Apparatus for massaging the calves

An apparatus for massaging calves is able to adjust a distance between two plates, the apparatus having at least two plates that are arranged at a distance from one another and that come into contact with the calf during massage on both sides thereof, and having a drive shaft, the plates being connected to the drive shaft by coupling members in such a manner that a rotational movement of the drive shaft brings about a movement of the plates for carrying out the calf massage. A distance adjusting mechanism is also provided in order to adapt the distance between the two plates to the size of the calf to be massaged.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for massaging the calves, having at least two plates that are arranged at a distance from one another and that come into contact with the calf during massage on both sides thereof, and having a drive shaft, the plates being connected to the drive shaft by means of coupling members in such a manner that a rotational movement of the drive shaft brings about a movement of the plates for carrying out the calf massage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Massage chairs which, in addition to such an apparatus for massaging the calves, generally also have an apparatus for back massage are known from practice. However, it has been found that different users have very different opinions on calf massage. For example, many users find the massage rather unpleasant, while others hardly detect a massaging effect.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,595 discloses a massaging machine having two massaging elements, a drive shaft connected to the massaging elements by coupling members such that a rotational movement of the shaft brings about movement of the massaging elements and further comprising means for adapting the distance between the two plates.

Furthermore, a vibrator for lower limbs is known from EP-A-1 269 962.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is therefore to improve the apparatus for massaging the calves to the effect that individual adjustment of the apparatus can be carried out by any user.

The apparatus according to the invention for massaging the calves basically comprises at least two plates that are arranged at a distance from one another and that come into contact with the calf during massage on both sides thereof, and a drive shaft, the plates being connected to the drive shaft by means of coupling members in such a manner that a rotational movement of the drive shaft brings about a movement of the plates for carrying out the calf massage.

Means are also provided in order to adapt the distance between the two plates to the size of the calf to be massaged, whereby at least one of the two coupling members is held displaceably on the drive shaft, while the other coupling member bears against a stationary abutment.

As a result of this measure, it is possible to adjust the apparatus in a specific manner to calves of different sizes in order to bring about a satisfactory massage effect.

According to a preferred embodiment, a spring may be provided between the two coupling members in order, on the one hand, to compensate for clearance between coupling member and abutment and, on the other hand, to ensure the displaceability of the one coupling member.

According to a preferred development, the means for adapting the distance between the plates have a rotatable operating member, especially a handwheel, which acts on an operating linkage, especially a lever arm, in order to bring about a displacement of one of the two coupling members on the drive shaft.

According to a special development, one of the two coupling members bears against a stationary abutment, while the other coupling member cooperates with a displaceable abutment, the means for adapting the distance between the plates comprising a double-armed lever arm which is connected by its one end to the displaceable abutment and by its other end to an operating member.

The apparatus for massaging the calves generally comprises four plates (two sets of pair of plates), each of which is connected to the drive shaft by means of a respective coupling member, so that the two calves can be massaged simultaneously. The massage movement is caused by the coupling members which are disposed eccentrically relative to the drive shaft and, as a result, transmit an eccentric movement onto the plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus shown inFIGS. 1 and 2for massaging the calves basically comprises 2 sets of pair of plates1,2,3and4that are arranged at a distance from one another and that come into contact with the calf during massage on both sides thereof. In addition, a drive shaft5is provided, the plates being connected to the drive shaft5by means of coupling members6,7,8and9in such a manner that a rotational movement of the drive shaft brings about a movement of the plates1,2,3and4for carrying out the calf massage.

Finally, means (distance adjusting mechanism)10are also provided in order to alter the distance x between the two plates of each set in order to adapt it to the size of the calf to be massaged.

The whole apparatus is of course integrated in the usual form in a massage chair or the like, the entire mechanism generally being faced with upholstery and covering material. During massage, the user positions his one calf between the plates1and2(the first set of pair of plates) and his other calf between the plates3and4(the second set of pair of plates), so that it is possible to massage the two calves simultaneously.

The coupling members6-9each hold a respective one of the plates1-4and are arranged eccentrically on the drive shaft5so that a rotational movement of the drive shaft5leads to an eccentric movement of the plates1-4. The plates are shown in three different massage positions inFIGS. 3a-5b. The movement of the plates1-4is repeated with each rotation of the drive shaft.

InFIG. 2, the reference sign11denotes a motor which drives the drive shaft5by means of suitable gearing.

Each coupling member6-9firstly holds a respective one of the plates1-4and is additionally supported in an associated guide rail12-15(seeFIG. 2). The guide rails prevent the plate1from rotating about the drive shaft5and permit a sliding movement of the coupling members6-9during massage (seeFIGS. 3a-5b).

For each set of pair of plates1,2and3,4, a respective one of the associated coupling members,6and9, bears against a stationary abutment16and17, respectively. Each of the respective other coupling members7,8cooperates with a displaceable abutment18,19, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the displaceable abutments18,19are formed by angle members which are displaceably held on the base20aof a housing20surrounding the apparatus.

The coupling members7and8are held displaceably on the drive shaft5so that a displacement of the displaceable abutments18,19brings about a displacement of the coupling members7,8and therefore of the plates2,3.

Between the coupling members6,7and8,9, respective springs21,22are fitted on the shaft and urge the two coupling members6,7and8,9, respectively, against the abutments16,18and17,19, respectively, and thereby also permit clearance-free movement.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the means10for adapting the distance x between the plates comprise two double-armed lever arms10a,10bwhich are pivotably supported about axes10c,10d. A respective end of the lever arm10ais connected to a respective end of the lever arm10bby means of a pin10e, while the other two ends of the lever arms are in operative contact with the displaceable abutments18and19, respectively. Also provided is an operating member10fwhich is here in. the form of a handwheel and cooperates in such a manner with the two ends of the lever arms10aand10bconnected by the pin10ethat operation of the operating member10fbrings about a rotation of the lever arms about the pins10cand10d, respectively. The handwheel is connected to a threaded rod10gwhich cooperates with a threaded block which has a corresponding structure and which in turn carries the pin10e. A rotation of the threaded rod therefore brings about a displacement of the threaded block along the rod and, as a result, a rotation of the lever arms. This in turn has the result that the displaceable abutments18,19connected to the levers10a,10bare displaced correspondingly in the longitudinal direction of the drive shaft5and thereby alter the distance x between the plates1,2and3,4, respectively.

The means10described above for adapting the distance are in a form such that operation may be effected even when massage is in progress. This is especially advantageous because the user can best tell during operation whether the massage is being performed satisfactorily.

It will be appreciated that other adjusting mechanisms are also possible within the scope of the invention. For example, in particular, an individual or common adjustment of the two pairs of plates could also be effected by means of an electrical motor.

FIGS. 6aand6bshow diagrammatically two different adjustments of the distance between the plates. InFIG. 6athe distance x between the plates1,2and3,4is greater than the distance y inFIG. 6b.

The means10described above for adapting the distance between the plates permit individual adjustment of the distance to the user's calves. As a result, according to the size of the calves, it is always possible to find an adjustment which leads to optimum massaging.