Outdoor cooling or heating system creating a substantially open temperature-controlled zone for personnel

Abstract

A cooling or heating system creating an open, unbounded, temperature-controlled zone for personnel having HVAC equipment for producing and delivering cooled or heated air, an apertured deck member capable of supporting personnel, and air delivery conduits connecting the HVAC equipment with said deck member. The system may be transportable.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/279,459, filed Oct. 21, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of devices used to provide localized cooling or heating in an outdoor setting, and more particularly to such devices capable of cooling or heating personnel, such as athletes standing or sitting on the sidelines of sporting events, firefighters at the scene of a fire, workers in high or low temperature environments, participants in long running races, etc., and more particularly relates to such devices that provide cool or warm air in a controlled zone accessible by the personnel.

Sporting events such as football, soccer, track, etc., occurring outdoors are subject to weather conditions of extreme high or low temperatures. The athletes in these events, particularly when standing or sitting on the sidelines during a contest or after participation, can become overheated or badly chilled. Likewise, workers toiling outdoors under extreme temperature conditions, in particular when heavy safety or protective gear must be worn, are susceptible to overheating or hyperthermia.

It is an object of this invention to provide a system for supplying cooled or heated air to a localized outdoor zone in a controlled manner such that personnel may enter the temperature-controlled zone to be warmed or cooled, wherein the temperature-controlled zone is not a fully enclosed environment. It is a further object to provide such a system in one embodiment that is relatively unobtrusive so as not to interfere with fan sight lines and not to involve structures that may endanger the athletes during participation in the sporting event. It is another object to provide such a system that is transportable such that the system can be brought to any location where a controlled heating or cooling zone is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention comprises a system for producing heated and/or chilled air and delivering the air to a relatively large, substantially open zone on the sidelines of an athletic field, such that the athletes standing or sitting in this temperature-controlled zone will be cooled or warmed as needed. The system comprises a HVAC system capable of producing and delivering cooled air or warmed air in known manner, a deck capable of supporting a plurality of athletes and preferably one or more benches, and conduit means for delivering the heated or cooled air to the deck. The deck is provided with apertures, slots, vents or the like such that the heated or cooled air is delivered upwardly through the vents, thereby creating a zone of air above the deck having a temperature lower or higher than the ambient. Preferably, the deck is embedded such that its upper surface is flush with the surface of the sidelines. Means for draining rainwater and the like are also incorporated in the system. Relatively short tower members with lateral vents may also be provided.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises a wheeled, transportable system for producing heated and/or chilled air and delivering the air to a substantially open zone accessible to personnel, the system comprising a wheeled vehicle or trailer. The system further comprises a HVAC system capable of producing and delivering cooled air or warmed air in known manner, a deck capable of supporting a plurality of personnel and preferably one or more benches, conduit means for delivering the heated or cooled air to the deck, and preferably return air means for recycling air from the temperature-controlled zone back through the HVAC system. The deck is provided with apertures, slots, vents or the like such that the heated or cooled air is delivered upwardly through the vents, thereby creating a zone of air above the deck having a temperature lower or higher than the ambient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with the deck member shown embedded flush with ground level.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the in-ground sidelines cooling and heating system.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment showing the tower members.

FIG. 4 is a partial top view of an embodiment of the deck member showing the deck vents.

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention shown as a transportable system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described with regard for the best mode and the preferred embodiments. In a general sense, in one embodiment the invention comprises a sidelines heating and/or cooling system for the sidelines of athletic fields, the system capable of delivering cooled or heated air into a defined, substantially open or unbounded zone such that personnel standing or sitting in the zone are cooled or warmed as needed, the defined temperature-controlled zone having a temperature lower than the ambient in hot weather and a temperature higher than the ambient in cold weather. In another general sense, in an alternative embodiment the invention comprises a wheeled, transportable system capable of delivering cooled or heated air into a defined, substantially open unbounded zone such that personnel standing or sitting in the zone are cooled or warmed as needed, the defined temperature-controlled zone having a temperature lower than the ambient in hot weather and a temperature higher than the ambient in cold weather The invention may be structured in various embodiments and the figures provided are for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting.

The sidelines cooling and heating system as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 broadly comprises high volume air conditioning (HVAC) means 10 for producing and delivering cooled or heated air, a deck member 20 capable of supporting personnel and optionally one or more benches, and air delivery conduits 11 to bring pressurized air from the HVAC means 10 into the deck member 20. The treated air is then expelled through the upper support surface 22 of the deck member 20 to create the cooled or heated temperature-controlled zone, as shown in FIG. 2. The treated air zone is not an enclosed area, i.e., it is not a temporary room with walls and a ceiling, for example, but instead is substantially open on the sides. The temperature-controlled zone extends preferably to the outer perimeter of the deck member 20 and extends preferably at least six feet above the deck member 20. In addition to heating or cooling the air, the HVAC means 10 also improve the humidity of the air.

The HVAC means 10 may be of any known type and may include condensers, chilled water devices, resistance heaters, gas heaters, blowers or like devices well known in the HVAC industry. The HVAC means 10 should be of sufficient capacity and power to be able to delivery the needed quantity of treated air over a significant distance, such that preferably the HVAC means 10 may be positioned a good distance from the athletic playing field, and preferably under the stands if such are present. Alternatively, the HVAC means 10 could be portable, such that they may be brought near the deck member 20 when the system is to be used, then removed to storage when the system is not in use.

The air delivery conduits 11 connect the HVAC means 10 to the deck member 20 and are preferably buried under the ground surface 99. Multiple conduits 11 may be utilized and the conduits 11 may be connected at different locations to the deck member 20 in order to more evenly distribute the treated air.

The deck member 20 comprises a housing 21 with sides and a bottom that supports an upper support surface 22, thereby defining an open interior. Preferably, the deck member 20 is embedded in the ground such that its upper support surface 22 is generally flush with the ground surface 99, as seen in FIG. 1. The interior of the deck member 20 may be provided with baffles, plenums, sectional walls or other means to better distribute the air in an even manner. The upper support surface 22 is constructed of material such that multiple athletes and one or more benches may be readily supported thereon. The upper support surface 22 is provided with vents 23 such that air delivered into the deck member 20 is emitted upwardly from the upper support surface 22. The vents 22 are sized sufficiently small such that shoe cleats cannot enter the vents 23. In the representative embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the upper support surface comprises a plurality of metal square tubing disposed in spaced parallel relation, the vents 23 being formed by the spacing between the square tubing. The vents 23 may also be formed as holes or slots in a plate member, among other possible embodiments.

The system further comprises drain means 30 for removing water from the deck member 20, as rain and irrigation water may readily enter the vents 23 of the upper support surface 22. In the embodiment shown, the drain means 30 comprises a sump area 31 positioned beneath the deck housing 21, the sump area 31 draining through a drain conduit 32, which may communicate with the field sub-drainage system, the storm water removal system, or the like. In possible alternative embodiments, the bottom of the housing 21 may be sloped, a drainage pump may be utilized, the bottom of the housing 21 may be provided with multiple drainage apertures, etc.

In another alternative embodiment, the system further comprises tower members 24, preferably relatively short, extending above the upper support surface 22 of the deck 20 at one or more locations, as shown in FIG. 3. The towers 24 communicate with the air delivery conduits 11 or the interior of the housing 21 such that treated air is emitted though lateral vents 25 a short distance above the upper support surface 22. The towers 24 may be positioned on the periphery of the deck 20 or at locations interior to the periphery.

In contrast to embedding the deck 20 flush with the ground surface 99, the deck 20 could be placed directly on the ground surface 99.

It is also contemplated that oxygen from a compressed oxygen tank or an oxygen generator could also be delivered through the system. Likewise, it certain circumstances it may be desirable to increase the humidity level by providing misting means.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the invention is a transportable system comprising transportation means 99 for transporting the system, such as a motorized vehicle or wheeled trailer, such that the system can be taken to any outdoor location where a temperature-controlled zone is desired. The system further broadly comprises high volume air conditioning (HVAC) means 10 for producing and delivering cooled or heated air, a deck member 20 capable of supporting personnel and optionally one or more benches 13, and air delivery conduits 11 to bring pressurized air from the HVAC means 10 into the deck member 20. The treated air is then diverted by vanes 12 and expelled through the deck member 20 to create the substantially open cooled or heated temperature-controlled zone. The temperature-controlled zone extends preferably at least to the outer perimeter of the deck member 20 and extends preferably at least six feet above the deck member 20. The deck member 20 is apertured to allow passage of the treated air, such as in similar manner to the deck member 20 described in the earlier embodiment and shown in FIG. 4. In addition to heating or cooling the air, the HVAC means 10 also improve the humidity of the air.

The HVAC means 10 may be of any known type and may include condensers, chilled water devices, resistance heaters, gas heaters, blowers or like devices well known in the HVAC industry. The HVAC means 10 should be of sufficient capacity and power to be able to delivery the needed quantity of treated air to maintain the desired temperature in the treated air zone. Optionally, an air return conduit 17 is provided adjacent the deck member 20 to pull a portion of the air from the treated air zone into the HVAC means 10 for recycling through the system.

A short deflection wall 16 may be provided on one or more sides of the deck member 20 to better control and define the treated air zone. A canopy 14 mounted on posts 15 may be provided to better control and define the treated air zone, as well as to provide shade to personnel using the system. The transportable system may be self-powered using a portable generator system or may be provided with means to connect with energy sources at the use site.

It is contemplated that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements and structure set forth above may be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A transportable outdoor cooling and heating system creating a substantially open temperature-controlled zone for personnel, said system comprising:

high volume air conditioning means for producing and delivering cooled or heated air, an apertured deck member capable of supporting personnel, and an air delivery conduit connecting said high volume air conditioning means with said deck member to pass said cooled or heated air through said deck member, thereby creating a substantially open temperature-controlled zone,

said system further comprising transportation means for transporting said system to different locations, wherein said high volume air conditioning means, said deck member and said air delivery conduit are mounted onto said transportation means

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said transportation means comprises a wheeled vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said transportation means comprises a trailer.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a return air conduit positioned adjacent said deck member, such that a portion of said heated or cooled air is recycled through said high volume air conditioning means.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising vanes positioned within said air delivery conduit to direct the flow of air through said deck member.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a bench member positioned on said deck member.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a deflection wall adjacent said deck member.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a canopy positioned above said deck member.

9. A transportable outdoor cooling or heating system creating a substantially unbounded temperature-controlled zone for personnel, said system comprising:

high volume air conditioning means for producing and delivering cooled or heated air, an apertured deck member capable of supporting personnel, and an air delivery conduit connecting said high volume air conditioning means with said deck member to pass said cooled or heated air through said deck member, thereby creating a substantially open temperature-controlled zone,

said system further comprising transportation means for transporting said system to different locations, wherein said high volume air conditioning means, said deck member and said air delivery conduit are mounted onto said transportation means.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said transportation means comprises a wheeled vehicle.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said transportation means comprises a trailer.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a return air conduit positioned adjacent said deck member, such that a portion of said heated or cooled air is recycled through said high volume air conditioning means.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising vanes positioned within said air delivery conduit to direct the flow of air through said deck member.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a bench member positioned on said deck member.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising a deflection wall adjacent said deck member.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising a canopy positioned above said deck member.

17. A transportable outdoor system creating a substantially open temperature-controlled zone for personnel, said system comprising:

high volume air conditioning means for producing and delivering cooled or heated air, an apertured deck member capable of supporting personnel, and an air delivery conduit connecting said high volume air conditioning means with said deck member to pass said cooled or heated air through said deck member, thereby creating a substantially open temperature-controlled zone,

said system further comprising transportation means for transporting said system to different locations, wherein said high volume air conditioning means, said deck member and said air delivery conduit are mounted onto said transportation means.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said transportation means comprises a wheeled vehicle.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said transportation means comprises a trailer.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising a return air conduit positioned adjacent said deck member, such that a portion of said heated or cooled air is recycled through said high volume air conditioning means.