U.S. patent application number 10/917086 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for outdoor activity accessory hand wear.
Invention is credited to Eisenbraun, Kenneth D..
Application Number | 20050034212 10/917086 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34138940 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050034212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eisenbraun, Kenneth D. |
February 17, 2005 |
Outdoor activity accessory hand wear
Abstract
An outdoor activity glove is detailed that includes a hand
covering defining a volume adapted to receive a human hand therein.
The instrument attachment module is secured to the exterior surface
of the hand covering by way of a fastener. The instrument
attachment module includes a side view mirror and at least one
additional accessory of a clock, a compass, a light and a
thermometer. A commercial kit is intended to retrofit a
conventional hand covering. The commercial kit includes an
instrument attachment module including a side view mirror and at
least one recess adapted to receive an accessory such as a clock,
compass, storage compartment, light, or a thermometer. A fastener
is provided for securing the instrument attachment module to the
exterior surface of a conventional hand covering.
Inventors: |
Eisenbraun, Kenneth D.;
(Bloomfield Village, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, GROH, SPRINKLE
ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, PC
280 N OLD WOODARD AVE
SUITE 400
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
34138940 |
Appl. No.: |
10/917086 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60494905 |
Aug 13, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/01594 20130101;
A41D 19/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/159 |
International
Class: |
A41D 019/00 |
Claims
1. An outdoor activity hand wear comprising: a hand covering having
an interior volume adapted to receive a human hand and an exterior
surface; an instrument attachment module comprising a side view
mirror and at least one accessory selected from the group
consisting of: a clock, a compass, a light, and a thermometer; and
a fastener for selectively securing said instrument attachment
module to the exterior surface of said hand covering.
2. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the exterior surface is a back
surface portion.
3. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is
said clock.
4. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is
said compass.
5. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is
said light.
6. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the at least one accessory is
said thermometer.
7. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said instrument attachment
module comprises said side view mirror and two of said
accessory.
8. The hand wear of claim 7 wherein said two accessories are a
clock and a compass.
9. The hand wear of claim 7 wherein said two accessories are said
compass and said storage compartment.
10. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said fastener is a
hook-and-loop fastener.
11. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein the face is configured into
four quadrants.
12. The hand wear of claim 11 wherein said side view mirror spans
two quadrants.
13. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said mirror is convex.
14. The hand wear of claim 1 wherein said module is formed of an
impact-resistant polymer.
15. A commercial kit comprising: an instrument attachment module
comprising a side view mirror and at least one recess adapted to
receive an accessory selected from the group consisting of: a
clock, a compass, a storage compartment, a light and a thermometer;
and a fastener for selectively securing said instrument attachment
module to an exterior surface of a hand covering.
16. The kit of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of said
accessory, each of said plurality of said accessory adapted to
secure within said module.
17. The kit of claim 15 further comprising said hand covering.
18. The kit of claim 15 wherein said fastener is a hook-and-loop
fastener comprising a first portion and a complementary second
portion wherein the first portion is adhesively secured to said
module and the second complementary portion is secured to an
exterior hand covering surface.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/494,905 filed Aug. 13, 2003, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to hand wear, and in
particular to a glove having accessories selectively affixed
thereto, the accessories being useful for outdoor recreational
activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many outdoor recreational activities such as snowmobiling,
biking, skiing and rock climbing require the unfettered and near
constant use of an individual's hands. While engaged in outdoor
activities such as these, releasing the grip of a hand and averting
attention to look back, consult a watch, compass, or like device is
potentially a dangerous event. While the prior art has contemplated
the attachment of a rearview mirror to the back of a motorcycle or
snowmobile glove, these devices have often suffered an elevated
profile that tended to increase wind drag and hand strain.
Additionally, one engaged in outdoor activities most often has need
for an accessory beyond a mirror. Thus, there exists a need for
hand wear including an accessory module selectively attachable
thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An outdoor activity glove is detailed that includes a hand
covering defining a volume adapted to receive a human hand therein.
The instrument attachment module is secured to the exterior surface
of the hand covering by way of a fastener. The instrument
attachment module includes a side view mirror and at least one
additional accessory of a clock, a compass, a light and a
thermometer.
[0005] A commercial kit is intended to retrofit a conventional hand
covering. The commercial kit includes an instrument attachment
module including a side view mirror and at least one recess adapted
to receive an accessory such as a clock, compass, storage
compartment, light, or a thermometer. A fastener is provided for
securing the instrument attachment module to the exterior surface
of a conventional hand covering.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive piece of hand
wear; and
[0007] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the inventive piece of hand
wear depicted in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] The present invention has utility as an article of outdoor
activity hand wear. Through the attachment of an accessory module
to the back of an article of inventive hand wear, a user is able to
view behind them, check time, and various sensor data, all without
releasing an object being gripped through an inventive article of
hand wear. Sensors operative within an inventive accessory module
illustratively include: a clock, compass, barometer, light,
thermometer, and barometer.
[0009] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein like numerals
indicate like parts, an instrument attachment module 10 is secured
to the back portion 12 of the outermost layer of a hand covering in
the form of a glove 14. While the hand covering in reference to the
figures is depicted as a glove, it is appreciated that a mitten,
wrist guard, or martingale are equally operative herein. The glove
14 is composed of any suitable flexible material used for such
purposes, whether or not overlying padding or insulation. Operative
glove materials illustratively include leather, fabric, and mesh.
The instrument attachment module 10 includes a housing 16 adapted
to receive a mirror 18 and at least one other accessory unit 20.
The housing 16 includes a mirror recess 22 and at least one
accessory unit recess 24. The housing 16 is readily formed of any
material conventional to the art, such materials operative herein
illustratively including metal, plastic, elastomers, and leather.
Preferably, the housing 16 is formed from an impact-resistant
polymer. The mirror 18 is formed of any conventional mirror
material including glass and plastic. Preferably, a mirror used in
an inventive glove is formed of an impact-resistant polymer or
glass. It is appreciated that the mirror 18 can have a variety of
configurations illustratively including planar, concave, convex,
and also including surface mounted accessories such as a prism and
a magnifying lens. Optionally, an anti-fog coating is applied to
the mirror face. A mirror 18 is held in the housing 16 through a
variety of conventional means illustratively including friction
fit, a pressure adhesive, and retaining brackets mounted in the
housing. Likewise, an accessory unit 20 is retained in the housing
16 by the same techniques as used to retain mirror 18 within the
housing 16.
[0010] An accessory unit 20 includes an accessory, the accessory
illustratively including a clock, compass, light, thermometer and
barometer. The accessory unit 20 includes all of the components
necessary for the functioning of the accessory. As shown in FIG. 2,
a compass 26 inserts into accessory unit 20 which in turn seats
within receptacle portion 24. A button or other type of battery 28
inserts into the back face 30 of accessory unit 32. A battery
compartment cover 34 retains the battery 28 within the accessory
unit 32. Inversion of the accessory unit 32 and insertion into
housing receptacle 36 exposes a digital clock 40.
[0011] The housing 16 has a back surface 42. According to the
present invention, the instrument attachment module 10 is
selectively removable from the glove 14. Fasteners conventional to
the art are operative herein and illustratively include snaps,
hook-and-loop fasteners, a zipper, and a transparent pocket
incorporated into the glove, the pocket capable of receiving the
instrument attachment module 10. Preferably, the instrument
attachment module 10 is secured to the back 12 of glove 14 with a
hook-and-loop fastener similar to the product sold under the VELCRO
trademark. As shown in FIG. 2, the back surface 42 of the housing
16 is adhered to one portion of hook-and-loop fastener 44.
Preferably, the first portion of hook-and-loop fastener 44 is cut
to a shape that follows the basic footprint of the housing 16. A
complementary portion of hook-and-loop fastener 46 is secured to
the back 12 of the glove 14. Preferably, the shape of the
complementary hook-and-loop portion 46 is similar to that of the
first hook-and-loop portion 44. More preferably, the complementary
hook-and-loop portion 46 is affixed to the back 12 of the glove 14
so that the mirror 18 is positioned at any convenient location on
the relative flat part of the back portion 12 of the glove 14.
While in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
instrument attachment module has a rectangular or oval shaped
mirror, it is appreciated that other mirror shapes are also
operative herein as well as other configurations of mirror and
accessory units. Additionally, it is appreciated that the type of
glove and outdoor activity during which it is used may affect the
choice of mirror shape and properties. For example, the rear view
requirements while bicycling or snowmobiling are appreciated to be
different than those associated with rock climbing or skiing.
[0012] Preferably, the instrument attachment module 10 is
configured into four quadrants, two of which are encompassed by a
mirror and the other two quadrants are suitable for the inclusion
of other accessories. It is appreciated that the accessory units 20
and 32 may be supplied permanently affixed to the housing 16 or
alternatively, a kit is provided containing multiple accessories
such as a clock, compass, light, thermometer, barometer and storage
compartment that are selectively engaged into an accessory unit of
an inventive outdoor activity glove so as to suit the needs of a
particular user setting. Such a kit would include either a
plurality of accessories or accessory units adapted to selectively
seat within the housing 16 and thereby afford a user a customizable
instrument attachment module configuration.
[0013] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is amenable to changes or modifications that are
nonetheless encompassed within the spirit of the invention as
defined by the scope of the appended claims. The foregoing
description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the
invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice
thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof,
are intended to define the scope of the invention.
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