Reusable Finger Guard

Abstract

A glove for protecting a user's fingertips from coming into direct contact with surfaces that are potentially contaminated with pathogens is made from a material that has long-term, reusable durability and may optionally be treated with an antimicrobial, antifungal and/or antiviral agent. A glove according to the invention may be compact, easy to don and remove, and socially acceptable for everyday public applications such as touching a public door handle or the seat or flush lever of a public toilet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-fingered, partial glove comprising:
 a substantially flat body having three branches in a generally Y-shaped configuration;   a pocket at the outer end of each branch open towards the center of the body each pocket sized and spaced to accommodate a user's fingertip.   
     
     
         2 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  wherein each pocket has a generally semi-hemispherical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 2  wherein one pocket is larger in diameter than at least one other pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of protrusions on the body proximate each end of the three branches. 
     
     
         5 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 4  further comprising protrusions on at least a portion of the outer surface of each pocket. 
     
     
         6 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of an elastic material. 
     
     
         7 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 6  wherein the body is sized such that it is stretched when a user wearing the partial glove fully extends his or her fingers. 
     
     
         8 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 6  wherein the body is sized such that it is stretched when a user wearing the partial glove separates his or her thumb, index finger, and middle finger. 
     
     
         9 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a loop attached to the body. 
     
     
         10 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 9  wherein the loop is attached to an inner surface of the body. 
     
     
         11 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 9  further comprising a lanyard attached to the loop. 
     
     
         12 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a tab attached to the body said tab having a through hole. 
     
     
         13 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body is fabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of natural latex, synthetic latex, vinyl, vinyl-coated fabrics, synthetic rubber and, natural rubber. 
     
     
         14 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body is fabricated from a laminated material. 
     
     
         15 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 14  wherein the laminated material comprises an outer, waterproof layer and an inner, absorbent layer. 
     
     
         16 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 15  wherein the inner, absorbent layer comprises a fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 16  wherein the fabric is a nonwoven fabric. 
     
     
         18 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  wherein the body is formed of a material that comprises an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         19 . The partial glove as recited in  claim 1  wherein one pocket is sized to accommodate a user's thumb and at least one other pocket is sized to accommodate a user's index finger. 
     
     
         20 . A three-fingered, partial glove comprising:
 a substantially flat body having a central portion and three branches radiating from the central portion, the angles between the branches generally corresponding to the angles between the thumb, index finger and middle finger of an outstretched human hand;   a pocket at the outer end of each branch open towards the central portion of the body each pocket sized and spaced to accommodate a user's fingertip.   
     
     
         21 . The three-fingered, partial glove as recited in  claim 20  wherein the pockets are contiguous with the substantially flat body.