Abstract:
A hand grip and arm protection device composed of a water-resistant and stain-proof material, having temperature control characteristics and having a pair of sheets, with each sheet having a textured, recessed imprint on one surface providing a non-slip contact surface, while the opposite surface of the sheet, composed of a close fabricated fabric, is affixed to the sheet of textured, non-slip contact surface material. The fabric sheet of nylon/polyester composition is affixed to the non-slip contact surface sheet composed of a chloride rubber composition. The two-piece pair of sheets are sewn together by means of a zigzag lock stitch employing nylon thread. Both exterior surfaces include a cross-cut textured recessed imprint.

Description:
This application claims benefit of application Ser. No. 60/529,821 filed Dec. 16, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to multipurpose kitchen implements for supporting, holding or gripping a variety of hot or cold articles, such as cooking pots, pans, lids, handles, or the like and for protecting the hand, wrist or arm during the handling of such hot or cold articles. 
   2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
   In the past, it has been the conventional practice to employ cloth mitts and/or potholders for protecting the hands of the user from injury or burning when handling excessive hot or cold articles in the kitchen, such as cooking pots, pans, frozen products or the like. Also, fabric or other porous materials are currently being used for supporting heated articles in order to protect a table or counter surface. In some instances, temperature resistance materials are used in the form of gloves or non-contoured pads. Such conventional kitchen implements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,261,064; 3,535,708; 4,071,921 and 6,298,488. 
   However, these prior kitchen implements cover only the hand and leave the wrist, arm and shoulder uncovered and subject to injury from an excessively hot or cold surrounding environment. 
   Further problems and difficulties have been encountered when using such conventional kitchen implements which stem largely from the fact that the hand grips are composed of cloth and are not water-repellant, stain resistant and lack temperature control. The prior kitchen implements permit liquids to penetrate straight through to the hand or fingers of the user when used as a mitt or potholder. Such penetration serves as a conductor for hot or frozen substances and transmits the excessive heat or cold directly to the user&#39;s hands. Furthermore, the liquid or substance stains the material and now must be treated and laundered. During the treatment and laundering procedure, the soiled mitt or potholder is out of service requiring the user to have backup implements. Even after laundering, conventional mitts, potholders and trivets remain permanently stained. 
   Additionally, prior hand grips do not provide extended ridges, lobes, or reinforcement pads that surround or encircle the article to be gripped. Gloves, mitts, and flat pads are examples. Also, a substantial exterior area of conventional grips or gloves are unused for carrying indicia for advertising or entertainment purposes. No visual effects are carried on conventional mitts or gloves. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided by the present invention which provides a novel kitchen hand grip and arm protection device or implement which is composed of a water-resistant and stain-proof material, having temperature control or resistant characteristics. Such a material forms the implement from a pair of sheets, with each sheet having a textured, recessed imprint on one surface providing a non-slip contact surface, while the opposite surface of the sheet is composed of a close fabricated fabric which is affixed to the sheet of textured, non-slip contact surface material. The fabric sheet may be of nylon/polyester composition which is affixed to the non-slip contact surface sheet that may be composed of a chloride rubber composition. The two-piece, pair of sheets, require that the pair or two pieces of fabric and chloride rubber sheets be sewn together by means of a zigzag lock stitch employing nylon thread. Therefore, both exterior surfaces of the hand grip include a cross-cut textured recessed imprint providing a non-slip or gripping contact surface. The gripping pair of sheets serve as a very efficient hot or cold temperature insulator for the user&#39;s hands and fingers and the surface of the chloride rubber neoprene sheet resists impregnation by stains and other damaging compositions and such surface is easily washed when rinsed under water. Also, it is noted that the sheet of nylon/polyester fabric is water and stain resistant as well, which characteristics are greatly augmented when attached or carried on the sheet of chloride rubber neoprene. Reinforcement sections are applied to critical locations, such as the joining area of the thumb with the palm portion of the grip. Also, the length of the grip extends beyond the elbow to protect the upper arm and/or the shoulder. 
   Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel kitchen implement which may take the form of a hand grip that has a composition characterized as being water-repellant, stain resistant and which includes temperature resistant characteristics for the protection of the user. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide such kitchen implements which are intended to work with cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel or plastic microwave cookware and that is intended to be used with hot articles or articles subject to sub-zero or refrigerator freezer temperatures. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose kitchen implement which is composed of a pair of sheets of flexible material which may be die-cut to the shape of a desired implement resulting in a two-piece hand grip that is water-resistant and protects not only the hands and fingers of the user from hot and cold liquids but also the upper arm and shoulder body areas. 
   Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel multipurpose kitchen implement that includes material which is water-repellent and stain proof and which further provides excessive temperature protection for the user and that provides a positive gripping contact, allowing the user to securely grasp either hot or frozen articles without fear of the article slipping from their hand. 
   A further object resides in providing a potholder, hot pad, or other kitchen hand grip which includes a surface having a high coefficient of friction, and that provides exterior surface areas for applying decorative or graphic representations for pictorial or entertainment purposes. 
   An object resides in providing reinforcement sections at critical areas of wear on a grip while maintaining flexibility and hand protection. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood with reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view illustrating an extended hand grip and an outer sleeve combination incorporating the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view illustrating another version of the invention employing reinforcement at a critical location on a hand grip; 
       FIG. 3  is another version of a reinforced hand grip; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, sectional view of the reinforcement shown on the mitt of  FIG. 3  as taken in the direction of arrows  4 - 4  thereof; 
       FIG. 5  is a different embodiment incorporating the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the hand mitt shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary, top view illustrating another version for a wrist strap used as an alternate for the wrist strap shown on the grip or mitt in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another elongated hand grip extending beyond the elbow of the user incorporating the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view illustrating the closure for the extended hand grip shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are front and rear or elevational views of another embodiment of the invention wherein areas on the hand grip are employed for carrying pictorial subject matter; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating the hand grip shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; and 
       FIG. 13  is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the hand grip shown in  FIG. 12  as taken in the direction of arrows  13 - 13  thereof. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of a novel kitchen implement, grip or aid, is illustrated in the general direction of arrow  10  which takes the form of an extended hand, wrist and arm covering intended to be worn when handling extremely hot or cold articles. The implement  10  includes a mitt  11 , having a top sheet  12  and an under or opposite sheet  13 , wherein the sheet  12  includes an irregular exterior surface and is intended to cover not only the user&#39;s hand and wrist, but a substantial portion of the lower arm as well. The top and bottom sheets  12  and  13  are each composed of a sheet or layer of nylon/polyester fabric and a layer of a chloride rubber “neoprene” composition. The layers are suitably affixed to one another such as by a stitching arrangement, indicated by numeral  14 . When the sheets are die cut to a particular shape, such as that of a hand mitt, the two die cut sections comprising a top and bottom section or sheet have their peripheral edges together such as by the zig-zag stitch  14 , representing a lock stitch. The zig-zag sewing compresses the peripheral edge marginal regions of the respective sheets so as to make a water-resistant seam to protect the hands of the wearer from hot or cold liquids. The pattern of the sheets include a mitt portion for receiving four fingers of the user&#39;s hands as identified by numeral  15 , while a thumb portion  16  is provided for insertably receiving the thumb of the user. In order to doubly protect the hands of the user, the user&#39;s hand may be put into the mitt  11  followed by inserting the covered hand into a sleeve, indicated by numeral  17 , that has an open entrance  18  for insertably receiving the finger portion and thumb portion of the covered hand. As the hand slips further into the internal area of the sleeve  17 , the thumb portion  16  of the mitt will project into a thumb portion  20  of the sleeve  17  while the finger portion  15  of the mitt  11  fits into a finger portion  21  of the sleeve  17 . It is to be noted that the extreme end of the sleeve portion  21  is open, as indicated by numeral  22 , so that the finger portion  15  of the mitt will be exposed. This provides a better “feel” for the user, while the hand, wrist and lower arm are completely double-covered by both the material of the mitt and the material of the sleeve. It is noted that the sleeve is constructed in a similar manner to that previously described with respect to the mitt in that a pair of sheets, such as upper sheet  23  and lower sheet  24 , are stitched together along their edge marginal regions as indicated by numeral  25 . 
   Referring now in detail to  FIG. 2 , the hand portion of an elongated mitt is illustrated in which the mitt  26  includes a reinforcing portion  27  that may be composed of any suitable material, such as metal, leather, metal mesh or the like. It is noted that a critical area of wear is between a thumb portion  28  and the palm or mitt finger portion  30 . The reinforcement patch or portion is sewn to the mitt  26  by means of stitches  31  that secure the reinforcement to the mitt. 
   Referring now in detail to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the hand grip incorporating the present invention is illustrated in the direction of arrow  32  which includes a gusset  33  disposed between an upper sheet  34  and a lower or under sheet  35 . The gusset  33  serves not only a reinforcement for a critical location on the mitt to prevent excessive wear, but is permitted to expand so as to permit substantial flexing or bending of the fingers while within the mitt. It can be seen that the gusset commences at one end of the finger portion  36  and continues to be between the finger portion and thumb portion where it terminates at the top of the thumb portion, which is indicated by numeral  37 . The peripheral edge marginal regions of the layers  34  and  35  are stitched together, as previously described, and indicated by numeral  38 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the gusset  33  is secured to edge marginal portions of the upper and lower sheets or layers, represented by numerals  34  and  35  respectively. The stitching is indicated by numeral  40  for joining the edges of the gusset  33  and sheet  34 , while numeral  41  indicates the stitching for joining the edges of sheet  35  with the gusset  33 . 
   Referring now in detail to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another embodiment of the invention is illustrated taking the form of a hand grip mitt, wherein an upper layer is indicated by numeral  42  and the lower layer is indicated by numeral  43 . The overall construction is illustrated in the direction of arrow  44  and it can be seen that the user&#39;s hand is inserted through a slot  45  under a wrist strap  46 . The palm of the user&#39;s hand is placed against the waffled surface of the top sheet  42 , while the exposed surface on sheet  43  is used for scouring or cleaning purposes. The numeral  47  indicates that the exposed undersurface of sheet  43  may have an abrasive surface  47 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the mitt  44  includes a strap  48  which is stitched onto the upper or top sheet  42 . The stitching is indicated by numeral  43  and it is to be understood that the user&#39;s hand would be inserted under the strap  48 . In this instance, a slot  45  is not needed. 
   Referring now in detail to  FIG. 8 , another embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein the hand grip is elongated and is illustrated in the direction of arrow  50 . The mitt  50  includes a finger portion  51  and a thumb portion  52  and an extended portion  53  which covers not only the hand but the wrist, lower arm and includes an extension  54  which goes beyond the elbow of the user. The top of the extension includes a flap  55  which may be employed to assist opening of the mitt so that the hand and arm can be extended therein. A closure fastener  56  is included and it can also be seen in broken lines that a portion  57  may extend to cover or partially cover the shoulder of the user. Such a mitt is extremely helpful. In  FIG. 9 , the fastener  56  includes a cord  58  that employs a cam lock  60  for selectively locking or unlocking the cord. When the cord has been pulled taunt the cuff or flap closure  55  will be held tight about the user&#39;s limb. For release, a push button  61  is employed to release tension on the cord to open the cuff permitting withdrawal of the user&#39;s arm. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another version of the invention is illustrated which includes a mitt or hand grip as previously described and is illustrated in the general direction of arrow  62 . The mitt  62  includes a bottom sheet  63  which is of shorter length than a top sheet  64 . Therefore, a user&#39;s hand is introduced through an opening  65  with the assistance of flap  66  and the hand is inserted so that the fingers reside within a finger portion  67 . The thumb of the user&#39;s hand will be inserted into a pocket  68 . In  FIG. 11 , the top sheet  67  includes a back side  69  having a area thereon for carrying pictorial subject matter, such as “eyes”, represented by numeral  70 . Such graphic or pictorial subject matter may be placed on the front side, if desired. Therefore, when the user flexes the thumb and fingers, the eyes or whatever pictorial subject matter is portrayed, will appear to move. Such a construction provides an entertaining puppet-like mitt. 
   In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the finger portion  67  is illustrated as being formed of two sheets so as to provide an interior for receiving the fingers of the user&#39;s hand. The finger sheet also carries over to the inside of the thumb as represented by numeral  68 . The inner sheet  71  is attached to the top sheet  67  by suitable stitching. Such stitching is shown internally by numeral  72  in  FIG. 13 . 
   Therefore, the pictorial or graphic subject matter may be placed on the outer sheet  69  or may be carried on the inner sheet  71  or even on the top sheet. 
   In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention may be used to cover the hand, wrist, lower arm and even the upper arm and part of the shoulder. Also, a decorative or entertainment type mitt can be constructed wherein a puppet-like character is portrayed in graphic and pictorial subject matter on a selected sheet of the glove material. Also, various areas of wear may be reinforced by either a metal section or by employing gussets between the stitched edge portions of the respective mitt or grip sheets. 
   While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.