US20120102619A1

US20120102619A1 - Skin mechanism

Info

Publication number: US20120102619A1
Application number: US12/916,314
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth A. Parsons; Darla Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2012-05-03

Abstract

A skin mechanism embraces a hand includes at least one dorsal portion, at least one palm portion, at least one extension portion for embracing a finger, and at least one aperture oriented in the shape of a symbol. At least one aperture allows for disbursement of radiation about the skin in order to establish a memento about a skin representative of the shape of the symbol.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of gloves. In particular this invention relates to gloves that may be worn in an outdoor environment.
2. Description of Related Art
There are a variety of prior art glove based inventions. Gloves exist in numerous fields and for various purposes. Baseball gloves are used to shield a batters hand from friction which occurs with a bat. Gardening gloves are employed to protect ones hands from exposure to unknown elements while working outside. Welding gloves are used to prevent burn and contact with hazardous chemicals which may come into contact with various other elements. Motorcycle gloves are used to protect portions of the hand, while simultaneously preventing sweat emanating about a rider's wrist or hand, from causing a rider to lose his or her grip.
Various gloves include a pad of protective material which is often sewn about a palm region of the glove along with other protective material covering various other regions of the glove. The protective material often includes finger sections extending along the glove fingers along with a broader section covering the back of the hand. While such protective materials, more often than not, reduce scrapes, abrasions, cuts, and overall protect the hand from numerous environments, they often fail to encompass adequate ventilation and increase sweating about the hand. Inadequate ventilation, often leads to discomfort, bacterial buildup, and slippage of the glove about the wearer's hand. Additional padding often make gloves more difficult to flex, and further both wearer discomfort and an decrease the ability to grasp numerous objects.
Other gloves, such as baseball gloves, are made of a leather-like construction in order to cover the fingers along with the palm of the hand and the opposing side of the hand. Baseball gloves often provide a leather strap or similar material with along a portion opposite the palm to effectively allow the glove to “close,” while fully encompassing the hand. The portion of the baseball glove contacting the user's palm protects a users hand from an overabundance of friction, while simultaneously supplying grip and allowing the glove to be used for the purpose of catching a ball. The portion of the glove opposing the palm, does little else than provide a stretch surface to the glove from slipping around the hand. Certain baseball batting gloves sometimes provide ventilation holes around the portion of the glove opposing the palm to allow a user's hand to “breathe.”
Other types of gloves such as gardening gloves often include types of detents extending from various portions of the gloves to perform numerous functions. Certain gardening gloves, often fabricated of a cloth-like material, include rubber detents extending from the palm of the glove, along the length of the fingers, while remaining within the grasping portion of the hand. The portion opposing the grasping portion of the hand is limited to a cloth-like material, sometimes including logos or brand identification, but almost exclusively covering the entirety of the hand. It is presumed that detents do not extend to the rear portion of the hand as no grasping function is necessary. It is further presumed that gardening gloves are made of a fabric-like material in order to allow the hand to breathe, while allowing the glove to maintain its position about the hand.
Very few gloves supply an opening about the non-grasping portion of the hand, most likely for several reasons, including maintaining glove position, protecting the skin of the hand, and ease of manufacture. While most activities are performed outside often exposing the non-grasping portion of the hand to sunlight. At times, users who have small openings in the glove for “breathing” purposes, notice that portions of the hand receiving greater exposure to the sun, experience a redness, tan, or even sunburn. It is rare that a pattern is intentionally created via the ventilation or openings in the glove to allow for the creation of a predetermined mark on a portion of the hand. Various users who are often involved in outdoor activities, desire to have a temporary memento of their outdoor activity while allowing for ventilation to reach various portions of the hand covered by the glove.
Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus for establishing a temporary memento about an extremity via sunlight.
Although these systems represent great strides in the area of skin mechanisms, many shortcomings remain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a skin mechanism.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the skin mechanism shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the skin mechanism shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the skin mechanism shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of skin mechanism 10 employed for enjoying a motorcycle. Skin mechanism 10 is employed to embrace a hand by including a dorsal portion 13 and a palm portion (not shown). Extension portions 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d, for embracing human fingers extend from dorsal portion 13 and palm portion (not shown). Apertures 12, 14, and 16 individually form shapes of a symbol. At least one aperture of apertures 12, 14, or 16 allows for disbursement of radiation about the skin in order to establish temporary memento about a skin representative of the shape of the symbol.
In this particular embodiment, apertures 12, 14, and 16 are disposed about the dorsal portion 13 of skin mechanism 10 in order to allow radiation to reach the skin of a wearer. Apertures 12, 14, and 16 are individually shaped in the form symbols and can combine to form another symbol. In certain embodiments, apertures 12, 14 or 16 can combine to form the shape of a Harley Davidson™ logo or any other predominant motorcycle brand. In particular embodiments, apertures 12, 14 or 16 are formed to allow for radiation to reach the skin and “tan” a wearers skin so that a wearer receives a temporary memento of the activity they were performing while wearing skin mechanism 10. It is preferred that apertures 12, 14, and 16 are formed in a “fully open” fashion about skin mechanism 10 to allow sunlight or non-natural light to completely reach the hand. In order to accomplish this, a stitching may be formed along the perimeter of apertures 12, 14, and 16 in order to stabilize the shape of the apertures relative to a wearer's skin.
In the event that stitching alone is insufficient to fully stabilize the shape of apertures 12, 14, and 16, relative to skin mechanism 10, additional media may be disposed about dorsal portion 13 of skin mechanism 10. For example, in the event that skin mechanism 10 is made of a leather material, dorsal portion 13 made be constructed by taking two pieces of leather and binding them together for added durability, while palm portion (not shown) is constructed of a single piece of leather to allow for flexibility. Similarly, additional components such as inserts (not shown) may be disposed about dorsal portion 13 to temporarily cover apertures 12, 14 or 16. In one embodiment, plastic inserts may be disposed between two pieces of leather which may make up dorsal portion 13 that act in unison to stabilize the shape of apertures 12, 14, and 16 relative to skin mechanism 10. In other embodiments, plastic inserts may be pre-formed according to the shape and curvature of the wearer's hand, in order to best comfort the wearer.
In particular embodiments, metallic inserts may be disposed about dorsal portion 13 or alternatively about the perimeter of apertures 12, 14, and 16 in order to stabilize the shape of the apertures and the rigidity of skin mechanism 13. For example, metallic or sufficiently rigid thread may be used to stabilize the sewing around the perimeter of apertures 12, 14, and 16. In certain embodiments, where thin portions of material pose problems, such as twisting, tearing, or may other destabilization, such as the gaps between aperture 12 and aperture 14 or the gap between aperture 14 and aperture 16, rigid supports may be disposed about such portions to firm up problem areas.
Further, skin mechanism 10 may include additional securing mechanism, such as a strap 18 which can include hook and loop fasteners to secure strap portion 18 to skin mechanism 10. In alternative embodiments, snaps, buttons, and other fastening devices may be used to removably detach strap 18 to skin mechanism 10. In alternative embodiments, additional straps 18 may be employed to secure skin mechanism 10 about a wearers hand. For example, in an alternative embodiment, one strap 18 may wrap in a clockwise fashion about a wearer's wrist, while another strap 18 wraps in a counterclockwise fashion about a wearers wrist. In some embodiments, straps 18 may secure about a wearer's wrist via numerous methods which may include separately removably affixing to various portions of skin mechanism 10, including dorsal portion 13 and palm portion (not illustrated). Straps 18 may selectively affix to skin mechanism 10 by wrapping or connecting to one another in a stacking fashion wherein one strap 18 containing hook and loop fasteners first removably attaches to the wrist portion of skin mechanism 10 and another strap 18 then connects to the reverse side of the first strap 18 to prevent skin mechanism 10 from rotating.
In certain embodiments, as is shown a fifth extension portion 22 may be employed. While it is preferable to include a fifth extension portion, most often to comfort the hand, it is not entirely necessary. Each extension portion can be included in order to allow for comfort and or protection of various digits. Extension portions 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 22 are optional but are preferably included to further stabilize skin mechanism 10 about a wearer's hand. Extension portions 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 22 may all extend to various lengths of human fingers and in certain embodiments and may entirely cover a wearer's hand or fingers. Extension portions 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, and 22 may optionally be shorter in length than as depicted and in certain embodiments may not extend to the knuckle of a wearer's hand and/or fingers. Similarly, in particular embodiments, and in the event that a wearer is missing one or more fingers and/or a thumb, an extension portion may be omitted according to a particular wearer's hand.
In particular embodiments, apertures 12, 14, and 16 may include a variety of optional features. For example, apertures 12, 14, and 16 can include optional flap mechanisms which cover up particular portions of skin which would otherwise be exposed to radiation. Such an example would be ideal when a wearer who previously wore skin mechanism 10 was exposed to variable degrees of radiation, and as a result, received a darker “tan” via one aperture of his or her skin than another portion of his or her skin. In the event that a wearer desired to even out his or her “tan,” a flap can optionally cover a portion of that wearer's skin for a desired period of time in order for other portions of skin to receive further exposure to radiation. In other embodiments, optional netting or mesh flaps may be employed to cover apertures 12, 14, and 16, in order for a wearer to expose less of their skin to radiation while performing a particular activity. In certain environments, such as snow skiing, where contact ice and colder temperatures bother a wearer, a netting or mesh can cover a portion of the wearer's hand in order to allow for exposure to sunlight while allowing protection to the hand. Similarly, in extreme environments, where less radiation is desirable, a netting or mesh can be employed in order to prevent over exposure to sunlight and or non-natural radiation. In certain embodiments as is illustrated, skin mechanism 10 can include at least five finger portions one of which is employed to embrace a thumb. Similarly, each each of the five finger portions can be considered as elongated, and the thumb portion may be oriented such that it is considered substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the four other finger portions.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of skin mechanism 10 is illustrated. FIG. 2 illustrates skin mechanism 30 that can be employed to grip an elongated object such as a baseball bat or possibly a garden rake. Skin mechanism 30 is designed to be employed on a right hand and includes a logo 32 with a material component 34 suspended in the middle of a dorsal portion of a wearer's hand. In this particular embodiment, elongated portions 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, and 30 e extend to cover the entire fingers of a wearer. A strap portion 36 removably attaches about a wearer's wrist. Material component 34 is suspended in the middle of logo 32 and is capable of allowing radiation to pass through to a wearer's hand in order to allow effectuate a mark on a wearers hand. Material component 34 is preferably tethered to skin mechanism 30 via thing strips of material similar to that of which skin mechanism 30 is made. In the event that material component 34 begins to waft or stray during activity, in an embodiment of the present application, material component 34 may be made of a rigid and non-flexible material to prevent the component from overly flexing. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment material component 34 may be suspended within logo 32 via a mesh lining that allows a predetermined amount of radiation to pass through to the skin. In certain embodiments, material component 34 need not be affixed to the remainder of skin mechanism 30, but may alternatively be temporarily affixed to a wearer's hand via alternative means, such as adhesive or other temporary skin binding material.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a skin mechanism 40 in the shape of a baseball glove is illustrated containing aperture 42 depicting a moon positioned about the dorsal portion of a wearer's hand and positioned such that radiation will pass through a wearer's hand to allow a mark to be left once the wearer removes the glove. In certain embodiments a depicting a Nike™ Swoosh™ logo may form the shape of aperture 42. In this particular embodiment, skin mechanism 40 is not fashioned to conform to the shape of a wearer's hand, but rather to fit around ones fingers, while maintaining the position of aperture 42, relative to the wearer's hand in order to allow the glove to perform another function while allowing the passage of photons in a particular vicinity. Skin mechanism 10 is built so that a wearer's fingers act to stabilize skin mechanism 40 relative to wearers hand such that minimal shifting of skim mechanism 40 occurs. During use, skin mechanism 40 is built such that when sufficient radiation passes through aperture 42, a mark resembling the shape of aperture 42 remains present on a wearer's hand after skin mechanism 40 is removed.
In an alternative embodiment, such as a boxing glove, where ones fingers substantially align and a thumb is used to maintain the position of the glove relative to the hand, an aperture can be established relative to the position of the remainder of the hand, according to various shapes of size. Apertures can be positioned in various boxing gloves and can be created in gloves ranging anywhere from 4 oz. to 20 oz. and can be implemented on boxing gloves intended for indoor and outdoor use.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a skin mechanism 50 fashioned in the shape of a golfer's glove is illustrated. In this particular embodiment skin mechanism 50 is oriented for a wearer's left hand and contains extension members 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, and 56 d outfitted with a gripping portion to better secure a club in a wearer's hand. Aperture 52 is oriented about the palm portion of a wearers hand in the shape of a Nike™ Swoosh™ logo and is oriented to allow limited exposure to friction while allowing radiation to pass through the palm of a wearer's hand. In alternative embodiments, various logos may be included on certain portions of the glove, including on each of extension members 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, and 56 d. For example, smaller a Nike™ Swoosh™ logos may be included on one or more of extension members 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, or 56 d. In alternative embodiments, apertures shaped in the form of generalized logos may be included about extension members 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, and 56 d. For example, apertures formed in the shape of a moon, sun, a star, an oval, a rectangle, or other shape may extend on each one of extension members 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, and 56 d. Additionally, each logo formed from an aperture may be placed at different lengths of extension members 56 a, 56 b, 56 c, or 56 d.
Various components of skin mechanism 10, skin mechanism 30, and skin mechanism 40 may be made from a wide variety of materials. These materials may include metallic or non-metallic, magnetic or non-magnetic, elastomeric or non-elastomeric, malleable or non-malleable materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include metals, plastics, polymers, wood, alloys, composites and the like. The metals may be selected from one or more metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel, magnesium, or any other structural metal. Examples of plastics or polymers may include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), or polycarbonate and combinations thereof, among other plastics. Skin mechanism 10, skin mechanism 30, and skin mechanism 40 and their various components may be molded, sintered, machined and/or combinations thereof to form the required pieces for assembly. Furthermore each skin mechanism and its various components may be manufactured using injection molding, sintering, die casting, or machining.
It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.
All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other variations can be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A skin mechanism for embracing a hand comprising:

At least one dorsal portion;

At least one palm portion;

At least one extension portion for embracing a finger; and

At least one aperture oriented in the shape of a symbol;

Wherein the at least one aperture allows for disbursement of radiation about the skin in order to establish a memento about a skin representative of the shape of the symbol.

2. The skin mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is disposed about the at least one dorsal portion.

3. The skin mechanism of claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is disposed about the at least one palm portion.

4. The skin mechanism of claim 1, wherein the skin mechanism includes at least five finger portions operatively corresponding to five extension portions such that one of which is formed to embrace a thumb.

5. The skin mechanism of claim 4, wherein each of the five finger portions is elongated and opened to allow a the tip of a finger to protrude through.

6. The skin mechanism of claim 5, therein the finger portion employed to embrace a thumb is oriented substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the four other finger portions.

7. The skin mechanism of claim 1, wherein a stitching forms about the perimeter the aperture in order to stabilize the shape of the aperture.

8. The skin mechanism of claim 7, wherein the shape of the aperture is formed according to a predominant motorcycle trademark.

9. The skin mechanism of claim 7, wherein the shape of the aperture is surrounded by a semi-rigid component to stabilize the aperture in the event of flexion.

10. A skin mechanism for embracing a hand comprising:

At least one dorsal portion;

At least one palm portion;

At least one extension portion for embracing a finger; and

At least one aperture shaped in the form of a symbol and formed of a stitching surrounding the aperture to secure the shape of the aperture;

Wherein the at least one aperture allows the passage of photons to emblazen the shape of the aperture about a hand.

11. The skin mechanism for embracing a hand of claim 10, wherein the at least one aperture includes a semi-rigid periphery for stabilizing the shape of the aperture.

12. The skin mechanism of claim 10, wherein the aperture is located about the at least one dorsal portion.

13. The skin mechanism of claim 10, wherein the at least one extension member is elongated.

14. The skin mechanism of claim 13, wherein the at least one extension member includes a cut-off portion along the end to expose the tip of a finger.

15. The skin mechanism of claim 13, wherein the at least one palm portion includes at least one aperture to allow the passage of photons.

16. The skin mechanism of claim 13, wherein the at least one dorsal portion includes an opening to allow for ventilation of a hand.

17. The skin mechanism of claim 13, wherein the aperture is formed about the shape at least one selected from the group consisting of:

A Nike™ Swoosh™, A Harley™ “Bar and Shield” logo, one or more triangles, one or more squares, one or more ovals, one or more circles; one or more quadrilaterals, one or more pentagons, one or more hexagons, one or more octagons, one or more hearts; one or more diamonds; one or more stars; one or more clovers; one or more moons, one or more suns; and one or more smiley faces.

18. The skin mechanism of claim 13, wherein the aperture is shaped according to a logo of at least one nationally recognized sports team selected from the group consisting of: one or more Major League Baseball teams; one or more National Basketball Association teams; one or more National Football League teams; one or more Major League Soccer teams, one or more National Hockey League teams, and one or more National Collegiate Athletic Association teams.