Abstract: There is disclosed a shoe with an internal warming mechanism that includes a heat engine and, in particular, a heat engine operating on a substantially or quasi-Carnot cycle. The warming mechanism has a compressor for compressing a gas, a condenser for condensing the gas into a liquid, an expansion and evaporator zone for expanding the liquified gas into a gas and a return line to cycle the expanded gas to the compressor. The source of energy for compression of the gas is the movement of the wearer's foot in the shoe, and the heel of the shoe has a hollow cavity in which the gas compressor is located. The sole of the shoe has an internal heel plate which is coupled, on its undersurface, to a post which is mechanically linked to the gas compressor such that up and down movements of the post in response to the movement of the wearer's heel will drive the compressor and provide the necessary work to drive the heat engine.

Abstract: The footwear structure comprises a shell, including a sole portion and having a quarter connected thereto. The sole portion incorporates an electrical resistance heating circuit, electrically connected to terminals and at least one rechargeable storage battery. The structure further comprises a housing, positioned at a rear portion of the quarter, protruding rearwardly, and being adapted for removably receiving the rechargeable storage battery, and a switch for selectively electrically connecting the battery to the electrical resistance heating circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ski boot provided with self-powered electric and/or electronic devices. The surface of the boot is covered by a plurality of solar cells, which convert the solar radiation into electric energy which acts to integrate a series of storage batteries contained in a box-type body rigidly attached, in a preferably removable manner, with the footwear structure. The series of storage batteries may be recharged by normal external source of electric energy, while the solar cells have the function of integrating the charge allowing a longer operation of the devices. The electric devices are of the resistive controlled type, for heating the footwear while those electronic consist of means for controlling the correct closure of the boot and/or means for control of the efforts to which the limb of the skier is subjected during use. Such control devices may conveniently cooperate with safety means provided in the ski to determine opening of the safety bindings in case of dangerous overloads.

Abstract: A portable heater for generating and circulating heat in wearing apparel and consisting of a closed container for containing a liquid heat transfer medium therein and a second container which is received in the closed container and is adapted to receive a heat evolving means therein such as a combustible fuel stick of the type utilized in conventional hand warmers, the heat evolving means being received through an opening to the exterior of the improved heater assembly. A portion of the exterior walls of the second container are exposed in heat exchange relationship to the interior of the closed container for efficient heat transfer through the walls of the second container to a liquid heat transfer medium contained within the closed container.

Abstract: There is disclosed a shoe with an internal warming mechanism which comprises an electrical resistance coil in the sole or upper coverings of the shoe, and with an electrical generation mechanism in the heel of the shoe which is driven by the up-and-down movements of the wearer's heel which accompanies normal activities such as skiing, hiking, etc. The electrical generator includes an armature mounted for rotational movement in a magnetic field and mechanically connected to a vertical post which is dependent on the undersurface of the heel portion of the inner sole of the shoe. The post is connected through a vertical spiral groove to a sleeve which is coupled with an escapement to a flywheel that is unidirectionally driven by the sleeve. The flywheel is coupled through a gear train to the armature of the electrical generator.

Abstract: An electrical heating element intended to be incorporated in an inner lining of an item of clothing or accessory intended to be placed against a part of the human body, in which the heating element is formed by a ductile metal wire coated with an insulating lacquer, for example a commercially available insulated copper wire, fixed over its entire length to at least one metal sheet, preferably a sheet of aluminium having an adhesive side to which the wire is adhered. The wire can be disposed in meanders. It may be covered by an insulating sheet, and the metal sheet may have cut-outs therein.

Abstract: A heater device particularly for ski boots, which comprises, located on the inner shoe of a ski boot, an electric resistance heater positioned at the user's foot sole and connected to a storage battery accommodated inside said inner shoe. The storage battery is connected to a recharge socket located at the top portion of said shoe and is connected to the resistance heater through a switch. Also provided is a voltage limiter adapted to prevent the storage battery from being discharged to below a preset voltage level.

Abstract: A warming cap mountable on the toe of a boot. A flexible, heat conductive inner core can be shaped to conform the cap to the shape of the boot and an upper receptacle holds a heat source for generating heat.

Abstract: A portable furnace for generating and circulating heat in wearing apparel. The furnace consists of a compact closed container for containing a liquid therein and a second container is received in the closed container and adapted to receive a heating element therein through an opening to the exterior. At least a portion of the exterior walls of the second container are exposed to the interiors of the compact container for heat transfer through the walls to a liquid contained within the compact container. A flexible liquid conduit has both ends thereof connected for circulation of heated liquid from the container through the conduit and a positive displacement pump is connected to the conduit for hand manipulation to circulate heated liquid from the compact container through the conduit on demand.

Abstract: An enclosure arrangement for use in connection with a boot whereby a booted foot will be warmed selectively by a warming device placed within a chamber placed above an apertured instep portion of the boot.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exothermic body for use of an insole of shoes and so forth with elasticity, softness and flexibility, the exothermic heat of which is distributed uniformly along the entire area thereof. The exothermic body includes a foamed plastic sheet having cells therein, the cells being filled with an exothermic agent such as a mixture of iron, saline solution, activated carbon and woodmeal or pulp powder. The foamed plastic sheet is covered by an air-permeable thin film such as a thin perforated plastic film. A cushion material is provided on at least one surface of the foamed plastic sheet covered with the air-permeable thin film and the foamed plastic sheet together with the cushion material is covered by an air-permeable film cover.

Abstract: A flexible child's slipper (10) has a night light (12) associated therewith which may be selectively actuated by each step of the child as the slipper (10) flexes with each step. The night light (12) includes a hollow transmissive three dimensional character rendition which contains an illumination apparatus (26) inside. The illumination apparatus (26) comprises a transparent waterproof housing (28) which is formed of plastic except for a rubber seal (30) forming part of the surrounding wall. The housing (28) contains a light source (32), a battery (34) and a switch (40). A resilient pusher member (50) having a protrusion (56) is mounted on the front portion (20) of the slipper (10) and is disposed adjacent the switch (40) to act on the switch (40) and close it through the seal (30) during each step to illuminate the light source (32).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for externally and conductively heating at least a portion of the sole of a ski boot and for convectively heating substantially the entire inner surface of the ski boot while the ski boot is firmly, but removably, clamped against a flat surface with the flat sole of the ski boot in extensive surface-to-surface contact therewith so as to permit drying of wet boots, warming of cold boots, and/or softening of the molded foam interiors of the boots, to render such boots more comfortable while maintaining the flat sole of the ski boot rigidly clamped in a flat planar condition to prevent warpage thereof. In a preferred form of the invention, methods are disclosed for externally and conductively heating at least a portion of the sole of each of a pair of ski boots removably carried by, and clamped to, a boot and shoe tree and for simultaneously convectively heating the inner surfaces of both ski boots.

Abstract: A portable furnace for generating and circulating heat in wearing apparel. The furnace consists of a compact insulated case having a cavity therein which is adapted to receive slow burning solid fuel agglomerates for combustion. A liquid reservoir is positioned in the case for radiant heat transfer from the ignited fuel agglomerates in the cavity. A flexible liquid conduit has opposite ends thereof connected for circulation of the heated liquid from the reservoir in a closed circuit, and a pump is provided for hand manipulation to circulate the heated liquid through the conduit on demand.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for externally and conductively heating at least a portion of the sole of a ski boot and for convectively heating substantially the entire inner surface of the ski boot while the ski boot is firmly, but removably, clamped against a flat surface with the flat sole of the ski boot in extensive surface-to-surface contact therewith so as to permit drying of wet boots, warming of cold boots, and/or softening of the molded foam interiors of the boots, to render such boots more comfortable while maintaining the flat sole of the ski boot rigidly clamped in a flat planar condition to prevent warpage thereof. In a preferred form of the invention, methods and apparatus are disclosed for externally and radiantly heating at least a portion of the sole of each of a pair of ski boots removably carried by, and clamped to, a boot and shoe tree and for simultaneously convectively heating the inner surfaces of both ski boots.

Abstract: A heat insulating insert for a footwear which comprises a base sheet having a shape conforming with that of the sole of an average human foot and a toe cover at the toe portion of the base sheet for embracing the toe of the human foot. Porous bags containing exothermic agent therein are provided on the inner surface of the top of the toe cover and the toe portion of the base sheet in opposing and spaced relationship to the exothermic agent bag on the inner surface of the top of the toe cover and also in a portion of the base sheet corresponding to the plantar arch of the human foot. The exothermic agent performs exothermic reaction with the open air.

Abstract: A boot warmer having a compact portable heater unit for burning solid fuel agglomerates. The heater unit includes a liquid reservoir in heat exchange relationship with the fuel agglomerates. A liquid conduit circulates the liquid throughout a boot or a boot liner by means of a hand manipulated pump. The heat exchanger or unit and pump are exposed and attached to the top of the boot, or in the case of a boot liner to the top of the boot liner, with the provision of means to attach the unit to the top outside of a boot casing.

Abstract: A pair of superposed stitched together sections of fabric sheet material is longitudinally divided at one end portion to form a plurality of pockets respectively overlying the toe, instep and vamp portions of a boot or shoe. The fabric sections are removably secured to the boot. A flameless heater is disposed within each pocket.

Abstract: An improved hunting boot is provided which includes means mounted therein for generating heat and directing the heat generated towards the wearer's toes. The improved boot generally comprises an overshoe including one or more panels fitted to the contour of the foot from ankle to toes adapted to overlie the wearer's foot, and a sole member extending from the wearer's heel to toes, generally contoured thereto and adapted to underlie the foot. A thermal sleeve overfits at least the portion of the overshoe housing the toes of the wearer and is adhesively secured to the sole member thereof. A conventional catalytic warmer may be removably mounted in the pocket provided by the thermal sleeve. Adhesively connected to the sole member of the overshoe is a replaceable tread.

Abstract: A hollow heel is movably mounted in the heel area of the bottom of a shoe. A battery is mounted in the heel. Electric heating elements are mounted at the bottom of the shoe in the area of the sole thereof. A switch at the bottom of the shoe in the heel area thereof is operable by the heel of the foot of a wearer. A circuit at the bottom of the shoe electrically connects the battery, the heating elements and the switch in circuit whereby the heating elements are selectively energized by the battery via the switch.

Abstract: A heated inner sole for use in a boot where the inner sole comprises a cellular plastic material overlaid by a fabric material having heating elements therebetween. The opposite side of the cellular material has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon by which the inner sole may be affixed to the inside of a boot. The heating elements are connected by wiring to a battery contained in a battery case carried by slide means attached to the boot heel.