US20110061840A1 - Apparatus for cooling an exerciser having convenient centralized control of air outlets built into a stationary exercise device - Google Patents

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• 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
• This invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and particularly to cooling devices for use during exercise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• In some embodiments, the thermally conductive surface is at least a portion of one of: a seat; a backrest; and a hand grip.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• In preferred embodiments, the cooling fluid is one of: water, air, water with anti-freeze, and freon.
• In preferred embodiments, at least one characteristic of cooling fluid is at least one of: flow rate, and temperature.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Preferred embodiments incorporating the SurroundCool™ 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™ effect operates upon a greater surface area than known approaches, preferred embodiments provide superior perspiration evaporation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• FIG. 4A is a functional diagram illustrating flow of cooling air through cooling air outlets having adjustable louvers;
• 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;
• FIG. 4C is a functional diagram illustrating injection of cooling mist into a flow of cooling air through the cooling air outlet ofFIG. 4A;
• 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;
• 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;
• FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view illustrating cooling of the handles by the cooling fluid in the embodiment ofFIG. 5B;
• 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;
• 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;
• FIG. 6B is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar toFIG. 6A, but including a built-in cooling air source, and showing the control center that is conveniently accessible to the exerciser (not shown);
• FIG. 7A is a front view of the control center ofFIGS. 6A and 6B;
• FIG. 7B is a rear view of the interior of the control center ofFIG. 7A, showing distribution of cooling air through valves that are controlled by the exerciser via the control center ofFIG. 7A;
• 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;
• 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;
• FIG. 9B is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment ofFIG. 9A with the louvers being shown tipped diagonally upward;
• FIG. 9C is a perspective side drawing of the embodiment ofFIG. 9A with the louvers being shown closed;
• 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;
• FIG. 10B is a front view of the embodiment ofFIG. 10A, the outlet being shown rotated to a second angle, and the cable being shown partially extended;
• FIG. 10C is a front perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 10A, the outlet being shown rotated to a third angle, and the cable being shown as fully extended;
• 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;
• FIG. 12A is a side view of two of the air flow directors ofFIG. 11, showing cooling air applied only to the upper flow director so as to direct cooling air diagonally upward;
• FIG. 12B is a side view of the two air flow directors ofFIG. 12A, showing cooling air applied only to the lower flow director so as to direct cooling air diagonally downward;
• FIG. 12C is a side view of the two flow directors ofFIG. 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• With reference toFIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a coolingfluid source100, in this case an air cooler (such as an air conditioner)100, which is attached to astationary exercise device102 and supplies air that is cooler than the ambient air surrounding thestationary exercise device102 to afan104 that is part of thestationary exercise device102. Thefan104 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 theair cooler100 through anair duct106.
• In the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 2A, the apparatus includes anair cooler200 that is not attached to thestationary exercise device102. Theair cooler200 supplies cooling air thorough ahose202 to afan104 that is attached to thestationary exercise device102. As inFIG. 1, thefan104 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 ofFIG. 2A, except that thefan104 is built into thestationary exercise device102.
• FIG. 2C illustrates a preferred embodiment that includes anair cooler200 that is not attached to thestationary exercise device102. Theair cooler200 supplies cooling air thorough ahose202 and through a conduit in the body of thestationary exercise device102 to a series of coolingair outlets204A-H located along the base of thestationary exercise device102, which direct cooling air upward from below toward an exercising individual (not shown) using thestationary exercise device102. The coolingair outlets204A-H include air directing louvers which can be manually adjusted by the exerciser to direct the cooling air in different directions. An aircharacteristic controller206 on the front of thestationary exercise device102 allows an exercising individual (not shown) to adjust the overall flow rate and temperature of the cooling air.
• The preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3 is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 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 aconnection300 in the wall of the room through a cooing air delivery hose to a manifold302, and from the manifold to coolingair outlet fans305 built into a plurality ofstationary exercise devices304.
• FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B are functional diagrams that illustrate cooling fluid applicators in two respective preferred embodiments. InFIG. 4A, coolingair400 flows through aduct402, and exits from avent404 through a set ofair directing louvers406. The direction of thelouvers406 can be adjusted via awheel408 located below the louvers, in response to control signals from a control center. InFIG. 4B, cool water flows through apipe410 to aheat exchange device412 with a large surface area.Air414 is pulled by afan416 past theheat exchange device412, thereby conductively cooling theair418, which is then directed by the coolingair outlet416 onto an exercising individual (not shown).
• FIG. 4C is a functional diagram that illustrates the injection of a coolingmist420 into the coolingair400 ofFIG. 4A. Water travels through ahose422 to aspray nozzle424, which transforms the water intomist droplets420. The droplets enter amixing chamber426 where they mix with the flow of coolingair400 and are carried through thevent404 by the coolingair400.
• In the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 5A, a coolingfluid source500 supplies cool liquid through a set ofhoses502 to a heat exchange device andfan504 similar to the device and fan shown inFIG. 4B. The heat exchange device andfan504 is attached to the back of astationary exercise device506 on which an individual508 is exercising in a seated position, and directs a flow of cooledair510 onto the exercising individual508 from behind. In this embodiment, thesource500 of cooling fluid is a closed loop liquid chiller and circulator with a self contained cooling liquid reservoir that is accessible through ahatch512 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.
• The preferred embodiment ofFIG. 5B uses aliquid chiller500 similar to thechiller500 ofFIG. 5A, but the chilled liquid is supplied to conductive cooling applicators which are included in thehandles514, theseat516, and thebackrest518 of thestationary exercise device506. The individual508 using thestationary exercise device506 is cooled by direct conductive thermal contact with the cooled handles514,seat516 andbackrest518. 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.
• FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional diagram that illustrates the cooling of the handles in the preferred embodiment ofFIG. 5B by the chilled liquid. The liquid flows into and up one of the supportingarms518 that supports the hand grips, through the twohand grips514, which in this embodiment are metal and provide good thermal contact with the chilled liquid, and then down the other supportingarm520. The interiors of the supportingarms518,520 and thecross brace522 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 supportingarms518,520 and thecross brace522.
• Various preferred embodiments include both cooling air outlets which provide flows of coolingair504, andconductive cooling applicators514,516,518 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 theconductive cooling applicators514,516,518 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.
• The embodiment ofFIG. 5D uses aliquid chiller500 similar to the chiller ofFIG. 5A, but the chilled liquid is supplied to coolingair outlets504A-D, wherein air is cooled by the chilled liquid in a manner similar to the outlet ofFIG. 4B, the plurality of coolingair outlets504A-504D being built into the structure of the exercise device and positioned so as to surround a region behind theexerciser508, thereby creating a personal cooling environment adjacent to the back of theexerciser508. The embodiment ofFIG. 5D further includes a conveniently locatedcontrol panel524 which enables theexerciser508 to control the cooling air flow rates of each of the individualcooling air outlets504A-504D, and of each of theconductive cooling applicators514,516,518, without requiring theexerciser508 to interrupt his exercise session.
• With reference toFIG. 6A,embodiments600 of the present invention include a coolingair input606 which is connectable to a coolingair source608, the coolingair source608 being capable of supplying a flow of cooling air to thestationary exercise device604, the cooling air being at least one of chilled and dehumidified. Theapparatus600 includes at least onecooling air outlet610A-I, each coolingair outlet610A-I being connected to the coolingair input606, each coolingair outlet610A-I being at least attached to thestationary exercise device604, each coolingair outlet610A-I being capable of applyingcooling air612 to the body of theexerciser602.
• Each cooling air outlet is also able to adjust at least one characteristic of the coolingair612 applied by the coolingair outlet610A-I to the exerciser'sbody602, 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 acontrol center614 that is able to provide the control signals to the coolingair outlets610A-I, and thereby enable theexerciser602 to control the one or morecooling air outlets610A-I. Thecontrol center614 is easily accessible to theexerciser602 while theexerciser602 is exercising on thestationary exercise device604, so that in preferred embodiments, theexerciser602 is able to adjust the air outlets without interrupting a workout.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 6A, the coolingair source608 is external to thestationary exercise device604, and coolingair612 is supplied to a plurality of coolingair outlets610A-I, each of which is directed to a different region of the exerciser'sbody602. Some of the coolingair outlets610A-C are attached to thestationary exercise device604, either directly or by mountingstructures618 attached to thestationary exercise device604. Other cooling air outlets610D-I are built into thestationary exercise device604.
• Thecontrol center614 is included in apanel616 of thestationary exercise device604, which is conveniently located in front of theexerciser602 and within easy reach of theexerciser602. Thus, theexerciser602 can separately adjust the flow speeds, temperatures, directions, and/or other characteristics of each of the coolingair outlets610. As such, theexerciser602 can respond to the varying cooling needs of each separate region of the exerciser's body, without interrupting the exercise routine.
• FIG. 6B illustrates a preferred embodiment similar toFIG. 6A, except that the coolingair source608 and coolingair inlet606 are included within thestationary exercise device604. Theexerciser602 is not shown inFIG. 6B for clarity of illustration.
• FIG. 7A is a front view of thecontrol center614 ofFIGS. 6A and 6B. In this embodiment thecontrol center614 is divided into twogroups700,702 ofcontrols704, onegroup700 for controlling the cooling of the front of the exerciser's body, and theother group702 for controlling the cooling of the back of the exerciser's body. Each group includes a plurality ofknobs704 that control the flow of coolingair612 to coolingair outlets610A-I directed toward the corresponding regions of the exerciser's body. Above thecontrol center614 is a coolingair outlet617 that includes a set of manually controlled directional louvers for adjusting the direction of the cooling air flowing from theoutlet617.
• FIG. 7B illustrates the interior of thepanel616 ofFIG. 7A as seen from behind. In this embodiment, cooling air is distributed from thecontrol center614. The cooling air source delivers cooling air from asupply hose706 to a coolingair distribution center708, from which separatesupply hoses710 transfer the cooling air to a plurality ofvalves712, which are controlled by the knobs740 shown inFIG. 7A. From thevalves712, the cooling air flows throughpipes714 to coolingair outlets610A-I.
• FIG. 8 illustrates acontrol center614 in an embodiment similar toFIG. 7A, except that the adjusters (not shown) are electronically controlled by touch controls800. The touch controls800 are arranged in patterns corresponding to illustrations of the front802 and back804 of a person's body. This enables theexerciser602 to immediately associate each of the touch controls800 with the region of the exerciser's body to which it is directed. Touch controls806 in a second group provide selection of which characteristic of the cooling air is to be controlled, and an adjustingslider control808 is able to vary the selected characteristic. For example, if theexerciser602 wishes to increase the speed of flow of cooling air against the back of her left knee, she first touches thetouch control800 located on the left rear knee of the illustrated exerciser in therear control region700. She then touches the topcharacteristic control806 labeled “speed,” and finally slides theslider808 to the right.
• FIG. 9A illustrates anair outlet610 in an embodiment where theair outlet610 includes a set oflouvers900 as an air flow-rate and flow-direction adjuster. Thelouvers900 are connected to each other by acontrol rod902, which is coupled by acoupling904 to thecentral wire906 of acoaxial cable908. Thecoaxial cable908 provides mechanical communication with the coolingcontrol center614, and thereby provides remote mechanical control of thelouvers900 from the coolingcontrol center614. In various embodiments, thecoaxial cable908 responds to moving of a lever or turning of a knob on the control panel.
• InFIG. 9A, thelouvers900 are shown directing the coolingair612 slightly downward. InFIG. 9B, the coolingair outlet610 ofFIG. 9A is shown with thecentral wire906 of thecoaxial cable908 slightly withdrawn, causing thelovers900 to direct the coolingair612 slightly upward. And inFIG. 9C, thecentral wire906 of thecoaxial cable908 has been fully extended, so as to cause thelouvers900 to tip upward and close the coolingair outlet610.
• FIG. 10A illustrates a coolingair outlet610 from the front, in an embodiment where the coolingair outlet610 includes louvers that direct coolingair612 at an angle. The coolingair outlet610 inFIG. 10A can be rotated so as to change the direction of the coolingair612. Rotation of the coolingair outlet610 is controlled by acoaxial cable908 similar to thecoaxial cable908 ofFIGS. 9A through 9C. Thecenter wire906 of the coaxial cable is connected to acoupler904, which is attached to acable track1000 surrounding the coolingair outlet610.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 10B and 100, extension of thecentral wire906 of thecoaxial cable908 pushes thecoupling904 away from thecoaxial cable908, causing thecable track1000 and the coolingair outlet610 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in the figures. Thecentral wire906 is wound into thecable track1000 as it is extended, thereby winding thecentral wire906 around the periphery of the coolingair outlet610. Withdrawal of thecentral wire906 into thecoaxial cable908 reverses this process, and causes the coolingair outlet610 to rotate clockwise.
• FIG. 11 illustrates a coolingair outlet610 in an embodiment in which the coolingair outlet610 includes a plurality of flow directors1100-1106, each of the plurality of flow directors being directed in a different direction.
• FIGS. 12A through 12C illustrate two of theflow directors1100,1102 ofFIG. 11 under various conditions. The other twoflow directors1104,1106 have been omitted fromFIGS. 12A through 12C for clarity of illustration. If cooling air is only supplied to theupper flow director1100, as shown inFIG. 12A, wellfocused air1108 emerges in a slightly upward direction. If cooling air is only supplied to thelower flow director1102, as shown inFIG. 12B, wellfocused air1110 emerges in a slightly downward direction.
• If cooling air is supplied equally to both flowdirectors1100,1102, as illustrated inFIG. 12C, cooling air emerges simultaneously in twodirections1108,1110. Other combinations of cooling air flow supplied to the flow directors1100-1104 will provide other combinations of cooling air quantity and direction.
• FIG. 13 illustrates injection ofmist droplets1300 by amist injector1302 into a flow of coolingair614. Themist droplets1300 are injected as the coolingair614 flows out of a coolingair outlet610. Water is supplied to themist injector1302 throughwater lines1306 from a water source (not shown). As a result, a mixture of coolingair614 andmist droplets1300 is applied by the coolingair outlet610 to the body of theexerciser602.
• FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment similar toFIG. 6, except that theapparatus600 includes a coolingair output1400. The coolingair output1400 enables theapparatus600 to supply cooling air to asecond apparatus1402 at least attached to a secondstationary exercise device1404. This enables the coolingair source608 to supply cooling air to both of the coolingapparatuses600,1402 of the present invention without requiring a direct cooling air connection between the coolingair source608 and thesecond cooling apparatus1402.
• Embodiments of the present invention apply cooling air specifically where it is needed, i.e. to the body of theexerciser602, and in some embodiments to targeted regions of the body of theexerciser602. Embodiments of the invention create a cooling region which surrounds at least part of the body of theexerciser602. As a consequence, with reference toFIG. 15, in some preferred embodiments, overall cooling requirements are reduced for the room in which thestationary exercise device604 is located, and aroom air conditioner1502 intended for cooing the entire room may be unneeded or at least may have unused capacity. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 15, aroom air conditioner1500 is used as the source of cooling air, rather than a separate, dedicatedcooing air source608. In these embodiments, the coolingair input606 is connected to anadaptor1502, which collects and diverts cooling air from theroom air conditioner1500 to the coolingair input606. In some embodiments the adaptor includes a boostingfan1504 which increases the pressure and/or flow rate of the cooling air supplied to the coolingair input606.
• The preferred embodiment illustrated inFIG. 16 includes a coolingair source200 located inside of an exercise room which supplies cooling air to a plurality ofexercise devices304, each of which includes a pair of coolingair outlets1600A,1600B in its upper structure which can direct cooling air toward the face of an exerciser, a plurality of cooling air vents along itsbase204A-H which can direct cooling air upward toward the exerciser from below, and a plurality of coolingair outlets1604A-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 coolingair source200 ofFIG. 16 is able to supply cooling air to the plurality ofstationary exercise devices304 at pressures and flow rates which meet the cooling requirements and preferences of exercisers using all or any subset of theexercise devices304.
• An easilyaccessible control center1602 provides control over the fan speed and temperature of the cooling air flowing from each of the coolingair outlets1600A,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.
• 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.

Claims (30)

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 ofclaim 1, the cooling air being at least one of fresh air, chilled air, filtered air, ionized air, and dehumidified air.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of air outlets are built in to a stationary exercise device.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 8, wherein the mechanical control signal is transmitted via at least one coaxial cable.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one air outlet is an adjustable nozzle.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 15, wherein the pattern resembles an outline of at least a portion of a human body.

17. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a warm air source capable of supplying warm air to the exerciser.

18. The apparatus ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the cooling air source is built into the stationary exercise device.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the cooling air source is external to the stationary exercise device.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 27, wherein the cooling fluid is one of:

water, air, water with anti-freeze, and freon.

30. The apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein at least one characteristic of cooling fluid is at least one of:

flow rate and flow temperature.

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