Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a glove, in particular a glove for massage which has actuators or vibrating motors. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a glove with vibration motors or actuators arranged about a hand for focussed application of a vibrating force to a person's body. Background

The benefits of vibration in massage, in relation to relaxation or stimulation of the body, are well documented. For example the addition of vibration in massage is known to increase stimulation of a person resulting in improved circulation, sensitivity and/or associated pleasure.

Many handheld devices have been developed to deliver a vibrating sensation to a user, such as stimulating vibrators. However, often such devices are bulky and must be held by the user and can be difficult to direct the vibrating force to precisely the part of a body where it is desired, often resulting in an element of intimacy or spontaneity being lost.

Prior Art A number of devices have been developed in an attempt to resolve this or similar problems. These include:

United States patent application US-A-2013/0090581 (Ya Man limited) discloses a massage device comprising gloves connected to a power supply. The gloves are worn on both hands and apply massage. Small coin-shaped vibration generation devices are located in the fingertips of each glove and are characterized by the fact they are secured to the glove means. Chinese patent CN-U-201814809 (H_i) discloses a pair of vibrating massage gloves. Each glove comprises a palm sleeve and finger sleeves connected to the palm sleeve wherein a vibrating sheet is arranged at finger tips of each finger sleeve. The surface of the palm sleeve is provided with a power supply device and the vibrating sheets are connected to a power supply device.

International patent application WO-A-2010033055 (Handmedic Hb) discloses a system designed to deliver controlled vibratory stimuli to fingers, or other parts of the hand, by one or several vibration exciters connected to a signal source.

The aforementioned system allows any type of spatial sequence or order of vibratory application to be applied to individual fingers, so making possible a pre-programmed stimulation pattern. A randomised pattern may also be generated. Variation in application of vibration of pulses and with regard to frequency, intensity, duration of vibration pulses and length of intermission periods in between vibration pulses is possible.

The glove however appears to be intended for stimulating the wearer rather than another person.

German patent DE-B-20204330 (Albert Sauer) discloses a vibration massage glove that is made from latex rubber and has vibrator patches with pimples driven from a mains or battery connection.

United States patent application US-A-2005/0143679 (Gelber and Wise) discloses a massage glove with vibratory motors secured within its palm together with heating elements located at fingertips for applying heat and in order to improve traditional massage. Although to varying extents the aforementioned, and other devices, addressed and are said to overcome specific problems, some have tended to be large and cumbersome; others complex and yet others expensive. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved massage glove and system that is cheap to make and easy to use; that also provides an intense massage to the person receiving the massage; and which may also be used in facial or cranial massage to improve stimulation. Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a glove comprises a flexible cover arranged to be worn over a user's palm and digits, the cover supports a plurality of vibrating actuators each capable of connection to a battery; and a control device which is switchable to various settings so as to connect the vibrating actuators to the battery, characterised in that a wireless receiver is provided in the glove so as to enable commands to be received at the glove, thereby permitting the glove to be controlled remotely.

An advantage of this first aspect is that a user is able to use a remote control device, such as a hand-held controller in order to interact with and control the glove. Alternatively a user may use a voice controller, such as is often included as part of a voice recognition system in a mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone or smartphone. A benefit of this is that switching from one mode to another can be carried out without having to touch the glove, which may be beneficial in low light or when the glove is slippery. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided glove comprising a flexible cover arranged to be worn over a user's palm and digits, the cover supports a plurality of vibrating actuators each capable of connection to a battery; there are one or more light sources each of which is capable of connection to a battery; and a control device which is switchable to various settings so as to connect the vibrating actuators and one or more light sources to the battery.

Light sources may be light emitting diodes (LED) lights which may be embedded in a light diffusing substance, such as a gelatinous material located within the cover of the glove or the LEDs may be located in a wrist region of the glove so that light is distributed over the surface of the glove using optical fibres or another light transmitting optical medium, thereby creating a pleasant background lighting effect in order to determine a particular mood or to provide an ambient light level to assist in its use.

The light sources, light emitting polymers or LEDs are ideally coloured or switched so as to provide a range of colours to suit different moods or user selectable options, so that the glove can be switched to glow in the dark. Optionally this may be switched to occur in synchronisation with the actuators. Light emitting polymers (LEPs) may be used instead of light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Another option is to include a receiving device, such a radio frequency (RF) receiver, for example a Bluetooth (Trade Mark) receiver, in the glove so that different settings may be transmitted to the control device in the glove via a remote connection.

Preferably the actuators are piezo-electric vibrating devices or elements. Alternatively the actuators may be vibrating motors. Ideally the actuators are arranged on, or about the digits or digit tips of the glove, so as to provide focussed vibration at or adjacent digit tips. An additional actuator may be located centrally on a palm area of the glove conveniently for activation and/or more general vibration/massage purposes. The glove is ideally supplied with a battery that is similar in size to a watch battery with a removable synthetic plastics strip or some similar sort of tamper-evident means which when removed allows the battery to become operational and connect to the actuators and/or light sources.

Also as it is possible that the battery may come into contact with moisture, the battery housing is hermetically sealed so as to prevent any ingress of moisture to the battery. Ideally textured features are provided on a palm or reverse side of the glove and/or digit regions of the glove so as to enhance the transmission of the vibrating sensation. These textured features include: dimples and/or ridges and/or ribbed and/or tentacles and/or stippled-like surfaces which may be provided to enable a wearer to vary the intensity and/or nature of the vibrating pressure and massage sensation.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the glove fits snugly about the hand, so that actuators or vibrating motors enable vibrating sensations to be passed from a user to a point of touch of the user to a patient or another person where the finger or digit tips and/or palm of the glove engage on the patient or other person's body.

Typically the actuators or vibrating motors are arranged at the finger tips and thumb tips so that the user is able to use their finger (digit) tips to caress and massage, in addition to the vibrating sensation caused by the actuators or vibrating motors.

Preferably the flexible cover is formed from a thin, flexible, elastomer or similar flexible waterproof material so as to fit the wearer's hand leaving no baggy or loose sections. Therefore the glove is effectively like a second skin in order more closely to represent skin. Examples of material that may be used include: polyisoprene latex or a standard condom-type latex, so as to give a more natural skin like feel to the exterior of the glove.

Advantageously the user's ability of proprioception is not affected due to the thinness and flexibility of the cover material of the gloves so that a user is able caress or massage accurately in the desired locations, avoiding clumsiness which may reduce or inhibit touch sensations.

Preferably the flexible cover is transparent or translucent so as to be discreet in use wherein it may appear the user is wearing no glove at all. Ideally the cover is of a continuous form whereas rather than being formed from a perforated mesh or strapping.

Advantageously the glove has one or more recesses for receiving spare batteries or other items, such as a condom. Optionally the glove is coloured so as to conceal these additional components as well as providing a pleasant aesthetic feature to the glove.

The cover for the glove may be adhered to the glove, for example with an adhesive or it may be formed as an integrated feature of the glove, for example being formed as a moulded part over the glove. For example the cover may be formed from a thin synthetic plastics material such as a synthetic rubber silicon material. Ideally the cover is formed from a waterproof material, therefore forming a protective barrier to prevent bacteria from being transferred by touch. It therefore serves as a form of protection to the wearer.

The glove ideally is suitable for repeated use, being capable of being cleaned after use. In other embodiments the glove may be designed for single use only and is disposed of after use. In preferred embodiments the cover is adapted to have a sleeve that finishes about the palm or heel of the hand rather than about the wrist as in traditional gloves. In this way the sleeve opening accepts the wearer's hand as it is wider, therefore making it easier to don the glove. Thus fitting of a snug glove is made easier. Furthermore, by not having the sleeve about the wrist the user has greater freedom of movement and the glove(s) may be more discreet when donned.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the cover may be formed from more than one layer so as to allow the actuator vibration apparatus to be sandwiched or enveloped between those layers and therefore sealed so as to waterproof components or parts contained within. In this way the glove can be used in wet or moist conditions, for example with moisturisers, lubricants or massage oils without causing damage to internal components. In some other embodiments the glove may be moulded to include pouches for accepting the components or parts thereof.

Control components, actuators and LEDs are housed in a hermetically sealed casing which may be in two parts. Ideally an upper casing part is dome shaped and is located over the components; and a lower casing part serves to hold the components therein.

A user may control actuators and/or lights using a voice recognition system which may be provided in part by a mobile telephone or smartphone. Optionally voice commands that are received by the mobile telephone or smartphone are relayed to the glove via a wireless communication system. An example of a wireless communication system is an infra-red (IR) transmitter and a receiver, or a Bluetooth (Trade Mark) device. Either of these wireless communication systems can be synchronised to operate with a mobile telephone or smartphone featuring these. In this embodiment a user can command certain functions - such as instructing a specific actuator or motor or a specific vibration mode remotely using pre-set sequences or their voice - so that the actuators or motors, dispersed about the glove, can be switched on or off as desired without having to touch the glove. Thus control of vibration speed, actuation or magnitude of actuators, as well as control of lights and/or selection of specific vibrating speeds or modes, in relation to parts of the glove, may be controlled remotely and without depressing any buttons. Preferably a domed top of the housing is formed from a flexible resiliently deformable material such as synthetic plastics or rubber or a silicon rubber material.

Typically an ON/OFF switch may be press activated, for example having at least one upward facing button, so that the main body can be depressed by application of pressure to an upper face of the main body in order to activate and deactivate the switch. In some embodiments multiple buttons may be arranged to correspond to the wearer's digits. The control device ideally has a substantially flat lower surface or moulded face wherein a microprocessor, memory and other components are arranged to fit within the casing and fit comfortably on the hand against the palm. In some embodiments, for example the lower face interfacing the palm, may be formed to be slightly convex so as to sit into the palm of the hand thereby providing a resilient pad for the wearer to be pressure on a part of a body.

Typically an actuator, which have a mode select feature thereon, is arranged to fit in the crease of the palm and around the part of a thumb known as the heel, so that thumb movement is not restricted. Therefore the user donning the glove is able to move his or her hand freely and their fingers in order to caress and/or massage. Ideally the device has an upper face arranged so as to have no sharp edges that may be uncomfortable if placed against the skin. Therefore in some embodiments the device is preferably substantially flat or in the form of a portion of a sphere or ovoid.

Typically the power source comprises at least one battery which is connected to the vibrating motors when the switch is activated by the control device. Ideally the battery is a flat coin-type battery such as a lithium battery which can be easily fitted within the device.

In another preferred embodiment the battery may be received in a pouch and be accessible from an inner face of the glove so that the battery can be removed and replaced when it becomes depleted. In such embodiments the battery is accessible by means of a pocket on an inner face of the glove in order that the battery remains protected. For example the pocket or pouch may include a flap that can be displaced or detached to access the battery.

Actuators are connected by flexible wires, to the battery. The flexible wires extending from the device along each finger and the thumb which houses the actuator or vibrating motor.

In preferred embodiments the actuators or vibrating motors comprise coin motors arranged to sit against each digit tip. This enables gentle, light touch/sensation or stronger, heavy touch/sensations to be applied through digit tips as controlled by the user therefore allowing for controlled and varied application of vibration.

For example during a facial treatment gentle application of vibration may be directed around the eyes to aid lymphatic drainage and to improve skin tone or the user may be able to apply light vibration directly to erogenous zones such as the lips, neck or genitals. In preferred embodiments the actuators run continuously therefore providing continued stimulus. In some other embodiments actuators may have alternative settings or cycles to provide surges, waves or pulses of vibration as intensity of vibration is variable.

Settings may be adjustable locally on the device, at the actuators or motors or elsewhere on the glove, and/or may be adjusted remotely at retail, manufacture or in use. The device may comprise wireless or wired connectivity in order to allow such modification of settings.

In other embodiments the actuators or motors may be arranged with touch sensors such as a capacitance sensors so that the actuator or motor only becomes activated when a person's finger tips are in contact with something. Therefore vibration commences only upon touch. An advantage of this is that battery life is extended. Such sensors may be analogue or digital and/or may be adapted to allow increasing vibration magnitude in response to increasing pressure. In such cases a signal indicative of pressure is relayed to the control device and, depending upon the mode, is employed in determining the amount of current to send to a particular actuator or motor.

Preferably each motor is mounted upon a pad arranged to correspond to each digit tip so that the motor is separated from the hand by an additional layer to the glove. Therefore the pad serves to reduce wear. Ideally the pad is formed from a resiliently deformable material similar or the same as that of the cover.

In preferred embodiments each vibrating motor has an arcuate top so as to provide a smooth surface, similar to a digit tip body. In some embodiments the top may be heart shaped.

Cushioning is optionally provided for a battery casing so as not to bruise bony or delicate areas of the hand or finger tips. Ideally cushioning may also be provided behind each of the actuators which are preferably coin shaped and are of the approximate size of coins. An advantage of this is that a user's fingers do not become too numb after prolonged use. In an alternative embodiment a heater is included to provide a heating effect. An external power supply may be used for this as more current is needed or the gloves may be pre-heated prior to use.

In another preferred embodiment electrical stimulation contacts are provided in order to provide a small electrical current to parts of the body in order to stimulate nerves with a suitably small electric current.

Embodiments the glove may be available in different sizes for example being available in extra small, small, medium, large and extra large.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an overview of one embodiment of the glove;

Figure 2 shows another view of one embodiment of the glove shown in Figure 1 with part of a cover removed;

Figure 3 shows and exploded view of the embodiment of the glove shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 4 shows an example of a block diagram of a control circuit which is included in another embodiment of the glove.

Detailed Description of Figures Referring to Figures 1 to 3 there are shown views of a preferred embodiment of a glove 10. Figure 1 shows an overview of the glove 100 including a cover 00 over a main body 10. Five vibrating actuators 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e are arranged on respective pads 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d and 40e. The vibrating actuators 30 and pads 40 are arranged to be located over a finger tip or thumb tip region so that in use a user directs the vibrating actuators 30 to a desired part of a recipient's body which is to be massaged. The vibrating actuators 30 are capable of connection to a battery 92 when a control device switches on respective actuators 30.

There are five light emitting diode (LED) light sources 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d and 90e, each of which is capable of connection to the battery 92 under instruction form a control device 99. Control device 99 typically includes a microprocessor and is switchable to various settings so as to vary the output of the vibrating actuators 30 and the output of one or more light sources 90. The cover 100 covers the hand and is formed from a translucent flexible rubber capable of being stretched in order to be fitted snugly to the hand. The glove 100 has a sleeve 15 which is arranged to finish across the palm to provide a wider opening allowing the glove 100 to be more easily donned and also to be more discreet and less restrictive in use.

In the embodiment shown a control device 20 is heart shaped, which is visually attractive and appealing as well as fitting neatly in a palm region of the glove 100. The control device 20 has an arcuate upper face in which components, such microprocessor 99 and transceiver 200 (not shown in Figure 1) may be housed. Vibrating actuators 30 and the control device 20 are shown covered by a heart shaped upper face or top 50. Therefore the vibrating actuators 30 (not shown in Figure 1) which cause the pads 40 to vibrate and the control device 20 are concealed in use. Heart shaped tops 50 have arcuate upper faces so as to be smooth against the skin.

Figure 2 shows the control device 20 with five flexible wires 35. One flexible wire 35 is provided to pass along each digit of the glove 10 in order to connect each vibrating actuator 30 to the control device 20. Each wire 35 is enveloped by a cover 100 over main body 10 so as to be sealed therewithin so that each wire is protected from being accidentally disconnected or detached.

Figure 3 shows the exploded view of the preferred embodiment wherein the casing 60 houses the components comprising a switch 70, a control device 20 and a battery 92. The components are adapted to fit within the casing 60 so as to be enclosed and hermetically sealed therewithin. Switch 70 may be a pressure switch, as shown in Figure 3, or it may be activated by way of a remote controller or voice command, as described with reference to Figure 4. It is also understood that any features described in relation to any particular aspect or embodiment may be featured in combination with another aspect or embodiments.

Referring now to Figure 4, which shows a block diagram of a control device 20 is able switch the actuators 30 and the light emitting diodes 90, by way of a dimmer switch 72, to battery 92. The control device 20 is connected to five vibrating actuators 30 by means of flexible wires 35 that serve to transfer current from the battery 92 to the vibrating actuators 30 when its respective switch 70 is turned on by the control device 20.

The wires 35 enter the device underneath a casing 60 and when switched to conduct by the control device 20 each wire acts to transmit current from the battery 92 to the respective actuators 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e when instructed, for example by a remote hand held device (not shown) or a mobile telephone 200 which is configured with a transmitter 256 to communicate to a Bluetooth (Trade Mark) receiver device 255 in the glove 100.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned.

Variation may be made to include in a kit the aforementioned glove 100, including oils and or essential fragrances, massage lubes and cleaning wipes for repeated use of the glove 100.

Other variations include rhine stones 66 which may be set on a translucent gauze type material and incorporated in a variation of the glove 10 so as not to restrict movement when putting on and taking off a glove 0. These rhine stones 66 are optionally encased under a second layer, for example a latex material on the back of the hand, enabling the rhine stones 66 to be positioned between the glove 100 per se and the second layer 10b.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.