Device for directing air flow at users of air resisted exercise machines

• US 6,960,156 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Smith
• Original Assignee: Paul Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Fenn C.
• Application Number:
  US10/147,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20030216227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 482/72, 482/51, 482 57- 65
• US Class Current: 482/72
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0079 with a pulling cable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0088 by moving the surrounding air
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions

Abstract

The current invention disclosed a device for directing a concentrated airflow at the user of an air resisted exercise machine. The cowling disclosed in this invention is constructed from either a semi-rigid material or low-porosity fabric and can be removably attached to the cage covering the fan type blades usually associated with such machines. Various means can be used to attach the device to the cage, one means being the use of elastic cords routed through welts. In use, the device of the current invention directs air at the user of the machine. The device is lightweight and portable, and a user can carry the device along for use on machines in a variety of places.

Claims

1. A device for directing air flow at a user of air resisted exercise devices, said device comprising:

an exercise unit having a plurality of fan-type blades that rotate in a plane that is aligned with the user, said fan-type blades being enclosed in a cage;

a substantially flexible cowling,

said cowling having a shape that corresponds to the shape of said cage that encloses said plurality of said fan-type blades;

said cowling further having an arch shaped cross-section along a length of said cowling with legs of the arch forming walls of said cowling, and edges of said cowling being located at the base of said legs; and

a means for removably attaching said cowling to said cage.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cowling is constructed from a low-porosity fabric.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said low-porosity fabric is rip-stop nylon having a denier selected from the range of 100 to 250.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said cage that encloses said plurality of fan-type blades is circular in shape, and said cowling is semicircular in shape.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising two channel welts wherein said means of attaching said cowling to said cage is a pair of elastic cords;

said channel welts comprising

a narrow strip of fabric attached to both sides of said walls of said cowling such that a channel is created;

each of said cords being of sufficient length to fit snugly around an outside perimeter of said cage; and

one of said walls of said cords is inserted through each of said channel welts until a portion of said cords protrudes from each end of said channel welts.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the ends of each of said cords are connected together after said cords are inserted through said channel welts.

7. A device for directing air flow at a user of air resisted exercise devices, said device comprising:

an exercise unit having a plurality of fan-type blades that rotate in a plane that is aligned with the user,

said fan-type blades being enclosed in a cage;

a cowling;

said cowling having a shape that corresponds to a shape of a cage that encloses a plurality of fan-type blades on an air resisted exercise device;

said cowling further having an arch shaped cross-section along a length of said cowling with legs of the arch forming walls of said cowling, and edges of said cowling being located at the base of said legs; and

a means for removably attaching said cowling to said cage.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said cowling is constructed from a semi-rigid material.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said semi-rigid material is plastic.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein said cage that encloses said plurality of fan-type blades is circular in shape, and said cowling is semicircular in shape.

11. The device of claim 7 further comprising two channel welts wherein said means of attaching said cowling to said cage is a pair of elastic cords;

said channel welts comprising

a narrow strip of fabric attached to both sides of said walls of said cowling such that a channel is created;

each of said cords being of sufficient length to fit snugly around an outside perimeter of said cage; and

one of said walls of said cords is inserted through each of said channel welts until a portion of said cords protrudes from each end of said channel welts.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the ends of each of said cords are connected together after said cords are inserted through said channel welts.

13. A device for directing air flow at a user of air resisted exercise devices, said device comprising:

an exercise unit having a plurality of fan-type blades that rotate in a plane that is aligned with the user, said fan-type blades being enclosed in a circular cage having an outer perimeter;

a substantially flexible cowling, said cowling constructed from a low-porosity fabric;

said cowling having a semi-circular shape corresponding to the perimeter of the circular cage that encloses the plurality of fan-type blades;

said cowling further having an arch-shaped cross-section along a length of said cowling with legs of the arch forming walls of said cowling, and edges of said cowling being located at the base of said legs;

two channel welts;

said channel welts comprising a narrow strip of fabric attached to said walls of said cowling such that a channel is created;

a pair of elastic cords;

each of said cords being of sufficient length to fit snugly around perimeter of said cage;

one of said cords is inserted through each of said channel welts until a portion of said cords protrudes from each end of said channel welts and the ends of each of said cords are connected together;

whereby

said cowling is than removably attached to said exercise device by stretching said cords evenly around the center of said outer perimeter of said cage, sliding said cords to the outside edge of said outer perimeter; and

adjusting said cowling so that it will direct air at a user when said exercise device is in use.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said low-porosity fabric is rip-stop nylon having a denier selected from the range of 100 to 250.