U.S. patent application number 10/911451 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-10 for apparel with optionally heated cavities.
Invention is credited to Johnson, John Anthony.
Application Number | 20050028401 10/911451 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34118919 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050028401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, John Anthony |
February 10, 2005 |
Apparel with optionally heated cavities
Abstract
An optionally heated boot includes an upper footwear portion and
a lower footwear portion which is attached to the upper footwear
portion. The lower portion contains a sole having an upper surface
and a lower surface. At least one cavity extends downwardly from
the upper surface of the sole. A heating element is removably
disposed within the cavity. An insole covers the sole and the
heating element. The upper surface of the sole has an opening to a
cavity therein. Similar cavities, generally in the form of pockets,
allow for the placement of a heating element into gloves and/or
earmuffs.
Inventors: |
Johnson, John Anthony;
(Ardmore, OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James T. Robinson
Exclusivity-Law, Inc.
222 East Main Street
Norman
OK
73069-1303
US
|
Family ID: |
34118919 |
Appl. No.: |
10/911451 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60492189 |
Aug 4, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/2.6 ; 36/28;
36/29; 36/3B; 36/30A; 36/30R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/0031 20130101;
A41D 19/01535 20130101; A43B 13/14 20130101; A43B 7/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/002.6 ;
036/030.00R; 036/030.00A; 036/028; 036/029; 036/003.00B |
International
Class: |
A43B 007/02; A43B
013/18; A43B 013/20; A43B 013/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An optionally heated boot, comprising: an upper footwear
portion; a lower footwear portion attached to said upper footwear
portion, said lower footwear portion further comprising: a sole,
said sole being characterized as having an upper surface and a
lower surface, said sole having at least one cavity extending
downwardly from said upper surface; a heating element removably
disposed within said cavity; and an insole covering said sole and
said heating element disposed within said cavity.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cavity filler having
a shape substantially the same as the shape of said heating
element, wherein said cavity filler is disposed within said cavity
when said heating element is removed because heating is not
desired.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said sole is further
characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a
rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region
generally midway between said front region and said rear region,
wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said front region of
said sole.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said sole is further
characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a
rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region
generally midway between said front region and said rear region,
wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said rear region of said
sole.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said sole is further
characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a
rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region
generally midway between said front region and said rear region,
wherein said cavity is located adjacent to the front region of said
sole and extends so that said cavity is also adjacent to the rear
region of said sole.
6. A lower footwear portion for attachment to an upper footwear
portion to form an optionally heated footwear, said lower footwear
portion, comprising: a sole, said sole being characterized as
having an upper surface and a lower surface, said sole having at
least one cavity extending downwardly from said upper surface; a
heating element removably disposed within said cavity; and an
insole covering said sole and said heating element disposed within
said cavity.
7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a cavity filler having
a shape substantially the same as the shape of said heating
element, wherein said cavity filler is disposed within said cavity
when said heating element is removed because heating is not
desired.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein said sole is further
characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a
rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region
generally midway between said front region and said rear region,
wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said front region of
said sole.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein said sole is further
characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a
rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region
generally midway between said front region and said rear region,
wherein said cavity is located adjacent to said rear region of said
sole.
10. The device of claim 6, wherein said sole is further
characterized as having a front region near the toe of the boot, a
rear region near the heel of the boot, and an intermediate region
generally midway between said front region and said rear region,
wherein said cavity is located adjacent to the front region of said
sole and extends so that said cavity is also adjacent to the rear
region of said sole.
11. An optionally heated glove, comprising: a glove; a pocket
formed by attaching a flap to said glove, said pocket having an
opening on at least one side; a heating element removably disposed
within said pocket and covered by said flap; and a closing means,
wherein said heating element is disposed within said pocket for
heating said glove and wherein said heating element is removed from
said pocket when heating is not desired.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein said closing means is a button
closure.
13. The device of claim 11, wherein said closing means is a snap
closure.
14. The device of claim 11, wherein said closing means is a
hook-and-loop closure.
15. The device of claim 11, wherein said covering is further
characterized as having a palm area and a back area, wherein said
pocket is located adjacent to said palm area.
16. The device of claim 11, wherein said covering is further
characterized as having a palm area and a back area, wherein said
pocket is located adjacent to said back area.
17. An optionally heated glove, comprising: a glove; a detachable
pocket, affixed to said glove using a hook-and-loop attachment,
with an opening on one side; and a heating element removably
disposed within said pocket through said opening, wherein said
pocket is affixed to said covering with the heating element
disposed within said pocket for heating said glove and wherein said
pocket is removed when heating is not desired.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein said covering is further
characterized as having a palm area and a back area, wherein said
pocket is attached adjacent to said palm area.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein said covering is further
characterized as having a palm area and a back area and having five
fingers numbered from the thumb, each of said second finger and
said fifth finger has a proximal region, wherein said pocket is
attached adjacent to the back of the proximal region of the second
(index) finger and to the proximal region of the fifth finger.
20. An optionally heated earmuff, comprising: an ear covering; a
pocket located within said ear covering having an opening at the
surface of said ear covering; and a heating element removably
disposed within said pocket, wherein said heating element is
disposed within said pocket for heating said earmuff and wherein
said heating element is removed from said pocket when heating is
not desired.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to apparel with optionally heated
cavities and, more particularly, to an optionally heated footwear
in which the insoles are removable to allow for the placement of
either a cavity filler or a heating element in a cavity extends
downwardly from the upper surface of the sole of the footwear. The
footwear is also referred to herein as shoes or boots.
[0002] Similar cavities, generally in the form of pockets, allow
for the placement of a heating element into earmuffs and/or
handwear devices, referred to herein as gloves, fingerless gloves,
or mittens.
DISCUSSION
[0003] The discussion that follows applies to heated footwear.
These same principles can be applied to heated handwear and ear
muffs.
[0004] Heated footwear devices provide a way whereby a wearer's
feet may be kept warm, especially in cold weather. These devices
increase the wearer's ability to withstand the cold allowing for
prolonged periods of exposure and reducing the likelihood of
frostbite. However, these devices typically alter the footwear
affecting its comfort.
[0005] Existing footwear devices do not disclose a boot worn with
either a heating element or a cavity filler in a cavity located on
the upper surface of the sole of the footwear.
[0006] In these respects, a boot with optionally heated cavities
according to the present invention substantially departs from the
conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing
provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of
maintaining warmth for a wearer's feet, especially in cold
weather.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of heated footwear now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a boot with optionally heated cavities.
[0008] An optionally heated boot includes an upper footwear portion
and a lower footwear portion which is attached to the upper
footwear portion. The lower portion contains a sole having an upper
surface and a lower surface. At least one cavity extends downwardly
from the upper surface of the sole. A heating element is removably
disposed within the cavity. An insole covers the sole and the
heating element. Similar cavities, generally in the form of
pockets, allow for the placement of a heating element into earmuffs
and/or gloves.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an
optionally heated boot which is comfortable and feels substantially
similar to a normal boot without placing the heating element in
direct contact with the skin.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
optionally heated boot which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
[0011] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become clear from the following description of the
preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of an optionally heated boot according
to applicant's invention wherein a cavity containing a heating
element is located in a front (toe) region of the boot under a
removable insole.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the heated boot shown in FIG. 1
wherein the removable insole has been pulled backward across an
intermediate section to permit access to the heating element held
in the cavity below.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of another optionally heated boot
according to the present invention wherein a cavity containing a
heating element is located at a rear (heel) region of the boot
under the removable insole.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top view of the heated boot shown in FIG. 3
wherein the removable insole has been pulled forward across the
intermediate section to permit access to the heating element held
in the cavity below.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of another optionally heated boot
according to the present invention wherein a cavity containing a
heating element is located under the length of the removable
insole.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of the heated boot shown in FIG. 5
wherein the removable insole has been lifted from the front (toe)
region and the rear (heel) region of the boot to permit access to
the heating element held in the cavity below.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of another optionally heated boot
according to the present invention wherein an integrated cavity
filler and insole has replaced the separate insole and heating
element shown in FIGS. 5-6.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a top view of the optionally heated boot shown in
FIG. 7 wherein the integrated cavity filler and insole has been
lifted from the front (toe) region and the rear (heel) region of
the boot to permit access to the cavity below.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of the optionally heated boot
according to the present invention wherein a cavity filler has
replaced the heating element shown in FIG. 5 in the cavity under
the length of the removable insole.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a view of an optionally heated glove according to
applicant's invention wherein a flap has been lifted to reveal a
pocket located on the back area of the glove, containing a heating
element, and illustrating a snap closure.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a view of another optionally heated glove
according to applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted
to reveal the pocket located on the back area of the glove,
containing the heating element, and illustrating a button
closure.
[0023] FIG. 12 shows another optionally heated glove according to
applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted to reveal
the pocket located on the back area of the glove, containing the
heating element, and illustrating a hook-and-loop closure.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a view of another optionally heated glove wherein
a detachable pocket having an opening adjacent to the second
(index) finger for receiving a heating element is attached with a
hook-and-loop closure to the back of the proximal region of the
second finger and to the fifth finger at substantially the same
point.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a view of another optionally heated glove
according to applicant's invention wherein a pocket located on the
palm area of the glove and having an opening on the thumb side
receives a heating element.
[0026] FIG. 15 shows another optionally heated glove according to
applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted to reveal
the pocket located on the palm area of the glove, containing the
heating element, and illustrating the hook-and-loop closure.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a view of a fingerless optionally heated glove
according to applicant's invention wherein the flap has been lifted
to reveal the pocket located on the palm area of the glove,
containing the heating element, and illustrating the hook-and-loop
closure.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a view of an optionally heated mitten according
to applicant's invention wherein a flap has been lifted to reveal a
pocket located on the palm area of the glove, containing a heating
element, and illustrating a hook-and-loop closure.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a view of optionally heated earmuffs according to
applicant's invention wherein a pocket containing a heating element
is located in each ear covering.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] In the following description, like numerals and characters
designate like elements throughout the figures of the drawings.
[0031] Referring generally to the drawings and more particularly to
FIGS. 1-2, a heated boot 50 in accordance with the present
invention is shown. The heated boot 50 includes a sole 52, a
removable insole 76, and an upper portion 54 for accepting a foot.
The upper portion 54 is formed by a pair of sides 56 and 58
attached to the sole 52 having a sole width 60. The sole 52
includes a front (toe) region 62, a rear (heel) region 64, and an
upper surface 66 extending from the front (toe) region 62 to the
rear (heel) region 64. The removable insole 76 covers the upper
surface 66 of the sole 52.
[0032] The sole 52 contains a cavity 68 having an opening 70 on the
upper surface 66 and extending downwardly. The cavity 68 extends
from the front (toe) region 62 toward an intermediate region 74 of
the sole 52. A heating element 72 resides and is removably
positioned within the cavity 68. The removable insole 76 closes the
opening 70 to the cavity 68 and covers the heating element 72.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, another heated boot 51 is shown.
A cavity 168 extends from the rear (heel) region 64 toward the
intermediate region 74 of the sole 52. Lifting the removable insole
76 from the rear (heel) region 64 reveals an opening 170 to the
cavity 168 and a heating element 172 contained therein (See FIG.
4).
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, another heated boot 251 is
shown. A cavity 268 extends from the front (toe) region 62 to the
rear (heel) region 64. In FIG. 6, lifting the removable insole 76
at the front (toe) region 62 and the rear (heel) region 64 reveals
an opening 270 to the cavity 268 and a heating element 272
contained therein.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, the cavity 268 extends from the
front (toe) region 62 to the rear (heel) region 64. In FIG. 8, an
integrated cavity filler and insole 382 is illustrated. This insole
382 is an alternate insole to the removable insole 76 (See FIGS. 2
and 4). A cavity filler part 380 of the integrated cavity filler
and insole 382 resides within the cavity 268 while an insole part
376 of the integrated cavity filler and insole 382 covers the upper
surface 66 of the sole 52. Generally, the cavity filler part 380 is
constructed of a material substantially similar to the material of
the sole 52.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 9, the cavity 268 extends from the
front (toe) region 62 to the rear (heel) region 64 as illustrated
in FIG. 5. The removable insole 76 covers the opening 270 (See FIG.
6) to the cavity 268 and a cavity filler 400 contained therein.
Generally, the cavity filler 400 is constructed of a material
substantially similar to the material of the sole 52.
[0037] Referring generally to FIGS. 10-17, and more particularly to
FIG. 10, a heated glove 450 in accordance with applicant's
invention is shown. A flap 476 attached to the back (posterior)
area 464 of the glove 450 forms a pocket 468. The flap 476 has been
lifted to reveal a snap closure 486 and a heating element 472. The
flap 476, when closed, covers the heating element 472.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 11, an optionally heated glove 451 is
shown. The flap 476 attached to the back area 464 of the heated
glove 451 has been lifted to reveal a button closure 488 and the
heating element 472. The flap 476, when closed, covers the heating
element 472.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 12, an optionally heated glove 461 is
shown. The flap 476 attached to the back area 464 of the glove 461
has been lifted to reveal a hook-and-loop closure 484 and the
heating element 472. The flap 476, when closed, covers the heating
element 472.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 13, an optionally heated glove 950 is
shown. A detachable pocket 968 receives a heating element 972
through a slot opening 970. The detachable pocket 968 is affixed
using pair of hook-and-loop fasteners 984. One hook-and-loop
fastener 984 secures the detachable pocket 968 to the back 964 of
the proximal region 960 of the second (index) finger 956. The
second hook-and-loop fastener 984 (not shown) secures the
detachable pocket 968 to the proximal region 962 of the fifth
finger 958. The slot opening 970 is adjacent to the second finger
956.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 14, another heated glove 650 in
accordance with applicant's invention is shown. An expandable
pocket 668 is formed by a flap 676 of expandable material attached
to the palm area 662 of the glove 650 creating a slot opening 670
to the pocket 668 into which a heating element 672 is inserted.
Generally, the slot opening 670 to the pocket 668 opens toward the
thumb 654 and is narrower than the heating element 672 so that once
the heating element 672 is inserted, the expandable pocket 668
contracts and the heating element 672 is secured.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 15, another heated glove 750 is shown.
A pocket 768 is formed by a flap 776 attached to the palm area 762
of the glove 750. The flap 776 has been partially lifted to reveal
a hook-and-loop closure 784 and a heating element 772. The flap
776, when closed, covers the heating element 772.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 16, a heated fingerless glove 850 in
accordance with applicant's invention is shown. A pocket 868 is
formed by a flap 876 attached to the palm area 862 of the glove
850. The flap 876 has been partially lifted to reveal a
hook-and-loop closure 884 and a heating element 872. The flap 876,
when closed, covers the heating element 872.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 17, a heated mitten 550 in accordance
with applicant's invention is shown. A pocket 568 is formed by a
flap 576 attached to the palm area 562 of the mitten. The flap 576
has been partially lifted to reveal a hook-and-loop closure 584 and
a heating element 572. The flap 576, when closed, covers the
heating element 572.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 18, heated earmuffs 1050 in accordance
with applicant's invention are shown. Heated earmuffs 1050 include
a left ear covering 1056 and a right ear covering 1058 and may
include an adjustable headband 1054 connecting the left ear
covering 1056 and the right ear covering 1058. Both the left ear
covering 1056 and the right ear covering 1058 include an opening
1070 to a pocket 1068 at the covering's surface 1066. The opening
1070 in the right ear covering 1058 is partially ajar to reveal a
heating element 1072 disposed within the pocket 1068.
[0046] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the invention's principles and its practical
application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the invention's scope be defined by the claims
appended hereto and their equivalents.
* * * * *