Abstract:
Adjustable padding systems for garments, incorporating a pocket and a pad. The pocket is coupled to the garment and has a wide, proximal portion and a narrow, distal portion. The pad has corresponding wide and narrow portions. The narrow portion of the pad is longer than the length of the narrow portion of the pocket, but is adjustable in length. Accordingly, the location of the wide portion of the pad along the length of the garment can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the narrow portion of the pad.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for preventing liquid from entering a garment through the cuff. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Individuals work, exercise or play in the rain or in other wet conditions, such as individuals washing a car or the windows of a house, pressure-washing a wall, fishing, directing traffic, etc., and who want to keep water or any other liquid from entering the cuff of their shirt, typically purchase rain gear with elastic cuffs. This is an imperfect solution, especially if the individual orients one or both hands upward for any length of time in wet conditions, such as in the rain or when working with water. Wearing gloves could provide a better liquid barrier; however, often the individual doesn&#39;t want to wear gloves, or the gloves interfere with the individual&#39;s ability to perform precise functions. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a reusable cuff barrier that can be worn with or without gloves, that doesn&#39;t require taping, and/or that isn&#39;t integral with the garment. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed toward a reusable cuff barrier that prevents liquid from entering a garment though its cuff. The barrier can be worn with or without gloves, and can be quickly and repeatedly removed and replaced. Embodiments of the invention can keep the wearer&#39;s hand warm and sleeves and arm dry, while working in wet conditions, even when the user&#39;s arm and hand are oriented upwards or otherwise toward the source of liquid. 
         [0007]    In one particular embodiment, the cuff barrier incorporates a hollow, elongated body, a first fastener, and a second fastener. The hollow, elongated body has a continuous sidewall and is open at its proximal and distal ends. The proximal end is sized to encircle a user&#39;s arm and the cuff of a garment, and the distal end is sized to encircle the user&#39;s fingers. The sidewall has an opening therein located proximate the distal end for receiving the user&#39;s thumb during use. The first fastener is coupleable to the body near its proximal end, and is configured such that, during use, the user can selectively tighten the proximal end of the sidewall about the user&#39;s arm and the cuff of the garment to prevent liquid from entering the cuff barrier from the proximal end. The second fastener is coupleable to the body between the first fastener and the opening in the sidewall, and is configured such that, during use, the user can selectively tighten a central portion of the sidewall about the user&#39;s wrist to prevent liquid from entering the cuff of the garment. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the cuff barrier incorporates a waterproof sidewall and first and second fasteners. The waterproof sidewall is adapted to extend over and conform to at least a portion of a user&#39;s hand and forearm, and has an opening therein for receiving the user&#39;s thumb during use. The first and second fasteners in this particular embodiment can be similar to those described above. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, the cuff barrier incorporates a resilient, waterproof sidewall and a fastener. The resilient, waterproof sidewall is adapted to extend over and conform to at least a portion of a user&#39;s hand and forearm, and has an opening therein for receiving the user&#39;s thumb during use. The sidewall is sized to expand around a base of the user&#39;s hand, and is sufficiently resilient to contract to form a seal about the base of the user&#39;s hand. The fastener is coupleable to the sidewall and is configured such that, during use, the user can selectively tighten a proximal end of the sidewall about the user&#39;s arm and a cuff of a garment to prevent liquid from entering the cuff barrier from the proximal end. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0010]    In order to assist understanding of the present invention, embodiments will now be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric back view a cuff barrier according to one particular embodiment of the present invention being worn over a garment, without a glove. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the cuff barrier of  FIG. 1 , viewed from the front. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the cuff barrier of  FIG. 1 , viewed from the top as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  end view of the cuff barrier of  FIG. 1 , viewed from the bottom as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of a cuff barrier according to another particular embodiment of the present invention, shown with a finger cover oriented in an open configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of a cuff barrier according to another particular embodiment of the present invention, shown with a finger cover oriented in a closed configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a cuff barrier according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, shown during use. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the cuff barrier of  FIG. 7 , shown outstretched. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the cuff barrier of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The following detailed description is directed toward various embodiments of devices for preventing liquid from entering into the cuff of a garment. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate one particular embodiment of a cuff barrier  10 , having an elongated, hollow body, or sleeve, with a distal end  12  worn over a user&#39;s hand  14  such that the fingers  16  and thumb  18  are exposed for use, and having a proximal end  20  worn over a cuff  22  of a garment. A central portion  24  of the illustrated embodiment of the cuff barrier  10 , between the distal end  12  and the proximal end  20 , is positioned generally over the user&#39;s wrist  26 . 
         [0022]    The cuff barrier  10  is hollow, having a bore  28  extending along the length of its body. The bore  28  is sized to receive the user&#39;s hand  14  from the proximal end  20 , and to allow the user to slide the hand through the bore until the thumb  18  has exited through an opening  30  in the sidewall of the cuff barrier  10  and the fingers  16  have exited the distal end  12  of the cuff barrier. In this configuration, the user&#39;s cuff  22  is abutted with the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier  10 . 
         [0023]    The illustrated cuff barrier  10  can be manufactured from any suitable waterproof material, such as neoprene. In addition, some or all of the material can be resilient, allowing the cuff barrier  10  to flex when the user&#39;s hand  14  bends at the wrist  26 . This resiliency can help prevent liquid from entering the user&#39;s cuff  22  during rotation of the wrist  26 , and could possibly prevent overuse injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The resilient material could extend in a strip along the length of the cuff barrier  10 , or the entire cuff barrier can be made from a resilient material. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this entire disclosure, will appreciate the types of waterproof and/or resilient materials that would be suitable for such purposes. 
         [0024]    The cuff barrier  10  can be solid in color or camouflaged; it can be a flat color or have a hi-visibility finish, such as “neon” or reflectorized; and/or it can be designed to heat resistant/insulative, puncture/cut resistant. One of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this disclosure, will appreciate these and other variations that can be made to the illustrated embodiment without deviating from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0025]    The proximal end  20  of the illustrated cuff barrier  10  can initially be flared out (see  FIG. 2 ) to provide additional room for the cuff barrier to receive the cuff  22  therein. After the user has pulled on the cuff barrier  10 , the cuff  22  can be inserted into the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier. 
         [0026]    A first, or proximal fastener  32  is attached at one of its ends near the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier  10 , and the other end of the proximal fastener  32  is free. The free end  34  of the proximal fastener  32  can have hook-and-loop fastener material affixed thereto. A patch  36  of complementary hook-and-loop fastener material is affixed to the cuff barrier  10  at another location spaced apart about the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier. The free end  34  of the proximal fastener  32  thus can be releasably attached to the patch  36 . In order for the free end  34  to align with the patch  36 , however, the proximal fastener  32  must be pulled tangentially around the cuff until the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier  10  has tightened about the cuff  22  and the user&#39;s forearm, creating a liquid-tight seal. The respective sizes and locations of the free end  34  and the patch  36  can be selected to allow the user to adjust how tightly the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier  10  squeezes the cuff  22  and forearm. 
         [0027]    Similarly, a second, or central fastener  38  can be attached at one of its ends near the central portion  24  of the cuff barrier  10 , and the other end of the central fastener  38  is free. The free end  40  of the central fastener  38  can have hook-and-loop fastener material affixed thereto. A patch  42  of complementary hook-and-loop fastener material can be affixed to the cuff barrier  10  at another location spaced apart about the central portion  24  of the cuff barrier. The free end  40  of the central fastener  38  thus can be releasably attached to the patch  42 . In order for the free end  40  to align with the patch  42 , however, the central fastener  38  must be pulled tangentially around the cuff until the central portion  24  of the cuff barrier  10  has tightened about the user&#39;s wrist  26 , creating a liquid-tight seal. The respective sizes and locations of the free end  40  and the patch  42  can be selected to allow the user to adjust how tightly the central portion  24  of the cuff barrier  10  squeezes the wrist  26 . 
         [0028]    In alternate embodiments, the central portion  24  of the cuff barrier  10  can be sufficiently narrow and resilient to squeeze the base of the user&#39;s hand  14  to naturally create a seal. Such a design may eliminate the need for a central fastener  38 . In such embodiments, highly resilient and waterproof materials, such as neoprene, may be preferred. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this entire disclosure, will appreciate the specific requirements for such an embodiment. 
         [0029]    A reinforced pad  44  can be positioned to cover the center of the user&#39;s hand  14 , to provide additional grip and/or padding. 
         [0030]    To use the cuff barrier  10 , the user pulls the cuff barrier by the proximal end  20  over the hand and forearm, inserting the thumb  18  through the hole  30  along the way. The user then tucks the cuff  22  into the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier and tightens the proximal fastener  32  over the cuff. Where applicable, the user can then tighten the central fastener  38  over the wrist. The user can then fish, wash a car, or do any other activity where fluid would otherwise run up their arm into their shirtsleeve, and the cuff barrier will keep the user&#39;s arm dry. 
         [0031]    If the cuff barrier  10  were going to be used with irritating fluids or other fluids that the user desires maintaining away from the skin, the user can wear the cuff barrier over a rubber, latex or other protective glove. The glove would prevent the fluid from contacting the user&#39;s fingers  16 , thumb  18  and hand  14 . Further, the base of the glove would extend below the central portion  24  of the cuff barrier  10 , such that the central fastener  38  and the cuff barrier  10  would prevent fluid entering the distal end  12  of the cuff barrier from contacting the user&#39;s skin. As discussed above, the proximal fastener  32  and the cuff  22  would prevent the fluid from entering the proximal end  20  of the cuff barrier  10 . Thus the user&#39;s entire hand  14 , wrist  26  and forearm would be protected from the fluid. 
         [0032]    If the cuff barrier  10  were going to be used in cold weather, the user could wear insulated gloves, with or without fingers, and could again tighten the central fastener over the cuff barrier and glove to prevent fluid entering the distal end  20  of the cuff barrier from entering the cuff  22  of the garment. 
         [0033]    The extreme proximal end  20  of the illustrated cuff barrier  10  can be rolled outward to form a gutter around the outside of the cuff barrier, which will stop and/or divert water from flowing over the entire cuff barrier and onto the user&#39;s arm. 
         [0034]    After use, or between uses, the user can quickly and easily remove the cuff barrier  10  by releasing the proximal fastener  32  and, where applicable, the central fastener  38 , then pulling the cuff barrier by the distal end  12  off the forearm. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate one particular alternate embodiment of a cuff barrier  110 . In this particular embodiment, a cover  146  projects from the distal end  112  of the cuff barrier, and can be folded from an open configuration ( FIG. 5 ) to a closed configuration ( FIG. 6 ) to cover the user&#39;s fingers. A cover fastener  148  can be affixed to the cover  146 , and a complementary body fastener  150  can be attached between the distal end  112  and the central portion  124  of the body, such that when the cover  146  is in the closed configuration, the cover fastener engages the body fastener to retain the cover in the closed position. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate another possible alternate embodiment of a cuff barrier  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the cuff barrier  110  is made with an elongated, elastic—or resilient—body  112 , having an opening  114  at or near one end and a fastener  116  at or near an opposing end. The opening  114  is sized to allow the user to insert a thumb therethrough, to fix one end of the body  112  with respect to the user. The body  112  is sufficiently long between the opening  114  and the fastener  116  to extend around the user&#39;s wrist at least once. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  112  is sufficiently long to extend around the wrist twice. Depending on the size of the person&#39;s wrist and the application of the particular cuff barrier  110 , the body  112  of a particular cuff barrier could be longer or shorter. 
         [0037]    The illustrated fastener  116  is a patch of hook-and-loop material—either the hook portion or the loop portion—that has been attached to the elastic material of the body  112 . The fastener  116  can be affixed in any known manner; however the illustrated fastener is attached, at least in part, using metal rivets  118  or the like. 
         [0038]    An exterior surface  120  of the body  112  in the illustrated embodiment incorporates a loosely woven fabric to which the hooks of a hook-and-loop fastener will attach. Accordingly, if the fastener  116  incorporates hooks, the fastener can attach to the exterior surface  120  at any location along the length of the body  112 . In alternate embodiments, a patch of hooks or loops could be affixed to the body  112 , which would also be suitable. 
         [0039]    This embodiment of the cuff barrier  110  is infinitely adjustable and its length is unrestricted. Also, the metal rivets  118  are detectable by assembly lines and other industrial machinery, which can help prevent the cuff barrier  110  from entering the equipment if it is accidentally being dropped by a worker. 
         [0040]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.