Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an item of footwear, in particular a heated slip on item of footwear such as a slipper.

Background

Many people across many societies are increasingly living into old age. This can bring problems for the people as well as the societies.

For example many older people may struggle to stay warm enough in colder climates, having thinner blood and being less likely to spend their time moving. Often such struggles may be focussed on extremities, where warmth is consequently less likely to reach.

There are many aids to keeping warm for such people, which range from blankets, which may be heated, to item of footwears and warmer clothes.

However often such aids may be inconvenient, bulky, difficult to manipulate, costly to operate or hard to target the heat to where it is needed.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Prior Art

CN 106 723 635 (CHENG) discloses shoe with a heating element installed on the tail portion of the outer layer shoe body and placed in the cavity.

CN 105 661 744 (SHI et al) discloses a foot warming shoe comprises a shoe body and is characterized in that: the heat-insulating layer is a liquid storage cavity layer.

CN 104 138 097 (GUO) discloses a pair of energy-saving water heating warm shoes. CN207821216U (YANGZHOU) discloses an heatable anti-skid item of footwear.

CN205321382U (ZHEJIANG) discloses self-heating heat preservation shoes.

CN212345546U (FANG) discloses a shoe with temperature adjustment and an air exchange function.

GB2465149A (OOI) discloses a thermal shoe with a temperature controlled region.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a heated item of footwear comprising: a resiliently deformable base and a resiliently deformable cover that receive a fluid reservoir therebetween; the fluid reservoir has a basal section and a band that extends from the basal section over a wearer’s foot and at least one heating element which is connectable to a power supply to heat the fluid therein; and the resiliently deformable cover includes a basal portion that covers the basal section of the fluid reservoir and a toe cap that encloses a wearer’s toes and abuts the band of the item of footwear.

In this way a wearer may place their foot into the item of footwear easily, sliding their foot between the band of the reservoir and the basal portion of the cover. The shape of the fluid reservoir means that fluid heated by the heating element provides warming to selected areas of the wearer’s foot including the sole of the foot and under a wearer’s toes, through the band, but not providing any direct heat from the reservoir above a wearer’s toes. This arrangement helps to reduce overheating of a wearer’s toes, a region that may commonly sweat and be subject to infection.

This arrangement also encourages circulation of heat allowing air heated by the basal section of the reservoir to rise within the cavity of the item of footwear and heat the wearer’s foot as well as enabling the band to contact an upper region of the foot to further assist with heating the wearer’s foot. Also, being able to slide a foot into the item of footwear aids wearers with limited mobility.

The shape of the fluid reservoir is intended to help to quickly and effectively provide a warming sensation to the wearer’s foot, which is lasting and pleasurable as heat is contained in the front part (toe region) of the item of footwear and heated air is free to escape from the open, rear region of the item of footwear.

In some embodiments the fluid reservoir is provided as a closed reservoir that is filled and sealed closed so that fluid cannot escape from the reservoir.

In another embodiment the reservoir includes an opening so that fluid can be added to and removed from the reservoir. The opening may include or comprise a valve. Advantageously this enables the fluid to be removed, which will reduce weight of the item of footwear when not in use, or for example when being transported.

In some embodiments the heating element is located in at least part of the basal section of the reservoir so that heat spreads from the basal section to the band.

In some embodiments the heating element located in an upper part of the reservoir, in the band, whereby the heating element heats fluid in the band that circulates from the upper band part of the reservoir to the lower basal section during circulation.

In yet a further embodiment the heating element, or at least part of the heating element, may extend through both the band and basal section of the reservoir.

It is appreciated that the action of wearing the item of footwear and walking wearing the footwear or a wearer moving their feet when wearing the footwear can further assist with circulation of heated fluid.

Typically, the heating element is an electrical heating element that uses electrical energy to heat an element by means of resistance. For example, the reservoir wall may include a network of resistance wires that become heated to warm fluid in the reservoir.

The heating element has a power supply which may be at least one battery provided on the item of footwear. Additionally, or alternatively the heating element may be connectable to a direct power supply by a connection means. In a preferred embodiment the connection means is a port for receiving a power supply for charging of at least one rechargeable battery that powers the heating element and/or for directly powering the heating element.

In some embodiments that include a rechargeable battery the item of footwear is adapted to enable inductive charging so that the rechargeable battery can be charged wirelessly. For example, the item of footwears may be provided with a charging dock where each or both item of footwear(s) can be stored when not worn.

In another embodiment the connection means may comprise an electrical socket or plug, thereby advantageously allowing for a direct connection means to a power supply, such connection by a cable to an electrical network to be easily connected and disconnected.

In some embodiments the item of footwear that include at least one rechargeable battery there is an indicator to show charge status of the at least one rechargeable battery. In this way a wearer, or third party can be prompted to recharge the item of footwear.

In some embodiments an indicator may be provided to indicate when the heating element is actively heating, so that the wearer or a third party can see when the item of footwear is in a heating mode.

In a preferred embodiment the indicator is at least one light. For example, the item of footwear may include a light emitting diode (LED) that emits a red light when battery charge level is detected as low and emits a green light when the battery is detected as charged. In a similar way a light may be used to indicate when the heating element is active.

In some embodiments the heating element has a displaceable cover, so as to cover the control means, connection means, battery or other parts that may be susceptible to damage. The displaceable cover may be easily displaceable for those with limited mobility for example pivoting, or clip-over with a tether. The cover may enable the heating element to be conveniently located. Preferably the at least one heating element has a control means to allow a wearer to selectively turn on and turn off the heating element. The control means may preferably be a switch or dial that is used to activate and deactivate the heating element.

In some embodiments the control means may be automatically activated by presence of a wearer’s foot. For example, the item of footwear may include at least one sensor to detect presence of a wearer’s foot and once detected the at least one heating element may be activated for a predetermined period of time.

Preferably the control means may be located on the band so as to allow for easier usage particularly for those with limited mobility and to not impact wearability.

In some embodiments the item of footwear includes a thermostat to control the heating element when pre-set temperatures are detected. Typically, this is achieved by deactivating the heating element when a pre-set temperature is reached and activating the heating element if temperature detected falls below a pre-set level.

In some embodiments the item of footwear also includes a timer so that the at least one heating element can be activated for a pre-set period of time thereby minimising energy consumption and preventing overheating of a wearer’s feet.

In some embodiments the heating element may include or be operable with a fluid movement means so as to aid in dispersal of the fluid. Such fluid movement means may comprise a turbine or pump to circulate fluid. Alternatively, or additionally the reservoir may have a shaped internal structure to encourage fluid flow around the reservoir. For example, an inner face of the reservoir may include raised and lowered portions.

In some embodiments at least part of the cover has through holes for passage of heat from the fluid reservoir, such that the heat may travel through the holes to more quickly heat a wearer’s feet whilst also heating the cover material without holes that more slowly transfers heat. In some embodiments the base forms a tray for receiving the fluid reservoir, containing the reservoir, and providing damage protection around it. Preferably the base may have raised lips to encase sides of the basal section of the fluid reservoir.

In a preferred embodiment an upper surface of the raised lip(s) on the base engages with and is connected to a lower surface of the cover so as to securely locate the fluid reservoir therein. Typically the surfaces are connected by an adhesive, thereby locking the parts of the item of footwear together.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments the parts of the item of footwear may be joined differently, for example by interlocking parts to enable the parts (base, reservoir, and cover) to be assembled and disassembled by separating the base from the cover to release the fluid reservoir. In this way the item of footwear is modular, and a wearer may combine different parts, for example parts of different colours or to accommodate different reservoirs with different capacities or to replace damaged parts.

In some embodiments of the heated item of footwear the band of the reservoir is displaceable. In some embodiments the band of the reservoir may be displaceably connected at one end. This enables the opening to the toe region of the item of footwear to be enlarged to make it easier to put on and take of the item of footwear and to easy clean the region.

In yet a further embodiment the heated item of footwear may include a strap around the rear heel region to help retain a wearer’s foot. The strap may extend from the base, fluid reservoir or cover.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the item of footwear according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the item of footwear shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the item of footwear shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the item of footwear shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the item of footwear shown in Figure 1 , with the cap removed from the socket.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment 99 of a heated item of footwear generally comprising a resiliently deformable base 1 , a fluid reservoir 2, a heating element 4, and a resiliently deformable cover 3.

The fluid reservoir has a basal section 22 that is under a wearer’s foot in use and a band 21 that passes over a wearer’s foot in use. The band 21 comprises an arch with internal space for fluid, arranged so as to warm the top and sides of a wearer’s instep when wearing the item of footwear 99.

A basal section 22 of the fluid reservoir 1 is located between the cover 3 and the base 1 .

The heating element 4 is adapted to heat the fluid in the reservoir 2. In the pictured embodiment the heating element 4 is arranged on the band 21 of the fluid reservoir 2. In the pictured embodiment an upper part of the arch of the band 21 houses a heating element socket 42. The socket 42 is covered by a displaceable cap 41 so as to prevent damage or water ingress when not in use. The cap 41 is arranged to spin into and out of place, on a pivot.

The base 1 has a flat lower surface that engages with the ground when the item of footwear is worn and a recessed upper area that receives the basal section of the fluid reservoir 2. The base 1 has raised lips 12, 13 that define the recess into which the basal section 22 of the fluid reservoir 2 is seated. A cutaway basal part 11 provides a channel through which the band 21 is received.

The raised lips 12, 13 are U-shaped, both extending around parts of the perimeter edge of the base 1. The raised lips 12, 13 are in opposed orientations, together forming a discontinuous oblong shape. The first raised lip 12 extends around a rear perimeter edge of the item of footwear and the second raised lip 13 extends around a front perimeter edge of the item of footwear. The space between the first and second raised lips 12, 13 is the channel in which the band 21 is seated when the parts are assembled.

The fluid reservoir 2, sits into the base 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises a planar basal section 22, which is sized to fit into the lips 12,13.

A resiliently deformable cover 3 is located on top of the reservoir 2, having a basal portion 33 which is planar and arranged to sit on top of the basal section of the reservoir 22.

The basal portion 33 of the cover 3 comprises a plurality of vertical through holes 34, so as to allow for the quicker passage of heat from the basal section 22 of the reservoir 2 to the wearer’s foot (not shown).

In the pictured embodiment 99 the holes 34 are triangular and the triangular holes 34 are arranged in different orientations so that some face front and some face back so as to better distribute the heat.

The basal portion 33 of the cover 3 sits on top of the raised lip 12 of the base 1 and a toe cap 32 of the cover 3 sits on top of the other raised lip 13 of the case 1 .

An upper surface of the raised lips 12, 13 is flat and wide to provide a large surface area to which an edge 31 of the cover 3 and lower surface of the toe cap 32 can engage.

The edge of the cover 31 and to cap 32 of the cover 3 are adhered to the upper surface of the raised lips 12, 13 to form the item of footwear. The cover has a resilient toe cap 32, which is fitted under and through the band 21 of the reservoir 2 in use, so as to hold the cover 3, base 1 and reservoir 2 in a relative form longitudinally. The toe cap 32 encloses a wearer toes so that heated air readily circulates this area.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.