US20130227760A1

US20130227760A1 - Handwear incorporating attachment element

Info

Publication number: US20130227760A1
Application number: US13/261,604
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Mahon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-30
Filing date: 2011-08-30
Publication date: 2013-09-05
Also published as: CA2809410A1; US20150374053A1; WO2012027826A1

Abstract

Handwear articles, such as gloves, mittens and other multi-digit embodiments of handwear, are provided. Articles of the invention are especially suited for such tasks as window cleaning, and comprise one or more low-friction areas suitable for slidably using a shafted tool therewith. High-friction areas are also provided to assist in controlling tools. Handwear of the invention are thus especially useful with respect to handling tools, tool shafts, and any implement where control of the tool shaft and the tool are desirable. Articles of the inventions may also comprise one or more attachment surfaces or fastener pads adapted and arranged such that pairs of the handwear can be utilized or connected together, and such that articles of the invention can be easily attached to many objects having complementary attachment elements to allow the handwear, and the wearer, to operate efficiently in conjunction with many tools, articles, devices and surfaces, and in many environments.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application hereby claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/344,602 of Mahon, as filed on Aug. 30, 2010.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each such individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be so incorporated by reference.
1. Technical Field
The disclosed technology relates to handwear articles such as gloves and mittens, particularly to handwear articles that are used in an industrial or heavy working environment such as window cleaning.
2. Background
Handwear articles, such as the type used for window washing, carpentry, gardening, the petrochemical industry, commercial fishing, cold storage, farm work and in the kitchen are typically formed from a knitted fabric made of cotton or polyester material. They may be reinforced across the palm and knuckle regions with a leather or suede material. Other handwear articles may become uncomfortable after any extended wear time.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relate to handwear comprising a plurality of surfaces, surface portions, areas and devices that are adapted and arranged to provide multiple functions and capabilities. These functions and capabilities are especially useful with respect to handling tools, tool shafts, and any implement where the control of the tool shaft is desirable. These surfaces of the invention include slider, low friction, surfaces, high-frictional surfaces, attachment surfaces, protective surfaces, sliding (low-friction) surfaces, and corresponding or complementary surfaces that are adapted and arranged to allow the handwear, and the wearer, to operate efficiently in conjunction with many tools, articles, devices and surfaces, and in many environments.
The invention relates also to operational and functional systems of handwear, paired units, devices, apparatus and methods utilizing numerous possible combinations of these slider, frictional, and attractive/attachment elements.
Conventional gloves are commonly used in washing or cleaning windows and other structural and building surfaces. Conventional gloves are limited, however, in how they function, and in the advantages that they provide to any given task. These limitations pertain especially to circumstances where conventional gloves are used with tools, tool shafts or other devices.
The present invention, comprising on or a pair of handwear items, such as gloves or mittens, are adapted and arranged to be removable quickly and easily from a hand or hands, without the necessity of additional devices or assistance. Thus, the present invention permits a user to remove, and put on, the handwear while still using the remaining hand for other tasks or functions. Window cleaning personnel and many other professionals who use glove, mittens or other handwear often need to take them off in order to do detailed work. The present handwear invention permits a user to remove one glove, while the other gloved hand is full or otherwise occupied, and keep the glove positioned while the user is working, and then easily put the glove back on without the use of the second hand. The invention thus provides means and methods for keeping gloves together while work is taking place.
Embodiments of the present inventions include quick-off and quick-on gloves, one-finger mittens, and mittens made with hook-and-loop pads and/or magnets. For stiff or insulated gloves of the invention, a wearer can simply connect the palm of the glove the user wants off to the top of the wrist of the working glove, and slide the non-working hand out away from the glove, to thereby leave the empty glove ready to re-accept the hand that was withdrawn from it. This aspect of the inventions is very beneficial for oven mittens and the like, since a user can take them both off at the same time and put them both on at the same time.
For gloves not quite so stiff as oven mitts, hook-and-loop surfaces, such as Velcro® can be provided at the back of the hand just below the knuckles above the wrist. In some embodiments, one hook-and-loop surface is sufficient. In others more hook-and-loop surfaces are required, where complementary hook-and-loop surfaces are provided. As examples, a loop surface can be provided on the left glove, and hook surface can be provided on the right glove. With hook-and-loop surfaces thus disposed, a user can connect the back of one hand to the back of the other hand to put the gloves on and off while keeping them attached to one another.
For many preferred embodiments of the present handwear inventions, magnets or hook-and-loop surfaces can be provided on the backs of the fingers and thumbs and on the inside of the palm wrist and the back of the hand. The hook-and-loop surfaces for use with the many embodiments of the invention can be provided in any existing form including, as examples, those having hooks on one surface and loops on the mating surface, and those having both hooks and loops on each of the mating surfaces, or combinations thereof. Thus provided, a user can connect the finger and thumb ends of the glove desired to be removed, to the back of the working hand and pull the glove off then connect the hook-and-loop surfaces of the palm wrist to the complementary hook-and-loop surfaces of the back of the hand. This configuration works well when holding on to ladders or tools or other things.
In another significant aspect, although the top half of the fingers and thumbs of some embodiments can be made of non-slip (high-friction) materials, there can be provided a sliding patch or dots or drops of plastic, fiberglass or any other slippery material on the base part of the forefingers and thumbs. This is very beneficial when handwear, such as gloves, of the invention are used for cleaning windows or other flat surfaces. When window cleaning personnel perform poling work, for example with a squeegee, this feature allows them to use their upper hand to simply guide the pole shaft as the lower hand slides the pole up and down, thereby saving time and effort, and giving the user a greater range of motion in the pole work. In window cleaning, sliding the pole through the upper hand increases the pressure of the squeegee because the cleaning person can lock that arm and not bend their elbow. This is particularly advantageous when window-cleaning personnel have no room to back away from the window they are cleaning because of a fence, ditch or other obstacle. The user can slide the pole of the cleaning implement through both hands in order to clean right to the bottom of the window.
Because most of the work is done with the elbow of the lower hand, the present handwear accelerates the work while saving wear and tear on the user's shoulder (Rotator Cuff) of the upper hand from overuse, which is a common problem with serious professional window cleaners. People who operate push brooms, rakes, and other light duty, push and pull tools can benefit from embodiments of the inventions comprising sliding (low-friction) surfaces, areas or patches. For example, when using an axe or sledgehammer or a pick, the hand positioned proximate to the tool end of the handle must move slidably along the handle for proper use of the tool.
In another aspect, workers who use lifting and tossing tools like shovels and pitchforks can really benefit from being able to slide the hand that is closer to the tool. The present handwear provides the options of a sturdy grip, along with low-friction (sliding) the handles or poles through your hands. As an additional advantage, ledge and frame squeegee elements are provided in some embodiments to assist in cleaning operations without the necessity of additional tools.
After a window cleaner cleans a window he has to deal with soapy water on the ledges. Many window cleaners use a small squeegee just for cleaning ledges or they can use their window squeegee on the ledges, but this technique tends to prematurely nick or cut the squeegee so it leaves streaks on the windows. Thus, a one or more squeegee surfaces provided on handwear of the invention keeps it ready for cleaning ledges and frames.
Moreover, abrasive scrubber elements can also be provided on handwear of the invention, for example, on the back of the knuckle surfaces, or on the front of the ends of the handwear fingers for better grip and for scrubbing tough dirt off windows without taking the time to pick up and use another tool.
The present inventions include slider gloves, gloves that can be taken off and put on quickly, one-finger mitts and mittens made with loop and hook or magnets. When cleaning storefronts, the poling activity is about 10% faster using a slippery version of a device of the present invention. Moreover, the abrasive scrubbers for quickly scrubbing tough dirt like dried food, bird dung, fly dung, human spit, etc., provided in some embodiments of the invention are provided to thereby eliminate the time to pick up and use another tool. Moreover, inflatable spots or channels, such as the thenar pads described herein, and variations thereof, particularly in their inflated configurations, can be adapted and arranged to cause one or more sliding elements to rise above the surface of the handwear (such as a glove or mitten), thus converting the handwear to a sliding configuration. As an example, the inflatable Thenar Pad described herein could be pumped up to help a pole or shaft slide through easier or it could be used to absorb shock from striking tools, such as baseball bats, axes, picks, masonry hammers, sledge hammers and the like.
In some preferred embodiments of handwear of the invention comprising thenar pads, thenar droplets or both, the pads or droplets are disposed on the web surfaces of the handwear, but somewhat toward the back of the glove such that they are disposed for use with respect to a tool shaft only when a hand wearing the handwear is rotated such that the tool shaft contacts the slippery droplets or pads only when the hand is thusly rotated. For example, handwear according to the invention can be adapted and arranged such that a fireman's ram can be gripped firmly with the palmar and palmar-web surface of the glove—but can be slidably held when the glove is rotated such that the slippery thenar pads or droplets are disposed such that the ram shaft can slide over them.
In a significant aspect of some of these combinations, the inventions provide numerous embodiments of gloves, mittens and other handwear in physical forms that can be operationally and functionally connected to conventional window cleaning equipment in a reversible manner. Among other embodiments, the present inventions include any combination of one or more slider gloves and any combination or number of mutually attractive, high-frictional or low-frictional handwear are provided. The many combinations and permutations of embodiments of the inventions can be appreciated with respect to those embodiments shown in the attached FIGS. 1-28.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a back view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear.

FIG. 2 shows a palm (palmer) side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear.

FIG. 3 shows a palm (palmer) side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear as in FIG. 2, with further features.

FIG. 4 shows a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of right hand article of the provided handwear as in FIGS. 2 and 3, with split thenar pads.

FIG. 5 shows a pair of articles of provided handwear embodiments gripping a shafted tool.

FIG. 6 shows a pair of articles of provided handwear embodiments while one of the handwear articles is being removed from a wearer's hand.

FIG. 7 shows a pair of articles of provided handwear embodiments as in FIG. 6, but with the hand of the wearer now removed from the article.

FIG. 8 shows a palm side view of a two-digit mitten embodiment of the provided handwear with hook and loop fastener pads at the wrist.

FIG. 9 shows a back side view of a two-digit mitten embodiment as in FIG. 8 of the provided handwear.

FIG. 10 shows a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of the provided handwear similar to that of FIG. 1, with a squeegee element disposed on the fourth finger.

FIG. 11 shows a back view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with abrasive scrubber pads disposed on the back surface.

FIG. 12 a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with non-friction droplets disposed on the thenar pad region of the palm surface.

FIG. 13 shows a detailed view of non-friction droplets.

FIG. 14 shows a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with squeegee feature and hook and loop fastener pads.

FIG. 15 shows a pair of mitten embodiments of the provided handwear, suitable for use with hot objects in a kitchen.

FIG. 16 shows a pair of heat insulated mitten embodiments of the provided handwear, with the hand a wearer entering the right hand mitten.

FIG. 17 shows a light or thin pair of gloved embodiments of the provided handwear, with the gloved right hand of a wearer manipulating the hook and loop fastener pads of the glove on the left hand.

FIG. 18 shows a light or thin pair of embodiments of the provided handwear similar to those of FIG. 17, with the hand of a user being withdrawn from the one of the handwear articles.

FIG. 19 shows the back side of a three-digit embodiment of the provided handwear with a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon.

FIG. 20 shows a pot-holder style embodiment of the provided handwear with a hook and loop fastener disposed thereon.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of pair of handwear articles, with one hand of a wearer gripping a ladder rung and the other user hand being inserted into or being removed from the other handwear article.

FIGS. 22-24 show views of pairs of embodiments of the provided handwear, with one hand at various stages of being removed from one of the handwear articles, the handwear article from which the hand is being removed is engaged with the hook and loop fastener pad of the opposite article.

FIG. 25 shows a back view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with an inflatable thenar pad and inflator pump.

FIG. 26 shows a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with a combination of features, including abrasive scrubber pads disposed on the side of the fourth finger of the article, and hook and loop fastener pads disposed on the wrist of the article.

FIG. 27 shows a side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with a combination of features, including a pointed rubber nail pick and flat finger extensions, the thenar area of the article being outlined.

FIG. 28 shows a palm side view of the embodiment of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 shows a back view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the handwear with hook and fastener pads disposed at the base of the fingers and at the wrist of the article.

FIG. 30 a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the handwear with split thenar pads, a hook and loop fastener pad at the base of a finger, and a hook and loop fastener pad disposed around the wrist.

FIG. 31 shows a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article of the provided handwear with an array of non-friction then droplets disposed in the thenar region.

FIG. 32 shows two views of hook and loop wrap embodiments for use with embodiments of the provided handwear.

FIG. 33 shows details of embodiments of a hook and loop belt for use with embodiments of the provided handwear.

FIG. 34 shows a view of an embodiment of a hook and loop belt, with a hook surface and a loop surface disposed thereon.

FIG. 35 shows a pair of mitten style embodiments of the provided handwear, showing palm side and back views of articles with hook and loop fastener pads.

FIG. 36 shows a pair of mitten style embodiments of the provided handwear secured to a side of an oven by way of a hook and loop fastener pad.

FIG. 37 shows a wearer wearing a mitten style embodiment in the act of either entering or withdrawing her left hand from a mitten, the mitten being secured to a belt with hook and loop surfaces.

FIG. 38 shows a wearer wearing a mitten style embodiment holding a hot pan lid, with the mitten of a working hand secured to the back of the handwear article holding the hot pan lid, the detached mitten engaged with the back of the worn mitten through engagement of hook and loop surfaces.

FIG. 39 shows a palm side view of an embodiment a left hand article of the provided handwear with a hook and loop fastener pad disposed around the wrist.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AS EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE TECHNOLOGY

With respect to FIG. 1, five-digit glove for a right hand 1, has thumb 5 as well as glove back 23, hook and loop fastener pad 31 disposed on the back of glove 1, hook and loop fastener pad 35 disposed on the finger nail position of the index finger of glove 1, and hook and loop fastener pad 37 disposed upon the thumb nail position of first finger 81. FIG. 1 shows also second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1. In addition, FIG. 1 shows low-friction (slippery) thenar pad 41 disposed between the thumb and first finger positions of glove 1.
FIG. 2 shows the palm side 21 of glove 1, with hook and loop fastener pads 35 disposed on the finger nail position of each of the index (first) finger 81, second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1. Hook and loop fastener pad 37 is disposed on the surface of the distal (or end) surface of thumb 5 approximately in the nail position of the wearer's hand (not shown). Non-friction (slippery) thenar pad 41 is disposed on the thenar (finger-thumb) surface of the glove between thumb 5 and first finger 81. Inner wrist hook and loop fastener pads 33 are disposed on the inner wrist portions of palm side 21 of glove 1.
FIG. 3 shows all of the elements of the invention as are shown in FIG. 2, and also includes finger squeegee 51, disposed on the side of fourth finger 84, and having edge 51 adapted and arranged for use as a squeegee or the like for cleaning or clearing one or more surfaces. In some embodiments of the invention finger squeegee 51 and finger squeegee edge 53 can be adapted and arranged for cleaning or clearing various surface conformations. As examples, finger squeegee 51 and edge 53 can be provide in curved or cornered surfaces adapted for cleaning or clearing corners or curved surfaces, for example, as might be found in modern window edges, ledges or mouldings.
FIG. 4 shows all of the elements of the invention as are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and also includes split thenar pads 75 and 73. Thumb portion pad 73 of split thenar pads 73/75 is disposed on the inner surface of thumb 5, and web portion 75 of split thenar pads 73/75 is disposed on the web surface of 5-digit glove 1. Depending on the purpose for which the glove is to be used, split thenar pads 75 and 73 can be provided in various forms, positions frictional characteristics. As an advantageous adaptation feature of the present invention, split thenar pads 75 and 73 can be provided for specific desired purposes. In some preferred embodiments of handwear according to the invention, such as one or more gloves or mittens, the handwear can be used in window-washing operations. In such operations, it is common to utilize a pole-mounted window-washing squeegee. In these operations, it is sometimes desirable to effect a sliding action with the pole sliding with respect to the handwear to thereby effect smoothly the passage of the squeegee over glass portions of the windows. In such embodiments, one or both of thenar pads 73 and 75 can be provided of highly slippery materials, such as plastic, for instance, tetrafluoroethylene. Moreover, thenar pads 73 and 75, as well as other slippery surfaces or portions of handwear of the invention can be made of any slippery substance, or substance that can be made slippery under defined conditions, such as wetting with water. Thus, high gloss plastics, and low-friction plastics such as Teflon®, ceramics, Nylon® fiberglass and Kevlar® are particularly preferred for use with low-friction, or slippery, surfaces or aspects for the present handwear.
In other embodiments of handwear of the invention, as are shown in FIG. 25, thenar pads 73 and 75 are provided in inflatable form adapted and arranged to be raised by inflation to a size, shape and level above the surface of the handwear so that the desired interaction between the pads and the tool pole can be adjusted to produce a desired rate, movement or effort. In yet other embodiments of the invention, other functional characteristics can be achieved by providing thenar pads 73 and 75, whether inflatable or not, in high-friction forms such that the grip of the handwear with respect to the tool, such as a pole-mounted squeegee, is secure and with minimal movement with respect to the pole and pads. Any of the pads disposed in relation to the surfaces of handwear of the invention can be adapted for inflation/deflation, to thereby allow the invention to adapt to many circumstances by providing functional variability. For example, an inflatable thenar pad could be pumped up to help a pool or shaft slide more easily, or it could be used to absorb shock from striking tools such as baseball bats, axes, picks, sledge hammers and the like.
FIG. 5 shows all of the elements of the invention as are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. With respect to FIG. 5, right hand five-digit glove 1 and left hand five-digit glove 2 are shown in a typical position with respect to tool shaft 63. Virtually any tool having a shaft can be used with the invention. For example, tool shaft 63 can be the shaft for a window-cleaning squeegee, or for soap applicators, or for conventional brooms, or for brooms used in the sport of curling, or for painting rollers when the invention is used by painters and painting technicians, and the like. Other shafted tools with which the present invention can be used include striking tools, including axes, picks, sledge hammers and the like; lifting and tossing tools, such as shovels, pitch forks and the like; pushing and pulling tools, such as window cleaner poles, lawn and garden rakes, push brooms, and fireman's rams or fireman's pike poles. Thenar pads 73 and 75 are shown disposed on the inner surface of thumb 5 of right glove 1 such that shaft 63 can slide freely with respect to glove 1 while being propelled by the hand (not shown) in glove 2.
FIG. 6 shows all of the elements of the invention as are shown in FIGS. 1-5, and more. FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of how relatively thin gloves can be removed from one or more hands by use of the various hook-and-loop fastener pads which can connect in various respects, for example, between the pads on the back of a glove with those on the ends of the glove fingers. With respect to FIG. 6, right hand five-digit glove 1 and left hand five-digit glove 2 are shown in a typical position with respect to ladder 61, and having a right hand and a left hand disposed therein (hands inside of gloves not shown). Back side 24 of glove 2 is shown as glove 2 grips a ladder rung with first finger 81, second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1 on top of the rung while thumb 5 of glove 2 is shown underneath a rung of ladder 61. The corresponding fingers of the corresponding hands are disposed within the corresponding digit pockets of gloves 1 and 2. FIG. 6 also shows palm side 21 of glove 1, glove 1 having first finger 81, second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1, with glove 1 shown near glove 2 but not in contact with ladder 61. Inner wrist hook and loop fastener pads 31 are shown disposed on the back 23 of glove 1 while hook and inner wrist loop fastener pads 33, are shown disposed on front 21 of glove 1.
FIG. 7 illustrates gloves 1 and 2 of FIG. 6, but in slightly different relation to one another. FIG. 7 shows glove 1 in relative position ready to be put back on a right hand (not shown) again. With reference to FIG. 7, glove 2 is in the same relation to ladder 61 as it is in FIG. 6, with glove 2 gripping a rung of ladder 61 with first finger 81, second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1 on top of the rung while thumb 5 of glove 2 is shown underneath the rung of ladder 61. In slight contrast to FIG. 6, in FIG. 7, glove 2 is in a different relation to ladder 61 and glove 1 than is shown in FIG. 6. With respect to FIG. 7, back 23 of glove 1 is shown attached to back 24 of glove 2 by means of hook and loop fastener pads 31, which are disposed on backs 23 and 24 of gloves 1 and 2. In the preferred embodiments shown herein
When disposed back-to-back as shown in FIG. 7, gloves 1 and 2 stick to one another with sufficient force that the hand that was formerly in glove 1 can be removed, thus leaving glove 1 attached to glove 2, thereby freeing the hand for other tasks while leaving glove 1 conveniently attached to glove 2, and thus ready for further use when desired.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate exemplary embodiments of two-digit mittens 9 of the invention. With respect to FIG. 8, two-digit mitten 9 is shown having palm side 25, thumb 11, inner wrist hook and loop fastener pads 33, as well as thumb portion 73 of split thenar pad, web portion 75 of split thenar pad, and thumb nail hook and loop fastener pad 37. With respect to FIG. 9, two-digit mitten 9 is shown having back side 27, thumb 11, back hook and loop fastener pads 31, as well as thumb portion 73 of split thenar pad, web portion 75 of split thenar pad, and thumb nail hook and loop fastener pad 37.
FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment of glove 1, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but additionally showing double bladed finger squeegee 53 disposed on the side of fourth finger 84, and having squeegee edges 51. Squeegee 53 and edges 51 can be adapted and arranged for use as a squeegee or the like for cleaning or clearing one or more surfaces. In some embodiments of the invention the edges of double bladed finger squeegee 53 can be adapted and arranged for cleaning or clearing various surface conformations. As examples, finger squeegee 53 and edges 51 can be provide in curved or cornered surfaces adapted for cleaning or clearing corners or curved surfaces, for example, as might be found in modern or custom window edges, ledges or mouldings.
FIG. 11 shows another preferred embodiment of glove 1, similar to those shown in FIGS. 1-7, but additionally comprising abrasive scrubber pads/ridges 43 disposed on the back surface 23 of glove 1, wherein abrasive scrubber pads/ridges 43 are disposed on the back/knuckle surfaces of index (first) finger 81, second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1. Such embodiments are particularly useful for scrubbing tough, tenacious or dried dirt like, such as food remnants, insect or bird dung, human spittle, and many types of graffiti off of windows and other surfaces. FIG. 11 shows also hook and loop fastener pads—back of handwear 31, as well as open end 65 of glove 1.
FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate additional exemplary embodiments of glove 1 of the invention, wherein web portion 75 and thenar portion 73 of split thenar pads 73/75 comprise non-friction (slippery) thenar droplets 42. Thenar droplets 42, as well as other slippery surfaces or portions of handwear of the invention can be made of any slippery substance, or substance that can be made slippery under defined conditions, such as wetting with water. Thus, high gloss plastics, and low-friction plastics such as Nylon®, Teflon ®, ceramics, fiberglass and Kevlar® are particularly preferred for use with low-friction, or slippery, surfaces or aspects for the present handwear. Slippery thenar droplets 42 can be provided in any shape, pattern, configuration or form suitable for achieving the goals of a particular embodiment of the invention. For instance, thenar droplets 42 can be provided also in high-friction forms or in low-friction (slippery) forms. FIG. 12 shows also hook and loop fastener pads—inner wrist 33, finger squeegee 51 and palm side 21 of glove 1, as well as hook and loop fastener pads—finger nail 35 and hook and loop fastener pads—thumb nail 37 disposed on thumb 5.
In FIG. 14, another preferred embodiment of glove 1 is shown comprising abrasive scrubber pads/ridges 43, which are adapted and arranged for cleaning, scouring, polishing and similar purposes. In FIG. 14, glove 1 comprises also finger squeegee 53 dispose on the side of digit 84, and hook and loop fastener pads—inner wrist 33, as well as glove open end 65. With respect to FIG. 15, oven or kitchen mittens 9 are shown having thumbs 11 and hook and loop fastener pads—inner wrist 33, as well as hook and loop fastener pads—back of handwear 31. With respect to FIG. 16, mittens 9 of FIG. 15 are also shown.
In FIG. 16, each of heavily insulated mittens 9 (one right and one left-handed) comprises a thumb pocket 11, and a back side 27. Right hand 70 is shown entering a right-handed version of mitten 9, and the wrist of left hand 72 is shown extending from a left-handed version of mitten 9. On the back sides of mittens 11, are hook and loop fastener pads 31, which are positioned such that they can be temporarily affixed to one another such that one hand could be going in or out of the corresponding mitten. Velcro is only needed in one or two spots on the mittens.
In FIG. 17, still other preferred embodiments of gloves 1 and 2 are shown. With respect to FIG. 17, light or thin five-digit glove 1 for a right hand, and light or thin five-digit glove 2 for a left hand are shown. Each of gloves 1 and 2 have thumbs 5. Significantly in FIG. 17, hook and loop fastener pad—finger nail 35 of digit 81, and hook and loop fastener pad—thumb nail 37 of thumb 5, both of right hand glove 1, are shown engaging hook and loop fastener pads—back of handwear 31 of left hand glove 2. Among other things, FIG. 17 thus illustrates how right and left-hand embodiments of the handwear of the invention can interact with one another to enable a user to manipulate the gloves with respect to one another by using them in a way that involves mainly the surfaces features of the left and right handwear embodiments.
In FIG. 18, the same preferred embodiments of gloves 1 and 2 from FIG. 17 are shown. With respect to FIG. 18, hand 70 is shown being withdrawn from right-hand glove 1 while right-hand glove 1 is attached to left-hand glove 2 by means of the interactions between the hook-and- loop fasteners 35 and 37 of right-hand glove 1 and the hook-and-loop fasteners 31 of left-hand glove 2.
With respect to FIG. 19, still other preferred embodiments of gloves 1 and 2 are shown. With respect to FIG. 19, three-digit mitten 10 is shown. Three-digit mitten 10 comprises back side 27, as well as a first-digit pocket. Back side 27 of mitten 10 is provided with a hook and loop fastener pad—back of handwear 31. FIG. 20 shows still another preferred embodiment of handwear of the invention is shown. With respect to FIG. 20, hand 70 is shown partially inserted into hand access aperture 7 of pot holder 29. Pot holder 29 is provided also with a hook and loop fastener pad—back of handwear 31.
FIG. 21 shows all of the elements of the embodiments of the invention as are shown in FIGS. 1-6, and more. With respect to FIG. 21, thick, insulated left hand five-digit glove 2 is shown in a typical position gripping a rung of ladder 61, and having a left hand disposed therein (hand inside of glove 2 not shown). Back side 24 of left-hand glove 2 is shown as glove 2 grips a ladder rung with first finger 81, second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of thick, as well as thumb 5, insulated glove 1 on top of the rung while thumb 5 of glove 2 is shown underneath the rung of ladder 61. The corresponding fingers of the user's left hand (not shown) are disposed within the corresponding digit pockets of glove 2. Inner wrist hook and loop fastener pad 31 are shown disposed on the back 23 of glove 1 and hook and loop fastener pads 33 are shown on the front of inner wrist of glove 1. Gloves 1 and 2 are shown reversibly attached to one another via hook and loop fastener pads 31 and hook and loop fastener pads 33. FIG. 21 thus shows one of the ways that certain embodiments of the invention can reversibly and advantageously attach to one another to permit insertion and removal of one or more hands with respect to the gloves, thereby acting almost as a third hand to allow the reversible wearing and removal of one or more of the gloves or mitts.
In FIG. 22, FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, additional exemplary ways that certain embodiments of the invention can reversibly and advantageously attach to one another and detach from one another by means of the various hook-and-loop pads to permit insertion and removal of one or more hands with respect to the gloves, are also shown.
In FIG. 25, right hand five-digit glove 1 is shown comprising inflatable thenar pad 15, as well as thenar pad inflator pump 17 and thenar pad inflator tube 19. With respect to FIG. 25, inflatable thenar pad 15 is shown connected to thenar pad inflator pump 17 via thenar pad inflator tube 19. In use, thenar pad inflator pump 17 is pumped to provide air to inflatable thenar pad 15 to thereby cause pad 15 to expand. In embodiments of the invention wherein thenar pad 15 comprises a slippery surface, inflating pad 15 will permit additional surface area of pad 15 to raise above the surfaces of glove 1 such that this additional surface area is also available to, for example, a sliding shaft, such as the pole shaft of a window-cleaning squeegee, or a fireman's ram, where slidable contact with handwear is desirable. In other embodiments, where thenar pads are provided in a high-friction form, inflation of the pad will permit more contact of the high-friction surfaces with tools or workpieces.
In FIG. 26, right hand five-digit glove 1 is shown illustrating further advantageous combinations of the elements of the invention. With respect to FIG. 26, abrasive scrubber pads/ridges 43 are shown disposed along the edge of fourth finger 84. Abrasive scrubber pads/ridges 43 can be made of nylon or other rough textured materials that are durable, that won't absorb much water, and will not scratch the surfaces upon which they are to be used, such as glass. All other elements are as described in FIG. 4 and other Figs. herein.
In FIG. 27, right hand five-digit glove 1 is shown from the right side of the glove with the palm surface 21 visible. Thumb 5 and first finger 81 are spread apart somewhat. In FIG. 27, right hand five-digit glove 1 comprises pointed rubber nail pick 91 disposed at the end of first finger 81, and flat finger extensions 93 disposed at the ends of second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 1. Moreover, flat thumb extension 95 is shown disposed at the end of thumb 5. In use, these extensions are advantageously shaped for cleaning cracks and crevices as well as for handling and placing building and construction materials, such as putty and caulking.
Pointed rubber nail picks 91 are particularly adapted for cleaning cobwebs from the corners of windows and frames and for cleaning hard to get to areas such as crevices in window and door track assemblies. The non-slip rubber can also help to secure a towel when wiping corners of windows and the like. Moreover, the various finger and thumb extensions improve a user's ability to pick up small tools or objects off the ground. They allow the user to hold more tools in a hand. In some embodiments of the invention, the extensions can be made of one or more hard plastics or stainless steel, and thus adaptable to scrape tape or soft paint or the like from surfaces to be cleaned, such as windows and other smooth surfaces.
FIG. 28 shows the left hand five-digit glove 2 of FIG. 27, from palm side 22 of glove 1. With respect to FIG. 28, right hand five-digit glove 1 comprises pointed rubber nail pick 91 disposed extending from the end of first finger 81, and flat finger extensions 93 disposed extending from the ends of second finger 82, third finger 83 and fourth finger 84 of glove 2. Moreover, flat thumb extension 95 is shown disposed extending from the end of thumb 5. Such finger and thumb extensions can be made from any material appropriate to the tasks for which a particular handwear embodiment is intended. Such materials include, for example, hard plastic for light duty window cleaning when scraping off tape is required, and for use in removing soft paint and some types of graffiti.
FIG. 29 shows a back view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article 23 of the handwear with hook and fastener pads disposed at the base of the fingers 39 and at the wrist 40 of the article.
FIG. 30 is a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a left-hand article 22 of the handwear with split thenar pads 73 and 75, a hook and loop fastener pad 39 at the base of a finger, and a hook and loop fastener pad 40 disposed around the wrist.
FIG. 31 shows a palm side view of a five-digit embodiment of a right hand article 21 of the provided handwear with an array of non-friction droplets or patches 42 disposed in the thenar region and a hook and loop fastener pad 40 disposed around the wrist area.
FIG. 32 shows two views of hook and loop wrap embodiments for use with embodiments of the provided handwear. The upper figure shows the hook fastener surface 107 on an inner aspect of the wrap, and the loop fastener surface 109 on an outer aspect of the wrap. The lower figure shows a wrap that becomes a belt by addition of a belt buckle 111.
FIG. 33 shows, from left to right, a front perspective view, a side view, and a back perspective view of embodiments of a hook and loop belt clip or pocket clip 113 for use with embodiments of the provided handwear. In this embodiment, the front surface is adapted as a loop fastener surface 109 and the back surface is adapted as hook fastener surface 107.
FIG. 34 shows a view of an embodiment of a hook and loop belt 115, with a hook surface and loop clips 113 disposed thereon. From this upper frontal perspective view, clip 113 on the right side of the belt has hook fastener surface 107 facing outward, and the clip 113 on the left side of the belt has loop fastener surface 109 facing outward.
FIG. 35 shows a pair of two-digit mitten style embodiments of the provided handwear, showing palm side 25 and back side 27 views of articles with hook and loop fastener pads. A back view 27 of the article is shown on the left with a hook and loop fastener pad 31 disposed on an elongated wrist aspect of the article. A palm side view 25 of the article is shown on the left with a hook and loop fastener pad 33 disposed on an elongated wrist aspect of the article.
FIG. 36 shows a pair of mitten style embodiments of the provided handwear secured to a side of an stove 101 by way of a hook and loop fastener pad. More particularly, one mitten is secured to the side of the stove by way of a mitten engagement of an appliance hook and loop fastener pad 103 on the oven, and a second glove is secured to the inner glove by mutually engaging hook and fastener pads on the surfaces of the mittens. Additionally, appliance fastener pads 103 are arranged on a wall next to the oven, to which handwear articles can be secured.
FIG. 37 shows a wearer wearing a mitten style embodiment in the act of either entering or withdrawing her left hand from a mitten 9 embodiment of handwear, the mitten being secured to a belt 115 equipped with hook and loop clips 113, the mitten having mutually engaging hook and loop surfaces 31.
FIG. 38 shows a wearer wearing a mitten style embodiment 9 holding a hot pan lid, with the mitten of a working hand secured to the back of the handwear article 9 holding the hot pan lid, the detached mitten engaged with the back of the worn mitten through engagement of hook and loop surfaces.
FIG. 39 shows a palm side 22 view of a five-digit embodiment of a left hand article of the provided handwear with a hook and loop fastener pad 40 disposed around the wrist and split thenar pads 73 and 75 disposed in the thenar region of the article.
It is an object of the invention to provide handwear adapted and arranged for ease of use in performing tasks involving shafted implements such as window cleaning tools and construction implements. It is a further object of the invention to provide handwear that are adapted for the easy attachment to one another, or to other objects such as clothing articles, building surfaces, appliances and cleaning equipment. It is yet another object of the invention to provide handwear that are provided with tool elements, such as squeegee edges, cleaning picks, and scrubbing surfaces, to thereby obviate the need for other tools or implements.
In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, one or a pair of handwear articles are provided, the handwear articles comprising a layer of flexible material shaped for receiving a hand, the flexible material having an inner handwear surface and an outer handwear surface, wherein at least one digit pocket is disposed within the inner surface, wherein the at least one digit pocket has an inner digit surface and an outer digit surface, and wherein the outer handwear layer comprises a palm surface, a back surface, a thenar surface contiguous between the palm surface and the back surface, and digit surfaces, and wherein the outer layer is adapted and arranged for holding one or more pads or implements, and wherein the at least one digit pocket is adapted to receive a wearer's fingers and hand through a hand access aperture at one end of the digit pocket, and wherein the one or more pads comprise at least one low-friction sliding surface area adapted and arranged for passing a tool shaft in relation thereto such that the tool shaft can be easily moved in relation to the handwear, and wherein at least one of the low-friction sliding pads are provided on the thenar surface, and wherein the outer handwear surface comprises at least one attachment element adapted and arranged for reversibly attaching the handwear to another object.
In accordance with further objects of the invention, a handwear article may comprise any number of digit pockets commensurate with the job and function to which the handwear article is to be used. As an example, the at least one digit pocket may comprise two digit pockets, wherein one of the two-digit pockets is preferably adapted and arranged for receiving the thumb of a wearer, and wherein the other of the two digit pockets of the handwear article is adapted and arranged for receiving the remaining fingers of the wearer, and wherein each of the digit pockets comprises a digit pocket outer surface. This is one of the “mitten” embodiments of the invention. Thus, the invention may comprise one, two, three, four or five digit pockets.
In the five-digit embodiment, five digit pockets are provided are provided within and by the flexible material, such as materials comprising leather, plastic, natural and synthetic fabrics, and combinations thereof, wherein one of the five digit pockets is preferably adapted and arranged for receiving the thumb of a wearer, and wherein the remaining pocket of the handwear article is adapted and arranged for receiving the remaining fingers of the wearer in four individual pockets.
The low-friction sliding surface areas of the invention may comprises any suitable material or combinations of materials suitable for the slidable, low-friction functions. In some preferred embodiments, one or more of teterafluoroethylene compounds, one or more of silicone-based compounds, one or more of self-lubricating compounds, or one or more combinations thereof are preferably used to provide suitably low-friction surfaces. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one low-friction sliding surface area is disposed at least partially upon or within the thenar area.
In other preferred embodiments, handwear articles of the invention may be disposed such that the low-friction sliding surface area is disposed at least partially upon one or more of the thenar area, the back area and the palm area, or combinations thereof In some other preferred embodiments, the one or more low-friction sliding surface areas may be disposed completely within the thenar area, and may comprise two or more thenar pads disposed with space therebetween.
In accordance with additional advantages and objectives of the invention, the low-friction area may be adapted and arranged to be reversibly inflatable to thereby be adaptable to one or more of working conditions, tool positioning, tool shaft shapes, and tool shaft lengths, diameters or variations.
In other preferred embodiments, handwear articles of the invention are provided with one or more low-friction sliding surface areas disposed upon one or more of the palm area and the back area. With similar functions seen, the one or more low-friction sliding surface areas can be disposed upon one or more of the digit surfaces in order to adapt the digit surfaces, and the spaces between the digits, to low friction elements useful for guiding or manipulating a tool shaft or the like.
In accordance with yet other preferred embodiments and advantages of the invention, handwear articles of the invention are provided wherein the at least one attachment element comprises hook-and-loop elements, pads or surfaces. Depending upon the variation of function to which the handwear article will be used, multiple attachment elements may be provided.
As additional advantages, handwear articles of the invention include wherein one or more of each of the digit pockets outer surfaces are provided with one or more of one or more squeegee elements, one or more scrubber pads, one or more cleaning ridges, one or more fingernail picks disposed on or adjacent the ends of the digits, and one or more scrubber pads.
As an additional advantage, the low-friction area may be adapted and arranged to be reversibly inflatable to thereby be adaptable to one or more of working conditions, tool shaft shapes, and tool shaft length and diameter variations. As an example, a manually operated inflation chamber can be provided for reversibly inflating the low-friction area, for instance, on the back surface or the palm surface of the handwear, or on any other surface or position suitable for performing its functions in the context of the particular embodiment of handwear of the invention.
The attachment pads, such as those including hook and loop elements, are preferable adapted and arranged for reversibly attaching the handwear to many types of objects and surfaces, such as those found in the window cleaning and painting industries. These attachment surfaces may be found, for example, as parts of one or more articles of handwear, one or more tools, one or more appliances, one or more machines, one or more ladders, one or more walls, one or more articles of clothing or uniforms, and one or more objects having complementary attachment elements affixed thereto.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, one or more high-friction elements may be adapted and arranged for providing additional gripping power for the wearer. Such high-friction elements, or surfaces, may be provided on one or more of the digit surfaces, the palm surface, the back surface, and on the thenar surface disposed such that an inflated thenar pad converts the gripping area to a low-friction area. As additional aids to cleaning surfaces, some preferred embodiments of the invention may further comprise one or more squeegee elements, one or more scrubber pads, one or more cleaning ridges, one or more fingernail picks disposed on or adjacent the ends of the digits, and one or more scrubber pads. Preferably, the handwear articles of the invention are provided in one or more matching pairs, that is, one glove adapted for a left hand, and one glove adapted for a right hand.
As yet another advantage of some preferred embodiments of the present invention, handwear of the invention may further comprise at least one additional means for attaching the handwear to another object or person. As examples, these additional means include one or more from the list comprising a belt, a hook and loop belt, a flexible wrap, a flexible wrap having hook-and-loop elements thereon, and a clip means for reversibly attaching the handwear to a belt or to an article of clothing, or to a ladder or tool.
The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices or processes via the use of flowcharts, diagrams, figures or examples. Insofar as such flowcharts, diagrams, figures or examples contain one or more functions or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function or operation within such flowchart, diagram, figure or example can be implemented, individually or collectively, by a wide range of any combination thereof.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired.
The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted figures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other figures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” or “coupled” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to, physically mateable or physically interacting components or wirelessly interactable or wirelessly interacting components or logically interacting or logically interactable components.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are within the skill of those in the art. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that a limitation is desired.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “operably coupled” or “coupled” or “in communication with” or “communicates with” or “operatively communicate” such other objects that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as associated with each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “connected”, or “attached”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
As examples, the one or more thenar pads of certain embodiments of the invention include many permutations thereof with respect to the nature of the individual pads (slippery, inflatable or high-friction) the placement of one or multiple thenar pads in certain embodiments, and their relative positions on the handwear surface can vary in operation by the relative position of the handwear with respect to tools or toolshafts being used by the wearer of the handwear.
While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the embodiments herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc.).
It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
The appended claims, and any new or amended claims added during prosecution, should be interpreted as broadly as possible in light of the disclosure provided in the specification.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A handwear article comprising:

at least one layer of flexible material shaped for receiving a hand, said at least one layer having an inner handwear surface and an outer handwear surface;

at least one digit pocket defined within said at least one layer of flexible material by an inner digit surface included in the inner handwear surface and an outer digit surface;

the outer surface comprising a palm surface, a back surface, and the outer digit surface;

said at least one digit pocket being adapted to receive a wearer's fingers via a hand access aperture; and

the outer handwear surface comprising at least one attachment element for attaching the handwear to a selected object to keep the handwear available for use.

2. The handwear article of claim 25, wherein the at least one digit pocket comprises two digit pockets, wherein one of said two digit pockets is adapted and arranged for receiving the thumb of a wearer, and wherein the other of the two digit pockets of the handwear article is adapted and arranged for receiving the remaining fingers of the wearer.

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The handwear article of claim 25, wherein said at least one low-friction sliding surface area comprises one or more of tetrafluoroethylene compounds, one or more of silicone-based compounds, one or more of self-lubricating compounds, and one or more combinations thereof.

6. The handwear article of claim 25, wherein said at least one low-friction sliding surface area is disposed at least partially upon one or more of said at least one thenar surface, the back surface and the palm surface.

7. (canceled)

8. The handwear article of claim 25, wherein said at least one low-friction sliding surface area is controllable via inflation thereof to thereby adapt said at least one low-friction sliding surface area to one or more of working conditions, tool positioning, tool shaft shapes, and tool shaft length or diameter variations.

9. The handwear article of claim 25, wherein said at least one low-friction sliding surface area is disposed upon at least one of the palm surface and the back surface.

10. The handwear article of claim 1, wherein said at least one low-friction sliding surface area is disposed upon at least one of the outer digit surfaces.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. The handwear article of claim 1, wherein the other object for which the at least one attachment element is adapted and arranged for attaching the handwear thereto comprises one or more from the list comprising one or more articles of handwear, one or more tools, one or more appliances, one or more machines, one or more ladders, one or more walls, one or more articles of clothing, and one or more objects having complementary attachment elements affixed thereto.

17. The handwear article of claim 1, further comprising one or more high-friction elements adapted and arranged for providing additional gripping power for the wearer.

18. The handwear article of claim 17, wherein the one or more high-friction surfaces are provided on one or more of the outer digit surface, the palm surface, the back surface, and on at least one thenar surface disposed such that an inflated thenar pad converts the gripping area to a low-friction area.

19. The handwear article of claim 1, further comprising one or more squeegee elements, one or more scrubber pads, one or more cleaning ridges, one or more fingernail picks disposed on the outer digit surface, and one or more scrubber pads.

20. (canceled)

21. The handwear article of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional means for attaching the handwear to another object or person, wherein the at least one additional means comprises one or more from the list comprising a belt, a hook and loop belt, a flexible wrap, a clip means for attaching the handwear to a belt or to an article of clothing or to a ladder or tool.

22. (canceled)

23. The handwear article of claim 1 in which the selected object is a second handwear article comprising another attachment element adapted to cooperate with said at least one attachment element to attach the handwear article and the second handwear article together.

24. A pair of handwear articles, each of said handwear articles comprising:

the outer handwear surface comprising a palm surface, a back surface, and the outer digit surface;

said at least one digit pocket being adapted to receive a wearer's fingers via a hand access aperture;

the outer handwear surface comprising at least one attachment element for attaching the handwear to a selected object; and

each of said handwear articles being attachable to each other by engagement of said at least one attachment element of each said handwear article respectively with each other.

25. A handwear article according to claim 1 additionally comprising at least one thenar surface located contiguous between the palm surface and the back surface;

the other handwear surface comprising at least one pad for engagement with at least one tool;

said at least one pad comprising at least one low-friction sliding surface area formed for slidable engagement of said at least one tool therewith; and

said at least one pad being at least partially located on said at least one thenar surface.

26. The handwear article of claim 2, wherein said at least one low-friction sliding surface area is disposed at least partially upon said at least one thenar surface.

27. The handwear article of claim 8, wherein the inflator for controlling inflation of said at least one low-friction sliding surface area is provided on at least one of the back surface or the palm surface.

28. The handwear article of claim 1, wherein said at least one attachment element comprises at least one of hook-and-loop elements.

29. The handwear article of claim 1, wherein the outer digit surface additionally comprises at least one squeegee.