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
  • 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
  • A61H23/0218—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
  • A61H23/0236—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• • 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
  • A61H2201/0142—Beds

Definitions

• This invention relates to means and methods whereby a recumbent listener exposed to music experiences not only audible sensations but also tactile sensations therefrom.
• the objects of the present invention are to be attained via housing means defining a chamber of air open upward, means providing such housing means with music, and means supporting a recumbent person above the chamber and thereby somatically exposed to music emanating therefrom.
• such apparatus features a supporting frame, a sound housing supported thereby, an air chamber open upwardly therefrom, and loudspeakers opening thereinto, also a substantially rigid and laminar person-support thereabove, foraminous in part and supported resiliently by the frame.
• a principal object of the present invention is to enhance the overall exposure of a listener to musical vibrations.
• Another object of this invention is to transmit musical vibrations to the body as well as to the ears of a listener.
• a further object of the invention is to accomplish the foregoing objects in a somatic musical exposure system.
• Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of the present invention in unitary apparatus form
• Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, taken at II-II in Fig. 1 and partly cut away to reveal the interior;
• Fig. 3 is a plan of the supporting frame and base thereof, taken at III-III in Fig. 1, less its supported components; and Fig. 4 is a medial side elevational section of the same embodiment, taken at IV-IV in Fig. 2.
• Fig. 5 is a a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in multiple modular, rather than unitary, form;
• Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side sectional elevation, taken just under the outer sidewall, at VI-VI in Fig. 5;
• Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation, taken just offset from halfway, at VII-VII in Fig. 5; and Fig. 8 is a side sectional elevation of an alternative contoured body-supporting member useful in either embodiment.
• Figs. 1 through 4 show first apparatus embodiment 10 of the present invention from various vantage points.
• Fig. 1 is a side view, featuring relatively thin top portion 9, which includes border member 15 with head rest 16 at its left end.
• Underneath is an extensive vertically slatted base with end pedestals 17 and 19 at the left and right, respectively, and raised sidewall 18.
• the slats of the base are spaced apart by intervening slits (indicated simply by vertical lines), being useful for absorption of undesired or reverberating sound.
• Fig. 2 shows apparatus 10 in plan, as indicated at II-II on Fig. 1, but in part cut away to reveal successive layers and its interior components otherwise shown in broken lines.
• Resilient supporting strip 14 extends along and under a striplike rectangular edge of the laminar body-supporting member, and similar short strips 34 underlie and support it intermediately. Actually only the top portion (stippled) of such strips is resilient.
• Interior components indicated in broken lines as being underneath the top, and others in solid lines where the top is broken away, include loudspeakers 38a, b, c, d, along with crossover networks 37.
• Fig. 3 shows frame 20 in plan, as taken at I II-III in Fig. 1 , underneath top portion 9 but omitting the interior components supported by the frame.
• Spaced parallel pair of sidewall pieces 21a, 21b terminate at inside faces of corner pieces 25a, 25d at the left and corner pieces 25b, 25c at the right along inside faces of endwall pieces 23a at the left and 23b at the right, and also along the inside faces of two pairs of flanking pieces 27a, 27b at the left and 29a, 29b at the right aligned with the intervening recesses along the sides.
• the resilient supports for the top portion overlie the two ends of the endwall and one end part of each of the flanking pieces to interconnect it non-rigidly (partially decoupled) to the frame.
• Fig. 4 shows first apparatus embodiment 10 in sectional elevation taken at IV-IV in Fig. 2. Interior components on the center line appear unsectioned, and such components not present along the longitudinal vertical plane do not appear, but exterior parts of base pedestals 17 and 19 beyond the plane of the view do appear to round out the view.
• This view features formerly unseen sound housing 30, which resembles a bathtub, being open at the top and closed at its bottom 39, and at both its vertical sidewalls (not visible here) and its inclined ends 33, 35.
• the housing is lined or double-walled with a sound-absorbing layer designated by primed, otherwise identical reference numerals.
• the sound housing is supported indirectly by the frame, via hangers 32 extending down from border member 15-whose resilient support on the frame was noted in connection with Fig.
• partition panel 36 of the sound housing The partition extends across the sound housing at a level above the bottom and below the top edges to support various upwardly oriented loudspeakers: 38a (full range, say several dozen Hz to above 15 kHz), 3Sb (horn tweeter, from 7 or 8 to about 20 kHz), 38c (mid-range, from about 1 to 7 or 8 kHz), and 38d (woofer, from about 2d Hz to 1 kHz).
• body-support 12 overlain by mat 11. Openings 13 at intervals through the body-support render it in part forami ⁇ ous, and resilient peripheral strip 14 and short intermediate strips 34 carry the laminar support (and mat) on the partition panel.
• a person lies on the resilient mat overlying the rigid body-supporting lamina, with his or her head on the head rest.
• the person usually lies supine but optionally may be prone or even lying on one side.
• Via a control panel such person or an operator switches on the amplifiers tuned to a musical program on radio, audiotape, etc.
• Musical vibrations from the loudspeakers reach the ears of the person through the surrounding air much as from any source and reach the person's body through the intervening air chamber, in part through vibration of the supporting rigid lamina and the mat thereon (if present) and in part more directly through the openings in the lamina with or without such intervening mat.
• FIG. 5 to 7 illustrate second apparatus embodiment 40 of this invention in modular form.
• components corresponding more or less closely to those of the previous embodiment are designated by reference numerals greater by 30. Accordingly, it is unnecessary here to mention every numbered component or part.
• This embodiment may be equipped with a base or merely legs, but-as it also may be placed directly on the floor or on a bed, table, etc.-no base or legs are shown.
• Fig. 5 shows, in plan, module 40a (with head rest 46) at the left, and module 40b at the right (with foot rest 46').
• Loudspeakers 68a and 68d underneath the top are indicated in broken lines, as are peripheral (see Fig. 6) and intermediate resilient decoupling supports 44 and 64 therefor.
• the pair of individual modules may be separate-and be placed together as shown-or may be held together with hinges or the like to enable them to be folded for better portability.
• Fig. 6 shows left module 40a fragmentarily in section, as taken at VI-VI in Fig. 5, just within the exterior near wall.
• sound housing 60 is rather compact, with partition panel 66 supported by uprights 62 on bottom 69 lined with layer 69' .
• Air chamber 61 overlies the partition panel and underlies the top portion made up of rigid lamina 42 and overlying resilient mat 41.
• Left wall 63 of the chamber is notched to receive and support the end of the partition panel and is contiguous with the mat but not with the laminar body support, which rests on resilient peripheral and intermediate supports 44 and 64, for an appropriate degree of decoupling to allow limited movement.
• Fig. 7 shows left module 40a sectioned just within the end wall not shown in the preceding view. Visible here are many of the components shown in the preceding view, as well as front and rear walls 51a and 51b of the sound housing—along with their linings 51a' and 51b'.
• the external walls (unprimed numerals) extend to a floor, table, bed, etc. (not shown) and function as frame 60; whereas layer 60' (primed numerals) functions as the sound housing proper. Operation of this second apparatus embodiment does not differ substantially from that of the first embodiment. Electrical connections (not shown) of the respective modules may be entirely separate, or one may plug into another one. One may be used.alone, as by a child or other short person.
• Fig.8 shows third embodiment 70 of the body support of this invention having lamina 72 contoured to accommodate human bodily configuration and being hollowed underneath.
• Such body-supporting member may be used without an overlying mat and provide via openings (foramina) 73 therein even more direct passage for music vibrations than with a covering mat.
• the apparatus of this invention may be constructed from readily available materials.
• the body support, the frame, housing, and base (if any) may be made of wood or of any of many polymeric plastic compositions. Lining layers may be of cork or of wood or plastic with openings recessed therein or of plastic foam, for example. Loudspeakers are available from many electrical supply houses.
• the loudspeakers or equivalent sound-emanating equipment may be located elsewhere and the sound therefrom be piped into the sound housing and via the air chamber toward a person on the body support.
• the benefits of the inventive apparatus and method have been mentioned but should be experienced rather than merely described. Many persons find the experience to be a blend of entertainment, relaxation, and invigoration. Others would emphazise resulting effectiveness at work, study, or play.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)
• Prostheses (AREA)
• Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
• Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
• Special Chairs (AREA)
• Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
• Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 1988
  • 1988-01-04 AU AU11814/88A patent/AU1181488A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1988-01-04 WO PCT/US1988/000039 patent/WO1988004919A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1988-01-04 EP EP88901121A patent/EP0296231B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1988-01-04 JP JP63501347A patent/JPH01502322A/ja active Pending
  • 1988-01-04 DE DE88901121T patent/DE3881968T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1988-01-04 AT AT88901121T patent/ATE90863T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1988-09-01 GB GB8820708A patent/GB2208104B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1989
  • 1989-09-25 CA CA000612814A patent/CA1322909C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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