Abstract: The instant invention is a lightweight, hand portable air conditioner or heater with an attachment that encloses a small area thus permitting the enclosed are to be heated or cooled. The apparatus has a housing unit with wheels and a handle for pulling or pushing the unit. The top of the unit has two telescopic extension poles that can be extended the length of a bed. A suitable material placed over the extended V shaped poles creates a small enclosure for a person. The housing unit contains a compressor with a refrigerant, two fans operated by a central motor, and a cool portion and hot portion. The compressor will cool the refrigerant by compressing the gas to liquid, the cool liquid will be diverted to the cool portion and a fan will direct the cool air out of the housing unit through a vent and into the enclosed area created by the material draped over the extended poles. As a result, the enclosed area can be cooled allowing a person inside to rest or sleep comfortably.

Abstract: A self contained air conditioned seat to control the temperature climate in an air bubble generated around the seat occupant is described. It includes an air bubble at a controlled temperature for the upper body and seat of the occupant, a separate air bubble for the legs of the occupant and a controller which allows the occupant to have personal control of the temperature in the two zones. Temperature sensors are located in one or more of the tips of the am rests, the heat rest, beneath the seat bottom and in the return air ducts, to help maintain the air bubble temperature in the two zones.

Abstract: A heat exchanging coil is immersed in water in a heating pod heated over a fire or other heat source. Flexible tubing connected to the coil transmits heated water or other fluid under pressure from a water pump in a reservoir connected to the tubing. Loops of the tubing pass through various items used in outdoor activity including sleeping bags, tents, heaters, bowls, chairs, and even a shower. The heated water is pumped intermittently in a continuously recirculating flow through the system from the heating coil through the item(s) and back again through the heating coil. A timer connected to the pump allows flow of the heated water bolus at any desired timed interval. Alternately, cold water may be circulated through the system for cooling in conditions of extreme heat. Ice or snow or cold water may be used in the heating pod and the pump activated to circulate the chilled water.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle climate control system is capable of simultaneously providing fully heated air exiting one air outlet while also providing fully cooled air exiting from a second air outlet. Another aspect of the present invention provides simultaneous and independently controlled air volumes exiting from two different air outlets while receiving air through one or more common air inlets. Yet another aspect of the present invention climate control system employs a single evaporator and two suction blowers arranged downstream of the evaporator. A further aspect of the present invention uses a single evaporator and two heaters angularly disposed in relation to each other. The automotive vehicle climate control system of the present invention further includes a single unit having a front heater and front outlet providing air flow forward of the unit, and a rear heater and rear air outlet providing air flow behind the unit.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system includes a controller for controlling operation of an air-conditioner unit and operation of a seat heating and cooling device in interlocked relation such that operating conditions of the air-conditioner unit are automatically changed on the basis of the temperature of a vehicle seat, operating conditions of the seat heating and cooling device, or setting information of the seat heating and cooling device, or alternatively operating conditions of the seat heating and cooling device are automatically changed on the basis of the operating conditions of the air-conditioner unit or setting information of the air-conditioner unit.

Abstract: A transport cover or tarpaulin includes at least one sheet of a flexible insulated material, including chambers for a coolant and additionally including channels constructed and arranged for filling with a gas. The outer surface of the cover may be covered with a heat-reflecting material.

Abstract: An air-conditioning case (2d) of a front air-conditioning unit (2) includes therein a branching duct (2c) for dividing the flow of the air-conditioned air to the seat (3) of occupants, and a cool/warm air switch (10) for switching the cool air (7) and the warm air (8) of the air-conditioned air and sending the resultant air to air supply ports (19). The air supply ports (19) are connected to the seat (3) by a single air duct (4). Therefore, the duct configuration is very simple. Also, the air duct (4) can be an existing one connected to the rear foot vent (30).

Abstract: A baby carriage with cooling mechanisms including a baby carriage having a container for receiving a baby. The carriage also has four wheels secured therebelow and a handle for use by a child care provider for pushing the carriage and baby. The carriage also has a canopy positioned over one end of the carrier for shielding the face of an infant therewithin from the sun. The carriage also has a rectangular housing secured within a similarly sized rectangular aperture in the canopy. The housing includes an upwardly extending rectilinear support with a lid slidably coupled to the support to selectively conceal and expose the interior of the housing. The housing has an upper end and a lower end. A fan is provided with a fan motor and a drive shaft vertically disposed and secured within the housing adjacent to the lower end with rotatable fan blades secured to the drive shaft with a source of potential for selectively energizing the fan motor and fan.

Abstract: The conditioned seat, has at least one seat contact surface (31), the outer side of which faces towards part of a passenger in the seat. An air-conditioning device (18) supplies conditioned air to the region of the inner side of the seat contact surface (31). An electrical heating element (24) is arranged in the region of the inner side of the seat contact surface (31) for warming the seat contact surface (31). A temperature sensor (28) detects the temperature in the region of the seat contact surface (31). For achieving a fast adjustment of the seat temperature to a preset desired temperature independent from the ambient temperature a controlling system (20) is provide which is in connection both with the air-conditioning device (18) and with the electrical heating element (24) and controls these corresponding to a pre-set desired temperature value in dependence on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (28).

Abstract: An air conditioned seat including an air conditioning pad comprising an upper pad and a lower pad. The air conditioning pad has an upper layer, a lower layer and a hollow chamber therebetween. The upper layer has a plurality of apertures therethrough leading into the hollow chamber. A coupling tube is included with a first end coupled with an existing air conditioner of an automobile. The coupling tube has a second end portion couplable to the tube of the air conditioning pad.

Abstract: A temperature climate control system comprises a variable temperature seat, at least one heat pump, at least one heat pump temperature sensor, and a controller. Each heat pump comprises a number of Peltier thermoelectric modules for temperature conditioning the air in a main heat exchanger and a main exchanger fan for passing the conditioned air from the main exchanger to the variable temperature seat. The Peltier modules and each main fan may be manually adjusted via a temperature switch and a fan switch, respectively. Additionally, the temperature climate control system may comprise a number of additional temperature sensors to monitor the temperature of the ambient air surrounding the occupant as well as the temperature of the conditioned air directed to the occupant.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle for air conditioning only a zone adjacent a person sitting on a seat. A bottom duct 62 has inlets 60 which are located laterally of a sitting part 50 of the seat, and a top duct 70 has an outlet 72 located above a head rest portion 58 of the seat. Arranged in the bottom duct 62 is a blower fan 74, evaporator 78 and heater 80. The rotation of the fan 74 causes the air to be sucked into the duct 62 via the inlets 60, and is subjected to the heat exchange with the evaporator 78 and the heater 80 to obtain a desired temperature of the air. The air is discharged downwardly from the top outlet 72 to the bottom inlet 60, so that air flows for air conditioning are crated along an area only around the person sitting on the seat.

Abstract: A thermostat controlled mattress includes a mattress unit having an underlay, a surface cover and a curved circuit. A water circuit tube connects to the curved circuit so as to allow water to be introduced into the mattress unit with the aid of a pump. Water is circulated between the mattress unit and a water storage box via the water circuit tube. A sensor is operatively arranged with respect to the water storage box to sense the temperature and quantity of water contained in the water storage box and sends a signal to a thermostat electric circuit. An aluminum reservoir for the water is connected to the curved circuit of the mattress unit and the water circuit tube. A thermoelectric element is connected to the reservoir and the power supply to heat or cool the water. Water is circulated in the water circuit tube between the curved circuit of the mattress unit and the water storage box, through the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluidized bed includes an air blower, a heater, an air/air heat exchanger with auxiliary fans, and an air/cold water heat exchanger. The fluidized bed includes a remotely disposed portable water chiller that provides the cold water for circulating in the air/cold water heat exchanger. The water chiller includes a water refrigeration unit and a water pump. Flexible tubing carries cooled water from the water chiller to the air/cold water heat exchanger and relatively warmed water from the air/cold water heat exchanger to the water chiller. Each of the free ends of the tubing, the water chiller, and the air/cold water heat exchanger, is provided with mating male or female connectors to enable the tubing to be selectively connected and disconnected between the water chiller and the air/water heat exchanger.

Abstract: A pneumatic, disposable, temperature control blanket pressurized with a heated or cooled air comprises an inflated envelope having a lower sheet having openings formed therein for impinging the air upon a patient. Air is introduced into the blanket envelope at a single inlet port, and an interior flexible conduit or subtube located within the envelope communicates with the inlet for distributing freshly introduced air throughout the blanket length with little temperature loss.

Abstract: In an air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant discharged from a compressor of an outdoor unit is passed through an outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger is passed through an indoor heat exchanger of an ambient air-conditioning unit and the refrigerant having passed through the indoor heat exchanger is returned to the compressor to cool the whole space in the room. At the same time, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is passed through the outdoor heat exchanger, the refrigerant having passed through the outdoor heat exchanger is passed through indoor heat exchangers of a plurality of personal air-conditioning units and the refrigerant having passed through the indoor heat exchangers is returned to the compressor to separately cool the discrete spaces in the room.

Abstract: An environmental control system comprises room temperature measurement apparatus, a plurality of thermal sensors fixed on a mattress over abed, a plurality of humidity sensors fixed on the mattress over the bed, an air conditioning unit for varying the room temperature, and a control circuit. The control circuit determines a thermal sensation of a sleeper from measured values by a plurality of thermal sensors , determines a perspiratory sensation of the sleeper from the measured values by a plurality of humidity sensors, and controls the air conditioning unit so as to let the temperature of the air in the vicinity of the bed be different from the room temperature by an amount prescribed by the combination of the room temperature value and the thermal and perspiratory sensation values, thus maintaining a comfortable condition in the bedroom and on the mattress.

Abstract: A blanket includes a cavity therewithin defined between spaced layers of the blanket directing a fluid conduit therethrough. The fluid conduit is in cooperative and fluid communication with a control housing to include cooling and heating structure in association with a pump to direct cooled or heating fluid through the conduit within the blanket cavity. A modification of the invention includes a secondary reservoir to include fluid at ambient air temperature to stabilize a blanket temperature as an alternative to creating a temperature gradient relative to the ambient temperature environment of the blanket.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling units of furniture adapted for supporting the human body, and for car seats, steering wheels and arm rests, includes two main components. A closed loop air conditioning subsystem has a first motor which drives a compressor in which a refrigerant fluid is compressed. The compressed fluid is passed into a condenser where the compressed fluid is cooled by dissipating its heat into the environment, and from where the compressed fluid is released through an expansion valve into an evaporator. The evaporator becomes cool due to expansion of the refrigerant fluid into a gas and consequent absorption of heat from the evaporator's body and immediate environment. The refrigerant gas is returned from the evaporator into the compressor.

Abstract: Bed covers (20) which can be elevated above a bed (50) solely as a result of differential air pressure. A small blower unit (80) located under the bed (50) supplies air to an air-flow channel network (22) making up the central portion of the bed covers (20). The air-flow channel network (22) is made up of fabric layers which are joined along selective linear alignments (46 and 48) to produce air flow channels (40, 42, and 44). The upper (24) and middle (28) fabric layers are less permeable to air flow than the lower layer (32). The air flows from the blower (80) through a conduit (82) into the air-flow channel network (22), throughout the network (22), and thence through the bottom fabric layer (32). The uniform distribution of air through the bottom layer (32) creates a region of higher pressure under the bed covers (20), thus causing the formation of a cavity (60) between the bed covers (20) and the bed (50).

Abstract: A heat exchange system for cooling and/or heating the patient support surface of an inflatable support appliance such as a low air loss bed is disclosed. Tubing and bladders carrying a circulating heat exchange medium is used to locally heat or cool the air within the inflatable cushion, transferring heat to or away from the patient supporting surface. Specially designed cushions with pouches for hold the bladders in close proximity to the supporting surface without compromising the uniform support characteristics of the low air loss bed.

Abstract: A cooling appartus for a low air loss therapy bed includes a portable self-contained cooling unit for generating a flow of cool air and a flexible conduit connected to the cooling unit for routing the flow of cool air from the cooling unit. The cooling apparatus also includes an adapter releasably connected to the intake manifold of the bed and having a shroud for allowing passage of a flow of ambient air to the inlet of the manifold and second means coupled to conduit for communicating the flow cool air from said conduit to the inlet without obstructing ambient air flow to the inlet.

Abstract: A bedding system has provision for heating or cooling a person and for applying the heating or cooling only in areas of the bed where the person is located. A sealed three-ply heat transfer and insulating device covers the mattress, below the contour sheet or other covering which comes in contact with the person's body. A wicking contour sheet or other cover may optionally be used, capable of absorbing any condensation on the surface of the three-ply device. Between the lower two plies of the three-ply material is channeled flow of coolant liquid, at a regulated temperature close to human skin temperature. Above these two plies. i.e. between the middle ply and the upper ply, is a sealed envelope containing slightly pressurized air. A light weight, well-insulated comforter is also recommended to isolate the sleeper from the thermal ambient environment.

Abstract: A convection blanket for warming persons lying thereon. The preferred embodiment has four layers, two outer insulating layers, and two inner layers of metallic foil. The inner metallic layers minimize heat loss across the length of the blanket. A unique pattern of pinholes in the top layers allows a larger volume of warm air to exit the blanket at the end opposite the air supply hose. All layers are stitched intermittently to avoid distension of the blanket, without defining clear channels, assuring uniform distribution of air within the blanket.

Abstract: An air conditioning kiosk for human occupants and automatic teller machines or the like. Intake and exhaust compartments hidden beneath the roof communicate with the outside through openings in a recessed coving. A conventional vapor compression, room air conditioner, mounted beneath the intake compartment draws outside air for cooling the conditioner's condenser, and discharges the air to the exhaust compartment. Air drawn from the interior of the kiosk is cooled by the conditioner's evaporator and recirculated. A fan in the intake compartment maintains a continuous supply of fresh air at a positive pressure in the kiosk.

Abstract: A blanket assembly has an outer layer constructed of a relatively close weave fabric preventing air flow therethrough. Underneath the top layer is a second layer of material edge connected to the top layer and which is constructed of a material permeable to air, such as relatively thin taffeta, for example. A cavity exists between the two layers which receives pressurized cooled or heated air that passes through the air permeable layer to cool or heat the individual using the blanket assembly. A modified blanket assembly construction includes rigid edge wall members holding the outer and inner layers separated at a predetermined spacing reducing "pinch-off" between the layers restricting air flow within parts of the cavity or chamber. Peltier effect elements are selectively energizable to heat or cool air provided to the blanket assembly cavity.

Abstract: A chair with facilities providing refreshment and relaxation and more specifically includes a chair having an armrest with a beverage can or bottle cooler incorporated therein operatively associated with a refrigeration system and a small refrigerated compartment is provided in the vertical side portion of the chair below the armrest for refrigerated storage of refreshments or edible products in position for easy access to the occupant of the chair.

Abstract: A cooling cover (10) has an air inflatable pad (16) which may be positioned within a pocket (20) of a coverlet (18). The pad (16) formed of air impermeable material has plenum chambers (28) at opposite ends thereof, and a plurality of individual longitudinally extending passages (26) extend between the plenum chambers (28). Openings or air orifices (34) of a non-uniform pattern in the lower rounded surfaces of the inflatable pad (16) direct cooling air in a plurality of small air jets onto the body of a user of the cooling cover (10). A source of cool air (21) is connected to the inlet (30) for a plenum chamber (28) to deliver cool air to the pad (16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cooling a selected region. A portable enclosure is provided for encompassing the region and defining an opening at the upper part of the region. A portable heat exchanger is provided at an elevation adjacent the opening over the region. Coolant is circulated through the heat exchanger whereby ambient air is cooled by the heat exchanger and flows downwardly into the region.

Abstract: An airflow cover for controlling the body temperature of a patient covers a portion of the patient's body and provides a generalized thermal bathing of the covered portion through the delivery of a temperature controlled gas mixture to the covered portion. The cover is formed from a series of inflatable tubes which are joined together in a parallel array having an upper surface facing away from the patient's body and an oppositely directed lower surface which faces the covered portion of the patient's body. An entry port is provided through the upper surface and into one tube, transverse ports open between the tubes, and exit ports are formed in the lower surface. A thermally controlled gas mixture is introduced through the entry port, circulates in the tubes by means of the transverse ports and inflates the tubes, and exits through the exit ports in the direction of the covered body portion to provide the desired thermal bathing.

Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit which is independently removable from an equipment zone in a foodstuffs refrigerator is described. The modular refrigeration unit integrally includes compressor, condenser, evaporator, metering means and means for connecting said components in the relationship of a refrigeration cycle, and an air circulating means to provide a recirculating flow of air between the refrigeration unit and the food zone of the refrigerator. The modular unit may be used in a system of standardized refrigerators at multiple installations at separate locations, in which the refrigeration system of each unit is separately removeable from each unit and interchangeable with the others. Service and maintenance of the refrigerator is facilitated and useable storage space and sanitation in the food zone is increased.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ice cream machine for a domestic use which is placed and embedded in a piece of furniture such as kitchen furniture. The refrigerating coil of the ice cream machine includes a branch portion for permanently refrigerating the remaining free space of the furniture.

Abstract: An ice top meat cutting apparatus and method for forming the same, the apparatus including a frame having an upper support member extending substantially above floor level, side walls preferably made of an elastomeric material and connected to the support member and being movable between an upright position defining an enclosure having an open top, and a down position, and cooling apparatus associated with the enclosure for freezing liquid contained within the enclosure to provide an ice top having an upper cutting surface suitable for cutting meat thereon. A preferred method for forming and maintaining the ice top meat cutting apparatus includes the steps of moving the side walls to the upright position defining the enclosure, filling the enclosure with liquid, freezing the liquid contained within the enclosure to provide the ice top, and moving the side walls to the down position to provide an unobstructed upper cutting surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cooler including a pair of laterally spaced storage compartments interconnected at their upper portions by an intermediate planar member. Each compartment may include a closure such as a pivotal door. The cooler may have an additional removable compartment for drawer-like mounting between the laterally spaced compartments.

Abstract: A cooling and heating blanket comprising a blanket enclosure with heating means including a plurality of flexible elements positioned within the enclosure for being electrically energized for supplying heat to the enclosure, such that the enclosure may be retained above room temperature, and cooling means including a plurality of flexible fluid carrying conduits positioned within the enclosure through which a heat transfer fluid can flow, such that the enclosure may be retained below room temperature. Control means including an electric motor and a pump driven thereby located remotely relative to the enclosure is provided with flexible conduit means connecting the enclosure and the cooling means, and regulating means is operatively associated with the heating means and the cooling means.

Abstract: Wake-up apparatus includes an elongated hose having a funnel member at one end for coupling to the output side of a room air conditioner and a horizontally elongated rectangular outlet on the other end for placement on a mattress for directing air therealong. A rotatable damper vane mounted in the hose is controlled by a motor energized via an electric timer for driving the vane to an open position at a predetermined time for causing a blast of cold air along the mattress.

Abstract: A pillow includes an inner hollow chamber having an inlet for cool air at one end connected to a portable air conditioning unit. The chamber has thin flexible permeable walls permitting air to pass into a first surrounding layer of soft material. A non-porous air-tight lining directs the air toward one end of the first layer and around the lining through a soft outer layer toward an outlet at the opposite end. The layered construction provides uniform air distribution. Warm air from the outlet is directed both through a flexible hose to the air conditioner where it is cooled and recycled through the pillow. A detachable control unit is located adjacent to the pillow or bed. The cool pillow provides added comfort for restful sleep during hot humid weather conditions.