Heated Patents (Class 36/2.6)
  • Patent number: 11786801
    Abstract: Light-up and/or glowing gear comprising: at least one item of gear; and any device or mechanism to light up or glow, e.g., at least one light, lighting system and/or glowing device, etc. The at least one light, lighting system and/or glowing device being permanently or reversibly attached to the at least one item of gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventors: Karen L. Gayton, William E. Gayton, Jacob H. Gayton
  • Patent number: 11771173
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing footwear that facilitate distribution of a fluid held by the footwear to a foot of a user are described. A footwear structure embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a sole including an upper layer, a bottom layer, and an intermediate layer coupled between the upper layer and the bottom layer, the sole defining a cavity through the upper layer and at least a portion of the intermediate layer; and a fluid distribution structure sized and dimensioned to fit at least partially within the cavity, the fluid distribution structure including a fluid retention portion configured to retain a fluid for release to a foot of a user when the user introduces the foot onto the sole and in contact with at least a portion of the fluid retention portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: THOLI INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Krista Brons, Rachel Rebecca Baxter
  • Patent number: 11707406
    Abstract: A massaging system including a boot assembly, a sock assembly, a hydrotherapy assembly and a remote assembly is disclosed. The boot assembly includes a boot with a reservoir for water that is filled through a valve and sealed with a valve cap. Within the boot is a cavity to suspend a sock of the sock assembly within. Along the perimeter of the cavity are jet nozzles to spray water from the reservoir to the sock to provide hydrotherapy to a foot of a user received within the sock. Openings are also located about the perimeter of the cavity allowing water to be returned to the reservoir for continued use. The hydrotherapy assembly includes a water pump and a water heater that cooperate with the jet nozzles to control the settings thereof. The user is able to control the jet nozzles with a remote to customize the hydrotherapy received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Noelle Jumili
  • Patent number: 11684113
    Abstract: A footwear warming system and device includes a boot and a footwear warming device. The footwear warming device may include a cap and be generally shaped to fill a void inside the boot. Hot water, or other liquid, may be poured into the footwear warming device to warm a boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: MOUNTAIN VENTURE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Badger, Robert Jesse Taylor Badger, John Badger, Robert David Badger
  • Patent number: 11399596
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an insert configured to receive a foot of a wearer. The insert may consist essentially of a casing configured to at least partially enclose a foot of a wearer and including a casing material and a high heat capacity material. The article of footwear may also include an outer assembly configured to receive the foot of the wearer when the foot is received within the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mankowski, Jeffrey C. Spanks
  • Patent number: 11344076
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the footwear sector, principally the children's footwear sector, and relates to physiological footwear with dynamic configuration of microparticles used in a chamber between the insole and the sole. The sole has a counter and an irregular arrangement that simulates natural ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Ana Paula Pereira Lage
  • Patent number: 11284671
    Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear is provided and includes a midsole having a first surface, a second surface formed on an opposite side of the midsole than the first surface, a first cavity formed in the first surface and tapering in a direction from the first surface toward the second surface, and a second cavity formed in the second surface and tapering in a direction from the second surface toward the first surface. A first quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the first cavity and a second quantity of particulate matter is disposed within the second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hurd, Cassidy R. Levy, Tetsuya T. Minami
  • Patent number: 11259590
    Abstract: A heated boot cover is disclosed. The heated boot cover comprises a layered material formed into an upper which is attached to a sole. The heated boot cover contains a layer of woven material having an electrically conductive yarn threaded throughout. The heating layer is disposed between a layer of fabric in the internal space of the boot cover and a thermal insulating layer. The outermost layer of material is a water resistant material. The boot cover has a fastener, such as a zipper, which has electrical connections so that the heating element of the boot cover can only be activated when the fastener is secured. The boot cover may have a transceiver which allows the operations of the boot cover to be controlled by a smart phone or other computerized device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Boiler Room Outdoors, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Wright, Brian Schrock
  • Patent number: 11122856
    Abstract: An intelligent temperature controller for shoes includes a master chip, a heating unit, a temperature detecting unit detecting a current temperature of the shoes, a power source and a charging circuit connected with the power source, wherein the master chip is respectively and electrically connected with the heating unit, the temperature detecting unit and the power source, wherein the master chip controls the power source to supply power to the heating unit, wherein the master chip is communicated with an electric device to control the temperature of the shoes and provides operating states feedback to the electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Deming Kong, Guanxing Chen
  • Patent number: 11058173
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes a sole structure with an auxetic structure. The auxetic structure includes an aperture. The sole structure also includes an aggregate that is received in the aperture. The auxetic structure is resiliently deformable between a neutral position and a deformed position. The auxetic structure can move auxetically between the neutral position and the deformed position. The aperture deforms as the auxetic structure moves between the neutral position and the deformed position. The aggregate includes a plurality of particles that support the foot as the auxetic structure deforms between the neutral position and the deformed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Tory M. Cross, Bryan N. Farris, Elizabeth Langvin
  • Patent number: 10986906
    Abstract: A heated equipment bag includes: a housing providing a first compartment configured to receive a first piece of footwear, the housing further providing a second compartment configured to receive a second piece of footwear, the first compartment being separate from the second compartment; a first heater disposed in the first compartment and configured to produce heat; and a second heater disposed in the second compartment and configured to produce heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KULKEA, LLC
    Inventors: David Eric Abramowitz, Fernando Alberto Robert
  • Patent number: 10786035
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an article of footwear effective to regulate the temperature of the feet of a wearer. In an embodiment, the article of footwear includes an upper and an insole with a thermal effect membrane. The thermal effect membrane contains a plurality of system-reactive components selectively engaged heat and/or moisture. In an embodiment, the printed coating includes a cooling agent, a phase change material, and a heat dissipation material. The bottom of the sole structure of the article of footwear further includes a multiple openings in the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot regions. The multiple openings promote airflow into the interior of the upper. In operation, the article of footwear is effective to delay/diminish the rise in skin temperature (compared to footwear lacking the membrane and/or openings), increasing wearer comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: UNDER ARMOUR, INC.
    Inventor: Justin Howe
  • Patent number: 10499703
    Abstract: Linear movement of a heel strike sequence for a shoe insole can be converted into rotational movement. This rotational movement can cause rotation of an interior of a generator. Rotation of this interior of the generator can cause an electricity to be generated and outputted. The generator can be considered a source of damping, so at the start of the heel strike sequence the generator can be non-engaged. After some time, the generator can be engaged and in turn rotate. This can allow for standing inertia to be more quickly overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Nathan Sharpes
  • Patent number: 10492543
    Abstract: Heated socks used to keep a wearer's feet and toes warm. The heated socks include pockets for oxygen-activated chemical heating pouches which generate heat when exposed to air and via friction caused by the wearer when walking, jumping, or other activities and distributed through the sock from toe to ankle to heel. The heated socks are provided with extra cushioning on the bottom of the feet to aid in comfort for the wearer. The heated socks also keep the feet dry from moisture and perspiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Inventor: Tevian Parnell
  • Patent number: 10470503
    Abstract: Implementations of a clothing article with an integrated thermal regulation system are provided. In some implementation, a clothing article with an integrated thermal regulation system may be configured to heat a portion of a wearer's body by transferring heat from a warmer first region of the body (e.g., the calf portion of the leg or wrist portion of the arm) to a cooler second region (e.g., the plantar side of the toes or the dorsal side of the fingers). The transfer of heat is facilitated by a thermally conductive fluid that flows between a first thermal transfer bag in heat exchange contact with the warmer first region of the wearer's body and a second thermal transfer bag that is in heat exchange contact with the cooler second region, the thermal transfer bags being held in position by the clothing article into which they have been integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Danos, Jack A. Danos
  • Patent number: 10182621
    Abstract: A protective foot covering device keeps a wearer's foot dry, particularly while showering. The device includes a boot having an upper end, a lower end and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending between the upper and lower ends. The upper end includes a peripheral edge defining an access opening into a hollow interior of the boot. The boot further includes a shaft and a vamp. The shaft is coupled to and extends downwardly from the peripheral edge. The vamp is coupled to and extends forwardly from the shaft toward a toe of the boot. The boot has a slit extending therein defining first and second overlapping sections extending through the shaft downwardly from the upper end. A sole is coupled to and covers the lower end. A coupler is attached to the boot and removably couples the first and second overlapping sections together to close the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Steven D. Holt
  • Patent number: 9930928
    Abstract: Improved soles for shoes, in particular for sports shoes, are described. A sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, is provided, said sole having a cushioning element that includes randomly arranged particles of an expanded material and a control element. The control element is free from expanded material and reduces the shearing motions in a first region of the cushioning element compared to shearing motions in a second region of the cushioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventors: John Whiteman, Paul Leonard Michael Smith, Angus Wardlaw, Heiko Schlarb, James Tarrier
  • Patent number: 9517388
    Abstract: A ball includes a shell defining a spheroid. The shell includes an opening and a panel to close the opening. The panel has a sleeve that extends radially inward. A generation module is disposed in a cavity defined by the shell. The generation module includes a housing. A pendulum, an electric generator, and a battery are disposed in the housing. The pendulum is mechanically coupled to a rotor of the electric generator at a first axis of rotation of the pendulum and the electric generator is electrically coupled to the battery. An acceleration of the ball causes the pendulum to rotate about the first axis of rotation. The rotation of the pendulum rotates the rotor of the electric generator. The rotation of the rotor of the electric generator generates electricity, and at least a portion of the generated electricity is stored by the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Uncharted Play, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica O. Idoni-Matthews, Julia Claire Silverman, Victor Angel Mosti, Joel Manalo
  • Patent number: 9402427
    Abstract: A thermal distribution and regulation system for a garment that includes a self-contained heat source, such as a catalytic heat source. A heat manifold extends about a surface of the heat source and is mechanically adjusted relative to the surface of the heat source to control the contact surface area between the heat source and heat manifold to regulate heat conducted from the heat source. The heat manifold is configured to engage the surface of the heat source at more than one predetermined location to prevent inadvertent movement between the heat source and heat manifold. The system also includes a plurality of heat conductors coupled to the heat manifold and affixed to the garment. An end of each heat conductor is coupled to the heat manifold for conducting heat from the heat manifold to the garment to warm the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toni V. Adafin, Perry A. Bakken, Michael A. Jones, John H. Mohlke, Joel A. Gotelaere, Jeffrey E. Thompson, Charles H. Luong, Carl C. Voss
  • Patent number: 9314064
    Abstract: A heated insole for a shoe has an insole body and a removeable heating member. The insole body has a recess. The heating member is configured to be removable from and insertable into the recess while the insole is disposed within the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SCHAWBEL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Veronica M. Zsolcsak, Micha Eizen, Ian Nicholson Whitehead, Thomas John William Bayes, Dan Puccio
  • Patent number: 9220315
    Abstract: An indicator for a heated article of footwear that includes an outer shell and a removable inner liner is described. The inner liner includes a heating system with an indicator disposed on a forefoot region of the inner liner. The heating system is integrated within the inner liner and is removable with the inner liner from the outer shell. A viewing window is disposed on the outer shell at a location corresponding to the indicator located on the inner liner. With this arrangement, the status condition of the heating system on the inner liner may be communicated to a wearer of the article through the viewing window from within the interior of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Patricia L. Smaldone
  • Patent number: 9215905
    Abstract: A heat-generating shoe comprises a power generation device. When applying a force to the heat-generating shoe, the power generation device with applied force produces electrical energy by electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric effect without external power supply or replacing the battery, so as to generate power automatically during the user walking. More particularly, the present invention can increase the temperature inside the shoe body for preventing users from frostbite in cryogenic environment. Additionally, the present invention provides a variety of types of power generation devices, so a suitable power generation device can be adopted depending on the power demand, thickness of heat-generating shoe, and/or costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Shen-Ko Tseng
  • Patent number: 9190886
    Abstract: A foot-powered energy generation device includes a step plate that moves between an upper position and a lower position in response to the step action of a user. The device also includes an electrical generator, and a gear train that will cause a rotor of the generator to rotate in response to movement of the step plate up and down. A carriage is mechanically interconnected to the step plate and the gear train to cause the rotation of the gear train in response to the step plate motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sole Power, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew James Stanton, Hahna Alexander, Spencer Williams, Sarah Stroup, Arianna Golden
  • Patent number: 9179731
    Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing a customized sole with adjustable sizing is disclosed. The sole includes a fixed region and an adjustable region. The adjustable region is deformable when the sole is heated to a melting point associated with the adjustable region. The shape and size of the sole may be adjusted by deforming the adjustable region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Langvin
  • Patent number: 8869429
    Abstract: A heated insole for a shoe has an insole body and a battery. The insole body has a battery-receiving portion. The battery is configured to be removable from and insertable into the battery-receiving portion while the insole is disposed within the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schawbel Technologies LLC.
    Inventors: Veronica M. Zsolcsak, Micha Eizen, Thomas John William Bayes, Ian Nicholson Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8869428
    Abstract: A heated insole for a shoe has an insole body and a battery. The insole body has a battery-receiving portion. The battery is configured to be removable from and insertable into the battery-receiving portion while the insole is disposed within the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schawbel Technologies LLC.
    Inventors: Veronica M. Zsolcsak, Micha Eizen, Thomas John William Bayes, Ian Nicholson Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8850716
    Abstract: A remote control wireless heated insole system in which address data identifying specific insoles to be heated is provided. Once the heating process is initiated, periodic repeated control signals are generated to cause heating of the insoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schawbel Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Ian Whitehead, James K. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20140182164
    Abstract: An arrangement for regulating the interior temperature of footwear takes the form of an insole (or midsole) and includes a heat generator and a heat storage and release element, The heat generator may be configured to capture mechanical energy in the form of human locomotion and convert the captured energy into heat. Other types of heat generators may also be used. The heat storage and release element comprises one or more phase change materials that function to absorb generated heat (to keep footwear from overheating), as well as release the stored heat when the ambient temperature of the footwear drops below the transition temperature of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Nikita Krupenkin, Joseph Ashley Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140182163
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating thermal energy (heat) from human locomotion is proposed and used to provide heating of the user's footwear. The apparatus takes the form of a pair of flexible, liquid-filled chambers connected by an energy-generating tube. One chamber is located in the heel region of a footwear insole, with the other in the toe region, such that as a person walks, the liquid moves back and forth within the tube. This movement is used to also move an energy-producing element (either an electromagnetic arrangement or viscous liquid) back and forth within the tube and convert the captured human locomotion energy into thermal energy, thus warming the footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Nikita Krupenkin, Joseph Ashley Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140182162
    Abstract: An insole for a shoe includes at least a plate of thermoplastic material and a heating element. The thermoplastic plate is fully customizable. Fully customizable soles for shoes with heating elements, and a method for obtaining insoles or soles, especially for winter shoes are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Footbalance System Oy
    Inventor: Erkki Hakkala
  • Publication number: 20140059882
    Abstract: A heated article of footwear that includes an outer shell and a removable inner liner is described. The inner liner includes a heating system with a toe cap heating element. The toe cap heating element is disposed around a perimeter of the forefoot region of the inner liner. The heating system is integrated within the inner liner and is removable with the inner liner from the outer shell. A power source for the heating system is contained within a battery compartment area disposed along a cuff of the inner liner to provide access to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroslav Lupinek, Patricia L. Smaldone
  • Publication number: 20140059894
    Abstract: An indicator for a heated article of footwear that includes an outer shell and a removable inner liner is described. The inner liner includes a heating system with an indicator disposed on a forefoot region of the inner liner. The heating system is integrated within the inner liner and is removable with the inner liner from the outer shell. A viewing window is disposed on the outer shell at a location corresponding to the indicator located on the inner liner. With this arrangement, the status condition of the heating system on the inner liner may be communicated to a wearer of the article through the viewing window from within the interior of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaroslav J. Lupinek, Patricia L. Smaldone
  • Patent number: 8574281
    Abstract: A device and method for the sanitary provision of wax to the skin of patrons. Paraffin wax containers shaped to conform to the patrons face, hands, and feet provide individual reservoirs of paraffin which are heated and subsequently applied to the patron's body. Exothermic pouches are provided to heat the individual portions of paraffin wax housed in the body-part-shaped containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Nicholas Vracknos
  • Publication number: 20130247410
    Abstract: A heat-generating shoe comprises a power generation device. When applying a force to the heat-generating shoe, the power generation device with applied force produces electrical energy by electromagnetic induction or piezoelectric effect without external power supply or replacing the battery, so as to generate power automatically during the user walking. More particularly, the present invention can increase the temperature inside the shoe body for preventing users from frostbite in cryogenic environment. Additionally, the present invention provides a variety of types of power generation devices, so a suitable power generation device can be adopted depending on the power demand, thickness of heat-generating shoe, and/or costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: SHEN-KO TSENG
  • Patent number: 8528833
    Abstract: A portable heating system used to heat a person while in cold environments. A heating unit containing a fuel combustion chamber and a heat exchanger oxidizes a fuel to produce heat. The heat from the oxidation process is transferred to the fluid using the heat exchanger. The fluid either boils or simply becomes less dense than cooler fluid in the heat exchanger and thus more buoyant. Convection moves the heated fluid upwards in to a thin bladder encapsulating the fluid and held against a person. The elevated kinetic energy in the bladder creates an entropy differential to the person. This differential allows the kinetic energy in the bladder to flow to the person thus warming them. The fluid now having less energy, now denser, flows back down the bladder to the heating unit by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Robert Munson
  • Publication number: 20130219743
    Abstract: An electric heating sole comprises a sole main body (1). A heating layer (2) and a press type electric generator (3) are arranged in the sole main body (1). Heating elements are distributed in the heating layer (2). The heating layer (2) is connected with the press type electric generator (3). An intensive area (21) is arranged on the heating layer (2); the distribution density of the heating elements in the intensive area (21) is higher than that of the heating elements at other area of the heating layer (2); and the intensive area (21) is arranged at a position where the heating layer (2) corresponds to acupuncture points on the foot of a human body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Ying Ye
  • Patent number: 8510969
    Abstract: A footwear which includes a footwear sole, a footwear vamp, and a heating arrangement, wherein the heating arrangement includes a rechargeable battery, a control circuitry, a heater element, a heater switch, and a recharging inlet, wherein the control circuitry includes a switching circuitry and a status indicator circuitry electrically connected with the switching circuitry, a control outlet, an intelligence control circuitry electrically connected with the switching circuitry, a thermistor, and a power control circuitry electrically connected with the control outlet. The power control circuitry includes a voltage maintenance circuitry, wherein the intelligence control circuitry is electrically connected with the thermistor. The heater element is electrically connected with the control circuitry, and is controlled by the control circuitry to selectively generate heat for maintaining a predetermined temperature at the footwear sole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Danxia Luo
  • Publication number: 20120311885
    Abstract: The Thermal Footwear System includes an energy storage section adapted to store electrical energy and an energy release section electrically coupled to the energy storage section, configured to receive electrical energy from the energy storage section and utilize the electrical energy for production of thermal energy without requiring the use of energy overhead elements which cause expenditure of energy for other than heat generation. The Thermal Footwear System also provides for an energy storage section and a self-regulating energy release section printed on a substrate that can be physically separate and still remain electrically coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Kinaptic, LLC
    Inventor: Wylie Moreshead
  • Patent number: 8291612
    Abstract: Disclosed is a breathable insole heater element (12, 40) for footwear. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a porous metallized fabric, e.g. nickel-metallized polyester woven fabric. The heater element is embedded in or laminated in an insole for an article of footwear such as a shoe or boot. The insole may be cut to size as desired. The insole may include microencapsulated agents such as fragrances, perfumes, microbials or insect repellents. The microcapsules may be activated to release the agents due to the heat generated by the heater element in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: NEL Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20120260522
    Abstract: A heated shoe includes a main body, a sole, a heat conducting layer and a heat generating module. The heat generating module includes a power generating unit, a rectifying circuit and a heat generating unit, which are electrically connected in series. The power generating unit and the rectifying circuit are located in the sole, and the heat generating unit is located at the heat conducting layer. The power generating unit provides and outputs induced current, the rectifying circuit receives, rectifies and processes the induced current from the power generating unit. The heat generating unit converts electric energy from the rectifying circuit into heat, and the heat conducting layer outputs the heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: ZHENG SHI, JIANG-FENG LIU
  • Publication number: 20120005919
    Abstract: A shoe includes an outsole and a vamp connected to the outsole, a heating member is located in the outsole of the shoe and includes a circuit to transfer electric energy to thermal energy. A controller is connected to the shoe and is electrically connected to the heating member so as to activate the heating member to generate thermal energy. The controller includes a power source and a switch which is operated by the wearer to activate the heating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Shu-Lien Chen
  • Patent number: 8087409
    Abstract: A heater for footwear includes a seat having a space centrally defined therein. A spring is compressively received in the space in the seat. A friction mechanism is received in the seat. A cap is sleeved on the seat. The cap has a driving unit longitudinally extending therefrom. The driving unit extends through the friction mechanism for movably abutting against the spring in the space in the seat. When the cap is pressed/released, the driving is unit moved relative to the seat for engaging the friction mechanism to warm up the footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Chun-Yen Kung
  • Patent number: 8087186
    Abstract: A footwear including a body; a base structure; and one or more electrical energy generators disposed in the base structure for generating electrical energy upon application of an impact to the base structure. The footwear is used to produce electrical energy by impacting a base structure of the footwear; and vibrating a mass-spring unit in the base structure to generate an electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Tromas Spinelli
  • Patent number: 8074373
    Abstract: An electrically heatable in sole may include at least one sole base body and one covering layer, at least one heating electrode, at least one rechargeable battery that is electrically connected to the heating electrode, and a control circuit for controlling the heating process and the charging of the battery. Heating electrodes, rechargeable batteries and a control circuit are arranged in the base body of the sole and/or between the base body and the covering layer. The control circuit includes a remote control device for starting and stopping the heating process, and a protection circuit for disconnecting the rechargeable batteries in the event of an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Therm-IC Products
    Inventors: David Macher, Gerhard Schreiner
  • Patent number: 8015728
    Abstract: A shoe insert to be used for heating or cooling the foot. They are to be manufactured and sold as pairs of left and right shoe inserts. The insert has a number of components forming a sandwich within a sandwich. The outer sandwich has the shape of a shoe, and is partly adjustable in size to fit a range of shoe sizes. So, the inserts may be sold in sizes, for example, small, medium, and large, and these sizes may then be fine tuned to fit a sub-range of shoe sizes. The inner sandwich is smaller than the outer sandwich. The inner sandwich is a pouch positioned at the instep which ruptures when pressure is applied. This pouch contains a liquid that can then flow into a cushioned region. The cushioned region contains a chemical, which when combined with the liquid from the pouch, emits heat (exothermic reaction) or absorbs heat (endothermic reaction). An exothermic reaction would heat the foot while an endothermic reaction would cool the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: Eugene L Benfatti
  • Publication number: 20110127249
    Abstract: There is described an electric heating element for insoles of footwear is provided which comprises a flexible, generally flat sheet of material. The sheet of material is provided across its surface with heating means. The heating means is connected with a number of flat electrodes for electric direct current, and includes positive and negative electrodes which are electrically connectable to a positive and a negative power line, respectively. The heating means is of a planar, continuous configuration and adapted to produce heat when electric direct current flows therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Hotronic International Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Lopez TENIAS
  • Publication number: 20110083339
    Abstract: A footwear which includes a footwear sole, a footwear vamp, and a heating arrangement, wherein the heating arrangement includes a rechargeable battery, a control circuitry, a heater element, a heater switch, and a recharging inlet, wherein the control circuitry includes a switching circuitry and a status indicator circuitry electrically connected with the switching circuitry, a control outlet, an intelligence control circuitry electrically connected with the switching circuitry, a thermistor, and a power control circuitry electrically connected with the control outlet. The power control circuitry includes a voltage maintenance circuitry, wherein the intelligence control circuitry is electrically connected with the thermistor. The heater element is electrically connected with the control circuitry, and is controlled by the control circuitry to selectively generate heat for maintaining a predetermined temperature at the footwear sole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Danxia Luo
  • Publication number: 20100212183
    Abstract: A boot liner, for a ski boot, snowboarding boot, inline skating boot, mountaineering boot or the like, which boot liner is made, at least in a sub-region, of a material which is plastically deformable at a predetermined temperature (the deformation temperature (TV)), there being associated at least with the plastically deformable sub-region of the boot liner a woven or knitted planiform electrical heating element, by means of which at least the mentioned sub-region is heatable to the deformation temperature (TV).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: DEELUXE SPORTARTIKEL HANDELS GMBH
    Inventors: Sven Seliger, Gerald Rosner
  • Publication number: 20100192406
    Abstract: A wire-free, rechargeable electrically heated insole for footwear. The insole comprises an upper sole and a bottom sole separated by electrical components for controlling the continuous monitoring and heating of the insole. An insert and fiber plane are also provided as a cushion for the electrical components between the upper and bottom soles. The electrical components comprise a printed circuit board electrically coupled with a thermostat, an amplifier and transistor, resistors, and a light emitting diode to form the electrical system. An integrated battery is used to power the system. The insole is designed to be automatically activated to generate heat when the temperature of the foot inside the footwear cools to a certain temperature and automatically de-activated or discontinue generating heat when the temperature of the foot inside the footwear heats to a certain temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Albert Au
  • Publication number: 20100193497
    Abstract: A heater for footwear includes a seat having a space centrally defined therein. A spring is compressively received in the space in the seat. A friction mechanism is received in the seat. A cap is sleeved on the seat. The cap has a driving unit longitudinally extending therefrom. The driving unit extends through the friction mechanism for movably abutting against the spring in the space in the seat. When the cap is pressed/released, the driving is unit moved relative to the seat for engaging the friction mechanism to warm up the footwear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Chun-Yen Kung