Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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GLOVE WITH COMPARTMENT
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to gloves and, more specifically, to gloves
that include a compartment for storing personal items.
BACKGROUND
Items such as keys, bankcards, credit cards, identification cards, cash and
driver's licenses are typically kept in a wallet, purse, or pocket. During
exercise
or other vigorous activity, such items may not be easily or comfortably kept
on a
person. For example, exercise apparel may not have pockets, storing items in
pockets during such activities may be bothersome, and there is a risk the
items
may fall out of a person's pockets during exercise. Thus, a person commonly
has a need for a place to keep such items during exercise.
Gloves are used in many activities for purposes of performance or
protection. Such activities include weight lifting, operating a wheel chair,
skiing,
bicycling, tennis, running, and golf. These activities are facilitated by
gloves that
are substantially tight fitting and that do not constrain the movement of the
hand.
Gloves with pockets for storing items are known. However, such gloves
are not suitable for vigorous activities such as those mentioned above. The
gloves are not tight fitting, have pockets that are too small to accommodate
relatively large items, have pockets that are not useful for storing the items
mentioned, have pockets that cause the glove to constrict around the hand when
filled, have pockets that cause a glove to obstruct the flexibility of the
hand when
filled, have pockets that are too large or that do not immobilize or hold
items
securely, or have pockets that are not easily accessible by the wearer.
The need for an exercise glove that is substantially tight fitting and at the
same time provides storage for small or large items presents a number of
issues
that have not been addressed by the prior art. Therefore, a heretofore
unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned
deficiencies and inadequacies.
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SUMMARY
The various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the
shortcomings of the prior art by providing a substantially tight fitting
exercise
glove with a compartment for storing a variety of articles including
substantially
large and rigid items such as a driver's license, keys, credit cards, and
identification cards or flexible items such as cash. The flexibility of the
hand is
not compromised when such items are stored in the glove compartment. The
contents of the compartment are easily accessible even when the glove is worn.
Generally described, the glove is adapted to facilitate any vigorous,
strenuous, or otherwise active endeavor, including but not limited to
exercise,
sports, yard work, wheelchair operation, and the like, and may provide
protection,
for example, from the elements, from friction, or to improve the wearer's
grip.
The glove at least partially envelops the hand, and may or may not enclose the
fingers and/or thumb. At minimum, the glove embodiments described herein
include a back panel that extends at least partially across the back of the
wearer's hand.
The glove includes a compartment that is configured to receive items.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, the compartment is substantially
the
size of the back of a hand, and is adapted to rest against the back of the
hand
when the glove is worn.
According to another aspect, the tightness of the glove can be adjusted
using any of various possible adjusting features; the compartment is formed in
or
on the glove so as not to inhibit this adjustment, but rather to cooperate
with the
adjusting features. For example, the compartment may be integral to an
arrangement that tightens the glove around a hand.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tightening arrangement is a flap that is
permanently or detachably anchored to the back panel of the glove along a
first
edge of the flap. The flap can be pulled across and detachably connected to
the
back panel of the glove, for example, by regions of hook-and-loop fasteners or
by
other means for detachably connecting material. The tightness of the glove can
be adjusted as points of connection of the flap to the back of the glove are
adjusted. Specifically, although the anchored edge provides a permanently or
selectively fixed point of connection between the flap and the glove, the hook-
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and-loop fasteners enable the opposite end of the flap to be attached at
different
points to the glove according to what is comfortable to the user when the
compartment is filled with one or more items.
In alternative embodiments, the compartment is not necessarily part of the
tightening arrangement but is part of a structure that can be adjusted along
with
such a tightening arrangement.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, the interior of the
compartment is secured by a closure that is easily accessible, particularly
when
the glove is worn. For example, where the glove includes a flap that includes
a
compartment, a first edge of the flap is anchored to the glove and hook-and-
loop
fasteners are configured to releasably secure the flap to the back panel of
the
glove so that the glove lies substantially against the back of the wearer's
hand.
An opening or access to the compartment is positioned adjacent the anchor
point
between the flap and the glove, and a closure such as a zipper is configured
to
selectively open and close the opening. In other words, an access is
positioned
nearer to the anchor point adjacent the proximal end of the flap and opposite
the
distal end of the flap. This is an ergonomic arrangement that allows an item
to
set in the pocket defined by the compartment while the compartment is zipped
up
or otherwise closed. Further, operating the closure of the compartment does
not
inadvertently detach the flap when the flap is releasably secured to the back
panel of the glove so as to close or tighten the glove on the user's hand.
For example, the access of the compartment is provided to enable a top
wall of the compartment and a bottom wall of the compartment to separate,
i.e.,
to pull apart to reveal the interior of the compartment. In certain
embodiments,
the opening is adjacent the inside of the hand and the bottom of the
compartment
is adjacent the outside of the hand. As used herein, the "inside" of the hand
refers to the portion of the hand adjacent the thumb and the "outside" of the
hand
refers to the blade or outside of the hand.
In certain embodiments, the compartment is expandable. An exemplary
embodiment of an expandable compartment includes gussets that connect the
top wall of the compartment to the base wall of the compartment. As the top
wall
is separated from the base wall, the gussets define sidewalls of a pocket for
receiving items. The gussets collapse when the compartment is closed. Other
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exemplary embodiments of compartments include pockets. The pockets can be
layered against the inside of one of the walls of the compartment or partition
walls
can extend between the gussets to define pockets.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, the compartment does not
constrain movements of the hand. To that end, the compartment is positioned
above the radius to avoid restricting flexing of the hand at the wrist, and
may
include a portion that is separate from the back panel of the glove. This
aspect is
particularly useful in embodiments in which the compartment is configured to
be
coextensive with the back of the wearer's hand, i.e., the compartment is
substantially the size of the back of the hand. Alternatively described, the
base
wall of the compartment is partially separated from the back of the glove.
This
arrangement provides that the base wall and top wall of the compartment are
not
stretched significantly along with the glove during certain hand movements,
such
as making a fist, nor does the compartment restrict such movements. This
separation permits the compartment to float on the back of the hand rather
than
conforming to the shape of the hand with certain hand movements. In certain
embodiments, for example, the separate portion may be the portion of the base
wall that is adjacent to a knuckle area of the glove.
The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of
the present invention, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of
various potential applications of the invention. Other beneficial results can
be
obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by
combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other
aspects and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be
obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope
of
the invention defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. I is a perspective view of a hand wearing a glove according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
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FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the glove of FIG. 1, a flap of the glove being
partially detached from the glove.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the glove of FIG. 1, a compartment of the
glove being open.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the glove of FIG. 1.
FIGs. 5-7 are partial perspective views of glove compartments, according
to alternative exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIGs. 8 and 9 are partial perspective views of a glove, according to
another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hand wearing a glove according to a
second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative
forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used
expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens,
models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some
features
may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In
other instances, well-known components, systems, materials, or methods have
not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present
invention.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ
the
present invention.
In general, the embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a glove that
includes a compartment. The illustrated gloves and compartments are provided
for purposes of teaching although many different configurations of gloves and
compartments can incorporate the teachings of the disclosure. As used herein,
the term glove is expansively defined as an article that is shaped to at least
partially cover a hand or that is otherwise configured to be worn on a hand.
The
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term compartment is expansively defined as a structure for storing an item.
For
example, a compartment can include a pocket, a pouch, a receptacle,
combinations thereof, and the like.
The illustrated gloves are configured so as to be substantially tight-fitting
around a hand as is common for many types of exercise gloves. As used herein,
the term tight-fitting means substantially closely conforming to any of the
contours
of the wearer's hand without necessarily being elastic. The gloves can be
formed
from flexible materials, fabrics or cloths, leather, elastic material, soft
plastics,
combinations thereof, and the like. All or part of the glove may be water
resistant
or water proof to protect the wearer's hand and belongings from the flow of
fluids
such as sweat or water.
Referring to a first exemplary embodiment shown in FIGs. 1-4, the
illustrated glove 10 includes a sleeve with a palm panel 12, a back panel 14,
finger and thumb openings 16, and a wrist opening 18. The term "panel" is used
herein to identify a particular area or section of the article, and does not
imply
limitation to a single or seamless piece of material.
The glove 10 includes a tightening arrangement to tighten the glove
around the hand. The illustrated tightening arrangement includes a flap 20
that
connects or otherwise controls the relative positions of a first section 22 of
the
back panel 14 to a second section 24 of the back panel 14.
The sections 22, 24 are partially separated from one another by a slit 26
that extends from the wrist opening 18. Generally, the slit 26 expands the
wrist
opening 18 so that a hand can easily be inserted therethrough.
An anchored edge 30 of the illustrated flap 20 is connected in part to the
first section 22 and can detachably and adjustably connect to the back panel
14
by a touch fastener such as one or more hook-and-loop fasteners so as to draw
the first section 22 toward the second section 24. In the illustrated
embodiment,
a hook region 32 is positioned on the second section 24 and a loop region 34
is
positioned on the inside surface of the flap 20. The flap 20 can pivot along
the
anchored edge 30 away from the back panel 14, as shown in FIG. 2, and can
pivot into a face contacting arrangement with the back panel 14 there by
overlapping the hook region 32 and the loop region 34 to form a mating
connection. Overlapping portions of the hook region 32 and the loop region 34
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detachably connect to one another and thereby secure the flap 20 to the second
section 24. In alternative embodiments, the loop region 34 can be positioned
on
the second section 24 and the hook region 32 can be positioned on the inside
surface of flap 20. The hook region 32 is typically more abrasive and the loop
region 34 is typically less abrasive and the position of each can be selected
to
limit irritation to the hand. Those skilled in the art will recognize that
hook-and-
loop fasteners are only one example of various touch fasteners that are
suitable
in that they provide suitable means for connection that maximizes
adjustability
and strength of the connection without requiring the wearer to match up male
and
female components. Other examples of suitable touch fasteners include
magnetic or reusable adhesive surfaces, and directional adhesives.
Additionally,
use of various other types of fasteners such as hook-and-eye fasteners,
zippers,
or snaps is contemplated, as such mechanical fasteners are not inconsistent
with
the principles taught herein.
In an embodiment described in further detail below, the flap is separable
from the remainder of the glove using a detachable connection along the
anchored edge 30. In such an embodiment, the loop region can be positioned on
the back panel such that the back of the glove is not abrasive when worn
without
the flap.
The illustrated flap 20 includes a compartment 40. The illustrated
compartment 40 includes a base wall 42 and a top wall 44 that are connected to
one another along respective edges. In the illustrated embodiments, the
compartment 40 is formed in or on the flap 20. One or more items can be stored
in the space between the walls 42, 44 and a closure 46 permits the compartment
to be selectively opened and closed. The illustrated closure 46 is a hidden
zipper
although other closures can include hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-eye
fasteners, reusable adhesive strips, clasps, snaps, clips, buttons,
combinations
thereof, and the like.
The illustrated compartment 40 is configured such that the walls 42, 44 are
connected along a bottom edge 48 and along portions of side edges 50, 52. The
zipper that defines closure 46 selectively connects the walls 42, 44 along
portions
of the side edges 50, 52 and along a top edge 54. Referring to FIG. I and 3,
the
zipper of closure 46 can be unzipped to allow the top wall 44 to be partially
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separated from the base wall 42. A pocket 60 is defined by the portions of the
walls 42, 44 that remain connected along edges 48, 50, 52. It should be noted
that the illustrated closure is offset from the anchored edge 30 as shown.
The illustrated compartment 40 is further optimally configured such that
access thereto can be accomplished adjacent the anchored edge 30 of the flap
20, i.e., adjacent to the inner edge of the hand or near the thumb. With such
a
configuration, the user does not apply a force that could inadvertently detach
the
flap 20 from the second section 24 or along the anchored edge 30 when
accessing the compartment 40. Specifically, after operating the closure 46 to
open the compartment 40, at least part of the top wall 44 can be pulled
outwardly
and toward the distal end 31 of the flap 20. This motion is opposite the
motion
that is used to detach the flap 20 from the second section 24. For example, to
detach the flap 20 so as to separate the first section 22 from the second
section
24 to loosen the glove 10, the distal end 31 of the flap 20 is pulled toward
the
edge 30. In addition, this configuration makes it easy to orient the
compartment
40 with the closure 46 of the compartment 40 facing the user such that the
user
can operate the closure 46, insert items into the compartment 40, and remove
items from the compartment 40. In other words, the opening of the compartment
40 is positioned such that a highly ergonomic position of palm down and thumb
oriented between parallel and perpendicular to the wearer's body allows easy
operation of the closure 46 and access to the compartment 40 with the opposite
hand. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 demonstrates an alternative
arrangement for the closure 46 that allows access, for example, starting by
moving the zipper pull along and then away from the anchored edge 30 to open
the compartment, as shown in the figure. It is contemplated that rather than
extending toward the wrist, yet another embodiment (not shown) includes a
closure that is the mirror image along a horizontal line, extending instead
toward
the knuckles. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the opening
process is
determined at least in part by the type of closure used, and accordingly, the
pertinent teaching is that the closure is to be operated in a manner that does
not
undesirably detach the flap 20, cause articles to fall out, or loosen the fit
of the
glove 10.
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In the illustrated embodiment, the compartment 40 is substantially the size
of the back of the intended wearer's hand. The compartment 40 extends
longitudinally from substantially the wrist area of the hand to substantially
the
knuckle area of the hand and extends transversely from substantially the
inside
edge of the index finger to substantially the outside edge of the ring finger.
The
configuration described herein permits the compartment 40 to be relatively
large
while facilitating performance comparable to that which can be achieved while
wearing a typical glove that does not have a compartment. Hence, the
compartment 40 is large enough to contain, for example, one or more credit
cards, driver's licenses, or gym membership cards, which typically are
manufactured with standard dimensions of approximately 3.37 inches by 2.1
inches. To enclose such cards, the interior of the compartment 40 is
substantially
rectangular and is somewhat larger than a standard card to allow some
clearance
to easily insert and remove the cards and to store more than one such card.
The
compartment may also be large enough to enclose one or more keys, such as
the typical car key, which are often well over three inches long. The corners
of
the illustrated compartment 40 are preferably rounded to facilitate smooth
operation of the closure 46.
The illustrated hook-and-loop regions 32, 34 extend substantially the width
of the compartment 40 but extend only along a portion of the length of the
compartment 40. An attached portion of the compartment 40, here defined by
the hook-and-loop regions 32, 34, extends longitudinally from the wrist area
toward the knuckle area although the hook-and-loop regions 32, 34 are spaced
apart from the knuckle area. As such, referring to FIGs. 2 and 4, a free
portion
62 of the compartment 40 is not attached to the back panel 14 but rather is
cantilevered or floats above the back panel 14. This arrangement permits the
size of the compartment 40 to be maximized without compromising the
flexibility
of the glove 10. The size, number, and position of hook-and-loop regions 32,
34
are optimized so as to stabilize the compartment against the back of the hand.
The illustrated glove 10 includes a clip 70 that permits attaching the glove
10, for example, to a waistband, neckline, or other edge of an article of
clothing.
The illustrated clip 70 has a proximal end 72 that is attached to the flap 20
and a
distal end 74 that extends over the flap 20 near distal end 31. It should be
noted
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that the distal end 31 can be used to grasp the flap 20 to separate the hook
and
loop regions 32, 34. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the clip 70
can
comprise any suitable means for attaching the glove 10.
Turning now to FIGs. 5-10, additional exemplary embodiments are
illustrated. Where the elements introduced and described above are present and
substantially similar in this embodiment, the same element number has been
used. The description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGs. 5-10
will be directed to features that were not described in the first exemplary
embodiment and description of features that were described in the first
exemplary
embodiment will be limited.
Referring to FIGs. 5-7, various exemplary compartment configurations are
illustrated. FIG. 5 is a partial view of the compartment 40 with the top wall
44
pulled back along the bottom edge 48 to reveal its interior. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5, the walls 42, 44 are connected along the bottom edge 48
and
the closure 46 can selectively connect the walls 42, 44 along the side edges
50,
52 and the top edge 54. One or more flat pockets 80 that are layered and
connected to the base wall 42 and are configured to hold credit cards in a
tiered
manner. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the walls 42, 44 are
connected
along the bottom edge 48, gussets 82 provide collapsible side walls that
connect
the base wall 42 and the top wall 44, and the closure 46 selectively connects
the
walls 42, 44 along the side edges 50, 52 and the top edge 54. The gussets 82
permit the opening to the compartment 40 to expand such that an item can be
easily inserted into the compartment 40 or removed from the compartment 40.
The gussets 82 also allow the compartment 40 to conform to accommodate
larger items and smaller items while snugly holding any such items in place so
as
to prevent them undesirably shifting about during the user's work-out or
activity.
Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, additional walls can extend
between the gussets 82 to partition and define pockets in the compartment 40.
Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 8 and 9, the flap 20 can
be fully detached from the glove 10 by separating the flap 20 along its
anchored
edge 30. The illustrated glove 10 includes a second zipper (not shown) or
other
suitable means for detachably connecting the anchored edge 30 that permits the
flap 20 to be selectively detached and reattached. To permit the glove to
tighten
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around the hand when the flap 20 is detached, the illustrated glove includes a
third zipper 84 or other suitable fastener that can selectively open and close
the
slit 26, which can be positioned elsewhere on the glove as shown in FIG. 9.
The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a particular
embodiment which is intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than
restrictive. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the illustrated
embodiments
are capable of many modifications and variations without departing from the
scope of the teachings. For example, as used herein, directional references
such
as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper",
"middle",
"lower", "front", and "rear" do not limit the elements of the glove to such
orientation, but merely serve to distinguish the elements from one another.
The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of
implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the
invention. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.
All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by
the
scope of this disclosure and the following claims.
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