GB2547054A

GB2547054A - Heating system and a kit of parts therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2547054A
Application number: GB1602261.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Smith Iain
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-08
Filing date: 2016-02-08
Publication date: 2017-08-09
Also published as: WO2017137732A1; GB201602261D0

Abstract

A hand heating system for delivering warm exhaled breath to the hands. The device includes a wearable garment, such as a long sleeve vest or base layer, a mouth piece, one or more breath delivery tubes attachable to the mouth piece and one or more housing elements arranged such that the tubes deliver exhaled breath into gloves to keep the users hands warm. There may be two breath delivery tubes which extend from the mouth piece and are routed via two housing elements down the users arm and around the outside of the elbow and into a glove. Additional housing elements may be provided on or near the shoulder area such that the breath delivery tubes loop around the neck of the user. Channels may be present in the glove which run along the backside of each finger to help circulate the warm air to the finger tips.

Description

Heating System and a Kit of Parts Therefor

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heating system and a kit of parts therefor. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a hand heating system comprising tubes, which when worn by a user can deliver warm exhaled breath to the wearer’s hands thus, conveniently warming the hands. More particularly, but not exclusively, the system comprises tubes that are housed on a wearable garment, such as a vest or base layer, in such a way that the tubes can flex, extend and retract freely in response to body movements under the user’s other clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To prevent hands from becoming too cold and/or to prevent blood circulation to the hands being turned off by the body's survival priority system, gloves are generally worn in cooler temperatures, for example, of around 11°C and below. Typically, there are several problems associated with known gloves, for example the amount of glove material required to insulate the hands from the cold often impedes dexterity of the hands and fingers. Additionally, the amount of material required to insulate the hands from the cold often reduces or blocks out the critical sense of touch feedback that the human brain needs to successfully direct the hands to perform even the most basic of tasks. Furthermore, in severe weather conditions, known gloves or mittens can fail to keep the hands warm and the blood circulation flowing. After a certain period of time, if the hands become numb with cold, the circulation to the hands is switched off by the body's survival priority mechanism.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of protective clothing for hands by providing a hand heating system comprising tubes that feed exhaled breath to the hands. The tubes may be housed for example, on a long sleeved vest or base layer, in such a way that the tubes can flex, extend and retract freely in response to body movements under the user’s usual outer clothing or protective clothing.

Beneficially aspects of the invention may provide ways of conveniently delivering warm exhaled breath to the hands to maintain warmth, comfort and circulation. Further advantageously the hand heating system of some aspects can be utilized with off-the-shelf work-wear gloves that are designed to protect hands from physical injury during performance of certain tasks; and/or can be utilized with gloves that are designed to in consideration of tasks that are required to be performed by the wearer rather than being designed as good insulating gloves that are trying to keep the hands warm. In this way, the present invention may avoid and thereby overcome problems associated with using gloves that are designed to try and keep the hands warm.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Aspects of the invention provide a system of tubes mounted onto a long sleeved vest or base layer to feed exhaled breath to the inside of a wearer’s gloves such that the breath is not only insulated by the outer protective clothing, but boosted further by the body heat. The tubes exit the user’s protective clothing at the back of the neck and then loop around the neck to connect to a mouth piece that rests against the user’s chest below the chin and which may be caught in the mouth when needed.

The tubes may attach to the base layer and are located such that they do not interfere or cause discomfort with body movement. The location or path that achieves this neutral comfort is as follows: the tubes run along the outside of each arm and over the end of the elbows’ hinge joints, such route being a distance that does not change with any movement at the elbow. To deal with a change in the distance between the user’s shoulders due to arm movement at each shoulder, either the tubes extend and retract in or out of the user’s protective clothing at the back of the neck, thus slightly increasing or reducing the size of the tube loop around the neck, or the tubes flex and extend partially down the user’s back before coming up to emerge at the back of the neck and form the tube loop around the neck. The extension of tubing down the back may extend and contract under the user’s clothing as demanded by movement at the shoulders; this option avoids conflict with a shoulder bag, a postman's mail sack for example, where the strap over the shoulder is not resting on top of any of the breath tubes which pass under the strap lower down the back where there is no tension between the strap and the body.

Another aspect of the invention provides a neoprene rubber, or similar stretchy, flexible compressible material, hand backing that may be worn under the chosen glove, between the back of the hand and the back of the glove, to feed the exhaled breath all around the hand including the finger tips, regardless of glove design and material. This hand backing retains the tube in place inside the glove just above the wrist and therefore keeps the tube end clear of any hand movement at the wrist.

The hand backing may flex and compress around the arm above the wrist to form a substantially airtight seal around the tube and its entry into the glove and also form a seal between the skin of the arms, the hand backing and the glove material. Optionally, channels are cut in this neoprene or similar material hand backing running from the end of the tube and branching out to run along the back of all five fingers to each fingertip, these open channels being on the hand’s skin side. As the neoprene or similar material is substantially airtight this will ensure the breath circulates all around the hand and fingers before escaping through the glove material or around the wrist regardless of the glove design and material. The edges and skin side face of the hand backing may be covered in a nylon or similar material to enable the hand to slide against it easily when the glove is being put on or taken off. For the length of the channel through which the breath delivery tube runs through the hand cover material, there may be a cut on one side that allows that channel to partially flex open relaxing its cling tight fit around the tube when it is not under the tension of a strap, there enabling the hand cover to be connected or released from the breath tube. Optionally, the hand cover has a small pocket at each fingertip, on the back or glove side, closed at the fingertip end and open in the direction looking towards the wrist, the user being able to put their fingertips inside each of these pockets and poke the hand cover inside a chosen glove lining the fingertips of the hand cover up with those of the glove interior.

Optionally, in order to contain and isolate the vapour from the exhaled breath, which will mostly condense against the hand inside the glove, the hand cover may be used with a rubber airtight glove. A tube of a smaller diameter than the breath tube may be supplied as an exhaust pipe feeding out through the hand cover, in an airtight fashion, next to the main breath tube at the arm above the wrist. As this exhaust pipe points back up the arm condensation forming inside the glove will not fall down this pipe and if needed the exiting breath can be fed clear of any clothing into the atmosphere. Around the wrist inside the glove there may be provided a band made of an absorbent and stretchy material which may absorb condensation that forms inside the glove; these bands may be changed over after a certain period of time if necessary.

Another aspect of the invention provides a padding made of a plastic or rubber foam, or similar flexible partially compressible material, that rests along the top of the shoulders to feed the breath delivery tubes underneath the shoulder straps of a ruck sack or backpack thereby ensuring that the tubes are not uncomfortable or crushed; these pads are shaped to align and move with the user’s shoulder blades and curve over the top of the shoulders to an adjustable extent thereby enabling the user to align the path the tubes take across the back of the shoulders with the point of minimal pressure from the back pack and its shoulder straps.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a mouth piece that is connected to a tube on one side and that later splits and goes to each hand; the breath is directed to one side or the other by a flap inside the centre of mouth piece which partially rotates there by directing the breath to the left or right side, the flap being controlled by the user’s tongue when the mouth piece is in the mouth thereby directing the breath to the hands.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand heating system comprising a wearable garment, a mouthpiece, one or more breath delivery tubes attachable to said mouthpiece and one or more housing elements, the one or more housing elements being provided on the wearable garment and being structured and arranged to each accommodate at least a portion of the one or more breath delivery tubes such that when a user is wearing the wearable garment, the one or more breath delivery tubes can be attached to the mouthpiece, accommodated by the one or more housing elements and positioned to feed exhaled breath into gloves worn by the user.

Optionally, the wearable garment is a long sleeve vest or base layer.

Optionally, the hand heating system comprises two breath delivery tubes and at least two housing elements, wherein each housing element is disposed on or proximate to an elbow joint region of the wearable garment, such that each breath delivery tube is caused to follow along the outside end of an elbow joint.

Optionally, the breath delivery tubes loop around the user’s neck to connect to the mouth piece.

Optionally, there further comprises two additional housing elements, each additional housing element being positioned proximate an upper shoulder portion of the wearable garment.

Optionally, the two additional housing elements are each shorter in length than the housing elements disposed on or proximate to an elbow joint region of the wearable garment.

Optionally, the two additional housing elements are arranged at an angle relative to one another; and wherein the housing elements disposed on or proximate to an elbow joint region of the wearable garment are also angled relative to one another, such that when a user’s arms are raised the two breath delivery tubes are urged to form a substantially “W” shaped configuration partially down the users back before coming up to emerge at the back of the neck and form a tube loop around the neck with the mouthpiece.

Optionally, there further comprises a hand cover, the hand cover being insertable into a glove or other hand wear, the hand cover being formed from an airtight and/or flexible compressible material, and being structured and arranged to feed exhaled breath around a user’s hand, including the user’s finger tips.

Optionally, the hand cover comprises means for holding a breath delivery tube in place inside a glove.

Optionally, there comprises channels running from a position proximate to the location of said means for holding a breath delivery tube in place inside a glove and branching out to run along the backside of each of five fingers of the hand cover towards to each fingertip.

Optionally, the hand cover is formed from neoprene.

Optionally, the channels are open channels and are disposed on the hand skin side of the hand cover.

Optionally, edges and a skin side face of the hand cover are covered in a low-friction material to enable a user’s hand to slide against the hand cover when the glove is being put on or taken off.

Optionally, the low-friction material is Nylon.

Optionally, the means for holding a breath delivery tube is a bore comprising a cut edge, which cut edge extends the length of the bore through which the breath delivery tube extends, such that the bore can partially flex open to enable the hand cover to be connected or released from the breath delivery tube.

Optionally, the hand cover comprises a pocket at each fingertip, on the back or glove side, wherein each pocket is closed at the fingertip end and open in the direction looking towards the wrist.

Optionally, there further comprises at least one glove for fitting over the end of a breath delivery tube.

Optionally, there further comprises an exhaust tube for venting a glove.

Optionally, there further comprises a band made of an absorbent material to absorb condensation.

Optionally, the housing elements comprise a pair of connected shoulder pads, comprising a an opening through which the breath delivery tubes can pass.

Optionally, the shoulder pads are formed from a plastic or rubber foam

Optionally, the shoulder pads are shaped and arranged and are positionable such that a ruck sack or backpack can be worn by a user of the hand heating system, over the top of the shoulder pads.

Optionally, the mouthpiece comprises a moveable flap inside the centre of the mouth piece, which flap is partially rotatable and in dependence upon the position of the flap, exhaled breath can be directed to the left or right side breath delivery tube.

Optionally, the flap is controllable by a user’s tongue.

According to yet another further aspect of the invention, there is provided a hand heating system comprising a mouthpiece, one or more airtight gloves, one or more breath delivery tubes attachable to said mouthpiece, a wrist band formed from absorbent material, one or more means for holding and/or feeding one of the breath delivery tubes into one of the gloves and a strap, the one or more breath delivery tubes thereby being connectable to the airtight gloves such that when the hand heating system is deployed each of the one or more breath delivery tubes is attached to the mouthpiece, accommodated by a means for holding and/or feeding one of the breath delivery tubes into one of the gloves and positioned to feed exhaled breath into a glove worn by the user, and held together with the wrist band by said strap. Advantageously therefore a hand heating system is provided which preserves the sense of touch feedback and contains the condensed breath vapour.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1A is a view from the back of an upper part of man wearing at least part of a hand heating system according to an embodiment of the invention, the man is shown with his arms in a raised position; FIGURE 1B is a partial view from the front of the man wearing the hand heating system of Figure 1A; FIGURE 2A is a view from the back of a an upper part of man wearing the hand heating system of Figure 1A, the man is shown with his arms in a lowered position; FIGURE 2B is a partial view from the front of the man wearing the hand heating system of Figure 2A; FIGURE 3 is a view from the back of a an upper part of man wearing at least part of a hand heating system according to another embodiment of the invention, the man is shown with his arms in a raised position; FIGURE 4 is a view from the back of a an upper part of man wearing the hand heating system of Figure 3, the man is shown with his arms in a lowered position; FIGURE 5A is a perspective view of a hand cover for use in a hand heating system according to various embodiments of the invention; FIGURE 5B is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the hand cover of Figure 5A, showing a wrist section in a flexed or open position, wherein a tube of the hand heating system can readily be released from or inserted into the hand cover of Figure 5A; FIGURE 6 is a view of part of a hand heating system according to various embodiments of the invention, showing part of a hand cover, such as that shown in Figures 5A and 5B in use with a glove and attached to tubes of the hand heating system; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a hand cover having optional material pockets that facilitate the proper insertion of and location of the hand cover into a work wear glove that forms part of a hand heating system according to various embodiments; FIGURE 8A is a view from the back of an upper part of man wearing at least part of a hand heating system according to another embodiment of the invention, wherein the hand heating system comprises shoulder pads, the man is shown with his arms in a lowered position; FIGURE 8B is a partial view from the side of the man wearing the hand heating system of Figure 8A and carrying an additional back pack, the back pack does not necessarily form part of the hand heating system; FIGURE 9A is a top plan view of a mouth piece forming part of a hand heating system according to various embodiments; FIGURE 9B is a front plan view of the mouth piece of Figure 9A; and FIGURE 9C is a perspective view from the front and top of the mouth piece shown in Figures 9A and 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the hand heating systems, kits of parts therefor, mouth pieces, hand covers and other components of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the hand heating systems, kits of parts therefor, mouth pieces, hand covers and other components described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring now to Figures 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, there is shown at least part of a hand heating system according to a first embodiment. In this configuration, the hand heating system comprises a wearable garment 1 having installed thereon, integrally formed therein, or attached thereto one or more housing elements 1c for housing, guiding and/or retaining tubes or conduits 2. The tubes or conduits 2 are provided to deliver or feed warm breath, exhaled by a wearer of the hand heating system, to the wearer’s hands. The tubes or conduits are referred to herein as breath delivery tubes 2. Optionally, in some arrangements, the housing elements 1c may house guide or retain more than one tube or type of tube each.

As can be seen in Figures 1B and 2B, the hand heating system comprises a mouth piece 3. An optional form of mouth piece is described further below and is shown in Figures 9A - 9C. As shown in Figures 1B and 2B, a breath delivery tube 2 comes out of each side of the mouth piece 3, and follows a path over a user’s shoulders, thus forming a loop beneath the user’s chin.

As shown in Figures 1A and 2A, the wearable garment 1, in this arrangement takes the form of a base layer or long sleeved vest 1. Optionally, two housing elements 1c are provided and each housing element 1c extends from a shoulder region of the garment 1, toward a wrist region of the garment 1. In this arrangement, each sleeve of the base layer 1 terminates at cuff 1b. Optionally, each housing element 1c also terminates at the cuff 1b. In other embodiments the housing elements 1c disposed along the sleeves of the garment 1 may stop short of the cuff 1b of the sleeve or in some arrangements may terminate just beyond an elbow region of the garment 1.

The housing elements 1c, are each sized, configured and arranged to accommodate a breath delivery tube 2. The size, position, material and arrangement of housing elements 1c and/or of the base layer 1, ensures that that the breath delivery tubes 2 do not impede a user’s body movements. Particularly beneficially, the breath delivery tubes 2 are guided, within the housing elements 1c, to track over or round the outer end of the elbow hinge joints of the wearer. This is optionally facilitated by the housing elements 1c also extending over the outer end of the elbow hinge joints. By running the breath delivery tubes 2 in a path over the end of the elbow hinge joints, the required length of the housing element 1c will not change in response to body movements that involve, for example, bending of the arms.

Secondly, any changes required in the length of the breath delivery tubes 2 demanded, for example, by arm movement at the shoulders is accommodated by the tube loop under the user’s chin freely expanding and contracting in response to such body movements. The changes in the size of the tube loop are delivered by ensuring the breath delivery tubes 2 emerge from the vest housing 1c behind the shoulders to run freely under the user’s mid and outer layers of clothes behind the neck. As the gap between the vest tube housing 1c of each arm expands and contracts in response to arm movement at shoulders, the free running tubes behind the neck simply extend and retract around the side of the neck making the tube loop under the user’s chin larger or smaller.

Figure 1A illustrates a view of the back of a user wearing the base layer 1 with breath delivery tubes 2, and with the wearer’s arms in a raised position. The gap between the housing elements 1c behind the shoulders will expand and contract in response to various arm movements at the shoulders. In this case the arms are in a raised position resulting in a shorter gap between the housing elements 1c of each arm compared to when the arms are in a lower resting position, as shown in Figure 2A. The amount of free running breath delivery tubing 2 exiting the housing elements 1c and crossing over behind the neck is therefore shorter than it would be compared to when the arms are in a side-by-side resting position.

Figure 1B shows the corresponding front view of the user with the arms in a raised position. As the arms are in a raised position, the length of free running tube 2 outside the tube housing 1c at the back of the neck is shortens. Any excess breath delivery tube 2 is simply pushed around the side of the neck, in front of the user and causes the tube loop under the user’s chin to increase slightly in length.

Figure 2B shows the corresponding shorter tube loop under the chin when the user’s arms are in a lowered position.

Figure 2A illustrates a view of the back of a user wearing the base layer 1 with breath delivery tubes 2, with the user’s arms in the normal resting lower position. The gap between the tube housing sleeves 1c at the back of the shoulders is larger than that of Figure 1A and the amount of free running tubing behind the neck is accordingly longer.

Figure 2B shows the corresponding front view of the user with the user’s arms in the lowered resting position. The length of free running tube outside the tube housing at the back of the neck is longer than when the arms are in a raised position (as shown in Figure 1A) and the resultant tube loop under the chin is slightly shorter. The size of the tube loop under the user’s chin extends and retracts in response to any body movement at the shoulders. Figures 1B and 2B show the larger and smaller tube loops that correspond to the arms being raised or lowered.

The hand heating system of Figures 1A - 2B can be comfortably worn as an undergarment. Preferably, the base layer 1 and/or the housing elements 1c may be formed of a low-friction material, or may comprise a low-friction material, for example Teflon® to allow the breath delivery tubes 2 to move and thus allow the wearer’s movements to be unfettered by the provision of the hand heating system. The breath delivery tubes 2 may extend beyond the cuff 1b of the sleeve and may be fed into, attached to, or otherwise used to deliver warm air to the user’s hands, for warming the hands. Beneficially, the hand heating system may be used with a user’s own gloves, which can be worn over the terminal ends of the breath delivery tubes 2. In this way, the wearer can deliver warm air into a wide range of types and size of glove and the hand heating system is thus compatible with a wide range of hand wear, including but not limited to, for example, gloves worn for protection, gloves worn for hygiene reasons, gloves worn for fashion reasons, waterproof gloves, sports gloves, for example, climbing gloves, cycling gloves, and fishing gloves.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4 there is shown an alternative configuration of hand heating system, wherein the wearable garment 1 has additional housing elements 1c. As can be seen a total of four housing elements 1c are provided; now with two shorter housing elements 1c being located in an upper shoulder region. Optionally, the additional two shorter housing elements 1c are positioned closer to a neck line 1a of the garment 1 compared to the other housing elements 1c that are provided to guide or track the breath delivery tubes 2 over the user’s elbow joints.

As illustrated by Figures 3 and 4, the base layer or long sleeved vest 1 houses breath delivery tubes 2 such that the tubes 2 do not impede a user’s body movement. This is achieved by firstly ensuring that the breath delivery tubes run over the end of the elbow hinge joints. As discussed above, running the breath delivery tubes 2 over the outer end of the elbow hinge joints ensures that the required length housing element 1c will not change in response to body movements. Secondly, any changes in the length of breath delivery tube 2 required as a consequence of arm movement at the shoulders, is accommodated by the tubes freely extending and contracting, under the user’s other clothing (not shown) behind and/or under the user’s shoulder blades. The configuration of the third and fourth housing elements means that the breath delivery tubes 2 avoid running underneath a shoulder strap of a satchel or bag at a point of pressure and/or weight burden which could otherwise hinder operation of a hand heating system. In this way, the hand heating system of the present embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, is particularly suitable, for use by, for example but not limited to, a postman carrying a satchel of post.

Figure 3 shows a view of the back of a user wearing the base layer 1 with breath delivery tubes 2 with the arms in a raised position. In response to various arm movements at the shoulders, the tube sleeve housings 1c of each arm behind the shoulders both move up and down the wearer’s back and therefore the gap between the housing elements 1c may increase and decrease. The amount of free running tubing exiting the housing elements 1c and crossing over behind the neck will also increase, decrease and flex freely between and below the shoulder blades in response to body movements. The movement of the free running tubing and the tube sleeve housings takes place under the user’s clothing. As this configuration keeps the top of the shoulders clear of any tubes an over the shoulder satchel or bag strap would not push down on these tubes at any point. Any risk of breath delivery tube 2 being crushed (thus stemming the flow of exhaled breath) is thereby avoided.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the tubes 2 and housing elements 1c as shown in Figure 3, albeit the user’s arms are in a lowered resting position. It can be seen that the housing elements 1c behind the shoulder blades; and the amount of free running breath delivery tube 2 down the wearer’s back has simply contracted and lifted higher up their back under the user’s clothing (not shown) in response to the lowered arm position. The movement of the breath delivery tubes 2 and housing elements 1c being entirely behind the user’s back under their other clothing will accommodate any body movement and also ensures that the breath delivery tubes 2 are clear of, for example but not limited to, the shoulder strap of a satchel or postal worker’s bag at the point of contact and/or weight bearing pressure.

Referring now to Figure 5A, there is shown an optional hand cover 70 that may form part of a hand heating system according to various embodiments. The hand cover 70 is shaped, designed, and configured to fit over the back of the hand and inside a glove. Figure 5A, shows a front view of the manner in which the hand cover 70 can rest against the back of a user’s hand. Preferably, the hand cover component 70 is formed from a material which has the properties of being flexible, partially compressible and substantially airtight. Optionally, the hand cover component 70 may be formed out of neoprene or another suitable material. Optionally, the hand cover may be moulded as a single piece.

As shown in Figure 5A, a series of channels 3a are cut or moulded into the hand cover 70 such that exhaled breath can be fed along the channels 3a and directed to the end of each finger. Beneficially, as the hand cover 70 is made out of a substantially airtight material, the breath will be fed around the hand, in particular the finger tips thereof, regardless of how airtight gloves worn over the top actually are. In this way, the hand heating system may be compatible with a range of work wear gloves that are designed to facilitate a particular task and that are not necessarily designed to insulate the wearer’s hands.

As shown, a bore in the hand cover 70 enables the breath delivery tube 2 to friction fit into the hand cover 70 for feeding exhaled breath into the hand cover 70 through to the breath directing channels 3a.

An optional smaller tube 4 may be provided to act as an exhaust pipe for the exhaled breath. For most work wear gloves this exhaust pipe will not be needed since the breath can simply exit through the glove material, seams or around the wrist. However if the work task requires the vapour in the breath to be contained and managed then the glove will have to be of an airtight design and material; in which case a controlled exhaust system is needed. By having the exhaust pipe 4 slightly smaller in diameter to the breath heating pipe the breath fully circulates around the hand inside the glove before exiting.

For convenience, a Velcro or similar strap 5, may be connected to the hand cover 70 on the breath delivery tube 2 by way of a flexible connector 6.

An end face 3b of the hand cover 70 is optionally shaped to feed a breath delivery tube 2 and optionally an exhaust tube 4 inside a glove, at a wrist thereof, in a substantially airtight fashion.

Side walls 3c of the hand cover 70 are optionally covered in a low friction material, for example Nylon or in a similar material; and/or the side walls 3s of the hand cover 70 are shaped and tapered down to an insubstantial thickness to ensure that a wearer’s hand may slide in and out of the glove underneath the hand cover component 70 without catching on the hand cover 70. A face 3d of the hand cover component 70 pushes against the back of the hand. The face 3d of the hand cover component 70 is optionally covered in a low-friction material, for example, Nylon or a similar material, to ensure that a user’s hand can slide in and out of a glove, underneath the hand cover component 70, without catching on the hand cover 70.

Further optionally, the hand cover component 70 may comprises a cut 3e, into the material of the hand cover 70 going from face 3d through to the bore provided for the breath delivery tube 2. The cut 3e may be co-extensive with the length that the breath delivery tube 2 inserts into the hand cover 70. When the hand cover 70 is in use, the two sides of the hand cover, either side of the cut 3e are pushed together by the strap 5 to create a substantially air tight seal and a squeeze tight fit around breath delivery tube 2. However, when not under the tension of the strap 5, the hand cover’s 70 squeeze tight fit around breath delivery tube 2 is relaxed. This allows the user to put on and take off the garment with the tubes, independently of their gloves and the hand cover 70. The hand cover 70 can be left resting inside their glove with all the fingers aligned all of the time so that putting the glove and hand cover 70 on or taking them off is a simple single combined action.

Figure 5B shows a wrist section of the hand cover 70 in a flexed state such that cut 3e opens out for releasing the end of the breath delivery tube 2 from its squeeze tight fit inside the hand cover 70. As discussed, this enables the hand cover 70 to stay inside the glove and be put on or taken off with the glove as a single combined action. It also means that the garment 1 with the breath delivery tubes 2 housed thereon can be put on or taken off independently of the glove and hand cover. Conveniently therefor, the garment 1 and breath delivery tubes 2 of the hand heating system 80 can be put on as part of the wearer’s getting dressed routine, at the start of the working day; and putting the gloves and hand cover 70 on, and connecting them to the breath delivery tubes 2 can be an entirely separate action, performed sometime later, just before actually starting work or as required. Additionally, therefore, removal of the gloves during a working day, requires only a simple detachment of the breath delivery tube 2 from the hand cover 70.

Figure 6 shows a view of a hand heating system 80 integrated with a work wear glove 8. The glove 8 is fitted at the top side of the arm, above and around the wrist.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the breath delivery tube 2 and the exhaust tube 4 enter the glove 8 through the hand cover end face 3b in a substantially airtight manner. The end edge of the glove 8 runs around both the arm and the hand cover 70. As the hand cover 70 is flexible and partially compressible, the Velcro strap 5 which travels over the top of the glove 8 and around the arm and hand cover 70 only needs to be of a neutral tension to eliminate any air gaps between the arm, the hand cover 70 and the glove 8.

Optionally, the hand heating system may also comprise a band 7 of absorbent material. The band 7 of absorbent material may travel around the wrist, over the top of the hand cover 70 and underneath the glove 8 in order to absorb vapour that may be contained within the exhaled breath and that may condense inside the glove 8. The optional provision of a band 7 may be particularly advantageous in applications where the vapour in the breath needs to be contained and managed, for example but without limitation, in a postal worker application. However, in many other applications of the hand heating system disclosed herein, any condensed vapour can simply be allowed to collect or seep out of the glove material. In alternatively embodiments an absorbent wrist band rests underneath the hand cover 70, the outer edge approximately lined up with face 3b. This may remove the need for exhaust tube 4 as the breath can exit around the wrist seeping through the material of this absorbent wristband instead

In use, the hand heating systems 80 disclosed herein, permit a user to supply exhaled breath into their hand wear as it is required. The mouth piece can be dropped out of the way of the user’s face and readily re-inserted when warm breath delivery to the hands is required. It is expected that the hand heating system will be utilized in cold weather conditions and in dependence upon the ambient temperature, wind conditions, weather and task under taken by the wearer, it is estimated that a user may have to exhale about one breath per minute into the system. It is estimated that a hand heating breath may be three times the volume of a standard respiratory breath. On this basis, it is expected that the amount of vapour deposited into each glove would be around the rate of 1.75ml per hour in 0°C to 5°C with some wet wind chill conditions. For most work applications this small amount of vapour can escaping from the gloves and is of no consequence. However, in applications where the vapour does require isolating, the band 7 of absorbent material around the wrist may be sufficient. Such bands 7 of material could be swapped over if required as a result of excessive duration or rate of usage.

Different types of work wear gloves wear out with different frequency. In some applications, replacement of the work wear glove may need to be carried out on a regular basis and transfer of a hand cover of the heating system disclosed herein; into replacement outer gloves may be necessary periodically. To facilitate the proper insertion of and location of a hand cover into a work wear glove, in some embodiments, the hand cover may comprise a material pocket 9, on the outside surface only on the top of each finger of the hand cover. The material pocket 9 is formed sufficiently large such that a user can insert their fingertip into the material pocket 9 and then use the pockets to help drive the hand cover into the fingers of a work wear glove such that the hand cover is properly located therein and in a tight fitting manner. Once installed in a glove (not shown) an outside face of the hand cover 70, is disposed against the inside surface of the back of the glove. The channels 3a to direct the breath are on the opposite side i.e. are in contact with the back of the user’s hand. Breath delivery tube 2, exhaust tube 4 and Velcro strap 5 are also shown in Figure 7. The strap 5 may be needed to hold the hand cover in place with a finger in each pocket 9 for the time it takes to push the hand cover inside the glove.

Referring now to Figure 8A a further embodiment of a hand heating system is shown therein. In this arrangement the housing element 10 is provided by a shoulder pad 10. The shoulder pad is shaped and arrange to allow breath delivery tubes 2 to be fed through the shoulder padding 10. In this way, crushing of the breath delivery tubes 2 or discomfort from wearing a back pack, for example is avoided.

In Figure 8A, a rear view of a user is shown, wherein the heating system comprises shoulder pads that hook over a wearer’s shoulder. Optionally the shoulder pads are attached to a wearable garment 1 such as a base layer or vest. Optionally, the shoulder pads are the wearable garment of the hand heating system and they are connected together to provide a single wearable unit.

Optionally, the shoulder pads 10 are formed out of plastic or neoprene foam or a similar material which is flexible and partially compressible. The shoulder pads 10 will simply move with the shoulder blades in response to various body movements, especially arm movements at the shoulder. The gap between the two shoulder pads will expand and contract under the user’s other clothing in response to various body movements. The free running breath delivery tube 2 between the shoulder pads 10 will also expand and contract extending out around the side of the neck, making the resultant tube loop under the user’s chin slightly expand and contract with corresponding body movements.

Figure 8B shows a side view of the breath delivery tubes 2 being fed through the shoulder pads 10 and the user of the hand heating system also carrying a back pack 12 and back pack straps 11, which are disposed on top of part of the shoulder pads 10. As shown, an example of an appropriate path for the breath delivery tubes 2 is: under the back pack 12 and across the back towards the top of the shoulders, this will avoid the weight bearing points of both the back pack shoulder straps 11 pulling down on the user’s shoulders; and the back pack 12 resting against the user’s back. The exact location of this region across the shoulders which is substantially free from weight bearing stress will vary depending upon the shape of the back pack 12 and the connection to the shoulder straps 11. Optionally, the shoulder pads 10 may be designed such that they are integrated with a garment 1 (e.g. vest or base layer) in such a way that the path the breath delivery tubes 2 take across the shoulders, may be altered to align with the stress free zone specific to a given back pack 12.

Optionally, various connection methods may be utilized for linking the shoulder pads 10 to the vest in a position adjustable manner, including simply freely resting under the user’s clothes; the critical design feature is that the shoulder pads 10 are the correct shape and size to alter how low the pads 10 rest down the user’s back compared to the extent to which the pads 10 curl over the front of the shoulders.

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show a mouth piece 3 with breath delivery tubes 2A, 2B connected on either side of the mouth piece 3. The breath delivery tubes 2A, 2B circle around the user’s neck in a loop to enter the clothing behind the neck.

Figure 9A illustrates a top view of the of the mouth piece 3. A flap 13 that can be controlled by the user’s tongue directs the exhaled breath to either breath delivery tube 2A or breath delivery tube 2B or simultaneously to both breath delivery tube 2A and breath delivery tube 2B.

The flap 13 rotates around a hinge axis 14 at the back of the mouth piece 3. As shown in Figure 9A the flap 13 is on the right hand side 15A of the mouth piece’s 3 exhaled breath entry hole 16. The user’s tongue can push the flap 13 over to position 15B on the opposite side of the breath entry hole 16. When the flap is in position 15A it can be seen that substantially all the exhaled breath would flow to exhaled breath cavity 17B, which feeds to breath delivery tube 2B. Conversely if the flap 13 is in position 15B the exhaled breath would substantially flow to exhaled breath cavity 17A which feeds to breath delivery tube 2A. Breath delivery tubes 2A and 2B will circle around the neck.

Figure 9B illustrates a view from inside the mouth outwards of the mouth piece with a flap 13 that rotates about axis 14 to either position 15A or 15B and can be controlled by the user’s tongue to direct the exhaled breath to either tube 2A or tube 2B.

Figure 9C shows a perspective view of the mouth piece 3 with the flap 13, that rotates about axis 14 to either position 15A or 15B, shown being used to control, by the user’s tongue, whether exhaled breath goes into delivery tube 2A or tube 2B to heat either the left hand or the right hand or both equally (flap 13 pushed into the middle)

Optionally, one of the breath delivery tubes 2A may split into two and feed each hand and the other 2B may split into two and feed each foot. The flap 13 could therefore be used to decide whether to heat hands or feet. This arrangement works around the fact that exhaled breath will travel along the path of least resistance. As each of a user’s gloves or each of a user’s boots will be the same design, breath simultaneously directed at either both hands or both feet will flow to each hand or foot in approximately equal measure, which is desirable. However if the breath was simultaneously routed to both the hands and the feet it would have a heavy bias in favor of flowing to either the hands or the feet depending upon the path of least resistance, as defined by the design of gloves and boots being worn, and is a random mix rather than a desired mix.

This tongue controlled flap system solves that problem by enabling the user to direct the breath to the hands or the feet as and when required.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, the housing elements may be utilized with a wide range of wearable garments for guiding the breath delivery tubes about a particular path. In some embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that housing elements may not be required and in such arrangements, a set of breath delivery tubes may passively run under a user’s clothes to the user’s wrists rather than being attached to and guided by a base layer. In such an arrangement, it is envisaged that a wide variety of gloves may be utlised in the hand heating system, including for example, latex gloves. With such air tight, latex gloves, it is beneficial to . incorporate one or more absorbent wrist bands 7, and a moulding to to feed the breath delivery tubes into the latex (or similar air tight) glove such that there is no air gap either side of the breath delivery tube. The moulding may be formed of neoprene or silicon or another suitable material. Optionally, the hand heating system of such an arrangement may also incorporate a strap, such as velcro strap 5. In this way, the edge of the latex glove and the moulding feeding the breath delivery tube into the latex glove rest on top of the absorbent wrist band 7, with the velcro strap around the top, to provide enough pressure to ensure full circulation of an exhaled breath to the finger tips. Beneficially, such a system also absorbs any condensing vapour and forms a controlled exhaust system through the wrist band rather than requiring an additiona exhaust tube.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as “right”, “left” "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective components to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these components from one another.

Claims

1. A hand heating system comprising a wearable garment, a mouthpiece, one or more breath delivery tubes attachable to said mouthpiece and one or more housing elements, the one or more housing elements being provided on the wearable garment and being structured and arranged to each accommodate at least a portion of the one or more breath delivery tubes such that when a user is wearing the wearable garment, the one or more breath delivery tubes can be attached to the mouthpiece, accommodated by the one or more housing elements and positioned to feed exhaled breath into gloves worn by the user.

2. A hand heating system according to claim 1 wherein the wearable garment is a long sleeve vest or base layer.

3. A hand heating system according to claim 2 comprising two breath delivery tubes and at least two housing elements, wherein each housing element is disposed on or proximate to an elbow joint region of the wearable garment, such that each breath delivery tube is caused to follow along the outside end of an elbow joint.

4. A hand heating system according to claim 3 wherein the breath delivery tubes loop around the user’s neck to connect to the mouth piece.

5. A hand heating system according to claim 4 further comprising two additional housing elements, each additional housing element being positioned proximate an upper shoulder portion of the wearable garment.

6. A hand heating system according to claim 5 wherein the two additional housing elements are each shorter in length than the housing elements disposed on or proximate to an elbow joint region of the wearable garment.

7. A hand heating system according to claim 5 wherein the two additional housing elements are arranged at an angle relative to one another; and wherein the housing elements disposed on or proximate to an elbow joint region of the wearable garment are also angled relative to one another, such that when a user’s arms are raised the two breath delivery tubes are urged to form a substantially “W” shaped configuration partially down the users back before coming up to emerge at the back of the neck and form a tube loop around the neck with the mouthpiece.

8. A hand heating system according to any preceding claim further comprising a hand cover, the hand cover being insertable into a glove or other hand wear, the hand cover being formed from an airtight and/or flexible compressible material, and being structured and arranged to feed exhaled breath around a user’s hand, including the user’s fingertips.

9. A hand heating system according to claim 8 wherein the hand cover comprises means for holding a breath delivery tube in place inside a glove.

10. A hand heating system according to claim 9, comprising channels running from a position proximate to the location of said means for holding a breath delivery tube in place inside a glove and branching out to run along the backside of each of five fingers of the hand cover towards to each fingertip.

11. A hand heating system according to claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the hand cover is formed from neoprene.

12. A hand heating system according to 8, 9, 10 or 11 wherein the channels are open channels and are disposed on the hand skin side of the hand cover.

13. A hand heating system according to any of claims 8 to 12 wherein edges and a skin side face of the hand cover are covered in a low-friction material to enable a user’s hand to slide against the hand cover when the glove is being put on or taken off.

14. A hand heating system according to claim 13 wherein the low-friction material is Nylon.

15. A hand heating system according to claim 10 wherein the means for holding a breath delivery tube is a bore comprising a cut edge, which cut edge extends the length of the bore through which the breath delivery tube extends, such that the bore can partially flex open to enable the hand cover to be connected or released from the breath delivery tube.

16. A hand heating system according to any claim 8 to 15 wherein the hand cover comprises a pocket at each fingertip, on the back or glove side, wherein each pocket is closed at the fingertip end and open in the direction looking towards the wrist.

17. A hand heating system according to any claims 1 to 16 further comprising at least one glove for fitting over the end of a breath delivery tube.

18. A hand heating system according to any claim 8 to 15 further comprising an exhaust tube for venting a glove.

19. A hand heating system according to any of claims 8 to 17 further comprising a band made of an absorbent material to absorb condensation.

20. A hand heating system according to any of claims 1 to 19 wherein the housing elements comprise a pair of connected shoulder pads, comprising a an opening through which the breath delivery tubes can pass.

21. A hand heating system according to claim 20 wherein the shoulder pads are formed from a plastic or rubber foam

22. A hand heating system according to claim 20 or 21 wherein the shoulder pads are shaped and arranged and are positionable such that a ruck sack or backpack can be worn by a user of the hand heating system, over the top of the shoulder pads.

23. A hand heating system according to any preceding claim wherein the mouthpiece comprises a moveable flap inside the centre of the mouth piece, which flap is partially rotatable and in dependence upon the position of the flap, exhaled breath can be directed to the left or right side breath delivery tube.

24. A hand heating system according to claim 23 wherein the flap is controllable by a user’s tongue.

25. A wearable garment for use in the hand heating system of any of claims 1 to 24, the wearable garment comprising one or more housing elements, the one or more housing elements being provided on the wearable garment and being structured and arranged to each accommodate at least a portion of the one or more breath delivery tubes such that when a user is wearing the wearable garment, the one or more breath delivery tubes can be attached to the mouthpiece, accommodated by the one or more housing elements and positioned to feed exhaled breath into gloves worn by the user.

26. A hand cover for use in a hand heating system according to any of claims 8 to 16.

27. A mouthpiece for use in a hand heating system optionally according to any of claims 1 to 24, the mouth piece having means on each side thereof for connecting to a breath delivery tube, and comprising a moveable flap inside the centre of the mouth piece, which flap is partially rotatable and in dependence upon the position of the flap, exhaled breath can be directed to the left or right side breath delivery tube.

28. A mouthpiece according to claim 28 wherein a breath delivery tube connectable to one side of the mouthpiece splits and goes to each hand; and the breath delivery tube on the other side splits and goes to each foot.

29. A mouthpiece according to claim 27 or 28 wherein the flap is controllable by a user’s tongue.

30. A kit of parts for forming the hand heating system according to any of claims 1 to 24.

31. A hand heating system, kit of parts, wearable garment, mouthpiece or hand cover, substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

32. A hand heating system comprising a mouthpiece, one or more airtight gloves, one or more breath delivery tubes attachable to said mouthpiece, at least one wrist band formed from absorbent material, one or more means for holding and/or feeding one of the breath delivery tubes into one of the gloves and at least one strap, the one or more breath delivery tubes thereby being connectable to the airtight gloves such that when the hand heating system is deployed each of the one or more breath delivery tubes is attached to the mouthpiece, accommodated by a means for holding and/or feeding one of the breath delivery tubes into one of the gloves and positioned to feed exhaled breath into a glove worn by the user, and held together with the wrist band by said strap.