Abstract: The fingernail polish protector of the invention has a finger-encircling piece, elongated pieces extending in parallel from opposing sides of the finger-encircling piece, an upper piece hinged to one of the elongated pieces and latchable to the other elongated piece, and at least one lower finger-retaining portion extending downward between said finger encircling piece and the distal end of said elongated piece. The fingernail polish protector may also include an upper finger-retaining portion extending upward from an elongated piece. The protector may be attached to open ends of the fingers of a glove.

Abstract: A generally "L"-shaped bandage for use in retaining a dressing on a human penis and a method for using the bandage are disclosed. The bandage comprises a generally "L"-shaped cover member having an adhesive undersurface, wherein the longer leg of the "L" is comprised of a single strip of the cover member and the shorter leg of the "L" is comprised of three adjacent short strips of the cover member. In use, the three short strips which define the shorter leg of the "L" are adhered to the base of the penis and to the patient's skin adjacent the base of the penis, whereas the strip which defines the longer leg of the "L" is wrapped circumferentially around the shaft of the penis and around the dressing positioned on the penis.

Abstract: A protector for the under finger of a quilter is made from flexible vinyl having a slightly roughened upper surface and a thickness of about 13 mil. The back of the protector is provided with an adhesive so that it may be attached to the under finger easily. In the preferred embodiment, a number of protectors are provided on a strip from which a single protector may be detached.

Abstract: A single-finger gripping device is particularly useful for providing a non-slip grip surface at the pivot point between the handle of a golf club and the hand of a golfer using a conventional overhand grip. Preferably made of a thermoplastic material, the device is annularly shaped and fits around the index finger of a wearer without putting constricting pressure thereupon. The outer surface of the device is smooth and the inner surface has cleats which extend inwardly from the inner surface. The cleats provide friction between the device and a finger beneath when pressure on the club handle from the wearer's thumb presses the device against the finger. Perforations in the device provide good aeration to the finger as does the elevation of the ring away from the finger by the cleats.

Abstract: An archer's tab comprises a one piece blank having a first string facing panel which is connected by a pair of bands at opposite sides of the first panel to second and third finger panels. The finger panels are rotated through 360.degree. to superimpose and connect them to the first panel at connection areas on the panels which are spaced away from a finger tip and string engaging portion of the tab. A thong connected to a hole extending in the connection area of the tab is used to engage around the wrist to help hold the tab to the hand and preclude excessive opening motion of the fingers when the bow string is released.

Abstract: An orthopedic splint (10) comprises a neoprene rubber tube having an internal surface forming a curved splint passage (50) for snugly fitting on a joint (14, 16) to be treated and defining a radially directed internal ridge (52) extending lengthwise along the tube for pressing against the joint. The splint is constructed by folding in half a flat sheet of neoprene rubber (18), attaching free end portions (26, 28) of the sheet to form a transition tube (44) having a transition internal passasge (46), sewing a seam (40) in said free adjacent free edge portions to define a wedge shaped angle pointing away from the transition internal passage having an angle of between 140.degree.-160.degree., cutting away excess neoprene sheet so as to leave a V-shaped seam allowance (42) at the free edge portions beyond the seam to form the ridge, and turning the transition tube inside out to form the splint (10).

Abstract: A glove including a body formed with a plurality of finger stalls for receiving the fingers of an individual therewithin. Each finger stall includes a rigid socket positioned within an outer covering of the finger stall, wherein the outer covering is formed of a flame retardant material such as NOMEX.RTM.. A rigid cup-shaped socket member is fixedly mounted within each forward terminal end of each stall, with a fabric liner coextensively directed throughout the glove body interiorly thereof within each rigid socket to provide rigid surfaces to secure materials to be glued, as well as providing an outer material to avoid damage to an individual's hand due to exposure to a heated glue gun or an associated glue in a molten state. A modification of the invention includes a ferromagnetic inner socket selectively securing a ferrometallic outer socket that is replaceable in contamination of glue material and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in puncture-resistant and medicinal treatment garments. Garments made from fibers such as KEVLAR.RTM. and designed to deter penetration of objects are subjected to an additional brushing step to enhance the fibers' abilities to prevent penetration of sharp needle-like penetrating objects. The fibers may also be coated with an abrasive material to further engage and deflect penetrating objects. In another aspect of the invention, the fibers may be coated with a disinfectant or pharmaceutical agent. The coated fibers, having the improved fiber structure resulting from the brushing step, may be used in fabrics to treat skin conditions, disinfect penetrating objects in puncture-resistant materials, or as a disinfecting prevention fabric for use in textiles in high risk infection areas such as hospitals and public facilities.

Abstract: A fingernail shield includes a tube having a diameter larger than that of a typical human finger and an adhesive within the tube for securing the tube to a finger. The fingernail shield preferably has an octagonal cross-section and is tapered to form a frustum shape. The tube may have a notch at one end for locating the adhesive, and is preferably made of a transparent, colored plastic. A method of protecting drying polish on the nail of a finger using this shield, includes the steps of placing the shield around a finger over the nail, orienting the shield so that the adhesive is adjacent to the side of the finger opposite the nail, pressing the side of the finger opposite the nail against the adhesive to secure the shield to the finger, leaving the shield secured to the finger until the polish hardens, and pulling the finger out of the adhesive and withdrawing it from the shield.

Abstract: A method and specifically constructed surgical gloves and glove parts for protecting a user of a surgical instrument from protrusion through his own skin by the instrument he is manipulating to cut or suture a patient comprising the following steps:a) the user wearing surgical glovesb) adding a impervious protective pad to the especially selected surface area of the surgical gloves at a location in the hand or hands of the user where it is probable that the use or surgical procedure would result in the penetration by the surgical instrument through the skin of the user through the surgical glove or gloves.

Abstract: A device to encompass and engage with the thumb to substantially immobilize the metacarpalphalangeal joint, thereby preventing radial deviation of the thumb phalanx while leaving the interphalangeal joint with substantially full flexion.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved construction of finger and toe housing devices. It is adapted to be readily applied to the ends of fingers or toes for protecting injured and wounded areas.Still another aim of the invention is to improve and provide a housing construction that may be economically manufactured and sold to be worn in order to protect and enable the wearer to perform their duties in the home and office, requiring the use of the hands and legs during the recovery period.Still a further aim of the invention is to provide a strong protector of the class described of self-contained resilient molded bead-spine-hinged connected section having yieldable means of holding the sections in applied position with the built-in rear locking system 2 and 13, beyond the last joint of the finger or toe. Both sections 1 and 10 provide a convex apertured portion adapted to house the injured finger or toe during the recuperation period.

Abstract: The present invention entails a finger protector adapted to be secured to the backside of a baseball glove for receiving the normally exposed finger of the glove hand. In particular, the finger protector of the present invention is designed to be secured adjacent a finger opening formed in the back side of the glove through which the player's index finger extends. The finger protector of the present invention includes a relatively hard outer housing and internal padding material and wherein the housing and internal padding material form a finger receiving area that protects the player's finger when the finger is inserted within the housing.

Abstract: A packaged tampon 19 of the kind comprising a body of absorbent material intended for internal use in a body cavity to absorb blood, body secretions and the like, is enclosed in its own individual outer covering 17 and a disposable fingerstall 13 made of thin, flexible material such as polyethylene is also enclosed within the outer covering 17, said fingerstall 13 being adapted to cover the finger used to position the tampon in the body cavity. A method and an apparatus for producing a packaged tampon is also described.

Abstract: A manicure shield is set forth provided with an elongate convex shield to overlie a fingernail to prevent inadvertent contact with a nail and a foreign object during a drying procedure subsequent to the applying of a liquid convering and the like. The shield is formed with a plurality of parallel downwardly depending legs pivotally mounted to an upper, relatively rigid polymeric ring integrally secured to a lower resilient recircling ring for securement about a finger adjacent an associated fingernail of an individual. The lower ring may alternatively be defined by a pair of resiliently biased legs for securement to an individual's finger. A flexible tab secured to an upper surface of the upper ring is in contact with the rear convex surface of the shield to maintain the shield in an upper or lowered position.

Abstract: A needle stop surgical instrument comprising a finger housing, a needle receiving space, and a handle. The finger housing is adapted for receiving a finger. At one end of the finger housing is an endwall for protecting the finger from injury and the needle receiving space for receiving and guiding a needle. The needle receiving space is preferably in the shape of a cone. At the opposite end of the finger housing is connected the handle which is designed such that when a finger is received in the housing, the remaining fingers of the hand can grip the handle.The instrument is used in a Stamey procedure or similar procedures. The needle stop is used to protect a surgeon's finger from risk of needle injury, by being capable of receiving and guiding a needle through a surgical incision. Using the needle stop, a surgeon can avoid the risk of contracting serious infectious diseases, such as AIDS and Hepatitis B.

Abstract: A fingernail polish protector that can be detachably connected to the fingers of a person who has just had a fresh coat of nail polish. A separate fingernail polish protector would be attached to each finger. The fingernail polish protector has the configuration of an elongated tubular sleeve that is frusto-conical in shape. It's front end and rear ends are both open.

Abstract: A fingernail protector is set forth utilizing an upper top convex shell formed with an arcuate convex upper surface overlying and pivoted at its forward end to an underlying shell formed with a planar bottom surface. The shells are biased in a normally opened position and include securement means at their entrance portions.

Abstract: A magnetic thimble includes an outer body and a magnetic liner that covers essentially the entire area of the outer body. One embodiment of the thimble also includes an extender so that the thimble can be used in areas and locations that the user's finger cannot reach.

Abstract: A two-sided thimble including an elastic fitting member and a hand pull flap. A first envelope surface permits fine needle work and a second surface including a contained rigid protective member facilitates heavy duty needle work. In an alternative construction, each surface may accommodate either heavy or fine needlework.

Abstract: A napkin is disclosed that in use may be formed into a mitten-like gripper for protecting the hand from soiling and heat while the hand firmly grips, for example, a hamburger. The napkin comprises a sheet of multi-layer absorbent material with two arcuate slits through less than all of the layers. The slits are disposed about the center of the sheet. In use, the napkin is folded in half with a slit on each of the outer sides. The user inserts his thumb in one slot and one or more fingers in the other slot. The edges of the layers may be bonded together to improve the performance of the napkin as a gripper.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing finger and/or toe guard and method of fabricating the same is disclosed for protection of a user's fingertip and/or fingernail or to protect and cover an injured finger or toe.

Abstract: A barrier glove cot or hand covering for protecting surgeons and health care workers includes an integral tri-laminar construction with continuous inner and outer barrier layers and a central foam layer.

Abstract: A needle pushing head is made integral with a ring for wearing on a finger. The head has at least one needle receiving indentation so that the needle can be placed therein and forced by the finger through cloth or other material.

Abstract: The splint of our invention comprises a substantially cylindrical flexible outer member, an inner liner, advantageously a soft material for comfort, and a plurality of stiffening members interposed between the outer member and the inner liner distributed substantially uniformly about the entire circumference of the terminal member or extremity to provide a uniform pressure around the circumference preventing bending. The stiffening members are not completely rigid, advantageously somewhat flexible steel rods, while the flexible outer member can be a piece of rubber tubing.

Abstract: An armored glove finger comprises a rib knit tubular member having an open end and an end closed with a seam. The tubular member is adapted to receive a human finger therein with the tip of the finger abutting the closed end and the seam disposed over the fingernail of the finger. The knit tube comprises a fiber of 100 to 650 denier made from a yarn having a tensile strength in excess of 120,000 psi. The armored glove finger resists inadvertent cuts and punctures and may be used in conjunction with conventional gloves or may be incorporated into a glove structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ring protector for use in cutting hair which comprises a generally circular band or ring adapted to fit on a finger having on the outer peripheral edge of said ring a deflector to protect the web between the fingers from a hair-cutting device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an industrial digit glove comprising a hollow tubular-shaped body knitted from a high-tenacity fiber of aramid and nylon yarn wound so as to cover a core of stainless steel wire and spun aramid fiber yarn, and a digit-gripping section at the open end of said holow tubular-shaped body which is rubber-impregnated to prevent the glove from loosening from the finger. This industrial digit glove is manufactured by means of a first process whereby a hollow tubular-shaped body of the required length is knitted using a high-tenacity fiber formed by winding aramid fiber yarn and nylon yarn around a core of stainless steel wire and spun aramid fiber yarn, a second process whereby the curled open end of said hollow tubular-shaped body knitted in the first process is impregnated with fluid rubber, and a third process whereby the hollow tubular-shaped body obtained in the completed second process is hot-air dried.

Abstract: A finger and thumb protector is provided and consists of a pair of sheaths pivotly hinged towards each other. The sheaths have depressions on inner sides thereof to grip a nail thus allowing a person to hammer the nail with the sheaths cushioning the blows from the hammer.

Abstract: A removable retainer for the radical side of the thumb pocket of a glove, which retainer restricts the radial movement of the thumb in the glove away from the other fingers so as to prevent damage to the ligaments of the thumb should radial force be applied to the thumb.

Abstract: A document handling aid has a resilient tubular body with first and second joined body sections. Both ends of the tubular body are open so that when mounted on a finger, the tip of the finger protrudes from the first body section adjacent thereto. The second body section grips the finger about the first knuckle and has a plurality of generally parallel longitudinal cuts therethrough to permit enhanced radial expansion of the tubular body adjacent the first knuckle of the finger.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide thermal protection to the fingers and thumb of a beautician while using a heated hair curling iron. A pair of finger encompassing sheaths (20) and a thumb sheath (28) are connected together with an insulating base structure (22) forming a bridge therebetween. Finger and thumb pads (24) and (30), along with cloth lining (36), provide the insulation and structure while stretchable fabric (26) for the fingers (32) and for the thumb complete the protector holding the device upon the operators hand, allowing complete and unhampered flexibility.

Abstract: A tubular knit finger cot having one end closed by a transverse seam and the other end open, the closed end region tapering toward the seam, and resiliently extensile yarn interknit in the region adjacent to the open end to provide an elastic retaining collar.

Abstract: A writing shield having apparatus for preventing a document being written upon from being soiled by the hand of a writer who might work in a dirty environment. The shield includes a J-shaped body that conforms to the back or heel of the hand and the outside of the little finger when the hand is in a writing position. A ring like member is secured to the body that can be slipped over the little finger to removably attach the shield to the hand. The body is contoured so that it will glide over the document in one point contact thereagainst during the writing process.

Abstract: A fingertip protector for use with a work glove including a cap adapted to be detachably fitted on a fingertip of a user covering and protecting the fingertip, and a cushion member of a desired thickness secured to both the inner and the outer surfaces of the cap. The cap can have an opening formed in a portion thereof which faces the finger cushion of the user's fingertip when the cap is in use.

Abstract: A flexible tubular finger-end sheath has a cavity comprised of an open-end finger-gripping portion and a closed-end protector portion separated by a finger-stopping barrier. The walls of the protector portion converge and terminate in a truncated pressing face at the closed end. Additional stiffening may be provided to the protector-portion by a longitudinal rib thereon.

Abstract: A finger protector for hair stylist's fingers, specifically useful to protect the inner first finger joint of the index and of the second finger of one hand from being pierced and cut by scissors used by the other hand during the cutting and styling of hair. The protector is formed as a unitary device and in one embodiment is glove-like having a larger finger end, a narrow wrist band end and an intermediate narrow joining portion which joins the larger finger end to the wrist end. In this glove-like protector only the wrist and the lower joint of the first two fingers are protected. In a second embodiment, the narrow wrist portion and the narrow joining portion are omitted, so that the unitary two-finger protector is fitted over the bottom knuckle up to the first knuckle of the index and second finger. In both first and second embodiments the two tubular finger portions have downwardly beveled open front portions and thickened front wall portions with an interconnecting web defining an angle between about 25.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thumb support for the human hand comprising a support piece having a cradle portion installable around the thenar eminence and the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and a tab portion wrappable over the thumb/index web space. When the cradle portion and tab portion are properly installed, they create a frustoconically shaped cone portion which acts to enclose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and isolate the index finger and the thumb and support the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bowling glove used for preventing thumb hangups during bowling. The glove is formed as a tube having a tapering side margin which is closed over portions near the smaller end of the margin to form a thumb stall. The thumb stall accommodates the thumb of the wearer and covers the top and sides of the thumb while exposing the inside face of the thumb in gripping contact with the bowling ball. The bowling glove reduces sliding friction between the top of the thumb and the bowling ball when the thumb releases from the bowling ball during delivery.

Abstract: An improved archery tab having a thin flexible member adapted to be disposed between an archer's fingers and a bow string for protection of the fingers while drawing a bow. A loop is disposed on one side of the member for receivably holding one finger of the hand and an arrow contact slot is disposed on the other side of the member for contact with an arrow nocked onto a bow string. A spacer is attached to intermediate portion of the thin flexible member and has a surface thereon for abutment with the underside of an archer's chin. An adjusting mechanism is provided for adjusting the vertical distance between the top surface of the spacer and the arrow contact means structure. A vertically disposed abutment structure is connected to the top of the spacer for abutting a side of the archer's chin for insuring that the anchoring point on the archer's face is the same every time that the bow is drawn.

Abstract: A tool for facilitating the hand sewing of a plurality of cloth laminations, such as the hand sewing of a quilt, comprises a handle portion conveniently held by the fingers of the hand of the user and having an integral tool portion shaped in the general outline of a spoon. The concave surface of the spoon shaped portion is engagable by the thumb or index finger of the user. The tip end of the spoon shaped portion is provided with a substantially flat or horizontal top surface which, when pressed upwardly against the cloth laminations to be sewn, effects a small ridge in such laminations, permitting the convenient insertion of the needle through the ridge and facilitating the production of a substantially uniform width of the successive stitches.

Abstract: A shock absorber element for protecting one or more fingers which are engaging a tool from experiencing a shock load when the tool experiences an impact load. The shock absorber element includes at least one shock absorbing pad and an interconnector for interconnecting the at least one shock absorbing pad with one or more fingers. The at least one shock absorber pad may be two blocks of resilient material, such as synthetic foam rubber, surrounded by a thin flexible casing formed, for example, of a woven fabric, thermoplastic film, a rubberized nylon material, leather, or vinyl. The interconnector may consist of two or more thin elongated strips, each having a first end fitted between the two blocks of resilient material and a second end extending therefrom through a suitable aperture in the thin flexible casing. Each of the second ends are interconnectable, for example, by use of hook and burr fastening elements.

Abstract: A glove for use in billiards which can be worn on either hand of the player to cover the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the hand. A first member of the glove is formed with a thumb portion, index finger portion, middle finger portion and hand portion. A second member symmetrical to the first member is formed with a thumb, index finger, middle finger and hand portions corresponding to those of the first member. A slit opening is formed in each hand portion extending in close proximity to the junction between the thumb and index finger. The two members are stitched together along the edges with straight edge stitching except for the hand portions which remain open to accommodate ring and little fingers. An elastic band and fastener are stitched to one of the members. The material of the members is soft and stretchable to accommodate a range of hand sizes and has tiny openings formed therein for ventilation and comfort.

Abstract: A work glove in which the tips of one or more fingers of the glove are made of relatively pliable, stretchable material for increased sensitivity at the user's fingertips. A ring or band of high friction material coats the inside surface of the fingers, typically just below where the high sensitivity tips are attached to a portion of the glove fingers. The user inserts his or her fingers fully into the glove's fingers until the flexible tips are drawn tightly over the user's fingertips. The high friction band inhibits movement of the high sensitivity tip to keep the tip tightly drawn over the user's fingertip.

Abstract: A finger guard for protection against injury by a knife when cutting foodstuff. The finger guard extends along the back-hand face of an operator finger, and is bendable concurrently with the latter. The finger guard consists of a multiplicity of spaced-apart, interconnected lamellae, with a given upper lamella having a lower portion overlying the upper portion of the corresponding lower lamella; wherein should the blade of a knife hit the finger guard, that blade would subsequently slide downwardly successively from upper to lower lamellae in a frictionless fashion without injury to the finger. Two elongated flexible metal stems extends on each side of and pivotally interconnects with the lamellae. The stems can bend to follow the motion of the finger. An adjustable retaining strap surrounds the front hand face of the finger at an intermediate portion of the finger guard and a basket member, attached to the stems, receives the finger tip.

Abstract: A baseball batting accessory in the form of a cushioning pad having a flap portion to protect the batter's hands against bone bruises and to properly position the bat near the batter's fingertips.

Abstract: An archer's hand plate adapted to be worn on an archer's hand when drawing and releasing a bow string and arrow is disclosed. The device is designed to increase accuracy and reproducibility in shooting arrows. The device comprises a base plate designed to fit in the palm of the archer's hand and to keep the back of the hand substantially flat and in line with fingers of the hand up to the first joint thereof, thereby maintaining knuckles of the fingers in line, the base plate having a leading edge, a rear portion and a top portion connecting the leading edge and rear portion, the leading edge shaped to coincide with at least the index finger and middle finger of the hand and to require said fingers to bend at the first joint thereof when the hand is closed about the base plate.

Abstract: A bowling aid device and method are operative to circumferentially compress the knuckle portion of a bowler's digit and reduce the same prior to insertion of the digit into the corresponding digit hole of a bowling ball. The device comprises a flexible and inextensible strip-like or ring-like compression member adapted to be applied completed around the knuckle and adjustable locking means operative to tighten the compression member in wrap-around compressive engagement with the knuckle for a preselected period of time. The resultant circumferential reduction of the knuckle provides optimum sliding engagement of the reduced digit within the corresponding digit hole in the bowling ball and improved bowling performance.

Abstract: A device for aiding a bowler in delivering a bowling ball comprising a finger sleeve including opposed wings mutually engageable in a generally cylindrical configuration for encirclement of the little finger of the bowler. The finger sleeve has a bracing element secured thereto. The bracing element includes an elongated rib secured to the finger sleeve between the opposed wings, and a palm extension which projects from the rib and finger sleeve a distance which is from about one-half to about three-fourths the length of the elongated rib.