JP2003164503A - Massager - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a massager in which massaging and air massaging can be applied to the same part of a human body by mechanically driven therapeutic elements. <P>SOLUTION: A main body 2 of a chair provided with a massage mechanism 11 equipped with therapeutic elements 21 movable by mechanical driving is provided with a cover 51 incorporated with air bags 61-63 covering the therapeutic elements 21. Air is fed to and exhausted from the air bags 61-63 by an air feeding/exhausting device and the massager is used by expanding/shrinking the air bags 61-63. By expanding/shrinking the air bags 61-63 in the cover 51 overlaying the therapeutic elements 21, air massaging can be performed and by driving the therapeutic elements 21, mechanical massaging can be performed to the same part of the human body applied with such air massaging. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a massager equipped with a mechanically driven massaging device for massaging motions such as rubbing and tapping, and an air bag for performing air massaging motions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various massage machines equipped with a mechanically driven massager made of so-called kneaded balls are provided. The massage force of a mechanically driven massager is always constant, and it is easy to feel an excess or deficiency depending on the state of the human body used, and therefore improvement is expected.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-350758 describes a massager having a backrest covered with a cushion. However, the cushion is intended to prevent the back from abutting against the fir tree ball when sitting on the chair body, and does not adjust the massage force.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 13-79053 discloses that a mechanically driven treatment element is provided at the center of the backrest in the width direction.
There is described a massage machine in which air bags are provided on both right and left sides of a backrest to perform a strong massage by a mechanically driven massaging device and a weak massage by expanding and contracting the air bag. However, the strong massage and the weak massage are applied to different parts of the human body, and the same part of the human body cannot be massaged.

[0005]

A first problem to be solved by the present invention is to obtain a massage machine capable of adjusting a massage force by a mechanically driven treatment element.

A second problem to be solved by the present invention is
It is to obtain a massage machine that can perform massage by a mechanically driven massager and air massage on the same part of a human body.

[0007]

In order to solve the first problem, the present invention treats a massage machine main body provided with a massage mechanism having a mechanically driven massager with a cover provided with an air bag. It is provided so as to cover the child, and the air pressure of the air bag is adjusted by the pressure adjusting means.

In order to solve the second problem, the present invention provides
A massage machine body provided with a massage mechanism equipped with a mechanically driven massaging element is provided with a cover equipped with an air bag so as to cover the massaging element, and air is supplied to and exhausted from the air bag by an air supply / exhaust device. It is configured to inflate and massage the air bag.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates a chair-type massage machine. The body of the massage machine 1 comprises a chair body 2. The body 2 has a seat portion 4 having armrests 3 also serving as chair legs on both sides in the width direction, and a seat portion 4 of the seat portion 4.
It has a backrest 5 mounted obliquely upward on the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the backrest 5 is provided with a first massage mechanism 11. The mechanism 11 includes a fixed guide shaft 14 and a rotatable drive screw shaft 15, which are laid across the upper and lower frames 12 and 13 of the backrest 5 and are parallel to each other, a treatment unit 16, and a drive device 17.

The guide shaft 14 and the drive screw shaft 15 penetrate the unit box 16a of the treatment unit 16 to support the treatment unit 16. The treatment unit 16 has a built-in nut member (not shown) that meshes with the drive screw shaft 15. This nut member does not rotate. When the drive screw shaft 15 is rotated, the treatment unit 16 moves to the both shafts 1
4 and 15 are moved in these axial directions, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the chair body 2. Therefore, the treatment unit 1
6 is movable in a direction in which air bags 61 to 63, which will be described later, are arranged.

The drive screw shaft 15 is connected to a drive device 17 for rotating the shaft 15 in forward and reverse directions. This drive 17
Is an electric motor 18 that can rotate in the normal and reverse directions, and this motor 1
8 and a reduction gear train 19 connected to the gears 8. The final gear 19a of the gear train 19 is fixed to the lower end of the drive screw shaft 15. Therefore, the rotation of the electric motor 18 is reduced by the reduction gear train 19 and transmitted to the drive screw shaft 15.

The treatment unit 16 is provided with a pair of left and right support arms 22 supporting two mechanically driven treatment elements 21, and a drive unit for these arms 22 (denoted by reference numeral 20 in FIG. 3). The support arm 22 is the unit box 1
It is connected to a drive arm 23 protruding in the front direction of 6a. The drive unit is built in the unit box 16a except for the drive arm 23. The drive unit includes an electric motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions, a plurality of cams rotated by the motor, an electromagnetic clutch, and the like.
The support arm 22 is swung via, for example.

The mechanically driven massaging element 21, which is commonly called a so-called kneading ball, is wholly moved by a supporting arm 22 and massages the upper half of the human body, for example, by tapping or massaging. give. Each treatment child 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes, for example, a rotating roller, and at least the outer peripheral portion thereof is formed of hard rubber having relatively high hardness. In addition,
In the present invention, the number of treatment elements 21 provided in the movable treatment unit 16 is not limited, but when at least one pair is provided in the width direction of the chair body 2 as in the present embodiment, it corresponds to both sides of the back muscle of the human body. Left and right treatment elements 21 in position
Good massage can be realized by arranging.

Support arm 2 supporting a pair of treatment elements 21
2 is a slit 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the chair body 2 and provided on the front surface cloth of the backrest 5 as shown in FIG. 1 (B).
The treatment element 21 thus projects outside the front side of the backrest 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the treatment element 21 is arranged on the back side of this front cloth so as to be covered by the front surface cloth of the backrest 5, and the treatment element 21 moves along with the movement of the treatment unit 16. You may make it slide the back surface of the front cover.

As shown in FIG. 2, a support member 25 extending in the longitudinal direction is attached to the chair body 2. The member 25 supports the airbags 61 to 63 from the back side when the airbags 61 to 63 described later are inflated, and suppresses the inflation from escaping to the back side of the chair body 2. For that purpose, at least one support member 25 is provided, for example, on the backrest 5.
Is disposed in the widthwise middle portion, preferably between a pair of left and right treatment elements 21, and both longitudinal ends thereof are connected to the upper and lower frames 12 and 13, respectively. As the support member 25, a belt made of cloth or leather, a shaft, a strip plate, or the like can be used. It is preferable to use a belt that can be slightly deformed for the support member 25 so that the support member 25 can suppress the feeling of foreign matter when preventing the human back from falling into the backrest 5. Support member 25
Is provided so as to overlap the front surface of the unit box 16a so as not to hinder the movement of the treatment unit 16.

A seat portion 4 connected to the lower end of the backrest 5 in the longitudinal direction.
A pair of second massage mechanisms 31 for massaging the hips of the human body and a pair of third massage mechanisms 32 for massaging the thighs of the human body are provided in each. The pair of second massage mechanisms 31 are built in the rear portion of the seat portion 4, and the pair of third massage mechanisms 32 are built in the front portion of the seat portion 4. Therefore, these massage mechanisms 31 and 32 are arranged along the moving direction of the treatment unit 16 of the first massage mechanism 11.

As representatively shown in FIG. 4, the second and third massage mechanisms 31 and 32 are mechanical type massaging elements 33 that perform a massaging operation with a part of their movements, and as a drive unit thereof. And an electric motor 34. The treatment element 33, which is arranged upward in contact with the back surface of the outer cloth forming the body receiving surface of the seat portion 4, has a plurality of hemispherical treatment projections 33b on the front surface of a disk-shaped base 33a rotated by an electric motor 34. It is formed by projecting. Therefore, the second and third massage mechanisms 31, 32 installed immovably with respect to the seat portion 4
Can massage the human body by the circular movement (movement) of the treatment protrusion 33b accompanying the rotation of the treatment element 33.

A foot rest 41 is attached to the front of the seat 4. The footrest 41 can be omitted, or in the case of a chair-type massage machine, it can be regarded as a part of the configuration of the massage body.

The footrest 41 may be flat,
In the present embodiment, a pair of base side walls 42 that form a pair of foot accommodating grooves 41a and 41b and a base middle wall 4 located in the middle thereof.
Equipped with 3. The foot rest 41 is connected to the seat portion 4 via a pivot shaft (not shown), and is rotated about the pivot shaft to a first position shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B), and FIG. It can be moved to and from the second position. In the first position, the footrest 41 is held in a posture in which the foot accommodating grooves 41a and 41b are substantially vertical, and in the second position, the footrest 41 is in a posture in which the foot accommodating grooves 41a and 41b are slightly lower than horizontal. The footrest 41 is held in an oblique posture at these intermediate positions.

The foot rest 41 has foot accommodating grooves 41a and 41b.
A fourth massage mechanism 44 is built in corresponding to the bottom of the. The pair of left and right fourth massage mechanisms 44 includes a mechanically driven massaging element 45, and the configuration thereof is the same as that of the second and third massage mechanisms 31 and 32, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted, but FIG. An electric motor (driver) 50 for driving the treatment element 45 is shown in FIG. The fourth massage mechanism 44 is installed immovably with respect to the foot rest 41, and the treatment protrusions of the treatment element 45 are provided on the foot accommodation groove 41a,
It is placed in contact with the back surface of the outer cloth that covers the bottom of 41b, and massages the calves of the human body from the back side.

A base side wall 42 and a base middle wall 43 of the footrest 41
Air bags 46 to 49, which are inflated and contracted by air supply and exhaust, respectively, are installed on the footrests 41 at the portions facing each other.
It is covered with the outer cloth. These airbags 46 to 49 expand and contract in synchronism, and by repeating them, the legs of the human body accommodated in the leg accommodating grooves 41a and 41b are compressed and relaxed from both sides in the width direction, and massaged.

The chair body 2 is provided with first and second covers 51 and 52 which are attached to and detached from the body receiving surface.

The first cover 51 has a mounting portion 5 on one side thereof.
1a, and this mounting portion 51a is sewn to, for example, the upper end of the backrest 5 (this fastening portion is denoted by reference numeral 53), and is attached to the chair body 2. This first cover 51 is
As shown in FIG. 1 (A), a use position covering the front of the backrest 5 and a retracted position deviating from the use position, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2, the backrest 5 can be moved to a position that hangs behind the backrest 5. These positions can be selected by moving the first cover 51 with the abutment portion 53 as a fulcrum, whereby the first cover 51 can be attached to and detached from the front surface of the backrest 5. 1st placed in use position
The cover 51 is provided so as to directly cover the treatment element 33. By disposing the cover 51 at the retracted position, the treatment element 3 is provided.
3 can be exposed.

The second cover 52 has a mounting portion 5 on one side thereof.
2a, and this mounting portion 52a is, for example, one armrest 3
Is sewn to the upper end of the (the attaching portion is indicated by reference numeral 54).
It is attached to the chair body 2. This second cover 52
Is a use position covering the front surface (upper surface) of the seat portion 4 as shown in FIG. 1 (A) and a retracted position deviated from the use position, for example, one armrest as shown in FIG. 1 (B) and FIG. 3 can be moved over to the position hanging outside. These positions can be selected by moving the first cover 52 with the abutment portion 54 as a fulcrum, whereby the first cover 51 can be attached to and detached from the front surface of the seat portion 4. The second cover 52 arranged at the use position is provided so as to cover the treatment element 45.

The first and second covers 51 and 52 are the chair body 2
It can also be detachably provided with separation from. However, the configuration in which one side can be attached to and detached from the body receiving surface while being connected to the chair body 2 as in the present embodiment, the first and second covers 51 and 52 can be placed in the storage space without hindering the sitting (human body support) of the human body. Not only do not you worry, but also attach the air tube connected to the air bag described below to the mounting portion 51.
a, 52a, and the fitting portions 53, 54, and in connection with the main body 2 of the chair and the first and second covers 51, 52, in connection with the attachment and detachment of the first and second covers 51, 52. And it is excellent in that there is no trouble associated with disassembly.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the first cover 51
Is formed by attaching air bags 61 to 63 as a plurality of air-driven treatment elements to a cover body made of flexible cloth or leather. It does not prevent that a thin cushion material such as urethane foam is built in the first cover 51. Air bags 61 to 6 having flexibility in a contracted state
Each of the reference numerals 3 has a rectangular shape and extends in the width direction of the chair body 2, and is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chair body 2 and incorporated in the cover body. The air bag 61 is provided for massaging the shoulder of the human body by repeating the inflation and deflation, the air bag 62 is provided for massaging the back of the human body by repeating the inflation and deflation, and the air bag 63 is provided for the inflation. It is provided to massage the lower back of the human body by repeating contraction.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the second cover 52
Is formed by attaching air bags 65, 66 as a plurality of air-driven treatment elements to a cover body made of flexible cloth or leather. It does not prevent that a thin cushion material such as urethane foam is built in the second cover 52. Air bags 65 and 6 which are flexible in the contracted state
Each of the reference numerals 6 has a rectangular shape and extends in the width direction of the chair body 2, and is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the chair body 2 and incorporated in the cover body. The air bag 65 is provided to massage the hips of the human body by repeating the inflation and deflation, and the air bag 66 is provided to massage the thighs of the human body by repeating the inflation and deflation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foot rest 41 has bottom surfaces (body receiving surfaces) of the foot accommodating grooves 41a and 41b.
A pair of third covers 71 that are attached to and detached from is provided respectively. The third cover 71 is attached to the footrest 41 by sewing one side in the longitudinal direction thereof to the tip end portions of the foot receiving grooves 41a and 41b (end portions on the opposite side to the pivot (not shown)).

As shown in FIG. 1 (A), these third covers 71 can be moved between a use position covering the bottom surfaces of the foot accommodating grooves 41a, 41b and a retracted position deviated from the use position. As shown in FIG. 1 (B), when the third cover 71 is retracted with the footrest 41 standing upright, the third cover 71 is supported by the floor surface and the upper leg thereof can be placed thereon. As shown in FIG.
When the third cover 71 is retracted in a lying posture, the third cover 71 does not hang down from the tip end portion of the footrest 41 so as not to interfere with the accommodation of the foot in the foot accommodation grooves 41a and 41b. Is located in. These positions can be selected by moving the third cover 71 with a not-shown abutment portion as a fulcrum, whereby the third cover 71 arranged at the use position is arranged so as to cover the treatment element 45.

The third cover 71 is formed by attaching an air bag 72 as an air-driven treatment element to a cover body made of flexible cloth or leather. Third cover 7
It does not prevent that a thin cushion material such as urethane foam is built in 1. The airbag 72, which is flexible in the contracted state, has a rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the chair body 2 and is built in the cover body. Air bag 72
Is provided for massaging the calf of the human body from the back side by repeating the expansion and contraction.

Air bags 61 to 63, 65, 66 provided on the first to third covers 51, 52, 71, respectively.
Each of 72 is formed by laminating sheets as shown in FIG. That is, in the present embodiment, two soft sheets S1 and S2 having substantially the same size and a substantially rectangular shape are overlapped with each other, and the peripheral portions thereof are heat-welded (this portion is denoted by a symbol T
Is formed by sealing the entire circumference. The sheets S1 and S2 are, for example, inner layers S1a and S2a of a polyurethane resin sheet having a thickness of 0.3 mm and an outer layer S1b of a nylon resin sheet having a thickness of, for example, 0.2 mm, which is attached to the surface thereof.
And S2b, and the inner layers S1a and S2a are heat-welded with each other facing each other. Two sheets S
1 and S2 may be integrally connected at one side thereof. The outer layers S1b and S2b can be omitted, but the inner layer S1
It is useful for protecting a and S2a.

Each of the air bags 61 to 6 having such a configuration
By using 3, 65, 66 and 72, the thickness of each of the airbags 61 to 63, 65, 66 and 72 can be reduced to about 1 mm. Since the wall thickness is thin as described above, the first to third covers 51, 52, 71 are arranged so as to cover the corresponding treatment elements 21, 33, 45 in spite of being soft, The absorption of the massage force by 21, 33, and 45 can be minimized, which is effective in improving the effect of the mechanical massage.

Conventional massage air bags are generally made by blow molding, but it is difficult to reduce the wall thickness by blow molding due to the restriction of the molding method.
By the way, since the thickness of each part of the air bag made by blow molding of polypropylene resin is about 3 mm, the total thickness of this air bag is about 6 mm even when it is in a contracted state. In such a thick air bag, when it is hard, it tends to be a great resistance to the pressing force (massage force) applied to the human body by the treatment element 21 and the like through the air bag, and when the air bag is soft. Has
Due to the flexibility, the pressing force (massage force) applied to the human body via the airbag by the treatment element 21 and the like arranged on the back side can be relatively easily attenuated.

Reference numeral 75 in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates a power switch mounted on the outer surface of the other armrest 3, to which a power cord 76 is connected. An air supply / exhaust device 77 shown in FIG. 3 is arranged below the seat portion 4. A remote controller 78 as an input operation unit is connected to the air supply / exhaust device 77. This controller 78
Are provided with various switches shown in FIG. Reference numeral 81 is a power switch, and reference numeral 82 is an airbag 61 to
Air stop switch for stopping expansion and contraction of 63, reference numerals 83 to 8
Reference numeral 5 denotes a position selection switch for selecting the airbag 61 to 63 to be used, and reference numeral 86 denotes an air course switch for designating a course operation by air massage. Reference numeral 87 is a massage ball stop switch for stopping the operation of the treatment element 33, and reference numerals 88 to 90 are position selection switches for selecting the arrangement of the treatment element 33 at the shoulder position, the back position, and the waist position,
Reference numeral 91 indicates a fir tree course switch for designating a course operation by a mechanical massage using the treatment element 33. Reference numeral 92 indicates a combination course switch for synchronously performing the air massage and the mechanical massage. Reference numeral 93 indicates a switch for increasing the hardness of the airbags 61 to 63, and reference numeral 94 indicates a switch for adjusting the hardness of the airbags 61 to 63. Reference numeral 95 indicates a soft switch for holding the air pressure of the air bag selected by one or more position selection switches 83 to 85 at a predetermined value.

The air supply / exhaust device 77 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes an air pump that generates compressed air, and one end of an air tube 102 is connected to the discharge port of this pump 101. The other end of the air tube 102 has first to fourth branch tubes 102.
It is branched from a to 102d.

A flexible seat air tube 104 is connected to the first branch tube 102a through a first air supply / exhaust valve 103 which is an electromagnetic valve. The tube 104 is branched into two tubes, one of which is connected to an airbag 65 for massage of the buttocks and the other is connected to an airbag 66 for massage of the thighs.

A flexible footrest air tube 106 is connected to the second branch tube 102b through a second air supply / exhaust valve 105 which is an electromagnetic valve. The tube 106 is branched into four tubes, each of which is individually connected to the airbags 46 to 49 for foot massage.

A flexible seat air tube 108 is connected to the third branch tube 102c through a third air supply / exhaust valve 107 which is an electromagnetic valve. The tube 184 is branched into two tubes, which are individually connected to a pair of calf massage airbags 72.

An air distributor 109 composed of a rotary valve is connected to the fourth branch tube 102d. A first port of the distributor 109 is connected to a shoulder air bag 61 via a flexible air tube 110, and an opening / closing valve 111 composed of a solenoid valve is provided in the middle of the air tube 110. There is. Air distributor 1
The second port of 09 is connected to the back airbag 62 via the flexible air tube 112, and an opening / closing valve 113 formed of a solenoid valve is provided in the middle of the air tube 112. The third port of the air distributor 109 is a flexible air tube 11
An on-off valve 1 which is connected to a waist airbag 63 via a solenoid valve 4 and is formed of a solenoid valve in the middle of the air tube 114.
15 are provided. Each on-off valve 111, 113, 11
No. 5 normally maintains the open state, and is closed only when necessary to shut off the flow path to maintain the airbags 61 to 63 in the inflated state.

The air pump 101, each air supply / exhaust valve 103,
105, 107, an air distributor 109, and on-off valves,
The operations of 111, 113, and 115 are controlled by the control device 116 including a microcomputer according to an instruction from the remote controller 78. The control device 116 and each on-off valve, 111, 113, 115, are provided in the airbag 61 to
It constitutes a pressure adjusting means for adjusting the air pressure of 63.

The control device 116 controls the operation of the electric motor 18 of the drive device 17 to move the treatment unit 16 and also controls the operation of the electric motor (driver) 20 in the treatment unit 16 to control the treatment element. 21 is driven. Further, the control device 116 includes the second and the third provided on the seat portion 4.
While controlling the operation of the electric motor 34 of the massage mechanisms 31 and 32 to drive the treatment element 33, the operation of the electric motor 50 of the fourth massage mechanism 44 provided on the footrest 41 is controlled to control the treatment element 45. It is designed to drive.

The massage machine 1 having the above structure is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), each of the covers 51, 52, 71 can be used by arranging them in the respective use positions, and these covers 51, 52, 71 can be respectively used in FIG. 1 (B) or FIG.
It can be used by moving it to the retracted position as shown in. In addition,
The treatment element 21 provided on the backrest 5 is arranged close to the home position (also referred to as a storage position), that is, the upper end of the backrest 5 when not in use, and is removed above the airbags 61 to 63 of the first cover 51. Is located.

In the use state of FIG. 1A, the first cover 5
1 covers the treatment element 21 provided on the backrest 5, and the second
The cover 52 covers the treatment element 33 provided on the seat portion 4,
The third cover 71 covers the treatment element 45 provided on the footrest 41. The position of the third cover 71 in this state is held by a magic fastener (registered trademark) or the like. In the state of FIG. 1A, the air supply / exhaust device 77 supplies / exhausts air to / from a designated one of the airbags 61 to 63, 65, 66, 72 or an airbag carrying a designated course. As a result, it repeatedly expands and contracts, and a human body seated on the chair body 2 can be air massaged from the back side thereof.

With the air massage stopped, one of the massage mechanisms 11, 31, 32, 44
When the designated massage mechanism or the massage mechanism for the designated course is operated, the massager 2
With 1, 33, 45, a mechanical massage can be applied to the human body sitting on the chair body 2 from the back side thereof. The treatment parts are air bags 61 to 63, 65, 66,
Since the massaging elements 21, 33, 45 are covered with the respective covers 51, 52, 71 to which 72 is attached, it is the same as the part to which the air massage can be applied. When the first massage mechanism 11 is operated, the treatment unit 16 is operated by the operation of the drive unit 17 of the first massage mechanism 11.
It is moved to the position corresponding to the back side of ~ 63.

In the case of this mechanical massage, the strength of the massage exerted on the human body by the massagers 21, 33, 45 depends on the cover 51, 52, 71 covered according to the massage mechanism used. Since it is slightly attenuated by the cushioning property, a relatively soft massage can be performed. However, as shown in FIG. 1 (B) or FIG. 2, each cover 51,
When performing a mechanical massage with the 52 and 71 moved to the retracted position, the treatment elements 21, 33, 4 are
Since 5 is directly or directly applied to the human body, a strong massage can be given. Therefore, by selecting whether or not to use the covers 51, 52, 71 according to the preference of the user or the physical condition of the user, a massage can be performed with a desired strength, which is convenient.

When no massage is performed, the cushioning properties of the covers 51, 52, 71 make it possible to improve the comfort of sitting on the chair body 2 and the first cover 5
Since 1 prevents the back part of the human body from directly hitting the treatment element 21 protruding in front of the backrest 5,
From this point as well, it is possible to improve the comfort of sitting. In this case, by pressing the adjusting switch 93 or 94 of the remote controller 78, it is possible to select the strength of the cushioning property of each of the covers 51, 52 and 71.

Further, the massage machine 1 having the above structure can be operated in the massage mode shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 78 in the massage of the backrest 5.

In the example of FIG. 5, the shoulder airbag 61, the back airbag 62, and the waist airbag 63 are shown.
The first massage mechanism 11 in a state in which the
This is the case of starting to use and doing a mechanical massage.

In this operation, the treatment element 21 is first moved from the retracted position to the position on the back side of the shoulder airbag 61 and stopped there for a predetermined time to perform a mechanical massage. It is moved to the back side position of the lower part airbag 62 and stopped at that position for a predetermined time to perform a mechanical massage. Further, after a predetermined time has passed, it is moved to the back side position of the lower back airbag 63 and at that position. Stop for a predetermined time and give a mechanical massage. Next, after a predetermined time, it is moved to the back side position of the back airbag 62, and at that position, it stops for a predetermined time to perform a mechanical massage, and after a predetermined time, it is moved to the back side position of the shoulder airbag 61. Have been moved
Stop at that position for a predetermined time and perform a mechanical massage. Then, as described above, each operation from the position of the shoulder airbag 61 to the position of the shoulder airbag 61 again is defined as one cycle, and the operation is repeated a predetermined number of times.

In such an operation, first the treatment element 2
At time t1 when 1 starts moving from the storage position to the back side position of the shoulder airbag 61, the massage by the expansion and contraction operation of the airbags 61 to 63 is stopped in synchronization with this start. In this case, each air bag 61-6
Although all 3 may be in a contracted state, in the case of the present embodiment, a predetermined air pressure (which is a pressure lower than the maximum expansion pressure and includes atmospheric pressure) is maintained. This holding is obtained by closing the on-off valves 111, 113, 115 at an appropriate timing. As described above, since the expansion and contraction of each of the airbags 61 to 63 is stopped during the operation of the first massage mechanism 11, the respective airbags 61 to 63 are not expanded or contracted, and the pressing force of the treatment element 21 causes Air bag 61
The internal pressures of 63 to 63 are not excessively increased, and the durability of the airbags 61 to 63 can be improved. Moreover,
In the present embodiment, since the expansion is maintained to some extent as described above, each part of the upper half of the human body can be softly massaged to some extent by the damping of the massage force there.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the airbags 61 to 61 are operated while the first massage mechanism 11 is operating as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 63 is a case where the air massage is performed by repeating the expansion and contraction in sequence.

In this operation, the air bags 61 to 6
At time t2 when the air bag 61 that is first inflated and deflated in 3 is supplied and exhausted, at the same time as this supply and exhaust, the treatment element 2
1 is moved to a predetermined position, for example, a storage position, the operation of the first massage mechanism 11 is stopped, and thereafter, inflation and deflation of the airbags 61 to 63 are sequentially repeated in the order of arrangement to perform the air massage. . In this case, the first massage mechanism 11 is not operated, and its wear is not accelerated or driving noise is not generated. Even if the treatment element 21 is moved to the storage position, the supporting member 25 is provided on the backrest 5, so that the inflating airbags 61 to 63 are prevented from escaping to the back side and the massage force is reduced. It is possible to have a good air massage.

In the example of FIG. 7, the state where the first massage mechanism 11 is operated as shown in FIG. 5 or the state where the airbags 61 to 63 are repeatedly inflated and contracted as shown in FIG. This is the case when the mechanical massage is stopped or the air massage is stopped. In other words, both mechanical and pneumatic massages are in a stopped state.

In the case of FIG. 7, after the time t3 when the air massage is stopped, each of the air bags 61 to 63 holds the initial air pressure (pressure lower than the maximum inflation pressure). This holding is obtained by closing the on-off valves 111, 113, 115 at an appropriate timing. Therefore, when using as shown in FIG. 1A in a non-massage state, each cover 51,
Since both 52 and 71 can be used as cushions, the usability can be improved.

In the example of FIGS. 8 and 9, each air bag 61 is
This is a case where at least one of ~ 63 is expanded and used in synchronization with the operation of the treatment element 21.

More specifically, at least one of the airbags that do not overlap the treatment element 21 is expanded and contracted in synchronization with the operation of the treatment element 21. In the case of FIG. 8, when the treatment element 21 is moved to the back side of the shoulder airbag 61 and is operating, the shoulder airbag 61 is held in a contracted state and the back airbag 62 is provided. Also, the waist airbag 63 is in an inflated state. Treatment child 21
Is moved to the back side of the back airbag 62 and is in operation, the back airbag 62 is held in a contracted state, and both the shoulder airbag 61 and the waist airbag 63 are inflated. Is in a state. When the treatment element 21 is moved and arranged on the back side of the waist airbag 63 and is in operation, the waist airbag 63 is held in a contracted state, and the shoulder airbag 61 and the back airbag 62 are both Is also inflated.

Similarly, in the case of FIG. 9, when the treatment element 21 is moved and arranged on the back side of the shoulder airbag 61 and is in operation, all the airbags 61 to 63 are held in a contracted state, The back airbag 62 is in an inflated state. When the treatment element 21 is moved and arranged behind the back airbag 62 and is in operation, both the back airbag 62 and the waist airbag 63 are held in a contracted state, and the shoulder airbag is maintained. 61 is in an expanded state. When the massaging device 21 is moved and arranged on the back side of the waist airbag 63 and is operating, the waist airbag 6
3 and the back airbag 62 are both held in a contracted state, and the shoulder airbag 61 is in an inflated state.

As described above, the mechanical massage and the air massage by the treatment element 21 can be performed synchronously by shifting the position in the longitudinal direction of the chair body 2. for that reason,
The human body can be massaged at a plurality of points at the same time, so that there is little waste of time and the driving time in course driving can be shortened.

Further, the treatment element 21 is moved from the top to the bottom of the backrest 5, then inverted and moved from the bottom to the top.

Under this condition, in the example of FIG. 8, the position where the treatment element 21 is to be moved next to the position where the treatment element 21 is exerting a mechanical massage, as can be seen from the operation described above. The air bag is inflated and compressed to give an air massage to the human body. In other words, the portion to be treated of the human body adjacent to the downstream side in the moving direction of the treatment element 21 can be air-massed prior to the treatment element 21. Therefore, the treated portion is not suddenly strongly massaged by the treatment element 21, and the treated portion is mechanically massaged by the treatment element 21 in a state where the treated portion is adapted by the air massage performed in advance. be able to.
Therefore, there is little discomfort.

Under the same condition, in the example of FIG. 9, as can be seen from the above-described operation, the treatment element 21 has already been subjected to the mechanical massage, and the treatment element 21 has already been treated before that.
The air bag in the treated area of the human body, which has been mechanically massaged by, is inflated and deflated to give the human body an air massage. In other words, the massager 21 to be moved can be chased, so that an air bag adjacent to the upstream side of the massager 21 in the moving direction can perform an air massage on the treated part of the human body. With the subsequent air massage, it is possible to loosen the strong massage part that was already the treatment element 21.

In the example of FIG. 10, a plurality of airbags 61 to 61 are provided.
In the case where the massager 21 is repeatedly reciprocated and mechanically massaged as described above in the state where any airbag out of 63 is inflated and maintained at a predetermined pressure (pressure lower than the maximum inflation pressure). is there. In the example of FIG. 10, the airbag 62 for the back part is inflated and held, and the other airbag 61,
Since 63 is held in a contracted state, the massaging force when the treatment element 21 is moved and arranged on the back side of the air bag 62 is larger than the massage force when the treatment element 21 is moved and arranged on the back side of the air bags 61, 63. The massage power can be weakened. By inflating and holding the desired airbag in this manner, the portion to be treated corresponding to that portion can be weakly massaged, and the other portions to be treated can be strongly massaged, so that it is easy to match the preference of the user.

Each of the above operations is executed by controlling the air supply / exhaust device 77 and each massage mechanism 11, 31, 32, 44 based on the designation by the remote controller 78. Then, in the case of FIG. 10, the designation for weakening the massage force is to select the position selection switch 8
This is done by pressing the soft switch 95 after selecting at least one of 3 to 86.

FIG. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. Since this embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the configuration and operation thereof is omitted. Will be described.

The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the air distributor is omitted and the fourth branch tube 1 is used.
Each of the branched distal ends of 02d is individually connected to the airbags 61 to 63 via electromagnetic switching valves 211, 213, and 215 having exhaust ports. Switching valve 21
1, 213, and 215 can select an intake position to the air bag, an exhaust position to discharge the air in the air bag to the atmosphere, and a closed position to close the flow path to the air bag. Further, an electromagnetic on-off valve 121 is provided between the first air supply / exhaust valve 103 and the hip airbag 65, and the first air supply / exhaust valve 103 and the thigh airbag 66 are provided.
The point is that an electromagnetic on-off valve 122 is also provided between and. Each of the valves 121, 122, 211, 213, 215 is controlled to be opened and closed by the control device 116. The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment including the configuration not shown in FIG.

In this second embodiment, the air bags 61-
In the case of sequentially expanding and contracting 63, the switching valves 211, 21
3, 215 are sequentially controlled to be performed. Airbag 61-
To adjust the air pressure of 63, air bags 61-63
The time to maintain the intake position to open the flow path to is controlled. The air pressure of the air bags 65 and 66 is adjusted by closing the on-off valves 121 and 122 at an appropriate timing while the air bags 65 and 66 are being supplied with air. Therefore, the controller 116 and each valve 121, 12
2, 211, 213, and 215 form pressure adjusting means for adjusting the air pressure of the air bag.

Also in the configuration of the second embodiment, the same operation as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the massage by the mechanically driven massager and the air massage can be applied to the same part of the human body. Moreover, in the second embodiment, the switching valves 211, 21
The air bags 61 to 63 can be adjusted to a predetermined inflated state and held by the control of 3, 215, and the on-off valve 12
The air bags 65 and 66 can be adjusted to a predetermined inflated state and held by the control of Nos. 1 and 122. Therefore,
The backrest portion 5 when seated in the state of (A)
When operating the massager 21 and the massager 33 of the seat portion 4 to perform a mechanical massage, the air bags 61 to 6
By appropriately adjusting the degree of expansion of 3, 65 and 66, the massaging force applied to the human body by the covers 51 and 52 can be adjusted. Therefore, it is possible to perform a mechanical massage according to the user's preference and physical condition.

FIG. 14 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Since this embodiment has basically the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the configuration and operation thereof is omitted. Will be described.

The difference of the third embodiment from the first embodiment is that only one air bag 231 is provided on the first cover 51 and one air bag 2 is provided on the second cover 52.
32 is one. The treatment element 21 can be moved from the storage position and placed on the back side of the airbag 231. The treatment element 33 is arranged on the back side of the air bag 232. The configuration other than the above points is the same as that of the first embodiment including the configuration not shown in FIG.

Also in the configuration of the third embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment is obtained, and the mechanically driven massaging elements 21, 22 are obtained.
And the air massage by the air bags 231, 232 can be applied to the same part of the human body.

FIG. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows an application example as a mat type massage machine 300.

Reference numeral 301 in FIG. 15 shows a mat body as a body of the massage machine. A headrest 302 having a cushioning property is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, and a footrest 303 having a cushioning property is provided at the other end. ing. The upper surface cloth 301a (body support surface) between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the mat body 301 is flexible.

The mat body 301 has a plurality of massaging elements 304 (only one is shown) built therein for performing a mechanical massage. The treatment element 304 is a rotating roller, and projections are provided at intervals on the outer peripheral surface thereof. This treatment child 304
The support table 305 is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the mat body 301 by the moving device 306. The moving device 306 is a belt 309 wound around a driving roller 307 and a driven roller 308 which are rotated in the forward and reverse directions by an electric motor (not shown).
And a tensioner 310 for stretching the belt 309, a guide 311 for guiding the belt 309, and the like. The support 305 having wheels is connected to a part of the belt 309. Therefore, the support 305 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the mat body 301 as the drive roller 306 rotates forward and backward. At this time, the treatment element 304 rolls on the back surface of the surface cloth 301a so as to push the surface cloth 301a away.

The upper surface of the outer cloth 301a of the mat body 301 is covered with a cover 312. The cover 312 can be moved between a use position covering the upper surface of the outer cloth 301a and a retracted position separated from the upper surface, and in this case, the cover 312 can be separated from the mat body 301 and optionally retracted.

The cover 312 is formed by attaching one or more air bags 313 as air-driven treatment elements to a cover body made of flexible cloth or leather. It does not prevent that a thin cushion material such as urethane foam is built in the cover 311. In the contracted state, the flexible airbags 313 each have a rectangular shape, and extend in the width direction of the cover body and then the mat body 302. Further, the airbags 313 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cover body and then the mat body 302 and built in the cover body. Has been done. Air bag 31
3 is provided for massaging each part of the human body by repeating the expansion and contraction.

Each air bag 313 repeats expansion and contraction in accordance with air supply / exhaust of an air supply / exhaust device (not shown) to perform an air massage. But,
Alternatively, it may be adjusted to a desired expansion state. The moving device 306 and each airbag 31
The control of No. 3 can be appropriately configured as in the first and second embodiments. Reference numeral 315 in FIG. 15 indicates the first
A supporting member such as a belt similar to the supporting member described in the embodiment is shown.

Even in the structure of such a mat type massage machine 300, since the cover 312 can be attached to and detached from the mat body 301 so as to cover the massaging element 304 that makes a mechanical massage, the mechanical massage by the mechanical driving type massaging element 304 and each An air massage due to the expansion and contraction of the air bag 313 can be applied to the same part of the human body supported on the mat body 301, and when performing a mechanical massage, a massage force depending on whether the cover 312 is used or not. You can change the strength. Also, the cover 312
By adjusting the inflated air pressure of each of the airbags 313, it is possible to adjust the strength of the mechanical massage by the treatment element 304, and it is also possible to adjust the degree of cushion in the massaged state.

[0080]

The present invention is carried out in the form as described above, and has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a massage machine capable of adjusting the air pressure of the air bag in the cover to adjust the massage force of the mechanically driven massaging element.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the cover containing the air bag that is inflated and contracted covers the mechanically driven massaging element, the massage and the air bag by the mechanically driven massaging element. It is possible to provide a massage machine that can apply an air massage to the same part of the human body.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a chair-type massage machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the massage machine in which the cover included in the massage machine according to the first embodiment is arranged in the retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the massage machine in which the cover included in the massage machine according to the first embodiment is arranged in the retracted position and the chair body is partially cut away.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the massage machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a treatment element included in the massage machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view showing operation timings of a backrest treatment element and an airbag of the massage machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing operation timings of a backrest treatment element and an airbag of the massage machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view showing operation timings of a backrest treatment element and an airbag of the massage machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view showing operation timings of a backrest treatment element and an airbag of the massage machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view showing operation timings of a backrest treatment element and an airbag of the massage machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view showing operation timings of a backrest treatment element and an airbag of the massage machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a remote controller included in the massage machine according to the first embodiment.

12 (A) and 12 (B) are a plan view and a sectional view of an airbag provided in the massage machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control system of a mat type massage machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a massage machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a massage machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Massage machine 2 ... Chair body (massage machine body) 11 ... First massage mechanism 14 ... Guide shaft 15 ... Drive screw shaft 16 ... Treatment unit 17 ... Drive device 21 ... Treatment element 31 ... Second massage mechanism 32 ... Third Massage mechanism 33 ... Treatment element 41 ... Footrest 44 ... Fourth massage mechanism 45 ... Treatment element 51 ... First cover 52 ... Second covers 61-63 ... Air bags 61-63 ... Air bag 71 ... Third cover 72 ... Air bag 77 ... Air supply / exhaust devices 111, 113, 115 ... Open / close valve (pressure adjusting means) 116 ... Control device (pressure adjusting means) 121, 122 ... Open / close valve (pressure adjusting means) 211, 213, 215 ... With exhaust port Electromagnetic switching valve (pressure adjusting means) 300 ... Mat type massage machine 301 ... Mat body (massage machine body) 304 ... Treatment element 312 ... Bar 313 ... air bag

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) A61H 23/02 357 A61H 23/02 357 (72) Inventor Ikuo Oshima 43 Horiyamashita, Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture Toshiba Tec Hadano Factory F-term (reference) 4C074 AA03 AA04 BB05 CC13 CC17 GG03 HH02 4C100 AD01 AD11 AE11 AF06 BB03 BC11 CA06 CA07 CA08 CA09 CA15 DA05 DA06 DA10 DA11 EA09 EA12

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A massaging machine body, a mechanically driven massaging element that performs a massaging operation, a massaging mechanism provided on the massaging machine body, and an air bag to cover the massaging element. A flexible cover provided on the main body of the machine, a pressure adjusting means for adjusting the air pressure of the airbag,
Massage machine equipped with. 2. A massaging machine main body, a mechanically driven massaging element that performs a massaging operation, a massaging mechanism provided on the massaging machine main body, and an air bag that expands and contracts to massage the massaging element. A massager including a flexible cover provided on the body of the massager so as to cover the air bag, and an air supply / exhaust device for supplying / exhausting air to / from the air bag. 3. The massage machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the airbag is formed by laminating sheets. 4. The massage machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover is removable from a use position that covers the treatment element. 5. The massage machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein massage by the air bag is stopped when the treatment element is operated. 6. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein the massager is stopped at a predetermined position during a massage operation by the air bag. 7. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein when the massage by the massager and the massage by the air bag are both stopped, the air bag has a predetermined pressure. Inflated and held. 8. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the airbags are provided, and at least one of the airbags is synchronized with a massage operation of the treatment element. Expand and contract. 9. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the airbags are provided, and at least one of the airbags that does not overlap with the operated treatment element. One expands and contracts in synchronization with the massage operation of the treatment element. 10. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the airbags are provided, and the airbags are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the massager main body. The massagers are sequentially used in the arranging direction, and the treatment elements are provided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the massage machine main body, and are used after or in advance of an airbag that is sequentially inflated and used. It is moved to a position corresponding to the air bag and used. 11. The massage machine according to claim 2, wherein the massager is provided so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the massage machine body, and the plurality of airbags are provided. Then, these air bags are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the massage machine main body, and the massager main body of the massage machine main body is held in a state where the air pressure of the air bag selected from the respective air bags is maintained at a predetermined pressure. Used by moving in the longitudinal direction.