Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/074,665, filed Jun. 22, 2008, Attorney Docket No. 0100.0128P, entitled “Adjustable Hand Covering,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to a hand covering. More specifically, this invention relates to a hand covering that can be adjusted to vary the conditions inside the hand covering. 
         [0003]    Conventional hand coverings typically include one or more layers of material, depending on their intended use. Often hand coverings are intended for use in cool or cold environments and accordingly, such hand coverings include one or more layers of insulation to keep the user&#39;s hands warm. 
         [0004]    However, sometimes multiple layers of material cause the hands of a user to be too warm and keep the moisture in the interior region of the hand covering. Conventional hand coverings provide poor ventilation and poor ventilation results in the hand covering becoming uncomfortable. Such hand coverings typically do not allow for a user to control the environmental conditions in the hand covering. As a result, a user&#39;s hand may become warm and/or moist, thereby making the user uncomfortable. 
         [0005]    A need exists for an adjustable hand covering that is configured to allow a user to vary the conditions therein to achieve comfortable environment in the hand covering. Also, a need exists for a hand covering with a vent that can be adjusted by a user as desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A hand covering according to the present invention includes a shell that defines an interior region or area into which a user can insert a hand. In one embodiment, the shell includes several finger receptacles and a thumb receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, the shell includes a finger receptacle configured to receive all of the fingers of a user and a thumb receptacle. In one embodiment, the hand covering can include an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated by a user to tighten or loosen the hand covering relative to the user&#39;s hand. One type of adjustment mechanism may include a strap and several buckles through which the strap is inserted. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a hand covering according to the present invention includes a shell or body with a vent or opening through which air and moisture can flow out from an interior region of the hand covering. In addition, air may flow into the interior region through the opening. The opening provides for ventilation of the hand covering and in particular, the interior region. In one embodiment, the hand covering can include an air permeable sheet, such as a mesh-like material, that has a shape substantially the same as the opening in the shell. The air permeable sheet may be formed of a perforated material. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a hand covering according to the present invention can include a cover or panel that can be moved relative to the opening and the shell. The cover or panel can be made of a material that prohibits or limits the flow of air therethrough. The cover can be placed in a closed position in which it is proximate to the opening and air flow through the opening is prevented or substantially reduced. The cover can also be placed in an opened position in which it is moved away from the opening and air can flow freely through the opening. The cover can be retained in its closed position or in its opened position as desired. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, a hand covering according to the present invention can include one or more closure mechanisms that can be used to open and/or close the cover. Each closure mechanism can be used to secure the cover in a closed position and prevent cold air or moisture external to the shell from entering through the opening. The closure mechanism or mechanisms can be moved so that the cover can be opened and the opening in the shell of the hand covering exposed to external elements. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a portion of the cover of the hand covering can be coupled to the shell. For example, the portion of the cover can be fixedly coupled to the shell such as by sewing. Alternatively, the portion can be integrally formed with the shell. In another embodiment, the cover can be removably coupled to the shell in that the cover can be completely detached or decoupled from the shell and subsequently coupled thereto, such as by a releasable fastening structure like a combination of a hook and loop type material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of an embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the hand covering illustrated in  FIG. 3  in a different configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the hand covering illustrated in  FIG. 3  taken along the line “ 5 - 5 ”. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the hand covering illustrated in  FIG. 4  taken along the line “ 6 - 6 ”. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top view of an embodiment of an insert for a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the insert illustrated in  FIG. 7  with tape coupled thereto. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the insert illustrated in  FIG. 8  taken along line “ 9 - 9 ”. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a partial exploded cross-sectional side view showing some of the components of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a partial exploded cross-sectional side view showing some of the components of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a partial exploded cross-sectional side view showing some of the components of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an insert according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 17 and 18  are top views of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention with a cover on the hand covering in closed and opened positions, respectively. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  is an exploded view of several different layers of a hand covering. 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a hand covering. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Like reference numerals are used herein to refer to like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    A hand covering according to the present invention includes a shell that defines an interior region or area into which a user can insert a hand of the user. In one embodiment, the shell includes several finger receptacles and a thumb receptacle. In an alternative embodiment, the shell includes a finger receptacle configured to receive all of the fingers of a user and a thumb receptacle. In one embodiment, the hand covering can include an adjustment mechanism that can be manipulated by a user to tighten or loosen the hand covering relative to the user&#39;s hand. One type of adjustment mechanism may include a strap and several buckles through which the strap is inserted. The term “hand covering” is used to include any type of covering that can be worn on a person&#39;s hand, such as a glove or a mitten. The terms “cover,” “panel” or “flap” are used interchangeably to refer to any type or piece of material that can be used to cover a vent or opening in the shell or body of a hand covering. 
         [0032]    An embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the hand covering  10  includes a shell or shell assembly  12  that forms an interior region or area  14 . The interior region or area  14  is configured to receive a hand of a user. The shell  12  defines a vent or ventilation structure  16  that is in communication with the interior region  14 . The vent  16  allows air to flow into and out of the interior region  14  of the shell  12 . In one embodiment, the vent  16  can be an opening formed in the shell  12 . In another embodiment, the vent  16  can include an air permeable material that forms part of the shell  12 , such as an air permeable material that is disposed in an opening formed in the shell  12 . The vent  16  can include one or more openings. 
         [0033]    When the air outside of the shell  12  is cooler than the air in the interior region  14 , the warmer air can flow out through the vent  16  from the interior region  14 , thereby cooling the interior region  14 . In addition, if the user&#39;s hands are moist due to moisture in the shell  12 , moisture can pass through the vent  16  to the external environment of the shell  12 , thereby drying the user&#39;s hand and improving the comfort in the interior region  14 . Accordingly, the vent  16  of the hand covering  10  can be used to make the interior region  14  of the shell  12  comfortable for the user. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the hand covering  10  includes a cover or panel or flap  18 . In one embodiment, a portion of the cover  18  can be coupled to the shell  12  so that the cover  18  remains coupled to the shell  12  when it is moved by the user. In another embodiment, the cover  18  can be formed separately from the shell  12  and subsequently coupled thereto. 
         [0035]    The cover  18  can be moved relative to the shell  12  and to the vent  16 . The cover  18  can be disposed in different positions by the user relative to the vent  16  to vary the flow of air through the vent  16 . For example, the cover  18  can be disposed in a closed position so that it is substantially coextensive with the vent  16  so that the vent  16  is covered. In this position, the cover  18  prevents the flow of air through the vent  16  and seals the vent  16 . In addition, the cover  18  can be positioned so that the vent  16  is exposed to the external elements and air can flow through the vent  16 . The opened position of the cover  18  allows for moisture to get out of the interior region  14  through the vent  16 . Without breatheability in the hand covering, moisture cannot get out and the user&#39;s hand cannot get warm. Thus, a user can control the extent to which the vent  16  is exposed and as a result, adjust the conditions in the interior region  14  of the shell  12 . The cover or flap  18  provides on demand venting to the hand covering  10 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the hand covering  20  includes a shell  22  that defines an interior region  24  into which a user can insert a hand. Similar to shell  12 , shell  22  includes a vent  26  that is in communication with interior region  24 . In addition, a cover  28  is coupled to the shell  22  and disposable in multiple positions relative to the vent  26 . 
         [0037]    In this embodiment, the hand covering  20  includes a closure mechanism  30  that is coupled to the shell  22  and to the cover  28 . The closure mechanism  30  can be manipulated by the user to move and retain the cover  28  in different positions relative to the vent  26 . In one embodiment, the closure mechanism  30  can be a zipper. In another embodiment, the closure mechanism  30  can include multiple zippers that can be moved simultaneously with each other or separately from each other. In yet another embodiment, the closure mechanism can be another closure mechanism, such as hook and loop type materials, snaps, and/or magnets, such as magnetic strips. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the hand covering  20  also includes a receptacle  40 . In one embodiment, the receptacle  40  can be formed as part of the shell  22 . In another embodiment, the receptacle  40  can be formed separately from and subsequently coupled to the shell  22 . The receptacle  40  is sized and configured to receive a portion of the cover  28  when the cover  28  is moved from its closed position to its opened position. A portion of the cover  28  can be inserted into the receptacle  40  to retain the cover  28  in its opened position relative to the vent  26 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated. A top view of the hand covering  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Hand covering  100  includes a body or shell  110  that has a proximal end  112  and a distal end  114 . The body  110  includes a finger portion or region that includes several finger receptacles  116  and a thumb receptacle  118 . The body  110  can also include a side region  111  and a palm portion or region  150  in which a vent or ventilation structure  162  is located, as described below (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the hand covering  100  can include an adjustment mechanism  120  that can be manipulated by a user to tighten a portion of the hand covering  100  on the user&#39;s hand. The adjustment mechanism  120  can include a strap  124  that is engaged with one or more buckles  122 . The buckles  122  can be double buckles through which the strap can pass. The strap  124  can be tightened so that the hand covering  100  is secured to the hand of a user. In one embodiment, the strap  124  can be webbing with a thickness of approximately 15 millimeters. 
         [0041]    The hand covering  100  can include a cuff portion or region  130  that is located near the proximal end  112  of the body  110 . The cuff portion  130  extends from the proximal end  112  and terminates at an edge  134 . Two stitching portions  136  are provided that define an area between them in which the edge  134  is not connected to the shell  110 . The function of this area will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the hand covering  100  includes a cover or panel  180  that is coupled to the shell  110 . As described below, in different embodiments, the cover  180  can have different sizes or shapes as well as different quantities of material layers. The cover  180  includes an outer surface  182  that is exposed to the environment elements outside of the hand covering  100 . In one embodiment, the cover  180  can be treated with a polyurethane coating to make the cover  180  waterproof. 
         [0043]    The cover  180  can be moved relative to the shell  110  and disposed in several different positions. For example, the cover  180  can be moved to a closed position  186  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In addition, the cover  180  can be moved to an opened position  188  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the hand covering  100  includes a closure mechanism  190  that can be manipulated by a user to secure the cover  180  in a particular position relative to the shell  110 . In this embodiment, the closure mechanism  190  includes a pair of couplers  192 , such as zippers, that are shown in their closed positions in  FIG. 3  and that are movable along the direction of arrow “A” in  FIG. 3  to their opened positions (see  FIG. 4 ). In one embodiment, the zippers can be polyurethane coated reverse coil zippers. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, receptacles or cavities  196  and  198  are formed in the shell  110 . The receptacles  196  and  198  are located proximate to the knuckle area of the hand covering  100 . Each of the receptacles  196  and  198  is configured to receive one of the closure mechanisms or zippers  192 . When the zippers  192  are moved to their closed positions (see  FIG. 3 ), a portion of each of the zippers can be inserted into one of the receptacles  196  and  198  and thereby reduce the likelihood that the zipper  192  will be caught on another article or be moved along its path unintentionally. In other embodiments, the closure mechanisms can be any type of sliding coupler or connector that can be moved by a user. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a top view of the hand covering  100  with the cover  180  in a different position is illustrated. In this view, the cover  180  is moved along the direction of arrow “B” to its opened position  188 . A portion of the cover  180  is tucked beneath the edge  134  and into the receptacle that is formed in the cuff portion  130 . In this embodiment, the body  110  includes a back side  160  that is proximate to the back of a user&#39;s hand. The back side  160  includes the vent or ventilation structure  162  formed therein. In one embodiment, the vent  162  is an opening  162  that is formed in the shell  110  of the hand covering  100 . The vent or opening  162  is defined by one or more edges and in this embodiment, the opening  162  is defined by edges  164 ,  166 ,  168 , and  170 . In different embodiments, the vent  162  may have any size or configuration or quantity of edges. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, the hand covering  100  includes an air permeable material  195  that is coupled to the shell  110  and that covers the opening and forms part of the vent  162 . The air permeable material  195  can be a mesh material that permits the flow of air therethrough. In one embodiment, the air permeable material  195  can have a water resistant treatment applied thereto to enhance the properties of the material. In one embodiment, the material  195  can be a spacer mesh with a tightly woven face. In one implementation, the mesh can have a thickness of approximately 4 millimeters. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , partial cross-sectional views of the hand covering  100  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are illustrated, respectively. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a partial cross-sectional view of the hand covering  100  with its cover  180  in its closed position is illustrated. As shown, the hand covering  100  includes a palm portion  150  proximate to the middle part of a user&#39;s hand. The palm portion  150  includes an outer surface  152  and an inner surface  154  that defines an interior region  156  into which a user can insert a hand. The palm portion  150  includes a palm side  158  (next to the palm of the user&#39;s hand) and a back side  160  (next to the back of the user&#39;s hand). As discussed above, the back side  160  includes a vent or ventilation structure or element  162  that is in communication with the interior region  156 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a piece of air permeable material  195 , such as mesh, is disposed in the vent  162 , which in this embodiment, is formed by an opening in the palm portion  150 . The cover  180  is located so that it can be placed on the outer side of the material  195 . In  FIG. 5 , the cover  180  is shown in its closed position  186 . The cover  180  includes a coupled end  181 A and a free end  181 B. The coupled end  181 A is attached to the back side  160  of the shell  110  and the free end  181 B can be moved relative to the shell  110 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hand covering  100  includes a cuff portion  130  that is formed by an outer layer  132  with an edge  134  that is positioned proximate to an inner layer  138 . The outer layer  132  and the inner layer  138  collectively form a receptacle  140  therebetween, the function of which is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the cover  180  is moved from its closed position  186  to an opened position  188 . The free end  181 B of the cover  180  can be moved along the direction of arrow “C” and inserted into receptacle  140 . The free end  181 B can be retained in the receptacle  140  by friction. The cover  180  has an outer surface  182  and an inner surface  184  as shown. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , air can flow into and out of the interior region  156  along the directions of arrows “D” and “E”, respectively, when the cover  180  is moved to its opened position  188 . The properties of the cover  180  and the material  195  as well as any additional material proximate to the opening or vent determine the flow of air and moisture through the vent. Those components may have any combination of waterproof and breathable properties. The various combinations of properties and functionality are described in detail below. 
         [0052]    The extent to which the free end  181 B of the cover  180  can be moved away from the vent or opening  162  is determined in part by the distance that the closure mechanisms or zippers  192  are moved from their closed positions. If the user wants to expose as much of the vent  162  as possible to the environment, then each zipper  192  can be moved toward the proximal end  112  of the hand covering as much as possible, thereby allowing the cover  180  to be pulled back and a substantial portion of the cover  180  inserted into the receptacle  140  or otherwise retained in its opened position. 
         [0053]    In one embodiment, the hand covering  100  can include an insert that is disposed in the interior region  156  of the hand covering  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , an embodiment of an insert that can be disposed within the hand covering  100  according to the present invention is illustrated. The insert  200  can be used in the hand covering  100  when the user wants to have additional material that can provide additional warmth to the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the insert  200  includes a body  210  with a proximal end  212  and a distal end  214 . The body  210  includes multiple finger receptacles  216  and a thumb receptacle  218 . In other embodiments, the body  210  can include a single finger receptacle provided that the corresponding shell of the hand covering is similarly configured. 
         [0055]    The body  210  also includes a cuff portion  230  and a palm portion  250 . The palm portion  250  has an outer surface  252  and an inner surface  254  that defines an interior region  256 . The palm portion  250  also has a palm side  258  and a back side  260  opposite the palm side  258 . The back side  260  includes a vent or ventilation structure  262  that is defined by an edge  264 . In one embodiment, the vent  262  includes an opening and the edge  264  includes several edge portions  266 ,  268 , and  270 . The quantity and configuration of edge portions  264 ,  266 ,  268 , and  270  can vary in different embodiments. The opening can be a hole that is die cut in the insert  200 . The vent  262  as a full opening facilitates maximum venting from the interior region of the insert  200 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment, the insert  200  includes pieces of seam tape that are disposed around the edge or edges that define the opening  262  in the back side  260 . The tape pieces  272 ,  274 ,  276 , and  278  are disposed around the perimeter of the opening  262  and reduce any unraveling of the material that forms the insert  200 . In this embodiment, several pieces of tape  220  are disposed between portions of the insert  200  that are coupled together so that the tape pieces  220  are disposed in the seam or seams formed in the insert  200 . The tape pieces  220  can be coupled to the hand covering  100  to secure the insert  200  to the shell  110  of the hand covering  100 . The tape pieces or portions  220 ,  272 ,  274 ,  276 , and  278  can be any type of tape or similar material. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a partial cross-sectional view of the insert  200  is illustrated. As shown, the insert  200  includes a palm portion  250  that has an outer surface  252  and an inner surface  254  that defines an interior region  256  into which a user can insert a hand. The palm portion  250  includes a palm side  258  and a back side  260  in which the opening  262  is located. The insert  200  is positioned so that the opening  262  is aligned with the opening  162  formed in the body  110  of the hand covering  100 . 
         [0058]    A hand covering according to the present invention can vary in different embodiments. For example, the quantity of layers of material in the hand covering can vary. Similarly, the structure of the cover for a hand covering can vary. In addition, the size and configuration of a vent or ventilation opening in the hand covering can vary. Alternatively, the quantity and shape of the finger receptacles can vary for a hand covering depending on whether the hand covering resembles a glove or a mitten, for example. The various hand coverings and inserts illustrated in  FIGS. 10-18  and described below are a few examples of the different variations of hand coverings according to the present invention. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a portion of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering is illustrated. Only a portion of the hand covering  300  is illustrated for ease of reference. In this embodiment, the hand covering  300  includes a shell  310  with a vent or opening  312  with an air permeable material  314  disposed therein. The vent  312  can have any shape or configuration. A cover  320  can be used to cover the opening  312  and prevent the flow of air through material  314  and the opening  312 . In one embodiment, the cover  320  can include an outer layer  322  and a layer of insulation  324  that is coupled to the outer layer  322 . The insulation  324  can be coupled by stitching or other conventional technique to the outer layer  322 . The insulation can be quilted on the outer layer  322  of the panel or flap for additional warmth. The cover  320  includes a free end  326  that can be moved relative to the shell  310 . 
         [0060]    In this embodiment, an insert or inner layer  330  having an opening  332  defined therein can be disposed in the interior region of the shell  310 . Only a portion of the insert  330  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . As shown, the opening  332  in the insert  330  can be aligned or substantially aligned with the opening  312  formed in the shell  310 . The insert  330  can provide additional warmth and insulation to the user&#39;s hand. The opening  332  in the insert  330  facilitates the cooling and drying effect of the vent by allowing the skin of a user&#39;s hand in the insert  330  to be exposed to the air permeable material  314 . 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a portion of an alternative embodiment of a hand covering is illustrated. In this embodiment, the hand covering  400  includes a shell  410  with a vent or opening  412  with an air permeable material  414  disposed therein. A cover  420  can be used to cover the vent or opening  412  and prevent the flow of air through the opening  412 . In this embodiment, the cover  420  is a single layer of material that has a free end  426  that can be moved relative to the shell  410 . 
         [0062]    In this embodiment, an insert or inner layer  430  having an opening  432  defined therein can be disposed in the interior region of the shell  410 . Similar to the previous embodiment, the opening  432  in the insert  430  can be aligned with opening  412  in the shell  410 . The different between hand covering  400  and hand covering  300  is the quantity of layers of material in the respective cover  400  or  300 . 
         [0063]    An alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, the hand covering  500  includes a shell  510  with a vent or opening  512  with an air permeable material  514  disposed therein. Hand covering  500  includes a cover  520  that is coupled to the shell  510 . In this embodiment, the cover  520  has a free end  526  and is formed with a single layer of material. Hand covering  500  also includes an insert or inner layer  530  that has an opening  532 . 
         [0064]    In this embodiment, hand covering  500  includes an additional material layer  540  that can be disposed inside of the insert  530 . The layer  540  can be included to increase the warmth of the user&#39;s hand. The layer  540  can be formed of a material that allows air to flow therethrough to allow the user&#39;s hand to cool and dry as desired. 
         [0065]    An alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In this embodiment, the hand covering  600  includes a body or shell  610  that has a vent or opening  612  in a back side of the shell  610 . The hand covering  600  includes a cover  620  that is repositionable relative to the opening  612 . In this embodiment, a closure mechanism  630 , such as a zipper, can be moved along a portion of the perimeter  632  of the cover  620  in different directions, depending on whether the cover  620  is to be opened or closed. 
         [0066]    The free end  622  of the cover  620  can be inserted along the direction of arrow “F” into a receptacle  642  (shown in dashed lines) formed in the cuff portion  640 . When the free end  622  is moved from its closed position, the opening  612  is exposed to the external environment and air can flow through the opening  612  out of the interior region of the shell  610 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , an alternative embodiment of an insert or inner layer for a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the insert  700  has a body or shell  710  with a back side  712  in which an opening  716  is formed. The opening  716  is defined by an edge  714  which in this embodiment is circular. In other embodiments, the opening  716  can have various sizes and configurations. In some embodiments, the shape, size and/or configuration of the opening in the insert or inner layer can be different from the shape, size and/or configuration of the vent or opening in the body or shell of the hand covering. In other embodiments, the openings in the insert and the body can be the same. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated. The hand covering  800  includes a body or shell  810  that has a finger region  812  which is configured to receive the fingers of a user&#39;s hand. In this embodiment, finger region  812  resembles a mitten-like structure in that it has a single receptacle for the fingers of the user&#39;s hand. The hand covering  800  also includes a palm portion  814  and a thumb receptacle  816 . The palm portion  814  includes a cover  820  that is coupled to the shell  810 . Closure mechanisms  826  and  828 , such as zippers, can move along opposite sides  822  and  824  of the cover  820  to secure the cover  820  in a closed position as shown or in an opened position. 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated. The hand covering  900  includes a body or shell  910  that has a back side  912  of a palm portion or region, a cuff portion or region  914 , and a finger portion or region  916 . The body  910  includes a vent or opening  920  defined in part by edges  922  formed in the back side  912  of the shell  910 . 
         [0070]    In this embodiment, the hand covering  900  includes a cover or panel  940  that is formed separate from the shell  910  and can be removably coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the cover  940  can include a first layer or portion  942  and a second layer or portion  944  that is coupled to the first layer or portion  942 . The second layer  944  is configured to be substantially the same size as the vent or opening  920 . The cover  940  has a first end  946  and a second end  948 . On the underside of ends  946  and  948  are coupling mechanisms  950  and  952 , such as one of a hook-type material and a loop-type material. Each of the coupling mechanisms  950  and  952  is configured to be engaged with a corresponding and cooperating coupling mechanism  930  and  932  located on the outer surface of the shell  910 . Thus, a user can couple the panel  940  to the shell  910  by attaching coupling mechanisms  950  and  952  to coupling mechanisms  930  and  932 . When the user wants to expose the vent  920 , the user can remove the panel  940 . 
         [0071]    In addition, in another embodiment, the panel  940  can be coupled to the shell  910  by an elongate member  960  that can prevent the panel  940  from being separated from or lost relative to the hand covering  900 . Each of the shell  910  and the panel  940  can include a loop or coupler  962  or  964  to which the elongate member  960 , such as a string or cord, can be attached. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , an alternative embodiment of a hand covering according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the hand covering  1000  includes a body or shell  1010  with a back side  1012  and a thumb receptacle  1014 . The hand covering  1000  includes a cover or flap  1020  that is coupled to the shell  1010 . The flap  1020  has a free end  1022  that can be moved relative to the shell  1010 . The flap  1020  can be disposed in a closed position  1024  (see  FIG. 17 ) and in an opened position  1026  (see  FIG. 18 ). 
         [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , the hand covering  1000  includes two closure mechanisms or couplers  1030  and  1040 , such as zippers, that can be moved or slid along zipper lines  1032  and  1042  along the direction of arrow “G.” In this embodiment, when the closure mechanisms  1030  and  1040  are moved from their closed positions along the direction of arrow “G,” the free end  1022  of the panel  1020  can be moved along the same direction. In one embodiment, the hand covering  1000  may include a layer of material  1050  that creates a receptacle  1052  into which the free end  1022  can be inserted as shown in  FIG. 18 . The movement of the flap  1020  to its opened position  1026  exposes the vent or opening  1060  that is formed in the shell  1010 . Thus, the orientation of the cover or flap  1020  can be such that it moves toward the thumb receptacle  1014  instead of toward the wrist or cuff portion of the hand covering  1000 . 
         [0074]    In other embodiments, a coupling mechanism such as a hook-type material or a loop-type material can be provided as an attachment location to which the free end  1022  can be releaseably attached to hold the flap  1020  in its opened position. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , an exploded perspective view of some layers of an embodiment of a hand covering are illustrated. In this embodiment, the layers  1100  include a cover  1110  that is coupled or fixed to an outer shell (not shown in  FIG. 19 ) of a hand covering. A layer of mesh  1120  is coupled to the outer shell and is located in the window of the outer shell. Inside of the mesh layer  1120  is a layer of insulation  1130 . Finally, inside of the insulation layer is a lining fabric  1140 , which is brushed tricot. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , a partial cross-sectional view of some components of a hand covering is illustrated. As shown, the hand covering  1200  includes an outer shell  1210  with an outer surface  1212  and an inner surface  1214 . A cover or vent cover  1220  having a free end  1222  and a fixed end  1224  is coupled to the outer shell  1210 . In particular, the end  1224  is coupled to the inner surface  1214  of the shell  1210 . In this embodiment, the end  1224  is coupled to the shell  1210  via stitching  1230 . In other embodiments, the end  1224  can be coupled by welding, an adhesive, or other coupling method or technique. 
         [0077]    In various embodiments of a hand covering according to the present invention, the types of materials and the treatments applied to the materials can vary. For example, a material can be made from or treated to be a waterproof material. Additionally, a material can be a breathable material. Moreover, a material can be a material that is waterproof and is breathable. Different combinations of such materials can be used in a hand covering according to the present invention. 
         [0078]    For example, a hand covering according to the present invention can have any combination of top and bottom layers of material with the top and bottom layers being identified with respect to the outside and inside of the hand covering. For example, the top layer can be the cover or flap and the bottom layer can be an inner layer, such as a air permeable layer or mesh material identified above. In one combination, the top layer and the bottom layer can both be waterproof and breathable. In another combination, the top layer and the bottom layer can both be waterproof. In another combination, the top layer can be waterproof and the bottom layer can be waterproof and breathable. In yet another combination, the top layer can be water proof and the bottom layer can be breathable. Accordingly, the combinations of properties of the materials can vary depending on the desired functionality of the layers. The waterproof property prevents water from entering the hand covering, but breatheability allows moisture inside of the hand covering to escape outside the hand covering. 
         [0079]    While the vent or opening in the hand coverings previously described have been located on a back side of the palm portion or region of the shell of the hand covering, in other embodiments, the vent or opening can be located in a different location on the hand covering, such as on the palm side, a side region, and/or in the finger region. In other embodiments, a hand covering according to the present invention can include more than one vent or opening. For example, the hand covering may include two or more vents or openings spaced apart in the body or shell of the hand covering. In addition, the vents can be located on the same side of the hand covering in some embodiments and on different sides of the hand covering in other embodiments. Alternatively, the vents can be formed in different portions or regions of the hand covering in some embodiments and formed in the same portions or regions of the hand covering in other embodiments. 
         [0080]    While the invention has been described in detail and with references to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention.

Technology Category: a