Abstract:
A vibration apparatus and also a motor assembly are provided to enhance vibrational massage therapy and to improve non-impact exercise. In particular, the motor assembly generates vibrations of differing amplitudes utilizing a single motor to drive a shaft that, in turn, rotates an eccentric weight whose rotational axis is non-coaxial with the shaft&#39;s rotational axis. The reversal of the direction in which the motor rotates the shaft changes the amplitude of the resulting vibrations communicated to a platform. Thus, vibrational amplitude most suitable for a particular application or purpose may be selected.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/881,072 filed Jan. 17, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a vibration apparatus and an associated motor assembly. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus capable of generating vibrations of various amplitudes at the same frequency or within a defined frequency range. Additionally, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to massage and fitness devices that are designed to provide an individual with the benefits associated with vibrational motion such as increased flexibility, increased muscular strength, alleviated muscular pain, reduced muscular strain, and improved blood circulation. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The method of communicating vibrations to a plate or platform, by use of a shaft rotationally driven by a motor and use of eccentric weights, is constantly evolving. Generally, all types of vibrational motor assemblies share the same basic structure; namely, a motor rotatably driving a shaft, at least one eccentric weight operably coupled to the rotating shaft, and a substantially rigid plate or platform. Furthermore, traditional applications for vibration plates or platforms include soil compacting, concrete laying, and therapeutic vibrational devices such as massagers and exercise equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One advantage of the present invention is in providing a motor assembly that generates vibrations at different amplitudes without the need to increase or decrease the amount of the eccentric weight. 
         [0007]    Another advantage of the present invention is in providing a platform-type vibration apparatus that operates at different vibrational amplitudes while maintaining substantially the same vibration frequency. 
         [0008]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is in providing a motor assembly that vibrates a platform in or along a substantially linear path. 
         [0009]    Still another advantage of the present invention is in providing a motor assembly which increases the amplitude of vibrations by reversing the direction in which a motor drives an eccentrically weighted rotary disc. 
         [0010]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a vibration apparatus having a platform for supporting a user&#39;s body and a motor assembly that uses only a single motor to provide different levels of vibration thereby avoiding multiple motors that would require phase synchronization in vibrational devices such as massagers or fitness equipment. 
         [0011]    Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a lower cost, lightweight platform-type vibration apparatus capable of effectively providing multiple levels of vibrations. 
         [0012]    These and additional advantages of the invention set forth in the following description may be accomplished by a single reversible motor driving an eccentrically weighted rotary disc in conjunction with linear vibration dampeners and isolators. The motor assembly vibrates a plate or platform at various amplitudes by changing the center of gravity of the driven rotary disc by utilizing the inertial effects of the eccentric weight. Through the use of a single motor, the amplitude, frequency, and direction of the generated vibrations can be easily controlled which is advantageous as synchronizing the phases of multiple motors is challenging; particularly, for vibrational massagers and exercisers. Since a single motor assembly experiences minimal operational variability over the life of the motor assembly, the component parts and specifications of the motor assembly can be selected to meet specific vibrational parameters without the necessity of frequent recalibration or resynchronization of motor phases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention can be more completely understood by considering the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the accompanying figures. In the figures, like numerals in different figures represent the same structural components or elements. The representations in each figure are diagrammatic and are not depicted to actual scale or precise ratios. The proportional relationships between structural components and elements are approximations. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vibrational motor assembly according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front plan view of the vibrational motor assembly depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vibrational motor assembly depicted in  FIG. 1  attached to a vibration platform via brackets. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the vibrational motor assembly depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged frontal perspective view of the eccentric weight and rotary disc depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front plan view of the vibrational motor assembly depicted in  FIG. 1  with the swing arm and eccentric weight in the low vibration amplitude configuration, the arrow identifying the direction of rotation for generating the low amplitude vibrations. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front plan view of the vibrational motor assembly depicted in  FIG. 1  with the swing arm and eccentric weight in the high vibration amplitude configuration, the arrow identifying the direction of rotation for generating the high amplitude vibrations. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a frontal perspective view of one embodiment of a vibration exerciser according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged frontal perspective view of the base of the vibration exerciser depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side partial cross sectional view of the base of the vibration exerciser depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the base of the vibration exerciser depicted in  FIG. 8  without the platform. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 12   a - 12   d  are various views of an alternative embodiment of a vibration dampener. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    According to the present invention, a platform-type vibration apparatus  100  ( FIGS. 8-11 ) and a motor assembly  10  ( FIGS. 1-7 ) are provided. The motor assembly  10  is designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a vibration apparatus such as massage and exercise devices, and in particular, the platform-type vibration apparatus  100  of the present invention. In one embodiment, the motor assembly vibrates a plate or platform in or along a substantially linear path or direction, i.e. single axis of motion. By generating substantially linear vibration, any negative effects that may be caused by undesired tangential or transverse vibration are minimized without adding additional stress upon the mechanical components of the motor assembly thereby maximizing the positive experience of, and beneficial effects on, the user of the vibration apparatus. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , one exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes motor assembly  10  suitable for mounting on, or attachment to, a plate or platform  17  ( FIG. 3 ). As shown in detail in  FIGS. 1-4 , a motor  15  is capable of rotatably driving a shaft  16  in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. A rotary support or disc  20  is operably connected, and preferably rigidly connected, to the shaft  16  at the center axis or point  21  of the rotary disc  20 . Thus, the axis of rotation of the rotary disc  20  and of the shaft  16  are coaxial. 
         [0028]    An eccentric weight  30  is pivotally attached to, or mounted on, the rotary disc  20  by means of a shoulder screw  33  and a torsion spring assembly  34  which, in the present embodiment, includes a bushing sleeve  41  encasing a torsion spring between the rotary disc  20  and the eccentric weight  30 . The bushing sleeve  41  of the torsion spring assembly  34  may preferably be manufactured from a plastic or metallic material. The torsion spring assembly  34  ensures a gap is maintained between the eccentric weight  30  and the rotary disc  20  and minimizes friction between the eccentric weight  30  and the rotary disc  20  to permit smooth pivoting of eccentric weight  30  relative to rotary disc  20 . In addition, the torsion spring assembly  34  applies a biasing force on the eccentric weight  30  to bias the weight  30  in the clockwise direction to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  toward a bumper  35 . Thus, the eccentric weight  30  can pivot about its pivot axis or point  36  while subject to a biasing force of the torsion spring assembly  34 , and inertial effects on the eccentric weight  30  are not substantially effected by surface friction between the eccentric weight  30  and the rotary disc  20 . In the exemplary embodiment, the pivot axis  36  of the eccentric weight  30  is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary disc  20  and shaft  16 . Importantly, in order to increase the magnitude of the centrifugal force of the eccentric weight  30 , the pivot axis  36  of the eccentric weight  30  is offset a predetermined spaced distance from, and therefore not coaxial or coincident with, the axis of rotation of the rotary disc  20  and the shaft  16 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , in one embodiment, a washer  39 , preferably made of rubber or a similar material, is placed between the shoulder screw  33  and the eccentric weight  30  in order to further reduce the frictional forces acting on the eccentric weight  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the eccentric weight  30  includes a primary eccentric weight  31  and a secondary eccentric weight  32  mounted on the primary eccentric weight  31  and secured using, for example, two screws  37   a  and  37   b . However, the eccentric weight  30  may instead be a integrated one-piece uniform or graduated mass or body. 
         [0030]    An elongated movable stop or swing arm  22  is moveably attached to the rotary disc  20  at the center axis  21  and mounted for substantially unrestricted pivoting movement or rotation relative to the rotary disc  20  about the center axis  21  of the rotary disc  20 . Moreover, swing arm  22  is balanced so that its center of gravity is positioned at center axis  21 . Additionally, the swing arm  22  includes raised sections  23   a  and  23   b  positioned at respective outer ends of the arm  22 . Each raised section  23   a ,  23   b  extends outward away from rotary disc  20  a sufficient distance for contact with eccentric weight  30  as discussed hereinbelow. Swing arm  22  also includes a channel  43  extending between raised sections  23   a ,  23   b  to permit overlapping rotation or pivoting of swing arm  22  and eccentric weight  30  and thus positioning of weight  30  in channel  43 . Two stoppers  25   a  and  25   b , preferably manufactured from rubber or a similar material, are mounted to the rotary disc  20  on either side of one end of the swing arm  22  such that the rotational motion of swing arm  22  relative to the rotary disc  20  is limited. As an alternative to stoppers  25   a  and  25   b , other methods might be utilized to restrict the rotational motion of the swing arm  22  relative to the rotary disc  20  such as providing contours on the top surface of the rotary disc  20 . 
         [0031]    As shown in detail in  FIG. 2 , the bumper  35 , preferably made of rubber or similar material, is affixed to the rotary disc  20  on the same side of the swing arm  22  as the eccentric weight  30  and bumper  25   a . As noted, the eccentric weight  30  is biased by the torsion spring assembly  34  so that it abuts a side of the bumper  35  when the rotary disc  20  is stationary. 
         [0032]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the motor assembly  10  is mounted to a plate or platform  17  with a front bracket  13  and a rear bracket  14 . While in a preferred embodiment, the motor assembly  10  is attached to the plate or platform  17  with brackets  13  and  14 , the motor assembly  10  can be affixed to the plate or platform by alternate means such as a housing enclosing the motor  15  which is then attached to the plate or platform  17 . Additionally, more or less than two brackets  13  and  14  may be used to attach the motor assembly  10  or motor  15  to the plate or platform  17 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the secondary eccentric weight  32  may be comprised of four separate layers  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c , and  32   d  stacked on top of one another. All four separate layers  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c , and  32   d  are attached to the primary eccentric weight  31  with screws  37   a  and  37   b . The four separate layers  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c , and  32   d  may each weigh the same amount or different amounts. In one preferred embodiment, each of the four separate layers  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c , and  32   d  has a uniform mass distribution; however, layers with non-uniform mass distributions may also be used. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to embodiments that include multiple layers in the secondary eccentric weight  32  as the weight  32  may be a single one-piece body. In addition, both primary eccentric weight  31  and secondary eccentric weight  32  may have different shapes than shown in the present embodiment. 
         [0034]    As can be appreciated, as the mass of the secondary eccentric weight  32  is increased, the center of gravity of the eccentric weight  30  is positioned farther away from the pivot axis  36  so that vibration generated by the rotation of the rotary disc  20  increases. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot axis  36  is coaxial with the torsion spring assembly  34  and the shoulder screw  33  that connects the eccentric weight  30  and the torsion spring assembly  34  to the rotary disc  20 . 
         [0035]    In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the motor  15  drives the shaft  16  to rotate the rotary disc  20  in a first rotational direction, i.e. in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 6 . When the rotary disc  20  rotates in a clockwise direction, the swing arm  22  moves into a first position in which the right-side raised section  23   b  of the swing arm  22  comes into contact with the first stopper  25   b  as a result of the inertia of the swing arm  22 . In the first position, the eccentric weight  30  is positioned in an inner position in contact with the bumper  35  and with the inner edge of the left-side raised section  23   a  of the swing arm  22 . Hence, the movement of the eccentric weight  30  about the pivot axis  36  is restricted. In this position, swing arm  22  thus functions to maintain eccentric weight  30  against bumper  35 . When the eccentric weight  30  is in the radially inward, or inner, position shown in  FIG. 6 , the center of gravity CG 1  of the rotational system  12 , comprised of the rotary disc  20 , the swing arm  22 , the stoppers  25   a  and  25   b , the eccentric weight  30 , the bumper  35 , and the torsion spring assembly  34 , is near, i.e., spaced a small distance from, the center axis  21  of the rotary disc  20 , causing the motor assembly  10  to transmit relatively low amplitude vibrations to the plate or platform  17 . 
         [0036]    Alternately,  FIG. 7  shows the motor  15  driving the shaft  16  to rotate the rotary disc  20  in a second rotational direction, i.e. in a counterclockwise direction in the illustration shown. When the rotary disc  20  rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the swing arm  22  moves, i.e., pivots or rotates clockwise, into a second position in which the right-side raised section  23   b  of the swing arm  22  comes into contact with the second stopper  25   a  as a result of the inertia of the swing arm  22 . Thus left-side raised section  23   a  moves away from abutment with eccentric weight  30  creating a space for eccentric weight  30  to pivot into an outer position. Centrifugal forces act on the eccentric weight  30  due to the rotation of the rotary disc  20  in a counterclockwise direction, and the inertia of the eccentric weight  30  overcomes the bias of the torsion spring assembly  34  so that the eccentric weight  30  pivots radially outwardly away from the swing arm  22  to abut the bumper  35  in the manner shown in  FIG. 7 . When the eccentric weight  30  pivots radially outwardly away from the swing arm  22  to the position shown, the center of gravity of the rotational system  12  moves away from center axis  21  to the position CG 2  and therefore is positioned closer to the periphery of the rotary disc  20 . With CG 2  positioned farther away from center axis  21  than CG 1 , the motor assembly  10  transmits vibrations to the plate or platform  17  that are relatively larger in amplitude than the vibration generated with the center of gravity CG 1  of the rotational system  12  near the center axis  21  When reversing rotation of rotary disc  20  back to clockwise rotation, eccentric weight  30  pivots clockwise back into the inner position shown in  FIG. 6  and torsion spring assembly  34  maintains eccentric weight  30  against bumper  35  until swing arm  22  moves into abutting position against eccentric weight  30 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 8-11  show a vibration apparatus  100  suitable for use as a massager or a component of an exercise and fitness apparatus which utilizes the motor assembly as described above. Note the apparatus  100  is shown without a housing or enclosure for the vibration base assembly  120 . An elongated vertical stem  110 , having a longitudinal axis  111 , extends generally vertically from the vibration base assembly  120 . Through the use of a user console/display  152  (which is schematically shown in  FIG. 8 ), preferably located at the top, or upper portion, of the vertical stem  110 , a user can select certain parameters such as vibrational frequency and time duration of vibrational treatment, or can monitor biometrics such as heart rate and calories burned. Importantly, the console  152  also permits the user to select from two vibration intensity levels, e.g. low or high, corresponding to the two center of gravities CG 1  and CG 2 . If the user inputs a low level, then the motor assembly is driven in a rotational direction (clockwise in  FIG. 6 ) to cause eccentric weight  30  to move to the inner position. If the user inputs a high level, then the motor assembly is driven in an opposite rotational direction (counterclockwise in  FIG. 7 ) to cause eccentric weight  30  to move to the outer position. Of course the apparatus also includes the appropriate electronics, such as a motor drive, controller and programmable chip, for receiving signals from console  152  and communicating with the motor assembly  10  to effectively operate the vibration apparatus. The motor  15  receives AC power from a 110V or 220V power outlet, through a power inlet/switch assembly and a power regulator. 
         [0038]    In a preferred embodiment, at least one handle  151  is located at or near the top of the vertical stem  110 , and the handle  151  may contain a heart rate sensor. Moreover, the external surface of the vibration base assembly  120  may include a display  153  so that users can view information, time remaining for example, when the user console  152  is not easily viewable such as when the user is not in an upright or standing position. 
         [0039]    The vibration base assembly  120  includes a vibration platform or top plate  121 , and a base or bottom plate  122 . The motor assembly  10  is mounted to the underside of the vibration platform  121  by means of a front bracket  13  and a rear bracket  14 , for example, in the manner shown and discussed above relative to  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , preferably motor assembly  10  is mounted with the center axis  21  positioned in alignment, i.e., in a common vertical plane, with the longitudinal axis  111  of vertical stem  110 . Although the vibration platform  121  and the base plate  122  are illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10  as being substantially the same dimensions, either the vibration platform  121  or the base plate  122  may be smaller than the other in other implementations. In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 8 , leveler feet  140   a ,  140   b ,  140   c , and  140   d  are attached to the bottom surface of the base plate  122  at each of the four corners of the base plate  122  with screws so that the height of the leveler feet  140   a ,  140   b ,  140   c , and  140   d  can be individually adjusted in order to accommodate for an uneven floor or ground surface. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the vibration platform  121  and the base plate  122  are connected to each other by vibration dampeners  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c , and  130   d  located at each of the four comers of the vibration platform  121  and the base plate  122 . Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the vibration dampeners  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c , and  130   d  function to substantially eliminate vibrational components parallel to the plane in which large surface area of the vibration platform  121  lies such that the primary direction of movement and the largest vibrations (amplitudes) produced by the vibration apparatus  100  are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vertical stem  110 , that is, substantially vertical thereby enhancing the experience of the user. The vibration dampeners  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c , and  130   d  may be selected based on the expected range of amplitudes of the vibration, and be designed to handle the expected vertical loads. In addition to isolating the vertical component of the vibrations, in preferred embodiments, the vibration dampeners  130   a ,  130   b ,  130   c , and  130   d  also help reduce the noise emanating or escaping from the vibration base assembly  120  and extends the life of the vibration apparatus  100 , including the life of the motor assembly  10 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 12   a - 12   d , an alternative vibration dampener  200  includes an outer rubber shell  202  having an inner cavity  204 , and a mechanical support  206  mounted in cavity  204 . Mechanical support  206  includes plates  208  positioned on opposite sides of shell  202  and two coil springs  210  extending vertically between the plates  208  parallel to one another. Spring retainers  212  extend from each plate to secure the ends of each spring  210 . Dampener  200  optimally minimizes nonvertical vibration to more effectively translate the vibrational energy of the apparatus into usable vertical vibration for the user&#39;s benefit. 
         [0042]    The preceding examples are not intended to limit the breadth of the present invention disclosed in this application. Additional embodiments are disclosed in the following claims. Individuals skilled in the art will appreciate and recognize that a variety of alternative methods and embodiments exist given the above teachings. Therefore, the present invention may be practiced, consistent with the scope of the claims, in manners other than those means explicitly described.