CHAIR MASSAGER AND MASSAGING MECHANISM

Good massage can be performed on a wide range of user's body, extending from the shoulder to the buttocks. A chair massager (1) comprises a massaging mechanism (7) having a massager piece for massaging part of user's body as a target of massage, and a moving rail (8) disposed along a vertical direction to guide the massaging mechanism (7) in vertical movement. The massager piece includes a first massager piece (14) lying in an upper position as seen from the massaging mechanism (7), and a second massager piece (15) lying in a lower position as seen from the massaging mechanism (7). The massaging mechanism (7) is designed to perform massage by actuating the second massager piece (15) to jut toward the target of massage when set in position at the bottom part of the moving rail (8).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a chair massager capable of massaging a wide range of the body, extending from the shoulder to the buttocks, of a user sitting in a seat of the chair massager. Moreover, the present invention relates to a massaging mechanism which holds a body area to be massaged in sandwich relation and performs grabbing massage on the target body area.

BACKGROUND ART

There is a heretofore known chair massager comprising a seat in which a user sits, and a backrest for supporting the back of the user sitting in the seat. The backrest of the chair massager is internally provided with a massaging mechanism for massaging targets of massage, such as user's shoulder, back, and waist by mechanical means, and a moving rail for enabling the massaging mechanism to move in a top-bottom, or vertical direction. That is, in the conventional chair massager, massage on each target of massage, namely user's shoulder, back, and waist is performed on an individual basis by moving the massaging mechanism in the vertical direction along the moving rail to adjust a massager piece disposed in the massaging mechanism to a corresponding vertical position.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a chair massager having a massaging system called “massager mechanism” mounted inside a chair main body. The massaging system called “massager mechanism” disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is free to move up and down along a vertically extending rail in the interior of the backrest.

Moreover, Patent Literature 2 discloses a massaging apparatus having a rail for guiding a back massaging unit attached to a back frame of a backrest mounted at the rear of a seat. According to the description of Patent Literature 2, in the massaging apparatus, the back massaging unit is movable within the range of rail arrangement.

PRIOR ART REFERENCE

Citation List

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for a chair massager capable of massaging not only the range of user's body extending from the shoulder to the waist, but also the buttocks. To meet such a demand, the massaging mechanism needs to be movable to a position near the buttocks. However, in general, the moving rail for moving the massaging mechanism is housed inside the backrest, wherefore the massaging mechanism cannot be moved to the buttocks.

For example, the moving rail as disclosed in each of Patent Literatures 1 and 2 terminates at a position inside the backrest and is hence not extended over a region under the seat. That is, the massaging mechanism cannot be moved to a position corresponding to user's buttocks, with consequent difficulties in performing massage on the buttocks.

The present invention has been devised in view of the problems as discussed supra, and accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a chair massager capable of massaging a wide range of user's body extending from the shoulder to the buttocks.

Moreover, in recent years, there arise demands for a wider variety of massage effects, and more specifically, for example, there is a user's request asking a hand massage-like grabbing massage to be performed on his/her shoulders.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a massaging mechanism which holds in sandwich relation a body area to be massaged between a grabbing massager piece and a massager piece disposed in face-to-face relation to the grabbing massager piece, and performs grabbing massage on the target body area.

Solution to Problem

To accomplish the described objects, the following technical means is adopted for the implementation of the present invention.

A chair massager pursuant to the present invention comprises a massaging mechanism having a massager piece for massaging a body part of a user to be massaged as a target of massage, and a moving rail disposed along a vertical direction to guide the massaging mechanism in movement in the vertical direction. The massager piece includes a first massager piece lying in an upper position as seen from the massaging mechanism, and a second massager piece lying in a lower position as seen from the massaging mechanism. The massaging mechanism is designed to perform massage by actuating the second massager piece to jut toward the target of massage when set in position at a bottom part of the moving rail.

In the invention, it is preferable that the massaging mechanism is designed to perform massage by actuating the first massager piece to jut toward user's shoulder, while retracting the second massager piece, when set in position at a top part of the moving rail, as well as to perform massage by actuating the second massager piece to jut toward user's buttocks, while retracting the first massager piece, when set in position at the bottom part of the moving rail.

In the invention, it is preferable that there are provided a seat portion in which the user sits, and a backrest portion for supporting the back of the user sitting in the seat portion, that the top part of the moving rail is disposed inside the backrest portion so as to point in the vertical direction alongside a backrest surface of the backrest portion, that the bottom part of the moving rail is disposed alongside a seat surface of the seat portion, and that a lower end of the moving rail is situated below the seat portion.

In the invention, it is preferable that the massaging mechanism has a first arm and a second arm that extend upwardly and downwardly, respectively, as viewed from the massaging mechanism set in position at the top part of the moving rail, and that the first massager piece is attached to a tip of the first arm, and the second massager piece is attached to a tip of the second arm.

In the invention, it is preferable that the second arm is made relatively long compared to the first arm.

In the invention, it is preferable that the first massager piece is mounted for free rotation relative to the first arm, and, the first massager piece is brought into contact with the shoulder, with its axis of rotation directed in a direction intersected by the top part of the moving rail, and that the second massager piece is mounted for free rotation relative to the second arm, and, the second massager piece is brought into contact with the buttocks, with its axis of rotation directed in a direction which is substantially parallel to the bottom part of the moving rail.

In the invention, it is preferable that the first arm and the second arm are joined together at one and the same base end, and this base end is pivotally mounted for free rocking motion upon a rotary shaft whose axis is directed in a horizontal direction, that there is provided jutting-amount varying means for varying an amount of jutting motion of the first arm and the second arm facing toward the target of massage by rocking the base end of the first and second arms about the rotary shaft, that the jutting-amount varying means comprises: a guide, secured to a tapping drive section, having two restraining portions arranged in a predetermined spacing; a coupling shaft for coupling the base end of the first and second arms to the guide; and a slide which is smaller in length than the predetermined spacing in the guide, and is driven to move within a range of the spacing, that one of the restraining portions formed in the guide is defined as a first restraining portion, and the other is defined as a second restraining portion, and, the spacing between the first restraining portion and the second restraining portion serves as a non-restraining portion, that the first restraining portion of the jutting-amount varying means maintains a rocking angle of the first arm or the second arm for a fully jutting-out position of the first arm or the second arm, and, the second restraining portion of the jutting-amount varying means maintains a rocking angle of the second arm or the first arm for a fully jutting-out position of the second arm or the first arm, and that the non-restraining portion of the jutting-amount varying means permits axial rocking motion of the base end of the first and second arms within a range of the spacing between the first restraining portion and the second restraining portion.

In the invention, it is preferable that there are provided a grabbing massager piece which performs grabbing massage on the target of massage during its approaching and separating movements relative to the first massager piece, and a grabbing arm provided at its tip with the grabbing massager piece.

In the invention, it is preferable that, while the grabbing massager piece stays in proximity to the first massager piece, the first massager piece can be rocked in the horizontal direction.

In the invention, it is preferable that the second arm is made relatively long compared to the grabbing arm.

Moreover, a massaging mechanism pursuant to the present invention has the grabbing arm provided at its one side with the grabbing massager piece and the first arm provided at its tip with the first massager piece, and produces massaging action by actuating the grabbing arm and the first arm. The massaging mechanism is designed to actuate the grabbing arm so that the grabbing massager piece moves close to and away from the first massager piece.

In the invention, it is preferable that there are provided: an eccentric boss portion, mounted eccentrically with respect to the rotary shaft, having a cam face formed on its outer peripheral surface; an annular fit portion attached to the grabbing arm so as to engage with the cam face of the eccentric boss portion; and a restraint section for restraining the grabbing arm from rotating together with the rotary shaft in response to a rotation of the rotary shaft.

In the invention, it is preferable that the restraint section includes a restraint pin attached to the other side of the grabbing arm, and a restraint slot, located in face-to-face relation to the restraint pin, in which the restraint pin is slidably fitted.

In the invention, it is preferable that the restraint section includes a restraint slot formed in the other side of the grabbing arm, and a restraint pin, located in face-to-face relation to the restraint slot, which fits in the restraint slot for free sliding movement.

In the invention, it is preferable that the first arm is provided at its tip with the first massager piece, and, the rotary shaft is disposed so as to pass through an intermediate part or the base end of the first arm, and that the first arm is driven to rock in the horizontal direction under a driving force exerted by the rotary shaft.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The chair massager pursuant to the present invention is capable of massaging a wide range of user's body extending from the shoulder to the buttocks. Moreover, the massaging mechanism pursuant to the present invention holds in sandwich relation a body area to be massaged between the grabbing massager piece and a massager piece disposed in face-to-face relation to the grabbing massager piece, and performs grabbing massage on the target body area.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a chair massager1pursuant to the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

The chair massager1in accordance with the first embodiment looks like a chair in which a user is able to sit.

The chair massager1comprises a seat portion2in which a user sits; a backrest portion3against which the user sitting in the seat portion2leans; and an armrest portion4for supporting each elbow of the user sitting in the seat portion2. Moreover, the chair massager1is provided with a footrest portion5for massaging user's legs that can be housed in a space under the seat portion2.

The following describes the seat portion2, the backrest portion3, the armrest portion4, and the footrest portion5that constitute the chair massager1.

In what follows, the chair massager1will be described on the basis of directions indicated by arrows inFIGS. 1 and 2. These directions coincide with those based on the view of the user sitting in the chair massager1. Each direction is indicated by corresponding one of the arrows shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the seat portion2is a flat member extending horizontally (extending both in a front-rear direction and in a right-left, or horizontal direction). A cushioning material is disposed on the top of the seat portion2to provide a comfortable seating for a user.

Under the seat portion2is disposed a support frame6via which the seat portion2is supported on a floor, for example. The support frame6is composed of rectangular bars (rodlike members) oriented in vertical, horizontal, and front-rear directions combined into a lattice-work form, for retaining the seat portion2in a position spaced upwardly from the floor.

The backrest portion3is a member disposed at the rear of the seat portion2. As with the seat portion2, a cushioning material is used to form that side of the backrest portion3which faces the user. Moreover, the backrest portion3incorporates a massaging mechanism7for massaging (performing massage operation on) targets of massage, such as the shoulder, the back, the waist, and the buttocks of the sitting user, and a moving rail8disposed along the vertical direction, for guiding the described massaging mechanism7in vertical movement.

A support frame6provided in the backrest portion3and the support frame6of the seat portion2are fixedly coupled to each other in a single-piece structure. This support frame6assembly protrudes downwardly, and the lower end of the protrusion is pivotally mounted upon a floor-mounted frame9(a frame body placed on a floor, for example) for free rocking motion about an axis directed in the horizontal direction. That is, the seat portion2and the backrest portion3are designed to move unitarily back and forth about the horizontally-directed axis for assuming a reclining position.

The armrest portion4is composed of a left armrest4mounted on the left side of the seat portion2and a right armrest4mounted on the right side of the seat portion2. The upper surface of each of the right and left armrests4is shaped as a flat face elongated in the front-rear direction, wherefore the user is able to rest his/her elbow or arm on it.

A space left under the seat portion2and between the right and left armrests4constitutes a housing chamber11in which is housed the footrest portion5. More specifically, the footrest portion5is a rectangular member having a leg insertion recess10opening into the front part and upper part thereof, for insertion of user's leg. Moreover, the footrest portion5has a built-in leg massaging section for massaging user's leg inserted in the leg insertion recess10, for performing massage on user's legs.

The massaging mechanism7disposed inside the backrest portion3has a massager piece for massaging part of user's body to be massaged as a target of massage, and is hence capable of massaging the target of massage by using the massager piece. Moreover, since the massaging mechanism7can be guided in vertical movement along the described moving rail8, it is possible to adjust the massager piece to a vertical position corresponding to each of the shoulder, the back, the waist, etc. of the user, and thereby perform massage on each target of massage on an individual basis.

More specifically, the massaging mechanism7has a first arm12and a second arm13that are disposed so as to extend forwardly and upwardly, and forwardly and downwardly, respectively, as viewed from the massaging mechanism7. A first massager piece14is attached to the tip of the first arm12, and a second massager piece15is attached to the tip of the second arm13.

Moreover, the massaging mechanism7has a grabbing arm16disposed between the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15so as to extend forwardly (toward a target of massage) from the massaging mechanism7. The tip of the grabbing arm16is also provided with a grabbing massager piece17capable of performing grabbing massage on a target of massage. The massaging mechanism7has kneading massage means for performing kneading massage on a target of massage by using the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15, and grabbing massage means for allowing a target of massage held in sandwich relation between the first massager piece14and the grabbing massager piece17to receive grabbing massage.

The kneading massage means and the grabbing massage means will hereafter be particularized.

The described massaging mechanism7is further provided with vertically moving means for moving the massaging mechanism7along the moving rail8, and jutting-amount varying means for determining the choice of which one of the described two massager pieces to move toward a target area of user's body (to move forward). That is, in the chair massager1in this embodiment, the massaging mechanism7is moved to a position corresponding to a target of massage, such as the shoulder, the back, the waist, or the buttocks, by using the vertically moving means, and, one of the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15is brought into contact with the target area of user's body by using the jutting-amount varying means. This makes it possible to perform massage on each target of massage with high effectiveness.

The following describes the first arm12and the second arm13provided in the massaging mechanism7, the moving rail8for guiding the massaging mechanism7in vertical movement, and the operation of the massaging mechanism7on a path defined by the moving rail8.

As shown in the drawing such asFIG. 3 or 4A, the described massaging mechanism7has the first arm12and the second arm13that advance toward a target of massage. The first massager piece14is attached to the tip of the first arm12, and the second massager piece15is attached to the tip of the second arm13. For example, given that a position with the massaging mechanism7at the top part of the moving rail8is defined as the reference, in this reference position, the first massager piece14lies at a point forwardly and upwardly of the massaging mechanism7, and the second massager piece15lies at a point forwardly and downwardly of the massaging mechanism7. The first arm12and the second arm13have a common base end (one and the same base end), and, the first arm12and the second arm13can be rocked unitarily on this common base end.

That is, a rotary shaft18is disposed so as to pass through the described base end common to the first and second arms12and13in the horizontal direction, and, the first arm12is disposed so as to extend radially outwardly with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft18as will hereafter be described, and the second arm13, which is substantially perpendicular to the first arm12, is disposed so as to extend radially outwardly from the base end. The base end of the first and second arms12and13is attached relatively to the described rotary shaft18for free rocking motion about an axis directed in the horizontal direction.

Moreover, in between the rotary shaft18and the base end of the first and second arms12and13, there is provided the kneading massage means for transmitting the rotational motion of the rotary shaft18while converting it into rocking motion of the first arm12and the second arm13(motion conversion means). The kneading massage means will hereafter be described.

The first massager piece14and the second massager piece15, which are brought into contact with a target of massage to produce massage effect, are each given a round form such as a ball form to avoid that the user feels a pain when the massager piece makes contact with the target of massage. More specifically, the tip of the first arm12is formed with a stem extending in a direction in which the first arm12extends, and, the first massager piece14is attached to the stem of the first arm12for free rotation about the axis of the stem of the first arm12(pointing in the extending direction of the first arm12). Also, the tip of the second arm13is formed with a stem extending in a direction in which the second arm13extends, and, the second massager piece15is attached to the stem of the second arm13for free rotation about the axis of the stem of the second arm13(pointing in the extending direction of the second arm13).

As shown in the drawings such asFIGS. 1, 2, and 4A to 4D, the moving rail8, which is a rail for guiding the massaging mechanism7in vertical movement, is configured to cover a wide area of user's body, ranging downwardly from the shoulder to the buttocks. More specifically, the massaging mechanism7in this embodiment becomes movable when a pinion gear19disposed in the massaging mechanism7meshes with a toothed rack20of the moving rail8. Moreover, in the moving rail8configured to cover the range from the shoulder to the buttocks, that side of it which faces a target of massage (front side or upper side of the moving rail8) is formed with the toothed rack20which meshes with the pinion gear19of the vertically moving means.

The top and intermediate parts of the moving rail8in the vertical direction extend alongside a backrest surface3aof the backrest portion3, in other words, extend at an upward incline from the rear end of the seat portion2toward the rear, for guiding the massaging mechanism7toward a target of massage, such as the shoulder, the back, the waist, etc., of the user leaning against the backrest portion3so that the massager piece disposed in the massaging mechanism7is brought into contact with the target of massage. Moreover, the bottom part of the moving rail8in the vertical direction is disposed alongside a seat surface2aof the seat portion2in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction), in other words, disposed substantially in parallel with the seat surface2a, for bringing the massager piece into contact with user's buttocks as a target of massage. That is, the moving rail8is composed of the obliquely oriented intermediate part, the horizontally oriented bottom part, and an arcuately bent midportion acting as the connection between the intermediate part and the bottom part. That part of the moving rail8from the arcuately bent midportion upward (rear side) serves the range of massage including the shoulder, the back, and the waist, whereas that part of the moving rail8from the arcuately bent midportion downward (front side) serves the range of massage including the buttocks.

In the massage ranges defined by the moving rail8as above described, the massaging mechanism7performs massage with use of the massager piece jutting toward a target of massage while switching the massager piece to be jutted out between the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15. Advancing and retracting movements of the first and second massager pieces14and15are effected by the jutting-amount varying means which will hereafter be described.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 4A, when the massaging mechanism7is set in position in the massage range corresponding to the top part of the moving rail8, the second massager piece15is moved in the opposite direction to a target of massage (moved backward) into a retracted position, and the first massager piece14is moved toward user's shoulder (moved forward). This forwardly jutting first massager piece14performs massage.

That is, under the condition shown inFIG. 4A, the first arm12is jutting forward, whereas the second arm13is in a retracted position while staying alongside the backrest surface3a, as viewed from the massaging mechanism7. Thus, the first massager piece14attached to the tip of the first arm12juts forward correspondingly, and is hence capable of massaging a target of massage such as the shoulder or the back.

Moreover, under the condition shown inFIG. 4A, the second massager piece15attached to the tip of the second arm13stays alongside the backrest surface3a, and is hence clear of the described target of massage. Thus, even if the massaging mechanism7is moved in the vertical direction with the first massager piece14kept in contact with the target of massage, it never occurs that the movement of the massaging mechanism7is obstructed by the second massager piece15.

By moving the massaging mechanism7in the position shown inFIG. 4Adownward along the moving rail8, the target body area to be massaged by the first massager piece14(target of massage) changes from the shoulder to the back, and from there down to other lower part. Then, when the massaging mechanism7reach a position as shown inFIG. 4B, the waist can be massaged as a new target of massage by the first massager piece14.

Also under the condition shown inFIG. 4Bwhere the waist can be massaged by the first massager piece14, the first arm12is jutting forward, whereas the second arm13is in a retracted position while staying alongside the backrest surface3a, as viewed from the massaging mechanism7. Thus, the target waist can be massaged by the forwardly jutting first massager piece14.

Thence, when the massaging mechanism7reaches a location ahead of the position shown inFIG. 4Bin the moving rail8, the described massage range changes from the shoulder-to-waist range to a buttocks range. In response to the change of the massage range, the massager piece for massaging a target of massage changes from the first massager piece14to the second massager piece15.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 4C, when the massaging mechanism7reaches the massage range corresponding to the bottom part of the moving rail8, the first arm12and the second arm13are rocked backward (in the direction indicated by arrows shown inFIG. 4C) about the axis of the rotary shaft18at the base-end side, and the forwardly jutting first massager piece14is retracted. At the same time, the second massager piece15, which is now laid alongside the backrest surface3a, is rocked backward into an upwardly jutting position.

In consequence, as shown inFIG. 4D, the upwardly jutting second massager piece15can be brought into contact with the buttocks, thus performing massage on the buttocks by the second massager piece15.

Although the described operation of the massaging mechanism7corresponds to the downward movement along the moving rail8, similar operation is effected during the upward movement of the massaging mechanism7along the moving rail8. That is, when the massaging mechanism7is moved along the moving rail8to change its position from the lower (frontward) massage range to the upper (rearward) massage range, then the first arm12and the second arm13are rocked forward (in the direction indicated by arrows shown inFIG. 4D) about the axis of the rotary shaft18at the base-end side, and the upwardly jutting second massager piece15is retracted, whereas the downwardly retracted first massager piece14is actuated to jut upward.

As described above, during its movement along the moving rail8, the massaging mechanism7performs massage with use of the massager piece in a jutting-out condition while switching the massager piece to be jutted out between the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15. This is of advantage in the case of massaging the target buttocks.

That is, in the massaging mechanism7set in position at the bottom part of the moving rail8, the second arm13is directed forwardly and upwardly, so that the buttocks can be massaged by the second massager piece15attached to the tip of the second arm13. In this case, the forward reach of the second massager piece15can be increased by an amount equivalent to the length of the second arm13. In other words, even if the length of the moving rail8is reduced by an amount equivalent to the length of the second arm13, it is possible to perform massage on the buttocks. Thus, even if the lower end of the moving rail8lies behind the buttocks, expressed differently, even if the moving rail8has a shorter length, the massager piece can be brought into contact with the buttocks to perform massage without fail.

Moreover, such a construction makes it possible to eliminate the need for the moving rail8to be long in the front-rear direction, and thereby simplify the apparatus structure and hence reduce manufacturing costs. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, even if the lower end of the moving rail8lies behind the center of the seat portion2in the front-rear direction, the massaging mechanism7is capable of massaging the buttocks without fail.

In addition, in the described construction, since the length of the moving rail8can be reduced, it is possible to leave a space for housing the footrest portion5under the front side of the seat portion2(a space which constitutes the housing chamber11) correspondingly, and thereby impart a buttock-massaging function even to a chair massager1of a type in which the footrest portion5is housed under the seat portion2.

It is preferable that the second arm13is made relatively long compared to the first arm12and the grabbing arm16of the grabbing massage means in the interest of bringing the second massager piece15into contact with the buttocks lying further ahead of the lower end (lower terminal end) of the moving rail8. In the case where the second arm13is greater in length than the first arm12, by moving the second arm13forward while retracting the first arm12, it is possible to direct the second arm13to a location further ahead of the moving rail8beyond the first arm12, and thereby bring the second massager piece15into contact with the buttocks even if the moving rail8has a shorter length. Moreover, in the case where the second arm13is greater in length than the grabbing arm16, when the second arm13juts forward (juts toward the seat portion), it is possible to avoid that the weight of the user is applied to the grabbing massager piece17, and thereby prevent damage to the grabbing massager piece17which is intended for grabbing and kneading massage and is hence not adapted to receive a heavy load.

It is essential only that the chair massager1pursuant to the present invention comprise the moving rail8and the massaging mechanism7thus far described, wherefore the vertically moving means, the kneading massage means, the grabbing massage means, and the jutting-amount varying means are not limited to any particular structures.

The following describes preferred configurations of the vertically moving means, the kneading massage means, the grabbing massage means, and the jutting-amount varying means adopted by the applicants of the present application.

In the following description, the position with the massaging mechanism7at the top part of the moving rail8is defined as the reference, and, with use of directions defined on the basis of the massaging mechanism7in this reference position, the massaging mechanism7and the internal structure of the massaging mechanism7will be described. Each direction is indicated by corresponding one of the arrows shown inFIGS. 6 to 9.

To begin with, as shown in the drawing such asFIG. 5, the vertically moving means comprises: the pinion gear19disposed on the side opposite to the target-facing side of the massaging mechanism7so as to mesh with the toothed rack20of the moving rail8; an up-and-down shaft21fitted at each end with the pinion gear19, which is free to rotate about a horizontally-directed axis; and an up-and-down drive section22(up-and-down motor) for rotatably driving the up-and-down shaft21. That is, in the vertically moving means, the pinion gear19of the up-and-down shaft21rotatably driven by the up-and-down drive section22meshes with the toothed rack20of the moving rail8, thus moving the massaging mechanism7fitted with the up-and-down shaft21along the direction of arrangement of the moving rail8. In this embodiment, the toothed rack20is provided in each of the right and left moving rails8, and, the pinion gear19disposed at each end of the up-and-down shaft21meshes with the corresponding toothed rack20. However, a construction provided with a single toothed rack20and a single pinion gear19may be adopted instead.

As shown inFIG. 6, the kneading massage means rocks the first arm12and the second arm13so that they move close to and away from each other in the horizontal direction, thus holding in sandwich relation a target area of user's body between the first massager pieces14, or between the second massager pieces15, for performing kneading massage on the target of massage.

More specifically, the kneading massage means comprises: the rotary shaft18whose axis is directed in the horizontal direction; and a pair of right and left substantially cylindrical inclined boss portions23disposed on a lengthwise intermediate part of the rotary shaft18for unitary rotation with the rotary shaft18. The outer peripheral surface of the inclined boss portion23is formed with an inclined cam face which goes around an axis intersected by the axis of the rotary shaft18. A first annular fit portion24attached to the base end of the first and second arms12and13is fitted to (fitted onto) the outer periphery of the inclined boss portion23. The first annular fit portion24, which is a ring-shaped member having a centrally located opening pointing in the horizontal direction, is externally engageable with the inclined cam face. That is, the first annular fit portion24is fitted so as to be slidable along the inclined cam face, thus enabling each of the described first and second arms12and13to rotate (rock) freely about the rotary shaft18.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 7, the base end of the first and second arms12and13is formed with a projected piece25protruding opposite to the extending direction of the first and second arms12and13. The tip of the projected piece25is coupled with a coupling shaft26. The coupling shaft26couples the base end of the first and second arms12and13to a base stand27(which is a member equivalent to a casing of the massaging mechanism7indicated by a virtual line inFIG. 7) for restraining the base end of the first and second arms12and13from rotating unitarily with the inclined boss portion23. Moreover, on the front side of the massaging mechanism7is disposed a kneading drive motor28in a drive shaft-downward fashion for rotatably driving the described rotary shaft18. A rotational driving force produced by the kneading drive motor28is transmitted to the rotary shaft18, thus driving the rotary shaft18to rotate about a horizontally-directed axis.

That is, in the kneading massage means, under the transmission of the rotational driving force produced by the kneading drive motor28, the rotary shaft18is rotated about the horizontally-directed axis, and correspondingly the inclined boss portion23mounted for unitary rotation with the rotary shaft18is rotated. Then, the base end of the first and second arms12and13seeks to rotate unitarily with the inclined boss portion23along the inclined cam face which is going around the axis intersected by the axis of the rotary shaft18. However, since the base end of the first and second arms12and13is secured to the base stand27by the described coupling shaft26, it never occurs that the base end of the first and second arms12and13rotates unitarily with the inclined boss portion23. Consequently, the first arm12and the second arm13are rocked horizontally reciprocally over and over again while being restrained from rotation about the axis of the rotary shaft18, and correspondingly the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15attached to the tips of the first arm12and the second arm13, respectively, are rocked horizontally, thus holding in sandwich relation a target of massage between these massager pieces for performing kneading massage on the target of massage.

The grabbing massage means has the grabbing arm16which, like the described first and second arms12and13, advances toward a target of massage, and the grabbing massager piece17attached to the tip of the grabbing arm16.

The grabbing arm16is disposed on the rotary shaft18so as to be located inwardly from the base end of the first and second arms12and13in the direction of the width of the rotary shaft18in contiguous relation to the inclined boss portion23.

More specifically, the grabbing massage means has an eccentric boss portion29which is, like the inclined boss portion23, able to rotate unitarily with the rotary shaft18. The outer peripheral surface of the eccentric boss portion29is formed with an eccentric cam face having a go-around trackway which is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft18. In response to the rotation of the rotary shaft18, the eccentric cam face follows the go-around trackway which is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rotary shaft18. Moreover, as with the inclined boss portion23, a second annular fit portion30in ring-like form is fitted externally to the eccentric cam face of the eccentric boss portion29for free sliding movement along the eccentric cam face. The second annular fit portion30is located at the base end of the grabbing arm16.

The grabbing arm16has two projections31arranged so as to extend radially outwardly with respect to its base end rotatably coupled to the rotary shaft18(extend in a direction away from the axis of the rotary shaft18) in substantially perpendicular relation to each other. One of the two projections31aand31b, namely the projection31a(lower projection as seen inFIG. 6) is fitted at its tip with the described grabbing massager piece17. Moreover, the tip of the other projection31b(upper projection as seen inFIG. 6) is formed with a restraint pin32extending inwardly in the width direction for controlling the direction of rocking motion of the grabbing arm16. The restraint pin32is fitted in a restraint slot33formed in, for example, the cover of the backrest portion3(indicated by a dotted line shown inFIG. 6). Moreover, the restraint slot33is formed so as to extend in a direction which is substantially parallel to the described moving rail8, or equivalently the vertical direction, for guiding the restraint pin32in movement along the direction of slotting the restraint slot33.

Thus, upon rotating the rotary shaft18by using the kneading drive section (kneading drive motor28), the base end of the grabbing arm16seeks to rotate eccentrically about the axis of the rotary shaft18along the eccentric cam face which is going eccentrically around the axis of the rotary shaft18. At this time, however, since the restraint pin32of the projection31provided in the grabbing arm16fits in the restraint slot33, it never occurs that the grabbing arm16rotates unitarily with the eccentric boss portion29. Moreover, the restraint pin32, fitting in the restraint slot33, is allowed to move only in the vertical direction, wherefore the grabbing massager piece17-bearing tip of the projection31of the grabbing arm16is reciprocated in the front-rear direction over and over again. Thus, the first massager piece14of the now horizontally rocking first arm12undergoes approaching and separating movements relative to the grabbing massager piece17reciprocating in the front-rear direction, thus holding in sandwich relation a target of massage between the grabbing massager piece17and the first massager piece14for performing grabbing massage on the target of massage.

As contrasted to the embodiment thus far described, the restraint slot33may be formed in the grabbing arm16. In this case, the restraint pin3is fixedly positioned in face-to-face relation to the restraint slot33(formed inside the cover, for example). That is, the restraint pin32and the restraint slot33may be arranged in the place of each other.

Moreover, the member indicated by the numeral32does not necessarily have to have the form of a pin (rodlike form), and needs only be configured to be engageable with the member indicated by the numeral33for preventing the grabbing arm16from rotating together with the rotary shaft18.

As shown inFIG. 7, the base end of the first and second arms12and13is formed with the projected piece25protruding opposite to the extending direction of the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15. The described coupling shaft26is coupled to the tip of the projected piece25. The coupling shaft26is mounted for free axial rocking motion with respect to a horizontally-directed axis relative to the tip of the projected piece25by a ball bearing system. Moreover, an end of the coupling shaft26opposite to the projected piece25-side end is coupled to a tapping drive shaft34attached to the base stand27of the massaging mechanism7, or more specifically the rear side of the massaging mechanism7.

More specifically, like the rotary shaft18, the tapping drive shaft34is a shaft pointing in the horizontal direction that is rotatably driven by a tapping drive motor35mounted at the rear of the massaging mechanism7. A cylindrical tapping boss portion36is attached to each end of the horizontally-elongated tapping drive shaft34in eccentric relation to the axis of the tapping drive shaft34. In response to the rotation of the tapping drive shaft34, the tapping boss portion36undergoes eccentric rotation. The end of the coupling shaft26is rotatably fitted loosely to the outer peripheral surface of the tapping boss portion36for vertical rocking motion.

That is, upon rotating the tapping drive shaft34by the tapping drive motor35, the tapping boss portion36eccentrically attached to the tapping drive shaft34undergoes eccentric rotation about the axis of the tapping drive shaft34. Likewise, the end of the coupling shaft26also undergoes eccentric rotation. In sync with the eccentric rotation of the end of the coupling shaft26, the base end of the first and second arms12and13does a repeat of a cycle of normal rotation and reverse rotation about the axis of the rotary shaft18, thus alternately pressing the first massager piece14attached to the tip of the first arm12and the second massager piece15attached to the tip of the second arm13hard against a target of massage for performing tapping massage on the target of massage.

The jutting-amount varying means is intended to actuate one of the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15to jut toward a target of massage (move forward), while switching the massager piece for massaging a target of massage between the first massager piece14and the second massager piece15.

The jutting-amount varying means has a rodlike guide section37disposed toward the base stand27in parallel with the direction of arrangement of the moving rail8. There are provided two guide sections37disposed one at each of the right and left sides of the massaging mechanism7in a parallel arrangement. Both ends of each guide section37are secured to the base stand27. The guide section37is provided intermediate its lengthwise ends with a guide38mounted for free movement along the direction of arrangement of the guide section37.

More specifically, the guide38is a platy member disposed so as to span the paired right and left guide sections37. The surface of that part of the guide38located toward the guide section37is provided with a restraining portion39having an insertion hole for receiving the guide section37. There are provided two spaced apart restraining portions39for a single guide section37, or a total of four restraining portions39in all arranged in spanning relation to the two guide sections37. The guide38is guided in free movement along the direction of arrangement of the guide section37(vertical direction) via the four restraining portions39.

Moreover, in a region between the two restraining portions39in the guide section37, there is provided a slide40which is smaller in length than the region between the restraining portions39and is movable along the guide section37within the region between the restraining portions39. The slide40can be moved by exploiting a rotational driving force exerted by an arm jutting motor41.

More specifically, the arm jutting motor41is mounted, with its drive shaft directed in the front-rear direction, for rotating a second pinion gear42whose axis is directed in the front-rear direction. The second pinion gear42has a meshing engagement with a second toothed rack43pointing in the vertical direction in parallel with the moving rail8. Upon rotating the second pinion gear42, the second toothed rack43in meshing engagement with the second pinion gear42is moved in a direction parallel to the moving rail8. The second toothed rack43and the described slide40are secured to each other for unitary movement. Thus, by driving the arm jutting motor41, it is possible to move the slide40in the direction parallel to the moving rail8.

For example, as shown inFIG. 8, before long after being moved downward in the direction parallel to the moving rail8, the slide40abuts on the lower one of the described two restraining portions39(first restraining portion39a). Then, the guide38and the slide40are unitarily moved downward along the guide section37. In consequence, the position of the end of the coupling shaft26(the end fitted with the tapping boss portion36) is lowered, wherefore the base end of the first and second arms12and13is rocked downward about the axis of the rotary shaft18under the pull of the coupling shaft26. Then, as shown inFIG. 9, the tip of the first arm12is rocked downward with respect to the base end, thus causing the first massager piece14attached to the tip of the first arm12to retract backward. Moreover, the tip of the second arm13is rocked downward with respect to the base end, thus causing the second massager piece15attached to the tip of the second arm13to jut forward. In this way, as a target of massage, the buttocks can be massaged by the forwardly jutting second massager piece15(lower kneading ball).

On the other hand, when the arm jutting motor41is operated to turn in a direction opposite to that which has just been described, before long after being moved upward in the direction parallel to the moving rail8, the slide abuts on the upper one of the described two restraining portions39(second restraining portion39b). Then, the guide38and the slide40are unitarily moved upward along the guide section37. In consequence, the position of the end of the coupling shaft26(the end fitted with the tapping boss portion36) is raised, wherefore the base end of the first and second arms12and13is rocked upward about the axis of the rotary shaft18under the pull of the coupling shaft26. Then, as shown inFIG. 8, the second massager piece15attached to the tip of the second arm13is retracted, and the first massager piece14attached to the tip of the first arm12juts forward. In this way, as targets of massage, the shoulder, the back, and the waist can be massaged by the forwardly jutting first massager piece14(upper kneading ball).

By actuating the second arm13to jut toward a target of massage instead of the first arm12, it is possible to increase the forward reach of the second massager piece15by an amount equivalent to the length of the second arm13. Thus, even with use of a short moving rail8which terminates at a position on the rear side of the seat portion2, as a target of massage, user's buttocks can be massaged without fail.

That is, in the chair massager1in this embodiment, the lower one of the described two restraining portions39serves as the first restraining portion39afor maintaining a rocking angle of the second arm13for a fully forwardly jutting-out position of the second arm13, and, the upper restraining portion39serves as the second restraining portion39bfor maintaining a rocking angle of the first arm12for a fully jutting-out position of the first arm12. Moreover, the spacing between the first restraining portion39aand the second restraining portion39bserves as a non-restraining portion for permitting rocking motion of the base end of the first and second arms12and13about the axis of the rotary shaft18.

It should be understood that each embodiment as disclosed hereinabove is considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive. As to particulars that are not explicitly specified in each embodiment as disclosed hereinabove, for example, working conditions, operation procedures, various parameters, and the dimensions, weights, and volumes of constituent components in particular, values that do not depart from the scope of the present invention to be fulfilled by those skilled in the art and are easily conceivable by persons having ordinary skill in the art are assigned to those particulars.

For example, in this description, the chair massager exemplifies the application of the present invention. However, the massaging mechanism7may also be installed in a seat massager, a legless chair massager, and a hand-held massager.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS