Abstract:
One embodiment of a glove attachment system for retaining gloves comprises a glove with an integrated magnet portion. The glove has a liner portion, an outer portion, and a magnet portion. The magnet portion is attached between the liner portion and the outer portion. The glove, with the integrated magnet allows the glove to attach to an analogous glove, or an object attracted to a magnetic field. This allows the gloves to be maintained in pairs while stored or not in use. Another embodiment may include an attachment device with a connection portion and a clip portion. The connection portion may magnetically interact with the glove&#39;s magnet portion to retain the glove to the attachment device. The clip portion leads from the connection portion and facilitates the joining of the attachment device to an object, such as a strap, allowing the glove to be maintained to the object.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the field of hand coverings and a hand covering securing mechanism. 
         [0002]    People wear hand coverings, generally referred as gloves or mittens, for many reasons. Gloves provide protection from the cold weather, and protect the users&#39;s hands in the work environment from sharp objects, harsh chemicals, or other matter that may damage a person&#39;s hands. Additionally, gloves can offer a competitive advantage in sporting competition, such as baseball and golf, by providing better grip and absorbing vibrations. However, the benefits and protection that gloves offer are utilized on a temporary basis and often-sporadic basis. Eventually the user will remove the glove to use their bare hand when greater dexterity is required or when the need for hand protection is over. When the gloves are stored they are often placed in an inconvenient spot that is not suitable for sporadic use. Likewise, if the gloves are stored loosely in a pocket, to be used on short notice, they are prone to falling out and becoming lost. Furthermore, gloves are generally purchased and used in pairs and when un-securely stored for convenience one glove may become separated or lost, rendering the pair useless. 
         [0003]    Others inventors have attempted to solve this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,373 to Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,167 to Wagner, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,505 B1 to Bradley et al. disclose a glove attachment device that utilizes a hook and loop fastener mechanism for securing gloves. However, there are limitations to these inventions. First, these inventions do not have a dedicated glove element. As a result, when a user chooses a glove there is a possibility that the glove will not properly secure to the mechanism. The glove&#39;s hook or loops may be too small or large to interlock with the hook or loops of the attachment mechanism. Additionally, the hook and loop interaction may not be strong enough to support the weight of a particular glove chosen by the user. This could result in the glove falling off the mechanism and becoming lost, defeating the purpose of the attachment mechanism. Additionally, apart from the attachment mechanism there are few objects and locations where a glove, which has a hook and loop mechanism, will be able to bind. Most household objects, vehicles, and other objects do not possess hook and loop attachment devices unless installed by the user. However, it is not reasonable to install such attachment devices on every potential target. 
         [0004]    Another invention uses magnets in a glove to act as a securing mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,199 B1 to O&#39;Dea et al. discloses a work glove with a magnet component for the purpose of securing small work pieces, such as nails and screws. However, such a bulky work glove, with only the capability of binding small objects, would be unable to support the glove&#39;s entire weight at its magnet site when secured to an attachment device or to the corresponding glove&#39;s magnet site. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with one embodiments of a glove attachment system having both a glove with an integrated magnet and an attachment mechanism. The glove has a liner portion, an outer portion, and a magnet portion. The magnet portion is attached between the liner portion and the outer portion. The attachment device has a connection portion and a clip portion. The connection portion has the purpose of attaching to the glove with the integrated magnet. The clip portion leads from the connection portion and allows the glove and attachment device mechanism to be secured to a belt, strap, or pocket for the purpose of securing gloves during periods of non-use. This embodiment provide the advantages of allowing a user to secure gloves together in pairs, to secure each glove to a surface capable of forming a magnetic interaction with the glove magnet, and allows a user to attach a glove to a vast array of objects using the attachment device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    All of the following figures depict a single hand covering, however any embodiment may be of a hand covering for a right hand, left hand, or both hands. Additionally, although only mitten embodiments with a single finger cavity are shown, any embodiment may be a glove with multiple finger cavities. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1   a  shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a hand covering with a secured magnet portion. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1   b  shows a profile view of an embodiment of a hand covering where a magnet portion is located between two layers of a hand covering. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   a  shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a hand covering where a magnet portion is retained within a pocket portion. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   b  shows a profile view of an embodiment of a hand covering where a magnet portion is retained within a pocket. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   a  shows an anterior view of an attachment device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3   b  shows a profile view of an attachment device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4   a  shows an anterior view of a hand covering secured by an attachment device, and the attachment device&#39;s being clipped to an object. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4   b  shows a profile view of a hand covering secured by an attachment device, and the attachment device&#39;s being clipped to an object. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows corresponding gloves attached at their respective magnet sites. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a hand covering incorporating multiple magnets. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows an anterior view of an embodiment of a two hand coverings, each incorporating a hook and loop element. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Hand Covering with Incorporated Magnet: 
         [0019]    One embodiment of a hand covering is shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b . This embodiment incorporates a magnet accompanying a conventional hand covering. The hand covering may take the form of a traditional glove body or a traditional mitten body. The terms glove body and mitten body may be used interchangeably with hand covering to describe any embodiment and maintain the same meaning. 
         [0020]    This hand covering has inner liner portion  10 , which may be a stand alone layer, or the hand covering may also include outer portion  11 . Each of inner liner portion  10  and outer portion  11  are structured as a conventional hand covering, such as a glove or mitten. Inner liner portion  10  is formed to allow a user&#39;s hand to enter inner liner portion  10  through opening  14 . Inner liner portion  10  has palm portion  15  extending from opening  14  and shaped to hold a users palm. Continuing from palm portion  15  are thumb portion  16  and finger portion  17 . Thumb portion  16  and finger portion  17  situated to fit a user&#39;s thumb and fingers, respectively. Finger portion  17  extending opposite opening  14 , and thumb portion  16  extending from palm portion  15 , between opening  14  and finger portion  17 . Finger portion  17  may be a single compartment or may be split into different compartments to enclose multiple fingers. Alternatively, palm portion  15 , finger portion  17 , and thumb portion  16  may be a single compartment enclosing the user&#39;s entire hand. 
         [0021]    Outer portion  11  is formulated in the same fashion, and with the same features, as inner liner portion  10 , described above. Additionally, outer portion  11  fits over the corresponding portions of inner liner portion  10 . Inner liner portion  10  and outer portion  11  may be secured to each other, from at least one point on the hand covering, by being sewn together, fused together, or secured together by other means. Conversely, inner liner portion  10  and outer portion  11  may freely associated with each other, and not interconnect, allowing inner liner portion  10  and outer portion  11  to be easily separated. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, this embodiment includes magnet portion  12 , which may be a single magnet or a plurality of magnets. Magnet portion  12  may be attached to a single layer, either inner liner portion  10 , outer portion  11 , or any intermediate layer that may be included. Additionally, magnet portion  12 , may also be attached to multiple layers, such as attaching magnet portion  12  between the outer surface of liner portion  10  and the inside surface of outer portion  11 . Furthermore, in different embodiments, magnet portion  12  may be attached at any location of the hand covering, including the anterior or posterior of any of palm portion  15 , thumb portion  16 , or finger portion  17 . For example, in instances where the hand covering will be used to hold or grip objects, placing magnet portion  12  on the posterior side of the hand covering may be preferable. Additionally, in any embodiment multiple magnets may be incorporated to further strengthen the connection between the hand covering and its target site. 
         [0023]    Magnet portion  12  may be attached to the hand covering by attachment portion  13 , which may be a thread or any other fiber-like material, wound around or through magnet portion  12  and the respective hand covering portion. Alternatively, attachment portion  13  may be glue, rubber cement, or any other type of adhesive that is capable of attaching magnet portion  12  to the hand covering portion. 
         [0024]    The hand covering, along with the integrated magnet, has an advantage of allowing multiple hand coverings to attach to each other. This facilitates easier storage and discovery of a pair of gloves, as opposed to having to discover two separate unconnected gloves. Furthermore, each hand covering may attach to any object capable of forming a magnetic interaction with the magnet incorporated within the hand covering. This allows for significantly more opportunities for binding than a hook and loop fastener mechanism. In the case of a hook and loop fastener, which are not readily available in the user&#39;s environment, the complementary hook or loop connector has to be deliberately placed in the location where he user desires to connect the hand covering. In contrast, potential magnetic interactions are constantly available in the user&#39;s environment. For example, cabinets, equipment, appliances, and other apparatuses found in the home, workplace, or elsewhere are made of materials capable of magnetically attaching to the magnet incorporated hand covering. Consequently, an embodiment utilizing a magnet portion will increase the usefulness of a hand covering. 
         [0025]    Hand Covering with Pocket Receptacle for Magnet: 
         [0026]    Another embodiment of a hand covering is shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . This embodiment incorporates the same hand covering configuration as any of the prior embodiment, having at least one glove layer with opening  14 , palm portion  15 , thumb portion  16 , and finger portion  17 . Additionally, this embodiment of a hand covering has pocket  20  to hold magnet portion  22  in conjunction with the hand covering. Magnet portion  22  being either a single magnet or a plurality of magnets. Pocket  20  may be formed by securing front portion  23 , around a portion of front portion  23 &#39;s periphery, to the hand covering itself. Alternatively, pocket  20  may be formed by securing front portion  23 , around its periphery, to back portion  24 , where back portion  24  is then secured to the hand covering. In either case, pocket  20  may be positioned on the backside, front side, or any other portion of the hand covering. A portion of front portion  23 &#39;s periphery is left unsecured to allow access of magnet portion  22  in or out of pocket  20 . Flap portion  25 , which brings together may be permanently secured to hand covering once a magnet is located within pocket  20 . Alternatively, flap portion  25  may be releasably connected to hand covering by seal portion  26 . Seal portion  26  may be a hook and loop fastener, buttons, snaps, or any other detachable connections. Additionally, an embodiment utilizing back portion  24  may have a permanent attachment between the hand covering facing surface of back portion  24  and the hand covering. Alternatively, the hand covering facing surface of back portion  24  may be detachably secured to the hand covering by releasable connection  27 . Releasable connection  27  may be a hook and loop fastener, buttons, snaps, or any other detachable connection, where one element of releasable connection  27  is secured to the hand covering facing surface of back portion  27  and the complimentary element of releasable connection  27  is secured to a site on the hand covering. 
         [0027]    An advantage of an embodiment utilizing pocket  20  is that magnet portion  22  can easily be removed from pocket  20 . The user may simply open up seal portion  26  and remove magnet portion  22  contained within pocket  20 . A user may desire the option of removing magnet portion  22  in different circumstances. There are instances where the user may favor a lightweight hand covering over the ability to secure to each other or another source, which may be achieved by removing magnet portion  22 . Additionally, the user may wear the hand covering and engage in an activity for which the magnetic field of magnet portion  22  may interfere. Again, in this situation the ability to remove magnet portion  22  from the hand covering could be desirable. 
         [0028]    An attachment device may be included: 
         [0029]    Additionally, any embodiment may also include an attachment clip, as shown in  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a , and  4   b . The attachment clip has attachment portion  30 , which may be a magnet in the traditional sense, or a ferrous material or object. Attachment portion  30  may also include a housing portion surrounding the periphery and possibly the posterior portion of the magnet or ferrous material. Attachment portion  30  leads to curve portion  32 . Curve portion  32  may lead from the posterior side of attachment portion  30  or from the perimeter of attachment portion  30 , leaving the anterior surface free to attach to the hand covering. From attachment portion  30 , curve portion  32  continues behind attachment portion  30 , and then curves downwardly, continuing to support portion  34 . Support portion  34  continues downwardly away from curve portion  32 , and terminating either behind or below attachment portion  30 . Space  36 , created in the space between attachment portion  30 , curve portion  32 , and support portion  34  is large enough to allow a material or object, such as a belt/strap/pocket  40 , or band to encompass space  36 . Alternatively, instead of curve portion  32  and support portion  34 , attachment portion  30  may be secured to a spring-loaded clip, a carabineer clip, or similar means for attaching attachment portion  30  to a material or object. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment including an attachment clip, the hand covering associated magnet portion  12  or  22 , interacting with attachment portion  30  of the attachment device, creates magnetic interaction  42 . Magnetic interaction  42  is a strong enough magnetic interaction that once the user secures the magnetic hand covering to attachment portion  30 , in the absence of significant forces, the hand covering should remain in an approximately static position, relative to attachment portion  30 , until the user detaches the hand covering. 
         [0031]    Including an attachment clip with the hand covering allows the user to attach the hand covering to a greater number of locations. An attachment clip can be secured such objects as a user&#39;s belt, a golf bag, a pocket, or other items that otherwise would not be magnetically attracted to the hand covering. 
         [0032]    Possible Hand Covering Variations: 
         [0033]    In any of the embodiments, the hand covering, including the liner portion, outer portions, pocket components, may be made out of a variety of different materials. These materials may include, but are not limited to, cotton, fleece, nylon, leather, or any material used to enhance gripping, water resistance, and warmth. Furthermore, any embodiment, or any component of an embodiment, may be made of a plurality of material. For example, inner layer  10  may have an inner surface of cotton and an outer surface of nylon, and outer layer  11  may be made of both leather and a gripping material. Also, as mentioned, finger portion  17  may be a single compartment, to create a traditional mitten. Alternatively, finger portion  17  may be a multiple compartment, to create a glove. Additionally, each embodiment may come in a variety of sizes to fit a wide range of users&#39; hands, and may come in oversized versions so that the user can wear a separate glove, such as a golf glove, underneath the hand covering. Any embodiment may also include elastic wrist portion  19 , which is an integrated elastic band that loops around the width of the glove, between opening  14  and palm portion  15 . This feature gives the user additional support when wearing the hand covering. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 6 , any embodiment may include multiple magnet components of magnet portion  12  or  22 , which may increase the hand covering ability to secure to a target site and give the hand covering greater versatility. 
         [0034]    Any embodiment may also include hook and loop fastener element  70 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Where one element of a hook and loop fastener is secured to the outer layer of the hand covering, and the opposing hook and loop element  71  is secured to the outer layer of the matching hand covering. The hook and loop fastener element may be secured by sewing, or otherwise adhering the element to the outermost hand covering layer of the embodiment. When element  70  and  71  physically interact they become reversibly connected, allowing the user to separate the elements when desired. The hook and loop element gives the hand covering additional resourcefulness by allowing the gloves to be secured together using the hook and loop fastener, while also utilizing the hand covering&#39;s magnetic component. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, in any embodiment magnet portion  12  or  22  may be either an object that produces a magnetic field, or any kind of ferromagnetic material, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel, which are attracted to a magnetic field. Any magnet of magnet portion  12  or  22  may be in a variety of shapes, including circular/cylindrical, having a first and second surface, or a polyhedron shape. Also, any magnet of magnet portion  12  or  22  may also include a hole, or multiple holes, in the body of the magnet. This will assist in sewing or attaching the magnet to a glove layer, by allowing a thread to be sewn through the middle of the magnet and around the magnet&#39;s periphery. Magnet portion  12  or  22 , along with its complimentary magnet or ferromagnetic material, creates magnetic interaction  42  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Magnetic interaction  42  is a strong enough magnetic interaction that once the user secures the magnetic hand covering to its intended target site, in the absence of significant forces, the hand covering should remain in an approximately static position, relative to the target site, until the user detaches the hand covering.