CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS A provisional U.S. patent application was filed on May 8, 2019 for this non-provisional filing by William C. Moseley. Application No., 62/845,272 with confirmation number 3553 entitled Handwear with Differentiated Padding on Finger Area.
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR A provisional U.S. patent application was filed by this inventor, William C. Moseley. Application number, 62/845,272 with confirmation number 3553 entitled Handwear with Differentiated Padding on Finger Area.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT Not applicable
INCORPORATION -BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB) Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of this invention relates to handwear, gloves and mitten, that are used in cold weather and keep fingers and thumbs warm while allowing for bending and movement of fingers, more specifically designed in a way that a base glove or mitten has sewn into it an area of insulation located in parts of finger and thumb not covering the joint areas, covering them to keep warm and enable motion.
Description of the related art is described as follows.
Gloves protect the hands from injury due to activities such as bicycling, boxing, martial arts, kayaking, mountain biking. There are different types of gloves with padding such as cycling with distributed padding across the glove to avoid or reduce injury, a number of prior art patents have been cited, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos 10,104,924; 4,742,579. These gloves are different than the current invention because the padding is located on the hand position where there is impact like at the knuckles for boxing, or at the palm of the hand for bicycling when gripping the handlebars on the bicycle.
There is padding in gloves at the knuckles for protection for contusions or lacerations caused by rocks or other materials that will commonly fly into the hands causing injury when contact is made. Ski gloves with padding and that padding are used for blocking wind and snow and the extra padding is located around the knuckles. This type of padding can make it hard to bend fingers which is addressed by the current invention in the lower amount of insulation at the finger and knuckle joints.
There are liners that will fit into gloves that will add additional warmth, examples such as Alaska Bear, Terramar Thermasilk, Seirus Innovation 2240 and Bowint Silk Gloves Liner. Yet, these liners do not address the underlying problem of the fingers being bound up by the liner and restricting movement of the knuckles and could possibly cause the hands to overheat with the liner and over gloves on, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,271,596; 9,642,406
Some gloves have an arched panel and vent that improve circulation while also providing air flow, a number of prior art patents have been cited, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,802,105; 8,966,663; 9,919,199. The current invention addresses movement at the knuckle while warmth in the fingers and hand and is not focused on air circulation.
Some gloves have an openable design to adjust the level of insulation and regulate temperature, a number of prior art patents have been cited, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,306,936;
Some gloves have variable padding throughout the glove with at least three layers, a liner, a middle insulating layer and an outer layer, and although there is a flexible zone for joint movement, the three layers of fabric at the joint can be bulky and still can impede movement of the joints, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,526,817; 6,718,556. The current invention describes less fabric at the finger and knuckle joints to enable movement and then more insulation between the joints to enable warmth.
There are different kinds of gloves, with external heating elements such as microwavable, or plug-in heating elements to heat the gloves or a microwavable mitten that allows the mitten to be put in the microwave and the heat to be absorbed into the mitten and used by the wearer, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,572744. Battery powered heated handwear use batteries to power the heating device within the handwear in order to keep the user's hands warm, however, these are somewhat bulky requiring positioning of the battery pack in a pocket, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,187,814.
However this is focused on heating the entire fingers and hands rather than movement of joints along with hand warmth as this application describes.
Gloves are used to help manage a disease such as arthritis, circulation problems, Reynaud's Syndrome which results in the excessive coldness of hands. Gloves are also used for managing injuries also include carpet tunnel or stress applied to the hands due to too tight a grip while the padding softens these effects. However, the invention described here enables both movement and warmth.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The current invention is a design of gloves that has padding between the joint of the fingers and then at the joints of the fingers and hands there is less padding and more elasticity. In this way, where there is not the same thickness and/or uniformity of padding throughout the glove, making it easier for the fingers and hands to bend and grasp. Conventional gloves have padding throughout the finger areas and it is very difficult to bend the fingers. Also, having extra padding between the joints can help keep the fingers warm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the improved glove having uniform enhanced insulation indicated dark hashed lines positioned thereon;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backhand side of the improved glove having uniform enhanced insulation indicated dark hashed lines positioned thereon;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the improved mitten having uniform enhanced insulation indicated dark hashed lines positioned thereon;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the backhand side of the improved mitten having uniform enhanced insulation indicated dark hashed lines positioned thereon;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the improved glove having enhanced insulation indicated in dark hashed lines, with gaps in insulation indicated by white areas between the dark hash lines to enable joint movement;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the backhand side of the improved glove having enhanced insulation indicated in dark hashed lines, with gaps in insulation indicated by white areas between the dark hash lines to enable joint movement;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the improved mitten having enhanced insulation indicated in dark hashed lines, with gaps in insulation indicated by white areas between the dark hash lines to enable joint movement;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the backhand side of the improved mitten having enhanced insulation indicated in dark hashed lines, with gaps in insulation indicated by white areas between the dark hash lines to enable joint movement;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the improved glove having uniform enhanced insulation throughout the glove except the joints which are indicated with white color to enable joint movement;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the backhand side of the improved glove having uniform enhanced insulation throughout the glove except the joints which are indicated with white color to enable joint movement;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the palm portion of the improved mitten having uniform enhanced insulation throughout the mitten except the joints which are indicated with white color to enable joint movement;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the backhand side of the improved mitten having uniform enhanced insulation throughout the mitten except the joints which are indicated with white color to enable joint movement;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the glove of the invention is shown on its palm portion. The glove can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1 uniformly. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The palm portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly through the palm. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. This interface of enhanced padding 1 and regular thickness 2 are sewn together using conventional sewing and well known and understood by those skilled in the art and are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints on the palm portion of the hand will compress in without impedance by enhanced padding and enable the fingers and thumb to bend, wherein the padding covering the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb, allowing to make a fist or grip. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the glove of the invention is shown on its back hand portion. The finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 have enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1 uniformly on the backhand side, FIG. 2. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The back of hand portion, 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly from the knuckles to the wrist. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white, with no hatched lines. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding 2 is made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints can protrude into the regular padding 2, wherein the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the mitten of the invention is shown on its palm portion. The mitten can be seen having the finger portions 1 and thumb portions 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on all the fingers 1 and the thumb 1 portion. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The palm portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly through the palm. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white, with no hatched lines. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. This interface of enhanced padding 1 and regular thickness 2 are sewn together using conventional sewing and well known and understood by those skilled in the art and are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints on the palm portion of the hand will compress in without impedance by enhanced padding and enable the fingers and thumb to bend, wherein the padding covering the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb, allowing to make a fist or grip. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the mitten of the invention is shown on its back hand portion. The mitten can be seen having the finger portions 1 and the thumb portions 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on all the finger portions 1 and thumb portions 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The back of hand portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly from the knuckles to the wrist. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white, with no hatched lines. The location on the mitten that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding 2 on the knuckle is made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints can protrude into the regular padding 1, wherein the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the glove of the invention is shown on its palm portion. The glove can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The palm portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly through the palm. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the glove with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, the distal interphalangeal and the proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, the interphalangeal. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints on the palm portion of the hand will compress in without impedance by enhanced padding and enable the fingers and thumb to bend, wherein the padding covering the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb, and also to allow for making a fist or grip. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the glove of the invention is shown on its back hand portion. The glove can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The back of hand portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly through the back of the hand. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the glove with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints can protrude into the regular padding 3, wherein the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the mitten of the invention is shown on its palm portion. The mitten can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The palm portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly through the palm. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the mitten with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the mitten that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints on the palm portion of the hand will compress in without impedance by enhanced padding and enable the fingers and thumb to bend, wherein the padding covering the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the mitten of the invention is shown on its back hand portion. The mitten can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The back of hand portion 2 has regular thickness of padding uniformly through the back of the hand. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the mitten with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the mitten that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 2 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints can protrude into the regular padding 3, wherein the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the glove of the invention is shown on its palm portion. The glove can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The palm portion has enhanced padding uniformly through the palm 1. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the glove with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is regular thickness 3 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints on the palm portion of the hand will compress in without impedance by enhanced padding and enable the fingers and thumb to bend, wherein the padding covering the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb, and also to allow for making a fist or grip. The enhanced padding 1 on the palm will enhance the insulation and keep the warmth on the palm. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 10 of the drawings, the glove of the invention is shown on its back hand portion. The glove can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The back of hand portion has enhanced thickness of padding uniformly through the back of the hand. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the glove with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the glove that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 3 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints can protrude into the regular padding 3, wherein the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 11 of the drawings, the mitten of the invention is shown on its palm portion. The mitten can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The palm portion has enhanced thickness of padding 1 uniformly through the palm. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the mitten with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the mitten that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 3 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints on the palm portion of the hand will compress in without impedance by enhanced padding and enable the fingers and thumb to bend, wherein the padding covering the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
Referring now to FIG. 12 of the drawings, the mitten of the invention is shown on its back hand portion. The mitten can be can be seen having the finger portions 1 and a thumb portion 1 with enhanced padding that are positioned on the fingers 1 and thumb 1, with regular thickness 3 between the enhanced thickness 1. The enhanced padding portion is shown in darker hatched lines. The back of hand portion has enhanced thickness of padding 1 uniformly through the back of the hand. The regular thickness of padding is shown in white with no hatched lines. The location on the mitten with regular thickness 3 is at the two joints on the fingers, distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal and the joint on the thumb, interphalangeal. The location on the mitten that meets where there is enhanced padding 1 and where there is no enhanced padding 3 is at the knuckle, also called metacarpophalangeal joint on all fingers and thumb. The location of the regular padding on the fingers 3 and thumb 3 that have enhanced padding 1 on either side of the regular padding 3 are made of material with some stretch so that when the fingers and thumb bend at the joints, the joints can protrude into the regular padding 3, wherein the rest of the fingers and thumb with enhanced padding 1 stay in position to maintain warmth of the fingers and thumb. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be either thicker material and/or a different type of material to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1. The material for the enhanced padding 1 can be made of material such as cotton, wool, denim, microfiber, polyester, rayon, flannel, fleece and other common fabric to enhance the insulation and keep the warmth surrounding the fingers 1 and thumb 1.
The directionality of the placement of the enhanced fabric on the glove of the invention FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 can be any direction, along the length of the fingers or thumb, crossing the width of the fingers or thumb, wrapping around the fingers or thumb, or as a sleeve slipped onto the fingers or thumb to cover both the palm side of the fingers and thumb and also to cover the backhand side of the fingers and thumb.
The regular padding 3 is preferably secured to the gloves enhanced padding by replacing selective glove material in the defined areas by sewing or similar fabric adjoining techniques common to glove construction.
