HK1179834A - Container-holder clothing garment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a garment designed to cover part of a user's hand and to support a container such as a bottle, flexible pouch or tube containing a fluid.

When practicing some endurance sports such as road running or road running, the athlete needs to hydrate regularly during the effort. To run long distances autonomously, some runners hold a bottle directly in their hand. This is constraining and not very comfortable because the athlete must continuously squeeze the bottle between his fingers which can generate muscle pain over time. The hand remains tight and does not relax.

To overcome this problem, some manufacturers have designed bottle caps that are attached directly to a rigid bottle and include a handle. For example, Nathan's Quickdraw Elite model. The athlete slides his hand between the bottle and the handle, which then covers the back of his hand. The handle may include an opening for the passage of the thumb to improve the grip of the bottle holder on the hand.This direct contact also promotes heat exchange and therefore heating of the liquid in the bottle. On the other hand, this accessory is designed to support the same bottle throughout the run. When the bottle is empty, it must be refilled again, which can be time-consuming. It is difficult to quickly exchange it for another one, because of the design of the means of attaching the bottle holder to the bottle.

US 4,414,692 and US 6,000,058 describe similar solutions involving a pocket for receiving a container, which is then attached to a glove or mittens by means of self-adhesive fastening means such as Velcro®. These container gates were not designed for sporting practice but to allow holding a container containing a cold or hot liquid. The purpose is to thermal insulate the container from the hand. These gloves are therefore not intended for dynamic running gestures.

The USD 633.215 model describes a glove with a strip sewn in the center of the palm of the hand, the strip surrounding a bottle. This accessory is intended to prevent the baby's hand from releasing a bottle. It is not designed for sports practice and in particular to ensure a good grip of the container against the glove during rapid hand movements.

The design of the container is based on the principle that the container must be held vertically, i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the natural extension of the hand corresponding to the major axis. The fingers can therefore surround the container to hold it. This configuration causes the container to protrude under the hand. This can cause discomfort in the gesture, especially if the protruding part of the container clings to a relief of the environment.

The invention aims to resolve one or more of the above drawbacks.

One purpose of the invention is to provide an improved article of clothing that is more comfortable to wear during sports.

Another purpose is to suggest a better way to hold a container on the garment.

Another goal is to have a garment that fits into different types of containers, including flexible pockets or containers of different sizes.

A complementary objective is a garment that supports a container that is easily interchangeable when the item is worn.

Another purpose is to protect the container.

The invention proposes a garment covering at least one part of a user's hand comprising a first portion partially encircling the hand by connecting at least one part of the palm to at least one part of the back of the hand, the first portion passing through a junction area of the thumb and index finger of the hand and through the hand tip, a second portion connected to the first portion so as to form an opening for the passage of the thumb and at least one means of attachment of a container to the first portion. The means of attachment comprises a fastener connected to a portion so that it is capable of partially encircling the container in order to place a portion of the container against the portion, and the points of attachment of the palm element to the first portion are fixed away from the hand.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood by the following description, in relation to the attached drawings illustrating, in non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be realized, in which: Figure 1 is a 3/4 forward view of a hand equipped with a garment bearing a soft pocket according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a hand equipped with the garment; Figure 3 is a rear view of a hand equipped with the garment, the garment being in an unadjusted configuration on the hand; Figure 4 is the same view as Figure 3.the garment is in a different configuration, adjusted on the hand;Figure 5 is a rear view of a hand equipped with a garment in a second way of making,

Figures 1 to 4 represent a first embodiment of the invention. The garment item is a partial envelope 1 covering part of a user's hand 2. It is designed to hold a container 31 placed in the palm of the hand 21 without a grip. The container is held in the hand without the fingers pressing on the container. In this example, container 31 is a soft pocket, i.e. a gourd with deformable walls.

In the example shown, envelope 1 includes a first portion 11 surrounding a portion of the hand by connecting palm 21 to back 22 of hand 2, portion 11 passing through a junction area 23 of the 25th and index finger 26 of the hand and through the 24th finger of the hand.

The first portion 11 is made up of several constituent parts.

The first part 111 partially covers the palm 21. This is the part that forms the interface between the skin and the container when it is worn against the palm. This part 111 therefore allows the container to be insulated from the skin. For example, it is made of elastic and velvety material to improve the comfort of the user. This material is pleasant to the touch and adapts to the morphology of the hand.

A second part 112 covers the 24th edge of the hand. This part 112 serves to protect the hypothenar eminence of the hand. As an example, a thinly stretchable, alveolated 3D fabric is suitable for this part. This material allows good ventilation while ensuring satisfactory holding.

A third part 113 covers a large part of the back 22 of the hand. This part serves as a fastening area for the means of attaching a container but also as a hook for an adjustment leg 13 to adjust the cover to the morphology of the user's hand. This part must therefore be unstretchable, i.e. unelastic, to ensure good anchoring and include an external face 113a to allow hanging an internal face 131 of the adjustment leg. These two faces are equipped with complementary self-closing means which will be described below.

A fourth part 114 connects the first part 111 to the third part 113. A seam 115 marks the boundary between the first part 111 and the fourth part 114, in the junction area 23 on the palm side. This fourth part 114 is used to fit the envelope to the user's hand morphology. It must be flexible so that it can bend, thus reducing the circumference of the first part 11.

The adjustment leg 13 is assembled at one end of 133 at the 115th stitch and is oriented to extend from the side of the back of the hand.

The adjustment leg 13 has an inner face 131 made of a material to hold the outer face 113a of the third part 113 in place. In this example, the material is a scratched polyester with a structure including textile hooks or equivalent. The inner face 131 of the adjustment leg 13 and the outer face 113a of the third part 113 form the attachment means of the envelope adjustment system. The use of textile loops and hooks, knitted or woven, is pleasant to the touch and environmentally friendly. However, textile loops and hooks do not attach other clothing unlike conventional self-attaching means using unattached Velcro® plastic. These self-attaching means can also be used using plastic.

The adjustment leg 13 may also include an outer face 132 made of a pleasant to the touch material, preferably the material of the outer face 132 is capable of absorbing a liquid so that it can wipe away, with a simple gesture, the sweat from the athlete's face during exercise.

To adjust the wrapper to the shape of the user's hand, the user pulls on the adjustment leg 13 towards the back of the hand 22. When the first portion is sufficiently tight around the hand, the user brings the inner face 131 of the end 134 of the adjustment leg against the third part 113 so that the attachment means 131, 113a can cooperate. This causes the fourth part 114 to shorten and therefore the circumferential reduction of the first portion 11. The wrapper is therefore adjusted to the shape of the athlete's hand.

The envelope 1 includes a second portion 12 connected to the first portion 11 so as to form an opening 14 for the thumb passage 25. A seam 141 delimits this opening 14. Thus, portions 11 and 12 surround the base of the thumb passage 25. The opening 14 for the thumb passage is sized so that the base of the thumb is clear. Advantageously, the opening extends towards the edge so as not to cover the thenaeum.

A stitch 116 borders one edge of the envelope, on the fingers. This stitch 116 borders the first portion 11. Another stitch 126 borders the other edge of the envelope, on the wrist. This stitch 126 borders part of the first portion 11 and part of the second portion 12.

In another embodiment, not shown, the adjustment leg 13 is connected to the second portion 12. In this case, the grip is adjusted around the hand behind the thumb 25 on the wrist side.

It should be noted that the adjustment leg 13 is not required.The envelope may incorporate portions sufficiently elastic to allow the envelope to be adjusted to the morphology of the user's hand.

From a construction point of view, the first and second portions are not necessarily made in separate panels. For example, the first 111, third 113 and fourth 114 parts of the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 form a single panel of soft, flake material. In this case, the third part 113 will be reinforced by covering another more rigid and adhesive fabric, as we have seen before. Alternatively, the third part 113 is a separate panel made entirely in a rigid fabric and can cooperate with the adjustment leg 13.

In another, more minimalist embodiment, the first section 11 consists of an elastic band connecting a back panel corresponding to part 113 at the junction of the thumb and forefinger, and a panel covering the cut, corresponding to part 112.

The invention covers, of course, other forms of embodiment having a similar construction, i.e. an envelope comprising a first portion enclosing the hand between the thumb and the index finger and a second portion connected to the first portion through the base of the thumb, at the handle.

The first envelope comprises a first attachment 15 at the junction 23 of the 25th inch and the 26th index finger of the hand.

In this example, the first fixture 15 comprises an elastic thread 150 with each end 151 and 152 assembled on the seam 113c of third part 113, at the level of the back 22 of the hand, side fingers.

The first means of attachment 15 is designed to encircle the upper part 31a of a container 31 by passing the upper end of the container through the user's extended clamping loop 153 and then releasing the elastic wire at the upper part 31a of the container. To facilitate the grip of the elastic wire 150, a tape 154 is attached to it. The user can then easily grasp the tape 154 and pull it out in such a way as to expand the elastic wire.

When released, the elastic wire 150 tightens by placing the top 31a of the container against the first portion 11.

The two ends 151 and 152 of the elastic wire 150 are preferably spaced between 1.5 and 3 cm apart. This spacing allows for better stability of the vessel 31 by preventing it from rotating around the anchorage of the elastic wire 150 on the edge 113c of the third part 113.

The envelope 1 shall include a second anchorage 16 to enclose the lower part 31b of a container 31 to place part of the container against the first part 11.

In this example, the second anchorage 16 comprises an elastic band 160, which constitutes a anchorage, each end of which 161 and 162 is joined to the third part 113.

The first end 161 is fixed to the edge 113c of the third part 113, at the level of the back 22 of the hand, side wrist. This attachment point is therefore at the level of an attachment zone of the second portion 12 where a tendon of an extensor muscle of the thumb is located. The potential attachment zone extends on either side of the interface, or junction, between the palm and the back of the hand, by three centimeters on each side. Preferably, the effective attachment point is placed as close as possible to this interface in the thumb extension.

The second end 162 is fixed to the edge 113b of the third part 113, at the level of the back 22 of the hand, side fingers. This attachment point is therefore at the level of the hand edge 24. The hand edge 24, constituting the second potential attachment area of the elastic band 160, extends on either side of the interface, or junction, between the palm part and the back of the hand, for three centimeters on each side.

The two anchorages of the fastener 160 on the envelope 1 are thus at a distance from the palm 21 or hollow of the hand.

The band 160 extends along part of the palm and partially covers the thena and hypotena eminences. Consequently, the band 160 extends in a Y direction forming an angle α greater than 45° to the X-axis materialized by the 24th hand-tip, in a plane passing through the palm. This orientation of the fixing device is illustrated in Figure 2.

The elastic band 160, the attachment element, and a back, or back, part of portions 11 and 12 of the envelope 1, i.e. arranged at the back of the hand, form a second clamping loop 163 constituting the second means of attachment 16. Thus, the clamping loop surrounds the hand equipped with the container, which ensures an excellent holding of the container against an inner, or front, part of portions 11 and 12 of the envelope 1, i.e. arranged at the palm of the hand.

The use of this second means of attachment 16 is similar to that of the first means of attachment 15. One end of the container 31 is passed into the user-expanded clamping loop 163, the container is dragged through the clamping loop and the elastic band is released at the bottom of the container 31b.

When released, elastic band 160 is tightened by placing the lower part of the container 31b against the first portion 11.

The elastic band 160 has an inner face 164 facing the palm and an outer face 165. Preferably the inner face 164 has a non-slip coating designed to be in contact with at least part of the container. This coating reduces any relative movement between the container walls and the elastic band. The container is then held even better. The outer face 165 can be used for decorative purposes.

The container is held mainly by the second means of attachment 16.

The combination of the two fixing means 15 and 16 improves the immobilization of the vessel.

For effective immobilization, the two fixing means 15 and 16 must be spaced apart. The distance d between the centre of the two fixing means 15 and 16 is preferably between 4 and 10 cm. This spacing prevents or severely limits the rotation of the container R around an axis perpendicular to the palm of the hand.

In addition, the T translation of the container along its longitudinal axis relative to the envelope 1 is limited by the frictional forces between the fasteners 15 and 16 and the walls of the container 11. Furthermore, the walls of the container 11 are not smooth or uniform. The section of the container is often variable. As a result, the clamping of the fasteners 15, 16 is usually located in hollows of the container which contributes to immobilization in translation.

Finally, the container is held against the palm by two fixing devices 15 and 16. These fixing devices place the container against the first portion 11 of the envelope 1, preventing the hand container from sliding away.

The container holder is designed to be placed in a direction more suitable for running, so the container will be inclined relative to a direction vertical . The fixing means allow the container to be oriented so that its main direction corresponds to a direction Z inclined by an angle β, in an anti-trigonometric direction, relative to the major axis (at rest).Preferably, the β angle is close to 45°, so as to position the top of the vessel at the junction between thumb and forefinger. As a result, the vessel is protected by the hand, wrist and possibly part of the forearm. Moreover, during a race where the movement of the athlete's hand regularly performs a swing, this arrangement is favorable to the balance of the runner.As is the case with the known container doors.

In a variant, as shown in Figure 5, the second means of attachment is replaced by an elastic band 190 with both ends 191, 192 assembled in a single anchorage point on the second section 12, at the base of the thumb, wrist side. This may be on the edge 113c of the third section 113, at the level of the back 22 of the hand, wrist side. This elastic band 190 then surrounds the base of the hand in an area slightly adjacent to the wrist.When the container is worn against the palm of the hand, the container is held by a tightening loop 193 formed by the elastic band 190. In this configuration, it is noted that a portion of the elastic band 190 remains plated against the back of the envelope 1.In both configurations, the same means of attachment 15 and 19 are used.

In this example, the elastic band 190 is the fastening element and means of fastening according to the invention. The fastening points of the elastic band 190 on the wrapper 1 are removed from the palm of the hand and are located in approximately the same location, i.e. at the nearest palm/back of the hand interface, located in the extension of the thumb. The orientation of the elastic band 190 is similar to the first embodiment, it extends along a Y direction forming an angle α, greater than 45° with respect to the X axis materialized by the 24th hand, according to a plane passing through the palm of the hand.

It should be noted that the first embodiment described in Figures 1 to 4 can also be reversible, in that the means of attachment 15 and 16 allow both a holding of the container against the palm 21 of the hand and a holding against the back 22 of the hand. To move from one configuration to another, the elastic band 160 must be passed through the other side of the hand.

Alternatively, a wrapper designed only to hold the container against the back of the hand can be designed. In this case, the first attachment will preferably be assembled on the seam 115. On the other hand, the attachment points of the second attachment can be shifted to the palm 21 of the hand. This is advantageous because it frees the palm from the hand, which allows the use of sticks that can help propulsion during mountain running.

Another possibility is to add fasteners so that two containers can be supported, one on each side of the hand. Figure 6 illustrates one such method of construction. The first and second fasteners 15 and 16 are similar to the first method described. In this illustration, they allow a conventional rigid bottle 32 to be held higher than the previously depicted soft pocket 31. The first fastener 15 ensures that the upper part of the bottle 32a is held. The second fastener 16 allows the first part of the bottle 32b to be held. In this example, the envelope includes the third and fourth fasteners 17 and 18 intended to support another third container 33 placed on the back of the 22nd hand.

This allows adjusting the plating force and holding force of the vessel against the hand. This also allows consideration of non-elastic means of fastening, the fastening being then achieved by this means of adjustment. Figure 6 shows an example of the realization of this means of adjustment. The third means of fastening 17 incorporates a blocker 171 providing this adjustment function. The length of the elastic thread forming the fastening loop 170 173 can therefore be adjusted.

The envelope may incorporate pockets or nets. They may be placed in the third part 113 of the first portion 11 or on the adjustment leg 13. They may be closed by a zipper or by a rubber band. They may be used to house a key, note or tube filled with an energy gel. Figure 5 shows an envelope with a pocket 135 housed inside the adjustment leg 13 and closed by a zipper 136.

In this example, it is a long flexible pocket. Envelope 1 includes the same first and second fixing means 15 and 16 as in the first embodiment. However, envelope 1 includes a third fixing means 19' similar to the second fixing means 19 of the second embodiment. This third fixing means 19' features a 190' elastic band with both ends fixed at the same point of attachment on the second portion 12 of the envelope. The 190' elastic band surrounds the base of the hand in an area slightly up the wrist. This third complementary fixing means 34b thus allows the holder to be fixed in a more stable position by means of the first receiver. 34b This allows the plate to be fixed in a more stable position by means of the second part of the vessel. 34b Thus, the third part of the plate is fixed by means of the first part of the receiver. 34b Thus, the third part of the plate is fixed in a more stable position by means of the second part of the vessel. 34b Thus, the third part of the plate is fixed by means of the first part of the receiver. 34b.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment where the holding of a container 35 is provided by a single means of attachment 50. In this example, envelope 1 comprises first -11 and second portions -12. On this front part of the envelope, palm side, a panel 500 partially covers the first part 111 of the first portion 11 and partially the second portion 12, palm side.

A first end 501 of panel 500 is fixed to the first portion 11, at a level of a grip area of hand-cut 24; hand-cut 24 constituting this first potential grip area of panel 500 extends on either side of the interface, or junction, between the palm and the back of the hand, three centimeters on each side; in this example, the grip of this end 501 extends substantially over the entire width of the first portion 11. Alternatively, the grip may cover only part of the width of the first portion 11.

A second 502 end of the 500 panel is attached to a grip area of the second portion 12 where a tendon of a thumb extensor muscle is located. This second potential grip area extends on either side of the interface, or junction, between the palm and back of the hand, by three centimeters on each side. Preferably, the actual grip point is placed closest to this interface in the thumb extension. In this example, the grip of this 502 end extends substantially over the entire width of the second portion 12. Alternatively, the grip may be as wide as a portion of the second portion 12 extension.

Thus, the two attachment points of the 50 anchorage on the 1 envelope are thus far from the 21 palm or hollow of the hand.

This construction therefore forms an open pocket into which the container 31 to be worn is inserted. The container 35 is thus plated against an inner or anterior part of portions 11 and 12 of the envelope 1, i.e. arranged at the palm of the hand. This holding is achieved by a clamping loop 503 formed by, on the one hand, the panel 500 and, on the other hand, by a back or posterior part of portions 11 and 12 of the envelope 1, i.e. arranged at the back of the hand.

The panel 500 is made of elastic material so that it is deformed for the passage of the container and exerts a pressure force sufficient to hold the container against section 11 of the envelope 1.

The orientation of the panel 500 is similar to the previous embodiments, in that it extends in a Y direction forming an angle α greater than 45° to the X-axis as shown by the hand blade 24 in a plane passing through the palm of the hand.

As before, once the fixing medium 50 is in place, it is possible to orient the vessel 35 so that its main axis corresponds to a direction Z inclined by an angle β, in an anti-trigonometric direction, with respect to the major axis (at rest).

These different methods of construction allow the holding of containers of different sizes. The means of fixation being simple and practical, it is then very easy to exchange an empty container for another full container, the latter may have other dimensions than the empty container. The means of fixation also ensure a constant plating of the container against the hand which brings stability of carrying. The container does not move or only very little. These means of fixation are also suitable for different structures of containers, whether they are flexible or rigid.

The invention is not limited to the methods described and applies to all possible combinations of the above examples. Similarly, the structure and constituent materials of the parts of the envelope may be different. The envelope may more or less cover the hand and part of the fingers, forming a mitina, or cover them completely, forming a glove. In all cases, the envelope provides additional protection of the hand, especially in the absence of a container.

The envelope is designed to be versatile in the sense that it is suitable for both the right and left hand. This may be, for example, by placing the attachment points of the second attachment device near the interface/junction between the inner/palm and outer/back portions of portions 11, 12 of the envelope. Thus, simply placing the attachment device on the right side to configure the attachment device: right hand/left hand. Another possibility is to design an envelope that is symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the palm of the hand and/or perpendicular to a plane perpendicular to the palm of the hand and perpendicular to the major/or the palm axis and perpendicular to the hand and perpendicular to a plane perpendicular to the palm of the hand and perpendicular to a vertical axis.

In one variant, the anchorages of the second means of attachment are located on the back of the hand on Part 113 of Section 11 of the envelope 1.

Claims (15)

1. Garment (1) intended to cover at least part of a user's hand (2) including: - What?

   - a first portion (11) partially encircling the hand by connecting at least part of the palm (21) to at least part of the back (22) of the hand (2), the first portion (11) passing through a junction zone (23) of the thumb (25) and index finger (26) of the hand and the cutting edge (24) of the hand,

   - a second portion (12) connected to the first portion (11) so as to form an opening (14) for the passage of the thumb,

   - at least one means of attachment (16, 18, 19, 19', 50) of a container (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) to the first serving (11)

   characterized by the means of attachment (16, 18, 19, 19', 50) comprises a fastener (160, 190, 190', 500) connected to a portion (11, 12) in such a way that it is capable of partially surrounding the container (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) in order to place a part (31b, 32b, 34b) of the container against the first portion (11), and that the points of attachment of the fastener (160, 190, 190', 500) on the portion (11, 12) are away from the palm of the hand.
2. Garment (1) according to claim 1 characterised by the attachment points of the fastener (160, 190, 190', 500) being located close to the palm/back of the hand interface.
3. Garment (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by a point of attachment of the fastener (160, 190, 190', 500) at a zone of the second portion (12) where a tendon of a thumb extender is located.
4. Garment (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by a point of attachment of the fastener (160, 190, 190', 500) at the level of the hand edge (24).
5. Garment (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the fact that the anchorage points of the fastener (190, 190') are located approximately in the same position, the fastener surrounding the base of the hand.
6. Apparel (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the means of attachment (16, 18, 19, 19', 50) forming a tight loop (163, 193, 503) around the hand fitted with the container.
7. Garment (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the fact that the fastening element (160, 190, 190', 500) extends in a Y direction forming an angle α greater than 45° to the X-axis as shown by the cut (24) of the hand, in a plane passing through the palm of the hand.
8. Apparel (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the fastener (160, 190, 190', 500) comprising a non-slip area (164) intended to be in contact with a part (31b) of the container (31).
9. Apparel (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the elasticity of the fastening element (160, 190, 190', 500).
10. Apparel (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the inclusion of another means of attachment (15, 17) at the level of the junction area (23).
11. Clothing item (1) according to claim 10 characterised by the other means of attachment (15, 17) forming, with part of the junction area (113c), a tightening loop (153, 173) intended to enclose part (31a, 32a, 34a) of the container (31, 32, 33, 34).
12. Garment (1) according to one of the previous claims 10 to 11 characterised by the fact that the length of at least one of the attachment devices (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 50) surrounding a part (31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 34a, 34b, 34c) of the container (31, 32, 33, 34, 35) is adjustable.
13. Apparel (1) according to one of the previous claims 8 to 10 characterised by the inclusion of a third additional means of attachment (19') to strengthen the grip of one end (34c) of the container (34) in relation to the hand.
14. Clothing item (1) according to one of the above claims characterized by the inclusion of other means of attachment (17, 18) to secure two containers (32, 33), one on each side of the hand.
15. Garment (1) according to one of the above claims characterised by the fact that it forms a partial hand wrap, glove or mitt.