JP2004008257A - Leg massage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a leg massage apparatus which can easily perform massages to treatment areas regardless of the length of the leg. <P>SOLUTION: A leg mounting part 5 is constituted by arranging leg holding members 51, 52 and 53 having massaging functions in the length direction of the leg, and the leg holding members 51, 52 and 53 are supported by a support device 6 respectively movably in the length direction of the leg. Also, respective leg holding members 51, 52 and 53 are mutually interlocked in the length direction of the leg by a linking device 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a massage machine, and more particularly to a device for massaging a leg.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 10 shows a conventional leg massager described in, for example, JP-A-2002-65785. This is a device in which three leg holding members 101, 102, and 103 attached to the guide rail 100 are manually slid to a treatment site and massaged by air pressure.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional leg massage device as described above, the position adjustment of the leg holding members 101 to 103 is troublesome, and since the length of the leg is different when the user changes, there is an inconvenience that the leg must be adjusted each time. .
[0004]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a leg massager that can easily massage a treatment site regardless of the length of the leg.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The leg massage device of the present invention is configured such that a plurality of leg holding members having a massage function are arranged in a leg length direction, and the plurality of leg holding members can be moved in the leg length direction. The apparatus further comprises a supporting device for supporting, and an interlocking device for interlocking the plurality of leg holding members in a predetermined relationship in a length direction of the leg (claim 1).
In the leg massage device configured as described above, the plurality of leg holding members move in association with each other in a predetermined relationship by the interlocking device. Therefore, if the position of one leg holding member is adjusted to the leg, the other leg holding member automatically moves to a predetermined position according to the length of the leg.
[0006]
In the leg massage device (Claim 1), the interlocking device has a link mechanism that proportionally expands and contracts each distance from the origin on the support device to the plurality of leg holding members in the leg length direction. (Claim 2).
In this case, based on the empirical fact that the distance from the origin to the treatment site of the leg changes proportionally according to the length of the leg, the leg holding member is attached to the common treatment site regardless of the length of the leg. Moves.
[0007]
In the leg massage device (Claim 1), the most advanced leg holding member may be provided with a pressing surface of the sole (Claim 3).
In this case, if the leg holding member is moved by pressing the sole against the pressing surface, the other leg holding members move in conjunction.
[0008]
In the leg massage device (Claim 2), it is preferable that three leg holding members are provided and arranged so as to correspond to treatment points of the leg (Claim 4).
In this case, the therapeutic points of the legs can be massaged by the three leg holding members.
[0009]
In the above-mentioned leg massage device (claim 2), the link mechanism is configured such that a four-point connection square link is formed in a plurality of stages and is connected to a leg holding member corresponding to each stage, and connects each square link to a leg length direction. The expansion and contraction may be achieved by bending and elongating in different directions, and the expansion and contraction ratio may be different at each stage.
In this case, each leg holding member moves due to the bending and elongation of the quadrangular link. However, the amount of movement of the leg holding member can be finely adjusted by changing the expansion / contraction ratio at each stage.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a massage machine 1 having a leg massage device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are side views thereof. 1 and 2, the massage machine 1 has a chair-type massage machine main body 2. The massage machine main body 2 includes a seat 3, a backrest 4 disposed on the rear side of the seat 3, an armrest (armrest) 7 disposed on both sides of the seat 3, and extends downward from the seat 3. And a support leg 8. Further, as a “leg massage device” integrally connected to the massage machine main body 2, a leg rest (foot rest) 5 disposed in front of the seat 3 and a support device 6 for supporting the leg rest 5 are provided. ing.
[0011]
The backrest 4 and the leg rest 5 are movable with respect to the seat 3. That is, the backrest 4 is configured to be able to fall backward from the state of FIG. The leg rest 5 is rotatably connected to a front part of the seat 3 about a horizontal axis so that the position (angle) with respect to the seat 3 can be changed. It can be turned upward from the state 2 (downward state) to the state of FIG. 3 (upward state).
[0012]
The backrest part 4 is provided with a massage part 10 having a motor-driven treatment element 9, and this massage part 10 can perform massage operations such as beating, massaging, and vibration on the user.
On the front side of the backrest 4, air cells 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b for massage are arranged. These air cells 11a, 11b, 12a and 12b are inflated and contracted by the supply and discharge of air to apply pressure massage to the back and waist of the user.
Similar air cells 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b are also arranged on the upper surface side of the seat 3. These air cells 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b apply a pressure massage to the buttocks and thighs of the user.
[0013]
The leg rest part 5 arranges three leg holding members having a massage function (a first leg holding member 51, a second leg holding member 52, and a third leg holding member 53) in the length direction of the legs, and as a whole, both legs It has a form that surrounds. Air cells 15a, 15b and 16a, 16b for massage are arranged on both sides and the center of each of the leg holding members 51 to 53, respectively. Further, the third leg holding member 53 has a pressing surface 53a for the sole of the foot, and the air cells 17a and 17b are also arranged here. These air cells (15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b) are inflated and contracted by the supply and discharge of air to apply a pressure massage to the leg of the user. The air cells 16a and 16b at the center are swelled into a special shape, so that the legs can be sandwiched between the left and right air cells 15a and 15b so that pressure massage can be performed. it can.
[0014]
Each of the air cells operates by receiving supply and discharge of compressed air from the massage air supply / discharge unit 21 shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an elevation driving air cell 18 for driving the leg rest 5 is disposed behind the leg rest 5. The lifting / lowering drive air cell 18 operates by receiving supply / discharge of compressed air from the drive air supply / discharge unit 22. That is, when the air is supplied, the lifting drive air cell 18 expands and pushes up the leg rest 5 as shown in FIG. In this state, the user can sit on the massage machine main body 2 with the knee extended. When the air is discharged and the air drive cell 18 is contracted, the leg rest 5 rotates downward and returns to the position shown in FIGS.
[0015]
Note that an operation device 19 for performing various operations such as massage and reclining is provided beside one armrest portion 7 in FIG. 1. Wheels 20 are rotatably attached to the lower left and right sides of the support device 6. These wheels 20 are not grounded in the state shown in FIGS.
[0016]
Next, the structures of the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 will be described in detail. The air cell and the like will be omitted in the following description (illustration is also omitted).
FIG. 4A is a side view showing the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 as viewed from the left side of the massage machine 1 in FIG. 1 in a horizontal state. (B) is a view of each part shown in (a) as viewed from above (however, it is a view of the structure below the leg holding members 51 to 53). In the figure, a supporting device 6 for supporting a leg rest 5 includes a first guide rail 61 having a rotating base 61a mounted on the front end of the seat 3 (FIG. 1) at the left end, and a first guide rail 61. A second guide rail 62 slidably attached to the rail 61. The inner bottom surface 53b of the third leg holding member 53 is lower than the inner bottom surfaces 51b and 52b of the first leg holding member 51 and the second leg holding member 52. Thus, the heel can be easily inserted, and the foot can be easily put on.
[0017]
FIG. 4C is a schematic view of the first guide rail 61 and the second guide rail 62 as viewed from the right side of FIG. Both of them are made of a metal plate having both sides bent in a U-shape, and are slidably overlapped with each other in the left-right direction (a) or (b).
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4A showing details of the support device 6. In the figure, a movable body 64 having wheels 63 on the front and rear sides is slidable with respect to the first guide rail 61 when the wheels 63 roll inside the first guide rail 61 (both sides). Similarly, a movable body 66 having front and rear wheels 65 is slidable with respect to the first guide rail 61.
[0018]
The first leg holding member 51 and the second leg holding member 52 are attached to the movable bodies 64 and 66, respectively, so that they can slide in the guide direction of the first guide rail 61, that is, in the length direction of the human leg. It is. By providing the wheels 63 and 65 before and after the movable bodies 64 and 66, the first leg holding member 51 and the second leg holding member 52 can be supported vertically to the first guide rail 61. it can. On the other hand, the third leg holding member 53 is directly attached to the second guide rail 62, and the third leg holding member 53 is also slidable with respect to the first guide rail 61. It can slide with respect to one guide rail 61. Thus, the support device 6 supports the leg holding members 51 to 53 movably in the length direction of the legs. In the illustrated state, the three leg holding members 51 to 53 are closest to each other, and the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 are in the shortest state.
[0019]
On the other hand, the three leg holding members 51 to 53 are connected to each other by the link mechanism 23. As shown in FIG. 4B, the link mechanism 23 has eight arms 231 (two), 232 (two), 233 (two), and 234 (two) as viewed from above. Is used to connect four-point connected square links in three stages, and expands and contracts by bending and extending each square link in the length direction of the leg. The pair of arms 232 are not linear but bent, and are configured such that the opening angle as a square link is smaller in the second step (θ2) than in the first step (θ1). The pair of arms 233 are also bent, not linearly, so that the third step (θ3) is larger than the second step (θ2) in the opening angle as a square link.
[0020]
In the link mechanism 23, the origin P0 is fixed to the support device 6, the first node P1 is on the leg holding member 51, the second node P2 is on the leg holding member 52, and the third node P3 is on the leg holding member 53, respectively. It is connected. Therefore, the link device 23 has a function as an “interlocking device” that causes the leg holding members 51 to 53 to interlock with each other in a predetermined relationship in the length direction of the legs by the expansion and contraction operation. Further, a spring 24 is mounted between the origin P0 and the third node P3, whereby the link device 23 is constantly urged in the contraction direction. The force of the spring 24 is set to such an extent that it can be easily extended by the force of a human foot.
[0021]
When the user sits on the massage machine main body 1 (FIG. 1), puts the legs in the leg rest portion 5, places the soles on the pressing surface 53a, and extends the legs against the spring 24, the third leg The holding member 53 is driven rightward in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Thereby, the link device 23 performs the extension operation, and the first to third nodes P1 to P3 move rightward. Therefore, the leg holding members 51 to 53 slidably held by the support device 6 move to the right (that is, the length direction of the legs). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state where the support device 6 and the leg rest 5 are most extended.
[0022]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the expansion and contraction operation of the link device 23 in principle. As shown in the drawing, when the position changes of the first node P1, the second node P2, and the third node P3 due to expansion and contraction are seen, a constant gradient is formed, and the distances L1, L2 from the origin P0 to the respective nodes. L3 expands and contracts proportionally so that L1: L2: L3 has a substantially constant ratio. Therefore, each distance from the origin P0 to the leg holding members 51 to 53 in the length direction of the leg also expands and contracts proportionally. The reason for adopting such a configuration that expands and contracts proportionally is that the leg portions have different absolute positions depending on the length of the legs, but the relative positional relationship is almost the same, and the legs are viewed from the origin P0. The empirical fact that the distance to the treatment site varies proportionally with the length of the leg.
[0023]
Note that the reason why the ratio is not strictly “constant ratio” but “approximately constant ratio” is that the arms 232 and 233 are not straight lines as described above, and therefore, the opening angles θ1, θ2 and θ3 of the links in each stage are the same. It is not. By adopting such a configuration, the position of the leg holding member can be more accurately matched to the position of the treatment point, which is slightly shifted according to the length of the leg, than by simple proportional expansion and contraction.
[0024]
FIG. 8A shows that the person with the shortest leg puts the leg in the leg rest 5 assuming the height range of the target of use of the massage machine 1, and the sole touches the bottom surface of the third leg holding member 53. It is in contact. The treatment places in this case are, for example, three places around and around the calf and ankle, and each leg holding member is arranged so that each can press a treatment point (for example, a "pot"). On the other hand, in (b), the person with the longest leg is assumed to put his or her leg in the leg rest portion 5 and push the bottom surface of the third leg holding member 53 with the sole to extend the leg rest portion 5 and the support device 6. State. At this time, as described above, the respective leg holding members 51 to 53 move their positions in proportion to the origin P0, so that each of the leg holding members 51 to 53 is similar to the case of (a). Press the point of treatment. Needless to say, it is also possible to press the treatment points in any extended state between (a) and (b). That is, by using such a leg massage device, regardless of the length of the leg, the leg can be simply inserted into the leg rest 5 and pressed on the third leg holding member 53, and the other leg holding members 51, 52 can be used. Without adjusting the position of the patient, it is possible to very easily perform a massage at a treatment point.
[0025]
In addition, if a leg is put in the leg rest part 5 and it is extended, the wheel 20 may reach the floor in the middle thereof, but even in this case, the support device 6 and the leg rest part 5 are moved by the rolling of the wheel 20. It can be extended smoothly.
After the treatment, when the user descends from the massage machine 1, the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 return to the original contracted state by the force of the spring 24 (FIG. 4B). Therefore, there is no need to return the extended leg rest 5 and the support device 6 to their original positions.
When the wheels 20 return to the original contracted state from the state where they are on the floor, the leg rest 5 and the supporting device 6 may contract while the wheels 20 roll on the floor. Even in this case, there is no fear that the floor surface is damaged due to the presence of the wheels 20.
[0026]
In the above embodiment, the leg rest 5 is shown in FIG. 1. However, as shown in FIG. 9, in the case of the leg holding members 51, 52, 53 provided with partition walls 51c, 52c, 53c in the center. However, a leg massage device having a similar elastic structure can be provided.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the leg mounting portion 5 has a structure including the three leg holding members 51 to 53. However, the number of the leg holding members is not limited to three, and may be two or four. You may.
Further, in the above embodiment, the leg holding members 51 to 53 are apparently separated from each other. However, the leg holding members 51 to 53 may be configured so as not to be separated from each other by covering with a stretchable cover or the like.
[0027]
In the above-described embodiment, the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 are configured to automatically contract by using the spring 24. However, instead of the spring 24, the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 are configured to expand and contract with an appropriate resistance load. You can also. In this case, by pushing down the lowermost leg holding member with the foot against the resistance, the leg rest 5 and the support device 6 can be similarly extended according to the length of the leg. However, in this case, when returning to the original contracted state, an operation such as pushing back by hand is required. Further, it may be configured such that it is returned and locked by the ratchet together with the spring 24, and is returned to the original state by the unlocking operation.
[0028]
In the above-described embodiment, the air cell for massage is provided on the leg rest 5. However, even in the case of another massage structure such as electric motor, the plurality of leg holding members 51 to 53 and the support device 6 are used. An elastic structure can be applied.
Further, the leg massage device in the above embodiment can be attached not only to the chair-type massage machine main body 2 (FIG. 1), but also to an end portion of an ordinary chair or a bed. That is, it can be used by being attached to various devices that support the body (mainly supported while sitting). It is also possible to use the leg massage device alone.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention configured as described above has the following effects.
According to the leg massage device of the first aspect, since the plurality of leg holding members move in conjunction with each other in a predetermined relationship, if the position of one leg holding member is adjusted to the leg, the other leg holding member is moved to the leg. Automatically moves to a predetermined position according to the length of the. Therefore, it is possible to easily massage the treatment site regardless of the length of the leg.
[0030]
According to the leg massage device of claim 2, based on the empirical fact that the distance from the origin to the treatment site of the leg changes proportionally according to the length of the leg, regardless of the length of the leg The massage can be performed by moving the leg holding member to the common treatment site.
[0031]
According to the leg massage device of the third aspect, if the leg holding member is moved by pressing the sole against the pressing surface, the other leg holding members move in conjunction with each other. The leg holding member can be moved according to the length of the leg holding member.
[0032]
According to the leg massage device of the fourth aspect, it is possible to accurately massage a treatment point of the leg by the three leg holding members.
[0033]
According to the leg massage device of claim 5, the amount of movement of the leg holding member can be finely adjusted by changing the expansion / contraction ratio at each stage, so that the leg holding member can be accurately moved to the treatment point, Massage can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a massage machine having a leg massage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the massage machine shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the leg massage device faces downward.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the massage machine shown in FIG. 1, showing a state in which the leg massage device is raised.
FIG. 4A is a side view of the massage machine shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the leg rest and the support device are viewed from the left side of the massage machine in a horizontal state. (B) is the figure which looked at each part shown in (a) from the top. (C) is a schematic diagram of the support device as viewed from the right side of (b).
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 4A, showing details of the support device.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the leg rest and the supporting device are extended from the state shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a view showing in principle the expansion and contraction operation of the link device shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 (a) shows a person having the shortest leg puts the leg on the leg rest, assuming the height range of the object to be used by the massager, and the sole touches the bottom surface of the third leg holding member. It is a figure showing a state. (B) is a diagram showing a state in which a person with the longest leg is assumed to put his or her leg into the leg rest, and push the bottom surface of the third leg holding member with the sole to extend the leg rest and the support device. .
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a leg massage device of a type having a partition wall in the center.
FIG. 10 is a view schematically showing a conventional leg massage device.
[Explanation of symbols]
5 Leg mounting part 6 Support device 23 Link device (interlocking device)
51 first leg holding member 52 second leg holding member 53 third leg holding member 53a pressing surface 61 first guide rail 62 second guide rail

Claims (5)

A plurality of leg holding members having a massage function, a leg mounting portion arranged side by side in the length direction of the leg,
A support device that supports the plurality of leg holding members so as to be movable in the length direction of the legs,
An interlocking device that interlocks the plurality of leg holding members with each other in a predetermined relationship in the length direction of the leg. The leg massage device according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking device includes a link mechanism that proportionally expands and contracts each distance from an origin on the support device to the plurality of leg holding members in a leg length direction. 2. The leg massage device according to claim 1, wherein the most advanced leg holding member is provided with a pressing surface for the sole. The leg massage device according to claim 2, wherein the three leg holding members are provided, and the leg holding members are arranged corresponding to the treatment points of the legs. The link mechanism is configured such that a four-point connection square link is formed in a plurality of stages and connected to the corresponding leg holding member for each stage, and expands and contracts by bending and extending each square link in the length direction of the leg. 3. The leg massage device according to claim 2, wherein the expansion and contraction ratio is different at each stage.

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