US2951478A - Therapeutic structure - Google Patents

Description

E. H. ToMPKlNs 2,951,478

Sept. 6, 1960 THERAPEUTIC STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May l0, 1957 22 v INVENTOR. Edwin H.Tomp|(ins Sept. 6, 1960 E. H. 'roMPKxNs 2,951,478

THERAPEUTIC STRUCTURE Filed May l0, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Edwin H .Tompkins ATTORNEYJ United States Patent G THERAPEUTIC STRUCTURE Edwin H. Tompkins, 1422 E. 6th St., Tucson, Ariz.

Filed May 10, 1957, Ser. No. 658,406

14 Claims. (Cl. 12S-33) This invention relates to therapeutic structures and is directed particularly to a device of this nature incorporated in or combined. with the structure of a box spring designed to carry a standard mattress upon which a person may recline and a particular object of the invention is to provide improved means for giving therapeutic treatments to a person reclining on a mattress supported or carried by the structure.

In my prior patents, No. 2,345,438 and No. 2,425,655, I have incorporated a gyration creating device in an inner spring mattress, by which a person resting on' the mattress will receive gyratory impulses that stimulate improved blood circulation and nerve relaxation in the person. Prior thereto vibration impulses, in contrast to gyratory impulses, had been imparted to mattresses and their supports, but vibratory impulses instead of being soothing and relaxing were in fact annoying to the person receiving them, and no material and effective stimulation of the blood circulation was observed. While the mattresses containing mechanism for creating gyratory impulses gave good results, certain vexatious problems were encountered in their construction and use. VFor example, mattresses are usually, if not always, enclosed, and since the gyrations are created by electric motors with axially unbalanced armatures or rotors mounted in free floating condition in a housing or support by resilient means, such as of elastic or resilient rubber, safety required the mounting of the motors and their housings in an exposed wall of the mattress where ventilation of the motor to the outside of the mattress was possible. This made it possible -to eliminate heat from the motor and avoid lire hazards and damage to the mattress and motor. It was also dificult to distribute the gyratory impulses from the housing located in a side or end wall uniformly throughout the mattress while having the desired supporting softness or comfort in the lfaces of the mattress. Users also placed sheets and blankets over the walls in which the motors were located, that interfered with necessary ventilation of the motor.

An object of the invention is to provide a structure for delivering desired gyratory impulses to a person, which is simple, relatively inexpensive and practical and which is not open to the objections above discussed; with which a person receiving the gyratory impulses may recline upon a standard or any mattress of the degree of softness desired; with which the gyratory impulses will be distributed with uniform magnitude and eifectiveness throughout the mattress across its entire face and hence to a person reclining thereon; which will decrease the cost of providing for the gyratory impulses; which will provide full and adequate ventilation of the motor and its housing in a manner where such ventilation will not be interfered with by blankets, sheets and other bedding and in which the motor will be easily accessible for any inspection or servicing that might be necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved box spring type structure having associated with it a more or less free floating gyration producing unit by which the gyrations will be distributed uniformly throughout the structure and to aemattress carried thereon.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a are ICC

character stated ywherein the gyration producing mecha-- msm is coupled in a novel manner with the springs of the a manner as hereinafter set forth, a box spring structure having a gyratory unit suspended approximately in the central portion thereof upon the conventional springs whereby to transmit gyratory motion throughout the structure for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

Other objectsvand advantages will appear from thex following description of one embodiment of the invention' and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with the appended claims.

In the drawings: n

Fig. 1 is a View of the underside or bottom of a box spring structure showing therein the gyratory unit and mounting means of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view looking at the central part of the top of the box spring structure with the covering fabric partially broken away and showing the gyratory unit with the upper halves of the coil springs thereover;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken in a vertical plane approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and showing with the gyratory unit one of the supporting coupling rods which are attached to certain of the coil springs and which extend across the width of the box spring or transversely thereof;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken in a vertical plane substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, which plane of section extends longitudinally of the box spring structure across the gyratory unit supporting rods;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged `detail view illustrating more speciiically the wire coil coupling two adjacent coilr springs and supporting and showing in cross section one rod which extends axially through the coupling coil, the coil being in cross section and adjacent portions of the connected coil spring also being broken away or in section;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view illustrating one form of gyra-Y tory unit which may be employed for producing the desired gyrations;

' Fig. 7 is an exploded view illustrating another form or embodiment of the gyratory unit;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 8 8 of lFig. l and showing a portion of the fabric only with this type of box spring but may be embodied in any type of separate spring structure employed to support any mattress or it may be embodied in a structure such as a sofa, lounge or the like, upon which a person may directly recline, so long as these structures are open on the underside to permit desired ventilation of the gyration producing mechanism.

The box spring structure which is shown in Fig. 1 in bottom plan with the gyratory unit mounted therein, is generally designated 10. This structure is shown ias embodying a base frame made up of the longitudinally extending side rails 12 and transversely extending end rails 14, which rails usually are of wood. In addition to the side and end rails which are dat members, as shown in Fig. 8 where one end rail only is illustrated in cross section, the box spring structure includes the spaced apart manner as hereinafter set forth a spring structure of theparallel bars or slats v16 which extend across the width.-

of the structure and connect the si de rails 12 together. Also Ithere is a single central bar `18 which extends longitudinally of the box spring structure and connects togsthsrthe transverse endrails Maud. iu addition to this single-central bar 18 the transverse end rails are connested by aA multiplicity of heavy longitudinally extend. ing wires 20.

Within the area defned by the longitudinal side rails 12v and, the` transverse ond rails 1.4 there are supported upon and secured to the transverse slats 16 and the longitudinal. wires. 2.0.thooouveutiona1 oompactly arranged coil springs 2.1... ThessY are, ofcourse, the. bottom ends of the coil springs which are, secured: to the s1ats1;,6. and wires20 and any suitable means'may. b e employed, as indicated at 22, for effecting the securement of the springs, such securing means b eing conventional and well known;

The top of the box spring structure is outlined and defined by aheavy` wire frame 23 which isV of rectangular form and of approximately the size of the outside dmensions of the bottom'frarne which is made up of the rails 1 2 and 14, the transverse and longitudinal slats 16 and-18 and the wires 2 0. This rectangular top frame 2 3 is secured in conventional manner as indicated at 23a; to the adjacent outermost rows of the coilsprings 21,. Running across the width of the box spring in the plane of the heavy metal frame 23 are the conventional transverse helical wires 24 whichlie between the transverse rows of the vertical coil springs 21 at the tops thereof and join thelattertogether.

The box spring structure is enclosed on its top and its ends and sides by a suitable fabric covering such as is conventionally employed and which covering is designated 2 5, an d, as shown in Fig. 8, may be secured to the bottom frame, but this covering does not overlie the botltorn side of the, box spring structure as it is preferred that, this'remain open for complete ventilation of the gyratory unit hereinafter described.

In accordance with the present invention, in the central or approximately central area of the box spring structure a number of the upright coil springs have the lower halves thereof removed or cut away, thereby providing, as is `clearly showninfFigs. 3 and 4, a space or area 2,6. Inl thus cutting away thelower h alvesof the se1ected cer 1 trally located coil springs the upper halves remain connected with the adjacent full or complete coil springs and are suspended in the upper part ofthe open area and these upper halves or upper portions of the coil springs are designated 21a.

Within the downwardly opening space or area there is supported, in the manner about to be described, a gyration producing unit which is generally designated 2 7. Two examples of such unit are illustrated in Figs. 6

l and 7;

For the mounting of the gyration producingV unit in the central area 26 of -the box spring structure, the following means is employed.

It will be seen upon reference to Fig. l, which shows the bottom or underside of the box spring structure, that the downwardly opening area 26 is bordered by two complete rows of springs 2 1 extending transversely or acrossthe width of the box spring structure, which two complete rows of area bordering springs are each designated 33. Between these complete transverse rows 33y are two rows of springs which may beidentilied, for` distinction from the rows 33, as interrupted transverse rows and these interrupted transverse rows areV each designated 34. .Also it will be understoodthat the interf ruption of these rows is brought about by reason ofA the inclusion therein of the cut-off or half springs 21u. It will; be understood, of course, that theV interrupted` rows 34 are coupled together at the tops of the springsV to the tops of thesprings ofthe bordering rows 33..by the transf versehelicalslfl andthe tops4 of the adjacentl complete 21u are alsov coupled together by a transverse h elsal 2.4

Springs 2.1 and the adjacentincomplete or half springs as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Below the tops of the coil springs each of the transverse rows 33 is coupled for a distance on each side of the open area 26 with the complete coil springs of the adjacent interrupted row 34 by means of a pair of elongate coupling helicals or coupling springs 3 5. Thecollneoting together or couptinaot thbsntiugs, Qt each row 33. with the adjacent full or complete springs ofv the row 34 by these Counting Indicate-.35. is. etteotedhv A threadiuaoach pair of coupling helicals, or springsv 35 onto adjacent convolutions of the coils of the rows 33v and 34 so that the coupling pairs of helicals tie together the adjacent convolutions of the rows ofv springs, 3,3.;and34. As stated,v these tying or coupling helicals or springs 3 5 are located below the tops of the coil springs 2 1, preferably at about the second orr third convolution dov/non each of the spring 21, as shown in Figs. 3 andS. The two coupling springs 3 5 o f each pair, which are in algumentacrossthe width of the box spring structure, have spaced apart inner ends which are,

located approximately at the sides of the area 2 6.

Following the. application of the two pairs of tie or coupling helicalsor springs35 to the adjacent rows 33 and 34 of the uprightsprings 21, there is extended axially of and through the two alignedv coupling helicals 35 of each pair, a supporting. orgsnspension rod 36 and these two rods bridge the area space 26 for supporting the gyratory unit 27 in themanneo illustrated most clearly` in Figs. 3 andl.

After the supporting rods 36 have been inserted into the coupling or tying helicals 35, the two ends of each rod are turned down as.. indicated; at 37 so yas to prevent the rod from moving lengthwise through the tie springs. While the rods 36l have been shown as having the ends turned down to prevent the rods 'from shifting, any other suitable means may be placed on the rods for this purpose, if desired.

The gyrationproducing unit 2.7, as previously` stated, is located in about the centerofthe box spring structure vin the open area 26, audits sidesfare disposed adjacent to the rods 36 and the mounting plate 32 on each side of thel producing -unit 27 is mounted uponthe rods 36 with the axisV of the rotor shaft directedtransversely of the spring structure or in parallel relation with the transversely directed supporting rods.

In the structure shown in Fig. 6, one type of mounting for the electric motor isi-illustrated while in the structure shown in Fig. 7 another mounting means is shown In the structure of Fig. 6 the inner faces of the side walls 29 have secured thereto the upright channel members 39 in each of which is a channel strip 41 of highly resilient rubber. Extending across the bottom 40 of the housing between the uprighthighly resilient rubber strips '41 on the opposite side walls is a bottom highly resilient rubber strip 42.

The oppositely positioned rubber channels 41 have mounted therebetween and slidably engaged therein motor supporting bracket plates 43 each of whichatits bottom edge rests on a bottom live rubber-strip 4 2. These plates have their inner faces recessed as at 44and in the center of each recess is an opening45 for the extension through the plate ofthe adjacentendof the armature shaft 4 6 of the motor.Y The openings` 4 5; are., much larger than the shaft 46 to enable the shaftk tQ move laterally in the openings 4.5.

aan 1,453

Encircling each end of the body or the field coil encasing housing 47 of the motor, is an elastic rubber mounting cup ring 48 which lits in the adjacent bracket plate recess 44 and which has a central opening 49 aligning with the opening 4S of the bracket plate for the extension of the armature shaft therethrough.

Upon the outer or remote sides of the mounting plates 43 the armature shaft 46 of the motor has fixed thereto aneccentric weight 56 and outwardly from each of these off-center or off-balance weights the armature shaft has a fan S1 mounted thereon and fixed thereto.

The housing 28 may be closed in any suitable manner as by means of a removable top or cover 52, and elastic rubber strips 42 are disposed between the cover and the upper edges of the plates 43.

Fig. 7 shows a second form of gyration producing structure which in Figs. l to 4 is generally designated 27 and which reference character, of course, refers to both forms shown. In this second form of the gyration producing structure a housing or casing S3 is illustrated having side walls 54 and end walls, one only of which is illustrated and which is designated 55 and which walls have ventilation openings 56.

From the top part of each side wall extends a mounting plate 54a which is designed to be attached in the manner hereinbefore set forth to a rod 36 which is suspended on the vertical springs 21.

The numeral 57 generally designates a conventional type of electric motor to each end of the body of which is fixed a mounting adapter which comprises a circular plate 58 carrying the outwardly directed flange 59.

The numeral 60 designates the shaft of the motor armature and this passes through an elastic rubber mounting ring 6l which is carried on and encircles the fiange 59. The ring 61 in turn is fitted into the circular band 62 forming a part of a mounting bracket plate 63 which Carries four attaching lugs 64 disposed in rectangular arrangement to position in the housing 53 between the side walls 54 thereof to which they are secured by screws or in any other suitable manner.

The armature shaft 60 extends from each end of the motor body as will be readily understood, and each end of the shaft upon the outer side of the mounting bracket 63 has the eccentric or olf-balance weight 65 fixed thereto and outwardly of each weight is fixed a cooling fan 66.

The electric motor in the gyration unit 27 is supplied with current through a twin cable 67, and is smaller than the housing so that by reason of its mounting in elastic rubber, the entire motor can gyrate in the housing.

It will be seen upon reference to Figs. 3 and 4, that the gyration producing unit 27, such as, for example, either the form shown in Fig. 6 or that shown in Fig. 7, is of an overall height materially less than the height of the upright coil springs 21 vof the box spring structure and that when the unit 27 is attached by the mounting flanges or plates carried by the sides of the motor housing, to the supporting rods 36, it will be suspended within the area 26 and supported entirely by certain of the conventional vertical coil springs of the box spring structure in which it may be installed. Upon the operation of the motor in the housing, the eccentric weights attached to the motor armature will produce a gyratory motion of the motor in a small closed loop path in the housing and this motion will be imparted to the housing and through it -to the supporting rods 36 and through them and the coupling tie springs or helicals 35 to the conventional coil springs 21. Since the coil springs 21 are yall coupled together and the gyration producing unit is located in the central part of the box spring structure, it will be seen that the gyratory motion produced by the rotating eccentrically mounted weights will be evenly distributed from the center of the spring structure in all directions outwardly. Consequently a person resting on amattress placed upon the structure will receive the de- 6 sired gyratory impulses and be soothed, relaxed.. and otherwise benefited by such motion.

The unbalanced rotor of the. motor. will..cause A,the motor as an entity to move in a gyratory or closed loop path of small diameter, which is permitted bythe elastic mounting of the motor in the housing. The motor, with its mass, upon gyrating will cause gyrations ofthe housing, and those gyrations will be distributed throughout all of the springs by reason of their interconnectionto one another and to the housing. A mattresscarried by the gyrating spring will receive such impulses and transmit the gyrations to a person rresting on the mattress. This has been established by stroboscopic tests. Since the box spring structure is open on the lower side, air can freely circulate to the housing and motor, and avoid any danger of excessive heat, and no blankets or sheets used in making a zbed on the mattress will interfere with this ventilation of the motor and its housing.

The approximately central disposition of the motor and housing in the box spring frame will cause uniform dis.` tribution of the gyratory impulses to all parts of the spring and mattress. This enables any mattress of ones choice to be used, for maximum comfort, and still have the gyratory impulses delivered to a person resting on the mattress.

While the gyratory unit has been illustrated and described as being directly in the center of the box spring fname and this is the preferred location, it may be disposed somewhat toward one or the other of the ends of the box spring frame without impairing the efficiency of its action.

As will be readily apparent, by the removal of the lower halves of the springs 21 in the center of the box spring structure, leaving intact the upper halves, or portions Zla, the top surface continuity or evenness of the structure is maintained. Thus a mattress lying on the box spring will keep level or will be properly evenly supported throughout.

I claim:

l. A therapeutic structure comprising a supporting coil spring structure for a separate mattress and wherein such structure comprises a base-frame, and an approximately horizontal, flexible top Wall spaced above the base frame, a multiplicity of upright coil springs carried by the frame below and supporting said top wall and coupled together in closely associated side-by-side relation, and a unit having an axially unbalanced rotary element disposed for rotation on a horizontal axis for creating gyratory impulses, a supporting housing for and in which said unit is free to gyrate, there being an elastic medium between the unit and the housing for transmitting gyrations of the unit to the housing, the relationship of the springs being modified in the approximate center of the support to provide an open area, and said housing being attached to certain of the springs intermediate of their ends, at opposide sides of said area and spaced from said frame and top wall and supported for relatively free floating motion in the area.

2. A therapeutic structure comprising spaced top and bottom frames, a multiplicity of coil springs mounted between yand coupled to the frames, said springs being arranged in two groups made up of a number of complete rows extendi-ng in one direction across the structure between opposite sides and a number of other rows paralleling the first rows and lying between the two groups,

said other rows being interrupted in the bottom portions thereof substantially midway between their ends and providing with adjacent complete rows an open area approximately centrally of the structure, a pair of supports disposed across opposite sides of said open area and attached to adjacent springs, and a gyration generating unit between and attached to said supports and suspended in said open area and functioning to transmit gyratory I impulses throughout the structure.

3. A therapeutic structure comprising spaced top and bottom frames, a multiplicity of coil springs mounted between and coupled to the f rarnes,l said springs being arranged in fwusreuae made up ef e number eteamplete, rows extendingV inl onedirection across thestructure between Opposite Sides. and a' number ef' other, ruwe perallelineftherst 'ruwe and' lruef between the twe groups, said other rows being incomplete in they bottom portions thereof substantially midway between their ends and'providing with adjacent complete rows an open area approximately, centrally ofthe structure, a coupling means befweeu Springs efV eeeh eff two ineenlalete'ruwe and springs of.V one of saidadjacent complete rows, an elongate support Carried by, eeen eeuplrine meens, Seid snpprts, extending across opposite sides of said openareapand a gyration generatingunit between and attached to said supportsl and suspended thereby in said' open area and funefenina te transmit gyretury impulses throughout the structure.v

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein they said coupling means is connected with convolutions of the coil springs ofthe respective coupled complete and ineeulplete. ruwe between the. middle and rep ends Qf the springs.

5. A therapeutic structure comprising spaced top and bottom fram-es, a multiplicity of coil springs mounted between and coupled to the frames, the structure being of rectangular outline, said springs being arranged in two groups made up of a number of complete rows extending in one direction across the structure between opposite sides and 'a number of other rows paralleling the first rows and lying between the two groups, said other rows being incomplete substantially midway between their ends and providing with adjacent complete rows an openl area approximately centrally of the structure, a coupling means between the springs of each of two incomplete rows and springs of one of' said adjacent complete rows,

the said coupling means comprising elongate spiral 4springs extending longitudinally of' said rows of coil springs with certain of their convolutions encircling adjacent convolutiornrs` of the coil springs, elongate support members extending axially through the spiral' springs, the support members extending across opposite sides of said open area, `and a gyration generating-limit between and, attached to said supports and suspended thereby in said having an armature shaft and an eccentric weight thereon to turn therewith and produce axial imbalance thereof, andthe attachment of the unit embodies mounting plates integralwith opposite sides of; the housing `and secured to the supports.

9. The invention according` to, claim 8, whereinV said motor is positioned to have the armature shaft tlnereofv directed transversely of the structure.

10. A therapeutic structurecompn'sing a supporting coil spring structure for a separate mattress wherein in. said structure there is adownwardly openbase frame, a flat upper wall, a multiplicity of upright coil springs carried by the frame, the4 springs being coupled' together; in closely associated sideeby-side relation and' supporting said flat upper wall, and a, unit having an axially unbalancedelement rotatable aboutjan axis parallel tov said,-

upper wall, 'for creating gyratorry impulses, aV housingl in being an elastic medium between the the housing for transmitting therapeutic gyrations of the unit to. the housing, the relationship ofthe springs being modified tov provide between them a small open spring free area, and means for attaching said housing tov certain of the springs at opposite sides of` said area'andsupporting the housing for relatively free floating motion in the area, as permitted by the springs to which the housing is attached,

11. The invention according to claim 10, wherein the last means includes spaced rods attached to the housing and extending in a direction horizontally and transversely ofthe structure.

12. A therapeutic device having a flat upper surface for supporting a separate mattress on which a person to be treated with gyrat-ory impulses may be supported, saidY device comprising a downwardly open frame, Acoil springs supported side by Side on and upstandiug from said frame and articulately tied together and to the frame, a flexible sheet-like element disposed in a horizontal plane above andA supported resiliently by said coil springs, and confined at its edges tov said frame, a housing disposed between certain of" said springs and |below said element and spaced from both said trarne and' said' element,

means attaching said housing to a plurality of said springs at points intermediate of the ends of such springs, an electric motor with a rotatable shaft that has a substantial axial unbalance, disposed 'within said housing in spaced relation to all of the walls of the housing and with said shaft approximately horizontal, and resilient interponent means disposed between the walls of the housing and said motor and providing a resilient floating support for the motor in said housing, wherebywhen said motor is operated, its unbalanced shaft will cause the motor to gyrate bodily in said housing and through said interponent means cause said housing to gyrate and thereby transmit gyratory impulses from the housing through the springs to said element and anything supported on it, and heat from said motor will be dissipated downwardly through the open frame.

13. A therapeutic devicehaving anV approximately horizontal upper surface for supporting a separate mattress on which a personl to betreated with gyratory impulses may be` supported, said device comprising a box spring downwardly open at'its lower surface and having as its upper surface an approximatelyhorizontal, exible, sheetlike element andas a support for said element a plurality of upright coil. springs arranged side by side and articulatelyconnected together to form a resilient unit, and electrically operated gyratory impulse creating means disposed within said box spring, below 'and spacedy from saidsheet-like. element and -oatingly supported by andfbetween certain of said coil springs intermediate of their ends, said electrically operatedl means having a rotatable shaft axially unbalanced to a substantial extent disposed with its axis approximately horizontal, whereby the gyratory impulses created by said electrically operatedmeans will be in a closed loopv about said horizontal shaft axis and transmitted through said springs to saidelement and anything resting on itL and heat from said electricallyoperated means may be dissipated through the said downward Vopening of the box spring by air circulation;

1-4'. The device as set forth in claimfl's, wherein said shaft axis is disposed in ay directionfcrosswise o the length of they box spring.

References Cited in the tile ofthisfpatent- UNITED, STATES PATENTS kan new'

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