US 2010O2998.00A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/02998.00 A1 Jackson, JR. (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 2, 2010

(54) HAND WARMER WITH VIEWING WINDOW (22) Filed: May 19, 2010 FOR MEDADEVICE Related U.S. Application Data (60) Provisional application No. 61/217,487, filed on Jun. (75) Inventor: Loyd E. Jackson, JR. Lee's 2, 2009. Summit, MO (US) Publication Classification (51) Int. Cl. Correspondence Address: 52 t;MO (2006.01) 2/69 Hovey Williams LLP (52) U.S. Cl...... 10801 Mastin Blvd., Suite 1000 (57) ABSTRACT Overland Park, KS 66210 (US) A hand warmer is provided with a viewing window that allows a media device, such as a cell phone, personal digital assistant, music player, or gaming device to be viewed and (73) Assignee: H&L Apparel, LLC, Lake manipulated by a user while the user holds the media device Lotawana, MO (US) with one or both hands within the hand warmer. The user is thus able to keep his or her hands and the media device warm and dry and otherwise protected from the elements while (21) Appl. No.: 12/783.287 operating the media device.

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Patent Application Publication Dec. 2, 2010 Sheet 7 of 7 US 2010/02998.00 A1

US 2010/02998OO A1 Dec. 2, 2010

HAND WARMER WITH VIEWING WINDOW formed as a hand muff, the hand warmer may include a belt FOR MEDLA DEVICE which allows the hand warmer to be worn about the waist of the user. Cuffs may be provided at the openings in the tubular CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED body of the hand warmer to seal against the user's wrists or APPLICATION forearms to impede entry of cold air or moisture. 0001. This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. S119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/217,487 filed BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Jun. 2, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein in 0008. In the accompanying drawings in which like refer their entirety by this reference. ence numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 0009 FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a hand warmer 0002 The present invention relates to hand muffs and constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the other types of hand warmers. present invention and a media device positioned within the 0003 Hand warmers such as hand muffs and pockets on hand warmer, with broken lines showing fragmental portions pullover Sweatshirts are commonly used in cold weather to of a user of the hand warmer; keep an individual's hands warm and otherwise protected (0010 FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hand from the cold temperatures and other inclement weather con warmer shown in FIG. 1; ditions. Hand-held media devices, such as cell phones, per (0011 FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the hand Sonal digital assistants, music players, and gaming devices, warmer similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but showing the are frequently used outdoors. The user, however, may limit media device stored within a pocket within the hand warmer, the outdoor usage of the device in cold or other inclement portions of the pocket being broken away to shown the loca weather conditions for fear of exposing the device to the cold tion of the media device; temperatures or moisture which may damage the device and/ 0012 FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the hand or because the user wishes to protect his or her hands from warmer shown in FIG. 1 with portions broken away to show Such conditions. details of construction; 0004. A need has thus developed for a way to allow a user 0013 FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the hand warmer of a hand-held media device to readily use the media device shown in FIG. 1; during inclement weather conditions without removing his or 0014 FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a hand warmer her hands from the hand warmer so that the individual's hands constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the and the media device are protected from exposure to the present invention; inclement weather conditions. 0015 FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the hand warmer shown in FIG. 6, with the viewing win SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION dow shown partially detached from the body of the hand warmer; and 0005. The present invention is generally directed to a hand 0016 FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand warmer comprising a tubular body which defines an interior warmer shown in FIG. 6 and illustrating the attachment of the region and a viewing window positioned in the tubular body viewing window to the Surround body portion. at a location intermediate the opposite ends of the tubular body. The tubular body has spaced-apart openings that allow DETAILED DESCRIPTION for the insertion of the hands of a user into the interior region. The viewing window is formed of a layer of material which 0017 Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, and has sufficient transparency to allow the viewing of the interior initially to FIGS. 1-2, a first embodiment of a hand warmer of volume through the viewing window. The tubular body is the present invention is represented broadly by the numeral formed of one or more layers of fabric material which insulate 10. Hand warmer 10 comprises a tubular body 12 having the interior region against entry of cold air and/or moisture. A opposite ends 14 and 16 which are constructed to define media device may be inserted into the interior region through spaced-apart openings 18 and 20, respectively. The openings one or both of the openings in the tubular body. The viewing 18 and 20 do not necessarily need to be positioned at the window allows the user to view and manipulate the media opposite ends 14 and 16, but may instead be positioned at device while holding it in one or both hands in the interior other spaced-apart locations along the tubular body 12. Cuffs region within the tubular body of the hand warmer. The user 22 and 24 may beformed surrounding the openings 18 and 20 is thus able to keep his or her hands and the media device to closely conform to the wrists or forearms 26 and 28 of the warm and dry and otherwise protected from the elements user 30 of the hand warmer 10. The cuffs 22 and 24 may while operating the media device. include an elastic band (not shown) to facilitate sealing of the 0006. In one embodiment, a perimeter portion of the view cuffs 22 and 24 to the wrists or forearms 26 and 28 in a known ing window is releasably secured to the tubular body of the fashion. hand warmer by a fastener. Such as a hook and loop fastener, (0018. The tubular body 12 of the hand warmer 10 defines which allows the viewing window to be removed and an internal region32 of a preselected size. The internal region replaced if damaged or if the hand warmer is to be washed or 30 is sized to accommodate the hands 34 and 36 of the user 30, otherwise Subjected to a process that might damage the view along with a hand-held media device 38, such as the illus ing window. In another embodiment, the viewing window is trated cellphone or a personal digital assistant, music player, sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the tubular body or a gaming device. The tubular body 12 is formed of one or of the hand warmer. more layers of a fabric material which is deformable to allow 0007. The hand warmer may be in various forms, such as ready manipulation of the media device 38 within the interior a hand muff or a pocketformed in a pullover sweatshirt. When region 30. In one embodiment, the tubular body 12 comprises US 2010/02998OO A1 Dec. 2, 2010

an outer layer of wind and/or water resistant material, an inner shown in FIG. 5, an exterior closeable pouch 54 may also be layer offleece, and an intermediate layer of thermal insulation provided in the tubular body 12 of the hand warmer 10 to store sandwiched between and bonded to the inner and outer layers. other items such as headphones 48 or packets of chemical The material used for tubular body 12 may, in one embodi hand warmers (not shown). A Zipper 56 is used to open and ment, be opaque. It is to be understood that other laminated close the pouch 54. and non-laminated constructions can be used for the tubular 0024. In use, the hand warmer 10 allows the user 30 to body 12 which provide the desired protection for the user's insert his or her hands 34 and 36 and the media device 38 into hands 34 and 36 and the media device 38 against cold tem the interior region 32 through the openings 18 and 20 at the peratures and/or moisture. opposite ends of the tubular body 12. The media device 38 0019. In accordance with the present invention, the hand may then be held in one or both of the user's hands 34 and 36 warmer 10 includes a viewing window 40 positioned to cover and manipulated by viewing the media device 38 through the a cutout 42 positioned in the tubular body 12 at a central or viewing window 40. When the media device 38 is not being other intermediate location between the opposite ends 14 and used, it can be inserted into the pocket 52 where it can be 16 of the tubular body 12. The viewing window 40 comprises readily accessed for reuse. a layer of material which has sufficient transparency to permit 0025 Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternate embodi the user 30 to view the interior region 32 through the viewing ment of the hand warmer formed as part of a pullover sweat window 40. The material selected for the viewing window 40 shirt 100 is designated broadly by the numeral 110. The same should have Sufficient strength to resist tearing or cracking. reference numerals preceded by the numeral “1” are used to The material should also be water resistant and provide suf reference like parts in the hand warmer 110 as are found in ficient thermal insulation to protect the user's hands 34 and 36 hand warmer 10. The hand warmer 110, similar to hand from cold temperatures. The material should also possess warmer 10, comprises a tubular body 112 with opposite ends optical properties which allow viewing of the media device 38 114 and 116. Openings 118 and 120 are formed at the oppo without gross distortion. The material can be rigid or flexible site ends 114 and 116, respectively. Cuffs (not shown) similar and, if flexible, should have sufficient flexibility to permit to cuffs 22 and 24 may surround the openings 118 and 112. deformation even under cold weather conditions. Various 0026. A user 130 inserts his or her hands 134 and 136 types of polymeric materials are well-suited for use as the through the openings 118 and 120 into an interior region 132 material comprising the viewing window 40. As but one formed by the tubular body 112. A media device 138 may be example, the layer of material may be formed of 16 gauge positioned within the interior region 132 by carrying the vinyl and may be coated with an anti-fogging composition. media device 138 through one of the openings 118 and 120. 0020. The size and shape of the viewing window 40 and 0027. A viewing window 140 is positioned in overlying cutout 42 can be varied to Suit particular applications. For relationship to a cutout 142 at an intermediate location in the example, the viewing window 40 and cutout 42 can be sized tubular body 112 and allows the user 130 to view and manipu to permit viewing of the entire media device 38 or only a late the media device 138 in the same manner described portion thereof. above. As can best be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the viewing 0021. The viewing window 40 is secured to the tubular window 140 and cutout include a hook and loop fastener 156 body 12 in any suitable fashion which impedes the passage of about their perimeters which allows the viewing window 140 cold air and/or moisture. For example, as illustrated in FIG.4, to be removed and replaced as desired. The viewing window a perimeter of the viewing window 40 can be sized slightly 140 and tubular body 112 can beformed of the same materials larger than the cutout 42 such that the perimeter of the view previously described with reference to hand warmer 10. ing window 40 overlaps the perimeter of the cutout 42 and is 0028. It can thus be appreciated that the hand warmers 10 sandwiched between the layers of material forming the tubu and 110 protect the users 30 and 130 and the media devices 38 lar body 12. The viewing window 40 is then sewn along its and 138 from cold temperatures and moisture while permit perimeter to secure it to the tubular body 12. The viewing ting the media devices 38 and 138 to be operated in a normal window 40 need not be permanent affixed to the tubular body fashion by the user. 12 of the hand warmer 10, but can instead be secured in a 0029. From the foregoing, it will be seen that this inven manner which allows for removal and reattachment of the tion is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objectives viewing window 10. For example, hook and loop fasteners hereinabove set forth together with other advantages that are secured along the perimeters of the viewing window 40 and inherent to the structure. cutout 42 allow the viewing window 40 to be removed and 0030. It will be understood that certain features and sub replaced if damaged or if the hand warmer 10 is to be washed combinations are of utility and may be employed without or otherwise Subjected to processes that might damage the reference to other features and subcombinations. This is con viewing window 40. It will, of course, be appreciated that the templated by and is within the scope of the invention. viewing window 40 may be integrally formed with the tubular 0031 Since many possible embodiments may be made of body 12 and need not be a separate component which is the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to physically attached to the tubular body 12. This is contem be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the plated by and is within the scope of the present invention. accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and 0022. A grommet 44 may be positioned in the tubular body not in a limiting sense. 12 to permit a cord 46 of a headphone 48 to pass through the What is claimed is: tubular body 12 for connection to the media device 38. A belt 1. A hand warmer comprising: 50 may also be attached to the tubular body 12 to allow the a tubular body defining an interior region and having hand warmer 10 to be worn about the waist of the user 30. spaced-apart openings for the insertion of hands of a 0023 Turning additionally to FIG. 3, the hand warmer 10 user into the interior region; and includes a pocket 52 positioned within the interior region 32 a viewing window in the tubular body at a location inter to allow the media device 38 to be stored when not in use. As mediate the opposite ends. US 2010/02998OO A1 Dec. 2, 2010

2. The hand warmer of claim 1, wherein the viewing win 14. A hand warmer comprising: dow comprises a layer of material having Sufficient transpar a tubular body of opaque fabric material defining an inte ency to permit viewing into the interior region. rior region and having opposite ends with openings for the insertion of hands of a user into the interior region; 3. The hand warmer of claim 2, wherein said layer of and material of said viewing window comprises a flexible poly a viewing window in the tubular body at a location inter mer material. mediate the opposite ends and comprising a layer of flexible polymer material having Sufficient transparency 4. The hand warmer of claim 3, wherein the tubular body to permit viewing into the interior region. comprises a fabric material. 15. The hand warmer of claim 14, wherein the tubular body 5. The hand warmer of claim 4, wherein the tubular body has a cutout at said location and said viewing window is has a cutout at said location and said viewing window is positioned in overlaying relationship to said cutout. positioned in overlaying relationship to said cutout. 16. The hand warmer of claim 15, wherein the viewing window has a perimeter portion and said cutout has a perim 6. The hand warmer of claim 5, wherein the viewing win eter portion and including a fastener removable securing said dow has a perimeter portion and said cutout has a perimeter perimeter portion of the viewing window to said perimeter portion and including a fastener removable securing said portion of the cutout. perimeter portion of the viewing window to said perimeter 17. The hand warmer of claim 16, wherein the fastener is a portion of the cutout. hook and loop fastener. 7. The hand warmer of claim 6, wherein the fastener is a 18. The hand warmer of claim 15, wherein the viewing hook and loop fastener. window has a perimeter portion and said cutout has a perim 8. The hand warmer of claim 5, wherein the viewing win eter portion and wherein said perimeter portion of the viewing dow has a perimeter portion and said cutout has a perimeter window is secured to said perimeter portion of the cutout. portion and wherein said perimeter portion of the viewing 19. The hand warmer of claim 14, including cuffs posi tioned at said openings at the opposite ends of the tubular window is secured to said perimeter portion of the cutout. body. 9. The hand warmer of claim 1, including cuffs positioned 20. A hand warmer comprising: at said openings in the tubular body. a tubular body of opaque, laminated fabric material defin 10. The hand warmer of claim 1, including a pocket ing an interior region and having opposite ends with attached to said tubular body in said interior region. openings for the insertion of hands of a user into the 11. The hand warmer of claim 1, including a belt attached interior region; a cutout in said tubular body intermedi to said tubular body. ate the opposite ends; and a viewing window overlaying said cutout in the tubular 12. The hand warmer of claim 1, including a closeable body and comprising a layer of flexible polymer mate pouch formed in said tubular body. rial having sufficient transparency to permit viewing 13. The hand warmer of claim 12, wherein said closeable into the interior region. pouch includes a Zipper for opening and closing said close able pouch. c c c c c