Partially removable glove

Abstract

A protective glove extends upward from the wrist at least partway toward the elbow but is partially removable from the thumb and four fingers by a seam extending across the back of the hand. The seam is preferably secured with a watertight closure such as a loop and hook fabric fastening strip, a zipper and the like. The glove preferably includes an insulating fabric liner, such as wool or polypropylene fabric, for use in skiing or snow sports. Alternatively, the entire glove may be formed of a non-porous foamed elastic fabric, such as neoprene, for water sports.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to the provisional application for a “Partially Removable Glove”, having Ser. No. 60 / 660,797 and attorney docket # 162.01, filed on Mar. 11, 2005, which is incorporated herein by referenceBACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to gloves, and more particularly to insulating gloves used in skiing and other sports. [0003] Gloves intended for skiing and other sports wherein the wearer is exposed to low temperature require multiple or thick layers of insulation, as well as durable waterproof materials and fabrics. Such gloves frequently extend beyond the wrist and cover at least a portion of the forearm below the elbow, thus precluding snow, ice or water from entering under the sleeve of the wearer's jacket. [0004] While such a glove can be very comfortable, the combination of materials and layers provided to achieve such comfort and durability inherently limits the dexterity of t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] A second aspect of the invention is characterized in that the finger protective portion is connected to the tubular sleeve portion in the palm oriented side from just below the little finger diagonally across the palm to below the first thumb joint adjacent to the wrist. This configuration provides the maximum dexterity without removal of the entire glove. Further, the resulting seam for partial removal does not interfere with the wearer's grip or cause discomfort. The opening seam on the opposite or backside of the hand is readily rendered substantially watertight such that the wearer's hands are protected, warm and dry by enclosing the fingers and thumb in a flexible material or fabric. In addition, the partial removal and replacement is rapid and can be performed with the gloved hand.

Problems solved by technology

While such a glove can be very comfortable, the combination of materials and layers provided to achieve such comfort and durability inherently limits the dexterity of the gloves hands.

Afterwards considerable time and manipulation is required with say the other gloved hand to replace the removed glove.

This configuration, while exposing the thumb and index finger requires considerable dexterity to open and close, which can be difficult when the other hand is gloved.

Further, as the opening extends around both side of the hand, it can interfere with the wearer's grip and dexterity when the glove is on and removable portion is closed.

The mitten portion flap folds over the back of the hand when the four fingers are exposed, resulting in a seam across the palm.

If the seam does not have overlapping fabric from both sides, it is subject to leakage or water, ice and snow, as well as simply drafts.

If the palm seam deploys a physical closure or layers of overlapping fabric from both side this extra bulk will interfere with the wearer's grip when the fingers are not exposed.

Further, as this glove deploys two separate finger protective flaps, it requires more effort and dexterity to remove and replace with the other hand gloved.

Further, as this glove also deploys two separate finger protective flaps, it requires more effort and dexterity to remove and replace with the other hand gloved.

The palm seam can interfere with the wearer's grip when the fingers are not exposed.

Further, it is anticipated that the separate thumb flap will interfere with the gloves flexibility when the hand is full enclosed and protected.

A still further objective is to provide a glove wherein the removable portion cannot be readily detached from the glove and thus subject to loss or damage.

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