Patent Publication Number: US-2011068028-A1

Title: Industrial and utility glove

Description:
FIELD OF THE SUBJECT MATTER 
     The field of the subject matter is an industrial and utility glove designed to catch, collect and/or attract loose items and unwanted materials in order to assist the wearer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are a lot of tasks and jobs that require a person to work on a device or apparatus above his/her head or body. For example, mechanics and plumbers routinely lay on their back or reach up and work on machinery or plumbing above their heads/bodies. 
     In the case of auto mechanics, they routinely change oil and fluids in automobiles by using a drip plate or drip pan to catch the fluid that falls out of the pipe or container by virtue of gravity. However, when the mechanic is loosening a cap or screws, it may not be convenient or useful to put a drip pan in place yet, because the screws or cap becomes hard to get at or inaccessible. 
     For plumbers, especially those who work in homes where each plumbing system is designed differently, they are often forced to lie on their backs to access kitchen and bathroom pipes and plumbing fixtures. In these instances, a drip pan or drip plate may not be available or useful at all, in that the pipes have to be arranged to hold the plate and the cabinet space has to be big enough to hold the drip plate or pan, along with having room for the plumber to work. 
     It is also likely that there are several tasks and jobs around the home that would be aided by having a glove that could catch and/or collect loose items and unwanted material. 
     An example of this type of task might be hanging a light fixture or ceiling fan, where there are several small screws that need to be coupled to the fixture or fan. It would be helpful to have a way to catch and hold loose screws—other than a cup or magnetic screwdriver. 
     It would be ideal if a glove system were developed for industrial, utility and individual uses where one could work on a project that requires reaching above his/her head and/or body and catch loose materials and/or unwanted materials safely in the glove system. 
     SUMMARY 
     A glove system is described herein that includes: a hand covering segment, and a receptacle segment, wherein the receptacle segment is coupled to the hand covering segment. 
     A storage system for a glove system is also disclosed that includes: a hand covering segment, a receptacle segment, wherein the receptacle segment is coupled to the hand covering segment and wherein the receptacle segment comprises the bottom portion of the storage system; and a lid, wherein the lid is removably coupled to the receptacle segment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a contemplated embodiment of a glove system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a contemplated embodiment of a glove system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a contemplated embodiment of a glove system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a contemplated embodiment of a glove system. 
         FIG. 5  shows a contemplated packaging system for a glove system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A glove system has been developed for industrial, utility and individual uses where one can work on a project that requires reaching above his/her head and/or body and can catch loose materials and/or unwanted materials safely in the glove system and is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . A contemplated storage system for a glove system is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Contemplated glove systems comprise a hand covering segment and a receptacle segment that is coupled to the hand covering segment. In some embodiments, the hand covering segment comprises a plurality of finger enclosures and a thumb enclosure coupled to the hand covering segment. 
     In a contemplated embodiment, a hand covering segment  210  is a part of a glove system  200  and may comprise several individual portions. A contemplated hand covering segment  210  may comprise a portion that covers the fleshy part of the hand and has a plurality of holes  220  whereby the fingers  230  and thumb (not shown) can stick through and remain uncovered/exposed, as shown in  FIG. 2 . A contemplated receptacle segment  240  and a portion of the wearer&#39;s arm  250  are also shown. With respect to the receptacle segment  240 , it has an inner cavity  245  and an outer shell  247 . 
     In some embodiments, a contemplated hand covering segment comprises a plurality of finger enclosures and a thumb enclosure that are designed to couple to the hand covering segment to make a full glove, such that the finger and/or thumb enclosures can be removed or removable (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), or are designed as one continuous glove where the finger and/or thumb enclosures are one piece with the hand covering segment (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In embodiments where the finger and/or thumb enclosures are removable, it is advantageous for the user in that a particularly tough or sensitive job might require using fingers that are not covered by a glove material. 
       FIG. 1  shows a contemplated glove system  100  wherein the finger enclosures  160  and the thumb enclosure (not shown) are made to be permanently attached and continuous with the hand covering segment  110 . A contemplated receptacle segment  140  and a portion of the wearer&#39;s arm  150  are also shown. With respect to the receptacle segment  140 , it has an inner cavity  145  and an outer shell  147 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a contemplated glove system  300  wherein the finger enclosures  360  and the thumb enclosure (not shown) are made to be removably attached with the hand covering segment  310 . A contemplated receptacle segment  340  and a portion of the wearer&#39;s arm  350  are also shown. With respect to the receptacle segment  340 , it has an inner cavity  345  and an outer shell  347 . In this Figure, snaps  370  are shown that allow the wearer to detach the snap and pull off the finger enclosure  360  and/or thumb enclosure (not shown). 
     In a contemplated embodiment, a receptacle segment is coupled to the hand covering segment, such that the receptacle segment is located at or below the wrist (closer to the elbow) of the wearer. The receptacle segment may be designed like a cup, wherein it will catch and contain any loose materials and/or unwanted materials, as the wearer works on a project. The wearer of the glove system puts his/her hand through the receptacle segment and into the hand covering segment. 
     The receptacle segment may also comprise a sticky material and/or magnetic material, such that any loose and/or unwanted materials are not only caught by the receptacle, but are also held in place in the receptacle segment. 
     The receptacle segment may also comprise a plug fitting that allows a hose to be connect to the segment in order to drain fluids away from the receptacle segment as it is collected. This plug fitting is designed to be utilized in situations where there may be a lot of unwanted fluids collected, so that the wearer does not need to stop the job in order to dump the liquid out of the receptacle segment.  FIG. 4  shows a contemplated glove system  400  wherein the finger enclosures  460  and the thumb enclosure (not shown) are made to be permanently attached and continuous with the hand covering segment  410 . A contemplated receptacle segment  440  and a portion of the wearer&#39;s arm  450  are also shown. With respect to the receptacle segment  440 , it has an inner cavity  445  and an outer shell  447 . The receptacle segment  440  also comprises a plug fitting  480  and tubing  485  that allows liquids to be drained from and directed away from the glove system. 
     The receptacle segment may be designed so that it is one piece with the hand covering segment or it may be designed so that it can be removed and replaced with another type of receptacle segment or left off altogether, so that the hand covering segment can be worn alone. 
     The receptacle segment may be utilized to catch and/or collect any suitable loose material and/or unwanted materials, including liquids, nails, screws, bolts, metal shavings, debris, rocks, food or a combination thereof. 
     The hand covering segment, the receptacle segment, the finger enclosures and/or the thumb enclosures may be made out of any suitable material, including vinyl, nylon, suede, leather, plastic, metal, composite material, tyvek, polyester or any combination thereof. Any of these segments or enclosures may be lined with any suitable lining material. Contemplated hand covering segments, receptacle segments, finger enclosures, thumb enclosures and combinations thereof may be made out of the same material or different materials, depending on the needs of the consumer or the need of the glove itself. 
     In another embodiment, the glove system comprises an easy and novel storage system, whereby the glove system can be tucked away and stored for later use, where a contemplated embodiment of the storage system  500  is shown in  FIG. 5 . A contemplated receptacle segment  540  has an inner cavity  545  and an outer shell  547 . The hand covering segment and any other enclosures and fittings are secured in the storage system  500  as one unit  590 . Other items for use with the glove system can be stored in the storage system, such as the plug fitting and tube assembly, any additional removable finger and thumb enclosures and any other additional components. 
     In these embodiments, the receptacle is used as the container for the hand covering segment and any finger and/or thumb enclosures. The wearer just pushes the hand covering segment and any finger and/or thumb enclosures down into the receptacle. A lid can then be placed on the receptacle in order to seal the storage system. In a contemplated embodiment, a storage system for a glove system includes: a hand covering segment, a receptacle segment, wherein the receptacle segment is coupled to the hand covering segment and wherein the receptacle segment comprises the bottom portion of the storage system; and a lid, wherein the lid is removably coupled to the receptacle segment. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     Automobile Maintenance 
     As disclosed earlier, a glove system can be used to help a mechanic work on an automobile while under the car. In the instance where a mechanic is working on a car and the car is on a car lift or auto lift, the mechanic can change the oil and/or take off bolts and small parts without the use of a drip pan or other holder. The glove system can utilize a plug fitting and tube arrangement to catch and drain the oil or other fluid from the receptacle segment to a disposal unit. For the “weekend car enthusiast”, a contemplated glove system is useful, because usually the person is lying on his or her back under the automobile and does not have the room for a drip pan or drip bucket. 
     Example 2  
     Ceiling Painting or Light Fixture Installation 
     A contemplated glove system is also especially useful to anyone who paints ceilings and/or who installs ceiling light fixtures and ceiling fans. If you are painting a ceiling, then the contemplated glove system is useful in order to keep paint dripping on the wearer&#39;s arm and even in the wearer&#39;s face. For lighting and ceiling fan installations, if a screw or bolt drops during installation, it will likely fall into the receptacle segment and keep the installer from needing to stop work, get down off of the ladder and pick up the dropped pieces. 
     Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a utility and/or industrial glove system, including a storage system, have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure herein. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.