Palm Protector Allowing Top Portions of The Hand to Remain Uncovered

Abstract

A palm protector and a method for protecting the palm of the hand while allowing top portions of the hand to remain uncovered for comfort is disclosed. The palm protector is comprised of a flexible material having a grip relief and is removably-secured to the hand by means of an adhesive substrate. An object of the palm protector is to minimize injury to the palm and fingers during work or sporting activities while at the same time allowing the top of the hand to remain uncovered for proper perspiration and comfort.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This disclosure claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/157,582, entitled "Disposable Protective Palm" and filed on Mar. 5, 2021. The above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a hand protection. More specifically, it relates to a palm protector or a glove that protects the palm of the hand while allowing top portions of the hand to remain uncovered for comfort.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Protection of the hands dates back thousands of years and the first depiction of gloves is shown in Egyptian paintings of human beings wearing gloves to protect their hands during boxing matches. Early gloves were often made of leather and animal skins. In the twelfth century, medieval knights used metal mesh gloves for hand protection during battle. Modern hand protection today is more advanced--particularly in the work place. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration requires that appropriate hand protection must be worn when hands are exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts, lacerations or abrasions, punctures, chemical or thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. Employers must base selection of hand protection on an evaluation of the performance characteristics of the hand protection in relation to the tasks performed, duration of use and hazards presented. Most gloves worn today cover the entire hand and use rugged, flexible materials on the palm such as rubber synthetics and silicone depending upon the application or work performed. At the same time, many of these same gloves can be rather uncomfortable for the user over extended periods as heat and sweat builds up inside the gloves. What is needed is a form of hand protection that can provide protection to the palms while at the same time allowing the top of the hands to breathe and evaporate sweat naturally for maximum comfort. Hence, the object of the present invention is to maximize comfort for the user. Another object of the invention is to provide external gripping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in the prior art through the disclosure of a palm protector for protecting a palm of a hand while allowing top portions of the hand to remain uncovered for comfort. The palm protector is removably-affixed to the palm of the hand by means of an adhesive material that keeps it stationary when a user grips tools and sports equipment such as sledge hammers and golf clubs. Minimizing slippage protects the skin of the hand from blisters and abrasions.

[0005] In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the palm protector comprises a planar sheet having a palm portion which extends to a plurality of digits. The planar sheet has a first side with a first surface exposed towards the palm of the hand and a second side with a second surface adopted to grip a tool surface wherein the first surface has a layer of securing material to removably-affixed to the palm of the hand and wherein each of the plurality of digits of the palm portion has terminal ends that curl upwards that engages with each of the fingertips of the hand and allows the palm protector to anchor and stabilize itself to the ends of the fingers.

[0006] In the embodiment, the second surface of the palm protector comprises a plurality of grip relief patterns depending upon the grip required for a surface to be hold. In the embodiment the grip relief pattern may include ridge patterns, raised dot patterns, wave patterns. The one of the embodiments, the palm protector is made of slightly sticky or an elastic material selected from rubber, latex and silicone.

[0007] In the embodiment, the securing material may be an adhesive material selected from double coated tape, medical grade foam, specialty stick films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, silicone tapes, and optically clear tapes. The palm protector may be reusable or disposable.

[0008] The palm protector is worn on the palm only, the top surface of the hand is exposed to ambient air that allows the hand to perspire properly. Allowing for normal perspiration means the user can wear hand protection for prolonged durations and their hands will not become over heated. In addition, this access also enhances safety as less sweat on the hands will prevent slipping when gripping.

[0009] The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a more stable glove adhesion. The palm protector has upwardly curved fingertips that engage the ends of the fingers. This feature allows the palm protector to anchor itself to the ends of the fingers which helps to stabilize it.

[0010] The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides excellent external gripping. The palm protector has a patterned relief that allows it to grip many surfaces. Such patterns can include wave patterns and raised bumps. The palm protector can also be made of slightly sticky materials such as rubber and silicone to further enhance grip.

[0011] It is briefly noted that upon a reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize various means for carrying out these intended features of the invention. As such it is to be understood that other methods and applications may be adapted to carry out these features and are therefore considered to be within the scope and intent of the present invention and are anticipated. With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention herein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0012] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, "comprising" means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word "comprising". Thus, use of the term "comprising" indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By "consisting of" is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase "consisting of". Thus, the phrase "consisting of" indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present.

[0013] By "consisting essentially of" is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase "consisting essentially of" indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements. The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates prospective view of the palm protector in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

[0016] FIG. 1B illustrates back view of the hand to show terminal ends of the palm protector in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

[0017] FIG. 1C illustrates a schematic representation of palm protector with folded hands in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein;

[0018] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments, but the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, a palm protector 100 is disclosed to show various views of the preferred embodiment of the palm protector that is shaped like a human hand. The palm protector is comprised of a planar sheet of elastic-type material including but not limited to rubber, latex and silicone etc. The planar sheet having a palm portion 102 which extends to a plurality of digits 102a. The planar sheet has a first side with a first surface (not shown) exposed towards the palm of the hand and a second side with a second surface 104 adopted to grip a tool surface wherein the first surface has a layer of securing material to removably-affixed to the palm of the hand and wherein each of the plurality of digits of the palm portion has terminal ends 106 that curl upwards that engages with each of the fingertips of the hand and allows the palm protector to anchor and stabilize itself to the ends of the fingers.

[0021] In the embodiment, the first surface of the palm protector has a layer of adhesive material such as but not limited to double coated tape, medical grade foam, specialty stick films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, silicone tapes, and optically clear tapes and the like. In the embodiment, the securing material is an adhesive material.

[0022] In reference to FIG. 1C, the embodiment of the present invention discloses that the second surface of the palm protector has a plurality of grip relief patterns 108 depending upon the grip required. The grip relief patterns may include ridge patterns, raised dot patterns, wave patterns and the like. The embodiments of the invention can be reusable or disposable.

[0023] The invention also provides a method for wearing the palm protector for protecting palms of the hands, the method comprising, positioning a first surface of a palm protector towards a palm of a hand; pulling terminal ends of the plurality of digits over the finger tips; wherein the first surface is removably-affixed to the palm of the hand by means of a layer of adhesive material; and each of the curl end of the plurality of digits of the palm protector engages with each of the fingertips of the hand and allows the palm protector to anchor and stabilize itself to the ends of the fingers. In the embodiments, the user may adjust the terminal ends of the palm protector at the fingertips.

[0024] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A palm protector for protecting a palm of a hand, the palm protector comprising: a planar sheet having a palm portion, the palm portion extends to a plurality of digits; the planar sheet has a first side with a first surface exposed towards the palm of the hand and a second side with a second surface adopted to grip a tool surface; wherein the first surface has a layer of securing material to removably-affixed to the palm of the hand; wherein each of the plurality of digits of the palm portion has terminal ends that curl upwards that engages with each of the fingertips of the hand and allows the palm protector to anchor and stabilize itself to the ends of the fingers .

2. The palm protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second surface comprising a plurality of grip relief patterns depending upon the grip required.

3. The palm protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the grip relief patterns include ridge patterns, raised dot patterns, wave patterns.

4. The palm protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the palm protector is made of slightly sticky or an elastic material selected from rubber, latex and silicone.

5. The palm protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing material is an adhesive material selected from double coated tape, medical grade foam, specialty stick films, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, silicone tapes, and optically-clear tapes.

6. The palm protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the palm protector is worn to cover the palm only and the top surface of the hand is exposed to ambient air that allows the hand to perspire properly.

7. The palm protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the palm protector is reusable or disposable.

8. A method for protecting palms of the hands, the method comprising: positioning a first surface of a palm protector towards a palm of a hand; pulling terminal ends of the plurality of digits over the finger tips; wherein the first surface is removably-affixed to the palm of the hand by means of a layer of adhesive material; and each of the curl end of the plurality of digits of the palm protector engages with each of the fingertips of the hand and allows the palm protector to anchor and stabilize itself to the ends of the fingers.