Health equipment

The health device addresses user discomfort and effectiveness issues by focusing pressure on the toes with adjustable spacing and orientation, providing relief for stiff shoulders and lower back pain, and maintaining health through targeted pressure application.

JP7894670B1Active Publication Date: 2026-07-24松冈敏彦
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
松冈敏彦
Filing Date
2026-02-18
Publication Date
2026-07-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing devices that stimulate pressure points on the soles of the feet, such as those described in Patent Document 1, have limitations such as insufficient effectiveness and user discomfort, making them unsuitable for all users and lacking practicality.

Method used

A health device with a heel rest portion, a toe-side pressing portion, and a connecting portion that allows for adjustable spacing and orientation, focusing pressure on the area around the toes without stimulating the entire sole, featuring a spacing adjustment mechanism and a front-to-back reversal mechanism.

Benefits of technology

The device effectively alleviates stiff shoulders, lower back pain, and maintains health by applying concentrated pressure to the toes, promoting blood circulation and improving posture, while being adaptable to different user physiques and foot sizes.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This health device provides concentrated pressure and stimulation to the area around the toes, without stimulating the entire sole of the foot, including the arch, and is expected to alleviate stiff shoulders and lower back pain, and maintain overall health. [Solution] The device comprises a heel rest 12 that is installed upright and facing upward, a toe-side pressing part 14 that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest 12 at a position separated in front of the heel rest 12 and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest 12 and the foot is in an inclined position, and a connecting part 16 that connects the heel rest 12 and the toe-side pressing part 14, the connecting part 16 connecting the heel rest 12 and the toe-side pressing part with an open gap at the top so that when the heel is placed on the heel rest 12 and the foot is in an inclined position, the middle part of the sole including the arch of the foot is suspended in the air.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a health device that can be expected to relieve stiff shoulders, low back pain, insomnia, etc. and maintain health by intensively acting on the peripheral part of the toes of the feet.

Background Art

[0002] When the body is not feeling well and there is no need to go to the hospital, physical therapy, massage, and stimulation of acupuncture points on the human body may be used to improve the physical condition and maintain health. For example, in the case of stimulating acupuncture points, since it can be relatively easily performed by oneself compared to massage, etc., acupuncture points are stimulated at home or in the workplace to relieve and improve pain and discomfort in various parts of the body, promote blood circulation, and recover from fatigue.

[0003] For example, it is said that there are many acupuncture points on the sole of the foot, and various techniques such as stepping on a bamboo pole and other techniques have been proposed to easily stimulate the acupuncture points on the sole of the foot (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a plurality of protruding rollers provided with a large number of protrusions on the outer peripheral portion are rotatably supported inside a frame body at intervals parallel to each axis, the sole of the foot is placed on the protruding rollers, and the foot is moved in the front-rear direction to stimulate the sole of the foot, and a footstep health device has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, devices that stimulate pressure points on the soles of the feet, such as those described in Patent Document 1, have problems such as not being able to obtain sufficient effects from pressure point stimulation, or being unusable because some people dislike stimulating pressure points on the soles of their feet. As a result, they are not suitable for all users and have low practicality. Therefore, the applicant has developed a new health device that can be used on a daily basis and is expected to easily improve physical condition and maintain health, from a different perspective than pressing on pressure points on the entire sole of the foot.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a health device that can be expected to alleviate stiff shoulders and lower back pain, and maintain health, by applying concentrated pressure and stimulation to the area around the toes without stimulating the entire sole of the foot, such as the arch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention comprises: a heel rest portion that is installed upright facing upward; a toe-side pressing portion that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest portion at a position separated in front of the heel rest portion and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state; and a connecting portion that connects the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion, the connecting portion that leaves an open gap at the top between the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion so that when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state, the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, is suspended in the air. The device has a spacing adjustment mechanism that allows adjustment of the distance between the heel rest and the toe-side pressing portion, and the spacing adjustment mechanism includes a front-to-back reversal mechanism that allows the front-to-back position of the heel rest to be changed by reversing the front-to-back direction of the heel rest. It consists of health equipment.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a heel rest portion that is installed upright facing upward, a toe-side pressing portion that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest portion at a position separated in front of the heel rest portion and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state, and a connecting portion that connects the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion, the connecting portion which leaves an open gap at the top between the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion so that the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state has the middle part of the sole, including the arch of the foot, suspended in the air. The finger-side pressing portion consists of a curved rod-shaped body that, in a plan view, gradually approaches the heel rest area from the left and right central portion toward both ends. Composed of health equipment .

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a heel rest portion that is installed upright facing upward, a toe-side pressing portion that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest portion at a position separated in front of the heel rest portion and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state, and a connecting portion that connects the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion, the connecting portion which leaves an open gap at the top between the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion so that the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state has the middle part of the sole, including the arch of the foot, suspended in the air. The finger-side pressing portion consists of a straight, rod-shaped body that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above. Composed of health equipment .

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a heel rest portion that is installed upright and facing upward, a toe-side pressing portion that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest portion at a position separated in front of the heel rest portion and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state, and a connecting portion that connects the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion, the connecting portion which leaves an open gap at the top between the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion so that the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state has the middle part of the sole including the arch suspended in the air, the toe-side pressing portion has projections that protrude further upward than the portion of the toe-side pressing portion that comes into contact with the underside of the toes and have projections that can be inserted into the interdigital space of the toes placed on the toe-side pressing portion.The device has a projection direction changing mechanism that allows the direction of the projection of the finger-side pressing portion to be changed from the upward direction to another direction, and that allows the finger-side pressing portion to press on the toe side even when the projection is changed to another direction. Composed of health equipment .

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention comprises a heel rest portion that is installed upright facing upward, a toe-side pressing portion that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest portion at a position separated in front of the heel rest portion and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state, and a connecting portion that connects the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion, the connecting portion which leaves an open gap at the top between the heel rest portion and the toe-side pressing portion so that the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest portion and the foot is in an inclined state has the middle part of the sole, including the arch of the foot, suspended in the air. The heel rest section is provided with a high-position resting section for resting the heel at a relatively high position, and a low-position resting section formed at a different position from the high-position resting section for resting the heel at a relatively low position. Composed of health equipment .

[0012] Furthermore, the device may have a spacing adjustment mechanism that allows for adjustment of the distance between the heel rest and the toe-side pressing portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting portion may have a base that rests on the floor, and the spacing adjustment mechanism may have a fitting projection or fitting recess protruding from the base, and a recess provided on the lower end side of the heel rest that fits into the fitting projection on the base side, or a projection that fits into the fitting recess on the base side.

[0014] Furthermore, the spacing adjustment means may include a positioning receiving portion provided at the connecting portion, comprising a plurality of positioning receiving portions arranged in parallel at different distances from the heel rest portion, and a fitting portion provided at the finger-side pressing portion that fits into the positioning receiving portion.

[0015] Furthermore, the finger-side pressing portion may be provided with a projection that extends further upward than the portion that contacts the underside of the toe, and can be inserted into the interdigital space of the toe placed on the finger-side pressing portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the health device of the present invention, there is a heel rest that is installed upright facing upward, a toe-side pressing part that is formed at a lower height than the heel rest at a position separated in front of the heel rest and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position, and a connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part, and the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part are connected such that the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position has the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, suspended in the air. Because it is configured to include a connecting part that connects the toe-side pressing parts with an open gap at the top, by applying pressure to the area around the toes and pressing predetermined positions such as the phalanges, metatarsals, and joints around the base of the toes with the pressing parts, it is possible to expect health improvement and health maintenance effects such as relief and elimination of eye strain, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, insomnia, cold sensitivity, and constipation, as well as improved posture, correction of the cervical vertebrae, cervical column, and lumbar vertebrae, and restoration of body balance.

[0017] Furthermore, since it has a configuration that allows adjustment of the distance between the heel rest and the toe-side pressing area, it can be adjusted according to the user's physique and foot size, allowing for optimal pressure application and the expectation of health improvement and health maintenance effects.

[0018] Furthermore, by including a front-to-back reversal mechanism that allows the front-to-back position of the heel rest to be changed by reversing the front-to-back direction of the heel rest, the spacing adjustment means can be concretely realized, and it can be realized with a simple structure and manufactured at low cost.

[0019] Furthermore, the connecting portion has a base that rests on the floor, and the spacing adjustment mechanism has a fitting projection or fitting recess protruding from the base, and a recess provided on the lower end side of the heel rest that fits into the fitting projection on the base side, or a projection that fits into the fitting recess on the base side. This structure allows for adjustment according to the user's physique and foot size, while the spacing adjustment mechanism can be realized with a simple structure, can be manufactured at low cost, and the adjustment operation can be easily performed.

[0020] In addition, the spacing adjustment means is a positioning receiving part provided at the connecting part, and includes a plurality of positioning receiving parts arranged in parallel at different separation distances from the heel placing part, and a fitting part provided at the finger-side pressing part and fitting with the positioning receiving part. By adopting such a configuration, the spacing adjustment means can be specifically realized with a simple structure, and the entire device can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

[0021] In addition, the finger-side pressing part is formed of a linear rod-shaped body that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. By adopting such a configuration, the finger-side pressing part can be formed according to the shape of the toe, enabling good pressing of the toe, and can be specifically realized with a relatively simple structure, and the entire device can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

[0022] In addition, the finger-side pressing part is formed of a linear rod-shaped body that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. By adopting such a configuration, the finger-side pressing part can be specifically realized with a simple structure, and the entire device can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

[0023] In addition, the finger-side pressing part has a protruding part that protrudes upward further than the part that abuts on the lower side of the toe of the finger-side pressing part and can be inserted into the interdigital part of the toe placed on the finger-side pressing part. By using the protruding part, in addition to concentrated weighting and pressing around the toe, acupressure stimulation of the foot can also be performed as needed, expanding the range of use.

[0024] In addition, the protruding direction of the protruding part of the finger-side pressing part can be changed from the upward direction to other directions, and a protruding part turning mechanism is provided that enables pressing on the toe side by the finger-side pressing part even when the protruding part is changed to other directions. By adopting such a configuration, when the protruding part is not needed, the direction can be changed to a direction where the protruding part is less likely to be in the way.

[0025] In addition, the heel placing part is provided with a high-position placing part for placing the heel at a relatively high position and a low-position placing part formed at a different position from the high-position placing part for placing the heel at a relatively low position. By adopting such a configuration, while adjusting according to the physique and foot size of the user, etc., good parts can be pressed, and health improvement effects and health maintenance effects can be expected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0026] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a health device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a side view of the health device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a plan view of the health equipment. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the finger-side pressing portion of the health device. [Figure 5] This is a side view illustrating the function of the health device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the operation of the health device. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of a modified example of the health device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] This is a side view of a modified example of the health device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of a health device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a plan view of the health equipment. [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the health device. [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a side view illustrating the function of the health device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The embodiments of the health device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The health device according to the present invention is a health device that can be used by placing the feet on an inclined surface, and by pressing on the toe side of the feet while inclining the feet in a tiptoe position, it is a health device that can be expected to maintain health, improve physical condition, and restore body balance.

[0028] Figures 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the health device of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, the health device 10 according to this embodiment includes a heel rest 12, a finger-side pressing part 14, and a connecting part 16. The health device 10 is used, for example, when placed on the floor.

[0029] The heel rest 12 is a part that is installed upright facing upwards when placed on the floor or the like, and is a heel support means that supports the foot in a toe-standing position with the heel raised high. The heel rest 12 is made of a hard material such as hard synthetic resin such as plastic, wood, or metal. The heel rest 12 has a relatively narrow width in the front-to-back direction and is formed in a roughly rectangular block shape or thick plate shape that is roughly horizontally elongated when viewed from the front. For example, the heel rest 12 is provided with a height of about 8 cm, a width of about 40 cm, and a front-to-back width of about 2 cm, so that the heels of both feet can be placed at a predetermined height. The height and size of the heel rest 12 can be arbitrary. In addition, the heel rest 12 may be made of separate components for the right heel rest for the right foot and the left heel rest for the left foot. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the heel rest may have a recess in the center, with the protrusions on both the left and right sides serving as high-position resting sections 121 and the central recess serving as a low-position resting section 122, allowing the heel to be placed at different heights to accommodate the user's physique and foot size. In other words, the heel rest may have a configuration that includes a high-position resting section for placing the heel at a relatively high position, and a low-position resting section formed at a different location from the high-position resting section for placing the heel at a relatively low position.

[0030] The toe-side pressing section 14 is a pressing means that presses from below onto the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest section 12, the heel is raised, and the toe side is in an inclined position with the toe side lower. The toe-side pressing section 14 is installed at a predetermined distance D in front of the heel rest section 12 and is formed at a height lower than the height of the heel rest section 12. In this embodiment, the distance D is the distance from the front end of the heel rest section 12 to the rear end of the toe-side pressing section 14. That is, there is no inclined plate or anything between the heel rest section 12 and the toe-side pressing section 14, and a hollow gap (a hollow space with the top side open) is formed with the top open. The user places the foot in an inclined position with the heel and toe side supported at two points, with the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, floating in the air and most of the sole of the foot in the air. Therefore, a gap is formed between the upper end of the heel rest 12 and the toe-side pressing 14 such that a roughly triangular hollow space is formed between the heel rest 12, the toe-side pressing 14, and the sole of the foot in an inclined state when resting on them, in a side view or in a longitudinal cross-section.

[0031] The toe-side pressing portion 14 is formed of a hard material such as a hard synthetic resin like plastic, wood, or metal. The toe-side pressing portion 14 is formed to protrude upward by a height of about 1 to 1.5 cm from the upper surface (or floor surface) of the plate-shaped connecting portion 16 described later, and is designed to press from below around the toes when the foot is placed on it. The toe-side pressing portion 14 is formed of a long, straight rod-like body in the left-right direction in a plan view, and is installed approximately parallel to the heel rest, allowing the toe sides of both feet to be placed on it. The toe-side pressing portion 14 should be set so that, for example, when the user places their heel on the heel rest 12 and tilts their foot to stand on their toes, the toe-side pressing portion 14 contacts the area near the base of the toes, specifically the anterior end of the metatarsal bone near the joint with the phalangeal bone. The finger-side pressing section 14 does not have numerous locally protruding protrusions like conventional acupressure devices, but is designed to press from below near the base of the toes, around the point where the muscles on the sole of the foot attach.

[0032] In this embodiment, the finger-side pressing portion 14 is fixed in an adjustable position relative to the connecting portion 16 via a spacing adjustment means 18. The finger-side pressing portion 14 has fitting portions 20 formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is detachably connected to the connecting portion 16 via these fitting portions 20, as described later. The finger-side pressing portion 14 is formed in a circular cross-section, and the fitting portions 20 at both ends are formed in a square cross-section with a different shape. The finger-side pressing portion 14 may also be formed in a curved shape to match the shape of the foot, as shown in Figure 10. Furthermore, the finger-side pressing portion 14 may be made of separate members for the right foot and the left foot. The finger-side pressing portion 14 may also be fixed to the connecting portion 16.

[0033] The connecting portion 16 is a connecting means that connects the heel rest portion 12 and the toe-side pressing portion 14. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 16 is formed of a hard material such as a hard synthetic resin such as plastic, wood, or metal, and has a base made of a rectangular plate in plan view. The heel rest portion 12 is erected and fixed to the rear end side of the flat connecting portion 16, and the toe-side pressing portion 14 is positioned and detachably installed via a spacing adjustment means 18 from the intermediate position of the connecting portion 16 toward the front. Note that the connecting portion 16 is not limited to a plate shape, but can be any configuration that allows the heel rest portion 12 and the toe-side pressing portion to be connected at a distance from each other, with a gap between the upper end of the heel rest portion 12 and the toe-side pressing portion 14.

[0034] The spacing adjustment means 18 is a spacing adjustment means that allows adjustment of the spacing D between the heel rest portion 12 and the toe-side pressing portion 14. In this embodiment, the spacing adjustment means 18 has a plurality of positioning receiving portions 22 provided on the connecting portion 16. The positioning receiving portions 22 are provided in parallel at different distances from the heel rest portion 12. The positioning receiving portions 22 include, for example, a plurality of pairs of recesses provided opposite each other on both the left and right ends of the connecting portion 16. Each recess constituting the positioning receiving portion 22 is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular groove, for example, by cutting out a roughly U-shaped notch from a part of a rail-shaped positioning member 23 fixed above the plate surface of the connecting portion 16, leaving the top open. Therefore, the fitting portion 20 of the finger-side pressing portion 14 can only be attached to and detached from the positioning receiving portion 22 from above, and is formed in a square cross-section so as to fit into a roughly square groove, so as not to move in the front-to-back direction, nor in the left-to-right direction (longitudinal direction), and is locked in a state where it does not rotate around the axis. In Figures 1 and 2, the positioning receiving portion 22 has three sets of recesses so as to be able to selectively change three distances, but any number of recesses is fine, and the intervals between them can be equal or unequal. The positioning receiving portion 22 is not limited to recesses, but may also be formed in an annular shape. In this case, it may be configured to be attached and detached by inserting into the annular inner hole from the left and right directions, or it may be configured so that a part of the annular shape can be opened and closed. In addition, the positioning receiving portion 22 may have a recessed hole in the connecting portion 16, and a protruding portion on the finger-side pressing portion 14 that fits into the recessed hole. The spacing adjustment means 18 may be configured in any way, such as using a rail and locking mechanism or screw shaft that can be continuously changed. Also, since the finger-side pressing part 14 can be attached to and detached from the connecting part 16, multiple finger-side pressing parts 14 with different cross-sectional sizes may be prepared and used interchangeably as needed.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, a projection 24 is provided approximately in the center of the finger-side pressing portion 14, projecting upward even further than the portion of the finger-side pressing portion 14 that contacts the underside of the toes. The projection 24 can be used to apply a different type of pressure or stimulation than the finger-side pressing portion 14. For example, the projection 24 can be used to apply pressure to specific pressure points on the soles of the feet, or to insert it between the toes to apply pressure around the creases of the toes. For example, applying pressure or stimulation to the crease between the first and second toes can be expected to alleviate or eliminate stiff shoulders. The projection 24 is made of a hard material such as hard synthetic resin such as plastic, wood, or metal. The projection 24 may also be made of hard rubber, or a hard material with rubber formed around it to provide some cushioning when inserted between the toes. Multiple projections 24 of the same or different sizes may be provided.

[0036] Since the fitting portion 20 of the finger-side pressing portion 14 is formed in a square shape, as shown in Figure 5(c), the finger-side pressing portion 14 can be fitted to the positioning receiving portion 22 even when it is rotated 90 degrees around its axis. Therefore, the finger-side pressing portion 14 can be selectively changed between a state in which its projection 24 faces upward and a state in which it is rotated 90 degrees around its axis so that the projection 24 faces sideways. In other words, in this embodiment, a projection direction changing mechanism is configured that can change the direction in which the projection 24 of the finger-side pressing portion 14 protrudes from the upward direction to another direction, and this projection direction changing mechanism is configured to be used in conjunction with the spacing adjustment means 18. Furthermore, even when the projection 24 is facing sideways, the finger-side pressing portion 14 can also press the toes from below.

[0037] As shown in Figure 8, toe-side pressing sections 14 may be provided at spaced-apart positions on both the front and rear sides of the heel rest 12. In the modified example shown in Figure 8, connecting sections 16 extend from both the front and rear sides of the heel rest 12, and the toe-side pressing sections 14 are fixed to the front and rear ends to prevent movement. Furthermore, the cross-sectional sizes of the toe-side pressing sections 14 are formed to be different sizes. In addition, the distances D1 and D2 between the heel rest 12 and the toe-side pressing sections 14 are also provided to be different at the front and rear. This allows users to select and use either the front or rear (i.e., larger or smaller) toe-side pressing section 14 depending on their physique or physical condition.

[0038] When using the health device 10 according to this embodiment, for example, the health device 10 is placed on the floor near a chair. The user sits in the chair and places the heels of both feet on the heel rests 12 of the health device 10. As shown in Figure 5(a), the toes of the foot with the heel resting on the device are lowered, and the toe-side pressing part 14 is applied to the base of the toes, for example, around the anterior end of the metatarsal bones. In this state, the foot is in an inclined position with the heel higher and the toes lowered, so that the arch of the foot is not touched and weight is applied to the toes, and the toes are pressed by the toe-side pressing part 14. Placing the heel on the heel rest 12 and applying weight to the toes is inspired by the fact that many animals in nature walk and run without putting their heels down, and it is expected that applying weight to the toes will have health maintenance effects on the body. Furthermore, by applying pressure with the finger-side pressing part 14 to the area around the anterior end of the metatarsal bone at the base of the toes, pressure is applied to the area near the insertion of the muscles on the sole of the foot. This is expected to relax the muscles and fascia of the sole of the foot and tighten the skeleton, thus acting on specific muscles and skeletons in the feet, legs, and the entire body. As a result, it is expected to have health-improving and health-maintaining effects such as alleviation and resolution of fatigue, eye strain, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, insomnia, cold sensitivity, and constipation, as well as improved posture, correction of the cervical, cervical, and lumbar vertebrae, and restoration of body balance. In addition, because the nerves and arteries of the toes are located on the sides of the toes, applying pressure from the underside of the toes with the finger-side pressing part 14 is less likely to obstruct blood flow or cause significant pain, making it suitable for long-term use and usable as a convenient and practical health device. Furthermore, if users with different foot sizes use the same health device 10, as shown in Figure 5(b), the position of the toe-side pressing portion 14 can be changed by selecting one of the positioning receiving portions 22 using the spacing adjustment means 18 to change the distance between it and the heel rest portion 12.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the projections 24 of the finger-side pressing part 14 can be used to press against the spaces between the toes as needed, which is expected to have health-improving and health-maintaining effects. As mentioned above, blood vessels and nerves run along the sides of the toes, so by placing the projections 24 of the finger-side pressing part 14 between the toes and pressing or stimulating the area around the spaces between the toes while gripping the projections 24 with the toes, it is expected that blood flow will be promoted and nerves will be moderately stimulated, which is expected to adjust the spine, including the pelvis, lumbar vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, and cervical vertebrae, and reduce pain.

[0040] Furthermore, the health device 10 can also be used with the heel and toes reversed. That is, the toes can be placed on the heel rest 12, and the heel on the toe-side pressing part 14, and the foot can be tilted in the opposite direction to the above, dorsiflexed, and the heel can be pressed with the toe-side pressing part 14. For example, by pressing the lower side of the calcaneal tuberosity with the toe-side pressing part 14 while sitting or lying on the floor, health recovery and maintenance effects such as fatigue recovery, alleviation and improvement of cold sensitivity, and improvement of flat feet can be expected.

[0041] Next, a second embodiment of the health device of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the above embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted. The health device 10-2 according to this embodiment includes a heel rest 12, a finger-side pressing portion 14, a connecting portion 16, and a spacing adjustment means 18, similar to the above embodiment.

[0042] In this embodiment, the heel rest portion 12 is a block shape with a slightly larger front-to-back width than that of the first embodiment, and is detachably attached to the connecting portion 16. The heel rest portion 12 is formed integrally with the lower half being roughly rectangular in shape and the upper half being roughly trapezoidal, with the height of the upper end being slightly different. Specifically, the lower half of the heel rest portion 12 is roughly rectangular in shape, but the upper end has a roughly horizontal heel rest surface 26 that can stably support the heel at a position shifted to one side of the front-to-back direction, while the other side has an inclined surface 28, making it asymmetrical front to back. The inclined surface 28 of the heel rest portion 12 is formed at an angle such that the sole of the foot does not come into contact with the heel rest surface 26 when the heel is placed on the heel rest surface 26 with the inclined surface 28 positioned towards the front. The lower end of the heel rest 12 has a fitting recess 30 that is recessed upward, i.e., inward, from the lower end surface. The fitting recess 30 of the heel rest 12 is, for example, located approximately in the center in the left-right width direction, and in the front-rear width direction, it is set at a position shifted forward or backward from the front-rear center position. In this embodiment, the fitting recess 30 of the heel rest 12 is set at a position shifted from the lower position of the foot rest surface 26, directly below a position closer to the middle or lower side of the inclined surface 28.

[0043] In this embodiment, the toe-side pressing portion 14 is formed in a curved shape in plan view and is fixed to the connecting portion 16 which serves as the base. In plan view, the toe-side pressing portion 14 is formed in a roughly arc-shaped or arch-shaped curve, with the central part on both sides being the furthest from the heel rest portion 12, and gradually approaching the heel rest portion 12 towards both ends. As a result, the toe-side pressing portion 14 is formed to correspond to the curved base of the toes, allowing for good pressure on the area around the anterior end of the metatarsal bones, which are the base of the toes. A projection 24 is provided at approximately the center position on both sides of the toe-side pressing portion 14. In this embodiment as well, it may be possible to make it detachable from the connecting portion 16 so that the gap with respect to the heel rest portion 12 can be adjusted.

[0044] The connecting portion 16 consists of a plate-shaped base, and a fitting projection 32 for connecting to the heel rest portion 12 is provided at a position located rearward from the finger-side pressing portion 14 of the connecting portion 16. The fitting projection 32 protrudes upward from the base of the heel rest portion 12 and is detachably fitted into a fitting recess 30 provided on the lower end side of the heel rest portion 12. As shown in Figure 12, in this embodiment, as described above, the heel rest surface 26, which is the part of the heel rest portion 12 on which the heel is actually placed, is formed to one side in the front-rear direction, and the fitting recess 30 on the lower end side is provided to the other side in the front-rear direction, opposite to the heel rest surface 26. Therefore, by reversing the front-rear orientation of the heel rest portion 12, that is, by rotating it 180 degrees around the vertical axis and fitting it with the fitting projection 32 of the connecting portion 16, the distance from the finger-side pressing portion 14 can be changed. In other words, in this embodiment, the spacing adjustment means 18 includes a front-to-back reversal mechanism 34 that changes and adjusts the spacing between the heel rest and the toe-side pressing portion by reversing the front and back of the heel rest 12.

[0045] In this embodiment, guide portions 36 are provided on both the left and right ends of the base of the connecting portion 16 where the heel rest portion 12 is located, to guide and reinforce the left and right ends of the heel rest portion 12. The guide portions 36 are provided, for example, at a height slightly higher than the upper surface of the base of the connecting portion 16, and the opposing inner surfaces are positioned to abut against or be close to the left and right sides of the heel rest portion 12. This allows the heel rest portion 12, which is detachably connected to the connecting portion 16, to be reinforced to some extent and maintain the fitted connection state.

[0046] In this embodiment, the spacing adjustment means 18 may be structured to change and adjust the gap by changing the fitting position, for example, by providing multiple fitting recesses 30 on the heel rest portion 12 or fitting protrusions 32 on the connecting portion 16 spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the structure may be such that fitting protrusions are formed on the heel rest portion 12 side and fitting recesses are formed on the connecting portion 16 side.

[0047] The health device 10-2 according to this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that, for example, when sitting in a chair, the heel is placed on the heel rest 12, the toes are lowered, and the toe-side pressing part 14 is applied to the base of the toes, for example, around the anterior end of the metatarsal bones. By applying weight to the area around the toes and pressing predetermined positions such as the phalanges, metatarsals, and joints around the base of the toes with the pressing part, it is possible to expect effects such as relief and elimination of eye strain, stiff shoulders, lower back pain, insomnia, cold sensitivity, and constipation, as well as improved posture, correction of the cervical vertebrae, cervical column, and lumbar vertebrae, and restoration of body balance, thus providing health improvement and health maintenance effects. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the heel rest 12 can be detached from the connecting part 16 as needed (Figure 12(b)), and the heel rest 12 can be reattached to the connecting part 16 in a reversed position, thereby changing and adjusting the distance D between the heel rest 12 and the toe-side pressing part 14 (Figures 12(a) and 12(c)). This allows for a structure that can be adjusted to suit the user's physique and foot size, while being simple in structure, low-cost to manufacture, and easy to adjust.

[0048] The health device of the present invention described above is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, and any modifications may be made as long as they do not depart from the essence of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 10 Health equipment 12 Heel support area 14 Finger-side pressing area 16 Connecting part 18 Spacing adjustment means 20 Fitting part 22 Positioning receiving part 24 Protrusion 30 Fitting recess 32 Fitting protrusion 34. Reversing Mechanism

Claims

1. The heel rest is positioned upright and facing upwards, A toe-side pressing portion is formed at a position separated in front of the heel rest, at a lower height than the heel rest, and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position. A connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part, comprising a connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part with an open gap at the top, such that when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined state, the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, is suspended in the air. It has a spacing adjustment mechanism that allows the distance between the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part to be adjusted. A health device characterized in that the spacing adjustment means includes a front-to-back reversal mechanism that allows the front-to-back position of the heel rest to be changed by reversing the front-to-back direction of the heel rest.

2. A heel rest that is installed upright and facing upward, A toe-side pressing portion is formed at a position separated in front of the heel rest, at a lower height than the heel rest, and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position. A connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part, comprising a connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part with an open gap at the top, such that when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined state, the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, is suspended in the air. A health device characterized in that the finger-side pressing portion consists of a curved rod-shaped body that, in a plan view, gradually approaches the heel rest portion from the left and right central portion toward both ends.

3. A heel rest that is installed upright and facing upward, A toe-side pressing portion is formed at a position separated in front of the heel rest, at a lower height than the heel rest, and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position. A connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part, comprising a connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part with an open gap at the top, such that when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined state, the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, is suspended in the air. A health device characterized in that the finger-side pressing portion consists of a straight, rod-shaped body that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from above.

4. A heel rest that is installed upright and facing upward, A toe-side pressing portion is formed at a position separated in front of the heel rest, at a lower height than the heel rest, and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position. A connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part, comprising a connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part with an open gap at the top, such that when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined state, the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, is suspended in the air. The finger-side pressing portion is positioned to protrude further upward than the portion that contacts the underside of the toes, and has a projection that can be inserted into the space between the toes of the toes placed on the finger-side pressing portion. A health device characterized by having a projection direction changing mechanism that allows the direction of the projection of the finger-side pressing portion to be changed from the upward direction to another direction, and that allows the finger-side pressing portion to press on the toes even when the projection is changed to another direction.

5. A heel rest that is installed upright and facing upward, A toe-side pressing portion is formed at a position separated in front of the heel rest, at a lower height than the heel rest, and presses from below on the toe side of the foot when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined position. A connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part, comprising a connecting part that connects the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part with an open gap at the top, such that when the heel is placed on the heel rest and the foot is in an inclined state, the middle part of the sole of the foot, including the arch, is suspended in the air. A health device characterized in that the heel rest portion is provided with a high-position rest portion for resting the heel at a relatively high position, and a low-position rest portion formed at a different position from the high-position rest portion for resting the heel at a relatively low position.

6. A health device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it has a spacing adjustment means that allows the spacing between the heel rest and the toe-side pressing part to be adjusted.

7. The connecting part has a base that rests on the floor. The spacing adjustment means includes a fitting projection or fitting recess protruding from the base, The health device according to claim 6, wherein the heel rest portion is provided on the lower end side and has a recess that fits into a fitting projection on the base side, or a projection that fits into a fitting recess on the base side.

8. The spacing adjustment means is a positioning receiving part provided at the connecting part, and comprises a plurality of positioning receiving parts arranged in parallel at different distances from the heel rest part, The health device according to claim 6, characterized in that it has a fitting portion provided on the finger-side pressing portion that fits with the positioning receiving portion.

9. The health device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, or 5, characterized in that the finger-side pressing portion is provided to protrude further upward than the portion that is applied to the underside of the toes, and has a projection that can be inserted into the interdigital space of the toes placed on the finger-side pressing portion.