Abstract:
A mitten hand covering which can be reconfigured from a closed end condition covering the fingers and thumb to a condition where the fingers and thumb may be protruded through openings to be exposed for improved dexterity. The hand covering is made from a sheet of material folded up and sewn along perimeter edges of an auxiliary section and subsection of a main section of a pattern formed by the sheet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/703,949 filed on Sep. 21, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention concerns hand coverings such as mittens which in one configuration can completely cover the fingers and thumb of a wearer, but can be changed to another configuration in which the fingers and/or the thumb can be exposed in order to improve the wearer&#39;s dexterity while wearing the hand covering. 
         [0003]    A mitten having an attached partial cuff is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,117, which attached partial cuff can be turned inside out to alternatively close off the end of the mitten or to open the mitten end so that the fingers are exposed. 
         [0004]    Similarly reconfigurable foot and head coverings are also shown in that patent. 
         [0005]    The partial cuff comprises a sewn-on fabric panel covering approximately one half of the circumference of the main covering portion of the mitten. 
         [0006]    Other patents show various convertible hand coverings allowing exposure of the fingers for added dexterity when desired. 
         [0007]    Such hand coverings typically utilize added pieces of fabric which are bulky or that necessitate removal of the added piece, requiring storage of the same. Such hand coverings do not allow for separate exposure of the thumb. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide reconfigurable a hand covering which integrates a cuff with the rest of the hand covering such as to not require attachment of a separate piece and to minimize the bulk of the hand covering, and which also selectively allows exposure of the wearer&#39;s thumb. 
         [0009]    The above object is achieved by a hand covering made from a pattern cut from a sheet of fabric material folded up and sewn so as to form a hand covering having an external cuff of minimum bulk which can be turned inside out to either close off or to leave open the end of the hand covering to either cover or expose the fingers. A thumb pocket is also formed allowing either covering of the thumb when it is inserted in the thumb pocket or exposure of the thumb by insertion of the thumb through an opening adjacent the thumb pocket. 
         [0010]    The hand covering includes two finger pockets into which the wearer can alternatively insert his other fingers, a first one formed by folding up an auxiliary section of the pattern over the upper end of subsection of a main section. The auxiliary section and upper end of the one subsection each have a thumb outline portion on one side which form a combined finger pocket and thumb pocket when the section and subsection end are folded atop each other and sewn together. 
         [0011]    The auxiliary section is folded over the subsection end along a fold line which connects the auxiliary section and one end of the one subsection, causing the same to overlie each other, with aligned border portions then stitched or otherwise connected together. 
         [0012]    The other subsection of the main section is then folded over the one subsection along a transversely extending fold line separating the two subsections, with the one section overlain by the other subsection, which also overlies the sewn together auxiliary section and the end of the one subsection. 
         [0013]    The aligned perimeter portions of the two folded together overlying subsections opposite the transverse fold line are then stitched or otherwise connected together, but leaving an unsewn gap along the open base of the thumb pocket. 
         [0014]    The hand covering so formed is then turned inside out to create a reconfigurable mitten hand covering having an integrally formed external partial cuff. 
         [0015]    In a first embodiment, when the wearer&#39;s hand is inserted between the sewn together subsections, the fingers can protrude through the open end of the sewn together subsections, and the thumb protruded through the unsewn gap located along the aligned border portions extending along the edges of the folded together subsections. 
         [0016]    The angled out thumb pocket and the finger pocket are positioned on either the front or the back of the wearer&#39;s hand depending on whether it is worn on the right or left hand. The partial cuff formed by the finger and thumb pocket can be rolled over to the other side of the wearer&#39;s hand, covering the fingers, and the thumb pushed into the thumb pocket to cover the wearer&#39;s thumb and fingers. 
         [0017]    In a second embodiment, the two subsections are arranged end to end to extend away from each other and folded together along a transverse fold line so as to form a closed end finger pocket. The auxiliary section is located on one side of the end of one of the subsections so that when the auxiliary section is folded over the upper end of the one subsection, an open ended finger pocket is formed after the completed hand covering is turned inside out. 
         [0018]    The material used in the pattern can be created by sewing together different fabric pieces having contrasting colors, textures, etc. or on reverse sides to expose a different look of the different sewn together parts when the cuff is turned inside out. 
         [0019]    Two mitten hand coverings both of a configuration as described above can be partially sewn together at their open ends. This will serve two purposes, i.e., one of the mittens can be pulled up the arm as an arm warmer, leaving the other mitten in position on the hand, with an unsewn part of the circumferential sewn together ends of the mittens at the wrist allowing viewing of a watch/GPS worn by the user. 
         [0020]    The two sewn together mitten hand coverings can also be worn together on the same hand, with one mitten comprising an inner liner for the other mitten. The inner mitten is configured to cover the thumb and fingers which protrude from the outer mitten, when the mitten is configured to expose the fingers and thumb, which are covered by the liner. 
         [0021]    The pocket of the outer mitten may be turned inside out and rolled over in the process to cover the fingers and thumb to provide a double layer for maximum warmth of the fingers and thumb. 
         [0022]    By pulling back the end and thumb of outer mitten, the pocket of the inner mitten can be reached to allow it to be rolled over to expose the fingers and thumb, completely uncovered by either mitten. 
         [0023]    A hand covering according to the invention can also be partially sewn to an end of an arm warmer sleeve, with the other end sewn to a shirt garment. 
         [0024]    A separate arm warmer sleeve can also be provided having the mitten as an integral part thereof. 
         [0025]    Also, the convertible hand covering according to the invention can be incorporated as a part of the sleeve of an outer garment. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a fabric pattern for forming a reconfigurable hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1A  is a plan view of an alternate pattern configuration. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the pattern shown in  FIG. 1  but with an auxiliary section folded over and stitched to one end of one of two subsections of the main section of the pattern to form one of the finger pockets. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the pattern as shown in  FIG. 2  but with subsections of a main section of the pattern folded and stitched together along aligned portions of their perimeter to form another finger pocket and complete the reconfigurable mitten hand covering, leaving a gap at a thumb pocket to allow the wearer&#39;s thumb to be poked through the gap to expose the thumb of the wearer in one configuration of the hand covering. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a plan view showing the completed hand coverings turned outside-in and on the hand of a wearer. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of the mitten hand covering in the exposed finger and thumb configuration on the right hand of a wearer. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial view of the mitten hand covering in the finger and thumb covered configuration on the hand of a wearer. 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a reverse pictorial view of the mitten hand covering shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a reverse pictorial view of the mitten hand covering shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  shows an alternative pattern for forming the mitten hand covering.  FIG. 10  is a pictorial view of a pair of two reconfigurable mitten hand coverings partially sewn together end to end. 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of the two mitten hand coverings of  FIG. 10  being worn with one hand covering used as an arm warmer. 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is a pictorial view of the mitten hand coverings of  FIG. 10  with one of the mitten hand coverings worn as a liner of the other mitten hand covering. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a pictorial view of a mitten hand covering according to the invention comprised of a sleeve attachment to an outerwear garment on the hand and forearm of a wearer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be employed for the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in accordance with the requirements of 35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and variations within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0040]    Referring to the drawings and in particular  FIGS. 1-4 , a pattern  10  is cut from fabric material in a first step, the pattern  10  forming a main section  12  divided into two subsections  36 ,  38 , connected by an intermediate fold line  16  lying between the two subsections  36 ,  38 . An auxiliary section  14  extends from one end of one subsection  38 , a transverse intermediate fold line  18  joining it to the one end of one of the two subsections  36 ,  38  of the main section  12  of the fabric pattern  10 . 
         [0041]    In a second step, auxiliary section  14  is folded down along the intermediate fold line  18 , as seen in  FIG. 2 , to overlie the top end  20  of one subsection  38  of the main section  12 . The auxiliary section  14  and upper end  20  have matching shapes so as to overlie and have aligned border portions with each other when the auxiliary section  14  is folded down along fold line  18 . Respective thumb contours  22 ,  24  are formed on respective aligned section  14  and subsection end  20  as well as straight sides  26 ,  28  on the opposite sides as seen in  FIG. 2 . The straight sides  26 ,  28  are sewn together to form a closed end pocket  30  after aligned portions of the thumb contours  22 ,  24  are also partially sewn together to form seams  21 ,  23 ,  25  in the next step as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0042]    An open entrance thereto is provided by the angled unsewn edge  32  of the auxiliary section  44 , which extends across the bottom of the pocket  30  at a location intermediate right hand subsection  38  of the main section  12 . 
         [0043]    The next step involves folding the main section  12  in two by folding the left side section  36  along a fold line  16  transverse to the first mentioned fold line  18  over the right side section  38  and over the folded down and sewn auxiliary section  14 , which was folded over along the fold line  18 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0044]    The respective sides  40  and  42  of the left and right subsections  36 ,  38  of the main section  12  have border portions which become aligned with each other, with the exception of the thumb contour  24  of the right side  38 . The left side has a curved edge  44  which cuts across the base of the thumb contour  34 . 
         [0045]    The aligned border portions  40 ,  42  of the left and right subsections  36 ,  38  are connected together as by being sewn together, except along the part of the curved edge  44  which crosses the thumb contours  22 ,  24  which is left unsewn to create an opening to allow the thumb of the wearer to be pushed out of the hand covering  10 . This forms a generally tubular piece configured to be able to receive and be fit to the wearer&#39;s hand inserted into the open lower end thereof. 
         [0046]    The sewing together of the border portions  40 ,  42  also creates another finger pocket  48  which is open ended since the upper edge  46  of the left section  36  is not sewn to the folded over edge  18 . 
         [0047]    The completed mitten hand covering  10  as seen in  FIG. 3  is inside out and must be turned outside-in to be in its normal ready to wear condition as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0048]    Thus, the fingers of a wearer will protrude out the open end of pocket  48  and the thumb will protrude out through the hole created by the unsewn portion  44  of the aligned border portions seen in  FIG. 5 , the thumb pocket  24  tucked inside the pocket  48 . 
         [0049]    The auxiliary section  14  and forms a cuff which is outside the pocket  48  extends across the now outer side of the back of the end  20  of the right side section  38  as worn on the right hand as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0050]    When worn on the right hand as seen in  FIG. 7 , the cuff formed by the auxiliary section  14  will be on the palm of the wearer. When worn on the left hand, the auxiliary section will be on the back of the hand which is most often desired for minimal bulk on the palm when the hand covering  10  is worn in the fingerless configuration. This is the preferred configuration when built into a shirt or jacket. 
         [0051]    When the auxiliary section  14  is rolled over the end of the mitten hand covering  10 , the end of the pocket  48  is covered by fold line  18  and the thumb pocket  24  will enclose the wearer&#39;s thumb as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 8  to cover the fingers and thumb. 
         [0052]    As seen in  FIG. 1A , the fold line  18 A can be angled to be a better fit to the contour defined by the wearer&#39;s finger tips. 
         [0053]    Also, instead of using a single piece of fabric, separate pieces can be sewn together to form the pattern. 
         [0054]    Finally, it is noted that, as seen in  FIG. 9 , the positions of the auxiliary section  14 A and left side subsection  36 A and main section  12  can be switched, i.e. auxiliary section  14  may protrude to the free side of the right side subsection  38 A at the upper end. The fold lines  18 A and  16 A extend in switched directions, i.e. fold line  16 A extends across the mitten hand covering  10 A and fold line  18  extends longitudinally. This will still produce open and closed end finger pockets  30 A and  48 A. 
         [0055]    As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , two mitten hand coverings  10 B,  10 C according to the invention can be connected together with the sleeve ends sewn to each other, leaving an unsewn gap  54  allowing a watch to be viewed therethrough. 
         [0056]    One of the mitten hand coverings  10 B can be used as a warming sleeve as seen in  FIG. 11  with the end in the uncovered open state allowing the arm of the wearer to be reviewed therein. 
         [0057]    Alternatively, one of the mitten hand coverings shown as  10 B can be adjusted. 
         [0058]    As seen in  FIG. 13 , a mitten hand covering  10 D can be sewn to the sleeve of an outerwear garment  58  or may be incorporated into a single piece of fabric as a glove/sleeve attached at the shoulder in a manner defined by overall garment design. 
         [0059]    It should be understood that contrasting fabric textures, weaves, and colors can be used for the various sections thereof to create colorful effects as desired.