Therapeutic Vibrating Machine

Abstract

A vibrating machine for use in treating obstructive respiratory disorders, such as emphysema. The machine provides a table which is suspended from loops depending from an adjustable frame portion thereof. Means is provided for raising one end of the adjustable frame portion so as to tilt the table on which the patient is lying in a prone position with his head in a lowered position. In a preferred embodiment of the machine, a first control means provides for simultaneously varying the eccentricity of a pair of spaced rotating weights mounted below the table and thereby varying the intensity of the vibratory impulses imparted to the patient; and a second control means provides for varying the relative phase angle of the pair of rotating weights and thereby varying the direction of the vibratory impulses imparted to the patient.

Description

This invention relates to improvements in vibrating machines used for therapeutic purposes and more particularly to a vibrating machine especially adapted for use in treating ailments of the respiratory system.

Certain respiratory disorders such as emphysema, asthma and chronic bronchitis result in the partial blockage of the respiratory system of the patient by secretions which affect the breathing. At the present time in the treatment of a patient with a secretion problem of this nature, it has been found that gravity may be used to help dislodge and drain the secretions. Inasmuch as the respiratory system is formed of bronchial passages that extend and twist in numerous directions, in order to allow gravity to bear on the passages that are most obstructed, the present treatment for these disorders provides for the patient performing a number of different bending exercises, and for the physician or his attendant tapping the patient about the lower part of the rib cage and the shoulders for the purpose of loosening the secretions that are blocking the bronchial passages. Following this loosening of the secretions the present treatment then involves having the patient lie on a tilt table with his head in a lowered position so as to help drain these secretions to the head where they may be expelled from the mouth or nose.

The vibrating machine of the present invention provides for automatically providing treatments of this nature to the patient. Thus the machine of the present invention provides for the table on which the patient is lying in a prone position to be automatically tilted at any desired angle with the head of the patient assuming a lowered position. Since the bronchial passages of the respiratory system twist in numerous directions and any of these passages may be obstructed, the present machine provides for being able to impart vibratory impulses to the rib cage area of the patient which impulses may be oriented over a wide range of directions so as to be able to affect any of these bronchial passages and thereby jar loose the secretions blocking them.

In order to assist in the drainage of the bronchial secretions to the head of the patient, the present invention provides for suspending the table from an adjustable frame portion of the machine by hanger straps forming loops depending from either side of the front and back of the adjustable frame. Transverse rods fixed on the front and back of the table are supported with their ends in the loops. Such an arrangement provides a pronounced to-and-fro motion in substantially a horizontal direction on the tilted table which motion is imparted to the patient lying thereon. Thus, as the secretions in the bronchial passages are jarred loose by the vibratory impulses, the to-and-fro motion provides for keeping the secretions mobile such that with the help of gravity they drain from the bronchial passages and through the windpipe toward the mouth of the patient from where they may be expelled.

Accordingly one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic vibrating machine for use in treating respiratory disorders involving the blockage of the bronchial passages of the patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibrating machine which is useful in loosening and draining secretions in the respiratory system of a patient being treated for emphysema, for example.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for suspending the table of a vibrating machine in a manner which is useful in assisting the drainage of secretions from the obstructed bronchial passages of a patient lying prone on the table which is elevated at an angle such that his head is in a lowered position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control means on a vibrating machine for simultaneously varying the eccentricity of a pair of rotating weights and thereby varying the intensity of the vibrations produced by the machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control means on a vibrating machine for varying the relative phase of a pair of eccentrically mounted rotating weights and thereby varying the direction of the maximum vibratory thrust produced by the machine.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained as herein set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of one of the embodiments of the vibrating machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the table separated from the main frame and a portion of the table cut away to show the vibrating unit attached to the underside thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the vibrating machine with the table structure in section to show how it is suspended from the adjustable frame.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, perspective view showing one of the loops formed by a hanger strap for suspending the table from the adjustable frame.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the vibrating unit as taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the vibrating unit as taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5 showing the details of one of the adjusting shoes used for varying the eccentricity of one of the cylindrical weights.

FIG. 8 is a view as taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7 showing the stem of one of the cylindrical weights threadable engaging an opening in the end of the driven shaft.

FIG. 9 is a partial view of a rod used for controlling the off center settings of the cylindrical weights as taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the rod and supporting bracket therefor as taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the gear box as taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of a rod used for controlling the direction of the vibratory impulses produced by the vibrating unit as taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of the gear box as taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of the gear box as taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a rear end view of the vibrating machine as taken along line 15--15 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 16 is a front end view of the vibrating machine as taken along line 16--16 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the relative paths of the cylindrical weights of the vibrating unit when the gear box is rotated by the rod attached thereto to one extreme setting within the supporting sleeve.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the relative paths of the cylindrical weights of the vibrating unit when the gear box is rotated by the rod attached thereto to the other extreme setting within the supporting sleeve.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the cylindrical weights when in the setting shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view of the valve used for controlling the tilting of the table.

FIG. 21 is a showing of a simplified embodiment of the vibrating machine of the present invention, and

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the vibrating machine as taken along line 22--22 of FIG. 21.

Referring to the drawings, vibrating machine 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown to comprise a main fixed frame 11, an adjustable frame 13 (FIG. 2) located on the top of and hingedly connected to the front of the fixed frame 11, and a table 14 which fits over and is adapted to be suspended from the adjustable frame 13. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 29 having telescopic arms 31 extending therefrom connect the back end of the main fixed frame 11 to the back end of the adjustable frame 13. This arrangement provides for tilting the adjustable frame 13 and therefore the table 14 relative to the main frame 11, as shown. Attached to the underside of the table 14 is a vibrating unit 16 which includes a pair of eccentrically mounted cylindrical weights 80 and 89 that are adapted to be rotated by motor 82 to produce vibratory impulses which are imparted to the body of a patient lying prone on the tilted table 14 with his head in a lowered position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vibrating machine 10 includes a control panel 12 mounted on the top of a pedestal 15 extending from the top of a tank 17 which serves as an oil reservoir. The control panel 12 includes a valve 26, a switch 28 and a timer 40. As will be described, infra, a gear box 74 (FIG. 5) in the vibrating unit 16 serves as a pump to provide oil under pressure to the line 22. The valve 26 on the control panel connects line 22 to the respective lines 32 leading to the pair of hydraulic cylinders 29 on the fixed frame 11 causing the arms 31 to move upwardly to thereby raise the back end of the adjustable frame 13 and thus tilt the table 14. The switch 28 on the control panel 12 is used for connecting power to the motor 82 and the timer 40 on the control panel 12 is used for controlling the duration of the therapeutic vibratory treatment given to an individual patient.

As will be described subsequently the vibrating unit 16 is provided with a first manual control in the form of rods 90 provided with a knob 92 on the end thereof. The rod 90 is movable transversely of the table 14 and is used for varying the eccentricity of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 to thereby vary the intensity of the vibration impulses imparted by the unit 16 to table 14. The vibrating unit 16 is further provided with the second manual control in the form of a rod 118 provided with a knob 117 on the end thereof. The rod 118 is settable along an arcuate slot 119a provided on the unit 16 and is used for varying the direction of the maximum impulse thrust during each cycle of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89.

The main fixed frame 11 consists of a rectangular top formed of longitudinal side members 18 and 19, a front transverse member 20, a rear transverse member 21, and an intermediate transverse member 23. Legs 24 are provided on the front corners of the fixed frame 11 and legs 25 are provided on the back corners thereof. Hingedly connected to lugs 27 provided on either end of a cross brace 30 attached to the back legs 25 are the pair of hydraulic cylinders 29 which enclose pistons 38 (FIG. 3) to which the arms 31 are attached. The outer ends of the arms 31 are connected by hinged brackets 32 to the underside of the angularly adjustable frame 13. The rectangularly shaped adjustable frame 13 is formed of longitudinal side members 33 and 34, a transverse front member 35, a transverse rear member 36, and a transverse intermediate member 37. A transverse spacer member 39 is secured by welding to the top of the front transverse member 20 of the main frame 11 and the front transverse member 35 of the adjustable frame 35 is attached to the spacer member 39 by a pair of hinges 42.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the rectangularly shaped table 14 comprises a base structure which includes longitudinal side members 45 and 46, a front transverse member 48 and a rear transverse member 49. Each of these members is formed of channel iron having a C shaped cross section. A flat, rectangular wood support 52 is attached by bolts 51 to the top of the front and rear transverse members 48 and 49 of the base structure and an upholstered cushion 53 is secured to the top surface of the wood support 52.

Next to be described is the manner in which the table 14 is suspended from the adjustable frame 13. As shown in FIG. 2 located on each of the longitudinal side members 33 and 34 of the adjustable frame 13 near the front and rear end thereof are projecting lugs 25. As shown in FIG. 4, a hanger strap 57 of rubberized fabric is formed into a loop by connecting the end portions of the strap onto either side of the lug 54 by a bolt 58 which passes through front washer 60, opening 59 on one end portion of the strap, opening 55 in the lug 54, opening 59 in the other end portion of the strap, and back washer 60. The washers 60 bear on either surface of the strap 57 when the nut 62 is tightened on the bolt 58.

The table 14 has a front transverse rod 63 and a rear transverse rod 64 attached across the longitudinal side members 45 and 46 of the base structure thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, spacers 70 are welded in position on the inner surfaces of the side members 45 and 46 and the ends of the rods 63 and 64 extend through openings 72 in the sides of the spacers 70. The table is suspended from the adjustable frame 13 by the ends of the front transverse rod 63 residing in the loops formed by the two front hanger straps 56 and by the rear transverse rod 64 residing in the loops formed by the two rear hanger straps 57. It should now be clear that when a patient is lying prone on the table 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the suspension of the table 14 in this fashion permits the table to have a pronounced to-and-fro motion in substantially the horizontal direction in response to the vibrating motions produced by the vibrating unit 16. The action of the vibrating motion imparted to the patient lying prone on the tilted table 14 with his head in a lowered position is such as to assit in loosening secretions accumulated in the respiratory system of the patient. The pronounced to-and-fro motion permitted by the suspension of the tilted table 14 by the hanger straps 56 and 57 assist in draining the secretions from the respiratory system of the patient and expelling the secretions into a container 47 provided on the floor at the front of the vibrating machine.

A detailed description of the vibrating unit 16 attached beneath the work support 52 of the table 14 will next be presented. This unit 16 includes a U-shaped housing 66 whose side walls 67 are provided with upper flanges 68. The housing 66 is attached by flanges 68 beneath the wood support 52 with the plane of the side walls 67 parallel to the longitudinal sides of table 14. Extending upwardly and rearwardly at an angle from the bottom wall of the U-shaped housing 66 is a plate 69 whose outer end is attached by bolts 71 to the underside of the wood support 52. Supported with its ends welded in position in circular opening 65 on the side wall 67 of the U-shaped housing 66 is a cylindrical sleeve 73. Mounted to freely rotate in the sleeve 73 is the cylindrical gear box 74. Extending from the left end of the gear box 74 as viewed in FIG. 5 is a driving shaft 75; and extending from the right end of the gear box 74 is a driven shaft 85. As shown by the sectional view of the gear box 74 in FIG. 14, a spur gear 102 keyed on the driving shaft 75 meshes with a spur gear 112 keyed on the driven shaft 85 which results in the driven shaft 85 being rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the driving shaft 75 when the latter is rotated by the motor 82.

Extending through a threaded opening 76 passing diametrically through the outer end of the driving shaft 75 is a threaded stem 79 provided with the cylindrical weight 80 on the end thereof. Nuts 77 prevent the stem 79 from being rotated off the shaft 75. The threads on the stem 79 and in the opening 76 on the end of the driving shaft 75 are for a right hand screw. Extending through a threaded opening 87 passing diametrically through the outer end of the drive shaft 85 is the threaded stem 88 provided with a cylindrical weight 89 on the end thereof. Nuts 81 prevent the stem 88 from being rotated off the shaft 85. The threads on the stem 88 and in the opening 87 on the end of the driven shaft are for a left hand screw. The electric motor 82 is attached on the underside of the plate 69 and a drive belt 83 couples a pulley 86 on the shaft 84 of the motor 82 to the pulley 78 on the driving shaft 75.

Referring next to FIG. 5 which shows a sectional view through the vibrating unit 16 as taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 3, the control means providing for varying the vibratory impulses as produced by the vibrating unit 16 will next be described. The control means includes a first manually operable means for simultaneously varying the eccentricity, i.e., the unbalance, of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 when rotated about the respective axes of the driving shaft 75 and the driven shaft 85. The control means further includes a second manually operable means for varying the relative phase relation of the two cylindrical weights 80 and 89 as they are rotated along their respective cyclical paths such that they cooperate to provide a maximum thrust in a direction which varies between a direction that is parallel to the plane of the table 14 to a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the table 14.

The control means for simultaneously varying the eccentricity of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 includes the rod 90 provided with a knob 92 which is supported by brackets 91 beneath the wood support 52 of the table 14 so as to enable the rod 90 to slide transversely thereof. As shown in FIG. 9 the underside of the front portion of rod 90 is provided with a cross groove 96. A detent 104 attached to the outer surface of the side member 45 of table 14 includes a steel ball 125 which is urged by a spring 126 to be seated in groove 96. Attached to and depending from the rod 90 are a pair of open channel shoes 93 and 94 which are located with their openings in the respective paths of the rotating cylindrical weights 80 and 89. Thus, as these weights are swung about by the rotation of the driving shaft 75 and the driven shaft 85 they move through the open channels of the shoes 93 and 94. The open channel of each of the shoes is wide enough so that when the rod 90 is positioned with ball 125 of the detent 104 in its groove 96 the respective shoes are centered on the paths of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 so as to permit these weights to move therethrough with a large clearance.

As viewed in FIG. 5 the left inside surface of each of the open channels formed by shoes 93 and 94 is provided with a covering 95a of rubber, and the right inside surface of each of the open channels formed by shoes 93 and 94 is provided with a covering 95b of rubber.

It should now be clearly understood that when the motor 82 is energized, the pulley 78 rotates the driving shaft 75 in one direction which in turn rotates the driven shaft 85 in the opposite direction to cause the respective cylindrical weights 80 and 89 to be swung in opposite directions through the open channels formed by the respective shoes 93 and 94. While the weights 80 and 89 are being so rotated the rod 90 can be pushed forward by use of the knob 92 so as to cause the rubber covering 95a on the left inside surface of the respective shoes 93 and 94 to engage the respective cylindrical surfaces of the rotating weights 80 and 89. It is because of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 being rotated in opposite directions that their respective stems 79 and 80 are provided with oppositely directed threads such that each time that these cylindrical weights engage the left inside surface 95a of the shoes 93 and 94 they are rotated about their central axes so as to advance their stems 79 and 88 into the respective openings 76 and 87 on the ends of the shafts 75 and 85 and thereby reduce their eccentricity. Likewise, while the weights 80 and 89 are being rotated, rod 90 can be pulled out by the use of knob 92 so as to cause the rubber covering 95b on the right inside surface of the respective shoes 93 and 94 to engage the respective cylindrical surfaces of the weights 80 and 89. In this instance both these weights 80 and 89 are rotated about their central axes so as to retract their stems 79 and 88 out of the respective openings 76 and 87 on the shafts 75 and 85 and thereby increase their eccentricity.

Springs 128a and 128b connected between respective sides 67 of housing 66 and pin 132 depending from the center of rod 90 urge shoes 93 and 94 to be centered within the open channels formed by the respective shoes 93 and 94 when rod 90 is released.

The other control means for adjustment of the vibrating unit 16 provides for changing the relative phase angle of the two oppositely rotating weights 80 and 89 so as to be able to vary the direction of the maximum thrust provided by the vibrating unit 16 between a direction in a plane parallel to the plane of table 14 to a direction in a plane perpendicular thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, the gear box 74 is formed of three separate cylindrical castings, a middle casting 97, a left end casting 98 and a right end casting 99. These three castings are held securely together by a plurality of tie bolts 100. The middle casting 97 is provided with an elongated cavity 101, one circular end portion of which is centered on the central axis of the cylindrical gear box 74 and the other circular end portion of which is offset from the central axis of the gear box. Spur gear 102 which is keyed by key 103 onto driving shaft 75 is positioned to rotate in the circular end portion of the cavity 101 located on the central axis of the gear box. The left end casting 98 of the gear box 74 is provided with a central bore 105 in which a bearing 106 is fitted to support an intermediate portion of the driving shaft 75, and the right end casting 99 has the central blind bore 107, in line with the central bore 105 in the left end casting 98, in which a bearing 111 is fixed which supports the inner end portion of the driving shaft 75. The right end casting 99 further has an offset bore 108 provided with a bearing 109 for supporting the intermediate portion of the driven shaft 85. The driven shaft 85 extends through the opposite circular end portion of cavity 101 of the middle casting 97 and is keyed by key 113 to the spur gear 112 which is positioned for rotation in the offset circular end portion of the cavity 101. The left end casting 98 has an offset bore 110, in line with the bore 108 in casting 99, in which a bearing 114 is fixed which supports the inner end portion of the driving shaft 85.

As shown in FIG. 14 the spur gears 102 and 112 rotate in the respective circular end portions of the cavity 101 with the flat ends of their teeth slidingly engaging the walls of the circular ends of the cavity so as to form a pump, generally designated by reference numeral 121. The pump 121 supplies oil which is received from the tank 17 by an input line 38 connected to inlet 115, for delivery by way of outlet 116 through output line 22 and through lines 32 to the hydraulic cylinders 29 provided for lifting the adjustable frame 13. The valve 26 connected between lines 22 and 32 provides for either directing the supply of oil to the cylinders 29 or for recirculating the oil through the tank 17 and by input line 38 to the inlet 115 of the cavity 101.

Reference will next be made to FIG. 20 which shows a cross section of the valve 26. This valve 26 includes an outer body 170 provided with a manually rotatable inner valve 171 provided with a through passage 172 and a passage 173 normal to the passage 172. When the valve member 172 is rotated to the position shown, oil from the outlet 116 of the pump 121 formed in gear box 74 is directed into lines 32 leading to the cylinders 29 causing the back end of the adjustable frame 13 and therefore the back end of table 14 to be raised. When the back end of the table 14 has reached the desired height the valve member 171 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 20 which closes off the passage leading to the cylinders 29 and causes the oil from the outlet 116 of the pump 121 in the gear box 74 to recirculate through the tank 17. The table 14 is thus held in its tilted position. When it is desired to lower the back end of the table 14 the valve member 171 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG. 20 which enables the oil in the cylinders 29 to drain into the tank 17. It should be noted that a check valve (not shown) is connected to the line 22 from the gear box 74 which opens up to bypass the oil into the tank 17 if the oil pressure builds up during the lowering of the table 14.

In order to change the relative phase angle of the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 the rod 118 having the knob 117 on the end thereof is provided on the side of the vibrating unit 16. The rod 118 is movable along the arcuate slot 119a provided on the lower portion of the side wall of the guard 120 and the aligned arcuate slot 119b provided on the lower portion of the side wall of the U-shaped housing 66. As shown in FIG. 6 the rod 118 is located external to the sleeve 73 and parallel to the axis thereof.

A pair of posts 122 attached to the inner portion of rod 118 respectively extend through a pair of arcuate slots 123 provided in the fixed sleeve 73 and threadably engage openings 129 provided in the left and right end castings 98 and 99 of the gear box 74.

When the rod 118 having knob 117 on the end thereof is in its leftmost point of the arcuate slot 119a provided on the side wall 67 of the housing 66, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 11, the driven shaft 85 is located to the left of the driving shaft 75 as shown in FIG. 14. As the rod 118 is moved along the arcuate slot 119b to the other end thereof, the end castings 98 and 99 and middle casting 97 of the gear box 74 are rotated in unison within the sleeve 73 so that the driven shaft 85 is now located below the driven shaft 75, as indicated in FIG. 18.

It should now be clear that when the gear box 74 is rotated relative to the sleeve 73 by the rod 118 so that the driven shaft 85 is located to the left of the driving shaft 75, as shown in FIG. 14, the oppositely rotating cylindrical weights 80 and 89 are in phase during the time of each cycle that they are both located in the horizontal plane or the plane parallel to the table 14 when the latter is tilted. It should be further clear that the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 are 180 degrees out of phase during the time of each cycle that they are both located in the vertical plane or the plane perpendicular to the plane of the table 14 when the latter is tilted. As a consequence of the setting of the gear box 74, the maximum thrust of the vibratory impulses is directed in either direction along the plane of the table 14 and the thrust is effectively cancelled out in the direction normal to the table.

It should further be now clear that when the gear box 74 is rotated relative to the sleeve 73 by the rod 118 so that the driven shaft 85 is located below the driving shaft 75 as indicated by the driving shaft position indicated by the dotted circle 85a in FIG. 14, the cylindrical weights 80 and 89 are in phase during the time of each vibrating cycle that they are both located in the vertical plane or the plane perpendicular to the plane of the table 14 when the latter is tilted. It should be further clear that the weights are 180.degree. out of phase during the time of each cycle that they are both located in the horizontal plane or the plane parallel to the plane of the table when the latter is tilted. As a consequence for this setting of the gear box 74 the maximum thrust of the vibrating impulses is directed in either direction along the plane normal to the table 14 and the thrust is effectively cancelled out in the direction parallel to the table.

It should be noted that the direction of the maximum thrust of the vibrating impulse may be varied between the two extremes discussed above by moving the rod 118 to intermediate settings along the arcuate slot 119b on the side wall 67 of the housing 66. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of spaced openings 130 are provided in the side wall 67 above the arcuate slot 119b. A detent 131 is attached to the upper end of the rod 118 adjacent the side wall 67. A steel ball 133 in the detent 131 is urged,by a spring 134, to be seated in one of the openings 130 thus holding the rod 118 in any of the settings selected by the operator by the use of knobs 117.

It should be noted that during each cycle that the eccentrically positioned cylindrical weights 80 and 89 are 180.degree. out of phase, they tend to form a couple due to their lateral spacing and thereby impart a transverse or longitudinal rocking motion to the table 14 depending on the setting of the gear box 74.

Reference will next be made to FIGS. 21 and 22 which shown another embodiment 132 of the vibrating machine of the present invention. This second embodiment includes a main fixed frame 135, an angularly adjustable frame 136 and a table 138 each of which is constructed in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the like parts of these structures are designated by like reference numerals in FIGS. 21 and 22. It should be especially noted that in the second embodiment the back end of the adjustable frame 136 is connected to the main frame 135 by a pair of arms 137 the upper ends of which are attached to the respective sides of the adjustable frame 136 by pins 139 rotatable in members 141 and the lower portions of which extend to openings 140 in projections 143 extending from the respective sides 18 and 19 of the main frame 135. Knobs 142 provided on the projections 143 are tightened to hold the arms 137 in position when the table 138 has been provided with the desired tilt.

Furthermore the embodiment 132 of the vibrating machine includes a simplified vibrating unit 145. Thus this unit includes a bracket 147 in the form of a vertical plate 148 having a flange 149 on the upper end thereof by which the bracket 147 is attached by bolts 150 to the underside of the wood support 52 of the table 138. A shaft 155 is mounted for rotation on a pair of bearing supports 153 held by bolts 154 on the vertical plate 148. A threaded stem 157a on the end of a cylindrical weight 156a passes through a threaded opening 158a on the end of the shaft 155 and held in position by nuts 159a, and a threaded stem 157b on the end of a cylindrical weight 156b passes through a threaded opening 158b on the other end of shaft 155 and is held in position by nuts 159b. An angular extension 161 of the vertical plate 148 is attached at its upper end by bolts 163 to the underside of the wood support 52 of the table 138 and motor 82 attached to the extension 161 drives belt 83 which engages the pulley 78 keyed on shaft 155.

It is thus seen that the embodiment 132 of the vibrating machine shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 include the features of tilting the table 138 on which the patient lies prone with his head in a lowered position, and further includes the feature of supporting the table 138 from the adjustable frame 136 by the transverse rod 63 on the front end of the table 138 and by the transverse rod 64 on the back end of the table 138. Thus, the ends of the transverse rod 63 reside in loops formed by hanger straps 56 depending from the front end of the adjustable frame 136 and the ends of the transverse rod 64 reside in loops formed by hanger straps 57 depending from the back end of the adjustable frame 136. A switch 166 for controlling the motor 82 is located on the side of the table 138 within easy access of the patient when lying on the table.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims .

Claims

I claim:

1. A vibrating machine comprising:

a fixed frame work;

an adjustable frame work disposed on and having an end thereof hinged to one end of the fixed frame work;

a table disposed on and suspended from the adjustable frame work;

means for raising the free end of the adjustable frame work to a desired level above the fixed frame work;

a vibrating unit attached to the underside of said table, said vibrating unit including on opposite sides thereof eccentric weights each amounted to rotate on an axis disposed transversely of the table;

a motor on said vibrating unit for rotating said eccentric weights;

a first adjusting means on said vibrating unit for varying the eccentricity of said eccentric weights and thereby varying the intensity of the vibrating impulses imparted to said table; and

a second adjusting means on said vibrating unit for varying the relative phase angle of said eccentric weights and thereby varying the direction of the vibrating impulses imparted to said table.

2. A therapeutic vibrating machine comprising:

a fixed frame work;

an adjustable frame work disposed on said fixed frame work and having its front end hinged to the front end of said fixed frame work;

a table disposed on said adjustable frame work and suspended from said adjustable frame work;

means for raising the back end of the adjustable frame work above the fixed frame work and thereby tilting the table;

a vibrating unit attached to the underside of the said table, said vibrating unit including a first shaft and a second shaft, each said shaft mounted to be rotatable on an axis oriented transversely of said table;

a first eccentric weight attached to the end of said first shaft and a second eccentric weight attached to the end of said second shaft;

a motor for rotating said shafts;

first adjusting means for simultaneously varying the eccentricity of said eccentric weights and thereby varying the intensity of the vibrating impulses imparted to said table; and

second adjusting means for varying the relative phase angle of said eccentric weights and thereby varying the direction of the vibrating impulses imparted to said table.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first and second shafts are coupled by a gear on said first shaft meshing with a gear on said second shaft.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second adjusting means provides for rotating the gear on said second shaft about the gear on said first shaft to thereby vary the direction of the vibrating impulses imparted to the table when said eccentric weights are rotated.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein the means for raising the back end of the adjustable frame work includes:

a pair of hydraulic cylinders, the lower end of each said cylinder having a hinged connection to said fixed frame work;

an arm movable within and extending out of each of said cylinders, the outer end of each of said arms having a hinged connection to said adjustable frame work; and

an inlet for pressurized oil near the bottom of each of said cylinders for causing said arms to be raised to lift the back end of the adjustable frame work to a desired level.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein

said vibrating unit includes a gear box having an elongated cavity therein;

said first and second shafts each have a gear thereon;

said first shaft is supported for rotating in said gear box with the gear thereon rotating in one end of said cavity;

said second shaft is supported for rotating in said gear box with the gear thereon rotating in the other end of said cavity and meshing with the gear on said first shaft;

an oil reservoir;

said cavity having an inlet for receiving oil from said oil reservoir and having an outlet for providing pressurized oil to the inlets of said hydraulic cylinders; and

a valve for controlling the supply of pressurized oil to the inlets of said hydraulic cylinders.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein

said first eccentric weight comprises a cylindrical weight having a stem threaded in one direction for engaging a threaded opening in the end of said first shaft;

said second eccentric weight comprises a cylindrical weight having a stem threaded in the opposite direction for engaging a threaded opening in the end of said second shaft; and

said first adjusting means provides for either simultaneously advancing said stem toward the axes of said respective shafts or for simultaneously retracting said stems from the axes of said respective shafts.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first adjusting means includes

a control member supported for transverse slidable movement below the table;

a pair of shoes attached to the underside of said control member, each said shoe forming an open channel located in a respective path of a cylindrical weight;

said control member normally positioning said shoes to permit the cylindrical weights on the ends of the respective shafts to rotate therethrough without contacting the sides of the open channels formed by the shoes;

said shoes being positioned by moving said control member in one transverse direction to cause the cylindrical weights to contact one of the sides of said channels to thereby cause the stems of said weights to be rotated into said shaft ends; and

said shoes being positioned by moving said control member in the other transverse direction to cause the cylindrical weights to contact the other sides of said channels to thereby cause the stems of said weights to be rotated out of said shaft ends.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said vibrating unit includes

a cylindrical sleeve mounted with its axis disposed transversely to said table;

a gear box for rotatably supporting said first and second shafts and enclosing the gears thereon, said gear box having a cylindrical outer wall by which it is rotated in said sleeve; and

wherein said second adjusting means provides for rotating said gear box in said sleeve to thereby rotate said second shaft about said first shaft and thereby vary the direction of the vibrating impulses imparted to said table.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein

said sleeve is provided with a circumferentially disposed arcuate slot;

an arm is attached to the cylindrical wall of said gear box and extends radially outward through said arcuate slot;

a control member is connected to the outer end of said arm; and

said arm is movable by said control member along said arcuate slot to thereby rotate said second shaft about said first shaft;

whereby the direction of the vibrating impulses imparted to said table by said rotating eccentric weights is varied.

11. The invention in accordance with claim 6 wherein each said eccentric weight comprises a cylindrical weight having a threaded stem which engages a threaded opening on the end of said shaft.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein

said vibrating unit includes a cylindrical sleeve mounted with its axis disposed transversely to said table and including

a gear box having a cylindrical outer wall and rotatable in said sleeve, said gear box having an elongated cavity in the interior thereof, one end portion of said cavity centered in said gear box and the other end portion of said cavity offset from the center of said gear box;

said first shaft supported for rotating in the center of said gear box with the gear thereon rotating in the centered end portion of said cavity;

said second shaft supported for rotating off center in said gear box with the gear thereon rotating in the off center end portion of said cavity, the gear on the first shaft disposed to mesh with the gear on the second shaft; and

said second adjustable means providing for rotating said gear box relative to said sleeve and thereby rotating said second shaft about said first shaft to thereby vary the direction of the vibrating impulses imparted to the table by the vibrating unit.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein

said adjustable frame work is provided with lugs projecting from the sides thereof near the front and back thereof, and including

a loop of rubberized fabric depending from each of said projecting lugs;

said table including an understructure provided with a front and back transverse member; and

said table being suspended from said adjustable frame work by the ends of the transverse rods being held in said loop.

14. A therapeutic vibrating machine comprising:

a fixed frame work;

an adjustable frame work disposed on the top of said fixed frame work and having its front end hinged to the front end of said fixed frame work;

said adjustable frame work having loops of rubberized fabric depending from the sides thereof near the front and back thereof;

a table including an understructure provided with a front transverse member and a rear transverse member;

said table located on said adjustable frame work and suspended therefrom by the ends of its front transverse member being supported in the loops depending from the sides near the front thereof and by the ends of its back transverse member being supported in the loops depending from the sides near the back thereof;

means for raising the back of the adjustable frame work above the fixed frame work and thereby tilting the table; and

a vibrating unit attached to the underside of the table;

said vibrating unit including on opposite sides thereof eccentric weights each mounted to rotate on the end of a shaft having an axis disposed transversely of the table; and

a motor on said vibrating unit for rotating said eccentric weights.