Impact protection glove

Abstract

A protective glove for working environments includes a protective member that cushions parts of the wearer's hand from impacts. The glove can be formed of a hollow shell defining a cavity that is configured to receive the hand of the wearer. The shell can be formed of nonwoven material other flexible, extensible material. The glove can include a protective member that can be formed of a layer of perforated foam material that has been attached to at least one portion of the glove. When attached to the glove to provide protection against impacts to the wearer's hand, the protective member is breathable and extensible when the glove is worn.

1 . An impact protection glove for working environments, comprising:
 a shell defining a hollow cavity configured to receive the hand of the wearer and defining at least a first portion formed of at least a first material that is extensible in a first direction to accommodate movements of the hand wearing the glove; and   a first protective member including a first layer of perforated foam material having a plurality of slits defined therethrough with a substantial proportion of said slits aligned parallel to a second direction that differs from said first direction, said first protective member being permanently connected to said first portion of said shell with said substantial proportion of said slits aligned in said second direction being disposed so that said second direction is perpendicular to said first direction of the extensibility of said first portion of said shell.   
   
   
       2 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said first layer of perforated foam material defines an outer surface and an inner surface disposed opposite said outer surface, said inner surface is disposed in opposition to said first portion of said shell and said protective member further comprising a first skin layer disposed to cover said first layer of perforated foam material and connected to said outer surface of said first layer of perforated foam material. 
   
   
       3 . The glove as in  claim 2 , wherein said first skin layer is formed of a thin layer of spunbond material laminated to said outer surface of said first layer of perforated foam material. 
   
   
       4 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said first layer of perforated foam material has a bulk thickness of less than about  3 . 0  mm. 
   
   
       5 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said shell comprises an elastomeric nonwoven material. 
   
   
       6 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said shell comprises a heat insulating material. 
   
   
       7 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said shell comprises a hydrophobic nonwoven material. 
   
   
       8 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said first protective member and said first portion of said shell are configured and disposed to overly the back of the wearer's hand. 
   
   
       9 . The glove as in  claim 8 , wherein said first direction is generally parallel to the direction in which the fingers of the glove extend outwardly away from the palm of the glove when the glove is disposed in the open palm configuration. 
   
   
       10 . The glove as in  claim 8 , wherein said shell includes a second portion that covers part of one of the fingers of the wearer's hand, the glove further comprising a second protective member including a second layer of perforated foam material having an inner surface and an outer surface disposed opposite said inner surface, said second protective member including a skin layer laminated to said inner surface of said second layer of perforated foam material, said second protective member being attached permanently to said second portion of said shell via said skin layer being permanently attached to said second portion of said shell. 
   
   
       11 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said shell defines at least a second portion formed of material that is extensible in a third direction to accommodate movements of the hand wearing the glove, said glove further comprising a second protective member including a second layer of perforated foam material having a plurality of slits defined therethrough with a substantial proportion of said slits aligned parallel to a fourth direction, said second protective member being permanently connected to said second portion of said shell with said substantial proportion of said slits of said second layer of perforated foam aligned in said fourth direction being disposed so that said fourth direction is perpendicular to said third direction of the extensibility of said second portion of said shell. 
   
   
       12 . The glove as in  claim 11 , wherein said third direction is substantially the same as said first direction, and said third direction differs from said fourth direction, and said second protective member and said second portion of said shell are configured and disposed to overly a portion of one of the fingers of the wearer's hand. 
   
   
       13 . The glove as in  claim 12 , wherein said second protective member and said second portion of said shell are configured and disposed to overly the back of one of the knuckles of one of the fingers of the glove. 
   
   
       14 . The glove as in  claim 13 , wherein said first direction is generally parallel to the direction in which the fingers of the glove extend outwardly away from the palm of the glove when the glove is disposed in the open palm configuration. 
   
   
       15 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said first layer of perforated foam has a thickness in a range of about ⅛ inch to about 0.5 inch. 
   
   
       16 . The glove as in  claim 11 , wherein said first layer of perforated foam material has a different thickness than said second layer of perforated foam material. 
   
   
       17 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said first layer of perforated foam has a basis weight in a range of about 100 gsm to about 500 gsm. 
   
   
       18 . The glove as in  claim 1 , wherein said first protective member and said first portion of said shell are configured and disposed to overly a part of one of the fingers of the wearer's hand. 
   
   
       19 . The glove as in  claim 2 , wherein said first skin layer is formed of a hydrophobic nonwoven material. 
   
   
       20 . The glove as in  claim 2 , wherein said first skin layer defines an exterior texturized surface that presents an aesthetically pleasing surface.