GB2591279A - Glove retainer means for a pair of gloves - Google Patents

Abstract

Glove retainer means 6 for a pair of gloves (2, 4, fig. 1) comprises a length of line 8 extending between the gloves and dispenser means 10 which dispenses the length of line. A retainer means 12 is provided on a second one of the gloves which retains an end 14 of the length of line. The dispenser means comprises spring return means 16 which enables the length of line to be pulled out and operates continuously to pull the length of line back into the dispenser means. A fastener means 38 such as a spring clip or D-clip may be provided for fastening to the retainer means. Alternatively, the fastener means may permanently fasten the string to the glove. The line may be transparent or have the thickness of a fishing line so that it is unobtrusive. A pair of gloves may be connected using such a device so that one or both are not easily lost.

Description

GLOVE RETAINER MEANS FOR A PAIR OF GLOVES

This invention relates to glove retainer means and, more especially, this invention relates to glove retainer means for a pair of gloves. The glove retainer means acts as a glove pair retainer and is for retaining the gloves together, thereby preventing loss of one of the gloves.

Pairs of gloves are known which comprise glove retainer means for retaining the gloves together and thereby preventing loss of one of the gloves. The known pairs of gloves are typically secured together with a length of cord. The length of cord is fastened at one end to a first one of a pair of gloves, and is fastened at its other end to a second one of the pair of gloves. One type of the known pairs of gloves are used for babies and infants where loss of one glove from a pair of gloves is a frequent occurrence. Another type of the known pairs of gloves are used by adults, with the length of cord being of a more decorative nature and enabling the gloves to be hung around the neck of an adult.

The known pairs of gloves are such that the length of cord is of a fixed length. The fixed length is chosen to be such that it enables reasonable use of the gloves. The length of cord is visible, and tends to form a visual aesthetic feature of the gloves. The fixed length of the cord may be too short for some use occasions, and too long for other use occasions. Also adults may prefer

not to attract attention to the length of cord and the fact that they are prone to losing one of their gloves.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present inventionthere is provided glove retainer means for a pair of gloves, the glove retainer means comprising:

(i) a length of line for extending between the gloves;

(ii) dispenser means which is for a first one of the gloves and which dispenses the length of line; and

(iii) retainer means which is for a second one of the gloves and which is for retaining an end of the length of line;

and wherein,

(iv) the dispenser means comprises spring return means which operates to enable the length of line to be pulled out from the dispenser means, and which also operates to pull the length of line back into the dispenser means; and

(v) the dispenser means is such that it operates continuously to pull the length of line back into the dispenser means and not to maintain the length of line in pulled out positions, whereby the length of line is continuously and freely able to be pulled out from

and pulled back into the dispenser means in dependence upon varying distances apart of the gloves during use of the gloves and thereby to enable unrestricted use of the gloves whilst at the same time preventing loss of one of the gloves.

The glove retainer means of the present invention is advantageous in that, in use, the gloves are able to be worn and used normally with the length of line extending between the gloves so that one of the gloves cannot get lost. In addition, the spring return means ensures that the length of line between the gloves is able to smoothly and continuously extend and contract in length as the distance between the pair of gloves varies in use. The spring return means thus ensures that the length of line does not restrict the use of the gloves.

The dispenser means and the retainer means may be secured to their gloves by any suitable attachment means. The attachment means for the dispenser means and/or the retainer means may be sewing. The attachment means for each of the dispenser means and/or the retainer means may comprise a tab, for example a tab of a material from which the gloves are made, or some other type of material. The tab may be such that it is sewn or otherwise fixed at one end to each glove, and it is sewn or otherwise fixed at its other end to the dispenser means or the fastener means. The use of such tabs may enable the dispenser means and/or the retainer means easily to be secured to the gloves, whilst at the same time extending outwardly from the gloves such that the dispenser means and/or the retainer means are easily available for use by a wearer of the gloves. Typically, the dispenser means and/or the retainer

means will be of a size which is small enough not to be too visually noticeable, whilst at the same time large enough to be easily operated by the wearer of the gloves.

The glove retainer means may include fastener means on an end of the length of line, and in which the fastener means is for fastening to the retainer means. As an alternative to having the fastener means, the end of the length of line can simply be tied to the retainer means.

When the glove retainer means includes the fastener means, then the fastener means may be for permanently fastening to the retainer means whereby the gloves are permanently fastened together.

Alternatively, the fastener means may be for releasably fastening to the retainer means whereby the gloves are able to be fastened together or not fastened together. This then gives the user the choice of using the glove retainer means or not using the glove retainer means. The fastener means may be a spring clip fastener means. Other types of fastener means which permit releasable fastening to the retainer means may be employed. The spring clip may be a D-clip. Other types of spring clip may be employed.

In all embodiments of the invention, the length of line may be such that it is constructed to be unobtrusive. Thus, for example, the length of line may be made of a substantially transparent material. The length of line may be of a thickness which is the same as fishing line of the type that is commonly used for fishing in lakes or ponds for carp or tench. Thus the length of fishing line can be thin and substantially transparent and thus visually unobtrusive when the pair of gloves is being worn. This may suit may persons who wish to have

the convenience of not losing one of their gloves, and who at the same time do not wish to have the glove retainer means as a visually dominant feature of the pair of gloves.

The invention also extends to a pair of gloves when provided with the glove retainer means of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1shows a first pair of gloves provided with glove retainer means of the present invention;

Figure 2shows a second pair of gloves provided with glove retainer means of the present invention;

Figure 3shows a third pair of gloves provided with glove retainer means of the present invention;

Figure 4shows a fourth pair of gloves provided with glove retainer means of the present invention;

Figure 5shows in enlarged view parts of a pair of gloves with their glove retainer means shown in detail;

Figure 6shows in detail a preferred spring return means;

Figure 7shows a person wearing a pair of gloves provided with glove retainer means of the present invention and with their arms in a first position;

Figure 8is a view like Figure 7 but shows the person with their arms in a second position; and

Figure 9is a view like Figure 7 but shows the person with their arms in

a third position.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a pair of gloves 2, 4 comprising glove retainer means 6. The glove retainer means 6 comprises a length of line 8 for extending between the gloves 2, 4. The glove retainer means 6 also comprises dispenser means 10 which is for a first one of the gloves 2 and which dispenses the length of line 8. The glove retainer means 6 also comprises retainer means 12 which is for a second one of the gloves 4 and which is for retaining an end 14 of the length of line 8.

The dispenser means 10 is such that it comprises spring return means 16. The spring return means 16 enables the length of line 8 to be pulled out from the dispenser means 10 and also to be pulled back into the dispenser means 10

The dispenser means 10 is such that it operates continuously to pull the length of line 8 back into the dispenser means 10 and not to maintain the length of line 8 in pulled out positions. Thus the length of line 8 is continuously and freely able to be pulled out from and pulled back into the dispenser means 10 in dependence upon varying distances apart of the gloves 2, 4 during use of the gloves 2, 4. This enables unrestricted use of the gloves 2, 4 whilst at the same time preventing loss of one of the gloves 2, 4.

The gloves 2, 4 shown in Figure 1 are full finger gloves. In Figures 2, 3 and 4, there are shown other types of gloves. Similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. Figure 2 shows gloves 18, 20 in the form of mittens. Figure 3 shows gloves 22, 24 in the form of gauntlets. Figure 4 shows gloves 26, 28 in

the form of open finger gloves of the type that are often used in sports, for example for training in gyms or for cycling.

Figure 5 shows corner parts of gloves 30, 32. The gloves 30, 32 may be of a design shown in any one of Figures 1 - 4, or they may be of other designs.Figure 5 shows how the dispenser means 10 comprises the spring return means 16. More specifically, the dispenser means 10 comprises a housing 34. The spring return means 16 is provided inside the housing 34. The spring return means 16 is it the form of a coil spring. One end of the coil spring is attached to an end 36 of the length of line 8. The other end of the coil spring is fixed in the housing 34.

Figure 5 also shows how the other end 14 of the length of line 8 is attached to retainer means 12. The retainer means 12 is shown as a ring.

Figure 5 illustrates how the pair of gloves 30, 32 include fastener means 38 on the end 14 of the length of line 8. The fastener means 38 is for fastening to the retainer means 12. The fastener means 38 is for releasably fastening to the retainer means 12, whereby the gloves 30, 32 are able to be fastened together or not fastened together. This gives a user the choice of using the glove retainer means 6 or not using the glove retainer means 6. Thus the user always has the choice of being able to use the glove retainer means 6 for appropriate situations, and not using the glove retainer means 6 for other situations. The fastener means 38 is shown in Figure 5 as a spring clip in the form of a D-clip. As is known for such D-clips, the D-clip comprises a curvedbody portion 40 and a spring closure member 42 which closes to the curved body portion 40 in the closed position of the D-clip, and which opens with

respect to the curved body portion 40 in order to enable the D-clip to bereleasably fastened around the retainer means 12 in the form of the illustrated ring.

The length of line 8 is constructed to be unobtrusive. More specifically, the length of line 8 is made of a substantially transparent material. The length of line 8 is of a thickness which is the same as fishing line. The length of line 8 may be a length of fishing line of the type typically used for fishing in ponds and lakes.

Figure 7 shows a person 44 wearing a pair of gloves 46, 48 able to be provided with fastener means of the present invention, and with their arms 50, 52 in a down position, for example as when walking. Figure 8 shows the person 44 wearing the gloves 46, 48 and with their arms 50, 52 in a raised position, for example as might be the case if the person 44 were reading a newspaper (not shown). Figure 9 shows the person 44 with their arms in a forward stretched position, for example as might be employed if the person 44 were pushing an object such for example as a baby buggy or a wheelbarrow.

It will be appreciated from Figures 7, 8 and 9 that the person 44 is able to have their arms 50, 52 in any position of use, and with the length of line 8 being able to increase and decrease in length in dependence upon the distance apart of the gloves 46, 48.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, other types of handwear than the gloves shown may be employed. The fastener

means 38 may be a permanent fastener means rather than the illustrated releasable fastener means 38. Alternatively, the fastener means may be omitted, in which case the end 14 of the length of line 8 may be tied directly to the retainer means 12. The gloves can be made of any known materials currently used for making gloves, including leather, plastics materials, wool and cotton. The length of line 8 may be non-transparent and it may also be otherthan fishing line. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention. The invention also extends to the individual components mentioned and/or shown above, taken singly or in any

combination.

Claims (10)

1. Glove retainer means for a pair of gloves, the glove retainer means comprising:

(i) a length of line for extending between the gloves;

(ii) dispenser means which is for a first one of the gloves and which dispenses the length of line; and

(iii) retainer means which is for a second one of the gloves and which is for retaining an end of the length of line;

and wherein,

(iv) the dispenser means comprises spring return means which operates to enable the length of line to be pulled out from the dispenser means, and which also operates to pull the length of line back into the dispenser means; and

(v) the dispenser means is such that it operates continuously to pull the length of line back into the dispenser means and not to maintain the length of line in pulled out positions, whereby the length of line is continuously and freely able to be pulled out from and pulled back into the dispenser means in dependence upon varying distances apart of the gloves during use of the gloves and

thereby to enable unrestricted use of the gloves whilst at the same time preventing loss of one of the gloves.

2. Glove retainer means according to claim 1 and including fastener means on an end of the length of line, and in which the fastener means is for fastening the retainer means.

3. Glove retainer means according to claim 2 in which the fastener means is for permanently fastening to the retainer means whereby the gloves are permanently fastened together.

4. Glove retainer means according to claim 2 in which the fastener means is for releasably fastening to the retainer means whereby the gloves are able to be fastened together or not fastened together.

5. Glove retainer means according to claim 4 in which the fastener means is a spring clip.

6. Glove retainer means according to claim 5 in which the spring clip is a D-clip.

7. Glove retainer means according to any one of the preceding claims in which the length of line is such that it is constructed to be unobtrusive.

8. Glove retainer means according to claim 7 in which the length of line is made of a substantially transparent material.

9. Glove retainer means according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which the length of line is of a thickness which is the same as fishing line.

10. A pair of gloves comprising glove retainer means according to any one of the preceding claims.