Massage machine

The massage machine includes a massage unit for treating a treatment target person, a first drive unit for driving the massage unit in a direction facing a treatment site of at least the treatment target person, and a control unit that controls driving of at least the first drive unit. The massage unit is configured to include a treatment unit in an articulated structure with at least two or more joints, and a second drive unit that drives the treatment unit in the direction facing the treatment target site of the treatment target person. The at least the two or more joints are shifted from each other in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the treatment target site.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a massage machine.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, a massage apparatus has been proposed which has a massage unit provided with a plurality of link members, an operating-purpose air cell for operating the link members, a massage-purpose air cell, and a spring (coil spring) serving as an elastic member.

The massage apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-2016-101475-A includes the massage unit that has a first member and a second member which are disposed along a circumferential direction of a body part of a treatment target person, and in which one side of a space formed between the first member and the second member is open so as to allow free access of the body part. The massage unit further includes the air cell disposed together with the first member and inflated so as to press the body part, and a massage mechanism that performs an operation for relatively moving the first member and the second member close to each other, and an operation for moving the inflated air cell and the first member in a direction of at least one side between an opening side of the space and a side opposite thereto. A motion of a human hand is reproduced by the massage unit configured as described above. However, a motion of human wrist is not reproduced by the massage unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one of the aspects of the present invention, a massage machine includes a massage unit configured to treat a treatment target person, a first drive unit that drives the massage unit at least in a direction facing a treatment target site of the treatment target person, and a control unit that controls driving of at least the first drive unit. The massage unit includes a treatment unit in an articulated structure with at least two or more joints, and a second drive unit that drives the treatment unit at least in the direction facing the treatment target site. The at least the two or more joints are shifted from each other in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the treatment target site.

In addition, it is preferable that a pair of the right and left massage units is disposed so as to pinch the treatment target site of the treatment target person. The first drive unit may be capable of driving the massage unit in a direction extending along the treatment target site.

The first drive unit may have a motor, a drive shaft that transmits a rotational movement of the motor, and a conversion member that converts the rotational movement of the drive shaft into an oscillating movement of the treatment unit.

In addition, the treatment unit may include an outer treatment unit located relatively outward and an inner treatment unit located relatively inward. The second drive unit may include a second outer drive unit that drives the outer treatment unit, and a second inner drive unit that drives the inner treatment unit.

According to the present invention, the motion of the human hand and the motion of the human wrist may be reproduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Configuration of Massage Machine According to Embodiment

Hereinafter, an overall configuration of a massage machine1according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.FIG.1is a front perspective view of the massage machine1according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2is a schematic view of the massage machine1according to the embodiment of the present invention.FIG.3is a functional block diagram of the massage machine1.

A concept of directions used in the following description coincides with a concept of directions when viewed from a treatment target person sitting on the massage machine1illustrated inFIG.1. In other cases, the concept will be appropriately described. In addition, description will be made as follows. In a case of simply describing the inside or the outside, a side close to the treatment target person will be referred to as the inside in a rightward-leftward direction, and a side opposite thereto will be referred to as the outside.

Overall Configuration of Massage Machine

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the massage machine1according to the embodiment of the present invention mainly has a seat unit2on which the treatment target person sits, a backrest unit3disposed in a rear part of the seat unit2so as to be capable of reclining and against which the treatment target person leans, a footrest4disposed in a front part of the seat unit2disposed so as to be capable of oscillating upward and downward and supporting lower limbs of the treatment target person, and armrest units5respectively disposed on both right and left sides of the seat unit2. The seat unit2, the backrest unit3, the footrest4, and the armrest unit5function as body support units that support a body of the treatment target person. The massage machine1has a back treatment mechanism99that performs kneading massage and/or tapping massage by using the backrest unit3, an arm massage unit50serving as a massage unit that performs massage by pinching an arm of the treatment target person, a control unit9that controls each operation of the massage machine1, and a controller10that allows the treatment target person to perform various operations (to be described later).

In the present embodiment, a case of the arm massage unit50in which the massage unit is disposed in the armrest unit5will be described.

The control unit9has a programmable microcomputer, and performs drive control on the back treatment mechanism99, the treatment unit60configuring the arm massage unit50, the first drive unit51for driving the arm massage unit50. The control unit9is electrically connected to the controller10(to be described later). The massage machine1operates the back treatment mechanism99and the arm massage unit50in accordance with a predetermined program (massage course) stored in the control unit9, and further, is operated in accordance with an instruction from the controller10which is input by the treatment target person (to be described later).

Configuration of Seat Unit

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the footrest4(to be described later) is attached to a front side of the seat unit2via an oscillating shaft (not illustrated) so as to be capable of freely oscillating with respect to the seat unit2in an upward-downward direction. In addition, the backrest unit3(to be described later) is attached to a rear side of the seat unit2via an oscillating shaft (not illustrated) so as to be capable of freely reclining with respect to the seat unit2in a forward-rearward direction. In addition, the armrest units5are respectively attached to both right and left sides of the seat unit2.

Although not illustrated, a massage unit for performing massage on a gluteal region and/or a femoral region of the treatment target person may be disposed in the seat unit2.

Configuration of Backrest Unit

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the backrest unit3is configured to include a rigid back frame3a, a guide rail18that guides ascending/descending of the back treatment mechanism99assembled to the back frame3a, and a cover member (not illustrated) that covers the back frame3a. The back frame3ahas an opening3bwhich is formed at the center in the rightward-leftward direction and which is open in the forward-rearward direction, and has a substantially portal shape in a front view. In addition, the cover member (not illustrated) is attached to a front portion of the opening3bso as to cover the opening3b. A treatment element99a(refer toFIG.1) of the back treatment mechanism99protrudes forward from the opening3b, and can perform massage on the body of the treatment target person from the rear side via the cover member (not illustrated). For example, the back treatment mechanism99has four kneading balls. The back treatment mechanism99performs massage on a back of the treatment target person by using the kneading balls while moving upward and downward along the guide rail18.

Configuration of Footrest

As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the footrest4has a pair of right and left grooves4arespectively supporting lower thighs of the treatment target person, and a pair of right and left foot plates4brespectively supporting feet of the treatment target person. The groove4aof the footrest4extends downward when viewed from the seat unit2. Although not illustrated, a massage unit for performing massage on the lower thigh and/or the foot of the treatment target person may be disposed in each location of the groove4aand the foot plate4b.

Configuration of Controller

As illustrated inFIG.3, the controller10is connected to the control unit9. The treatment target person can change a posture of the backrest unit3or a posture of the footrest4by operating the controller10. In addition, the treatment target person can select the back treatment mechanism99and the arm massage unit50to be operated, or can change each operation (procedure or strength) of the back treatment mechanism99and the arm massage unit50.

Configuration of Armrest Unit

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, each of a pair of the armrest units5is provided on both right and left sides of the seat unit2. The armrest unit5extends upward from the seat unit2. The arm massage unit50(to be described later) is attached to an upper portion of the armrest unit5. The treatment target person can receive the massage for the arm by laying the arm on the arm massage unit50.

FIG.4is a front perspective view of the arm massage unit50disposed in the right side armrest unit5.FIG.5is a front view of a cross section in which the arm massage unit50disposed in the right side armrest unit5is cut by a plane A.FIG.6is a schematic view of the arm massage unit50disposed in the right side armrest unit5, and illustrates a state where a second outer drive unit52aand a second inner drive unit52bare driven.FIG.7is a schematic view of the arm massage unit50disposed in the right side armrest unit5, and illustrates a state where the second outer drive unit52ais driven.FIG.8is a schematic view of the arm massage unit50disposed in the right side armrest unit5, and illustrates a state where the second inner drive unit52bis driven.FIGS.9A and9Bare views in which a joint62is omitted from the right side arm massage unit50in a first state.FIG.9Ais a front view, andFIG.9Bis a plan view.FIGS.10A and10Bare views in which the joint62is omitted from the right side arm massage unit50in a second state.FIG.10Ais a front view, andFIG.10Bis a plan view.FIGS.11A and11Bare views in which the joint62is omitted from the right side arm massage unit50in a third state.FIG.11Ais a front view, andFIG.11Bis a plan view.FIGS.12A and12Bare views in which the joint62is omitted from the right side arm massage unit50in a fourth state.FIG.12Ais a front view, andFIG.12Bis a plan view.

Configuration of Arm Massage Unit

Hereinafter, a configuration of the right side arm massage unit50will be described. The left side arm massage unit50has the same configuration as the right side arm massage unit50, and thus, description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIGS.3to12B, the arm massage unit50is configured to include a first drive unit51for driving the arm massage unit50in a direction facing a treatment target site of at least the treatment target person and a direction extending along the treatment target site, a treatment unit60including an articulated structure having at least two or more joints, and a second drive unit52for driving the treatment unit60in a direction facing the treatment target site of at least the treatment target person. In addition, a pair of the right and left arm massage units50is disposed so as to pinch the treatment target site of the treatment target person.

Configuration of Treatment Unit

As illustrated inFIGS.3to12, the treatment unit60includes the articulated structure having at least two or more joints62. The treatment unit60has an outer treatment unit62adisposed to face the treatment target site of the treatment target person and located relatively outward, and an inner treatment unit62blocated relatively inward. The outer treatment unit62aand the inner treatment unit62bare configured to include a plate-shaped member.

Configuration of First Drive Unit

As illustrated inFIG.5, the first drive unit51has a motor51a, a drive shaft51bthat transmits a rotational movement of the motor51ato a treatment plate62c(to be described later), and a conversion member51cthat converts the rotational movement of motor51awhich is transmitted from the drive shaft51binto an oscillating movement of the treatment plate62c. The conversion member51cis an eccentric deflection angle cam51dfor causing the treatment plate62cto oscillate in upward-downward direction and the rightward-leftward direction, and an eccentric cam51efor causing the treatment plate62cto oscillate in the upward-downward direction and the forward-rearward direction.

In the present embodiment, the conversion member51cattached to the treatment plate62clocated outside the arm is configured to include the eccentric deflection angle cam51d, and the conversion member51cattached to the treatment plate62clocated inside the arm is configured to include the eccentric cam51e.

The conversion member51cmay be any member that can convert the rotational movement of the motor51awhich is transmitted from the drive shaft51binto the oscillating movement of the treatment plate62c. For example, the conversion member51cof the treatment plate62clocated relatively outward may be configured to include the eccentric cam51e, and the conversion member51cof the treatment plate62clocated relatively inward may be configured to include the eccentric deflection angle cam51d. In addition, the conversion member51cof the treatment plate62clocated relatively outward and the conversion member51cof the treatment plate62clocated relatively inward may be configured to include the eccentric deflection angle cam51d.

According to this configuration, the treatment plate62ccan three-dimensionally move. Therefore, it is possible to reproduce the motion of the human wrist.

Configuration of Joint

As illustrated inFIGS.6to8, at least two or more joints62configuring the treatment unit60are configured to include the outer treatment unit62alocated relatively outward, the inner treatment unit62blocated relatively inward, and the treatment plate62cto which the outer treatment unit62aand the inner treatment unit62bare attached. The number of the joints62may be at least two or more.

In the embodiment, two joints62are provided. In addition, the respective joints62are shifted from each other in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the treatment target site of the treatment target person. A plurality of the joints62are shifted from each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the treatment target site of the treatment target person. In this manner, it is possible to reproduce the fingers of the human hand. In the present embodiment, the plurality of joints62are shifted from each other for the treatment target site in the upward-downward direction.

The outer treatment unit62ais attached to the treatment plate62cvia an outer oscillating shaft62dso as to freely oscillate. A biasing member63(to be described later) is attached between an upper portion of the outer treatment unit62aand an upper portion of the treatment plate62c. The outer treatment unit62ais biased by the biasing member63in a direction closer to the treatment plate62c(direction away from the treatment target site of the treatment target person.

The inner treatment unit62bis attached to the outer treatment unit62avia an inner oscillating shaft62eso as to freely oscillate. The biasing member63(to be described later) is attached between an upper portion of the inner treatment unit62band an upper portion of the outer treatment unit62a. The inner treatment unit62bis biased by the biasing member63in a direction closer to the outer treatment unit62a(direction away from the treatment target site of the treatment target person).

The treatment plate62cis located outside the outer treatment unit62a. The treatment plate62cis configured to include the plate-shaped member. The treatment plate62cextends upward. The treatment plate62cis curved to be inclined with respect to the first drive unit51outward from the vicinity of the center (refer toFIG.5). The first drive unit51is attached to the lower portion of the treatment plate62cvia the conversion member51c. As illustrated inFIG.4, in the present embodiment, the treatment plate62clocated outward is configured to include a substantially Y-shaped and plate-shaped member having bifurcated tip portions. The outer treatment unit62aand the inner treatment unit62bare attached to the respective tip portion. In addition, the treatment plate62clocated inward is configured to include a substantially L-shaped and plate-shaped member extending rearward.

According to this configuration, the treatment plate62clocated outward can reproduce the four fingers of the human hand, and the treatment plate62clocated inward can reproduce the thumb of the human hand.

Configuration of Second Drive Unit

As illustrated inFIGS.4and6to8, the second drive unit52is configured to include an air cell. The second drive unit52is configured to include the second outer drive unit52alocated relatively outward and the second inner drive unit52blocated relatively inward. The second outer drive unit52aand the second inner drive unit52bcan be driven independently of each other. The second drive unit52is driven, thereby enabling the joint62biased by the biasing member63to oscillate in a direction closer to the treatment target site of the treatment target person.

According to this configuration, the motion of at least two or more joints configuring the treatment unit60can be smooth. Accordingly, the motion of the joints can be closer to the motion of the fingers of the human hand.

Configuration of Biasing Member

As illustrated inFIGS.6to8, the joint62has the biasing members63for biasing the treatment unit60in a direction away from the treatment target site of the treatment target person. Specifically, one biasing member is disposed between the upper portion of the treatment plate62cand the upper portion of the outer treatment unit62a, and one biasing member is disposed between the upper portion of the outer treatment unit62aand the upper portion of the inner treatment unit62b.

The biasing member63is configured to include a tension spring. The biasing member63biases the joint62in the direction away from the treatment target site of the treatment target person. The second drive unit52is turned on or off to be driven, thereby enabling the joint62to move close to or to move away from the treatment target site of the treatment target person. That is, when the second drive unit52is not in a driven state, the joint62can be prevented from coming into contact with the treatment target site. In addition, a motion of pulling/kneading performed by the human hand can be reproduced by being combined with the driving of the second drive unit52.

In the present embodiment, the biasing member63is configured to include the tension spring. However, without being limited to the above-described configuration, any configuration may be adopted as long as the treatment unit60can be biased in the direction away from the treatment target site of the treatment target person. For example, a double torsion spring may be adopted. In this case, the motion of pulling/kneading can be realized by attaching the double torsion spring to the outer oscillating shaft62dor the inner oscillating shaft62e.

An operation of the conversion member51cwill be described. As illustrated inFIGS.9A to12B, the drive shaft51bhas a rotation axis G (refer toFIG.5) that is a rotation axis extending along the rightward-leftward direction. The conversion members51care respectively attached to both end portions of the drive shaft51bin the rightward-leftward direction. The attached conversion members51care different from each other on the right and left sides. The conversion member51clocated relatively outward is the eccentric deflection angle cam51d. The conversion member51clocated relatively inward is the eccentric cam51e. The drive shaft51bis rotated in proportion to the rotation speed of the motor51a.

The conversion member51chas a bearing45(refer toFIG.5) and a link mechanism48which regulates an operation range in the rotation direction of the conversion member51cattached to the treatment plate62cto fall within a predetermined range so that the treatment plate62cis not rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft51band which allows the treatment plate62cto be operated in the axial direction of the rotation axis G of the drive shaft51b.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the link mechanism48has a spherical end portion48a, a first member48bthat can pivot in the rightward-leftward direction, and a second member48cthat can pivot in the upward-downward direction. The end portion48ais connected to the lower portion of the treatment plate62cby using a ball joint method with a spherical hole. The second member48cis pivotally supported by a support member49.

An operation in a case where the conversion member51cis the eccentric cam51ewill be described. As illustrated inFIG.5, the axis of the eccentric cam51eis attached to the rotation axis G of the drive shaft51bwhile being shifted therefrom. The treatment plate62cis interlocked with the link mechanism48.

If the drive shaft51bis rotated, the rotational movement of the drive shaft51bis transmitted to the treatment plate62cvia the link mechanism48. The treatment plate62cis interlocked with the link mechanism48. Accordingly, the treatment plate62ccan oscillate in the forward-rearward direction and the upward-downward direction with respect to the drive shaft51bwithout being rotated in synchronization therewith.

An operation in a case where the conversion member51cis the eccentric deflection angle cam51dwill be described. As illustrated inFIG.5, the rotation axis of the eccentric deflection angle cam51dis attached to the rotation axis G while being inclined therefrom. The treatment plate62cis interlocked with the link mechanism48.

If the drive shaft51bis rotated, the rotational movement of the drive shaft51bis transmitted to the treatment plate62cvia the link mechanism48. The treatment plate62cis interlocked with the link mechanism48. Accordingly, the treatment plate62ccan oscillate in the forward-rearward direction and the rightward-leftward direction and upward-downward direction with respect to the drive shaft51bwithout being rotated in synchronization therewith.

As illustrated inFIGS.9A to12B, the arm massage unit50oscillates in synchronization with the oscillation of the conversion member51c. The right and left treatment plates62coscillate by driving the first drive unit51.

An oscillating operation of the outer treatment plate62cwill be described. The outer treatment plate62cis attached via the eccentric deflection angle cam51d. If the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B, the treatment plate62creaches an innermost (right side) position (hereinafter, referred to as a first state). Subsequently, if the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.10A and10B, the treatment plate62cmoves to an uppermost position and rearward to the left side, compared to the first state (hereinafter referred to as a second state). Subsequently, if the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.11A and11B, the treatment plate62cis located at an outermost (left side) position and at a lower position compared to the second state in the upward-downward direction, and moves forward, compared to the first state and the second state (hereinafter, referred to as a third state). Subsequently, if the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.12A and12B, the treatment plate62cmoves to a lowermost position and rightward, compared to the third state (hereinafter, referred to as a fourth state). Compared to the first state, the treatment plate62cis located at a lower position in the upward-downward direction, and moves rightward. The fourth state moves forward compared to the third state. The fourth state is a state where the treatment plate62cis located in a foremost end in an oscillating range of the treatment plate62c.

An oscillating operation of the inner treatment plate62cwill be described. The inner treatment plate62cis attached via the eccentric cam51e. If the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B, the treatment plate62creaches a highest position (hereinafter, referred to as the first state). Subsequently, if the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.10A and10B, the treatment plate62cmoves most rearward and to a lower position, compared to the first state (hereinafter referred to as the second state). Subsequently, if the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.11A and11B, the treatment plate62cmoves to a lowest position and forward, compared to the second state (hereinafter, referred to as the third state). Subsequently, if the first drive unit51is driven, as illustrated inFIGS.12A and12B, the treatment plate62cis moved most forward and to a higher position, compared to the third state (hereinafter, referred to as the fourth state).

In this way, the arm massage unit50performs massage on the human body by driving the second drive unit52while oscillating sequentially from the first state to the fourth state. In this case, the arm massage unit50performs the oscillating operation, thereby performing the massage using a gripping operation and a twisting operation which imitate the motions of the fingers and the wrist of the human hand.

According to the above-described configurations, it is possible to provide the treatment unit and the massage machine which realize the treatment having the twisting operation added thereto.

Action Pattern

FIG.13is a flowchart illustrating an action pattern of the arm massage unit50. The action pattern according to the present embodiment includes three operations such as an operation of driving the first drive unit51in a state where the second outer drive unit52aand/or the second inner drive unit52bare driven, an operation of changing the driving timings to be different from each other among the first drive unit51, the second outer drive unit52a, and the second inner drive unit52b, and an operation of interlocking the drive timings with each other among the first drive unit51, the second outer drive unit52a, and the second inner drive unit52b.

As illustrated inFIG.13, the treatment target person starts a pulling/kneading operation (STEP1). If the pulling/kneading operation starts, the air cell of the second outer drive unit52ais inflated, and the outer first member62ais moved in a direction closer to the treatment target person (STEP2). Thereafter, the air cell of the second inner drive unit52bis inflated, and the inner treatment unit62bis moved in the direction closer to the treatment target person (STEP3). In this state, the treatment target site of the treatment target person can be firmly gripped. In this state, the first drive unit51is driven (STEP4). The first drive unit51is driven, thereby enabling the arm massage unit50to be driven in a direction extending along a direction facing the treatment target site of the treatment target person. That is, a three-dimensional massage operation can be performed. Thereafter, the first drive unit51stops to be driven (STEP5). Then, the air cell of the second outer drive unit52ais deflated, and the outer treatment unit62ais moved in a direction away from the treatment target person (STEP6). Thereafter, the air cell of the second inner drive unit52bis deflated, and the inner treatment unit62bis moved in the direction away from the treatment target person (STEP7). After these operations are repeatedly performed for a predetermined time, the pulling/kneading operation is completed (STEP8).

Since these operations are repeatedly performed for the predetermined time, it is possible to perform the massage reproducing the motions of the fingers and the wrist of the human hand for the treatment target site of the treatment target person.

The above-described action pattern is an example. An operation procedure of the first drive unit51, the second outer drive unit52a, and the second inner drive unit52bis not limited as long as the pulling/kneading operation can be performed on the treatment target site of the treatment target person.

Other Embodiments

FIG.14is a schematic view of the arm massage unit50according to another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates the arm massage unit50in which one of the treatment units60performs the massage in the upward-downward direction and the other of the treatment units60performs the massage in the rightward-leftward direction.

As illustrated inFIG.14, one of the treatment units60(treatment unit60located outward) may be disposed so that the massage can be performed in the upward-downward direction, and the other of the treatment units60(treatment unit60located inward) may be disposed on the upper surface of the first drive unit51so that the massage can be performed in the rightward-leftward direction.

According to this configuration, the massage can be performed on the treatment target site of the treatment target person in two directions having mutually different vectors.

The other of the treatment units60may be attached to the first drive unit51via the conversion member51c, similarly to one of the treatment units60. In this manner, the other of the treatment units60can be driven. In addition, the massage unit50may be located on another body support unit such as the footrest4. For example, since the massage unit50is located in the footrest4, the massage can be performed on the lower limbs of the treatment target person in the two directions having mutually different vectors by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50. In addition, since the massage unit50is located in the seat unit2, the massage can be performed on the gluteal region or the femoral region of the treatment target person in the two directions having mutually different vectors by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50. In addition, since the massage unit50is located in the backrest unit3, the massage can be performed on the shoulders of the treatment target person in the two directions having mutually different vectors by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50.

The embodiments disclosed in the present specification are examples, and the embodiments according to the present invention are not limited thereto. The embodiments can be appropriately modified within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the operation procedure of the first drive unit51, the second outer drive unit52a, and the second inner drive unit52bmay be changed. Specifically, the second outer drive unit52amay be driven after the second inner drive unit52bis driven. In this manner, compared to a case where the second inner drive unit52bis driven after the second outer drive unit52ais driven, the pulling/kneading operation can be performed on an outer side of the arm.

In addition, the massage unit50may be located on another body support unit such as the footrest4. In a case where the massage unit50is located in the footrest4, an arrangement is preferably adopted so that the lower limbs of the treatment target person can be pinched in the rightward-leftward direction by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50. In this manner, the pulling/kneading operation can be performed on the lower limbs of the treatment target person.

In a case where the massage unit50is located in the seat unit2, an arrangement is preferably adopted so that the gluteal region or the femoral region of the treatment target person can be pinched in the rightward-leftward direction by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50. In this manner, the pulling/kneading operation can be performed on the gluteal region or the femoral region of the treatment target person.

In a case where the massage unit50is located in the backrest unit3, an arrangement is preferably adopted so that the shoulders of the treatment target person can be pinched in the rightward-leftward direction and/or the forward-rearward direction by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50. In addition, an arrangement is preferably adopted so that lateral body parts of the treatment target person can be pinched in the rightward-leftward direction by the treatment plates62cserving as the treatment unit60configuring the massage unit50. In this manner, the pulling/kneading operation can be performed on the shoulders, the lateral body parts, and the waist of the treatment target person.

The present invention is applicable to the massage machine including the massage unit which can reproduce the motion of the human hand and the motion of the human wrist.

Hereinbefore, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications, replacements, combinations and the like may be made, for example. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified into various forms on the basis of the spirit of the invention. Additionally, the modifications are included in the scope of the invention.

The contents of Japanese Application No. 2018-196484 filed on Oct. 18, 2018, including the specification, the claims and the drawings, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.