TECHNICAL KNIT GLOVE

Abstract

A glove formed of a knitted first panel conforming to at least a portion of one of a front or a back of the glove, the knitted first panel comprising four finger portions including a respective front or a back of the fingers, both sides of each of the fingers and the fingertips of each of the fingers integrally formed of a knitted material without seams, and a second panel conforming to at least a portion of the other of the front or back of the glove. The glove of the present invention is made using a flat knitting machine and the knitted first panel can comprise different yams or knittable materials that may impart different characteristics to the glove depending upon the end use or desired appearance, e.g., abrasion resistance, durability, wind protection, texture, color and the like, without a seam.

Claims

1. A glove comprising: a. a knitted first panel conforming to at least a portion of one of a front or a back of the glove, the knitted first panel comprising four fingers including a respective front or a back of the fingers, both sides of each of the fingers and the fingertips of each of the fingers formed from a knitted material without seams; and, b. a second panel conforming to at least a portion of the other of the front or back of the glove.

2. The glove of claim 1 wherein the knitted first panel further comprises at least a portion of a thumb.

3. The glove of claim 1 wherein each of the 4 fingers comprise at least one transition junction forming a change of direction in the knitted material without a seam.

4. The glove of claim 3 wherein the transition junction forms a change of direction of substantially 90.

5. The glove of claim 1 further comprising a wrist cuff attached to or formed integral to at least one of the knitted first panel and second panel.

6. The glove of claim 5 wherein the wrist cuff comprises cooperating closure members.

7. The glove of claim 1 wherein the second panel is comprised of a material taken from the group consisting of a knit material, a woven material, a leather, a polymer material, an elastomeric material, a fleece material, a fiber material, a coated material, a laminated material, a softshell material and combinations thereof.

8. The glove of claim 1 wherein different portions of the knitted first panel are formed of different yarns or fibers.

9. The glove of claim 2 wherein said thumb portion is seamlessly joined to said knitted first panel.

10. The glove of claim 1 wherein the knitted first panel further comprises one or more protective and/or decorative elements.

11. The glove of claim 1 farther comprising an insert.

12. A method of making a glove comprising a. forming a knitted first panel conforming to one of at least a portion of a front or a back of the glove with a flat knitting machine, the first panel comprising four fingers including a respective front or a back of the fingers, both sides of each of the fingers and the fingertips of each of the fingers formed from a knitted material without seams; and, b. joining a second panel conforming to the other of the front or back of the glove with said first panel.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the knitted first panel and second panel are joined by knitting, sewing, stitching, adhesives, heat sealing and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising forming a wrist cuff independently of the knitted first panel and the second panel and joining the wrist cuff to at least one of the knitted first panel and the second panel.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising forming a wrist cuff integrally with at least one of the knitted first panel and the second panel.

16. The method of claim 14 where the wrist cuff comprises opposed ends, further comprising the step of attaching cooperating closure members on the opposed ends.

17. The method of claim 15 where the wrist cuff comprises opposed ends, further comprising the step of attaching cooperating closure members on the opposed ends.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the wrist cuff is formed independently of the knitted first panel and the second panel and attached to at least one of the knitted first panel and the second panel.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of forming the knitted first panel comprises forming different portions with different yarns.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of forming the knitted first panel comprises forming one or more protective and/or decorative elements on the knitted first panel.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of forming the knitted first panel comprises seamlessly forming a thumb portion.

22. The method of claim 12 further comprising joining an insert to an interior of the glove formed by joining the knitted first panel and the second panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention is better understood when considered in view of the attached drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts. The drawings, however, are presented merely to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention in any manner whatsoever.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the glove of the present invention from the outer side of the hand, with the knitted first panel forming the back of the glove.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the glove of the present invention shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is an alternate rear perspective view of the embodiment of the glove of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, from the fingertips.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a back panel of the glove of the present invention, from the thumb side of the hand.

[0024] FIG. 5A is a schematic of a rear elevation of an alternative embodiment of the glove of the present invention, where the knitted first panel forms the back of the glove.

[0025] FIG. 5B is a schematic of a front elevation of the alternative embodiment of the glove of the present invention shown in FIG. 5A.

[0026] FIG. 6A is a schematic of a rear elevation of an alternative embodiment of the glove of the present invention, where the knitted first panel forms the front of the glove.

[0027] FIG. 613 is a schematic of a front elevation of the alternative embodiment of the glove of the present invention shown in FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a glove 2 having integrally formed finger fourchettes comprising a knitted first panel 4 conforming to at least a portion of a front or back of the glove and a second panel 6 conforming to at least a portion of the other of the front or back of the glove. The knitted first panel 4 preferably comprises four fingers 8 and a main body portion 10 formed from a knitted material, with the knitted first panel 4 including a respective front or back of the fingers 8 and both sides and the fingertips of each of the fingers 8 integrally formed without seams.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, a thumb portion 12 is formed as part of the knitted first panel 4, at the main body portion 10 of the knitted first panel 4, without a seam to the remainder of the knitted first panel 4. The preferred embodiment also comprises a wrist cuff 14 to help secure the glove to a wearer's hand, where the wrist cuff 14 can be formed as either a portion of the knitted first panel 4, a portion of the second panel 6 or as an independent component that is then attached to the knitted first panel 4 and second panel 6 in stages or at the same time.

[0030] In one preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the knitted first panel 4 conforms to the back of the hand while the second panel 6 conforms to the front of the hand. The thumb portion 12 of the knitted first panel 4 is formed at an angle to the main body portion 10, the thumb portion 12 being knitted without a seam between the thumb portion 12 and the main body portion 10 of the knitted first panel 4. The knitted first panel 4 and the second panel 6, as well as the wrist cuff 14 that is independently formed, are then joined together, by sewing, stitching, adhesives, heat sealing, or other suitable means, to finish the glove 2.

[0031] It has been found that by changing the direction of the knitting action on a flat knitting machine, the knitted first panel 4 with finger portions 8, including the front or back of the fingers, the sides of the fingers, or fourchettes, and the fingertips, can be seamlessly formed. In forming the front or back of the finger portions 8 seamlessly, the knitted first panel 4 utilizes a seamless change of direction where the front or back of the finger transitions to the fourchette portion and fingertip, which junctures form angles.

[0032] Preferably, the change of direction in the knitted material at the transition junction 16 from the front or back of the finger to the fourchette on either side of the finger creates an angle that is up to and including, or even greater than, 90 degrees without a seam. In this regard, the angle of 90 between the front or back of the finger and the sides of the finger at the fourchette, formed without a seam, has been found to be most preferred. The lack of seams in the knitted first panel 4 results in a more comfortable glove than gloves where the features are created by sewing the separate finger component pieces together.

[0033] Turning back to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5A and 613 illustrate the transition junction 16 where the knitted material of the knitted first panel 4 changes direction without a seam. The transition junction 16 can be at any angle, including most preferably about 90, where the front or back of the finger transitions to the sides of the fingers (transition junction 16), and preferably at about 30 where the front or back of the main body 10 transitions to the thumb portion (transition junction 16).

[0034] The transition junction 16 created without the need to sew separate glove pieces together allows for a glove 2 with the appearance of separately attached fourchettes, even though the fourchettes are integrally formed. However, the glove 2 of the present invention does not cramp the hand or cause irritation from seams, attributable to gloves that have fourchettes sewn and attached to the front or back of palm panels in their construction. In addition, the inclusion of the knitted and seamless fourchettes allows the fingers to fork easily and imparts the freedom of finger movement that fourchettes are supposed to provide.

[0035] The use of a flat knitting machine to make the glove of the present invention also permits the use of different yarns and knittable fibers. This allows for the production of seamless knitted portions of different texture, color, density, characteristic, etc., for variations in appearance, texture and intended use of the glove 2. The knitted material of the knitted first panel 4 can be formed of a single type of yarn if the characteristics of the entire panel are to be the same, or different yarns if the different areas are to have different characteristics or properties.

[0036] For example, the knitted first panel 4 of the glove 2 shown in FIGS. 1-4 can be formed of a first yarn that is more conducive to abrasion resistance, durability and wind protection across the backs of the fingers, and a second yarn used to knit a comparatively thinner material that is more conducive to stretch, comfort and fit at the sides of the fingers without a seam.

[0037] The preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 also shows an embodiment where the thumb portion 12 is seamlessly created as part of the knitted first panel 4. Unlike other gloves that are prepared by assembly of separate pieces, the thumb portion 12 is made with the glove back panel using a flat knitting machine. In another embodiment (not shown), the thumb portion 12 may be made part of the second panel, however, using a flat knitting machine to incorporate the front or back, the sides and the tip of the thumb into the knitted first panel 4 is most preferred. In this regard, forming the thumb portion 12 as part of the knitted first panel 4 permits the thumb portion 12 to be seamlessly formed as a straight, Bolton, sidewall or single seamed thumb.

[0038] Additional elements may also be added to the knitted first panel 4, including different colors, textures, logos, designs, raised decorative elements or raised protection elements 18, that can be formed seamlessly. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, raised elements 18 can be seamlessly incorporated into the knitted first panel 4 over the areas of the knuckles and up the backs of the fingers for impact protection without the need for components incorporated separately onto the knitted first panel 4. Of course, additional components may be incorporated onto the knitted first panel 4 and/or the second panel, such as elastomeric components either formed separately and attached to the panels, as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,212 or injection molded onto the panels, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,346,202.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the knitted first panel 4 and/or second panel 6 may have an independently or integrally formed wrist cuff 14 for more securely holding the glove 2 on the user's hand. The wrist cuff 14 preferably comprises opposed ends that can be closed about the wearer's wrist with cooperating closure members 20 to allow the user to selectively fit the wrist cuff 14 around the user's wrist. In a preferred embodiment, the closure members 20 are incorporated onto the opposed ends of one or both of the knitted first panel 4 and/or second panel 6, and can be any suitable cooperation closure elements, including but not limited to hook and loop fastener elements, snap elements, clip elements, button and button hole elements, or the like that can retain the wrist cuff 14 in a closed configuration, preferably at a user determinable size.

[0040] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, which includes a knitted first panel 4 conforming to the back of the hand and a second panel 6 conforming to a portion of the front of the hand, with a wrist cuff 14 integrally formed as part of the knitted first panel 4. As shown in FIG. 5B, the second panel 6 comprises a first component piece that conforms to the fronts of the fingers and palm and a second component piece attached to the first piece that conforms to the front of the thumb.

[0041] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, where the knitted first panel 4 conforms to the front of the hand and the second panel 6 conforms to the back of the hand, with the wrist cuff 14 integrally formed as part of the knitted first panel 4. As shown in FIG. 6A, the second panel 6 is formed of a first piece conforming to the back of the hand and the knitted first portion 4 includes transition junctions 16 for changes in direction at the thumb portion 12 and from the fronts of the fingers 8 to the sides of the fingers 8 to seamlessly form the fourchettes.

[0042] The knitted first panel 4 of the glove 2 of the present invention can be manufactured from any suitable yarn or fibers (collectively yarn), having characteristics that correspond to the requirements of the product or a portion thereof. Similarly, the second panel 6 can be made of any suitable material, including fabrics, leather, synthetic materials, softshell materials, etc. Additionally, the glove 2 may include an insert attached or bonded to the interior of the glove, the insert comprising an insulation material, a waterproof material, a wicking material, or the like to impart additional characteristics to the glove. For example, the insert can include a microfiber thermal insulation material, a wind stop fleece material, or a waterproof breathable insert, such as a stretch polytetrafluoroethylene material (e.g., Gore-Tee).

[0043] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since variation, modification, and/or alternatives can occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. All such variations, modifications and/or alternatives are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0044] The term comprising as used in the following claims is an open-ended transitional term that is intended to include additional elements not specifically recited in the claims. It is also noted that any feature or dement positively identified in this document may also be specifically excluded as a feature or element of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Any and all patents and/or patent applications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.