Glove with integrated light

• US 6,892,397 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2003
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mechanix Wear LLC
• Original Assignee: Anza Sport Group Inc.
• Inventors: Olmstead, Mark Allen, Raz, Kurt Allen, Fitzgerald, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Moran, Katherine M
• Application Number:
  US10/336,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 216/0, 216/11, 21612-1614, 216/16, 216/3, 362/570, 362/572, 362/103
• US Class Current: 2/160
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0157 with luminous or reflective means protective garments with reflective or luminous safety means A41D13/01

Abstract

A glove with an integrated illumination device is disclosed, comprising a glove having a palm portion, a back portion, and a knuckle portion, and an electrical circuit that illuminates an illumination device when activated. The glove further comprises a first housing adjacent to the knuckle portion of the glove configured to contain the illuminating device. A second housing adjacent to the back portion of the glove is included and comprises a power source to power the electrical circuit, and a switch that, when activated, activates the electrical circuit, thereby supplying power to the illuminating device. Electrical conductors are included to interconnect the first and second housings.

Claims

1. An apparatus for illuminating a work area, comprising:

a glove to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand, said glove comprising an interior surface adjacent to the hand and an exterior surface having a knuckle portion;

a first housing mounted on and integral to the exterior surface of said glove generally adjacent to said knuckle portion at the base of said index finger and not extending into the space between the thumb and index finger, said first housing having a rounded exterior surface;

a light emitting diode (LED) housed within said first housing with said LED arranged in said housing to emit a beam of light substantially parallel to the gloves exterior surface to illuminate an area beyond the end of the user'"'"'s extended fingers, said first housing mounted in a location on the glove such that the light from said LED does not substantially move from the illuminated area when the user'"'"'s fingers or thumb move, said LED disposed within said first housing to protect it from damage;

a second housing mounted to said glove and comprising a power source and a power switch; and

electrical conductors between said first and second housings for transmitting power to said LED from said power source when said power switch is activated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second housings are small enough so that they will not substantially interfere with work being conducted by a user in a confined area.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first housing can be manipulated to change the direction of illumination for said illumination device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said glove further comprises a palm and back portions, wherein said back portion comprises a durable and flexible material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said knuckle and back portions comprise a durable and flexible material.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each said knuckle portion extends partially down the user'"'"'s respective thumb and finger, at least one of said finger or thumb knuckle portions having a pull-tab that aids the user in removing said glove from the user'"'"'s hand.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first housing is made of molded plastic.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first housing is made of rubber compound.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first housing includes a cutout configured to house and protect said LED.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the surface of said cutout is covered with a reflective material to reflect light from said LED toward said illumination area.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second housing is located on said back portion of said glove between the user'"'"'s knuckles and wrist.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second housing is made of molded plastic.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner surface comprises an inner lining and said exterior surface comprises an exterior layer, said electrical conductors between said lining and exterior layer such that said conductors do not contact the user'"'"'s hand or fingers and said conductors are protected from damage.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery.

15. An apparatus with an integrated light, comprising:

a glove having a palm portion, a back portion, and a knuckle portion;

an electrical circuit integral with said glove and comprising a power source, an illumination device and electrical conductors between said power source and illumination device, said illumination device generating light when energized by said power source;

a first housing adjacent to said knuckle portion of said glove on the back portion of said glove and configured to house said illuminating device said illumination device arranged to project a beam of light substantially parallel to the back portion of said glove to illuminate an area beyond the end of the user'"'"'s extended fingers, the illumination from said illumination device remaining substantially on said illuminated area when the user'"'"'s fingers and thumb move, said first housing not extending into the space between the fingers or index finger and thumb; and

a second housing adjacent to said back portion of said glove configured to hold said power source and a switch such that the power from said power source is conducted to said illumination device over said electrical conductors when said switch is activated.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the illuminating device is a device from the group consisting of a light emitting diode (LED), laser, solid state laser, fluorescent light and incandescent bulb.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said first and second housings are small enough so that they will not substantially interfere with work being conducted by a user in a confined area.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said illumination device comprises a light emitting diode (LED).