U.S. patent application number 11/712745 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for glove having heat resistant silicone molded palm piece with protrusions extending therefrom.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ironclad Performance Wear Corp.. Invention is credited to Eric M. Jaeger.
Application Number | 20080201823 11/712745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39714245 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080201823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jaeger; Eric M. |
August 28, 2008 |
Glove having heat resistant silicone molded palm piece with
protrusions extending therefrom
Abstract
A safety glove having a unique design on the palm portion of the
glove, the palm portion comprising a plurality of pyramid shaped
protrusions formed in a predeteremined pattern extending from the
surface of a molded silicone palm piece.
Inventors: |
Jaeger; Eric M.; (Manhattan
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IRVING KESCHNER
21535 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD, SUITE 385
TORRANCE
CA
90503
US
|
Assignee: |
Ironclad Performance Wear
Corp.
|
Family ID: |
39714245 |
Appl. No.: |
11/712745 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/01529 20130101;
A41D 19/01558 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/168 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. A glove construction comprising: glove back means formed in the
shape of a human hand for forming a portion of the back of the
glove; glove palm means formed in the shape of a human hand for
forming a portion of the palm of the glove; said glove back means
and said glove palm means forming a glove when joined together,
said glove having fingers associated therewith; and a layer of
molded silicone rubber being secured to said glove palm means, a
plurality of protrusions extending away from the surface of said
silicone rubber member.
2. The glove of claim 1 wherein said silicone rubber layer
comprises a plurality of predetermined surfaces patterns, said
protrusions extending from the surface of each surface pattern.
3. The glove of claim 2 wherein said predetermined surface patterns
are separated by molded silicon rubber not having protrusions
extending from the surface thereof
4. The glove of claim 1 wherein said protrusions are pyramidal in
shape.
5. The glove of claim 4 wherein the top of each of said pyramids
are pointed.
6. The glove of claim 4 wherein the top of each of said pyramids
are flat.
6. The glove of claim 4 wherein the top of each of said pyramids
are flat.
7. The glove of claim 4 wherein said pyramids comprise four sides,
each side having an edge at the bottom of said pyramids.
8. The glove of claim 7 wherein said glove is positioned on the
hand of a human, at least one bottom edge of each pyramid being
substantially parallel to the axis of the user's wrist.
9. The glove of claim 8 wherein at least one of the bottom edges of
said pyramid is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the
user's wrist.
10. The glove of claim 1 wherein the spacing between said
protrusions vary depending upon their location on the surface of
said molded silicone rubber member.
11. The glove of claim 1 wherein said silicone rubber layer and
said protrusions comprise an integral molded piece.
12. The glove of claim 1 wherein said molded silicone rubber layer
is adhered to a substrate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention provides a glove having a palm piece
with a plurality of protrusions extending from the surface of the
palm piece, the palm piece and protrusions comprised of
silicone.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A number of heat protected gloves have been available in the
prior art. For example, the leather gloves having synthetic and
natural insulation, knit cotton gloves, oven mitts using cotton or
other fiber fabrics with insulation, silicon molded grips and
mitts, aluminized coating on cotton, wool, aramid fibers (such as
Kelvar.RTM. or Nomex.RTM. and racing gloves (combination of cut and
sewn aramid fabrics and leather) all have some heat protection
features.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,092 to Carey et al discloses a glove
having a heat insulating barrier which is removably inserted into a
pocket or pouch positioned adjacent the back of a user's hand. The
insulating barrier reduces heat conduction from the back side of
the hand enabling the user's hand to remain warm in cold
environments. The heat insulating barrier is constructed, for
example, of closed-cell neoprene with fleece laminated
therewith.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,582 to Andrews et al discloses a glove
construction which includes a thin layer of silicone material on
the palm surface, a raised pattern of silicone being provided over
the thin silicone layer to provide both an enhanced gripping
surface and improved thermal protection. The thin layer of silicone
and the raised pattern of silicone, in addition to the other
components of the glove, make the glove relatively expensive to
fabricate.
[0007] Although the prior art glove constructions noted above
provided heat protection, when the glove is intended for work
applications certain disadvantages arise. In particular, for
fabrication, metal forming metal casting/stamping,
manufacturing/assembly and racing pit crew activities, the user
requires a glove, which in addition to providing basic heat
resistant features, provides enhanced grip and dexterity
capabilities, along with enhanced heat resistant properties. In
addition, from a cost standpoint, it is desireable to provide a
glove having properties which is relatively simple to
fabricate.
[0008] Publication No. US 2004/0025226 discloses a glove
construction having a palm portion comprising a molded rubber
having a pattern of protrusions formed thereon. The palm portion
has joint areas 27 which are devoid of rubber which, as noted in
the disclosure, allows the user's joints to flex. The glove
disclosed in the '226 publication is designed for, inter alia,
improved gripping qualities and not for heat resistant
capabilities. In addition the palm portion of the glove
incorporates sewing channels with stitches therein which reduces
the wear capability of the glove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a safety glove having a
unique design on the palm piece that is particularly adaptable for
use in the safety industry for handling hot or cold objects. In
particular, the palm design comprises a plurality of pyramid shaped
protrusions formed in a predetermined pattern and extending from
the surface of the palm piece, the palm piece and protrusions being
made of a molded silicone member secured to the glove palm.
[0010] The benefit of the above glove construction is that it
provides a significant reduction in thermal transfer, from a hot or
cold object to the hand of the wearer, while maintaining high
dexterity and comfort. The reduction in thermal transfer is a
result of the use of silicone (organopolysiloxanes or inorganic
polysiloxanes) as the contact material, and having protrusions over
a substantial portion of the palmar surface of the glove. Molded
silicone has a wide range of thermal stability, from approximately
-100.degree. C. (-148.degree. F.) to 316.degree. C. (600.degree.
F.). Therefore, it remains flexible and stable in the presence of
hot or cold items. Silicone maintains low thermal conductivity,
approx 0.33 to 0.52.times.10-.sup.3g-cal/sec/cm.sup.2/cm/.degree.
C. reducing transfer of heat or cold to the wearer's hand. In
addition, the use of protrusions decreases the surface area of
contact and increasing the distance between the hot or cold object
and the wearer's hand thus reducing thermal transfer. Additionally,
the protrusions are shaped such that the tip has a smaller area
than the base (such as with pyramid, polyhedral or conical shaped
protrusions) reducing the surface area of contact and providing a
further reduction of thermal transfer.
[0011] Since the glove has the shape of a hand and provides a
substantially snug fit on the hand with reduced bulk, dexterity is
maintained allowing hot or cold items to be manipulated with
greater ease.
[0012] The use of pyramid shaped protrusions, and the particular
spacing and arrangement of the protrusions provide additional
benefits. In particular, due to the inherent shape of the pyramids,
adjacent pyramid walls are not parallel to each other as they
protrude from the surface of the glove. This reduces the frequency
of particulate matter becoming trapped between adjacent pyramids
and also facilitates easier cleaning of the glove.
[0013] The glove is longer lived since the pyramid shape, in which
the base of the pyramid is larger than the top, ensures that the
exposed surface area becomes larger as the pyramid wears down.
[0014] As the glove flexes during use, the distance between
adjacent pyramids decreases in certain areas, allowing for maximum
grasping along the edge of objects that have different
dimensions.
[0015] The pyramids are preferably arranged so that each pyramid
cell is oriented along a line that is substantially perpendicular
to the axis of the user's glove hand. This allows for maximum grip
in both the vertical and horizontal plane at all points of the
pattern.
[0016] The pyramids also protect the seams of the glove as well as
exposed sewing thread (if present) from failure caused by abrasion.
In the preferred embodiment, the silicone palm and protrusions
consist of a single molded piece, thermally and chemically adhered
to a base material. The silicone molded piece completely covers the
base material such that there is no need to sew these two items
together. The lack of exposed sewing decreases potential failure
locations on the glove, further increasing durability and glove
life.
[0017] Although not part of the present invention, it should be
noted that the back of the glove can be comprised of fabric, in
order to facilitate comfort and snug fit and lack of bulk. Fabrics
made from heat protection fibers is a desired (but not required)
option. Insulation, either on the palm side or back of hand side of
the glove, to further decrease thermal transfer to the wearer's
hand can be provided if desired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] For a better understanding of the present invention as well
as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to
the following description which is to be read in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the glove palm;
[0020] FIGS. 2 and 3 are details of a portion of the palm
glove;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG.
3;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a simplified view of the pyramid shapes on the
palm area of the glove; and
[0023] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the dimensions of the pyramid cell
design.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1 is a simplified front view of glove 10 of the present
invention illustrating in detail the palm portion 10 of the glove
of the present invention. In particular, palm portion 10 comprises
palm piece 12 (although only the right hand glove of a glove pair
is illustrated, the construction of the left hand glove is
identical), palm piece 12 comprising an integral, single silicone
molded rubber member having a plurality of defined pattern portions
13, 14, 15 . . . 23 and 25. Palm portion 10 includes cuff 31
preferably made of synthetic rubber treated with heat resistant
silicone. Reference number 32 refers to synthetic leather which is
considered part of the glove back piece and thus will not be
described herein. As will be set forth in more detail hereinafter,
using silicone rubber for the palm piece material provides a glove
that is heat resistant, a key feature of the present invention. In
accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a plurality
of protrusions 30 (as shown in FIGS. 2-7), preferably of a pyramid
shape, extended from the surface of molded silicone rubber piece
12. Molded silicone rubber piece 12 is preferably glued, heat
pressed and sewn onto a synthetic leather substrate 32. Although
molded silicone rubber piece 12 preferably comprises a single,
integral piece as illustrated, multiple pieces can be utilized. A
glove using a non-silicone molded rubber piece having protrusions
formed thereon is disclosed in Publication No. US 2004/0025226A1.
The pattern of the molded silicone rubber piece 12 is such that
silicone rubber is utilized in the joint or flex areas 34 of the
palm and fingers as illustrated in order to enhance the glove
lifetime and avoids using synthetic leather in those areas as
disclosed in the '226 publication. These areas also function to
separate the glove palm patterns having protrusions 30 extending
therefrom and are themselves devoid of protrusions.
[0025] As is well-known, the term "rubber" comprises a wide array
of organic elastomers. Silicone rubber, a specific type of rubber
which contains organosiloxane polymers have a number of unique
properties which organic elastomers do not have as set forth
hereinabove. One such property which has resulted in its use in the
glove of the present invention is its wide operating temperature
range from approximately -100.degree. C. to approximately
316.degree. C. In such conditions, the tensile strength,
elongation, tear strength and compression set is typically superior
to conventional rubbers. Organic rubbers are susceptible to ozone,
UV, heat and other aging factors that silicone can readily
withstand.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-section along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 and
illustrates a preferred construction of the glove palm. In
particular, a molded silicone rubber layer 12 with the molded
protrusions 30 extending vertically from its surface is secured to
layer (base material) 22 of synthetic leather (leather or fabric
can be used in lieu of synthetic leather) and the synthetic leather
base material 22 is, in turn, secured to an insulation layer 40,
preferably formed of Kevlar.RTM., although para aramids such as
Nomex.RTM., wool or synthetic insulation could also be used. As
shown in FIGS. 1-3, the use of a single, integral molded silicone
rubber layer as the entire palm material eliminates the necessity
of using sewing channels, thus increasing the overall life of the
glove.
[0027] The height of each pyramid is approximately 3 mm; the base
approximately 3 mm wide and the separation between pyramids 30
approximately 3 mm.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, pyramids 30 each have five
different dimensions, A, B, C, D and E. Dimensions A, B, C and D
are the sides of the pyramids, while dimension E is the height. In
the preferred embodiment, dimensions A, B, C and D are equal for a
given pyramid 30. Dimensions F and G represent the spacing between
pyramids 30. In the preferred embodiment, these dimensions are
equal to dimensions A, B, C and D (in a given section of the
glove). Dimensions A, B, C, D, E, F and G range from 0.5 to 10 mm,
with either pointed tops (as shown in the preferred embodiment) or
flat tops. It should be noted that other arrangements of the
pyramids 30 can be used; similarly, dimensions other than those set
forth hereinafter can be implemented to provide the features of the
present invention. For example, the protrusions 30 can take various
shapes such as columns with substantially parallel walls,
multi-faceted pillars with substantially parallel walls, conical
with a larger base and smaller tip, polyhedron pyramids of multiple
sides, four sided pyramids aligned with the vertical and horizontal
axis of the hand, cylinders, partial spheres, rectangle, etc.
[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the entire rubber piece is made
of the same silicone as noted hereinabove. However, variations can
include different durometer values and color silicones in different
portions of the mold. Examples include the following: lower
durometer in the finger sections, higher durometer in the palm and
thumb areas; lower durometer in the base of the mold, higher
durometer and different color in the pyramids 30; lower durometer
in base, silicone blended with binders (for increased strength or
heat resistance) in the pyramids 30. In essence, the silicone
material can be blended with various agents to enhance durability,
thermal stability, thermal protection, chemical resistance and/or
visual embracement such as silica, ceramics, iron oxide, and
naturally occurring stone and colorants.
[0030] The pyramids, or protrusions, 30 are spaced apart such that
the distance between adjacent pyramids in the vertical plane will
decrease as the hand is flexed inwards. In effect, two pyramids
come closer together as the glove user's hand is closed in a grip.
In the preferred embodiment, the pyramids 30 are arranged such that
the bottom of four edges of the pyramids 30 are aligned parallel to
the axis of the user's wrist.
[0031] The four faces of each pyramid provide for gripping in all
directions (left, right, up and down) at all points of the glove
palm piece. This provides for a superior grip when a user is
lifting an object vertically, or holding an object in the
horizontal position.
[0032] As noted hereinabove, the silicone palm piece 12 and
protrusions 30 consist of a single molded piece, thermally and
chemically adhered to a base material (inner substrate lining) 22
in the preferred embodiment. The silicone molded palm piece 12
completely covers the base material such that there is no need to
sew these two items together. The lack of stitching decreases
potential failure locations on the glove, further increasing
durability and glove life.
[0033] The use of base material 22 increases strength and
durability of the palm of the glove, while providing comfort to the
wearer. Additional insulation layers are optional. In the preferred
embodiment, Kevlar.RTM., a cut and heat resistant para-aramid
fabric produced from fibers supplied by DuPont corporation, is
utilized as an insulation layer on the palm side and back of hand
side of the glove.
[0034] While the invention has been described with reference to its
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true
spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications
may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the
teachings of the invention without departing from its essential
teachings.
* * * * *