Chair and composite chair

Abstract

A chair (1) comprises: a seat portion (2) on which a user can sit; a backrest portion (3) provided in the rear part of the seat portion (2); a leg body (5) that supports the seat portion (2) and the backrest portion (3); a reclining mechanism (6) that lifts the backrest portion (3) upward and reclines the lifted backrest portion (3); a slide mechanism (7) that slides the backrest portion (3) and the seat portion (2) in the front-rear direction; and an interlocking mechanism (8) that interlocks the reclining mechanism (6) and the slide mechanism (7).

Description

Chairs and combined chairs

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a chair and a combined chair that can reliably recline the backrest even when installed close to a wall in a room. This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2023-203144, filed November 30, 2023, and incorporates the entire contents of said Japanese application by reference.

[0002] Conventionally, there are many chair-type massage machines whose backrests can be reclined in the front-rear direction. Such chair-type massage machines are disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology relating to a stationary chair-type massage machine whose backrest can be reclined.

[0003] JP 2012-170554 A

[0004] A chair according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a seat on which a user can sit, a backrest provided at the rear of the seat, legs supporting the seat and the backrest, a reclining mechanism for reclining the backrest, a sliding mechanism for sliding the backrest and seat in the forward and backward directions, and a linking mechanism for linking the reclining mechanism with the sliding mechanism.

[0005] 2B is a side view showing an outline of the basic position and reclining position of the chair (chair-type massage machine) according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing a state in which the backrest is in a non-reclining state and the seat is in a rear reference position (sofa mode); FIG. 2D is a perspective view showing the transition from the non-reclining state to the reclining state, in which the reclining mechanism raises the backrest from the storage position and the slide mechanism moves the seat forward to switch to the protruding position; FIG. 2E is a perspective view showing the transition from the non-reclining state to the reclining state, in which the backrest is raised to the highest position (comfort mode); FIG. 2F is a perspective view showing the state in which the backrest is in a reclining state and the seat has moved forward (lounge mode); FIG. 2G is a right side view of the state in FIG. 2A; FIG. 2G is a right side view of the state in FIG. 2B; FIG. 2G is a right side view of the state in FIG. 2C; and FIG. 2D is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the reclining mechanism and the slide mechanism. FIG. 2H is a perspective view of the reclining mechanism. FIG. 2H is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the reclining mechanism. 6 is a perspective view of a combined chair in which the chair of this embodiment and a chair having substantially the same shape as the chair are connected using a connecting unit.

[0006] <Problem to be Solved by the Present Disclosure> The chair-type massage machine of Patent Document 1 does not require a large distance between the wall of the room and the back of the backrest, and can be installed in a reclining manner even in a small space (in other words, a short distance). The chair-type massage machine of Patent Document 1 is configured so that the backrest can be adjusted by tilting it backward, for example, by simply leaving a distance of about 10 to 20 cm between the wall of the room and the back of the backrest.

[0007] However, depending on various factors such as the size of the room, there are cases where the chair needs to be installed with very little space between the back of the backrest and the wall of the room. For example, there are cases where the distance between the wall of the room and the back of the backrest is only a few centimeters. In such cases, it has been found that the backrest of conventional chair-type massage machines cannot be reclined.

[0008] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a chair and a composite chair that are equipped with a mechanism that allows the backrest to recline and the seat to slide forward, so that when the chair is placed close to a wall in a room, the backrest can be smoothly and reliably reclined even when the distance between the wall and the back of the backrest is small.

[0009] <Effects of the Present Disclosure> The chair and composite chair of the present disclosure are provided with a mechanism that allows the backrest to recline and the seat to slide forward, so that when the chair is installed close to a wall in a room, the backrest can be reclined smoothly and reliably even if there is a small distance between the wall and the back of the backrest.

[0010] <Outline of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Below, an outline of embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides the following technical solutions.

[0012] (1) A chair according to the present disclosure has a seat portion on which a user can sit, a backrest portion provided at the rear of the seat portion, legs supporting the seat portion and the backrest portion, a reclining mechanism for reclining the backrest portion, a sliding mechanism for sliding the backrest portion and the seat portion in the forward and backward directions, and a linking mechanism for linking the reclining mechanism with the sliding mechanism.

[0013] (2) In (1) above, the leg body may have a fixed frame installed on the floor and a movable frame on which the seat and backrest are mounted and which can slide in the forward and backward directions relative to the fixed frame, and the movable frame may be mounted with a backrest frame which supports the backrest so that it can recline, and the seat, and the movable frame may be slidable in the forward and backward directions relative to the fixed frame by the slide mechanism.

[0014] (3) In the above (2), the interlocking mechanism may be a mechanism that interlocks the reclining action of the backrest frame by the reclining mechanism with the sliding action of the moving frame in the forward and backward directions by the sliding mechanism.

[0015] (4) In the above (3), the interlocking mechanism may be configured to interlock the sliding mechanism with a driving force that is output from a lifting mechanism constituting the reclining mechanism and that causes the backrest to recline, thereby sliding the moving frame in the forward and backward directions.

[0016] (5) In (4) above, the interlocking mechanism may have a first shaft provided at the bottom of the backrest frame, a first guide rail provided on the fixed frame in a tilted state from the lower rear side to the upper front side with the front rising, and a first slider portion attached to the first shaft and moving diagonally on the first guide rail.

[0017] (6) In the above (5), the interlocking mechanism may be configured such that, as the first slider moves on the first guide rail, which is inclined upward at the front, a force component directed forward or backward is generated in the first slider from the upward or downward movement of the backrest frame, and the generated force component directed forward or backward is transmitted to the first shaft to which the first slider is attached, causing the moving frame to move forward or backward via the backrest frame.

[0018] (7) In (6) above, the reclining mechanism may be configured to raise the backrest portion upward, and may include a guide plate provided in the seat portion and having a long groove formed in the vertical direction, and a guide body that fits freely into the long groove and is guided along the long groove, and the backrest frame and the movable frame may be connected via the reclining mechanism.

[0019] (8) In the above (7), the reclining mechanism raises the backrest portion upward and tilts the raised backrest portion backward, and the long groove has an upper portion curved rearward, and the long groove is composed of a lower groove portion that extends in a vertical direction and slopes rearward, and an upper groove portion that is connected to the upper side of the lower groove portion and slopes further rearward than the lower groove portion, and a rack gear is provided in the long groove, and at least two or more guide bodies are arranged above and below the long groove, one of the guide bodies is movable from the lower groove portion to the upper groove portion, and the other guide body is equipped with a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear and is movable in the lower groove portion.

[0020] (9) In the above (8), the slide mechanism may have a second shaft provided on the movable frame, a second guide rail provided on the fixed frame facing in the front-to-rear direction, and a second slider portion attached to the second shaft and moving in the front-to-rear direction on the second guide rail.

[0021] (10) In the above (9), the slide mechanism may have a slide bar that is provided on the movable frame so as to be parallel to the second guide rail and that slides as the movable frame moves back and forth, and a guide groove that is provided on the fixed frame and guides the slide bar in the back and forth direction.

[0022] (11) In the above (1), armrests may be provided on the left and right sides of the seat, and the armrests may be configured to move forward and backward together with the seat in conjunction with the reclining movement of the backrest.

[0023] (12) In the above (11), the armrests may be attached to both the left and right sides of the moving frame and move in the front-rear direction together with the moving frame.

[0024] (13) In any one of the above (1) to (12), the backrest and / or the seat may have a built-in massage mechanism that massages the area of ​​the user that needs to be treated.

[0025] (14) A composite chair according to the present disclosure is formed by connecting at least two or more chairs according to any one of (1) to (12) above in the left-right direction by sandwiching a connecting unit therebetween.

[0026] (15) In the above (14), the connecting unit may have a side plate member that is slidable in the front-rear direction, and the side plate member may be connected to the moving frame.

[0027] <Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Hereinafter, details of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0028] The embodiment described below is an example of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in the drawings, some components are omitted or drawn using virtual lines, etc., for clarity.

[0029] In the following description, the directions shown in the drawings will be the directions when describing the chair 1 of the present disclosure. For example, the up-down, front-back, left-right, and other directions of the chair 1 are as shown in Figures 1 to 7. Note that in the side views of Figures 1 and 3A to 3D, the up-down and front-back directions are as shown, but the front side in the direction penetrating the page is the right, and the back side in the direction penetrating the page is the left. This corresponds to the direction as seen by a user seated on the chair 1.

[0030] In this embodiment, the chair 1 according to the present disclosure will be described as a chair-type massage machine 1 having a built-in massage mechanism (not shown) for massaging the area to be treated of the user in the backrest 3 and / or seat 2. The massage mechanism may be a mechanical one or a pressure massager that uses the inflation and deflation of an airbag.

[0031] 1 to 5B are diagrams showing an outline of a chair-type massage machine 1 according to this embodiment.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2A, 3A, etc., in the chair-type massage machine 1 (chair 1) of this embodiment, the basic position is when the backrest 3 is lowered so that the lower part of the backrest 3 is positioned below the seat 2 and the seat 2 is positioned backward, and this state is called the "sofa mode."

[0033] 2B to 2C, 3B to 3C, etc. are figures showing the state in which the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment is switched from the sofa mode to the reclining operation of the backrest 3 by protruding the backrest 3 upward and sliding the seat 2 forward.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2D, 3D, etc., in the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment, the state in which the raised backrest 3 is tilted backward and the seat 2 is slid further forward is the reclining position, which is called the "lounge mode."

[0035] In addition, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment can be used in comfort mode when the backrest 3 is protruded upward and the seat 2 is slid forward, as shown in Figures 2C, 3C, etc.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 3D, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a seat 2 on which a user can sit, a backrest 3 provided at the rear of the seat 2, armrests 4 provided on the left and right sides of the seat 2, and legs 5 supporting the seat 2 and the backrest 3.

[0037] Furthermore, the chair-type massage machine 1 has a reclining mechanism 6 that raises the backrest portion 3 and reclines the raised backrest portion 3, a sliding mechanism 7 that slides the seat portion 2 (moving frame 11) in the forward and backward directions, and an interlocking mechanism 8 that interlocks the reclining mechanism 6 and the sliding mechanism 7.

[0038] The chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a massage mechanism (not shown) built into the backrest 3. This massage mechanism performs a massage action on the back of the user leaning against the backrest 3.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2A to 2D and 3A to 3D, the seat 2 is large enough for a user to sit on while receiving a massage. The entire seat 2 is covered with a sheet or the like. The upper surface of the seat 2 is formed into a flat surface, and is provided with cushioning material to enhance the user's comfort.

[0040] The seat 2 is supported at a predetermined height from below by legs 5 installed on the floor F. A movable frame 11 capable of supporting the weight applied by the user is provided below the seat 2. Armrests 4 are provided on the left and right sides of the seat 2.

[0041] The seat 2 can slide by moving the moving frame 11 in the front-rear direction using the slide mechanism 7. The armrests 4 slide in the front-rear direction together with the seat 2.

[0042] The backrest 3 is wide enough to support the user's back from the waist to the shoulders. The entire backrest 3 is covered with a casing or a sheet. The front surface of the backrest 3 is formed into a flat surface and is provided with a cushioning material.

[0043] The backrest 3 of this embodiment can be extended upward and tilted backward using a reclining mechanism 6, which will be described later. In other words, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment can massage the back of the user in a reclining position.

[0044] A backrest frame 14 capable of supporting the weight applied from the back of the user is provided inside the backrest portion 3. The backrest frame 14 is movable in the front-rear direction as the movable frame 11 (details of which will be described later) slides in the front-rear direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, a massage mechanism (not shown) is provided inside the backrest portion 3 to perform massage operations such as kneading, tapping, or vibration on the treatment area on the back of a user seated on the seat portion 2.

[0046] The chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment is also provided with a footrest 9 into which the user's lower legs can be inserted. Inside the footrest 9, a foot massage mechanism (not shown) is provided to massage the user's lower legs.

[0047] The footrest 9 can be extended and retracted between the front and bottom of the seat 2 (inside the leg body 5) by means of a forward extension mechanism. In other words, when massaging the lower legs, the footrest 9 can be extended out in front of the seat 2. When not massaging the lower legs, the footrest 9 can be stored inside the leg body 5, in other words, below the seat 2.

[0048] 4, 5A, 5B, etc., the leg body 5 is formed to have a scaffold-like appearance and is a frame body that can support the seat portion 2 at a predetermined height above the floor surface F. The leg body 5 has a fixed frame 10 that is installed on the floor surface F, and a movable frame 11 that is movable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the fixed frame 10 and that mounts the seat portion 2 and backrest portion 3.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the fixed frame 10 (base frame 10) is formed by combining multiple metal rods, such as pipes or angle bars, in a cross pattern in the up-down, left-right, and front-to-back directions. The fixed frame 10 is stably placed on the floor F and supports the movable frame 11 so that it can move in the front-to-back direction. A space capable of storing the footrest 9 is formed inside the fixed frame 10 (below the movable frame 11 on which the seat 2 is mounted).

[0050] The fixed frame 10 is installed and fixed to the floor surface F. The fixed frame 10 has a pair of bottom bars 10a that are provided at the bottom and are long in the front-to-rear direction, a horizontal bar 10b that connects the pair of bottom bars 10a, a front vertical bar 10c that stands upright from the front end side of the bottom bars 10a, and a rear vertical bar 10d that stands upright from the rear end side of the bottom bars 10a.

[0051] A pair of bottom bars 10a are provided on the left and right. The right bottom bar 10aR has its axis facing the front-to-rear direction. The left bottom bar 10aL is provided a predetermined distance in the left-to-right direction (width direction) from the right bottom bar 10aR. The bottom bars 10a are provided with legs that can be placed on a floor F.

[0052] A pair of horizontal bars 10b are provided, one at the front and one at the rear. The front horizontal bar 10b is joined so as to bridge the front ends of the right bottom bar 10aR and the left bottom bar 10aL. The rear horizontal bar 10b is joined so as to bridge the rear ends of the right bottom bar 10aR and the left bottom bar 10aL.

[0053] A pair of front vertical bars 10c are provided, one on the left and one on the right. The right front vertical bar 10cR stands upright from the front end of the right bottom bar 10aR. The left front vertical bar 10cL stands upright from the front end of the left bottom bar 10aL.

[0054] A pair of rear vertical bars 10d are provided on the left and right sides. The right rear vertical bar 10dR stands upright from the rear end of the right bottom bar 10aR. The left rear vertical bar 10dL stands upright from the rear end of the left bottom bar 10aL.

[0055] The right front vertical bar 10cR and the right rear vertical bar 10dR are connected by an upper bar 10eR. In this embodiment, the right upper bar 10eR is provided horizontally and facing in the front-to-rear direction so as to bridge the upper part of the right front vertical bar 10cR and the upper part of the rear vertical bar 10dR, and connects the right front vertical bar 10cR and the right rear vertical bar 10dR. This right upper bar 10eR serves as a second guide rail 37 of the slide mechanism 7, which will be described later.

[0056] The right upper bar 10eR and the right bottom bar 10aR are connected by a central bar 10fR. In this embodiment, the right central bar 10fR is provided in a state inclined from the lower rear side to the upper front side.

[0057] The right-side central bar 10fR is provided at an angle like a diagonal brace between the approximate center of the right-side upper bar 10eR and the rear of the bottom bar 10aR, connecting the right-side upper bar 10eR and the bottom bar 10aR. This right-side central bar 10fR becomes the first guide rail 19 that constitutes the interlocking mechanism 8, which will be described later.

[0058] The left front vertical bar 10cL and the left rear vertical bar 10dL are connected by an upper bar 10eL. In this embodiment, the left upper bar 10eL is provided horizontally and facing the front-to-rear direction so as to bridge the upper part of the left front vertical bar 10cL and the upper part of the rear vertical bar 10dL, connecting the left front vertical bar 10cL and the left rear vertical bar 10dL. This left upper bar 10eL serves as a second guide rail 37 that constitutes the slide mechanism 7, which will be described later.

[0059] The left upper bar 10eL and the left bottom bar 10aL are connected by a central bar 10fL. In this embodiment, the left central bar 10fL is inclined from the lower rear side to the upper front side.

[0060] The left-side central bar 10fL is provided at an angle like a diagonal brace between the approximate center of the left-side upper bar 10eL and the rear of the left-side bottom bar 10aL, connecting the left-side upper bar 10eL and the left-side bottom bar 10aL. This left-side central bar 10fL serves as a first guide rail 19 that constitutes the interlocking mechanism 8, which will be described later.

[0061] The movable frame 11 is slidable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the fixed frame 10 by the slide mechanism 7. The movable frame 11 is equipped with a backrest frame 14 that supports the backrest 3 so that it can be reclined, and the seat 2. In other words, the movable frame 11 (seat frame 11) is connected to the backrest frame 14 via the reclining mechanism 6.

[0062] When the backrest frame 14 is operated by the reclining mechanism 6, the interlocking mechanism 8 allows the backrest frame 14 to move in the front-rear direction, and the slide mechanism 7 allows the moving frame 11 connected to the backrest frame 14 to move in the front-rear direction.

[0063] That is, in the moving frame 11, the interlocking mechanism 8 allows the reclining action of the backrest frame 14 by the reclining mechanism 6 and the sliding action in the forward and backward directions by the sliding mechanism 7 to be performed simultaneously.

[0064] The moving frame 11 supports the seat 2 at the front, and has attached to its rear a long groove 21 (guide plate 22) that constitutes the reclining mechanism 6. The moving frame 11 is a member made by combining rods such as metal pipes or angle bars into a frame shape.

[0065] The moving frame 11 has a seat frame 12 on which the seat 2 is mounted, and a support frame 13 that supports the seat frame 12.

[0066] The seat frame 12 is a member formed by combining rods in the front-rear and left-right directions into a frame shape. The seat 2 is placed on top of the seat frame 12.

[0067] In this embodiment, the seat frame 12 has a pair of front and rear bars 12a arranged on the left and right, which are slightly raised at the front and face in the front-to-back direction, and a pair of front and rear cross bars 12b arranged to connect the pair of front and rear bars 12a on the left and right.

[0068] A pair of front and rear bars 12a are provided on the left and right sides. The right front and rear bar 12a is provided with its axis facing the front-to-rear direction. The left front and rear bar 12a is provided at a predetermined distance in the left-to-right direction (width direction) from the right front and rear bar 12a.

[0069] The front horizontal bar 12b is provided to connect the front ends of the pair of left and right front and rear bar members 12a. The rear horizontal bar 12b is provided to connect the rear ends of the pair of left and right front and rear bar members 12a. The rear ends of the rear horizontal bar member 12b are connected to the support frame 13 (front vertical bar member 13a). The seat frame 12 is formed in a rectangular shape (approximately square) that is slightly longer in the left-right direction in a plan view.

[0070] Outer rods 12c are provided on the left-right outer sides of the pair of front and rear rods 12a so as to be parallel to the front and rear rods 12a in a plan view. The pair of left and right outer rods 12c are provided so as to be horizontal and face the front-rear direction. The pair of left and right outer rods 12c form slide bars 39 that constitute the slide mechanism 7, which will be described later.

[0071] Furthermore, a support plate 15 is provided at each of the front ends of the pair of left and right front and rear bars 12a to support the armrest 4. The armrest 4 is attached to this support plate 15 and fixed to the moving frame 11, and the armrest 4 moves in the front-rear direction together with the moving frame 11.

[0072] The support frames 13 are provided on the left and right sides of the rear of the seat frame 12. A reclining mechanism 6 including a guide plate 22 with a long groove 21 is attached to the support frame 13. The reclining mechanism 6 is attached to the inside of the support frame 13 in the left-right direction (on the inner side of the leg 5).

[0073] The support frame 13 is a rectangular frame formed by combining rods in the front-rear and left-right directions. The support frame 13 is provided in the up-down direction along a backrest frame 14 (described later).

[0074] The support frame 13 is a vertically long member and includes a front vertical bar 13a attached to the rear of the seat frame 12 (the rear end of the rear horizontal bar 12b), a rear vertical bar 13b disposed behind the front vertical bar 13a, and a bottom bar 13c connecting the front vertical bar 13a and the rear vertical bar 13b. A pair of support frames 13 are provided on the left and right.

[0075] The rear vertical bar 13b is bent backward from about the upper quarter of the length to form a generally L-shaped configuration. The upper end of the bent rear vertical bar 13b is connected to the upper end of the front vertical bar 13a. The bottom bar 13c is provided perpendicular to the lower part of the front vertical bar 13a and the lower part of the rear vertical bar 13b, bridging the gap between them and connecting the front vertical bar 13a and the rear vertical bar 13b.

[0076] A support plate 16 is provided below the bent portion of the front vertical bar 13a and above the rear end of the front-rear bar 12a to support the armrest 4. By attaching the armrest 4 to this support plate 16, the armrest 4 is fixed to the moving frame 11 and moves in the front-rear direction together with the moving frame 11.

[0077] A plate member 17 is provided on the upper rear portion of the rear vertical bar 13b. The plate member 17 is formed to protrude rearward. In this embodiment, the plate member 17 is formed in a substantially triangular shape. A second shaft 36, which constitutes the slide mechanism 7 described below, is provided to pass through the rear end of the plate member 17.

[0078] The backrest frame 14 is made by combining multiple rods, such as metal pipes or angle bars, into a roughly rectangular shape in a plan view. The backrest frame 14 is a frame body that can provide sufficient support for the user's back via cushioning material.

[0079] The backrest frame 14 includes a pair of vertically elongated vertical bars 14a and a pair of horizontal bars 14b that connect the upper and lower ends of the pair of vertical bars 14a. The backrest frame 14 is formed in a rectangular shape (approximately square) that is elongated in the vertical direction when viewed from the front.

[0080] A secondary bar 14c is provided at the front of the lower portion of each pair of vertical bars 14a so as to be parallel to the vertical bars 14a. The secondary bar 14c is provided so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction. The secondary bar 14c is provided so as to protrude leftward for the left vertical bar 14a and so as to protrude rightward for the right vertical bar 14a.

[0081] That is, the distance (width) between the pair of left and right auxiliary rods 14c is wider than the distance (width) between the pair of left and right vertical rods 14a. The reclining mechanism 6, which will be described later, is attached to the outer lateral sides of the pair of left and right vertical rods 14a.

[0082] A rear bar 14d is provided at the bottom of the backrest frame 14. The rear bar 14d is a member that connects the rear side of the lower part of the sub-bar 14c with the rear side of the lower part of the vertical bar 14a and is provided to protrude rearward. A first shaft 18 that constitutes the interlocking mechanism 8 is provided on the rear bar 14d.

[0083] As shown in Figures 1 to 5B, the chair-type massage machine 1 (chair 1) of this embodiment is characterized by having a linkage mechanism 8 that links the reclining action of the reclining mechanism 6, which causes the backrest portion 3 to protrude upward and then tilt it backward, with the sliding action of the sliding mechanism 7, which moves the seat portion 2 (moving frame 11) forward.

[0084] In explaining the features of the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 8, the reclining mechanism 6, and the sliding mechanism 7 will be described in detail in this order.

[0085] The interlocking mechanism 8, which is a feature of the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment, will be described.

[0086] As shown in Figures 2A to 5B, the interlocking mechanism 8 of this embodiment is a mechanism that interlocks the reclining movement of the backrest frame 14 by the reclining mechanism 6 with the sliding movement of the movable frame 11 in the forward and backward directions by the sliding mechanism 7.

[0087] The interlocking mechanism 8 of this embodiment is configured to interlock the sliding mechanism 7 with the driving force output by the lifting mechanism 28 (details described later) that constitutes the reclining mechanism 6, which causes the backrest portion 3 to recline, thereby sliding the moving frame 11 in the forward and backward directions.

[0088] The interlocking mechanism 8 of this embodiment can interlock the action of the reclining mechanism 6 to raise the backrest portion 3 (backrest frame 14) and then tilt it backward to recline, with the action of the slide mechanism 7 to slide the seat portion 2 (movable frame 11) forward.

[0089] In addition, the interlocking mechanism 8 of this embodiment can interlock the storage operation of the reclining mechanism 6, which raises the rearwardly tilted backrest portion 3 (backrest frame 14) and then moves the lower portion into the leg body 5 (fixed frame 10), with the sliding operation of the slide mechanism 7, which moves the seat portion 2 (movable frame 11) rearward.

[0090] The interlocking mechanism 8 has a first shaft 18 provided at the bottom of the backrest frame 14, a first guide rail 19 provided on the fixed frame 10 in a tilted state from the lower rear to the upper front, and a first slider portion 20 attached to the first shaft 18 and moving diagonally on the first guide rail 19.

[0091] 4 to 5B, a first shaft 18 is provided at the bottom of the backrest frame 14. A first slider portion 20 is provided on the first shaft 18. The first shaft 18 is a rod-shaped member that protrudes outward in the width direction from the side surface of the rear bar material 14d that constitutes the backrest frame 14.

[0092] The first shafts 18 are cylindrical or cylindrical rod members, and are provided in pair on the left and right sides. That is, there are two first shafts 18: a left shaft that protrudes leftward from the side surface of the left rear rod member 14d, and a right shaft that protrudes rightward from the side surface of the right rear rod member 14d.

[0093] A first slider portion 20 is attached to the first shaft 18 and engages with the first guide rail 19 so as to be movable up and down.

[0094] 2A to 4, the upper end of the first guide rail 19 is joined to the middle of the upper bar 10e in the front-to-rear direction, and the lower end is joined to the rear of the bottom bar 10a. In other words, the first guide rail 19 is provided like a diagonal brace between the upper bar 10e and the bottom bar 10a of the fixed frame 10, inclined from the lower rear to the upper front, with the front rising.

[0095] The first guide rail 19 (inclined rail 19) is a central bar 10f that is provided on the fixed frame 10 and is inclined diagonally upward toward the front. The right central bar 10fR is the right first guide rail 19. The left central bar 10fL is the left first guide rail 19.

[0096] That is, a pair of left and right first guide rails 19 are provided. A first slider portion 20 that moves in the axial direction is fitted to the first guide rails 19.

[0097] The first slider portion 20 moves between the lower rear side and the upper front side on the first guide rail 19, thereby moving the moving frame 11 in the front-to-rear direction. A pair of first slider portions 20 (inclined slider portions 20) are provided on the left and right.

[0098] A rectangular through-hole penetrating in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the lower part of the first slider part 20. The first guide rail 19 is slidably inserted into this through-hole. In other words, the first slider part 20 is provided so as to surround the top, bottom, left, and right side surfaces of the first guide rail 19, and is slidably disposed.

[0099] A cylindrical through-hole penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in the upper part of the first slider part 20. The first shaft 18 is rotatably inserted into this through-hole. For example, when the first slider part 20 moves on the first guide rail 19 from the lower-rear side to the upper-front side (moves diagonally upward), the backrest frame 14 rises and the moving frame 11 moves forward.

[0100] When the backrest 3 is reclined, there is a possibility, though unlikely, that a foreign object may become caught between the rearwardly tilting backrest 3 and the rear case body 43 (armrest 4). Similarly, when the backrest 3 is reclined, there is a possibility that a foreign object may become caught between the wall W and the upper end of the rearwardly tilting backrest 3.

[0101] The chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with a contact sensor (not shown) on the back surface of the backrest 3. The contact sensor is provided, for example, at the upper end of the back surface of the backrest 3 or on the lower side of the back surface. The contact sensor may also be provided on the entire back surface of the backrest 3.

[0102] A contact sensor provided on the lower side of the back of the backrest 3 detects any foreign object between the backrest 3 and the rear case body 43 (armrest 4) when the backrest 3 is reclined, and based on the detection result, instantly stops the reclining of the backrest 3 or instantly raises it forward to prevent the foreign object from getting caught.

[0103] A contact sensor provided at the upper end of the back of the backrest 3 detects contact if a foreign object is caught between the upper end of the backrest 3 and the wall W or if the upper end of the backrest 3 makes slight contact with the wall W when the backrest 3 is reclined, and based on the detection result, it is possible to instantly stop the reclining of the backrest 3 or instantly raise it forward.

[0104] Next, the movement of the moving frame 11 in the front-rear direction by the interlocking mechanism 8 will be described.

[0105] The interlocking mechanism 8 generates a force component (x-direction component) facing forward or backward in the first slider portion 20 from the upward or downward movement (z-direction movement) of the backrest frame 14 as the first slider portion 20 moves on the first guide rail 19, which is inclined upward at the front.The interlocking mechanism 8 further transmits the generated force component facing forward or backward to the first shaft 18 to which the first slider portion 20 is attached, and moves the moving frame 11 forward or backward via the backrest frame 14.

[0106] The interlocking mechanism 8 has a first guide rail 19 mounted on the fixed frame 10 in a tilted state from the lower rear to the upper front, with the front rising upward. The first slider portion 20 is mounted on the lower portion of the backrest frame 14 (rear bar member 14d) via a first shaft 18.

[0107] The first slider portion 20 is slidably fitted to the first guide rail 19. The backrest frame 14 is connected to the fixed frame 10 (first guide rail 19) via the first shaft 18 and the first slider portion 20.

[0108] When the backrest frame 14 is raised by the reclining mechanism 6, the first slider portion 20 attached to the first shaft 18 moves obliquely upward and forward on the first guide rail 19 from the lower rear side to the upper front side.

[0109] As the first slider portion 20 moves diagonally forward and upward on the first guide rail 19, the upward component (z-direction component) of the backrest frame 14 is divided into a forward movement component (x-direction component) of the moving frame 11.

[0110] That is, when the backrest frame 14 rises, the first slider portion 20 (inclined slider portion 20) rises obliquely along the first guide rail 19 (inclined rail 19) from the lower rear side to the upper front side. As the backrest frame 14 rises, it moves forward in accordance with the movement of the first slider portion 20.

[0111] As the backrest frame 14 moves forward, the moving frame 11 slides forward using the driving force of the reclining mechanism 6 via the interlocking mechanism 8. In this way, the interlocking mechanism 8 generates a component that moves the moving frame 11 forward.

[0112] In the interlocking mechanism 8 of this embodiment, the movable frame 11 (on which the backrest 3, seat 2, and armrest 4 are arranged) can be slid forward and backward when the backrest 3 is reclined.

[0113] In other words, by configuring the interlocking mechanism 8 as described above, when the chair is (or must be) installed with almost no space between the back of the backrest portion 3 and the wall W of the room due to circumstances such as the size of the room, for example, when the distance between the wall W of the room and the back of the backrest portion 3 is only a few centimeters, the chair will exhibit the following characteristic behavior.

[0114] 2A to 2C and 3A to 3C, for example, the chair-type massage machine 1 is switched from the sofa mode to another mode (the operation of reclining the backrest 3). The procedure for reclining the backrest 3 can be performed by following the steps from FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D in a perspective view, and from FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D in a side view.

[0115] The reclining mechanism 6 causes the backrest 3 to protrude upward from the leg body 5. The upper part of the backrest 3 rises along the wall W.

[0116] The interlocking mechanism 8 is interlocked with the movement of the backrest portion 3 by the reclining mechanism 6, and moves the moving frame 11 forward by the slide mechanism 7.

[0117] The seat 2 and armrests 4 slide forward from the basic position (i) in Fig. 3A, through position (ii) in Fig. 3B, to position (iii) in Fig. 3C. When the backrest 3 is stopped at the highest position, the chair-type massage machine 1 can be used in the comfort mode, as shown in Figs. 2C, 3C, etc.

[0118] As shown in FIGS. 2D, 3D, etc., the raised backrest 3 is reclined backward by the reclining mechanism 6.

[0119] The interlocking mechanism 8 is interlocked with the movement of the backrest portion 3 by the reclining mechanism 6, and moves the moving frame 11 forward by the slide mechanism 7.

[0120] The upper portion of the backrest 3 moves downward along the wall W, and the lower portion moves forward. The backrest 3 reclines backward.

[0121] Further forward movement of the moving frame 11 causes the reclining backrest 3 to move forward, and simultaneously causes the seat 2 to slide further forward. The seat 2 and armrests 4 slide forward from position (iii) in Figure 3C to position (iv) in Figure 3D.

[0122] That is, the backrest 3 is tilted backward by the reclining mechanism 6 and moved forward by the interlocking mechanism 8. At the same time, the seat 2 is interlocked with the movement of the backrest 3 by the interlocking mechanism 8 and slides further forward by the sliding mechanism 7. The chair-type massage machine 1 enters the lounge mode shown in Figs. 2D, 3D, etc.

[0123] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2C to 2D, 3C to 3D, etc., the chair-type massage machine 1 is switched from the lounge mode to another mode (movement in the direction of storage). The procedure for the movement in the direction of storage can be performed in reverse from Figures 2D and 3D to Figures 2A and 3A.

[0124] The reclining mechanism 6 raises the backrest 3, which has been tilted backward, forward. The upper part of the backrest 3 rises along the wall W. The backrest 3 is now in a protruding state.

[0125] The moving frame 11 is moved rearward by the slide mechanism 7 in conjunction with the movement of the backrest 3 via the linkage mechanism 8. As the moving frame 11 moves rearward, the seat 2 slides rearward.

[0126] As shown in Figs. 2C, 3C, etc., even if the backrest 3 is stopped when raised forward, the chair-type massage machine 1 can be used in the comfort mode.

[0127] When the upright backrest 3 is moved downward by the reclining mechanism 6, the lower part of the backrest 3 is accommodated inside the legs 5. The moving frame 11 is linked to the movement of the backrest 3 by the linkage mechanism 8, and is moved further rearward by the slide mechanism 7.

[0128] The seat portion 2 slides further backward and returns to the basic position in conjunction with the movement of the backrest portion 3. The chair-type massage machine 1 enters the sofa mode shown in Figs. 2D, 3D, and the like.

[0129] The interlocking mechanism 8 of this embodiment allows the movable frame 11 to move in the forward and backward directions, thereby allowing the backrest portion 3 to recline without contacting the wall W even in narrow spaces (realizing a so-called zero wall), and also allows the seat portion 2 and armrest portion 4 to slide in the forward and backward directions.

[0130] By providing such a linkage mechanism 8, the chair-type massage machine 1 can be switched between sofa mode (basic position), comfort mode (backrest portion 3 protruding position), and lounge mode (reclining position).

[0131] The reclining mechanism 6 is configured to switch from sofa mode (basic position) in which the lower part of the backrest 3 is housed within the leg body 5 to comfort mode by lifting and moving the backrest 3 forward, and then to lounge mode by performing a reclining operation that tilts the lifted backrest 3 backward. A pair of reclining mechanisms 6 is provided, one on the left and one on the right.

[0132] 4 and 5B, the reclining mechanism 6 is shown on the outer side of the movable frame 11 (legs 5) in the right-left direction for ease of understanding, but in the actual chair-type massage machine 1, as shown in Fig. 5A, it is attached to the inner side of the support frame 13 of the movable frame 11 in the right-left direction. In other words, the support frame 13 is provided on the outer side of the movable frame 11, and the reclining mechanism 6 is provided inside the support frame 13.

[0133] As shown in Figures 4, 5A, 5B, etc., the reclining mechanism 6 is provided in the seat portion 2 and has a guide plate 22 in which a long groove 21 extending in the vertical direction is formed, and a guide body 23 that fits freely into the long groove 21 and is guided along the long groove 21.

[0134] The guide plate 22 is a rectangular strip. In this embodiment, the upper quarter of the guide plate 22 is bent backward to fit the shape of the long groove 21, which will be described later. The guide plate 22 is formed in a roughly L-shape in plan view. The guide plate 22 is a pair of left and right guide plates. The guide plates 22 are arranged on the outside of the backrest frame 14.

[0135] The long groove 21 is formed in a guide plate 22 attached to the support frame 13 of the movable frame 11. The upper portion of the long groove 21 is curved rearward to allow for the reclining action of tilting the backrest 3 rearward. In this embodiment, about the upper quarter of the long groove 21 is bent rearward, and is formed in a substantially L-shape in plan view.

[0136] The long groove 21 has a groove width that allows the guide body 23 to be fitted in. In other words, the guide body 23 is disposed so as to be able to roll freely in the up and down direction along the long groove 21. The long groove 21 is made up of a lower groove portion 21a that extends in the up and down direction, and an upper groove portion 21b that is formed adjacent to the upper side of the lower groove portion 21a and is tilted further rearward than the lower groove portion 21a.

[0137] The lower groove 21a is a linear groove that is inclined rearward in a side view. That is, the guide body 23 moves in the lower groove 21a in an upward and rearward direction. The length of the lower groove 21a ranges from the bottom end of the long groove 21 to about three-quarters of the height. A rack gear 31 that constitutes the lifting mechanism 28 is provided in the lower groove 21a.

[0138] The upper groove portion 21b is a groove that is connected to the lower groove portion 21a and bent further rearward. The upper groove portion 21b is a linear groove that is inclined further rearward than the upper groove portion 21a in a side view.

[0139] The upper end of the upper groove 21b is further rearward than the upper end of the lower groove 21a, and can be considered the "diagonally rearward upper end." The guide body 23 moves diagonally rearward and upward in the upper groove 21b. The length of the upper groove 21b is approximately the upper quarter of the entire long groove 21.

[0140] The lower groove 21a is an area where the backrest frame 14 is raised from the sofa mode (basic position), and the upper groove 21b is an area where the raised backrest frame 14 is tilted backward (to the lounge mode).

[0141] The guide plate 22 having the long groove 21 formed therein is attached to the support frame 13 of the movable frame 11 so as to be aligned in the vertical direction from the lower end to the bending point and so as to be inclined from the bending point to the upper end.

[0142] A guide body 23 (rotating body 23) is fitted into the long groove 21. When fitted into the long groove 21, the guide body 23 is guided along the direction in which the long groove 21 is formed, thereby enabling the backrest 3 to be guided in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0143] At least two guide bodies 23 are arranged above and below the long groove 21. In this embodiment, the guide bodies 23 are composed of a lower guide body 23a arranged at the bottom of the long groove 21 and an upper guide body 23b arranged above and spaced apart from the lower guide body 23a. In other words, the guide bodies 23 are movably fitted into the long groove 21 at two positions, above and below, to raise and lower the backrest 3 and tilt it.

[0144] A pair of lower guide bodies 23a are provided, one on the left and one on the right. The lower guide bodies 23a are fitted into the long groove 21, and therefore have an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the opening width of the long groove 21. The lower guide bodies 23a are cylindrical, and have a through-hole formed in the center into which the rotary drive shaft 30 fits. In other words, the lower guide bodies 23a are attached to both ends of the rotary drive shaft 30, which is arranged with its axis oriented in the left-right direction.

[0145] The lower guide body 23a is provided with a pinion gear 32 that constitutes the lifting mechanism 28. The pinion gear 32 meshes with a rack gear 31 provided in the lower groove portion 21a. The lower guide body 23a is movable in the lower groove portion 21a.

[0146] A pair of upper guide bodies 23b are provided on the left and right sides. The upper guide bodies 23b are fitted into the long groove 21, and therefore their outer diameter is the same as the opening width of the long groove 21. The upper guide bodies 23b are cylindrical, and have a through-hole formed in the center into which the third shaft 24 fits. The upper guide bodies 23b are movable from the middle of the lower groove portion 21a in the vertical direction to the upper groove portion 21b.

[0147] The lower guide body 23a and the upper guide body 23b are arranged so as to be sandwiched from the left and right between the outer case member 25a and the inner case member 25b. With this configuration, the guide body 23 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the long groove 21, but the guide body 23 is prevented from slipping out of the long groove 21 (separating to the left or right).

[0148] 5B, the upper guide body 23b is attached to a third shaft 24 provided on the backrest frame 14. The third shaft 24 is a rod-shaped member that protrudes outward in the width direction from the side surface of the sub-rod 14c that constitutes the backrest frame 14. The third shaft 24 is a rod member with a diameter smaller than the opening width of the long groove 21.

[0149] A pair of third shafts 24 are provided on the left and right sides. That is, there are two third shafts 24: a left shaft that protrudes leftward from the side surface of the left sub-bar 14c, and a right shaft that protrudes rightward from the side surface of the right sub-bar 14c.

[0150] An upper guide body 23b is rotatably attached to each of the left and right third shafts 24. The upper guide body 23b is fitted into each of the left and right long grooves 21 so as to be movable up and down.

[0151] In this embodiment, the guide plate 22 is housed in a case body 25. The case body 25 is divided into two left and right halves, and is made up of an outer case member 25a and an inner case member 25b.

[0152] The outer case member 25a is formed with a long groove 26 having the same shape as the long groove 21. Like the long groove 21, the long groove 26 of the outer case member 25a is composed of a lower groove portion 26a extending in the up-down direction and an upper groove portion 26b formed adjacent to the upper side of the lower groove portion 26a and leaning rearward more than the lower groove portion 26a.

[0153] The lower groove portion 26a extends straight from the lower end of the long groove 26 to about three-quarters of the height. The upper groove portion 26b bends rearward from the upper end of the lower groove portion 26a and extends to about the upper one-quarter of the entire long groove 26.

[0154] A long groove 27 having the same shape as the long groove 21 is formed in the inner case member 25b. Like the long groove 21, the long groove 27 of the inner case member 25b is composed of a lower groove portion 27a extending in the up-down direction and an upper groove portion 27b formed adjacent to the upper side of the lower groove portion 27a and tilted rearward more than the lower groove portion 27a.

[0155] The lower groove portion 27a extends straight from the lower end of the long groove 27 to about three-quarters of the height. The upper groove portion 27b bends rearward from the upper end of the lower groove portion 27a and extends to about the upper one-quarter of the entire long groove 27.

[0156] The reclining mechanism 6 includes a lifting mechanism 28 that lifts and lowers the backrest frame 14 to perform a reclining operation.

[0157] The lifting mechanism 28 includes a drive unit 29 that outputs a driving force to raise and lower the backrest frame 14, a rotary drive shaft 30 that is disposed on the backrest frame 14 and has the lower guide body 23a attached thereto and that rotates by the output driving force, a rack gear 31 that is provided along the long groove 21, and a pinion gear 32 that is provided on the lower guide body 23a and that is engaged with the rack gear 31 and is driven to rotate by the rotation of the rotary drive shaft 30, thereby raising the backrest frame 14 along the long groove 21.

[0158] The backrest frame 14 is provided with a drive unit 29 and a rotary drive shaft 30 of the lifting mechanism 28 .

[0159] The drive unit 29 has a drive motor 33 that generates a rotational drive force and a gear case 34 that reduces the speed of the rotational drive force. The drive motor 33 is disposed so that its output shaft faces downward. The gear case 34 is disposed below the drive motor 33, and the output shaft is inserted into it. The rotational drive force output from the drive motor 33 is transmitted to the rotary drive shaft 30 via the gear case 34.

[0160] The rotation drive shaft 30 is disposed below the backrest frame 14 with its axis oriented in the left-right direction. The length of the rotation drive shaft 30 exceeds the length from the left end to the right end of the backrest frame 14.

[0161] That is, the rotary drive shaft 30 is provided rotatably about an axis facing the left-right direction, and is rotationally driven by the rotary drive force output from the drive motor 33. Lower guide bodies 23a are provided rotatably on both left and right ends of this rotary drive shaft 30. The left and right lower guide bodies 23a are fitted into the left and right long grooves 21, respectively, so as to be movable up and down.

[0162] The rack gears 31 are provided on the guide plate 22 so as to be aligned in the up-down direction of the lower groove portion 21 a. A pair of rack gears 31 are provided on the left and right sides. The rack gears 31 are capable of meshing with the pinion gear 32 and are attached so that their teeth face toward the lower groove portion 21 a.

[0163] That is, the rack gear 31 is attached to the guide plate 22 so as to be aligned with the front opening edge of the lower groove portion 21a. The pinion gear 32 meshes with the rack gear 31 from the front.

[0164] The pinion gear 32 is provided on the lower guide body 23a. A pair of pinion gears 32 is provided on the left and right. In this embodiment, the lower guide body 23a is provided so as to sandwich the pinion gear 32 from the left and right directions. The pinion gear 32 is attached to the end of the rotary drive shaft 30 and is rotatable integrally therewith.

[0165] That is, the pinion gear 32 is in mesh with the rack gear 31. The pinion gear 32 is driven to rotate by a drive motor 33 located on the lower left side of the backrest frame 14. The driven rotational pinion gear 32 (lower guide body 23a) moves on the rack gear 31 along the lower groove portion 21a.

[0166] When the rotary drive shaft 30 is driven to rotate by the rotary drive force of the drive motor 33, the lower guide body 23a attached integrally to the rotary drive shaft 30 also rotates. As a result, the pinion gear 32 provided on the lower guide body 23a moves up and down while meshing with the rack gear 31. As the pinion gear 32 travels on the rack gear 31, the backrest frame 14 moves up and down relative to the fixed frame 10.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 5B, the guide plate 22 is provided with limit switches 35 for detecting the limit points of upward and backward tilting movement of the reclining of the backrest frame 14 and the limit points of downward movement.

[0168] The limit switches 35 are provided at the lower end of the lower groove 21 a and at the rear end of the upper groove 21 b. The lower limit switch 35 detects the limit of downward movement of the backrest frame 14. The upper limit switch 35 detects the limit of rearward tilt movement of the backrest frame 14 when reclining.

[0169] When the limit switch 35 detects a limit point and transmits a stop signal, the driving of the driving unit 29 stops. That is, by detecting the position of the backrest frame 14 with the limit switch 35, the chair-type massage machine 1 can be switched to one of the "sofa mode," "comfort mode," and "recliner mode."

[0170] Next, the slide mechanism 7 constituting the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment will be described.

[0171] The slide mechanism 7 is provided on the moving frame 11 and slides the moving frame 11 in the forward and backward directions.

[0172] That is, when the backrest 3 reclines, the driving force of the reclining mechanism 6 is converted into a forward force by the interlocking mechanism 8, and this force is applied to the moving frame 11, causing the sliding mechanism 7 to slide the moving frame 11 carrying the seat 2 in the front-to-rear direction. As the frame 11 slides, the backrest 3 moves forward.

[0173] The slide mechanism 7 has a second shaft 36 provided at the rear of the support frame body 13 of the movable frame 11, a second guide rail 37 provided on the fixed frame 10 facing in the front-to-rear direction, and a second slider portion 38 attached to the second shaft 36 and moving in the front-to-rear direction on the second guide rail 37.

[0174] The moving frame 11 is provided with a second shaft 36 on which a second slider portion 38 is arranged. The second shaft 36 is provided on the support frame body 13 that constitutes the moving frame 11. The second shaft 36 is a rod-shaped member that protrudes outward in the width direction from the side surface of a plate member 17 provided on the rear vertical bar member 13b of the support frame body 13.

[0175] The second shafts 36 are cylindrical or cylindrical members, and are provided in pair on the left and right sides. That is, the second shafts 36 include a left shaft that protrudes leftward from the side surface of the left plate member 17, and a right shaft that protrudes rightward from the side surface of the right plate member 17.

[0176] A second slider portion 38 is attached to the second shaft 36 and engages with the second guide rail 37 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0177] 2A to 4, the second guide rails 37 guide the moving frame 11 in the front-to-rear direction. The second guide rails 37 are provided horizontally in the front-to-rear direction. A pair of second guide rails 37 (horizontal rails 37) are provided on the left and right.

[0178] The second guide rail 37 has a front end joined to the front end of the front vertical bar 10c that constitutes the fixed frame 10, and a rear end joined to the upper side of the rear vertical bar 10d. The second guide rail 37 is an upper bar 10e that constitutes the fixed frame 10.

[0179] The upper bar 10eR is the right-side second guide rail 37. The upper bar 10eL is the left-side second guide rail 37. A second slider portion 38 is fitted onto the second guide rail 37 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0180] The second slider portions 38 move in the front-rear direction on the second guide rails 37, thereby sliding the moving frame 11 horizontally in the front-rear direction. A pair of second slider portions 38 (horizontal slider portions 38) are provided, one on the left and one on the right.

[0181] A rectangular through-hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower part of the second slider part 38. The second guide rail 37 is slidably inserted into this through-hole. In other words, the second slider part 38 is provided so as to surround the top, bottom, left, and right side surfaces of the second guide rail 37 and is slidably disposed.

[0182] A cylindrical through-hole penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in the upper part of the second slider part 38. The second shaft 36 is rotatably inserted into this through-hole. For example, when the second slider part 38 moves from the rear side to the front side on the second guide rail 37, the moving frame 11 moves forward.

[0183] The slide mechanism 7 also has a slide bar 39 that is provided on the movable frame 11 so as to be parallel to the second guide rail 37 in a plan view and that slides as the movable frame 11 moves back and forth, and a guide groove 40 that is provided on the fixed frame 10 and guides the slide bar 39 in the back and forth direction.

[0184] The slide bars 39 guide the moving frame 11 in the front-rear direction. A pair of slide bars 39 are provided on the left and right.

[0185] The slide bar 39 is an outer bar 12c that constitutes the seat frame 12 of the movable frame 11. The slide bar 39 is provided on the movable frame 11 on the outer side of the front and rear bars 12a in the left-right direction and in parallel with the second guide rail 37.

[0186] The front end of the slide bar 39 is joined to the front end of the front-rear bar 12a, and the rear end is joined to the rear end of the front-rear bar 12a. The slide bar 39 is provided horizontally in the front-rear direction. The slide bar 39 is slidably inserted into a guide groove 40. When the slide bar 39 moves in the front-rear direction along the guide groove 40, the moving frame 11 slides in the front-rear direction.

[0187] The guide grooves 40 guide the slide bar 39 in the front-rear direction. The guide grooves 40 are attached to the upper part of the front vertical bar 10c. A pair of guide grooves 40 are provided on the left and right.

[0188] A rectangular through-hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed below the guide groove 40. The slide bar 39 is slidably inserted into this through-hole. In other words, the guide groove 40 has the same structure as the second slider portion 38.

[0189] The guide grooves 40 are provided to surround the top, bottom, left, and right side surfaces of the slide bar 39 and are arranged to be freely slidable. For example, when the slide bar 39 moves from the rear side to the front side on the guide grooves 40, the moving frame 11 moves forward.

[0190] 1 to 3D, armrests 4 are provided on the left and right sides of the seat 2. The armrests 4 are configured to move forward and backward together with the seat 2 in conjunction with the reclining movement of the backrest 3.

[0191] The armrest 4 is a plate-like member that is positioned so as to stand upright in the vertical direction. The armrest 4 is provided so that the user can rest their elbows when seated on the seat 2. The upper surface of the armrest 4 may be formed substantially horizontally to make it easier to rest the elbows on it.

[0192] More specifically, the armrests 4 are attached to the left and right sides of the movable frame 11, respectively, and move in the front-to-rear direction together with the movable frame 11. The front side of the armrests 4 is attached to a support plate 15. The support plate 15 is provided at the front end of the front-to-rear bars 12a of the seat frame 12 that constitutes the movable frame 11.

[0193] The rear side of the armrest 4 is attached to a support plate 16. The support plate 16 is provided on the upper rear end of the front and rear bars 12a of the seat frame 12 that constitutes the moving frame 11. The support plate 16 is also provided in front of the front vertical bar 13a and below the bent portion.

[0194] A lower drawer member 41 is provided below the armrest 4. The lower drawer member 41 is a rod member that is long in the front-to-rear direction and follows the front-to-rear movement of the armrest 4. A roller body 42 is provided on the front side of the lower part of the armrest 4.

[0195] The roller body 42 is a wheel that is provided at the front end of the lower drawer member 41 and can roll in the front-rear direction. The roller body 42 rolls when the armrest 4 moves in the front-rear direction. The roller body 42 allows the armrest 4 to move smoothly in the front-rear direction.

[0196] That is, the armrest 4 is fixed to the movable frame 11 via the support plate 15 and the support plate 16. The armrest 4 moves in the front-to-rear direction together with the sliding of the seat 2 (movable frame 11) in the front-to-rear direction.

[0197] Furthermore, the armrests 4 move forward and backward together with the seat 2 in conjunction with the reclining operation in which the lower part of the backrest 3 moves forward and the upper part tilts backward.

[0198] The armrest 4 has a fixed case body 43 (rear case body 43) fixed to the leg body, and a blind member 44 that is movable in the front-rear direction.

[0199] The armrest 4 is movable in the front-rear direction, and when the armrest 4 moves forward, an open space is created inside the rear case body 43, making devices such as the interlocking mechanism 8 visible.

[0200] On the other hand, when the armrest portion 4 moves rearward, the open space created by the forward movement becomes blocked, and the rearward movement of the armrest portion 4 may cause a foreign object to enter the open space and become trapped, which is undesirable.

[0201] For this reason, in this embodiment, a blind member 44 is provided inside the rear case body 43. The blind member 44 prevents foreign objects from being caught in the opening space created by the forward movement of the armrest 4 when the armrest 4 moves rearward by closing the opening space. Also, the blind member 44 covers the opening space when the armrest 4 moves forward, preventing the interior of the armrest 4 from being seen, improving the appearance.

[0202] The blindfold member 44 has a structure in which multiple overlapping plates, like a sliding door, gradually slide forward and backward, covering the opening space. In this embodiment, the blindfold member 44 has a sliding structure in which multiple plates are overlapped and slide forward and backward, like a sliding door.

[0203] The blind member 44 is made up of a front sliding plate 44a, an intermediate sliding plate 44b, and a rear sliding plate 44c. The rear sliding plate 44c is larger than the intermediate sliding plate 44b and the front sliding plate 44a, i.e., it is large enough to cover these two plates.

[0204] The intermediate slide plate 44b is larger than the front slide plate 44a, i.e., is large enough to cover the front slide plate 44a. In other words, the front slide plate 44a is the smallest of the three slide plates.

[0205] A slide piece 45a is provided at the bottom of the front slide plate 44a. The slide piece 45a is fitted into the front-rear rail 46 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0206] A slide piece 45b is provided at the bottom of the intermediate slide plate 44b. The slide piece 45b is fitted to the front-rear rail 46 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The slide piece 45b is provided outward in the left-right direction from the slide piece 45a so as to overlap when stored.

[0207] A slide piece 45c is provided on the lower part of the rear slide plate 44c. The slide piece 45c is fitted to the front-rear rail 46 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The slide piece 45c is provided outward in the left-right direction from the slide piece 45b so as to overlap when stored.

[0208] The front-rear rail 46 is provided on the lower part (bottom bar 10a) of the fixed frame 10. The front-rear rail 46 has three rails into which the slide pieces 45a, 45b, and 45c are fitted so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0209] As a result, the front slide plate 44a can be moved in and out from the middle slide plate 44b, and the middle slide plate 44b can be moved in and out from the rear slide plate 44c, like a sliding door.

[0210] In this embodiment, the privacy member 44 is configured by sliding plates 44a to 44c that are guided in the fore-and-aft direction by the fore-and-aft rails 46, and closes the opening space that forms inside the rear case body 43, thereby preventing hands and other objects from getting caught and preventing the inside of the armrest portion 4 from being seen, thereby improving the appearance.

[0211] Inside the rear case body 43 (armrest portion 4), there are provided extension mechanisms 47 that support the three blindfold members 44 so that they can move in the front-to-rear direction. The extension mechanisms 47 are accordion-shaped. A pair of extension mechanisms 47 are provided, one on the left and one on the right. Two extension mechanisms 47 are also provided, one on top and one on bottom.

[0212] The extension mechanism 47 has an accordion-like configuration in which the diamond shape becomes vertically elongated in the sofa mode (when stored) and becomes horizontally elongated when switched to the lounge mode.

[0213] The extension / retraction mechanism 47 has a plurality of arm members 48 arranged in a cross shape, a support member 49 that rotatably supports the arm members 48, and a connecting member 50 that connects the plurality of arm members 48. The extension / retraction mechanism 47 can extend and retract in the front-to-rear direction by moving the plurality of arm members 48 closer to and away from each other.

[0214] The arm members 48 have their respective ends rotatably connected via connecting members 50. The arm members 48 include long and short ones. From the front of the extension mechanism 47, the arm members 48 are arranged in this order: short arm member 48a, long arm member 48b, long arm member 48c, and short arm member 48d.

[0215] The front slide plate 44a constituting the blind member 44 is provided with a support member 49a. The middle slide plate 44b is provided with a support member 49b. The rear slide plate 44c is provided with a support member 49c. The rear case body 43 is provided with a support member 49d.

[0216] The front ends of the two short arm members 48a are rotatably supported by support members 49a provided on the front slide plate 44a, and the rear ends of the two short arm members 48a are rotatably supported on the tip of the long arm member 48b via connecting members 50a.

[0217] The longitudinal midpoints of the two long arm members 48b are arranged in a cross shape and are rotatably supported by support members 49b provided on the intermediate slide plate 44b. The rear ends of the two long arm members 48b are rotatably supported on the tip ends of long arm member 48c via connecting members 50b.

[0218] The longitudinal midpoints of the two long arm members 48c are arranged in a cross shape and are rotatably supported by support members 49c provided on the rear slide plate 44c. The rear ends of the two long arm members 48c are rotatably supported by the tip ends of the short arm member 48d arranged on the rear side via connecting members 50c.

[0219] The rear ends of the two short arm members 48d arranged on the rear side are rotatably supported by a support member 49d provided on the rear case body 43.

[0220] 2A to 3D, 5A, etc., the front sliding plate 44a of this embodiment is provided with cutouts 51 that avoid the first shaft 18. A pair of cutouts 51 are provided on the left and right sides. The opening width of the cutouts 51 is larger than the outer diameter of the first shaft 18. The cutouts 51 are provided parallel to and behind the long groove 21 of the reclining mechanism 6.

[0221] For example, when the guide body 23 moves diagonally upward and rearward in the long groove 21, the first slider portion 20 moves from the lower rear side to the upper front side on the first guide rail 19. At this time, the first shaft 18 moves upward in the cutout portion 51, similar to the movement of the guide body 23 in the long groove 21.

[0222] [Operational Mode] Next, the operational mode of the chair-type massage machine 1 (chair 1) of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0223] [Sofa Mode] As shown in Figures 2A, 3A, 4, etc., the reclining mechanism 6 causes the lower part of the backrest 3 to be housed within the leg body 5. The lower guide body 23a is located at the lower end of the lower groove 21a. The slide mechanism 7 causes the seat 2 to move rearward. This state is the sofa mode (basic position) of the chair-type massage machine 1 (chair 1).

[0224] The drive unit 29 of the lifting mechanism 28 is driven. The drive motor 33 is driven to output a rotational drive force. The rotational drive force is transmitted to the rotational drive shaft 30 via the gear case 34. The rotational drive shaft 30 rotates due to the rotational drive force.

[0225] 2B, 3B, 4, 5A, 5B, etc., the pinion gear 32 attached to the rotary drive shaft 30 moves up the rack gear 31. That is, the lower guide body 23a and the upper guide body 23b move up along the lower groove portion 21a.

[0226] The reclining mechanism 6 raises the backrest frame 14 (backrest portion 3). The driving force of the reclining mechanism 6 is used by the interlocking mechanism 8 to drive the sliding mechanism 7. When the sliding mechanism 7 is driven, the moving frame 11 (seat portion 2 and armrest portion 4) slides forward from position (i) in Figure 3A to position (ii) in Figure 3B.

[0227] The long groove 21 (guide plate 22) of the reclining mechanism 6 is attached to the movable frame 11, which is movable in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore the slide mechanism 7 is linked to the reclining mechanism 6 by the interlocking mechanism 8. In other words, the movable frame 11 and the backrest frame 14 are linked by the interlocking mechanism 8 and are movable in the front-to-rear direction.

[0228] In the interlocking mechanism 8, the first slider portion 20 (inclined slider portion 20) connected to the backrest frame 14 via the first shaft 18 moves diagonally forward and upward along the first guide rail 19 (inclined rail 19) that is provided on the fixed frame 10 in a diagonally forward-upward state (in a diagonal brace-like manner) from the lower rear to the upper front, simultaneously with the rise of the backrest portion 3.

[0229] As the first slider 20 moves diagonally upward and forward on the first guide rail 19, the upward movement component (z-direction component) of the backrest frame 14 is divided into a forward movement component (x-direction component) of the moving frame 11. As a result, the moving frame 11, which includes the seat 2 and the armrests 4, moves forward.

[0230] The moving frame 11 is guided straight forward by a second slider portion 38 (horizontal slider portion 38) that moves on a second guide rail 37 (horizontal rail 37) and a slide bar 39 that moves in a guide groove 40. The seat portion 2 slides forward as the backrest portion 3 moves forward.

[0231] [Comfort Mode] As shown in Figures 2C, 3C, 4, 5A, 5B, etc., the pinion gear 32 attached to the rotary drive shaft 30 runs up the rack gear 31. The lower guide body 23a rises along the lower groove portion 21a. The upper guide body 23b rises along the lower groove portion 21a and reaches the upper end of the lower groove portion 21a.

[0232] The backrest frame 14 (backrest portion 3) is further raised by the reclining mechanism 6. The driving force of this reclining mechanism 6 is divided by the interlocking mechanism 8 and used as the driving force for the slide mechanism 7.

[0233] In the interlocking mechanism 8, the first slider portion 20 (inclined slider portion 20) connected to the backrest frame 14 via the first shaft 18 moves further diagonally forward and upward along the first guide rail 19 (inclined rail 19) provided on the fixed frame 10, simultaneously with the further rise of the backrest portion 3.

[0234] That is, the upward movement component (z-direction component) of the backrest frame 14 is divided into a forward movement component (x-direction component) of the moving frame 11 , which becomes the driving force for the slide mechanism 7 .

[0235] When the slide mechanism 7 is driven, the moving frame 11 is guided straight forward by the second slider portion 38 (horizontal slider portion 38) that moves on the second guide rail 37 (horizontal rail 37) and the slide bar 39 that moves in the guide groove 40. In addition, the backrest frame 14 (backrest portion 3) is moved forward by the interlocking mechanism 8.

[0236] The moving frame 11 including the seat 2 and armrests 4 slides forward from position (ii) in FIG. 3B to position (iii) in FIG. 3C.

[0237] When the reclining mechanism 6 positions the upper guide body 23b at the point where the lower groove 21a switches to the upper groove 21b, the backrest 3 rises to its highest position, and the slide mechanism 7 moves the seat 2 forward. This state in which the backrest 3 protrudes to its highest position allows the chair-type massage machine 1 to be used in comfort mode.

[0238] 2D, 3D, 4, 5A, 5B, etc., pinion gear 32 attached to rotary drive shaft 30 runs up to the upper end of rack gear 31. Lower guide body 23a continues to rise along lower groove portion 21a. Upper guide body 23b rises along upper groove portion 21b and reaches the upper end of upper groove portion 21b.

[0239] The backrest frame 14 (backrest portion 3) is reclined backward by the reclining mechanism 6. The driving force of this reclining mechanism 6 is divided by the interlocking mechanism 8 and used as the driving force for the slide mechanism 7.

[0240] In the interlocking mechanism 8, the first slider portion 20 (inclined slider portion 20) connected to the backrest frame 14 via the first shaft 18 moves further diagonally forward and upward along the first guide rail 19 (inclined rail 19) provided on the fixed frame 10 simultaneously with the reclining movement of the backrest portion 3, and reaches the upper end of the first guide rail 19.

[0241] That is, the upward movement component (z-direction component) of the backrest frame 14 is divided into a forward movement component (x-direction component) of the moving frame 11 , which becomes the driving force for the slide mechanism 7 .

[0242] As the slide mechanism 7 is driven, the moving frame 11 is guided further forward in a straight line by the second slider portion 38 (horizontal slider portion 38) that moves on the second guide rail 37 (horizontal rail 37) and the slide bar 39 that moves in the guide groove 40. In addition, the backrest frame 14 (backrest portion 3) is moved further forward by the interlocking mechanism 8.

[0243] The moving frame 11 including the seat 2 and armrests 4 slides forward from position (iii) in FIG. 3C to position (iv) in FIG. 3D.

[0244] When the reclining mechanism 6 positions the upper guide body 23b at the upper end (diagonally rear upper end) of the upper groove portion 21b, the backrest portion 3 tilts backward and reclines, and the slide mechanism 7 moves the seat portion 2 further forward than in the comfort mode to enter the lounge mode (reclined position).

[0245] Here, the reclining operation of the backrest portion 3 when the chair is installed close to the wall W as described above is an important and characteristic feature of this disclosure, and will be described in detail again.

[0246] Even if the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has to be installed with almost no space between the back of the backrest portion 3 and the wall W of the room due to various circumstances such as the size of the room, the backrest portion 3 can be reclined (see Figure 1, etc.).

[0247] The chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment is configured such that a backrest frame 14 is mounted on a moving frame 11, and a linking mechanism 8 links the reclining mechanism 6 and the sliding mechanism 7 together.

[0248] With the chair-type massage machine 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, when the backrest part 3 is reclined, the interlocking mechanism 8 diverts the driving force of the reclining mechanism 6 to the slide mechanism 7, causing the moving frame 11 to slide forward, and as the moving frame 11 slides, the backrest frame 14 moves forward while performing a reclining motion.

[0249] In this way, when the backrest 3 is reclined, the interlocking mechanism 8 causes the seat 2 to slide forward, causing the backrest 3 to move forward.This interlocking operation allows the backrest 3 to descend without coming into contact with the wall W of the room.Therefore, for example, when installing the chair-type massage machine 1, even if the distance between the wall W of the room and the back of the backrest 3 is only a few centimeters, the backrest 3 can be smoothly reclined (realizing a so-called zero wall).

[0250] According to the chair-type massage machine 1 (chair 1) of the present disclosure described above in detail, the reclining action of the backrest portion 3 by the reclining mechanism 6 and the sliding action of the seat portion 2 in the forward and backward directions by the sliding mechanism 7 are smoothly linked by the linkage mechanism 8, so that when the chair is installed close to a wall in a room, even if the distance between the wall W of the room and the back of the backrest portion 3 is small, the backrest portion 3 can be smoothly reclined.

[0251] The chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment can connect a plurality of massage machines of the same shape together using the connecting unit 52 .

[0252] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a combined chair 54 in which the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment is connected to a chair 53 having the same shape as the chair-type massage machine 1 using a connecting unit 52. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the combined chair 54 in which the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment is connected to a chair 53 having the same shape as the chair-type massage machine 1 using a connecting unit 52.

[0253] The chair-type massage machine 1 (chair 1) of this embodiment described in detail above is configured so that at least two or more chair-type massage machines 1 or chairs 53 of the same shape can be connected in the left-right direction by sandwiching a connecting unit 52 between them to form a composite chair 54.

[0254] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment, a chair-type massage machine 1 is arranged on the right side of a connecting unit 52, and a chair 53 is arranged on the left side to form a combined chair 54.

[0255] The connecting unit 52 of this embodiment has a roughly chair-shaped appearance. The connecting unit 52 is a hollow housing. The width of the connecting unit 52 is approximately one-third of the width of the chair-type massage machine 1. The shape and dimensions of the connecting unit 52 can be set as desired.

[0256] In the configuration of the connecting unit 52 of this embodiment, the portion aligned with the seat portion 2 when connected is referred to as a horizontal portion 55 , and the portion aligned with the backrest portion 3 is referred to as a vertical portion 56 .

[0257] The upper surface of the horizontal portion 55 of the connecting unit 52 is flush with the upper surface of the seat 2. In other words, the height of the horizontal portion 55 from the floor F is the same as the height of the seat 2 from the floor F. In addition, the front vertical surface of the horizontal portion 55 is flush with the front vertical surface of the chair-type massage machine 1 in the sofa mode (the bottom surface of the footrest 9 when stored).

[0258] A recess 55a is provided in a portion slightly lower than the upper surface of the horizontal portion 55. The protrusion 58a of the side plate 58 fits into the recess 55a when the side plate 58 is slid rearward, allowing the side plate 58 to be smoothly stored.

[0259] Connecting portions 57 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower portion of the horizontal portion 55, which enable connection to the chair-type massage machine 1 or a chair 53 of the same shape. In this embodiment, the connecting portions 57 have pins 57a provided on the left and right sides of the lower portion of the horizontal portion 55, and holes 57b provided on the bottom bar 10a of the fixed frame 10 and into which the pins 57a fit. These connecting portions 57 are configured so that they can be easily fitted when connecting the chair-type massage machine 1 or the like, and will not easily come off after connection.

[0260] Additionally, side plates 58 are provided on the left and right sides of the horizontal section 55 so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction. The side plates 58 are connected to the side surfaces of the movable frame 11 in place of the armrests 4. The side plates 58 move together with the seat 2 as the movable frame 11 slides in the front-to-rear direction.

[0261] For example, in the case of the chair-type massage machine 1 disposed on the right side, a side plate member 58 is disposed in place of the left armrest 4. The side plate member 58 is disposed on the front side of the rear case body 43. The amount by which the side plate member 58 slides forward is the same as the amount by which the armrest 4 slides forward.

[0262] In detail, the side plate material 58 is supported by a support plate 15 provided at the front end of the right-side moving frame 11 (front-rear bar material 12a) and a support plate 16 provided at the rear end of the right-side moving frame 11 (front-rear bar material 12a).

[0263] The upper surface of the side plate material 58 is flush with the upper surface of the seat portion 2. In other words, the height of the side plate material 58 from the floor surface F is the same as the height of the seat portion 2 from the floor surface F. In addition, the front vertical surface of the side plate material 58 is flush with the front vertical surface of the chair-type massage machine 1 in the sofa mode (the bottom surface of the footrest 9 when stored).

[0264] The side plate material 58 is provided with a protrusion 58a at a position slightly lower than the upper surface in order to be accommodated in the horizontal portion 55. The protrusion 58a fits into a recess 55a provided in the horizontal portion 55 when the side plate material 58 is slid rearward, thereby allowing the side plate material 58 to be smoothly accommodated.

[0265] A cutout 58b is provided in the lower portion of the side plate 58 to avoid the connecting portion 57 when sliding. The cutout 58b is formed from the midpoint in the front-rear direction toward the rear.

[0266] In the case of chair 53 placed on the left side, a side plate 58 is placed in place of the armrest on the right side of chair 53. Side plate 58 placed on chair 53 is fixed to the frame of chair 53 and does not slide forward or backward.

[0267] Furthermore, the vertical portion 56 of the connecting unit 52 is flush with the front surface of the backrest 3. The height of the vertical portion 56 is approximately the same as the height of the backrest 3 of the chair-type massage machine 1 in the sofa mode.

[0268] The connecting unit 52 may have a flip-up vertical section 56. By providing a hinge section 59 at the joint between the horizontal section 55 and the vertical section 56, the vertical section 56 can be folded down to overlap the horizontal section 55 to form an armrest. Also, by flipping up the vertical section 56 so that it is flush with the front surface of the backrest 3, the connecting unit 52 can have a sofa shape that is long from side to side.

[0269] A small storage compartment may be provided inside the connecting unit 52. The connecting unit 52 may also be strong enough to be able to sit on, and may be provided with cushioning material, etc.

[0270] As described above, by using the connecting unit 52, a plurality of chair-type massage machines 1 of this embodiment can be connected together.

[0271] For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, one chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment and one chair 53 of the same shape as the chair-type massage machine 1 can be prepared, and the chair-type massage machine 1 and the chair 53 can be connected by sandwiching a connecting unit 52 between them.

[0272] It is also possible to prepare two chair-type massage machines 1 of this embodiment and connect them by sandwiching the connecting unit 52 between them.

[0273] It is also possible to use two connecting units 52. For example, three chair-type massage machines 1 of this embodiment may be prepared, and the connecting units 52 may be sandwiched between the chair-type massage machines 1 to connect them together.

[0274] In addition, two chair-type massage machines 1 of this embodiment and one chair 53 of the same shape as the chair-type massage machines 1 can be prepared, the chair 53 can be placed between the two chair-type massage machines 1, and they can be connected with a connecting unit 52.

[0275] In this way, by using the connecting unit 52, it is possible to connect at least two or more chair-type massage machines 1 or chairs 53 of this embodiment in the left-right direction, thereby realizing a composite chair 54 of the desired size (a sofa-shaped chair 54 that is long in the left-right direction).

[0276] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. In particular, matters not explicitly stated in the embodiments disclosed herein, such as operating conditions or control conditions, dimensions and weights of components, etc., are within the scope of what a person skilled in the art would normally do, and are matters that a person skilled in the art would easily imagine. Although not shown, for example, the length of the massaging arms provided in the massage mechanism built into the chair-type massage machine 1, the inclination angle of the massaging arms relative to the rotation drive shaft, and the distance between the left and right massaging arms can be changed as appropriate in consideration of the treatment range.

[0277] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chair-type massage machine (chair) 2 Seat 3 Backrest 4 Armrest 5 Legs 6 Reclining mechanism 7 Slide mechanism 8 Interlocking mechanism 10 Fixed frame (base frame) 10eR Right upper bar (second guide rail) 10eL Left upper bar (second guide rail) 10fR Right central bar (first guide rail) 10fL Left central bar (first guide rail) 11 Moving frame 12 Seat frame 13 Support frame 14 Backrest frame 14c Sub-bar 14d Rear bar 18 First shaft 19 First guide rail (inclined rail) 20 First slider (inclined slider) 21 Long groove 21a Lower groove 21b Upper groove 22 Guide plate 23 Guide body 23a Lower guide body 23b Upper guide body 24 Third shaft 28 Lifting mechanism 29 Drive section 30 Rotation drive shaft 31 Rack gear 32 Pinion gear 33 Drive motor 36 Second shaft 37 Second guide rail 38 Second slider section 39 Slide bar 40 Guide groove 43 Fixed case body (rear case body) 44 Blind member 44a Front slide plate member 44b Middle slide plate member 44c Rear slide plate member 47 Telescopic mechanism 48 Arm member 49 Support member 50 Connecting member 52 Connecting unit 53 Chair 54 Composite chair 55 Horizontal section 56 Vertical section 58 Side plate member F Floor surface W Wall

Claims

1. A chair having: a seat portion on which a user can sit; a backrest portion provided at the rear of the seat portion; legs supporting the seat portion and the backrest portion; a reclining mechanism for reclining the backrest portion; a sliding mechanism for sliding the backrest portion and the seat portion in forward and backward directions; and an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the reclining mechanism with the sliding mechanism.

2. The chair described in claim 1, wherein the leg body has a fixed frame that is placed on the floor surface, and a movable frame on which the seat and backrest are mounted and which can slide in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the fixed frame, the movable frame mounts a backrest frame that supports the backrest so that it can recline, and the seat, and the movable frame is capable of sliding in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the fixed frame by the slide mechanism.

3. The chair according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking mechanism is a mechanism that interlocks the reclining action of the backrest frame by the reclining mechanism with the sliding action in the forward and backward directions of the movable frame by the sliding mechanism.

4. The chair described in claim 3, wherein the interlocking mechanism is configured to interlock the sliding mechanism with a driving force output from a lifting mechanism constituting the reclining mechanism and used to recline the backrest, thereby sliding the moving frame in the forward and backward directions.

5. The chair described in claim 4, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises: a first shaft provided at the bottom of the backrest frame; a first guide rail provided on the fixed frame inclined from the lower rear to the upper front, with the front rising; and a first slider portion attached to the first shaft and moving diagonally on the first guide rail.

6. The chair described in claim 5, wherein the interlocking mechanism is configured to generate a force component in the first slider that faces forward or backward from the upward or downward movement of the backrest frame as the first slider moves on the first guide rail that is inclined with the front upward, and to transmit the generated force component that faces forward or backward to the first shaft to which the first slider is attached, thereby moving the moving frame forward or backward via the backrest frame.

7. The chair described in claim 6, wherein the reclining mechanism lifts the backrest portion upward, the reclining mechanism comprising: a guide plate provided in the seat portion and having a long groove formed in the vertical direction; and a guide body that fits freely into the long groove and is guided along the long groove, and the backrest frame and the movable frame are connected via the reclining mechanism.

8. The chair described in claim 7, wherein the reclining mechanism raises the backrest portion upward and tilts the raised backrest portion backward, the long groove has an upper portion curved rearward, the long groove comprises a lower groove portion extending in the up-down direction so as to incline rearward, and an upper groove portion formed and connected to the upper side of the lower groove portion and inclined further rearward than the lower groove portion, the long groove is provided with a rack gear, and at least two or more guide bodies are provided above and below the long groove, one of the guide bodies is movable from the lower groove portion to the upper groove portion, and the other guide body is provided with a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear and is movable in the lower groove portion.

9. A chair as described in claim 8, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises: a second shaft provided on the movable frame; a second guide rail provided on the fixed frame facing in the front-to-rear direction; and a second slider portion attached to the second shaft and moving on the second guide rail in the front-to-rear direction.

10. The chair described in claim 9, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises: a slide bar that is provided on the movable frame so as to be parallel to the second guide rail and that slides as the movable frame moves back and forth; and a guide groove that is provided on the fixed frame and guides the slide bar in the back and forth direction.

11. The chair as described in claim 1, wherein an armrest is provided on each of the left and right sides of the seat, and the armrest is configured to move in the front-to-rear direction together with the seat in conjunction with the reclining movement of the backrest.

12. The chair according to claim 11, wherein the armrests are attached to both the left and right sides of the moving frame and move in the front-rear direction together with the moving frame.

13. A chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the backrest and / or the seat has a built-in massage mechanism for massaging the area of ​​the user to be treated.

14. A composite chair comprising at least two chairs as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 connected in the left-right direction with a connecting unit therebetween.

15. The composite chair according to claim 14, wherein the side plate material of the connecting unit is arranged so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the side plate material is connected to the moving frame.

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