PHYSICAL TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A physical training device for emulating oxygen condition at different altitudes during a physical activity is presented, the device being configured to be carried by a user and comprising a chamber through which the user breathes in and out, the chamber comprises a patterned airway configured to control parameters of air breathed in and out by the user.

Claims

1. A training device configured to be carried by a user for emulating oxygen condition at different altitudes during a physical activity, the device comprising a chamber through which the user breathes in and out, said chamber comprises a patterned airway configured to control parameters of air breathed in and out by the user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber has a prism-like shape having proximal and distal bases comprising, respectively, first and second air windows, each of said first and second air windows being configured to allow flow of air therethrough in both directions, said patterned airway comprising said first and second air windows and extending from said proximal base to said distal base.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said first and second air windows of the proximal and distal bases have the same or different geometries.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second air windows has a pattern comprising spaced-apart air-permeable regions through which air flows.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said air-permeable regions comprise at least one perforation.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein said first and second air windows have different patterns.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the pattern in said first air window of the proximal base is configured to be more restrictive to flow of air than the pattern in said second air window of the distal base.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the pattern is characterized by at least one of the following: a number of said air-permeable regions, geometry of said air-permeable regions and spaces between said air-permeable regions.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of said proximal and distal bases is replaceable, thereby enabling replacement of at least the first or second air windows resulting in a different patterned airway and controlling the parameters of air breathed in and out by the user.

10. The device of claim 2, wherein said chamber of prism-like shape is a cylinder and said proximal and distal bases are circular or ovoid.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein a total surface area of each of said first and second air windows ranges from 78.5 mm.sup.2 to 430 mm.sup.2.

12. The device of claim 1, being configured to emulate the oxygen condition at different altitudes between 500 m and 4000 m above an altitude at which the user stands.

13. The device of claim 1, comprising a mask by which the device is worn by the user.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said mask comprises an opening for accommodating said chamber, such that said chamber is aligned with the mouth or nose of the user.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said mask has an edge that follows the contours of a user's face and provides hermitic sealing around the user's mouth and nose when in use.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber is configured to receive therein a filter configured to purify the air breathed in by the user.

17. A kit for use by an individual for emulating oxygen condition at different altitudes, comprising: a mask to be worn by a user, comprising an edge that follows contour of the user's face for providing a hermitic edge seal for the user's mouth and nose, the mask comprises an opening aligned with the user's mouth and nose; a prism-like chamber configured to be inserted hermitically inside said opening, said chamber comprising a patterned airway configured to control parameters of air breathed in and out by the user, said patterned airway comprises first and second patterned air windows formed in, respectively, proximal and distal bases of said chamber, at least one of said proximal and distal bases being replaceable; and a plurality of replacement bases each comprising a different patterned air window for controlling the parameters of air and emulating said oxygen condition at different altitudes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate schematically one embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; and

[0030] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate schematically examples of the air window formed in a base of the chamber of a device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Reference is made to FIGS. 1A-1D showing a non-limiting embodiment of a device 100, for using to emulate air conditions (specifically oxygen) at different altitudes, in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1A illustrates one example of the complete device 100 configured to be carried by a user (not shown), and comprises a chamber 110 through which the user breathes in and out, such that the chamber 110 is in fluid communication with the user's mouth and/or nose. The chamber 110, shown assembled in FIGS. 1B and 1n exploded views in FIGS. 1C and 1D, comprises a patterned airway 118 configured to regulate airflow and control parameters of air flowing inside a cavity 112 of the chamber 110. The chamber 110 has a first proximal (inner) base 130 and a second distal (outer) base 140, and a side wall (face) 120 connecting between the two bases. As will be further described below, the patterned airway 118 includes first and second patterned air windows 132 and 142 through which air passes in both directions. The bidirectional first and second patterned air windows are formed in the proximal and distal bases 130 and 140 respectively.

[0032] As shown, the device 100 is worn by the user via a mask 20 which at least covers both the mouth and the nose of the user, in order to assure that the user breathes only through the chamber 110. The chamber 110 may be received inside a compatible opening 24 formed in the mask 20, such that the chamber 110 is aligned by either the mouth or nose of the user or both of them. The chamber 110 and the opening 24 may be configured for removable attachment such that the chamber 110 or the mask 20 can be substituted with another chamber or mask. The attachment may be via a suitable attachment mechanism that ensures sealing and prevents air passage between the opening and the side wall of the chamber, e.g. threads formed in both of the chamber 110 and the mask 20, a clip or a male-female attachment mechanism, all are known in the art (not shown in figures). Alternatively, as shown in the figures, the distal base 142 may have a surrounding side wing(s) 144 configured to be larger than the opening 24 in the mask and by this it provides better attachment to the mask 20 and prevents passage of air except through the patterned airway 118. The mask 20 includes an edge 22 surrounding the whole mask perimeter that seals and provides a hermitical separation between at least the mouth and nose of the user and the free air outside. The mask 20 may be made from any flexible, biocompatible material known in the art, as long as it is air-proof, such as a polymer, elastomer, plastic or other soft material that allows the adjustment to the user's face. The mask can be secured to the user's face by using a band 26 or any other suitable known means.

[0033] As appreciated, the user is hands free when wearing the device 100. He can exercise freely and breathe normally through the device as he would without the device on. Breathing through the device does not alter the breathing process, it does not force the user to adopt new behavior, e.g. to make his breathing faster or more forceful. Therefore, the usage of the device is friendly and comfortable. Besides, the device of the invention is advantageous in that the emulation of a specific altitude is independent and is not affected by the user. For a given chamber with given parameters, as will be described below, the altitude emulation is absolute and does not require any interference from the user.

[0034] As illustrated in the enlarged non-limiting embodiment of the chamber 110 in FIGS. 1B-1D, the chamber 110 may be made from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic, metal, rubber, silicone or textile, and has a prism-like geometrical shape, generally having the proximal base 130 and the distal base 140 and their edges connected by the side wall(s) (side face(s)) 120, with the cavity 112 enclosed between the bases and the side wall along a longitudinal axis LA. In the non-limiting example shown in the figure, the chamber has a cylindrical-like shape. The prism shape of the chamber 110 may be right, oblique or truncated depending on the relative alignment of the bases and the side wall, as will be detailed further below. The side wall 120 may be formed as part of the proximal or distal bases. In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 1C, it is formed integrally/attached permanently to the distal base 140. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1D, it may be an independent open sided prism-like part (e.g. a cylinder with open bases), such that the proximal and distal bases are attached to its both open sides. Alternatively, it may be integrally formed in the mask 20 inside the opening 24, such that the proximal and distal are attached to both sides of the mask 20 to form the chamber 110.

[0035] Also shown in the figures, is an attachment mechanism 122, formed in the side wall 120, to allow insertion and fixing of the chamber 110 inside a mask, thus facilitating its carrying by the user. As mentioned, the attachment mechanism 122 provides a sealed separation between the user's mouth/nose and the surrounding atmosphere, such that the air can enter and exit the user's respiratory system only through the patterned airway of the chamber 110. The attachment mechanism 122 may be configured, as mentioned earlier, as a thread, clip, or other mechanism known in the art.

[0036] The two bases 130 and 140 may be identical or different in their geometry or size (area). They may be triangular, rectangular or have any polygonal shape. Preferably, the bases 130 and 140 are circular or ovoid as this would minimize friction and loss of energy in the flowing air along the airway 118 inside the cavity 112. Also, the bases 130 and 140 might have the same cross-sectional area (size) or be different. In the latter case, the chamber 110 is oblique or truncated. Typically, the bases have equal sizes for simplicity of manufacturing, though it should be understood that the invention is not limited to such configuration.

[0037] The chamber 110 provides the patterned airway 118 along which the air from the atmosphere moves towards the mouth/nose of the user, i.e. from the distal base 140 to the proximal base 130 during inhaling, and in the opposite direction, during exhaling. The patterned airway 118 includes/is influenced by: the sizes of the proximal and distal bases 130 and 140; the alignment between the bases and between the bases and the side wall 120; the air windows 132 and 142 formed in the proximal and distal bases 130 and 140 respectively; and the size/volume of the cavity 112. All of the mentioned factors independently apply specific configurations that affect the air flow inside the chamber 110, causing an alteration in the laminarity/turbulence of the air flow which affects the overall air parameters inside/flowing through the chamber.

[0038] The alignment between the bases 130 and 140 affects the patterned airway 118. In some embodiments, the two bases are parallel and the prism shape is right. In some other embodiments, the two bases are parallel and the prism shape is oblique (the so called frustum shape). In yet other embodiments, the bases are inclined with respect to each and the prism is truncated. Additionally, in the case the sizes of the bases are different, e.g. one of the bases is smaller than the other, the patterned airway is affected as well, because the prism will not be right even if the bases are parallel.

[0039] Each of the air windows 132 and 142 may include a pattern of air-permeable regions (such as perforations), defined by number, size, geometry and spaces between the air-permeable regions, as will be further detailed below.

[0040] The patterned air windows 132 and 142 limit the flow of air inside the cavity 112 and provide a difference in air pressure between the atmosphere and the cavity 112, such that the air pressure inside the cavity 112 is less than the atmospheric pressure and as a result the air inside the cavity includes less number of oxygen molecules and consequently emulates the atmosphere at a higher altitude. Possibly, one of the patterned air windows is more restrictive to air flow than the other, thus magnifying the differential air pressure. The patterned air window in each base may be formed by a single perforation (air-permeable region) or a plurality of spaced-apart perforations. In the former case, the single perforations in both sides are usually different in their total size (surface area), or are inclined with respect to each other, in order to provide the differential air pressure. In some embodiments, one of the patterned air windows includes one perforation while the other window includes a plurality of perforations. The plurality of perforations, either formed in one window or both, may be identical or different in their geometry (shapes or sizes (areas)). Moreover, the perforations in the patterned air windows 132 and 142 may be misaligned with respect to each other, e.g. some perforations at one window are blocked at the other window and vice versa. This misalignment also promotes for the patterning of the air way inside the cavity 112 and thus manipulating and varying the parameters of air breathed by the user. Accordingly, the patterned air windows may be aligned, partially aligned, misaligned or partially misaligned in order to provide the desired profile of air parameters, particularly the flow, pressure and composition of the air flowing into and out from the respiratory system of the user. It should be understood that the above specific configurations of the chamber bases and the air windows formed therein are not inclusive and do not limit the invention.

[0041] The volume of the cavity 112 that contains the patterned airway also has a significant role in the control over the parameters of the air breathed by the user. This volume is affected by the bases overall diameters (in a circle shape)/areas, and by the magnitude of the longitudinal axis LA. The bigger the volume, for the same given patterned windows, the less the air pressure and the higher the emulated altitude. The longer the longitudinal axis, for the same bases' areas, the bigger the volume and the harder for the user to move the air column inside the chamber 110. It can thus be appreciated, that the chamber may be designed in several ways, by changing the different design parameters as described above, while obtaining the same altitude emulation effect.

[0042] Reference is made to FIGS. 2A-2C illustrating non-limiting examples of different configurations of the pattern 132 (shown in FIGS. 1B-1D) formed in the proximal base 130. As previously said, both of the proximal and distal bases of the breathing chamber include the first and second air windows respectively, and the latter may have patterns configured to control the flow and parameters of the air flowing through the proximal and distal bases of the chamber. Preferably, the different configurations of the pattern 132 (or 142) are formed in a plurality of replaceable bases, so that they can be used with one chamber and/or one mask. As mentioned above, at least one of the proximal and the distal bases can be configured to be replaceable. Typically, the device can be configured with only one replaceable base. In this example, the proximal base 130 is shown as the replaceable base with three, non-limiting, pattern examples. As also mentioned above, the base of the chamber may have any external geometrical shape (defined by its perimeter) such as triangular, rectangular or circular. Practically, the base has a circular shape because this makes it easier to place on the chamber or remove therefrom. A first pattern 132A formed in the base 130A is shown in FIG. 2A. The pattern 132A is a simple one air window/air-permeable region 132A having area A.sub.1 formed therein. The region 132A can be formed in the center of the base but not necessarily. Like the base, the air-permeable region 132A can have any geometrical shape or size (e.g., triangular, triangular, circular . . . ). Preferably, the air-permeable region does not contain corners or sharp edges, so circular or oval shapes are often used.

[0043] Replacement of the base enables the emulation of the air parameters at a specific altitude, relative to the altitude at which the user is found, because it changes the patterned airway in the chamber. At least three parameters of the air-preamble region can be configured to control the patterned airway. The first is the total surface area A.sub.1 of the pattern 132A (e.g. one air-permeable region, the larger the area the lower the altitude (a converse relationship). The second is the total number of the regions (also a converse relationship), and the third is the distance between the plurality of regions. Basically, making the area of a single region n times bigger, is similar to forming n different regions having together the same area, as the important factor is the total area of the window(s)/air-permeable region(s).

[0044] FIG. 2B exemplifies a base 130B having an air window 132B having an area A.sub.2. If A.sub.2 is bigger than A.sub.1 (as illustrated), then the base 132B emulates air conditions at an altitude lower than the altitude emulated by the base 132A, and vice versa.

[0045] FIG. 2C exemplifies a base 130C having a pattern which is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart perforations/air windows/air-permeable regions 132C-132F having areas A.sub.3-A.sub.6 respectively (4 regions are shown, being a non-limiting example). The areas A.sub.3-A.sub.6 can be equal or different between them and can be spaced equally or not equally from each other. Preferably, the areas A.sub.3-A.sub.6 (and probably the spaces between the regions) are equal because first, this is easier to manufacture and, second, this enables easy and exact control on the emulated altitude, such that the addition of each air permeable region in the pattern lowers the altitude by a fixed number of meters. The inventors have found that reducing the area of the air-permeable region(s), causes that, while breathing at the same effort, a significant variation in oxygen consumption which emulates the lower oxygen concentration in a higher altitude. Therefore, by reducing the total area of air permeable region(s) which results in lower flow of air, a higher altitude is emulated; in the opposite way by increasing the total area of air permeable region(s) resulting in higher flow of air, the equivalent altitude decreases.

[0046] As said, the device of the present invention is capable of accurately emulating defined and fixed air composition, especially oxygen, at known altitudes by providing the corresponding air parameters (pressure and volume) in the patterned airway, i.e. inside and across the chamber. The regulation of the air pressure is achieved by providing the suitable patterned airway, i.e. by providing the right alignment between the proximal and distal bases, the right patterned air windows inside the bases and the right volume of the cavity. To this end, the invention enables providing several chambers that correspond to several altitudes. The several chambers may be different from each other in the volume of cavity for example, by varying the magnitude of the longitudinal axis or the area of the bases. Alternatively, the several chambers may be different from each other in differential pressure across the chamber, by changing one of the patterned air windows. Replacement of one of the patterned air windows provides for varying the parameters of the patterned airway, while keeping the volume constant, and emulating one specific altitude with each replacement patterned air window. Replacing the patterned air window is typically more practical and cost effective than replacing the whole chamber because it requires replacing one of the bases, either the proximal or the distal base, while the other base is fixed. The replacement bases include air windows having different patterns that, with the fixed air window in the fixed base, control the breathed air parameters and emulate the desired altitudes. Preferably, the replaceable base is the proximal base, because it is secured on the inside of the device such that it does not accidentally fall or get damaged during usage.