Massage unit and chair-type massage machine

Abstract

Provided is a massage unit comprising: a pair of left and right massage members provided on a base; and a drive mechanism that causes the pair of left and right massage members to approach and separate from each other to generate a kneading operation on a treatment part. The massage members that are disposed as a left-right pair include: an arm part the proximal end of which is supported by the base via the drive mechanism; a support shaft that is the distal end of the arm part and is provided so as to cross the longitudinal direction of the arm part on the inner side in the left-right direction; a first treatment element supported by the support shaft so as to be able to move along the support shaft; and an elastic member that biases the first treatment element inward in the left-right direction. The elastic member is elastically deformed in response to a load applied to the first treatment element, and the first treatment element is configured to be able to move to the outside in the left-right direction along the support shaft.

Description

Massage units and chair-type massage machines

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a massage unit in which treatment elements move outward in the left-right direction in response to a load from a treatment section, and a chair-type massage machine equipped with this massage unit. This application claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2024-065901, filed April 16, 2024, and incorporates the entire contents of said Japanese application by reference.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a massage device such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a massage device that applies a massage action to areas to be treated, such as the shoulders and neck, of a user leaning against a backrest.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-115160

[0004] A massage unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a massage unit comprising a pair of left and right massage members mounted on a base, and a drive mechanism that moves the pair of left and right massage members toward and away from each other to generate a kneading action on the treatment area.The pair of left and right massage members each have an arm portion whose base end is supported on the base via the drive mechanism, a support shaft at the tip of the arm portion and arranged on the inside in the left-right direction so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of the arm portion, a first treatment element supported on the support shaft so as to be movable along the support shaft, and an elastic member that urges the first treatment element inward in the left-right direction.The elastic member is configured to elastically deform in accordance with the load applied to the first treatment element, and the first treatment element is configured to be able to move outward in the left-right direction along the support shaft.

[0005] 1 is a perspective view of a chair-type massage machine equipped with a massage unit of an embodiment, as seen from the left front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the massage unit of an embodiment, as seen from the right front. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the massage unit of an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a massage member of an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view showing, from the rear side, the cross-sectional structure and usage mode of the treatment element of a first embodiment, in a state where the elastic member is at its free length. FIG. 6 is a view showing, from the rear side, the cross-sectional structure and usage mode of the treatment element of a first embodiment, in a state where the elastic member is elastically deformed. FIG. 7 is a view showing, from the rear side, the cross-sectional structure and usage mode of the treatment element of a second embodiment, in a state where the elastic member is at its free length. FIG. 8 is a view showing, from the rear side, the cross-sectional structure and usage mode of the treatment element of a second embodiment, in a state where the elastic member is elastically deformed.

[0006] <Problem that the present disclosure aims to solve> Patent document 1 discloses a massage unit comprising a treatment head, an actuator that can extend and retract in the longitudinal direction, and an arm to which the treatment head is attached at one end, one end of the actuator is attached to the other end of the arm, a first rotation fulcrum that is the rotation fulcrum of the arm is provided at the middle part of the arm, the positional relationship between the first rotation fulcrum and a second rotation fulcrum that is the rotation fulcrum of the other end of the actuator, or the positional relationship between the first rotation fulcrum and the other end of the actuator is fixed, and a pair of left and right rotation axes that serve as the first rotation fulcrum can rotate independently.

[0007] In recent years, some users have commented that the massage sensation felt when kneading the neck is a little stronger than when massaging the shoulders. In particular, since the width of the treatment area, such as the neck, varies depending on the user's physique, users with thick necks tend to comment in this way. However, the massage device of Patent Document 1 has a set spacing between the treatment members corresponding to a fixed treatment width. Therefore, when treating a narrow treatment area, such as the neck, the pressure on the treatment area tends to narrow the spacing between the pair of massage members, resulting in a problem that the massage sensation is inevitably a little stronger for some users.

[0008] Therefore, in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a massage unit and a chair-type massage machine that can provide an appropriate massage feeling even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, and that does not cause discomfort to the user.

[0009] <Effects of the Present Disclosure> According to the massage unit and chair-type massage machine of the present disclosure, even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, it is possible to impart an appropriate massage feeling to the same extent as when massaging a treatment area that is wide, and the user will not feel uncomfortable. In other words, according to the massage unit and chair-type massage machine of the present disclosure, even when massaging a treatment area such as the neck, it is possible to impart an appropriate massage feeling to the same extent as when massaging a treatment area such as the shoulders, and the user will not feel uncomfortable regardless of their physique.

[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-mentioned object, the present disclosure provides the following technical solutions.

[0012] (1) The massage unit according to the present disclosure is a massage unit including a pair of left and right massage members mounted on a base, and a drive mechanism that moves the pair of left and right massage members toward and away from each other to generate a kneading action on the treatment area. The pair of left and right massage members each have an arm portion whose base end is supported on the base via the drive mechanism, a support shaft at the tip of the arm portion and arranged on the inside in the left-right direction so as to intersect with the longitudinal direction of the arm portion, a first treatment element supported on the support shaft so as to be movable along the support shaft, and an elastic member that urges the first treatment element inward in the left-right direction, and is configured so that the elastic member elastically deforms in response to the load applied to the first treatment element, and the first treatment element can move outward in the left-right direction along the support shaft.

[0013] (2) In the above (1), the elastic member may be a coil spring wound around the axial center of the support shaft and around the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft.

[0014] (3) In the above (2), a recess may be formed in the first treatment head, the recess may be loosely fitted into the support shaft, and a storage section in which an elastic member is arranged may be provided between the support shaft and the recess.

[0015] (4) In the above (2), a recess may be formed in the arm portion, the support shaft may be disposed within the recess, a portion of the first treatment element may be slidably fitted therein, and a storage portion in which an elastic member is disposed may be provided between the portion of the first treatment element and the recess.

[0016] (5) In the above (2), the first treatment element may be provided on the inside of the left-right direction at the tip of the arm portion of the pair of left and right massage members, and the second treatment element may be provided on the outside of the left-right direction, sandwiching the arm portion.

[0017] (6) In the above (5), the second treatment head may be supported by the support shaft in a state in which movement of the second treatment head in a direction along the axial direction of the support shaft is restricted.

[0018] (7) In the above (1), the massage unit may be provided with a gripping massage mechanism that performs a gripping massage on the treatment section, and the gripping massage mechanism may have a gripping treatment element that is positioned at a distance in the vertical direction from the first treatment element, and may be configured such that the drive mechanism causes the gripping treatment element to swing in the vertical direction to move closer to and away from the first treatment element.

[0019] (8) The chair-type massage machine according to the present disclosure includes a seat, a backrest, and the massage unit located within the backrest.

[0020] <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.

[0021] A massage unit according to the present disclosure will be described below, specifically, an embodiment of a chair-type massage machine incorporating the massage unit will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] The embodiment described below is an example of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the configuration of the present disclosure. In addition, for clarity, some components are omitted in the drawings.

[0023] The directions of up and down, front and back, left and right, etc. of the chair-type massage machine 1 are as shown in Fig. 1. The directions of up and down, front and back, left and right, etc. of the massage unit 10 are as shown in Fig. 3. In the following description, the directions shown in the drawings will be the directions when describing the chair-type massage machine 1 and massage unit 10 of the present disclosure.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the chair-type massage machine 1 of this embodiment has a seat 2 that is large enough for a user U to sit on, and a backrest 3 that is provided behind the seat 2 and against which the user U can lean.

[0025] The seat 2 is constructed by combining square rod-shaped members and is supported from below at a predetermined height. The seat 2 is entirely covered with a casing, a seat, etc., and a cushion member is provided on the upper surface. Armrests 4 are provided on both the left and right sides of the seat 2. A seat massaging mechanism for massaging the lower legs of the user U may be provided inside the seat 2.

[0026] The backrest 3 is a member provided at the rear of the seat 2, and is formed in a flat plate shape with a sufficient thickness so that the user U can lean against it. The backrest 3 is provided with a back massage mechanism 5 that massages the back of the user U.

[0027] 2, the back massage mechanism 5 has a guide rail 6 arranged vertically inside the backrest 3, and a massage unit 10 that can move vertically inside the backrest 3 along the guide rail 6. The backrest 3 is supported at the rear of the seat 2 so that it can swing forward and backward (recline), and the back massage mechanism 5 can tilt in accordance with the reclining of the backrest 3.

[0028] In this embodiment, two guide rails 6 are provided inside the backrest 3, one on each side. The guide rails 6 include a left guide rail 6L disposed on the left side of the backrest 3 and a right guide rail 6R disposed on the right side of the backrest 3. A left rack gear 7L is formed on the left guide rail 6L, and a right rack gear 7R is formed on the right guide rail 6R. The left rack gear 7L and the right rack gear 7R are attached so that their teeth face substantially forward when the backrest 3 is in an upright position. The left rack gear 7L engages with the left pinion gear 37L, and the right rack gear 7R engages with the right pinion gear 37R, allowing the massage unit 10 to travel along the left guide rail 6L and the right guide rail 6R.

[0029] The massage unit 10 of this embodiment moves inside the backrest 3, thereby performing at least a kneading massage action on the treatment area extending from the neck or shoulders to the lower back through the back of the user U leaning against the backrest 3. In other words, the back of the user U extending from the neck or shoulders to the lower back through the back is the treatment area to be treated by the massage unit 10 of the present disclosure.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the massage unit 10 of this embodiment includes a base 15, a pair of left and right massage members (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R) provided on the base 15, and a drive mechanism 17 that is arranged on the base 15 and moves the pair of left and right massage members (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R) toward and away from each other to generate a massage action (kneading action) on the treatment area.

[0031] The base 15 is disposed between the left guide rail 6L and the right guide rail 6R, and has a left pinion gear 37L that meshes with the left rack gear 7L and a right pinion gear 37R that meshes with the right rack gear 7R. The base 15 has an elevation drive unit (not shown) that rotationally drives the left pinion gear 37L and the right pinion gear 37R. The elevation drive unit rotates the left pinion gear 37L and the right pinion gear 37R, so that the base 15 can move along the installation direction of the left guide rail 6L and the right guide rail 6R.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the massage member 16 has a left massage member 16L provided on the left side of the base 15 and a right massage member 16R provided on the right side of the base 15, and a kneading massage is performed by sandwiching the treatment area between a left first treatment member 19L provided at the tip of the left massage member 16L and a right first treatment member 19R provided at the tip of the right massage member 16R.

[0033] The left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R are arranged and structured symmetrically on either side of the base 15. The left massage member 16L includes a left arm 13L, a left support shaft 18L provided on the right side of the distal end of the left arm 13L, and a first left treatment element 19L supported by the left support shaft 18L. The right massage member 16R includes a right arm 13R, a right support shaft 18R provided on the left side of the distal end of the right arm 13R, and a first right treatment element 19R supported by the right support shaft 18R. The left support shaft 18L is disposed so as to intersect the longitudinal direction of the left arm 13L (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment), and the right support shaft 18R is disposed so as to intersect the longitudinal direction of the right arm 13R (approximately perpendicular in this embodiment).

[0034] 2 to 4, the arm portion 13 is an arm-shaped member extending from the base 15. The arm portion 13 of this embodiment has a left arm portion 13L provided on the left massage member 16L and a right arm portion 13R provided on the right massage member 16R.

[0035] 2 , the arm 13 of this embodiment has a base end supported on the base 15 via a drive mechanism 17, and a tip end extending in a direction away from the base 15. A left rotation restricting portion 21L that restricts the left arm 13L from rotating integrally with the rotation shaft 9 is provided on the base end side of the left arm 13L, and a right rotation restricting portion 21R that restricts the right arm 13R from rotating integrally with the rotation shaft 9 is provided on the base end side of the right arm 13R.

[0036] In this embodiment, a left annular fitting portion 14L of the drive mechanism 17 is provided on the base end side of the left arm portion 13L, and a right annular fitting portion 14R of the drive mechanism 17 is provided on the base end side of the right arm portion 13R.

[0037] The drive mechanism 17 has a drive unit 17a that generates a rotational drive force, and a conversion unit 17b that converts the rotational drive force generated by the drive unit 17a into oscillation of a pair of left and right massage members 16 (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R).

[0038] The drive unit 17a of the drive mechanism 17 of this embodiment has a drive motor 8 provided on the base 15. The conversion unit 17b of the drive mechanism 17 has a rotary shaft 9 that rotates about an axis facing the left-right direction by the rotational driving force of the drive motor 8, a rotary boss 11 attached to the rotary shaft 9, an endless cam surface 12 formed on the periphery of the rotary boss 11 and inclined with respect to the left-right direction, and annular fittings 14 (the above-mentioned left annular fittings 14L and right annular fittings 14R) that are provided at the base end of the arm 13 and externally fitted slidably onto the cam surface 12.

[0039] The drive motor 8 in this embodiment is disposed on the base 15 with the drive shaft 8 a facing downward. One or more gears (in this embodiment, multiple gears including a worm gear) that transmit the rotational drive force of the drive shaft 8 a of the drive motor 8 to the rotation shaft 9 are provided between the drive motor 8 and the rotation shaft 9.

[0040] The rotary shaft 9 is rotatably mounted on the base 15 with its axis oriented in the left-right direction. The rotary shaft 9 extends to both the right and left of the drive motor 8 (drive shaft 8a). A left rotary boss 11L is attached to the rotary shaft 9 to the left of the drive shaft 8a, and a right rotary boss 11R is attached to the rotary shaft 9 to the right of the drive shaft 8a, both of which are rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft 9.

[0041] The left rotation boss portion 11L and the right rotation boss portion 11R are both multi-stage cylindrical members. A left cam surface 12L is formed on the outer periphery of the left rotation boss portion 11L, and a right cam surface 12R is formed on the outer periphery of the right rotation boss portion 11R. The left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R are both formed as cylindrical surfaces that revolve around an axis that faces in a direction intersecting the axis of the rotation shaft 9.

[0042] The inclination directions of the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R (the directions in which the axes of the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R face) are relatively opposite in the left-right direction (symmetrical with respect to a line facing the up-down direction). For example, when the left cam surface 12L (its axis) is inclined leftward with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft 9, the right cam surface 12R (its axis) is inclined rightward with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft 9. Furthermore, when the left cam surface 12L (its axis) is inclined rightward with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft 9, the right cam surface 12R (its axis) is inclined leftward with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft 9.

[0043] The left annular fitting portion 14L and the right annular fitting portion 14R are fitted freely into the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R, respectively, so that, in cooperation with the rotation control portion described later, the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R perform a swinging motion such that they move closer to and away from each other.

[0044] The left rotation restricting portion 21L is provided at the base end of the left arm portion 13L and restricts rotation about the axis of the rotation shaft 9 while allowing swinging of the left arm portion 13L in the left-right direction. The right rotation restricting portion 21R is provided at the base end of the right arm portion 13R and restricts rotation about the axis of the rotation shaft 9 while allowing swinging of the right arm portion 13R in the left-right direction. Note that by reciprocating the left rotation restricting portion 21L and the right rotation restricting portion 21R back and forth, the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R reciprocate about the axis of the rotation shaft 9, and it becomes possible to perform a tapping action on the treatment elements (first left treatment element 19L and first right treatment element 19R).

[0045] When the drive motor 8 rotates the rotary shaft 9, the left rotary boss portion 11L and the right rotary boss portion 11R rotate integrally with the rotary shaft 9. A left annular fitting portion 14L is slidably fitted into the left cam surface 12L of the left rotary boss portion 11L, and a right annular fitting portion 14R is slidably fitted into the right cam surface 12R of the right rotary boss portion 11R. The left arm portion 13L is restricted from rotating integrally by a left rotation restricting portion 21L, and therefore does not rotate integrally with the left rotary boss portion 11L even when the left rotary boss portion 11L rotates.

[0046] On the other hand, when the left rotation boss portion 11L rotates, the tilt direction of the left cam surface 12L switches between left and right, causing the left massage member 16L (left arm portion 13L) to slide left and right in accordance with the tilt direction of the left cam surface 12L. The right annular fitting portion 14R provided on the base end of the right arm portion 13R also slidably fits into the right cam surface 12R of the right rotation boss portion 11R. Since the right arm portion 13R is also restricted from rotating integrally with the right rotation restricting portion 21R, the right massage member 16R (right arm portion 13R) also tilts left and right in accordance with the switching of the tilt direction of the right cam surface 12R. Because the tilt directions of the left cam surface 12L and the right cam surface 12R are opposite relative to each other in the left and right direction, the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R swing in opposite relative to each other in the left and right direction.

[0047] In other words, since the left arm section 13L and the right arm section 13R repeatedly move toward and away from each other in the left-right direction, by placing a treatment area between the left first treatment element 19L provided at the tip of the left arm section 13L and the right first treatment element 19R provided at the tip of the right arm section 13R, a kneading massage can be performed on the treatment area.

[0048] The massage unit 10 described above is provided with a gripping massage mechanism 42 that performs gripping massage on the treatment area between the left first treatment element 19L and the left gripping treatment element 41L, and between the right first treatment element 19R and the right gripping treatment element 41R.

[0049] Next, the gripping massage mechanism 42 will be described.

[0050] 2, the gripping massage mechanism 42 of this embodiment has a pair of left and right gripping massage members (a left gripping massage member 43L and a right gripping massage member 43R). The drive mechanism 17 (converter 17b) has a function of swinging the pair of left and right gripping massage members (the left gripping massage member 43L and the right gripping massage member 43R) up and down around the rotation axis 9.

[0051] In the following description of the gripping massage members 43, only the left gripping massage member 43L will be described, and the right gripping massage member 43R will not be described except for the description of operations that can only be explained with a pair of left and right gripping massage members 43L.

[0052] The left gripping massage member 43L has a left gripping arm 44L whose base end is attached to the base 15 via the drive mechanism 17, and a left gripping treatment element 41L attached to the tip of the left gripping arm 44L. The left gripping arm 44L has a left first gripping arm 45L arranged at the base end and a left second gripping arm 46L arranged at the tip end. The left first gripping arm 45L is connected to a midpoint of the left second gripping arm 46L so as to be swingable about an axis facing left and right. The base end of the left second gripping arm 46L is connected to a midpoint of the left arm 13L so as to be swingable about an axis facing left and right. The left gripping treatment element 41L is provided at the tip of the left second gripping arm 46L.

[0053] The conversion portion 17b of the drive mechanism 17 has a left second rotation boss portion 47L provided on the rotation shaft 9 and a left second annular fitting portion 48L rotatably fitted onto the left second rotation boss portion 47L. A left second cam surface 49L that revolves around the axis of the rotation shaft 9 is formed on the outer periphery of the left second rotation boss portion 47L. The left second cam surface 49L is formed in the shape of a cylindrical surface that revolves around an axis that is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotation shaft 9.

[0054] When the drive motor 8 rotates the rotary shaft 9, the left second rotary boss portion 47L rotates integrally with the rotary shaft 9, and the left second annular fitting portion 48L, which slidably fits onto the left second cam surface 49L, also tends to rotate about its axis. However, because the tip of the left first gripping arm 45L is connected to the left arm portion 13L via the left second gripping arm 46L, the left second annular fitting portion 48L (left first gripping arm 45L) does not rotate.

[0055] On the other hand, since the left second cam surface 49L is cylindrical around an axis that is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft 9, the left first gripping arm 45L swings up and down around the axis of the rotary shaft 9. In other words, the left second gripping arm 46L, to which the tip of the left first gripping arm 45L is connected, also swings up and down, and the left second gripping arm 46L repeatedly swings up and down around its base end connected to the left arm portion 13L. As a result, the left gripping treatment element 41L swings up and down, and the left gripping treatment element 41L repeatedly approaches and moves away from the left first treatment element 19L in the up and down direction, making it possible to grasp and massage the treatment area located between the two members.

[0056] The above description relates to the configuration and effects of the left gripping massage member 43L, but the right gripping massage member 43R also has the same configuration and effects.

[0057] Now, the left first treatment member 19L is supported on the left support shaft 18L of the left massage member 16L so that it can move along the left support shaft 18L, and the right first treatment member 19R is supported on the right support shaft 18R of the right massage member 16R so that it can move along the right support shaft 18R.

[0058] A left elastic member 20L is provided between the left first treatment element 19L and the left support shaft 18L to bias the left first treatment element 19L to the right (inward in the left-right direction).A right elastic member 20R is provided between the right first treatment element 19R and the right support shaft 18R to bias the right first treatment element 19R to the left (inward in the left-right direction).

[0059] In the massage unit 10 of the present disclosure, the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R are elastically deformed in response to a load applied to the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R, allowing the left first treatment element 19L to move to the left (outside in the left-right direction) along the left support shaft 18L. In addition, the right elastic member 20R is elastically deformed in response to a load applied to the right first treatment element 19R, allowing the right first treatment element 19R to move to the right (outside in the left-right direction) along the right support shaft 18R.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , support shafts 18 are provided at the distal ends of the massage members 16 in this embodiment. Specifically, the support shafts 18 include a left support shaft 18L provided at the distal end of the left massage member 16L (left arm portion 13L) and a right support shaft 18R provided at the distal end of the right massage member 16R (right arm portion 13R). The left support shaft 18L is a rod-shaped member extending inward in the left-right direction from the inner side surface of the distal end of the left arm portion 13L. The right support shaft 18R is a rod-shaped member extending inward in the left-right direction from the inner side surface of the distal end of the right arm portion 13R. The left support shaft 18L and the right support shaft 18R in this embodiment are formed in a round rod shape with a hollowed-out center. A first left treatment element 19L is supported on the right end of the left support shaft 18L, and a first right treatment element 19R is supported on the left end of the right support shaft 18R.

[0061] 1 to 4, the massage unit 10 of the present disclosure has been described with left and right first treatment elements (left first treatment element 19L and right first treatment element 19R) and left and right second treatment elements (left second treatment element 22L and right second treatment element 22R). However, as a simpler configuration, the massage unit 10 of the present disclosure may also have only the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R as the treatment elements of the pair of left and right massage members (left massage member 16L and right massage member 16R).

[0062] Therefore, in the following description of the first treatment element 19, we will first describe the first embodiment, which is equipped with only the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R (an embodiment in which there is one massage ball at the tip of the arm portion).

[0063] As a second embodiment, we will explain an embodiment in which the treatment elements include left and right first treatment elements (left first treatment element 19L and right first treatment element 19R) and left and right second treatment elements (left second treatment element 22L and right second treatment element 22R) (an embodiment in which there are two kneading balls at the tip of the arm portion).

[0064] In both the first and second embodiments, the pair of left and right massage members (the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R) are arranged and structured line-symmetrically on the left and right sides. Therefore, in the following description, only the left massage member 16L will be described, and the right massage member 16R will not be described except for the description of operations that can only be explained with the pair of left and right massage members.

[0065] [First Embodiment] As shown in the enlarged view of Figure 5, the left first treatment element 19L in the first embodiment is made of a flexible plastic resin (e.g., PVC resin) and is cylindrical with a recessed midway in the left-right direction. A left first insertion hole 24L with an opening diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed inside the left first treatment element 19L. The left first insertion hole 24L is formed in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L and penetrates the interior of the left first treatment element 19L in the left-right direction. The left support shaft 18L is inserted into the left first insertion hole 24L so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0066] Specifically, in the first embodiment, a left cylindrical portion 23L having a larger diameter than the left support shaft 18L is formed at the tip of the left arm portion 13L so as to protrude to the right (inward in the left-right direction). The left cylindrical portion 23L is formed in a cylindrical shape around an axis coaxial with the left support shaft 18L, and the left support shaft 18L is disposed at the tip (right end) so as to be coaxial with the axis of the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0067] The first left treatment element 19L of the first embodiment has a first left recess 25L on the left side of the first left insertion hole 24L. The first left recess 25L is a cylindrical recess that opens to the left (toward the left arm portion 13L) and is composed of a left cylindrical inner wall 26L having a cylindrical surface and a left rear wall 27L that closes the right end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L.

[0068] The left cylindrical inner wall 26L is formed into a cylindrical surface shape with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, and is capable of fitting onto the left cylindrical portion 23L. The left rear wall 27L is formed as a wall surface between the right end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left opening of the left first through-hole 24L, and extends in a direction intersecting the axis of the left support shaft 18L (in the illustrated example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis).

[0069] The left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left support shaft 18L are spaced apart, and the left elastic member 20L is disposed between the left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the space between the left cylindrical inner wall 26L and the left support shaft 18L forms a left accommodation portion 28L that accommodates the left elastic member 20L.

[0070] In the first embodiment, the left first treatment element 19L has a left second recess 30L formed to the right of the left first insertion hole 24L. The left second recess 30L opens to the right (inward in the left-right direction). The tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L is provided in the left second recess 30L so as to protrude from the bottom wall. A retaining means (e.g., a retaining pin, not shown) is attached to the tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L to prevent the tip of the left support shaft 18L from slipping out to the left from the left second recess 30L.

[0071] The elastic member 20 of the first embodiment includes a left elastic member 20L that biases the left first massaging element 19L rightward, and a right elastic member 20R that biases the right first massaging element 19R leftward.

[0072] The left elastic member 20L is a coil spring wound around the outer circumferential surface of the left support shaft 18L. In the state shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5 , the left elastic member 20L generates no biasing force (a restoring force so small that it can be ignored). In other words, the left elastic member 20L in the state shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 5 has a free length (a length when no force is applied). Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the left elastic member 20L is a coil spring having a length substantially equal to the inner dimension of the left first recess 25L along the left-right direction (the inner dimension of the left first recess 25L along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L). In other words, the left end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is aligned substantially in the same position as the right end of the left cylindrical portion 23L, and the left accommodation portion 28L is a space enclosed by the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 5, when massaging a treatment area that is wide in the left-right direction, such as the shoulders, the left arm 13L and the right arm 13R are set to a treatment width (swing width along the left-right direction) that is wide in the left-right direction to accommodate the wide treatment area. The first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R massage the treatment area by rubbing the surface of the treatment area, such as the shoulders. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area that is smooth, such as the shoulders, the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R do not exert much load on the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R. In other words, even when a treatment area such as the shoulders is massaged with the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R in the state shown in Fig. 5, no large compressive force acts on the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R, and the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R maintain their free length (i.e., are not elastically deformed) to perform the massage. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area such as the shoulders, the treatment area can be kneaded and massaged without moving the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R.

[0074] On the other hand, when massaging a thin and delicate treatment area such as the neck, as shown in Fig. 6, the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R are positioned to pinch the neck, which may result in a massage that pinches the treatment area. In particular, if the treatment width (swing width) is set wide to match the treatment area such as the shoulders, when the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R may become narrower than the neck, which may result in a stronger massage feeling (massage intensity) on the treatment area and cause discomfort to the user.

[0075] However, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the first embodiment, when the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R sandwich the area to be treated, such as the neck, a large load is generated on the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R in a direction toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (outward in the left-right direction). This causes the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R to elastically deform (outward in the left-right direction) (the coil springs constituting the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R are compressed). For example, when the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the left first recess 25L is inserted into (pressed deeply into) the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0076] Because the inner diameter of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L slides against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L along the axis of the left support shaft 18L, and the first left treatment element 19L moves to the left (toward the left arm portion 13L, outward in the left-right direction) along the axis of the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction, thereby dissipating the force applied to the first left treatment element 19L in the direction approaching the treatment area.

[0077] Although the above description relates to the left elastic member 20L, the right elastic member 20R operates in a similar manner.

[0078] In other words, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the first embodiment, when the tips of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R increases. As a result, even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, such as the neck, a soft (appropriate) massage feeling can be imparted to the user, similar to that of a wider treatment area (such as the shoulders), without causing discomfort to the user.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the left elastic member 20L uses a coil spring having a length approximately equal to the inner dimension of the left first recess 25L in the left-right direction. In other words, the left end of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is located at approximately the same position as the right end of the left cylindrical portion 23L, and the left accommodation portion 28L is a space enclosed by the left cylindrical portion 23L. By forming the left accommodation portion 28L as a space enclosed by the left cylindrical portion 23L in this manner, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the left accommodation portion 28L and corrosion of the left elastic member 20L, thereby improving the durability of the left elastic member 20L.

[0080] In the left massage member 16L of the first embodiment, the inner diameter of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, so that the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L can slide against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L along the axis of the left support shaft 18L. Therefore, when the left first treatment element 19L is moved leftward, the left first recess 25L is inserted into the left cylindrical portion 23L while the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L remains in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L. When the left first recess 25L is inserted into the left cylindrical portion 23L in this manner, the left first treatment element 19L can be moved reliably along the axis of the left support shaft 18L without wobbling relative to the axis.

[0081] Furthermore, if the treatment area, such as the back, has protruding portions such as shoulder blades, the protruding portions of the treatment area may act as a load against the movement of the treatment element when the treatment element is moved left and right, resulting in an intensified massage feeling from the treatment element and causing discomfort to the user. Even in such a case, with the left massage member 16L of the first embodiment, the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms (outward in the left-right direction) in the same way as in the case of a treatment area, such as the neck (the coil spring constituting the left elastic member 20L contracts), so that a soft (appropriate) massage feeling can be imparted to a treatment area having protruding portions of the same magnitude as a wide treatment area (such as a treatment area for the shoulders), preventing discomfort to the user.

[0082] The massage unit 10 of the first embodiment is equipped with a gripping massage mechanism 42 that performs a gripping massage on the treatment area. The gripping massage mechanism 42 has a left gripping treatment element 41L that is arranged at a distance in the up-down direction from the left first treatment element 19L. The gripping massage mechanism 42 also swings the gripping treatment element 41 in the up-down direction using the drive mechanism 17.

[0083] When performing a grip massage on a treatment area using the gripping treatment element 41, if the left gripping treatment element 41L approaches the tip (first left treatment element 19L) of the left arm portion 13L in the vertical direction in the first embodiment, the gripping massage on the treatment area may feel too strong. However, if the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms (outward in the left-right direction) and the left first treatment element 19L moves outward in the left-right direction, the force applied between the first left treatment element 19L and the left gripping treatment element 41L can be released, preventing discomfort to the user.

[0084] Although the above description relates to the effects of the left massage member 16L and the left gripping massage member 43L, the same effects can be achieved with the right massage member 16R and the right gripping massage member 43R.

[0085] 7, the left massage member 16L of the second embodiment includes a left second treatment element 22L in addition to a left first treatment element 19L. The right massage member 16R includes a right first treatment element 19R and a right second treatment element 22R. The left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment have a left arm 13L and a right arm 13R, respectively, as in the first embodiment. Two treatment elements are provided at the distal end of each of the left arm 13L and the right arm 13R, sandwiching the arm.

[0086] Of the two treatment elements, the first left treatment element 19L is provided on the right side (inner side in the left-right direction) of the left arm 13L, and the second left treatment element 22L is provided on the left side (outer side in the left-right direction) of the left arm 13L. In addition, the first right treatment element 19R is provided on the left side (inner side in the left-right direction) of the right arm 13R, and the second right treatment element 22R is provided on the right side (outer side in the left-right direction) of the right arm 13R.

[0087] The first left treatment element 19L and the second left treatment element 22L of the second embodiment are formed in a cylindrical shape (wheel-like) that is short in the left-right direction using the same flexible plastic resin as in the first embodiment. A first left insertion hole 24L with an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed inside the first left treatment element 19L, and the first left insertion hole 24L is formed in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L, penetrating the interior of the first left treatment element 19L in the axial direction. The left support shaft 18L is inserted into the first left insertion hole 24L so as to be freely movable in the left-right direction.

[0088] Specifically, in the second embodiment, a cylindrical left third recess 29L having an opening diameter larger than that of the left support shaft 18L is formed at the tip (right side surface) of the left arm portion 13L so as to open to the right. The left third recess 29L is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening diameter larger than the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L, and the left support shaft 18L is disposed in the center so as to penetrate the center (axial center of the cylindrical shape) of the left third recess 29L in the left-right direction. A left first protrusion 39L protruding to the right is formed at the edge of the opening of the left third recess 29L so as to surround the periphery of the left third recess 29L along the opening edge.

[0089] A left fourth recess 31L that opens to the left is formed on the left side surface of the left first treatment element 19L. The depth L1 of the left fourth recess 31L along the axial direction (the direction of the axis of the left support shaft 18L) (the distance from point P1 located on the left side surface of the left first treatment element 19L to point P2 located at the deepest part of the recess of the left fourth recess 31L) is set to be equal to the protrusion height L2 of the left first protrusion 39L from the right side surface of the left arm 13L (the distance L2 along the axis of the left support shaft 18L from point P3 located on the right side surface of the left arm 13L to point P4 located at the tip of the left first protrusion 39L).

[0090] A left slide member 32L is disposed between the left first massaging element 19L and the left third recess 29L. The left slide member 32L has an annular left closing portion 33L that can be loosely fitted into the left third recess 29L, and a left second protrusion 34L that protrudes leftward from the outer edge of the left closing portion 33L along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L. A left through-hole 35L is formed in the center of the left closing portion 33L, penetrating the left closing portion 33L in the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L. The left support shaft 18L is inserted through the left through-hole 35L so as to be movable in the axial direction. The left second protrusion 34L is formed to orbit the periphery of the left closing portion 33L along the opening edge of the left closing portion 33L.

[0091] The depth of the recess along the axial direction of the left third recess 29L (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P5 located on the inner bottom wall of the left third recess 29L to point P4 located at the tip of the left first protrusion 39L) L3 is equal to the protrusion height of the left second protrusion 34L from the right surface of the left closing portion 33L (the distance along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P6 located on the right surface of the left closing portion 33L to point P7 located at the tip of the left second protrusion 34L).

[0092] The left support shaft 18L of the second embodiment has an outer diameter smaller than that of the left third recess 29L and is formed in the shape of a circular rod that is long in the left-right direction, and a left elastic member 20L is provided on the outer circumferential surface.

[0093] The left third recess 29L in the second embodiment is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the left support shaft 18L, and the left elastic member 20L is disposed between the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L and the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the space between the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L and the left support shaft 18L forms a left accommodation portion 28L that accommodates the left elastic member 20L.

[0094] As in the first embodiment, the left first treatment element 19L of the second embodiment also has a left second recess 30L formed to the right of the left first insertion hole 24L. The left second recess 30L opens to the right (inward in the left-right direction). The tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L is disposed so as to protrude into the left second recess 30L. A retaining means (e.g., a retaining pin, not shown) is attached to the tip (right end) of the left support shaft 18L to prevent the tip of the left support shaft 18L from slipping out to the right from the left second recess 30L.

[0095] A left second insertion hole 38L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed inside the left second treatment element 22L, and the left second insertion hole 38L is formed in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L, penetrating the left first treatment element 19L in the axial direction (the direction of the axis of the left support shaft 18L). The left support shaft 18L is inserted through the left second insertion hole 38L in a state where its movement in the left-right direction is restricted.

[0096] Specifically, in the second embodiment, a left second through-hole 38L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed in the left second treatment element 22L. Similar to the left first through-hole 24L, the left second through-hole 38L is formed to axially penetrate the left second treatment element 22L in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L. The left support shaft 18L is inserted through the left second through-hole 38L so as to be movable in the left-right direction. Furthermore, a left third through-hole 36L having an opening diameter equal to the outer diameter of the left support shaft 18L is formed at the tip of the left arm 13L. Similar to the left first through-hole 24L, the left third through-hole 36L is formed to axially penetrate the left arm 13L in the same direction as the axis of the left support shaft 18L. The left third through-hole 36L is formed adjacent to the left second through-hole 38L with their openings aligned, and the left support shaft 18L is inserted in the left-right direction through the left third through-hole 36L and the left second through-hole 38L in a communicating state.

[0097] In the second embodiment, the left second treatment element 22L has a left fifth recess 40L formed to the left of the left second insertion hole 38L. The left fifth recess 40L opens to the left (outward in the left-right direction). The left end of the left support shaft 18L is disposed so as to protrude inside the left fifth recess 40L. A retaining pin (not shown) is attached to the left end of the left support shaft 18L to prevent the tip (left end) of the left support shaft 18L from slipping out to the right from the left fifth recess 40L. The left second treatment element 22L is rotatably supported by the left arm 13L with its movement restricted along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L.

[0098] As shown in Figure 7, when massaging a treatment area that is wide in the left-right direction, such as the shoulders, the left arm 13L and the right arm 13R are set to a treatment width (swing width) that is wide in the left-right direction to accommodate the wide treatment area. The first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R massage the surface of the treatment area, such as the shoulders, by stroking (rubbing) the surface. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area that is smooth, such as the shoulders, little load is applied to the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R. In other words, even when a treatment area, such as the shoulders, is massaged with the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R in the state shown in Figure 7, no large compressive force is applied to the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R, and the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R maintain their free length (i.e., are not elastically deformed) during the massage. Therefore, when massaging a treatment area such as the shoulders, the treatment area can be kneaded and massaged without moving the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R.

[0099] On the other hand, when massaging a thin and delicate treatment area such as the neck, as shown in Fig. 8, the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R are positioned to pinch the neck, which may result in a massage that pinches the treatment area. In particular, if the treatment width (swing width) is set wide to match the treatment area such as the shoulders, when the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R may become narrower than the distance between the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R, which may result in a stronger massage sensation and discomfort to the user.

[0100] However, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment, when the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R sandwich the area to be treated, such as the neck, a large load is generated on the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R in a direction toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (outward in the left-right direction). This causes the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R to elastically deform (outward in the left-right direction) (the coil springs constituting the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R are compressed). For example, when the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the left first recess 25L is inserted into (pressed deeply into) the left cylindrical portion 23L.

[0101] Because the inner diameter of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left cylindrical portion 23L, the inner peripheral surface of the left cylindrical inner wall 26L slides against the outer peripheral surface of the left cylindrical portion 23L along the axis of the left support shaft 18L, and the first left treatment element 19L moves to the left (toward the left arm portion 13L, outward in the left-right direction) along the axis of the left support shaft 18L. In other words, the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms outward in the left-right direction, thereby dissipating the force applied to the first left treatment element 19L in the direction approaching the treatment area.

[0102] Although the above description relates to the left elastic member 20L, the right elastic member 20R operates in a similar manner.

[0103] In other words, in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment, when the tips of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R approach each other, the distance between the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R increases. As a result, even when massaging a treatment area that is narrow in the left-right direction, such as the neck, a soft (appropriate) massage feeling can be imparted to the user, similar to that of a wider treatment area (such as the shoulders), without causing discomfort to the user.

[0104] 7 and 8 , in the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R of the second embodiment, the distance between the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R, which move toward the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (move outward in the left-right direction), and the second left treatment element 22L and the second right treatment element 22R, whose movement in the left-right direction is restricted, also changes according to the elastic deformation of the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R. Therefore, if the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R are arranged so that the treatment areas are located between the first left treatment element 19L and the second left treatment element 22L and between the first right treatment element 19R and the second right treatment element 22R, it is possible to perform a pinching massage on the treatment areas.

[0105] As described above, the depth L1 of the left fourth recess 31L along the axial direction (the direction of the axis of the left support shaft 18L) (the distance from point P1 located on the left side surface of the left first treatment element 19L to point P2 located at the deepest part of the recess of the left fourth recess 31L) is set equal to the protrusion height L2 of the left first protrusion 39L from the right side surface of the left arm 13L (the distance L2 along the axial direction of the left support shaft 18L from point P3 located on the right side surface of the left arm 13L to point P4 located at the tip of the left first protrusion 39L). If the distances L1 and L2 are set equal in this way, when the left arm 13L elastically deforms, the tip of the left first protrusion 39L of the left sliding member 32L comes into contact with the recessed portion (the deepest part of the recess) of the left fourth recess 31L, restricting the movement of the left sliding member 32L, and therefore preventing excessive force from being applied to the left elastic member 20L. Furthermore, even if the left elastic member 20L is elastically deformed, the first left massaging member 19L can be prevented from coming into contact with the left arm portion 13L, and therefore damage to the first left massaging member 19L can also be prevented.

[0106] As described above, the axial depth L3 of the left third recess 29L (the distance along the axis of the left support shaft 18L from point P5 located on the inner bottom wall of the left third recess 29L to point P4 located on the tip of the left first protrusion 39L) is set equal to the protrusion height L4 of the left second protrusion 34L from the right surface of the left closing portion 33L (the distance along the axis of the left support shaft 18L from point P6 located on the right surface of the left closing portion 33L to point P7 located on the tip of the left second protrusion 34L). If the distances L3 and L4 are set equal in this way, when the left elastic member 20L elastically deforms, the tip of the left second protrusion 34L of the left sliding member 32L contacts the inner bottom wall of the left third recess 29L, restricting the movement of the left sliding member 32L, and therefore preventing excessive force from being applied to the left elastic member 20L. Furthermore, even if the left elastic member 20L is elastically deformed, the first left massaging member 19L can be prevented from coming into contact with the left arm portion 13L, and therefore damage to the first left massaging member 19L can also be prevented.

[0107] The opening on the right side of the left third recess 29L is closed by the left slide member 32L, and the left accommodation portion 28L that accommodates the left elastic member 20L is a closed space. By making the left accommodation portion 28L a closed space by the left slide member 32L in this way, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the left accommodation portion 28L and corrosion of the left elastic member 20L, thereby improving the durability of the left elastic member 20L.

[0108] In the left massage member 16L of the second embodiment, the inner diameter of the left third recess 29L is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the left sliding member 32L, so that the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L can slide along the axis of the left support shaft 18L relative to the outer peripheral surface of the left sliding member 32L. Therefore, when the left first treatment element 19L is moved leftward, the left third recess 29L is inserted onto the left sliding member 32L while the inner peripheral surface of the left third recess 29L remains in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the left sliding member 32L. When the left third recess 29L is inserted onto the left sliding member 32L in this manner, the left first treatment element 19L can be moved reliably along the axis of the left support shaft 18L without wobbling relative to the axis.

[0109] Although the above description relates to the effects of the left massage member 16L, the same effects are achieved with the right massage member 16R.

[0110] Furthermore, the effects of the massage unit 10 of the first embodiment other than those described above are similarly achieved by the massage unit 10 of the second embodiment. For example, when a gripping massage is performed on the treatment area using the gripping treatment elements 41, the left elastic member 20L and the right elastic member 20R elastically deform (outward in the left-right direction) to release the force applied between the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R and the left gripping treatment element 41L and the right gripping treatment element 41R, thereby preventing discomfort to the user. This effect is also achieved by the massage unit 10 of the second embodiment.

[0111] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In particular, in the embodiments disclosed herein, matters not explicitly stated, such as operating conditions or control conditions, dimensions and weights of components, etc., do not deviate from the scope of ordinary practice of a person skilled in the art, and are matters that can be easily assumed by a person skilled in the art.

[0112] The distance, swing speed, left-right spacing, etc. of the left and right massage members described in this embodiment (the distance, swing speed, left-right spacing, etc. of the left massage member 16L and the right massage member 16R, or the first left treatment element 19L and the first right treatment element 19R, and the second left treatment element 22L and the second right treatment element 22R) can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the distance, swing speed, left-right spacing, etc. of the left first treatment element 19L and the right first treatment element 19R, and the left grasping treatment element 41L and the right grasping treatment element 41R can also be changed as appropriate.

[0113] Furthermore, the massage unit 10 may perform massage actions such as tapping and grabbing in addition to the kneading massage action. In this embodiment, the treatment areas are exemplified as the shoulders and neck located on the back of the user, but the treatment areas may also be areas such as the buttocks, thighs, hands, or arms.

[0114] Furthermore, although the left support shaft 18L and the right support shaft 18R in this embodiment are round rod-shaped with a hollowed-out center, the left support shaft 18L and the right support shaft 18R in the present disclosure may be solid rod-shaped (rod-shaped without a hollowed-out center).

[0115] For example, the configuration of the massage unit 10, such as the length of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R of the massage unit 10, the inclination angle of the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R (cam surface 12 of the rotation boss portion 11) relative to the rotation axis 9, the distance between the left arm portion 13L and the right arm portion 13R, and the number of treatment heads, can be changed as appropriate taking into account the treatment range.

[0116] Furthermore, the kneading massage action by the massage unit 10 (the amplitude, timing, speed, etc. of the approaching and moving away movements and the oscillation in the same direction to the left and right) is not limited to the actions described in this embodiment, but can be changed as appropriate taking into account the condition of the treatment area (the area to be treated, the degree of stiffness in that area, etc.).

[0117] The basic device configuration of the massage unit 10 described in this embodiment is an example, and various device configurations can be adopted.

[0118] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Chair-type massage machine 2 Seat 3 Backrest 4 Armrest 5 Back massage mechanism 6 Guide rail 6L Left guide rail 6R Right guide rail 7L Left rack gear 7R Right rack gear 8 Drive motor 8a Drive shaft 9 Rotation shaft 10 Massage unit 11 Rotation boss 11L Left rotation boss 11R Right rotation boss 12 Cam surface 12L Left cam surface 12R Right cam surface 13 Arm 13L Left arm 13R Right arm 14 Annular fitting 14L Left annular fitting 14R Right annular fitting 15 Base 16 Massage member 16L Left massage member 16R Right massage member 17 Drive mechanism 17a Drive unit 17b Converting unit 18 Support shaft 18L Left support shaft 18R Right support shaft 19 First treatment element 19L Left first treatment element 19R Right first treatment element 20 Elastic member 20L Left elastic member 20R Right elastic member 21L Left rotation restricting portion 21R Right rotation restricting portion 22L Left second treatment element 22R Right second treatment element 23L Left cylindrical portion 24L Left first insertion hole 25L Left first recess 25R Right first recess 26L Left cylindrical inner wall 27L Left rear wall 28L Left storage portion 28R Storage portion 29L Left third recess 30L Left second recess 31L Left fourth recess 32L Left slide member 33L Left closing portion 34L Left second protrusion 35L Left through hole 36L Left third insertion hole 37L Left pinion gear 37R Right pinion gear 38L Left second through-hole 39L Left first protrusion 40L Left fifth recess 41L Left gripping treatment element 41R Right gripping treatment element 42 Grip massage mechanism 43L Left gripping massage member 43R Right gripping massage member 44L Left gripping arm portion 45L Left first gripping arm 46L Left second gripping arm 47L Left second rotating boss portion 48L Left second annular fitting portion 49L Left second cam surface U User

Claims

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

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

3. A massage unit as described in claim 2, wherein a recess is formed in the first treatment head, the recess is loosely fitted into the support shaft, and a storage section in which an elastic member is arranged is provided between the support shaft and the recess.

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

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

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

7. A massage unit as described in claim 1, further comprising a gripping massage mechanism for performing a gripping massage on the treatment section, the gripping massage mechanism having a gripping treatment element arranged at a distance in the vertical direction from the first treatment element, and the drive mechanism swinging the gripping treatment element in the vertical direction.

8. A chair-type massage machine comprising a seat, a backrest, and a massage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 within the backrest.

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