Fingertip protectors
View Patent ↗A fingertip protector having a flexible cover with a top contacting surface and a bottom gripping surface. A lip is attached to the flexible cover so as to define the contacting surface and a strap is attached on both of its ends to the flexible cover. The contacting surface is sized and shaped to fit on a tip of a finger and the strap is configured to wrap around a finger to assist in securing the contacting surface on the tip of the finger. The flexible cover is comprised of a heat-resistant elastomer. The contacting surface contacts the tip of a finger while the lip engages that tip to assist maintaining the finger and thumb tip protector in place.
1. A fingertip protector, comprising:
a flexible cover having a top contacting surface and a gripping surface;
a lip attached to the top of said flexible cover so as to define said contacting surface;
a strap having a pair of ends, the pair of ends each attaches to said flexible cover;
wherein said contacting surface is sized and shaped to fit on a tip of a finger; and,
wherein said strap wraps around said finger to assist in securing said contacting surface on said tip of said finger;
wherein said lip engages said tip of said finger so as to assist maintaining said finger and a thumb tip protector in position on said finger;
wherein said strap extends around the nail of said finger to assist retaining said fingertip protector on said finger;
wherein said strap forms a “U”-shape that defines an open space that receives said distal phalanx of said finger;
wherein said strap creates a bias that helps retain said finger and thumb protector on said finger;
wherein said flexible cover has a generally elliptical shape;
wherein said contacting surface has the shape of the tip of said finger; and
wherein said gripping surface includes a plurality of alternating protruding ridges and a plurality of grooves.
2. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover is made of a heat-resistant elastomer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and nylon.
3. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover survives a brief contact with a hot device without passing sufficient heat to discomfort a wearer.
4. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said flexible cover survives a 1 second contact with a surface at 200° F. without notable damage and without transmitting sufficient heat to discomfort a wearer.
5. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said strap is made of the same material as said flexible cover.
6. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said contacting surface makes contact with the tip of said finger.
7. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said grooves are formed between said alternating protruding ridges.
8. The fingertip protector according to claim 7 , wherein said grooves are recessed.
9. The fingertip protector according to claim 1 , wherein said alternating protruding ridges and said grooves run parallel to each other.