Finger or thumb protection apparatus

Abstract

A finger or thumb protection apparatus provides protection for a user's fingers or thumb when pressing a plate of glass into a glass grinder. Methods of using the same are further provided.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A finger or thumb protection apparatus comprising:
 a body having first and second side walls, a front wall, a top, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is flat;   a cavity within the body having a size and a shape to hold a user's thumb or finger therein; and   a grip surface disposed around a periphery of the bottom surface, the grip surface configured to prevent slipping of the body from an edge of a glass panel or plate when the glass panel or plate is pressed by a user against a glass grinder.   
     
     
         2 . The finger or thumb protection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a first side wall has at least one vent slot disposed therein. 
     
     
         3 . The finger or thumb protection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first side wall has a first vent slot disposed therein and the second side wall has a second vent slot disposed therein. 
     
     
         4 . The finger or thumb protection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the grip surface is a ring disposed around the bottom surface of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The finger or thumb protection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the grip surface is made from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         6 . The finger or thumb protection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the grip surface is removable from the body. 
     
     
         7 . The finger or thumb protection apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bottom surface is configured to slide along a second surface. 
     
     
         8 . A method of using a finger or thumb protection apparatus comprising the steps of:
 providing a body having first and second side walls, a front wall, a top, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is flat; a cavity within the body having a size and a shape to hold a user's thumb or finger therein; and a grip surface disposed around a periphery of the bottom surface, the grip surface configured to prevent slipping of the body from an edge of a glass panel or plate when the glass panel or plate is pressed by a user against a glass grinder;   disposing a finger or thumb within the cavity;   pressing the body against an edge of a glass panel or plate; and   pushing the glass panel or plate against a rotating glass grinder.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a first side wall of the finger or thumb protection apparatus has at least one vent slot disposed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The method or  claim 8  wherein the first side wall of the finger or thumb protection apparatus has a first vent slot disposed therein and the second side wall has a second vent slot disposed therein. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the grip surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is a ring disposed around the bottom surface of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the grip surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is made from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the grip surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is removable from the body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the bottom surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is configured to slide along a second surface. 
     
     
         15 . A system of using a finger or thumb protection apparatus comprising:
 a finger or thumb protection apparatus comprising a body having first and second side walls, a front wall, a top, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is flat; a cavity within the body having a size and a shape to hold a user's thumb or finger therein; and a grip surface disposed around a periphery of the bottom surface, the grip surface configured to prevent slipping of the body from an edge of a glass panel or plate when the glass panel or plate is pressed by a user against a glass grinder;   a surface wherein the bottom surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is slidably disposed on the surface;   a rotating glass grinder extending from the surface; and   a glass panel or plate having an edge wherein the edge of the glass panel or plate is configured to be pushed by the finger or thumb protection apparatus so that the glass panel or plate contacts the glass grinder.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein a first side wall of the finger or thumb protection apparatus has at least one vent slot disposed therein. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the first side wall of the finger or thumb protection apparatus has a first vent slot disposed therein and the second side wall has a second vent slot disposed therein. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the grip surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus comprises a ring disposed around the bottom surface of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the grip surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is made from an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the grip surface of the finger or thumb protection apparatus is removable from the body.