Hand and forearm protector

Abstract

A hand and forearm protector having a sleeve with a primary opening at one end and at another end a discrete finger opening and a discrete thumb opening also includes a longitudinal opening disposed along the sleeve. The longitudinal opening extends from a point directly adjacent a juncture of the carpal bones and the radius of a hand of the wearer and extends rearwardly along an forward side of the forearm approximately to the primary opening at the end of the sleeve. A zipper is included that extends from the juncture of the sleeve that overlies the carpal bones and radius and the zipper extends rearwardly to the end of the sleeve for bringing the edges of the sleeve together to conform the sleeve to the forearm of the wearer.

We claim:  
     
       1. A hand and forearm protector comprising:
 a sleeve for overlying a forearm and a proximal hand portion of a wearer;  
 a primary opening at one end of the sleeve;  
 a single discrete digit opening disposed at another end of the sleeve wherein the sleeve extends past the set of joints of the metacarpals and the phalanges to a point adjacent a first set of joints of the phalanges which are adjacent to the set of joints of the metacarpals and the phalanges of the wearer's fingers leaving the joints of the phalanges exposed all of the wearer's fingers extend therethrough, wherein the sleeve extends to a point adjacent a first set of knuckles of the wearer's fingers, leaving the knuckles exposed;  
 a discrete thumb opening disposed at another end of the sleeve wherein the sleeve extends beyond the joint of the phalanges and first metacarpal and is adjacent to the joint of the phalanges leaving this joint exposed wherein the sleeve extends to the joint of the thumb closest to the fingertip leaving the joint exposed;  
 a longintudinal opening along the sleeve extending adjacent from a point that overlies a juncture of the carpal bones and the radius and extending rearwardly towards the primary opening to proximately the end of the sleeve; and  
 a zipper for closing the longitudinal opening to conform the sleeve to the forearm of the wearer, the closure being disposed to overlie a forward site of the forearm.  
 
     
     
       2. The protector of  claim 1  and further including a protective flap that extends between edges of the opening protecting the wearer from being pinched by the zipper. 
     
     
       3. The protector of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve extends to the length of the sleeve is selected to extend to approximately 1 to 1½ inches from an elbow of the wearer. 
     
     
       4. The protector of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve includes decorative indicia on an uninterrupted surface. 
     
     
       5. The protector of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve extends to a point adjacent a first knuckle of the fingers and thumb, leaving the knuckles exposed.