Protective Apparel for Use While Gardening

Abstract

A protective member is disclosed which is intended for wearing on the forearm of a wearer when gardening The protective member includes a sleeve of generally tubular construction that is of an extended length. The sleeve is formed of a fabric that is flexible, resilient, and somewhat stretchable. The sleeve includes open distal and proximal ends and is adapted to fit snugly over the forearm of the wearer. The fabric retains a memory of the shape of the wearer's forearm so that after repeated uses by the wearer, the sleeve tends to be form fitting while wearing. The sleeve is dimensioned to extend approximately from the wrist to at least the elbow of the wearer. The distal end defines a single opening allowing the wearer's hand to fully protrude therethrough. The distal and proximal ends of the tubular sleeve are elasticized to grip the wearer's forearm.

1 . A protective member for the forearm of a wearer when gardening, said member comprising:
 a. a sleeve of generally tubular construction and extended length and formed of a fabric that is flexible, resilient, and somewhat stretchable, said sleeve having an open distal end and an open proximal end and being adapted to fit snugly over the forearm of the wearer wherein said fabric retains a memory of the shape of the wearer's forearm so that after repeated uses by the wearer, said sleeve tends to be form fitting;   b. said sleeve being dimensioned to extend approximately from the wrist to at least the elbow of the wearer, said open distal end defining a single opening allowing the wearer's hand to fully protrude therethrough; and,   c. said open distal and open proximal ends of said tubular sleeve being elasticized to grip the wearer's forearm.   
     
     
         2 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is formed of a scratch-resistant material. 
     
     
         3 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said protective member is formed of a nylon material. 
     
     
         4 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve includes an outer surface having decorative indicia thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The protective member of  claim 4 , wherein said decorative indicia is flowers. 
     
     
         6 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve tightly conforms to the wearer's forearm to retain said protective member in place during movement of said forearm. 
     
     
         7 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve is formed of a knitted tube. 
     
     
         8 . The protective member of  claim 1 , in which said protective member is made by obtaining a conventional tube sock having an open proximal end and a closed toe portion at a distal end, cutting a selected length off said sock in proximity to said closed toe portion to form an open distal end. 
     
     
         9 . The protective member of  claim 8 , wherein said open distal end is hemmed. 
     
     
         10 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said protective member is arranged to be worn on the left forearm or the right forearm of a wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said open proximal and distal ends of said sleeve are hemmed. 
     
     
         12 . The protective member of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve includes a synthetic fiber that wicks moisture away from the skin.