Abstract
An extensible sleeve for direct contact prevention includes a sleeve member having an open first end, an open second end, an exterior, an interior, a dorsal side, and a palmar side. The sleeve member is wearable around the wrist of a user and is extensible from a first position, with the first end around the wrist of the user, to a deployed position, with the palmar side extended to overlie and cover the palmar surface of the user's hand. The sleeve member is securable and maintainable in the deployed position by action of a lip portion, disposed on the interior palmar side of the sleeve member at the first end, engaging overtop the fingertips of the user's hand. A contact surface may include tractive members and conductive elements of sufficient capacitance to interact with touchscreens and may further include antimicrobial properties or features.
Claims
1. An extensible sleeve deployable to selectively prevent direct contact of a wearer's hands with exterior objects and surfaces, said extensible sleeve comprising: a sleeve member having a first end, a second end, an interior, an exterior, and a palmar side; and a lip portion disposed at the first end upon the interior, palmar side of the sleeve member; wherein the sleeve member is extensible from a first position to a deployed position, said first position having the sleeve first end disposed around a wrist of the wearer, said deployed position having the palmar side of the sleeve member overlying a palmar aspect of the wearer's hand, said sleeve member securable in the deployed position by the wearer engaging the lip portion over fingertips of the wearer's hand, whereby the palmar side of the sleeve member prevents direct contact of the wearer's hand with objects or surfaces.
2. The extensible sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve member comprises stretchable or elastomeric fabric.
3. The extensible sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve member includes a contact portion disposed upon the palmar side, wherein at least said contact portion includes antimicrobial properties.
4. The extensible sleeve of claim 3 wherein the sleeve member comprises stretchable or elastomeric fabric.
5. The extensible sleeve of claim 3 wherein the antimicrobial properties of the at least the contact portion comprise antimicrobial and/or antibacterial fibers.
6. The extensible sleeve of claim 3 wherein at least the contact portion further comprises conductive elements, said conductive elements having sufficient capacitance for interaction with existing touchscreens.
7. The extensible sleeve of claim 5 wherein the antimicrobial and/or antibacterial fibers comprise metallic particles having antimicrobial and/or antibacterial properties.
8. The extensible sleeve of claim 7 wherein at least the contact portion further comprises conductive elements having sufficient capacitance for interaction with existing touchscreens.
9. The extensible sleeve of claim 8 wherein the sleeve member further comprises tractive members configured to increase the coefficient of friction of at least the contact portion of the sleeve member.
10. The extensible sleeve of claim 8 further comprising a tab member disposed upon the exterior, said tab member graspable by a wearer to assist movement of the sleeve member between the first position and the deployed position.
11. The extensible sleeve of claim 9 further comprising a tab member disposed upon the exterior, said tab member graspable by a wearer to assist movement of the sleeve member between the first position and the deployed position.
12. An extensible sleeve deployable to selectively prevent direct contact of a wearer's hands with exterior objects or surfaces, said extensible sleeve comprising: a tubular sleeve member having a first end, a second end, an interior, an exterior, a dorsal side, and a palmar side, said sleeve member selectively extensible from a first position to a deployed position, said first position having at least the sleeve first end disposed around a wrist of the wearer, said deployed position having at least the palmar side of the sleeve member overlying a palmar aspect of the wearer's hand; a lip portion disposed at the first end upon the interior, palmar side of the sleeve member; and a contact portion disposed upon the palmar side of the sleeve member, said contact portion disposed in a position adapted for manual interaction with extant objects by a wearer when the sleeve member is moved to the deployed position; wherein the sleeve member is securable in the deployed position by engagement of the lip portion over a dorsum of fingertips of the wearer's hand. cm 13. The extensible sleeve of claim 12 wherein the sleeve member further comprises a tab member whereby grasping the tab member assists the wearer to move the sleeve member between the first position and the deployed position without the wearer having to touch the contact portion of the sleeve member.
14. The extensible sleeve of claim 13 wherein the sleeve member comprises antimicrobial and/or antibacterial properties.
15. The extensible sleeve of claim 14 wherein at least the contact portion includes conductive elements having sufficient capacitance for interaction with existing touchscreens.
16. The extensible sleeve of claim 15 wherein the antimicrobial and/or antibacterial properties comprise metallic particles and/or fibers.
17. The extensible sleeve of claim 16 wherein the contact portion further comprises tractive members configured to increase the coefficient of friction of the contact portion relative to the sleeve member.
18. The extensible sleeve of claim 17 wherein the sleeve member comprises stretchable or elastomeric fabric.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a dorsal view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve a first position around the wrist of a wearer.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a palmar view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve in the first position around the wrist of a wearer.
[0028] FIG. 3A is an in-use view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve in a deployed position having a lip portion engaged over the dorsum of the wearer's fingertips to secure the extensible sleeve in the deployed position in-use, in this example, depressing buttons of an Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”).
[0029] FIG. 3B is an in-use view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve in a deployed position having the lip portion engaged over the dorsum of the wearer's fingertips to secure the extensible sleeve in the deployed position in-use, in this example, interacting with a touchscreen of an Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”).
[0030] FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve inside-out, to show the interior of the extensible sleeve palmar side and illustrate the position and extent of an example embodiment of the lip portion.
[0031] FIG. 5 is an in-use view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve in a deployed position exemplifying the extensible sleeve in-use in grasping an exterior object, in this particular example, a stylus for operating a touchscreen apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a detail view of an example embodiment of a contact portion of the extensible sleeve.
[0033] FIG. 7 is a dorsal elevation view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve in the deployed position illustrating the position of the wearer's fingers engaged inside the lip portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The present extensible sleeve for direct contact prevention is shown in example embodiment in the accompanying figures, illustrated herein to demonstrate the principle features of the inventive concept. The figures included herewith are therefore exemplary and presented for the purposes of information only. It is intended that a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art may be apprised of the reasonable metes and bounds of the inventive step illustrated by the figures without importing unnecessary limitations into the invention. Thus, variations in structure capable of equivalently performing the same functionality should be understood as contemplated within the intended scope of the invention. The figures herein presented are therefore not intended to unduly limit alterations applicable across all embodiments where the general intent and functionality of the invention is not appreciably affected. Embodiments shown may be combined and/or elements thereof interchanged without departing from the general intent or scope of the invention.
[0035] For purposes of demonstration, the words “user” and “wearer” may be used interchangeably herein throughout. No appreciable distinction is intended between the terms, both terms applying to a person wearing the device for use in the manner intended as set forth herein.
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates an elevation view of an example embodiment of the extensible sleeve for direct contact prevention 10 in a first position around the wrist of a user. The extensible sleeve for direct contact prevention 10 includes a tubular sleeve member 20 having an open first end 22 and an open second end 24. To don the extensible sleeve ii member 20, a user simply inserts their hand through the sleeve member 20, from the second end 24 to the first end 22.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the sleeve member 20 may comprise a relaxed fit in the first position, comfortably adorning a user's wrist. It should be readily understood that the sleeve member 20 may be more or less bulky than shown in the example embodiments depicted. The sleeve member 20 may therefore be more or less concealable beneath a garment sleeve (not shown) concurrently worn by a user. Alternatively, the sleeve member 20 may have the appearance of a bracelet, a wrist warmer, or other fashion accessory, as case may be. In at least one embodiment contemplated herein, the length of the sleeve member 20 may be around approximately 7 to 8 inches long, however longer and shorter lengths are contemplated as within scope of the present invention.
[0038] The sleeve member 20 includes an interior 26 (see FIG. 4), devised to contact the wearer's epidermis, and an exterior 28, outfacing from the wearer. A dorsal side 30 is shown in the elevation view depicted in FIG. 1. A palmar side 32 is not visible in FIG. 1 but is shown in FIG. 2 and discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 (see below). The sleeve member 20 may appear compressed and/or folded and/or wrinkled, or otherwise self-contained when in the first position, whereby exterior surfaces exposed when the sleeve member 20 is moved to the deployed position are oriented to minimize said exposure when the sleeve member 20 is disposed in the first position.
[0039] In the example embodiment here depicted, a tab member 50 is disposed upon the exterior 28 of the dorsal side 30 of the sleeve member 20, proximal to the first end 22. The tab member 50 is graspable by the user's other hand and may assist in deploying the sleeve member 20 from the first position around the wrist (as shown in ii FIG. 1) to the deployed position (as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7, for example). Deployment to the deployed position is assisted by grasping the tab member 50 and pulling the sleeve member 20 forward whereby the user may engage their fingertips into the lip portion 34 disposed on the palmar side 32 interior 26 and secure the sleeve member 20 overtop of the palmar aspect of the user's hand (see, e.g., FIG. 7). The tab member 50 further assists the wearer to restore the sleeve member 20 to the first position, without the wearer having to touch the contact portion 36 of the sleeve member, as is discussed in more detail below. The tab member 50 may be disposed in other positions than shown, such as, for example, upon a lateral seam of the sleeve member 20, or elsewhere on the sleeve member 20 appropriate for engagement by the user's other hand to move the sleeve member 20 between the first and deployed positions.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates an elevation view of an example embodiment of the palmar side 32 of the sleeve member 20 when worn in the first position around a user's wrist. The position and extent of lip portion 34, a folded recess or pocket disposed upon the interior 26 of the sleeve member 20 at the first end 22, is shown by dashed line x-x. It should be noted that the term “lip portion,” as used herein throughout, is taken to include equivalent structures enabling engagement around, in contact with, or upon the user's fingertips when the sleeve member 20 is extended to the deployed position wherein the sleeve member 20 is securable and maintainable covering the palmar aspect of the user's hand, through at least some range of flexion and extension as typical to manual action effectuated when interacting with everyday objects and surfaces including handles, door handles, buttons, touchscreens, keys, pens, supports, accessories, peripherals, and other such objects, accoutrements, or surfaces with which a person is likely to interact in the course of daily life.
[0041] In this regard, it is contemplated that the sleeve member 20 may comprise, at least in portion, elastomeric or polymeric fibers enabling at least some stretchability of the sleeve member 20, to maintain tautness and some elastic resistance and elastic rebound when extending the fingers within the lip portion 34. This stretch feature may also assist in use of the tab member 50 (shown in FIG. 1) to release the sleeve member 20 from engagement in the deployed position and restore the sleeve member 20 to the relaxed, first position. Alternatively, the sleeve member 20 may be inelastic, rendered of natural or synthetic fibers exhibiting little elasticity, as case may be. In any case, the sleeve member 20 is extensible from the first position, with the first end 22 around the user's wrist, to the deployed position, with the first end 22 engaged by the user's fingertips interior to the lip portion 34 whereby at least the palmar side 32 of the sleeve member 20 covers the palmar aspect of the user's hand to prevent direct contact with exterior objects or surfaces therewith.
[0042] FIG. 3A illustrates an example embodiment of the sleeve member 20 in-use in the deployed position. Tab member 50 is shown on the dorsal side 30. The user's index finger is visible through the first end 22, with tip engaged interior to the lip portion 34. The user is shown depressing a button on an Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) whereby the sleeve member 20, in the deployed position, prevents direct contact therewith. The lip portion 34 is engaged over the dorsum of the user's finger tips and the sleeve member 20 is extended and maintained in the deployed position thereby.
[0043] FIG. 3B also illustrates an example embodiment of the sleeve member 20 in-use in the deployed position. Tab member 50 is shown on the dorsal side 30. In this example embodiment, the user is interacting with a touchscreen on an ATM. As also shown in FIG. 3A, the user's index finger is visible through the sleeve member 20 first is end 22, with tip engaged interior to the lip portion 34. The user is shown interacting with the touchscreen and preventing direct contact therewith. The lip portion 34 is engaged over the dorsum of the user's fingertips and the sleeve member 20 is extended and maintained in the deployed position thereby. Conductive elements 70, with capacitance sufficient to operate the touchscreen, are contemplated as comprising at least a portion of the sleeve member 20, as will be discussed further hereinbelow.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of the sleeve member 20 inside-out, to show the interior 26 palmar side 32 in elevation view whereby an example embodiment of the lip portion 34 is visible. In this example embodiment, lip portion 34 includes a folded recess wherein the user's fingertips may be engaged, the lip portion 34 thereby disposed to engage overtop the dorsum of the user's fingertips. In the example embodiment shown, contact portion 36 is also illustrated. Contact portion 36 may comprise, at least in part, antimicrobial properties, at least on the exterior 28 of the palmar side 32 of the sleeve member 20, to diminish residence of microbes and pathogens thereupon. The contact portion 36 may thus comprise antimicrobial elements such as chemicals, residues, coatings, or particles. In one example embodiment contemplated herein, at least the contact portion 36 includes metallic particles and/or fibers, such as SHIELDEX® and SILVERELL® fabrics, silver particles, or nanoparticles, whereby contact inhibition of microbes and overall sterility of at least the exterior 28 of ii the contact portion 36 is promoted. As shown in FIG. 6 below, the contact portion 36 may further include tractive members 40 devised to increase the coefficient of friction of the sleeve member 20 proper, at least with respect to the contact portion 36 and thereby suited for interaction with objects. An approximate range of a coefficient of is friction of 0.2 to 2 is contemplated as exemplified by the tractive members 40.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of the sleeve member 20 in the deployed position in-use by a user wielding a stylus for authenticating payment at a point of sale. Dexterous and prehensile use of the sleeve member 20 is therefore contemplated and use with pens and keys, for example, and other objects requiring manual dexterity is enabled with the sleeve member 20 extended in the deployed position. In this regard, the tractive members 40, when present, may assist in wielding particular objects which otherwise would be more easily misapplied without traction afforded by contact with the tractive member 40 or elements.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of the palmar side 32 of the sleeve member 20 with contact portion 36 presented in elevation view. In this example embodiment, tractive members 40 are contemplated to be rubberlike protrusions, projections, surfaces, or adornments that may be raised or disposed upon the contact portion 36 for increased frictional engagement with objects and surfaces brought into contact with the contact portion 36 of the sleeve member 20. Additional patterns, shapes, groupings, and embodiments of the tractive members 40 are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, the essential and fundamental feature of the said tractive members 40 being to increase the overall coefficient of friction of the sleeve member 20 in respect to the contact portion 36 therein.
[0047] Contact portion 36 may also include conductive elements 70 having a capacitance sufficient to operate and interact with touchscreens. Such conductive elements 70 may include metallic substrates or non-metallic substrates that are conductive by virtue of particular atomic structure, such as, for example, graphene, or other electrostatic, conductive, resistant, or capacitant materials known in the art and suited for such purpose.
[0048] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the dorsal side 30 of the sleeve member 20, in-use in the deployed position. All of the wearer's fingers are engaged inside the lip portion 34 whereby the palmer aspect of the wearer's hand is covered by the palmer side 32 of the sleeve member 20.
