Protective hand shield

Abstract

The present invention comprises a flexible shield for use with hand tools designed to cover and protect the back of the user's hand, fingers and knuckles. An open-ended design allows freedom and maneuverability for the user's fingers to manipulate the tool and operate its controls. One or more straps or fasteners may be used to secure the hand shield during its use without inhibiting finger movement. The shield may be formed to cover the vent of an air-powered hand tool in order to redirect exhaust air through the interior of the shield and away from the work material, thereby suppressing the generation and entrainment of harmful particulates and their suspension in the air of the workplace where they may be inhaled.

1 . A protective shield for use with a hand tool, comprising: 
 (a) a flexible shield having a forward closed side and a rear open side, the forward closed side being formed to wrap around the back of the user's hand, while leaving the fingers free to grasp and operate the tool; and    (b) a working opening in the forward closed side of the shield, through which opening the working end of the tool can protrude and engage the work material.    
   
   
       2 . The protective shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shield is fabricated from a material which is an electrical insulator, thereby protecting the user's hand with respect to contact with electrical wiring, circuits or connections associated with the work material.  
   
   
       3 . The protective shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible shield is fabricated from an extruded plastic material.  
   
   
       4 . The protective shield according to any one of claims  1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the forward closed side is formed to cover the area of an air-powered hand tool from which exhaust air is vented, such that the exhaust air is diverted downward and backward and escapes through the rear open side of the shield, thereby reducing the risks associated with the exhaust air entraining dust and/or particles from the surface of the work material and causing such airborne dust and/or particles to become suspended in the air of the workplace where they may be inhaled.  
   
   
       5 . The protective shield according to any one of claims  1 ,  2  or  3 , further comprising one or more straps or fasteners extending across the rear open side of the shield and around the user's hand, thereby securing the shield to the hand in the optimal protective position.  
   
   
       6 . The protective shield according to  claim 4 , further comprising one or more straps or fasteners extending across the rear open side of the shield and around the user's hand, thereby securing the shield to the hand in the optimal protective position.