Abstract:
The present invention provides a sports mask for breathing training. The sports mask includes a head assemble containing clips to hold the mask against the head. The sports mask further includes a face band assembly that includes straps that are received by the clips present on the head assembly to hold the face assembly against the face of a user. The face assembly includes a face mask unit comprising an airflow valve. The airflow valve includes an airflow resistance varying module that helps in varying flow of air into the airflow valve. The control of airflow resistance varying module can be either manual or automatic when the mask is connected to a wearable device or a vital parameter collection device.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever 37 CFR1.71(d). 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to sports mask and more particularly the disclosure relates to a sports mask for adjusting inhalation resistance settings to a user. As the user exercises, resistance settings of the sports mask can be varied based on the level of exertion of the user or blood oxygen saturation level of the user. Restricting air intake during physical exercise can provide the respiratory muscles with an extra load, which in turn works the pulmonary muscles more intensely to strengthen them. Persons with breathing difficulties including asthma, athletes and healthy persons can improve respiratory muscle strength by breathing against resistance. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Respiratory muscle training is an essential training for athletes wishing to compete at a high level Respiratory muscle training helps athletes to prepare and get ready for high exertion programs. Restricting air intake during physical exercise can provide the respiratory muscles with an extra load, which in turn works the pulmonary muscles more intensely to strengthen them. Another function of the mask is to pool carbon dioxide during breathing, part of which is inhaled into the lungs to condition the respiratory center in the brain to a higher tolerance of carbon dioxide. This in turn reduces breathlessness during physical activity. Persons with breathing difficulties including asthma, athletes and healthy persons can improve respiratory muscle strength by breathing against resistance. 
         [0004]    The treatment is achievable with the aid of masks which have been designed particularly for this function and which include a check valve that allows air to be inhaled with resistance whereas, little or no resistance is provided while the air is being exhaled. 
         [0005]    Some of such masks include mask disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,746, to McConnell et al discloses an inspiratory muscle training device including an opening for the passage of air to be both inhaled and exhaled and an inlet permitting air to be inhaled to enter the chamber and to pass through the opening. There is provided an adjustable valve to vary the resistance to inhaling. U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,047, to Norell, discloses a therapeutic device for lung exercise which requires a mouthpiece, and has a rotatably adjustable air intake valve. U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,543, to Moon, discloses an air filtering face mask and the concept of a flexible face piece which conforms to the shape of the face of the wearer, and is held in place by scraps or a harness device. 
         [0006]    However, the prior art provide separate passages for inhaling and exhaling, which may be worn by a user, in intensely vigorous exercise, without impeding the nature of the exercise conducted. Also, since the masks have manually adjustable valves and, since there is no way that the breathing restrictions could be correlated with the breathing restrictions, hence the breathing training cannot reach an optimum level. 
         [0007]    Therefore, an improvement is required on existing masks to optimize the inhalation training for athletes and healing of other ailments as discussed above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention comprises a breathing exercise apparatus having one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or one or more of the following features, which alone or in any combination may comprise patentable subject matter. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, in an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a sports mask. The sports mask includes a head assembly that holds the mask to the head of a user firmly. The mask further contains a face hand assembly that holds a face mask unit to mouth and nose of the user. The face mask unit further contains an air flow valve that helps the user to inhale and exhale during exercise or trainings. This air flow valve furthermore includes an air flow resistance varying module. This module helps to vary flow of air in the air flow valve. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a valve apparatus for a sports mask. The valve apparatus includes a valve grill that helps in protection of the innards of the valve apparatus. The apparatus further includes an airflow valve that is communicatively placed beneath the grill. There is further placed, an airflow cavity, beneath the airflow valve that allows entry and exit of air during breathing event of the user. The apparatus further includes an air flow resistance varying module that further includes a slider. The movement of the slider increases or decreases the resistance of air flow. 
         [0011]    In yet another embodiment of the invention is provided a sports mask. The sports mask includes a head assembly that holds the mask to the head of a user firmly. The mask further contains a face band assembly that holds a face mask unit to mouth and nose of the user. The face mask unit further contains an air flow valve that helps the user to inhale and exhale during exercise or trainings. This air flow valve furthermore includes an air flow resistance varying module. This module helps to vary inflow of air in the air flow valve that varies according to the movement of the air resistance varying module. The sports mark further includes a vital parameter measuring device that is communicatively connected to the air flow resistance varying module. The vital parameter measuring device measure real time vital parameters of the user and based on the values of the vital parameters varies the position of the air flow resistance varying module that in turn increases or decreases resistance to inflow of air of the user. 
         [0012]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure with advantages and features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of various embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings provided herein. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a line diagram depicting a sports mask, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a line diagram depicting head assembly and various parts, in accordance to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a line diagram depicting exploded view of face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a line diagram depicting inner view of an outer unit of face mask unit of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a line diagram depicting side view of an outer unit of face mask unit of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A , illustrates a line diagram depicting inner view of a middle unit of the face mask unit of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a line diagram depicting front view of a middle unit of the face mask unit of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a line diagram depicting innermost unit of the face mask unit of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrate a line diagram depicting exploded view of an airflow valve assembly of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a line diagram depicting back side view of a slider unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a line diagram depicting front view of a slider unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates a line diagram depicting an airflow vent, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates a line diagram depicting a valve catcher, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  illustrates a line diagram depicting a valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  illustrates line diagram depicting a grill cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13A , illustrates a line diagram depicting front view of a grill, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13B  illustrates a line diagram depicting side view of a grill, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  illustrates line diagram of a vital parameter calculating unit attached to inner side of outer cover of the face assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 15 , illustrates a diagram depicting a wearable device connected to sports mask, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 16A  illustrates a line diagram depicting slider for low intake of air, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16B  illustrates a line diagram depicting slider for medium intake of air, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 16C  illustrates a line diagram depicting slider for high intake of air, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a line diagram that depicts a sports mask  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sports mask includes a head assembly  102  that helps in keeping the sports mask  100  fixed to head of a user. The head assembly  102  is linked to a face assembly  104 . Details of head assembly  102  and face assembly  104  will be discussed in detail in subsequent figures. In an embodiment of the invention, the sports mask  100  may include a connecting button (not shown) to initiate a connection with a wearable device. Details of the embodiment will be described later. 
         [0038]    Now, referring to  FIG. 2 , that depicts a head assembly  102  and its various constituent parts. The head assembly, as described keeps the sports mask fixed to the head of the user. In an embodiment of the invention, the head assembly  102  is made up of durable, and stretchable fabric material. However, there can be other materials as well that may be utilized like fiber, plastic etc. Head assembly  102  includes a left strip  102   a  and a right strip  102   b.  Each of the strips  1020   a  and  1020   b  further includes a locking clip  1022   a  and  1022   b  joined to the strips  1020   a  and  1020   b  by joining patches  1024   a,  and  1024   b.  The clips  1022   a  and  1022   b,  may be made up of metal, plastic, fiber, etc. The clips  1022   a,  and  1022   b  are utilized to receive the face assembly  104  and place it firmly on mouth and nose of the user. Details of the face assembly  104  will be discussed in detail. 
         [0039]    Now, referring to  FIG. 3  that depicts a face assembly  104  of the sports mask  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Face assembly  104  is placed on the mouth and nose region of the user while being used. Face assembly  104  includes various components that will now be discussed in detail. There is present a face mask unit  1043 . The face mask unit  1043  is placed within the face assembly  104  to enable inhalation and exhalation of air by the user. The face mask unit further contains an outer unit  1046 , a middle unit  1044 , and an innermost unit  1042 . Details of all will be described later. 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the face assembly  104 , further includes a grill cover  10410 . Grill cover  10410  is provided to keep safe and receive a grill  10412 . Grill cover  10410  may be made up of plastic, or fiber or any other strong material. The grill cover, as disclosed above receives the grill  10412 . Details of the grill  10412  will be received later. The grill cover  10410  with the affixed  10412  is attached to the outer unit  1046  of the face mask unit  1043 . The attachment is done through attachment straps  1048   a  and  1048   b.  The attachment straps can be either glued or sewn to the outer unit  1046 . However, there can be other means of attaching the grill cover to the outer unit  1046 . The face assembly  104  further contains an air flow module  1040 . The air flow valve assembly  1040  can be fixed to the innermost unit  1042  of the face mask unit  1043  and is finally in communication with the grill  10412  when all the parts are connected to each other. Further details of the module will be explained later. 
         [0041]    Now referring to  FIG. 4A and 4B  that depict inner view and side view respectively of the outer unit  1046  of the face mask unit  1043 . The outer unit  1046  includes a left strap  10464   a  and a right strap  10434   b  that are received by the left clip  1022   a  and  1022   b  of the head assembly. This arrangement then places this face mask unit  1043  firmly on the head of the user. The outer unit  1046  also includes a cavity  10462  that is present to place and connect the grill  10412  to the air flow valve assembly  1040 . In an embodiment of the invention, the straps  10464   a  and  10464   b  may have Velcro fastener at their ends to tighten or loosen and adjust the placement of the face assembly  104 . In other embodiments, the straps  10464   a  and  10464   b  can be flexible and can be permanently fixed to the clips  1022   a  and  1022   b.  The straps  10464   a  and  10464   b  can be fixed to main body  10466  of the mask. The main body  10466  can be made up of, however not limiting the scope of the invention, high grade plastic, fiber, foam, etc. 
         [0042]    Now, further referring to  FIG. 5A , . 5 B depicting inner view and front view respectively of the middle unit  1044  of the face mask unit  1043 . The main body  10444  of the middle unit  1044  can be made up of any of a plastic, a fabric, a foam, etc. the middle unit  1044 , includes a cavity  10442  that is configured to receive and connect the grill  10412  and the air flow valve assembly  1040 . 
         [0043]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , that illustrates the innermost unit : 1042  of the face mask unit  1043 . The innermost unit  1042  includes a cavity  10422  for helping the air flow valve assembly  1040  to connect with the grill  10412 . The main body  10421  of the innermost unit  1042  is made up of any of a plastic, a foam, and a fabric. 
         [0044]    Now referring to  FIG. 7  that illustrates exploded view of an airflow valve assembly  1040 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The airflow valve assembly  1040 , includes an airflow vent  10420 . This is the innermost unit of the airflow valve assembly  1040 . The airflow vent  10420  is in direct communication with nose and mouth of the user. The airflow vent  10420 , receives an airflow valve  10422  that is fixed on the airflow vent  10420  using a valve catcher  10424 . The airflow valve catcher  10424 , fixes the airflow valve  10422  on to the airflow vent  10420 . The airflow valve assembly  1040 , further includes a slider unit  10426 . The slider unit  10426 , is connected to the valve catcher  10424  on which the slider unit  10426  may be able to slide. The sliding mechanism can be either manual or automatic. The slider unit  10426 , can also be further connected to a motor (not shown in figure) that may help it to slide left or right for opening or closing of the airflow vent  10420 . The opening and closing increases or decreases flow of air for the user performing or undergoing training exercise. 
         [0045]    Now referring to  FIG. 8A and 8A , illustrating back side view and front view respectively of the slider unit  10426 . In an embodiment of the invention, slider unit  10426  includes a sliding button  104262  for manually sliding the slider unit  104262 . Also, there may be present a sliding notch  104264  that helps in sliding movement. However, in other embodiments the slider unit  104262  can be connected to a small motor (not shown in figure) to facilitate the sliding movement. The slider unit  104262  may be made up of rubber, plastic, or metal. 
         [0046]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , illustrating an airflow vent  10420  that helps in inflow and outflow of air to the user. The airflow vent  10420  includes air holes  104202  in hexagonal form. However, there may be different form factor of holes that may be utilized for the same purpose. The airflow vent  10420  also, includes a valve catcher notch  104204  that receives the valve catcher  10424 . It is to be noted that the airflow vent  10420  can have any other different configuration. The present configuration (vertical configuration) of half body of the airflow vent  10420  having air holes  104202  and half body being opaque has been shown for exemplary purposes. In other embodiments, the configuration ca be changed to a horizontal configuration. 
         [0047]    Now referring to  FIG. 10 , illustrates the valve catcher  10424  that includes a catching notch  104242  to fix the valve  10422  on to the airflow vent  10420 . The material of the valve catcher can he anyone of a metal, plastic, or fiber, etc. 
         [0048]    Now referring to  FIG. 11  illustrating the valve  10422  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The material of the valve can be a plastic, a rubber, or a foam. It is to be understood that the shape of the valve can be varied as per the design preferences. Here however, for the purposes of example, the shape has been chosen as to be circular. The valve  10422  includes a notch  104222  that receives the catching notch  104242  to fix the valve on to the airflow vent  10420 . 
         [0049]    Now referring to  FIG. 12 , illustrating the grill cover  10410 . The grill cover  10410  can be made up of anyone of a metal, plastic, fiber, foam or a hardened cloth. Grill cover  10410 , includes an opening  104102  that facilitates in communication of the airflow assembly  1040  with the grill  10412  as depicted in  FIG. 13A and 13B .  FIG. 13A and 13B  illustrate front view and side view respectively of the grill  10412 . Grill  10412  includes a side frame  104122 . The side frame  104122  can be made up of any one of a metal, a plastic, a rubber, or foam, etc. further, the grill  10412  includes a base frame  104126  (shown in  FIG. 13B ). The base frame is again made up of anyone of a metal, a plastic, a rubber, or foam, etc. There are also present additional fins  104124   a - 104124   d,  which help in filtering of the air. 
         [0050]    Now referring to  FIG. 14 , illustrating a vital parameter collection device  105 , attached to the innermost unit  10420  of the face mask unit  1043 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the vital parameter collection device  105  is a pulse oximeter. Pulse oximeter is a medical device that indirectly monitors the oxygen saturation of a patient&#39;s blood (as opposed to measuring oxygen saturation directly through a blood sample) and changes in blood volume in the skin, producing a photoplethysmogram. The pulse oximeter  105  is in direct communication with a microcontroller (not shown in figure) embedded within the face assembly  104 . The microcontroller includes stored instructions for various levels blood oxygen saturation readings. Hence, the microcontroller, as per the increased or decreased levels of blood oxygen saturation levels, may control the sliding of the slider unit  10426  by controlling the motor (not shown in figure) to slide. Based on pre-fed instructions, if the blood oxygen level falls below a threshold level, the microcontroller may open the slider unit  10426  to allow more air intake and vice versa. 
         [0051]    In other embodiment of the invention, the sports mask may be connected to a wearable device through a network. The wearable device could be a smart watch. The network for communication could be any short range wireless connection like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc. There may be placed a microcontroller placed on the sports mask to collect readings from the pulse oximeter  105  and send these to the wearable device. The sliding function of the slider unit  10426  may also be controlled by the wearable device or smart watch by user&#39;s interference or the control can be automatic based on the pre-fed instructions. Based on pre-fed instructions, if the blood oxygen level falls below a threshold level, the microcontroller may open the slider unit  10426  to allow more air intake and vice versa. 
         [0052]    Now referring to  FIG. 15 , illustrating a wearable device  200  connected to the sports mask  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sports mask  100  may include a button (not shown in figure) to initiate a connection request to the wearable device  200 . The connection can be through any of the small range wireless connections including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NEC), etc. The connection, once successful, initiates an application launch that may present an interface as shown in the figure. There may be present various icons on the application interface. There may be provided a query field  204  wherein the user is provided with a query “Initiate Oxygen Level Monitoring?” if the user wants to use auto-slide control feature, the user may choose thumbs up icon  202   a.  On choosing this, the user enables the automatic control of the slider unit  10426 . On choosing thumbs down, the user can control the sliding manually. 
         [0053]    Now referring to  FIG. 16A-16C , illustrates the multiple positioning of the slider unit  10426  on the airflow vent  10420 .  FIG. 16A  displays low oxygen intake level. At this level, there is very minimal intake of air and thus Oxygen.  FIG. 16B  illustrates medium oxygen intake level. At this position, the intake of Oxygen is at a medium level. Further,  FIG. 16C , illustrates high intake level that is the highest possible opening of the airflow vent  10420 . At this level, the slider unit  10426  is at the extreme right position. It should be understood, POSITA can generate various other intermediate levels. The levels described above are exemplary and can be modified. It is to be noted that the air inflow restriction control does not interfere too much with air outflow control. 
         [0054]    Aspects of the present subject matter are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods and apparatus (systems) according to embodiments of the subject matter. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
         [0055]    While there has been shown, and described herein what are presently considered the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0056]    The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present subject matter. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0057]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.