Lower Limb Massager with Automatic Cloth Replacement

The problem

Commercial leg massagers in gyms, spas, and wellness centers face a significant hygiene challenge. Users often hesitate to place their legs on surfaces that have been used by others, even if wiped down. Traditional designs rely on fixed pads or cloths that require manual cleaning after every session, which is labor-intensive and prone to human error. If a previous user left sweat or residue, the next user experiences discomfort and potential health concerns. Existing automatic solutions are complex or expensive. There is a need for a simple, reliable mechanism that ensures a fresh contact surface for every user without requiring staff intervention between sessions.

The solution

The patent describes a lower limb massager integrated into a lying plate structure. The core innovation is an automated cloth replacement system driven by the user’s movement.

1. Lying Plate and Opening: The device features a lying plate (1) with an opening at the front end surface. This opening houses the massage components.
2. Massage Rollers: Multiple massage rollers (4) are rotatably arranged within the opening at equal intervals. These rollers extend into a groove at the bottom of the plate to connect with a rotating assembly.
3. Cloth Sleeves: Two rotating rods (5) are positioned on the sides within the opening. Each rod carries a sleeve—one first sleeve (61) and one second sleeve (62). Massage cloth (7) is wound around these sleeves.
4. Exposed Section: The cloth passes through groove bodies (34) on the sides of the plate, creating a middle section exposed on the upper end surface where the user places their legs. The rollers abut this cloth section.
5. Drive Mechanism: A mechanical drive assembly connects the user’s weight change to the rotation of the sleeves. When the user leaves the plate, the mechanism engages to rotate the rods, winding the used cloth onto the second sleeve and pulling fresh cloth from the first sleeve across the roller area.

Who it is for

• Gym Equipment Manufacturers: Brands looking to differentiate cardio or recovery zones with hygienic, self-cleaning leg rest options.
• Spa and Wellness Center Operators: Facilities requiring high turnover rates with minimal staff cleaning time between clients.
• Furniture Designers: Creators of massage chairs who want to integrate a novel, low-maintenance upholstery alternative.
• Public Transit Planners: Agencies considering premium seating areas where shared surface hygiene is a priority.

How it works

The main parts

Operating Steps

1. User Lies Down: The user places their legs on the exposed middle section of the massage cloth (7). The cover plate (9) is depressed by the user’s weight.
2. Disengagement: As the sliding plate (10) descends, the first teeth (12) move away from the first gear (8), allowing the gear to remain stationary while the rollers operate.
3. Massage Action: The rotating assembly drives the massage rollers (4) forward and reverse. According to the patent, the rollers press against the cloth to massage the user’s legs without direct skin-to-roller contact.
4. User Leaves: When the user stands up, the weight is removed. The first spring (11) pushes the cover plate (9) and sliding plate (10) back up.
5. Engagement: The rising sliding plate forces the first teeth (12) upward. Due to the limiting structure (13), the teeth cannot rotate downward; instead, they mesh with the first gear (8).
6. Rotation: The engagement drives the first gear (8) and the connected rotating rod (5) forward. This rotates the first sleeve (61) and second sleeve (62).
7. Cloth Swap: The rotation unreels the used section of cloth from the first sleeve (61) and winds it onto the second sleeve (62). Simultaneously, clean cloth is pulled from the second sleeve (62) across the roller area, ready for the next user.

Applications

Commercial Gyms

In high-traffic fitness centers, leg recovery stations are frequently used. This mechanism gives every athlete a fresh layer of cloth, so staff do not have to wipe the pad between users.

Spa Treatment Rooms

Spas offer leg massage treatments. The automatic swap lets therapists prepare the station quickly between clients without manually changing large fabric wraps.

Airport Lounges

Premium airport lounges provide massage chairs for travelers. Shared surfaces can be a concern for passengers. This design gives each traveler a clean cloth surface without staff wiping it down between users.

Massage Chair Integration

Manufacturers of full-body massage chairs can incorporate this module into the leg extension unit. It replaces traditional leather or synthetic covers that require wiping, offering a textile-based alternative that self-refreshes.

Where it is less suitable

• Home Use with Low Turnover: For single-user households, the complexity of the mechanism may not justify the cost compared to removable, washable covers.
• Wet Environments: The cloth material and mechanical gaps may not be suitable for areas with constant water exposure unless specific waterproofing measures are taken beyond the patent description.
• Heavy Industrial Loads: The mechanism relies on standard springs and gears; extreme weights or abusive handling could damage the drive assembly faster than in simpler designs.