U.S. patent application number 16/510638 was filed with the patent office on 2021-01-14 for mitt for manually handled object drop safety.
The applicant listed for this patent is TECHNIQUE SOLUTIONS PTY LTD. Invention is credited to David SALISBURY, Richard SALISBURY.
Application Number | 20210007422 16/510638 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004215124 |
Filed Date | 2021-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210007422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SALISBURY; Richard ; et
al. |
January 14, 2021 |
MITT FOR MANUALLY HANDLED OBJECT DROP SAFETY
Abstract
A mitt for manually handled object drop safety has a fabric
covering and a wrist cuff which may be worn like a loose-fitting
glove to catch accidentally dropped manually handled objects. The
covering has a penetrable interlace of flat bands defining a
plurality of insertion points at intersections therebetween through
which typically objects such as fasteners such as bolts, nuts and
the like may be inserted during manual handling.
Inventors: |
SALISBURY; Richard;
(Tullamarine, AU) ; SALISBURY; David;
(Tullamarine, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TECHNIQUE SOLUTIONS PTY LTD |
Tullamarine |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004215124 |
Appl. No.: |
16/510638 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/081
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20060101
A41D013/08 |
Claims
1. A mitt having a loose-fitting fabric covering interfacing a
wrist cuff at a proximal end thereof, the covering comprising a
penetrable interlace of orthogonal flat material bands defining a
plurality of insertion points at intersections therebetween through
which manually handled objects may be pressed in use.
2. A mitt as claimed in claim 1, wherein each band alternates over
and under each other consecutive orthogonal band.
3. A mitt as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bands have a width of
greater than 1 cm and wherein edges of parallel adjacent bands lie
less than 3 mm apart.
4. A mitt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material bands are
elastic.
5. A mitt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the penetrable interlace
perpendicularly intersects a longitudinal axis of the cuff.
6. A mitt as claimed in claim 5, wherein the penetrable interlace
is rectangular.
7. A mitt as claimed in claim 6, wherein the covering has top,
bottom and sides with respect to the longitudinal axis and wherein
the penetrable interlace forms at least a part of a front of the
covering and is bounded by the top, bottom and sides.
8. A mitt as claimed in claim 7, wherein a top edge of the front
lies closer to the longitudinal axis as compared to a bottom edge
thereof.
9. A mitt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the covering comprises a
transparent or semi-transparent screen for viewing an interior of
the covering in use.
10. A mitt as claimed in claim 9, wherein the screen comprises a
mesh.
11. A mitt as claimed in claim 9, wherein at screen locates at a
top of the covering to lie at a rear of the hand inserted therein
in use.
12. A mitt as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of the
sides and a bottom of the covering comprises a further transparent
or semi-transparent screen.
13. A mitt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cuff comprises a
tightenable outer cuff band.
14. A mitt as claimed in claim 13, wherein the outer cuff band has
an end which doubles back through a buckle and the end has an inner
fastener surface which fastens to an outer fastener surface of the
band thereunderneath.
15. A mitt as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fastener surfaces
comprise hook and loop fasteners.
16. A mitt as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cuff comprises an
inner flexible sleeve surrounded by the outer cuff band.
17. A mitt as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a further
penetrable interlace of orthogonal flat material bands.
18. A mitt as claimed in claim 15, wherein the penetrable interlace
is located at a front of the covering and wherein the further
penetrable interlace is located at a side of the covering and
wherein the mitt further comprises a screen at a top of the mitt
and a further screen at a bottom of the mitt.
19. A mitt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the penetrable interlace
comprises at least four bands in each orthogonal orientation,
thereby defining at least nine insertion points at respective
intersections therebetween.
20. The method of securing manually handled objects using a mitt as
claimed in claim 1, the method comprising donning the mitt on a
hand, tightening the cuff and pressing a manually handled object
through one of the plurality of insertion points of the penetrable
interlace of the orthogonal flat material bands.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a mitt for manually handled object
drop safety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Drop safety equipment of various configurations exist
including those comprising lanyards, tethers and the like and which
are designed to catch accidentally dropped objects such as
tools.
[0003] The present invention seeks to provide drop safety
equipment, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least
some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide
an alternative.
[0004] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in
the art, in Australia or any other country.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] There is provided herein a mitt having a fabric covering
interfacing a wrist cuff. The fabric covering is configured to
cover the thumb and forefingers of a hand inserted through the cuff
in use. The covering is not close-fitting, thereby allowing the
relatively free manipulation of the fingers and thumb of the hand
therein.
[0006] The covering comprises a penetrable interlace of orthogonal
flat material bands. Intersections between orthogonal and adjacent
material bands define various insertion points which dilate when
objects such as bolts, nuts and the like are pressed therethrough,
thereby allowing objects to be pushed into and pulled from an
interior of the covering.
[0007] However, edges of adjacent bands lie close together such
that the insertion points remain small and constricted by default,
being smaller than a minimum dimension of the object.
[0008] As such, in use, the mitt may be donned to cover forefingers
and thumb of the hand and the wrist cuff tightened for securement.
An object, such as a bolt, can be pushed through any one of the
available insertion points of the penetrable interlace so as to
allow the user to hold the object by hand to affix or release or
otherwise use the object externally.
[0009] However, should the object be accidentally dropped, the
covering will catch the object including in that the interlace of
orthogonal flat material bands can prevent the object from falling
through the interlace.
[0010] In embodiments, the penetrable interlace may be arranged at
the front of the covering at the fingertips, thereby allowing the
pushing of objects forwardly therethrough.
[0011] In embodiments, the covering may comprise further penetrable
interlaces, such as a side penetrable interlace facing an inner
side of the hand, thereby allowing sideways access of objects or
alternatively allowing for the insertion of tools therethrough,
such as spanners. In this way, an object such as a bolt can be held
in one hand through the front interlace whereas a spanner may be
inserted through the side interlace to tighten the bolt in the
usual manner.
[0012] In embodiments, the covering comprises at least one flexible
and transparent/semitransparent screen for viewing the interior of
the covering. The screen may comprise a mesh, thereby enhancing
breathability of the mitt. The screen may be located at a top of
the covering so as to locate above are adjacent a rear of the hand,
thereby allowing the viewing of the object therein from above. In
embodiments the covering may comprise further screens, such as at
at least one side and bottom of the covering to allow for further
viewpoints of the object therein.
[0013] In embodiments, the covering comprises a side penetrable
interlace and screens both above and below. As such, the mitt can
be worn on either hand with one of the screens locating above
irrespectively.
[0014] The covering may further comprise external tether points and
which may be load rated and from which lanyards may be used to
secure tools, such as spanners and the like. In this embodiment,
the cuff may hold the mitt to the hand if jerked by a dropped
tethered tool.
[0015] According to one aspect, there is provided a mitt having a
loose-fitting fabric covering interfacing a wrist cuff at a
proximal end thereof, the covering comprising a penetrable
interlace of orthogonal flat material bands defining a plurality of
insertion points at intersections therebetween through which
manually handled objects may be pressed in use.
[0016] Each band may alternate over and under each other
consecutive orthogonal band.
[0017] The bands may have a width of greater than 1 cm and edges of
parallel adjacent bands may lie less than 3 mm apart.
[0018] The material bands may be elastic.
[0019] The penetrable interlace may perpendicularly intersect a
longitudinal axis of the cuff.
[0020] The penetrable interlace may be rectangular.
[0021] The covering may have top, bottom and sides with respect to
the longitudinal axis and wherein the penetrable interlace forms at
least a part of a front of the covering and may be bounded by the
top, bottom and sides.
[0022] A top edge of the front may lie closer to the longitudinal
axis as compared to a bottom edge thereof.
[0023] The covering may comprise a transparent or semi-transparent
screen for viewing an interior of the covering in use.
[0024] The screen may comprise a mesh.
[0025] A screen may locate at a top of the covering to lie at a
rear of the hand inserted therein in use.
[0026] At least one of the sides and a bottom of the covering may
comprise a further transparent or semi-transparent screen.
[0027] The cuff may comprise a tightenable outer cuff band.
[0028] The outer cuff band may have an end which doubles back
through a buckle and the end may have an inner fastener surface
which fastens to an outer fastener surface of the band
thereunderneath.
[0029] The fastener surfaces may comprise hook and loop
fasteners.
[0030] The cuff may comprise an inner flexible sleeve surrounded by
the outer cuff band.
[0031] The mitt may further comprise a further penetrable interlace
of orthogonal flat material bands.
[0032] The penetrable interlace may be located at a front of the
covering and wherein the further penetrable interlace may be
located at a side of the covering and wherein the mitt further may
comprise a screen at a top of the mitt and a further screen at a
bottom of the mitt.
[0033] The penetrable interlace may comprise at least four bands in
each orthogonal orientation, thereby defining at least nine
insertion points at respective intersections therebetween.
[0034] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of
securing manually handled objects using the mitt, the method
comprising donning the mitt on a hand, tightening the cuff and
pressing a manually handled object through one of the plurality of
insertion points of the penetrable interlace of the orthogonal flat
material bands.
[0035] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the
scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the
disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mitt in accordance with
an embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 2 shows an underside perspective view of the mitt;
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates the donning of the mitt;
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the mitt while manipulating
objects by hand;
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates the way in which the mitt may catch
accidentally dropped objects; and
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates the way in which objects within the mitt
may be viewed and/or tools inserted in accordance with
embodiments.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0043] A mitt 100 comprises a fabric covering 101 interfacing a
wrist cuff 102.
[0044] For orientational referencing, top and derivatives thereof
will generally refer to locations at a rear/back of the hand and
bottom and derivatives thereof at the palm of the hand. Similarly,
front and derivatives thereof relate to being at or perpendicularly
facing the forefingers and inner side and derivatives thereof refer
to at or facing the first forefinger and thumb.
[0045] When a hand is inserted through the cuff 102 in the manner
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the covering 101 is configured to cover the
thumb and forefingers in a loose-fitting manner, thereby allowing
the manipulation of the fingers to manually handle objects.
[0046] The wrist cuff 102 may comprise a tightenable outer cuff
band 103. An end 104 of the outer cuff band 103 may double back
through a buckle 105 and the end 104 may comprise an inner fastener
surface 106 which fastens to an outer fastener surface 107 of the
band 103. The end 104 may have a pull terminus 108 extending beyond
the inner fastener surface 106 to facilitate strapping and
unstrapping.
[0047] The fastener surfaces 106, 107 may comprise hook and loop
fasteners. The larger outer fastener surface 107 may comprise loop
fasteners to reduce abrasion at the cuff 102 as compared to having
hook fasteners.
[0048] The cuff 102 may comprise an inner flexible sleeve 128
enclosed by the outer cuff band 103. The inner flexible sleeve 128
may be increasingly exposed by a V-neck 129 as is shown in FIG.
1.
[0049] The covering 101 may comprise a penetrable interlace 109 of
orthogonal flat material bands 110. The flat material bands 110 are
interlaced 109 in that each band 110 alternates over and under each
other consecutively adjacent orthogonal bands 110 as is shown in
FIG. 1. Furthermore, edges of adjacent parallel bands 110 may lie
close together as similarly shown in FIG. 1, such as by less than 5
mm, 3 mm or 1 mm in embodiments.
[0050] The material bands 110 may be elastic. Portions of the
covering 101 other than the penetrable interlace 109 may comprise
canvas or similar material.
[0051] Intersections between the bands 110 therefore define
penetrable insertion points 112 through which objects may be
pushed. The bands 110 may be configured to provide a plurality of
insertion points 112, thereby allowing user choice of location
through which to press an object.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the interlace 109 comprises more
than three bands in each orthogonal orientation, thereby providing
at least four insertion points 112. In the embodiment shown, the
interlace 109 at the front of the mitt 100 comprises four bands in
each orientation, thereby providing up to nine central insertion
points 112.
[0053] The width of the bands 110 may be varied, including
depending on the type and therefore size of the object being
handled. However, the width of the bands 110 may be greater than 1
cm, 1.5 or 2 cm embodiments. Furthermore, the width or height of
the interface 109 may be greater than 4 cm, 7 cm or 10 cm in
embodiments thereby providing a sufficiently large area through
which to push objects and various insertion points 112.
[0054] When handling an object 111 such as a fastener such as a
bolt, nut, nail or the like, or another type of object, the mitt
100 is donned by inserting the hand through the wrist cuff 102 in
the manner shown in FIG. 3.
[0055] The object 111 may be pushed through one of the available
insertion points 112 of the penetrable interlace 109 in the manner
shown in FIG. 4.
[0056] As is illustrated in FIG. 4, the bands 110 move apart at any
one of the multiple insertion points 112 of the penetrable
interlace 109, thereby allowing the object 111 to be passed
therethrough.
[0057] As such, the object 111 may be gripped by the hand within
the covering 101 and passed through any one of the multiple
insertion points 112 of the penetrable interlace 109 for handling,
such as screwing into a fastener aperture 113 as shown in FIG. 3
for example.
[0058] However, should the object 111 be accidentally dropped, the
covering 101 will catch the object 111 therein in the manner shown
in FIG. 5.
[0059] As edges of parallel adjacent bands 110 of the penetrable
interlace 109 run close together, the insertion points 112 remain
small (such as by, for example, comprising a maximum diameter of
less than 5 mm, 3 mm or 1 mm in various embodiments) thereby
preventing the object 111 from falling therethrough, even under
inertia from falling a short distance from the hand.
[0060] In embodiments, the penetrable interlace 109 may be
substantially square and arranged at the front of the covering 110
orthogonally facing the fingertips (i.e. in that that the
penetrable interlace 109 perpendicularly intersects a longitudinal
axis 113 through the cuff 102), thereby allowing objects 111 to
pass forwardly the penetrable interlace 109 in front of the
hand.
[0061] In embodiments the covering 110 comprises a top 114, bottom
115 and sides 116 and the penetrable interlace 109 forms a front
surrounded by the forward edges of the top 114, bottom 115 and
sides 116.
[0062] As can be seen from FIG. 4, a top edge of the front of the
covering 110 may lie closer to the longitudinal axis 113 of the
cuff 102 as compared to a bottom edge thereof. In other words, the
vertical midpoint 117 may be beneath the longitudinal axis 113 of
the cuff 102 thereby allowing greater accommodation for the
manipulation of the fingers.
[0063] The covering 101 may comprise a flexible and transparent or
semi-transparent screen 118. Whereas the screen 118 may comprise
transparent plastic in embodiments, in a preferred embodiment the
screen 118 comprises a mesh which is both semitransparent and
breathable.
[0064] The screen 118 may be at the top of the covering 101 so as
to locate at a rear surface of the hand so as to provide a top view
119 into an interior of the covering 101 as is illustrated in FIG.
6.
[0065] In embodiments the covering 101 may comprise further
semitransparent screens such as a bottom semitransparent screen 120
and/or a side transparent screen. As such, the user may view an
interior of the covering 101 additionally or alternatively from the
bottom and/or side of the mitt 100.
[0066] In embodiments the covering 101 comprises a further
penetrable interlace 122 similarly comprising orthogonal flat
material bands 110. The further penetrable interlace 122 may locate
at the inner side of the hand (i.e. generally coplanar with
surfaces of the thumb and first forefinger). The further penetrable
interlace 122 may be orthogonally arranged with respect to the
penetrable interlace 109 at the front of the covering 110.
[0067] In this way, objects may be accessed through sides of the
covering 110 also.
[0068] Furthermore, in embodiments, a tool 123 such as a spanner or
the like may be inserted through the further side penetrable
interlace 122 to interface the object 111 penetrating through the
front penetrable interlace 109. The tool 123 may be manipulated
with a free hand while the other hand holds the object 111.
[0069] In embodiments, the mitt 100 comprises top and bottom
screens 118 and both the front penetrable interlace 109 and the
side penetrable interlace 122. In this way, the mitt may be worn on
either the left or the right hand wherein one of the screens 118
locates at the top of the hand irrespectively.
[0070] In embodiments the mitt 100 comprises at least one tether
point 124 which may comprise a D-shackle 125 retained within a
material loop 126. The material loop 126 may be sufficiently wide,
such as more than 1 cm, 1.5 cm or 2 cm in embodiments for adequate
securement of the D shackle 125 for load rating, so as to, for
example, be able to arrest a 2 kg object such as an electric power
drill dropped through 1.5 m.
[0071] A lanyard 127 may connect the tether point 124 to the tool
123 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. As is shown in FIG. 1, tether
points 124 may be provided at both sides of the mitt 100 so as to
be able to secure tools 123 from either side or simultaneously from
both sides of the hand in use.
[0072] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art
that specific details are not required in order to practise the
invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments
of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and
description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above
teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the invention and its practical
applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define
the scope of the invention.
[0073] The term "approximately" or similar as used herein should be
construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise
indicated.
* * * * *