Tethering an Unused Glove or Mitten to a Wearer Method and Device

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a method and device of tethering a glove to a user's hand. The method involves a glove being worn on a user's hand. A band is strategically affixed to the glove and extends around the user's hand/wrist. The glove's finger components are then gripped and pulled in a fashion that removes the glove from the user's hand. The glove is then allowed to freely hang from the user's hand/wrist, thereby allowing the user unimpeded and unrestricted use of his or her hands.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to garments, and more particularly, to gloves and mittens with a securing strap

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Gloves and mittens are commonly worn by individuals for the purposes of protection, cleanliness, and warmth. Often when a glove is not being worn by a user it is stored in the user's pocket or some other location. This often results in one or both of the gloves being lost or misplaced by the user. Furthermore, the user is inconvenienced by the necessity of locating both gloves when the need arises to use them and place them on the hands. This inconvenience is amplified when the user is in a harsh environment or participates in an outdoor activity. Certain outdoor sports and activities, such as skiing or snowboarding, often require participants to adjust or fine-tune their equipment at a moment's notice. Such adjustments may require the unhindered use of the fingers and hands, such that a glove being worn by the user must be temporarily removed. Furthermore, the participant may be in a difficult position or location, such as a ski lift chair, at which it could be difficult to access pockets.

Accordingly, there exists the need for new and useful methods and devices for securing gloves while they are not in use. It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the disclosed technology is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology described herein addresses an unfulfilled need in the prior art by providing a method and device for securing a glove to a user's hand or wrist quickly, efficiently, and with minimal cost of procurement.

Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosed technology to provide a method for hanging an unworn glove from a user's hand or wrist for the purposes of convenience and safe storage.

It is also an object of the disclosed technology to provide a device for hanging and securing an unworn glove from a user's wrist to ensure ease of removal and reapplication of the glove.

It is a further object of the disclosed technology to provide a functional mechanism for securing a glove to a user's wrists while also serving as a decorative element which provides aesthetic qualities.

It is a further object of the disclosed technology to provide a functional mechanism for securing a glove to a user's wrists wherein the functional mechanism is hidden from view when the glove is being worn thereby maintaining the traditional appearance of a fine glove.

It is a further object of the disclosed technology to provide a safe convenient method of storage when the gloves are not in use, by using the loops formed by the band of each glove, to loop around hooks or other objects.

Therefore, provided herein is a method and device for temporarily hanging a glove from a user's wrist or wrists using a band which allows unhindered utilization of the user's hand whilst hanging or securing the glove in close proximity to the user's hand.

A method of tethering a glove to a user's hand follows the foregoing steps. A “hand”, as used in this disclosure, refers to a region of a person's body extending from, and including, the wrist to the fingertips. A user dons a glove comprising a band, the band affixed to the glove at a single location, the single location corresponding to a hypothenar region of the hand of the user. That is, the band is attached at a side adjacent to the pinky finger. While donning the glove, the band is extended around a circumference of the user's hand at a region inclusive of and between the metacarpals and wrist of the user. From here, when the user desires to hang the glove, the user pulls on at least one finger component of the glove in a direction away from the fingertips of the user, causing the glove to be pulled off the hand. While pulling the glove off the user's hand, the said band is pulled against a back portion of the hand, and the glove hangs from the user's hand by way of the band.

In an embodiment of a device of the disclosed technology, a glove is provided which comprises a glove body for receiving a user's hand, the glove body having a palm side face, a back side face, a thumb lateral side region and a lateral side region opposite said thumb lateral side region. The glove body further comprises a central component for receiving the palm of the user's hand, a wrist cuff component for disposition around the user's wrist, and two or more finger cavities extending from the central component for receiving the fingers and thumbs of said user's hand.

In such a device of the disclosed technology, a band is provided which is attached at a single location on the glove body. The single location is on the opposed lateral side region of the glove and corresponds to a hypothenar region of said user's hand. In one such embodiment, the band is formed of an elastic material, and may be affixed to either the interior or exterior portion of the glove. The band, in embodiments thereof, is affixed to the glove at the region of the glove corresponding to the hypothenar region of the hand. This portion of the glove is located along the seam of the glove from which the cavity corresponding to the pinky or little finger extends.

In the embodiment in which the band is affixed to the exterior portion of the glove, the band may be decorated with ornamental elements such as beads or charms. Alternatively, the band may be formed of chain links or plastic links, thereby resembling a decorative bracelet. While the glove is worn, the band remains on the wrist of the user, extending around the outer region of the cuff portion of the glove.

In yet another embodiment of a device of the disclosed technology, a glove is provided which comprises a glove body for receiving a user's hand. The glove body has a palm side face, a back side face, a thumb lateral side region and an opposed lateral side region opposite the thumb lateral side region. The glove body also comprises a central component for receiving the palm of the user's hand, a wrist cuff component for disposition around the user's wrist, and five finger components extending from the central component for receiving the fingers and thumbs of the user's hand. In the present embodiment, the band is formed of an elastic material and attached at a single location disposed along an interior of the lateral side region of the glove. The single location is disposed along an axis shared with a finger component which receives the pinky finger of the user and is located on the glove at a portion which covers the area of and between the metacarpals and wrist.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the disclosed technology will now be described with particular reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a palm side down view of gloves of an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a hand opening of a glove, of an embodiment of the disclosed technology, with a band attached to an interior portion thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing an embodiment of the disclosed technology with the band around a user's left hand and the glove removed.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view showing an embodiment of the disclosed technology with the band around a user's right hand and the glove removed.

FIGS. 5A through 5D depict the steps encompassing a method of removing a glove in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 shows a palm side view of the glove of a further embodiment of the disclosed technology in which the band is affixed to a location on the exterior portion of the glove.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6 where the band is extended around the circumference of a wrist cuff of the glove.

FIGS. 8A through 8D depict the steps encompassing a method of removing a glove in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, using a glove with an exterior band.

FIG. 9 is a palm side up view of a glove of a further embodiment of the disclosed technology in which the band is formed of chain links and is affixed to a location on an exterior portion of the glove.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a user's right hand with the glove of FIG. 9 hanging from the user's hand.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a glove showing the hand opening and band attached to the cuff portion of the glove in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings and the attached claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a method and device for tethering a glove to a user's hand. A glove placed on a user's hand is removed according to the methodology of the disclosed technology. In one such embodiment, when a user/wearer pulls a glove off his or her hand, a band attached at a single location on the glove retains the glove around the user's wrist, thereby allowing unimpeded use of the hands. The band is attached at a strategic location on the cuff of the glove in order to ensure an easy and quick mode of removing the glove while providing a hands-free method of continuing to carry the glove.

With reference now to the drawings, a method and device are shown for tethering a glove from a user's hand employing the principles and concepts of embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 1 shows a palm side down view of gloves of an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Glove 100 is shown and comprises a glove body, for receiving a user's hand. (For purposes of this disclosure, a glove, such as “glove 100” may refer to a left-handed glove, a right-handed glove, a hand-neutral glove, or a pair of gloves.) The glove body has a palm side face, a back side face (as shown in FIG. 1 for each of two gloves 100), a thumb lateral side region 124 and an opposed lateral side region 122. The glove body further comprises a central component for receiving the palm of the user's hand, and a wrist cuff component 128 for disposition around the user's wrist. The glove body also comprises two or more finger cavities extending from said central component for receiving the fingers and thumbs of said user's hand. Thus, it is within the scope of the disclosed technology to have, or be used with, a glove with five finger components or a mitten with one component for a thumb and one component for the other four fingers.

A band 110 is shown protruding from the hand receiving portion at the bottom of glove 100, that is, from the cuff component or region 128. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the band 110 is attached to a location on an interior portion of the glove 100, while in further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the point or location of attachment is on an exterior of the glove 100

FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a hand opening of a glove 100, of an embodiment of the disclosed technology, with a band 110 attached to an interior portion thereof. The band 110 is attached at an attachment location 130 on the interior of the glove 100. The band 110 may form a continuous loop or may be attached at two ends at a single location 130, as shown. The use of the diction, “single location” in the specification refers to one attachment point or two attachment points within 5 cm. Furthermore, the band 110 may be affixed to the glove 100 by any manner known in the art, including, but not limited to, sewing, knitting, adhesive, weaving through the glove's fibers, and/or via a clasp or other secondary attachment device allowing the band to be detachable.

The band 110 may be formed of any material, including, but not limited to, elastic material, cloth, rope, chain links, and rubber. The material which comprises the band 110 may depend on the application for which the glove 100 is being used. A band 110 formed of a rubber or plastic material may be used for gloves used in water and winter sports where waterproof qualities are necessary. Similarly, a band 110 comprised of an elastic material may prove to be more useful to a person working outdoors (i.e. gardening or construction). In another case, when used as a fashion accessory, the band 110 may comprise decorations such as beads, pearls, or ornaments.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the arrangement of the band 110 with respect to the finger components of the glove 100 is shown in embodiments of the disclosed technology. As shown, the band 110 is attached at the same side of the glove 100 that comprises the pinky finger component 122 of the glove. The location 130 is disposed along the same axis which runs along the length of the pinky finger component 122 on the side directly opposing the thumb component 124 on the glove 100. When described as such, the use of the word “corresponding” in the specification refers to the particular region of the glove 100 which covers a particular region of the hand when the glove is in its donned position, that is, a region of a glove which is in direct contact with a portion of the hand is said to “correspond” to such a portion of the hand. Thus, the location at which the band 110 is affixed to the glove 100 is at the region of the glove which corresponds to the hypothenar eminence muscles of the hand. The muscles of hypothenar eminence are the muscles located on the lateral side region of the hand that directly opposes the thumb lateral side region of the hand. The reason for this positioning will be explained further in the subsequent description of the method of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing an embodiment of the disclosed technology with the band 110 around a user's left hand and the glove 100 removed. FIG. 4 is a side elevation view showing an embodiment of the disclosed technology with the band 110 around a user's right hand and the glove 100 removed. The band 110 is extended around the circumference of the user's hand/wrist area. The band 110 is of such a length that allows it to fit around a user's hand at any location between the metacarpals and wrist in a manner such that it may be pulled on or off the hand, but also be retained by a user at this location even if the user points the hand downwards up to 30 degrees from horizontal. The glove 100, in the configuration shown, hangs freely below the hand, thereby allowing the user unimpeded use of the hands. The glove 100 hangs at a close proximity to the user's hand, thereby allowing for quick and convenient reapplication. Furthermore, the glove 100 is tethered from the outer lateral region of the user's hand in such a manner as to keep it from getting in the way while the user performs various tasks with his or her hands, because it is hung beneath the hand and outside the range of movement of the fingers. Thus, the glove 100 is tethered at a location at a side opposing the thumb (opposite lateral side region/near the pinky finger), because if it were near the thumb of the user, the user might lose some of the functionality of his or her hands, seeing that the glove would be within, or closer to, the range of motion of the thumb.

FIGS. 5A through 5D depict the steps encompassing a method of removing a glove 100 in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The method of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A through 5D begins with a glove 100 being donned on the user's hand and the band 110 being extended around the user's hand at a region inclusive of or between the wrist and the metacarpals. This may be accomplished in one fluid motion and/or similar to the common method known in the art of donning a glove 100 on one's hand. The band 110 moves with the glove 100, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, either on the inside of the wrist component of the glove (see FIG. 2) or on the outside (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 5A shows the initiation of removal of a glove 100 in a method of carrying out the disclosed technology. The first step involves a least one of the finger components 120 being gripped. The finger components 120 are then pulled in a general direction away from the fingertips of the user or in any other manner where the glove 100 is pulled off the base/palm region of the hand and then off the fingers. As shown, the nature of the band 110 and/or the positioning of the hand, such as in a partially bent condition, restrict the pulling of the band off the user's hand. The band 110 may slide slightly towards the metacarpals, but the enlarged width of the user's palm prevents the band from entirely sliding off the user's hand and is sized to enable it to be in contact with the majority or all of the area between the wrist and metacarpals of the hand, such that during removal of the glove 100 the band remains on the user's hand.

FIG. 5B shows the progression of the method of the disclosed technology as the glove 100 is almost removed from the hand. The user's hand is pulled in such a fashion as to allow the glove 100 to easily slide off while exerting a tensile force in the band as a result of the wrist's restriction of the band's movement. More specifically, the band 110 remains on the hand based on the following. The strategic positioning of the attachment location 130 of the band 110 to the glove becomes apparent in this view. The anatomy of the human hand in the region of the wrist creates a sharp ridge between the radius and the carpal bones leading to the thumb. This ridge is much more defined than the junction of the carpals and ulna on the opposing side of the hand. It is this ridge which creates friction between the tensile force of the band 110 and the user's hand in order to restrict the band from being pulled off along with the glove 100. If the band 110 were affixed to the glove 100 at any other location, the band would more likely slide off the user's hand along with the glove.

FIG. 5C shows the glove 100 after it has been completely disengaged from the user's hand and falls towards a position generally perpendicular to the hand. As shown, the band 110 is still extending around the user's hand preventing the glove 100 from falling to the ground or being lost.

FIG. 5D shows the glove 100 in its tethered position freely hanging from the user's hand. The user is now capable of free and unimpeded use of his or her hands without having to worry about temporarily holding or storing the glove 100. Likewise, the glove 100 is in such close proximity to the user's hand that it can be reapplied at any time with ease.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 8, a method and device are shown for tethering a glove from a user's hand employing the principles and concepts of another embodiment of the disclosed technology. Where possible, elements of FIGS. 1 through 5 have been incremented by 500 when similar to elements of FIGS. 6 through 8.

FIG. 6 shows a palm side view of the glove of a further embodiment of the disclosed technology in which the band is affixed to a location on the exterior portion of the glove. It should be noted that the band 610, similar to band 110, is affixed on the side of the glove 600 which comprises the pinky finger component 622 of the glove. The location of attachment is disposed along the same axis which runs along the length of the pinky finger component 622 on the side directly opposing the thumb component 624 on the glove 600. This location corresponds to the hypothenar region of the user's hand when the glove 600 is being worn on a user's hand. The purpose for this positioning is discussed in the aforementioned description pertaining to FIG. 5A. The band 610 in this embodiment is threaded through decorative beads. However, it should be noted that the band 610 may be fashioned with other objects, such as, but not limited to, stones, charms, or links. Because the band 610 is attached on the exterior of the glove 600, the beads serve to provide an aesthetic quality. The band 610 with beads or other ornaments, etc, may be hung from the glove 600, as shown in FIG. 6, or worn around the wrist/metacarpal region as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 6 where the band 610 is extended around the circumference of a wrist cuff of the glove. 600. Such may be the position of the band 610 when the glove 600 is worn by a user, or a glove may be stored with the band around the cuff. The beaded band 610 not only serves the function of tethering the glove 600 to the user's hand, it also serves a decorative purpose bearing the appearance of a bracelet that is being worn by the user. This provides an ornamental look of the device which may be deemed preferable by a user and allows a user to remove or don the glove 600 without concern about the band 610. When the user desires to hang the glove 600 from the band 610, it is already in place and may be used for such a purpose.

FIGS. 8A through 8D depict the steps encompassing a method of removing a glove in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, using a glove with an exterior band. The method of this embodiment of the disclosed technology is similar to the method described with reference to FIGS. 5A through 5D.

FIG. 8A shows the initiation of removal of a glove 600 in a method of carrying out the disclosed technology. The first step involves a least one of the finger components 620 being gripped. Finger components 620 are then pulled in a direction generally away from the fingertips of the user or in any other equivalent manner where the glove 600 is pulled off the base/palm region of the hand, and off the fingers. As shown, the nature of the band 610 and/or the positioning of the hand, such as in a partially bent condition, restrict the pulling of the band off the user's hand. The band 610 may slide slightly towards the metacarpals, but the enlarged width of the user's palm prevents the band from entirely sliding off the user's hand and is sized such that the portion of the band adjacent to the hand (the interior) remains in contact with the hand, between the wrist and metacarpals, during removal of the glove 600.

FIG. 8B shows the progression of the method of the disclosed technology as the glove 600 is almost removed from the hand. The user's hand is pulled in such a fashion as to allow the glove 600 to easily slide off while exerting a tensile force in the band as a result of the wrist's restriction of the band's movement. More specifically, the band 610 remains on the hand based on the following. The strategic positioning of the attachment location 630 of the band 610 to the glove becomes apparent in this view. As explained with reference to FIG. 5B the anatomy of the human hand in the region of the wrist creates a sharp ridge between the radius and the carpal bones leading to the thumb. This ridge is much more defined than the junction of the carpals and ulna on the opposing side of the hand. It is this ridge which creates friction between the tensile force of the band 610 and the user's hand in order to restrict the band from being pulled off along with the glove 600. If the band 610 were affixed to the glove 600 at any other location, the band would be more likely to slide off the user's hand along with the glove.

FIG. 8C shows the glove 600 after it has been completely disengaged from the user's hand and falls towards a position generally perpendicular to the hand. As shown, the band 610 is still extending around the user's hand preventing the glove 600 from falling to the ground or being lost.

FIG. 8D shows the glove 600 in the hanging position. From this view the decorative nature of the beaded band 610 on the wrist becomes apparent, given the band's resemblance to a bracelet. The position of the band 610 on the exterior as opposed to the interior portion of the glove 600 does not compromise its functionality in regard to removing the glove being that the tensile force in the band still creates friction in the ridge on the user's hand between the carpal and radius bones.

FIG. 9 is a palm side up view of a glove of a further embodiment of the disclosed technology in which the band is formed of chain links and is affixed to a location on an exterior portion of the glove. In this embodiment a lobster claw clasp 912 is permanently affixed to a location on the exterior of the glove 900. In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, other releasable attachment mechanisms are used, such as, but not limited to, a magnetic clasp, a hook and loop fastener, or a straight buckle. The band 910 is attached to the glove by way of the clasp 912. The band 910 can be removed and reattached as desired by the user. For purposes of this disclosure, attachment by way of a clasp is attachment at a location on the glove 900, as shown and described herein above.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of a user's right hand with the glove 900 of FIG. 9 hanging from the user's hand. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the chain-linked band 910 also serves a decorative purpose, giving the appearance of and being a bracelet worn by the user, with a glove 900 there below.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a glove 1100 showing the hand opening and band 1110 attached to the cuff portion of the glove in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The cuff component 1150 of the glove is located at the portion of the glove which corresponds to the user's wrist. In this embodiment, the location 1130 of attachment is not on the interior, nor is it on the exterior of the glove 1100. Instead it is on the cuff, which is located at the hand receiving portion of the glove 1100. The band 1110 may further be used in conjunction with a safe, convenient method of storage when the gloves are not in use, by using the loops formed by the band of each glove, to loop around hooks or other objects.

While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the disclosed technology.

Claims

1. A method of tethering a glove to a user's hand comprising the following steps:

donning a glove comprising a band, said band affixed to said glove at a single location, said single location corresponding to a hypothenar region of said hand of said user;

while donning said glove, extending said band around a circumference of said user's hand at a region inclusive of and between the metacarpals and wrist of said user;

pulling on at least one finger component of said glove in a direction away from fingertips of said user causing said glove to be pulled off said user's hand;

while pulling said glove off said user's hand, pulling said band against a back portion of said hand; and

hanging said glove from said user's hand by way of said band.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said band is affixed at a location along an outer axis of said glove, said outer axis running from an area corresponding to a pinky finger to an area corresponding to said wrist of said glove.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said pulling against said back portion of said hand consists of a pulling at a ridge at a junction of the radius bone and the carpal bones of said user's hand.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said single location is disposed on an interior portion of said glove.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said single location is disposed on an exterior portion of said glove.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said band comprises chain links.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said band is attached to said glove using a releasable means of attachment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said releasable means of attachment is a clasp.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein said band comprises an elastic material.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said band further comprises one or more decorative objects.

11. A glove comprising:

a glove body for receiving a user's hand, said glove body having a palm side face, a back side face, a thumb lateral side region and an opposed lateral side region opposite said thumb lateral side region, said glove body comprising a central component for receiving the palm of said user's hand, a wrist cuff component for disposition around said user's wrist, and two or more finger cavities extending from said central component for receiving the fingers and thumbs of said user's hand; and

a band, said band attached at a single location on said glove body, wherein said single location is on said opposed lateral side region of said glove and said single location corresponds to a hypothenar region of said user's hand.

12. The glove of claim 11, wherein said band is formed of an elastic material.

13. The glove of claim 12, wherein said single location of attachment is disposed on an interior portion of said glove.

14. The glove of claim 11, wherein said single location of attachment is disposed on an exterior portion of said glove.

15. The glove of claim 14, wherein said band comprises chain links.

16. The glove of claim 15, wherein said band is attached to said glove using a releasable means of attachment.

17. The glove of claim 16, wherein said releasable means of attachment is a clasp.

18. The glove of claim 14, wherein said band is formed of an elastic material.

19. The glove of claim 18, wherein said band further comprises one or more decorative objects.

20. A glove comprising:

a glove body, for receiving a user's hand, said glove body having a palm side face, a back side face, a thumb lateral side region and an opposed lateral side region opposite said thumb lateral side region, said glove body comprising a central component for receiving the palm of said user's hand, a wrist cuff component for disposition around said user's wrist, and five finger components extending from said central component for receiving the fingers and thumbs of said user's hand; and

a band formed of an elastic material;

said band attached at a single location disposed along an interior of said lateral side region along an axis shared with a finger component which receives a pinky finger of said user and is located on said glove at a portion which covers an area of and between the metacarpals and wrist.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of hanging said glove by said band from a hook after removal of said glove of said hand of said user.