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Heated shoe insoleRelated Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Boots And Shoes, HeatedHeated shoe insole description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070039201, Heated shoe insole. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Application No. 60,696,527 filed Jul. 6, 2005, titled "HEATED SHOE INSOLE". TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The following relates to an apparatus and method for providing heating in shoe insoles. BACKGROUND [0003] In cold environmental conditions, the extremities, such as toes, are particularly susceptible to losing body temperature and becoming uncomfortably cold. To provide insulation from cold temperatures, shoe uppers typically are made of leather or cloth, shoe soles are made of leather or rubber materials, and shoe insoles and liners include padding and other materials. The insulating properties of these materials helps to retain heat from blood circulation through the foot. For example, hunting boots or snow boots are designed with thick rubber soles and a significant amount of padding to help retain body heat while shoveling, hiking, or performing other activities during freezing weather conditions. [0004] In some circumstances, it is beneficial or necessary to supplement the human body's natural capabilities of temperature regulation by providing a heat source within a shoe or boot. For example, while snow boots or hiking boots may be effective for keeping a person comfortable outside in sub-freezing conditions for several minutes, a person's body temperature may begin to fall after several hours outdoors and the insulation in the boot may no longer be adequate. Once a person's feet become cold, there is a risk of numbness, frostbite, or even hypothermia. For persons with poor blood circulation, it may be beneficial to include heating mechanisms within shoes or boots even if the person does not intend to remain in a cold environment for a long period of time. [0005] Known mechanisms exist for applying heat within a shoe or boot. As one example, chemical hot packs can be inserted into socks or shoes to help retain heat and adequate body temperature within the shoe or boot. These packs create heat through a chemical reaction that can last up to several hours in some applications. The chemical heat pack must be replaced with a new one for each usage. Other known heating mechanisms use electrical wiring within a sock or shoe or boot to apply resistive heat through the wiring. These conventional electrical heating mechanisms are somewhat vulnerable to failure, however, because a puncture or disconnect at a single point within the wiring can completely disable the electrical circuit that generates the heat. Further, such electrical heaters commonly are powered by nickel cadmium batteries, which are toxic. SUMMARY [0006] A shoe insole apparatus is disclosed that includes a flexible semiconductive heater element adapted for insertion within a shoe to be in proximate contact with at least a portion of a foot when the shoe is worn. The apparatus also includes a battery in electrical communication with the heater element. The heater element provides warm to a portion of a wearer's food upon receiving current from the battery. [0007] The shoe insole may also include a sole. The shoe's space for receiving a foot is above the sole. [0008] The apparatus may be a warming slipper that includes a footpad with a heater element. The slipper also includes a toe cup that curls over the footpad to cover less than half of the footpad. A battery provides electricity to the heater element for the slipper. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Additional embodiments will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: [0010] FIG. 1A is an illustration of a heated insole within a shoe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 1B is an illustration of the shoe in FIG. 1A in a side-view. [0012] FIG. 2A is an illustration of a heated insole within a shoe according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2B is an illustration of the shoe in FIG. 2A in a side-view. [0014] FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a heater assembly that may be utilized within the shoe as illustrated in FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a heater-enclosed insole and battery assembly that may be utilized within the shoe as illustrated in FIG. 1 and may include the heater assembly as illustrated in FIG. 3; [0016] FIG. 5 is a simplified circuit schematic for an insole circuit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The invention provides for a battery powered heated shoe insole. The insole may be an integral part of a shoe, slipper, or boot or may be a removable insert. The insole can be sized to fit various styles and sizes of shoes or boots. In some embodiments, the heater portion of the insole includes a cup over the wearer's toes, providing more heat to the toe area by enclosing it more. [0018] In accordance with the following, a heater assembly is provided in the insole or footpad of a shoe, boot, or slipper that provides electrical heating. Preferably, the heating is done by using one or more flexible, semiconductive, electrically resistive heating elements powered by a rechargeable battery pack. This heater assembly is preferred because it withstands the stresses that can break and disconnect an electrical wire-based heater and efficiently provides long-lasting heating capability with reduced power requirements. Further, the rechargeable battery enables frequent use and re-use without having to replace the heating assembly. Continue reading about Heated shoe insole... Full patent description for Heated shoe insole Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Heated shoe insole patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Heated shoe insole or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Drying apparatus Next Patent Application: Shoe with upper and heel developed ventilation Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Heated shoe insole patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.47956 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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