Abstract:
A glove having a heat insulating barrier is disclosed. The heat insulating barrier is removably inserted into a zippered pocket or a weblike pouch, the pocket or pouch being positioned proximate the back of a user&#39;s hand. The heat insulating barrier acts to selectively reduce heat conduction from the back side of the hand, thereby allowing the user&#39;s hand or hands to remain warm in cold environments. The ability to stack a varying number of heat insulating layers in the pouch or pocket further allows the user to selectively control the warmth of the hand as the ambient temperature fluctuates during use.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/338,103, filed Dec. 7, 2002. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention is directed to the field of apparel and, more particularly, to cold-weather hand coverings having a selectively shaped insulating barrier that is removably inserted over the back side of a user&#39;s hand to selectively control heat conduction therefrom.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    It is known in the prior art to provide pouch-like pockets on the surface of gloves or mittens to provide an external source of heat for warming the hand in cold weather environments. Such prior art devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,970,081 (Eisendrath), in U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,671 (Monk) and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,579 (Dunford). Such devices, however, require periodic replenishment of the fuel or power for the external source of heat. The glove disclosed herein obviates the need for replenishment of the fuel or power for the external heat source by employing a heat-insulating barrier—instead of a heat source—having thermal characteristics that are tailored to substantially reduce the conduction of heat away from the back side of the hand.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    A glove having an insulation pocket for removable insertion of an insulating barrier is disclosed. The glove has finger portions, a thumb portion, a palm portion, a back-hand portion and a wrist portion. A first embodiment of the glove has a zippered-pocket positioned proximate the back-hand portion of the glove for removable insertion of a heat-insulating barrier. The heat insulating barrier has a first heat-insulating layer and a second heat-insulating layer that act as barriers to heat conduction from the back side of the hand. A second embodiment of the glove has a web-like pouch that is secured to the back-hand portion of the glove for removable insertion of a similar heat-insulating barrier. Alternative embodiments of the heat-insulating barrier are contemplated and include barriers constructed of single layers rather than multiple layers and multiple barriers that are made from individual barriers that are stacked in layers, one upon the other. The ability to add and remove any number of barriers enables one to convert an otherwise cold weather glove, typically used in the cold months of winter, into a moderate weather glove that can also be used in the months of spring, thereby obviating the need to purchase or otherwise carry two sets of gloves for use in different temperature environments. A still further embodiment includes a heat-generating layer positioned adjacent the heat-insulating barrier or positioned in between any two individual heat-insulating barriers that are stacked in layers. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the upper surface of a glove having a zippered pouch means for removable insertion of a heat-insulating barrier.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a top view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the upper surface of a glove having a web-like pouch means for removable insertion of a heat-insulating barrier.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 whereby the heat-insulating barrier is partially inserted or removed from the pouch means.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 whereby the heat-insulating barrier is partially inserted or removed from the web-like pouch means.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a top side view of a heat-insulating barrier used in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]    Referring generally to FIGS.  1 - 5 , a glove  10  ( 110 ) (the numerals in parentheses refer to FIG. 2) is provided that is configured to fit a human hand. The glove  10  ( 110 ) has, generally, finger portions  12  ( 112 ), a thumb portion  14  ( 114 ), a palm portion  15  ( 115 ), a back-hand portion  16  ( 116 ) and a wrist portion  22  ( 122 ). A heat-insulating barrier  100  is removably inserted into a pouch means  50  ( 150 ) that is secured to the back-hand portion  16  ( 116 ) of the glove  10  ( 110 ). The heat-insulating barrier  100  is secured specifically to the back-hand portion of the glove as it is believed that heat loss from the back-side of the hand is responsible for the fingers becoming cold in cold weather environments; an example being heat lost through the back of the hand while the hand grips a ski pole when skiing.  
         [0013]    The heat-insulating barrier  100  is constructed of heat-insulating material, such as, for example, closed-cell neoprene with fleece laminated therewith, and is adapted for insertion into the pouch means  50  ( 150 ) when the fingers of the hand are cold and for removal from the pouch means  50  ( 150 ) when the fingers of the hand are warm or are otherwise comfortable. When the heat-insulating barrier  100  is removed from the glove  10  ( 110 ), it may simply be placed in a pocket of the user. The heat-insulating barrier  100  thus enables one to convert an otherwise cold weather glove, typically used in the cold months of winter, into a moderate weather glove that can also be used in the months of spring, thereby obviating the need to purchase or otherwise carry two sets of gloves for use in different temperature environments.  
         [0014]    Beneficially, the heat-insulating barrier  100  does not require a power source, such as that provided through a battery or through chemical reaction, to provide heat. Rather, the heat insulating barrier  100  keeps the fingers of the hand warm by providing an extra layer, or layers, of insulation, such that the heat of the hand may be constrained from being conducted and convected to the cold air that surrounds the glove  10  ( 110 ). Various embodiments of the heat-insulating barrier are contemplated, depending on the environment in which the glove  10  ( 110 ) is to be used. A preferred embodiment of the heat-insulating barrier  100 , for example, has a first heat-insulating layer  101  and a second heat-insulating layer  102 . The first and second heat-insulating layers  101 ,  102  are fastened to one another using any suitable means, such as glue or sowing thread. Alternatively, the heat-insulating barrier  100  may comprise a single heat-insulating layer or a plurality of heat-insulating layers. Alternatively still, multiple heat-insulating barriers  100  may be stacked, one upon the other, to provide the desired thermal characteristics (i.e., the desired barrier to heat conduction). In other words, more than a single heat-insulating barrier  100  may be placed into the pouch means, depending on the temperature and the comfort level of the user. For extreme conditions or cold-sensitive hands, one or more heat-generating layers may be used in conjunction with the heat insulating barrier or barriers.  
         [0015]    Referring now to the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the various and aforementioned portions of the glove  10  (i.e., the finger portions  12 , the thumb portion  14 , the palm and back-hand portions  15 ,  16  and the wrist portion  22 ) are constructed from heat-insulating and water resistant materials that comprise the upper surface  18  and the lower surface  20  of the glove  10 . For example, the first embodiment of the glove  10  has an upper surface  18  that is comprised of an inner layer  30  and an outer layer  40 . The outer layer  40  is preferably constructed from a water resistant material while the inner layer  30  is constructed of a heat-insulating material. In a similar fashion, the glove  10  has a lower surface  20  that is constructed of an inner layer and an outer layer (not referenced). The outer layer of the lower surface  20  is also, preferably, constructed of a water resistant material and may have a roughened surface texture to facilitate the grasping of objects in a snowy or otherwise cold and wet environment. The inner layer  32  of the lower surface  20  is preferably constructed using a heat-insulating material.  
         [0016]    Referring still to FIG. 1, the pouch means  50  is constructed such that a zipper  52  is secured to an opening  60  that is cut into the outer layer  40  of the upper surface  18 . The zipper  52  is illustrated as extending laterally across the glove  10  proximate the wrist portion  22 , although the zipper could just as readily be configured to extend laterally across the glove  10  proximate the base of the finger portions  12 . Although not illustrated, it is further contemplated that the zipper may extend longitudinally along the back-hand portion  16  of the glove  10 , with one end of the zipper starting proximate the wrist portion  22  of the glove  10  and the other end of the zipper terminating proximate the base of the finger portions  12  of the glove. Preferably, the longitudinally extending zipper will be positioned on one side of the back-hand portion  16  of the glove  10 —i.e., the thumb side or the little finger side.  
         [0017]    The opening  60  extends into the glove  10  between the inner layer  30  and the outer layer  40  and covers the length and width of the back-hand portion  16 . A perforated pouch  70  extends into the opening  60  and also covers the back-hand portion  16  of the glove  10 . The perforated pouch  70  is sized and shaped to receive the heat-insulating barrier  100 . When the heat-insulating barrier  100  is fully inserted into the glove  10 , the perforated pouch  70  will restrain the barrier  100  from movement between the inner layer  30  and the outer layer  40  and, thereby, ensure that the barrier  100  will remain positioned about the back-hand portion  16  of the glove  10 . The pouch  70  enables easy insertion and removal of the heat-insulating barrier  100  which, in turn, enables quick and efficient conversion between cold and warmer (or not so cold) conditions simply by adding or removing barriers  100  as needed. A plurality of barriers  100  may be easily carried by a user—e.g., in the user&#39;s pocket—to enable conversion between cold and less cold environments as the day progresses from morning to night. If desired, one or more heat-generating layers may be positioned adjacent any one or more of the heat insulating barriers  100 .  
         [0018]    Various sizes and shapes of the perforated pouch  70  are contemplated to coincide with various sizes and shapes of the heat-insulating barrier  100 . For example, a heat-insulating barrier  100  having a width  105  (see FIG. 5) from about three inches to about four inches, a length  106  from about three inches to about five inches and a thickness  107  from about one-sixteenth of an inch to about one-fourth of an inch are contemplated, with preferable dimensions having a width  105 , length  106  and thickness  107  equal to about three and one-half inches, about four inches and about one-eight of an inch, respectively. Referring to FIG. 3, a heat-insulating barrier  100  having the above preferred dimensions is illustrated being partially inserted into the perforated pouch  70 .  
         [0019]    Both the upper surface layers  30 ,  40  and the lower surface layers of the glove  10  have peripheries  19 ,  21  that are cut into the shape of a human hand. Thus, the glove  10  may be fashioned by securing the upper surface layers  30 ,  40  to the lower surface layers at the peripheries  19 ,  21  using any traditional means, such as, for example, by sewing. Further, side panels  80  may be incorporated into the finger portions  12  between the upper surface layers  30 ,  40  and the lower surface layers to provide the glove  10  with a better fit to the fingers of the hand. In a similar fashion, the thumb portion  14  may be constructed independently of the upper surface layers  30 ,  40  and the lower surface layers and secured independently to, for example, the lower surface layers to provide a better fit for the thumb of the hand. And as is well-known in the art, a strap  85  and a wrist cinch  87  may be secured to the glove  10  to provide the glove  10  with a secure and snow-tight fit about the hand of a user.  
         [0020]    A second embodiment of the glove  110  is illustrated in FIG. 2 as having the aforementioned finger portions  112 , thumb portion  114 , palm and back-hand portions  115 ,  116  and wrist portion  122 . The second embodiment of the glove  110  has an upper surface  118  and a lower surface  120  that are both comprised of a single layer  130 . The single layer  130  is preferably constructed from a light-weight, heat-insulating material, such that the glove  110  may be used, for example, as a liner to an outer glove shell (not illustrated). Alternatively, the glove  110  may be used in a cold environment where finger dexterity is required.  
         [0021]    Referring still to FIG. 2, the pouch means  150  is constructed such that a flexible, weblike material forms a web-like pouch  152  that is secured to the upper surface  118  of the glove  110 . The web-like pouch  152  extends substantially over the back-hand portion  116  of the glove  110  and has a first peripheral portion  154  (A-C) and a second peripheral portion  156 . The first peripheral portion  154  (A-C) is secured to the upper surface  118  of the glove  110  through any suitable means, such as, for example, by sewing. The second peripheral portion  156  is left unsecured and provides an opening  160  through which the heat-insulating barrier  100  may be removably inserted. The first peripheral portion  154  and the second peripheral portion  156  (A-C) are sized and shaped so that the heat-insulating barrier  100  is securely positioned over the back-hand portion  116  of the glove  110 . When the heat-insulating barrier  100  is fully inserted into the glove  110 , the web-like pouch  152  will restrain the barrier  100  from movement over the upper surface  118  of the glove  110  and, thereby, ensure that the heat-insulating barrier  100  will remain positioned in the back-hand portion  116  of the glove  110 .  
         [0022]    Various sizes and shapes of the peripheral portions  154  (A-C),  156  are contemplated to coincide with various sizes and shapes of the heat-insulating barrier  100 . For example, a heat-insulating barrier  100  having a width  105  from about three inches to about four inches, a length  106  from about three inches to about five inches and a thickness  107  from about one-sixteenth of an inch to about one-fourth of an inch are contemplated, with preferable dimensions having a width  105 , length  106  and thickness  107  equal to about three and one-half inches, about four inches and about one-eight of an inch, respectively. Referring to FIG. 4, a heat-insulating barrier  100  having the above preferred dimensions is illustrated being partially inserted into the web-like pouch  152 .  
         [0023]    The single-layers  130  of the upper surface  118  and the lower surface  120  of the glove  110  have a peripheries  119 ,  121  that are cut into the shape of a human hand. Thus, the glove  110  may be fashioned by securing the single layers  130  of the upper surface  118  and the lower surface  120  at the peripheries  119 ,  121  using any traditional means, such as, for example, by sewing. Further, side panels  180  may be incorporated into the finger portions  112  between the single-layers  130  of the upper surface  118  and the lower surface  120  of the glove  110  to provide the glove  110  with a better fit to the fingers of the hand. In a similar fashion, the thumb portion  114  may be constructed independently of the single-layers  130  of the upper surface  118  and the lower surface  120  of the glove  110  and secured independently to, for example, the lower surface  120  to provide a better fit for the thumb of the hand. A tightly knit wrist portion  122  is sewn onto the glove  110  proximate the palm portion  115  and the back-hand portion  116  to give the glove  110  a tight fit about the wrist of a user.  
         [0024]    Various other modes for carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.