Apparel – Guard or protector – Hand or arm
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-06-12
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
Hand or arm
C294S025000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243868
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fingertip protectors and, more particularly, to fingertip protectors that may be removably and adhesively affixed about a wearer's finger; I prefer to name these “Clean Tips” fingertip protectors.
2. Description of Related Art
Protective devices that are affixed to a user's fingertips are taught in the related art. One such invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,379,624 which issued to J. B. Chisnell on Jul. 3, 1945. This invention teaches an elastomeric finger guard for receiving on a finger, but does not teach an adhesive material for affixing the guard on the finger.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,389,831 which issued to S. J. Welsh on Nov. 27, 1945, discloses a prophylactic sheath or envelope with a band of adhesive coating arranged about the open end thereof. The invention additionally has a strip of gauze releasably affixed to the band of adhesive coating. The sheath or envelope is described as being elastic. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,474,535 which issued to S. J. Krannak on Jun. 28, 1949, discloses a protective cot for attachment over a nose or finger. A strip of adhesive encircles the open end thereof for attachment to the desired body part.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,033 which issued to Ames et al. on Jan. 11, 1966, discloses a one-piece guard for use on a user's two fingers for preventing puncturing of a baby's skin when the user is pinning diapers on a baby.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,682 which issued to B. Rosenfield on Aug. 2, 1966, discloses a rolled finger bandage having a proximal and a distal end and intermediate twist, wherein the distal end may be retroverted over the proximal end to create a double-ply bandage.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,348,541 which issued to G. J. Loebeck on Oct. 29, 1965, discloses a finger bandage having a sterile lining and an adhesive flap for securing to the finger.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,302 which issued to Davis et al. on Jan. 10, 1989, discloses a finger and thumb protector for use when hammering nails. The invention comprises a pair of longitudinal sheaths pivotally connected, each sheath having a depression for holding a nail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,692 which issued to J. Wunderlich-Kehm on May 21, 1996, discloses flexible devices that protect a manicurist's thumb and finger from chafing and irritation from repeated contact with a nail file. Each device attaches about a finger with hook-and-loop-type fastening fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,272 which issued to O. C. Fisher on May 30, 1996 disclose finger sleeves of varying length that extend beyond a user's finger in order to facilitate one-handed basketball dunks.
Lastly, British Patent No. 22,069, published Jan. 11, 1906, discloses a rubber finger sheath having thin walls near the finger-joint portion thereof.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fingertip protector to protect the fingertips of a wearer engaged in dirty or abrasive environments. When working in gardens or on automobile engines, dirt or grease tends to become trapped under the fingernails or cuticles of the wearer. When using the fingertip protectors of the present invention, dirt and grease are prevented from soiling the wearer's fingers.
The fingertip protector comprises a sleeve adapted to fit over a finger of a wearer, and a strip. The sleeve has an opening for the insertion of a finger, and one end of the strip is attached to a portion of the circumference of the opening. An adhesive backing on the inner surface of the strip is present to secure the protector to the finger and the remainder of the circumference of the opening of the sleeve, and a release liner is releasably affixed to the adhesive backing, which is designed for removal before use. Once used, the protectors may be discarded.
In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve has a strip of hook and loop fastening material extending about three-quarters of the circumference of the opening of the sleeve with the fastening material facing outward, and a second strip of hook and loop fastening material attached to the sleeve between the ends of the first strip. The second strip of hook and loop fastening material has the fastening material facing inward, and is elongated so that it may be wrapped snugly around the outside of the sleeve in order to take up any slack between the sleeve and the finger, being fastened to the first strip of hook and loop material.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a fingertip protector that prevents a wearer's finger from buildup of dirt and debris under the wearer's fingernails
It is another object of the invention to a fingertip protector that protects a wearer's fingertip from damage due to the handling of sharp or abrasive material.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a fingertip protector that may be securely fastened to a wearer's fingertip.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a fingertip protector which is reusable by providing the protector with hook and loop fastening material.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, safe, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 334085 (1993-03-01), Niemann
patent: 2379624 (1945-07-01), Chisnell
patent: 2389831 (1945-11-01), Welsh
patent: 2474535 (1949-06-01), Krannak
patent: 2847005 (1958-08-01), Bourne
patent: 3228033 (1966-01-01), Ames et al.
patent: 3263682 (1966-08-01), Rosenfield
patent: 3348541 (1967-10-01), Loebeck
patent: 4796302 (1989-01-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5267945 (1993-12-01), Doctor et al.
patent: 5517692 (1996-05-01), Wunderlich-Kehm
patent: 5577272 (1996-11-01), Fisher
patent: 6012165 (2000-01-01), Cain
patent: 22069 (1906-01-01), None
Calvert John J.
Cochenour Craig G.
Kikel Suzanne
Moran Kate
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