WO2013048343A2

WO2013048343A2 - Mitten / glove combination including electrically conductive portions

Info

Publication number: WO2013048343A2
Application number: PCT/SG2012/000361
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charmain Seow Fen TAN; Zhi Yun CIA
Original assignee: Tan Charmain Seow Fen; Cia Zhi Yun
Priority date: 2011-09-27
Filing date: 2012-09-27
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: WO2013048343A3

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to hand coverings, hand gear, or handwear configured to enable wearer or user communication with capacitance-sensitive electronic devices that provide a user interface capable of detecting or responding to user touch and/or proximity, for instance, by way of sensing changes in capacitance (e.g., capacitive touch screen devices). More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an inner glove that can reside within an outer mitten. The inner glove carries electrically conductive material(s) corresponding to portions of one or more hand digits (e.g., the tips and/or pads of one or more fingers and/or the thumb); and the outer mitten includes at least one opening through which such hand digits can be selectively exposed to an environment external to the outer mitten. A wearer can communicate or interact with a touch or proximity sensitive electronic device (e.g., a capacitance-sensitive electronic device) by way of displacing conductive portions of the inner glove through the outer mitten's opening, and positioning such conductive portions of the inner glove upon or proximate to the device.

Description

MITTEN / GLOVE COMBINATION INCLUDING

ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE PORTIONS

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to hand coverings, hand gear, or handwear configured to enable wearer or user communication with capacitance-sensitive electronic devices that provide a user interface capable of detecting or responding to user touch and/or proximity, for instance, by way of sensing changes in capacitance (e.g., capacitive touch screen devices). More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an inner glove that can reside within an outer mitten.

Background

Various types of electronic devices such as mobile telephones or tablet computers can provide user interfaces that detect or recognize user input in response to touch or proximity, for instance, in response to user placement of fingers upon or very close to a surface such as a capacitance-sensitive surface of a capacitive touch screen display.

In adverse or cold weather, individuals commonly wear hand gear such as mittens or gloves in order to keep their hands protected from adverse environmental conditions or warm. Unfortunately, such hand gear can interfere with or prevent successful user interaction with electronic devices, particularly capacitance-sensitive devices.

Gloves currently exist which include conductive finger tip regions that enable wearer communication with touch or proximity sensitive electronic devices. However, such gloves fail to provide adequate, truly enhanced, or maximal protection to a wearer's hand against adverse or extreme environmental conditions. The foregoing drawbacks or deficiencies of such existing gloves are particularly problematic in view long-term or long-duration glove exposure to adverse or extreme environmental conditions.

A need exists for handwear that can overcome the drawbacks or deficiencies of such existing gloves. Summary

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a mitten / glove combination including a glove structure including a set of electrically conductive glove locations, each electrically conductive glove location within the set of electrically conductive glove locations carrying at least one type of electrically conductive material, each electrically conductive glove location within the set of electrically conductive glove locations corresponding to at least one of a digit tip and a distal digit pad; and a mitten structure in which portions of the glove structure corresponding to a wearer's fingers and the wearer's thumb can entirely reside, the mitten structure including a set of selectively accessible openings therein, each opening within the set of selectively accessible openings configured for exposure of an electrically conductive glove location within the set of glove locations to an environment external to the mitten structure. A wearer having such a mitten / glove combination is provided by the glove structure with electrical conductivity at the electrically conductive glove locations, for operating perhaps with a touch or proximity sensitive electronic device, while at the same time, offered by the outer mitten substantially enhanced or maximal protection to the wearer's hand from adverse or extreme environmental conditions.

The inner glove structure carries electrically conductive material corresponding to portions of one or more hand digits (e.g., the tips and/or pads of one or more fingers and/or the thumb); and the outer mitten structure includes at least one opening through which such hand digits can be selectively exposed to an environment external to the outer mitten. A wearer can communicate or interact with a touch or proximity sensitive electronic device (e.g., a capacitance-sensitive electronic device) by way of displacing conductive portions of the inner glove through the outer mitten's opening, and positioning such conductive portions of the inner glove upon or proximate to the device.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the set of electrically conductive glove locations includes at least one of a first finger covering and a thumb covering. In another embodiment, the first finger covering corresponds to a wearer's index finger. In a further embodiment, the set of electrically conductive glove locations includes a plurality of finger coverings corresponding to a plurality of wearer's fingers.

In an embodiment according to the disclosure, the set of selectively accessible openings includes at least one of a first opening corresponding to a finger and a second opening corresponding to a thumb. In a following embodiment, the set of selectively accessible openings includes a first opening corresponding to a plurality of fingers. In a further embodiment, there is provided a third opening corresponding to an index finger.

In an embodiment, at least one electrically conductive glove location within the set of electrically conductive glove locations includes at least one of silver, copper, stainless steel, and a nanotech material. In another embodiment, the glove structure includes at least one non-conductive material that is at least one of therma-regulating, anti-microbial and moisture-regulating. In yet another embodiment, the at least non- conductive material includes bamboo.

In an embodiment, at least one of the inner glove structure and the mitten structure includes at least one type of environmentally friendly material. In another embodiment, the mitten structure includes at least one electrically conductive material on an exterior surface of the mitten structure. In a next embodiment, the at least one electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the mitten structure is disposed at a mitten structure location corresponding to a thumb. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the at least one electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the mitten structure is disposed at a mitten structure location corresponding to an index finger. In a following embodiment, the at least one electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the mitten structure is further disposed at a mitten structure location corresponding to an upper index finger portion separate from an upper portion of the mitten structure.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, there is further provided a first open position, in which a first upper portion of the mitten is displaced to access a first opening of the set of selectively accessible openings; and a second closed position, in which the first upper portion of the mitten is arranged to cover the first opening.

In another embodiment, a fastener is provided to keep the mitten / glove combination in the first open position, the fastener including any one of an adhesive material, mutually attractive materials, and fastening devices. In another embodiment, a closure is provided to keep the mitten / glove combination in the second closed position, the closure including any one of an adhesive material, mutually attractive materials, fastening devices, and lateral closure devices.

In an embodiment, an overlapping flap is provided on the mitten structure to cover the first opening in the second closed position. In another embodiment, there is provided a pocket in between the mitten structure and the glove structure for retaining an object.

Description of the Drawings

FIGs. 1A - 1C provide an illustration of a selectively conductive mitten / glove combination according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. ID provides an illustration of a manner in which an outer mitten upper portion can be displaced, shifted, or moved relative to an outer mitten lower portion to expose at least one or more finger portions of an inner glove to the outer mitten's external environment. FIG. IE provides an illustration of an outer mitten that includes a recess or pocket for receiving an object.

FIG. 2A provides an illustration of a mitten / glove combination according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a thumb covering portion or region of an inner glove carries or includes electrically conductive material(s).

FIG. 2B provides an illustration of a mitten / glove combination according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an outer mitten thumb portion carries or includes an electrically conductive section or segment, which can remain exposed to the outer mitten's external environment.

FIGs. 3A and 3B provide illustrations of a mitten / glove combination according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an outer mitten includes an upper index finger portion, a lower index finger portion, and an index finger opening by which an index finger covering of an inner glove can be exposed to the outer mitten's external environment. FIGs 4 A and 4B illustrate a mitten / glove combination according to an aspect of the present disclosure for how an outer mitten can be fabricated.

FIGs. 5A - 5D illustrate additional structural and/or functional aspects corresponding to particular embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. Detailed Description

In the present disclosure, the depiction of a given element or consideration or use of a particular element number in a particular FIG. or a reference thereto in corresponding descriptive material can encompass the same, an equivalent, or an analogous element or element number identified in another FIG. or descriptive material associated therewith.

As used herein, the term "set" corresponds to or is defined as a non-empty finite organization of elements that mathematically exhibits a cardinality of at least 1 (i.e., a set as defined herein can correspond to a singlet or single element set, or a multiple element set), in accordance with known mathematical definitions (for instance, in a manner corresponding to that described in An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning: Numbers, Sets, and Functions, "Chapter 11: Properties of Finite Sets" (e.g., as indicated on p. 140), by Peter J. Eccles, Cambridge University Press (1998)). In general, an element of a set can include or be a structure, a structural feature, an object, a portion of a process, or a value depending upon the type of set under consideration.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a glove, glove member, glove assembly, or glove structure that carries or includes one or more conductive materials, and which at least partially resides within a mitten, mitten structure, mitten assembly, shell, covering, or enclosure that includes a set of structural features through which one or more digit (i.e., finger and/or thumb) portions, segments, or regions of the glove can be selectively exposed to an environment external to the mitten. In certain embodiments, in addition or as an alternative to the glove carrying or including conductive material(s), one or more portions of the mitten can carry or include conductive material(s). Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail hereafter, in which a glove, glove member, glove assembly, or glove structure is referred to as an "inner glove" and a mitten, mitten member, mitten assembly, or mitten structure is referred to as an "outer mitten."

FIGs. 1 A - 1C provide an illustration of a mitten / glove combination 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, which includes an outer mitten or outer mitten structure 100 that is configured to envelop, sheath, cover, or enclose an inner glove, inner glove member, or inner glove structure 200, and which is further configured to facilitate or enable selective exposure of portions of the inner glove 200 to an environment external to the outer mitten 100. As further detailed below, the inner glove 200 includes at least one type of electrically conductive material disposed relative to at least one inner glove location corresponding to a digit tip or digit distal pad, which facilitates or enables wearer interaction or communication with a touch or proximity sensitive electronic device.

The outer mitten 100 includes a first or upper portion, section, or segment 110; a second or lower portion, section, or segment 120; and at least one selectively accessible or exposable opening 112 through which portions of the inner glove 200 can protrude or be extended by a wearer or user, as further described below. The outer mitten 200 also includes a thumb portion 130, and a transition portion 140 corresponding to an anatomical region along which the wearer's hand transitions to their wrist. The outer mitten 200 can further include one or more of a wristband 150 (e.g., a generally cylindrical piece of stretchable material configured to surround the wrist), a cinch or belt 160, and a hook or clasp 170. The outer mitten 100 can include materials that are weather-proof (e.g., waterproof and/or windproof), and can further include one or more inner insulating layers or linings (e.g., thinsulate or wool). In providing weather-proofing, an outer layer of the mitten can be coated with a waterproofing agent to allow the outer mitten to by hydrophobic. Optionally, a membrane may be added on the outer layer for waterproofing. In another case, a layer of anti-slip material, such as rubber, silicone, leather or other appropriate materials, can be applied or adhered onto the outer layer on a palmar side of the mitten for grip and friction.

By way of the opening(s) 112, the outer mitten 100 selectively enables the wearer to expose particular portions of their hand that are covered by electrically conductive locations of the inner glove 200 to the outer mitten's external environment, thereby enabling the wearer to selectively interact or communicate with an electronic device. Once wearer interaction or communication with the electronic device is complete, by way of such opening(s) 112 the wearer can return, reinsert, retract, or withdraw portions of the inner glove 200 that have been exposed to the outer mitten's external environment to the interior of the outer glove 100. As further detailed below, the outer glove 100 can include one or more structural features by which a set of openings 112 can be substantially or entirely covered, concealed, and/or sealed off from the outer mitten's external environment, thus enabling the inner glove 200 to be fully, very substantially, or substantially isolated from the outer mitten's external environment when touch or proximity interaction or communication with an electronic device by way of the inner glove 200 is not required. The outer mitten 100 can thus maximally or near-optimally protect a wearer's hand from adverse or extreme environmental conditions (e.g., cold and/or rainy weather). In multiple embodiments, the outer mitten 100 includes materials that are environmentally friendly, generally environmentally friendly, or sustainably produced, for instance, recycled and/or natural materials. In an embodiment, the outer mitten 100 includes recycled polyester. In certain embodiments, the outer mitten 100 can additionally or alternatively include breathable material configured to allow moisture or vapour to escape from portions of the interior of the outer mitten 100 to the external environment.

The inner glove 200 includes material(s) configured to conformally or generally conformally cover or envelop portions of a wearer's hand, including one or more of a wearer's digits that the wearer can be exposed to an environment external to the mitten 100 by way of the opening 112. In various embodiments, the inner glove 200 is configured to facilitate or enable a wearer to precisely position portions of one or more digits relative to an electronic device's user interface to thereby convey user input to the electronic device (e.g., by way of precisely selecting a graphical object or icon, or adjusting the size of a displayed object, icon, or picture) in a manner that is essentially or substantially identical or equivalent to user interface interactions or selections made by uncovered or fully exposed digits. The inner glove 200 typically includes one or more of (e.g., each of) a first through a fourth finger covering 202a-d corresponding to a wearer's index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky, respectively.

In multiple embodiments, the inner glove 200 is a complete, essentially complete, or substantially complete glove configured to conformally or generally conformally cover all, essentially all, or substantially all of a wearer's hand, and possibly portions of the wearer's wrist. In some embodiments, the inner glove 200 does not fully cover the wearer's entire hand, but rather is a partial glove or glove member configured to conformally or generally conformally cover at least those portions of wearers' hand (e.g., particular finger and/or thumb segments) that the wearer can expose to an environment external to the outer mitten 100. For instance, in certain embodiments, the inner glove 200 can be configured to conformally cover the at least majority of the length of each of a wearer's fingers, and possibly at least the majority of the length of the wearer's thumb, but the inner glove 200 can be a partial glove configured to conformally cover approximately 1/2, 2/3, or 3/4 of the wearer's entire hand, leaving hand regions generally near or proximate to the wrist uncovered.

The inner glove 200 carries, includes, or incorporates one or more electrically conductive materials, structures, compositions, and/or substances corresponding to a set of wearer digits that can be exposed external to or beyond the exterior of the outer mitten 200. The conductive materials facilitate or enable wearer communication with an electronic device or user interface that is responsive to a user's touch and/or proximity, such as an electronic device configured to sense or detect changes in capacitance. For instance, embodiments of the present disclosure can enable wearer communication with a capacitive user input / display device (e.g., a touch screen display carried by a mobile telephone such as an Apple iPhone having a Multi-Touch display, or a tablet computer such as an Apple iPad having a Multi-Touch display. Thus, the inner glove's conductive materials can enable wearer selection of graphical objects or icons displayed by a touch or proximity sensitive display device.

For each digit that a wearer can dispose external to the outer mitten 100, the inner glove 200 typically includes conductive material(s) disposed at least at and/or proximate to a corresponding digit tip or distal digit pad. For instance, the inner glove 200 can include a first through a fourth conductive region 204a-d corresponding to each of the first through fourth finger coverings 202a-d, and more particularly corresponding to the tips and/or distal pads of the wearer's index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky, respectively. Alternatively, one or more of finger coverings 202a-d can entirely or substantially entirely be electrically conductive, or inner glove 200 can entirely or substantially entirely be electrically conductive.

Wearer positioning of conductive portions of the inner glove, such as one or more of the first through fourth conductive regions 204a-d, upon or proximate (e.g., in very close proximity) to a touch or proximity sensitive electronic device (e.g., a capacitance-sensitive electronic device such as a capacitive touch screen display) can result in the electronic device's detection of the presence and/or position of such conductive regions 204a-d, and correct identification of user input or selections directed to a visual or graphical user interface. For instance, wearer positioning of particular conductive regions 204a-d upon a capacitive touch screen display can affect, alter, or perturb a capacitance corresponding to the display, thereby enabling wearer communication with the display in a manner that is responsive to or associated with the wearer's digit position(s) and/or movement(s) and which substantially mimics or resembles user interaction with the touch screen display by way of uncovered fingers.

Inner glove electrical conductivity can be provided in various manners, for instance, by way of one or more types of materials, fibres, or textiles that carry, include, or incorporate (a) electrically conductive elements, compounds, or compositions such as carbon fibres, silver, stainless steel, and/or copper; and/or (b) electrically conductive nanomaterials, nanoparticles, or nanostructures (e.g., nanofilaments), such as nanotechnology treated yarn (e.g., nanotechnology polyester yarn and/or nanotechnology bamboo yarn). Some inner glove embodiments can include multiple layers of conductive materials disposed at one or more inner glove locations corresponding to particular digit tips and/or distal digit pads in order to provide or achieve a desired, target, or adequate level of electrical conductivity.

In several embodiments, the inner glove 200 includes or is manufactured or woven (e.g., as an integral or substantially integral unit) using one or more types of non- conductive or electrically insulating fibres or textiles (e.g., conventional non- conductive fibres or yarn, for example, bamboo, wool, cotton, etc.) as well as one or more types of electrically conductive fibres or textiles (e.g., yarns or fibres that carry or are coated with electrically conductive materials). Particular embodiments of the present disclosure can one or more materials, fibres, or yarns that carry one or both of (a) a set of metallic elements or compounds (e.g., silver, copper, stainless steel, or titanium dioxide); and (b) a set of nanomaterial or nanotech elements, structures, compositions, or compounds to provide or enhance electrical conductivity, anti-microbial and/or moisture-regulating properties. In certain embodiments, inner glove electrical conductivity can be provided by patches or swathes of conductive material that are stitched or adhered to overlaid upon underlying non-conductive inner glove material (e.g., a conventional textile material).

In various embodiments, the inner glove 200 includes one or more types of materials that are inherently therma-regulating, and/or materials that are ecologically or environmentally friendly (e.g., recycled and/or natural materials) or sustainably produced. The inner glove 200 can also include one or more types of materials that are moisture regulating, for instance, by way of wicking action. Furthermore, the inner glove 200 can include one or more types of materials that are anti-microbial or anti-bacterial. Representative types of environmentally friendly, generally environmentally friendly, or sustainably produced materials that can be incorporated into portions the inner glove 200 include textiles, fibres, or yarn that carries bamboo, hemp, Tencel®, or other materials (e.g., soy). In certain embodiments, the inner glove includes breathable material configured to wick moisture away from a wearer's skin.

In embodiments, the inner glove 200 includes bamboo fibres (e.g., bamboo yarn), which are natural materials that exhibit therma-regulating properties, and which can further exhibit anti-microbial properties as well as moisture regulating properties. An inner glove 200 can additionally or alternatively include certain types of nanotech- based materials or fibres that are therma-regulating, anti-microbial, and/or moisture regulating. In various embodiments, materials such silver or copper that provide or contribute to the electrical conductivity of portions of the inner glove 200 are also anti-microbial.

In particular implementations, the inner glove 200 includes approximately 60% - 95% substantially non-conductive, non-conductive, and/or insulating fibres or yarn (e.g., approximately 65% - 90% non-conductive fibres, for instance, about 70% - 80% or about 72% - 75% bamboo yarn); as well as approximately 5% - 40% silver or copper carrying fibres or yarn, and/or approximately 5% - 40% nanotech polyester yarn. In certain implementations, an electrically conductive inner glove area or location corresponding to a digit tip or digit distal pad can include multiple layers of conductive fibres or yarn, for instance, 2 - 4 layers (e.g., 3 layers) of silver, copper, stainless steel, and/or conductive nanotech material carrying textiles, fibres, or yarn in order to provide a desired, target, or appropriate level of electrical conductivity that facilitates reliable and accurate wearer interaction or communication with a touch and/or proximity sensitive electronic device.

The inner glove 200 can additionally include one or more types of materials (e.g., stretch wool or Spandex) that provide elasticity or aid form-fitting to a wearer's hand. In one implementation, the inner glove 200 includes approximately 73% bamboo fibre or yarn; approximately 22% electrically conductive nanotech material, fibre, or yarn; and approximately 5% Spandex.

As indicated above, portions of the inner glove 200 are selectively displaceable or exposable to the outer mitten's external environment by way of the outer mitten's opening 112 (e.g., finger coverings 202a-d that are displaceable into, through, and out of the opening 112), thereby enabling wearer interaction with an electronic device such as capacitance-sensitive electronic display by way of wearer positioning or motion of conductive portions of the inner glove upon or proximate to the electronic device as a result of wearer digit positioning or motion relative to the electronic device. In various embodiments, the outer mitten's upper portion 110 can be at least somewhat displaced or moved relative to the lower portion 120, such that the opening 112 can accommodate one or more of the wearer's fingers. For instance, the upper portion 110 can be shifted or lifted away from the lower portion 120 to aid displacement of some or each of the inner glove's finger coverings 202a-d through the opening 112 in response to the wearer (a) pulling the upper portion 110 at least slightly away from the lower portion 120, and/or (b) moving their fingers within the inner glove 200 toward, to, and through the opening 112.

FIG. ID provides an illustration of a manner in which an outer mitten's upper portion 110 can be displaced, shifted, or moved relative to its lower portion 120 to expose at least one or more finger portions 202a-d of the inner glove 200 to the outer mitten's external environment. In several embodiments, the upper portion 110 can be at least partially overlaid upon or folded over the lower portion 120, for instance, relative to a boundary, border, or crease 118 that forms an interface region between the upper portion 110 and the lower portion 120.

The outer mitten 100 can include a set of structural features that selectively obscure or seal the opening 112, and which provide a displaceable, movable, separable, repositionable, or resealable boundary, interface, or border between the interior and the exterior of the outer mitten 100, thereby selectively isolating the inner glove 200 from the outer mitten's external environment. Depending upon embodiment details, such structural features can include one or more of (a) overlapping material(s) (e.g., material such as a flap carried by the outer mitten's upper portion 110, which can extend beyond the opening 112 and which overlaps a portion of the lower portion 120); (b) adhesive materials (e.g., hook-and-loop type material such as Velcro); (c) mutually attractive materials such as provided by magnetic structures; (d) fastening devices such as a set of snaps or buttons; and (e) lateral closure devices such as a zipper. The outer mitten 100 and/or the inner glove 200 can also include one or more structural features that facilitate carrying or retention of wearer objects or devices. FIG. IE provides an illustration of an outer mitten 100 that includes a recess or pocket 180 in which portions of an electronic device 20 can reside. The device 20 can remain covered by the outer mitten's upper portion 120 until the wearer displaces the upper portion 120 relative to the lower portion 110 to expose the device 20 and the inner glove finger coverings 202a-d to the outer mitten's external environment. Once the device 20 is exposed, the wearer can remove the device 20 from the pocket 180 (e.g., by using their other hand, upon which is worn a counterpart to a mitten / glove combination 10 described above) and further interact with touch and/or proximity sensitive portions or elements of the device 20.

In several embodiments, a mitten / glove combination 10 can include one or more conductive materials, portions, segments, or regions corresponding to a wearer's thumb. Depending upon embodiment details, such conductive regions can be carried by the inner glove 200 and/or the outer mitten 100.

FIG. 2 A is provides an illustration of a mitten / glove combination 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a thumb covering 202e portion or region of the inner glove 200 carries or includes electrically conductive material(s), in a manner essentially identical or analogous to that described above for the inner glove's finger coverings 202a-d. The thumb covering 202e provides an electrically conductive region 204e corresponding to at least the tip and/or distal pad of the wearer's thumb, by which the wearer can interact or communicate with a touch or proximity sensitive (e.g, capacitance-sensitive) electronic device in a manner analogous to that described above. In such an embodiment, the outer mitten 100 further includes a thumb opening 114 by which the inner glove's thumb covering 202e can be selectively exposed to the outer mitten's external environment. The thumb opening 114 can have a structure that is essentially identical or analogous to or different from the opening 112 through which the inner glove's finger covering(s) 202a-d can be extended external to or withdrawn into the outer mitten 100.

FIG. 2A additionally depicts a first overlapping material or flap 113 carried by the outer mitten 100 and disposed relative to the outer mitten's opening 112 (e.g., extending from the outer mitten's upper portion 110 toward the lower portion 120). FIG. 2A further depicts a second overlapping material or flap 115 carried by the outer mitten and disposed relative to the outer mitten's thumb opening 114 (e.g., covering and extending at least slightly beyond the thumb opening 114). Such flaps 113, 115 are configured to protect, cover, or enhance the isolation of the inner glove 200 from the outer mitten's external environment as a result of minor hand movements, thereby facilitating the prevention of undesired or unintentional exposure of portions of the inner glove 200 to the outer mitten's external environment. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, particular portions of the outer mitten 200 can carry or include electrically conductive material(s), which can remain exposed to the outer mitten's external environment. FIG. 2B provides an illustration of a mitten / glove combination 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the outer mitten's thumb portion 130 carries or includes an electrically conductive section or segment 132d. Such an electrically conductive segment 132d typically provides an electrically conductive region 132e corresponding to at least the tip and/or distal pad of the wearer's thumb.

Depending upon embodiment details, the electrically conductive segment 132d can be made using materials that are identically, essentially identical, substantially identical, or analogous to those described above, and can be stitched into or secured (e.g., adhered) upon the thumb potion 130 of the outer mitten 100. The wearer can position an electrically conductive segment 132 of the outer mitten 100 directly upon or proximate to a touch or proximity sensitive (e.g., capacitance-sensitive) electronic device to facilitate or enable at least certain types of interaction or communication with the device (e.g., selecting an "answer" icon corresponding to an incoming telephone call, or selecting an "end call" icon corresponding to a completed telephone call). An embodiment that includes an outer mitten 100 having a thumb-based electrically conductive segment 132d need not include an electrically conductive region 204e carried by or incorporated into an inner glove thumb covering 202e, and such an embodiment therefore need not include a thumb opening 114. However, certain embodiments include an outer mitten 100 and an inner glove 200 that each carry or incorporate electrically conductive materials corresponding to a wearer's thumb, and hence such embodiments include a thumb opening 114.

In a manner analogous to that described above, some embodiments of the present disclosure include structural features that facilitate or enable selective exposure of particular inner glove finger coverings 202a to the outer mitten's external environment, while allowing other finger coverings 202b-d of the inner glove 200 to remain covered by portions of the outer mitten 100, shielded from the external environment.

FIGs. 3 A and 3B provide illustrations of a mitten / glove combination 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which an outer mitten 100 includes an upper index finger portion 111 and a lower index finger portion 121, and an index finger opening 116 by which an index finger covering 202a of the inner glove 200 can be exposed to the outer mitten's external environment. The upper index finger portion 111 and the lower index finger portion 121 can be displaceable or separable from each other in a manner that is essentially identical or analogous to that described above to facilitate selective exposure of a first inner glove finger covering 202a to the outer mitten's external environment, while other inner glove finger coverings 202b-d remain within the outer mitten 100 and are shielded or substantially protected from the external environment. Additionally, an index finger flap 117 and/or another type of outer mitten structural feature can obscure or cover the index finger opening 116, in a manner analogous to that described above. An embodiment such as that shown in FIGs. 3A and 3B can also include electrically conductive materials corresponding to the wearer's thumb, for instance, in a manner described above in relation to FIGs. 2 A and 2B. An embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 3A and 3B can additionally or alternatively include electrically conductive materials corresponding to the wearer's index finger, and may be stitched in/on or secured onto the upper index finger portion 111 of the outer mitten 100. In a number of embodiments, outer mitten electrically conductive materials can include enhanced strength / high strength / ruggedized / rugged materials, which can reliably withstand environmental conditions to which the exterior of the outer mitten 100 is exposable on a routine or prolonged basis, while providing good or high electrical conductivity (e.g., by way of including carbon fibres, or polymer fibres having a metal outer layer or cladding).

It is noted that such an embodiment allows a wearer to operate, albeit with more general and imprecise control, a touch or proximity sensitive (e.g., capacitance- sensitive) electronic device by way of a conductive path from a wearer's finger through an electrically conductive portion of the inner glove and the outer mitten portion provided with electrically conductive materials. In such a case, the wearer does not need to expose his fingers to possibly adverse or extreme environmental conditions.

Furthermore, an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 3A and 3B can include an outer mitten 100 having an opening 112 of a type described above in relation to FIGs. 1A - 2B, by which the wearer can selectively expose particular sets or subsets of finger coverings 202b-d to the outer mitten's external environment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a dorsal side (relating to the back side of a wearer's hand) of a mitten / glove combination according to an aspect of the present disclosure for how an outer mitten can be fabricated. Segments 401-404 illustrate different cut-out portions that can be sewn or stitched together to form the outer mitten 100. Segments 401-404 are further shown in assembly after sewing corresponding to the individual cut-out portions.

FIG. 4B illustrates a palmar side (relating to the palm side of a wearer's hand) of a mitten / glove combination according to an aspect of the present disclosure for how an outer mitten can be fabricated. Segments 405-411 illustrate different cut-out portions that can be sewn or stitched together to form the outer mitten 100. Segments 405-411 are further shown in assembly after sewing corresponding to the individual cut-out portions.

It is noted that the cut-out portions 401-411 may differ in accordance to different embodiments of the present disclosure, perhaps due to different functional requirements of different designs. FIGs. 5A - 5D illustrate additional structural aspects corresponding to particular embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. In a number of embodiments, a mitten / glove combination 10 can include an inner skeleton structure configured for guiding, holding, retaining, and/or at least partially surrounding portions of a wearer's fingers, for instance, as illustrated in FIG. 5 A. An inner skeleton structure can facilitate easier glove wearing, and/or enhance comfort or dexterity when the mitten / glove combination 10 is worn.

In some embodiments, a mitten / glove combination 10 can include one or more anti- wind structures or barriers, such as a set of fold-in slits and/or a sealing structure such as a zipper, for instance, as illustrated in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, a mitten / glove combination 10 can include a set of retention or attachment elements configured for facilitating or enabling secure retention of a first / upper / cap portion 110 of an outer mitten 100 to a second / lower / other portion 120 of the outer mitten 100, for instance, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. Such retention elements can include one or more of magnets (e.g., one or more pairs of built-in / substantially internally hidden magnets), buttons, hook-and-loop elements (e.g., as individually or groupwise selectable hook / loop structures, or as Velcro structures / bands / strips configured for mating engagement), elastic bands, string(s), clips (e.g., barrel clips or spring-loaded clips), and/or other elements. In certain embodiments, a mitten / glove combination 10 can include double-layered materials or structures corresponding to some or all digits (e.g., each finger). A mitten / glove combination 10 can additionally or alternatively be configured for securing a first / upper / cap portion 110 of an outer mitten 100 to a palmar-side second / lower / other portion of the outer mitten 100, for instance, by way of structural elements identical, essentially identical, or analogous to those described above. Such embodiment variations are illustrated in FIG. 5D.

In other embodiments, a mitten / glove combination can include an outer mitten that covers various finger covering arrangements. An outer mitten can provide a central upper portion covering the index finger, middle finger and the ring finger, while providing a thumb portion and a last finger portion separately. Other arrangements are also possible, and in another embodiment, an outer mitten portion is provided that encompasses the entire hand, i.e. the thumb and four fingers.

Because a wearer can keep all of their digits covered by or enclosed within an outer mitten 100, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide substantially enhanced or maximal protection to a wearer's hand from adverse or extreme environmental conditions. Certain embodiments enable wearer interaction or communication with a touch or proximity sensitive electronic device even when their entire hand remains inside the outer mitten 100 as a result of conductive materials carried by the outer mitten 100. Additionally, because a wearer can selectively expose one or more inner glove covered portions of their hand to the exterior of the outer mitten 100 (e.g., by way of displacing particular portions of the outer mitten 100 and/or displacing specific fingers and/or a thumb through an opening 112, 114, 116), embodiments of the present disclosure further provide enhanced or maximal protection to portions of a wearer's hand that are not relevant to user interaction or communication with an electronic device, while providing at least an acceptable, moderate, or good level environmental protection on at least a short or intermediate term basis to inner glove covered portions of the wearer's hand that are disposed external to the outer mitten 100.

In the foregoing manner, various embodiments of the disclosure are described for addressing at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. Such embodiments are not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described, and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made, which are also intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure and limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mitten / glove combination comprising:

a glove structure including a set of electrically conductive glove locations, each electrically conductive glove location within the set of electrically conductive glove locations carrying at least one type of electrically conductive material, each electrically conductive glove location within the set of electrically conductive glove locations corresponding to at least one of a digit tip and a distal digit pad; and

a mitten structure in which portions of the glove structure corresponding to a wearer's fingers and the wearer's thumb can entirely reside, the mitten structure including a set of selectively accessible openings therein, each opening within the set of selectively accessible openings configured for exposure of an electrically conductive glove location within the set of glove locations to an environment external to the mitten structure.

2. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein the set of electrically conductive glove locations comprises at least one of a first finger covering and a thumb covering.

3. The mitten / glove combination of claim 2, wherein the first finger covering corresponds to a wearer's index finger.

4. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein the set of electrically conductive glove locations comprises a plurality of finger coverings corresponding to a plurality of wearer's fingers.

5. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein the set of selectively accessible openings comprises at least one of a first opening corresponding to a finger and a second opening corresponding to a thumb.

6. The mitten / glove combination of claim 5, wherein the set of selectively accessible openings comprises a first opening corresponding to a plurality of fingers.

7. The mitten / glove combination of claim 6, further comprising a third opening corresponding to an index finger.

8. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein at least one electrically conductive glove location within the set of electrically conductive glove locations comprises at least one of silver, copper, stainless steel, and a nanotech material.

9. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein the glove structure comprises at least one non-conductive material that is at least one of therma-regulating, anti- microbial and moisture-regulating.

10. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein the at least non-conductive material comprises bamboo.

11. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner glove structure and the mitten structure comprises at least one type of environmentally friendly material.

12. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, wherein the mitten structure comprises at least one electrically conductive material on an exterior surface of the mitten structure.

13. The mitten / glove combination of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the mitten structure is disposed at a mitten structure location corresponding to a thumb.

14. The mitten / glove combination of claim 12, wherein the at least one electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the mitten structure is disposed at a mitten structure location corresponding to an index finger.

15. The mitten / glove combination of claim 14, wherein the at least one electrically conductive material on the exterior surface of the mitten structure is further disposed at a mitten structure location corresponding to an upper index finger portion separate from an upper portion of the mitten structure.

16. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, further comprising a first open position, in which a first upper portion of the mitten is displaced to access a first opening of the set of selectively accessible openings; and

a second closed position, in which the first upper portion of the mitten is arranged to cover the first opening.

17. The mitten / glove combination of claim 16, wherein a fastener is provided to keep the mitten / glove combination in the first open position, the fastener comprising any one of an adhesive material, mutually attractive materials, and fastening devices.

18. The mitten / glove combination of claim 16, wherein a closure is provided to keep the mitten / glove combination in the second closed position, the closure comprising any one of an adhesive material, mutually attractive materials, fastening devices, and lateral closure devices.

19. The mitten / glove combination of claim 16, wherein an overlapping flap is provided on the mitten structure to cover the first opening in the second closed position.

20. The mitten / glove combination of claim 1, further comprising a pocket in between the mitten structure and the glove structure for retaining an object.