U.S. patent application number 12/952113 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for apparatus for cooling an exerciser having convenient centralized control of air outlets built into a stationary exercise device.
Invention is credited to Dough Burum, Richard Goldmann, JoAnne Leff, Russ Weinzimmer.
Application Number | 20110061840 12/952113 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43729327 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110061840 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldmann; Richard ; et
al. |
March 17, 2011 |
APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN EXERCISER HAVING CONVENIENT CENTRALIZED
CONTROL OF AIR OUTLETS BUILT INTO A STATIONARY EXERCISE DEVICE
Abstract
An apparatus for convenient centralized control of a personal
cooling environment of an exerciser by the exerciser while
exercising includes a plurality of air outlets and a control
center. Each air outlet is capable of being in airflow
communication with a cooling air source providing a flow of cooling
air. The plurality of air outlets are arranged so as to direct
cooling air toward the exerciser to create a personal cooling
environment for the exerciser. At least one air outlet is
adjustable in response to a control signal. The control center is
easily accessible to the exerciser while exercising and generates
control signals in response to input from the exerciser. The
control signals cause at least one air outlet to change a
characteristic of the cooling air flow therethrough. Together, the
control signals control the personal cooling environment. The
controllable air flow characteristics include one of flow direction
and rate.
Inventors: |
Goldmann; Richard;
(Poughkeepsie, NY) ; Weinzimmer; Russ; (Milford,
NH) ; Burum; Dough; (Acton, MA) ; Leff;
JoAnne; (New York, NY) |
Family ID: |
43729327 |
Appl. No.: |
12/952113 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12001003 |
Dec 7, 2007 |
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12952113 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
165/104.34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2006/146 20130101;
A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; F24F 1/0007 20130101;
A63B 2225/10 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; F24F 2221/08 20130101;
A63B 2225/66 20130101; A63B 2220/76 20130101; F24F 2221/38
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/104.34 |
International
Class: |
F28F 13/12 20060101
F28F013/12 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for convenient centralized control of a personal
cooling environment of an exerciser by the exerciser while
exercising, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of air outlets,
each air outlet capable of being in airflow communication with a
cooling air source providing a flow of cooling air; the plurality
of air outlets being arranged so as to direct cooling air toward
the exerciser to create a personal cooling environment for the
exerciser; and at least one air outlet being adjustable in response
to a control signal; and a control center, the control center being
easily accessible to the exerciser while exercising; the control
center generating control signals in response to input from the
exerciser, the control signals causing the at least one air outlet
to change at least one characteristic of cooling air flowing
through the at least one air outlet; and the control signals
together controlling the personal cooling environment.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, the cooling air being at least one of
fresh air, chilled air, filtered air, ionized air, and dehumidified
air.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the personal cooling
environment includes a plurality of flows of cooling air directed
at a plurality of regions of the exerciser.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of air outlets
are built in to a stationary exercise device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the personal cooling
environment includes a plurality of flows of cooling air directed
toward at least one of the following regions of the exerciser:
head; upper arm; forearm; upper front torso; lower torso; upper
thigh; calf; upper back; lower back; and neck.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the personal cooling
environment includes a plurality of individually adjustable flows
of cooling air directed at a plurality of regions of the
exerciser.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one
characteristic is at least one of the following: direction of
cooling air flow; rate of cooling air flow; temperature of cooling
air flow; humidity of cooling air flow; and quantity of cooling
mist injected into the cooling air flow.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control
signals is at least one of: a mechanical control signal; an
electro-mechanical control signal; a pneumatic control signal; a
hydraulic control signal; an electronic control signal; and an
electro-optical control signal.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mechanical control signal
is transmitted via at least one coaxial cable.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one air outlet
is an adjustable nozzle.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control center includes a
cooling air distribution center, the cooling air distribution
center being able to receive a flow cooling air from the cooling
air source, the cooling air distribution center being able to
supply a flow of cooling air to each of the plurality of air
outlets, and the cooling air distribution center having a plurality
of valves, each valve being capable of separately adjusting a flow
of cooling air to a cooperative air outlet.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality
of air outlets includes a plurality of flow directors, each of the
plurality of flow directors being directed in a different
direction, each of the flow directors being separately adjustable
in flow rate.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the direction of the flow of
cooling air from the at least one air outlet is controlled by
controlling the flow rates of the plurality of flow directors.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flow of cooling air from
the at least one air outlet forms a substantially diverging pattern
when cooling air is supplied uniformly to all of the flow
directors.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control center includes a
plurality of controls arranged in a pattern that facilitates
recognition by the exerciser of a correspondence between each of
the controls and a corresponding region of the exerciser's body,
whereby adjustment of the control causes adjustment of a
characteristic of the cooling air applied to the corresponding
region of the exerciser's body.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pattern resembles an
outline of at least a portion of a human body.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a warm air source
capable of supplying warm air to the exerciser.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling air
output able to supply cooling air to a second apparatus for
convenient centralized control of a second personal cooling
environment of a second exerciser by the second exerciser while
exercising.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling air source is
built into the stationary exercise device.
20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling air source is
external to the stationary exercise device.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling air source is a
room air conditioner in airflow communication with the plurality of
air outlets via an adaptor, the adaptor being able to collect
cooling air from the room air conditioner, and able to facilitate
movement of the cooling air to the plurality of air outlets.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the adaptor includes a
booster fan, the booster fan being able to increase at least one of
flow rate and pressure of the cooling air directed from the room
air conditioner to the plurality of air outputs.
23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling air source is
capable of providing cooling air to a thermally conductive surface
that can come into thermal contact with at least a portion of the
exerciser during exercise.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the thermally conductive
surface is at least a portion of one of: a seat; a backrest; and a
hand grip.
25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling air source is
able to supply cooling air to a plurality of stationary exercise
devices, the cooling air being supplied at a pressure and a flow
rate which can meet the cooling requirements and preferences of
exercisers using at least some of the stationary exercise
devices.
26. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one
conductive cooling applicator capable of providing cooling by
thermal conduction due to a flow of cooling air flowing within the
conductive cooling applicator, the conductive cooling applicator
being in airflow communication with a cooling air source providing
the flow of cooling air, the conductive cooling applicator being
located so as to at least sometimes be in thermally conductive
contact with a portion of the exerciser, the conductive cooling
applicator being responsive to control signals from the control
center, the control signals causing the conductive cooling
applicator to change at least one characteristic of cooling air
flowing through the conductive cooling applicator, the control
center being capable of enabling the exerciser to control both
conductive cooling and cooling air.
27. An apparatus for convenient centralized control of a personal
cooling environment of an exerciser by the exerciser while
exercising, the apparatus comprising: at least one conductive
cooling applicator, each cooling applicator being capable of
providing cooling to the exerciser by thermal conduction due to a
flow of cooling fluid flowing within the conductive cooling
applicator, each conductive cooling applicator being in fluid
communication with a cooling fluid source providing the flow of
cooling fluid, each conductive cooling applicator being located so
as to at least sometimes be in thermally conductive contact with a
portion of the exerciser, at least one conductive cooling
applicator being responsive to control signals from the control
center, the control signals causing the conductive cooling
applicator to change at least one characteristic of cooling fluid
flowing through the conductive cooling applicator, the control
center being capable of enabling the exerciser to control at least
conductive cooling.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, further including a least one air
outlet, the air outlet capable of being in fluid communication with
the fluid cooling source, the cooling fluid serving to cool a flow
of air flowing through the air outlet so as to provide a flow of
cooling air to the exerciser, the at least one air outlet being
adjustable in response to a control signal from the control center,
the control center being easily accessible to the exerciser while
exercising; the control center generating control signals in
response to input from the exerciser, the control signals causing
the at least one air outlet to change at least one characteristic
of cooling air flowing through the at least one air outlet.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the cooling fluid is one of:
water, air, water with anti-freeze, and freon.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein at least one characteristic
of cooling fluid is at least one of: flow rate and flow
temperature.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/001,003, filed Dec. 7, 2007, herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety. U.S. application Ser.
No. ______, filed Nov. 22, 2010, entitled "APPARATUS FOR
SURROUNDING AN EXERCISER WITH COOLING AIR HAVING MANUAL LOCAL
CONTROL OF AIR OUTLETS BUILT INTO A STATIONARY EXERCISE DEVICE",
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, is also a
Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/001,003, filed
Dec. 7, 2007. U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed Nov. 22,
2010, entitled "APPARATUS FOR COOLING AN EXERCISER HAVING MANUAL
LOCAL CONTROL OF AIR OUTLETS BUILT INTO DISCRETE COOLING
ASSEMBLIES, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, is
also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.
12/001,003, filed Dec. 7, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and
particularly to cooling devices for use during exercise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 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.
[0004] Because of weather variability, convenience, and time
constraints, exercise often takes place indoors using a stationary
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 likely 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
likely be too cold for individuals just beginning to exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a general aspect of the invention, an apparatus is
provided for convenient centralized control of a personal cooling
environment of an exerciser by the exerciser while exercising. The
apparatus includes a plurality of air outlets and a control center.
Each air outlet is capable of being in airflow communication with a
cooling air source providing a flow of cooling air. The plurality
of air outlets are arranged so as to direct cooling air toward the
exerciser to create a personal cooling environment for the
exerciser. At least one air outlet is adjustable in response to a
control signal, which in various embodiments is an electrical
signal transmitted by a wire, or a mechanical signal communicated
for example by rotation of a connecting shaft, or actuation of a
coaxial cable, or a pneumatic signal transmitted through a hose or
a pipe, or some other signaling mechanism. The control center is
easily accessible to the exerciser while exercising and generates
control signals in response to input from the exerciser. The
control signals cause the at least one air outlet to change at
least one characteristic of cooling air flowing through the at
least one air outlet. The control signals together control the
personal cooling environment.
[0006] In preferred embodiments, the cooling air is at least one of
cool fresh air, chilled air, filtered air, ionized air, and
dehumidified air. In other preferred embodiments, the personal
cooling environment includes a plurality of flows of cooling air
directed at a plurality of regions of the exerciser. In yet other
preferred embodiments, the air outlets are built into a stationary
exercise device.
[0007] In still other preferred embodiments, the personal cooling
environment includes a plurality of flows of cooling air directed
at at least one of the following regions of the exerciser: head;
upper arm; forearm; upper front torso; lower torso; upper thigh;
calf; upper back; lower back; and neck. In one embodiment, the
personal cooling environment includes a plurality of individually
adjustable flows of cooling air directed at a plurality of regions
of the exerciser.
[0008] In yet other preferred embodiments, the at least one
characteristic is at least one of the following: direction of
cooling air flow; speed of cooling air flow; temperature of cooling
air flow; humidity of cooling air flow; and quantity of cooling
mist injected into the cooling air flow. In one embodiment, at
least one of the control signals is at least one of: a mechanical
control signal; an electro-mechanical control signal; a pneumatic
control signal; a hydraulic control signal; an electronic control
signal; and an electro-optical control signal. In some embodiments,
the mechanical control signal is transmitted via at least one
coaxial cable. In other embodiments, the at least one air outlet is
an adjustable nozzle.
[0009] In still other preferred embodiments, the control center
includes a cooling air distribution center, the cooling air
distribution center being able to receive a flow cooling air from
the cooling air source, the cooling air distribution center being
able to supply a flow of cooling air to each of the plurality of
air outlets, and the cooling air distribution center having a
plurality of valves, each valve being capable of separately
adjusting a flow of cooling air to a cooperative air outlet.
[0010] In yet other preferred embodiments, at least one of the
plurality of air outlets includes a plurality of flow directors,
each of the plurality of flow directors being directed in a
different direction, each of the flow directors being separately
adjustable in flow rate. In some embodiments, the direction of the
flow of cooling air from the at least one air outlet is controlled
by controlling the flow rates of the plurality of flow directors.
In other embodiments, the flow of cooling air from the at least one
air outlet forms a substantially diverging pattern when cooling air
is supplied uniformly to all of the flow directors.
[0011] In still other preferred embodiments, the control center
includes a plurality of controls arranged in a pattern that
facilitates recognition by the exerciser of a correspondence
between each of the controls and a corresponding region of the
exerciser's body, whereby adjustment of the control causes
adjustment of a characteristic of the cooling air applied to the
corresponding region of the exerciser's body. In some embodiments,
the pattern resembles an outline of at least a portion of a human
body.
[0012] In yet other preferred embodiments, the apparatus further
comprises a warm air source capable of supplying warm air to the
exerciser. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a
cooling air output able to supply cooling air to a second apparatus
for convenient centralized control of a second personal cooling
environment of a second exerciser by the second exerciser while
exercising. In other embodiments, the cooling air source is built
into the stationary exercise device. In yet other embodiments, the
cooling air source is external to the stationary exercise
device.
[0013] In still other preferred embodiments, the cooling air source
is a room air conditioner in airflow communication with the
plurality of air outlets via an adaptor, the adaptor able to direct
cooling air from the room air conditioner to the plurality of air
outlets. In some embodiments, the adaptor includes a fan, the fan
being able to increase at least one of flow rate and pressure of
the cooling air directed from the room air conditioner to the
plurality of air outputs.
[0014] In yet other preferred embodiments, the cooling air source
is capable of providing cooling air to a thermally conductive
surface that can come into thermal contact with at least a portion
of the exerciser during exercise.
[0015] In some embodiments, the thermally conductive surface is at
least a portion of one of: a seat; a backrest; and a hand grip.
[0016] Various preferred embodiments include both cooling air
outlets which provide flows of cooling air, and conductive cooling
applicators which provide cooling by thermal conduction due to a
flow of cooling air flowing within each conductive cooling
applicator, whereby the exerciser can select and control which
types of cooling are to be applied and how much of each.
[0017] In preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes at
least one conductive cooling applicator capable of providing
cooling by thermal conduction due to a flow of cooling air flowing
within the conductive cooling applicator, the conductive cooling
applicator being in airflow communication with a cooling air source
providing the flow of cooling air, the conductive cooling
applicator being located so as to at least sometimes be in
thermally conductive contact with a portion of the exerciser, the
conductive cooling applicator being responsive to control signals
from the control center, the control signals causing the conductive
cooling applicator to change at least one characteristic of cooling
air flowing through the conductive cooling applicator, and the
control center being capable of enabling the exerciser to control
both conductive cooling and cooling air.
[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the cooling air source is
able to supply cooling air to a plurality of stationary exercise
devices, the cooling air being supplied at pressures and flow rates
which meet the cooling requirements and preferences of exercisers
using all or any subset of the stationary exercise devices.
[0019] Another general aspect of the invention is an apparatus for
convenient centralized control of a personal cooling environment of
an exerciser by the exerciser while exercising. The apparatus
includes at least one conductive cooling applicator, each cooling
applicator being capable of providing cooling by thermal conduction
due to a flow of cooling fluid flowing within the conductive
cooling applicator, each conductive cooling applicator being in
fluid communication with a cooling fluid source providing the flow
of cooling fluid, each conductive cooling applicator being located
so as to at least sometimes be in thermally conductive contact with
a portion of the exerciser, at least one conductive cooling
applicator being responsive to control signals from the control
center, the control signals causing the conductive cooling
applicator to change at least one characteristic of cooling fluid
flowing through the conductive cooling applicator, the control
center being capable of enabling the exerciser to control at least
conductive cooling.
[0020] In preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes a
least one air outlet, the air outlet capable of being in fluid
communication with the fluid cooling source, the cooling fluid
serving to cool a flow of air flowing through the air outlet so as
to provide a flow of cooling air to an exerciser, the at least one
air outlet being adjustable in response to a control signal from
the control center, the control center being easily accessible to
the exerciser while exercising, the control center generating
control signals in response to input from the exerciser, the
control signals causing the at least one air outlet to change at
least one characteristic of cooling air flowing through the at
least one air outlet.
[0021] In preferred embodiments, the cooling fluid is one of:
water, air, water with anti-freeze, and freon.
[0022] In preferred embodiments, at least one characteristic of
cooling fluid is at least one of: flow rate, and temperature.
[0023] Preferred embodiments provide a number of advantages over
prior systems. For example, as recognized by the invention,
preferred embodiments employ cooling air to improve the exerciser's
experience. Humans generally perspire so that perspiration
evaporates off of the skin, removing heat from the exerciser. In
some cases, however, excessive perspiration fails to evaporate and
thus fails to remove sufficient heat from the exerciser. Excessive
perspiration can be uncomfortable for the exerciser, unsanitary,
and generally undesirable. Moreover, if sufficient heat is not
removed from the exerciser, serious heat-related illnesses can
develop, such as heat stress, heat stroke, and nausea.
[0024] Generally, in similar temperature conditions, the presence
or absence of airflow, or the particular flow rate, can be the
determining factor as to whether the exerciser perspires. In
typical exercise environments, such as the common gym, for example,
the environment is designed to regulate the temperature of the gym
as a whole. Sometimes, free-standing fans are included to help
improve the air circulation within the gym.
[0025] However, as described in more detail below, preferred
embodiments offer an exerciser a significant improvement in
comfort, thereby tending to increase the amount of exercise and the
benefits derived therefrom, while also reducing risk of
heat-related illnesses and/or excessive sweating. For example, in
preferred embodiments, cooling air flow directed to mostly surround
an exerciser, for example a well-conditioned exerciser exercising
at maximum aerobic capacity, reduces the propensity of the
exerciser to perspire by a significant amount. The exerciser does
not overheat and perspires much less while using the invention, and
consequently the exercise is limited primarily by the amount of
work the exerciser can do, and not by discomfort of overheating or
the risk of heat-related illness.
[0026] Additionally, preferred embodiments help reduce excessive
sweating as well as the symptoms of heat-related illness, or its
onset. For example, preferred embodiments tend to reduce nausea
while exercising, decrease perspiration dripping over the exercise
machine and floor, and reduce nausea after exercising.
[0027] Additionally, for certain exercisers, preferred embodiments
eliminate the tendency to perspire entirely. For example, preferred
embodiments prevent an average exerciser of modest aerobic
capacity, who is not working near their maximum, from any
perspiration at all. Eliminating perspiration can provide a number
of additional benefits.
[0028] For example, perspiration typically causes body odor. As
such, typical exercisers tend to bathe after exercise. But without
perspiration, bathing is less necessary, which reduces hot water
consumption as exercisers take fewer showers, and shortens the
total time required to visit the gym and engage in a workout.
Additionally, certain gyms do not have bathing facilities.
Eliminating perspiration eliminates the need for an exerciser to
exercise hard, get soaked in perspiration, and then drive home.
Consequently, gyms could generally maintain higher exercise room
temperatures thereby reducing energy costs.
[0029] Additionally, overweight people generally have a body mass
relative to surface area that makes heat loss particularly
difficult. Preferred embodiments can greatly reduce heat stress in
the obese during exercise. Reducing the risk of heat-related
illness, and generally making exercise more comfortable, could be
the difference that allows and/or encourages certain obese people
to exercise effectively, helping them to lose weight.
[0030] Preferred embodiments incorporating the SurroundCool.TM.
effect, described in more detail below, affect a greater surface
area of an exerciser than known approaches to cooling an exerciser,
thereby improving the transfer of heat away from the exerciser.
Additionally, because the SurroundCool.TM. effect operates upon a
greater surface area than known approaches, preferred embodiments
provide superior perspiration evaporation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes an air conditioner attached to a stationary exercise
device, the air conditioner being connected to a heat exhausting
duct, the embodiment further including a built-in cooling air
outlet with a fan;
[0032] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes an air conditioner separate from a stationary exercise
device, and a cooling air outlet with a fan, which is attached to
the stationary exercise device;
[0033] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes an air conditioner separate from a stationary exercise
device and a built-in cooling air outlet with a fan;
[0034] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes an air conditioner separate from a stationary exercise
device, a plurality of cooling air outlets built into the deck of
the stationary exercise device (here, a treadmill), and an air
characteristic controller that allows the exerciser to adjust the
flow rate and temperature of the cooling air;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes a cooling air source located outside of an exercise room,
the cooling air source being able to supply cooling air to a
plurality of stationary exercise devices within the exercise
room;
[0036] FIG. 4A is a functional diagram illustrating flow of cooling
air through cooling air outlets having adjustable louvers;
[0037] FIG. 4B is a functional diagram illustrating an air
conditioner that includes a thermally conductive pipe cooled by a
cooling liquid, cooling air being cooled by flowing past the
thermally conductive pipe;
[0038] FIG. 4C is a functional diagram illustrating injection of
cooling mist into a flow of cooling air through the cooling air
outlet of FIG. 4A;
[0039] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in
which the back of an exerciser is cooled by a flow of cooling air
directed onto the exerciser from a cooling air outlet attached to
the rear of the exercise device;
[0040] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in
which an exerciser is cooled by conduction through contact with a
seat, a backrest, and handles, each of which is cooled by a cooling
fluid;
[0041] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view illustrating cooling of
the handles by the cooling fluid in the embodiment of FIG. 5B;
[0042] FIG. 5D is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the
back of an exerciser is cooled by a plurality of flows of cooling
air from a plurality of cooling air outlets attached to the rear of
a stationary exercise device, and having a control center that is
conveniently accessible to the exerciser;
[0043] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes a plurality of cooling air outlets included in a
stationary exercise device and arranged so as to mostly surround an
exerciser within a plurality of flows of cooling air, and having a
control center that is conveniently accessible to the
exerciser;
[0044] FIG. 6B is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to
FIG. 6A, but including a built-in cooling air source, and showing
the control center that is conveniently accessible to the exerciser
(not shown);
[0045] FIG. 7A is a front view of the control center of FIGS. 6A
and 6B;
[0046] FIG. 7B is a rear view of the interior of the control center
of FIG. 7A, showing distribution of cooling air through valves that
are controlled by the exerciser via the control center of FIG.
7A;
[0047] FIG. 8 is a front view of a control center in a preferred
embodiment wherein the controls are electronic, each control being
located on a respective portion of a representation of an
exerciser's body, thereby enabling an exerciser to readily control
the cooling air flow directed toward each corresponding portion of
the exerciser's body;
[0048] FIG. 9A is a perspective side view of a cooling air outlet
having mechanically adjustable air-directing louvers, the louvers
being adjusted by manipulation from the control center of a coaxial
cable, the louvers being shown tipped diagonally downward;
[0049] FIG. 9B is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment of
FIG. 9A with the louvers being shown tipped diagonally upward;
[0050] FIG. 9C is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment of
FIG. 9A with the louvers being shown closed;
[0051] FIG. 10A is a front view of a cooling air outlet having
diagonally directed louvers, the direction of the cooling air flow
from the cooling air outlet being adjustable by manipulation from
the control center of a coaxial cable so as to rotate the cooling
air outlet, the outlet being shown rotated to a first angle and the
cable being shown as fully retracted;
[0052] FIG. 10B is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 10A, the
outlet being shown rotated to a second angle, and the cable being
shown partially extended;
[0053] FIG. 10C is a front perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 10A, the outlet being shown rotated to a third angle, and the
cable being shown as fully extended;
[0054] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cooling air outlet having
four cooling air flow directors, the air flow directors diverging
so as to direct cooling air in different directions;
[0055] FIG. 12A is a side view of two of the air flow directors of
FIG. 11, showing cooling air applied only to the upper flow
director so as to direct cooling air diagonally upward;
[0056] FIG. 12B is a side view of the two air flow directors of
FIG. 12A, showing cooling air applied only to the lower flow
director so as to direct cooling air diagonally downward;
[0057] FIG. 12C is a side view of the two flow directors of FIG.
12A, showing cooling air being applied to both of the flow
directors, thereby causing flows of cooling air to be directed both
diagonally upward and diagonally downward;
[0058] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cooling air outlet
showing droplets of mist being injected into a flow of cooling air
emerging from the cooling air outlet;
[0059] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two stationary exercise
devices, showing cooling air supplied from a cooling air output of
one of the stationary exercise devices to a neighboring stationary
exercise device;
[0060] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a stationary exercise
device having a room air conditioner adaptor, showing the adaptor
collecting cooling air from a window-mounted room air conditioner
(also called a "window air conditioner") and driving the collected
cooling air to the stationary exercise device; and
[0061] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment that
includes a cooling air source located in an exercise room and able
to supply cooling air to a plurality of stationary exercise devices
within the exercise room, each stationary exercise device having a
plurality of built-in cooling air outlets and a conveniently
located control center.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0062] The present invention is a cooling apparatus having a
conveniently located control panel, the cooling apparatus being
useful for reducing overheating, sweating, fatigue, etc, of an
exerciser using a stationary exercise device, and thereby
increasing the frequency and duration of workouts and
correspondingly increasing the health benefits derived from
exercise.
[0063] The cooling apparatus is capable of creating a personal
cooling environment for the exerciser by surrounding the exerciser
with cooling air applied directly to the exerciser by one or more
cooling air outlets. Preferred embodiments create a personal
cooling environment for the exerciser while the exerciser is using
the stationary exercise device.
[0064] At least one characteristic of the cooling air, such as the
temperature and/or the flow rate, is adjustable by the exerciser
while exercising, thereby enabling the exerciser to optimize his or
her personal comfort by adjusting the cooling of the personal
cooling environment according to personal preferences. In a
multi-exerciser gym environment, each exerciser is able to optimize
his or her personal cooling environment, regardless of the
preferences of other exercisers and of non-exercising gym
occupants.
[0065] In various embodiments, overall cooling costs are reduced by
directly cooling the exerciser(s) rather than relying entirely on
cooling an entire room or gym. The comfort of each individual
exerciser is thereby optimized, which encourages exercisers to
workout longer and more often. As a result, exercisers experience
an increase in all of the benefits inherent in the exercise
experience, including the burning of more calories and, therefore,
the loss of more weight. These benefits are achieved sooner and
with far more comfort, due to the decrease in overheating and the
significant decrease or even the elimination of sweating.
Exercisers who prefer not to shower at a gym may even find that the
reduction in overheating and sweating due to the present invention
is sufficient to allow them to continue their activities after a
workout without showering. Commercial gyms which utilize the
invention can thereby compete more successfully for members by
advertising that they offer these benefits. They can also increase
their bottom line by lowering their cooling costs while providing
maximum exerciser comfort for each exerciser at each stage of a
workout.
[0066] Exercise on a stationary exercise device typically causes
certain regions of the body to generate more heat than others,
depending on individual physiology and also on the type of exercise
being performed. Embodiments of the present invention are capable
of enhancing comfort, performance, and health benefits in targeted
regions of the body by enabling the exerciser to separately control
at least one characteristic of the cooing air applied by each of a
plurality of cooling vents. This enables the exerciser to apply
vigorous cooling to those regions of the body which need it, while
other regions of the body, such as the chest and face, are
maintained at more moderate temperatures.
[0067] With reference to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment the
apparatus includes a cooling fluid source 100, in this case an air
cooler (such as an air conditioner) 100, which is attached to a
stationary exercise device 102 and supplies air that is cooler than
the ambient air surrounding the stationary exercise device 102 to a
fan 104 that is part of the stationary exercise device 102. The fan
104 serves as the applicator of the cooling air by directing a flow
of cooling air toward the front of an individual (not shown) using
the device. Warm air resulting from the air cooling process is
exhausted from the air cooler 100 through an air duct 106.
[0068] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2A, the apparatus
includes an air cooler 200 that is not attached to the stationary
exercise device 102. The air cooler 200 supplies cooling air
thorough a hose 202 to a fan 104 that is attached to the stationary
exercise device 102. As in FIG. 1, the fan 104 serves as the
applicator of the cooling air by directing a flow of cooling air
toward the front of an individual (not shown) using the device.
FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG.
2A, except that the fan 104 is built into the stationary exercise
device 102.
[0069] FIG. 2C illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes an
air cooler 200 that is not attached to the stationary exercise
device 102. The air cooler 200 supplies cooling air thorough a hose
202 and through a conduit in the body of the stationary exercise
device 102 to a series of cooling air outlets 204A-H located along
the base of the stationary exercise device 102, which direct
cooling air upward from below toward an exercising individual (not
shown) using the stationary exercise device 102. The cooling air
outlets 204A-H include air directing louvers which can be manually
adjusted by the exerciser to direct the cooling air in different
directions. An air characteristic controller 206 on the front of
the stationary exercise device 102 allows an exercising individual
(not shown) to adjust the overall flow rate and temperature of the
cooling air.
[0070] The preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to
the embodiment of FIG. 2B, except that the cooling air source is
located outside of the room and supplies cooling air that is also
dry air. The cool, dry air is supplied through a connection 300 in
the wall of the room through a cooing air delivery hose to a
manifold 302, and from the manifold to cooling air outlet fans 305
built into a plurality of stationary exercise devices 304.
[0071] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are functional diagrams that illustrate
cooling fluid applicators in two respective preferred embodiments.
In FIG. 4A, cooling air 400 flows through a duct 402, and exits
from a vent 404 through a set of air directing louvers 406. The
direction of the louvers 406 can be adjusted via a wheel 408
located below the louvers, in response to control signals from a
control center. In FIG. 4B, cool water flows through a pipe 410 to
a heat exchange device 412 with a large surface area. Air 414 is
pulled by a fan 416 past the heat exchange device 412, thereby
conductively cooling the air 418, which is then directed by the
cooling air outlet 416 onto an exercising individual (not
shown).
[0072] FIG. 4C is a functional diagram that illustrates the
injection of a cooling mist 420 into the cooling air 400 of FIG.
4A. Water travels through a hose 422 to a spray nozzle 424, which
transforms the water into mist droplets 420. The droplets enter a
mixing chamber 426 where they mix with the flow of cooling air 400
and are carried through the vent 404 by the cooling air 400.
[0073] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5A, a cooling fluid
source 500 supplies cool liquid through a set of hoses 502 to a
heat exchange device and fan 504 similar to the device and fan
shown in FIG. 4B. The heat exchange device and fan 504 is attached
to the back of a stationary exercise device 506 on which an
individual 508 is exercising in a seated position, and directs a
flow of cooled air 510 onto the exercising individual 508 from
behind. In this embodiment, the source 500 of cooling fluid is a
closed loop liquid chiller and circulator with a self contained
cooling liquid reservoir that is accessible through a hatch 512 on
the top. Typically, a mixture of water and anti-freeze with
anti-corrosion properties is used as the cooling liquid. The
cooling fluid could also be Freon.
[0074] The preferred embodiment of FIG. 5B uses a liquid chiller
500 similar to the chiller 500 of FIG. 5A, but the chilled liquid
is supplied to conductive cooling applicators which are included in
the handles 514, the seat 516, and the backrest 518 of the
stationary exercise device 506. The individual 508 using the
stationary exercise device 506 is cooled by direct conductive
thermal contact with the cooled handles 514, seat 516 and backrest
518. In some applications it may be desirable to have only
conductive cooling applicators, without any cooling air outlets
and/or fans to provide convective cooling. These conductive cooling
applicators can be controlled by the control center by controlling
the flow of the cooling liquid to the conductive cooling
applicators, just as the air outlets are controlled by the control
center so as to control flows of chilled air.
[0075] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional diagram that illustrates the
cooling of the handles in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5B by
the chilled liquid. The liquid flows into and up one of the
supporting arms 518 that supports the hand grips, through the two
hand grips 514, which in this embodiment are metal and provide good
thermal contact with the chilled liquid, and then down the other
supporting arm 520. The interiors of the supporting arms 518, 520
and the cross brace 522 between the handles are thermally insulated
so as to avoid warming of the chilled liquid as it flows up to and
down from the handles, and to avoid water condensation on the
supporting arms 518, 520 and the cross brace 522.
[0076] Various preferred embodiments include both cooling air
outlets which provide flows of cooling air 504, and conductive
cooling applicators 514, 516, 518 which provide cooling by thermal
conduction due to a flow of cooling air flowing therewithin,
whereby the exerciser can select and control which types of cooling
are to be applied, and how much of each. Of course, it is also
possible to include only the conductive cooling applicators 514,
516, 518 which provide cooling by thermal conduction due to a flow
of cooling air flowing therewithin, whereby the exerciser can
select and control how much conductive cooling is desired.
[0077] The embodiment of FIG. 5D uses a liquid chiller 500 similar
to the chiller of FIG. 5A, but the chilled liquid is supplied to
cooling air outlets 504A-D, wherein air is cooled by the chilled
liquid in a manner similar to the outlet of FIG. 4B, the plurality
of cooling air outlets 504A-504D being built into the structure of
the exercise device and positioned so as to surround a region
behind the exerciser 508, thereby creating a personal cooling
environment adjacent to the back of the exerciser 508. The
embodiment of FIG. 5D further includes a conveniently located
control panel 524 which enables the exerciser 508 to control the
cooling air flow rates of each of the individual cooling air
outlets 504A-504D, and of each of the conductive cooling
applicators 514, 516, 518, without requiring the exerciser 508 to
interrupt his exercise session.
[0078] With reference to FIG. 6A, embodiments 600 of the present
invention include a cooling air input 606 which is connectable to a
cooling air source 608, the cooling air source 608 being capable of
supplying a flow of cooling air to the stationary exercise device
604, the cooling air being at least one of chilled and
dehumidified. The apparatus 600 includes at least one cooling air
outlet 610A-I, each cooling air outlet 610A-I being connected to
the cooling air input 606, each cooling air outlet 610A-I being at
least attached to the stationary exercise device 604, each cooling
air outlet 610A-I being capable of applying cooling air 612 to the
body of the exerciser 602.
[0079] Each cooling air outlet is also able to adjust at least one
characteristic of the cooling air 612 applied by the cooling air
outlet 610A-I to the exerciser's body 602, in response to control
signals from a control center. In various embodiments, the control
signals are an electrical signals transmitted by wires, or are
mechanical signals communicated for example by rotation of
connecting shafts or actuation of coaxial cables, or are pneumatic
signals transmitted through hoses or pipes, or some other signaling
mechanism. As shown, the apparatus further includes a control
center 614 that is able to provide the control signals to the
cooling air outlets 610A-I, and thereby enable the exerciser 602 to
control the one or more cooling air outlets 610A-I. The control
center 614 is easily accessible to the exerciser 602 while the
exerciser 602 is exercising on the stationary exercise device 604,
so that in preferred embodiments, the exerciser 602 is able to
adjust the air outlets without interrupting a workout.
[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the cooling air source 608 is
external to the stationary exercise device 604, and cooling air 612
is supplied to a plurality of cooling air outlets 610A-I, each of
which is directed to a different region of the exerciser's body
602. Some of the cooling air outlets 610A-C are attached to the
stationary exercise device 604, either directly or by mounting
structures 618 attached to the stationary exercise device 604.
Other cooling air outlets 610D-I are built into the stationary
exercise device 604.
[0081] The control center 614 is included in a panel 616 of the
stationary exercise device 604, which is conveniently located in
front of the exerciser 602 and within easy reach of the exerciser
602. Thus, the exerciser 602 can separately adjust the flow speeds,
temperatures, directions, and/or other characteristics of each of
the cooling air outlets 610. As such, the exerciser 602 can respond
to the varying cooling needs of each separate region of the
exerciser's body, without interrupting the exercise routine.
[0082] FIG. 6B illustrates a preferred embodiment similar to FIG.
6A, except that the cooling air source 608 and cooling air inlet
606 are included within the stationary exercise device 604. The
exerciser 602 is not shown in FIG. 6B for clarity of
illustration.
[0083] FIG. 7A is a front view of the control center 614 of FIGS.
6A and 6B. In this embodiment the control center 614 is divided
into two groups 700, 702 of controls 704, one group 700 for
controlling the cooling of the front of the exerciser's body, and
the other group 702 for controlling the cooling of the back of the
exerciser's body. Each group includes a plurality of knobs 704 that
control the flow of cooling air 612 to cooling air outlets 610A-I
directed toward the corresponding regions of the exerciser's body.
Above the control center 614 is a cooling air outlet 617 that
includes a set of manually controlled directional louvers for
adjusting the direction of the cooling air flowing from the outlet
617.
[0084] FIG. 7B illustrates the interior of the panel 616 of FIG. 7A
as seen from behind. In this embodiment, cooling air is distributed
from the control center 614. The cooling air source delivers
cooling air from a supply hose 706 to a cooling air distribution
center 708, from which separate supply hoses 710 transfer the
cooling air to a plurality of valves 712, which are controlled by
the knobs 740 shown in FIG. 7A. From the valves 712, the cooling
air flows through pipes 714 to cooling air outlets 610A-I.
[0085] FIG. 8 illustrates a control center 614 in an embodiment
similar to FIG. 7A, except that the adjusters (not shown) are
electronically controlled by touch controls 800. The touch controls
800 are arranged in patterns corresponding to illustrations of the
front 802 and back 804 of a person's body. This enables the
exerciser 602 to immediately associate each of the touch controls
800 with the region of the exerciser's body to which it is
directed. Touch controls 806 in a second group provide selection of
which characteristic of the cooling air is to be controlled, and an
adjusting slider control 808 is able to vary the selected
characteristic. For example, if the exerciser 602 wishes to
increase the speed of flow of cooling air against the back of her
left knee, she first touches the touch control 800 located on the
left rear knee of the illustrated exerciser in the rear control
region 700. She then touches the top characteristic control 806
labeled "speed," and finally slides the slider 808 to the
right.
[0086] FIG. 9A illustrates an air outlet 610 in an embodiment where
the air outlet 610 includes a set of louvers 900 as an air
flow-rate and flow-direction adjuster. The louvers 900 are
connected to each other by a control rod 902, which is coupled by a
coupling 904 to the central wire 906 of a coaxial cable 908. The
coaxial cable 908 provides mechanical communication with the
cooling control center 614, and thereby provides remote mechanical
control of the louvers 900 from the cooling control center 614. In
various embodiments, the coaxial cable 908 responds to moving of a
lever or turning of a knob on the control panel.
[0087] In FIG. 9A, the louvers 900 are shown directing the cooling
air 612 slightly downward. In FIG. 9B, the cooling air outlet 610
of FIG. 9A is shown with the central wire 906 of the coaxial cable
908 slightly withdrawn, causing the lovers 900 to direct the
cooling air 612 slightly upward. And in FIG. 9C, the central wire
906 of the coaxial cable 908 has been fully extended, so as to
cause the louvers 900 to tip upward and close the cooling air
outlet 610.
[0088] FIG. 10A illustrates a cooling air outlet 610 from the
front, in an embodiment where the cooling air outlet 610 includes
louvers that direct cooling air 612 at an angle. The cooling air
outlet 610 in FIG. 10A can be rotated so as to change the direction
of the cooling air 612. Rotation of the cooling air outlet 610 is
controlled by a coaxial cable 908 similar to the coaxial cable 908
of FIGS. 9A through 9C. The center wire 906 of the coaxial cable is
connected to a coupler 904, which is attached to a cable track 1000
surrounding the cooling air outlet 610.
[0089] As illustrated in FIGS. 10B and 100, extension of the
central wire 906 of the coaxial cable 908 pushes the coupling 904
away from the coaxial cable 908, causing the cable track 1000 and
the cooling air outlet 610 to rotate in a counter-clockwise
direction, as shown in the figures. The central wire 906 is wound
into the cable track 1000 as it is extended, thereby winding the
central wire 906 around the periphery of the cooling air outlet
610. Withdrawal of the central wire 906 into the coaxial cable 908
reverses this process, and causes the cooling air outlet 610 to
rotate clockwise.
[0090] FIG. 11 illustrates a cooling air outlet 610 in an
embodiment in which the cooling air outlet 610 includes a plurality
of flow directors 1100-1106, each of the plurality of flow
directors being directed in a different direction.
[0091] FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate two of the flow directors
1100, 1102 of FIG. 11 under various conditions. The other two flow
directors 1104, 1106 have been omitted from FIGS. 12A through 12C
for clarity of illustration. If cooling air is only supplied to the
upper flow director 1100, as shown in FIG. 12A, well focused air
1108 emerges in a slightly upward direction. If cooling air is only
supplied to the lower flow director 1102, as shown in FIG. 12B,
well focused air 1110 emerges in a slightly downward direction.
[0092] If cooling air is supplied equally to both flow directors
1100, 1102, as illustrated in FIG. 12C, cooling air emerges
simultaneously in two directions 1108, 1110. Other combinations of
cooling air flow supplied to the flow directors 1100-1104 will
provide other combinations of cooling air quantity and
direction.
[0093] FIG. 13 illustrates injection of mist droplets 1300 by a
mist injector 1302 into a flow of cooling air 614. The mist
droplets 1300 are injected as the cooling air 614 flows out of a
cooling air outlet 610. Water is supplied to the mist injector 1302
through water lines 1306 from a water source (not shown). As a
result, a mixture of cooling air 614 and mist droplets 1300 is
applied by the cooling air outlet 610 to the body of the exerciser
602.
[0094] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 6, except
that the apparatus 600 includes a cooling air output 1400. The
cooling air output 1400 enables the apparatus 600 to supply cooling
air to a second apparatus 1402 at least attached to a second
stationary exercise device 1404. This enables the cooling air
source 608 to supply cooling air to both of the cooling apparatuses
600, 1402 of the present invention without requiring a direct
cooling air connection between the cooling air source 608 and the
second cooling apparatus 1402.
[0095] Embodiments of the present invention apply cooling air
specifically where it is needed, i.e. to the body of the exerciser
602, and in some embodiments to targeted regions of the body of the
exerciser 602. Embodiments of the invention create a cooling region
which surrounds at least part of the body of the exerciser 602. As
a consequence, with reference to FIG. 15, in some preferred
embodiments, overall cooling requirements are reduced for the room
in which the stationary exercise device 604 is located, and a room
air conditioner 1502 intended for cooing the entire room may be
unneeded or at least may have unused capacity. In some embodiments,
as illustrated in FIG. 15, a room air conditioner 1500 is used as
the source of cooling air, rather than a separate, dedicated cooing
air source 608. In these embodiments, the cooling air input 606 is
connected to an adaptor 1502, which collects and diverts cooling
air from the room air conditioner 1500 to the cooling air input
606. In some embodiments the adaptor includes a boosting fan 1504
which increases the pressure and/or flow rate of the cooling air
supplied to the cooling air input 606.
[0096] The preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 includes a
cooling air source 200 located inside of an exercise room which
supplies cooling air to a plurality of exercise devices 304, each
of which includes a pair of cooling air outlets 1600A, 1600B in its
upper structure which can direct cooling air toward the face of an
exerciser, a plurality of cooling air vents along its base 204A-H
which can direct cooling air upward toward the exerciser from
below, and a plurality of cooling air outlets 1604A-D located in
upright structures which can direct cooling air toward the front of
the exerciser. In similar embodiments, the cooling air source is
located outside of the exercise room. The cooling air source 200 of
FIG. 16 is able to supply cooling air to the plurality of
stationary exercise devices 304 at pressures and flow rates which
meet the cooling requirements and preferences of exercisers using
all or any subset of the exercise devices 304.
[0097] An easily accessible control center 1602 provides control
over the fan speed and temperature of the cooling air flowing from
each of the cooling air outlets 1600A, 1600B, 204A-H, 1604A-D,
thereby enabling the exerciser to control the temperatures and flow
rates of each of the individual cooling air outlets according to
his or her preferences, without requiring the exerciser to
interrupt his or her exercise session.
[0098] 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.
[0099] Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit
the invention except as indicated in the following claims.
* * * * *