Unibody Thermal Protection Mitts

Abstract

A thermal protector is provided for reducing the risk of burns associated with the handling of hot objects. The device has an elongated body with a pair of mitt style hand pockets disposed at opposing ends. The mitts protect a wearer's hands while the elongated body acts as a barrier between a hot object and the skin of a wearer's forearms. Disposed within the hand-shaped pockets are multi-chambered hidden pockets. These pockets have lengthwise chambers adapted to hold pens, kitchen utensils, and the like. When the device is not in use, it may be folded in half and hung by a handle. In the stowed position, the multi-chambered pockets are upright, enabling insertion and retention of objects.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/869,439 filed on Aug. 23, 2013, entitled “Connectible Multi-Purpose Thermally Resistant Mitts.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to thermal protection devices for kitchen use. More specifically, it relates to a pair of oven mitts designed to protect a wearer's hands and forearms with a durable heat resistant covering. The device has a unibody construction that can be folded for storage. Bakers, potters, and any other person who regularly exposes their arms to heated materials will appreciate the protection provided by the invention.

Ever since man learned to wield fire, people have been inadvertently burning their skin on heated objects. Objects such as rocks, bricks, and metals are all capable of maintaining substantial thermal energy without structural decomposition. For this reason, these materials are ideal cooking substrates. The material is heated in a fire, with thermal coils, or the like, and then radiates thermal energy into the surrounding air. Things placed upon or within proximity to the heated material will begin to cook. This includes any exposed skin that touches the heated materials. Though still employing this same concept, cooking technology evolved from simple campfire to elaborate oven and kiln structures. Reaching a hand or arm inside an oven is certainly safer than reaching one's hand into a burning fire, but the materials inside an oven are still capable of leaving serious burns if they contact exposed skin.

Methods of protecting the hands and arms from exposure to hot materials have evolved alongside cooking technologies. Early attempts at hand protection were rudimentary, and involved the wrapping of cloth or leather around the hands prior to lifting a hot item. But, loose rags and leathers are prone to slipping, and can leave the user's skin exposed at the most inconvenient of times. Gloves were made to address this problem. Over time the gloves became more intricate until the quilted padding gloves of today were developed. These gloves are large mittens made from multiple layers of heat resistant material quilted together. Oven mitts may also be made from silicon, which provides a lightweight thermal protector that can be molded into a variety of shapes.

The problem with available oven mitts is that they only protect the wearer's hands and fingers. The tender skin of the inner forearm is not covered when a person wears standard mitt style thermal protectors. Whenever a person reaches into a hot stove the forearms can contact heated materials and become damaged. A thermal protector device is needed that covers the hands, fingers, and forearms of a user to prevent burns. The present invention has a unibody construction that covers a wearer's hands, fingers, and inner arms when in use.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to thermal protectors for the hands. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to individual mitt style thermal protectors. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

The concept of a double oven mitt, or two connected oven mitts, was described in Simonoff, U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,464. This device includes an elongated wall having hand shaped portions at opposing ends. A corresponding hand shaped portion is secured to the upper side edges of the opposing ends to form two hand shaped pockets. The pockets receive the wearer's right and left hand when in use. During wear, the elongated portion of the double oven mitt covers the interior forearms of the user, thereby protecting the skin from exposure to intense heat. Though this device is similar to the present invention, it does not have pockets disposed within the hand shaped end portions, for storing pens, notepads, and other loose objects.

Double oven mitts have been disclosed with a variety of finger configurations. Collins, U.S. Design Pat. No. D527,493 shows an example design for a double oven mitt with glove style end portions. Conversely, Holcomb, U.S. Pat. No. 1,464,529 teaches a double oven mitt with no finger receiving areas. The end portions of the Holcom invention are semi-ovular pockets adapted to cover a user's entire hand. Unlike the present invention, these devices do not disclose interior pockets disposed within the hand portions of the device. The pockets of the present invention facilitate storage of loose kitchen items, and the Collins and Holcom devices are not adapted for this task.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. They do not provide any storage or organizational structures. The present invention addresses the need for storing small kitchen items by including interior pockets within the hand portions of the mitts. It substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing thermal protective devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of thermal protective devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new arm protector and storage pocket wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when lifting hot objects out of an oven.

The present invention protects the arms, hands, and fingers of wearers lifting heated objects. The device has an elongated body with hand shaped end portions, and two corresponding hand shaped upper portions secured to the hand shaped ends of the body to form two mitts at opposing ends of the body. These mitts are sized to receive the hand of a user and are designed with a thumb protrusion that is partially separated from the rest of the mitt to receive and retain the thumb of the wearer.

In the center of the body is disposed a hook. This hook enables easy storage of the device via hanging. The device is folded in half such that the hook protrudes upwardly, and then removably secured to a convenient hanging location. While the device is stowed, miscellaneous items may be placed within interior pockets disposed within the mitts. Pockets may be pen pockets, or general-purpose pockets. Items such as pens, notepads, measuring tape, and meat thermometers may be stored within the pockets. In this way the device reduces kitchen clutter and places baking items in a central location.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved thermal protector device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a thermal protection device that covers a user's hands, fingers, and forearms. Wearers of the device are able to lift hot objects without fear that their arms will come into contact with the heated object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal protection device that has pockets for convenient storage of kitchen items.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal protector that includes a hook to enable easy storage of the device when not in use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device in use. The wearer is lifting a large pot from the oven and the device covers all areas of the arm that would normally come into contact with the pot.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the thermal protector in a stowed state. Kitchen implements are stored within the interior pocket and protrude upward therefrom.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the thermal protector laid out on a surface and in use as a potholder.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the thermal protector folded in half to expose both the front and rear portions of the ends.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section view of an end portion of the oven mitt. The interior pocket is shown disposed within the mitt portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the thermal protector device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for protecting the hands and forearms of a person lifting hot objects. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an overhead view of the thermal protector over mitts in use. The wearer's hands are inserted into hand shaped pockets on the left 130 and right side of the thermal protector 100. The hand-shaped pockets are connected to the front surface 111 of the device body 110. The body is a unitary length serving as a backing upon which the pockets are secured. The body extends the entire length of the device and represents the primary structure. When the wearer grasps a hot object, the body of the thermal protector provides a barrier between the interior of the user's forearm and the hot object. In this manner, the device facilitates the pickup and maneuvering of hot objects with minimal risk of the object burning the wearer.

The thermal protector is shown in a stowed state in FIG. 2. A handle 150 is secured to the device body 110 at a bisecting point along the body length. The handle protrudes outward from the front surface of the body, enabling easy securement to a hook 200. When the body is folded in half with the front surface exposed, the handle can be secured to a hook, doorknob, or other suitable protrusion. As shown in the figure, the stowed device hands downward from a hook when not in use.

A storage pocket 140 is disposed within the hand-shaped pockets on both sides of the device. This pocket is a multi-chambered pocket formed by material secured to the front face of the device body. In a preferred embodiment the storage pocket is a set of chambers aligned in parallel with the device body. When the thermal protector is in a stowed state, objects such as kitchen implements 210, pens, and thermometers may be placed within the chambers of the pockets. Thus the device provides a convenient storage means for commonly used kitchen items.

The device's thermal protection properties make it ideal for use as a multi-object potholder. Shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the thermal protector in use as a potholder. The device 100 is laid out in an extended configuration on a tabletop. A plurality of warm dishes 220 is placed upon the upper or lower surface of the device body. Items may also be placed upon the hand-shaped pocket portions. Using the device as a barrier between a temperature sensitive surface and multiple hot items reduces the need for multiple potholders.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the thermal protector folded in half. The elongated body 110 forms the base of the device. It has a front surface 111 and a rear surface 112, which may be made of the same material. Alternatively the rear surface may be an anti-slip material such as rubber or silicon, or any other flexible material having a high coefficient of friction. In the illustrated embodiment the hand-shaped pockets 120 (130 disposed on opposing side of body) are only present on the front surface of the elongated body. This provides a flat rear surface that is advantageous when using the device as a potholder.

Referring finally to FIG. 5, there is shown an overhead view of the elongated device 100. Opposing ends of the device body 110 have a generally hand-shaped structure 120, 130. The ends of the body are convexly rounded to correspond with placement of a wearer's forefingers. On one side of the end portion a section of the body protrudes outward at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees from the end. This protruding portion 121, 131 corresponds to the placement of a wearer's thumb. To form the hand-shaped pocket, a second portion of material corresponding in shape to the hand-shaped portion of the body, is secured along its perimeter to the perimeter of the body hand-shaped portion. An inner edge is left unsecured to provide an access point to the interior of the pocket formed between the body and the second material portion. In a preferred embodiment, the unsecured edge corresponds to an area extending entirely across the front surface of the body, wherein the edge is the edge proximal to the handle 150. The interior of the pocket may be lined with a soft material for comfort during use.

In an alternative embodiment, a second layer of material is secured to the back surface hand-shaped portion perimeter, rather than just the front surface. In this embodiment, there is a hand-shaped pocket on both the front and rear surfaces of the ends of the elongated device body. This embodiment increases versatility of use and provides additional layers of thermal insulation.

Hidden pockets having a plurality of individual chambers are disposed within the hand-shaped pockets. The ends of the pockets proximal to the ends of the device body are secured to the front surface of the device body, while the edge of the pocket proximal to the handle is left open. As shown in FIG. 2 above, the device can be used to hold kitchen items, via placement of items within the chambered pockets.

The specific material construction of the device may vary. It may consist entirely of multiple fabric layers quilted together, entirely of thermally protective silicon, or a combination thereof.

The present invention is a thermal protector for the hands and forearms of a user. The device has two mitt-shaped portions attached via a single elongated body. In use, the wearer places hands and fingers within the hand-shaped pockets and adjusts his or her arms to correspond in position to the elongated body. In this way the elongated body provides protection to the affected skin. Unlike previous double oven mitts, the present invention provides multi-chambered storage pockets that are designed to contain pens, kitchen implements, and other small items. This addition increases the function and utility of the device and provides additional benefits to a user.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A thermal protective device for protecting the hands, fingers, and forearms of a wearer from exposure to hot objects, comprising:

an elongated body having a front and rear surface, and a first and second end, wherein said first and second ends have a convexly rounded outer edge and a protruding portion;

said protruding portions extending approximately forty-five degrees outward from said outer edge, such that said protruding portions result in said end portions having an overall hand-shape;

a handle secured to and bisecting said elongated body;

a set of hand-shaped portions of material secured to said front surface of said elongated body along said perimeter of said end portions and said protruding portions, wherein edges of said hand-shaped portions of material proximal to said handle are unsecured, thereby creating hand-shaped pockets at opposing ends of said elongated body;

multi-chambered hidden pockets disposed within said hand-shaped pockets.

2) The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second set of hand-shaped portions of material is secured to said rear surface of said device body end portions and protruding portions such that a second pair of hand-shaped pockets is disposed along said rear surface of said elongated body.

3) The device of claim 1, wherein an edge of said multi-chambered pockets distal from said handle is secured to said elongated body and an edge proximal to said handle is unsecured.

4) The device of claim 1, wherein said multi-chambered pockets are secured to said front surface of said elongated body.

5) The device of claim 1, wherein said hand-shaped pockets are lined with another layer of material, which is soft to the touch.

6) The device of claim 1, wherein said rear surface is a different material than said front surface.

7) The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is designed to removably secure with a hook or other protrusion when the device is stowed.

8) The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is attached to said front surface of said elongated body.