US20190313729A1

US20190313729A1 - Portable warm or cool air for footwear or wherever needed system

Info

Publication number: US20190313729A1
Application number: US16/031,015
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric William Hinkle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-11
Filing date: 2018-07-10
Publication date: 2019-10-17

Abstract

A portable footwear air conditioning system allows a person to cool or warm their feet or another portion of their body. The system is removable can be transferred from one article of clothing to another. An air conditioning device forces air warmed or cooled, through a tube into a shoe. The air conditioning device utilizes a heat exchanger, fan or the like to alter the temperature of the air.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparel systems, and more specifically, to systems for cooling or heating footwear or other clothing items.

2. Description of Related Art

Footwear is well known in the art and are effective means to protect or augment the feet of a person. For example, a conventional shoe having space enclosed by and upper and a sole where a foot fits in the space and the sole protects the bottom of the foot from harm or ware. Feet emit heat and moisture and in the confined space of the shoe this is increased resulting in odor, infection and discomfort. Yet, others, suffer from reduced circulation and discomfort from the associated loss of heat to the area.
Common efforts to improve the comfort and sanitation of shoes include ventilation holes, thinner materials and so on. In these cases, the cooling of the space is passive and depends on the outside environment. Additionally, the space and foot are susceptible to other liquids such as water entering through the holes or material.
Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of footwear systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable footwear air conditioning system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3; is a cross-sectional front view of an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the preferred method of use of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8. is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the tubes of FIG. 1.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional footwear systems. Specifically, the invention of the present application enables active cooling or warming of the space of a shoe. This and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.
The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 depicts a prospective view of a portable footwear air conditioning system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 101 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional footwear systems.
In the contemplated embodiment, system 101 includes a shoe 103 with an air-conditioning device 105 attached over the arch 107 thereof. The air conditioning device 105 having tubes 109 that channel air to the interior space 111 of the shoe 103.
The air conditioning device 105, as depicted in FIG. 2, having a housing 205 enclosing a heat exchanger 203 configured to remove or add heat to the air flow passing through the tube 109 and out thereof as depicted by motion A. The housing 205 having connection devices 207 attached thereto configured to connect the housing 205 to a shoe 103. The housing 205 having controls 209 thereon contemplated to activate or adjust the performance of the heat exchanger 203. The housing it contemplated to restrict the movement if any fluid foreign to the function of the heat exchanger 203.
It will be understood that the controls could function as a timer to alternate the activity of the air conditioner, a flow director or the like.
It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is that the air conditioning device 105 is able to be attached to any shoe 103. It will also be appreciated that the heat exchanger 203 enables both warm and cool air to be introduced to the shoe 103.
In an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device 105, the heat exchanger 203 is replaced with a fan 303 and depicted by FIG. 3. Embodiment 301 also including an intake vent 305 in the housing 307. It is also contemplated that multiple fans 303 with their respective intake vents 305 and tubes 109 could be used to increase the air flow to the shoe 103. It is further contemplated that with multiple fans, a first could be configured to cool and a second to heat. It will then be appreciated that a second tube could be used to cycle air from the space of the shoe to the fan or heat exchanger.
It will be understood that the system 101 could be operated by batteries, including single use, rechargeable, lithium, acid or any type of battery; solar cells, ac adaptor or any other power source. It is further contemplated that the rotation of the fans or any other moving piece could be used to recharge batteries. In addition, it is contemplated that the system can include a sound dampener, vibration dampener, and a USB charging port.
Referring now to FIG. 4 the preferred method of use of the system 101 is depicted. Method 401 including attaching the air conditioning device to a shoe 403, placing the tube in the shoe 405, selecting warming or cooling 407, activating the air conditioning device 409 and allowing the air conditioning device to supply air to the interior of the shoe 411.
Various embodiments of the air conditioning device 105 are contemplated including features to augment the function thereof such as having clips and loops 503 through which the laces or a strap of a shoe pass to secure the embodiment 501 thereto or having a reflective material 603 attached to the housing 203 of embodiment 601 as depicted by FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively.
Referring now to FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment of the air conditioning device 105 is depicted. Embodiment 701 including similar features as device 201 with the addition of a space 703 in housing 705 to hold a component 707. It is contemplated that the component could be an ionizer, step counter, wireless communicator, thermostat or the like.
Embodiment 801 include a face mask 803 with a strap 805 to which air conditioning device 105 is attached. The flow of air from the device 105 having a filter 807 there on to eliminate fumes or other contaminants from being delivered to the interior of the mask 803.
It will now be appreciated that any length of tube 109 could be used and that, as depicted by FIG. 9, tubes 903 and 905 could be joined by coupler 907.
It is further contemplated that the air conditioning device could be attached to other types of clothing such as hats, shirts, pants and the like. It will be appreciated that the connection device could be configured to attach to any type of clothing.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

What is claimed;:

1. A portable footwear air conditioning system comprising:

at least one air conditioning device removably attached to a shoe;

the air conditioning device including at least one heat exchanger within a housing;

wherein at least one tube transferring a fluid from the air conditioning device to the shoe;

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the air introduced to the shoe is warmed prior to entry.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the air introduced to the shoe is cooled prior to entry.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger of the air conditioning device is replaced with at least one fan.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the shoe is replaced with another article of clothing.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the air conditioning device includes a housing.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein clips and loops are attached to the housing and configured to allow laces or straps to pass therethrough.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein a reflective material is attached to the housing.

9. The method of altering the state of the interior of a shoe given the system of claim 1, comprising:

attaching the air conditioning device to a shoe;

placing the tube in the shoe;

selecting warming or cooling;

activating the air conditioning device; and

allowing the air conditioning device to supply air to the interior of the shoe.

10. A portable face mask air conditioning system comprising:

at least one air conditioning device removably attached to a strap or a face mask;

wherein at least one tube transferring a fluid from the air conditioning device to the face mask;

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the air introduced to the face mask is warmed prior to entry.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the air introduced to the face mask is cooled prior to entry.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the heat exchanger of the air conditioning device is replaced with at least one fan.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the air introduced to the face mask is filtered prior to entry.

15. The systems of claims 1 and 10 wherein a component is attached thereto and configured to enhance the system thereof.