Portable body massage table - Patent Review 5009170

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to folding tables in general, and specifically to tables for use in massage or therapeutic body work such as for the chiropractic art. The important aspect of this invention deals with the method for supporting said table while in use, and also to certain novel aspects of setting-up and refolding the table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The prior art teaches a wide variety of special purpose folding tables for use in applications such as massage, therapy, chiropractic arts, article display, and beauty treatment as well as folding tables for general purpose use. Important prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 1,062,996 which teaches the basic concept of support elements folding into the space between center hinged surface elements; U.S. Pat. No. D295,349 which teaches box support design; U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,579,783 and 2,759,576 and 2,937,062 all of which teach methods of using the surface elements as case elements, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,638 which teaches a folding table having features similar to the instant invention.

None of the prior art disclosures show the combination of features and capabilities of the instant invention. It is the applicants opinion that the unique combination of support elements used in the present invention contribute to a stronger table in both the lateral directions as well as the vertical direction. Strength, light weight, ease and speed of setup and breakdown all make the instant invention quite unique and an extremely useful device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS

The within invention consists of a special purpose table for use in massage or other body work such as theraphy or chiropractic arts. The table folds in half and stores its legs and other support elements within the space between the two halves of the folded top sections. When folded, the table can be easily carried by one individual so that the table is useful for temporary service and is conveniently stored and moved about.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to provide an improved folding table having a new and unique support structure design which overcomes the drawbacks found in prior art devices.

Another object of the disclosed invention is to provide a table that is incredibly strong and therefore resistant to static as well as dynamic loads.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a table that is very light in weight and therefore easily carried about.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table that can be unfolded and setup in less than two seconds with a single opening motion whereby the undercarriage drops down automatically and requires no manual locking nor any locking mechanism.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a table that can be adjusted for height and leveled.

Another important object of the invention disclosed within is to provide a table having a padded top surface and an opening for a person's face thereby providing convenience for massage therapy.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the instant invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this folding, portable massage table as disclosed herein, preferred embodiments thereof being shown in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the invention when unfolded as seen from above.

FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of the invention unfolded as seen from below.

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the invention with legs folded.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the invention when folded.

FIG. 5 shows support element attachment.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS

10--Folding Table

20--Top section

25--Cushion pad

26--Face opening

30--Support leg

35--First pivot means

36--Second pivot means

37--Third pivot means

38--Fourth pivot means

40--First cross brace

42--Second cross brace

50--First length

60--Second length

80--Border flange

90--Carrying handle

110--Latch

115--Latch clasp

120--Second cable

130--First cable

140--Angle bracket

150--Ferrule

170--Nut

180--Bolt

190--Adjustable foot

200--Hinge member

210--Support foot

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, folding table 10 comprises two rectangular flat top sections 20 each of which contains, on its under surface a peripheral border flange 80 anchored to top sections 20 with angle brackets 140. Sections 20 are abutted and connected by hinge member 200 attached to the bottom surface of border flanges 80. Sections 20 are covered with cushion pads 25 with one section having face opening 26. At the outer end of each section 20 a pair of support legs 30 is attached by first pivot means 35. Each pair of support legs 30 are rigidly connected by first cross brace 40. Each leg 30 contains an adjustable foot 190. Each section 20 has a pair of support arms, each arm comprising a first length 50 and a second length 60 interconnected by second pivot means 36. Each pair of second lengths 60 are rigidly connected by second cross brace 42. The free end of each first length 50 is connected to border flange 80 by third pivot means 37, while the free end of each first length 50 is connected to support leg 30 by fourth pivot means 38. A pair of first cables 130 is connected between each pair of opposing second pivot means 36. Each pivot means 35, 36, 37, 38 is comprised of a bolt 180 and an anchoring nut 170. In each top section 20 a pair of second cables 120 is connected between each pair of first pivot means 35 and second pivot means 36. Cables 120, 130 are anchored to pivot means 35, 36 by forming a loop around bolt 180 with each cable end fastened by ferrule 150 as shown in FIG. 5.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

Folding table 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 unfolded and ready for use. In use, as for a massage table, adjustable feet 190 support table 10 upon a floor or other flat surface. Weight placed upon top sections 20 is passed through first and second lengths 50, 60, and also passed directly, to support legs 30 and thereby transferred to the floor. The abutted ends of sections 20 being connected by hinge member 200 tend to flex downward under load causing legs 30 to tend to move outward from hinge member 200. This is prevented by first cable 130 which is in tension from downward force transferred through opposing second lengths 60. Additional strength and rigidity is provided by second cables 120 which act to maintain first and second lengths 50, 60 in precise colinearity, thus assuring rigidity of the bracing action of lengths 50 and 60. Table height is variable and footing is leveled using adjustable feet 190. First and second cross braces 40, 42 provide lateral strength. Cushion pads 25 comfortably support a reclining figure. Face opening 26 allows linear spine orientation during massage.

Folding table 10 is easily carried by folding the entire supporting structure into recess formed by border flange 80. FIG. 5 shows how when table 10 is placed upon one side, length 50, 60 can be broken about second pivot means 36 and folded toward top section 20 with legs 30 following. FIG. 3 shows the supporting structure folded into place within top section 20. FIG. 4 shows table 10 with both top sections 20 closed against each other and with latch 110 locked against latch clasp 115. Carrying handles 90 are attached on one side of border flange 80 while on the other side are attached support feet 210 used to rest table 10 upon when folded.

To open table 10 from the folded orientation, latches 110 are opened, handles 90 are grasped, one in each hand, and table 10 is swung up to approximately waist height, with hinge member 200 facing upward, while simultaneously pulling handles 90 apart. As top sections 20 assume coplanar orientation, first cables 130 are forced under tension to pull first pivot means 35 out of its rest location. This forces the entire support structure to assume its unfolded orientation. Table 10 lands upon the floor fully unfolded and ready for use.

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