Apparatus for cooling an exerciser for use with an exercise machine

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed that cools an exerciser using an exercise machine by blowing chilled air directly onto the exerciser from an airflow director that is independent of the exercise machine. The airflow director is either located within the living space of the exercise room, or able to project a directed stream of chilled air into the living space of the exercise room. The airflow director can include adjustments for chilled air direction, flow rate, and other qualities. The chilled air source can include adjustments for temperature, humidity, and other qualities. A plurality of airflow directors can be included, so as to provide uniform cooing and/or to deliver chilled air to a plurality of exercise machines. A barrier and/or chilled air return vent can be included, so as to save energy and enhance the localization of the chilled air. Some embodiments can also warm the exerciser using warmed air.

1 . An apparatus for cooling an exerciser while using an exercise machine in an exercise room, the apparatus comprising:
 an airflow director located in a living region of the exercise room and supported independently of the exercise machine, the airflow director being able to blow chilled air directly upon the exerciser, thereby providing cooling that is localized to the exerciser; and   an air duct that is connectable to a chilled air source and able to convey the chilled air from the chilled air source to the airflow director.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow director is free-standing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow director is adjustably locatable within the living region of the exercise room. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow director is supported by a structure located near the exercise machine. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the structure is at least one of:
 a mounting bracket attached to a wall;   a mounting bracket attached to a ceiling;   a mounting bracket attached to a floor;   an air duct extending from a wall into the living region of the exercise room;   an air duct extending from a ceiling into the living region of the exercise room;   a floor stand;   an article of furniture; and   a stand supporting a video display, the video display being located within view of the exerciser.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a quality of the chilled air blown upon the exerciser is adjustable by the exerciser. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the quality of the chilled air is one of:
 distance from the exerciser of an origin of flow of the chilled air;   direction of flow of the chilled air;   rate of flow of the chilled air;   concentration of flow of the chilled air; and   percentage of admixture of the chilled air with ambient air in the flow of the chilled air.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a remote control in wireless communication with the airflow controller, the remote control enabling the exerciser to remotely adjust the at least one quality of the chilled air blown upon the exerciser. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes at least one additional airflow director. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a quality of the chilled air blown upon the exerciser by at least one of the airflow directors is adjustable by the exerciser independently of the other airflow directors. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the airflow directors is adjustably locatable within the living region of the exercise room independently of the other airflow directors. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein at least two of the airflow directors are configured so as to blow chilled air directly onto the exerciser from substantially opposing sides of the exerciser. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the airflow directors are configured so as to deliver chilled air from the cooling air source to a plurality of exercisers, each exerciser using a respective exercise machine. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a chilled air return vent configured so as to withdraw chilled air after it is blown directly onto the exerciser, thereby tending to confine the effects of the chilled air to a region immediately surrounding the exerciser. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the airflow director and the chilled air return vent are located on substantially opposing sides of the exerciser and configured so as to direct the chilled air across the exerciser. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a chilled air controller that is able to control a property of the chilled air that is one of:
 speed of flow of the chilled air;   volume of flow of the chilled air;   temperature of the chilled air;   humidity of the chilled air; and   quantity of cooling mist included in the chilled air.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an airflow barrier configured so as to form at least a partial barrier to airflow, thereby tending to confine the chilled air to a region surrounding the exerciser. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the airflow barrier is configured to at least partly surround the exerciser. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of chilled air provides outdoor air, where the outdoor air is cooler than the air inside the exercise room. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow director includes at least one of:
 a fan;   an electrostatic air mover;   a directable vent;   a vent with fixed air directors that tend to direct the chilled air onto the exerciser;   a vent with adjustable louvers; and   an airflow valve.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a warm air source capable of supplying warm air to the airflow director so as to warm an individual while using the exercise machine. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for cooling an exerciser while using an exercise machine in an exercise room, the apparatus comprising:
 an airflow director supported by one of a wall, a floor, and a ceiling of the exercise room, and able to project a directed stream of chilled air directly upon the exerciser, thereby providing cooling that is localized to the exerciser; and   an air duct that is connectable to a chilled air source and able to convey the chilled air from the chilled air source to the airflow director.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein a quality of the chilled air blown upon the exerciser is adjustable by the exerciser. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the quality of the chilled air is one of:
 direction of flow of the chilled air;   rate of flow of the chilled air;   concentration of flow of the chilled air; and   percentage of admixture of the chilled air with ambient air in the flow of the chilled air.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the airflow director includes at least one nozzle.