JP2003062023A - Device for massaging lower limb - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for massaging the lower limb which exhibit a massaging effect through hot water effect, aggressively oppressing a specified diseased site and taking off the stiffness thereof so as to exhibit massaging effect, in the device for massaging the lower limb which uses hot water. SOLUTION: The device for massaging the lower limb comprises a tapered massaging member 2 wound around the lower limb 1 and a hot water feeding mechanism 3 for feeding a hot water to the tapered massaging member 2. The massaging member 2, formed of an extensible and contractable member, is provided with a plurality of independent partitioned chambers 2A, 2B, and 2C. The hot water feeding mechanism 3 is provided with hot water feeding tubes 4a, 4b, and 4c which are connected with the respective partitioned chambers 2A, 2B and 2C, and controlling valves 5a, 5b, and 5c, provided in the respective hot water feeding tubes 4a, 4b, and 4c, for controlling the opening/ closing operation of flow paths, and a controller 6 for controlling the opening/ closing operation of the 5a, 5b, and 5c in a predetermined order. The respective partitioned chambers 2A, 2B, and 2C are expanded with a hot water fed from the hot water feeding tubes 4a, 4b and 4c, thus oppressing the lower limb 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lower limb massaging device, and more particularly to a lower limb massaging device formed so as to be able to massage an affected area using hot water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device of this type, for example, a pipe for flowing high-temperature hot water and a pipe for low-temperature hot water are provided in a pad wound around a lower limb, and hot water is supplied from a hot water supply mechanism to each pipe. Some are formed so as to be supplied (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 61-48722).

[0003]

By the way, this type of device uses the warmth of hot water to expand the blood vessels and promote blood circulation, but in order to obtain a greater effect of fatigue recovery by massage, It is preferably formed so that the affected area can be positively pressed and massaged.

However, the conventional product has a mechanism in which hot water having different temperatures is caused to flow through the respective pipes provided in the pad, and the difference in hot water temperature is utilized to promote blood circulation. Therefore, in the case of the conventional product, it did not have the function of pressing the affected area to actively perform blood circulation or rubbing and relaxing the muscle, so using the conventional product will stop the warming effect of hot water and recover fatigue from the affected area. It was not possible to obtain a sufficient massage effect such as promotion of blood circulation.

The present invention has been proposed in view of such problems of the conventional products.

Therefore, a technical problem of the present invention is that, in a lower limb massaging device that uses hot water, not only can a massage effect due to the heat of hot water be obtained, but also that a specific part of the affected area can be positively pressed or massaged. The object is to provide a lower limb massaging device that is formed so as to enable a high massaging effect.

[0007]

The present invention adopts the following technical means in order to solve the above problems.

That is, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
A massage device for a lower limb 1 formed by a planar massage member 2 wound around the lower limb 1 and a hot water supply mechanism 3 for supplying hot water into the massage member 2, , A plurality of compartments 2A independent of each other,
2B and 2C, which are formed of elastic members, and the hot water supply mechanism 3 is connected to the partition chambers 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively, and hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, and 4c, and the hot water supply pipes 4a and 4c.
b, 4c are provided with control valves 5a, 5b, 5c for controlling the opening and closing of the flow path, and a controller 6 for controlling the opening and closing of the respective control valves 5a, 5b, 5c in a preset order. The partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2 described above
C is swelled by the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c, and the lower limb 1 is pressed (claim 1).

In the case of the present invention, the above-mentioned massage member 2
Specifically, it is realized by laminating an elastic member such as a rubber sheet. The size, shape, number, etc. of the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C are arbitrary.

In the case of the present invention, the partition chambers 2A, 2B,
2C are formed in a column shape corresponding to the vertical direction of the lower limb 1,
The controller 6 includes a partition room 2A on one side corresponding to the lower side of the lower limb 1 to a partition room 2 on the other side corresponding to the upper side of the lower limb 1.
It is preferable that the storage portion 6a is formed so as to store the procedure of supplying hot water in sequence toward C and pressing the lower limb 1 from below (claim 2).

Because, according to this, the massage member 2
This is because the lower limbs 1 presses the lower limb 1 from the lower side to the upper side one by one, so that the blood is pushed back toward the heart to help promote blood circulation.
Examples of the controller 6 include a microcomputer and a sequencer.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 etc., drainage pipes 14 for use in draining hot water are respectively connected to the partition chambers 2A, 2B and 2C, and each drainage pipe 14 is connected from the controller 6 to the drainage pipes 14. It is preferable that each drainage control valve 15 is provided to control the opening and closing of the flow path by the signal (Claim 3).

In this case, the partition chambers 2A, 2B,
Since the hot water in 2C can be drained from the dedicated drain pipe 14, it is useful for smoothing and speeding up the swelling and contracting actions of the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C, and the delayed drainage delays the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C.
This is because it is possible to prevent the hot water in C from cooling and the heat effect from decreasing.

Further, in the case of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 etc., the hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c connected to the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C are diverted to the tip portion 7a of the hot water supply passage 7. The hot water supply path 7 and the drainage pipe 14 are connected to the communication pipe 16
It is preferable that the communication pipe 16 is provided with a flow rate control valve 17 for preventing backflow from the drain pipe 14 and for controlling opening / closing of the flow path by a signal from the controller 6 (claim 4). ).

Because, according to this, the massage member 2
When not in use, by running hot water through the communication pipe 16 to the drain pipe 14, it is possible to maintain the operation of the pump 9, the water heater, etc. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the starting energy when using the massage member 2. is there. Further, in this case, even when the water heater is used as the hot water pressure source, the cold hot water at the time of initial operation can be drained from the communication pipe 16 to the drain pipe 14. Therefore, according to this, there is an advantage that the hot water having a constant temperature can be stably supplied to the massage member 2, and the warming effect of the hot water can be surely applied to the affected area from the beginning.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c of the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C are provided.
It is preferable that a bypass 18 be provided in the hot water supply path 7 connected to the hot water supply path, and an adjuster 19 for adjusting the flow rate and the pressure of the hot water be provided in the bypass 18.

This is because, in this case, the flow rate and pressure of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply passage 7 can be controlled also by the adjuster 19, which is useful for adjusting the tightening force of the massage member 2. The adjuster 19 is, for example, a servo valve or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4 connected to the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C.
c is connected to the tip portion 7a of the hot water supply path 7 in a branched manner, a flexible branch pipe 20 is provided in communication with the hot water supply path 7, and a shower nozzle 21 is provided at the tip of the branch pipe 20. Is preferred (claim 6).

This is because, according to this, the user can not only massage but also take a shower to promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. Here, the flexible branch pipe 20 means a pipe made of rubber, vinyl, or the like so that it can bend and stretch. Specifically, there is a hose.

Further, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, the massage member 2 including the partition chambers 2A, 2B and 2C is formed at the position of the front drip 22a of the body portion 22 formed in a chair shape. A pair of right and left may be provided corresponding to the calves of the user 23 sitting on the seat 22b of the part 22 (claim 7).

This is because, in this case, the user can sit on the main body 22 and receive a massage in a comfortable posture in the bathroom or the like.

In the case of the present invention, a mat 24 for warming the sole of the user 23 sitting on the seat 22b of the main body 22 is provided, and hot water is supplied to the mat 24 by the hot water supply mechanism 3. Is preferred (claim 8).

This is because, according to this, it is possible to prevent the soles of the feet from cooling and to promote the blood circulation of the lower limbs 1.

Further, the present invention, as shown in FIG.
It is preferable that a shower injection unit 25 for showering a user 23 sitting on the seat 22b of the main body unit 22 is provided, and hot water is supplied to the shower injection unit 25 by the hot water supply mechanism 3 (claim 9).

This is because, according to this, the user 23 can take a shower with the massage of the lower limbs 1 in a comfortable posture while sitting on the main body 22, and further promote blood circulation.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the present invention is formed by a planar massage member 2 wound around the lower limb 1 and a hot water supply mechanism 3 for supplying hot water into the massage member 2. ing.

The massage member 2 is provided with a plurality of partition chambers 2A, 2B and 2C which are independent of each other and is formed of an elastic member. In the present embodiment, the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C are formed in a column shape corresponding to the vertical direction of the lower limb 1, and the partition chamber 2A extends in the vertical direction so as to sandwich the partition chambers 2B, 2C from both sides. It is formed in a concave shape when viewed from the front. In addition, in this embodiment, the massage member 2 is formed by superposing the rubber sheet as the elastic member on the partition member 2a.
The partition chambers 2A, 2B, and 2C are formed so as to form a sealed independent space by bonding the peripheral portion 2b and the peripheral portion 2b together. Each partition chamber 2A, 2B, 2C is swelled with hot water supplied from hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c as described later, and presses the lower limb 1.

The hot water supply mechanism 3 is provided in each of the partition chambers 2 described above.
Hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4 respectively connected to A, 2B, 2C
c, control valves 5a, 5b, 5c provided on the hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c for controlling the opening and closing of the flow path, and opening and closing the control valves 5a, 5b, 5c in a preset order. And a controller 6 for controlling.

In the present embodiment, the hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c are connected to the tip portion 7a of the hot water supply path 7 in a branched manner. The control valves 5a, 5b and 5c are electrically connected to the output port of the microcomputer as the controller 6. Further, the controller 6 sequentially supplies hot water from the partition chamber 2A on one side corresponding to the lower part of the lower limb 1 to the partition chamber 2C on the other side corresponding to the upper part of the lower limb 1 to press the lower limb 1 from below. The storage unit 6a is formed so as to store the procedure to be followed.

In this embodiment, one end 7b of the hot water supply path 7 is connected to a hot water storage tank 8 in a communicating manner. 9 is a pump as a hot water supply pressure source, and 10 is a pressure reducing valve. Reference numeral 11 is a return path for returning hot water from the hot water supply path 7 into the tank 8. The hot water supply path 7 and the return path 11 are appropriately provided with valves 12 and 13 for opening and closing the flow paths.

Next, the operation of the device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user bends the massage member 2 (see FIG. 3), wraps it around the lower leg 1, for example, the calf, and attaches it using a fixing tool such as a stop band. Then, in this state, the operation switch of the pump 9 is turned on to drive the pump 9.
At this time, the valve 12 is open and the valve 13 is closed. The control valve 5a is open and the control valves 5b and 5c are closed.

When the pump 9 is driven, hot water is pumped out from the tank 8, reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 10 to a predetermined pressure, and flows from the hot water supply path 7 through the hot water supply pipe 4a to be supplied to the partition chamber 2A. The amount of hot water supplied to the partition chamber 2A is controlled by the control valve 5
It is determined by the valve opening time of a. That is, when the opening time of the control valve 5a is long, the supply amount of hot water increases, and when it is short, it decreases.
This valve opening time is appropriately selected in consideration of the capacities of the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C, the degree of bulging (tightening force), and the like.

When the valve opening time reaches the set value, the controller 6 sends a control signal to the control valve 5a, thereby closing the control valve 5a. As a result, the partition room 2A
Inflate with a preset amount of hot water, and in this embodiment, compress the lower part of the calf and both sides of the shin.

Next, the control valve 5b is opened and the hot water is separated into the partition chamber 2B.
Flow into. When a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the partition chamber 2B, the control valve 5b is closed by the control signal from the controller 6. As a result, the partition chamber 2B is inflated with hot water, pressing the central position of the calf and pushing up the blood.

After that, the control valve 5c is opened, and hot water is supplied to the partition chamber 2C. When the valve opening time reaches the set value, the control signal from the controller 6 closes the control valve 5c. As a result, the partition chamber 2C is inflated with hot water and presses the upper part of the calf to further push up the blood.

After the partition chambers 2A, 2B and 2C swell in order from the bottom, and after a certain time has elapsed, the control valves 5a,
5b and 5c are opened by the control signal from the controller 6. At this time, the valve 12 is closed and the valve 13 is opened. The hot water in the compartments 2A, 2B, 2C is controlled by the control valves 5a, 5
When b and 5c are opened, the massaging member 2 is made of a stretchable member and is pushed out by its restoring force.
As a result, the hot water pushed out flows backward through the hot water supply pipes 4a, 4b, 4c, flows through the return path 11, and is returned to the tank 8. The present invention massages the lower limb 1 by the massage member 2 repeating such pressurizing and depressurizing actions.

In the above process, the massage members 2 may be formed in a pair so that both feet of the user can be massaged at the same time, and each massage member 2 may be connected to the hot water supply path 7, respectively. Further, in the above example, the hot water supply pressure source of the hot water supply mechanism 3 is constituted by the pump 9, but in the present invention, instead of supplying the hot water from the tank 8 by the pump 9, a hot water supply device or the like is used. But good.

The present invention may also be formed so that hot water is drained from the partition chambers 2A, 2B, 2C through a dedicated drain pipe 14 (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 4, 15
Is a drainage control valve for controlling the opening and closing of the flow path of the drainage pipe 14. The drainage control valve 15 is electrically connected to the output port of the controller 6.

Further, in the case of the present invention, the hot water supply path 7 and the drainage pipe 14 are connected by a communication pipe 16 (see FIG. 5 etc.), and a flow rate control valve 17 is provided in this communication pipe 16 and this flow rate control valve 17 is provided. The controller 6 may be formed so as to be opened and closed. Further, according to the present invention, the hot water supply passage 7 is provided with the bypass passage 18 (see FIG. 6 and the like), and the bypass passage 18 is provided with, for example, a servo valve as the adjuster 19 for adjusting the flow rate and pressure of the hot water. But good. In the case of the present invention, specifically, the maximum value of the tightening force of the massage member 2 is determined by the pressure reducing valve 10 to prevent an excessive tightening force from being applied to the user, and the strength of the massage is adjusted by the adjuster 19. Is adjusted according to the user's preference. Further, in the present invention, a flexible branch pipe 20 (see FIG. 8) may be provided in the hot water supply path 7, and a shower nozzle 21 may be provided at the tip of the branch pipe 20 so as to have a shower function. .

Further, in the apparatus of the present invention, the massage member 2 described above can be used by sitting on the seat portion of the main body portion 22 at the position of the front drop 22a of the main body portion 22 (see FIG. 9, etc.) formed in a chair shape. A pair of right and left may be provided corresponding to the calves of the user 23 sitting on the seat 22b. According to this invention, the calf as the lower limb 1 is divided into the partition chambers 2A, 2B,
When 2C swells, it is compressed (see the chain line state in FIG. 11),
The user 23 can massage the lower limb 1 in a comfortable posture. Further, in the case of the device of the present invention, a mat 24 (see FIGS. 9 and 12) for warming the sole of the user 23 is provided, and hot water is supplied to the mat 24 by the hot water supply mechanism 3. It is okay.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the present invention further comprises a shower jetting portion 25 for showering a user 23 sitting on the seat portion 22b of the main body portion 22, and the shower jetting portion 25 is filled with hot water. It may be formed so as to be supplied by the hot water supply mechanism 3. In the case of this embodiment, the shower spouts are provided in a left-right pair on both sides of the backrest 22c, and are retracted rearward when not in use around the mounting position of the rear end 25a and tilted forward when in use. It is formed so that it can be placed. Further, a plurality of nozzles 25b facing the body of the user 23 are provided in the shower jet portion.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, the lower limbs are massaged by supplying hot water to each partition chamber to swell or contract the partition chamber. Therefore, in the case of the present invention, since a specific region of the lower limb can be pressed and massaged by the partitioning chamber in a pinpoint manner, the use of this can effectively heat and massage the affected area as well as the warming action of hot water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, in which A is a configuration diagram and B is a front view of a massage member.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the above apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the massage member when in use.

FIG. 4 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

11 is a cross-sectional view of main parts taken along the line XI-XI of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining the flow of hot water in the device of the present invention according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a side view for explaining another embodiment of the device of the present invention.

14 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining the flow of hot water in the device of the present invention according to FIG. 13. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 lower limb 2 massage members 2A, 2B, 2C partition room 3 hot water supply mechanism 4a, 4b, 4c Hot water supply pipe 5a, 5b, 5c Control valve 6 controller

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 4C094 AA01 BB16 BC12 DD14 EE20                       FF02 FF05 GG03                 4C099 AA01 CA09 EA08 GA23 HA10                       PA04 PA09 TA03                 4C100 AD02 BA05 BA07 BB05 BC12                       BC14 CA08 DA10 EA06

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A massage device for a lower limb formed by a planar massage member wound around a lower limb and a hot water supply mechanism for supplying hot water into the massage member, wherein the massage member comprises: The hot water supply mechanism is provided with a plurality of partition chambers independent of each other, and is formed of a telescopic member. And a controller for controlling opening / closing of each control valve in a preset order, and each partition chamber is swelled with the hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe. , A lower limb massage device characterized in that the lower limbs are compressed. 2. The massaging device for the lower limbs according to claim 1, wherein the partition chambers are formed in a column shape corresponding to the vertical direction of the lower limbs, and the controller is located below the lower limbs from one partition chamber to the lower limbs. Massage of the lower limbs, characterized in that the lower limbs are formed with a storage unit that stores a procedure for sequentially supplying hot water to press the lower limbs from the lower side corresponding to the upper part of the lower limb. apparatus. 3. The massaging device for lower limbs according to claim 1, wherein drains for use in draining hot water are connected to the partition chamber, and the drains are connected to each other by a signal from a controller. A lower limb massaging device, characterized in that each of them is provided with a drainage control valve for controlling the opening and closing. 4. The massaging device for lower limbs according to claim 3, wherein each hot water supply pipe connected to the partition chamber is divergently connected to a front end portion of the hot water supply route, and the hot water supply route and the drain pipe are communication pipes. A massaging device for lower limbs, characterized in that the communication pipe is provided with a flow rate control valve for preventing backflow from the drainage pipe and for controlling opening and closing of the flow path by a signal from a controller. 5. The lower limb massage device according to claim 1, wherein a bypass passage is provided in a hot water supply passage connected to the hot water supply pipe of the partition chamber, and the bypass passage is provided with hot water. An apparatus for massaging the lower limbs, characterized in that an adjusting device for adjusting the flow rate and the pressure of the lower limb is provided. 6. The massaging device for lower limbs according to claim 1, wherein a hot water supply pipe connected to the partition chamber is divergently connected to a front end portion of the hot water supply route, and the hot water supply route is flexible. Massaging device for lower limbs, characterized in that the branch pipes are provided in a communicating manner, and a shower nozzle is provided at the tip of the branch pipes. 7. The massaging device for the lower limbs according to claim 1, wherein the massaging member having a partition chamber is formed in a chair shape at the front hanging position of the main body. A pair of left and right massaging devices characterized by being provided in a pair of left and right corresponding to the calves of a user who sits on the seat of the user. 8. The massaging device for the lower limbs according to claim 7, further comprising a mat for warming a sole of a user who sits down on a seat of the main body, and hot water is supplied into the mat by a hot water supply mechanism. A lower limb massage device characterized in that 9. The lower limb massaging device according to claim 7, further comprising a shower jet unit for showering a user sitting on a seat of the main body, and the shower jet unit is provided with hot water. Lower limb massage device characterized in that it is supplied by.