CA2534160A1

CA2534160A1 - Glove node

Info

Publication number: CA2534160A1
Application number: CA 2534160
Authority: CA
Inventors: Erin Frances Mcgann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-27
Filing date: 2006-01-27
Publication date: 2007-07-27

Description

GLOVE NODE
Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a node/point part comprising a body having a protrusion and an opposing surface operable to be attached to a glove. The body may include a surface texture. The part may be a pad with a protrusion or it may include an open or close-ended sleeve with a protrusion which is operable to be received over the finger portion of a glove. The body may further include a base flange.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a glove having a node or point, the method comprising forming or attaching the above-described node/point part to a glove. The method may comprise forming the node and the glove as a unitary body or the node may be attached to a preformed glove. The node may be attached to the glove by a variety of known means including gluing, sewing, welding and combinations thereof. The node may be screen printed onto the glove.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove having a node, the node comprising a body having a protrusion. The node may be attached to a finger portion of the glove. The node may be attached to the thumb portion of the glove. The node may be integrally formed with the glove. The node may be attached to the glove after forming the glove. The glove and the node may be formed as a unitary body.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments A glove 10 as shown in Figure 1, such as for example an insulated winter sport glove, a leather reinforced safety glove, protective work wear glove, padded or protective sport glove, has a node or point part 20 integrated as part of a portion of the finger 12, for example the exterior finger 14 and/or thumb pad area 16. The node or point part may also be applied to a mitten.
The node or point part may be applied to the glove, for example, by affixing the node or point to the glove during the construction process for making the glove. The node or point part may also be affixed to the glove after construction or applied to the glove as a part (e.g., a closed- or open-ended tube or sleeve) that is pulled over the finger or thumb pad area by the wearer.
Other methods of affixing the node or point part to the glove may also be used. The integrated node or point part may be located on the anterior panel over the finger pad on the left and/or

2 right index fingers or thumbs. As shown in Figures 1 through 3 of the node or point part may be affixed to the left and/or right anterior exterior glove panels to allow pressure to be applied by the first and second anterior distal phalanx. It will be appreciated that the node or point part may also be applied to other locations on the glove.

The node or point part may be affixed in place by, but not limited to, sewing, gluing, high or radio frequency welding, thermo molding or screening onto the exterior finger and/or thumb area. The node or point part that is integral to the finger construction may be pour molded or injection molded part or a screen applied feature. The material for the molded, injection molded or screened part may include poly vinyl chloride, thermo plastic rubber, polyurethane and silicone but are not limited to common thermo plastic resin materials.

The shape of various embodiments of the node or point part will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. Now referring to Figure 4, there is shown the shape of the node or point part according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The node or point part shown generally at 20 may include a base 22 and a raised portion 24 containing a protrusion. The dimensions shown on Figure 4 are possible dimensions and should not be understood as being mandatory. Other dimensions of the node or point part may also be acceptable so as to enable the node or point part to perform the intended function. The base 22 of the node or point part may include a texture. As shown in Figure 4, the texture may, for example comprise a stipple texture. It will be appreciated, however, that other textures may be applied to the node or point and the texture is not limited to a stipple texture as shown.

As shown in Figure 5, alternative shapes of the node or point part according to alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown. The alternative shapes as shown in Figure 5 include but are not limited to (a) a four sided protrusion with a flat tip, (b) a swirled volcano shaped protrusion, (c) an ovalized or rounded protrusion, and (d) a square four sided protrusion. In addition, it will be appreciated that as shown in Figure 5, the node or point part may be constructed as including only a raised portion without an extended base as shown in Figure 5(a).

Now referring to Figure 6, the node or point part is shown according to another embodiment of the present invention including the shape and look of a fingerprint. According to this

3 embodiment of the present invention, the raised portion 24 of the node or point may be textured and/or constructed so as to resemble a fingerprint.

It should be understood, that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and dimensions shown in the accompanying Figures. These drawings and dimensions are suggested shapes and dimensions but are not restricted by these dimensions or shapes.
Operation The node or point part 20 permits the person wearing the glove 10 to operate instrument key pads and buttons such as, for example, but not limited to operating cell phone key pads as shown in Figure 1 or digital instrument key pads or camera buttons as shown in Figure 2. The node or point permits the user to operate these key pads and buttons without removing the glove so as to permit the person to keep hands warm and minimize interruption in removal of gloves while working or recreating.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the invention only and not as limiting the invention.