WEBER LINDA LEE (US)
| US5956866A | 1999-09-28 | |||
| US5592759A | 1997-01-14 | |||
| US7347831B2 | 2008-03-25 |
CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A slipper comprising an upper portion having an opening for receiving the foot of a user therein; a sole attached to said upper portion and having a heel portion and a toe portion; an internal chamber in said sold located between said toe portion and said heel portion; an electric heat element located in said internal chamber for generating heat; and electrical energy source for providing electrical energy to said heat element; and a heat transmission layer for transmitting heat from said heat element to the foot of a user when said foot is inserted into said opening of said upper portion.
2. A slipper according to claim 1, further comprising an electric motor located in said internal chamber; and a vibration generating assembly driven by said motor and located in said internal chamber for generating vibrations that are transferred to the foot of a user when said foot is inserted into said opening of said upper portion.
3. A slipper according to claim 1, further comprising an electrical input jack for selectively attaching said slipper to an electrical power source; and a rechargeable battery housed in said sole and adapted to receive electrical energy from said external power source via said input jack.
4. A slipper according to claim 1, further comprising a button for manually activating or deactivation said heat element.
5. A slipper according to claim 2, further comprising a button for manually activating or deactivation said heat element. |
HEATED AND VIBRATING SLIPPER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to footwear and, more particularly, to slippers having heating and vibrating massage functions for therapeutic benefit and for comfort.
Description of Related Art
Various types of footwear exist having vibrating massage elements for providing therapeutic and comfort benefits to wearers. No known footwear includes electrically generated heat emitters in addition to vibrating massage elements.
OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide slippers having electrically generated heat emitters in addition to vibrating massage elements.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
According to the present invention, each slipper in a pair of slippers includes an internal chamber located in the sole of the slipper. The chamber houses an electric motor having a moving output mechanism to create vibrational forces, such as an eccentric or eccentrically-weighted output shaft. Batteries are housed in the chamber to provide power to the motor. A heat emitting wire or wires are provided adjacent to the chamber in a body such as a laminate of fabric or thin material close to or in contact with to the wearer's foot in order to transmit heat to the wearer's foot. The heat emitting wire is
energized by an external electrical source such as a battery pack or an electrical wall socket, either being electrically connected to the heat emitting wire through an electrical connection/disconnection input jack or socket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. IA is a side, cross-sectional view of a slipper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 1 B is a top, semi-transparent view of a slipper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 1 C is a schematic view of an electrical charging system for a slipper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig.l D is a side view of a slipper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig.l E is a bottom view of a slipper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF
THE INVENTION
A slipper 1 according to the preferred embodiment comprises an upper portion 2 having an opening 3 for placing a wearer's foot therein, a sole 4, an internal chamber 5 located in a heel portion 6, a vibration assembly 7 comprising an electric motor and driven components of a known type to produce a vibration effect, a battery 8 for providing electrical energy to the motor, a switch 9 and pin 10 for selectively activating or deactivating the motor, a heat wire assembly 11, an input jack 12 for providing electrical energy to the wire assembly from an external electric source, an input cord 13 having a connector 14 for cooperating with the jack 12 to deliver electrical energy from the external electric source, an external electrical source such as a battery pack 15 for
providing such electrical energy, and batteries 16 in said battery pack 15. Optionally, the external electric source can be a wall outlet or socket.
In use, a wearer places his or her foot into the slipper 1 through the opening 3. Vibrational massaging is activated and deactivated by depressing the switch 9. Heat therapy is provided by the heater wire assembly 11 after having connected it to the battery pack 15 or, in an alternative embodiment, to a wall socket. After a predetermined amount of time, the heat assembly 11 has transferred a predetermined amount of heat to the slipper and is disconnected from the external electric source 15 via the jack 12. Optionally, the slipper 1 may be worn while the heater wire assembly 11 is still connected to the external electrical source 15, provided the wearer's feet remain relatively stationary.
Additional control switches may be provided to selectively activate and deactivate the heat assembly 11 on command.
Additional controls may be provided to control varying speeds of vibration and varying heat temperatures.
While the preferred embodiment has been disclosed, various modification can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.