PROTECTIVE GLOVE FOR USE WITH HOT GLUE GUN ACTIVITIES

Abstract

A protective glove, adapted to be worn by a user while using a hot glue gun, including a breathable main body portion, that closely approximates the size and shape of the palm and back portions of a hand; a breathable wrist portion that extends from the main body portion and is adapted to cover at least a portion of a user's wrist and hold comfortably against the wrist of the protective glove wearer, and non-stick, heat-resistant elements that extend along the underside finger tip and thumb areas of the protective glove and can also cover palm and backhand areas of the glove.

Description

This invention is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/049,559, entitled “PROTECTIVE GLOVE FOR USE WITH HOT GLUE GUN ACTIVITIES,” filed May 1, 2008, the specification of which is incorporated by reference and to which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND

A hot glue gun creates hot glue from solid glue cartridges. Once the hot glue gun has warmed up, its nozzle and any cover or plate upon which the novel rests are extremely hot. The hot glue is sometimes dispensed under pressure. Therefore, the hot glue gun should only be used by qualified people, but even then hot glue poses a risk. Handling the gun improperly causes unnecessary accidents and user pain. When a user's skin gets into contact with hot glue or hot portions of the hot glue gun, the only immediate relief is for the hot glue gun user to dip their fingers/hand into cool, iced water to cool burns off and control pain. What is needed is protective user equipment to keep users from getting burned by hot glue guns.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A protective glove is now provided to overcome the shortcomings described above by preventing burns over a user's hands and fingers by hot glue guns or hot glue created by said guns. The protective glove can be ideally made from breathable materials around its wrist area and main body portions, while including non-stick, heat-resistant finger elements that can extend along the underside finger tip and thumb areas of the protective glove. The heat-resistant finger elements can be formed such that they provide a representation similar to patches.

Ideally, the glove is constructed with breathable materials. Breathable materials can include suede, cotton or manmade materials that enable a full range of hand and finger motion by users. Elastic material used around the main body and wrist areas of the glove can provide a better fit to a user's hand; although latex material may present more risk to user when used as the base portion underneath non-stick, heat-resistive material portions located near user fingertips and thumbs. The protective glove can ideally be provided that closely approximates the size and shape of a typical user's hand. The protective glove can be provided in different sizes in order to accommodate hands ranging from children sizes to adult male sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Understanding of this invention will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective glove according to this invention viewing the back of the protective glove.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protective glove according to this invention viewing the front, or palm side, of the protective glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will hereafter be made to a description of a preferred aspect of the glove of this invention in relation to the figures of the drawing. Like parts will be identified with like reference numerals.

A protective glove 10 of this invention comprises a main body portion 15 that is so sized and shaped to fit snugly over the palm and backside of an operator's hand (not shown), and finger and thumb elements 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26, respectively, extending from the main body portion 15 and covering a user's fingers and thumb. A Wrist portion 12 can include an elastic member 14 disposed at or very near to its proximal end. The first elastic member 14 can loosely or snugly fit about the wrist of the user who is wearing the protective glove 10. The distal end of the body member 15 has several heat-resistant finger elements 18, 20, 22, and 24 and a thumb element 26 attached thereto and extending outwardly there from. When it is being worn, the protective glove 10 of this invention is intended to be disposed between the operator's hand and a hot glue gun (not shown) or work piece (not shown) whereon hot glue is being applied.

An important feature that is shown in the drawings is that, for best results, the palm facing portions of the finger and thumb elements 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26, respectively, are constructed of heat resistant, non-stick material 52. Note that in this construction, substantially all of the underside portions of the finger and thumb elements that are susceptible to burns from hot glue or the hot glue gun are protected by heat resistant material. The heat resistant material can be non-stick, heat resistant material. The body 15 of the protective glove 10 can have additional features that can be implemented in order to prevent burns to a user. A first heat resistant strip 14 can traverse the lower thumb areas of the protective glove 10. A second heat resistant strip 16 can be located at the base area between the thumb and index finger of the protective glove 10. These areas are prone to burning in addition to finger tip areas.

The palm side 16 of the main body portion 15 of the protective glove 10 is constructed such that when the fingers of the operator are collapsed into a fist like shape, especially when compressed against a hot glue gun, the material in the palm portion 16 does not bunch up and reduce effective operator feeling and control. One manner of accomplishing this is to make the palm portion 16 out of flexible, breathable material such as cotton, suede or other suitable materials known in the art. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the main material that covers the entire palm is constructed of a single sheet of common material, e.g., suede or cotton. It can be appropriate to use a fabric that has some constricting elasticity in order to maintain a snug fit of the main body 15 to the operator's palm (not shown).

Claims

1. A protective glove comprising:

a main body portion that closely approximates the size and shape of palm and backhand portions of a hand and further comprises a palm portion;

a wrist portion adapted with elastic to fit comfortably around a user's wrist; and

four finger elements including underside portions and one thumb element having an underside portion that extend from the main body portion and include heat resistant material attached to the underside portions of at least one of the palm portion, the underside of the thumb element and, underside of the finger elements on the protective glove, fingertips and thumb tip of a user's hand.

2. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.

3. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein said main body further comprises a flexible, breathable material.

4. The protective glove of claim 3, wherein said breathable material further comprises cotton, suede.

5. The protective glove of claim 3, wherein said breathable material further comprises suede.

6. The protective glove of claim 2, wherein said main body further comprises a flexible, breathable material.

7. The protective glove of claim 6, wherein said breathable material further comprises cotton, suede.

8. The protective glove of claim 6, wherein said breathable material further comprises suede.

9. The protective glove of claim 3, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.

10. A protective glove comprising:

a main body portion comprised of breathable material that closely approximates the size and shape of a palm and backhand portions of a hand and further comprises a palm portion;

a wrist portion adapted with elastic to fit comfortably around a user's wrist; and

four finger elements and one thumb element that extend from the main body portion and include heat resistant material attached to the palm portion, underside portions of the thumb element and underside portions of the finger elements of the protective glove.

11. The protective glove of claim 10, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.

12. The protective glove of claim 10, wherein said breathable material further comprises cotton, suede.

13. The protective glove of claim 10, wherein said breathable material further comprises suede.

14. The protective glove of claim 12, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.

15. The protective glove of claim 13, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.

14. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein said breathable material further comprises cotton, suede.

15. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein said breathable material further comprises suede.

16. A protective glove comprising:

a main body portion comprised of breathable material that closely approximates the size and shape a palm and backhand portions of a hand and further comprises a palm portion;

a wrist portion adapted with elastic to fit comfortably around a user's wrist; and

four finger elements and one thumb element that extend from the main body portion and include heat resistant material attached to the palm portion, thumb element and finger elements of the protective glove.

17. The protective glove of claim 10, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.

18. The protective glove of claim 10, wherein said breathable material is further comprised of at least one of cotton and suede.

19. The protective glove of claim 17, wherein said breathable material is further comprised of at least one of cotton and suede.

20. The protective glove of claim 18, wherein said heat resistant material further comprises a non-stick material.