Foot comforter

US4800867A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Robert L. Owens · Marion, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 5, 1986
• Grant date: Jan 31, 1989
• Expiry date: Jun 5, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2007/006
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A foot comforter apparatus is adapted to ventilate, and/or may cool or heat the foot. The comforter may have a heat exchanger and has a hollow foot supporting chamber provided with an upper wall and a lower wall. The foot supporting chamber is at least partially compressible to permit cyclic application of foot pressure to cause pumping action of the fluid. Conduit means connect the heat exchanger with the pump. The conduit means is connected to the chamber at preselected positions in order to facilitate one direction flow of the fluid along and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber. Spacers may be provided within the chamber to resiliently and quickly urge the upper wall away from the lower wall. Check valves may be provided in the conduits to resist undesired multi-directional flow of the fluid. One preferred embodiment of the system represents a closed circuit with heat exchanger conduit sections connecting the supply and return conduits and such conduits are charged with air. Another preferred embodiment represents an open circuit in which ambient air is drawn into the system and discharged around a user's foot.