GB2456489A

GB2456489A - Modular heated socks

Info

Publication number: GB2456489A
Application number: GB0709587A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Gold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-16
Filing date: 2007-05-16
Publication date: 2009-07-22
Also published as: GB0709587D0

Abstract

A sock with a toe pocket C to contain a flexible heating element (Fig 2) that is connected to a battery via a jack plug. The battery is a rechargeable lithium battery and is housed on a leg strap D that fits around the lower leg of the user. Preferably the toe pocket is positioned on the underside of the sock. The heating system is modular to allow each part to be replaced separately, if a part is lost or damaged. Preferably the leg strap is adjustable. The battery may have an on/off switch located on the battery or a push button on/off mechanism located in the leg strap or as part of the battery mechanism.

Description

1

2456489

Heated Socks with Flexible Element and On/Off Switch Introduction and Background

This invention offers a solution to the problem of cold feet.

The area worst affected is the toes. This invention applies heat to the toes directly, and indirectly to the ambient space within a shoe and around the foot.

Statement of Invention

This invention is a major advance upon all existing heated sock designs in the following important ways:

• modular design

• battery switch on/off within easy hand reach

• rechargeable lithium ion battery technology (Li-Ion)

• flexible printed-circuit-board (PCB) style heat-element

Modular Design

There are four main parts to the design:

1/ Sock with toe-pocket to contain flexible element

2/ Flexible element with jack plug for connection to Li-Ion

3/ Leg strap with battery pocket to house the Li-Ion battery

4/ Li-Ion Battery with on/off switch

The leg-strap fits around the lower leg below the knee, either at the ankle or upper calf depending upon the style of shoe or boot. The strap is one-size-fits-all and is secured by velcro, offering flexibility of fit to a variety of lower leg circumferences. When the strap is fitted, the charged battery is placed into the battery pocket. The flexible heat-element is then inserted into the sock toe-pocket with the attached electrical cable trailing along the outside of the sock (little toe side), then vertically up past the ankle to finally connect into the battery by means of a jack plug at the end of the aforementioned cable. The battery is then switched on and the flexible element begins to heat up. When the user is satisfied with the heat-level the battery can be switched off at the top of the battery where a small LED indicates ON/OFF.

Each part is separate. The fact that they are separate means that each part is replaceable. This offers the user the opportunity to easily replace one of the parts if lost or damaged. One advantage of this system can be demonstrated by looking at other less efficient examples of heated socks which build the wiring and element into the sock itself - if either the sock or the element are damaged the whole sock must be replaced including the wiring.

Whereas the leg strap is one-size-fits-all the sock itself will be offered in at least four and possibly six alternative sizes. The toe-pocket will feature the same material as the sock. Other, less efficient, heated sock designs tend to be one-size-fits-all due to the complication of building the wiring and heat element into the sock itself in which case it is more prudent to mass produce large numbers of just one (large) size. This inconvenience is eliminated when the heat-element is separate from the sock which permits inexpensive manufacture of different sizes.

2

This heated sock system will be CE / EMC / RoHS compliant.

Optional Features

Instead of a battery SWITCH on/off located on the battery, a PUSH-BUTTON on/off mechanism located either in the leg strap or as part of the battery mechanism.

Alternative battery types, such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH). As battery technology moves forward other more efficient alternatives may present themselves.

Final shape of flexible element may differ from the example shown.

Introduction to the detailed description

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 demonstrates the battery pocket strapped above the ankle

• Figure 2 demonstrates the flexible heat element insertion

• Figure 3 demonstrates the flexibility of the element and cable attachment

• Figure 4 demonstrates existing proven technology

In figure 1 the toe-pocket can be seen on the underside of the foot (C). An arrow indicates the entry point of the heat element under the foot arch. The leg strap holding the battery pouch is positioned above the ankle (D). The battery switch sits proud of the battery pouch top (B), protruding through a window cut into the pouch for that purpose. The same applies to the LED (A).

In figure 2 the insertion of the flexible heat element (E) is demonstrated.

In figure 3 the flexibility of the heat element is demonstrated.

Tn figure 4 is a photograph of flexible heat element technology being used in another heated clothing product, gloves in this instance - note the finger shaped cut. This proves that the technology is versatile, and available right now to make the product work.

Claims

Claims n

1/General

A means of delivering heat to the foot, powered by Lithium Ion battery and delivered via electric cable to a heat element.

2J Modular Design

A means of delivering heat to the foot according to Claim 1, ail parts of which are separate and replaceable.

3/ Flexible element

A means of delivering heat to the foot according to Claim 1, the heated element part of which is a flexible plasticfsed strip containing and protecting the heatable strips.

M

Illustration Key

4 illustrations

Figure 1

Demonstrating battery pocket strapped above ankle using velcro fastener. On/off switch and on-light can be seen on top of the battery.

Figure 2

Demonstrating flexible heat element being inserted into undersole pocket.

The jack plug cable exits the pocket opening, travelling along the outside ••of the sock (inside the shoe) then up past the ankle to the Li-Ion battery.

r • •

* • •

Figure 3 • ••

•displaying flexible heat element and cable attached to jack plug.

'figure 4 • • •

•

Demonstrating existing use of flexible heated element technology, in this instance finger-shaped for use in heated gloves.