Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/34—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use with electrical or electronic arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/34—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use with electrical or electronic arrangements
  • A43B3/35—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use with electrical or electronic arrangements with electric heating arrangements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
  • A43B3/34—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use with electrical or electronic arrangements
  • A43B3/38—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use with electrical or electronic arrangements with power sources
  • A43B3/40—Batteries

Definitions

• Embodiments herein relate to footwear, such as boots and shoes, and in particular to footwear having one or more temperature control elements disposed in a portion of the footwear upper, such as a vamp and/or tongue.
• Footwear often is worn in conditions where temperature fluctuations can have a significant impact on the comfort and safety of the wearer.
• footwear typically includes various insulating materials. While somewhat effective, insulation alone may not be sufficient to maintain a safe or comfortable foot temperature in severe cold environments. Further, insulated footwear can be problematic in warmer
• Figure 1 illustrates a temperature control system for footwear, in accordance with various embodiments
• Figure 2 is a close-up view of the control element/user interface, charge port, and power source shown in Figure 1 , in accordance with various embodiments;
• Figure 3 illustrates a vamp lining heater attached to the quarter lining and tongue of an article of footwear, in accordance with various embodiments
• Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of the vamp liner of Figure 3
• Figure 5 illustrates one example of a tongue component access option for a temperature control system for footwear, in accordance with various
• Figure 6 illustrates another view of the tongue component access option illustrated in Figure 5, in accordance with various embodiments
• Figure 7 illustrates another example of a tongue component access option for a temperature control system for footwear, in accordance with various embodiments.
• Figure 8 illustrates another view of the tongue component access option illustrated in Figure 7, in accordance with various embodiments.
• a phrase in the form "A/B” or in the form “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B).
• a phrase in the form "at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).
• a phrase in the form "(A)B” means (B) or (AB) that is, A is an optional element.
• a vamp liner may include a temperature control element (referred to herein as a "TCE") disposed therein.
• TCE temperature control element
• vamp refers to the section of the footwear upper that covers the front of the foot and optionally extends as far back as the join on the quarter, which term refers to the rear and sides of the upper that cover the heel.
• vamp liner refers to the portion of the liner corresponding to the vamp.
• the vamp liner TCE when coupled to a portable power supply (e.g., a battery or power cell, etc.), the vamp liner TCE may be adapted to generate or absorb heat, for example, to raise and/or lower the temperature of the liner, thus raising and/or lowering the temperature of the footwear as perceived by a wearer's foot.
• electrical components such as a power supply, control unit, and/or a user interface may be located in the tongue portion of the footwear, and may be electrically coupled to the TCE.
• the TCE may include heating elements, cooling elements, or a combination thereof.
• the heating elements may include conductive yarn fibers woven or coupled into the vamp liner, such as those made by Fibretronic Ltd., Los Angeles, California.
• the heating elements may include metallic or non-metallic-based conductors that are inlaid, etched, or printed on a substrate that is coupled to the vamp liner.
• the heating and/or cooling elements may include one or more piezoelectric and/or thermoelectric heaters and/or coolers that may control the temperature of the vamp liner.
• a control unit, a power source, a user interface, and/or a thermostat may be electrically coupled to the TCE and adapted to regulate the system so as to control the temperature of the vamp liner as desired.
• the control unit and/or user interface may be disposed on the footwear such that the vamp liner temperature may be controlled by the wearer by manipulating a setting, for instance on the control unit and/or user interface, or it may be remotely controlled, for instance using a wired or wireless interface.
• the liner temperature may be controlled automatically using a thermostat.
• the power source, control unit, and/or user interface may be disposed on the tongue of the footwear, which location may provide superior accessibility to the various components by the user, even when the footwear is being worn.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a temperature control system 100 for footwear in accordance with various embodiments.
• a vamp liner 102 which also may be referred to as a vamp lining blanket, may be sized to fit within footwear having a variety of shapes and configurations.
• vamp liner 102 may include a TCE 104 disposed therein and configured to provide a heat source and/or cooling source.
• TCE 104 may include one or more conducting elements 106 that may be strategically patterned about at least a portion of liner 102.
• the distribution of conducting element 106 may be positioned to provide temperature control to all or most of vamp liner 102, and thereby configured to provide heating or cooling to the entire forefoot.
• conducting element 106 may be positioned in a forward or ball/toe portion of vamp liner 102. In various embodiments, this may be an advantageous configuration, as the toes and/or forefoot typically are the portions of the foot that become cold or overheated due to reduced circulation.
• conducting element 106 may be positioned in other zones or patterns, as desired. In embodiments having both heating and cooling elements, heating and cooling conducting elements 106 may be interlaced, alternating, adjacent, or positioned in different regions of vamp liner 102.
• positioning the TCE in the vamp liner may reduce wear and tear on the TCE, as the vamp liner generally is not subjected to the impact associated with a footstrike. Over time, such impacts may damage the heating and/or cooling elements, which may limit the useful lifespan of the footwear.
• systems incorporating the TCE may reduce wear and tear on the TCE, as the vamp liner generally is not subjected to the impact associated with a footstrike. Over time, such impacts may damage the heating and/or cooling elements, which may limit the useful lifespan of the footwear.
• heating/cooling elements into the vamp liner may have a longer lifespan than similar systems that position the TCE under the foot. Additionally, incorporating the TCE into the vamp liner may facilitate manufacture of the footwear, because it may be easier to incorporate the TCE into a vamp liner than a midsole in various
• conducting element 106 may be carried by a substrate, such as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), polyolefins (such as polyethylene), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic urethanes (TPU), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), or another substrate that is generally thin, flexible, and generally not susceptible to temperature fluctuations.
• Conducting element 106 may include, for example, non-metallic or metallic-based wires or traces that may be deposited, etched, printed, and/or molded into the substrate.
• conductive fabrics having, for example, conductive carbon, silver ion, or copper threads.
• conductive yarns may be intertwined with a base material, such as a knit construction that includes polyester, nylon, or a fiber blend.
• conducting element 106 may be electrically coupled to a control unit/user interface 1 10 via an electrical conduit 108a, and may allow a user to control the heating/cooling cycles of temperature control system 100.
• electrical conduit 108a may include a detachable coupling member 116a that may allow TCE 104 (and therefore vamp liner 102 and conducting element 106) to be detached from control unit/user interface 110.
• detachable coupling member 116a may include contacts that may be, for example, positive and negative electrical terminals.
• control unit and user interface are part of a single component, in other embodiments, the control unit may be separate from the user interface, and the user interface may be coupled to the control unit via an electrical conduit, which optionally may include a detachable coupling member.
• control unit/user interface 110 may include one or more lights or other indicia to indicate to a user the power status of the system, a mode of operation, and/or other operating information.
• control unit/user interface 110 also may be electrically coupled to a power source 112 configured to power temperature control system 100 via an electrical conduit 108b, which optionally may include a detachable coupling member 116b.
• control unit/user interface 110 may also be electrically coupled to a charge port 114 that may allow for charging of power source 112 from an external power source.
• FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the control unit/user interface, charge port, and power source shown in Figure 1 , in accordance with various embodiments.
• the conducting element (not shown) may be electrically coupled to control unit/user interface 1 10 via an electrical conduit 108a.
• electrical conduit 108a may include a detachable coupling member 116a that may allow TCE (not shown) and therefore the vamp liner and conducting element, to be detached from control unit/user interface 110.
• detachable coupling member 116a may include a clip or snap made from an electrically-insulating material such as plastic, and may include features to facilitate disconnection and reconnection of control unit/user interface 112 with the conducting element.
• power source 112 may be electrically coupled to the control unit/user interface 110 via an electrical conduit 108b.
• electrical conduit 108b may include a detachable coupling member 116b that may allow power source 112 to be detached from control unit/user interface 110.
• detachable coupling member 116b may include a clip or snap made from an electrically-insulating material such as plastic, and may include features to facilitate disconnection and reconnection of control unit/user interface 112 with the power source 112.
• charge port 114 may include a standard detachable connector such as a USB or micro USB port. In various embodiments, detachability of the various components of the system may be desirable, for instance in order to facilitate cleaning, repair, or replacement of the system components.
• the system may include one or more separate insulating layers in addition to the vamp liner.
• an insulating layer may be positioned between the conducting element and the outer layer of the footwear, for example on an outer surface of the conducting element.
• this insulating layer may include one or more conductive insulators, such as an aerogel, and/or a radiation reflector, such as OmniHeatTM Reflective.
• conductive insulators such as an aerogel
• radiation reflector such as OmniHeatTM Reflective.
• Some embodiments may include both a conductive insulator and a radiation reflector, allowing conductive and radiative heat to be directed inward toward the foot, while convective heat (e.g., perspiration evaporation) is allowed to pass through the footwear, keeping the foot warm and dry.
• FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a vamp liner attached to the quarter lining and tongue of an article of footwear, in accordance with various embodiments.
• vamp liner 302 may be positioned in the footwear by affixing vamp liner 302 to the tongue 318 and/or quarter lining 320 of the footwear.
• the vamp lining 302 is positioned within the footwear upper by stitching in the illustrated embodiment, one of skill in the art will appreciate that any method of attachment may be used.
• vamp liner 302 is depicted as having a specific shape and coupling to tongue 318 and quarter lining 320 in a particular configuration, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the exact shape and position of vamp liner 302 may be tailored to suit a particular application.
• Figure 4 shows a cutaway view of the vamp liner of Figure 3
• an electrical conduit 308 that couples the vamp liner 302 to the control unit/user interface may be routed along the tongue 318.
• electrical conduit 308 may include a detachable coupling member 316 that allows the control unit/user interface to be uncoupled from vamp liner 302.
• Figure 5 illustrates one example of a tongue component access option for a temperature control system for footwear, in accordance with various
• control unit/user interface 510 may be incorporated into the tongue 518.
• tongue 518 may be provided with a pocket 522 or sleeve that may be accessed by a user, for instance on a front surface of tongue 518, and that may be sized and shaped to accommodate the power source (not shown).
• pocket 522 may include one or more openings for routing electrical conduits (not shown).
• pocket 522 may be equipped with a closure mechanism 524, such as a hook-and-loop closure, zipper, snaps, etc.
• FIG. 6 is another view of the tongue component access option illustrated in Figure 5, showing the control unit/user interface 510 integrated with tongue 518.
• control unit/user interface 510 may be a part of an integrated circuit based system that is configured to regulate and control the current provided to the TCE by the power source.
• control unit/user interface 510 may be configured with, for example, multiple settings (e.g. high, medium, low, and off), and may be configured to set an electronic thermostat that can regulate the temperature of the liner based on, for example, the internal temperature of the footwear or a predetermined setting. In some embodiments, these different settings may be accessed by activating a button once or multiple times, and may be indicated by a sound or light pattern emitted by control/user interface 510.
• control/user interface 510 may emit green, yellow, or red light depending on the chosen setting.
• control unit/user interface 510 is illustrated as displaying a particular logo, one of skill in the art will appreciate that control unit/user interface 510 may be configured to display different shapes, configurations, logos (e.g., college logos, brand names and/or images, sports team logos), etc.
• pocket 522 is shown in the open position and is equipped with a hook-and-loop closure mechanism 524, although other closure mechanisms may be substituted.
• pocket 522 also may include an inner sleeve 526 for securing the power source (not shown).
• FIG. 7 illustrates another example of a tongue component access option for a temperature control system for footwear, in accordance with various embodiments.
• pocket 722 may include a closure flap 728 configured to secure and protect the power source and other components.
• Closure flap 728 is shown in an open position in Figure 8, revealing the hook and loop closure mechanism 724 and inner sleeve 726 for securing the power source (not shown).
• the system may be programmable to increase the functionality of the temperature controlled footwear.
• the control unit/user interface may be adapted to couple to a computer or handheld device via a variety of known interface connections (e.g., USB or micro USB). A variety of parameters may then be modified, such as temperature ranges associated with various settings, light/indicator effects, and/or timing cycles.
• a wireless interface component such as a transceiver, may be coupled to or integrated with the control unit/user interface, which may allow remote control and manipulation of the controller settings.
• control unit/user interface, power source, vamp liner, and/or the electrical connectors and conduits therebetween may be removed by a user, for instance for cleaning, repair, or replacement of broken, worn, or dirty components.
• a single component may be removed for replacement or repair without necessitating the replacement of the entire system.
• components of the system may be removed from the footwear if the footwear becomes soiled and is in need of cleaning.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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Citations (5)

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• 2013
  • 2013-07-02 CN CN201380035437.2A patent/CN104427898A/zh active Pending
  • 2013-07-02 WO PCT/US2013/049140 patent/WO2014008298A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2013-07-02 US US13/934,011 patent/US20140000130A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (5)

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