Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/149,895, filed Apr. 20, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to adjustable fitness handwear. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Typical gloves and mittens provide insulation and weather-resistant properties for the wearer, but do not facilitate shared warmth of the palm, fingers, and thumb encased by the glove or mitten. Heat produced by these body parts is lost to the fabric touching the various parts of the hand. Additionally, gloves and mittens do not allow access to the bare hand and typically must be entirely removed in order to have full use of the exposed hand. In some cases, excess clothing is worn at the start of cold weather activity to maintain a comfortable body temperature before the body is fully warmed up, but the excess clothing (such as gloves or mittens) later becomes unnecessary as the wearer&#39;s body produces extra heat during fitness activities. Thus, when an athlete&#39;s body temperature increases due to fitness activities, the excess clothing that provided comfort at the beginning of the activities can become unnecessary and may increase the risk of overheating and dehydration. The athlete then may wish to remove the clothing and set it down while risking its loss, or may hold onto the removed clothing during the remaining fitness activities, which can be uncomfortable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a cold-weather outdoors handwear article that is particularly suited for fitness activities. Specifically, the handwear article is openable to facilitate regulating the temperature and comfort of a wearer&#39;s hand and wrist during fitness activities. Furthermore, the handwear article can be folded back over the hand and thus retained on the wearer&#39;s wrist during running or other fitness activities to facilitate cooling and use of the hands, to prevent loss of the article, and may be used to clear sweat from the wearer&#39;s brow or forehead. Optionally, the article also includes pockets to store personal items such as keys, credit cards, or hand warmers during running or other fitness activities. 
         [0005]    The handwear article has at least three configurations, and optionally four or five configurations, for regulating heat and comfort of the wearer&#39;s hand, depending on the outdoor conditions and level of fitness activity. Notably, it is envisioned that the handwear article does not have separate or divided chambers for individual digits (fingers or the thumb). Instead, the article has one inner chamber shaped to hold the wearer&#39;s hand in a loose fist or fist-like shape, and has overlapping fabric layers on a palm side that allow the wearer to quickly gain practically full use of the wearer&#39;s uncovered hand. This may be accomplished without using the wearer&#39;s other hand to pull back the article. In a first configuration, the handwear article encloses the wearer&#39;s hand, and allows the hand to be in a relaxed or loose fist to conserve heat and warm the wearer&#39;s fingers and thumb with their palm. 
         [0006]    The first configuration further allows the wearer to keep their hand in a common and natural curled finger position as for running. In a second configuration the wearer&#39;s fingers exit through the palm side opening, optionally remaining in a relaxed or loose fist position, allowing increased airflow and heat escape. In a third configuration the wearer&#39;s fingers and thumb exit through an opening of the handwear article, such as by using only the hand that is wearing the handwear, such that the wearer gains practically full use of their hand. In a fourth configuration, the article is pulled or folded back on itself at a palm side to further expose the wearer&#39;s hand so that the wearer has substantially unobstructed use of their hand and their wrist. In a fifth configuration, the article is further pulled back to fully expose the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist. 
         [0007]    According to one form of the present invention, the handwear article includes a back panel and a palm panel that cooperate to define a chamber. The chamber receives a wearer&#39;s hand in a fist-like shape and encloses the hand without any portions of the handwear article interspaced between the fingers. The palm panel defines an opening that is open to the chamber. The handwear article is reconfigurable or repositionable from a configuration that completely encloses the wearer&#39;s hand in the chamber, to another configuration in which the wearer pulls the handwear article proximally (i.e. toward the elbow), such that it lies inside out against the wearer&#39;s forearm. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the opening defined in the palm panel is positioned adjacent to the wearer&#39;s fingers to allow the hand to open the opening and extend from the chamber using only the fingers of the hand that is wearing the handwear. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the handwear article also includes one or more pockets that are accessible next to the opening in the palm panel. Optionally, the palm panel forms at least part of one of the pockets. 
         [0010]    According to another form of the present invention, a handwear article is made up of a set of panels including a back panel, a proximal palm panel, and a distal palm panel that cooperate to define an internal chamber. The back panel has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing sides that extends between the proximal and distal end portions. Likewise, the proximal palm panel and the distal palm panel each have a respective proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing sides. The opposing sides of the proximal palm panel are coupled to respective opposing sides of the back panel, and the distal end portion of the proximal palm panel terminates between the proximal and distal end portions of the back panel. The distal palm panel has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and opposing sides. The distal end portion of the distal palm panel is coupled to the distal end portion of the back panel. The proximal end portion of the distal palm panel overlaps and terminates proximally of the distal end portion of the proximal palm panel. 
         [0011]    In one aspect, the back panel, the proximal palm panel, and the distal palm panel define the chamber, which receives the wearer&#39;s hand in a fist-like shape through an opening. The opening is formed in a palm side of the chamber between the proximal end portion of the distal palm panel and the distal end portion of the proximal palm panel. 
         [0012]    Thus, the handwear article provides insulation and weather resistance when disposed fully around the wearer&#39;s hand, permitting the hand to be held in a relaxed or loose fist-like shape with the fingers curled to conserve heat with the palm, and without excessive material extending loosely a significant distance beyond the knuckles, for comfort at least at the start of fitness activities in cold weather. The handwear article has a slot or opening formed between overlapping palm-side panels, which allows the wearer to work the fingers of the hand that is wearing the article out through the opening to expose at least the fingertips, and to optionally expose more of the fingers or most of the hand, as desired. This may be done to enhance the wearer&#39;s ability to grip objects or cool the hand, for example. The handwear article can be drawn further back to expose more of the wearer&#39;s hand as desired, to provide even further increased cooling and less obstructed or completely unobstructed use of the hand. 
         [0013]    These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a palm or inner side view of a right-hand handwear article according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a back-of-hand or outer side view of the handwear article of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a back-of-hand or outer side view of the handwear article with the wearer&#39;s right hand inserted therein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a palm or inner side view of the handwear article, shown with fingers working out from a fist position through an opening; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the hand in the handwear article, shown with fingers free of the handwear article and having at least limited use; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a back-of-hand or outer side view of the hand in the handwear article in the configuration of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a palm or inner side view of the hand in the handwear article in the configuration of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a fingertip or end view of the hand in the handwear article in the configuration of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a back-of-hand or outer side view of the hand in the handwear article, in which an outer flap is folded back over itself and inside-out or partially retracted, such that the fingers are generally free of the handwear article; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the hand in the handwear article in the configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a fingertip or end view of the hand in handwear article in the configuration of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the hand in the handwear article with the outer flap fully retracted over itself and cuffed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a bottom view of the hand in the handwear article in the configuration of  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the handwear article of  FIG. 3  with the hand in a fist-like shape. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    Referring now to the drawings and illustrated embodiments depicted therein, particularly  FIGS. 1-3 , an openable handwear article  10  is provided for a hand H of a wearer ( FIGS. 4-8 and 11-14 ), such as for use outdoors in a cold and/or wet environment. The handwear article  10  is particularly suited for running and other outdoor athletic activities to regulate the temperature and comfort of the wearer&#39;s hand H and wrist. The handwear article  10  can be retained on the wearer&#39;s wrist during running or other fitness activities to prevent loss, to store personal items, to cool the hands, or to clear sweat from the wearer&#39;s brow or forehead, and to facilitate replacing the article  10  on the wearer&#39;s hand H. Optionally, the handwear article  10  may include one or more storage pockets or pouches to store personal items such as keys, credit cards, or handwarmers, as will be described below in more detail. 
         [0029]    In a first or substantially fully closed configuration, handwear article  10  allows the wearer to have their hand H in a loose fist or fist-like shape ( FIGS. 3 and 14 ) to conserve heat and warm their fingers and thumb with their palm. The first configuration further allows the wearer to keep their hand H in a common and natural curled or loose fist-like position such as may be desired for running. The handwear article  10  allows the wearer&#39;s digits (fingers and thumb) to work out from an opening  12  of the handwear article  10  to expose the fingertips in a second configuration ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ), such that the wearer gains cooling to the interior of the handwear  10  and, optionally, may have limited use of the uncovered fingertips. In a third configuration the fingers are fully nearly fully exposed for full dexterity ( FIGS. 5-8 ), allowing practically full use of their hand H in the third configuration. A fourth configuration ( FIG. 9-11 ) allows the wearer to gain further use of their hand H and their wrist. A fifth configuration ( FIG. 12-13 ) is achieved by drawing a portion of the handwear article  10  further back over the wrist to provide uninhibited motion and use of the wrist and hand H. 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 14 , the handwear article  10  is assembled from a back panel  14  and a two-piece palm panel  16  that cooperate to define a hand chamber  18 . The back panel  14  has a proximal end portion  20 , a distal end portion  22 , and opposing sides  24 ,  26  that extend between the proximal end portion  20  and distal end portion  22 . The two-piece palm panel  16  is made up of a proximal palm panel  28  and a distal palm panel  30 . A proximal portion of the distal palm panel  30  overlaps a distal portion of the proximal palm panel  28  to define the opening  12 , such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Each of the panels  14 ,  16  are sewn together at opposing sides  24 ,  26  and thereby cooperate to define the hand chamber  18 . The back panel  14  and two-piece palm panel  16  may be sewn together, or can be mechanically joined in any suitable manner, such as with adhesive or other suitable bonding material or process. 
         [0031]    The chamber  18  ( FIG. 14 ) is formed by joining the back panel  14  and two-piece palm panel  16  to receive the wearer&#39;s hand H in the fist-like shape to conserve heat and warm the wearer&#39;s fingers, thumb, and palm. Chamber  18  encloses the wearer&#39;s hand H without any portions of the handwear article  10  interspaced between any fingers or thumb of the wearer&#39;s hand H. As shown in  FIGS. 9, 10, 12, and 13 , the back panel  14  has an inner portion or surface  32  and an outer portion or surface  34 , and the two-piece palm panel  16  has an inner portion or surface  36  and an outer portion or surface  38 . In at least one configuration, such as the first configuration of  FIG. 14 , the inner portions  32 ,  36  are interior surfaces that cooperate to define the chamber  18  and the outer portions  34 ,  38  are outer surfaces exposed to the environment. Thus, the chamber  18  is formed as a single cavity that is shaped to fit the wearer&#39;s hand H in a loose fist, which allows the wearer to keep their hand H in a common and natural position for running, for example. 
         [0032]    Back panel  14  and the two-piece palm panel  16  cooperate to substantially form the fist-like shape of chamber  18 . For example, and with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , distal end portion  22  of the back panel  14  and a distal end portion  40  of the two-piece palm panel  16  are wider than respective proximal end portions  20 ,  42  of the back panel  14  and the two-piece palm panel  16 . Each proximal end portion  20 ,  42  couples to a wrist panel  44  that is configured to encircle at least a portion of the wearer&#39;s wrist. 
         [0033]    The proximal palm panel  28  is generally adjacent to the wearer&#39;s palm and has the proximal end portion  42 , a distal end portion  46  and opposing sides  48 ,  50  ( FIG. 7 ). The opposing sides  48 ,  50  of the proximal palm panel  28  are coupled to respective opposing sides  24 ,  26  of the back panel  14 . The distal end portion  46  of the proximal palm panel  28  terminates between a proximal end portion  52  of the distal palm panel  30  and the distal end portion  40  of the distal palm panel  30 . Thus, the proximal end portion  52  of distal palm panel  30  overlies or overlaps distal end portion  46  of proximal palm panel  28  to form opening  12  when the handwear article  10  is in the first configuration of  FIGS. 1-4 and 14 . 
         [0034]    The distal palm panel  30  is generally adjacent to the wearer&#39;s fingers, and in addition to proximal end portion  52  and distal end portion  40 , the distal palm panel  30  has opposing sides  54 ,  56 . The opposing sides  54 ,  56  of the distal palm panel  30  are coupled to respective opposing sides  24 ,  26  of the back panel  14 . The distal end portion  40  of the distal palm panel  30  is coupled to a distal end portion  22  of the back panel  14 . In addition, the proximal end portion  52  of distal palm panel  30  overlaps the distal end portion  46  of the proximal palm panel  28 . 
         [0035]    The fist-like shape of the handwear article  10  is further defined by a substantially asymmetric perimeter  58  ( FIG. 2 ). A seam is formed along the perimeter  58  where opposing sides  54 ,  56  of the distal palm panel  30  are coupled to respective opposing sides  24 ,  26  of the back panel  14 . The seam has an outboard portion  60  that is substantially in line with an outboard edge  62  of the wrist panel  44 . The seam further has an inboard portion  64  that forms an arcuate shape about the distal end portions  22 ,  40  of the back panel  14  and the two-piece palm panel  16  that is opposite the outboard portion  60 . Therefore, the handwear article  10  has a substantially asymmetric shape along a centerline  68  of the wrist panel  44 , such as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0036]    The opening  12  allows the wearer&#39;s fingers to cool when there is less need to conserve heat. For example, the wearer may have less need to conserve heat while running or during another fitness activity, or while indoors or in a heated area. Specifically, the opening  12  allows the wearer to work their fingers, thumb, and wrist out of the article  10  to cool, such as shown in  FIGS. 4-12 . In addition, the opening  12  allows the wearer to fully use their hand H. The opening  12  is generally formed as a slot between the proximal end portion  52  of the distal palm panel  30  and the distal end portion  46  of the proximal palm panel  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, opening  12  extends substantially across the entire width of handwear  10 . Thus, the opening  12  is defined in the two-piece palm panel  16  and is configured to permit the wearer&#39;s hand H to reach through the opening  12  (see  FIGS. 4-13 ) from the chamber  18  of the handwear article  10 . The opening  12  is generally positioned adjacent to the wearer&#39;s fingers to allow the wearer&#39;s hand H to extend out of the chamber  18  through the opening  12  using only the fingers or thumb of the wearer&#39;s hand H. 
         [0037]    Each inner portion  32 ,  36  and outer portion  34 ,  38  is generally composed of a fabric such as cotton, wool, fleece, or the like. It is generally desirable that the inner portions  32 ,  36  of article  10  are soft and have insulating and/or moisture-wicking properties. It is also generally desirable that the outer portions  34 ,  38  have water- or wind-resistant properties, thus the outer portions  34 ,  38  may be composed of wool, polyester, nylon, or other fabrics. It will be appreciated that each portion  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38  can be composed of different materials to have different uses for different intended purposes, such as for cold or wet conditions. 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiment, and as best shown in  FIG. 14 , the inner portion  32  of back panel  14  cooperates with a distal pocket panel  70  to form a distal pocket  76 , and the inner portion  36  of the two-piece palm panel  16  cooperates with a proximal pocket panel  72  to form a proximal pocket  74 . The wearer may access the distal pocket  76  via a distal pocket opening  78  and may access the proximal pocket  74  via a proximal pocket opening  80 . The pockets  74 ,  76  are accessible when the handwear article  10  is in any of the first through fifth configurations, by opening the respective pocket openings  80 ,  78  with the user&#39;s fingers of hand H that is in the article  10 , or with the user&#39;s other hand. The distal pocket  76  is formed by the distal palm panel  30  and the distal pocket panel  70 , which cooperate to form the distal pocket opening  78  adjacent to the opening  12  and the palm of the hand H when in the first configuration. The proximal pocket  74  is formed by the proximal palm panel  28  and the proximal pocket panel  72 , which cooperate to form the proximal pocket opening  80  adjacent to the end of opening  12  that is in the handwear interior (i.e., at chamber  18 ) and near the fingers when in the first and second configurations, and along the palm of the hand H when in the third and fourth configurations. 
         [0039]    Each pocket  74 ,  76  is sewn at the perimeter  58  of the handwear article  10  and may be sewn at least partially inboard from seams  60 ,  64 . However, each of the openings  78 ,  80  is sufficiently wide to allow the wearer to store and remove personal items from the pockets  74 ,  76 . Thus, the proximal pocket opening  80  is formed at the distal end portion  46  of the proximal palm panel  28 , and the distal pocket opening  78  is formed at the proximal end portion  20  of the distal palm panel  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the distal pocket  76  has a flap  82  to cover or partially block the distal pocket opening  78  to prevent personal items from unintentionally exiting the distal pocket  76 . One would understand that the proximal pocket  74  could also have a flap to cover or partially block the proximal pocket opening  80 . Thus, the distal pocket  76  has a similar shape and perimeter as the distal palm panel  30 , and the proximal pocket  74  has a similar shape and perimeter as the proximal palm panel  28 . 
         [0040]    As noted above, the handwear article  10  is capable of assuming multiple configurations that provide differing and selectable amounts of exposure of the wearer&#39;s hand H for cooling and use of the hand. Each configuration allows the wearer to have their hand H in the fist-like shape, which is commonly a natural position for running and other fitness activities. In the first configuration ( FIGS. 1-3 and 14 ), the handwear article  10  receives the wearer&#39;s hand H in the fist-like shape to enclose the hand H. Specifically, the chamber  18  of the handwear article  10  receives the wearer&#39;s hand H through the wrist panel  44 , and the wrist panel  44  at least partially encircles the wearer&#39;s wrist. The distal palm panel  30  conceals the proximal pocket opening  80  and the flap  82 . However, the distal pocket  76  and the proximal pocket  74  are still accessible to the wearer&#39;s other hand through opening  12 , or by the wearer&#39;s fingers on hand H within the chamber  18 . Thus, in the first configuration the wearer&#39;s hand H is received in the single chamber  18 , without any panel or portion of the handwear article  10  located between the wearer&#39;s fingers and thumb. 
         [0041]    In a second configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the wearer&#39;s hand H begins in the fist-like shape of the first configuration, from which the wearer&#39;s fingers or thumb extend from the chamber  18  through the opening  12 . Optionally, it may be possible for the wearer to use only the fingers of the hand H that is wearing the article  10  to expose portions of the wearer&#39;s hand H through the opening  12 , without need for grasping the handwear article  10  with the other hand. In the second configuration of  FIG. 4 , the proximal pocket opening  80  is open to the environment, but the flap  82  is still concealed by the distal palm panel  30 . However, the distal pocket  76  and the proximal pocket  74  are accessible to the wearer&#39;s other hand through opening  12 , or by manipulating the wearer&#39;s fingers on hand H within the chamber  18 . Thus, the second configuration allows the wearer to increase ventilation of hand H to regulate temperature while still wearing the handwear article  10 . 
         [0042]    To achieve the third configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 5-8 , the wearer&#39;s hand H begins in the fist-like shape of the first configuration and the fingers are worked at least partially out through the opening  12  as in the second configuration, from which the wearer&#39;s fingers and then palm extend outwardly from the chamber  18  and through the opening  12 , which is generally adjacent to the fingers. Optionally, it may be possible for the wearer to use only the fingers of the hand H wearing the article  10  to more fully expose the wearer&#39;s hand H through the opening  12 , without need for grasping the handwear article  10  with another hand. Thus, the third configuration allows the wearer to gain practically full use of their partially-exposed or mostly-exposed hand H while still wearing the handwear article  10  about the wrist, the back of the hand, and the heel of the palm. 
         [0043]    Furthermore, the third configuration allows the wearer to increase ventilation and conserve less heat when desired, such as while running or during other fitness activities. As noted above the third configuration still covers the wrist and a substantial portion of the wearer&#39;s hand H, and may cover at least a heel portion of the wearer&#39;s palm that is proximal to the wearer&#39;s wrist ( FIGS. 5-8 ). In the third configuration, the proximal pocket opening  80  is open to the environment, but the flap  82  is concealed by the distal palm panel  30  as in the first and second configurations. The distal pocket  76  and the proximal pocket  74  are still accessible to the wearer&#39;s other hand through opening  12 , or by the wearer&#39;s fingers of hand H within the chamber  18 . Thus, the third configuration encloses a portion of the wearer&#39;s hand H and wrist to conserve some heat, allow use of the hand H, and retain the handwear article  10  on the wrist during running or other fitness activities. 
         [0044]    To achieve the fourth configuration ( FIGS. 9-11 ) from the third configuration, the proximal end portion  52  of distal palm panel  30  is pulled distally from the wearer&#39;s hand H, typically using the wearer&#39;s other hand (not shown) to grasp the back panel  14  and the distal palm panel  30 . The proximal end portion  52  is folded back over itself and onto the distal end portion  22  of the back panel  14  and toward the wearer&#39;s wrist, which essentially turns the handwear article  10  partially inside-out. Therefore, the fourth configuration is generally less obtrusive to the wearer&#39;s hand H and wrist movement than the second and third configurations. Compared to the third configuration, the fourth configuration also conserves less heat and allows for greater ventilation while retaining the handwear article  10  on the wearer during running or other fitness activities. 
         [0045]    It will be appreciated that the fourth configuration substantially exposes at least the inner portion  32  of the back panel  14  to the outside environment. In the fourth configuration of  FIGS. 9-11 , the distal pocket opening  78  and the flap  82 , which conceals the distal pocket opening  78 , are open or at least more exposed to the environment. Specifically, in the fourth configuration the flap  82  and the distal pocket opening  78  are positioned on the back of the wearer&#39;s hand H adjacent to the back panel. The proximal pocket  74  and the proximal pocket opening  80  are still accessible to the wearer&#39;s other hand or, to a limited extent, by the wearer&#39;s fingers on hand H within the proximal portion of the chamber  18  that is still defined between the proximal palm panel  28  and back panel 
         [0046]    To achieve a fifth configuration ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ), the article  10  begins in the fourth configuration and the wearer further pulls the handwear article  10  in the proximal direction (i.e., towards the elbow) to turn the handwear article  10  substantially inside-out, with the distal end portion  22  of the back panel  14 , the distal end portion  40  of the distal palm panel  30 , and the distal end portion  46  of the proximal palm panel  28  all facing rearwardly or proximally (i.e., toward the wearer&#39;s elbow) with their interior surfaces  32 ,  36  exposed to the outside environment. The handwear article  10  is pulled further from the wearer&#39;s hand H to cover only the wearer&#39;s wrist and lay against the wearer&#39;s forearm, such that the article  10  lies flat against the wearer&#39;s forearm. Thus, the fifth configuration also conserves less heat than the first, second, third, and fourth configurations while retaining the handwear article  10  to the wearer during running or other fitness activities. In the fifth configuration of  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the proximal pocket opening  80  is open to the environment and generally lies against the inside of the wearer&#39;s forearm. In the fifth configuration the wearer stores and removes personal items from the proximal pocket  74  with the wearer&#39;s other hand. The distal pocket opening  78  and flap  82  are concealed by the back panel  14 , adjacent to the back side or outside of the wearer&#39;s wrist. 
         [0047]    The wearer may return article  10  to the first configuration from any of the second through fifth configurations by generally reversing the steps noted above. For example, to return the article to the fourth configuration from the fifth configuration the wearer pulls the handwear article  10  in the distal direction (i.e., towards the fingers) to turn the handwear article  10  partially inside-in so the distal end portion  40  of the distal palm panel  30 , the distal end portion  22  of the back panel  14 , and the distal end portion  46  of the proximal palm panel  28  all facing rearwardly or proximally (i.e., toward the wearer&#39;s elbow) all face forwardly or distally (i.e., toward the fingers). To return the article to the third configuration from the fourth configuration, the wearer pulls the proximal end portion  52  of distal palm panel  30  distally around the fingers to unfold the proximal end portion  52  from over back panel  14 . To return the article to the second configuration from the third configuration the wearer&#39;s hand H generally forms the fist-like shape and the wearer&#39;s other hand pulls the article  10  so at least the palm of hand H is generally within the chamber  18 . To return the article to the first configuration from the second configuration the wearer generally retracts the fingers of hand H through the opening  12  into the chamber  18  so that the opening  12  closes. It will be appreciated that returning handwear article  10  from the fifth configuration to the first configuration can generally be accomplished in two steps, where the first step involves pulling the distal ends  22 ,  40  of back panel  14  and the distal palm panel  30  forwardly (distally) from the fifth configuration to the third configuration, and the second step involves pulling the proximal end portion  52  of the distal palm panel  30  forwardly (distally) over and around the fingers while curling and retracting the fingers into chamber  18  and pulling the proximal end portion  52  rearwardly (proximally) to overlap the distal end portion  46  of proximal palm panel  28  in a relatively smooth and substantially continuous motion. 
         [0048]    Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the handwear article  10  is particularly suited for running and other outdoor fitness activities to regulate the temperature and comfort of a wearer&#39;s hand H and wrist such as in cold or wet environments, and may also be used to store personal items. Furthermore, even when the handwear article  10  is removed from the wearer&#39;s hand H, it can be retained along the wearer&#39;s wrist and/or forearm during running or other fitness activities, or can be partially retracted to expose varying amounts of the wearer&#39;s hand to adjust for comfort, as desired. 
         [0049]    Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Technology Category: 1