Protective knit gloves

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective knit glove and methods of manufacturing thereof. The protective knit glove includes a knit glove shell having inner and outer surfaces; and a plurality of discrete rigid plates separated from each other by gaps of approximately 5 to 40 mils and directly adhered to the inner and / or outer surfaces. One or more rubbery layers may be directly adhered to one or more of the rigid plates. Preferably, the knit glove shell may be constructed from polyamide, cotton and polyurethane, polyaramid, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, or glass fiber. Preferably, the discrete rigid plates may be made from epoxy and the rubbery layer may be made from nitrile rubber, polyurethane rubber, PVC rubber, or natural rubber. The protective knit glove provides a higher level of cut protection, added puncture protection and enhanced abrasion resistance compared to a glove without the discrete rigid plates.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to pending Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 991,376, filed on Nov. 30, 2007, by Steven R. VanErmen, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Protective gloves are commonly used by workers in many industries to prevent / minimize hand injuries. One popular type of protective gloves is a knit glove made with yarns of high performance fiber such as polyaramid (Kevlar®), Para-Aramid (Twaron) or Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight-Polyethylene (UHMWPE, Spectra® or Dyneema®). These fibers are often combined with Nylon, Fiberglass or other commonly available fibers. These gloves provide cut protection because of the high tensile modulus and strength of the specialty fiber, while also maintaining the benefit of being form-fitting and comfortable, which is characteristic of a knitted construction. Glass or steel fibers are sometimes used in c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention provides a protective knit glove with closely spaced apart rigid plates that impart exceptional physical / mechanical properties.

[0005]Optionally, a rubber or other elastomeric material may be applied to the rigid plates and / or to other areas of the knit glove shell to provide a protective glove with additional properties such as enhanced abrasion resistance, a fluid barrier, and / or an improved gripping property.

Problems solved by technology

Such gloves have inherent limitations.

The specialty fibers are fairly rigid, therefore there is a limit on how much fiber can fit into the cross section of the yarn before the knit glove becomes too stiff, bulky, and uncomfortable.

Such gloves also provide little protection against puncture.

Specialty fibers are usually expensive, which increases the cost of gloves.

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