Glove hanging device

Abstract

In a system for securing gloves to an object at least one glove has an opening defined through a selected portion of the glove having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. A clasping mechanism, such as a carabiner, passes through the opening. The clasping mechanism facilitates securing the glove to the object.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to gloves and, more specifically, to a system for securing a pair of gloves to an object.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Users of gloves (such as work gloves) often lose their gloves when not in use. Some systems are used to prevent loss of gloves, such as the use of metal clips secured to opposite ends of strips of elastic fabric. With such systems, one clip is secured to a glove or mitten and the opposite clip is secured to a sleeve of a jacket. The problem with such systems is that they are not sturdy and are only useful when the weather is such that a jacket is typically worn.

[0005] Most typical point of sale systems for gloves include only disposable packaging or attachment systems. Nothing in the packaging is useful except for the gloves. Thus, the packaging provides no added value to the gloves and, therefore, does not enhance sales.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a system for securing gloves when not in use and for a system that enhances the value of glove packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which in one aspect, is a system for securing gloves to an object. At least one glove has an opening defined through a selected portion of the glove. A clasping mechanism passes through the opening. The clasping mechanism facilitates securing the glove to the object.

[0008] In another aspect, the glove has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The opening through the glove is defined adjacent the proximal end. An opening reinforcement reinforces the opening. A carabiner has a body member and a gate member. A selected one of the body member or the gate member passes through the opening. The carabiner facilitates securing the glove to the object.

[0009] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention employing a carabiner.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with the carabiner in an opened state.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which the carabiner is attached to a belt.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which the carabiner is attached to a belt loop.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention employing an outward sweeping clasping member.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention employing a slide clasp mechanism.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevation of an embodiment of the invention employing a spring clasp mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Also, as used herein, “gloves” includes any hand covering, including “mittens.”

[0018] Referring now in detail to the figures, where like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 show one embodiment 10 of the invention, in which one or more gloves 12 each has a proximal end 14 and an opposite distal end 16. A selected corner 18 of each glove 12, adjacent to the proximal end 14, defines a hole 20 passing there through. The hole 20 is typically reinforced with a grommet 22, or other reinforcement (e.g., stitching, in the case of fabric gloves; or local melting, in the case of nylon gloves). A clasping mechanism, such as a carabiner 30, passes through the hole 20 and facilitates the securing of the gloves 12 together and to other objects.

[0019] Typically, a carabiner 30, includes a substantially C-shaped body member 32 and a gate member 34 that is hingedly attached to body member 32 at a pivot point 36. The gate member 34 typically opens inwardly and is spring loaded to cause it to tend toward being in a closed position. An engagement surface at the end of the gate member opposite of the pivot point 36 will typically prevent the gate member 34 from opening outwardly.

[0020] The carabiner 30 may be used as a point-of-sale hanging device used to display the gloves 12, or it may be used to secure the gloves 12 around a user's belt 40, as shown in FIG. 3, or to a belt loop 42, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the invention offers the advantage of enhancing the sales of the gloves 12, while providing the user a convenient and secure way to carry the gloves 12 when not in use. Thus, the invention allows gloves 12 to be secured to either a user's belt 40 or belt loop 42 when not in use. This prevents the loss of the gloves 12. As is readily apparent, the invention may be used to affix the gloves 12 to a backpack (not shown), suspenders (not shown), a brief case (not shown), or any other object capable of receiving the clasping mechanism 30. Because the clasping mechanism 30 may be used both to hang the gloves 12 on a display rack (not shown) and to secure the gloves 12 when not in use, the invention is more desirable than gloves with conventional packaging.

[0021] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the clasping mechanism 50 may employ an outwardly extending gate member 54. Such an embodiment would offer quicker release of the gloves.

[0022] In another alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the clasping mechanism could include a slide clasp mechanism 60. The slide clasp mechanism 60 could comprise a single slide clasp (not shown). However, in one embodiment, the slide clasp mechanism 60 could include a first slide clasp 62 and a second slide clasp 66. The first slide clasp 62 has a first clasping mechanism 64 and an opposite first slide clasp end 72. The second slide clasp 66 has a second clasping mechanism 68 and an opposite second slide clasp end 74. The first slide clasp end 72 is joined to the second slide clasp end 74 to allow rotation of the first slide clasp 62 relative to the second slide clasp 64. A rotating joint 70 may be used to join the first slide clasp end 72 to the second slide clasp end 74.

[0023] In yet another alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, a spring clasp 80 may serve as the clasping mechanism. Spring clasps 80 are relatively inexpensive. While not shown, a pair of oppositely disposed spring clasps 80 may also be used in a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 6, in accordance with the invention.

[0024] The above-described embodiments are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.

Claims

1. A system for securing gloves to an object, comprising:

(a) at least one glove having an opening defined through a selected portion of the glove; and

(b) a clasping mechanism passing through the opening, whereby the clasping mechanism facilitates securing the glove to the object.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an opening reinforcement that reinforces the opening.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement comprises a grommet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the clasping mechanism comprises a carabiner.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the clasping mechanism comprises:

(a) a substantially C-shaped clasp body member having a first end and a second end; and

(b) a spring-loaded gate member hingedly attached to the first end so that the gate member is capable of swinging outwardly from the second end.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the clasping mechanism comprises a slide clasp mechanism.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the slide clasp mechanism comprises:

(a) a first slide clasp having a first clasping mechanism and an opposite first slide clasp end; and

(b) a second slide clasp having a second clasping mechanism and an opposite second slide clasp end, the first slide clasp end being joined to the second slide clasp end.

8. The system of claim 7, where the first slide clasp end and the second slide clasp end are joined to allow rotation of the first slide clasp relative to the second slide clasp.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the clasping mechanism comprises a spring clasp mechanism.

10. A system for securing gloves to an object, comprising:

(a) at least one glove having a proximal end and an opposite distal end, an opening through the glove being defined adjacent the proximal end;

(b) an opening reinforcement that reinforces the opening; and

(c) a carabiner, having a body member and a gate member, a selected one of the body member or the gate member passing through the opening, whereby the carabiner facilitates securing the glove to the object.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement comprises a grommet.