Hand Protection Device

Abstract

A hand protection device for use by workers in the food processing industry is described herein. The hand protection device may comprise a protective component configured to cover a portion of a surface of a hand of a wearer extending between an index finger and an adjacent thumb of the wearer. The protective component may be affixed to a glove such that the protective component and the glove together are configured to cover the outer surface of the hand of the wearer. The protective component may be integrated into the glove or may be configured to be removably attached to the outer surface of the glove. The protective component may be configured to provide protection against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit in at least the portion of the surface of the hand of the wearer covered by the protective component.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 743,117, filed Jan. 8, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a hand protection device and, more particularly, to a protective wearable device for use in food processing industries.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Meats, including poultry, beef, and other proteins (e.g., without being limiting, chicken, duck, goose, pheasant, turkey, etc.), can be cooked in a variety of manners, including, but not limited to, roasting, broiling, boiling, steaming, poaching, grilling, frying, braising, and spit-roasting (also referred to as rotisserie). Spit-roasting typically involves affixing meat to spits that rotate adjacent to a heat source in cooking areas that can approach or exceed 260° C.

[0004] Many commercial proprietors (e.g., grocery stores, delicatessens, restaurants, etc.) cook meat using spit-roasting. Such cooking exposes workers who handle the meat to both high temperatures, as well as dangerously sharp spits when loading meat onto the spit, moving meat on the spit, or removing meat from the spit. High temperature exposure can come from the oven itself, cooked meat, or liquids originating from a cooked meat. Typically, a worker will remove meat from a spit by holding one end of the spit in a first hand, grasping the shaft of the spit in a second hand, and then pulling the spit through the second hand akin to drawing a sword from a sheath, which causes the meat to ultimately slide off the other end of the spit. Due to the environmental conditions (e.g., hot and wet) and the sharp nature of the spit, workers need adequate hand protection to prevent injury. Due to the high cost of protective equipment (e.g., protective gloves), there is a need for a protective device that can be affixed, in some aspects, to the exterior of a glove that will, among other things, extend the useful life of the glove.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Aspects of this disclosure relate to a hand protection device for use by workers in food processing industry. The hand protection device may comprise a protective component configured to cover a portion of a surface of a hand of a wearer extending between an index finger and an adjacent thumb of the wearer. The protective component extends from one of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the index finger to one of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the thumb. The protective component may be affixed to a glove such that the protective component and the glove together are configured to cover the outer surface of the hand of the wearer. In various embodiments, the protective component may be integrated into (and thus form an integral component of) the glove to which it is affixed. In such embodiments, the glove may itself be configured to cover at least a remainder of the hand of the wearer not covered by the protective component. In various embodiments, the protective component may be molded into the glove. In other embodiments, the protective component may be configured to be removably attached to an outer surface of the glove. In such embodiments, the glove itself may be configured to cover the entirety of the hand of the wearer (with or without the protective component attached). In various embodiments, the protective component forms a thickened portion of a combined hand protection device when affixed to the glove. In some embodiments, the protective component is formed of a silicone-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the protective component may be configured to extend along at least a portion of a ventral surface of the hand. For example, the protective component may be configured to extend to cover the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand. In some embodiments, the protective component may be configured to wrap around an edge of the hand between the ventral surface of the hand and a dorsal surface of the hand. The protective component may be configured to provide protection against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit in at least the portion of the surface of the hand of the wearer covered by the protective component.

[0006] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systems and / or methods disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination thereof, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawing, all of which form a part of this specification. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 depict different views of the same example hand protection device placed atop a polygonal model of a hand in neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein; and

[0009] FIGS. 4A-B depict different views of example gloves which may be used with or instead of the hand protection device described herein, according to one or aspects described herein.

[0010] These drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. For clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,”“bottom,”“front,”“back,”“side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.

[0012] The invention described herein relates to a hand protection device that may be an integral part of or removably attached to a glove. In various embodiments, the hand protection device (depicted and described herein as protective wearable device 100) may comprise or form an exterior portion of a glove positioned in a high-wear area of the glove, particularly when worn by a worker tasked with removing meat from a spit. In various embodiments, the hand protection device may be configured to cover a surface of a hand from the distal phalanx of an index finger through the carpometacarpal joint to the distal phalanx of the thumb. However, it will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the hand protection device may be configured to cover a surface of a hand from any of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the index finger through the carpometacarpal joint to any of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the thumb. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may cover at least a portion of the dorsal surface of the hand on the medial and lateral sides via a covering that overlays the ventral surface of the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals of the hand. It will be appreciated that any hand protection device provided herein can be produced for a left hand or for a right hand.

[0013] In various embodiments, the hand protection device may be configured to be removably attached over or integrated into a glove covering the remainder of the hand (and, in some embodiments, portions of the wearer's wrist). In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be configured to worn alone by a user (i.e., directly on the hand of the user). In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the hand protection device is configured to provide additional protection to a wearer in the area of the hand extending from a portion of the index finger through the carpometacarpal joint to a portion of the thumb. In embodiments in which the hand protection device is configured to be removably attached over or integrated into a glove (i.e., forms a portion of a glove when worn by a user), hand protection device may comprise a thickened portion (as compared to the rest of the glove) providing additional protection to the hand of the wearer. Thus, in such embodiments, the hand protection device may comprise a portion of a glove worn by a user.

[0014] FIG. 1 depicts the exterior lateral side of the device as seen when positioned on a hand in a neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, the protective wearable device 100 covers the index finger from the distal phalanx 105 through the carpometacarpal joint 110 and to the distal phalanx of the thumb 120. In some embodiments, protective wearable device 100 also comprises a flap 130 that wraps onto the dorsal side of the index finger (second) metacarpal, but does not wrap around the entire dorsal surface of the hand 50. In some embodiments (e.g., when protective wearable device 100 is worn alone or removably attached over a glove), flap 130 may be included within or encompass a retaining portion 190 including first and second retaining portions 192, 194. In various embodiments, the flap 130 may be made of elastomeric material that ensures the protective wearable device 100 fits together to the hand with no gaps.

[0015] FIG. 2 depicts the interior lateral side of the device as seen when positioned on a hand in a neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, protective wearable device 100 may be configured to cover the index finger 125 from the distal phalanx 105 through the carpometacarpal joint 110 and to the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, and the majority of this portion of the device comprises a thickened portion 150 as compared to the rest of the device and / or a glove of which protective wearable device 100 is a part thereof. In some embodiments, the device may also contain a base extension portion 160 that overlays the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand and wraps onto the dorsal surface of the hand covering the pinkie finger (fifth) metacarpal 140. Near the bottom of FIG. 2, device 100 can be seen wrapping onto the dorsal surface of the hand covering the pinkie finger (fifth) metacarpal 140.

[0016] In some embodiments, base extension portion 160 (or palm extension portion) may be configured to extend from a first end 162 to a second end 164 along the ventral surface of the hand, a grasping portion 180 extending from the thumb 120 to an index finger 125 generally perpendicular to the base extension portion 160 at the first end 162, and a retaining portion 190 (as depicted in FIG. 1) including first and second retaining portions 192, 194 connected to the base extension portion 160 at the first and second ends 160, 162.

[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a top-down view of the device as seen when positioned on a hand in a neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, protective wearable device 100 covers the index finger 125 from the distal phalanx 105 through the carpometacarpal joint 110 and to the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, and the majority of this portion of the device may comprise a thickened portion 150 as compared to the rest of the device. This view also depicts the device wrapping onto the dorsal surface of the hand over the index finger (second) metacarpal (as shown with respect to flap 130) and across the ventral surface of the metacarpals (as shown with respect to base extension portion 160).

[0018] In some embodiments, the hand protection device described and depicted herein is produced as a single structure. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is produced as a modular structure where multiple components are pieced together to produce the hand protection device.

[0019] In some embodiments, the hand protection device is attached to a glove. For example, FIG. 4A depicts a front view of example gloves which may be used with or instead of the hand protection device described herein, and FIG. 4B depicts a back view of the same example gloves depicted in FIG. 4A, according to one or aspects described herein. As depicted in FIGS. 4A-B, example glove 170 may comprise a glove to which the hand protection device described herein may be attached, and example glove 200 may comprise a glove that may be used instead of a glove including the hand protection device described herein. In some embodiments, glove 200 may comprise a lower-cost version of a glove including the hand protection device described herein. In various embodiments, glove 200 may include a portion 210 comprising a different material than all or a majority of the remainder of glove 200. For example, portion 210 may comprise a neoprene-lined portion or a portion lined with other similar material providing protection to the hand (e.g., against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit). In some such embodiments, all of a majority of the remainder of glove 200 may be lined with terry cloth and / or other materials. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the example gloves depicted in FIGS. 4A-B and / or other gloves not pictured or described herein may be used with the hand protection device described herein.

[0020] In various embodiments, protective wearable device 100 may be integrated into a glove. In other embodiments, protective wearable device 100 may be configured to be removably attached to a glove or a user's hand. In embodiments in which protective wearable device 100 is configured to be removable attached, protective wearable device 100 may include a retaining portion 190 including first and second retaining portions 192, 194. In some such embodiments, first retaining portion 192 may be configured to removably engage a top side of the hand. In various embodiments, retaining portion 190 may be made of an elastic material configured to provide counterpressure to the hand by attempting to contract, thereby compressing the hand on all circumferential sides.

[0021] In some embodiments in which protective wearable device 100 is configured to be removably attached over or integrated into a glove, the glove may form a base layer disposed on an exterior surface of a user's hand, and protective wearable device 100 may comprise an outer layer disposed on a portion of the outer surface of the glove and forming a thickened portion of the combined wearable device. In such embodiments, the glove may be configured to withstand thermal deformation and ignition and provide a first level of protection for the wearer, while protective wearable device 100 disposed on or integrated into the glove may protect a high-wear area of the glove and a particularly vulnerable area of the hand (e.g., when a worker is removing meat from a spit), thereby providing a second level of protection for the wearer.

[0022] In some embodiments, the glove (i.e., to which the hand protection device described herein may be attached to or that is used instead of a glove including the hand protection device described herein) comprises a right-handed glove. In other embodiments, the glove is a left-handed glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device described herein may specifically configured for use with only one a right-handed glove or for use with only a left-handed glove. In other embodiments, the hand protection device described herein may be configured for use with either (or both) a right-handed glove or a left-handed glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is attached to a glove with an adhesive or is molded into the shell of the glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be welded into a glove to form a single wearable article for use by a wearer. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is attached to a glove with a hook-and-loop fastener. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is sewn onto a glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device fits in place over a glove without the use of any other attachment medium.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the hand protection device may comprise multiple materials in its construction. In some embodiments, the hand protection device comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, Kevlar, aluminum, fiberglass, and silicone. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may comprise a silicone-impregnated fabric.

[0024] In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 450° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 400° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 350° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 300° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 250° C.

[0025] In various embodiments, the hand protection device provides protection against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit. In some embodiments, the hand protection device provides protection against burns from meat. In some embodiments, the hand protection device provides protection against burns from a liquid.

[0026] It will be appreciated that the hand protection device described and depicted herein can be produced in a variety of sizes to protect a variety of hand sizes. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be sized to fit a hand having a circumference of between 12 centimeters (cm) and 35 cm, between 12 cm and 30 cm, between 12 cm and 28 cm, between 12 cm and 26 cm, between 12 cm and 24 cm, between 12 cm and 22 cm, between 12 cm and 20 cm, between 12 cm and 18 cm, between 12 cm and 16 cm, between 12 cm and 14 cm, between 14 cm and 35 cm, between 14 cm and 31 cm, between 14 cm and 29 cm, between 14 cm and 27 cm, between 14 cm and 25 cm, between 14 cm and 23 cm, between 14 cm and 21 cm, between 14 cm and 19 cm, between 14 cm and 17 cm, between 14 cm and 16 cm, between 16 cm and 18 cm, between 18 cm and 20 cm, between 20 cm and 22 cm, between 22 cm and 24 cm, between 24 cm and 26 cm, between 26 cm and 28 cm, or between 26 cm and 30 cm. As used herein, a circumference of a hand is measured as the circumference at the widest point of the hand from the carpometacarpal joint to the lateral side of the hand.

[0027] In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be sized to fit a hand having a length of between 14 cm and 25 cm, between 14 cm and 23 cm, between 14 cm and 21 cm, between 14 cm and 19 cm, between 14 cm and 17 cm, between 14 cm and 15 cm, between 15 cm and 24 cm, between 15 cm and 22 cm, between 15 cm and 20 cm, between 15 cm and 18 cm, between 15 cm and 16 cm, between 18 cm and 20 cm, between 20 cm and 23 cm, or between 18 cm and 23 cm. As used herein, a length of a hand is measured as the distance between the distal tip of the middle finger and junction of the carpal bones, radius, and ulna (e.g., the base of the wrist below the base of the thumb).

[0028] In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be sized to fit a hand where the distance between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120 is between 10 cm and 25 cm, between 12 cm and 25 cm, between 14 cm and 25 cm, between 16 cm and 25 cm, between 18 cm and 25 cm, between 20 cm and 25 cm, between 22 cm and 25 cm, between 11 cm and 25 cm, between 11 cm and 23 cm, between 11 cm and 21 cm, between 11 cm and 19 cm, between 11 cm and 17 cm, between 11 cm and 15 cm, between 11 cm and 13 cm, between 15 cm and 19 cm, between 16 cm and 24 cm, or between 17 cm and 19 cm.

[0029] In some embodiments, the hand protection device comprises a thickened region 150 between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, wherein the thickened region is at least 5%, a least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25% at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60% at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, or at least 300% thicker as compared to the average thickness of the rest of the device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the hand protection device comprises a thickened region 150 between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, wherein the thickened region 150 extends for at least 99%, at least 98%, at last 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 65%, at least 60%, at least 55%, or at least 50% of the distance between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120.

[0031] In some embodiments, the thickened region 150 of the hand protection device does not extend onto a flap 130 that wraps onto the dorsal side of the index finger (second) metacarpal. In some embodiments, the thickened region 150 of the hand protection device does not extend onto base extension portion 160 that overlays the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand.

[0032] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and / or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

[0033] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by this description.

[0034] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “various embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “one series of embodiments”, or the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like, various features are described, which may be variously combined and included in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may be preferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

[0035] The language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011]In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,”“bottom,”“front,”“back,”“side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invent...

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 743,117, filed Jan. 8, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a hand protection device and, more particularly, to a protective wearable device for use in food processing industries.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Meats, including poultry, beef, and other proteins (e.g., without being limiting, chicken, duck, goose, pheasant, turkey, etc.), can be cooked in a variety of manners, including, but not limited to, roasting, broiling, boiling, steaming, poaching, grilling, frying, braising, and spit-roasting (also referred to as rotisserie). Spit-roasting typically involves affixing meat to spits that rotate adjacent to a heat source in cooking areas that can approach or exceed 260° C.

[0004] Many commercial proprietors (e.g., grocery stores, delicatessens, restaurants, etc.) cook meat using spit-roasting. Such cooking exposes workers who handle the meat to both high temperatures, as well as dangerously sharp spits when loading meat onto the spit, moving meat on the spit, or removing meat from the spit. High temperature exposure can come from the oven itself, cooked meat, or liquids originating from a cooked meat. Typically, a worker will remove meat from a spit by holding one end of the spit in a first hand, grasping the shaft of the spit in a second hand, and then pulling the spit through the second hand akin to drawing a sword from a sheath, which causes the meat to ultimately slide off the other end of the spit. Due to the environmental conditions (e.g., hot and wet) and the sharp nature of the spit, workers need adequate hand protection to prevent injury. Due to the high cost of protective equipment (e.g., protective gloves), there is a need for a protective device that can be affixed, in some aspects, to the exterior of a glove that will, among other things, extend the useful life of the glove.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Aspects of this disclosure relate to a hand protection device for use by workers in food processing industry. The hand protection device may comprise a protective component configured to cover a portion of a surface of a hand of a wearer extending between an index finger and an adjacent thumb of the wearer. The protective component extends from one of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the index finger to one of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the thumb. The protective component may be affixed to a glove such that the protective component and the glove together are configured to cover the outer surface of the hand of the wearer. In various embodiments, the protective component may be integrated into (and thus form an integral component of) the glove to which it is affixed. In such embodiments, the glove may itself be configured to cover at least a remainder of the hand of the wearer not covered by the protective component. In various embodiments, the protective component may be molded into the glove. In other embodiments, the protective component may be configured to be removably attached to an outer surface of the glove. In such embodiments, the glove itself may be configured to cover the entirety of the hand of the wearer (with or without the protective component attached). In various embodiments, the protective component forms a thickened portion of a combined hand protection device when affixed to the glove. In some embodiments, the protective component is formed of a silicone-impregnated fabric. In some embodiments, the protective component may be configured to extend along at least a portion of a ventral surface of the hand. For example, the protective component may be configured to extend to cover the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand. In some embodiments, the protective component may be configured to wrap around an edge of the hand between the ventral surface of the hand and a dorsal surface of the hand. The protective component may be configured to provide protection against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit in at least the portion of the surface of the hand of the wearer covered by the protective component.

[0006] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the systems and / or methods disclosed herein, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination thereof, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawing, all of which form a part of this specification. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0008] FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 depict different views of the same example hand protection device placed atop a polygonal model of a hand in neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein; and

[0009] FIGS. 4A-B depict different views of example gloves which may be used with or instead of the hand protection device described herein, according to one or aspects described herein.

[0010] These drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. For clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,”“bottom,”“front,”“back,”“side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.

[0012] The invention described herein relates to a hand protection device that may be an integral part of or removably attached to a glove. In various embodiments, the hand protection device (depicted and described herein as protective wearable device 100) may comprise or form an exterior portion of a glove positioned in a high-wear area of the glove, particularly when worn by a worker tasked with removing meat from a spit. In various embodiments, the hand protection device may be configured to cover a surface of a hand from the distal phalanx of an index finger through the carpometacarpal joint to the distal phalanx of the thumb. However, it will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the hand protection device may be configured to cover a surface of a hand from any of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the index finger through the carpometacarpal joint to any of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the thumb. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may cover at least a portion of the dorsal surface of the hand on the medial and lateral sides via a covering that overlays the ventral surface of the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals of the hand. It will be appreciated that any hand protection device provided herein can be produced for a left hand or for a right hand.

[0013] In various embodiments, the hand protection device may be configured to be removably attached over or integrated into a glove covering the remainder of the hand (and, in some embodiments, portions of the wearer's wrist). In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be configured to worn alone by a user (i.e., directly on the hand of the user). In any of the aforementioned embodiments, the hand protection device is configured to provide additional protection to a wearer in the area of the hand extending from a portion of the index finger through the carpometacarpal joint to a portion of the thumb. In embodiments in which the hand protection device is configured to be removably attached over or integrated into a glove (i.e., forms a portion of a glove when worn by a user), hand protection device may comprise a thickened portion (as compared to the rest of the glove) providing additional protection to the hand of the wearer. Thus, in such embodiments, the hand protection device may comprise a portion of a glove worn by a user.

[0014] FIG. 1 depicts the exterior lateral side of the device as seen when positioned on a hand in a neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, the protective wearable device 100 covers the index finger from the distal phalanx 105 through the carpometacarpal joint 110 and to the distal phalanx of the thumb 120. In some embodiments, protective wearable device 100 also comprises a flap 130 that wraps onto the dorsal side of the index finger (second) metacarpal, but does not wrap around the entire dorsal surface of the hand 50. In some embodiments (e.g., when protective wearable device 100 is worn alone or removably attached over a glove), flap 130 may be included within or encompass a retaining portion 190 including first and second retaining portions 192, 194. In various embodiments, the flap 130 may be made of elastomeric material that ensures the protective wearable device 100 fits together to the hand with no gaps.

[0015] FIG. 2 depicts the interior lateral side of the device as seen when positioned on a hand in a neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, protective wearable device 100 may be configured to cover the index finger 125 from the distal phalanx 105 through the carpometacarpal joint 110 and to the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, and the majority of this portion of the device comprises a thickened portion 150 as compared to the rest of the device and / or a glove of which protective wearable device 100 is a part thereof. In some embodiments, the device may also contain a base extension portion 160 that overlays the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand and wraps onto the dorsal surface of the hand covering the pinkie finger (fifth) metacarpal 140. Near the bottom of FIG. 2, device 100 can be seen wrapping onto the dorsal surface of the hand covering the pinkie finger (fifth) metacarpal 140.

[0016] In some embodiments, base extension portion 160 (or palm extension portion) may be configured to extend from a first end 162 to a second end 164 along the ventral surface of the hand, a grasping portion 180 extending from the thumb 120 to an index finger 125 generally perpendicular to the base extension portion 160 at the first end 162, and a retaining portion 190 (as depicted in FIG. 1) including first and second retaining portions 192, 194 connected to the base extension portion 160 at the first and second ends 160, 162.

[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a top-down view of the device as seen when positioned on a hand in a neutral position, according to one or more aspects described herein. As depicted, protective wearable device 100 covers the index finger 125 from the distal phalanx 105 through the carpometacarpal joint 110 and to the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, and the majority of this portion of the device may comprise a thickened portion 150 as compared to the rest of the device. This view also depicts the device wrapping onto the dorsal surface of the hand over the index finger (second) metacarpal (as shown with respect to flap 130) and across the ventral surface of the metacarpals (as shown with respect to base extension portion 160).

[0018] In some embodiments, the hand protection device described and depicted herein is produced as a single structure. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is produced as a modular structure where multiple components are pieced together to produce the hand protection device.

[0019] In some embodiments, the hand protection device is attached to a glove. For example, FIG. 4A depicts a front view of example gloves which may be used with or instead of the hand protection device described herein, and FIG. 4B depicts a back view of the same example gloves depicted in FIG. 4A, according to one or aspects described herein. As depicted in FIGS. 4A-B, example glove 170 may comprise a glove to which the hand protection device described herein may be attached, and example glove 200 may comprise a glove that may be used instead of a glove including the hand protection device described herein. In some embodiments, glove 200 may comprise a lower-cost version of a glove including the hand protection device described herein. In various embodiments, glove 200 may include a portion 210 comprising a different material than all or a majority of the remainder of glove 200. For example, portion 210 may comprise a neoprene-lined portion or a portion lined with other similar material providing protection to the hand (e.g., against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit). In some such embodiments, all of a majority of the remainder of glove 200 may be lined with terry cloth and / or other materials. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the example gloves depicted in FIGS. 4A-B and / or other gloves not pictured or described herein may be used with the hand protection device described herein.

[0020] In various embodiments, protective wearable device 100 may be integrated into a glove. In other embodiments, protective wearable device 100 may be configured to be removably attached to a glove or a user's hand. In embodiments in which protective wearable device 100 is configured to be removable attached, protective wearable device 100 may include a retaining portion 190 including first and second retaining portions 192, 194. In some such embodiments, first retaining portion 192 may be configured to removably engage a top side of the hand. In various embodiments, retaining portion 190 may be made of an elastic material configured to provide counterpressure to the hand by attempting to contract, thereby compressing the hand on all circumferential sides.

[0021] In some embodiments in which protective wearable device 100 is configured to be removably attached over or integrated into a glove, the glove may form a base layer disposed on an exterior surface of a user's hand, and protective wearable device 100 may comprise an outer layer disposed on a portion of the outer surface of the glove and forming a thickened portion of the combined wearable device. In such embodiments, the glove may be configured to withstand thermal deformation and ignition and provide a first level of protection for the wearer, while protective wearable device 100 disposed on or integrated into the glove may protect a high-wear area of the glove and a particularly vulnerable area of the hand (e.g., when a worker is removing meat from a spit), thereby providing a second level of protection for the wearer.

[0022] In some embodiments, the glove (i.e., to which the hand protection device described herein may be attached to or that is used instead of a glove including the hand protection device described herein) comprises a right-handed glove. In other embodiments, the glove is a left-handed glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device described herein may specifically configured for use with only one a right-handed glove or for use with only a left-handed glove. In other embodiments, the hand protection device described herein may be configured for use with either (or both) a right-handed glove or a left-handed glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is attached to a glove with an adhesive or is molded into the shell of the glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be welded into a glove to form a single wearable article for use by a wearer. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is attached to a glove with a hook-and-loop fastener. In some embodiments, the hand protection device is sewn onto a glove. In some embodiments, the hand protection device fits in place over a glove without the use of any other attachment medium.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the hand protection device may comprise multiple materials in its construction. In some embodiments, the hand protection device comprises a material selected from the group consisting of leather, Kevlar, aluminum, fiberglass, and silicone. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may comprise a silicone-impregnated fabric.

[0024] In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 450° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 400° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 350° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 300° C. In some embodiments, the hand protection device withstands thermal deformation and ignition at temperatures of up to 250° C.

[0025] In various embodiments, the hand protection device provides protection against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit. In some embodiments, the hand protection device provides protection against burns from meat. In some embodiments, the hand protection device provides protection against burns from a liquid.

[0026] It will be appreciated that the hand protection device described and depicted herein can be produced in a variety of sizes to protect a variety of hand sizes. In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be sized to fit a hand having a circumference of between 12 centimeters (cm) and 35 cm, between 12 cm and 30 cm, between 12 cm and 28 cm, between 12 cm and 26 cm, between 12 cm and 24 cm, between 12 cm and 22 cm, between 12 cm and 20 cm, between 12 cm and 18 cm, between 12 cm and 16 cm, between 12 cm and 14 cm, between 14 cm and 35 cm, between 14 cm and 31 cm, between 14 cm and 29 cm, between 14 cm and 27 cm, between 14 cm and 25 cm, between 14 cm and 23 cm, between 14 cm and 21 cm, between 14 cm and 19 cm, between 14 cm and 17 cm, between 14 cm and 16 cm, between 16 cm and 18 cm, between 18 cm and 20 cm, between 20 cm and 22 cm, between 22 cm and 24 cm, between 24 cm and 26 cm, between 26 cm and 28 cm, or between 26 cm and 30 cm. As used herein, a circumference of a hand is measured as the circumference at the widest point of the hand from the carpometacarpal joint to the lateral side of the hand.

[0027] In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be sized to fit a hand having a length of between 14 cm and 25 cm, between 14 cm and 23 cm, between 14 cm and 21 cm, between 14 cm and 19 cm, between 14 cm and 17 cm, between 14 cm and 15 cm, between 15 cm and 24 cm, between 15 cm and 22 cm, between 15 cm and 20 cm, between 15 cm and 18 cm, between 15 cm and 16 cm, between 18 cm and 20 cm, between 20 cm and 23 cm, or between 18 cm and 23 cm. As used herein, a length of a hand is measured as the distance between the distal tip of the middle finger and junction of the carpal bones, radius, and ulna (e.g., the base of the wrist below the base of the thumb).

[0028] In some embodiments, the hand protection device may be sized to fit a hand where the distance between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120 is between 10 cm and 25 cm, between 12 cm and 25 cm, between 14 cm and 25 cm, between 16 cm and 25 cm, between 18 cm and 25 cm, between 20 cm and 25 cm, between 22 cm and 25 cm, between 11 cm and 25 cm, between 11 cm and 23 cm, between 11 cm and 21 cm, between 11 cm and 19 cm, between 11 cm and 17 cm, between 11 cm and 15 cm, between 11 cm and 13 cm, between 15 cm and 19 cm, between 16 cm and 24 cm, or between 17 cm and 19 cm.

[0029] In some embodiments, the hand protection device comprises a thickened region 150 between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, wherein the thickened region is at least 5%, a least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25% at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60% at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, at least 150%, at least 200%, at least 250%, or at least 300% thicker as compared to the average thickness of the rest of the device.

[0030] In some embodiments, the hand protection device comprises a thickened region 150 between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120, wherein the thickened region 150 extends for at least 99%, at least 98%, at last 97%, at least 96%, at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 65%, at least 60%, at least 55%, or at least 50% of the distance between the distal phalanx of the index finger 100 and the distal phalanx of the thumb 120.

[0031] In some embodiments, the thickened region 150 of the hand protection device does not extend onto a flap 130 that wraps onto the dorsal side of the index finger (second) metacarpal. In some embodiments, the thickened region 150 of the hand protection device does not extend onto base extension portion 160 that overlays the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand.

[0032] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth herein. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and / or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention.

[0033] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by this description.

[0034] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “various embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “other embodiments”, “one series of embodiments”, or the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like, various features are described, which may be variously combined and included in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may be preferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.

[0035] The language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Other embodiments, uses and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification should be considered exemplary only, and the scope of the invention is accordingly intended to be limited only by the following claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0011]In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,”“bottom,”“front,”“back,”“side,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invent...

Claims

1. A hand protection device for use by workers in food processing industry, the hand protection device comprising:a protective component configured to cover a portion of a surface of a hand of a wearer extending between an index finger and an adjacent thumb of the wearer; anda glove to which the protective component is affixed, wherein the protective component and the glove together are configured to cover the outer surface of the hand of the wearer.

2. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component is an integral part of the glove, wherein the glove covers at least a remainder of the hand of the wearer not covered by the protective component.

3. The hand protection device of claim 2, wherein the protective component is molded into the glove.

4. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component is removably attached to an outer surface of the glove, wherein the glove covers the hand of the wearer.

5. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component is formed of a silicone-impregnated fabric.

6. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component forms a thickened portion of the hand protection device when affixed to the glove.

7. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component extends from a distal phalanx of the index finger to a distal phalanx of the thumb.

8. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component extends from one of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the index finger to one of the proximal, intermediate, or distal phalanx of the thumb.

9. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component is further configured to extend along at least a portion of a ventral surface of the hand.

10. The hand protection device of claim 9, wherein the protective component is configured to extend to cover the second, third, fourth, and fifth metacarpals on the ventral surface of the hand.

11. The hand protection device of claim 9, wherein the protective component is configured to wrap around an edge of the hand between the ventral surface of the hand and a dorsal surface of the hand.

12. The hand protection device of claim 1, wherein the protective component provides protection against lacerations, abrasions, and / or burns from a spit in at least the portion of the surface of the hand of the wearer covered by the protective component.

Images