EP1065951A1

EP1065951A1 - Improvements to metal mesh gloves

Info

Publication number: EP1065951A1
Application number: EP99910443A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Jaunault; Sophie Jaunault; Jean-Pierre Bodard
Original assignee: Manulatex France S A
Current assignee: Manulatex France S A
Priority date: 1998-03-27
Filing date: 1999-03-26
Publication date: 2001-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-26
Also published as: US6438759B1; WO1999049743A1; AU2939799A; DE69901699T2; EP1065951B1; DE69901699D1; CA2323718A1; FR2776482A1; FR2776482B1; BR9909113A; DK1065951T3; ATE218284T1; ES2177260T3

Abstract

The invention concerns a metal mesh glove provided with a likewise metal mesh extension (3), designed to cover the user's wrist, forearm and optionally arm. The invention is characterised in that said extension (3) is equipped with a rigid projecting beaded edge (6) arranged over at least part of its periphery and adapted to prevent a tool blade sliding on the metal mesh from thrusting further forward. Said rigid beaded edge (6) consists of a directly mounted structure in the form of a directly mounted circular loop (8), made of a rigid material and made integral with the metal mesh fabric by any suitable means.

Description

IMPROVEMENT IN MESH GLOVES

The present invention relates to chain mail gloves which consist of a mesh of intertwined metal rings and which are adapted to provide protection for the hand and possibly the user's forearm and arm.

These chainmail gloves are widely used at cutting stations in the meat industry and also in areas where sheet metal or glass plates with sharp edges are handled.

Some achievements consist of a "hand" part in chain mail, extended by a protective cuff of the forearm in molded plastic. This cuff generally has an external return at its end which constitutes an obstacle or a stop member for stopping the progression of a knife blade or other tool, in the direction of the unprotected forearm or arm part. . These plastic cuffs provide effective protection for the limb, but their presence complicates the mounting of the glove during manufacture. They also cause sweating problems of the user's limb, and they are quite fragile.

To avoid these drawbacks, gloves made of chain mail have been proposed, provided with a protective extension also made of chain mail, covering the wrist and possibly the user's forearm and arm. At the end of this protective extension, there is provided a hooking member for tightening, or an added peripheral strap, in braided fabric or in plastic material in particular. As provided in document WO-A-96 11 595, the protective glove in chain mail can also include elastic tightening members in the form of spiral springs arranged at the wrist and at the end of the protective extension , to maintain it on the user's limb. But if in these latter cases, the parts of the covered limbs are effectively protected, when the blade of a tool slides over the coat of mail fabric, it can easily reach the end of the protective extension and injure the wearer at an uncovered limb area, even despite the presence of an end tightening strap, or an elastic spiral spring.

The present invention proposes to remedy this drawback; to this end, it recommends equipping at least part of the periphery of the chainmail protection extension with a rigid protruding bead constituting an effective obstacle against the progression of the blade of a tool sliding on the chain mail fabric, which bead is produced by means of a structure in the form of an added circular loop, of rigid material, secured to the chain mail fabric by any suitable means.

This rigid bead preferably has a thickness of between 1 and 1.5 cm.

Preferably, it occupies at least most of the periphery of the chainmail extension to obtain effective protection.

This bead is advantageously fitted at the end of the chainmail extension, but one or more others can be provided between said end and the "hand" part of the glove.

According to a preferred embodiment, this glove has an extension in chain mail which is in the form of a complete sleeve devoid of lateral slit, which extension is provided with a rigid bead projecting at its end, which extends over at least part of the periphery of the hand introduction opening.

According to a possible embodiment, the rigid protruding bead consists of a circular loop which is attached in loops or in a hem arranged on the extension in chain mail. According to another possibility, this bead consists of a circular loop provided with a plurality of orifices for its attachment to the chainmail fabric by metal junction rings.

The rigid circular loop is advantageously in the form of a torus or else of a structure with a hook section; it is made of rigid plastic or metallic material; its section is a function of the desired shape and size of the end bead. The rigid structure used can be in the form of an open loop so that, after separation, it can come to tighten slightly on the wrist, forearm or arm of the user. The ends of the loop can be covered to avoid the presence of a weakened area, devoid of safety bead. In the latter case, the loop ends which overlap are shaped so that the thickness of the bead at the level of the overlap zone is not greater than the thickness of said bead outside of said overlap zone.

To improve the comfort of use, the zone of the periphery of the wrist or forearm which is located in the extension of the little finger of the hand can be devoid of a bead, or else can include a bead of less thickness ; this makes it possible to limit the gene of the user when he operates with the wrist or the forearm placed on a work surface, for example a cutting table. Preferably, the chainmail glove according to the invention also comprises at least one tightening member, for example in the form of a strap or hook, at the wrist; optionally, stiffening members are arranged between said clamping member and the protruding end bead. According to a particular embodiment, the glove is provided with a chainmail extension covering at least part of the user's forearm and it has a first protruding bead at the wrist, as well as a second protruding bead on the forearm. These two beads each consist of an attached loop fixed on the chainmail extension, and the two added loops are connected together by one or more rigid structure (s) constituting one or more organ (s) stiffener (s) ensuring the maintenance of the extension on the user's forearm.

However, the invention will be further illustrated, without being in any way limited, by the following description of several particular embodiments, given solely by way of examples and represented in the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a chainmail glove according to the present invention provided with a protruding end bead;

- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along 2-2 of Figure 1, which shows the protruding bead consisting of an attached rigid circular loop, housed in a hem arranged in the chain mail;

- Figure 3 shows the attached circular loop, isolated and in top view;

- Figure 4 shows another possible embodiment of a chainmail glove according to the present invention, in which the projecting bead is arranged at the end of an extension intended to cover the forearm of the user ;

- Figure 5 shows another possible embodiment of the added circular loop, isolated and in top view;

- Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view along 6-6 of Figure 5; - Figure 7 is an enlarged view, in section along 7-7 of Figure 5;

- Figure 8 shows yet another possible embodiment of the added circular loop, isolated and in top view;

- Figure 9 is an enlarged view, in section along 9-9 of Figure 8;

- Figure 10 shows a glove with an extension in chain mail covering the forearm, provided with two projecting beads connected by a rigid structure forming a stiffener;

- Figure 11 is a partial perspective view illustrating another possible embodiment of the protective bead according to the invention.

The glove 1 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is made of chain mail fabric, consisting of a lattice of interlaced metal rings, for example rings of stainless steel wire 0.5 or 0.55 mm in diameter .

This glove is formed by a “hand” part 2 structured to wrap the user's hand; this “hand” part 2 is extended by an extension section 3, in the form of a sleeve adapted to cover the wrist. The chain mail of the end section 3 can be oriented in the same direction as that constituting the "hand" part 2, or in a different direction. The extension section 3 is in the form of a complete sleeve, with no side slit; its end opening 4 has dimensions just sufficient to allow the introduction of the hand without difficulty.

The end edge of the extension 3, which delimits the opening 4 for insertion by hand, comprises a peripheral bead 6 constituted by an added circular loop 8, made of rigid material, which forms an insert housed in a hem 9 This hem 9 is obtained by joining the line of end rings of the extension 3 with the body of the chain mail fabric, preferably on the side of the external face of said fabric to accentuate the projection towards the outside. This joining is achieved by sewing by means of metal rings identical or similar to those of the chainmail fabric.

The dimensions of the hem 9 are adjusted as a function of those of the insert 8. The hem 9 can be formed directly on the insert 8, but the said insert can also be slid into the end hem prepared for 'advance; in the latter case, a finishing seam makes it possible to completely partition the insert to ensure that it remains in place.

Note that instead of hem 9, a plurality of simple passers-by in chain mail can be provided, regularly distributed; one can also consider any other method of attachment.

The circular loop 8, shown in isolation in Figure 3, has a generally toric shape whose round section has a diameter between 1 and 1.5 cm; it is made of rigid material, for example plastic (PVC, polyamide, polycarbonate ...) or metal (stainless steel, aluminum ...). In Figure 3, we note that the insert 8 does not form a complete loop; it is open at the level of the zone referenced 10 and it thus constitutes, in connection with the nature of the material used, a flexible structure which can open or deviate slightly in particular to facilitate the passage of the hand through the opening 4 glove. To complete the maintenance of the glove and to optimize the wrapping of the protected limb part, a tightening member is provided at the end of the “hand” part 2 or on the extension section 3. This tightening member can consist of a strap attached in chain mail, braided fabric, plastic or other; as shown in FIG. 1, it is also possible to provide a simple hooking structure 12 fixed directly on the chain mail fabric or by means of an assembly member of the swivel type 13. The structure of hooking 12 which comes to grip in the chain mail fabric allows the user to adjust the tightening at will. Preferably, the clamping member 12 is fixed on the edge of an opening 14 arranged in the chain mail fabric. The clamping member 12 can then be positioned on one side or the other of the metal frame, which makes it possible to obtain a reversible glove by simple turning over on itself.

Once positioned on the user's hand and wrist, the bead 6 forms a protruding end member whose size and rigid structure are adapted to constitute an obstacle or an effective stop against the progression of a blade. tool sliding on chain mail fabric. This protruding bead 6 extends over the entire periphery of the end opening 4 of the glove and it constitutes an effective blocking member improving the safety of the glove against uncontrolled movements and untimely slippage of the tool used. FIG. 2 shows a tool blade 15 facing the safety bead 6. It is understood that if this blade 15 continues to progress towards the unprotected limb portion, the end bead 6 will block it to avoid the risk of injury, or at least brake and blow it up to limit this risk.

It will also be noted that the rigid loop positioned in the end hem makes it possible to open the passage 4 for introducing by hand; this feature makes it easier to put on and remove the glove.

The safety bead 6 can be fitted in the same way at the end and / or over an area the height of a chainmail extension covering the forearm or even the user's arm. In this case, the protective extension may comprise a plurality of clamping members in the form of a strap (s) and / or of hooking structure (s); she can also be provided with longitudinal stiffeners allowing to improve the maintenance of the coat of mail fabric on the protected part of member.

Figure 4 shows a chain mail glove of this kind, the "hand" part 2 is extended by an extension 3 intended to cover most of the forearm. This extension 3 comprises an end bead 6 identical or similar to that illustrated in connection with the "simplified" glove of FIGS. 1 and 2. It also comprises longitudinal stiffeners 16 produced in particular by overmolding of plastic material on the ring lattice metallic, or by metallic elements fixed on the chain mail fabric. These stiffeners 16 extend over the length of the extension 3, between the end bead 6 and a tightening strap 18 which equips the wrist area.

The tightening strap 18 consists of a chainmail band fixed on the edge of an opening 19 allowing the reversibility of the glove; it is provided at its end with a hooking member 20 ensuring the maintenance of the clamping.

It is possible to envisage other forms of circular loops than that illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 for producing the end bead 6.

Thus, although an open loop is a preferred embodiment due to the flexibility that this characteristic provides, it is entirely possible to envisage the use of a closed loop, in particular if it is desired to avoid the presence of an area devoid of an insert on the periphery of the end opening 4.

An intermediate solution consists in providing a structure in the form of an open loop, the ends of which overlap and have the possibility of sliding over one another or of sliding relative to one another, depending on the flexibility obtained. . In this case, the ends of the loop will advantageously be adapted to limit the thickness of material linked to this covering. In particular, these ends may be shaped so that the bead 6 has a substantially identical thickness over the entire periphery of the opening 4 for introducing the hand. Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a structure 8 'of this kind consisting of a body 21 of round section and two ends 22 and 23 which overlap. These two ends 22 and 23 have a reduced thickness compared to that of the body 21; they have a complementary shape which, in association, makes it possible to substantially reconstitute the round section of this body 21.

A loop structure is obtained which, after separation, resumes its initial configuration by the flexibility of the rigid material.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a slightly different embodiment in which the rigid structure 8 "consists of a circular body 24 with inverted U section forming a kind of hook, extended by two flat ends 25 and 26 which overlap Here again, an open loop of generally circular shape with a flexible structure is obtained. In FIG. 9, the chainmail fabric with the end hem 9 has been shown in dotted lines. This particular form of rigid section loop hook allows effectively blocking the progression of a tool blade and it improves the efficiency of the bead 6. Of course, to be effective, the hook arranged externally is oriented towards the hand of the user.

The protruding bead according to the invention can prove to be troublesome in certain cases, for example when the user places his wrist or his forearm on a work plane. To limit this gene, and to find an acceptable compromise between safety and comfort of use, the zone of the periphery of the wrist or forearm which is located in the extension of the little finger of the hand can be devoid of bead, or the bead at this level may have a limited thickness. The rigid loop 8 "illustrated in FIG. 8 has this characteristic at the level of its two flattened ends 25 and 26. In order for this thin zone to be permanently correctly positioned in line with the little finger of the hand, provision may be made secure the attached structure 8 "with the hem 9 in chain mail, for example by means of one or more connecting rings. On the circular structure 8 of Figure 3, there is shown a dotted line 27 which illustrates the reduction in thickness that can be achieved to meet the comfort objective mentioned above.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a chainmail glove according to the present invention, provided with an extension 3 covering the user's forearm part. This particular glove has a first protruding bead 6 'at the wrist and a second protruding bead 6 "at the end of the extension 3. Each bead 6' and 6" is produced by means of a rigid circular insert attached, housed in a suitable hem. At the wrist, the hem is made by splitting the chain mail fabric or by means of a tubular section made independently of the glove and fixed by sewing rings. Between the two beads 6 ′ and 6 ″, we note the presence of a rigid structure 28 which constitutes a stiffening member making it possible to tension the extension 3 to keep it in position on the forearm. This stiffening member 28 can be independent of the structures which form the protruding beads 6 'and 6 ", or it can be made in one piece with them. As illustrated in FIG. 10, it can have a general helical shape to wind at least partially around the forearm; we can also consider a simpler, rectilinear form.

The stiffening member 28 is held integral with the chain mail fabric forming the extension 3 by any suitable means, for example by means of small added sections 29 in chain mail, forming sorts of loops regularly distributed. It can also be entirely housed in a longitudinal hem arranged for this purpose, or else be fixed by sewing rings.

If necessary, several stiffening members 28 can be provided around the periphery of the extension 3.

The rigid structures used to form the beads 6 'and 6 "are of the same kind as those described in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 9. If the stiffening member (s) 28 are made in one piece with these structures, we will adapt accordingly the attachment of the assembly on the extension 3 in chain mail.

We obtain an extension in chain mail 3 shaped into a tube by a kind of rigid frame. To optimize the covering of the user's limb, additional tightening means, not shown, in the form of tightening straps and / or simple hooking members may be provided.

The same stiffening structure can be adapted on the forearm and possibly also on the arm part of a protective glove which covers the entire upper limb of the user.

Figure 11 partially illustrates another possible embodiment of the protruding protective bead. Here the bead 6 '"consists of a circular loop 8'" with a hook section whose base has a plurality of orifices

30 allowing the connection with the chain mail fabric, by means of metal junction rings which may be identical to those of the chain mail fabric.

The rigid loop with hook section 8 '"can be made of metal or plastic; it can be arranged at the end of the extension 3 in chain mail or on an intermediate part. The hooking element is extends outwards, oriented towards the "hand" part of the glove to effectively fulfill its protective stop function.

In an alternative embodiment, it is possible to envisage producing the protruding bead in the form of two annular hooking structures similar to the representation of FIG. 11, arranged back to back. A symmetrical structure is then obtained with an internal hook and an external hook which makes the glove reversible.

In another alternative embodiment, the hook structure 8 '"can be replaced by an O-ring from which extends a side wing provided with fixing holes. The rigid attached buckle 8" "can also be fixed to the chainmail fabric by other means, for example by rivets; it can be opened or closed in accordance with the embodiments described above.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1.- Glove in chain mail with an extension (3) also in chain mail which is intended to cover the wrist, the forearm and possibly the user's arm, characterized in that it comprises at least one rigid protruding bead (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") arranged on at least part of the periphery of said extension (3) and adapted to constitute an obstacle to the progression of the blade of a tool sliding on the chain mail fabric, which bead is produced by means of a structure in the form of an attached circular loop (8, 8 ′,

8 ", 8 '"), in rigid material, secured to the chain mail fabric by any suitable means.

2.- glove in chain mail according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rigid bead (6, 6 ', 6 ", 6'") whose thickness is between 1 cm and 1, 5 cm .

3.- chainmail glove according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a rigid bead (6, 6 ", 6 '") projecting arranged at the end of the extension (3) in chain mail.

4. Glove in chain mail according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises an extension (3) in chain mail in the form of a complete sleeve devoid of lateral slot, which extension (3) comprises a rigid bead (6 , 6 ", 6 '") projecting at its end, which extends over at least part of the periphery of the opening (4) for introducing the hand.

5. Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises at least one rigid bead (6 ') projecting arranged between the "hand" part of the glove and the end of its extension (3) in chain mail.

6. Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a rigid protruding bead (6, 6 ', 6 ") consisting of a circular loop (8, 8 ', 8 ") attached in passers-by or in a hem (9) fitted on the extension (3) in chain mail. 1.- chainmail glove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a rigid protruding bead (6 '") consisting a circular loop (8 '") provided with a plurality of holes (30) for fixing it to the chain mail fabric by metal junction rings.

8.- Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a circular loop (8, 8 ') of generally toric shape.

9. Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a circular loop (8 ", 8 '"), the section of which is in the form of a hook.

10.- Chainmail glove according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a rigid structure (8, 8 ', 8 ") in the form of an open loop.

11. Glove in chain mail according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a rigid structure (8 ', 8 ") in the form of an open loop whose ends (22-23, 25-26) overlap. 12.- chainmail glove according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a rigid structure (8 ', 8 ") whose ends (22-23, 25-26) which overlap are shaped so as to that the thickness of the bead at the level of the overlap zone is not greater than the thickness of said bead outside of said overlap zone. 13.- Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims

1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a rigid structure (8, 8 ") shaped so as to limit the thickness of the bead on the zone of the periphery of the wrist or the forearm which is located in the Extension of the little finger of the hand 14.- Chainmail glove according to any one of the claims

1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a rigid structure adapted not to form a protruding bead on the zone of the periphery of the wrist or the forearm which is located in the extension of the little finger of the hand.

15.- Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one clamping member, for example in the form of strap (18) or simple hooking structure (12 ), at wrist level and, possibly, stiffening members (16) disposed between said clamping member (12, 18) and the end bead (6, 6 ", 6 '").

16. Glove in chain mail according to any one of claims 1 to 15 provided with an extension (3) in chain mail from covering at least part of the user's forearm, characterized in that that it has a first protruding bead (6 ') at the wrist, and a second protruding bead (6 ") on the user's forearm, said protruding bulges (6', 6") each consisting of an attached loop, fixed on the extension (3) in chain mail, and the two added loops being connected together by one or more rigid structure (s) (28) constituting one or more stiffener (s) ensuring the maintenance of the extension (3) on the user's forearm.