Glove with memory foam inserts
A glove constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory that can be selectively inserted into strategically located, internal and external pockets or compartments interconnected with the hand covering portion of the glove. When the shaped inserts are in position within the internal pockets of the gloves they tend to substantially replicate the surface features exhibited by the device being gripped by the user. When the shaped inserts are in position within the external pockets of the glove, they provide substantial protection against external impact to the user's hands.
This is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending application U.S. Ser. No. 12/075,663 filed Mar. 13, 2008.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISCNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to gloves. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel glove construction which includes a hand covering including a hand-receiving chamber and an article-gripping surface and a plurality of spaced-apart, insert-receiving pockets connected to the hand covering for removably receiving strategically shaped inserts constructed from a foamed cushion material having a memory.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
A number of gloves of various constructions are readily commercially available and include work gloves, dress gloves, driving gloves, gloves worn for warmth and athletic gloves for use in carrying out various sporting activities. As a general rule, gloves, such as work gloves, driving gloves and athletic gloves are worn to protect the user's hands from injury. A common drawback of all of these types of gloves is the loss of tactile perception to a greater or lesser degree. For example, when heavy work gloves are used, the surface characteristics of the article being gripped are severely masked by the heavier work gloves. It is this latter problem that the present invention seeks to overcome by providing a glove that exhibits substantial cushioning while at the same time providing a high degree of tactile perception.
As will be better understood from the discussion that follows, the glove of the invention is easy to don and can be used as a conventional glove or, alternatively, specially shaped inserts constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory can be selectively inserted into strategically located insert-receiving pockets formed within the glove. The shaped inserts, when in position within the internal pockets, substantially replicate the surface features exhibited by the device being gripped by the user.
As disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,110 issued to the present inventor, the cushion material used in the present invention to construct the shaped inserts was successfully used in a different application. More particularly, the material was used as a protective barrier that could be removably fitted over a dental instrument to generally replicate the ergonomic features found on the outer surface of the dental instrument. The barrier was constructed from two mating half portions that include at least a portion of the outer surface of a dental instrument. The interior chambers of each half portion uniquely contain a yieldably deformable cushion-like elastomer such as polyurethane foam.
The material was also used in an application disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,960 issued to Levesque, et al. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,960 issued to Levesque, et al., the cushioning material was also used as padding in a batting glove. More particularly, the batting glove disclosed in Levesque, et al. includes a base portion and a protective portion attached to the interior of the base portion and located between the base portion and a wearer's hand. The protective portion includes a cushioning material that attenuates impact forces and dampens vibrations associated with hitting a baseball or softball with a bat. As discussed in column 3 of the Levesque, et al. patent, starting at line 48, the cushioning material is securely attached to the interior base portion of the glove as by sewing. Nowhere does Levesque, et al. disclose or remotely suggest the novel cushion material selectability and removability features of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a glove that is easy to don and can, if desired, be used as a conventional glove. Alternatively, configuration constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory can be selectively inserted into strategically located, internal and external pockets or compartments interconnected with the hand covering portion of the glove. When the shaped inserts are in position within the internal pockets of the gloves they tend to substantially replicate the surface features exhibited by the device being gripped by the user. When the shaped inserts are in position within the external pockets of the glove they provide substantial protection against external impact to the user's hands.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-purpose glove construction of the character described in the preceding paragraph in which the user can select inserts of different sizes and configurations for insertion into the insert-receiving pockets, which inserts are best suited for the task to be performed. The user can elect to use the gloves of the invention with the variously configured inserts in the internal pockets, in the external pockets, or alternatively, in both the internal and external pockets simultaneously.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-purpose glove construction as described in the preceding paragraph which is highly versatile in use and can be selectively adapted to perform various tasks that require a high degree of tactile perception.
Another object of the invention is to provide a glove construction of the character described that is lightweight, durable and comfortable to wear.
Another object of the invention is to provide a glove construction that can be inexpensively fabricated in quantity using well-known fabrication techniques.
Referring to the drawings and particularly to
Provided within the thumb-receiving chamber 22 and connected to the inner surface 16a of the hand covering 16 is a thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket 28 for removably receiving a selected one of a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable, thumb-shaped inserts, such as thumb-protecting inserts 30 and 30a that are generally semicircular in cross-section and are uniquely constructed from resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory (see
In similar manner, provided within the index finger-receiving chamber 24 and connected to the inner surface 16a of the hand covering 16 is an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 32 for removably receiving a selected one of a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable, index finger-protecting-inserts, such as inserts 34 and 34a that are generally semicircular in cross-section and are uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory (see
Provided within the palm chamber 26 and connected to the inner surface 16a of the hand covering 16 is a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket 36 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable, palm-protecting shaped insert 38 that is generally rectangular in cross-section and is uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory (see
In order that the basic glove can be used in a conventional manner, the insert-receiving pockets 22, 32 and 36 are constructed from a yieldably deformable material such as a suitable fabric, a thin plastic, or like pliable material so as to be readily collapsible and expandable. More particularly, when the glove is used in the conventional manner, the insert-receiving pockets are constructed and arranged so that they will collapse into a generally flattened condition and will generally conform to the shape of the user's hand. Conversely, when the glove is modified to permit its use in the performance of tasks that require a high degree of tactile perception, the insert-receiving pockets 22, 32 and 36 are constructed and arranged so that they will readily expand to receive and removably contain the inserts 30, 34 and 38 respectively (see
In one form of the method of the present invention the user can select, instead of elongated, yieldably deformable shaped insert 30 for insertion into insert-receiving pocket 28, an elongated yieldably deformable shaped insert 30a that is of a different size and configuration that would be better suited for carrying out the task at hand (
Similarly the user can select, instead of elongated, yieldably deformable shaped insert 34, an elongated yieldably deformable shaped insert 34a for insertion into the insert-receiving pocket 32 that is of a different size and configuration that would be better suited for carrying out the task at hand (
The yieldably deformable cushion material from which the inserts 30, 34, 38, 30a and 34a are formed can comprise various types of resilient, foamed elastomers of a character well known to those skilled in the art. However, for present purposes, the yieldably deformable, cushion material preferably comprises resilient foamed polyurethane. The resilient foamed elastomer, such as foamed polyurethane, can readily be molded-to-shape or cut-to-shape to fit within the insert-receiving pockets 22, 32 and 36 respectively. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the foamed polyurethane of the character used to form the cushioning component of the glove, has a unique capability of automatically returning to its original configuration after having been deformed.
Gloves of the construction illustrated in
As illustrated in
Because the shaped inserts 30, 34, 30a and 34a are generally semicircular in cross-section, they can be closely received within insert pockets 28 and 32 in a manner illustrated in
Similarly, the strategically shaped palm insert 38 can be closely received within insert compartment 36 in the manner illustrated in
Referring next to
Because of the unique deformation capability of the cushioning material, when the user grips an object such as the screwdriver illustrated in
Referring now to
Unlike the earlier described embodiment of the invention, certain of the insert pockets for receiving variously shaped a cushioned inserts of the invention, rather than being provided interiorly of the glove, are provided on the exterior of the glove in the manner illustrated in
In similar manner, provided proximate the index finger-receiving portion 44 of the hand covering and connected to the outer surface 40b of the hand covering is an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 52 for removably receiving a selected one of a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable inserts, such as the previously described inserts 34 and 34a that are also generally semicircular in cross-section and are also uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory (see
As in the previously described embodiment of the invention, in order that the basic glove can be used in a conventional manner, the insert-receiving pockets 48, 52 and 54 are constructed from a yieldably deformable material, such as a suitable fabric, a thin plastic, or like pliable material so as to be readily collapsible and expandable. More particularly, when the glove is used in the conventional manner, the insert-receiving pockets are constructed and arranged so that they will collapse into a generally flattened condition and will generally conform to the shape of the exterior of the user's hand. Conversely, when the glove is modified to permit its use in the performance of tasks that require protection from impact to the back of the hand and the outside of the fingers, the insert-receiving pockets 48, 52 and 54 are constructed and arranged so that they will readily expand to selectively receive and removably contain the protecting inserts 30, 30a, 34, 34a and 38 respectively.
By way of example, the modified gloves of the alternate form of the invention as described in the preceding paragraphs, are ideally suited for use by skiers in performing slalom-type races to protect the hands from impact against the marker poles. Similarly, the modified gloves are extremely useful in protecting the hands from impact by various objects during construction work and during the performance of similar activities.
As before, the user can select yieldably deformable shaped inserts of various configurations for insertion into the various insert-receiving pockets. Once again, the yieldably deformable cushion material from which the inserts are constructed preferably comprises resilient foamed polyurethane that can readily be molded-to-shape or cut-to-shape to fit within the insert-receiving pockets 48, 52 and 54 respectively.
When the shaped inserts are in position within the internal pockets of the gloves, they tend to substantially replicate the surface features exhibited by the device being gripped by the user. Alternatively, when the shaped inserts are in position within the external pockets of the glove they provide substantial protection against external impact to the user's hands. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the user can select inserts of different sizes and configurations for insertion into the internal and external insert-receiving pockets. More particularly, the user can elect to use the gloves of the invention with the variously configured inserts in the internal pockets, in the external pockets, or alternatively, in both the internal and external pockets simultaneously.
Referring now to
Unlike certain of the earlier described embodiments of the invention, a back protecting insert-receiving pocket 68 is connected directly to the outer surface of the back portion 65 of the hand covering. Back protecting insert-receiving pocket 68 has an outer surface 68a, a connecting flange 68b and an insert-receiving opening 68c. Pocket 68 is constructed and arranged to removably receive a yieldably deformable shaped insert 70 that is generally rectangular in cross-section and is uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory. As illustrated in
Provided proximate the thumb-receiving portion 62 of the hand covering is a thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket 72 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable shaped insert 74 that is generally semicircular in cross-section and is constructed from resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory. Insert-receiving pocket 72 has an outer surface 72a, a connecting flange 72b and an insert-receiving opening 72c. As illustrated in
Provided proximate the index finger-receiving portion 64 of the hand covering and connected to the inner surface 64a of the index finger-receiving portion 64 is an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 76 for removably receiving an elongated, yieldably deformable insert 78 that is also generally semicircular in cross-section. Insert-receiving pocket 76 has an outer surface 76a, a connecting flange 76b and an insert-receiving opening 76c. Insert 78 is also uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory. As illustrated in
Provided within the palm portion 66 and connected to the inner surface 60a of the hand covering is a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket 80 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable, palm-protecting shaped insert 82 that is generally rectangular in cross-section and is uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory. Insert-receiving pocket 80 has an outer surface 80a, a connecting flange 80b and an insert-receiving opening 80c. When the insert 82 is in position within the glove, surface 83 of the insert pressurally engages the inner surface 60a of the palm portion 66. Similarly, when the insert is in position within the glove and when the user's hand is within the glove, surface 80a of the pocket 80 pressurally engages the palm of the user. With this novel construction, when the user's hand is within the glove, insert 82 protects the user's palm against impact and, simultaneously, insert 70 protects the back of the user's hand against impact.
As in the previously described embodiments of the invention, in order that the basic glove can be used in a conventional manner, the insert-receiving pockets 68, 72, 76 and 80 are constructed from a yieldably deformable material, such as a suitable fabric, a thin plastic, or like pliable material so as to be readily collapsible and expandable.
By way of example, the modified gloves of the alternate form of the invention as described in the preceding paragraphs, are ideally suited for use by skiers in performing slalom-type races to protect the hands from impact against the marker poles. Similarly, the modified gloves are extremely useful in protecting the hands from impact by various objects during construction work and during the performance of similar activities. Additionally, the modified gloves of the alternate form of the invention as described in the preceding paragraphs are ideally suited for use by golfers to protect the hands from impact during swinging of the golf club.
As before, the user can select yieldably deformable shaped inserts of various configurations for insertion into the various insert-receiving pockets. Once again, the yieldably deformable cushion material from which the inserts are constructed preferably comprises resilient foamed polyurethane that can readily be molded-to-shape or cut-to-shape to fit within the insert-receiving pockets 48, 52 and 54 respectively.
When the shaped inserts are in position within the internal pockets of the gloves, they tend to substantially replicate the surface features exhibited by the device being gripped by the user. Alternatively, when the shaped inserts are in position within the external pockets of the glove they provide substantial protection against external impact to the user's hands. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the user can select inserts of different sizes and configurations for insertion into the internal and external insert-receiving pockets. More particularly, the user can elect to use the gloves of the invention with the variously configured inserts in the internal pockets, in the external pockets, or alternatively, in both the internal and external pockets simultaneously.
Referring to
Unlike the earlier described embodiments of the invention, certain of the insert pockets for receiving variously shaped cushioned inserts of the invention, rather than being provided interiorly of the glove, are provided on the exterior of the glove in the manner illustrated in
In similar manner, provided proximate the index finger-receiving portion 64 of the hand covering and connected to the outer surface 60b of the hand covering is an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 96 for removably receiving yieldably deformable inserts, such as insert 98 that is generally semicircular in cross-section and is also uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory (see
The hand covering 60 here also comprises second, third and fourth finger-receiving portions 100, 102 and 104 respectively. Provided proximate the second finger-receiving portion 100 of the hand covering and connected to the outer surface 60b of the hand covering is a finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 106 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable insert of the character previously described. Similarly, provided proximate the third finger-receiving portion 102 of the hand covering and connected to the outer surface 60b of the hand covering, is a finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 108 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable insert of the character previously described. Provided proximate the fourth finger-receiving portion 104 of the hand covering and connected to the outer surface 60b of the hand covering, is a finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket 110 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable insert of the character previously described.
As in the embodiment of
Provided within the palm portion 66 and connected to the inner surface 60a of the hand covering is a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket 80 for removably receiving a yieldably deformable, palm-protecting shaped insert 82 that is generally rectangular in cross-section and is uniquely constructed from a resilient, foamed polyurethane material having a memory. Insert-receiving pocket 80 has an outer surface 80a, a connecting flange 80b and an insert-receiving opening 80c. When the insert 82 is in position within the glove, surface 83 of the insert pressurally engages the inner surface 60a of the palm portion 66. Similarly, when the insert is in position within the glove and when the user's hand is within the glove, surface 80a of the pocket 80 pressurally engages the palm of the user. With this novel construction, when the user's hand is within the glove, insert 82 protects the user's palm against impact and simultaneously insert 70 protects the back of the user's hand against impact.
As in the previously described embodiments of the invention, in order that the basic glove can be used in a conventional manner, the insert-receiving pockets 68, 72, 76, 80, 106, 108 and 110 are constructed from a yieldably deformable material, such as a suitable fabric, a thin plastic, or like pliable material so as to be readily collapsible and expandable.
As in the earlier described embodiments, the user can select yieldably deformable shaped inserts of various configurations for insertion into the various insert-receiving pockets. Once again, the yieldably deformable cushion material from which the inserts are constructed preferably comprises resilient, foamed polyurethane that can readily be molded-to-shape or cut-to-shape to fit within the various insert-receiving pockets.
Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A method of making a glove for covering a user's hand that comprises a hand covering having an inner surface and an outer surface and including a thumb portion and an index finger portion; a thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the inner surface of the hand covering; an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the inner surface of the hand covering; said hand covering further including a palm portion and a back portion, a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the inner surface of the palm portion of the hand covering; and a back-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the outer surface of the back portion of the hand covering said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting from a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable thumb-protecting cushioning inserts, a thumb-protecting cushioning insert;
- (b) inserting said selected thumb-protecting cushioning insert into said thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket;
- (c) selecting from a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable index finger-protecting cushioning inserts, an index finger-protecting cushioning insert; and
- (d) inserting said selected index finger-protecting cushioning insert into said index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket.
- (e) inserting a palm-protecting cushioning insert into said palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket; and
- (f) inserting a back-protecting cushioning insert into said back-protecting insert-receiving pocket.
2. A method of making a glove for covering a user's hand that comprises a hand covering having an inner surface and an outer surface and including a thumb portion and an index finger portion; a thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the outer surface of the hand covering; an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the outer surface of the hand covering; said hand covering further including a palm portion and a back portion, a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the inner surface of the palm portion of the hand covering; and a back-protecting insert-receiving pocket connected to the outer surface of the back portion of the hand covering, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting from a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable thumb-protecting cushioning inserts, a thumb-protecting cushioning insert;
- (b) inserting said selected thumb-protecting cushioning insert into said thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket;
- (c) selecting from a plurality of elongated, yieldably deformable index finger-protecting cushioning inserts, an index finger-protecting cushioning insert;
- (d) inserting said selected index finger-protecting cushioning insert into a said index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket;
- (e) inserting a palm-protecting cushioning insert into said palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket; and
- (f) inserting a back-protecting cushioning insert into said back-protecting insert-receiving pocket.
3. A glove construction for covering a user's hand including the thumb and fingers comprising:
- (a) a hand covering having an inner surface and an outer surface and including a thumb-receiving portion, an index finger-receiving portion, a back portion and a palm portion for covering at least the thumb, the index finger, the back and palm portions of the user;
- (b) a thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said inner surface of said thumb-receiving portion of said hand covering for removably receiving an elongated, yieldably deformable thumb-protecting shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory;
- (c) an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said inner surface of said finger-receiving portion of said hand covering for removably receiving an index finger-protecting elongated, yieldably deformable, shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory;
- (d) a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said inner surface of said palm portion of said hand covering for removably receiving a yieldably deformable palm-protecting shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory; and
- (e) a back-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said back portion of said hand covering for removably receiving a yieldably deformable back-protecting shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory.
4. The glove construction as defined in claim 3 in which said yieldably deformable, foamed cushion material comprises resilient, foamed polyurethane.
5. The glove construction as defined in claim 3 in which said insert-receiving pockets are constructed from a yieldably deformable material so as to be collapsible and expandable.
6. The glove construction as defined in claim 3 in which said article-gripping surface comprises a fabric material.
7. A glove construction for covering a user's hand including the thumb and fingers, comprising:
- (a) a hand covering having an inner surface and an outer surface and including a thumb-receiving portion, an index finger-receiving portion, a back portion and a palm portion for covering at least the thumb, the index finger, the back and palm portions of the user;
- (b) a thumb-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said thumb-receiving portion of said hand covering for removably receiving an elongated, yieldably deformable thumb-protecting shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory;
- (c) an index finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said finger-receiving portion of said hand covering for removably receiving an index finger-protecting elongated, yieldably deformable, shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory;
- (d) a palm-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said inner surface of said palm portion of said hand covering for removably receiving a yieldably deformable palm-protecting shaped insert constructed from foamed-cushion material having a memory; and
- (e) a back-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said back portion of said hand covering for removably receiving a yieldably deformable back-protecting shaped insert constructed from foamed cushion material having a memory.
8. The glove construction as defined in claim 7 in which the hand covering further includes second, third and fourth finger-receiving portions and in which said glove construction includes a second finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said back portion of said hand covering.
9. The glove construction as defined in claim 8 further including a third finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said back portion of said hand covering.
10. The glove construction as defined in claim 9 further including a fourth finger-protecting insert-receiving pocket directly connected to said outer surface of said back portion of said hand covering.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 8, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2012
Inventor: Gregory Van Hale (Glendale, CA)
Application Number: 13/135,551
International Classification: A41D 13/08 (20060101); A41D 19/015 (20060101); A41D 19/04 (20060101);