Abstract:
A protective glove out of metal-ring mesh with a fastening strap that is provided in a captive but exchangeable manner and with a closure provided on the fastening strap wherein the fastening strap has at its rear end a limit stop that is distinct from the closure and as a result of forming a positive locking with the edge of a loop cannot be pulled through the loop.

Description:
[0001]    The invention relates to a protective glove with the features set forth in the preamble of claim  1 . Such a protective glove is known because of its utilization. The known protective glove has loops on the metal-ring mesh at the wrist, which loops are also formed from metal-ring mesh. A fastening strap out of a polyester rubber is passed through the loops. This fastening strap is provided with a closure that consists of a snap fastener and a snap fastener buckle. The snap fastener buckle is fastened in an adjustable manner at one end of the fastening strap. The snap fastener is screwed on to the fastening strap close to its other end. For this purpose, a stamped and bent sheet metal piece is anchored at the fastening strap, which piece is provided with a threaded portion that catches into a hole in the fastening strap. In order to attach the fastening strap to the glove, first of all, the snap fastener is screwed off the stamped and bent piece. Then, an end of the fastening strap at which is provided the stamped and bent piece is passed through the loops. In one of the loops is a hole through which fits the threaded portion of the screw for the fastening of the snap fastener. The stamped and bent piece with its threaded portion is positioned underneath this hole. Then, the snap fastener is placed on the outside of the metal-ring mesh and the screw is inserted through the snap fastener and the hole in the metal-ring mesh into the threaded portion of the stamped and bent piece and screwed into it. In such a manner, the snap fastener and the one end of the fastening strap are fastened at a predetermined position on the glove. 
         [0002]    There are such known gloves which also have a cuff made out of the metal-ring mesh material. In this case, there are provided two such fastening straps, one at the wrist and the other at the rear end of the cuff. 
         [0003]    The known gloves have the disadvantage that for the affixing of the snap fastener at the fastening strap three metal components are needed, namely the snap fastener itself, a screw and a complicated stamped and bent piece with an integrated threaded portion, all made out of a hygienic high-grade steel in view that these gloves are mainly used in the meat processing industry. Furthermore, the method of how the user must assemble the fastening strap is quite cumbersome. In practice, the user cannot avoid having to change the fastening strap from time to time because it is a part subject to wear and not as resistant to every cleaning process as the metal-ring mesh, which is mostly manufactured out of a high-grade steel and sometimes also out of titanium. Furthermore, when changing the fastening strap the risk arises that the snap fastener and the screw could get lost. They could also be accidentally lost when the screw is not sufficiently tightened with the change of the fastening strap. However, it must not occur that metal pieces get lost in meat products. 
         [0004]    The present invention has the object to improve a glove of above described type in such a manner that its fastening strap can be manufactured and changed less costly as well as reducing the risk of losing parts of the fastener. 
         [0005]    This object is attained by the protective glove with the features set forth in claim  1 . Other advantageous embodiments are the object of the dependent claims. 
         [0006]    The protective glove according to the invention is made of metal-ring mesh, has a captive but exchangeable fastening strap held in loops, that are formed out of the metal-ring mesh and are provided in the wrist area, and has a closure provided at the fastening strap. The fastening strap has at its rear end a limit stop separate from the closure. The limit stop engages an edge of a loop in a positive locking manner and therefore cannot be passed through the loop. This has the advantage that the fastening strap can be passed through the loops first with its front end, which is opposite to the limit stop, until the limit stop strikes the edge of the loop into which the fastening strap was first passed. Thereafter, the fastening strap can be immediately tightened and closed. 
         [0007]    The dimensions of the closure itself can be adapted to the inside width of the loops in such a manner that it can be pushed through the loops. However, because the closure is preferably adjustable in order to adapt the length of the closed fastening strap to the variable thickness of the wrists, the adjustable part of the closure can also be removed from the fastening strap before the fastening strap is either passed through the loops, or pulled out, so that the removable closure part is not in the way even when it is too large to be passed through the loops. 
         [0008]    Due to the fact that the fastening strap cannot be passed completely through the loop because of a positive locking interaction of the limit stop with the edge of a loop, the screwing together of the fastening strap with the metal-ring mesh, known from prior art, is superfluous. Thus, the screw and the stamped and bent piece with a threaded portion, both required in prior art, are no longer needed, nor is a special hole in the metal-ring mesh required in prior art for the insertion of the screw. Thus, the manufacture, assembly and changing of the fastening strap are very much simplified when compared with prior art. 
         [0009]    The positive locking between the limit stop of the fastening strap and the edge of one of the loops of the metal-ring mesh is preferably attained in that the limit stop is wider and/or thicker than the fastening strap to the extent that it cannot be passed through the loops. A fastening strap configured in such a manner can be manufactured in a cost-effective manner out of a synthetic material, in particular out of a thermoplastic material, which makes it possible to form the fastening strap at a low cost in one piece by means of injection molding, so that the fastening strap is a structural part to which the limit stop is molded on in one piece. 
         [0010]    Especially appropriate is a fastening strap out of a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular out of a thermoplastic polyurethane. Such a fastening strap combines a series of advantages: 
         [0011]    It is soft, pliable and offers the highest wearing comfort without any pressure points. The fastening strap has an optimal tensile strength, resistance to tearing and resistance to tear propagation in the case of cuts and other damages. 
         [0012]    The fastening strap has an extremely long durability with of constant properties. 
         [0013]    The fastening strap is suitable for food contact applications, resistant against almost all chemicals used under working conditions and resistant to hydrolysis. 
         [0014]    The fastening strap is resistant to the temperatures occurring under working conditions and in customary cleaning processes. 
         [0015]    The fastening strap is hygienic and can be easily cleaned. 
         [0016]    The fastening strap can be easily exchanged without the aid of any tools. 
         [0017]    Should the closure be adjustable, then the adjustable and removable part of the closure can be preferably attached to the fastening strap in an interlocking manner. For this purpose, in the segment where the removable part of the closure is to be affixed, the fastening strap is provided with a ribbing, especially ribs, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fastening strap and forming a positive locking with the removable part of the closure. The removable part of the closure is preferably a buckle, through which is passed the fastening strap with two turns. Especially appropriate as closure is a snap fastener closure consisting of a removable snap fastener buckle adjustable along the fastening strap and a snap fastener, which is most favorably arranged in the proximity of the limit stop. The snap fastener may be attached to the fastening strap in a non-detachable manner. It is especially favorable to rivet it to the fastening strap. The snap fastener has usually a rounded shape. Thus, it can be easily pushed or pulled, respectively, through the loops of the metal-ring mesh. 
         [0018]    In order to facilitate the pushing of the fastening strap through the loops, the fastening strap is preferably provided with a reinforced head piece, especially one of wedge-shaped configuration having a decreasing width towards the top, but being not wider than the thereto attached fastening strap. This facilitates the pushing forward into and the pulling out of the fastening strap from the loops of the metal-ring mesh. 
         [0019]    The limit stop is preferably wider and thicker than the fastening strap fastened to the limit stop, particularly by forming a step between the limit stop and the adjoining fastening strap. That facilitates striking of the limit stop at the edge of a loop causing the positive locking. Such a step is effective even if it is provided on only one side because it can also strike with only the shoulder on one side of the strap on the edge of the loop. Preferably, however, the step is provided on both sides of the fastening strap so as not having to pay attention while inserting the fastening strap into the loops in which direction the fastening strap is inserted. 
         [0020]    In any case, the limit stop of the fastening strap as well as the snap fastener are arranged outside of the loops. Thus, it is especially suitable for the bearing of an informative label, which preferably has a lettering and/or indications, e.g., the manufacturer&#39;s information, indication of size, cleaning recommendations or the like. 
         [0021]    The invention is appropriate not only for protective gloves that end at the wrist, but also for protective gloves provided with a cuff out of metal-ring mesh material. In addition to a fastening strap at the wrist, according to the invention, such protective gloves with a cuff have a likewise formed fastening strap in loops made out of the metal-ring mesh, that are preferably provided at the rear edge of the cuff. 
         [0022]    The putting on of the glove is facilitated if in the area of the wrist and—if it should have a cuff—also in the area of the rear end of the cuff it is provided with a longitudinal slit in the metal-ring mesh. 
         [0023]    This slit allows an adapting to the different thicknesses of the wrists or forearms, respectively. Preferably, a loop is adjacent to each of the two edges of the slit. For practical purposes, the fastening strap should be inserted into the loops in such a manner that the limit stop rests in the slit so that it is only after the closing process that the slit is bridged by the fastening strap. Thus, if necessary, the mesh segments adjoining the slit can overlap each other. 
         [0024]    When closing the fastening strap, one can pull at it without the risk that it slides out of the loops. This is prevented by the limit stop. The preferably provided snap fastener constitutes a barrier against an unintentional pulling out in the opposite direction, insofar as it pushes against the edge of the loop. For practical purposes, the snap fastener is configured so high that it does not easily slide into the loop. For this, the snap fastener is also provided with a reduced shank diameter that can catch the edge of the loop. 
         [0025]    Preferably, however, at least one of the two loops that borders the slit in the glove, is only somewhat shorter than the distance between the snap fastener and the limit stop of the fastening strap, so that the latter, if need be, has only a slight clearance to slide back and forth in this loop. This dimensioning contributes to the securing of the fastening strap in the loop. Preferably, both loops bordering the slit are of the same length. This makes it possible to make a right-handed glove adaptable to the left hand by turning it over. In such a case, the fastening strap can also be turned over. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    In the examples, identical parts or parts corresponding to each other are indicated by the same reference numbers. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, wherein 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a glove according to the invention with a cuff in a view of the back of the hand; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows the glove of  FIG. 1  in a frontal view of the hand; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of a fastening strap of the glove; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows the fastening strap of  FIG. 3  in a lateral view; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom side view of a snap fastener buckle for the fastening strap; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a first lateral view of the snap fastener buckle of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows a second lateral view of the snap fastener buckle of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  shows a variation of the fastening strap in an illustration as in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  shows the fastening strap of  FIG. 8  in a view as in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  shows a segment of a protective glove in the area of its slit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a glove  1  with a cuff  2  that consists of a metal-ring mesh from the finger tips to the rear end of the cuff  2 . The configuration of such a metal-ring mesh is known from, e.g., DE 44 16 389 A 1. Several metal-ring mesh loops  4  are provided in the area of the wrist  3 . Several metal-ring mesh loops  5  are also provided at the rear end of the cuff  2 . In the illustrated example, three loops  4 ,  5  each extend at the rear end of the cuff adapting to the greater circumference of the forearm than that of the wrist area. 
         [0038]    Between the loops  4  at the wrist  3  and the rear loops  5  are several pockets  6  extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm, formed by elongated strips made out of the metal-ring mesh that are placed on the subjacent metal-ring mesh being all around interlinked with it. Inside of each of these pockets  6  is a strip made out of a thin spring steel sheet that stiffens the cuff preventing that it collapses in the longitudinal direction of the arm. 
         [0039]    There are various possibilities for the forming of the loops in the area of the wrist  3 . One of the possibilities is to have the actual glove extend in a single layer to form the cuff  2  and merely having several slits distributed around the wrist in the metal-ring mesh, through which a fastening strap is inserted in an alternate manner. 
         [0040]    Another possibility consists in separately manufacturing, at first, the glove itself and its cuff, to provide the cuff at its front end with metal-ring mesh extensions, to slide these extensions of cuff  2  over the end of the metal-ring mesh of the glove per se, to interlink the front ends of the extensions of cuff  2  with the metal-ring mesh of the glove, and to interlink the rear end of the metal-ring mesh of the glove with the cuff  2 . In this case, the extensions of the cuff  2  are placed on the subjacent metal-ring mesh of the glove, thus forming the loops  4 . 
         [0041]    Another possibility to form loops  4  in the area of the wrist  3  consists in having, at first, the cuff intermesh in a single layer with the glove per se. Strips of the metal-ring mesh having the dimensions of the loops are placed on top of it and their front and rear edges are interlinked with the subjacent metal-ring mesh. At the rear end of the cuff  2 , the loops  5  are formed by extensions of the metal-ring mesh whose rear edge is turned over toward the front and interlinked with the metal-ring mesh of cuff  2 . Loops at the end of a glove without a cuff can be formed in the same manner. 
         [0042]    In each of the loops  4  in the area of the wrist  3  and the loops  5  at the rear end of the cuff  2  is inserted a fastening strap  7 . This is illustrated in details in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0043]    The fastening strap  7  is a thin plastic strap, in particular out of a thermoplastic elastomer, formed in one piece by injection molding. At the front end of the fastening strap  7  is a head piece  8  that is thicker than the fastening strap  7  behind it, whereby between the head piece  8  and the fastening strap  7  behind it is formed a step  9  on both sides, starting at which the head piece  8  tapers in a wedge-shaped manner to a thickness that approximately corresponds to the one of the fastening strap behind the head piece  8 . Furthermore, the head piece  8  is provided with a hemispherical edge  10 . In a segment adjoining the head piece  8 , the fastening strap  7  is provided on one side with a series of equidistant ribs  11  that are only on one side of the fastening strap, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fastening strap  7 . 
         [0044]    The rear end of the fastening strap  7  is provided with an end piece  12  that is thicker than the fastening strap ahead of it and also thicker than the head piece  8 . At the transition from the limit stop  12  to the segment of the fastening strap  7  ahead of it, a step  13  is formed on both sides. Starting from this step  13 , the limit stop  12  tapers in a wedge-shaped manner to a thickness that is greater than that of the fastening strap  7  ahead of the limit stop  12 . 
         [0045]    The width of the fastening strap  7  is adapted to the clearance of the loops  4  and  5 . The limit stop  12  protrudes distinctly from the narrow edges of the fastening strap  7  and, therefore, it cannot be pulled into the loops  4  or  5 . 
         [0046]    In the proximity of the limit stop  12 , a snap fastener  14  is riveted into the fastening strap  7 . The distance between the step  13  and the snap fastener  14  is greater than the length of the loop  4  or  5 , measured in the circumferential direction of the arm, at the edge of which the limit stop  12  is to strike. First, the fastening strap  7  is inserted into this loop with the head piece  8  first and then into the rest of the loops  4  or  5 , respectively, following the circumferential direction of the arm. Thereafter, a snap fastener buckle  15  is pushed onto the segment of the fastening strap  7 , provided with the ribs  11 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 to 7 . The snap fastener buckle  15  is a stamped and bent piece having a bottom  16  and four laterally bent straps  17  that guide the narrow sides of the fastening strap  7 . A hole  18  is punched out in the center of the bottom  16  and the edge of the hole  18  is bent off the bottom in an approximately conical shape. The edge of the hole  18  holds the snap fastener buckle  15  against the snap fastener  14 . 
         [0047]    At both sides of the hole  18 , between each of two straps  17  extends a slit  19  and  20 , respectively. The fastening strap  7  is pushed through these slits  19  and  20  with the head piece  8  first, first from the underside through the slit  19  and then from the top through slit  20 . The edges of the slits  19  and  20  in conjunction with the ribs  11  effectuate a positive engagement that becomes stronger with a greater tension placed on the fastening strap  7 . 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the fastening strap  7  can be modified to the effect that the limit stop  12  does not stop the fastening strap  7  but rather that the fastening strap  7  is extended beyond the limit stop  12  by means of an extension  7   a.  In such a case, the snap fastener can be arranged closer to the limit stop  12  as in the first embodiment. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows a cutaway portion of a glove which in the area of the wrist is provided with a longitudinally extending slit  21 , at which adjoin two loops  4   a  and  4   b.  The limit stop  12  of the fastening strap  7  comes to rest at the edge of the loop on the side of the slit. From then other end of loop  4   a  protrudes the other end of the fastening strap  7  with the snap fastener buckle  15 . 
       REFERENCE NUMBERS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           1 . Glove 
           2 . Cuff 
           3 . Wrist 
           4 . Loop 
           4   a.  Loop 
           4   b.  Loop 
           5 . Loop 
           6 . Pocket 
           7 . Fastening strap 
           8 . Head piece 
           9 . Step 
           10 . Edge 
           11 . Ribs 
           12 . Limit stop 
           13 . Step 
           14 . Snap fastener 
           15 . Snap fastener buckle 
           16 . Bottom 
           17 . Straps 
           18 . Holes 
           19 . Slit 
           20 . Slit 
           21 . Slit