Finger cover for operating capacitive touchscreen devices

Abstract

A finger cover for use with capacitive touchscreens devices is described. The finger cover includes a flexible rear panel having opposing sides between ends of the flexible rear panel, defining a length of the flexible rear panel, at least equal to the distance measured between the tip and the first joint of the user's finger. The rear panel has a width generally equal to one half the circumference of the user's finger. An elastic band connects opposing sides of the rear panel at a location near the first joint of the user's finger. An electrically conductive panel joins the opposing sides of the rear panel, joins the rear panel along the first end and joins the elastic band.

1 . A device comprising:
 a flexible rear panel having first, opposing sides extending between a first and second end of the flexible rear panel, the opposing first sides defining a length of the flexible rear panel, the length at least equal to the distance measured between the tip of a user's finger and the first joint from the end of the user's finger, the flexible rear panel having second, opposing sides that extend between respective ends of the first sides, the second sides defining a width of the rear panel, the width generally equal to one half the circumference of the user's finger;   an elastic band that connects opposing first sides of the flexible rear panel at a location measured from the first end that is substantially equal to the distance between the tip of the user's finger and the first joint; and   an electrically conductive panel that joins the opposing first sides of the rear panel, joins the rear panel along the first end and joins the elastic band.   
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the length of the rear panel further comprises a distance measured between the tip of a user's finger and the second joint from the end of the user's finger. 
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 1  wherein the electrically conductive panel further comprises a woven fiber of silver coated nylon. 
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 3  wherein the woven fiber further comprises an elastic knit. 
     
     
         5 . A device comprising:
 a fabric tube having a closed end and an opposing open end, the tube having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a user's finger and a length on a first side at least equal to the distance measured between a tip of a user's finger and first joint from the end, the fabric tube having a panel of conductive material on a second side opposite the first side of the tube, the panel of conductive material is proximate the closed end.   
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 5  further comprising an elastic band that extends at least partially around the open end of the fabric tube. 
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 5  wherein the closed end fabric tube further comprises an extension on a first side that extends the second side to a second joint of the user's finger. 
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 5  wherein the first and second sides further comprise fabric materials joined along the margins. 
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 8  wherein the fabric of the second side further comprises foam rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 5  wherein the electrically conductive panel further comprises a woven fiber of silver coated nylon. 
     
     
         11 . A finger cover comprising:
 a closed end tube, the tube having a diameter measured by a diameter of a user's finger and a length measured by a distance from a tip of a user's forefinger to a first joint of the forefinger; and   a conductive portion of the closed end tube disposed proximate the tip of the forefinger on a side facing a palm of the user's hand.   
     
     
         12 . The finger cover as in  claim 11  further comprising a flexible rear panel having first, opposing sides extending between a first and second end of the flexible rear panel, the opposing first sides defining a length of the flexible rear panel, the length at least equal to the distance measured between the tip of a user's finger and the first joint from the end of the user's finger, the flexible rear panel having second, opposing sides that extend between respective ends of the first sides, the second sides defining a width of the rear panel, the width generally equal to one half the circumference of the user's finger. 
     
     
         13 . The finger cover of  claim 12  further comprising an elastic band that connects opposing first sides of the flexible rear panel at a location measured from the first end that is substantially equal to the distance between the tip of the user's finger and the first joint. 
     
     
         14 . The finger cover as in  claim 13  wherein the conductive portion further comprising an electrically conductive panel that joins the opposing first sides of the rear panel, joins the rear panel along the first end and joins the elastic band.