WO2001028487A1

WO2001028487A1 - Belt massage method and device for seat

Info

Publication number: WO2001028487A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/001176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moonchill Yang
Original assignee: Moonchill Yang
Priority date: 1999-10-19
Filing date: 2000-10-19
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Also published as: KR20020033597A; JP2003511210A; KR100538309B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a belt massage method and device for seat in which a user is capable of being massaged on body portions, with sitting down on a seat. The belt massage device comprises a motor installed on the back of the seat, a belt extended from a rotating portion which is eccentrically attached on a rotating shaft of the motor, and an armrest installed on the seat in which a belt guiding groove capable of guiding the belt is installed on a vertical extended portion of the armrest. The belt massage device enables the user to massage with sitting down on a seat. Therefore, spinal handicapped persons can easily use the belt massage device, and normal persons can do other works such as desk work, reading, computer work, etc, with massaging their body portions. It can be useful in the circulation of the blood and the fatigue recovery. When the belt massage device is applied to the seat of cars or airplanes, it can play a role of a safety belt and can get rid of fatigues during driving or travelling.

Description

BELT MASSAGE METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SEAT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a belt massage method and belt massage device of the chair type and, more particularly, to a belt massage method and belt massage device of the chair type designed to automatically and more effectively massage the body of a user while changing the target portions of the body to be massaged.

BACKGROUND ART

In a conventional belt massage device, the rotating motion of a drive motor is converted into vibration of a massaging belt, which actively vibrates the body portions of a user to massage a desired part of the body. Such a belt massage device can relieve the stressed muscle and muscle fatigue, and can reduce the weight of the user' s body portions through a vibration massaging action. The belt massage devices are thus widely used in health clubs, saunas and at home. Fig. 1 shows the construction of a conventional belt massage device. As shown in the drawing, the conventional belt massage device comprises a support column 12 firmly standing upright on a base plate 11 to a predetermined height, with a motor casing 13 fixedly installed on the top end of the support column 12. A drive motor is set within the motor casing 13. Two rotating shafts 16 laterally extend outward from the motor to project outside the motor casing 13 to a predetermined length at opposite sides of the casing 13. An eccentric rotating portion 14 is eccentrically mounted to each of the two rotating shafts 16, with a massaging belt 15 connected to the two eccentric rotating portions 14 at opposite ends thereof. In order to use the belt massage device, a user stands on the step board 17 of the base plate 11 and wears the massage belt 15 on his body such that the belt 15 wraps around a desired part of his body prior to turning on the device. For example, when the device is turned on with the massage belt 15 wrapping around the waist or the belly, the massage belt 15 actively vibrates and reciprocates within a predetermined range in its lengthwise direction, thus vibrating and rubbing the body to accomplish desired massage effect.

However, the conventional belt massage device is problematic in that it is almost impossible for spinally handicapped persons to use it since they cannot stand on the base plate of the device. In addition, the conventional belt massage device does not allow users to do other work, such as deskwork, while using the device even though some busy users lacking time want to do other work while using the device. The belt massage device is thus reduced in its utility.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a belt massage device of the chair type, which allows a user to sit in the chair-type belt massage device, thus being easily and preferably usable by handicapped persons, and which allows normal persons to use the massage device while doing other work while using the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a belt massage method, which massages a desired part of a user' s body, such as the waist, back, belly, or arms, using the above-mentioned belt massage device.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a belt massage device for seat, comprising: a drive motor mounted on the rear surface of the back of a chair having a seat; a massaging belt connected to two eccentric rotating portions at opposite ends thereof, each of the eccentric rotating portions being eccentrically mounted to a rotating shaft of the motor; and a control unit set on the top surface of at least one of two armrests of the seat and used for controlling the rotating direction and rotating velocity of the motor. The present invention also provides a belt massage method, wherein a rotating action of the drive motor mounted on the back of the seat-type belt massage device is converted into a vibrating action of the massage belt of the belt massage device, and massages the body portions of a user sitting on the seat of the belt massage device while allowing the user to change the belt-wrapped portion of his body, such as the waist, back, belly, thighs and arms, as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional belt massage device; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a belt massage device in accordance with the primary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the belt massage device of Fig. 2 when the device is used in a first operational mode for massaging the belly of a user;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the belt massage device of Fig. 2 when the device is used in a second operational mode for massaging the back of a user;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a belt massage device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a belt massage device in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the belt massage device according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the belt massage device in accordance with a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a belt massage device in accordance with the primary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the belt massage device of Fig. 2 when the device is used in a first operational mode. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the belt massage device of Fig. 2 when the device is used in a second operational mode. Fig. 5 is a side view of a belt massage device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a belt massage device in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a rear view of a belt massage device in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a rear view of a belt massage device in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 2, the belt massage device of the chair type according to the primary embodiment of this invention comprises a chair body consisting of a seat 21, a back 22 and two armrests 23. A control unit 51, used for controlling the rotating direction and rotating velocity of the motor 25 of the belt massage device, is set on the top surface of one of the two armrests 23. A drive motor 25 is mounted on the rear surface of the back 22, with a rotating shaft 26 extending laterally outward from each of opposite sides of the motor 23 to a predetermined length. An eccentric rotating portion 27 is eccentrically mounted to each of the two rotating shafts 26, with a massaging belt 28 connected to the two eccentric rotating portions 27 at opposite ends thereof. In the above belt massage device, each of the two armrests 23 is mounted to both the seat 21 and the back 22. In such a case, each of the armrests 23 is held on the seat 21 by a vertical extended portion, which is provided with a belt guiding groove 24 for guiding the massaging belt 28.

In the present invention, the belt 28 is preferably made of highly elastic rubber, and is preferably embossed on its surfaces for accomplishing application of pressure to the skin of the body portions and improving the massage effect. A belt buckle 29 is provided on the belt 28 for fastening or loosening the belt 28, or adjusting the length of the belt 28 as desired. The buckle 29 may have a variety of shapes and constructions. For example, a conventional waist belt buckle may be preferably used as the buckle 29. Alternatively, a Velcro fastener may be used in place of the buckle 29. In addition, it is preferred to attach the buckle 29 to the belt 28 at a position, at which the belt 28 does not come into contact with the body of a user during a massaging operation.

In the present invention, the drive motor 25 may be electronically controlled in response to a user' s mode selection. For example, it is possible to control rpm of the motor 25 so as to control the massaging strength of the belt massage device, or to install a timer for allowing a user to set the operational time of the belt massage device as desired.

The massage method using the belt massage device according to the primary embodiment and the operational effect of said device during a massaging operation will be described herein below. As shown in Fig. 2, when the drive motor 25 is electrically activated, the rotating shafts 26 are rotated by the rotating force of the motor 25. The eccentric rotating portions 27 are thus eccentrically rotated by the rotation of the shafts 26. Therefore, the massage belt 28 actively vibrates and reciprocates within a predetermined range in its lengthwise direction while vibrating and rubbing the skin of the user ' s body to accomplish desired massage effect.

Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the belt massage device of Fig. 2 when the device is used in first and second operational modes, respectively.

In the first operational mode of Fig. 3, the belt 28 passes inside the vertical extended portions of the two armrests 23 and wraps around the belly of a user sitting on the seat 21 of the chair, thus massaging the belly. In such a first operational mode, the user sitting in the chair can fasten or loosen the belt 28 wrapping around his belly, or adjust the length of the belt 28 using the buckle 29 as desired.

In the second operational mode of Fig. 4, the belt 28 primarily passes outside the vertical extended portions of the two armrests 23 while passing over the belt guiding grooves 24 of the vertical extended portions, and secondarily and horizontally passes across the front surface of the back 22 while wrapping around the back of a user sitting in the chair, thus massaging the back of the user. In the present invention, a belt pulley may be installed on each vertical extended portion of the armrests 23 so as to be used in place of each belt guiding groove 24. Fig. 5 is a view of a belt massage device in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a rail 61 extends from the rear surface of the back 22 to the lower surface of the seat 21. In such a case, the rail 61 is mounted to the rear surface of the back 22 and the lower surface of the seat 21 using two mounting brackets 52 at its opposite ends. A drive motor is mounted to the rail 61 such that the motor is movable along the rail 61. In order to fix the motor to the rail 61 at a desired position, a motor locking unit (not shown) is provided in the belt massage device of this second embodiment. In this second embodiment, a second belt guiding groove 55 is provided on the horizontal extended portion of each of the armrests 23 for guiding the massaging belt 28. The massage method using the belt massage device according to the second embodiment and the operational effect of said device during a massaging operation will be described herein below.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the drive motor 25 is primarily moved along the rail 61 from a first position designated by the reference numeral 53 ' to a desired position designated by the reference numeral 53, and is fixed to the rail 61 at the adjusted position. Thereafter, the massaging belt 28 is positioned to wrap around the front portion of the thighs of a user sitting in the chair prior to turning on the motor 25. The massaging belt 28 thus actively vibrates and rubs the front portion of the thighs, and accomplishes desired massage effect for the front portion of the thighs. In addition, when the belt 28 primarily passes outside the armrests 23 while passing over the belt guiding grooves 55 of the armrests 23, and secondarily and horizontally passes across the upper surface of the seat 21 while wrapping around the back portion of the thighs of a user sitting in the chair, the massaging belt 28 actively vibrates and rubs the back portion of the thighs, and accomplishes desired massage effect for the back portion of the thighs. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views of a belt massage device in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. In the belt massage device according to the third embodiment, a motor casing 36 is installed on the rear surface of the back 22 of the chair, with both a drive motor and an eccentric rotating portion eccentrically mounted to each of the two rotating shafts of said drive motor set within the motor casing 36. A massaging belt 38, connected to the two eccentric rotating portions at opposite ends thereof, passes through a plurality of rotatable belt holes 50 formed on the back 22 of the chair. The rotatable belt holes 50 are formed on the back 22 from the front surface to the rear surface of the back 22. The first part of the belt 38, connected to the two eccentric rotating portions of the motor casing 36 and passing through its associated rotatable belt holes 50, is fastened to the second part of the belt 38, which horizontally passes across the rear surface of the back 22 at a position below the motor casing 36 and passes through its associated rotatable belt holes 50. In such a case, the coupling of the ends of the first and second parts of the massaging belt 38 is accomplished by means of a belt buckle 39.

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the belt massage device according to the third embodiment of this invention, showing the arrangement of the motor casing and belt of this device. Fig. 8 is a rear view of the belt massage device, showing another arrangement of the motor casing and belt in accordance with a modification of the third embodiment. In the present invention, it should be understood that the construction and arrangement of the motor casing 36 and belt according to the third embodiment may be somewhat freely changed without affecting the functioning of this invention. The massage method using the belt massage device according to the third embodiment and the operational effect of said device during a massaging operation will be described herein below.

As shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, when the drive motor is electrically activated, the rotating shafts of the motor are rotated to eccentrically rotate the eccentric rotating portions. Therefore, the massage belt 38 actively vibrates and reciprocates within a predetermined range in its lengthwise direction while actively vibrating and rubbing the skin of the user' s body. That is, the rotating action of the motor is converted into the vibrating action capable of accomplishing desired massage effect. In the belt massage device of this third embodiment, the belt holes 50 formed on the corners of the back 22 of the chair are rotatable to allow a user to somewhat freely wear the belt 38 in a variety of belt wearing patterns, such as a Il-shape formed by the belt passing over the user' s shoulders vertically downward or an X-shape formed by the belt passing over the user ' s shoulders diagonally. In addition, a rail 61 may be installed on the belt massage device of the third embodiment in the same manner as that described for the second embodiment of Fig. 5, with the drive motor movably held on the rail 61. In such a case, it is possible to use the belt massage device of this third embodiment for massaging the thighs.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention provides a belt massage method and belt massage device of the chair type. The belt massage device of this invention allows a user to sit in a chair, and so the device is easily and preferably usable by spinally handicapped persons, and allows normal persons to use it while doing other work, such as deskwork, reading, computer work, etc., while using the device. The device is useful in promoting the circulation of the blood and relief of fatigue, thus improving the physical conditions of users. When the belt massage device of this invention is applied to the seat of cars or airplanes, it can play a role of a safety belt and can relieve fatigues while driving or traveling. The belt massage device of this invention is thus highly applicable in the chair manufacturing industrial field and the massage service business field.

Claims

1. A belt massage device for seat, comprising: a drive motor (25) mounted on the rear surface of the back (22) of a chair having a seat (21); a massaging belt (28) connected to two eccentric rotating portions (27) at opposite ends thereof, each of said eccentric rotating portions (27) being eccentrically mounted to a rotating shaft (26) of said motor (25); and a control unit (51) set on the top surface of at least one of two armrests (23) of the seat (21) and used for controlling the rotating direction and rotating velocity of said motor (25).

2. The belt massage device according to claim 1, wherein said drive motor

(25) is encased in a motor casing for accomplishing the operational safety of said belt massage device.

3. The belt massage device according to claim 1, wherein each of said armrests (23) is held on the seat (21) by a vertical extended portion, with a belt guiding groove (24) provided on the vertical extended portion for guiding the massaging belt (28) during operation.

4. The belt massage device according to claim 1, wherein a buckle (29) is provided on the massage belt (28) for fastening or loosening the belt (28), or adjusting the length of said belt (28) as desired.

5. The belt massage device according to claim 1, wherein said massage belt (28) is made of highly elastic rubber, and is embossed on its surface.

6. The belt massage device according to claim 1, further comprising a rail (61) extending from the rear surface of said back (22) of the chair to the lower surface of said seat (21), with the drive motor (25) mounted to the rail (61) such that the drive motor (25) is movable along the rail (61) between the seat (21) and the back (22) and is fixed to the rail (61) at an adjusted position.

7. The belt massage device according to claim 3, wherein a second belt guiding groove (55) is provided on a horizontal extended portion of each of the armrests (23) for guiding the massaging belt (28).

8. The belt massage device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of rotatable belt holes (50) are formed on the back (22) of the chair from the front surface to the rear surface of said back (22), and the massaging belt (38) consists of a first part connected to a motor casing (36) and a second part passing across the rear surface of said back (22) at a position below the motor casing (36), said first and second parts of the belt (38) passing through associated rotatable belt holes (50) prior to being fastened together by a belt buckle (39).

9. A belt massage method, wherein a rotating action of a drive motor (25) mounted on the back (22) of a seat-type belt massage device is converted into a vibrating action of a massage belt (28) of the belt massage device, and massages the body portions of a user sitting on the seat (21) of the belt massage device while allowing the user to change the belt-wrapped portion of his body, such as the waist, back, belly, thighs and arms, as desired.