Hyperthermic conditioning capsule

A self-contained, hyperthermic conditioning unit and selectively controllable environment for exercising. The unit comprises a base portion having a bed therein and a removable cover connected to the base portion to enclose a personal compartment within the unit. One or more heating elements provide heat to the personal compartment and one more pieces of physical exercise equipment are provided within the personal compartment.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an individual capsule in which a person can lie in for various treatments. The capsule includes the ability to provide a hyperthermic conditioning environment by providing a heated capsule. The capsule may have exercise equipment therein for use in a temperature controlled environment.

In the prior art, various environmental capsules have been advanced, including for example, the structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,809 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,717. The treatments that are present in the prior art devices include steam therapy, heat therapy, infrared heat and light exposure, pleasing sound sources, aroma therapy and some capsules provide a shower mounted in the cover or base of the capsule.

The capsules generally have a base that is large enough to accommodate a support or bed in a lower portion, and a hinged cover that can be opened so that a person can get in and out of the lower part or base of the capsule. The cover usually has individual controls to provide therapy source such as a shower, heat, steam, sound, aroma or other therapy source can be mounted in a position where a person lying on the bed can reach and operate the controls. In addition, it has long been known to have a vibrator on the bed to provide a relaxing, massage type vibration.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a self-contained, personal exercise unit where conditions such as temperature can be selectively controlled to provide one or more controllable environments within the unit. The unit is configured for providing a controlled hyperthermic conditioning environment and/or optionally a controlled hypothermic conditioning environment. The unit includes a capsule configured to provide two independently controllable environments. The capsule includes an upper body (i.e. head/neck and in some cases the upper shoulders) area which is selectively enclosable and an internal bed component adapted with various physical exercise equipment for use by a human user within the capsule. The capsule includes sources of heat including a heater and LED and/or infrared lighting and/or cooling, such as an air conditioner. The capsule may also optionally include one or more shower heads, air control, light, steam, and/or misting spray devices to provide complimentary conditions for the human user before, during or after exercise in the capsule. This is in addition to the hyperthermic conditioning environment and optionally the hypothermic conditioning environment.

The personal capsule includes a base supporting a bed and has a movable cover adapted with a pop-up translucent hood and dome. The cover, and hood and dome are selectively closeable to separate an upper body, or head chamber from a main body chamber, wherein an environment of both chambers is selectively controllable. The main body chamber comprises the bed, which may be a fitness or exercise bed configured to receive a person lying down and adapted with connections for various exercise equipment such that the user is able to utilize the exercise equipment within the bed and thus within the capsule. The various exercise equipment may be positioned in, on, or around the perimeter of the bed at selected locations appropriate for the specific use of the equipment by the user. For example, the individual pieces of exercise equipment are positioned within reach of the user's hands or feet within the capsule.

The movable cover and pop-up hood and dome are configured to allow the upper body area and the main body area to be one continuous chamber having a selectively controllable environment, or to be two individual and adjacent chambers, each having a separately controllable environment. The bed and cover combine to provide a personal compartment having a controllable internal environment, where for example, the temperature and humidity of the environment can be selected and controlled to provide a controllable hyperthermic or hypothermic conditioning environment for the user. However, the capsule allows the user to select a single (the same) environment for their entire body or select an environment for their head and face that is different than the environment for the user's body. For example, misting may be including one or both chambers and/or the chambers may have varying humidity levels or temperatures.

The capsule is of dimensions sufficiently large to allow the user to move within the personal compartment when utilizing the various exercise equipment therein or partially therein.

Infrared heaters or dry heat sources are also be provided along the internal sides of the cover to direct heat onto the person lying on the bed.

Exercise resistance bands are also provided and are attached along the sides of the bed. The resistance bands can be utilized to provide resistance training and physical exercise to the person within the capsule. The bands can be used when heat is directed down onto the person lying on the bed, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated.

The device may include a stack of weights that are coupled to hand or foot grips with a cable. The stack of weights allow for resistant weight training within the thermally controlled environment. The stack of weight can be located within the capsule or external to the capsule while the hand or foot grips are located within the capsule.

A push pedal stepper system or a stationary cycle may also be provided and attached to the foot area of the bed. The push pedal stepper system or the stationary cycle can be utilized to provide resistance movement and physical exercise to the lower body and legs of the person within the capsule. The stepper system or the stationery cycle can be used when heat or cooling is directed down onto the person lying on the bed, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated or depressed.

Hand stirrups or other handles may also be provided and attached along the sides of the bed. The hand stirrups can be utilized to provide isometric exercise options, including allowing the person within the capsule and lying in the bed to do stomach crunches, core workouts, sit-up, pull-ups and/or shoulder shrugs. The hand stirrups can be used when heat or cooling is directed onto the person lying on the bed, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated.

A removable pull up bar may also be provided and attached over the open hood area of the cover. The pull up bar allows the person within the capsule to do upper body strength exercises such as pull-ups, curls and/or other strength training. The pull up bar can be used when heat is directed down onto the person lying on the bed, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated.

Directed air flow is also provided near the shoulder portion of the bed area for preventing heat loss in the personal compartment when the user selects to open, or pop up, the hood and dome portion of the cover. This allows the conditions within the personal compartment to be controlled or substantially maintained while allowing the user to expose their head and face to the outside or ambient environment.

Additional exercise equipment such as, but not limited to, stretching bands and/or cords, free weights and/or wrist or ankle weights may also be provided in the bed portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A conditioning unit10is illustrated generally in the figures. Referring toFIG. 1, a full body compartment assembly is generated at10in cross-section, to show an interior cavity11of the conditioning unit10. The conditioning unit10includes a base compartment12and a cover14. The cover14is operably secured to the base compartment12by a hinged connection at a hinge axis16. The hinge axis16can be positioned at the foot end17of the base compartment12. Alternatively, the hinge axis16can be positioned along a side length of the base compartment12. The base compartment12is supported on a leg system, such as a three-point leg system preferably including a pedestal12A, and forward legs12C as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The three-legged arrangement provides stability of support without rocking or problems with unevenness of a support floor. Other forms of support for the base can be utilized and are contemplated.

The base12is provided with a bed18therein which can be constructed of a clear acrylic or other clear plastic material, so that it may be transparent to light of different wavelengths. Upper surfaces18A of the bed18are positioned at various angles and the bed18includes an upper body portion18B that supports the shoulder and upper back region of a person lying on the bed18. The bed18also includes a lower back panel or portion18C, that is at a comfortable angle relative to the upper body portion18B, and a leg panel or support18D that is at the foot end17of the bed18.

Schematically represented at54are brackets for holding the bed panel18in position relative to the base12. These mounts can be of any desired type.

The base compartment12includes a lower compartment20that can house various components for selecting the environment conditions within the unit10. The lower compartment20can operably house components including but not limited to a steam generator22that is mounted to provide for steam therapy, if desired, through steam outlets represented generally at22A. The compartment20also can hold a water tank24having a pump and supply lines connected to showerheads24A. By way of example, a showerhead24A is shown in the cover14inFIG. 1. The showing of the shower head is not limited to any particular placement. If desired, showerheads can be placed in other locations along the sides of the cover or in the base. Suitable drainage troughs will be provided and this can easily be done because the base12is made generally of molded plastic or fiberglass material that can be shaped as desired.

The lower compartment20may also house a plurality of salt blocks21. Additional salt blocks21may be positioned on an inner surface of the cover14. Each block21will have corresponding LED clusters25and infrared bulbs27to provide supplemental energy to the salt blocks in addition to heat provided by a heater31.

The base12, bed18and cover14form an open interior space referred to as a personal compartment11. The bed18is a user platform within the personal compartment11. The personal compartment11is configured to receive a human user and to allow the user to lie on the bed18while also allowing sufficient space for the user to move, such as sit up, move arms and/or legs within the personal compartment when utilizing various physical exercise equipment.

The personal compartment11is temperature controlled and is thus a heated or cooled personal compartment11. What is meant by hyperthermic in this disclosure is that hot air can be introduced to the compartment11to elevate the temperature within the compartment, thus elevating the body temperature of the user therein. Conversely, what is meant by hypothermic in this disclosure is that cool air can be introduced into the compartment11to reduce the temperature within the compartment11, thus lowering the body temperature of the user therein.

The personal compartment11is configured to provide a first controlled environment, which substantially covers the user's main body (for example, depending on user size, covering shoulders to feet) and is also referred to as a body chamber56. The personal compartment11incorporates various fitness and rehabilitation exercise apparatuses, and/or electrical exercise stimulation devices, inside the controllable temperature body chamber56. As discussed herein, the temperature may be elevated or reduced (cooled chamber) for relief or various therapies and the temperature may be manipulated and controlled by convection, radiance or conduction means.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3-5, the cover14can be further adapted with a pop-up hood13and dome15. The dome15may be made of a translucent or transparent acrylic or other plastic material. The hood13and dome15are removable, but when in use are portions that extend along a width and a length of an opening in the upper surface of the cover14. The dome15is positioned near the head end19of the capsule with the hood13extending from the dome15towards the foot end17of the capsule. The hood13can be pivotally connected to the cover14at one or more points along the opening or can otherwise be removable and selectively secured to enclose the capsule and the personal compartment11.

The hood13allows the user to open an upper portion50of the cover14to further open up or enlarge the personal compartment11. The dome15, which is also removably secured to the head end19of the hood13and/or cover14is further removable to allow the user to select whether their head and face is covered within the personal compartment11or uncovered and exposed to the ambient environment.

The hood13and dome15may also provide a separate head chamber52to the personal compartment11. As the face of the user (head and neck) generally extends beyond or outside of the open interior space that is the body chamber56of the personal compartment11, the hood13and dome15are configured to enclose the upper portion50as a second separate personal compartment also referred to as the head chamber52. The head chamber52is also configured such that the user can selectively control the environment in the head chamber52, including for example humidity and temperature.

The dome15is closeable to thereby isolate the upper portion50from the main body of the personal compartment11. Thus, the upper portion50, or head chamber52, can also be environmentally controlled for temperature (hot or cold) by any temperature control methods described herein or otherwise capable of heating and/or cooling the capsule. Further, the head chamber52is also configured with controllable air content (hypo or hyper enriched oxygen, aromas, medical gases, etc.). The environment of the head chamber52may be configured with combinations of controllable features also including, but not limited to, humidity, light control or electrical impulse stimulation and/or media stimulation, all of which can be controlled independently from the same or similar controllable features of the body chamber56of the personal compartment11.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, removal of the hood13allows the upper portion50of cover14to be opened for additional exercise space. For example, a removable pull up bar90may be secured to the capsule cover14. The removable pull up bar90extends across the upper portion50of the cover14, allowing the user additional space and access to the pull up bar90from within the personal compartment. The removable pull up bar90may be provided and attached over the open area of the upper portion50by way of suitable fasteners. Examples of suitable fasteners include but are not limited to bolts, hooks and/or clamps. The pull up bar90allows the person within the capsule to perform upper body strength exercises such as pull-ups, curl ups and/or other strength training. The pull up bar90can be used when heat is directed down onto the person lying on the bed18, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, various types of exercise equipment, such as resistance equipment such as a recumbent stationary cycling device and/or weights may be installed along the bed18and/or inner surface of the cover14to provide the personal compartment11with exercise equipment therein.

One or more exercise resistance bands92are also provided and are attached along the sides of the bed within the capsule. The one or more bands92may be usably secured to the sides of the bed, or alternatively to the inside surface of the cover14. The bed18and/or cover14are configured for securely receiving the bands92in one or more spaces adapted for securing the bands92to the bed18and/or cover14by way of suitable fasteners, examples of which include but are not limited to, bolts, hooks, carabiners, or clamps. The bands92are positioned such that a user within the capsule may access, reach and use the bands for stretching and/or strength training. The bands92can be used when heat is directed down onto the person lying on the bed18, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated and/or maintained.

A push-pedal stepper system94may also be provided in the foot end17of the bed18. The bed18is configured with a space for securably receiving a push-pedal stepper system94generally indicated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the stepper system94may be usably secured using one or more suitable fasteners or clamps in the foot end17of the bed18. The push-pedal stepper system94can be utilized to provide resistance movement and physical exercise to the lower body and legs of the person within the capsule. The stepper system94is usably secured to the bed18and is oriented for use when the user is sitting or lying down. That is, the stepper system94can be used when the personal compartment is enclosed, the hood13is secured to the cover14or when the compartment is opened removing the hood13and dome15. The stepper system94can be used when heat is directed down onto the person lying on the bed18, and/or when the temperature of the compartment11is elevated and/or maintained.

Hand stirrups96or other handles may also be provided and usably secured along both sides of the bed18or along the inner surface of the cover14. The bed18and/or cover14are configured for securably receiving hand stirrups96or other handles by way of suitable fasteners, examples of which include but are not limited to, bolts, hooks, carabiners, or clamps The hand stirrups96can be utilized to provide isometric exercise options, including allowing the person within the capsule and lying in the bed to do stomach crunches, core workouts, sit-up, pull-ups and/or shoulder shrugs. The hand stirrups can be used when heat is directed down onto the person lying on the bed, and/or when the temperature of the compartment is elevated.

The capsule may also include a system configured for feedback monitoring. Appropriate sensors may be incorporated into either the head chamber52, the body chamber56or both to sense user conditions including, but not limited to, heart rate, blood oxygen content, blood pressure, body temperature, chamber temperature and/or chamber atmospheric content. Further sensors may also be incorporated to monitor and provide exercise apparatus feedback such as reps, resistance, pounds and/or range of motion. The individual sensors may be in wired or wireless connection with a monitor and/or display system positioned adjacent to or outside of the chamber or in or on display panels near the upper portion50of the capsule.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the cover14is shown as supporting a light panel assembly60on the upper portions of the cover14in a suitable manner, and which contains myriad of LEDs or infrared lights forming light arrays. The light arrays may be tailored for providing colored lights and/or heating the personal compartment of the capsule.

A tunnel member62has light panels positioned along its length. If desired, the tunnel member62can carry heated air. An array60of LEDs or other lights extends along one or both side lengths of the cover such that the length and width of the LED panel can be made as desired and then supported on the interior upper sides of the cover14. The infrared light sources can be small bulbs arranged in an array, or larger forms as desired. Infrared light arrays for heat therapy may be directed along the shoulders, along the buttock or back portions, or other areas of the bed as positioned within the capsule.

The cover14not only also supports the removable hood13and dome15, but may also support showerheads and/or steam outlets24A. Steam outlets24A are illustrated at the forward end of the unit and these can be placed at any desired location. The dome15has a panel64provided at the head end19, and this includes the region66for supporting a control panel display for the controls shown schematically at42. The bed18provides a recessed area at68to permit the neck of the person lying in the compartment to cross the bed18so the user's head is positioned under the optional dome15and thus to the exterior of the personal compartment.

The capsule also includes an air stream39that forces air onto the person's face when within the personal compartment11and when the dome15is positioned on the cover14to enclose the user. Also, oxygen can be injected into the capsule to raise the oxygen concentration within the personal compartment11.

A water tank24can be used for providing a humidifying vaporization and/or misting system through the outlets shown at24. This system can also be used to allow the application and spray or envelopment of the body of the user of different solutions that are photosensitive and/or photoactive for different therapies. Photosensitive agents can be placed in the tank24and then misted onto the body of a person on the bed at desired times.

A facial panel79supports an array of a plurality of LEDs. This facial panel79can be suspended on or from the hood13or dome15, or adjacent the panel64. The facial panel79can also include adjustable LEDs, of various colors as outlined, and can include infrared lights as well.

Further, directed air provides a curtain along the opening of the cover14where the hood13and dome15are removed. Directed air, by way of air knives or other vents70allows for maintaining conditions within the bed18when the hood13and/or dome15is removed or open such that the user's head and face and/or upper body are exposed (for example, the hood13and dome15are removed when using the removable pull up bar90). The air flow may be directed by air knives70in the sides of the cover proximate the opening and/or other air knives or vents70positioned to direct air flow across the neck opening of the personal compartment to prevent significant heat and/or moisture loss in the capsule. The air knives or vents may also be used when the dome15is removed but the hood13is in use on the cover14. These air knives are directed to provide a curtain around the user's neck for maintaining the environmental conditions in the otherwise enclosed capsule.

Alternatively, when the cover14is positioned on the capsule and the hood13and dome15are secured on the upper portion50, the capsule effectively provides two adjacent independently controllable environments. As the user's body extends from the head chamber52to the body chamber56, a panel may extend into the capsule between chambers to further separate the individual environments, where this panel may be configured with a shape to close off the two chambers while allowing the person's neck or shoulders to pass through the area where the two chambers meet. This panel may be comprised of translucent plastic or other lightweight materials to maintain the adjacent independent environments. Additionally, the directed air by way of air knives or other vents70also allows for further maintaining of the environments when the hood13and dome15are closed such that head chamber52and body chamber56have separate environments that may be independently controlled.

FIG. 7illustrates an additional arrangement of elements described herein. The elements described herein can be combined in any manner and elements described in reference toFIGS. 1-6can be combined with elements or arrangements described in reference toFIG. 7or vice versa.FIG. 7shows the infrared emitters74which are positioned on the cover section14and provide light therapy and additional controllable heat therapy. The personal compartment11can also be equipped with one or more ports72which provide dry heat to the body chamber56and/or head chamber52for controlling the temperature and humidity in the personal compartment11. The chamber11can be heated using convection technology to provide circulating dry heat within the personal compartment11. Additionally or alternatively, infrared radiation through emitters74can be used for heating the personal compartment11. The personal compartment11can be heated in a dual manner.

The personal compartment11is further configured controlled environmental conditions by way of one or more cooling fans29positioned for directing cooled air towards the head chamber52to cool the user's face. Further, purified air can be directed into the personal compartment by a purified fresh air intake fan23held in the base12or operably secured in the base compartment20. Pure oxygen can also be provided to the personal compartment11or head chamber52to assist the user when utilizing exercise equipment in the personal compartment11.

In addition to providing an environment for hyperthermic conditioning, the capsule10can also provide other therapies, such as light therapy. This therapy can be provided by the transparent bed18on which a person can lie, in connection with LED lights and infrared light sources comprising small bulbs mounted in an array on a light support panel26for the upper back portion of the bed. A light support panel28is provided for the lower back, immediately below the lower back panel18C of the bed, and a pair of leg light panels30A and30B are provided (seeFIG. 3) that are individually controlled so that one leg or the other or both can be provided with light therapy through the transparent bed which is represented inFIG. 3by the outline.

In some embodiments, the temperature in the body chamber56can be varied by the controller to correspond the temperature with a training routine. For instance, in some routines an elevated temperature body chamber56provides beneficial effects as the person exercises. This phenomenon is referred to as hyperthermic training. While the body chamber56is at an elevated temperature, the head chamber52can be either heated or cooled to provide the desired effects to the head, neck and shoulder region. After the portion of the routine is completed, the person may rest, and the temperature in the body chamber56may be lowered to provide cooling.

The temperature of the head chamber52can also be adjusted as the temperature of the body chamber56is lowered. In some instances, the temperature in the head chamber52tracks with the temperature in the body chamber56. In other instances, the temperature in the head chamber52is controlled opposite that of the body chamber56, meaning if the temperature in the body chamber56is elevated, the temperature in the head chamber52is suppressed, and vise versa.

In other programs, the temperature in the head chamber52and the body chamber56track each other, meaning the temperatures rise and fall together. However, the chambers52and56may be at different temperatures or the same temperature.

In some instances, the body chamber56is elevated when the user is exercising to provide hyperthermic conditioning. When the user is not exercising, the temperature in the body chamber56may be reduced and is re-elevated as the user exercises. The cycling of the temperature is controlled by a control, where the routine may be preprogrammed or manually controlled by the user.

In other alternatives, hypothermic conditioning may be utilized where cooling is supplied to the body chamber56as the user exercises. The head chamber52can be cooled or heated, depending upon the desired effect. The user can cycle the temperature for hypothermic conditioning similar to that described with respect to hyperthermic conditioning where the head chamber52and the body chamber56may be cycled together or inversely.

Additional features such as dry heat air, steam, ceramic and/or course midrange and far-range infrared heaters can be added in the cover. A mist source, a shower, a humidifier, a hydrotherapy source, electrical stimulation and various entertainment sources can be used. Entertainment sources include, without limitation, DVD players, music sources and the like. These features can be selectively applied to either or both the head chamber and the body chamber, separately or concurrently as each of the head chamber and body chamber environments can be independently selected.