Apparatus for Warming Appendages During Outdoor Activities

Abstract

The invention comprises a device and method for warming hands during a sporting or athletic activity particularly those requiring a rod-shaped tool such as a pom-pom, hiking pole, golf club, or the like. The device may be formed of flexible material with a pocket to hold a heating or cooling element. A mating means may be used to attach the device to the handle of the rod-shaped tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device capable of being attached to a shaft-like handle for holding a warming or cooling element, the device comprising:
 a) a flexible material;   b) at least one warming or cooling element;   c) at least one pocket to contain the warming or cooling element; and   d) a means for attaching the device to the shaft-like handle.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is a rectangular shaped device formed of one piece of fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising a means for attaching ends of the device to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the means for attaching the ends of the device to each other is a snap. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the means for attaching the ends of the device to each other is Velcro. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  having at least two pockets to contain the warming or cooling element. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  having at least three pockets to contain the warming or cooling element. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a handle. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the handle is a pom pom handle. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for attaching the device to the pom pom handle is an elastic portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the means for attaching the device to the pom pom handle is a mating means. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the mating means is Velcro. 
     
     
         13 . A device for warming or cooling the hands of a performer using a pom pom, the device comprising:
 a) a pom pom having a handle;   b) a flexible material portion;   c) at least one warming or cooling element;   d) at least one pocket on the flexible material portion to contain the warming or cooling element; and   e) a means for attaching the flexible material portion to the pom pom handle.   
     
     
         14 . A method for warming hands during a sporting activity requiring a rod-shaped tool, the method comprising the following steps:
 a) forming at least one pocket from flexible material to create a flexible pocket device, wherein the pocket is sized to fit a warming or cooling device; and   b) fitting the flexible pocket device onto the rod-shaped tool.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising fitting two ends of the flexible pocket device together with a mating means.