Hand warming pocket

Abstract

A hand warming having an open end for receiving a player's hand, a closed end, and a generally cylindrical interior chamber that is located between the open and closed ends. The interior chamber is insulated and surrounded by a water-proof outer covering. A flexible collar having an elastic band closure extends from the perimeter edge of the open end. A looped panel is attached to the outer covering. The panel is attached to the outer covering so as to form first and second tunnels for selectively receiving a belt for vertical mounting. First and second belt loops are attached across the panel for horizontal mounting. A flap that can be closed and the first and second belt loops can be used to retain the hand warmer in place when the hand warmer is horizontally positioned.

Claims

1. A hand warmer, comprising: an open end; a closed end; a generally cylindrical interior chamber disposed between said open end and said closed end, said interior chamber formed from insulation surrounded by an outer covering which is attached to said open end and to said closed end; a flexible collar extending from a perimeter edge of said open end, said collar having a free end; a looped panel attached to the outside of said outer covering; a first belt loop attached across said panel and a second belt loop attached across said panel; wherein said first belt loop is located above said second belt loop when said open end is above said closed end; wherein said first belt loop and said second belt loop are configured to receive a belt when the hand warmer is horizontally supported; and a flap attached on one side to said panel, said flap including a pair of snaps in alignment with a pair of receivers that are attached to said panel, wherein said pair of snaps and said receivers can hold said flap closed to help retain said hand warmer in position when on the belt; wherein said interior chamber is accessed through said open end.

2. The hand warmer according to claim 1, wherein said outer covering is comprised of a waterproof material.

3. The hand warmer according to claim 1, wherein said closed end is cup shaped.

4. The hand warmer according to claim 1, wherein said insulation further covers an inner surface of said closed end.

5. The hand warmer according to claim 1, further including an elastic band at said free end of said collar.

6. The hand warmer according to claim 5, wherein when relaxed said elastic band has a diameter less than the diameter of said perimeter edge.

7. The hand warmer according to claim 1, further including a first seam attaching said panel to said outer covering and a second seam also attaching said panel to said outer covering, said first and second seams respectively forming a first tunnel for selectively receiving said belt and a second tunnel for selectively receiving said belt.

8. The hand warmer according to claim 7, wherein said first and second seams run parallel with one another and with said perimeter edge such that said first tunnel is higher than said second tunnel when said belt passes through said first tunnel.

9. The hand warmer according to claim 1, further including a pull tab attached to said flap.

10. A hand warmer, comprising: an open end; a closed end; a generally cylindrical interior chamber disposed between said open end and said closed end, said interior chamber formed by insulation surrounded by an outer covering which is attached to said open end along a perimeter edge and to said closed end; a flexible collar extending from said perimeter edge and having a free end; a looped panel attached to said outer covering by a first seam and by a second seam such that a first tunnel and a second tunnel are formed; a first belt loop attached across said panel and a second belt loop attached across said panel; wherein said first belt loop is located above said second belt loop when said open end is above said closed end; and wherein said first belt loop and said second belt loop are configured to receive a belt when the hand warmer is horizontally supported; and a flap attached on one side to said panel, said flap including a pair of snaps in alignment with a pair of receivers that are attached to said panel, wherein said pair of snaps and said pair of receivers can hold said flap closed to help retain said hand warmer in position on the belt; wherein said interior chamber is accessed through said flexible collar.

11. The hand warmer according to claim 10, wherein said insulation covers an inside of said closed end.

12. The hand warmer according to claim 11, further including an elastic band at said free end of said collar.

13. The hand warmer according to claim 12, wherein when relaxed said elastic band has a diameter less than the diameter of the perimeter edge.

14. The hand warmer according to claim 10, wherein said first and second seams run parallel with one another and with said perimeter edge such that said first tunnel is higher than said second tunnel when said belt passes through said first tunnel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand warmer 10 that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top-down view of the hand warmer 10 illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the hand warmer 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the hand warmer 10 taken along line I-I of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5a is an environmental view of a user 100 with a hand 105 inserted into the interior chamber 15 of a hand warmer 10 (reference FIGS. 1-4) that is horizontally supported on a belt 75; and,

(7) FIG. 5b is an environmental view of a user 100 with a hand 105 inserted into the interior chamber 15 of a hand warmer 10 (reference FIGS. 1-4) that is vertically supported on a belt 75.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

(8) 10 hand warmer 11 open end 12 outer covering 13 perimeter edge 14 closed end 15 interior chamber 20a first tunnel 20b second tunnel 21a first seam 21b second seam 22 panel 25a first belt loop 25b second belt loop 26 flap 27a first pull tab 27b second pull tab 28a first snap 28b second snap 28c first receiver 28d second receiver 31 first tag 32 second tag 33 third tag 40 collar 41 elastic band 50 insulation 75 belt

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) The present invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment hand warmer 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-5b. That hand warmer 10 is designed to be supported either horizontally or vertically on a player's belt 75 as respectively illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b. However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiment. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention.

(10) The terms a and an as used herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

(11) Referring now primarily to FIGS. 1 and 4, the preferred embodiment hand warmer 10 has an overall cylindrical shape with an open end 11, a closed end 14, an outer covering 12, and insulation 50 (FIG. 4). The open end 11 is bounded by one perimeter edge 13 of the outer covering 12. The open end 11 provides access into an interior chamber 15.

(12) Referring now also to FIG. 2, the outer covering 12 is preferably comprised of a weatherproof and waterproof synthetic material that is capable of being easily cleaned, such as nylon. The closed end 14 is generally planar or cup-shaped and is attached to one end of the outer covering 12. The closed end 14 may be made of the same material as the outer covering 12 but should be thicker and more durable so as to retain heat better. The insulation 50 is affixed to and covers a majority or all of the inner surface of the outer covering 12. Beneficially the insulation 50 also covers the inner surface of the closed end 14. The insulation 50 is envisioned as being batting or a padding that is made from cotton, wool, or a synthetic material. In any event the insulation 50 retards the loss of heat from the interior chamber 15.

(13) Turning now also to FIG. 3, attached to the perimeter edge 13 is a collar 40. At the free end of the collar 40 is an elastic band 41. When relaxed the elastic band 41 has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the perimeter edge 13. The elastic band 41 can stretch to accommodate the passing of a hand into the interior chamber 15 while also creating a relatively snug fit with the arm The collar 40 can bunch up and extend without ripping or tearing. Beneficially the collar 40 is made of the same material as the outer covering 12 and the closed end 14.

(14) As shown in FIG. 1, the hand warmer 10 further includes a looped panel 22 that is attached to the outside of the outer covering 12 (more details are provided below). For balance the panel 22 is centrally located between the perimeter edge 13 and the closed end 14. To provide sufficient rigidity the panel 22 is preferably made stronger and more resilient than the outer covering 12. As shown the panel 22 is rectangular and is attached to the outer covering 12 such that its shorter sides are parallel with the perimeter edge 13. While the foregoing descriptions of the orientation and location of the panel 22 are beneficial it should be appreciated that any orientation and location is acceptable if the panel 22 provides a sufficient support for the hand warmer 10 when attached to a support structure such as a belt 75 (reference FIGS. 5A and 5B).

(15) The panel 22 is preferably attached to the outer covering 12 by a first seam 21a and by a second seam 21b. The first and second seams 21a, 21b run parallel with one another and with the perimeter edge 13. The panel 22 and the first seam 21a form a first tunnel 20a for a belt 75. Similarly, the panel 22 and the second seam 21 b form a second tunnel 20b for a belt 75. Each tunnel 20a, 20b is offset from the center of the panel 22. Referencing now also FIG. 5b, when the hand warmer 10 is mounted vertically that offset enables the hand warmer 10 to be located higher or lower on the belt 75 to suit the preference of the user 100.

(16) Still referring primarily to FIG. 1, a first belt loop 25a is attached across the panel 22 and a second belt loop 25b is also attached across the panel 22. The first belt loop 25a is located above the second belt loop 25b when the hand warmer 10 is orientated vertically with the open end 11 higher than the closed end 12. The first belt loop 25a and the second belt loop 25b are designed to receive a belt 75 when horizontally supporting the hand warmer 10.

(17) Attached to an edge of the panel 22 between the first belt loop 25a and the second belt loop 25b is a rectangular flap 26. Opposite the attachment edge the flap 26 has a pair of snaps 28a, 28b. Respectively located on the panel 22 in alignment with the first and second snaps 28a, 28b when the flap 26 is closed are a first receiver 28c and a second receiver 28d. The first and second receivers 28c, 28d respectively mate with the first and second snaps 28a, 28b to hold the flap 26 closed when a belt 75 passes through the first and second belt loops 25a, 25b. A closed flap 26 helps retain the hand warmer 10 in position on a player's belt 75.

(18) To assist opening the flap 26 the flap 26 includes a first pull tab 27a and a second pull tab 27b. The first and second pull tabs 27a, 27b are respectively attached to the flap 26 adjacent the first and second fasteners 28a, 28b. The pull tabs 27a, 27b extend away from the flap 26 to enable a user 100 to open the flap 26. It is appreciated that more or less pairs of aligned fasteners and receivers fall within the overall scope of the invention.

(19) As shown in FIG. 1, the hand warmer. 10 includes three (3) tags 31, 32, 33 affixed or otherwise bonded to the outer surfaces of the panel 22 and/or the outer cover 30. Each tag 31, 32, 33 provide logo, brand, or material information thereon. The outer covering 12, panel 22, collar 40, and/or closed end 14 can carry the same or similar information.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 5a, the hand warmer 10 can be horizontally supported by a belt 75 worn by user 100 by passing that belt 75 through the first and second belt loops 25a, 25b. The user 100 can then insert their hand 105 into the interior chamber 15. While the insulation 50 helps keep the inserted hand warm if desired a chemical warming packet can be inserted into the hand warmer 10 to provide additional warmth.

(21) Alternately, and with reference to FIG. 5b, the hand warmer 10 may be worn vertically by passing a belt 75 through a selected one of the tunnels 20a, 20b, depending on the desired vertical height for the open top end 11. Different users 100 will prefer different tunnels 20a, 20b for comfort. The user 100 can then insert their hand 105 into the interior chamber 15. Again, if desired a chemical warming pack can be inserted into the interior chamber 15.

(22) The foregoing descriptions of a specific embodiment of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.