Patent Application
20180084847
The present invention relates to personal protective equipment and, more particularly to hand protection for preventing the transmission of disease and protecting skin surfaces of the hands from contact injury.
Surface contact of the hands with viruses and dangerous diseases is a primary means of transmission for colds, influenza, and other such maladies. While disinfecting with antibacterial wipes and lotions after contact with a potentially contaminated surfaces, such as door knobs, elevator buttons, stairway hand rails, and other surfaces presents one way of combatting these hazards, the user must have ready access to the disinfectant immediately following contact or they may risk unnecessary exposure.
Contact injury to the hands can include a variety of causes. Thermal injuries may be caused by skin contact with hot and cold surfaces. Frictional injuries may occur with abrasions, cuts, pinched or ripped skin by grasping sharp objects or other objects that may impinge the user's skin. A variety of work and safety gloves are available, but they are not typically carried in a variety of environments, such as an office setting, which are not normally associated with requiring work gloves as an item of personal protective gear.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved item of personal protective gear that may be conveniently and discretely carried and provides protection from hand transmission of disease as well as providing protection from thermal and frictional injuries to the wearer's hands and palms.
In one aspect of the present invention, a handmat includes a first layer of material; a second layer of material joined to the first layer at a first end and a second end thereof; and a sleeve opening defined between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer may be formed of a padded material. In some embodiments, the padded material may include a layer of neoprene. In other embodiments, the padded material includes a layer of leather.
In other aspects of the invention, the handmat may also include a slit defined at the first end of the handmat; an attachment member received through the slit; and a securement device operatively coupled to the attachment member, the securement device configured to attach the handmat to a user. The securement device may include a retaining clip. It may also include a lanyard. And in other embodiments, the handmat securement device may further include a retraction mechanism.
In yet other aspects of the invention, a handmat includes a sleeve opening defined between a first layer of protective material and a second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer are joined at a first end and a second end. In some embodiments, the first layer and the second layer are joined by stitching. In other embodiments, the first layer and the second layer are joined by an adhesive.
The handmat may also be provided with a slit defined at the first end of the handmat; and a securement device operatively coupled to the slit, where the securement device configured to attach the handmat to a user. In some embodiments, the securement device includes a retaining clip. In other embodiments, the securement device includes a lanyard. In yet other embodiments, the securement device includes a retraction mechanism.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an improved personal protective item for a user's hands to prevent the transmission of germs and disease while also providing protection from contact injuries to the user's hands, such as thermal, abrasion, pinch, or other injuries.
As seen in reference to
A slit 18 is defined at the first end of the handmat 10. The slit 18 is configured to receive an attachment member 19 to operatively connect the hand mat 10 to a securement device 20. Preferably the securement device 20 includes a retaining clip 21, or the like to secure the handmat 10 to the operator, or user 22. More preferably the securement device 20 includes a lanyard and a retraction mechanism, such as a retractable badge reel, that permits the hand mat 10 to be conveniently secured to the person 22.
The front layer 14 which is interchangeable and can be formed of any type fabric, including leather or animal skin is cut to the desired size. By way of non-limiting example, the front layer may have a height of approximately 4.8 inches and have a width of approximately 2.3 inches. Similarly, the back layer 12, which is intended as a comfort mat that may contain a natural rubber latex, neoprene, leather or animal hide, or other padded material, that is cut to the desired size, such as a height of 4.8 inches by a width of about 2.3 inches. The back layer 12 and front layer 14 may be joined with a stitching across the first and second end edges to define the sleeve opening 16. The slit 18 may be formed through the layers 12, 14 via a punch or the like.
As may be seen in reference to
In other uses, the handmat 10 may be used when a person is working out in a gym. Currently, persons use their hands to touch unsanitary workout equipment. In this case, the handmat 10 may be utilized to provide protection from unsanitary surfaces and may also provide protection from frictional injuries to the person's hands 24. For example, when the person is utilizing a piece of exercise equipment the handmat 10 may provide protection to prevent callouses or blisters from forming on the user's fingers or hands.
In these cases, it may be more appropriate to use the handmat 10 with the users fingers extending through the sleeve 16 and the back, protective layer 12 positioned between the user's hand and the object 28. The handmat 10 may be used when a person is in the gym, to prevent injury to the hands, which can occur when lifting dumbbells, barbells, and when using other exercise equipment To be used when a person uses their hands to grip sports equipment such a golf clubs, baseball bats, etc. The handmats 10 may also be used when a person is riding a bike.
The handmat 10 may also be used when a person goes shopping and carries shopping bags or groceries bags. Utilizing the handmat 10, the person can prevent a pinch or impingement injury to their hands 24 by having the bag handles dig into the handmat 10 rather than their hands.
In thermal situations, the handmat 10 may be used as an insulating layer when a person is drinking a hot cup of coffee. It may also be used when a person opens a car door in the heat of the summer or the dead of winter.
As will be appreciated the handmat 10 can also be used by construction workers, bus drivers, truck drivers, bathroom attendants, doormen, football players, baseball players, golfers, etc. Basically, anything a person can wrap their hands around this design provides some protection against germs and injury. and provides better grip.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application is a continuation in part application and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. design patent application No. 29/579,058, filed Sep. 27, 2016, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29579058 | Sep 2016 | US |
| Child | 15370153 | US |
