U.S. patent application number 13/207229 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for convertible trigger mitten shell and method of making.
This patent application is currently assigned to OUTDOOR RESEARCH INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Nathan J.T. Jenkin.
Application Number | 20120042436 13/207229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45592865 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120042436 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jenkin; Nathan J.T. |
February 23, 2012 |
CONVERTIBLE TRIGGER MITTEN SHELL AND METHOD OF MAKING
Abstract
Handwear for the human hand is provided in which a convertible
mitten has a shell with a palm section, an index finger enclosure,
and a thumb enclosure adjacent the index finger enclosure that
extend from the palm section, and a finger section extending from
the palm section, the finger section sized and shaped to receive at
least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the
human hand, the finger section comprising a closable flap that is
operable to open and expose an opening in the finger section.
Inventors: |
Jenkin; Nathan J.T.;
(Seattle, WA) |
Assignee: |
OUTDOOR RESEARCH
INCORPORATED
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
45592865 |
Appl. No.: |
13/207229 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61375722 |
Aug 20, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/158 ;
2/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/01 20130101;
A41D 19/0013 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/158 ;
2/159 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/01 20060101
A41D019/01; A41D 19/00 20060101 A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. Handwear for use with the human hand, comprising: a shell having
a palm section, an index finger enclosure and a thumb enclosure
adjacent the index finger enclosure that extend from the palm
section, and a finger section extending from the palm section, the
finger section having an interior sized and shaped to receive at
least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the
human hand, the finger section comprising a closable flap that is
operable to open and expose an opening in the finger section that
communicates with an interior of the shell, the opening sized to
receive up to four fingers and a thumb from the human hand when the
human hand is inside the handwear.
2. The handwear of claim 1, wherein the opening of the finger
section is formed with a circumscribing elastic band to gather the
opening and reduce a diameter thereof while permitting expansion of
the diameter to accommodate up to four fingers and a thumb of the
human hand extending out through the opening.
3. The handwear of claim 1 further comprising a wrist section
coupled to the palm section, and a cord extending around the wrist
section to draw the wrist section together and reduce an internal
diameter of the wrist section.
4. The handwear of claim 1 further comprising a wrist section
coupled to the palm section, and a gathered portion of the wrist
section having an elastic member that constricts a diameter of the
wrist section.
5. The handwear of claim 4 further comprising a cuff extending from
a free end of the wrist section.
6. The handwear of claim 1 wherein the flap is retained in an
opened position with a fastener comprising one from among a snap, a
button, hook-and-loop fastener, elastic band, and a pocket.
7. The handwear of claim 6, wherein the flap is coupled to a dorsal
section of the shell at a coupling point, the flap configured to
bend at the coupling point to expose the opening in the finger
section.
8. The handwear of claim 1 comprising a leash having one end
attached to the mitten, the leash sized and shaped to be placed
around the wrist of the hand that is using the mitten.
9. A configurable mitten for use with the human hand, comprising: a
shell that includes a palm section with an interior sized and
shaped to receive the human hand, an index finger enclosure and a
thumb enclosure that extend from the palm section and have
corresponding interiors that communicate with the interior of the
shell, and a finger section extending from the palm section, the
finger section having an interior that communicates with the
interior of the shell, the finger section having a closable flap
that is operable to open and expose an opening in the finger
section that communicates with the interiors of the finger section,
the palm section, the index finger enclosure, and the thumb
enclosure, the opening sized to allow up to four fingers and a
thumb from the human hand to extend therethrough when the human
hand is inside the handwear.
10. The mitten of claim 9, wherein the opening of the finger
section is structured to expand in circumference to accommodate up
to four fingers and a thumb of the human hand extending out through
the opening and to contract in circumference when one or more of
the fingers and the thumb are removed from the opening.
11. The mitten of claim 9, wherein the opening of the finger
section is formed with a circumscribing elastic band to gather the
opening and reduce a circumference thereof while permitting
expansion of the circumference of the finger opening to accommodate
the entire human hand extending out through the finger opening.
12. The mitten of claim 9 further comprising a wrist section
coupled to the palm section, and a cord extending around the wrist
section to draw the wrist section together and reduce an internal
diameter of the wrist section.
13. The mitten of claim 9 further comprising a wrist section
coupled to the palm section, and a gathered portion of the wrist
section having an elastic member that constricts a diameter of the
wrist section.
14. The mitten of claim 13 further comprising a cuff extending from
a free end of the wrist section.
15. The mitten of claim 9 wherein the flap is retained in an opened
position with a fastener comprising one from among a snap, a
button, hook-and-loop fastener, elastic band, and a pocket.
16. The mitten of claim 15, wherein the flap is coupled to a dorsal
section of the shell at a coupling point, the flap configured to
bend at the coupling point to expose the opening in the finger
section.
17. The mitten of claim 9 comprising a leash having one end
attached to the mitten, the leash sized and shaped to be placed
around the wrist of the hand that is using the mitten.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/375,722 filed on Aug. 20, 2010,
the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure is directed to handwear, such as
gloves, mittens, gauntlets, and the like, for use in cold
environments and, more particularly, to a configurable mitten shell
having a thumb, index finger, and an opening to expose remaining
fingers that is covered by a closable flap and to a method of
construction.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Garments for the hand have a variety of purposes, including
utility, protection, warmth, ornamentation, and fashion. Such
handwear can be found in various forms. Examples include, without
limitation, mittens (a single enclosure for all four fingers and a
separate contiguous enclosure for the thumb), gloves (in which each
finger has its own enclosure extending from a hand portion), and
gauntlets (in which a glove has a cuff that extends over at least a
portion of forearm).
[0006] Fingerless handwear has also been designed in which a
portion of the fingers is exposed to facilitate gripping and full
tactile sensation with the fingers while providing protection and
comfort for the rest of the hand. However, fingerless gloves
provide no protection for the fingers from injury and the elements.
In contrast, full-fingered gloves made of thin material allow for
limited tactile sensation, although they can in some cases inhibit
dexterity. Thick, protective or insulated gloves, such as gloves
having a removable or nonremovable liner are bulky and inhibit
tactile sensation, flexion, and dexterity.
[0007] Extreme cold environments in which temperatures are near or
below freezing (0.degree. C.) require sufficient insulation in the
glove to maintain warmth. Gloves present a challenge in that the
fingers of the hand are individually encased in the finger portions
of the glove, isolating them from the warmth of the other fingers.
Utilizing more insulation in the finger portion restricts the
ability to bend the fingers, thus reducing dexterity. Where
manipulation of small objects by the fingers is mission critical,
such as in scientific and military applications, there is a need
for gloves that provide enhanced flexure while maintaining thermal
insulation.
[0008] Mittens with a separate trigger finger enclosure and a thumb
enclosure have been developed, as shown for example in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,741,052 directed to a hand covering for use with firearms. A
glove or mitten is described that includes a relatively thick
insulating inner layer and an outer cover layer. The outer layer
has an extra trigger finger receiving stall situated in front of
the conventional trigger finger receiving stall. The single trigger
finger receiving stall of the inner layer is received within the
conventional trigger finger receiving stall of the outer layer. An
opening, proximate the trigger finger receiving stall of the inner
layer, permits the trigger finger of the wearer to extend through
the inner layer and into the extra trigger finger receiving stall
of the outer layer. Because the extra trigger finger receiving
stall of the outer layer has no thick insulating inner layer
therein, the trigger finger, when situated therein, can manipulate
the trigger. Thus, the hand covering need not be removed to use the
firearm. Clearly, this design requires additional material for the
second trigger finger enclosure or stall.
[0009] Another design is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,290,291, which is
directed to a mitt for cold weather use to provide a variety of
modes of wear. The mitt is convertible between a fully closed
position for covering the hand and fingers and open positions for
exposure of the thumb or finger(s) or the entire hand. An internal
pocket within the mitt permits continuous or intermittent warming
of all or some of the fingers when the mitt is in either a
generally open position or closed position. Insertion and removal
of fingers and thumb relative the internal pocket is easily
accomplished without use of the other hand. A thumb hole or finger
hole for thumb or finger exposure is formed with an overlapping
two-layer seal of stretchable material to prevent heat loss while
ensuring easy thumb/finger insertion and removal. In one
embodiment, stretchable fillets or side panels connect the terminal
ends of the palm side and back side of the mitt to provide a snug
fit about the wrist. The wearing modes include full exposure of a
hand, exposure of the thumb or finger(s), exposure of the four
finger tips, and full hand coverage.
[0010] While the foregoing designs may be suitable for their
various purposes, they have disadvantages that include complexity
of construction, bulky insulated areas that interfere with
dexterity and flexion, undesirable relative movement between the
layers, and difficulty in use. These and other disadvantages render
the resulting products less than optimal for certain
applications.
[0011] For example, military helicopter crews spend prolonged
periods of time in an open cabin exposed to extremely cold wind.
Combat and training situations require swift action by the crew,
which means their hands need to stay warm and have dexterity at a
moment's notice. Although the '291 patent provides for pulling off
and pivoting the finger and thumb portions of the glove to a
position under the glove to expose the fingers and thumb, there is
no provision for maintaining the warmth of the trigger finger and
the thumb, both of which are used to activate or trigger the
weaponry, such as a machine gun having a thumb trigger.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0012] The present disclosure is directed to handwear and to a
method of making the same. In accordance with one embodiment, a
mitten for use with the human hand is provided that includes a
shell have a palm section, an index finger enclosure and a thumb
enclosure adjacent the index finger enclosure that extend from the
palm section, and a convertible finger section extending from the
palm section, the finger section sized and shaped to receive at
least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the
human hand, the finger section having a closable flap that is
operable to open and expose an opening in the finger section. The
thumb and all four fingers can extend through distal opening, as
can the entire hand, if desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present disclosure will be more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B are dorsal and palmar views, respectively,
of a right hand mitt and FIGS. 1C and 1D are dorsal and palmar
views, respectively, of a right hand liner glove formed in
accordance with the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of Gortex pattern pieces of the
convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A-1B;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the lofted tricot insulation
pattern pieces of the convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A-1B;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the leather pattern pieces of
the convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A-1B;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the fleece pattern pieces of
the convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A-1B;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the hook pattern pieces of the
convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A-1B;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the loop pattern pieces of the
convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A-1B;
[0021] FIGS. 8A and 8B are dorsal and palmar views, respectively of
the convertible mitten shell of FIGS. 1A and 1B showing the flip
top in the open position exposing the user's fingers; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a palmar view of the convertible mitten shell of
FIGS. 1A and 1B showing the flip top in the open position exposing
the user's fingers.
[0023] In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify
similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of
elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For
example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to
scale, and some of these elements are enlarged and positioned to
improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the
elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information
regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have
been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the following description, certain specific details are
set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various
disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or
more of these specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures
associated with different types of hand wear, methods of
construction, and material selection have not been shown or
described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions
of the embodiments.
[0025] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the
specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and
variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be
construed in an open, inclusive sense, such as "including, but not
limited to."
[0026] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment"
or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the
phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,
structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments.
[0027] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless
the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted
that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including
"and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0028] The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein
are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning
of the embodiments.
[0029] The present disclosure provides for human handwear that can
be converted using an openable flap to permit one or more fingers
to extend out of the handwear. In one aspect of the disclosure, the
handwear includes a shell have a palm section, an index finger
enclosure and a thumb enclosure adjacent the index finger enclosure
that extend from the palm section, and a finger section extending
from the palm section, the finger section having an interior sized
and shaped to receive at least the middle finger, ring finger, and
little finger of the human hand. The finger section is designed
with an opening in the finger section that communicates with an
interior of the shell. The opening is sized to receive up to four
fingers and a thumb from the human hand when the human hand is
inside the handwear, and the opening is covered with a flexible
flap or cover.
[0030] Preferably, the opening of the finger section is formed with
a circumscribing elastic band to gather the opening and reduce a
diameter or circumference thereof while permitting expansion of the
diameter or circumference to accommodate up to four fingers and a
thumb of the human hand extending out through the opening. This
expansion and contraction keeps the material snug around the
finger(s) and thumb in order to keep the remaining portions of the
hand inside the shell warm, dry, and otherwise protected.
[0031] In a preferred design, a configurable mitten is provided
that has a shell formed with a palm section having an interior
sized and shaped to receive the human hand. An index finger
enclosure and a thumb enclosure extend from the palm section and
have corresponding interiors that communicate with the interior of
the shell. A finger section extends from the palm section, the
finger section having an interior that communicates with the
interior of the shell, with the finger section sized and shaped to
receive at least the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger
of the human hand. A closable flap operable to expose an opening in
the finger section that communicates with the interiors of the
finger section, the palm section, the index finger enclosure, and
the thumb enclosure. Ideally, the opening sized to allow up to four
fingers and a thumb from the human hand to extend therethrough when
the human hand is inside the handwear. As described above, the
opening is formed with an elastic band that gathers the opening to
contract and reduce the operable circumference and to expand and
increase or enlarge the operable circumference of the opening.
[0032] Referring initially to FIGS. 1A and 1B, shown therein are
dorsal and palmar views, respectively, of a right hand convertible
handwear shell 10 formed in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIGS. 1C and 1D are dorsal and palmar views, respectively, of a
matching right hand glove liner 12 structured to be worn by a user
and placed inside the shell 10 for additional warmth. This liner 12
is not essential to the construction and use of the shell 10 and
will not be described in greater detail herein.
[0033] The shell 10 is configured in this embodiment to include
palm section 14, an index finger enclosure 16, and a thumb
enclosure 18 adjacent the index finger enclosure 16 that extend
from the palm section 14. A convertible finger section 20 extends
from the palm section adjacent the index finger enclosure 16. The
finger section 20 is sized and shaped to receive at least the
middle finger, ring finger, and little finger of the human hand.
The palm section 14 includes a palm piece 22 and an opposing dorsal
or back piece 24 that form the enclosure for the human hand. At a
proximal end 26 of the palm section 14 is a wrist section 28 that
is followed by a cuff 30 having a proximal opening 32 to receive
the human hand.
[0034] The convertible finger section 20 includes a closable top 34
that is structured to fold back across the dorsal piece 24 and
expose a distal opening 36 in the finger section 20. The distal
opening 36 is sized to allow at least the last three fingers
(middle, ring, and little fingers) to extend outside the palm
section 14 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B while leaving the index
finger and thumb insider their respective enclosures 16, 18 to
remain protected from the elements. However, in accordance with
another aspect of the present disclosure, the distal opening can be
sized to permit the thumb and all four fingers to extend there
through. Alternatively, the entire hand can be extended out of the
shell 10 through the convertible finger section 20 if desired.
[0035] The closable top 34 is attached with stitching, preferably
seam sealed, at a proximal dorsal end 38 to the back piece 24
adjacent the distal opening. It includes a closed end portion 40
that is sized and shaped to be received over and cover the distal
opening 36, overlapping both the palm piece 22 and back piece 24. A
palmar segment 42 extends from the closed end portion 40 to over
the palm piece 22 and is secured in place with hook-and-loop
fasteners 44, 46. A tab 48 extends out from the palmar segment 42
to provide a means to grasp or grip the closable top 34 in order to
pull the hook-and-loop fasteners 44, 46 apart and rotate the top 34
over to the back piece where it is held in an open position by
additional hook-and-loop fasteners 50, 52 positioned on a dorsal
panel 54 of the closed end portion 40 and on the back piece 24,
respectively, as shown in FIG. 8A.
[0036] The wrist section 28 is preferably formed with elastic
material that gathers the wrist so that it can remain snug against
the user's wrist while stretching and expanding to accommodate
insertion and removal of the user's hand. The elastic material can
extend entirely around the wrist 28 or by positioned only on the
palmar side of the wrist. As shown in FIG. 1A, there is an
adjustable strap 56 attached on both sides of the shell 10 at the
wrist section 28 over the dorsal side to allow a user to cinch the
wrist down for secure attachment.
[0037] The cuff 30 has an elastic draw cord 58, preferably
positioned inside the perimeter at the proximal opening 32 of the
handwear or mitten shell 10, which can be used to adjustably draw
the cuff 30 closed. A security cord or lanyard 60 is also attached
at the end of the cuff 30 to form a closable loop that can be used
to secure the handwear shell 10 to the user's wrist or forearm.
[0038] Various additional features of the mitten shell 10 can be
found in FIGS. 2 through 7, which depict the pattern pieces 62 for
constructing the right hand mitten shell 10. The corresponding
pattern pieces for the left hand mitten shell are not shown
inasmuch as these pieces are identical except for orientation for
the left hand.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows the pattern pieces 62 formed of Goretex.TM.
material, including, without limitation, the right back, right top
back, and front elastic tunnel, the pinky sidewall, right palm, and
right gauntlet. Also shown are the back of the closable top and
various other pieces for the index and thumb enclosures.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows the pattern pieces 64 formed of lofted tricot
insulation, including without limitation the gauntlet portion, back
portion, closable top portions, sidewall for the top, and the back
of the thumb.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates the pattern pieces 66 formed of leather,
which include without limitation the palmar segment 42 of the top
34 with the tab 48, the palm piece 22, and various other pieces for
the thumb and finger enclosures.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the fleece pattern pieces 68, including without
limitation the right front and thumb portions. FIGS. 6 and 7 show
the hook pieces 70 and loop pieces 72 for the closable top 34 and
dorsal panel 54 of the top and dorsal piece 24 of the palm section
14.
[0043] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the mitten shell 10 in use wherein a
user's hand is inserted into the shell 10. The closable top 34
maintains warmth and comfort when closed and is quickly opened by
the user pulling on the tab 48 with their other hand or teeth to
release the hook-and-loop fasteners on the palmar side of the palm
section 14. The user's middle, ring, and little fingers, referred
to collectively with reference number 74, are shown in FIG. 8B
extending out of the distal opening 36. In FIG. 8a, the index
finger 76 is also shown extending out of the distal opening 36
along with the other three fingers 74. It is to be understood that
the user's thumb can also be extended out of the distal opening 36
along with the entire hand. Furthermore, the hand can be used in
the shell 10 with or without the glove liner 12.
[0044] FIG. 9 is the mitten shell 10 in use wherein all four
fingers and a user's thumb, referred to collectively with reference
number 75, are inserted through the proximal opening 32 and extend
out of the distal opening 36. The user may use the shell 10 with or
without the glove liner 12.
[0045] Hence, the glove system of the present disclosure can
consist of the mitten shell 10 alone or in combination with the
glove liner 12. It will find use in hunting, military applications
and other applications where maintaining warmth and protection of
the hands is desired and where allowing one or more fingers to be
quickly extended from the shell is required.
[0046] The various embodiments described above can be combined to
provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent
application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign
patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications
referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application
Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their
entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary
to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and
publications to provide yet further embodiments.
[0047] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in
light of the above-detailed description. For example, the top 34
can be tucked into a pocket formed on the dorsal piece 24 of the
palm section 14 instead of using or in addition to using the
hook-and-loop fasteners 50, 52. In addition, other means of
fastening can be substituted for the hook-and-loop fasteners as
known to those skilled in the art.
[0048] In general, in the following claims, the terms used should
not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments
disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be
construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full
scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.
* * * * *