Patent Publication Number: US-2003233695-A1

Title: Foul-weather sport glove and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention is in the field of gloves. More particularly, the present invention relates to a weather resistant glove to be worn by an operator or passenger of an open-air sport motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle or snowmobile. Most particularly, a glove according to the present invention is especially configured to prevent rain water and other moisture (which water may be on the outer garments of such an operator or passenger during foul weather conditions) from running down a sleeve of the outer garment and into a cuff or gauntlet of the glove to wet the operator&#39;s hands.  
       [0003] 2. Related Technology  
       [0004] Operators and passengers of motorcycles and other open-air sport motor vehicles have for years sought to protect themselves from the elements. It is well understood that allowing oneself to become wet and/or cold during operation of such sport motor vehicles greatly contributes to rider and passenger fatigue and greatly increases the risk of accident due to such fatigue. Accordingly, during foul weather conditions, in addition to wearing protective outer clothing and garments such operators and passengers have conventionally worn water proof or water resistant gloves. These gloves are worn in an attempt to keep the hands warm and dry. After the importance of maintaining both the head and feet warm and dry, it is well understood that keeping the hands from being cold or wet is probably the next most important consideration in avoiding premature discomfort and fatigue. However, cold, wet hands are a common source of discomfort for operators and passengers of sport motor vehicles.  
       [0005] However, with some sport motor vehicles the position of the operator or passenger places their lower arms and hands in a downwardly angled position so that rain water and other moisture present on their outer garments (i.e., on a jacket, coat, or rain suit, for example) can run down the arms of the outer garment and into the cuff or gauntlet of the water proof or water resistant gloves. With conventional gloves, water entering the glove via the cuff or gauntlet is not prevented from running into the remainder of the glove, to wet the hands of the operator or passenger.  
       [0006] Under foul weather conditions, once a person&#39;s hands are wetted by water entering their gloves along the inside of the cuff or gauntlet, then the person will be very uncomfortable. Because the insulating qualities of a glove are largely lost once the inside of the glove is wet (i.e., once the insulation and/or lining is wet), the person&#39;s hands may become very cold. In fact, depending on the weather conditions and the degree of exposure to the moving air around the vehicle, the person may be at risk of experiencing frost bite of their fingers within the wet gloves even if outside air temperature conditions are not so severe that this would be considered a risk otherwise. Such is the case in the operation of an open-air sport motor vehicle because the operator&#39;s or passenger&#39;s hands in the wet gloves may be exposed to the moving stream of air caused by operation of the vehicle. Thus, evaporative cooling may add greatly to the chilling effect caused by the moving stream of air so that heat extraction from hands in wet gloves is much faster and occurs over a greater surface area than otherwise would be the case. Even if frost bite is not a risk, having wet cold hands within conventional water proof gloves can be very uncomfortable.  
       [0007] In view of the above, a need has been recognized in the relevant art for gloves that will resist entry of water along the cuff or gauntlet of the gloves.  
       [0008] Examples of gloves in the related technology are presented by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,918,096; 5,628,069; and 5,636,382. The &#39;096 is believed to relate to a protective glove for use by a motorcycle rider to prevent or reduce abrasion. This glove, it is believed, would not be suitable for foul weather wear to protect the motorcycle rider&#39;s hands from rain water.  
       [0009] Similarly, the glove seen in the &#39;069 patent is believed to teach a bi-stable spring arrangement that eases, it is asserted, the stress necessary to curve the fingers about the handlebar grips of a motorcycle. Again, this glove appears to be unsuitable for use in foul weather conditions. The glove seen in the &#39;382 patent appears intended to protect the hands of a wearer from environmental irritants. Apparently, this glove is part of a protective suit that might be worn to protect a person from chemicals, biotoxins, and other contaminants. The glove includes an outer glove portion with a gauntlet, and an inner liner glove portion, also with a similar gauntlet. The gauntlets are not sealingly related to the sleeves of the wearers outer garment, nor is there any provision made to drain moisture that may run downwardly along the wearer&#39;s sleeves into the gauntlets of the glove.  
       [0010] A more recent attempt to address this problem is set out in U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,785. The glove of the &#39;785 patent is not fully illustrated, but to the extent that this patent can be understood from the text of the patent in conjunction with the fragmentary illustrations, it appears that an inner sleeve of waterproof material is provided within the gauntlet cuff of a glove, with the inner sleeve intended to extend above the gauntlet cuff so that water entering the gauntlet cuff along a jacket sleeve will drain from the open upper end of the gauntlet cuff before reaching a sufficiently high level to flow over the upper end of the inner sleeve and into the hand portion of the glove.  
       [0011] The glove of the &#39;785 patent has a number of deficiencies. First among these deficiencies is that a wearer of the glove can not be sure that the inner sleeve of the glove in fact extends up the forearm above the level of the open upper end of the gauntlet cuff of the glove. This is especially the case when the wearer is using the glove as it was intended and is also wearing a protective garment (which garment may also be somewhat bulky), such as a motorcycle jacket intended for foul weather wear. In this case, the jacket will probably have elastic cuffs, or zippered cuffs, or perhaps gusseted cuffs with closure straps. In either of these cases, the wearer will try to tuck the inner sleeve of the glove of the &#39;785 patent into the cuff of the jacket and up along the wearer&#39;s forearms. Even with bare hands, this objective can be a challenge. But, especially once the wearer gets one glove on and attempts to tuck and extend the inner sleeve of the other glove, the project is very difficult is not impossible. Thus, the inner sleeve of the &#39;785 patent may not extend above the level of the outer gauntlet cuff, and water will drain over the top of this inner sleeve and into the hand portion of the glove.  
       [0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] In view of the deficiencies of the related technology, a primary object of this invention is to avoid one or more of these deficiencies.  
       [0014] More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a weather resistant glove for use by operators and passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles.  
       [0015] Another object is to provide such a weather resistant glove which has provisions for stopping the further flow toward a wearers hands of water that finds its way into the glove.  
       [0016] Still another object is to provide such a glove with provisions to allow the drainage of water that does find its way into the glove, before this water can reach and wet the hands of the wearer of the gloves.  
       [0017] Accordingly, the present invention according to one aspect provides a water resistant glove to be worn by an operator or passenger of an open-air sport motor vehicle. This glove comprises a water resistant outer glove shell having a hand portion and a gauntlet portion with an elongate outer gauntlet cuff part, and an inner gauntlet cuff part also of water resistant material sealingly attached within the outer gauntlet cuff part adjacent to the wrist of the glove and cooperating with the outer gauntlet cuff part to define a water catch basin, and a drain opening outwardly from the water catch basin.  
       [0018] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing the hands of an operator of an open-air sport motor vehicle, which vehicle is of the type which positions the forearms and hands of the operator generally in a downwardly angled position, from getting wet because of water running downwardly along an outer garment over the operator&#39;s forearms and then entering the inside of the gloves to wet the operator&#39;s hands. This method includes steps of: providing a pair of gloves each with a water proof outer glove part having a hand portion and a gauntlet portion with a flaring outer gauntlet cuff part extending upwardly along the operator&#39;s forearm and over a sleeve of the outer garment; providing each glove with an inner liner part also having an inner gauntlet cuff part extending upwardly along the operator&#39;s forearm; utilizing the inner and outer gauntlet cuff parts of each glove to cooperatively define a water catch basin therebetween; and sealingly uniting the inner gauntlet cuff part and the outer gauntlet cuff part at a lower extent of the water catch basin generally adjacent to and above the operator&#39;s hands to prevent water in the water catch basin from flowing into the hand part of the gloves.  
       [0019] Additionally, a method according to the present invention may include steps of: defining a water catch basin at the cuff of a glove by utilizing an inner and an outer water resistant cuff sleeves, utilizing the water catch basin of the gloves to receive water running downwardly along the sleeves of the operator&#39;s outer garment; and providing a drain extending from the water catch basin outwardly of the glove to drain away water received therein.  
       [0020] A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained from reading the following description of a single preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures, in which the same features (or features analogous in structure or function) are indicated with the same reference numeral throughout the several views. It will be understood that the appended drawing Figures and description here following relate only to one or more exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention, and as such, are not to be taken as implying a limitation on the invention. No such limitation on the invention is implied, and none is to be inferred. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
     [0021]FIG. 1 provides a fragmentary perspective view of a motorcycle rider wearing a pair of gloves embodying the present invention;  
     [0022]FIG. 2 provides an enlarged perspective view of the right-hand glove of the motorcycle rider seen in FIG. 1;  
     [0023]FIG. 3 is a view of the palm side of the left-hand one of the pair of gloves being worn by the motorcycle rider of FIG. 1;  
     [0024]FIG. 4 provides a cross sectional view showing the cooperation of the glove seen in FIGS.  1 - 3  with a sleeve of a jacket worn by the motorcycle rider;  
     [0025]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of components of the gloves seen in FIGS.  1 - 4 ; and  
     [0026]FIGS. 6 and 7 are respective perspective and cross sectional views like FIGS. 2 and 4, but showing an alternative embodiment of a glove according to the present invention;  
     [0027]FIG. 8 provides a view of the palm side of a left glove of a third alternative embodiment of the invention;  
     [0028]FIG. 9 is a view of the glove seen in FIG. 8 with a gauntlet cuff zipper open;  
     [0029]FIG. 10 is a view of the glove seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, with the gauntlet cuff of the glove inverted over the hand portion of the glove; and  
     [0030]FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to views  8 - 10 , showing the third alternative embodiment of glove preparatory to cooperation with a sleeve of the wearer&#39;s jacket, and with part of the glove cut away for clarity of illustration. 
    
    
     DERAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0031] Viewing first FIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction, a motorcycle rider  10  is seen riding a motorcycle  12 . Because of the speed of movement of the motorcycle, the rider  10  is subjected to a moving air stream, indicated on FIG. 1 by arrow  14 . The rider  10  is wearing a protective jacket  16 , which includes sleeves  16   a . The riders hands are protected by gloves  18  according to the present invention. It will be understood that the present inventive gloves  18  are not limited to their use by motorcycle riders, and that other operators and occupants of sports motor vehicles may benefit from the use of gloves according to this invention. Especially, riders and passengers of open-air sport motor vehicles, such as motorcycles and snowmobiles, may benefit from the advantages offered by the gloves of the present invention.  
     [0032] In the case illustrated in FIG. 1, the rider  10  is also wearing protective boots, and a helmet (not individually referenced in FIG. 1). The rider  10  may be wearing a pair of heavy denim jeans, leather pants, or other protective and possibly water resistant pants (not referenced on FIG. 1), as will be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts.  
     [0033] Importantly, during foul weather conditions, the rider  10  will be exposed to rain, and to mist thrown up and splashing from the tires of other vehicles, as is indicated by the droplet characters, and the arrowed reference numeral  20  on FIG. 1. While the jacket  16 , pants, boots, and gloves  18  of the rider  10  may be successful in keeping the rider dry despite all this rain, mist, and splashing  20 , the exterior surfaces of the rider&#39;s jacket  16  will be wet with water. Under these conditions, water forms into droplets that may run down the underside of the rider&#39;s forearms, as is arrowed on FIGS. 1 and 2 indicating the droplets with the arrowed numeral  22 .  
     [0034] As is seen in FIG. 2 particularly, the droplets of water  22  may be kept from forming on the windward side of the riders arms (i.e., the windward side of the sleeves  16   a  as seen in FIG. 1) by the wind  14  provided by the motion of the motorcycle  12 . However, on the leeward side of the rider&#39;s forearms, the droplets  22  may run down the rider&#39;s arms and toward the gloves  18 . Now, those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts will appreciate that if the rider  10  were wearing conventional motorcycle gloves, then the water droplets  22  could run into the gauntlet cuff portion of the gloves, and continue on into the hand portion of the gloves, to wet the riders hands, as explained above. However, the rider  10  is seen in FIG. 1 to be wearing gloves  18  embodying the present invention.  
     [0035] Viewing FIGS.  3 - 5  in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, and with attention especially to FIG. 3, it is seen that the gloves  18  according to the present invention include an outer water resistant or water proof shell part  24 , which includes a hand portion  24   a  and a gauntlet cuff portion  24   b . The hand portion  24   a  includes fingers  26  and a thumb  28  as is conventional. The gauntlet cuff portion  24   b  includes an elongate gauntlet cuff  30 . This gauntlet cuff  30  is generally conical in shape and flares as it extends upwardly along the rider&#39;s forearms, to allow the gauntlet cuff  30  to be received over the jacket sleeves  16   a , as is illustrated in the drawing Figures.  
     [0036] Intermediate of the hand portion  24   a  and the gauntlet cuff portion  24   b , the glove includes a wrist band member  32 , which may be elasticized or may be adjustable (i.e., with a circumferential strap and buckle, for example) in order to securely retain the gloves  18  on the wearer&#39;s hands. The outer glove shell part  24  may be formed of leather or fabric, and may be water proof, water resistant, or water permeable. Preferably, in the interest of providing a combination of features and protections for the rider  10 , the outer shell part  24  is formed of leather which has good abrasion resistance in the event of a spill by the rider  10  from the motorcycle  12 . However, this leather is especially treated to make is absorb less water than leather ordinarily would, so that the soaking of the gloves with water during foul weather is reduced, and also the effect of evaporative cooling from the air stream  14  is also reduced.  
     [0037] Now, FIG. 5 shows that the glove  18  includes, in addition to the outer shell part  24 , an inner waterproof liner part  34 . This liner part  34  is preferably formed of fabric (such as a high-strength nylon fabric, for example) that is impregnated with a flexible polymer (such as polyurethane) to make the fabric waterproof. This fabric material is then flocked on one side (which becomes the inside of the liner part  34 ) to provide both a pleasing feel for the fabric against the rider&#39;s hands, and to provide an insulative quality for the gloves  10 . While it is not illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 5 , those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts will recognize that in addition to the outer shell part and inner liner part, the gloves  18  may include another glove-shaped part intermediate of the shell and liner, and which additional part may be fabricated of an insulative material, such as Thinsulate™, for example, to provide an even higher insulation rating for the gloves  18 .  
     [0038] As FIG. 5 illustrates, the liner part  34  includes a hand portion  34   a , formed with fingers  36 , and a thumb  38 . Also, the liner part  34  is formed with an elongate gauntlet cuff portion  34   b . This gauntlet cuff portion  34   b  includes an outer gauntlet cuff  40 , which is preferably the same length and shape as the gauntlet cuff  30 . That is, the gauntlet cuff portion  40  extends and flares up the rider&#39;s forearm about the same length as the cuff portion  30 . Thus, when the outer shell part  24  and liner part  34  are combined during manufacturing of the gloves  18 , these parts (cuff portions  24   b  and  34   b ) are stitched together at a seam, indicated with the arrowed numeral  42 . The seams of the glove  10  may be sealed with water proof tape or other sealing material as necessary in order to insure the water tightness of the stitched seams (i.e., so that water does not wick through the seams along the stitching thread).  
     [0039] Within the outer gauntlet cuff  40  is a second or inner cuff  44 , which is preferably about the same length as the gauntlet cuffs  30  and  40  (viewing FIGS. 3, 4, and  5 ). That is, the inner cuff  44  is substantially coextensive with and not longer than the outer gauntlet cuff part  24   a  (recalling cuff parts  30  and  40 ), and the inner cuff  44  further does not flare outwardly quite so much as it extends up the wearer&#39;s forearm (viewing FIG. 4 and  5 ). That is, the inner cuff  44  is almost of straight cylindrical shape, although it may flare somewhat. The inner and outer cuffs  40  and  44  are sealingly united to one another at a seam indicated with the arrowed numeral  46  (which is also preferably sealed with water proof tape), and define between them an annular water catch basin, indicated with the arrowed numeral  48  on FIGS. 4 and 5. It is to be noted that although in FIG. 4 this basin  48  opens downwardly, this is just a convenience of illustration, and the depicted position for the glove  18  is not limiting. Preferably, the inner cuff  44  is provided with a circumferential elastic  50 , so that it yieldably grips the rider&#39;s forearm (not seen in the drawing Figures, but suggested in FIG. 4).  
     [0040] As FIGS.  3 , and  5  best illustrate, in order to drain the water catch basin  48 , the gloves  18  are also provided with a pair of grommets  52  which open from the water catch basin  48  onto the outside of the outer shell  24  (i.e., through both the gauntlet cuff part  24   b  of the shell  24 , and through the outer gauntlet cuff part  34   b —so that these grommets appear in both parts of FIG. 5). These grommets  52  are preferably positioned in view of the fact that in the ordinary riding position of the rider  10  as is seen in FIG. 1, the rider&#39;s hands will be generally somewhat palm-downward on the grips of the motorcycle, and at least one of the pair of grommets  52  is thus near to or at the lowest point of the water catch basin  48 . Consequently, as is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the arrowed numerals  52   a , the water from within catch basin  48  is drained outwardly of the gloves  18 . In other words, the water level in the catch basin  48  never reaches the level of the open upper end of the gauntlet cuff, and never reaches the level of the open upper end of inner cuff  44 . Thus, this water cannot flow into the inside of the glove where the wearer&#39;s hand is located. It is to be noted that the invention is not limited to use of any particular number of grommets  52 , or even to the use of grommets to form the drain opening(s) from the catch basin  48 . In other words, a simple hole, slit, or section of water permeable material located at approximately the location indicated for the grommets  52  will suffice to let the basin  48  drain.  
     [0041] It is seen in FIG. 4, that the gloves  18  are preferably worn with the inner second cuff  44  disposed within the sleeve  16   a  of the rider&#39;s jacket  16  (that is, within the cuff of the jacket sleeve). The outer cuff  30  is worn in the usual position over the lower part of this sleeve (i.e., over and about the jacket cuffs of the jacket sleeves  16   a ). As a result, should any water (recalling the droplets  22 ) make its way down the rider&#39;s sleeves  16   a  and into the gloves  18 , this water will enter the water catch basin  48 , will be drained via grommets  52 , and will not be received into the hand parts  24  of the gloves to wet the rider&#39;s hands. Any water received into the catch basin  48  is quickly drained from the gloves via grommets  52 , as the arrows  52   a  illustrate.  
     [0042] At this point it is well to consider how it is that a wearer of the gloves  10  may accomplish putting them on, especially once the first glove is on a hand, and the second glove is to be put on and the cuffs arranged with the sleeve of the wearer&#39;s jacket as is seen in FIG. 4. One way this can be done is for the wearer with bare hands to preparatorily roll or invert each outer gauntlet cuff toward and partially over the hand portion of the glove, leaving the inner cuff  44  extended and exposed. Now the wearer puts on the jacket  16 , and puts on the first glove  18 . With the other bare hand, the inner cuff of the glove just put on can be easily arranged inside of the sleeve of the jacket. The outer cuff of the glove is then pulled or rolled to its position outside of and overlapping the cuff of the jacket sleeve (recalling FIGS. 3 and 4). Now the wearer puts on the other glove, and with a gloved finger can work the inner cuff  44  of the second glove inside of the jacket sleeve. Its not necessary for the wearer to insure that the inner cuff extends fully inside of the jacket sleeve cuff and upwardly to any particular level along the forearm, since the water level inside of the catch basin  48  never reaches a high level due to the draining function provided by grommets  52 . Once this inner cuff is inserted into the jacket sleeves, the wearer again rolls or pulls the outer gauntlet cuff  30  of the second glove into its position as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Now, the wearer&#39;s hands are protected against water entry to the hand portion of each glove, and will stay dry and warm.  
     [0043] Viewing now FIGS. 6 and 7 in conjunction with one another, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Because this alternative embodiment has several features in common with the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , features which are the same as, or which are equivalent in structure or function to, features depicted and described above with reference to FIGS.  1 - 5 , are indicated on FIGS. 6 and 7 with the same numeral used above, and increased by one-hundred (100).  
     [0044] As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the gloves  118  include an outer water resistant or water proof shell part  124 , with a hand portion  124   a  and a gauntlet portion  124   b . The hand portion  124   a  includes fingers parts  126  and a thumb part (not seen in the drawing Figures). The gauntlet portion  124   b  includes an elongate gauntlet cuff  130 . A wrist band  132  encircles the glove  118  to adjustably secure each glove  118  on the rider&#39;s hands. The gloves  118  also include an inner waterproof liner part  134 . This liner part  134  may also include an insulation liner (not illustrated in the drawing Figures). The liner part  134  includes a hand portion formed with finger parts and a thumb part.  
     [0045] This embodiment also includes an elongate gauntlet cuff portion  134   b . This gauntlet cuff portion  134   b  includes a first outer gauntlet cuff  140 , which is preferably the same length as the gauntlet cuff  130  so that these gauntlet cuffs are united by a seam, indicated with the arrowed numeral  142 . However, this embodiment also includes a second “inner” gauntlet cuff  144 , which again is preferably both just a little longer than the gauntlet cuffs  130  and  140  (or coextensive in length with the cuffs  130  and  140 ), and flares outwardly almost as much as it extends up the wearer&#39;s forearm (viewing FIG. 6 and  7 ). The gauntlet cuff  144  is referred to as an “inner” cuff, firstly because it is within the outer cuff  130 , although it is configured to allow it to be disposed preferably outside of the cuff and sleeve  116   a  of the rider&#39;s jacket  116 , as is seen in FIG. 6. Thus, the glove of FIGS. 6 and 7 has two coaxial cuffs, both of which may be disposed outside of the sleeves  116   a  of the rider&#39;s jacket  116 . Also, although this embodiment may also be worn in the same way as the embodiment seen in FIGS.  1 - 5  (i.e., with the gauntlet cuff  144  within the jacket sleeves  116   a ) if the rider  10  chooses, it also allows the rider  10  the option of quickly pulling the cuffs  130 / 140  and  144  over the forearm portions of the jacket sleeves  116   a , as is seen in FIGS. 6 and 7. As will be explained, this option provides a flexibility of use and an increased increment of utility for the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7.  
     [0046] In order to provide a degree of water resistance at the interface of the inner cuff  144  and the sleeves  116   a  (indicated on FIGS. 6 and 7 with the arrowed numeral  54 ), the cuff  144  is provided with both a circumferential elastic  150  and with a thin, tapering, resilient lip-seal feature (indicated with arrowed numeral  56 ). The lip seal feature  56  self-biases into water resistant engagement with the sleeve  116   a  at the interface  54 , in addition to being urged into engagement with the jacket sleeve  16   a  by the elastic  150 .  
     [0047] As with the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 defines a water catch basin  148  between the gauntlet cuffs  130  and  140 . A pair of grommets  152  open from the water catch basin  148  onto the outside of the outer glove shell  124 . Water from within the water catch basin  148  is drained outwardly of the gloves  118 , as is depicted by arrowed numerals  152   a.    
     [0048] While, as was pointed out above, the gloves of FIGS. 6 and 7 may also be worn as is seen in FIG. 4 (i.e., with the cuffs  144  inside of the jacket sleeves), the lip seal feature  56  allows the rider  10  to quickly don the gloves  118  without having to arrange the inner cuffs of the gloves under the respective sleeves of the jacket  16 . This option may be preferred under exigent circumstances, and especially when a rider is about to embark on a trip of relatively short distance in inclement conditions. That is, time may be saved by the rider choosing to wear the gloves as is seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 because they can be put on quickly just like conventional motorcycle gloves. On the other hand, if the rider is about to embark on a longer ride, a small amount of extra time and effort may be taken to position the gloves of FIGS. 6 and 7 as is seen in FIG. 4, so that the gloves  118  provide essentially complete water resistance to keep the rider&#39;s hands dry and warm.  
     [0049] Considering now FIGS.  8 - 11 , a third alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Because this third alternative embodiment also has several features in common with the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5 , and of FIGS. 6 and 7, features which are the same as, or which are equivalent in structure or function to, features depicted and described above with reference to FIGS.  1 - 5 , or on FIGS. 6 and 7 are indicated with the same numeral used above, and increased by two-hundred (200).  
     [0050] This third alternative embodiment of weather resistant glove particularly offers convenience and speed in putting on the gloves, even when the first glove has been put on and the second glove has to be put on and arranged into cooperation with the jacket sleeve  16   a  with the first gloved hand. As mentioned above, the first and second embodiments of the invention have an outer gauntlet cuff which (with bare hands) can be turned inside out or inverted over the hand portion of the glove in preparation to putting on the gloves. However, motorcycle riding gloves frequently include cushioning or armoring or abrasion resistant panels, such as Kevlar™, or carbon fiber material. Such panels are not easily folded or bent, and if such were included on the cuff portion of the first or second embodiments this would make the cuff of the gloves difficult to invert or turn inside out over the hand portion of the glove in preparation to putting on the gloves. The third alternative embodiment of this invention provides a glove with an outer gauntlet cuff that is particularly easy to turn inside out or invert over the hand portion of the glove, and is also easily righted to its normal operative position even with both hands gloved.  
     [0051] The gloves  218  according to the third embodiment of the present invention include an outer water resistant or water proof shell part  224  with a hand portion  224   a  and a gauntlet cuff portion  224   b . In this case, the gauntlet cuff portion  224   b  may be provided with one or more abrasion resistant pads  224   c , although the invention is not so limited. The gauntlet cuff portion  224   b  also includes an elongate zipper or slide fastener  58 , with a zipper pull  58   a  positioned adjacent to the free end of the gauntlet cuff  224   a  when the zipper is closed (viewing FIG. 8). As is seen in FIG. 9, when the zipper pull  58   a  is moved to the proximal end of the zipper (that is, adjacent to the hand portion of the glove  218 ), the gauntlet cuff  224   b  easily flares out even further, revealing the inner cuff  244 , as is seen in FIG. 9.  
     [0052] Considering now FIG. 10, it is seen that with the zipper pull moved adjacent to the hand portion of the glove  218 , with the zipper  58  opened, the gauntlet cuff  224   b  is easily inverted or turned inside out partially over the hand portion of the glove  218 . Once the gauntlet cuff  224   b  is turned inside out, the inner cuff  244  is fully exposed, viewing FIG. 10. The gauntlet cuff of the glove  218  may easily be turned inside out using bare hands in preparation to putting on the gloves  218 , and can even be turned inside out using a gloved hand, once the zipper  58  is opened as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.  
     [0053]FIG. 11 illustrates how conveniently the glove  218  may be arranged in cooperation with a jacket sleeve, to insert the inner cuff  244  into the jacket sleeve cuff. That is, in this case, the jacket sleeve cuff is illustrated to include a gusseted closure  62 , with a slit  62   a  spanned by a gusset  64 . The slit is closed by a closure strap  66  having sections  68   a ,  68   b  of a hook-and-loop fastener. Alternatively, the jacket cuff may include an elasticized cuff closure, or a zippered cuff closure, for example. But, with the cuff closure  62  opened (i.e., in this case, with the gusseted cuff closure opened as seen in FIG. 11), the inner cuff  244  of the glove  218  is easily inserted into the sleeve of the jacket. As is seen in FIG. 11, the wearer can preparatorily slide the jacket sleeve up a little along the forearm, and then put on the glove  218 , extending the inner cuff  244  upwardly along the forearm, and then can slide the jacket cuff toward the wrist (indicated by arrows  70 ) while tucking in the inner glove cuff  244 . Then, the wearer closes the gusseted cuff closure, as is indicated by arrow  72 . Next, the wearer turns the outer glove cuff  224   b  right side out, as is indicated by arrows  74 . When the glove cuff  224   b  is turned right side out, it laps over the cuff of the jacket sleeve, and takes the position seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the first embodiment of the present inventive glove. In order to retain and secure the outer gauntlet cuff  224   b  in its proper position, the wearer closes zipper  58 , which is easily done with a gloved hand. Importantly, all of the steps illustrated in FIG. 11 can be carried out easily even after the first hand is gloved.  
     [0054] While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to two particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. For example, the outer gauntlet cuff of the third embodiment of the invention, which is depicted as being closed by a zipper, may be closed by any convenient structure or mechanism. The outer gauntlet cuff may be of gusseted construction also, and may still have a gusset sized sufficiently to allow the gauntlet cuff to be turned inside out over the hand portion of the glove, and to ease this operation of turning the gauntlet cuff inside out, and then returning it to its normal position for wear of the inventive glove. Thus, it is clear that the depicted and described preferred embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.