Massage chair

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a massage chair in which an armrest portion is moved forward and backward in conjunction with a reclining operation of a backrest portion, and the position of the armrest portion is adjusted regardless of the position of the backrest portion. The massage chair includes a backrest portion that supports the shoulders, waist, and back of a subject to be treated, and an armrest portion that supports the arms of the subject to be treated. The rear portion of the armrest portion is capable of both contacting and separating from the backrest portion. In the absence of an external force that separates the armrest portion from the backrest portion, the rear portion of the armrest portion is in contact with the backrest portion, and the armrest portion is moved forward and backward in conjunction with the reclining operation of the backrest portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to massage chairs. Background Technology

[0002] In the massage chair disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-310683, the rear end of the armrests (holding the wrists of the person receiving treatment) is attached to the backrest. With this structure, the armrests move back and forth in conjunction with the reclining motion of the backrest. That is, if the backrest reclines relative to the seat, the armrests move backward; if the backrest is upright relative to the seat, the armrests move forward. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] However, depending on the patient's physique and preferences, the position of the armrests corresponding to the reclining motion of the backrest is inappropriate.

[0005] In view of the above situation, the object of the present invention is to provide a massage chair in which the armrests can move back and forth in conjunction with the reclining action of the backrest, and the position of the armrests can be adjusted regardless of the position of the backrest.

[0006] Methods for solving problems

[0007] The massage chair structure (first structure) disclosed in this specification includes: a reclining backrest that supports the shoulders, waist, and back of the user; and armrests that support the user's arms. The rear portion of the armrests can contact and separate from the backrest. When no external force is applied to the armrests to separate them from the backrest, the rear portion of the armrests contacts the backrest. The armrests move back and forth in a manner that is linked to the reclining action of the backrest.

[0008] In the massage chair with the first structure described above, there may also be the following structure (second structure): if the external force applied to the armrest is stopped from the state where the armrest is separated from the backrest, the armrest moves backward by its own weight.

[0009] In the massage chair with the first or second structure mentioned above, there may also be the following structure (third structure): the further the armrest moves backward, the larger the acute angle formed between the length direction of the armrest and the bottom surface of the massage chair when viewed from the side.

[0010] In the massage chair with any of the structures in the first to third categories mentioned above, the following structure (fourth structure) may also be provided: a limiting part that restricts the forward movement of the armrest.

[0011] In the massage chair with the fourth structure described above, there may also be the following structure (fifth structure): the limiting part restricts the forward movement of the armrest in such a way that the armrest can move further forward than when the rear part of the armrest contacts the backrest when the backrest is in its most upright state.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the massage chair disclosed in this specification, the armrests can move back and forth in conjunction with the reclining motion of the backrest, and the position of the armrests can also be adjusted regardless of the position of the backrest. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of the massage chair involved in this embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic front view of the frame, etc., of the massage chair according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic side view of the frame of the massage chair according to this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic front view of the frame, etc., of the massage chair according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic side view of the frame of the massage chair according to this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a side view schematically showing an example of the frame of a massage chair involved in the variation.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a side view schematically showing other examples of the frame of a massage chair involved in the variation.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a side view schematically showing a modified example of the armrest frame, etc.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a side view schematically showing a modified example of a frame for the armrest, etc., with the addition of a limiting part.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 1. Massage chair of this embodiment

[0025] 3. Backrest

[0026] 5. Armrests

[0027] 12 Restriction Section Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of the massage chair 1 (hereinafter referred to as "massage machine 1") according to this embodiment. In the following description, the front side (front view) observed by the user sitting on the massage machine 1 with the backrest 3 not reclined is referred to as "front side" or "front". The rear side (back side) observed by the user sitting on the massage machine 1 with the backrest 3 not reclined is referred to as "rear side" or "rear". In addition, the upper side (head side) observed by the user sitting on the massage machine 1 with the backrest 3 not reclined is referred to as "upper side" or "above". The lower side (foot side) observed by the user sitting on the massage machine 1 with the backrest 3 not reclined is referred to as "lower side" or "below". In addition, the right side observed by the user sitting on the massage machine 1 is referred to as "right side" or "right side". The left side observed by the user sitting on the massage machine 1 is referred to as "left side".

[0030] The massage machine 1 has a seat 2, a backrest 3, a side wall 4, an armrest 5, an operating unit 6, a cable 7, a support 8, and a foot pedal 9.

[0031] The seat 2 supports the buttocks and thighs of the person receiving treatment.

[0032] The backrest 3 supports the recipient's shoulders, waist, and back. The backrest 3 can recline. In other words, the backrest 3 can rotate around a tilting axis AX1 extending laterally (see below). Figure 5 Rotate.

[0033] The backrest 3 contains a massage unit (not shown) and guide rails 3B and 3C extending along the surface 3A that connects with the shoulders and waist of the person receiving treatment. The massage unit is guided by the guide rails 3B and 3C to rise and fall within the backrest 3.

[0034] The side wall portion 4 is configured to stand upright on the left and right sides of the seat portion 2.

[0035] Armrests 5 are located on the left and right sides of the seat 2 and are supported by the side walls 4. The armrests 5 support the arms of the person receiving treatment. Specifically, the armrests 5 support the forearms of the person receiving treatment.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the armrest 5 has a built-in inflatable and contractible airbag, which provides treatment to the forearm and hand of the recipient. In other words, the armrest 5 has a treatment section for treating the forearm and hand of the recipient. It should be noted that the treatment of the forearm and hand is not limited to treatment through the airbag; any treatment using physical means is acceptable. That is, the treatment provided by the treatment section of the armrest 5 for the forearm and hand is not limited to massaging the forearm and hand; for example, it could be heat treatment or electrical stimulation treatment. Therefore, the armrest 5 can, for example, have a structure with a treatment section, which includes a combination of one or more treatment components, airbags, vibration components, heaters, electrode pads, etc.

[0037] In addition, unlike this embodiment, the armrest 5 may not have a treatment part for treating the forearm and hand of the person being treated.

[0038] The operation unit 6 is an input device used by the patient to select the treatment mode and adjust the intensity of the treatment. The operation unit 6 is connected via cable 7 to a control unit (not shown) located below the base 2. Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram) are connected. This control unit controls the various parts of the massage machine 1 based on signals output from the operation unit 6.

[0039] The bracket 8 is fixed to the armrest 5 located on the left side of the seat 2. The operating part 6 can be installed and removed relative to the bracket 8.

[0040] Footrest 9 houses the lower legs of the person receiving treatment.

[0041] Figure 2 as well as Figure 4 This is a schematic front view showing the frame, etc., of the massage machine 1. It should be noted that... Figure 4 This schematically shows the state of the reclined backrest 3 as viewed from a roughly frontal perspective. Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 This is a schematic side view of the frame, etc., of the massage machine 1.

[0042] Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 The image shows the massage machine 1 with the backrest 3 fully raised. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The backrest 3 of the massage machine 1 is shown reclined to its maximum rear position (fully reclined).

[0043] The massage machine 1 has a base frame 10. The base frame 10 is located in the seat 2 (not in...). Figures 2-5 (As shown in the image) below, and support seat 2.

[0044] The armrest 5 has an upper frame 5A, a front arm 5B, and a rear arm 5C.

[0045] The upper frame 5A extends in the front-to-back direction, and decreases downwards towards the rear. The length direction of the upper frame 5A is the same as the length direction of the armrest 5. The length direction of the armrest 5 is the direction of the straight line connecting the patient's elbow and wrist when the patient places their forearm on the armrest 5.

[0046] The front arm 5B is a rectangular component in side view. When the backrest 3 of the massage machine 1 is fully raised, the front arm 5B extends in the vertical direction and extends further back towards the top.

[0047] The lower end of the front arm 5B is mounted to the base frame 10 in a manner that allows it to rotate about a rotation axis AX2 extending in the left-right direction. The upper end of the front arm 5B is mounted to the upper frame 5A in a manner that allows it to rotate about a rotation axis AX3 extending in the left-right direction.

[0048] The rear arm 5C is a rectangular component in side view. When the backrest 3 of the massage machine 1 is in its most upright position, the rear arm 5C extends in a vertical direction and towards the rear as it goes up.

[0049] The lower end of the rear arm 5C is mounted to the base frame 10 in a manner that allows it to rotate about a rotation axis AX4 extending in the left-right direction. The upper end of the rear arm 5C is mounted to the upper frame 5A in a manner that allows it to rotate about a rotation axis AX5 extending in the left-right direction.

[0050] The rear arm 5C at the base frame 10 is mounted further rearward than the front arm 5B at the base frame 10. Similarly, the rear arm 5C at the upper frame 5A is mounted further rearward than the front arm 5B at the upper frame 5A.

[0051] The length of the front arm 5B, i.e., the length of the long side of the rectangle of the front arm 5B in side view, is greater than the length of the rear arm 5C, i.e., the length of the long side of the rectangle of the rear arm 5C in side view. With the structure described above, the front arm 5B and the rear arm 5C can support the upper frame 5A in a manner that extends downward and backward in the front-rear direction.

[0052] The backrest 3 has a frame 3D, abutment plate 3E, and abutment plate 3F. Abutment plate 3E protrudes from the left end of frame 3D toward the left side. Abutment plate 3F protrudes from the right end of frame 3D toward the right side.

[0053] The armrest 5 is not installed on the backrest 3. Furthermore, the rear portion of the armrest 5 can contact and separate from the backrest 3. In this embodiment, the rear end of the armrest 5 can contact and separate from the backrest 3. It should be noted that, unlike this embodiment, the portion of the rear portion of the armrest 5 other than its rear end can also contact and separate from the backrest 3.

[0054] from Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 It is known that the rear end of the armrest 5 is provided with rollers. The rear end roller of the armrest 5 located on the left side can contact and separate from the abutment plate 3E of the backrest 3. Similarly, the rear end roller of the armrest 5 located on the right side can contact and separate from the abutment plate 3F of the backrest 3.

[0055] If an external force is applied to the armrest 5 to separate it from the backrest 3, and then the force is stopped from being applied to the armrest 5 after it has separated from the backrest 3, the armrest 5 will move backward by its own weight. The center of gravity of the armrest 5 is designed to produce this movement by its own weight.

[0056] Therefore, when no external force is applied to the armrest 5 to separate it from the backrest 3, from Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 From the fully upright position shown, the backrest 3 is tilted down by the actuator 11 until it reaches its maximum position. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 During the period shown, until the backrest 3 is reclined to its maximum rearward position, the rear of the armrest 5 remains in contact with the backrest 3. Furthermore, without applying any external force to separate the armrest 5 from the backrest 3, from... Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 From the state shown where the backrest 3 is reclined to its rearmost position, the backrest 3 is uprighted by the actuator 11 until it reaches the desired height. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 During the period until the backrest 3 is in its most upright position, the rear of the armrest 5 is also kept in contact with the backrest 3.

[0057] In other words, when no external force is applied to separate the armrest 5 from the backrest 3, the rear part of the armrest 5 contacts the backrest 3, and the armrest 5 moves back and forth in conjunction with the reclining motion of the backrest 3. Therefore, even when the backrest 3 is reclined, the patient can use the armrest 5 without fully extending their elbow. In other words, the patient's arms can be relaxed even when the backrest 3 is reclined.

[0058] Furthermore, the upper frame 5A is supported by the front arm 5B and the rear arm 5C. As the front arm 5B and the rear arm 5C rotate relative to the base frame 10, the upper frame 5A moves along an approximately arc-shaped trajectory. Therefore, the further the armrest 5 moves rearward, the larger the angle θ formed by the length direction of the armrest 5 and the bottom surface of the base frame 10 (i.e., the bottom surface of the massage machine 1) becomes in a side view. Thus, even when the backrest 3 is tilted, the user can utilize the armrest 5 without a significant change in elbow angle compared to when the backrest 3 is upright. In other words, when the backrest 3 is tilted, the user's arms can achieve a more relaxed state.

[0059] On the other hand, if an external force is applied to separate the armrest 5 from the backrest 3, the armrest 5 can be separated from the backrest 3, and the rear part of the armrest 5 can detach from the backrest 3. In other words, if the patient places their arm on the armrest 5 and pushes it forward, the armrest 5 can move forward. In other words, the massage machine 1 can adjust the position of the armrest 5 regardless of the position of the backrest 3. Therefore, if the position of the armrest 5 is inappropriate according to the patient's physique, preferences, etc., corresponding to the reclining motion of the backrest 3, the armrest 5 can be adjusted to an appropriate position by applying external force to it.

[0060] It should be considered that the above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. It should be understood that the technical scope of the invention is not derived from the description of the above embodiments, but rather from the scope of the claims, including any modifications within the scope of the claims that fall under the equivalent meaning.

[0061] Alternatively, the limiting part 12 that restricts the forward movement of the armrest part 5 can also be (see reference). Figure 6 , Figure 7 This is added to the massage chair 1 described above. In other words, the massage chair 1' (hereinafter referred to as "massage chair 1'") in the modified example also has a limiting part 12 that restricts the forward movement of the armrest 5. The massage chair 1' differs from the massage chair 1 in having the limiting part 12, but is otherwise the same as the massage chair 1.

[0062] By providing the limiting part 12, it is possible to prevent the armrest part 5 from moving excessively forward.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a side view schematically showing an example of the frame, etc., of the massage machine 1'. Figure 7 This is a side view schematically showing other examples such as the frame of the massage machine 1'.

[0064] exist Figure 6In the example shown, the limiting part 12 restricts the forward movement of the armrest 5 in such a way that when the backrest 3 is in its most upright state, the armrest 5 cannot move further forward than when the rear part of the armrest 5 is in contact with the backrest 3.

[0065] exist Figure 7 In the example shown, the limiting part 12 restricts the forward movement of the armrest 5 in such a way that, when the backrest 3 is in its most upright state, the armrest 5 can move further forward than when the rear part of the armrest 5 is in contact with the backrest 3. Figure 7 In the example shown, when the backrest 3 is in its most upright state, even if there is a foreign object (such as a person's hand) between the rear of the armrest 5 and the backrest 3, the force applied to the foreign object can be reduced because a gap can be ensured between the rear of the armrest 5 and the backrest 3.

[0066] In the massage machine 1 and massage machine 1' described above, the rear part of the armrest 5 is designed to contact the abutment plates 3E and 3F protruding from the frame 3D. However, it may also be designed to contact the rear part of the armrest 5 with a resin molded component disposed inside the backrest 3 and mounted on the frame 3D.

[0067] Alternatively, the armrest 5 of the massage machine 1 described above can be changed to, for example... Figure 8 As shown in the diagram. Figure 8 This is a side view schematically showing a modified example of the frame, etc., of the armrest 5.

[0068] exist Figure 8 In the illustrated variation, the armrest 5 includes an upper frame 5A. The upper frame 5A is supported by a support frame 13. The lower surface of the upper frame 5A is mounted to the upper surface of the support frame 13 in a manner that allows it to slide relative to the upper surface of the support frame 13 along the length direction of the armrest 5. The support frame 13 is fixed to the base frame 10. It should be noted that, in this variation, unlike the embodiment described above, in a side view, the acute angle formed between the length direction of the armrest 5 and the bottom surface of the base frame 10, i.e., the bottom surface of the massage machine 1, is constant and independent of the position of the armrest 5.

[0069] exist Figure 8 In the modified example shown, when a limiting part 12 is provided to restrict the forward movement of the armrest part 5, such as Figure 9 As shown, a limiting part 12 can be provided at the front of the support frame 13.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and variations, when the external force applied to the armrest 5 to separate it from the backrest 3 is stopped, the armrest 5 moves backward by its own weight. However, the present invention is not limited to the structure described above. For example, if an actuator for moving the armrest 5 is provided, and no external force is applied to the armrest 5 to separate it from the backrest 3, the rear part of the armrest 5 contacts the backrest 3. To enable the armrest 5 to move back and forth in conjunction with the reclining action of the backrest 3, the control unit can control both the backrest actuator and the armrest actuator. Furthermore, when an external force is applied to separate the armrest 5 from the backrest 3, the armrest actuator does not need to constrain the position of the armrest 5 to allow it to move under the action of this external force.

Claims

1. A massage chair, wherein, This massage chair features: The backrest can be reclined to support the shoulders, waist, and back of the person receiving treatment; The armrest supports the arm of the person receiving treatment; as well as The limiting part restricts the forward movement of the armrest. The rear part of the armrest can contact and separate from the backrest. When no external force is applied to the armrest to separate it from the backrest, the rear part of the armrest contacts the backrest, and the armrest moves back and forth in conjunction with the reclining action of the backrest. The limiting part restricts the forward movement of the armrest in such a way that, when the backrest is in its most upright position, the armrest can move further forward than when the rear part of the armrest contacts the backrest.

2. The massage chair according to claim 1, wherein, If the external force applied to the armrest is stopped from separating the armrest from the backrest, the armrest will move backward by its own weight.

3. The massage chair according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The further the armrest moves backward, the larger the acute angle formed between the length direction of the armrest and the bottom surface of the massage chair when viewed from the side.

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