MULTI-FUNCTIONAL METAL FABRICATION GLOVE

Abstract

Multifunctional liners and gloves that include impact-, cut- and flame/heat-resistant yarns and, optionally, flame/heat-resistant coatings, as well as methods for manufacturing liners and gloves, are disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/768,784, filed on Feb. 25, 2013; which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field on the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to knitted articles and, more particularly, to knitted liners in the shape of gloves that have one or more yarns in one or more selected zones of the knitted liners to provide a balance of enhanced impact-, cut-, and heat-resistance while maintaining tactility and dexterity, and knitted liners having heat- and/or flame-resistant polymeric coatings disposed thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Gloves are used in many settings to protect the hands of users. Furthermore, many gloves are designed to embody specific properties for specific industrial applications, for example, cut resistant yarns in knitted liners and gloves comprising knitted liners, for use by those who uses knives, saws, and the like. However, many users have multiple needs. For example, a metalworker, such as a welder, may need gloves that provide heat-resistance as well as cut-resistance. In particular, some welders perform very intricate but high-heat welding and, therefore, dexterity is desirable.

Designing gloves for such applications can be challenging because, for example, some properties, such as dexterity and tactility come at the expense of cut-resistance, heat-resistance, and durability. Also, past attempts by glove designers have used expensive, top grain leathers to provide feel and dexterity. Leathers used in these designs have generally been thin and, therefore, have inadequately protected users. Moreover, leather gloves are cut and sewn, and typically have seams on the inside of the fingerstalls, which creates gloves that are bulky and stiff. And, the stitches can be easily broken or burned, compromising the durability of the glove. Furthermore, past gloves do not manage moisture and/or perspiration adequately. If a glove is wet, electric shocks are possible. Moreover, a wet glove that becomes tight against the skin of the user, for example, from tightly grabbing a hot workpiece, creates pressure and runs the risk of flashing the moisture into steam, creating another burn hazard.

Additionally, for welding processes, one hand often performs a function different than that of the other hand, requiring different types of protection. Welders must then wear gloves that are over- or under-engineered for each hand or change gloves often during various activities, which is a sub-optimal practice.

Metalworkers need to protect their hands from cuts and extreme heat. Also, welders experience spatter from the liquid metals, i.e., “berries,” during welding processes. Furthermore, welding processes subject the welder, and the gloves of the welder, to ultraviolet light, which can degrade the gloves. Therefore, gloves offering protection from these hazards are needed.

There are several types of welding processes. Among these processes are Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), and Metal Active Gas (MAG). Welders performing these welding processes have particular needs from gloves that are even more demanding than for conventional stick and/or flexrod welding. MIG welding, which employs a welding gun having a trigger, require lighter gloves than for stick welding. By way of example, MIG welders place a hand, the “support” hand, against a workpiece to be welded while the other hand, the “torch” hand, manipulates the trigger and performs the welding. The support hand is therefore in contact with metal in close proximity to the welding arc. Therefore, the support hand becomes extremely hot from the radiant heat of the arc while the torch hand needs enhanced dexterity. Gloves for MIG welders, which are typically cowhide or other types of leather, tend to be much heavier and bulkier to protect the welder from high-heats, at the expense of versatility, dexterity, and tactility.

TIG welding processes are used for slower, more intricate, high-quality and, in particular, alloy welds in which appearance of the weld is often critical, such as for bicycles, motorcycles, aerospace, and naval applications. TIG welding is akin to a high-heat soldering process. In other words, a TIG welder holds a torch in one hand and filler rod in the other, which is fed manually by the welder, requiring great care and precision. Therefore, TIG welders require precise control for both the torch hand and the rod hand (the hand holding the filler rod). Also, TIG welding typically requires continuous weld runs and once the weld is started, it cannot be stopped because the quality of the weld will suffer. In addition, the welds created by TIG welding processes are often thinner, used to join thinner materials, and requires considerable skill and attention to detail. Therefore, gloves for each hand of the TIG welder must offer comfort as well as dexterity and tactility. Furthermore, welders often perform different types of welding in a day and therefore have different needs, resulting in switching gloves during the day. If the gloves are not changed, the welder may use a glove that is inappropriate for a task. For example, if a welder uses the lighter TIG welding gloves for a MIG job, the gloves will wear quicker as well as inadequately protect the welder from higher heat.

In addition to welding, welders often perform other ancillary metalworking tasks, including oxy-acetylene torch cutting, plasma cutting, and laser cutting, as well as grinding, brazing, and heat-treating, such as annealing, during which extremely high temperatures and sparks may be encountered. Therefore, welders require gloves having the impact- and cut-resistance that all metalworkers need in order to enhance safety. And, the TIG, MIG, and MAG welder needs a glove offering enhanced dexterity and tactility as well as high-heat and flame-resistance.

With the foregoing in view, providing a glove having an enhanced balance of desirable properties, tailored to and addressing the needs of various regions of the gloves, for all functional service requirements, i.e., high-heat and flame-resistance, cut-resistance, and flexibility, would represent an advance in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Multifunctional gloves comprising impact-, cut-, and flame/heat-resistant yarns and/or flame/heat-resistant coatings in accordance with the present invention, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims, are disclosed. Various advantages, aspects, and novel features of the present disclosure, as well as details of an exemplary embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

It is to be understood that the application uses the terms glove and knitted liner interchangeably. Some knitted gloves may be used as a glove while some gloves indicate a knitted liner having a polymeric coating or other features adhered thereto, such as a leather patch or different types of insulating members, or disposed thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. It is to be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be in other embodiments without further recitation and that, where possible, identical reference numerals have been used to indicate comparable elements that are common to the figures or embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a knitted liner according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a cut away view of a horizontal element of the knitted liner of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a cut away view of a vertical element of the knitted liner of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of the palm side of the knitted liner, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of the backhand side of the knitted liner of FIG. 4, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a backhand view of a right-handed glove comprising a knitted liner with a polymeric coating disposed thereon, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of a flap of the glove of FIG. 6, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a glove, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section taken along line 9-9 of the glove of FIG. 8, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a cross section taken along line 10-10 of the cross section of the glove depicted in FIG. 9, in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 11 depicts an overglove, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a knitted liner having at least two different yarns. A first yarn exhibits a desired property, such as cut-resistance, and a second yarn exhibits a second desired property, for example, heat-resistance and is optionally knitted into different zones of the glove or liner than the first yarn. For example, a zone may be an upper palm, lower palm, upper backhand, lower backhand, fingers, thumb, or cuff zone. Knitted liners and gloves comprising knitted liners in accordance with embodiments of the invention may also specify different yarns for other properties, such as flame-resistance, moisture-control, chemical resistance, flexibility, impact-resistance, abrasion-resistance, and other desirable properties imparted by various yarns, blended yarns having several of the foregoing properties, and/or structures thereof.

Also, embodiments of the present invention comprise knitted liners and gloves that can be fabricated using vertical knit techniques. In other words, the courses or loops of the knitted liner run along a longitudinal axis of the knitted liner or glove, for example, from a cuff portion of a knitted liner to a fingertip portion. Additionally, a knitted liner or glove may comprise knitted courses that include both vertically and horizontally knitted courses.

Moreover, additional yarns and/or layers may be knitted using plaited structures, i.e., two yarns stitched within the same stitch for at least one course or more, to provide reinforcements or different properties in certain regions of the glove. And, any of the yarns may comprise different colors to provide visual recognition of specific properties. For example, a user can be made aware that a yellow yarn indicates cut-resistance while a black yarn indicates heat-resistance. A user can choose a glove having those properties in areas of the glove as needed for a specific task. More appropriately, though, the user now has the option of using one glove for all welding and other metalworking tasks, despite the competing properties of impact-, heat/flame-, cut-resistance and tactility and dexterity. This is an important advance in the art because personal protection equipment, such as gloves, is only useful if worn. Because of embodiments of the present invention, all welders need only one type of glove for all welding and metalworking tasks and activities if care is taken to choose an appropriate knitted liner or glove comprising a knitted liner.

As described above, the knitted liner or glove may comprise one or more yarns, and may include one or more plaited layers. A glove may be knitted by conventional knitting processes and comprise various yarns of various deniers and gauges. Gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be knitted using automatic seamless glove knitting machines. Seamless glove knitting machines include, but are not limited to, models NSFG, NSFG-I, SFG-1, and SWG by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. Gloves knitted with the courses running vertically are knitted using a single whole garment machine, such as the SWG machine model manufactured by Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.

Knitted liners and gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention comprise several yarns, such as, but not limited to, cotton, wool, rayon, steel wire, glass fibers, filaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene yarns, such as DYNEEMA® and SPECTRA®, nylons, modacrylic yarns, oxidized-polyacrylonitrile (OPAN), meta-aramids, such as NOMEX®, para-aramids, such as KEVLAR® and TWARON®, aromatic polyesters, such as VECTRAN®, and the like or any blend of the fibers and materials. Any yarn may comprise one or more yarns, such as can be created by ring spun, rotor spun, friction spun, braiding, and other processes for blending yarns. Some yarns may be used for cut-resistance, such as steel wire, glass fibers, filaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, NOMEX®, TWARON®, KEVLAR®, and DYNEEMA®. Other yarns provide dexterity and fit properties, such as stretchable yarns, for example, SPANDEX® and LYCRA®. Yarns capable of moisture management, i.e., highly wicking yarns, such as STA-COOL® polyesters, HYDROTEC®, AQUARIUS®, and DRYENERGY®, may be included to withdraw moisture and perspiration from the skin, which also provide comfort. Furthermore, moisture and perspiration controlling yarns comprise antimicrobial agents, which are helpful in attenuating odors and/or preventing wounds and burns from becoming infected. Anti-microbial agents comprise surface or topical coatings applied on the yarn, such as silane quaternary ammonium and/or N-Halamine compounds. Elemental silver and silver-releasing compounds are also used. Additionally, silver compounds or other anti-microbial additives, such as TRICLOSAN® may be added and extruded within the thread or filament.

Also, some yarns, for example, OPAN, such as PANOX®, and ARSELON®, provide enhanced heat-resistance. Also, additional cut resistant layers may be plaited with a main body yarn of a heat-resistant yarn, to provide heat- and cut-resistance in the same region of a liner or glove. The additional cut resistant layer may include, as indicated above, steel wire, glass fibers, filaments, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, nylons, NOMEX®, TWARON®, KEVLAR®, DYNEEMA®, SPECTRA®, VECTRAN®, and the like or any blend of these fibers and materials.

FIG. 1 depicts a knitted liner according to some embodiments of the invention. The knitted liner 100 comprises a thumb 102, an index finger 104, a middle finger 106, a ring finger 108, and a pinky finger 110, an upper palm 114, a lower palm 116, and, optionally, a cuff 112. The knitted liner 100, as in all embodiments of liners and gloves disclosed herein, comprises an opening for receiving a hand of wearer. In the thumb 102, the fingers 104, 106, 108, 110 and the upper palm 114, the courses of the knitted liner run laterally or, in other words, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 122 of the knitted liner 100. In lower palm 116, the courses of the knitted liner 100 run along, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis 122 of the knitted liner 100.

FIG. 2 depicts a cut away view of a horizontal element 120 of the knitted liner 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The element 120 shows three yarns 150, 160, and 170 intermeshing in loops to form courses 172, 174, and 176 of knitted stitches in a horizontal knitted orientation.

FIG. 3 depicts a cut away view of a vertical element 130 of the knitted liner 100 of FIG. 1, according to embodiments of the invention. The vertical element 130 is taken from lower palm 116. The vertical element 130 shows three yarns 180, 182, and 184 intermeshing in loops to form courses 186, 188, and 190 of knitted stitches in a vertical knitted orientation. Although FIGS. 1-3 depict the knitted liner 100 wherein the upper palm 114 and fingers comprise horizontal courses and the lower palm 116 having vertical courses, in practice, any finger, thumb, palm, or other region of the knitted liner 100, or any glove comprising the knitted liner 100, may comprise vertical and/or horizontal courses.

Gloves and/or knitted liners in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be specified for specific end uses. For example, a glove or knitted liner intended for use by a TIG welder may include a cut-resistant yarn in one region of the glove or knitted liner and a heat- and/or flame-resistant yarn in another region. Furthermore, because each hand of a TIG welder is performing a different function, a glove or knitted liner for each hand may be tailored to the function. For example, the glove or knitted liner for the hand holding the torch may comprise a cut-resistant yarn in one region, such as the index finger and middle finger. However, in the support hand, the glove or knitted liner comprises a cut-resistant yarn in a different region.

FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of the palm side of a knitted liner 200, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The knitted liner 200 comprises an upper palm 214, lower palm 218, a thumb 202, an index finger 204, a middle finger 206, a ring finger 208, and a little finger 210. The knitted liner 200 optionally comprises a cuff 212. In some embodiments according to the present invention, the thumb 202, the index finger 204, the middle finger 206 comprise a KEVLAR® yarn for cut-resistance while the ring finger 208 and the little finger 210 comprise an OPAN yarn, for heat- and flame-resistance, as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/735,881, filed Dec. 11, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments of the invention, the thumb 202, the index finger 204, the middle finger 206, the ring finger 208 and the little finger 210 as well as the upper palm 214 are all knitted with a similar denier yarn with a 15 gauge needle, for example. In other embodiments, the thumb 202, the index finger 204, the middle finger 206 may be knitted with a 15 gauge needle and the ring finger 208 and the little finger 210 as well as the upper palm 214 knitted with, for example, a 6 gauge needle or vice-versa.

Also, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the knitted liner 200 may comprise vertical courses, as discussed above, in the entirety of the knitted liner 200. Therefore, part of the upper palm 214 comprises a KEVLAR® yarn (the lighter colored yarn in the index finger 204, the middle finger 206, and the thumb 202 regions and under while the upper palm 216, near the little finger 210 and the ring finger 208, comprises an OPAN yarn (the darker colored yarn). Also, because of the vertical courses, a borderline 222, connecting the OPAN and KEVLAR® yarns can, but need not, embody a non-linear line. As shown, the borderline 222 is parabolic. In embodiments of this type, a user can protect the fingers from cuts while, the little finger and the side of the palm (in interface between the palm side and back hand side along the little finger) comprises the heat-resistant OPAN yarn, protecting from burns from a hot cutting surface.

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of the backhand side of the knitted liner 200 of FIG. 4, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The backhand side of the knitted liner 200 has the thumb 202, the index finger 204, the middle finger 206, the ring finger 208, the little finger 210 and the cuff 212. In this embodiment of the present invention, a yarn comprising a para-aramid and/or meta-aramid fiber is on the same features as on the palm side of the knitted liner 200. Also, the OPAN yarn may be within the same features as on the palm side of the knitted liner 200. However, as discussed above, this need not be the case. Because of the vertical courses, the backhand of the glove could comprise different yarns in different regions of the knitted liner 200. For example, in the knitted liner 200, on the backhand side, the borderline 224 embodies a completely distinct pattern than the borderline 222 on the palm side of the knitted liner 200. The borderline 224 on the backhand side has a parabolic portion in an upper back hand portion 226 and transfers into a stepped function in a lower backhand portion 228. Programming instructions for knitting at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, such as FIGS. 4-5, using a Shima-Seiki SWG model machine, are shown in Table 1.

Additionally, in embodiments of the present invention, gloves knitted with programmable knitting machines of the SWG model, manufactured by Shima Seiki, may switch from knitting vertical courses to horizontal courses easily and on-the-fly, i.e., real-time control over the needles, knit patterns as desired and modify the patterns so that patterns of several different types using different yarns can be created, allowing varied glove designs having different physical and chemical properties in any desired region of the glove. In other words, many multifunctional gloves or liners can be created without additional knitting processes. Moreover, before the present invention, it was required to invert a glove so that the courses that run horizontally on an exterior of a glove would run vertically on the exterior. Because of vertical course knitting in accordance with the present invention, inversion is no longer necessary. Gloves having vertical courses on the interior allow gloves to be donned with less friction against the hand of the user. Also, importantly, if a glove is compromised by burning embers of metal, i.e., “berries,” the wearer can remove the glove much easier, contributing to safety. The knitted liner 200 of FIGS. 4-5, optionally, may comprise additional features for different safety functions, for example, a polymeric coating.

FIG. 6 is a backhand view of a right-handed glove comprising a knitted liner 300 with a polymeric material 330 disposed thereon, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The glove 300 comprises a knitted liner 301, which includes a thumb 302, an index finger 304, a middle finger 306, a ring finger 308, a little finger 310, and a reversible flap 334, described more fully below, any of which may be knitted from a cut-resistant yarn, such as a para-aramid fiber, such KEVLAR® and/or a heat-resistant yarn, such as OPAN as well as other yarns. The knitted liner 301 may be entirely plaited, i.e., have two layers comprising two yarns in the same stitches throughout the knitted liner 301. Alternatively, KEVLAR®, or another cut-resistant yarn, may be specified for one or more regions of the glove, e.g., any finger, thumb, palm, backhand, cuff, etc., and, similarly, OPAN may be specified for any region. OPAN, in addition to providing heat-resistance, also provides moisture management, wicking water or sweat away from the skin, increasing comfort and improving shock- and flash-resistance, as discussed above.

The glove 300 also optionally comprises a cuff 332, which comprises an elastic yarn, such as SPANDEX® or LYCRA®. In some embodiments of the invention, the glove 300 has a polymeric, elastomeric, or latex material 330 disposed on the knitted liner 301. The polymeric, elastomeric, or latex material 330 comprises for example, an oil-, flame-, and/or heat-resistant polychloroprene that is dip-coated, such as a full dip, % dip, palm dip, etc., as discussed below. As shown, the glove 300 comprises a knuckle dip, in which the polymeric, elastomeric, or latex material 330 is disposed on the palm side of the glove 300 and on the tips of the fingers 304, 306, 308, 310 and the thumb 302. The polymeric, elastomeric, or latex material 330 can also provide grip properties to the glove 300.

The glove 300 also optionally comprises the reversible flap 334 disposed thereon. In some embodiments of the invention, the reversible flap 334 extends from an edge 333 from the glove 300, which is the side of the glove nearest the little finger 310. In some embodiments of the invention, the reversible flap 334 extends from the edge of the glove near the thumb 302 (not shown). In some embodiments of the invention, the reversible flap 334 is knitted and an integral part of the glove 300. In this context, the term integral part indicates that the reversible flap 334 is knitted as part of the knitted liner 301 of the glove 300. The reversible flap 334 is capable of folding backward, providing an additional layer of protection to the back hand 318 of the glove 300. Also, if the user chooses, the reversible flap 334 optionally traverses the palm (not shown) of the glove 300, providing additional protection for the palm area. In some embodiments of the invention, the reversible flap 334 comprises an upper portion 336, which forms an opening 338. The upper portion 336 provides additional surface area so that it can protect from cuts, heat, flame, etc., more of the hand of the user. The opening 338 also allows the user to anchor or secure the reversible flap 334 on the thumb of the user, irrespective of whether the reversible flap 334 is worn protecting the palm or the backhand 318. In some embodiments, the reversible flap 334 may be secured to, for example, the thumb area by hook and loop fasteners, such as a VELCRO® fastener. Also, in some embodiments, there is no need for a loop part of the fastener because the hooks may directly interface with the loops of the yarns from which the glove 300 is made, securing the reversible flap 334 thereto. Also, the knitted liner 301 comprises a reversible flap 334 disposed on a cuff 332 (not shown), wherein the reversible flap includes a fastener (not shown) capable of securing the reversible flap to the cuff, as described above, using hooks and loops fasteners or simply hooks.

Programming instructions for knitting at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, such as the knitted liner 301 having the reversible flap 334, as in FIG. 6, using, e.g., a Shima-Seiki SWG model machine, are shown in Table 2.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of a reversible flap 334 of the glove 300 of FIG. 6, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The reversible flap 334 may comprise one or more layers. As shown, reversible flap 334 has two layers 340 and 342. The layer 340 may comprise a cut-resistant yarn, such as KEVLAR® and the layer 342 a flame- and heat-resistant yarn, such as a yarn comprising an oxidized-polyacrylonitrile fiber, for example, CARBONX®. For the reversible flap 334 shown, the layer 342, if wrapped around the palm area of the glove 300, would become closest to the hand, leaving the layer 340 to the exterior. Where the layer 340 is exterior while on the palm, at least one embodiment of the invention comprises where the layer 340 is knitted from a cut-resistant yarn, thereby protecting the palms from cuts as well as impact pressure. If reversible flap 334 were to traverse the backhand 318 of the glove 300, the layer 342 would be situated on the exterior. Irrespective of how the glove 300 is knitted, the layers 340 and 342 of the reversible flap 334 may be knitted interchangeably. In other words, different yarns may be incorporated into either the layer 340, 342 of the reversible flap 334. The reversible flap 334 can therefore be specified for different needs. For example, if a high-heat job is being performed, it behooves the wearer to use a glove in which the heat-resistant yarn is exterior on the reversible flap 334 so as to protect the back of the hand from radiant heat and spatter.

In some embodiments according to the invention, the reversible flap 334 has raised ridges knitted into the reversible flap by knitting over the same area until the height of the ridge is built up, as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/598,134, which was filed on Feb. 13, 2012, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Ridges of this type provide additional grip while on the palm side as well as providing an insulating effect from heat as less surface area of the glove contacts the hot metal. If the ridges are disposed on the back hand side, additional cut- and impact-resistance is imparted to the glove.

FIG. 8 depicts a glove 400, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The glove 400 comprises a liner 401, and includes a thumb 402, an index finger 404, a middle finger 406, a ring finger 408, and a little finger 410, knitted from a breathable, heat- and flame-resistant yarn. In some embodiments, the liner 401 is knitted from a carbonized and/or oxidized polyacrylonitrile yarn (OPAN), or yarn blend including OPAN, such as CARBONX®. The glove 400 also comprises an adjustable cuff 414 and a gauntlet 412. As discussed below, the glove 400 further comprises a knit-writ style undersleeve, discussed below.

The liner 401 has a heat-resistant insulation 416 disposed on the backhand side of the glove and a thumb-welt 424 disposed in the crotch between the thumb 402 and the index finger 404, which may be attached by sewing, adhesives, or otherwise attached. In some embodiments, the thumb-welt 424, which comprises leather or suede, which is optionally textured for enhanced grip, is attached with a double-stitch of KEVLAR® threads. In some embodiments of the invention, a leather or suede patch 420 is disposed in selected regions of the glove 400, such as by sewing or adhesives.

The glove 400 further comprises an index finger/trigger-finger 404 designed for enhanced comfort, flexibility, and tactility. For example, an index finger 404, comprises a yarn of a lighter denier than other regions of the glove, thus producing a glove in which the thickness of the liner 401 is not constant throughout the glove, even if the base yarn is the same thickness. In some embodiments, the index finger 404 may be only one-third the thickness of other regions of the liner 401. In other embodiments of the invention, the index finger 404 comprises a yarn that is both lighter and different than the rest of the liner. Moreover, a lighter denier yarn comprising the index finger may be plaited into the index finger 404.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section taken along line 9-9 of the glove of FIG. 8, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 9 includes the detail of a gauntlet 412 and an inner knit-writ undersleeve 428, which is attached to the gauntlet 412 by a knitted portion 426. The knitted portion 426 is adhered to the gauntlet 412, which comprises, for example, leather, suede, or cowhide, by stitching. The knitted portion 426 and the knit-writ undersleeve 428 are knitted integrally with the liner 401. The knit-writ undersleeve 428 is designed to be stretchy and fit tightly but comfortably under the sleeve of the wearer. In some embodiments, the knit-writ undersleeve 428 comprises an elastic yarn, such as LYCRA® or SPANDEX®. The gauntlet 412 comprises a wider diameter so that it may fit comfortably over the sleeve of the wearer. Working in conjunction, the gauntlet 412 and the knit-writ undersleeve 428 keep spatter, burning embers of metal, “berries,” and other hot, particulate matter from entering the glove 400 or the shirtsleeve of the wearer, preventing burning the wearer. Importantly, embodiments of the invention comprising the gauntlet 412 and the knit-writ undersleeve 428 protect the wearer during both overhead welding operations as well as when the hands of the welder are much lower and the wrists of the wearer are turned up, creating a versatile glove appropriate for all uses.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross section taken along line 10-10 of the cross section of the glove 400 depicted in FIG. 9, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. FIG. 10 demonstrates that the knit-writ undersleeve 428 is in the interior of the glove 400 and is shorter than the gauntlet 428. In other words, the knit-writ undersleeve 428 is tight against the wrist of the wearer and extends past the wrist while the gauntlet 428 extends much further towards the elbow of the wearer. In some embodiments of the invention, the gauntlet 428 extends up to and past the elbow of the wearer.

FIG. 11 depicts an overglove 500, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. An overglove may be used, for example, as an additional layer of protection, temporarily disposed on another glove as a detachable covering. An overglove can be particularly useful because of the ease of donning and doffing from another glove. For example, the overglove 500 comprises a thumb 502, an index finger 504, and a middle finger 506 and an opening 514 for receiving one or more fingers 504, 506 and/or thumb 502, and optionally, a truncated cuff 512. Also, an optional polymeric coating 510, such as a high-heat and/or flame resistant coating, may be disposed thereon. Moreover, the overglove 500 may have a reversible flap, as described above, for additional protection from hazards and/or to secure the overglove 500 to another glove or directly to the fingers/thumb of a wearer.

The overglove 500 may comprise a one-, two- or three-finger knitted overglove, and further comprising a thumb. The overglove 500 comprises heat-resistant yarns, cut-resistant yarns, and/or both yarns, similar to any liner or glove disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present invention, a glove having both cut-resistant and heat-resistant yarns may have one layer in which some regions have one or the other yarn. In other words, the overglove 500 may comprise, for example, an index finger 504 and a middle finger 506 knitted from a cut-resistant yarn and a thumb 502 knitted from a heat-resistant yarn or vice-versa. In yet some other embodiments of the invention, both yarns are present in the same region, for example by plaiting, as discussed below. For example, the overglove 500 may comprise a thumb 502 in which the thumb region includes a cut-resistant yarn plaited with a heat-resistant yarn and an index finger 504 having only a cut-resistant or heat-resistant yarn. Any combination of yarns in the finger, or thumb, whether a plaited layer and a non-plaited layers, and whether a single or double layer, is possible. Also, the overglove 500 may be detachably placed over any other glove or a bare hand. The knitted overglove 500 may, optionally, comprise any of the features of FIGS. 1-10, e.g., any yarns, any vertically or horizontally knitted structures, and coating, fasteners, adjustable cuff, or any others features associated with the embodiments indicated in FIGS. 1-10.

In any glove or liner disclosed herein, additional fabric layers may be plaited into the glove or liner, and can be knitted in several ways. For example, an additional layer can be formed by changing a main yarn to an additional cut resistant yarn while varying stitch dimensions, for example, yarn tension. The tension of the yarn may be varied by adjusting the tension of the yarn between a pinch roller and a knitting head by computer control of a knitting machine, as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,422, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Stitch dimensions can also be controlled by varying the depth of penetration of the knitting needle into the knitted glove, formed by a main yarn, and by casting off or picking up additional stitches in a knitted course. An additional layer may also be formed by variable plaiting the additional cut resistant yarn on top of the main yarn while varying the tension of the plaited cut resistant yarn. Liners may be formed with, for example and not by way of limitation, the SWG, SFG-I and NSFG model machines of Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd. Substituting or plaiting one course at a certain tension forms a glove having additional cut resistance. Knitting two or more courses, such as three, four, five, etc., to as many as is practical, courses, provides a glove having an even greater density to the additional layer, thereby providing a glove having enhanced cut-resistance. Furthermore, some gloves or liners comprise a three-dimensional aspect. For example, regions may comprise tapered sections or variable thickness layers, bumpers, ridges, etc., or other structures on a knitted glove in a z-direction with respect to the horizontally and vertically knitted courses. Building up on a knitted course in a z-direction also provides zonal reinforcement in desired regions of the glove.

In some embodiments of the invention, the main body yarn comprises highly stretching yarns, such as SPANDEX® or LYCRA®, which imparts stretchability for ease of donning, doffing, and comfort during use. Also, the main body yarn may comprise yarns capable of moisture management, such as STA-COOL® polyesters, HYDROTEC®, AQUARIUS®, and DRYENERGY®. Such yarns have high wicking properties, which promote the transfer of moisture away from wet or sweaty skin to less wet areas or to reservoirs for eventual storage and/or evaporation, technologies that are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/571,569, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

All gloves in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may comprise yarns having colors contrasting to each other. Where the color of one region of the glove differs from another region, the user can easily and visually identify the particular glove type, so that where a particular glove is heat- and/or flame-resistant, cut-resistant, or other properties is known to the user.

All gloves in accordance with embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this application may comprise a polymeric, elastomeric, or latex coating disposed on all or part of the gloves. Transparent or translucent coatings provide a glove in which the indicia provided by different colored yarns, as discussed above, may still be known to the user. Coatings may comprise natural or synthetic coatings or mixtures thereof. Any knitted liner may be coated with a material. For example, a latex coating may comprise a natural latex, such as guayule or polyisoprene, synthetic latexes, such as synthetic polyisoprene, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, non-carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, butyl latex, polychloroprene, nitriles, aqueous- and non-aqueous-polyurethanes, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, and the like, or mixtures thereof. The coating on liners can comprise a palm dip, knuckle dip, finger dip, three-quarters dip, full dip, and the like as needed for specific applications using the dip processes as described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,571, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, knitted liners of any glove of the present invention may be dipped or sprayed with a coagulant, such as calcium nitrate and the like. The coagulant causes the polymeric coating to set on the fabric of the liner, preventing strikethrough of the coating. Also, gloves in accordance with embodiments of the invention may further comprise coatings that are foamed (open cell or closed cell) or unfoamed. Additionally, coatings may be built up in layers or in varying thickness. The layers may comprise the same or different polymeric materials. Additionally, the coatings may further comprise textured surfaces (not shown). Open cell and closed cell foamed layers and/or textured coatings may impart additional friction during use, allowing superior gripability and safety properties, such as is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,378,043, 7,771,644, and 8,001,809 which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A liner, comprising:

a knitted liner having a thumb portion and finger portions; and

a reversible flap attached to the knitted liner;

wherein the reversible flap is capable of traversing the palm side or backhand side of the knitted liner and can be secured thereto.

2. The liner of claim 1, wherein the reversible flap is knitted as an integral part of the knitted liner.

3. The liner of claim 2, further comprising a reversible flap disposed on a cuff, wherein the reversible flap includes a fastener capable of securing the reversible flap to the cuff.

4. The liner of claim 1, further comprising an opening for anchoring or securing the flap to the thumb portion or finger portions.

5. The liner of claim 1, wherein the reversible flap further comprises heat- and flame-resistant and cut-resistant yarns.

6. The liner of claim 1, wherein the reversible flap includes a first yarn layer and a second yarn layer.

7. The liner of claim 5, wherein the first yarn layer comprises a heat- and flame-resistant yarn and the second yarn layer comprises a cut-resistant yarn.

8. The liner of claim 1, further comprising a coating.

9. The liner of claim 1, wherein the liner comprises a detachable overglove having a thumb and one-, two-, or three-fingers.

10. The liner of claim 1, wherein the knitted liner includes one or more zones.

11. The liner of claim 10, wherein the zones have knitted courses comprising loops knitted from at least one yarn.

12. The liner of claim 11, wherein the loops are vertically disposed along a longitudinal axis of the liner in at least one zone.

13. The liner of claim 12, wherein the loops are horizontally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the liner.

14. The liner of claim 5, wherein the coating comprises natural latex, guayule, polyisoprene, synthetic latexes, non-carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene, butyl latex, polychloroprene, polyurethane, styrene-butadiene, acrylonitrile-butadiene, nitriles, or blends thereof.

15. A liner, comprising:

a knitted liner comprising a flame- and heat-resistant fabric, the knitted liner in the shape of a glove having an opening for receiving a hand;

at least one patch of heat insulation attached to the knitted liner;

an undersleeve attached to the knitted liner; and

a gauntlet attached to the knitted liner,

wherein the undersleeve is attached within the gauntlet and the undersleeve and gauntlet prevent foreign materials from entering the opening and harming the wearer of the liner.

16. The liner of claim 15, further comprising a thumb-welt.

17. The liner of claim 15, further comprising a coating disposed on the knitted liner.

18. The liner of claim 15, further comprising a reversible flap.

19. The liner of claim 18, wherein the reversible flap is knitted as an integral part of the knitted liner.

20. The liner of claim 19, further comprising a heat insulating patch disposed on the reversible flap.