US20170099892A1

US20170099892A1 - Linesman's glove

Info

Publication number: US20170099892A1
Application number: US15/384,399
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey W. Palese
Original assignee: Blue Sky Innovation Group Inc
Current assignee: Blue Sky Innovation Group Inc
Priority date: 2012-08-22
Filing date: 2016-12-20
Publication date: 2017-04-13

Abstract

A linesman's outer glove (14) includes a hand portion (30) configured to cover a hand portion of a linesman's inner glove (12). The outer glove (14) also includes a cut resistant layer (100) positioned inside the hand portion (30) and covering the palm portion (42), the back hand portion (40), and the finger portions (44). The outer glove (14) further includes at least one pad (50) secured to at least one of the palm portion (42) and finger portions (44). The at least one pad (50) includes a substrate (60) and at least one flame resistant polymer rib (62) disposed on the substrate. The at least one rib (62) is configured to improve the gripping performance of the outer glove (14).

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/938,830, filed on Nov. 12, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/957,837, filed on Aug. 2, 2013, now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/691,950, filed Aug. 22, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/892,423, filed Aug. 23, 2012. The disclosures in each of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to protective gloves and, more particularly to gloves for helping to protect a linesman working in a high voltage environment.

BACKGROUND

Electrical linesmen typically work in environments and on hardware that exposes them to extremely high electrical voltages. Insulative linesman's gloves for protection from shock/electrocution must be worn at all times. Typical linesman's gloves are provided in a two-part form, with an electrically insulating inner glove liner that is typically constructed of rubber, and a protective outer glove shell that is typically constructed of leather, fabric (natural and/or synthetic), or a combination of the these materials.
Often, a linesman is required to handle tools and maneuver, assemble, disassemble, etc., small parts such as screws, nuts/bolts, caps, and various pieces or components of the various mechanical and electrical structures that they may encounter. Additionally, the working environment for an electrical linesman is typically exposed to conditions of extreme heat, cold, wind, and precipitation. Nevertheless, the linesman's gloves must be worn at all times. Accordingly, the linesman can encounter a great deal of difficulty and frustration when performing tasks involving small and/or intricate elements/components.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, a linesman's outer glove is configured to be worn over an electrically insulating rubber linesman's inner glove, which is configured to provide electrical insulation in high voltage environments. The outer glove includes a hand portion configured to cover a hand portion of the linesman's inner glove. The hand portion includes a palm portion, a back hand portion, and finger portions. The hand portion is constructed of a natural leather material configured to protect the inner glove from damage and to provide thermal protection from electric arc flash exposure. The outer glove also includes a cuff portion configured to cover a cut portion of the linesman's inner glove. The cuff portion is connected to the hand portion. The outer glove also includes a cut resistant layer positioned inside the hand portion and covering the palm portion, the hack band portion, and the finger portions. The outer glove further includes at least one pad secured to at least one of the palm portion and finger portions. The at least one pad includes a substrate and at least one flame resistant polymer rib disposed on the substrate. The at least one rib is configured to improve the gripping performance of The outer glove.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating inner glove portions of linesman's gloves, according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating outer glove portions of linesman's gloves, according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating cuter glove portions of linesman's gloves, according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view illustrating a portion of an outer glove portion of a linesman's glove, according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a further magnified view illustrating a portion of the outer glove portion of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A-6C are sectional views taken generally along lines 6A-6A, 6B-6B, and 6C-6C, respectively, in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a front view illustrating outer glove portions of linesman's gloves, according to another aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7B is a magnified view illustrating a portion of an outer glove portion of a linesman's glove, according to the invention of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is a sectional view taken generally along lines 7C-7C in FIG. 7B.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate linesman's gloves 10. Left hand and right hand gloves are illustrated. The linesman's glove 10 includes an electrically insulated inner glove 12 and a protective outer glove 14. The inner glove 12 is typically made of a rubber material that forms an electrically insulating barrier around a linesman's hand and lower arm/forearm. The inner glove 12 includes a hand portion 20 with fingers 22 and a cuff portion 24 that extends along the wearer's arm/forearm. The specifications for the inner glove 12 are dictated by federal safety standards set forth by OSHA and/or ASTM and are discussed hereinbelow.
The outer glove 14 is constructed of leather material(s) that are stitched, glued or otherwise connected to form the illustrated configuration. The outer glove 14 includes a hand portion 30 and a cuff portion 32 that is stitched to the hand portion. In one example construction, the hand portion 30 can be constructed of a soft tanned leather material and the cuff portion 32 can be constructed of a rawhide leather. The hand portion 30 could be constructed of alternative materials, such as grain cowhide, buffed grain cowhide, grain deerskin, grain pigskin, grain horsehide, or grain goatskin. For Class 0 and Class 00 protecting outer gloves 14, grain sheepskin or capeskin can also be used to construct the hand portion 30. The cuff portion 32 can be constructed of a leather material, a polymeric material, or a combination of both.
The hand portion 30 includes a palm portion 40, a back hand portion 42, and finger portions 44 that can be constructed of different pieces of (leather) material that are stitched together to form the illustrated configuration. The cuff portion 32 can also be constructed of one or more pieces of (leather) material. The hand portion 30 can also include a tightening strap 48 for helping to secure the glove to the wearer's hand.
The outer glove 14 also includes pads 50 that aid the wearer in gripping, manipulating and maneuvering objects such as small parts, components, tools, etc. while wearing the linesman glove 10 (i.e., while wearing both the inner glove 12 and outer glove 14). The pads 50 include finger pads 52 on all five finger portions 44 and palm pads 54 on the palm portion 40. The configuration of the pads 50 can be selected to help improve or maintain the dexterity of the wearer. For instance, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the pads 50 can be configured to leave finger joints uncovered to as not to impede finger bending at those locations. The arrangement of the pads 50 on the outer glove 14 could differ in number and extent. For example, the outer glove 14 could include a greater number of pads 50 (e.g., two or more pads per finger portion 44) or fewer pads 50 (e.g., a single pad that covers a greater extent of the palm portion 40). As another example, the entire palm portion 40 and the finger portions 44 could be covered by a pad that extends across the entire extent of those portions.
The pads 50 include beads or ribs 62 formed on a substrata 60 that help to facilitate the wearers gripping and manipulating objects. The ribs 62 are illustrated as extending in a curved or wavy configuration across the pads 50. Alternative patterns, such as dots, straight (e.g., diagonally extending) lines pads, cross-hatched lines, concentric circles, etc. could also be implemented.
The pads 50 can have various constructions. In one example, the ribs 82 are formed of silicone, which exhibits flexibility, flame resistance, and provides a degree of tackiness, adhesion, or gripping quality. Alternative materials, such as flame resistant polymers, could also be used to construct the ribs 62 and/or substrate 60. The substrate 60 supporting the ribs 62 can, for example, be constructed of a microfiber material. “Microfiber” materials refer generally to synthetic fibers that measure less than one denier. The most common types of microfibers are made from polyesters, polyamides, and combinations or conjugations of one or more polyester, polyamide and polypropylene materials. Examples of materials that can be used to form the ribs 62 are nylon, para-aramid synthetic fiber materials such as KEVLAR®, aramid fiber materials such as NOMEX®, and polyamide fiber materials such as TROGAMIDE®.
Microfiber is used to make non-woven, woven and knitted textiles. The shape, size, and combinations of synthetic fibers are selected for specific characteristics, including: softness, durability, absorption, wicking abilities, water repellency, electrodynamics, and filtering capabilities. The synthetic fibers are combined to create yarns which are knitted or woven in a variety of constructions. In one particular embodiment. The substrate 60 can be constructed of a microfiber synthetic leather material. This synthetic leather material can, for example, have the appearance of a fine suede leather to which the silicone ribs 62 stick to readily during manufacture, wherein the ribs 62 could be extruded onto the substrate 60. As another alternative, the substrate 60 could be constructed of a natural leather that is similar to those that can be used to construct the hand portion 30. Alternative materials, such as flame resistant polymers, could also be used to construct the ribs 62 and/or substrate 60.
Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, the ribs 62 can be formed on the substrate 60 in variety of manners. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the ribs 62 can be formed on the substrate 60 by extruding the ribs onto the substrate. As another alternative, as shown in FIG. 6B, a base layer 66 of the same material used to form the ribs 62, such as silicone, can be first applied to the substrate 60 as a separate layer, for example by spray or extrusion. The ribs 62 can then formed separately on the base layer 66, e.g., by extruding the beads onto the base layer. As a further alternative, as shown in FIG. 6C, the ribs 62 could be formed homogeneously or contiguously with the base layer 66 itself. The homogeneous base layer 66/rib 62 construction can be formed, for example, by applying a thick base layer of silicone material and embossing the ribs 62 in the base layer 66 via heated plate or roller. As another example, the base layer 66 and ribs 62 can be formed simultaneously by way of a molding process in which the substrate 60 is placed in the mold and the mold is filled with material, such as silicone, so that the base layer and the ribs on the base layer are formed together homogeneously. As a further example, the base layer 66 and the ribs 62 could be could be formed on the substrate 60 simultaneously via extrusion using an appropriately designed extrusion die.
The pads 50 can be cut from sheets of material constructed in any of the manners described above. The pads 50 can be connected to the outer glove 14 in a variety of manners. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the pads 50 are connected to the outer glove 14 by stitching 64. The stitching 64 can, for example, be formed using KEVLAR® threads or yarns. The pads 50 can, in addition to the stitching 62, be connected to the glove 14 by an adhesive, such as glue. Advantageously, the silicone surrounding the areas where the stitching 64 penetrates through the pads 50 can help form a seal in the area directly adjacent and surrounding the locations where the threads penetrate the glove materials, thereby forming holes through the outer glove material. This seal can help protect the wearer in an arc flash scenario where the extreme heat that is generated and the resulting heated atmospheric components, such as water vapor, can penetrate through these holes in the glove.
Further characteristics of the inner glove 12 and outer glove 14 are set forth in the following sections, which describe certain regulatory requirements for the gloves and testing procedures for certifying the gloves.
Inner Glove Requirements
There are several classes for insulated rubber gloves, from Class 00 to Class 4, depending on the maximum use voltage that the gloves can withstand. These are set forth in Table 1:

TABLE 1

			Max DC
	Max AC		Use	DC Retest
	Use	AC Retest	Voltage	Voltage	Color of
Class	Voltage	Voltage	(Avg)	(Avg)	Label

00	500	2,500	750	10,000	Tan
0	1,000	5,000	1,500	20,000	Red
1	7,500	10,000	11,250	40,000	White
2	17,000	20,000	25,500	50,000	Yellow
3	26,500	30,000	39,750	60,000	Green
4	36,000	40,000	54,000	70,000	Orange

Instructions and requirements from the glove manufacturer are commonly printed on the box and the plastic bag in which the gloves are shipped. Among the requirements printed on the bag label are the use of leather protective outers, testing requirements, and protecting the gloves from chemicals and other contamination. On the outside of the box, there are precautions to not store the gloves inside out, folded, or in direct sunlight, OSHA addresses the testing, use, and care of rubber insulating gloves in the Personal Protective Equipment Standard 1910.137, Electrical Protective Devices. There are more details in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves.
Inner Glove Label
In the cuff portion of each glove, there's a nonconductive label. As listed in Table 1, the label is colored depending on the glove class. Information on the label may include the glove manufacturer, the class, and the rated maximum-use voltage. The AC voltage rating is only listed on the label, since these gloves are more commonly used when working with AC voltages. The label will also indicate if the gloves are resistant to ozone (Type II) or non-ozone resistant (Type 1). The label may indicate the glove size. Insulated rubber gloves are not one-size-fits all. They should be purchased based on the hand size of the linesman who will be wearing them. For some glove manufacturers, there are only three choices: small, medium, and large. Other manufacturers offer half sizes, in inches. The hand size measurement is determined by lying the hand palm down on a flat surface and measuring the circumference around the finger knuckles. Add one inch to that measurement, and that is the hand size for insulated rubber gloves.
Glove Storage
Proper storage is important to help keep the gloves in good condition. The gloves should be stored in a location as cool, dark, and dry as possible. The location should be as free as practicable from ozone, chemicals, oils, solvents, damaging vapors or fumes, and away from electrical discharges and sunlight. Fluorescent light and sunlight are especially harmful to rubber. The gloves should be stored flat not folded, and not in any manner that will cause stretching or compression. They should be kept inside a protective container or canvas bag. The original box that the gloves came in is also a good storage compartment for the gloves.
Inspection before Use
OSHA requires that the linesman who will use the insulated rubber gloves inspect the gloves tor damage before each use, end immediately following any incident that can reasonably be suspected of having caused damage. If the inspection finds any of the following, the gloves should be discarded:

- Embedded foreign object
- Ozone checking, which looks like dry rot. Ozone checking is a series of interlacing cracks produced by ozone on rubber under mechanical stress.
- Texture changes caused by swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic.

The gloves should be cleaned as needed to remove foreign substances. If any defect is found that might damage the insulating properties, such as spilled chemicals that do not wash off, the gloves should be submitted to a testing facility for testing. Minor damage to the gloves can be repaired, but only in the area between the wrist and the reinforced edge of the opening, called the “gauntlet area” of the glove. In this area, small cuts, tears, or punctures may be repaired by applying a compatible patch. Minor blemishes in this same area may be repaired with a compatible liquid compound. The patched area should have electrical and physical properties equal to those of the surrounding material. No more than three patches may be applied to one glove. Any gloves that are repaired should be retested by a testing facility before they are used. OSHA also specifies that an air test should be done in the field before each use, and at other times if there is cause to suspect any damage. The ASTM standard specifies that an air test can be done by holding the glove by the cuff and rolling the gloves gently toward the fingers to form an air pocket inside the glove. While the air is entrapped, check the gloves for punctures or checking, listen for escaping air, and hold the gloves up against your cheek to feel for escaping air, if the glove will not hold pressure, the glove is damaged and should not be used. The air test can also be done with a mechanical inflator. On the higher classes of gloves, an inflator is required because the gloves are too stiff to be rolled up by hand. Remove all jewelry before putting the gloves on.
Protective Leather Outer Gloves
The inner glove 12 should be protected with the protective leather outer gloves 14. The leather helps prevent catching the robber gloves on sharp parts and frayed wiring, possibly puncturing the rubber. The leather outer gloves 14 should be exclusive for this purpose. Do not use the leather outers 14 as general use gloves. The leather outers 14 should be sized and shaped so that the inner rubber glove 12 is not deformed. The top of the cut of the leather outer should be shorter than the rolled top of the insulated rubber glove by at least 13 mm (½ in). The leather outers should be inspected just as often as inspection of the insulated rubber gloves. They should not have holes, tears, or other defects that affect their ability to give protection to the insulated rubber gloves. The inner surface of the leather outers should be inspected for sharp or pointed objects. Care should be taken to keep the outers away from oils, greases, chemicals, solvents and other materials that may damage the insulated rubber gloves. This also goes for the insulated rubber gloves.
Testing at a Testing Facility
Insulated rubber gloves are tested before being sold, but that's not the last test. The gloves should be tested periodically (e.g., every six months) by an official testing facility. Once the gloves are removed from the plastic bag they were shipped in, they start to deteriorate. So even if they are used only once, they will require retesting in six months time. If the gloves were purchased, but not put into use for several months, retesting may be required before the gloves are even used for the first time. OSHA states that the gloves may not be used. If they haven't been tested within the previous 12 months. The ASTM standard includes requirements that every testing facility must follow. The standard requires that the testing facility:

- Wash the gloves.
- Perform a preliminary inspection similar to what is done in the field.
- Perform a more detailed inspection which includes turning them inside out and may include inflating them with air.
- Make any necessary repairs.
- Perform an electrical test.

Note in the table in FIG. 1 that the electrical retest is at a higher rated voltage than the initial test. The gloves are electrically tested while filled with water and immersed in a water bath. The test voltage is applied between one and three continuous minutes. Once the testing is completed, the test facility may note the date of the test directly on the gloves. Employers are required to certify that the gloves have been tested in accordance with the OSHA requirements. This can be done by noting the results and dates of the test in a log, or by noting whether the test dates are printed on the gloves.
OSHA Standards
OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1910 covers occupational safety and health standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. Some relevant highlights of section 1910 and other standards are set forth in the following paragraphs.
Insulating gloves and sleeves are critical PPE for electrical work on or near exposed energized parts. The “269” standard (section 1910.269(I)(2)(i) and (I)(3)) requires that insulating (rubber) gloves along with leather protectors must be worn by 269-qualified employees within the Minimum Approach Distance to exposed energized conductors. Also, insulating (rubber) sleeves roust also be worn if the upper arms or shoulders are within the Minimum Approach Distance to other exposed energized parts.
Additionally, section 1910.137 provides specific design, care, and use requirements for rubber electrical protective equipment. Insulating gloves and sleeves must be rated for the voltage to which a worker will be exposed (phase to ground or phase to phase) and marked to indicate their rating. Section 1910.137 recognizes Class 0 (up to 1 KV) through Class 4 (up to 36 KV) rubber equipment (see Table 1).
Gloves and sleeves must be electrically tested before being issued for use. They must also be visually inspected and gloves need to be air tested for any possible defects (for example, cuts, holes, tears, embedded objects, changes in texture) before each day's use and whenever there is a reason to believe they may have been damaged. Best practice is to inspect PRE and air test the gloves and sleeves before each use. [See section 1910.137(b)(2)].
Insulating equipment may not be used if any of the following defects are present: holes, tears, punctures or cuts, ozone cutting or ozone checking, embedded foreign objects, texture changes, including swelling, softening, hardening, or becoming sticky or inelastic, and any other defect that damages the insulating properties. [See section 1910.137(b)(2)(iii) and ASTM F1236-96, Standard Guide for Visual inspection of Electrical Protective Rubber Products].
Insulating equipment falling to pass inspection must be removed from service and may not be used by workers.
In addition, the gloves and sleeves must be electrically tested at regular intervals of not more than 6 months for gloves and 12 months for sleeves. (See ASTM F496, Standard Specification for In-Service Care of Insulating Gloves and Sleeves for some appropriate test methods.) When gloves and sleeves are used regularly, best practice is to test as frequently as monthly. [See section 1910.137(b)(2)].
Protector Gloves and Storage. To ensure worker safety and the integrity of the gloves and sleeves. Insulating gloves need to be worn along with protector gloves (such as leather), and both insulating gloves and sleeves need to be stored properly when not in use. Proper storage means that gloves must net be folded and need to be kept out of excessive heat, sunlight, humidity, ozone, and any chemical or substance that could damage the rubber. [See 1910.137(b)(2)].
ASTM Standards
OSHA Standard F696-06 covers the Standard Specification for Leather Protectors for Rubber insulating Gloves and Mittens. The outer glove 14 should be constructed in accordance with this standard.
Testing
The outer glove 14 of the invention was subjected to testing according to ASTM Draft Method WK 14928 Item 2—Test Method for Determining Arc Thermal Performance of Hand Protective Devices by Electric Arc Exposure Method. According to this method, the outer glove 14 was exposed for about one second to an arc flash by positioning the glove 30 cm from an electrode that produced an electrical arc flash produced by an 8,000 ampere current. The outer glove 14 passed the testing with a rating of 40 cal/cm². To put this into context, a one second exposure at 1.2 cal/cm²will result in second degree burns on bare skin and a one second exposure at 8 cal/cm²will result in first degree burns on bare skin. Since, in practice, these events tend to happen in where an electrical component is moved into contact that results in the arc flash, providing the outer glove 14 additional arc flash protection features in the areas where a user tends to grip these objects, i.e., in the area(s) of the pads 50 can be advantageous in terms of protection.
Cut Resistant Gloves
According to another aspect, the outer glove 14 of the invention can include out resistance features that improve the level of protection afforded to the user. Referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the outer glove 14 can include a cut resistant layer 100 that forms the inner-most layer of the outer glove. The cut resistant material 100 can be a fabric, e.g., a woven fabric, that is constructed with a cut resistant material or with a material that includes a cut resistant component. Examples of cut resistant materials that can be used to form the cut resistant layer 100 of the outer glove 14 include para-aramld synthetic fiber materials, such as those marketed under the trademark KEVLAR®, which is available commercially from the E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del. The cut resistant material can be formed as a yarn or a yarn component, which is woven into a fabric used to form the cut resistant layer 100.
The outer glove of FIGS. 7A-7C can be constructed in accordance with any of the descriptions set forth above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6C with the exception, of course, of the addition of the cut resistant layer 100. Therefore, the description herein of the outer gloves 14 of FIGS. 7A and 7B is limited to the configuration, structure, and construction related to the addition of the cut resistant layer 100 with the understanding that the configuration, structure, and construction of the remainder of the outer gloves is achieved in accordance with the descriptions set forth above with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6C. In FIGS. 7A-7C, reference numbers identical to those used in FIGS. 1-6C are utilized to aid in applying the descriptions of FIGS. 1-8C to the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7C.
Referring to FIG. 7C, the finger pad 52 includes the substrate 60 (e.g., microfiber) with ribs 62 (e.g., silicons). The finger pad 52 is positioned on one surface of the finger portion 44 of the glove (e.g., cowhide leather) and the cut resistant layer 100 (e.g., polyester/para-aramid synthetic fiber fabric) on a surface of the finger portion opposite the pad. The stitching 64 (e.g., double row para-aramid synthetic fiber (KEVLAR®) thread) extends through the finger pad 52, through the leather finger portion 44, and through the cut resistant layer 100 and thereby interconnects the pad, the linger portion, and the cut resistant layer.
This connection between the various portions of the outer gloves 14 of FIGS. 7A-7C can be repeated throughout the construction of the outer gloves. For example, the stitching 64 can also connect the palm pads 64 (see FIG. 7A) and the inner layer 100 to the palm portions 40 of the outer gloves 14. The stitching 64 can also interconnect the respective glove components along the periphery 102 of the outer gloves 14 where the palm portions 40 meet the back hand portions 42. In these peripheral areas, the stitching 64 would extend through the palm portions 40, the cut resistant layer 100 overlying the palm portion, the back hand portion 42, and the cut resistant layer 100 overlying the back hand portion. In other words, in the area of the peripheral connection, the cut resistant layers 100 would overlie each other, sandwiched between their respective palm and back hand portions 40, 42. In areas where the pads 50 extend to the periphery 102, the stitching 64 would also extend through the pad overlying the palm portion 40.
Advantageously, the cut resistant layer 100 helps protect the glove wearer's hands and fingers against cuts. Since the outer gloves 14 are linesman's gloves, and because some of the features of the outer gloves are that they provide dexterity and gripping performance even when used in combination with the rubber inner gloves 12, placing the cut resistant layer 100 on the inside of the glove is inconsequential. In common cut resistant gloves, the out resistant material is on the outside of the glove in order to protect not only the wearer, but the glove itself. Within the specialized realm of linesman's gloves, however, safety rules are strict and dictate that outer gloves must be replaced even in cases of slight damage that would not affect the usefulness of gloves for other, more conventional, uses. This is because the smallest punctures and/or abrasions can significantly increase the risk of severe burns in arc flesh events. This being the case, the cut resistant layer 100 is positioned on the inside of the glove, where it still provides out resistance performance. Advantageously, this leaves the pads 50 exposed, so the gloves maintain their gripping and dexterity features.
The outer gloves 14 of FIGS. 7A-7C were tested for blade cut performance using the European standard for protective gloves, referred to in the industry as EN 388. According to EN 388, a blade is run across the glove under a certain amount of pressure and is awarded a performance level commensurate with the number of cycles the glove is able to withstand before cut through occurs. The performance levels that are awarded in an EN 388 test range from 0 to 5, with zero being the lowest performance and 5 being the highest performance. Under testing under EN 388, the outer gloves 14 of FIGS. 7A-7C achieved performance rating of 5 under EN 388 testing.
The foregoing has described linesman's gloves subject of the invention. While specific embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the disclosed embodiment of the invention is provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation. Such improvements, changes, and modifications are within the skill of the art and are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A linesman's outer glove configured to be worn over an electrically insulating rubber linesman's inner glove, which is configured to provide electrical insulation in high voltage environments, the cuter glove comprising:

a hand portion configured to cover a hand portion of the linesman's inner glove, the hand portion including a palm portion, a back hand portion, and finger portions, the hand portion being constructed of a natural leather material configured to protect the inner glove from damage and to provide thermal protection from electric arc flash exposure;

a cuff portion configured to cover a cuff portion of the linesman's inner glove, the cuff portion being connected to the hand portion;

a cut resistant layer positioned inside the hand portion and covering the palm portion, the back hand portion, and the finger portions; and

at least one pad secured to at least one of the palm portion and finger portions, the at least one pad comprising a substrate and at least one flame resistant polymer rib disposed on the substrate, the at least one rib configured to improve the gripping performance of the outer glove.

2. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, further comprising:

stitching that extends through the back hand portion and a portion of the cut resistant layer overlying the back hand portion to connect the cut resistant layer to the back hand portion; and

stitching that extends through the palm portion and a portion of the cut resistant layer overlying the palm portion to connect the cut resistant layer to the palm portion.

3. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 2, wherein the stitching extends through a peripheral portion of the outer glove where the palm portion and back hand portion meet each other with their respective cut resistant layers sandwiched in between, the stitching extending through the palm portion, the back hand portion, and the overlying cut resistant layers.

4. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one pad is secured to the at least one of the palm portion and finger portions by stitching that extends through the pad, wherein the flame resistant polymer material forming the ribs and the base layer forms a seal where the stitch threads puncture the pad and glove material.

5. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 4, wherein the stitching extending through the at least one pad is the same stitching that extends through the peripheral portion of the outer glove.

6. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 4, wherein the stitching comprises a para-aramid synthetic fiber thread.

7. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 5, wherein the stitching comprises a para-aramid synthetic fiber thread.

8. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one pad is configured to improve thermal protection from electrical arc exposure in the regions of the hand portions covered by the at least one pad, and wherein the at least one pad is also configured to leave free from coverage portions of the hand portion where the finger portions intersect the palm portion.

9. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 8, wherein the linesman's outer glove is configured to provide thermal protection from electric arc flash exposure at a rating of 40 cal/cm².

10. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one rib comprises a flame resistant polymer base layer that covers the entire substrate, the at least one rib being disposed on the base layer.

11. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 10, wherein the base layer is one of sprayed and extruded onto the substrate and the at least one rib is extruded onto the base layer.

12. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one rib is constructed of silicone.

13. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one rib is configured in at least one of a dot pattern, curved line pattern, a wavy line pattern, a straight line pattern, a cross-hatched line pattern, and a concentric circle pattern.

14. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, wherein:

the hand portion glove is constructed of at least one of a tanned leather material, a grain cowhide material, a buffed grain cowhide material, a grain deerskin material, a grain pigskin material, a grain horsehide material, a grain goatskin material, a grain sheepskin material, or a capeskin material;

the cuff portion is constructed of a rawhide leather material; and

the pad substrate is constructed of one of a natural leather material and a microfiber material comprising at least one of a polyester material, a polyamide material, a polypropylene material, a nylon material, a para-aramid synthetic fiber material, an aramid fiber material, and a polyamides fiber material.

15. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 14, wherein the outer glove is configured to provide thermal protection from electric arc flash exposure for inner gloves rated at least at 500 volts AC and up to 36,000 volts AC.

16. The linesman's outer glove recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one pad is configured to coincide with at least one location on at least one of the finger portions and palm portion where an arc flash is likely to occur.