Patent Application
20120005796
The present invention relates to a glove type of hand guard, equipped with rigid inserts, with a primary use as a defensive deterrent to attack or assault. Specifically, the rigid inserts can be positioned either in the knuckle-side or palm-side of the hand, and held in place within pockets of an over-covering. The rigid inserts are cushioned at their bases, to provide comfort and absorption of impacts against the inserts.
Defense from personal, physical attack is vital for the safety of any persons who must subject themselves to situations that place them in potential harm from assailants. Chemical deterrents, such as mace or pepper spray may only infuriate an assailant, and firearms or other weapons, can be difficult to access at a moments notice, and further escalate a confrontation to violence. Martial arts type of arm guards and shields might be useful in defensive situations, but these guards are typically for defending against attacks alone. Additionally, martial arts or other ‘open-handed’ defense techniques, require training and strength that many persons lack. A new and simple system for a protective hand guard is needed that better provides a counter attacking measure without the need for extensive training, to provide an immediate defensive protection against would-be assailants.
A hand guard specially suited for a defensive deterrent and countermeasure in the event of a hand-to-hand assault is needed that dampens impact force, while providing protection to the user in an unobtrusive form. Such a hand guard must be especially suited for use by women or any other persons in need of an easy, quick and simple deterrent to assault, without requiring an overpowering strength, simply and efficiently.
The present invention addresses these deficiencies in prior guards, and meets these needs. Furthermore, the aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following figures and description.
Reference characters included in the above drawings indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, as discussed herein. The description herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and the description herein is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. It should be understood that the above listed figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views, graphic symbols, diagrammatic or schematic representations, and phantom lines. Details that are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention by one skilled in the technology of the invention, or render other details difficult to perceive, may have been omitted.
A hand guard for use as a defensive protection is shown in
In a preferred embodiment, as shown in
The flexible material 16 of the cover 17 may be any conventional and preferably breathable glove material, such as a leather, cotton fabric, or rubberized material. Most preferably, a breathable and dimpled fabric is utilized for the cover, as typified by the dimpled, “Clarino” brand of synthetic leather glove material. The cover includes a palm panel 17P, for covering the palm side 35 of the hand 20, and a knuckle panel 17K, for covering the backside 38 of the hand.
As shown in
Preferably, the cover 17 of the hand guard 15 is ‘fingerless,’ as shown in
The term “approximately” is used herein to refer to a range of values or relative orientations, understood by a person skilled in the pertinent field or skill, as being substantially equivalent to the herein stated values in achieving the desired results, a range typical to the accuracy and precision of conventional tooling, instrumentation or techniques, or a functionally equivalent range of features that produce equivalent results to those described herein.
As shown in
The exposed ridge bar 25 of the rigid insert 22 extends from the base plate 26, as shown in
The exposed ridge bar 25 of the rigid insert 22 is outwardly extendable from the hand 20 when the cover is fitted on the hand of the user. The bar is preferably formed from a light and easily machined metal, such as an aluminum alloy. Other materials including metals, composites and plastics are considered for forming the bar, such as a titanium, a carbon fiber, or a high impact poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) as typified by “Vintec” brand of Type II PVC.
The cover 17 of the hand guard 15 includes a bar slot 28 that receives the bar 25 of the rigid insert 22. The base plate 26 of the insert is positioned beneath the cover, and the exposed ridge bar extends or protrudes through the ridge slot of the cover, as shown in
When positioning the rigid insert 22 on the palm side 35 of the user's hand 20, the bar slot 28 is a palm slot 28P, and receives a palm insert 22P. Most preferably, the palm insert is positioned proximate to the palm at the palm heel 36 of the user's palm, as shown in
Alternatively, when positioning the rigid insert 22 on the back or knuckle side 38 of the user's hand 20, the bar slot 28 is a knuckle slot 28K, and receives a knuckle insert 22K. Most preferably, the knuckle insert is positioned proximate to the knuckle ridge 39, as shown in
In a preferred embodiment of the hand guard 15, the rigid insert 22 is curved to match the natural curvature of the hand 20 of the user. As shown in
Likewise, in another alternative, the palm insert 22P may also be curved with either a convex or a concave curvature, as desired. However, because the typical user's palm heel 36 is approximately flat, the palm insert is most preferably straight and without curvature, as shown in
To firmly contain and immobilize the rigid insert within the cover 17 of the hand guard 15 without shifting or movement during use, the cover preferably includes a base pocket 29, as shown in
When wearing the hand guard 15 there is immediate access to a defensive deterrent from attack, as opposed to most other deterrents, which require a moment for the user to access or arm. The hand guard is easily transported and can be quickly slipped on, and worn without being obtrusive. Importantly, the hand guard of the present invention provides for an immediate defense from an attacker, thereby increasing the user's chances to safely escape and seek help and acting as a strong, additional deterrent for any would-be attacker.
Having now described my invention, to those persons skilled in the art to which it pertains, it may become apparent that the need to make modifications without deviating from the intention of the design as defined by the appended claims.
