Patent Publication Number: US-6711746-B1

Title: Glove apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to illuminating gloves and more particularly pertains to a new glove apparatus for emitting light in an area around the hand of the user. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of illuminating gloves is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,339 describes a system for mounting a flashlight to a glove. Another type of illuminating glove is U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,154 having a light on a glove apparatus to increase the visibility of the user. U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,357 has a plurality of light sources coupled to the glove to allow the glove to emit light. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that has certain improved features reducing the bulk of the glove apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a plurality of pocket spaces in the perimeter wall of the body member each containing one of the light emitting assemblies. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new glove apparatus that provides light in proximity to the hand of the user to illuminate objects being worked on by the user. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new glove apparatus that increases the visibility of the user during the night. 
     To this end, the present invention generally comprises a body member comprising a perimeter wall. The perimeter wall defines an interior space of the body member. The interior space of the body member is designed for selectively receiving the hand of the user. A plurality of light emitting assemblies are positioned in the perimeter wall of the body member. Each of the light emitting assemblies is designed for emitting light to illuminate an area around the hand of the user. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new glove apparatus according to the present invention shown in use. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a new glove apparatus embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the glove apparatus  10  generally comprises a body member  11  comprising a perimeter wall  12 . The perimeter wall  12  defines an interior space  13  of the body member  11 . The interior space  13  of the body member  11  is designed for selectively receiving the hand of the user. 
     A plurality of light emitting assemblies  14  are positioned in the perimeter wall  12  of the body member  11 . Each of the light emitting assemblies  14  is designed for emitting light to illuminate an area around the hand of the user. 
     The perimeter wall  12  defines a plurality of pocket spaces  15 . Each of the pocket spaces  15  is positioned between an exterior surface  16  and an interior surface  17  of the perimeter wall  12 . One of the light emitting assemblies  14  is positioned in each of the pocket spaces  15  whereby the pocket spaces  15  are for maintaining positioning of the light emitting assemblies  14 . 
     The plurality of the pocket spaces  15  comprise a plurality of phalange spaces  18 . Each of the phalange spaces  18  is designed for being positioned around a phalange of the hand of the user whereby the light emitting assemblies  14  positioned in the phalange spaces  18  emit light in an area adjacent the associated one of the phalanges of the user. 
     The plurality of pocket spaces  15  comprise a plurality of hand spaces  19 . One of the hand spaces  19  is designed for being positioned adjacent a back of the hand of the user. One of the hand spaces  19  is designed for being positioned adjacent a palm of the hand of the user. The light emitting assemblies  14  positioned in said hand spaces  19  are designed for emitting light in an area around the hand of the user. 
     The perimeter wall  12  of the body member  11  comprises a plurality of joint portions  20 . Each of the joint portions  20  is positioned between adjacently positioned pocket spaces  15  whereby each of the joint portions  20  is for isolating one of the pocket spaces  15  from an adjacent one of the pocket spaces  15 . Each of the joint portions  20  is designed for being positioned adjacent one of plurality of joints in the hand of the user whereby the joint portions  20  are for permitting the body member  11  contour to the hand of the user when the user is using the hand. 
     Each of the light emitting assemblies  14  comprises a plurality of chemical compounds  21 . The chemical compounds  21  of each of the light emitting assemblies  14  are positioned in one of the pocket spaces  15 . The chemical compounds  21  are mixed to form a luminescent compound whereby the luminescent compound is designed for emitting light. 
     Each of the light emitting assemblies  14  comprises a containment member  22  comprising a peripheral wall  23 . The peripheral wall  23  defines a containment space  24 . The containment space  24  of the containment member  22  stores one of the chemical compounds  21  whereby the peripheral wall  23  isolates the associated one of the chemical compounds  21  positioned in the containment space  24  of the containment member  22  from the other of the chemical compounds  21  to prevent inadvertent mixing of the chemical compounds  21 . The peripheral wall  23  is designed for breaking under pressure from the user to allow the chemical compounds  21  to mix to form the luminescent compound. 
     The body member  11  comprises a flexible material. The flexible material is designed for contouring to the hand of the user when the hand of the user is positioned in the interior space  13  of the body member  11 . The flexible material is transparent whereby the flexible material is designed for permitting light from the light emitting assemblies  14  to pass through the flexible material. 
     In use, the user crushes the containment member  22  of each of the light emitting assemblies  14 . The user then slides the body member  11  over the hand so that the hand is positioned in the interior space  13  of the body of the hand. As the hand of the user is moved around the chemical compounds  21  will mix to form the luminescent compound and emit light. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.