Protecting and grip-enhancing device

Abstract

A protecting and grip-enhancing device includes an inner body formed of a first material and having opposite outer sides, a thermally insulating outer body formed of a second material and secured to at least one outer side of the inner body and continuously covering a substantial portion thereof, and hinge structure joining two adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the adjacent regions relative to each other along the hinge structure. Plural hinge structures may be provided, each including a reduced thickness of outer body material and stitching extending through the reduced thickness and an underlying portion of the inner body. The outer body may include relatively thick and relatively thin regions and the thick region may include alternating raised ribs and open-ended channels. The device may be in the form of a mitt or a potholder.

1 . A protecting and grip-enhancing device comprising: 
 an inner body formed of a first material and having opposite outer sides,    a thermally insulating outer body formed of a second material secured to at least one outer side of the inner body and continuously covering a substantial portion thereof, and    hinge structure joining two adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the adjacent regions relative to each other along the hinge structure.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure includes a reduced-thickness portion of the outer body.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge structure includes stitching extending through the reduced-thickness portion of the outer body and an underlying portion of the inner body.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure includes stitching extending through the outer body and an underlying portion of the inner body.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge structure is a first hinge structure joining two first adjacent regions, the device further comprising at least one additional hinge structure joining two additional adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the additional adjacent regions relative to each other along the additional hinge structure.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body is secured to both outer sides of the inner body and continuously covers a substantial portion of each such outer side.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner body defines a hand-receiving pocket.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the inner body forms a mitt wherein the pocket includes a thumb-receiving portion and a finger-receiving portion.  
   
   
       9 . A protecting and grip-enhancing device comprising: 
 an inner body formed of a first material and having opposite outer sides, and    a thermally insulating outer body formed of a second material secured to at least one outer side of the inner body and continuously covering a substantial portion thereof,    the outer body including a first region having a first thickness and a second region peripheral to the first region and having a second thickness less than the first thickness.    
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the outer body is secured to both of the outer sides of the inner body and continuously covers a substantial portion of each such outer side.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the inner body defines a hand-receiving pocket.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the inner body forms a mitt wherein the pocket includes a thumb-receiving portion and a finger-receiving portion.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first region encompasses adjacent areas of the thumb-receiving and finger-receiving portions of the pocket.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 9 , and further comprising first hinge structure joining two first adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the first adjacent regions relative to each other along the first hinge structure.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first region includes a plurality of alternating raised ribs and open-ended channels.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , and further comprising at least one additional hinge structure joining two additional adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the additional adjacent regions relative to each other along the additional hinge structure.  
   
   
       17 . A protecting and grip-enhancing device comprising: 
 an inner body formed of a first material and having opposite outer sides, and    a thermally insulating outer body formed of a second material secured to at least one outer side of the inner body and continuously covering a substantial portion thereof,    the outer body including a plurality of alternating raised ribs and open-ended channels.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , and further comprising hinge structure joining two adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the adjacent regions relative to each other along the hinge structure.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the hinge structure extends along a substantially straight line, the ribs and channels including ribs and channels extending substantially parallel to the straight line.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 17 , and further comprising at least one additional hinge structure joining additional adjacent regions of the device to facilitate folding of the additional adjacent regions relative to each other along the additional hinge structure.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein each of the hinge structures extends along a substantially straight line, each of the ribs and channels extending substantially parallel to an adjacent hinge structure.