# US 4,574,786 A · Massage apparatus

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- Number: US 4,574,786 A
- Document ID: US4574786A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/585,047
- Filed: 1984-03-01
- Granted: 1986-03-11
- Earliest claimed: 1983-04-25
- Assignees: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
- Inventors: Kouichi Hashimoto; Teruhisa Innami; Ken Kakino; Yukio Yamamura
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4574786A

## CPC

- A61H 1/00: Apparatus for passive exercising (A61H5/00 takes precedence); Vibrating apparatus; Chiropractic devices, e.g. body impacting devices, external devices for briefly extending or aligning unbroken bones
- A61H 7/001: {without substantial movement between the skin and the device}
- A61H 15/00: Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
- A61H 15/0078: {power-driven}
- A61H 37/00: Accessories for massage
- A61H 2015/0014: {cylinder-like, i.e. rollers}
- A61H 2015/0028: {disc-like, i.e. diameter substantially greater than width}
- A61H 2201/0138: incorporated in furniture
- A61H 2201/0142: Beds
- A61H 2201/0149: Seat or chair
- A61H 2201/1427: Wobbling plate
- A61H 2201/1654: Layer between the skin and massage elements, e.g. fluid or ball
- A61H 2201/1669: moving along the body in a reciprocating manner
- A61H 2205/081: Back
- Y10S 297/02: Molded
- Y10T 74/18816: Curvilinear rack
- Y10T 74/1967: Rack and pinion
- A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A massage apparatus having a movable massaging assembly is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a front open boxlike base member molded from plastic to have a closed bottom and side walls extending forwardly from the lateral sides thereof. A front cover closing the front opening of the base member is cooperative therewith to define a space for receiving therein the massaging assembly. The plastic base member is provided at its lateral sides with racks each of which extends longitudinally of the base member to be in meshing engagement with each one of the pinions provided on the massaging assembly, such that the assembly is guided along the racks to move in the longitudinal direction of the base member by applying a massaging force through the front cover to the back of a user resting on the front cover. Thus, the base member itself can movably hold the massaging assembly without requiring an additional supporting frame while guarding or protecting the assembly by its closed bottom, enabling the lightweight construction of the apparatus.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A massage apparatus comprising:
a boxlike base member made of plastic material having contoured bottom and side walls extending forwardly from respective lateral sides thereof to form an open front;
racks formed integral with said respective side walls of said base member, each of said racks extending longitudinally along said base member;
rail members located at each lateral side of said base member walls forming first and second opposite guide paths over said racks;
a front cover spreading over said open front of said base member so as to define therebetween a mounting space, said front cover being fastened to said base member to form an enclosure by means of side cushions secured to said respective lateral sides of said base member, each of said side cushions extending longitudinally on said base member with one part thereof projecting inwardly into the front opening of said base member and having a cushioning material thereon, side edge portions of said front cover being secured respectively onto the innermost portions of said inwardly projecting parts of said side cushions; said front cover and base member forming a backrest of a chair;
massaging assembly positioned in said mounting space having first and second guide rollers located in said guide paths, and movable in a lengthwise direction upon said base member, wherein a massaging action is applied by said massaging assembly through said front cover to the back of the body of a user lying on said front cover, said massaging assembly including a gear box enclosing a gear train;
pinions coupled to said gear box for cooperating with said massaging assembly lengthwise along said base member, each of said pinion members being in meshing engagement with each one of said racks, such that said massaging assembly is movably carried in said enclosure while being retained in said guide paths; and
a motor mounted on said gear box for selectively driving said massaging assembly, said motor capable of driving said massaging assembly along said racks in said lengthwise direction enclosed by said boxlike base member and front cover and applying massaging action to the body of said user through said gear train.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A massage apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a stopper member detachably attached to one longitudinal end of each rail member for closing the guide paths at one end thereby limiting the travel of said massaging assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A massage apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said racks is curved longitudinally to fit a general contour of the back of the human body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A massage apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said back base is provided respectively at its longitudinal ends and lateral ends with means for fastening said front cover.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A massage apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base member is molded from fiberglass-reinforced plastic to have at least one concavo-convex formation on the bottom thereof.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A massage apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rail members terminates at a distance spaced inwardly from one longitudinal end of said base member so as to leave thereover a space for receiving a headrest.