JP6193059B2 - Massage equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a massage apparatus that is used by operating a pressing means by disposing a pressing portion having a pressing means for massage so as to surround a foot.

  The effect of stagnation of blood flow appears at the bottom of the human body, and the foot that has many acupoints is one of the most noticeable parts for massage. A wide variety of devices for massaging feet are used. Among them, as a general user can easily use, a pressing portion that includes an airbag and can surround the foot in a tube shape or a bag shape is mounted around the foot, and air is supplied to the airbag. 2. Description of the Related Art Devices that perform massage by operating a supply / exhaust mechanism to expand and contract an airbag and press and compress a massage target portion of the foot with the airbag are widely used. Examples of such conventional massage devices include those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-178790 and 2007-222353.

JP 2001-178790 A JP 2007-222353 A

  The conventional massage apparatus has a configuration shown in each of the above-mentioned patent documents, and can perform massage that presses and compresses each part of the foot with an airbag. However, in this conventional massage device, since the pressing unit for performing massage is separated from the device main body with the supply / discharge mechanism and the operation part, the device main body is held by the user or placed on the floor. Each time a massage is used, the user needs to move not only the pressing part but also the device main body from the storage location to the place where it is used. There is an annoying aspect such as having to move to a new place of use with a part. Furthermore, since the apparatus main body part and the pressing part are connected by a hose, when the user moves with the pressing part, the hose or the like and the apparatus main body part ahead of the hose will be restrained, and the user's posture is changed. There was a problem that it was not easy to use due to lack of freedom.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a massage device that can be easily handled by integrating the device main body portion and the pressing portion, and can be handled collectively, thereby improving usability. For the purpose.

  A massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention has one or a plurality of pressing means for pressing a massage target portion, and is attached so as to surround a predetermined range of a foot including the massage target portion, and a pressing means for the pressing portion In the massaging device comprising the device main body for actuating the device, the pressing portion is continuously in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral position extending from the instep to the sole in the predetermined range of the foot in a state where at least the massage target portion is massaged. The device main body has a substantially box-shaped outer shape having a plurality of surfaces substantially orthogonal to each other, and a predetermined surface is used as a mounting surface. In addition, the pressing portion is integrally attached along the outer surface to a predetermined portion on the outer surface other than the portion on the sole side.

  As described above, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the device main body for operating the pressing means is a pressing portion that surrounds a predetermined range of the foot including the massage target portion and enables the pressing means to perform massage. By attaching the pressing portion and the device main body to the outer surface at a predetermined location, it is not necessary to handle the pressing portion and the device main body separately during use. As a result, the user's troublesomeness can be eliminated. In addition, since the device main unit and the pressing unit are integrated, parts for mutual connection and connection as in separate cases can be omitted, and the user is not restricted by such parts during use. It is easy to use because it increases the degree of freedom of handling.

  Moreover, as for the massage apparatus which concerns on this indication, the said apparatus main-body part is attached to the outer surface predetermined part used as the side of a leg among the said press parts as needed.

  As described above, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the apparatus main body is disposed on the side of the foot, and the apparatus main body integrated with the pressing portion is less likely to restrain the movement of the foot, so that even when the pressing portion is mounted. It is easy for the user to move his / her foot, and the comfort is improved by suppressing excessive restraint.

  In addition, in the massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention, the device main body is a surface substantially orthogonal to the mounting surface, and the direction of the line of intersection with the mounting surface is continuous in the circumferential direction as necessary. An operation unit that receives a user's operation can be provided on a surface that is substantially parallel to the cylinder longitudinal direction of the pressing unit in the tubular form.

  As described above, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the apparatus main body that operates the pressing unit in a state in which the pressing unit surrounds the predetermined range of the foot and enables the massage with the pressing unit is provided with the attachment surface to the pressing unit. It is used when the user operates the operation part by having the operation part on the surface that is substantially orthogonal and substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylinder of the pressing part, and the operation part can be arranged in a direction that is easy for the user to handle. The user can operate the device while looking at the operation unit, and since the force to operate the operation unit does not go to the side where the foot is, the operation unit can be operated with the device main unit stabilized, improving operability. Can always be operated properly.

  Moreover, in the massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention, if necessary, the pressing portion integrally includes a heel fixing portion that surrounds the heel side surface and the heel rear surface, and the heel fixing portion includes the heel side surface of the foot. And the pressing means which pushes the heel back surface as a massage object location is provided.

  Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, a heel fixing portion that surrounds a portion from the side surface of the heel to the rear surface is provided as a part of the pressing portion so that the pressing portion entirely surrounds the foot when the pressing portion is mounted. By doing so, the pressing part properly surrounds the foot and it is difficult to be displaced from the foot, the pressing means is correctly positioned with respect to the massage target part of the foot and the massage can be performed accurately, and the user moves the foot However, the pressing portion does not come off from the foot, and there is no inconvenience for the user to take care that the foot does not come off from the pressing portion at the time of use, and the massage can be continued without impairing the relaxing feeling by the massage.

  In addition, in the massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention, the device main body portion incorporates a battery in a replaceable manner as a power source for operating the pressing means of the pressing portion as required.

  Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, a battery serving as a power source for operating the pressing means is built in the apparatus main body, so that it is not necessary to introduce energy for operating the pressing means from the outside. Accordingly, it is not necessary to perform an operation of connecting the apparatus main body unit and the power source in order to introduce energy such as electric power from the outside in use, and the troublesomeness of the user can be eliminated. In addition, parts for connecting the apparatus main body to the power source and the like can be omitted, and the user can be prevented from being restricted by such parts at the time of use, and the usability can be further improved by increasing the degree of freedom of handling.

  Further, in the massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention, if necessary, the pressing portion is a belt-like body wound so as to surround a predetermined range of the foot, and one end portion is overlapped with another part in a wound state. In addition to being positioned on the outermost layer, predetermined portions of the inner surface and the outer surface that overlap each other are detachably engaged, and the one end portion overlaps the outer side in the wound state near the one end portion of the pressing portion. A surface that is attached to a predetermined portion and is provided with an operation portion of the apparatus main body is a surface facing the one end side of the pressing portion in the apparatus main body.

  Thus, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the pressing portion is formed as a band-like body, and the device main body portion is always exposed by winding the end portion over the predetermined range of the foot including the massage target portion so as to overlap the other portion. While being engaged with predetermined locations of the inner surface and the outer surface while being in the mounted state, the winding state and the engagement position can be adjusted according to the difference in the size of the foot to be mounted, An appropriate wearing state can be achieved for any user. In addition, even if the user is different, the position of the one end of the pressing portion in the wound state can be adjusted and arranged so that the device main body is in an appropriate orientation with respect to the foot, The operability of the operation unit can be maintained without difficulty by arranging the apparatus main body so that the operation unit is in an appropriate orientation.

  Moreover, in the massage apparatus according to the disclosure of the present invention, the pressing unit is an airbag, if necessary, and at least a part of the airbag overlaps the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body is The air supply / exhaust mechanism for the airbag is incorporated, and the air supply / exhaust mechanism is directly connected to the airbag of the pressing portion so that air can flow.

  As described above, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the airbag can be disposed as the pressing means of the pressing portion, and the airbag can be inflated and contracted by the air supply / discharge mechanism built in the apparatus main body, so that the massage target portion can be pressed. By doing so, it is possible to make the pressing portion light and not bulky, and when not in use, it can be made compact by discharging air and has excellent handleability. Further, by directly connecting the air supply / discharge mechanism of the apparatus main body and the airbag, it is not necessary to interpose a hose or the like, so that the structure can be simplified and the number of parts can be reduced.

It is a perspective view of a massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded state explanatory view of the massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the airbag in the massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is an inner cover part attachment state explanatory view to the press part of the massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the apparatus main-body part of the massage apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an air supply system diagram in the massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a press state explanatory view of each leg by each air bag of the massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is another explanatory drawing of the press state of a leg by each air bag of the massage device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the massage apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is expansion / contraction process execution condition explanatory drawing in the long time mode of the massage apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is expansion / contraction process execution condition explanatory drawing in the other long time mode of the massage apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the apparatus main-body part of the massage apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is mounting | wearing state explanatory drawing to the leg | foot of the press part of the massage apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a continuation status explanatory drawing of the press state of the massage device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention.

(First embodiment of the present invention)
Hereinafter, a massage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In each of the drawings, the massage device 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of airbags 12 and 13 as pressing means for pressing each part of the foot 90 to be massaged, and is a press part that is disposed so as to be wound around the foot. 10 and an apparatus main body 15 that activates the airbags 12 and 13 of the pressing portion 10.

  The pressing portion 10 includes a plurality of airbags 12 and 13 and is configured to be a belt-like body that can be wound so as to surround a portion from the instep to the sole of the foot. The pressing portion 10 is wound around the foot 90, and in a wound state, one end portion is overlapped with another portion to be positioned in the outermost layer, and predetermined portions of the overlapping inner surface and outer surface can be attached and detached by an engaging means such as a hook-and-loop fastener. By being engaged with each other, it is possible to form a cylindrical shape capable of maintaining the arrangement state around the foot continuously in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral position from the instep to the sole of the foot. In this state, the pressing unit 10 is a mechanism that can perform massage by pressing the massage target portion with the airbags 12 and 13.

  In addition, the pressing portion 10 integrally includes a heel fixing portion 11 that protrudes a predetermined length from an end portion that is closer to the heel, and the heel fixing portion 11 is also in a state of being wound around the foot of the pressing portion 10. It surrounds the heel side and the heel rear surface.

  In such a state that the pressing portion 10 is wound around the foot 90, the pressing portion 10 surrounds the entire foot together with the heel fixing portion 11, so that the pressing portion 10 appropriately surrounds the foot and deviates from the foot. It becomes difficult, and the airbags 12 and 13 are correctly positioned with respect to the massage target portion of the foot so that the massage can be performed accurately, and the pressing portion 10 does not come off the foot even if the user moves the foot. In this case, the user does not have to be bothered so that the foot does not come off from the pressing portion 10.

  The airbags 12 and 13 are disposed so that the bottom surface of the toe base and the left side surface portion of the toe base can be pressed in a state where the pressing portion 10 is wound around the foot, and the The remaining left side portion, the right side surface portion of the foot, and the lower surface of the heel are disposed so as to be able to be pressed, respectively, and a plurality are disposed so as to surround the foot from the periphery from the instep to the sole of the foot.

  The first airbag 12 to be located on the outside of the bottom surface of the toe base and the left side surface portion of the toe base is a portion located on the outside of the left side surface portion of the toe base, It is configured to communicate with the supply / discharge mechanism of the apparatus body 15. The part located outside the bottom surface of the toe base in the first airbag 12 and the part located outside the left side surface part of the toe base are integrated, and simultaneously inflated and contracted at the same timing. The bottom surface of the toes and the left side of the toes are pushed. You may make it provide the projection part for strengthening the irritation | stimulation given to the bottom surface of a toe base part in the time of expansion | swelling in the site | part located in the outer side of the toe base part bottom surface in the 1st airbag 12. FIG.

  The second airbag 13 to be located outside the left side surface portion of the foot, the right side surface portion of the foot, and the lower surface of the heel has a left side airbag portion 13a, an heel lower surface side airbag portion 13b, The right side air bag portion 13c is provided so as to communicate with each other adjacent to each other. Among these, the left side air bag portion 13a is provided to extend to the heel fixing portion 11 protruding from the pressing portion 10, and is a mechanism that can press the heel side surface and the back surface of the heel as massage target portions. .

  A portion of the first airbag 12 located outside the left side surface portion of the toe base and the left side airbag portion 13a of the second airbag 13 are arranged so as to overlap the device main body portion 15. It is directly connected to the air supply / exhaust mechanism of the main body 15 so that air can be circulated, and each airbag 12, 13 has a separate supply / exhaust system and can be inflated / contracted independently of each other. is there.

  The pressing unit 10 includes a cover 10a made of a flexible material that covers the airbag from the outside and protects it from moisture, dirt, and the like. This cover 10a is formed of a sheet-like body made of a strong flexible material that does not break even when contacted with a user or other object, friction or pressure from each airbag 12, 13 is applied. 13, the apparatus main body 15 is also configured to have a substantially bag shape that collectively covers and protects. The cover 10a is a mechanism for detachably covering the airbags 12 and 13 and the apparatus main body 15 through the opening at the end on the foot side that can be opened and closed by a predetermined engaging means (slide fastener or the like). . In the cover 10a, an opening that exposes the operation unit 15a of the apparatus main body 15 to the outside is provided in a portion corresponding to the outside of the apparatus main body 15, and the battery 19 built in the apparatus main body 15 is replaced. Therefore, when part of the apparatus main body 15 is opened, an engagement means such as a fastener for opening a part of the cover 10a as necessary in response to the partial opening of the apparatus main body 15 is provided. Provided.

  The innermost part that directly touches the foot on the innermost side in the wound state of the pressing part 10 is a removable inner cover part 10c, which can be easily attached and detached with the other part of the overlapping pressing part 10 by an engaging means such as a hook-and-loop fastener. By being engaged, it can be removed and replaced as necessary, or it can be washed and reused.

The 1st airbag 12 and the 2nd airbag 13 as a press means are connected with the pump part 16 via electromagnetic valve 17a, 17b for every airbag.
The electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b have a first port that communicates with the pump unit 16, a second port that communicates with the airbag, and a third port that communicates with the outside, according to control by the control unit 18. The first port and the second port are in communication with each other, the third port is closed, and the air can be supplied from the pump unit 16 to the airbag, and the second port and the third port are in communication with each other. The airbag is closed by closing the first port so that the air in the airbag is exhausted to the outside, and the first port, the second port, and the third port are not communicated with each other. This is a known three-way valve capable of switching between the three states of maintaining the internal pressure, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In addition to the configuration in which the internal pressure of the airbag can be maintained only by the solenoid valve without interconnecting the ports, only air flow from the air pump to the solenoid valve side is provided between the pump unit 16 and the solenoid valve. A check valve is provided to allow the first port and the second port to communicate with each other, and the third port is closed to supply air from the pump unit 16 to the airbag. When supply of air is stopped, it is possible to obtain a state in which the internal pressure of the airbag is maintained by a check valve.

  The pump unit 16 and the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b constitute an air supply / discharge mechanism for each airbag, and the control unit 18 operates the pump unit 16 and adjusts and controls the communication state of the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b. In this mechanism, air supply, exhaust, or pressure maintenance is performed for a desired airbag, and the airbag can be inflated, deflated, or maintained in a predetermined inflated state. When the airbag is inflated, a pressing force is generated on the portion of the foot located inside the airbag, while when the airbag is contracted, the pressure is released, so that a variety of massage effects can be provided at each airbag position.

  In addition, the number of the airbags provided in the press part 10 is not restricted to the said 2 sets, It can set suitably according to a use aspect. In addition, the arrangement of the airbag is not limited to the arrangement in which the two airbag portions are arranged in the front-rear direction, and the airbags are partially overlapped, and the shape and size of each airbag is determined according to the location of the foot massage target. Depending on the nature, it may be greatly different, and the pressing portion may be arranged according to the shape and size of the airbag.

  The apparatus main body 15 includes a pump unit 16 for supplying air at a predetermined pressure, electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b for switching communication / non-communication between the airbags 12 and 13 and the pump unit 16 or the external space, and a pump unit 16 And a control unit 18 that controls the opening and closing operation of the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b to adjust the supply and discharge of air to and from each airbag, and a battery 19 as a power source for supplying power to the pump unit 16 and the like. It is set as the structure which is incorporated in one housing | casing as a unit. The apparatus main body 15 has a substantially box-shaped outer shape having a plurality of surfaces substantially orthogonal to each other, and is attached to the pressing portion 10 integrally with a predetermined surface as an attachment surface.

  The apparatus main body 15 is a surface of the pressing portion 10 in a cylindrical shape that is a surface substantially orthogonal to the mounting surface and the direction of the line of intersection with the mounting surface is wound around the foot 90 and continues in the circumferential direction. This has a surface that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, and an operation portion 15a that receives a user's operation is provided on this surface. The operation portion 15a is exposed to the outside through the cover 10a so as to be operable.

  The device main body 15 is attached to a location near the one end of the pressing portion 10 where the one end does not overlap the outside in the wound state. The pressing portion 10 surrounds the foot 90 and the one end is positioned on the upper side. In such a state that it is wound in such a manner, it is arranged to be located on the side of the foot 90. Since the surface of the apparatus main body 15 on which the operation unit 15a is provided is a surface facing the one end of the pressing unit 10 in the apparatus main body 15, the apparatus main body 15 is wound around the pressing unit 10. The operation unit 15a is in a positional relationship in which the operation unit 15a faces upward when the user is positioned on the side of the foot 90 with the rotation and the user is in a relaxed posture with the sole facing down.

  Thus, in a wound state in which the pressing portion 10 surrounds the foot 90 and massage with the airbags 12 and 13 is possible, the device main body portion 15 is a surface substantially orthogonal to the mounting surface and intersecting with the mounting surface. Since the operation portion 15a is provided on a surface that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical portion of the pressing portion 10 having a cylindrical shape, and the operation portion 15a can be disposed upward so that the user can easily handle the operation portion. When operating 15a, the user can operate with certainty while looking at the operation unit 15a, and the force to operate the operation unit 35a does not go to the side with the foot, so that the apparatus main body unit 15 is stabilized and the foot The operation unit 15a can be operated in a state that does not give an uncomfortable feeling. In particular, when the massage apparatus 1 is placed on a floor or the like and the apparatus main body 15 is supported in contact with the floor or the like, the operation of the operation section 15a can be performed with the apparatus main body 15 stabilized. In addition, the operability can be improved, for example, the operation force can be reliably applied to the operation unit side.

  In addition, since the apparatus main body 15 is disposed so as to be located on the side of the foot 90 in the wound state of the pressing section 10, the apparatus main body 15 integrated with the pressing section 10 is less likely to restrain the movement of the foot. In addition, it does not become an obstacle to the movement of the foot, and the user can easily move the foot even when the pressing portion 10 is worn, and the comfort can be enhanced by suppressing excessive restraint. Furthermore, when the pressing unit 10 is wound, unlike the deforming pressing unit 10, the user can grasp the apparatus main body unit 15 as an image fixed as it is in the final position after winding. The apparatus main body 15 that is finally located on the side of the foot is first positioned on the floor and is handled as a reference for the winding work of the pressing unit 10. It also contributes to improving the efficiency of winding around. In addition, once the position of the device main body 15 is determined, the pressing portion 10 can be handled without moving the device main body 15, so that the winding of the pressing portion 10 can proceed in a stable state.

In addition, the apparatus main body 15 incorporates a battery 19 in a replaceable manner as a power source for the pump unit 16 and the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b for operating the airbags 12 and 13 of the pressing unit 10.
In this way, the battery 19 serving as a power source is built in the apparatus main body 15 so that it is not necessary to introduce power for operating the supply / discharge mechanism and the like from the outside. It is not necessary to perform the work of connecting with a cable or the like, and the troublesomeness of the user can be eliminated. Further, parts such as a cable for connecting the apparatus main body and a power source can be omitted, and the user is not restricted by such a cable or the like during use, and the degree of freedom in handling can be increased. As a battery, in addition to a general dry battery (manganese battery, alkaline battery, etc.) and a secondary battery (nickel metal hydride battery, lithium ion battery, etc.) in which the active material is held in the battery, a fuel cell capable of replenishing the active material. Among them, a small one can be used.

  The said control part 18 performs control for execution of appropriate massage with respect to the pump part 16 which comprises an air supply / exhaust mechanism, and electromagnetic valve 17a, 17b based on the content information of the massage recorded and set beforehand. It is.

  The control unit 18 is a computer including a CPU, a memory, an input / output interface, and the like as its hardware configuration, and is a mechanism that causes the computer to operate as the control unit 18 by a program stored in the memory or the like. The computer constituting the control unit 18 is a microcomputer in which a CPU, a memory, a ROM, and the like are integrally formed, and can be built in the apparatus main body unit 15 without any problem.

  Next, the massage state to the user's foot of the massage device concerning this embodiment is explained. As a premise, the pressing unit 10 of the massage device is wound around the user's foot 90 and mounted, and the heel fixing unit 11 is mounted so as to surround the heel side surface and the back surface of the heel. One airbag 12 is positioned on each of the lower surface of the toe base of the foot and the left side of the toe base, and the second airbag 13 is the remaining left side of the foot and the right side of the foot The device main body 15 is located on the side of the foot with the operation portion 15a facing upward, and the power supply from the battery 19 is normally It is assumed that the pump unit 16 and the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b are appropriately operable under the control of the control unit 18.

  When the user turns on the power by operating the operation unit 15a of the apparatus main body 15, and when the user inputs an instruction such as a massage mode, the control unit 18 starts operation control, and the control unit 18 Sends control commands to the pump unit 16 and the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b as an air supply / discharge mechanism to operate them, and to inflate and contract the first airbag 12 and the second airbag 13, respectively. It becomes.

When the airbags 12 and 13 are all inflated uniformly, the control unit 18 sends a control command to the pump unit 16 and the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b as an air supply / discharge mechanism, Then, air is supplied to both of the second airbags 13 for a predetermined period of time, and each airbag is inflated to press the lower surface, the left and right side surfaces, and the rear surface of the heel from the toes of the foot to the heel.
By inflating the two airbags 12 and 13 in this way, it is possible to press the entire leg evenly.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 18 sends an air supply stop / pressure control command to the air supply / exhaust mechanism to stop the supply of air to the airbags 12 and 13 while not exhausting yet. In this way, the inflated state of each airbag is further maintained for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the control unit 18 sends a new control command to the air supply / exhaust mechanism, shifts to an exhaust state, and contracts each airbag with exhaust for a predetermined time. The above series of expansion / contraction processes can be repeated a plurality of times as necessary.

  In addition, when shifting the inflation timing of the two airbags 12 and 13, for example, when inflating the second airbag 13 after inflating the first airbag 12, the control unit 18 A control command is sent to the pump unit 16 and the electromagnetic valves 17a and 17b as the supply / discharge mechanism, and only the first airbag 12 is supplied for a predetermined time to inflate the first airbag 12. The lower surface of the toe base of the foot and the left side surface portion of the toe base are pressed.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 18 sends out a new control command, stops supplying air to the first airbag 12, and maintains the pressed state by the airbag 12 as pressure holding, and further The air bag 13 is supplied with air for a predetermined time, and the second airbag 13 is inflated to newly press the remaining left side surface portion, right foot side surface portion, lower heel surface, and rear heel surface of the foot.
In this way, by inflating the two airbags 12 and 13 while shifting the time, it is possible to give changes such as tightening from the finger side to tighten the entire leg.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 18 sends an air supply stop / pressure control command to the air supply / exhaust mechanism to stop the supply of air to the airbags 12 and 13 while not exhausting yet. In this way, the inflated state of each airbag is further maintained for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the control unit 18 newly sends a control command to the air supply / exhaust mechanism, shifts to an exhaust state, and contracts each airbag with exhaust over a predetermined time. The above series of expansion / contraction processes can be repeated a plurality of times as necessary.

  As described above, the massage device according to the present embodiment includes the airbags 12 and 13 with respect to the pressing portion 10 that surrounds a predetermined range of the foot 90 including the massage target portion and enables the massage with the airbags 12 and 13. Since the apparatus main body 15 to be operated is attached to a predetermined portion of the outer surface of the pressing unit 10 and the pressing unit 10 and the apparatus main body 15 are integrated, the pressing unit 10 and the apparatus main body 15 are connected in use. Since it is not necessary to handle them individually and the pressing part 10 and the apparatus main body part 15 can be handled collectively, the troublesomeness of the user can be eliminated. Further, since the pressing part 10 and the apparatus main body part 15 are integrated, parts for mutual connection and connection as in the case of separate bodies can be omitted, and the user is restricted by such parts during use. It is not necessary to improve the usability by increasing the degree of freedom of handling.

  Further, the airbags 12 and 13 of the pressing portion 10 surrounding the foot 90 are positioned on the outer sides of the lower surface of the toe base of the foot and the left side surface portion of the toe base, and the remaining left side surface portion of the foot, The first airbag 12 and the foot on the right side surface portion of the foot, the lower surface of the heel, and the back surface of the heel, and on the lower surface of the toe base of the foot and the outer side of the left side surface portion of the toe base The remaining left side portion, the right side portion of the foot, the lower heel surface, and the second airbag 13 on the outer side of the heel rear surface are separated from the air supply / exhaust system. Since the second airbag 13 presses each part of the foot with a predetermined strength at the same time or at different timings, the airbag 12 is pressed so as to mainly tighten the toe side, A state where the bag 13 is pressed so as to mainly tighten other parts of the foot. , A massage that presses the toe side to tighten, a massage that presses the entire foot uniformly from the surroundings, a pressure from the surroundings on the toe side of the toes and other parts The pressure can be applied with a predetermined time difference, or a massage applied with different strengths of pressing can be performed, respectively, and a desired massage effect can be given by appropriately pressing each part of the foot.

(Second embodiment of the present invention)
In the massage device according to the first embodiment, the pressing portion 10 wound around the foot 90 is formed by engaging means such as a hook-and-loop fastener between predetermined portions of the inner surface and the outer surface that overlap in the wound state on the foot 90. It is configured to be detachably engaged so that it is finally formed into a cylindrical shape that can maintain the arrangement state around the foot, but as a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. It can also be set as the structure which can form in the press part 10 the cylindrical part 10d for temporary fixing to a leg | foot.

  The cylindrical portion 10d is obtained by detachably engaging one end portion of the pressing portion 10 with a predetermined engaging means (such as a slide fastener) at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the device main body portion 15 on the inner surface side of the pressing portion. Prior to turning the pressing portion 10 around the foot 90, a cylindrical portion 10d is first generated, and the foot 90 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 10d, and then the pressing portion 10 is adjusted to the size of the foot. Tighten and fix to obtain a wound state. Once the foot is inserted into the cylindrical portion 10d, the pressing portion 10 is not easily displaced from the foot, and the subsequent winding operation of the pressing portion 10 on the foot is facilitated, improving usability.

  In addition, the predetermined range of the pressing portion located in the vicinity of the engaging means for forming the cylindrical portion 10d can be made of a material having excellent elasticity, and the size of the user's foot is large. In addition, the cylindrical portion can be deformed to cope with it, and the function as temporary fixing to the foot can be surely performed.

  In the massage device according to the first and second embodiments, the pressing portion 10 is a band-like body that is wound so as to surround a predetermined range of the foot 90 and is not wound until the foot 90 is wound and attached. In addition, it is configured to take a cylindrical form that can be maintained in this wearing state without being easily detached from the outer peripheral position of the foot 90 continuously in the circumferential direction. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which these are mounted in a cylindrical form that is continuous with the legs 90 and the legs 90 are passed through the cylinders.

(Third embodiment of the present invention)
In the massage device according to the first embodiment, when the user instructs a specific airbag expansion / contraction state or a predetermined massage mode by operating the operation unit 15a of the device body unit 15, the control unit Control the operation of the pump unit 16 and the solenoid valves 17a and 17b as an air supply / exhaust mechanism, and appropriately combine each state of inflation by air supply, contraction by exhaust, and pressure holding by stopping supply and exhaust In addition, the airbag is inflated and deflated in a configuration that is repeatedly executed once or a plurality of times without an interval, in addition to this, as a third embodiment, based on a user's instruction operation, A predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) set in advance as the operation period is set in advance as a massage mode or the like. While the control unit executes an expansion / contraction process appropriately combining each state of pressure holding by stopping the exhaust, when the operation period ends after the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit does not operate the air supply / discharge mechanism at all. When a predetermined time (for example, 55 minutes) set in advance as the pause period elapses, the control unit shifts to the same operation period again and causes the control unit to execute the expansion / contraction process. The same rest period is repeated alternately, and when the total time elapsed as the operation period reaches a predetermined limit time (for example, 20 minutes), the continuous continuation of the series of operation periods with the pause period in between ends. Yes (see FIG. 10), the control may be performed according to the control program.

  In this case, although the time during which the expansion / contraction process is actually executed as an operation period falls within the limit time, the target time in the entire control program is the total time of the continuous operation period and the intermediate suspension period. One control program can manage the execution of massage based on airbag inflation at predetermined time intervals for a long time, realizing a kind of long-time mode that can be selected by the user, while simplifying the control over a long time Cost can be reduced.

  Further, as another control program, when the user activates the device at a predetermined activation time, the control unit causes the expansion / contraction process to be executed for a predetermined period of time as described above, and then shifts to a pause period. After that, in principle, the control is performed so that the operation period and the rest period are alternately repeated, and the user is given a massage during the operation period given in a planned manner. Each operating period generally overlaps with a time when people have something else to do and cannot afford to massage (for example, lunch or dinner time, busy business hours, commuting time, etc.) In order to avoid this, it is possible to appropriately adjust the length of the suspension period and to have a function of assigning each operation time to a time zone suitable for the user (see FIG. 11). Also in this case, when the total time elapsed as the operation period reaches a predetermined limit time (for example, 30 minutes), the intermittent continuation of the series of operation periods with the pause period in between is ended. In addition to the time during which the expansion / contraction process is performed as the operation period, the operation period can be allocated to a time period during which the user can reliably massage, and the program can be regularly scheduled. The massage can be performed without difficulty and the effect can be ensured.

  And in using this control program, we take advantage of the characteristics of this portable device so that we can grasp the momentum of the user and perform optimal operation control such as assigning the operation period corresponding to the amount of exercise for each user, An acceleration sensor 18a is provided in the apparatus main body (see FIG. 12), the user's movement can be detected, the control unit obtains the user's momentum based on the detection result, and the obtained information is programmed. It can also be reflected in the settings.

(Fourth embodiment of the present invention)
In the massage apparatus according to the first embodiment, as a pressing unit that presses a massage target portion, an airbag that inflates and contracts by air supply / discharge is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other pressing units are used. For example, a shape memory alloy that deforms when heat is applied can be used. In particular, as a fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a shape memory alloy 41 provided in a band-shaped pressing portion 40 wound so as to surround a predetermined range of a foot 90 including a massage target portion is usually At a temperature of 1, the shape does not follow the surface portion of the foot 90 to be wound, and in the wound state, it is elastically deformed by tightening by the pressing portion 40, and the foot is tightened by the reaction force, while it is deformed when heat is applied. Then, it becomes a shape along the surface part of the foot, and if the reaction force disappears at the normal temperature and the foot is not tightened, the foot is tightened and pressed as a pressing means In this case, it is not necessary to heat, and when the time for tightening and pressing the foot is set to be long, it is not necessary to lengthen the heating period of the shape memory alloy in accordance with this, and the energy required for heating can be reduced. .

  In this case, if the shape memory alloy 41 can be heated by energization heating or the like, and the shape memory alloy 41 is kept in a heat retaining state so that heat does not easily escape to the outside, the shape memory alloy 41 is heated and the foot is not tightened. After the transition to, the time from when the heating is stopped to when the shape memory alloy 41 returns to normal temperature by heat radiation and the foot is pressed can be further increased.

  For this reason, when the shape memory alloy 41 is used as the pressing means of the massage device, the shape memory alloy 41 is controlled by the control unit after the predetermined pressing state obtained by stopping the heating of the shape memory alloy 41 is continued for a predetermined time. Since the shape memory alloy 41 is heated for a short time so that the 41 does not press, and the time after the heat-suppressed shape memory alloy 41 is in a state of pressing the foot by natural heat dissipation is sufficiently long, The time until the pressing state is reached can be a pause period in which the mechanism for heating is hardly operated, and the pressing state can be continued for a long time without any control such as heating. It is possible to realize a massage mode (a kind of long-time mode) that lasts for a long time by repeatedly executing a long press over a pause period while suppressing energy to be input. That (see FIG. 14).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Massage apparatus 10 Press part 10a Cover 10c Inner cover part 10d Cylindrical part 11 Collar fixing part 12 First airbag 13 Second airbag 13a Left side airbag part 13b 踵 Lower side airbag part 13c Right side Airbag part 15 Device body part 15a Operation part 16 Pump part 17a, 17b Solenoid valve 18 Control part 18a Acceleration sensor 19 Battery 40 Press part 41 Shape memory alloy 90 Foot

Claims (3)

A massage comprising one or a plurality of pressing means for pressing a massage target portion and mounted so as to surround a predetermined range of a foot including the massage target portion, and an apparatus main body for operating the pressing means of the pressing portion. In the device
A cylindrical shape in which the pressing portion can maintain a mounting state around the foot continuously in the circumferential direction at an outer peripheral position extending from the instep to the sole in a predetermined range of the foot in a state in which at least a massage target portion is massaged. Become a form,
The apparatus main body has a substantially box-shaped outer shape with a plurality of surfaces substantially orthogonal to each other, and the predetermined surface is an attachment surface, and the outer surface is located at a predetermined position on the outer surface on the side of the foot of the pressing portion. A massage device characterized by being attached integrally along. The massage apparatus according to claim 1,
The surface in which the apparatus main body is substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface, and the direction of the line of intersection with the mounting surface is substantially parallel to the tube longitudinal direction of the pressing portion in the tubular form continuous in the circumferential direction. A massage device characterized in that an operation unit for receiving a user's operation is provided . In the massage apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The pressing part is a belt-like body wound so as to surround a predetermined range of the foot, and in a wound state, the one end part is overlaid on the other part to be positioned on the outermost layer, and the predetermined portions of the inner surface and the outer surface are overlapped with each other. Engage detachably,
The device main body is attached to a predetermined location near the one end of the pressing portion, where the one end does not overlap outside in a wound state,
The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the apparatus main body on which the operation unit is provided is a surface facing the one end side of the pressing portion in the apparatus main body .

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