Protective device for use with a glove

Abstract

A protective device has a thumb connector and an index finger connector with a protective member extending therebetween. The protective device is designed to protect the thumb webbing region surface of a liquid proof heat resistant glove or mitten as a spit from a rotisserie oven is drawn atop the protective device. The device may be adjustably connected to the glove or mitten. The protective member may have a generally corrugated shape permitting the spit to transition easily atop it. Further, a living hinge may be provided as part of the protective member allowing it to be formed into a V-shaped channel.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A protective device comprising:
 a thumb connector;   an index finger connector spaced apart from the thumb connector; and   a protective member extending between the thumb connector and the index finger connector and adapted to protect a thumb webbing region of a one of a glove and mitten.   
     
     
         2 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective member further comprises first and second edges extending from adjacent the index finger connector to adjacent the thumb connector. 
     
     
         3 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective member further comprises at least one living hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The protective device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one living hinge further comprises first, second, and third living hinges. 
     
     
         5 . The protective device of  claim 4 , wherein the first, second, and third living hinges are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the protective member has a corrugated surface. 
     
     
         7 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the thumb connecter comprises a sidewall defining an opening adapted to at least partially receive a thumb portion of the one of glove and mitten. 
     
     
         8 . The protective device of  claim 7 , wherein the thumb connector further comprises a plurality of projections extending radially inwards from the sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The protective device of  claim 7 , wherein the thumb connector further comprises at least two segments movable relative to each other adapted to adjust the diameter of the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The protective device of  claim 1 , wherein the index finger connecter comprises a sidewall defining an opening adapted to at least partially receive an index finger portion of the one of the glove and mitten. 
     
     
         11 . The protective device of  claim 10 , wherein the index finger connector further comprises a plurality of projections extending radially inwards from the sidewall. 
     
     
         12 . The protective device of  claim 10 , wherein the index finger connector further comprises at least two segments movable relative to each other adapted to adjust the diameter of the opening. 
     
     
         13 . The protective device of  claim 1 , in combination with a liquid proof heat resistant glove or mitten, wherein the protective member extends over the thumb webbing region of the one of the glove and mitten. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13 , in further combination with a spit from a rotisserie roasting oven, wherein the protective device prevents the spit from cutting the glove or mitten during sliding engagement between the spit and the protective member. 
     
     
         15 . The protective device of  claim 1  integrally molded from a polymer having a melting temperature of at least 500 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         16 . The protective device of  claim 1  further comprising a patch disposed above the protective member. 
     
     
         17 . The protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the protective device comprises chainmail. 
     
     
         18 . The protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the protective member comprises of one of (a) a para-aramid synthetic fiber and (b) an aramid synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         19 . A method of protecting a liquid proof heat resistant glove comprising the steps of:
 donning a liquid proof heat resistant glove having a thumb webbing region;   providing a protective device comprising a protective member which is mounted on the glove so the protective member extends over an outer surface of the thumb webbing region;   affixing the protective device to the glove; and   drawing a spit across the protective device wherein the protective member protects against the spit cutting the glove.