Adjustable Garment

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/632,997, entitled “Glove with adjustable fingers”, filed on 3 Feb. 2012 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to adjustable garments. More particularly, the invention relates to protective gloves with adjustable fingers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that a glove is a garment that covers the whole hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or openings for each finger and the thumb. Gloves protect and comfort hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease.

Typically, a finger is a limb of the human body and a type of digit, an organ of manipulation and sensation found in the hands of humans and other primates. The finger is covered by skin, which may be sensitive to radiation. The skin can be covered to restrict radiation exposure to the skin of the finger.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate detailed perspective views of an exemplary adjustable garment at least partially covering a hand, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary adjustable garment completely covering at least one finger, FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary adjustable garment partially covering at least one finger, and FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary adjustable garment covering a hand and exposing at least one finger;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate detailed perspective views of an exemplary at least one extension at least partially covering at least one finger, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary at least one extension pushed back, FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary at least one extension rolled back, and FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary at least one extension cut off at an extension distal end; and

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrated detailed perspective views of an exemplary extension distal end secured into place with an exemplary extension fastener, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary extension fastener securing the extension distal end in proximity to an exemplary finger cuticle, and FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary extension fastener rolled back to adjust and secure the extension distal end.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, s, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, s, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, s that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of adjustable garments that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable garment may serve as a protective hand sheath. The adjustable garment may include at least one fingerlike extension operable to adjust in length and shape to minimize skin exposure to harmful radiation. The adjustment of the at least one extension may be operable to vary the amount of exposure for each individual finger. In operation, when initially adorned, the at least one extension may extend up to, or beyond at least one finger cuticle. The at least one extension may then be retracted back to a length that allows the at least one finger cuticle to be exposed as desired. In some embodiments, the extension and retraction of the at least one extension along the fingers may serve to regulate the shape, dimensions, and amount of protective coverage for each finger. The adjustable garment may include a glove configured to be operable to at least partially cover a hand and a plurality of fingers. However, in other embodiments, the adjustable garment may serve to cover additional areas of a body, including, without limitation, a wrist, an arm, a foot, and an eye. In one alternative embodiment, the adjustable garment may be utilized as a medical adjustment bandage, whereby damage to the finger tips may be better examined and managed. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the adjustable garment may at least partially protect a hand and fingers from ultraviolet radiation with a thermal shield that provides an external shell to the adjustable garment. In one embodiment, the adjustable garment may include a glove with open fingertips. The glove may be precisely adjusted up to or behind a cuticle of a finger of any length to fully expose a nail for manicuring. In this manner, exposure to ultraviolet radiation may be minimized for the hand and the fingers. For example, without limitation, the extreme distal end of the at least one finger may be exposed during an ultraviolet hardened gel nail polish manicure, as the extension distal end is rolled back towards the extension proximal end. However, the rest of the fingers and the hand remain protected from the ultraviolet radiation due to the adjustable garment.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable garment may include a body portion configured to be operable to at least partially cover a palm portion and a back portion of a hand. The body portion may include a body proximal end and a body distal end. The body proximal end may include a body aperture configured to be operable to at least partially allow a hand to pass through. The body distal end may include at least one extension for adjustably providing additional coverage to at least one finger. The at least one extension may be configured to be operable to at least partially receive at least one finger. In some embodiments, the at least one extension may include an extension proximal end that is disposed to extend from the body distal end. The at least one extension may further include an extension distal end. The extension distal end may include an extension aperture configured to be operable to at least partially allow a finger to pass through.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one extension may be operable to extend and retract over the at least one finger for regulating amount and shape of coverage. A grip portion may position on each extension to facilitate manipulation and movement of the at least one extension. In some embodiments, the at least one extension may be manipulated, pushed, or pulled to expose additional areas of the at least one finger. For example, without limitation, a lateral force may press the extension proximal end towards the body portion, thereby at least partially exposing the at least one finger. In this manner, wrinkles may appear due to the compressive nature of the lateral force. The lateral force may serve to cause the flexible extension to deform, stretch, or twist, whereby a cuticle of the at least one finger may be exposed or covered, depending on the direction of the lateral force. In yet another embodiment, the extension distal end may be cut from the rest of the at least one extension to expose the finger and/or the cuticle. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that a manicure may include an ultraviolet hardened gel nail polish. The areas of the hand and the fingers that are not being manicured may require coverage to restrict skin damage from the ultraviolet radiation. The adjustable garment may be ultraviolet coated to enhance protection from ultraviolet radiation. Further, computer aided weaving machines may be utilized to manufacture the adjustable garment.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate detailed perspective views of an exemplary adjustable garment at least partially covering a hand, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary adjustable garment completely covering at least one finger, FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary adjustable garment partially covering at least one finger, and FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary adjustable garment covering a hand and exposing at least one finger. In the present invention, an adjustable garment 100 may serve as a protective hand sheath. The adjustable garment may include at least one fingerlike extension operable to adjust in length and shape to minimize skin exposure to harmful radiation. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that ultraviolet radiation may cause damage to the skin, including, without limitation, dark spots, skin damage, burns, and cancer. In some embodiments, the adjustments to the at least one extension may be operable to vary the amount of exposure for each individual finger. The extension and retraction of the at least one extension may serve to regulate the shape and amount of coverage for each finger. In one embodiment, the adjustable garment may include a glove configured to be operable to at least partially cover a hand and a plurality of fingers. However, in other embodiments, the adjustable garment may serve to cover additional areas of a body, including, without limitation, a wrist, an arm, a foot, and an eye. Suitable materials for fabricating the adjustable garment may include, without limitation, latex, spandex, compression glove material, plastic, rubber, animal skin, cotton, disposable materials and a nonwoven material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable garment may include a body portion 102 configured to be operable to at least partially cover a palm portion and a back portion of a hand. The adjustable garment may include various sizes, including, without limitation, small, medium, and large. The body portion may include a body proximal end 104 and a body distal end 106. The body proximal end may include a body aperture 108 configured to be operable to at least partially allow a hand to pass through. The body distal end may include at least one extension 110 for adjustably providing additional coverage to at least one finger. The at least one extension may be configured to be operable to at least partially receive at least one finger. In some embodiments, the at least one extension may include an extension proximal end 112 that is disposed to extend from the body distal end 114. The at least one extension may further include an extension distal end. The extension distal end may include an extension aperture 116 configured to be operable to at least partially allow a finger to pass through. In some embodiments, the at least one extension may be operable to extend and retract over the at least one finger for regulating amount and shape of coverage. In some embodiments, each extension may be sized and dimensioned differently to fit over a finger. The at least one extension, may include, without limitation, a thumb portion, an index finger portion, a middle finger portion, a ring finger portion, and a pinkie finger portion. A grip portion 118 may position on each extension to facilitate manipulation and movement of the at least one extension. The grip portion may include various ridges and resting places designed for enhancing a grip. In this manner, the at least one extension portion be gripped more easily while adjusting the length or configuration of the at least one extension.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate detailed perspective views of an exemplary at least one extension at least partially covering at least one finger, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary at least one extension pushed back, FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary at least one extension rolled back, and FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary at least one extension cut off at an extension distal end. In the present invention, at least one extension may be manipulated, pushed, or pulled to expose additional areas of the at least one finger. In some embodiments, the extension distal end may extend beyond a cuticle of the at least one finger before being retracted back for performing a manicure on each finger. A lateral force may deform, stretch, or twist each extension portion individually or all together to expose or cover the at least one finger. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that a manicure may include an ultraviolet hardened gel nail polish. The areas of the hand and the fingers that are not being manicured may require protective coverage to restrict skin damage from the ultraviolet radiation. In some embodiments, the grip portion may position along a longitudinal axis of each extension. The grip portion may allow grip for applying a lateral force to the extension distal end or rolling up the extension distal end. The grip portion may include shapes and dimensions efficacious for creating friction, including, without limitation, ridges, rectangles, steps, and bumps. Suitable materials for the ridge portion may include, without limitation, rubber, latex, and a material with an adhesive.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrated detailed perspective views of an exemplary extension distal end secured into place with an exemplary extension fastener, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary extension fastener securing the extension distal end in proximity to an exemplary finger cuticle, and FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary extension fastener rolled back to adjust and secure the extension distal end. In the present invention, an extension fastener 302 may secure the extension distal end in a desired position in proximity to at least one finger cuticle. In this manner, the at least one finger cuticle may be exposed to a desired length for manicures and other manipulations. The extension fastener may include an elastic band that joins with a peripheral edge of the extension distal end. The elastic band may be operable to press against the at least one finger. In some embodiments, the elastic band may roll up towards the extension proximal end to expose more of the at least one finger. The extension may then be secured in the new position along the at least one finger.

In one alternative embodiment, the adjustable garment may include a shoe with a retracting and extending toe for selectively protecting the toes form the elements. In yet another alternative embodiment, the at least one extension may include a number of fingers that match a handicap hand, including, without limitation, two fingers, three fingers, and six fingers. In yet another embodiment, the body proximal end may include a wrist cuff for protecting the wrist from cuts and abrasions. In yet another alternative embodiment, the adjustable garment may include driving gloves, where the at least one extension may be pulled back for providing a tactile response to a steering wheel. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that while driving, the glove finger may completely cover the at least one finger for full protection from ultraviolet radiation. The grip portion may then be operable to prevent slippage while gripping a steering wheel.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a garment for adjustable covering fingers according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the garment for adjustable covering fingers may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the garment for adjustable covering fingers described in the foregoing were principally directed to manicure gloves that provide adjustable finger exposure implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to shoes that adjustable expose toes, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.