CLIMATE CONTROLLED BENCH

Abstract

An air-conditioned bench includes: a seat bottom portion including a first plurality of perforations fluidly connecting an interior of the bench to an exterior of the bench; a back support wall comprising a second plurality of perforations fluidly connecting the interior of the bench to the exterior of the bench; and a fan directing air from the interior of the bench to each of the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/425,772 filed Nov. 16, 2002, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to devices designed to warm or cool persons participating in activities in extreme temperature conditions. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to seating devices useful for warming or cooling the bodies and equipment of participants in hot or cold weather activities including occupational activities (for example, industrial working environments), lifestyle activities such as skiing, and/or at athletic events such as football, rugby, soccer, field hockey, pond hockey, curling, ice fishing, tennis, baseball, golf, lacrosse, and/or other outdoor sport practices and games.

BACKGROUND

The desire to provide a heat or air-conditioned source for those activities including observers or passive participants in athletic events who are not actively engaged in the activities athletic contest (coaches, substitute players, the offensive or defensive squads that are alternatively on the sideline or on the playing field, etc.) has led to the development and use of various personnel warming and/or cooling devices. Known warmers include torpedo heaters and other space heaters designed to blow hot air into a general area, heated benches for seating, and heated bench-like structures that can be used as seats or that otherwise serve as radiant sources of heat. Current heating technologies often provide incomplete, insufficient, and/or only localized heating or cooling. In addition, in harsh work environments (for example, outdoor work environments in hot, humid, and/or frigid conditions), work may be nearly unbearable and may present both health risks and productivity loss.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for heating and cooling benches (for example, for use by participants in outdoor sporting events or industrial and/or lifestyle applications). Conditions within manufacturing plants, steel mills, paper mills, and other production facilities may include extreme heat and humidity conditions due to heat generated by the underlying processes and/or due to poor ventilation and air circulation. In other environment such as within industrial refrigeration environments, at dockyards, on ships in frigid conditions, and elsewhere, workers may have to go to extreme measures to keep warm. The benches of the present embodiments provide a localized controlled climate allowing those in extreme heat environments to realize relief from the heat, while also allowing those in extreme cold environments an opportunity to periodically warm up. Not only does the relief from harsh environments provide a reprieve for the worker, it also may lead to productivity enhancements since numbing hands or feet can hinder a worker's progress and lead to accidents, while dehydration (associated with hot environments) has been shown to lead to a drop in a person's physical performance. In addition, the relief provided by the benches of the present embodiments temporarily lowers a worker's health risks.

In other applications such as “lifestyle” applications, for example, at ski resorts, users may appreciate the benches of the present embodiments in a heating configuration when outdoor entertainment (dining and other activities) are occurring in cold conditions. The benches of the present embodiments provide a useful alternative to heat lamps, which provide very localized heating, but are not designed to provide heating to specific areas of the body. In addition, the benches of the present embodiments may be used to warm ski equipment when it is not in use.

In one aspect, the present embodiments are directed to an air-conditioned bench including: a seat bottom portion including a first plurality of perforations fluidly connecting an interior or exterior of the bench to an exterior of the bench; a back support wall including a second plurality of perforations fluidly connecting the interior of the bench to the exterior of the bench; and a fan disposed in the interior of the bench directing air from the interior of the bench to each of the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations. In some embodiments, the bench may include a diffusor located at shoulder level, the diffusor being integral to the bench construction and fluidly connecting an interior of the bench to an exterior of the bench.

In some embodiments, the bench includes a length in a range from about 42 inches to about 54 inches. In some embodiments, the bench includes a length in a range from about 42 inches to about 172 inches. In some embodiments, the bench includes a length in a range from about 30 inches to about 200 inches.

In some embodiments, the bench includes a retractable tray.

In some embodiments, the retractable tray is hingedly connected to a side of the bench such that it is configured to be vertically stored flat against the side of the bench when the retractable tray is not in use.

In some embodiments, the bench includes a sunshade. In some embodiments, the sunshade is separable from the bench and able to stand on its own. In some embodiments, the shade is integrated into the bench design.

In some embodiments, the sunshade includes one or more vertical support members and one or more contoured shade portions.

In some embodiments, the bench includes a retractable wheel assembly.

In some embodiments, the retractable wheel assembly includes a plurality of wheels coupled to a plurality of castors.

In some embodiments, the bench is composed of fiberglass.

In some embodiments, the seat bottom portion is oriented at an angle of about 4 degrees to about 10 degrees from the horizontal plane.

In some embodiments, the back support wall is oriented at an angle from about 12 degrees to about 20 degrees from the vertical plane.

In another aspect, the present embodiments are directed to a heated or air-conditioned bench assembly including: a bench, and an air-conditioning unit fluidly coupled to an interior of the bench, the bench including: a seat bottom portion; a back support wall; and a fan disposed in the interior of the bench directing air from the interior of the bench to a plurality of perforations disposed in the seat bottom portion and/or the back support wall.

In some embodiments, the air-conditioning unit includes at least one cooling device or water-cooled device for AC, or gas or electric unit for heating including a refrigeration cycle comprising refrigerant.

In some embodiments, the bench includes a conduit fluidly coupling the interior of the bench to the heating and/or air-conditioning unit, the fan being disposed within the conduit or external to the conduit.

In some embodiments, in operation, the assembly is configured to operate using a voltage of 120 volts, a voltage of 208/230 volts in a 3-phase arrangement, and/or other suitable voltage arrangements.

In some embodiments, the heating or air-conditioning unit includes at least one air discharge shell, or diffusor directing air from an interior of the air-conditioning unit to an exterior of the air-conditioning unit.

In some embodiments, the air discharge shell or diffusor directs air away from the bench.

In some embodiments, the bench includes multiple hot hat features or structures acting as heaters for helmets, gloves, accessories, articles of clothing, equipment, and/or other items. In some embodiments, the hot hat features are fluidly coupled to an interior of the bench.

In some embodiments, the assembly includes a remote control communicatively coupled to a control unit of the air-conditioning unit for selectively controlling the bench assembly to operate in each of a heating mode of operation, a cooling mode of operation, and a fan mode of operation.

In some embodiments, in a fan mode of operation, unconditioned ambient air is distributed by the fan to the plurality of perforations. In some embodiments, the bench includes a fan or blower located in the interior or exterior of the bench.

In another aspect, the present embodiments are directed to: a climate-controlled bench including: a substantially hollow shell forming an outer structure of the bench, the substantially hollow shell comprising at least one air inlet disposed therethrough; an HVAC unit fluidly coupled to an interior of the bench, the HVAC unit providing heated, cooled, and/or ambient air to the interior of the bench; and a diffusor manifold comprising a diffusor through which air flows from the interior of the bench to an exterior of the bench, the diffusor manifold fluidly coupled to the interior of the bench. The substantially hollow shell forms a fluid duct to the diffusor manifold.

In some embodiments, the substantially hollow shell forms the fluid duct to the diffusor manifold without any internal structural ductwork disposed therein.

In some embodiments, the HVAC unit is located within the substantially hollow shell.

In some embodiments, the HVAC unit is located external to the substantially hollow shell.

In some embodiments, the HVAC unit is fluidly coupled to the interior of the bench via the at least one air inlet.

In some embodiments, the substantially hollow shell includes: a substantially vertical rear wall; a top contoured portion; a middle contoured portion; and a back support wall comprising an angled linear portion disposed between the top contoured portion and the middle contoured portion.

In some embodiments, the angled linear portion is oriented at an angle from about 15 degrees to about 23 degrees relative to the substantially vertical rear wall.

In another aspect, the present embodiments are directed to a bench system including: multiple benches, each including a substantially hollow shell that includes a side wall on either end with at least one handle disposed therethrough, wherein each bench is fluidly coupled to an adjacent bench via the at least one handle.

The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,342 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Throughout the description, where an apparatus, systems or compositions are described as having, including, or comprising specific components, or where methods are described as having, including, or comprising specific steps, it is contemplated that, additionally, there are systems, apparatuses or compositions of the present disclosed embodiments that consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components, and that there are methods according to the present embodiments that consist essentially of, or consist of, the recited processing steps.

It should be understood that the order of steps or order for performing certain action is immaterial as long as the invention remains operable. Moreover, two or more steps or actions may be conducted simultaneously.

The following description is for illustration and exemplification of the disclosure only, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described.

The mention herein of any publication, for example, in the Background section, is not an admission that the publication serves as prior art with respect to any of the present claims. The Background section is presented for purposes of clarity and is not meant as a description of prior art with respect to any claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosed embodiments, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a climate controlled bench, according to the present embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present disclosed embodiments, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and/or letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the present embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an air-conditioned and heated bench 1 (i.e., a climate controlled bench), as part of a bench assembly 20, according to the present embodiments. The bench assembly 20 may generally include the bench 1, as well as an air-conditioning unit 7. In some embodiments, the bench 1 may be composed of fiberglass materials and/or other suitable materials such as thermoplastics, polymers, composite materials (including composites that include metallic materials), and other materials that are sufficiently robust and resilient to withstand high stresses. The bench 1 may include a seating area 2 (or seat bottom portion 2) that may include a plurality of perforations or air holes 12 to enhance the heating and/or cooling of the person or equipment positioned on the seating area 2. The bench 1 may also include one or more retractable tables 3 (for example, on either end (or both ends)) to allow users to place equipment, water bottles, food, tablets, and/or other items near the bench. The retractable table 3 may be hingedly connected to the side(s) of the bench 1 such that it may be vertically stored (i.e., flat against the side of the bench 1) when not in use.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the bench 1 may include a retractable wheel assembly 4, shown in a retracted position in FIG. 1 (and FIG. 2), and shown in an extended position in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the retractable wheel assembly 4 may include a plurality of wheels 15 mounted to a bottom surface of the bench 1 via a plurality of castors 13, as shown in FIG. 3. The castors 13 themselves may be mounted or hingedly coupled to a bottom surface of the bench 1 such that they may be easily moved between a retracted position and an extended position. When the bench 1 is positioned at a desired location, retracting the wheels 15 helps to further stabilize the bench 1, reducing the likelihood that it will tip over. The bench assembly 20 may include an air-conditioning unit 7 that is configured to be operatively coupled to the back of the bench 1. For example, when the bench 1, air-conditioning unit 7, and and/or bench assembly 20 is being transported or maneuvered from one location to another, it may be preferable for the air-conditioning unit 7 to be detached from the bench 1. In operation, the air-conditioning unit 7 may be attached to the bench 1 such that cool air (or warm air, as the case may be) may be provided to the bench via the air-conditioning unit 7.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the air-conditioning unit 7 may include a plurality of A/C unit wheels 5, allowing easy maneuvering of the air-conditioning unit 7. The bench 1 may include an axial fan 6 disposed within a conduit 14 located within a rear portion of the bench 1. The conduit 14 may be fluidly coupled to the air-conditioning unit 7. When the axial fan 6 is operating, it suctions cool air (or warm air, as the case may be) into the interior of the bench 1. In some embodiments, the air-conditioning unit 7 may be configured to run on 120V such that it may be plugged into any standard wall outlet (and thus does not require a special 220V or 480V power supply). The entire air-conditioning unit 7 may be disposed within a protective fiberglass shell 8 to help protect the air-conditioning unit 7, and to reduce the loss of heated and/or cooled air from the air-conditioning unit 7 (i.e., to the environment). The protective fiberglass shell 8 may include a warm air discharge shell 9, for directing heat that is being rejected to the environment (when the bench is in cooling mode) away from the perforated seat area 2. The warm air discharge shell 9 may include a contoured portion 16 to help direct warm air in a rearward direction, as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, in heating mode, the air discharge shell 9 directs any cool air rejected from the air-conditioning unit 7 away from the perforated seating area 2 (and anyone sitting thereon).

Still referring to FIG. 1, the bench assembly 20 may include a remote control 10, electrically and/or communicatively coupled to an A/C control unit (not shown) disposed within and/or on the protective fiberglass shell 8. The remote control 10 may be used to 1) turn the air-conditioning unit 7 on and off, 2) switch between heating, cooling, and fan only modes of operation, and 3) adjust the magnitude or degree of heating and cooling (for example, via fan speed adjustments and/or the temperature of the air being discharged from the air-conditioning unit 7 to the bench 1, via the conduit 14 (for example, by selecting drawing more or less electrical current into the air-conditioning unit)). In some embodiments, the remote control 10 may be wirelessly coupled to the A/C control unit. The bench assembly may include a retractable sun-shade 11 to reduce sun exposure to those sitting on the bench 1, and to deflect sunlight when the bench 1 is in cooling mode, thereby helping to keep the environmental temperature on and/or in the vicinity of the bench 1 cooler. In some embodiments, the retractable sunshade 11 may include one or more vertical members 21 supporting a contoured shade member 22. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical members 21 may be retractable against a rear wall of the bench 1, while the contoured shade member 22 may be flexible (i.e., with memory shape capabilities) such that it may be stored in a vertical (i.e., flat) position as well against the rear wall of the bench 1. When not stored, the contoured shade member 22 may bend or flex to reform a contoured shape (i.e., via shape memory). In some embodiments, the contoured shade member 22 may be detachable from the one or more vertical members when not in use. In some embodiments, the entire retractable sunshade 11 may be contoured and may be retractable to a stowed position within the fiberglass bench 1, as shown in FIG. 3, or alternatively may be completely detached from the bench 1.

Referring still to FIG. 1, the seating area 2 may slope downward at an angle from a front corner 17 (which itself may be curved, angled, chamfered, etc. to avoid sharp angles) to a rear corner 18. In some embodiments, the seating area 2 slopes downward at an angle of from about 4 to 10 degrees, or from about 5 to 8 degrees, or from about 6 to 7 degrees (i.e., from a horizontal plane). A back support wall 19 of the bench may be oriented at an angle of from about 12 to 20 degrees, or from about 14 to 18 degrees, or from about 15 to 17 degrees, or from about 16 degrees (i.e., from a vertical plane). In some embodiments, a width of the bench may be about 30 inches (as shown in FIG. 1) or from about 29 to about 31 inches, or from about 28 to about 32 inches, or from about 27 to about 33 inches. In some embodiments, both the air-conditioning unit 7 and the bench 1 may include a height of about 40 inches, or from about 38 inches to about 42 inches, or from about 36 inches to about 44 inches. In some embodiments, the highest portion of the front corner 17 may be disposed about 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 inches above the ground (marked as “G” in FIG. 1), and may slope downward to the rear corner 18, which may be disposed at a height or about 0.5, 1, 1.5, and/or 2 inches below the height of the front corner 17.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an air-conditioned and heated bench 1 (i.e., a climate controlled bench) including the sunshade 11, contoured shade portion 22, one or more vertical members 21, back support wall 19, retractable tray 3, remote control 10, first plurality of perforations 12 (disposed in the seating area 2 (shown in FIG. 1), and retractable wheel assembly 4, according to the present embodiments. FIG. 2 also illustrates a second plurality of perforations 23 disposed in the back support wall 19, each perforation of the second plurality of perforations 23 fluidly connecting the interior of the bench 1 to an exterior of the bench 1, and configured to direct conditioned and/or ambient air to a person sitting on the bench 1. The bench 1 may include a length 24 of about 48 inches, or from about 45 inches to about 51 inches, or from about 42 inches to about 54 inches.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of an air-conditioned and heated bench 1 (i.e., a climate controlled bench), including a contoured, retractable sunshade 11, wheels 15, and castors 13, according to the present embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates the wheels 15 and castors 13 in an extended (i.e., rather than retracted) position, thereby easing the maneuvering of the bench 1.

In operation, the air-conditioning unit 7 may provide cooled air or alternatively, heated air to both the first plurality of perforations 12 disposed in the perforated seat area, as well as to a second plurality of perforations 23 disposed in the back support wall 19 of the bench 1. The configuration of the present embodiments provides convective cooling or heating to the legs, rear, back, shoulders, neck, and/or head areas of any person(s) sitting on the bench 1. In some embodiments, the bench 1 may include a fan mode such that the axial fan 6 directs untreated ambient air to both the first and second pluralities of perforations 12, 23, thereby providing a moderate amount of cooling to any person(s) sitting on the bench 1 (i.e., via enhanced evaporative cooling in concert with any sweat or moisture on the person(s) sitting on the bench 1) while simultaneously reducing the power usage of the bench 1. The axial fan 6 draws cooled, heated, and/or ambient air from the air-conditioning unit 7 into the interior of the bench 1, and directs it to the first and second pluralities of perforations 12, 23 via one or more additional internal conduits.

The air-conditioning unit 7 may include both heating elements and cooling elements. For example, in some embodiments, the air-conditioning unit 7 may include at least one heat exchanger (not shown) configured to exchange heat with ambient air that enters the air-conditioning unit 7 via one or more inlet vents (not shown). The heat exchanger may be thermally coupled to both a heating element (for example, a resistive heating device and/or an induction heater) and a cooling element (for example, a cooling device including a refrigeration cycle, i.e., including refrigerant, etc.). When the bench is used in fan mode, the air-conditioning unit 7 is not needed. As such, in some embodiments, the bench may be used with the conduit 14 open directly to ambient air (for example, in connection with a vent, louvers, and/or filter) such that ambient air is circulated to both the first and second pluralities of perforations 12, 23, as described herein, without any heating and/or cooling from the air-conditioning unit 7. By placing heating and cooling elements in thermal communication with the interior of the bench 1, by disposing an axial fan 6 in the interior of the bench 1 to draw air in and distribute it to the first and second pluralities of perforations, and by disposing first and second pluralities of perforations to deliver convective heating and/or cooling to the person(s) sitting on the bench 1, the present disclosure provides effective temperature management to users in all weather conditions, even when the air-conditioning unit 7 is not in operation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side perspective view of a climate controlled bench 35, according to the present embodiments. In addition to the plurality of perforations 12 disposed within the seat portion 62, the bench 35 may also include a foot deck 32 that includes a plurality of perforations 30 disposed therein for heating and/or cooling the feet of people sitting on the bench 35. For example, an interior of the foot deck 32 may be connected (i.e., fluidly connected) to an interior of the bench 35 such that heated and/or air conditioned/cooled air in the interior of the bench 35 flows out of the perforations 30 in the foot deck 32, which extends in a forward direction from the base of the bench 35 (i.e., from the perspective of a person sitting on the bench 35). In some embodiments, the bench 35 may include one or more handles 80 disposed in one or both side walls 78 of the bench 35 to facilitate movement of the bench. In some embodiments, the handles 80 do not create a fluid passageway through the side wall(s) 78 of the bench. In some embodiments, the handles 80 are plugged during use to prevent heated and/or cooled air from flowing therethrough. In some embodiments, the handles 80 provide an opening to fluidly connect the interior of a first bench 35 to an interior of an adjacent bench 35. The handles 80, in some embodiments, may include substantially rectangular cross-sectional areas (to match the geometry or dimensions of a human hand), and may act both as handles 80 during movement of the bench, and fluid passageways to one or more adjacent benches 35 when the bench 35 is in use.

Referring still to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the bench 35 may include one or more air inlets 34 disposed in a rear wall 76 of the bench 35. The one or more air inlets 34 may be about 12 inches in diameter, or from about 10 inches to about 14 inches, and or from about 6 inches to about 16 inches, and or from about 6 inches to about 12 inches, and or from about 4 inches to about 10 inches, and/or other sub-ranges therebetween. The one or more air inlets 34 may be used to deliver heated, cooled, and/or ambient air from an external source (for example, from an HVAC unit 36 shown in FIG. 7) to the interior of the bench 35. Any air inlet 34 that is not in use may be plugged to prevent any undesired outflow of air (i.e., out of the bench 35) therethrough. The bench 35 may include a diffusor manifold 28 located at the top of the rear wall 76 of the bench 35, and fluidly connected to the interior of the bench 35. The diffusor manifold 28 fluidly connects the interior of the bench 35 to a diffusor 40 disposed at the front top portion of the back support wall 19. The diffusor manifold 28 also redirects air (i.e., heated, cooled, and/or ambient air) such that it exits the bench 35 via the diffusor 40 in a forward direction (that is, in the direction a person is facing when seated on the bench 35).

Still referring to FIG. 4, the bench 35 may include a plurality of temperature-controlled equipment rods 26 or structures (referred to hereinafter as “hot hats” 26). The hot hats 26 may be used to hang equipment on such as helmets, goalie gloves, articles of clothing, sporting equipment, recreational equipment, tooling, and other items. In some embodiments, the hot hats 26 include internal resistive or inductive heating elements to provide heat to items placed thereupon. In some embodiments, each of the hot hats 26 includes a peltier device such that it may be used for both heating and cooling. In some embodiments, the hot hats 26 (i.e., each hot hat 26 of the plurality of hot hats 26) extend vertically from the top of the diffusor manifold 28 and diffusor 40, and include a stem portion 44 coupled to a rounded knob 38 on top (both shown in FIG. 5), the rounded knob 38 being used to facilitate items being hung thereupon. In some embodiments, each of the hot hats 26 includes a hollow stem portion 44 that is used as a fluid conduit for delivering heated, ambient, and/or cooled air to the rounded knob 38 where it is discharged to the helmet/equipment/article of clothing and/or other item (i.e., to warm, dry, cool, etc. that item, piece of clothing, equipment).

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a climate controlled bench 35 including the plurality of hot hats 26 (each including a stem portion 44 and rounded knob 38), seat perforations 23, a foot deck 32 that includes an edge portion 86 and plurality of perforations 30 disposed in a top surface 42 of the foot deck 32, and the diffusor 40, according to the present embodiments. The diffusor 40 may include a plurality of louvers (for example, articulatable louvers) a grate, screen, and/or other structure that allows air to pass therethrough while also helping to direct the airflow in a forward direction. In operation, the diffusor 40 directs air forward at approximately shoulder level such that it may be directed at the top of the shoulders and/or bottom of the neck of a person sitting on the bench 35, thereby providing effective cooling and/or heating (i.e., to areas of the body near the head that are likely to be at least partially exposed).

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a climate controlled bench 35 including the plurality of hot hats 26, the perforations 12 disposed within the seat portion 62, the diffusor 40, as well as the perforations 30 disposed within the foot deck 32, according to the present embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the bench 35 may include clusters of perforations 12 disposed within the seat portion 62 such that there are spaces in between the clusters to allow users to sit in areas of the bench 35 where there are no perforations 12 in the seat portion 62.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a climate controlled bench 35 including the plurality of hot hats 26, the perforations 12 disposed within the seat portion 62, the diffusor 40, as well as the perforations 30 disposed within the foot deck 32, according to the present embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7, the bench 35 may include a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit 36 that is external to the bench 35 (for example, located behind or adjacent to the bench 35) such that it may provide heated, cooled, and/or ambient air to the air inlets 34 (shown in FIG. 4) via one or more ducts 52, which is/are connected between the HVAC unit 36 and the air inlet(s) 34. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 may be located external to the bench 35 structure while in some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 may be located within the bench 35. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 may include an electric heater (such as a resistive heater and/or an inductive heater). In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 runs off of a 120-volt power source, a 208/230 volt 3-phrase power source, and/or off of other suitable voltage range power sources. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes a gas heater. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes an air-conditioning (AC) unit for cooling the air. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes both an AC unit and a gas heater. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes both an AC unit and an electric heater. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes a blower for moving cooled, heated, and/or ambient air out of the HVAC unit 36 for circulation within the bench 35. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes a mechanism for heating air and circulating air, but not for cooling air. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes a mechanism for cooling air and circulating air, but not for heating air. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 may be controlled via a local controller. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 includes a control unit that is coupled to a wireless interface such that the HVAC unit 36 may be controlled remotely. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 may include an AC unit that is water cooled in a closed loop configuration. In some embodiments, the HVAC unit 36 may include an AC unit that is water cooled in an open loop configuration.

Referring still to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the bench 35 includes a top contoured portion 50 disposed at the top of the back support wall 19. The top contoured portion 50 may be outwardly convex (i.e., the convex portion is on exterior of the bench 35 and the concave portion faces the interior of the bench 35). In some embodiments, the bench 35 includes a middle contoured portion 46 located at the bottom of the back support wall 19. In some embodiments, the middle contoured portion 46 may be outwardly concave (i.e., the concave portion is on exterior of the bench 35 and the convex portion faces the interior of the bench 35). In some embodiments, the bench 35 includes a front contoured portion 54 located at the front of the seat portion 62. In some embodiments, the front contoured portion 54 may be outwardly convex (i.e., the convex portion is on exterior of the bench 35 and the concave portion faces the interior of the bench 35). The middle contoured portion 46 may form the transition between the back support wall 19 and the seat portion 62 of the bench 35. In some embodiments, the back support wall 19 includes a substantially linear portion 48 disposed between the top contoured portion 50 and the middle contoured portion 46. In some embodiments, the substantially linear portion 48 is oriented at an angle of about 19 degrees (for example, from about 18 degrees to about 20 degrees, or from about 17 degrees to about 21 degrees, or from about 15 degrees to about 23 degrees) relative to the vertical plane (i.e., relative to the bench rear wall 76).

Still referring to FIG. 7, the approximate paths that air follows through the bench to the diffusor 40, and out the perforations 30 in the foot deck 32, and/or out the perforations 12 in the seat portion 62 are illustrated via dotted arrows. For example, in the case of air that exits the bench 35 via the diffusor 40, after exiting the air inlet 34, air flows within a passageway formed by the bench rear wall 76 (which is vertically oriented) and the back support wall 19. The passageway narrows as it forms the top of the bench 35, where it flows into the diffusor manifold 28, which includes a contoured rear wall 58. Each of the contoured rear wall 58 of the manifold 28 and the top contoured portion 50 guide and redirect the air into the manifold 28, and then out through the diffusor. Accordingly, the exterior frame or structure of the bench 35 acts as a conduit for routing air to the diffusor manifold 28 such that no other manifold, ducting, plenum, etc. within the interior of the bench 35 is used to deliver air from the inlet 34 to the diffusor manifold 28. Stated otherwise, the substantially hollow shell 56 that provides the overall structure of the bench 35 is contoured such that it (and it alone) acts as a fluid conduit to deliver air from the air inlet 34 to the diffusor manifold 28. No other internal ducts, structures, plenums, or conduits other than the hollow shell 56 itself are needed to direct air from the air inlet 34 to the diffusor manifold 28. In order to maximize the airflow to the diffusor manifold 28 and diffusor 40, the bench 35 illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 does not include perforations in the back support wall 19. In some embodiments, the bench 35 illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 may include one or more retractable trays 3 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). According to aspects of the present disclosure, various features and aspects of the bench embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 are applicable to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 and vice versa.

Elements of different implementations described may be combined to form other implementations not specifically set forth previously. Elements may be left out of the processes described without adversely affecting their operation or the operation of the system in general. Furthermore, various separate elements may be combined into one or more individual elements to perform the functions described in this specification.

Other implementations not specifically described in this specification are also within the scope of the following claims.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present embodiments.

Certain Definitions

In order for the present disclosure to be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined below. Additional definitions for the following terms and other terms are set forth throughout the specification.

An apparatus, system, composition, or method described herein as “comprising” one or more named elements or steps is open-ended, meaning that the named elements or steps are essential, but other elements or steps may be added within the scope of the composition or method. To avoid prolixity, it is also understood that any apparatus, composition, or method described as “comprising” (or which “comprises”) one or more named elements or steps also describes the corresponding, more limited composition or method “consisting essentially of” (or which “consists essentially of”) the same named elements or steps, meaning that the composition or method includes the named essential elements or steps and may also include additional elements or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the composition or method. It is also understood that any apparatus, composition, or method described herein as “comprising” or “consisting essentially of” one or more named elements or steps also describes the corresponding, more limited, and closed-ended composition or method “consisting of” (or “consists of”) the named elements or steps to the exclusion of any other unnamed element or step. In any composition or method disclosed herein, known or disclosed equivalents of any named essential element or step may be substituted for that element or step.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the qualitative condition of exhibiting total or near-total extent or degree of a characteristic or property of interest.

EQUIVALENTS

It is to be understood that while the disclosure has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention(s). Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the present embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the present embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A climate-controlled bench comprising:

a substantially hollow shell forming an outer structure of the bench, the substantially hollow shell comprising at least one air inlet disposed therethrough;

an HVAC unit fluidly coupled to an interior of the bench, the HVAC unit providing heated, cooled, and/or ambient air to the interior of the bench; and

a diffusor manifold comprising a diffusor through which air flows from the interior of the bench to an exterior of the bench, the diffusor manifold fluidly coupled to the interior of the bench,

wherein the substantially hollow shell forms a fluid duct to the diffusor manifold.

2. The bench of claim 1, wherein the substantially hollow shell forms the fluid duct to the diffusor manifold without any internal structural ductwork disposed therein.

3. The bench of claim 1, wherein the HVAC unit is located within the substantially hollow shell.

4. The bench of claim 1, wherein the HVAC unit is located external to the substantially hollow shell.

5. The bench of claim 1, wherein the HVAC unit is fluidly coupled to the interior of the bench via the at least one air inlet.

6. The bench of claim 1, wherein the substantially hollow shell comprises:

a substantially vertical rear wall;

a top contoured portion;

a middle contoured portion; and

a back support wall comprising an angled linear portion disposed between the top contoured portion and the middle contoured portion.

7. The bench of claim 6, wherein the angled linear portion is oriented at an angle from about 15 degrees to about 23 degrees relative to the substantially vertical rear wall.

8. An air-conditioned bench comprising:

a seat bottom portion comprising a first plurality of perforations fluidly connecting an interior of the bench to an exterior of the bench;

a back support wall comprising a second plurality of perforations fluidly connecting the interior of the bench to the exterior of the bench; and

a fan disposed in the interior of the bench directing air from the interior of the bench to each of the first plurality of perforations and the second plurality of perforations.

9. The bench of claim 8, wherein the bench comprises a length in a range from about 42 inches to about 54 inches.

10. The bench of claim 8, wherein the bench comprises a retractable tray.

11. The bench of claim 10, wherein the retractable tray is hingedly connected to a side of the bench such that it is configured to be vertically stored flat against the side of the bench when the retractable tray is not in use.

12. The bench of claim 8, wherein the bench comprises a sunshade.

13. The bench of claim 12, wherein the sunshade comprises one or more vertical support members and one or more contoured shade portions.

14. The bench of claim 8, wherein the bench comprises a retractable wheel assembly.

15. The bench of claim 14, wherein the retractable wheel assembly comprises a plurality of wheels coupled to a plurality of castors.

16. The bench of claim 8, wherein the bench is composed of fiberglass.

17. The bench of claim 8, wherein the seat bottom portion is oriented at an angle of about 4 degrees to about 10 degrees from the horizontal plane.

18. The bench of claim 8, wherein the back support wall is oriented at an angle from about 12 degrees to about 20 degrees from the vertical plane.

19. An air-conditioned bench assembly comprising:

a bench, and an air-conditioning unit fluidly coupled to an interior of the bench, the bench comprising: a seat bottom portion; a back support wall; and a fan disposed in the interior of the bench directing air from the interior of the bench to a plurality of perforations disposed in at least one of the seat bottom portion and the back support wall.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the air-conditioning unit comprises at least one cooling device comprising a refrigeration cycle comprising refrigerant.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the air-conditioning unit comprises at least one heating element comprising at least one of a resistive heating element and an inductive heating element.

22. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the bench comprises a conduit fluidly coupling the interior of the bench to the air-conditioning unit, the fan being disposed within the conduit.

23. The assembly of claim 19, wherein in operation, the assembly is configured to operate using a voltage of 120 volts.

24. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the air-conditioning unit comprises at least one air discharge shell directing air from an interior of the air-conditioning unit to an exterior of the air-conditioning unit.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the at least one air discharge shell directs air away from the bench.

26. The assembly of claim 21, comprising a remote control communicatively coupled to a control unit of the air-conditioning unit for selectively controlling the bench assembly to operate in each of a heating mode of operation, a cooling mode of operation, and a fan mode of operation.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein in a fan mode of operation, unconditioned ambient air is distributed by the fan to the plurality of perforations.

28. A bench system comprising:

multiple benches, each bench of the multiple benches comprising: a substantially hollow shell comprising a side wall on either end with at least one handle disposed therethrough,

wherein each bench is fluidly coupled to an adjacent bench via the at least one handle.