VIBROSTIMULATIVE DEVICE

Abstract: An improvement of a vibrostimulative device wherein the vibration from a vibration generator (l) is transmitted to a vibratory member (7) through a closed gas space (4), the improvement comprising providing a closed gas space (4) of variable shape, and supporting the vibratory member (7) with a resilient support member (8) to maintain the closed gas space (4).

Description: The present invention relates to a vibrostimulative device for example, a device to vibrate the body of the subject at a prescribed frequency to effect vibration therapy. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 209,355/83 discloses a device wherein a vibratory plate to be placed on the body of the subject is coupled through a closed gas space with a loudspeaker, while the voice coil of the loudspeaker is connected to a variable frequency oscillator through an amplifier. The device has the advantages that its vibration frequency can be conveniently set to the most effective level for a particular subject; and that the gas used as the vibration-transmitting media transmits the vibration over a relatively large body area of the subject. The device, however, has the drawback that, when the closed gas space is extended with a flexible hose having a relatively small diameter, it requires a relatively high power to attain a prescribed sound pressure on the vibratory plate because gases are generally low in vibration transmittability. This requires both the vibratory plate and the amplifier to be enlarged and the production cost of the device is increased. The present inventors proposed in Japan Patent Application No. 72,435/86 (EP-A-025 1430) that the closed gas space is compressed to increase its vibration transmittability in order to decrease the loss on vibration energy. This disclosure still has the drawbacks that the compression hardens the vibratory member to decrease the balance feeling when the subject lies thereon. Also, the vibrostimulative device requires a high airtight structure. An object of the present invention is to provide a vibrostimulative device wherein the drawbacks of the conventional devices are reduced. According to the present invention, there is provided a vibrostimulative device wherein the vibration from a vibration generator is transmitted to a vibratory member through a closed gas space defined by a variable volume chamber, characterised in that a resilient support member is located within the variable volume chamber to maintain the closed gas space and to support the vibratory member. DE-A-2356481 describes a vibrostimulative device in which a mattress filled with air or water also contains a loud speaker to cause it to vibrate. There is no maintenance of the closed space within the mattress. Preferred embodiments of the invention are now given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 is a sectional plan view of an embodiment according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a front vertical elevation view of another embodiment when loaded with no weight; and FIG. 3 is a front vertical elevation view of the embodiment when loaded with a weight. In the drawings, reference numeral (1) designates a vibration generator; (2) is an amplifier; (3) is a variable frequency oscillator; (4) is a closed gas space; (5) is an exterior wall; (6) is a support plate; (7) is a vibratory member; (8) is a resilient support member; (9) is a resilient hollow member; and (10) is a one-way restrictor valve. As shown in FIG. 1, a vibration generator comprising a loudspeaker cone (1), has its voice coil connected to a variable frequency oscillator (3) through an amplifier (2). The output of the variable frequency oscillator (3), preset with an adjusting dial (not illustrated) to the most effective frequency for the subject, is amplified by the amplifier (2) and then supplied to the voice coil of the vibration generator (1) to vibrate it at that frequency. The vibration generator (1) may be a loudspeaker, or an electromagnetic vibration generator as disclosed in Japan Patent Laid-Open No. 209,284/85 or 216,870/85, a vibration generator wherein an air wave of compression and rarefaction is generated by continual compression of the air; or a vibration generator where an electric motor and a vibratory plate are used in combination. A closed gas space (4) of variable shape is enclosed by an exterior wall (5) of rubber or plastics material in a sheet or a film having an appropriate resilience. A cornice structure can be provided on the exterior wall (5) by using a resilient plate, composed of metal, rubber, plastics material, or an airtight cloth. The exterior wall (5) is supported at one outside wall by a support plate (6) of a vibration-proof material, while a vibratory member (7) is provided on the opposite outside wall of the exterior wall (5). The vibratory member (7) comprises a plate of resilient metal, rubber or plastics material, and is adhered to the surface of exterior wall (5) and forms an airtight closure, as shown in FIG. 2. The vibratory member (7) may be provided as a part of the exterior wall (5) as shown in FIG. 3, or adhered over the opening of the exterior wall (5). One or more resilient support members (8) are provided in the closed gas space (4) to support the vibratory member (7), as well as to maintain the closed gas space (4). The resilient support member (8) comprises a spring, or a pillar or tube composed of rubber or a resilient plastics material. The closed gas space (4) provided in this way is connected to the vibration generator (1). The vibration generator (1) is connected to an appropriate part of the closed gas space (4) with a resilient hollow member comprising an airtight flexible hose; or connected directly over the opening of closed gas space (4). The vibration from the vibration generator (1) is transmitted to the vibratory member (7) through the closed gas space (4). Thus, by placing the vibratory member (7) on an affected site of the subject, vibration therapy is carried out at the frequency. The compression in the closed gas space (4) is controlled by providing a one-way restrictor valve (10) in the exterior wall (5), and connecting thereto a compressing means such as a compressor. The vibrostimulative device of the present invention can be incorporated into a bed or a chair and can then be used to vibrate the whole body or a relatively large body area of the subject. Alternatively, the vibrostimulative device can be shaped into a flat plate, straight- or circular-tube as disclosed, for example, in Japan Patent Laid-Open No. 209,355/83, and Japan Utility Model Laid-Open Nos. 52,827/85 and 52,828/85, to locally vibrate the body of the subject, e.g. the hands, feet, breast or stomach. In a vibrostimulative device, as described above, the vibratory member is supported with a resilient support member in such a manner that a closed gas space of variable shape is maintained. When the subject lies on the vibratory member, the weight of the subject, supported by both the compression in the closed gas space and the resilient support member, softens the vibratory member to help the subject to stably hold the body thereon. Simultaneously, the compression efficiently transmits the vibration to provide comfort for the subject. Furthermore, since in the present invention the vibratory member is supported with a resilient support member in such a manner that a closed gas space of variable shape is maintained, the volume of the closed gas space is kept at a predetermined volume when not in use. If the gas leaks when in use, the gas is automatically replaced. Thus, the device is operable under normal conditions. In addition, since in the present invention the vibratory member is supported with a resilient support member in such a manner that a closed gas space of variable shape is maintained and its compression is not increased when in use, no high airtight structure is required for the whole device. This facilitates the manufacture and designing of the device.

Claims: A vibrostimulative device wherein the vibration from a vibration generator (1) is transmitted to a vibratory member (7) through a closed gas space (4) defined by a variable volume chamber, characterised in that a resilient support member (8) is located within the variable volume chamber to maintain the closed gas space (4) and to support the vibratory member. A device according to claim 1, wherein the closed gas space (4) is filled with air. A device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said vibratory member (7) is made of metal, rubber, plastics material or cloth. A device according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said resilient support member (8) comprises a spring, or is composed of rubber or plastics material. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said closed gas space (4) is coupled to the vibration generator (1) by a hollow member (9). A device according to claim 5, wherein said hollow member (9) is an airtight flexible hose. A device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration generator comprises a variable frequency oscillator (3), an amplifier (2) having an input terminal connected with the output terminal of the oscillator (3), and means for electromagnetically generating a vibration when actuated by the amplifier (2). A device according to claim 7, wherein said vibration generating means is a loudspeaker. A device according to claim 1, in which the variable volume chamber is defined by an exterior wall member (5) having an inner space airtightly connected to the vibration generator (1), the vibratory member (7) being attached to one outside wall of the exterior wall member (5), wherein a support member (6) is attached to the opposite outside wall of the exterior wall member and wherein the resilient support member (8) is provided between the outside walls of the exterior wall member. A device according to claim 1, in which the variable volume chamber is defined by an exterior wall member (5) having an inner space airtightly connected to the vibration generator (1), one side wall of the exterior wall member (5) functioning as the vibratory member (7) when actuated by the vibration generator (1), wherein a support member (6) is attached to the outside of the opposite side wall, and the resilient support member (8) is provided between both side walls.

Inventors: ENDO, YOICHI
Applicants: HAYASHIBARA, KEN
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A61H23
IPC codes: A61H23