Abstract:
A multifunctional forearm band incorporating modulated airflow control to regulate temperature and moisture of a user&#39;s lower arm, hand, and fingers. The forearm band has a tubular member with openings at a first and a second end thereof. The forearm band can encapsulate or cover the lower arm in a first position and the lower arm, fingers, and hand in a second position. The second end can include at least one storage cavity, while the first end includes a first cavity for encapsulating the fingers and a second cavity for encapsulating the thumb when the forearm band is used in the second position. The user can open and close the opening in the first end of the tubular member to permit or restrict airflow or fluid flow across the lower arm, fingers, and hand allowing fully modulated airflow and fluid flow control to regulate the temperature and moisture about the lower arm, fingers, and hand.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to multifunctional forearm bands. More particularly, the invention concerns forearm bands that may be worn in various configurations to provide utility and protection against the elements in a variety of weather conditions and user activities. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    While engaging in activities such as running, biking, fishing, trekking, mountaineering, hunting, skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating, it is critical to protect the bodies&#39; extremities from the elements and retain heat while at the same time maintain freedom of movement. This is particularly important with respect to the lower arm, fingers, and hands. Typically, lower arm, finger, and hand protection comes in the form of gloves, mittens, wristband or forearm bands. The advantages associated with each of these garments include aesthetic appearance, body heat retention, and protection from the elements. However, these garments do not allow the convenience for users to maintain comfort by actively regulating the temperature and airflow about the covered area, without engaging the opposing hand, as conditions and physical exertion change. Rather, the user must completely remove the garment to allow for ventilation, creating an all or nothing approach to body heat retention. Various materials have been used in such garments in an attempt to control a person&#39;s comfort at differing temperature conditions, but ultimately such garments must be removed or partially removed to allow for ventilation. By way of example, the daily range of temperatures at a ski resort may vary drastically—often changing by as much as 20 degrees F. throughout the day. High winds, sun, and shade will further enhance the measured temperature range. Thus, comfort for a skier&#39;s lower arms, fingers, and hands depends upon a garment that may be quickly adjusted to the current conditions impacted by weather, including temperature, sun, shade, wind, humidity, precipitation, etc., as well as the degree of physical exertion. 
         [0003]    Conventional garment designs for protecting the lower arm, fingers, and hand suffer from a number of deficiencies, including an inability to adapt to the varying temperatures and varying levels of activity of the user. By way of example, gloves and mittens are typically designed to provide maximum insulation for the user&#39;s lower arm, fingers, and hand, but cannot easily be adjusted while in use, without using the opposing hand, to controllably ventilate, and thereby cool, a portion of the covered area. To address this problem, users often find themselves putting the garment on and taking it off multiple times during an activity. For example, a runner may begin by wearing a pair of gloves to start the run, and then decide to remove the gloves after physical exertion increases the temperature inside the gloves, only to then put the gloves back on after the hands cool from exposure. The constant removing and replacing of the garment can cause disruption in the activity and varying degrees of uncomfortable temperatures and/or moisture levels. Further, the user typically has to carry the garment separately in the hands or a pocket creating further disruption. Other attempts to address the problem include, for example, providing ventilation holes or material that allows air to flow through the garment; however, such designs do not allow for modulated airflow controlled by the user without the use of the opposing hand. Moreover, conventional gloves and mittens do not allow for the multifunctional applications of the disclosed forearm bands, which allow for use as a storage device, forearm band, and/or wristband as well as providing protection and ventilation for the hands and fingers. 
       Object 
       [0004]    It is, therefore, an object of the disclosure to provide an improved garment for allowing modulated airflow control to regulate ventilation, temperature, and moisture about the lower arm, hand, and fingers of a user that overcomes the foregoing and other problems. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the disclosure to provide an improved garment for allowing modulated ventilation that allows the user to incrementally control the amount of air that passes through the garment. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the disclosure to provide an improved garment for allowing modulated ventilation that allows the user to control airflow through the garment as defined by the user&#39;s hand anatomy. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the disclosure to provide an improved garment for allowing modulated ventilation where multiple layers of fabric are used to retain body heat. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the disclosure to provide an improved garment for allowing modulated ventilation concurrent with extraction of one or more finger from the garment in hand covering position. 
         [0009]    It is a further object of the disclosure to provide an improved garment for allowing modulated ventilation controlled without requiring the use of closure devices or the user&#39;s opposable hand. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present disclosure, as expressed herein, relates to a multifunctional ventilated forearm band used in one manner to cover the lower arm (including the forearm and/or wrist), fingers, and hand, with cavities that encapsulate the fingers and thumb allowing the user to readily open and close an opening of the forearm band such that in the closed position moisture and heat are retained to increase the temperature of the covered area, and in the open position air is allowed to flow into the forearm band to allow moisture and heat to escape from the covered area thereby decreasing the temperature in the covered area. The forearm band further includes cavities to function as a pockets for storage. The forearm band in one position provides cover to the lower arm, lingers, and hand in a manner that a second portion of the garment that covers the lower arm acts in principle as an armband, while a first portion of the garment that covers the fingers and hands acts as a mitten or glove with an opening at the palm of the hand to allow for airflow. The forearm band in a second position provides complete exposure of the fingers and hand where the first and second portions of the garment are pulled over the lower arm acting in principle as a forearm band or wristband. The forearm band is adjustable or otherwise convertible over any variety of positions between the first and second positions. For example, the forearm band can be in a third position where the lower arm and palm of the hand are covered while the fingers and thumb are exposed. In other positions, any number or combination of fingers and thumb can be covered and/or exposed by the forearm band. Thus, in one aspect the multifunctional forearm band allows air to flow into the covered area of the garment the function of which is to allow modulated airflow control about the covered area of the user. 
         [0011]    Modulation of ventilation allows the user to incrementally select the amount of air that is allowed pass through the garment. The garment is designed such that the ventilation can be incrementally controlled by the user. The user can actively change the airflow into the garment in very small increments, or very large increments, as defined by the users&#39; hand and desired comfort. 
         [0012]    The multifunctional forearm band provides the user the ability to enable unrestricted airflow into the garment, solely defined by the user&#39;s hand anatomy and associated layers of garment fabric. The multifunctional forearm band is free of additional airflow restrictions caused by closure devices such as zippers or buttons. The multifunctional forearm band therefore maximizes the available ventilation area from the garment&#39;s opening. 
         [0013]    The multifunctional forearm band allows the user the convenience of removing a single finger or multiple fingers from the hand covering cavity, while retaining the garment&#39;s utility of modulated ventilation. When used in this manner, the user is able to gain additional functionality of the fingers while maintaining the garment&#39;s ability to modulate the ventilation rate. 
         [0014]    The user also has the ability to actively restrict airflow into the garment on an incremental basis, all the way to complete closure and blockage of all airflow into the area of the garment&#39;s opening. 
         [0015]    The multifunctional forearm band offers the user the convenience of actively modulating airflow into the garment without the utilization of the user&#39;s opposing hand, or other body parts. By nature of the invention, the modulation of the airflow is inherently active when the forearm band is used in the finger covering position. 
         [0016]    The multifunctional forearm band also provides the user the ability to enable unobstructed airflow into the garment, free of any fabric or construction material that may reside between the thumb and the opening end of the garment resulting from an aperture or exterior protruding thumb pocket. The multifunctional forearm band does not contain a thumb aperture or protruding pocket that may restrict airflow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above set forth and other features of the invention are made more apparent in the ensuring Detailed Description of the Invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1A  is top plan view of a forearm garment in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom plan view of a forearm garment in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1C  is a top plan view of an inner surface of a forearm garment in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1D  is a bottom plan view of an inner surface of a forearm garment in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a forearm garment disposed on a user in a full arm band position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view a forearm garment disposed on a user in a wristband arrangement in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view a forearm garment disposed on a user as a wrist band with a cavity in an outer portion in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a forearm garment disposed on a user as a wrist and hand covering with fingers at least partially exposed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a forearm garment disposed on a user as a wrist, hand, and finger covering with at least two fingers partially exposed in accordance embodiments of with the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a forearm garment disposed on a user as a wrist, hand, and finger covering in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8A  is a plan view of another embodiment of a forearm garment with an outer covering disposed over a lower arm in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8B  is a plan view of another embodiment of a forearm garment with an outer covering disposed over a wrist, hand, and fingers in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a front isometric view of a forearm garment disposed on user and maximally exposing the interior of the garment to allow air flow in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a front isometric view of a forearm garment disposed on a user covering the wrist hand, and fingers, and partially exposing the interior of the garment to allow air flow in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of a forearm garment disposed on a user preventing exposure of the interior of the garment, thereby fully restricting airflow in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    For illustrative purposes, the following description describes embodiments of the multifunctional forearm band with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the invention is not so limited. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 1A-1D  show a detailed view of the multifunctional forearm band armband  10 . The forearm band  10  includes a first portion  20 . Above the first portion  20  and circumferentially attached to it is an second portion  30 . The first portion  20  and second portion  30  together form a generally tubular body of the forearm band  10  having first opening  12  and a second opening  14 . In some embodiments, the first portion  20  and the second portion  30  can be formed integrally from a single unitary piece of fabric or material. In other embodiments, the first portion and second portion may be separate pieces that are attached via any suitable method known in the apparel industry (e.g., sewing). 
         [0035]    The forearm band  10  is typically constructed with a fabric or material with elastic properties or purchase properties, such that the forearm band is maintained in position against the user&#39;s skin. A variety of available fabrics meet the criteria for warmth and stretchability, including natural or synthetic blends composed of wool, elastane, and/or nylon and polyester. The forearm band  10  can also be constructed with waterproof or water repellent fabrics, or can be treated with Durable Water Repellent treatments. In some embodiments, the forearm band  10  can be formed with multiple layers of material. However, the forearm band may be maintained in position using purchase elements, or elastic bands or drawstrings in circumferential channels in the forearm band  10 , through which an elastic band or drawstring can pass such that the elastic band or drawstring can be used to maintained the desired position. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1A  depicts a topside view of the forearm band  10  right-side out. In  FIG. 1A , there is shown an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the second portion  30  includes a pocket  32 , which can be used as a pocket for holding small items, e.g., keys, an electronic device, edibles, or heating or cooling elements, as further shown in  FIG. 4 . The pocket  32  can be created using stitching or other similar means, which would be apparent to a person of skill in the art, to create a pocket in the fabric. In some embodiments, the pocket can be formed in an interior of the garment to be in contact with a wearer; while in other embodiments, the pocket can be formed in an exterior of the garment to face away from a wearer. While depicted in  FIG. 1A  has having a single pocket, this is for illustration and not intended as limiting. Any number of, shape, or size of pocket can be formed in the forearm band  10 . Further, the storage pocket  32  may include a closure, such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, a magnetic strip or any other suitable closure known to one of skill in the art that can retain objects within the pocket.  FIG. 1B  depicts an underside view of the forearm band  10  right-side out. In  FIG. 1B , there is shown an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the second portion  30  includes cavities  34  and  36 , which can be used as additional pockets substantial the same and with similar utility as describe with respect to storage pocket  32 .  FIG. 1C  depicts a topside view of the forearm band  10  inside out. In  FIG. 1C , there is shown an embodiment of the present disclosure wherein the first portion  20  includes cavity  22 , which can be used to cover one or more fingers of the user, as further shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . While depicted as having a single cavity  22 , in other embodiments (not shown) the forearm band  10  may include additional cavities for covering a user&#39;s fingers. For example, the forearm band may have 2, 3 or 4 cavities capable of covering a user&#39;s fingers. The cavity  22  can be created in similar fashion to storage pocket  32  as described herein.  FIG. 1D  depicts an underside view of the forearm band  10  inside out. In  FIG. 1D , there is shown an embodiment of the disclosure wherein the first portion  20  includes thumb cavities  24  and  26 , which can be used to cover the thumb of the user. The forearm band  10  is designed with two thumb cavities  24  and  26  to be suitable for universal use such that it can be worn on the right hand or the left hand. 
         [0037]    As further shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , cavity  22  and thumb cavities  24 , and  26  provide covering for the fingers and thumb of the user thereby providing warmth, sweat retention, and protection from the elements. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the cavity  22  and thumb cavities  24  and  26  allow the user the ability to actively control the first opening  12 , thereby allowing modulated control of the airflow that passes through the armband  10 . This allows modulated ventilation defined by the user&#39;s hand anatomy and associated layers of fabric. Further, cavity  22  and thumb cavities  24  and  26  allow the user the convenience of removing a single finger or multiple fingers from the hand covering cavity, without the assistance of the opposing hand, while retaining the garment&#39;s utility of modulated ventilation. When used in this manner, the user is able to access the dexterity of his or her uncovered fingers, while still maintaining the garment&#39;s ability to modulate the ventilation rate. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a multifunctional forearm band  10  of the disclosure depicted as worn by a user  50  in a first configuration having the functionality of a forearm band. In this configuration, the forearm band  10  is worn on the upper portion of the user&#39;s forearm  52 . The user&#39;s hand extends through the first opening  12  and forearm extend through the second opening  14 , though it may be worn on the forearm as shown in  FIG. 2  with the first opening  12  or second opening  14  closest to the user&#39;s hand. In this configuration, the forearm band provides warmth, sweat retention, and protection from environmental elements (e.g., sun UV rays, wind, rain, etc.) for the user&#39;s forearm. 
         [0039]    As further shown in  FIG. 3 , the multifunctional forearm band  10  is depicted as worn by a user  50  in a second configuration having the functionality of a wristband. In this configuration, the user  50  can pull the tubular body of the forearm band  10  down, wherein the second opening  14  is pushed down such that the forearm band can be worn about the user&#39;s wrist. The first portion  20  and second portion  30  may be scrunched together or pulled and/or folded over one another. This configuration provides warmth, sweat retention, and protection from the environmental elements for the user&#39;s wrist. 
         [0040]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , the multifunctional forearm band  10  is depicted as worn by a user  50 , wherein the storage pocket  32  is used to retain an edible gel packet  60 , such as energy gel packets manufactured by GUT™ Energy Labs. It should be apparent that storage pockets  32 ,  34 , and  36  can be used in this manner in any configuration of the forearm band  10 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the multifunctional forearm band  10  is depicted as worn by a user  50  with the tubular body of the first portion  20  pulled down, wherein the first portion  20  can be worn about a portion of the user&#39;s hand with the fingers exposed. In this configuration, the first portion  20  provides warmth, sweat retention, and protection from the elements for the user&#39;s wrist and hand while still allowing ventilation to the user&#39;s fingers and palm. 
         [0042]    As further shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the multifunctional forearm band  10  of the invention is depicted as worn by a user  50 , wherein one or more fingers and the thumb are inserted into or extracted from cavity  22  and thumb cavities  24  and  26 . The cavity  22  and thumb cavities  24  and  26  allow for encapsulating (i.e. covering) the fingers and thumb. In this configuration, the user  50  can easily insert or extract the fingers and thumb from cavities  22 ,  24 , and  26  without the use of the opposing hand, as dexterity is needed, e.g., operating a touch screen device or making a trigger finger accessible while hunting. This allows for the user  50  to readily use his or her fingers while at the same time maintaining modulated ventilation of the air that passes through the first opening  12 . The cavities  22 ,  24 , and  26  can be created using stitching, attachment of additional material, or other similar means, which would be apparent to a person of skill in the art. In some embodiments, cavities  22 ,  24 , and  26  can be formed by construction of looping finger attachments, with or without apertures, which would be apparent to a person of skill in the art. In such configurations, a user&#39;s fingers and/or thumbs can be secured in the looping finger attachments. While depicted in  FIGS. 1 c  and 1 d   , as having 3 cavities on first portion  20 , this is for illustration and not intended as limiting. Any number of, shape, or size of cavity can be formed in the first portion  20  of forearm band  10 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , another embodiment of a multifunctional forearm band  10  is depicted as worn by a user  50 , wherein the forearm band  10  includes an outer covering  40  attached at the second opening  14 . The outer covering  40  may be removably attached at the second opening  14  with Velco, zipper, or a similar means. In other embodiments, the outer covering  40  may be fixedly attached and sewn to the back of the second opening  14 . The outer covering  40 , as shown in  FIG. 8( a )  can provide additional insulating value to the upper arm. By pulling the outer covering  40  up around the upper arm, a simple gaiter configuration is formed providing additional protection for the upper arm and elbow. Alternatively, the outer covering  40  may be pulled down around the second portion  30  and first portion  20  to provide an additional layer of fabric for added heat retention and protection from the elements. This configuration is shown in  FIG. 8( b ) , and provides concentrated insulative value around the wrist and hand of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the outer covering  40  is formed of a polyester fleece material which has high insulative value, may be stretched at least over 150% of original unstretched dimensions in all directions, and has a natural water resistance. Among commercial versions of this material are those sold under the trademark Polartec. A variety of available fabrics meet the criteria for warmth and stretchability, including, but not limited to, Polartec 200 fleece material. Other windproof and/or waterproof fabric with similar qualities may alternatively be used. 
         [0044]    Thus, it is seen that the forearm band  10  may function in at least six different configurations merely by pulling it up or down on the user&#39;s forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers. For example, the forearm band in one position provides cover to the lower arm, fingers, and hand in a manner that the second portion  30  of the garment that covers the lower arm acts in principle as a forearm band, while the first portion  20  of the garment covers the fingers and hands acts as a mitten or glove with an opening at the palm of the hand to allow for airflow. The forearm band in a second position provides complete exposure of the fingers and hand where the first and second portion of the garment are pulled or disposed over the lower arm acting in principle as an forearm band or wristband. The forearm band is adjustable or otherwise convertible over any variety of positions between the first and second positions. For example, the forearm band can be in a third position where the lower arm and palm of the hand are covered while the fingers and thumb are exposed. In other positions, any number or combination of fingers and thumb can be covered and/or exposed by the forearm band. 
         [0045]    The adjustability and ventilation features of the multifunctional forearm band  10  are further depicted and shown with reference to  FIGS. 9-11 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the first portion  20  is pulled over the hand and fingers with all the fingers and thumb of the user engaged in cavities  22 ,  24 , and  26 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is depicted the user&#39;s fingers and thumb spread open such that airflow  60  is captured in the first opening  12  of the forearm band  10 . In this manner, the user captures a maximum amount of air providing maximum ventilation. This ventilation allows the user to cool and/or dry the hands without the necessity of removing the forearm band or engaging the opposing hand. Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is depicted the user&#39;s fingers and thumb partially closed such that airflow  60  is partially captured in the first opening  12  of the forearm band  10  and partially deflected about the forearm band  10 . In this manner, the user captures some air as ventilation while at the same time retaining body heat. Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is depicted the user&#39;s fingers and thumb are closed tight into a first such that the airflow  60  is fully deflected about the forearm band  10 . In this manner, the user retains maximum body heat within the forearm band. As shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , the first opening  12  is free of restrictions or obstructions such as zippers, buttons, fabric, etc. and has a maximum area that is defined by the anatomy of a user&#39;s hand when the thumb and finger are fully extended. 
         [0046]    In other embodiments, the multifunctional forearm band may be part of a garment. The garment may be a jacket, sweater, sweatshirt, shirt, top or other garment of the like. In some embodiments, the multifunctional forearm band can be attached to the sleeve of a garment. The forearm band may be attached by sewing to the sleeve. In other embodiments, the forearm band may be attached via a zipper, snaps, buttons, Velcro, elastics, or other suitable attachment means. In some embodiments, the forearm band may be removably attached to the sleeve such that it can be separated from the sleeve and reattached depending on a user&#39;s preference. 
         [0047]    In still other embodiments, the multifunctional forearm band can be integrated into the sleeve of a garment such that it forms a unitary part with the sleeve. In such embodiments, the forearm band may be an extension of the sleeve and constructed from a single piece of fabric. For example, the forearm band may be integrated into the sleeve as an internal or external cuff, wherein the finger cavity and thumb cavities are form into the cuff of the sleeve. 
         [0048]    The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.