Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand and finger attachments
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-01
2001-06-12
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand and finger attachments
C441S082000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244639
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a lifesaving device that can be worn on the hand and wrist of the wearer and more particularly to an ice gripping device having one or more tines which will assist the wearer when engaged in outdoor activities on the ice in extracting the wearer from a hole in the ice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Persons who are engaged in winter activities on frozen ponds, streams, lakes or rivers are concerned with breaking through thin ice and plunging into the freezing water. This is particularly true for those engaged in ice fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, ice skating and other such outdoor winter activities. It will be appreciated that the result of falling through the ice may result in death due to drowning or hypothermia. It is nearly impossible for an unaided individual to escape from the water because of slippery ice surrounding the hole, swift water currents beneath the ice, the cold temperature of the water or because a person is weighted down due to water-soaked clothing.
The prior art discloses several attempts to assist a person who may have fallen into icy water. U.S. Pat. No. 816,681 relates to a lifesaving apparatus which has a wrist band provided with several spikes for gripping the ice. Such a device is uncomfortable to wear and does not appear to be very effective for gripping the ice when a skater or other outdoor user attempts to extricate him or herself from the water.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,274,481 relates to an ice mitten which has a spiked hinge plate strapped to the wearer's wrist. Such a device is intended for use in handling pieces of ice. It would not be used by the wearer or user to pull himself or herself out of the hole in the ice. The spikes provided are not intended to bear the entire weight of the wearer. Also, the spikes are constantly exposed thereby making the ice mitten potentially hazardous and uncomfortable if it is worn at all times while the user is on the ice.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,583,754 relates to a sack grip having a palm piece with a number of pin points projecting therefrom for projecting into heavy sacks, as an example, those containing cement, grain, etc. The disclosed sack grip is not intended to be used as a ice gripping device.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,526 discloses a spike tool which consists of a partial glove having a spike protruding therefor. Such a spike tool appears to be uncomfortable to the wearer particularly when handling large objects or performing detailed jobs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,752 relates to a safety device and in particular, to an ice gripping device having retractable prongs. The device is worn on the hand and arm of the wearer to assist the person who has fallen through a hole in the ice.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a lifesaving device for use by a person who has fallen through a hole in the ice and that can be worn comfortably, has sufficient strength and penetration ability to assist the wearer in extracting himself or herself from the hole when required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a lifesaving device that can be safely and comfortably worn on each hand and wrist of a person who is engaging in winter activities on frozen streams, ponds, lakes or rivers.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a lifesaving device adapted to be worn by a person on the hand and wrist, with the device comprising an annular elastic hand strap designed to fit the hand of the wearer, with the hand strap having inner and outer surfaces.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a lifesaving device of the aforementioned type wherein a non-elastic wrist strap is provided having a pair of end portions, with one end portion folded over itself for retaining a buckle there between.
A further feature of the present invention is to provide a lifesaving device of the aforementioned type wherein a non-elastic connecting member is provided with a pair of ends, having one end in surface-to-surface contact with the wrist strap between the ends thereof.
A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a lifesaving device of the aforementioned type wherein a generally flat metal plate is provided having one or more tines extending therefrom for gripping the ice, with the plate being arranged in surface-to-surface contact with the outer surface of the hand strap.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide a lifesaving device of the aforementioned type wherein the other end of the non-elastic connecting member overlies the hand strap and the metal plate and all are connected together by fastening means such as rivets.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide a lifesaving device which is simple in construction, easy to assembly, economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 633220 (1899-09-01), Sholl
patent: 758196 (1904-04-01), Thomas
patent: 767918 (1904-08-01), Thomas
patent: 810098 (1906-01-01), Walter
patent: 816681 (1906-04-01), Piller
patent: 966641 (1910-08-01), Atkison
patent: 1274481 (1918-08-01), West
patent: 1583754 (1926-05-01), Rogers
patent: 3981526 (1976-09-01), Lundqvist
patent: 4157616 (1979-06-01), Lundqvist
patent: 5924752 (1999-07-01), Moody
Cherry Johnny D.
Dykema Gossett PLLC
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