Glove remover

An apparatus for removing and disposing of contaminated gloves is provided. The apparatus has a vertical frame with a hook assembly on top which is operatively connected to a pedal assembly at the frame bottom. A shelf below the hook assembly supports a container for receiving discarded gloves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gloves, and in particular, to an apparatus for removing gloves from the hands of a wearer.

Protective gloves are commonly used for activities where it is desired to provide a barrier between the wearer and the material handled by the wearer. Such gloves are typically fabricated from a thin gauge elastomeric material such as latex or natural rubber. Elastomeric gloves stretch to the shape of the hand. Due to the close fit requirements for this class of gloves, it is difficult to remove them while maintaining protective and sanitary integrity.

It is desirable to have an apparatus that will aid a wearer in the safe removal of elastomeric gloves without the assistance of the wearer's opposite hand or another person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses this need by providing an apparatus which removes and disposes of a contaminated glove in one step without risking cross-contamination between the exterior surface of the glove and the wearer or other personnel.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the following detailed description and claims. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a glove remover1comprised of a vertical upright frame10with a top hook assembly40operatively connected to a foot pedal assembly70.

The frame10has a generally rectangular body with a top11, bottom12, front13, rear14, and two opposite sides15. The frame10is further defined by four vertical support poles16, each support pole having a top end17, a bottom end18, and an elongated pole body19preferably having a circular cross-section. Each support pole is positioned at a junction of the frame front and opposite sides and at a junction of the frame rear and opposite sides.

The frame top11is defined by a generally rectangular top plate20. The top plate20has a top surface21, a bottom surface22and four corners23. The top plate has an aperture24adjacent each corner23. Each support pole top end17terminates in a top plate corner aperture24. The top plate10is further comprised of a substantial annular, central aperture25. The top plate10is further comprised of two channel apertures26, each formed adjacent the central aperture toward a frame side15.

The top plate bottom surface22has two elongated, identical braces30attached thereto, one along the frame front13and one along the frame rear14. Each brace30has a generally rectangular cross-section and two opposite ends31defining a brace longitudinal axis, each said longitudinal axis parallel to the frame front13and rear14. Each brace end31terminates adjacent a support pole body19. The front brace30has two front to back apertures32formed therein, each said aperture adjacent a brace end31. The rear brace30′ has two apertures32′ formed into a rear brace front side37, each said aperture adjacent a brace end. The front brace30is further comprised of a downwardly extending bracket45attached to a front brace front side38terminating in a forwardly extending flange46. The flange46has a central aperture47formed therein.

An elongated axle33is inserted through each front brace aperture32, and extending into a corresponding rear brace aperture32′. Each axle has a front end35protruding through a front brace aperture32toward the frame front13. Each axle has a rear end36inserted into a rear brace aperture32′. At an approximate longitudinal mid-point34on each axle33, a hook assembly40is fixedly attached, said hook assembly having a body41with an axle connection end42and a free end43. Each hook body41extends through a top plate channel aperture26, with the hook free end43positioned upward and over a portion of the top plate central aperture25.

Each axle front end35terminates in a flat, elongated member50having a front surface51and a rear surface52, an attachment end53and a distal end54, said attachment end and distal end defining a member longitudinal axis. Each elongated member is further comprised of an elongated channel opening55near to the member distal end54, and extending from the front surface through the rear surface. Each member longitudinal axis is positioned nominally 30 degrees downwardly from its attached axle toward a front center. The two members are joined together by means of a pin58inserted through each member channel opening55.

The glove remover is further comprised of a pedal assembly70having a pedal71pivotally joined to the front support pole bodies19near to the support pole bottom ends18. The pedal71is attached to an elongated vertical rod72terminating in a top clip73attached to said pin58. The rod72passes through the brace bracket flange aperture47. A spiral spring74is placed about the rod, beneath the bracket flange aperture47. The spiral spring bottom75is attached to the rod a desired distance below the brace bracket flange46.

In operation, an operator foot is pressed against the pedal71driving the rod72vertically upward compressing the spring74against the bracket flange46. The upward movement of the rod pushes the clip73and attached pin58upward. This action forces the elongated member distal ends54upward. The upward movement of the member distal ends54causes the member attachment ends to rotate the attached axles33thereby pivoting the hook fee ends43up and away from the top plate central aperture25. This allows an operator to reach a gloved hand down into the central aperture. Gradual release of the pressure on the pedal71causes the spring74to force the rod72downward reversing the movement of the hooks40and moving the hook free ends downward and toward the center of the central aperture25. The operator then pulls his/her hand up as the hook free ends43grasp a glove cuff, thereby allowing the operator to have the glove removed from his/her hand without actually touching the glove.

The glove remover is further comprised of a shelf80having a top surface81, a bottom surface82and four corners83. The shelf has an aperture84adjacent each corner83. Each support pole body19is slid through a shelf corner aperture84. A clip85is attached to the shelf bottom surface82at each aperture84, thereby holding the shelf in a vertical position to the poles16. The shelf80has a rod aperture86formed from the top surface through the bottom surface, adjacent a shelf front, at an approximate midpoint between two of the support poles16. The vertical rod72is slid through the shelf rod aperture. The shelf provides means for stabilizing the structure of the glove remover as well as providing a surface to hold a container beneath the top plate central aperture for discarded gloves.

The glove remover1may also be comprised of a protective shield90attached to the frame front13. The shield90has front91, rear92, two opposite sides93and a bottom94, said bottom terminating in a rearward flange95. The flange95has a central aperture96formed therein. The shield90is attached to the front brace30, near to the brace ends31. The shield flange central aperture96fits over the rod72. The shield90protects the top portion of the rod, the rod spring74, pin58and members50from any external frontal actions.

A holder100may be attached to the top plate20or rear brace30′ at the frame rear14. The holder100preferably has a cup-like shape and is adapted to hold containers of unused gloves.

It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.