Hypobaric sleeping chamber

Abstract

A portable hypobaric sleeping chamber for acclimatization to high altitude or athletic conditioning is provided, capable of maintaining internal pressures about 0.1 to about 10 psi below ambient.

I claim: 
     
       1. A cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber with a length longer than its diameter having a size sufficient to accommodate no more than two reclining humans, having means for maintaining a selected internal pressure between 0.1 and 10 psi below the local ambient air pressure, and having means for providing fresh air to occupants of said chamber over a period of up to eight hours, said chamber further comprising: (a) an air-impermeable outer layer formed of essentially nonelastomeric material, and an inner frame of rigid or semi-rigid material, said outer layer and inner frame when formed into said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric chamber having sufficient strength to withstand an external collapsing pressure of approximately 30 psig;   (b) a substantially airtight ingress and egress means through said air-impermeable material of a size sufficient to allow a human to pass therethrough;   (c) said means for providing fresh air comprising a vacuum pressure release valve located in said air-impermeable material responsive to a predetermined decrease in said internal pressure within said hypobaric chamber below ambient pressure for pulling fresh ambient air into said chamber;   (d) said means for maintaining said selected internal pressure comprising a vacuum maintenance orifice located within said air-impermeable material through which air is removed from said chamber; and   (e) said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber weighing approximately 200 pounds or less.   
     
     
       2. The chamber of claim 1 having at least one window. 
     
     
       3. The chamber of claim 1 having an oximeter with an oxygen alarm. 
     
     
       4. The chamber of claim 1 having a self-sealing door having a vacuum gasket. 
     
     
       5. The chamber of claim 1 weighing less than about 100 pounds. 
     
     
       6. A cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber with a length longer than its diameter having a size sufficient to accommodate no more than two reclining humans, having means for maintaining a selected internal pressure between 0.1 and 10 psi below the local ambient air pressure, and having means for providing fresh air to occupants of said chamber over a period of up to eight hours, said chamber further comprising: (a) an air-impermeable outer layer formed of essentially nonelastomeric material, and an inner frame of rigid or semi-rigid material, said outer layer and inner frame when formed into said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric chamber having sufficient strength to withstand an external collapsing pressure of approximately 30 psig;   (b) a substantially airtight ingress and egress means through said air-impermeable material of a size sufficient to allow a human to pass therethrough;   (c) said means for providing fresh air comprising a vacuum pressure release valve located in said air-impermeable material responsive to a predetermined decrease in said internal pressure within said hypobaric chamber below ambient pressure for pulling fresh ambient air into said chamber;   (d) said means for maintaining said selected internal pressure comprising a vacuum maintenance orifice located within said air-impermeable material through which air is removed from said chamber; and   (e) said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber weighing approximately 2000 pounds or less. .Iadd.   
     
     
       7.  A cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber with a length longer than its diameter having a size sufficient to accommodate no more than two reclining humans, having means for maintaining a selected internal pressure between 0.1 and 10 psi below the local ambient air pressure, and having means for providing fresh air to occupants of said chamber, said chamber further comprising: (a) an air-impermeable essentially nonelastomeric material forming said chamber, whereby said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric chamber has sufficient strength to withstand an external collapsing pressure of approximately 30 psig;   (b) a substantially airtight ingress and egress means through said air-impermeable material of a size sufficient to allow a human to pass therethrough;   (c) said means for providing fresh air comprising a vacuum pressure release valve located in said air-impermeable material responsive to a predetermined decrease in said internal pressure within said hypobaric chamber below ambient pressure for pulling fresh ambient air into said chamber;   (d) said means for maintaining said selected internal pressure comprising a vacuum maintenance orifice located within said air-impermeable material through which air is removed from said chamber; and   (e) said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber weighing approximately 2,000 pounds or less. .Iaddend..Iadd.8. The chamber of claim 7 having sufficient strength to withstand an external collapsing pressure of approximately 30 psig. .Iaddend..Iadd.9. The chamber of claim 7 having means for providing fresh air to occupants of said chamber over a period of up to eight hours. .Iaddend..Iadd.10. The chamber of claim 7 weighing 200 pounds or less. .Iaddend..Iadd.11. A cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber with a length longer than its diameter having a size sufficient to accommodate no more than two reclining humans, having means for maintaining a selected internal pressure between 0.1 and 10 psi below the local ambient air pressure, and having means for providing fresh air to occupants of said chamber over a period of up to eight hours, said chamber further comprising:   (a) an air-impermeable outer layer formed of essentially nonelastomeric material, and an inner frame of rigid or semi-rigid material, said outer layer and inner frame when formed into said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric chamber having sufficient strength to withstand an external collapsing pressure of approximately 13 psig;   (b) a substantially airtight ingress and egress means through said air-impermeable material of a size sufficient to allow a human to pass therethrough;   (c) said means for providing fresh air comprising a vacuum pressure release valve located in said air-impermeable material responsive to a predetermined decrease in said internal pressure within said hypobaric chamber below ambient pressure for pulling fresh ambient air into said chamber;   (d) said means for maintaining said selected internal pressure comprising a vacuum maintenance orifice located within said air-impermeable material through which air is removed from said chamber; and   (e) said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber weighing approximately 200 pounds or less. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. A cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber with a length longer than its diameter having a size sufficient to accommodate no more than two reclining humans, having means for maintaining a selected internal pressure between 0.1 and 10 psi below the local ambient air pressure, and having means for providing fresh air to occupants of said chamber, said chamber further comprising:   (a) an air-impermeable layer formed of essentially nonelastomeric material, said chamber having sufficient strength to withstand an external collapsing pressure of approximately 13 psig;   (b) a substantially airtight ingress and egress means through said air-impermeable material of a size sufficient to allow a human to pass therethrough;   (c) said means for providing fresh air comprising a vacuum pressure release valve located in said air-impermeable material responsive to a predetermined decrease in said internal pressure within said hypobaric chamber below ambient pressure for pulling fresh ambient air into said chamber;   (d) said means for maintaining said selected internal pressure comprising a vacuum maintenance orifice located within said air-impermeable material through which air is removed from said chamber; and   (e) said cylindrically-shaped hypobaric sleeping chamber weighing approximately 2000 pounds or less. .Iaddend.