Smart Clothing That Actively Heats or Cools Your Body
This patent describes a system for clothing that can actively heat or cool a person by using special electronic modules placed in a frame on the fabric.
Original patent title: “Apparel thermo-regulatory system”
This patent describes a system for clothing that can actively heat or cool a person by using special electronic modules placed in a frame on the fabric. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This apparel thermo-regulatory system actively heats or cools a person wearing it. It includes a piece of clothing, like a jacket or shirt, that has a sturdy frame attached to its outer surface at a specific spot. This frame has openings, and an absorbent material is placed on its exposed side. Inside these openings, there are special electronic parts called thermoelectric modules that can be easily put in or taken out. These modules are what actually generate the heat or cold, allowing the wearer to adjust their body temperature. For example, a hiker could use this system to stay warm in cold weather or cool down during a strenuous climb.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover apparel that heats or cools using only passive methods, like special fabrics or phase-change materials, without active thermoelectric modules.
- Does not cover systems where the heating/cooling elements are permanently integrated into the fabric rather than being releasably positioned within a frame's aperture.
- Does not cover apparel where the thermoelectric modules are not housed within a dimensionally stable frame with an absorbent material.
- Does not cover systems that use resistive heating elements or fluid circulation for temperature regulation instead of thermoelectric modules.
- Does not cover apparel where the temperature regulation system is affixed to an inner-facing surface of the apparel item.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the modular design, specifically using a dimensionally stable frame with apertures to releasably hold thermoelectric modules, combined with an absorbent material. This allows for easy insertion, removal, and potential replacement of the active heating/cooling components.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Heated jackets for construction workers
Cooling vests for athletes
Personal climate control systems in outdoor gear
Smart uniforms for emergency responders
Temperature-regulating clothing for medical applications
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Maintaining a comfortable body temperature is important for health, performance, and energy efficiency. This technology could allow individuals to customize their thermal environment, potentially reducing the need to heat or cool entire buildings. It could be particularly useful for outdoor workers, athletes, or people in extreme climates, offering a personalized approach to thermal comfort.
Filed
November 14, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Embr Labs and Omius are actively developing personal thermal regulation devices, often focusing on wearable form factors. Major apparel brands are also exploring smart clothing technologies, including those that integrate heating or cooling elements. Startups in the wearable tech space are continuously innovating in this area, seeking to provide more effective and comfortable personal climate control solutions.
Market impact
This type of technology aims to create a new category of 'smart apparel' focused on active thermal management. While still emerging, it could lead to products that offer significant comfort advantages over traditional clothing. If widely adopted, it could influence energy consumption patterns by enabling more localized heating and cooling, potentially reducing reliance on HVAC systems for individual comfort.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This apparel thermo-regulatory system actively heats or cools a person wearing it. It includes a piece of clothing, like a jacket or shirt, that has a sturdy frame attached to its outer surface at a specific spot. This frame has openings, and an absorbent material is placed on its exposed side. Inside these openings, there are special electronic parts called thermoelectric modules that can be easily put in or taken out. These modules are what actually generate the heat or cold, allowing the wearer to adjust their body temperature. For example, a hiker could use this system to stay warm in cold weather or cool down during a strenuous climb.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the modular design, specifically using a dimensionally stable frame with apertures to releasably hold thermoelectric modules, combined with an absorbent material. This allows for easy insertion, removal, and potential replacement of the active heating/cooling components.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover apparel that heats or cools using only passive methods, like special fabrics or phase-change materials, without active thermoelectric modules.
- Does not cover systems where the heating/cooling elements are permanently integrated into the fabric rather than being releasably positioned within a frame's aperture.
- Does not cover apparel where the thermoelectric modules are not housed within a dimensionally stable frame with an absorbent material.
- Does not cover systems that use resistive heating elements or fluid circulation for temperature regulation instead of thermoelectric modules.
- Does not cover apparel where the temperature regulation system is affixed to an inner-facing surface of the apparel item.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 16.1 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Smart Clothing That Actively Heats or Cools Your Body (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,697). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733697/apparel-thermo-regulatory-system
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Smart Clothing That Actively Heats or Cools Your Body cover?
This patent describes a system for clothing that can actively heat or cool a person by using special electronic modules placed in a frame on the fabric.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Maintaining a comfortable body temperature is important for health, performance, and energy efficiency. This technology could allow individuals to customize their thermal environment, potentially reducing the need to heat or cool entire buildings. It could be particularly useful for outdoor workers, athletes, or people in extreme climates, offering a personalized approach to thermal comfort.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover apparel that heats or cools using only passive methods, like special fabrics or phase-change materials, without active thermoelectric modules.
Patent monitoring