阅读说明：本技术 自动化按摩设备 (Automatic massage equipment ) 是由 尼古拉斯·格兰德·格雷 马修·伊斯特 丹尼尔·布鲁克斯 于 2019-02-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种自动化按摩设备(10),具有一基本上水平的床(20),该床提供一按摩表面(12)。一按摩组件或滚筒(14)可以相对于该按摩表面移动,以对躺在该床上的用户的整个或选定部分的身体提供一自动化的按摩。(The present invention relates to an automated massage device (10) having a substantially horizontal bed (20) providing a massage surface (12). A massage assembly or roller (14) is movable relative to the massage surface to provide an automated massage of the entire or selected portions of the body of a user lying on the bed.)

1. An automated massaging apparatus having a massaging surface and a massaging assembly movable relative to the massaging surface, the massaging surface being provided by a substantially horizontal bed.

2. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bed comprises a substantially rigid frame, the massaging surface being mounted to the frame, the frame comprising a set of feet supporting the massaging surface above a floor.

3. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 2, wherein said massaging surface is a fabric substantially closely supported by said frame.

4. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the massaging surface is flexible and elastic.

5. Automated massaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the massaging surface is non-uniform and comprises local deformations.

6. Automated massaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the massaging surface is non-uniform and comprises additional local support.

7. Automated massaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the bed is foldable and/or detachable.

8. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the massaging assembly is located below the massaging surface.

9. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the massaging assembly comprises a roller.

10. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the roller is driven to move laterally along the massaging surface.

11. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 9, wherein the roller is laterally movable along substantially the entire length of the massaging surface.

12. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the roller rotates while moving laterally along the massaging surface.

13. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the roller is mounted on bearings to passively rotate due to its frictional contact with the massaging surface.

14. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the surface of the massaging assembly is uneven.

15. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the pressure exerted by the massaging assembly on the underside of the massaging surface is adjustable.

16. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a motor housing, the massaging assembly being mounted to the motor housing.

17. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bed has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the motor housing is configured to move laterally in a direction substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis.

18. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 16 or 17, wherein the massaging assembly is movably mounted to the motor housing.

19. The automated massage apparatus of claim 18, wherein the massage assembly is movable in a vertical direction relative to the motor housing.

20. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the bed has a guide for the motor housing.

21. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 20, wherein the rail has a rack and the motor housing has a pinion.

22. The automated massage apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein there is a controller for the massage assembly, the track has at least one indicator, and the motor housing has a detector through which the controller can identify the position of the motor housing relative to the track.

23. The automated massage apparatus of claim 22, wherein the track has a respective indicator adjacent each end of the track.

24. The automated massaging apparatus of claim 22 or 23, wherein the track has individual indicators along substantially the entire length of the track.

25. The automated massage apparatus of any one of claims 16 to 24, wherein the motor housing comprises a roller ramp.

26. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 16 to 25, wherein the motor housing is detachable from the rail.

27. The automated massaging apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the massaging surface is at least about 1.9 meters long and at least about 0.6 meters wide.

Technical Field

The invention relates to an automatic massage device.

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, directional and orientational terms such as "below", "top" and the like apply to the apparatus as shown in the normal use orientation.

Background

Massage is a widely used and highly appreciated treatment, applicable to humans and some animals. In general, the term "massage" includes applying pressure to a selected area of the body, typically to relieve muscle pain and distress. Typically, the applied pressure is moved over the selected area such that during the massage, the pressure applied in the selected area varies.

Massage may be performed by one person to another, with the massage therapist typically applying pressure by hand, and often moving his or her hands throughout selected areas of the body, such that affected muscles and the like are subjected to changes in pressure. The combination of pressure and movement is a typical attribute of massage.

If a selected area is available, a person may massage his or her own body directly, or may massage his or her own body indirectly via a suitable massage tool. Alternatively, the person may be massaged by an automated massage device. Automated massage devices typically have a massage surface that can be held against a selected area of the user's body. The user typically presses the massage surface against the selected area, usually placing a portion of his or her weight on or against the massage surface. The apparatus has more than one massage assembly that is driven to move relative to the massage surface and thereby move relative to a selected area of the user's body to vary the pressure throughout the selected area and simulate the actions of the massage therapist.

One example of an automated massage device is a massage mat that contains more than one electric motor that can move more than one massage assembly within the mat. The user presses a selected portion of his or her body against the massage surface of the pad, and the massage assembly moves relative to the massage surface, and thus the selected portion of the user's body, to massage the selected portion. Another example is massage seats, often found in airports and the like, and also in some motor vehicles.

A related feature of automated massage devices, which are used by the present invention, is above all that the user is able to massage on his or her own body, and that no assistance from a massage therapist is required. Second, the device contains a massage surface, and more than one massage assembly that is movable relative to the massage surface, such that pressure applied to a selected area of the user's body can be moved without the user moving his or her body or the massage surface.

One drawback of known automated massage devices is that they are limited to the body area that can be massaged. For example, massage mattresses can only be used to massage a small area of the body at a time, and if an extended area of the body is to be massaged, the person must move the mattress or himself/herself between massage operations, or both. For example, massage seats, particularly those of motor vehicles, typically massage only the back, buttocks and/or rear sides of the thighs of the user, although the user may also move sufficiently to allow massage of a portion of the neck. Although the back is understood to be the area of the body that often requires massage, it is not possible to massage the lower legs, and possibly also the front of the torso and the front sides of the thighs, which is a significant disadvantage.

Another drawback of the known automated massaging apparatuses is that it is not always possible to apply sufficient pressure to obtain an effective massage in the selected area. Thus, while the massage mattress may be placed over a massage portion of the user's body, the weight of the massage mattress is often insufficient to provide the required pressure. Moreover, the user may not be able to properly and comfortably position himself or herself in order to allow his or her weight to provide sufficient pressure in the selected area. For example, if a user wishes to massage his or her back with a massage seat of a motor vehicle, he or she can typically only apply a small portion of his or her weight by bearing against the massage surface of the seat; at the same time, the pressure may be increased by pressing the steering wheel, which may cause strain elsewhere on the user's body and may be dangerous while driving.

Thus, it is a major disadvantage that the user typically has to provide all or at least a large part of the force required to press a selected area against the massage surface of the known automated massage device. The need to press a particular muscle (or group of muscles), for example against a massage surface, often causes undesirable strain in other muscles or groups of muscles and may limit the duration of an effective massage. It is generally desirable to utilize the user's weight to provide the necessary pressure by simply placing the selected area on the massage surface, and is not always suitable for known automated massage devices, nor is it always suitable for a particular selected area of the user's body.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention aims to provide an automated massage device which avoids or reduces the above mentioned disadvantages. The present invention is also directed to provide a portable massage apparatus which can be easily moved to a desired position.

According to the present invention, an automated massage device is provided having a massage surface provided by a substantially horizontal bed and a massage assembly movable relative to the massage surface.

Preferably, the massage surface is at least 1.9 meters long and at least 0.6 meters wide, such that most users can lie substantially horizontally on the massage surface. Thus, a bed is understood to be a structure on which a person can lie with all (or at least most) of their body substantially horizontal. The ability of the user to lie horizontally on the massage surface maximizes the pressure that can be applied by the user's own weight, so the user need not struggle, that is, gravity will itself cause most or all of the pressure on the massage surface.

Desirably, the bed comprises a substantially rigid frame to which the massage surface is mounted, the frame comprising a set of foot rests which support the massage surface above the floor. The massage surface is desirably a fabric substantially closely supported by the frame. The massage surface is preferably flexible and resilient in order to conform to the contours of the user's body and to maximize the comfort of the user. In embodiments where the automated massage device is portable, the bed may be folded and/or disassembled in a manner similar to a camp bed or the like. In one embodiment, the removable bed is assembled from components that can be separated to remove (or fold) the bed.

Preferably, the massage surface is not uniform throughout the biological region. In one embodiment, a first region of the massage surface is locally deformed or extended such that, in use, the reaction of the region to the contours of the user's body is magnified compared to the rest of the massage surface. In another embodiment, the second region of the massage surface is locally reinforced or supported such that, during use, the region has a reduced response to the contours of the user's body compared to the rest of the massage surface. The local reinforcement or support may preferably be adjusted by the user to enhance the massage provided to his or her body at and near the second region. Providing an uneven massage surface may enhance the massage effect on selected areas of the user's body. In use, the massage face is substantially horizontal despite the presence of locally deformed and/or locally strengthened areas.

The massage assembly is preferably located below the massage surface of the bed. When a user lies on the massage surface of the bed, the massage assembly contacts and presses against the underside of the massage surface and moves relative to the massage surface. The pressure exerted by the massage assembly on the underside of the massage surface is transmitted to the user through the material of the massage surface to achieve the desired movement of the pressure throughout the selected area of the user's body.

Preferably, the massage assembly comprises a roller. Ideally, the drive roller moves laterally (horizontally) relative to the massage surface, preferably along all or part of the length of the massage surface and bed. Preferably, the roller rotates as it moves laterally along the massage surface so that the roller rolls along the underside of the massage surface rather than sliding over the underside of the massage surface, thereby reducing the likelihood of wear on the massage surface. Ideally, the roller is not driven to rotate, but is mounted on bearings so as to rotate passively due to its frictional contact with the underside of the massage surface.

Desirably, the apparatus includes a motor housing, wherein the massage assembly is mounted to the motor housing. Desirably, the motor housing is configured to move laterally relative to the bed such that lateral movement of the massage assembly is directly caused by lateral movement of the motor housing.

Preferably, the massage assembly is movable in a vertical direction relative to the motor housing to move the massage assembly into and out of contact with the underside of the massage surface. Movement in the vertical direction may also be used to adjust the pressure of the massage assembly on the underside of the massage surface, thereby adjusting the pressure on a selected area of the user's body. Thus, it will also be appreciated that the user's weight may be fully supported by the massage surface when he or she is lying on the bed. The massage assembly may be raised into contact with the underside of the massage surface and may press the massage surface and the user's body above it upwardly, the pressure on the user's body being determined by the upward force exerted by the massage assembly. By adjusting the upward force of the massage assembly, the user can adjust the massage pressure applied.

The bed preferably includes a guide for the motor housing, which ideally runs parallel to the length of the bed. The guide rails may simply be used to guide the movement of the motor housing along the bed. Preferably, however, the guide rail has a rack and the motor housing has a pinion, so that the guide rail also acts as part of the drive mechanism for the lateral movement of the motor housing.

Desirably, the motor housing includes a roller ramp, the rollers of the ramp being positioned to contact the floor during use. The roller slide can be made strong enough to support the weight of the motor housing and also be able to withstand the reaction to the upward force applied to the massage surface. Therefore, the weight of the motor housing and the reaction force to the upward force do not need to be supported by the guide rail, and the strength and rigidity of the guide rail can be reduced to a level suitable for guiding and driving (but not supporting) the motor housing. Reducing the strength and rigidity of the rail will allow its weight to be reduced to facilitate portability of the apparatus.

Desirably, the motor housing is removable from the guide rail. In portable massage devices, it is desirable to provide separable components to facilitate removal of the bed. It is also desirable to reduce the weight of the separable assembly to facilitate transportation to the location of use.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an automated massage device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the massage surface removed to show the components below;

FIG. 3 shows a view of one end of the device of FIG. 1;

fig. 4 shows a view of the motor housing and massage assembly opposite to the view of fig. 3;

figure 5 shows a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 with the massage assembly in a lowered non-use position;

fig. 6 shows the view of fig. 4, but with the massage assembly in a raised in-use position;

fig. 7 shows a perspective view of another bed for use in the automated massaging apparatus according to the invention, an

Fig. 8 shows a portion of the bed of fig. 7.

Detailed Description

The automated massage device 10 has a massage surface 12 and a massage assembly 14 (see fig. 2-6). The massage assembly 14 is movable relative to (along) the massage surface 12 (in its raised in-use position as shown in fig. 3 and 6).

The massage surface 12 is part of a bed 20, in this embodiment a detachable bed similar to a camp bed. The massage surface 12 comprises a layer of material, desirably fabric material, which is mounted on two substantially rectilinear frame members 22 supported by foot rests 24 at each end of the bed 20. Each foot rest 24 comprises a trapezoidal shaped structure, i.e. having two horizontal members connected by two inclined members which converge towards the top of the horizontal members.

Each end of the frame member 22 has a connector (not shown). Each foot rest 24 has two corner members 26. Each corner member 26 is configured with an opening (not shown) to receive a connector so that the frame member 22 can be connected to the foot stand 24. In this embodiment, the connectors are releasably secured to the corner members 26 by latch mechanisms (not shown) that allow the frame members 22 to be separated from the corner members 26 for disassembly of the bed 20.

It will be appreciated that the detailed construction of the bed 20 is not relevant to the present invention, and that any suitable bed capable of supporting the weight of the user may be used, and preferably a lightweight and collapsible or detachable bed. However, it should be understood that the relationship between the bed 20 and the massage assembly 14 is important, and in particular the height of the bed 20 must be adapted to the in-use position of the massage assembly.

Together, the frame members 22, foot rests 24 and corner members 26 form the frame of the bed 20.

As best seen in fig. 5 and 6, the lower horizontal members of the foot rests 24 are interconnected by guide rails 30. Each end of the guide track 30 has a respective connector which can be releasably secured to a mounting member 32 carried by the lower horizontal member of each foot stand 24. Thus, the guide rails 30 may be removed from the frame of the bedframe 20 when desired. Although not shown, one or both of the mounting members 32 preferably include means for tightening the guide rail 30 between the foot rests 24, thereby securing the guide rail 30 to the frame of the bed 20. One suitable arrangement may include an adjustment slot in the mounting member and a securing knob that allows a user to secure the rail 30 in place. Thus, it should be appreciated that while the guide rails are removable for storage and transport, it is desirable to secure the guide rails 30 in place relative to the bed 20.

In the present embodiment, the guide rail 30 includes a rack 34. The rack 34 is engaged with a pinion 36 (see fig. 4) mounted on a motor housing 40. The motor housing 40 contains a motor (desirably an electric motor) that drives rotation of the pinion gear 36, thereby causing the motor housing 40 to move laterally along the guide track 30 and, in turn, along the massage surface 12.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a series of feet 38, the feet 38 being mounted to and supporting the rail 30, particularly when the massage device is in use. It will be appreciated that the nature of the rack relating to the bed and the floor on which the bed is placed will depend to some extent on whether the floor is a hard floor or a carpet. The feet 38 are positioned to provide point support against the floor as the motor housing 40 passes along the bed 20.

The motor housing 40 includes a roller slide having four rollers 42. The rollers 42 contact the floor and support the weight of the motor housing 40. Thus, in this embodiment, the guide rail 30 need not support any weight of the motor housing 40 and needs to be made sufficiently strong to allow the pinion 36 to drive the motor housing 40 along the guide rail 30 during use. While it is contemplated that the force required to drive the motor housing 40 to move laterally along the guide rails 30 during use may be significant, avoiding any need for the guide rails to support the weight of the motor housing 40 may allow for a significant reduction in the strength and weight of the guide rails 30. In an alternative embodiment, the guide rails may be made strong enough to support at least a portion of the weight of the motor housing, if desired.

The massage assembly 14 is mounted to the motor housing 40 and, in this embodiment, is in the form of a single roller. The drum 14 is mounted on a U-beam 52 having two arms 54 that support opposite ends of the drum 14. The U-beam 52 is pivotally mounted to the motor housing 40 and is movable from the lowered non-use position of FIG. 5 to the raised in-use position of FIG. 6.

To use the automated massage device, a user lies on the massage surface 12 of the bed 20. The beam 52 is pivotally connected to raise the drum 14 to the fully raised or in use position of fig. 3 and 6. The pinion 36 is driven in rotation so that the motor housing 40 moves along the guide track 30 and the roller 14 moves along the underside of the massage surface 12, the speed of the lateral movement being controllable by the user.

It will be appreciated that the weight of the user will depress the massage surface 12 downwardly from the flat condition of fig. 1. The upward force of the rollers 14 on the underside of the massage surface 12 will act to locally raise the massage surface 12 and thereby also a portion of the user's body, thus creating the required pressure on that portion of the user's body.

Thus, as it passes along the bed 20, the drum 14 is forced to move along the contours of the user's body away from the fully raised position of the drum 14. Although not shown, a torsion spring is connected to beam 52 to bias beam 52 toward its fully raised position. The force of the spring ensures that the pressure on the user's body is approximately uniform as the roller 14 passes along the bed 20, by the torsion spring pressing upwards against the user's body. The tension of the torsion spring may be adjusted by control knob 56 to allow the user to vary the force on beam 52 and thus the pressure applied by roller 14.

The control system of the automated massage device will preferably be configured to reciprocate the motor housing 40 along a portion of the track 30 (and possibly adjust or change the portion during use) with the user being able to control the portion of the track 30. One suitable control system mounts a number of indicators, for example in the form of a contrast register (similar to a bar code) on the guide rail 30 and a transmitter (e.g., an infrared transmitter) on the motor housing 40. The control system can identify the changing reflection from the register to determine the position of the motor housing along the guide rail 30. The configuration of the recorder (e.g., the spacing between adjacent reflected lines) may vary along the entire length of the guideway so that the control system can identify its location anywhere along the guideway.

In a less desirable embodiment, the indicator may be disposed only near the end of the rail (or the configuration of the register may be changed only near the end of the rail) so that the control system may detect that it is about to reach the end of the rail and may be configured to reverse direction before reaching the end of the rail. In such an embodiment, the motor housing 40 will reciprocate substantially along the entire length of the bed 20.

As a further safeguard, the guide track 30 may have an end stop (or the teeth of the rack 34 may terminate at the end of the guide track) to prevent the pinion 36 from falling off the end of the rack 34 (and the control system may recognize that the pinion is forced to stop and switch the direction of rotation).

In a preferred embodiment, the control system may identify the position of the motor housing 40 anywhere along the guide track 30, and the control system may be configured to allow a user to set a reduced lateral movement length for the motor housing. If the user only wishes to massage a selected portion of his or her body (e.g., the lower back), the user can activate the control switch when the rollers 14 reach the respective ends of the selected portion of the body. The control system may record the position of the motor housing 40 relative to the guide track 30 during a massage and may then automatically reverse the direction of rotation of the pinion 36 when a selected position is reached. In this manner, the automated massage device 10 may be configured to reciprocate the rollers 14 along selected portions of the user's body as desired. If the user does not activate the control switch during a subsequent massage, the control system defaults to a state in which the motor housing is automatically reversed only near the ends of the guide rails so that the entire length of the user's body is massaged.

The control system may also be configured to adjust the pressure applied by the massage assembly. As described above, the torsion spring is connected to the beam 52, and the beam 52 biases the roller 14 toward the underside of the massage surface 12. In addition to (or instead of) the user adjustment provided by the control knob 56, the control system may be configured to include a motor connected to a torsion spring (such that the torsion spring is located between the motor and the beam 52). Thus, the control system may actuate the torsion spring to move the roller 14 between its lowered non-use position (fig. 5) and its raised in-use position (fig. 6). As mentioned above, the location of the torsion spring between the motor and the beam 52 will allow the roller 14 to move up and down along the contours of the user's body in use. However, the control system may activate the motor to increase or decrease the force exerted by the torsion spring, thereby increasing or decreasing the pressure exerted by the roller 14. If desired, the user may instruct the control system to adjust the pressure applied during use, and/or may instruct the control system to adjust the pressure based on the position of the motor housing 40, which can increase or decrease the pressure applied to different parts of the user's body.

In this embodiment, the controller for the control system is located in the motor housing 40, and the main power is transmitted to the controller and the motor of the motor housing through wires (not shown).

By setting the massage surface 12 to be horizontal, arranging the user's weight can directly resist the force applied by the massage assembly 14 and minimize the possibility of strain on other parts of the user's body.

Further, it is set such that the length L of the bed is about 1.90 m, and the width W of the bed is about 0.6 m. Such a size is desirable to accommodate most users and to allow the user to lie substantially flat on the massage surface 12. The user will typically lie face up on the massage surface, but may lie face down or on his side if desired. Because the rollers 14 are movable along substantially the entire length of the massage surface 12, the user is able to massage substantially the entire body of him or her, and thus almost any selected portion of his or her body.

The roller 14 is mounted to the arm 54 by bearings (not shown) so that the roller 14 is relatively free to rotate. Thus, in this embodiment, the roller 14 is not driven to rotate directly, but rather to rotate depending on its frictional contact with the underside of the massage surface 12. The rollers 14 are desirably made of a soft, compressible material having a surface coefficient of friction sufficient to allow them to rotate freely when under typical loads due to massage pressure, so that they rotate rather than slide as they are driven across the underside of the massage surface 12.

Specifically, as will be seen from FIG. 4, the surface of the cylinder 14 is made uneven with a plurality of peaks 50 separated by grooves. It is believed that the massage assembly should preferably have a non-planar surface to provide localized areas of higher and lower pressure during use.

The material of the massage surface 12 of the bed 20 is substantially uniform and under substantially uniform tension so that the massage surface is substantially flat when not in use. When a user lies in the bed, the material stretches and/or deforms (downwards), the deformation of different parts of the massage surface depending on the weight of different parts of the user's body. Thus, depending on the contours and local deformations of the user's body, the (upward) pressure exerted by the roller 14 in use will vary somewhat as it passes through the user's body.

Fig. 7 and 8 show another design of a bed 120 with a non-uniform massage surface 112. Since the massage surface 112 is non-uniform, the local deformation in use is not only dependent on the weight of a particular part of the user's body, but the deformation may be exaggerated and/or reduced to enhance the massage effect.

A first difference in another design of the bed 120 is that the material of the massage surface 112 extends at the first region 60 of the bed 120. It is contemplated that the user will lie in bed 120 with his or her feet in area 60. It is recognized that the lower leg is not particularly heavy and, in proximity to the surrounding frame of the bed 120, the substantially uniform massage surface is generally deformed much less near the user's foot than in other areas. In another embodiment, the material forming the massage surface 120 (which may be canvas, for example) includes stitching and folds in the region 60 such that the massage surface 120 in the region 60 is slightly below (e.g., perhaps about 12 centimeters below) the remainder of the massage surface when not in use. Thus, in use, a user may lay his or her feet in the localized depressions provided at region 60.

When the massage appliance is in use, the user lies on his or her back, the local depression at the area 60 having two benefits. The main benefits are that the foot of the user is lowered, and the heel pressure of the user is reduced; this may relieve the calf heel to calf region of tension. A second benefit is that the user's lower legs rest on the floor and the pressure exerted by the massage assembly on the lower legs is increased; this allows for an enhanced (deeper) massage of the user's body part.

The second difference is that the massage surface 120 is locally reinforced at the second region 62. The second region 62 comprises a bilayer of material. The double layer is optional and provides some local additional support. However, the primary benefit of the double layer is that it allows the grid strands 64 (shown in dashed outline in FIG. 8) to pass through the bed 120 between the double layers of material. The grid strings 64 may be tightened to allow users with a wide range of weights and body shapes to use the massage device with the bed 120.

The second region 62 is located in the center of the bed 120 and is therefore generally where the user's hips are located. The additional local support provided in the second region 62 results in reduced deformation (sagging) caused by relatively heavy parts of the user's body. The deformation at this area of the massage surface 112 is also increased because it is the furthest away from the bed 120 frame. The inventors have found that providing additional local support near the hips of some users may enhance the massage provided to the lower back of the user.

While the double layer of material in the second region 62 of the massage surface 112 provides a small amount of additional support for all users, the degree of additional support provided by the lanyard 64 is temporary and can be adjusted according to the needs of the user. The end of the grid cord 64 passes through and is secured by a cord lock 66 attached to the side of the bed 120; the user may adjust the degree of additional support provided in the second region 62 by pulling on one end of the cord 64 via the pull ball 68 to increase the tension in the cord (and may release the cord lock 66 to decrease the tension in the cord).

It will be appreciated that the temporary additional support in the second region may alternatively be provided by support bands, webbing or mesh above or below the massage surface.

Although the bed 120 is shown without a rail and without a motor housing and massage assembly, it should be understood that the bed 120 may include mounting members for the rail (such as the mounting members 32 for the rail 30 of the bed 20) to provide an automated massage apparatus similar to that shown in the first embodiment.

When the automated massage device 10 is not in use, it may be disassembled for storage and/or transport. The pinion gear 36 is held against the rack 34 by a series of rollers 48 (one of which can be seen in figure 4). This arrangement allows the motor housing 40 to be raised from the rail 30 and separated from the bed 20 (120). The motor housing 40 may be arranged to move very close to the foot stand 24, allowing the motor housing to be grasped from one end of the bed 20 and raised between said horizontal members of the foot stand 24. The tension in the rail 30 can then be released and the rail 30 removed from the foot stand 24 and separated from the other components. The frame member 22 may then be released from the end foot stand 24 along with the massage surface 12, whereupon the frame member 22 and massage surface 12 may be rolled up. The foot stand 24 may be stored as is or may be made of separable parts for further disassembly in a known manner.

It is contemplated that the automated massage device 10 will be provided with a remote control unit to allow the user to operate the device while lying on the bed 20. The remote control unit may communicate with the controller of the control system by wire or wirelessly. The remote control unit may be used to instruct the control system to move the massage assembly 14 between its lowered and raised positions at the start and end of the massage, and/or to adjust the speed of lateral movement of the massage assembly along the bed, and/or to adjust the pressure applied by the massage assembly. In the preferred embodiment, it is described that the remote control unit may also be used to set the reverse position of the motor housing 40 in the event that the user wishes to massage only a selected portion of his or her body.