Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Device with applicator having specific movement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-16
2001-01-09
DeMille, Danton D. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Device with applicator having specific movement
C601S100000, C601S101000, C601S102000, C601S103000, C601S111000, C601S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171266
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a massaging apparatus capable of addressing diagnostic inquiries to a user for performing a proper massage based on the physical condition of the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, massaging apparatus have been provided with multiple massaging functions such as kneading, pressing, tapping and vibration. Further, there has been proposed a chair-type massaging apparatus which is adapted to massage the whole body (including the lower half of the body) of a user by activating massaging elements provided in the backrest portion, seat portion and footrest portion thereof. Such massaging apparatus are intended not only to provide a mere massage but only to achieve certain therapeutic objectives such as maintenance of health and recovery of functions.
With such conventional massaging apparatus, however, the user selects the type of massage to be performed and determines a portion to be massaged by himself or herself according to his or her own preference or based on a subjective symptom perceived by the user. Thus, where the user's judgment is improper or the user cannot judge based on his or her own knowledge, a proper massage based on the current physical condition of the user is not necessarily performed.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a massaging apparatus which is capable of judging the current physical condition of a user and providing a proper massage based on the judgment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a massaging apparatus comprising a massaging element for performing a massaging action, a drive mechanism for driving the massaging element, diagnostic inquiry means for addressing a diagnostic inquiry to a user, input means for inputting a user's answer to the diagnostic inquiry, judgment means for judging the physical condition of the user based on the user's answer, setting means for setting massaging conditions of a massage operation based on the judgment made by the judgment means, and execution means for causing the drive mechanism to drive the massaging element according to the massaging conditions set by the setting means.
With this construction, the judgment means judges the current physical condition of a user and the setting means sets massaging conditions of a massage operation based on the current physical condition of the user thus judged, whereby a proper massage accommodated to the current physical condition of the user can be provided and, hence, enhanced therapeutic effects can be obtained by the massage.
The wording “setting massaging conditions of a massage operation” herein is meant to include selecting one of predetermined massaging courses, or determining portions to be massaged (neck, shoulders, waist and the like), type of massage (kneading, tapping or the like) to be performed, massaging time and like conditions either individually or in combination. The massage courses termed in the present invention each include a fixed massaging procedure which is automatically performed.
The judgment means is preferably capable of judging the physical condition of the user to be contraindicating any massage. Where the user must not be massaged for the reason that, for example, he or she is under a medical treatment directed by a doctor or has a heart trouble, the judgment means judges the physical condition of the user to be contraindicating any massage and in response thereto the setting means does not set any massaging condition. With this feature, the user is prevented from inadvertently actuating the massaging element.
The massaging apparatus according to the present invention may be provided with output means for outputting information on the physical condition of the user based on the judgment made by the judgment means so as to let the user know the information. Thus, it is possible for the user to know his or her current physical condition judged by the judgment means.
The foregoing and other objects, features and attendant advantages will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
REFERENCES:
patent: 5207621 (1993-05-01), Koch et al.
patent: 5741218 (1998-04-01), Fujii
patent: 5857986 (1999-01-01), Moriyasu
patent: 5993401 (1999-11-01), Inbe et al.
patent: 04138160 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 9723254 (1997-07-01), None
Goto Koji
Inada Nichimu
DeMille Danton D.
Family Kabushiki Kaisha
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
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