Protective glove with wire mesh

A protective glove includes an inner liner having a soft pliable material configured to cover a front side and a back side of a user's hand. A protective layer is attached to an exterior surface of the inner liner and disposed over at least the front side of the user's hand. The protective layer includes a wire mesh panel that is configured to protect the user's hand from cuts, abrasions, and punctures and that has an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends. An edge protector is disposed over the edge portion of the wire mesh panel and substantially conceals the wire ends to prevent the edge portion from fraying and the plurality of wire ends from piercing the inner liner. An outer layer is attached to the exterior surface of the inner liner and is disposed over the protective layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to protective garments, such as gloves, arm guards, leg guards, foot guards, neck guards, torso guards, head guards, and other body part garments, that include wire mesh, and more particularly to protective garments with a wire mesh protective layer to provide cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common to wear a protective garment to guard a wearer against cuts, abrasions, and punctures to the skin covered by the protective garment. Protective garments frequently include more than one layer of fabric or material to increase the protective characteristics of the garment. Increased layers of fabric or material on a protective garment will typically increase rigidity and bulk of the garment and limit dexterity and function of the garment for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a protective glove includes an inner liner having a soft pliable material configured to cover a front side and a back side of a user's hand. A protective layer is attached to an exterior surface of the inner liner and disposed over at least the front side of the user's hand. The protective layer includes a wire mesh panel that is configured to protect the user's hand from cuts, abrasions, and punctures and that has an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends. An edge protector is disposed over the edge portion of the wire mesh panel and substantially conceals the wire ends to prevent the edge portion from fraying and the plurality of wire ends from piercing the inner liner. An outer layer is attached to the exterior surface of the inner liner and is disposed over the protective layer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a protective glove includes an inner liner having a fabric material configured to abut a skin surface of a user. A plurality of wire mesh panels is layered over a palm portion of the inner liner to protect the adjacent skin surface from cuts, abrasions, and punctures. The plurality of wire mesh panels has an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends. An edge protector covers the edge portion of the wire mesh panels to substantially conceal the plurality of wire ends and to prevent the edge portion from fraying. An outer layer is disposed over the plurality of wire mesh panels and has a stitching that extends thought the edge protector and the inner liner to attach the outer layer with the inner liner.

According to another aspect of the present invention, making a protective glove includes providing a fabric shell liner that has a fabric material configured to abut a skin surface of a user and sized to cover a front side and a back side of a user's hand. A plurality of wire mesh panels are also provided having an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends and a shape generally conforming to a periphery of the front side of the user's hand. An edge protector is attached to the edge portion of the plurality of wire mesh panels to substantially conceal the wire ends and to prevent the edge portion from fraying. The plurality of wire mesh panels is attached to the fabric shell liner, such that a palm portion of the plurality of wire mesh panels cover a palm area of the fabric shell liner and a finger portion of the plurality of wire mesh panels is shaped wrap over tips of a finger area of the fabric shell liner to protect the adjacent skin surface from cuts, abrasions, and punctures. An outer layer is attached over the plurality of wire mesh panels by stitching through the outer layer, the plurality of wire panels, and the fabric shell liner to attach the outer layer with the inner liner.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a glove includes an inner liner, a protective layer, and an outer layer. The inner liner has a soft pliable material configured to cover and abut a skin surface of a hand. The protective layer is disposed over a work surface of the inner liner and has a wire mesh panel. The wire mesh panel that includes an edge portion with a plurality of wire ends and a body portion configured to protect the skin surface from cuts, abrasions, and punctures. An edge protector is disposed on the edge portion of the wire mesh substantially concealing the plurality of wire ends. The edge protector is configured to prevent the edge portion from fraying and to prevent the skin surface from being pierced by the plurality of wire ends. The outer layer is disposed over the protective layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-12reference numeral10generally designates a protective glove that has an inner liner12, a protective layer14, and an outer layer16. The inner liner12includes a soft pliable material that is configured to abut a skin surface of a user. The protective layer14is attached to an exterior surface of the inner liner12and disposed over at least the front side of the user's hand. The protective layer14includes a wire mesh panel18that has an edge portion20with a plurality of wire ends22and a body portion24configured to protect the skin surface from cuts, abrasions, and punctures. An edge protector26is disposed on the edge portion20of the wire mesh substantially concealing the plurality of wire ends22. The edge protector26is configured to prevent the edge portion20of the wire mesh panel18from fraying and to prevent the skin surface from being pierced by the plurality of wire ends22. The outer layer16is disposed over the protective layer14and couples with the inner liner12.

As captured inFIGS. 1-2, a glove embodiment of the protective garment10is shown. The inner liner12includes a fabric shell28that substantially covers the entire hand. The fabric shell28, as illustrated, is made of a front portion30, a back portion32, a thumb portion34, and a webbing portion36. The front portion30substantially covers a palm and a palm side of the fingers. The back portion32substantially covers a back side of the palm and fingers. The thumb portion34substantially covers an entire thumb and extends between the front portion30and the back portion32. The webbing portion36substantially covers between the fingers and also extends between the front portion30and the back portion32. The front portion30and the back portion32engage along both sides of the glove. It is understood to those skilled in the art that the portions of the fabric shell28may be integrally formed or further divided. In addition, the fabric shell28may be extended to a wrist area and an arm area and alternatively constructed to substantially cover other body areas, such as a foot, a leg, an arm, a neck, and a portion of a torso, or a combination thereof. Further, it is understood that although a left hand glove is shown, a substantially mirror image of the glove is imagined for a right hand glove.

The fabric shell28, as shown inFIGS. 1-2, is assembled by sewing the front portion30, back portion32, thumb portion34, and webbing portion36together, such that excess material at the seams therebetween extends to an outside surface of the fabric shell28. Accordingly, an inside surface of the fabric shell28includes smooth seams and is configured to be against the skin surface of the user. It is conceivable that the fabric shell28or portions thereof may be additionally or alternatively joined or bonded with adhesive, fusible material, or other conceivable fasteners.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, the inner liner12is shown constructed entirely with a polyester material. However, it is conceivable that a woven or non-woven material including a cotton material, nylon material, or a similar material or combination of materials may be used. The inner liner12may also include breathable, moisture wicking, or waterproof material or materials. As such, it is conceivable that alternative materials may be used for various portions of the fabric shell28, as described above.

Still referring toFIGS. 1-2, the protective layer14is disposed over the fabric shell28of the inner liner12, including the palm, the palm side of the fingers, a palm side and tip portion of the thumb, and a finger tip area extending between the back side of the fingers and the palm side of the fingers. It can also be described that the protective layer14is disposed over a work area of the fabric shell28. It is understood that additional or fewer portions of the fabric shell28may be covered with the protective layer14or portions of the protective layer14. In addition, it conceivable that other embodiments of the protective garment10, such as an arm guard, may include the protective layer14disposed over portions or the entire inner liner12.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1-2, the protective layer14is sewn to the inner liner12. A stitching38is positioned along a periphery of the protective layer14with exception to a wrist edge of the palm. The stitching38is also positioned between the fingers and the palm and at an intermediate portion of the fingers. The stitching38is strategically placed to increase the flexibility and comfort of the glove. It is conceivable that the protective layer could be sewn or bonded to the inner liner12, the outer layer16, or both. It will be understood that the stitching or bonding pattern and quantity will be placed or applied to allow for increased flexibility, breathability and wearer comfort. It is also conceivable that the inner and outer layers12,16could be sewn together with the protective layer14floating loose between the inner and outer layers12,16, allowing the protective layer14to float between the layers.

The protective layer14includes at least one wire mesh panel18disposed over the inner liner12to protect the skin surface of the user from cuts, abrasions, and punctures. The protective layer14, as shown inFIGS. 1-2, includes six layers of wire mesh panels18. However, it is conceivable that various layers of wire mesh panels18may be used in the protective layer14, depending on the wire mesh panel18characteristics and intended use of the protective garment10. For example, the number of layers the garment features will depend on the environment and potential hazards faced by the user wearing the garment and the required movement and pliability required by the garment. The protective layer14with at least one wire mesh panel18, as shown and described, provides the user with cut, puncture, and abrasion resistance. According to one embodiment, two layers of the wire mesh panels18are provided in the protective layer14. According to another embodiment, six layers of wire mesh panels18are provided in the protective layer14. It is conceivable that a wide range of layers of wire mesh panels18may be provided in the protective lay14and various amounts of layers of wire mesh panels18may be provided at different portions of the protective layer14and at different portions of the protective garment10.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-4, the wire mesh panel18is shown having a body portion24(FIG. 3) and an edge portion20(FIG. 4). The body portion24of the wire mesh panel18is configured to protect the skin surface from cuts, abrasions, and punctures. According to one embodiment, as illustrated, the body portion24of the wire mesh panel18is a plain weave with 250 mesh (wires per linear inch) and 0.0024 inch openings made with stainless steel wires of type T304 and diameter of 0.0016 inches. As also illustrated, the wire mesh panel18has a 36% open area and a 0.003 inch thickness, weighing 0.04 pounds per square inch. It is conceivable that for such a glove with a protective layer14using a plain weave wire mesh panel18, the mesh count could vary at least from 100 mesh to 800 mesh (wires per linear inch) and the wire diameter could vary at least from 0.0005 inches to 0.004 inches. It is also conceivable that an embodiment may include a mesh or wire diameter outside the given ranges, which are simply provided to describe some potential ranges that may be used for some embodiments. Further, it is conceivable that a Dutch weave may be used having 8×40 weaves per inch to 300×2000 weaves per inch with a wire diameter between 0.0005 inches to 0.004 inches. The wire material may also or alternatively include other metals, including other types of non-corrosive stainless steel.

As shown inFIG. 4, the edge portion20of the wire mesh panel18has a plurality of wire ends22. The wire ends22are angled due to deformation caused by shear force used to cut the wire mesh panel18to a pattern used for the protective layer14. If the wire mesh panel18is directly applied to the protective garment10, the wire ends22may fray and cause deterioration and wear to fabric of the inner liner12or outer layer16proximate the edge portion20of the wire mesh panel18. In addition, the wire ends22may pierce through the inner liner12or outer layer16of the protective garment10and expose a user or others to the wire ends22, which may scratch, poke, cut, or otherwise cause damage or an injury.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5-6B and 10-11, the edge protector26is disposed on the edge portion20of the wire mesh panel18substantially concealing the wire ends22. The edge protector26is configured to prevent the edge portion20from fraying and to prevent the user and others from being pierced or otherwise injured by the wire ends22. The edge protector26shown inFIGS. 5-6Bis an polymeric coating40that is applied to an approximately 1-10 mm area of the edge portion20of the wire mesh panel18using a screen printing process. As shown, the coating40bonds to and extends between the wire ends22to create a substantially solid edge that is less likely to pierce through the inner or outer layers12,16of the protective garment10. The polymeric coating40may include rubber, silicon, nitrile, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), similar materials, or combinations thereof. In addition, it is conceived that other methods of applying the coating40to the edge portion20may include dipping the edge portion20in a bath of the polymeric material or spraying the polymeric material on the edge portion20.

As shown inFIGS. 7-8, the screen printing process is partially illustrated. After the wire mesh panel18is cut to correlate with the pattern used for the protective layer14, the wire mesh panel18is aligned on a flat surface42, shown as a pair of wire mesh panels in the shape of hands on an alignment board inFIG. 7. A print film44is then placed over the wire mesh panel18, as shown inFIG. 8. The print film44has a screen build-in46with an area allowing the coating40material to go through the screen46. The area of the screen build-in46is in a pattern representing the edge portion20of the wire mesh panel18, which may be the entire wire mesh panel, as illustrated, or only the edge portion20, which is approximately 2-3 mm area proximate the wire ends22. When the print film44is properly aligned over the wire mesh panels18the operator then applies a coating40by pulling the coating material over the screen build-in46with a tool48that is similar to a squeegee. The operator then lifts the print film44and then places the wire mesh panel18into an oven for curing. After the coating40has cured the wire mesh panel18is sewn or otherwise attached to the protective glove10. It is also conceivable that the opposing side of the wire mesh panel18may be screen printed with the coating40after the initial coating40has cured. In addition, it is conceived that multiple layers of the wire mesh panels18may be coated in single application using screen printing.

The coating material may also be applied to the wire mesh panel18by dipping the wire mesh panel18in a bath of a substantially liquid state of the coating material or spreading the substantially liquid coating material over the mesh panel. The coating material may include rubber, silicon, nitrile, latex, polyurethane, neoprene, hydrogels, acrylins, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), similar materials, or combinations thereof. Such an application of the coating material may be applied to one or both sides of the edge portion20or an entire wire mesh panel18, including the edge and body portions20,24. Dipping or spreading the coating material to the edge portion20similarly covers the wire ends22to prevent the edge portion20from fraying and to prevent the user and others from being pierced or otherwise injured by the wire ends22.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the entire wire mesh panel18is coated with the coating material before being sewn or otherwise attached to the protective garment10. More specifically, the wire mesh panel18as shown inFIG. 9is configured to cover the palm of the inner liner12. It is conceivable that the coated wire mesh panel18or variations thereof may be sewn in high injury risk areas and applied over portions of the outer layer16for added protection. Applying the polymeric coating to the entire surface of the wire mesh panel18prevents it from bending beyond elastic deformation and adds resiliency to the wire mesh panel18, such that plastic deformation causing folds or memory bends in the wire mesh panel18is substantially reduced. Notably, folds or memory bends in the palm and finger area may create bulk to the glove and limit dexterity of the user, such that adding the polymeric coating to the wire mesh panels18in the palm and finger area or other portions of the wire mesh panels18will decrease the occurrence and severity of the folds. Applying the polymeric coating to the wire mesh panel18also prevents electrical and heat conductivity and electrostatic charges by acting as an insulator. An additional advantage to including the polymeric coating around the plurality of layers of wire mesh panels18is to decrease the wear and friction caused between the wire mesh panels18, such that any metal dust or metal particles created by degradation of wire mesh panels wearing against each other is substantially reduced. Accordingly, this formation of metal dust and metal particles is substantially eliminated or contained between wire mesh panels having polymeric coating disposed on at least one of the wire mesh panels on the surface abutting the opposing wire mesh panel. The polymeric coating in additional to the inner liner12further provides a barrier between the user's hand and any metal dust or metal created between layers of wire mesh panels18.

Other conceivable methods of preventing punctures from the wire ends22and containment of any particulation that accumulates from friction between layers of the wire mesh panels, includes silicon printing on the mesh panel or panels, dipping and coating the mesh panel or panels, binding the mesh panel or panels as described below, spraying a polymer on the mesh panel or panels, powder coating the mesh panel or panels, encapsulating the mesh panel or panels in a bag or pouch, laminating a film on one side of the mesh panel or panels, laminating a film on both sides of the mesh panel or panels to create a pouch, shrink wrap the mesh panel or panels, heat seal the mesh panel or panels. The film would likely include a soft film or a thermoplastic film.

The coating material may be applied to a sheet of wire mesh that is then cut into panels18and may be applied to individual wire mesh panels18. In addition, it is conceived that multiple layers of the wire mesh panels18may be coated in single application using the dipping or spreading process, such that the coating material acts as an adhesive between the wire mesh layers, holding them in place to stop relative movement therebetween. It is also conceivable that multiple entirely-coated wire mesh panels18are layered to form the protective layer14or a portion thereof, which would have increased friction between inner and outer layers12,16created by the coating material to allow for a more precise grip.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 12, the inner liner12, protective layer14, and outer layer16are shown in a cutaway view. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner liner12is made of polyester, the protective layer14includes six layers of wire mesh panels18, and the outer layer16is made of synthetic leather. The six layers of wire mesh panels18are first sewn or otherwise joined together through the protective edge and then sewn or otherwise joined to the inner liner12. Alternatively, the protective layer14may be sewn or otherwise joined through the body portion24of wire mesh panels18. The outer and inner liners16,12are then sewn or otherwise joined together along the sides of the glove and between the fingers. It is also conceivable in this embodiment that the protective layer14is floating loose between the inner and outer layers12,16to increase flexibility and comfort of the glove. In other embodiments, the inner liner12, protective layer14, and outer layer16may be joined by adhesive, polymer, heat bonding, or other forms of joining the layers or portions thereof.

Referring now toFIGS. 13-14, an additional embodiment of the edge protector26is shown having a binding50wrapping over the wire ends22of the edge portion20from a first side of the wire mesh panel18to a second side of the wire mesh panel18. The binding50is sewn to couple a first portion52contacting the first side of the wire mesh panel18with a second portion54contacting the second side of the wire mesh panel18, concealing the wire ends22between the first and second portions52,54of the binding50. As illustrated, the stitching is in alignment with the edge portion20. The material of the binding50is configured to prevent the wire ends22from piercing through the inner liner12or outer layer16of the protective garment10and from exposing a user or others to the wire ends22, which may scratch, poke, cut, or otherwise cause damage or an injury. The binding material may include cotton, spandex, polyester, polyurethane, and other pliable materials or combinations thereof having the described characteristics. It is conceived that this edge protector26embodiment can also be used for one or more layers of wire mesh panels18.

In an additional embodiment shown inFIGS. 13-14, the edge portion of the wire mesh panels may be sanded or ground down to substantially reduce or eliminate the wire ends. Sanding or grinding the wire ends may also prevent the edge portion20from fraying and prevent the user and others from being pierced or otherwise injured by the wire ends22. In such an embodiment, the edge protector, such as the binding or coating, may not be necessary.

As also shown inFIGS. 13-14, the glove embodiment of the protective garment10is shown having the outer layer16disposed over the protective layer14and the inner liner12. It is understood that the edge protector26, including the coating40and the binding50, may be sewn through to attach the wire mesh panel18to the inner liner12or outer layer16of the protective garment10. As shown inFIG. 12, the outer layer16is then attached to the protective garment10, covering the protective layer14and coupling with the inner liner12. The outer layer16serves as a protective cover for the protective layer14and portions of the inner liner12. Specifically, the outer layer16is shown as a synthetic leather, which provides abrasion resistance to improve longevity of the garment10. It is conceivable that the outer layer16may also or alternatively include leather, nylon, polyester, cotton, nitrile, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber, latex, silicon, polypropylene, Kevlar, and polyethylene, such that the outer layer16may also provide breathability, grip enhancement, waterproofing, water resistance, and chemical resistance. Additional components could also be added to the material for performance based texture, such as rubber pieces, sand, or foaming agents.