Heated glove system

Abstract

A heated glove system includes a heated glove having an ultra-thin resistive heater that extends on both the back and palm side of the glove for higher tactility and usability. The resistive heater can be a thin metal foil that is planar on a substrate material. The resistive heater can extend along a back portion of the glove, and up along a finger portion of the back portion and also along a palm portion, and up along a finger portion of the palm portion. In this way, the hand is heated on substantially the entire surface on both the back and palm side. The heated glove includes a battery, which can be a rechargeable battery, and a controller interface having an on / off button and a temperature indicator, and can include a wireless signal transceiver for relaying information about the glove temperature to a remote electronic device.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 649,610, filed April 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a heated glove system comprising a heated glove having an ultra-thin resistive heater that extends on both the back of the glove and the palm side for enhanced tactile feel and usability. Background Technology

[0003] Cold-weather gloves use bulky insulating materials to keep hands warm. This heavy, thick insulation reduces normal hand function and grip strength. Fine or delicate hand movements become very difficult, or even impossible, when wearing these bulky gloves.

[0004] In particular, athletes have to endure cold temperatures during outdoor sports because these thick gloves limit their performance and their ability to catch and / or throw the ball. Without gloves, their hands become cold and stiff, which also impairs their performance.

[0005] Furthermore, not everyone is outdoors for recreation or leisure. Millions of Americans have to work outdoors in cold temperatures, performing manual and mechanical tasks as part of their jobs. Unfortunately, the gloves they are required to wear to protect their hands and fingers can ultimately severely impair their ability to perform their work.

[0006] Of course, performance and results are directly limited when not wearing gloves. According to medical research, cold temperatures "reduce manual dexterity (of the hands and fingers) and impair flexibility due to increased viscosity within joints and soft tissues, thus interfering with smooth joint movement," and "reduce contraction speed and maximum force." In short, low temperatures limit hand and finger movement and the speed of that movement, and also significantly reduce grip strength.

[0007] However, standard gloves have the same negative effects. Other studies have found “muscle strength loss at the hand-glove interface” and identified “wearing gloves may be another risk factor for jobs that require repetitive movements and vigorous exertion.” These studies on glove use in occupational environments conclude that these “thick, stiff gloves…may be trading one health risk for another.” In other words, the warmth provided by standard gloves is necessary for safety reasons, but in addition to negatively impacting job performance, the restrictions imposed by those same standard gloves create other safety risks. This creates a dilemma. You need gloves to protect your hands from harsh environments, but those same gloves restrict your ability to perform the required tasks. Taking them off puts you at risk. Wearing them introduces other risks due to the restrictions imposed by those thick, bulky garments. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention relates to a heated glove system comprising a heated glove with an ultrathin resistive heater extending on both the back and palm sides of the glove for enhanced tactile feedback and usability. An exemplary resistive heater is ultrathin, comprising a thin planar resistive layer with a thickness not exceeding 3 mm, and preferably not exceeding 2 mm, or even 1 mm. The ultrathin resistive heater may extend along the back portion of the glove, along the finger portion of the back portion, and also upwards along the palm portion, and upwards along the finger portion of the palm portion. In this way, the hand is heated substantially across the entire surface on both the back and palm sides. The heated glove includes: a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery; and a controller interface having an on / off button and a temperature indicator. The heated glove may also include a wireless transceiver for relaying information about the glove's temperature to a remote electronic device, such as a mobile phone.

[0009] An exemplary heated glove has a resistance heater extending along the back of the glove and also along the palm side. The resistance heater can be a heater grid of resistive layers disposed within both the palm and back portions, and can extend along the finger portions on both the palm and back sides. The heater grid can substantially cover the palm side and back areas of the glove, such as about 50% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, 90% or more, or even 95% or more. The heater grid can extend over substantially the entire surface area of ​​the heated glove to provide effective and uniform heating to the hand disposed therein.

[0010] An exemplary heater grid comprises a grid pattern of resistive layers on a substrate and can be an etched or vapor-deposited material, such as a metal or metal alloy. The resistive layer can be a metal or metal alloy foil. The resistive layer can be very thin, such as 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 0.5 mm or less, or even 0.25 mm or less. The substrate layer of the resistive layer can be a polymeric material, such as an olefin, or a material with relatively high thermal stability, such as polyimide. Furthermore, the resistive heater can have a cover layer, i.e., a material disposed on top of the resistive layer, and this can be a thermally conductive but non-conductive material. The substrate layer can be disposed facing or adjacent to the outer material of the glove and can provide additional insulation against cold external temperatures.

[0011] The heated glove may include a cuff portion having an opening leading to the interior of the glove. The heated glove has a hand portion extending over the palm of the hand and finger portions extending around each finger (including the thumb). The interior may contain a fabric for contact with the human hand. The heated glove has a back portion, a palm side portion, and individual finger sleeves, including thumb sleeves, index finger sleeves, middle finger sleeves, ring finger sleeves, and little finger sleeves. The back of the heated glove may include a different material than the palm side, and the palm side may include a high-friction material configured to provide better tactile grip on objects such as tools, sports balls, or equipment.

[0012] The inner and / or outer material of the heated glove can be a thin material, such as a woven or nonwoven blend of fibers, or a blend of woven polyester and nylon. A waterproof coating may be applied to the exterior to ensure the glove remains waterproof, and this waterproof coating may include polyethylene. The inner material can be a thin, plush material, such as a woven or nonwoven material, and may include nylon or other polymeric materials, such as fibers. As described herein, the palm side may include a high-friction material configured to provide better tactile grip on objects such as tools, sports balls, or equipment.

[0013] The resistive heater can vary from the back to the palm side, having different grid patterns, different grid widths of the resistive layer, and / or different thicknesses. The resistive layer can have a coverage area, such as about 15% or more, about 25% or more, about 35% or more, about 50% or more, and any range between and including the provided coverage area. This coverage area can vary from the back to the palm side, or between areas within the glove. The fingers can have a higher coverage area than the hand portion of the heated glove because the fingers are more exposed and cool down more quickly than the hand portion.

[0014] The hand portion of the heated glove may include a different material or a different weight or composition than the finger portion. The finger portion, or the palm side of the finger portion, may have a lower fabric weight than the hand portion, such as about 10% or more, about 25% less, or even 50% less, to achieve effective dexterity and hand manipulation of tools, sports equipment, and other objects. The heater mesh may have a larger coverage area in the finger portion than in the hand portion to accommodate less insulation on the finger portion.

[0015] The heated glove includes a controller interface for controlling the glove's temperature and a battery for heating the resistive heater. The controller may include low, medium, and high temperature settings, or may allow input of a specific temperature setpoint. An on / off button activates the glove's heating and provides current from the battery to the heater grid. A temperature indicator indicates the temperature relative to a temperature setpoint or the heated glove's temperature, wherein a first color (such as green) indicates a low or low temperature setpoint, a second color (such as yellow) indicates a medium or medium temperature setpoint, and a third color (such as red) indicates a high or high temperature setpoint. The on / off button can be used to cycle through different setpoints, and the temperature indicator can be coupled to the on / off button, wherein pressing the button once activates heating and illuminates the first color, pressing it a second time activates heating to the medium temperature setpoint and illuminates the second color, and pressing it a third time activates the high temperature setpoint and illuminates the third color to indicate that high temperature setpoint.

[0016] An exemplary heated glove may include a controller interface that includes a charging port for charging a battery, an on / off button, a temperature indicator, a controller, and a wireless transceiver for sending and / or receiving wireless signals.

[0017] An exemplary heated glove system can be configured to communicate with a remote electronic device, such as a mobile phone. Data regarding the glove's temperature can be transmitted from the heated glove's wireless transceiver to the remote electronic device's wireless transceiver. The remote electronic device's display can show functions and data from the heated glove, such as the glove's temperature measured by temperature sensors. The heated glove can have multiple temperature sensors, such as one on the back of the glove and one on the palm side, and can include one or more temperature sensors along one or more of the fingers, such as near the tip or extension of each finger (including the thumb). Furthermore, the remote electronic device can have an interface, such as a touchscreen, to generate temperature input for increasing or decreasing the set glove temperature. The remote electronic device can also display battery level and other data regarding the glove's temperature or system parameters, such as start-up time, date and time of use, etc. The remote electronic device can have a controller and operate an app for interacting with the heated glove.

[0018] Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, combinations, and variations can be made to this invention without departing from its scope. The specific embodiments, features, and elements described herein can be modified and / or combined in any suitable manner. Therefore, it is intended that this invention cover modifications, combinations, and variations of the invention, provided that such modifications, combinations, and variations fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0019] The description of this invention is provided as a general overview of some embodiments of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Additional exemplary embodiments, including variations and alternative configurations of the invention, are provided herein. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. They illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view of the back of a heated glove system is shown, which includes a glove with a battery-powered resistive heater and a controller interface for controlling the temperature of the glove.

[0022] Figure 2 A perspective view of the back of a heated glove system is shown, the system comprising a heated glove with a heater grid extending from the back portion of the glove along the back of the finger portion of the glove.

[0023] Figure 3 A perspective view of the palm side of a heated glove system is shown, the system comprising a glove with a battery-powered heater grid and a controller interface for controlling the temperature of the glove.

[0024] Figure 4 A perspective view of the palm side of a heated glove system is shown. The system includes a heated glove with a heater grid extending from the palm portion of the glove along the palm side of the finger portion of the glove.

[0025] Figure 5 An exemplary heated glove system is shown communicating with a remote electronic device (such as a mobile phone) to transmit data about the temperature of the glove, and said remote electronic device is configured to control the temperature setting of the glove.

[0026] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the hand portion of the heated glove is shown, which has a back portion and a palm portion, each having a resistance heater configured between an inner material and an outer material.

[0027] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the finger portion of a heated glove is shown, which has a back portion and a palm portion, each having a resistance heater configured between an inner material and an outer material.

[0028] Figure 8 The image shows a rugby player wearing an exemplary heated glove and catching a rugby ball.

[0029] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary resistive heater is shown, having a resistive layer (such as metal foil) disposed on a heater substrate and a heater cover layer.

[0030] Figure 10 An enlarged view of a heater grid is shown, which has a resistive layer arranged in a grid pattern on a substrate and individual grid elements with grid widths.

[0031] Throughout the various views in the accompanying drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. The drawings illustrate some embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. For ease of illustration, some drawings may not show all features and components of the invention; however, it should be understood that, where possible, features and components in one drawing may be included in other drawings. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but rather serve only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to apply the invention in different ways. Detailed Implementation

[0032] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, articles of manufacture, or apparatus. Furthermore, “a” or “an” is used to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular includes the plural, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0033] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, as well as certain modifications, combinations, and improvements to the said embodiments, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and all such alternative embodiments, combinations, modifications, and improvements are within the scope of the invention.

[0034] For reference Figures 1 to 5 An exemplary heated glove system 10 includes a heated glove 11 having a resistive heater 80 extending along the back of the glove and also along the palm side. The resistive heater may be configured within both the palm and back portions, and may extend along the palm side and back of the finger portions. The heated glove includes a controller interface 30 for controlling the temperature of the glove, and a battery 36 for heating the resistive heater 80. The resistive heater may be an array of conductive resistors printed or etched from a conductive material to create thin resistive elements.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the exemplary heated glove 11 has a controller interface 30, which includes a charging port 32 for charging a battery 36, an on / off button 33, a temperature indicator 34, a controller 35, and a wireless transceiver 38 for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals 40. The temperature indicator may be integrated with the on / off button, allowing interaction with the button by pressing it, and may have a light indicating the set temperature. Pressing the on / off button once turns the temperature indicator green, indicating a low temperature setpoint; pressing it a second time turns it yellow, indicating a medium temperature setpoint; and pressing it a third time turns it red, indicating a high or maximum set temperature. Pressing the on / off button cycles through the set temperatures and then turns off the heater.

[0036] The heated glove 11 includes a cuff portion 20 having a cuff opening 21 leading to the glove's interior 22. The heated glove has a hand portion 26 and a finger portion 25. The interior may contain fabric for contact with the human hand. The heated glove 11 has a back portion 24, which includes a back hand portion 28 and a finger portion 25, the finger portion including individual finger sleeves, including a thumb sleeve 50, an index finger sleeve 51, a middle finger sleeve 52, a ring finger sleeve 53, and a little finger sleeve 54. The back side 23 of the heated glove 11 may include a different material and an array of resistance heaters than the palm side of the heated glove.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, the exemplary heated glove has a resistance heater 60, which includes a heater grid 62. The heater grid includes a back heater portion 64 extending from the hand portion 26 along the back portion 24 of the heated glove. The back heater portion 64 extends from the back hand heater portion 68 along the back of the finger portion 25 and includes a thumb heater 70, an index finger heater 71, a middle finger heater 72, a ring finger heater 73, and a little finger heater 74, wherein each back finger heater extends upward within the back portion 24 of the heated glove along the respective finger portion 25.

[0038] For reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The palm side 27 of the heated glove 11 includes a palm-side hand portion 29 and a finger portion 25, and a resistive heater 60 forming a heater grid 62, the heater grid comprising an array of resistive elements 63. The palm-side heater portion 66 extends from the palm-side hand heater portion 69 to the palm-side finger heater portion 66, including a thumb heater 80, an index finger heater 81, a middle finger heater 82, a ring finger heater 83, and a little finger heater 84. Furthermore, a conductive material 90 (such as a layer or coating) is disposed on one of the finger portions, such as the index finger sleeve 51 of the heated glove.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the exemplary heated glove system 10 is configured to communicate with a remote electronic device 42 (such as a mobile phone 44). Data regarding the glove's temperature can be transmitted from the wireless transceiver 38 of the heated glove 11 to the wireless transceiver 48 of the remote electronic device 42. The glove temperature 421 is displayed on the display screen 43. Furthermore, the remote electronic device 42 has an interface 47, such as a touchscreen, to generate a temperature input 41 for increasing or decreasing the set glove temperature 411. The remote electronic device 42 can also display battery level and other data regarding the glove's temperature or system parameters, such as start-up time, date and time of use, etc. The remote electronic device 42 may have a controller 45 and operate an App 46 for interacting with the heated glove.

[0040] Figure 6 A hand portion 26 of a heated glove 11 is shown, having an inner 22, a back portion 24, and a palm portion 26 disposed around the inner 22. The back portion has an inner material 244 that contacts the back of the hand and an outer material 242. Similarly, the palm portion 26 has an inner material 264 and an outer material 262. The inner materials 244 and 264 can be the same material, but the outer material is preferably different, especially for heated gloves designed for specific activities (such as sports) where a good grip on the palm portion is required. In this case, the outer material 262 of the palm portion 26 can include a high-friction material 268 as shown. A palm-side heater portion 66 can be disposed between the inner material 264 and the outer material 262 of the palm portion 26. Similarly, a back-side heater portion 64 can be disposed between the inner material 244 and the outer material 242 of the back portion 24 of the heated glove 11.

[0041] Figure 7A finger portion 25 of a heated glove 11 is shown, having an inner 22, a back portion 24, and a palm portion 26 disposed around the inner 22. The back portion has an inner material 244 and an outer material 242 that contacts the back of the hand. Similarly, the palm portion 26 has an inner material 264 and an outer material 262. The inner materials 244 and 264 can be the same material, but the outer material is preferably different, especially for heated gloves designed for specific activities (such as sports) where a good grip on the palm portion is required. In this case, the outer material 262 of the palm portion 26 may include a high-friction material 268 as shown. A palm-side index finger heater 81 may be disposed between the inner material 264 and the outer material 262 of the palm portion 26. Similarly, a back index finger heater 71 may be disposed between the inner material 244 and the outer material 242 of the back portion 24 of the heated glove 11.

[0042] Figure 8 A person 15, i.e., a rugby player, is shown wearing an exemplary heated glove 11 on his hand 16 and catching a rugby ball 17.

[0043] For reference Figure 9 and Figure 10 An exemplary resistive heater 60 has a resistive layer 61, such as a metal foil disposed on a heater substrate 65, and a heater cover layer 67. The thickness 601 of the resistive heater can be very thin, such as about 3 mm or less, about 2 mm or less, or even about 1 mm or less, as described herein. The thickness 611 of the resistive layer can be ultra-thin, such as about 1 mm or less, about 0.5 mm or less, or even 0.25 mm or less. Such a very thin or ultra-thin resistive heater can effectively heat a person's hand while enabling effective hand use. Figure 10 As shown, the heater grid 62 has a grid pattern of individual grid elements 622, and the resistive element 63 has a grid width 621, which can be about 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, and any range between and including the provided values. As shown, the resistive layer has a coverage percentage of about 20%, and as described herein, it can vary between different locations inside the glove.

[0044] Figure 10 An enlarged view of a heater grid is shown, which has a resistive layer arranged in a grid pattern on a substrate and individual grid elements with grid widths.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, combinations, and variations can be made to this invention without departing from its scope. The specific embodiments, features, and elements described herein can be modified and / or combined in any suitable manner. Therefore, it is intended that this invention cover modifications, combinations, and variations of the invention, provided that such modifications, combinations, and variations fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A heated glove system comprising a heated glove, the heated glove comprising: a) The back portion, said back portion comprising: i) The back of the hand and fingers; b) The palm portion, said palm portion comprising: i) The side of the hand; c) Deposited inside the space between the back portion and the palm portion; d) A resistance heater, said resistance heater comprising: i) A rear heater portion, said rear heater portion comprising: The back hand heater section; and Back-mounted finger heater; ii) A palm-side heater portion, said palm-side heater portion comprising: The hand heater part on the palm side; and Palm side finger heater; e) Controller interface; f) A battery for providing power to the heater; and g) Temperature indicator.

2. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the resistive heater comprises a heater grid, the heater grid comprising a resistive layer configured in a grid pattern.

3. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the resistive layer of the heater grid is a metal foil having a thickness of 1 mm or less.

4. The heated glove system according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the resistive heater does not exceed 3 mm.

5. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the back portion comprises an outer material, and wherein the palm-side portion comprises an outer material different from the outer material of the back portion.

6. The heated glove system of claim 5, further comprising a friction material disposed on the outer material of the palm-side portion.

7. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the resistive heater is disposed between the outer and inner materials of both the back portion and the palm portion.

8. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further includes an on / off button.

9. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further includes a temperature indicator.

10. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the temperature indicator comprises a lamp.

11. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the controller interface further includes a charging port, and wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

12. The heated glove system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transceiver.

13. The heated glove system of claim 12, further comprising a remote electronic device having a wireless transceiver that interacts with the wireless transceiver of the heated glove.

14. The heated glove system of claim 13, wherein the remote electronics has a temperature display showing the temperature of the heated glove.

15. The heated glove system of claim 13, wherein the remote electronics has a temperature input for changing the set temperature of the heated glove.

16. The heated glove system of claim 1, further comprising a conductive finger material disposed on the palm side of the finger portion.

17. The heated glove system of claim 1, wherein the conductive finger material is disposed on the palm side of the index finger sleeve.

18. The heated glove system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, further comprising: Wireless transceiver; as well as A remote electronic device having a wireless transceiver that interacts with the wireless transceiver of the heated glove; The remote electronic device described herein has a temperature display showing the temperature of the heated glove; and The remote electronic device has a temperature input for changing the set temperature of the heated glove.

19. A heated glove system comprising a heated glove, the heated glove comprising: a) The back portion, said back portion comprising: i) The back of the hand and the back of the fingers; ii) External materials; and iii) Internal materials; b) The palm portion, said palm portion comprising: i) The palm side of the hand and the palm side of the fingers; ii) Conductive finger material disposed on the index finger sleeve of the palm-side finger portion; iii) External materials; and iv) Internal materials; c) Deposited inside the space between the back portion and the palm portion; d) A resistance heater, said resistance heater comprising: i) A rear heater portion, said rear heater portion comprising: The back hand heater section; and Back-mounted finger heater; The rear heater portion is disposed between the outer material and the inner material of the rear portion; ii) A palm-side heater portion, said palm-side heater portion comprising: The hand heater part on the palm side; and Palm side finger heater; The palm-side heater portion is disposed between the outer material and the inner material of the palm-side portion; e) Controller interface; f) A battery for providing power to the heater; g) Temperature indicator; h) Wireless transceivers; and i) A remote electronic device having a wireless transceiver that interacts with the wireless transceiver of the heated glove; The remote electronic device described herein has a temperature display showing the temperature of the heated glove; and The remote electronic device has a temperature input for changing the set temperature of the heated glove.

20. The heated glove system of claim 19, wherein the resistive heater comprises a heater grid, the heater grid comprising a resistive layer configured in a grid pattern, and wherein the resistive layer of the heater grid is a metal foil having a thickness of 1 mm or less.

21. The heated glove system of claim 20, wherein the thickness of the resistive heater does not exceed 3 mm.

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