Abstract:
A two sided work glove assembled by the stitched union of several patterned pieces including a thumb enclosure piece or pieces, a middle fingers piece and a palm portion. The glove may include a cuff. The glove is easily adapted for different specific uses by the addition of an external or internal pad or an internal liner. The glove stitching is protected by protective overhanging strips incorporated between the palm portion and the finger and thumb enclosures.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a divisional patent application of copending parent patent application Ser. No. 10/629282, filed Jul. 29, 2003, entitled “TWO SIDED WORK GLOVE.” The benefit of priority of the parent application under 35 USC §121 is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a work glove and primarily to a work glove used by workers handling abrasive materials, materials with sharp edges, materials at extreme temperatures or prone to shedding slivers when handled.  
         [0003]     Gloves can only be made from materials within a limited range of thickness. Exceeding this, the flexibility of the glove will hamper the worker&#39;s ability to efficiently perform his job. As such, gloves wear out. It is rare that both the gloves worn on the right and left hands wear out at the same time, however, since gloves are purchased in pairs, it is normal to replace both at the same time. The present invention is a glove that can be worn on either hand. Both the front side and the back side of the glove are suited for work with abrasive materials. In theory, the worker “rotates” or alternates the two sided gloves between his two hands so that they wear uniformly. This, along with the incorporation of “stitching savers” increases glove life.  
         [0004]     Although there are numerous two sided work gloves known in the prior art, They differ in the number and configuration of the pieces sewn together to create the glove. It is this specific combination of pieces and pattern configurations that give each glove its own distinct “feel”. It is this “feel” (based primarily on the glove&#39;s flexibility) that sells gloves.  
         [0005]     This new glove utilizes a specific combination of pieces and pattern configurations that contribute to an overall “good feel”.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved two sided work glove with stitching savers to lengthen the wear life of the glove.  
         [0007]     It is another object of this invention to provide a work glove of an efficient physical pattern and pattern pieces so as to enable simple, efficient stitch assembly.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of this invention to provide a work glove that is sewn together and assembled inside out such that the stitching is concealed and the glove can be tailored for different applications by the simple addition of additional padding or lining which is sewn to the inside of the glove.  
         [0009]     It is still a further object of this invention to provide a work glove of an ergonomic patterned design so as to increase the overall finger, thumb and palm flexibility of the glove, regardless of which hand it is worn on.  
         [0010]     The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front plan view of the preferred embodiment work glove;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment work glove;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the palm piece for all embodiments of the work glove;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the middle fingers piece for the preferred embodiment work glove;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the thumb top piece;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the thumb sides;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the stitch savers;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the cuff;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is an cutaway view of the stitching details of the preferred embodiment work glove;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10 , is a cross sectional view of the thumb stitching details taken along line A-A of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11 , is a cross sectional view of the thumb stitching details taken along line B-B of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12 , is a cross sectional view of the sewing assembly of the middle fingers assembly and the thread savers taken along line C-C of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of the first alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of the middle fingers piece for the first alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a front plan view of the second alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of the thumb piece for the second alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of the padding spider sewn to the palm piece;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of the liner;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of the sewing pattern for the preferred embodiment work glove;  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a front plan view of the third alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of the palm/finger piece of the third alternate embodiment work glove with finger sides attached;  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is a plan view of a finger side for the third alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is plan view of the thread saver for the third alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0034]      FIG. 24  is plan view of the back thumb piece for the third alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0035]      FIG. 25  is plan view of the thumb side piece for the third alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0036]      FIG. 26  is plan view of the cuff for the third alternate embodiment work glove;  
         [0037]      FIG. 27  is plan view of a first side of the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0038]      FIG. 28  is plan view of a second side of the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0039]      FIG. 29  is plan side view of the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0040]      FIG. 30  is a plan view of the palm mitt piece for the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0041]      FIG. 31  is a plan view of the finger side for the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0042]      FIG. 32  is a plan view of the back thumb piece for the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0043]      FIG. 33  is plan view of the thumb side piece for the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0044]      FIG. 34  is plan view of the thread saver for the single finger two sided work mitt;  
         [0045]      FIG. 35  is a plan view of the hem trim piece for the single finger two sided work mitt; and  
         [0046]      FIG. 36  is a plan view of the second embodiment single finger two sided work mitt with the thumb piece for the second alternate embodiment work glove. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]     The preferred embodiment of the two sided work glove  1  comprises a palm piece  2 , an outer thumb piece  4 , two thumb side pieces  6 , a middle fingers piece  8 , short thread saver strip  10 , long thread saver strip  12  and cuff  14 . The pattern and stitched assembly of the various pieces allow for a comfortable and natural palmar and digit flexion of either of the wearer&#39;s hands.  
         [0048]     The material of construction will vary with the desired application. Leather, cotton, vinyl, rubber, nylon, and Kevlar® are commonly used materials in the industry, however this is not an exhaustive list. Similarly, the thread used in stitching is that of those commonly used in the industry and may be nylon, cotton, polyester, Kevlar® thread or a blend of thereof. Both the material of construction and the stitching thread may be impregnated or coated with property specific substances such as fire resistors, waterproofers or corrosion resistors. The alternate embodiments offer various configurations of patterned pieces to replace some of the preferred embodiment&#39;s patterned pieces or additional pieces designed to enable the glove for a specific purpose. Note, since this glove is two sided, there are not mirror image right and left hand gloves. The right and left hand glove is the same glove. As such only one glove is shown for each of the various embodiments.  
         [0049]     The advantages of this invention as applied to use may not be apparently visible but rather reside in the ability for the glove to be hand sewn in an efficient manner in an inside out configuration. Such economy of physical manipulation is greatly appreciated in this field of art where commonly much or all of the assembly is performed manually in foreign countries. This is best understood in reference to the sewing directions.  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a front and side plan view of preferred embodiment work glove  1 , it can be seen that inner thumb section  16  of palm piece  2  has been stitched to outer thumb piece  4 . Thumb sides  6  have been stitched to outer thumb piece  4  and palm piece  2  so as to form a thumb pocket. Long thread saver strip  12  is sandwiched between the stitching surfaces of thumb side piece  6  and palm piece  2 . Middle fingers piece  8  and palm piece  2  have been sewn together so as to form the index, second, third and last finger pockets. Short thread saver strip  10  is sandwiched between the stitching surfaces of middle fingers piece  8  and palm piece  2 . Cuff  14  is sewn to palm piece  2 . Note, that the preferred embodiment has sewing seam  46  on the third finger, visible from the front palm side of the hand with the thumb on the left. This configuration allows for a more natural flex of the fingers while wearing the glove.  
         [0051]      FIG. 3  shows the pattern of palm piece  2 . Fourth finger section A  18  and fourth finger section B  20  are stitched together as is index finger section A  22  and index finger section B  24 . These form the index and fourth finger pockets. Inner thumb section  16  is clearly visible.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4  shows the pattern of the preferred embodiment middle fingers piece  8 . Second finger section A  26  and second finger section B  27  are stitched together to form the second finger pocket. Similarly, third finger section A  28  and third finger section B  29  are stitched to form the third finger pocket.  
         [0053]      FIG. 5  shows the pattern of outer thumb piece  4 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 6  shows the pattern of thumb side pieces  6 . There are two of these pieces utilized in the assembly of the preferred embodiment. Since in the preferred embodiment they are fabricated from leather, they are identical pieces but are sewn in the glove as mirror images of each other.  
         [0055]      FIG. 7  shows the pattern of the thread saver strips  10  and  12 . These strips vary only in their length. There are four of these strips utilized in the fabrication of the glove. Short thread saver strip  10  is sandwiched in the stitching between middle fingers piece  8  and palm piece  2 . Long thread saver strip  12  is sandwiched in the stitching between side thumb pieces  6  and palm piece  2 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 8  shows the pattern of cuff  14  looking at the outside surface. The visible stitching  31  represents that the finished edge  29  is accomplished by rolling the jagged, unfinished edge of the cuff material back on itself and stitching it so as to create a smooth, reinforced finished edge  29  or hem. The material from which cuff  14  is fabricated may differ from that of the rest of the glove. It is chosen based upon the application of the glove.  
         [0057]     At this juncture it is most illustrative and helpful to discuss the assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention by referring to  FIGS. 9, 10 ,  11 ,  12  and  19 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 19 , a plan view of the sewing pattern, must be understood through the following legend. Identical alphabetical letters on the same piece indicate that the piece is folded so that the two parts corresponding to that same letter have been overlapped and sewn together simultaneously. Letters and primed letters represent the same stitching lines but on different pieces to be sew assembled together. Arrows indicate the direction of sewing. Where no sewing direction is indicated, (as in the case of short thread saver strip  10  and long thread saver strip  12 ) the direction of sewing is not relevant. The first step is to sew the thread savers strips  10  and  12  onto palm piece  2  at the locations illustrated.  
         [0059]     The sewing of the glove begins at starting points A  56  and A′  57  of palm piece  2  and middle fingers piece  8 . Sewing proceeds from A to B. (Shown as A′ to B′ on the palm piece) Step two stitches C of middle fingers piece  8  to the two D&#39;s of the same middle fingers piece. (This step involves folding the piece over onto itself prior to sewing.) Step three stitches E of middle fingers piece  8  to B and F of the same middle fingers piece simultaneously. (This step involves folding the piece over onto itself prior to sewing.) Step three joins G and H of first thumb side piece  6  to G′ and H′ of outer thumb piece  4 . Step four joins I and J of the second thumb side piece  6  to I′ and J′ of outer thumb piece  4 . Step five joins K to H of first thumb side  6  to K′ to X of palm piece  2 . Similarly, step six joins L to J of second thumb side  6  to L′ to Y of palm piece  2 . Step seven joins H′ to J′ of outer thumb piece  4  to X to Y of palm piece  2 . Step  8  joins M of palm piece  2  to A′ and N of the same palm piece, simultaneously. (This step involves folding the piece over onto itself prior to sewing.) Step  8  sews N to O simultaneously with to B′ to O. (This step involves folding the piece over onto itself prior to sewing.) The final step sews P to Q of cuff  14  to O to L′ of palm piece  2 , then Q to R of cuff  14  to K to G of first thumb side  6 , then R to S of cuff  14  to L to I of second thumb side  6  and finally S to T of cuff  14  to K′ to O of palm piece  2 .  
         [0060]     This assembly will leave the glove inside out. Liner  54 , if desired, is sewn to the overhanging material that traces the outline of pattern of the glove&#39;s stitching, while the glove is still turned inside out.  
         [0061]     The internal sewing details can best be illustrated looking at  FIGS. 9, 10 ,  11 , and  12 . Cutaway sections  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 , and  68  illustrate that all assembly sewing is done from the inside of the glove. The glove is assembled inside out so that when the glove is turned outside out after sewing assembly, the only glove stitching that is exposed is the visible stitching  31  of cuff  14  (described above).  FIG. 10 , a cross sectional view of the stitching details of the outer thumb piece  4  and inner thumb section  16  of palm piece  2  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 9  shows that stitching thread  30  that joins outer thumb piece  4  and inner thumb section  16  of palm piece  2  is internal to thumb pocket  32 . Similarly in  FIG. 11 , a cross sectional view of the stitching details of the joined outer thumb piece  4  and thumb sides  6  taken along line B-B of  FIG. 9 , it can be seen that the stitching thread  30  that joins outer thumb piece  4  to thumb sides  6  is internal to palm pocket  34 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 12 , a cross sectional view of the stitching details of the middle fingers assembly taken along line C-C of  FIG. 9  illustrates that short thread saver strip  10  is sandwiched between the stitching surfaces of middle fingers piece  8  and palm piece  2  so as to provide overhang  32 . Overhang  32  acts to protect stitching thread  30  from contact with abrasive materials. This prolongs the life of stitching thread  30 . In a sewing assembly fashion similar to that described of middle fingers piece  8  and palm piece  2 , long thread saver strip  12  is sandwiched between palm piece  2  and thumb sides  6 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 13 , a plan view of first alternate embodiment glove  42 , shows that sewing seam  44  resides on the third finger, palm side of the hand with the thumb on the right. This is accomplished when alternate embodiment middle fingers piece  36  is substituted for middle fingers piece  8  in the assembly of a glove. Although the sewing assembly of the alternate embodiment work glove is not identical to that of the preferred embodiment, it is so substantially similar that one skilled in the art, understanding the assembly of the preferred embodiment work glove, would easily facilitate the necessary changes. (The sewing directions do not differ, rather the starting point for the sewing changes as dictated by where alternate embodiment middle fingers piece  36  meets palm piece  2 .)  
         [0064]      FIG. 14  shows the pattern of the alternate embodiment middle fingers piece  36 . Alternate embodiment second finger section  38  and alternate embodiment third finger section  40  are stitched to themselves so as to form the second and third finger pockets in a fashion similar to that used in middle fingers piece  8 . When alternate embodiment middle fingers piece  36  is stitched together into a glove in conjunction with palm piece  2 , outer thumb piece  4 , two thumb side pieces  6 , thread saver strips  10  and  12  and cuff  14 , the resultant first alternate embodiment glove  42  is created.  
         [0065]      FIG. 15  shows second alternate embodiment work glove.  48 . It differs from the first alternate embodiment work glove  42  in two ways. First, cuff  14  has been rotated 180 degrees on the glove. This allows the open side  50  of the cuff  14  to be on the thumb side of the glove. (This concept of cuff rotation can be applied to the preferred embodiment glove  2  or the first alternate embodiment glove  42  as well.) Second, full thumb piece  52  is used in place of outer thumb piece  4  and the two thumb side pieces  6 . Again, the sewing assembly of the second alternate embodiment work glove  48  is not identical to that of the preferred embodiment work glove  1  or the first alternate embodiment work glove  42 , but it is so substantially similar that one skilled in the art, understanding the assembly of the preferred embodiment work glove, would easily facilitate the necessary changes.  
         [0066]      FIG. 16  shows full thumb piece  52  for the second alternate embodiment work glove.  
         [0067]      FIG. 17 , a plan view of the padding spider shows padding spider  51  sewn to palm piece  2 . This is done well in advance of the glove&#39;s sewing assembly. Upon sewing assembly, padding spider  51  faces the inside of the glove. It functions to add extra padding to areas where the glove is prone to wear out. The thickness and the material of construction varies dependent upon the type and amount of protection sought. Leather, rubber, plastic, Kevlar® fabric, and cloth are typical materials. Although described as being sewn to the inside surface of palm piece  2  it may also be sewn to the outside surface, dependent upon the glove&#39;s purpose. It is also well known in the art that numerous variations of “guard” material may be mechanically attached to the exterior surface of a work glove to further the wear of the glove or to offer specific protection to the wearer.  
         [0068]      FIG. 18 , illustrates the general arrangement of liner  54 . When the glove is stitch assembled, it is performed with the patterned pieces inside out. Wherever there is a stitch line, there is an excess of material that will reside in the glove interior. Liner  54  is stitched to this excess of material such that when the glove is turned inside out after stitch assembly, liner  54  will reside in the glove interior. The liner is generally of a thin cotton, nylon or poly cotton material to wick sweat and moisture off the hands of the wearer. It also has a generally smooth, soft feel so as to prevent abrasion between the work glove internal surfaces and the hand of the wearer.  
         [0069]     Looking at FIGS.  20  to  26  the third alternate embodiment work glove  70  can be seen. This glove, although visually similar to the preferred embodiment work glove is assembled from pieces of different patterns. The distinctive aspect of this glove is the “spacious” feel the fingers experience because of the use of finger sides  74 . Finger sides  74  are stitched to palm/finger patterned piece  72  before palm/finger patterned piece  72  is folded over onto itself and stitched together. Thumb  76  is assembled from third alternate embodiment glove thumb back  78 , third alternate embodiment glove thumb side  80 , third alternate embodiment glove thread saver  82 , and inner thumb flap  73  in the same manner that their corresponding patterned pieces are used to assemble the preferred embodiment work glove  1 . Similarly, third alternate embodiment work glove cuff  84  is attached to the glove.  
         [0070]     Looking at FIGS.  27  to  36  one can best understand the differences between single finger two sided work mitt  86  (FIGS.  27  to  30 ) and the second embodiment single finger work mitt  88  ( FIG. 36 ). Both of these mitts utilize many of the features discussed previously with respect to the preferred embodiment work glove  1  and the third alternate embodiment work glove  70 .  FIG. 27  illustrates a plan view of a first side of single finger two sided work mitt  86 . Mitt finger side  90  is stitched to mitt central patterned piece  92  between first side palm section  94  and second side palm section  98  as well as first side index finger section  96  and second side index finger section  100 . The inclusion of a finger side again accomplishes the “spacious” feel of the glove. Mitt thumb back  102  is stitched to mitt thumb inner flap  104  and mitt thumb side flaps  106 . There are two identical mitt thumb side flaps  106 . They are attached as mirror images onto opposite sides of mitt thumb back  102 . Mitt thread saver strips  108  are sewn between mitt thumb side flaps  106  and mitt central patterned piece  92 .  FIG. 28  illustrates a second side of single finger two sided work mitt  86 . Seam  110  which is accomplished when mitt central patterned piece  92  is folded over onto itself for assembly, can be seen. Elastic straps  112  are sewn between mitt thumb back  102  and seam  110  on both the first and second sides of single finger two sided work mitt  86 . Elastic strap  112  serves to “bunch” the assembled mitt patterned pieces in the vicinity of the wrist. This allows better retention of the mitt on the hand. Hem strip  114  encircles the entire assembly about the hand opening (not illustrated).  
         [0071]     Referring to  FIG. 36  of second embodiment single finger work mitt  88 , it can be seen that this second embodiment utilizes full thumb piece  52  ( FIG. 16 ) of second alternate embodiment work glove  48  in place of mitt thumb side flaps  106  and Mitt thumb back  102 . In this configuration elastic straps  112  are sewn between mitt thumb side flaps  106  and seam  110  on both the first and second sides of single finger two sided work mitt  86 .