Abstract: A vibro-tactile cutaneous alert stimulation and massaging system for equipment such as a vehicle includes a pad; a heater element, and motorized vibrators in respective regions of the pad; a plurality of vibratory transducers for location relative to plural zones of the seat, each transducer being responsive to a transducer power signal; a microprocessor controller having program and variable memory and an input and output interface; an array of input elements connected to the input interface for signaling the microprocessor in response to operator input, the signaling including an intensity control value, a plurality of mode signals, and a plurality of region signals relating transducers to be enabled; and a driver circuit responsive to the output interface for producing the power signal separately for each of the transducers.

Abstract: A vehicle massaging system includes a seat pad and motorized vibrators in respective regions of the pad; and a controller for selectively activating the transducers. Each of the vibrators is in a cavity of a main cushion member, the cavity being closed by an outer cushion member that supports an occupant, a soft or resilient isolation device being interposed between the vibrator and the main cushion member for reduced coupling of vibrations to structure or other portions of the seat, but enhanced coupling to a target region of the outer cushion member for improved selectivity of particular regions of a user's body to be massaged, and in multiple seating installations, unwanted vibration of one seat is suppressed during activation of vibrators in an adjacent seat. The transducer is bonded to the outer cushion member or a reinforcing sheet that is laminated thereto, the isolation device contacting a bottom portion of the transducer. Alternatively, the isolation device can completely enclose the transducer.

Abstract: A vibro-tactile cutaneous alert stimulation and massaging system for equipment such as a vehicle includes a pad, a heater element, and motorized vibrators in respective regions of the pad; a plurality of vibratory transducers for location relative to plural zones of the seat; a microprocessor controller having program and variable memory and an input and output interface; an array of input elements connected to the input interface for signaling the microprocessor in response to operator input; and a driver circuit responsive to the output interface for producing the power signal separately for each of the transducers. The controller responds to the input elements to activate the transducers in: a massaging mode and an alert mode producing a predetermined sequence of vibro-tactile cutaneous alert stimulation cycles. Additional transducers can be spaced along a restraining seat belt for imparting directionally oriented stimuli warning of an impending collision.

Abstract: A vibrating massage furniture cushion and a method for making such cushion is provided. The cushion is created by enclosing an electric motor-driven vibrator in a flexible material, such as a shrink-wrap plastic material, suspending the vibrator within a cushion-making form and creating the foam cushion by reacting one or more foam precursor chemicals within the form. As the foam is created, it automatically envelopes the vibrator, thereby rigidly retaining the vibrator in place within the cushion. Because the vibrator has been surrounded with the thin flexible material, the foam cannot enter the motor area during the foam creation step. Therefore, the foam creation step does not damage the motor or otherwise make it inoperable. The invention provides a simple and efficient way of making cushion-containing vibration massage articles without having to go through the step of sculpting out a recess for the vibrator within a finished cushion article.

Abstract: A tactile alert stimulation and massaging system for equipment such as a vehicle includes a pad; a heater element, and motorized vibrators in respective regions of the pad; a plurality of vibratory transducers for location relative to plural zones of the seat, each transducer being responsive to a transducer power signal; a microprocessor controller having program and variable memory and an input and output interface; an array of input elements connected to the input interface for signaling the microprocessor in response to operator input, the signaling including an intensity control value, a plurality of mode signals, and a plurality of region signals relating transducers to be enabled; a driver circuit responsive to the output interface for producing, separately for each of the transducers, the power signal; and the microprocessor controller being operative in response to the input elements for activating the transducers for operation thereof in a plurality of modes including a massaging mode selectively pr

Abstract: A massaging system for equipment such as a vehicle includes a pad; a heater element, and motorized vibrators in respective regions of the pad; a plurality of vibratory transducers for location relative to plural zones of the seat; a controller for selectively activating the transducers. Each of the vibrators is in a cavity of a main cushion member, the cavity being closed by an outer cushion member that supports an occupant, a soft isolation member being interposed between the transducer and the main cushion member. The isolation member can completely enclose the transducer; alternatively, the transducer can be bonded to the outer cushion member or a reinforcing sheet that is laminated thereto, the isolation member only partially enclosing the transducer. The isolation of the vibrators from the main cushion member provides improved selectivity of particular regions of a user's body to be massaged.

Abstract: An exercise device comprises an elastic loop having free ends spliced together, generally tubular handles disposed in diametrically opposed relation to one another on the loop and an elastic retainer sleeve surrounding intermediate portions of the loop between the handles. The device is conformable for use in performing a wide variety of exercises and for performing a selected number of repetitions of each exercise by grasping the handles and stretching against the resistance load of the loop and the retainer means. The handles can be grasped either by the hands or by a combination of hands and feet to perform various exercises or may be grasped between the feet or ankle portions to perform other exercises. In modified forms of the invention, one of the handles is made rigid so as to simulate a racquet or golf club handle to be used in practicing forehand and backhand strokes or to simulate the golf swing. The exercises may be performed effectively in either the standing, sitting or fully prone position.