NO-LICK GLOVE

Abstract

A glove has a body portion configured to engage a user's hand. One or more protrusions extending outward from the body portion, wherein the one or more protrusions extend at an acute angle relative to one another. A contacting member attached to a distal end of each of the one or more protrusions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of specialized gloves and finger coverings.

2. Description of Related Art

Fine motor skills and dexterity of a person's fingers or digits is an adaptation built out of necessity. Figures are used to touch, grasp, hold, separate, and move objects every day. For example, when collating document, counting money, or opening bags, fingers are used to carefully detect one object from another and manipulate the objects such that separation occurs, where desired.

Natural oils are secreted by the body for a number of reasons. While these oils are necessary and advantageous for particular applications, they are also a hindrance an problematic when trying to create positive contact between the surface of an object that the user's skin. For example, when opening a jar of a stuck container, the oils can reduce the amount of friction and prevent positive contact between the user's fingers and the lid. Also, when counting money or separating documents, it can be difficult to efficiently separate large quantities of paper or other flat material due to the lack of positive contact between the finger and the paper.

The contact necessary to separate such objects needs to be greater than the forces of attraction between the two or more contacting objects. Using the money counting example, the first bill is in contact with the second bill such that friction acts to hold the two bills in place, relative to one another. Someone wanting to separate the bills needs to generate enough force on the first bill to slide it away from, or pull it off of the second bill.

Currently, and traditionally, someone may lick their fingers prior to trying to separate the objects. The saliva acts as an adhesive where proteins and enzymes increase surface area contact and friction to separate the objects. While this may be initially effective, it is extremely non-hygienic. Bodily fluids such as saliva can carry communicable disease between users contacting the same surfaces. Further, the efficacy of the saliva is temporary requiring the user to repeatedly lick their fingers throughout the process which can transfer bacterial, microorganisms, and viruses from the object to the user during subsequent licks.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a device providing for a positive engagement between a user's hands or fingers and objects, which the user desires to engage. A device is needed that will allow for increased frictional forces or adhesion between the user's fingers and the objects to allow for easier removal, retention, and separation of the objects, without requiring that the user be put at a health risk, as associated with licking their fingers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A glove has a body portion configured to engage a user's hand. One or more protrusions extending outward from the body portion, wherein the one or more protrusions extend at an acute angle relative to one another. A contacting member attached to a distal end of each of the one or more protrusions.

In an embodiment, the glove has a hollow interior, wherein the body portion, each of the one or more protrusions, and the contacting member have a continuous surface area.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more protrusions extends from the body portion as a linear member, wherein a user's finger is exposed, wherein the one or more protrusions are positioned at an anterior portion of the user's figure.

In an embodiment, the contacting member defines a hollow interior, wherein the contacting member is comprised of a material configured to facilitate a friction engagement with an object.

In an embodiment, each of the contacting members are a loop of material, wherein each of the one or more protrusions is attached to separate contacting members at a distal end of the one or more protrusions, relative to the body portion.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more protrusions comprises a resilient material.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more protrusions contour a user's finger, when in use.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more protrusions increases a user's grip on an object.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of the no-lick glove, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a prospective view of the no-lick glove, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-2.

A no-lick glove has a body portion having one or more projections extending outward therefrom. The one or more projections are attached to the body portion and the combination of the body portion and the projections form a hollow interior of the glove. The hollow interior accommodates a user's hand to be inserted therein.

Materials of the glove are sufficient to increase frictional forces between an exterior surface of the glove and an object. For example, latex or rubber may increased the frictional forces between the glove and the object, thereby facilitating a manipulation of the object.

In an embodiment, the one or more projections extend outward from the body and contact an anterior portion of the user's hand when in use. At a distal end of each of the protrusions is a contacting member configured to contact an object for manipulation.

The contacting members are configured to engage the distal portion of the user's finger. For example, each contacting member may have a cavity interior defined by a contoured portion of material attached to the distal end of each of the protrusions. The cavity accepts the distal portion of the user's finger.

In an alternative embodiment, the contacting members releasably engage the distal portion of the user's fingers. For example, a look of material may provide for a contacting member whereby the protrusion extending from the body is attached, at the distal end of the protrusion, to the contacting member. The contacting member may then be wrapped around the user's finger until each end of the loop of the contacting member contacts and is attached to each other. In this embodiment, the user's terminal end of their figure may be exposed, while a contacting member is positioned substantially near the distal end of the user's finger.

In user, the user inserts at least one hand, initially into the body portion. The figures proceed through the body portion and each finger follows a corresponding protrusion until the distal end of the finger engages the distal end of the protrusions, wherein the contacting member becomes an intermediary contacting surface between the user's finger an object to be manipulated.

In an embodiment, the protrusions are comprised of a resilient material such as a metal or plastic having a memory to ensure an initial linear shape but allowing for contouring to the curvature and angles of the user's joints of their finger, when in use.

In another embodiment, each of the protrusions may provide for a plurality of jointed sections in communication with one another. The jointed sections promote articulation of the user's fingers, when in use.

In another embodiment, the protrusions may facilitate gripping strength of the user. For example, the material comprising the protrusions may support a positive engagement when an object is contacted by the user. The protrusions may be mechanically, or electrically supported to facilitate increased gripping strength and forces initiated by the user curling their fingers within the glove. For example, as the user engaged a cylindrical object, the protrusion members are activated based on the dynamic position of angles or curvatures within the protrusions based on the user's finger placement. The activation of the one or more protrusions initiates a cascade of supporting mechanisms allowing for support of the user's grip by the protrusions.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.

Claims

1. A glove comprises:

a. a body portion configured to engage a user's hand;

b. one or more protrusions extending outward from the body portion, wherein the one or more protrusions extend at an acute angle relative to one another;

c. a contacting member attached to a distal end of each of the one or more protrusions.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove has a hollow interior, wherein the body portion, each of the one or more protrusions, and the contacting member have a continuous surface area.

3. The glove of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more protrusions extends from the body portion as a linear member, wherein a user's finger is exposed, wherein the one or more protrusions are positioned at an anterior portion of the user's figure.

4. The glove of claim 1, wherein the contacting member defines a hollow interior, wherein the contacting member is comprised of a material configured to facilitate a friction engagement with an object.

5. The glove of claim 1, wherein each of the contacting members are a loop of material, wherein each of the one or more protrusions is attached to separate contacting members at a distal end of the one or more protrusions, relative to the body portion.

6. The glove of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more protrusions comprises a resilient material.

7. The glove of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more protrusions contour a user's finger, when in use.

8. The glove of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more protrusions increases a user's grip on an object.