Abstract:
A body vibration apparatus includes an at least partially rigid platform, a first motor coupled to the platform such that movement of the first motor imparts force to the platform. The first motor has a first shaft that rotates a first eccentric weight in a first direction, phase and plane. A second motor is coupled to the platform such that movement of the second motor imparts force to the platform. The second motor has a second shaft parallel to the first shaft that rotates in a second direction, which, in one embodiment, is opposite the first direction. A second eccentric weight is coupled to the second shaft in the first plane. The second eccentric weight rotates with the second shaft at the first phase.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application No. 60/504,011 filed Sep. 19, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated fully herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Human body vibration has been shown to improve health, appearance, fitness, circulation and hormone secretion in humans of all ages. To withstand mechanical energy transferred to the body by vibration, muscles vigorously expand and contract. After repeated sessions of vibration, the body can adjust to the movement, resulting in an increase in muscle performance. Studies have shown that fast, vertical sinusoidal motion can lead to better fitness results when the body undergoes rapid and repeated gravitational force changes and naturally resists these changes. 
         [0003]    Conventional body vibration machines are typically made up of a single motor rotating an eccentric weight around a shaft. In these systems, the movement force of the eccentric weight is imparted to the motor as a whole, and can function as a discrete area massager if placed below a flexible surface, such as a cloth, and held against a muscle to be massaged. This massaging action, however, generally imparts very little force on the body, and the body&#39;s natural resistance to the vibration felt by it is minimal. Such a massager is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,096. 
         [0004]    Other conventional systems mount a single motor to a fairly rigid platform on which a person may sit or stand. The motor imparts the circular force onto the rigid platform, causing the person to resist the rotating forces of the eccentric weight. A second eccentric weight can also be added to an opposite side of the motor&#39;s shaft, imparting alternating diagonal forces on the platform. An example of such a machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,902,993. However, because much of the force from the eccentric weights in these machines is transferred to the platform, and the person, in a horizontal direction, additional strain can be imparted to the joints of the person, and less vertical force is imparted to the platform for increasing the gravitational forces experienced by the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The instant invention relates to simple and effective body vibration apparatus. In one embodiment, the body vibration apparatus includes an at least partially rigid platform, a first motor coupled to the platform such that movement of the first motor imparts force to the platform. The first motor has a first shaft that rotates a first eccentric weight in a first direction, phase and plane. A second motor is coupled to the platform such that movement of the second motor imparts force to the platform. The second motor has a second shaft parallel to the first shaft that rotates in a second direction, which, in one embodiment, is opposite the first direction. A second eccentric weight is coupled to the second shaft in the first plane. The second eccentric weight rotates with the second shaft at the first phase. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment of the invention, two motors rotating eccentric weights on their horizontal, parallel axes are fixed to a vibrating platform. The vibrating platform is supported by a vibrational mounting assembly, which allows three dimensional vibration. The motors operate at the same frequency and phase, and transfer a sinusoidal vibration to a user positioned on the platform by rotating the eccentric weights in opposite directions. In one embodiment, the motors can be operated at 30 Hz, 35 Hz, 40 Hz and 50 Hz to achieve varying levels of vibration at 30, 45 and 60 second periods. The amplitude of vibration can be intensified by operating the motors with heavier, or less balanced eccentric weights. These settings can be input by a user into a main display/control panel. 
         [0007]    The effects that have been observed by embodiment of this system are increases in muscle strength by 20 to 30% more than with conventional power training with an 85% reduced training time; increases in flexibility and mobility; secretion of important regenerative hormones, such as HGH, IGF-1 and testosterone that aid in explosive strength; increased levels of seratonin and neurotrophine; reduction in cortisol; improvement in blood circulation; strengthening of bone tissue; pain reduction; and muscle strengthening. It has also been shown that vibration training reduces the strain on joints, ligaments and tendons, and trains fast, white muscle fibers better than conventional power training. 
         [0008]    These advantages are especially important for both athletes and older citizens. This system may also have similar positive effects on MS, ME, fibromyalgia, and arthritis patients. 
         [0009]    In addition to the positive health effects, the vibration imparted by the instant invention may also improve cosmetic appearance, including improving lymph drainage and circulation, which can reduce cellulitis and fat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The detailed description of embodiments of the invention will be made in reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals represent corresponding elements: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a vibrational fitness apparatus according to the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  without a base housing and with a cutout in the main console to expose the electronics console; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  taken along the direction A-A; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  without a baseplate; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a vibrational fitness apparatus according to the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an exercise mat of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a baseplate of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of a rubber foot of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12   a  is a bottom perspective view of the motor mounting frame, vibrational mounting assembly, and motor housing of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12   b  is a bottom perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the motor mounting frame; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a vibration mount of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of a vibration mount of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of two motor assemblies of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of thin, eccentric weights installed on a motor shaft of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the thin, eccentric weights of  FIG. 16  in a partially disassembled condition; 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a main counterweight and the thin, eccentric weights of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the main counterweight of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 20  is a plan view of one of the thin eccentric weights of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 21  is a bottom view of a one of the motor assemblies of  FIG. 15  with its cover removed to reveal the electrical connections to the motor; 
           [0033]      FIG. 22  is a block diagram of the vibrational fitness apparatus embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 23  is a plan view of a main display of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 24  is a plan view of a secondary display of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 25  is a partially exploded view of the main display, secondary display and electronics console of  FIGS. 1 and 8 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 26  is a simplified schematic diagram of the motors with the weights removed to show the high and low amplitude rotational directions; 
           [0038]      FIG. 27  is a front perspective view of the motor on the right of  FIG. 26  with the weights assembled and the arrow of rotation pointing in the low amplitude direction; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 28  is a front perspective view of the motor of  FIG. 27  with the arrow of rotation pointing in the high amplitude direction. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]      FIGS. 1-7  show a main console  3  and a base  5  of one embodiment of the invention. A base  5  is adjacent to the main console  3  on a baseplate  6 . As shown in more detail in  FIG. 8 , two motors  8  inside of the base  5  are mounted adjacent and spaced apart from each other beneath the top surface of the base  5 . The motors  8  rotate eccentric weights (shown in  FIGS. 16-21 ) in opposite directions around substantially parallel axes running from the back to the front of the base  5 . Vibration mounts  7  support the motors  8  above the baseplate  6 , while allowing vibration of the motors  8  in all three dimensions. When a user inputs a frequency of rotation, level of intensity, and duration of an exercise into a main  2  or secondary  4  display on the main console  3 , the motors  8  are driven with that frequency, intensity, or duration to produce a vertical sinusoidal vibration and a somewhat erratic horizontal vibration, on the top surface of the base  5 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  8 , the main console  3  is substantially vertical and houses a main display  2 , a bottom or secondary display  4 , a power inlet and switch assembly  9  and an electronics console  11 . The electronics console  11  can be mounted directly to the main console  3 , as shown, or alternatively suspended from the main console  3  by suspension rubbers (not shown). Such suspension may isolate the electronics console  11  from excessive vibration. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the main console  3  also houses a detachable transport assembly  10 , which can be detached during operation and attached for transport. A set of handlebars  1  extend from the main console  3  and are preferably made of steel with foam rubber grips. 
         [0043]    The base housing  5  is preferably made of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) along its upper and horizontal periphery and covered on its top surface by an anti-slip surface  13 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  8  and  12 , the base housing  5  surrounds a vibration mounting assembly  15 , a vibrating base assembly  19  and a motor assembly  8 ,  80 . Flexible straps  17  with hand or foot grips can be fixed at each end of the base housing to allow vibration from the platform to be transferred to muscles pulling the straps  17 . 
         [0044]    The baseplate  6  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 10 . The baseplate is preferably 13 mm thick steel with sufficient size and shape to support both the vibrating base assembly  19  and the main console  3 . Preferably, the base plate  6  has enough mass to ensure stability during use and the stiffness to withstand the forces induced by vibration of the system. The baseplate  6  also isolates the system from the floor surface on which it is supported in order to minimize the dissipation of vibrational forces into the floor. In one embodiment, five height-adjustable rubber feet  20  project downward from the baseplate  6  to stabilize it on the floor, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0045]    A base housing  5  is molded from FRP in the shape shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . The vibrating base assembly  19  and vibration mounting assembly  15  within the base housing are shown in more detail in FIGS.  2  and  12 - 14 . Mounted on the top surface of the baseplate are four vibration mounts  7  that support a motor mounting frame  15 . Preferably, the vibration mounts  7  are formed of an elastomeric material that is capable of allowing three dimensional vibration of the motor mounting frame  15 . In one embodiment, the vibration mounts  7  are shaped with hollow, hexagonal cross sections that are mounted with a horizontal shaft transverse to the axes of rotation of the motors. In this embodiment, forces in that direction are damped more from the deformation of the vibration mount material than are the vertical forces. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  12   a , the motor mounting frame  15  includes a hollow, square, steel frame with mounting surfaces extending outward from the corners for mounting on the vibration mounts. A steel reinforcement  21  is fixed to two opposite sides of the square&#39;s inner surface. A strip of steel  22  with mounting holes  24  is fixed in a horizontal orientation to the other two opposite sides of the square&#39;s upper surface. The FRP base housing  5  is molded into this strip of steel  22  to integrate it into the base housing. Two motor housings  80  are mounted spaced apart with substantially horizontal and parallel axes on the underside of the FRP-covered strip of steel  5 ,  22 . The motor housings  80  are mounted onto either side of the central axis of strip  22 . In the embodiment shown, the housings  80  are mounted by bolts with anti-slip nuts. Vibration-withstanding power cables  26  supply power from a motor connector, located within the base  5  beneath the motor mounting frame  15 . 
         [0047]    An alternate embodiment of the motor mounting frame  15 ′ is shown in  FIG. 12   b . The motor mounting frame  15 ′ is fixed to a larger steel surface  22 ′, as well as the steel reinforcement  21 ′ and vibration base assembly  19 ′ to increase the stiffness of the frame  15 ′. 
         [0048]    The motor housings  80  and motors  8  are shown in more detail in  FIGS. 15-21 . Each motor housing  80  encloses an identical motor  8  that rotates a set of eccentric weights  82 ,  84  at substantially the same frequency and phase as the other motor  8  and in opposite directions. The motors  8  are wired in parallel and, in this embodiment, are bolted to the steel strip  22 . In one embodiment, these weights comprise several thin eccentric weights  82  of approximately 60 grams each and one main counterweight  84  weighing approximately 210 grams. The thin eccentric weights  82  rotate with the shaft and have a wide, teardrop shape, with their widths increasing with distance from the axis of rotation. Using a multiplicity of eccentric weights allows the vibration characteristics to be modified, if desired, by adding or subtracting weights. 
         [0049]    The counterweight  84  is located between the motor  8  and the thin eccentric weights  82 . In one embodiment, the counterweight  84  is shaped similar to a teardrop, with its width increasing with distance from the axis of rotation. It rotates freely around the shaft and includes a rigid projection  86  on one side projecting away from the motor  8  and through the plane of rotation of the thin eccentric weights  82 . In the embodiment shown, the thin eccentric weights  82  can rotate around the shaft for almost a full rotation before they collide with the rigid projection  86  and cause the counterweight  84  to rotate with them. This allows more efficient starting operation of the system. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the rigid projections  86  on each of the two counterweights  84  extend from opposite sides of their respective counterweights  84 , as shown in  FIG. 26 . With this arrangement, when the motors  8  are rotated in different opposing directions, the thin eccentric weights  82  will collide with different sides of the rigid projections  86 , causing the counterweight  84  to either rotate on the same side of the shaft as the eccentric weights  82  or on opposite sides.  FIGS. 26 and 27  show the thin eccentric weights  82  of the motor  8  on the right in  FIG. 26  rotating in a direction that collides with the rigid projection  86  to force the weights to rotate on opposite sides of the shaft.  FIGS. 26 and 28  show the weights when rotating in the opposite direction wherein the thin eccentric weights  82  and the counterweight  84  are rotating on the same side of the shaft. When the weights  82 ,  84  rotate on the same side of the shaft, a greater vertical force is imparted to the vibrational platform, and the vertical amplitude of the vibration increases. Therefore, the amplitude of vibration can be changed by reversing the opposing rotations of the motors. This can be controlled by an intensity setting on the displays. 
         [0051]    In the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the eccentric weights  82 ,  84  by the two motors  8  in this fashion creates an imbalance in the vibrating platform, causing a vertical sinusoidal movement as well as a slight, erratic, horizontal vibration. As the motors  8  rotate at the same frequency and phase, the frequency of vibration felt by a user standing on the vibrating platform is dependent on the frequency of the AC signal that drives the motors  8 . Preferably, the motors  8  are capable of being driven at a wide range of frequencies, and more preferably at frequencies between 25 Hz and 70 Hz. In one embodiment, the motors are also capable of rotating in either direction. 
         [0052]    By operating the motors  8  in different opposing directions, a higher intensity vertical vibration, as measured as amplitude, can be achieved. In one embodiment, the amplitude of the vertical vibration increases from 2.5 mm when the motors are rotating in the same direction to 5 mm when the motors are rotating in opposite directions. By varying the frequency and amplitude, various g-forces can be experienced by the user. As described above, the human body naturally resists g-force and vibration, and the muscles used in resisting are strengthened. In one embodiment, the g-forces felt at low amplitude settings (approximately 2.5 mm) are 2.28 g and 2.71 g at 35 Hz and 40 Hz, respectively, and at high amplitude settings (approximately 5 mm) are 3.91 g and 5.09 g at 35 Hz and 40 Hz, respectively. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 2-3 ,  8 ,  22 - 23  and  25  show the main console  3  and its connections in more detail. The main console  3  includes a main display  2 , a bottom or secondary display  4 , a power inlet and switch assembly  9  and an electronics console  11 . Preferably, the main console  3  includes handlebars  1  that reach a height convenient for a user to grasp them with his or her hands. At the main display  2 , a user may receive instructions regarding possible input values and can input the time of exercise, the frequency of vibration, a high or low intensity level, and whether the exercise at those setting should be repeated. This information is sent to the secondary display  4 . 
         [0054]    In reference to FIGS.  22  and  24 - 25  the secondary display  4  shows on a digital LED a countdown timer showing the remaining operating time, based on the value input into the main display  2  by the user. The panel also has “start,” “stop,” and “repeat” buttons to operate and restart the apparatus using the last values input by the user. In one embodiment, this secondary display  4  is mounted in a lower section of the main console  3  to allow users doing exercises that are low to the floor, such as push-ups, to operate the apparatus at a convenient height. The information input into the secondary  4  and main  2  displays is sent to the electronics console  11  via a multi core flat cable. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 2 and 22  show the electronics console  11  in more detail. The electronics console  11  includes an AC motor drive  100  and a controller  102 . The controller  102  receives signals from the main  2  and secondary  4  displays and communicates these settings to the motor drive  100 . In one embodiment, the electronics console  11  includes a programmable chip  104  and a power regulator  106 . 
         [0056]    The motor drive  100  receives AC power from a 110V or 220V power outlet, through the power inlet/switch assembly  9  and power regulator  106 . The motor drive  100  then outputs power to the motors  8  at a range of specified frequencies, based on the signals from the controller  102 . In one embodiment, the motor drive  100  outputs power at 30 Hz, 35 Hz, 40 Hz or 50 Hz, in response to signals from the controller  102 . In one embodiment, the motor drive  100  is constructed to drive the motors  8  to rotate in opposite directions in response to the user inputting a high intensity setting from the main display  4 . In one embodiment, the motor drive  100  is a Delta VFD-M (220V) or -S (110V) model. In another embodiment, the motor drive  100  is a Telemecanique Altivar model. 
         [0057]    Although the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments, the embodiments are not intended to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, and are limited only by the plain meaning of the words as used in the eventual claims.