GB2347841A

GB2347841A - Detachable glove extension

Info

Publication number: GB2347841A
Application number: GB9906039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sam Kimber Ross Cook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 1999-03-16
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Also published as: WO2000054615A1; GB9906039D0; AU2308300A

Abstract

The invention provides a detachable glove extension 10 comprising a fabric sleeve 1, for covering a human forearm. A cuff 3 extends from the lower end of the fabric sleeve, with the cuff adapted, by means of a projecting lip 4 and strap (fig 4, 13), to provide secure, releasable, fastening of a wrist portion of a glove (fig 3, 11) around the cuff. Preferably, the cuff is formed from a resilient plastic or elastomeric material. Straps 5 and 6, provided on the fabric sleeve, bind the sleeve to the wearer's forearm, preventing slippage. The invention also provides a glove assembly comprising, a glove, and a detachable glove extension.

Description

DETACHABLE GLOVE EXTENSION The present invention relates to a detachable glove extension, a glove assembly comprising such an extension, and to a kit comprising such an extension.

It is known to provide gloves having wrist portions that extend at least part of the way up the human forearm. Such gloves are sometimes known as gauntlets. Such gloves provide enhanced protection to the forearm, and are especially advantageous in coldweather conditions such as polar exploration and skiing, since they help to prevent cold air, snow and water from entering into the glove in the region of the wrist. However, such gloves can be heavy and irksome to remove and replace frequently, for example when skiing.

It is has now been found that a novel detachable glove extension can provide the advantages of a gauntlet, whilst substantially avoiding the above-enumerated disadvantages.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a detachable glove extension.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved glove assembly, especially for skiing, that provides improved forearm protection and avoids leakage of snow or water into the glove, while remaining easy to remove and put on.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kit for adapting a conventional glove into a glove according to the invention.

The present invention provides a detachable glove extension comprising a fabric sleeve for covering a human forearm, and a cuff extending from the lower end of the fabric sleeve, wherein the cuff is adapted to provide secure, releasable fastening of a wrist portion of a glove over the cuff.

The fabric sleeve is preferably formed from a woven fabric, preferably a waterresistant or waterproof woven fabric, and more preferably from a water vapour-permeable, water-resistant fabric such as GORE-TEX (Registered Trade Mark). In other preferred embodiments the fabric sleeve is formed from a waterproof sheet material such as Neoprene. The fabric sleeve is preferably substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical for fitting over a lower part of the human forearm. Preferably, the fabric sleeve is from 5 to 25 cm long, more preferably from 10 to 15 cm long, with a diameter preferably of 5 to 15 cm.

Preferably, the fabric sleeve is provided with straps for fastening the sleeve around the forearm of the wearer. For example, the straps may be fabric straps having a proximal end sewn on to the fabric sleeve and a distal end provided with a fastener such as a buckle and/or thistle cloth for securing the strap after it has been wound around the forearm.

Preferably, the fabric sleeve is also provided on an inner surface with one or more pieces of non-slip material for preventing the fabric sleeve from sliding down the wearer's forearm. For example, the or more pieces of non-slip material may comprise one or more bands of elastomeric material such as silicone rubber extending around an inner surface of the fabric sleeve. The pieces of non-slip material are preferably located in the vicinity of the upper end of the fabric sleeve.

The fabric sleeve is secured around a lower end to a substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical cuff. In use, the cuff is located close to the wrist of the wearer. The cuff is relatively stiff compared to the fabric sleeve. Preferably, the cuff is formed from a solid molded material. Preferably, the cuff is formed from a layer of plastic or elastomeric material. The cuff may alternatively or additionally comprise spring steel. Preferably, the cuff is formed in one piece from solid plastic or elastomeric material. Preferably, the cuff is resiliently deformable.

Preferably, the cuff is from 2 to 10 cm long and has an average diameter of from 5 to 10 cm. Preferably, the cuff has a substantially oval undeformed cross-section to fit around a wearer's wrist.

The cuff is adapted to provide secure, releasable fastening of a wrist portion of a glove around the cuff. Preferably, the cuff comprises a projecting circumferential rib or lip that retains a strap on the wrist of the glove binding the glove onto the cuff. In other preferred embodiments, the cuff may be provided with a zip-fastener or thistle cloth for releasably securing the wrist portion of the glove onto the cuff.

In order to increase the comfort of the resilient cuff, it is preferably lined with a cushioning substance, such as a woven or nonwoven fabric, for example a felt.

The present invention also provides a glove assembly comprising a glove releasably secured to a detachable glove extension according to the present invention.

The glove preferably comprises a hand portion formed preferably in one piece with a wrist portion. Preferably, the wrist portion of the glove further comprises a strap for releasably securing the glove onto the cuff. Preferably, the strap is secured onto or into the wrist portion of the glove, for example by sewing one end of the strap onto the glove. The strap preferably comprises a fastening means for fastening it around the cuff. Preferably, the fastening means comprises thistle cloth or a buckle or a lever-arm snap fastener.

The present invention further provides a kit for the assembly of a glove assembly according to the present invention, wherein the kit comprises a detachable glove extension according to the present invention and a separate wrist strap with releasable fastening means for releasably securing the wrist portion of a glove around the cuff. Such kits may be used to convert existing gloves into glove assemblies according to the present invention.

The releasable fastening means may preferably comprise thistle cloth or a lever-arm snap fastener.

The glove assembly according to the present invention may for example comprise a diving glove, a riding glove, a gardening glove or a welding glove. Preferably, the glove assembly according to the present invention comprises a ski glove. The detachable glove extension of the present invention enables the glove assembly to exhibit both excellent water-and snow-tightness, and also provides easy removal and replacement of the gloves (while leaving the detachable glove extension in situ on the wearer's forearm) when the wearer needs to remove the glove for whatever reason.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view, partially cut away, of a detachable glove extension according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a glove for use in a glove assembly according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a glove assembly according to the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a partial section through the cuff region of the glove assembly of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, the detachable glove extension 10 comprises a fabric sleeve 1 of GORE-TEX (Registered Trade Mark) fabric having a diameter of approximately 10 cm for forming a loose fit over a forearm. The fabric sleeve 1 is bonded around its lower end 2 by melt-bonding to a solid cuff 3 of polyurethane elastomer having an oval cross-section of dimensions approximately 5 cm x 8 cm, length approximately 5 cm and thickness approximately 0.5 cm. A projecting lip 4 extends around the lower end of the elastomeric cuff for retaining a strap in use.

A layer of felt 9 is provided on the inside of the elastomeric cuff for cushioning the wrist of the wearer.

Straps 5,6 are provided on the fabric sleeve for binding the fabric sleeve around the wearer's forearm. The straps are sewn onto the fabric sleeve, and are secured by fastening with buckles and thistle cloth 7,8.

Circumferential strips of ribbed silicone rubber are provided around the inside of the fabric sleeve adjacent to the top end of the fabric sleeve to reduce the tendency of the fabric sleeve to slide down the wearer's arm in use.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the glove assembly according to the present invention comprises a glove as shown in Figure 2 releasably secured to a detachable glove extension as shown in Figure 1. The glove comprises an integral hand portion 11 and wrist portion 12. The wrist portion 12 has integrally formed therein a circumferential strap 13 that can be tightened and released by means of the lever-arm snap fastener 14. The strap 13 and fastener 14 clamp the wrist portion 12 of the glove around the resilient cuff 3 on the glove extension. The lever-arm snap fastener 14 provides for rapid detachment of the glove from the glove extension, whereby the glove can easily be removed without the wearer having to remove the glove extension.

The glove according to the present invention further comprises an additional circumferential strap 15 secured with thistle cloth 17 for further releasable securement of the glove around the wearer's wrist.

Figure 4 shows the engagement of the strap 13 on the resilient cuff 3 of the glove extension when the lever-arm snap fastener 14 is in the closed position. It can be seen that the projecting lip 4 of the resilient cuff 3 prevents removal of the glove until the strap 13 has been loosened by opening the lever-arm snap fastener 14.

The above embodiment has been described by way of example only. Many other embodiments falling within the scope of the accompanying claims will be apparent to the skilled reader.

Claims

CLAIMS I A detachable glove extension comprising: a fabric sleeve for covering a human forearm; and a cuff extending from a lower end of the fabric sleeve, wherein the cuff is adapted to provide secure, releasable fastening of a wrist portion of a glove around the cuff.
2. A detachable glove extension according to claim 1, wherein the cuff is resiliently deformable.
3. A detachable glove extension according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cuff comprises molded plastic or elastomeric material.
4. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the cuff is from to 2 to 10 cm long.
5. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the cuff is provided with a projecting circumferential lip or rib for retaining a strap tied around the cuff.
6. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the cuff is provided with a zip-fastener or thistle cloth.
7. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the cuff is lined with a cushioning material.
8. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric sleeve is from 5 to 25 cm long.
9. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric sleeve is provided with straps to fasten the sleeve around a human forearm.
10. A detachable glove extension according to any preceding claim, wherein the fabric sleeve is lined with one or more pieces of non-slip material for preventing the fabric sleeve from sliding down a wearer's forearm.
11. A glove assembly comprising a glove and a detachable cuff according to any preceding claim.
12. A glove assembly according to claim 11, wherein the wrist portion of the glove is provided with a strap for releasably securing the said wrist portion around the cuff of the detachable glove extension.
13. A glove assembly according to claim 12, wherein the said strap is permanently fixed onto or into the wrist portion of the glove.
14. A glove assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the strap is releasably secured around the cuff of the detachable glove extension by means of a buckle.
15. A glove assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the strap is provided with a lever-arm snap fastener for releasably securing the strap around the cuff of the detachable glove extension.
16. A glove assembly according to any one of claims 1 Ito 15, wherein the glove is a ski glove.
17. A kit for adapting a glove to provide a glove assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the kit comprises a detachable glove extension according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and a strap with releasable fastening means for releasably securing a wrist portion of a glove around the cuff of the detachable glove extension.
18. A detachable glove extension substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.
19. A glove assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2.