Massager

Abstract

To provide a massage machine capable of easily performing appropriate massage with respect to a body of a user by giving a degree of freedom between a treatment part and the body even in a mounting state and enabling adjustment of a massage object part.SOLUTION: A treatment part 11 to be rotated by a drive part 14 is rotated to give a stimulation with respect to a massage object part of a body. A support part 15 for supporting the treatment part 11 and the drive part 14 can perform position adjustment by moving the treatment part 11 supported by the support part 15 with respect to the body by enabling at least one of inclination and movement of the treatment part 11 in the neighborhood of the body. Thus, even when the position of the treatment part 11 is deviated from a part requiring massage in the body of a user, the position of the treatment part 11 is adjusted so as to allow a part desired by the user to be the massage object part. A state is appropriately shifted to the state where a stimulation related to the massage is appropriately given, so as to reliably obtain a massage effect from the treatment part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a massager that operates a treatment part held by being worn on a user's body or the like to massage a predetermined part of the body below the neck of the user.

Background Art

[0002] A variety of devices are used to massage a predetermined part of the body below the neck (including the upper and lower limbs) of the human body. As a device that can be easily used by general users, a device or instrument that is equipped with a rotating roller and presses the roller against the part of the body to be massaged while rotating the roller, and gives continuous or intermittent pressing stimulation from the roller that is symmetric or asymmetric with respect to the rotation central axis is widely used.

[0003] Such a massaging device generally has a structure in which a roller as a treatment element that can be brought into contact with various parts of the body such as the back, waist, legs, and arms, and a drive mechanism such as a motor that rotates such a roller are integrated. As an example of such a conventional massaging device, there is one shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-25164.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Conventional massagers have the configurations shown in the above patent documents and can perform massages that press and compress various parts of the body such as the legs and arms with a roller. In the case of the massaging device shown in the above patent document, it is particularly suitable for use when placed on the floor or a chair.

[0006] In the case of a stationary massage device as shown in the above patent document, since it is used in such a way that a predetermined part of the body to receive massage is placed on the massage device, in order to continuously apply stimulation to the part of the user's body where the user wants to receive massage and obtain a massage effect, the user has to maintain a certain posture and not move during the operation of the massage device.

[0007] On the other hand, in the case of a hand-held massage device, although the user does not have to maintain a stationary state during use, in order to continuously apply stimulation from the massage device, it is necessary to hold the massage device with the treatment head of the massage device attached to the part of the body to be massaged.

[0008] Thus, in both the case of a stationary massage device and the case of a hand-held massage device, during massage, the user is required to maintain a certain state with respect to the massage device, and for some users, the annoyance, burden, etc. may reduce the comfort obtained from the massage, and there may be a case where the user cannot appropriately enjoy the massage effect.

[0009] For these massage devices, there has also been proposed a wearable massage device that miniaturizes the mechanism for applying stimulation related to massage and is worn on the user's body. Since the positional relationship between the massage device and the part of the body to be massaged is maintained by wearing, the user does not have to keep the same posture with respect to the massage device without moving or continuously hold the massage device by hand, thus liberating the user from the annoyance during massage, etc., and it can be expected that the user can enjoy the massage effect to the maximum extent.

[0010] However, in the case of a wearable massage device, since the positional relationship between the massage device and the body is maintained, there is a problem that adjustments such as slightly shifting the body or the massage device to change the massage target to another desired part, which was easy in the case of a stationary or hand-held massage device, cannot be performed in the state of wearing the massage device during use of the massage device.

[0011] When changing the massage target area with such a wearable massager, it is necessary to once remove the attachment and reattach it so that the position of the treatment element corresponds to the desired position on the body where massage is desired. Even if the user wants to slightly shift the massage target area while using the massage device, it could not be quickly and easily executed.

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a massager that gives freedom to the positional relationship between the treatment part and the body even in the worn state, enables adjustment of the massage target area, and can perform a more simple and appropriate massage on the user's body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] A massager according to the disclosure of the present invention is a massager that performs massage on a massage target area from the vicinity of the massage target area on the user's body to the massage target area. The massager includes a treatment part that rotates in a state close to the massage target area and performs massage by continuously or intermittently applying stimulation to the massage target area as it rotates, a drive part that is connected to the treatment part and drives the treatment part to rotate, and at least a support part that supports the treatment part. The support part supports the treatment part so that at least one of tilting and moving along the body surface with respect to the user's body is possible.

[0014] According to the disclosure of the present invention as described above, while the treatment part that rotates by the drive part can rotate with respect to the massage target part of the body to apply stimulation, the support part that supports the treatment part enables at least one of tilting and moving of the treatment part in the vicinity of the body, and the treatment part supported by the support part can be moved with respect to the body for position adjustment. Thus, even when the position of the treatment part is displaced with respect to the part of the user's body where massage is desired, the position of the treatment part can be adjusted so that the desired part of the user becomes the massage target part, and it can shift to a state where the stimulation related to the massage is appropriately applied, and the massage effect can be surely given from the treatment part. Further, for example, effects leading to beauty such as improving blood circulation to promote metabolism, improving lymph flow to promote removal of waste products, etc., and reducing swelling can be expected.

[0015] Further, according to the massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention, if necessary, the treatment part is provided with a hole or a hollow part capable of accommodating part or all of the drive part, and is rotatable around the drive part disposed in the hole or the hollow part.

[0016] According to the disclosure of the present invention as described above, the drive part is disposed in the hole or the hollow part provided in the treatment part, and the treatment part driven by this drive part rotates around the drive part to enable application of the stimulation related to the massage. Thus, the treatment part is positioned around the drive part, and the dimension of the treatment part and the drive part combined in the rotation axis direction of the treatment part can be suppressed by the amount that the treatment part overlaps with the drive part in the rotation axis direction of the treatment part. The space required for the arrangement of the treatment part and the drive part in this rotation axis direction can be reduced, and the massage device can be made compact.

[0017] Further, according to the massage device according to the disclosure of the present invention, if necessary, the support part has a support frame that supports the drive part, the support frame is provided with a hole or a hollow part capable of accommodating part or all of the drive part, the drive part is housed and supported in the hole or the hollow part, the drive part is disposed in the hole or the hollow part of the treatment part via the support frame, and the treatment part rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the support frame.

[0018] According to the disclosure of the present invention as described above, the driving part supported by the support frame is disposed in the circular cross-sectional hole or hollow part of the treatment part through this support frame, and the treatment part rotates around the driving part along the outer peripheral surface of the support frame, enabling the application of stimulation related to massage. As a result, even when a reaction force from the body is applied to the treatment part during massage, such a force is not transmitted to the driving part supported by the support frame, and it does not affect the rotational drive of the treatment part by the driving part. The rotation of the treatment part can be stabilized, and massage can be performed without problems.

[0019] Moreover, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the massager may, if necessary, have the support part composed of a first support body that rotatably supports the treatment part and a second support body that engages the first support body so that at least one of tilting and moving within a predetermined movable range is possible. The second support body faces the side of the user's body where the treatment part is located and is arranged in a state of not moving relative to the user's body.

[0020] According to the disclosure of the present invention as described above, the support part has a combined structure of a first support body and a second support body. While the first support body rotatably supports the treatment part, the first support body is engaged with the second support body so that at least one of tilting and moving is possible. By moving the first support body located closer to the body together with the treatment part with respect to the second support body arranged in a state of not moving relative to the user's body, a state where the position of the treatment part can be adjusted together with the first support body and appropriate stimulation can be applied to the massage target location can be obtained without difficulty, and massage can be surely performed on the part of the user where massage is desired by the treatment part.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the massager may, if necessary, have a part of the first support body of the support part extending through or bypassing the second support body to a position farther from the second support body than the treatment part. Together with the other part of the first support body, at least one of tilting and moving is possible with respect to the second support body. With the support part arranged facing the side of the user's body where the treatment part is located, a part of the first support body is operably exposed outside the second support body.

[0022] According to the disclosure of the present invention as described above, a part of the first support in the support part is arranged so as to reach a position farther from the treatment part than the second support. When the support part is arranged with the side having the treatment part facing the user's body, a part of the first support that extends through or bypasses the second support is exposed outside the second support. By the user operating this part, and moving the other part of the first support together with the treatment part with respect to the second support, if a part of the first support is operated from the outside, the other part of the first support located closer to the body than the second support can be directly moved. The treatment part supported by this first support can be smoothly adjusted in position, and a state can be obtained in which a massage can be surely performed on the part of the user where a massage is desired with the treatment part. Further, when adjusting the position of the treatment part, by operating a part of the first support that supports the treatment part, the treatment part can be easily moved and adjusted in position, eliminating the annoyance associated with adjusting the position of the treatment part for the user, shortening the time until a correct massage can be performed on the part of the user where a massage is desired with the treatment part, and enabling the massage to be executed without impairing the relaxation feeling due to the massage.

[0023] Further, the massager according to the disclosure of the present invention, if necessary, has a shaft-shaped base part to which the treatment part is connected and is rotatable, and a treatment element that is detachably attached to the base part as a convex part protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base part.

[0024] According to the disclosure of the present invention as described above, the treatment part has a combined structure of a base part and a treatment element. With respect to the base part connected to the drive part, the treatment element is in a protruding state and one or more are attached. As the protruding treatment element moves in a circular motion with the rotation of the base part, a changing stimulation state is created between the part where the treatment element protrudes and the part where the treatment element does not exist with respect to the massage target part of the body close to the treatment part. Thus, a changing stimulation related to massage can be applied with a simple structure, and an efficient massage effect can be given to the massage target part. Further, the method of applying the stimulation related to massage can be easily adjusted by detaching and replacing the treatment element with respect to the base part, and a massage according to the user's preference can be performed.

[0025] In addition, according to the present invention, the massage device may, if necessary, have a plurality of holes in the base portion of the treatment unit arranged side by side in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the treatment unit, through which the treatment element can be detachably attached by fitting or screwing, and the treatment element is attached to any one of the plurality of holes in the base portion.

[0026] Thus, according to the present invention, for the plurality of holes arranged side by side in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the rotation of the base portion of the treatment unit, the treatment element is arranged by fitting or screwing, and the detachable treatment element can be arranged in any hole in the base portion. By adjusting the attachment position of the treatment element with respect to the base portion, the position and period of the stimulation that can be imparted by the treatment element can be set finely and flexibly, and the massage desired by the user can be executed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] (The First Embodiment of the Present Invention) Hereinafter, a massager according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 above. In each of the above figures, a massager 1 according to the present embodiment includes a treatment part 11 capable of performing a massage on a massage target part of a user, a drive part 14 that drives the treatment part 11, and a support part 15 that supports the treatment part 11 and the drive part 14.

[0029] The massage device 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that the treatment unit 11, the drive unit 14, and the support unit 15, which are integrally assembled, are covered with a cover 10 made of a flexible material such as cloth. This cover 10 has a known winding function that covers and protects the treatment unit 11, the drive unit 14, and the support unit 15, and enables the amount of winding around the body to be adjusted with a hook-and-loop fastener or the like. The massage device 1 is attached to a predetermined location on the user's body where massage is to be received by the winding function of this cover 10, and massage is performed on this predetermined location as the massage target location.

[0030] Needless to say, the cover 10 is formed of a strong and flexible material that does not break even after contact, friction with the user and other objects, and execution of massage by the treatment unit 11. Also, among the cover 10, the portion that is closest to the body and directly touches the body in the mounted state of the massage device 1 may be made detachable from the other portions of the cover 10 so that it can be removed and replaced, washed, and reused as necessary.

[0031] When the massage device 1 is attached to the user's body, the treatment unit 11 is arranged close to the surface of the body that becomes the massage target location, and in a state of being close to such a massage target location, it rotates by the drive of the drive unit 14, and performs massage by intermittently applying stimulation to the massage target location accompanying the rotation.

[0032] Specifically, the treatment unit 11 includes a hollow shaft-shaped base portion 12 that is connected to the drive unit 14 and is rotatable, and a plurality of treatment elements 13 that are attached to the base portion 12 as convex portions protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 12.

[0033] The base portion 12 is provided with a hole 11c having a circular cross-sectional shape as a hollow portion, and this hole 11c is sized to be able to partially accommodate the drive unit 14 and the support frame 18 that supports it. The base portion 12 is made rotatable along the outer peripheral surface of the support frame 18 around the drive unit 14 disposed in this hole 11c.

[0034] By rotating the treatment unit 11 outside the drive unit 14 in this way, the size of the mechanism formed by combining the treatment unit 11 and the drive unit 14 in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the treatment unit 11 can be significantly reduced by the amount that the treatment unit 11 overlaps the drive unit 14 in the axial direction of the rotation axis of the treatment unit 11, and the space required for arranging the treatment unit 11 and the drive unit 14 can be suppressed.

[0035] The treatment element 13 is formed as a mountain-shaped convex body like an inverted triangular prism. The treatment elements 13 are respectively attached to a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 12 so as to have a positional relationship that does not abut each other in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the rotation of the treatment unit 11.

[0036] Three treatment elements 13 having different sizes and corner roundness are displaced in the axial direction of the base portion 12 with respect to the base portion 12 and are displaced so as to form an interval of 120° in the circumferential direction of the base portion 12. By appropriately setting the size, arrangement position, number of arrangements, etc. of the treatment elements 13, the massage to be performed can be changed. For example, by reducing the number of treatment elements 13 and making the treatment elements 13 not adjacent to each other in the axial direction and the rotation direction of the treatment unit 11 and leaving an interval between the treatment elements, the massage state can be given strength (ebb and flow).

[0037] The drive unit 14 is connected to the treatment unit 11, specifically, the end of the base portion 12 of the treatment unit 11, and drives and rotates it. Specifically, the drive unit 14 is a geared motor in which a motor and a gear box are integrally combined, and a configuration in which the output shaft 14a at the tip is connected to the base portion 12 to rotationally drive the treatment unit 11. The geared motor forming the drive unit 14 is a known elongated substantially cylindrical shape in which a motor and a gear box are integrated in series, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0038] This drive unit 14 is inserted and disposed in a substantially cylindrical support frame 18 and is supported by the support portion 15 via this support frame 18. Then, outside the drive unit 14, the base portion 12 of the treatment unit 11 is rotatably arranged via the support frame 18. In this case, it can also be said that the drive unit 14 is arranged in the hole 11c of the treatment unit 11 via the support frame 18.

[0039] The support portion 15 supports the treatment unit 11 and the drive unit 14. In particular, with the massager 1 arranged near the user's body, the support portion 15 supports the treatment unit 11 and the drive unit 14 so that both tilting and moving along the body surface with respect to the user's body are possible.

[0040] Specifically, the support portion 15 includes a first support body 16 that rotatably supports the treatment unit 11 and integrally attaches the drive unit 14, and a second support body 17 that engages the first support body 16 so that both tilting and moving within a predetermined movable range are possible.

[0041] The first support body 16 has a substantially plate-shaped base portion 16a, a substantially cylindrical support frame 18 to which the drive unit 14 is attached inside, a shaft support portion 16c that rotatably supports the end portion of the treatment unit 11, and an extension portion 16d that is screwed and provided to the base portion 16a on the surface opposite to the side where the support frame 18 of the base portion 16a is located.

[0042] The base portion 16a is configured such that the support frame 18 and the shaft support portion 16c are disposed on one surface of the substantially plate-shaped body, and a convex portion 16g that penetrates the second support body 17 is formed on the other surface opposite to the side where the support frame 18 and the like are located.

[0043] The support frame 18 is provided with a hole portion capable of accommodating a predetermined range from the tip portion where the output shaft 14a of the drive unit 14 is located, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and integrally disposed on the base portion 16a. The outer peripheral surface of the support frame 18 is a sliding contact surface with which the inner peripheral surface of the base portion 12 of the treatment unit 11 slides, and the base portion 12 of the treatment unit 11 connected to the output shaft 14a of the drive unit 14 is slid with respect to the support frame 18 to rotatably support the treatment unit 11.

[0044] The support frame 18 has a plurality of grooves drilled on its outer periphery in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis, so that lubricants such as grease introduced between the treatment unit 11 and the support frame 18 are likely to accumulate in these grooves, thereby maintaining the lubrication state between the treatment unit 11 and the support frame 18 when the treatment unit 11 rotates. Also, on the inner periphery of the support frame 18, a plurality of ribs are formed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drive unit 14 to hold the position of the drive unit 14.

[0045] The extension part 16d is engaged with a convex part 16g penetrating the second support 17 in the base part 16a, and is a part of the first support 16 that extends to a position farther from the second support 17 than the treatment part 11 and the drive part 14. This extension part 16d is fastened to the base part 16a with a screw 16f in a state where the second support 17 is sandwiched between it and the base part 16a.

[0046] When the fastening screw 16f is loosened, the extension part 16d is engaged with the base part 16a while allowing movement closer to or away from the base part 16a, while restraining movement in other directions. And when the screw 16f is loosened to move the extension part 16d away from the base part 16a and weaken the force of clamping the second support 17 by the extension part 16d and the base part 16a, the extension part 16d can be tilted integrally with other parts of the first support 16 including the base part 16a with respect to the second support 17, and can be translated along the second support 17 within the movable range regulated by the second support 17.

[0047] That is, by adjusting the fastening strength of the extension part 16d of the first support 16 to the base part 16a with the screw 16f, the clamping degree of the second support 17 by the extension part 16d and the base part 16a in the positional relationship of sandwiching the second support 17 can be adjusted, and the state of moving the first support 16 with respect to the second support 17 and the fixed state can be switched.

[0048] The second support 17 is a plate-like body provided with a through-hole 17a at its central portion. The second support 17 engages with the first support 16 by passing a part of the base portion 16a of the first support 16 through the through-hole 17a at the central portion and sandwiching it between the base portion 16a and the extension portion 16d, making it tiltable, and enabling the first support 16 to move within the range where a part of the base portion 16a passing through the through-hole 17a can move within the through-hole 17a.

[0049] With the second support 17 in a state where the massager 1 is arranged near the user's body, the treatment part 11, the drive part 14, and the side where the first support 16 is located are directed toward the user's body, and it is arranged in a state where it does not move relative to the user's body. For example, the second support 17 is attached to the cover 10 of the massager 1 so as not to move. After directing the treatment part side of the massager 1 toward the part of the user's body where massage is desired, when the massager 1 is attached to the user's body by winding and locking a belt-like portion connected to the second support 17 or the cover 10 around the body, it can be arranged in a state where it does not move relative to the body.

[0050] With respect to such a second support 17, the convex portion 16g on the base portion 16a of the first support 16 penetrates the second support 17 and the extension portion 16d is attached to maintain the engagement with the second support 17, and the extension portion 16d is arranged at a position farther from the second support 17 than the treatment part 11 and the drive part 14. The extension portion 16d, together with the other parts of the first support 16, is capable of both tilting and moving with respect to the second support 17. When the support portion 15 is arranged with the side where the treatment part 11 and the drive part 14 are located facing the user's body, the extension portion 16d is operably exposed outside the second support 17.

[0051] Next, the massage execution state of the user of the massager according to the present embodiment will be described. As a premise, it is assumed that the massager 1 is in a state where the cover 10 of the massager 1 is wound around the body so that the treatment part 11 faces a predetermined part of the body where the user desires to receive a massage, and is attached by engaging a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

[0052] When the treatment part 11 is slightly displaced from the desired position of the user in the mounted state of the massager, the first support 16 is moved using the extension part 16d appearing on the outside of the massager 1, and the position of the treatment part 16 attached thereto is adjusted.

[0053] Specifically, the screw 16f fixing the extension part 16d to the base part 16a in the first support 16 is loosened, the clamping of the second support 17 by the extension part 16d and the base part 16a is relaxed, and the first support 16 can be moved with respect to the second support 17.

[0054] The position of the first support 16 including the outer extension part 16d is adjusted by operating the outer extension part 16d. When the treatment part 11 is positioned at the desired position, the screw of the extension part 16d is tightened to strengthen the clamping of the second support 17 by the extension part 16d and the base part 16a, and the first support 16 is fixed with respect to the second support 17. Thereby, the state in which the treatment part 11 is positioned at the part of the user where massage is desired as the massage target part is maintained.

[0055] When the user operates the massager 1 and gives an instruction to execute massage, the drive part 14 operates to rotate the treatment part 11. By the rotation of the treatment part 11, a state is obtained in which each treatment element 13 on the base part 12 protrudes and retracts with respect to the massage target part. In this way, the state of sequentially applying pressing stimulation to the massage target part through the cover 10 from each treatment element 13 is repeated, and a desired massage effect can be obtained at this massage target part.

[0056] When performing massage on another slightly displaced location following the current massage target location, once the execution of the massage is stopped, similar to the position adjustment before use, loosen the screw 16f that fixes the extension part 16d to the base part 16a of the first support 16, relax the clamping of the second support 17 by the extension part 16d and the base part 16a, and make it possible to move the first support 16 relative to the second support 17. Then, operate the extension part 16d to adjust the position of the treatment part 11 that moves integrally with it. When the treatment part 11 is positioned at the desired location, tighten the screw of the extension part 16d to strengthen the clamping of the second support 17 by the extension part 16d and the base part 16a, and fix the first support 16 relative to the second support 17 in a fixed state. As a result, the treatment part 11 is held at a new position, and it becomes possible to perform massage on a desired location different from before.

[0057] Note that prior to adjusting the position of the treatment part 11, by weakening the execution intensity of the massage in the massager through the user's operation or automatic control, for example, limiting the rotation speed of the treatment part 11 by the drive part 14 so as not to overly stimulate the body, or making adjustments such as appropriately moving the treatment part 11 and the first support 16 that supports it away from the body. If a certain level of safety is ensured for the operation of the treatment part 11, it is also possible to perform the position adjustment while continuing the execution of the massage by the rotation of the treatment part 11, making it easier for the user to make the adjustment of associating the desired location where the user wants to receive a new massage with the treatment part 11.

[0058] Also, after the state where the treatment part 11 is rotated to execute the massage, by the user operating the extension part 16d to appropriately adjust the position of the first support 16 and the treatment part 11 integrated with it, the user can execute the massage at an arbitrary position within the range where the first support 16 can be tilted and moved relative to the second support 17.

[0059] As described above, in the massager according to the present embodiment, the treatment unit 11 rotated by the drive unit 14 can rotate with respect to the massage target area to apply stimulation. On the other hand, the support unit 15 that supports the treatment unit 11 and the drive unit 14 enables the treatment unit 11 to tilt and move, and the treatment unit 11 supported by the support unit 15 can be moved with respect to the body for position adjustment. Therefore, when the initial position of the treatment unit 11 is displaced with respect to the desired area where the user wants to receive a massage, or when the user wants to receive a massage at a new desired area after receiving a massage, the position of the treatment unit 11 can be adjusted to shift to a state where the stimulation related to the massage is appropriately applied to the correct area, and the massage effect can be surely given from the treatment unit 11.

[0060] Further, based on at least one of the adjustment by tilting and moving using the support unit 15 and the adjustment by the arrangement of the treatment elements 13, the massage form of the treatment unit 11 can be arbitrarily set, and a massage effect (beauty effect) adapted to the desired area of the user can be given.

[0061] And, the massager according to the present embodiment can be expected to contribute to the achievement of some of the 17 goals indicated by the "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" defined by the United Nations, for example, "3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages" and "12: Take responsibility for production and consumption (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns)".

[0062] (Second Embodiment of the Present Invention) The massager according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. In each of the above figures, the massager 2 according to the present embodiment includes a treatment unit 21, a drive unit 24, and a support unit 25, similar to the first embodiment. However, as a difference, instead of positioning the treatment unit outside the drive unit 24, it has a configuration in which the treatment unit 21 is connected in series with the drive unit 24.

[0063] The massager 2 according to this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, has a treatment unit 21, a drive unit 24, and a support unit 25 covered with a cover 20 made of a flexible material such as cloth. By the winding function of the cover 20, it is attached to a predetermined location on the user's body where a massage is to be received, and massage is performed with this predetermined location as the massage target location.

[0064] Similar to the first embodiment, when the massager 1 is placed near the massage target location on the user's body, the treatment unit 21 is close to the massage target location and rotates in a state close to this massage target location, and performs massage by intermittently applying stimulation to the massage target location accompanying the rotation.

[0065] Specifically, the treatment unit 21 includes a solid shaft-shaped base portion 22 that is connected to the drive unit 24 and is rotatable, and a plurality of treatment elements 23 that are detachably attached to the base portion 22 as convex portions protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 22.

[0066] The base portion 22 is connected to the output shaft of the drive unit 24 so as to be in series with the drive unit 24. The end portion of the base portion 22 that is not connected to the output shaft of the drive unit 24 is supported separately by a bearing or the like. The base portion 22 is rotatable in the vicinity of the connected drive unit 24.

[0067] Further, the base portion 22 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 22a on its outer peripheral surface for making the treatment element 23 detachable by fitting or screwing, arranged in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the rotation of the treatment unit 21. For example, in order to increase the degree of freedom in arranging the treatment element 23, the base portion 22 has a structure in which the mounting holes 22a are provided at intervals of a rotation angle of 60° in the circumferential direction of the base portion 22 that coincides with the rotation direction of the treatment unit 21. Note that the mounting holes 22a are not limited to bottomed holes and may be through holes.

[0068] Similar to the first embodiment, the treatment element 23 is formed as a mountain-shaped convex body like an inverted triangular prism. However, this treatment element 23 is configured to be attached to a plurality of mounting holes on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 22 that are not adjacent to each other in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the rotation of the treatment portion 21, respectively, by fitting or screwing.

[0069] Three treatment elements 23 with different sizes and rounded corners are axially shifted with respect to the base portion 22 and circumferentially shifted with an interval of 120° rotation angle with respect to the base portion 22. By appropriately setting and adjusting the size, arrangement position, number of arrangements, etc. of the treatment element 23, the massage performed can be changed. For example, by reducing the number of treatment elements 23 and arranging the treatment elements 23 so that they are not adjacent to each other in the rotation axis direction and the rotation direction of the treatment portion 21 and leaving an interval between the treatment elements, the massage state can be given strength (ebb and flow). Note that the treatment element is not limited to a mountain shape, and any convex shape, for example, a hemispherical shape, can be used (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

[0070] The drive unit 24 is connected to the treatment unit 21, specifically, the end of the base portion 22 of the treatment unit 21, and drives and rotates it. Specifically, the drive unit 24 is a geared motor in which a motor and a gearbox are integrally combined, and the output shaft 24a at the tip is connected to one end of the base portion 22 to rotationally drive the treatment unit 21. The geared motor forming the drive unit 24 is a known slender substantially cylindrical shape in which a motor and a gearbox are integrated in series, similar to the first embodiment, and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0071] The support unit 25 supports the treatment unit 21 and the drive unit 24. In particular, with the massage device 2 arranged in the vicinity of the massage target area on the user's body, the support unit 25 supports the treatment unit 21 and the drive unit 24 so that both tilting and moving along the body surface with respect to the user's body are possible.

[0072] The support unit 25 includes, in detail, a first support body 26 that rotatably supports the treatment unit 21 and integrally attaches the drive unit 24, and a second support body 27 that is provided with a through hole 27a at the center and engages the first support body 26 so that both tilting and movement are possible within a predetermined movable range set by the through hole 27a.

[0073] The first support body 26 includes a substantially plate-shaped base portion 26a, a support base portion 26b to which the tip side portion of the drive unit 24 is attached, a shaft support portion 26c that rotatably supports the other end portion of the base portion 22 of the treatment unit 21 connected to the output shaft 24a of the drive unit 24, and an extension portion 26d that is screwed to the base portion 26a on the surface opposite to the side where the support base portion 26b and the shaft support portion 26c are located.

[0074] The base portion 26a has a support base portion 26b and a shaft support portion 26c disposed on one surface of a substantially plate-like body, and a convex portion 26g that penetrates the through hole 27a of the second support body 27 is formed on the other surface opposite to the side where the support base portion 26b and the like are located.

[0075] The extension portion 26d engages with the convex portion 26g that penetrates the second support body 27 of the base portion 26a, and is a part that extends to a position farther from the second support body 27 than the treatment unit 21 and the drive unit 24 among the first support body 26. The extension portion 26d is fastened to the base portion 26a with a screw 26f in a state where the second support body 27 is sandwiched between the extension portion 26d and the base portion 26a.

[0076] When the fastening screw is loosened, the extension portion 26d is engaged with the base portion 26a in a state where movement closer to or away from the base portion 26a is allowed while movement in other directions is restricted. When the extension portion 26d is moved away from the base portion 26a by loosening the screw and the force for clamping the second support body 27 by the extension portion 26d and the base portion 26a is weakened, the base portion 26a and other parts of the first support body including the base portion 26a are integrally tilted with respect to the second support body 27 and can move in each direction along the second support body 27 within a predetermined range where the second support body 27 is not restricted.

[0077] That is, by adjusting the fastening strength of the extending portion 26d of the first support 26 to the base portion 26a with the screw 26f, the clamping degree of the second support 27 by the extending portion 26d and the base portion 26a in the positional relationship of sandwiching the second support 27 is adjusted, and the first support 26 can be switched between a state where it can move relative to the second support 27 and a fixed state. In addition to the screw 26f for adjusting the fastening strength, a screw that is screwed into the first support 26 and the second support 27 is provided, and the position of the first support 26 relative to the second support 27 can be changed by rotating this screw, etc., so that the first support 26 can be configured to be able to adjust the position in the approaching and separating directions with respect to the body.

[0078] The second support 27 is, as in the first embodiment, a plate-like body provided with a through-hole 27a in the central portion. This second support 27 is configured such that a part of the base portion 26a of the first support 26 penetrates through the through-hole 27a in the central portion and is sandwiched between the base portion 26a and the extending portion 26d, so as to engage with the first support 26 and be tiltable and movable within the range of the through-hole 27a.

[0079] This second support 27 is arranged in a state where the massager 2 is placed near the massage target part on the user's body, facing the side where the treatment part 21, the drive part 24, and the first support 26 are located, and is arranged in a state where it does not move relative to the user's body by being attached with the cover 20.

[0080] With respect to such a second support 27, the convex portion 26g on the base portion 26a of the first support 26 penetrates through the second support 27, and the extending portion 26d is attached to maintain the engagement with the second support 27, and the extending portion 26d is arranged at a position farther from the second support 27 than the treatment part 21 and the drive part 24. The extending portion 26d, together with the other parts of the first support 26, is capable of both tilting and moving with respect to the second support 27. In a state where the support unit 25 is arranged facing the side where the treatment unit 21 and the drive unit 24 are located with respect to the user's body, the extension part 26d is operably exposed outside the second support body 27.

[0081] Next, the massage execution state of the user of the massager according to the present embodiment will be described. On the premise that, similar to the first embodiment, the massager 2 is in a state where the cover 20 of the massager 2 is wound around the body so that the treatment unit 21 faces a predetermined position of the body where the user wants to receive a massage, and is attached by engaging a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

[0082] When the treatment unit 21 is slightly displaced from the desired position of the user in the mounted state of the massager, the first support body 26 is moved using the extension part 26d appearing outside the massager 2, and the position of the treatment unit 26 attached thereto is adjusted.

[0083] Specifically, the screw 26f that fixes the extension part 26d to the base part 26a of the first support body 26 is loosened, the clamping of the second support body 27 by the extension part 26d and the base part 26a is relaxed, and the first support body 26 can be moved with respect to the second support body 27.

[0084] The outer extension part 26d is operated to adjust the positions of the first support body 26 including the extension part 26d and the treatment unit 21. When the treatment unit 21 is positioned at a desired position, the screw of the extension part 26d is tightened to strengthen the clamping of the second support body 27 by the extension part 26d and the base part 26a, and the first support body 26 is fixed with respect to the second support body 27. As a result, the state where the treatment unit 21 is positioned at the position where the user wants to receive a massage as the massage target location is maintained.

[0085] When the user operates the massager 2 to give an instruction to execute a massage, the drive unit 24 operates to rotate the treatment unit 21. By rotating the treatment unit 21, a state is obtained in which each treatment element 23 on the base unit 22 protrudes and retracts with respect to the massage target area. In this way, the state of sequentially applying a pressing stimulus from each treatment element 23 to the massage target area via the cover 20 is repeated, and a desired massage effect can be obtained at the massage target area.

[0086] When performing a massage on another slightly displaced location following the current massage target area, the operation of the drive unit 24 is stopped, and once the execution of the massage is interrupted, similar to the position adjustment before use, the screw 26f that fixes the extension portion 26d to the base portion 26a of the first support 26 is loosened, and the clamping of the second support 27 by the extension portion 26d and the base portion 26a is relaxed so that the first support 26 can be moved with respect to the second support 27. Then, the position of the treatment unit 21 that moves integrally with the extension portion 26d is adjusted by operating the extension portion 26d. When the treatment unit 21 is positioned at a desired location, the screw of the extension portion 26d is tightened as before to strengthen the clamping of the second support 27 by the extension portion 26d and the base portion 26a, and the first support 26 is fixed with respect to the second support 27. As a result, the treatment unit 21 is held at a new position, and a massage on a desired location different from before can be executed.

[0087] In addition, when changing the manner of applying the stimulus related to the massage, it can be dealt with by changing the rotation speed of the treatment unit 21 by driving the drive unit 24. Alternatively, once the execution of the massage is stopped, the massager 2 can be removed from the body, and it may also be dealt with by changing the position, number, etc. of each treatment element 23 on the base unit 22 of the treatment unit 21.

[0088] As described above, in the massager according to the present embodiment, the treatment elements 23 are disposed by fitting or screwing into a plurality of mounting holes 22a provided side by side in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the rotation of the base unit 22 of the treatment unit 21, and the detachable treatment elements 23 can be arranged in any mounting hole in the base unit 22. Therefore, by adjusting the attachment position of the treatment elements 23 with respect to the base unit 22, the position and period of the stimulus that can be applied by the treatment elements 21 can be set finely and flexibly, and a desired massage by the user can be executed.

[0089] In the first embodiment, a part of the first support 16 penetrates through the through-hole 17a of the second support 17, and the first support 16 is engaged with the second support 17. However, the combined state of the first support 16 and the second support 17 is not limited to this. For example, a part (protrusion) of the first support penetrates through a regulation hole with a predetermined shape provided in the second support and is movably engaged within the hole, thereby setting the movable range of the first support with respect to the second support.

[0090] Also, in the massagers according to the first and second embodiments, as parts of the first supports 16 and 26, extension portions 16d and 26d are provided which extend to positions farther from the second supports 17 and 27 than the treatment portions 11 and 21 and the drive portions 14 and 24. By the user moving these extension portions 16d and 26d, within a predetermined movable range set by the through-holes 17a and 27a of the second supports 17 and 27, the other parts of the first supports 16 and 26 and the treatment portions 11 and 21 can be translated and tilted with respect to the second supports 17 and 27. However, alternatively, one or more actuators for moving the first support with respect to the second support can be provided, and within the movable range set by the through-holes or the like in the second support, the tilting and movement of the first support with respect to the second support are caused by the actuators, and while automatically adjusting the position of the treatment portion supported by the first support, a configuration can also be adopted in which massage by the treatment portion is executed.

[0091] Furthermore, in the massagers according to the first and second embodiments, as a part of the first supports 16 and 26 in the support parts 15 and 25, there are provided convex parts 16g and 26g that protrude from the base parts 16a and 26a and penetrate the second supports 17 and 27, and extending parts 16d and 26d that engage with the convex parts 16g and 26g and are arranged at positions farther from the second supports 17 and 27 than the treatment parts 11 and 21. In the state where the massager is attached to the body, the first supports 16 and 26 are moved using the extending parts 16d and 26d that appear outside the massagers 1 and 2, and the positions of the treatment parts 16 and 26 attached thereto can be adjusted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A part of the first support detours around the second support and extends to a position farther from the second support than the treatment part, and this part is used to move the other part of the first support and the treatment part attached thereto with respect to the second support. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, it extends from the base part 16a of the first support 16 along the second support 17, further crosses the edge of the second support 17, and wraps around to a part on the side opposite to the side of the second support 17 facing the first support 16 Extension part 16e is formed, and this Extension part 16e is operated to move the entire first support 16, and a configuration that enables adjustment of the position of the treatment part 11 may also be adopted.

[0092] (The third embodiment of the present invention) In the massager according to the first embodiment, the convex portion of the first support 16 is passed through the wide through hole 17a of the second support 17, and the movable range of the convex portion is restricted by the through hole 17a, so that the first support 16 can be translated and tilted with respect to the second support 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As a third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 20, the second support 37 includes a substantially plate-shaped base portion 38 and a substantially plate-shaped auxiliary portion 39 disposed so as to be tiltable (rotatable) along the base portion 38. A part (convex portion) of the first support 36 penetrates through a regulation hole 39a having a predetermined shape provided in the auxiliary portion 39 and engages with the inside of the hole so as to be movable, whereby the first support 36 and the auxiliary portion 39 together with respect to the base portion 38 of the second support 37 Around the axis perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the treatment part are tiltable, and within the movement range restricted by the regulation hole 39a, the first support 37 is In the direction parallel to the rotation axis direction of the treatment part translatable along the second support 37.

[0093] Furthermore, the auxiliary portion 39 can be replaced with another auxiliary portion having a different regulation hole shape (see FIGS. 21 and 22), and the degree of freedom of position adjustment by the movement of the first support with respect to the second support can be changed by such regulation holes 39b and 39c.

[0094] (Fourth Embodiment of the Present Invention) In the massager according to the first embodiment, while the convex portion of the first support 16 penetrates through the through hole 17a of the second support 17, the base portion 16a and the extension portion 16d of the first support 16 are arranged so as to sandwich the second support 17. When the extension portion 16d is moved, the other part of the first support 16 and the treatment portion 11 can be translated and tilted with respect to the second support 17. In addition, as a fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 28, with the first support 46 and the second support 47 overlapping, while penetrating both the restriction hole 46a having a predetermined shape provided in the first support 46 and the restriction hole 47a having a predetermined shape provided in the second support 47, a connecting body 48 is provided to constrain the first support 46 and the second support 47 to maintain a state of overlapping without separating from each other. When the connecting body 48 is moved by the operation of the user, the first support 46 engaged with the connecting body 48 can be moved together.

[0095] For example, if the restriction hole 47a of the second support 47 is formed by combining one or more linear long holes (see FIGS. 25 and 26), when the connecting body 48 penetrates through the restriction hole 47a of the second support and is engaged so as to be movable within the hole, when the connecting body 48 is moved with respect to the second support 47, the first support 46 engaged with the connecting body 48 and the treatment portion 41 integrated therewith can be translated along the second support 47. In this case, the restriction hole 46a of the first support 46 has a shape in which the first support 46 can move relatively with respect to the connecting body 48. For example, it has an arc-shaped hole shape corresponding to the connecting body 48 that penetrates the first support 46 at two locations (see FIG. 28). The first support 46 can be tilted with respect to the connecting body 48, and the degree of freedom in adjusting the position of the first support 46 with respect to the second support 47 can be increased.

[0096] Conversely, the restricting holes of the second support are formed as arc-shaped hole shapes corresponding to the connecting body that penetrates the second support at two locations, enabling the connecting body to tilt with respect to the second support. When the connecting body is tilted with respect to the second support, the first support engaged with the connecting body and the treatment part integrated therewith can be tilted with respect to the second support. If the restricting holes of the first support are formed in a shape combining one or more linear long holes, the first support can move parallel to the second support along the second support, and similarly, the degree of freedom in adjusting the position of the first support with respect to the second support can be increased.

[0097] (Fifth Embodiment of the Present Invention) In the massager according to the first embodiment, the second support 17 is sandwiched between the base portion 16a and the extending portion 16d of the first support 16. When the extending portion 16d is moved, the other portion of the first support 16 and the treatment portion 11 can be translated and tilted with respect to the second support 17. In addition, as a fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the first support 56 is connected to the second support 57 so as to be tiltable in a state where they overlap, and an operation piece 58 that protrudes from the second support 57 toward the first support side and engages with the first support 56 in an interlocking manner is provided. When the operation piece 58 is moved by the operation of the user, the first support 56 interlocked therewith can be tilted.

[0098] Specifically, the operating piece 58 is rotatably supported by the second support 57 and includes a gear portion 58a that protrudes toward the first support side and a knob portion 58b that is integrally connected to the gear portion 58a to enable the user to rotate the gear portion 58a. An arc-shaped hole 56a centered on the tilting center position of the first support 56 is formed in the first support 56, and a rack 56b arranged in an arc shape is provided at the edge of the arc-shaped hole 56a. When the gear portion 58a of the operating piece is inserted into the arc-shaped hole 56a in the first support 56 and meshes with the rack 56b, rotating the operating piece 58 relative to the second support 57 causes the rack 56b that meshes with the rotating gear portion 58a to move, tilting the first support 57 and the treatment portion 51 integral with it relative to the second support 57.

[0099] After adjusting the tilt with the knob portion 58b, a mechanism can be adopted in which a fixture 58d screwed onto the male screw portion 58c of the operating piece 58 is tightened to closely contact the second support 57, fixing the operating piece 58 so that it does not rotate, to prevent the operating piece 58 from moving unintentionally.

[0100] As yet another example, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 34, the operating piece 58 may not have a knob portion, and it may be configured such that the operating piece 58 cannot be rotated without using a predetermined special tool during operation. For example, when a massager is provided to the user on loan or otherwise by a predetermined administrator, unintentional position changes of the treatment portion that have been adjusted by the administrator due to unnecessary operations by the user can be prevented.

[0101] In addition, in the massager according to each of the above embodiments, the massager is wound around the body or the like so that the treatment unit faces the part of the user's body where massage is desired, and the treatment unit can be adjusted in position while allowing massage by the treatment unit. However, in correspondence with any part below the neck of the body to be massaged, the mounting mode of the massager can be selected. In addition to the one mounted by winding, for example, it may be in a mounted state by inserting the foot or leg into something like shoes or boots, or in a mounted state by inserting the hand or arm into something like gloves, long gloves, or arm covers, or in a mounted state by wearing it like clothes.

[0102] Also, as long as the massager is located near the user's body and the treatment unit can perform massage from near the part of the body to be massaged, the massager is not limited to being used while mounted. Depending on the part where massage is desired, for example, the massager can be held by hand or held between both hands so that the treatment unit can massage the palm, or the massager can be sandwiched between the arms or legs for massage of the arms or legs, or the massager can be held in front of the chest or abdomen for massage of the chest or abdomen. And in the massager, it may be configured to adopt some or all of the forms and structures that can realize such usage modes without difficulty.

[0103] Furthermore, the configuration that enables the position adjustment of the treatment unit as shown in each of the above embodiments can also be applied to a hand-held massager used by holding the massager in the hand or a stationary massager used by placing the massager on the floor and applying the part of the body where massage is desired to the treatment unit. Particularly in the case of a stationary massager, it was relatively difficult to finely adjust the massage position by moving the entire massager. On the other hand, without changing the positional relationship between the body and the entire massager, the massage target part can be shifted by adjusting the position of a part such as the treatment unit to perform massage, and a state where massage can be surely performed on the part where the user desires massage with a simple adjustment can be realized.

[0104] However, for a massage device of the type that can be arbitrarily moved by the user without being worn on the body, such as a handheld or stationary type, only the configuration of the treatment part and the drive part for rotating the treatment part can be applied.

Explanation of Signs

[0105] 1, 2 Massage device 10, 20 Cover 11, 21 Treatment part 11c Hole 12, 22 Base part 13, 23 Treatment element 14, 24 Drive part 14a, 24a Output shaft 15, 25 Support part 16, 26 First support 16a, 26a Base 16c, 26c Shaft support 16d, 26d Extension 16e Extension part 16f, 26f Screw 16g, 26g Protrusion 17, 27 Second support 17a, 27a Through hole 18 Support frame 22a Mounting hole 26b Support base 36, 46, 56 First support 37, 47, 57 Second support 38 Base part 39 Auxiliary part 39a Regulation hole 39b, 39c Regulation hole 41, 51 Treatment part 46a, 47a Regulation hole 48 Connector 56a Hole 56b Rack 58 Operating piece 58a Gear part 58b Knob part 58c Male screw part 58d Fixture

Claims

1. In a massager that performs massage on a massage target area from the vicinity of the massage target area on the user's body to the massage target area, a treatment unit that rotates in a state close to the massage target area and performs massage by continuously or intermittently applying stimulation to the massage target area accompanying the rotation; a drive unit that is connected to the treatment unit and drives the treatment unit to rotate; and a support unit that supports at least the treatment unit, wherein the support unit includes a first support body that rotatably supports the treatment unit, and a second support body that engages the first support body so that at least one of tilting and moving is possible within a predetermined movable range, and supports the treatment unit with respect to the user's body so that at least one of tilting and moving along the body surface is possible; the tilting of the treatment unit along the body surface is tilting around an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the treatment unit; the movement of the treatment unit along the body surface is movement in a direction parallel to the rotation axis direction of the treatment unit; the second support body faces the side of the user's body where the treatment unit is located and is arranged in a state of not moving with respect to the user's body; a part of the first support body is an extension part that penetrates or bypasses the second support body and extends to a position farther from the treatment unit than the second support body; the extension part is operably exposed outside the second support body in a state where the support unit is arranged facing the side of the user's body where the treatment unit is located, and is capable of at least one of tilting and moving with respect to the second support body together with the other part of the first support body, enabling the position of the treatment unit to be adjusted from the outside of the second support body characterized in that it is a massager.

2. In the massager according to claim 1, the treatment unit is provided with a hole or a hollow part capable of accommodating part or all of the drive unit, and is rotatable around the drive unit arranged in the hole or the hollow part characterized in that it is a massager.

3. In the massager according to claim 2, the support unit has a support frame that supports the drive unit, the support frame is provided with a hole or a hollow part capable of accommodating part or all of the drive unit, and houses and supports the drive unit in the hole or the hollow part, the drive unit is arranged in the hole or the hollow part of the treatment unit via the support frame, and the treatment unit rotates along the outer peripheral surface of the support frame characterized in that it is a massager.

4. In the massager according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The treatment part is a shaft-shaped base part that is connected to the drive part and is rotatable, and a treatment element that is detachably attached to the base part as a convex part protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the base part, and a massage device characterized by this.

5. In the massage device according to claim 4 above, the base part of the treatment part is provided with a plurality of holes for detachably fitting or screwing the treatment element arranged in the central axis direction and the rotation direction of the rotation of the treatment part, the treatment element is attached to any one of the plurality of holes in the base part, and a massage device characterized by this.

Images