Patent Publication Number: US-9888733-B2

Title: Protective device for use with a glove

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     The present application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/947,423, filed on Jul. 22, 2013, and claims priority thereto, the entirety of which is incorporated herein as if fully rewritten. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates generally to protective coverings. More particularly, the present invention relates to protective coverings used as a glove for a hand. Specifically, the present invention provides a protective device to cover the webbing region located between a thumb and index finger on a liquid proof heat resistant glove or mitten. 
     2. Background Information 
     Humans have enjoyed roasting chickens on a rotisserie since at least the middle ages. Modern rotisserie devices are provided in the form of ovens, often at supermarkets or grocery stores. The chickens cook on a rotisserie spit that rotates in the oven. The spit is extremely sharp as it has to pierce the chicken so the chicken may be affixed to the spit while it rotates in the oven. The rotisserie oven heats up to high temperatures, often in excess of 500 degrees, and cooks the chicken. 
     Liquid proof heat resistant gloves are often used in commercial settings, such as delicatessens that cook their own rotisserie chickens. These gloves are designed to protect a worker&#39;s hands from the high heat, and hot liquids (e.g., grease) that are associated with the rotisserie roasting of chicken. A deli worker dons these gloves prior to removing the chickens from the spit. To remove a chicken from a spit, a worker wearing the liquid proof heat resistant gloves removes the spit from the rotating oven. The worker then grasps the spit at one end. Ordinarily, a right handed person grasps the right end of the spit with his right hand and grasps adjacent the right end of the spit with his left hand in the glove. The user then pulls the spit using his right hand in a motion similar to drawing a sword, all while continuing to grasp the spit with his left hand. As the spit travels through the user&#39;s grasped hand, the chickens are released from the spit and fall into a desired container. A problem often arises when the worker removes the chickens because drawing the spit through the grasped glove has a tendency to cut the glove surface. The liquid proof heat resistant gloves often cost around one hundred dollars a pair and currently some delicatessens are replacing cut or damaged gloves every three days. 
     A search for prior art revealed a protector for a ski glove. One exemplary ski glove protector is manufactured by Kombi, Ltd. of Essex Junction, Vt., USA and sold commercially under the name of “Glove Protector” available at www.skis.com. This Kombi glove protector is constructed of natural leather and is for use with ski gloves to protect a cold weather ski glove from being torn by ski tow ropes while a wearer grasps the tow rope. This Kombi glove protector is cold weather outdoor gear and would not function in the protective manner at the high temperatures required for protecting a liquid proof heat resistant glove donned by a deli worker. The leather constructed Kombi glove would melt at the high temperatures ranges in which the present invention operates. 
     SUMMARY 
     Thus, while the liquid proof heat resistant gloves exist for protecting the deli worker from the hot spit and hot liquids, a need exists to protect the expensive glove from the slicing motion of the spit as it pulled through the grasped hand of the deli worker. 
     In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of one aspect may provide a liquid proof and heat resistant protective device worn on a hand comprising: a finger receiving first sleeve; a thumb receiving second sleeve; a thumb webbing region between the first and second sleeve; and an integral protective member in the thumb webbing region formed of a material different than the first and second sleeves. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of one aspect may provide a method of forming a hand protecting device with an integrally formed protective member covering a thumb webbing region comprising the steps of: attaching a protective member to a liner in a thumb webbing region defined between a finger receiving first sleeve and a thumb receiving second sleeve; and coating the protective member with a liquid that cures to an outer surface that is liquid proof and heat resistant liquid. 
     In yet another aspect, an embodiment of one aspect may provide a protective device for use in a high temperature and liquid environment in the configuration of a glove integrally formed with a protective member in the thumb webbing region. The protective member is not readily visually detectable when viewing the outside of the glove. The protective member is cut resistant and constructed to protect a workman&#39;s hand as a sharp and hot object passes over the protective member contacting the outer surface of the glove. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A sample embodiment of the invention is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a palm side of the protective device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a protective member and liner; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembled view of the protective member attached to the liner in a thumb webbing region or crotch; 
         FIG. 4  is an operational view of the liner being dipped into a liquid solution that cures into a liquid proof and heat resistant outer surface of a glove; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 1  depicting the assemble layers of materials integral to the thumb webbing region of the protective device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Initially, the Inventors note that the present invention is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/947,423 (the &#39;423 Application) filed on Jul. 22, 2013, the entirety of which is fully incorporated herein as if fully re-written. The present invention touches upon additional subject matter to the aforementioned &#39;423 Application, namely, liquid proof and heat resistant gloves that include integrally formed protective members in, on, along, or extending over the thumb crotch or thumb webbing region of the glove. Since this is a continuation-in-part application of the &#39;423 Application, some similar structural nomenclature is used herein when referencing some portions of the glove. However, there may be some instances where structural nomenclature differs between similar elements and there may be other instances where nomenclature is similar between distinct elements relative to this application and the &#39;423 Application. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , a liquid proof and heat resistant protective device  10  worn on a hand comprises: a finger receiving first sleeve  14 ; a thumb receiving second sleeve  16 ; a thumb webbing region  22  between the first and second sleeve; and an integral protective member  11  in the thumb webbing region  22  formed of a material different than the first and second sleeves  14 ,  16 . 
     Protective device  10  includes a glove  12  having a top end  13  located adjacent the tip of the fingers and a bottom end  15  located adjacent or below the wrist. Bottom end  15  defines a glove opening through which a person&#39;s hand may be inserted into the glove and be removed therethrough. Glove  12  may also have sheaths or sleeves respectively covering the remaining fingers ( 14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c ), or glove  12  may be configured as a mitten having only a thumb sheath and a four finger sheath covering the remaining fingers. Index finger portion  14  receives at least the index finger of a human hand. Thumb portion  16  receives the thumb of a human hand. Glove  12  has a front or palmar region  18  and a back or dorsal region  20  opposite palmar region  18 . Palmar region  18  lies along the palm of a user&#39;s hand when glove  12  is worn. Dorsal region  20  lies along the back of a user&#39;s hand when glove  12  is worn. Glove  12  defines a J-shaped thumb webbing region or crotch  22  between index finger portion  14  and thumb portion  16 . When viewed from the palmar side of a left hand glove or viewed form the dorsal side of a right hand glove, webbing region  22  is J-shaped. Thumb webbing region  22  begins adjacent and below the base  24  of index finger portion  14  and extends to the of thumb portion  16 . Webbing region  22  extends partially around the hand from front  18  to back  20  crossing between the index finger portion  14  and thumb portion  16 . In general, the embodiments of the protective device  10  engage and protect the thumb webbing region  22  of glove  12  when device  10  is in a mounted position. 
     Protective member  11  is integral to glove  12  defining protective device  10 . Protective member  11  lies beneath an outer surface or skin  26  of glove  12  on protective device  10 . In one embodiment, member  11  lies entirely beneath outer surface  26  wherein no portion of protective member  11  is viewable when looking at protective device  10 . However, member  11  may still be detectable to the touch inasmuch as member  11  below skin  26  may cause the portion occupied by member  11  to be raised relative to other portions of the glove. Outer surface or skin  26  is generally continuous but may include slight gradations adapted to form a grip. One exemplary process of constructing and forming outer surface  26  is described in commonly owned U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2011/0145967, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully re-written. 
     Protective member  11  is constructed from a material selected from a group comprising a para-aramid synthetic fiber and an aramid synthetic fiber. In one exemplary embodiment, protective member  11  is constructed from Kevlat®, which is a para-aramid synthetic fiber. The Kevlar portion or layer  9  of protective member  11  is represented by reference numeral  9 . Protective member  11  is cut resistant and able to withstand deformation when exposed or slicing forces. The cut resistant protective member  11  assists in shielding the webbing region of a workman&#39;s hand inside the glove. 
     Protective member  11  includes a first end  28  spaced opposite a second end  30 . A first side  32  extends from first end  28  to second end  30  and a second side  34  extends similarly from end to end opposite first side  32 . In the shown embodiment of  FIG. 1 , first end  28  of the protective member  11  is adjacent the base  24  of the first sleeve  14 , Second end  30  of the protective member  11  is disposed between the base and a tip end  36  of the second sleeve  16 . In the shown embodiment, the second end  30  of the protective member  11  is closely adjacent the tip end  36  of the second sleeve  16 . Furthermore, second end  30  is above a base of thumb second sleeve  16 . 
     First edge  32  on protective member  11  is disposed in the palmar region  18  and the second edge  34  is disposed in the back or dorsal region  20 . In one embodiment, protective member  11  partially occupies the palmar region  18  such that first edge  32  is closely adjacent the thumb webbing region  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Other exemplary embodiments may provide protective member  11  substantially covering the palmar region  18  such that first edge  32  is below any one of the sleeves  14   a ,  14   b , or  14   c.    
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , protective member  11  is a generally U-shaped configuration when viewed from the side. U-shaped protective member  11  is semi-flexible prior to integral formation with glove  12  to create protective device  10 . When formed in a U-shaped configuration, protective member  11  includes an arcuate surface  38  over the thumb webbing region  22 . Arcuate surface  38  defines a C-shaped cross section of protective member  11  since arcuate surface  38  extends from palmar region  18  over webbing region  22  to dorsal region  20 . A first sleeve, which may also be referred to as an index finger sleeve  42 , includes a base opposite a tip. A first end of the protective member  11  is positioned above the inner liner  40  adjacent the base of the first sleeve  42 . The first end of the protective member  11  is a C-shaped cross section to allow the first end of the protective member  11  to partially wrap around the inner liner  40  in the first sleeve  42 . A second end of the protective member  11  is positioned above the inner liner  40  and is disposed between the base and tip end of a second sleeve  44 . The second end of the protective member  11  is a C-shaped cross section so as to allow the second end of the protective member  11  to partially wrap around the inner liner  40  in the second sleeve  44 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , protective device  10  further includes a liner  40  comprising an index finger sleeve  42  shaped complementary to sleeve  14 , a thumb sleeve  44  shaped complementary to sleeve  16 , and sleeves  42   a ,  42   b , and  42   c  shaped complementary to  14   a ,  14   b , and  14   c , respectively. Liner  40  includes a thumb webbing region between sleeves  42  and  44  similar to thumb webbing region  22 . An adhesive  46  attaches protective member  11  to liner  40  in the thumb webbing region (See  FIG. 3 ). In one exemplary embodiment, liner  40  is constructed from drilled cotton. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the formation of protective device  10  is presented. Protective device  10  is formed by fitting liner  40  having protective member  11  adhered thereto, onto a former  42 . Former  42  is shaped complementary to the completed glove or mitten shape of device  10 . The liner  40  and member  11  are then dipped into a liquid. The liquid forms outer surface  26  of glove  12  when cured. The cured liquid defining outer surface  26  is liquid proof (i.e. hot grease) and heat resistant allowing device  10  to be used in association with high temperature cooking scenarios that involve contacting extremely hot liquids (i.e., in excess of 500° F.) and extremely sharp objects (i.e., a rotisserie spit). Protective member  11  is intermediate and sandwiched between the inner liner  40  and the outer skin  26  positioned in the thumb webbing region. Protective member  11  formed from a different material than the inner line  40  and from a different material than the outer skin  26 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , one embodiment of the present invention provides an outer layer  52  surrounding Kevlar cut resistant layer  9  on protective member  11 . Outer layer  52  may cover both the upper surface and lower surface of layer  9  on protective member  11 . Layer member  52  covering a first side of the protective member  11  disposed closely adjacent the outer surface  26  of glove  12 . Additionally, the layer member  52  may entirely cover protective member  11 , wherein the portion of layer  52  covering a second side of the protective member  11  is disposed closely adjacent the liner  40 . In one exemplary non-limiting embodiment, layer member  52  is a material selected from a group comprising neoprene, polychloroprene, and synthetic rubber. Layer  52  encapsulates Kevalar layer  9  of protective member  11  in a manner that assists in the adhesive bonding with liner  40  as well as with outer surface  26 , amongst other things. 
     As depicted throughout  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 5 , the liner  40  is shaped as a glove, wherein the liner  40  is formed from a first material (see material hatching in  FIG. 5 ). The finger receiving first sleeve  14  is defined by the connected liner  40  and outer skin (outer surface  26 ). The thumb receiving second sleeve  14  is defined by the connected liner  40  and the outer skin (outer surface  26 ). The integral protective member  11  is located intermediate the liner  40  and the outer skin (outer surface  26 ) positioned in the thumb webbing region  22  formed of a third material different than the first material of the liner and the second material of the outer skin (please refer to the hatching designations of  FIG. 5  in cross section to clearly identify the three different materials forming liner  40 , outer skin  26 , and protective member  11 ). The third material of the protective member  11  may be selected from a group comprising a para-aramid synthetic fiber and an aramid synthetic fiber. The glove  12  has a palmar region and a back region, wherein the first edge  32  of protective member  11  is disposed in the palmar region (on the palm side) and the second edge  34  is disposed in the back region (on the back side of the hand). As indicated above, the second material forming the outer surface  26  withstands melting and does not ignite at temperatures of 500° Fahrenheit. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention described above, protective device  10  is configured to protect a user&#39;s hand in when exposed to high temperatures, hot liquids, and sharp objects. The protective device includes an integrally formed protective member  11  inside (i.e., between layers) the device  10  and this may be advantageous as member  11  protects webbing region  22  without the need for adding an additional protective member that is a distinct or separate piece. 
     In operation and with reference to  FIG. 2 , protective member  11  is shown pre-coated with layer  52 . It is understood that coating protective member  11 , made from Kevlar  9 , with layer  53 , made from neoprene, may be accomplished in a variety of known ways, such as adhesives or thermowelding, amongst many others. Protective member  11  coated with layer  52  is adhered to liner  40  in webbing region  22  with adhesive  46 . The configuration with protective member  11  adhered to liner  40  is represented in  FIG. 3 . 
     In operation and with reference to  FIG. 4 , liner  40  having attached member  11  are fitted onto a former  50 . The former  50  carrying liner  40  is dipped or submerged into a liquid. The liquid attaches to liner  40  and outer layer  52 . The former  50  is then removed from the liquid and the liquid attached to liner  40  is allowed to cure. When the liquid cures, the cured liquid forms skin  26  of glove  12  which is liquid proof and heat resistance and configured to protect a workman&#39;s hands in high heat applications. 
     With protective member  11  integrally formed between outer surface  26  of glove  12  and liner  40  to define device  10 , the device  10  is ready for use. In use, a rotisserie spit or other elongated hot or sharp member is grasped by a workman. Preferably, the spit has cooked chickens speared through and attached to the spit. The workman grasps the spit, by engaging the thumb webbing region with the spit and wrapping their fingers and thumb around the spit. Ordinarily, a right handed person grasps the right end of the spit with their right hand and grasps adjacent the right end of the spit with his left hand in the glove. The user then pulls the spit using his right hand in a motion similar to drawing a sword, all while continuing to grasp the spit with his left hand. As the spit travels through the user&#39;s grasped hand, the chickens are released from the spit and fall into a desired container. Clearly, the motion described above could be reversed for left handed individuals. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration set out herein are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.