Puncture Resistant Animal Handling Glove

Abstract

A puncture resistant animal handling glove includes a gauntlet and a dorsal hand portion made of a puncture resistant material; a palm portion and a thumb portion made of a flexible gripping material; and a plurality of finger portions made of the puncture resistant material and the flexible gripping material. The gauntlet, dorsal hand portion, palm portion, thumb portion, and the plurality of finger portions are secured together to form a unitary construction. Selected areas of the palm portion, the thumb portion and the plurality of finger portions made of the flexible gripping material are further made of a reinforcement material disposed on an inside of the flexible gripping material. The puncture resistant material provides a high degree of protection against animal bites and scratches and the flexible gripping material provides flexibility and dexterity while gripping an animal.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 734,043, filed on Jan. 4, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 583,907, filed on Jan. 6, 2012, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a protective glove for handling animals in a variety of settings and, more particularly, to a puncture resistant glove that incorporates flexible gripping material on the inside of the hand to facilitate control of the animal.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Animal bites and scratches are a daily risk for veterinarians and their staff as well as anyone otherwise involved in animal handling. Animal bites and scratches transmit disease and carry increased risk of infection. Bites and scratches to fingers, thumbs, hands, and the lower arms account for appro...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to a preferred, non-limiting, embodiment, the present invention provides for a puncture resistant animal handling glove that is flexible in certain locations in order to restrain an animal properly, but also provides protection against animal bites and scratches. The glove includes a “grip” surface and material on the palm of the hand. The outside surface of the glove is made from a material that is puncture and cut resistant, as is used in typical protective gloves of this type. The glove may or may not be washable but the material on the palm of the glove is wipable such that the glove may be cleaned. The glove extends not only to protect the hand but also the lower arm and may come in generic sizes.

[0009]According to an embodiment of the present invention, a puncture resistant animal handling glove is provided. The glove includes a gauntlet made of a puncture resistant material; a dorsal hand portion made of the puncture resistant material; a palm portion made of a flexible gripping material different from the puncture resistant material; a thumb portion made of the flexible gripping material; and a plurality of finger portions made of the puncture resistant material and the flexible gripping material. The gauntlet, dorsal hand portion, palm portion, the thumb portion, and the plurality of finger portions are secured together to form a unitary construction. At least one area of the palm portion, the thumb portion, and the plurality of finger portions made of the flexible gripping material is further made of a reinforcement material disposed on an inside of the flexible gripping material. The puncture resistant material provides a high degree of protection against animal bites and scratches and the flexible gripping material provides flexibility and dexterity while gripping an animal. The gauntlet may extend from the dorsal portion and the palm portion to a location directly below an individual's elbow.

Problems solved by technology

Animal bites and scratches are a daily risk for veterinarians and their staff as well as anyone otherwise involved in animal handling.

Animal bites and scratches transmit disease and carry increased risk of infection.

As a result, the gloves are heavy and bulky and highly inflexible, which makes it easy for a struggling animal to get free of a handler wearing such a glove, because the wearer is unable to grip the animal.

As such, many workers are reluctant to wear the gloves that are available because they are ineffective, thus increasing the risk of injury.

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