Protective Glove with Conductive Stitching

Abstract

A glove with an electrically non-conductive base and an electrically conductive layer stitched to the base with electrically conductive thread. The base has a body and a plurality of finger receptacles each having an end that is joined to the body. The electrically conductive layer is stitched to an end of one of the finger receptacles opposite the end that is joined to the body. Preferably, the base includes a number of panels stitched together with electrically conductive thread that is electrically coupled to the thread joining the conductive layer to the base.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A glove that is operable to be worn on a hand, comprising:
 an electrically non-conductive base comprising a body and a plurality of finger receptacles joined to said body, wherein said body comprises a first end with an opening for receiving a hand and a second end, and wherein each of said finger receptacles comprises a first end joined to said second end of said body and a second end; and   at least one electrically conductive layer stitched to said second end of one of said finger receptacles with electrically conductive thread.   
     
     
         2 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises palmar and dorsal panels that are stitched together at a seam with electrically conductive thread that is electrically coupled with said electrically conductive thread that joins said electrically conductive layer to said finger receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The glove of  claim 2 , further comprising an electrically conductive tab stitched to said first end of said body with electrically conductive thread that is electrically coupled with said electrically conductive thread that joins said palmar and dorsal panels and said conductive layer. 
     
     
         4 . The glove of  claim 2 , wherein said electrically conductive thread that joins said electrically conductive layer to said finger receptacle and said electrically conductive thread that joins said palmar and dorsal panels are positioned to contact a hand received by said opening in said body. 
     
     
         5 . The glove of  claim 2 , wherein said electrically conductive thread that joins said electrically conductive layer to said finger receptacle and said electrically conductive thread that joins said palmar and dorsal panels ensure that the electric potential throughout said base and said layer are the same. 
     
     
         6 . The glove of  claim 2 , wherein each of said palmar and dorsal panels comprises an outer surface and an inner surface that is adjacent a hand received by said opening in said body, and wherein said seam is rolled such that said outer surfaces of said palmar and dorsal panels abut at said seam and said electrically conductive thread that joins said palmar and dorsal panels is positioned to contact the hand. 
     
     
         7 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises an inner surface that is adjacent a hand received by said opening in said body and an outer surface, wherein said electrically conductive layer covers a portion of said outer surface, and wherein said electrically conductive thread penetrates said inner surface so that it is positioned to contact the hand. 
     
     
         8 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of finger receptacles comprises index, middle, ring, and pinkie finger receptacles operable to receive index, middle, ring, and pinkie fingers of the hand, respectively, wherein said base further comprises a thumb receptacle with a first end joined to said body and a second end, and further comprising index, middle, ring, and thumb electrically conductive layers stitched to said second end of said index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and thumb receptacles, respectively, with electrically conductive thread. 
     
     
         9 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises leather, neoprene, aramid, or a blend of cotton and polyester. 
     
     
         10 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         11 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises aramid, rayon and stainless steel. 
     
     
         12 . The glove of  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive thread comprises aramid, rayon, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The glove of  claim 12 , wherein said electrically conductive thread comprises at least  33 % stainless steel by weight. 
     
     
         14 . A glove operable to be worn on a hand, comprising:
 an electrically non-conductive base comprising a plurality of panels that are stitched together along at least one seam with a first electrically conductive thread, wherein said panels define a body and a plurality of finger receptacles joined to said body, wherein said body comprises a first end with an opening for receiving a hand and a second end, and wherein each of said finger receptacles comprises a first end joined to said second end of said body and a second end; and   at least one electrically conductive layer stitched to said second end of one of said finger receptacles with a second electrically conductive thread, wherein said first and second electrically conductive threads are electrically coupled and at least one of said first and second electrically conductive threads is positioned to contact a hand received by said opening in said body.   
     
     
         15 . The glove of  claim 14 , further comprising an electrically conductive tab stitched to said first end of said body with a third electrically conductive thread that is electrically coupled with said first and second electrically conductive threads and said conductive layer. 
     
     
         16 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said first and second electrically conductive threads ensure that the electric potential throughout said base and said layer are the same. 
     
     
         17 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein each of said panels comprises an outer surface and an inner surface that is adjacent a hand received by said opening in said body, and wherein said seam is rolled such that said outer surfaces of said panels stitched together along said seam abut at said seam and said first electrically conductive thread is positioned to contact the hand. 
     
     
         18 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said base comprises an inner surface that is adjacent a hand received by said opening in said body and an outer surface, wherein said electrically conductive layer covers a portion of said outer surface, and wherein said second electrically conductive thread penetrates said inner surface so that it is positioned to contact the hand. 
     
     
         19 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said base comprises leather, neoprene, aramid, or a blend of cotton and polyester. 
     
     
         20 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises polyurethane or a blend of aramid, rayon, and stainless steel. 
     
     
         21 . The glove of  claim 14 , wherein said electrically conductive thread comprises aramid, rayon, and stainless steel.