Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand and finger attachments
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-09
2002-06-11
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand and finger attachments
C002S021000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06402211
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thumb protectors and more particularly pertains to a new thumb protector for protecting the thumb of a user from calluses and inflamed skin from repetitive use of computer game controllers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of thumb protectors is known in the prior art. More specifically, thumb protectors heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 942,003; 2,129,496; 1,755,014; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 112,752; U.S. Patent Nos.5,921,488; and 2,379,624.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new thumb protector. The inventive device includes a sleeve that is adapted to cover a distal end of the digit of the user. The sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion; the upper portion is adapted to cover a top of the distal end of the digit and the lower portion is adapted to cover a digital pulp of the digit of the user. A plurality of ridges outwardly extend from the lower portion of the sleeve such that the plurality of ridges are adapted for increasing traction between the sleeve and the game controller when the sleeve is covering the distal end of the digit.
In these respects, the thumb protector according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of protecting the thumb of a user from calluses and inflamed skin from repetitive use of computer game controllers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of thumb protectors now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new thumb protector construction wherein the same can be utilized for protecting the thumb of a user from calluses and inflamed skin from repetitive use of computer game controllers.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new thumb protector apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the thumb protectors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new thumb protector which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art thumb protectors, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a sleeve that is adapted to cover a distal end of the digit of the user. The sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion; the upper portion is adapted to cover a top of the distal end of the digit and the lower portion is adapted to cover a digital pulp of the digit of the user. A plurality of ridges outwardly extend from the lower portion of the sleeve such that the plurality of ridges are adapted for increasing traction between the sleeve and the game controller when the sleeve is covering the distal end of the digit.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new thumb protector apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the thumb protectors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new thumb protector which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art thumb protectors, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new thumb protector, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new thumb protector which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new thumb protector which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such thumb protector economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new thumb protector which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new thumb protector for protecting the thumb of a user from calluses and inflamed skin from repetitive use of computer game controllers.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new thumb protector which includes a sleeve that is adapted to cover a distal end of the digit of the user. The sleeve has an upper portion and a lower portion; the upper portion is adapted to cover a top of the distal end of the digit and the lower portion is adapted to cover a digital pulp of the digit of the user. A plurality of ridges outwardly extend from the lower portion of the sleeve such that the plurality of ridges are adapted for increasing traction between the sleeve and the game controller when the sleeve is covering the distal end of the digit.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new thumb protector that would provide a user with support and protection from rapid button tapping on a game controller. The present invention would also prevent cramps, sore muscles and blisters on the thumb, which they use to top the controller button.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new thumb protector that would provide a user with a snug fit that would act as a brace for the thumb, enabling the thumb to continue playing effortlessly for longer periods of time. The unique colors and designs for the present invention would appeal to children, who would choose one that appeals to them.
These together with other objects of the inve
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