GLOVE

Abstract

A glove is constructed of breathable leather, where the breathable leather is waterproof, water resistant or water repellant.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to gloves and, in particular, to a glove made from a breathable leather material that is waterproof, water resistant or water repellant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B include palm side and back side perspective views, respectively, of a first embodiment of the glove of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B include palm side and back side perspective views, respectively, of a second embodiment of the glove of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B include palm side and back side perspective views, respectively, of a third embodiment of the glove of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B include palm side and back side perspective views, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of the glove of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Leather gloves are well known for work, dress and garden applications. A disadvantage of prior art leather gloves, however, is that should they become wet for any reason, they tend to dry to a very stiff condition. In addition to making the gloves uncomfortable and difficult to use and wear, this may cause premature glove wear. A need exists for a leather glove that dries soft, should it become wet, and then stays soft.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, waterproof, water resistant or water repellant, breathable leather gloves are provided. Gloves of the present invention may be made entirely of the leather material, or only portions of the gloves may be made from the leather material with fabric or other synthetic backs and/or parts. Gloves constructed in accordance with the present invention may be work, play or garden gloves for men, women and children and may be lined or unlined.

Embodiments of gloves of the present invention are preferably made of cowhide (bovine), goatskin and/or deerskin.

Using methods known in the art, the leather is processed to facilitate a significant level of water resistance/hydrophobicity and to ensure breathability (as ascertained by moisture vapor permeability testing). Furthermore, the leather is processed, again using methods known in the art, to have the ability to remain soft both during and after wear.

As an example only, the degree of water resistance of the leather of the invention may be measured and selected using American Society for Testing and Materials standard ASTM D2099 (entitled “Dynamic Water Resistance of Shoe Upper Leather by the Maeser Water Penetration Tester”). While the standard was developed for shoe leather, it is equally applicable to any type of leather. Leather passing 15,000 flexes without allowing water to penetrate through it qualifies as waterproof for use on waterproof embodiments of the glove of the present invention. Leather that fails that standard, but which passes 5,000 flexes qualifies as water resistant for use on water resistant embodiments of the glove of the present invention.

In addition, during the leather tanning process, preferably during the stage known as “re-tanning and dyeing,” the leather is subject to a combination of chemical treatments under aqueous conditions. The chemical treatments include specialized hydrophobing agents, high molecular weight hydrocarbons, specialized functional poly-condensation waterproofing compounds as well as a series of complex active organic and inorganic compounds, the use of which is known in the prior art.

Examples of construction of gloves made of waterproof, water resistant or water repellant, breathable leather in accordance with the present invention are provided in FIGS. 1A-4B. More specifically, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first embodiment of the glove, indicated in general at 8, featuring a leather palm 10 with a spandex back 12. The glove also features leather fingertips 14 and a leather first finger, a leather thumb 16 with reinforcement and a neoprene knuckle strap 18. The glove is also provided with synthetic leather or leather finger fourchettes 22 and a webbed wrist with hook and loop closure 24 (an open cuff being optional).

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a second embodiment of the glove, indicated in general at 20, that is a full leather glove with a palm patch 26. It should be noted that the palm patch is optional and may be omitted.

A third embodiment of the glove is indicated in general at 30 in FIGS. 3A and 3B featuring a grain leather palm 32 with spandex back 34 and leather fingertips 36.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a fourth embodiment of the glove, indicated in general at 40, featuring a grain leather palm 42 with a fabric back 44 and a safety cuff 46 (alternatively a knit wrist may be used). Leather fingertips 48 and first finger are also provided, as is a leather thumb 50 and reinforcement.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A glove constructed of breathable leather, said breathable leather being waterproof, water resistant or water repellant.

2. A glove comprising: a) a palm portion;b) a back portion joined to the palm portion;c) a plurality of finger portions joined to the palm and back portions;d) said palm portion constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

3. The glove of claim 2 wherein the back portion is constructed of spandex.

4. The glove of claim 2 wherein the back portion is also constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

5. The glove of claim 4 wherein the plurality of finger portions are also constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

6. The glove of claim 2 wherein the plurality of finger portions are also constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

7. The glove of claim 2 further comprising a palm patch.

8. The glove of claim 2 wherein each of the plurality of finger portions includes a fingertip portion and wherein the plurality of finger portions and each fingertip portion are constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

9. The glove of claim 2 further comprising a webbed wrist portion.

10. The glove of claim 9 further comprising a hook and loop closure.

11. The glove of claim 2 further comprising a safety cuff.

12. The glove of claim 2 further comprising a knuckle strap.

13. The glove of claim 12 wherein the knuckle strap is constructed of neoprene.

14. The glove of claim 2 further comprising a thumb portion constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

15. The glove of claim 2 wherein the plurality of finger portions include a plurality of finger fourchettes, and wherein the plurality of finger portions and finger forchettes are constructed of a breathable leather that is waterproof, water resistant and/or water repellant.

16. The glove of claim 2 wherein the leather is cowhide or bovine.

17. The glove of claim 2 wherein the leather is goatskin.

18. The glove of claim 2 wherein the leather is deerskin.