FR2846551A1 - Hydrotherapy unit for body massage comprises chamber containing moving spray bar delivering multiple water jets as it moves along chamber - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit consists of a sealed chamber with an opening cover, containing a guide rail (5) for a moving spray bar (2) that delivers jets of water through a slit or multiple holes, creating a curtain of water with a massaging effect. The chamber can be horizontal or vertical, and the spray bar, which is curved in shape with its concave side towards the user, has a detachable and interchangeable section so it conforms to the user's body. It can also be in the shape of a ring with outlet holes or slits positioned round the user's body, and it is moved along the rail by a motorised drive that can be regulated by the user. The chamber contains an ergonomically-shaped support (7), fixed or removable, for the user to lie on, and a system for collecting, filtering and recycling the water.

Description

Hydrotherapy device for massaging the human body

  invention relates to a hydrotherapy device for

to massage the human body.

  Hydrotherapy devices are known in the prior art

  constituted by showers with adjustable jets, or by a multitude of water jets, or even by water mattresses comprising jets, thus making it possible to treat back pain, to relax the user or even to stimulate deficient muscles or blood circulation.

  In this regard, it is known from patents EP 279684, US 4908016 and US 5158076, an apparatus and a method of massage by water jets comprising a platform with bench seat and a cover having a central movement between an open position o the user can access the bench, and the closed position where the cover is lowered on the bench. A multitude of water jets massage the user's body, which is covered with a waterproof sheet allowing it to stay dry. This dry massage device has the particularity of predefining the impact zones without being able to move them. However, the user has no means of adjustment when he is in the device, and the contact of

  the user with the sheet poses hygiene problems.

  It is also known from document JP 08252293 the use of a water mattress containing a jet device moving in the mattress under the entire length of the body. In addition to the hygiene problem already mentioned, this dry massage only treats a spindle of the body and does not correspond to the

  homogeneous massage performed by a masseur.

  Dry massage devices have the disadvantage of not benefiting from the curative effects of sea water or fresh water charged with

salts or additives.

  Patents EP 743056 and FR 2452919 teach hydrotherapy devices comprising one or more nozzles sending jets of water with a massaging effect locally. Again, the massage provided is not homogeneous. The object of the present invention is to overcome certain drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a solution which makes it possible to have a moist and homogeneous massage over the entire length of the body or over the selected part

by the user.

  This object is achieved by the use of the means which will be described later and which constitute the invention itself.

  To this end, the invention relates to a hydrotherapy device intended for massaging the human body, consisting of an open waterproof box closable by a cover making it possible to house the user and comprising means for recovering water. This device comprises a movable ramp 15 moving relative to the body of the user, and a means for spraying water on the body in the form of a slot or a multitude of holes, forming

  thus a continuous moving water curtain with a massaging effect.

  In another feature, the box is in a horizontal position.

  According to another particular feature, the box is in a vertical position.

  According to another particularity, the ramp has at least one removable and interchangeable part making it possible to follow the shape of the body of the user. According to another particularity, the ramp is composed of an arc whose

  concavity is user oriented.

  According to another particular feature, the ramp is an openable ring comprising holes or spray slots distributed around the user. According to another particular feature, the mobile ramp moves

  longitudinally by a motorized drive system.

  According to another particularity, an internal control means allows the user to personalize his massage, from the inside of the box, to the

  during massage, controlling means of adjustment.

  According to another particularity, an adjustment means allows the user to adjust different parameters: - the water pressure is adjustable by the user, up to 2 bar; - the speed of movement of the massage curtain is controllable on the outward journey as on the return of the ramp; - the length of the movement of the massage curtain is adjustable on

  along the body in order to favor one or more areas to be massaged.

  According to another particularity, the box incorporates a support of ergonomic shape, removable or integrated, allowing the user to lie down. This io support is perforated so as to allow recycling of the water, said water being recovered and then reinjected into the system by means of a pump. According to another particularity, a system of filters makes it possible to treat

the water used.

  According to another particular feature, the device comprises means for

  water temperature regulation.

  In another feature, the cover has means

  sealing with the box around its perimeter.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention

  will appear more clearly on reading the description below, made in

  reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a top view of the hydromassage device; - Figure 2 shows an enlargement of the ramp sliding system; - Figure 3 shows a top view of the device with the placement of the user in the supine position; - Figure 4 shows a side view of the device; FIG. 5 represents a schematic view of the ramp

  in the case of a vertical device.

  The present invention will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 shows the hydrotherapy device of the present invention. This device is intended for massaging the human body. The shape 5 of this device is comparable to that of a solarium cabin. This device consists of an open box (1) which can be closed off by a cover (not shown), making it possible to house the user. This cover has on its periphery a sealing means with the box (1) such as a seal. This box (1) comprises, for example, laterally a ramp (2)

  mobile moving longitudinally with respect to the position of the body of the user This ramp comprises a water spraying means (3) in the form of a slot or a multitude of holes, thus forming a continuous curtain of water at massaging effect. In the box (1) is placed or fixed an ergonomic support 15 forming a surface on which the user can lie down.

  The ramp (2) has at least one removable part allowing it to follow the shape of the user's body. It can be composed of an arc, whose concavity is oriented towards the user, such as that shown in the

figure 1.

  This mobile ramp (2) moves longitudinally by a motorized drive system (4) which can be, for example, a mechanical system in the form of a pulley-belt or worm, a hydraulic or pneumatic system or the like. This system (4) moves on a fixed rail (5) and slides parallel to the user over the entire length of the box (1). A fixed bar (6) parallel to the rail (5) ensures the

  stability of the drive system (4).

  An internal control means, for example in the form of a

  waterproof remote control, allows the user to personalize his massage, from inside the device (1), during the massage, by modifying the 30 commands intended for the adjustment means, including those mentioned below.

  A first adjustment means allows the user to adjust the

  water pressure, which can be adjusted by the user, up to 2 bar.

  A second adjustment means allows the user to adjust the speed of movement of the ramp (2), which is controllable on the outward journey as on the

return of said ramp (2).

  A third adjustment means allows the user to adjust the length of the movement of the ramp, which is modular along the body

  in order to favor one or more areas to be massaged.

  The support (7), on which the user lies, is ergonomically shaped. It is perforated by a multitude of holes (70) so as to allow the recycling of water. The bottom of the box (10) is either slightly inclined, or provided with a cavity, so that the water is collected in the lower recovery part (71) of the box (1) located, for example, at the level of the user's feet, then reinjected, possibly after filtration and disinfection, into the system by means of a pump (72). The water is then conveyed to the ramp via a flexible pipe (73) connected to the ramp (2) via the system

  drive (4). The filling capacity is approximately 50 liters of water.

  This water circulates in a closed circuit. It is disposable after each use or recycled, filtered by a filter system and treated for certain variants of the device such as the use of sea water or fresh water loaded with additives (trace elements, salts, oils ...). The device includes means for regulating the temperature of the water so that this water is for example at 370C when the device is used. This system is connected to the network

  hot and cold water for water renewal.

  A variant of this horizontal device is a vertical device (not shown) in which the user is standing. This device is

  present in the form of a shower cabin. In this case, the ramp (21, fig. 5) is an openable ring which goes around the patient. This ring includes holes or spray slots distributed all around the user. A system similar to that of the horizontal device allows water to be reinjected into the system by means of a pump.

  It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be

  modified in the field defined by the scope of the appended claims, and

  the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (13)

  1. Hydrotherapy device intended for massaging the human body, consisting of an open watertight box (1) closable by a cover 5 allowing the user to be housed, and comprising means for recovering water, characterized in that '' It comprises a mobile ramp (2) moving relative to the body of the user and comprising a means of spraying water on the body in the form of a slot or a multitude of holes, forming   thus a continuous moving water curtain with a massaging effect.   2. Hydrotherapy device according to claim 1, characterized   in that the box (1) is in a horizontal position.   3. Hydrotherapy device according to claim 1, characterized   in that the box (1) is in a vertical position.   4. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the ramp (2) has at least one removable part and   interchangeable to match the body shape of the user.   5. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1, 2 and 4,   characterized in that the ramp (2) is composed of an arc whose concavity is user oriented.   6. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1, 3 and 5,   characterized in that the ramp (21) is an openable ring comprising   holes or spray slots distributed around the user.   7. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the mobile ramp (2) moves longitudinally by a motorized drive system (4).   8. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that it has an internal control means allowing the user to personalize his massage, from the interior of said box (1), to the   during the massage, by controlling means of adjustment.   9. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that it has different adjustment means: - means for adjusting the water pressure, allowing the user to modulate said pressure up to 2 bar; - means for adjusting the speed of movement of the ramp (2); - means for adjusting the length of the movement of the ramp (2) along the body, allowing the user to favor one or more several areas to massage.   10. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 9,   characterized in that the box (1) incorporates a support (7) of ergonomic shape, removable or integrated, allowing the user to lie down, said support being perforated so as to allow the recycling of water, said water being recovered and then reinjected into the system via of a pump.   11. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 10,   characterized in that it comprises a filter system for treating the water used.   12. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to i1,   characterized in that it includes means for regulating the temperature some water.   13. Hydrotherapy device according to claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cover comprises a sealing means with the box (1) on its periphery.