System and method for integrating transducers into body support structures

• US 7,981,064 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Therabody, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SO Sound Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Long, Suzannah, Oser, Richard Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R
• Assistant Examiner(s): STUART, COLIN W
• Application Number:
  US11/463,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20070025575A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: 601/47, 601/2, 601/15, 601/46, 601/48, 601/49, 601/56, 601/57, 601/58, 601/59, 601/61, 381/423, 381/424, 381/429
• US Class Current: 601/57
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/727 with speakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/005 Moveable platform, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platform for standing, sitting, laying, leaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0218 with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/045 using vibrating magnet, armature or coil system
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2400/03 Transducers capable of generating both sound as well as tactile vibration, e.g. as used in cellular phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/023 in a chair, pillow
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/06 Loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/066 using the principle of inertia

Abstract

Transducers and resonators are embedded in body support structures in contact with a user to for the purpose of conveying musical sound energy to a user'"'"'s body at selected frequencies and in selected patterns. Body support structures comprise beds, pillows, chairs, and other structures typically used to support people. The sound may be audio tones and/or music. The transducers and resonators may be incorporated into a foam component or in a coil spring component of the body support structure. Latex-type foams and beds made with springs are candidate body support structures for receiving transducer'"'"'s and resonators. Electro-active polymers are also used as transducers.

Claims

1. A method of inducing tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies in a cushioned transducer interface comprising:

providing a transducer that generates vibrations in response to an electrical signal that is encoded with said musical tonal frequencies, such that said vibrations have a frequency that corresponds to said musical tonal frequencies;

providing a first diaphragm disposed on a first side of said transducer that is mechanically coupled to said transducer so that said vibrations are transferred from said transducer to said diaphragm;

providing a first foam layer that is capable of transmitting said vibrations having frequencies corresponding to said musical tonal frequencies;

placing said first diaphragm in contact with said first foam layer to transfer said vibrations from said diaphragm to said first foam layer to induce the application of said tactile stimulation in a user that correspond to said musical tonal frequencies;

wherein the providing a first diaphragm comprises providing the first diaphragm constructed of a composite material and that has spiral openings that extend to an edge of said first diaphragm to create lateral openings in the edge of the first diaphragm and to create elongated members.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

placing said transducer in an opening in a second foam layer that allows a body portion of said transducer to move vertically in said opening in said second foam layer;

embedding said first diaphragm in said first foam layer so that movement of said body portion of said transducer induces said vibrations in said first foam layer.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing a second diaphragm that is mechanically coupled to said transducer on an opposite side of said transducer;

placing said second diaphragm in contact with an additional foam layer that is on an opposite side of said transducer from said first diaphragm so that said second diaphragm supports said transducer and effectively transfers said vibrations to said first foam layer and said additional foam layer.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

providing a heat sensitive switch that is connected to said transducer that shuts off said transducer when said transducer reaches a predetermined temperature.

5. A method of inducing tactile stimulation of musical tonal frequencies in a coil spring of a cushioned transducer interface comprising:

providing at least one transducer that generates vibrations in a first predetermined frequency range in response to an electrical signal that is encoded with said musical tonal frequencies;

providing a diaphragm that is mechanically coupled to said transducer so that said vibrations are transferred from said transducer to said diaphragm;

placing said transducer in an interior portion of said coil spring;

coupling said diaphragm to said coil spring to transfer said vibrations from said diaphragm to said coil spring and to said cushioned transducer interface;

wherein the providing a diaphragm comprises providing the diaphragm constructed of a composite material and that has spiral openings that extend to an edge of said diaphragm to create lateral openings in the edge of the diaphragm and to create elongated members.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said cushioned transducer interface comprises a mattress.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

providing at least one additional transducer that generates vibrations in a second predetermined frequency range in response to said signal that is encoded with said musical tonal frequencies;

providing an additional diaphragm that is mechanically coupled to said additional transducer so that said vibrations are transferred from said additional transducer to said diaphragm;

placing said additional transducer in an interior portion of an additional coil spring;

coupling said additional diaphragm to said additional coil spring to transfer said vibrations from said additional diaphragm to said additional coil spring and to said cushioned transducer interface.