Massage machine

Abstract

A massage machine 1 includes: side wall parts 33, 38 on both sides for holding a part 9 to be treated so as to sandwich the part 9 to be treated from both sides; a first rocking mechanism 30 for rocking one first side wall part 33 from among the side wall parts on both sides so as to follow one or both of the longitudinal direction and the depth direction of the part to be treated; a pressing part 29 for pressing the part to be treated between the side wall parts on both sides; and a pressing displacement mechanism 26 for displacing the pressing part approximately in the opposite direction to the first side wall part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a massage device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, massage devices for treating a patient have been known. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a side massage unit configured to reciprocate a pair of side treatment plates arranged to face each other so as to sandwich a body part from both sides in opposite operating directions, and a back massage unit configured to perform percussion massage or rubbing massage on a back treatment plate arranged to face the back of the body part are provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the massage device described in Patent Document 1 above, when the side treatment plate reciprocates, the back massage unit does not operate, and more effective treatment is desired.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a massage device capable of improving the treatment effect on a treated part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the massage machine according to the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: two side walls that hold the part to be treated between them; a first rocking mechanism that rocks one of the two side walls, a first side wall, along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the part to be treated; a pressing part that presses the part to be treated between the two side walls; and a pressing displacement mechanism that displaces the pressing part in a direction generally opposite to that of the first side wall. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The massage machine relating to this disclosure, with the configuration described above, can improve the therapeutic effect on the area being treated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] (a) and (b) schematically show an example of a massage machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, where (a) is a schematic front view and (b) is a schematic top view. [Figure 2] (a) and (b) are schematic, partially abbreviated perspective views illustrating an example of the treatment section of the massage machine. [Figure 3] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the treatment area, with some parts omitted. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the treatment area, with some parts omitted. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the treatment area, with some parts omitted. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the treatment area, with some parts omitted. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the treatment area, with some parts omitted. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views of the treatment area, with some parts omitted. [Figure 9] (a) to (d) are conceptual diagrams schematically showing an example of a treatment mode using one modified version of the treatment unit, and (e) and (f) are conceptual diagrams schematically showing other modified versions of the treatment unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In some of the figures, some of the detailed symbols used in other figures have been omitted. In the following embodiments, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions will be described with reference to a person receiving treatment seated in a massage machine with the backrest in an upright position. Figures 1 to 9 schematically show an example of a massage machine according to this embodiment, as well as an example of a treatment unit and a modified example thereof.

[0010] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(a), the massage machine 1 according to this embodiment includes two side walls 33, 38 that hold the part to be treated 9 (see Figure 9(a)) from both sides, and a first rocking mechanism (30) that rocks one of the two side walls 33, 38, a first side wall 33, along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the part to be treated 9. With this configuration, the part to be treated 9 can be held from both sides by the two side walls 33, 38, and the first side wall 33 can be rocked along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the part to be treated 9, thereby effectively treating the part to be treated 9. The massage machine 1 includes a pressing part 29 that presses against the area to be treated 9 between the side walls 33 and 38 on both sides, and a pressing displacement mechanism (26) that displaces the pressing part 29 in a direction generally opposite to that of the first side wall 33. With this configuration, the pressing part 29, which displaces in a direction generally opposite to that of the first side wall 33 that swings along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the area to be treated 9, can effectively apply stimulation to the area to be treated 9. In other words, since the first side wall 33 and the pressing part 29 are displaced in relatively opposite directions, it is possible to effectively apply stimulation to the area to be treated 9 while keeping the displacement range of each small.

[0011] In this embodiment, the side walls 33 and 38 on both sides are positioned on both sides of the toes (the part beyond the ankle) that constitute the treatment area 9, and are provided on the toe treatment area 13 that treats the toes. With this configuration, the toes that constitute the treatment area 9 can be treated effectively. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2(a), the massage machine 1 comprises a left foot treatment section 13A having side walls 33, 38, a first oscillating mechanism (30), a pressing section 29, and a pressing displacement mechanism (26) on both sides of the left toe constituting the treatment section 9, and a right foot treatment section 13B having side walls 33, 38, a first oscillating mechanism (30), a pressing section 29, and a pressing displacement mechanism (26) on both sides of the right toe constituting the treatment section 9. With this configuration, each of the left and right toes can be effectively treated by the pressing sections 29, 29 which are displaced in generally opposite directions while at least the first side walls 33, 33 are oscillating. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), these left and right foot treatment sections 13A and 13B are provided on the footrest 10 of the chair-type massage machine 1 in this embodiment. An example of the specific configuration of the footrest 10, including these left and right foot treatment sections 13A and 13B, will be described later.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), the massage machine 1 comprises a backrest 2 that supports the back of the person receiving treatment and a seat 3 on which the person receiving treatment sits. The massage machine 1 is equipped with armrests 4, 4 that are positioned to rise on both the left and right sides of the seat 3 and support the arms of the person receiving treatment. The backrest portion 2 is made to be able to recline (tilt forward and backward) by a backrest drive unit. This backrest portion 2 may be made rotatable with respect to the seat portion 3 with the lower end portion on the seat portion 3 side as a fulcrum, or may be configured to swing (rock) together with the seat portion 3. As the backrest drive unit, an electric actuator having a rod connected to the backrest portion 2 and expanded and contracted by an appropriate motor may be used. The massage machine 1 may be provided with an appropriate inclination angle detection unit for detecting the inclination angle of the backrest portion 2 in order to control the backrest drive unit, and an appropriate stop means for stopping the backrest drive unit at the upright limit and the reclined limit, etc.

[0013] The left and right armrest portions 4, 4 are provided extending from the seat portion 3 side to the backrest portion 2 side so as to support the fingers, forearms, and upper arms of the subject. The left and right armrest portions 4, 4 may be provided with arm receiving grooves for receiving the left and right arms of the subject respectively. Appropriate treatment mechanisms such as air cells and rollers for treating the arms received in the arm receiving grooves of the left and right armrest portions 4, 4 may be provided. The massage machine 1 includes a treatment unit 5 having a left treatment element 8A and a right treatment element 8B and configured to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the body. In the illustrated example, the left treatment element 8A and the right treatment element 8B are provided on one treatment unit 5. These left and right treatment elements 8A, 8B may be in the shape of rollers rotatable about an axis whose axial direction is generally the left-right direction.

[0014] The treatment unit 5 is movable within the massage machine 1 along a guide rail formed in a long shape along the longitudinal direction of the body. The guide rail is appropriately shaped to conform to the shape of the back of the body. This guide rail may be provided in a series over substantially the entire vertical direction of the backrest portion 2 and substantially the entire front-rear direction of the seat portion 3, or may be provided only on the backrest portion 2. This guide rail is provided in a pair at positions spaced apart left and right so as to guide the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5. These left and right guide rails are provided with guide grooves for guiding guide portions such as rollers and pins provided at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5, and racks with which pinions provided at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5 mesh, etc.

[0015] Guide portions are provided at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5 to be guided along the guide grooves of the above-described left and right guide rails. The guide portions may be provided at two locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the body at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5. Pinions that mesh with the racks of the left and right guide rails are provided at the left and right end portions of the treatment unit 5. The pinions on both the left and right sides may be provided coaxially with respect to one of the guide portions in the longitudinal direction of the body. The treatment unit 5 is provided with a main body lifting drive unit that rotates the pinions on both the left and right sides. This main body lifting drive unit consists of an appropriate motor and rotates the left and right pinion shafts via an appropriate speed reducer. That is, when the main body lifting drive unit is driven, the pinions on both the left and right sides of the treatment unit 5 rotate, and the treatment unit 5 moves in the longitudinal direction of the body along the racks of the left and right guide rails with which they mesh. The massage machine 1 is provided with a main body lifting position detection unit that detects the lifting position of the treatment unit 5 moved by the main body lifting drive unit. This main body lifting position detection unit may be a rotary encoder that detects the number of rotations of a rotating body rotated by the main body lifting drive unit, or may be an appropriate sensor that detects a detected portion provided on one of the treatment unit 5 and the guide rail.

[0016] The treatment unit 5 is equipped with a main body retraction drive unit that drives the treatment unit body 6, which has left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B, to move back and forth in the front-rear direction relative to the guide rail. The treatment unit body 6 may be pivotable relative to the body holder of the treatment unit 5, for example, with its lower end as a pivot point, so that its upper end is displaced in a generally forward-backward direction, which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. Such a body reciprocating mechanism may consist of a pinion connected to a motor constituting the body reciprocating drive unit via an appropriate reduction gear, provided on either the body holder or the treatment unit body 6, and an arc-shaped rack extending generally in the forward-backward direction with which the pinion meshes, provided on the other. In other words, when the body reciprocating drive unit is driven, the pinion rotates, and the upper end of the treatment unit body 6 moves back and forth in a generally forward-backward direction along the arc-shaped rack with which it meshes, together with the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B. The body reciprocating mechanism is not limited to the above configuration, and may also be configured to move the treatment unit body 6 back and forth linearly with respect to the guide rail, or various other configurations may be used. The massage machine 1 is provided with a main unit advance / retract position detection unit that detects the advance / retract position of the treatment unit 6, which is moved by the main unit advance / retract drive unit. The main unit advance / retract position detection unit may be the same as the main unit lifting / lowering position detection unit described above.

[0017] The treatment unit 5 is provided with a treatment element width drive unit that drives the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B, which are provided on the treatment unit body 6, to move in the left-right direction (width direction). The treatment unit body 6 may be provided with a guide shaft that guides the left treatment element unit 7A, which has the left treatment element 8A, and the right treatment element unit 7B, which has the right treatment element 8B, to move freely in the left-right direction, or a screw shaft that is connected to the motor constituting the treatment element width drive unit via an appropriate reduction gear and is screwed into the female threads provided on the left treatment element unit 7A and the right treatment element unit 7B to displace them toward or toward the adjacent or separated side. The treatment unit 5 may be provided with an appropriate detection unit that detects the left-right position of the left treatment element unit 7A and the right treatment element unit 7B.

[0018] The treatment unit 5 is provided with a kneading drive unit that drives the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B when they are kneading. The treatment unit body 6 may be provided with an appropriate eccentric rotor, kneading shaft, etc., which are connected to the motor constituting the kneading drive unit via an appropriate reduction gear, and which displace the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B in an arc shape. The treatment unit 5 is provided with a striking drive unit that drives the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B to perform a striking motion. The treatment unit body 6 may be provided with an appropriate crank mechanism, eccentric rotor, striking shaft, etc., which are connected to the motor constituting the striking drive unit via an appropriate reduction gear and displace the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B approximately vertically along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. Instead of having a configuration that includes all of the main body forward / backward drive unit, treatment element width drive unit, kneading drive unit, and tapping drive unit, at least one of these may be omitted. For example, without a kneading drive unit, kneading may be made possible by an appropriate forward / backward mechanism that individually moves the treatment element width drive unit and the main body lifting drive unit or the left and right treatment elements 8A and 8B forward and backward. As a treatment mechanism for treating the patient's back, instead of or in addition to the treatment unit 5 described above, it may be an air cell provided in the backrest 2, or furthermore, there may be no treatment mechanism for treating the patient's back at all. Regarding the basic configuration of the massage machine 1 as described above, various other known configurations can also be adopted.

[0019] The leg rest 10 is provided with a foot treatment section 13 for treating the patient's toes, as well as a calf treatment section 11 for treating the patient's calves. The calf treatment section 11 is provided with a left calf receiving groove 12A for receiving the left calf and a right calf receiving groove 12B for receiving the right calf. The foot treatment section 13 is provided with a left toe receiving groove 14A for receiving the left toe and a right toe receiving groove 14B for receiving the right toe. The left calf receiving groove 12A and the left toe receiving groove 14A are arranged to be continuous, and the right calf receiving groove 12B and the right toe receiving groove 14B are arranged to be continuous. The footrest 10 may be tiltable by a footrest drive unit. The footrest 10 may also be rotatable relative to the seat 3 with its upper end, which is on the seat 3 side, as a pivot point. The footrest drive unit may be an electric actuator having a rod connected to the footrest 10 and which extends and retracts with an appropriate motor. The front-rear and up-down directions described below will be explained based on the state in which the footrest 10 is positioned to hang down relative to the seat 3, that is, the state in which the bottom surfaces of the left and right toe receiving grooves 14A and 14B facing the soles of the feet are arranged in a roughly horizontal plane. In this state, the longitudinal direction of the toe, which is the part of the foot to be treated 9, is the front-rear direction, and the depth direction of the toe is the up-down direction.

[0020] The massage machine 1 may be equipped with a leg rest position detection unit, which is composed of an appropriate tilt angle detection unit, etc., for detecting the tilt angle of the leg rest 10 in order to control the leg rest drive unit, and appropriate stopping means, etc., for stopping the leg rest drive unit at the upper and lower tilt limits. The leg rest 10 may be extendable or vertically movable along the longitudinal direction of the leg of the person being treated by the leg rest drive unit, and at least the portion facing the sole of the foot may be displaceable along the longitudinal direction of the leg. In this case, the massage machine 1 may be equipped with a leg rest position detection unit, which is composed of an appropriate vertical position detection unit, etc., for detecting the vertical position of the portion facing the sole of the foot of the leg rest 10 in order to control the leg rest drive unit, and appropriate stopping means, etc., for stopping the leg rest drive unit at the upper and lower vertical limits. The calf treatment section 11 may be provided with appropriate treatment mechanisms such as air cells or rollers for treating the left and right calves, which are received in the left calf receiving groove 12A and the right calf receiving groove 12B.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the first side wall 33 and second side wall 38 of the toe treatment section 13 are provided with air cells 34 and 39 that expand and contract by introducing and releasing air (see also Figure 9(a)). With this configuration, the treatment area 9 can be treated by expanding and contracting the air cells 34 and 39 in the side walls 33 and 38 on both sides. In addition, when holding the treatment area 9 by sandwiching it from both sides, the holding ability can be improved by expanding the air cells 34 and 39 in the side walls 33 and 38 on both sides. The massage machine 1 is equipped with an interlocking mechanism (22) that links the first oscillating mechanism (30) and the pressing displacement mechanism (26). With this configuration, there is no need to separately provide a drive source for oscillating the first side wall portion 33 and a drive source for displacing the pressing portion 29, nor is there a need to control them separately, thus simplifying the configuration.

[0022] The massage machine 1 is equipped with a second rocking mechanism (35) that rocks the second side wall 38, which is the other of the two side wall portions 33 and 38, so as to oscillate along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the part to be treated 9. With this configuration, the part to be treated 9 is sandwiched from both sides by the side wall portions 33 and 38, and both the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 can be rocked along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the part to be treated 9, thereby allowing the part to be treated 9 to be treated more effectively. The first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 are configured to oscillate in phase with respect to each other. With this configuration, by oscillating both the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 in phase with respect to each other while the area to be treated 9 is sandwiched from both sides, it is possible to apply pressure to the area to be treated 9 by pressing it with the pressing portion 29 while simultaneously performing a rubbing treatment, thereby enabling more effective treatment of the area to be treated 9.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(b), the massage machine 1 is equipped with a shared drive unit 20 that oscillates the first oscillating mechanism (30) of the left toe treatment section 13A and the first oscillating mechanism (30) of the right toe treatment section 13B. With this configuration, the configuration and control can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the drive units for the first oscillating mechanisms that oscillate the first side walls 33, 33 of the left toe treatment section 13A and the right toe treatment section 13B, respectively, are individually provided. Specifically, the left foot treatment area 13A and the right foot treatment area 13B have similar configurations and are symmetrical. The drive unit 20 consists of a motor or the like and rotates a drive shaft 22 that oscillates the first oscillating mechanisms (30) of the left toe treatment unit 13A and the right toe treatment unit 13B. The drive unit 20 may be a servo motor or the like that can rotate in both forward and reverse directions and has a controllable rotational speed. The drive unit 20 and the drive shaft 22 are connected via an appropriate transmission mechanism. Such a transmission mechanism may be a reduction gear 21 connected to the drive shaft 22, which includes a worm 20a provided on the shaft of the drive unit 20 and an appropriate worm wheel that meshes with it, or it may be configured in various other ways. The drive shaft 22 is provided so as to extend in the opposing direction between the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 38, as will be described in detail later, and constitutes an interlocking mechanism.

[0024] Figure 2(b) shows an example in which the drive shafts 22 that oscillate the first oscillating mechanisms (30) of the left toe treatment section 13A and the right toe treatment section 13B are shared drive shafts 22 that are rotated by the drive unit 20 via a shared reduction gear 21, but the system is not limited to this configuration. For example, the drive unit 20 may be a motor with two shafts, and the first oscillating mechanisms (30) of the left toe treatment section 13A and the right toe treatment section 13B may be oscillated by each drive shaft that is rotated via a reduction gear on each shaft. Furthermore, instead of the configuration described above in which a shared drive unit 20 is provided to swing the first swing mechanism (30) of the left toe treatment unit 13A and the first swing mechanism (30) of the right toe treatment unit 13B, a configuration in which a drive unit for swinging the first swing mechanism (30) of the left toe treatment unit 13A and a drive unit for swinging the first swing mechanism (30) of the right toe treatment unit 13B are provided separately may also be used. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to perform treatment in different ways in the left toe treatment unit 13A and the right toe treatment unit 13B. In the following explanation, similar configurations in the left toe treatment section 13A and the right toe treatment section 13B will be described using one as an example and referred to simply as the toe treatment section 13. Furthermore, the illustrated example shows the side wall section 33 located on the outside of the toe and the side wall section 38 located on the inside of the toe as the first side wall section 33; however, a configuration with these reversed is also possible.

[0025] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the first oscillating mechanism (30) includes a cam receiving portion 31 that rotatably receives the first eccentric cam 23 rotated by the drive shaft 22, and a guide portion (side wall guide portion) 18 that guides the oscillating of the first side wall portion 33. With this configuration, by rotating the first eccentric cam 23 by the drive shaft 22, the first side wall portion 33 can be made to oscillate along the longitudinal and depth directions of the treatment area 9. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pressing displacement mechanism (26) includes a cam receiving portion 27 that rotatably receives a pressing eccentric cam 25, which is provided so as to be out of phase with respect to the first eccentric cam 23 and rotated by the drive shaft 22, and a guide portion (pressing guide portion) 19 that guides the oscillation of the pressing portion 29. With this configuration, by rotating the pressing eccentric cam 25 by the drive shaft 22, the pressing portion 29 can be oscillated along the longitudinal and depth directions of the treated area 9 so as to be out of phase with respect to the first side wall portion 33. In other words, when the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to one side in the longitudinal direction of the treated area 9, the pressing portion 29 is displaced to the other side in the longitudinal direction, which is roughly opposite, and when the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to one side in the depth direction of the treated area 9, the pressing portion 29 is displaced to the other side in the depth direction, which is roughly opposite, thereby effectively stimulating the treated area 9. Furthermore, the drive source for oscillating the first oscillating mechanism (30) and the drive source for oscillating the pressing displacement mechanism (26) can be shared, which simplifies the configuration and control compared to a configuration in which these are provided separately.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second rocking mechanism (35) includes a cam receiving portion 36 that rotatably receives a second eccentric cam 24 rotated by the drive shaft 22, and a guide portion (side wall guide portion) 18 that guides the rocking of the second side wall portion 38. With this configuration, by rotating the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24 by the drive shaft 22, the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 can be rocked along the longitudinal and depth directions of the treatment area 9. This makes it possible to share the drive source for rocking the first rocking mechanism (30) and the drive source for rocking the second rocking mechanism (35), which simplifies the configuration and control compared to a configuration in which they are provided separately. In other words, in this embodiment, the drive source for oscillating the first oscillating mechanism (30), the drive source for oscillating the second oscillating mechanism (35), and the drive source for oscillating the pressing displacement mechanism (26) are all shared as a single drive source.

[0027] More specifically, the toe treatment section 13 includes a case 15 that houses each mechanism, as shown in Figure 2(a). This case 15 is held by an appropriate holding part provided on the foot rest 10 of the massage machine 1. The grooves forming the left toe receiving groove 14A and the right toe receiving groove 14B of this case 15 are provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the treatment section 9 and open toward the front. This case 15 is covered by an appropriate sheet-like cover or the like provided on the massage machine 1. In the illustrated example, this case 15 is divided into a lower case section and an upper case section. In Figure 2(b), the illustration of the case 15 is omitted, and in Figures 3 to 8, the illustration of the upper case section of the case 15 is omitted. Also, Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal cross-sectional views taken by cutting the left toe treatment section 13A and 13B approximately in the center in the left-right direction, looking toward the right toe treatment section 13B side. Figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal cross-sectional views taken from the right foot treatment section 13B, cut between the second side wall 38 and the pressing section 29, looking towards the pressing section 29. Figures 7 and 8 are longitudinal cross-sectional views taken from the right foot treatment section 13B, cut between the pressing section 29 and the first side wall 33, looking towards the first side wall 33.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(b), the toe treatment section 13 is equipped with a base section 16 that supports each mechanism. This base section 16 is equipped with a perimeter frame section that surrounds the lower four sides and a vertical frame section that rises up from the rear end of this frame section. The base section 16 is also equipped with holding sections 17, 17 that rise up from the left and right frame sections of the perimeter frame section. These holding sections 17, 17 are plate-shaped and arranged so that their thickness is in the left-right direction. The drive unit 20 is fixed along the left side of the left-side holding unit 17, which is one of the two holding units 17, 17 on both sides. Similarly, the reduction gear 21 is fixed along the left side of the left-side holding unit 17. The drive shaft 22 is provided so as to span across the left-right direction below the bottom of the left toe receiving groove 14A and the right toe receiving groove 14B. The left end of the drive shaft 22, which is one of its axial ends, is connected to the reduction gear 21, and the right end, which is the other end, is rotatably held in an appropriate bearing provided in the right-side holding part 17, which is the other end.

[0029] As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the first eccentric cam 23, the second eccentric cam 24, and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are cylindrical or disc-shaped with their axial direction aligned with the axial direction of the drive shaft 22, and are perfectly circular when viewed in the axial direction. In the illustrated example, the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24 are made to have approximately the same diameter, while the pressing eccentric cam 25 has a smaller diameter than the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24. These first eccentric cam 23, second eccentric cam 24, and pressing eccentric cam 25 are fixed to the drive shaft 22 so that they are positioned offset from their respective centers. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first eccentric cam 23 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are positioned so as to be offset from each other in the circumferential direction, such that the first side wall portion 33 and the pressing portion 29 are displaced in approximately opposite directions. In other words, the maximum diameter portion of the first eccentric cam 23 and the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 are positioned so as to be offset from each other in the circumferential direction when viewed in the axial direction. In the illustrated example, the first eccentric cam 23 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are positioned so that their maximum diameter portions are offset by approximately 150 degrees in the circumferential direction, but they may also be positioned so as to be offset from each other by approximately 140 to 220 degrees in the circumferential direction, such that the first side wall portion 33 and the pressing portion 29 are displaced in approximately opposite directions. Alternatively, the first eccentric cam 23 and the pressing eccentric cam 25 may be positioned so as to be offset from each other by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction, such that the first side wall portion 33 and the pressing portion 29 are displaced in exactly opposite directions.

[0030] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, both the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24 are positioned so as to be offset from each other in the circumferential direction. The first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24 are positioned so that their maximum diameter portions are offset by approximately 120 degrees in the circumferential direction. In other words, the second eccentric cam 24 and the pressure eccentric cam 25 are positioned so that their maximum diameter portions are offset by approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. The phase difference between the first eccentric cam 23, the second eccentric cam 24, and the pressure eccentric cam 25, their respective diameters, and the dimensions from their respective centers to the drive shaft 22 which becomes the eccentric axis can be appropriately set considering the treatment feel, etc. The first eccentric cam 23, the second eccentric cam 24, and the pressing eccentric cam 25 are fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 22 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. The first eccentric cam 23 is positioned at the left and right outer ends, which are the longitudinal ends of the drive shaft 22. The second eccentric cam 24 is positioned at the left and right central part, which is the longitudinal central part of the drive shaft 22. The pressing eccentric cam 25 is positioned approximately in the middle between the first eccentric cam 23 and the second eccentric cam 24.

[0031] The side wall guide portion 18 is axial in shape, extending in the opposing direction between the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, and is provided to span the left-right direction below the bottom of the grooves of the left toe receiving groove 14A and the right toe receiving groove 14B. This side wall guide portion 18 is provided parallel to the drive shaft 22. This side wall guide portion 18 is provided to be located at approximately the same height as the drive shaft 22 and to be located in front of the drive shaft 22. In this embodiment, the side wall guide portion 18 is a shared guide portion that guides the oscillation of the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38. With this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a configuration in which a separate guide portion is provided for the oscillation of the first side wall portion 33 and a separate guide portion is provided for the oscillation of the second side wall portion 38. The side wall guide portion 18 has one end, the left end which is one of its axial ends, fixed to the left holding portion 17, and the other end, the right end, fixed to the right holding portion 17.

[0032] The pressing guide portion 19 is axial in shape, extending in the opposing direction between the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, and is provided so as to span in the left-right direction below the groove bottoms of the left toe receiving groove 14A and the right toe receiving groove 14B. This pressing guide portion 19 is provided parallel to the drive shaft 22. This pressing guide portion 19 is provided so as to be located below the drive shaft 22. The pressing guide portion 19 has one end, the left end which is one of its axial ends, fixed to the left holding portion 17, and the other end, the right end which is fixed to the right holding portion 17.

[0033] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the cam receiving portion 31 of the first eccentric cam 23 is provided on the first oscillating member 30 which constitutes the first oscillating mechanism. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the first oscillating member 30 is provided such that its upper end portion rises from the bottom of the toe receiving grooves (left toe receiving groove 14A and right toe receiving groove 14B) and constitutes the groove wall on one side in the groove width direction. In the illustrated example, the first oscillating member 30 is substantially plate-shaped with its thickness direction being the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. In this embodiment, the upper end portion of this first oscillating member 30 constitutes the first side wall portion 33. This first side wall portion 33 may be provided so as to be offset towards the toe side portion of the toe receiving groove. In other words, the first side wall portion 33 does not have to be provided over the entire front-to-back direction of the toe receiving groove. In the illustrated example, the heel side portion of the toe receiving groove is shown without the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, but with a heel receiving wall portion formed to receive the heel. Furthermore, the illustrated example shows a case in which protrusions that press against the heel are provided on the opposing inner walls of the heel support wall. The heel support wall may also be provided with appropriate air cells or the like that stimulate the heel from the left and right, and various other treatment mechanisms may also be provided. The cam receiving portion 31 is provided at the rear end portion of the lower end portion of the first oscillating member 30. A suitable rolling bearing or the like may be provided between the inner circumferential surface of the cam receiving portion 31 and the outer circumferential surface of the first eccentric cam 23.

[0034] The first oscillating member 30 is provided with a guided portion 32 that is guided by a side wall guide portion 18. This guided portion 32 is provided at the front end portion of the lower end portion of the first oscillating member 30. In this embodiment, the guided portion 32 is an elongated hole through which the axial side wall guide portion 18 is inserted. The guided portion 32 is provided to extend diagonally from the rear end portion, which is at approximately the same height as the cam receiving portion 31, downwards as it approaches the front end portion. The guided portion 32 is provided so that the front end portion of the first side wall portion 33 follows the rear end portion of the first side wall portion 33, which swings in the longitudinal and depth directions of the treatment portion 9 by the first eccentric cam 23. The guided portion 32 and side wall guide portion 18 of the first swinging member 30 are not limited to this example. For example, the guide groove that guides the projection or shaft portion provided on the first swinging member 30 side may be provided on the case 15 side such as the base portion 16. Furthermore, the guided portion 32 and the side wall guide portion 18 are not limited to configurations consisting of elongated holes or guide grooves and projections or shafts inserted therein, but may also be guide surfaces that rub against each other. Moreover, the guided portion may be configured to receive an eccentric cam provided on the rotatable side wall guide portion 18, or various other configurations may be used. In addition, instead of integrally providing the cam receiving portion 31 and the guided portion 32 of the first oscillating member 30 on the lower end side of the first side wall portion 33, they may be provided separately from the first side wall portion 33.

[0035] The air cell 34 provided on the first side wall 33 is provided along the surface of the first side wall 33 on the toe receiving groove side, as shown in Figure 2(b). In the illustrated example, the upper end of the air cell 34 is shown to protrude above the upper end of the first side wall 33, and both the front and rear ends of the air cell 34 protrude in the front and rear direction beyond both the front and rear ends of the first side wall 33. The air cell 34 may be configured such that the expansion dimension at the upper end is greater than the expansion dimension at the lower end (the groove bottom side of the toe receiving groove) which is roughly along the groove width direction of the toe receiving groove. The first side wall portion 33 may be provided with a suitable through-hole through which the connection portion of the air cell 34 is inserted. An air source such as an air pump may be connected to the connection portion of the air cell 34 via an air conduit. An air cell supply and exhaust section, such as a solenoid valve, which controls the supply and discharge of air to and from the air cell 34, may be provided at an appropriate location in the air conduit.

[0036] The first side wall portion 33 (and air cell 34) configured as described above is displaced along the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) and depth direction (up-down direction) of the treatment portion 9 by the first oscillating member 30 as the drive shaft 22 is rotated by the drive unit 20. In other words, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the drive shaft 22 is rotated, the rear end portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced in the front-to-back and up-down directions, accompanied by the rotation of the first eccentric cam 23. Furthermore, the front end portion of the first side wall portion 33 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 inserted into its guided portion 32, so as to follow the displacement of the rear end portion of the first side wall portion 33, and is displaced along the elongated hole of the guided portion 32. Figure 7(a) illustrates a lower position where the maximum diameter portion of the first eccentric cam 23 is facing downward and the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is pulled downward. In this state, the front end portion of the first side wall 33 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 and is positioned above the rear end portion. Figure 7(b) illustrates a rearward position where the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 7(a) so that the maximum diameter portion faces the rearward side, and the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward. At the same time, the front end portion of the first side wall 33 is also displaced so as to be pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18, resulting in the rearward and upward positions.

[0037] Figure 8(a) illustrates an upper position where the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 7(b) so that the maximum diameter portion faces upward, and the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is pushed forward to an oblique upward direction. At this time, the front end portion of the first side wall 33 is displaced so as to be pushed forward to an oblique downward direction, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18. Figure 8(b) illustrates a forward position where the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 8(a) so that the maximum diameter portion faces forward, and the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is pulled forward to an oblique downward position. At the same time, the front end portion of the first side wall 33 is also displaced so as to be pulled forward to an oblique downward position, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18, resulting in both a forward position and a downward position. From this state, as shown in Figure 7(a), if the first eccentric cam 23 is rotated approximately 90 degrees so that its maximum diameter portion faces downward, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is pulled in to the rearward side, diagonally downward, resulting in the downward position described above. At this time, the front end portion of the first side wall 33 is displaced so as to be pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18.

[0038] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the cam receiving portion 27 of the pressing eccentric cam 25 is provided on the pressing displacement member 26 that constitutes the pressing displacement mechanism. The pressing displacement member 26 is generally elongated vertically, and its upper end is positioned so as to be exposed at the bottom of the toe receiving grooves (left toe receiving groove 14A and right toe receiving groove 14B). The portion of the pressing displacement member 26 below the pressing portion 29 may be roughly plate-shaped, with its thickness direction aligned with the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. The cam receiving portion 27 is positioned below the pressing portion 29. A suitable rolling bearing or the like may be provided between the inner circumferential surface of the cam receiving portion 27 and the outer circumferential surface of the pressing eccentric cam 25.

[0039] The pressing displacement member 26 is provided with a guided portion 28 that is guided by the pressing guide portion 19. This guided portion 28 is positioned below the cam receiving portion 27. In this embodiment, the guided portion 28 is an elongated hole through which a shaft-shaped pressing guide portion 19 is inserted. This guided portion 28 is provided to extend in a generally vertical direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the pressing displacement member 26. This guided portion 28 is provided so that the lower end portion of the pressing displacement member 26 follows and swings with the pressing portion 29, which swings in the longitudinal and depth directions of the treatment area 9 by the pressing eccentric cam 25. The guided portion 28 and the pressing guide portion 19 of the pressing displacement member 26 are not limited to this example. For example, a configuration in which a guide groove that guides a projection or shaft portion provided on the pressing displacement member 26 side is provided on the case 15 side such as the base portion 16 may be provided, similar to the above. Furthermore, the guided portion 28 and the pressing guide portion 19 are not limited to a configuration consisting of an elongated hole or guide groove and a projection or shaft portion inserted therein, but may also be guide surfaces that rub against each other. Furthermore, the cam receiving portion, which receives an eccentric cam provided on the rotatable pressing guide portion 19, may be provided as the guided portion, and various other configurations are also possible. In addition, instead of providing the cam receiving portion 27 and the guided portion 28 of the pressing displacement member 26 integrally on the lower end side which is the base end of the pressing portion 29, they may be provided separately from the pressing portion 29.

[0040] The pressing portion 29 is provided at the upper end of the pressing displacement member 26 so as to be displaced approximately in the center of the toe receiving groove in the front-rear direction. This pressing portion 29 may be provided to press on the part of the sole of the foot including the arch. In this case, the pressing portion 29 may be configured to have appropriate protrusions so as to be able to effectively treat the medial longitudinal arch. In the illustrated example, the pressing portion 29 is shown to have multiple (two in the illustrated example) protrusions that project upward to correspond to the medial longitudinal arch, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In addition to these multiple protrusions, the pressing portion 29 may also be provided with appropriate protrusions that press on the area outside the medial longitudinal arch. The number of protrusions constituting the pressing portion 29 is not limited to this number, and there may be just one. Furthermore, the shape of the protrusion constituting such a pressing portion 29 is not limited to that shown in the illustrated example, and may have irregularities on its surface to enhance the acupressure effect, or be a roller shape that is rotatable around an axis parallel to the drive shaft 22. The pressing portion 29, configured as described above, is displaced along the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) and depth direction (up-down direction) of the treatment portion 9 by the oscillation of the pressing displacement member 26 caused by the rotation of the drive shaft 22 by the drive unit 20. In other words, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the drive shaft 22 is rotated, the pressing portion 29 is displaced in the front-to-back and up-and-down directions, accompanied by the rotation of the pressing eccentric cam 25. Furthermore, the lower end portion of the pressing displacement member 26 is guided and restricted by the pressing guide portion 19 inserted into its guided portion 28, so as to follow the displacement of the pressing portion 29, and displaces along the elongated hole of the guided portion 28.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5(a), in the lower position where the maximum diameter portion of the pressing eccentric cam 25 is facing downwards and the pressing portion 29 is retracted downwards, the rear end portion of the first side wall portion 33 is in a substantially upper position. The pressing portion 29 in this lower position may be in a position where it is retracted without substantially protruding from the bottom of the toe receiving groove. In other words, in the lower position, the pressing portion 29 may be configured to be in a non-contact (non-stimulating) position with respect to the part to be treated 9 received in the toe receiving groove. Figure 5(b) illustrates a rearward position where the pressing eccentric cam 25 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 5(a) so that the maximum diameter portion faces the rearward side, and the pressing portion 29 is pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward. At this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is displaced to the frontward side, diagonally downward. Figure 6(a) illustrates an upper position where the pressing eccentric cam 25 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 5(b) so that the maximum diameter portion faces upward, and the pressing portion 29 is pushed forward to an oblique upward direction. At this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is displaced to the rearward side, obliquely downward.

[0042] Figure 6(b) illustrates a forward position where the pressing eccentric cam 25 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 6(a) so that the maximum diameter portion faces forward, and the pressing portion 29 is pushed forward to an oblique downward position. At this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is displaced to the rear, oblique upward position. From this state, as shown in Figure 5(a), if the pressing eccentric cam 25 is rotated approximately 90 degrees so that its maximum diameter portion faces downward, the pressing portion 29 is pulled in to the rearward side, which is diagonally downward, and reaches the downward position described above. At this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall portion 33 is displaced to the frontward side, which is diagonally upward. Thus, the pressing portion 29 and the rear end portion of the first side wall portion 33 are displaced in generally opposite directions, that is, with a phase difference of approximately 180 degrees, or more specifically, with a phase difference of approximately 150 degrees. In addition, instead of providing one pressing portion 29 positioned between the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, a configuration with two or more pressing portions 29 may be used. Alternatively, or in addition to such configurations, a configuration may be provided in which pressing portions 29 are provided at multiple locations in the longitudinal direction of the treatment portion 9. In these cases, these multiple pressing portions 29 may be configured to displace similarly, or they may be configured to displace in phase with each other. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to a configuration in which the pressing portion 29 is provided on the bottom side of the toe receiving groove, a configuration may be provided on the heel side, etc.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cam receiving portion 36 of the second eccentric cam 24 is provided on the second oscillating member 35 which constitutes the second oscillating mechanism. This second oscillating member 35 may have the same configuration as the first oscillating member 30 described above. As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the second oscillating member 35 is provided such that its upper end portion rises from the bottom of the toe receiving grooves (left toe receiving groove 14A and right toe receiving groove 14B) and constitutes the groove wall on the other side in the groove width direction. In the illustrated example, the second oscillating member 35 is substantially plate-shaped with its thickness direction being the axial direction of the drive shaft 22. In this embodiment, the upper end portion of this second oscillating member 35 constitutes the second side wall portion 38. This second side wall portion 38 may be provided so as to be offset towards the toe side portion of the toe receiving groove, similar to the first side wall portion 33. In other words, the second side wall portion 38 does not have to be provided over the entire front-to-back direction of the toe receiving groove. The cam receiving portion 36 is provided at the rear end portion of the lower end portion of the second oscillating member 35. A suitable rolling bearing or the like may be provided between the inner circumferential surface of the cam receiving portion 36 and the outer circumferential surface of the second eccentric cam 24.

[0044] The second oscillating member 35 is provided with a guided portion 37 that is guided by the side wall guide portion 18. This guided portion 37 is provided at the front end portion of the lower end portion of the second oscillating member 35. The guided portion 37, like the first oscillating member 30, is an elongated hole through which an axial side wall guide portion 18 is inserted. This guided portion 37 is provided to extend diagonally from the rear end portion, which is at approximately the same height as the cam receiving portion 36, downwards as it approaches the front end portion. This guided portion 37 is provided so that the front end portion of the second side wall portion 38 follows the rear end portion of the second side wall portion 38, which swings in the longitudinal and depth directions of the treatment portion 9 by the second eccentric cam 24. The guided portion 37 and side wall guide portion 18 of the second oscillating member 35 are not limited to this example. For example, the guide groove that guides the projection or shaft portion provided on the second oscillating member 35 side may be provided on the case 15 side such as the base portion 16. Furthermore, the guided portion 37 and the side wall guide portion 18 are not limited to configurations consisting of elongated holes or guide grooves and projections or shafts inserted therein, but may also be guide surfaces that rub against each other. Moreover, the guided portion may be configured to receive an eccentric cam provided on the rotatable side wall guide portion 18, or various other configurations may be used. In addition, instead of integrally providing the cam receiving portion 36 and the guided portion 37 of the second oscillating member 35 on the lower end side of the second side wall portion 38, they may be provided separately from the second side wall portion 38.

[0045] The air cell 39 provided on the second side wall 38 is provided along the surface of the second side wall 38 on the toe receiving groove side, as shown in Figure 2(b). In the illustrated example, the upper end of the air cell 39 protrudes above the upper end of the second side wall 38, and both the front and rear ends of the air cell 39 protrude in the front and rear direction beyond both the front and rear ends of the second side wall 38. In the illustrated example, the dimension of the air cell 39 along the vertical direction is smaller than the dimension of the air cell 34 of the first side wall 33 along the same direction. The air cell 39 may be configured such that the expansion dimension at the upper end is larger than the expansion dimension along the groove width direction of the toe receiving groove at the lower end (groove bottom side of the toe receiving groove). The second side wall portion 38 may be provided with a suitable through-hole through which the connection portion of the air cell 39 is inserted. An air source such as an air pump may be connected to the connection portion of the air cell 39 via an air conduit. An air cell supply and exhaust section, such as a solenoid valve, which controls the supply and discharge of air to and from the air cell 39, may be provided at an appropriate location in the air conduit.

[0046] The second side wall portion 38 (and air cell 39) configured as described above is displaced along the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) and depth direction (up-down direction) of the treatment portion 9 by the second oscillating member 35 as the drive shaft 22 is rotated by the drive unit 20. In other words, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the drive shaft 22 is rotated, the rear end portion of the second side wall portion 38 is displaced in the front-to-back and up-down directions, accompanied by the rotation of the second eccentric cam 24. Furthermore, the front end portion of the second side wall portion 38 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 inserted into its guided portion 37, and displaces along the elongated hole of the guided portion 37, following the displacement of the rear end portion of the second side wall portion 38. Figure 3(a) illustrates a lower position where the maximum diameter portion of the second eccentric cam 24 is facing downward and the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 is pulled downward. In this state, the front end portion of the second side wall 38 is guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18 and is positioned above the rear end portion. Also in this state, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is generally in a forward position, and the pressing portion 20 is in the rear position as described above. Figure 3(b) illustrates a rearward position where the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 3(a) so that the maximum diameter portion faces the rear, and the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 is pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward. At this time, the front end portion of the second side wall 38 is also displaced so as to be pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18, resulting in a rearward and upward position. Also at this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is generally in a downward position, and the pressing portion 20 is in the upward position as described above.

[0047] Figure 4(a) illustrates an upper position where the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 3(b) so that the maximum diameter portion faces upward, and the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 is pushed forward to an oblique upward position. At this time, the front end portion of the second side wall 38 is displaced so as to be pushed forward to an oblique downward position, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18. Also, at this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is generally in a rearward position, and the pressing portion 29 is in the forward position described above. Figure 4(b) illustrates a forward position where the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the state in Figure 4(a) so that the maximum diameter portion faces forward, and the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 is pulled forward to an oblique downward position. At this time, the front end portion of the second side wall 38 is also displaced so as to be pulled forward to an oblique downward position, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18, and becomes a forward and downward position. Also at this time, the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 is generally in an upward position, and the pressing portion 29 is in the downward position as described above. From this state, as shown in Figure 3(a), if the second eccentric cam 24 is rotated approximately 90 degrees so that its maximum diameter portion faces downward, the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 is pulled in to the rearward side, diagonally downward, resulting in the downward position described above. At this time, the front end portion of the second side wall 38 is displaced so as to be pushed out to the rearward side, diagonally upward, guided and restricted by the side wall guide portion 18.

[0048] As described above, the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 and the pressing portion 29 are displaced with a phase difference of approximately 90 degrees, and the rear end portion of the second side wall 38 and the rear end portion of the first side wall 33 are displaced with a phase difference of approximately 120 degrees. The phase difference when these pressing portion 29, the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 38 are oscillated is not limited to this configuration. For example, instead of a configuration in which the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 38 are oscillated out of phase with respect to each other, a configuration in which the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 38 are displaced in the same direction may be used, as shown in the modified example below. With such a configuration, the area to be treated 9 can be sandwiched from both sides and pressed by the pressing portion 29, which is displaced in roughly opposite directions, while both the first side wall 33 and the second side wall 38 are oscillated in the same direction, thereby allowing the area to be treated 9 to be treated more effectively. The displacement trajectories of the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38 are not limited to those described above and may be set appropriately considering the sensation of treatment, etc. Furthermore, in the example described above, the eccentric cams 23, 24, and 25 of the right toe treatment section 13B were rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the center in the left-right direction outwards (the eccentric cams 23, 24, and 25 of the left toe treatment section 13A were rotated clockwise when viewed from the center in the left-right direction outwards), but they may be rotated in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the forward, backward, upward, and downward positions of the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38 described above are not limited to the positions that are furthest forward, furthest backward, furthest upward, and furthest downward, but also include positions that are further forward, further backward, further upward, and further downward, depending on the displacement trajectory of the pressing displacement member 26, the first oscillating member 30, and the second oscillating member 35.

[0049] The example described above shows a configuration in which the first side wall portion 33, the pressing portion 29, and the second side wall portion 38 are displaced by a single drive shaft 22, but the system is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first side wall portion 33, the pressing portion 29, and the second side wall portion 38 may be displaced by multiple drive shafts connected to the drive unit 20 via different reduction gears. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the operating speed and torque different by making the reduction ratio of each reduction gear different. Furthermore, the manner in which the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 are oscillated along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the treatment portion 9 is not limited to the configuration in which oscillating members 30 and 35 are oscillated by eccentric cams 23 and 24 that rotate around the drive shaft 22 as described above. For example, a configuration in which pinions that engage with racks provided on the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 are provided, or a configuration in which an appropriate drive source such as a cylinder or air cell is provided to displace the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 along a guide groove, and various other configurations may be used. In addition, instead of the configuration in which a drive source is provided to interlock the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, a configuration in which a drive source is provided to oscillate them individually may be used. Furthermore, the above example shows a configuration in which the pressing portion 29 is displaced in a manner that is mechanically linked to the first side wall portion 33 (and the second side wall portion 38), but the configuration is not limited to this. The first side wall portion 33 (and the second side wall portion 38) and the pressing portion 29 may not be mechanically linked. In this case, a suitable drive source such as a motor, cylinder, or air cell may be provided to displace the pressing portion 29. In this case, the drive source of the pressing portion 29 may be controlled by a suitable control unit so that the pressing portion 29 is linked to one or both of the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38.

[0050] Furthermore, the massage machine 1 may include a detection unit that detects the position of at least one of the pressing portion 29, the first side wall portion 33, and the second side wall portion 38. Furthermore, the massage machine 1 is equipped with an appropriate power supply unit and power cord, which are connected to an external commercial power supply and supply power to each of the above-mentioned parts. Furthermore, the massage machine 1 is equipped with an operation display unit and a control unit that is connected to each part via signal lines, etc., and controls each part.

[0051] Next, an example of a treatment mode using a modified foot treatment unit will be explained with reference to Figures 9(a) to (d). In Figures 9(a) to (d), the front-to-back direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the toe constituting the treatment area 9, is shown as the up-to-down direction of the paper. Also, in Figures 9(a) to (d), an example is shown in which the air cells 34 and 39 of the first side wall 33 and second side wall 38 of the toe treatment area 13 (left toe treatment area 13A in the example) are inflated and the first side wall 33 and second side wall 38 are oscillated in the longitudinal direction (and depth direction) of the treatment area 9, but the example is not limited to this. For example, when oscillating the first side wall 33 and second side wall 38, the air cells 34 and 39 may be gradually inflated, gradually deflated, or inflated alternately, or they may be inflated and deflated in various other ways.

[0052] As shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 at the front are displaced to the rear, while the pressing portion 29 at the rear is displaced to the front. Also, as shown in Figures 9(c) and (d), the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38 at the rear are displaced to the front, while the pressing portion 29 at the front is displaced to the rear. With this configuration, the toes constituting the treatment area 9 can be displaced in the front-rear direction by the first side wall portion 33 and the second side wall portion 38, while the pressing portion 29, which displaces in the opposite direction, can press on the underside of the toes (arch of the foot). In other words, the first side wall portion 33 (air cell 34) and the second side wall portion 38 (air cell 39) function like the fingers other than the thumbs of a therapist such as a massage therapist, and the pressing portion 29 functions like a thumb, so it can be expected that a treatment sensation similar to that of a human therapist will be provided. Alternatively, instead of, or in addition to, a configuration in which the first side wall portion 33, the second side wall portion 38, and the pressing portion 29 are displaceable in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction of the toe), a configuration in which they are displaceable in the up-down direction (depth direction of the toe) may be adopted.

[0053] The example described above shows a chair-type massage machine 1 equipped with a foot treatment unit 13. However, the example is not limited to this, and the massage machine 1 may also be a so-called foot massager that treats only the left and right legs, or it may treat only the toes. Furthermore, instead of a configuration equipped with a left foot treatment unit 13A and a right foot treatment unit 13B that treat both toes, a configuration equipped with only one of them is also acceptable.

[0054] Next, an example of a massage machine equipped with a treatment unit according to a modified example will be described with reference to Figures 9(e) and (f). Figure 9(e) schematically shows a massage machine equipped with a treatment unit according to the first modified example. The massage machine 1A according to this modified example is equipped with a shoulder treatment unit 13C that treats the area near the shoulder, which constitutes the treatment area 9A of the person being treated. The shoulder treatment section 13C comprises a left side wall section 33A constituting a first side wall section, a right side wall section 38A constituting a second side wall section, and pressing sections 29A, 29A that press on both shoulder sections constituting the treatment area 9A from the rear side. The left side wall section 33A and the right side wall section 38A demarcate both sides of the receiving recess 14C that receives the patient. The left side wall section 33A and the right side wall section 38A are provided with air cells 34, 39, respectively, in much the same manner as described above. Furthermore, the left side wall section 33A, the right side wall section 38A, and the pressing sections 29A, 29A on both sides are configured to displace in generally opposite directions in the front-rear direction. According to this modified example, the left side wall portion 33A and the right side wall portion 38A press both shoulder portions backward, while the pressing portions 29A, 29A on both sides press both shoulder portions from the rear side.

[0055] Figure 9(f) schematically shows a massage machine equipped with a treatment unit according to the second modified example. The massage machine 1B according to this modified example is generally the same as the first modified example described above, and includes a shoulder treatment unit 13D that treats the area near the shoulder that constitutes the treatment area 9B of the person being treated. The shoulder treatment section 13D comprises a left side wall section 33B which constitutes the first side wall section, a right side wall section 38B which constitutes the second side wall section, and pressing sections 29B, 29B which press on both shoulder sections that constitute the treatment area 9A from the back side. The left side wall section 33B and the right side wall section 38B demarcate both sides of the receiving recess 14D that receives the patient. The left side wall section 33B and the right side wall section 38B are provided with air cells 34, 39, respectively, in much the same manner as described above. Furthermore, the left side wall section 33B and the right side wall section 38B and the pressing sections 29B, 29B on both sides are configured to displace in generally opposite directions in the vertical direction. According to this modified example, the left wall portion 33B and the right wall portion 38B press both shoulder portions downward, while the pressing portions 29B, 29B on both sides are displaced upward, thereby pressing both shoulder portions from the rear side.

[0056] Alternatively, instead of the configurations shown in the first and second modified examples, the pressing portion 29A(29B) may be displaced in approximately opposite directions to the left wall portion 33A(33B) and the right wall portion 38A(38B), which are displaced in the front-rear and up-down directions. Furthermore, the massage machines 1,1A,1B are not limited to configurations where the treatment areas 9,9A,9B are the toes or the vicinity of the shoulders, as described above. For example, the treatment areas may also be the calves (lower legs), thighs (upper legs), forearms, upper arms, etc., or the buttocks, waist, back, neck, etc. Depending on the treatment area, the position and displacement of the first side wall, second side wall, and pressing area may be changed. For example, if the treatment area is the forearm, the first side wall and the second side wall may be arranged to face each other vertically. In the examples described above, air cells are provided on both the first and second side walls. However, they may be provided on only one of them, or a suitable pressing section may be provided instead of the air cells. In the examples described above, the configuration is shown in which both the first and second side walls swing along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the area being treated. However, the configuration may also be such that only one of them swings along one or both of the longitudinal and depth directions of the area being treated. The configuration of each part and the treatment method of the massage machines 1, 1A, and 1B according to this embodiment are not limited to the examples described above, and various other modifications are possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1,1A,1B Massage machine 13A Treatment area for the left toe 13B Treatment area of ​​the right toe 18. Side wall guide section (first rocking mechanism, second rocking mechanism, guide section) 19. Pressing guide section (pressing displacement mechanism, guide section) 20 Drive unit 22 Drive shaft (interlocking mechanism) 23. First eccentric cam 24. Second eccentric cam 25. Compression eccentric cam 26. Pressing displacement member (pressing displacement mechanism) 27 Cam receiving part 29 Pressing part 30 First rocking member (first rocking mechanism) 31 Cam receiving part 33 First side wall section (side wall section) 33A, 33B Left side wall (first side wall, side wall) 34 Air Cells 35. Second rocking member (second rocking mechanism) 36 Cam receiving part 38. Second side wall section (side wall section) 38A, 38B Right side wall (second side wall, side wall) 39 Air Cells 9,9A,9B Treatment area

Claims

1. A receiving groove that receives a part to be treated, comprising: side walls on both sides that are provided to rise from the bottom of the receiving groove so as to form groove walls on both sides in the groove width direction of the receiving groove and to hold the part to be treated between both sides; a first swinging mechanism that swings one of these side walls, a first side wall, along one or both of the groove depth direction and groove longitudinal direction of the receiving groove; a pressing part that presses the part to be treated between the side walls on both sides; a pressing displacement mechanism that displaces the pressing part in a direction generally opposite to that of the first side wall; and an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the first swinging mechanism and the pressing displacement mechanism, The interlocking mechanism is characterized by comprising a drive shaft that is rotated by a drive unit and extends in a direction opposite to the first side wall and the second side wall of the other of the two side wall portions; the first oscillating mechanism comprises a cam receiving portion that rotatably receives a first eccentric cam rotated by the drive shaft and a guide portion that guides the oscillating of the first side wall; and the pressing displacement mechanism comprises a cam receiving portion that rotatably receives a pressing eccentric cam that is provided so as to be out of phase with respect to the first eccentric cam and rotated by the drive shaft, and a guide portion that guides the oscillating of the pressing portion.

2. The device comprises: side walls on both sides that are provided to rise from the bottom of the receiving groove so as to constitute groove walls on both sides in the groove width direction of the receiving groove and that hold the part to be treated between them; a first swinging mechanism that swings one of these side walls, a first side wall, along one or both of the groove depth direction and groove longitudinal direction of the receiving groove; a pressing part that presses the part to be treated between the side walls on both sides; a pressing displacement mechanism that displaces the pressing part in a direction generally opposite to that of the first side wall; and a second swinging mechanism that swings the other of the side walls, a second side wall, along one or both of the groove depth direction and groove longitudinal direction of the receiving groove. The massage machine is characterized in that the first rocking mechanism comprises a cam receiving portion that rotatably receives a first eccentric cam rotated by a drive shaft extending in opposing directions between the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion, and a guide portion that guides the rocking of the first side wall portion, and the second rocking mechanism comprises a cam receiving portion that rotatably receives a second eccentric cam rotated by the drive shaft, and a guide portion that guides the rocking of the second side wall portion.

3. In claim 1, A massage machine characterized by comprising a second rocking mechanism that rocks the second side wall portion along one or both of the groove depth direction and groove longitudinal direction of the receiving groove.

4. In claim 2 or 3, A massage machine characterized in that the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are configured to oscillate in phase with respect to each other.

5. In claim 2 or 3, A massage machine characterized in that the first side wall portion and the second side wall portion are configured to swing in the same direction relative to each other.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 3, A massage machine characterized in that the first side wall and the second side wall are provided with air cells that expand and contract by introducing and discharging air.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 3, A massage machine characterized by comprising: a left foot treatment section having the side walls on both sides of the left toe constituting the treatment area, the first oscillating mechanism, the pressing section, and the pressing displacement mechanism; and a right foot treatment section having the side walls on both sides of the right toe constituting the treatment area, the first oscillating mechanism, the pressing section, and the pressing displacement mechanism.

8. In claim 7, A massage machine characterized by having a shared drive unit that oscillates the first oscillating mechanism of the left foot treatment unit and the first oscillating mechanism of the right foot treatment unit.

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