UNITARY GARMENT HEATING DEVICE

• US 20150208739A1
• Filed: 01/27/2015
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Sports Inc.
• Original Assignee: Innovative Sports Inc.
• Inventors: TAYLOR, CHRISTOPHER COLBY, FREEMAN, SCOTT
• Granted Patent: US 9,833,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0051 Heated garments heated divers' suits B63C11/28
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0272 For heating of fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/003 using serpentine layout
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/007 using multiple electrically connected resistive elements or resistive zones
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/18 the conductor being embedded in an insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/56 Heating cables

Abstract

A unitary garment heating device that integrates with a garment to provide uniform heat throughout the garment. The device includes a plurality of nodes that position on various areas of the garment to distribute the heat. The nodes are fabricated from a conductive metallic yarn. A continuous conduit having no junctions carries current for generating heat, and connects the nodes to form a unitary heating device. The conduit is fabricated from the same material as the nodes, thereby forming a unitary device. The lack of junctions on the conduit helps eliminate problems such as shorts, and moisture exposure form rain or sweat. The conduit runs in a series circuitry to minimize shorts and arcing. The conduit is covered with a laminate and urethane to inhibit contact with moisture. A communication apparatus, such as a smart phone, monitors and regulates the temperature. A power supply and microprocessor are also attached.

Claims

1. A garment heating device for generating heat at a predetermined area of a garment and uniformly transferring the heat throughout the garment, comprising:

a power supply;

a conduit, the conduit comprising a unitary conductor having no junctions is connected to the power supply, wherein the unitary conduit is configured to generate heat and is disposed in the predetermined area of the garment in a series circuitry configuration so as to enhance uniform distribution of the heat throughout the conduit; and

a plurality of nodes having no junctions are configured to overlay the conduit from opposite sides to form a proximal layer and a distal layer around the conduit, wherein the proximal layer engages the garment, forming a barrier against the skin and the distal layer forms the opposite cover and integrates with the conduit and the layers are configured to transfer the controlled heat generated by the conduit to the plurality of nodes of the garment thereby enabling the nodes to provide uniform heating throughout the garment.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined area of the garment includes back and chest areas.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the node and the conduit are made of same conducting materials such as a metallic yarn coated with urethane.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the metallic yarn may include a strand of Bekaert yarn 3.6 meters long, and having a resistance of 2.5 ohms.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the nodes are spaced at a predetermined space from each other so as to provide sufficient flexibility to the garment.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a thermostat and a microprocessor, wherein the thermostat is operatively joined with the conduit and is configured to indicate a temperature of the garment and the microprocessor controlling the flow of current through the conduit in response to the signal received from the thermostat.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the thermostat being configured to communicate with a communication apparatus and the communication apparatus having a software application providing a graphical user interface configured to monitor and regulate the thermostat, thereby controlling the power supply to the conduit so as to regulate the temperature based on external conditions, such as region, activity being performed, or time of day.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is microprocessor controlled and source of power supply includes a battery, a fuel cell, a solar cell or an external power source or any combination thereof.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the power supply is attached with a USB port and a battery charging circuit that allows recharging of the power supply and the charging circuit is configured and positioned to minimize interference with functionality and comfort of the garment.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein varying parameters such as the power supply, yarn dimensions, resistance of the conduit and garment thickness provide different heating capacities of the device.

11. A garment heating device for generating heat at a predetermined area of a garment and uniformly transferring the heat throughout the garment, comprising:

a power supply;

a conduit, the conduit comprising a unitary conductor having no junctions is connected to the power supply, wherein the unitary conduit is configured to generate heat and is disposed in the predetermined area of the garment in a series circuitry configuration so as to enhance uniform distribution of the heat throughout the conduit;

a thermostat disposed to operatively join with the conduit, wherein the thermostat is configured to indicate a temperature of the garment;

a microprocessor for controlling the power supply to the conduit in response to the signal received from the thermostat; and

a plurality of nodes having no junctions are configured to overlay the conduit from opposite sides to form a proximal layer and a distal layer around the conduit, wherein the proximal layer engages the garment, forming a barrier against the skin and the distal layer forms the opposite cover and integrates with the conduit and the layers are configured to transfer the controlled heat generated by the conduit to the plurality of nodes of the garment thereby enabling the nodes to provide uniform heating throughout the garment.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the node and the conduit are made of same conducting materials such as a metallic yarn coated with urethane.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the metallic yarn may include a strand of Bekaert yarn 3.6 meters long, and having a resistance of 2.5 ohms.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein each of the nodes are spaced at a predetermined space from each other so as to provide sufficient flexibility to the garment.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the power supply is attached with a USB port and a battery charging circuit that allows recharging of the power supply and the power supply and the charging circuit is configured and positioned to minimize interference with functionality and comfort of the garment.

16. A garment heating device for generating heat at a predetermined area of a garment and uniformly transferring the heat throughout the garment, comprising:

a power supply;

a conduit, the conduit comprising a unitary conductor having no junctions is connected to the power supply, wherein the unitary conduit is configured to generate heat and is disposed in the predetermined area of the garment in a series circuitry configuration so as to enhance uniform distribution of the heat throughout the conduit;

a thermostat disposed to operatively join with the conduit, wherein the thermostat is configured to indicate a temperature of the garment and communicates with a communication apparatus so as to monitor and regulate the thermostat, thereby controlling the power supply to the conduit; and

a plurality of nodes having no junctions are configured to overlay the conduit from opposite sides to form a proximal layer and a distal layer around the conduit, wherein the proximal layer engages the garment, forming a barrier against the skin and the distal layer forms the opposite cover and integrates with the conduit and the layers are configured to transfer the controlled heat generated by the conduit to the plurality of nodes of the garment thereby enabling the nodes to provide uniform heating throughout the garment, further the plurality of nodes are spaced at a predetermined space from each other so as to provide sufficient flexibility to the garment.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the node and the conduit are made of same conducting materials such as a metallic yarn coated with urethane.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the metallic yarn may include a strand of Bekaert yarn 3.6 meters long, and having a resistance of 2.5 ohms.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the communication apparatus is a smart phone having a software application providing a graphical user interface configured to monitor and regulate the thermostat, thereby controlling the power supply to the conduit so as to regulate the temperature based on external conditions, such as region, activity being performed, or time of day.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the power supply is attached with a USB port and a battery charging circuit that allows recharging of the power supply and the power supply and the charging circuit is configured and positioned to minimize interference with functionality and comfort of the garment.