Massage machine

Abstract

A massage machine (1) is provided with: side wall parts (33, 38) on both sides, which hold a part to be treated (9) so as to sandwich the part from both sides; a first swinging mechanism (30) for swinging one first side wall part (33) of the side wall parts on the two sides along one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the treated part; a pressing part (29) for pressing the part to be treated between the side wall parts on the two sides; and a pressing displacement mechanism (26) that displaces the pressing part in a direction substantially opposite to the first side wall part.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a massager. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a massager that performs treatment on a subject has been known.

[0003] For example, a massager is disclosed in Patent Literature 1 below, which is provided with: a side surface massaging unit configured to reciprocally move a pair of side surface treatment plates arranged in opposition in a manner that sandwiches a body part from both sides, in a manner that the direction of movement is opposite to each other; and a back surface massaging unit that performs tapping massage or rubbing massage on a back surface treatment plate arranged in opposition to the back of the body part.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT LITERATURE Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-18616 SUMMARY

[0005] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION However, in the massager described in Patent Literature 1 above, the back surface massaging unit does not operate when the side surface treatment plates are reciprocally moved, and more effective treatment is desired.

[0006] The present application was achieved in view of the above-described circumstances, and has an object to provide a massager that can improve the treatment effect on a treatment target.

[0007] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS In order to achieve the object, a massager according to the present application is characterized by comprising: side wall portions on both sides that hold a treatment target in a manner of sandwiching from both sides; a first swing mechanism that swings one of the side wall portions on both sides in one or both of a lengthwise direction and a depthwise direction of the treatment target; a pressing portion that presses the treatment target between the side wall portions on both sides; and a pressing displacement mechanism that displaces the pressing portion in a direction generally opposite to the one of the side wall portions.

[0008] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION A massager according to the present application can improve the treatment effect on a treatment target by being configured as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIGS. 1(a) and (b) schematically show an example of a massager according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 1(a) is a schematic front view, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic plan view.

[0010] FIGS. 2(a) and (b) are partially omitted schematic perspective views that schematically show an example of a treatment portion provided in the massager.

[0011] Figs. 3(a), (b) are partial omitted schematic longitudinal sectional views of the treatment part.

[0012] Figs. 4(a), (b) are partial omitted schematic longitudinal sectional views of the treatment part.

[0013] Figs. 5(a), (b) are partial omitted schematic longitudinal sectional views of the treatment part.

[0014] Figs. 6(a), (b) are partial omitted schematic longitudinal sectional views of the treatment part.

[0015] Figs. 7(a), (b) are partial omitted schematic longitudinal sectional views of the treatment part.

[0016] Figs. 8(a), (b) are partial omitted schematic longitudinal sectional views of the treatment part.

[0017] Figs. 9(a)~(d) are conceptual views schematically showing an example of a treatment mode of a modification example of the treatment part, and Figs. 9(e), (f) are conceptual views schematically showing another modification example of the treatment part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] In some of the drawings, a part of detailed reference numerals labeled in other drawings is omitted.

[0020] In the following embodiments, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are described with the subject of the massage machine seated in an upright state as a reference.

[0021] Figs. 1~9 are views schematically showing an example of a massage machine related to the present embodiment, and an example and modification examples of a treatment part provided in the massage machine.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 2(a) and 3(a), the massage machine 1 related to the present embodiment is provided with: side wall parts 33, 38 on both sides to hold the treatment part 9 (see Fig. 9(a)) in a manner of sandwiching from both sides; and a first swing mechanism (30) to swing one of the side wall parts 33, 38 on both sides in one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment part 9. According to this structure, it is possible to swing the first side wall part 33 in one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment part 9 in a state where the treatment part 9 is sandwiched from both sides by the side wall parts 33, 38 on both sides, and thus it is possible to effectively perform treatment on the treatment part 9.

[0023] The massager 1 includes a pressing portion 29 that presses the treatment target portion 9 between the two side wall portions 33, 38, and a pressing displacement mechanism 26 that displaces the pressing portion 29 in a direction substantially opposite to the first side wall portion 33. According to this configuration, the treatment target portion 9 can be effectively stimulated by the pressing portion 29 that is displaced in a direction substantially opposite to the first side wall portion 33 that swings in one or both of the lengthwise and depthwise directions of the treatment target portion 9. That is, since the first side wall portion 33 and the pressing portion 29 are displaced in substantially opposite directions relative to each other, the treatment target portion 9 can be effectively stimulated while reducing the displacement range of each.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the two side wall portions 33, 38 are disposed on both sides of the foot (part located further forward than the ankle portion) that constitutes the treatment target portion 9, and are provided to the foot treatment portion 13 that treats the foot. According to this configuration, the foot that constitutes the treatment target portion 9 can be effectively treated.

[0025] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the massager 1 includes a left foot treatment portion 13A having the two side wall portions 33, 38 disposed on both sides of the left foot that constitutes the treatment target portion 9, the first swinging mechanism 30, the pressing portion 29, and the pressing displacement mechanism 26, and a right foot treatment portion 13B having the two side wall portions 33, 38 disposed on both sides of the right foot that constitutes the treatment target portion 9, the first swinging mechanism 30, the pressing portion 29, and the pressing displacement mechanism 26. According to this configuration, the left and right feet can be effectively treated by the pressing portions 29, 29 that are displaced in substantially opposite directions while at least the first side wall portions 33, 33 are swung.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and (b), in the present embodiment, the left and right foot treatment portions 13A, 13B described above are provided to the leg placement portion (footrest) 10 of the massager 1 configured as a chair. An example of the detailed configuration of the leg placement portion 10 including the left and right foot treatment portions 13A, 13B will be described later.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and (b), the massager 1 includes a backrest portion 2 that supports the back of the treatment target person and a seat portion 3 on which the treatment target person sits. The massager 1 includes armrest portions 4, 4 that are disposed to stand on both sides of the seat portion 3 and support the arms of the treatment target person.

[0028] The backrest portion 2 is freely erected and laid down (inclined) by a backrest drive portion. The backrest portion 2 can be freely turned with respect to the seat portion 3 with the lower end portion of the seat portion 3 as a fulcrum, or can be a structure that swings (rocking) together with the seat portion 3. As the backrest drive portion, an electric actuator that is linked to the backrest portion 2 and has a rod that is extended and contracted by a proper motor can be used. In the massager 1, a proper inclination angle detection portion that detects the inclination angle of the backrest portion 2 in order to control the backrest drive portion, a proper stop unit that stops the backrest drive portion at the erected limit and the laid down limit, and the like can be provided.

[0029] The left and right armrest portions 4, 4 are provided from the seat portion 3 side to the backrest portion 2 side in a manner that can support the fingers, the forearms, and the upper arms of the subject. Arm receiving grooves that receive the left and right arms of the subject, respectively, can be provided in the left and right armrest portions 4, 4. Proper massage mechanisms such as air bags and rollers that massage the arms received by the arm receiving grooves of the left and right armrest portions 4, 4 can be provided.

[0030] The massager 1 has a left-side massage member 8A and a right-side massage member 8B, and includes a massage unit 5 that constitutes a massage portion that can move in the body length direction.

[0031] In the drawing, the left-side massage member 8A and the right-side massage member 8B are provided in one massage unit 5. The left and right massage members 8A, 8B can also be provided as rollers that can freely rotate about axes that become substantially left and right directions.

[0032] The massage unit 5 can move in the massager 1 along a guide rail that is formed in a long shape in a manner that extends in the body length direction. The guide rail is formed in a proper shape in a manner that extends along the back surface of the body. The guide rail can be provided in a continuous shape that extends substantially entirely in the up and down direction of the backrest portion 2 and substantially entirely in the front and back direction of the seat portion 3, or can be provided only in the backrest portion 2. The guide rail is provided in pairs at positions that are spaced apart to the left and right, to guide the left and right end portions of the massage unit 5. The left and right guide rails are provided with guide grooves that guide guided portions such as rollers and pins provided at the left and right end portions of the massage unit 5, and racks that engage with pinions provided at the left and right end portions of the massage unit 5, and the like.

[0033] Guided portions guided along the guide grooves of the left and right rails are provided at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5. The guided portions can also be provided at two places spaced apart in the body length direction at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5. Pinions that engage with the racks of the left and right rails are provided at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5. The pinions at the left and right sides can also be provided coaxially with respect to the guided portions on one side in the body length direction. A main body lift drive portion that rotates the pinions at the left and right sides is provided in the treatment unit 5. The main body lift drive portion is constituted by a suitable motor, and rotates the pinion shafts via a suitable speed reducer. That is, if the main body lift drive portion is driven, the pinions at the left and right sides of the treatment unit 5 rotate, and the treatment unit 5 moves in the body length direction along the racks of the left and right rails with which they engage. A main body lift position detection portion that detects the lift position of the treatment unit 5 moved by the main body lift drive portion is provided in the massager 1. As the main body lift position detection portion, a rotary encoder that detects the rotational speed of a rotating body rotated by the main body lift drive portion, or a suitable sensor that detects a detected portion provided in one of the treatment unit 5 and the rail can be used.

[0034] A main body advance and retreat drive portion is provided in the treatment unit 5, and is driven when the treatment portion main body 6 provided with the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B is caused to advance and retreat in the front and rear direction with respect to the rail.

[0035] The treatment portion main body 6 can also be swingable with respect to the main body holding portion of the treatment unit 5 in a manner in which the upper end side is displaced in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the rail, that is, in the substantially front and rear direction, with the lower end side as a fulcrum. As such a main body advance and retreat mechanism, a structure in which a pinion connected to a motor that constitutes the main body advance and retreat drive portion via a suitable speed reducer is provided in one of the main body holding portion and the treatment portion main body 6, and an arcuate rack that extends substantially in the front and rear direction and engages with the pinion is provided in the other can be used. That is, if the main body advance and retreat drive portion is driven, the pinion rotates, and the upper end side of the treatment portion main body 6 advances and retreats in the substantially front and rear direction along the arcuate rack with which it engages together with the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B. As the main body advance and retreat mechanism, a structure in which the treatment portion main body 6 is caused to linearly move with respect to the rail can be used, and various other structures can also be used. A main body advance and retreat position detection portion that detects the advance and retreat position of the treatment portion main body 6 moved by the main body advance and retreat drive portion is provided in the massager 1. As the main body advance and retreat position detection portion, the same as the main body lift position detection portion described above can be used.

[0036] The treatment unit 5 is provided with a treatment member width drive section that is driven when the treatment members 8A, 8B provided on the left and right of the treatment section main body 6 are moved in the left-right direction (width direction). On the treatment section main body 6, a guide shaft that guides the left treatment member unit 7A having the left treatment member 8A and the right treatment member unit 7B having the right treatment member 8B so as to be freely movable in the left-right direction, a screw shaft that is connected to a motor that constitutes the treatment member width drive section via a suitable speed reducer, and a female screw section that is screwed to the screw shaft so as to displace the left treatment member unit 7A and the right treatment member unit 7B toward the approaching side or the distancing side, and the like can be provided. A suitable detection section that detects the left-right positions of the left treatment member unit 7A and the right treatment member unit 7B can be provided in the treatment unit 5.

[0037] The treatment unit 5 is provided with a kneading drive section that is driven when the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B perform a kneading action. On the treatment section main body 6, a suitable eccentric rotor and a kneading shaft that displace the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B in a circular arc shape, and the like that are connected to a motor that constitutes the kneading drive section via a suitable speed reducer can be provided.

[0038] In the treatment unit 5, a tapping drive section that is driven when the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B perform a tapping action is provided. On the treatment section main body 6, a suitable crank mechanism or eccentric rotor that is connected to a motor that constitutes the tapping drive section via a suitable speed reducer, a tapping shaft that displaces the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B in the substantially up-down direction that is the length direction of the guide rail, and the like can be provided.

[0039] Instead of providing all of the main body advance-retract drive section, the treatment member width drive section, the kneading drive section, and the tapping drive section, at least one of them can not be provided. For example, the kneading drive section can not be provided, and the kneading action can be performed by a suitable advance-retract mechanism that individually advances and retracts the treatment member width drive section and the main body lifting drive section or the left and right treatment members 8A, 8B. As the treatment mechanism that performs treatment on the back of the person to be treated, instead of the treatment unit 5 described above or in addition to the treatment unit 5 described above, an air bag can be provided in the backrest section 2, and a treatment mechanism that performs treatment on the back of the person to be treated can not be provided.

[0040] In addition to the above, various publicly known structures can be employed with respect to the basic structure of the massager 1 described above.

[0041] In the leg placement portion 10, in addition to the foot treatment portion 13 that treats the feet of the subject, a calf treatment portion 11 that treats the calves of the subject is provided. In the calf treatment portion 11, a left calf receiving groove 12A that receives the left calf and a right calf receiving groove 12B that receives the right calf are provided. In the foot treatment portion 13, a left foot receiving groove 14A that receives the left foot and a right foot receiving groove 14B that receives the right foot are provided. The left calf receiving groove 12A and the left foot receiving groove 14A are provided in a connected manner, and the right calf receiving groove 12B and the right foot receiving groove 14B are provided in a connected manner.

[0042] The leg placement portion 10 can also be tiltable by a leg placement drive portion. The leg placement portion 10 can also be rotatable relative to the seat portion 3 about an upper end portion on the seat portion 3 side as a fulcrum. As the leg placement drive portion, an electric actuator that is linked to the leg placement portion 10 and has a rod that is extendable and retractable by a suitable motor can be used. Note that the front-rear direction and the up-down direction described below are described based on a state in which the leg placement portion 10 is disposed in a manner that it is inclined downward relative to the seat portion 3, that is, a state in which the groove bottom surfaces of the left and right foot receiving grooves 14A, 14B that face the soles are disposed in a substantially horizontal manner. In this state, the lengthwise direction of the feet of the subject portion 9 becomes the front-rear direction, and the depth direction of the feet becomes the up-down direction.

[0043] In the massaging machine 1, a leg placement position detection portion that includes a suitable inclination angle detection portion that detects the inclination angle of the leg placement portion 10 in order to control the leg placement drive portion, a suitable stop unit that stops the leg placement drive portion at the upper limit of tilting and the lower limit of tilting, and the like can be provided. The leg placement portion 10 can also be extendable and retractable or liftable and lowerable relative to the leg length direction of the subject by the leg placement drive portion, and at least the portion on the side facing the soles is displaceable in the leg length direction. In this case, in order to control the leg placement drive portion, a leg placement position detection portion that includes a suitable lift position detection portion that detects the lift position of the portion on the side facing the soles of the leg placement portion 10, a suitable stop unit that stops the leg placement drive portion at the upper limit of lifting and the lower limit of lifting, and the like can be provided.

[0044] A suitable treatment mechanism such as an air bag or a roller that treats the left and right calves received by the left and right calf receiving grooves 12A, 12B can be provided in the calf treatment portion 11.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2(a), (b), air bags 34, 39 that expand and contract by introduction and discharge of air are provided in the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 of the foot application portion 13 (see also FIG. 9(a)). According to this structure, the application to the application portion 9 can be performed by expanding and contracting the air bags 34, 39 of the side wall portions 33, 38 on both sides. Further, when the application portion 9 is held in a sandwiched manner from both sides, by expanding the air bags 34, 39 of the side wall portions 33, 38 on both sides, the holding property can be improved.

[0046] The massager 1 is provided with a linkage mechanism 22 that links the first swing mechanism 30 and the pressing displacement mechanism 26. According to this structure, it is not necessary to separately provide a drive source that swings the first side wall portion 33 and a drive source that displaces the pressing portion 29, and it is not necessary to separately control them, and the structure can be simplified.

[0047] The massager 1 is provided with a second swing mechanism 35 that swings the second side wall portion 38, which is the other of the side wall portions 33, 38, in one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the application portion 9. According to this structure, in a state in which the application portion 9 is held in a sandwiched manner from both sides by the side wall portions 33, 38 on both sides, both the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 can be swung in one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the application portion 9, and thus the application to the application portion 9 can be performed more effectively.

[0048] The first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 are configured to swing in a manner in which the phases are offset from each other. According to this structure, in a state in which the application portion 9 is held in a sandwiched manner from both sides by the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, both the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 can be swung in a manner in which the phases are offset, and thus the application to the application portion 9 can be performed more effectively while rubbing the application portion 9 and pressing by the pressing portion 29.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the massager 1 is provided with a common drive portion 20 that swings the first swing mechanism 30 of the left foot application portion 13A and the first swing mechanism 30 of the right foot application portion 13B. According to this structure, compared with a structure in which a drive portion of the first swing mechanism that swings the first side wall portion 33 of each of the left foot application portion 13A and the right foot application portion 13B that apply to the left and right feet is separately provided, the structure and the control can be simplified.

[0050] Specifically, the left foot application portion 13A and the right foot application portion 13B are of the same structure as each other, and are left-right symmetrical.

[0051] The driving section 20 is configured by a motor or the like, and rotates the driving shaft 22 that swings each first swing mechanism (30) of the left foot application section 13A and the right foot application section 13B. As such a driving section 20, a servo motor or the like that can rotate in both directions and control the rotation speed can also be used. The driving section 20 is linked to the driving shaft 22 via a suitable transmission mechanism. As such a transmission mechanism, a worm 20a provided on the shaft of the driving section 20 and a suitable worm gear that engages with the worm 20a can be used, and a speed reducer 21 or the like that is linked to the driving shaft 22 can also be used, and various structures can also be used. The driving shaft 22 is provided so as to extend in the direction in which the first side wall section 33 and the second side wall section 38 face each other, and constitutes a linkage mechanism, as will be described later.

[0052] In Fig. 2(b), an example is shown in which the driving shaft 22 that swings each first swing mechanism (30) of the left foot application section 13A and the right foot application section 13B is provided as a common driving shaft 22 that is rotated by the driving section 20 via the common speed reducer 21, but the present application is not limited to this manner. For example, a manner in which the driving section 20 is provided as a two-shaft motor or the like, and each first swing mechanism (30) of the left foot application section 13A and the right foot application section 13B is swung by each driving shaft that is rotated on each shaft via a speed reducer can also be used.

[0053] In addition, instead of the manner in which the common driving section 20 that swings the first swing mechanism (30) of the left foot application section 13A and the first swing mechanism (30) of the right foot application section 13B is provided as described above, a structure in which a driving section that swings the first swing mechanism (30) of the left foot application section 13A and a driving section that swings the first swing mechanism (30) of the right foot application section 13B are provided separately can also be used. According to such a structure, the left foot application section 13A and the right foot application section 13B can also be applied in different manners.

[0054] Note that, hereinafter, the same structure in the left foot application section 13A and the right foot application section 13B will be described taking one side as an example as the foot application section 13. In the legends, an example is shown in which the side wall section that is disposed on the outer side of the foot among the two side wall sections 33, 38 is provided as the first side wall section 33, and the side wall section that is disposed on the inner side of the foot is provided as the second side wall section 38, but a structure in which they are provided in reverse can also be used.

[0055] As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the first swing mechanism (30) includes a cam receiving section 31 that rotatably receives the first eccentric cam 23 that is rotated by the driving shaft 22, and a guide section (side wall guide section) 18 that guides the swing of the first side wall section 33. According to this structure, if the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated by the driving shaft 22, the first side wall section 33 can be swung in the length direction and the depth direction of the application section 9.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressing displacement mechanism (26) includes a cam receiving portion 27 provided in phase offset with respect to the first eccentric cam 23 to rotatably receive the pressing eccentric cam 25 rotated by the drive shaft 22, and a guide portion (pressing guide portion) 19 for guiding the swing of the pressing portion 29. According to such a structure, if the pressing eccentric cam 25 is rotated by the drive shaft 22, the pressing portion 29 can be swung in the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment portion 9 in phase offset with respect to the first side wall portion 33. That is, when the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the one side in the length direction of the treatment portion 9, the pressing portion 29 is displaced to the other side in the length direction substantially opposite thereto, and when the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the one side in the depth direction of the treatment portion 9, the pressing portion 29 is displaced to the other side in the depth direction substantially opposite thereto, so that the treatment portion 9 can be effectively stimulated. In addition, the drive source for swinging the first swing mechanism (30) and the drive source for swinging the pressing displacement mechanism (26) can be shared, and the structure and control can be simplified as compared with a structure in which they are separately provided.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second swing mechanism (35) includes a cam receiving portion 36 to rotatably receive the second eccentric cam 24 rotated by the drive shaft 22, and a guide portion (side wall guide portion) 18 for guiding the swing of the second side wall portion 38. According to such a structure, if the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24 are rotated by the drive shaft 22, the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 can be swung in the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment portion 9, respectively. Thus, the drive source for swinging the first swing mechanism (30) and the drive source for swinging the second swing mechanism (35) can be shared, and the structure and control can be simplified as compared with a structure in which they are separately provided. That is, in the present embodiment, the drive source for swinging the first swing mechanism (30), the drive source for swinging the second swing mechanism (35), and the drive source for swinging the pressing displacement mechanism (26) are provided as a common drive source.

[0058] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the foot treatment section 13 has a housing 15 that houses the various mechanism sections. The housing 15 is held to an appropriate holding section provided in the leg placement section 10 of the massager 1. On the housing 15, groove sections that constitute the left foot receiving groove 14A and the right foot receiving groove 14B are provided so as to extend in the length direction of the treatment section 9 and open toward the front. The housing 15 is covered by an appropriate sheet-like cover or the like provided in the massager 1. In the drawing, the housing 15 is divided into a lower housing section and an upper housing section. In FIG. 2(b), the illustration of the housing 15 is omitted, and in FIGS. 3 to 8, the illustration of the upper housing section of the housing 15 is omitted. Also, FIGS. 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views taken at approximately the center of the left-right direction between the left and right foot treatment sections 13A, 13B and looking at the right foot treatment section 13B side. Also, FIGS. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional views taken between the second side wall section 38 of the right foot treatment section 13B and the pressing section 29 and looking at the pressing section 29 side. Also, FIGS. 7 and 8 are longitudinal sectional views taken between the pressing section 29 of the right foot treatment section 13B and the first side wall section 33 and looking at the first side wall section 33 side.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the foot treatment section 13 has a base section 16 that supports the various mechanism sections. The base section 16 has a peripheral frame section provided so as to surround the periphery on the lower side and a longitudinal frame section provided so as to rise from the rear end section of the frame section. Also, the base section 16 has holding sections 17, 17 provided so as to rise from the frame sections on the left and right sides of the peripheral frame section. These holding sections 17, 17 are formed in a plate shape arranged so that the thickness direction becomes the left-right direction.

[0060] The drive section 20 is fixed so as to be on the left-right direction outer side of the left holding section 17, which is one of the two holding sections 17, 17. The speed reducer 21 is also similarly fixed so as to be on the left-right direction outer side of the left holding section 17.

[0061] The drive shaft 22 is provided so as to be above the groove bottoms of the left foot receiving groove 14A and the right foot receiving groove 14B in the left-right direction. The left end section, which is one of the axial end sections of the drive shaft 22, is connected to the speed reducer 21, and the right end section, which is the other end section, is held to an appropriate bearing section provided in the right holding section 17 so as to be rotatable.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the first eccentric cam 23, the second eccentric cam 24, and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are provided in a cylindrical or circular plate shape in the axial direction so as to be circular in appearance when viewed in the axial direction. In the drawing, an example is shown in which the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24 are made to be substantially the same diameter, and the pressing eccentric cam 25 is made to be smaller in diameter than these first eccentric cam 23 and second eccentric cam 24.

[0063] These first eccentric cams 23, second eccentric cams 24, and pressing eccentric cam 25 are fixed to the drive shaft 22 in a manner to be located at positions offset from the respective centers of the circles.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first eccentric cams 23 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are arranged to be circumferentially offset from each other in a manner that the first side wall portions 33 and the pressing portions 29 are displaced in substantially opposite directions. That is, the maximum diameter portions of the first eccentric cams 23 and the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 are arranged to be circumferentially offset from each other by about 150 degrees when viewed in the axial direction. In the drawings, an example is shown in which the first eccentric cams 23 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are arranged such that the maximum diameter portions thereof are located at positions circumferentially offset from each other by about 150 degrees, but they can be arranged to be circumferentially offset from each other by about 140 degrees to about 220 degrees so that the first side wall portions 33 and the pressing portions 29 are displaced in substantially opposite directions. Further, the first eccentric cams 23 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 can be arranged to be circumferentially offset from each other by 180 degrees in a manner that the first side wall portions 33 and the pressing portions 29 are displaced in directly opposite directions.

[0065] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first eccentric cams 23 and the second eccentric cams 24 are also arranged to be circumferentially offset from each other. An example is shown in which the first eccentric cams 23 and the second eccentric cams 24 are arranged such that the maximum diameter portions thereof are located at positions circumferentially offset from each other by about 120 degrees. That is, the second eccentric cams 24 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are arranged such that the maximum diameter portions thereof are located at positions circumferentially offset from each other by about 90 degrees. The phase difference, the respective diameters, the dimensions from the respective centers of the circles to the drive shaft 22 serving as the eccentric shaft, and the like of the first eccentric cams 23, the second eccentric cams 24, and the pressing eccentric cam 25 can be appropriately set in consideration of the feeling of treatment and the like.

[0066] The first eccentric cams 23, the second eccentric cams 24, and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are fixed to the drive shaft 22 in a manner to be located at positions separated from each other in the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. The first eccentric cams 23 are arranged in a manner to be located at the leftward and rightward direction outer sides of the end portions in the lengthwise direction of the drive shaft 22. The second eccentric cams 24 are arranged in a manner to be located at the leftward and rightward direction intermediate sides of the central portions in the lengthwise direction of the drive shaft 22. The pressing eccentric cam 25 is arranged in a manner to be located at substantially the center between the first eccentric cams 23 and the second eccentric cams 24.

[0067] The side wall guide portion 18 is formed in a shaft shape extending in the direction in which the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 face each other, and is provided below the groove bottom of the left foot receiving groove 14A and the right foot receiving groove 14B in a manner of being erected in the left-right direction. The side wall guide portion 18 is provided in parallel with the drive shaft 22. The side wall guide portion 18 is provided at substantially the same height as the drive shaft 22 and at a position further forward than the drive shaft 22.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the side wall guide portion 18 is provided as a common guide portion that guides the swing of the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38. According to such a structure, as compared with a structure in which a guide portion that guides the swing of the first side wall portion 33 and a guide portion that guides the swing of the second side wall portion 38 are separately provided, the number of components can be reduced.

[0069] The side wall guide portion 18 is fixed to the left holding portion 17 at the left end portion of the side wall guide portion 18, and is fixed to the right holding portion 17 at the right end portion of the side wall guide portion 18.

[0070] The press guide portion 19 is formed in a shaft shape extending in the direction in which the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 face each other, and is provided below the groove bottom of the left foot receiving groove 14A and the right foot receiving groove 14B in a manner of being erected in the left-right direction. The press guide portion 19 is provided in parallel with the drive shaft 22. The press guide portion 19 is provided below the drive shaft 22.

[0071] The press guide portion 19 is fixed to the left holding portion 17 at the left end portion of the press guide portion 19, and is fixed to the right holding portion 17 at the right end portion of the press guide portion 19.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cam receiving portion 31 of the first eccentric cam 23 is provided to the first swing member 30 that constitutes the first swing mechanism.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b), the first swing member 30 is provided so that an upper end side portion thereof stands from a groove bottom side of the foot receiving grooves (left and right foot receiving grooves 14A and 14B) and constitutes a groove wall on one side in the groove width direction. In the drawing, the first swing member 30 is substantially plate-shaped in which a thickness direction becomes the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. In the present embodiment, the upper end side portion of the first swing member 30 constitutes a first side wall portion 33. The first side wall portion 33 can also be provided so as to be biased toward a toe (foot) side portion of the foot receiving grooves. That is, the first side wall portion 33 can also not be provided so as to extend throughout the front and rear directions of the foot receiving grooves. In the drawing, an example is shown in which a heel receiving wall portion that is formed so as to receive a heel is provided at a heel side portion of the foot receiving grooves, without the first side wall portion 33 and a second side wall portion 38 being provided. Further, in the drawing, an example is shown in which a protrusion that presses a heel is provided on both inner walls of the heel receiving wall portion that face each other. In the heel receiving wall portion, an appropriate air bag or the like that stimulates a heel from the left and right can be provided, and in addition, various kinds of therapy applying mechanisms can also be provided.

[0074] A cam receiving portion 31 is provided at a rear end side portion of the lower end side portion of the first swing member 30. An appropriate rolling bearing or the like can also be provided between an inner peripheral surface of the cam receiving portion 31 and an outer peripheral surface of the first eccentric cam 23.

[0075] A guided portion 32 that is guided by the side wall guide portion 18 is provided in the first swing member 30. The guided portion 32 is provided at a front end side portion of the lower end side portion of the first swing member 30.

[0076] In the present embodiment, the guided portion 32 is formed as an elongated hole through which the side wall guide portion 18 formed in a shaft shape is inserted. The guided portion 32 is provided so as to extend in an inclined manner in such a manner that the portion on the rear end side which is at substantially the same height position as the cam receiving portion 31 becomes the lower side as it goes toward the front end side. The guided portion 32 is provided so that the portion on the front end side of the first side wall portion 33 swings in conjunction with the portion on the rear end side of the first side wall portion 33 which swings in the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment portion 9 by the first eccentric cam 23. The guided portion 32 and the side wall guide portion 18 as the first swing member 30 are not limited to such an example. For example, it can also be a structure in which a protrusion provided on the first swing member 30 side, a guide groove of a guide shaft portion is provided on the housing 15 side of the base portion 16 and the like. In addition, as the guided portion 32 and the side wall guide portion 18, it is not limited to the manner in which an elongated hole, a guide groove, and a protrusion or a shaft portion inserted therein are constituted, but it can also be a guide surface or the like which contacts in a manner of rubbing against each other. Furthermore, it can also be constituted so that the cam receiving portion which receives the eccentric cam provided on the side wall guide portion 18 which is rotatable is provided as the guided portion, and in addition, it can also be constituted in various structures. In addition, instead of the manner in which the cam receiving portion 31 and the guided portion 32 of the first swing member 30 are integrally provided on the lower end side of the first side wall portion 33, a structure in which they are provided separately from the first side wall portion 33 and the like can also be employed.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the air bag 34 provided on the first side wall portion 33 is provided in such a manner as to follow the surface of the first side wall portion 33 on the foot receiving groove side. In the drawing, an example is shown in which the upper end portion of the air bag 34 is made to protrude upward more than the upper end portion of the first side wall portion 33, and the front and rear end portions of the air bag 34 are made to protrude in the front and rear directions more than the front and rear end portions of the first side wall portion 33. The air bag 34 can also be constituted so that the expansion size on the upper end side is larger than the expansion size on the lower end side (the groove bottom side of the foot receiving groove) which is substantially along the groove width direction of the foot receiving groove.

[0078] A through hole through which the connecting portion of the air bag 34 is inserted can also be provided on the first side wall portion 33. The connecting portion of the air bag 34 can be connected to an air source such as an air pump via an air pipe. An air bag supply and discharge portion such as a solenoid valve which controls the supply and discharge of air to the air bag 34 can also be provided at an appropriate portion of the air pipe.

[0079] The first side wall portion 33 (and the air bag 34) of the above structure is caused to rotate the drive shaft 22 by the drive unit 20, whereby the first swing member 30 swings to displace in the lengthwise direction (front-rear direction) and the depth direction (up-down direction) of the treatment site 9. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, if the drive shaft 22 is rotated, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced in the front-rear and up-down directions in accordance with the rotation of the first eccentric cam 23. In addition, the front end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 of the guided portion 32 in such a manner as to follow the displacement of the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33, and is displaced in such a manner as to follow the long hole of the guided portion 32.

[0080] In FIG. 7(a), a lower position is illustrated in which the largest diameter portion of the first eccentric cam 23 faces the lower side and the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is pulled in toward the lower side. In this state, the front end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to a position that is higher than the rear end side portion.

[0081] In FIG. 7(b), a rear position is illustrated in which the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state of FIG. 7(a) with the largest diameter portion facing the rear side, and the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is pushed out toward the rear side to the obliquely upper side. At this time, the front end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is also guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to displace in such a manner as to be pushed out toward the obliquely upper side, i.e., the rear side, to the rear position and the upper position.

[0082] In FIG. 8(a), an upper position is illustrated in which the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state of FIG. 7(b) with the largest diameter portion facing the upper side, and the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is pushed out toward the front side to the obliquely upper side. At this time, the front end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is in a state of being guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to displace in such a manner as to be pushed out toward the obliquely lower side, i.e., the front side.

[0083] In FIG. 8(b), a front position is illustrated in which the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state of FIG. 8(a) with the largest diameter portion facing the front side, and the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is pulled in to the front side to the obliquely lower side. At this time, the front end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is also guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to displace in such a manner as to be pulled in toward the obliquely lower side, i.e., the front side, to the front position and the lower position.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 7(a), if the largest diameter portion of the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees toward the lower side from this state, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is pulled in toward the rear side on the obliquely lower side, becoming the above-mentioned lower position. At this time, the front end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is in a state of being displaced toward the obliquely upper side, i.e., the rear side, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18.

[0085] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the cam receiving portion 27 of the pressing eccentric cam 25 is provided to the pressing displacement member 26 that constitutes the pressing displacement mechanism.

[0086] The pressing displacement member 26 is formed in a substantially vertically long shape, and is provided so that the pressing portion 29 provided to the upper end portion thereof is exposed to the groove bottom of the foot receiving groove (the left foot receiving groove 14A and the right foot receiving groove 14B). The portion of the pressing displacement member 26 on the lower side than the pressing portion 29 can also be formed in a substantially plate shape in which the thickness direction becomes the axial direction of the drive shaft 22.

[0087] The cam receiving portion 27 is provided on the lower side of the pressing portion 29. An appropriate rolling bearing or the like can also be provided between the inner peripheral surface of the cam receiving portion 27 and the outer peripheral surface of the pressing eccentric cam 25.

[0088] The guided portion 28 that is guided by the pressing guide portion 19 is provided to the pressing displacement member 26. The guided portion 28 is provided on the lower side of the cam receiving portion 27.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the guided portion 28 is formed as an elongated hole through which the press guiding portion 19 formed in a shaft shape is inserted. The guided portion 28 is provided so as to extend in the substantially up-down direction in the length direction of the press displacement member 26. The guided portion 28 is provided so that the lower end side portion of the press displacement member 26 swings in response to the press portion 29 swinging in the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment portion 9 by the press eccentric cam 25. The guided portion 28 of the press displacement member 26 and the press guiding portion 19 are not limited to such examples. For example, substantially the same as described above, a structure can also be provided in which a guide groove that guides a protrusion or a shaft portion provided on the press displacement member 26 side is provided on the housing 15 side of the base portion 16 or the like. In addition, as the guided portion 28 and the press guiding portion 19, it is not limited to the form in which an elongated hole, a guide groove, and a protrusion or a shaft portion inserted into the elongated hole or the guide groove are constituted, but a guide surface or the like that contacts in a manner of rubbing against each other can also be used. Furthermore, it can also be configured so that the cam receiving portion that receives the eccentric cam provided on the rotatable press guiding portion 19 is provided as the guided portion, and in addition, various structures can also be used. In addition, instead of the structure in which the cam receiving portion 27 and the guided portion 28 of the press displacement member 26 are integrally provided on the lower end side of the base end side of the press portion 29, a structure in which the press portion 29 is provided separately can also be used.

[0090] The press portion 29 is provided on the upper end portion of the press displacement member 26 so as to be displaced at substantially the center in the front-rear direction of the foot receiving groove. The press portion 29 can also be provided so as to press the portion of the foot bottom including the instep. In this case, it can also be configured so that an appropriate protrusion is provided on the press portion 29 so as to be able to effectively apply treatment to the medial longitudinal arch. In the drawing, an example in which a plurality of (two in the drawing) protrusions protruding toward the upper side so as to be positioned corresponding to the medial longitudinal arch are provided on the press portion 29 so as to be spaced apart in the front-rear direction is shown. In addition to these plurality of protrusions, an appropriate protrusion that presses the portion of the medial longitudinal arch that is more lateral can also be provided on the press portion 29. The number of protrusions that constitute the press portion 29 is not limited to such a number, and in addition, it can also be one. In addition, as the protrusion that constitutes such a press portion 29, it is not limited to the shape of the drawing, but a protrusion on which a concave-convex that improves the effect of finger pressure is provided, a roller shape that rotates freely around an axis parallel to the drive shaft 22 can also be used.

[0091] The pressing portion 29 configured as described above is rotated by the driving portion 20 to thereby swing the pressing displacement member 26 to displace in the lengthwise direction (front-rear direction) and the depth direction (up-down direction) of the treatment target portion 9. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, if the driving shaft 22 is rotated, the pressing portion 29 is displaced in the front-rear and up-down directions in accordance with the rotation of the pressing eccentric cam 25. In addition, the lower end side portion of the pressing displacement member 26 is guided and restricted by the pressing guide portion 19 of the guide portion 28 in such a manner as to follow the displacement of the pressing portion 29 to displace in the long hole of the guide portion 28.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5(a), in a lower position in which the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 is directed to the lower side and the pressing portion 29 is pulled in to the lower side, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is in a substantially upper position. The pressing portion 29 in the lower position can also be a position in which it is substantially sunk from the groove bottom of the foot receiving groove without protruding. That is, in the lower position, the pressing portion 29 can be configured not to contact the treatment target portion 9 received by the foot receiving groove (a position in which no stimulation is applied).

[0093] In FIG. 5(b), a rear position in which the pressing portion 29 is pushed out to the rear side to be directed to the obliquely upper side from the state of FIG. 5(a) by rotating the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 by substantially 90 degrees to the rear side is illustrated. At this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the obliquely lower side, i.e., the front side.

[0094] In FIG. 6(a), an upper position in which the pressing portion 29 is pushed out to the front side to be directed to the obliquely upper side from the state of FIG. 5(b) by rotating the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 by substantially 90 degrees to the upper side is illustrated. At this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the obliquely lower side, i.e., the rear side.

[0095] In FIG. 6(b), a front position in which the pressing portion 29 is pushed out to the front side to be directed to the obliquely lower side from the state of FIG. 6(a) by rotating the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 by substantially 90 degrees to the front side is illustrated. At this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the obliquely upper side, i.e., the rear side.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 5(a), if the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 is rotated by substantially 90 degrees to the lower side from this state, the pressing portion 29 is pulled in to the rear side to be directed to the obliquely lower side to become the above-described lower position. At this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the obliquely upper side, i.e., the front side.

[0097] In this way, the pressing portion 29 and the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 are displaced in substantially opposite directions, i.e., with a phase difference of substantially 180 degrees, more specifically, a phase difference of substantially 150 degrees.

[0098] In addition, instead of the structure in which one pressing portion 29 is provided between the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, a structure in which two or more pressing portions 29 are provided can be adopted. Instead of or in addition to this, a structure in which pressing portions 29 are provided at a plurality of positions in the length direction of the treatment portion 9 can be adopted. In these cases, the plurality of pressing portions 29 can be structured so as to be displaced in the same manner, or can be structured so as to be displaced in such a manner that the phases are offset from each other. In addition, instead of the structure in which the pressing portion 29 is provided on the groove bottom side of the foot receiving groove, or in addition to this, a structure in which the pressing portion 29 is provided on the heel side, or the like can be adopted.

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cam receiving portion 36 of the second eccentric cam 24 is provided to a second swing member 35 that constitutes a second swing mechanism. This second swing member 35 can also be structured in the same manner as the first swing member 30 described above.

[0100] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and (b), the second swing member 35 is provided so that the upper end side portion thereof stands up from the groove bottom side of the foot receiving groove (the left foot receiving groove 14A and the right foot receiving groove 14B), and constitutes the groove wall on the other side in the groove width direction. In the drawings, the second swing member 35 is a substantially plate shape in which the thickness direction becomes the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. In the present embodiment, the upper end side portion of this second swing member 35 constitutes a second side wall portion 38. This second side wall portion 38, like the first side wall portion 33, can also be provided so as to be biased toward the toe (the tip of the foot) side portion of the foot receiving groove. That is, the second side wall portion 38 can also not be provided so as to extend over the entire front and back direction of the foot receiving groove.

[0101] The cam receiving portion 36 is provided to the rear end side portion of the lower end side portion of the second swing member 35. An appropriate rolling bearing or the like can also be provided between the inner peripheral surface of this cam receiving portion 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the second eccentric cam 24.

[0102] The second swing member 35 is provided with a guided portion 37 that is guided by the side wall guide portion 18. This guided portion 37 is provided to the front end side portion of the lower end side portion of the second swing member 35.

[0103] The guided portion 37 is formed as a long hole through which the side wall guide portion 18 formed in a shaft shape is inserted, like the first swing member 30. The guided portion 37 is provided so as to extend in an inclined manner in such a manner that the portion on the rear end side which is substantially the same height position as the cam receiving portion 36 becomes the lower side as it goes toward the front end side. The guided portion 37 is provided so that the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 swings in following the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 which swings in the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment portion 9 by the second eccentric cam 24. The guided portion 37 of the second swing member 35 and the side wall guide portion 18 are not limited to such examples. For example, it can also be a structure in which a protrusion provided on the second swing member 35 side, a guide groove of a guide shaft portion is provided on the housing 15 side of the base portion 16 and the like. In addition, as the guided portion 37 and the side wall guide portion 18, it is not limited to the manner in which a long hole, a guide groove, and a protrusion or a shaft portion inserted therein are constituted, but it can also be a guide surface or the like which contacts in a manner of rubbing against each other. Furthermore, it can also be constituted so that the cam receiving portion which receives the eccentric cam provided on the rotatable side wall guide portion 18 is provided as the guided portion, and in addition, various structures can also be constituted. In addition, instead of the manner in which the cam receiving portion 36 and the guided portion 37 of the second swing member 35 are integrally provided on the lower end side of the second side wall portion 38, a structure in which they are provided separately from the second side wall portion 38 and the like can also be adopted.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the air bag 39 provided on the second side wall portion 38 is provided in such a manner as to follow the surface of the foot receiving groove side of the second side wall portion 38. In the drawing, an example is shown in which the upper end portion of the air bag 39 is made to protrude upward more than the upper end portion of the second side wall portion 38, and the front and rear end portions of the air bag 39 are made to protrude in the front and rear directions more than the front and rear end portions of the second side wall portion 38. In addition, in the drawing, an example is shown in which the dimension of the air bag 39 in the up and down direction is made to be smaller than the dimension of the air bag 34 of the first side wall portion 33 described above in the same direction. The air bag 39 can also be constituted so that the expansion dimension in the substantially foot receiving groove width direction is larger on the upper end side than on the lower end side (groove bottom side of the foot receiving groove).

[0105] A through hole through which the connecting portion of the air bag 39 is inserted can also be provided on the second side wall portion 38. An air source such as an air pump can also be connected to the connecting portion of the air bag 39 via an air pipe. An air bag supply and discharge portion such as a solenoid valve which controls the supply and discharge of air to and from the air bag 39 can also be provided at an appropriate portion of the air pipe.

[0106] The second side wall portion 38 (and the air bag 39) configured as described above is caused to rotate the drive shaft 22 by the drive unit 20, whereby the second swing member 35 swings to displace in the lengthwise direction (front-rear direction) and the depth direction (up-down direction) of the treatment site 9. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, if the drive shaft 22 is rotated, the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is displaced in the front-rear and up-down directions in accordance with the rotation of the second eccentric cam 24. In addition, the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 of the guided portion 37 in such a manner as to follow the displacement of the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38, and is displaced in such a manner as to follow the long hole of the guided portion 37.

[0107] In FIG. 3(a), a lower position is illustrated in which the maximum diameter portion of the second eccentric cam 24 faces the lower side and the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is pulled in toward the lower side. In this state, the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to become a position located on the upper side than the rear end side portion. In addition, in this state, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 becomes a substantially front position, and the pressing portion 20 becomes the rear position described above.

[0108] In FIG. 3(b), a rear position is illustrated in which the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated by substantially 90 degrees from the state of FIG. 3(a) in such a manner that the maximum diameter portion faces the rear side, and the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is pushed out toward the rear side to become the obliquely upper side. At this time, the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is also guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to displace in such a manner as to be pushed out toward the obliquely upper side, i.e., the rear side, to become the rear position and the upper position. In addition, at this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 becomes a substantially lower position, and the pressing portion 20 becomes the upper position described above.

[0109] In FIG. 4(a), an upper position is illustrated in which the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated by substantially 90 degrees from the state of FIG. 3(b) in such a manner that the maximum diameter portion faces the upper side, and the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is pushed out toward the front side to become the obliquely upper side. At this time, the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 becomes a state in which it is displaced in such a manner as to be pushed out toward the obliquely lower side, i.e., the front side, by being guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18. In addition, at this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 becomes a substantially rear position, and the pressing portion 29 becomes the front position described above.

[0110] In Fig. 4(b), a state in which the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees from the state of Fig. 4(a) toward the front side of the maximum diameter portion, and the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is pulled to the front position of the front side of the obliquely lower side is illustrated. At this time, the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is also guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 to displace toward the front side of the obliquely lower side to become the front position and the lower position. In addition, at this time, the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 becomes the approximately upper position, and the pressing portion 29 becomes the above-mentioned lower position.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 3(a), if the maximum diameter portion of the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees from this state toward the lower side, the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 is pulled to the rear side of the obliquely lower side to become the above-mentioned lower position. At this time, the front end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 becomes a state of displacing toward the obliquely upper side, that is, the rear side, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18.

[0112] As described above, the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 and the pressing portion 29 displace with a phase difference of approximately 90 degrees, and the rear end side portion of the second side wall portion 38 and the rear end side portion of the first side wall portion 33 displace with a phase difference of approximately 120 degrees. The phase difference when the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38 oscillate is not limited to this manner. For example, instead of the structure in which the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 oscillate with a mutual phase offset, as in the modification example described later, the structure in which the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 displace in the same direction with respect to each other can be provided. According to this structure, the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 can be oscillated in the same direction from the state of sandwiching the treatment target portion 9 from both sides, and by pressing the pressing portion 29 which displace in the approximately opposite direction, the treatment target portion 9 can be more effectively treated. The displacement trajectories of the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38 are not limited to the above, and can be appropriately set in consideration of the treatment feeling and the like.

[0113] In addition, in the above-described example, an example in which the eccentric cams 23, 24, 25 of the right foot treatment target portion 13B are rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the left-right direction center side to the left-right direction outer side (the eccentric cams 23, 24, 25 of the left foot treatment target portion 13A are rotated clockwise when viewed from the left-right direction center side to the left-right direction outer side) is shown, but they can be rotated in the opposite direction.

[0114] Further, the front position, the rear position, the upper position, and the lower position of the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38 described above are not limited to the positions at the foremost side, the positions at the rearmost side, the positions at the uppermost side, and the positions at the lowermost side, and can include cases where the positions are further forward, further rearward, further upward, and further downward, depending on the displacement trajectories of the pressing displacement member 26, the first swing member 30, and the second swing member 35.

[0115] In the example described above, an example in which the structure is provided in which the first side wall portion 33, the pressing portion 29, and the second side wall portion 38 are displaced by one driving shaft 22 is shown, but is not limited to such a form. For example, it can be a manner in which the first side wall portion 33, the pressing portion 29, and the second side wall portion 38 are respectively displaced by a plurality of driving shafts connected to the driving portion 20 via different reducers, or the like. According to such a structure, by making the reduction ratios of the respective reducers different, it is also possible to make the speeds of movement and the torques different.

[0116] Further, as the manner in which the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 swing in a manner along one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment portion 9, it is not limited to the structure described above in which the swing members 30, 35 swing by the eccentric cams 23, 24 rotating around the driving shaft 22. For example, it can be a structure in which pinions that engage with racks provided to the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 are provided, a structure in which cylinders, air bags, or the like appropriate drive sources that displace the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 along guide grooves are provided, or the like, and in addition to these, various structures can be employed. Further, instead of a manner in which drive sources that link the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 are provided, a structure in which drive sources that individually swing them can be employed, or the like.

[0117] Further, in the example described above, an example in which the pressing portion 29 and the first side wall portion 33 (and the second side wall portion 38) are mechanically linked and displace together is shown, but is not limited to such a manner. The first side wall portion 33 (and the second side wall portion 38) and the pressing portion 29 can also be mechanically unlinked. In this case, it can be configured so that a motor, a cylinder, an air bag, or the like appropriate drive source that displaces the pressing portion 29 is provided. Further, in this case, the drive source of the pressing portion 29 can be controlled by an appropriate control portion so that the pressing portion 29 is linked with one or both of the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38.

[0118] Further, the massage machine 1 can be provided with a detection portion that detects the position of at least one of the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38.

[0119] Further, the massage machine 1 is provided with an appropriate power supply unit, a power supply cord, or the like that is connected to an external commercial power supply or the like and supplies driving power to each of the above-described units.

[0120] Further, the massage machine 1 is provided with an operation display unit, a control unit that is connected to each unit via a signal cord or the like and controls each unit, or the like.

[0121] Next, an example of a treatment mode of a variation of the foot treatment unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 9(a) to (d).

[0122] Further, in FIGS. 9(a) to (d), the front-rear direction that is the length direction of the foot constituting the treated unit 9 is illustrated as the up-down direction of the paper surface. Further, in FIGS. 9(a) to (d), an example in which the first side wall unit 33 and the second side wall unit 38 of the foot treatment unit 13 (left foot treatment unit 13A in the drawing) are caused to swing in the length direction (and the depth direction) of the treated unit 9 in a state in which each of the air bags 34, 39 of the first side wall unit 33 and the second side wall unit 38 is inflated is shown, but is not limited to such an example. For example, when the first side wall unit 33 and the second side wall unit 38 are caused to swing, each of the air bags 34, 39 can be gradually inflated, gradually deflated, or alternately inflated, and in addition thereto, can be inflated and deflated in various manners.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and (b), the first side wall unit 33 and the second side wall unit 38 at the front position are caused to displace to the rear side, and the pressing unit 29 at the rear position is caused to displace to the front side. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9(c) and (d), the first side wall unit 33 and the second side wall unit 38 at the rear position are caused to displace to the front side, and the pressing unit 29 at the front position is caused to displace to the rear side. According to such a structure, it is possible to displace the foot constituting the treated unit 9 in the front-rear direction using the first side wall unit 33 and the second side wall unit 38, and press the dorsal side (instep) of the foot using the pressing unit 29 that is displaced in the opposite direction. Further, it can be said that the first side wall unit 33 (air bag 34) and the second side wall unit 38 (air bag 39) function like the fingers other than the thumb of the hands of a therapist or the like, and the pressing unit 29 functions like the thumb, and it is possible to expect a treatment feeling similar to that of a human treatment. Note that, instead of the structure in which the first side wall unit 33, the second side wall unit 38, and the pressing unit 29 are caused to displace in the front-rear direction (foot length direction), or in addition thereto, a structure in which they are caused to displace in the up-down direction (foot depth direction) can be adopted.

[0124] In the above example, an example in which the massage machine 1 of a chair type is provided with the foot massage section 13 is shown, but is not limited to such an example, and the massage machine 1 can be provided as a so-called foot massage machine that massages only the left and right leg portions, or can be provided to massage only the feet. In addition, instead of the structure provided with the left foot massage section 13A and the right foot massage section 13B that massage the left and right feet, a structure provided with only either one can be provided.

[0125] Next, an example of the massage machine provided with the massage section according to the modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 9(e), (f).

[0126] FIG. 9(e) schematically shows a massage machine provided with a massage section according to a first modification.

[0127] The massage machine 1A according to the present modification is provided with a shoulder massage section 13C that massages a portion near the shoulder that constitutes the massage section 9A of the person to be massaged.

[0128] The shoulder massage section 13C is provided with a left side wall portion 33A that constitutes a first side wall portion, a right side wall portion 38A that constitutes a second side wall portion, and pressing portions 29A, 29A that press the shoulders on both sides that constitute the massage section 9A from the back side. The left side wall portion 33A and the right side wall portion 38A divide both sides of the receiving recess 14C that receives the person to be massaged. The air bags 34, 39 are provided in the left side wall portion 33A and the right side wall portion 38A, respectively, substantially similarly to the above. In addition, the left side wall portion 33A and the right side wall portion 38A and the pressing portions 29A, 29A on both sides are configured to displace substantially in opposite directions in the front-rear direction.

[0129] According to the present modification, the shoulders on both sides can be pressed toward the back side by the left side wall portion 33A and the right side wall portion 38A, and the shoulders on both sides can be pressed from the back side by the pressing portions 29A, 29A on both sides.

[0130] FIG. 9(f) schematically shows a massage machine provided with a massage section according to a second modification.

[0131] The massage machine 1B according to the present modification is substantially similar to the first modification described above, and is provided with a shoulder massage section 13D that massages a portion near the shoulder that constitutes the massage section 9B of the person to be massaged.

[0132] The shoulder treatment part 13D has a left side wall part 33B constituting the first side wall part, a right side wall part 38B constituting the second side wall part, and pressing parts 29B, 29B pressing the shoulder parts on both sides constituting the treatment part 9A from the back side. The left side wall part 33B and the right side wall part 38B divide both sides of the receiving recess 14D receiving the treatment recipient. The air bags 34, 39 are provided in the left side wall part 33B and the right side wall part 38B, respectively, substantially similarly to the above. In addition, the left side wall part 33B and the right side wall part 38B and the pressing parts 29B, 29B on both sides are configured to be displaced substantially in opposite directions in the vertical direction.

[0133] According to the present modification, the shoulder parts on both sides can be pressed from the back side while being pressed downward by the left side wall part 33B and the right side wall part 38B and while the pressing parts 29B, 29B on both sides are displaced upward.

[0134] Further, instead of the structure of the first modification and the second modification, the pressing part 29A (29B) can be configured to be displaced in a substantially opposite direction with respect to the left side wall part 33A (33B) and the right side wall part 38A (38B) displaced in the front-back direction and the vertical direction.

[0135] In addition, the massage machine 1, 1A, 1B is not limited to the structure described above in which the foot, the shoulder part, and the like are used as the treatment part 9, 9A, 9B, and for example, the calf, the thigh, the forearm, the upper arm, or the like can be used as the treatment part, and the hip, the waist, the back, the neck, or the like can be used as the treatment part. According to such a treatment part, the positions of the first side wall part, the second side wall part, and the pressing part, and the displacement manner can be modified. For example, in the case where the forearm is the treatment part, the first side wall part and the second side wall part can be configured to be disposed in a structure in which they face each other in the vertical direction.

[0136] In each of the above examples, an example in which the air bags are provided in the first side wall part and the second side wall part is shown, but the air bags can be provided in only one of them, and instead of the air bags, a structure in which appropriate pressing parts are provided, or the like can be provided.

[0137] In each of the above examples, an example in which both the first side wall part and the second side wall part are configured to swing in one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment part is shown, but only one of them can be configured to swing in one or both of the length direction and the depth direction of the treatment part.

[0138] The structure of each part of the massage machine 1, 1A, 1B according to the present embodiment, and the treatment manner are not limited to the above examples, and various modifications can be made.

[0139] Symbol Explanation 1, 1A, 1B Massage machine 13A left foot treatment part 13B right foot treatment part 18 side wall guide part (first swing mechanism, second swing mechanism, guide part) 19 pressing guide part (pressing displacement mechanism, guide part) 20 driving part 22 driving shaft (linkage mechanism) 23 first eccentric cam 24 second eccentric cam 25 pressing eccentric cam 26 pressing displacement member (pressing displacement mechanism) 27 cam receiving part 29 pressing part 30 first swing member (first swing mechanism) 31 cam receiving part 33 first side wall part (side wall part) 33A, 33B left side wall part (first side wall part, side wall part) 34 air bag 35 second swing member (second swing mechanism) 36 cam receiving part 38 second side wall part (side wall part) 38A, 38B right side wall part (second side wall part, side wall part) 39 air bag 9, 9A, 9B treated part

Claims

1. A massaging machine characterized by comprising: Possessing: side wall portions on both sides to hold a part to be treated in a sandwiching manner from both sides; a first swing mechanism to swing a first side wall portion of the side wall portions on both sides in one or both of a length direction and a depth direction of the part to be treated; a pressing portion to press the part to be treated between the side wall portions on both sides; and a pressing displacement mechanism to displace the pressing portion in a direction substantially opposite to the first side wall portion.

2. The massager according to claim 1, characterized by: possessing a linkage mechanism to link the first swing mechanism and the pressing displacement mechanism.

3. The massager according to claim 2, characterized by: the linkage mechanism possesses a drive shaft which is rotated by a drive portion and extends in an opposite direction of the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, the first swing mechanism possesses: a cam receiving portion to receive a first eccentric cam rotated by the drive shaft in a rotatable manner; and a guide portion to guide a swing of the first side wall portion, the pressing displacement mechanism possesses: a cam receiving portion to be provided in a phase offset manner with respect to the first eccentric cam and receive a pressing eccentric cam rotated by the drive shaft in a rotatable manner; and a guide portion to guide a swing of the pressing portion. Possessing:

4. The massaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, a second swing mechanism to swing a second side wall portion of the side wall portions on both sides in one or both of a length direction and a depth direction of the part to be treated.

5. The massager according to claim 4, characterized by: the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are configured to swing in a phase offset manner with each other.

6. The massager according to claim 4, characterized by: the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are configured to swing in the same direction with each other.

7. The massager according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by: the first swing mechanism possesses: a cam receiving portion to receive a first eccentric cam rotated by a drive shaft extending in an opposite direction of the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion in a rotatable manner; and a guide portion to guide a swing of the first side wall portion, the second swing mechanism possesses: a cam receiving portion to receive a second eccentric cam rotated by the drive shaft in a rotatable manner; and a guide portion to guide a swing of the second side wall portion.

8. The massager according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by: a gas bag which expands and contracts by air introduction and discharge is provided in the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion. Possessing:

9. The massaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, a left foot treatment portion having the side wall portions on both sides arranged on both sides of a left foot constituting the part to be treated, the first swing mechanism, the pressing portion, and the pressing displacement mechanism; and a right foot treatment portion having the side wall portions on both sides arranged on both sides of a right foot constituting the part to be treated, the first swing mechanism, the pressing portion, and the pressing displacement mechanism. Possessing:

10. The massaging machine according to claim 9, wherein a common drive portion to swing the first swing mechanism of the left foot treatment portion and the first swing mechanism of the right foot treatment portion. ​

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