Chain mail garments impregnated with an elastomeric material

Abstract

The chain mail fabric of a protective garment is impregnated with an elastomeric material to impart elastic characteristics to the fabric. In a first embodiment of such a garment construction, a chain mail glove includes a glove portion with an open end and a cuff portion attached to the open end of the glove portion. The cuff portion comprises a plurality of interconnected rows of wire rings which extend laterally around a wrist in encircling relation so that the cuff portion is expandable in diameter. The cuff portion is impregnated with an elastomeric latex material to impart elasticity to the cuff. In use, the cuff elastically encircles the wrist without bunching or gathering of the material, yet it is expandable in diameter to extend a hand therethrough. In a second embodiment, an arm protector includes a sleeve portion and cuff portions at each end of the sleeve. The cuff portions each comprise a plurality of interconnected rows of wire rings which extend laterally around a wearer's arm in encircling relation so that the cuff portions are expandable in diameter. The cuff portions are impregnated with an elastomeric latex material to impart elasticity thereto. Both the glove and arm protector constructions are reversible for right and left handed users.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.