HIGH OXYGEN LEVEL ENCLOSED AREAS AND METHODS OF PHYSICAL EXERTION THEREIN AND THEREWITH

Abstract

An enhanced process for individuals to undertake physical activities in an oxygen-rich environment, specifically within an enclosed area. Such a process utilizes a unique device to increase oxygen levels within such a location through either higher partial pressure oxygen concentration therein or reduced partial pressures of other gases within such an environment (such as nitrogen, for example) which thereby allows for greater amounts of oxygen. Such a definitive increase in oxygen concentrations within such an enclosed space allows for more intense exercise, whether typical exertion (weightlifting, stationary biking, treadmill running/walking, utilizing exercise apparatus, even sexual intercourse, as non-limiting examples) to permit increases in calorie burning, increased muscle strength in shorter times, and enhanced physical fitness results as well. A device generating such increased oxygen concentrations with partial pressure modifications (oxygen increase, nitrogen decrease), as well as an enclosed room therewith, are also encompassed herein.

Claims

1. A sealable and enclosable room filled and maintained with an oxygen-enriched atmosphere through controlled operation of oxygen concentration therein at a partial pressure of oxygen gas greater than 21.2 kPa at sea level.

2. A method utilizing said sealable and enclosable room of claim 1 by at least one individual, said method including the undertaking of physical exertion activity while present therein said room with an oxygen enriched atmosphere of at least said partial pressure level at sea level.

3. The method of claim 2 including physical exertion by at least two people individually or in tandem within said sealable and enclosable room.

4. The sealable and enclosable room of claim 1 comprising a device for controlled delivery of an oxygen-enriched atmosphere exhibiting said partial pressure greater than 21.2 kPa at sea level, wherein said oxygen-enriched atmosphere is controlled through manual operation or automatically through oxygen sensor-controlled operation.

5. The room according to claim 1 which also comprises exercise equipment.

6. The room according to claim 1 comprising at least two manners of ingress/egress.

7. A room according to claim 1 in which the partial pressure of oxygen is more than 25 kPa and less than 100 kPa.

8. A system for delivering and controlling an oxygen-enriched atmosphere within an exercise room suitable for exercise comprising: an oxygen concentrator; a valve to control the flow of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator to said exercise room; a distribution system, to distribute oxygen to various parts of said exercise room; at least one door or other means for entering and exiting said exercise room; and at least one sensor in said exercise room to determine the oxygen level therein, wherein the partial pressure of oxygen in said exercise room is controlled to be more than 25 kPa and less than 200 kPa.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said oxygen concentrator utilizes a pressure swing adsorption process for production of a stream of oxygen rich gas and a stream of nitrogen rich gas.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said valve to control the flow of oxygen from the oxygen concentrator to the subject room also includes a valve to control the flow of nitrogen from the oxygen concentrator to the subject room.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said distribution system comprises a system to mix the oxygen with the other gases within said exercise room.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said at least one door or other means for entering and exiting the room exhibits adequate sealing to prevent excessive leakage of oxygen or entrance of outside air.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein multiple sensors to determine the oxygen level within said exercise room are present.

14. A process for undertaking exercise or other physical exertion activity within the exercise room provided within the system of claim 8, comprising the steps of: providing said exercise room; sealing said exercise room to prevent gas ingress and egress upon sealing; operating said oxygen concentrator to generate said oxygen-enriched atmosphere within said exercise room at a partial pressure of oxygen at a level higher than 21.2 kPa through operation of said valve; monitoring said at least one an oxygen sensor for ensuring said oxygen-enriched atmosphere is retained within said sealed exercise room; and undertaking exercise or other physical exertion activity within said sealed oxygen-enriched atmosphere exercise room.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows the components needed for a potentially preferred embodiment of a disclosed oxygen-enriched exercise facility.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a depiction of a potential embodiment of the oxygen generating components of a disclosed room.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a potentially preferred depiction of an exercise facility of the disclosure with certain equipment present.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] As noted above, the unique high oxygen enriched enclosed room covers a range of different issues and subject matter. Without any limitation intended, the following descriptions present different possible embodiments related to the disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a partial cutaway isometric view of a potentially preferred exercise facility 10 in accordance with the disclosure. The facility 10 includes an exterior wall 12 an exterior door 14 (with another on the opposite side attached to a vestibule 22) as well as an interior door 16 allowing for exercise, etc., to commence within an interior room. Within the interior room are present two gas tanks 18, 20 of oxygen and nitrogen as well as a condenser 24 and an oxygen concentrator 26 to control the amount of oxygen introduced therein in terms of increased partial pressures thereof. An oxygen sensor 28 is present to monitor the partial pressures thereof in order to provide continued information to a user of the level of oxygen increase within the enclosed interior room, for instance. In such a manner, the ability to not only control and monitor such an oxygen level is permitted, but the ability to ensure that such a level does not exceed certain levels that may be deemed unsafe for the benefit and ultimate safety of a user thereof. Light controls 32 are provided to control overhead devices 34 as is customary within enclosed rooms. A further safety component, such as a sprinkler 30, is also provided, in case a spark creates a potential fire due to the increased presence of oxygen within such a facility 10.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a potentially preferred oxygen generating device set-up within a disclosed facility 100 (or room). A ceiling 110 is present as well as a floor 160 and exterior walls 120 to enclose such a facility 100, with a sealable door 140 to permit ingress and egress therein and therefrom. An oxygen concentrator 180 (26 in FIG. 1) is provided to work with the oxygen tank 210 and nitrogen tank 220 to provide the necessary increase or decrease in oxygen partial pressures within the sealable facility 100. Such a concentrator 180 and gas tanks 210, 220 are operated ostensibly through an oxygen distribution component 190 and an embedded controller 200. The oxygen concentrator 180 includes a readout screen 230 to indicate the amount of oxygen released into the facility atmosphere at any time, with the distribution controller 200 formatted to allow for such oxygen level increases or decreases on demand A vent 250 attached to the oxygen distribution component 190 allows for such oxygen release, with oxygen sensor 240 monitoring such release to ensure protections for any user as well as suitable oxygen levels are provided for maximum or at least desired exercise levels upon such increased oxygen exposure is undertaken during an athletic workout or like activity therein. Furthermore, the oxygen concentrator 180 includes a cooling component 260 and vents 280 to help control the temperature of the concentrator 180 during utilization thereof. A light switch 280 may include controls for overhead lights 300 and possibly an override for the oxygen concentrator 180 or distributor 190, if necessary. A sprinkler 320 is provided as one possible device to help upon the generation of a spark therein the facility 100 (as noted above).

[0054] FIG. 3 shows another potentially preferred exercise facility 500 in relation to the disclosure. The sealable facility 500 includes a ceiling (not illustrated), a floor 570, exterior walls 520, 530,540, a vestibule 550 with an exterior door 510, overhead lights 620, an oxygen sensor 560, a sprinkler 600, and an override switch 610. The oxygen level control components (180, 190, 200, 210 of FIG. 2, for example) provide increased and/or decreased oxygen partial pressures as noted within the disclosure. Such components are hidden from view within FIG. 3 as would be the typical arrangement for such a facility 500. A treadmill 580 and weight machine 590 are shown as two possible devices for utilization by a facility user upon increased oxygen partial pressure levels for undertaking a high oxygen-level workout therewith. All precautions are provided for such machinery (present as merely two examples as any number of devices, whether weights, stationary bikes, rowing machines, and the like, may be utilized in such a situation as one of ordinary skill within this art would clearly understand) to be utilized therein to prevent unwanted sparking, flame generation, etc., due to metal contacting, dropping, etc., as well as electrical voltage, etc., creating sparks, and the like, as well. As noted above, such weights, devices, etc., may be provided with outer coatings and/or protective surfaces to prevent static or other electrical charge generation upon utilization or contact with certain surfaces, at least. With such safety concerns provided, and such an adjustable oxygen level permitted for a user, the disclosed facilities, procedures, systems, and/or methods thus accord a user such a capability without endangering themselves to any appreciable degree, ultimately permitting a novel type of athletic activity to provide beneficial improvements heretofore unexplored within the industry.

[0055] Such a novel oxygen-enriched (high oxygen partial pressure) enclosed (and sealable) room provides a novel capacity for an individual (or more than one individual) to undertake a physical exertion activity (or activities) therein to enjoy the benefits of greater intensity of exercise while present therein. Such increased intensity of physical exertion accords surprisingly helpful physiological modifications for said individual leading to increased muscular capacity, increased stamina, weight loss, or other personal enjoyment through greater access to oxygen during such physical activities. Possible benefits of increased physical exertion can include increased circulation, increased strength and muscle mass, improved physical performance and other benefits. The ability to utilize a fully enclosed space within such a room, without the need for more in-depth implements (such as gas masks, and the like, accords significant versatility of range of movement for the user, permitting different physical regimens and actions to be undertaken by a user. Thus, standard gym regimens practiced by one or more persons at a time, as well as sexual intercourse, for that matter (basically any physical activity that such freedom of movement and/or larger area for multiple individual's presence) may be undertaken and has shown great promise of significant advantages for user's overall.

[0056] It should be understood that various modifications within this disclosure's scope can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore, it is wished that this disclosure be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit and given the specification if need be.