Massage unit and chair type massage machine

Abstract

To provide a massage unit capable of providing an appropriate massage feeling even when massaging a treatment area having a narrow width in a lateral direction, and a chair type massage machine using the massage unit.SOLUTION: A massage unit 10 comprises: a pair of right and left massage members 16 provided on a base 15; and a drive mechanism 17 for moving the pair of right and left massage members 16 toward and away from each other. The massage member 16 includes: an arm part 13 supported by the base 15 via the drive mechanism 17; a support shaft 18 provided inside the arm part 13 in a lateral direction in a crosswise manner; a first massage element 19 supported by the support shaft 18; and an elastic member 20 for energizing the first massage element 19 inward in the lateral direction. The elastic member 20 is elastically deformed in response to a load of the first massage element 19, and the first massage element 19 moves outward in the lateral direction along the support shaft 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a massage unit in which treatment elements move outward in the left-right direction in response to a load from a treatment section, and a chair-type massage machine equipped with this massage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a massage device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a massage device that applies a massage action to areas to be treated, such as the shoulders and neck, of a user leaning against a backrest. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-115160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a massage unit comprising a treatment head, an actuator that can extend and retract in the longitudinal direction, and an arm to which the treatment head is attached at one end, one end of the actuator is attached to the other end of the arm, a first rotation fulcrum that is the rotation fulcrum of the arm is provided at the middle part of the arm, the positional relationship between the first rotation fulcrum and a second rotation fulcrum that is the rotation fulcrum of the other end of the actuator, or the positional relationship between the first rotation fulcrum and the other end of the actuator is fixed, and a pair of left and right rotation axes that serve as the first rotation fulcrum can rotate independently.

[0005] In recent years, some users have commented that the massage feeling when kneading the neck is a little stronger than when massaging the shoulders. In particular, since the width of the treatment area, such as the neck, varies depending on the user's physique, users with thick necks tend to comment in this way. However, in the massage device of Patent Document 1, the spacing between the treatment members is set to correspond to a fixed treatment width. Therefore, when treating a narrow treatment area, such as the neck, the force pressing against the treatment area tends to narrow the spacing between the pair of massage members, resulting in a problem that the massage feeling is inevitably a little stronger for some users.

[0006] Therefore, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a massage unit and a chair-type massage machine that can provide an appropriate massage feeling even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, and that does not cause discomfort to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical means.

[0008] The massage unit of the present invention is a massage unit comprising a pair of left and right massage members mounted on a base, and a drive mechanism that moves the pair of left and right massage members toward and away from each other to generate a kneading action on the treatment area, wherein the pair of left and right massage members each have an arm portion whose base end is supported on the base via the drive mechanism, a support shaft at the tip of the arm portion and arranged on the inside in the left-right direction so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of the arm portion, a first treatment element supported on the support shaft so as to be movable along the support shaft, and an elastic member that urges the first treatment element inward in the left-right direction, and is configured so that the elastic member elastically deforms in accordance with the load applied to the first treatment element and the first treatment element can move outward in the left-right direction along the support shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the elastic member is a coil spring wound around the axial center of the support shaft and around the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft.

[0010] Preferably, a recess is formed in the first treatment element, the recess is loosely fitted into the support shaft, and a storage section in which an elastic member is arranged is provided between the support shaft and the recess.

[0011] Preferably, a recess is formed in the arm portion, the support shaft is disposed in the recess, a part of the first treatment head is slidably fitted therein, and an elastic member is provided. Preferably, a receiving portion for receiving the first massaging head is provided between a part of the first massaging head and the recess.

[0012] Preferably, the first treatment element is provided on the inside of the left-right direction at the tip of the arm portion of the pair of left and right massage members, and the second treatment element is provided on the outside of the left-right direction, sandwiching the arm portion.

[0013] Preferably, the second massaging element is supported by the support shaft in a state in which movement of the second massaging element in a direction along the axial direction of the support shaft is restricted.

[0014] Preferably, the device is provided with a gripping massage mechanism that performs a gripping massage on the treatment section, and the gripping massage mechanism has a gripping treatment element that is positioned at a distance in the vertical direction from the first treatment element, and is configured so that the drive mechanism causes the gripping treatment element to swing in the vertical direction to move closer to and away from the first treatment element.

[0015] The chair-type massage machine according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a seat portion, a backrest portion, and the above-mentioned massage unit within the backrest portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the massage unit and chair-type massage machine of the present invention, even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, it is possible to provide an appropriate massage feeling to the same extent as when massaging a treatment area that is wide, and the user will not feel uncomfortable. In other words, according to the massage unit and chair-type massage machine of the present invention, even when massaging a treatment area such as the neck, it is possible to provide an appropriate massage feeling to the same extent as when massaging a treatment area such as the shoulders, and it will not cause discomfort to users of any physique. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a chair-type massage machine equipped with a massage unit of the present invention, seen from the left front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the massage unit of the present embodiment as viewed from the right front. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the massage unit of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a massage member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a rear view of the treatment element of the first embodiment, showing a cross-sectional structure and a usage mode of the treatment element in a state where an elastic member is at a free length. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a rear view of the treatment element of the first embodiment, showing a cross-sectional structure of the treatment element in a state where an elastic member is elastically deformed, and a usage mode thereof. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a rear view of a treatment element according to a second embodiment, showing a cross-sectional structure and a usage state of the treatment element in a state in which an elastic member is at a free length. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a rear view of a treatment element according to a second embodiment, showing a cross-sectional structure of the treatment element in a state where an elastic member is elastically deformed, and a manner of use. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A massage unit according to the present invention will now be described, specifically, an embodiment of a chair-type massage machine incorporating the massage unit will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] The embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this specific example. In addition, for clarity, some of the components are omitted in the drawings.

[0020] The directions of up and down, front and back, left and right, etc. of the chair-type massage machine 1 are as shown in Fig. 1. The directions of up and down, front and back, left and right, etc. of the massage unit 10 are as shown in Fig. 3. In the following explanation, the directions shown in the drawings will be the directions when explaining the chair-type massage machine 1 and massage unit 10 of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a seat 2 that is large enough for a user U to sit on, and a backrest 3 that is provided behind the seat 2 and against which the user U can lean.

[0022] The seat 2 is made up of a combination of square rod-shaped members and is supported at a predetermined height from below. The seat 2 is entirely covered with a casing or a sheet, and a cushion member is provided on the upper surface. Armrests 4 are provided on both the left and right sides of the seat 2. A seat massaging mechanism for massaging the lower limbs of the user U may be provided inside the seat 2. stomach.

[0023] The backrest 3 is a member provided at the rear of the seat 2, and is formed in a flat plate shape with enough thickness to allow the user U to lean against it. The backrest 3 is provided with a back massage mechanism 5 that massages the back of the user U.

[0024] 2, the back massage mechanism 5 has a guide rail 6 arranged vertically inside the backrest 3, and a massage unit 10 that can move vertically inside the backrest 3 along the guide rail 6. The backrest 3 is supported at the rear of the seat 2 so that it can swing forward and backward (recline), and the back massage mechanism 5 can tilt in accordance with the reclining of the backrest 3.

[0025] In this embodiment, two guide rails 6 are provided inside the backrest 3, one on each side. The guide rails 6 include a left guide rail 6L disposed on the left side of the backrest 3 and a right guide rail 6R disposed on the right side of the backrest 3. A left rack gear 7L is formed on the left guide rail 6L, and a right rack gear 7R is formed on the right guide rail 6R. The left rack gear 7L and the right rack gear 7R are attached so that their teeth face substantially forward when the backrest 3 is in an upright position. The left rack gear 7L meshes with the left pinion gear 37L, and the right rack gear 7R meshes with the right pinion gear 37R, allowing the massage unit 10 to travel along the left guide rail 6L and the right guide rail 6R.

[0026] The massage unit 10 of this embodiment moves inside the backrest 3, thereby performing at least a kneading massage action on the treatment area from the neck or shoulders through the back to the lumbar region of the user U leaning against the backrest 3. In other words, the back of the user U from the neck or shoulders through the back to the lumbar region is the treatment area to be treated by the massage unit 10 of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the massage unit 10 of this embodiment includes a base 15, a pair of left and right massage members (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R) provided on the base 15, and a drive mechanism 17 that is arranged on the base 15 and moves the pair of left and right massage members (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R) toward and away from each other to generate a massage action (kneading action) on the treatment area.

[0028] The base 15 is disposed between the left guide rail 6L and the right guide rail 6R, and has a left pinion gear 37L that meshes with the left rack gear 7L and a right pinion gear 37R that meshes with the right rack gear 7R. The base 15 has an elevation drive unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the left pinion gear 37L and the right pinion gear 37R. The elevation drive unit rotates the left pinion gear 37L and the right pinion gear 37R, so that the base 15 can move along the installation direction of the left guide rail 6L and the right guide rail 6R.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the massage member 16 has a left massage member 16L provided on the left side of the base 15 and a right massage member 16R provided on the right side of the base 15, and a kneading massage is performed by sandwiching the treatment area between a left first treatment member 19L provided at the tip of the left massage member 16L and a right first treatment member 19R provided at the tip of the right massage member 16R.

[0030] The left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R are arranged and structured symmetrically with respect to the base 15. The left massage member 16L has a left arm 13L, a left support shaft 18L provided on the right side of the distal end of the left arm 13L, and a first left treatment element 19L supported by the left support shaft 18L. The right massage member 16R has a right arm 13R, a right support shaft 18R provided on the left side of the distal end of the right arm 13R, and a first right treatment element 19R supported by the right support shaft 18R. The left support shaft 18L is arranged to intersect the longitudinal direction of the left arm 13L (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment), and the right support shaft 18R is arranged to intersect the longitudinal direction of the right arm 13R (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment).

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the arm portion 13 is an arm-shaped member extending from the base 15. The arm portion 13 of this embodiment includes a left arm portion 13L provided on the left massage member 16L, and a right arm portion 13R provided on the right massage member 16R.

[0032] 2, arm 13 in this embodiment has a base end supported on base 15 via drive mechanism 17, and a tip end extending in a direction away from base 15. A left rotation restricting section 21L that restricts left arm 13L from rotating integrally with rotation shaft 9 is provided on the base end side of left arm 13L, and a right rotation restricting section 21R that restricts right arm 13R from rotating integrally with rotation shaft 9 is provided on the base end side of right arm 13R.

[0033] In this embodiment, a left annular fitting portion 14L of the drive mechanism 17 is provided on the base end side of the left arm portion 13L, and a right annular fitting portion 14R of the drive mechanism 17 is provided on the base end side of the right arm portion 13R.

[0034] The drive mechanism 17 has a drive unit 17a that generates a rotational drive force, and a conversion unit 17b that converts the rotational drive force generated by the drive unit 17a into oscillation of a pair of left and right massage members 16 (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R).

[0035] The drive unit 17a of the drive mechanism 17 of this embodiment has a drive motor 8 provided on the base 15. The conversion unit 17b of the drive mechanism 17 has a rotary shaft 9 that rotates about an axis facing the left-right direction by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 8, a rotary boss portion 11 attached to the rotary shaft 9, an endless cam surface 12 formed on the periphery of the rotary boss portion 11 and inclined with respect to the left-right direction, and annular fitting portions 14 (the above-mentioned left annular fitting portion 14L and right annular fitting portion 14R) that are provided at the base end of the arm portion 13 and externally fitted slidably onto the cam surface 12.

[0036] The drive motor 8 of this embodiment is disposed on a base 15 with its drive shaft 8a facing downward. One or more gears (in this embodiment, multiple gears including a worm gear) that transmit the rotational driving force of the drive shaft 8a of the drive motor 8 to the rotation shaft 9 are provided between the drive motor 8 and the rotation shaft 9.

[0037] The rotating shaft 9 is rotatably mounted on the base 15 with its axis oriented in the left-right direction. The rotating shaft 9 extends to both the right and left of the drive motor 8 (drive shaft 8a). A left rotating boss portion 11L is attached to the rotating shaft 9 to the left of the drive shaft 8a, and a right rotating boss portion 11R is attached to the rotating shaft 9 to the right of the drive shaft 8a, both of which are rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 9.

[0038] The left rotation boss portion 11L and the right rotation boss portion 11R are both multi-stage cylindrical members. A left cam surface 12L is formed on the outer periphery of the left rotation boss portion 11L, and a right cam surface 12R is formed on the outer periphery of the right rotation boss portion 11R. Both the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R are formed as cylindrical surfaces that revolve around an axis that faces in a direction intersecting the axis of the rotation shaft 9.

[0039] The inclination directions of left cam surface 12L and right cam surface 12R (the directions in which the axes of left cam surface 12L and right cam surface 12R face) are relatively opposite in the left-right direction (symmetrical with respect to a line facing the up-down direction). For example, when (the axis of) left cam surface 12L is inclined leftward with respect to the axis of rotation shaft 9, (the axis of) right cam surface 12R is inclined rightward with respect to the axis of rotation shaft 9. Furthermore, when (the axis of) left cam surface 12L is inclined rightward with respect to the axis of rotation shaft 9, (the axis of) right cam surface 12R is inclined leftward with respect to the axis of rotation shaft 9.

[0040] The left annular fitting portion 14L and the right annular fitting portion 14R are fitted freely into the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R, respectively, so that in cooperation with the rotation control portion described later, the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R perform a swinging motion such that they move closer to and away from each other.

[0041] The left rotation restricting portion 21L is provided at the base end of the left arm portion 13L and restricts rotation about the axis of the rotating shaft 9 while allowing swinging of the left arm portion 13L in the left-right direction. The right rotation restricting portion 21R is provided at the base end of the right arm portion 13R and restricts rotation about the axis of the rotating shaft 9 while allowing swinging of the right arm portion 13R in the left-right direction. By reciprocating the left rotation restricting portion 21L and the right rotation restricting portion 21R back and forth, the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R reciprocate about the axis of the rotating shaft 9, and it becomes possible to perform a tapping operation on the treatment elements (first left treatment element 19L and first right treatment element 19R).

[0042] When the drive motor 8 rotates the rotary shaft 9, the left rotary boss portion 11L and the right rotary boss portion 11R rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 9. The left cam surface 12L of the left rotary boss portion 11L is provided with a left annular fitting portion The right annular fitting portion 14R is slidably fitted to the right cam surface 12R of the right rotation boss portion 11R. The left arm portion 13L is restricted from rotating integrally with the left rotation boss portion 11L by the left rotation restricting portion 21L, and therefore does not rotate integrally with the left rotation boss portion 11L even when the left rotation boss portion 11L rotates.

[0043] On the other hand, when the left rotation boss portion 11L rotates, the tilt direction of the left cam surface 12L switches between left and right, causing the left massage member 16L (left arm portion 13L) to slide left and right in accordance with the tilt direction of the left cam surface 12L. The right annular fitting portion 14R provided on the base end of the right arm portion 13R is also slidably fitted with the right cam surface 12R of the right rotation boss portion 11R. Since the right arm portion 13R is also restricted from integral rotation by the right rotation restricting portion 21R, the right massage member 16R (right arm portion 13R) also tilts left and right in accordance with the switching of the tilt direction of the right cam surface 12R. Since the tilt directions of the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R are opposite to each other in the left and right direction, the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R swing in opposite directions to each other in the left and right direction.

[0044] In other words, since the left arm section 13L and the right arm section 13R repeatedly move toward and away from each other in the left-right direction, by placing the treatment area between the left first treatment element 19L provided at the tip of the left arm section 13L and the right first treatment element 19R provided at the tip of the right arm section 13R, a kneading massage can be performed on the treatment area.

[0045] The massage unit 10 described above is provided with a gripping massage mechanism 42 that performs gripping massage on the treatment area between the left first treatment element 19L and the left gripping treatment element 41L, and between the right first treatment element 19R and the right gripping treatment element 41R.

[0046] Next, the gripping massage mechanism 42 will be described.

[0047] 2, the gripping massage mechanism 42 of this embodiment has a pair of left and right gripping massage members (left gripping massage member 43L and right gripping massage member 43R). The drive mechanism 17 (converter 17b) has a function of swinging the pair of left and right gripping massage members (left gripping massage member 43L and right gripping massage member 43R) up and down around the rotation axis 9.

[0048] In the following description of the gripping massage members 43, only the left gripping massage member 43L will be described, and a description of the right gripping massage member 43R will be omitted except for the description of operations that can only be explained with the pair of left and right gripping massage members 43L.

[0049] The left gripping massage member 43L has a left gripping arm portion 44L whose base end is attached to the base 15 via the drive mechanism 17, and a left gripping treatment element 41L attached to the tip of the left gripping arm portion 44L. The left gripping arm portion 44L has a left first gripping arm 45L arranged on the base end side and a left second gripping arm 46L arranged on the tip side. The left first gripping arm 45L is connected to a midpoint of the left second gripping arm 46L so as to be swingable about an axis facing left and right. The base end of the left second gripping arm 46L is connected to a midpoint of the left arm portion 13L so as to be swingable about an axis facing left and right. The left gripping treatment element 41L is provided at the tip of the left second gripping arm 46L.

[0050] The conversion portion 17b of the drive mechanism 17 has a left second rotation boss portion 47L provided on the rotation shaft 9, and a left second annular fitting portion 48L rotatably fitted onto the left second rotation boss portion 47L. A left second cam surface 49L that revolves around the axis of the rotation shaft 9 is formed on the outer periphery of the left second rotation boss portion 47L. The left second cam surface 49L is formed in the shape of a cylindrical surface that revolves around an axis that is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft 9.

[0051] When the rotary shaft 9 is rotated by the drive motor 8, the left second rotary boss portion 47L rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 9, and the left second annular fitting portion 48L, which is slidably fitted into the left second cam surface 49L, also tends to rotate about its axis. However, because the tip of the left first gripping arm 45L is connected to the left arm portion 13L via the left second gripping arm 46L, the left second annular fitting portion 48L (left first gripping arm 45L) does not rotate.

[0052] On the other hand, since the left second cam surface 49L is cylindrical around an axis that is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft 9, the left first gripping arm 45L swings up and down around the axis of the rotary shaft 9. In other words, the left second gripping arm 46L, to which the tip of the left first gripping arm 45L is connected, also swings up and down, and the left second gripping arm 46L swings up and down around the base end connected to the left arm portion 13L. As a result, the left grasping treatment element 41L swings up and down, and the left grasping treatment element 41L repeatedly approaches and moves away from the first left treatment element 19L in the up and down direction, so that the treatment area located between the two elements can be grasped and massaged.

[0053] The above description relates to the configuration and effects of the left-gripping massage member 43L, but the right-gripping massage member 43R also has the same configuration and effects.

[0054] Now, the left first treatment element 19L is supported on the left support shaft 18L of the left massage member 16L so that it can move along the left support shaft 18L, and the right first treatment element 19R is supported on the right support shaft 18R of the right massage member 16R so that it can move along the right support shaft 18R.

[0055] In addition, a left elastic member 20L is provided between the left first treatment element 19L and the left support shaft 18L to urge the left first treatment element 19L to the right (inward in the left-right direction).A right elastic member 20R is provided between the right first treatment element 19R and the right support shaft 18R to urge the right first treatment element 19R to the left (inward in the left-right direction).

[0056] In the massage unit 10 of the present invention, the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R are elastically deformed in response to a load applied to the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R, allowing the left first treatment element 19L to move to the left (outside in the left-right direction) along the left support shaft 18L. Also, in response to a load applied to the right first treatment element 19R, the right elastic member 20R is elastically deformed in response to a load applied to the right first treatment element 19R, allowing the right first treatment element 19R to move to the right (outside in the left-right direction) along the right support shaft 18R.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, support shafts 18 are provided at the distal ends of the massage members 16 of this embodiment. Specifically, the support shafts 18 include a left support shaft 18L provided at the distal end of the left massage member 16L (left arm portion 13L) and a right support shaft 18R provided at the distal end of the right massage member 16R (right arm portion 13R). The left support shaft 18L is a rod-shaped member provided on the inner lateral side of the distal end of the left arm portion 13L and extending inward in the lateral direction. The right support shaft 18R is a rod-shaped member provided on the inner lateral side of the distal end of the right arm portion 13R and extending inward in the lateral direction. The left support shaft 18L and the right support shaft 18R of this embodiment are formed in the shape of round rods and have a hollowed-out center. A first left treatment element 19L is supported on the right end side of the left support shaft 18L, and a first right treatment element 19R is supported on the left end side of the right support shaft 18R.

[0058] 1 to 4, the massage unit 10 of the present invention has the first left and right treatment elements (the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R) and the second left and right treatment elements (the second left treatment element 22L and the second right treatment element 22R). However, as a simpler configuration, the massage unit 10 of the present invention may also have only the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R as the treatment elements of the pair of left and right massage members (the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R).

[0059] Therefore, in the following description of the first treatment element 19, we will first describe the first embodiment, which is equipped with only the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R (an embodiment in which there is one massage ball at the tip of the arm portion).

[0060] As a second embodiment, we will explain an embodiment in which the treatment elements include left and right first treatment elements (left first treatment element 19L and right first treatment element 19R) and left and right second treatment elements (left second treatment element 22L and right second treatment element 22R) (an embodiment in which there are two kneading balls at the tip of the arm portion).

[0061] In both the first and second embodiments, the pair of left and right massage members (the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R) are arranged and structured line-symmetrically on the left and right sides. Therefore, in the following description, only the left massage member 16L will be described, and the right massage member 16R will not be described except for the description of operations that can only be explained with the pair of left and right massage members. [First embodiment] As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 5, the first left massaging element 19L of the first embodiment is made of a flexible plastic resin (e.g., PVC resin) and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a recessed middle portion in the left-right direction. A first left insertion hole 24L is formed inside the first left massaging element 19L, and the opening diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L. The first left insertion hole 24L is aligned with the axis of the left support shaft 18L. The left first insertion hole 24L is formed so as to penetrate the interior of the left first massaging head 19L in the left-right direction. The left support shaft 18L is inserted into the left first insertion hole 24L so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0062] Specifically, in the first embodiment, a left cylindrical portion 23L having a larger diameter than the left support shaft 18L is formed at the tip of the left arm portion 13L so as to protrude to the right (inward in the left-right direction). The left cylindrical portion 23L is formed in a cylindrical shape around an axis coaxial with the left support shaft 18L, and the left support shaft 18L is disposed at the tip (right end) so as to be coaxial with the axis of the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0063] The first left massaging element 19L of the first embodiment has a first left recess 25L on the left side of the first left insertion hole 24L. The first left recess 25L is a cylindrical recess that opens leftward (toward the left arm portion 13L) and is composed of a left cylindrical inner wall 26L having a cylindrical surface and a left rear wall 27L that closes the right end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L.

[0064] The left cylindrical inner wall 26L is formed into a cylindrical surface shape with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, and is capable of fitting onto the left cylindrical portion 23L. The left rear wall 27L is formed as a wall surface between the right end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left opening of the left first through-hole 24L, and extends in a direction intersecting the axis of the left support shaft 18L (in the illustrated example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis).

[0065] The left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left support shaft 18L are spaced apart, and the left elastic member 20L is disposed between the left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the space between the left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left support shaft 18L forms a left accommodation section 28L that accommodates the left elastic member 20L.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the left first massaging element 19L has a left second recess 30L formed on the right side of the left first insertion hole 24L. The left second recess 30L opens to the right (inward in the left-right direction). The left second recess 30L is provided so that the tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L protrudes from the bottom wall. A retaining means (e.g., a retaining pin, not shown) is attached to the tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L to prevent the tip of the left support shaft 18L from slipping out to the left from the left second recess 30L.

[0067] The elastic member 20 of the first embodiment includes a left elastic member 20L that biases the left first massaging element 19L rightward, and a right elastic member 20R that biases the right first massaging element 19R leftward.

[0068] The left elastic member 20L is a coil spring wound around the outer circumferential surface of the left support shaft 18L. In the state shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5, the left elastic member 20L does not generate a biasing force (restoring force) (it is negligibly small). In other words, the left elastic member 20L in the state shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5 has a free length (length when no force is applied). Furthermore, the left elastic member 20L in the first embodiment is a coil spring having a length approximately equal to the inner dimension of the left first recess 25L along the left-right direction (the inner dimension of the left first recess 25L along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L). In other words, the left end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is aligned at approximately the same position as the right end of the left cylindrical portion 23L, and the left accommodation portion 28L is a space enclosed by the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 5, when massaging a treatment area that is wide in the left-right direction, such as the shoulders, the left arm 13L and the right arm 13R are set to a treatment width (oscillation width along the left-right direction) that is wide in the left-right direction to accommodate the wide treatment area. The first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R massage the treatment area by rubbing the surface of the treatment area, such as the shoulders. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area that is smooth, such as the shoulders, little load is applied to the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R. In other words, even when a treatment area such as the shoulders is massaged with the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R in the state shown in Fig. 5, no large force acts in the compressive direction on the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R, and the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R maintain their free length (i.e., are not elastically deformed) to perform the massage. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area such as the shoulders, the treatment area can be kneaded and massaged without moving the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R.

[0070] On the other hand, when massaging a long, thin, and delicate treatment area such as the neck, as shown in Fig. 6, the first left treatment applicator 19L and the first right treatment applicator 19R are positioned to pinch the neck, which may result in a massage that pinches the treatment area. In particular, if the treatment width (swing width) is set wide to match the treatment area such as the shoulders, when the left arm section 13L and the right arm section 13R approach each other, the distance between the left arm section 13L and the right arm section 13R may become narrower than the neck, which may result in a stronger massage feeling (massage intensity) on the treatment area and cause discomfort to the user.

[0071] However, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the first embodiment, when the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R pinch a treatment part such as the neck, a large load is generated on the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R in a direction toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (outward in the left-right direction). This causes the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R to elastically deform (outward in the left-right direction) (the coil springs constituting the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R are compressed). For example, when the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the left first recess 25L is extrapolated (pressed deeply) into the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0072] Because the inner diameter of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L slides against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L along the axis of the left support shaft 18L, and the first left treatment element 19L moves to the left (toward the left arm portion 13L, outward in the left-right direction) along the axis of the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction, thereby dissipating the force applied to the first left treatment element 19L in the direction approaching the treatment unit.

[0073] Although the above description relates to the left elastic member 20L, the right elastic member 20R also performs the same operation.

[0074] In other words, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the first embodiment, when the tips of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R increases. As a result, even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, such as the neck, a soft (appropriate) massage feeling can be imparted to the massage area as if it were a wider treatment area (such as the shoulders), and the user will not feel uncomfortable.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the left elastic member 20L uses a coil spring having a length approximately equal to the inner dimension of the left first recess 25L in the left-right direction. In other words, the left end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is located at approximately the same position as the right end of the left cylindrical portion 23L, and the left accommodation portion 28L is a space enclosed by the left cylindrical portion 23L. By forming the left accommodation portion 28L as a space enclosed by the left cylindrical portion 23L in this manner, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the left accommodation portion 28L and corrosion of the left elastic member 20L, thereby improving the durability of the left elastic member 20L.

[0076] In the left massage member 16L of the first embodiment, the inner diameter of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, so that the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L can slide against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L along the axis of the left support shaft 18L. Therefore, when the first left massaging element 19L is moved leftward, the first left recess 25L is extrapolated onto the left cylindrical portion 23L while maintaining the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L sliding against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L. When the first left recess 25L is extrapolated onto the left cylindrical portion 23L in this manner, the first left massaging element 19L can be moved reliably along the axis of the left support shaft 18L without wobbling relative to the axis.

[0077] Furthermore, if the treatment area, such as the back, has protruding parts such as shoulder blades, the protruding parts of the treatment area act as a load against the movement of the treatment elements when the treatment elements are moved left and right, resulting in a stronger massage feeling from the treatment elements and causing discomfort to the user. Even in such a case, with the left massage member 16L of the first embodiment, the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms (outward in the left-right direction) in the same way as in the case of a treatment area, such as the neck (the coil spring constituting the left elastic member 20L contracts), so that a soft (appropriate) massage feeling can be imparted to a treatment area having protruding parts of the same extent as a wider treatment area (such as the shoulders), preventing discomfort to the user.

[0078] The massage unit 10 of the first embodiment is equipped with a gripping massage mechanism 42 that performs a gripping massage on the treatment area. The gripping massage mechanism 42 has a left gripping treatment element 41L that is arranged at a distance in the up-down direction from the left first treatment element 19L. The gripping massage mechanism 42 also swings the gripping treatment element 41 in the up-down direction using the drive mechanism 17.

[0079] When performing a grip massage on a treatment area using the gripping treatment element 41, the left side of the first embodiment When the left gripping treatment element 41L approaches the tip (first left treatment element 19L) of the arm portion 13L in the vertical direction, the gripping massage on the treatment area may feel too strong. However, if the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms (outward in the left-right direction) and the left first treatment element 19L moves outward in the left-right direction, the force applied between the first left treatment element 19L and the left gripping treatment element 41L can be released, preventing discomfort to the user.

[0080] Although the above description relates to the effects of the left massage member 16L and the left gripping massage member 43L, the same effects can be achieved with the right massage member 16R and the right gripping massage member 43R. [Second embodiment] 7, the left massage member 16L of the second embodiment includes a left second treatment element 22L in addition to a left first treatment element 19L. The right massage member 16R includes a right first treatment element 19R and a right second treatment element 22R. The left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment have a left arm portion 13L and a right arm portion 13R as in the first embodiment, and two treatment elements are provided at the tip of each of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R so as to sandwich the arm portion.

[0081] Of the two treatment elements, the left first treatment element 19L is provided on the right side (inside in the left-right direction) of the left arm portion 13L, and the left second treatment element 22L is provided on the left side (outside in the left-right direction) of the left arm portion 13L. In addition, the right first treatment element 19R is provided on the left side (inside in the left-right direction) of the right arm portion 13R, and the right second treatment element 22R is provided on the right side (outside in the left-right direction) of the right arm portion 13R.

[0082] The first left massaging element 19L and the second left massaging element 22L of the second embodiment are formed in a cylindrical shape (wheel shape) that is short in the left-right direction using the same flexible plastic resin as in the first embodiment. A first left insertion hole 24L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed inside the first left massaging element 19L, and the first left insertion hole 24L is formed in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L so as to penetrate the inside of the first left massaging element 19L in the axial direction. The left support shaft 18L is inserted into the first left insertion hole 24L so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0083] Specifically, in the second embodiment, a cylindrical left third recess 29L having an opening diameter larger than that of the left support shaft 18L is formed at the tip (right side surface) of the left arm portion 13L so as to open to the right. The left third recess 29L is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening diameter larger than the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L, and the left support shaft 18L is disposed in the center so as to penetrate the center (axial center of the cylindrical shape) of the left third recess 29L in the left-right direction. A left first protrusion 39L protruding to the right is formed at the opening edge of the left third recess 29L so as to surround the periphery of the left third recess 29L along the opening edge.

[0084] A left fourth recess 31L that opens to the left is formed on the left side surface of the left first massaging element 19L. The depth L1 of the left fourth recess 31L along the axial direction (the direction of the axis of the left support shaft 18L) (the distance from point P1 located on the left side surface of the left first massaging element 19L to point P2 located at the deepest part of the recess of the left fourth recess 31L) is set equal to the protrusion height L2 of the left first protrusion 39L from the right side surface of the left arm 13L (the distance L2 along the axis of the left support shaft 18L from point P3 located on the right side surface of the left arm 13L to point P4 located at the tip of the left first protrusion 39L).

[0085] A left slide member 32L is disposed between the first left massaging element 19L and the third left recess 29L. The left slide member 32L has an annular left closing portion 33L that can be loosely fitted into the third left recess 29L, and a second left protrusion 34L that protrudes leftward from the outer edge of the left closing portion 33L along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L. A left through-hole 35L is formed in the center of the left closing portion 33L, penetrating the left closing portion 33L in the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L. The left support shaft 18L is inserted through the left through-hole 35L so as to be movable in the axial direction. The second left protrusion 34L is formed to surround the periphery of the left closing portion 33L along the opening edge of the left closing portion 33L.

[0086] The depth L3 of the recess along the axial direction of the left third recess 29L (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P5 located on the inner bottom wall of the left third recess 29L to point P4 located on the tip of the left first protrusion 39L) is the protrusion height L3 of the left second protrusion 34L from the right surface of the left closing portion 33L. The length (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P6 located on the right surface of the left closing portion 33L to point P7 located at the tip of the left second protrusion 34L) is set equal to L4.

[0087] The left support shaft 18L of the second embodiment has an outer diameter smaller than that of the left third recess 29L and is formed in the shape of a circular rod that is long in the left-right direction, and a left elastic member 20L is provided on the outer peripheral surface.

[0088] The left third recess 29L in the second embodiment is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the left support shaft 18L, and the left elastic member 20L is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L and the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the space between the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L and the left support shaft 18L forms a left accommodation portion 28L that accommodates the left elastic member 20L.

[0089] As in the first embodiment, the left first massaging element 19L of the second embodiment also has a left second recess 30L formed on the right side of the left first insertion hole 24L. The left second recess 30L opens to the right (inward in the left-right direction). The tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L is disposed so as to protrude from the left second recess 30L. A retaining means (e.g., a retaining pin, not shown) is attached to the tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L to prevent the tip of the left support shaft 18L from slipping out to the right from the left second recess 30L.

[0090] A left second insertion hole 38L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed inside the left second treatment element 22L, and the left second insertion hole 38L is formed in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L so as to penetrate the left first treatment element 19L in the axial direction (the direction of the axis of the left support shaft 18L). The left support shaft 18L is inserted into the left second insertion hole 38L in a state where its movement in the left-right direction is restricted.

[0091] Specifically, in the second embodiment, a second left treatment element 22L is formed with a second left insertion hole 38L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L. Similar to the first left insertion hole 24L, the second left insertion hole 38L is formed to axially penetrate the second left treatment element 22L in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L. The left support shaft 18L is inserted through the second left insertion hole 38L so as to be movable in the left-right direction. Furthermore, a third left insertion hole 36L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed at the tip of the left arm 13L. Similar to the first left insertion hole 24L, the third left insertion hole 36L is formed to axially penetrate the left arm 13L in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L. The left third insertion hole 36L is formed adjacent to the left second insertion hole 38L with their openings aligned, and the left support shaft 18L is inserted in the left-right direction through the left third insertion hole 36L and the left second insertion hole 38L in a communicating state.

[0092] In the second embodiment, a left fifth recess 40L is formed on the left side of the left second insertion hole 38L in the left second treatment element 22L. The left fifth recess 40L opens to the left (outside in the left-right direction). The left end of the left support shaft 18L is disposed inside the left fifth recess 40L so as to protrude. A retaining pin (not shown) is attached to the left end of the left support shaft 18L to prevent the tip (left end) of the left support shaft 18L from slipping out to the right from the left fifth recess 40L. The left second treatment element 22L is rotatably supported by the left arm portion 13L in a state in which movement in the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L is restricted.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 7, when massaging a treatment area that is wide in the left-right direction, such as the shoulders, the left arm 13L and the right arm 13R are set to a treatment width (oscillation width) that is wide in the left-right direction to accommodate the wide treatment area. The first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R massage the surface of the treatment area, such as the shoulders, by stroking (rubbing) the surface. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area that is smooth, such as the shoulders, little load is applied to the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R. In other words, even when a treatment area, such as the shoulders, is massaged with the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R in the state shown in Fig. 7, no large compressive force acts on the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R, and the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R maintain their free length (i.e., are not elastically deformed) to perform the massage. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area such as the shoulders, the treatment area can be kneaded and massaged without moving the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R.

[0094] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, when massaging a long, thin and delicate treatment area such as the neck, In this case, the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R are positioned to pinch the neck, which may result in a massage that pinches the treatment area. In particular, if the treatment width (swing width) is set wide to match the treatment area such as the shoulders, when the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R may become narrower than the neck, which may result in a stronger massage sensation and discomfort to the user.

[0095] However, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment, when the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R pinch a treatment part such as the neck, a large load is generated on the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R in a direction toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (outward in the left-right direction). This causes the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R to elastically deform (outward in the left-right direction) (the coil springs constituting the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R are compressed). For example, when the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the left first recess 25L is extrapolated (pressed deeply) into the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0096] Because the inner diameter of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L slides against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L along the axis of the left support shaft 18L, and the first left treatment element 19L moves to the left (toward the left arm portion 13L, outward in the left-right direction) along the axis of the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction, thereby dissipating the force applied to the first left treatment element 19L in the direction approaching the treatment unit.

[0097] Although the above description relates to the left elastic member 20L, the right elastic member 20R also performs the same operation.

[0098] In other words, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment, when the tips of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R increases. As a result, even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, such as the neck, a soft (appropriate) massage feeling can be imparted to the massage area as much as to a wider treatment area (such as the shoulders), and the user will not feel uncomfortable.

[0099] 7 and 8, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment, the distance between the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R, which move in a direction approaching the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (moving outward in the left-right direction), and the second left treatment element 22L and the second right treatment element 22R, whose movement in the left-right direction is restricted, also changes according to the elastic deformation of the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R. Therefore, if the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R are arranged so that the treatment areas are located between the first left treatment element 19L and the second left treatment element 22L and between the first right treatment element 19R and the second right treatment element 22R, it is possible to perform a pinching massage on the treatment areas.

[0100] As described above, the depth L1 of the left fourth recess 31L along the axial direction (the direction of the axis of the left support shaft 18L) (the distance from point P1 located on the left side surface of the left first treatment element 19L to point P2 located at the deepest part of the recess of the left fourth recess 31L) is set equal to the protrusion height L2 of the left first protrusion 39L from the right side surface of the left arm section 13L (the distance L2 along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P3 located on the right side surface of the left arm section 13L to point P4 located at the tip of the left first protrusion 39L). If the distances L1 and L2 are set equal in this way, when the left arm section 13L elastically deforms, the tip of the left first protrusion 39L of the left sliding member 32L comes into contact with the recessed portion (the deepest part of the recess) of the left fourth recess 31L, restricting the movement of the left sliding member 32L, and therefore preventing an excessive force from being applied to the left elastic member 20L. Furthermore, even if the left elastic member 20L is elastically deformed, the left first massaging member 19L can be prevented from coming into contact with the left arm portion 13L, and therefore damage to the left first massaging member 19L can also be prevented.

[0101] As described above, the depth L3 of the recess along the axial direction of the left third recess 29L (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P5 located on the inner bottom wall of the left third recess 29L to point P4 located on the tip of the left first protrusion 39L) is the protrusion height L3 of the left second protrusion 34L from the right surface of the left closing portion 33L (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P6 located on the right surface of the left closing portion 33L to point P7 located on the tip of the left second protrusion 34L). The distance L3 is set equal to the distance L4 (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L to point P7 located at the tip of the left second protrusion 34L). By setting the distance L3 and the distance L4 equal in this way, when the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the tip of the left second protrusion 34L of the left sliding member 32L comes into contact with the inner bottom wall of the left third recess 29L, restricting the movement of the left sliding member 32L. This prevents excessive force from being applied to the left elastic member 20L. Furthermore, even if the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the left first massaging element 19L is prevented from coming into contact with the left arm portion 13L, thereby preventing damage to the left first massaging element 19L.

[0102] The opening on the right side of the left third recess 29L is closed by the left slide member 32L, and the left accommodation portion 28L that accommodates the left elastic member 20L is a closed space. By making the left accommodation portion 28L a space closed by the left slide member 32L in this way, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the left accommodation portion 28L and corrosion of the left elastic member 20L, thereby improving the durability of the left elastic member 20L.

[0103] In the left massage member 16L of the second embodiment, the inner diameter of the left third recess 29L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left sliding member 32L, so that the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L can slide along the axis of the left support shaft 18L relative to the outer peripheral surface of the left sliding member 32L. Therefore, when the left first treatment element 19L is moved leftward, the left third recess 29L is extrapolated onto the left sliding member 32L while maintaining the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L sliding against the outer peripheral surface of the left sliding member 32L. When the left third recess 29L is extrapolated onto the left sliding member 32L in this manner, the left first treatment element 19L can be moved reliably along the axis of the left support shaft 18L without wobbling relative to the axis.

[0104] Although the above description relates to the effects of the left massage member 16L, the right massage member 16R also provides similar effects.

[0105] Furthermore, the effects and advantages of the massage unit 10 of the first embodiment other than those described above are similarly achieved by the massage unit 10 of the second embodiment. For example, when a gripping massage is performed on the treatment area using the gripping treatment elements 41, the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R elastically deform (outward in the left-right direction) to release the force applied between the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R and the left gripping treatment element 41L and the right gripping treatment element 41R, thereby preventing discomfort to the user. This effect is also achieved by the massage unit 10 of the second embodiment.

[0106] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In particular, matters not explicitly stated in the embodiments disclosed herein, such as operating conditions, operation conditions, dimensions and weights of components, etc., do not deviate from the scope of ordinary practice by a person skilled in the art, and are matters that can be easily assumed by a person skilled in the art.

[0107] The distance, swing speed, left-right spacing, etc. of the left and right massage members described in this embodiment (the distance, swing speed, left-right spacing, etc. of the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R, or the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R, and the second left treatment element 22L and the second right treatment element 22R) can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the distance, swing speed, left-right spacing, etc. of the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R, and the left gripping treatment element 41L and the right gripping treatment element 41R can also be changed as appropriate.

[0108] Furthermore, the massage unit 10 may perform massage actions such as tapping and grabbing in addition to the kneading massage action. In this embodiment, the treatment areas are exemplified as the shoulders and neck located on the back of the user, but the treatment areas may also be areas such as the buttocks, thighs, hands, or arms.

[0109] Furthermore, although the left support shaft 18L and the right support shaft 18R in this embodiment are round rods with a hollowed-out center, the left support shaft 18L and the right support shaft 18R of the present invention may be solid rods (rods without a hollowed-out center).

[0110] For example, the length of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R of the massage unit 10, the inclination angle of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (the cam surface 12 of the rotation boss portion 11) relative to the rotation shaft 9, the separation distance between the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R, the number of treatment heads, etc. The configuration of the massage unit 10 can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the treatment range.

[0111] Furthermore, the kneading massage action by the massage unit 10 (such as the amplitude, timing, and speed of the approaching and separating movements and the swinging in the same direction to the left and right) is not limited to the actions described in this embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the condition of the treatment area (such as the area to be treated and the degree of stiffness in that area).

[0112] The basic device configuration of the massage unit 10 described in this embodiment is an example, and various device configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Chair massage machine 2 Seat part 3 Backrest 4 Armrest 5 Back massage mechanism 6 guide rails 6L Left guide rail 6R Right guide rail 7L left rack gear 7R right rack gear 8 Drive motor 8a Drive shaft 9 Rotation Axis 10 Massage Unit 11 Rotating boss part 11L Left rotation boss 11R Right rotation boss 12 Cam surface 12L left cam surface 12R right cam surface 13 Arm section 13L left arm 13R Right arm 14 Annular fitting portion 14L Left annular fitting 14R Right annular fitting 15 Foundation 16 Massage member 16L Left massage member 16R Right massage member 17 Drive mechanism 17a Drive unit 17b Conversion section 18 Support shaft 18L left support shaft 18R Right support shaft 19 1st treatment child 19L 1st treatment child on the left 19R Right 1st Treatment 20 Elastic member 20L Left elastic member 20R Right elastic member 21L Left rotation restriction part 21R Right rotation restriction part 22L 2nd treatment child on the left 22R 2nd treatment child on the right 23L Left cylindrical part 24L Left first insertion hole 25L Left 1st recess 25R Right 1st recess 26L Left cylinder inner wall 27L Left back wall 28L left compartment 28R storage section 29L Left third recess 30L Left 2nd recess 31L Left 4th recess 32L Left slide member 33L Left closure part 34L 2nd left protrusion 35L left through hole 36L Left third insertion hole 37L Left pinion gear 37R right pinion gear 38L Left second insertion hole 39L 1st left protrusion 40L Left 5th recess 41L Left-hand gripping treatment head 41R Right Grasp Treatment 42 Grasp massage mechanism 43L Left-hand grip massage member 43R Right-hand grip massage member 44L Left grip arm 45L Left first grip arm 46L Left second grip arm 47L Left second rotating boss 48L Left second annular fitting 49L Left second cam surface U user

Claims

1. A massage unit including a pair of left and right massage members provided on a base, and a drive mechanism that moves the pair of left and right massage members toward and away from each other to generate a kneading action on a treatment area, The pair of massage members arranged on the left and right sides are an arm portion having a base end supported on the base via the drive mechanism; a support shaft provided at the tip of the arm portion on the inner side in the left-right direction so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of the arm portion; a first treatment element supported on the support shaft so as to be movable along the support shaft; an elastic member that biases the first massaging element inward in the left-right direction, The elastic member is configured to elastically deform in response to a load applied to the first treatment head, and the first treatment head is configured to be movable outward in the left-right direction along the support shaft. A massage unit characterized by:

2. 2. The massage unit according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring wound around the axial center of the support shaft and around the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft.

3. The massage unit of claim 2, wherein the first treatment element has a recess formed therein, the recess is loosely fitted into the support shaft, and a storage section in which an elastic member is arranged is provided between the support shaft and the recess.

4. A massage unit as described in claim 2, wherein a recess is formed in the arm portion, the support shaft is arranged within the recess, a portion of the first treatment element is slidably fitted into the recess, and a storage portion in which an elastic member is arranged is provided between the portion of the first treatment element and the recess.

5. A massage unit as described in claim 1, wherein the first treatment element is provided on the inside in the left-right direction at the tip of the arm portion of the pair of left and right massage members, sandwiching the arm portion, and the second treatment element is provided on the outside in the left-right direction.

6. The massage unit according to claim 5, wherein the second treatment head is supported by the support shaft in a state where movement of the second treatment head in a direction along the axial center of the support shaft is restricted.

7. A gripping massage mechanism is provided to perform a gripping massage on the treatment area, The gripping massage mechanism has a gripping treatment element disposed at a distance in the up-down direction from the first treatment element, and the drive mechanism swings the gripping treatment element in the up-down direction. The massage unit according to claim 1.

8. 8. The chair-type massage machine according to claim 1, comprising a seat, a backrest, and the massage unit disposed within the backrest.

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