Abstract:
A glove and digit protective system has a glove with pockets at the distal ends of one or more of the glove digits into which a magnet may be positioned and yet relatively easily extracted. The glove with the magnets retained within the pockets interfaces with and retains a protective cover which incorporates a magnet to attach the protective cover to one of the magnets held in the pockets of the glove digits. The cover may have an extension including a pivotal extension which incorporates a magnet for positioning small objects. A plate which is wider than the digit to be protected may form part of the cover. The cover may have an articulating extension with a magnet or an extension with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The protective cover may incorporate a ratchet mechanism and a handle to prevent rotation of the cover.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to protective gloves in general and to finger and thumb protective devices in particular. 
         [0004]    Perhaps the most valuable and yet vulnerable part of the human body, aside from our eyes, with respect to performing in the modern workplace are our fingers and thumbs. The fingers and thumbs are not only of high utility in performing dexterous manual activities but also exquisitely sensitive with respect to touch and pain. While gloves generally protect the hands and fingers from dirt and chemical or biological contamination, from abrasion, and from laceration, they are limited in the ability to protect against striking blows such as result from hammer impacts, or to protect against puncture wounds from driven tools such as chisels and punches. Further, the index finger and thumb are often used to position small fasteners such as nails, screws, and bolts. In the case of nails or other tools e.g., punches and chisels, which are struck with a hammer, there is a danger that the hammer blow may partially or completely fail to engage the nail or tool resulting in a direct or glancing blow to these most sensitive of appendages. Various coverings for protecting the fingers have been developed. The thimble is perhaps the most well-known and perhaps oldest digit protector which is used during sewing to prevent a needle when pressed against fabric or leather from inadvertently piercing the finger which supports the fabric against the pressure necessary to force the needle through the fabric or leather. It is also known to incorporate magnets in the fingers of a glove to attract small magnetic objects such as nails, screws, and bolts to the glove to in-part compensate for the loss of dexterity which normally accompanies the use of work gloves. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a system of protective covers which fit over the fingers and thumb of a hand wearing a glove, which are readily donned and doffed as the work task changes and which protective covers also function to provide dexterous positioning of objects such as nails and screws. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The glove and digit protective system of this invention has a glove with pockets at the distal ends of one or more of the glove digits (fingers or thumb) particularly the index finger and the thumb, into which a high-intensity magnet may be positioned and yet relatively easily extracted. It is advantageous, if not strictly necessary, that the magnets be removable so that the same glove can be used where ferromagnetic particles are being generated without attracting and retaining such particles. The glove with the magnets retained within the pockets interfaces with and retains a somewhat enlarged thimble-like protective cover for one or more of the fingers or thumb. The protective cover also incorporates a ferromagnetic portion which may also be a permanent magnet suitabley arranged as to polarity to attach the protective cover to the magnet held in a pocket of a glove digit. The digit protective cover generally covers one or more fingers or a thumb to the first finger joint i.e., extending over the distal phalanx, such that the mobility of the first joint is not substantially impaired. The protective covers are fabricated of a high impact-resistant material such as ABS plastic or other fiber or non-fiber reinforced plastic. The glove may be of leather or a stretch fabric with the pocket opposite the fingernail. For handling small items the protective cover may have an extension which may include a pivotal extension which incorporates a magnet for positioning small objects such as brad type nails, small screws or nuts. When used with a punch or chisel where heavy blows are struck near the fingertips a nonferrous metal plate e.g., nonmagnetic stainless steel or high-strength material such as a carbon-fiber-reinforced composite which is wider than the digit to be protected can be inserted or made integral with the digit protective cover. Where heavy blows are to be to protected against, the digit protective cover may extend at least partly to cover the first joint and even to cover some or all of the middle phalanx. The protective covers may have an articulating extension which also includes a magnet for positioning small objects, or an extension with a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
         [0007]    The protective cover can incorporate a ratchet mechanism for driving rotatably driven fasteners such as screws in which an anti-rotation handle extends away from the ratchet mechanism so as to be gripped by the hand to which the protective cover is attached. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide protection to one or more of the distal phalanges of at least one hand covered by a glove. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a digit protective cover which incorporates a permanent magnet which connects the digit protective cover to at least one of the digits of a glove having corresponding magnets localized on said digits. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a digit protective cover releasably mounted to a glove which can withstand heavy blows. 
         [0011]    It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a digit protective cover with an articulated extension mounted to a glove. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a digit protective cover with or without an extension, and a sticky pad on the digit protective cover or the extension for holding nonmagnetic parts. 
         [0013]    It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a digit protective cover incorporating a ratchet mechanism for driving rotatably driven fasteners such as screws. 
         [0014]    Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side cross-sectional view of a digit protective cover of this invention, which fits a glove surrounding a finger, covered by a glove, shown in fragmentary view, and showing a fastener magnetically engaged with the cover. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the digit protective cover of  FIG. 1  which extends to cover portions of the middle phalanx of a finger and incorporates a protective shield. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view partially cutaway in section of the alternative embodiment digit protective cover of  FIG. 2  showing the protective shield. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the digit protective cover of this invention having an articulated extension incorporating a magnet, the cover positioned over a finger covered by a glove, shown in fragmentary view. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment digit protective cover, similar to the one of  FIG. 4  but with two axes of rotation. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of a yet further alternative embodiment of the digit protective cover of the invention having an extension with a sticky pad thereon and a fastener shown engaged therewith, the cover shown on a finger and glove in fragmentary view. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a gloved hand holding a chisel and employing multiple examples of the digit protective cover of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the digit protector of  FIG. 1  where the digit protector incorporates a ratchet mechanism and therefore requires an anti-rotation handle. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an end elevational view showing the attachment of the anti-rotation handle of the device of  FIG. 8   
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is side elevational view of the digit protector of  FIG. 8  shown as mounted on a gloved hand and positioned to engage a screw. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1-10  wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, a digit protective cover  20  incorporating a first magnet  22 , is shown in  FIG. 1  positioned above a finger  24  covered by a portion of a glove  26  which covers the finger. The digit protective cover  20  generally covers a finger or thumb to the first joint  25 , i.e., extending over the distal phalanx  27 , such that the mobility of the first joint is not substantially impaired. The protective cover  20  is generally constructed of plastic such as ABS, although other plastics which may be fiber reinforced can also be used. The glove  26  has a pocket  28  in which a second magnet  30  is removably positioned. The magnet  30  in the pocket  28  is positioned opposite the fingernail  32  and adjacent the finger&#39;s distal phalanx pad  34 . The cover  20  is positioned such that the first magnet  22  is substantially in alignment with and adjacent to the second magnet  30  in the pocket  28  of the glove  26 . The pocket  28  is attached to the glove by stitching or glue on all sides except for the opening  29  where the second magnet  30  is inserted and removed from the pocket  28 . 
         [0026]    The magnets  22 ,  30  are preferably of the high-strength rare earth type, e.g., neodymium magnets, comprised of mostly neodymium, iron and boron. The first and second magnets  22 ,  30  are typically about ⅜ inches in diameter and 1/16 to ⅛ inches in thickness. A nail  36  is shown magnetically held by the first magnet  22  in  FIG. 1 . The nail  36  so positioned may be tapped with a hammer into a substrate to positioning the nail, at which time the finger  24  with the attached protective cover  20  can be withdrawn, and the nail driven into the substrate. 
         [0027]    A second embodiment  120  of the digit protective cover  20  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The second embodiment is employed in those situations where an object, e.g. a chisel, is held with one or more protective covers  120  which will remain in contact with the protective covers while being struck with vigorous blows of a hammer. Therefore the protective cover  120  is designed to protect the digits  24  from a missed or glancing hammer blow which engages the protective cover positioned over the finger. For this reason the protective cover  120  extends beyond the first joint  25  i.e., extending to at least partly cover the first joint  25  and even to cover some or all of the middle phalanx  31 . 
         [0028]    To further protect the digit  24  overlain by the protective cover  120  against a heavy hammer blow, a support plate  138  is incorporated into the protective cover. The support plate  138  as shown in  FIG. 2  will preferably be located and mounted to a portion  139  of the protective cover  120  which is opposite the digit phalanx pad  34 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , where the glove  26  is shown partly cutaway, the support plate  138  is wider than the finger  24  so that the support plate will protect the finger from a hammer blow coming from the direction shown by arrows  140 . The support plate will preferably be constructed of a nonferrous metal such as nonmagnetic stainless steel, bronze, aluminum, or other strong tough material such as a fiber reinforced plastic. 
         [0029]    To better engage the flat surfaces  142  of a chisel  144  or punch, such as shown in  FIG. 7 , the protective cover  120  has a flat surface  146  which can be aligned with the flat surface of the chisel.  FIG. 7  shows how a gloved hand with protective covers  120  on the index finger and the thumb can be used to position a chisel  144  to be struck by a hammer. 
         [0030]    A third embodiment  220  of the protective cover  20  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The protective cover  220  has an articulated extension  250  formed by a first part  252  which extends from a portion  239  of the protective cover  220  which is opposite the nail  32 , and a second part  254  which is pivotally mounted to the first part  252  by a pin  256 . The first part  252  where it overlaps the second part  254  may have radial complementary ridges and detents (not shown) to provide stepping like ratcheting or may be a simple friction fit. If ridges and detents are used the parts  252 ,  254  can be arranged to provide 12° steps, or 30 steps for complete rotation. The distal end  258  on the second part  254  incorporates a magnet  260  which may be better used to position a nail  36 , or other small part such as a screw or nut.  FIG. 5  shows a modification of the third embodiment  220  of the protective cover  20  as shown in  FIGS. 4 , where an additional axis of rotation is incorporated in the protective cover between the first part  252  and the cover which is perpendicular to an axis defined by the pin  256 . The additional axis is formed between the first part  252  and an intermediate part  253  and also incorporates a pin and radial complementary ridges and detents (not shown) to provide stepping like ratcheting or may be a simple friction fit. Finally it should be understood that all rotation axes could avoided as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0031]    A fourth embodiment  320  of the protective cover  20  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The protective cover  320  has an extension  350  which extends from a portion  339  on the protective cover  320  which is opposite the nail  32  which has a flat surface  362  with a layer of an adhesive thereon, which may be provided, for example, by a pressure sensitive adhesive  364  such as a urethane foam tape with adhesive on both sides. The pressure sensitive adhesive is used for positioning small fasteners  366  such as screws and nails which are not magnetic. The adhesive layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive is of the type which allows removal of an object, so that while the fastener is held in place while it is started, it is readily separated from the cover thereafter. 
         [0032]    Visibility may at times be limited when inserting screw fasteners, making fastener insertion difficult. A fifth embodiment  420  of the protective cover  20 , shown in 
         [0033]      FIGS. 8-10 , takes advantage of an ability to confidently point to a particular area where a fastener is to be inserted, to make visibility of the work surface while inserting the fastener less critical. The protective cover  420  has an opening  468  where a digit of the hand is inserted defining a first end  469 , and a second end  470  opposite the first end to which is mounted a ratchet mechanism  472  for driving rotatably driven fasteners such as the screw  474  shown in  FIG. 10 . An anti-rotation handle  476  extends from the second end to prevent rotation of the protective cover  420 . The anti-rotation handle  476  extends from the outer perimeter  478  of the protective cover  420  at an angle α of about 10° with respect to the axis  480  about which the ratchet mechanism  472  rotates as shown in  FIG. 8 . The handle may be fixed as shown in  FIG. 9  or can be arranged with a hinge  477  between the handle  476  and the protective cover  420  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . The folding of the handle makes the protective cover  420  more compact for easier storage. The protective cover  420  and the ratchet mechanism  472  has the advantage over a conventional screw driver in that when you an operator holds a regular screwdriver, the operator&#39;s wrist must be turned to the side to align the screwdriver shaft with the screw. This throws off wrist and forearm alignment and causes the screwdriver shaft to rotate in an arc when the forearm is twisted to rotate the screwdriver. That is why oftentimes the screw tilts to the side and causes the tip of the driver to be jammed into the fingers holding the screw. The finger-held screwdriver of this invention keeps the rotational plane of the screwdriver shaft in line with the forearm giving the operator better control of the screwdriver as well as a better view. The protective cover  420  incorporates a magnet  30  when used with the glove  26 , holding it to the hand to prevent it from falling off if the anti rotation handle is not held. On the other hand, the protective cover  420  and ratchet mechanism  472  can be without a magnet  30  and then the glove will be optional. 
         [0034]    It will be observed that the various embodiments of the digit protective cover of this invention may be supplied to a craftsman as a kit, and each may readily be exchanged to work with the same glove to provide protection during various activities. The magnets on the protective covers readily position and connect the covers to the glove, yet are speedily put in place and removed. Digit protective covers which incorporate a support plate  138  or are simply made stronger to take a glancing or direct hit of a hammer may be marked with indicia such as by being marked by a different color, e.g., red to indicate the cover of greater strength. 
         [0035]    It should be understood that, with respect to the protective cover  120 , if the cover is of sufficient strength it may not be necessary to have a support plate  138  incorporated therein. 
         [0036]    It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.