Patent ID: 8770389

Claim:
A vibrator configured to be secured to an item to vibrate the item, the vibrator comprising: a first base configured to be secured to a supporting structure for movement relative thereto along a predetermined first path; a first mounting secured to the first base and configured to be secured to the structure to provide for said relative movement, and to at least partly support the first base; a second base configured to be secured to the supporting structure for movement relative thereto along a second path generally parallel to the first path, and further configured to be secured to the item; a second mounting, the second mounting being secured to the second base and configured to be secured to the supporting structure to provide for the relative movement between the second base and supporting structure, and to at least partly support the second base; at least one resilient coupling attached to both the first base and the second base, wherein the resilient coupling extends between the first base and the second base, to provide for relative movement between the bases; a motor operatively associated with the bases to cause the relative movement between the bases; and wherein the bases, coupling, and motor cooperate to provide two mobile base assemblies that oscillate along a third path that is generally parallel to the first and second paths, and substantially in unison in opposite directions, wherein a first one of the base assemblies has a first mass and comprises said first base, and a second one of said base assemblies has a second mass and comprises said second base, wherein the first mass is greater than the second mass to enable the second base assembly to be secured to the item, so that the second mass and item have a combined mass that is substantially equal to the first mass.