AU2017207036B2

AU2017207036B2 - Human wearable glove made of a composite, protective fabric

Info

Publication number: AU2017207036B2
Application number: AU2017207036A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Lars Petter Andresen
Original assignee: Premium Security AS
Current assignee: Premium Security AS
Priority date: 2016-01-11
Filing date: 2017-01-20
Publication date: 2022-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-20
Also published as: BR112018014141A2; PL3402351T3; MX379068B; EP3402351B1; HUE048054T2; RU2018127190A3; CN108697187A; RU2018127190A; JP2019501309A; WO2017122085A1; KR20180123008A; PT3402351T; BR112018014141B1; ZA201805040B; EP3402351A1; ES2773701T3; AU2017207036A1; DK3402351T3; RU2721191C2; CA3010913A1

Abstract

A human wearable glove (170) made of a composite, protective fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric has microflex layers (120) of woven para-aramid yarn placed in proximity to metallic mesh layers (125) of woven stainless steel mesh. The individual poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fibers in the para-aramid yarn have a denier of less than or equal to 2 dtex. The metallic mesh layers are woven from stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and have a mesh aperture of 0.45 mm or less. The garments made using the fabric include gloves, bullet proof vests and chain-saw resistant trousers.

Description

Human Wearable Glove Made of a Composite, Protective Material

Technical Field

The invention relates to a human wearable glove made of a composite, protective

material, and more particularly to a human wearable glove made of a combination of layers of

stainless steel mesh and layers of woven, para-aramid fibers and the use of that composite fabric

in constructing protective garments.

Background Art

Fabrics woven from para-aramid synthetic fibers such as, but not limited to, KevlarTM,

display exceptional resistance to ballistic puncture and have been used successfully to construct

light weight, bullet proof body armor. The materials are, however, only of average resistance to

cut and slash attacks and to puncture by needles. The para-aramid based body armor, therefore,

provides good protection against gun attacks, but is not particularly effective against knife or

needle threats.

What is needed is a light-weight fabric that provides a combination of high resistance to

ballistic puncture, cut and slash attacks and puncture attacks, and which can be readily used to

fabricate light weight, flexible garments such as, but not limited to, gloves and attack proof

vests.

The relevant prior art includes:

US Patent 6,581,212 issued to Andresen on June 24, 2003 entitled "Protective garment"

that describes a protective garment for protection of body parts against cuts or puncture wounds

comprising an inner layer, a protective layer and an outer layer, the protective layer being

1

18597464_1(GHMattors) P44283AUOO composed of a wire mesh of woven metal wires, the thickness of the metal wires being between

0.03 mm and 0.20 mm and the apertures in the wire mesh being between 0.05 mm and 0.45 mm.

US Patent Application 20080307553 submitted by Terrance Jbeiliet al. published on

December 18, 2008 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Protecting against Ballistic Projectiles"

that describes a composite material comprising a multitude of masses and fibers supported on a

flexible substrate arranged in a manner to absorb energy from a ballistic projectile and thereby

protect persons or property from ballistic injury or damage. An array of small, tough disc-like

masses are suspended in a three dimensional cradle of high-tensile elastomeric fibers such that

energy from an incoming ballistic projectile is first imparted to one or more masses and the

motion of the masses are restrained by tensile strain of elastomeric fibers substantially in the

direction of travel of the incoming projectile. The projectile is eventually decelerated to

harmless velocity through a combination of transfer of momentum to the masses and the elastic

and plastic tensile deformation of the fibers. One or more layers of the composite material can

be assembled to form body protective armor ("bullet-proof vest") or property protective armor,

the number and characteristics of the layers being adjusted according to the specific ballistic

threat anticipated.

The documents W020014107518 and W02014107614 disclose protective gloves.

Various implementations are known in the art, but fail to address all of the problems

solved by the invention described herein. Various embodiments of this invention are illustrated

in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such

reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common

general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims and in the description of the invention, except where the context requires

otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations

2 18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00 such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Disclosure of Invention.

The present invention pertains to an inventive glove made of a composite, protective

material, as disclosed herein.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a human wearable glove,

having an inner protective layer, an outer protective and, sandwiched between said inner and

outer layer, a multiplicity of intermediate layers,

wherein said intermediate layers comprise:

one or more microflex fabric layers, said microflex fabric being comprised of woven

para-aramid yarn, said yarn comprising poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fibers having a

denier of 2 dtex or less;

one or more mesh layers of a woven metallic mesh, said woven metallic mesh

comprising stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and a mesh aperture of

0.45 mm or less; and

wherein said inner and outer protective layers arejoined at a periphery of said protective

layers, and wherein said metal mesh layer is shaped in the form of an elephant-pattern, said

elephant-pattern comprising a first palm region having a thumb extension, and a second palm

region having four finger extensions and wherein said first and second palm regions are joined

along a lower palm edge, and wherein said metal mesh layer is bias-cut with respect to a

direction of at least one of said finger extensions and wherein said metal mesh layer is folded

along said lower palm edge of said elephant-pattern when located within said glove.

3 18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00

A layer of woven para-aramid yam, herein termed a "microflex" layer, placed in

proximity to a layer of woven stainless steel mesh, herein termed a "metallic mesh" layer,

produces a composite material having the surprising property of a puncture resistance that is 30

percent - 40 percent greater than that expected from a linear combination of the cut and puncture

resistance properties of each individual layer, while maintaining the combined ballistic and

needle protection of each layer. The unexpectedly effective composite material of the present

invention, therefore, combines high levels of ballistic, cut, stab and needle protection while

being sufficiently lightweight and flexible for use in wearable protective garments.

In a preferred embodiment for use in producing gloves, one or microflex layers may be

placed in proximity with one or more layers of metallic mesh layer, sandwiched between an

inner and an outer protective layer that may be joined at the periphery of the protective layers.

The microflex layers are preferably made of a woven para-aramid yam, where the

individual fibers in the yam comprise fibers having a denier of less than or equal to 2 dtex and

more preferably a denier of 0.55 dtex. The para-aramid fibers are preferably comprised of poly

p-phenylene terephthalamide and may have a tenacity of at least 10 cN/dtex, an elongation at

break of at least 2.7 percent and an initial modulus of at least 300 cN/dtex, and may be formed

into a yam of 500 or more fibers for weaving.

In a preferred embodiment, the metallic mesh layers are preferably woven from

stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and may have a mesh aperture of 0.45

mm or less.

As described in more detail below, the number and arrangement of the micromesh and

metallic mesh layers may be adjusted in various ways to suit the material for its use in the

manufacture of various wearable protective garments such as, but not limited to, gloves, attack

resistant vests, protective trousers and protective leggings.

Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not

mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives.

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18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved wearable protective

garments capable of a combination of high level ballistic, cut and slash, puncture and needle

protection.

It is another object of the present invention to provide cost effective, lightweight

materials for protective gloves.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cut-away isometric view of the layers of a protective,

composite fabric of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a protective glove of one embodiment of the

present invention, and a schematic cross-section of a selected portion of the glove.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic, plan view of an elephant-pattern cut-out of one embodiment

of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic, plan view of a folded, elephant pattern layer of one

embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a bias-cut on a woven fabric.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic, exploded isometric view of the components of a portion of a

protective vest of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic plan view of an inter-woven para-aramid metal fiber fabric of

one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic, plan view of a folded, elephant pattern layer of one

embodiment of the present invention having a truncated thumb extension and truncated finger

extensions.

Fig. 9 A shows a schematic, plan view of a fan, 3-piece glove pattern cut-out of one

embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 B shows a schematic, plan view of an assembled fan, 3-piece glove pattern of one

embodiment of the present invention.

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18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00

Fig. 10 A shows a schematic, plan view of a turkey, 3-piece glove pattern cut-out of one

embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 B shows a schematic, plan view of an assembled turkey, 3-piece glove pattern

of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 shows a schematic, front view of a protective pants with a schematic view of a

composite fabric construction at a line of section.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will now be described with

reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same

reference numerals.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention.

Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not

intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon

reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications

and variations can be made thereto.

Figure 1 shows a schematic cut-away isometric view of the layers of a protective,

composite fabric 105 as used in one embodiment of the present invention.

The protective, composite fabric 105 may, for instance, have a microflex fabric layer

120 adjacent to a metal mesh layer 125 with both layers sandwiched between intermediate

layers 122. The intermediate layers 122 may, for instance, be an outer protective layer 115 and

an inner protective layer 110. The inner and outer protective layers may be any fabric suitable

for wearing in a garment such as, but not limited to, a fabric woven from cotton, wool, silk,

linen, polyester or some combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the microflex fabric layer 120 is preferably made of woven

para-aramid yam. Para-aramid yarns are well-known and sold by, for instance, E. I. du Pont de

Nemours and Company of Wilmington, DE under the tradename KevlarTM and Teijin Aramid of

6 18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00

Arnhem, Netherlands under the tradename TwaronTM. Woven para- aramid fabrics have become

widely used in body-armor because of their high resistance to ballistic penetration. Such fabrics

are, however, susceptible to puncture type penetration, particularly cut and slash penetration and

to needle stick penetration. The metal mesh layer 125 is preferably a woven metallic mesh, and

more preferably a woven mesh of stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and

a mesh aperture of 0.45 mm or less. Such a mesh has been found to have good resistance to cut

and slash penetration and to needle stick penetration, and has been used in protective garments

such as, but not limited to, protective gloves, as described in, for instance, US Patent 6,581,212

issued to Andresen on June 24, 2003. However, the number of metal mesh layers 125 of the

type described above that may be needed to provide, for instance, adequate puncture penetration

may result in garments such as, but not limited to, protective gloves, that may not have as much

flexibility as desired or may be more costly to produce than desired.

In investigating methods of improving protective garments such as gloves, a trial

combination of a fabric combining a microflex fabric layer 120 with a metal mesh layer 125 was

found to have an unexpected property. The puncture resistance of the combined layers was

found to be 30-40 percent greater than what would be expected from an additive combination of

the puncture resistance of the two individual layers. This surprising and unexpected finding may

allow lighter, cheaper and more flexible garments to be constructed from the composite

material.

While the exact mechanism for this unexpected improvement in the material properties

of the composite material may, as yet, not be fully understood, several factors may be of

significance.

It is well-known that the ballistic stopping power of poly-aramid materials is a result of

their absorbing the kinetic energy of the impacting missile. A bullet, for instance, on impacting

the fabric has its kinetic energy absorbed in breaking the poly-aramid strands as it attempts to

penetrate the material. The strands essentially attach themselves to the bullet, absorbing the

bullets kinetic energy as they are stretched to their breaking point. To maximize the interaction

7 18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00 between the bullet and the material, makers of poly-aramid fabrics attempt to make the fibers of poly-aramid as small as possible thereby increasing the "working surface" of the fibers that interact with the bullet.

The preferred KevlarTMfabric used for bullet proof vests in, for instance, made from

Kevlar 29 yarn. Kevlar 29 yam is made of approximately 1000 fibers wound together to form a

yarn having a denier of approximately 1,500 dtex. ("Denier" is both a standard measurement of

filament size and a term used more loosely to merely say "filament size". The unit "dtex" is an

internationally recognized measure of yarnor filament size and is the weight in grams of 10,000

meters of the yam or filament). A 1000 filament yam having a denier of 1,500 dtex implies a

denier for the individual fibers of about 1.5 dtex.

Teijin Aramid's recommended yam for weaving into bullet proof vest is their TwaronTM

Microfilament yam. Their 2040 Microfilament fiber, for instance, consists of 500 fibers wound

together for a yam having a demier of 550 dtex, implying a fiber dernier of 1.1 dtex. They also

supply an Ultra Micro version of TwaronTMthat is a yam having 500 filaments and a fiber

demier of 550 dtex, implying a filament demier of 0.55 dtex. The puncture resistance synergy of

the microflex fabric layers 120 and the metal mesh layers 125 may be more pronounced when

the fiber size of the para-aramid fibers is smallest. This may be indicative of some interaction

occurring between the two layers during a puncture attack. This interaction may, for instance, be

the para-aramid fibers being forced through or past the metal fibers of the mesh. The kinetic

energy expended in stretching the para-aramid fibers through the mesh may be the explanation

for the synergistic behavior of the two layers that produces the surprisingly better puncture

resistance of when the two are combined as a composite material. In a preferred embodiment of

the present invention the para-aramid fibers may, therefore, be poly-p-phenylene

terephthalamide fibers having a fiber dernier of 2 dtex or less that may be bundled, for weaving,

into a yarn having 500 or more fibers, with the yarn having a strength at break of 200 N or

more, a tenacity at break of 2.3 mN/tex or more and an elongation at break of between 3.4

percent and 3.8 percent. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fiber

8 18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00 dernier may be 1.1 dtex or less, and a most preferred embodiment may have a fiber dernier of

0.55 dtex or less.

In a preferred embodiment, the microflex fabric layers 120 and the metal mesh layers

125 may be sandwiched between an outer protective layer 115 and an inner protective layer110,

and the inner and outer protective layers may be joined at a periphery of a garment piece by, for

instance, stitching or by some other joining mechanism such as, but not limited to, gluing,

welding, stapling or some combination thereof.

Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of a protective glove 170 of one embodiment of

the present invention, and a schematic cross-section of a selected portion 180 of the glove 170.

The partial cross section 180 of the glove is shown as taken on a line 175. The partial

cross section 180 of a glove shows a top portion 185 of a glove and a lower portion 190 of a

glove separated by a space 195 for a hand. The top portion 185 of the glove is shown as having

an outer protective layer 205 and an inner protective layer 210 between which are sandwiched a

plurality of metal mesh layers 125 and a microflex fabric layer 120. The lower portion 190 of a

glove is similarly shown with the metal mesh layers 125 and the microflex fabric layers 120

sandwiched between an outer protective layer 205 and an inner protective layer 210. In both the

top and the bottom portions of the glove, the inner protective layer 210 is shown closest to the

space 195 for a hand and the microflex fabric layers 120 are shown proximate to the inner

protective layer 210. Such an arrangement may, for instance, provide a material well suited to

resisting puncture attack from the outside of the glove.

Figure 2 shows four metal mesh layers 125 and one microflex fabric layers 120.

While such an arrangement may, for instance, yield an economical glove that meets

certain performance levels such as, but not limited to, the EN388 test for abrasion resistance,

blade cut resistance, tear resistance and puncture resistance, there may be other arrangements

that may be more advantages in terms of factors such as, but not limited to, cost, performance,

flexibility and comfort, or some combination thereof.

9 18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00

The composite material may, for instance, have a plurality of microflex fabric layers

120 and metal mesh layers 125 that may be alternated with each other. Such an arrangement

may, for instance, increase the hypothesized synergy between the layers described above.

The composite material may, for instance, have one or more layers of microflex fabric

layers 120 adjacent to both the outer protective layer 205 and the inner protective layer 210 on

either or both of the top portion 185 of a glove and the lower portion 190 of a glove. Such an

arrangement may, for instance, increase the resistance of the inside of the glove to rupturing

through flexing.

Figure 3 shows a schematic, plan view of an elephant-pattern 130 cut-out of one

embodiment of the present invention.

The elephant-pattern 130 may, for instance, have a first palm region 135 with an

integral thumb extension 140 that may be attached via a lower palm edge 155, to a second palm

region 145 having one or more finger extensions 150. The attachment of the first palm region

135 to the second palm region 145 may, for instance, be via a lower palm edge 155. In a

preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric to be cut into the elephant-pattern 130

may be arranged such that one or more of the finger extensions 150 are bias-cut 165 with

respect to a direction 160 of that finger extension. Such an arrangement may have the advantage

of increased flexibility of the finger portion of the glove.

In a preferred embodiment of the elephant-pattern 130, the shape is such that when the

fabric is arranged such that one or more of the finger extensions is bias-cut with respect to the

direction of that finger extension, the thumb extension 140 is also bias cut with respect to a

direction 162 of the thumb extension.

In a preferred embodiment, the bias-cut may only be used for the metal mesh layers 125

as bias-cutting tends to produce more waste. There may, however, be situations where the

additional flexibility introduced by bias-cutting makes it a preferred method even for one or

more of the microflex fabric layers 120. For instance, in an application required multiple

microflex fabric layers 120, the combined effect of many layers may be to provide a fabric that

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18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00 is too stiff in a particular direction and bias-cutting of one or more of the microflex fabric layers

120 may provide a more acceptable and wearable garment.

Figure 4 shows a schematic, plan view of a folded, elephant pattern layer 215 of one

embodiment of the present invention.

The folded, elephant pattern layer 215 is shown folded along a lower palm edge 155

that joins the two palm regions of the elephant pattern so that the structure is now ready to be

used in a glove. The folded, elephant pattern layer 215 has the added advantage that the palm

region of the glove, which may be the most vulnerable portion of the glove with respect to

puncture, has a double layer of metal mesh.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a bias-cut on a woven fabric 230. As shown, the

bias-cut 165 is at approximately forty-five degrees with respect to both the warp thread 220 and

the weft thread 225 of the woven fabric.

Figure 6 shows a schematic, exploded isometric view of the Components of a portion of

a protective vest 260 of one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 6, a chest or back portion of a protective vest 260 may have an

outer protective layer 115, a plurality of microflex layers 240 adjacent to the outer protective

layer 115, a plurality of metal mesh layers 245 and an inner protective layer 110.

When the garment is worn with the inner protective layer 110 closest to the wearer, this

arrangement may provide good protection against a ballistic attack on the wearer.

The outer and inner protective layers may be made of a suitably wearable fabric such as,

but not limited to, cotton, denim, wool, silk, linen, bamboo, or some combination thereof.

The plurality of microflex layers 240 may be joined to each other by stitching extending

across the interior 255. The plurality of metal mesh layers 245 may, in contrast, be joined to

each other by being peripherally sewn 250. The joining may also or instead be accomplished by

a means such as, but not limited to, gluing, welding, stapling, or some combination thereof.

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In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of metal mesh layers 245 may also have one or

more microflex fabric layers 120 attached to them by being peripherally sewn 250. These layers

may be on either side of the plurality of metal mesh layers 245 or on both sides. The microflex

fabric layers 120 peripherally attached to the peripherally sewn 250 may, for instance, provide

enhanced protection against puncture attacks such as, but not limited to, stab, cut, slash and

needle attacks, or some combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention

there may be between 20 and 28 microflex fabric layers 120 and between 8 and 12 metal mesh

layers 125, and in a more preferred embodiment there are 24 microflex fabric layers 120 and 10

metal mesh layers 125.

One of ordinary skill in the art will, however, appreciate that the protective, composite

fabric illustrated in Figure 6 and described above may be used in a variety of other protective

garments. For instance, trousers or legging made incorporating such a material may, for

instance, offer significant protection against puncture attacks such as those of industrial cutting

machinery such as, but not limited to, a chain-saw. Similarly, the material, or variants of it, may

be incorporated into other items of protective apparel such as, but not limited to, shoes, boots,

gloves, head-gear or sleeves.

Figure 7 shows a schematic plan view of an inter-woven para-aramid/metal fiber fabric

265 of one embodiment of the present invention.

As discussed above, applicant noted an unexpected 30-40 percent increase in the

puncture resistance when microflex fabric layers 120 are combined with metal mesh layers 125.

One conjecture is that this unexpected increase may be due to such a combination resulting in,

even during low velocity puncture, more of the para-aramid fibers being stretched or broken

along a longitudinal axis of the fiber, rather than being broken in shear.

Para-aramid fibers typically have a tensile strength of about 36 percent more than an

equivalent dimensioned steel fiber. As para-aramids are typically only about 18 percent as dense

as steel, this gives them a tensile strength advantage of about a factor of 5, which is why they

are often cited as being "five times as strong as steel". However, para-amid fiber typically have

12

18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00 a shear strength that is only about 24 percent of that of steel. This means that they are much easier to cut or to stab through with either a sharp instrument or a needle. A conjecture for the unexpected 30-40 percent increase in the puncture resistance when microflex fabric layers 120 are combined with metal mesh layers 125 is that the para-amid fibers are being bent and then stretched through the metal mesh. This would allow a fraction of their superior tensile strength to come into effect even in resisting a low velocity puncture, cut or needle attack.

A similar synergy of the properties of metal and para-aramid fibers may, therefore, also

be possible by weaving the fibers into a single layer of fabric.

In the inter-woven para-aramid/metal fiber fabric 265 shown in Figure 7, the fabric has

alternating warp para-aramid yarn fibers 272 and warp metal fibers 277 as well as alternating

weft para-aramid yarn fibers 270 and weft metal fibers 275. One of ordinary skill in the art will,

however, appreciate that alternate types of weaving could also be used to create such a

composite such as, but not limited to, having all para-aramid yarn weft fibers and all metal warp

fibers, or vice versa. In addition to the plain weave pattern illustrated in Figure 7, other well

known weave patterns such as, but not limited to, a basket weave, a twill weave or a statin

weave, or some combination thereof, may be used as some may provide possible advantageous

results regarding protection-to-material ratios, or cost advantages.

In a preferred embodiment, the inter-woven para-aramid/metal fiber fabric 265 may be

made of para-aramid yarn made of a plurality of individual poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide

fibers having a denier of 2 dtex or less, while the metal fibers may be stainless steel fibers

having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the inter- woven para- aramid/metal

fiber fabric 265 may be woven such the mesh aperture is 0.45 mm or less. Figure 8 shows a

schematic, plan view of a folded, elephant pattern layer of one embodiment of the present

invention having a truncated thumb extension and truncated finger extensions.

The folded, elephant pattern layer 215 of Figure 8 is shown as having a first palm region

135 with a truncated thumb extension 142. The pattern may be folded at a lower palm edge 155

13

18597464_1 (GHMatters) P44283AU00 that may be connected to a second palm region (not shown in this view) that may have one or more finger extensions 150 and one or more truncated finger extensions 152 attached to it.

A purpose of having one or more metal mesh layers or one more para-aramid layers of

the protective material having either a truncated finger or thumb extension may be to allow

additional flexibility of a wearer's corresponding digits. The glove may, for instance, be used by

an agent wanting to use a firearm while wearing the glove. Having additional flexibility and less

bulk in the thumb and index fingers of a glove may, for instance, allow a wearer to hold and fire

a pistol more easily.

In an alternate version of the glove with truncated protection, there may be additional

pieces of material sized and shaped to cover the remainder of the finger of thumb but that are

disconnected from the rest of the elephant pattern. In that manner, flexibility may be maintained

while protection may be provided for the majority of the thumb and finger.

Figure 9 A shows a schematic, plan view of a fan, 3-piece glove pattern 280 cutout of

one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the fan, 3-piece glove pattern 280 may have a thumb piece of a fan glove

pattern 281, a fingers piece of a fan glove pattern 282 and a palm piece of a fan glove pattern

283. The fan, 3-piece glove pattern 280 may be used to cut either microflex fabric layers or

metal mesh layers, or both. In a preferred embodiment, the fan, 3-piece glove pattern 280 pieces

may be arranged such that either, or both, of the thumb and finger extensions are bias-cut for

reasons such as those described above.

Figure 9 B shows a schematic, plan view of an assembled fan, 3-piece glove pattern 285

of one embodiment of the present invention. The thumb piece 281, the fingers piece 282 and the

palm piece 283 may be assembled together by any suitable means such as, but not limited to,

stitching, gluing, stapling, welding, spot gluing, spot stitching, spot welding or some

combination thereof. The pieces may also, or instead, be held in place by suitably shaped inner

and outer protective layers that may be joined peripherally by, for instance, stitching, or which

may be joined by stitching that extends across the interior of the pattern.

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Figure 10 A shows a schematic, plan view of a turkey, 3-piece glove pattern 290 cut-out

of one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the turkey, 3-piece glove pattern 290 may have a thumb piece of a turkey

glove pattern 291, a fingers piece of a turkey glove pattern 292 and a palm piece of a turkey

glove pattern 293. The fan, 3-piece glove pattern 290 may be used to cut either microflex fabric

layers or metal mesh layers, or both. In a preferred embodiment, the turkey, 3-piece glove

pattern 290 pieces may be arranged such that either, or both, of the thumb and finger extensions

are bias-cut for reasons such as those described above.

Figure 10 B shows a schematic, plan view of an assembled turkey, 3-piece glove pattern

second pivot 295 of one embodiment of the present invention. The thumb piece 291, the fingers

piece 292 and the palm piece 293 may be assembled together by any suitable means such as, but

not limited to, stitching, gluing, stapling, welding, spot gluing, spot stitching, spot welding or

some combination thereof. The pieces may also, or instead, be held in place by suitably shaped

inner and outer protective layers that may be joined peripherally by, for instance, stitching, or

which may be joined by stitching that extends across the interior of the pattern.

Figure 11 shows a schematic, front view of a pair of protective pants 305 along with a

schematic view of a composite fabric construction 355 viewed at a line 330.

The protective pants 305 may, for instance, be of a conventional design having features

such as, but not limited to, a pant belt 320 and a zipper fastener 325 or some combination

thereof. The protective pants 305 may be fabricated in whole or in part of a composite fabric of

the present invention having a composite fabric construction 335 as illustrated schematically in

Figure 11.

The composite fabric construction 335 may, for instance, be illustrative of the

construction at line of section 330 on the protective pants. The composite fabric construction

335 may include an inner lining fabric 340, an inner, microflex bundle 345, an inner metal mesh

bundle 350, an outer metal mesh bundle 355, an outer microflex bundle 360 and an outer lining

fabric 365.

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In a preferred embodiment, the inner, microflex bundle 345 and the inner metal mesh

bundle 350 may be joined together, but may be separate from the outer metal mesh bundle 355

and the outer microflex bundle 360, which may themselves be joined together. The two

separated, inner and outer groups of bundles may then be sandwiched between the inner lining

fabric 340 and the outer lining fabric 365 which may be joined at the periphery of the sections

making up the garment.

The microflex bundle layers may, for instance, be joined to each other by stitching

extending across the interior of said microflex fabric layers, while the metal mesh bundle layers

may, for instance, be joined by stitching along a periphery of the metal mesh layers. In an

alternative embodiment, the inner and outer linings may also be joined directly to the inner and

outer groups of fabric bundles.

The inner and outer microflex bundles may be made of microflex fabric layers of woven

para-aramid yarn, and may comprise para-aramid yam having some or all of the characteristics

of the types of para-aramid yarns and fibers detailed above.

The inner and outer metal mesh bundles may be made of woven stainless steel fibers,

and may comprise metal mesh layers having fiber composition and characteristics of some or all

of the metal meshes described above.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the inner and outer

microflex bundles and the inner and outer metal mesh bundle may have 3 to 8 layers of fabric.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the inner and outer microflex

bundles and the inner and outer metal mesh bundle may have 5 layers of fabric, with the

microflex layers being woven from para-aramid fibers that may be poly-p- phenylene

into a yarn having 500 or more fibers, and the metal mesh layer being made of woven mesh of

stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and a mesh aperture of 0.45 mm or

less.

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As shown in Figure 11, the protective pants 305 may include regions of extra protection

such as, but not limited to, the knee region of additional protection 310 and/or the crotch region

of additional protection 315. Having regions of extra protection may, for instance, allow

garments to be made cost effectively while providing the desired levels of protection in the

regions most in need of protection.

Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above primarily

with reference to protective gloves.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to

be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that

numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to

without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Industrial Applicabilty

The present invention has applicability in the protective gloves industry.

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Claims

What is claimed:

1. A human wearable glove, having an inner protective layer, an outer protective and, sandwiched between said inner and outer layer, a multiplicity of intermediate layers, said intermediate layers comprising: one or more microflex fabric layers, said microflex fabric being comprised of woven para-aramid yarn, said yarn comprising poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fibers having a denier of 2 dtex or less; one or more mesh layers of a woven metallic mesh, said woven metallic mesh comprising stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and a mesh aperture of 0.45 mm or less; and wherein said inner and outer protective layers are joined at a periphery of said protective layers, and wherein said metal mesh layer is shaped in the form of an elephant-pattern, said elephant-pattern comprising a first palm region having a thumb extension, and a second palm region having four finger extensions and wherein said first and second palm regions are joined along a lower palm edge, and wherein said metal mesh layer is bias-cut with respect to a direction of at least one of said finger extensions and wherein said metal mesh layer is folded along said lower palm edge of said elephant-pattern when located within said glove.

2. The glove of claim 1 wherein at least one of said microflex fabric layers is shaped in the form of an elephant-pattern and is bias-cut with respect to a direction of at least one of said finger extensions.

3. The glove of claim 2 further comprising four of said folded, bias-cut, elephant-pattern shaped mesh layers and one of said microflex layers.

4. The glove of claim 3 further comprising a second of said microflex layers and wherein said folded, bias-cut elephant-pattern shaped mesh layers are sandwiched between said two microflex layers.

5. The glove of claim 4 wherein said microflex layer is sandwiched between said folded, bias-cut elephant-pattern shaped mesh layers such that there are two of said mesh layers on either side of said microflex layer.

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6. The glove of claim 5 wherein at least of said finger extensions is a truncated finger extension.

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