Sound and vibration transmission pad and system

• US 20060036201A1
• Filed: 09/09/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Round River Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: Round River Research Corp.
• Inventors: Cohen, Daniel E.
• Application Number:
  US11/222,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036201A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/47
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0425 Sitting on the buttocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0443 substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/062 Shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a pad and sound transmission system which is adapted to directly transmit audible sound waves into the body at high intensity levels. In one embodiment, the pad is comprised of a padding material and speakers disposed within the padding material. The sound transmission system includes an amplifier, an automatic volume control, and a plurality of input parts. The pad includes a padding material comprised of a layer of highly porous material, a layer made of more dense foam and a stiff foam core in which the speakers are connected. The padding material preferably includes a plurality of openings that form resonant chambers that direct sound-generated vibrations to the shoulder blades, the center of the spine, and the hips of the user.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a padding material; and

a sound emitting device at least partially disposed within the padding material, the sound emitting device adapted to receive audio signals from a sound source located external to the padding material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising a sound system in communication with the sound emitting device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, and further comprising a noise level sensor in communication with the sound system.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, and further comprising an automated volume control.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padding material has a resonant chamber therein.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padding material includes a layer of polyethylene foam disposed adjacent to a layer of polyurethane foam.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the padding material includes a reticulated polyurethane filter foam.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a pressure sensitive switch coupled to the apparatus.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a padding material, the padding material having a resonant chamber therein;

a vibratory source disposed within the padding material; and

a sound source in communication with the vibratory source.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the vibratory source is a speaker.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus includes an upper portion configured to accommodate a person'"'"'s upper body and a lower portion configured to accommodate a person'"'"'s lower body.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the resonant chamber is positioned to direct a auditory signal to a person'"'"'s shoulder blade.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the resonant chamber is positioned to direct an auditory signal to a person'"'"'s spine.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the resonant chamber is positioned to direct an auditory signal to a person'"'"'s hips.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the resonant chamber is filled with a fluid.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, and further comprising a support structure for locating the vibratory source in a particular orientation.

17. A sound transmission system comprising:

a pad having a plurality of speakers disposed therein; and

a sound system in communication with the speakers, the sound system having a plurality of input ports and an input selector switch.

18. The system of claim 17, and further comprising a sound intensity sensor in communication with the sound system.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the sound system includes an automatic volume control in communication with the sound intensity sensor.

20. The system of claim 17, and further comprising a remote control in communication with the sound system.

21. The system of claim 21, and further comprising a heating element disposed within the pad.

22. A method of applying sound therapy at high volume levels comprising:

providing a sound transmission pad in communication with a sound source having a volume control;

setting a sound intensity level for ambient sound surrounding the pad;

monitoring the sound intensity level of the ambient sound; and

adjusting the volume control to maintain the ambient sound level within the set sound intensity level.