Low voltage warming blanket

• US 7,351,934 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2005
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary Devroy
• Original Assignee: Gary Devroy
• Inventors: Devroy, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoang; Tu Ba
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, VINOD D
• Application Number:
  US11/181,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20070012675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 219/212, 219/211, 219/217, 219527-529, 219/543, 219/548, 219/549, 219/202, 219/492
• US Class Current: 219/212
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0227 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/014 Heaters using resistive wires or cables not provided for in H05B3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/029 Heaters specially adapted for seat warmers
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/035 Electrical circuits used in resistive heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/342 heaters used in textiles

Abstract

A low voltage warming blanket adapted for use in vehicles powered by the vehicles DC power source is provided with a control selectively actuatable to activate the blanket for one of a plurality of preset time periods at at least one pre-set temperature, the control having a reset button to reinitiate activation upon expiration of the time period, the blanket being provided with thermal sensors preventing overheating.

Claims

1. A low voltage heated electric blanket for automotive use comprising a heated blanket area comprising a fabric member having heating coils associated therewith and temperature sensors, the heating coils and temperature sensors positioned within the fabric member, and electronically connected to a controller, the controller having a reset switch and automatic timer such that upon activation of said reset switch, the blanket is switched into heating mode and the timer is initiated, said timer deactivating activation of the heating coils upon passage of a predetermined period of time from activation, and the heating coils remaining deactivated until intentionally reactivated by manually reactivating the reset switch, an indicator for indicating activation, a plug adapted to be received in an automotive power socket connected to an automotive battery, the plug electronically connected to the controller, the blanket being separate from seats in the vehicle and being positionable on the body of an occupant of the vehicle wherein, the heating coils are not automatically reactivated once said predetermined period of time has passed to reduce battery drain and are manually reactivated in order to turn the blanket on.

2. The low voltage heated blanket of claim 1 wherein the control has a plurality of preset time positions, each of which can be selected independent of the other.

3. The low voltage heated blanket of claim 2 wherein the sensors are independent of the coil.

4. The low voltage heated blanket of claim 2 wherein the sensors provide at least one make/break connection within a length of the coil.

5. The low voltage heated blanket of claim 2 wherein the control includes a temperature selector effective to select one of a plurality of different preset operating temperatures for the blanket.

6. The low voltage heated blanket of claim 2 wherein the controller is positioned remote from the fabric member intermediate the plug and the fabric member.