Convertible hand covering system
A hand covering configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb, having a dorsal side and a palm side. The hand covering includes a wrist portion and a hand portion. The hand portion includes at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle. An opening is formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering, and extends from a location rearward of the thumb receptacle, across the dorsal side, to a side of the hand covering opposite the thumb receptacle. The opening is configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand.
The present invention relates generally to hand coverings such as gloves and mittens.
Gloves and mittens are used to protect and insulate human hands in a variety of environments and uses. For example, work gloves are typically constructed of a sturdy material such as leather that protects the wearer's bare hands from friction, cuts, scrapes, burns and other injuries. Ski gloves or mittens, on the other hand, are usually worn to insulate the wearer's hand in cold climatic conditions.
Both work gloves and ski gloves are bulky in comparison to the wearer's hand. The bulk of the gloves cause the wearer to be less sensitive with respect to touch and feel of objects picked up by a gloved hand. Consequently, wearing gloves can make deft manipulation of small objects, such as car keys, very difficult. For this reason, it is often necessary to remove coverings from the hand in order to accomplish tasks that require use of the fingers and thumb.
However, completely removing a hand covering to accommodate use of the fingers is not always desirable. At times, complete removal of a glove can only be done at great inconvenience or risk to the wearer. Removing gloves while riding a ski lift, for example, creates a risk of dropping a loose glove from the lift. Additionally, completely removing a work glove in certain industrial environments could expose the worker's hand to injury.
In an attempt to address these problems, some gloves or mittens have been developed that include various openings positioned to allow the wearer's fingers to be extracted from the glove or mitten without removing the glove or mitten. Other hand coverings have been developed that include a detachable section that can be removed from the fingers. However, in many instances, exposure of the fingers alone does not give the hand sufficient exposure to accomplish many tasks. Also, many of these known systems do not provide adequate freedom to the fingers to provide the wearer with sufficient dexterity to manipulate many small objects.
SUMMARYIt has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a hand covering that can expose the fingers, thumb, and palm of the hand while remaining attached to the wrist of the wearer. Additionally, it would be advantageous to maintain coverage of the dorsal side of the hand when the fingers, thumb and palm are exposed. Briefly, and in general terms, the invention is directed to a partially removable hand covering for allowing a wearer to use his or her fingers and thumb outside of the covering without completely removing the covering from the wearer's wrist.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the hand covering can be configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb. The hand covering can have a dorsal side and a palm side. The hand covering can also include a wrist portion and a hand portion. The hand portion can include at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle. An opening can be formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering, and can extend from a location rearward of the thumb receptacle, across the dorsal side, to a side of the hand covering opposite the thumb receptacle. The opening can be configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand. In one aspect of the invention, a closure device can be operably attached to the opening to allow the opening to be selectively closed and opened by the wearer.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method for covering a hand while providing selective access to objects by bare fingers and a thumb of a wearer can include enclosing the wearer's hand with a hand covering. A closure device can be operably attached to an opening formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the hand portion and the wrist portion can be opened. The hand covering can be parted at the opening to expose the fingers and thumb of the wearer while maintaining coverage of a dorsal portion of the wearer's hand. The hand covering can be bent about the palm side of the hand covering downward from the wearer's hand.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an openable hand covering can be configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb, and can include a dorsal side and a palm side. The openable hand covering can also include a wrist portion and a hand portion. The hand portion can include at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle. An arcuate opening can be formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the wrist portion and the hand portion. The arcuate opening can be configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, respectively, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand. A closure device can be operably attached to the arcuate opening to allow the opening to be selectively closed and opened by the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSAdditional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. The following detailed description and exemplary embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of the invention are designated by numerals throughout.
The present invention is directed to a hand covering, such as a glove or mitten, configured to allow removal of the fingers and thumb, and expose the palm of the hand, while at the same time keeping the dorsal part of the hand covered, and reducing interference between the hand and the hand covering when the covering is partially removed from the hand. The hand covering can be used in a variety of applications, including construction environments, manufacturing environments, etc. The hand covering can also be advantageously used, when formed from an insulated material, in a variety of outdoor activities, such as outdoor work sites, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, etc.
As illustrated in
As used herein, the term “dorsal side” 26 of the hand covering is to be understood to refer to a side of the hand covering that corresponds to a back or dorsal side of a human hand over which the covering is to be disposed. Similarly, the term “palm side” 30 of the hand covering is to be understood to refer to the opposing side of the hand covering that corresponds to the palm of a human hand over which the covering is to be disposed. When discussed herein, it is to understood that the hand covering is generally formed of at least two sections: a “hand portion” 22 which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the portion of the hand covering that covers the fingers and the thumb; and a “wrist portion” that includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the portion of the hand covering that covers the wrist.
An opening 42 can be formed in the dorsal side 26 of the hand covering 10. The opening 42 can extend from a location 46 that is rearward of the thumb receptacle 18, across the dorsal side 26 of the hand covering, and to a side 38 of the hand covering opposite the thumb receptacle. The opening 42 can allow the digit receptacle 34 and the thumb receptacle 18 to be removed from the fingers (54 in
As shown in
In one aspect of the invention a closure device 62 can be operatively attached to the opening 42. The closure device 46 can selectively open or close the opening 42. It will be appreciated that, while the closure device is generally shown in
A securing device 64 can be operatively coupled to the wrist portion 14. The securing device 64 can be operable to temporarily secure the hand portion 22 beneath the wrist portion 14. In the secured position, interference between the hand portion 22 and the wearer's bare fingers 54 and thumb 58 is reduced when the hand portion 22 is removed from the wearer's fingers 54 and thumb 58, and the hand portion 22 is bent toward the wrist portion 14. It will be appreciated that, while the securing strap is generally shown as a stretchable chord, other suitable securing devices as known in the art may also be used. For example the securing device could be a hook-and-loop fastener, a clasp, a button, a flexible cord, a snap, etc. In one aspect of the invention, a releasable strap (31 in
Referring now to
Turning now to
While not shown in the figures, in one aspect of the invention, the hand covering can include an inner liner disposed between the hand covering and the wearer's hand. The liner can be formed of a soft, relatively absorbent material to facilitate absorption of moisture from within the glove to aid in removing perspiration, water, etc., from contact with the wearer's hand. The inner liner can include an opening similar in shape and function to the opening 42 to allow the liner to be selectively removed from the wearer's digits while still covering the dorsal side of the wearer's hand.
In addition to the structure discussed above, the present invention also provides a method for covering a hand while providing selective access to objects by bare fingers and a thumb of a wearer. The method can include the step of enclosing the wearer's hand with a hand covering that can have a dorsal side and a palm side and can include a wrist portion and a hand portion. A closure device can be operably attached to an opening formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the hand portion and the wrist portion can be opened. The method can include the step of parting the hand covering at the opening to expose the fingers and thumb of the wearer while maintaining coverage of a dorsal portion of the wearer's hand. The method can include the step of bending the hand covering about the palm side of the hand covering downwardly from the wearer's hand.
While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
Claims
1. An openable hand covering configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb, the hand covering having a dorsal side and a palm side and comprising:
- a wrist portion and a hand portion, the hand portion including at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle; and
- a curved opening, formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering, extending from a location rearward of a base of the thumb receptacle, across the dorsal side, to a side of the hand covering opposite the thumb receptacle, the opening being configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, respectively, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand.
2. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising a closure device, operably attached to the opening to allow the opening to be selectively closed and opened by the wearer.
3. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the palm side of the hand covering is substantially integral and wherein the hand covering is bendable across the palm side to allow the hand portion of the covering to be removed downwardly from the wearer's fingers and thumb.
4. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the opening is arcuate and extends across the dorsal side of the covering and outward toward a fingertip end of the covering.
5. The hand covering of claim 4, wherein the opening is shaped to correspond to a profile defined by a proximal knuckle of each finger and the thumb of the wearer's hand.
6. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising:
- a securing device, operatively coupled to the wrist portion, the securing device being operable to temporarily secure the hand portion beneath the wrist portion to limit interference with the wearer's bare fingers and thumb when the hand portion is removed from the wearer's fingers and thumbs.
7. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the opening extends from one side of the covering, rearwardly through the wrist portion and terminates at a wrist opening of the covering to allow an inside of the covering to be exposed when the opening is in an opened configuration.
8. An openable hand covering configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb, the hand covering having a dorsal side and a palm side and comprising:
- a wrist portion and a hand portion, the hand portion including at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle; and
- an arcuate opening, formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the wrist portion and the hand portion, the opening being configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, respectively, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand.
9. The hand covering of claim 8, further comprising a closure device, operably attached to the arcuate opening to allow the opening to be selectively closed and opened by the wearer.
10. The hand covering of claim 8, wherein the palm side of the hand covering is substantially integral and wherein the hand covering is bendable across the palm section to allow the hand portion of the covering to be removed downwardly from the wearer's fingers and thumb.
11. The hand covering of claim 8, wherein the opening extends across the dorsal side of the covering and outwardly toward a fingertip end of the covering.
12. The hand covering of claim 11, wherein the opening is shaped to correspond to a profile defined by a proximal knuckle of each finger and the thumb of the wearer's hand.
13. The hand covering of claim 8, further comprising:
- a securing strap, operatively coupled to the wrist portion, the securing strap being operable to temporarily secure the digit portion beneath the wrist portion to limit interference with the wearer's bare fingers and thumb when the hand portion is removed from the wearer's fingers and thumbs.
14. The hand covering of claim 11, wherein the opening extends from one side of the covering, rearwardly through the wrist portion and terminates at a wrist opening of the covering to allow an inside of the covering to be exposed when the opening is in an opened configuration.
15. A method for covering a hand while providing selective access to objects by bare fingers and a thumb of a wearer, comprising the steps of:
- enclosing the wearer's hand with a hand covering, the hand covering having a dorsal side and a palm side and including a wrist portion and a hand portion;
- opening a closure device operably attached to an opening formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the hand portion and the wrist portion;
- parting the hand covering at the opening to expose substantially all of the fingers and thumb of the wearer, and substantially all of a palm of the wearer, while maintaining coverage of a dorsal portion of the wearer's hand; and
- bending the hand covering about the palm side of the hand covering downward from the wearer's hand.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening includes the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening extending across the dorsal side of the hand covering and outwardly toward a fingertip end of the hand covering.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening includes the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening shaped to correspond to a profile defined by a proximal knuckle of each finger and the thumb of the wearer's hand.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening includes the step of opening a closure device selected from the group consisting of:
- a hook-and-loop fastener, a zipper, a clasp, and a button.
19. The method of claim 15, comprising the further step of:
- securing a strap operatively coupled to the wrist portion about the digit portion of the hand covering to limit interference with the wearer's bare fingers and thumb when the hand portion is removed from the wearer's fingers and thumbs.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening includes the step of opening a closure device operably attached to an opening extending from one side of the covering, rearwardly through the wrist portion and terminates at a wrist opening of the covering to allow an inside of the covering to be exposed when the opening is in an opened configuration.
21. An openable hand covering configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb, the hand covering having a dorsal side and a palm side and comprising:
- a wrist portion and a hand portion, the hand portion including at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle; and
- a substantially continuously curved opening, formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the wrist portion and the hand portion, the opening being configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, respectively, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand.
22. An openable hand covering configured to enclose a human hand, fingers and thumb, the hand covering having a dorsal side and a palm side and comprising:
- a wrist portion and a hand portion, the hand portion including at least one digit receptacle and a thumb receptacle; and
- an opening, formed in the dorsal side of the hand covering between the wrist portion and the hand portion, the opening being configured to allow the digit receptacle and the thumb receptacle to be removed from the digits and thumb of the wearer, respectively, while the wrist portion remains attached to the wearer and covers a dorsal side of the wearer's hand;
- the hand covering including at least two configurations: a first, closed configuration in which the hand, fingers and thumb of the wearer are covered by the hand covering; and a second, open configuration in which substantially all of the fingers of the wearer and substantially all of the palm of the wearer are exposed while the dorsal side of the wearer's hand remains covered.
Type: Application
Filed: May 18, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 23, 2006
Inventor: Eric Vaughn (Sandy, UT)
Application Number: 11/133,069
International Classification: A41D 19/00 (20060101);