US2808827A - Reclining massage chair - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8, 1957 B, .1 O'HARA 2,808,827

RECLINING MASSAGE CHAIR Filed Hay 18, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l 77 77 INI/ENTOR. lu-9. 52 hy @0f/m Oct. 8, 1957 D. J: OH ARA RECLINING MASSAGE CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1953 United States Patent O RECLINING MASSAGE CHAIR David J. OHara, Buffalo, N. Y., assigner to Owen K. Murphy, Adarnsville, Pa.

Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,608

9 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 33) This invention relates to a reclining massage chair and more particularly to a chair having a base frame, a seat section, a backrest section and a legrest section hingedly connected in such manner that the three sections swing into horizontal alinement with each other so as to provide a at deck or bench-like structure. One or more of the sections are provided with a motor driven eccentrically weighted applicator which transmits gyratory motion through its section to the person reclining in the chair or on the alined horizontal sections. By providing such a horizontal deck with the alined sections, a person can comfortably lie on his sides or stomach while being subjected to the gyratory action of the motor driven applicator or applicators, which positions would be uncomfortable if the several sections could not be brought into the form of a horizontal deck.

Accordingly one of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a reclining massage chair composed of upholstered articulated sections which can be brought into horizontal alinement with one another so as to provide a Hat deck or bench-like structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reclining massage chair which is adapted for the mounting of motor driven applicators on one or more of the sections to impart gyratory motion to the person reclining on the chair or lying on the horizontal deck.

Another object is to provide a reclining massage chair which is free from objectionable noise resulting from the gyration of the chair by the motor driven applicators.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reclining massage chair in which the seat, backrest and legrest sections pivot so as to conform to the human body in different degrees of reclining and at all times provide full and relaxing support for all parts of the body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple means for releasably holding the reclining massage chair in either of its extreme positions so that the device tends to maintain itself either in the form of a generally erect chair or as a horizontally decked bench.

Another object is to provide a simple spring arrangement operative to urge the body supporting sections toward either of these two extreme positions so as to facilitate manipulation of the reclining massage chair.

Another object is to provide a reclining massage chair which in either of its extreme positions is of pleasing and attractive appearance and which, when used as a chair, has the appearance of a normal upholstered easy chair.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reclining massage chair which is free from gears and complicated mechanical movements and essentially is composed of levers and links pivotally connected to one another and to the base frame and seat, backrest and leg sections so as to obtain the above referred to movement of the various body supporting sections of the chair.

Another object is to provide a simple latch mechanism for releasably retaining the reclining massage chair in its erect position.

2,808,827 Patented Oct. 8, 1957 Another object is to provide a reclining massage chair which is simple and inexpensive in construction and is composed of few parts which are rugged in construction so that the reclining chair is not liable to get out of order or require repairs.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. i is a side elevational view of a massage chair embodying the present invention and showing the position of the parts when the reclining chair is in its most erect chair position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the reclining massage chair shown in Fig. 1 and showing the seat, backrest and leg rest sections swung to a position which provides a benchlike structure having a horizontal deck.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the reclining massage chair with the parts positioned as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view taken generally on line 4 4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the latch mechanism in greater detail, this latch mechanism also functioning to limit the movement of the body supporting sections toward the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The reclining chair embodying the present invention comprises a supporting base 10 having legs 11 which support a main subframe 12 which is shown as comprising a pair of side frame bars 13 connected together at their front and rear ends by cross bars 14, 15, respectively. The frame members for both the base 10 and the main subframe 12 can advantageously be made of wood and the side frame bars 13 are each shown as having its upper face 16 inclined with reference to the horizontal, the inclination being downward from the front toward the rear end of each side frame bar 13. A stop, rest or fulcrum block 18 is shown as secured to the upper face 16 of each side frame bar 13 at the rear end thereof, the upper face 19 of this stop, rest or fulcrum block 18 being preferably in line with the extreme forward end of the inclined upper face 16.

The main subframe 12 supports three articulated sections, these comprising a seat section 20, a backrest section 21 and a leg rest section 22. The seat section 20 comprises a subframe 23 resiliently supporting a cushion frame 24. The backrest section 21 comprises a subframe 2S resiliently supporting a cushion frame 26. The leg rest section 22 comprises a subframe 28 on which a cushion frame 29 is mounted.

The subframe 23 for the seat section 20 is shown as comprising a pair of rectangular side frame bars 30 connected together at their rear ends by a cross bar 31. Each of the frame side bars 30 is in vertical alinement with the corresponding side frame bar 13 of the main subframe 12 and the forward ends of each pair of side bars i3, 30 are in vertical alinement and connected by a strap 32 which forms a strap hinge, these strap hinges 32 thereby connecting the forward end of the seat section 2i! with the main subframe 12 in such manner that the lower edge 33 of each side bar 30 can move down and mate with or rest upon the inclined upper face 16 of the corresponding side frame bar 13 of the main subframe 12.

A pair of small helical compression springs 34 are interposed between the main subframe 12 and the subframe 23 of the seat section. Each of these helical compression springs 34 seats on a bracket 35 secured to the inner face of the corresponding side frame bar 13 of the main subframe 12 and the upper end of each helical compression spring 34 seats in and supports a bracket 36 secured to the inner face of the corresponding side bar 30 of the seat subframe 23, this bracket preferably being arranged under the cross bar 31.

The upholstered cushion frame 24 for the seat subframe 23 is shown as composed of side bars 38 cnnected by cross bars 39 to provide a rectangular frame which is shown as provided with a plurality of upwardlyarching springs 4l) each of which is of zig-zag or sinusoidal form in plan and eachwof which is secured at its opposite ends to the corresponding cross bars 39. The yielding surface so provided by the upwardly arching zig-zag springs 40 is covered with upholstery 41. The form of this upholstering may conform to that generally known in the art and hence not being illustrated in detail.

Desirably, gyratory movement is imparted to the upholstered cushion frame 24 Yof the seat section 20 and for this purpose this upholstered frame is preferably yieldingly mounted on the subframe 23 of the seat section 20. Such yielding mounting can comprise strips or bodies 42 of sponge rubber or the like, these bodies being received in recesses provided in the upper faces of the subframe 23 and these bodies or strips also being received in recesses provided on the undersides of the cushion frame 24. To prevent separation of the cushion frame 24 from its subframe 23, canvas straps 43 of Lt'orm in cross section can be employed with the upper horizontal part of each canvas strap 43 secured to the underside of the cushion frame and with the vertical part secured to the inner face of the subframe 23.

The cushion frame 24 of the seat section 20 and the springs 40 of this cushion frame are gyrated by a motor driven applicator indicated generally at 45 and illustrated in Fig'. 4. This motor driven applicator is shown as being of the sarne form as shown in the copending application of Owen K. Murphy for Table Type of Motor Operated Kinesitherapy Device, tiled August 22, 1952, Serial No. 305,845, now Patent No. 2,717,593, granted September I3, 1955, and hence is not illustrated or described in detail. This motor driven applicator, as illustrated in Fig. 4, comprises a motor mounted in rubber and secured to the zig-zag springs 40 as by a relatively rigid gyratory motion transmitting member fixed to and extending transversely of the plurality of zigzag springs 40 with the gyratory motor located at the approximate center of the seat cushion frame 214, the shaft of the motor being eccentrically weighted so as to impart a gyratory movement to the springs 40 and upholstery covering of the cushion trarne 24 ofwth'e seat section 20.

It is desirable to guide the subfrarne 23 of the seat section Z in the vertical movement permitted by the strap hinges 32. vFor this purpose to the inner face of each side frame 30 is secured, as by screws 46, a metal plate which projects downwardly and extends alongside the inner face of the corresponding side frame bar 13 of the main subframe 12. Preferably this plate is vertically slotted, as indicated at 49 to receive the shank of a guide screw 50 which is screwed through this slot into the corresponding side frame bar 13. addition to preventing lateral movement of the seat section with reference to the main subframe 12, the plate 48 and screw 50 also prevent separation of these parts beyond that shown in Fig. 4, this being important if the reclining massage chair should be lifted by seizing the seat section 20.

The subfrarne of the backrest section 21 comprises a pair of side frame bars 55 connected at their front and rear ends by cross bars 56, 58. The upper faces of these frame bars 55, 56, 58 can be recessed to receive bodies or strips 59 of sponge rubber or the like and which also project into recesses in the undersides of the side bars and cross bars 60 of the cushion frame 26. To retain the cushion frame 26 in position and also to hold the rubber bodies 59 under compression, strips 61 of the canvas can connect the frames 25, 26 as shown. Also as with the cushion frame 24 of the seat section 20, a plurality of spaced upwardly arching zig-zag or sinusoidal springs 62 are xed at the ends thereof to the frame bars 6I) of the cushion frame 26 and a motor driven applicator 45 is It will be seen that in i til) operatively connected to the underside of these springs 62 as by a gyratory motion transmitting member extending transversely of the springs 62 across the approximate midsection thereof as illustrated in Fig. 4. This motor driven applicator would be similar to the motor driven applicator in the scat section 20 and would serve to impart gyratory movement to the zig-zag springs 62 and its upholstery covering and thence to the back of the person resting against the backrest section 21.

The side frame hars of the subframe for the backrest section 21 are in line with and adapted to rest upon the stops, rests or fulcrum blocks 18 which form part of the main subframe 12.

The subframe 28 of the legrest section 22 comprises a pair of side frame bars 65 connected at their front and rear ends by cross bars 66, 68. On this subframe 28 can be secured the cushion frame 29 which is shown as composed of side frame bars 69 connected by cross bars 70. The cushion frame 29 of the legrest section is provided with upwardly arching springs 7l of zig-zag form in plan and whose ends are conriected to the cross bars 70 as shown in Fig. 4. The cushion trarne 29 for the legrest section 22 may be, but need not be provided with a motor driven applicator 45. Instead, the subframe 28 of the legrest section is shown as connected to the cushion frame 24 of the seat section 20 by a hinge 72. This hinge is preferably interposed between the forward end of the cushion frame 24 of the seat section 20 and the cross bar 68 of the subframe 28 for the legrest section 22. Through this hinge 72 oscillations generated by the motor driven applicator 45 for the seat section 20 are transmitted to the legrest section 22. The hinge 72 also permits the legrest section 22 to be dropped to a vertical position in which the subfrarne 2'8 is interposed between the side frame bars 13 of the main subframe 12 as well as the side frame bars 30 of the subframe 23 for the seat section 20.

The present invention also includes mechanism for operatively connecting the several sections 20, 21 and 22 with one another and with the main subframe 12 so that by simple manipulations the seat section, backrest section and legrest section can be brought to and latched in the seating position shown in Fig. l to serve as a comfortable upholstered easy chair; and so that these body supporting sections can be unlatched from this posit-ion and moved so that its occupant is fully supported throughout the length of his body while in a semi-supine position; and so that the upper surfaces of all of the sections 20, 21 and 22 can be brought to a common horizontal level to provide a substantially liat deck upon which the person can comfortably lie horizontally fully stretched out on his stomach and sides as well as on his back.

To this end a lever arm 8l) is secured, as by screws or bolts 82, to the exterior face of each of the side frame bars 55 of the subframe 2S of the backrest section 21'. These lever arms 80, in the erect position of the backrest section shown in Fig. l, project downwardly alongside the side frame bars 30 of the subfrarne 23 for the seat section 20. Each lever arm is pivoted as indicated at 83 to the rear end of its side frame bar 30 of the seat section 20, the pivots 83 at opposite sides being coaxial.

At least one of the lever arms 80 projects beyond its pivot 83 and carries a pin 84 which traverses a groove 85 in an arcuately or angularly shaped arm 86. This arm 86 is pivoted to the corresponding side frame bar 30 as indicated at 88 and the lower end of the arcuate slot S5 is provided with an upwardly extending pocket or notch 89 in which the pin 84is caught when the backrest section 21 is moved to the erect position shown in Fig. 1. The opposite end 90 of the groove 85 provides a stop limiting the corresponding relative movement of the pin 84 and backrest section 21.

For convenient manual release of the arm 86, a push rod 91 having a knob 92 is mounted for vertical movement in a bracket 93 secured to the side frame bar 30 which carries the arm 86. The lower end of this push rod acts against the forward end of a lever 94 pivoted at its center, as indicated at 95, to swing about a horizontal axis. The rear end of this lever supports a shoulder 96 at the free end of the arm 86. It will be seen that when the push rod 91 is depressed, the rear end of the lever 94 is elevated to swing the arm 86 upwardly about its pivot 88 and thereby free the pin 84 from the notch 89 and permit this pin to move upwardly along the arcuate slot 85 until it reaches the end 90 of this slot.

The backrest section 21 is shown as having a second pair of lever arms 98 fixed thereto. Each of these lever arms 98 is shown as secured to the inner face of a corresponding side frame bar 55 of the subframe 25 for the backrest section 21, as by screws 99. Each of these lever arms 98 is shown as projecting backwardly from the backrest section and thence, in the erect position of the backrest section shown in Fig. l, downwardly to a position within the main subframe 12. The lower ends of the lever arms 98 are provided with coaxial pivots 100 each of which connects with a long link 101. The Iopposite end of each link 101 is pivotally connected, as at 102 to a bracket 103 secured to the corresponding side frame bar 65 of the subframe 28 for the legrest section 22. A pair of long tension springs 104 are also provided, one end of each of these tension springs being connected to one of the pins 102 and its opposite end connecting with a screw eye 105 fast to the cross bar 3l of the subfrarne 23 for the seat section 20.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. l the structure embodying the present invention is in the form of a normal upholstered chair. Thus the legrest section 22 is withdrawn to an inoperative pendant position under the forward end of the seat section 20. Also the weight of the backrest section 21 is impressed on the rear or free end of the seat section so as to hold this seat section fully depressed and the helical compression springs 34 compressed. Accordingly the upholstered face of the seat section inclines downwardly and rearwardly and the faces 33 mate with the inclined faces 16 of the main subframe 12. Also the backrest section 21 is rigidly held in its upper backwardly inclining position. Desirably the reclining seat would have upholstered arms attached to the main subframe 12, such arms being of any desired form to increase the comfort and use of the device as an upholstered chair as shown in Fig. l.

When the parts are drawn to the position shown in Fig. l they are releasably latched in this position. Thus, referring to Fig. 5, in this position the pin 84 at the lower end of the lever arrn 80 is caught in the downwardly opening notch 89 at the lower end of the arcuate groove 85 of the arm 86 and hence this lever arm 80 cannot pivot about the pivot point 83. Since this lever arm 80 is held immobile the backrest section 21 is held against movement. Since the backrest section 21 is held against movement its other lever arm 98 is held against movement and hence is held in a position in which the link 101 is in a rearward position and the legrest section 22 held against being drawn forwardly. Accordingly, when used as a normal erect upholstered chair, the parts are latched in the position shown in Fig. l. In this position either or both of the motor driven applicators 45 can be energized to transmit gyratory action through the upholstered cushion frame 24 of the seat section 20 and upholstered cushion frame 60 of the backrest section 21 to the body of a person seated on the reclining chair with his back against the backrest section 21.

When the occupant wishes to be supported in a more reclined, but not necessarily prone or supine, position the occupant presses on the knob 92 so as to press the rod 91 (Fig. 5) downwardly and thereby rotate the double ended lever 94 about its pivot 95. This lifts the slotted arcuate or angular arm 86 as shown in Fig. 5 which rotates about the pivot 88 and thereby moves the pin 84 out of the notch 89 and into slot 85. Since this slot is concentric with the pivot 83, when the occupant pushes back on the backrest section 21, this backrest section yields and swings rearwardly about the pivot 83 thereby to assume a shallower angle with reference to the horizontal. The occupant pushes back on the backrest section 21 until it is disposed at the angle most comfortable to him. In so moving backwardly the pin 84 (Fig. 5) travels a corresponding distance along the slot 85.

In so swinging backwardly about the pivot 83 the pivot pins 100 at the ends of the levers 98 fast to the backrest section 21 swing forwardly in an are concentric with the axis of the pivot 83. Accordingly the link 101 (Fig. 4) is moved forwardly, thereby to swing upwardly the legrest section 22, this legrest section pivoting about the hinge 72. It will accordingly be seen that as the occupant pushes the backrest section 21 rearwardly to a tiatter angle with reference to the horizontal the legresl section 22 is also swung upwardly so as to provide a support for his legs, the legrest section 22 moving to ward a horizontal position as the backrest section 21 also moves toward a horizontal position. While in any such angular position of the parts the operator can energize either of the motor driven applicators 45 so as to provide gyratory motion imparted to his body.

When the user desires to use the chair as a at bench with the upper surfaces of the sections 20, 21 and 22 in horizontal alinement with one another to provide a fiat upholstered deck, the user merely pushes the backrest section 21 down to the horizontal position illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. When this backrest section 21, swinging about the pivot 83, reaches this horizontal position it is supported on the stop, rest or fulcrum block 18 and also the link 101 (Fig. 4) has been extended forwardly so that the legrest section 22 is horizontal with its upper surface in horizontal alinement with the upper surface of the backrest section 21. As the backrest section 21 so approaches its full horizontal position it engages the stop, rest or fulcrum block 18. Following such engagement, as the backrest section 21 is moved to the full horizontal position shown in Fig. 4, its lower or pivoted end is lifted thereby, through the lever arms and pivots 83, also lifting the rear end of the seat section 20. This lifting of the rear end of the seat section 20 is such as to bring its upper surface into horizontal alinement with the upper surfaces of the sections 21 and 22. In this position of the parts the eective spacing of the pivot 83 from the stop, rest or fulcrum block 18 is so small that even a substantial weight on the rear end of the seat section 20 would not impose suliicient force to depress the seat section 20 and lift the backrest section 21. Accordingly the sections 20, 21 and 22 retain their positions of horizontal alignment illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 until the outer end of the backrest section 21 is deliberately lifted. While in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 the motor operated applicators 45 are particularly useful since while in this position the occupant can comfortably lie on his stomach, sides or back and be fully supported and which would not be possible if the upholstered surfaces of the sections 20, 21 and 22 were not in horizontal alinement.

It will be noted that the linal lifting movement of the seat section 20 is assisted by the small helical compression springs 34. Also, when the several sections 20, 21 and 22 assume the horizontally alined position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the pin 84 reaches the end of the arcuate slot 85, this end thereby acting as a stop to prevent the backrest section 21 from going beyond a horizontal position.

When the operator desires to restore the apparatus from the bench-like form illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 to the chair form illustrated in Figs. l and 5 he merely lifts the outer end of the backrest section 21, this section pivoting about the pivot 83. As the backrest section 21 pivots about the pivot 83, it leaves the stops, rests, or fulcrum blocks 18 so that the weight of the backrest asesorar section 11 is transferred from these blocks to the seat section 26 so as to press downwardly on the rear end of the seat section and depress this seat section into engagement with the inclined surfaces 16 of the main subframe 12 against the resistance of the helical compression springs 34. As the same time the upwardly swinging movement of the backrest section 21 about the pivot 83, through the arms 98, moves the links 101 rearwardly so as to swing the leg section 22 downwardly and rearwardly about its hinges 72. ln such movement of the parts back to the position shown in Figs. l and 5 the paired long helical tension springs 104 serve to assist such movement the elect of these springs progressively increasing as the legrest section 22 swings further toward its inoperative vertical position in which it is housed within the forward ends of the main subframe l2 and subframe 23 for the seat section 20. When the body supporting sections reach the extreme position shown in Figs. l and 5 the pivotally supported slotted arm 86 swings downwardly, such downswing being permitted by the pin 84 coming into register with the notch 89 in the arcuate slot of this slotted arm. Accordingly the body supporting sections are restored to the position rst assumed in which the structure is latched in the form shown in Pigs. l and 5 for normal use as an upholstered easy chair.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides an extremely simple linkage which permits this upholstered massage chair to be manipulated so that its seat, backrest and legrest sections come into horizontal alinement with one another to provide a bench. It will be seen that the capability of the sections 20, 2l and 22 to assume this horizontal benchlike position is of particular importance since this capability permits the chair to be used as a full length at bench for massage treatment of the users body in a fully prone or supine position.

It will also be seen that numerous changes and modilications can be made, and the invention is therefore not to be construed as limited to the particular construction shown but is to be the full range of equivalents comprehended by the claims.

I claim:

l. ln a reclining massage chair including in combination. a seat section including an upholstered cushion frame, a backrest section including an upholstered cushion frame, a pair of lever arms fast to said backrest section and in the upright position of said backrest section projecting downwardly alongside the frame of said scat section, and coaxial pivots connecting said arms and the frame of said seat section on a generally horizontal axis extending transversely of said reclining chair and a motor driven applicator operatively connected to each of said upholstered cushion frames ot the seat section and backrest section to gyrate the same; the combination therewith of a latch for holding said backrest section in its upright position and limiting the downward movement thereof, comprising an arm having a slot, a pivotal connection between one end of said arm and the frame ofV said seat section, a pin riding in said slot and fast to said backrest section and supporting said arm, said slot being provided in its upper side with a downwardly opening notch, said pivoted arm moving downwardly when said pin passes said notch whereby said pin enters said notch to be latched against movement along said slot, and means arranged to manually lift the free end of said arm to release said pin from said notch.

2. A reclining massage chair including in combination, a seat section including an upholstered cushion frame, a legrest section including an upholstered cushion frame pivoted to the forward end of said seat frame to swing from a depending generally vertical position to a substantially horizontal position with its upper surface forming a horizontal continuation of said seat section, a backrest section including an upholstered cushion frame pivoted to the rear end of said seat frame to swing from an lil] upright position to a substantially horizontal position with its upper surface forming a horizontal continuation of the upper surfaces of the upholstered cushions frames of said seat section and legrest section, a depending lever arm fixed to said backrest frame and extending below the pivotal connection between said backrest frame and said seat frame, a bracket xed to said legrest frame adjacent the pivotal connection between said seat frame and said legrest section and arranged to depend from said legrest section when said legrest section is horizontally disposed, a long link pivotally connecting the free end of said lever arm with said bracket, tension springmcans connected at its opposite ends to said seat frame and legrest section frame and yieldingl)l urging said legrest and backrest sections to one of their extreme positions, and a motor driven applicator operatively connected to the upholstered cushion frame of said seat section to gyrate the same.

3. A reclining massage chair including in combination, a seat section including an upholstered cushion frame, legrest section including an upholstered cushion frame pivoted to the forward end of said scat frame to swing from a depending generally vertical position to a substantially horizontal position with its upper surface forming a horizontal continuation of the upholstered cushion of said seat section. a backrest section including an upholstered cushion frame pivoted to the rear end of said seat frame to swing from an upright position to a substantially horizontal position with its upper surface forming a horizontal continuation of the upper surfaces of the upholstered cushions said seat section and legrest section, a depending lever arm fixed to said backrest frame and extending below the pivotal connection between said backrest frame and said seat frame, a bracket fixed to said legrest frame adjacent the pivotal connection between said seat frame and said legrest section and arranged to depend from said legrest section when said legrest seetion is horizontally disposed, a long link pivotally connecting the free end of said lever arm with said bracket, tension spring means connected at its opposite ends to said seat frame and bracket and yieldingly urging said leg and backrest sections to one of their extreme positions, and a motor driven applicator operatively connected to the uphlostered cushion frame of said seat .section and a second motor driven applicator operatively connected to the upholstered cushion frame of said backrest section to gyrate the same.

4. A reclining massage chair including in combination, a supporting base, a seat section having an upholstered cushion frame supported from said base, a cushioned legrest `section pivotally supported from said *base and designed to swing from a depending generally vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, a backrest section having an upholstered cushion frame pivotally connected to the rear portion of said seat frame and designed to swing from a substantially upright position to a substantially horizontal position, depending lever arms fixed to said backrest frame and extending below the pivotal connection between said backrest frame and said seat frame, linkage means operatively connected to the underface of said legrest frame and to the depending lever arms of said backrest frame whereby said legrest section and seat frame may be manipulated to and from substantially horizontal position by corresponding movement `of said backrest frame, and tension springs operatively connecting said seat frame and legrest section to thereby yielda'bly urge said legrest section and backrest section to one of its extreme positions, said seat frame and backrest frame each presenting a pair of spaced substantially parallel frame members, each of said paired frame members having a plurality of upwardly arching wire springs of sinusoidal form in plan whose opposite ends are tixedly secured to the spaced frame members of said seat and backrest frames, each set of sinusoidal springs forming an upwardly arching supporting surface operative to yieldably support that portion of the body reclining thereagainst, upholstered padding and covering extending over and supported by each of said upwardly arching surfaces as formed by said sinusoidal springs, and a gyratory motion producing motor operatively connected to each set of sinusoidal springs along the approximate midsection thereot whereby gyratory massage action is transmitted through said sinusoidal springs and upholstery covering to those portions of the body reclining there-against.

5. A reclining massage chair including in combination, a supporting base, a seat section having an upholstered cushion frame supported from said base, a legrest section pivotally supported from said base and designed to swing from a depending generally vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, a cushioned backrest section pivotally connected to the rear portion of said sevt frame and designed to swing from a substantially upright position to a substantially horizontal position, a pair of depending lever arms xed to said backrest section and extending below the pivotal connection `between said backrest section and said seat frame, linkage means operatively connected to the underface of said legrest scction and to the depending lever arms of said backrest section whereby said legrest section and seat section may be manipuinted to and from substantially horizontal position by corresponding movement of said backrest section, and tension means operatively connecting said seat frame and legrest section to thereby yieldably urge said legrest section and backrest section to one of its extreme positions, said seat frame presenting a pair of spaced frame members, a plurality of upwardly arching wire `springs of sinusoidal form in plan whose opposite ends are xedly secured to the spaced frame members of said seat fratrie, said sinusoidal springs forming an upwardly arching supporting surface operative to yieldably support that portion of the body reclining thereagainst, upholstery padding and covering extending over and supported by said upwardly arching surface as formed by said sinusoidal springs, and a gyratory motion producing motor operatively connected to said springs along the approximate midsection thereof whereby gyratory message action is transmitted through said springs and upholstery covering to that portion of the body reclining thereagainst.

6. A reclining massage chair including in combination, a supporting base, a seat section supported from said hase, a legrest section pivotally supported from said base and designed to swing from a depending generally vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, a backrest section having an uphoistered cushion frame pivotally connected to the rear portion of said seat section and designed to swing from a substantially upright position to a substantially horizontal position, a `pair of `depending lever arms xed to said backrest frame and extending below the pivotal connection between said backrest frame and said seat section, linkage means operatively connected to the underface of said legrest section and to the depending lever arms of said backrest frame whereby said legrest section and seat section may be manipulated to and from substantially horizontal position by corresponding movement of said backrest frame, and tension means operatively connecting said seat section and legrest section to thereby yieldably urge said legrest section and backrest Section to one of its extreme positions, said backrest frame presenting a pair of spaced frame members, a plurality of upwardly arching wire springs of sinusoidal form in plan whose opposite ends are fixedly secured to the spaced frame members of said backrest frame, said sinusoidal springs forming `an upwardly arching supporting surface operative to yieldably support that portion of the body reclining thereagainst, upholstery padding and covering extending over and supported by said upwardly arching surface as formed by said sinusoidal springs, and a gyratory motion producing motor operatively connected lit to said sinusoidal springs along the approximate midsection thereof whereby gyratory massage action is transmitted through said sinusoidal springs and upholstery covering to that portion of the body reclining thereagainst.

7. A body massaging structure including in combination. a cushioned frame presenting a pair of spaced frame members, means for supporting said cushioned frame in elevated position, a plurality of spaced upwardly arching wire springs of sinusoidal form in plan whose opposite ends are secured to said spaced frame members, said plu- .xl ty springs together presenting an upwardly arching supporting surface operative to yieldably support a body reclining thereagainst, upholstery padding and covering extending over and supported by said upwardly arching surface as formed by said sinusoidal wire springs, and a gyratory motion producing motor operatively connected to said sinusoidal springs along the approximate midsectional area thereof whereby gyratory massage action is transmitted through said sinusoidal springs and upholstery covering to the body reclining thcrcagainst.

8. A cushioned body massaging structure having a seat section and a backrest section which includes a frame structure presenting spaced frame members, means for supporting said frame structure in elevated position, said backrest section and seat section cach having a plurality of spaced upwardly arching wire springs of sinusoidal form in plan whose opposite ends are secured to said spaced trame members, cach set of said sinusoidal springs presenting an upwardly arching supporting surface for said bracket section and said seat section respectively operative to yieldably support those portions of a body reclining thereagainst, upholstery padding and covering extending over and supported by each of said upwardly arching surfaces as formed by said sinusoidal wire springs, and a gyratory motion producing motor operatively connected to each set of sinusoidal springs along the approximate midsectional area thereof whereby gyratory massage action is transmitted through said sinusoidal springs and upholstery covering of said sent section and backrest section and to those portions of the body reclining thereagainst.

9. A massage chair having a supporting base, a cushioned backrest section, and a seat section having an upholstered cushion frame supported from said base, said seat frame presenting a pair of spaced frame members, a plurality of upwardly arching wire springs of sinusoidal form in plan whose opposite ends are fixedly secured to the spaced frame members of said seat frame, said sinusoidal springs forming an upwardly arching supporting surface yieldable to body weight, upholstered padding and covering extending over and supported by said upwardly arching surface as formed by said sinusoidal springs, and a gyratory motion producing motor operatively connected to said springs along the approximate midsectional area thereof whereby gyratory massage action is transmitted through said springs and upholstery covering to that portion of the body reclining thereagainst.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 834,285 Flindall Oct. 30, 1906 983,118 Bores Jan. 31, 1911 1,108,897 Geisler Sept. 1, 1914 1,352,612 Lance Sept. 14, 1920 2,011,870 ierlcsz Aug. 20, 1935 2,375,151 riroxcll May 1, 1945 2,492,671 Wcttlaufcr Dec. 27, 1949 2,587,207 Peterson Feb. 26, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 436,707 Italy June 14, 1948

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