PROTECTION ELEMENT OR ATTACHMENT FOR SAFETY GLOVE FINGERS

Abstract

Protective element or attachment to place on a glove finger, consisting in a resistant, hard piece with a half-round shape, closed at its end and open at the opposite end and partly on its lateral sides. Moreover, said element has its top part in the shape of an elongated semicircle connected to a half-ring. Additionally, the safety glove having at least one protective element located at the top dorsal part of one of the glove fingers is described.

Claims

1. A protective glove finger slot insert arrangeable to protect a wearer's distal knuckle and fingertip from external injury, firmly affixed in an upper portion of said finger slot's distal end, said insert comprising: a top portion configured to overlay and protect a wearer's distal phalange and fingertip, shaped so as to be downwardly sloping from a center line toward a first and a second side edges and said top portion including: a forward section comprising: an elongated semi-circular front edge with two ends, configurable to be at least in part forward of a finger when said finger is in said finger slot; and said first side edge and said second side edge opposite said first side edge, each said side edge extending rearwardly from a respective end of said front edge; wherein the forward section width is uniform from said first to said second side edge; and a rear section with a uniform width and uniform length, said width greater than said forward section width; first and second side wings, each side wing's length similar to the length of said rear section and each side wing extending downwardly from said rear section on opposing sides, and each side wing having a flat bottom surface; and a mantle attached to said top portion at said elongated semi-circular front edge, extending downwardly from said top portion, and with a flat bottom surface; wherein said rear section is attached to said forward section along a portion of the forward section furthest from said mantle; said flat bottom surfaces of said mantle and said wings together define a plane; and said mantle and said wings together serve to form three legs of a table which, with said forward section and said rear section, form a protective cavity for the portion of a finger in said finger slot.

2. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is formed at least in part from metal, plastic, polyamide or glass fiber.

3. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is formed of a material sufficient to protect an inserted distal end of a finger against smashes, including bumps, punctures, and cuts.

4. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is configured to serve as a covering for protecting a forward portion of a finger from damage due to a falling object.

5. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein at least one said insert is glued into a finger slot of said glove.

6. The protective glove finger slot insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is limited to consisting of said top portion and said mantle.

7. A protective glove including a plurality of inserts each said insert located in an upper portion of a different finger slot's distal end, each said insert comprising: a top portion configured to overlay and protect a wearer's distal phalange and fingertip, shaped so as to be downwardly sloping from a center line toward a first and a second side edges, the top portion including: a forward section comprising: an elongated semi-circular front edge with two ends, configurable to be at least in part forward of a finger when said finger is in a finger slot; and said first side edge and said second side edge opposite said first side edge, each said side edge extending rearwardly from a respective end of said front edge; wherein the forward section width is uniform from said first to said second side edge; and a rear section with a uniform width and uniform length, said width greater than said forward section width; first and second side wings, each side wing's length similar to the length of said rear section and each side wing extending downwardly from said rear section on opposing sides, and each side wing having a flat bottom surface; and a mantle attached to said top portion at said elongated semi-circular front edge, extending downwardly from said top portion, and with a flat bottom surface; wherein said rear section is attached to said forward section along a portion of the forward section furthest from said mantle; said flat bottom surfaces of said mantle and said wings together define a plane; and said mantle and said wings together serve to form three legs of a table which, with said forward section and said rear section, form a protective cavity for the portion of a finger in said finger slot, and wherein said plurality of inserts are arranged so that no two touch each other.

8. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein each said insert is formed at least in part from metal, plastic, polyamide or glass fiber.

9. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein said at least one insert is formed of a material sufficient to protect an inserted finger's distal end against smashes, including bumps, punctures, and cuts.

10. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein each said insert is configured to serve as a covering for protecting a forward portion of a finger from damage due to a falling object.

11. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein at least one said insert is glued to a finger slot of said glove.

12. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein each said at least one insert is limited to consisting of said top portion and said mantle.

13. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein at least one said insert is firmly affixed in said glove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0029] To better explain the present invention, reference is made to the following accompanying figures, which are illustrative and not limiting of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 1 schematically depicts the finger protecting attachment.

[0031] FIG. 2 schematically shows any finger, the contour of the glove (2) and the protective element (1) located at the tip of the glove.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows the side view of the protective element of the present invention proposed herein.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows the rear view of the protective element of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows the top view of the protective element of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the protecting piece of the present invention

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the protecting attachment on a finger and covered by a glove.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows a marked-up version of the protecting attachment shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows an alternate marked-up version of the protecting attachment shown in FIG. 1.

[0039] FIGS. 10-13 show photographs of one embodiment of the protective device of the present invention.

[0040] FIGS. 14-15 show embodiments of the protective device of the present invention taped within a finger hole of a glove.

[0041] FIGS. 16-17 show an embodiment of a glove of the present invention with protective devices internal to each finger section, in the outer lining.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The need of a protecting element for the fingers, without reducing mobility and comfort, leads to the idea of incorporating a special attachment at the ends of the glove fingers protecting the fingertips from bumps, cuts, scratches, pricks or hard smashes, such that there is one protective element or attachment per finger and every glove may contain as many protective elements as fingers. This attachment is a piece with a shape similar to or identical to that shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] The present invention consists of a protective element or attachment preferably made of different resistant materials, such as, but not limited to: hard plastic, polymeric materials such as polyamide, glass fiber, or metal. Importantly, the element may be made of hard materials of a variety of types, each selected material is preferably light weight and not deformable (or not deformable to the extent it would injure a wearer) when a heavy object might fall on it. This attachment is glued or fixed firmly to each finger end of the glove, either on the inside or outside thereof, but preferably the inside, and contemplates a height carefully designed not to obstruct handling. The height is typically high enough to cover the finger end with its base far enough away to cover a finger, nominally 0.75-1.25 inches high. From front to back, the device is nominally preferably 1.0-1.5 inches long. The width also is preferably nominally 1.0-1.5 inches wide. See FIG. 1.

[0044] The piece may undergo minor variations in shape and size depending on the finger to which this attachment will be attached, with the possibility of being incorporated to one or more fingers, as required, but the concept will remain the sameto serve as protection for the fingers. The element of the present invention preferably has no joints or fastening elementsthat is, the element is of a fixed device, and not adjustable, such as something which would be formed by a plastic forming machine (e.g., a mold and extruder).

[0045] The protecting element or attachment differs significantly from the existing inventions having the same objective, mainly because its shape considers not only factors regarding the effective protection of extremities, which is the main objective, but also ergonomic factors which provide incomparable benefits as to the fine motor skill and sense of comfort in its use, as compared to the models comprising a full protective cover of the extremity. This is explained by the fact that the protective covers proposed herein rarely if ever contact each other, given they are located on the glove fingers, generating less friction and interference among the fingers when the glove is being used. This is also because the inventive protective element contemplates the back supports at the height of the first phalanges of the fingers, which are naturally located at different distances from the base of the hand in accordance with the different lengths of the fingers.

[0046] The protective element or attachment (or insert) may be made of various hard materials and has a half-round shape closed on one end and open at the opposite end and partly on its lateral sides, wherein said attachment is located at the distal end of the back of the glove fingers, and said element has its top preferably in the shape of an elongated semicircle connected to a half-ring, its lateral side is discontinuous and the front end closed. This partial lateral side opening adds to the dexterity of the wearer as an added benefit beyond that in the prior art.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, a protective glove finger slot insert is provided, where the insert is arrangeable to protect a wearer's distal knuckle and fingertip from external injury, and is preferably firmly affixed in an upper portion of said finger slot's distal end. The insert may be formed of a hard plastic or other hard material. The insert could be insertable in a glove, such as a work glove, or may be embedded into the glove in a type of permanence. In one embodiment, the insert could be glued in. In another embodiment, the insert could be taped in. In yet another embodiment it could be glued and taped in. In a variation of the above, the insert could be sewn in, with glove portions on either side. The sewn in approach could be done in combination with taping and/or gluing, in any combination. For a particular glove, the insert can be for one finger slot or a plurality can be used for a plurality of finger slots (typically in a one-for-one correspondence) and the insert would not be in immediate contact with any other finger slot insert.

[0048] Reference is made to FIGS. 1-11 for the reference numbers discussed herein. The protective element, insert, or attachment 150 may be made of various hard materials and has a half-round shape (mantle 20) on the top at its forward edge and preferably in a section hanging downwardly from the top, typically non-adjustable. The element is closed on its mantle end (but open below) and open at the opposite end and partly on its lateral sides, wherein said attachment is located at the distal end of the back of the glove fingers (see FIGS. 16-17 when in a glove), and said element has its top in the shape of an elongated semicircle 10 connected to the remainder of the device as a half-ring, its lateral side 30 is discontinuous (a gap, 40) and the front end closed.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment when inserted in glove such as but not limited to a work glove, the insert would be form-fitting to a glove or within a glove's finger portion, with the intent of surrounding a finger's distal phalange when the glove is worn. In the preferred embodiment, the insert would be comprised of a top portion 105 (typically non-extendible) configured to overlay and protect a wearer's distal phalange and fingertip, preferably shaped so as to be downwardly sloping from a center line 200 toward a first side edge 31 and a second side edge 32. The top portion includes a forward section 50 and a rear section 55. The rear section most distal from the finger section ends in a semicircle 60 with ends of the semicircle 61, 62. The insert is intentionally hollow so as to accept a finger within the finger portion of a glove. The area below the combination of forward section 50 and rear section 55 is open, forming a protective space 500. The forward section is nominally double the length of the rear section. See FIG. 6, among others, for views of the protective space 500.

[0050] The forward section 50 includes an elongated semi-circular front edge 60 with two ends 61 and 62, configurable to be at least in part forward of a finger when a finger is in said finger slot; and with a first side edge 31 and a second side edge 32 opposite said first side edge, each said side edge extending rearwardly from a respective end of said front edge.

[0051] The forward section 50 width is uniform (600) said first to said second side edge.

[0052] The rear section 55 has a uniform width (700) and length (701), said width greater than said forward section width.

[0053] Two side wings extend downwardly from either lateral side of rear section 55. As to the first side wing 230 and second side wing 240, each side wing's length is similar to the length of said rear section 55 and each side wing extending downwardly from said rear section on opposing sides, and each side wing having a flat bottom surface 231, 241.

[0054] In addition, a mantle 20 is attached to said top portion at said elongated semi-circular front edge, extending downwardly from said top portion 105, and with a flat bottom surface 21.

[0055] The rear section 55 is attached to said forward section 50 along a portion of the forward section furthest from said mantle 20; said flat bottom surfaces of said mantle and said wings together define a plane 90 (see FIG. 11); and the bottoms of said mantle 20 and said wings 230, 240 (bottom surfaces 21, 231, 241) together serve to form three legs of a table which, with said forward section 50 and said rear section 55, form a protective cavity for the portion of a finger in said finger slot.

[0056] The mantle 20 may have curvature so as to surround a fore finger, may be planar (see FIG. 12), or may tilt inwardly to partially enwrap a fore finger as in FIG. 13, or tilt outwardly.

[0057] As noted, in at least one embodiment, the insert can be used alone or can be placed in the finger pocket of a glove. See FIG. 7 for protective element 150 in glove 800. There may be a plurality of inserts in a glove, such as one for each finger. The inserts may be secured in the glove by some combination of tape, glue, sewing, or other known means or a combination of means. In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14-15, the device may be secured with tape, such as by using a glue, and the insert may be further secured by being stitched into the glove. These figures show the inserts in each finger portion of a glove.

[0058] In other embodiments, a plurality of inserts can be used in a single glove. FIGS. 16-17 show this configuration as examples.

[0059] The glove having at least one of said protective elements or accessories also is described.