Autonomous, self leveling, self correcting anti-motion sickness chair, bed and table

• US 20040035347A1
• Filed: 08/25/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David E. Grober
• Original Assignee: David E. Grober
• Inventors: Grober, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,490,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/191
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 29/12 Self-levelling mountings

Abstract

A chair is stabilized in two orthogonal axis, pitch and roll, can hold a person stable in relation to the horizon. This solution to motion sickness is effective because the fluid in the inner ear no longer moves in relationship to the vehicle motion upon which the person is located. Therefore a main cause of motion sickness is substantially reduced or eliminated. Additionally, the invention can be a table, a bed, or even an entire room that is isolated from the rolling, pitching and jolting imparted by the host vehicle. Additionally, some applications such as a chair and table, may be stabilized in a third orthogonal axis, azimuth.

Claims

1. An anti-motion sickness device comprised of:

a stabilized platform for supporting a person or item(s) to be stabilized;

a base mounted to the vehicle or moving object;

a stabilizing system connecting the stabilized platform to the base, the stabilizing system including a first sensor package for sensing motion of the vehicle about two or three perpendicular axes of rotation, a second sensor package located on the stabilized platform which provides level horizon data, a control system for stabilizing the stabilized platform based upon the first sensor package which is referenced to the second sensor package.

a braking system which prevents the stabilized platform from falling or flopping over when the power source to the drive mechanisms which hold the stabilized platform, are shut off, disconnected or fail.

2. The anti-motion sickness device of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing system connecting the stabilized platform to the base receives command information from an external source comprising a ship'"'"'s gyro compass.

3. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform is fitted with a chair which allows the occupant(s) to be isolated and significantly reduces the rolling, pitching and jolting imparted by the vehicle. What is claimed is an automatic leveling and stabilized anti-motion sickness chair.

4. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform is fitted with a table which allows the payload to be isolated and significantly reduces the rolling, pitching and jolting imparted by the vehicle. What is claimed is an automatic leveling and stabilized table.

5. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform is fitted with a bed which allows the occupant(s) to be isolated and significantly reduces the rolling, pitching and jolting imparted by the vehicle. What is claimed is an automatic leveling and stabilized bed.

6. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform is fitted with a hospital bed and attached walkways and work stations which allows the patient to be isolated and significantly reduces the rolling, pitching and jolting imparted by the vehicle. The walkways and workstations allow the medical team to perform medical operations and be stabilized in relation to the patient. What is claimed is an automatic leveling and stabilized operating bed.

7. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform is fitted with a room which allows the occupant(s) to be isolated and significantly reduces the rolling, pitching and jolting imparted by the vehicle. What is claimed is an automatic leveling and stabilized room.

13. The anti-motion device of claim 3 wherein the stabilized platform and chair are stabilized in three perpendicular axes, allowing the occupant(s) to be stabilized in relation to the horizon and to a magnetic direction.

14. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform has controls which allow the stabilized platform to maintain a level position which may be at an angle to the horizon.

15. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the device is portable and can be easily moved from location to location by being carried due to its light weight, or rolled using wheels attached to the device.

16. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the device is controllable by the occupant or a separate operator using a remote control panel, the controls comprising

an On/Off control, a

speed of stabilization control and an

angle of horizontal stabilization control.

Azimuth angle of stabilization to allow the occupant to point or be pointed in a specific direction.

17. The anti-motion device of claim 16 wherein the control mechanism is a wireless remote control.

20. The anti-motion device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized platform is moveable by at least one of electronic motors and gears, linear actuators, hydraulic actuators, and any method of moving the stabilized platform.

8. A method for stabilizing an object, to reduce or eliminate motion wherein the object is at least one of a room, a chair, a table, and a bed, the motion being of the type which may cause motion sickness.

9. The method for stabilizing of claim 8, wherein the object is a table, and there is a step of stabilizing to reduce or eliminate motion.

10. The method for stabilizing of claim 8, wherein the object is a bed, to reduce or eliminate motion which may cause motion sickness.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the object comprises a medical operating table, connected walkways and work stations in such a way as to allow delicate medical operations to be performed on moving vehicles.

12. The method of claim 8 for stabilizing wherein the object is a room so that the contents are stabilized.

18. A method for grouping one or more anti-motion sickness devices on a sightseeing vehicle whereupon a group is formed and stabilized from the vehicle pitch and roll in one, two or three orthogonal axes.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising a step of a tour operator pointing the stabilized occupants in any direction using a remote or wireless remote control.