JP2003038591A - Four-ball type massage mechanism and massage apparatus having the same built therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a four-ball type massage mechanism enabling to move the back part of the human body left and right as a whole to achieve the acceleration of the circulation of the blood of the whole of the upper half of the body. SOLUTION: In the four-ball type massage mechanism equipped with a rotary shaft 5 constructed in a left and right direction, a pair of left and right shaking arms 8L and 8R connected to the rotary shaft 5 in a cooperative manner so that one and other end parts thereof are shaken in mutually opposite directions in the left and right direction accompanied by the rotation of the rotary shaft 5, the first and second massage bodies 11 and 12 respectively attached to one and other end parts of the left shaking arm 8L and third and fourth massage bodies 13 and 14 respectively attached to one and other end parts of the right shaking arm 8R, a cooperation means 26 for shaking a pair of the left and right-shaking arms 8L and 8R is provided so that, when the first and third massage bodies 11 and 13 are together moved to the left, the second and fourth massage bodies 12 and 14 are together moved to the right and, when the first and third massage bodies 11 and 13 are together moved to the right, the second and fourth massage bodies 12 and 14 are together moved to the left.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a four-ball type massage mechanism capable of massaging a human body with four massage bodies independent of each other, and a massage device incorporating this mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the technical field of a chair-type massage device, there has been one in which a backrest portion has a four-ball type massage mechanism for massaging a human body by four independent massage bodies. The mechanism includes a rotary shaft that is installed in the left-right direction, and a left-right link that is interlockingly connected to the rotary shaft so that one end and the other end swing in opposite directions in the left-right direction as the rotary shaft rotates. A pair of swing arms, a first and a second massage body attached to one end and the other end of the left swing arm, and a third massage body attached to one end and the other end of the right swing arm, respectively. And a fourth massage body (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-237257).

A pair of left and right cam members having cam surfaces that are symmetrically inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axial center of the rotary shaft are fixed to the rotary shaft. By rotatably connecting a lever projecting to the central portion of each swing arm, the swing arm can be swung left and right via the lever by the cam function of the cam member fixed to the rotating shaft. The rotation of the rotary shaft is converted into the massage motion of massaging each massage body. And, in the conventional four-ball massage mechanism, the cam surfaces of both cam members fixed to the rotary shaft for rubbing are inclined symmetrically with respect to the plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotary shaft, and are in opposite directions to each other. Has become. Therefore, when the rotating shaft is rotated, the second and fourth massage bodies are separated from each other when the first and third massage bodies are close to each other, and the second and fourth massage bodies are separated from each other when the first and third massage bodies are separated from each other. A kneading massage motion in which the massage bodies approach each other is performed, and the kneading massage motion by the four-ball type massage mechanism is
Concentrate the upper and lower back two affected areas intensively,
It is suitable for promoting blood circulation in the affected area.

[0004]

By the way, in the case of massaging the back part of the human body, the back part of the human body is generally reciprocated right and left in a constant cycle instead of the above local massage. By doing so, it is known that blood circulation in the entire upper body is promoted, and in some cases, the visceral function of the abdomen is activated, which helps promote health. However, in the conventional four-ball massage mechanism, since both cam members are fixed to the rotary shaft so that the cam surfaces are inclined in opposite directions, the left and right corresponding to the left and right by the rotary motion of the rotary shaft. The first and third massaging bodies, and the second and fourth massaging bodies can only perform a rubbing massaging motion in which they approach and separate from each other, and it is impossible to perform the above-mentioned swing massaging motion.

In view of such a situation, the present invention enables the back portion of the human body to be reciprocally moved to the left and right as a whole.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a four-ball type massage mechanism capable of promoting blood circulation in the entire upper body and a massage device incorporating this mechanism. On the other hand, in the conventional four-ball type massage mechanism, a pair of left and right rods that move in and out by a rotating shaft for striking provided separately from the rotating shaft for kneading are pivotally attached to the base end portions of the levers to form a single rod. The massage mechanism allows both kneading massage motion and hitting massage motion, but in such a structure, a drive shaft (kneading rotary shaft and hitting rotary shaft) for performing each massage motion is required. The structure is exclusively complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased.

Also, in the first place, in the conventional four-ball type massage mechanism, as described above, no matter how much the massaging rotary shaft is rotated, the swing massage motion itself for reciprocating the back part of the human body to the left and right as a whole is performed. Since it cannot be performed, naturally, it is not possible to perform both the kneading massage exercise and the swing massage exercise. In view of such a situation, the present invention does not make the structure so complicated,
By making it possible to perform both massaging and swinging massage motions on the four massaging bodies, a four-ball massage mechanism that can perform these massage motions and a massage device with this mechanism built in can be obtained at low cost. The second purpose is to do so.

Further, according to the present invention, four massaging bodies can be made to perform three types of motions of kneading massage motion, swing massage motion and hitting massage motion without complicating the structure. A third object is to make it possible to obtain a four-ball type massage mechanism capable of performing the massage motion of (1) and a massage device incorporating this mechanism at a low cost.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above first object, the present invention takes the following technical means. That is,
The present invention is interlockingly connected to a rotary shaft that is laid in the left-right direction, and one end and the other end of the rotary shaft swing in opposite directions in the left-right direction as the rotary shaft rotates. A pair of left and right swing arms, first and second massage bodies attached to one end and the other end of the left swing arm, and one end and the other end of the right swing arm, respectively. In the four-ball type massage mechanism including the third and fourth massage bodies, when the first and third massage bodies move to the left side, the second and fourth massage bodies move to the right side. ,
Also, provided with interlocking means for swinging the pair of left and right swing arms so that both the second and fourth massage bodies move to the left side when both the first and third massage bodies move to the right side. Is.

According to the above invention, when the rotary shaft is rotated, the interlocking means moves both the first and third massage bodies to the left side, and the second and fourth massage bodies move to the right side, and The pair of left and right swing arms swings so that when both the first and third massage bodies move to the right, both the first and third massage bodies move to the left. For this reason, the rotation speed of the rotating shaft is set to an appropriate value
By setting it to about 0 to 200 rpm), the back part of the human body can be reciprocally moved to the left and right in a constant cycle by the four massage bodies, and blood circulation in the entire upper body can be promoted.

In the present invention, specifically, the interlocking means includes the rotary shaft that penetrates each swing arm so as to be rotatable relative to each swing arm, and the shaft of this rotary shaft. A pair of left and right cam members that are respectively fixed to the middle portions in the axial direction, have cam surfaces inclined in the same direction with respect to the same rotation axis, and contact the cam surfaces with the swing arms, respectively. , Can be configured from. In this case, since the cam surfaces of both cam members are inclined in the same direction with respect to the rotating shaft, the moving directions of the first and third massage bodies along with the rotation of the rotating shaft are aligned, and the second and fourth massage members are aligned. Since the moving directions of the massage bodies are also aligned, the above-described swing massage exercise can be performed by each massage body.

In the present invention, a swing stop member for restricting rotation of the swing arm along with the rotation of the rotary shaft is provided in the middle of each swing arm. If a spring member is provided to position the shaft at a predetermined position in the direction of rotation, each swing arm will return to its original neutral position by the spring force when the human body is separated from each massage body. At times, it becomes easier to apply each massage body to the affected area. On the other hand, in order to achieve the second object, the present invention takes the following technical means.

That is, according to the present invention, a rotary shaft which is installed in the left-right direction, and one end portion and the other end portion which swing with the rotation of the rotary shaft in the left-right direction are opposite to each other. A pair of left and right swing arms that are interlockingly connected, first and second massage bodies attached to one end and the other end of the left swing arm, and one end and the other end of the right swing arm. In a four-ball type massage mechanism including a third and a fourth massage body attached to each part, each massage body has the following (a)
Switching means for switching the postures of the swinging arms is provided so as to perform either the kneading massage motion defined in (1) or the swing massage motion defined in (b).

(A) When the first and third massage bodies are close to each other, the second and fourth massage bodies are separated from each other, and when the first and third massage bodies are separated from each other, the second and fourth massage bodies are separated from each other. Kneading massage movement in which four massage bodies approach each other (b) When both the first and third massage bodies move to the left side, both the second and fourth massage bodies move to the right side, and the first and third massage bodies Swing massage movement in which both the second and fourth massage bodies move to the left side when the massage body moves to the right side. In the present invention described above, the specific structure of the switching means is not particularly limited. Employ a mechanical structure (for example, a half-rotation clutch mechanism to be described later) that changes the posture of the massage roller when the direction is switched. It can be.

According to the present invention, the massaging or swinging massage motion defined by the above-mentioned (a) or (b) can be performed by the four massage bodies simply by switching the postures of both swinging arms by the switching means. Since it can be performed, it is possible to cause the four massaging bodies to perform a kneading massage motion and a swing massage motion without complicating the structure so much. Hereinafter, a more specific embodiment example of the massage mechanism of the type capable of switching the massage motion according to the present invention will be described.

That is, according to the present invention, the rotary shaft includes a first shaft portion for swinging the left swing arm, and a first shaft portion arranged coaxially with the first shaft portion for swinging the right swing arm. In this case, the switching means may be constituted by a half-rotation clutch mechanism that regulates a range in which the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion rotate relative to each other to approximately half rotation. it can. In the case of such a structure, for example, when the rotation direction of the first shaft portion is switched, the relative rotational position of the second shaft portion with respect to the first shaft portion changes by half a rotation.
Therefore, by simply rotating the drive motor in the normal direction or in the reverse direction, the postures of both swinging arms can be switched to either the postures for the massage massage movement or the postures for the swing massage movement. The posture switching control of the arm can be performed extremely easily.

More specifically, the half-rotation clutch mechanism has a lateral groove, which is coaxially fixed to the end of the second shaft portion and is non-rotatably fixed, and which has a circumferential length corresponding to half the rotation. And a cylindrical member provided in the cylindrical portion, and a first shaft portion coaxially and rotatably inserted into the cylindrical member, which is radially outwardly projectingly provided, and the projecting end portion is provided in the lateral groove. It can be configured with a stopper pin that is stored.
The half-rotation clutch mechanism includes a first clutch body fixed to the end of the first shaft portion and an end of the second shaft portion rotatably within a half-rotation range and axially movable. The second clutch body is detachably engaged with the first clutch body, and the second clutch body is once disengaged from the first clutch body when the rotation shaft is normally or reversely rotated and then meshed with the clutch body again. It is possible to employ the one provided with the cam means.

In the case of such a half-rotation clutch mechanism, when the rotation direction of the rotating shaft is reversed, the second clutch body once disengages from the first clutch body and engages with the first clutch body again. For this reason, if the two clutch bodies are engaged with each other at two positions 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction, the relative rotation between the two shaft portions whose switching of the posture of the swing arm is completed is almost completely restricted. become able to. Therefore, in the present invention, when the rotating shaft is rotated in the forward direction, the rotating shaft is driven at a rotational speed for massaging massage (about 50 to 100 rpm), and when the rotating shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, If a drive means for driving the rotary shaft at a rotation speed for swing massage (about 100 to 200 rpm) is provided, both a massage massage and a swing massage motion can be performed by one unit without making the structure so complicated. As a result, it is possible to inexpensively manufacture a four-ball type massage mechanism that can perform both massage movements.

In order to achieve the third object, in each swing arm, when one swing arm approaches the human body, the other swing arm moves away from the human body, and one swing arm moves in the human body. It is recommended to interlock with the rotary shaft so that the other swing arm approaches the human body when moving away from it. Then, after adopting such a connecting structure, both swinging arms are switched to the posture for performing the swing massage motion defined in (b) above, and the rotary shaft is rotated at a relatively high speed (approximately 30).
When rotated at 0 rp or more), the back part of the human body cannot follow the left and right reciprocating motion of each massage body and does not resonate, and each massage body repeats advance and retreat alternately to the affected area at high speed. Exercise will be performed.

As described above, according to the present invention, the swing massage motion and the hitting massage motion other than the kneading massage motion can be performed only by adjusting the forward / reverse rotation of the rotary shaft and adjusting the number of rotations thereof. It is possible to inexpensively manufacture a four-ball massage mechanism that can perform a massage motion. The four-ball type massage mechanism of the present invention described above includes various types such as a relatively small placement type massage device or a handheld massage device, or a relatively large standing type massage device or a chair type massage device. Can be incorporated into the massage device.

In this case, in the stand-up type massage device and the chair type massage device, since it is necessary to massage the back region of the human body in a wide vertical range, the moving means for moving the roller massage mechanism itself in the vertical direction. Is preferably provided.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show a four-ball type massage mechanism 1 according to the present invention capable of switching massage motions.
2 shows an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The massaging mechanism 1 includes a support frame 3 having left and right support brackets 2 and 2 arranged at a predetermined distance from each other at both left and right ends, and a bearing 4 at both ends by the brackets 2 and 2 of the support frame 3. A rotary shaft 5 which is erected in the left-right direction by being rotatably supported via
And a four-ball type massage member 6 that massages the human body such as rubbing along with the rotation of the rotary shaft 5, and a drive unit 7 that drives the rotary shaft 5 so as to rotate forward and backward. .

Of these, the massaging member 6 is linked to the rotary shaft 5 so that one end and the other end swing in opposite directions in the left-right direction as the rotary shaft 5 rotates. A pair of swing arms 8L and 8R, and first and second massage bodies 11 and 12 attached to one end and the other end of the left swing arm 8L.
And the third and fourth massage bodies 13 and 14 attached to one end and the other end of the right swing arm 8R, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of left and right swing arms 8L and 8R is in a state of being inclined from the intermediate plate portion 9 through which the rotary shaft 5 is relatively rotatably penetrated and the outer peripheral portion of the intermediate plate portion 9. And a pair of front and rear arm portions 10 integrally projecting from each other, and made of a substantially bifurcated metal plate material,
The first to fourth massage bodies 11 to 14 are rotatably attached to the tip ends of the respective arm portions 10 and 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, sliding plates 15 and 16 which are contact portions of a cam surface 21 described later are fixed to both front and back surfaces of the intermediate plate portion 9.

The first to fourth massaging bodies 11 to 14 are rotatably mounted on the inner surfaces of the arms 10 and 10 facing each other at their tips by a fulcrum bolt 17 so as to rotate freely.
8 and a rubber pressing ring 19 wound around the outer circumference of the idler wheel 18. These first to fourth massage bodies 11 to 14 have the pressing ring 19 which is a human body 2.
0 (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) are arranged separately from each other vertically and horizontally so as to individually contact the back portion. A pair of left and right cam members 22L and 22R having a cam surface 21 (see FIG. 1) that is obliquely inclined with respect to the rotating shaft 5 are fixed to the rotating shaft 5 at an intermediate portion in the axial direction.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cam member 22 includes a first boss portion 23 that is fixed to the rotary shaft 5 so as to be relatively non-rotatable via a rotation preventing means such as a key, and a tip end cylinder portion of the first boss portion 23. And a second boss portion 24 that is fitted in the. this house,
At the center of the first boss portion 23, there is formed an inclined cylinder portion 25 having the above-mentioned cam surface 21 formed of an outer peripheral surface inclined with respect to the axial direction of the rotary shaft 5, and the cam of this inclined cylinder portion 25 is formed. Sliding plates 15 and 16 fixed to both front and back sides of the swing arms 8L and 8R are fitted into the surface 21 so as to be relatively rotatable.

Therefore, when the rotary shaft 5 rotates in either the forward or reverse direction, the pair of left and right swing arms 8L, 8L, along the cam surfaces 21 of the cam members 22L, 22R that rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 5. 8R swings, whereby the first and second massage bodies 11 and 12 attached to the respective ends of the left swing arm 8L move in opposite directions in the left-right direction, and at the same time the right swing arm 8R moves. The third and fourth massage bodies 13 and 14 attached to the respective end portions also move in opposite directions in the left-right direction.

Therefore, the four massage bodies 11 to 1 are composed of the rotary shaft 3 and the cam member 22 which rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 3.
Each rocking arm 8 is designed so that 4 performs a kneading massage motion (FIG. 6) and a swing massage motion (FIG. 7) described later.
An interlocking device 26 for swinging L and 8R is configured.
Although the sliding plates 15 and 16 are separate from the swing arm 8 in the illustrated example, one or both of the plates 15 and 16 are integrated with the intermediate plate portion 9 of the swing arm 8. It can also be molded. Further, by interposing rolling balls between the cam surface 21 of the inclined tubular portion 25 and the sliding plates 15 and 16, frictional resistance due to sliding between them may be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the rotating shaft 5
Is the first shaft portion 5L that swings the left swing arm 8L.
And a second shaft portion 5R coaxially arranged with the first shaft portion 5L and swinging the right swing arm 8R. Of these, the first shaft portion 5L is the left cam member 22.
An L mounting portion and a penetrating portion for the driving means 7 are sequentially provided from the left side, and the second shaft portion 5R has a right cam member 22R mounting portion. That is, the rotary shaft 5 is divided into the left and right first shaft portions 5L and the second shaft portion 5R at the position between the drive means 7 and the right swing arm 8R, and the divided end portions are separated from each other. Are connected to each other via a half-rotation clutch mechanism 29. The half-rotation clutch mechanism 29 regulates a range in which the first shaft portion 5L and the second shaft portion 5R rotate relative to each other to approximately half rotation, and has a coaxial center shape at the divided end portion of the second shaft portion 5R. And non-rotatably fixed cylindrical member 30
And a stopper pin 31 projecting radially outward at the divided end of the first shaft portion 5L that is coaxially and rotatably inserted into the tubular member 30.

The tubular member 30 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an insertion hole 32 penetrating the central portion in the axial direction thereof, and the first shaft portion is provided at the opening edge portion on the drive means 7 side (left side in FIG. 4). A bearing 33 for rotatably holding the divided end portion of 5 L is provided. In addition, a half-moon-shaped lateral groove 34 having a circumferential length corresponding to a half rotation is formed in the axially intermediate portion of the tubular member 30, and the lateral groove 34 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 30 to the insertion hole 32. It has On the other hand, the stopper pin 31 fixed so as to project radially outward by screwing a set screw or the like is provided at the divided end of the first shaft 5L, and the projecting end of the pin 25 is provided. Is movably stored in the lateral groove 34 of the tubular member 30.

As is apparent from the above structure, the rotary shaft 5
The first shaft portion 5L that drives the left swing arm 8L among the above-mentioned constituent members is the tubular member 3 that constitutes the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29.
The second shaft portion 5R, which is rotatable relative to 0 in a range of about half a rotation and drives the right swing arm 8R, is the same as the tubular member 3
It is fixed so that it cannot rotate relative to 0. Therefore, when the first shaft portion 5L of the rotary shaft 5 is normally rotated by the driving means 7, the stopper pin 31 causes the half-moon shaped lateral groove 3 of the tubular member 30.
4, the second shaft portion 5R integrally rotates in the forward rotation direction together with the first shaft portion 5L. On the other hand, when the first shaft portion 5L is reversely rotated from this state, the stopper pin 31 moves in the lateral groove 34 and abuts on the other circumferential end surface, and the abutment causes the second shaft portion 5R to move. It rotates in the reverse direction together with 5L. Then, while the stopper pin 31 moves between the one circumferential end surface of the lateral groove 34 and the other circumferential end surface of the lateral groove 34, the right cam member 22R provided on the driven second shaft portion 5R.
Will idle for a half rotation relative to the left cam member 22L.

As a result, the left and right swing arms 8L, 8R
1 is a kneading posture in which the inclination directions with respect to the rotation axis 5 are opposite to each other as shown by a solid line in FIG. 1, or non-rubbing postures in which the inclination directions are parallel to each other as shown by a virtual line in FIG. Can be. When the rotary shaft 5 is driven with the left and right swing arms 8L and 8R in the kneading posture, the four massage bodies 11 to 14 are
As shown in FIG. 6, the first and third massage bodies 1
When 1 and 13 approach each other, the second and fourth massage bodies 1
When 2 and 14 are separated from each other (FIG. 6A), and when the first and third massage bodies 11 and 13 are separated from each other, the second and fourth massage bodies 12 and 14 are close to each other (FIG. 6).
(B)), Kneading massage exercise will be performed. In this case, if the number of rotations of the rotary shaft 5 is set to about 50 to 100 rpm, the upper and lower affected parts of the back part of the human body 20 are intensively loosened, and the local stiffness of the back part is healed. be able to.

On the other hand, when the rotary shaft 5 is driven with the left and right swing arms 8L and 8R in the non-rubbing posture, the four massaging bodies 11 to 14 are divided into the first and second massaging bodies as shown in FIG. When both the third massaging bodies 11 and 13 move to the left side, the second and fourth massaging bodies 12 and 14 both separate to the right side (Fig. 7 (a)), and the first and third massaging bodies 11 and 13 become When both are moved to the right, both the second and fourth massage bodies 12 and 14 are moved to the left (Fig. 7).
(B)) A swing massage exercise will be performed.
In this case, the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 5 is approximately 100 to 200 rp.
If set to about m, four massage bodies 11 to 1
The back part of the human body 20 resonates with the movement of 4 and reciprocates left and right at substantially the same cycle as those of the massage bodies 11 to 14, thereby promoting blood circulation in the entire upper body.

Therefore, the half rotation clutch mechanism 29 described above is used.
Thus, the four massage bodies 11 to 14 are switched to switch the tilted postures of the pair of left and right swing arms 8L and 8R to the opposite direction or the same direction so that the four massage bodies 11 to 14 perform either the massage massage motion or the swing massage motion. The switching means 35 is configured. In the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29 shown in FIG. 4, the tubular member 30 is provided in order to reduce the shock caused by the abrupt switching operation of the mechanism 29.
Is fixed to the divided end of the first shaft portion 5L, and the inner peripheral surface of the brake cylindrical body 36 is a rubber pad for increasing sliding friction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 30. Although 37 is fixed, adoption of these braking means is optional.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the left and right cam members 22L and 22R not only have the cam surfaces 21 inclined with respect to the rotary shaft 5, but also have the same distance from the rotary shaft 5. It is fixed to each of the shaft portions 5L and 5R in an eccentric state. The eccentric state of the cam members 22L and 22R is such that when the rocking arms 8L and 8R are put into a rubbing posture and the massage bodies 11, 12 and 13, 14 on the left and right sides thereof are brought closest to each other (see FIG. 1). In the solid line state), the centers of the two cam members 22L and 22R are in the state of being deviated most toward the human body 20 side (the upper side in FIG. 1) than the axis of the rotary shaft 5.

For this reason, when the rotary shaft 5 is rotated with both swinging arms 8L and 8R in a kneading position, the left and right swinging arms 8L and 8R repeatedly approach and separate from the human body 20 at the same timing. Has become. On the other hand, when the rotary shaft 5 is rotated with both swinging arms 8L and 8R in a non-rubbed posture, the left cam member 2 is moved by the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29.
2L and the right cam member 22R rotate in a cycle of 180 degrees, so that when the left swing arm 8L approaches the human body 20, the right swing arm 8R moves away from the human body 20 and the left swing arm 8L. When the person moves away from the human body 20, the swing arm 8R approaches the human body 20.

When the rotary shaft 5 is driven with both swinging arms 8L and 8R in the non-rubbed posture, the rotary shaft 5 is rotated at a relatively high speed (approximately 300 rpm or more), and the back portion of the human body 20 is rotated. Cannot follow the left and right reciprocating motions of the massaging bodies 11 to 14 and does not resonate, and the left massaging bodies 11 and 12 and the right massaging bodies 1 both
3 and 14 perform a hitting massage motion that repeats advance and retreat alternately to the affected area at high speed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive means 7 is an electric motor 39.
And a speed reducer 40 that decelerates the driving force of the motor 39 and transmits it to the rotary shaft 5 (the first shaft portion 5L in the present embodiment). The speed reducer 40 includes a first shaft portion 5L of the rotary shaft 5.
Is rotatably inserted through a bearing 41, a worm wheel 43 fixed to a portion of the rotating shaft 5 in the gear case 42, and an output shaft of the motor 39 so as to mesh with the worm wheel 43. And a fixed worm (not shown).

In this embodiment, the motor 39 can rotate normally and reversely by an electric control circuit (not shown). Further, the electric control circuit of the driving means 7 is a function capable of varying the rotational speed of the rotary shaft 5 in at least two stages when both swinging arms 8L and 8R are in the non-rubbed posture (state of phantom line in FIG. 1). Have. This shifting function may be performed stepwise or steplessly. Further, this gear shifting function may be performed mechanically (with gear rearrangement or the like) other than the control circuit for electrically controlling the motor 39.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the intermediate plate portion 9 of each swing arm 8L, 8R has a swing for restricting the rotation of the arm 8L, 8R as the rotary shaft 5 rotates. A stop member 44 is provided, and the steady rest member 44 is a bifurcated fork projecting from the lower end of the intermediate plate 9. A slide shaft 46 is inserted through the bottom plate 45 of the support frame 3 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction in a state parallel to the rotary shaft 5, and the left and right ends of the shaft 46 each swing arm 8L. , 8R of the steady rests 44 are hooked in a state of being movable left and right.

A pair of front and rear support shafts 47, 47 are inserted through the front and rear ends of the bottom plate 45 of the support frame 3, and the left and right ends of the shafts 47, 47 will be described later, for example. Prop-type massage device 72
(FIGS. 10 and 11) and chair type massage device 76
A guide roller 48 is provided on a backrest portion 78 (see FIG. 12) that can be fitted into both guide rails (not shown) that are vertically installed so as to travel freely. As shown in FIG.
A spring accommodating portion 49 formed of a long hole is formed in the center of the bottom plate 45 of the support frame 3, and a spring member 50 composed of a tension coil spring is accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 49. One end of the spring member 50 is hooked on the central portion of the slide shaft 46 which is movable in the front-rear direction, and the other end is hooked on the central portion of the rear support shaft 47 which is immovable in the front-rear direction.

Therefore, the slide shaft 46 is always biased to the rear side (lower side in FIG. 3) by the pulling force of the spring member 50, whereby each steady rest hooked on the slide shaft 46 is restrained. The member 44 is positioned at a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 5. Therefore, the massage mechanism 1 of the present embodiment
Then, when the human body 20 is separated from the massage bodies 11 to 14, the swing members 11 to 14 are returned to the original neutral positions by the spring member 50, and the massage bodies 11 to 11 are returned to the next use. 14 is easily addressed to the affected area.

FIG. 5 shows another half-rotation clutch mechanism 29 different from that shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29 in this case has the first clutch body 51 fixed to the end of the first shaft portion 5L and the half-rotation range at the end of the second shaft portion 5R. A second clutch body 52 that is rotatably and axially movable and that is detachably engaged with the first clutch body 51, and a second clutch body 52 that is the first clutch when the rotating shaft 5 rotates forward or backward. The cam means 53 is provided to disengage from the body 51 and then engage with the clutch body 51 again.

Each of the clutch teeth 54 of the first and second clutch bodies 51, 52 is formed in a shape in which the concave portion 55 and the convex portion 56 are interchanged in a range divided into four equal parts in the circumferential direction around the axis thereof. . Therefore, the first clutch body 51
The second clutch body 52 and the second clutch body 52 mesh with each other at two positions separated by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction around the axis. On the other hand, the cam means 53 includes the second clutch body 52.
Is formed of a boomerang-shaped cam hole 57 formed on the outer peripheral wall of the camshaft and a cam pin 58 radially driven into the end of the second shaft portion 5R.
It is stored movably in 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the boomerang-shaped cam hole 57 has a central bent portion located on the first clutch body 51 side (left side in FIG. 5), and both end portions are different from the first clutch body 51. It is arranged on the outer peripheral wall portion of the second clutch body 52 so as to be located on the opposite side (right side in FIG. 5).

The second clutch body 52 has the second shaft portion 5
A pressing spring 59 fitted onto the R is constantly biased toward the first clutch body 51 side. In the case of the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29 of FIG. 5, when the rotating shaft 5 that normally rotates in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5 turns in the reverse direction of arrow B, the reaction force received from the cam pin 58 causes the second clutch body 52 to move. The cam pin 57 moves along the cam hole 57 to the side opposite to the first clutch body 51, and the meshing with the cam clutch 57 is once released.
When 8 exceeds the bent portion of the cam hole 57, the second clutch body 52 returns to the first clutch body 51 side and engages with the same clutch body 51 again.

When the rotating shaft 5 which is rotating in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5 turns to rotate in the direction of arrow A, the second clutch body 52 is once disengaged from the first clutch body 51, as in the above case. After that, the first clutch body 51 is engaged again. And both of these clutch bodies 51, 5
The two clutch teeth 54 mesh with each other at two positions 180 degrees apart from each other in the circumferential direction, so that the two shaft portions 5L and 5R which have completed the switching of the tilt directions of the two swing arms 8L and 8R. The relative rotation of the above is almost completely restricted by the clutch teeth 54.

Next, the operation of the four-ball type massage mechanism 1 having the above structure will be described. That is, in the massage mechanism 1, first, when the rotary shaft 5 is rotated in the predetermined forward rotation direction, both swing arms 8L and 8R swing while maintaining the state of being inclined in opposite directions. Therefore, the four massage bodies 11 to 14 perform the kneading massage motion shown in FIG. In addition, in order to perform this massage massage operation, the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 5 is set to 10
It may be set to 0 rpm or less, and is generally 50 to 60 rpm.
On the other hand, when the rotary shaft 5 is rotated in the reverse direction, both swing arms 8L and 8R swing while maintaining the parallel state in the same direction. At this time, the rotary shaft 1
0 rotation speed for relatively slow swing massage (1
When set to about 00 to 200 rpm), the back part of the human body 20 resonates with respect to the reciprocating motions of the four massage bodies 11 to 14, and the massage bodies 11 to 14 cause the back portion of FIG.
The swing massage exercise shown in FIG.

At this time, if the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 5 is set to a relatively high-speed hitting massage (300 rpm or more), the back part of the human body 20 will move against the reciprocating motion of each of the four massage bodies 11-14. It becomes impossible to follow, and the left side massage bodies 11 and 12 and the right side massage body 13,
A hitting massage motion is performed in which 14 and the affected part alternately hit the affected part at high speed. As described above, according to the massage mechanism 1 of the present embodiment, by simply switching the rotation direction of the rotary shaft 5, both of the massage massage motions and the swing massage motions (or the hitting massage motions) can be performed on the four massage bodies 11 to 14. Can be done. Moreover, either swing massage motion or hit massage motion can be performed only by changing the rotation speed of the rotary shaft 5 with both swinging arms 8L and 8R in a non-rubbed posture. Therefore, after all, according to the massage mechanism 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform three types of massage operations of a massaging massage motion, a swing massage motion, and a hitting massage motion with only one device.

FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of a massage device incorporating the four-ball type massage mechanism 1 according to the present invention. The massage device 61 in this case is a relatively small flat mount type device, and has an opening 62 that opens upward.
A mounting type casing 63 having a
1 and the massage mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1 housed in the casing 3. The opening 62 of the casing 63 is closed by a soft cover member 64 made of a stretchable cloth material or the like. The massage device 61 is used, for example, by putting the human body 20 lying on its back on the back, waist, thighs or under the calf, or by placing the sole of the foot on the massage mechanism 1 while sitting on a chair. can do.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of a massage device incorporating the four-ball type massage mechanism 1 according to the present invention. The massage device 66 of this embodiment has a hand-held casing 69 that has an opening 67 that opens to the front side (upper side in FIG. 9) and has hand-holding portions 68 on both left and right sides.
And a massage mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1 housed in the casing 69. The openings 67 of the casing 69 are separately arranged on the left and right sides,
The left and right swing arms 8L and 8R are provided in the openings 67 and 57, respectively.
Are housed respectively and project to the upper surface side of the casing 69. In addition, the cover member 70 includes the openings 67, 6
It is separated into left and right to close each of the seven.

The hand-holding portion 68 is composed of a cylindrical portion integrally formed on both left and right sides of the casing 69, and the user can massage the back by holding the cylindrical portion with both hands and pressing it against the back of another person. . Further, the massage device 66 of the present embodiment can be placed on the floor or the like with the massage bodies 11 to 14 facing upward as shown in FIG. 9, so that it can be used as a small placement type massage device. Can also be used. 10 and 11
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a massage device incorporating the four-ball type massage mechanism 1 according to the present invention.

The massage device 72 of this embodiment has a longitudinal dimension substantially corresponding to the back region of the human body 20 and can lean against the wall surface W with its back surface facing the wall surface W side. The massaging mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated in the casing 73 so as to be vertically movable. The casing 73 in this case is formed in a vertically long box shape having a vertically long opening portion that opens to the front surface side, and as shown in FIG. As shown, it can be leaned against the wall surface W of the backrest of the chair 74. The massage mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1 is housed inside the casing 73 so that the massage bodies 11 to 14 correspond to the openings on the front surface side.

In this way, since the casing 73 is formed in a flat and vertically long box shape that can lean against the wall surface W,
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, by leaning against the wall surface W for use, it is possible to massage the back over a wide range, as in the case of the chair-type massage device 76 described later. On the other hand, chair type massage device 76
Unlike the above, since the casing 73 is formed in a flat and vertically long box shape, it can be stored in a narrow space such as a corner of a room or between furnitures when not needed, and is almost the same as the chair-type massage device 76. A compact massage device having the same function can be obtained at low cost.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of a massage device incorporating the four-ball type massage mechanism 1 according to the present invention. The massage device 76 of this embodiment has a seat portion 77, a backrest portion 78 that is erected at the end of the seat portion 77, and four balls shown in FIG. 1 that are housed inside the backrest portion 78. The chair-type massage mechanism 1 is provided. When the massage mechanism 1 is incorporated into the backrest portion 78, if a moving means (a guide rail for guiding the guide roller 48 or the like) for moving the mechanism 1 in the vertical direction is provided, the massage mechanism 1 can be moved from the back of the head. Massage can be performed over a wide area over the back and waist.

The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the invention and are not intended to be limiting. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown by the claims, and all modifications and equivalents to the claims are included in the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as a structure for switching the postures of the swing arms 8L and 8R, a case where the first shaft portion 5L and the second shaft portion 5R, which are divided into left and right, are connected by the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29 is described. Although described, a mechanical switching structure other than this, an electromagnetic clutch mechanism, a manual switching mechanism, or the like may be adopted.

Further, the present invention does not necessarily require the provision of the switching means 35 including the half-rotation clutch mechanism 29, and the present invention is also applicable to the case where only the four massaging bodies 11 to 14 perform the swing massage motion. include. Furthermore, the four-ball type massage mechanism 1 of the present invention
Can also be incorporated into a bed-type massage device.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the four massaging bodies performing the swing massage motion can reciprocate the back part of the human body to the left and right as a whole, it is possible to promote blood circulation in the entire upper body. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to cause the four massaging bodies to perform both the kneading massage motion and the swing massage motion without complicating the structure so much. The massaging mechanism and the massaging device incorporating this mechanism can be manufactured at low cost.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the four massage bodies can be made to perform three types of motions of a massaging massage motion, a swing massage motion and a hitting massage motion without complicating the structure so much. It is possible to inexpensively manufacture a four-ball type massage mechanism capable of performing the massage motion and a massage device incorporating this mechanism.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a four-ball type massage mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the massage mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the massage mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a half rotation clutch mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing another modification of the half-rotation clutch function.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of a kneading massage motion performed by each swing arm which is switched to the reverse posture.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of a swing massage motion performed by each swing arm which is switched to a parallel posture.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a placement type massage device having a four-ball type massage mechanism according to the present invention built therein.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a handheld massage device incorporating a four-ball massage mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of a usage state of a stand-up type massage device incorporating a four-ball type massage mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a usage state of a stand-up type massage device incorporating a four-ball type massage mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a chair-type massage device incorporating a four-ball type massage mechanism according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 four-ball massage mechanism 5 rotation axes 5L first shaft 5R Second shaft part 7 Drive means 8L swing arm (left side) 8R swing arm (right side) 11 first massage body 12 Second massage body 13 third massage body 14 fourth massage body 20 human body 21 Cam surface 22L cam member (left side) 22R cam member (right side) 26 Interlocking means 29 Half rotation clutch mechanism 30 tubular member 31 Stopper pin 34 horizontal groove 35 switching means 44 steady rest 50 Spring member 51 First clutch body 52 Second clutch body 53 Cam means 61 Placement type massage device 62 opening 63 casing 66 handheld massage device 67 opening 68 Handheld unit 69 casing 72 Stand-up massage device 73 casing 76 Chair type massage device 77 seats 78 Backrest

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) A61H 23/02 357 A61H 23/02 357

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A rotating shaft (5) installed in the left-right direction, and the rotation so that one end and the other end of the rotating shaft (5) swing in opposite directions in the left-right direction as the rotating shaft (5) rotates. A pair of left and right swing arms (8L, 8R) interlockingly connected to the shaft (5), and first and second massage bodies attached to one end and the other end of the left swing arm (8L), respectively. (11,1
2) and third and fourth massage bodies (13, 1) attached to one end and the other end of the right swing arm (8R), respectively.
4) and the first and third massage bodies (11, 13) both move to the left side, the second and fourth massage bodies (1
2, 14) both move to the right and both the first and third massage bodies (11, 13) move to the right, the second and fourth massage bodies (12, 14) both move to the left. As described above, a four-ball type massage mechanism comprising: interlocking means (26) for swinging the pair of left and right swing arms (8L, 8R). 2. The four-ball type massage mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking means (26) includes the swing arms (8L, 8L).
R) and the rotary shaft (5) penetrating each of the swing arms (8L, 8R) so as to be rotatable relative to the rotary shaft (R), and fixed to a middle portion of the rotary shaft (5) in the axial direction. And left and right having a cam surface (21) inclined in the same direction with respect to the rotary shaft (5) and abutting the cam surface (21) on each of the swing arms (8L, 8R). And a pair of cam members (22L, 22R). 3. The four-ball type massage mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the swinging arms (8L, 8R) are provided in the middle of the swinging arms (8L, 8R) for rotation of the rotary shaft (5). A steady member (44) for restricting the accompanying rotation is provided, and a spring member (5) for positioning the steady member (44) at a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft (5).
0) is provided. 4. A rotating shaft (5) installed in the left-right direction, and the rotation so that one end and the other end of the rotating shaft (5) swing in opposite directions in the left-right direction as the rotating shaft (5) rotates. A pair of left and right swing arms (8L, 8R) interlockingly connected to the shaft (5), and first and second massage bodies attached to one end and the other end of the left swing arm (8L), respectively. (11,1
2) and third and fourth massage bodies (13, 1) attached to one end and the other end of the right swing arm (8R), respectively.
4) and each of the massaging bodies (11 to 14) performs the swaying massage motion defined in (a) or the swing massage motion defined in (b). A four-ball type massage mechanism including a switching means (35) for switching the postures of the moving arms (8L, 8R). (A) The first and third massage bodies (11, 13)
When the two approach each other, the second and fourth massage bodies (1
(2, 14) are separated from each other, and when the first and third massage bodies (11, 13) are separated from each other, the second and fourth massage bodies (12, 14) are approached to each other. ) When both the first and third massage bodies (11, 13) move to the left side, the second and fourth massage bodies (12, 14) both move to the right side, and the first and third massage body (11,1
Swing massage motion in which the second and fourth massage bodies (12, 14) both move to the left when 3) moves to the right 5. The four-ball massage mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the rotary shaft (5) includes a first shaft portion (5L) that rocks the left swing arm (8L), and A second shaft portion (5R) which is arranged coaxially with the one shaft portion (5L) and swings the right swing arm (8R), and the switching means (35) comprises: The one-shaft portion (5L) and the second shaft portion (5R) are composed of a half-rotation clutch mechanism (29) which regulates a range in which the relative rotation is relatively half. 6. The four-ball type massage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the half-rotation clutch mechanism (29) includes the second shaft portion (5).
A tubular member (30) coaxially and non-rotatably fixed to the end of (R), and provided with a lateral groove (34) having a circumferential length of half a turn on the outer peripheral portion; The end portion of the first shaft portion (5L) coaxially and rotatably inserted in the (30) is radially outwardly projected, and the protruding end portion is housed in the lateral groove (34). The stopper pin (31) is provided. 7. The four-ball massage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the half-rotation clutch mechanism (29) includes the first shaft portion (5).
L) is fixed to the end of the first clutch body (51), and the end of the second shaft (5R) is rotatably and axially movable in the range of half rotation. Second clutch body (5) that is detachably engaged with one clutch body (51)
2), the second clutch body (52) is once disengaged from the first clutch body (51) at the beginning of the normal or reverse rotation of the rotary shaft (5), and then the second clutch body (52) is re-engaged with the clutch body (51). And cam means (53) for adjusting. 8. The four-ball massage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the rotary shaft (5) is rotated when the rotary shaft (5) is normally rotated.
There is provided drive means (7) for driving the rotary massager at a rotational speed for massaging motion and, when the rotary shaft is reversed, driving the rotary shaft at a rotational speed for swing massage. 9. The four-ball type massage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein each of the swing arms (8L, 8R) has one swing arm (8L) attached to a human body (20). When approaching, the other swing arm (8R) moves away from the human body (20), and when one swing arm (8L) moves away from the human body (20), the other swing arm (8R) moves toward the human body (20). The rotary shaft (5) is interlockingly connected so as to approach, and when the rotary shaft (5) is normally rotated, the rotary shaft (5) is rotated.
Is driven at a rotation speed for kneading massage motion, and when the rotation shaft (5) is reversed, the rotation shaft (5) is rotated at a lower speed for swing massage or at a higher speed for hitting massage. Drive means (7) for driving at the number of revolutions is provided. 10. The four-ball type massage mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the first and second shaft portions (5L, 5R) are attached to the swing arms (8L, 8R). The rocking arms (8L, 8R) are pierced so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to each other, and the cam members (8L, 8R) are respectively provided at the intermediate portions in the axial direction of the first and second shaft portions (5L, 5R). 22L, 22R) are fixed, and cam surfaces (21) inclined with respect to the first and second shaft portions (5L, 5R) formed on the cam members (22L, 22R) respectively have respective swing arms. (8L, 8R)
Is abutted against. 11. The four-ball type massage mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the swing arms (8L, 8R) rotate the rotation shaft (5) in the middle of each swing arm (8L, 8R). A steady member (44) for restricting rotation together with the spring member (44) is provided to position the steady member (44) at a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft (5).
0) is provided. 12. A stationary casing (63) having an opening (62) opening upwards, and each of the massaging bodies (11-14) includes the opening (6).
A four-ball type massage mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 housed in the casing (63) so as to correspond to (2), and a placement type massage device comprising: 13. A handheld casing (69) having an opening (67) opening to the front side and having handholds (68) on both left and right sides, and each of the massage bodies (11 to 14) having the opening. Division (6
A handheld massage device comprising: the four-ball type massage mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is accommodated in the casing (69) so as to correspond to 7). 14. The human body (20) can be leaned against the wall surface (W) so as to have a longitudinal dimension substantially corresponding to the back region of the human body (20) and with its back surface facing the wall surface (W). A stand-alone casing (73) which is an independent single casing (73) having an opening opening to the front side, and the casing so that the massage bodies (11 to 14) correspond to the opening. A leaning type massage apparatus comprising: the four-ball type massage mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 housed in (73). 15. A seat portion (77) and a backrest portion (7) provided upright at an end portion of the seat portion (77).
8) and each of the massage bodies (11 to 14) includes the backrest portion (7).
8) The backrest portion (7) corresponding to the center portion in the width direction.
A chair-type massage device comprising: the four-ball type massage mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 housed inside 8).