JP7419473B1 - Leg massage device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a leg massage device and its control program that can provide a massage recipient with an effective and comfortable massage feeling in the entire leg, especially in the region beyond the ankle. do. [Solution] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a leg massage device is provided which is equipped with a cover part that covers the legs, and which can be independently controllable to press both the inner and outer sides of the legs while sandwiching the ankles. To provide a leg massage device characterized by having an ankle pressing part. [Selection diagram] Figure 4

Description

The present invention is a massage for health and beauty purposes that compresses and stimulates the legs to promote and improve the flow of blood and lymph fluid, recover from fatigue, loosen muscle stiffness, reduce swelling, etc., and slim the legs. The present invention relates to a device for massaging the legs and a control program therefor, which are characterized by being able to provide a comfortable and desirable feeling especially when massaging the area below the ankle.

The lower extremities of the human body, especially the calves, ankles, and toes, are the farthest from the heart and need to return blood to the heart against gravity, but blood circulation is obstructed and easily stagnates, resulting in coldness in winter. It is also easy to connect. In particular, standing work for long periods of time and being restrained by shoes and socks can also cause lymph fluid to stagnate, which can lead to swelling in the legs.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are home massage devices that aim to improve blood flow through intermittent air compression. Air is supplied to a bag-shaped air chamber (hereinafter referred to as an airbag) wrapped around each part of the body, and by repeating pressurization and decompression and intermittent compression and relaxation, massage stimulation is applied to each part of the body. Equipment for this is known.

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a massage device having a shape that avoids the back part of the heel below the ankle so that the massage feeling of the target area is emphasized as a preferred massage for the lower limbs. It is described that this has the effect of emphasizing the massage sensation in the area below the ankle of the foot for the user.
In addition, in Registered Utility Model Document 2, regarding the order, time, cycle, etc. of the target areas to be massaged, the order of pressurization of air bladders at four locations on the legs, ``ankles, shins, above the knees, and thighs'', retention time, and number of repetitions. Proposals regarding conditions that provide a pleasant sensation to the patient by appropriately controlling the following are described.
Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a pneumatic foot pneumatic type having a single foot encircling bag configured to wrap the entire foot from the ankle down, and an interconnected pressure bag corresponding to the arch of the sole inside the foot enclosing bag. A massage device is disclosed. This pneumatic foot massage device is controlled by pressing a single foot encircling bag that communicates from the sole and tip of the foot to the instep and ankle.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-198671 Registered Utility Model No. 3211015 Publication Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-30948

Patent Document 1 describes an airbag that presses the lower side of the ankle of the foot and the entire outside (or inside) of the leg, but the airbag can be simplified as an airbag that presses the soleus muscle of the lower leg. They are connected, and the air supply and control are common and not separated, and the structure is not such that only the ankle can be pressed independently. In addition, we expect that by not pressing the heel, you will feel a relatively strong massage sensation in the ankle, but the optimal method is to promote blood circulation in the area beyond the ankle to make the massage more effective and comfortable. There is room for improvement.
Patent Document 2 describes how to massage each part of the leg from the ankle (lower part) to the thigh (upper part) by selecting conditions such as the order and time of massaging the entire leg by ``stroking up,''``flushing,''``pushing,'' and ``massaging.'' Pressure patterns and effects are described. However, there is no description focusing on the massage pattern or order in which the area below the ankle should be massaged. For this reason, how to change the air pressure of the airbag at which position, in what order, and in what order (i.e., pressurization pattern), especially for the area from the ankle to the instep, sole, and toe, in order to obtain a more comfortable massage sensation, and to There is a problem in that there is a lack of consideration as to whether it will give satisfaction to people.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a leg massage device and its control program that can provide a massage recipient with an effective and comfortable massage sensation in the entire leg, especially in the region beyond the ankle. .

As a result of intensive study on the above-mentioned issues, the present inventor has developed an ankle pressing section that simultaneously presses both sides of the ankle region, which can be controlled independently from other parts, so that the ankle region of the user can be moved from both sides. The present invention was based on the discovery that by being pressed and firmly grasped, blood flow from the lower part of the ankle, where blood supply is relatively poor, to the toes can be promoted, and an effective and comfortable massage feeling can be given to the recipient. completed.
That is, the present invention is a leg massage device having the following features.

The leg massage device of the present invention for solving the above problems is a leg massage device equipped with a cover part that covers the leg, and which presses both the inner and outer sides of the foot while sandwiching the ankle, and is independent of the leg massage device. This is a leg massage device characterized by comprising an ankle presser that can be controlled by the foot.
By using this massage device, the ankle of the user is pressed and firmly grasped from both sides, thereby promoting blood flow from the lower part of the ankle, which has a relatively poor blood supply, to the tip of the foot. As a result, it is possible to promote blood circulation to the ends of the toes, which are prone to stagnation, including those who are sensitive to cold in winter, and a comfortable massage feeling can be obtained as the blood flows to the ends.

In addition, an embodiment of the leg massage device of the present invention includes, in addition to the above, an instep pressing section that presses the root of the toe on the instep side of the foot, and a sole pressing section that presses the sole of the foot. This is a leg massage device featuring:
By wrapping and compressing the tips and soles of the feet up and down, it is possible to perform an optimal pressure massage for the entire foot in addition to pressing the ankles.

In addition to the above, an embodiment of the leg massage device of the present invention includes an Achilles tendon pressing section that presses both sides of the Achilles tendon in the lower calf, and a gastrocnemius muscle pressing section that presses both sides of the gastrocnemius muscle in the upper calf. This is a leg massage device characterized by comprising:
This makes it possible to provide an effective and comfortable pressure massage for the entire leg, from the toes to the calves and below the knees.

Further, an embodiment of the leg massage device of the present invention is characterized in that the leg massage device includes a control section that presses the instep pressing section and the sole pressing section after pressing the ankle pressing section. This is a massage device for the body parts.
By controlling the order of the pressure parts as described above, the ankle (from the calcaneus to the lower end of the Achilles tendon) is gripped and stimulated to increase blood flow to the toes, and then the base of the toes is compressed to reach the ends. can promote blood flow. Compared to simply starting compression from the tip of the foot and tightening upward one after another, the pressure is first grasped at the ankle to promote blood flow from the ankle to the end of the foot, and then By pressing the toes and soles of the feet, you can experience the effect of increased blood flow and get a more comfortable massage sensation.

In one embodiment of the leg massage device of the present invention, the ankle pressing section, the instep pressing section, the sole pressing section, the Achilles tendon pressing section, and the gastrocnemius muscle pressing section are each formed of an air bag. This is a leg massage device characterized by the following.
As a pressing means, an air bag is preferably used because it is the easiest to supply or discharge fluid and the device can be configured compactly.

A control program for a leg massage device according to the present invention for solving the above problems is a program for controlling a pressing section of a leg massage device including a cover section that covers the leg, and the program controls the pressing section of the leg massage device that is provided with a cover section that covers the leg. An ankle pressing step that operates an ankle pressing section that presses both the inner and outer sides, and after the ankle pressing step, an instep pressing section that presses the base of the toe on the instep side of the foot, and a foot that presses the sole of the foot. This is a control program for a leg massage device, characterized by executing a foot instep and sole pressing step for operating a sole pressing section.
By employing various pressurization-decompression patterns, repeated cycles, etc., including the above-described pressing order, it is possible to perform a leg massage that provides a more comfortable sensation.

According to the present invention, there is provided a leg massage device and its control program that can provide a massage recipient with an effective and comfortable massage feeling on the entire leg from the toes to the calf, especially in the area from the ankle to the tip. can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic external view of a cover portion (boot cuff) of a leg massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is attached to a person's lower leg. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the arrangement of an airbag inside the cover part (boot cuff) of the leg massage device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (Example of left foot) 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure and configuration of a leg massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a developed plan view showing the internal structure and arrangement of the airbag below the ankle of the leg massage device according to the embodiment of the present invention (for the left leg). FIG. 2 is a developed plan view showing the internal structure and arrangement of the airbag in the calf region of the leg massage device according to the embodiment of the present invention (for the left leg). Inside the leg showing the positional relationship of the non-abdominal muscle part (upper calf), the Achilles tendon part (lower calf), and the ankle part (between the lower Achilles tendon and the calcaneus), which correspond to each pressing part of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a leg massage device and a control program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the leg massage device described in the embodiments is merely an example for explaining the leg massage device according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto.

[First embodiment]
The leg massage device 1 of the first embodiment performs intermittent compression and relaxation by repeating pressurization and depressurization by supplying or discharging pressurized air to an airbag wrapped around the leg. This is a device for providing massage stimulation and treatment.
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a leg massage device 1 of the present invention. The leg massage device 1 includes boot cuffs 2a and 2b (exterior covers) for left and right legs, and airbags 3a to 3g (pressing parts, see FIG. 2) disposed inside the boot cuffs 2a and 2b.

<Cover part>
The cover part is a member that covers one leg, and in the leg massage device of the first embodiment, it is a boot-shaped boot cuff 2a (left leg) and 2b (right leg). The boot cuffs 2a, 2b are usually manufactured to have a structure that matches the shape of the legs, and are opened with a zipper or the like and closed by inserting the left and right legs, and have a three-dimensional structure that fits the shape of the legs. Airbags 3a to 3g (see FIG. 2) are arranged inside.

The material of the boot cuff is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include cloth, resin sheet, pulp sheet, and the like. From the viewpoint of enhancing the pressing effect of the airbag, it is preferable to limit expansion and contraction in the direction of diameter expansion when the airbag is attached to the leg. In addition, from the viewpoint of excellent fit and wearability, it is preferable that the cover be made of cloth or resin sheet, and the way the cover can be tightened with hook-and-loop fasteners etc. can be adjusted according to the thickness and shape of the leg of the patient. is preferred.

<Press part>
The pressing part is a means for applying pressure to the surface of the leg part. FIG. 2 shows airbags 3a to 3g, which are the pressing parts of the leg massage device 1 of the first embodiment. The airbags 3a to 3g are arranged inside the boot cuffs 2a and 2b, respectively, and by supplying air to the airbags, they can be inflated and apply pressure to the skin surface side. Airbags can easily supply or discharge fluid with a simple device configuration, and the inflation or deflation of the bag can be easily controlled.

Although an air bag is used as an example of the pressing section in the first embodiment, any means that can press the surface of the leg may be used. For example, instead of air, a fluid bag may be used that supplies fluid such as water, oil, gel, or the like. When using a fluid such as water, oil, or gel, the pressing part can be heated. Alternatively, it may be pressed using a power device such as a piston.

An airbag is a strip-shaped bag material that inflates or deflates when compressed air is supplied or discharged. Although the arrangement of the airbags is not particularly limited, for example, a plurality of airbags may be arranged at appropriate locations on the leg skin surface side within the boot cuff where massage should be performed.
FIG. 2 is a perspective conceptual diagram showing an example of the arrangement of airbags inside the leg massage device of the present invention, and 3a to 3g represent each airbag arranged at a predetermined position on the leg.
The airbag 3a is a sole pressing part that presses the sole (arch) of the foot, the airbag 3b is a foot pressing part that presses the top of the foot (base of the toes), and the airbag 3c is This is an ankle pressing part that presses the ankle (from the lower part of the Achilles tendon to the calcaneus) from both the left and right sides. Note that 3c is formed by integrally communicating airbags on both the left and right sides.
The airbags 3d and 3f are Achilles tendon pressing parts that press the inner side (3d) and the outer side (3f) of the Achilles tendon in the lower part of the calf from both sides, communicating with each other and pressurizing or depressurizing them at the same time. The airbags 3e and 3g are gastrocnemius muscle pressing parts that press the inner side (3e) and outer side (3g) of the gastrocnemius muscle in the upper part of the calf from both sides, communicating with each other and pressurizing or depressurizing them at the same time.
In the example shown in Figure 2, seven airbags are placed on one leg from the tip of the foot to the calf, but the number may be greater or less than this, and airbags other than these may be placed above the knee or on the thigh. A pressing part may be arranged to press the position of the part or the like.
In addition, the positional relationship of the non-abdominal muscle part (upper calf part), the Achilles tendon part (lower calf part), and the ankle part (between the lower Achilles tendon and the calcaneus), which correspond to each pressing part of the embodiment of the present invention, is shown below. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the internal parts of the leg (muscles, tendons, bones).

Regarding the airbag, the developed plan view of the below-ankle airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 and the developed plan view of the calf region airbag according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The structure and arrangement can be designed according to the shape of the legs. Furthermore, the pressing portion can be pressurized by supplying air from each air supply port.

<Operation/control section>
The operation/control unit 5 controls pressurization modes such as the presser position, time, order, pattern, cycle, etc. through the start/end of massage and pressurization or depressurization by supplying or discharging air to each airbag. It is something we choose and control.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the leg massage device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which a signal from the operation switch section 6 is transmitted to the air supply source through the control section 7 including an electric circuit. 8 (usually an air pump or air compressor) and a solenoid valve 9.
The air tube 11 is connected to the solenoid valve 9 through an air supply plug 10 and connected to the operation/control unit 5, while its tip end side is connected to an air tip plug 12 provided on the air bag, and is connected to the air bag. Supply pressurized air - decompress and exhaust.
Air is supplied to both the airbags of the boot cuff 2a (for the left foot) and the boot cuff 2b (for the right foot) to the corresponding airbags of the left and right feet at the same timing based on an electrical command from the control unit 7.

<How to use the leg massage device>
Next, how to use the leg massage device 1 will be explained. The zippers of the boot cuffs 2a and 2b of the leg massage device 1 are opened, the left and right legs are inserted, and the position of the legs and the fasteners of the boot cuffs are adjusted so that the gap between the legs and the boot cuffs is reduced as much as possible and the fasteners are adjusted, and then the zippers are closed.
The airbags 3a to 3g are activated by the operation switch unit 6, and each airbag 3a to 3g is connected to an air supply source 8, and the pressure is adjusted for each airbag by opening and closing a solenoid valve 9 according to a program stored in the control unit 7. It exerts a massage effect by increasing or decreasing.

<Control program>
The control program appropriately determines conditions such as the selection of each pressing part and the order of pressing, the timing and holding time of pressurization and depressurization, and repetition. As a more specific example, it is possible to define various fixed pressurization pattern units and set a massage mode consisting of combinations and repetitions of the various pressurization pattern units.
The control program is stored in the electric circuit of the control unit 7, and by appropriately selecting and specifying a massage mode consisting of various pressurization pattern conditions with the operation switch unit 6, the control program can be used to apply pressure patterns with various changes to each part of both legs. It is possible to apply pressure stimulation and produce an effective massage effect.

The control program of the present invention is a program for controlling the pressing section of a leg massage device that includes a cover section that covers the leg, and includes an ankle pressing section that presses both the inner and outer sides of the foot by sandwiching the ankle. an ankle pressing step that operates, and an instep and sole pressing step that operates an instep pressing section that presses the root of the toe on the instep side of the foot and a sole pressing section that presses the sole of the foot after the ankle pressing step. It is characterized by executing the following.
By employing various pressurization-decompression patterns, repeated cycles, etc., including the above-described pressing order, it is possible to perform a leg massage that provides a more comfortable sensation.

In addition, the control program of the present invention includes an Achilles tendon pressing step that presses the inner and outer sides of the Achilles tendon in the lower part of the calf, and a gastrocnemius muscle presser that presses the inner and outer sides of the gastrocnemius muscle in the upper part of the calf. Preferably, the steps are performed.

Each step may be performed alone or multiple steps may be performed simultaneously. The pressurization time (total of air supply time and holding time) in each step is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 2 to 20 seconds, preferably 4 to 15 seconds.
It is preferable to perform the ankle pressing step alone because it gives the user a feeling of being grabbed at the ankle. The pressurization time (sum of air supply time and holding time) of the ankle press step performed alone is preferably 6 to 12 seconds.

<Pressure pattern>
A pressurizing pattern is a unit of a pressurizing pattern having a total time length of about several tens of seconds, which maintains a constant pressing part position, pressing order, and pressurizing time/depressurizing time. Settings are made to increase the massage effect for the recipient and to allow the user to experience the massage comfortably.
Examples of each pressure pattern in the present invention are shown below in Tables 1 (Type A) to Table 7 (Type G).
Note that the step of pressurizing the airbag 3c corresponds to the ankle pressing step, the step of pressurizing the airbags 3a and 3b corresponds to the instep and sole pressing step, and the step of pressurizing the airbags 3d and 3f corresponds to the ankle pressing step. , corresponds to the Achilles tendon pressing step, and the step of pressurizing the airbags 3e and 3g corresponds to the gastrocnemius muscle pressing step.

The airbag operation details of the A-type pressurization pattern described above are as follows.
First, all airbags are at normal pressure as a starting point.
The first pressurized air is supplied to the airbag 3c for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and when the first air supply operation is completed, the second pressurization is applied to the airbags 3a, 3b, and 3c. Supply pressurized air for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure. Furthermore, at the end of the second air supply operation, a third pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3f for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and the third air supply operation is completed. At the end of the air supply operation, the fourth pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3f, 3e, and 3g for 6 seconds, and then the air supply is stopped and held for 1 second. Thereafter, all the airbags are depressurized and evacuated for 4 seconds, which is a pressurization pattern of one cycle for a total of 31 seconds.

The airbag operation details of the B-type pressurization pattern described above are as follows.
First, all airbags are at normal pressure as a starting point.
The first pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a and 3b for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then, at the end of the first air supply operation, the airbags 3a and 3b are depressurized and exhausted for 4 seconds. . Next, a second pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then at the end of the second air supply operation, the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c are Pressurized air is then supplied for a third time for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then, at the end of the third air supply operation, all the airbags are depressurized and evacuated for 4 seconds. Next, pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b for a fourth time for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and at the end of the fourth air supply operation, the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c are supplied with pressurized air for a fourth time. The fifth pressurized air is supplied for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure. Furthermore, at the end of the fifth air supply operation, a sixth pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3f for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then all the air Evacuate the bag for 4 seconds. Next, pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b for 6 seconds a seventh time to increase the internal air pressure, and then at the end of the seventh air supply operation, the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c are Then pressurized air is supplied for 8 seconds for the 8th time to increase the internal air pressure. Next, at the end of the 8th air supply operation, the 9th pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3f for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure. At the end of the first air supply operation, after the 10th pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3f, 3e, and 3g for 6 seconds, the air supply is stopped and held for 1 second. . After that, all the airbags are evacuated for 4 seconds. This is a pressurization pattern of one cycle lasting 83 seconds as a whole.

The airbag operation details of the above C-type pressurization pattern are as follows.
First, all airbags are at normal pressure as a starting point.
The first pressurized air is supplied to the airbag 3c for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then, at the end of the first air supply operation, the airbags 3a and 3b are pressurized a second time. Air is supplied for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and at the same time, the air bag 3c is depressurized and exhausted for 8 seconds. Next, at the end of the second air supply operation, a third pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3d and 3f for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and at the same time, the airbags 3a and 3b are Evacuate for 8 seconds. Thereafter, at the end of the third air supply operation, a fourth pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3e and 3g for 8 seconds, and then the air supply is stopped and maintained for 1 second. At the same time, the airbags 3d and 3f are depressurized and exhausted for (8+1) seconds. After that, all the airbags are evacuated for 4 seconds. This is a pressurization pattern of one cycle lasting 37 seconds as a whole.

The airbag operation details of the D-type pressurization pattern described above are as follows.
First, all airbags are at normal pressure as a starting point.
Pressurized air is supplied to the airbag 3c for the first time for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then, at the end of the first air supply operation, the airbags 3a, 3b, and 3c are supplied with the second Pressurized air is supplied for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure. Next, at the end of the second air supply operation, a third pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3c, 3d, and 3f for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and at the same time, the airbags 3a, 3b is evacuated for 8 seconds. Thereafter, at the end of the third air supply operation, a fourth pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3d, 3f, 3e, and 3g for 8 seconds, and then the air supply is stopped and held for 1 second. At the same time, the airbag 3c is depressurized and exhausted for (8+1) seconds. After that, all the airbags are evacuated for 4 seconds. This is a pressurization pattern of one cycle lasting 37 seconds as a whole.

The airbag operation details of the E-type pressurization pattern described above are as follows.
First, all airbags are at normal pressure as a starting point.
The first pressurized air is supplied to the airbag 3c for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then, at the end of the first air supply operation, the airbags 3a, 3b, and 3c are supplied with the second pressurized air. Pressurized air is supplied for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure. Next, at the end of the second air supply operation, a third pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 3f for 6 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and then At the end of the third air supply operation, the fourth pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3f, 3e, and 3g for 8 seconds, then the air supply is stopped and held for 1 second. do. After that, all the airbags are evacuated for 4 seconds. This is a pressurization pattern of one cycle lasting 33 seconds as a whole.

The airbag operation details of the F-type pressurization pattern described above are as follows.
First, all airbags are at normal pressure as a starting point.
Pressurized air is supplied to the airbag 3c for 10 seconds for the first time to increase the internal air pressure, and then, at the end of the first air supply operation, the airbags 3a, 3b, 3c are supplied with pressurized air for a second time. Pressurized air is supplied for 8 seconds to increase the internal air pressure. After that, all the airbags are evacuated for 4 seconds. This is a pressurization pattern of one cycle lasting 22 seconds as a whole.

The airbag operation details of the above G-type pressurization pattern are as follows.
The G-type pressure pattern starts at the end of the F-type pressure pattern, and is performed continuously.
The first pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3d and 3g for 10 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and at the same time, the airbags 3e and 3f are depressurized and exhausted for 10 seconds. After that, at the end of the first air supply operation, a second pressurized air is supplied to the airbags 3e and 3f for 10 seconds to increase the internal air pressure, and at the same time, the airbags 3d and 3g are supplied with pressurized air for 10 seconds. Evacuate the air. This is a pressurization pattern of one cycle lasting 20 seconds as a whole.

In the five types of pressure patterns A to E mentioned above, the ankle pressing part (airbag 3c), the sole pressing part (airbag 3a), the instep pressing part (airbag 3b), and the Achilles tendon pressing part (airbag 3c) are used. This is a pressurization pattern in which all airbags corresponding to the airbags 3d and 3f) and gastrocnemius muscle pressing portions (airbags 3e and 3g) are combined as appropriate.
The F-type pattern uses only (airbags 3a, 3b, 3c) pressing parts, and the G-type pattern uses only (airbags 3d, 3g, 3e, 3f) pressing parts in combination. It has a pressure pattern.
Furthermore, among the seven types of pressure patterns mentioned above, the five patterns A, C, D, E, and F are characterized by the order in which the ankle pressure part is pressed, and then the instep pressure part and the sole pressure part are pressed. This is the pressure pattern. Among them, pressure patterns A, C, D, and E in particular massage each pressure part of the calf in succession to each pressure part of the toe, thereby providing an effective and comfortable massage feeling for the calf area as well. be able to.

<Massage mode>
The massage mode is a combination of multiple units of pressure patterns A to G above, and defines the order and repetition, etc., and is a pressure massage treatment whose total time is from ten minutes to several tens of minutes. be. Similar to the pressurization pattern, the settings are made to increase the massage effect and provide a comfortable massage experience for the recipient.
Tables 8 (massage mode (1)) to 11 (massage mode (4)) show examples of massage modes designed by appropriately combining the seven A-type to G-type pressure patterns described above.

Massage mode (1) is intended for comprehensive, comfortable, and effective massage from the toes to the calves, making extensive use of pressure patterns A, C, and D, which are the characteristics of the present invention.
The pressurization pattern combination cycle of the massage mode (1) is as follows.
First, the A-type pressure pattern is repeated three times, and then the B-type pressure pattern is repeated three times. Furthermore, the C-type pressure pattern is repeated four times, and the D-type pressure pattern is repeated four times. Next, the A-type pressure pattern is repeated nine times to complete the process. The massage mode lasts approximately 15 minutes in total.

Massage mode (2) is particularly aimed at emphasizing squeezing of the lower limbs from the lower part to the upper part.
The pressurization pattern combination cycle of the massage mode (2) is as follows.
First, the A-type pressure pattern is repeated twice, and then the E-type pressure pattern is repeated 26 times. The massage mode lasts approximately 15 minutes in total.

Massage mode (3) is intended for massaging both the lower and upper parts.
The pressurization pattern combination cycle of the massage mode (3) is as follows.
First, the F-type pressure pattern is repeated three times, and then the G-type pressure pattern is repeated five times. After that, all airbags are depressurized and evacuated for 4 seconds (once).
Subsequently, the A-type pressure pattern is repeated twice, then the F-type pressure pattern is repeated three times, and the G-type pressure pattern is repeated five times. After that, all airbags are depressurized and evacuated for 4 seconds (once). Repeat this three times as shown in the table above.
Next, the A-type pressure pattern is repeated twice and completed. The massage mode lasts approximately 15 minutes in total.

Massage mode (4) is a massage mode aimed at relaxing the legs, which is based on pressurization pattern B with a lot of decompression.
The pressurization pattern combination cycle of the massage mode (4) is as follows.
Repeat type B pressure pattern 11 times. The massage mode lasts approximately 15 minutes in total.

Next, an example using the leg massage device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be shown below.
The leg massage device having the structure shown in FIG. 3 and equipped with the seven airbags 3a to 3g shown in FIG. .

Next, as a comparative example, an airbag 3c corresponding to an independently controllable ankle pressing part that presses the ankle from both left and right sides of the present invention, and a press that presses the top of the foot (base of the toes) are shown. The airbag 3b corresponding to the part of the foot and the airbag 3a corresponding to the pressing part that presses the sole (arch) of the foot are not separately provided, but the structure is that 3c, 3a, and 3b communicate and operate at the same time. A massage for about 15 minutes was performed in accordance with massage mode (1) using the same leg massage device as in the present invention except for the above.
The impressions and comments made by 3 test subjects (A, B, C) after the massage treatment of both the inventive example and the comparative example are shown below.

From the above comments of the three subjects, it was common that the massage including the calf area felt comfortable, especially from the ankle/heel to the toes.

In addition, the embodiment mentioned above shows an example to the last. The leg massage device according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the leg massage device according to the embodiments described above may be modified without changing the gist of the claims. good.

The leg massage device and control program of the present invention promotes and improves the flow of blood and lymph fluid in the legs from the toes to the calves, recovers from fatigue, relieves muscle stiffness, and reduces swelling. When performing a massage for slimming, etc., it is possible to provide the recipient with an effective, comfortable, and desirable massage feeling, especially in the area below the ankle, so it can be suitably used for health and beauty purposes.

1 Leg massage device 2a Boot cuff (for left foot), 2b Boot cuff (for right foot)
3a to 3g Air bag 5 Operation/control section 6 Operation switch section 7 Control section 8 Air supply source 9 Solenoid valve 10 Air supply plug 11 Air tube 12 Air tip plug 13 Air supply port

Claims (3)

A leg massage device including a cover part that covers the leg, and an ankle pressing part that can be controlled independently of other parts;
an instep pressing part that presses the base of the toe on the instep side of the foot;
a sole pressing part that presses the sole of the foot;
an Achilles tendon pressing part that presses both sides of the Achilles tendon;
It includes a gastrocnemius muscle pressing part that presses both sides of the gastrocnemius muscle,
The control unit starts from a state where all the pressing parts are under normal pressure, and by pressing the ankle pressing part, the communication part presses the ankle and simultaneously presses both the inner and outer sides of the foot,
Promotes blood flow from the lower ankle to the toes,
After pressing the ankle pressing part, pressing the instep pressing part and the sole pressing part,
The leg massage device is characterized in that the Achilles tendon pressing part and the gastrocnemius muscle pressing part are pressed continuously. The leg massage device according to claim 1, wherein the ankle pressing section, the instep pressing section, the sole pressing section, the Achilles tendon pressing section, and the gastrocnemius muscle pressing section are comprised of an air bag. . A program for controlling a pressing part of a leg massage device including a cover part that covers the legs,
Starting from a state where all the pressing parts are under normal pressure, the communicating part presses the ankle and activates the ankle pressing part that simultaneously presses both the inner and outer sides of the foot, thereby increasing blood flow from the lower part of the ankle to the tip of the foot. Ankle pressing step that encourages
After the ankle pressing step, an instep and sole pressing step of operating an instep pressing section that presses the base of the toe on the instep side of the foot and a sole pressing section that presses the sole of the foot;
A control for a leg massage device, characterized in that the control for a leg massage device is followed by a massage step of activating an Achilles tendon pressing section that presses both sides of the Achilles tendon and a gastrocnemius muscle pressing section that presses both sides of the gastrocnemius muscle. program.