Thumb shielding device

{
  "publication_number": "US6237148B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Thumb shielding device",
  "abstract": "A thumb shielding device for protecting a user's thumbs from nicks and cuts when the user is preparing foods with sharp kitchen utensils. The thumb shielding device includes a substantially cut-proof planar member. The planar member has a ridged central portion and a pair of malleable flaps. Each flap extends outward from an associated side of the central portion. The flaps are designed to bend around a thumb of a user thereby securing the planar member around the user's thumb. In addition, the thumb shielding device may comprise a generally cylindrical substantially cut-proof sheath that is designed to snugly cover a thumb of a user. The sheath has an open end, a closed end, and an interior. A lining is coupled to the interior of the sheath for facilitating engagement of the sheath to the thumb of the user.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A thumb shielding device comprising: a substantially cut-proof planar member, said planar member having a central portion and a pair of flaps, each flap extending outwardly from an associated side of said central portion; wherein said central portion is substantially rigid; wherein each flap is substantially malleable for permitting bending of said flaps around a thumb of a user for securing said planar member around the thumb of the user whereby said planar member generally covers said thumb for preventing cutting of said thumb; and said central portion having an arcuate cutout portion extending between opposite lower ends of said flaps such that said arcuate cutout portion is positionable proximate a base of the thumb of the user when said planar member is secured to the thumb of the user, said arcuate cutout portion being for facilitating bending of a joint at the base of the thumb.",
    "2. A thumb shielding device comprising: a substantially cut-proof planar member, said planar member having a central portion and a pair of flaps, each flap extending outwardly from an associated side of said central portion; wherein said central portion is substantially rigid; wherein each flap is substantially malleable for permitting bending of said flaps around a thumb of a user for securing said planar member around the thumb of the user whereby said planar member generally covers said thumb for preventing cutting of said thumb; and said central portion having a protrusion extending outwardly from opposite upper ends of said flaps such that said protrusion is positionable adjacent a thumbnail of the thumb of the user when said planar member is secured to the thumb of the user, said protrusion being for covering a distal end of the thumb of the user.",
    "3. The thumb shielding device of claim 2, further comprising: a distal edge of said protrusion being arcuate for generally conforming to an outline of the thumb of the user for facilitating holding of items being cut during use.",
    "4. A thumb shielding device comprising: a generally cylindrical substantially cut-proof sheath having an open end, a closed end, and an interior; said sheath being adapted for snugly covering a thumb of a user; and a lining coupled to said interior of said sheath for facilitating engagement of said sheath to the thumb of the user; and said lining including a plurality of resilient circumferential grooves along a length of said sheath, said grooves being for facilitating holding of the thumb in said sheath.",
    "5. The thumb shielding device of claim 4 wherein said lining is made of rubber.",
    "6. The thumb shielding device of claim 4 wherein said sheath is made of a material chosen from the group of materials consisting of copper, brass, and sterling silver.",
    "7. The thumb shielding device of claim 4, further comprising: said closed end being generally dome-shaped for positioning an interior surface of said closed end in spaced relationship to a thumbnail of the thumb of the user for preventing contact between said inner surface of said closed end and the thumbnail of the thumb when said sheath is engaged to the thumb.",
    "8. A thumb shielding device comprising: a generally cylindrical substantially cut-proof sheath having an open end, a closed end, and an interior; said sheath being adapted for snugly covering a thumb of a user; a lining coupled to said interior of said sheath for facilitating engagement of said sheath to the thumb of the user; said lining including a plurality of resilient circumferential grooves along a length of said sheath, said grooves being for facilitating holding of the thumb in said sheath; wherein said lining is made of rubber; wherein said sheath is made of a material chosen from the group of materials consisting of copper, brass, and sterling silver; and said closed end being generally dome-shaped for positioning an interior surface of said closed end in spaced relationship to a thumbnail of the thumb of the user for preventing contact between said inner surface of said closed end and the thumbnail of the thumb when said sheath is engaged to the thumb."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "D05B 91/04",
    "A41D 13/087"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2000-03-17",
  "publication_date": "2001-05-29",
  "grant_date": "2001-05-29",
  "priority_date": "2000-03-17",
  "application_number": "US-52827000-A",
  "family_id": "24104954",
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  ]
}