Author: claimsbot

1. A portable vacuum device comprising:
a debris collection chamber including an inlet and an inlet connector for attachment of a flexible hose;
a head portion detachable from the collection chamber and defining a space outside the collection chamber;
a first filter disposed within the collection chamber;
a second filter disposed within the collection chamber;
an airflow generating device disposed in the space, the airflow generating device normally drawing air in a forward direction from the collection chamber inlet, through at least one filter and then discharging the drawn air to a clean air reservoir outside the collection chamber; wherein
each said filter is respectively associated with first and second conduits in selective fluid communication with their respective filters, a switching mechanism of the vacuum device permitting air to flow via the respective filters either along a first path between the collection chamber and the airflow generating device or along a second path between the collection chamber and the clean air reservoir, the collection chamber being at a lower pressure than the clean air reservoir such that when air flows through the filter along the second path it flows through the filter in a direction opposite the forward direction to clean the filters, and
wherein the switching mechanism includes respective butterfly valves, each valve including a shaft and the shaft supporting a first distal disk and a second proximal disk longitudinally spaced along the shaft; and

wherein the first distal and second proximal disks each include first and second disk portions, the disk portions extending away from the shaft in different directions, the first distal disk controlling flow in the first path and the second proximal disc controlling flow in the second path.
2. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein:
the device operates in the first mode for a first period of time;
the device operates in the second mode for a second period of time; and
the second period of time differs from the first period of time.
3. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the airflow generating device comprises a fan rotating about a fan rotational axis; and wherein the fan rotational axis is oriented in a generally horizontal plane with respect to the surface on which the vacuum device sits; and
wherein the valve shaft extends in the same general direction as the rotational axis.
4. The vacuum device of claim 3, further comprising a shroud for segregating air entering the space via the collection chamber from air being discharged by the airflow generating device into the space.
5. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the airflow generating device comprises a centrifugal fan.
6. The vacuum device of claim 1, further comprising a manifold including a first manifold chamber operable to direct airflow along the first path; and
a second manifold chamber operable to direct the exhaust airstream along the second path.
7. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum device further comprises a separator plate separating the collection chamber from the space;
the separator plate comprises a platform and a plurality of legs depending from the platform; and
the legs and the filters extend from a lower portion of the separator plate; and
wherein the legs extend into receptacles in the debris collection chamber to guide the head portion as the head portion is positioned on the debris collection chamber.
8. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the butterfly valves including a first disc configured to selectively open and close the first path to air flow and a second disc operable to selectively open and close the second path to air flow; and
wherein the first distal disk and the second proximal disk are rotationally offset on the shaft; and
wherein the offset is about 45\xb0.
9. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes an opening, wherein air discharged into the space is exhausted from the head portion via the opening, and wherein air for the reservoir is drawn from the space.
10. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the discharged pressure of the air flow generating device into the space is higher than the pressure of the collection chamber and higher than the pressure in the air surrounding the vacuum device.
11. The vacuum device of claim 10, wherein a portion of the airflow generating device discharge is diverted toward electronic components for cooling.
12. The vacuum device of claim 10 further comprising an electronic switch mechanism configured to selectively open and close each of the first and second paths.
13. The vacuum device of claim 12, wherein the butterfly valve includes a first disc disposed in the first path and a second disc disposed in the second path, wherein the first disc is rotationally offset from the second disc on a common rotational axis.
14. The vacuum device of claim 13, wherein the first and second discs are connected to a rod rotated from a first position, in which the first path is opened and the second path is closed, to a second position, in which the first path is closed and the second path is opened.
15. The vacuum device of claim 1, further comprising a shroud for directing air from the discharge of the airflow generating device into the second path.
16. A portable vacuum device comprising:
a debris collection chamber;
a head portion defining a space outside the collection chamber;
a first filter disposed within the collection chamber;
a second filter disposed within the collection chamber;
an airflow generating device disposed in the space, the airflow generating device normally drawing air in a forward direction from a collection chamber inlet, through at least one filter and then discharging the drawn air to a clean air reservoir outside the collection chamber;
wherein each said filter respectively associated with first and second conduits in selective fluid communication with their respective filters, the vacuum device permitting air to flow via the respective filters either along a first path between the collection chamber and the airflow generating device or along a second path between the collection chamber and the clean air reservoir, the collection chamber being at a lower pressure than the clean air reservoir such that when air flows through the filter along the second path it flows through the filter in a direction opposite the forward direction to clean the filters, and
where each valve includes a shaft and the shaft supports at least one disk, the shaft separating the disk into first and second disk portions;
and wherein the selective fluid communication results from rotation of the disk by rotation of the shaft to open or close the first or second paths; and
wherein the first disk portion extends from the shaft in a first direction, the air flow generating device causing a pressure in the first or second path, the pressure acting on the first disk portion to cause a first rotational force on the shaft in a first rotational direction, and
wherein the second disk portion extends from the shaft in a second direction, the pressure caused by the airflow generating device also causing a second rotational force on the shaft in a second an opposite rotational direction, the first and second forces counteracting each other to minimize or eliminate a net rotational force necessary to open or close the valve.
17. A portable vacuum device comprising:
a debris collection chamber including an inlet and an inlet connector for attachment of a flexible hose;
a head portion detachable from the collection chamber and defining a space outside the collection chamber;
a handle attached to the head or the collection chamber for carrying the vacuum device;
a first filter disposed within the collection chamber;
a second filter disposed within the collection chamber;
an airflow generating device disposed in the space, the airflow generating device normally drawing air in a forward direction from the collection chamber inlet, through at least one filter and then discharging the drawn air to a clean air reservoir outside the collection chamber; wherein
each said filter is respectively associated with first and second conduits in selective fluid communication with their respective filters, a switching mechanism of the vacuum device permitting air to flow via the respective filters either along a first path between the collection chamber and the airflow generating device or along a second path between the collection chamber and the clean air reservoir, the collection chamber being at a lower pressure than the clean air reservoir such that when air flows through the filter along the second path it flows through the filter in a direction opposite the forward direction to clean the filters, and
wherein the switching mechanism includes respective butterfly valves; and wherein each valve includes a shaft and the shaft supports a first distal disk and a second proximal disk longitudinally offset along the shaft; and
wherein the first distal disk and the second proximal disk are rotationally offset on the shaft.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An oxygen supply device to be provided in a facility for fitness activities for supplying oxygen to a user of the facility, the oxygen supply device comprising:
an oxygen tank;
a pipe connected to the oxygen tank;
an oxygen mask; and
a joint for detachably connecting the oxygen mask to the pipe,
wherein the joint includes a socket provided for the pipe and a plug provided for the oxygen mask,
the oxygen mask includes a head attachment portion to be attached to a head of the user, a pipe body supported by the head attachment portion and having a front end portion extending toward a front side of the head of the user, and a tube connecting a base end portion of the pipe body to the plug,
the joint is opened to supply oxygen to the oxygen mask when the plug is fitted to the socket,
the joint is closed to stop supplying oxygen to the oxygen mask when the plug is detached from the socket,
the pipe includes a plurality of terminal end portions hanging from a ceiling in accordance with an arrangement position of a training machine, and the socket is provided at each of the terminal end portions, and
the oxygen supply device further includes a plurality of shape holding members disposed along with the terminal end portions so that each of the terminal end portions is maintained in a loop shape.
2. The oxygen supply device according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen tank is a liquid oxygen tank or a gas oxygen tank.
3. The oxygen supply device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal end portion includes a first end portion attached to the socket, and the tube includes a second end portion attached to the plug so that the tube is disconnected from the terminal end portion when the plug is detached from the socket.
4. The oxygen supply device according to claim 1, wherein the socket includes a spindle for opening the joint when the plug is fitted to the socket, and closing the joint when the plug is detached from the socket.
5. The oxygen supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the shape holding members is attached to each of the terminal end portions at a middle of the loop shape.

1. An applicator to enhance sleep by regulating the temperature of a subject’s frontal cortex when worn, the applicator comprising:
a thermal regulator region comprising a phase change material having a phase transition between about 10 degrees C. and about 40 degrees C.;
a thermal transfer region in thermal communication with the thermal regulator region, wherein the thermal transfer regions is configured to conform to and to contact a subject’s forehead so that the thermal transfer region is positioned against the subject’s head over the frontal cortex; and
a strap configured to hold the applicator against the subject’s head when the subject is sleeping.
2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulator comprises a plurality of capsules, wherein each capsule encapsulates the phase change material.
3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulator comprises a single body comprising the phase change material.
4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulator region comprises a plurality of capsules each encapsulating the phase change material, wherein the capsules are arranged in a matrix of thermally conductive and conformable material.
5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material comprises a paraffin.
6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the phase change material comprises a mixture of two or more different phase change materials.
7. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulator is configured so that the phase change material is maintained at about the phase transition temperature for greater than about 30 minutes when the applicator is worn by a subject.
8. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulator is configured so that the phase change material is maintained at about the phase transition temperature for greater than about 6 hour when the applicator is worn by a subject.
9. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer regions comprises a material having a thermal conductivity of greater than about 0.1 watts per meter kelvin (W(m*K)).
10. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer region is configured to position the thermal regulator over just the frontal cortex and immediately adjacent regions.
11. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer region is configured to contact the subject’s forehead but not to contact the subject’s periorbital or cheek regions of the subject’s face when the applicator is worn by the subject.
12. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer region is configured to contact the subject’s forehead but not to contact the back of the subject’s head when the applicator is worn by the subject.
13. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer region comprises a layer of thermally conductive material configured to contact the subject’s forehead when the applicator is worn by the subject.
14. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the strap is configured as a headgear.
15. An applicator to enhance a subject’s sleep by regulating the temperature of the frontal cortex when worn, the applicator comprising:
a thermal regulator region comprising a plurality of bodies each enclosing a phase change material having a phase transition between about 10 degrees C. and about 40 degrees C.;
a thermal transfer region in thermal communication with the thermal regulator region, wherein the thermal transfer regions is configured to conform to and to contact a subject’s head over the frontal cortex,
further wherein the thermal transfer region is configured to contact and the subject’s forehead but not to contact the subject’s periorbital or cheek regions of the subject’s face to regulate temperature when the applicator is worn by the subject; and
a strap configured to hold the applicator against the subject’s head when the subject is sleeping.
16. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the plurality of bodies comprises a plurality of capsules, wherein each capsule encapsulates the phase change material.
17. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the plurality of bodies are arranged in a matrix of thermally conductive and conformable material.
18. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the phase change material comprises a paraffin.
19. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the phase change material comprises a mixture of two or more different phase change materials.
20. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the thermal regulator is configured so that the phase change material is maintained at about the phase transition temperature for greater than about 30 minutes when the applicator is worn by a subject.
21. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the thermal regulator is configured so that the phase change material is maintained at about the phase transition temperature for greater than about 6 hours when the applicator is worn by a subject.
22. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the thermal transfer regions comprises a material having a thermal conductivity of greater than about 0.1 watts per meter kelvin (W(m*K).
23. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the thermal transfer region is configured to contact the subject’s forehead but not to contact the back of the subject’s head when the applicator is worn by the subject.
24. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the thermal transfer region comprises a layer of thermally conductive material configured to contact the subject’s forehead when the applicator is worn by the subject.
25. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the strap is configured as a headgear.
26. A method of enhancing sleep in a subject, the method comprising:
positioning an applicator having a thermal regulator region comprising a plurality of bodies each enclosing a phase change material having a phase transition between about 10 degrees C. and about 40 degrees C. and a thermal transfer region in thermal communication with the thermal regulator region so that the thermal transfer region contacts the subject’s forehead but does not contact the periorbital or cheek regions of the subject’s face; and
maintaining the temperature of the thermal transfer region at the phase transition temperature to enhance the subject’s sleep.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning comprises positioning the applicator so that the thermal transfer region does not contact the top or back of the subject’s head.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning comprises adjusting a headgear to hold the applicator to the subject’s head.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein maintaining comprises maintaining the temperature of the thermal regulator region at the phase transition temperature for at least 30 minutes.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein maintaining comprises maintaining the temperature of the thermal regulator region at the phase temperature for at least 1 hr.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein maintaining comprises maintaining the temperature of the thermal regulator region at the phase temperature for at least 6 hrs.
32. The method of claim 26, wherein positioning comprises adjusting the thermal transfer region of the applicator to conform to the subject’s head.
33. A method of enhancing sleep in a subject, the method comprising:
positioning an applicator having a thermal regulator region comprising a plurality of bodies each enclosing a phase change material having a phase transition between about 10 degrees C. and about 40 degrees C. and a thermal transfer region in thermal communication with the thermal regulator region so that the thermal transfer region contacts the subject’s forehead but does not contact the periorbital, cheek, top or back regions of the subject’s head; and
maintaining the temperature of the thermal transfer region at the phase transition temperature for more than about 30 minutes to enhance the subject’s sleep.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus for shielding an opening of a building, comprising:
a plurality of rectangular panels installable side by side to cover an opening of a building, each panel comprising:
a rectangular frame with pins fixedly attached at the ends of and extending outwardly from a first frame element, anchoring flanges fixedly attached to a second frame element opposite the first frame element, two or more locking flanges fixedly attached at positions on at least one of third and fourth frame elements, and a shielding material extending across the rectangular frame, wherein the anchoring flanges and locking flanges are placed on each panel such that they do not interfere with the respective flanges on other panels when the panels are stacked on top of one another in a nested configuration.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shielding material of the plurality of rectangular panels is arranged as a honeycomb.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shielding material of the plurality of rectangular panels is arranged as a solid sheet with a series of openings.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shielding material of one of the plurality of rectangular panels includes a hinged portion configured to allow access to the opening of the building without removing the panel.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shielding material and frame elements of the plurality of rectangular panes are made of at least one of:
aluminum;
stainless steel; and
high-impact molded plastic.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising anchoring points fixed in relation to the building and configured to interface with the two or more anchoring flanges; and
wherein the anchoring points interface with the two or more anchoring flanges by bolts fed through coaxially aligned holes in the anchoring points and the anchoring flanges.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising slots configured to interface with the two or more pins.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the slots are contained within a common rail mounted parallel to one edge of the opening of the building.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the two or more pins are tapered to allow the panels to pivot about the interface of the pins and the slots.