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

• US 7,490,572 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2003
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David E. Grober
• Original Assignee: David E. Grober
• Inventors: Grober, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson; Lars A
• Application Number:
  US10/647,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,003 Days
• Field of Search: 114/191, 114/194, 114/195, 114/264, 114/343, 114/364, 396/7, 396/12, 396/13, 396/52, 396/55, 396/419, 396/428
• 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. A stabilizing device comprised of:

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

a base mounted to a vehicle or moving object,

a stabilizing system connecting the stabilized payload platform to the base, the stabilizing system including;

a sensor package A for sensing motion of the vehicle about two or three perpendicular axes,

a sensor package B fixed to the stabilized payload platform and which includes level sensor means,

the stabilizing system having the means to orient the stabilized payload platform to at least one stabilized orientation including stabilized oriented to;

earth'"'"'s horizon,

apparent gravity horizon

a range of orientations between the earth'"'"'s horizon and the apparent gravity horizon.

2. The stabilizing device of claim 1 including;

a powered drive mechanism for moving each axis being stabilized,

a braking system which prevents the stabilized payload platform from falling over when the powered drive mechanism is shut off, is disconnected or fails.

3. The stabilizing device of claim 1 including;

at least one or more of a chair, table, bed, medical operating table, a room, or any other item to be stabilized and which provides the occupant(s) or item(s) with stabilization in at least two axes.

4. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the payload platform can be operated in an inverted position and allow an item needing stabilization to be hung from the stabilized platform.

5. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the stabilization is autonomous and self correcting.

6. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing device is scalable to be smaller or larger.

7. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the occupant(s) or item(s) are stabilized in a magnetic direction.

8. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the device is portable and can be moved from location to location.

9. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the device can be controlled by at least one of;

an occupant, or a separate operator to control one or more of;

on/off control,

speed of stabilization,

angle of the stabilized payload platform,

azimuth angle of the stabilized payload platform.

10. The stabilizing device of claim 1 which can be controlled by wired or wireless remote control.

11. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the stabilized payload platform can maintain a compass heading.

12. A method for stabilizing a platform comprised of the steps of;

providing a stabilized payload platform,

providing a base mounted to a vehicle or moving object,

providing a stabilizing system connected between the stabilized payload platform and the base, the stabilizing system including;

a sensor package A for sensing motion of the vehicle or moving object about two or three perpendicular axes,

a sensor package B fixed to the stabilized payload platform and which includes level sensor means,

providing the stabilizing system with the means to orient the stabilized payload to at least one stabilized orientation including stabilized relative to;

earth'"'"'s horizon,

apparent gravity horizon,

a range of orientations between the earth'"'"'s horizon and the apparent gravity horizon.

13. The method of claim 12 including,

providing a powered drive mechanism for moving each axis being stabilized, providing a braking system for preventing the stabilized platform from falling over when the powered drive mechanism is shut off, disconnected or fails.

14. The method for stabilizing of claim 12 wherein there is the step of providing at least one or more of a chair, table, bed, medical operating table, room or other item(s) to be stabilized.

15. The method for stabilizing of claim 12 wherein there is the step of performing medical procedures wherein one or more of the persons or items involved with the medical procedure are stabilized.

16. The method of claim 12 including grouping more than one stabilizing devices on a vehicle or moving object.

17. The method of claim 12 including providing controls allowing at least one of;

an occupant or an operator to control one or more of;

on/off control,

speed of stabilization,

angle of the stabilized payload platform,

azimuth angle of the stabilized payload platform.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing a one or more stabilized devices on vehicle wherein the occupants are being stabilized.

19. A stabilizing device comprised of:

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

a base mounted to a vehicle or moving object,

a stabilizing system connecting the stabilized payload platform to the base, the stabilizing system including;

a sensor package A for sensing motion of the vehicle or object about two or three perpendicular axes,

a sensor package B, fixed relative to the stabilized payload platform, and which includes level sensor means,

a control system having the means or a variable control, and using relationships between sensor package A and sensor package B to,

orient the stabilized payload platform to more than one stabilized orientation including stabilized relative to;

earth'"'"'s horizon,

apparent gravity horizon

a range of orientations between the earth'"'"'s horizon and the apparent gravity horizon.

20. The stabilizing device of claim 19 wherein there are one or more stabilizing devices on a vehicle wherein the occupants are stabilized.