EP2174563B1

EP2174563B1 - Glove arranged for coupling to a pole

Info

Publication number: EP2174563B1
Application number: EP08425649A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Danilo Previsdomini
Original assignee: LEVEL SPORT Srl
Current assignee: LEVEL SPORT Srl
Priority date: 2008-10-07
Filing date: 2008-10-07
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-07
Also published as: ATE490700T1; US20100088802A1; DE602008003935D1; EP2174563A1

Abstract

A glove (20) arranged for coupling to a pole, characterised in that said glove (20) comprises at least one rivet (22) with a threaded interior.

Description

The present invention relates to a glove arranged for coupling to a pole, and to the relative coupling system. Devices are known for connecting a skier's gloves to the ski pole.
The document US 5,988,681 discloses a system for securing a ski pole to a hand of a skier, wherein a ski glove or a hand-wrapping harness strap includes a wedge-shaped or triangular locking piece, with the locking pierce being attached to the harness strap or attached to the ski glove by a flexible lip located within a web area between a thumb and an index finger of the glove.
Their purpose is to prevent loss of the pole while skiing or in the case of a fall. They also maintain the pole in a handy position while the skier has to use the hands for other operations.
An object of the present invention is to provide an easily manufactured glove arranged for coupling to a pole. Another object is to provide the skier with a feeling of security given by this connection to the pole.
A further object is to provide the skier with a rigid connection between the glove and the pole, which the skier can utilize to apply more force to the pole.
These and further objects are attained according to the invention by a glove arranged for coupling to a pole, characterised in that said glove comprises at least one rivet with a threaded interior.
These objects are also attained by a system for coupling a glove to a pole, comprising a glove in accordance with claim 1.
Further characteristics of the invention are described in the dependent claims.
This arrangement can be applied to five-finger gloves or to gloves of the mitten type comprising one, two or three compartments, of fabric or other materials, for use with ski poles, in trekking and in walking.
The band advantageously has a structure which wraps the entire hand, from the wrist to the knuckles (but excluding the knuckles themselves in order not to compromise the free movement of the fingers), including the base of the thumb.
By wrapping the hand, the band is able to give the skier a further support so that the skier can push on the pole with greater force.
This band means that the glove behaves correctly and does not deform or tear due to the force applied to the pole.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing detailed description of one embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically an opened punched sheet forming the band, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows schematically a partially folded and partially sewn punched sheet, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 shows schematically a partially folded and partially sewn punched sheet with a reinforcement, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 4 shows schematically a folded and sewn punched sheet with a reinforcement, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 shows schematically a glove turned inside-out, in accordance with the present invention;
Figures 6a and 6b show schematically an inside-out glove fixed to the band with a rivet, and the rivet itself, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 7 shows schematically a glove turned inside-out, with the band in its correct position, in accordance with the present invention;

A glove of the known art normally consists of a number of layers of fabrics of various types.
It comprises an external first layer (or shell), which is required to provide insulation against the external climatic conditions, for example it has to provide a barrier against penetration of water or snow.
The external first layer is formed for example of one or more layers of nylon, polyamide, polyester, etc. joined together.
Various layers can be provided on the inside of this first layer.
For example, possibly a second layer, normally in the form of a windproof and waterproof membrane, can be provided.
Further towards the inside, a third layer is present, normally of cotton-wool or other suitable material.
Still further towards the inside, and often joined directly to the third layer, a fourth layer is present, directly in contact with the fingers. It is in the form for example of one or more interconnected layers of knitted or other fabric.
With regard to the present invention, the glove can be formed in any manner, of any fabric, and with any number of internal layers.
With reference to the accompanying figures, a glove arranged for coupling to a pole, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a punched sheet 10 for forming a band.
The punched sheet is prepared according to a pattern which on termination of its preparation forms a band wrapping the entire hand, from the wrist to the knuckles and including the base of the thumb.
The punched sheet has a main body of elongated shape, slightly curved along a radius of curvature. In other words, it is formed from two substantially straight portions, preferably one shorter than the other, radius-joined together at an angle of about 40°.
Two tabs 11 are positioned one on each side substantially at the centre, at the connection point of the two portions. To the side of the tabs 11, on the convex part of the punched sheet, two other straight portions 12 are present, inclined towards their interior.
The two tabs 11 are folded, superposed and sewn together, such as to obtain a strengthened central part 13 of the punched sheet which, when the glove is complete, will lie within the V-shaped recess between the thumb and forefinger. Other systems for strengthening this portion are possible.
A through hole 14 is either formed at that moment, or previously provided in the punched sheet, substantially at the centre of the central part 13 (i.e. of the portion strengthened by the tabs 11).
A further reinforcement 15, of oval or possibly circular shape, for example of plastic, is positioned about the hole 14 and sewn on.
The ends of the punched sheet 10 are sewn together, as are the ends of the two portions 12.
A band 16 able to wrap a hand is hence formed, with a strip (formed from the two portions 12) wrapping the thumb.
A hole 21 reinforced with stitching is formed through a glove turned inside-out, within the V recess between the thumb and forefinger.
With regard to the present invention, the glove 20 is only the external first layer.
The band 16 is placed on the glove 20 with the hole 14 aligned with the hole 21, then fixing these together by a bored and threaded rivet 22. Washers are used if necessary. Specifically, the rivet is positioned with its thread facing outwards from the glove.
The rivet is then slightly deformed by clinching, to securely fix the parts together.
The rivet and washers are preferably of stainless steel or other non-corroding material.
The rivet should be as short as possible in order not to annoy the skier.
The band 16 is then fixed to the glove by sewing at one or more points, while maintaining or as far as possible seeking to maintain the point comprising the holes 21 and 14 in a straight line with the top end 23 of the sewing between the ends of the punched sheet 10.
The glove 20 is then turned inside-out and/or is integrated with all those layers normally used for forming a glove.
The band 16 will then lie between the external first layer of the glove and all the other glove layers.
The band can be of fixed size, based on the glove size, or can be adjustable, for example by access from a pocket in the glove with Velcro or straps and buckles or with systems comprising a cord and winder.
When finished, the glove presents a threaded rivet in the recess between the first finger and thumb.
Any type of coupling can be screwed to this thread for connecting the glove to a pole.
For example, a screw of short length with a rigid holed connector at its end.
Or a screw, again of short length, with its head fixed to a connector formed with a flexible metal or plastic cord (of suitable strength).
The screw and the accessories will be made of stainless steel or another strong, non-corrodible material.
In this case, the pole will have a suitable coupling system of any form, arranged to accept its specific rigid or flexible connector applied to the glove by means of the threaded rivet.
It is also evidently possible to invert the aforedescribed combination, i.e. the pole can have a ring, with a hook or spring catch being applied to the screw applied to the glove.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the glove comprises two rivets, again fixed to the band 16 and to the glove 20. These are again positioned between the thumb and forefinger, but one on the same side as the palm of the hand and the other on the same side as the rear of the hand, to straddle the V-recess between the thumb and forefinger.
In this case two screws will be fixed, one for the rivet, connected together by a flexible or rigid cable.
Other embodiments with gloves having one or more rivets also positioned at other points can be devised.
The materials used and the dimensions can be chosen at will according to requirements and to the state of the art. The glove arranged for coupling to a pole conceived in this manner is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the Invention as defined by the claims. Moreover all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

A glove (20) arranged for coupling to a pole, characterised in that said glove (20) omprises at least one rivet (22) with a threaded interior, for connecting the glove to a pole.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said at least one rivet (22) is positioned between the thumb and forefinger of said glove (20).
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said at least one rivet (22) is positioned within the V-shaped recess between the thumb and forefinger.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said at least one rivet (22) comprises two rivets, one being positioned on the same side as the palm of the hand, the other being positioned on the same side as the rear of the hand.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising an external first layer, said rivet (22) being fixed to said external first layer.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said (22) rivet is fixed to a band (16) which wraps the hand of the glove wearer.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said band (16) wraps said hand from the wrist to the knuckles, with a hole for the thumb.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said band (16) comprises a reinforcement in the vicinity of said rivet.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said band (16) is of adjustable length.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said band (16) is sewn to said glove (20) at one or more points.
A glove (20) as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said band (16) is fixed into the interior of said glove (20).
A system for coupling a glove (20) to a pole, comprising a glove (20) in accordance with claim 1.