Mechanically heated and cooled shoes with easy-to-use controls

Abstract

Mechanically heated and cooled clothing with easy-to-use controls is provided. An embodiment comprises an athletic shoe with temperature controls and electrical wiring. A heating and cooling unit attached to the shoe comprises a thermostat, a cooling device, and a heating device. Temperature transfer means in the shoe, such as electrical heating elements and loops for liquid heat exchange, accomplish desired heating and cooling of the shoe. The temperature controls may comprise on, off, hot, and cold buttons for activating the heating and cooling unit and controlling the temperatures. The system may be attached to the shoe or attached to other items and worn elsewhere, such as to a belt worn about the user's waist. The system may also be used with other types of clothing, for example with gloves.

1 . Mechanically heated and cooled clothing with easy-to-use controls, comprising 
 an item of clothing,    temperature controls, such that the wearer of the item of clothing can quickly control the temperature of the item of clothing through buttons on the item of clothing,    a heating and cooling unit,    means of transferring temperature to the item of clothing.    
     
     
         2 . The item of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the item of clothing is a shoe.  
     
     
         3 . The item of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the item of clothing is a glove.  
     
     
         4 . The temperature controls of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature controls comprise 
 an on button, such that the on button activates the heating and cooling unit,    an off button, such that the off button deactivates the heating and cooling unit,    a hot button, such that the hot button activates a means of heating the item of clothing, in the heating and cooling unit, and    a cold button, such that the cold button activates a means of cooling the item of clothing, in the heating and cooling unit.    
     
     
         5 . The heating and cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heating and cooling unit is battery powered.  
     
     
         6 . The heating and cooling unit of  claim 1 , wherein the heating and cooling unit comprises 
 a thermostat,    a means of cooling the item of clothing, and    a means of heating the item of clothing.    
     
     
         7 . The means of transferring temperature to the item of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the means of transferring temperature to the item of clothing comprises electrical heating elements in the item of clothing.  
     
     
         8 . The means of transferring temperature to the item of clothing of  claim 1 , wherein the means of transferring temperature to the item of clothing comprises a motor and pump to circulate a liquid through loops for liquid heat exchange in the item of clothing.  
     
     
         9 . Mechanically heated and cooled clothing with easy-to-use controls, comprising 
 an item of clothing,    temperature controls, such that the wearer of the item of clothing can quickly control the temperature of the item of clothing through buttons on the item of clothing, the buttons comprising 
 an on button, such that the on button activates a heating and cooling unit,  
 an off button, such that the off button deactivates the heating and cooling unit,  
 a hot button, such that the hot button activates a means of heating the item of clothing, in the heating and cooling device, and  
 a cold button, such that the cold button activates a means of cooling the item of clothing, in the heating and cooling device,  
   a heating and cooling unit comprising 
 a thermostat,  
 a means of cooling the item of clothing, and  
 a means of heating the item of clothing.  
   means of transferring temperature to the item of clothing.    
     
     
         10 . The heating and cooling unit of  claim 9 , wherein the heating and cooling unit is battery powered.  
     
     
         11 . A mechanically heated and cooled shoe with easy-to-use temperature controls, such that the wearer of the shoe can quickly control the temperature of the shoe through buttons on the shoe, the buttons comprising 
 an on button, such that the on button activates a heating and cooling unit,    an off button, such that the off button deactivates the heating and cooling unit,    a hot button, such that the hot button activates a means of heating the shoe, in the heating and cooling unit, and    a cold button, such that the cold button activates a means of cooling the shoe, in the heating and cooling unit,    a battery-powered heating and cooling unit comprising    a thermostat,    a means of cooling the shoe, and    a means of heating the shoe.    means of transferring temperature to the shoe.