U.S. patent application number 14/080205 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for process for making knit embroidered conductive gloves.
This patent application is currently assigned to totes Isotoner Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is totes Isotoner Corporation. Invention is credited to Tina Cornish, Pacifico C. Desalit, Armabel S. Fadullon, Peter Kiernan.
Application Number | 20140165658 14/080205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929359 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140165658 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cornish; Tina ; et
al. |
June 19, 2014 |
PROCESS FOR MAKING KNIT EMBROIDERED CONDUCTIVE GLOVES
Abstract
A knit glove operably configured for use with a capacitive
touchscreen comprises a plurality of fingertips, an outer surface,
and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the fingertips
comprises conductive thread or yam extending from the outer surface
of the knit glove to the inner surface of the glove to create a
conductive pathway from the inner surface of the knit glove to the
outer surface of the glove.
Inventors: |
Cornish; Tina; (Liberty
Township, OH) ; Desalit; Pacifico C.; (Calamba City,
PH) ; Fadullon; Armabel S.; (Paranaque City, PH)
; Kiernan; Peter; (Caroga Lake, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
totes Isotoner Corporation |
Cincinnati |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
totes Isotoner Corporation
Cincinnati
OH
|
Family ID: |
50929359 |
Appl. No.: |
14/080205 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12869827 |
Aug 27, 2010 |
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14080205 |
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13648450 |
Oct 10, 2012 |
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12869827 |
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61726141 |
Nov 14, 2012 |
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61237524 |
Aug 27, 2009 |
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61545351 |
Oct 10, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
66/174 ;
112/475.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/014 20130101;
G06F 2203/0331 20130101; A41D 19/0024 20130101; G06F 3/03545
20130101; A41D 1/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
66/174 ;
112/475.09 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. A method for making conductive gloves, wherein the conductive
glove comprises a glove body, and at least one finger embroidered
with conductive yarn, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
(A) providing a glove with at least one finger; (B) making at least
one applique; (C) embroidering the applique with conductive yarn;
and (D) attaching the embroidered applique to at least one finger
of the glove.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two embroidered
appliques are made, and attached to fingers of the glove.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein one embroidered applique is
attached to the finger in a thumb position, and at least one other
embroidered applique is attached to a remaining finger.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one embroidered applique
is attached to the finger in the index finger position.
5. A knit glove comprising a plurality of fingertips, an outer
surface, and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the
fingertips comprises embroidered conductive material extending from
the outer surface of the glove to the inner surface of the
glove.
6. The glove of claim 5, wherein the conductive material
establishes a conductive pathway from the inner surface of the
glove to the outer surface of the glove.
7. The glove of claim 5, wherein at least one of the fingertips is
embroidered with conductive yarn.
8. The glove of claim 5, wherein at least two of the fingertips are
embroidered conductive yarn.
9. The glove of claim 5, wherein at least one fingertip comprises
an appliqueembroidered with conductive material
10. The glove of claim 5, wherein at least two fingertips comprise
an appliqueembroidered with conductive yarn.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority from co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/869,827, entitled "GLOVE WITH CONDUCTIVE FINGERTIPS," filed Aug.
27, 2010, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/237,524, filed Aug. 27, 2009, entitled
"GLOVE WITH CONDUCTIVE FINGERTIPS"; and it is also a
continuation-in-part and claims priority from co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 13/648,450, entitled "PROCESS FOR MAKING KNIT
EMBROIDERED CONDUCTIVE GLOVES," filed Oct. 10, 2012, which claims
priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/545,351, filed Oct. 10, 2011, entitled "PROCESS FOR MAKING KNIT
EMBROIDERED CONDUCTIVE GLOVES"; and it claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/726,141, entitled,
"PROCESS FOR MAKING KNIT EMBROIDERED CONDUCTIVE GLOVES," filed Nov.
14, 2012; the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This disclosure relates to a process for making a glove for
operating an electronic device, particularly a device with a
touchscreen. To operate capacitive touchscreens requires electric
conductivity between the screen and a user's fingers. Thus, users
of such electronic devices can find it difficult to operate the
device while wearing gloves. The exemplary gloves described herein
overcome this difficulty by providing gloves with conductive
fingertips.
[0003] While a variety of gloves have been made and used, it is
believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used
gloves as described herein.
SUMMARY
[0004] A glove comprises a plurality of fingertips, an outer
surface, and an inner surface, wherein at least one of the
fingertips comprises conductive thread or yarn extending from the
outer surface of the glove to the inner surface of the glove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] While the specification concludes with claims which
particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is
believed the present invention will be better understood from the
following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
identify the same elements and in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary glove;
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a bottom view (from the palm side) of the
glove of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 3 depicts a bottom view of the fingertip portion of the
index finger of the glove of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 depicts an end view of the fingertip portion of the
index finger of the glove of FIG. 1, with the glove turned
inside-out to show conductive thread extending to the interior of
the glove;
[0010] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary
glove;
[0011] FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view (from the palm side) of the
glove of FIG. 5;
[0012] FIG. 7 depicts an end view of the fingertip portions of the
index finger and thumb of the glove of FIG. 5;
[0013] FIG. 8 depicts an end view of the fingertip portions of the
index finger and thumb of the glove of FIG. 5, with the glove
turned inside-out to show conductive thread extending to the
interior of the glove;
[0014] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of another exemplary
glove;
[0015] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary knit
glove body with "waste threads";
[0016] FIG. 11 depicts a top view of an exemplary flat pattern used
to form the finger and thumb shells of a knit glove;
[0017] FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary finger or
thumb shell of a knit glove;
[0018] FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view (from the palm side) of an
exemplary glove;
[0019] FIG. 14 depicts a top view of an exemplary applique;
[0020] FIG. 15 depicts a top view of another exemplary applique;
and
[0021] FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view (from the palm side) of
an exemplary glove with the applique.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a photograph of the inside of a finger of another
exemplary glove showing the attachment of the applique.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a photograph of the inside of a finger of another
exemplary glove showing the attachment of the applique.
[0024] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and
it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be
carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not
necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings,
incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate
several aspects of the present invention, and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it
being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to
the precise arrangements shown.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description of certain examples of the
invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present
invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and
advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled
in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all
without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
restrictive.
[0026] In this application, the word "finger" and "fingertip" apply
equally to fingers/fingertips and thumbs/thumbtips. Similarly, the
word "thumb" and "thumbtips" apply equally to thumbs/thumbtips and
fingers/fingertips. "Glove" can also mean mitten. The words "yarn"
and "thread" can be used interchangeably.
[0027] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplary glove (10) having
fingertips (12). At the index finger position (14) and the thumb
position (16) fingertips (12) are conductive. In the present
example, glove (10) comprises a backhand side (18) as shown in FIG.
1, a palm side (20) as shown in FIG. 2, a first end (22) comprising
an opening (not shown) for a user to insert their hand, and a
second end (24) where the distal portion of fingertips (12) are
located.
[0028] Glove (10) is knit substantially from non-conductive yarn
(26) and also includes conductive yarn (28) knit into fingertips
(12) at index finger position (14) and thumb position (16). Of
course, conductive yarn (28) can be knit into fingertips (12) at
only a single finger position, at all finger positions, or even
throughout all of glove (10) in some versions. In the present
example, glove (10) is first knit of yarn (26), then conductive
yarn (28) is knit into glove (10) at index finger position (14) and
thumb position (16) as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the
illustrated versions of FIGS. 1-4, the entire fingertip (12) at
index finger position (14) and thumb position (16) are knit of a
combination of conductive yarn (28) and non-conductive yarn (26).
With this construction, conductive yarn (28) extends from an outer
surface (30) of glove (10) to an inner surface (32) of glove (10)
to create a conductive pathway from the user's fingertip, which
contacts inner surface (32) of glove (10), to a touchscreen, which
contacts outer surface (30) of glove (10). In some other versions,
instead of fingertips (12) being knit of a combination of
non-conductive yarn (26) and conductive yarn (28), fingertips (12)
can be knit entirely of conductive yarn (28). In the present
example, the distribution of conductive yarn (28) and
non-conductive yarn (26) in certain fingertips (12) is
substantially uniform. In some other versions, the distribution of
conductive yarn (28) and non-conductive yarn (26) in certain
fingertips (12) can be not uniform. For example, certain fingertips
(12) can be knit to include an area of non-conductive yarn (26)
along with one or more dense areas of conductive yarn (28).
[0029] The shape of the knit area and the length of fingertips (12)
that include conductive yarn (28) can take into consideration the
portion of the finger and/or thumb that is used to operate a
touchscreen. In the present example, about one and one-half inches
at the end of fingertips (12) at index finger position (14) and
thumb position (16) include conductive yarn (28); of course greater
or lesser lengths may be used. Also, conductive yarn (28) can be
knit into all areas of fingertips (12).
[0030] For instance, in the illustrated version, at index finger
position (14) and thumb position (16), conductive yarn (28) is
located on the pad (34), the back (36), the sides (38), and the
distal-most tip (40) of those fingertips (12). In some other
versions, conductive yarn (28) is located in select areas of
fingertips (12) instead of all areas. In the illustrated version,
the user can operate the touchscreen by contacting the touchscreen
with any part of fingertip (12) containing conductive yarn (28)
(e.g., pad (34), sides (38), tip (40), etc.) in an amount and
arrangement sufficient to create the electrical pathway between the
user's finger and the touchscreen.
[0031] The non-conductive portions of glove (10) can be knit using
processes known in the art, using materials known in the art,
including but not limited to acrylic yarn, Lycra, or feather yarn
(100% nylon). The conductive portions of glove (10) can also be
knit using processes known in the art, using any conductive yarn.
In some versions conductive yarn (28) is comprised of two ends of
conductive thread mixed with non-conductive thread. In some
versions, conductive yarn (28) can conduct 82 ohms/foot to 14
ohms/foot. Glove (10) can be machine-knit or hand-knit.
[0032] FIG. 2 further illustrates a palm patch (42) that is
stitched onto palm side (20) of glove (10). In the present example
palm patch (42) is constructed from leather and can aid in gripping
objects, (e.g., objects having touchscreens, etc.). Other materials
of construction for palm patch (42) will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein, and may
include suede, synthetic leather, synthetic suede, pigsplit,
embossed polyurethane, silicone, among others.
[0033] In view of the teachings herein, various other
configurations and modifications to glove (10) will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example only, and not
limitation, conductive yarn (28) may be knit into any decorative
pattern so long as there is sufficient conductive thread to conduct
an electrical impulse from the user's finger to the touchscreen. In
some versions, all or some of fingertips (12) of one glove (10)
from a pair of gloves are conductive, while in other versions all
or some of fingertips (12) of both gloves (10) from the pair are
conductive.
[0034] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate another exemplary glove (110) having
fingertips (112). At the index finger position (114) and the thumb
position (116) fingertips (112) are conductive. In the present
example, glove (110) comprises a backhand side (118) as shown in
FIG. 5, a palm side (120) as shown in FIG. 6, a first end (122)
comprising an opening (not shown) for a user to insert their hand,
and a second end (124) where the distal portion of fingertips (112)
are located.
[0035] Glove (110) is constructed by assembling cut fabrics
together using processes known in the art (e.g., sewing together
cut fabrics forming seams). In the present example, glove (110)
comprises a palm fabric (144), a backhand fabric (146), a seaming
fabric (148), an index finger fabric (150), and a thumb fabric
(152). These fabrics are generally non-conductive fabrics (126)
sewn together as shown to form glove (110). Conductive thread (128)
is embroidered or stitched into or onto the fabrics that make up
fingertips (112) at index finger position (114) and thumb position
(116) to provide conductive pathways between the user's fingertip
and a touchscreen. Any well-known embroidery technique may be used
to apply conductive thread (128) to fingertips (112) of glove
(110). This embroidery or stitching with conductive thread (128)
can be done before the fabrics (144, 146, 148, 150, 152) are
assembled to form glove (110) or after the fabrics (144, 146, 148,
150, 152) have been assembled to form glove (110). In either
approach conductive thread (128) passes from the inner surface
(132) of glove (110) to the outer surface (130) of glove (110) to
provide conductive pathways between the user's fingertip inside
glove (110) and the conductive embroidery or stitching on the
outside of glove (110), which in turn would contact the capacitive
touchscreen.
[0036] In the present example, the embroidery or stitching with
conductive thread (128) is directly onto index finger fabric (150)
and thumb fabric (152) such that the embroidery or stitching itself
extends from outer surface (130) of glove (110) to inner surface
(132) of glove (110) as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. In other
versions, the embroidery or stitching with conductive thread (128)
is completed on a separate piece of fabric that is sewn onto outer
surface (130) at fingertips (112) in index finger position (114)
and thumb position (116). The attachment of the separate embroidery
or stitched piece is done with conductive thread (128) that extends
from and contacts both the conductive embroidery or stitching on
outer surface (130) of glove (110), and the user's fingertip on
inner surface (132) of glove (110). In this arrangement conductive
thread (128) that attaches the conductive embroidered or stitched
piece to glove (110) completes the circuit to establish the pathway
between the user's fingertip within glove (110) and the conductive
embroidery or stitching on the separate piece of fabric outside
glove (110). In still other versions, conductive thread (128) is
laid on index finger fabric (150) and thumb fabric (152) at index
finger position (114) and thumb position (116) respectively, and
conductive thread (128) is then stitched to fabrics (150, 152) with
non-conductive thread.
[0037] While the illustrated version in FIGS. 5-8 show conductive
fingertips (112) at index finger position (114) and thumb position
(116), in other versions conductive thread (128) can be embroidered
or stitched into fingertips (112) at only a single finger position,
at all finger positions, or even other places throughout glove
(110). Where conductive thread (128) is positioned at locations of
glove (110) (e.g., the backhand area or palm area) that would not
typically directly contact and operate a touchscreen, a link
between such location and the area contacting and operating the
touchscreen (e.g., fingertips (112)) is established by connecting
the areas with conductive thread (128) to complete the circuit.
[0038] The shape and length of the embroidered or stitched area
(154) at fingertips (112) that include conductive thread (128) can
take into consideration the portion of the finger and/or thumb that
is used to operate a touchscreen. In the present example,
conductive embroidery or stitching (154) located at index finger
position (114) and thumb position (116) comprises an hour glass
shape having a top portion (156), a bottom portion (158), and a
neck portion (160) having a narrower width compared to top and
bottom portions (156, 158). Neck portion (160) of the hour glass
shape wraps the distal-most tip (140) of fingertips (112), thus top
portion (156) extends to the back (136) of fingertip (112) on
backhand side (118) of glove (110) while bottom portion (158)
extends to the pad (134) of fingertip (112) on palm side (120) of
glove (110). This configuration for conductive embroidery or
stitching (154) provides a continuous area of conductive thread
(128) from pad (134) to back (136) of fingertips (112) at index
finger position (114) and thumb position (116). In this
arrangement, the user could operate the touchscreen by contacting
the touchscreen with any part of fingertip (112) containing
conductive thread (128) (e.g., pad (134), back (136), tip (140)) in
an amount and arrangement sufficient to create the electrical
pathway between the user's finger and the touchscreen.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, bottom portion (158) of conductive
embroidery or stitching (154) comprises a curved lower edge (162)
and chevrons (164). In the present example, curved lower edges
(162) at index finger position (114) and thumb position (116) are
configured to extend conductive embroidery to portions of the index
finger and thumb that the user may use to operate a touch screen.
Also in the present example, chevrons (164) represent an area not
embroidered or stitched with conductive thread (128). However, in
some versions chevrons (164) represent areas of greater
conductivity where chevrons (164) are embroidered or stitched with
thread having greater conductivity. Still yet in some versions,
only chevrons (164) include conductive thread (128), without
additional surrounding embroidery or stitching. In view of the
teachings herein, other shapes and dimensions for conductive
embroidery or stitching (154) will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0040] The non-conductive portions of glove (110) can be assembled
using materials known in the art of glove/mitten making For
example, in some versions spandex (77% nylon, 23% Spandex) is
laminated to 100% polyester fleece to form glove (110). In some
versions glove (110) is made of stretch fleece (94% polyester, 6%
Spandex), or glove (110) is made of stretch fleece and jersey sides
with gripper silicone printing (142) on palm side (120). In other
versions, glove (110) includes textured stretch material (60%
Tactel, 30% Coolmax, 10% Lycra Spandex) laminated to 100% polyester
fleece for use in backhand side (118). Another version includes
stretch ottoman (96% polyester, 4% spandex) in the backhand side
(118). In other versions, textured water resistant or water
repellant microfiber fabric is laminated to 100% polyester fleece.
Still in other versions, gloves (110) are made of textured knit
(100% polyester) laminated to 100% polyester fleece. Leather,
either hairsheep or goatskin, can be used in the backhand side
(118) of glove (110) in some versions. The cuffs, palm, and
fourchettes of gloves (110) can be made of a blend of 80% nylon and
20% Lycra Spandex, or a blend of 79% nylon and 21% Lycra Spandex,
or a stretch fleece material (94% polyester, 6% Lycra Spandex) that
can also be used for seaming fabric (148). Synthetic suede (60%
polyurethane, 40% nylon) can be used as appliques or tabs. Gloves
(110), in some versions, include palm patches made of pigsplit or
embossed polyurethane. In view of the teachings herein, other
materials of construction for gloves (110) will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0041] Any conductive thread can be used in making glove (110) so
long as there is sufficient conductivity to conduct an electrical
impulse from the user's finger to the touchscreen. In the present
example, conductive thread (128) can conduct 82 ohms/foot to 14
ohms/foot. As mentioned previously, glove (110) is machine-sewn in
some versions, with machine embroidery or stitching. In the present
example, when embroidering or stitching conductive thread (128)
into glove (110), conductive thread (128) is used in both the top
and bottom bobbins. In some other versions, when embroidering or
stitching conductive thread (128) into glove (110), conductive
thread (128) is used in the top bobbin only. Still in some other
versions, when embroidering or stitching conductive thread (128)
into glove (110), conductive thread (128) is used in the bottom
bobbin thread only. In other versions, conductive thread (128) is
hand-sewn into glove (110). Conductive thread (128) for stitching
or embroidery can be comprised of a finer thread with four ends
that conducts 90 ohms/foot to 95 ohms/foot. Such conductive thread
(128) can be a 100% nylon thread with silver coating, with a
thickness before coating of 280 D and 340 D after coating. In view
of the teachings herein, other types of conductive thread (128) for
use in making gloves (110) will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art.
[0042] FIG. 6 further illustrates silicone printing (142) on palm
side (120) of glove (110).
[0043] In the present example silicone printing (142) is printed in
a diamond pattern and aides in gripping objects, (e.g., objects
having touchscreens, etc.). Other materials of construction for
enhancing the grip of palm side (120) will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein, and may
include various palm patches constructed of suede, synthetic
leather, synthetic suede, pigsplit, embossed polyurethane, among
others.
[0044] In view of the teachings herein, various other
configurations and modifications to glove (110) will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art. By way of example only, and not
limitation, conductive thread (128) may be embroidered or stitched
into any decorative pattern so long as there is sufficient
conductive thread to conduct an electrical impulse from the user's
finger to the touchscreen. In some versions, all or some of
fingertips (112) of one glove (110) from a pair of gloves are
conductive, while in other versions all or some of fingertips (112)
of both gloves (110) from the pair are conductive. In some versions
the thumb and index finger of glove (110) can be the only
fingertips (112) that are conductive. In some versions conductive
portions of fingertips (112) can be placed on the side portions of
the index fingertip and thumbtip, especially for users who often
press touchscreens with the side of their thumb, rather than
directly on the area covering pad (134) of the thumb.
[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary glove (210) having
fingertips (212) that are conductive. Similar to glove (110) of
FIGS. 5-8, glove (210) comprises a backhand side (218), a palm side
(not shown), a first end (222) comprising an opening (not shown)
for a user to insert their hand, and a second end (224) where the
distal portion of fingertips (212) are located. Glove (210) is
constructed in a similar fashion as glove (110)--by assembling cut
fabrics together using processes known in the art (e.g., sewing
together cut fabrics forming seams). In the present example, glove
(210) comprises a palm fabric (not shown), a backhand fabric (246),
and a seaming fabric (248). The palm and backhand fabrics are
generally non-conductive fabrics (226) sewn together to form glove
(210). Seaming fabric (248) is sewn between and joins palm and
backhand fabrics. In the present example, seaming fabric (248)
comprises a tape (e.g., a knit or a woven tape), where conductive
thread (228) is knit or woven into the tape. In some other versions
a twill tape incorporating conductive thread (228) can be used. The
tape can then be laid from seam to seam across fingertips (212) of
glove (210), and the ends of the tape can be sewn so as to touch a
user's fingers on the inside of the glove. In the present example
all of seaming fabric (248) comprises the tape having conductive
thread (228); however, in other versions the portion of seaming
fabric (248) containing conductive thread (228) is limited to the
area surrounding fingertips (212). In view of the teachings herein,
various other configurations and modifications to glove (210) will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0046] There are several methods of making knitted gloves that are
well-known in the art.
[0047] The assembly methods discussed hereinafter are known to one
of ordinary skill in the art, and other methods of knitting and
assembling a knitted glove would be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art. One method of creating a knit glove begins with
the glove body (310) being knit on a circular knitting machine. The
machine begins knitting at the first end (322) and knits towards
the second end (324) stopping approximately at what will be the
knuckles (316) of the completed glove (350). This process results
in a glove body (310) that looks like a knit tube with two open
ends, as shown in FIG. 10. "Waste threads" (314) are knitted into
the glove to show the placement of the thumb. The machine knits
additional "waste threads" (312) at the knuckles (316) to show the
placement of the fingers. The glove body is then placed onto a
circular knit fingering machine where the "waste threads" (312,
314) are removed. The fingers and the thumb are then each knitted
to the glove body separately. The fingers and thumbs look like open
tubes. The glove is removed from the fingering machine and the tips
of each finger and thumb are closed either by hand or machine.
[0048] In another embodiment of the present conductive glove, a
knit glove can be embroidered with conductive yarn. A glove body is
knit by any method known in the art. Fingers without conductive
yarn are also made by any method known in the art. To prepare a
finger or fingers containing conductive material, as shown in FIG.
11, flat patterns of the finger or fingers are knitted on a flat
knitting machine using non-conductive yarn (326). The flat patterns
of the finger(s) are then embroidered with conductive yarn (328).
The conductive yarn is placed in a position that facilitates
contacting a conductive touch screen. The now embroidered flat
patterns of the finger(s) are folded as shown in FIG. 12, and the
sides (332) of each flat pattern are connected to form a finger
shell (340). The finger shell(s) is then knitted, either manually
or by machine to the glove body in a finger position (346) or a
thumb position (348), as shown in FIG. 13. The placement of the
finger shells in FIG. 13 is only one configuration amongst an
abundance of positions and combinations that the designer may
choose from. The glove body is then placed onto a circular knit
fingering machine where the "waste threads" are removed. Any
remaining non-conductive fingers are then knitted to the glove body
separately.
[0049] Another process for creating embroidered conductive knit
gloves begins with the glove body (310) and fingers being knit
according to any method known in the art. As shown in FIGS. 14 and
15, an applique (360, 364) may be made of suede (362) or any other
material of sufficient structural integrity to be able to be
embroidered and used as a glove finger. The applique is then
embroidered with conductive yarn (328). Openings are created in the
fingertip(s) (340) of the fingers in a finger position (346) or a
thumb position (348) of the knit glove. The now embroidered
applique is attached to the surface of the finger in the finger
position (346) or thumb position (348) and covers the opening in
the fingertips (340). The placement of the embroidered applique in
FIG. 16 is only one configuration amongst an abundance of positions
and combinations that the designer may choose from. The completed
glove (342) is shown in FIG. 16.
[0050] Another process for creating embroidered conductive knit
gloves begins with the glove body (310) and fingers being knit
according to any method known in the art. The fingers can then each
knitted to the glove body (310) separately in the finger position
(346) or thumb position (348) and any openings in the fingers are
closed either by hand or machine. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, an
applique (360, 364) may be made of suede (362) or any other
material of sufficient structural integrity to be able to be
embroidered and used as a glove finger. The applique is then
embroidered with conductive yarn (328). The now embroidered
applique(360, 364) is stitched to the surface of at least one
finger in the finger position (346) or thumb position (348) using
conductive yarn or thread (370), as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The
conductive yarn or thread (370) may be drawn completely through the
applique and finger portion (340) so that the conductive yarn or
thread (370) creates a substantially continuous link from the
interior of the finger (340) of the glove (342) to the exterior of
the applique. The placement of the embroidered applique in FIG. 16
is only one configuration amongst an abundance of positions and
combinations that the designer may choose from. The completed glove
(342) is shown in FIG. 16.
[0051] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
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