Hybrid Hand Covering with Distal Phalanx Fingertip Segments

Abstract

A hybrid hand covering with a mitten shell, a thumb portion that meets the mitten shell at a junction, and at least an abbreviated first fingertip segment for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of a first finger, such as the index finger, up to the distal interphalangeal joint. The mitten shell forms a common heat cavity retaining the palm portion of the hand and the first finger up to the distal interphalangeal joint thus permitting manual dexterity while maintaining the majority thereof within the common heat cavity. For the index finger, the inner volume of the fingertip segment has a length of approximately 40% or less of the overall length of the index finger or not more than approximately 30% of a distance DT from a distal end of the inner volume of the fingertip segment to a line laterally across the junction where the thumb meets the shell.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to insulative hand coverings. More particularly, disclosed herein is a glove-mitten hybrid hand covering with abbreviated, individually manipulable fingertip segments adapted for receiving the distal phalanx portions of a wearer's fingers thereby providing the manual dexterity of a conventional glove to permit the fingertip selection, gripping, and manipulation of objects while concomitantly retaining portions of the hand proximal to the distal phalanx portions of the fingers within an enlarged common heat cavity and permitting a selective retraction of the distal phalanx portions of the fingers into that common heat cavity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Any person who has spent substantial time outdoors in a very cold climate has had to make the decision between wearing mittens or gloves in seeking to keep his or her hands warm. With separate finger and thumb portions designed to span the entire lengths of the person's respective digits, conventional gloves permit the manual dexterity required for selecting, gripping, and manipulating objects such that the wearer can effectively grip a ski pole, buckle a boot, zip a jacket, or safely drive a snow vehicle. However, wearing gloves in severe cold comes at a price. The separate finger portions that facilitate manual dexterity concomitantly isolate each finger thermally from the remaining fingers, from the main heat cavity in which the body of the hand is disposed, and even from itself along its length while also increasing heat loss through the enlarged surface area exposed to the cold.

Mittens, conversely, are advantageous against the cold since they retain all of the fingers within a common heat cavity and since they present a reduced surface area exposed to the cold. However, the wearer must sacrifice the manual dexterity needed to grip and manipulate objects. As such, mittens may be unacceptable in situations where effective gripping and object manipulation are critical. Even in the bitter cold, mitten wearers often find themselves forced to remove the mittens temporarily to grip a zipper, to buckle a boot, or to perform other tasks demanding the force and movement of individual fingers.

In view of the well-recognized nature of the foregoing challenges presented by traditional mittens and gloves, a number of solutions have been attempted. One such proposal is a hand covering with an encapsulating covering for the fingers that can be selectively flipped back to expose the wearer's bare or lightly-gloved fingers. The wearer can thus selectively be provided with the heat of the enclosed covering or the manual dexterity of his or her exposed or lightly-gloved fingers. However, as with the choice between a glove or a mitten, the wearer is again presented with opting for the warmth of the encapsulating covering but with lost dexterity or the dexterity of independently movable fingers but without the warmth of the encapsulating covering.

Hand coverings have also been disclosed with a mitten-like configuration but with a separate sleeve for the forefinger. Such structures advantageously enable gripping, pinching, and manipulation with the thumb and forefinger. However, while the remaining fingers enjoy the warmth of a common heat cavity, the forefinger remains isolated with the surface area of the finger sleeve exposed to the cold just as with a glove such. The wearer is thus presented with the same issues with respect to that forefinger in a hand covering that is less than intuitive in use.

Another compromise is reached by split finger gloves. There, the index and middle fingers share a first finger sleeve and the ring finger and pinky share a second finger sleeve. In such hand coverings, the wearer compromises away from the dexterity of a traditional glove while also compromising away from the warmth of a traditional mitten.

Still another attempted solution was disclosed in 1992 by Willard with U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,718 for a Ski Glove. The '718 patent teaches an insulated glove with finger portions that are “adapted to loosely fit each finger” and that are reduced in length “to approximately cover the wearer's finger from the fingertip to the first knuckle joint nearest the base of the finger.” That first knuckle joint nearest the base of the finger is the proximal interphalangeal joint, which connects the proximal and middle phalanges. The distal interphalangeal joint then connects the middle phalange to the distal phalanges that form the tips of the fingers. Under this construction, according to Willard, “the loose fit of the finger portions creates spaces between each of the long fingers and the liner through which the warm air can travel,” and, again according to Willard, the wearer is provided with “a large degree of manual dexterity.” In practice, however, the intentional looseness of the finger portions would tend to create a loss in dexterity. Moreover, the entireties of the middle and distal phalanxes, forming well more than one-half of the length of the fingers beyond the folds therebetween, remain isolated in separate finger portions thereby again contributing to their thermal isolation and heat loss due to the exposed surface area of the finger portions.

In view of the state of the art as described above, it is apparent that, despite numerous attempted solutions, there is a real and long-felt need for a hand covering that provides the wearer with a large heat cavity for the palm and the majority of the lengths of the fingers while enabling the manual dexterity of individually manipulable fingertips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is thus founded on the basic object of providing a hand covering that permits the manual dexterity achieved by individually movable fingertips while simultaneously maximizing the warmth provided to the palm and fingers.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide a hand covering with individually manipulable fingertip portions while providing a large heat cavity for the palm and the majority of the lengths of the fingers.

Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a hand covering wherein the fingertip portions of the fingers can be easily inserted into and removed from individual fingertip portions to enable a ready repositioning of the fingertips between a disposition within the fingertip portions for manual dexterity and a disposition within the common heat cavity for added warmth.

A particular object of manifestations of the invention is to provide a hand covering with individually operable fingertip portions that are adapted to receive the wearer's fingertips in a relatively snug manner to facilitate precision gripping and manipulation.

These and further objects and advantages of manifestations of the present invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to make use of an embodiment of the hybrid hand covering disclosed herein. However, it will be appreciated that, while the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential advantage and function. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In carrying forth one or more objects of the invention, embodiments of the hand covering are sized for a human hand of a hand size with the hand having a palm portion, a thumb, and four fingers. The fingers comprise an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a pinkie that extend from the palm portion. The hand covering is founded on a mitten shell that defines an inner volume. The mitten shell has a proximal opening for receiving the hand therethrough, and the mitten shell has a distal end. A thumb portion that extends laterally from the mitten shell. The thumb portion has an outwardly facing side that faces away from the mitten shell and an inwardly facing side that faces toward the mitten shell. The inwardly facing side of the thumb portion meets the mitten shell at a junction, which may alternatively be referred to as a fold. The hand covering has an abbreviated first fingertip segment adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of a first finger of the four fingers of the hand. The first fingertip segment extends longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell and defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion the first finger of the four fingers of the hand to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint thereof.

Under this construction, the mitten shell forms a common heat cavity adapted to retain therewithin the palm portion of the human hand and the first finger of the four fingers of the hand up to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint. The hand covering permits manual dexterity with the distal phalanx portion of the first finger received into the first fingertip segment while retaining middle and proximal phalanxes of the first finger of the four fingers within the common heat cavity. When and if desired, the distal phalanx portion of the first finger can be readily withdrawn from the first fingertip segment into the common heat cavity.

The first finger of the four fingers can be considered to have an overall length comprising a distance D_L based on the hand size of the human hand. The inner volume of the abbreviated first fingertip segment can then have a length of approximately 40% or less of the distance D_L. With this, the first fingertip segment is adapted to receive approximately 40% or less of the overall length of the first finger of the four fingers.

As set forth above, the abbreviated first fingertip segment can be sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand. In such embodiments, there can be measured a longitudinal distance D_T from a distal end of the inner volume of the fingertip segment to a line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell. Since the fold between the human thumb and the palm portion of the hand will tend to be closely disposed against the junction where the thumb portion of the hand covering meets the mitten shell, the longitudinal distance D_T from the distal end of the inner volume of the fingertip segment to the line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell can be reasonably approximated to match the distance between the tip of the respective finger and a line communicating laterally across the hand crossing the fold between the thumb and the palm portion of the actual human hand. Relying on such known references, where the inner volume of the first fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the first fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance D_T, one can determine based on proportions of the typical human hand that the first fingertip segment will receive the respective human finger only up to the distal interphalangeal joint. With that, the proximal and middle phalanxes will be warmly retained within the common heat cavity.

Embodiments of the hand covering can additionally comprise an abbreviated second fingertip segment adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of a second finger of the four fingers of the hand. Again, the second fingertip segment extends longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell, and the second fingertip segment defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion of the second finger of the four fingers of the hand to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint. In practices of the invention, for instance, the second fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the middle finger, and the hand covering further comprises abbreviated third and fourth fingertip segment adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portions of the ring and pinkie fingers respectively.

In such embodiments, again positing the existence of a longitudinal distance D_T from a distal end of the inner volume of each fingertip segment to a line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell, the first fingertip segment sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand has an inner volume that spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the first fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance D_T of the first fingertip segment. Based on its own distance D_T, the second fingertip segment, which is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the middle finger of the human hand, has an inner volume that spans from the distal end thereof to not more than approximately 30% of the distance D_T for the second fingertip segment. Further, the third fingertip segment, which is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the ring finger of the human hand, has an inner volume that spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the third fingertip segment to not more than approximately 35% of the distance D_T for the third fingertip segment. Finally, sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the pinkie finger, the fourth fingertip segment has an inner volume that spans from the distal end thereof to not more than approximately 35% of the distance D_T for the fourth fingertip segment.

Each of these relative sizes is established based on the known references of the line crossing the fold between the thumb and the palm of the human hand and, correspondingly, the line crossing the thumb portion and the mitten shell of the hand covering in relation to the tips of the respective fingers and the ends of the inner volumes of the fingertip segments. Where the hand covering is worn in a typical manner with the junction between the thumb portion and the mitten shell substantially aligned and in proximity or contact with the fold between the thumb and the palm of the human hand, the above-referenced lines overlap and can be considered to be substantially identical.

In manifestations of the invention, the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment are formed from one or more layers of insulative material. By way of example and not limitation, the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment can incorporate one or more layers of lightweight synthetic insulation fabric manufactured from polyester fibers. Further embodiments of the hand covering can incorporate one or more layers of water resistant or waterproof material. Still further, according to practices of the invention, the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment further incorporate an inner layer of soft fabric such as a tricot warp-knit fabric.

One will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines certain more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors' contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a human hand;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a human hand within a glove according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a glove according to the prior art depicting the limited common heat cavity provided thereby and the physical and thermal isolation of the fingers therefrom;

FIG. 4 is a drawing from U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,718 showing the Ski Glove as taught therein;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top plan view of a hybrid hand covering with distal phalanx fingertip segments according to the present invention with a human hand retained therein;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the hybrid hand covering of FIG. 5 depicting the expanded common heat cavity provided by the hand covering and the physical and thermal inclusion of the lengths of the fingers but for the distal phalanx fingertip segments therein;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the hybrid hand covering, again with a human hand retained therein; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the hybrid hand covering of FIG. 7 depicting the expanded common heat cavity provided by the hand covering and the physical and thermal inclusion of the entirety of all fingers but for the distal phalanx fingertip segment of the index finger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The hybrid hand covering disclosed herein is subject to a wide variety of embodiments, each within the scope of the invention. To ensure that one skilled in the art will fully understand and, in appropriate cases, be able to practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments and aspects of the hand covering are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures. It will be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments of the hand covering are mere examples thereof and should not be considered to be limiting in any manner.

A full appreciation of the structure and benefits of the present invention would be well served by an understanding of the structure of the human hand and the relative sizes of the components thereof. Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 1 where a human hand is indicated generally at 100, the hand 100 can be understood to have four fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 that extend generally in parallel from a palm portion 110 of the hand 100 while the opposable thumb 112 extends from a lateral portion of the palm portion 110. Each of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 has a distal phalanx 114, a middle phalanx 116, and a proximal phalanx 118 with the distal and middle phalanxes 114 and 116 connected by a distal interphalangeal joint 120 and the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 connected by a proximal interphalangeal joint 122. The thumb 112, meanwhile, has just distal and proximal phalanxes 114 and 118 connected by an interphalangeal joint 124. The proximal phalanx 118 of each finger 102, 104, 106, and 108 is connected to a respective metacarpal 126 by a metacarpophalangeal joint 128.

Largely controlled by remote musculature disposed within the forearm, the hand 100 is a wonder of natural engineering. It is capable of performing tasks requiring great strength as well as those requiring great precision, dexterity, and fine motor skill. The same hand 100 that can precisely pinch and manipulate a small object can impart the powerful gripping and other forces required to lift heavy objects, including the human body itself, to impart significant torque and other forces on external objects, and otherwise to accomplish tasks requiring strength and power.

As shown in FIG. 2 where a human hand 100 is depicted within a typical glove 200 of the prior art, conventional gloves 200 have separate, essentially tubular finger portions 202, 204, 206, and 208 that extend in parallel from a main body portion 210 while a tubular thumb portion 212 extends from the main body portion 210 at an acute angle relative to the finger portions 202, 204, 206, and 208. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body portion 210 defines a common palmar heat cavity 214 that spans from the base of the palm to the proximal ends of the finger and thumb portions 202, 204, 206, 208, and 212. The finger and thumb portions 202, 204, 206, 208, and 212 are adapted to receive approximately 100% of the fingers and thumb 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112 spanning from the very tip thereof to the folds between the fingers and thumb 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112 at the proximal bases thereof.

As such, the lengths of the fingers and thumb 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112 are physically and thermally segregated from one another and from the common palmar heat cavity 214 with the bases of the fingers and thumb 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112 effectively plugging the proximal ends of the finger and thumb portions 202, 204, 206, 208, and 212 of the glove 200. Meanwhile, the finger and thumb portions 202, 204, 206, 208, and 212 are exposed to heat loss over their entire lengths and circumferences. As a result, despite the manual dexterity enabled by the separate finger and thumb portions 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112, a traditional glove 200 may become an uncomfortable or even unacceptable option in exceedingly cold conditions.

Referring again to FIG. 1 where the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 are shown to be formed with distal, middle, and proximal phalanxes 114, 116, and 118 coupled by distal interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints 120 and 122, the distance D_L, which will be different for each finger 102, 104, 106 and 108, is indicated for the middle finger 104 as an example. The distance D_L can be considered to define the entire length of each finger 102, 104, 106, and 108 from the most distal tip thereof to the fold between it and the adjacent finger 102, 104, 106, or 108. Each finger 102, 104, 106, and 108 has a distance D_D from the most distal tip thereof to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 and a distance D_P from the most distal tip of the respective finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122.

With the distance D_L considered to define 100% of the finger length, the distance D_P from the most distal tip of a given finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 will be a percentage of the distance D_L, and the distance D_D from the most distal tip of finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 will be a smaller percentage of the distance D_L than is the distance D_P. The percentage relationships of the dimensions D_P and D_D relative to the dimension D_L will vary between individuals and between the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 of a given individual. However, the relationship between the distances D_D, D_P, and D_L with D_L forming 100% of the finger length, D_D forming a percentage of D_L, and D_P forming a percentage of D_L greater than the percentage that D_D represents relative to D_L is necessarily consistent.

Taking the hand 100 depicted in FIG. 1 as an example, the distance D_D for the second finger, often referred to as the middle finger 104, is approximately 32% of the overall finger length D_L, and the distance D_P is approximately 70% of the overall finger length D_L. The distances D_D for the remaining fingers 102, 106, and 108 can be measured to range from approximately 32% to 38% of the overall finger length D_L, and the distances D_P for the remaining fingers 102, 106, and 108 can be measured to range from approximately 65% to 75% of the overall finger length D_L.

Accordingly, taking the depicted hand 100 as typical and recognizing the variations inherent in human nature, one may find the distance D_D from the tip of a finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 to be likely to be in the range of 30% to 40% of the overall finger length D_L. One may further find the distance D_P from the tip of a finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 to be likely to be in the range of 60% to 80% of the overall finger length D_L.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,718 to Willard for a Ski Glove, described above, further bears this out. Willard's cross-sectioned view of the Ski Glove is reprinted herein as FIG. 4. There, the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the illustrated second finger to the distal interphalangeal joint is measured to be approximately 32% of the distance D_L, and the distance D_P is measured to be approximately 68% of the distance D_L. Willard teaches that the finger portions thereof should be “adapted to loosely fit each finger” and that the finger portions should be reduced in length “to approximately cover the wearer's finger from the fingertip to the first knuckle joint nearest the base of the finger,” that is, to match the distance D_P at approximately 68% of the distance D_L in the illustrated example. Willard posits that “the loose fit of the finger portions” that extend “from the fingertip to the first knuckle joint nearest the base of the finger” is advantageous in that it “creates spaces between each of the long fingers and the liner through which the warm air can travel” while providing “a large degree of manual dexterity.” As shown, however, the entireties of the middle and distal phalanxes, forming roughly 70% of the length of the fingers beyond the folds therebetween, remain isolated in separate finger portions. They are again thermally isolated as heat is lost over the exposed surface areas surrounding the finger portions.

Referring again to FIG. 1, one may alternatively use the fold between the thumb 112 and the index finger 102 as a demarcation or reference point. More particularly, one can measure the lengths of the phalanxes 114, 116, and 118 of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 in relation to the distance from the tip of the respective finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to a line traveling laterally across the hand that crosses the fold between the thumb 112 and the index finger 102. For ease of reference, that line may be referred to as the thumb fold line. The distance from the tip of the middle finger 104 to the thumb fold line is indicated at D_T as an example. Each remaining finger 104, 106 and 108 likewise has its own distance D_T from the most distal tip of the respective finger 104, 106, or 108 to the thumb fold line. For the middle finger 104, the distance D_D from the tip of the middle finger 104 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 is measured to be approximately 25% of the distance D_T while the distance D_P from the most distal tip of the middle finger 104 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 is measured to be approximately 50% of the distance D_T. For the index finger 102, the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the index finger 102 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 is similarly measured to be approximately 25% of the distance D_T while the distance D_P from the most distal tip of the index finger 102 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 is measured to be approximately 50% of the distance D_T. With respect to the ring finger 106, the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the ring finger 106 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 is measured to be approximately 28% of the distance D_T while the distance D_P from the most distal tip of the ring finger 106 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 is measured to be approximately 55% of the distance D_T. Finally, for the pinkie finger 108, the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the pinkie finger 108 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 is measured to be approximately 32% of the distance D_T while the distance D_P from the most distal tip of the pinkie finger 108 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 is measured to be approximately 57% of the distance D_T.

The percentage relationships of the dimensions D_P and D_D relative to the dimension D_T will vary between individuals and between the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 of a given individual. However, the relationship between the distances D_D, D_P, and D_T with D_T forming 100% of the distance from the tip of the finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 to the thumb fold line, D_D forming a percentage of D_T, and D_P forming a percentage of D_T greater than the percentage represented by D_D in comparison to D_T is necessarily consistent. Thus, taking the depicted hand 100 as typical and recognizing the variations inherent in human nature, one may find the distance D_D from the tip of a typical index finger 102 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 to be likely to be in the range of 20% to 30% of the distance Dr. One may further find the distance D_P from the tip of a typical index finger 102 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 to be likely to be in the range of 40% to 60% of the distance Dr. The typical middle finger 104 can be found to present similar likely length ranges with the distance D_D to be likely to be in the range of 20% to 30% of the distance D_T for the middle finger 104 and the distance D_P to be likely to be in the range of 40% to 60% of the distance D_T for the middle finger 104. For the ring finger 106, the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the ring finger 106 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 can be found to have a likely range of between 25% and 35% of the distance D_T while the distance D_P from the most distal tip of the ring finger 106 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 can be found to have a likely range of 50% to 60% of the distance D_T. For the pinkie finger 108, the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the pinkie finger 108 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 can be found to have a likely range of between 25% and 35% of the distance D_T while the distance D_P from the most distal tip of the pinkie finger 108 to the proximal interphalangeal joint 122 can be presumed to have a likely range of between 50% and 60% of the distance D_T.

Recognizing the foregoing and the continuing need for a hand covering effectively meeting the competing goals of providing warmth of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 over their entire lengths while facilitating manual dexterity, the present inventors devised of the hybrid hand covering disclosed herein. An embodiment of that hybrid hand covering is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 5 and 6. There, the hybrid hand covering 10 may be considered to be founded on an insulated mitten shell 22 that defines an inner volume 24. A tubular thumb portion 20, which is also insulated, extends laterally from the mitten shell 22 at an acute angle. The mitten shell 22 has a proximal opening that provides an entrance into the inner volume 24 for the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108, thumb 112, and palm portion 110, indeed the entirety of the hand 100 up to the wearer's wrist 130. A wrist cuff 26 is fixed to the mitten shell 22 to extend longitudinally from the proximal opening thereby to be received in a snug manner around the wrist 130. When the wrist cuff 26 is snugly received over the wrist 130, the wrist cuff 26 and the wrist 130 of the wearer cooperate to effectively seal off the inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22 and the hand covering 10 in general. The hybrid hand covering 10 is depicted as adapted to receive the left hand 100, but it will be understood that hybrid hand coverings 10 will typically be manufactured, sold, and used in pairs.

In lieu of finger portions for receiving and isolating the entirety of the fingers as in a traditional glove or the majority of the fingers as in Willard and in place of the lack of any real individual finger manipulation as in a traditional mitten, the hybrid hand covering 10 of FIGS. 5 and 6 employs abbreviated, individually manipulable, insulated fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portions 114 of a wearer's fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, a fingertip segment 12, 14, 16, and 18 is provided for each of the four fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 of the wearer's hand 100. However, it will be understood to be within the scope of the invention for fewer fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, or 18 to be employed, such as one fingertip segment 12, 14, 16, or 18 for a distal phalanx 114 of a single finger 102, 104, 106, or 108 or two or three fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, or 18 for receiving the distal phalanxes 114 of two or three fingers 102, 104, 106, or 108.

Each of the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 has an outer circumference defined by the outer surface of the fingertip segment 12, 14, 16, or 18 and an inner circumference defining an inner volume for receiving the distal phalanx portion 114 of the respective finger 102, 104, 106, or 108. The inner circumferences of the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 are of a length and size for receiving the distal phalanx portions 114 of the respective fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 in a close, snug relationship corresponding to that of the tips of the finger portions of a traditional glove.

The fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 are constructed to receive only the distal phalanxes of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 up to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint 120. As such, the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 are constructed to receive 40% or less of the overall length D_L of each finger 102, 104, 106, and 108 based on the known sizes of the distal phalanx portions 114 relative to the sizes of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 and the hand 100 that the hand covering 10 is constructed to receive. The hybrid hand covering 10 thus permits manual dexterity approximating that provided by a conventional glove thereby to enable individual fingertip selection, gripping, pinching, and manipulation of objects. Concomitantly, the hybrid hand covering 10 retains all portions of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 proximal to the distal phalanx portions 114, that is, at least 60% of the overall finger lengths D_L, and the remainder of the hand 100 within the inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22.

Alternatively, the hybrid hand covering 10 can be described with recognition that the hybrid hand covering 10 presents a fold or junction between the main mitten shell 22 and the thumb portion 20 that will, when the hand covering 10 is worn with the thumb 112 received into the thumb portion 20, rest against the fold between the index finger 102 and the thumb 112. Thus, one can use the thumb fold line, the line traveling laterally across the hand crossing the fold between the thumb 112 and the index finger 102, as a known, fixed reference for the relative sizes of the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the hybrid hand covering 10 since the line traveling laterally across the hand covering 10 crossing the fold where the inwardly facing surface of the thumb portion 20 of the hand covering 10 meets the mitten shell 22.

Accordingly, with the index finger fingertip segment 12 adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion 114 of the index finger 102 up to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 and recognizing that the distance D_D from the tip of a typical index finger 102 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 is likely to be in the range of 20% to 30% the distance D_T, the index finger fingertip segment 12 of the hand covering 10 can be constructed to have a receiving volume for the index finger 102 that spans from the most distal tip of that volume to not more than approximately 30% of the distance D_T for the index finger 102 in particular. In a similar manner, the middle finger fingertip segment 14 can be constructed to have a receiving volume for the middle finger 104 that spans from the most distal tip of that volume to not more than approximately 30% of the distance D_T for the middle finger 104 specifically. Further, the ring finger fingertip segment 16 can be constructed to have a receiving volume for the ring finger 106 that spans from the most distal tip of that volume to not more than approximately 35% of the distance D_T for the ring finger 106. Finally, the pinkie finger fingertip segment 18 can be constructed to have a receiving volume for the pinkie finger 108 that spans from the most distal tip of that volume to not more than approximately 35% of the distance D_T for the ring finger 108, again with the recognition that the distance D_D from the most distal tip of the pinkie finger 108 to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 can be found to have a likely range of between 25% and 35% of the distance D_T.

With the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 receiving only the distal phalanxes 114 of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108, the inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22 forms a common heat cavity 24 that extends from adjacent to the wrist cuff 26 and the wrist 130 of the wearer continuously to the distal interphalangeal joints 120 of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108. As FIG. 6 shows, the palm portion 110 of the hand 100 and the lengths of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 formed by the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 up to the distal interphalangeal joints 120, which comprises at least 60% of the overall finger lengths D_L, are retained entirely within the common heat cavity 24.

Since at least 60% of the overall finger lengths D_L are retained within the common heat cavity 24 of the mitten shell 22 and since only the 40% or less of the overall finger lengths D_L forming the distal phalanxes 114 is received into the distal phalanx fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18, not only are the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 warmly maintained in the common heat cavity 24 but also those middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 are able to conduct heat to the distal phalanxes 114. This is in opposition to the thermal isolation of the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 in a traditional glove and the thermal isolation of the middle phalanxes 116 as taught by Willard. Thus, despite being received into the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18, the distal phalanxes 114 forming the fingertips of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 are far less isolated from thermal heat transfer from the common heat cavity 24 and from the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118, which are again disposed within the common heat cavity 24 rather than being thermally and physically isolated as in a traditional glove or as taught by Willard. Moreover, if desired, the distal phalanx portions 114 of some or all of the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108 can be readily withdrawn from the abbreviated fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18 into the common heat cavity 24 to permit use of the hand covering 10 approximating a traditional mitten in a manner that is not possible under the prior art.

The material of the hybrid hand covering 10 can vary within the scope of the invention. Preferably, the mitten shell 22, the fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, and 18, and the thumb portion 20 are each formed with one or more layers of insulative material. The hybrid hand covering 10 can incorporate, by way of example, one or more layers of natural or synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulation could be of any suitable type. In certain embodiments, for example, the hybrid hand covering 10 can incorporate one or more layers of lightweight synthetic insulation fabric manufactured from polyester fibers. One non-limiting example of such a fabric is that sold under the registered trademark THERMOLITE by The Lycra Company LLC of Wilmington, Delaware. The hand covering 10 can incorporate one or more layers of water resistant or waterproof liner material, which may be breathable. One non-limiting example of such a material is that sold under the registered trademark GORE-TEX by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Delaware. The hybrid hand covering 10 can incorporate an inner layer of soft fabric, such as but not limited to a tricot warp-knit fabric, providing added comfort and warmth.

As referenced above, except as expressly excluded by the claims, it is within the scope of the invention to provide for a hybrid hand covering 10 with fewer than the four fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, or 18 of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, such as one, two, or three fingertip segments 12, 14, 16, or 18 for the distal phalanxes 114 of one, two, or three fingers 102, 104, 106, or 108. One such embodiment of the hand covering is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 where the hybrid hand covering is again indicated generally at 10. The hand covering 10 is again founded on an insulated mitten shell 22 that defines an inner volume 24. A tubular thumb portion 20, which is also insulated, extends laterally from the mitten shell 22 at an acute angle. The mitten shell 22 again has a proximal opening that provides an entrance into the inner volume 24 for the fingers 102, 104, 106, and 108, thumb 112, and palm portion 110, indeed the entirety of the hand 100 up to the wearer's wrist 130. A wrist cuff 26 is fixed to the mitten shell 22 to extend longitudinally from the proximal opening thereby to be received in a snug manner around the wrist 130 to cooperate with the wrist 130 to effectively seal off the inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22 and the hand covering 10 in general. While the hybrid hand covering 10 is depicted as adapted to receive the left hand 100, it will again be understood that hybrid hand coverings 10 will typically be manufactured, sold, and used in pairs.

Again, rather than finger portions for receiving and isolating the entirety of the fingers as in a traditional glove or the majority of the fingers as in Willard, the hybrid hand covering 10 of FIGS. 7 and 8 employs one abbreviated, individually manipulable, insulated fingertip segment 12 that is adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portions 114 of a wearer's index finger 102. The inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22 forms a common heat cavity 24 that thus extends from adjacent to the wrist cuff 26 and the wrist 130 of the wearer continuously to the very tips of the fingers 104, 106, and 108 and that spans to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 of the index finger 102. Again using the thumb fold line as a reference for the relative size of the fingertip segment 12 and with the index finger fingertip segment 12 adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion 114 of the index finger 102 up to the distal interphalangeal joint 120, the index finger fingertip segment 12 can be constructed to have a receiving volume for the index finger 102 that spans from the most distal tip thereof to not more than approximately 30% of the distance D_T for the index finger 102.

Under this construction, as shown in FIG. 8, the palm portion 110 of the hand 100, the entire lengths of the fingers 104, 106, and 108, and the portion of the index finger 102 comprising the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 up to the distal interphalangeal joint 120 are retained entirely within the common heat cavity 24. Thus, at least 60% of the overall finger length D_L of the index finger 102 is disposed within the common heat cavity 24 while the hand covering 10 permits individual manipulation of the distal phalanx 114 of the index finger 102 and the entirety of the thumb 112 and of the distal phalanx 114 of the index finger 102 and the thumb 112 relative to one another.

So constructed, the hybrid hand covering 10 retains the entire middle, ring, and pinkie fingers 104, 106, and 108 and the length of the index finger 102 proximal to the distal phalanx portion 114 within the common heat cavity 24. Stated alternatively, 100% of the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers 104, 106, and 108 are disposed within the inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22, and at least 60% of the overall length D_L of the index finger 102 is retained within the inner volume 24 of the mitten shell 22. The hybrid hand covering 10 permits manual dexterity in the use of the thumb 112 and the index finger 102 approximately equivalent to that provided by a conventional glove to facilitate individual fingertip selection, pinching, gripping, and manipulation of objects while the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers 104, 106, and 108 and the majority of the index finger 102 are entirely maintained in the common heat cavity 24. Moreover, with at least 60% of the overall finger length D_L of the index finger 102 retained within the common heat cavity 24 of the mitten shell 22 and only the 40% or less of the overall finger length D_L forming the distal phalanx 114 received into the distal phalanx fingertip segment 12, the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 are able to pass heat to the distal phalanx 114. This avoids the thermal isolation of the middle and proximal phalanxes 116 and 118 as in a traditional glove and the thermal isolation of the middle phalanx 116 as taught by Willard.

With certain details and embodiments of the present invention for a hybrid hand covering 10 disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presented preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with major features in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.

Therefore, the following claims shall define the scope of protection to be afforded to the invention. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express, or be interpreted to express, certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, any such claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all legally-cognizable equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A hand covering for a human hand of a hand size, the hand with a palm portion, a thumb, and four fingers comprising an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a pinkie that extend from the palm portion, the hand covering comprising: a mitten shell that defines an inner volume, wherein the mitten shell has a proximal opening for receiving the hand therethrough and wherein the mitten shell has a distal end;a thumb portion that extends laterally from the mitten shell, wherein the thumb portion has an outwardly facing side that faces away from the mitten shell and an inwardly facing side that faces toward the mitten shell and wherein the inwardly facing side of the thumb portion meets the mitten shell at a junction; andan abbreviated first fingertip segment adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of a first finger of the four fingers of the hand, wherein the first fingertip segment extends longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell and wherein the first fingertip segment defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion the first finger of the four fingers of the hand to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint;whereby the mitten shell forms a common heat cavity adapted to retain therewithin the palm portion of the human hand and the first finger of the four fingers of the hand up to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint and whereby the hand covering permits manual dexterity with the distal phalanx portion of the first finger of the four fingers received into the first fingertip segment while retaining middle and proximal phalanxes of the first finger of the four fingers within the common heat cavity.

2. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the first finger of the four fingers has an overall length comprising a distance DL based on the hand size of the human hand and wherein the inner volume of the abbreviated first fingertip segment has a length of approximately 40% or less of the distance DL whereby the first fingertip segment is adapted to receive approximately 40% or less of the overall length of the first finger of the four fingers.

3. The hand covering of claim 2, wherein the abbreviated first fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand.

4. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein there is a longitudinal distance DT from a distal end of the inner volume of the first fingertip segment to a line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell and wherein the inner volume of the first fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the first fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance DT.

5. The hand covering of claim 4, wherein the abbreviated first fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand.

6. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the abbreviated first fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand, wherein the hand covering further comprises an abbreviated second fingertip segment adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of a second finger of the four fingers of the hand, wherein the second fingertip segment extends longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell, and wherein the second fingertip segment defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion of the second finger of the four fingers of the hand to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint.

7. The hand covering of claim 6, wherein the abbreviated second fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the middle finger, wherein the hand covering further comprises abbreviated third and fourth fingertip segments adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portions of the ring and pinkie fingers respectively, wherein the third and fourth fingertip segments extend longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell, and wherein each of the third and further fingertip segments defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion the ring and pinkie fingers respectively to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint.

8. The hand covering of claim 7, wherein there is a longitudinal distance DT from a distal end of the inner volume of each fingertip segment to a line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell, wherein the first fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand, wherein the inner volume of the first fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the first fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance DT of the first fingertip segment, wherein the second fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the middle finger of the human hand, wherein the inner volume of the second fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the second fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance DT for the second fingertip segment, wherein the third fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the ring finger of the human hand, wherein the inner volume of the third fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the third fingertip segment to not more than approximately 35% of the distance DT for the third fingertip segment, wherein the fourth fingertip segment is sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the pinkie finger of the human hand, wherein the inner volume of the fourth fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the fourth fingertip segment to not more than approximately 35% of the distance DT for the fourth fingertip segment.

9. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment are formed from one or more layers of insulative material.

10. The hand covering of claim 9, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment incorporate one or more layers of lightweight synthetic insulation fabric manufactured from polyester fibers.

11. The hand covering of claim 10, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment further incorporate one or more layers of water resistant or waterproof material.

12. The hand covering of claim 11, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the first fingertip segment further incorporate an inner layer of tricot warp-knit fabric.

13. A hand covering for a human hand of a hand size, the hand with a palm portion, a thumb, and four fingers comprising an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a pinkie that extend from the palm portion, the hand covering comprising: a mitten shell that defines an inner volume, wherein the mitten shell has a proximal opening for receiving the hand therethrough and wherein the mitten shell has a distal end;a thumb portion that extends laterally from the mitten shell, wherein the thumb portion has an outwardly facing side that faces away from the mitten shell and an inwardly facing side that faces toward the mitten shell and wherein the inwardly facing side of the thumb portion meets the mitten shell at a junction; andan abbreviated index finger fingertip segment sized and positioned relative to the mitten shell to receive the distal phalanx portion of the index finger of the human hand, wherein the index finger fingertip segment is adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of the index finger, wherein the index finger fingertip segment extends longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell, wherein the index finger fingertip segment defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion the index finger to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint;whereby the mitten shell forms a common heat cavity adapted to retain therewithin the palm portion of the human hand and the index finger up to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint and whereby the hand covering permits manual dexterity with the distal phalanx portion of the index finger received into the index finger fingertip segment while retaining middle and proximal phalanxes of the index finger within the common heat cavity.

14. The hand covering of claim 13, wherein the index finger has an overall length comprising a distance DL based on the hand size of the human hand and wherein the inner volume of the index finger fingertip segment has a length of approximately 40% or less of the distance DL whereby the index finger fingertip segment is adapted to receive approximately 40% or less of the overall length of the index finger.

15. The hand covering of claim 14, wherein there is a longitudinal distance DT from a distal end of the inner volume of the index finger fingertip segment to a line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell and wherein the inner volume of the index finger fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the index finger fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance DT.

16. The hand covering of claim 13, wherein the hand covering further comprises an abbreviated middle finger fingertip segment adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portion of the middle finger of the four fingers, wherein the middle finger fingertip segment extends longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell, and wherein the middle finger fingertip segment defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion the middle finger to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint.

17. The hand covering of claim 16, wherein the hand covering further comprises abbreviated ring finger and pinkie finger fingertip segments adapted for receiving only the distal phalanx portions of the ring and pinkie fingers respectively, wherein the ring finger and pinkie finger fingertip segments extend longitudinally from the distal end of the mitten shell, and wherein each of the ring finger and pinkie finger fingertip segments defines an inner volume of a length and size adapted for receiving approximately only the distal phalanx portion the ring and pinkie fingers respectively to approximately the distal interphalangeal joint.

18. The hand covering of claim 17, wherein there is a longitudinal distance DT from a distal end of the inner volume of each fingertip segment to a line that communicates laterally across the hand covering that crosses the junction where the thumb portion meets the mitten shell, wherein the inner volume of the index finger fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the index finger fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance DT of the index finger fingertip segment, wherein the inner volume of the middle finger fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the middle finger fingertip segment to not more than approximately 30% of the distance DT for the middle finger fingertip segment, wherein the inner volume of the ring finger fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the ring finger fingertip segment to not more than approximately 35% of the distance DT for the ring finger fingertip segment, wherein the inner volume of the pinkie finger fingertip segment spans from the distal end of the inner volume of the pinkie finger fingertip segment to not more than approximately 35% of the distance DT for the pinkie finger fingertip segment.

19. The hand covering of claim 13, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the index finger fingertip segment are formed from one or more layers of insulative material.

20. The hand covering of claim 19, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the index finger fingertip segment incorporate one or more layers of lightweight synthetic insulation fabric manufactured from polyester fibers.

21. The hand covering of claim 20, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the index finger fingertip segment further incorporate one or more layers of water resistant or waterproof material.

22. The hand covering of claim 21, wherein the mitten shell, the thumb portion, and the index finger fingertip segment further incorporate an inner layer of tricot warp-knit fabric.