Abstract:
A water-cooling apparatus is disclosed that significantly improves the comfort of an individual by reducing overheating, perspiration, dehydration, odors, and electrolyte loss. A vascular distribution system attachable either directly to the individual or to a shirt or other garment worn by the individual delivers water that cools the individual by evaporation. A source of water can be included, and water can be pumped and/or squeezed from the source, pushed by air pressure, or drawn through the vascular system by gravity or capillary action. A chiller can cool the water before it is delivered, and the vascular system and/or water source can be in thermal contact with the individual. A connecting port can be included to allow the water source to be temporarily connected, and a drinking port can be included to allow the individual to drink the water and/or force water into the vascular system by blowing into the port.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to apparatus for cooling individuals, and more specifically to apparatus for cooling individuals with water. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    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, etc, and this leads to a significant reduction in the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise undertaken by many individuals, thereby reducing the health benefits that can be derived from recreational and conditioning exercise. Excess heating during exercise can also reduce peak athletic performance, because the performance of a muscle deteriorates when the muscle is overheated. 
         [0003]    Overheating of an individual can also occur during leisure activities due to exposure to sunlight and other warm weather conditions. Such overheating can reduce the comfort of these activities and shorten the amount of time that they can be enjoyed. In addition, individuals can become overheated while performing work in a hot environment, either indoors or outdoors, thereby decreasing their productivity and comfort, and possibly even endangering their health. 
         [0004]    The body&#39;s primary method of cooling when overheated is perspiration. Perspiration is highly effective because water has a high heat capacity and a high heat of vaporization, and so the evaporation of perspiration is an efficient mechanism for eliminating unwanted heat. However, there are several major disadvantages to perspiration, including dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and unwanted odors. 
         [0005]    There are many approaches known for helping to keep an exercising or working individual cool, thereby reducing perspiration and discomfort. For example, if the exercise takes place indoors, the ambient air in the exercise environment can be maintained at a low temperature by an air conditioning system. However, cooling by this method is limited because air has a low heat capacity and does not make good thermal contact with the body. Fans and humidifiers can be used to increase heat transfer from the body of an exerciser to the air, but these approaches still cannot provide sufficient cooling in all cases. When exercise occurs outdoors, these approaches are largely unavailable. 
         [0006]    For similar reasons, there are few satisfactory approaches known for cooling an individual during an outdoor work or leisure activity when sunlight and/or warm weather lead to overheating of the individual. Cool air can be directed onto the individual, but the low heat capacity of cool air limits its effectiveness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An apparatus for cooling an individual is claimed that distributes water onto the individual using a vascular water distribution system so as to efficiently cool the individual by evaporation of the water while the individual is exercising or taking part in other activities that could lead to overheating. The apparatus provides efficient cooling of the individual, thereby reducing perspiration and associated dehydration, loss of electrolytes, odors, and discomfort. 
         [0008]    The apparatus includes a vascular water distribution system cooperative with at least a portion of the body of the individual, the vascular water distribution system being connectable to a source of water and being able to distribute water over a portion of the body of the individual, thereby enabling evaporative cooling of the portion of the body of the individual. 
         [0009]    In preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system includes structural elements that maintain the configuration of the vascular water distribution system when the vascular water distribution system is in use. 
         [0010]    In some preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system is attachable to the individual, and in some of these embodiments the vascular water distribution system is attachable to the individual using straps, ties, belts, and/or elastic bands. 
         [0011]    In certain preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system is attachable to a garment. And in some of these embodiments the vascular water distribution system is attachable to the garment using hook-and-loop attachment fabric, glue, tie strips, magnetic attachment, buttons, hooks, pins, and/or snaps. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments water flows through the vascular water distribution system due to pressurizing the water, due to gravity, and/or due to capillary action. 
         [0013]    In various preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system is in thermal contact with the individual, thereby allowing water flowing through the vascular water distribution system to absorb heat from the individual. 
         [0014]    In preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system includes a connecting port that is temporarily connectable to a source of water. And in other preferred embodiments the apparatus includes a drinking port that is attachable to the source of water and can be used by the individual to drink from the source of water and/or t push water into the vascular water distribution system by blowing into the drinking port. 
         [0015]    In certain preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system is attachable to the fabric of a shirt, shorts, and/or a hat. 
         [0016]    In preferred embodiments the apparatus includes a source of water connectable to the vascular water distribution system. In some of these embodiments the source of water includes a water chiller that is able to cool the water before it is distributed by the vascular water distribution system. In other of these embodiments the source of water includes a pump operable by the individual so as to pump water into the vascular water distribution system. And in some of these embodiments the pump is operated automatically when the body of the individual undergoes movement such as breathing, walking, moving of arms, and moving of legs. 
         [0017]    In yet other preferred embodiments in which the apparatus includes a source of water connectable to the vascular water distribution system, the source of water includes an air space cooperative with water contained in the source of water, the air space being fillable with compressed air so as to apply pressure to the water, thereby pushing the water into the vascular water distribution system. In some of these embodiments the air space is separated from the water in the source of water by a flexible barrier that is able to apply pressure to the water while ensuring that only water will be delivered by the source of water to the vascular water distribution system. In other of these embodiments the source of water includes a pump operable by the individual so as to compress the air in the air space. And in some of these embodiments the pump is operated automatically when the body of the individual undergoes movements such as breathing, walking, moving of arms, and moving of legs. 
         [0018]    In certain preferred embodiments the source of water includes a water container that can be compressed by the individual so as to push water into the vascular water distribution system. In other preferred embodiments at least some of the water supplied by the source of water is maintained in thermal contact with the individual before it is delivered to the vascular water distribution system. And in still other preferred embodiments the vascular water distribution system distributes water unevenly over the portion of the body of the individual. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment wherein water is pushed under pressure through a vascular water distribution system attached directly to the body of a user; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment wherein water is pushed under pressure through a vascular water distribution system attached to a shirt; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a close-up drawing of a section of  FIG. 1B , showing water being distributed by the vascular water distribution system onto the fabric of the shirt; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a close-up cross sectional drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 1B , showing the vascular water distribution system attached to the shirt and distributing water onto the fabric of the shirt; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective drawing of a preferred embodiment wherein water is drawn by capillary action through a vascular water distribution system attached to a shirt; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a worker painting the exterior of a house while wearing a shirt with a vascular water distribution system, a source of water, and a hand pump for pumping water into the vascular water distribution system; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of a worker painting the exterior of a house while wearing a shirt with a vascular water distribution system, a source of water, and a hand pump for pumping compressed air into the source of water so as to force water into the vascular water distribution system; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of a worker painting the exterior of a house while wearing a shirt with a vascular water distribution system, a source of water, and a pump activated automatically by movement of the painter&#39;s leg for pumping compressed air into the source of water so as to force water into the vascular water distribution system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser using a stationary exercise device while wearing a vascular water distribution system attached to both a shirt and a headband, while a wetness sensor limits the amount of water delivered to the vascular water distribution system and a fan enhances the evaporative cooling; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing a vascular water distribution system attached to a shirt and supplied with water by gravity from a bottle carried on the bicycle rider&#39;s back; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective drawing of the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , with the water bottle strapped to the support bar of the bicycle and supplied to the vascular water distribution system by a pump; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser on a bicycle wearing a vascular water distribution system attached to shorts and to the inside of a helmet worn by the bicycle rider, the vascular water distribution system including a drinking port and being supplied with water by gravity from a bottle carried on the rider&#39;s back; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional side drawing of a water bottle that uses air compressed in a space above the water to push water into the vascular water distribution system; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6E  is a cross-sectional side drawing of a water bottle that uses air compressed in a bladder surrounding the water to push water into the vascular water distribution system; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6F  is a cross sectional drawing of the water bottle of  FIG. 6E  oriented at right angles to the drawing of  FIG. 6E ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a runner wearing a vascular water distribution system attached to a shirt and carrying a water bottle; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the runner of  FIG. 7A , with the water bottle temporarily connected to a connecting port on the vascular water distribution system; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exerciser on a stationary exercise device wearing a shirt with a vascular water distribution system attached to it, to which chilled water is supplied by a water chiller. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an individual  100  wearing a vascular water distribution system  102 . In the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the vascular water distribution system  102  is a network of channels that distribute water supplied under pressure through a hose  104  onto the abdomen of the individual  100  so as to provide evaporative cooling while reducing perspiration. Cross braces  106  maintain the shape of the vascular water distribution system. In  FIG. 1A , the vascular water distribution system  102  is directly attached to the individual  100  by straps  108 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a shirt  101  to which a vascular water distribution system  102  is attached by hook-and-loop fastening  108 . In other preferred embodiments, the vascular distribution system  102  is attached to a garment by tie strips, glue, buttons, magnets, pins, snaps, and/or any other attachment mechanism. The water can be supplied from any convenient source, depending on the exercise circumstances. For example, when using a stationary exercise device indoors the water can be supplied from a water plumbing system that extends throughout the building. When exercising outdoors, for example running or bicycling, the water can be supplied from a container carried by the individual, from a container attached to a portable apparatus such as a bicycle that accompanies the individual, or it can be obtained from watering stations along the exercise route. These options are discussed in more detail later in this section. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  present close-up views of the fabric  101  used in the shirt of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2A , it can be seen that water channels  200  of the vascular water distribution system  102  are attached at intervals to the fabric  101 , and that they have small outlet holes through which water is sprayed onto the fabric  101 . In the cross sectional view of  FIG. 2B  it can be better seen that the channels  200  in this embodiments are held against the surface of the fabric  101 , protruding partially above the outer surface of the shirt  101 , and spray water onto the surrounding fabric  101 . In the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  the channels themselves  200  are not permeable to water, except through small holes purposely set in the channels  200 . In similar embodiments, the channels are made from cloth or other material that is semi-permeable to water, so that it is not necessary to include holes specifically to allow the water to pass from the channels  200  to the shirt  101 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a shirt  300  similar to the shirt  101  of  FIG. 1 , except that the water flows through channels  302  that include larger main channels and smaller branch channels that extend from the main channels. The channel holes in this embodiment are in direct contact with the surrounding shirt  300 , and the surface tension of the water causes water to be drawn through the channels  302  by capillary action, as compared to water being driven through the channels  200  under pressure in the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B . In similar embodiments, water exudes through holes in the channels and evaporates directly from the holes, cooling the channels and the water contained in the channels, and thereby cooling a portion of the individual that is in thermal contact with the vascular water distribution system. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4A  illustrates use of the present invention to cool a worker performing outdoor work that could otherwise lead to overheating. In  FIG. 4A , a house painter  400  is painting the exterior of a house on a warm day while standing in direct sunlight. A bottle  402  strapped to his waist supplies water through a first hose  104  to a vascular water distribution system  102  attached to a shirt  404  worn by the painter  400 . A second hose  406  delivers water to a second vascular water distribution system  408  in a cap  410  worn by the painter  400 , so as to cool the painter&#39;s head. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9A , the house painter  400  pumps water into the vascular water distribution systems  102 ,  408  by squeezing on a pumping bulb  412  located along the first hose  104 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an embodiment similar to  FIG. 4A , except that the water bottle  402  contains pressurized air that forces water into the vascular water distribution systems  102 ,  408 . The painter  400  can use a squeezable pump  414  to increase the pressure of the air inside of the water bottle  402 . In this embodiment, water is pushed continuously through the vascular water distribution systems  102 ,  408  by the pressurized air, thereby maintaining continuous cooling of the painter  400  while requiring the painter  400  to operate the pump only occasionally so as to maintain pressure in the water bottle  402 .  FIG. 4C  is similar to  FIG. 4B , except that the air in the water bottle  402  is automatically pressurized by a pump  416  attached to the leg of the house painter  400 , such that the pump  416  is actuated automatically by the natural movements of the house painter  400 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  is a perspective drawing showing an exerciser  500  using a stationary exercise device  502  while wearing the vascular water distribution system  102  attached to the shirt  101  of  FIG. 1  as well as a second vascular water distribution system  503  attached to a headband. Water is supplied to the shirt  101  and to the cooling headband  504  through hoses  104 ,  506 , from a plumbing system not shown in the figure. So as to further increase the evaporative cooling, a fan  508  is used to blow air onto the shirt and headband. So as to avoid excessive wetting of the individual, a sensor  510  attached to a wire  512  is used to monitor the degree of wetness of the shirt  101  and limit the amount of water delivered to the shirt  101  and to the headband  504 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser  600  riding a bicycle  602  while wearing the shirt  100  of  FIG. 1 . Water is supplied to the shirt  100  by gravity from a water bottle  604  attached to the back of the individual  600 . A flow of air resulting from movement of the bicycle  602  enhances the evaporative cooling of the shirt  100 .  FIG. 6B  is a perspective drawing of an embodiment similar to  FIG. 6A , except that the water bottle  604  is attached to a supporting bar of the bicycle  602  rather than to the back of the exerciser  600 . In this embodiment, the exerciser  600  can control the amount of water delivered to the shirt  100  by pressing on a water pump handle (not shown) conveniently positioned on the handlebars of the bicycle  602 . 
         [0045]    Exercise performance can sometimes be enhanced by cooling the muscles that are performing the most exercise. In  FIG. 6C , an exerciser  600  is riding a bicycle  602  while wearing shorts  606  cooled by a vascular water distribution system  102  that distributes water to the cooling shorts  606  by gravity from a water bottle  604  attached to the back of the exerciser  600 . In  FIG. 6C , the bicycle rider&#39;s head is also cooled by supplying water  608  from the water bottle  604  to a vascular water distribution system located inside of the rider&#39;s helmet  610 . The helmet  610  includes vents that allow a flow of air due to the movement of the bicycle to reach the inside of the helmet  610  and cool the bicycle rider&#39;s head by evaporation. Water from the water bottle  604  is also supplied to a drinking port  612  located near the mouth of the bicycle rider, allowing the water to be used for drinking as well as cooling. In addition, the bicycle rider can force water from the bottle into the vascular water distribution system by blowing into the drinking port  612 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 6D  presents a cross sectional diagram of the water bottle  604  shown in  FIG. 6A . Water  614  can be contained in the bottle  604  and dispensed through a fitting  616  mounted at one end of the bottle  604 . The water  614  flows to the fitting  616  through a tube  618  that draws the water  614  from the bottom of the bottle  604 . An air space  620  located above the water  614  can be filled with pressurized air using an air fitting  622 , thereby causing the water to flow into the vascular water system under pressure. The embodiment of  FIG. 6D  is appropriate for circumstances where the bottle  604  will be maintained in a substantially upright orientation, as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0047]      FIG. 6E  illustrates a water bottle  604  used in embodiments where the orientation of the bottle  604  will not necessarily be vertical, for example as shown in  FIG. 6B . In  FIG. 6E , compressed air  620  is separated from the water  614  by a flexible membrane  624  that allows the air  620  to apply pressure to the water  614 , but prevents the air  620  from being accidentally drawn out of the bottle  604  instead of the water  614 . The central tube  618  in this embodiment includes holes  626  that allow water to enter the tube  618  at a plurality of locations along its length, thereby preventing any blockage of water flow as the membrane  624  collapses inward.  FIG. 6F  presents a cross section of the water bottle of  FIG. 6E . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser  700  running while wearing the vascular water distribution system  302  attached to the shirt  300  of  FIG. 3 . The hose  104  that supplies water to the cooling channels  302  of the shirt  300  terminates in a connection port  702  that can be attached to a compressible water bottle  704  carried by the runner  700  so as to deliver water to the shirt  300  when the bottle is connected to the connection port and squeezed by the runner  700 .  FIG. 7B  illustrates the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 7A  with the water bottle  704  connected to the connection port  702 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a perspective drawing of an exerciser  500  using a stationary exercise device  502  similar to the device shown in  FIG. 5 . The exerciser  500  in  FIG. 8  is using the exercise device  502  while wearing a shirt  100  that includes a thermally conductive vascular water distribution system  800  through which chilled water is circulated by a water chiller  802  connected to the vascular water distribution system  800  by hoses  104 ,  804 . The thermally conductive vascular water distribution system  800  brings the chilled water into thermal contact with the exerciser  500  before the water is distributed onto the shirt  100 , thereby cooling the exerciser  500  both by direct convection and by evaporation. The chiller  802  includes both a cooling unit and a water pump. 
         [0050]    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.