Fastening devices for chain mail protective gloves

A mail chain protective glove consisting of a part designed to cover the hand, extended by a full sleeve-like part devoid of lateral slot, designed to be urged to cover part of the wrist zone, which wrist portion is extended optionally by a cuff protecting the forearm or the arm, likewise in the shape of a full sleeve devoid of lateral slot. The glove provided with a fastening system on the portion covering the wrist and/or the protective cuff. The binding system consists of a hook member which co-operates with at least an orifice provided in a catching structure, which hook member is provided with a projecting element which forms a gripping element facilitating the fastening manoeuvre on the receiving structure as well as the unfastening manoeuvre.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns gloves made of coat of mail used notably in the meat industry to protect the hand and possibly the forearm or the arm of people using cutting or sharp tools.

These gloves are composed of a latticework of interlaced metallic rings and they generally comprise a clamping system at the wrist for easier handability. Certain models are equipped with an extension forming a collar covering a portion of the user's arm, or the whole arm. When this collar is made of coat of mail, longitudinal stiffening members maintain its tension, and a clamping system may be provided at its end.

For safety reasons, it is preferable that the wrist zone made of a coat of mail fabric, or that the collar made of a coat of mail fabric, should form a complete sleeve deprived of any lateral slots.

There is a very large number of clamping systems enabling to hold the glove on the hand.

Some of these clamping systems have a complex structure or are not easy to be used.

Others, of relatively simple structure, do not keep their clamping characteristics with the course of time; it is the case in particular of the metallic clamping systems with resilient structure (spiral wound spring or helicoids spring) which may slacken with the passing of time.

Some others still of these clamping systems raise cleaning problems, either because of their complex structure, or because they use clamping straps and/or stiffening members of plastic material with poor resistance to bleaches or high temperatures.

It will also be noted that certain gloves comprise hooking members designed to be hooked in the coat of mail fabric for easier clamping. However, it may happen that these hooking members grip inadvertently the coat of mail fabric of the glove, or of other gloves, in particular within the framework of the cleaning operations of the gloves, and it is not always very easy to perform the necessary releasing and disconnection operations.

This invention intends to remedy these shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The glove made of coat of mail according to this invention is of the type composed of a first portion intended to cover the hand, extended by a second portion in the form of a complete sleeve deprived of any lateral slots, intended to cover the wrist zone, which second portion may be extended by a collar for protecting the forearm or the arm, also in the form of a complete sleeve deprived of any lateral slots; it is also fitted with a clamping system on the portion covering the wrist and/or on the protection collar.

This glove is characterised in that its clamping system is composed of a hooking member which co-operates with at least one orifice provided in a gripping structure, which hooking member is fitted with a protruding element which constitutes a prehensile means facilitating the hooking operations on the receiving structure, as well as the releasing operations.

This clamping device structure is very simple to be realised; moreover it proves very efficient and safe during operation.

Still according to the invention, the hooking member is fitted with a plane end return whereof the length I is greater than the internal diameter of the rings of the coat of mail fabric of the glove.

On the other hand, this hooking member is advantageously realised by cutting and embossing/folding a metal sheet.

According to a first possible embodiment, the hooking member is in the form of plane structure fitted with a plane end return which constitutes the hook co-operating with the or one of the orifices of the gripping structure, the protruding element of said hooking member being in the form of a transversal edge provided from the upper face of said plane structure.

This transversal edge extends preferably on a plane tilted with respect to the plane perpendicular to the upper face of the plane structure, for easier hooking or releasing operations.

According to another possible embodiment, the hooking member is in the form of a plane structure fitted with a plane end return which constitutes the hook cooperating with the or one of the orifices of the gripping structure, the protruding element of said hooking member being in the form of a boss provided from the upper face of said plane structure, fitted with a face or a transversal edge for easier handability.

According to another particularity, the plane end return which constitutes the hook of the hooking member comprises lateral edges slightly chamfered, convergent, which confer substantially trapezoid shape thereto for easier insertion and disengagement in the orifice(s) of the gripping structure.

According to a first possible embodiment, the gripping structure is in the form of added-on ring(s), imbedded in the coat of mail fabric. This or these rings may be generally rectangular, oval, circular in shape or other.

According to another possible embodiment, the gripping structure is in the form of a plate fitted with a plurality of orifices, to enable adjustment of the clamping tension. This plate is advantageously cambered to follow the contour of the user's wrist or arm.

According to still another possible embodiment, the gripping structure is in the form of several plates juxtaposed or which overlap each other partially, each including at least one orifice, to enable adjustment of the clamping tension.

In a particularly interesting embodiment, the clamping system of the glove contains—a gripping plate, or several associated plates, fitted with one or several oblong orifices arranged parallel to one another, and—a hooking member whereof the end hook is active over the whole length or substantially the whole length of said orifice or of said orifices.

According to a first possible embodiment, the clamping system contains a gripping structure attached to the coat of mail fabric, and a hooking member whereof the rear end is also attached to the coat of mail fabric, some distance away from said gripping structure for easier clamping on the corresponding glove zone.

According to another embodiment, the rear end of the hooking member is attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of one or of several inserts connected to one another.

According to still another embodiment, the clamping system is composed of a single-piece strip hugging the corresponding glove zone; one of the ends of this strip is formed to provide the hooking member, and its other end is formed to provide the gripping structure.

This strip can be maintained on the corresponding glove zone by means of one or of several loops made of coat of mail, or by means of one sleeve made of coat of mail.

According to still another possible embodiment, the clamping system is composed of a hooking member and of a gripping structure attached to the ends of an added-on strap, which strap is in the form of a strip or of a series of inserts. Here again, a system of loop(s) or of sleeve made of coat of mail can be used to maintain the strap on the corresponding glove zone.

To improve the clamping characteristics, an additional plate may be attached at the end of the gripping structure by a hinged link; this additional plate is housed in the sleeve which receives the strap in the form of a strip or a series of inserts.

According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving sleeve of the strap extends from each of the ends of the gripping structure, and it comprises an exit slot for the end of said strap fitted with the hooking member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The glove1illustrated onFIGS. 1 and 2is made of coat of mail fabric, i.e. it is composed of a latticework of interlaced metallic rings. The corresponding rings can be made of stainless steel wire of 0.5 or 0.55 mm in diameter; their internal diameter may be of the order of 2 to 4 mm.

Such glove1contains a hand portion2extended by a portion3in the form of a complete cylindrical sleeve, i.e. deprived of any lateral slots, which is intended to cover the user's wrist. Such portion3is prolonged itself by an extension4, represented partially, forming a collar for protecting the forearm or the arm; this protection collar4is also in the form of complete cylindrical sleeve, deprived of any lateral slots.

The three portions of glove2,3and4are single pieces made of coat of mail fabric.

The cylindrical portion3of the wrist zone is equipped with a clamping system5composed of a hooking member6fitted with an end hook7which cooperates with one of the orifices8of an added-on gripping structure9, here in the form of a plate.

The hooking member6is detailed onFIGS. 3 and 4. It is in the general shape of a plane structure10in the form of an insert whereof the front end comprises a plane return, slightly inward, making up the hook7, and whereof the rear end is equipped with orifices11, here two in number, to be fastened to the coat of mail fabric.

A transversal edge12protrudes from the upper face of the plane structure10for easier hooking and releasing operations. This transversal edge12extends on a plane slightly tilted with respect to the plane perpendicular to the upper face of the insert10for easier handability.

The end return7and the transversal edge12are each provided on one side of the plane structure10of the hooking member8, and both of them are slightly tilted in the same direction, such direction being opposite the traction direction necessary to closing the clamping device.

The hooking member6illustrated onFIGS. 1 to 4is made by cutting and folding a metal sheet, for instance a stainless steel sheet of 0.7 mm thickness; its width may be of the order of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and the end hook7may extend over a length l corresponding approximately to half or ⅔ of this width. The hook7is centered on the width of the gripping member6. The transversal edge12extends over the whole width of the hooking member6; it is obtained by folding the metallic sheet into a V-shape.

As can be seen onFIG. 3, the lateral edges13of the hook7are slightly chamfered or slanted for easier hooking operations and especially releasing operations on the orifice(s)8of the gripping structure9. Both these convergent edges13confer general trapezoid shape to the hook7. The corresponding chamfering is of the order of a few degrees.

The depth of the hook7is adapted for better gripping on the orifice(s)8of the gripping structure9; this depth may be of the order of 4 to 5 mm.

The general sizes of the hook7are adapted to prevent any direct gripping on the rings of the coat of mail fabric. In particular, the length l of the hook7is greater than the internal diameter of the rings used to make the structure of coat of mail of the glove.

The gripping plate9is detailed onFIG. 5. This plate9, generally rectangular in shape, can also be cut into a metallic sheet (for example a stainless steel sheet of 0.7 mm in thickness). Its width may be of the order of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and its length may be of the order of a few centimetres. This plate9is slightly cambered the better to hug the contour of the user's wrist.

The orifices8designed to co-operate with the hook7of the hooking member6are spaced regularly parallel to one another over the length of the plate9; these orifices8have an oblong shape whereof the length corresponds, including the clearance, to the length I of the upper portion of the hook7; their width is slightly greater than the thickness of said hook7.

The number and the position of the oblong orifices8depend on the clamping possibilities that one wishes to obtain.

On the periphery of the plate9, one may note the presence of circular orifices14intended for fastening said plate to the coat of mail fabric.

As can be seen onFIGS. 1 and 2, the gripping plate9is attached to the coat of mail fabric of the wrist zone3by means of metallic rings15(for instance of the rings identical or similar to those used for the manufacture of the glove). The rings15engage into certain rings of the coat of mail fabric, and they go through the orifices14aforementioned of the plate9.

The plate9is thus practically pressed against the coat of mail fabric, over a portion of the periphery of the wrist. One will observe that the presence of the orifices8and14improves the flexibility of the plate9which may also hug the contour of the wrist ideally.

The hooking member6is also attached to the wrist zone3, at a little distance from the gripping plate9, by means of fastening metallic rings16. Here again, these rings16can be identical or similar to those used for the manufacture of the glove.

The rings16engage into certain rings of the coat of mail fabric, and they go through the end orifices11of the hooking member6. This hooking member is then somehow hinged on the coat of mail fabric of the glove, its front end fitted with the hook7being free.

It will be noted here that in an embodiment variation, the hooking member may be attached to the coat of mail fabric of the glove by means of a metallic insert, or of several inserts hinged to one another.

As the user has inserted his hand in the glove1, the wrist zone can be clamped very simply as illustrated onFIG. 1, by pulling on the hooking member6in order to insert its end hook7into one of the orifices8of the plate9. This operation is facilitated by the presence of the protruding edge12. The selection of the orifice8used depends on the clamping characteristics desired.

The activated clamping device is represented onFIG. 2.

The corresponding clamping operation, performed by means of a hooking member which is locked removably on an orifice especially provided in a gripping structure, is very easy to carry out. Such clamping is moreover of excellent quality.

Slight tilting of the hook7enables better gripping on the plate9. On the other hand, the use of a plane hook7active over the whole length or substantially the whole length of the oblong receiving orifice8enables to improve the interconnection of the gripping member on the gripping plate.

Another possible embodiment of the gripping structure is illustrated onFIGS. 6 and 7.

OnFIG. 6, the gripping structure9′ is composed of a plurality of independent inserts17partially superimposed and attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of junction rings18. Each insert17comprises an orifice8enabling to imbed the hook7of the hooking member6. Similarly, each insert might comprise two parallel orifices8, let alone more of them.

OnFIG. 7, the inserts17are also attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of junction rings18, but the inserts17are here simply juxtaposed (they do not superimpose one another).

Here again, each insert17might comprise more than one orifice8.

FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate still another possible variation of gripping structure.

This gripping structure9″ is composed of at least one independent ring19imbedded in the coat of mail fabric as illustrated onFIG. 8.

As can be seen as a bottom view onFIG. 9, several rings19can be used, spaced regularly, for easier adjustment of the clamping.

The ring(s)19are advantageously made of metallic wire; they are advantageously imbedded in the coat of mail fabric before being closed by a welding spot. They protrude beyond the coat of mail fabric for easier gripping of the hook7of the hooking member6. They can advantageously protrude on either side of the coat of mail fabric to obtain an ambidextrous reversible glove. The hooking member, and in particular its fastening to the glove should then be adapted consequently.

As illustrated onFIGS. 8 and 9, the gripping rings19can have a rectangular contour. They can be in other forms, for instance oval (FIG. 10) or circular (FIG. 11).

FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate a possible variation of the hooking member.

Such hooking member6′ is composed of a plane structure10′ in the form of insert whereof the front end is fitted with the hook7′ and whereof the rear end comprises fastening orifices11′. A protruding element12′ is provided from the upper face of the insert10′ to provide the prehensile means facilitating the hooking operations on the receiving structure, as well as the releasing operations. Such protruding element12′ is in the form of a boss made by embossing after transversal cutting. Such a boss delineates a transversal edge towards the rear for easier manipulation by means of one or several fingers.

FIGS. 14 and 15illustrate another possible embodiment of the clamping device5according to this invention.

In this embodiment variation, the hooking member6and the gripping plate9have a structure identical or similar to that which has just been described in relation toFIGS. 1 to 5, but both elements are formed at the ends of a strip20which forms a kind of strap and which hugs the wrist zone.

The strip20may consist of a metallic band, for instance a steel band of 1.5 cm in width and of 0.2 mm in thickness, whereof the ends are folded and cut conveniently.

The single-piece clamping device illustrated onFIGS. 14 and 15can be obtained.

Such clamping device has a general circular shape; as illustrated onFIG. 14, it may be housed in a sleeve21provided on the glove1, on a portion of the periphery of the twist zone.

The receiving sleeve21is advantageously made of coat of mail, for instance by means of a band, added-on and attached to the wrist zone by means of metallic sewing rings.

It is preferably provided over the whole periphery of the wrist, except on the gripping plate9, for easier clamping.

As a variation, the sleeve21may be replaced with simples loops made of coat of mail.

For correct and permanent positioning of the clamping device5, the plate9is attached to the coat of mail fabric of the glove by means of metallic rings15which go through the circular orifices14, similarly to the previous embodiment.

FIGS. 16 to 18illustrate another embodiment in which the clamping device S is composed of a hooking member6and of a gripping plate9as illustrated onFIGS. 1 to 5, linked at one of their ends by an added-on strip22which forms a kind of strap.

The rear end of the gripping member6is attached to one of the ends of the strip22by the linking rings23; and the rear end of the plate9is attached to the other end of the strip22by the linking rings24.

The gripping member6and the gripping plate9can be made of a stainless steel sheet of 0.7 mm in thickness to confer suitable resistance thereto, whereas the strip22may be made of stainless steel sheet of 0.2 mm in thickness to confer good flexibility thereto.

A circular clamping device similar to that illustrated onFIGS. 14 and 15can be obtained. OnFIG. 17, such clamping device is represented as isolated and in loosened position; onFIG. 18, it is represented in activated position.

As represented onFIG. 16, the strip22may be housed in a sleeve of coat of mail21provided on the wrist zone of the glove, such sleeve21extending substantially from the ends of the gripping plate9. Here again, this plate9is preferably attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of metallic rings15which go through the circular orifices14.

As for the previous embodiment, the sleeve21may be replaced with the loops made of coat of mail.

Handling the gripping member6is very easy because of its interconnection with the strip22by means of the junction rings23which provide a hinged link. On the side of the gripping member6, the sleeve21stops at some distance from the plate9for easier clamping and releasing operations.

As a variation, the strip22may be replaced with a strap25composed of an assembly of metallic inserts26, assembled by means of linking rings27, as illustrated onFIG. 19.

FIGS. 20 to 24show an embodiment derived from the one illustrated onFIGS. 16 to 19. Here, the end of the gripping plate9which is not linked with the strip22is extended by an additional plate28connected by junction rings29.

Such additional plate28may be made of a stainless steel sheet of 0.2 mm in thickness; its width corresponds substantially to that of the strip22and it extends over a length of a few centimetres.

The clamping device obtained is illustrated individually onFIG. 21in released position, and in active position onFIG. 22.

The additional plate28is intended to be housed in the sleeve21provided on the periphery of the wrist zone. Its presence enables good distribution of the coat of mail fabric on the periphery of the wrist during the clamping operation.

The sleeve21starts as close as possible at the end of the gripping plate9to optimise this distribution of the coat of mail; to have sufficient elbow room when handling the hooking member, the end of the strip22which carries said hooking member comes out of the sleeve21by a slot30provided a few centimeters away from the end of said sleeve.

The corresponding structure of the clamping device5is illustrated onFIGS. 23 and 24.FIG. 23shows such clamping device in active position, the gripping member6being interconnected with the gripping plate9;FIG. 24shows it in de-activated position.

For such embodiment, the strip22may also be replaced with assembled metallic inserts.

The clamping device according to this invention may similarly be provided at the end of the collar4or over an intermediate zone of this collar.

On the other hand, on the embodiments of theFIGS. 14 to 24, the hooking member6may be replaced with other embodiments, in particular with the solution illustrated onFIGS. 12 and 13.