JP2002028208A - Air massager - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] When an airbag is inflated, the pressing force of a fir member on a neck or the like does not become excessively large, and the left and right plate portions of a support plate exert unnecessary external force on a neck or a shoulder or the like. To provide an air massage machine that does not let you. A neck support base provided with a neck support structure and a head support member, and a central portion in the left-right direction is attached to the neck support structure, and left and right plate portions around the central portion are vertically moved. A rotatable support plate 18, fir balls 20, 20 provided on left and right plate portions 18 a, 18 b of the support plate 18, and are arranged between the neck support structure 13 and the support plate 18 to expand and contract. Thereby, the airbags 17, 17 for vertically rotating the fir balls 20, 20 on the left and right plate portions 18a, 8b of the support plate 18, and the air supply and exhaust for supplying and exhausting air to the airbags 17, 17 for expansion and contraction. An air massage machine comprising the device 30, wherein the support plate 18 is formed from a flexible material.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air massage machine capable of massaging a user's neck or shoulder, for example, with air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional air massage machine, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-52185 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 12, a massage chair provided with a massage means for massaging a neck, a shoulder or the like on a backrest portion has been considered.

[0003] This massage chair is provided with upper massage means for massaging a part such as a neck or a shoulder.
The upper massage means includes a support plate extending in the left and right direction and being relatively hard and inflexible, and a support for attaching a central portion in the left and right direction of the support plate to an upper portion of a backrest frame corresponding to a neck of a chair user. Plate mounting means, fir balls mounted on the front surfaces of the left and right plate portions of the support plate, an airbag interposed between the frame and both sides of the support plate, and inflating and contracting the airbag Air supply / exhaust means is provided.

[0004] The support plate is provided so as to be rotatable back and forth at a central portion. By inflating and contracting the airbag, the left and right plate portions are rotatable back and forth. Moreover, in such a configuration, when the user is sitting on the massage chair, the neck and shoulder portions of the chair user correspond to the upper massage means.

Accordingly, when the airbag is inflated and contracted, the airbag moves the left and right plate portions of the support plate back and forth, and the fir balls attached to the left and right plate portions of the support plate hold the shoulder and neck of the chair user. You will massage.

[0006]

By the way, when the airbag is inflated, the position where the airbag presses the left and right plate portions toward the front side is determined by the rotation of the left and right plate portions as the airbag expands. Move to the pivot point side. In addition, as the airbag inflates, the angle between the left and right plate portions of the support plate becomes smaller, and the force of the right and left fir balls for pinching the neck and the like increases.

However, since the support plate is relatively hard and inflexible, the scissoring force of the right and left fir balls on the neck and the like increases as the airbag inflates. There is a possibility that the pressing force of the ball on the neck or the like becomes too large.

In addition, since the support plate is relatively hard and inflexible, if the angle between the left and right plate portions of the support plate becomes smaller as the airbag inflates, the left and right plate portions of the support plate become neck and There is a possibility that an unnecessary external force causing pain may be applied to the neck, the shoulder, or the like when hitting the shoulder or the like.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when the airbag is inflated, the pressing force of the fir member against the neck or the like does not become too large, and the left and right plate portions of the support plate exert unnecessary external forces on the neck and the shoulder. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air massage machine that does not cause the air massage machine to be operated.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a base having a neck support and a head support, and a central portion in the left-right direction is attached to the neck support. A support plate having left and right plate portions rotatable up and down around the central portion, a fir member provided on the left and right plate portions of the support plate, and a support member disposed between the neck support portion and the support plate. The air bag includes an airbag that rotates the neck fir member on the left and right plate portions of the support plate up and down by expanding and contracting, and an air supply and exhaust unit that supplies and exhausts air to and from the airbag. A massage machine, wherein the support plate is an air massage machine formed of a flexible material.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a portion of the neck support on which the neck is mounted is formed higher than a portion of the head support on which the head is mounted.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a plurality of the left and right airbags are stacked in a multistage manner in a state of being shifted left and right. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the base, the airbag, the support plate, and the fir member are covered with a cover, and at least a portion of the cover corresponding to the neck support is made of stretchable fabric. Features.

[0013]

Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.
Will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a mat type air massage machine according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an air mat of a mat type air massage machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the air mat 1 has a mat body 2, an air massage pillow 3 arranged and fixed on one end of the mat body 2, and an arrangement fixed on the other end of the mat body 2. And a number of airbags 5 _i [i = 1, 2, 3,... Arranged in the longitudinal direction of the mat body 2 so as to be positioned between the electric floor band 4 and the air massage pillow 3 and the electric floor band 4. ..N] and a cover 6 for covering the mat body 2, the air massage pillow 3, the electric floor band 4, and the like.
Having.

The edge of the airbag 5 _i on the side of the air massage pillow 3 is fixed on the mat body 1. The airbag 5 _i is connected to an air hose 7 _i [i = 1, 2, 3,...
n] is connected to the hose connector 8 on the side of the mat body 1 and the wiring 9 connected to the electric floor belt 4 is connected to the mat body 1
Is connected to the electrical connector 10 on the side of the.

[0016] The air massage formula pillows 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the base plate mounted on the mat main body 2 (the base) 11, opposite to the airbag 5 ₁ of the base plate 11 Head support member (head support base) attached to the upper part 1
2, having a neck support structure (neck support) 13 provided on the airbag 5 ₁ side on the base plate 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the head support member 12 is provided with an arc-shaped concave portion 12a for supporting the user's head as a head support portion (a portion on which the head is placed).

The neck support structure 13 includes the head support member 12.
A neck support base plate 14 which is inclined downward toward the side to the air bag 5 ₁ side, and the neck support base 15 fixed on and neck support base plate 14 extending in the left and right, extend in the horizontal and neck support base 15 on , And airbags 17 and 11 disposed on left and right portions of the bag mounting plate 16.
7 and a support plate 18 extending to the left and right and having both ends disposed substantially at the center of the airbags 17, 17.

The neck support 15 is made of a material such as urethane rubber so as to be hard and has some elasticity, and has a certain thickness so as to be able to support the user's neck while being lifted from the neck support base plate 14. It has. The airbags 17 and 17 are fixed to the bag mounting plate 16 at opposite edge portions. Further, the support plate 18 is formed to be flexible (flexible) from a somewhat soft material such as rubber, synthetic resin, or vinyl chloride. The support plate 18 has a certain degree of shape retention by its own elastic force. Moreover, the support plate 18 is provided with a hinge 19 extending in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction as a pivot point at the center in the left-right direction. The hinge portion 19 divides the support plate 18 into left and right plate portions (rotating plate portions) 18a and 18b, and allows the left and right plate portions (rotating plate portions) 18a and 18b to rotate up and down.

Further, the neck support structure 13 includes left and right plate portions 18.
a, 18b, hemispherical fir balls (fir members) integrally formed on opposite free ends, and a support plate 18, a bag mounting plate 16, and a neck support base 15 are connected to a neck support base plate. 14 is provided with a fixing means 21 fixed to the base 14.

The fixing means 21 is used for the neck support base plate 14.
, And through the center of the hinge portion 19 of the support plate 18, the bag mounting plate 16, the neck support base 15, and the neck support base plate 14, and screwed to the nail 22. The fixing screw 23 is provided. By tightening the fixing screw 23, the claw portion of the claw nut 22 bites into the neck support base plate 14.

The airbags 17, 17 are connected to the hose connector 8 via air hoses 24, 24. Further, the mat type air massage machine has an air supply / exhaust device (air supply / exhaust means) 30. This air supply / exhaust device (air supply / exhaust means) 30 is connected to the hose connector 8 via an air hose bundle 31 and its connector 31a, and is connected to the airbag 5 _i [i = 1, 2, 3,... Air is supplied to the airbags 17, 17 or the airbag 5.
_i [i = 1, 2, 3,... n] and the air in the airbags 17, 17 are exhausted. The air supply / exhaust device 30 is connected to the electric connector 10 via the wiring 32 and the plug 32 a of the wiring 32, so that the operation of the electric floor belt 4 can be controlled.

Next, the operation of the mat type air massage machine having such a configuration will be described.

In such a configuration, the air supply / exhaust device 30
By operating a switch (details not shown) of the operation panel 30a, the air hose bundle 31, the air hose 7 _i [i
= 1,2,3... N], the compressed air is supplied to the airbag 5.
_i [i = 1, 2, 3,... n], and the airbag 5
after inflating the _i, to exhaust the air of the air bag 5 _i.
The supply and exhaust of such air are performed by each airbag 5 _i [i =
1, 2, 3,... N]
It can also be carried out at the same time for some of the air bag 5 _i.

The compressed air is thus supplied to the airbag 5 _i
Feeding by and exhaust, air bag 5 _i is allowed to expansion and contraction (expansion and contraction) against. Accordingly, the user lying on the air mattress 1, by inflating and deflating air bag 5 _i, the airbag 5 _i to deflating any part from the shoulder of the user's body to foot-side massage Will do.

The air supply / exhaust device 30 is provided with a switch (not shown in detail) for neck / shoulder massage on the operation panel 30a.
Is operated, compressed air is supplied to the airbags 17, 17 via the air hose bundle 31, the air hoses 24, 24.
After the airbags 17 and 17 are inflated, the air in the airbags 17 and 17 is exhausted. By supplying and exhausting the compressed air to and from the airbags 17, the airbags 17, 17 are inflated (expanded, contracted). And this airbag 1
When expanding and contracting 7, 17, the right and left plate portions 18 of the support plate 18 are used.
The free ends of the a and b are pivotally displaced up and down about a hinge (rotation fulcrum) 19, and the fir balls 20 and 20 are vertically rotated integrally with the free ends of the plate portions 18a and 18b. Will be done.

On the other hand, when the user 40 lays down on the air mat 1 as shown in FIG. 5 and places the head 41 on the arc-shaped concave portion 12a of the air massage pillow 3 via the cover 6, The neck 42 is located at approximately the center of the support plate 18 via the cover 6. At this time, the shoulder 43 of the user 40
Is located on the neck support 15 via the cover 6.

Therefore, when the airbags 17, 17 of FIGS. 2 and 3 are inflated and contracted by the air supply / exhaust device 30 of FIG. 1 in the state of FIG.
0 is rotated up and down to perform pressure massage so as to sandwich the neck 42. When the airbags 17 are inflated in this massage, the inflating airbag 1
7 and 17 try to move the entire plate portions 18a and 18b further upward, but since the fir balls 20 and 20 cannot move while the neck portion 42 is being pressed to some extent, the airbags 17 and 17 are inflated to allow the ball portions 20 and 20 to move. The portions 18a and 18b bend and bend and deform against their own elastic force.

As described above, in a state in which the pressing force of the firs 20 and 20 acts on the neck 42 and the shoulder 43 when the airbags 17 and 17 are inflated, the support plate 18 is inflated as the airbags 17 and 17 inflate. The plate portions 18a, 18b gradually bend, and the pressing force of the fir balls 20, 20 on the neck 42, the shoulder 43, and the like is substantially constant or slightly increased. Does not become too large. Moreover, even if the pressing force of the fir member acts on the neck and shoulders when the airbag is inflated, the support plate bends, so that the left and right plate portions of the support plate exert unnecessary external forces on the neck and shoulders. Can be prevented beforehand.

At this time, the plate portions 18a, 18b of the support plate 18
The support plate 18 is made of a relatively soft material such as rubber, synthetic resin, or vinyl chloride, so that the support plate 18 can be flexibly (flexible) even if it hits the neck 42 or the shoulder 43 via the cover 6. It is avoided that the neck portion 42, the shoulder 43, and the like are pressed by the plate portions 18a and 18b and become painful.

The upper portion (the portion on which the neck is placed) of the neck support structure (neck support portion) 13, for example, the portion having the fir balls 20, 20 is located at the lower end (bottom portion) of the arc-shaped concave portion 12 a of the head support member 12. ), The head (head) 41
And the neck (neck) 42 can be fitted and supported without difficulty to the concave portion 12a as the head support and the neck support structure (neck support) 13 as the neck support, and the neck support structure (neck support) The thirteen fir balls (fir members) 20 can be easily abutted on the preferred positions of the neck 42.

[0032]

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment of the invention described above, an example is shown in which the air massage pillow 3 is provided on the air mat 1 of a mat air massage machine, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. is not.

For example, only the portion of the air massage pillow 3 according to the first embodiment of the invention is taken out, and the taken out air massage pillow 3 is covered with a cover 50 as shown in FIGS. The air hose 24 connected to the air hose 24 is taken out from the rear of the air massage pillow 3, and the male connector 60 of the air hose 24 is detachably connected to the female connector 62 of the air supply / exhaust device (air supply / exhaust means) 61. Thus, an air massage machine may be constituted by the air massage pillow 3 and the air supply / exhaust device 61 and the like.

In this case, the air massage pillow 3
Can be used alone, or can be used in combination with a conventional existing mat type air massage machine. Further, the air massage pillow 3 can be easily moved to a place where it is desired to use. The air supply / exhaust device 61 supplies / exhausts air to / from the airbags 17 and 17 to expand and contract the airbags 17 and 17. The operation of the air massage pillow 3 at this time is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, and the description thereof is omitted. (Modification 1) In the air-massage pillows 3 according to the first and second embodiments of the invention, an example in which the airbags 17 and 17 are provided one by one on the left and right is shown, but is not necessarily limited to this. is not.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, airbags 70, 70 smaller than the airbags 17, 17 are provided, and the airbags 70, 70 are attached to the airbags 17, 1.
It is good also as a structure which interposed between each of 7 and board parts 18a and 18b, and provided the airbag in multiple stages. In this case, the airbags 70, 70 are superimposed on the sides approaching each other with respect to the airbags 17, 17 while being shifted in the left-right direction. That is, the interval between the centers of the airbags 70, 70 is set smaller than the interval between the centers of the airbags 17, 17.
The airbags 70, 70 are fixed on both longitudinal ends of a plate-shaped or sheet-shaped support member 71. The support member 71 is fixed to the neck support base plate 14 together with the support plate 18 by fixing screws 23. In addition, each of the airbags 17, 17 and 70, 70 can be expanded and contracted independently by the air supply / exhaust device 61.

With this configuration, the pressing position at which the plurality of airbags 17, 70 press the plate portion 18a or 18b of the support plate 18 is shifted left and right with respect to the hinge portion (rotation fulcrum) 19 of the plate portions 18a, 18b. Direction. As a result, depending on which of the multistage airbags 17 and 70 is selected, the support plates 18a and 18b by the airbags 17 and 70 are selected.
Can be changed, and the plate rotation angles θ of the plate portions 18a and 18b of the support plate 18 can also be changed by a combination of multi-stage airbags 17 and 70.

For example, the case where only the independent airbags 17 and 17 are inflated and contracted and the case where the independent airbags 70 and 70 are
In the case where only the expansion and contraction is performed, the plate portion 18 of the support plate 18
The pressing positions of a and 18b are different. That is, the airbag 1
The positions where the airbags 17, 17 press the plate portions 18a, 18b by the expansion and contraction of only the airbags 70,
70 is outside the position where the support plate portions 18a and 18b are pressed. As a result, the rotation angles of the plate portions 18a and 18b when only the airbags 17 and 17 are inflated are the plate portions 18a and 18b when only the airbags 70 and 70 are inflated and contracted.
Is smaller than the rotation angle of.

When only the airbags 70, 70 are inflated and contracted, both ends of the plate portions 18a, 18b are not pressed by the airbags 70, 70, so that the fir balls 20, 2 are not pressed.
When 0 hits the user's neck or shoulder, the plate portions 18a, 1
8b is easily deformed, and the pressing massage force by the fir balls 20, 20 can be relatively small.

Further, the airbags 17, 70 and 17, 7
When 0 is simultaneously expanded and contracted, the rotation angle θ of the plate portions 18a and 18b can be increased, so that the neck and shoulder of the user can be pressed and massaged with a large force. (Modification 2) In the air massage pillows 3 of the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the upper surface of the neck support 15 is formed flat, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a V-shaped support surface 15a having a small inclination angle is provided on the upper surface 15a of the neck support base 15.
1, 15a2, and the support surfaces 15a1, 15a2
By supporting the airbags 17, 17, respectively, the initial positions of the fir balls 20, 20 are closer to the neck, shoulders, etc., so that the fir balls 2 when the airbags 17, 17 are inflated.
The pressure massage force of the neck and shoulder by 0, 20 may be increased. (Modification 3) In the air massage pillows 3 of the first and second embodiments of the invention, one hinge 19 is provided at the center of the support plate 18 in the left-right direction, and the support plate 18 is connected to the left and right plate parts. Although the configuration is divided into 18a and 18b, it is not necessarily limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the attachment portions of the airbags 17, 17 to the bag attachment plate 16 are 17a,
17a, hinge portions 19a, 19b are provided on the support plate 18 corresponding to the mounting portions 17a, 17b, and a plate portion 18a which rotates vertically between the hinge portions 19a, 19b and both ends of the support plate 18 is provided. , 18b as plate portions 18a,
The fir balls 20, 20 provided on 18b may massage the neck and shoulders of the user from the lateral direction. (Modification 4) Further, in the cover according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the air-massage type pillow 3 includes a base plate 11, airbags 17, 17, a support plate 18, and left and right plate portions 18a, 18b. It has hemispherical fir balls (fir members) 20, 20, etc. integrally formed on free ends opposite to each other. These members are covered with a cover 50, and at least a portion of the cover 50 corresponding to the neck support structure (neck support portion) 13 is formed of stretchable fabric 50a. The stretchable fabric 50a may be a stretchable member made of rubber, synthetic resin, or the like, or a fabric formed of stretchable fabric or the like. According to this configuration, the airbag 1
Fir balls 20 and 2 which are fir members accompanying expansion and contraction of 7, 17
Even if 0 moves forward and backward with respect to the neck and shoulders, etc.
It is possible to prevent the cover 50 from expanding and contracting and affecting the movement (movement, movement) of the paddle balls 20, 20. In addition, since elasticity is not required except for the portion corresponding to the neck support structure (neck support portion) 13 of the cover 50, the cost of the cover 50 can be reduced, and the fabric of the portion supporting the head of the cover 50 can be used. It can be determined according to the supporting conditions.

[0041]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base having a neck support and a head support, and a center in the left-right direction is attached to the neck support, and the center is centered on the center. The left and right plate portions are vertically rotatable support plates, the fir members provided on the left and right plate portions of the support plate, and are arranged between the neck support portion and the support plate to expand and contract. An air massaging machine comprising: an airbag that vertically rotates a fir-neck member on left and right plate portions of the support plate; and an air supply and exhaust unit that supplies and exhausts air to and from the airbag. Since the support plate is formed of a flexible material, the pressing force of the fir member acts on the neck and shoulder when the airbag is inflated,
As the airbag expands, the support plate gradually flexes,
The pressing force of the fir member against the neck, shoulder, or the like is substantially constant or slightly increased, so that the pressing force of the fir member on the neck, etc. does not become too large. Moreover,
Even if the pressing force of the fir member acts on the neck and shoulders when the airbag is inflated, the support plate bends, so that the left and right plate portions of the support plate exert unnecessary external forces on the neck and shoulders. Can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the portion of the neck supporting portion on which the head is mounted is formed higher than the portion of the head supporting portion on which the head is mounted. In addition to being able to fit and support the neck support part without difficulty, the fir member of the neck support part can be brought into contact with a preferable position of the neck without difficulty.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, the left and right airbags are stacked in multiple stages with a plurality of airbags being shifted to the left and right. The pressing position for pressing the portion is shifted in the left-right direction with respect to the rotation fulcrum of the plate portion. As a result, the rotation angle of the plate portion of the support plate by the airbag can be changed by selecting one of the multistage airbags, and the rotation of the plate portion of the support plate by the combination of the multistage airbags. You can change the angle.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the base, the airbag, the support plate, and the fir member are covered with a cover, and at least a portion of the cover corresponding to the neck support portion is formed of stretchable fabric. With this configuration, even if the fir member moves forward and backward with respect to the neck and shoulders as the airbag expands and contracts, the stretchable fabric expands and contracts, and the cover moves forward and backward (movement and movement) of the fir member. The influence can be prevented. In addition, since elasticity is not required except for the part corresponding to the neck support part of the cover, the cost of the cover can be reduced, and the cloth for the part supporting the head of the cover should be made according to the preference and the supporting conditions. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air massage machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the air mat of FIG. 1 with a cover removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the air massage pillow of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of using the air massage pillow of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an air massage machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the air massage pillow of FIGS. 3 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the air massage pillow of FIGS. 3 and 7.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a modification of the air massage pillow of FIGS. 3 and 7;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modification of the air massage pillow of FIGS. 3 and 7.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11: Neck support base plate (base) 12: Head support member (head support) 12a: Recess 12a (head support, head mounting portion) 13: Neck support structure (neck support) Part) 17, 17 ... airbag 18 ... support plate 18a, 18b ... plate part 20 ... fir ball (fir member) 50 ... cover 50a ... stretchable fabric 30, 61 ..Air supply / exhaust device (air supply / exhaust means) 70 ・ ・ ・ Airbag

Claims (4)

[Claims] A base provided with a neck support and a head support, and a support plate having a central portion in the left-right direction attached to the neck support and having left and right plate portions rotatable up and down about the central portion. When,
A fir member provided on the left and right plate portions of the support plate, and a neck fir on the left and right plate portions of the support plate by being arranged and expanded and contracted between the neck support portion and the support plate. An air massager including an airbag for vertically rotating a member, and an air supply / exhaust unit for supplying / exhausting air to / from the airbag and expanding / contracting the airbag, wherein the support plate is formed of a flexible material. A featured air massage machine. 2. The air massage machine according to claim 1, wherein a portion on which the neck of the neck support is mounted is formed higher than a portion on which the head of the head support is mounted. 3. The air massage machine according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the left and right airbags are stacked in a multistage manner in a state of being shifted left and right. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base, the airbag, the support plate, and the fir member are covered with a cover, and at least a portion of the cover corresponding to the neck support is formed of stretchable fabric. Item 7. An air massage machine according to Item 1.