Apparel Patents (Class 219/211)
  • Publication number: 20120061371
    Abstract: A system and method for actively warming outerwear of a skiier, in particular through the gloved hand of a skier. Ski racers who require a protective, lightweight and sleek glove suitable for coming into contact at high speed with the plastic gates typically used on race courses. The present invention comprises an electrically-couplable ski pole and glove/strap. In disclosed embodiments, the ski pole contains a battery power source (preferably rechargeable) which connects electrically to a heating element sewn into a mating glove, e.g., via a releasable strap integrated into the glove. The invention eliminates the bulk and weight of an in-glove chemical pack or self-contained battery heating systems, where the heat pack or power source is integrated into the glove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Molly B. Broom
  • Patent number: 8133264
    Abstract: A therapeutic heating sleeve (10) consisting of a laminate pad (20) with an exterior cover (22), a batting (24), a polyester lining (26), a heating wire (28) and an interior lining (30) having a hook and loop fastener (32) that is attached on the exterior cover (22) and the interior lining (30). The laminate pad (20) has a lower portion that is in the shape of a human arm and an upper portion that is in the shape of a human shoulder. The heating sleeve (10) is completed by overlapping the pad's right side onto the pad's left side and attaching the two sides with the hook and loop fastener (32), thereby forming an open-ended sleeve. An electrical control is removably attached to the laminate pad (20) for applying electrical energy to the heating wire (28), thereby creating heat for baseball pitchers to warm up their arm and shoulder prior to pitching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald P. LaFontaine
  • Publication number: 20120024833
    Abstract: This invention relates to a temperature sensor for body temperature measurements. The temperature sensor is made of several layers, where a first layer has a central heater embedded therein, a second layer which is attached to the first layer has at least one first thermistor embedded therein for measuring a first temperature value, a third layer has at one ore second thermistor embedded therein separated from the first thermistor for measuring at least one second temperature value, but this third layer is adapted to be in contact to the skin of the surface of the body for conducting the heat escaping from the body through the layers. The difference between the first and the second temperature values indicates the heat flux from the body. The heat emitted from central heater is tuned oppositely to the heat flux until a zero heat flux is reached, where the temperature at the at least one second thermistor at zero heat flux indicates the body temperature. These layers are fabric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Jasper Klewer, Amy Cheung, Liesbeth Van Pieterson, Erik Bakkers
  • Patent number: 8106338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating element for heating at least one surface contacted at times by a user, with a plurality of heating conductors or heating conductor sections that are directly or indirectly connected electrically to one another, at least in part by mutual contact, with at least one heating conductor or heating conductor section which, upon exceeding a permissible maximum temperature, at least temporarily loses its electrical conductivity at least in part. It is provided that the electrical resistance of at least two heating conductors or heating conductor sections is dependent at least in part on its mechanical strain, that these heating conductors or heating conductor sections are electrically connected to one another in parallel, and that they are separated from one another at least in sections by a spacing zone in order to prevent electrical connection between them in spacing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 8099796
    Abstract: Fibers, such as textile fibers, having electrical components deposited thereon. More particularly, one or more electrical components are formed directly onto the surface of at least one fiber. The fiber having the electrical component formed thereon may then be interlaced with other fibers to form a larger piece of fabric, which can be employed to produce an article of clothing. A group of transistors and piezoelectric components forming an accelerometer may be woven onto one or more natural or synthetic fibers. The fibers may then be employed as the warp, weft, or both, of a woven piece of fabric, or used to form a knitted piece of fabric. The fabric piece can then be cut and sewn to form a wearable item, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, or the upper piece of a shoe that includes the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Swatee N. Surve
  • Patent number: 8099797
    Abstract: Composite foams or leather materials (synthetic or natural) have electrical components deposited thereon. More particularly, one or more electrical components are formed directly onto the surface of the composite foam or the leather material. A group of transistors and piezoelectric components forming an accelerometer may be formed onto a surface of a composite foam or a leather material and incorporated into an article of wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Swatee N. Surve
  • Patent number: 8097832
    Abstract: A heating device for an article specially worn in the water activities includes a magnetic unit, a power source unit, an inductive unit, a control unit, a heating unit, and a display unit. In this device, the magnetic unit is to generate a magnetic output. The power source unit is to provide a power source needed by the device. The inductive unit, induced by the magnetic force of the magnetic unit, generates an inductive signal output. The control unit, electrically connected to the power source unit and the inductive unit, generates a control signal output by receiving an inductive signal output from the inductive unit. The heating unit is electrically connected to the control unit and is driven by the control signal output from the control unit to process a heating procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Petatech International Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chia-Chin Huang, Chiun Tseng
  • Patent number: 8084722
    Abstract: A controllable thermal warming device for delivering heat to an object by radio frequency signal. The controllable thermal warming device may include a thermal ink heating element comprising a substrate and a conductive ink fixedly disposed on the substrate, a power source operatively coupled to the conductive ink, the power source adapted to deliver a voltage to the conductive ink to cause the conductive ink to radiate heat, a controller operatively coupled to the power source and the conductive ink, the controller adapted to control the voltage delivered to the conductive ink and to detect an operating characteristic of the conductive ink and adjust the voltage in response to the operating characteristic, and means for controlling the controller by radio frequency. The controllable thermal warming device may also include a sensor to provide the operating characteristic to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: William S. Haas, William J. Haas
  • 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: 8076613
    Abstract: The invention depicts and describes a panel heating device (1) for placing in the area of floors, walls or ceilings, comprising an electrically conductive layer (2), another first layer (3), and electrical supply lines (5, 6). The invention provides that the first layer (3) is made of an electrically insulating and liquid-tight material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ewald Dörken AG
    Inventors: Heinz Peter Raidt, Jörn Schröer
  • Publication number: 20110284515
    Abstract: A cloth member is provided. The cloth member includes a conductive wire configured to generate heat by applying electric current, and a plane-shaped connecting member having conductivity. The conductive wire has an exposed part that is exposed to an outside from the cloth member at a part in a longitudinal direction of the wire. The place-shaped connecting member is folded to sandwich the exposed part of the conductive wire therebetween such that folded surfaces of the connecting member are surface-adhered with each other integrally with the exposed part to be electrically connected to the exposed part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumitoshi AKAIKE, Akari TAKAHASHI, Takahiro HARITA
  • Patent number: 8062797
    Abstract: An article of clothing with an on-demand power supply for electrical devices is provided. The power supply includes stiff planar fuel cell devices that are distributed in a plane. The number of fuel cells is dependent on the power requirements for the electrical devices. The planar stiff fuel cells are flexibly interconnected in the plane by a flexible interconnection, which allows the fuel cells to move with respect to each other out of the plane. This further allows the power supply to be nicely integrated in an article of clothing and minimizes negative impact to a body region or to the article of clothing. The electrical and fuel connections between the fuel cells are integrated with the flexible interconnection. To further integrate and increase ease of operation a control system is included to control the on-demand power supply or control power levels for the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobin J. Fisher, Thomas C. Covington, Jonathan L. Glassman, Jesse M. Thomas, Daniel Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 8035064
    Abstract: The product is basically a heating blanket that is adapted in size to fit around a canister of refrigerant used to recharge heat pumps, air conditioners and refrigerators in a commercial or home setting. The blanket has a heating element within it which heats the canister when placed around the canister. From one corner of the blanket is an electrical cord which runs to a small control unit and then to a plug that fits a common 110 voltage household outlet. The control unit consists of a fitting that is designed to be attached to the valve on the top of the refrigerant canister. This fitting is attached to a pressure sensitive valve that sense the pressure of the refrigerant that passes through the valve. This pressure sensitive valve turns off the flow of electric to the blanket when the gas hits a certain pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Craig Fish
  • Patent number: 8008606
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite heating element suitable for heating an article when activated by a power source. The composite heating element comprises a first backing layer and a discontinuous circuit formed of a conductive material disposed on the first backing layer. The discontinuous circuit has terminal ends for electrical connection with the power source and defines at least one gap between the terminal ends. The composite article further comprises a second backing layer spaced from the first backing layer. A trace formed of a conductive material is disposed on the second backing layer. The trace is aligned with the at least one gap for forming a complete circuit when the first and second backing layers at least partially abut each other with the trace extending across the gap and contacting the discontinuous circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: T-Ink, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance Kaiserman, John Gentile, Anthony Gentile
  • Patent number: 7964827
    Abstract: There is provided a laminated sheet heater whose mounting space is small, a lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater that requires only a small mounting space and provides high reliability of electrical connection between a heater element and a lead wire, a heater-equipped battery structure provided with the laminated sheet heater or the lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, and a heater unit. In a first lead wire-equipped laminated sheet heater, a foil heater element includes a heater terminal portion protruding into a film void part in a planar direction of a laminated sheet heater. A lead core wire of a lead wire includes a lead terminal portion crimp-connected to a heater terminal portion by a crimping member so that the lead core wire is placed in contact with the surface of the heater terminal portion within a film void part in the planar direction of the laminated sheet heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Suzuki, Naoki Fukusako, Shuhei Marukawa, Yukie Uemura, Kunio Kanamaru
  • 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: 20110108538
    Abstract: An article of clothing includes a garment body and a heater coupled to the garment body. A battery holder defines a cavity. A rechargeable battery pack is configured for use with at least one of a power tool and a sensing device. The rechargeable battery pack is slidably received within the cavity and detachably coupled to the battery holder by a latching arrangement. A controller selectively provides power from the rechargeable battery pack to the heater. A user input member for selecting a mode of the controller is coupled to the garment body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Rick Gray, Jonathan A. Zick, Paul Fry
  • Patent number: 7935911
    Abstract: The invention relates to constructing a heating mat that employs electrical resistance foils to provide a uniform heat. In embodiments of the invention applicable for providing heat to individuals, the mat provides this uniform heat at a comfortable temperature. The heating mat structure comprises protective layers surrounding the heating element to provide a durable structure that is suitable for industrial and commercial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Arthur Kaesler
  • Publication number: 20110088138
    Abstract: An inner part for a glove includes a palm pouch and a finger pouch and an outer bag is mounted to the finger pouch and includes four finger pockets. A receiving pocket is located on the palm pouch and has a cover for sealing the receiving pocket. An electro-heat unit includes a heat plate, a power source and a controller, the heat plate is electrically connected to the power source by a cable and the controller is electrically connected to the power source. The heat plate includes four insertion plates so as to be inserted into the finger pouches and each insertion plate has a heating item which is powered by electric power to provide temperature to the wearer's fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Shu-Lien Chen
  • Publication number: 20110049117
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a clothing piece, such as a glove, with a heating device, in particular for the warming and/or temperature control of a skin surface with deep-acting effect upon areas of a human body, comprising at least one heat transfer element, at least one connection for an energy supply device, at least one control field with an encapsulation and with at least one circuit board with an electrical control circuit for controlling the temperature of the heat transfer element and at least two switches for the manual adjustment of the temperature. The encapsulation comprises a chamber that holds the circuit board and a protruding edge that surrounds the chamber, wherein the edge is made of a flexible material. In addition, the switches are made up of at least two contact elements located on the inside of the encapsulation and at least two contact elements formed on the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: David Macher, Gerhard Kremer, Urs Maron
  • Patent number: 7884307
    Abstract: An electric heating textile is provided. The electric heating textile includes an electric heating layer, plural heat-insulating layers and a protective layer. The electric heating layer includes at least one conductive yarn capable of generating heat and plural aromatic polyamide fibers. The heat-insulating layers are under the electric heating layer. The protective layer is on the electric heating layer. A method for manufacturing the electric heating textile is also disclosed in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Textile Research Institute
    Inventors: Chen-Liang Li, Han-Hsing Hsiung, Ching-Tang Huang, Cheng-Kun Chu
  • Patent number: 7876194
    Abstract: According to a first preferred embodiment, a resistor arrangement with resistor elements is specified whose first electrodes are conductively connected to each other by means of a flexible, conductive connection element that is curved. The connection element has changes in curvature in the regions arranged between two adjacent resistor elements. According to a second preferred embodiment, a resistor arrangement with resistor elements is specified that are connected to each other by a flexible connection element. The resistor elements each have an arrangement of slot-like recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Jan Ihle, Werner Kahr, Helmut Poelzl
  • Patent number: 7866674
    Abstract: An ice skate assembly for attachment to a boot has a skate blade and a blade heating arrangement mounted within a blade support. The blade is heated by resistive heating wire attached along a groove on each side of the blade. The blade is mounted in the support by an over-molded plastic strip which engages into a slot in the support as a wedged fit. A control circuit board is encapsulated on the top edge of the blade and connects to a battery pack is carried in the rear tower of the support. The blade is attached to the support by a screw for pulling the blade longitudinally of the blade and to draw an inclined wedge member formed by the over-molding into its receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Thermablade Hockey Corp.
    Inventors: Tory Weber, Benoit Talbot, David Croteau, Stephan Lachevrotiere, Pierre Harvey
  • Patent number: 7845022
    Abstract: Fibers, such as textile fibers, having electrical components deposited thereon. More particularly, one or more electrical components are formed directly onto the surface of at least one fiber. The fiber having the electrical component formed thereon may then be interlaced with other fibers for form a larger piece of fabric, which can be employed to produce an article of clothing. A group of transistors and piezoelectric components forming an accelerometer may be woven onto one or more natural or synthetic fibers. The fibers may then be employed as the warp, weft, or both, of a woven piece of fabric, or used to form a knitted piece of fabric. The fabric piece can then be cut and sewn to form a wearable item, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, or the upper piece of a shoe that includes the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Swatee N. Surve
  • Patent number: 7845023
    Abstract: Fibers, such as textile fibers, having electrical components deposited thereon. More particularly, one or more electrical components are formed directly onto the surface of at least one fiber. The fiber having the electrical component formed thereon may then be interlaced with other fibers to form a larger piece of fabric, which can be employed to produce an article of clothing. A group of transistors and piezoelectric components forming an accelerometer may be woven onto one or more natural or synthetic fibers. The fibers may then be employed as the warp, weft, or both, of a woven piece of fabric, or used to form a knitted piece of fabric. The fabric piece can then be cut and sewn to form a wearable item, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, or the upper piece of a shoe that includes the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Surve N. Swatee
  • Patent number: 7838804
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electric heating element with at least one flat heating resistor to be arranged near a surface to be heated, and at least one electrode that serves to feed a current into the heating resistor and features at least two contact conductor strands that are, at least locally, connected to one another and to the heating resistor, at least in an elongated contacting region. The invention proposes that at least at one location along the electrode and/or the contacting region at which at least one of the contact conductor strands, at least locally, extends parallel to the direction of the electrode, and/or the contacting region, at least one additional contact conductor strand, at least locally, extends at an angle thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Martin Krobok
  • Patent number: 7825356
    Abstract: Certain embodiments pertain to a heater for warming a patient's extremity in order to cause vasodilation for facilitating venous catheterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Augustine Biomedical and Design LLC
    Inventors: Karen Hewes, Scott D. Augustine, Mark C. Albrecht, Randall C. Arnold, Thomas F. Neils
  • Patent number: 7824437
    Abstract: A portable electronic device for reducing periodic cramping about an abdominal cavity of a user during a menstrual cycle includes an elastic panty garment, a controller removably attached directly to an outer surface of the panty garment and a plurality of electro-mechanical transducers generating output vibrations, and a plurality of heatable magnetic straps directly coupled to the outer surface of the panty garment. The heatable magnetic straps extend along anterior and posterior faces of the panty garment and are simultaneously actuated to a desired temperature level while the transducers are actuated to an on position. The heatable magnetic straps being freely movable along the outer surface of the panty garment while the transducers are nested within respective pouches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Gina Saunders
  • Publication number: 20100263104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved garment for keeping babies, children and adults warm when in a seated position and more particularly, though not necessarily, to an improved blanket for wearing when in a chair, buggy, wheelchair or the like. It is known to use a blanket to provide warmth to the legs of a wheelchair user. Typically, the blanket is placed upon the thighs; warmth my thereby be retained by the user, albeit be subjected to draughts. However such a blanket is often at least one of bulky, loose, ill fitting, and draughty. Also, it may be dangerous because it may slip off and get caught around the wheelchair wheels, and would be liable to cause an accident. Also, an ordinary blanket often does not provide adequate heat to the user's legs. While parts of the user's legs may be warm there are many gaps allowing any heat that had been retained to be lost. Also when the blanket falls off, all heat will be lost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Clodagh Flannery
  • Patent number: 7816628
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a garment includes a fabric having a channel, a heat conductive wire disposed in the channel, a power source coupled to the heat conductive wire and detachably attached to the garment, and a controller electrically coupled to the power source and detachably attached to the garment, wherein the controller is configured with a heat setting. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of heating a garment includes providing a fabric, forming a channel, disposing a heat conductive wire within the channel, connecting the heat conductive wire with a power source, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery, and adjusting the heating of the garment by operating the power source and the heat conductive wire using a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Products of Tomorrow, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez, Paul McGrath, Frank Cipolla, James Sabastian, Michael J. Keating
  • 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: 20100206863
    Abstract: An electrically conductive, flexible web material assembly includes a polymer-bonded electrically conductive coating on a flexible, electrically non-conductive carrier, and at least two electrodes for feeding electric current. The electrodes are flexible bands made of an electrically conductive material, and each electrode is fixed on the flat carrier by way of one or more stitches. At least one surface of each electrode has a surface contact with the electrically conductive coating. There are also described a variety of implementations of the electrically conductive, flexible web material assembly in heating elements and in clothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BENECKE-KALIKO AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ritter
  • Patent number: 7777156
    Abstract: Electric heating/warming composite fabric articles have at least a fabric layer having inner and outer surfaces, and an electric heating/warming element, e.g., including a bus, formed, e.g., of die cut metallized textile or plastic sheeting or metal foil, affixed at a surface of the fabric layer and adapted to generate heating/warming when connected to a power source. A air-and-water droplet resistant and water vapor permeable barrier layer may be positioned, for example, adjacent to the fabric layer; e.g., with the electric heating/warming element formed thereupon or at least partially impregnated therein, e.g. in a fabric laminate or in a composite formed by application of heat and pressure to at least one layer of a barrier film disposed adjacent thereto, including to protect the electric circuit, e.g. against abrasion, moisture, and or against physical stress due, e.g., to repeated crushing, bending or flexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: MMI-IPCO, LLC
    Inventors: Moshe Rock, Vincent Doyle, III
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7767936
    Abstract: A breathable electrical heater element for a topical application device such as a wound dressing or a therapeutic heating pad is disclosed. The heater element is formed by photochemically etching a track pattern onto a porous metallised fabric (e.g. nickel coated woven polyester). The heater element has a skin or wound contact layer laminated to the front face of the heater element. An adhesive layer is laminated to the back face of the heater element. The adhesive layer forms an overhang to provide an adhesive border around the wound contact layer to adhere the device to the skin of a patient. Therapeutically active drugs (optionally microencapsulated) may be incorporated into the skin or wound contact layer. Operation of the heater element causes the skin or wound contact layer to release the active drugs to the skin or wound of the patient. Appropriate control of the temperature of the heater element allows control of the release of the active drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nel Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7723651
    Abstract: A heating pad is disclosed. The heating pad has a heating line received in a bag, wherein a plurality of heat preservation elements are slipped over the heating line; when the heating pad is electrified, a controller controls the temperature of the heating line for heat applying on a human body; when a electric source is turned off, the heating line stops being heated up, the heat preservation elements keeps on scattering heat outwards to extend the time of heat applying. The heat preservation elements can be ceramic pipes able to emit far infrared ray, so that during heat applying, the ceramic pipes can emit far infrared ray to get an effect of health care.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Shuh-Tsai Yang
  • Patent number: 7714256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heating element for heating at least one surface contacted at times by a user, with a plurality of heating conductors or heating conductor sections that are directly or indirectly connected electrically to one another, at least in part by mutual contact, with at least one heating conductor or heating conductor section which, upon exceeding a permissible maximum temperature, at least temporarily loses its electrical conductivity at least in part. It is provided that the electrical resistance of at least two heating conductors or heating conductor sections is dependent at least in part on its mechanical strain, that these heating conductors or heating conductor sections are electrically connected to one another in parallel, and that they are separated from one another at least in sections by a spacing zone in order to prevent electrical connection between them in spacing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventor: Michael Weiss
  • Patent number: 7716013
    Abstract: Systems and methods of managing the performance of host products such as outdoor gear provide for detecting a connection between drive and performance modules. The performance module has an associated output type and is installed in a host product. A drive profile is selected from a plurality of drive profiles based on the output type and performance characteristic of the host product and is modified by controlling the performance module based on the selected drive profile. Other embodiments include systems and methods of managing trips provide for a performance unit that generates profile data for a performance module based on pre-trip data. The profile data instructs a drive module to modify a performance characteristic of a host product in which the performance module is installed. A trip management unit collects sensor data from a sensor based on the pre-trip data and generates post-trip data based on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The North Face Apparel Corp.
    Inventors: Maggie Orth, Sheila Kennedy, Chris Verplaetse, Brian Elginsmith
  • Patent number: 7709770
    Abstract: A heating device is presented for surface heating of a body so as to maintain a required temperature of the body. The heating device comprises an electrical heating element and a power source for supplying a required voltage thereto. The heating element comprises first and second conductors, wherein the first conductor is made of a material with relatively high specific resistivity as compared to that of the second conductor, and the second conductor is made of a material with high heat conductivity. The first and second conductors are accommodated in spaced-apart parallel relationship along their lengths such that, when they are connected to the power source, electric currents flow in the conductors in opposite directions, and magnetic fields created in the vicinity of the first and second conductors are completely compensated. The first conductor thus serves as a heater and the second conductor as a heat diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: HTTP—Hypothermia Therapy Ltd.
    Inventor: David Bikhovsky
  • Publication number: 20100089896
    Abstract: A heatable cocoon including a body portion having an upper end and a pair of opposed side edges. The body portion is foldable to permit the pair of side edges to be folded over one another to form an enclosed interior. The body portion is formed of a first layer and second layer of supple material. A head covering portion having a concave opening extends from the upper end of the body portion. A securement device secures the opposed side edges of the body portion together. A plurality of enclosures is formed between the first and second layers. A plurality of heating devices is provided with one heating device of the plurality being disposed and sealed within each of the plurality of enclosures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Harvey T. Bart
  • Publication number: 20100089897
    Abstract: A heatable garment includes a front and back panel having an opening there between for receiving a wearer's head. The front and back panels include a first and second layer of material. A plurality of sealed enclosures is formed between the first and second layers. At least one of the plurality of enclosures is disposed on the front panel and the back panels. The plurality of enclosures each includes a heating device having a source of energy for producing heat. The enclosures are sealed to retain the heating devices therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Harvey T. Bart
  • Patent number: 7675004
    Abstract: A heating element includes a base substrate, a pair of electrodes, a resistor capable of generating heat, a conductive resin, a terminal member, a hot melt adhesion metal, a hot melt cohesion metal, and a lead wire. The pair of electrodes is provided on the base substrate, and the resistor is formed between the pair of electrodes. The conductive resin is provided on each of the electrodes, and the terminal member is provided on the conductive resin. The adhesion metal is provided on the terminal member, and the cohesion metal forms a molten phase along with the adhesion metal. An end of the lead wire is welded to the cohesion metal. The conductive resin is provided in the vicinity of the adhesion metal so as to be affected by heat of the adhesion metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Nakajima, Takahito Ishii, Keiko Yasui, Seishi Terakado, Takehiko Shigeoka, Kazuyuki Kohara, Mitsuru Yoneyama
  • Publication number: 20100057168
    Abstract: A body part heating system (10) comprises a temperature sensor (28) adapted to measure the temperature of a body part, and a heater (34a, 34b) in communication with the temperature sensor (28). The heater (34a, 34b) is adapted to be activated to heat the body part in response to the temperature sensor (28) sensing the occurrence of a predefined thermal event such as a temperature drop below a predefined level. The heating system (10) may be in the form of a glove and may be used to treat the symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: University of Dundee
    Inventors: Alan P. Slade, Robert P. Keatch, Aneel Gill, Jill Belch, Faisel Khan
  • Patent number: 7663076
    Abstract: The invention relates to conductive materials particularly to serve as a heater. Heating means formed by or with electrically conductive materials are known and particularly effective for its flexibility is that sold under the British, Community and US Registered Trade Mark INDITHERM. Conductive rails are used to provide electrical connection to a source of power that need to have a commensurate flexibility, and the object of the invention is to ensure the maintenance of power to the full length of the conductive rail. This objective, is met by a construction comprising spaced first rails for the supply and return of electrical power, the said rails having a flexibility compatible with the semi-conductive material, and there being a supplementary rail attached to each first rail along the length thereof, the supplementary rails being flexible and having strength characteristics greater than those of the first rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Inditherm PLC
    Inventor: Colin Roy Tarry
  • Patent number: 7652226
    Abstract: An electrically heated window glass is provided, in which an electric power load may be suppressed by causing a consumed electric power for energizing a heater to be variable depending on the purpose of heating. The electrically heated window glass in accordance with the present invention comprises two glass panels laminated to each other; a plurality of heaters sandwiched between the two glass panels for heating the glass panels, the heaters being positioned in such a manner that the heaters divide the surface of the laminated glass panels into plural parts; a plurality bus bars each provided at the end portions of each of the plurality of heaters for feeding thereto; and a changeover means for switching the connection between selected one of the plurality of bus bars and a DC power supply to heat the plurality of heaters in a series connected manner or parallel connected manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takashi Muromachi, Harunori Murakami
  • Patent number: 7637040
    Abstract: A glove iron comprises a cloth body and a power unit disposed in the cloth body. The cloth body includes a cloth fiber layer, a heat insulation layer, and an electrothermal fiber layer. The cloth fiber layer forms an accommodating space. The power unit is disposed on the cloth fiber layer, and corresponds to the heat insulation layer and the electrothermal fiber layer. The power unit is electrically connected to and provides power for the electrothermal fiber layer. The electrothermal fiber layer can also be replaced with the combination of an electrothermal membrane and a second cloth fiber layer. A user can use the glove type iron to iron a piece of clothing or material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Hua Wu, Ching-Ching Ho, Chun-Hsien Wu, Shih-Wei Tung, Yi-Hao Lin
  • Publication number: 20090289046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment assembly including an outer layer selected from any separately manufactured outer layer and a liner covering an inner surface of the outer layer. The inner layer includes a fabric layer, at least one flexible heating element affixed to the fabric layer, a controller electrically connected to the heating element, a portable power supply electrically connected to the controller and the heating elements; electrical leads affixed to the fabric layer to provide an electrical connection between the portable power supply, the controller and the at least one heating element, and at least one closeable pocket for housing the controller and the portable power supply. The present invention further relates to a rechargeable battery pack for seasonal use in a heated garment having at least one battery and battery control circuit having a current drain on said at least one battery maintained within a self-contained housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Simon Nicholas Richmond
  • Publication number: 20090272337
    Abstract: A heatable pet garment comprised of a garment covering the body of an animal with an opening for the head of said animal and at least two openings for the legs of said animal; a heat device within said garment to produce heat to warm said garment; a rechargeable electrical source to power said heat device; a mechanism to recharge said electrical source; and a control unit to turn said electrical source on and off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: John H. Pomponio
  • Publication number: 20090242539
    Abstract: A heating system that provides long lasting and all-encompassing heat to the hands of a skier or snowmobile/motorcycle user. A power source, such as a battery, is secured within a hollow portion of each handgrip. In the wired version, a conduit passes through the wrist strap attached to each ski pole handgrip and connects with each glove, where conductive wires sewn into the glove fabric carry the power to strategically placed heating elements also sewn into the glove fabric, which in turn provides heat to the skier's hands. The wireless version features an interface and various contact points between the gloves and handgrips, and may be applied to both ski poles and handlebars of snowmobiles and motorcycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Damian A. Wassel