THIMBLE AND GLOVES FOR WORKING

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a precision-work thimble and glove, and more particularly, to a precision-work thimble having a protrusion on an outer surface of a thimble body for allowing various kinds of working tools to be inserted into an insertion hole of the protrusion, so that a user can perform a variety of works without removing the thimble, and a precision- work glove having the thimble attached to a finger portion of the precision- work glove. Background Art

[2] Typically, a thimble is used to protect user's fingers from being wounded during a work. Since a conventional thimble has a relatively large thickness, a user has a difficulty in holding small work pieces such as needles, pins, nails, and screws.

[3] In addition, the conventional thimble is often erroneously removed from a user's finger due to perspiration or an external force during a work.

[4] When a user works in a dark side using the conventional thimble, an illumination system such as a flashlight should be additionally provided.

[5] Furthermore, when a precision component assembling process or a jewelry work is performed using the small working tools, a user should remove the conventional thimble to use the small working tools. Therefore, a user's finger cannot be appropriately protected.

[6] On the other hand, in addition to an original purpose such as hand protection against an external environment, various kinds of gloves have been recently developed for various purposes such as anti-cutting, anti-slip, heat protection, cold protection, anti- acid, anti-salt, vibration absorption, and oil or dirt protection. Such a glove has a predetermined thickness to protect user's hands. However, when a user wear the gloves and performs a work, it is difficult for a user to rigidly hold small work pieces such as needles, pins, nails, and screws due to the thickness of the gloves.

[7] In addition, when a user works in a dark side using the conventional thimble, an illumination system such as a flashlight should be additionally provided.

[8] Furthermore, when a precision component assembling process or a jewelry work is performed using the precision work pieces, a user should remove the conventional thimble to use the working tools. Therefore, a user's finger cannot be protected.

[9]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [10] The present invention is contrived to solve the aforementioned problems, and provides a precision-work thimble having a fingernail-shaped protrusion protruded from a tip of the thimble to allow a user to safely hold small work pieces such as needles, pins, nails, and screws.

[11] The present invention provides a precision- work thimble further comprising an extended insertion made of a high-resilient rubber material to prevent the thimble from being erroneously removed from a finger during a work.

[12] The present invention provides a precision- work thimble further comprising an optical illuminator using an LED on an outer surface of the thimble to allow a user to work in a dark side.

[13] The present invention provides a precision- work thimble having a protrusion protruded from an outer surface of a thimble body and an insertion hole provided in the protrusion to install various kinds of working tools to allow a user to continue to use small working tools in a precision component assembling process or a jewelry process without removing the thimble during a work.

[14] The present invention provides a precision- work glove having a finger portion to which a precision-work thimble is attached, the thimble having a fingernail- shaped protrusion on one end of the thimble body to allow a user to safely hold small work pieces such as needles, pins, nails, and screws.

[15] The present invention provides a precision- work glove for allowing a user to continue to use a working tool while protecting user's hand without taking off the glove when small working tools should be used in a precision component assembling process or a jewelry work.

[16] The present invention provides a precision- work glove including an optical illuminator using an LED to allow a user to work in a dark side. Technical Solution

[17] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a precision- work thimble comprising: a thimble-shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 fitted to a user's finger; and a fingernail- shaped protrusion 20 protruded from a tip of the body.

[18] The precision- work thimble may further comprise an extended insertion 12 extended from the insertion opening 11 and made of a rubber material so as to be closely secured into an outer surface of a user's finger.

[19] The precision- work thimble may further comprise an optical illuminator 30 using an

LED mounted on an outer surface of the body 10.

[20] The precision- work thimble may comprise: an artificial fingernail 40; and a resilient band 50 attached to a lower end of the artificial fingernail 40.

[21] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a precision- work thimble comprising: a thimble-shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 fitted to a user's finger; a protrusion 60 protruded from an outer surface of the body 10; and an insertion hole 70 provided in the protrusion 60 to install a working tool 80.

[22] The working tool 80 (a first working tool 81) may have a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a cutter used to cut objects.

[23] The working tool 80 (a second working tool 82) may have a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a pointed end portion.

[24] The working tool 80 (a third working tool 83) may have a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a step portion between the one end and the other end.

[25] The working tool 80 (a fourth working tool 84) may have a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a holder, and also have a step portion between the one end and the other end.

[26] The working tool 80 (a fifth working tool 84') may have a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a holder, and also have a curved shape between the one end and the other end.

[27] The working tool 80 (a sixth working tool 85) may have a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a pointed and bent end portion.

[28] The working tool 80 (a seventh working tool 86) may have a first tweezer 861 inserted into the insertion hole 70 and a second tweezer 862 inserted into the insertion hole, and the first and second tweezers 861 and 862 may be pivoted to each other by means of a hinge.

[29] The precision- work thimble may further comprise an anti-slip embossed surface having a plurality of convex portions provided in an outer surface of the body 10.

[30] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove

100 having a finger portion 110 fitted to a user's finger, wherein a precision- work thimble is attached to an outer surface of the finger portion 110, the precision- work thimble including a thimble-shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 on its one end to insert a finger and a fingernail- shaped protrusion 20 on the other end.

[31] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove

100 having a finger portion 110 fitted to a user's finger, wherein a precision- work thimble is attached to an outer surface of the finger portion 110, the precision- work thimble including a thimble-shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 on its one end to insert a finger and a fingernail- shaped protrusion 20 on the other end.

[32] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove

100 having a finger portion 110 fitted to a user's finger, wherein a precision- work thimble is attached to an outer surface of the finger portion 110, the precision- work thimble including a thimble-shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 on its one end to insert a finger, a protrusion 60 protruded from an outer surface of the body 10, and an insertion hole provided in the protrusion 60 to install the working tool 80.

[33] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove

100 having a finger portion 110 fitted to a user's finger and a webfoot portion 120 formed between each finger portion 110, wherein a precision- work thimble is attached to an outer surface of the finger portion 110, the precis ion- work thimble including a thimble- shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 on its one end to insert a finger, a protrusion 60 protruded from an outer surface of the body 10, and an insertion hole provided in the protrusion 60 to install the working tool 80.

[34] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove

100 having a finger portion 110 fitted to a user's finger, wherein a precision- work thimble is attached to an outer surface of the finger portion 110, the precision- work thimble including a thimble-shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 on its one end to insert a finger, an optical illuminator made of a light-emitting diode (LED) mounted on an outer surface of the body 10, and a fingernail- shaped protrusion 20 on the other end of the body 10.

[35] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove

100 having a finger portion 110 fitted to a user's finger and a webfoot portion 120 formed between each finger portion 110, wherein a precision- work thimble is attached to an outer surface of the finger portion 110, the precis ion- work thimble including a thimble- shaped body 10 having an insertion opening 11 on its one end to insert a finger, an optical illuminator 30 made of a light-emitting diode (LED) mounted on an outer surface of the body 10, and a fingernail- shaped protrusion 20 on the other end of the body 10.

[36] The optical illuminator 30 may include: a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp; a power supply unit for supplying power to the LED lamp; and a control unit responsible for controlling a turning-on/off operation of the LED lamp.

Advantageous Effects

[37] According to the present invention, it is possible to:

[38] (1) allow a user to safely hold small work pieces such as needles, pins, nails, and screws;

[39] (2) prevent the thimble from being erroneously removed from a finger during a work;

[40] (3) allow a user to work even in a dark side using an optical illuminator having an

LED mounted on the thimble and the glove; [41] (4) use a working tool while protecting user's finger without removing the thimble when small working tools should be used in a precision component assembling process or a jewelry work; [42] (5) use a working tool while protecting user's hand without taking off gloves when small working tools should be used in a precision component assembling process or a jewelry work; [43] (6) allow a user to continue to work without taking off gloves in dirt environments such as a sewage disposal work or a garbage collection work; and [44] (7) prevent defacement of finger portions of the gloves, that may wear out due to repetitive hand-griping actions, and to extend a lifetime of the gloves by attaching the thimbles to the gloves.

Brief Description of Drawings [45] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: [46] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [47] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a precision-work thimble having an extended insertion according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [48] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a precision-work thimble having an optical illuminator according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [49] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble having an anti-slip embossed surface according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [50] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble having a resilient band according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [51] FIG. 6 is a side and front view illustrating a precision- work thimble having a working tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [52] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a working tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [53] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of using a working tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [54] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of using another working tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

[55] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a precision-work thimble having an optical illuminator according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [56] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a precision-work thimble having an anti-slip embossed surface according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [57] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a precision-work thimble according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and [58] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a precision-work thimble according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[59] Hereinafter, four embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals denote like elements.

[60] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble having an extended insertion according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble having an optical illuminator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble having an anti-slip embossed surface according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[61] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the thimble according to the present invention comprises: a body 10; a protrusion 20; and an insertion opening 11. An extended insertion 12, an optical illuminator 30, and an anti-slip embossed surface 90 may be further provided.

[62] The body 10 having a thimble shape includes an insertion opening 11 for securing a user's finger. Preferably, the insertion opening 11 has an inner diameter equal to or slightly larger than that of an outer finger joint so that the insertion opening 11 can be closely secured into the outer finger joint.

[63] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, an extended insertion 12 may be connected to the insertion opening 11. Preferably, the extended insertion 12 may be made of high- resilient rubber so that the body 10 can be closely secured into the outer surface of a user's finger. However, it may be made of a metallic or non-metallic material. Accordingly, the thimble covers an outer surface of a finger. For example, when a user holds a dirt material, it is possible to prevent a user's finger from being stained by the dirty material, and to allow a user to rigidly hold even a hot material.

[64] The outer surface of the body 10 may have a protrusion 20. The protrusion 20 is provided in a closed end of the thimble, which is opposite to the insertion opening 11. Preferably, the protrusion 20 has a fingernail shape. The protrusion 20 provided in this method assists a user to easily pick up small work pieces such as needles, pins, nails, or screws.

[65] On the other hand, the body 10 may be made of a variety of materials such as metallic, non-metallic, and fiber materials. Preferably, the body 10 may be made of a soft synthetic resin material so that it can be rapidly restored to its original shape after use.

[66] In addition, the extended insertion 12 may be attached to the insertion opening 11 in a variety of ways. Preferably, the extended insertion 12 may be integrated into the body 10 as a single one.

[67] As shown in FIG. 3, the optical illuminator 30 is preferably mounted on an outer surface of the body 10. Alternatively, the optical illuminator 30 may be mounted on an upper, lower, left or right side of the body 10 as necessary.

[68] As a result, a user will be allowed to perform a work even in a dark side using the optical illuminator 30. In addition, the optical illuminator 30 includes: a light emitting diode (LED) lamp; a power supply unit for supplying power to the LED lamp; and a control unit for controlling a turning-on/off operation of the LED lamp.

[69] As shown in FIG. 4, the anti-slip embossed surface 90 having a plurality of convex portions may be provided in a lower surface of the body 10. For example, when a user holds a small object, the anti-slip embossed surface 90 increases a frictional force between the surface of the object and the surface of the thimble to allow a user to safely hold the small objects.

[70] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[71] Referring to FIG. 5, the thimble according to the present invention comprises: an artificial fingernail 40 and a resilient band 50.

[72] The resilient band 50 is provided in the lower end of the artificial fingernail 40. The resilient band 50 is made of a high-resilient rubber material to allow a user's finger to be banded.

[73] FIG. 6 is a side and front view illustrating a precision- work thimble having a working tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 to 9 are perspective views illustrating a working tool and an example of using the working tool according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 a side view illustrating a precision- work thimble having an optical illuminator according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a precision- work thimble having an anti-slip embossed surface according to the third embodiment of the present invention

[74] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 11, the thimble according to the present invention comprises: a body 10; an insertion opening 11; a protrusion 60; an insertion hole 70; and a working tool 80. In addition, an optical illuminator 30 and an anti-slip embossed surface 90 may be further provided. The body 10, the insertion opening 11, the optical illuminator 30, and the anti-slip embossed surface 90 have the same structure as those described in relation to the first embodiment. Therefore, the protrusion 60, the insertion hole 70, and the working tool 80 will be particularly described below.

[75] The protrusion 60 is protruded from an outer surface of the body 10, and has an insertion hole 70. Preferably, the insertion hole 70 is manufactured to allow the working tool 80 to be detachably inserted.

[76] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the working tool 80 is inserted into the insertion hole 70.

One of the first to seventh working tools may be selectively inserted into the insertion hole 70 according to its usage.

[77] Hereinafter, the first to seventh working tools will be described.

[78] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first working tool 81 has a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a cutter. The cutter may be used to cut small objects.

[79] As shown in FIG. 7, the second working tool 82 has a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a pointed end portion. The pointed end portion may be used to pick up or punch small objects.

[80] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the third working tool 83 has a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a pointed end portion, and also has a step portion having a height difference between the one end and the other end. The pointed end portion may be used to pick up or punch small objects.

[81] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the fourth working tool 84 has a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a holder, and also has a step portion having a height difference between the one end and the other end. The holder may be used to hold small objects.

[82] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the fifth working tool 84' has a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a holder, and also has a curved shape bowed between the one end and the other end. The holder may be used to hold small objects.

[83] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the sixth working tool 85 has a bar shape having one end inserted into the insertion hole 70 and the other end having a pointed and bent end portion. The pointed end portion may be used to stab and pick up small objects.

[84] In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the seventh working tool 86 includes a first tweezer

861 inserted into the insertion hole 70 and a second tweezer 862 inserted into the insertion hole (not shown in the drawing). The first and second tweezers 861 and 862 are pivoted to each other by means of a hinge. The seventh working tool may be used to pick up small objects.

[85] FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views illustrating a precision- work glove according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[86] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the precision-work glove according to the present invention comprises: a glove portion 100; a finger portion 110; a webfoot portion 120; a body 10; an insertion opening 11; and a protrusion 20. The body 10, the insertion opening 11, and the protrusion 20 are identical to those shown in FIG. 1, and they have been already described above in relation to the first embodiment. Therefore, the glove portion 100, the finger portion 110, and the webfoot portion 120 will be particularly described below.

[87] The glove portion 100 includes finger portions 110 each having an opening fitted to each finger. Although various kinds of materials can be used for the glove portion 100, it is preferably made of a rubber or synthetic fiber material having little deformation after use.

[88] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the body 10 is attached to the outer surface of the finger portion 110 of the glove portion 100 so that the body 10 and the glove portion 100 are integrated as a single one. Although they may be attached to each other in a variety of methods, an adhesive is preferably used.

[89] As shown in FIG. 13, the webfoot portion 120 is formed between each of the finger portions 110 to connect the finger portions 110 of the glove 100 to each other. The webfoot portion 120 allows a user to use the glove in water. Therefore, the webfoot portion 120 is preferably made of a rubber or synthetic fiber material having a light weight to allow a user to use the glove in water.

[90] The precision- work thimble shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be included in the glove portion 100. The precision- work thimble shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has been already described in relation to the first embodiment.

[91] The precision-work thimble shown in FIGS. 6, 10, and 11 may be included in the glove portion 100. The precision-work thimble shown in FIGS. 6, 10, and 11 has been already described in relation to the third embodiment.

[92] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.