Internal Reinforcement Segments for Glove Fingertip Wear Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Utility gloves with external reinforcement structures are prone to wear and delamination, as stitching wears out and the edges catch on surfaces, leading to peeling away from the underlying glove.
Innovation Solution
Internal reinforcement segments are secured to the palm side of the fingers and thumb, made from the same or different materials, with a gap between the segment and the glove edge, and bonded with glue extending to the edge closest to the bend region, to prevent delamination and improve wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If external reinforcement structures are added to the outside of fingers, then wear resistance is improved, but the reinforcement structures are prone to delamination and wear through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by placing reinforcement segments on the interior surface of the glove rather than on the exterior. This internal placement eliminates the problems of external reinforcement structures catching on edges and delaminating, while still providing wear resistance at the fingertip contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional external surface reinforcement to three-dimensional internal reinforcement, positioning segments within the glove structure rather than on its surface. This dimensional change allows the reinforcement to be protected from external mechanical damage while maintaining functional effectiveness.
2Strength
If reinforcement structures are sewn to the outer surface, then wear resistance is improved, but the stitches wear through and reinforcement delaminates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stitching function from the reinforcement attachment method. By placing segments on the interior surface, the need for external stitching is eliminated, removing the weak point where stitches would wear through and cause delamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an adhesive intermediary to bond the reinforcement segments to the interior glove surface, replacing mechanical stitching with a chemical bonding mechanism that distributes stress more evenly and does not wear through like thread.
3Strength
If reinforcement structures are placed on the outside of fingers, then wear resistance is improved, but the edges catch on surfaces and peel away
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the placement from external to internal, the reinforcement edges are no longer exposed to external surfaces where they would catch and peel. The internal positioning protects the edges while maintaining the wear-resistant function at the fingertip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film-like reinforcement segments that conform to the interior surface of the glove, allowing flexible movement without creating rigid external edges that would catch on surfaces during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A glove has a segment secured to an inside surface of one or more finger and/or a thumb. The segment is fully contained within the distal most portions of the one or more finger and/or thumb and does not overlap with any knuckle of the user's finger. The segment doubles the layer of material of the glove in the pad region of the fingertip to improve wear length or wear resistance of the glove.