JP2024161881A - Lower limb massage machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a massage machine for a lower limb, capable of performing rubbing massage to the lower limb, and vibration massage to the whole sole by one drive motor, and having a space wide enough to arrange a flat member for performing vibration massage to the whole sole.SOLUTION: A massage machine for a lower limb includes: a rubbing massage part for applying rubbing massage operation to a lower limb L from a calf C to a tiptoe as a treatment region of a user; a sole massage part for applying massage operation to a sole U as a treatment region of the user; and a drive part 5 including one drive motor 4 for driving the rubbing massage part and the sole massage part. The rubbing massage part has a rubbing massage mechanism 2 of rubbing the lower limb L by driving of the drive motor 4, and the sole massage part includes a vibration massage mechanism 3 of applying vibration massage operation to the sole U by driving of the drive motor 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a lower leg massage machine that applies a kneading massage to the user's lower legs, particularly from the calves to the feet, and also applies a vibration massage to the soles of the feet.

Conventionally, there is a lower leg massage machine that contains a kneading massage mechanism that applies a kneading massage action to the treatment area of the lower leg, which extends from the foot from the toes to the heel to the calf located between the ankle and the knee, and a vibration massage mechanism that applies a vibration massage action to the sole of the foot (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 7001270

The lower limb massage machine of Patent Document 1 can provide both kneading massage and vibration massage, and can provide an effective massage. This lower limb massage machine of Patent Document 1 has a pair of massage members (kneading plates) on the left and right, which are separated into upper and lower halves, and the upper and lower kneading plates are oscillated by a kneading drive motor. In addition, the lower limb massage machine of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a vibration massage mechanism for the soles of the feet, and is equipped with a drive motor for the vibration massage.

In other words, the lower limb massage machine of Patent Document 1 is equipped with a drive motor for generating vibrations in addition to the drive motor for rocking a pair of left and right massage members (kneading plates) so that it can provide both kneading massage and vibration massage.

As described above, the above-mentioned lower leg massage machine is equipped with two drive motors, so the number of components is large. Since the drive motors are heavy, the overall weight of the lower leg massage machine is also heavy, and the manufacturing costs are also high.

In recent years, there have been various demands, such as a demand for a device that can perform a vibration massage on the entire sole of the foot in addition to a kneading massage on the lower leg from the calf to the foot. However, in the lower leg massage machine of Patent Document 1, the kneading rotation shaft is located at the bottom of the lower case body, so the sole massage members 41a, b cannot perform a vibration massage on the arch of the foot. In other words, it is not possible to provide a vibration massage to the entire sole of the right foot and the entire sole of the left foot.

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a lower leg massager that can perform kneading massage on the lower legs and vibration massage on the entire sole or part of the sole with a single drive motor, and that has a space large enough to accommodate a flat plate-shaped member that performs vibration massage on the entire sole or part of the sole.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention employs the following technical measures:

The lower leg massage machine according to the present invention is characterized by having a kneading massage section that applies a kneading massage action to the lower leg from the calf to the toes, which is the treatment area of the user, a sole massage section that applies a massage action to the soles of the feet, which are the treatment areas of the user, and a drive section that has one drive motor that drives the kneading massage section and the sole massage section.

Preferably, the kneading massage unit includes a kneading massage mechanism that clamps the lower leg when driven by the drive motor, and the sole massage unit includes a vibration massage mechanism that applies a vibration massage action to the sole of the foot when driven by the drive motor.

Preferably, the kneading massage mechanism includes a kneading rotation shaft that rotates by the rotational driving force output from the drive motor, a kneading conversion unit that converts the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft into the kneading massage action, and a pair of left and right kneading massage members that impart the kneading massage action by clamping them against the lower leg, and the vibration massage mechanism includes a vibration generating mechanism that converts the rotational driving force output from the drive motor into the vibration massage action, and a flat vibration massage member that imparts the vibration massage action to the sole of the foot.

Preferably, the kneading rotation shaft is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body that houses the kneading massage mechanism, and a space of a predetermined width and height is formed on the bottom side of the case body below the kneading rotation shaft.

Preferably, the drive motor is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body, and the space is formed below the drive motor and the kneading rotation shaft.

Preferably, the space is provided with a vibration massage member capable of providing a vibration massage to the entire surface of the soles of the left and right feet.

Preferably, one drive motor is provided and outputs a rotational drive force used for the kneading massage operation and a rotational drive force used for the vibration massage operation.

Preferably, the drive motor has two shafts, a first output shaft facing upward and a second output shaft facing downward, the first output shaft outputs the rotational drive force of the kneading rotation shaft, and the second output shaft outputs the rotational drive force used for vibration by the vibration generating mechanism.

Preferably, the drive unit has a transmission shaft that transmits the rotational driving force output from the drive motor to the kneading rotation shaft, the transmission shaft is arranged so that its axis is horizontal and faces the front-to-rear direction, and the kneading drive shaft is arranged so that its axis is horizontal and faces the left-to-right direction, the front part of the transmission shaft is connected perpendicular to the first output shaft via a first gear case, and the rear part is connected perpendicular to the kneading drive shaft via a second gear case, and the rotational driving force output from the first output shaft is transmitted to the kneading rotation shaft.

Preferably, the vibration generating mechanism is a mechanism that converts the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft into vibration motion, and has a boss member to which the second output shaft is attached, and a shaft body that is eccentrically disposed on the boss member.

Preferably, the boss member having the eccentric shaft rotates eccentrically due to the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft, causing the vibration massage member to vibrate, and the pressure projections to apply the vibration massage action to the soles of the feet.

Preferably, the vibration massage mechanism has a vibration generating mechanism that converts the rotational driving force output from the drive motor into a vibration massage action, and a sole massage member that applies a vibration massage action to the sole of the foot, the sole massage member having a bulging portion that protrudes upward, the bulging portion having an open space in the left-right direction, and the kneading rotation shaft passing through the space.

The lower leg massage machine of the present invention is capable of performing kneading massage on the lower legs and vibration massage on the entire sole or part of the sole with a single drive motor, and is provided with a space large enough to accommodate a flat plate-shaped member that performs vibration massage on the entire sole or part of the sole.

1 is a front perspective view showing an example of a usage mode of a lower leg massage machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an outline of an internal structure of a lower leg massage machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a front perspective view showing an outline of the internal structure of a lower leg massage machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is an exploded view of a vibration massage mechanism, a vibration generating mechanism, and the like. FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an exploded view of a vibration massage mechanism, a vibration generating mechanism, and the like of the first embodiment. 1 is a side view showing an outline of an internal structure of a lower leg massage machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing an internal structure of a lower leg massage machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front perspective view showing an internal structure of a lower leg massage machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the lower leg massage machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this specific example. Also, in order to make the drawings easier to see, some of the components are omitted and drawn using virtual lines.

The front, back, left and right directions of the lower leg massage machine 1 are as shown in the drawings. These directions correspond to the directions seen by a user who has inserted his/her lower leg L into the lower leg massage machine 1 and is seated on a chair or the like. In the following explanation, the directions shown in the drawings will be the directions when explaining the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention.

Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a lower leg massage machine 1 according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the area from the user's calf C (lower leg) to the foot F is the lower leg L, which is the treatment area for the kneading massage. The entire back side of the foot F, including the arch, is the sole U, which is the treatment area for the vibration massage.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention is configured to simultaneously perform a kneading massage on both the left and right lower legs L of the user as the target (treatment area) of the massage, by squeezing and kneading both the foot F and the calf C (lower leg) that constitute the lower leg L, and a vibration massage that applies a vibration motion to the sole U of the foot.

In other words, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention is capable of providing a pressure massage similar to finger pressure on the sole U of the foot through vibration motions when the foot F is pressed downward by the kneading massage.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the first embodiment has a kneading massage mechanism 2 that applies a kneading massage action to the user's lower leg L from the calf C to the foot F (toes), which is the treatment area of the user, a vibration massage mechanism 3 that applies a vibration massage action to the sole U, which is the treatment area of the user, a drive unit 5 that drives the kneading massage mechanism 2 and the vibration massage mechanism 3, and a case body 6 that houses the kneading massage mechanism 2, the vibration massage mechanism 3, and the drive unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the case body 6 of the first embodiment is a housing having a substantially cubic shape. The case body 6 may be, for example, a horizontally or vertically long rectangular parallelepiped housing, or a substantially boot-shaped housing in side view, and is not particularly limited. The case body 6 has a left treatment recess 7L and a right treatment recess 7R arranged side by side at a fixed interval.

The left treatment recess 7L is a portion into which the left lower limb L can be inserted, and is provided on the left front surface of the case body 6 in an open manner from above to the front. Similarly, the right treatment recess 7R is a portion into which the right lower limb L can be inserted, and is provided on the right front surface of the case body 6 in an open manner from above to the front. Although not shown, the left and right treatment recesses 7L and 7R are provided with smooth lining material that is pleasant to the touch.

In the first embodiment, an operating section 6a that can be operated by the user is provided on the top of the case body 6. A gripping section 6b that can be held by the user is provided on the left and right side walls of the case body 6. Four legs 6c that support the case body 6 are provided on the bottom of the case body 6. A power supply section 6d to which a power cord that supplies power to the drive section 5 is connected is also provided on the bottom of the case body 6.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the drive unit 5 is disposed midway up and down inside the case body 6, between the left inner kneading massage member 14b and the right inner kneading massage member 14c (approximately in the center of the case body 6).

The drive unit 5 has a drive motor 4 that generates a rotational drive force, a first gear case 9 that reduces the rotational drive force to a predetermined speed and transmits it to a transmission shaft 10, a transmission shaft 10 that transmits the rotational drive force output from the drive motor 4 to a kneading rotation shaft 13, and a second gear case 11 that reduces the rotational drive force to a predetermined speed and transmits it to the kneading rotation shaft 13. The drive unit 5 has one drive motor 4. This drive unit 5 is supported by a support member 12a that stands upright from the bottom of the case body 6.

In the first embodiment, one drive motor 4 is provided, which outputs a rotational drive force used for the kneading massage operation and a rotational drive force used for the vibration massage operation.

That is, in the first embodiment, one drive motor 4 is capable of rocking the kneading massage member 14 (kneading plate) of the kneading massage mechanism 2 and vibrating the vibrating massage member 24 (vibration plate 24) of the vibration massage mechanism 3.

The drive motor 4 in the first embodiment has two output shafts 8 (both shafts), and the output shafts 8 are arranged so that their axial centers face up and down. In other words, the drive motor 4 is a two-shaft motor with a first output shaft 8a facing up and a second output shaft 8b facing down. The drive motor 4 is arranged so that its main body is vertical, and is supported by a support member 12b erected from the bottom of the case body 6.

That is, the drive motor 4 is supported from below by the support member 12b, by being fixed with screws via a rectangular flat support plate 4a at the lower front side inside the case body 6. The drive motor 4 is suspended by the height of the support member 12b.

The first output shaft 8a is arranged so that its axis faces upward, and a worm gear is attached to it. The first output shaft 8a outputs the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft 13. The first output shaft 8a is connected to the transmission shaft 10 by the first gear case 9.

The second output shaft 8b is arranged so that its axis faces downward, and outputs the rotational driving force used for vibration by the vibration generating mechanism 23. The second output shaft 4b is connected to the vibration generating mechanism 23.

A first gear case 9 (front gear case 9) is provided above the drive motor 4. The first gear case 9 houses multiple gears. A first output shaft 8a with an axis facing upward is inserted into this first gear case, and a transmission shaft 10 with an axis facing forward and backward is inserted into the first gear case.

More specifically, a hole penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the bottom of the first gear case 9. The first output shaft 8a is inserted through this hole. In addition, a hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the rear wall surface of the first gear case 9. The transmission shaft 10 is inserted through this hole. The first gear case 9 serves as a support member that rotatably supports the transmission shaft 10 via a bearing.

In this first gear case 9, the first output shaft 8a and the transmission shaft 10 are connected in a perpendicular direction. In addition, the worm gear provided on the first output shaft 8a meshes with the worm wheel provided on the front part of the transmission shaft 10.

The transmission shaft 10 is disposed behind the first gear case 9 with its axis horizontal and facing the front-to-rear direction. The front part of the transmission shaft 10 is inserted into the first gear case 9, and the rear part is inserted into the second gear case 11.

The transmission shaft 10 is rotatably supported by the first gear case 9 and the second gear case 11 via bearings. In other words, the transmission shaft 10 is arranged to span between the first gear case 9 (front gear case 9) and the second gear case 11.

The front of the transmission shaft 10 is connected to the first output shaft 8a in a direction perpendicular to the first output shaft 8a (perpendicular to the front-to-back and up-to-down directions) via the first gear case 9, and the rear of the transmission shaft 10 is connected to the kneading rotation shaft 13 in a direction perpendicular to the first output shaft 8a (perpendicular to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions) via the second gear case 11, and transmits the rotational driving force output from the first output shaft 8a to the kneading rotation shaft 13.

A second gear case 11 (rear gear case 11) is disposed behind the transmission shaft 10. A plurality of gears are housed in the second gear case 11. The transmission shaft 10 is inserted into the second gear case 11, and a kneading rotation shaft 13 is provided penetrating the second gear case 11 in the left-right direction.

More specifically, a hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the front wall surface of the second gear case 11. The transmission shaft 10 is inserted through this hole. In addition, a hole penetrating in the left-right direction is formed in each of the left and right side wall surfaces of the second gear case 11. The kneading rotation shaft 13 is inserted in a penetrating state through this hole. The second gear case 11 serves as a support member that rotatably supports the transmission shaft 10 and the kneading rotation shaft 13 via bearings.

In this second gear case 11, the transmission shaft 10 and the kneading rotation shaft 13 are connected perpendicularly. In addition, a worm gear provided at the rear of the transmission shaft 10 meshes with a worm wheel provided at the midpoint of the kneading rotation shaft 13 in the longitudinal direction.

Here, we will explain in detail the transmission path of the rotational driving force from the drive motor 4 to the kneading massage mechanism 2 (the arrangement of the drive unit 5).

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the drive motor 4 is arranged so that the axis of the first output shaft 8a faces upward, and the axis of the second output shaft 8b faces downward. The first output shaft 8a is inserted into the first gear case 9. In addition, the front part of the transmission shaft 10, whose axis faces in the fore-and-aft direction, is inserted into the first gear case 9.

In the first gear case 9, the first output shaft 8a and the transmission shaft 10 are connected perpendicularly, and the worm gear of the first output shaft 8a meshes with the worm wheel at the front of the transmission shaft 10.

The rear of the transmission shaft 10 is inserted into the second gear case 11. The second gear case 11 also has a kneading drive shaft 13 that passes through it and has a horizontal axis that faces the left and right directions.

In the second gear case 11, the transmission shaft 10 and the kneading drive shaft 13 are connected perpendicularly, and a worm gear provided at the rear of the transmission shaft 10 meshes with a worm wheel provided at the midpoint of the kneading rotation shaft 13 in the longitudinal direction.

In other words, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 4 is input from the first output shaft 8a to the upper first gear case 9, transmitted to the transmission shaft 10, input from the transmission shaft 10 to the rear second gear case 11, where it is decelerated to a predetermined speed and transmitted to the kneading rotation shaft 13.

The drive unit 5 rotates the kneading rotation shaft 13 by rotating the first output shaft 8a of the drive motor 4, and the kneading conversion unit 15 converts the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft 13 into a kneading massage operation, and drives the kneading massage mechanism 2 of the kneading massage unit by performing a kneading massage operation in which the kneading massage member 14 consisting of the horizontal massage unit 16 and the vertical massage unit 17 is swung left and right.

The drive unit 5 drives the kneading massage mechanism 2 and simultaneously rotates the boss member 25 equipped with the eccentric shaft 27 in the vibration generating mechanism 23 by rotating the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4. This eccentric rotation is transmitted to the vibration massage member 24, which vibrates back and forth and side to side, thereby operating the vibration massage mechanism 3 of the sole massage section.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the kneading massage unit is provided with a left kneading massage unit (left treatment recess 7L) that applies a kneading massage action to the left lower leg L, and a right kneading massage unit (right treatment recess 7R) that applies a kneading massage action to the right lower leg L, which are arranged separately on the left and right, and are equipped with a kneading massage mechanism 2 that, when driven by a single drive motor 4, clamps and massages the left and right lower legs L.

The kneading massage mechanism 2 has a kneading rotation shaft 13 that rotates with the rotational driving force output from the drive motor 4, a pair of left and right kneading massage members 14 that apply a kneading massage action by clamping the lower leg L, and a kneading conversion unit 15 that converts the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft 13 into a kneading massage action.

The kneading rotation shaft 13 (the rotation drive shaft for kneading massage) is a long shaft member, and one is provided at the rear side of the case body 6. The kneading rotation shaft 13 is provided across the width of the case body 6 so that the axis is horizontal and faces the left and right directions.

The kneading rotation shaft 13 is provided so as to penetrate the base end side of the kneading massage member 14 (between the horizontal massage part 16 and the vertical massage part 17) in the left-right direction. When the user inserts the lower leg L into the treatment recess 7, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is located at the rear between the upper heel and the calf C of the foot F sandwiched between the pair of left and right kneading massage members 14.

The kneading rotation shaft 13 is supported at both ends by support members 12c erected from the bottom of the case body 6, and at the midpoint in the longitudinal direction by support member 12a. In other words, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is supported by the three support members 12a and 12c via bearings. The kneading rotation shaft 13 is arranged to penetrate the base ends of the pair of left and right kneading massage members 14 in the left-right direction.

In the first embodiment, the kneading massage member 14 (kneading plate) is formed in a boot shape (approximately L-shape) in a side view so as to fit along the lower leg L that connects from the calf C to the foot F.

The kneading massage members 14 are arranged in the left kneading massage section (left treatment recess 7L) at a distance from each other so as to sandwich the left lower leg L, and a pair of kneading massage members 14a, 14b are arranged to apply a kneading massage action to the left lower leg L. Specifically, the left outer kneading massage member 14a covers the left lower leg L from the left side, and the left inner kneading massage member 14b covers the left lower leg L from the right side.

In addition, in the right kneading massage section (right treatment recess 7R), a pair of kneading massage members 14c, 14d are arranged spaced apart from each other to sandwich the right lower leg L and apply a kneading massage action to the right lower leg L. Specifically, the right inner kneading massage member 14c covers the right lower leg L from the left side, and the right outer kneading massage member 14d covers the right lower leg L from the right side.

That is, a left kneading massage section (left treatment recess 7L) equipped with kneading massage members 14a, 14b for the left lower leg L, and a right kneading massage section (right treatment recess 7R) equipped with kneading massage members 14c, 14d for the right lower leg L are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides at a fixed distance (approximately shoulder width).

The kneading massage member 14 has a horizontal massage section 16 that is horizontal and protrudes forward to cover the foot F, and a vertical massage section 17 that protrudes upward from the rear of the horizontal massage section 16 to cover the calf C.

The horizontal massage section 16 is disposed in the case body 6 so as to protrude substantially horizontally and forward. This horizontal massage section 16 is shaped to cover the foot F (from the toes to the heels) from the sides.

A pair of horizontal massage parts 16 are provided on the left and right sides below the treatment recess 7 so as to sandwich the foot F, which is the treatment part. The horizontal massage parts 16 apply a kneading massage action to the foot F inserted into the treatment recess 7 by squeezing it from the outside and kneading it.

More specifically, the horizontal massage portion 16 of the left outer kneading massage member 14a covers the left foot F from the left side, and the horizontal massage portion 16 of the left inner kneading massage member 14b covers the left foot F from the right side.

The horizontal massage portion 16 of the right inner kneading massage member 14c covers the right foot F from the left side, and the horizontal massage portion 16 of the right outer kneading massage member 14d covers the right foot F from the right side.

The vertical massage section 17 is disposed so as to protrude upward in a substantially vertical direction within the case body 6. In other words, the vertical massage section 17 is provided so as to rise upward from the rear of the horizontal massage section 16.

The vertical massage parts 17 are shaped to cover the calves C (from below the knees to the ankles) from the sides, and are arranged in pairs on the left and right sides at the rear of the treatment recess 7 so as to sandwich the calves C. The vertical massage parts 17 apply a kneading massage action to the calves C inserted into the treatment recess 7, squeezing and kneading them by pressing from the outside.

More specifically, the vertical massage portion 17 of the left outer kneading massage member 14a covers the left calf C from the left side, and the vertical massage portion 17 of the left inner kneading massage member 14b covers the left calf C from the right side.

The vertical massage portion 17 of the right inner kneading massage member 14c covers the right calf C from the left side, and the vertical massage portion 17 of the right outer kneading massage member 14d covers the right calf C from the right side.

That is, the rear of the horizontal massage section 16 and the lower part of the vertical massage section 17 are connected so that the kneading massage member 14 has a roughly L-shape when viewed from the side. The connection part between the horizontal massage section 16 and the vertical massage section 17 is the base end of the kneading massage member 14.

In other words, the base end of the kneading massage member 14 is located below the vertical massage section 17 and at the rear of the horizontal massage section 16. At the base end of the kneading massage member 14, a kneading conversion section 15 is provided that converts the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft 13 into a kneading massage action.

In other words, the vertical massage section 17 and the horizontal massage section 16 are connected via the kneading conversion section 15. The kneading rotation shaft 13 is arranged to penetrate the kneading conversion section 15 in the left-right direction.

In the first embodiment, the kneading conversion unit 15 is provided at the base end, which is the bent portion of the boot-shaped (approximately L-shaped) kneading massage member 14. In other words, the kneading conversion unit 15 is provided above the rear of the horizontal massage unit 16. The kneading conversion unit 15 converts the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft 13 into the approaching and retracting motion of the pair of horizontal massage unit 16 and vertical massage unit 17 (kneading massage motion of the kneading massage member 14).

The kneading drive shaft 13 is arranged to pass through this kneading conversion section 15. The kneading conversion section 15 (kneading rotation shaft 13) is located rearward of the base end of the kneading massage member 14 (the rear part of the horizontal massage section 16 and the lower part of the vertical massage section 17).

In other words, the kneading conversion section 15 is provided at the base end of the kneading massage member 14 so that it is located rearward between the upper heel and the calf C of the foot F sandwiched between the pair of kneading massage members 14 when the user inserts the lower leg L into the treatment recess 7.

The kneading conversion unit 15 is rotatably attached to the kneading rotation shaft 13 and has an inclined boss member 18 that rotates integrally with the kneading rotation shaft 13, an annular fitting portion 19 that is provided at the base end of the kneading massage member 14 and fits onto the inclined boss member 18, and a restricting portion 20 that restricts the kneading massage member 14 from rotating together with the kneading rotation shaft 13.

The inclined boss member 18 has a hole formed in the center, through which the kneading rotation shaft 13 passes. The inclined boss member 18 has a cam surface on its outer circumferential surface that is inclined with respect to the axis of the kneading rotation shaft 13. The inclination of the inclined boss member 18 (cam surface) is inclined in the opposite directions (for example, V-shaped when viewed from the front) relative to each other in the pair of kneading massage members 14.

The annular fitting portion 19 is formed at the base end of the kneading massage member 14, and the inclined boss member 18 is fitted onto the annular fitting portion 19 in a freely rotatable state. The inclined boss member 18 fitted onto the annular fitting portion 19 rotates at an angle relative to the axis of the kneading rotation shaft 13, so that when the pair of horizontal massage parts 16 approach each other, the pair of vertical massage parts 17 move apart, and when the horizontal massage parts 16 move apart, the vertical massage parts 17 move closer together, performing a rocking motion.

The restricting portion 20 is disposed below the annular fitting portion 19 and restricts the annular fitting portion 19 from co-rotating with the inclined boss member 18. The restricting portion 20 has a restricting pin 21 provided below the annular fitting portion 19 and a restricting groove 22 provided in the case body 6 and into which the restricting pin 21 slides freely. The restricting pin 21 swings left and right in a substantially horizontal direction within the restricting groove 22, restricting the kneading massage member 14 from co-rotating.

The kneading massage mechanism 2 and the drive unit 5 (drive motor 4), which have been described in detail above, are supported at four points by support members 12a, 12b, and 12c, and are arranged in a state where they are floating above the bottom inside the case body 6. In addition, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is provided above the rear of the horizontal massage unit 16, penetrating the kneading conversion unit 15.

5, in the first embodiment, a "space S" is formed in the bottom of the case body 6. The space S is provided in front of the support member 12a in the case body 6, at a height from the bottom surface of the case body 6 to the horizontal massage part 16, and in an area having a width of the kneading massage mechanism 2.

Conventionally, the kneading drive shaft 13 was located at the bottom inside the case body 6 and was arranged in the horizontal massage section 16. In other words, the kneading drive shaft 13 was arranged penetrating the kneading conversion section 15, so the kneading massage member 14 was located at a position higher by the height of the kneading conversion section 15.

In addition, since the kneading drive shaft 13 is located at the bottom inside the case body 6, the vibration massage member 24 (details will be described later) of the vibration massage mechanism 3 is provided so as to straddle the kneading drive shaft 13. Therefore, the thickness (height) of the vibration massage member 24 is large, and accordingly, the height of the space S needs to be increased to ensure this.

In the present invention, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body 6 that houses the kneading massage mechanism 2. In other words, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is disposed above the vibration massage member 24. In the first embodiment, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is provided at a high position (above the rear of the horizontal massage section 16, about halfway up in the height direction inside the case body 6).

In this way, since the kneading rotation shaft 13 is not placed at the bottom inside the case body 6, a space S is provided at the bottom inside the case body 6, and the height of the space S can be reduced. Accordingly, the thickness of the vibration massage member 24 placed in the space S can also be reduced.

The drive motor 4 is also arranged at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body 6. In the first embodiment, the kneading rotation shaft 13 (kneading conversion unit 15) is provided above the rear of the kneading massage member 14, and the drive motor 4 is provided above the front of the kneading massage member 14, so the horizontal massage unit 16 can be positioned lower in the height direction.

In this way, by arranging the kneading rotation shaft 13 and other parts at a position away from the bottom of the case body 6 on the upper side, the effect of being able to make the height of the space S and the vibration massage member 24 as low as possible is achieved. Therefore, the overall height of the lower leg massage machine 1 can also be made low.

More specifically, the drive motor 4 is disposed at the front of the case body 6 at a predetermined height above the bottom (approximately the height of the support member 12b). The kneading rotation shaft 13 is disposed at the rear of the kneading massage member 14 at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body 6 (approximately the height of the support member 12a (above the horizontal massage section 16)). The horizontal massage section 16 of the kneading massage member 14 is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body 6 (approximately the same height as the drive motor 4).

In other words, the height of the space S is ensured to be larger than the distance from the bottom of the case body 6 to the drive motor 4, the kneading rotation shaft 13, and the horizontal massage section 16. The width of the space S (length in the front-to-back direction) is also ensured to be larger than the length of the horizontal massage section 16. The width of the space S (length in the left-to-right direction) is also ensured to be larger than the distance from the left outer kneading massage member 14a to the right outer kneading massage member 14d.

In other words, on the bottom side of the case body 6, between the drive motor 4, the kneading massage member 14a on the left outer side, and the kneading massage member 14d on the right outer side, and below the kneading rotation shaft 13, there is a wide "space S" at a predetermined height in both the front-rear and left-right directions.

A vibration massage member 24 constituting the vibration massage mechanism 3 (sole massage section) is disposed in the space S. In addition, the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 (vibration motor) is disposed so as to face downward toward the sole massage section provided in the space S.

A vibration generating mechanism 23 for the sole massage section is provided at the tip of the second output shaft 8b. Therefore, in the sole massage section, vibrations are generated in response to the rotational driving force of the second output shaft 8b.

2 to 5, the sole massage unit applies a vibration massage action from below to the sole U of the user's foot F inserted into the treatment recess 7. The sole massage unit includes a vibration massage mechanism 3 that, when driven by a drive motor 4, applies a vibration massage action to the sole U, which is the treatment area of the user.

The vibration massage mechanism 3 has a vibration generating mechanism 23 that converts the rotational driving force output from the drive motor 4 into a vibration massage action, and a flat vibration massage member 24 that applies a vibration massage action to the sole U.

The vibration generating mechanism 23 is a mechanism that converts the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft 8b into vibration motion, and has a boss member 25 to which the second output shaft 8b is attached, and a shaft body 27 that is eccentrically disposed on the boss member 25.

The boss member 25 is a member that is attached to the second output shaft 8b. This boss member 25 is a member formed in a flange shape, with a disk member 28 provided on the upper side and a small diameter shaft body 27 provided on the lower side. The disk member 28 is a member that has a concave shape in cross section. A weight portion 26 is provided on one side of the inside of the concave shape of the disk member 28.

The boss member 25 is provided with a shaft body 27. This shaft body 27 is provided eccentrically in the boss member 25. In other words, the shaft body 27 is provided in the boss member 25 so that its axis is offset from the axis of the second output shaft 8b. In other words, the axis of the shaft body 27 is not collinear with the axis of the second output shaft 8b.

That is, the second output shaft 8b is attached to the boss member 25. The shaft body 27 provided on the boss member 25 is attached to the vibration massage member 24 via a bearing 29. That is, the second output shaft 8b is rotatably supported by the vibration massage member 24 via the boss member 25, the shaft body 27, and the bearing 29. This causes the boss member 25 to rotate eccentrically, and the eccentric rotation is transmitted to the vibration massage member 24 via the bearing 29.

The boss member 25 is a rotatable flange-shaped member to which the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 is attached. The boss member 25 of the first embodiment has a structure with a shaft body 27 that is eccentrically disposed from the center of the disk member 28, forming a bias, and rotates eccentrically by providing a center of gravity at a position eccentric to the center of the disk member 28.

In other words, the shaft body 27 is provided on the disk member 28 eccentrically with respect to the second output shaft 8b, so that the boss member 25 of the first embodiment becomes an eccentric boss member. This eccentric boss member 25 converts the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 into eccentric rotational motion for vibrating the vibrating massage member 24.

In this way, the boss member 25, which has the shaft body 27 eccentrically disposed relative to the second output shaft 8b, converts the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 into eccentric rotation, causing the vibration massage member 24 to vibrate, and the pressure projections 31 to apply a vibration massage action to the sole U.

The vibration massage member 24 (vibration plate 24) is large enough to perform vibration massage on the entire surface of the right sole U and the entire surface of the left sole U, and has a through hole 30 in the center in which the vibration generating mechanism 23 is installed. The boss member 25 is inserted into the through hole 30 via a bearing 29. In other words, the second output shaft 8b is supported rotatably by the vibration massage member 24.

The vibration massage member 24 is a rectangular flat plate that is wide in all directions (especially in the width direction) and is positioned with a backward incline so that the heel side of the foot F is lower (the toes are raised) in a side view.

The vibration massage member 24 in the first embodiment has a front-to-rear length that is approximately the same as the length of the horizontal massage section 16, and a width that is approximately the same as the distance from the left outer kneading massage member 14a to the right outer kneading massage member 14d.

The vibration massage member 24 also has a large, convex pressure projection 31 on the upper surface corresponding to the arch of the sole U. The pressure projection 31 is a member with a roughly hemispherical appearance that bulges upward. When the vibration massage member 24 vibrates, the pressure projection 31 is capable of stimulating the arch (pressure point) of the sole U.

In addition, a plurality of treatment elements 32 are provided in front of and behind the pressing protrusion 31. The treatment elements 32 are members that are lower than the pressing protrusion 31 and protrude in a convex shape. The treatment elements 32 are members formed in a substantially hemispherical shape that bulges upward. Since a plurality of treatment elements 32 are provided, it is possible to perform a vibration massage on the entire surface (excluding the arch) of the right sole U and the left sole U, and it is possible to stimulate the soles U.

The vibrating massage member 24 has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction, and has holes 33 formed at approximately the four corners (the front left and right corners and the rear left and right corners) of its underside. A cylindrical vibration plate support 34 is inserted into the holes 33. The holes 33 have an inner diameter that allows the vibration plate support 34 to be fitted into them.

The vibration plate support 34 supports the vibration massage member 24 from below. This vibration massage member 24 rotates together with the shaft 27 (boss member 25) as it rotates via the bearing 29, but the provision of the vibration plate support 34 prevents the vibration massage member 24 from rotating together.

A cylindrical vibration member 34a is provided at the vertical midpoint of the vibration plate support 34. The vibration member 34a is made of an elastic material (rubber). The vibration member 34a (vibration plate support 34) is flexible, and generates vibrations in the vibrating massage member 24.

In other words, in the vibrating member 34a, the eccentric rotation of the boss member 25 transmitted via the bearing 29 is converted into vibration of the vibrating massage member 24. The vibrating massage member 24 generates vibration by providing the vibrating member 34a (rubber member) on the vibrating plate support 34.

The vibrating member 34a also absorbs vibrations by vibrating, suppressing their transmission to the case body 6. The reason for this is that if the diaphragm support 34 were a rod-shaped member, the vibrations would be transmitted to the case body 6, causing the entire unit to vibrate significantly, so the diaphragm support 34 is provided with the vibrating member 34a made of an elastic material (rubber member). In other words, the vibrating member 34a also acts as a vibration-proof rubber that dampens vibrations.

Axes 34b are provided above and below the vibration member 34a. The upper axle 34b of the vibration plate support 34 is inserted into the hole 33. The lower axle 34b of the vibration plate support 34 is inserted into the hole 6e provided in the case body 6.

The four-point support of the vibration plate supports 34 allows the vibration massage member 24 to be positioned so that it is floating above the bottom inside the case body 6. This makes it easier for the vibration massage member 24 to vibrate as the vibration member 34a of the vibration plate supports 34 flexes. In addition, the vibration member 34a flexes to absorb the vibrations, thereby preventing the vibrations of the vibration massage member 24 from being transmitted to the case body 6.

In addition, two through holes 35 through which the support member 12b passes are provided in the center of the vibration massage member 24. In other words, these through holes 35 are holes for avoiding the support member 12b. The inner diameter of the through holes 35 is larger than the outer diameter of the support member 12b.

In this way, when the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 rotates, the rotational driving force causes the boss member 25, on which the shaft body 27 is mounted, to rotate eccentrically relative to the second output shaft 8b, and this eccentric rotation is transmitted to the vibrating massage member 24. In other words, the eccentric rotation is converted into vibration by the vibration generating mechanism 23, causing the vibrating massage member 24 to vibrate back and forth and side to side, and the pressure protrusions 31 and the treatment elements 32 apply a vibration massage to the entire soles U of the left and right feet.
[Operation mode]
Next, the operation of the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user sits on a chair and inserts the lower leg L from the foot F to the calf C into the treatment recesses 7L, 7R of the lower leg massage machine 1. The user operates the operating unit 6a to turn on the power and drive the drive unit 5.

As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the drive motor 4 outputs a rotational drive force from a first output shaft 8a whose axis faces upward, and at the same time outputs a rotational drive force from a second output shaft 8b whose axis faces downward.

The rotational driving force output from the first output shaft 8a is input to a first gear case 9 (front gear case 9). Because the worm gear of the first output shaft 8a meshes with the worm wheel at the front of the transmission shaft 10, the rotational driving force is transmitted to the transmission shaft 10, whose axis faces the front-rear direction, within the first gear case 9. Here, because the first output shaft 8a and the transmission shaft 10 are connected in an orthogonal direction, the output (transmission) direction of the rotational driving force switches from the upward direction to the rearward direction.

The rotational driving force is input to the second gear case 11 (rear gear case 11) by the transmission shaft 10. The worm gear provided at the rear of the transmission shaft 10 meshes with a worm wheel provided at the middle of the longitudinal direction of the kneading rotation shaft 13, so the rotational driving force is transmitted within the second gear case 11 to the kneading drive shaft 13, whose axis is horizontal and faces the left and right directions.

The rotational drive force here switches its output (transmission) direction from the rear to the left and right because the transmission shaft 10 and the kneading drive shaft 13 are connected perpendicularly. The kneading drive shaft 13 rotates due to the rotational drive force.

In other words, the rotational driving force from the first output shaft 8a is input to the upper first gear case 9 and transmitted to the transmission shaft 10, and then input from the transmission shaft 10 to the rear second gear case 11, where it is decelerated to a predetermined speed and transmitted to the kneading rotation shaft 13.

When the kneading rotation shaft 13 rotates, the rotational driving force is converted by the kneading conversion section 15 into a rocking motion for performing the kneading massage action of the kneading massage member 14. That is, the inclined boss member 18 fitted onto the annular fitting section 19 of the kneading massage member 14 rotates at an incline with respect to the axis of the kneading rotation shaft 13. Due to the inclined rotation of the inclined boss member 18, when the pair of horizontal massage parts 16 approach each other, the pair of vertical massage parts 17 move apart, and when the horizontal massage parts 16 move apart, the vertical massage parts 17 move closer to each other (rocking motion).

In this way, the pair of horizontal massage parts 16 sandwich the foot F and provide a kneading massage action, while the pair of vertical massage parts 17 sandwich the calf C and provide a kneading massage action. In other words, the kneading massage members 14 provide a kneading massage action that presses upward from the bottom to the calf C of the foot F.

On the other hand, the rotational driving force of the second output shaft 8b, which is output simultaneously with the rotational driving force of the first output shaft 8a, is transmitted to the vibration generating mechanism 23. In the vibration generating mechanism 23, the boss member 25 rotates due to the rotational driving force of the second output shaft 8b. Since the shaft body 27 is provided in the boss member 25 eccentrically with respect to the second output shaft 8b, the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft 8b is converted into eccentric rotational motion by the boss member 25.

Since the second output shaft 8b is connected to the vibration massage member 24 via the boss member 25, the eccentric rotational motion of the boss member 25 is transmitted to the vibration massage member 24, causing the vibration massage member 24 to vibrate back and forth and left and right. At this time, the vibration member 34a of the vibration plate support 34 bends, causing the vibration massage member 24 to vibrate more. In addition, the bending of the vibration member 34a suppresses transmission to the case body 6.

The vibration massage member 24 applies a vibration massage action to the sole of the foot U in conjunction with the clamping action of the horizontal massage section 16. That is, as the sole of the foot U is pressed downward by the clamping action of the horizontal massage section 16, the pressure projections 31 of the vibration massage member 24 apply a pressure massage action of finger pressure in an upward direction to stimulate the arch of the sole of the foot U, and the multiple treatment elements 32 apply a pressure massage action of finger pressure in an upward direction to stimulate the entire surface of the sole of the foot U except for the arch.

In this way, at the same time as the kneading massage member 14 performs the kneading massage, the boss member 25, which has the shaft body 27 mounted eccentrically relative to the second output shaft 8b, converts the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 into eccentric rotation, causing the vibration massage member 24 to vibrate, and the pressure projections 31 and treatment elements 32 provide a vibration massage action to the sole U.

According to the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention, with a single drive motor 4, the kneading massage mechanism 2 can perform a kneading massage on the lower leg L, and the vibration massage mechanism 3 can perform a vibration massage on the entire sole U.

That is, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention can effectively perform a massage consisting of kneading massage and vibration massage on the entire lower leg L from the foot F to the calf C and the sole U. Also, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention has a space S large enough to accommodate a flat vibration massage member 24 that performs a vibration massage on the entire sole U. [Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the lower leg massage machine 1 according to the present invention will be described below.

The second embodiment is as shown in Figures 6 and 7. In the following explanation, the parts and configurations that differ from the first embodiment will be explained in detail. The other configurations are substantially the same as the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted or simplified.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the second embodiment has a kneading massage mechanism 2 that applies a kneading massage action to the user's lower leg L from the calf C to the foot F, which is the treatment area of the user, a vibration massage mechanism 3 that applies a vibration massage action to the sole U, which is the treatment area of the user, a drive unit 5 that drives the kneading massage mechanism 2 and the vibration massage mechanism 3, and a case body 6 that houses the kneading massage mechanism 2, the vibration massage mechanism 3, and the drive unit 5.

Regarding the lower limb massage machine 1 of the second embodiment, the shape of the case body 6 and the kneading massage mechanism 2 are substantially similar to those of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the vibration massage mechanism 3 is different from that of the first embodiment.

First, the drive unit 5 is disposed in the middle of the case body 6 in the vertical direction, between the left inner kneading massage member 14b and the right inner kneading massage member 14c (approximately in the left-right center of the case body 6).

The drive unit 5 has a drive motor 4 that generates a rotational driving force, and a gear mechanism 43 that transmits the rotational driving force generated by the drive motor 4 to the kneading rotation shaft 13. The drive motor 4 has two output shafts 8, one above the other (both shafts), with a first output shaft 8a facing upward and a second output shaft 8b facing downward. The gear mechanism 43 that transmits the rotational driving force of the first output shaft 8a to the kneading rotation shaft 13 is composed of a worm gear 44 formed on the output shaft of the drive motor, a worm wheel 45 that screws into it, and a spur gear 46 for deceleration. Through this gear mechanism 43, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 4 is transmitted to the kneading rotation shaft 13 arranged inside the case body 6 so as to face the left and right directions. The rotational driving force transmitted to the kneading rotation shaft 13 is converted by the kneading conversion unit 15 into a rocking motion by a pair of left and right kneading massage members 14a, 14b and 14c, 14d.

On the other hand, the vibration massage mechanism 3 has a vibration generating mechanism 23 that converts the rotational driving force output from the drive motor 4 into a vibration massage motion, and a flat vibration substrate 40 that applies a vibration massage motion to the sole U.

The vibration generating mechanism 23 has a disk member 28 attached to the second output shaft 8b that protrudes downward, and a weight portion 26 is provided on one side of the inside of this disk member 28. Therefore, the rotational driving force from the second output shaft 8b is converted by the disk member 28 into vibration in the horizontal plane of the vibration substrate 40, causing the vibration substrate 40 to vibrate.

The vibration substrate 40 has a front-to-rear length that is approximately the same as the length of the horizontal massage section 16, and a width that is approximately the same as the distance from the left outer kneading massage member 14a to the right outer kneading massage member 14d. The vibration substrate 40 is supported in a floating state relative to the inner bottom surface of the case body via the vibration plate support 34, which is approximately the same as in the first embodiment.

A sole massage member 41a is provided on the upper surface of the vibration substrate 40 in a region corresponding to the arch of the sole U of the left and right feet. This sole massage member 41a is provided between the pair of left and right kneading massage members 14a, 14b, at a position corresponding to the lower ends of the kneading massage members 14a, 14b. A sole massage member 41b is also provided between the pair of left and right kneading massage members 14c, 14d. The sole massage member 41a and the sole massage member 41b have approximately the same shape. Therefore, the following description will focus on the sole massage member 41a.

The sole massage member 41a is elongated in the front-rear direction and has a roughly rectangular shape in a plan view, with the central part in the front-rear direction projecting upward in an arc shape. The lower part of this arc-shaped protruding bulge 42 is an open space (tunnel part) in the left-right direction, and the kneading rotation shaft 13 is arranged to penetrate it in the left-right direction. In other words, the bulge 42 is formed to straddle the kneading rotation shaft 13, and is arranged so that the kneading rotation shaft 13 penetrates between the top and bottom of the sole massage member 41a and the vibration substrate 40.

The front and rear ends of the underside of the sole massage member 41a are provided with pillars 48 for attaching the sole massage member 41a to the upper surface of the vibration substrate 40. In other words, the pillars 48 allow the sole massage member 41a to be attached in a floating state above the vibration substrate 40. The center of the sole massage member 41a in the front-to-rear direction is a semicircular bulge 42 as described above, which bulges out from the upper surface of the sole massager. This bulge 42 has the same effect as the pressure projection 31 of the first embodiment. The pressure projection 31 is designed to stimulate the arch of the sole U when the vibration substrate 40 vibrates.

A plurality of pressing massagers 47 are provided on the front and rear upper surfaces of the sole massage member 41a, in other words, in front of and behind the bulging portion 42. The pressing massagers 47 are convexly raised rod members with semispherical (non-sharp) tips. In the second embodiment, five pressing massagers 47 are provided in front of the bulging portion 42, and their height is lower than that of the bulging portion 42. Three pressing massagers 47 are provided on the rear side of the arc-shaped portion, and the height of the rear pressing massagers 47 is approximately the same as that of the bulging portion 42. The arrangement of the pressing massagers 47 in the horizontal plane can be changed as appropriate to suit the user's preferences, but in this embodiment, two pressing massagers 47 are provided in front of the bulging portion 42 in the front and rear directions, and one pressing massager 47 is provided between them. Three pressing massagers 47 are provided on the rear side of the bulging portion 42, lined up on the left and right.

The bulge 42 and pressure massager 47 allow for a vibration massage of the entire surface of the right and left soles U (arch, heel, toes, etc.), stimulating the soles U.

The four corners of the bottom surface of the roughly rectangular vibration substrate 40 are attached to the inside of the bottom wall of the case body 6 by vibration plate supports 34. The vertical midpoint of the vibration plate supports 34 is made of an elastic material, which prevents the vibration of the vibrating massage member 24 from propagating to the case body 6.

According to the sole massage mechanism of the second embodiment described above, when the second output shaft 8b of the drive motor 4 rotates, the rotational drive force is converted into eccentric rotation, and the eccentric rotation is transmitted to the vibration base plate 40. As a result, the sole massage members 41a and 41b vibrate, and the bulges 42 and the pressing massagers 47 provided on the sole massage members 41a and 41b apply a vibration massage to the entire soles U of the left and right feet.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is also arranged at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body 6 that houses the kneading massage mechanism 2. In other words, the kneading rotation shaft 13 is provided at a high position (above the rear of the horizontal massage section 16). Therefore, a structure can be created in which the kneading rotation shaft 13 is not arranged at the bottom inside the case body 6, and a space S is provided at the bottom inside the case body 6, and the height of the space S can be lowered. Accordingly, the height of the entire lower leg massage machine 1 can also be lowered.

The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

In particular, in the embodiments disclosed herein, matters not explicitly stated, such as operating conditions, control conditions, dimensions of components, weights, etc., are not outside the scope of what a person skilled in the art would normally do, and are matters that a person skilled in the art would easily imagine.

For example, the shape of the kneading massage member 14 provided in the kneading massage mechanism 2, the inclination angle of the kneading massage member 14 (inclined boss member 18) with respect to the kneading rotation shaft 13, the distance between the left and right kneading massage members 14a and 14b, and the distance between the left and right kneading massage members 14c and 14d, etc. can be appropriately changed in consideration of the treatment range. Also, the lower leg massage machine 1 of the present invention may be mounted on a footrest portion provided in a chair-type massage machine.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Lower limb massage machine 2 Kneading massage mechanism 3 Vibration massage mechanism 4 Drive motor 5 Drive section 6 Case body 7L Left treatment recess 7R Right treatment recess 8 Output shaft 8a First output shaft 8b Second output shaft 9 First gear case 10 Transmission shaft 11 Second gear case 13 Kneading rotation shaft 14 Kneading massage member 15 Kneading conversion section 16 Horizontal massage section 17 Vertical massage section 23 Vibration generating mechanism 24 Vibration massage member 25 Boss member 26 Weight section 27 Shaft body 28 Disc member 29 Bearing 30 Through hole 31 Pressing protrusion 32 Treatment element 33 Hole section 34 Vibration plate support 34a Vibration member 34b Shaft body 35 Through hole 40 Vibration base plate 41a Sole massage member 41b Sole massage member 42 Bulging portion 43 Gear mechanism 44 Worm gear 45 Worm wheel 46 Spur gear 47 Pressing massage element 48 Pillar portion S Space L Lower leg C Calf F Foot U Sole of foot

Claims (12)

A kneading massage unit that applies a kneading massage action to the user's treatment area, which is the lower limb from the calf to the toes;
A sole massage unit that applies a massage action to the sole of the user, which is the treatment area;
a drive unit having one drive motor for driving the kneading massage unit and the sole massage unit. The kneading massage unit includes a kneading massage mechanism that is driven by the drive motor to pinch the lower leg,
2. The lower leg massage machine according to claim 1, wherein the sole massage section includes a vibration massage mechanism that applies a vibration massage action to the sole of the foot when driven by the drive motor. The kneading massage mechanism includes:
A kneading rotation shaft that rotates by a rotational driving force output from the drive motor;
A kneading conversion unit converts the rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft into the kneading massage action;
a pair of left and right kneading massage members that are sandwiched between the lower legs to provide the kneading massage action;
The vibration massage mechanism includes:
a vibration generating mechanism for converting a rotational driving force output from the driving motor into the vibration massage motion;
3. The lower leg massage machine according to claim 2, further comprising: a flat plate-shaped vibration massage member that applies the vibration massage action to the sole of the foot. The kneading rotation shaft is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of a case body that houses the kneading massage mechanism,
The lower leg massage machine according to claim 3, wherein a space having a predetermined width and height is formed on the bottom side of the case body and below the kneading rotation shaft. The drive motor is disposed at a predetermined height above the bottom of the case body,
The lower leg massage machine according to claim 4, wherein the space is formed below the drive motor and the kneading rotation shaft. 6. The lower leg massage machine according to claim 4, wherein the vibration massage members capable of performing a vibration massage on the entire surfaces of the soles of the left and right feet are disposed in the space. 4. The lower leg massage machine according to claim 3, wherein the driving motor is provided as one motor, and outputs a rotational driving force used for the kneading massage action and a rotational driving force used for the vibration massage action. The drive motor is a two-shaft motor having a first output shaft facing upward and a second output shaft facing downward,
The first output shaft outputs a rotational driving force of the kneading rotation shaft,
The lower leg massage machine according to claim 7 , wherein the second output shaft outputs a rotational driving force used for vibration by the vibration generating mechanism. The drive unit has a transmission shaft that transmits the rotational drive force output from the drive motor to the kneading rotation shaft,
The transmission shaft is arranged so that its axis is horizontal and faces the front-rear direction, and the kneading drive shaft is arranged so that its axis is horizontal and faces the left-right direction,
The lower leg massage machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the transmission shaft has a front portion connected perpendicular to the first output shaft via a first gear case and a rear portion connected perpendicular to the kneading drive shaft via a second gear case, and transmits the rotational drive force output from the first output shaft to the kneading rotation shaft. The lower leg massage machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the vibration generating mechanism is a mechanism for converting the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft into vibration motion, and has a boss member to which the second output shaft is attached, and a shaft body eccentrically disposed on the boss member. The lower leg massage machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the boss member equipped with the eccentric shaft body converts the rotational driving force output from the second output shaft into eccentric rotation, thereby vibrating the vibration massage member, and the pressing protrusions impart the vibration massage action to the sole of the foot. The vibration massage mechanism includes a vibration generating mechanism that converts the rotational driving force output from the drive motor into a vibration massage motion, and a sole massage member that applies the vibration massage motion to the sole of the foot,
The lower leg massage machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the sole massage member has a bulging portion that protrudes upward, the bulging portion has an open space in the left-right direction, and the kneading rotation shaft passes through the space.

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