Warming Wrap for Cold Weather Outdoor Equipment

Abstract

A system and method for providing warmth to a person, particularly a skier, in cold or inclement outdoor elements. Skiing is an outdoor winter sport where participants need to have proper clothing and equipment to stay warm in order to participate at optimal strength. Traveling on open-air lifts may cause skiers to become cold. The present disclosure provides a warming wrap that may be placed on a ski pole or other handheld device. A heating device integrated in the warming wrap transmits warmth through an outer layer whereas an insulating layer limits heat from escaping into the pole. The warming wrap contains a heating device that transmits heat from the heating layer to a person who touches the outer layer of the warming wrap. A grip layer alone or together with a fastener arrangement prevents the wrap from sliding down the pole. The preferred placement of the wrap on the pole rather than on a grip or in a glove or mitten provides the skier with better control and balance of the ski pole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system adapted to connect to handheld devices for warming; the system comprising:
 (a) an outer layer;   (b) a heating layer comprising a heating device;   (c) an insulation layer against the heating layer, the heating layer being between and against the outer layer and insulation layer; and   (d) a fastener arrangement to removably fasten the system to a handheld device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the outer layer is one of water proof or water resistant. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the outer layer comprises a fabric that is capable of being printed upon using sublimation printing. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating device is an electronic heating device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating device is a non-electronic heating device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an opening in the outer layer and a heating device chamber wherein the opening in the outer layer provides access to insert and remove a heating device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the heating device is at least one of: removable from the system and replaceable in the system. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a computer brain to control the level of heat produced by the heating layer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a switch connected to the computer brain. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a display to provide information regarding the system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the display provides information including one or more of: heat level, external temperature, snow temperature, snow reports, light condition, snow depth, time, geographic location, altitude, maps, trail reports, test reports, weather, advertisements, news updates, and ski lift information. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fastener arrangement comprises one of at least: a slap-on device; an edge wrap; hook and loop; zippers; hooks and eye; frog fasteners; toggle fasteners; metal fasteners; grommets; eyelets; buttons; belts; and cords. 
     
     
         13 . A method of warming an appendage, comprising the steps of:
 (a) positioning a warming wrap around a handheld device, the warming wrap having at least an outer layer, a heating layer, an insulation layer, a heating device to provide heat from the heating layer, and a fastener arrangement;   (b) fastening the warming wrap using the fastener arrangement to the handheld device; and   (c) placing the appendage on the outer layer, wherein heat from the heating layer transmits through the outer layer to the appendage.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of positioning a warming wrap around a handheld device includes positioning the warming wrap around a ski pole. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of using the fastener arrangement includes using a snap-on device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of using the fastener arrangement includes using an edge wrap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising a step of activating the heating layer using a switch to control a temperature of the heating layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising a step of inserting the heating device into a heating device chamber within the heating layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of using a switch includes activating a display connected to the switch, the display providing information including at least one or a combination of: heat level, external temperature, snow temperature, snow reports, light condition, snow depth, time, geographic location, altitude, maps, trail reports, test reports, weather, advertisements, news updates, and ski lift information. 
     
     
         20 . A handheld device including a warming wrap, the warming wrap comprising:
 (a) an outer layer;   (b) a heating layer comprising a heating device;   (c) an insulation layer against the heating layer, the heating layer being between and against the outer layer and insulation layer; and   (d) a fastener arrangement to fasten the warming wrap to the handheld device.   
     
     
         21 . The handheld device of  claim 20  wherein the fastener arrangement is removable.