US20200268079A1

US20200268079A1 - Flattish Edge For Fingertips of Gloves

Info

Publication number: US20200268079A1
Application number: US16/797,840
Authority: US
Inventors: John Randall Kramar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-02-21
Filing date: 2020-02-21
Publication date: 2020-08-27

Abstract

The Flattish Edge For Fingertips of Gloves is simply the application of a fingernail like edge applied to a glove in order to obtain the functional benefits achieved by a fingernail on a human hand. Fingernails on gloves is the most basic common description of the invention. The purpose of the rigid edge or “fingernail” is purely for obtaining functional benefits which allow someone who is wearing the glove to perform small tasks which previously needed to be achieved by use of a bare hand in order access to the protruding edge provided by a fingernail. The application of this invention allows a glove wearer to keep their gloves on while still enjoying the functional benefits previously only accessible with a bare hand or finger tip.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Application Number

62/808,551

Filing Date

Feb. 21, 2019

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Gloves are primarily used to protect the hands from damage due to harsh environments. This usually includes but is not limited to protection from extreme temperatures, sharp objects, blunt force trauma and other potentially damaging forces. Although the gloves currently available do a great job of of protecting the hands from these hazards, it comes at the expense of some functional features which are inherent to the nature of a hand. Primarily the functionality of the fingernails which get covered by the glove. This coverage eliminates the functional benefits obtained by the fingernail as it relates to a hand. Such as picking up a coin or a washer, removing a key from a key ring, opening a can of soda, scratching an itch, pulling the blade out from a pocket knife etc. . . . . This invention simply restores the functionality of the fingernails on a hand and applies it to the glove allowing an individual to continue to utilize the benefits of his fingernails while also gaining the protective features which are inherent with the wearing of a glove.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Flattish Edge For Fingertips of Gloves is simply a protruding edge located on the dorsal surface of the distal end of a fingertip covering portion of a glove which allows for the glove to access small areas which are accessible via a fingernail on a hand. This edge can be flat or curved to match the X and/or Y axis curvature of a typical fingernail for maximum intuitive functionality. It can be either built into the glove itself or fixated to the glove via an adhesive and/or stitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The three drawings depicted show some basic ways in which the protruding edge is designed to correlate with a glove and its finger covering portions.

FIG. 5 depicts the side profile of a left handed glove with no specific design features or additional fixated protective features. Number 12 of FIG. 5 points to the specific locations of the rigid edge as it protrudes from the dorsal surfaces of the distal ends of the terminal phalanx covering portions of three of the fingers. The drawing depicted in FIG. 5 makes no distinction as to how the rigid edge is fixated to the glove.

FIG. 7 depicts a top dorsal view of a right handed glove. Number 16 of FIG. 7 is pointing to three of the five rigid edges as they are attached to the glove as separate, flattish, disc like pieces. The three separate disc like pieces depicted in number 16 of FIG. 7 are fixated to the glove in a manner which is likened to the manner in which a fingernail is fixated and positioned on a hand. The manner in which the rigid edge is attached to the gloves depicted in FIG. 7 maintain their position on the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanx covering portions of the fingers.

FIG. 9 depicts a single finger covering portion of a glove from a side angle. Number 14 of FIG. 9 shows a closer view of the rigid edge as it protrudes from the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanx covering portion of one single finger. The rigid edge associated with FIG. 9 is curved on both its X and Y axis as mentioned in the Brief Summary of the Invention. The rigid edge in FIG. 9 is attached to the glove as a separate disc like piece which is fixated to the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanx covering portion of the glove in a manner which mimics the way in which a fingernail is attached to a hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of ways in which the flattish edge for the finger tips of gloves can be obtained. It can be made separately by molding a flattish disc shaped piece which is fixated to protrude from the dorsal surface of the distal ends of the terminal phalanx covering portion or portions of a glove and bonded into position with a bonding agent such as but not limited to an epoxy or other boding agent. The said disc can also be bonded to the glove via a stitch or any other method of fixation. The rigid edge can be obtained in a mold or it can be obtained after being fixated to the glove by means of a sharpening tool such as a file or sand paper which is used to remove the unwanted excess material from the protruding area on said disc until the desired edge is achieved. There is no specific sharpness to which the rigid edge needs to conform. The sharpness of the rigid edge needs only to be fashioned in a way which allows it to achieve some benefits which simulate the benefits which are achieved from a fingernail in relation to a hand. The rigid edge can also be obtained by any method used in the manufacturing process of a glove which produces the desired protrusion of a rigid edge from the dorsal surface or surfaces of the distal end of the terminal phalanx covering portion or portions of the said glove. The rigid edge can be comprised of any rigid material, such as, but not limited to, plastic, carbon fiber composite, fiberglass composite, wood, metal, treated leather, silicone or any other material which can be made rigid enough to achieve the fictional benefits which simulate the functional benefits of a fingernail in relation to a hand.

Claims

1. A flattish edge comprised of rigid material which protrudes outward from the dorsal surface of the distal end of the terminal phalanx covering portion or portions of a glove.