Abstract:
A glove with one or more of the thumb and/or finger sleeves open at their distal ends, which includes an integral removable finger and thumb covering system or a removable mitten and thumb covering system that consists of select removable finger and thumb coverings or mitten and thumb coverings respectively, which are connected to an elastic wrist encircling collar with elastic ribbons. The select removable finger and thumb coverings or mitten and thumb coverings are tucked under the wrist-encircling collar when not in use.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/409,351, entitled CONVERTIBLE GLOVE filed on Sep. 9, 2002, by Frank D. Bryant, Sr. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention pertains to a cold weather glove in which the temporary removal of those portions of the glove or mitten that covers and insulates one or more of the fingers and/or the thumb is periodically desirable in order to increase the tactile sensitivity and dexterity of the fingers and/or thumb.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Many outdoor activities, particularly, but not limited to, fishing and hunting, take place in cold weather conditions in which it is necessary to wear gloves or mitts in order to keep the hands warm. However, the additional bulk of the glove or mitt, especially those parts of the glove or mitt that cover, encompass, and insulate the fingers and thumb, interfere with the ability to manipulate or operate tools and equipment such as, but not limited to, fishing reels, firearms, tackle cases, etc. Furthermore, accomplishing an otherwise simple task such as tying a lure to a fishing line is rendered virtually impossible by the additional bulk of those parts of the glove or mitten that cover, encompass, and insulate the fingers and thumb.  
           [0004]    Various existing glove and mitten designs address this problem in one way or another.  
           [0005]    The simplest of these designs, sometimes referred to as “Fingerless” or “¾ Finger” gloves, are typical glove designs that exclude those parts of the glove that cover, encompass, and insulate the fingers and thumb. However, these designs leave the fingers continuously exposed to the cold weather, and sacrifice warmth for increased tactile sensitivity and dexterity of the fingers and/or thumb. (Example of Prior Art: U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,358 to Swan)  
           [0006]    More elegant designs accomplish the temporary exposure of one or more fingers and/or thumb by the means of a “slit” type opening that is usually located on the inner side “palm side” of the major knuckle of the finger and/or thumb. When it is desirable to temporarily expose the fingers and/or thumb, the digit is pushed through said slit opening. (Examples of Prior Art: U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,350 to Dawiedczyk and U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,441 to Slimovitz).  
           [0007]    At least one design accomplishes the temporary exposure of one or more fingers and/or thumb by the means of a zipper that creates an opening in the side of the finger and/or thumb covering through which the finger and/or thumb is pushed when the zipper is open. (Example of Prior Art: U.S. Pat. No. 2,118,463 to Eden).  
           [0008]    Some designs make no provision for stowing finger and/or thumb coverings and allow the coverings to dangle loose while they are not being used. (Examples of Prior Art: U.S. Pat. No. 2,118,463 to Eden and U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,441 to Slimovitz). Other designs provide for stowage of the finger and/or thumb coverings by folding the coverings over the back of the fingers, thumb, and/or hand and attaching them to the back of the fingers, thumb, and/or hand by means of Hook and Loop fasteners. (Examples of Prior Art: U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,350 to Dawiedczyk and U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,163 to Markson).  
           [0009]    Although the above-mentioned designs allow for the ability to temporarily expose one or more fingers and/or the thumb for increased tactile sensitivity and dexterity, there are four critical drawbacks to the basic design. The four drawbacks to the above described glove design are:  
           [0010]    One; the “slit” openings on the underside of the fingers and/or thumb coverings allow for continuous exposure of the skin to the outside elements. Therefore, the insulation qualities of the glove are severely compromised even when the coverings of the fingers and/or thumb are in place.  
           [0011]    Two; when the coverings of the fingers and/or thumb are folded over the backs of the fingers, and/or thumb they tend to hinder not only the general mobility of the fingers and/or thumb but they also create bulky obstructions on the backs of the fingers and/or thumb that are easily tangled in the various mechanisms and/or parts of the tools and equipment being used. This is particularly true when working with various types of cordage, especially fishing line.  
           [0012]    Three; the hook and loop fasteners used to secure the finger and/or thumb coverings to the back of the glove tend to snag and abrade articles of clothing (particularly coat and jacket sleeves) as well as other parts of the glove that may come in contact with the hook and loop fasteners.  
           [0013]    Four; the glove must be partially removed from the hand each time the wearer wishes to either expose or cover exposed fingers and/or thumb. This is necessary in order to align the fingers and/or thumb with the slit openings on the bottom side of the finger and/or thumb coverings.  
           [0014]    There is a need for a cold weather glove that will allow for the quick and easy temporary exposure of the fingers and/or thumb while overcoming the four critical drawbacks (described above) of current glove designs.  
                                                 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS                                    2,118,463   2/1938   Eden           3,299,441   4/1966   Slimovitz           4,408,358   8/1982   Swan           4,651,350   9/1985   Dawiedczyk           6,338,163   9/2000   Markson                      
 
         SUMMARY  
         [0015]    The problems with the prior art are solved by providing a glove with a removable finger and thumb covering system or a removable mitten and thumb covering system, which glove includes a collar that encircles the wrist on the outside of the glove at the wrist, elastic ribbons that attach the removable finger and/or thumb coverings or mitten and/or thumb coverings to the collar, and removable finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings. Such covering systems are sometimes referred to herein as a digit covering system, and digit is used as a synonym for either a thumb or a finger.  
           [0016]    The proximal edge of the collar is attached to the outside edge of the glove cuff by stitching the proximal edge of the collar to and completely around the outside edge of the glove cuff in such a way that the collar encircles the wrist when the hand is inserted into the body of the glove. The distal edge of the collar remains open to allow removable finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings to be tucked in under the collar.  
           [0017]    The removable finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings are attached to the distal edge of the collar with an elastic ribbon material that runs from the distal edge of the collar to the top proximal edge of the finger or mitten and/or thumb covering in such a way as to hold the finger or mitten and/or thumb covering in place over the fingers and/or thumb. The elasticsticity of the elastic ribbon material allows the finger or mitten and/or thumb covering to be donned or doffed without the necessity of partially removing the body of the glove. The elasticsticity of the elastic ribbon material also allows for easy opening and closing of the hand without causing undue restriction and/or binding when the finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings are in place on the fingers and/or thumb.  
           [0018]    The removable finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings are designed in such a way that they overlap the fingers and/or thumb openings in the body of the glove and thereby eliminate exposure of any part of the fingers and/or thumb to the outside elements.  
           [0019]    Removing the finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings from the fingers and/or thumb is accomplished by simply pulling the finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings off of the fingers and/or thumb. Once removed, the finger or mitten and/or thumb coverings and the elastic ribbon attachments can be tucked under the collar over the back side of the wrist, thus increasing finger and/or thumb dexterity and mobility and eliminating bulky obstructions on the backs of the fingers and/or thumb that can be easily tangled in various mechanisms and/or parts of tools and equipment, especially cordage and fishing line. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The foregoing, as well as other objects of the present invention, will be further apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when taken together with the accompanying specifications and drawings, in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the removable finger and thumb covering system constructed in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a back elevational view of a glove having a removable finger and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable index finger covering and a removable thumb covering in place over the index finger and thumb, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a glove having a removable finger and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable index finger covering and a thumb covering in place over the index finger and thumb, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of a glove having removable finger and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable index finger covering that is in the process of being doffed or donned, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a glove having removable finger and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable index finger covering and a removable thumb covering that have been removed from the index finger and thumb, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a back elevational view of a glove having a removable finger and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable index finger covering and a removable thumb covering that have been removed from the index finger and thumb and that have been partially tucked under the collar at the back of the wrist, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a back elevational view of a glove having a removable finger and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable index finger covering and a removable thumb covering that have been removed from the index finger and thumb and that have been completely tucked under the collar at the back of the wrist, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the removable mitten and thumb covering system constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a back elevational view of a glove having a removable mitten and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable mitten covering and a removable thumb covering in place over the fingers and thumb, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a glove having a removable mitten and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable mitten covering and a thumb covering in place over the fingers and thumb, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a back elevational view of a glove having removable mitten and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable mitten covering that is in the process of being doffed or donned, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a glove having removable mitten and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable mitten covering and a removable thumb covering that have been removed from the fingers and thumb, constructed in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a back elevational view of a glove having a removable mitten and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable mitten covering and a removable thumb covering that have been removed from the fingers and thumb and that have been partially tucked under the collar at the back of the wrist, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a back elevational view of a glove having a removable mitten and thumb covering system, illustrating a removable mitten covering and a removable thumb covering that have been removed from the fingers and thumb and that have been completely tucked under the collar at the back of the wrist, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0035]    The accompanying drawings and the description, which follows, set forth this invention in its preferred embodiment. However, it is contemplated that persons generally familiar with gloves and mittens will be able to apply the novel characteristics of the structures illustrated and described herein in other contexts by modification of certain details. Accordingly, the drawings and description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of this invention, but are to be understood, instead, as broad and general teachings.  
         [0036]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like elements of features throughout the various views, the present invention is indicated generally in the figures by reference character  10 .  
         [0037]    Turning to FIG. 1, the removable finger and thumb covering system  10  includes an elastic collar, band, belt, or strap constructed of rubber, vinyl, woven elastic fabric, knit elastic fabric, or some other stretchable or elastomeric material. In the preferred embodiment, collar  12  is preferably of neoprene sponge construction, having a nylon tricot knit laminated to one side. As shown in FIG. 1, removable finger and thumb covering system  10  also includes elastic ribbons or straps constructed of rubber, vinyl, woven elastic fabric, knit elastic fabric, or some other stretchable or elastomeric material. In the preferred embodiment, elastic ribbons  14  are preferably of neoprene sponge construction, having a nylon tricot knit laminated to one side. As shown in FIG. 1, removable finger and thumb covering system  10  also includes an index finger covering  16  and a thumb covering  18  constructed of any woven, knitted, or felted fabric that provides insulation for the index finger and thumb. In the preferred embodiment, index finger covering  16  and thumb covering  18  are preferably of neoprene sponge construction, having a nylon tricot knit laminated to one side. The removable finger and thumb covering system  10  is attached to the glove body  30  by stitching the proximal edge  20  of the collar  12  to the outside edge of the glove cuff  22  in such a way that the collar encircles the wrist when the hand is inserted into the body of the glove. The distal edge  28  of the collar  12  remains open to allow removable index finger covering  16 , the removable thumb covering  18 , and the elastic ribbons  14  to be tucked under the distal edge  28  of the collar  12  at the back of the wrist.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the removable finger and thumb covering system  10  attached to a glove  30  by stitching the proximal edge  20  of the collar  12  to and completely around the outside edge of the glove  30  cuff  22  in such a way that the collar  12  encircles the wrist when the hand is inserted into the body of the glove  30 . The distal edge  28  of the collar  12  remains open to allow the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  to be tucked in under the collar  12 . FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 also illustrate the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  being held in place and completely covering the index finger and thumb by the elastic ribbons  14  that join the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  to the distal edge  28  of the collar  12 . FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 also illustrate how the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  overlap and completely cover the index finger opening  24  and the thumb opening  26  in the glove  30 .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 illustrates the process of doffing or donning the index finger covering  16  without the necessity of partially removing the hand from the glove  30 . Grasping the removable index finger covering  16  and pulling the removable index finger covering  16  away from the wrist stretches the elastic ribbon  14  and allows the removable index finger covering  16  to be removed from or placed over the index finger, which is protruding through the index finger opening  24  in the glove  30 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 4 illustrates the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  26  while the removable thumb covering  18  is dangling from the collar  12  by the elastic ribbon  14 .  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 5 illustrates the index finger exposed through the index finger opening  24  of the glove  30  and the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  26  of the glove  30 , while the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  are dangling from the collar  12  by the elastic ribbon  14 .  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6 illustrates the index finger exposed through the index finger opening  24  of the glove  30  and the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  26  of the glove  30 , while the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  are partially tucked under the distal edge  28  of the collar  12  at the back of the wrist.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7 illustrates the index finger exposed through the index finger opening  24  of the glove  30  and the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  26  of the glove  30 , while the removable index finger covering  16  and the removable thumb covering  18  are completely tucked under the distal edge  28  of the collar  12  and securely stowed away from the fingers and thumb under the collar  12  at the back of the wrist. As shown in the figure, the glove  30  includes a tubular cuff sleeve  15  that covers the wrist, a tubular palm sleeve  17  that covers the palm and backside of the hand, tubular finger sleeves  19  that fit over the fingers and a thumb sleeve  21  that fits over a thumb.  
         [0044]    In an alternate embodiment, only one covering, such as covering  18 , may be provided, and such single covering is preferably configured to cover all exposed fingers and the thumb.  
         [0045]    Another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS.  8 - 14  involves a removable mitten and thumb covering system  50 , which allows for the exposure of all of the fingers by folding back only one mitten covering. This system may be preferable to the above described embodiment in activities requiring sensitive tactile feeling from all the fingers on the hand as opposed to only one finger and the thumb. The removable mitten and thumb embodiment described below closely resembles the removable finger and thumb embodiment described above and thus the descriptions are nearly parallel.  
         [0046]    Polyester Micro Fleece with PU Membrane in between.  
         [0047]    Turning now to FIG. 8, the removable mitten and thumb covering system  50  includes an elastic collar, band, belt, or strap (such as collar  52 ) constructed of rubber, vinyl, woven elastic fabric, knit elastic fabric, or some other stretchable or elastomeric material. The collar  52  is preferably of neoprene sponge construction, having a nylon tricot knit laminated to one side. The removable mitten and thumb covering system  50  also includes a mitten covering  56  and a thumb covering  58  constructed of woven, knitted, or felted fabric that provides insulation for the fingers and thumb. In one embodiment, the mitten covering  56  and the thumb covering  58  are of neoprene sponge construction, having a nylon tricot knit laminated to one side. In an alternate embodiment, the mitten covering is constructed of a laminate with polyester micro fleece layers on the outside and inside with PU Membrane in between the microfleece layers.  
         [0048]    The removable mitten and thumb covering system  50  is attached to the glove body  70  by stitching the proximal edge  60  of the collar  52  to the outside edge of the glove cuff  62  in such a way that the collar encircles the wrist when the hand is inserted into the body of the glove. The exposed edges of the thumb covering  58 , the mitten covering  56  and the collar  52  are covered by elastic piping  54 . The piping  54  is preferably nylon/lycra tape.  
         [0049]    The distal edge  68  of the collar  52  remains open to allow the removable mitten covering  56 , the removable thumb covering  58 , and the elastic piping  54  to be tucked under the distal edge  68  of the collar  52  at the back of the wrist.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the removable mitten and thumb covering system  50  attached to a glove  70  by stitching the proximal edge  60  of the collar  52  to and completely around the outside edge of the cuff  62  of glove  70  in such a way that the collar  52  encircles the wrist when the hand is inserted into the body of the glove  70 . The distal edge  68  of the collar  52  remains open to allow the removable mitten covering  56  and the removable thumb covering  58  to be tucked in under the collar  52 . FIGS. 9 and 10 also illustrate the removable mitten covering  56  and the removable thumb covering  58  being held in place and completely covering the fingers and the thumb. FIGS. 9 and 10 also illustrate how the removable mitten covering  56  and the removable thumb covering  58  overlap and completely cover the finger openings  64  and the thumb opening  66  in the glove  70 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 11 illustrates the process of doffing or donning the mitten covering  56  without the necessity of partially removing the hand from the glove  70 . Grasping the removable mitten covering  56  and pulling the removable mitten covering  56  away from the wrist stretches the elastic mitten covering  56  and elastic piping  54  which allows the mitten covering  56  to be removed from or placed over the fingers that are protruding through the finger openings  64  in the glove  70 . FIG. 11 shows the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  66  while the removable thumb covering  58  is dangling from the collar  52 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 12 illustrates the fingers exposed through the finger openings  64  of the glove  70  and the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  66  of the glove  70 , while the removable mitten covering  56  in dangling from the upper wrist edge  55  of the glove  70 , and the removable thumb covering  58  is dangling from the collar  52 . In this view, the mitten covering  54  has been inserted beneath the elastic collar  52  at the back of the wrist.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 13 illustrates the fingers exposed through the finger openings  64  of the glove  70  and the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  66  of the glove  70 , while the removable mitten covering  56  and the removable thumb covering  58  are partially tucked under the distal edge  68  of the collar  52  at the back of the wrist. The tucked removable thumb covering  58  is overlapped against the tucked removable mitten covering  54  and therefore serves to hold the tucked coverings  54  and  58  in a tucked position. The overlap of the coverings  54  and  58  inside the collar  52  stretches the collar  52  and produces tension that helps to hold the coverings  54  and  58  in a tucked position.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 14 illustrates the fingers exposed through the finger opening  64  of the glove  70  and the thumb exposed through the thumb opening  66  of the glove  70 , while the removable mitten covering  56  and the removable thumb covering  58  are completely tucked under the distal edge  68  of the collar  52  at the back of the wrist. The removable thumb covering is folded twice to arrive at this position which provides even more pressure than the positioning shown in FIG. 13 and thus the coverings  54  and  58  are less likely to inadvertently become undocked.  
         [0055]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for the present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including, but not limited to, the substitution of equivalent features or parts, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.