Patent Publication Number: US-2023148689-A1

Title: Finger Protection Device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,305 which was filed on Nov. 15, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of cooking safety devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a finger protection device comprised of a shield and a ring member. In the preferred embodiment, the shield is preferably rectangular and slightly convex in shape. The ring member is further fixedly or removably-attached to a rear surface of the shield such that the ring member can be worn on the finger of a user. In differing embodiments, the ring member may be comprised of a first and second curved member or a continuous, circular body. The ring member may further be made from a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid plastic or rubber. In this manner, the device can be worn on at least one finger of a user, such that the shield protects the user&#39;s finger/hand from being accidently cut by a knife while chopping, cutting or slicing food. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Chopping, cutting or slicing food with a knife can be a difficult and dangerous task, even for professional chefs. While chopping, cutting or slicing food, an individual may easily and inadvertently cut their finger. This may occur even if the user is extremely skilled and is intensely focused. A cut that occurs while chopping, cutting or slicing food may severely injure an individual, especially if the knife being used is especially sharp and/or large. To this effect, an individual may accidently cut off their an entire finger or fingers, or create a deep cut that leads to significant blood loss, stiches and scarring. Further, said cut can also pose a risk for severe infection, especially if the knife used for cutting is being used to prepare raw meat. As a result of the dangers of using a knife while preparing food, individual(s) may slow the speed in which they use the knife. However, this is undesirable as it decreases productivity. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a finger protection device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife, but that does not require that users slow the speed in which they use the knife while using the device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a finger protection device that is easy to use and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a finger protection device. The device is comprised of a shield and a ring member. In the preferred embodiment, the shield is preferably rectangular and slightly convex in shape. The ring member is further fixedly or removably-attached to a rear surface of the shield such that the ring member can be worn on the finger of a user. In differing embodiments, the ring member may be comprised of a first and second curved member or a continuous, circular body. The ring member may further be made from a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid plastic or rubber. In this manner, the device can be worn on at least one finger of a user such that the shield protects the user&#39;s finger/hand from being accidently cut by a knife while chopping, cutting or slicing food. 
     In this manner, the finger protection device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife. While doing so, the device further does not require that a user slows the speed in which he or she uses the knife. In addition, the device is easy to use and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a finger protection device primarily comprised of a body that is further comprised of a shield and a ring member. In the preferred embodiment, the shield is manufactured from a rigid plastic or a durable metal, and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. The shield is also preferably rectangular and slightly convex in shape, but may be any shaped known in the art in differing embodiments such as, but not limited to, triangular, square, trapezoidal, circular, oblong, octagonal, pentagonal, etc. In addition, the front surface or rear surface of the shield and the ring member may have a plurality of indica such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     The at least one ring member is fixedly or removably-attached to the rear surface of the shield. In one embodiment, the ring member is comprised of a first curved member and a second curved member that together form a generally circular shape. In differing embodiments, both members may be made of a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid plastic. In this manner, the ring member can be worn similar to a ring around the finger of a user. In a differing embodiment, the ring member is a continuous, circular-shaped and is manufactured from a flexible or semi-rigid rubber material. The interior surface of the ring member may further be textured with a plurality of protrusions, knurling, etc. that promotes the grip on the finger of a user. 
     To use the device, the ring member is worn on at least one finger of a user such that the shield is between the finger of the user and a knife being used to chop food. While chopping food, the bottom edge of the shield can be placed on or near the food to secure and prevent movement of the food on a cutting surface. As a result, the user can rapidly cut food with the knife without having the worry about cutting his or her finger. It should be further appreciated that in differing embodiments of the device, the size of the shield may differ to cover multiple fingers of a user or the entire hand a user. 
     Accordingly, the finger protection device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife whilst not requiring that a user slow the speed in which they use a knife. In addition, the device is easy to use and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. In this manner, the finger protection device overcomes the dangerous act of preparing food with a knife. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device of the present invention while being worn on the finger of a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a finger protection device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife that does not require that a user slows the speed in which they use the knife. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a finger protection device that is easy to use and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a finger protection device. The device is primarily comprised of a body that is further comprised of a shield and a ring member. In the preferred embodiment, the shield is manufactured from a rigid plastic or a durable metal, and may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. The shield is also preferably rectangular and slightly convex in shape, but may be any shape known in the art in differing embodiments such as, but not limited to, triangular, square, trapezoidal, circular, oblong, octagonal, pentagonal, etc. The front surface or rear surface of the shield and the ring member may also have a plurality of indica such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
     The at least one ring member is fixedly or removably-attached to the rear surface of the shield. In one embodiment, the ring member is comprised of a first curved member and a second curved member that together form a generally circular shape. In differing embodiments, both members may be made of a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid plastic, wherein the ring member can be worn similar to a ring around the finger of a user. In a differing embodiment, the ring member is a continuous, circular-shaped and is manufactured from a flexible or semi-rigid rubber material. In either embodiment, the interior surface of the ring member may further be textured with a plurality of protrusions, knurling, etc., that promotes grip on the finger of a user. 
     To use the device, the ring member is worn on at least one finger of a user such that the shield is between the finger of the user and a knife being used to chop food. While chopping food, the bottom edge of the shield can be placed on or near the food to secure and prevent movement of the food on a cutting surface. As a result, the user can rapidly cut food with the knife without having the worry about cutting a finger. It should be further appreciated that in differing embodiments of the device, the size of the shield may differ to cover multiple fingers of a user or the entire hand a user. 
     Accordingly, the finger protection device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that protects a user from cutting or severing a finger while preparing food with a knife whilst not requiring that a user slows the speed in which he or she uses a knife. In addition, the device is easy to use and simple and inexpensive to manufacture. In this manner, the finger protection device overcomes the dangers of preparing food with a knife. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a front view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is primarily comprised of a body  110  that is further comprised of a shield  120  and a ring member  150 . In the preferred embodiment, the shield  120  is manufactured from a rigid plastic such as, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc., or a durable metal such as, but not limited to, a stainless steel or aluminum. In differing embodiments, the shield  120  may be transparent, semi-transparent or opaque. The shield  120  is also preferably rectangular and slightly convex in shape to guide the knife away from the hand, but may be any shape known in the art in differing embodiments such as, but not limited to, triangular, square, trapezoidal, circular, oblong, octagonal, pentagonal, etc. In addition, the front surface  130  or rear surface  140  of the shield  120  and the ring member  150  may have a plurality of indica  160  such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a rear view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device  100  of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device  100  is also comprised of at least one ring member  150  that is fixedly or removably-attached to the rear surface  140  of the shield  120 . In one embodiment, the ring member  150  is further comprised of a first curved member  152  and a second curved member  154  separated by an opening or slot that slows the ring member  150  to expand in size to accommodate larger fingers. Together, both members  152 ,  154  form a generally circular shape. In differing embodiments, both members  152 ,  154  may be manufactured from a flexible, semi-rigid or rigid plastic of the type mentioned above. In this manner, the ring member  150  can be worn similarly to a traditional jewelry ring around the finger  10  of a user. 
     In a differing embodiment seen in  FIG.  3   , the ring member  150  is continuous, circular-shaped and is manufactured from a flexible or semi-rigid rubber material such as, but not limited to, neoprene, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, Styrene-Butadiene, butyl, natural, fluorosilicone, etc. The interior surface  151  of the ring member may further be textured with a plurality of protrusions, knurling, etc. that promotes the grip on the finger  10  of a user. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a finger protection device  100  of the present invention while being worn on the finger  10  of a user in accordance with the disclosed architecture. During use, the ring member  150  is worn on at least one finger  10  of a user (although, differing embodiments of the device  100  may have multiple ring members  150  that can be worn on multiple fingers  10 ) such that the shield  120  is between the finger  10  of the user and a knife  20  being used to chop food  30 . While chopping food  30 , the bottom edge  122  of the shield can be placed on or near the food  30  to secure and prevent movement of the food  30  on a cutting surface  40 . In this manner, the user can rapidly cut food  30  with the knife  20  without having the worry about cutting a finger  10 . It should be further appreciated that in differing embodiments of the device  100 , the size of the shield  120  may differ in order to cover multiple fingers  10  of a user or the entire hand  5  of a user. In one embodiment, the bottom edge  122  of the shield should be approximately ⅜″ above the cutting surface when worn on the finger, to allow food to pass through when the hand is moved backward to allow for continuous cutting. 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “finger protection device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the finger protection device  100  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the finger protection device  100  of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the finger protection device  100  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the finger protection device  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the finger protection device  100  are important design parameters for user convenience, the finger protection device  100  may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.