THERMAL HAIR STYLE GRIP MITT

Abstract

A mitt for protecting a human hand while styling hair with hot tools. The mitt includes a thermal-resistant lining, a grip enhancing shell, and a dorsal opening.

Claims

1. A mitt adapted for protecting a human hand while styling hair, the mitt comprising: a mitt body including a plurality of finger pockets, the mitt body generally conforming to a shape of a human hand and including a palmar-facing side and a dorsal-facing side, the palmar-facing side including one portion of each finger pocket and the dorsal-facing side including another portion of each finger pocket, the palmar-facing side including a thermal-resistant liner and a grip enhancing shell, at least a portion of the dorsal-facing side being an open side; a dorsal strap; and a wrist strap spaced from the dorsal strap, wherein the grip enhancing shell is configured to cover substantially all of the thermal-resistant liner.

2. The mitt of claim 1, wherein the open side is configured to leave metacarpophalangeal joints exposed.

3. The mitt of claim 2, wherein the finger pocket portions of the dorsal-facing side are configured to cover distal joints.

4. The mitt of claim 1, the dorsal strap including a dorsal strap fastener that is configured to fasten and unfasten the dorsal strap, and the wrist strap including a wrist strap fastener.

5. The mitt of claim 1, wherein the thermal-resistant liner is made of any combination of wool, para aramid fibers, aramid fibers, thermal batting, ethylene vinyl acetate, foam sheeting, polyethylene, polypropylene, and melamine.

6. The mitt of claim 1, wherein the grip enhancing shell is made of any combination of rubber, silicone, nitrile, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and leather.

7. (canceled)

8. The mitt of claim 1, wherein the grip enhancing shell has a textured pattern.

9. The mitt of claim 8, wherein the textured pattern of the grip enhancing shell includes a plurality of triangular nubs.

10. A hair styling mitt, the mitt comprising: a palm panel with a thermal-resistant inner layer and a grip enhancing outer layer, the grip enhancing outer layer covering substantially all of the thermal-resistant inner layer; and a plurality of finger portions extending from the palm panel, each finger portion having a thermal-resistant inner layer, a grip enhancing outer layer, and a pocket configured to receive a human fingertip; and a dorsal opening.

11. The hair styling mitt of claim 10, further comprising a dorsal strap across the dorsal opening and a wrist strap, the dorsal and wrist straps configured to secure the palm portion to a human palm.

12. The hair styling mitt of claim 11, wherein the outer layers of the palm panel and the finger portions have a textured pattern.

13. The hair styling mitt of claim 12, wherein the textured pattern of the outer layers includes a plurality of metal nubs.

14. The hair styling mitt of claim 11, wherein the inner layers of the palm panel and the finger portions are made of any combination of wool, para-aramid fibers, aramid fibers, thermal batting, foam sheeting, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, and melamine; and wherein the outer layers of the palm panel and the finger portions are made of any combination of rubber, silicone, nitrile, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and leather.

15. The hair styling mitt of claim 14, further comprising a dorsal strap fastener and a wrist strap fastener.

16. The hair styling mitt of claim 15, wherein the outer layers have a textured pattern.

17. The hair styling mitt of claim 10, wherein the dorsal opening is sized to span from at least a metacarpophalangeal joint to, but not including, a distal joint.

18. The hair styling mitt of claim 17, wherein the dorsal opening is sized to span from, but not including, a wrist to, but not including, the distal joint.

19. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a palmar view of a thermal hair style grip mitt worn by a human hand.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a dorsal view of a thermal hair style grip mitt worn by a human hand.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a thermal hair style grip mitt worn by a human hand.

ELEMENTS USED IN THE DRAWINGS AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] 10 mitt [0014] 11 finger pockets [0015] 12 interior liner [0016] 14 shell [0017] 16 dorsal opening [0018] 18 textured pattern [0019] 19 nubs [0020] 20 dorsal strap [0021] 22 wrist strap [0022] 24 dorsal strap fastener [0023] 26 wrist strap fastener [0024] 30 human hand [0025] 31 palm side of hand [0026] 32 fingers [0027] 33 dorsal side of hand [0028] 34 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint [0029] 36 distal (DIP) joint [0030] 38 fingertip [0031] 40 palm panel [0032] 42 finger portions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1, a palmar view of a thermal hair style grip mitt 10 worn by a human hand 30 is shown. The mitt 10 may have a panel 40 covering the palm 31 of the hand 30 and finger portions 42 covering palmar sides of the fingers 32. Together, the palm panel 40 and finger portions 42 may conform to the shape of the hand 30. Each finger portion 42 may terminate in a finger pocket 11 configured to fit a fingertip 38. The mitt 10 may have an exterior shell 14 of a material selected to enhance the wearer's grip. In some embodiments, the shell 14 may have a textured pattern 18. Optionally, the textured pattern 18 may be comprised of nubs 19, which may be shaped as raised dots, triangles, diamonds, or other decorative designs. A wrist strap 22 may be used to secure the mitt 10 to the hand 30.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, a dorsal view of a thermal hair style grip mitt 10 worn by a human hand 30 is shown. Each finger portion 42 of the mitt 10 may terminate in a finger pocket 11 configured to fit a fingertip 38 of a wearer's finger 32. Each finger pocket 11 may be configured to cover a fingertip 38. The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints 34 of the fingers 32 may be left exposed. In some embodiments, the distal (DIP) joints 36 of the fingers 32 are covered by the finger pockets 11. In other embodiments, the DIP joints 36 are left exposed. The mitt 10 may have a dorsal opening 16 so that at least a portion of the dorsal side 33 of the hand 30 is left exposed. The dorsal opening 16 may be formed by an absence of material between the finger pockets 11 and the wrist strap 22. In embodiments, the wrist strap 22 may secure the mitt 10 to the hand 30. A dorsal strap 20 across the dorsal opening 16 may be used to further secure the mitt 10 to the hand 30. The dorsal strap 20 may have a dorsal strap fastener 24 to fasten, unfasten, or tighten the strap 20. The wrist strap 22 may have a wrist strap fastener 26 to fasten, unfasten, or tighten the strap 22. The dorsal strap fastener 24 and the wrist strap fastener 26 may be any combination of buttons, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, buckles, magnets, toggles, or other fastening means for garments.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-section view of a thermal hair style grip mitt 10 worn by a human hand 30 is shown. The mitt 10 may have an interior liner 12 within an exterior shell 14 to insulate and protect the palm side 31 of the hand 30 and fingers 32 from burns and scalds. The exterior shell 14 may cover the interior liner 12. The mitt 10 may have finger pockets 11, each configured to cover a fingertip 38. The mitt 10 may have a dorsal opening 16, so that a portion of the dorsal side of the hand 33 is left exposed. The dorsal opening 16 may be formed by a space between the finger pockets 11 and a palmer panel 40 on the palm 31 side of the mitt 10. A dorsal strap 20 may be used to secure the mitt 10 to the hand. The mitt 10 may also have a wrist strap 22 to secure the mitt 10 to the hand 30.

[0036] Material for the exterior shell 14 may be selected for its gripping properties and traction as well as for its resistance to burning or melting. For example, a shell 14, including its textured pattern, may be made of any combination of rubber, silicone, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and leather. In some embodiments, the nubs 19 may be made of the same materials as the shell 14. In some embodiments, the nubs 19 may be made of metal, such as (but not limited to) aluminum, steel, zinc, or tin. Material for the interior liner 12 may be selected for its thermal-insulating properties and comfort. For example, a liner 12 may be made of any combination of cotton (including denim), wool, Kevlar, aramid fibers, thermal batting, ethylene-vinyl acetate, foam sheeting, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, neoprene, and melamine. Selection of the shell 14 and liner 12 materials may depend, in part, on the expected temperature of the stylist's hot tools, which can range from below 95 C. to above 230 C. in professional models. In some embodiments, materials for the shell 14 and liner 12 may be selected for a single-use (i.e., disposable) version of the mitt 10.

[0037] It is to be understood that the term finger includes any articulated, prehensile appendage of a human hand, including (but not limited to) human thumbs.

[0038] It is to be understood that the terms including, comprising, consisting and grammatical variants thereof do not preclude the addition of one or more components, features, steps, or integers or groups thereof and that the terms are to be construed as specifying components, features, steps or integers.

[0039] If the specification or claims refer to an additional element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

[0040] It is to be understood that where the claims or specification refer to a or an element, such reference is not be construed that there is only one of that element.

[0041] It is to be understood that where the specification states that a component, feature, structure, or characteristic may, might, can or could be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included.

[0042] Where applicable, although state diagrams, flow diagrams or both may be used to describe embodiments, the invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.

[0043] Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks.

[0044] The term method may refer to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners, means, techniques and procedures by practitioners of the art to which the invention belongs.

[0045] The term at least followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, at least 1 means 1 or more than 1. The term at most followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, at most 4 means 4 or less than 4, and at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%.

[0046] When, in this document, a range is given as (a first number) to (a second number) or (a first number)-(a second number), this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 should be interpreted to mean a range whose lower limit is 25 and whose upper limit is 100. Additionally, it should be noted that where a range is given, every possible subrange or interval within that range is also specifically intended unless the context indicates to the contrary. For example, if the specification indicates a range of 25 to 100 such range is also intended to include subranges such as 26-100, 27-100, etc., 25-99, 25-98, etc., as well as any other possible combination of lower and upper values within the stated range, e.g., 33-47, 60-97, 41-45, 28-96, etc. Note that integer range values have been used in this paragraph for purposes of illustration only and decimal and fractional values (e.g., 46.7-91.3) should also be understood to be intended as possible subrange endpoints unless specifically excluded.

[0047] It should be noted that where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where context excludes that possibility), and the method can also include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where context excludes that possibility).

[0048] Further, it should be noted that terms of approximation (e.g., about, substantially, approximately, etc.) are to be interpreted according to their ordinary and customary meanings as used in the associated art unless indicated otherwise herein. Absent a specific definition within this disclosure, and absent ordinary and customary usage in the associated art, such terms should be interpreted to be plus or minus 10% of the base value.

[0049] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the inventive device has been described and illustrated herein by reference to certain preferred embodiments in relation to the drawings attached thereto, various changes and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made therein by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit of the inventive concept the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.