Heated shoe insole

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for warming feet. The invention includes a flexible and compressible insole that can be removable or integral to boots, shoes, or other footwear. The entire apparatus is battery powered allowing it to be portable and lightweight enough to be comfortable. The battery can be mounted in many possible locations including but not limited to on the footwear, in the footwear, or on the user's lower leg.

1 . A shoe insole apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible semiconductive heater element adapted for insertion within a shoe to be in proximate contact with at least a portion of a foot when the shoe is worn; and    a battery in electrical communication with the heater element, wherein the heater element provides warmth to a foot portion upon receiving current from the battery.    
   
   
       2 . The heating insole apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the semiconductive heater element is comprised substantially of graphite fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The shoe insole apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the semiconductive heater element is comprised substantially of a semiconductive felt.  
   
   
       4 . The shoe insole apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a switch electrically interposed between the battery and the semiconductive heater element.  
   
   
       5 . The shoe insole apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising 
 a power controller; and    a sensor, wherein the sensor communicates with the power controller to control heat generated by the semiconductive heater element.    
   
   
       6 . The shoe insole apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a power selector electrically interposed between the battery and the semiconductive heater element, having at least two settings that regulate an amount of heat generated by the semiconductive heater element.  
   
   
       7 . The shoe insole apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein semiconductive heater element further comprises a toe portion that is cupped to fit around a user's toes.  
   
   
       8 . A warming footwear apparatus comprising: 
 a sole;    a sensor for detecting whether a foot is placed within the interior area above the sole; and,    an interior area above the sole having a heating element, the interior area having space for receiving a foot;    a battery in electrical communication with the heating element and the sensor,    wherein the battery is connected to or disconnected from heating element based on output from the sensor and    wherein the heating element provides heat to the interior area upon receiving current from the battery.    
   
   
       9 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sensor communicates with a controller to control heat generated by the heating element.  
   
   
       10 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the battery is mounted on an upper located above the interior area.  
   
   
       11 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the battery is mounted on a user's lower leg.  
   
   
       12 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.  
   
   
       13 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the battery is located within the sole.  
   
   
       14 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the battery provides less than 5 V DC to the heating element.  
   
   
       15 . The warming footwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the interior area further comprises a toe cupping area, and where the heating element substantially surrounds the toe cupping area.  
   
   
       16 . A warming slipper apparatus comprising: 
 a footpad;    a toe cup; and    a battery,    wherein the toe cup curls over the footpad to cover less than half of the footpad, a heater element covers part of the footpad and the toe cup; and    the battery provides electricity to the heater element to produce heat.    
   
   
       17 . The warming slipper apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the heater element is comprised substantially of graphite felt or graphite fabric.  
   
   
       18 . The warming slipper apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a sole, and the battery is positioned within the sole.  
   
   
       19 . The warming slipper apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the battery is attached to a user's lower leg.  
   
   
       20 . The warming slipper apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising interconnecting wires that complete an electrical circuit between the heater element and the battery, 
 wherein the interconnecting wires exit the footpad substantially near a wearer's heel.