Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02632997 2008-06-02
INTERCHANGEABLE MC)TCGRC'Y+LU SEAT
The present invention relates to the field of accessories for internal
combustion engine motorcycles specifically interchangeable seats.
Although opinions vary widely, many persons feel that certain adverse health
effects in the general population can be associated with extended exposure
to electromagnetic energy in the form of electromagnetic fields (EMFs),
waves, etc. One perceived risk relates to the suppression of melatonin
production, which is a natural anti-cancer growth hormone.
A great deal of attention has in recent years beeri directed to wireless
cellular
1() telephones, by virtue of the electromagnetic exposure associated with the
high frequency transmissions which emanate from such devices. Laptop
computers have also become objects of recent heightened concern.
As well, some experts are now of the opinion that certain people are more
sensitive than others to the magnetic fields affiliated with current induced
electromagnetic fields. Specifically, some experts believe that certain people
suffer from electrical-sensitivity (ES) and/or electromagnetic hyper-
sensitivity (EHS), which causes these people to experience symptoms such
as fatigue, headaches, weakness and general discomfort.
Prior art establishes various electromagnetic shielding for biological
concerns.
Known prior art shielding apparatus is concerned with human exposure to
higher electromagnetic frequency propagations which can experience signal
bounce from conventional metals. Current induced extremely low frequency
(ELF) magnetic fields encompass their source and can penetrate through
conventional metals and materials.
The present invention addresses groin exposure to current induced near
source ELF magnetic fields of generally less than 300 Hz produced by
CA 02632997 2008-06-02
electrical systems affiliated with internal combustion engine (ICE)
motorcycles.
Modern day ICE motorcycles consist of increasing electrical demands. Many
incorporate electrical components very close to and beneath the seat frame
base (within approximately 6") as it is away from the heat of the engine.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is an improved seat of the type
having a frame and a cushion and being for interchangeable use on
specifically ICE motorcycles, where immediately beneath the seat's base,
when installed on the motorcycle, electrical components exist and are
producing extremely low frequency magnetic fields during use. The
improvement comprises a layer of magnetically soft material, secured
internally within the seat itself, between its frame shell and cushion, for
protection of the motorcyclist's groin from said magnetic field exposure
during motorcycle use.
For effective magnetic field attenuation the plate shielding needs to be
situated fairly close to the groin/prostate and provide substantial coverage
of
the related electrical sources that are producing the fields. Even a few
inches
drop in the shielding plate, such as adhering to an area beneath or below the
seat's base, can compromise its effectiveness for groin/prostate magnetic
field protection.
An object of the invention is to provide effective and substantial ELF
magnetic field attenuation for the groin and seat area. Effective attenuation
is evident in the near shield zone opposite from the magnetic field source
being shielding. The closest possible shield position to the groin/prostate is
advantageous and is accomplished with seat internal shield implementation.
)0
Many interchangeable seats for use on ICE motorcycles have seat frames
that rise up and are concave, thereby allowing a closer to groin shield
CA 02632997 2008-06-02
orientation necessary for most effective near shield groin/prostate
protection.
The "rise up" usually is to accommodate electrical cables and components
fitted immediately beneath the seat underside.
On an ICE motorcycle, access is necessary to the electrical component area
located underneath the seat. Any "fixed" shielding applied to this area would
be cumbersome and impractical.
An object of the present invention is to provide protection for the
magnetically soft shielding by positioning the material internally within the
seat itself. Material protection is important as even the tiniest perforation,
hole, or gap could compromise magnetic field attenuation.
An object of the invention is to protect the shielding material as much as
possible from any engine heat whatsoever by positioning the material
internally within the seat itself. Excessive heat can eventually have an
effect
on the shielding properties or characteristics of some previously annealed
magneticaily soft materials.
?() An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively weight
efficient
groin/prostate magnetic field shielding accessory, for ICE motorcycles, by
way of a seat as magnetically soft shielding can be weight bearing. This is in
comparison to shielding larger fixed enclosures of great weight increase to
the motorcycle which would be detrimental to fuel economy.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a uniform broad surface
area for the magnetically soft shielding as this is important for effective
uniform magnetic field attenuation. The internal seat shield installation is
relatively practical and economical as it does not encounter the complexity of
)0 an irregular seat underside or mounting hardware interference.
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4
Another object of the invention is to provide an optimal groin/prostate
magnetic field shielding accessory by way of an ICE motorcycle seat
prefabricated in factory for cost effective simple implementation of shielding
during seat construction.
J
Another object of the invention is to provide a cost effective consumer option
of convenient simple seat replacement for effectively reducing groin/prostate
excessive ELF magnetic field exposure on ICE motorcycles.
Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as
well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the
structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will
become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter being
briefly described herein below.
In the drawings,
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a completed interchangeable seat
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1
An improvement in the seat 27 resides in the incorporation of a sheet or
layer of magnetically soft material 24 between the seat's frame shell 23 and
its cushion 25. The sheet material 24 illustrated takes the form of a .01
inches thick sheet of the alloy sold under the trade-mark MUMETAL by
Magnetic Shield Corporation, of Illinois. This particular manufactured
material
is a hydrogen annealed, high nickel bearing alloy, composed substantially of
80% nickel, 4.4% molybdenum and iron. It is magnetically soft and highly
effective for attenuating various magnetic fields of AC and DC origin. This is
in sharp contrast to conventional materials used for motorcycle seat
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J
construction, which are basically transparent to the extremely penetrating
nature of ELF magnetic fields. The sheet 24 is sufficiently thin to be cut and
formed, yet relatively durable.
During seat construction, magnetically soft material 24 is installed onto the
top of a seat frame shell 23. Using metal shears the magnetically soft
material is snipped into shapes or strips that would accommodate a uniform
implementation onto the seat frame shell. The segments are positioned to
slightly overlap each other ensuring a tight or gapless shield formation over
top of the seat frame shell. Seam overlaps of approximately 1/4 inch would be
appropriate ensuring no gaps or cracks at all. The shielding is to extend to
the full maximum periphery of the seat frame shell including the front narrow
nose area. The segments are then adhered to the seat frame shell using
adhesive or silicone. During the shield formation heat must not be used in
any way, such as welding, as it can affect the properties of some
magnetically soft alloy rnaterials that have been previously annealed.
Conventional seat construction now resumes with the foam padding 25
adhered directly onto the shielding 24. The leather or vinyl exterior seat
covering 26 is then applied thus producing the final seat product 27.
Surprisingly, use of this improved seat 27 on a motorcycle dramatically
reduces the extent to which the groin/prostate of a rider operator of said
motorcycle is exposed to ELF magnetic fields at normal operating conditions.
Measurements in the seat area of many stock production motorcycles of
today and yesteryear surprisingly reveal the presence of significant ELF
?> magnetic fields in the form of an irregular type of EMF oscillating within
the
ELF bandwith of 30-300 Hz. From stationary idling to increasing normal
speeds, the various EMF readings increase dramatically, when read by a
single axis AC Gauss meter. For example, a 2005 cruiser type, V-twin stock
production motorcycle reveals EMF readings of approximately 15 milliGauss
'0 (mG) in the seat area during stationary idling. The same motorcycle when
traveling reveals a gradual increase in the seat area EMF strength. When
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O
traveling at approximately 25 mph, during normal RPM's, the EMF readings
surprisingly displayed an approximate range of 138-142 mG. With the
improved seat 27 of the preferred embodiment installed in place of the stock
seat, under the same conditions, field strength readings were attenuated to
approximately 1.1 mG during stationary idling and to approximately 14 mG
for the 25 mph motion.
For greater certainty, it should be understood that the location where the
measurements above were taken roughly corresponded to the position of the
pelvis and sensitive vital organs and glands in the groin area of a seated
rider.
Similar measurements in the seat area of many motorcycles of different
brand, model, year, engine size, etc., reveal various EMF strengths, some as
high as 195 mG.
Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that sources of ELF
EMF magnetic field emissions on the ICE motorcycles tested are the electrical
system and spark generating system which uses electromagnetic fields to
produce high voltage electricity for transmission to the spark plugs. Various
types of electromagnetic energies are emitted from various electrical
components of an ICE motorcycle including ELF rnagnetic near fields from a
type of alternating/oscillating current. The utility of the improved
interchangeable seat flows from its internal strategic incorporation of
magnetically soft material between the groin of the rider and the ELF
magnetic near field source components, modules and cables located directly
underneath, within approximately 6" from, the seat's base when installed in
position on an ICE motorcycle.
Many motorcycle models and designs contain electrical system components,
including the battery and electrical cables, immediately beneath the seat of
the rider where they are away from the heat of the engine. In motorcycles of
this type tested, use of the improved seat 27 resulted in a consistent and
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substantial attenuation of EMF readings in the groin area, typically by about
90%.
Motorcyclists concerned about EMF groin exposure would benefit from this
improved seat by its cost effective dramatic attenuation of ELF EMF magnetic
fields.
Although the seat examples herein relate to rider operator seats, the
shielding could also extend to passenger areas also.
As well, interchangeable seats of varied style and having varied mounting
hardware arrangements can be provided, so as to permit seats according to
the present invention to be conveniently mounted on any chosen motorcycle
without alteration to the mounting hardware thereof or impact upon the
aesthetics or ride comfort.
As well, whereas the preferred embodiment illustrated references the use of
MUMETAL alloy, other alloys can be substituted therefor. There are many
different brands of specifically manufactured, relatively high nickel bearing,
magnetically soft alloys available in different thickness from various
companies. Further brand or trade name examples are HIPERNOM as sold
by Carpenter Technology Corporation of Pennsylvania, MAGNIFER R 7904 as
sold by EFI Corporation of New Jersey, CO-NETICr'" also sold by the Magnetic
Shield Corporation of Illinois, etc. All of these alloys are substantially
nickel
(75-85%), molybdenum (3-6%) and iron, and provide effective
electromagnetic field attenuation. LESS EMF Inc. of Albany sells another
recently new magnetically soft effective product called GIRON . This
innovative material is also advantageous as it is very pliable and flexible
for
accommodating the curves affiliated with an ICE motorcycle seat's internal
shell top surface.
Furthermore, the sheet or layer may be substituted for a compound material
such as, wire weaves, laminated composites, etc. designed specifically for
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ELF magnetic field attenuation. As well, various layers of different thickness
may be used to tailor attenuation, and the layers may be separated by
electrically conductive or non-conductive material.
As well, whereas Figure 1 shows an ICE motorcycle seat, persons of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appi-eciate that seats of this structure could
be
employed in use with other hybrid ICE motorcycle type vehicles such as
ATV's (all-terrain vehicles), trikes, etc.
Moreover, whereas the description includes reference to an electrical spark
generating system, it is contemplated that the invention extends to shielding
other ELF magnetic field producing structures, components, modules, cables,
direct ignition systems, multiple coils, control modules, relays, batteries,
etc.
that may be found directly beneath the seat specifically on various ICE
motorcycles.
Further, wtiereas the magnetically soft material is indicated herein to form
an
added layer within an otherwise conventional seat, the magnetically soft
material could be substituted for other materials in an otherwise conventional
ICE motorcycle seat, i.e. the shielding material could form the actual frame
or shell of an improved interchangeable seat for ICE motorcycles.
As well, whereas specific shield mounting techniques such as adhesive or
silicone is described it will be understood that modifications thereto could
be
made.
It will be understood that these modifications, and others which may be
apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, niay be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of
2') the present invention should be understood as being limited only by the
claims appended hereto, purposively construed.
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In the previous description, and in the following claims, the term "shielding"
should be understood to encompass ELF magnetic field deflection, re-
direction, absorption, reduction, attenuation, etc.
As well, in the previous description and in the following claims, the terms
"electrical system" and "electrical components" of the ICE motorcycle vehicle
should be understood to encompass, inter alia, its battery, battery cables,
modules, relays, etc.
The intensity or strength of current induced ELF magnetic fields rapidly
diminishes with distance from their source. On ICE motorcycles, concern
flowing from the teachings of the present invention resides in current induced
ELF magnetic field sources that are located within approximately 6" from
beneath the seat wherein relatively strong near fields can invade the groin
area of an operator; without intending to be bound by theory, seats
1~ according to the present invention are believed to be advantageously
deployed in such circumstances.
