2c about the joint 10bc until the abutting edges 15b, 15c lie on one another. If necessary, it can now be locked against opening with a locking mechanism (not shown) or can be accommodated in a pocket together with the headrest. Since the upholstery is on the outside, the risk of bumping or damage during transport is reduced. In addition, the folding gives a compact package that can be easily transported in the trunk of a small car or the luggage rack of a bicycle. When the bed is unfolded again and put into operation, the reverse order of the steps described above is carried out.

The built-up couch is stable against loads and tipping, especially since the legs still protrude slightly beyond the actual base area. Nevertheless, every point of a patient placed on the couch can be reached easily and permanently, whereby the legs or their support struts or the cable system do not interfere, and there is no risk of injury from hard edges or the like for the massage therapist or massager, as a continuous one Upholstered surface is provided without steps.

In contrast to the illustration, instead of continuous strips, strip parts can also be used which, at least near the corners, have the necessary design for foot and frame articulation and for creating distance between the frames.

It should be mentioned that the feet can be made in particular with a tongue and groove system made of wood and that the entire bed is preferably made of multiplex wood. Laminated wood thicknesses of e.g. 12-16mm sufficient, so that the entire bed does not need to weigh more than 16kg, even with typical sizes.

Claims

"Portable massage table" claims: 1. Transportable massage table, the support surface of which is formed from three articulated and upholstered frames, between which the foot structure of the massage table is accommodated in the folded state, characterized in that the three frames of approximately the same size generally run below and along the support surface and / or have strip parts which have such a height on the two outer frames that the foot structure articulated there preferably at the head or foot edge of the bed can be folded between them at least to a substantial part of its height, and the strips and / or strip parts of the middle frame are provided with articulation points on which the two outer frames are articulated, the first outer frame being articulated both transversely inside and in the longitudinal direction and the second outer frame articulated at a height below the first frame. 2. Transportable massage table according to the preceding claim, wherein the second outer frame is articulated in the longitudinal direction outside the support surface of the middle frame. 3. Portable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first outer frame has a slightly smaller width than the central frame. Transportable massage table according to claim 3, characterized in that the foot structure articulated on the first outer frame, insofar as it does not come to rest folded on the frame between the bar and / or the skirt parts, can be folded in between the bars of the middle frame. Transportable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent transverse strips extend on the outer and middle frame, which pivot when they are unfolded, and which generally end flush with the upholstery of their frame. Transportable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the longitudinal strips of the second outer and middle frame there is provided a connecting piece which bears against the inside and via which the two frames are articulated to one another, the middle and second outer frames having the same width, so that the longitudinal strips arranged thereon are flush with one another. Transportable massage bed according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flush longitudinal strips of the second outer and middle frame on the side of its articulated connection abutting surfaces have, which stand in the unfolded state of the bed together into abutment and which generally flush padding is with the pole ^¬ the Frame end. 8. Portable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal strips of the second outer and middle frame on the side facing away from their articulated connection are provided below with surfaces which are in abutment with each other in the folded state of the portable massage table and in one such a height away from the associated upholstery is provided that between the middle and second outer frame the first outer frame together with its supporting leg can be accommodated and the foot structure articulated on the upholstery of the first outer frame in the folded state if necessary Upholstery of the first outer frame cannot be damaged by strong impressions, but is still prevented from rattling during transport. 9. Portable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upholstery on the frame formed by transverse and longitudinal strips and optionally removable from the frame and its strips base plate are screwed interchangeably. 10. Transportable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foot structure is formed as an extendable foot structure, in particular braced with wire ropes, which projects in particular on the head and / or foot side beyond the lying surface of the unfolded massage table. 11. Transportable massage table according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a receptacle for a separate headrest is provided in a transverse side of an outer frame.