Flexible surface to protect the palm against stress caused by objects grasped by one hand

Abstract

Flexible surface (1) for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects grasped by a hand, whereby the surface (1) approximates the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) extends beyond the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) has recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for the passage of the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed, wherein the six recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged in the surface (1) such that, in the tightened state, in which the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed are guided into the associated recesses, at least the palm of the hand is covered by the surface in the area spanned between the recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), characterized in that the surface, with respect to the hand for which the surface is designed, extends laterally in the region of the edge of the hand over the contour of the palm, in particular as a lateral bulge (19), preferably convex, arcuate or as a circular segment.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a flexible surface for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects gripped by a hand. In particular, the invention relates to such a surface that, when worn, can be inserted into a glove together with the inserted hand as additional hand protection.

[0002] In industry, packaging and cardboard boxes are often handled without the person wanting or being able to wear gloves permanently. Screws, threaded rods, freshly machined metal edges, and burrs also pose a cut hazard to the palms of the hands when gripping. In particular, people performing a variety of tasks only need temporary protection against these injuries and therefore usually do not wear gloves permanently for reasons of convenience or comfort, e.g., because they are too warm or impair the manual dexterity required for the task.

[0003] When riding a motorcycle, the rider's hands grip the handlebars, including the typical controls such as the throttle, clutch lever, and brake lever. This sometimes results in point-like or linear loads, which act particularly on the inner palms of the rider's hands. This is especially true in motorcycle racing, where a large number of, sometimes jerky, powerful actuations of the throttle, clutch, and brake are required in a very short space of time. Furthermore, powerful steering movements must be performed, meaning that the handlebars also exert strong forces on the hands. Despite the leather protective gloves typically used in motorcycle racing, the stresses described can lead to hand injuries, particularly in the form of blisters and bruises. An improvised improvement exists, for example:in cloths, rags or undergloves, but all of these impair the feel and are too thermally insulating and cause hand sweat to build up.

[0004] DE 20 2012 002 400 U1, US 2018 / 0 140 929 A1, FR 2 812 796 A1, DE 34 27 718 A1, US 2008 / 0 263 746 A1, US 3 178 724 A and US 5 261 299 A each disclose flexible surfaces for protecting the palm of the hand against stress when gripping objects.

[0005] US Design Patent No. US 654 228 S discloses a flexible surface for protecting the palm of the hand against stresses caused by objects grasped by a hand, having the features of the preambles of the independent claims.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved flexible surface for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects grasped by a hand.

[0007] The problem is solved by a flexible surface for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects grasped by the hand, having the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the appended claims.

[0008] A flexible surface for protecting the palm of the hand is proposed, which is essentially held by the aforementioned body parts via the openings for the wrist, fingers, and thumb and stretched under the palm. The other parts of the hand, namely the upper side of the hand and the front phalanges, particularly the middle and end phalanges, remain free. This surface can also be worn wrinkle-free and comfortably in a glove without the aforementioned problems occurring. According to the invention, the "palm" always refers to the inner palm.

[0009] The flexible surface for protecting the palm against stress caused by objects grasped by a hand is approximated to the contour of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed.

[0010] This avoids excess material not needed for protection, and the pad fits into the glove without causing heat or sweat buildup. The pad should extend beyond the contour of the palm of the hand for which it is designed, so that slight slippage of the pad under dynamic loads does not result in parts of the palm—most likely the edges of the hand—being unprotected.

[0011] Because the surface has recesses for the wrist, fingers, and thumb of the hand for which the surface is designed, it is securely fixed under the palm of the hand. Additional fastening devices such as straps, Velcro fasteners, etc. are not required. The six recesses in the surface are arranged in such a way that when tightened, in which the wrist, fingers, and thumb of the hand for which the surface is designed are inserted into the corresponding recesses, the palm of the hand is covered by the surface in the area stretched between the recesses.

[0012] If, preferably when not worn, the surface, relative to the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, extends in the area of ​​the fingers and / or thumb to the first proximal joint and / or extends over the wrist in the area of ​​the wrist, sufficient material of the surface protrudes to prevent creasing. It has proven particularly advantageous and comfortable to wear if, in the area of ​​the fingers, the first proximal joint of the fingers is at least 50% or completely covered by the surface.

[0013] When riding a motorcycle, especially during racing, strong lateral forces act on the hand, which means there is a risk that the surface in the area of ​​the edge of the hand could slip inwards or be compressed. The palm in the area of ​​the edge of the hand, which is already subject to heavy loads, would then not be protected by the surface. With regard to the hand for which the surface is designed, the surface in the area of ​​the edge of the hand therefore preferably extends laterally beyond the contour of the palm, in particular as a lateral bulge. This is preferably convex, curved or shaped as a circular segment. This excess surface then serves as a safety buffer in the event of slipping.

[0014] Preferably, or according to the invention, the recesses for the fingers and / or thumb have an elliptical shape, the main axis of which runs in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fingers to be passed through the recess, wherein the ratio of the length of the main axis to the length of the secondary axis is preferably 1.3:1 to 1.7:1, furthermore preferably approximately 1.5:1. In comparison to circular recesses, which at first glance appear more obvious, this results in a less wrinkled and more comfortable fit when worn.

[0015] Preferably, the surface consists primarily of a flexible material. For the reasons mentioned above, this material is ideally vapor-permeable, waterproof, and / or absorbent. Examples include leather, textile, or neoprene. Laminates made of such materials are also suitable, such as neoprene with a textile coating.

[0016] Fiber-reinforced surfaces or fabrics, such as Kevlar, are preferably used as flexible materials. This allows, for example, heavy packaging to be lifted without injuring oneself on edges.

[0017] Furthermore, the surfaces can preferably be rubberized on one or both sides to allow objects, especially heavy objects, to be gripped securely despite the hand protection being worn. The rubber coating reduces the holding force required when carrying the object.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably or according to the invention, the surface is perforated at least in the area intended to cover the palm of the hand for which the surface is designed. This allows air to flow through the pores of the surface. If the entire surface is perforated, a sheet can be used inexpensively, from which any desired size can be cut.

[0019] The pores allow air to flow between the palm and the surrounding air, especially when using the wind-ventilated gloves commonly used in motorcycle racing. The pores are preferably spaced 5-10 mm apart and / or arranged in a grid pattern.

[0020] Preferably, the surface has an outwardly open, preferably elongated, recess between the recesses for the big finger and the thumb. This decouples the surface areas of the index finger from those of the thumb and prevents mutual traction.

[0021] Preferably, the surface is designed and dimensioned in such a way that, when worn, it can be inserted into a glove together with the inserted hand.

[0022] The specialist can adapt the materials, their shape and thickness as well as the cut accordingly.

[0023] Fig. explains an exemplary embodiment of the surface according to the invention, without limiting the scope of protection to the exemplary embodiment: The flexible surface 1 has a contour that roughly approximates the contour 3 of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed. Contour 3 is drawn as an area merely for clarity and is not a real, visible feature of the surface. However, it extends beyond the contour 3 of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, so that recesses 10 for the wrist to pass through, recesses 11, 12, 13, 14 for the fingers to pass through, and a recess 15 for the thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed are provided in this extended area.

[0024] Overall, these six recesses 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 are arranged in the surface 1 in such a way that in the tightened state, in which the wrist, the fingers and the thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed are guided into the associated recesses 10, 11, 2, 13, 14, 15, at least the palm of the hand in the area spanned between the recesses 10, 11, 2, 13, 14, 15 is covered by the surface.

[0025] To tighten surface 1, first slide the entire hand from bottom to top through the large recess 10 for the wrist. The large recess 10 then encloses the wrist. Now, from top to bottom, slide the fingers and thumb through the corresponding recesses 11, 2, 13, 14, and 15. After stretching the hand, surface 1 is then stretched out in the area of ​​the contour 3 shown below the palm. In this state, the hand can then be inserted into a glove.

[0026] Even if in Fig.Although no hand is shown, it is clear that when the glove is not worn, the surface, in relation to the palm of a hand for which the glove is designed, extends in the area of ​​the fingers and / or thumb up to the first proximal joints and extends over the wrist in the area of ​​the wrist. The surface thus extends from the center of the surface outward over the recesses, allowing for greater comfort when worn in gloves thanks to the overhangs.

[0027] In the area of ​​the edge of the hand, surface 1 extends laterally over the contour of the palm as a lateral convex bulge 19.

[0028] The recesses for the fingers and thumb have an elliptical shape, the major axis 21 of which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fingers to be passed through the recess; here the ratio of the length of the major axis 21 to the length of the minor axis 22 is 1.5 : 1.

[0029] The surface 1 is perforated over its entire surface by pores 18 so that air can flow from the palm of the hand through the pores of the surface.

[0030] Finally, an outwardly open elongated recess 17 is provided in the surface 1 between the recess 11 for the big finger and the recess 15 for the thumb.

Claims

[1] Flexible surface (1) for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects grasped by a hand, whereby the surface (1) approximates the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) extends beyond the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) has recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for the passage of the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed, wherein the six recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged in the surface (1) such that, in the tightened state, in which the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed are guided into the associated recesses, at least the palm of the hand is covered by the surface in the area spanned between the recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), characterized by , that the surface, with respect to the hand for which the surface is designed, extends laterally in the region of the edge of the hand over the contour of the palm, in particular as a lateral bulge (19), preferably convex, arcuate or as a circular segment. [2] Flexible surface (1) for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects grasped by a hand, whereby the surface (1) approximates the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) extends beyond the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) has recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for the passage of the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed, wherein the six recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged in the surface (1) such that, in the tightened state, in which the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed are guided into the associated recesses, at least the palm of the hand is covered by the surface in the area spanned between the recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), characterized by , that the recesses for the fingers and / or the thumb have an elliptical shape, the main axis (21) of which runs in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fingers to be passed through the recess, wherein the ratio of the length of the main axis to the length of the secondary axis (22) is preferably 1.3:1 to 1.7:1, further preferably 1.5:

1. [3] Flexible surface (1) for protecting the palm of the hand against stress caused by objects grasped by a hand, whereby the surface (1) approximates the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) extends beyond the contour (3) of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, the surface (1) has recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for the passage of the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed, wherein the six recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) are arranged in the surface (1) such that, in the tightened state, in which the wrist, fingers and thumb of a hand for which the surface is designed are guided into the associated recesses, at least the palm of the hand is covered by the surface in the area spanned between the recesses (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), characterized by , that the surface is perforated by pores (18) at least in the area intended to cover the palm of the hand for which the surface is designed, such that air can flow through pores of the surface, wherein the pores are preferably arranged at a distance of 5-10 mm and / or in a grid-like manner. [4] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the surface (1) is larger than the contour of the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed. [5] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that, when not worn, the surface, in relation to the palm of a hand for which the surface is designed, extends in the area of ​​the fingers and / or thumb up to the first proximal joints and / or extends over the wrist in the area of ​​the wrist. [6] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized bythat the surface, with respect to the hand for which the surface is designed, extends laterally in the region of the edge of the hand over the contour of the palm, in particular as a lateral bulge (19), preferably convex, arcuate or as a circular segment. [7] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims 1 and 3 to 6, characterized by that the recesses for the fingers and / or the thumb have an elliptical shape, the main axis (21) of which runs in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fingers to be passed through the recess, wherein the ratio of the length of the main axis to the length of the secondary axis (22) is preferably 1.3:1 to 1.7:1, further preferably 1.5:

1. [8] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the surface consists essentially of a flexible material, preferably a vapor-permeable, waterproof and / or absorbent material, in particular leather, textile, neoprene and / or laminates of such materials or a fiber-reinforced surface or fabric, e.g. Kevlar. [9] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the surface is rubberized on one or both sides. [10] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims 1, 2 and 4 to 9, characterized by that the surface is perforated by pores (18) at least in the area intended to cover the palm of the hand for which the surface is designed, such that air can flow through pores of the surface, wherein the pores are preferably arranged at a distance of 5-10 mm and / or in a grid-like manner. [11] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the surface has an outwardly open recess (17) between the recesses (11,15) for the big finger and the thumb. [12] Flexible surface according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the surface is designed and dimensioned in such a way that, when worn, it can be inserted into a glove together with the inserted hand.

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