Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to handwear, such as gloves, mittens, gauntlets, and the like, and, more particularly, to an insulated glove system having a removable liner with a unique seam design that increases flexion, and to a method of construction. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Garments for the hand have a variety of purposes, including utility, protection, warmth, ornamentation, and fashion. Such handwear can be found in various forms. Examples include, without limitation, mittens (a single enclosure for all four fingers and a separate contiguous enclosure for the thumb), gloves (in which each finger has its own enclosure extending from a hand portion), and gauntlets (in which a glove has a cuff that extends over at least a portion of forearm). 
         [0005]    Fingerless handwear has also been designed in which a portion of the fingers is exposed to facilitate gripping and full tactile sensation with the fingers while providing protection and comfort for the rest of the hand. However, fingerless gloves provide no protection for the fingers from injury and the elements. In contrast, full-fingered gloves made of thin material allow for limited tactile sensation, although they can in some cases inhibit dexterity. Thick, protective or insulated gloves, such as gloves having a removable or nonremovable liner are bulky and inhibit tactile sensation, flexion, and dexterity. 
         [0006]    Extreme cold environments in which temperatures are near or below freezing (0° C.) require sufficient insulation in the glove to maintain warmth. Gloves present a challenge in that the fingers of the hand are individually encased in the finger portions of the glove, isolating them from the warmth of the other fingers. Utilizing more insulation in the finger portion restricts the ability to bend the fingers, thus reducing dexterity. Where manipulation of small objects by the fingers is mission critical, such as in scientific and military applications, there is a need for gloves that provide enhanced flexure while maintaining thermal insulation. 
         [0007]    Attempts have been made to provide increased flexibility and to reduce hand and finger fatigue of a wearer. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,378, modified fourchettes are used on the sides of the fingers, i.e., side panels between the top and bottom panels of each finger in which tucks are formed therein. In other words, the fourchette forms the sidewalls of the fingers and thumb of the glove and tucks are sewn in the fourchettes as well as on a back portion of the gloves to provide a bend point about which the material can be bent as the fingers are curled or flexed. The construction of this design requires the use of rectangular-shaped protrusions that aid in forming the tucks, thus complicating the sewing of the glove. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,736 describes a curved, Clute-cut glove construction in which the gloves are sewn so that the fingers of the glove are pre-curved, i.e., they are curved inward toward the palm so that the glove can be moved to a clasping position without crumpling, creasing, or folding of the finger and palm sections of the glove. In order to achieve the curvature, the back and bottom pieces are each stretched on a compound feed sewing machine so that a longer length of each back piece relative to its associated bottom piece imparts a curved configuration along each finger of the glove. 
         [0009]    While the foregoing designs may be suitable for their various purposes, they do not address the needs of users in environments of extreme temperatures, such as extreme cold temperatures, where dexterity and flexion need to be enhanced while maintaining thermal protection. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present disclosure is directed to handwear and to a method of making the same. In accordance with one embodiment, a glove system is provided that includes a glove with at least one finger and a liner. The liner includes an insulated dorsal panel, an insulated palmar panel, and a seam panel, the seam panel having an uninsulated segment that attaches the insulated dorsal panel and the insulated palmar panel. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the seam includes an insulated segment having a layer of insulating material attached to an inside surface of an outer layer of the seam panel. Ideally, the uninsulated seam segment is sized to bring the insulated seam segment into contact with an adjacent the dorsal and palmar panels. More preferably, the uninsulated segment is sized and shaped to permit relative movement of the insulated segment with the adjacent dorsal and palmar panels to provide enhanced flexure of the at least one finger of the liner. In addition, the insulated segment of the seam panel attaches to a first edge of the uninsulated segment and to an intermediate location on the uninsulated segment that is spaced from a second edge of the uninsulated outer layer of the seam panel. The first edge of the uninsulated segment is attached to the dorsal panel, and the second edge of the uninsulated outer layer is attached to the palmar panel. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a glove liner with enhanced finger flexure is provided, the liner including at least one finger, the at least one finger having an outer layer and an insulating layer, the insulating layer having at least one gap at a seam that forms at least one uninsulated seam segment along a side of the at least one finger that is adjacent a top and bottom of the at least one finger. Ideally, the at least one uninsulated segment is sized and shaped to allow contact between the insulating layer on each side of the at least one uninsulated segment to maintain insulation in the glove liner while allowing relative movement between the insulating layers on each side of the at least one uninsulated segment to provide enhanced flexure of the glove liner. 
         [0013]    In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure, handwear with enhanced flexibility is provided. The handwear includes an insulated panel having an outer layer and an inner insulating layer, the handwear further having an uninsulated seam section of the outer layer, ideally between a top portion and a bottom portion of the handwear, to provide enhanced flexion for bending of the handwear. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the uninsulated section is bounded by the inner insulated layer on a top boundary and the inner insulated layer on a bottom boundary, the uninsulated section sized to bring the inner insulated layers on the top and bottom boundaries into contact to maintain insulation in the handwear while facilitating relative movement between the inner insulated layers on the top and bottom boundaries. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a glove liner is provided that includes at least one finger, each at least one finger having a dorsal outer layer, a dorsal inner layer, a palmar outer layer, a palmar inner layer, an outer seam panel attaching the inner and outer dorsal layers to the inner and outer palmer layers, and an inner seam panel attached to the outer seam panel, the outer seam panel having a larger size than the inner seam panel so that a portion of the outer seam panel is not covered by the inner seam panel. 
         [0016]    In accordance with further aspects of the foregoing embodiment, the uncovered portion of the outer seam panel is attached to the palmar outer layer and the palmar inner layer so that the palmer outer layer is positioned between the outer seam panel and the palmar inner layer. In addition or alternatively, a portion of the outer seam panel covered by the inner seam panel is attached to the dorsal outer layer and the dorsal inner layer so that the dorsal outer layer and the outer seam panel are positioned between the dorsal inner layer and the inner seam panel. Ideally, the outer seam panel is sized and shaped to bring the dorsal inner layer and the planar inner layer into contact to maintain insulation in the liner while facilitating relative movement between the dorsal and palmar layers. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another embodiment, a liner for a glove is provided that includes at least one finger, the at least one finger having a first panel having a first outer layer and a first inner layer of equal widths, a second panel having a second outer layer and a second inner layer, the second outer layer having a size greater than the second inner layer to form at least one area of the second outer layer that is uncovered by the second inner layer, the first and second panels attached together to form a seam, with the at least one uncovered area of the second outer layer adjacent the seam. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another aspect of the foregoing embodiment, the second panel is sized and shaped to bring the first inner layer and the second inner layer into contact to maintain insulation in the liner while facilitating relative movement between the first and second outer layers. 
         [0019]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the foregoing embodiments can be applied to the seams of gloves, mittens, gauntlets, and other handwear, including all types of construction, such as Clute, Gunn cut, and others, in which any seam can be formed using the techniques and architectures described herein. 
         [0020]    As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing, the handwear and method of making the same as provided in the present disclosure maintains the integrity of the insulation at the seam while permitting relative movement therein to facilitate flexure of the handwear, including the fingers, the thumb, the hand, and the wrist. The glove system of the present disclosure also enhances tactile sensation because the user&#39;s fingers can utilize the uninsulated seam portion for grasping or manipulating objects without compromising the thermal insulation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric illustration of a glove system having a glove and liner formed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled glove system of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2B  is an enlarged isometric sectional view of a portion of the liner shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional illustration of a glove liner finger formed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative embodiment of a mitten liner formed in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric illustration of the glove liner components of  FIG. 1  prior to assembly; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating one method of constructing a liner formed in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]    In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with different types of handwear, methods of construction, and material selection have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. 
         [0030]    Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, such as “including, but not limited to.” 
         [0031]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further more, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0032]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0033]    The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments. 
         [0034]    While the glove system will be described in the context of a glove having a thumb and four fingers, it is to be understood that the present disclosure can apply to mittens, gauntlets, and other forms of handwear in which flexibility of bulky, insulated layered material is desired. 
         [0035]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is a glove system  10  formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure that utilizes an outer glove  12  and a liner  14  sized and shaped to be removably insertable into the outer glove  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the glove  12  includes a thumb  16  and four fingers  18  attached to a hand portion  20  that has a cuff  22  extending therefrom in a direction opposite to that of the fingers  18 . 
         [0036]    The glove  12  is of a conventional constructional and will not be described in detail herein. Briefly, the extended cuff  22  includes a wrist section  24  that is gathered and formed with elastic to expand as a user&#39;s hand is placed into the glove and then to contract around the user&#39;s wrist to maintain thermal insulation and prevent or resist the entry of snow and other materials into the interior of the glove  12 . A lining  26  is attached to an exterior layer  28  and lines the interior of the glove  12  to provide insulation. The exterior layer  28  can be formed of water proof, water resistant, fire proof, fire resistant, or other material suitable for the environment in which the glove  12  will be used. 
         [0037]    The liner  14  matches the size and shape of the glove to the extent it has a thumb  30  and four fingers  32  as well as a hand section  34  and forearm section  36 , all of which is sized to be received inside the glove  12 . In addition, the liner  14  has a gauntlet cuff  35  style that matches the length of the extended cuff  22  of the glove  12 . Matching hook-and-loop fasteners  38 ,  40  are positioned on the top and bottom of the liner  14  exterior and glove  12  interior, respectively, to releaseably fasten the liner  14  in the interior of the glove  12 . 
         [0038]    The liner  14 , in a preferred embodiment, has a fourchette-style construction, i.e., a sidewall fourchette area  45  between a top  44  and bottom  46  of the glove fingers is formed from additional material that is attached to the top and bottom  44 , 46  of the finger. In one embodiment, the fingers  32  and thumb  30  are all formed with the fourchette-style of construction. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional illustration taken along the entire length of a ring finger  42 , the hand section  34 , and the forearm section  36  of the liner  14  when inserted into the glove  12 . In this view, the glove  12  can be seen to include the outer layer  28  and insulating layer  26  side-by-side throughout the entire length of the glove  12 . The liner  14  includes an outer layer  48  and an internal insulating layer  50 . Because these multiple layers restrict the flexion and dexterity of a user&#39;s fingers, this embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes a unique seam construction in the fourchette area  45 . As seen in  FIG. 2A , the insulating layer  50  of the liner  14  terminates adjacent to or on the fourchette area  45  to create an uninsulated seam portion  52 . This uninsulated seam portion  52  preferably extends the entire length of the fourchette area  45  and around the tip of the finger, although it can be constructed to extend only a portion or have multiple portions of the seam of the fourchette area  45  uninsulated. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the uninsulated seam portion  52  extends the entire length of the fourchette area  45  to facilitate bending of the finger  42  and corresponding glove finger  18 . It is to be understood that the cross-sectional illustration of  FIG. 2A  is a general drawing that is not to scale and numerous details have been omitted. For example, the method of attaching the layers together, such as stitching or adhesive, is not shown. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2B  shows an enlarged isometric sectional view of an internal portion  41  of the liner  14  of  FIG. 2A , and in particular of the ring finger  42  showing in more detail the construction thereof. In one area, stitching  60  connects the outer layer  48  and internal insulating layer  39  to a second outer layer  49  and internal insulating layer  50  to form a first seam. Stitching  60  is a double line of stitching, however, other stitching patterns may be utilized. In addition, in this embodiment a second seam is formed with the stitching  64  in which the second outer layer  49  and the uninsulated seam portion  52  are attached to a third outer layer  55  and lining material  51 , creating the fourchette construction. Stitching  64  is a single line of stitching, however, as with stitching  60  other suitable stitching patterns are acceptable. 
         [0041]    The second outer layer  49  is larger than the insulating layer  50  attached thereto to create the uninsulated seam portion  52 . The insulating layer  50  attaches to the second outer layer  49  at an intermediate location spaced from an edge of the second outer layer  49  with stitching  61 , which is a double line of stitching. More particularly, the insulation layer  50  terminates at the intermediate location and leaves the uninsulated seam portion  52  exposed to the interior of the liner  14 . In one embodiment, the lining material  51 , the insulating material  39 , and the insulating material  50  are the same material. However, the lining material  51  can be of a different type of material, for example rubber, that provides a tactile surface. 
         [0042]    Turning next to  FIG. 3 , shown therein in greater detail is a transverse cross-sectional front view of the ring finger  42  formed as part of the liner  14 . Here, the fourchette area  45  can be seen in detail including the stitching  60  used to hold the various layers together. 
         [0043]    More particularly, a top panel  54  of the finger  42  is shown. In some cases this top panel  54  can be formed as part of a dorsal panel. Also shown is a bottom panel  56 , which could likewise be formed as part of a palmar panel. A side panel  58  attaches the top and bottom panels  54 ,  56 , respectively. Each panel  54 ,  56 ,  58  has an outer layer  48 , ideally formed of a ripstop material although other materials may be used as suitable for a particular application. The insulating layer  50  is preferably a lofted insulation that is readily commercially available and will not be described in detail herein. 
         [0044]    The interior of the finger  42  is insulated by the insulating layer  50  that is attached to the top, bottom, and side panels  54 ,  56 ,  58 , respectively. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the insulating layer  50  is attached to the outer layer  48  by means of stitching  60 . The type of stitching will be selected to accommodate the materials. For example, a single needle lock stitch or chain stitch can be used. In the side panels  58  of the fourchette area  45 , the insulating layer  50  is attached to the outer layer  58  by means of a single line of stitching  64  whereas the terminating portion of the insulating layer  50  adjacent the bottom panel  56  is attached with two lines of stitching  60 . It is to be understood that other means of attachment may be used instead of or in addition to stitching, including heat bonding and adhesive. 
         [0045]    As will be readily appreciated, a seam allowance for the outer layer  48  and insulating layer  50  is selected to be as small as possible yet of sufficient length to accommodate the method of construction and the purpose of the glove  12 , as described in more detail below. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  shows the uninsulated seam portion  52  formed by the termination of the insulating layer  50  prior to the bottom panel  56 . This uninsulated seam portion  52  is attached to the bottom panel by a single line of stitching  64 . Where the side panel  58  is attached to the top panel  54 , the single line of stitching  64  extends through all four layers. Ideally these lines of stitching  64  are exterior to the lines of stitching  60  that attach the insulating layer  50  to the outer layer  48 . 
         [0047]    The resulting seam allowance  62  on the interior of the side panels  58  adjacent the uninsulated seam portion  52  is formed to lie adjacent to the seam allowance  66  formed in the bottom panel  56  to maintain integrity of the insulation inside the finger  42  while the uninsulated seam portion  52  flexes to permit relative movement between these two segments of insulated layers. In addition, because the uninsulated portion  52  extends around the tip of the finger in this embodiment, the gap formed by the uninsulated seam portion  52  provides for improved tactile sensation by the finger in this area while eliminating a cold spot because of the interaction of the insulating layers on either side of the uninsulated seam portion  52 . 
         [0048]    It is to be understood that the uninsulated seam portion can be formed without the use of fourchettes. For example,  FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mitten  70  in which a hand enclosure portion  72  is illustrated in cross-section. Here, a dorsal panel  74  is attached to a palmar panel  76  via an uninsulated seam panel  78 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the dorsal panel  74 , palmar panel  76 , and seam panel  78  are attached together with stitching  90 . Ideally, the seam panel  78  is integrally formed from a single piece of outer layer material  80 , such as ripstop nylon. An inner layer  82  is formed of insulating material, such as lofted insulation, wherein there is a gap  84  formed in the insulated material  82  adjacent the uninsulated seam panel  78  on both sides of the mitten  70 . This gap  84  thus creates the uninsulated seam panel  78  that provides the enhanced flexure while maintaining the integrity of the insulation inasmuch as seam allowances  86 ,  88  on the dorsal and palmar panels  74 ,  76 , respectively are configured to maintain contact while permitting relative movement between them to enhance flexure. Stitching  92  holds the insulating layer  82  to the outer layer  80  on the dorsal panel  74 . 
         [0049]    Turning next to  FIG. 5 , shown therein are the disassembled components of a right-hand glove liner  100  formed in accordance with the present disclosure. It is to be understood that these components are not shown in exact detail or in exact proportions, although they illustrate the disassembled glove liner  100  in accordance with the embodiment illustrated and described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a right back liner  102  is illustrated in plan view form adjacent a right front liner  104 . Below them are corresponding right back cuff liner and right front cuff liner  106 ,  108 . 
         [0051]    To the right are a right thumb wall liner  110 , a right sidewall liner  112  for the number four finger (the little finger) that forms a fourchette, a right sidewall liner  114  for the number three (ring) finger that forms a fourchette, and a right sidewall liner  116  for the number two (middle) finger that forms a fourchette. These are followed by a right back thumb liner  118  and right sidewall liner  120  for the number one (index) finger, which forms a fourchette. 
         [0052]    The right thumb wall liner  110  is formed of insulation, preferably lofted insulation, as is the right back thumb liner  118 . The other liners  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  120  form the outer layer, and are preferably constructed from ripstop material, although other material may be used as desired for particular applications. 
         [0053]    Also shown in  FIG. 5  are a right sidewall liner  122  for the number four (little) finger, a right sidewall liner  124  for the number three finger (ring finger), a right sidewall liner  126  for the number two (middle) finger and a right sidewall liner  128  for the number one (index) finger, all of which form fourchettes and are constructed of insulating material. Right front thumb liner  130  is used to form an outer layer, and hence would be constructed of ripstop material. 
         [0054]    The interior lines on each of the foregoing components  102 - 130 , illustrates a recommended seam allowance. The seam allowance is used to form the seam of the present disclosure as described above. 
         [0055]    Turning next to  FIG. 6 , illustrated therein are steps for constructing one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0056]    The following steps of assembly are with reference to the glove removable liner components illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Ideally, a Federal Stitch Type  301  is used to construct the liner, although it is to be understood that other stitch types may be used to accommodate different fabrics and application of use. Initially, the right sidewall liner  122  for the little finger is attached to the right sidewall liner  112  for the little finger. Similarly, the right sidewall liner  124  insulating material for the ring finger is attached to the outer material forming the right sidewall liner  114  for the ring finger; the right sidewall liner  126  insulation for the middle finger is attached to the outer layer material forming the right sidewall liner  116  for the middle finger; and the right sidewall liner  128  insulating material for the index finger is attached to the outer layer material for the right sidewall liner  120  for the index finger. 
         [0057]    Next, the right thumb wall liner  110  insulating material is attached to the outer layer right front thumb liner  130 , and this assembly is then attached by stitching to the outer layer for the right back thumb liner  118 . This entire assembly is then attached to the right front liner  104 . 
         [0058]    Following this, the sidewall units  122 / 112 ,  124 / 114 ,  126 / 116 , and  128 / 120  are attached to the right back liner  102  that is then attached to the right back cuff liner  106 . The right front liner  104  is attached to the right front cuff liner  108 . 
         [0059]    This  122 / 112 ,  124 / 114 ,  126 / 116 ,  128 / 120 , and  102  assembly is then attached to the assembly formed from the components  110 / 130 / 118 , and  104 / 108  to form the completed liner, which is inside out. The liner is then reversed to be right side out for insertion into the outer glove. 
         [0060]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0061]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Technology Category: 1