Traveling massager assembly

Claim 2

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate; a massage roller supporting frame which presents a U-shaped center portion rigidly secured to said supporting plate, a side leg portion extending angularly from each end of said center portion and which overhangs a side edge of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of axle forming portions extending laterally from said side leg portions and in a direction substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the adjacent side edge of said supporting plate; a resilient massage roller rotatably journalled on each of the axle forming portions of said supporting frame; a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by the cushion supported body, and also operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations produced by said vibratory motor.

Claim 3

A massage carriage as defined in claim 1 and wherein said side leg portions which overhang a side edge of said supporting plate are transversely inclined with respect to the plane of said supporting plate.

Claim 4

A massage carriage as defined in claim 1 and wherein said axle forming portions of the massage roller supporting frame are longitudinally inclined with respect to the plane of said supporting plate.

Claim 5

A massage carriage as defined in claim 1 and wherein said vibratory motor is secured to one end of said supporting plate in spaced relation to said carriage supporting member with the axis of said motor extending transversely of said supporting plate.

Claim 6

A massage carriage as defined in claim 1 and wherein each of said resilient massage rollers embraces a tubular sleeve formed from a material of low friction coefficient which extends axially through the roller body and journalled on an axle forming portion of said roller supporting frame, the surrounding resilient body of said roller embracing said tubular sleeve presenting a plurality of spaced and generally rounded portions of substantially equal diameter with adjacent rounded portions connected by a neck portion of smaller diameter.

Claim 7

A massage carriage as defined in claim 1 and wherein each of said massage rollers embraces a tubular sleeve formed from a material of low friction coefficient which extends axially through the roller body and is journalled on an axle forming portion of said roller supporting frame, an intermediate member formed from highly resilient and flexible material surrounding said tubular sleeve, and an outer roller body of resilient material surrounding and bonded to said intermediate member.

Claim 8

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate; a massage roller supporting frame which presents a U-shaped center portion rigidly secured to said supporting plate, a pair of side leg portions extending transversely from the ends of said center portion and respectively overhand the same side edge of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of axle forming portions extending laterally in opposite directions from the respective ends of said side leg portions and also substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the adjacent side edge of said supporting plate; a resilient massaGe roller rotatably journalled on each of the axle forming portions of said supporting frame; a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by the cushion supported body, and also operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations produced by said vibratory motor.

Claim 9

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate; a massage roller supporting frame which presents a U-shaped center portion rigidly secured to said supporting plate, a pair of side leg portions extending transversely from the ends of said center portion and respectively overhand the same side edge of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of axle forming portions extending laterally in opposite directions from the respective ends of said side leg portions and also substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the adjacent side edge of said supporting plate; a resilient massaGe roller rotatably journalled on each of the axle forming portions of said supporting frame; a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by the cushion supported body, and also operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations produced by said vibratory motor.

Claim 10

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate; a massage roller supporting frame which presents a U-shaped center portion rigidly secured to said supporting plate, a pair of side leg portions extending laterally from the respective ends of said center portion and which overhang the opposite side edges of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of axle forming portions extending laterally in the same direction from the respective ends of said side leg portions and also substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the opposite side edges of said supporting plate; a resilient massage roller rotatably journalled on each of the axle forming portions of said supporting frame; a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by the cushion supported body, and also operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations produced by said vibratory motor.

Claim 11

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate; a massage roller supporting frame which presents a U-shaped center portion rigidly secured to said supporting plate, a pair of side leg portions extending laterally from the respective ends of said center portion and which overhang the opposite side edges of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of axle forming portions extending laterally in the same direction from the respective ends of said side leg portions and also substantially parallel and in spaced relation to the opposite side edges of said supporting plate; a resilient massage roller rotatably journalled on each of the axle forming portions of said supporting frame; a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by the cushion supported body, and also operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations produced by said vibratory motor.

Claim 12

A massage carriage as defined in claim 7 and wherein the leg forming portions of the massage roller supporting frame are laterally inclined with respect to the plane of said supporting plate, and the axle forming portions thereof are axially inclined with respect to the plane of said supporting plate.

Claim 13

A massage carriage as defined in claim 7 and wherein said vibratory motor is secured to one end of said supporting plate in spaced relation to said carriage supporting member with the axis of said motor extending transversely of said supporting plate.

Claim 14

A massage carriage as defined in claim 7 and wherein a pair of vibratory motors are secured to the opposite ends of said securing plate with the axis of said motors extending transversely of said supporting plate, said mounts being secured in spaced arrangement to the intermediate portion of said securing plate and approximately along the longitudinal centerline thereof.

Claim 15

A massage carriage as defined in claim 7 and wherein each of said resilient massage rollers embraces a tubular sleeve formed from a material of low friction coefficient which extends axially through the roller body and journalled on an axle forming portion of said roller supporting frame, the surrounding resilient body of said roller embracing said tubular sleeve and presenting a plurality of spaced and generally rounded portions of substantially equal diameter with adjacent rounded portions connected by a neck portion of smaller diameter.

Claim 16

A massage carriage as defined in claim 7 and wherein each of said massage rollers embraces a tubular sleeve formed from a material of low friction coefficient which extends axially through the roller body and is journalled on an axle forming portIon of said roller supporting frame, an intermediate member formed from highly resilient and flexible material surrounding said tubular sleeve, and an outer roller body of resilient material surrounding and bonded to said intermediate member.

Claim 17

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate, massage rollers positioned on opposite sides of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a roller frame rigidly secured to said supporting plate which presents axle forming portions on opposite sides of said supporting plate on which said massage rollers are rotatably journalled, and a vibratory motor fixed to one end of said supporting plate with the axis of said motor extending transversely of said plate, said motor being operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting box shaped member presenting a pair of laterally extending flange portions positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts spaced along the longitudinal centerline of said supporting plate and connecting said supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by said body supporting cushion, said mounts being further operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations transmitted by said vibratory motor;

Claim 18

A massage carriage operative to apply therapeutic massage to a cushion supported body, which includes: a relatively rigid supporting plate, massage rollers positioned on opposite sides of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a roller frame rigidly secured to said supporting plate which presents axle forming portions on opposite sides of said supporting plate on which said massage rollers are rotatably journalled, and a vibratory motor fixed to one end of said supporting plate with the axis of said motor extending transversely of said plate, said motor being operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting box shaped member presenting a pair of laterally extending flange portions positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts spaced along the longitudinal centerline of said supporting plate and connecting said supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree of pressure exerted on the massage rollers by said body supporting cushion, said mounts being further operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations transmitted by said vibratory motor;

Claim 19

A massage carriage as defined in claim 14 whose massage roller supporting framework is composed of a pair of massage roller supporting frames each shaped from an integral rod and together presenting a pair of axle forming sections positioned along each side edge of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a leg section extending transversely from the inner end of each of said axle forming sections and overhanging the adjacent side edge of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of U-shaped center sections rigidly secured to one side of said supporting plate with the web portions of said paired center sections positioned substantially in back to back relation and adjacent the longitudinal centerline of said supporting plate, the end portions of each U-shaped center section being integrally joined to a pair of said leg sections overhanging one side edge of said supporting plate;

Claim 20

A massage carriage as defined in claim 14 whose massage roller supporting framework is composed of a pair of massage rollers supporting frames each shaped from an integral rod and together presenting a pair of axle forming sections positioned along the opposite side edges of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a leg section extending transversely from the inner end of each of said axle forming sections and overhanging the adjacent side edge of said supporting plate in cantilever suspension, and a pair of U-shaped center sections rigidly secured to one side of said supporting plate with the web portions of said paired center sections positioned substantially in back to back relation and extending transversely of said supporting plate, the end portions of each U-shaped center section being integrally joined to a pair of leg sections overhanging the opposite side edges of said supporting plate;

Claim 21

A therapeutic massage assembly adapted to be mounted within a cushion supporting framework and operative to apply vibratory massage to a person''s body supported on the framework cushion, which includes: a massage carriage presenting a relatively rigid supporting plate, massage rollers positioned on opposite sides of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a roller supporting framework rigidly secured to said supporting plate which presents axle forming portions on opposite sides of said supporting plate on which said massage rollers arE rotatably journalled, and a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting framework to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting box shaped member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; a plurality of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree to pressure exerted on the massage rollers by said body supporting cushion, said mounts being further operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations transmitted by said vibratory motor, and a shaft supported by and extending longitudinally of said cushion supporting framework, said shaft also extending through said carriage supporting member and providing swivel support for said massage carriage.

Claim 22

A therapeutic massage assembly adapted to be mounted within a cushion supporting framework and operative to apply vibratory massage to a person''s body supported on the framework cushion, which includes: a massage carriage presenting a relatively rigid supporting plate, massage rollers positioned on opposite sides of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a roller supporting framework rigidly secured to said supporting plate which presents axle forming portions on opposite sides of said supporting plate on which said massage rollers arE rotatably journalled, and a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting framework to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; a carriage supporting box shaped member positioned in spaced relation to said supporting plate; a plurality of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said carriage supporting member to said supporting plate, said mounts being flexibly responsive to the degree to pressure exerted on the massage rollers by said body supporting cushion, said mounts being further operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member from the vibrations transmitted by said vibratory motor, and a shaft supported by and extending longitudinally of said cushion supporting framework, said shaft also extending through said carriage supporting member and providing swivel support for said massage carriage.

Claim 23

A therapeutic massage assembly as defined in claim 17 which further includes driving means for slowly reciprocating said box shaped member and the massage carriage supported thereby along said longitudinally extending shaft.

Claim 24

A therapeutic massage assembly as defined in claim 17 which further includes a driving unit for continuously rotating said shaft in one direction, means associated with said shaft and said carriage supporting member for slowly reciprocating said member and the massage carriage supported thereby along substantially the entire length of said longitudinally extending shaft.

Claim 25

A therapeutic massage assembly as defined in Claim 17 which further includes spring means connected to said cushion framework for resiliently supporting one end of said shaft, and means pivotally connected to said cushion framework for supporting the other end of said shaft.

Claim 26

A therapeutic massage assembly as defined in claim 17 which further includes a driving unit embracing an electric motor and associated speed reducer whose output shaft is operative to rotate at relatively low speed, a flexible coupling connecting said output shaft to one end of said longitudinal shaft, a collar supported by said cushion framework at each end of said longitudinal shaft, and a bearing sleeve telescoped over each end of said longitudinal shaft, said bearing sleeves being rockably supported within said collars.

Claim 27

A massage assembly for applying therapeutic massage to a person''s body which includes: a body supporting structure which includes a generally rectangular supporting framework, a strong and flexible fabric extending over said framework and whose perimeter is secured to said framework, a highly resilient cushioning slab supported on the outer face of said fabric, upholstery material covering the outer face of said slab and whose perimeter is secured to said framework, and an inner liner formed of tough and flexible material secured to the inner surface of said fabric; a massage carriage presenting a relatively rigid supporting plate, massage rollers positioned on opposite sides of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a roller frame rigidly secured to said supporting plate which presents axle forming portions on opposite sides of said supporting plate on which said massage rollers are rotatably journalled, and a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; and means for supporting said massage carriage with the massage rollers thereof in pressure responsive contact with said liner in accordance with the body pressure exerted on said cushioning slab and delivered to said inner liner, said means including a shaft supported by and extending longitudinally of said supporting framework, a carriage supporting member telescoped over and swivelled on said shaft, and a plurality of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said cArriage supporting member to said supporting plate and operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member and shaft from the vibrations transmitted by said vibrating motor.

Claim 28

A massage assembly for applying therapeutic massage to a person''s body which includes: a body supporting structure which includes a generally rectangular supporting framework, a strong and flexible fabric extending over said framework and whose perimeter is secured to said framework, a highly resilient cushioning slab supported on the outer face of said fabric, upholstery material covering the outer face of said slab and whose perimeter is secured to said framework, and an inner liner formed of tough and flexible material secured to the inner surface of said fabric; a massage carriage presenting a relatively rigid supporting plate, massage rollers positioned on opposite sides of said supporting plate and in spaced relation thereto, a roller frame rigidly secured to said supporting plate which presents axle forming portions on opposite sides of said supporting plate on which said massage rollers are rotatably journalled, and a vibratory motor fixed to said supporting plate and operative to transmit massage vibrations through said supporting plate and roller supporting frame to the massage rollers journalled on the axle portions thereof; and means for supporting said massage carriage with the massage rollers thereof in pressure responsive contact with said liner in accordance with the body pressure exerted on said cushioning slab and delivered to said inner liner, said means including a shaft supported by and extending longitudinally of said supporting framework, a carriage supporting member telescoped over and swivelled on said shaft, and a plurality of resilient and flexible mounts connecting said cArriage supporting member to said supporting plate and operative to at least partially insulate said carriage supporting member and shaft from the vibrations transmitted by said vibrating motor.

Claim 29

A massage assembly as defined in claim 22 and wherein said massage carriage presents a pair of roller supporting axle forming portions on each side of said supporting plate whose adjacent inner ends are joined to a pair of transversely spaced leg portions secured in cantilever suspension to said supporting plate, said spaced leg portions being positioned on opposite sides of said longitudinal shaft and extending substantially parallel thereto.

Claim 30

A massage assembly as defined in claim 22 and wherein said massage carriage embraces two pairs of roller supporting axle portions with one pair of said axle portions positioned on one side of side longitudinal shaft and said second pair of axle portions positioned on the other side of said longitudinal shaft, said flexible mounts being positioned in spaced relation substantially along the centerline of said supporting plate with at least one mount positioned on one side of said longitudinal shaft and another mount positioned on the opposite side of said longitudinal shaft, said mounts being operable to permit rocking flexure of the massage rollers positioned on one side of said supporting plate with respect to the massage rollers positioned on the other side of said supporting plate, said carriage supporting member as swivelled on said longitudinal shaft being operable to permit rocking flexure of the paired massage rollers on one side of said shaft with respect to the paired rollers on the other side of said shaft.

Claim 31

A massage assembly as defined in claim 22 whose body supporting structure includes a strip of upholstery webbing positioned between said fabric and said highly resilient cushioning slab, said webbing strip extending along the approximate longitudinal centerline of said slab with the ends of said strip secured to said framework.

Claim 32

A traveling massager assembly which embraces in operative combination: a body supporting cushion having a hammock forming sheet of strong and flexible material secured at its perimeter to a supporting framework, and a relatively thick slab of highly resilient padding having efficient vibration transmitting capabilities supported by said hammock forming sheet without framework attached springs; a suspension shaft extending longitudinally of the cushioning framework along the approximate centerline of the hammock forming sheet, and means for resiliently and adjustably suspending the ends of said shaft from the cushioning framework; a massage carriage embracing a series of resilient massage rollers on opposite sides of said shaft and positioned in rolling contact with a tough and flexible inner liner secured to the hammock forming sheet, said massage rollers being resiliently supported in cantilever suspension by a roller supporting framework whose center sections are rigidly secured to a supporting baseplate, and a vibratory motor unit fixed to one end of said baseplate and operative when energized to transmit massage vibrations to said rollers through the baseplate and roller supporting framework; a carriage suspension member rockably journalled on said shaft, and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts secured to said suspension member and to the baseplate in spaced relation along the approximate centerline thereof; and driving mechanism for slowly reciprocating the carriage suspension member along said shaft.

Claim 33

A traveling massager assembly which embraces in operative combination: a body supporting cushion having a hammock forming sheet of strong and flexible material secured at its perimeter to a supporting framework, and a relatively thick slab of highly resilient padding having efficient vibration transmitting capabilities supported by said hammock forming sheet without framework attached springs; a suspension shaft extending longitudinally of the cushioning framework along the approximate centerline of the hammock forming sheet, and means for resiliently and adjustably suspending the ends of said shaft from the cushioning framework; a massage carriage embracing a series of resilient massage rollers on opposite sides of said shaft and positioned in rolling contact with a tough and flexible inner liner secured to the hammock forming sheet, said massage rollers being resiliently supported in cantilever suspension by a roller supporting framework whose center sections are rigidly secured to a supporting baseplate, and a vibratory motor unit fixed to one end of said baseplate and operative when energized to transmit massage vibrations to said rollers through the baseplate and roller supporting framework; a carriage suspension member rockably journalled on said shaft, and a pair of resilient and flexible mounts secured to said suspension member and to the baseplate in spaced relation along the approximate centerline thereof; and driving mechanism for slowly reciprocating the carriage suspension member along said shaft.