JP2000342653A - Massage device for bathing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a massage device capable of independently massaging tensed muscle fibers as the whole body is sufficiently relaxed while improving blood circulation by utilizing heat effect of warm water in bathing. SOLUTION: As a user stretches back muscles along a natural S-curve of the spine on a convex-curved surface of a body supporting means 21 facing the body, push balls 23 push the user independently from the body supporting means 21. In the condition where the whole body is sufficiently relaxed, and as blood circulation is improved by heat effect of warm water, tensed back muscle fibers can be relaxed in more effective directions. The push balls 23 are respectively arranged to a plurality of slide guides 22 formed roughly perpendicularly to the convex-curved surface, and an air drive bellows 24 is expanded/ contracted by air pressure supplied from an air pump 27 through an air pipe 25 to expand/contract at air drive bellows 24 for driving them to slide along slide tracks formed by the slide guides 22, thereby pressing action to the back surface of a bathing person is conducted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a home massage device, and more particularly to a bath massage device for giving a physical massage action by a push ball to the back of a bathing body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional massage device will be described below. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a physical massage device using a kneading ball or the like has been widely used at home for the purpose of relieving muscle tension. Muscle fatigue due to sports, stiff shoulders, low back pain, etc., may cause long-lasting feeling of dullness and fatigue due to contraction of muscle blood vessels around the affected area and lack of muscle tone. In such a case, the physical massage device has the effect of physically rubbing the corresponding portion to promote blood circulation and release muscle tone.

A typical example of such a home-use massage device is a chair-type massage machine. The chair-type body has a built-in massage mechanism for performing a kneading operation and a hitting operation. A backrest portion having a built-in mechanism, a seat portion connected to a lower end of the backrest portion, a footrest portion extending to a tip of the seat portion, and a head contact extending to an upper end of the backrest portion. What is comprised by a part is well known. Said backrest, seat,
The foot rest, the head contact part, and the like are rotatably connected so that the angle can be adjusted between them. In addition, the massage ball moves along the back side of the backing material of the backrest portion, and the massage ball is finely vibrated, thereby giving a massage effect to the back of the human body.

[0004] In such a massage device, the lower part near the foot of the human body is felt cold and does not provide a feeling of comfort. It is necessary to take measures such as putting a blanket inside the body and keeping the whole room warm enough.

As another means for relieving muscle tone, there is a hot water treatment performed in hospitals and the like. BACKGROUND ART Hot water treatment is performed for the purpose of a sedative effect on fracture sequelae, bruises, sprains, joint contractures, rheumatism, tenosynovitis, and muscle spasticity, and an effect of releasing muscle tone as a pretreatment such as exercise therapy and rehabilitation therapy. This hot water treatment is based on a heating action, an action by buoyancy, an action by hydrostatic pressure, an action by hydrodynamic pressure, and the like. As the thermal effect, bathing at a temperature slightly higher than the body temperature promotes blood circulation, activates various physiological functions, and a sedative effect by thermal heat is effective for knee joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis and the like.

Therefore, while using a home-use massage device, the body must be kept warm, that is, measures such as putting a blanket on the body during massage and keeping the whole room warm enough by taking a bath. A bath massage device that promotes blood circulation and activates various physiological functions by utilizing the warming action of the bath has been conventionally devised.

For example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 4-20331, a concave portion is provided on the side wall surface of a bathtub, and a closed portion thereof is air-tightly covered with a flexible sheet. Thus, the present invention discloses a bathtub with a massager that can be attached to the outside of the bathtub in the recess so that the refreshing effect of warm water can be enjoyed and the massage effect can be further enhanced.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the bathtub with a massager. In FIG. 9, an opening 2 is provided on a wall surface on the backrest side of the bathtub 1, and the opening 2 is airtightly closed by a flexible sheet 3 of rubber or the like and closed. Further, a massage machine 4 is attached to the outside of the bathtub wall surface on the backrest side. The massage machine 4 includes a pair of left and right support plates 5, and the support plates 5 are fixed to the wall surface of the bathtub 1 by screws or the like. Elevating holes 6 in support plate 5
Are formed, and rack teeth 7 are formed on the peripheral surface of the lifting hole 6. A pair of gears are housed in the elevating hole 6 in a meshing state, and each of these gears meshes with the rack teeth 7 of the elevating hole 6.

The main body 8 of the massage machine 4 includes a massaging ball 9 as a pair of massaging bodies, a massaging ball mechanism for causing the massaging ball 9 to perform a massaging operation, and a vertical mechanism for moving the main body 8 up and down. Have. The kneading balls 9 are driven by a vacuum unit 10 sharing a solenoid valve, a vacuum pump, and a vacuum tank. The vacuum unit 10 is attached to the bathtub 1. Then, the operation of the vacuum unit 10 is controlled based on the designated massage mode.

[0010] With this, the massage by the kneading balls 9 is performed by the vacuum drive of the vacuum unit 10, and the massage can be performed in a state of being immersed in the warm water, so that the refreshing feeling of the warm water can be enjoyed and the warm water in the bath can be used. Massage is performed in a state where the blood circulation is improved and the massage effect is increased.

Further, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-37235 discloses that
An immersion-type bath massager containing a motor and a reduction mechanism in an outer case, wherein the buoyancy acting on the outer case at the time of immersion is suppressed, and the bath massager has improved handleability when used in hand in bath water. Has been devised.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of the bath massager. In FIG. 10, the interior of an outer case 11 is divided into a machine room 13 and an outer vacant room 14 by an inner peripheral wall 12, a motor 15 and a speed reduction mechanism 16 are accommodated in the machine room 13, and an opening thereof is sealed with a sealing member 17 Seal with. An opening 18 is provided in the peripheral wall of the outer chamber 14, and the inside of the chamber 14 is filled with water through the opening 18 during immersion. Thereby, the ease of use when using this bath massager in the bath water by hand can be improved.

[0013]

In such a conventional massage device, blood circulation is promoted by utilizing the warming action of warm water at the time of bathing, and physiological muscles are activated while physically muscularizing muscles. In order to more effectively promote blood circulation and relieve muscle tension by unraveling, it is necessary to knead and relax only the tensed muscle fibers in a state where the muscles are relaxed. In the disclosed means, a physical massage is given through the flexible sheet 3, so that not only the tensed muscle fiber but also other parts are massaged by the transmission of physical force in the massage by the sheet. And the effect of rubbing is weakened.
Further, there is a problem that the physical force itself in the massage is weakened by the flexible sheet 3, which is not sufficient as an effective bath massage device.

In the means disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-37235, physical massage is applied via a flexible sheet. By rubbing the other parts by the transmission, the rubbing effect is diminished. Furthermore, since the bath massager of the immersion use type in which the motor 15 and the speed reduction mechanism 16 are accommodated in the outer case 11 is used in the bath water by hand, muscle strength is used to use the bath massager by hand. It has a problem that it is not in a relaxed state and is not enough as an effective bath massage device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the human body is sufficiently relaxed while stimulating various physiological functions by promoting blood circulation by the warming action of warm water at the time of bathing. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bath massage device capable of further promoting blood circulation by independently rubbing muscle fibers to physically crush muscles and vibrating the tip of a push ball.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body supporting means having a convex facing surface as a body facing surface for supporting a bather's body, and a sliding guide fixed to the body supporting means. And a push ball which slides on a sliding track of the slide guide and comes into contact with the body independently of the body supporting means, and a driving means for driving the push ball.

According to the present invention, the bather can relax the muscles sufficiently with the back supported by the convex round surface along the natural S-shaped curve, and in this state, the push ball can massage the muscle fibers to which the tension is tensed. In addition, the blood circulation is promoted by utilizing the warming effect of the warm water at the time of bathing, and various physiological functions are also activated, while the blood circulation is more effectively promoted and the muscle tone can be released.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sliding guides are provided, and the sliding guides slide so that a convex round surface intersecting each sliding guide and a sliding track direction of the sliding guides are substantially perpendicular to each other. The bath massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide is fixed.

According to the present invention, a plurality of portions on the back of the bather can be pressed against each other in a substantially right angle direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sliding track of the sliding guide is formed in an arc shape, and the push ball is slid along the arc shaped sliding track.
A bath massage apparatus according to any one of the above.

According to the present invention, the push ball can be pressed against the back of the bather at a slight angle while being substantially perpendicular.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bath massage apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the sliding guide is rotatably installed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to change the pressing direction of the push ball at a slight angle while keeping the back face of the bather at a substantially right angle, and to select the pressing direction of the push ball according to the preference of the bather. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bath massage apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the buttocks support means is provided.

The present invention according to claim 6 is the bath massage device according to claim 5, wherein the buttocks support means has a concave round surface below the convex round surface of the body-facing surface of the body support means.

The present invention according to claim 7 is the bath massage device according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the buttocks support means is a seat surface attached to the body support means.

According to the present invention according to claims 5 to 7, the bather can be kept in a stable state without moving upward and forward even when pressed with a push ball.

[0028]

In the present invention according to the first aspect, the body supporting means is a means for supporting the back of a bather with a convex round surface along the upper part of a natural S-shaped curve of the spine. Support the person with their backs straight. The surface of the convex round surface is made of a soft material such as polyethylene foam, for example, so that the contact with the body is soft. The sliding guide is a sliding guide that provides a sliding track for a push ball that presses against the back of the bather to slide back and forth, and is, for example, a cylindrical sliding guide, but is not limited thereto. Absent. The push ball is a rod-shaped member that slides along a sliding track formed by the inner wall of the sliding guide, and the tip thereof presses against the back of the bather.

The driving means is means for sliding the push ball back and forth. In the embodiment, the air drive bellows provided in the slide guide expands and contracts by air pressure, and the expansion and contraction causes the rod push ball to move. It is configured to slide inside the sliding guide. However, it is not limited to this. The push ball slides back and forth on the sliding track to press against the back of the body. As a result, the body supporting means supports the body, relaxes the muscles sufficiently, and extends the back muscles along the upper part of the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. Independently rub the fibers. Therefore, the blood circulation is promoted by using the warming action of the warm water at the time of bathing, and the physiological functions are also activated, while the blood circulation is more effectively promoted and the muscle tone is released.

In the present invention according to claim 2, a plurality of sliding guides are provided such that the directions of the respective sliding tracks are substantially perpendicular to the convex round surface of the body supporting means, and push balls provided respectively. Presses a plurality of locations on the back of the bather in a direction substantially perpendicular to the skin surface. The configuration of each sliding guide and each push ball, and the configuration of the driving means may be the same.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sliding guide has an arc shape. In this embodiment, a cylindrical sliding guide is bent. Thereby, the direction of the pressure contact can be made a direction inclined from the true right-angle direction.

In the present invention according to claim 4, the sliding guide according to claim 3 is provided rotatably. in this case,
It goes without saying that it is fixed after rotating. Thereby, the direction of the sliding track of the arc-shaped sliding guide can be changed and set with respect to the convex round surface of the body supporting means.

In the present invention according to claim 5, the buttocks support means is means for supporting the bather with the buttocks in order to stabilize the bather from moving due to the pressing of the push ball.

In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the buttocks support means has a configuration in which a concave round surface for accommodating the buttocks is provided below the convex round surface of the body support means.

In the present invention according to claim 7, the buttocks support means is a seat having a concave surface attached to the body support means, and is made of, for example, a soft polyethylene foam.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0037]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of a bath massage apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the bath massage device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the body support means in this embodiment in detail, and FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the configuration of the push ball in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the operation of the push ball in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, 19 is a bathtub, and 20 is a bathtub 1.
9, a massage device main body, 21 is a body supporting means which constitutes a body facing surface of the massage device main body 20 and supports a bather's body, 22 is a sliding guide fixed to the body supporting means 21, and 23 is a slide. A push ball that slides on a sliding track by the dynamic guide 22, 24 is an air drive bellows as a driving means for driving the push ball 23, 25 is an air pipe that supplies air to the air drive bellows 24, and 26 is an air pipe 25. A drive valve for opening and closing air supply to the air drive bellows 24, an air pump 27 for supplying air to the air pipe 25, and a control device 28 for controlling the air pump 27 and each drive valve 26 are provided. Massage device body 2
Numeral 0 is fixed to the bathtub 19 with a hook, a suction cup or the like. The control device 28 controls the operation of the air pump 27 and the operation of each drive valve 26.

In FIG. 2, the body supporting means 21 forms a convex round surface along the concave round on the back of the body, and the surface is made of a soft material such as polyethylene foam. The sliding guide 22 is formed of ABS resin or the like into a cylindrical shape, and the body supporting means 21 where the sliding guide 22 intersects.
The sliding guide 22 is bonded to the back surface of the body supporting means 21 so that the convex round surface of the sliding guide 22 and the sliding orbit direction of the sliding guide 22 are substantially perpendicular to each other.

In FIG. 3, the push balls 23 and the air driven bellows 24 have their end faces bonded to each other. Push ball 2
3, and the outer diameter of the air drive bellows 24 provides a play dimension that can slide with respect to the sliding track that is the inner diameter of the sliding guide 22. 29 is an air flow path from an air pump provided in a casing 30 constituting the drive valve 26, 31 is an air flow path to the air drive bellows 24 also provided in the casing 30, and 32 is another drive provided in the casing 30 also. An air flow path to the valve, 33 is a valve element constituting the drive valve 26, and a three-way flow path is formed inside the valve element 33. The valve body 33 is configured to be rotatable by a motor drive or the like, and the air passage 2 is controlled by the control device 28.
The air supply from the air flow path 9 to the air flow path 31 and the air flow path 32 or the air flow from the air flow path 29 to the air flow path 32 can be switched.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. The bather enters the bathtub 19 with hot water covered in the bathtub 19, and leaves the back on the body supporting means 21. When the body supporting means 21 supports the body of the bather, the body-facing surface of the body supporting means 21, which is a convex round surface, has its back on the natural S of the spine.
Stretch your back along the top of the curve. The operation of the switch (not shown) connected to the control device 28 causes the bath massage device to operate.

The control device 28 drives the air pump 27, and as shown in FIG.
Is supplied from the air flow path 29 to the air flow path 32, and all the air is supplied to the air pipes connected to the respective drive valves. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, in order to operate the air drive bellows 24, the control device 28 drives each drive valve and rotates the valve element 33 of the drive valve 26. The valve element 33 moves from the air flow path 29 to the air flow path 31.
When the air supply is switched to the air supply to the air passage 32, the air is supplied from the air passage 29 to the air drive bellows 24. When air is supplied from the air flow path 31 to the air drive bellows 24, the air drive bellows 24 is extended by the air pressure, and the push ball 23 slides on the slide track, which is the inner diameter of the slide guide 22.

The massaged part of the back of the bather deposited in the body supporting means 21 against which the push ball tip 34 of the push ball 23 is in contact is acupressure-like in which the push ball 23 slides directly on the skin. Receive a massage. At this time, since the skin surface of the massaged portion pressed by the push ball 23 is locally pressed against the skin surface in contact with the body support means 21, the muscle fibers below the skin surface are removed by the body support means 21. Can be pressed to stretch the muscle fibers below the skin surface in contact with the skin.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the bath massage apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of the push ball in this embodiment, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing the operation of the push ball in this embodiment. The components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same structure, and detailed description will be omitted.

The bath massage device of the present embodiment is a modification of the bath massage device shown in the first embodiment, and only the changed portions will be described. In FIG.
The sliding guide 22 is formed of ABS resin or the like so as to have a cylindrical shape and a sliding track having an arc shape. Sliding guide 2
2 is rotatably attached to the back surface of the body supporting means 21.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. The bather puts hot water in the bathtub 19, enters the bathtub and leaves the back on the body supporting means 21. Body support means 2
When 1 supports the body of the bather, the body-facing surface of the body support means 21, which is a convex round surface, extends the back along the upper part of the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. The operation of the switch connected to the control device 28 causes the bath massage device to operate. The control device 28 drives the air pump 27, and as shown in FIG.
Is supplied from the air flow path 29 to the air flow path 32, and all air is supplied to the air pipes connected to the respective drive valves 26.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, in order to operate the air drive bellows 24, the control device 28 drives each drive valve 26 and rotates the valve element 33 of the drive valve 26. When the valve 33 is switched from the air passage 29 to the air supply to the air passage 31 and the air passage 32, the air is supplied from the air passage 31 to the air drive bellows 24. When the air is supplied from the air flow path 31 to the air drive bellows 24, the air drive bellows 24 is extended by the air pressure, and the push ball 23 slides on the arc-shaped sliding track of the sliding guide 22. The massaged part of the back of the bather deposited in the body supporting means 21, which is in contact with the push ball 23, is pushed so as to push up the skin directly by sliding of the push ball 23 in an arc-shaped trajectory. Receive a similar massage. At this time, the skin surface of the massaged part pressed by the push ball 23 is locally pressed against the skin surface in contact with the body support means 21, and the muscle fibers below the skin surface are applied to the body support means 21. The muscle fiber under the skin surface in contact can be pressed to stretch.

Next, the sliding guide 22 is rotated to set the arc-shaped sliding trajectory in the direction of the lower chord. Control device 2
8 drives the air pump 27, and as shown in FIG. 7A, the air is supplied from the air flow path 29 to the air flow path 32 while the valve body 33 of the drive valve 26 supplies air. All are supplied to the air pipe connected to each drive valve 26. Next, in order to operate the air drive bellows 24, as shown in FIG. 7B, the control device 28 drives each drive valve 26 and rotates the valve body 33 of the drive valve 26. When the valve 33 is switched from the air passage 29 to the air supply to the air passage 31 and the air passage 32, the air is supplied from the air passage 31 to the air drive bellows 24.

When air is supplied from the air flow path 31 to the air drive bellows 24, the air drive bellows 24 expands due to the air pressure, and the push ball 23 slides on the arc-shaped sliding track of the sliding guide 22. . The massaged part of the back of the bather deposited in the body supporting means 21, which is in contact with the push ball 23, is pressed so as to push down the skin directly by sliding of the push ball 23 in an arc-shaped trajectory. Receive a similar massage. At this time, the body support means 21
Since the skin surface of the massaged portion pressed by the push ball 23 is locally pressed against the skin surface in contact with the skin surface, the muscle fibers under the skin surface are brought into contact with the body supporting means 21 under the skin surface. Can be pressed to stretch the muscle fibers.

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 of the bath massage apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of this embodiment. The bath massage device of the present embodiment is a modification of the bath massage device shown in Embodiment 1, and only the changed portions will be described.

In FIG. 8, the upper part of the body supporting means 21 forms a convex round surface along the concave radius of the back of the body, and the lower part forms a concave round surface along the protrusion of the buttocks. Its surface is made of soft material such as polyethylene foam. A seat surface 35 is attached to the lowermost end of the body supporting means 21. The seat surface 35 has a shape in which the front of the buttocks seating surface is raised, and the surface is made of a soft material such as polyethylene foam.

The operation and operation of the above configuration will be described. The bather puts hot water in the bathtub 19, enters the bathtub, and leaves the back on the body supporting means 21. Body support means 21
When supporting the body of the bather, the body-facing surface of the body supporting means 21, which is a convex round surface, extends the back muscles along the upper part of the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. At the same time, the buttocks are supported by the concave round surface and the seat surface 35 formed below the body facing surface of the body supporting means 21. By operating a switch connected to the control device 28, the bath massage device is operated. The control device 28 drives the air pump 27 and supplies air to each drive valve 2 in a state where the valve element 33 of the drive valve 26 supplies air from the air flow path 29 to the air flow path 32.
Supply all to the air pipe connected to 6.

Next, in order to operate the air drive bellows 24, the control device 28 drives each drive valve 26 and rotates the valve body 33 of the drive valve 26. When the valve 33 is switched from the air passage 29 to the air supply to the air passage 31 and the air passage 32, the air is supplied from the air passage 31 to the air drive bellows 24. Air is in the air channel 3
1 to the air-driven bellows 24, the air-driven bellows 24 is extended by air pressure,
Slides on the sliding track of the sliding guide 22. The massaged part on the back of the bather deposited in the body supporting means 21, which is in contact with the push ball 23, directly presses the skin by sliding of the push ball 23 in an arc-shaped trajectory. receive. At this time, by the body buoyancy in the bath water and the pressing of the push ball 23, the movement of the body rubbing upward and forward is suppressed by the buttocks support by the concave round surface and the seat surface 35 of the body support means 21, thereby providing a more stable state. You can receive a shiatsu-like massage.

[0056]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body supporting means having a convex-facing surface facing the body of a bather, a sliding guide fixed to the body supporting means, and the sliding member. By providing a bath massage device including a push ball protruding from the convex round surface and coming into contact with the body by sliding on a sliding track by a dynamic guide, and a driving means for slidingly driving the push ball, body support is provided. When the means supports the bather's body, the pushing ball slides by the driving means while the body-facing surface of the body supporting means, which is a convex round surface, stretches the back along the upper part of the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. Since the push ball that slides on the sliding track of the motion guide and comes into contact with the body independently of the body support means is pressed against the bather's body by sliding,
With the body supporting means, the muscles are sufficiently relaxed, and the backbone is stretched along the upper part of the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. Since it can be rubbed, it can promote blood circulation by utilizing the warming action of warm water at the time of bathing and activate various physiological functions, and can promote blood circulation more effectively and release muscle tone.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sliding guides are provided, and the sliding guides slide so that a convex round surface intersecting each sliding guide and a sliding orbital direction of the sliding guide are substantially perpendicular to each other. By providing the bath massage device according to the first aspect with the guide fixed, the push ball presses the skin surface of the bather in a substantially right angle direction, so that the effect of the means according to the first aspect is most effectively exhibited.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the sliding track of the sliding guide is formed in an arc shape, and the push ball is slid along the arc shaped sliding track.
By using the bath massage device according to any one of the above, the pressing direction of the push ball can be set to a direction slightly changed from the right-angle direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, by providing the bath massage device according to the third aspect in which the sliding guide is rotatably provided, the pressing direction of the push ball can be selected according to the preference of a bather. Becomes

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bath massage apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the buttocks supporting means is provided. The massage device for a bath according to claim 5, which is a concave surface provided below the convex round surface of the body-facing surface of the body supporting means, and the present invention according to claim 7,
The buttocks support means is a seat surface attached to the body support means, and the bath massage device according to any one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the body support means projects the back of the bather. With the buttocks supporting means supporting the buttocks, the back muscles are stretched along the upper part of the natural S-shaped curve of the spine and fully relaxed, and the buttocks are pushed in a stable state Can press the skin surface of the bather.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a bath massage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the body supporting means in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a push ball in the embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of a push ball in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a push ball in Embodiment 2 of the bath massage device of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the push ball in the embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views showing another operation of the push ball in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a bath massage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional bathtub with a massager.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional bath massager.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub 2 Opening part 3 Seat 4 Massager 5 Support plate 6 Elevating hole 7 Rack teeth 8 Main body part 9 Kneading ball 10 Vacuum unit 11 Exterior case 12 Inner peripheral wall 13 Machine room 14 Empty room 15 Motor 16 Reduction mechanism 17 Sealing body 18 Mouth 19 Bathtub 20 Massage device body 21 Body support means 22 Sliding guide 23 Push ball 24 Air drive bellows (Drive means) 25 Air pipe 26 Drive valve 27 Air pump 28 Controller 29, 31, 32 Air flow path 30 Casing 33 Valve Body 34 Push ball tip 35 Seat (buttock support means)

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Keijiro Kunimoto 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. ) Inventor Satoshi Furuta 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A body supporting means having a convex surface as a body facing surface for supporting a bather's body, a sliding guide fixed to said body supporting means, and sliding on a sliding track by said sliding guide. A bath massage device comprising: a push ball protruding from the convex round surface so as to come into contact with the body; and a driving means for slidingly driving the push ball. 2. A slide guide comprising a plurality of slide guides, wherein the slide guides are fixed so that a convex round surface where each slide guide intersects and a direction of a slide track of the slide guide is substantially perpendicular. A bath massage device as described. 3. The sliding guide according to claim 1, wherein the sliding track of the sliding guide is formed in an arc shape, and the push ball is slid along the arc shaped sliding track. Bath massage equipment. 4. The sliding guide according to claim 3, wherein said sliding guide is rotatably installed.
A bath massage device as described. 5. The bath massage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buttocks support means. 6. The hip support means is a concave round surface provided below the convex round surface of the body-facing surface of the body support means.
A bath massage device as described. 7. The bath massage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the buttocks support means is a seat attached to the body support means.