Process for Making Knit Embroidered Conductive Gloves

Abstract

A knit glove operably configured for use with a capacitive touchscreen comprises a plurality of fingertips, an outer surface, and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the fingertips comprises conductive thread or yarn extending from the outer surface of the knit glove to the inner surface of the glove to create a conductive pathway from the inner surface of the knit glove to the outer surface of the glove.

Description

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/869,827, entitled “GLOVE WITH CONDUCTIVE FINGERTIPS,” filed Aug. 27, 2010, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/237,524, filed Aug. 27, 2009, entitled “GLOVE WITH CONDUCTIVE FINGERTIPS,” and it claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/545,351, filed Oct. 10, 2011, entitled “PROCESS FOR MAKING KNIT EMBROIDERED CONDUCTIVE GLOVES,” the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a process for making a glove for operating an electronic device, particularly a device with a touchscreen. To operate capacitive touchscreens requires electric conductivity between the screen and a user's fingers. Thus, users of such electronic devices can find it difficult to operate the device while wearing gloves. The exemplary gloves described herein overcome this difficulty by providing gloves with conductive fingertips.

While a variety of gloves have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used gloves as described herein.

SUMMARY

A glove comprises a plurality of fingertips, an outer surface, and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the fingertips comprises conductive thread or yarn extending from the outer surface of the glove to the inner surface of the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary glove;

FIG. 2 depicts a bottom view (from the palm side) of the glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of the fingertip portion of the index finger of the glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an end view of the fingertip portion of the index finger of the glove of FIG. 1, with the glove turned inside-out to show conductive thread extending to the interior of the glove;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary glove;

FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view (from the palm side) of the glove of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts an end view of the fingertip portions of the index finger and thumb of the glove of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 depicts an end view of the fingertip portions of the index finger and thumb of the glove of FIG. 5, with the glove turned inside-out to show conductive thread extending to the interior of the glove;

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary glove;

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary knit glove body with “waste threads”;

FIG. 11 depicts a top view of an exemplary flat pattern used to form the finger and thumb shells of a knit glove;

FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary finger or thumb shell of a knit glove;

FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view (from the palm side) of an exemplary glove;

FIG. 14 depicts a top view of an exemplary appliqué;

FIG. 15 depicts a top view of another exemplary appliqué; and

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view (from the palm side) of an exemplary glove with the appliqué.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings, incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

In this application, the word “finger” and “fingertip” apply equally to fingers/fingertips and thumbs/thumbtips. Similarly, the word “thumb” and “thumbtips” apply equally to thumbs/thumbtips and fingers/fingertips. “Glove” can also mean mitten. The words “yarn” and “thread” can be used interchangeably.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplary glove (10) having fingertips (12). At the index finger position (14) and the thumb position (16) fingertips (12) are conductive. In the present example, glove (10) comprises a backhand side (18) as shown in FIG. 1, a palm side (20) as shown in FIG. 2, a first end (22) comprising an opening (not shown) for a user to insert their hand, and a second end (24) where the distal portion of fingertips (12) are located.

Glove (10) is knit substantially from non-conductive yarn (26) and also includes conductive yarn (28) knit into fingertips (12) at index finger position (14) and thumb position (16). Of course, conductive yarn (28) can be knit into fingertips (12) at only a single finger position, at all finger positions, or even throughout all of glove (10) in some versions. In the present example, glove (10) is first knit of yarn (26), then conductive yarn (28) is knit into glove (10) at index finger position (14) and thumb position (16) as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the illustrated versions of FIGS. 1-4, the entire fingertip (12) at index finger position (14) and thumb position (16) are knit of a combination of conductive yarn (28) and non-conductive yarn (26). With this construction, conductive yarn (28) extends from an outer surface (30) of glove (10) to an inner surface (32) of glove (10) to create a conductive pathway from the user's fingertip, which contacts inner surface (32) of glove (10), to a touchscreen, which contacts outer surface (30) of glove (10). In some other versions, instead of fingertips (12) being knit of a combination of non-conductive yarn (26) and conductive yarn (28), fingertips (12) can be knit entirely of conductive yarn (28). In the present example, the distribution of conductive yarn (28) and non-conductive yarn (26) in certain fingertips (12) is substantially uniform. In some other versions, the distribution of conductive yarn (28) and non-conductive yarn (26) in certain fingertips (12) can be not uniform. For example, certain fingertips (12) can be knit to include an area of non-conductive yarn (26) along with one or more dense areas of conductive yarn (28).

The shape of the knit area and the length of fingertips (12) that include conductive yarn (28) can take into consideration the portion of the finger and/or thumb that is used to operate a touchscreen. In the present example, about one and one-half inches at the end of fingertips (12) at index finger position (14) and thumb position (16) include conductive yarn (28); of course greater or lesser lengths may be used. Also, conductive yarn (28) can be knit into all areas of fingertips (12). For instance, in the illustrated version, at index finger position (14) and thumb position (16), conductive yarn (28) is located on the pad (34), the back (36), the sides (38), and the distal-most tip (40) of those fingertips (12). In some other versions, conductive yarn (28) is located in select areas of fingertips (12) instead of all areas. In the illustrated version, the user can operate the touchscreen by contacting the touchscreen with any part of fingertip (12) containing conductive yarn (28) (e.g., pad (34), sides (38), tip (40), etc.) in an amount and arrangement sufficient to create the electrical pathway between the user's finger and the touchscreen.

The non-conductive portions of glove (10) can be knit using processes known in the art, using materials known in the art, including but not limited to acrylic yarn, Lycra, or feather yarn (100% nylon). The conductive portions of glove (10) can also be knit using processes known in the art, using any conductive yarn. In some versions conductive yarn (28) is comprised of two ends of conductive thread mixed with non-conductive thread. In some versions, conductive yarn (28) can conduct 82 ohms/foot to 14 ohms/foot. Glove (10) can be machine-knit or hand-knit.

FIG. 2 further illustrates a palm patch (42) that is stitched onto palm side (20) of glove (10). In the present example palm patch (42) is constructed from leather and can aid in gripping objects, (e.g., objects having touchscreens, etc.). Other materials of construction for palm patch (42) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein, and may include suede, synthetic leather, synthetic suede, pigsplit, embossed polyurethane, silicone, among others.

In view of the teachings herein, various other configurations and modifications to glove (10) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example only, and not limitation, conductive yarn (28) may be knit into any decorative pattern so long as there is sufficient conductive thread to conduct an electrical impulse from the user's finger to the touchscreen. In some versions, all or some of fingertips (12) of one glove (10) from a pair of gloves are conductive, while in other versions all or some of fingertips (12) of both gloves (10) from the pair are conductive.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another exemplary glove (110) having fingertips (112). At the index finger position (114) and the thumb position (116) fingertips (112) are conductive. In the present example, glove (110) comprises a backhand side (118) as shown in FIG. 5, a palm side (120) as shown in FIG. 6, a first end (122) comprising an opening (not shown) for a user to insert their hand, and a second end (124) where the distal portion of fingertips (112) are located.

Glove (110) is constructed by assembling cut fabrics together using processes known in the art (e.g., sewing together cut fabrics forming seams). In the present example, glove (110) comprises a palm fabric (144), a backhand fabric (146), a seaming fabric (148), an index finger fabric (150), and a thumb fabric (152). These fabrics are generally non-conductive fabrics (126) sewn together as shown to form glove (110). Conductive thread (128) is embroidered or stitched into or onto the fabrics that make up fingertips (112) at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116) to provide conductive pathways between the user's fingertip and a touchscreen. Any well-known embroidery technique may be used to apply conductive thread (128) to fingertips (112) of glove (110). This embroidery or stitching with conductive thread (128) can be done before the fabrics (144, 146, 148, 150, 152) are assembled to form glove (110) or after the fabrics (144, 146, 148, 150, 152) have been assembled to form glove (110). In either approach conductive thread (128) passes from the inner surface (132) of glove (110) to the outer surface (130) of glove (110) to provide conductive pathways between the user's fingertip inside glove (110) and the conductive embroidery or stitching on the outside of glove (110), which in turn would contact the capacitive touchscreen.

In the present example, the embroidery or stitching with conductive thread (128) is directly onto index finger fabric (150) and thumb fabric (152) such that the embroidery or stitching itself extends from outer surface (130) of glove (110) to inner surface (132) of glove (110) as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. In other versions, the embroidery or stitching with conductive thread (128) is completed on a separate piece of fabric that is sewn onto outer surface (130) at fingertips (112) in index finger position (114) and thumb position (116). The attachment of the separate embroidery or stitched piece is done with conductive thread (128) that extends from and contacts both the conductive embroidery or stitching on outer surface (130) of glove (110), and the user's fingertip on inner surface (132) of glove (110). In this arrangement conductive thread (128) that attaches the conductive embroidered or stitched piece to glove (110) completes the circuit to establish the pathway between the user's fingertip within glove (110) and the conductive embroidery or stitching on the separate piece of fabric outside glove (110). In still other versions, conductive thread (128) is laid on index finger fabric (150) and thumb fabric (152) at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116) respectively, and conductive thread (128) is then stitched to fabrics (150, 152) with non-conductive thread.

While the illustrated version in FIGS. 5-8 show conductive fingertips (112) at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116), in other versions conductive thread (128) can be embroidered or stitched into fingertips (112) at only a single finger position, at all finger positions, or even other places throughout glove (110). Where conductive thread (128) is positioned at locations of glove (110) (e.g., the backhand area or palm area) that would not typically directly contact and operate a touchscreen, a link between such location and the area contacting and operating the touchscreen (e.g., fingertips (112)) is established by connecting the areas with conductive thread (128) to complete the circuit.

The shape and length of the embroidered or stitched area (154) at fingertips (112) that include conductive thread (128) can take into consideration the portion of the finger and/or thumb that is used to operate a touchscreen. In the present example, conductive embroidery or stitching (154) located at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116) comprises an hour glass shape having a top portion (156), a bottom portion (158), and a neck portion (160) having a narrower width compared to top and bottom portions (156, 158). Neck portion (160) of the hour glass shape wraps the distal-most tip (140) of fingertips (112), thus top portion (156) extends to the back (136) of fingertip (112) on backhand side (118) of glove (110) while bottom portion (158) extends to the pad (134) of fingertip (112) on palm side (120) of glove (110). This configuration for conductive embroidery or stitching (154) provides a continuous area of conductive thread (128) from pad (134) to back (136) of fingertips (112) at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116). In this arrangement, the user could operate the touchscreen by contacting the touchscreen with any part of fingertip (112) containing conductive thread (128) (e.g., pad (134), back (136), tip (140)) in an amount and arrangement sufficient to create the electrical pathway between the user's finger and the touchscreen.

As shown in FIG. 6, bottom portion (158) of conductive embroidery or stitching (154) comprises a curved lower edge (162) and chevrons (164). In the present example, curved lower edges (162) at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116) are configured to extend conductive embroidery to portions of the index finger and thumb that the user may use to operate a touch screen. Also in the present example, chevrons (164) represent an area not embroidered or stitched with conductive thread (128). However, in some versions chevrons (164) represent areas of greater conductivity where chevrons (164) are embroidered or stitched with thread having greater conductivity. Still yet in some versions, only chevrons (164) include conductive thread (128), without additional surrounding embroidery or stitching. In view of the teachings herein, other shapes and dimensions for conductive embroidery or stitching (154) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The non-conductive portions of glove (110) can be assembled using materials known in the art of glove/mitten making. For example, in some versions spandex (77% nylon, 23% Spandex) is laminated to 100% polyester fleece to form glove (110). In some versions glove (110) is made of stretch fleece (94% polyester, 6% Spandex), or glove (110) is made of stretch fleece and jersey sides with gripper silicone printing (142) on palm side (120). In other versions, glove (110) includes textured stretch material (60% Tactel, 30% Coolmax, 10% Lycra Spandex) laminated to 100% polyester fleece for use in backhand side (118). Another version includes stretch ottoman (96% polyester, 4% spandex) in the backhand side (118). In other versions, textured water resistant or water repellant microfiber fabric is laminated to 100% polyester fleece. Still in other versions, gloves (110) are made of textured knit (100% polyester) laminated to 100% polyester fleece. Leather, either hairsheep or goatskin, can be used in the backhand side (118) of glove (110) in some versions. The cuffs, palm, and fourchettes of gloves (110) can be made of a blend of 80% nylon and 20% Lycra Spandex, or a blend of 79% nylon and 21% Lycra Spandex, or a stretch fleece material (94% polyester, 6% Lycra Spandex) that can also be used for seaming fabric (148). Synthetic suede (60% polyurethane, 40% nylon) can be used as appliqués or tabs. Gloves (110), in some versions, include palm patches made of pigsplit or embossed polyurethane. In view of the teachings herein, other materials of construction for gloves (110) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Any conductive thread can be used in making glove (110) so long as there is sufficient conductivity to conduct an electrical impulse from the user's finger to the touchscreen. In the present example, conductive thread (128) can conduct 82 ohms/foot to 14 ohms/foot. As mentioned previously, glove (110) is machine-sewn in some versions, with machine embroidery or stitching. In the present example, when embroidering or stitching conductive thread (128) into glove (110), conductive thread (128) is used in both the top and bottom bobbins. In some other versions, when embroidering or stitching conductive thread (128) into glove (110), conductive thread (128) is used in the top bobbin only. Still in some other versions, when embroidering or stitching conductive thread (128) into glove (110), conductive thread (128) is used in the bottom bobbin thread only. In other versions, conductive thread (128) is hand-sewn into glove (110). Conductive thread (128) for stitching or embroidery can be comprised of a finer thread with four ends that conducts 90 ohms/foot to 95 ohms/foot. Such conductive thread (128) can be a 100% nylon thread with silver coating, with a thickness before coating of 280D and 340D after coating. In view of the teachings herein, other types of conductive thread (128) for use in making gloves (110) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 6 further illustrates silicone printing (142) on palm side (120) of glove (110). In the present example silicone printing (142) is printed in a diamond pattern and aides in gripping objects, (e.g., objects having touchscreens, etc.). Other materials of construction for enhancing the grip of palm side (120) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein, and may include various palm patches constructed of suede, synthetic leather, synthetic suede, pigsplit, embossed polyurethane, among others.

In view of the teachings herein, various other configurations and modifications to glove (110) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example only, and not limitation, conductive thread (128) may be embroidered or stitched into any decorative pattern so long as there is sufficient conductive thread to conduct an electrical impulse from the user's finger to the touchscreen. In some versions, all or some of fingertips (112) of one glove (110) from a pair of gloves are conductive, while in other versions all or some of fingertips (112) of both gloves (110) from the pair are conductive. In some versions the thumb and index finger of glove (110) can be the only fingertips (112) that are conductive. In some versions conductive portions of fingertips (112) can be placed on the side portions of the index fingertip and thumbtip, especially for users who often press touchscreens with the side of their thumb, rather than directly on the area covering pad (134) of the thumb.

FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary glove (210) having fingertips (212) that are conductive. Similar to glove (110) of FIGS. 5-8, glove (210) comprises a backhand side (218), a palm side (not shown), a first end (222) comprising an opening (not shown) for a user to insert their hand, and a second end (224) where the distal portion of fingertips (212) are located. Glove (210) is constructed in a similar fashion as glove (110)—by assembling cut fabrics together using processes known in the art (e.g., sewing together cut fabrics forming seams). In the present example, glove (210) comprises a palm fabric (not shown), a backhand fabric (246), and a seaming fabric (248). The palm and backhand fabrics are generally non-conductive fabrics (226) sewn together to form glove (210). Seaming fabric (248) is sewn between and joins palm and backhand fabrics. In the present example, seaming fabric (248) comprises a tape (e.g., a knit or a woven tape), where conductive thread (228) is knit or woven into the tape. In some other versions a twill tape incorporating conductive thread (228) can be used. The tape can then be laid from seam to seam across fingertips (212) of glove (210), and the ends of the tape can be sewn so as to touch a user's fingers on the inside of the glove. In the present example all of seaming fabric (248) comprises the tape having conductive thread (228); however, in other versions the portion of seaming fabric (248) containing conductive thread (228) is limited to the area surrounding fingertips (212). In view of the teachings herein, various other configurations and modifications to glove (210) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

There are several methods of making knitted gloves that are well-known in the art. The assembly methods discussed hereinafter are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and other methods of knitting and assembling a knitted glove would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. One method of creating a knit glove begins with the glove body (310) being knit on a circular knitting machine. The machine begins knitting at the first end (322) and knits towards the second end (324) stopping approximately at what will be the knuckles (316) of the completed glove (350). This process results in a glove body (310) that looks like a knit tube with two open ends, as shown in FIG. 10. “Waste threads” (314) are knitted into the glove to show the placement of the thumb. The machine knits additional “waste threads” (312) at the knuckles (316) to show the placement of the fingers. The glove body is then placed onto a circular knit fingering machine where the “waste threads” (312, 314) are removed. The fingers and the thumb are then each knitted to the glove body separately. The fingers and thumbs look like open tubes. The glove is removed from the fingering machine and the tips of each finger and thumb are closed either by hand or machine.

In another embodiment of the present conductive glove, a knit glove can be embroidered with conductive yarn. A glove body is knit by any method known in the art. Fingers without conductive yarn are also made by any method known in the art. To prepare a finger or fingers containing conductive material, as shown in FIG. 11, flat patterns of the finger or fingers are knitted on a flat knitting machine using non-conductive yarn (326). The flat patterns of the finger(s) are then embroidered with conductive yarn (328). The conductive yarn is placed in a position that facilitates contacting a conductive touch screen. The now embroidered flat patterns of the finger(s) are folded as shown in FIG. 12, and the sides (332) of each flat pattern are connected to form a finger shell (340). The finger shell(s) is then knitted, either manually or by machine to the glove body in a finger position (346) or a thumb position (348), as shown in FIG. 13. The placement of the finger shells in FIG. 13 is only one configuration amongst an abundance of positions and combinations that the designer may choose from. The glove body is then placed onto a circular knit fingering machine where the “waste threads” are removed. Any remaining non-conductive fingers are then knitted to the glove body separately.

Another process for creating embroidered conductive knit gloves begins with the glove body (310) and fingers being knit according to any method known in the art. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, an appliqué (360, 364) is made of suede or another suitable material (362) or other material of sufficient structural integrity to be able to be embroidered and used as a glove finger. The appliqué is then embroidered with conductive yarn (328). Openings are created in the fingertip(s) (340) of the fingers in a finger position (346) or a thumb position (348) of the knit glove. The now embroidered appliqué is attached to the surface of the finger in the finger position (346) or thumb position (348) and covers the opening in the fingertips (340). The placement of the embroidered appliqué in FIG. 16 is only one configuration amongst an abundance of positions and combinations that the designer may choose from. The completed glove (342) is shown in FIG. 16.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for making conductive gloves, wherein the conductive glove comprises a glove body, and at least one finger embroidered with conductive yarn, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(A) making at least one flat pattern;

(B) embroidering the flat pattern with conductive yarn;

(C) shaping and securing the flat pattern to form an embroidered finger shell;

(D) attaching the embroidered finger shell to the glove body; and

(E) attaching any remaining finger shells to the glove body such that a glove is formed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two embroidered finger shells are made, and attached to the glove body.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein one embroidered finger shell is attached to the glove body in a thumb position, and at least one other embroidered finger shell is attached to the glove body.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one embroidered finger shell is attached to the glove body in the index finger position.

5. A method for making conductive gloves, wherein the conductive glove comprises a glove body, and at least one finger embroidered with conductive yarn, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(A) providing a glove with at least one finger;

(B) making at least one appliqué;

(C) embroidering the appliqué with conductive yarn; and

(D) attaching the embroidered appliqué to at least one finger of the glove.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least two embroidered appliques are made, and attached to fingers of the glove.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein one embroidered appliqué is attached to the finger in a thumb position, and at least one other embroidered appliqué is attached to a remaining finger.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one embroidered appliqué is attached to the finger in the index finger position.

9. A knit glove comprising a plurality of fingertips, an outer surface, and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the fingertips comprises embroidered conductive material extending from the outer surface of the glove to the inner surface of the glove.

10. The glove of claim 9, wherein the conductive material establishes a conductive pathway from the inner surface of the glove to the outer surface of the glove.

11. The glove of claim 9, wherein at least one of the fingertips is embroidered with conductive yarn.

12. The glove of claim 9, wherein at least two of the fingertips are embroidered conductive yarn.

13. The glove of claim 9, wherein at least one fingertip comprises an appliqué embroidered with conductive material

14. The glove of claim 9, wherein at least two fingertips comprise an appliqué embroidered with conductive yarn.

15. The glove of claim 9, wherein the conductive yarn conducts about 82 ohms/foot to about 14 ohms/foot.

16. The glove of claim 9, wherein at least one fingertip comprises a flat pattern embroidered with conductive material.

17. The glove of claim 9, wherein at least two fingertips comprise a flat pattern embroidered with conductive yarn.