U.S. patent application number 12/363624 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for covering devices with warmer pockets.
Invention is credited to Christl D. Treptow, David Treptow.
Application Number | 20090193567 12/363624 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40930192 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090193567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Treptow; Christl D. ; et
al. |
August 6, 2009 |
COVERING DEVICES WITH WARMER POCKETS
Abstract
A covering device for a foot, hand or other appendage is
provided with at least one floating pocket configured to retain a
warming device near a particular region of the appendage, for
example the toe region of a foot, while facilitating the flow of
air around the warming device to enhance its efficacy.
Inventors: |
Treptow; Christl D.; (Vista,
CA) ; Treptow; David; (Vista, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
40930192 |
Appl. No.: |
12/363624 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61025714 |
Feb 1, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/239 ;
2/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 11/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/239 ;
2/247 |
International
Class: |
A43B 17/00 20060101
A43B017/00; A41D 27/20 20060101 A41D027/20 |
Claims
1. A sock configured for use with the leg of a user, comprising: a
main body portion having a first end, a second end and an upper
surface; and a generally rectangular pocket portion configured to
retain a heating device and including a top layer, a bottom layer,
a first pair of opposing sides, a second pair of opposing sides,
and a cavity disposed between the top and bottom layers, the first
pair of opposing sides, and the second pair of opposing sides,
wherein at least a portion of the first pair of opposing sides of
the pocket portion are fixed to the main body portion and a
substantial portion of the second pair of opposing sides of the
pocket portion are separate from the main body portion to
facilitate the movement of air between the bottom layer of the
pocket portion and the upper surface of the main body portion.
2. The sock of claim 1, wherein the second end of the main body
portion corresponds to a toe region of the sock and the pocket
portion is attached to the main body portion near the second
end.
3. The sock of claim 1, wherein the first end of the main body
portion includes an opening and an elastic ribbed portion.
4. The sock of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom layers of the
pocket portion are formed of a single layer of material folded over
itself so that the first pair of opposing sides includes the fold
on one side and overlapped top and bottom layers on the second
side.
5. The sock of claim 4, wherein the bottom layer along the second
side of the first pair of opposing sides is substantially fixed to
the main portion of the sock and at least a portion of the top
layer along the second side of the first pair of opposing sides is
substantially unattached to the bottom layer to form an opening to
the cavity along the second side of the first pair of opposing
sides.
6. The sock of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom layers of the
pocket portion are formed of a single layer of material folded over
itself so that the second pair of opposing sides includes the fold
on one side and overlapped top and bottom layers on the second
side.
7. The sock of claim 6, wherein the second side of the second pair
of opposing sides forms an opening to the cavity.
8. The covering device of claim 6, at least one of the sides in the
first pair of opposing sides forms an opening to the cavity.
9. A covering device configured for use with the appendage of a
user, comprising: a main body portion having a first end, a second
end and an upper surface; and a pocket portion configured to retain
a heating device and including a top layer, a bottom layer and a
cavity disposed between the top and bottom layers, wherein the
pocket portion is attached to the main body portion such that air
is generally permitted to flow between the bottom layer of the
pocket portion and the upper surface of the main body portion.
10. The covering device of claim 9, wherein the main body portion
comprises a sock.
11. The covering device of claim 10, wherein the second end of the
main body portion corresponds to a toe region of the sock and the
pocket portion is attached to the main body portion near the second
end.
12. The covering device of claim 9, wherein the top and bottom
layers of the pocket portion are formed of a single layer of
material folded over itself so that the cavity includes four sides,
one being bound by the fold and the other three being at least
partially closed.
13. The covering device of claim 12, wherein two of the three
partially closed sides are stitched to the main body portion of the
covering device.
14. The covering device of claim 9, wherein the main body portion
comprises first and second sides and the pocket portion comprises
first and second unattached sides and first and second attached
sides, at least a portion of the first and second attached sides of
the pocket portion being attached to the main body portion along a
portion of the first and second sides of the main body portion.
15. The covering device of claim 14, wherein the pocket portion is
stitched to the main body portion.
16. The covering device of claim 14, wherein access to the cavity
is permitted through one of the first and second unattached sides
of the pocket portion.
17. The covering device of claim 14, wherein access to the cavity
is permitted through one of the first and second attached sides of
the pocket portion.
18. The covering device of claim 9, wherein access to the cavity is
permitted through a selectively closable opening.
19. The covering device of claim 18, wherein the selectively
closable opening includes a button to selectively secure the top
and bottom layers of the pocket portion to each other near the
opening.
20. The covering device of claim 18, wherein the selectively
closable opening includes a hook and loop type fastener to
selectively secure the top and bottom layers of the pocket portion
to each other near the opening.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/025,714, filed Feb. 1, 2008
(entitled "COVERING DEVICES WITH WARMER POCKETS").
[0002] The present application incorporates by reference the entire
disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/025,714,
filed Feb. 1, 2008 (entitled "COVERING DEVICES WITH WARMER
POCKETS").
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the invention herein relate to socks, gloves,
mittens, liners and other appendage covering devices including one
or more pockets for receiving heating devices to enhance the warmth
provided by the covering device. More particularly, one or more of
the pockets are floating pockets to enhance the air flow around the
pockets and their contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Some embodiments of these inventions are intended to provide
a warmer covering than available from a covering without a warmer
pocket. In one embodiment, a covering device for an appendage is
provided comprising a main portion with a first end and a second
end, the first end including a hole to facilitate the insertion of
an appendage into the covering device and the second end being
substantially closed. The covering device further including at
least one floating pocket in the region of the second end
configured to retain a warming device spaced apart from main
portion of the covering device. Such spacing is particularly useful
when the pocket is used to hold an air activated warming device as
the spacing facilitates the movement of more air around the warming
device than permitted when the main portion of the covering device
cooperates with the pocket to hold the warming device.
[0005] In some embodiments, a covering device configured for use
with the appendage of a user includes a main body portion having a
first end, a second end and an upper surface and a pocket portion.
The pocket portion may be configured to retain a heating device and
may include a top layer, a bottom layer and a cavity disposed
between the top and bottom layers. The pocket portion is attached
to the main body portion so that air is generally permitted to flow
between the bottom layer of the pocket and the upper surface of the
main body portion.
[0006] In some embodiments, the top and bottom layers of the pocket
portion are formed of a single layer of material folded over itself
so that the cavity includes four sides, one being bound by the fold
and the other three being at least partially closed.
[0007] In some embodiments, the main body portion comprises first
and second sides and the pocket portion comprises first and second
unattached sides and first and second attached sides, at least a
portion of the first and second attached sides of the pocket
portion being attached to the main body portion along a portion of
the first and second sides of the main body portion. In some
embodiments, the opening to the cavity corresponds with one of the
unattached sides. In some embodiments, the opening to the cavity
corresponds with one of the attached sides. In some embodiments,
the opening to the cavity is selectively closable.
[0008] In some embodiments, a sock is configured for use with the
leg of a user and includes a main body portion having a first end,
a second end and an upper surface and a generally rectangular
pocket portion configured to retain a heating device. The pocket
portion includes a top layer, a bottom layer, a first pair of
opposing sides, a second pair of opposing sides, and a cavity
disposed between the top and bottom layers, the first pair of
opposing sides, and the second pair of opposing sides. In some
embodiments, at least a portion of the first pair of opposing sides
of the pocket portion are fixed to the main body portion and a
substantial portion of the second pair of opposing sides of the
pocket portion are separate from the main body portion to
facilitate the movement of air between the bottom layer of the
pocket portion and the upper surface of the main body portion. In
some embodiments, the second end of the main body portion
corresponds to a toe region of the sock and the pocket portion is
attached to the main body portion near the second end. In some
embodiments, the first end of the main body portion includes an
opening and an elastic ribbed portion.
[0009] In some embodiments, the top and bottom layers of the pocket
portion are formed of a single layer of material folded over itself
so that the first pair of opposing sides includes the fold on one
side and overlapped top and bottom layers on the second side.
[0010] In some embodiments, the bottom layer along the second side
of the first pair of opposing sides is substantially fixed to the
main portion of the sock and at least a portion of the top layer
along the second side of the first pair of opposing sides is
substantially unattached to the bottom layer to form an opening to
the cavity along the second side of the first pair of opposing
sides.
[0011] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the top and bottom
layers of the pocket portion are formed of a single layer of
material folded over itself so that the second pair of opposing
sides includes the fold on one side and overlapped top and bottom
layers on the second side. In some embodiments, the second side of
the second pair of opposing sides forms an opening to the cavity.
In some embodiments, at least one of the sides in the first pair of
opposing sides forms an opening to the cavity.
[0012] For purposes of summarizing embodiments of the invention and
advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and
advantages of the embodiments have been described above and as
further described below. Of course, it is to be understood that not
necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in
accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus,
for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that
embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a manner that
achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as
taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or
advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
[0013] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope
of the invention herein described. These and other embodiments of
the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the
inventions not being limited to any particular preferred
embodiment(s) disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of a first side of an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view of a second side of an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an end view of an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an end view of an embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG.
4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] With respect to covering devices for appendages, the
coverings need to provide adequate warmth while still permitting
use of the appendages. The warmth provided by the covering device
may be enhanced by including a pocket therein or thereon which can
retain a warming device, for example, an air activated chemical
heating pouch.
[0023] FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a covering device including an
embodiment of a floating warming pocket. Referring now to FIG. 1,
the covering device includes a sock 10 having a main portion 12 and
first and second sides 32, 34. A first or leg end 14 includes a
hole or opening 16 to facilitate the insertion of a foot (not
shown) into the sock 10. In some embodiments, an upper region 22
near the leg end 14 includes an elastic ribbed portion 24
configured to hold the sock 10 in position on a user's leg.
[0024] The main portion 12 further includes a second or toe end 18
which may be substantially closed. In some embodiments, a toe
region 20 near the toe end 18 includes at least one floating pocket
26 with an inner cavity 42 configured to retain a heating pouch
(not shown) in the vicinity of the toe region 20 during use.
Advantageously, the floating pocket 26 including a top layer 28 and
bottom layer 30 is configured to hold the pouch away from the main
portion 12 of the sock 10 while still retaining the pouch in a
substantially fixed position during use. The bottom layer 30 of
floating pocket 26 may rest on the top surface 36 of the main
portion 12, particularly during use. In some embodiments, the
floating pocket 26 may be formed by folding a single piece of
material over itself to form inner cavity 42 that would accept a
heating pouch between the top 28 and bottom 30 pouch layers and
then stitching or otherwise attaching the material at or near the
sides 32, 34 of the sock 10. In the illustrated embodiment, first
and second sides 48, 50 are attached to sides 32, 34 of the sock,
respectively. The top and bottom layers at open end 44 of the
pocket 26 are preferably not attached to the sock 10 to facilitate
the flow or air between the sock 10 and the pocket 26. Similarly,
the closed end 46 of the pocket 26 is preferably left detached from
the sock 10 to facilitate air flow between the pocket 26 and the
sock 10. Alternatively, two separate pieces of material may be
stitched or otherwise attached together leaving a cavity for the
insertion of the heating pouch between the material pieces. The
coupled pieces of material could then be attached to the sock.
Other alternatives are also possible. For example, the pocket can
be integrally formed with the sock during the manufacture of the
sock.
[0025] Advantageously, the floating pocket 26 is attached to the
sock 10 such that air may pass between the bottom layer 30 of the
floating pocket 26 and the top surface 36 of the sock 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, the floating pocket 26 is attached along
two sides, one on either side 32, 34 of the sock 10. Often, heating
pouches require air to activate their heating properties. The more
air that is allowed to circulate around the pouch, the more
effective the pouch is at generating heat. In prior art socks, a
fixed pocket was formed on the top surface of the sock. Because the
top of the sock formed the bottom of the pocket, the pocket trapped
the heating pouch directly against the top of the sock,
disadvantageously limiting the air that could pass beneath the
heating pouch. In addition, the fixed pockets in the prior art were
stitched around 3 sides, the lateral stitching extending from one
side of the sock to the other side of the sock across the top of
the sock limited the sock's natural ability to expand to fit an
appendage placed into it. Some embodiments of the presently
disclosed floating pocket accommodate wide feet better by allowing
the sock to naturally expand.
[0026] In some embodiments, the pocket 26 may be attached to the
sock 10 by its laterally extending sides 44, 46, leaving the
longitudinal sides 48, 50 unattached to facilitate the flow of air
between the pocket 26 and the sock 10. In some embodiments, the
opening to the cavity 42 is disposed along an un-attached side, as
shown in the illustrated embodiments. Alternatively, the opening to
the cavity may be disposed on an attached side. In some such
embodiments, at least a portion of the top layer along the attached
side is preferably not attached to the sock to permit insertion of
a warming device between the top and bottom layers of the pocket.
As would be understood by one of skill in the art, other pocket
shapes are also possible which may be attached to the covering
device to facilitate the flow of air between the pocket and the
sock while providing a space to hold a warming device.
[0027] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a sock 10 including an embodiment
of a floating pocket 26 in the toe region 20. The sock 10 may be
provided with varying materials and/or stitching patterns in
certain regions to enhance the durability, elasticity, and/or one
or more other properties of the sock in those regions. For example,
the pocket 26 may be made from a thinner material than the rest of
the sock to enhance air flow around the pocket 26 and to minimize
the thickness of the portion of the sock 10 including the pocket
26.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a sock 10 including an embodiment
of a floating pocket 26. The sock 10 may be contoured to better fit
a user's foot during use, as shown in the figures.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of a sock 10 including an embodiment
of a floating pocket 26 having its side 48 attached at side 32 of
the sock 10.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side view of a sock 10 including an embodiment
of a floating pocket 26 having its side 50 attached at side 34 of
the sock 10.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an end view of a sock 10 seen from the toe end 18
of the sock 10. The floating pocket 26 is shown with airflow space
38 between the top layer 36 of the sock 10 and the bottom layer 30
of the pocket 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the floating
pocket 26 is attached along at least a portion of its sides 48, 50
with the longitudinal ends 44, 46 open to facilitate the flow of
air under the pocket 26 and above the top surface 36 of the sock
10.
[0032] FIG. 7 is an end view of a sock 10 seen from the leg end 14
of the sock 10. The floating pocket 26 is again shown with airflow
space 38 between the top layer 36 of the sock 10 and the bottom
layer 30 of the pocket 26.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the toe region 20 of sock 10.
In some embodiments, the open end 44 of the floating pocket 26 may
be provided with a selectively closable portion, for example, a
button or a hook and loop type fastener such as Velcro.RTM., to
help retain the heating pouch in the pocket 26 during use.
[0034] Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of
certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the invention extends beyond the
specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments
and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and
equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of
the inventions have been shown and described in detail, other
modifications, which are within the scope of the invention, will be
readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this
disclosure. For example, the covering device may be a glove or
mitten with a floating pocket configured to selectively hold a
heating pouch in a generally fixed position while permitting air
flow between the pocket and the covering device. It is also
contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the
specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and
still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it
should be understood that various features and aspects of the
disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one
another in order to perform varying modes of the disclosed
invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the invention
herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed
embodiments described above.
* * * * *