The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 23, 2000
Spencer L. Mackay, North Hollywood, CA (US);
Alan D. Crawford, North Hollywood, CA (US);
Chris J. Wilson, North Hollywood, CA (US);
John R. Petersen, North Hollywood, CA (US);
Cleve A. Graham, North Hollywood, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A massaging apparatus which utilizes an array of air inflatable bladders. The array is to be located in conjunction with a portion of the body of a human. The array can be mounted within a housing such as a flexible belt-type of device or can comprise a rigid stand-type of device within which is incorporated one or more pockets in order to accommodate a human appendage such as a foot. A separate inflation apparatus is associated with the array which is to supply and extract pressurized air to and from the inflatable bladders. The inflation apparatus utilizes at least one opposed piston assembly so that when one piston is supplying pressurized air to certain bladders the other piston is extracting pressurized air from certain other bladders thereby achieving a sequence of alternating pressurizing and depressurizing which produces a desirable massaging effect on the human body.