US2934062A - Therapeutic vibrator - Google Patents

Description

April 26, 1960 J, KLASSEN EI'AL 2,934,062

THERAPEUTIC VIBRATOR Filed June 20, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 2o 4 INVENTORS E0 weep J A; 4535M Ea wr-mo 6 HLAsJE/V vizier/2y April 26, 1960 KLASSEN ETAL 2,934,062

THERAPEUTIC VIBRATOR Filed June 20, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 0 W420 J 1% 4555A/ BY Emmeo 6. 1644355 United States Patent O THERAPEUTIC VIBRATOR Edward J. Klassen and Edward G. Klassen, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application June 20, 1958, Serial No. 743,366

8 Claims. (Cl. 128-33) This invention relates to therapeutic vibrators, and more particularly to an improved portable vibrator of this character.

Briefly stated, the invention provides a basic vibrator unit which is relatively small and light weight so as to be readily portable. This unit includes a motor driven vibrator mechanism which may be adjusted in speed to change the frequency and intensity of the vibrations generated by the unit. A presettable timer is provided for automatically shutting 01f the unit after a preselected period of time.

The unit is uniquely designed for use in various ways and with various auxiliary devices. By way of example, the unit may be used to convert a conventional chair or the like to a vibrator chair. In this use, the chair is supported on the unit in such a way that the chair is vibrated in much the same manner as, but with greater effectiveness than, an ordinary vibrator chair. The unit, in this case, also affords a vibratory foot rest for a person seated in the chair. In the alternative, an ottoman may be placed on the unit in front of the chair for supporting a persons legs. Both the chair and ottoman are vibrated by the unit.

The unit is also designed for use with a chaise lounge or as an exercising device. In this latter application, the unit affords a vibratory support for an inclined exercising p atform on which a person may perform various types of body exercises while his body is subjected to the vibrations generated by the unit. In some cases, the platform may incorporate a heating pad to increase the therapeutic effects of the device.

Finally, the unit may be used by itself as a vibrator platform on which a person may stand, for example.

In order to achieve these and other diverse uses and applications, the invention provides a vibrator unit, and various attachments therefor, which possess certain novel features of construction which will be readily understood as the description proceeds. For sake of emphasis, a primary feature of the invention is pointed out here as residing in the pneumatic mounting of the vibrator unit. This pneumatic mounting lends maximum effectiveness and efliciency to the vibrator mechanism of the unit.

With the foregoing preliminary discussion in mind, a general object of the invention may be stated as being the provision of a new and improved therapeutic vibrator of the character described embodying a novel pneumatic support which increases the efiiciency and clfectiveness of the vibrator mechanism.

A more specific is the provision of a therapeutic vibrator which is capable of a wide variety of uses.

Another object is the provision of a therapeutic vibrator which is uniquely designed to support legs of a conventional household chair or other similar article of furniture for converting the-latter to a vibrator device.

An object closely related to the foregoing object is the provision of a therapeutic vibrator of the character set forth having a pneumatic support which is so designed Ice that the article of furniture is not damaged by the vibrations generated by the vibrator mechanism.

Yet another object is the provision of a therapeutic vibrator according to the foregoing object on which an ottoman, placed in front of the chair, may also be supported to provide a vibratory leg rest for a person seated in the chair.

A further object is the provision of a novel vibratory exercising device on which a person may perform physical exercises while his body is subjected to therapeutic vibrations and heat.

Yet a further object is the provision of a new and improved portable vibrator unit which is simple and compact, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise ideally suited to its intended purposes.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent as the description proceeds.

Briefly, the foregoing objects are attained by the provision of a portable vibrator unit equipped with a frame mounting a motor driven vibrator mechanism. Mounted on the underside of the frame are resilient pneumatic pads for supporting the frame on the floor.

The upper side of the frame has a fiat surface forming a foot platform. Hinged to opposite sides of the frame, at the forward side of the foot platform are a pair of platform extensions. These extensions are hingeable between folded positions fiat against the upper side of the frame and unfolded positions of horizontal extension beyond opposite sides of the frame.

In the unfolded positions of the platform extensions, the unit is arranged to support an article of furniture, such as a chaise lounge or a conventional chair, for converting the same to vibrator furniture. In the case of a chair, the foot platform of the unit provides a vibratory foot rest. In the alternative, an ottoman may be supported on the unit in front of a chair to provide a vibratory leg rest.

The invention also provides a removable connecting bar for joining the platform extensions when the latter are hinged to a generally upright position. This bar forms a support for the inclined exercising platform of the invention.

When the platform extensions are folded, the unit provides a readily portable, vibrator platform on which a person may stand, for example.

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following detailed description taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a view in perspective of the present vibrator;

Fig. 2 illustrates, on reduced scale, the manner in which a chair is supported on the vibrator;

Fig. 3 shows how both a chair and ottoman may be placed on the unit;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a rubber retainer which may be employed to keep the ottoman in Fig. 3 from shifting about;

Fig. 5 illustrates an exercising device embodying the present vibrator;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged showing of the area indicated by the arrow 6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a connecting bar used in the exerciser of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view looking in the direction of the arrow in line 8 of Fig. 7.

Referring now to these drawings, the vibrator unit of the invention is designated by the numeral 20. This unit comprises a generally rectangular frame 22 which, for example, may be a casting. Aflixed to the underside of the frame are a plurality of resilient pads 24 for supporting the frame on the floor. These pads are shown as consisting of hollow rubber balls which are fixed gen:

s erally semi-spherical socket elements 26 secured to the frame.

While other types of resilient frame-supporting pads may be used on theunit, the use of hollow rubber balls as illustrated is desirable. since they provide, in 'efiect,

pneumatic or air cushion supports for the frame, These air cushion supports provide the unitwith a free-floating action which affords the frame with maximum three de-.

gree freedom of vibration so as to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit. These pneumatic supports also possess other hereinafter noted advantages.

Frame 22 has a hollow raised portion 28 which encloses the vibrator mechanism 30 of the unit. This mechanism may comprise any conventional vibrator mechanism, preferably one which has a so-called cycloidal vibrating action, and will not be described in detail here. The illustrated pneumatic supports are especially, desirable when used with a vibrator mechanism having a' justment permits a change in the frequency and intensity.

of the vibrations generated by the mechanism30. Also included in the control unit 40 is a timer 48 which may,

be set by the user of the unit to automatically shut oil? the latter after a preselected interval of time.

The rear portion of the frame 22 has a fiat upper surface 50 which provides afoot platform, as will be presently seen. This platform may be padded, if desired.

The upper side of frame 22, forwardly of the foot platform 50 has a laterally extending depression 52.

Hinged to the frame 22 at opposite ends of this depression are a pair of platform extensions 54. These exten-' sions have a width which is slightly less than the width of the depression 52 and a length approximately one-half the width of the frame so as to enable the extensions to be hinged to the folded position of Fig. 1 wherein they lie fiat against the bottom of the depression. In this folded position of the platform extensions, their normally lower surfaces, which are the upper surfaces of the extensions when the latter are folded, are approximately coplanar with the rear foot platform 50.

The platform extensions are hingeable to their phantom line extended positions of Fig. 1. In these positions, the extensions are horizontally disposed at opposite sides of the frame. Each platform extension has a pneumatically resilient pad 24 for supporting the free end of the extension on the floor. Both sides of the platform extensions as well as the bottom of the frame depression 52 may be padded if desired.

In one illustrative use of the vibrator unit described above, the latter is supported on the floor with the extensions 54 folded. In this condition, the unit provides, in effect, a portable vibrator platform on which a a person may stand, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. Because of its compact and light weight construction, it will be apparent that the unit may be readily carried from place to place and conveniently stored when not in use.

In accordance with another use ofthe unit, the platform extensions 54 are hinged to their extended positions. The front legs .of a conventional chair 56 are then placed on these extensions in such a way that the foot pneumatic supports 24 achieves maximum effective and efiicient vibration of the chair without damage to the latter.

In the alternative, an ottoman 58 may be placed in front of the chair with two of its legs resting on the platform extensions, as shown in Fig. 3. The vibrations generated by the vibrator mechanism 30 will thus be transmitted to both the chair and the ottoman. With this use of the unit, the invention provides a pair of rubber renecting bar 72.

placed in the depression for converting the loungeto a vibrator lounge.

Figs.- 5-8 illustrate another use of theunit. In this case, the unit provides vibratory support for a body platform 64. This platform, which may be constructed 'in various ways, has been illustrated as consisting of a light weight tubular frame 66. Secured to this frame is a canvas sheet 68. 'An adjustable foot strap 70 is secured to one end of the platform. If desired, the canvas sheet may have an under pocket 68 for receiving a heating pad 69. This pad has an electrical lead 69 which, plugs. into the control unit 40.

Whenthe vibrator unit 20 is used with the body platform 64, the platform extensions 54 are hinged to their generally upright positions of Fig. 5. The upper ends of the extensions are then joined by a removable con- This connecting bar has a central rod 74, afiixed to opposite ends of which are brackets 76.

Each of these brackets comprises an inner plate 78" and a pair of outer lugs 80 which define therebetween a channel 82 for receiving the upper edge of one of the platform extensions. The normally undersides of the platform extensions are formed with tapered slots 84 for receiving the bracket lugs 80. The lugsand slots prevent shifting of the connecting bar on the platform extensions. T

It will be observed that in their upright positions, the

platform extensions incline slightly away from one another and that the channels 82 in the brackets 76 are similarly inclined.

Fitted on the rod 74 are a pair of rubber discs 86. These discs have circumferential grooves 88 for receiving the side frame members of the body platform 64, in the manner illustrated. in Fig. 5. The width of 1 the grooves 88 is slightlyless than the diameter of the frame members receivable therein so as to provide for a tight friction fit of the frame members in the grooves. The discs 86 also act as cushion supports for the platform which eliminate the chatter which would result if the platform frame resteddirectly on the rod 74.

In use, the body platform is supported on thevibrator unit in the manner just described and illustrated in Fig. 5. The head end of the platform rests on the rubber retainers 69 which are placed on the floor. These retainers provide a resilient support for the head end of the platform.

The arrangement is such that a person may sit or lie on the platform 64 and do various exercises while his body is subjected to heat from the heating pad 69 aswell as to the vibrations generated by the vibrator mechan1sm.-

It will be apparent, therefore, that there has been d6? scribed and illustrated a therapeutic vibrator and attachments therefor which are fully capable of attaining the several objects preliminarily set forth.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it will be appareat that various modifications in design and arrangement of the parts are possible within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a vibratory exercising device, a vibrator unit including a frame to be placed on the floor, a pair of extensions hinged to opposite sides of said frame for swinging between folded positions against the normally upper side of said frame and upright positions, a connecting rod, and means for releasably securing said rod to the upper ends of said extensions when the latter are in said upright positions.

2. The subject matter of claim 1 including an elongate platform on which a person may lie, and means supporting one end of said platform on said rod.

3. A therapeutic vibrator comprising a relatively low vibratory frame to be placed on a floor, a vibrator mechanism on said frame for vibrating the latter, said frame having a normally upper horizontal platform at one end and a depression in its upper side adjacent its other end, said depression extending crosswise of the frame from one side of the latter to the other, a pair of platform extensions hinged to opposite sides of said frame in line with said depression for swinging between folded positions within said depression and unfolded positions of horizontal extension beyond said opposite sides of the frame, means on said extensions for supporting the latter in said unfolded positions, each extension having a length approximating one-half the width of the frame and an upper surface which is substantially flush with the upper surface of said platform when the extension is folded.

4. A vibratory exercising device comprising a vibra tor unit to be placed on a floor, an elongate body platform having longitudinal frame members along opposite sides, a normally horizontal support on said unit, and

a pair of resilient members on said support having grooves frictionally receiving said frame members for resiliently supporting said platform on the vibrator unit.

5. The subject matter of claim 4 wherein said support comprises a rod, and said resilient members comprise a pair of spaced, peripherally grooved rubbed discs on said rod.

6. -ln combination, a vibrator unit to be placed on the floor, said unit having relatively low platform portions adjacent one end, a chair having front legs resting on said platform portions, and said unit having a foot platform at its other end which extends beyond the forward edge of the chair.

7. In combination, a vibrator unit to be placed on the floor, said unit including relatively low platform portions, a chair having front legs resting on said platform portions, and an ottoman in front of said chair also having legs resting on said platform portions whereby both chair and ottoman may be vibrated by said unit.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 including retaining means on said platform portions having sockets receiving the chair and ottoman legs which rest on the unit whereby to prevent shifting of the ottoman during operation of the unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Sunich Mar. 24, 1959

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