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.

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 us...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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