Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2 0 7 0 3 7 3
The present invention pertains to a foot warming
device for use in a bed. The device is simple to use and
5maintain, relying on natural body heat retention and not on
any external power course for heat generation.
The device is particularly useful to provide
warmth and retain heat for people who experience cold feet
10in bed. In the present invention a simple pocket or sheath
of a synthetic simulated sheepskin is located at the foot
end of the bed, into which pocket users slide their feet.
15Many people experience cold feet upon getting
into bed especially in the winter season. A recent survey
revealed that as many as 80% of Canadians at one time or
another need extra warmth for their feet upon entering bed
or during the night. This problem is particularly
20symptomatic of persons with circulatory restriction,
including the elderly and diabetic.
At the present, people who suffer from nocturnal
cold feet frequently use various means to obtain additional
25warmth. They may place additional blankets on the end of
the bed to cover their feet or they may resort to wearing
socks, or placing hot water bottles near their feet. Even
the body warmth of a co-habitant of the bed may be used to
provide additional warmth.
All of the foregoing have disadvantages, such as
weight, shape, leakage or discomfort. The usual practice
of an extra blanket meets with temporary success. However,
the average person moves at least 40-60 times per night
35during sleep, and inevitably the extra blanket on their
feet falls to the floor. Socks worn on the feet appear to
work. However, most people do not like the feeling of
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socks on their feet all night because they are eventually
uncomfortable in consequence of too much trapped heat
causing their feet to sweat. Hot water bottles are usually
too hot to touch at first, whereas they eventually cool and
become stone cold within a few hours. Conduction heating,
whereby a person contacts cold feet onto his or her bed
partner, produces results which are unpredictable.
It has been found that the disadvantages of the
foregoing methods of initiating and/or keeping one's feet
warm at night are overcome by the present invention. My
foot warmer device is a loose fitting enclosure of cloth
material which envelops the feet of a user. The material
must be suitable for retaining body heat adjacent a users'
feet, and is preferably a synthetic, washable pile on a
backing material, such as a simulated sheepskin. I have
found that Super Kurton~ made by Huntington Mills or Borg~
made by the Borg Co. are polyester fabrics particularly
suitable for this application. The present foot warmer
comprises a generally rectangular, open sided envelope
which is positioned at the foot end of a bed. The envelope
is closed on three edges, namely each lateral edge and the
side adjacent the foot of the bed. It is held securely in
place by heavy elastic bands. The device encapsulates the
feet and extends to just below the knees on an average 5'-
10" male. The users feet slide into the envelope at the
open top (headward) side. The concept is similar to an
open envelope with the top flap removed.
The device does not become warmer than the users
temperature of 98.6F, and maintains this temperature
because the majority of heat given off by convection or
radiation from the users body is trapped and retained in
the envelope like device. It is found that the porous or
deep pile nature of this synthetic fabric traps heat, feels
pleasant surrounding the users feet is 100~ washable and
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relatively inexpensive. In the event of the feeling that
their feet are overheating, users may remove their feet
from the foot warmer envelope and place their feet on top
of the device. Optionally, the exterior surface of the
device may be covered with a bed-linen material.
Test results on prototype usage reveals a
non-allergic response to the synthetic material as compared
to the natural 100% virgin wool to which some people may
experience an allergic reaction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the
invention:
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an
embodiment of the foot warmer attached to a bed, with
sheets and blankets omitted for clarity.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the foot warmer
of the invention showing the opening for feet.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line
3-3 in Figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the foot warmer of the present
invention, as may be seen in Figure 1 has an envelope
structure, illustrated generally as 1, which is held
securely in place by elastic tie downs or straps 2 which
extend between the lateral edges of the envelope. The
straps 2 are positioned to cooperate with the envelope 1
and circumscribe a mattress 3 of a box spring bed structure
4. Although three of the straps 2 are illustrated, it will
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be appreciated that fewer, or more straps may be used, as
necessary, to ensure retention of the envelope 1 on the
surface of mattress 3 near the foot section of bed 4. As
well, although elastic straps are shown in the figures, it
will be understood that other modes of adjustment of the
length of the straps are contemplated by this invention.
For example, non-elastic straps adjusted by buckles, slip
rings or Velcro~ or other hook/pile fasteners may be
employed. Additionally, with sufficient adjustment in the
straps, a comforter for one size of bed may be positioned
and retained on a bed of somewhat greater or lesser width
(i.e. king size with queen size). The foot warmer of the
invention is intended to be placed on top of the mattress
and bottom bed sheet (linen) and beneath the upper sheet,
blankets and bedspread. The device is sandwiched between
the various components that make up the bedding, in the
same horizontal plane as the user. For clarity of
explanation, the drawings omit the numerous layers of bed
coverings. Suffice it to say that the number of sheets,
blankets or other bed coverings an individual places on
their bed is a matter of personal preference and seasonal
conditions.
As may be seen from Figure 1, the location of
placement and the approximate size ratio of the foot warmer
envelope 1 is about ~ that of the entire surface of
mattress 3. The width varies depending upon the width of
different beds, i.e. a single bed is approximately 39"; a
double 54"; a queen 60"; and a king 78". The length (head
to toe direction) of the foot warmer is preferably
approximately 20". In practice, the construction or
manufacture of a foot warmer in accordance with the
invention, designed to accommodate a queen size bed,
requires approximately two meters of synthetic simulated
sheepskin for top and bottom surfaces of the envelope.
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As may be seen from Figures 2 and 3, envelope 1
is constructed of a synthetic simulated sheepskin fabric
having a deep pile of fibres. The envelope comprises upper
and lower halves S and 6 respectively, which may be
separate elements sewn or otherwise bonded together about
the three peripheral edges 7, 8 and 9 adjacent the edge of
the mattress, leaving the headward side 10 open for
insertion of a users feet. Alternatively, and preferably,
the envelope 1 is made from one sheet of the fabric, which
is folded to form the lower edge 8, and closed, such as by
sewing, at lateral edges 7 and 9. The ends of the straps
2 are sewn or otherwise held in or at lateral edges 7 and
9 respectively.
No seam or cuff is formed at the edges 10 on
either envelope half. This avoids the creation of ridges
which might act as pressure points against a users legs,
thereby avoiding consequent reduction of circulation and
loss of body heat in the users feet.
In either construction as disclosed above, the
pile side 11 of the sheepskin is on the inside and the
backing on the outside. To enhance comfort, good quality
linen may sewn on the superior or top aspect of the
envelope.
In use, a person may lie on the bed in any
position, extending his or her feet into the opening at
edge 10, between envelope surfaces 5 and 6. The envelope,
being of a soft flexible fabric, conforms generally to
outline a users feet, allowing a limited space adjacent the
feet, and otherwise retaining contact between the two
envelope elements. Heat which is radiated or converted by
the users feet (or the feet of a co-user) is retained
within the deep piled fabric in close proximity to the
feet.
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The unrestricted opening at edge 10 allows users
to insert their feet at any position across the width of
the bed. Furthermore, users may readily change position
repeatedly while sleeping, without requiring the
repositioning of the foot comforter, but merely by moving
their feet from side-to-side. The full width of the
opening 10 permits the comforter to be used by all the
occupants of the bed at the election of each individual.
One person may keep feet in the comforter while the partner
may rest feet on top of the comforter. The broad opening
also avoids the constraint of narrowly fitted devices such
as socks or muffs, while providing greater capacity for
retention of warmed ambient air. Furthermore, by locating
the foot warmer adjacent the feet only, the disadvantages
lS of excess body core heat retention resulting from extra
blankets, as well as the extra weight thereof, can be
avoided.
While the invention has been described with
respect to preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may
be made without departing from the scope of the invention
herein involved in its broader aspects. Accordingly, it is
intended that all matter contained in the above
description, or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative and not limitative.
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