Sound and vibration transmission pad and system

• US 8,668,045 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2011
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Round River Research Corp.
• Original Assignee: Daniel E. Cohen
• Inventors: Cohen, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUKS, JEREMY AUSTIN
• Application Number:
  US13/079,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20120051579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 181/144, 181/145, 181/147, 181/150, 181/153, 181/160, 181/161, 181/167, 181/169, 600/27, 600/28, 601/46, 601/47, 601/48, 601/49, 601/56, 601/57, 601/58, 601/64, 381/301, 381/105, 381/106, 381/108, 381/151, 381/190, 381/351, 381/388, 297/452.13, 297/452.37, 297/217.4
• US Class Current: 181/150
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1654 Layer between the skin and massage elements, e.g. fluid or ball
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5005 for controlling frequency distribution, modulation or interference of a driving signal
• 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 a chair or similar body-supporting apparatus for sitting on, reclining on or lying upon. The chair or similar apparatus is capable of transmitting sound and vibrations generated by a sound source and/or a vibration source to a user'"'"'s body. The sound and vibrations are transmitted through speakers, transducers, or a combination thereof which are connected to the chair or similar apparatus. The present invention is also a method of providing vibrational energy to a user, including regulating sound and vibrations transmitted through speakers, transducers, or a combination thereof which are connected to a chair or similar body-supporting apparatus.

Claims

1. A pad comprising:

a vibration source including a magnet;

a layered plurality of materials; and

a resonant chamber, wherein at least a portion of the resonant chamber is defined within an aperture extending through at least one material of the layered plurality of materials, and wherein at least a portion of said aperture is configured to be positioned between the vibration source and a user.

2. The pad of claim 1, wherein said aperture extends through more than one material of the layered plurality of materials.

3. The pad of claim 1, wherein the resonant chamber is filled with air.

4. The pad of claim 1, wherein the layered plurality of materials comprises a plurality of different foam elements.

5. The pad of claim 4, wherein the different foam elements have different degrees of compressibility.

6. The chair of claim 4, wherein the different foam elements have different degrees of acoustic conductance.

7. The pad of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a plurality of vibration sources, each vibration source including a magnet.

8. The pad of claim 7, wherein each vibration source is capable of being independently controlled.

9. The pad of claim 1, further comprising an activation switch.

10. The pad of claim 9, wherein the activation switch is in communication with an amplification system.

11. A chair comprising:

a seat portion comprising a first vibration source including a first magnet; and

,

a back portion comprising a layered plurality of materials, a resonant chamber, and a second vibration source including a second magnet, wherein at least a portion of the resonant chamber is defined within an aperture extending through at least one material of the layered plurality of materials, and wherein at least a portion of said aperture is configured to be positioned between the second vibration source and a user sitting in the chair.

12. The chair of claim 11, wherein said aperture extends through more than one material of the layered plurality of materials.

13. The chair of claim 11, wherein the resonant chamber is filled with air.

14. The chair of claim 11, wherein the layered plurality of materials comprises a plurality of different foam elements.

15. The chair of claim 14, wherein the different foam elements have different degrees of compressibility.

16. The chair of claim 14, wherein the different foam elements have different degrees of acoustic conductance.

17. The chair of claim 11, wherein the first vibration source and the second vibration source are each capable of being independently controlled.

18. The chair of claim 11, further comprising an activation switch located in the back portion or the seat portion.

19. The chair of claim 11, further comprising a third vibration source comprising a third magnet.

20. The chair of claim 19, wherein the second vibration source and the third vibration source are each capable of being independently controlled.