Chair-type massage machine

A chair-type massage machine 100 has: a backrest portion 300 being capable of standing on a seat portion 200 and reclining against the seat portion 200; and at least one heater 850 disposed independently from a base portion 400 which is a lower part of the seat portion 200 through a cable 851.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese patent application Serial No. 2015-153365, filed Aug. 3, 2015 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a chair-type massage machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A chair-type massage machine in which a massage portion can be disposed at preferable places depending on a body type or preferences of a user is known.

The chair-type massage machine has a seat portion, and a backrest portion at which a first massage portion is provided. The chair type massage machine also has a second massage portion as well as a pad portion which is capable of adjusting its position against the seat portion or the backrest portion.

A backrest cushion for a massage machine is known. The backrest cushion has a possibility to give discomfort to a user because a kneading ball comes into contact with the back of a user as soon as the user sits on the massage machine.

The backrest cushion for a massage machine is provided at a massage machine which has a built-in massage action portion which massages the back portion of a user. The backrest cushion has a cushion portion which is provided at at least both of the right and left sides of the massage action portion and is capable of supporting the back of a user before the massage action portion comes into contact with the back of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chair-type massage machine according to one embodiment, includes:

a backrest portion being capable of standing on a seat portion and reclining against the seat portion; and

at least one heater disposed independently from a base portion which is a lower part of the seat portion through a cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with referring to the figures. The same or equivalent portions in the figures have the same reference numbers, and the explanations for them will not be repeated. Incidentally, in order to make the explanations clear, structures may be shown in a simple or schematic way or a part of components may be omitted in the figures which will be referred to below. Also, dimension ratios between the components shown in each figure do not necessarily show the actual dimension ratios.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a perspective view showing the structure of a chair-type massage machine100of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the chair-type massage machine100of the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with a seat portion200, a backrest portion300, a base portion400, an arm treatment portion500, an operation portion700, an independent heater850, and a footrest portion900.

Incidentally, in the following explanation, in the chair-type massage machine100, the side where the backrest portion300is formed on the seat portion200is assumed to be the BACK as shown inFIG. 1. The opposite side of the BACK is assumed to be the FRONT. The left and right sides and the up and down sides are also assumed to be the LEFT, RIGHT, UP, and DOWN, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 1, the backrest portion300of the chair-type massage machine100supports the shoulders, the lower back, and the back of a person to be treated, and is formed so as to be able to stand and recline toward the front and back directions. Also, the backrest portion300has a built-in treatment member (a pair of treatment members)350which is movable toward the up and down directions along with a guide rail. The treatment member350is formed to be a pair of treatment members350so as to be able to do a variety of treatment movements such as kneading, tapping, and rolling.

The seat portion200ofFIG. 1is provided with at least one built-in inflation bag (air treatment portion) (not shown) which repeatedly expands, and the inflation bag treats the seat of a person to be treated, while supporting the seat of the person. Also, the footrest portion900is pivotally supported by the seat portion200and the front end of the base portion400so that the footrest portion900, itself is pivotal. The footrest portion900has at least one inflation bag (not shown) which reputably expands, and the inflation bag treats the feet of a person to be treated.

Meanwhile, the arm treatment portions500are provided so as to stand at both the right side and the left side of the seat portion200ofFIG. 1. The arm treatment portions500are provided with at least one built-in inflation bag (not shown) which repeatedly expands, and the inflation bag treats the arm of a person to be treated, while supporting the arm. At least one independent heated850is provided at arbitrary places through a cable851from the base portion400. The detail of the independent heater850will be described later.

Next,FIG. 2is a schematic view showing an example in which a back pad310is removed from the backrest portion300of the chair-type massage machine100.FIG. 3is a schematic view showing one example of the back pad310.

As shown inFIG. 2, the back pad310is provided so as to cover the front surface of a backrest material320of the backrest portion300. A locking portion311provided at the rear surface of the back pad310is locked by a locking portion321provided at the upper end portion of the backrest material320, and the back pad310is detachably attached. Incidentally, inFIG. 2, it is shown such that the treatment member (a pair of treatment members)350is visible when the back pad310is removed. However, this illustration is just to describe the structure. It is preferable to dispose a cloth material between the back pad310and the treatment member (a pair of treatment members)350. It is especially preferable that the rear surface of the cloth material is made of durable materials on which the treatment member can easily slide, by considering the contact between the rear surface of the cloth material and the treatment member350.

As shown inFIG. 3, the back pad310includes a locking portion311, a zipper312, a first pad portion315, and a second pad portion316. As shown inFIG. 3, the first pad portion315and the second pad portion316of the back pad310are made of a rectangle material with cushioning characteristic. Also, at least either the first pad portion315or the second pad portion316of the back pad310is provided with a heater.

In addition, the first pad portion315and the second pad portion316are formed to be able to engageable and separable with/from each other, by the zipper312. As shown inFIG. 3, the zipper312is formed to be an inverted U-shape. As a result of this, the first pad portion315is formed to be a convex shape, and the second pad portion316is formed to be an inverted concave shape.

FIG. 4is a schematic view showing one example in which the back pad310ofFIG. 3is in use. As shown inFIG. 4, the first pad portion315and the second pad portion316can be completely separated, or partially separated with leaving some part being engaged, by moving the zipper312. As a result of this, the first pad portion315can be placed at the back side of a person to be treated, and the second pad portion316can be placed at the front side of the person to be treated, that is, the side of the shoulders, the arms, and the abdomen. Consequently, the first pad portion315of the back pad310is placed at the place where the treatment member350of the back pad310is supposed to be, and the sides of the shoulders, the arms, and the abdomen of the person to be treated are covered with the second pad316of the back pad310.

(Another Example of Back Pad310)

FIG. 5is a schematic view showing another example of a back pad310.FIG. 6is a schematic view showing an example of the use of the back pad310.

As shown inFIG. 5, the back pad310has a zipper311A, a zipper312, a first cloth portion315A, a hook and loop fastener315L, a first pad portion315B, and a second pad portion316. Also, as shown inFIG. 5, an independent heater850, which will be described later, is received in the inner side (the rear surface ofFIG. 5, the broken line) of the second pad portion316. Incidentally, a power cable of the independent heater850is connected to the base portion400through the zipper311A side and the backrest portion300.

Next, the zipper312and the hook and loop fastener315L are formed so as to have a rectangle shape. Also, the first cloth portion315A is made of a cloth material, and the first pad portion315B is made of a material with cushion characteristic. The material with cushion characteristic is, for example, urethane and the like.

In the back pad310ofFIG. 5, as the same manner asFIG. 3, the first cloth portion315A and the first pad portion315B can be completely removed with leaving the second pad portion316, by detaching the hook and loop fastener315L as well as moving the zipper312. As a result of this, the first pad portion315is completely removed, and the second pad portion316can be placed at the front side, that is, the side of the abdomen of a person to be treated. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 6, it is possible to cross the independent heaters850provided at the lower parts of the second pad portion316, and the abdomen of the person to be treated can be surely warmed.

FIG. 7is a schematic view showing one of the other examples of a back pad310. As shown inFIG. 7, the back pad310has a zipper312, a first pad portion315, and a second pad portion316.

The zipper312ofFIG. 7is formed to be an inverted V-shape. As a result of this, the first pad portion315is formed to be a triangle shape, and the second pad portion316is formed to be a shape where the triangle shape is removed from a rectangle shape.

In the back pad310ofFIG. 7, as the same manner asFIG. 3, the first pad portion315and the second pad portion316can be completely separated or partially separated with leaving some part being engaged, by moving the zipper312. As a result of this, the first pad portion315can be placed at the back side of a person to be treated, and the second pad portion316can be placed at the front side of the person to be treated, that is, the side of the abdomen.

FIG. 8is a schematic view showing one of the other examples of a back pad310. As shown inFIG. 8, the back pad310has a zipper312, a first pad portion315, and a second pad portion316.

The zipper312ofFIG. 8is formed to be an oval shape. As a result of this, the first pad portion315is formed to be an oval shape, and the second pad portion316is formed to be a shape where the oval shape is removed from a rectangle shape.

In the back pad310ofFIG. 8, as the same manner asFIG. 3, the first pad portion315and the second pad portion316can be separated by moving the zipper312. As a result of this, the first pad portion315can be placed at the back side of a person to be treated, and the second pad portion316can be placed at the front side of the person to be treated, that is, the side of the abdomen.

FIG. 9is a schematic view further showing one of the other examples of a back pad310.FIG. 10is a schematic view showing one example in which the back pad310ofFIG. 9is being used by a person to be treated.

As shown inFIG. 9, the back pad310has a zipper312, a first pad portion315, and a second pad portion316. Also, at the second pad portion316ofFIG. 9, a heater bag318being capable of receiving an independent heater850is provided. Incidentally, inFIG. 9, the heater bag318is provided at the surface of the second pad portion316; however, the heater bag318can be provided at the first pad portion315or the rear surface of the second pad portion316. Also, the independent heater850can be received by the surface or the rear surface of the second pad portion316by attaching the independent heater850on them.

The zipper312ofFIG. 9is formed to be an isosceles triangle shape. As a result of this, the first pad portion315is formed to be an isosceles triangle shape, and the second pad portion316is formed to be a shape where the isosceles triangle shape is removed from a rectangle shape.

In the back pad310ofFIG. 9, as the same manner asFIG. 3, the first pad portion315and the second pad portion316can be completely separated or partially separated with leaving some part being engaged, by moving the zipper312. As a result of this, the first pad portion315can be placed at the back side of a person to be treated, and the second pad portion316can be placed at the front side of the person to be treated, that is, the side of the abdomen. It should be noted that the back pad310ofFIG. 9has the longer length than the total length of the seat portion200and the backrest portion300. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 10, a person to be treated can be covered with the back pad310up to the knees. Consequently, even if a person to be treated using the chair-type massage machine is female, there is no need to additionally put a blanket and the like on her knees.

Also, in the embodiment described above, each independent heater850can be received in each heater bag318. Therefore, it is possible to put the independent heater850at places depending on preferences of a person to be treated, and the person to be treated can freely warm up the places where the person wants to be warmed.

Even though onlyFIG. 9has the heater bag318in its illustration, the heater bag318is not limited toFIG. 9. It is also possible to provide the heater bag318at arbitrary places of the back pad310ofFIGS. 3 through 8. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the heater bag318is described to be provided; however, the heater bag318is not the only means. Other arbitrary structures which are attachable and detachable with/from each other can be used, such as a hook and loop fastener (VELCRO®), a button, and the like. As a result of this, it is possible to freely put the independent heater850at arbitrary places of the back pad310.

FIG. 11is a schematic view showing one example of an independent heater850and a cable851.

As shown inFIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the independent heater850is formed through the cable851from the base portion400. Also, in the present embodiment, two independent heaters are provided; however, the number of the independent heater is not limited to two, and the arbitrary number of independent heaters850, such as the number of one, three, four, and the like, can be provided.

As shown inFIG. 11, the independent heater850has a heater body853which is made of a rectangle-shaped sheet material, a cable851which supplies the power to the heater body853, and a protective material857which protects the heater body853and the cable851.

Incidentally, a locking portion856may be provided at a part of the protective material857ofFIG. 11. In the case where the heater bag318ofFIG. 9is provided, the locking portion856is not needed to be provided. The locking portion856is described as an example; however, the locking portion856is not the only means. Other arbitrary structures which are attachable and detachable can be used, such as a hook and loop fastener, a button, and the like. Also, in the case where the locking portion856is a hook and loop fastener, the locking portion856can be attached at an arbitrary places of the back pad310.

The protective material857is made of a material which has mechanical strength and stain-resistance. For example, the protective material857is made of a material of a multiple structure having vinyl chloride resin (hereinafter, referred to be as PVC), nonwoven fabric, and the like.

Also, in the heater body853, a heater wire855is disposed meanderingly on a seat material854which is composed of mainly metallic elements. It is preferable that the metallic elements are composed of aluminum and the like which have high thermal conductivity. Also, it is possible to have a built-in diffusion sheet (not shown) for entirely diffusing the heat from the heater wire855.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, it is described that a control portion of the independent heater850is built-in in the base portion400of the body of the chair-type massage machine100; however, the control portion is not limited to this manner and it is possible that each independent heater850has each control portion. Also, the independent heater850may have a built-in sensor. As a result of this, a user can surely control the temperature of each independent heater850by operating the operation portion700.

Next, the cable851is formed to be able to be reeled by a reeling device410which is provided at the base portion400. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the heater wire855meanderingly disposed is described as an example; however, the heater wire is not only the means and other arbitrary thermal power generations may be used, such as a surface heater and the like.

Next,FIG. 12is a schematic view showing another example of an independent heater850and a cable851.

RegardingFIG. 12, only different points fromFIG. 11will be explained. The independent heater850ofFIG. 12is composed of the same elements as the independent heater850ofFIG. 11. InFIG. 11, the reeling device410is used. InFIG. 12, a cable852which has an extensible shape is provided. The cable852has the shape where the cable851has been reeled. As a result of this, the length of the cable is freely adjustable.

Also,FIG. 13is a schematic view showing another example of an independent heater850and a cable851.

RegardingFIG. 13, only different points fromFIGS. 11 and 12will be explained. The independent heater850ofFIG. 13is received in a bag859. It is preferable that the bag859has cushion characteristic, thereby allowing the independent heater850to be freely placed at places where a person to be treated desires the independent heater to be.

As described above, the shape of the divided structure of the back pad310is described to have a circle shape, a rectangle shape, an oval shape, an inverted U-shape, and an inverted V-shape as an example. However, the shape is not limited to these. It is possible to divide the back pad into a range in which a pair of treatment members transfer and the other range in which a pair of treatment members do not transfer. As a result of this, in the case when a person to be treated wants to feel stronger kneading, it is possible to shorten the distance between the person to be treated and a pair of treatment members350by removing the first pad portion315(including the first cloth portion315A and the first pad portion315B) from the back pad310.

Also, the back pad310is supposed to be able to be taken out from the locking portion311; however, the back pad310is not limited to this way, and the upper end of the back pad310may be attached to the upper end of the backrest portion300.

In addition, it is possible to use arbitrary heaters as the independent heater850, such as a PTC heater, a film heater having the PTC characteristic, a ribbon heater having the PTC characteristic, a portable heater, and the like.

As described above, at least one independent heater850disposed independently from the base portion400through the cable851can be freely placed at any places. As a result of this, the independent heater850can be placed at places depending on a user's preferences.

Also, the independent heater850may be received in the heater bag318of the back pad310. Further, since the independent heater850may be locked by the locking portion of the back pad310, the independent heater850can be placed at any places of the entire of the back pad310. As a result of this, the independent heater850can be placed at places depending on a user's preferences. In addition, since the reeling device410is formed inside the seat portion200or the base portion400, it is possible to easily reel the cable851.

Also, in the case when the cable852is used, the cable852has a shape or a material which allows the length of the cable851to be adjustable. It is possible to prevent the cable851from tangling. As a result of this, it is possible to easily change the length of the cable851, thereby easily using the independent heater850.

Also, it is possible to control each temperature of the at least one independent heater by the operation portion700. As a result of this, it is possible to control the temperature depending on a user's preferences.

Also, one end of the back pad310is locked by the upper part of the backrest material320of the backrest portion300. In addition, a divided structure is formed in a part of the back pad310. As a result of this, a part having a heat pad function and the other part having the function of the back pad310is divided by the divided structure. Therefore, there is no need to provide an additional heat pad on the back pad310. Also, the distance between the back of a user and the treatment member350can be only the thickness of the back pad310, and it is possible to enhance a massage effect by the treatment member350. Also, it is possible to reduce the costs.

Also, the back pad310has a built-in independent heater850. Therefore, by the divided structure, it is possible to place the heat pad function at either the back side or the abdomen side of a user, or both of the sides depending on the user's preferences.

The shape of the divided structure of the back pad310has any one of a circle shape, an oval shape, an inverted U-shape, and an inverted V-shape. Therefore, it is possible for a user to put the head out of the circle shape or the oval shape, thereby placing the back pad at the abdomen portion of the user. Also, the back pad310shown inFIG. 9is formed to have the longer length than the total of the backrest portion300and the seat portion200. It is possible to cover a user with the back pad310up to near the knees by dividing a part of the back pad310. As a result of this, even if the user wears a skirt and the like, it is possible to cover the user up to near the knees.

(Correspondence Relation Between Each Portion in Embodiments and Each Component of Claims)

In the present invention, the chair-type massage machine100corresponds to “a chair-type massage machine.” The seat portion200corresponds to “a seat portion.” The backrest portion300corresponds to “a backrest portion.” The cable851corresponds to “a cable.” The independent heater850corresponds to “at least one heater, and a sheet heater.” The back pad310corresponds to “a back pad.” The heater bag318corresponds to “a receiving portion.” The reeling device410corresponds to “a reeling portion.” The cable852corresponds to “a shape or material which allows the length of the cable itself to be adjustable.” The operation portion700corresponds to “a temperature controlling portion.” The back pad310, the zipper312, the first pad portion315, and the second pad portion316correspond to “a divided structure.”

The preferable embodiments of the present invention are described above; however, the present invention is not limited to these. It should be understood that there are other various embodiments without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Also, the effects by the structure of the present invention are described in the present embodiments. However, these effects are only examples. The present invention is not limited by these.

It should be noted that, recently, a general chair-type massage machine has a heater sheet placed to overlap with a back pad. However, recently, it is desired to thin the thickness of the back pad and the heater sheet in order to facilitate conveying the power of the treatment member.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is possible to provide a chair-type massage machine in which a back pad and a heater are integrated as well as the thickness of the back pad and the heater can be thinned down.

In addition, it is possible to place the at least one heater disposed independently from the base portion through the cable, at wherever a user wants. As a result of this, the heater can be placed depending on preferences of the user.

(2) A chair-type massage machine according to the one embodiment may have the heater having a sheet heater; the backrest portion including a back pad; and the back pad including a receiving portion being capable of receiving the sheet heater.

In this case, the sheet heater can be received in the receiving portion of the back pad. As a result of this, the sheet heater can be placed at a position where the receiving portion is formed.

(3) A chair-type massage machine according to the one embodiment may have the heater having a sheet heater; the backrest portion including a back pad; and the back pad including a locking portion being capable of locking the sheet heater.

In this case, the sheet heater can be locked by the locking portion of the back pad. For example, in the case where the lock portion is formed at all over the back pad, the heater can be placed at any position of all over the back pad. As a result of this, the sheet heater can be placed at a user's preferable place.

(4) A chair-type massage machine according to the one embodiment may further include a temperature controlling portion for controlling a temperature of each of the at least one heater.

In this case, each temperature of the at least one heater can be controlled by the temperature controlling portion. As a result of this, it is possible to control the temperature depending on preferences of a user.

(5) A chair-type massage machine according to a second embodiment includes:

a backrest portion being capable of standing on a seat portion and reclining against the seat portion,

wherein the backrest includes a back pad; and

one end of the back pad is locked by or attached to an upper part of the backrest portion, while a divided structure is formed in a part of the back pad.

In this case, one end of the back pad is locked by the upper part of the backrest portion. Also, the divided structure is formed in a part of the back pad. As a result of these, a portion with a heat pad function and the other portion with a back pad function can be divided by the divided structure. Therefore, there is no need to provide an additional heat pad on the back pad. It is also possible to reduce the distance between the back portion of a user and the treatment member, thereby being able to increase a massage effect by the treatment member. In addition, since there is no need to provide an additional heat pad, it is possible to realize reducing costs.

(6) A chair-type massage machine according to the second embodiment may have the back pad having a built-in sheet heater.

In this case, since the back pad has the built-in sheet heater, due to the divided structure, a heat pad function can be placed at either the back side or the abdomen side of a user, or at both of the sides, depending on preferences of the user.

(7) A chair-type massage machines according to the second embodiment may have the divided structure which is formed so as to have any one of a circle shape, a rectangle shape, an oval shape, an inverted U-shape, and an inverted V-shape.

In this case, the shape of the divided structure is formed so as to have any one of a circle shape, a rectangle shape, an oval shape, an inverted U-shape, and an inverted V-shape. Therefore, it is possible for a user to put the user's head portion out of the circle shape or the oval shape. Consequently, it is possible to put the back pad at the abdomen side of the user.

(8) A chair-type massage machine according to the second embodiment may have the divided structure which includes any one of a locking structure, a zipper, and a hook and loop fastener (Velcro).

In this case, since the divided structure includes any one of a locking structure, a zipper, and a hook and loop fastener (Velcro), it is possible to easily divide and integrate the portion with the heat pad function and the other portion with the back pad function.

(9) A chair-type massage machine according to the second embodiment may further include at least one heater disposed independently from a base portion through a cable, wherein the back pad includes a receiving portion for receiving the at least one heater or a locking portion for locking the at least one heater.

In this case, in the case where the back pad includes the receiving portion, the heater can be received in the receiving portion. In the case where the back pad includes the locking portion, the heater can be locked by the locking portion.

(A) A chair-type massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a reeling portion inside the base portion. The reeling portion is capable of reeling the cable.

In this case, since the reeling portion is formed inside the base portion, it is possible to easily reel the cable. As a result of this, the cable is easily stored, thereby facilitating the use of the heater.

(B) In a chair-type massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cable may have a shape or material which allows the length of the cable itself to be adjustable.

In this case, the cable has the shape which allows the length of the cable itself to be adjustable, or the cable is formed by the material which allows the length of the cable itself to be adjustable. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cable from tangling. As a result of this, it is possible to easily adjust the length of the cable, thereby facilitating the use of the heater.

(C) In a chair-type massage machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, the back pad may be formed so as to have the longer length than the total length of the backrest portion and the seat portion.

In this case, the back pad is formed so as to have the longer length than the total length of the backrest portion and the seat portion. Therefore, it is possible to cover a user nearly up to the knees by dividing a part of the back pad portion. As a result of this, even when a user wears a skirt and the like, it is possible to cover the user nearly up to the knees.