GB2538817A

GB2538817A - Glove accessory

Info

Publication number: GB2538817A
Application number: GB1513293.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eacott Russell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-05-29
Filing date: 2015-07-28
Publication date: 2016-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-28
Also published as: GB201513293D0; GB2538817B; GB201509270D0

Abstract

A glove accessory 10 for cleaning a visor or eye protection on a helmet, the accessory comprises a sleeve 20 configured to fit over a finger (52, fig. 3) of a glove (50, fig. 3), wherein the sleeve 20 includes an absorbent region 40 for wiping a visor. The sleeve may form a continuous band, the sleeve may comprise a backing layer 30 to which the absorbent region is attached, the sleeve may include an inner surface with a gripping region (60, figure 4), the absorbent region may be impregnated with a cleaning agent and the sleeve may include a heating element.

Description

TITLE: GLOVE ACCESSORY

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a glove accessory and particularly but not exclusively to a motorcycle glove accessory.

It is common practice for motorcyclists to wear a protective crash helmet including eye protection in the form of a visor. It is a well-known problem that visibility through such visors can quickly become impaired due to rain or surface spray necessitating cleaning of the visor 20 during use.

The present applicant has identified the need for an improved solution for use in cleaning a motorcycle visor or a similar protective viewing screen (e.g. skiing goggles or the like) during use.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a glove accessory (e.g. 25 motorcycle glove accessory) for cleaning a visor, the accessory comprising a sleeve configured to snuggly fit over a finger of a glove (e.g. index finger of the glove), wherein the sleeve includes an absorbent region (e.g. liquid-absorbent region) for wiping a visor.

In this way, a disposable glove accessory is provided that can be easily and quickly retrofitted onto a motorcycle glove and readily removed from the glove for cleaning and/or 30 disposal.

In one embodiment, the absorbent region is substantially non-abrasive.

In one embodiment, the absorbent region comprises a chamois material (e.g. natural or synthetic chamois material). In this way, the superior cleaning properties of a chamois screen cleaning cloth may be incorporated into the glove accessory.

In one embodiment, the absorbent region extends circumferentially from substantially a first lateral side of the sleeve to a substantially a second lateral side of the sleeve opposed to the first lateral side.

In one embodiment, the absorbent region extends longitudinally substantially along the length of the sleeve.

In one embodiment, the sleeve forms a continuous band. In one embodiment, the sleeve may have a partially open construction (e.g. define one or more apertures in the continuous band).

In one embodiment, the sleeve is self-supporting (i.e. without requiring any additional glove connection). For example, the sleeve may be configured to be a snug fit over a finger of the glove.

In one embodiment, the sleeve is resiliently stretchable. For example, the sleeve may comprise a resiliently stretchable fabric (e.g. resiliently stretchable textile fabric).

In one embodiment, the sleeve defines a stretchable region circumferentially spaced from the absorbent region (e.g. extending between first and second circumferentially-spaced ends of the absorbent region). In this way, the sleeve may be configured to stretch over a finger of the glove despite the inclusion of a relatively non-stretchable absorbent region (e.g. chamois material region).

In one embodiment, the sleeve comprises a backing layer to which the absorbent region is attached.

In one embodiment, the backing layer is resiliently stretchable. For example, the backing layer may comprise a resiliently stretchable fabric (e.g, resiliently stretchable textile fabric).

In on embodiment, the absorbent region is substantially less stretchable than the backing 25 layer (e.g. substantially non-stretchable).

In one embodiment, the sleeve includes an inner surface comprising a gripping region. In this way, the risk of unwanted movement of the sleeve relative to the finger of the glove may be reduced.

In one embodiment, the gripping region extends substantially around an inner 30 circumference of the sleeve.

In one embodiment, the gripping region extends from a substantially central region of the sleeve towards an end region of the sleeve.

In one embodiment, the gripping region comprises a plurality of discrete gripping element (e.g. plurality of longitudinally and/or circumferentially spaced gripping elements formed into a pattern).

In one embodiment, the gripping region (e.g. each of the plurality of discrete gripping elements) is stretchable. In this way, the gripping region may be provided without reducing (or 5 at least without significantly reducing) stretchability of the sleeve.

In one embodiment, the absorbent region is impregnated with a cleaning agent (e.g. visor cleaning agent). In this way, even stubborn debris may be removed from a visor using a simple hand or finger movement.

In one embodiment, the sleeve includes a heating element (e.g. heating wire). In one 10 embodiment, the heating element is connectable to an electrical power supply. In this way, the glove accessory may be connected to a suitable heating system already used by the user (e.g. heated jacket or heated motorcycle suit) An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a glove accessory in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic end view of the glove accessory of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic view of the glove accessory of Figure 1 being inserted onto a finger of a glove.

Figures 1-3 show a disposable glove accessory in the form of a self-supporting finger glove 10. Finger glove 10 consists of a sleeve 20 comprising a backing layer 30 and an absorbent, non-abrasive chamois pad 40 attached thereto.

Backing layer 30 is formed from apiece of resiliently stretchable (e.g. elasticated) textile fabric formed into a continuous band 32 defining a substantially tubular profile by stitching together opposed ends of the fabric to form a longitudinally extending seam 34. Backing layer 30 is configured to snuggly fit over a finger 52 of a glove 50 (e.g. index finger of a motorcycle glove).

Chamois pad 40 may be formed from natural or synthetic chamois material and is attached to backing layer 30 by stitching 42 extending along the periphery of the chamois pad. 30 Chamois pad 40 may optionally be impregnated with a cleaning agent (e.g visor cleaning agent).

Sleeve 20 defines a stretchable region 22 extending between first and second circumferentially-spaced ends 44A, 44B of chamois pad 40. In this way, sleeve 20 is able to stretch over finger 52 of the glove 50 despite the inclusion of relatively non-stretchable chamois material pad 40. Sleeve 20 may optionally include a heating element (e.g. heating wire -not shown) connectable to an electrical power supply (e.g. for connection to a suitable heating system already used by the user, such as a heated jacket or heated motorcycle suit).

In use, finger glove 10 can be stretched and inserted over the index finger 52 of glove and used to wipe away moisture and/or debris from a screen (e.g. visor, goggles or the like). Advantageously, finger glove 10 can be easily and quickly retrofitted onto a glove and readily removed from the glove for cleaning separate from the glove and/or disposal.

Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative self-supporting finger glove 10' consisting of a sleeve 20' comprising a backing layer 30' and an absorbent, non-abrasive chamois pad 40' attached thereto by stitching 42' extending along the periphery of the chamois pad. As before, sleeve 20' defines a stretchable region 22' between opposed ends of chamois pad 40' and chamois pad 40' may optionally be impregnated with a cleaning agent (e.g. visor cleaning agent). Sleeve 20' may again optionally include a heating element (e.g. heating wire -not shown) connectable to an electrical power supply (e.g. for connection to a suitable heating system already used by the user, such as a heated jacket or heated motorcycle suit).

Like in the previous embodiment, backing layer 30' is configured to snuggly fit over a finger 52 of a glove (e.g. index finger of a motorcycle glove) and is formed from a piece of resiliently stretchable (e.g. elasticated) textile fabric formed into a continuous band 32' defining a substantially tubular profile by stitching together opposed ends of the fabric to form a longitudinally extending seam 34'. However, in this embodiment a more circular tubular form is achieved by stitching inner and out surfaces of the opposed ends of the fabric together.

In order to improve grip on glove finger 52' and reduce the risk of unwanted longitudinal movement of sleeve 20' relative to glove finger 52', backing layer 30' includes a gripping region 60 extending fully around an inner circumference of sleeve 20' and extending longitudinally from a substantially central region 62A of the sleeve towards an end region 62B of sleeve 20' through which glove ginger 52' is initially inserted.

Gripping region comprises a pattern of spaced discrete gripping elements 65, wherein each discrete gripping element 65 is stretchable as sleeve 20' stretches circumferentially to accommodate glove finger 52'. In this way, gripping region 60 may be provided without reducing (or at least without significantly reducing) stretchability of sleeve 20'. In one embodiment, discrete gripping elements 65 are formed by applying dots of silicone to the backing layer prior to formation of continuous band 32'.

Claims

Claims: 1 A glove accessory for cleaning a visor, the accessory comprising a sleeve configured to snuggly fit over a finger of a glove, wherein the sleeve includes an absorbent region for wiping a visor.
2. A glove accessory according to claim 2, wherein the absorbent region is substantially non-abrasive.
3. A glove accessory according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the absorbent region comprises a chamois material.
4. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve forms a continuous band.
5. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve is self-supporting.
6. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve is resiliently stretchable.
7. A glove accessory according to claim 6, wherein the sleeve comprises a resiliently stretchable fabric.
8. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve defines a stretchable region circumferentially spaced from the absorbent region.
9. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a backing layer to which the absorbent region is attached. 30
10. A glove accessory according to claim 9, wherein the backing layer is resiliently stretchable.
11. A glove accessory according to claim 10, wherein the absorbent region is substantially less stretchable than the backing layer.
12. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve includes 5 an inner surface comprising a gripping region.
13. A glove accessory according to claim 12, wherein the gripping region extends substantially around an inner circumference of the sleeve.
14. A glove accessory according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the gripping region extends from a substantially central region of the sleeve towards an end region of the sleeve.
15. A glove accessory according to any of claims 12-14, wherein the gripping region comprises a plurality of discrete gripping elements.
16. A glove accessory according to any of claims 12-15, wherein the gripping region is stretchable.
17. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent 20 region is impregnated with a cleaning agent.
18. A glove accessory according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve includes a heating element.
19. A glove accessory according to claim 18, wherein the heating element is connectable to an electrical power supply.