GB2280855A

GB2280855A - Foot massage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2280855A
Application number: GB9316057A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chao-Tung Chiang
Original assignee: HERCULES Y S IND CO Ltd
Current assignee: HERCULES Y S IND CO Ltd
Priority date: 1993-08-03
Filing date: 1993-08-03
Publication date: 1995-02-15
Also published as: GB9316057D0

Abstract

A foot massage apparatus includes a frame body 10 which has two spaced guide rails 14, 13 that are disposed oppositely, and a plurality of parallel tube members 30 which are disposed side by side. Each tube member 30 has two end portions that are disposed movably and respectively on the guide rails 13 and an intermediate portion between the two end portions. The foot massage apparatus further includes a plurality of cylindrical members 50, each of which is sleeved rotatably around the intermediate portion of a respective one of the tube members 30, and a chain mechanism 20a for linking flexibly the tube members 30 together. The apparatus may also comprise a further elongated rod 40 which may rest or the bearing faces 14a. <IMAGE>

Description

FOOT MASSAGE APPARATUS This invention relates to a massage apparatus, more particularly to a foot massage apparatus.

Massage devices are used to press and rub the body parts so as to facilitate blood circulation, lessen body pain and improve one's health.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a foot massage apparatus which is simple in construction and which can be used while the user is in a sitting position or in a standing position.

Accordingly, a foot massage apparatus of this invention includes a frame body which has two spaced guide rails that are disposed oppositely, and a plurality of parallel tube members which are disposed side by side. Each tube member has two end portions that are disposed movably and respectively on the guide rails and an intermediate portion between the two end portions. The foot massage apparatus further includes a plurality of cylindrical members, each of which is sleeved rotatably around the intermediate portion of a respective one of the tube members, and a chain mechanism for linking flexibly the tube members together.

In one preferred embodiment, the frame body may have a front bar and a rear bar which is parallel to and spaced from the front bar. The guide rails include a pair of parallel first elongated bars which extend respectively from the front bar to the rear bar and which interconnect the front and rear bars so as to confine a rectangular space thereamong. Each first elongated bar defines a first top bearing face. The guide rails further includes a pair of parallel second elongated bars which are located in the rectangular space and which extend between the front bar and the rear bar beside a respective one of the first elongated bars. Each second elongated bar defines a second top bearing face which is located at a level lower than the first top bearing face.The tube members are disposed in the rectangular space and are arranged between the front bar and the rear bar. The two ends of each tube member rest movably and respectively on the second top bearing face of the second elongated bars.

The chain mechanism may have two link units, each of which links a respective one of the two end portions of the tube members. Each link unit includes a plurality of linking pieces. Each linking piece is formed with two rings that are sleeved on two end portions of an adjacent pair of the tube members so that every adjacent pair of the tube members are linked by one of the linking pieces.

The foot massage apparatus may further include a fastening mechanism for fastening movably the tube members to the frame body. The fastening mechanism includes a spring member connected to a firs one of the tube members that is located adjacent to the front bar, and a hook member connected to a last one of the tube members that is located adjacent to the rear bar.

An elongated rod may be passed removably through a selected one of the tube members. The elongated rod has two ends that extend outwardly from the two end portions of the selected one of the tube members so as to rest on the first top bearing face of the first elongated bars.

Furthermore, each cylindrical member has an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions formed on the outer surface. The cylindrical members are preferably made of elastomers and may each consist of two separated parts.

The foot massage apparatus may further include a pair of legs which are pivoted respectively to the first elongated bars adjacent to the rear bar, and an arm unit with an inverted U-shaped arm portion which has two free ends that are attached detachably to the frame body. The arm unit may further include two parallel upright telescopic supporting rods which are attached detachably to the frame body. Each supporting rod has a top portion on which one of the free ends of the arm portion is supported. Each telescopic supporting rod may include an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion. The upper tubular portion is formed with a series of aligned radial holes along a longitudinal length thereof. The lower tubular portion has a bottom end attached detachably to the frame body and a top end formed with a radial hole.The lower tubular portion is insertable into the upper tubular portion and is provided with an adjusting member which includes a button member and a biasing member that biases the button member to project out of the radial hole in the lower tubular portion and out of a selected one of the radial holes of the upper tubular portion.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a foot massage apparatus of this invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the foot massage apparatus of this invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the foot massage apparatus shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4A is a schematic view showing a supporting rod associated with an adjusting member.

Figure 4B is a top view of the components shown in Figure 4A.

Figures 5 to 7 are schematic views showing how to use the foot massage apparatus of this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and to Figures 4A and 4B, a foot massage apparatus of this invention has a frame body 10 which includes a front bar 12, a rear bar 11 which is parallel to the front bar 12, and a pair of parallel first elongated bars 14 which extend from the front bar 12 to the rear bar 11 and which interconnect the front and rear bars 12, 11 so as to confine a rectangular space 15 thereamong. Each of the first elongated bars 14 defines å first top bearing face 14a.

The frame body 10 further includes a pair of parallel second elongated bars 13 which are located in the rectangular space 15 and which extend between the front bar 12 and the rear bar 11 beside a respective one of the first elongated bars 14. Each of the second elongated bars 13 defines a second top bearing face 13a which is located at a level lower than the first top bearing face 14a.

A plurality of parallel tube members 30 are placed between the front and rear bars 12, 11. Each tube member 30 has two end portions resting movably on the second top bearing faces 13a of the second elongated bars 13 and an intermediate portion between the two end portions.

A pair of spaced cylindrical members 50 are sleeved rotatably around the intermediate portion of each tube member 30. Each cylindrical member 50 has an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions 51 formed thereon. The cylindrical members 50 are preferably made of elastomers.

The foot massage apparatus has a chain mechanism which is used to link flexibly the tube members 30 together. The chain mechanism includes two link units 20a, each of which links one of the two end portions of the tube members 30. Each link unit 20a includes a plurality of linking pieces 20, each of which is formed with two rings 21 that are sleeved on two end portions of an adjacent pair of tube members 30. Every adjacent pair of tube members 30 are thus linked by a respective linking piece 20. In this way, the tube members 30 are linked flexibly together.

A fastening mechanism is used to fasten movably the tube members 30 to the frame body 10 so that the tube members 30 are movable on the second top bearing faces 13a. The fastening mechanism includes a pair of springs 17 and a pair of hook members 16. Each spring 17 has a front end 172 which is inserted and secured in a blind bore 121 that is formed in the front bar 12 and a rear end 171 which is sleeved around and secured to one of the two end portions of a first tube member 30 that is located adjacent to the front bar 12. Each hook member 16 has a curved part 161 which is secured to one of the two end portions of a last tube member 30 that is located adjacent to the rear bar 11, and a threaded part 162 which passes through a through hole 111 that is formed in the rear bar 11 so as to engage with a nut 113.In this way, the tube members 30 are positioned movably on the second top bearing faces 13a.

The foot massage apparatus further has an elongated rod 40 which passes removably through a selected one of the tube members 30 and which has two ends that extend outwardly from the two end portions of the tube member 30 so as to rest movably on the first top bearing faces 14a.

A pedal board 60 is secured to the first elongated bars 14 and to the front bar 12 at the first top bearing faces 14a of the first elongated bars 14.

A pair of legs 18 are pivoted respectively to the first elongated bars 14 adjacent to the rear bar 11.

Each leg 18 has a bottom portion that is provided with an anti-slip member 184.

Each of the front and rear bars 12, 11 is formed with two spaced bottom blind bores 112. Each of the front and rear bars 12, 11 is attached with a pair of U-shaped anti-slip members 90, each of which has a protrusion 91 that projects into a respective one of the blind bores 112.

Each first elongated bar 14 is fixed with a first retaining socket 192 which is located adjacent to the front bar 12, a second retaining socket 191 which is located near the rear bar 11, and a third retaining socket 193 which is located between the first and second retaining socket 192, 191 and which is adjacent to the first retaining socket 192.

The foot massage apparatus further has a pair of arm units 80', each of which includes an inverted Ushaped arm portion 80 and two parallel upright telescopic supporting rods 70. The arm portion 80 is covered with a soft foam layer 84 and has two constricted free ends 82. Each telescopic supporting rod 70 includes an upper tubular portion 71 and a lower tubular portion 72. The upper tubular portion 71 is formed with a series of aligned radial holes 73 along a longitudinal length thereof and has a top end in which one of the constricted free ends 82 can be inserted.

The lower tubular portion 72 has a constricted bottom end 76 that can be inserted in one of the retaining sockets 192, 191, 193 and a top end that is formed with a radial hole 741. The lower tubular portion 72 is associated with an adjusting member 75 which includes a button member 751 with a stop piece 752 and a curved resilient member 78 that extends from the button member 751 and that abuts against the tube wall of the lower tubular portion 72 in order to bias the button member 751 to project out of the radial hole 741.The lower tubular portion 72 can be inserted into and secured telescopically to the upper tubular portion 71 via a bottom end of the upper tubular portion 71 by pressing the button member 751 inward, aligning the radial hole 741 with a selected one of the radial holes 73, and releasing the button member 751 to enable the latter to project through the radial holes 741, 73. In addition, a decorative sleeve member 77 can be provided, as shown in Figure 3. An assembled view of the foot massage apparatus of this invention is shown in Figure 2. The arm units 80' are assembled such that the constricted bottom ends 76 are inserted in the first and second retaining sockets 192, 191.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate how the foot massage apparatus of the present invention is used. In Figure 5, the legs 18 are turned inwardly so as to be located beside the first elongated bars 14 in order to place the frame body 10 on the ground. The user stands on the tube members 30 with one foot resting on the elongated rod 40 while his hands hold the arm portions 80. The feet are massaged when they rotate the cylindrical members 50 so as to press and rub the bottoms of the feet. Due to the provision of the elongated rod 40 which rests on the first top bearing face 14a, the user can massage the arch of the foot.

Referring to Figure 6, the legs 18 are turned outwardly to rest on the ground, thereby positioning the frame body 10 inclinedly. The constricted bottom ends 76 of a first one of the arm units 80' are inserted in the third retaining sockets 193, while the constricted bottom ends 76 of a second one of the arm units 80' are inserted in the first retaining sockets 192. The lengths of the telescopic supporting rods 70 are adjusted so that the second one of the arm units 80' is higher than the first one of the arm units 80'.

The user sits on the arm portions 80 with his hands holding the arm portion 80 of the first one of the arm units 80' while his feet rest on and rotate the cylindrical members 50 on the elongated rod 40.

Referring to Figure 7, the foot massage apparatus can be assembled so that the constricted free ends 82 of the arm portion 80 of each arm unit 80' are inserted directly and respectively into the first and second retaining sockets 192, 191.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A foot massage apparatus comprising: a frame body having two spaced guide rails which are disposed oppositely; a plurality of parallel tube members which are disposed side by side, each of said tube members having two end portions that are disposed movably and respectively on said guide rails and an intermediate portion between said two end portions; a plurality of cylindrical members, each of which being sleeved rotatably around said intermediate portion of a respective one of said tube members; and a chain mechanism for linking flexibly said tube members together.

2. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said frame body has a front bar and a rear bar which is parallel to and spaced from said front bar, said guide rails including a pair of parallel first elongated bars which extend respectively from said front bar to said rear bar and which interconnect said front and rear bars so as to confine a rectangular space thereamong, each of said first elongated bars defining a first top bearing face, said guide rails further including a pair of parallel second elongated bars which are located in said rectangular space and which extend between said front bar and said rear bar beside a respective one of said first elongated bars, each of said second elongated bars defining a second top bearing face which is located at a level lower than said first top bearing face, said tube members being disposed in said rectangular space and being arranged between said front bar and said rear bar, said two ends of each of said tube members resting movably and respectively on said second top bearing face of said second elongated bars.

3. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said chain mechanism has two link units, each of which linking a respective one of said two end portions of said tube members, each of said link units including a plurality of linking pieces, each of said linking pieces being formed with two rings that are sleeved on two said end portions of an adjacent pair of said tube members so that every adjacent pair of said tube members are linked by one of said linking pieces.

4. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, further comprising a fastening mechanism for fastening movably said tube members to said frame body, said fastening mechanism including a spring member connected to a first one of said tube members that is located adjacent to said front bar, and a hook member connected to a last one of said tube members that is located adjacent to said rear bar.

5. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising an elongated rod which passes removably through a selected one of said tube members and which has two ends that extend outwardly from said two end portions of said selected one of said tube members so as to rest movably on said first top bearing face of said first elongated bars.

6. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said cylindrical members has an outer surface and a plurality of protrusions formed on said outer surface.

7. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said cylindrical members are made of elastomers.

8. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein each of said cylindrical members consists of two separated parts.

9. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising a pair of legs pivoted respectively to said first elongated bars adjacent to said rear bar.

10. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising an arm unit which includes an inverted U-shaped arm portion with two free ends that are attached detachably to said frame body.

11. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said arm unit further includes two parallel upright telescopic supporting rods which are attached detachably to said frame body, each of said supporting rods having a top portion on which one of said free ends of said arm portion is supported.

12. A foot massage apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, wherein each of said telescopic supporting rods includes an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, said upper tubular portion being formed with a series of aligned radial holes along a longitudinal length thereof, said lower tubular portion having a bottom end attached detachably to said frame body and a top end formed with a radial hole, said lower tubular portion being insertable into said upper tubular portion and being provided with an adjusting member which includes a button member and a biasing member that biases said button member to project out of said radial hole in said lower tubular portion and out of a selected one of said radial holes of said upper tubular portion.

13. A foot massage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.