Mounting for vibrating motor

• US 5,140,977 A
• Filed: 04/15/1991
• Issued: 08/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raffel Product Development Company
• Original Assignee: Raffel Product Development Company
• Inventors: Raffel, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US07/685,978
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 128/33, 128/41, 128/32, 128/36
• US Class Current: 601/46
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/006 Oscillating, balancing or vibrating mechanisms connected to the bedstead for children's beds A47D9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 3/02 Rocking chairs specially for children A47D13/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/0272 multiple masses each rotated by an individual motor
• 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: Y10S 5/915 with vibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/934 with movable transverse slats

Abstract

A vibrator is disclosed for mounting on furniture in which a pair of vibrator motors is each mounted to an independent, long, relatively rigid resonator member capable of transmitting vibrations, the two long resonators for the respective motors being parallel to one another and mounted by non-rigid means such as a sheet of cardboard or springs to the remainder of the structure of the furniture. One form of complete unit comprises a non-rigid sheet containing two rigid rods each associated with an off-center vibrating motor, which underlies the surface of the furniture contacted by the user. A vibrator controller supplies the two vibrator motors with 60 Hertz pulsed DC current which is amplitude modulated at approximately 16 cycles per minute, with the modulation supplied to one motor 180° out of phase with the other motor so that the user experiences the sensation of a moving wave. The user simultaneously receives a 16 cycle per minute alternating tactile stimulation, and a 60 Hertz audio wave which is amplitude modulated at 16 cycles per minute. The effect is somewhat similar to a Yoga chant and induces relaxation and a slower breathing rate. Other forms use rigid linear resonators attached to each vibrator and placed parallel to one another but not a permanent part of the furniture with which they are used.

Claims

1. In combination, an article of furniture having a frame which includes spaced apart end and side portions and a flexible covering means defining a user contacting surface and at least one non-rotating vibratory motor having a coil and a movable pole piece, a resonator board having ends fixed to the spaced apart portion of said frame and below said flexible covering, said resonator board being free to vibrate between said ends, said motor being mounted on said resonator board and being constructed and arranged to produce vibrations primarily perpendicular to the user contacting surface and said resonator board, padding means disposed between said motor and said resonator board and between said resonator board and said frame, and rigid fastener means for mounting said motor on said resonator board, said motor being coupled to said frame solely through said resonator board.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said resonator board comprises a strip of plywood.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 and including wire spring means mounted on said frame and extending between said motor and said resonator board.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said resonator board comprises a strip of plywood.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein there is a second resonator board mounted below said flexible covering and oriented parallel to said first resonator board and having ends fixed to spaced apart portions of said frame, a second non-rotating vibratory motor mounted on said second resonator board and having a coil and movable pole piece and constructed and arranged to produce vibrations primarily perpendicular to the user contacting surface, padding means between said second motor and said second resonator board and between said resonator board and said frame, and rigid fastening means for mounting said second motor on said second resonator board, said second motor being coupled to said frame solely through said second resonator board.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein said vibratory means are energized by out-of-phase pulsating current.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein both of said resonator boards comprise strips of plywood.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said wire spring means extends between each of said motors and said resonator boards.