JP2000316932A - Massage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give preferably pressing stimulation by expanding and shrinking air bags without any relations with a thickness of a part to be massaged. SOLUTION: A massage machine comprises a plurality of supporting bodies 14, 14, provided leaving a space, belt bodies 3 made of flexible material of which both edges are respectively attached to the supporting bodies 14 to be cross-sectional U-shapes, air bags 2 positioned at inner surface sides of the belt bodies receiving the parts 9 to be massaged such as a leg or an arm of a human body, and an air supplying means for expanding and shrinking the air bags 2. When the parts 9 to be massaged are positioned at recess groove sections formed by the belt bodies 3 made of the flexible material, pressing stimulations produced by expanding and shrinking the air bags 2 are given to the parts to be massaged without any relations with a thickness of the parts because the belt bodies 3 become shapes coinciding with shapes of the parts to be massaged to receive the parts to be massaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a massage machine for massaging a human body by inflating and contracting an air bag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-8954 discloses a massaging machine for massaging legs and arms by inflating and deflating an air bag.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent No. As shown in FIG. 27, as shown in FIG. 27, a concave groove 1 for receiving a massaged part such as a leg or an arm of a human body is provided in a main body 10, and air bladders 2 and 2 are attached to left and right inner surfaces of the concave groove 1 respectively. Then, by inflating and contracting these air bags 2, 2, a compression stimulus is given to the massaged portion located in the concave groove portion 1.

[0003]

The thickness of the arms and legs of the human body varies greatly from person to person, and the width of the groove 1 provided in the main body 10 made of a rigid body is not necessarily increased. Not be. For this purpose, air bag 2
When a compression stimulus is given to a massaged part such as an arm or a leg due to the expansion and contraction of the body, the feeling of massage differs between a person having a large massaged part and a person having a small massaged part. Further, it is difficult to provide a massage machine that is used for both legs and arms.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a purpose thereof is to provide a massage which can provide a suitable compression stimulus by inflation and contraction of an air bag regardless of the thickness of a massaged portion. To provide a machine.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a belt comprising a plurality of supports provided at intervals and a U-shaped cross-section made of a flexible material and having both ends attached to the supports. A body and an air bladder located on the inner surface side of the band receiving a massaged part such as a leg or arm of a human body,
A belt formed of air supply means for inflating and contracting the air bag, or a belt made of a flexible material and having both left and right ends fixed to a support and suspended and supported in a U-shaped cross section; It is characterized in that it comprises an air bag located on the inner surface side of the band receiving such a massaged portion, and air supply means for expanding and contracting the air bag.

If the massaged part is located in the concave groove formed by the band made of a flexible material, the band is shaped to match the shape of the massaged part and receives the massaged part. A compression stimulus due to expansion and contraction can be applied to the massaged part regardless of its thickness.

The air bladder may be provided independently on the left and right sides of the inner surface of the band, but may be formed of a plurality of air chambers communicating with each other. It is preferable that the cross-sectional area of the air passage connecting the air chambers is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air chamber.

The Young's modulus of the surface of the air bag opposite to the contact surface with the massaged portion may be higher than the Young's modulus of the contact surface, or the surface of the air bag opposite to the contact surface with the massaged portion may be provided. Is preferably formed of an inelastic material. Furthermore, it is also preferable to use an anisotropic air bag having a large degree of inflation in the normal direction of the inner surface of the band as the air bag.

The air bag may be formed integrally with the band.

A fixing means for fixing the massaged portion to the band may be provided. In this case, the fixing means may be a belt or the like, and may be provided near both ends of the band and inflate and contract with the air bag. An air bag for fixation can be used.

The support is preferably formed of a pipe frame from the viewpoint of weight reduction. Further, the shape of the portion of the support to which the band is attached may be configured to follow the shape of the massaged part of the human body, or the interval between the supports may be variable.

It is also preferable that the end of the band is fixed to the support via a slide mechanism provided on the support. In this case, the slide mechanism has a pressure sensor at its tip, and It is possible to suitably use one that is displaced according to the output or one that has a return prevention mechanism.

The support may be formed so as to rise from a bottom plate having a substantially flat bottom surface, and the bottom plate may be supported by a rotating shaft for upside down.

[0014] A heating device for heating air supplied to the air bag, a heating device for heating the air bag or the band, a vibrator attached to the air bag or the band, or a vibrator attached to the support member are provided. Is also good.

It is also preferable to form the footrest of a chair containing a massage machine.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment. The massage machine shown in FIG. 1 is for massaging the calves of both legs of a human body. The plate-like supports 14 stand up substantially in parallel at predetermined intervals. Then, both ends of the strips 3, 3 made of a flexible material such as cloth or urethane mat are fixed to the upper portions of the adjacent supports 14, 14, respectively.
It is suspended so as to form a U-shaped cross section.

Air bladders 2 for massage are respectively attached to the left and right sides of the inner surface of the band 3 opposite to each other. These air bladders 3 are connected to an air supply means 4 having an air pump and an exhaust valve via a pipe 40. Connected.

In this case, the band 3 suspended from the support 14 is in contact with the support 14 only at both ends thereof, and the other portions are in a state of being suspended in the air. For this reason, if the massaged part 9 (leg) is placed on the concave groove part 1 formed by the band 3 having a U-shaped cross section, the band 3 becomes the outer shape of the massaged part 9 due to its flexibility. Therefore, when the air bag 2 is inflated to apply a compression stimulus to the massaged portion 9 from the left and right, an appropriate stimulus can be given regardless of the thickness of the massaged portion 9 and the massaged portion can be massaged. A stimulus that wraps around the part 9 can be given.

As shown in FIG. 2, three air bladders 2 may be provided at the left, right, and center, in addition to the two air bladders 2 provided on the band 3. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a pipe connection port. Further, only a single air bladder 2 extending over the left and right may be provided. Piping is simple. However, when only one air bladder 2 is used, one having two left and right air chambers 20 and 20 connected to each other as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or one shown in FIG. It is preferable to have three connected air chambers 20, 20, 20. In this case, the cross-sectional area of the air passage 21 connecting the air chambers 20 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air chamber 20. The air bag 20 can weaken the force to be in the form of a plate, thereby improving the familiarity with the massaged part 9 and wrapping the massaged part 9 without causing the massaged part 9 to float up. The massage can be appropriately performed because the massage can be performed. The air passage 21 having a small cross-sectional area can be easily obtained by forming, for example, a thermocompression bonding portion 22 in the air bag 3 as shown in FIG.

The air bladder 2 has a massaged part 9
The Young's modulus of the material on the side opposite to the contact surface with the material may be higher than the Young's modulus of the material on the contact surface, or the surface of the air bag 2 on the side opposite to the contact surface with the massaged part 9 may be made of an inelastic material. When the air bag 2 is formed, as shown in FIG. 6, the swelling of the air bag 2 toward the massaged part 9 during inflation increases, so that the dispersion of the force pressing the massaged part 9 is small and the transmission efficiency is reduced. Can be good. The formation of the non-elastic material on the side opposite to the massaged portion 9 may be performed by lining the air bag 2 with an inelastic body 26 made of, for example, as shown in FIG. Also in this case, since the outward expansion of the air bag 2 is suppressed, the transmission efficiency of the massage force is improved.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is a matter of course that the air bag 2 may be made of an anisotropic material whose expansion degree in the normal direction of the inner surface of the band 3 is large in view of its shape.

The air bag 2 and the band 3 may be integrally formed. That is, the component itself of the air bag 2 may constitute the band 3. In this case, air bag 2
If the total length of the band 3 when L is contracted is L and the total length of the band 3 when the air bladder 2 is inflated is L ′, the air bladder 2 is inflated because L ′ <L. In this case, a force F for tightening the massaged portion 9 is generated by shortening the overall length, and the massage effect is increased together with the compression due to the expansion of the air bag 2.

In some cases, when the air bag 2 is inflated, the massaged part 9 is lifted up and it is not possible to give a sufficient pressure stimulus. This is because a fixing means for fixing the massaged part 2 to the band 3 is required. It can be prevented by providing. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the fixing belt 50 is used as a fixing means, and the distal end of the fixing belt 50 whose base end is attached to one end of the band 3 is attached to the fixing means 5 such as a planar fastener.
1 allows it to be stopped at the other end of the band 3.

FIG. 11 shows the fixing means using fixing air bladders 52 provided near both ends of the band 3. The fixing air bladder 52, which inflates and contracts with the air bladder 2, covers the upper surface side of the massaged portion 9 when inflated, thereby preventing the massaged portion 9 from floating.

FIG. 12 shows another example. Band 3 and air bag 2
Is the same as that described above, except that the support 14 is formed of a pipe frame. This is advantageous in terms of weight reduction. Also,
It is preferable that the shape of the portion of the support 14 to which the band 3 is attached is shaped to follow the shape of the massaged part 9 of the human body. FIG. 13 shows an example of this case, and the shape is adapted to a leg (calf portion) that becomes thinner toward the tip. Since the familiarity between the air bag 2 or the band 3 as a leg and the massaged portion 9 is improved, the response speed felt by the massaged portion 9 when the air bag 2 is inflated and deflated is improved, and the massage speed is also improved. The ratio of the force transmitted to the massage unit 9 also increases.

FIG. 14 shows a structure in which the distance between a pair of supports 14, 14 having both ends of the band 3 fixed, can be changed. In the illustrated example, among the three plate-like supports 14, The support members 14 at both ends are connected to the bottom plate 13 via hinges. The range of the thickness of the massaged portion 9 that can be accepted can be made larger.

As shown in FIG. 15, at least one end of the band 3 may be fixed to the support 14 via a slide mechanism 6 which is slidable. A slide mechanism 6 that is provided on the support body 14 and that changes the distance between both ends of the band body 3 by attaching the band body 3 to the tip that slides by an airbag, an air cylinder, or the like.
The opening width can be adjusted according to the thickness of the massaged portion 9. By performing this adjustment, the contact area of the air bag 2 and the band 3 with the massaged portion 9 can be increased. It is possible to always perform the best massage irrespective of the thickness of the massaged part 9 and to increase the power transmission efficiency.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, a pressure sensor 6 for measuring the pressure between the end of the slide mechanism 6 and the belt 3 is provided.
0, and the sliding mechanism 6 is actively moved so that the sliding mechanism 6 slides in accordance with the output value of the pressure sensor 60, so that the massaged part 9 is always held in the air bladder 2 with a constant force even during massage. Can be fitted.

The slide mechanism 6 does not have to actively slide, but in this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the slide mechanism 6 is provided with a return prevention mechanism 61 such as a ratchet, so that the slide mechanism 6 can be used at the beginning of the massage. The positioned position may be maintained during the massage. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the slide mechanism 6 from being pushed back by the reaction force from the massaged part 9. It is a matter of course that the return prevention mechanism 61 may be provided even in a case where the slide is actively performed using an air cylinder or the like.

FIG. 18 shows another example. This is such that the bottom plate 13 can be turned upside down by being supported by the rotating shaft 17, and turned upside down when not in use so that the bottom surface of the bottom plate 13, which is a substantially flat surface, faces upward. By doing so, the massage use surface can be hidden.

By the way, in this massage machine, the massage is performed by inflating and deflating the air bag 2 as described above, but another massage means may be added. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, a heating means such as a heater provided with a heater 25 for warming the air supplied to the air bag 2 or an electric heater wire embedded in the air bag 2 or the band 3 to heat them. Is provided, the effect of promoting blood flow by heat can be obtained. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, a vibrator 26 is attached to the air bag 2 or the band 3, or as shown in FIG.
If the vibrator 26 is attached to the (bottom plate 13), a blood flow promoting effect by vibrating massage can be obtained.

FIGS. 22 to 26 show the chair 8 provided with the above-mentioned massage machine at the distal end of the seat portion 80. FIG.
In the chair 8 including the frame 81, the seat portion 80, the armrest 82, and the reclining backrest 83, the massage machine is configured such that the support body 14 as a pipe frame is connected to the frame 81 via a ragging mechanism 85.
When the razor tong mechanism 85 is extended, as shown in FIG. 24, the massage machine is positioned in front of the seat 80, and when the razor tong mechanism 85 is contracted, as shown in FIG. The massage machine can be stored below the front end of the seat 80.

If the chair 8 has a built-in backrest 83 and another built-in massager for massaging the shoulder, back and waist of the human body, the chair 8 can be massaged and relaxed. Is very preferable.

The support 14 shown here is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 25, the band 3 provided with the air bag 2 is suspended and supported, and the calf portion of the leg is to be massaged. The supports 14 and 1 are arranged so that the distance between the distal ends is reduced.
4 are formed.

In the illustrated example, the massage machine according to the present invention is formed as a footrest in the chair 8. In addition, for example, the massage machine may be provided at the armrest 82 for massaging the arm, Needless to say, it may be provided in the portion.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of support members provided at intervals, and a belt member made of a flexible material and having both ends attached to the support members to form a U-shaped cross section. And an air bag located on the inner surface side of the band receiving a massaged part such as a leg or arm of a human body, and air supply means for inflating and contracting the air bag, or from a flexible material And a band fixed at both left and right ends to a support and suspended and supported in a U-shaped cross section, and air located on the inner surface side of the band receiving a massaged part such as a leg or arm of a human body. Since the bag and the air supply means for inflating and contracting the air bag are provided, if the massaged portion is positioned in the concave groove formed by the band made of the flexible material, the band conforms to the shape of the massaged portion. Shape In order to receive the massage part, a compression stimulus due to the inflation and shrinkage of the air bag can be given to the massaged part regardless of its thickness, and the massage can be received only by placing the massaged part. In spite of this, a good pressure stimulus can always be given to the massaged part in order to properly fit the massaged part.

The air bags may be arranged independently on the left and right sides of the inner surface of the band. However, if a plurality of air chambers communicating with each other are used, the number of air pipes is reduced. Can be reduced.

In this case, if the cross-sectional area of the air passage connecting the air chambers is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air chamber, the fit of the air bag to the massaged part can be improved.

The Young's modulus of the surface of the air bag opposite to the contact surface with the massaged portion may be higher than the Young's modulus of the contact surface, or the surface of the air bag opposite to the contact surface with the massaged portion may be provided. If an air bag is formed of an inelastic material or an anisotropic material having a large degree of expansion in the normal direction of the inner surface of the band is used as the air bag, the portion to be massaged when air is supplied to the air bag. Power can be reliably transmitted to the vehicle.

If the air bag is formed integrally with the band, the entire length of the band is shortened by the expansion of the air bag, so that a tightening force acts on the massaged portion, and the massage effect is increased. .

If a fixing means for fixing the massaged part is provided on the belt, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the massaged part rises and the massage effect is reduced.

If fixing air bags provided near both ends of the band and inflated and contracted with the air bags are used as fixing means at this time, the operation for fixing is unnecessary.

By forming the support with a pipe frame, the weight can be reduced.

In the case where the shape of the portion of the support to which the band is attached is shaped to follow the shape of the massaged part of the human body, the fit of the band and the air bag to the massaged part is further improved, and more. Since the force can be transmitted to the massaged part reliably and with good response speed, the massage effect is enhanced.

If the distance between the supports is made variable, the allowable amount for the thickness of the massaged portion is further increased.

If the end of the band is fixed to the support via a slide mechanism provided on the support, the fit of the band and the air bag to the massaged portion is further improved, and the band is more reliably. In addition, since the force can be transmitted to the massaged portion with a high response speed, the massage effect is enhanced.

In this case, if the slide mechanism is provided with a pressure sensor at its tip and is displaced in accordance with the output of the pressure sensor, the air bag is fitted to the massaged portion with a constant force even during massage. Let it be.

If a slide mechanism provided with a return prevention mechanism is used, it is possible to prevent the slide mechanism from being pushed back by a reaction force during massage.

The support may be formed so as to rise from a bottom plate having a substantially flat bottom surface, and the bottom plate may be supported by a rotating shaft for upside down. By inverting the design, the design when not in use can be improved.

A heating means for warming the air supplied to the air bag or a heating means for heating the air bag or the band can also provide a blood flow promoting effect by the heat, and can be attached to the air bag or the band. Provided with a vibrator or a vibrator attached to a support, an effect of promoting blood flow by vibration can be obtained.

Further, when formed as a footrest of a chair having a built-in massage machine, the upper body can be massaged with the massage machine while giving a good pressure stimulus to the legs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a)
Is a perspective view, (b) is a development view of an air bag, and (c) is a front view showing a use state.

FIG. 2 shows another example of the above-mentioned band and air bag.
(a) is an expanded plan view of the air bag, (b) is an expanded sectional view of the air bag,
(c) is a sectional view showing a use state, (d) is a developed sectional view when inflated, and (e) is a sectional view showing a use state when inflated.

FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are developed plan views of still another example of a band and an air bag, respectively.

4A is a developed sectional view of the air bag, FIG. 4B is a sectional view showing a used state, FIG. 4C is a developed sectional view when inflated, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a use state when the device is inflated.

5A and 5B show another example of the band and the air bag, wherein FIG. 5A is a developed sectional view of the air bag, FIG. 5B is a sectional view showing a used state, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a developed cross-sectional view when inflated, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view showing a use state when inflated.

FIG. 6 shows still another example of the band and the air bag.
(a) is an expanded sectional view, and (b) is an expanded sectional view at the time of expansion.

7A and 7B show another example of a band and an air bag, wherein FIG. 7A is an expanded sectional view of the air bag, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a developed cross-sectional view when inflated, and FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view showing a use state when inflated.

FIG. 8 shows still another example of the band and the air bag.
(a) is an expanded sectional view of the air bag, (b) is a sectional view showing a use state, (c) is an expanded sectional view when inflated, and (d) is a sectional view showing a use state when inflated. It is.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show another example of the band and the air bag, wherein FIG. 9A is a developed sectional view of the air bag, FIG. 9B is a sectional view showing a used state, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is a developed cross-sectional view when inflated, (d) is a cross-sectional view showing a use state when inflated, and (e) is an explanatory diagram of an action accompanying a change in the overall length of the band.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show still another example of the band and the air bag, wherein FIG. 10A is a developed cross-sectional view of the air bag, FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a use state, and FIG. FIG. 3D is an exploded cross-sectional view, showing a state of use when inflated.

FIG. 11 shows different examples of a band and an air bag.
(a) is an expanded sectional view of the air bag, (b) is a sectional view showing a use state, (c) is an expanded sectional view when inflated, and (d) is a sectional view showing a use state when inflated. It is.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of still another example.

FIG. 14 shows another example, in which (a) is a perspective view, and (b) and (c).
Is a front view.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of still another example.

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the above.

FIG. 17 is a schematic sectional view of still another example of the above.

FIG. 18 is a schematic sectional view of another example.

FIG. 19 is a schematic front view of another example.

FIG. 20 is a schematic front view of still another example.

FIG. 21 is a schematic front view of another example.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a chair provided with the massage machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a main part of the above.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a main part of the above.

[Fig. 25] Fig. 25 is a front view of a main part of the massage machine stored in the above.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the massage machine.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 air bag 3 band 14 support

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yukihiko Kitano 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Tsutsui 1048 Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref., Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. 1048 Kadoma, Kamon, Fumonma-shi Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C100 AD02 BA02 BB05 BC12 CA02 DA08 DA10

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of support members provided at intervals, a belt body made of a flexible material and having both ends attached to the support members to form a U-shaped cross section, and a leg or arm of a human body. A massaging machine comprising: an air bag located on the inner surface side of the band receiving a mass to be massaged; and air supply means for expanding and contracting the air bag. 2. A band made of a flexible material and fixed at both left and right ends to a support and suspended and supported in a U-shaped cross section, and a band receiving a massaged part such as a leg or an arm of a human body. A massage machine comprising: an air bag located on an inner surface side; and air supply means for inflating and contracting the air bag. 3. The air bag according to claim 1, wherein independent air bladders are disposed on the left and right sides of the inner surface of the band.
The described massage machine. 4. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the air bag is formed by a plurality of air chambers communicating with each other. 5. The massage machine according to claim 4, wherein the cross-sectional area of the air passage connecting the air chambers is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the air chamber. 6. The airbag according to claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of the surface opposite to the contact surface with the massaged portion is higher than the Young's modulus of the contact surface. A massage machine as described in. 7. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the air bag opposite to the surface to be contacted with the massaged part is formed of an inelastic material. 8. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the air bladder is anisotropic and has a large degree of inflation in a direction normal to the inner surface of the band. 9. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the air bag is formed integrally with the band. 10. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the band includes fixing means for fixing the massaged part. 11. The massage machine according to claim 10, wherein the fixing means is a fixing air bag which is provided near both ends of the band and inflates and contracts with the air bag. 12. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the support is formed of a pipe frame. 13. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein a shape of a portion of the support to which the band is attached is shaped to follow a shape of a massaged portion of a human body. . 14. The massage machine according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the supports is variable. 15. The massage machine according to claim 14, wherein the end of the band is fixed to the support via a slide mechanism provided on the support. 16. The massage machine according to claim 15, wherein the slide mechanism has a pressure sensor at a tip thereof and is displaced in accordance with an output of the pressure sensor. 17. The massage machine according to claim 15, wherein the slide mechanism has a return prevention mechanism. 18. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the support is formed so as to rise from a bottom plate having a substantially flat bottom surface, and the bottom plate is supported by a rotating shaft for upside down. The massage machine according to any one of Items 1 to 17. 19. The massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising heating means for heating air supplied to the air bag. 20. The massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising heating means for heating the air bag or the band. 21. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a vibrator attached to the air bag or the band.
The massage machine according to any one of items 0. 22. The massage machine according to claim 1, further comprising a vibrator attached to the support. 23. A chair according to claim 1, wherein said chair is provided with a massage machine.
The massage machine according to any one of the above items 2.