GB2193885A - Mounting for vibrating motor - Google Patents

Abstract

A vibrator for furniture comprises vibrator motors 30 each mounted to a member 22 for transmitting vibrations, and concentrating the massage energy on specific parts of the user's body. The two long members for the respective motors are parallel to one another and to the frame structure 20, 21. In one form two rigid energy coupling rods 32 are associated with central vibrating motor 30, underlying the user contacting surface. A vibrator controller supplies the two motors with 60 Hertz pulsed D.C. current which may also be amplitude modulated at approximately 10-30 cycles per minute, with the modulation supplied to one motor 180 DEG out of phase with the other motor so that the user experiences the sensation of a moving wave. The user simultaneously receives a 10-30 cycle per minute moving tactile stimulation, and a 60 Hertz audio wave which is amplitude modulated at 10-30 cycles per minute. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mounting for vibrating motor Background of the Invention Vibrators and vibrator controllers for furniture are well known as illustrated by previous patents to this patentee, such as Raffel 4,105,024 and a patent to Christensen reissue 31,603. Many other such patents exist.

However, in an effort to improve the relaxing effect of such vibrators, applicant has invented a novel physical system for applying the vibrations to the furniture and ultimately to the user and at the same time has incorporated a novel excitation system which is believed to tend to induce the body of the user to relax to the modulation cycle of approximately 10-30 cycles per minute which is superimposed on a frequency of 30 Hertz to 120 Hertz and preferably the 60 Hertz of rectified alternating current. A vibrating motor is used rather than a rotating motor.

Summary of the Invention The invention of this application consists of one or more vibrator motors mounted on coupling structures and furniture and bedding, in a way that transfers massage energy to specific parts of the user's body, and an excitation system which is particularly effective in conjunction with the physical system. The total system utilizes the synergistic benefits of combining a suitably modulated sound wave with a synchronized moving massage wave to bring about systemic body relaxation.

The precise electronic means used to excite the vibrators is not a part of this invention, as the desired excitation can be achieved by many known electric or electronic means.

However, it is important that the excitation have two major components: one is a current that will produce an audible hum in the 30 Hertz to the 120 Hertz range. The 60 Hertz frequency of ordinary house currents is suitable and convenient but not essential. It is also necessary to rectify the house current in order to produce a 60 Hertz vibration frequency, as a 120 Hertz vibration frequency would result from unrectified 60 Hertz current.

In addition to the audible hum, the current furnished to the vibrator motors has a very slow inaudible component preferably within a range of 15 to 20 cycles per minute. This very low frequency takes the form of amplitude modulation superimposed on the faster 30 to 120 Hertz frequency. It is important that it be supplied to one vibrator motor out of phase with the other vibrator motor or motors. The exact phase relationship may vary somewhat, but the most effective phase angle difference is 1800 where two motors are used, and the slow modulation frequency is preferably a sine wave form. However, the wave form may be altered to produce the effect of asymmetrical motion.

The physical system of the applicant's invention includes rigid vibration applying structures associated with each vibrator motor. It is important that the vibration applying structures be designed to concentrate the energy on different parts of the body so that the sensation of the moving massage wave will be produced when the motors are supplied with the out-of-phase amplitude modulated wave referred to above. These structures are made of a rigid material such as, but not limited to, wood, metal, or plastic and are in various shapes and sizes depending upon the application. In addition, the structures are insulated from other rigid materials where there is a possibility of extraneous noise being produced.

The vibrator motors are generally mounted parallel to each other and in the center of the furniture structures. In the case of box springs and upholstered furniture, they may be clamped over the sinuous springs to hold the assembly in place. In such a unit the vibration applying structure may desirably be a flat rectangle to which a vibrator motor is secured.

Electrical connections to each of the vibrator motors are made from a control unit which may be mounted either inside or outside of the furniture. The user simuitaneously receives a 10 30 cycle per minute moving tactile stimulation, and a 60 Hertz audio wave which is amplitude modulated at 10-30 cycles per minute. The synergistic effect of combining this suitably modulated sound wave synchronized with the moving massage wave has been found to result in overall stress reduction and to aid with sleep problems.

The present invention also envisions the vibrator motors mounted at right angles to and at one end of U-shaped or linear metal rods.

Preferably each vibrator motor is mounted so that the center of mass of the vibrator motor is offset from the center between the two ends of a U-shaped rod or the axis of a linear rod. When the vibrator motor is mounted in this fashion, a compression wave is transmitted down the rod which is converted to an oscillation in the rod that is perpendicular to the compression wave and is felt by the user. The metal rods may be slipped between a foundation or box spring and a mattress in parallel positions.

Additionally, the present invention envisions using a single vibrator motor and an associated linearly extending energy coupler. The advantage of the present invention over previous furniture vibrating devices is that the linearly extending coupler applies the vibration from the vibrator motor only to a specific area of the user's body as opposed to applying vibrations to the entire user's body. For example, when the motor and coupler are mounted in the back of a lounge chair, the vibrations from the motor can be concentrated on the user's lower back. In a similar fashion, when the motor and coupler are mounted in the seat of a lounge chair, the vibrations can be concentrated on the user's thighs.

Drawings Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a bed with the vibrator of my invention mounted therein. part of the padding on one of the coupling boards has been broken away to show the coupling board above the padding.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on line 2 -2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on line 3 -3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on line 4 -4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on line 5 -5 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the foundation with foam and cover removed. Part of the covering foam has been broken away to show the cardboard layer beneath, and part of one of the coupling boards has been broken away to show the insulating foam beneath the coupling board.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of a box spring foundation with portions broken away to show a modified embodiment of my invention.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view on line 8 -8 of Fig. 7, with the motor shown in side elevational view.

Figure 9 is a rear perspective view of a lounge chair broken away to show a modified embodiment of my invention.

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view on line 13--13 of Fig. 8.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a foundation and mattress showing a modified version of -my invention.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of one of the vibrator elements of Fig. 11.

Figure 13 is a top plan view similar to the view of Fig. 12 but showing a further modification of the vibrator element of Fig. 11.

Detailed Description Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the best known embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention which is defined by the claims.

The preferred form of my invention is shown best in Figures 1 through 6. Figures 8 and 10 show the preferred embodiment as applied to chairs. Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a conventional foundation 20 for a bed having wood stringers 21 supported by longitudinai wood frame elements 22 all secured to an outer frame 23 above which are the usual furniture foam, padding, etc. and enclosed by a cloth cover which is secured at the sides of the wood frame 23. As shown in Figure 1 my novel vibrator structures are placed near the upper surface of the foundation where they are hidden in the bottom view but the structure of the foundation is cut away to show the vibrator motor 30 and the coupling boards or rods 32 with foam insulators 25. The coupling boards 32 are made by modifying two of these stringers 21 as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 6.

A layer of plywood or cardboard 33 covers the top of foundation 20 and is coextensive with foundation 20 except where it has been cut away at edges 35 to allow a layer of foam 24 to come into contact with coupling boards 32. The foam layer 24 is substantially coextensive with the foundation 20. Although the cardboard layer 33 and foam layer 24 lie above the foundation 20 in Figure 1, the cardboard layer 33 and foam layer 24 are in the background because Figure 1 is a bottom view.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view on line 2 -2 of Figure 1 which shows the insulating foam 25 attached by known means along the entire length of the coupling board 32. The coupling boards 32 are insulated from the center frame elements 22 by the insulating foam 25 and are not fastened to center frame elements 22 at the intersections 28 where the coupling board 32 and center -frame elements 22 cross. The coupling boards 32 are only fastened by staples 27 to the main frame elements 26.

In contrast, Figure 3 shows how stringers 21 are fastened by staples 27 onto not only the main frame elements 26, but to the central frame elements 22 as well. There is no layer of insulating foam 25 between the stringers 21 and the central frame elements 22. While Figure 2 shows the coupling stringer 32 completely covered with foam, it is only necessary for the purposes of this invention to insulate the coupling board 32 from the center frame elements 22. Small pieces of foam may be used at the intersections 28 of coupling boards 32 and center frame elements 22 in place of the layer of foam 25 shown.

Figure 2 also shows the base of vibratory motor 30 secured to the coupling board 32 by means of any suitable fastenings, here shown as screws 37. The fastenings 37 penetrate the insulating foam 25 and coupling board 32 but do not penetrate into the layer of foam 24, which rests directly on top of the coupling board 32 because the cardboard panel 33 shown in Figure 6 is cut away in this region. The fastenings 37 provide the motor base 36 with a rigid mounting to the rod or board 32. The motor 30 produces vibrations along an axis 31 perpendicular to the coupling board 32. The energy coupling board carries vibrations from vibrator 30 to a rectan gular area of the surface of the furniture.

Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view of the foundation in an area in which the cardboard layer has not been cut away. Note that the wood stringer 21 is fastened by staples not only to the main frame elements 26, but to the central frame elements 22 as well.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on line 4 -4 and shows the cardboard panel 33 cut away at 35 above the coupling board 32.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view on line 5 -5 which shows how the coupling board 32 has been displaced upwards by the insulating foam 25 at intersection 28 so that the coupling board 32 comes into direct contact with a layer of foam 24 in the region between the edges 35, as is also shown in Fig. 4. Figure 5 shows the insulating foam 25 wedged between coupling board 32 and central frame element 22. Coupling board 32 and foam 25 are not fastened to central frame element 22, while the stringers 21 rests directly on central frame elements 22 and are fastened to central frame elements 22 by staples 27.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of foundation 20 with cover and padding partially cut away.

The cardboard or plywood 33 has been removed from the area over the energy coupling board 32 in order to reduce noise and to prevent the cardboard from diffusing the localizing effects of the coupling board 32. Part of the foam layer 24 has been broken away to show the cardboard layer 33 beneath it. Also, part of one of the coupling boards 32 has been broken away to show the layer of insulating foam 25 beneath it.

As best shown in Figure 1, the structure shown in Figures 2 and 4 is duplicated by a parallel resonator rod or board 32 at a distance from the first for a purpose that shortly will be described. A controller 40 receives power from an electric cord 41 which may desirably have a switch 42 and a wall plug 43. The controller 40 contains known means which convert the So Hertz alternating current commonly supplied by a power cord to 60 Hertz direct current. It also contains means which imposes an amplitude modulation within the preferred range of 15 to 20 cycles per minute, upon the current going to each vibrator motor 30. However, at any given moment the current going to one vibrator motor is 1800 out of phase with the current going to the other vibrator motor by means which are known in the art.When the resulting vibrations are combined with the localizing effects of the energy coupling stringers 32, they produce a distinctive moving tactile sensation at 10-30 cycles per minute in addition to producing a synchronized modulated hum at the 60 Hertz frequency of the line current. If desired, known means can be incorporated in controller 40 to change that frequency, within a range of about 30 Hertz to 120 Hertz and the modulation in a 10 to 30 cycle range. The preferred form of the amplitude modulated wave is a sine wave although other wave forms may be used.It would be practical to provide more than two sets of the equipment shown in Figures 2 and 4 and to change the phase relationship of the waves supplied to each vibrator 30 accordingly so that, for instance, if there are three sets of the Figure 2 and 4 equipment the signai would be 1200 out of phase from one unit to the next.

Figure 7 shows the invention as modified to allow it to be mounted in a box spring foundation 50.

Figure 8 shows in a cross sectional view in greater detail the way in which the invention is mounted in a box spring 50. The motor 30 attached to motor base 36 is attached to the insulating foam 125 and coupling board 132 by means of fasteners 137. As can be seen in Figure 8, two longitudinal grid wires 53 are sandwiched between the motor base 36 and insulating foam 125.

In Figure 9 an arrangement similar to that shown in Figure 7 is shown in a lounge chair having part of the back 61 broken away to show sinuous spring 63 extending between the vibrator motor base 36 and coupling board or rod 232 covered with insulating foam 225.

As seen in Figure 10 the motor base 36, insulating foam 225, and coupling board 232 are secured together by fasteners 237. A second vibrator motor 30 not visible in Fig. 9 is attached to a second coupling board 332 mounted in the same manner as coupling board 232 but is mounted in the seat 62 rather than the chair back 61. Coupling boards 232 and 332 are essentially identical and because their mountings are essentially the same, only the mounting of coupling board 232 has been described here. Again, the vibrator motors 30 are phased 1800 apart with respect to the 16 cycle per minute amplitude modulated wave.

In Figure 11 each vibrator motor 30 is mounted perpendicularly to the ends 72 of a long doubled or U-shaped metal rod or tube 70 with long straight sides 71. The vibrator motor 30 is mounted off to one side of the central axis 74 between the rod ends 72 so that the center of mass of the motor 30 is horizontally offset from the central axis 74.

The excitation of the motors 30 by the controller 40 is the same as that described in the preceding embodiments. When the vibrator motor 30 is mounted in this fashion, a compression wave is transmitted down the rod 70 which is converted to an oscillation in the rod which is perpendicular to the compression wave and is felt by the user. Because the rod 70 may be slid between the mattress 81 and the foundation 80 without permanent attachment, installation is extremely simple.

Figure 12 shows the unit of Figure 11 without the bed, In Figure 1.3 each vibrator motor 30 is mounted perpendicularly to a linear metal rod 90. The metal rod 90 and bracing struts 81 are attached to the motor base 36 by known means. The vibrator motor 30 is mounted off to one side of the axis 84 of the rod 90 so that the center of mass of the motor 30 is horizontally offset from the axis 94. The excitation of the motors 30 by the controller 40 is the same as that described in the preceding embodiments. When the vibrator motor 30 is mounted in this fashion, a compression wave is transmitted down the rod 90 which is converted to an oscillation in the rod which is perpendicular to the compression wave and is felt by the user. Because the rod 90 may be slid between a mattress and foundation without permanent attachment, installation is extremely simple.

In other embodiments of the invention, only one vibrator motor 30 is mounted: in a bed foundation 20, in either of the positions shown in Figure 1, in a box spring 50, in either of the positions shown in Figure 7, and in chair 60, in either of the positions shown in Figure 8, or between a mattress 81 and foundation 80, in either of the positions shown in Figure 11.

The coupling means may be used to great advantage in a piece of furniture, even without means in the controller to produce the second exciting frequency, and in that case the means to supply the first frequency may be a simple known rectifier such as a diode or diode bridge which would be the entire controller.

Claims (20)

1. Vibrator means for a piece of furniture having a user contacting surface comprising: at least one vibrator motor producing vibrations primarily along an axis perpendicular to said user contacting surface; said vibrator motor being attached firmly to a substantially rigid linearly extending energy coupler extending at a right angle to said axis substantially across said furniture; said energy coupler being located behind the user contacting surface of a piece of furniture; means flexibly mounting the padding material to the furniture; and means to excite said vibrator motor with an audible frequency between 30 Hertz and 100 Hertz.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the energy coupler is a strip of plywood, and further comprising a strip of soft material between the vibrator motor and the energy coupler, the vibrator motor being held to the energy coupler by rigid fastener means.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the furniture comprises sinuous wire springs which pass between the vibrator motor and its associated energy coupler and rigid fasteners extending between the energy coupler and the vibrator motor to hold them to opposite sides of said springs.

4. The device of claim 3 in which the vibrator motor and its associated energy coupler are mounted in the back of a chair to concentrate the vibrations on the user's lower back.

5. The device of claim 3 in which the vibrator motor and its associated energy coupler are mounted in the seat of a chair to concentrate vibrations on the user's thighs.

6. Vibrator means for a piece of furniture having a user contacting surface comprising: at least one vibrator motor producing vibrations primarily along an axis parallel to said user contacting surface; said vibrator motor being attached firmly to the end of a substantially rigid linearly extending energy coupler extending at a right angle to said axis substantially across said furniture; where said vibrations produced by each said vibrator motor causes said energy coupler to oscillate perpendicularly to said user contacting surface; said energy coupler being located behind the user contacting surface of a piece of furniture; means flexibly mounting the padding material to the furniture; and means to excite said vibrator motor with an audible frequency between 30 Hertz and 100 Hertz.

7. The device of claim 6 in which the vibrator motor is attached to the end of the energy coupler in a position so that the vibrator motor's center of mass is horizontally offset from a linearly extending axis through the center of the energy coupler.

8. The device of claim 6 in which the energy coupler comprises a metal rod secured to said vibrator motor.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said metal rod is U-shaped and has no permanent con nection lo the furniture in which it is used.

10. The device of claim. 6 in which the energy coupler is a single run of metal rod extending from said vibrator motor and having no permanent connection to the furniture in which it is used.

11. Vibrator means for a piece of furniture having a user contacting surface comprising: a plurality of vibrator motors; each said vibrator motor producing vibrations primarily along an axis perpendicular to said user contacting surface being attached firmly to a substantially rigid energy coupler extending at a right angle to said axis substantially across said furniture; said energy couplers being located behind the user contacting surface of a piece of furniture to extend in parallel directions with respect to the other energy couplers; means flexibly mounting the padding material to the furniture; and means to excite said vibrator motors with an audible frequency between 30 Hertz and 100 Hertz and with a superimposed frequency between 15 cycles per minute and 20 cycles per minute in an amplitude modulated wave applied to said respective vibrator motors in different phases.

12. The device of claim 11 in which there are two such vibrator motors and two associated energy couplers and in which the amplitude modulated waves supplied to respective motors are 180 out of phase.

13. The device of claim 11 in which the respective amplitude modulated waves are out of phase with each other by a phase angle of 360" divided by the number of vibrator motors.

14. The device of claim 11 in which the energy coupler is a strip of plywood, and further comprising a strip of soft material between the vibrator motor and the energy coupler, the vibrator motor being held to the energy coupler by rigid fastener means.

15. The device of claim 14 in which the furniture comprises sinuous wire springs which pass between the vibrator motor and its associated energy coupler and rigid fasteners extending between the energy coupler and the vibrator motor to hold them to opposite sides of said springs.

16. Vibrator means for a piece of furniture having a user contacting surface comprising: a plurality of vibrator motors; each said vibrator motor producing vibrations along an axis parallel to said user contacting surface; each said vibrator motor being attached firmly to the end of a substantially rigid linearly extending energy coupler extending at a right angle to said axis substantially across said furniture; where said vibrations produced by said vibrator motor causes said energy coupler to oscillate perpendicularly to said user contacting surface; said energy couplers being located behind the user contacting surface of a piece of furniture to extend in parallel directions with respect to the other energy couplers; means flexibly mounting the padding material to the furniture;; and means to excite said vibrator motors with an audible frequency between 30 Hertz and 100 Hertz and with a superimposed frequency between 15 cycles per minute and 20 cycles per minute in an amplitude modulated wave applied to said respective vibrator motors in different phases.

17. The device 16 in which the vibrator motor is attached to the end of the energy coupler in a position so that the vibrator motor's center of mass is horizontally offset from a linearly extending axis through the center of the energy coupler.

18. The device of claim 16 in which the energy coupler comprises a metal rod secured to said vibrator motor.

19. The device of claim 16 wherein said metal rod is U-shaped and has no permanent connection to the furniture in which it is used.

20. The device of claim 16 in which the energy coupler is a single run of metal rod extending from said vibrator motor and having no permanent connection to the furniture in which it is used.