DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art of vibrating vibrator massage pad. The conventional vibrator massager pad utilizing a vibrating motor 110, with eccentric weights 120, sandwiched between soft foams 103, and 104, is shown in the FIG. 1. Soft foams 103, and 104, are covered by fabric-like material 105, and 109. This type of conventional design is desirable for a cushion type pad but not applicable for standing upon. When a vibrating motor pad is stepped on, the motor protrudes and, as the body weight compresses the motor, it essentially ceases the vibration of the motor. The upper illustration in FIG. 1 shows the user's shoes 190, creating a downward force 100, 101, and 102. When the body weight is applied to the top of the vibrating motor, major down word force will be applied directly on the vibrating motor 110.

[0025] As it may be seen the vibrator motor 110, being solid it must withstand the majority of the compression force 101, at the bottom center of the user's shoes. Since the foam is soft it will result in very little resistance upward to support countering the down forces 100, and 102.

[0026] By using small vibrating motors there will not be sufficient energy to overcome the static body weight of 100 to 250 lbs. When the small vibrating motor is subject to such a high static compression force, vibrator will essentially compress down to the floor thus ceases to vibrate.

[0027] Based on vibrating pad in accordance to prior art, encasing the vibrating motor is not well suited for the floor mat applications. Therefore, new methods of vibrating motor support and energy transfer from vibrator motor to the user feet are needed.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the cross sectional view of an improved method of supporting the vibrating motor to be inserted in the floor mat. Present are the top cover 21, bottom cover 22, inner supporting elastomer 23, and vibrating motor 210, mounted on the semi-flexible flat plate 221. A vibrating motor typically contains an off center weight 214, mounted on the shaft of the dc motor 210. When the mat is stepped on, shoe 290 will apply total body weight on the mat. The inner supporting elastomer 23, is semi-rigid to withstand the body weight but provides some elastomeric comfort thus reducing fatigue.

[0029] Three downward arrows representing forces 40a, 40b, and 40c illustrate the distribution of body-weight due to the body weight applied through shoe 290. Reactive forces from the mat below are represented by three arrows 50a, 50b, and 50c.

[0030] As it may be seen, the body weight is primarily transferred directly onto the mats by the body weight components 40a, and 40c. Counter reactive forces 50a, and 50c, are supported by the resilience of the inner support elastomer supporting forces of 60a, and 60c, by counteracting body weight exerted by force 40a, and force 40c. It is important to note that because the vibrating motor is being supported at the top flexible plate, the weight of body is not transferred to the vibrating motor 210. Body weight components at the center bottom of the shoe 40b, will contact the mat's top surface directly above the vibrating motor assembly, 210, but there will be no static body weight transferred to the vibrating motor because of the air gap below. In this configuration the vibrating motor is not subject to the body weight. The majority of the vibrating energy in the vertical up-down direction will be transferred to the user's body above.

[0031] When power is supplied to the motor, vibrating force 50b, will be transferred to the bottom of the feet through the shoes. The vibrating force 50b, is symbolically shown by up ward arrows. When power is applied to the vibration motor, vibration force of up ward-down ward energy is transferred to the bottom of the shoes. Since the vibrating motor avoids holding up static weight and is relatively free to vibrate, the vibrating energy is more effectively transmitted to the person standing on it. Previously known limitations of using a smaller DC motor to achieve the low profile did not provide sufficient power. Increasing power to withstand weight in the range of 200 pounds means larger motors and higher profile as seen on footrest vibrators. Proposed method according to the present invention method of supporting close to the top surface of mat and avoiding static body weight overcomes previous limitations of using small DC vibrator motor in low profile floor mats, and withstands heavy weight loads.

[0032] Although FIG. 2 is illustrated with an air gap below the motor, anti-noise foam (not shown) may be placed below the motor preventing clanking noise. When unusually heavy load is applied, the vibrating motor comes close to bottom cover—soft foam reduces the impact noise.

[0033] FIG. 3A shows two top plates. Plate 321, is a cover plate attached to the inner support elastomer 323, but not the attached to the motor. The vibrating motor 310, is attached to the plate 322, and fastened or bonded 332, to the plate 322.

[0034] When power is applied to the DC motor the vibrating force is caused by the unbalanced weight 314, and the vibrating energy is transmitted through the back end of the motor to the partial top plate 322. The rotational vibration will take place pivoting around the rear fastening or bounding media 332. This creates a lever action vibrating action to amplify the vibrating force to the upper surface. Having semi-flexible top rear plate alone with inner layer support elastomer 323, will create resonating motion of vibrating motor 310, further achieving a greater vibration amplification effect is achieved with relatively small vibrating motor while withstanding a heavy body weight imposed from above and allowing relative low profile construction.

[0035] FIG. 3B shows the end view of the vibrating motor split support plates.

[0036] FIG. 3C shows top view of split support plates. Left side plate 321, placed to cover vibrating motor. Right side top plate 322, is attached to the motor below to provide protection to motor from body load and provide vibrating energy transfer to the bottom of the feet.

[0037] Using conventional methods of support, such an effect is suppressed by the body weight. Novel methods of supporting and transferring the vibrating energy effectively to the user overcomes the conventional approach.

[0038] FIG. 4A illustrates a method of supporting and fastening the vibration motor 410, with very close proximity, to the top cover 420, in order to maximize energy transfer while avoiding static weight. Vibrating motor 410, is fastened by the support 425, which may be a part of the support elastomer 424. To maintain a close proximity to the top surface, the vibrating motor may be bonded 431, to the top cover 420. In this configuration the bottom side the vibrating motor is not in contact with the bottom cover and does not handle static body weight of user standing on it.

[0039] FIG. 4B illustrates that the vibrator support 426, may be constructed as a mounting frame motor to provide some protection and allow assembly convenience. Then the motor and frame can insert inside of the mat inner support elastomer 424, as an assembly.

[0040] FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of the present invention to allow vibrating motor 410, to transfer majority of the vibrating energy to the user above using flexible motor hanging strap 451, to keep bottom of the bottom cover 421. The vibrating motor 410, may be bonded 432, to the top cover 420, and without being restrained by the body weight and minimizing the vibrating energy loss to the floor below.

[0041] Vibrating inner motor 410, is supported in contact to top cover 420, by a support strap 451, and/or bonding, 432. The strap is also attached to the supporting elastomer 424, and/or top cover 420.

[0042] Supporting strap 451, may be a semi-flexible elastomers, a flexible perforated plastic, or mesh-like strap.

[0043] As it is evident by those skilled in the art, many variations are possible to support a vibrating motor in close proximity to the top surface and/or sides while avoiding static body weight. This may include the use of a frame-like structure. All such variations are covered by scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 5A shows direct bonding 531, of the vibrator motor 510, to the top cover 520. In this configuration bonding or fastening material 531, bonds the vibrator motor 510. The bonding material 531, may consist of semi-flexible bonding elastomer or thin elastic foam with flexible permanent bond to ensure maximum energy transfer to the top surface.

[0045] There is a very important advantage of fastening or bonding the vibrating motor more directly below the top map cover.

[0046] In this configuration, the bonded area becomes, in effect, a pivot point of pendulum-like vibrating motor.

[0047] When the vibrator motor vibrates eccentrically but fastened at the top, it creates an up-down vibration and rocking (or rotating back-and-forth respect to bonded areas) vibration at the area of fastened point. The rocking vibration adds even greater vibration amplification force due to lever-like action. Furthermore, rocking vibration action vibration does not have to withstand direct body weight 590. It can transmit rocking vibration in a much more effective manner in spite of using a smaller DC motor to reduce height restriction.

[0048] FIG. 5B shows a soft elastomer foam 570, added to further assure that the vibrating motor will float above and against the top cover while allowing downward displacement of vibrator motor 510. The purpose of the bottom soft foam is not intended to support body weight—rather to assure vibrator to float up against the top cover—it still allows some downward displacement of the top mat cover and the motor. Furthermore, the bottom elastomer will deaden the vibrating chattering noise in event of an extraordinary concentrated weight loading and depressing above the vibrating motor.

[0049] FIG. 5C illustrates additional frame structure 525, surrounding the vibrator motor. The characteristic support frame 525, having stiffer elastomeric properties than that of inner support elastomer 524, will further assure body weight compressing down from the above the mat will not collapse vibrating motor to the bottom cover and the floor. Such a protective supporting frame, surrounding all side of the vibrating motor may be placed within any configuration such as FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B.

[0050] FIG. 6A illustrates dual vibrating motors 610a< /italic>, and 610b< /italic>, connected back to back with a semi rigid coupling structure and stand off 600. Assembly is inserted inside of the supporting elastomer 624, and covered by top cover 620, and bottom cover 621. The void created between the vibrators 610a< /italic>, and 610b< /italic>, and the top cover 620, and bottom cover 621, may be filled with soft foam to reduce rattling 630, and 631.

[0051] The vibrating motor 610a< /italic>, and 610b< /italic>, with eccentric weight creating unbalanced centrifugal forces in all directions. These unbalanced vibrations are supported by coupling and stand off structure at rear ends of the vibrating motor. These vibrating eccentric forces will be coupled to the top surface cover pivoting on the bottom side of the support stand off 600. This will create forces multiplying leverage to the body above while withstanding to the static body weight above. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of support and coupling create leverage or torque leverage to create a rocking action. Such variations are covered in the scope and spirit of present invention. This approach may be used singly or as multiple vibrator configurations.

[0052] It may be noted coupling structure 600, can act as weight support standoff to withstand central force directly applied above the dual vibrators motor above. More importantly, the purpose is to create a stronger vibrating force due to the lever action of the two motors witch pivot around the center.

[0053] FIG. 6B shows an end view of the dual vibrator motor.

[0054] It is noteworthy to point out that two or more vibrating motors may be joined or placed in close proximity to create additional vibrating patterns. For example, crosswise connection of four vibrating motors connected to perform even circularly modulating sub harmonic vibrating massage action to create soothing sensation to the user standing on it.

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrated the top view example of vibrating motors or vibrating motor assembly 710a< /italic>, and 710b< /italic>. Inner supporting structure (not shown) will be inserted between top cover 730, and bottom cover 720. The edges of the mats may be tapered to reduce user from tripping. The inner support structure will have cut out space to accommodate motor assembly.

[0056] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.