Glove retention and thermal protection device

Abstract

An article of clothing that provides a means for keeping a glove or mitten on the hand (retention) while providing a barrier for the prevention of snow, moisture, or cold from contacting the hand, wrist or forearm area (thermal protection). More specifically, the device is an article of clothing comprising: an elongated tube of flexible and elastic material with a distal portion terminating in two discreet distal end openings and a proximal portion ending in one discreet proximal end opening; a first discreet distal end opening that is sized for four gloved fingers; a second discreet distal end opening that is sized for a gloved thumb; a means for expanding and contracting said proximal end opening; the contracting of said proximal end opening causing said elongated tube to compress on a user's wrist and forearm area.

1 . An article of clothing for retaining a glove on a user's hand comprising:
 An elongated tube of flexible and elastic material with a distal portion terminating in two discreet distal end openings and a proximal portion ending in one discreet proximal end opening;   a first discreet distal end opening that is sized for four gloved fingers;   a second discreet distal end opening that is sized for a gloved thumb;   a means for expanding and contracting said proximal end opening;   the contracting of said proximal end opening causing said elongated tube to compress on a user's wrist and forearm area.   
   
   
       2 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the expanding and contracting of said proximal end is accomplished by placing a slit in said tube that runs from the proximal end opening toward the distal portion of said elongated tube and providing a means for opening and closing said slit. 
   
   
       3 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tube's interior exposes an elastomer type material. 
   
   
       4 . The glove retaining device of  claim 3  wherein the elastomer is textured. 
   
   
       5 . The glove retaining device of  claim 2  wherein said opening and closing of the slit is done by means of a zipper. 
   
   
       6 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein said expansion of the proximal end opening is large enough to allow a user's gloved hand to pass through the proximal end opening to the two discreet distal end openings. 
   
   
       7 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein said elongated tube is sized such that when the proximal end is contracted, the user's glove is firmly attached to the user's hand. 
   
   
       8 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the said flexible and elastic material provides a measure of thermal insulation to the user's wrist and forearm area. 
   
   
       9 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein the said flexible and elastic material is water resistant. 
   
   
       10 . The glove retaining device of  claim 1  wherein said second discreet distal end opening is spaced a short distance from the first discreet distal end opening wherein the first distal end opening for the gloved fingers will form a seam around the proximal end of the palm of the user's gloved hand. 
   
   
       11 . A means for retaining a glove on a user's hand comprised of an elongated tube made from a flexible and elastic material with a distal portion and a proximal portion said distal portion ending in a first discreet distal end opening and a second discreet distal end opening and the proximal portion ending in a proximal end opening; said first discreet distal end opening being sized for four gloved fingers and said second discreet distal end opening being sized for a gloved thumb, a means for expanding and contracting said proximal end opening, and the contracting of said proximal end opening causing said elongated tube to compress on a user's wrist and forearm area. 
   
   
       12 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein the expanding and contracting of said proximal end is accomplished by placing a slit in said tube that runs from the proximal end opening toward the distal portion of said elongated tube and providing a means for opening and closing said slit. 
   
   
       13 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein the elongated tube's interior exposes an elastomer type material. 
   
   
       14 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 13 , wherein said elastomer is textured. 
   
   
       15 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 12 , wherein said opening and closing of the slit is done by means of a zipper. 
   
   
       16 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein said expansion of the proximal end opening is large enough to allow a user's gloved hand to pass through the proximal end opening to the two discreet distal end openings. 
   
   
       17 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein said elongated tube is sized such that when the proximal end is contracted, the user's glove is firmly attached to the user's hand. 
   
   
       18 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein said flexible and elastic material provides a measure of thermal insulation to the user's wrist and forearm area. 
   
   
       19 . The means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein said flexible and elastic material is water resistant. 
   
   
       20 . Said means for retaining a glove on a user's hand according to  claim 11 , wherein said second discreet distal end opening is spaced a short distance from the first discreet distal end opening wherein the first distal end opening for the gloved fingers will form a seam around the proximal end of the palm of the user's gloved hand. 
   
   
       21 . A method for retaining a glove on a hand comprising; placing a user's gloved hand through a proximal end opening of an elongated tube made from a flexible and elastic material, said proximal end being expanded by a slit that runs from said proximal end opening toward the distal portion of said tube; said user having a means for opening and closing said slit; said tube having a distal portion and two discreet distal end openings; said first discreet distal end opening sized for four gloved fingers and said second discreet distal opening sized for a gloved thumb; said user placing four gloved fingers through the first discreet distal end opening and gloved thumb through said second discreet distal end opening; and said user closing said slit causing said elongated tube to compress onto the wrist and forearm area of said user.