Abstract:
A garment for wearing in cold weather, such as gloves, wherein the garment is electrically heated to provide resistive warmth to the wearer and where the garment has multiple layers and where the heating element is disposed between the inner and the outer layers, yet secured by loop fastening features.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This U.S. patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/116,613 filed Feb. 16, 2015, the disclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to heated garments. In one aspect, the current invention is related to electrically heated gloves relying on battery technology. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the garment industry, it is known to provide some form of auxiliary heat to certain garments that will be used in cold weather environments, whether for work, sport, or other settings. For example, skiers have long used hand warmers based on chemical reactions between reactants such as iron, activated carbon, and water. Further, glove manufacturers have begun adding electrical heating features to gloves, such as those that are based on some rechargeable battery technology. 
         [0004]    A persistent problem with existing technology is sufficient warmth combined with ability to perform working tasks, such as picking up and holding smaller items (e.g., screws and nuts) or connecting hoses and wires. This problem is particularly pronounced in far northern and southern regions of the world where temperatures are commonly well below 0° F. 
         [0005]    There exists a need to provide a glove that comprises an improved flexible resistive element\wire and a rechargeable battery to provide a battery-powered, heated glove or other garment, suitable for rugged use in a work environment garment with a loop securing feature. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect, this disclosure is related to a heated glove suitable for use in cold temperature environments comprising a hand region; multiple appendage regions; a battery housing region; an inner layer; an outer layer; a heating element disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the heating element includes a coiled feature in each appendage region and a pattern thought the hand region, and wherein the heating element is electrically connected to the battery housing region, and wherein the heating element is electrically isolated. The heated glove can further use a loop securing feature between the inner layer and the outer layer of the glove. 
         [0007]    The loop securing feature is used for the securing of the heating element within the glove while facilitating the flexibility of the heating element to be able to move though the loop securing feature without causing excess tension and pulling of the heating element when the wearer flexes his hand and therefore stretches the glove. In other words, the loop securing feature is used to hold the heating element to the inner layer of the glove, yet the heating element may slide or otherwise move within the inner layer of the glove without being physically attached to any particular layer of the glove itself. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will be more apparent and better understood by reference to the following descriptions of the disclosed system and process, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a glove according to this disclosure with the outer layer removed to reveal the workings of the glove. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view of an exemplary embodiment of a glove according to this disclosure with partial outer glove completing the finished glove. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a layered cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of a glove on a user&#39;s hand. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a magnified view of a battery compartment and bottom perspective of an exemplary embodiment of the glove. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a glove according to the disclosure in a “hand flexed” setting to demonstrate the flexibility and robust nature of the glove. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The Figures illustrate exemplary embodiments of an electrically heated glove described in this disclosure. It is to be generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe the invention herein should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0015]    The invention is directed to a battery powered, electrically heated glove that are suitable for a real world work-environment that provides heating to the full hand and each finger using coiled heating elements that are robust, yet flexible. The heated glove enables persons performing manual labor in freezing, or especially sub-0° F., environments to be able to work in comfort with warm hands and fingers. 
         [0016]    The heated gloves comprise gloves that are suitable for performing manual labor, i.e., do not appreciably diminish the dexterity, sensitivity, or mobility of the hand to perform common manual tasks involving tools, machinery, and other necessary outdoor activities. Accordingly, unlike gloves known in the art, the gloves themselves primarily comprise fabric and a heating element in the hand and finger portions, and does not comprise excessive insulating material. That is, the gloves utilize fabric such that the glove conforms in high fidelity to the wearer&#39;s hand. In contrast, gloves of the prior art incorporate excess material to add insulation and facilitate use of chemical hand-warming packages. 
         [0017]    The heated gloves are electrically isolated and rely on at least one battery to provide the necessary energy. In one exemplary embodiment, the battery can be a rechargeable battery. The battery powers a circuit of warming coils that are particularly oriented to maximize heat generation via resistive principles as the energy flows through the heating element. The heating element may be made of any suitable material that facilitates heating based on resistive principles, is flexible, yet robust. In one embodiment, the material of the heating element is NiCr-based. The heating element is configured to warm the wearer&#39;s entire hand and each finger and thumb. 
         [0018]    The heating element is designed such that it is electrically isolated, therefore preventing a short in the circuit, permitting the gloves to be used around conductive material and electrical environments without risk of electrical shock. The heating element can be comprised of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the conductive material of the heating element can be coated with a durable rubber coating. The rubber coating on the heating element means that the circuit from the battery to the heating element will be a closed circuit and that there is no bare wire exposed to short with the operator, tools, equipment, etc. The rubber coating prevents the battery from causing a short with any external metallic material or with electrical circuits causing malfunction with equipment. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows the overview  113  of the heated garment in the shape of a glove. In use, the wearer may pull open a flap to insert rechargeable battery  102  into battery socket  101 . The switch  109  may then be toggled to an “on” setting, such that current will begin to flow through the heating element  104  to heat the glove. The heating element  104  can supply heat to at least about 80% of the hand and appendage regions, or at least about 90% of the hand and appendage regions, or at least about 95% of the hand and appendage regions. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows the heating element  204  as it is layered between ambient-facing outer layer  206  and inner layer  205  that conforms to the wearer for a snug and proper fit. The inner layer  205  and outer layer  206  can use fabric that conforms to a user&#39;s hand and can use little if any insulating material. Exemplary embodiments can use less than about 10 ounces of insulating material, less than about 5 ounces of insulating material, and less than about 3 ounces of insulating material.  FIG. 2  demonstrates this relationship of the outer layer  206  and the inner layer  205  with the heating element  204  disposed there-between. A flap  207  is designed to provide access to the battery, and is located distal from the fingers, roughly proximate to the back of a wearer&#39;s wrist  208 , as not to interfere with the objective or operation of the invention. The flap  207  is comprised of a slim design with respect to battery socket  201  and electronic holder  203 . The electronic holder  203  is of a slim nature as to keep it from impeding with the work environment. The heating element  204  is shown loosely to reflect the relationship spatially, as shown with heating element  204  attached to the inner layer  205 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows the layers with spatial reference to the wearer&#39;s hand  314 . The inner layer  305  and outer layer  306  respectively conform snuggly to the wearer&#39;s hand  314  to provide a wearer with free range of motion with little to no encumbrance that a traditional glove imposes on a wearer. These figures illustrate the high degree of conformity to the wearer&#39;s hand  314  without room for the hand to move freely within the glove itself, which would cause slippage and loss of proper grip on tools, equipment, objects, etc. that the wearer may be handling. The heating element  304  is also flexible to conform to the wearer&#39;s specific physiology, so as to not generate tension or unwanted resistance with loop fastening design  315 . In one exemplary embodiment, the heating element  304  can be attached to the inner layer  305 . The electronic holder  303  can be located near the wrist portion  308  of the glove. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  shows various aspects of the glove, including battery socket  401 , rechargeable battery  402 , electronics housing component  403 , flap component  407 , switch  409 , latch component  410 , flexible band  411 , pocket for battery holder  412 , and intermediate layer  412   a  on the wrist band  408 . Electronics holder  403  is directly connected to the inner layer  405  and the heating element  404 . The flap  407  provides cover for electronics housing component  403  should the battery become dislodged. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  shows the heating elements  504  that are used to bend and move with the wearer  514  utilizing the loop fastening design  515 . In  FIG. 5 , the heating element  504  is shown in a cutaway from the garment to depict the relationship between the heating element  504  and the inner layer. The heating element  504  is physically attached to the inner layer  505  for a more sure, snug fit. The heating element  504  is embedded in an insulation as not to physically come in contact with any conductive element (tool, liquid, object, etc.). 
         [0024]    The present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments described herein. This may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the preceding description.