Glove holder with sheath

Abstract

A reusable glove holder device includes: (a) a belt loop portion at an upper end of the glove holder device; (b) a backbone portion extending downward in a generally vertical direction from the belt loop portion; (c) at least two corresponding strips of hook and loop material, each of the corresponding strips extending out from an opposite side of a base of the backbone portion in a generally horizontal direction; (d) at least one finger release strap attached to a first end of at least one of the at least two corresponding strips; and preferably (e) a sheath within the backbone portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a holder device for hanging on a user's belt or the like that carries a pair of work gloves or the like, more particularly, a glove holder with a preferred sheath for also carrying an elongated object with a portion that is shaped similarly to the sheath, such as a marking pencil or wedge.

2. Background Information

In sports, hobbies, and various occupations involving manual labor, it is sometimes necessary for individuals to wear gloves to protect their hands from abrasions, splinters, and blisters. These individuals remove their gloves many times during the day to perform duties that require dexterity. All too often, one or both gloves are misplaced.

It is difficult to carry work gloves in a pocket and then quickly and easily access them when one has a task to perform, particularly a jeopardous task such as shingling a roof or fighting a fire. Work gloves are normally too bulky to carry neatly in a pocket of one's clothing. If the gloves are stored in a purse, one must undo the purse cover in order to access the gloves. This is frustrating and it increases the time it takes to perform a particular task. If they are not properly stored, one or both gloves often go missing. Also, once the work gloves become wet or soiled, they can soil the user's clothing once the gloves are removed and stored on or in the user's clothing.

It is also difficult to quickly find and access a pencil or other type of marking instrument when one is needed for performing a task, particularly during work outdoors. There may be nowhere to conveniently set the pencil down when one is working on a roof or a ladder, for example. Pencils are easily lost. Pencils and pencil points often break when they are stored in pockets. A sharp pencil can also be unsafe when stored in a pocket, since it can stab the holder.

The glove holder of the present invention securely holds a pair of work gloves out of the way yet within easy reach of the user. The work gloves can quickly and easily be removed from the present glove holder as soon as the user is ready for them. Only one hand is required to remove a pair of gloves from the present glove holder. This lightweight belt-supported glove holder is inexpensive to make and easy to use. The gloves are held in place by an encircling hook and loop fastener portion of the holder device. After the work gloves become wet or soiled with use, they are supported slightly away from the user's pants or shorts on the holder device, so that they can dry more easily and are unlikely to soil the user's clothing.

The glove holder of the present invention preferably includes an optional sheath, which can be used for storing an object with a shape that fits into the sheath, such as a pencil, wedge, scraper or other tool with a blade. The pencil or the like, particularly a carpenter's pencil, also has a secondary function: to support the glove holder device when it is in the sheath. The sheath helps to support the gloves away from the user's body so that they are easy to access before use and are unlikely to soil the user's clothing during storage in the holder device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a reusable glove holder device that includes: (a) a belt loop portion at an upper end of the glove holder device; (b) a backbone portion extending downward in a generally vertical direction from the belt loop portion; (c) at least two corresponding strips of hook and loop material, each of the corresponding strips extending out from an opposite side of a base of the backbone portion in a generally horizontal direction; (d) at least one finger release strap attached to a first end of at least one of the at least two corresponding strips; and preferably (e) a sheath within the backbone portion.

Advantages of the glove holder device of the present invention include the following:

(1) It carries an elongated object in its preferred sheath at the same time as, or instead of, a pair of work gloves or other similar types of articles.

(2) No attachments to or alterations of the gloves are required in order to use the glove holder device. The gloves need not include a hook and loop strip. The glove holder device can be used to hold all different types of gloves or the like.

(3) The hook and loop strips of the glove holder device remain attached around the gloves once the complementary strips are pressed together, securing the gloves within the glove holder device. The gloves are easily removed from the glove holder device of the present invention by pulling up on the release strap at the end of the hook and loop strip.

(4) A stiffening member is preferably sewn into the backbone portion of the glove holder device in order to provide stability for the gloves while they are in the glove holder device and to help keep soiled gloves away from the user's clothing.

(5) No additional components, special attachment mechanism, leash, or tether is required to use the glove holder device of the present invention, which is easy to use and comfortable to wear.

(6) The glove holder device holds one or two gloves, or similar types of articles and/or one or more elongated objects.

(7) The relatively flexible glove holder device of the present invention prolongs the life of the gloves and elongated objects, which are less likely to be misplaced, and saves time that would otherwise be expended conducting searches for the misplaced objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown holding a pair of work gloves;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in a closed position;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in a closed position;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in an open position;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a long glove holder device according to the present invention, shown holding a pair of work gloves;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown without a sheath;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a glove holder device according to the present invention, shown in an open position;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the glove holder device according to FIG. 12, shown in a closed position; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the glove holder device according to FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “back,” “within,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, a device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will now be described.

Turning first to FIGS. 1 through 5, a glove holder device according to the present invention, which is generally referred to herein as 10, comprises: (a) a belt loop portion 11 at an upper end of the glove holder device; (b) a backbone portion 12 extending downward in a generally vertical direction from the belt loop portion 11; (c) at least two corresponding strips of hook and loop material 13, each of the corresponding strips extending out from an opposite side of a base 14 of the backbone portion 12 in a generally horizontal direction; (d) at least one finger release strap 15 attached to a first end of at least one of the at least two corresponding strips 13; and preferably (e) a sheath 16 within the backbone portion 12.

In use, the glove or pair of gloves 17 are placed against the backbone portion 12 with a longitudinal axis of the gloves 17 generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the backbone portion 12, and the corresponding hook and loop strips 13 are fastened around a mid portion of the gloves 17, as seen in FIG. 1. This can be done with one hand, leaving the user' other hand free to perform other tasks. At the same time, an elongated object 18 with a portion that is shaped so that it fits into the interior of the sheath 16 can be carried in the sheath 16. One or two carpenter's pencils, for example, can be carried in the sheath 16.

The glove holder device 10 can be used for carrying gloves, a pair of safety glasses, a rolled up scarf, tie, or strap, a golf towel or hand cloth, a tape measure, etc. within the hook and loop strips. Other items may be clasped in the holder device 10, as desired. The elongated object 18 or objects can be carried in the sheath whether or not an article is being carried in the hook and loop strips. The elongate object 18 can be a marking instrument as seen in FIG. 2, a six inch ruler as seen in FIG. 4, a thin wedge, or a paint scraper or other tool. Such objects are often awkward to carry in a pocket and easy to misplace. It can be particularly hard for a worker to quickly locate a pencil when one is needed, and the lead tip of a pencil is easily broken off. Such problems are avoided when the glove holder device 10 is employed. The elongated object 18 in the sheath 16 is normally under the gloves 17 and on top of the backbone portion 12, when the glove holder device 10 is loaded with the two items. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 in hidden line, a lower portion of the elongated object 18 fits within the sheath, preferably closely. An upper portion 32 of the elongated object 18 extends out from the sheath 16 for grasping (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Since the belt loop portion 11 is ordinarily above the sheath 16 on the holder device 10, the top portion of the pencil or other elongated object that extends out from the sheath opening extends in front of the belt loop portion but does not extend up over the top of the holder device 10. The holder device 10, then, acts as a barrier between the user's torso and the top of the elongated device, so the user is protected.

The glove holder device 10 has an open position as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the hook and loop strips 13 unattached to one another, and a closed position as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 with the hook and loop strips 13 attached to one another. When the glove holder device 10 is in the open position, the glove holder device 10 has the shape of an upside down “T”. The glove holder device 10 can be in either the open or the closed position while it is being worn by the user.

Prior to use, the user ordinarily passes his or her belt 19 through the aperture 21 in the belt loop portion 11 (see FIG. 5) before extending the belt 19 through the rest of the belt loops 20 of the pants 22 or other article of clothing, and buckling the belt 19. Although the belt loop portion 11 is intended to be hung from the user's belt 19 as seen in FIG. 1, the glove holder device 10 can be hung from a rack or any suitable belt, rod, strap, or the like that fits through the aperture 21 in the loop portion 11. The belt loop portion 11 is integral with the rest of the holder device 10. It is not a separate plastic clip, for example.

The belt loop portion 11 is preferably continuous with the backbone portion 12, with the two portions being made of a single piece of relatively flexible, lightweight material. The belt loop portion 11 and the backbone portion 12 are more preferably formed of a single, substantially rectangular and elongated strip of material that is folded in half (see FIG. 5). The fold 25 is at the top of the glove holder device 10. The rear piece 24 of the rectangular strip is folded behind the front piece 23 as depicted in FIG. 5. The front and rear pieces 23, 24 are preferably glued or otherwise attached to one another except for the two or three inch section at the top, which is left open to accommodate the user's belt 19. This open top portion is the belt loop portion. The two shorter (horizontal), end edges of the rectangular strip of material, then are attached to one another at the bottom of the holder device 10. The glove holder device 10 is of one-piece construction. The flexible, lightweight material is preferably a canvas webbing material.

Alternatively, the rear loop piece 24, which is preferably only a few inches long, ends at the base of the belt loop portion 11 as seen in FIG. 6. In this less preferred holder device, the elongated strip of material is also folded with the fold 25 at the top of the glove holder device 10. The shorter rear loop piece 24 of the substantially rectangular strip of material behind the top part of the longer front piece 23 forms the belt loop portion 11. Preferably, the short rear loop piece 24 is about two or three inches in length, the longer front loop piece 23 is preferably about six to nine inches in length, and the two superimposed pieces, which have substantially the same width, are between about one and three inches wide. The short (horizontally extending) end edge 26 of the rear loop piece 24 is removably attachable to the front piece 23 by a third, small section of hook and loop material 27, as seen in FIG. 6. The rear piece 24 alternatively extends in front of the front piece 23, in which case the user pulls the rear piece 24 up under the belt 19 and presses it down on the front piece 23.

In use, the first section 27a of the third, small hook and loop strip 27 is adhered to the rear (or alternatively the front) surface of the rear loop piece 24 and the corresponding, second section 27b of third hook and loop strip 27 is adhered to the rear surface (or front surface) of the front loop piece 23 as seen in FIG. 6. Thus, the belt loop portion 11 can be extended around the belt 19 without having to open or remove the belt. The rear loop piece 24 is passed over the belt 19 and the first section 27a of the third hook and loop strip 27 is pressed onto the second section of the third hook and loop strip 27. Any other suitable removable fastener can be used in place of the third hook and loop strip.

Returning to FIG. 5, the backbone portion 12 holds the glove holder device 10 away from the user's body so that soiled or damp gloves 17 are unlikely to soil or wet the user's clothing. A generally vertically extending stiffener 28 is preferably embedded in the generally vertically extending backbone portion 12. Since the stiffened backbone portion 12 does not conform to the user's body, it supports the soiled or damp gloves 17 in a position that is slightly away from the user's clothing. As shown in FIG. 5, the stiffener 28 is preferably a thin, substantially planar, generally rectangular piece of a hard plastic material or the like. The elongated object 18 fits into the sheath 16 in front of the stiffener 28.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the two main hook and loop strips 13 each extend out from an opposite side of a base portion 14 of the backbone portion 12 in a generally horizontal direction. Two second ends 29 of the two hook and loop strips 13 are affixed to opposite edges of a base portion 14 of the backbone portion 12. The finger release strap 15 is attached to a first end 30 of one of the two hook and loop strips 13. There need not be any attachment to the other first end 30 of the second, opposite hook and loop strip 13. The finger release strap 15 can be on either one of the first ends 30 of the hook and loop strips 13, or, less preferably, on both first ends 30.

Preferably, the first hook and loop strip 13a has hook material on a front surface of the first hook and loop strip 13a as seen in FIG. 2, and the second hook and loop strip 13b has corresponding loop material on an opposite, rear surface of the second hook and loop strip 13b as seen in FIG. 3. Portions of the first and second hook and loop strips 13 are removably joined to one another when the glove holder device 10 is in the closed position, as seen in FIG. 4 for example. The hook and loop strips 13 can be joined with greater overlap where the article held by the hook and loop strips 13 is narrower or slimmer, or with less overlap where the article held by the hook and loop strips 13 is thicker or larger (see FIG. 7). The rear surface of the first hook and loop strip 13a and the front surface of the second hook and loop strip 13b are preferably generally smooth surfaces 33 (substantially planar) and are not the side of the strip 13 that bears the hooks or the loops. The hook or loop side of the first hook and loop strip 13a is removably attachable to the corresponding hook or loop side of the second hook and loop strip 13b. The first hook and loop strip 13a is preferably aligned with, and not parallel to, the second hook and loop strip 13b.

The finger release strap 15 preferably has two opposite ends that are affixed to opposite ends (corners) of a first end 30 of the first hook and loop strip 13, as depicted in FIGS. 2-4. In use, the user inserts one or more fingers through the finger release strap 15 and pulls to open the hook and loop strip 13 when the strips are joined to one another (closed position). Although one finger release strap 15 is preferred, both first ends of the hook and loop strip 13 may each have a finger release strap attached, if desired.

The glove holder device 10 can be made in various lengths and widths to accommodate various types of gloves and clothing worn by the user. The gloves 17 can be a golf glove, fingerless gloves, or other types of sports gloves, or they can be gardening gloves, fireman's gloves, utility worker's gloves, or other types of work gloves. The gloves 17 need not be tightly furled before placing them in the glove holder device 10. Since the glove holder device 10 permits exposure of a majority of the surface area of the gloves 17 to the air, gloves that are damp from perspiration or inclement weather dry more quickly. Also, the backbone portion 12 and stiffener 28 in the sheath 16 help to prevent gloves 17 that have become soiled from use from contacting the user's pants 22 and other clothing.

The glove holder device 10 preferably includes a sheath 16 on the front just below the belt loop portion 11, as seen in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. The glove holder device 10 with sheath 16 may or may not include the stiffener 28. A stiffener is not required, since the elongated object 18 functions as a removable stiffener. The sheath 16 is within the backbone portion 12 of the glove holder device 10, with a sheath opening 31 in the front piece 23 providing access to the sheath. The sheath 16 is preferably backed by the rear piece 24.

The removable elongated object 18 carried in the sheath 16 can be a marking instrument such as a pencil as seen in FIG. 2, a piece of chalk, a pen, a permanent marker, or any other suitable marker for making marks on a substrate. The elongated object 18 preferably has two opposite, generally planar, same sized long sides so that it fits in the sheath 16 and acts as a stiffener when it is in the sheath. The elongated object 18 is most preferably a carpenter's pencil that fits closely into the sheath 16. A substantial portion of the carpenter's pencil fits within the sheath. An upper end portion 32 of the pencil or other elongated object extends out from the single sheath opening 31, so that the pencil is easy for the user to grasp.

The user can use the two aspects of the holder in succession, if desired. For example, the user can be wearing the gloves while a pencil remains in the sheath. Then the user removes the glove from one hand, pulls the pencil out of the sheath, stows the glove in the holder device, and marks with the pencil. The user then replaces the pencil in the sheath, removes the single glove from the holder device, places the glove on the hand, and continues working.

The sheath 16 is integral with the glove holder device 10; it not a separate piece nor is it removable from the rest of the glove holder device 10. No snaps, magnets, or other fasteners are needed to secure the sheath. No securing strap is needed on the sheath. The holder device 10 preferably does not have any metal parts. No additional components, special attachment mechanism, leash, or tether is required to use the glove holder device. The holder device 10 is substantially planar and can be used over and over (reusable) for carrying articles/objects. The device 10 does not extend out greatly from the user's profile, so it is unlikely to snag passing objects. The belt loop portion 11 preferably does not comprise hook and loop material. The gloves or other articles are preferably not attached to the belt loop portion 11 or the rest of the holder device 10, rather they are retained only by the hook and loop strips 13. The holder device 10 preferably does not carry more than two gloves at one time. The gloves need not be aligned in a particular manner or packaged prior to putting them in the holder device. There is no need to put adhesive or have hook and loop strips on the gloves in order to use the present holder device 10. If a golf glove, for example, has a hook/loop strip, the glove's hook/loop strip is not used to hold the glove in the holder device 10. The holder device 10 is preferably one-piece and does not comprise add on pockets. The elongated object is preferably not a knife, since the holder device is not intended to protect a knife blade. The sheath 16 and holder device 10 preferably do not require or have a flap that extends over the sheath opening or over the rest of the device.

The single sheath opening 31 is alternatively in the bottom edge 34 of the glove holder device 10, as seen in FIG. 8. In this case, for example, the sheath 16 can be formed by not attaching the rear piece 24 to the front piece 23 of the glove holder device in the sheath area. The sheath opening 31 is formed by not attaching the two horizontally extending end edges to one another at the top of the sheath 16, which is at the bottom edge 34 of the backbone portion base 14. The user inserts one end of the elongated object 18 through the sheath opening 31 and then slides the majority of the object up into the sheath 16. The visible/upper end 32 of the carpenter's pencil, which extends beyond the bottom edge of the glove holder device 10, is also easy to detect and grasp without the user having to look down at the holder device 10. Gloves 17 or other articles can also be held in the holder device 10 by the hook and loop strips 13 as described herein, or not.

Continuing with FIG. 8, the sheath 16 is sized so that the elongated object 18, preferably a carpenter's pencil, is held closely within the sheath 16. Carpenter's pencils are normally rectangular in cross-section, so the pencils easily fit into a sheath. The close fit in the sheath inhibits the elongated object 18 from falling out of the sheath 16 despite the upside down position of the elongated object in the sheath. The material that the sides of the elongated object 18 is made out of can also inhibit the elongated object from falling out of the sheath 16. For example, where the sides of a lightweight elongated object 16 are somewhat rough and the material inside the sheath 16 is textured, the two rough materials contacting one another helps to prevent the object from sliding out of the sheath. The sheath 16 is an integral part of the one-piece holder device 10. It lies within the backbone portion of the device. The sheath 16 does not protrude from the holder device 10, and does not catch on the user's clothing or passing objects.

The elongated object 18 in the sheath 16 functions as a backbone (stiffener), so the gloves 17 or other articles are easier to insert and remove from the glove holder device 10. Thus, no other stiffener is required. The elongated object acting as a backbone also helps to hold dirty gloves or the like away from the clothing in the area of the device.

The sheath opening 31 is alternatively in the base section 14 of the backbone portion 12 at the front of the glove holder device 10, as seen in FIG. 9. The sheath 16 extends up from the sheath opening 31 in a generally vertical direction. The sheath 16 can be formed by not attaching the rear piece 24 to the front piece 23 of the glove holder device in the sheath area. The sheath opening 31 can be formed by making a slit in the front of the base section 14. The sheath 16 accommodates a handle of an article or an elongated object inserted in the sheath opening 31 and held upside down. The user inserts one end of the elongated object 18 through the sheath opening 31 and then slides the majority of the elongated object up into the sheath 16. The sheath 16 is sized so that the elongated object 18, preferably a carpenter's pencil, is held closely within the sheath 16. This close fit inhibits the elongated object 18 from falling out of the sheath 16 despite the upside down position of the elongated object in the sheath. The material that the sides of the elongated object 18 is made out of can also inhibit the object from falling out of the sheath 16. Gloves 17 or other articles can also be held in the holder device 10 over the front of the sheath by the hook and loop strips 13 as described herein, if desired. Thus, the holder device 10 with the sheath 16 carries one, two, or more items at the same time. The items are inserted in the sheath and/or clasped by the hook and loop strips 13.

The glove holder device 10 can be made in a shorter, lightweight version with a shorter backbone portion 12 and sheath 16. A piece of chalk, carpenter's pencil, or another relatively short elongated object 18 is insertable into the sheath 16 through the sheath opening 31.

The glove holder device 10 also comes in the long version seen in FIG. 10, which extends down farther from the belt on the pants leg. This longer glove holder device has a long backbone portion 12 with a sheath opening 31. An elongated object 17, such as a handle of a paint scraper or other lightweight tool, fits into the sheath 16. The elongated object 17 is within easy reach of whichever hand is on the same side of the body as the holder device 10. An upper end portion (which is now on the bottom) of the elongated tool 18 is easy to grasp, and gravity helps the elongated tool drop out of the glove holder device 10 into the user's hand.

Reflective materials and/or advertisements (including logos) can be imprinted or adhered on the front surface of the glove holder device 10. The glove holder device 10 may be color coordinated with a uniform or other clothing worn by the user.

FIGS. 11-14 show a glove holder device according to the present invention without a sheath. At least one strip, and preferably two strips, of hook and loop material 13 extend out from the side edges of the base 14 of the backbone portion 12 in opposite, generally horizontal directions, as described herein and seen in the holder device in the open position illustrated in FIG. 12. The sheathless holder device 10 also includes: (a) a belt loop portion 11 at an upper end of the glove holder device 10; (b) a backbone portion 12 extending downward in a generally vertical direction from the belt loop portion 11; and (c) at least one, and preferably one, release strap 15 attached to a first end of the at least one hook and loop strip 13. A hook side of a first one 13a of the hook and loop strips faces in an opposite direction from a loop side of a second one 13b of the hook and loop strips. The upper end of the holder device is the end that is at the top of the holder device 10 when the holder device is in use suspended from the user's belt. The backbone portion 12 extends down from the belt loop portion 11, which is above the backbone portion on the holder device when the holder device is suspended from the user's belt. The backbone portion 12 optionally includes a stiffener 28 similar to the one shown in FIG. 5. The sheathless holder device is shown in a closed position in FIGS. 13 and 14. A rear view of this open, sheathless device mirrors the rear view of the holder device with a sheath shown in FIG. 3.

From the foregoing it can be realized that the described device of the present invention may be easily and conveniently utilized as a glove holder device with a preferred sheath. It is to be understood that any dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be limiting.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these claims in connection with any other person's product which fall outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality do not materially depart from this invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A reusable glove holder device, comprising:

(a) a belt loop portion at an upper end of the glove holder device;

(b) a backbone portion extending downward in a generally vertical direction from the belt loop portion;

(c) at least two corresponding strips of hook and loop material, each of the corresponding strips extending out from an opposite side of a base of the backbone portion in a generally horizontal direction;

(d) at least one finger release strap attached to a first end of at least one of the at least two corresponding strips; and

(e) a sheath within the backbone portion.

2. The glove holder device according to claim 1, in combination with at least one removable elongated object within the sheath.

3. The glove holder device according to claim 2, wherein the sheath comprises a sheath opening on a front of the backbone portion above the base portion of the holder device.

4. The glove holder device according to claim 3, wherein an upper end portion of the elongated object extends out from the sheath opening in front of the belt loop portion but does not extend up over the top of the glove holder device.

5. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath supports a removable elongated object that is also a stiffener for the glove holder device when the elongated object is in the sheath.

6. The glove holder device according to claim 5, wherein the elongated object is a removable carpenter's pencil, a substantial portion of the carpenter's pencil fitting within the sheath.

7. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a single sheath opening in a bottom edge of the backbone portion; and wherein the glove holder device is one-piece, and substantially planar in the open position.

8. The glove holder device according to claim 7, wherein the sheath comprises a single sheath opening in the front of the base of the backbone portion, the sheath extending upward in a generally vertical direction from the sheath opening.

9. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein two second ends of two of the hook and loop strips are affixed to opposite edges of a base portion of the holder backbone portion, the release strap being attached to a first end of one of the two hook and loop strips.

10. The glove holder device according to claim 9, wherein a first one of the hook and loop strips has hook material on a front surface of the first hook and loop strip, and a second one of the hook and loop strips has corresponding loop material on an opposite, rear surface of the second hook and loop strip, portions of the first and second hook and loop strips being removably joined together when the glove holder device is in the closed position.

11. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a single sheath opening on the front surface of the backbone portion, the sheath opening being adjacent the lower end of the belt loop portion.

12. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the finger release strap has two opposite ends, the finger release strap ends being affixed to opposite ends of a first end of the hook and loop strip.

13. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the belt loop portion comprises an end that is detachably attachable to the upper end of the backbone portion of the glove holder device.

14. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath comprises a single sheath opening on a front surface of the glove holder device.

15. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the sheath supports a removable stiffener.

16. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein a hook or loop side of the first hook and loop strip is removably attachable to a corresponding hook or loop side of the second hook and loop strip, and the holder device does not comprise other attachment mechanisms.

17. The glove holder device according to claim 16, wherein the first hook and loop strip is aligned with, and not parallel to, the second hook and loop strip.

18. The glove holder device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elongated object comprises two opposite, generally planar, same sized long sides.

19. A glove holder device for holding work gloves, the glove holder device comprising: (a) a belt loop portion at an upper end of the glove holder device; (b) a backbone portion extending downward in a generally vertical direction from the belt loop portion; (c) at least two strips of hook and loop material extending out from a base of the backbone portion in opposite, generally horizontal directions, a hook side of a first one of the hook and loop strips facing in an opposite direction from a loop side of a second one of the hook and loop strips; and (d) at least one release strap attached to a first end of the at least one hook and loop strip.

20. The glove holder device according to claim 19, in combination with at least one removable elongated object within the sheath.