JP7481778B2 - Hand massager - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a hand massager.

The massager disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with an airbag for the back of the hand, an airbag for the palm, and an airbag for the fingers. The back of the user's hand, the palm, and the fingers are massaged by the inflation and deflation of these airbags.

Utility Model Registration No. 3216090

In hand massages, including fingers, massage pressures (pressures) appropriate for the palm, back of the hand, and fingers are required. For example, it is known that massage pressures appropriate for the palm are higher than massage pressures appropriate for the back of the hand. However, with the massager of Patent Document 1, the palm, back of the hand, and fingers are pressed by the expansion of the airbag, making it difficult to obtain massage pressures appropriate for each area.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a massager that can massage the user's hand, including the fingers, with massage pressures appropriate for the back of the hand, the palm, and the fingers.

One aspect of the present invention provides a hand massager comprising: a housing that defines an insertion space into which a hand including fingers is inserted, the housing comprising a first main wall portion that faces the back of the hand inserted into the insertion space, and a second main wall portion that faces the palm of the hand inserted into the insertion space; an airbag for the back of the hand arranged on the first main wall portion for pressing the back of the hand; an airbag for other fingers formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding each finger other than the thumb for pressing the fingers of the hand; an air supply source that is built into the housing, is fluidly connected to the airbag for the back of the hand and the airbag for other fingers, and supplies air to the airbag for the back of the hand and the airbag for other fingers so that the airbag for the back of the hand and the airbag for other fingers inflate and deflate; a kneading member arranged on the second main wall portion; and a drive mechanism that is built into the housing and moves the kneading member.

The back of the hand is pressed by the inflation of the airbag for the back of the hand, while the palm is pressed by the kneading member, so a higher massage pressure acts on the palm than on the back of the hand. The fingers are pressed by the inflation of the airbag for the other fingers. This allows the user's hand, including the fingers, to be massaged with massage pressures appropriate for the back of the hand, palm, and fingers.

By inserting fingers other than the thumb into the finger airbag, the left-right position of the palm is appropriately positioned relative to the back-of-hand airbag and the kneading members. This enhances the massage effect on the back and palm of the hand.

The drive mechanism reciprocates the kneading member in an arc along the edge of the palm on the wrist side.

With this configuration, the kneading members move back and forth in an arc along the edge of the palm, so the massage can be effectively performed on areas that require a high massage effect. It is easy to get the sensation of being massaged by a human hand.

Preferably, the device further includes a right thumb airbag for pressing the right thumb and a left thumb airbag for pressing the left thumb.

For example, when massaging the thumb, with a conventional massager that does not have an airbag for the thumb, it is necessary to insert the thumb into the airbag for the other fingers to massage the thumb. In contrast, with this configuration, an airbag for the thumb is provided in addition to the airbag for the other fingers, so all five fingers, including the thumb, can be massaged without switching fingers.

In addition, by inserting the thumb into the thumb airbag, the fingers are prevented from being inserted too far. This positions the back and palm of the hand in the front-rear direction relative to the back-of-hand airbag and the kneading members in a position suitable for massage. As a result, the massage effect on the back and palm of the hand can be improved.

In addition, preferably, the device is provided with an air supply means that allows air to be supplied from the air supply source to the airbags for both thumbs, the airbags for the other fingers, and the airbag for the upper back independently of each other.

With this configuration, the airbags for both thumbs, the airbags for the other fingers, and the airbag for the instep can each be operated independently, making it possible to diversify the massage action and further enhance the massage effect on the hand, including the fingers.

In addition, preferably, the airbag for the back of the hand has a back-of-hand airbag for pressing the wrist of the hand from the back of the hand, and may further include a palm-of-hand airbag for pressing the wrist of the hand from the palm side, which is disposed in a position facing the back-of-hand airbag at a portion closer to the wrist of the hand than the kneading member of the second main wall portion and opposed to the airbag for the back of the hand.

According to this configuration, the wrist is clamped from the back and palm sides by the airbag for the back of the hand and the airbag for the palm of the hand. This allows the inserted hand to be held in an appropriate position relative to the kneading members and each airbag, further enhancing the massage effect.

In addition, preferably, the device may further include a palm-side airbag for the base of the fingers, which is arranged in a portion of the second main wall portion closer to the fingers than the kneading member, and which presses against the base of the fingers from the palm side.

This configuration allows pressure to be applied to the base of the fingers on the palm side, diversifying the massage action.

In addition, preferably, the back-of-hand airbag may include a back-of-hand airbag for the base of the fingers, which is arranged opposite the palm-side airbag for the base of the fingers and is used to press the base of the fingers from the back of the hand.

With this configuration, the palm-side airbag for the base of the fingers and the back-side airbag for the base of the fingers can massage the base of the fingers. The airbags for the base of the fingers hold the base of the fingers from the back and palm sides of the hand, so the inserted hand is held in place. This allows the hand to be positioned appropriately with respect to the massaging members when the massaging members are in operation, further enhancing the massage effect.

According to the present invention, it is possible to massage the user's hand, including the fingers, with massage pressures appropriate for the back of the hand, the palm, and the fingers.

1 is a perspective view of a massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of the massager of FIG. 1 with a cover and an airbag unit removed; FIG. A cross section taken along line III-III in FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. 3 is a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the airbag body with the base portion deployed. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the airbag body with the base portion deployed. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the massager when used by inserting the palm of the hand horizontally. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the massager when the left hand is inserted with the thumb positioned at the top. 5 is a time chart showing an example of the transition of operations of various elements when the massager performs a first operation pattern. 10 is a time chart showing an example of the transition of operations of various elements when the massager is in a second operation pattern. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a massage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a time chart showing an example of the transition of operations of various elements during an operation pattern of the massage device in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a modified airbag body in a deployed state. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a modified example of the housing according to the present invention.

The present invention relates to a hand massager. Before describing the configuration of this massager, we will briefly explain the relationship between the massager and the hand, including the fingers, when in use, with reference to Figure 1.

Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a massager 1 for hands including fingers according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the first installation state of the massager 1 shown in Figure 1, a hand including fingers (hereinafter simply referred to as "hand") of the right or left hand is inserted through a hand insertion opening 11 provided at the front end of the massager 1 with the palm facing down.

In the following description, terms indicating directions such as "front," "back," "right," "left," "up," and "down" refer to the respective directions of the massager 1 when the back of the user's hand is "up," the palm side is "down," the wrist side is "front," and the fingertip side is "back," unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the left hand is inserted into the massager 1, the thumb of the left hand is inserted into the left thumb insertion section 2C provided on the right side of the massager 1. When the right hand is inserted into the massager 1, the thumb of the right hand is inserted into the right thumb insertion section 2D provided on the left side of the massager 1.

The back of the hand inserted into the massager 1 is massaged by airbags 31, 32, 33, 34 (see FIG. 5) for the back of the hand, which are arranged on the front side of the massager 1 and on the back side of the hand. The palm of the hand inserted into the massager 1 is massaged by a kneading member 60 (see FIG. 2) arranged on the front side of the massager 1 and on the palm side. The thumb of the hand inserted into the massager 1 is massaged by airbags 35, 36 for the left or right thumb, which are arranged in the left or right thumb insertion hole 2C, 2D of the massager 1 and which are described later. The other fingers of the hand inserted into the massager 1 are massaged by airbags 37, 38, 39, 40 for the other fingers, which are arranged on the rear side of the massager 1 and which are described later.

An operating unit 8 is provided on the top surface of the massager 1. When the user operates the operating unit 8, the airbags 31 to 42 and the kneading member 60 massage the user's hands, including the fingers.

The airbags 31-42 and the kneading member 60 are covered by a cover member 14 made of, for example, a cloth material. A pressing force from the airbags 31-42 and the kneading member 60 acts on the hand, including the fingers, via the cover member 14. A cushioning material, for example, polyurethane, may be placed between the cover member 14 and the airbags 31-42 and the kneading member 60.

Next, the configuration of the massager 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 2 is an external perspective view of a massager 1 for hands, including fingers, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the cover member 14 and airbags 31-40 removed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the massager 1 comprises a housing 2, an airbag unit 3, and a kneading ball unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 has a front opening 2A for inserting a hand, including fingers. The housing 2 is made of resin. The housing 2 has an upper cover 21, a lower cover 22, and a main body 23 disposed between the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22 and having an insertion space S1 for inserting a hand inside.

As shown in FIG. 3, the top cover 21 has a top surface 21a whose central portion in the front-rear and left-right directions is formed into a gently curved shape that is upwardly convex. The top cover 21 has a right side wall 21b and a left side wall 21c that extend downward from both sides of the top surface 21a.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 21a is formed so that the front edge 21d is located higher than the rear edge 21e. The vertical positions of the front edge 21d and rear edge 21e of the upper surface 21a are higher than the lower edges 21f, 21f of both side walls 21b, 21c. A number of switches 81, 82, 83 are arranged in the front-rear direction on the upper surface 21a as an operation unit 8 for operating the massager 1. The operation unit 8 may be configured as a touch panel. The operation unit 8 may also be provided with a full stop button for stopping (OFF) all functions.

A semicircular notch 21g is formed in the middle of the right side wall 21b in the front-to-rear direction, cut out from the lower edge 21f upward. A semicircular notch 21h is formed in the middle of the left side wall 21c in the front-to-rear direction, cut out from the lower edge 21f upward.

The lower cover 22 has a bottom surface 22a extending horizontally in the front-to-rear direction. It has a right side wall 22b and a left side wall 22c extending upward from both sides of the bottom surface 22a. The lower cover 22 has a front wall 22d formed in a gentle curve extending from the front end of the bottom surface 22a in a front-upward direction. The lower cover 22 has a rear wall 22e formed in a gentle curve extending from the rear end of the bottom surface 22a in a rear-upward direction. The left-to-right dimension of the lower cover 22 is formed to match the left-to-right dimension of the upper cover 21.

The front wall 22d is formed with a front recess 22f that is recessed downward. The front wall 22d is formed to be continuous with the front end of the right side wall 22b and the front end of the left side wall 22c. The rear wall 22e is formed with a rear recess 22g that is recessed downward. The rear wall 22e is formed to be continuous with the rear end of the right side wall 22b and the rear end of the left side wall 22c.

A semicircular cutout 22i is formed in the approximate middle of the right side wall 22b in the front-to-rear direction, cut out downward from the upper edge 22h. A semicircular cutout 22j is formed in the approximate middle of the left side wall 22c in the front-to-rear direction, cut out downward from the upper edge 22h.

The notches 21g, 22i provided on the right side walls 21b, 22b of the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22, respectively, are provided so that their positions in the front-to-rear direction coincide. The notches 21h, 22j provided on the left side walls 21c, 22c of the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22, respectively, are provided so that their positions in the front-to-rear direction coincide.

The upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22 are joined together with the rear edge 21e of the upper cover 21 and the rear end of the lower cover 22 approximately aligned in the front-to-rear direction, and the lower edges 21f, 21f of the side walls 21b, 21c of the upper cover 21 are in contact with the upper edges 22h, 22h of the side walls 22b, 22c of the lower cover 22. At this time, the front end of the lower cover 22 is positioned at a position offset forward in the front-to-rear direction from the front edge 21d of the upper cover 21. The upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22 are engaged with each other, for example, by a plurality of engagement portions 21j...21j, 22k...22k (see FIG. 5) provided on each of them.

When the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22 are joined, a front opening 2A for inserting the hand is formed at the front end of the housing 2. A rear opening 2B is formed at the rear end of the housing 2 for the remaining fingers to enter. A left thumb through-hole 2C is formed in the right side wall of the housing 2 by cutouts 21g and 22i, penetrating the right side wall. A right thumb through-hole 2D is formed in the left side wall of the housing 2 by cutouts 21h and 22j, penetrating the left side wall of the housing 2.

The main body 23 is formed in a flat tubular shape that defines an insertion space S1 into which the hand, including the fingers, is inserted. When in use, the main body 23 includes a first main wall 24 that faces the back of the hand, a second main wall 25 that faces the palm, a right connecting portion 26 that connects the first main wall 24 and the second main wall 25, and a left connecting portion 27.

A right boss portion 28 that protrudes outward to the right is provided at the middle portion in the front-to-rear direction of the left connecting portion 26 of the main body portion 23 (the portion where the left thumb is placed). The right boss portion 28 is formed so as to penetrate the right connecting portion 26 in the left-right direction. The outer diameter of the right boss portion 28 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the left thumb through-hole 2C.

A left boss portion 29 that protrudes outward to the left is provided at the middle portion in the front-to-rear direction of the right connecting portion 27 of the main body portion 23 (the portion where the right thumb is placed). The left boss portion 29 is formed so as to penetrate the left connecting portion 27 in the left-right direction. The outer diameter of the left boss portion 29 is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the right thumb through hole 2D.

The main body 23 is disposed between the upper cover 21 and the lower cover 22 of the housing 2. The right boss 28 is disposed inside the left thumb through hole 2C. The left boss 29 is disposed inside the right thumb through hole 2D.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first main wall portion 24 is formed with an inclination so that it becomes lower from the front side to the rear side. A first opening 24a is formed in the middle of the first main wall portion 24, penetrating the first main wall portion 24 vertically. A second opening 24b is formed in front of and to the right of the first opening 24a, and a third opening 24c is formed in front of and to the left of the first opening 24a. In other words, the first opening 24a is provided in the area where the base of the fingers (thenar eminence) are located. The second and third openings 24b, 24c are provided in the area where the area from the base of the thumb to the wrist (thenar eminence) and the area from the base of the little finger to the wrist (thenar eminence) are located.

The front end of the first main wall portion 24 is provided with an engaging portion 24e that extends upward. The engaging portion 24e is engaged with an engaged portion 21i provided at the front of the top cover portion 21. This connects the main body portion 23 and the top cover portion 21.

The second main wall portion 25 is formed in a gentle arch shape in which the middle portion (where the center of the palm is placed) in the front-to-rear direction of the massager 1 is higher than the front and rear ends. The front end of the second main wall portion 25 is formed to be located forward of the front end of the first main wall surface 24.

In the front part of the second main wall part 25 (the part where the wrist side of the palm is placed), a kneading ball opening 25a is formed, which penetrates the second main wall part 25 vertically. In the part of the second main wall part 25 corresponding to the boss part 28 on the right side (the part where the left thumb is placed), a fourth opening 25b is formed, which penetrates the second main wall part 25 vertically. In the part of the second main wall part 25 corresponding to the boss part 29 on the left side (the part where the right thumb is placed), a fifth opening 25c is formed, which penetrates the second main wall part 25 vertically. In the rear part of the second main wall part 25 (the part where each finger is placed), the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth openings 25d, 25e, 25f, and 25g, which penetrate the second main wall part 25 vertically, are arranged approximately evenly on the left and right. A tenth opening 25h is formed in the second main wall 25 in front of the massage ball opening 25a, penetrating the second main wall 25 vertically.

As shown in FIG. 3, an air supply means storage space S2 for storing the air supply means 50 described later is formed between the first main wall portion 24 of the main body portion 23 and the upper cover portion 21. A drive mechanism storage space S3 for storing the drive mechanism 70 described later is formed between the second main wall portion 25 of the main body portion 23 and the bottom surface portion 22a of the lower cover portion 22.

The airbag unit 3 has an airbag body 30 and an air supply means 50 that is fluidly connected to the airbag body 30 and supplies air to the airbag body 30. The airbag body 30 is disposed in the insertion space S1 of the main body portion 23 of the housing 2.

6A and 6B, the airbag body 30 includes airbags 31, 32, 33, 34 for the back of the hand, an airbag 35 for the left thumb, an airbag 36 for the right thumb, airbags 37, 38, 39, 40 for the fingers other than the thumb, airbags 41, 42 for the palm side, and a base portion 43 to which the airbags 31-34 for the back of the hand are joined together. The airbag body 30 is folded and arranged so that the airbags 41, 42 for the palm side and the airbags 31-34 for the back of the hand face each other. The base portion 43 of the airbag body 30 is fixed along the first main wall portion 24 of the main body portion 23 of the housing 2. The airbags 35, 36 for the thumbs, the airbags 37-40 for the other fingers, and the airbag 42 for the palm side are fixed along the second main wall portion 25. In other words, "for other fingers" refers to the index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger.

The airbags 31, 32, 33, and 34 for the back of the hand include a first airbag 31 for the back of the hand (airbag for the base of the fingers on the back of the hand), a second airbag 32 for the back of the hand (for the right side), a third airbag 33 for the back of the hand (for the left side), and a fourth airbag 34 for the back of the hand (for the wrist on the back of the hand). The first airbag 31 for the back of the hand is arranged to face the base of the fingers. The second airbag 32 for the back of the hand is arranged to face the area between the base of the left thumb (or little finger) on the back of the hand (the left ball of the thumb or the right ball of the little finger) and the middle part of the back of the hand. The third airbag 33 for the back of the hand is arranged to face the area between the base of the right thumb (or little finger) on the back of the hand (the right ball of the thumb or the left ball of the little finger) and the middle part of the back of the hand. The fourth back airbag 34 is positioned so as to face the wrist on the back of the hand. In other words, the fourth back airbag 34 is arranged to press against the back of the hand from the wrist side on the back of the hand.

The first upper-hand airbag 31 has a facing surface portion 31a provided on the side facing the back of the hand, and a fixed surface portion (not shown) provided on the opposite side and fixed to the base portion 43. The facing surface portion 31a and the fixed surface portion are integrated, for example, by heat-pressing the peripheral portions together to form a bag-shaped airbag. The second upper-hand airbag 32, the third upper-hand airbag 33, and the fourth upper-hand airbag 34 also have facing surfaces 32a, 33a, and 34a and fixed surfaces (not shown) like the first upper-hand airbag 31.

The palm side airbags 41, 42 include a first palm side airbag (airbag for the palm side finger base) 41 and a second palm side airbag (palm side wrist) 42. The first palm side airbag 42 is arranged to face the base of the fingers. The first palm side airbag 42 and the first back side airbag 31 are arranged to face each other. The second palm side airbag 42 is arranged to face the wrist side part of the palm (part corresponding to the base of the hand). In other words, the second palm side airbag 42 is arranged to press the wrist on the palm side. The second palm side airbag 42 and the fourth back side airbag 34 are arranged to face each other. The first palm side airbag 41 is arranged closer to the fingers than the kneading member 60 described later, and the second palm side airbag 42 is arranged closer to the wrist than the kneading member 60. In other words, the first palm side airbag 41 and the second palm side airbag 42 are arranged at a distance in the front-rear direction, sandwiching the kneading member 60 described below.

The first palm airbag 41 and the second palm airbag 42, like the first upper airbag 31, have opposing surfaces 41a, 42a provided on the side facing the palm, and a fixed surface (not shown). In this embodiment, the first upper airbag 31 and the first palm airbag 41 are integrally formed. Specifically, the opposing surface 31a of the first upper airbag 31 and the opposing surface 41a of the first palm airbag 41 are formed in a continuous band shape. When the first upper airbag 31 and the first palm airbag 41 are stored in the housing 2, they are folded and arranged to have a C-shaped cross section.

The airbag body 30 has first, second, third and fourth air supply units 31b, 32b, 33b and 42b for supplying air to the first, second, third and fourth upper side airbags and the first and second palm side airbags 31, 32, 33, 34, 41 and 42. The first, second, third and fourth air supply units 31b, 32b, 33b and 42b are disposed at positions corresponding to the first, second and third upper side airbags 31-33 and the second palm side airbag 42. In this embodiment, the first upper side airbag 31 is in communication with the fourth upper side airbag 34 and the first palm side airbag 41. As a result, air is supplied to the first and fourth upper side airbags 31, 34 and the first palm side airbag 41 by the first air supply unit 31b. The flow path that connects the first upper side airbag 31 and the fourth upper side airbag 34 is not shown in the figure.

The first, second and third air supply parts 31b, 32b and 33b function as fixing parts for fixing the airbag body 30 to the main body part 23 of the housing 2. Specifically, the first, second and third air supply parts 31b, 32b and 33b are inserted into the first, second and third openings 24a, 24b and 24c of the main body part 23 of the housing 2, respectively. For example, a fixing pin for preventing the airbag body 30 from coming off is inserted into the part of the first, second and third air supply parts 31b, 32b and 33b that protrudes from the upper surface of the first main wall part 24 of the main body part 23 and that does not form an internal flow path. This fixes the airbag body 30 to the first main wall part 24 of the main body part 23 of the housing 2, and prevents the airbag body 30 from falling off the first main wall part 24.

The fourth air supply unit 42b functions as a fixing unit for fixing the second palm side airbag 42 to the main body 23 of the housing 2. Specifically, the fourth air supply unit 42b is inserted into the tenth opening 25h of the main body 23 of the housing 2. For example, a fixing pin for preventing the fourth air supply unit 42b from coming off is inserted into the portion of the fourth air supply unit 42b that protrudes from the underside of the second main wall 25 of the main body 23 and that does not form an internal flow path. This fixes the second palm side airbag 42 to the second main wall 25 of the main body 23 of the housing 2, and positions the airbag main body 30 on the second main wall 25.

The airbag for the left thumb 35, the airbag for the right thumb 36, and the airbags for the other fingers, ie, the first, second, third and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39 and 40, are formed in a cylindrical shape that surrounds each finger. These airbags for the first to fourth fingers 37 to 40 are formed integrally.

The airbags for both thumbs 35, 36 and the airbags for the first, second, third and fourth fingers 37, 38, 39, 40 have the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth air supply parts 35b, 36b, 37b, 38b, 39b and 40b for taking in air on the side facing the second main wall part 25.

The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth air supply parts 35b, 36b, 37b, 38b, 39b, and 40b function as fixing parts for positioning the airbags for both thumbs 35 and 36 and the airbags for the first, second, third, and fourth fingers 37, 38, 39, and 40 in the main body part 23 of the housing 2. Specifically, the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth air supply parts 35b, 36b, 37b, 38b, 39b, and 40b are inserted into the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth openings 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f, and 25g of the second main wall part 25 of the main body part 23 of the housing 2, respectively. For example, a fixing pin for preventing the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth air supply units 35b, 36b, 37b, 38b, 39b, and 40b from coming loose is inserted into the portions of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth air supply units 35b, 36b, 37b, 38b, 39b, and 40b that protrude from the underside of the second main wall portion 25 of the main body portion 23 and that do not form an internal flow path. This positions the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth air supply units 35b, 36b, 37b, 38b, 39b, and 40b in the second main wall portion 25.

Air supply pipes 56...56 are connected to each of the air supply units 31b-33b, 35b-40b, 42b to take in air supplied from the air supply means 50 described below. The airbag body 30 described above is inflated and deflated by the air supply means 50.

The air supply means 50 has an air pump 51 as an air supply source for sucking out or injecting air to be supplied to the airbag, a number of solenoid valves 52, 53, 54, 55 connected to the air pump 51 to control the flow of air supplied from the air pump 51, and a number of air supply pipes 56...56 connecting the solenoid valves 52, 53, 54, 55 to the air supply sections 31b-33b, 35b-40b, 42b of the airbags.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first solenoid valve 52 is connected to the first upper airbag 31, the second upper airbag 32, the third upper airbag 33, the fourth upper airbag 34, and the first palm airbag 41 via an air supply pipe 56. The second solenoid valve 53 is connected to the second palm airbag 42 via an air supply pipe 56. The third solenoid valve 54 is connected to the left thumb airbag 35 and the right thumb airbag 36 via air supply pipes 56...56. The fourth solenoid valve 55 is connected to the first, second, third, and fourth other finger airbags 37, 38, 39, and 40 via an air supply pipe 56.

The first, second, third and fourth solenoid valves 52, 53, 54 and 55 can be opened and closed to adjust the timing of inflation and deflation of each airbag connected to the first, second, third and fourth solenoid valves 52, 53, 54 and 55, respectively. It is preferable that the opening degree of the first, second, third and fourth solenoid valves 52, 53, 54 and 55 can be adjusted, including fully closed. By adjusting the opening degree of the first, second, third and fourth solenoid valves, it is possible to adjust the timing of inflation and deflation of each airbag connected to the first, second, third and fourth solenoid valves, respectively, and the amount of inflation.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the kneading ball unit has a kneading ball body 60 as a kneading member 60 for massaging the palm, and a drive mechanism 70 for rotating the kneading ball body 60. The kneading ball body 60 is disposed in an upwardly protruding manner on the second main wall portion 25 of the main body portion 23 of the housing 2. The drive mechanism 70 is disposed between the second main wall portion 25 and the lower cover portion 22.

The kneading ball body 60 has a disk-shaped rotating base portion 61, a roughly hemispherical large diameter portion 62 that protrudes upward from the rotating base portion 61, and a roughly hemispherical small diameter portion 63 that has a smaller diameter than the large diameter portion 62. The rotating base portion 61 is provided on the same plane (continuously) with the second main wall portion 25 of the body portion 23 of the housing 2. The rotating base portion 61 is inclined so as to become higher from the front side to the rear side along the inclination of the front side of the second main wall portion 25 (see FIG. 4). The kneading ball body (kneading member) 60 is preferably made of soft or hard resin, or rubber.

As shown in FIG. 5, the large diameter portion 62 and the small diameter portion 63 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The large diameter portion 62 and the small diameter portion 63 are arranged on the rotating table portion 61 with the left and right positions of their respective central axes extending in the front-rear direction coinciding. In this embodiment, the large diameter portion 62 and the small diameter portion 63 are formed so as to be continuous. The large diameter portion 62 and the small diameter portion 63 are formed integrally (gourd-shaped in plan view) with the rear portion of the large diameter portion 62 and the front portion of the small diameter portion 63 overlapping in plan view.

The large diameter portion 62 is positioned at a position corresponding to the wrist side of the palm. The large diameter portion 62 is positioned opposite the fourth upper airbag 34.

As shown in FIG. 4, a boss 61a protruding downward is provided at the center between the large diameter portion 62 and the small diameter portion 63 (the center of the rotating table portion 61). An output shaft 72e of a gear mechanism 72 for transmitting the rotation of a motor 71 (described later) to the kneading ball body 60 is press-fitted into the boss 61a.

The drive mechanism 70 includes a motor 71 for rotating the kneading ball body 60, a gear mechanism 72, and a case 73 for housing these.

The case 73 has an upper case 73a and a lower case 73b. The upper case 73a is provided with a fixing portion (not shown) for fixing the drive mechanism 70 to the second main wall portion 25 of the body portion 23 of the housing 2. The lower case 73b is provided with a fixing portion (not shown) for fixing the drive mechanism 70 to the lower cover portion 22 of the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the motor 71 is arranged so that its shaft extends to the left and right. The motor 71 is arranged so that its output shaft 71b protrudes to the right from the motor body 71a. A worm gear, for example, is formed on the output shaft 71b of the motor 71.

A first double gear 72b is supported on a first rotating shaft 72a protruding from the inner bottom surface of the case near the worm gear. The first double gear 72b is formed with a helical gear (worm wheel) with a large diameter on the lower stage and a small gear with a small diameter on the upper stage, and the helical gear meshes with the worm gear.

A second double gear 72d is supported by a second rotating shaft 72c protruding from the first rotating shaft 72a near the first double gear 72b. The second double gear 72d is formed with a lower spur gear with a larger diameter and an upper pinion gear with a smaller diameter, and the spur gear of the second double gear 72d meshes with the pinion gear of the first double gear 72b.

A spur gear 72f supported by a third rotating shaft 72e, which serves as the output shaft of the gear mechanism 72 protruding from the second rotating shaft 72c, meshes with the second double gear 72d. The above-mentioned rotating table 61 is mounted and fixed at the center position on the upper end of the third rotating shaft 72e. Specifically, the boss 61a of the kneading ball body 60 is engaged with the upper end of the third rotating shaft 72e. For example, a groove for a bolt is formed on the upper side of the third rotating shaft 72e. The third rotating shaft 72e and the kneading ball body 60 may be joined by inserting a bolt through the boss 61a and the groove and screwing it in place.

In this embodiment, the gear mechanism 72 of the drive mechanism 70 includes a first rotating shaft 72a, a second rotating shaft 72c, a third rotating shaft 72e, a first double gear 72b, a second double gear 72d, and a spur gear 72f. The above-mentioned gear mechanism 72 reduces and transmits the rotation caused by the drive of the motor 71 to the rotating table 61.

The installation states of the massager 1 include the first installation state described above (see FIG. 8A), the second installation state shown in FIG. 8B, and a third installation state.

As shown in FIG. 8A, in the first installation state, the right or left hand is inserted into the massager 1 in a horizontal position with the palm facing down and the back of the hand facing up. At this time, the bottom surface portion 22a of the lower cover portion 22 of the massager 1 serves as a bottom surface installation portion (first installation portion) that allows the hand to be inserted horizontally. The bottom surface installation portion (first installation portion) may also be a downwardly protruding convex portion or the underside of a leg.

As shown in FIG. 8B, in the second installation state, the left thumb is positioned upward and inserted into the massager 1 so that the palm of the left hand is raised relative to the horizontal (left hand in a substantially vertical plane). At this time, the left side wall surface 21c of the upper cover portion 21 and the left side wall surface 22c of the lower cover portion 22 of the massager 1 are configured as a left installation portion (second installation portion) for allowing the left hand to be inserted with the left thumb positioned upward.

Although not shown in the figures, in the third installation state, the right thumb is positioned upward so that the palm of the right hand is raised relative to the horizontal (right hand in a roughly vertical plane) and inserted into the massager 1. At this time, the right side wall surface 21b of the upper cover portion 21 and the right side wall surface 22b of the lower cover portion 22 of the massager 1 become the right installation portion (third installation portion) that allows the right hand to be inserted with the right thumb positioned upward.

By setting massager 1 in the first, second, or third position, the user can choose between a position in which the palm of the hand inserted into the massager is horizontal, or a position in which the thumbs are positioned upwards (for example, a position in which the thumbs are held upright so that they are perpendicular to the horizontal). This allows the user to massage the hands in a position of their choice, enhancing the relaxing effect.

As shown in FIG. 7, the massager 1 has a control unit 9 for controlling the supply of air to the airbag body 30 and the rotational movement of the kneading ball body 60.

The control unit 9 receives signals from the operation unit 8 used to control the massager 1. The operation unit 8 is equipped with a power switch 81 for turning on the massager 1, an off switch 82 for stopping the operation of the massager 1, and a mode selection switch 83 for selecting the operation mode of the massager 1. The states of these switches 81, 82, and 83 are input to the control unit 9 as input signals.

Based on various input signals, the control unit 9 outputs control signals to the air pump 51 as the air supply means 50, the first to fourth solenoid valves 52, 53, 54, and 55, and the motor 71 that constitutes the drive mechanism 70, thereby controlling the airbag body 30 and the kneading ball body 60.

The control unit 9 is configured to be able to independently control the supply and exhaust of air by the air pump 51, and the opening and closing and opening degree of each solenoid valve 52, 53, 54, 55. Therefore, the supply and exhaust of air from each solenoid valve 52, 53, 54, 55 to each airbag 31-42, and the flow rate of the supplied air are independently controlled. In other words, the control unit 9 can control the inflation timing and amount of inflation of each airbag 31-42.

The control unit 9 controls the motor 71 to control the direction of rotation of the kneading ball body 60 and the operation of the kneading ball body 60. The control unit 9 can control the rotational movement and arc movement of the kneading ball body 60, with the output shaft 72e at the center of the rotating table 61 as the rotation axis.

With the above configuration, the massager 1 can massage the hand, including the fingers, in multiple massage patterns that combine the operation of the airbag body 30 and the kneading ball body 60. The massage pattern is configured to operate the airbag body 30 and the kneading ball body 60 in an operation mode selected by the mode selection switch of the operation unit 8 from multiple pre-assigned operation modes.

The time chart shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of the operational transition of various elements at the start-up time during the first operation pattern of the massage device according to this embodiment.

When using the massager 1, the user presses the power switch 81 to start the massager 1. If the mode selection switch 83 is not operated when the power switch 81 is turned on by the user, it is assumed that the first operation pattern is selected. The first operation pattern is described below.

At time t0, when the power switch 81 is turned on by the user, the third solenoid valve 54 and the fourth solenoid valve 55 are opened. A predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the left thumb airbag 35, the right thumb airbag 36, and the first, second, third, and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39, and 40, which are connected to the third solenoid valve 54 and the fourth solenoid valve 55, respectively, and these airbags inflate. This applies massage pressure to the thumb and other fingers of the user's right or left hand.

At time t1, a predetermined time Δt1 after time t0 when the power switch 81 is turned on, the motor 71 is turned on and the kneading ball body 60 starts a predetermined rotational movement. As a predetermined rotational movement of the kneading ball body 60, the kneading ball body 60 rotates in an arc around the rotation axis (output shaft 72e). The large diameter portion 62 of the kneading ball body 60 reciprocates in an arc along the edge of the palm on the wrist side (see arrow X in Figure 5). This makes it possible to effectively massage areas with a high massage effect. The user feels as if they are being massaged by a person.

At time t2, a predetermined time Δt2 after time t1 when the motor 71 is turned on, the first solenoid valve 52 and the second solenoid valve 53 are opened. A predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the first, second, third and fourth instep airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34 and the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42, which are connected to the first solenoid valve 52 and the second solenoid valve 53, respectively. As a result, the back of the hand inserted into the massager 1 is pressed by the expansion of the first, second, third and fourth instep airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34, and the palm side is pressed by the expansion of the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42 and the kneading ball body 60.

In this way, the back of the hand is pressed by the inflation of the first, second, third and fourth back-side airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34, while the palm is pressed by the first and second palm-side airbags 41 and 42 as well as the kneading members, so that a higher pressure acts on the palm than on the back of the hand. This allows the user's hand to be massaged with massage pressures appropriate for the back and palm of the hand.

It is also preferable to adjust the flow rate of air supplied to the first, second, third and fourth back airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34 to continuously adjust the pressure of the airbags and the kneading members against the back and palm of the hand. This allows a massage with a pressure level that suits the user's preference. Also, the structure of the massager 1 can be simplified because the palm can be pressed by the kneading balls simply by adjusting the flow rate of air supplied to the back airbags.

By inserting the thumb and fingers of the inserted hand into the thumb airbags 35, 36 and the other finger airbags 37, 38, 39, 40, the fingers are prevented from being inserted too far. This allows the palm of the hand to be positioned in a position suitable for massage relative to the kneading members 60 (kneading balls), enhancing the massage effect on the palm.

In particular, as in the first operation pattern described above, when the fingers are clamped by the airbags 35, 36 for the thumb and the airbags 37, 38, 39, 40 for the first, second, third and fourth fingers at the beginning of the rising operation of the massager 1, the kneading members 60 (kneading balls) and the palm and back of the hand can be positioned in the front-back and left-right directions relative to the airbags in a position suitable for massage. Therefore, the kneading members 60 (kneading balls) can be operated in the area of the palm where the massage effect is most easily obtained.

Equipped with airbags for the first, second, third and fourth fingers 37, 38, 39, 40 and airbags for both thumbs 35, 36, it is possible to massage all five fingers including the thumb at the same time without switching fingers.

The first, second, third and fourth instep airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34, the first palm airbag 41, the thumb airbags 35 and 36, the first, second, third and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39 and 40 and the second palm airbag 42 can each be operated independently. This allows for a greater variety in the massage action and can further enhance the massage effect.

As described above, the wrist is held in place by the fourth airbag for the upper back (airbag for the upper back wrist) 34 and the second airbag for the palm (airbag for the palm back wrist) 42, which holds the wrist in place. This allows the hand to be positioned appropriately with respect to the kneading member 60 and the airbags 31 to 42, further enhancing the massage effect.

As mentioned above, the first palm-side airbag (airbag for the palm-side base of the fingers) 41 can apply pressure to the base of the fingers on the palm side, thereby diversifying the massage action.

As described above, the bases of the fingers can be massaged by the first palm side airbag (palm side airbag for the base of the fingers) 41 and the first back side airbag (back side airbag for the base of the fingers) 31. The bases of the fingers are clamped from the back side and the palm side by the base airbags 31, 41. This allows the hand to be held appropriately against the massaging members 60 when the massaging members 60 are in operation, and the massage effect can be further enhanced.

The rotation of the kneading ball body 60 may be a rotary motion, in which case the large diameter portion 62 and the small diameter portion 63 can change the pressure on the part of the palm where the kneading ball body 60 comes into contact during one rotation.

The massager 1 may be equipped with a switch for adjusting the flow rate, which allows the flow rate of air supplied to the airbag to be adjusted to provide the massage pressure desired by the user.

The flow rate of air supplied to the first, second, third and fourth instep airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34, the thumb airbags 35 and 36, the first, second, third and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39 and 40, and the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42 may be controlled to gradually increase.

Air supplied to the first, second, third and fourth instep airbags 31, 32, 33 and 34, the thumb airbags 35 and 36, the first, second, third and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39 and 40, and the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42 may be controlled to be intermittently supplied and exhausted.

The order in which the airbags and kneading balls of the massager 1 move can be changed as needed depending on the purpose of the massage.

The time chart shown in FIG. 10 shows an example of the operational progression of various elements during the second operation pattern of the massage device according to this embodiment.

At time t10, when the user turns on the power switch 81 and presses the mode selection switch 83, the first solenoid valve 52 and the second solenoid valve 53 are opened. A predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the first, second, third, and fourth back airbags 31, 32, 33, and 34 and the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42, which are connected to the first solenoid valve 52 and the second solenoid valve 53, respectively. As a result, the back of the hand inserted into the massager 1 is pressed by the expansion of the first, second, third, and fourth airbags 31, 32, 33, and 34, and the palm side is pressed by the kneading ball body 60 in addition to the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42.

At time t11, a predetermined time Δt11 after the power switch 81 is turned on, from time t10, the third solenoid valve 54 and the fourth solenoid valve 55 are opened. A predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the left thumb airbag 35, the right thumb airbag 36, and the first, second, third, and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39, and 40, which are connected to the third solenoid valve 54 and the fourth solenoid valve 55, respectively, and these airbags inflate. This applies massage pressure to the thumb and other fingers of the user's right or left hand.

At time t12, a predetermined time Δt12 after time t11 when the third and fourth solenoid valves 54, 55 are opened, the motor 71 is turned on and the kneading ball body 60 starts a predetermined rotational motion. As a predetermined rotational motion of the kneading ball body 60, the kneading ball body 60 rotates in an arc around the rotation axis (output shaft 72e) as in the first operation pattern. The large diameter portion 62 of the kneading ball body 60 reciprocates in an arc along the edge of the palm on the wrist side.

In this way, the hand, including the fingers, can be massaged with a second movement pattern that is different from the first movement pattern, depending on the user's preference.

Next, a massager 100 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 11. Note that in the second embodiment, the same reference numerals in FIG. 11 are used for configurations similar to those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The massager 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the air supply means 150. The other parts are configured similarly to the first embodiment, and the same effects as the first embodiment can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 11, the massager 100 has the same configuration as the first embodiment, and further includes fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh solenoid valves 155, 156, 157, and 158 connected to the first, second, third, and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39, and 40, respectively. This allows the timing of inflation and deflation of the first, second, third, and fourth finger airbags 37, 38, 39, and 40 to be independently controlled, as well as the amount of inflation.

As in the first embodiment, the massager 100 is configured to operate the airbag body 30 and the kneading ball body 60 in an operation mode selected by the mode selection switch of the operation unit 8 from among a number of pre-assigned operation modes.

The time chart shown in FIG. 12 shows an example of the operational progression of various elements of the operational pattern of the massager 100 according to the second embodiment.

At time t20, when the power switch 81 is turned on by the user, the first solenoid valve 52, the second solenoid valve 53, the third solenoid valve 54, and the fourth solenoid valve 55 are opened. A predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the first, second, third, and fourth palm airbags 31, 32, 33, and 34, the first and second palm airbags 41 and 42, the left thumb airbag 35, the right thumb airbag 36, and the first finger airbag 37, which are connected to these solenoid valves 52, 53, 54, and 155, respectively, and these airbags inflate. As a result, massage pressure is applied to the back of the user's hand, the right or left thumb, and the fingers inserted into the first finger airbag 37.

At time t21, a predetermined time Δt21 after time t20 when the power switch 81 is turned on, the motor 71 is turned on and the kneading ball body 60 starts a predetermined rotational movement. As a predetermined rotational movement of the kneading ball body 60, the kneading ball body 60 rotates in an arc around the rotation axis (output shaft 72e). The large diameter portion 62 of the kneading ball body 60 reciprocates in an arc along the edge of the palm on the wrist side (see arrow X in Figure 5). This makes it possible to effectively massage areas with a high massage effect. The user feels as if they are being massaged by a person.

At time t22, a predetermined time Δt22 after time t21 when the motor 71 is turned on, the fourth solenoid valve 155 is closed and the seventh solenoid valve 158 is opened. Air is exhausted from the first finger airbag 37 connected to the fourth solenoid valve 155, and a predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the fourth finger airbag 40 connected to the seventh solenoid valve 158. This applies massage pressure to the back of the user's hand, the thumb of the right or left hand, and the fingers inserted into the fourth finger airbag 40.

In this way, you can massage each finger individually, allowing you to diversify your massage patterns.

In the above embodiment, the airbag for the back of the hand is divided into four parts, but the number of parts may be increased or decreased as necessary, and each part may be provided with an electromagnetic valve. By independently controlling multiple airbags for the back of the hand, the massage can be further diversified.

In the above embodiment, the first upper side airbag 31, the fourth upper side airbag 34, and the first palm side airbag 41 are connected to each other, but these airbags 31, 34, and 41 may be formed independently, and each may be provided with an electromagnetic valve. By independently controlling the first upper side airbag 31, the fourth upper side airbag 34, and the first palm side airbag 41, the massage can be further diversified.

In the above embodiment, the thumb airbag and other finger airbags are described as being cylindrically shaped to surround each finger, but these finger airbags may be divided into upper and lower parts or left and right parts.

As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 5, the airbag body 30 may have hollow or solid protruding massage pieces 91, 91 in the airbag for the back of the hand at a location on the index finger side where the axis of the thumb and the axis of the index finger intersect (location corresponding to the valley portion). For example, the second and third instep airbags 32, 33 may have massage pieces 91, 91 made of a material that allows elastic deformation in the location on the thumb airbag side. When the airbag inflates and deflates, the massage pieces 91, 91 can apply massage pressure to the location on the back of the hand corresponding to the valley portion, achieving a more effective massage.

The massager 1 may include a heater unit having a heater function for warming the palm. In this case, the massager 1 includes a heater body 92 and a heater switch for turning the heater function on and off. The heater body 92 may be provided at a portion of the body 23 on the palm side where the base of the fingers is located, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5. An input signal from the heater switch is input to the control unit 9, which operates the heater body 92 based on the input signal. The heater unit allows the hand to be massaged while being warmed, so that the massage effect can be further improved. Although the heater body 92 is described as being switched on and off as appropriate by the input signal from the heater switch, the heater body 92 may be controlled to be turned on and off according to a pre-stored operation pattern. The heater function may be built into the kneading member 60.

In the above embodiment, the airbags 31-34 for the back of the hand, the airbags 35, 36 for the thumbs, the airbags 37-40 for the other fingers, and the airbags 41, 42 for the palm side are separate. However, as shown in the modified example in Figure 13, the airbag body 130 may be connected to the base 143 so that the airbags 131-134 for the back of the hand, the airbags 135, 136 for the thumbs, the airbags 137-140 for the other fingers, and the airbags 141, 142 for the palm side are integrated. For example, the airbags 131-142 are fixed to the base 143 by heat welding. The airbag body 130 is folded into a C-shaped cross section (so that the palm-side base portion on which the palm-side airbags 141, 142 are arranged faces the back-side base portion on which the back-side airbags 131-134 are arranged) and is placed inside the housing 2.

The base portion 143 has first to fifth air supply units 131b to 133b, 141b, 142b for supplying air to the first to fourth upper side airbags 131 to 134 and the first and second palm side airbags 141, 142. The first to third air supply units 131b to 133b are disposed at positions corresponding to the first to third upper side airbags 131 to 133. In this modification, the first airbag 131 and the fourth upper side airbag 134 are formed to communicate with each other, so that the first air supply unit 131b supplies air to the first and fourth upper side airbags 131, 134. The fourth and fifth air supply units 141b, 142b are disposed at positions corresponding to the first and second palm side airbags 141, 142.

The airbags for both thumbs 135, 136 and the airbags for the other fingers 137-140 are provided with air supply units 135b-140b on the opposite side of the base 143, as in the above-described embodiment. These air supply units 131b-133b, 135b-142b function as fixing units for positioning the airbag body 130 on the main body 23 of the housing 2, as in the above-described embodiment.

The airbag body 130 has an escape portion 144 formed in the palm side of the base portion 143. The escape portion 144 is provided in a region corresponding to the kneading ball body 60, between the first palm side airbag 141 and the second palm side airbag 142. This allows the kneading ball body 60 to pass through the escape portion 144 of the base portion 143. The escape portion 144 is not limited to a hole shape as shown in the figure, and may be a U-shaped notch, or a bulge-type escape portion (bulge portion) 44 may be provided instead of the hole-type escape portion 144.

The shape of the housing 2 of the massager 1 may be an elliptical cylinder, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 14. The configuration of the massager 101 shown in FIG. 14 differs from the above-described embodiment in the shape of the housing 102 and the shape of the operating unit 108. The other parts have the same structure as the above-described embodiment, and the same effects can be obtained.

In the massager 101 shown in FIG. 14, the right or left hand, including the fingers, is inserted into the hand insertion port 111 provided at the front end of the massager 101 with the palm facing down.

When the left hand is inserted into the massager 101, the thumb of the left hand is inserted into the left thumb insertion section 102C provided on the right side of the massager 101. When the right hand is inserted into the massager 101, the thumb of the right hand is inserted into the right thumb insertion section 102D provided on the left side of the massager 101.

The back of the hand inserted into the massager 101 is massaged by the airbags 31-34 for the back of the hand (see FIG. 5). The palm of the hand inserted into the massager 101 is massaged by the kneading member 60 (see FIG. 2). The thumb of the hand inserted into the massager 101 is massaged by the airbags 35, 36 for the left or right thumb (see FIG. 5). The other fingers of the hand inserted into the massager 101 are massaged by the airbags 37, 38, 39, 40 for the other fingers (see FIG. 5).

An operating unit 108 is provided on the top surface of the massager 101. The operating unit 108 is, for example, a touch panel type. When the user operates the operating unit 108, the airbags 31 to 40 and the kneading member 60 massage the user's hands, including the fingers.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

1 Hand massager 2 Housing 21b, 22b Right side installation part 21c, 22c Left side installation part 22a Bottom part (bottom side installation part)
24 First main wall portion 25 Second main wall portion 31, 32, 33, 34 First, second, third, fourth back airbags (back of hand airbags)
35 Airbag for left thumb 36 Airbag for right thumb 37, 38, 39, 40 Airbags for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers (airbags for other fingers)
41 First palm airbag (palm airbag, palm airbag at the base of the fingers)
42 Second palm airbag (palm airbag, palm wrist airbag)
50 Air supply means 51 Air pump (air supply source)
60 Kneading ball body (kneading member)
71 Drive mechanism S1 Insertion space

Claims (6)

A housing that defines an insertion space into which a hand including fingers is inserted, the housing having a first main wall portion that faces the back of the hand inserted into the insertion space and a second main wall portion that faces the palm of the hand inserted into the insertion space;
a back-of-hand airbag disposed in the first main wall portion for pressing against the back of the hand;
An airbag for other fingers for pressing fingers other than the thumb of the hand;
an air supply source that is built into the housing, is fluidly connected to the back of the hand airbag and the other finger airbags, and supplies air to the back of the hand airbag and the other finger airbags so that the back of the hand airbag and the other finger airbags inflate and deflate;
A kneading member disposed on the second main wall portion;
a drive mechanism that is built in the housing and drives the kneading members;
Equipped with
The hand massager further comprises a right thumb airbag for pressing the right thumb, and a left thumb airbag for pressing the left thumb. The hand massager according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive mechanism moves the kneading member back and forth in an arc along the edge of the palm on the wrist side. The hand massager according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an air supply means capable of supplying air from the air supply source to the airbags for both thumbs, the airbags for the other fingers, and the airbag for the back of the hand independently of one another. the airbag for the back of the hand includes an airbag for the back of the hand for pressing the wrist of the hand from the back side of the hand,
4. The hand massager according to claim 1, further comprising a palm-side wrist airbag arranged opposite the back-of-the-hand wrist airbag at a location closer to the wrist of the hand than the kneading member of the second main wall portion, for pressing the wrist of the hand from the palm side. The hand massager according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprises an airbag for the palm-side base of the fingers, which is arranged in a portion of the second main wall portion closer to the fingers than the kneading member, and which presses the base of the fingers from the palm side. The hand massager according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the airbag for the back of the hand is provided with an airbag for the base of the fingers on the back side, which is arranged to face the airbag for the base of the fingers on the palm side, and which presses against the base of the fingers from the back of the hand.

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