Abstract:
A mail chain protective glove consisting of a part designed to cover the hand, extended by a full sleeve-like part devoid of lateral slot, designed to be urged to cover part of the wrist zone, which wrist portion is extended optionally by a cuff protecting the forearm or the arm, likewise in the shape of a full sleeve devoid of lateral slot. The glove provided with a fastening system on the portion covering the wrist and/or the protective cuff. The binding system consists of a hook member which co-operates with at least an orifice provided in a catching structure, which hook member is provided with a projecting element which forms a gripping element facilitating the fastening manoeuvre on the receiving structure as well as the unfastening manoeuvre.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention concerns gloves made of coat of mail used notably in the meat industry to protect the hand and possibly the forearm or the arm of people using cutting or sharp tools. 
   These gloves are composed of a latticework of interlaced metallic rings and they generally comprise a clamping system at the wrist for easier handability. Certain models are equipped with an extension forming a collar covering a portion of the user&#39;s arm, or the whole arm. When this collar is made of coat of mail, longitudinal stiffening members maintain its tension, and a clamping system may be provided at its end. 
   For safety reasons, it is preferable that the wrist zone made of a coat of mail fabric, or that the collar made of a coat of mail fabric, should form a complete sleeve deprived of any lateral slots. 
   There is a very large number of clamping systems enabling to hold the glove on the hand. 
   Some of these clamping systems have a complex structure or are not easy to be used. 
   Others, of relatively simple structure, do not keep their clamping characteristics with the course of time; it is the case in particular of the metallic clamping systems with resilient structure (spiral wound spring or helicoids spring) which may slacken with the passing of time. 
   Some others still of these clamping systems raise cleaning problems, either because of their complex structure, or because they use clamping straps and/or stiffening members of plastic material with poor resistance to bleaches or high temperatures. 
   It will also be noted that certain gloves comprise hooking members designed to be hooked in the coat of mail fabric for easier clamping. However, it may happen that these hooking members grip inadvertently the coat of mail fabric of the glove, or of other gloves, in particular within the framework of the cleaning operations of the gloves, and it is not always very easy to perform the necessary releasing and disconnection operations. 
   This invention intends to remedy these shortcomings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The glove made of coat of mail according to this invention is of the type composed of a first portion intended to cover the hand, extended by a second portion in the form of a complete sleeve deprived of any lateral slots, intended to cover the wrist zone, which second portion may be extended by a collar for protecting the forearm or the arm, also in the form of a complete sleeve deprived of any lateral slots; it is also fitted with a clamping system on the portion covering the wrist and/or on the protection collar. 
   This glove is characterised in that its clamping system is composed of a hooking member which co-operates with at least one orifice provided in a gripping structure, which hooking member is fitted with a protruding element which constitutes a prehensile means facilitating the hooking operations on the receiving structure, as well as the releasing operations. 
   This clamping device structure is very simple to be realised; moreover it proves very efficient and safe during operation. 
   Still according to the invention, the hooking member is fitted with a plane end return whereof the length I is greater than the internal diameter of the rings of the coat of mail fabric of the glove. 
   On the other hand, this hooking member is advantageously realised by cutting and embossing/folding a metal sheet. 
   According to a first possible embodiment, the hooking member is in the form of plane structure fitted with a plane end return which constitutes the hook co-operating with the or one of the orifices of the gripping structure, the protruding element of said hooking member being in the form of a transversal edge provided from the upper face of said plane structure. 
   This transversal edge extends preferably on a plane tilted with respect to the plane perpendicular to the upper face of the plane structure, for easier hooking or releasing operations. 
   According to another possible embodiment, the hooking member is in the form of a plane structure fitted with a plane end return which constitutes the hook cooperating with the or one of the orifices of the gripping structure, the protruding element of said hooking member being in the form of a boss provided from the upper face of said plane structure, fitted with a face or a transversal edge for easier handability. 
   According to another particularity, the plane end return which constitutes the hook of the hooking member comprises lateral edges slightly chamfered, convergent, which confer substantially trapezoid shape thereto for easier insertion and disengagement in the orifice(s) of the gripping structure. 
   According to a first possible embodiment, the gripping structure is in the form of added-on ring(s), imbedded in the coat of mail fabric. This or these rings may be generally rectangular, oval, circular in shape or other. 
   According to another possible embodiment, the gripping structure is in the form of a plate fitted with a plurality of orifices, to enable adjustment of the clamping tension. This plate is advantageously cambered to follow the contour of the user&#39;s wrist or arm. 
   According to still another possible embodiment, the gripping structure is in the form of several plates juxtaposed or which overlap each other partially, each including at least one orifice, to enable adjustment of the clamping tension. 
   In a particularly interesting embodiment, the clamping system of the glove contains—a gripping plate, or several associated plates, fitted with one or several oblong orifices arranged parallel to one another, and—a hooking member whereof the end hook is active over the whole length or substantially the whole length of said orifice or of said orifices. 
   According to a first possible embodiment, the clamping system contains a gripping structure attached to the coat of mail fabric, and a hooking member whereof the rear end is also attached to the coat of mail fabric, some distance away from said gripping structure for easier clamping on the corresponding glove zone. 
   According to another embodiment, the rear end of the hooking member is attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of one or of several inserts connected to one another. 
   According to still another embodiment, the clamping system is composed of a single-piece strip hugging the corresponding glove zone; one of the ends of this strip is formed to provide the hooking member, and its other end is formed to provide the gripping structure. 
   This strip can be maintained on the corresponding glove zone by means of one or of several loops made of coat of mail, or by means of one sleeve made of coat of mail. 
   According to still another possible embodiment, the clamping system is composed of a hooking member and of a gripping structure attached to the ends of an added-on strap, which strap is in the form of a strip or of a series of inserts. Here again, a system of loop(s) or of sleeve made of coat of mail can be used to maintain the strap on the corresponding glove zone. 
   To improve the clamping characteristics, an additional plate may be attached at the end of the gripping structure by a hinged link; this additional plate is housed in the sleeve which receives the strap in the form of a strip or a series of inserts. 
   According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving sleeve of the strap extends from each of the ends of the gripping structure, and it comprises an exit slot for the end of said strap fitted with the hooking member. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     But the invention will be better illustrated, without being limited thereto, by the following description of several particular embodiments, given solely for exemplification purposes and represented on the appended drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a glove made of coat of mail whereof the wrist portion is equipped with a possible embodiment of a clamping device according to this invention, such clamping device being represented here de-activated; 
       FIG. 2  shows the glove of  FIG. 1  with the clamping device in action; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the gripping member of the clamping device illustrated on  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the gripping member illustrated on  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the gripping plate of the clamping device illustrated on  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a possible variation of the gripping structure, here in the form of a plurality of inserts partially superimposed, and attached to the coat of mail fabric; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates still a possible variation of the gripping structure, here composed of a plurality of inserts simply juxtaposed; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates still a possible variation of the gripping structure, in the form of a rectangular ring imbedded in the coat of mail fabric; 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view which shows the association of three rectangular rings according to  FIG. 8 , attached to the coat of mail fabric for better adjustment of the clamping tension; 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  shows two other possible embodiments of the gripping ring(s); 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view which illustrates a possible variation of the hooking member, seen from below; 
       FIG. 13  shows the hooking member of  FIG. 12 , seen from below; 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a glove made of coat of mail whereof the wrist portion is equipped with another possible embodiment of a clamping device according to this invention; 
       FIG. 15  is an isolated view of the clamping device used on the glove of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a glove made of coat of mail whereof the wrist portion is equipped with another possible embodiment of the clamping device according to this invention; 
       FIG. 17  is an isolated view of the clamping device used on the glove of  FIG. 16 , such clamping device being here represented in deactivated condition; 
       FIG. 18  shows the clamping device of  FIG. 17  in activated condition; 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a association of metallic inserts formant a strap capable of replacing the strip of the embodiments of the  FIGS. 16 to 18 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a portion of glove made of coat of mail whereof the wrist zone is still equipped with another possible embodiment of the clamping device according to this invention; 
       FIG. 21  is an isolated view of the clamping device used on the glove of  FIG. 20 , such clamping device being here represented de-activated; 
       FIG. 22  shows the clamping device of  FIG. 21  in activated position; 
       FIG. 23  is a diagrammatically cross-sectional view of the glove of  FIG. 20 , on the clamping device; 
       FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 23 , the clamping device being here represented de-activated. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The glove  1  illustrated on  FIGS. 1 and 2  is made of coat of mail fabric, i.e. it is composed of a latticework of interlaced metallic rings. The corresponding rings can be made of stainless steel wire of 0.5 or 0.55 mm in diameter; their internal diameter may be of the order of 2 to 4 mm. 
   Such glove  1  contains a hand portion  2  extended by a portion  3  in the form of a complete cylindrical sleeve, i.e. deprived of any lateral slots, which is intended to cover the user&#39;s wrist. Such portion  3  is prolonged itself by an extension  4 , represented partially, forming a collar for protecting the forearm or the arm; this protection collar  4  is also in the form of complete cylindrical sleeve, deprived of any lateral slots. 
   The three portions of glove  2 ,  3  and  4  are single pieces made of coat of mail fabric. 
   The cylindrical portion  3  of the wrist zone is equipped with a clamping system  5  composed of a hooking member  6  fitted with an end hook  7  which cooperates with one of the orifices  8  of an added-on gripping structure  9 , here in the form of a plate. 
   The hooking member  6  is detailed on  FIGS. 3 and 4 . It is in the general shape of a plane structure  10  in the form of an insert whereof the front end comprises a plane return, slightly inward, making up the hook  7 , and whereof the rear end is equipped with orifices  11 , here two in number, to be fastened to the coat of mail fabric. 
   A transversal edge  12  protrudes from the upper face of the plane structure  10  for easier hooking and releasing operations. This transversal edge  12  extends on a plane slightly tilted with respect to the plane perpendicular to the upper face of the insert  10  for easier handability. 
   The end return  7  and the transversal edge  12  are each provided on one side of the plane structure  10  of the hooking member  8 , and both of them are slightly tilted in the same direction, such direction being opposite the traction direction necessary to closing the clamping device. 
   The hooking member  6  illustrated on  FIGS. 1 to 4  is made by cutting and folding a metal sheet, for instance a stainless steel sheet of 0.7 mm thickness; its width may be of the order of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and the end hook  7  may extend over a length l corresponding approximately to half or ⅔ of this width. The hook  7  is centered on the width of the gripping member  6 . The transversal edge  12  extends over the whole width of the hooking member  6 ; it is obtained by folding the metallic sheet into a V-shape. 
   As can be seen on  FIG. 3 , the lateral edges  13  of the hook  7  are slightly chamfered or slanted for easier hooking operations and especially releasing operations on the orifice(s)  8  of the gripping structure  9 . Both these convergent edges  13  confer general trapezoid shape to the hook  7 . The corresponding chamfering is of the order of a few degrees. 
   The depth of the hook  7  is adapted for better gripping on the orifice(s)  8  of the gripping structure  9 ; this depth may be of the order of 4 to 5 mm. 
   The general sizes of the hook  7  are adapted to prevent any direct gripping on the rings of the coat of mail fabric. In particular, the length l of the hook  7  is greater than the internal diameter of the rings used to make the structure of coat of mail of the glove. 
   The gripping plate  9  is detailed on  FIG. 5 . This plate  9 , generally rectangular in shape, can also be cut into a metallic sheet (for example a stainless steel sheet of 0.7 mm in thickness). Its width may be of the order of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, and its length may be of the order of a few centimetres. This plate  9  is slightly cambered the better to hug the contour of the user&#39;s wrist. 
   The orifices  8  designed to co-operate with the hook  7  of the hooking member  6  are spaced regularly parallel to one another over the length of the plate  9 ; these orifices  8  have an oblong shape whereof the length corresponds, including the clearance, to the length I of the upper portion of the hook  7 ; their width is slightly greater than the thickness of said hook  7 . 
   The number and the position of the oblong orifices  8  depend on the clamping possibilities that one wishes to obtain. 
   On the periphery of the plate  9 , one may note the presence of circular orifices  14  intended for fastening said plate to the coat of mail fabric. 
   As can be seen on  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the gripping plate  9  is attached to the coat of mail fabric of the wrist zone  3  by means of metallic rings  15  (for instance of the rings identical or similar to those used for the manufacture of the glove). The rings  15  engage into certain rings of the coat of mail fabric, and they go through the orifices  14  aforementioned of the plate  9 . 
   The plate  9  is thus practically pressed against the coat of mail fabric, over a portion of the periphery of the wrist. One will observe that the presence of the orifices  8  and  14  improves the flexibility of the plate  9  which may also hug the contour of the wrist ideally. 
   The hooking member  6  is also attached to the wrist zone  3 , at a little distance from the gripping plate  9 , by means of fastening metallic rings  16 . Here again, these rings  16  can be identical or similar to those used for the manufacture of the glove. 
   The rings  16  engage into certain rings of the coat of mail fabric, and they go through the end orifices  11  of the hooking member  6 . This hooking member is then somehow hinged on the coat of mail fabric of the glove, its front end fitted with the hook  7  being free. 
   It will be noted here that in an embodiment variation, the hooking member may be attached to the coat of mail fabric of the glove by means of a metallic insert, or of several inserts hinged to one another. 
   As the user has inserted his hand in the glove  1 , the wrist zone can be clamped very simply as illustrated on  FIG. 1 , by pulling on the hooking member  6  in order to insert its end hook  7  into one of the orifices  8  of the plate  9 . This operation is facilitated by the presence of the protruding edge  12 . The selection of the orifice  8  used depends on the clamping characteristics desired. 
   The activated clamping device is represented on  FIG. 2 . 
   The corresponding clamping operation, performed by means of a hooking member which is locked removably on an orifice especially provided in a gripping structure, is very easy to carry out. Such clamping is moreover of excellent quality. 
   Slight tilting of the hook  7  enables better gripping on the plate  9 . On the other hand, the use of a plane hook  7  active over the whole length or substantially the whole length of the oblong receiving orifice  8  enables to improve the interconnection of the gripping member on the gripping plate. 
   Another possible embodiment of the gripping structure is illustrated on  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
   On  FIG. 6 , the gripping structure  9 ′ is composed of a plurality of independent inserts  17  partially superimposed and attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of junction rings  18 . Each insert  17  comprises an orifice  8  enabling to imbed the hook  7  of the hooking member  6 . Similarly, each insert might comprise two parallel orifices  8 , let alone more of them. 
   On  FIG. 7 , the inserts  17  are also attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of junction rings  18 , but the inserts  17  are here simply juxtaposed (they do not superimpose one another). 
   Here again, each insert  17  might comprise more than one orifice  8 . 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate still another possible variation of gripping structure. 
   This gripping structure  9 ″ is composed of at least one independent ring  19  imbedded in the coat of mail fabric as illustrated on  FIG. 8 . 
   As can be seen as a bottom view on  FIG. 9 , several rings  19  can be used, spaced regularly, for easier adjustment of the clamping. 
   The ring(s)  19  are advantageously made of metallic wire; they are advantageously imbedded in the coat of mail fabric before being closed by a welding spot. They protrude beyond the coat of mail fabric for easier gripping of the hook  7  of the hooking member  6 . They can advantageously protrude on either side of the coat of mail fabric to obtain an ambidextrous reversible glove. The hooking member, and in particular its fastening to the glove should then be adapted consequently. 
   As illustrated on  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the gripping rings  19  can have a rectangular contour. They can be in other forms, for instance oval ( FIG. 10 ) or circular ( FIG. 11 ). 
     FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate a possible variation of the hooking member. 
   Such hooking member  6 ′ is composed of a plane structure  10 ′ in the form of insert whereof the front end is fitted with the hook  7 ′ and whereof the rear end comprises fastening orifices  11 ′. A protruding element  12 ′ is provided from the upper face of the insert  10 ′ to provide the prehensile means facilitating the hooking operations on the receiving structure, as well as the releasing operations. Such protruding element  12 ′ is in the form of a boss made by embossing after transversal cutting. Such a boss delineates a transversal edge towards the rear for easier manipulation by means of one or several fingers. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate another possible embodiment of the clamping device  5  according to this invention. 
   In this embodiment variation, the hooking member  6  and the gripping plate  9  have a structure identical or similar to that which has just been described in relation to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , but both elements are formed at the ends of a strip  20  which forms a kind of strap and which hugs the wrist zone. 
   The strip  20  may consist of a metallic band, for instance a steel band of 1.5 cm in width and of 0.2 mm in thickness, whereof the ends are folded and cut conveniently. 
   The single-piece clamping device illustrated on  FIGS. 14 and 15  can be obtained. 
   Such clamping device has a general circular shape; as illustrated on  FIG. 14 , it may be housed in a sleeve  21  provided on the glove  1 , on a portion of the periphery of the twist zone. 
   The receiving sleeve  21  is advantageously made of coat of mail, for instance by means of a band, added-on and attached to the wrist zone by means of metallic sewing rings. 
   It is preferably provided over the whole periphery of the wrist, except on the gripping plate  9 , for easier clamping. 
   As a variation, the sleeve  21  may be replaced with simples loops made of coat of mail. 
   For correct and permanent positioning of the clamping device  5 , the plate  9  is attached to the coat of mail fabric of the glove by means of metallic rings  15  which go through the circular orifices  14 , similarly to the previous embodiment. 
     FIGS. 16 to 18  illustrate another embodiment in which the clamping device S is composed of a hooking member  6  and of a gripping plate  9  as illustrated on  FIGS. 1 to 5 , linked at one of their ends by an added-on strip  22  which forms a kind of strap. 
   The rear end of the gripping member  6  is attached to one of the ends of the strip  22  by the linking rings  23 ; and the rear end of the plate  9  is attached to the other end of the strip  22  by the linking rings  24 . 
   The gripping member  6  and the gripping plate  9  can be made of a stainless steel sheet of 0.7 mm in thickness to confer suitable resistance thereto, whereas the strip  22  may be made of stainless steel sheet of 0.2 mm in thickness to confer good flexibility thereto. 
   A circular clamping device similar to that illustrated on  FIGS. 14 and 15  can be obtained. On  FIG. 17 , such clamping device is represented as isolated and in loosened position; on  FIG. 18 , it is represented in activated position. 
   As represented on  FIG. 16 , the strip  22  may be housed in a sleeve of coat of mail  21  provided on the wrist zone of the glove, such sleeve  21  extending substantially from the ends of the gripping plate  9 . Here again, this plate  9  is preferably attached to the coat of mail fabric by means of metallic rings  15  which go through the circular orifices  14 . 
   As for the previous embodiment, the sleeve  21  may be replaced with the loops made of coat of mail. 
   Handling the gripping member  6  is very easy because of its interconnection with the strip  22  by means of the junction rings  23  which provide a hinged link. On the side of the gripping member  6 , the sleeve  21  stops at some distance from the plate  9  for easier clamping and releasing operations. 
   As a variation, the strip  22  may be replaced with a strap  25  composed of an assembly of metallic inserts  26 , assembled by means of linking rings  27 , as illustrated on  FIG. 19 . 
     FIGS. 20 to 24  show an embodiment derived from the one illustrated on  FIGS. 16 to 19 . Here, the end of the gripping plate  9  which is not linked with the strip  22  is extended by an additional plate  28  connected by junction rings  29 . 
   Such additional plate  28  may be made of a stainless steel sheet of 0.2 mm in thickness; its width corresponds substantially to that of the strip  22  and it extends over a length of a few centimetres. 
   The clamping device obtained is illustrated individually on  FIG. 21  in released position, and in active position on  FIG. 22 . 
   The additional plate  28  is intended to be housed in the sleeve  21  provided on the periphery of the wrist zone. Its presence enables good distribution of the coat of mail fabric on the periphery of the wrist during the clamping operation. 
   The sleeve  21  starts as close as possible at the end of the gripping plate  9  to optimise this distribution of the coat of mail; to have sufficient elbow room when handling the hooking member, the end of the strip  22  which carries said hooking member comes out of the sleeve  21  by a slot  30  provided a few centimeters away from the end of said sleeve. 
   The corresponding structure of the clamping device  5  is illustrated on  FIGS. 23 and 24 .  FIG. 23  shows such clamping device in active position, the gripping member  6  being interconnected with the gripping plate  9 ;  FIG. 24  shows it in de-activated position. 
   For such embodiment, the strip  22  may also be replaced with assembled metallic inserts. 
   The clamping device according to this invention may similarly be provided at the end of the collar  4  or over an intermediate zone of this collar. 
   On the other hand, on the embodiments of the  FIGS. 14 to 24 , the hooking member  6  may be replaced with other embodiments, in particular with the solution illustrated on  FIGS. 12 and 13 .