Footwear warming system and device

Abstract

A footwear warming system and device includes a boot and a footwear warming device. The footwear warming device may include a cap and be generally shaped to fill a void inside the boot. Hot water, or other liquid, may be poured into the footwear warming device to warm a boot.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a body having a top segment, a heel portion, and a toe projection, the body extending from the heel portion toward the top segment and horizontally from the heel portion toward the toe projection; a retainer disposed above a circumference of the top segment of the body, the retainer having a circumference that is greater than the circumference of the top segment of the body, the retainer being foldable in a first direction toward the heel portion over the top segment of the body and further foldable in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction; a cap disposed on the top segment of the body; and a spine disposed in the body and implemented from a material that is more rigid than the body such that the spine maintains the top segment of the body in an upright position, the spine extending from the top segment of the body to the heel portion of the body and the spine extending from the heel portion and towards the toe projection.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the spine further bends around the heel portion of the body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body and the retainer are made from a form fitting material.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the form fitting material is neoprene.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is one of a threaded cap and a friction fit cap.

6. A system, comprising: a ski boot, and a footwear warming device, the footwear warming device comprising: a body having a top segment, a heel portion, and a toe projection, the body extending from the heel portion toward the top segment and horizontally from the heel portion toward the toe projection; a retainer disposed above a circumference of the top segment of the body, the retainer having a circumference that is greater than the circumference of the top segment of the body, the retainer being foldable in a first direction toward the heel portion over the top segment of the body and further foldable in a second direction which is opposite of the first direction; a cap disposed on the top segment of the body; and a spine disposed in the body and implemented from a material that is more rigid than the body such that the spine maintains the top segment of the body in an upright position, the spine extending from the top segment of the body to the heel portion of the body and the spine extending from the heel portion and towards the toe projection.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the spine further bends around the heel portion of the body.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the body and the retainer are made from a form fitting material.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the form fitting material is neoprene.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the cap is one of a threaded cap and a friction fit cap.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the retainer is a bearing structure that is configured to rest on an opening of a ski boot.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the bearing structure supports the device when installed in the ski boot such that the device remains upright in the ski boot when the bearing structure rests on the opening of the ski boot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of a footwear warming system and device. The illustrated embodiments are exemplary and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a footwear warming device.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a footwear warming system and device.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a footwear warming device.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a footwear warming device with inverted retainer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set forth, such as particular techniques and configurations, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the system and device disclosed herein. While the techniques and embodiments will primarily be described in context with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the techniques and embodiments may also be practiced in other similar devices.

(7) Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. It is further noted that elements disclosed with respect to particular embodiments are not restricted to only those embodiments in which they are described. For example, an element described in reference to one embodiment or figure, may be alternatively included in another embodiment or figure regardless of whether or not those elements are shown or described in another embodiment or figure. In other words, elements in the figures may be interchangeable between various embodiments disclosed herein.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a footwear warming device. Footwear warming device 100 may include cap 105 that attaches to top segment 130 of body 120 (also referred to as “body 120”). Cap 105 may be attached to the top segment 130 by a helical thread in a screw like manner. Cap 105 may also be secured to top segment 130 of body 120 by non-threaded friction. Cap 105 is generally made of a hard plastic material and opens to a hollow and watertight inside of body 120. Footwear warming device 100 is made of material, such as neoprene or other similar materials, that may hold hot liquid securely with cap 105 secured to the top segment 130 of body 120. Body 120 may be formed to a shape defined by a void within a footwear, such as a ski boot, so that the footwear warming device 100 contacts an entirety of an inside portion of the footwear. In other words, body 120 may be made of a form fitting material (e.g., neoprene) which fully fills a void in footwear. Body 120 may be generally angled and extend vertically from heel portion 135 with a toe projection that extends horizontally from heel portion 135 such that the angle between a bottom of heel 135 and spine 115 is up to 90° (e.g, perpendicular). However, an angle between a bottom of heel 135 and spine 115 is more preferably arranged in the range of 60° to 80° to allow body 120 to be more easily installed in and removed from footwear.

(9) The top segment 130 of body 120 may be encircled by a retainer 110. Retainer 110 may fold down towards heel portion 135 of body 120. Retainer 110 may be folded downwards over a top of a boot to hold footwear warming device 100 in place, especially when body 120 is filled with hot water. In other words, retainer 110 provides a bearing structure that rests on an opening of a boot, for example, to support footwear warming device 100 when installed within a boot such that footwear warming device 100 does not slide into the boot or fail to stay upright in the boot. Retainer 110 may also fold upwards to extend beyond the top segment 130 of body 120 to make footwear warming device 100 easily removable. Body 120 may optionally include finger holes or attached cordage through which fingers may be inserted to easily grip retainer 110 for removal of body 120 from footwear. Footwear warming device 100 may include a spine 115 that starts near cap 105 and goes down to heel portion 135. Spine 115 may be implemented as a support that provides rigidity to body 120 such that spine 115 is more rigid than body 120. In this case, the term rigidity encompasses a spectrum where more rigid elements of footwear warming device 100 are more capable of supporting their own weight than less rigid elements of footwear warming device 100. Spine 115 may be more rigid than body 120 by forming spine 115 with metal, plastic, or other material, in a manner that makes spine 115 more able to maintain shape in an upright position. At heel portion 135 of body 120 spine 115 bends around heel portion 135 towards toe projection 125 and ends at toe projection 125. Spine 115 provides a rigid framework to facilitate insertion of footwear warming device 100 inside a boot, for example. Toe projection 125 fills a toe end of the footwear in which it is placed.

(10) FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a footwear warming system and device 200. Footwear warming device 200 may include cap 205 that attaches to top segment 230 of body 220. Cap 205 may be attached to the top segment 230 by a helical thread in a screw like manner. Cap 205 may also be secured to top segment 230 of body 220 by non-threaded friction. Cap 205 is generally made of a hard plastic material and opens to a hollow inside of body 220. Cap 205 may further incorporate a valve within body 220 which prevents a hot fluid from escaping (e.g., may be screwed into a screw in valve in the body). Footwear warming device 200 is made of material, such as neoprene or other similar materials, that may hold hot liquid securely with cap 205 secured to the top segment 230 of body 220. Body 220 may be formed to a shape defined by a void within a boot, such as a ski boot, so that the footwear warming device 200 contacts an entirety of an inside portion of the boot.

(11) The top segment 230 of body 220 may be encircled by a retainer 210. Retainer 210 may fold down towards heel portion 235 of body 220. Retainer 210 may be folded downwards over a top of a boot to hold footwear warming device 200 in place. In other words, retainer 210 provides a bearing structure that rests on an opening of a boot, for example, to support footwear warming device 200 when installed within a boot such that footwear warming device 200 does not slide into the boot or fail to stay upright in the boot. Retainer 210 may also fold upwards to extend beyond the top segment 230 of body 220 to make footwear warming device 200 easily removable. Footwear warming device 200 may include a spine 215 that starts near cap 205 and extends down to heel portion 235. Spine 215 may be implemented as a support that provides rigidity to body 220 such that spine 215 is more rigid than body 220. In this case, the term rigidity encompasses a spectrum where more rigid elements of footwear warming device 200 are more capable of supporting their own weight than less rigid elements of footwear warming device 200. Spine 215 may be more rigid than body 220 by forming spine 215 with metal, plastic, or other material, in a manner that makes spine 215 more able to maintain shape in an upright position. At heel portion 235 of body 220, spine 215 bends around heel portion 235 towards toe projection 225 and ends at the toe portion. Spine 215 provides a rigid framework to facilitate insertion of footwear warming device 200 inside a boot, for example. Toe projection 225 fills a toe end of the footwear in which it is placed.

(12) FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a footwear warming device 300. Footwear warming device 300 may include cap 305 that attaches to top segment 330 of body 320. Cap 305 may be attached to the top segment 330 by a helical thread in a screw like manner. Cap 305 may also be secured to top segment 330 of body 320 by non-threaded friction. Cap 305 is generally made of a hard plastic material and opens to a hollow inside of body 320. Footwear warming device 300 is made as one or more pieces of watertight material, such as neoprene or other similar materials, that may hold hot liquid securely with cap 305 secured to the top segment 330 of body 320. Body 320 may be formed to a shape defined by a void within a boot, such as a ski boot, so that the footwear warming device 300 contacts an entirety of an inside portion of the boot.

(13) The top segment 330 of body 320 may be encircled by a retainer 310. Retainer 310 may fold down towards heel portion 335 of body 320. Retainer 310 may be folded downwards over a top of a boot to hold footwear warming device 300 in place. In other words, retainer 310 provides a bearing structure that rests on an opening of a boot, for example, to support footwear warming device 300 when installed within a boot such that footwear warming device 300 does not slide into the boot or fail to stay upright in the boot. Retainer 310 may also fold upwards to extend beyond the top segment 330 of body 320 to make footwear warming device 300 easily removable.

(14) Footwear warming device 300 may include a spine 315 that starts near cap 305 and goes down to heel portion 335. Spine 315 may be implemented as a support that provides rigidity to body 320 such that spine 315 is more rigid than body 320. In this case, the term rigidity encompasses a spectrum where more rigid elements of footwear warming device 300 are more capable of supporting their own weight than less rigid elements of footwear warming device 300. Spine 315 may be more rigid than body 320 by forming spine 315 with metal, plastic, or other material, in a manner that makes spine 315 more able to maintain shape in an upright position. At heel portion 335 of body 320 spine 315 bends around heel portion 335 towards toe projection 325 and ends at or before the toe portion. Spine 315 provides a rigid framework to facilitate insertion of footwear warming device 300 inside a boot, for example. Toe projection 325 fills a toe end of the footwear in which it is placed.

(15) FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a footwear warming system and device with inverted retainer. Footwear warming device 400 may include cap 105 that attaches to top segment 430 of body 420. Cap 405 may be attached to the top segment 430 by a helical thread in a screw like manner. Cap 405 may also be secured to top segment 430 of body 420 by non-threaded friction. Cap 405 is generally made of a hard plastic material and opens to a hollow inside of body 420. Footwear warming device 400 is made of material, such as neoprene or other similar materials, that may hold hot liquid securely with cap 405 secured to the top segment 430 of body 420. Body 420 may be formed to a shape defined by a void within a boot, such as a ski boot, so that the footwear warming device 400 contacts an entirety of an inside portion of the boot.

(16) The top segment 430 of body 420 may be encircled by a retainer 410. Retainer 410 may fold down towards heel portion 435 of body 420. Retainer 410 may be folded downwards over a top of a boot to hold footwear warming device 400 in place. In other words, retainer 410 provides a bearing structure that rests on an opening of a boot, for example, to support footwear warming device 400 when installed within a boot such that footwear warming device 400 does not slide into the boot or fail to stay upright in the boot. Retainer 410 may also fold upwards to extend beyond the top segment 430 of body 420 to make footwear warming device 400 easily removable.

(17) Footwear warming device 400 may include a spine 415 that starts near cap 405 and extends down to heel portion 435. Spine 415 may be implemented as a support that provides rigidity to body 420 such that spine 415 is more rigid than body 420. In this case, the term rigidity encompasses a spectrum where more rigid elements of footwear warming device 400 are more capable of supporting their own weight than less rigid elements of footwear warming device 400. Spine 415 may be more rigid than body 420 by forming spine 415 with metal, plastic, or other material, in a manner that makes spine 415 more able to maintain shape in an upright position. At heel portion 435 of body 420 spine 415 bends around heel portion 435 towards toe projection 425 and may end at the toe portion. Spine 415 provides a rigid framework to facilitate insertion of footwear warming device 400 inside a boot, for example. Toe projection 425 fills a toe end of the footwear in which it is placed.