Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H15/00—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
  • A61H15/0078—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains power-driven
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
  • A61H23/02—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H15/00—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains
  • A61H2015/0007—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains with balls or rollers rotating about their own axis
  • A61H2015/0028—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains with balls or rollers rotating about their own axis disc-like, i.e. diameter substantially greater than width
  • A61H2015/0035—Massage by means of rollers, balls, e.g. inflatable, chains, or roller chains with balls or rollers rotating about their own axis disc-like, i.e. diameter substantially greater than width multiple on the same axis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
  • A61H2201/0119—Support for the device
  • A61H2201/0138—Support for the device incorporated in furniture
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
  • A61H2201/1657—Movement of interface, i.e. force application means
  • A61H2201/1664—Movement of interface, i.e. force application means linear
  • A61H2201/1669—Movement of interface, i.e. force application means linear moving along the body in a reciprocating manner
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
  • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
  • A61H2201/5007—Control means thereof computer controlled
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/10—Leg
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/12—Feet
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H2205/00—Devices for specific parts of the body
  • A61H2205/12—Feet
  • A61H2205/125—Foot reflex zones

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a massage device, and more particularly, to a leg massage and exercise device that can perform the leg join exercise as well as the massage the leg including the sole of the foot and the calf.
• a massage device is used to obtain selected stroking, rubbing and/or kneading massaging effects of the human body to increase the blood flow and obtain muscle relaxation.
• Such massage devices may be categorized into a vibration-type massage device and a kneading/rubbing-type massage device.
• the vibration-type massage is designed to convert a rotation movement of a motor into a vibration movement of a massage head.
• the kneading/rubbing-type massage device is designed to convert a rotation movement into a rubbing/kneading movement of a massage element.
• a massage device that is used for automatically massaging the leg, especially the calf, has not yet proposed. Furthermore, a device for exercising the leg has not also proposed. That is, a variety of manual tools such as a wooden stick, a bottle, and a roller-type hand pressure have been used for rubbing the calf. The use of the manual tools for massaging the leg is troublesome.
• the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a leg massage and exercise device that can be used for automatically massaging the sole of the foot and the calf in a variety of massaging patterns and perform the leg joint exercise for relieving the leg's fatigue.
• the present invention provides a massage device comprising a main body, provided with a supporting groove in which a calf of a leg can be disposed, having a signal receiving unit for receiving signals from a remote controller; a sliding member slidably inserted into the main body; first massage means for massaging the calf, the first massage means being installed on a rear side of the supporting groove; and a controller for controlling an operation of the first massage means in response to the signals which is received by the signal receiving unit.
• the first massage means comprises an electric motor; power transmission means for converting a rotational motion of the motor into a reciprocal motion; and a first massage member, fixed on the power transmission means, for massaging the calf while moving along the supporting groove.
• the massage device may further comprise second massage means for massaging a sole of a foot, the second massage means being provided on the sliding member.
• the power transmission part comprises a driving gear coupled to the rotational shaft of the motor, a driven gear engaged with the driving gear, a driving shaft for fixing the driven gear and plural rotating members, the driving shaft being rotatably supported at its both ends on the supporting part to receive the driving force of the motor, and a belt connecting the rotating members to a supporting member to convert the rotational motion of the motor into the linear motion.
• the first massage member comprises a fixing part fixed on the belt and plural rollers fixed on the fixing part and extending toward the supporting groove through a slot so as to massage the calf when the belt rotates.
• the first massage member further comprises a limit switch operated by contacting the fixing part so as to limit a reciprocal distance within a predetermined range.
• the second massage member comprises an air pump and plural pressing members connected to the air pump.
• the main body is provided with a cylinder
• the sliding member is provided with a rod capable of being inserted into the cylinder, the rod tightly contacting the cylinder so as to prevent an abrupt movement of the sliding member.
• FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of FIG. 1 ;
• FIG. 4 is a right side view of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is a plane view of a main body without a fixing band according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a plane view of a base of a main body depicted in FIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a front view of a sliding member according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show a leg massage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the inventive massage device comprises a main body 2 and a sliding member 4 slidably received in the main body 2.
• the main body 2 comprises a base 6 defining a bottom of the main body 2, a rear cover 8 detachably assembled on the base 6 to define a rear side of the main body 2, side covers 10 coupled on both sides of the rear cover 8, and a front cover 12 mounted on an upper portion of the rear cover 8 to define the front side of the main body 2.
• a first massage means for massaging the calf of the leg is mounted on the front cover 12.
• the guide rails 14 support the sliding member 4 when the sliding member 4 moves out of the main body 2, and the cylinder 18 allows a rod of the sliding member 4 to be tightly inserted into the main body 2, thereby preventing the sliding member 4 from abruptly moving during the insertion operation of the sliding member 4 into the main body 2.
• a pump 20 used during the operation of the first massaging means is mounted on a rear center portion of the base 6.
• the front cover 12 is declined rearward and provided at its front portion with a pair of supporting grooves 28 in which the calf is inserted and a signal receiving part 30 for receiving signals from the remote controller.
• Sheets are attached on the supporting grooves 28 so as to provide a smooth feeling to the calf inserted between the supporting grooves 28.
• a fixing band 34 for tightly fixing the leg inserted in the supporting grooves is provided on the front cover 12.
• the fixing band 34 is formed of fabric and provided with Velcro fastener at its one end, which is detachably attached on the attaching part 36 formed on the front cover 12.
• the first massage means for massaging the calf of the leg comprises an electric motor 40, power transmission means for converting a rotational motion of the motor 40 into a linear motion, and plural first massage members 42 fixed to the power transmission means and moving along the supporting grooves 28 to massage the calf.
• the power transmission means comprises a driving gear 44 coupled to the rotational shaft of the motor 40, a driven gear 46 engaged with the driving gear 44, a driving shaft 52 for fixing the driven gear 46 and plural rotating members 48, the driving shaft 52 being rotatably supported at its both ends on the supporting part 50 to receive the driving force of the motor 40, and a belt 56 connecting the rotating members 48 to a supporting member 54 to convert the rotational motion of the motor 40 into the linear motion.
• Limit switches 64 for limiting the reciprocal motion of the first massage members 42 within a predetermined range are mounted on the rear surface of the supporting grooves 28.
• the second massage member 66 comprises an air pump 20 installed on the base 6 and plural pressing members 68 mounted inside the supporting grooves 28.
• the sliding member 4 comprises upper and lower cases 70 and 72.
• a rod 74 capable of being inserted into the cylinder 18 of the main body 2 is installed in the lower case 72.
• plural slides 76 sliding along the guide rails 14 are fixed on the lower case 72 so that the sliding member 4 can be easily inserted into or withdrawn out of the main body.
• the controller 78 controls the power supplier 80 so as to control the massage time and mode of the first and second massage means.
• this control technology is well known in the art, the detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.
• the second massage means comprises a solenoid 82 vibrated by electric power from the power supplier 80 controlled by the controller 78, a blowing part 86 coupled on a front end of an operating shaft 84 of the solenoid 82, and a contacting part 88 for transmitting the power of the blowing part to the sole of the foot.
• the solenoid 82 of the present invention comprises a bobbin 90 with coil turns, the operating shaft 84 inserted into a central hole of the bobbin 90, and a plate 92 disposed spacing away from the bobbin 90 and fixed to the bobbin by a fixing member.
• An elastic member 94 is disposed between the operating shaft 84 and the plate 92 so as to enhance the smooth operation of the solenoid without noise.
• the sliding member 3 is first withdrawn from the main body 2, and the fixing band 34 is detached from the attaching portion 36 in a state where the cover 26 is open.
• the signals on the massage time and mode are transmitted from the remote controller to the signal receiving part 30 so that the air pump 20, the solenoid 82 and the motor 40 are controlled by the controller 78.
• the first and second massage means are selectively operated. That is, the first and second massage means rub or knead the calf and sole of the foot.
• the motor 40 is operated while being controlled by the controller 78.
• the solenoid 82 can be smoothly operated without generating the noise.
• the massage device is disposed such that the rear cover 8 of the main body can be disposed on the floor.
• the sliding member 4 is received in the main body 2 by the gravity. At this point, as the rod 74 of the sliding ember 4 tightly contact the cylinder 18, the sliding member 4 slowly moves, preventing the user and the device from being damaged.
• the heel of the user is inserted in the supporting part 98 in a state where the user lies down on the floor.
• signals on the operation mode of the supporting part 98 is transmitted from the remote controller to the signal receiving part 30, the motor 96 is operated while being controlled by the control part 78.
• the supporting part 98 reciprocally rotates, exercising the leg.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Massaging Devices (AREA)
• Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19713800

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (18)

Family Cites Families (1)

• 2001
  • 2001-08-31 KR KR1020010053301A patent/KR20030018760A/ko not_active Ceased
• 2002
  • 2002-02-14 EP EP02700852A patent/EP1420740A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-02-14 WO PCT/KR2002/000229 patent/WO2003017909A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2002-02-18 TW TW091201841U patent/TW511506U/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-03-01 JP JP2002001020U patent/JP3088296U/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2002-03-06 CN CN02207406U patent/CN2540941Y/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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