U.S. patent application number 12/400216 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for apparatus for cooling an exerciser for use with an exercise machine.
Invention is credited to Douglas P. Burum, Richard Goldmann, Russ Weinzimmer.
Application Number | 20100227542 12/400216 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42678678 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100227542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldmann; Richard ; et
al. |
September 9, 2010 |
APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN EXERCISER FOR USE WITH AN EXERCISE
MACHINE
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed that cools an exerciser using an
exercise machine by blowing chilled air directly onto the exerciser
from an airflow director that is independent of the exercise
machine. The airflow director is either located within the living
space of the exercise room, or able to project a directed stream of
chilled air into the living space of the exercise room. The airflow
director can include adjustments for chilled air direction, flow
rate, and other qualities. The chilled air source can include
adjustments for temperature, humidity, and other qualities. A
plurality of airflow directors can be included, so as to provide
uniform cooing and/or to deliver chilled air to a plurality of
exercise machines. A barrier and/or chilled air return vent can be
included, so as to save energy and enhance the localization of the
chilled air. Some embodiments can also warm the exerciser using
warmed air.
Inventors: |
Goldmann; Richard;
(Poughkeepsie, NY) ; Weinzimmer; Russ; (Milford,
NH) ; Burum; Douglas P.; (Acton, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Russ Weinzimmer
614 Nashua Street, Suite 53
Milford
NH
03055
US
|
Family ID: |
42678678 |
Appl. No.: |
12/400216 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/258 ;
454/284; 454/338 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/66 20130101;
A63B 2213/00 20130101; F24F 13/06 20130101; F24F 1/04 20130101;
A63B 22/00 20130101; F24F 1/022 20130101; F24F 2221/12 20130101;
F24F 2221/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/258 ;
454/338; 454/284 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/053 20060101
F24F011/053; F24F 7/06 20060101 F24F007/06; F24F 13/08 20060101
F24F013/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for cooling an exerciser while using an exercise
machine in an exercise room, the apparatus comprising: an airflow
director located in a living region of the exercise room and
supported independently of the exercise machine, the airflow
director being able to blow chilled air directly upon the
exerciser, thereby providing cooling that is localized to the
exerciser; and an air duct that is connectable to a chilled air
source and able to convey the chilled air from the chilled air
source to the airflow director.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airflow director is
free-standing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airflow director is
adjustably locatable within the living region of the exercise
room.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airflow director is
supported by a structure located near the exercise machine.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the structure is at least one
of: a mounting bracket attached to a wall; a mounting bracket
attached to a ceiling; a mounting bracket attached to a floor; an
air duct extending from a wall into the living region of the
exercise room; an air duct extending from a ceiling into the living
region of the exercise room; a floor stand; an article of
furniture; and a stand supporting a video display, the video
display being located within view of the exerciser.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a quality of the chilled air
blown upon the exerciser is adjustable by the exerciser.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the quality of the chilled air
is one of: distance from the exerciser of an origin of flow of the
chilled air; direction of flow of the chilled air; rate of flow of
the chilled air; concentration of flow of the chilled air; and
percentage of admixture of the chilled air with ambient air in the
flow of the chilled air.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a remote control in
wireless communication with the airflow controller, the remote
control enabling the exerciser to remotely adjust the at least one
quality of the chilled air blown upon the exerciser.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes at
least one additional airflow director.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a quality of the chilled air
blown upon the exerciser by at least one of the airflow directors
is adjustable by the exerciser independently of the other airflow
directors.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least one of the airflow
directors is adjustably locatable within the living region of the
exercise room independently of the other airflow directors.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least two of the airflow
directors are configured so as to blow chilled air directly onto
the exerciser from substantially opposing sides of the
exerciser.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the airflow directors are
configured so as to deliver chilled air from the cooling air source
to a plurality of exercisers, each exerciser using a respective
exercise machine.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a chilled air
return vent configured so as to withdraw chilled air after it is
blown directly onto the exerciser, thereby tending to confine the
effects of the chilled air to a region immediately surrounding the
exerciser.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the airflow director and the
chilled air return vent are located on substantially opposing sides
of the exerciser and configured so as to direct the chilled air
across the exerciser.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a chilled air
controller that is able to control a property of the chilled air
that is one of: speed of flow of the chilled air; volume of flow of
the chilled air; temperature of the chilled air; humidity of the
chilled air; and quantity of cooling mist included in the chilled
air.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an airflow barrier
configured so as to form at least a partial barrier to airflow,
thereby tending to confine the chilled air to a region surrounding
the exerciser.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the airflow barrier is
configured to at least partly surround the exerciser.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source of chilled air
provides outdoor air, where the outdoor air is cooler than the air
inside the exercise room.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airflow director includes
at least one of: a fan; an electrostatic air mover; a directable
vent; a vent with fixed air directors that tend to direct the
chilled air onto the exerciser; a vent with adjustable louvers; and
an airflow valve.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a warm air source
capable of supplying warm air to the airflow director so as to warm
an individual while using the exercise machine.
22. An apparatus for cooling an exerciser while using an exercise
machine in an exercise room, the apparatus comprising: an airflow
director supported by one of a wall, a floor, and a ceiling of the
exercise room, and able to project a directed stream of chilled air
directly upon the exerciser, thereby providing cooling that is
localized to the exerciser; and an air duct that is connectable to
a chilled air source and able to convey the chilled air from the
chilled air source to the airflow director.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein a quality of the chilled air
blown upon the exerciser is adjustable by the exerciser.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the quality of the chilled
air is one of: direction of flow of the chilled air; rate of flow
of the chilled air; concentration of flow of the chilled air; and
percentage of admixture of the chilled air with ambient air in the
flow of the chilled air.
25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the airflow director
includes at least one nozzle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to exercise machines, and
more specifically to devices for cooling an individual while using
an exercise machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Exercise is generally known to have many benefits for
individuals of all ages. These benefits include improved
cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, prevention of bone
and muscle loss, maintenance of a healthy weight, improved
psychological heath, and many others. However, exercise is
generally accompanied by a certain degree of discomfort, including
overheating, sweating, fatigue, etc, and this leads to a
significant reduction in the amount of exercise undertaken by many
individuals, thereby reducing the health benefits derived from
exercise.
[0003] Because of weather variability, convenience, and time
constraints, exercise often takes place indoors using an exercise
machine such as a stepper, stationary bicycle, elliptical,
treadmill, etc. Attempts are sometimes made to increase the comfort
of exercising individuals in these environments by optimizing the
surrounding temperature, but this can be largely unsatisfactory
because exercisers generally require different degrees of cooling
depending on individual physiology and on how long and how
vigorously they have been exercising. If the surrounding air is
warm enough to be comfortable for individuals just beginning an
exercise session, it will be too warm for individuals well into a
vigorous session. And if the surrounding air is cool enough to be
comfortable for an individual who has been exercising vigorously
for a significant amount of time, it will be too cold for
individuals just beginning to exercise.
[0004] Some exercise machines include a fan that can direct a flow
of air onto some portion of an exerciser's body during exercise,
thereby providing a certain degree of cooling that can be initiated
and controlled by the exerciser. However, such fans can provide
only a small amount of cooling, and they are typically limited to
cooling only the face of the exerciser, and/or some other fixed,
limited region of the exerciser's body. Also, many exercise
machines do not include any facilities for cooling an exerciser,
and it can be prohibitively expensive to replace an exercise
machine merely for the purpose of obtaining a similar exercise
machine that includes a cooling fan.
[0005] Another approach is to place an exercise machine near a
fixed vent of a built-in air conditioning system. However, this
requires that such a vent be available in a convenient location. If
a plurality of exercise machines are to be placed within the same
room, it is highly unlikely that each of them can be placed near a
conveniently located air conditioning vent. Fixed air conditioning
vents and ducts are typically either built into a wall, floor, or
ceiling, or they are mounted directly onto a wall, floor, or
ceiling. In all such cases, vents and ducts for built-in air
conditioning systems are located within a space that can be
considered not to be part of the "living space" of a room, even
though the vent, and even the duct, may be visible from within the
room. This places significant limits on how closely an exercise
machine can be placed to an outlet vent of a built-in air
conditioning system. And even when an exercise machine can be
placed near a conveniently located air conditioning vent, the vent
is typically not configured so as to direct a localized flow of
cooling air that can be directed specifically onto an exerciser
using the exercise machine.
[0006] Yet another approach is to position a fan or portable air
conditioner on the floor, on a table, or on some other support near
an exercise machine, and to direct therefrom a flow of cooling air
toward the exercise machine. However, a fan can provide only
limited cooling, and a portable air conditioner provides only a
very limited ability to target the local environment of an
exerciser.
[0007] If a plurality of exercise machines are arranged in close
proximity to one another, a portable air conditioner directed
toward one of the exercise machines will necessarily tend to affect
the environment of nearby exercise machines, thereby reducing the
ability of each exerciser to control his or her individual exercise
environment. Even if only a single exercise machine is present, it
is difficult or impossible using a portable air conditioner to cool
only the region immediately surrounding an exerciser. As a result,
energy will be wasted and cost will be increased in cooling the
entire room in which the exercise machine is located.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An apparatus is disclosed for cooling an exerciser while
using an exercise machine in an exercise room. The apparatus
includes an airflow director that is either located within the
living area of the exercise room and able to direct chilled air
onto an exerciser while using the exercise machine, or supported by
a wall, the floor, or the ceiling of the exercise room, and able to
project a directed stream of chilled air directly upon the
exerciser. The airflow director is connectable to a chilled air
source by an air duct. In preferred embodiments, the airflow
director can be free standing and movable, or fixed to an adjoining
structure such as a wall or ceiling. Airflow directors can be
adjustable so as to allow the exerciser to control the speed,
volume, and/or direction of the chilled air. The chilled air source
can include a controller that provides for control of the
temperature, humidity, speed, and volume of the chilled air.
[0009] Various embodiments include a plurality of independent
airflow directors that enable chilled air to be directed onto the
exerciser from multiple directions, thereby improving the
efficiency and uniformity of cooling of the exerciser while
improving the localization of the cooling to the immediate region
of the exercise machine. In some embodiments, a partial wall or
other structure is included that tends to confine the chilled air
to a region immediately surrounding the exerciser. Other
embodiments include an air return vent that removes and
recirculates chilled air from the region surrounding the exerciser,
thereby limiting the impact of the chilled air on other, nearby
exercisers and on the surrounding environment. And some embodiments
include multiple, independent airflow directors are connected to a
common source of chilled air and provide cooling to a plurality of
exercise machines.
[0010] One general aspect of the present invention is an apparatus
for cooling an exerciser while using an exercise machine in an
exercise room. The apparatus includes an airflow director located
in a living region of the exercise room and supported independently
of the exercise machine, the airflow director being able to blow
chilled air directly upon the exerciser, thereby providing cooling
that is localized to the exerciser, and an air duct that is
connectable to a chilled air source and able to convey the chilled
air from the chilled air source to the airflow director.
[0011] In preferred embodiments, the airflow director is
free-standing. In some preferred embodiments, the airflow director
is adjustably locatable within the living region of the exercise
room. In some preferred embodiments the airflow director is
supported by a structure located near the exercise machine. In some
of these embodiments the structure is a mounting bracket attached
to a wall, a mounting bracket attached to a ceiling, a mounting
bracket attached to a floor, an air duct extending from a wall into
the living region of the exercise room, an air duct extending from
a ceiling into the living region of the exercise room, a floor
stand, an article of furniture, and/or a stand supporting a video
display, the video display being located within view of the
exerciser.
[0012] In certain preferred embodiments, a quality of the chilled
air blown upon the exerciser is adjustable by the exerciser. In
some of these embodiments the quality of the chilled air is,
distance from the exerciser of an origin of flow of the chilled
air, direction of flow of the chilled air, rate of flow of the
chilled air, concentration of flow of the chilled air, and/or
percentage of admixture of the chilled air with ambient air in the
flow of the chilled air. And other of these preferred embodiments
further include a remote control in wireless communication with the
airflow controller, the remote control enabling the exerciser to
remotely adjust the at least one quality of the chilled air blown
upon the exerciser.
[0013] In various embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one
additional airflow director. In some of these embodiments a quality
of the chilled air blown upon the exerciser by at least one of the
airflow directors is adjustable by the exerciser independently of
the other airflow directors. And in other of these embodiments at
least one of the airflow directors is adjustably locatable within
the living region of the exercise room independently of the other
airflow directors. In still other of these embodiments at least two
of the airflow directors are configured so as to blow chilled air
directly onto the exerciser from substantially opposing sides of
the exerciser. And in yet other of these embodiments the airflow
directors are configured so as to deliver chilled air from the
cooling air source to a plurality of exercisers, each exerciser
using a respective exercise machine.
[0014] In preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes a
chilled air return vent configured so as to withdraw chilled air
after it is blown directly onto the exerciser, thereby tending to
confine the effects of the chilled air to a region immediately
surrounding the exerciser. And in some of these embodiments the
airflow director and the chilled air return vent are located on
substantially opposing sides of the exerciser and configured so as
to direct the chilled air across the exerciser.
[0015] In various preferred embodiments the apparatus further
includes a chilled air controller that is able to control a
property of the chilled air that is speed of flow of the chilled
air, volume of flow of the chilled air, temperature of the chilled
air, humidity of the chilled air, and quantity of cooling mist
included in the chilled air.
[0016] In preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes an
airflow barrier configured so as to form at least a partial barrier
to airflow, thereby tending to confine the chilled air to a region
surrounding the exerciser. And in some of these embodiments the
airflow barrier is configured to at least partly surround the
exerciser.
[0017] In some preferred embodiments the source of chilled air
provides outdoor air, where the outdoor air is cooler than the air
inside the exercise room. In other preferred embodiments the
airflow director includes a fan, an electrostatic air mover, a
directable vent, a vent with fixed air directors that tend to
direct the chilled air onto the exerciser, a vent with adjustable
louvers, and/or an airflow valve.
[0018] In certain preferred embodiments the apparatus further
includes a warm air source capable of supplying warm air to the
airflow director so as to warm an individual while using the
exercise machine.
[0019] Another general aspect of the present invention is an
apparatus for cooling an exerciser while using an exercise machine
in an exercise room. The apparatus includes an airflow director
supported by one of a wall, a floor, and a ceiling of the exercise
room, and able to project a directed stream of chilled air directly
upon the exerciser, thereby providing cooling that is localized to
the exerciser, and an air duct that is connectable to a chilled air
source and able to convey the chilled air from the chilled air
source to the airflow director.
[0020] In preferred embodiments a quality of the chilled air blown
upon the exerciser is adjustable by the exerciser. In some of these
embodiments the quality of the chilled air direction of flow of the
chilled air, rate of flow of the chilled air, concentration of flow
of the chilled air, and/or percentage of admixture of the chilled
air with ambient air in the flow of the chilled air.
[0021] In various preferred embodiments the airflow director
includes at least one nozzle. And in certain preferred embodiments
the airflow director includes a fan, an electrostatic air mover, a
directable vent, a vent with fixed air directors that tend to
direct the chilled air onto the exerciser, a vent with adjustable
louvers, and/or an airflow valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art device approach includes a
cooling fan built into an exercise machine as well as a
free-standing fan placed next to the exercise machine;
[0023] FIG. 2A illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present
invention that includes an airflow director mounted on a stand and
connected by a duct to a portable air conditioner;
[0024] FIG. 2B is a close-up perspective view of the airflow
director of FIG. 2A, showing controls for directing the direction
and flow rate of the chilled air;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrated a preferred embodiment similar to FIG.
2A, but including a chilled air return vent that returns and
recirculates the chilled air;
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment similar to FIG.
2A, but including airflow directors both behind and in front of the
exercise machine, the front airflow director being attached to an
entertainment system provided for the exerciser;
[0027] FIG. 5A illustrates a prior art approach in which an
exercise machine is placed near a vent of a built-in air
conditioning system, the vent and associated duct being built into
a wall of the exercise room;
[0028] FIG. 5B illustrates a prior art approach in which an
exercise machine is placed near a vent of a built-in air
conditioning system, the vent and associated duct being mounted to
the surface of a wall of the exercise room;
[0029] FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
in which the airflow director is supported by a duct that is
mounted to a wall of the exercise room and extends into the living
area of the exercise room;
[0030] FIG. 5D illustrates a prior art approach in which an
exercise machine is placed beneath a vent of a built-in air
conditioning system, the vent and associated duct being built into
the ceiling of the exercise room;
[0031] FIG. 5E illustrates a prior art approach in which an
exercise machine is placed beneath a vent of a built-in air
conditioning system, the vent and associated duct being attached to
the ceiling of the exercise room;
[0032] FIG. 5F illustrates an embodiment of the present invention
in which the airflow director is supported by a duct that is
mounted to the ceiling of the exercise room and extends downward
into the living area of the exercise room;
[0033] FIG. 5G is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention in which the airflow director is mounted within a wall of
the exercise room and able to project a directed stream of chilled
air directly upon the exerciser;
[0034] FIG. 5H is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention in which the airflow director is attached to a duct that
is fixed to a wall of the exercise room and able to project a
directed stream of chilled air at an angle directly upon the
exerciser;
[0035] FIG. 5I is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention in which the airflow director is mounted within the
ceiling of the exercise room and able to project a directed stream
of chilled air at an angle directly upon the exerciser;
[0036] FIG. 5J is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention in which the airflow director is attached to a duct that
is fixed to the ceiling of the exercise room and able to project a
directed stream of chilled air at an angle directly upon the
exerciser;
[0037] FIG. 6A is a top view of an embodiment of the present
invention in which the airflow director and an airflow return vent
are mounted to a barrier that partially surrounds the exercise
machine;
[0038] FIG. 6B is a top view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 6A,
except that, a pair of airflow directors are mounted to opposing
sides of the barrier, and a chilled air return vent is not
included;
[0039] FIG. 6C is a top view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 6A,
except that each opposing side of the barrier includes both an
airflow director and a chilled air return vent;
[0040] FIG. 6D is a top view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 6C,
but with the airflow directors and return vents reversed in their
locations as compared to FIG. 6C;
[0041] FIG. 6E is a perspective view of one half of an embodiment
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, except that a plurality of
air flow directors are included in the barrier;
[0042] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes a plurality of elongated air flow directors supported by
movable stands that direct chilled air onto a plurality of exercise
machines; and
[0043] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of airflow
directors supported by air ducts attached to a ceiling and able to
direct chilled air onto a plurality of exercise machines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, approaches known in the prior art
for cooing an exerciser using an exercise machine 100 include
cooling fans 102 that are built into a portion 104 of the exercise
machine, as well as stand-alone cooling fans 106, mounted for
example on floor stands 108, and able to direct a flow of air 110
onto the exerciser. However, a flow of ambient air propelled by a
fan provides only limited cooling of an exerciser.
[0045] With reference to FIG. 2A, the present invention 200
includes an airflow director 202 located within a living region of
an exercise room that is able to blow chilled air directly onto an
exerciser while the exerciser is using an exercise machine 100. In
the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2A, the airflow director 202 is
supported by a moveable floor stand 204. An air duct 206 is
connectable to a source of chilled air 208, which in the embodiment
of FIG. 2A is a portable air conditioner. The air duct 206 delivers
the chilled air to the airflow director 202. Warm air generated by
the portable air conditioner 208 is exhausted through an exhaust
duct 210 to a location outside of the room.
[0046] A close-up view of the airflow director 202 of FIG. 2A is
shown in FIG. 2B. In this embodiment, a pair of manually controlled
knobs 212, 214, control the pitch of a set of horizontal and
vertical louvers 216, thereby controlling the direction and the
flow rate of chilled air directed by the airflow director 202 onto
an exerciser.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment
of FIG. 2A, but including a chilled air return vent 300 positioned
opposite to the airflow director 202 so as to withdraw and
recirculate the chilled air 302 after it has cooled the exerciser,
thereby increasing the localization of the cooling and conserving
energy. For simplicity of illustration, the exercise machine has
been omitted from the figure.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 2A, but
including a pair of airflow directors 202, one supported by a
movable stand located behind the exerciser 400, and the other
attached to an entertainment stand 404 that is also supporting a
television screen 406 that can be viewed by the exerciser 400
during exercise. The pair of airflow directors 202 in this
embodiment provide a more uniform cooing of the exerciser, as
compared to the single airflow director 202 of FIG. 2A.
[0049] FIG. 5A is a top view of a prior art approach in which an
exercise machine is simply placed near a cooling vent 500 of a
built-in air conditioning system. In FIG. 5A, the cooling vent 500
and a corresponding cooling air duct 502 are built into a wall 504
of the exercise room. The vent is therefore well outside of the
living area of the room, which is separated from the walls by the
imaginary boundary 506 shown in the figure. FIG. 5B is a top view
of a similar prior art approach, in which the cooling vent 500 and
duct 502 are attached to the wall. While the vent 500 and duct 502
extend into the room and are visible from the room, they are
closely attached to the wall 504 and do not extend beyond the
boundary 506 and into the living area of the room.
[0050] In the prior art approaches illustrated by FIG. 5A and FIG.
5B, the cooling vents 500 cannot be placed close enough to the
exercise machine 100 to provide localized cooling of the exerciser.
In addition, cooling vents 500 included with built-in air
conditioning system are typically designed to disburse cooling air
so as to uniformly cool the interior of an entire room, rather than
locally cooling only one area of a room.
[0051] FIG. 5C is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention in which the airflow director 202 is suspended
from a wall 504 by a duct 206 that extends from the wall through
the boundary 506 and into the living area of the exercise room. The
airflow director 202 is thereby placed close to an exerciser using
the exercise machine 100, and can be specially designed to direct
chilled air onto the exerciser.
[0052] FIG. 5D and FIG. 5E are side views of prior art approaches
that are similar to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, respectively, except that
the cooling air vent 500 and duct 502 are located either within the
ceiling 508 of the exercise room (FIG. 5D) or are attached to the
ceiling 508 of the exercise room (FIG. 5E). As in FIG. 5A and FIG.
5B, the cooling vents 500 cannot be placed close enough to the
exercise machine 100 to provide localized cooling of the exerciser,
and the cooling vents 500 are typically designed to disburse
cooling air so as to uniformly cool the interior of an entire room,
rather than locally cooling only one area of a room.
[0053] FIG. 5F is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention that is similar to FIG. 5C, except that the
airflow director 202 is suspended from the ceiling of the exercise
room 508 by a duct 206 that extends from the ceiling through the
boundary 506 and into the living area of the exercise room. As in
FIG. 5c, the airflow director 202 is thereby placed close to an
exerciser using the exercise machine 100, and can be specially
designed to direct chilled air onto the exerciser.
[0054] FIG. 5G is a side view of a preferred embodiment similar to
FIG. 5C, except that the airflow director 510 is built into the
wall 504 of the exercise room. However, unlike the prior art
approach of FIG. 5A, the airflow director of FIG. 5G is designed to
project a directed stream 512 of chilled air directly upon an
exerciser using the exercise machine 100, while the vent 500 of a
typical air conditioning system, as shown in FIG. 5A, is typically
designed to disburse chilled air so as to cool a room as uniformly
as possible.
[0055] FIG. 5H is a side view of a preferred embodiment similar to
FIG. 5C, except that the airflow director 510 is attached to a duct
502 that is fixed to the wall 504 of the exercise room. Unlike the
prior art approach of FIG. 5B, the airflow director of FIG. 5H is
designed to project a directed stream 512 of chilled air directly
upon an exerciser using the exercise machine 100, while the vent
500 of a typical air conditioning system, as shown in FIG. 5B, is
typically designed to disburse chilled air so as to cool a room as
uniformly as possible. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 5H, the
airflow director 510 is configured at an angle so as to direct the
flow of chilled air 512 partly from behind the exerciser.
[0056] FIG. 5I is a side view of a preferred embodiment similar to
FIG. 5F, except that the airflow director 510 is built into the
ceiling 508 of the exercise room. However, unlike the prior art
approach of FIG. 5D, the airflow director of FIG. 5I is designed to
project a directed stream 512 of chilled air directly upon an
exerciser using the exercise machine 100, while the vent 500 of a
typical air conditioning system, as shown in FIG. 5D, is typically
designed to disburse chilled air so as to cool a room as uniformly
as possible. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 5I, the airflow
director 510 is configured at an angle so as to direct the flow of
chilled air 512 from above and partly from behind the
exerciser.
[0057] FIG. 5J is a side view of a preferred embodiment similar to
FIG. 5F, except that the airflow director 510 is attached to a duct
502 that is fixed to the ceiling 508 of the exercise room. Unlike
the prior art approach of FIG. 5E, the airflow director of FIG. 5J
is designed to project a directed stream 512 of chilled air
directly upon an exerciser using the exercise machine 100, while
the vent 500 of a typical air conditioning system, as shown in FIG.
5E, is typically designed to disburse chilled air so as to cool a
room as uniformly as possible.
[0058] FIG. 6A is a top view of a preferred embodiment that
includes a physical barrier 600 that partly surrounds the exercise
machine 100 so as to enhance the localization of the chilled air
302 to the region immediately surrounding the exercise machine 100.
In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the airflow director 202 is contained
within one side of the barrier 600, and a chilled air return vent
300 is located opposite to the airflow director 202 on the other
side of the barrier 600. This arrangement causes chilled air to
flow directly across an exerciser using the exercise machine 100
and then to be recirculated, saving energy and enhancing the
localization of the chilled air to the area immediately surrounding
the exerciser.
[0059] FIG. 6B is a top view of an embodiment similar to FIG. 6A,
except that a chilled air return vent is not included, and a second
airflow director 202 is included so as to provide more uniform
cooling of the exerciser by providing flows of chilled air from
both sides of the exerciser. FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D are top views of
embodiments similar to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, except that an airflow
director 202 and a chilled air return vent 300 is provided in each
half of the barrier 600, thereby providing uniform cooling and
enhanced localization of the chilled air and enhanced energy
efficiency.
[0060] FIG. 6E is a perspective view of one-half of an embodiment
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, except that a plurality of
airflow directors 202 is provided in the wall of the barrier 600.
In this embodiment the airflow directors 202 are independently
adjustable, and include independently adjustable fans, so as to
provide enhanced flexibility for an exerciser to configure the
cooling provided by the invention according to the physiological
needs and preferences of the exerciser. For example, one exerciser
may wish to direct relatively more chilled air onto his or her
legs, while another exerciser may wish to direct more chilled air
onto his or her face. The opposite half of the barrier 600 has been
omitted from the drawing for clarity of illustration.
[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which a plurality of
airflow directors 202 and chilled air ducts 204 draw chilled air
from a common source and direct the chilled air onto a plurality of
exercise machines 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the airflow
directors 202 are vertically elongated as compared to the airflow
directors of FIG. 2A, so as to provide localized cooling of the
length of an exerciser's body. Barriers 600 are attached to the
airflow directors 202, so as to enhance the localization of the
chilled air to each exercise machine. This allows each exerciser to
control the cooling of his or her local exercise environment
according to individual physiologies and preferences.
[0062] FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes a
plurality of airflow directors 202 supported by air ducts 204 that
are attached to the ceiling 508 of the exercise room and extend
past the imaginary barrier 506 and into the living area of the
exercise room in a manner similar to FIG. 5F. The plurality of
airflow directors 202 are positioned above a plurality of exercise
machines 402, with one airflow director 202 dedicated to each
exercise machine 402. A chilled air return vent 300 is provided in
the floor 800 beneath each exercise machine 400 so as to save
energy and enhance the localization of the chilled air to each of
the exercise machines 402. A remote control 802 is attached to each
exercise machine 402, and is in wireless communication with a
corresponding chilled air controller 804 located in the ceiling 508
above each air duct 204. This allows each exerciser 400 to control
the amount of chilled air 302 that is blown directly upon the
exerciser 400.
[0063] Other modifications and implementations will occur to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope
of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above description is
not intended to limit the invention except as indicated in the
following claims.
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