Abstract:
A space saving sauna unit for delivering infrared light therapy to the body of a user is integrated with a piece of furniture and is sized for single occupancy, wherein a single user may receive infrared light therapy via a plurality of infrared heat sources housed in the enclosed portion of the sauna unit. The sauna enclosure may be integrated with any suitable piece of furniture, such as, but not limited to, a dresser, desk, television armoire, bed, or other piece of furniture. The plurality of infrared heat sources are operated by a set of controls and may include a time-lapsed automatic shut down feature for automatically deactivating the infrared heat sources after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed. A manually operated vent system allows for temperature control. The sauna unit may also include one or more interior audio speakers and an LED light therapy mask.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to sauna therapy and, more particularly, a standalone space saving sauna unit that provides for storage and which may also function as an article of furniture. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The benefits of sauna therapy are commonly accepted amongst health practitioners. Saunas are generally used for detoxifying and eliminating impurities, such as pesticides and other chemicals, as well as heavy metals. Other benefits of sauna therapy include increased oxygenation, enhancement of the immune system, pain relief, stress reduction and weight loss. Ongoing research of the benefits of using infrared light therapy in saunas is suggestive of additional benefits. While frequent use of infrared light sauna therapy is beneficial, an in-home sauna, even a single occupant sauna, can require a considerable amount of extra floor space which might otherwise be used for a dresser, desk, television armoire, bed, or other piece of furniture. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a single occupant infrared sauna that is integrated with a piece of furniture, such as a dresser, desk, television armoire or bed and which makes efficient use of space within a portion of an existing room, such as a bedroom, in a house, condominium, apartment, yacht, medical office, health or beauty spa. 
       Objects and Advantages of the Invention 
       [0006]    Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a space saving, standalone sauna unit or custom built-in unit (e.g., within a wall). 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a space saving sauna unit that is integrated with an article of furniture to provide the dual function of a sauna and the particular purpose of the furniture article (e.g., a desk, dresser, armoire, bed). 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a space saving sauna unit that includes storage space. 
         [0009]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a space saving sauna unit for delivering infrared light therapy to a user&#39;s body. 
         [0010]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention is directed to a space saving sauna unit for delivering infrared light therapy to the body of a user. In several embodiments, the space saving sauna unit is integrated with a piece of furniture and is sized for single occupancy, wherein a single user may receive infrared light therapy via a plurality of infrared heat sources housed in the enclosed portion of the sauna unit. The sauna unit may be integrated with any suitable piece of furniture, such as, but not limited to, a dresser, desk, television armoire, bed, or other piece of furniture. Alternatively, the space saving sauna made be constructed as a custom built-in unit, such as within a wall in a room or hallway. The plurality of infrared lights are operated by a set of controls and may include a time-lapsed automatic shut down feature for automatically deactivating the infrared heat sources after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed. A manually operated ventilation assembly, operated by the user while in the sauna, is structured to selectively release heat from a top of the unit or contain the heat so that it is forced down into the sauna enclosure, thereby allowing the user to adjust the temperature level within the sauna. The sauna may also be equipped with one or more audio speakers (e.g., wireless speakers) and wiring with connectors for connecting a digital audio storage and playback device, such as an MP3 player or cell phone, to the audio speaker(s). Additionally, the sauna may be equipped with an LED light therapy device for anti-aging phototherapy treatment (e.g., facial phototherapy treatment). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the space saving sauna unit of the present invention, wherein a sauna unit is integrated with a dresser furniture piece; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the embodiment of the space saving sauna unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the space saving sauna unit of the present invention, wherein an empty space is provided below the sauna for storage; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of yet another embodiment of the space saving sauna unit, wherein the sauna is integrated with a desk having a pull-out desk surface and drawers; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the space saving sauna unit of  FIG. 4 , shown with the pull-out desk surface extended out in an operable position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the space saving sauna unit of the present invention, wherein a sauna unit is integrated with a bed furniture piece; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an isolated perspective view of a portion of the interior of the sauna enclosure showing a shelf structure on the end wall with an audio speaker and a separate shelf for placement and connection of a digital audio storage and playback device such as an MP3 player or cell phone; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is an isolated perspective view of the ceiling within the interior of the sauna enclosure showing an arrangement of infrared heat emitting sources, such as infrared lights, along with controls and an optional LED light therapy device; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is an isolated cross sectional view showing a top ventilation chamber above the sauna enclosure and illustrating operation of air intake fans for drawing air into the ventilation chamber; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an isolated cross sectional view of the ventilation chamber and showing a vent assembly in an open position to release heat from the infrared heat generating sources out through the top of the unit; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is an isolated cross sectional view of the ventilation chamber showing the vent assembly in a closed position to direct heat downwardly through the infrared heat generating sources and through the ceiling of the sauna enclosure and into the sauna interior; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a schematic top plan view of the electrical system of space saving sauna unit; 
       
    
    
       [0025]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Referring to the several views of the drawings, the space saving sauna unit with storage of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as  10 . 
         [0027]    In several preferred embodiments of the invention, the space saving sauna  10  includes a sauna enclosure  12  combined with an article of furniture  14 . An important aspect of the invention is the provision for storage as part of the space saving sauna unit  10 . In several preferred embodiments of the invention, storage is provided directly below the sauna enclosure  12  and may be in the form of one or more drawers  16  (e.g., dresser drawers or desk drawers), one or more cabinets, or an open storage space  18  (see  FIG. 3 ). The space saving sauna unit  10  further includes a top ventilation chamber  20  integrated with the sauna enclosure  12 . The top ventilation chamber  20  is positioned directly above the sauna enclosure  12 . 
         [0028]    The sauna enclosure  12  includes a front access opening that extends substantially the entire length of the enclosure as well as substantially the entire height of the sauna enclosure. Front doors  22  are operable to an open position to allow access, including ingress and egress from the sauna enclosure. When not in use, the doors  22  can be left open or closed. During use of the sauna enclosure  12 , the doors  22  are closed once the user is inside of the sauna enclosure  12  to thereby completely close the access opening. The front doors  22  are preferably mounted on bi-fold hinges so that the two left door panels fold open to the left and the two right door panels fold open to the right. Within the sauna enclosure  12 , there are opposite end walls  30 ,  32 , a back wall  34 , a ceiling  36  and a flat bottom surface  38 . In a preferred embodiment, the walls, ceiling and flat bottom surface are constructed of cedar wood or other natural materials that are suitable for a sauna environment. 
         [0029]    The sauna enclosure  12  is heated to a desired temperature with the use of a plurality of infrared heat sources  40 . The infrared heat sources  40  may include, but are not limited to, near infrared incandescent light bulbs, infrared ceramic tube heaters or far infrared carbon emitters that may be added to the back wall of the sauna. In the several embodiments shown in the drawings, the infrared heat sources  40  are shown as infrared light fixtures that use an infrared light emitting bulb. The infrared light fixtures are in the form of a recessed lighting fixture, commonly referred to as a hi-hat, that is mounted within the ceiling  36  of the sauna enclosure  12  so that the infrared light fixture extends up and into the top ventilation chamber  20 . 
         [0030]    The interior of the sauna enclosure  12  may include additional components such as a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) speaker  52  supported on a shelf structure  50  on one of the end walls  30 , as seen in  FIG. 7 . The lower shelf  51  of the shelf structure  50  may include one or more connector cables  54  with appropriate connecting jacks for attachment to a digital audio storage and playback device, such as a MP3 player or cell phone. The digital audio playback and storage device can be placed on the lower shelf  51 , below the wireless speaker  52 . The opposite end wall  32  may be provided with a light therapy device  60 , such as a phototherapy device for anti-aging facial skin therapy. As seen in  FIG. 8 , the light therapy device  60  is supported on an articulating arm member  62  that allows positioning of the light emitting panel of the light therapy device to direct the light on the user&#39;s face while the user relaxes in the sauna. The light therapy device is electronically powered and may plug into an AC outlet separated or it may be wired into the circuit of the sauna unit  10  with the lights, fans and speaker as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0031]    In a preferred embodiment, two or more air intake fans  70  are provided on the back wall of the top ventilation chamber  20  for drawing outside air into the air ventilation chamber, as seen in  FIG. 9 . Operation of the infrared heat sources  40  generates a significant amount of waste heat within the air ventilation chamber  20  which is either vented out through the top of the unit or down into the sauna enclosure  12  with the use of a vent system  80 . As seen in  FIGS. 8-11 , the vent system  80  includes a handle  82  that extends down through a slot  83  formed in the ceiling of the sauna enclosure. The handle  82  connects to a sliding vent panel  84  fitted within tracks  85  in the top of the ventilation chamber. This vent panel  84  is slidable in relation to the top cover  86  of the sauna unit  10 , as indicated by the arrows shown in  FIG. 11 . Both the top cover  86  of the sauna unit  10  and the sliding vent panel  84  are provided with an arrangement of openings which correspond to the position of the infrared heat sources. With the vent assembly in an open position, as seen in  FIG. 10 , the openings  90  in the vent panel  84  align with the openings  92  in the top cover of the sauna unit to allow escape of waste heat from the infrared heat sources  40  out through the top of the sauna unit  10 . In the fully closed position, as seen in  FIG. 11 , the vent panel  84  has been moved so that the openings  90  in the vent panel are moved out of alignment with the openings  92  in the top cover  86 , with the vent panel  84  now blocking and closing the openings  92  in the top cover  86 , thereby preventing escape of the waste heat out from the top of the sauna unit  10 . In this closed position, the waste heat generated in the ventilation chamber  20  by the infrared heat sources  40  is directed downwardly through the infrared heat source fixtures, through the ceiling  36  and into the sauna enclosure  12 , thereby increasing the temperature within the sauna enclosure  12 . The user can adjust the amount of heat temperature level within the sauna enclosure  12  by moving the handle  82  of the vent assembly  80  between a fully open position through a range of adjusted positions and to the fully closed position. It should be noted that the vent panel  84  can be moved so that the openings  92  in the top cover  86  of the sauna unit  10  are only partially blocked or closed off, thereby allowing escape of some heat up through the top of the sauna unit  10 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 8-12 , the plurality of infrared heat sources  40  are provided in the ceiling  36  of the sauna enclosure  12 . Additionally, one or more light sources  42 , such as LED lights, are provided in the sauna enclosure  12  for lighting the interior of the sauna enclosure  12 . A set of controls  44  on a control panel  43  is provided for operating the infrared heat sources  40  and light sources  42 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , wires  46  are in connection with the set of controls  44  for delivering electric current to power the infrared heat sources  40  and light sources  42  along with the air intake fans  70 , audio speaker, and light therapy device. One or more of the infrared heat sources  40  may be in connection with a timer  48 , wherein the one or more infrared heat sources  40  are activated by the timer  48  for a period of time that may be either pre-programmed or selectively set by the user. The timer  48  may be set by operation of a timer control on the control panel and automatically deactivated after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed. All infrared heat sources  40  are automatically deactivated after the predetermined amount of time has lapsed. A power cord  100  with accompanying power plug  102  extends from the sauna unit  10  and is disposed for connection with a standard AC electric power outlet for powering the sauna unit  10 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 8 , the infrared heat sources  40  and light sources  42  are covered by a protective screen  110 , such as an aluminum mesh screen or stainless steel grill, that protects the user from inadvertently touching the infrared heat sources  40  and light sources  42  while still permitting passage of heat and light therethrough. The protective screen  110  is fastened to the ceiling within the sauna enclosure and may include hinges that attach to the screen  110  and the ceiling  36  to allow opening of the screen  110  and access to the infrared heat sources  40  and light sources  42  for bulb replacement and repairs. The interior of the sauna enclosure  12  includes a flat bottom surface  38  for the user to lie upon while receiving infrared therapy. A cushion and one or more pillows may be placed on the bottom surface  38  for additional comfort. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of the space saving sauna unit  10  is shown including a sauna enclosure  12  that is integrated with a piece of furniture  14 , wherein the piece of furniture is a dresser with an arrangement of storage drawers  16  below the sauna enclosure  12 . The sauna enclosure  12  is accessible through the front doors  16 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the space saving sauna unit  10  is shown wherein the sauna unit is structured to have the appearance of an armoire. An open storage space  18  is provided directly below the sauna enclosure  12 . Alternatively, this space can be filled with a cabinet. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , another embodiment of the space saving sauna unit  10  is shown including a sauna enclosure  12  is integrated with a desk. A pull-out desk top  17  is extendable to an operable position, as seen in  FIG. 5  to allow a person to sit in a chair and use the pull-out desk top  17  as a desk surface. The desk top  17  can be pushed in and stored beneath the sauna enclosure  12  during non-use. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , another embodiment of the space saving sauna unit  10  is shown wherein the sauna enclosure  12  is integrated with a bed  120 . A retractable or removable entry platform  122  is provided for stepping on by a user for facilitating easy entry into the sauna enclosure  12 . In this embodiment, the storage space  180  shares the open space above the top (i.e., head) of the bed and beneath the sauna enclosure  12 . Alternatively, a headboard (not pictured) may be installed at the head of the bed, below the sauna enclosure  12 . 
         [0037]    While the present invention has been shown and described in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure of the invention are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.