Back acupressure tool

Abstract

To provide a back acupressure tool that enables massage with application of a large acupressure force only by applying an extremely small force by a user himself / herself with respect to an affected part of a back, a shoulder, or the like.SOLUTION: A back acupressure tool includes: a first rod body 1 bent so as to expand outward in side view from a first distal end portion 11 to a proximal end portion 13; an acupressure part 4 attached to the first distal end portion 11 in the first rod body 1; a second rod body 2 bent so as to expand outward in side view from a second distal end portion 21 to a gripping part 23 and having a middle part 22 to which the proximal end portion 13 in the first rod body 1 is rotatably and pivotally fixed; and a tabular body 5 rotatably and pivotally fixed to the second distal end portion 21 in the second rod body 2 and having a surface substantially facing a contact end of the acupressure part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a back acupressure tool that enables a massage to be applied to affected areas such as the back or shoulders by applying a large amount of finger pressure to the affected area by applying only a very weak force by the user. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, shoulder massagers and the like have been used as tools for massaging stiff areas such as the back and shoulders by oneself without using electrical devices. In recent years, various acupressure tools have been proposed that utilize shoulder massagers to provide intensive acupressure to stiff areas and stimulate acupressure points to relieve stiffness (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] With each acupressure tool, the user places the acupressure part, which consists of a spherical protrusion at one end of the main body, on the affected area, and then pulls the grip formed on the other end or located elsewhere with one or both hands, allowing pressure to be applied to the affected area via the acupressure part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-336572 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-24078 [Patent Document 3] JP 2016-101300 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the above-mentioned conventional acupressure tools, if one wishes to apply strong acupressure to an affected area via the acupressure part, it is necessary to apply a strong tensile force to the grip. Continuously applying a strong tensile force with one or both hands to increase the finger pressure on the affected area can actually cause fatigue. For elderly people and people with physical disabilities, in particular, it can be difficult to continuously apply such a strong tensile force with one or both hands.

[0006] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a back acupressure tool that allows the user to massage the affected area of ​​the back, shoulders, etc. by applying a large amount of finger pressure by simply applying a very light force to the affected area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The back acupressure tool of the first invention is characterized by comprising a first rod body bent so as to bulge outward in a side view from a first tip end to a base end, an acupressure part attached to the first tip end of the first rod body, a second rod body bent so as to bulge outward in a side view from a second tip end to a grip part, and the base end of the first rod body is rotatably journaled to an intermediate part of the second rod body, and a plate-like body rotatably journaled to the second tip end of the second rod body and having a surface that is approximately opposite the contact end of the acupressure part.

[0008] The back acupressure tool according to the second invention is the same as that of the first invention, wherein the intermediate portion has an elongated hole formed along the extension direction from the second tip portion to the grip portion, and a plurality of engaging grooves continuous with the elongated hole, and the base end portion can be pivotally supported via each of the engaging grooves.

[0009] The back acupressure tool of the third invention is the same as that of the first invention, wherein the base end has an elongated hole formed in the extension direction from the first tip end and a plurality of engaging grooves continuous with the elongated hole, and the intermediate portion can be pivotally supported via each of the engaging grooves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration, massage can be performed without continuously applying a large pulling force with one or both hands to increase the finger pressure on the affected area, so fatigue does not accumulate and even elderly people and physically disabled people can easily apply a large finger pressure to massage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an acupressure tool to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of an acupressure tool to which the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing only the first rod body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing only the second rod body. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the plate-shaped body. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation when a user uses an acupressure tool to give a massage. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the hole provided in the base end portion of the first rod body is configured by an elongated hole and a plurality of engagement grooves. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, a back acupressure tool to which the present invention is applied, which allows a user to massage an affected area such as the back or shoulders by himself, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an acupressure tool 10 to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

[0014] The acupressure tool 10 has a first rod body 1 and a second rod body 2 attached to the first rod body 1 so as to be rotatable relative to the first rod body 1.

[0015] 3 is a side view showing only the first rod body 1. The first rod body 1 has a first tip portion 11 formed at its tip, a base end portion 13 extending from this first tip portion 11 and formed at its base end, and an intermediate portion 12 formed midway between the first tip portion 11 and the base end portion 13.

[0016] The acupressure part 4 is attached to the first tip part 11. From the viewpoints of stable attachment of the acupressure part 4 and stabilizing the strength of the acupressure part 4, which is subjected to a large amount of finger pressure, the first tip part 11 may have a larger diameter than the intermediate part 12, but is not limited to this.

[0017] The intermediate portion 12 has a shape that is bent so as to bulge outward in a side view. This intermediate portion 12 may have a shape that bulges outward so as to form a streamlined line in a side view, or may have a shape that bulges outward by being bent in an angular shape, without being limited thereto. The examples in Figures 2 and 3 show examples in which this intermediate portion 12 is formed so as to form an approximate U-shape or an approximate J-shape in a side view.

[0018] The base end portion 13 is configured to be continuous with the intermediate portion 12 and extend in a substantially linear shape. The base end portion 13 is formed with a hole 14 drilled therein for pivotally supporting the second rod body 2.

[0019] The acupressure unit 4 is attached to the first tip portion 11 by adhesive or the like. The acupressure unit 4 is intended to come into contact with the affected area of ​​the user's back or shoulder, and it is desirable that the contact end 4a thereof be rounded. The acupressure unit 4 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin, which allows it to gently contact and press against the affected area. However, the acupressure unit 4 may be made of any material other than an elastically deformable material, such as metal, other resins, ceramics, or wood.

[0020] 4 is a side view showing only the second rod body 2. The second rod body 1 has a second tip portion 21 formed at its tip, a grip portion 23 extending from this second tip portion 21 and formed at its base end, and an intermediate portion 22 formed midway between the second tip portion 21 and the grip portion 23.

[0021] The plate-shaped body 5 is attached to the second tip portion 21. The second tip portion 21 is formed with a hole 25 required for attaching the plate-shaped body 5.

[0022] The intermediate portion 22 has a bent shape that bulges outward in side view. The intermediate portion 22 may have a shape that bulges outward in a streamlined manner in side view. However, this is not limited to this, and the intermediate portion 22 may have a shape that bulges outward by being bent into an angular shape. In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 4 , the intermediate portion 22 is shaped to resemble a U or J in side view. The intermediate portion 22 has a hole 24 drilled therein for pivotal support with the first rod body 1. The hole 24 is aligned with the hole 14 formed in the base end 13 of the first rod body 1, and the first rod body 1 and the first rod body 1 can be attached to each other by inserting a screw 61 through the hole 24 and fixing them together. By pivotally supporting the intermediate portion 22 and the second rod body 2 via the screw 61, the base end 13 and the first rod body 1 can be rotated about the screw 61 as a central axis.

[0023] The grip portion 23 is continuous with the intermediate portion 22 and extends in a substantially linear fashion. The grip portion 23 may be larger in outer shape than the intermediate portion 22 to make it easier to hold, and may have an embossed, uneven, or wavy surface to prevent slipping. The grip portion 23 may also be wrapped in a material such as rubber to prevent slipping.

[0024] The materials of the first rod body 1 and the second rod body 2 are assumed to be made of plastic or resin, but are not limited to this and may be made of any other material such as metal, ceramics, wood, etc.

[0025] 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the plate-shaped body 5. The plate-shaped body 5 is provided with a thin rib 51 that stands up from the back surface 5a thereof. The rib 51 is further provided with a hole 52. The hole 52 is aligned with the hole 25 provided in the second tip portion 21 described above, and a screw 62 is inserted through the hole 52, thereby attaching the second tip portion 21 and the plate-shaped body 5. At this time, by being axially supported to each other via the screw 62, the plate-shaped body 5 can be freely rotated with respect to the second tip portion (the tip of the second rod body 2) with the screw 62 as the central axis.

[0026] The plate-shaped body 5 is designed to have its front surface 5b, which is the surface opposite to the back surface 5a on which the ribs 51 are provided, in contact with the user's body. This surface 5b can be the surface that substantially faces the contact end 4a of the acupressure unit 4. Although the description will be given taking as an example a case where the front surface 5b of the plate-shaped body 5 is flat, this is not limiting, and the front surface 5b can also be curved so as to fit the user's body when it is in contact with the surface 5b.

[0027] The plate-shaped body 5 is assumed to be made of wood or resin, but is not limited to this and may be made of any other material.

[0028] The operation of actually applying acupressure to an affected area on the back or shoulder of a user using the acupressure tool 10 to which the present invention is applied will now be described.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows an example of the operation when a user actually uses the acupressure tool 10 to perform a massage. When worn, the contact end 4a of the acupressure unit 4 is placed in contact with the affected area of ​​the user's back or shoulder, as shown in FIG. 6(a). The surface 5b of the plate-shaped body 5 is also placed in contact with the vicinity of the user's collarbone. At this time, by making the middle portion 12 of the first rod body 1 bulge outward as described above, the distal end 11 to the proximal end 13 of the middle portion 12 can be positioned so that it fits along the user's shoulder without hitting the user's shoulder, and the plate-shaped body 5 and acupressure unit 4 can be placed as described above.

[0030] Next, when actually applying acupressure, as shown in Figure 6(b), the grip portion 23 is grasped by hand and pressed downward in the direction P in the figure. As a result, the lower end 5c of the plate-like body 5 becomes a fulcrum, and the upper end 5d of the plate-like body 5 moves away from the user, causing the plate-like body 5 to tilt. This is achieved because the second tip portion 21 and the plate-like body 5 are axially supported to each other via the screw 62, allowing the plate-like body 5 to rotate freely.

[0031] Furthermore, the entire second rod 2 can be pushed downward in the downward direction P in the figure, with the lower end 5c of the plate-like body 5 as the fulcrum. The so-called principle of leverage, with the lower end 5c of the plate-like body 5 as the fulcrum and the gripping portion 23 as the point of application, comes into play, allowing the second rod 2 to be pushed downward in the downward direction P with an extremely small force.

[0032] As the second rod body 2 is pushed down, the first rod body 1, which is rotatably attached to the middle section 22, is similarly pulled down in the downward direction P. That is, the base end 13 of the first rod body 1, which is rotatably attached to the middle section 22, is pulled down in the downward direction P, and the middle section 12 is also pulled down in response. A force in the downward direction P can be applied from the tip end 11 connected to the pulled-down middle section 12 toward the acupressure unit 4. Acupressure is applied to the affected area of ​​the user's back or shoulder from the contact end 4a of the acupressure unit 4 to which this force in the downward direction P is applied. As a result, acupressure can be applied intensively from the acupressure unit 4 to the stiff, affected area, stimulating the acupressure points and relieving the stiffness.

[0033] At this time, the so-called lever principle is at work, with the lower end 5c of the plate-shaped body 5 as the fulcrum and the gripping portion 23 as the force point, so that the first rod body 1 can be pushed downward in the P direction via the second rod body 2 with an extremely small force, and as a result, acupressure can be applied from the acupressure portion 4 to the affected area of ​​the user's back or shoulder even with an extremely small force.

[0034] Therefore, with the acupressure tool 10 to which the present invention is applied, massage can be performed without continuously applying a large pulling force with one or both hands to increase the finger pressure on the affected area, so fatigue does not accumulate and even elderly people and physically disabled people can easily apply a large finger pressure to massage.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The hole 14 provided in the base end portion 13 of the first rod body 2 may be configured with an elongated hole 16 and multiple engagement grooves 17a, 17b, and 17c, as shown in Fig. 7. The elongated hole 16 is formed along the extension direction from the first tip end portion 11. The multiple engagement grooves 17a, 17b, and 17c continuing from this elongated hole 16 are formed at different positions from each other in the extension direction of the elongated hole 16.

[0036] By inserting a screw 61 into such an elongated hole 16, the second rod body 2 attached via the screw 61 can be moved along the elongated hole 16. As a result, the distance between the acupressure unit 4 and the plate-like body 5, which face each other, can be adjusted to a desired size. Then, by engaging the screw 61 with the engagement groove that can adjust the distance between the acupressure unit 4 and the plate-like body 5 to a desired size, the first rod body 1 can be pushed down in the downward direction P via the second rod body 2, as described above. The number of engagement grooves 17a, 17b, 17c is not limited to three, and any plural number may be used.

[0037] The multiple engagement grooves 17a, 17b, 17c continuing from the elongated hole 16 are not limited to being provided as a substitute for the hole 14 provided in the base end 13 of the first rod body 1. The multiple engagement grooves 17a, 17b, 17c continuing from the elongated hole 16 may also be provided as a substitute for the hole 24 in the middle portion 22 of the second rod body 2. In such a case, the distance between the acupressure part 4 and the plate-like body 5 can also be adjusted to a desired size. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. First rod 2. Second rod 4 Shiatsu section 4a Contact end 5 plate-shaped body 5a Inside 5b Surface 5c lower end 5d upper end 10 pressure tools 11 1st tip 12 Middle 13 base end 14 holes 16 Long hole 17a Commissural groove 21 Second tip 22 middle part 23. Grip 24, 25, 52 holes 51 リブ 61, 62 ネジ

Claims

1. a first rod body bent so as to bulge outward in a side view from a first tip end portion to a base end portion; an acupressure unit attached to a first tip end of the first rod body; a second rod body in which the base end portion of the first rod body is pivotally supported at an intermediate portion bent so as to bulge outward in a side view from the second tip portion to the grip portion; a plate-like body that is pivotally supported on the second tip end of the second rod body and has a surface that substantially faces the contact end of the finger pressure part; A back acupressure tool that features:

2. The intermediate portion has an elongated hole formed along an extension direction from the second tip portion to the grip portion, and a plurality of engagement grooves continuous with the elongated hole, and is capable of supporting the base end portion via each of the engagement grooves.

2. The back acupressure device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The base end portion has an elongated hole formed along the extension direction from the first tip portion and a plurality of engagement grooves continuous with the elongated hole, and is capable of supporting the intermediate portion via each of the engagement grooves.

2. The back acupressure device according to claim 1, wherein:

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