Retractable Finger Caps Glove with Magnetic Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gloves require removal of the entire hand to access fingertips for tasks like using touch screens or handling small items, exposing the hand to harsh weather and increasing the risk of losing the glove.
Innovation Solution
A universal glove with retractable finger caps on the middle, index, and thumb fingers, secured by magnets, allowing fingertip access while maintaining full hand protection, and a Multi Magnet system for attaching the glove to clothing or bags to prevent loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire glove is removed to access fingertips, then touch receptor ability is achieved, but hand protection is lost and exposure to harsh weather occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is segmented into a main body portion and separate retractable finger caps that can be independently manipulated. The finger caps can be retracted to expose fingertips while the main body remains on the hand, providing partial protection. This segmentation allows selective access to fingertips without complete glove removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger caps are designed to be dynamically retractable and extendable along the finger length. Magnets positioned at specific locations enable the caps to be pulled back and held in place, allowing the wearer to dynamically adjust the exposed portion of fingers based on task requirements while maintaining protection when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If the entire glove is removed to access fingertips, then touch screen capability is achieved, but risk of losing the glove increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glove structure separates the finger caps from the main body, allowing fingertip exposure for touch screen use while the main glove remains securely attached to the hand. This eliminates the need to completely remove the glove, thereby preventing loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable finger caps act as an intermediary mechanism between the glove and the user's fingertips. They provide the necessary exposure for touch screen interaction while maintaining a physical connection to the glove body, serving as a mediator that enables functionality without complete separation.
3Ease of operation
If retractable finger caps are added to allow fingertip access, then partial hand protection is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The finger caps are nested within or attached to the main glove body structure. When retracted, they fold back along the finger; when extended, they cover the fingertips. This nesting approach allows the additional functionality to be integrated into the existing glove form without requiring entirely separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical fasteners (buttons, zippers, Velcro) are replaced with magnetic attachment systems. Magnets embedded in the glove body and finger caps provide automatic attachment and detachment through magnetic attraction, eliminating complex mechanical fastening mechanisms while achieving the same functional result.
4Reliability
If magnets are sewn into the glove to secure finger caps, then finger cap retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical retention systems (stitches, clips, elastic) are replaced with magnetic retention. Magnets can be sewn into or attached to the glove fabric, providing reliable finger cap retention through magnetic attraction without requiring complex mechanical structures or multiple attachment points.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to perform tasks requiring fingertip access without exposing bare skin to harsh weather and prevents glove loss, providing both functionality and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The fingertips can be easily accessed by retracting the fingertip caps—pull the Velcro tab (on the palmer side of the glove) up and over the distal end of each finger and connect the magnets on (the dorsal side of) the glove.
Implementation Method 2
pull the Velcro tab (on the palmer side of the glove) up and over the distal end of each finger
Implementation Method 3
The Multi Magnet is located on the bottom dorsal side of the glove (wrist) and is also sewn just under the outer fabric of the glove. The Multi Magnet is an attaching system that uses a negative magnet, fabric and a split key ring.
Data Source
AI summary
The technical features of the Multi MIT are the retractable finger points on and/or near the metacarpo-interphalangeal joint on the middle, index and thumb fingers. On the dorsal side of the glove, are magnets that are sewn between the insulated material and the outer fabric which connect when the finger caps are retracted. The finger caps are held back by a positive and a negative magnet on the dorsal side of the glove that firmly holds the finger caps in place. The retracted caps access the inner spandex fleece glove that has touch screen material patches on the tips of the middle, index, and thumb fingers on the palmer side of the inner glove. The inner glove is designed to give the wearer fingertip sensory reception, dexterity and allow touch screen capabilities while providing mild fingertip protection with the finger caps retracted.