GLOVE RETAINING DEVICE

Abstract

A device for retaining gloves is provided. The glove retaining device comprises a retaining means for retaining the invention on a contact point selected by the user; an ergonomic body providing sufficient resistance to allow insertion of user's gloves into a glove retaining means of the invention; a glove retaining means for retaining the user's gloves in the invention; and a protective and/or decorative skirt for protecting the user from foreign material on the gloves during insertion or retention in the invention.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a glove holding device whereby the user can engage the invention to hold gloves or other items with a simple single handed motion. Conventional glove holders see FIG. 1, frequently employ clips 10 that must be actuated with one hand while the other hand places the glove into the open clip jaws. Alternatively, hook and loop closures 20 allow removal of gloves with one hand but still require two hands to put gloves into them. Also alternatively, lanyard type devices also require use of both hands to insert and remove gloves from the lanyard loop 30. When a conventional glove holder is placed on the side of the body, use of the conventional glove holder can frequently require an awkward motion of reaching across the body to actuate the glove holding clip, close a hook and loop device, or actuate tension on a lanyard for insertion or removal of gloves.

An alternative to conventional glove holders has been the placement of gloves into the pockets of clothing. This frequently results in either lost gloves, soiling of the clothing, torn pockets, or difficulty retrieving the gloves from the pocket.

Construction workers and others that wear tool belts frequently place work gloves into a pouch depending from the tool belt. This can be dangerous if the pouch contains sharp objects like saw blades, nails, or razor knives for example. Further, placement in a tool belt pouch frequently does little to actively retain the gloves, relying strictly on gravity to keep the gloves in the pouch under work conditions where the pouch may become inverted, commonly resulting in lost or dropped gloves. Additionally, similar to placing gloves in a clothing pocket, soiled gloves placed into a tool belt pouch can soil tools or other objects in the pouch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is providing an alternative form of glove retention that protects the user from soiled gloves, provides simple single handed operation for both insertion and removal of gloves, and securely retains gloves under most conditions.

Accordingly, the glove retaining device of the present invention comprises a retaining means to retain the glove holder either on the belt line of the user or some other location convenient for the user, an ergonomic body portion allowing freedom of movement to the user and also facilitating single handed operation, a retaining means for removably securing the gloves in the invention, and a skirt portion, either removably or permanently affixed to the body portion, helping protect the user from becoming soiled or wet when gloves are placed and retained in the invention. The skirt portion also may be decorative and/or contain advertising, warnings, or identification information, such as the name and phone number of the owner of that particular glove retaining device, among other functional or decorative skirt features in addition to the basic functionality as described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional actuated jaw type glove retainer, a hook and loop type glove retainer, and a lariat type glove retainer.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating the preferred embodiment of a glove retaining device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a selection of retaining means for the present invention from the plurality of retaining means available for use with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of the ergonomic body portion of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a plurality of retaining means for retaining gloves with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of a plurality of skirt portions for the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of a plurality of means for either removably or permanently affixing the skirt portion of the present invention to the ergonomic body portion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment of a glove retaining device according to the present invention is shown to include a retaining means 200, an ergonomic body portion 220, a glove retaining means 230, and a skirt portion 240.

The retaining means 200 may be of a plurality of forms as depicted in FIG. 3, among others. The retaining means attaches the glove retaining device of the present invention to a site selected by the user of the present invention. This attachment site may include, but is not limited to, a tool belt, a fashion belt, a belt loop, a backpack strap or tie down point, a purse strap, a portion of a vehicle such as a gear shift lever or ash tray, a winter jacket, a fireman's protective jacket or pants, an epaulette, a saddle, a tractor part, a tool box, or any other site where a user may desire to conveniently place a glove or other item into the glove retaining device of the present invention.

The wide variety of user selected placement sites implies a plurality of attachment means some of which are depicted in FIG. 3, including, but not limited to, a permanently closed belt loop 310; a belt loop 320 capable of being opened and closed by means of a device or devices such as snaps, hooks and loops (Velcro-type), strong magnets, or other non-permanent closure device or devices; a pass through belt loop 330; a spring clip retainer 340 that engages a belt or other contact point determined by the user; a clip that engages a belt or other contact point determined by the user and has a retaining hook 350; a carabiner 360 (metal loop with a sprung or screwed gate); a snap hook 370; a spring or clamp type grabber device 380 for engaging a contact point determined by the user; or a magnetic or adhesive pad 390 appropriately sized to allow functional operation of the present invention as herein below described for retaining the present invention to a contact point determined by the user; among others.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ergonomic body portion 220 of the present invention depends from the hereinabove discussed retaining means 200. In the preferred embodiment the ergonomic body portion 220 is shaped to accommodate placement on the hip of a user but may be shaped to accommodate other placements both on the user's body, or on areas selected by the user such as a purse, or automobile or tractor part, among others.

As depicted in FIG. 4, the ergonomic body portion 220 comprises a connective section 400 removably or permanently affixed to any of the retaining means 200; and a supporting section 410 removably or permanently affixed to the connective section 400. The supporting section 410 may be shaped to provide an ergonomically appropriate fit 420 as in the preferred embodiment. Other embodiments do not have the relief shape 420. In addition or as an alternative to the relief shape 420, the planar surface of the supporting section 410 of the preferred embodiment may be curved out of a plane in the x, y and/or z directions or contoured to provide additional improvement in the ergonomic fit. Other embodiments of the present invention do not have a curve in the planar surface of the supporting section 410.

The connection between the retaining means 200 and the connective section 410 may be permanent or removable. The preferred embodiment employs a permanently affixed retaining means 200 but other embodiments employ a removably affixed retaining means 200 allowing the retaining means 200 to be exchanged for alternate retaining means 200. This allows the user to select appropriate retaining means 200 for their particular set of applications giving additional customization options to the user. Where the retaining means 200 is removably affixed, affixation may be by means such as, but not limited to, snaps, hook and loop, mechanically interlocking parts, or temporary adhesives, among others.

Further, the supporting section 410 in the preferred embodiment is permanently and flexibly attached to the connective section 400 such as by use of a monolithic connective and supporting structure made out of stiff but flexible materials allowing the body portion 220 to flex between the connective section 400 and the supporting section 410 allowing a more comfortable fit for the user. Other embodiments may eliminate the flex between the connective section 400 and supporting section 410 where flex is undesirable. Additionally, other alternative embodiments may alternatively include a discrete connective section 400 and discrete supporting section 410 permanently or removably affixed to each other and may or may not accommodate flexion between the connective section 400 and supporting section 410. Permanent affixation between discrete parts may be by welding, brazing, stitching, riveting, bolting, screwing, or gluing, among others. Removable affixation between discrete parts may be by means such as, but not limited to, snaps, hook and loop, mechanically interlocking parts, or temporary adhesives, among others. Flexion may be achieved by use of a flexible connector between the discrete parts, such as a hinge or flexible strip of material among others; or may be achieved by using materials for either, or both, the discrete connective section 400 and discrete supporting section 410 such that the permanent or removable affixation between them allows flexion in the materials of the discrete connective section 400 and/or discrete supporting section 410 near or through the mutual point of affixation. Additionally, where an inflexible point of affixation is used, flexion may still be achieved in other embodiments of the present invention by using flexible materials that flex other than at the point of affixation.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body portion 220 supports a glove retaining means 230 as shown in FIG. 2. Supports 430 for the glove retaining means 230 are shown in FIG. 4. The preferred embodiment employs a single glove retaining means 230 but other embodiments of the present invention employ a plurality of glove retaining means 230 and incorporate a corresponding plurality of supports 430 on the supporting section 410 of the body portion 220. These supports 430 may be pass-through holes, hinges, rivet points, threaded posts, or threaded holes, among others and should permit functional attachment and support of any glove retaining means 230. Additional supports 430 may be included to allow the user to select the preferred position of the glove retaining means 230. Positioning of the supports 430 is not constrained to the illustrated positions other than the supports 430 should be located on the supporting section 410 of the ergonomic body portion 220.

The body portion 220 may be flexible or rigid. Where the body portion 220 is flexible as in the preferred embodiment, the body portion 220 is preferably sufficiently stiff to provide a resistive compressive force between the user, or point where the user has attached the present invention, and the insertion of a glove or other item into the glove retaining means 230. Further, a flexible body portion 220 is preferably stiff enough to prevent the glove retaining means 230 from significantly distorting or collapsing the body portion 220 between the supports 430. The resistive compressive force is intended to aid the user in inserting gloves or other items into the present invention but need not be more than a minimally resistive compressive force. Additional embodiments may employ no resistive compressive forces, instead employing a resistive tension force to aid insertion of gloves or other materials into the glove retaining means 230.

The glove retaining means 230 of the present invention may be of several types as shown in FIG. 5. The glove retaining means 230 of the preferred embodiment is an elastic or bungee type cord allowing a spring force to aid in retention of gloves or other items inserted into the present invention while also allowing easy insertion and removal. Other embodiments of the present invention may incorporate other materials for the glove retaining means 230 including but not limited to non-elastic cord, elastic cord, rubber cord, rigid bails, nylon or other fabric type tapes, and leathers, among others. Any of these materials may be used with a means of adjustment or tensioning. This is graphically depicted in FIG. 5, such as elastic or inelastic cord with a slide-lock adjustment 510; a rigid bail 520 with fixed, hinged, or spring hinged attachments to supports 430; a cable or cord 530 employing a spring-force tensioning device 540 such as a spring, elastic, or rubber, among others; at least one pair of elastic or non-elastic straps 550 adjustably connected with hook and loop 570, snaps, or buttons, among others; at least one pair of elastic or non-elastic straps 560 adjustably connected with a bar buckle 580; among others.

Referring to FIG. 2, the preferred embodiment further comprises a skirt portion 240. The skirt portion 240 protects the user from becoming soiled by contaminants or moisture on the glove or other items inserted into the glove retaining device of the present invention. Preferably the skirt portion 240 is flexible to accommodate user movement. However, other embodiments may incorporate a non-flexible skirt portion 240. FIG. 6 depicts alternative embodiments of the skirt portion 240 of the present invention. The skirt portion 240 may have an unfinished or finished edge 600. The skirt portion 240 may have materials incorporated into the edge 610 to facilitate a drip edge aiding protection of the user from moisture or contaminants on inserted items. Further, materials 620 incorporated into the skirt portion 240, not necessarily at the edge, may serve to retain the position of the skirt relative to the inserted items as the user's position shifts, keeping the skirt portion between the user and the gloves or other items inserted into the present invention. Materials incorporated into the edge 610 or elsewhere 620 in the skirt portion 240 for drip edges or position stability may include metal, wire, bone, plastics, rubbers, bar tack stitching, other stitching or quilting, and wood, among others. Further, the surfaces of the skirt portion 240 may be patterned or shaped by material working techniques to facilitate padding, soiling protection, positioning, and flexibility or rigidity concerns, among others, for particular applications of the present invention.

Skirt portion 240 materials may include metal; natural or synthetic fabrics; polymers; flame retardant materials such as Nomex™ among others; mails including chain or plate formed from metal, polymer, or ceramics; and leather among others. Additionally, the skirt portion may incorporate a tie down strap 630 to aid in retaining the skirt position. The tie down strap 630 may be a simple tie down lanyard or may be an adjustable strap, band, cord, or belt, among others of materials such as metal, leather, fabric, or synthetic, among others. Adjustment of the tie down strap 630 may be by hook and loop, snap, button, bar buckle, or elastic, among others. The skirt portion 240 may also be adorned with other functional or decorative elements such as graphical designs, identification elements, warnings, advertisements, logos, tables and charts, methods, and instructions, among others 640.

As depicted in FIG. 7, the skirt portion 240 may be permanently or removably affixed to the body portion 220. The preferred embodiment employs a removable means 700 between the skirt portion 240 and the body portion 220 allowing skirt portions 240 to be exchanged depending on the demands of the user. The removable means 700 includes hook and loop, buttons, screws, bolts and nuts, and temporary adhesives, among others. Other embodiments of the present invention employ permanently affixed means 710 between the skirt portion 240 and the body portion 220. The permanently affixed means 710 includes stitching, riveting, permanent adhesives, and staples, among others.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. An item retaining device comprising:

at least one device retaining means for retaining the claimed invention on a contact point selected by a user;

a body portion wherein the said device retaining means is either permanently or removably affixed to said body portion;

at least one item retaining means for retaining items in the claimed invention; and

a skirt portion wherein the said skirt portion is either permanently or removably affixed to said body portion.

2. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein the body portion further comprises a permanently or removably affixed flexible section interposed between the device retaining means attachment point to said body portion and the item retaining means attachment point or points to said body portion.

3. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein the body portion provides sufficient compressive or tensile force to assist the user in inserting items into the item retaining means of the invention.

4. The item retaining device of claim 1 further comprising at least one ergonomic feature such as an ergonomic shape, at least one cut out, at least one flexible material, at least some padding, a non-planar geometry, at least one hypoallergenic material, at least one material with a different coefficient of friction, an adjustable positioning means, an adjustable item retaining device force means, and an adjustable geometry means, among others.

5. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein the skirt portion helps to protect the user from foreign material on an item during insertion, retention, or removal from the claimed invention.

6. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein the skirt portion further comprises at least one feature such as at least one rib, at least one stiffening wire, at least one finished edge, at least one drip edge, at least one warning, at least one textual design, at least one graphical design, at least one identification means, at least one tie down strap, and at least one molded or formed edge, among others.

7. The item retaining device of claim 1 further comprising a means of removably retaining at least one item such as at least one pencil or pen, at least one measuring device, at least one pair of safety glasses or goggles, at least one small tool such as a knife, at least one small tool such as a screwdriver, at least one small tool such as a pliers, at least one small tool such as a hammer, at least one extension cord attachment, at least one drink, at least one tobacco item, at least one fastening device such a nail or screw, at least one audio entertainment device, at least one signaling device such as a transponder, at least one cleaning product, at least one bullet or projectile, at least one golf tee, at least one golf ball, at least one golf marker, and at least one hook for supporting lager items such as a drill or extension cord, among others.

8. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein the device retaining means is at least one of a closed belt loop; at least one closable belt loop closed by at least one snap, at least one section of hook and loop material, or at least one strong magnet, among others; at least one pass through belt loop; at least one spring clip retainer; at least one clip with at least one retaining hook; at least one carabiner; at least one snap hook; at least one spring or clamp type grabber device; and at least one magnetic or adhesive pad; among others.

9. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein either the body portion, the skirt portion, or both, are constructed of at least a single material such as leather, copper, brass, aluminum, zinc, tin, steel, other metal or metal alloy, Nomex™ or other fire retardant material, vinyl, Teflon™, other synthetic material, other flame retardant synthetic material, and treated or untreated natural materials, or combinations thereof, among others.

10. The item retaining device of claim 1 wherein the at least one item retaining means is a non-elastic or elastic cord, a rigid bail employing fixed or hinged operation, nylon or other natural or synthetic material type tape or webbing-type material, and leather, among others or some combination thereof among others, wherein the at least one item retaining means is further at least one of non-adjustable or adjustable, repositionable or static, or closed or closeable, or some combination thereof.

11. The item retaining device comprising:

at least one device retaining means for retaining the claimed invention on a contact point selected by a user;

a body portion;

at least one item retaining means for retaining items in the claimed invention wherein said body portion provides sufficient compressive or tensile force to assist the user in inserting items into the item retaining means of the invention;

a skirt portion; and

wherein at least two of the said device retaining means, said body portion, said item retaining means, and said skirt portion are monolithically constructed forming as a single component of the claimed invention.

12. The item retaining device of claim 11, wherein said item retaining device further comprises a permanently or removably affixed flexible section interposed between said device retaining means and said item retaining means.

13. The item retaining device of claim 11, wherein the said skirt portion is either permanently or removably affixed to said body portion.

14. The item retaining device of claim 11 further comprising at least one ergonomic feature such as an ergonomic shape, at least one cut out, at least one flexible material, at least some padding, a non-planar geometry, at least one hypoallergenic material, at least one material with a different coefficient of friction, an adjustable positioning means, an adjustable item retaining device force means, and an adjustable geometry means, among others.

15. The item retaining device of claim 11 wherein the skirt portion helps to protect the user from foreign material on an item during insertion, retention, or removal from the claimed invention.

16. The item retaining device of claim 11 wherein the skirt portion further comprises at least one feature such as at least one rib, at least one stiffening wire, at least one finished edge, at least one drip edge, at least one warning, at least one textual design, at least one graphical design, at least one identification means, at least one tie down strap, and at least one molded or formed edge, among others.

17. The item retaining device of claim 11 further comprising a means of removably retaining at least one item such as at least one pencil or pen, at least one measuring device, at least one pair of safety glasses or goggles, at least one small tool such as a knife, at least one small tool such as a screwdriver, at least one small tool such as a pliers, at least one small tool such as a hammer, at least one extension cord attachment, at least one drink, at least one tobacco item, at least one fastening device such a nail or screw, at least one audio entertainment device, at least one signaling device such as a transponder, at least one cleaning product, at least one bullet or projectile, at least one golf tee, at least one golf ball, at least one golf marker, and at least one hook for supporting lager items such as a drill or extension cord, among others.

18. The item retaining device of claim 11 wherein the device retaining means is at least one of a closed belt loop; at least one closable belt loop closed by at least one snap, at least one section of hook and loop material, or at least one strong magnet, among others; at least one pass through belt loop; at least one spring clip retainer; at least one clip with at least one retaining hook; at least one carabiner; at least one snap hook; at least one spring or clamp type grabber device; and at least one magnetic or adhesive pad; among others.

19. The item retaining device of claim 11 wherein either the body portion, the skirt portion, or both, are constructed of at least a single material such as leather, copper, brass, aluminum, zinc, tin, steel, other metal or metal alloy, Nomex™ or other fire retardant material, vinyl, Teflon™, other synthetic material, other flame retardant synthetic material, and treated or untreated natural materials, or combinations thereof, among others.

20. The item retaining device of claim 11 wherein the at least one item retaining means is a non-elastic or elastic cord, a rigid bail employing fixed or hinged operation, nylon or other natural or synthetic material type tape or webbing-type material, and leather, among others or some combination thereof among others, wherein the at least one item retaining means is further at least one of non-adjustable or adjustable, repositionable or static, or closed or closeable, or some combination thereof.