U.S. patent application number 10/948860 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-17 for sports glove.
Invention is credited to Bamber, Jeffrey V..
Application Number | 20050034213 10/948860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46302923 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050034213 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bamber, Jeffrey V. |
February 17, 2005 |
Sports glove
Abstract
A sports glove, such as a golf glove, baseball batting glove, or
other type of glove is disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment,
the sports glove has a fastener made of a breathable material. In
another embodiment, the sports glove has a fastener with apertures
therein. In another embodiment, the sports glove has a container
joined thereto that can be used for storing the glove after use. In
another embodiment, the sports glove is provided with one or more
regions comprising extensible material. In another embodiment, the
sports glove is provided with an extensible fastener. In some
embodiments, any portion of the glove, such as the fingers and/or
the palm and back of the glove, may be provided in a pre-formed
curved configuration.
Inventors: |
Bamber, Jeffrey V.;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HASSE GUTTAG & NESBITT LLC
7550 CENTRAL PARK BLVD.
MASON
OH
45040
US
|
Family ID: |
46302923 |
Appl. No.: |
10/948860 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10948860 |
Sep 24, 2004 |
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10672138 |
Sep 26, 2003 |
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60414715 |
Sep 28, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/161.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/141 20130101;
A63B 2102/18 20151001; A63B 2102/32 20151001; A41F 1/06 20130101;
A63B 63/007 20130101; A63B 2243/0025 20130101; A63B 69/3608
20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 71/146 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/161.1 |
International
Class: |
A63B 071/10; A63B
071/14; A41D 019/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sports glove comprising a body and a fastening system, wherein
at least a portion of said fastening system is breathable, said
fastening system comprising: a first component comprising loop
material comprising substrate and a plurality of loops extending
from said substrate, said substrate of said loop material being
joined to a first underlying portion of the body of said glove; and
a second component comprising a complementary hook material
engageable with said loop material, said hook material comprising a
substrate and a plurality of hooks extending from said substrate,
said substrate of said hook material being joined to a second
underlying portion of the body of said glove; and wherein at least
a portion of at least one of: (a) the combination of the substrate
of said loop material and the first underlying portion, and (b) the
combination of the substrate of said hook material and said second
underlying portion, is breathable therethrough.
2. The sports glove of claim 1 wherein said at least a portion of
said fastening system that is breathable has a Frazier air
permeability of greater than or equal to about 5
ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min.
3. The sports glove of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of both
(a) and (b) is breathable.
4. The sports glove of claim 3 wherein when said fastening system
is closed, said at least a portion of said first component and said
at least a portion of said second component at least partially
overlap to form overlapping portions, wherein at least a portion of
said overlapping portions is breathable therethrough.
5. The sports glove of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
at least one of (a) and (b) that is breathable therethrough is
comprised of at least one breathable material.
6. The sports glove of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
at least one of (a) and (b) that is breathable therethrough has
apertures formed therein.
7. The sports glove of claim 6 wherein said at least one of (a) and
(b) that is breathable therethrough has apertures formed therein,
wherein at least some of said apertures pass through at least one
of said first underlying portion and said second underlying portion
of the body of said glove.
8. The sports glove of claim 6 wherein at least some of said
apertures are microapertures.
9. The sports glove of claim 6 wherein at least some of said
apertures are macroapertures.
10. The sports glove of claim 6 wherein at least some of said
apertures are arranged in spaced apart rows of apertures wherein
the apertures in at least some of said rows are staggered relative
to the apertures in another row of apertures.
11. A golf glove according to claim 1.
12. A sports glove comprising: a glove body having at least one
opening formed therein, and a piece of elastically extensible
material having an equilibrium condition, wherein said elastically
extensible material is stretched beyond its equilibrium condition
to a stretched condition and joined to the glove body in a
stretched condition so that it bridges at least a portion of the at
least one opening.
13. The sports glove of claim 12 wherein at least portions of the
body of said glove adjacent said opening define opposed edges of
said opening, and said patch of extensible material will gather
said portions of the body of said glove toward each other when said
extensible material is in equilibrium.
14. The sports glove of claim 12 wherein said piece of extensible
material is breathable.
15. A golf glove according to claim 12.
16. A sports glove comprising: a body comprising a back portion
that fits adjacent to the back of a wearer's hand, a front portion
that fits adjacent a wearer's palm, four finger portions, and a
thumb portion; a primary fastening system comprising: a first
fastening component on the back portion of the body of the glove;
and a second fastening component disposed on an extension of the
back of the glove that forms a flap, wherein said extension has a
free end that has an extended length, and said flap at least
partially overlaps the first fastening component on the back
portion of the glove; and a gathering system for adjusting said
primary fastening system, said gathering system being disposed at
least partially on at least one of: (a) the extension of the back
of the glove that forms the flap; or (2) on the back portion of the
body of the glove, wherein said gathering system is configured to
shorten the extended length of the flap and tighten the closure of
the primary fastening system when the gathering system is in a
gathered configuration.
17. The sports glove of claim 16 wherein said gathering system
comprises complementary fastener components that, when engaged,
tighten the closure of the primary fastening system.
18. The sports glove of claim 17 wherein said complementary
fastener components comprise hook and loop mechanical
fasteners.
19. The sports glove of claim 18 wherein said first and second
fastening components of said primary fastening system also comprise
complementary hook and loop mechanical fasteners, and said first
and second fastening components of said primary fastening system
have a first resistance to peeling forces, and complementary
fastener components of said gathering system have a second, higher
resistance to peeling forces than the first resistance to peeling
forces of the components of the primary fastening system.
20. A golf glove according to claim 16.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/672,138, filed on Sep. 26, 2003, which
claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent
application Ser. No. 60/414,715, filed on Sep. 28, 2002, both of
which are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sports glove, such as a
golf glove, football player's glove, baseball batting glove, soccer
goalie's gloves, driving gloves, cross country skiing gloves, and
other types of gloves.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sports gloves, such as a golf gloves, football players'
gloves, baseball batting gloves, soccer goalie's gloves, driving
gloves, cross country skiing gloves, and other types of gloves are
commonly made of leather, as well as some other materials. These
types of gloves will frequently have a fastener made of VELCRO.RTM.
material on the portion of the glove that covers the back of the
wearer's hand.
[0004] There are several disadvantages associated with such gloves.
One disadvantage is that the VELCRO material fastener, when
fastened, will provide a structure that is two or more layers
thick. The two or more layers may comprise the two layers of
VELCRO.RTM. material that are fastened together, along with the
layers of the glove to which they are attached. This can cause the
glove to hold heat from the back of the wearer's hand, which is
especially a problem on hot days. When a glove is worn on a hot
day, it will tend to be soaked with sweat, particularly at a
location on the back of the wearer's hand. After a glove has been
soaked, it will often become stiff in the regions that were wet. A
glove with stiff regions is less comfortable and does not fit as
well as a glove that has been dry.
[0005] Another disadvantage of such gloves is that after a period
of several uses, the glove becomes baggy and less closely-fitting,
particularly at the region of the back of the wearer's knuckles. In
addition, the portions of the glove that are elasticated (such as
those portions worn adjacent to the wearer's wrist, and other
portions that are typically positioned to be worn adjacent to the
back of the wearer's hand) can suffer from the disadvantage that
the elastic ceases to function as intended. In addition, the
bagginess and loss of close fit can cause the VELCRO.RTM. fastening
material to lose its ability to adjust when closing so that the
glove becomes too loose even when the fastener is pulled closed as
tightly as possible.
[0006] Thus, there is a need to provide sports gloves with improved
features.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a sports glove, such as a
golf glove, football player's glove, baseball batting glove, soccer
goalie's gloves, driving gloves, cross country skiing gloves, and
other types of gloves. Certain features of the sports glove
described herein may also comprise inventions in their own right
and can be used on articles other than sports gloves.
[0008] There are numerous, non-limiting embodiments of the
invention. All embodiments, even if they are only described as
being "embodiments" of the invention, are intended to be
non-limiting (that is, there may be other embodiments in addition
to these), unless they are expressly described as limiting the
scope of the invention. Any of the embodiments described herein can
also be combined with any other embodiments in any manner to form
still other embodiments.
[0009] In one non-limiting embodiment, the sports glove has a
fastener, at least a portion of which is made of a breathable
material. In one version of such an embodiment, the fastener on the
sports glove has apertures therein. In these embodiments, or in
other embodiments, any other portion or portions of the sports
glove (including, but not limited to the back portion, the palm
portion, and the entire glove) can also be breathable. Such portion
or portions can have any properties of the breathable fasteners
described herein. In another embodiment, the sports glove has a
container joined thereto that can be used for storing the glove
when not in use. In another embodiment, the sports glove is
provided with one or more regions comprising extensible material.
The extensible material can be retractable. For instance, the
extensible material can be elastically retractable by virtue of
being attached to the body of the glove when the material is in a
stretched condition. In another embodiment, the sports glove is
provided with an extensible fastener. In other embodiments, the
sports glove may be provided with one or more supplemental
adjustment systems that can either adjust, or be adjusted, to
tighten the closure of the primary fastening system of the
glove.
[0010] In any of the embodiments in which the glove is provided
with apertures, the apertures may be configured with a shape that
is one-directional (e.g., funnel-shaped) to transport moisture away
from the wearer's skin. In these or other embodiments, the glove
may be provided with one or more vents in key places, or other
desirable places. In these or other embodiments, the glove may be
provided with a substance, or one or more elements, on the inner
surface of the glove to space portions of the wearer's hand away
from the glove material.
[0011] Any of the embodiments or features described herein can be
combined in any manner with any of the other embodiments or
features described herein to produce additional embodiments. Other
embodiments are also contemplated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed
that the present invention will be better understood from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a sports glove having a fastener
made of a breathable material.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portions of a sports
glove having a fastener thereon.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear view of a sports glove having a fastener
with apertures therein.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the fastener of a sports glove and a
portion of the glove to which it is attached.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a rear view of a sports glove having a container
that can be used for storing the glove when not in use.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a sports glove provided with
several regions comprising extensible material.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of a sports glove provided with
several regions of extensibility on the front thereof.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a side view of a sports glove which is pre-formed
into a curved configuration.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a rear view of a sports glove in which the
fastener is extensible.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a rear view of a sports glove having a
supplemental adjustment system that can be adjusted to tighten the
primary fastening system on the glove.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sports glove shown
in FIG. 10, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional view taken
from an angle similar to FIG. 11, only showing the gathering system
on the fastener in a folded and secured configuration.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a rear view of a sports glove having an
additional adjustment mechanism.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a rear view of a sports glove that has at least
one extensible region with an alternative configuration.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a side view of a fragmented portion of a sports
glove that has apertures that have a shape that is one-directional
(e.g., funnel-shaped).
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side view of a fragmented portion of a sports
glove that is provided with protuberances or projections on the
inner surface of the glove.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention relates to a sports glove, such as a
golf glove, football player's glove, baseball batting glove, soccer
goalie's gloves, driving gloves, cross country skiing gloves, and
other types of gloves.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows one non-limiting embodiment of a sports glove
20. The sports glove 20 comprises a body portion 20A; a back
portion 22 that fits adjacent the back of the wearer's hand; a
front portion 24 that fits adjacent the wearer's palm; four finger
portions 26, 28, 30, and 32; a thumb portion 34; and a V-shaped
cut-out 36 in the back portion 22 that provides the ability to
adjust a fastening system (or "fastener") 38. In this embodiment,
the fastener 38 comprises components that form a closure. In some
embodiments, such as is shown in FIG. 1, the components of the
fastening system may overlap, at least partially, to form such a
closure.
[0031] The body portion 20A of the glove 20 can be of any suitable
configuration and can be provided with any features. Various types
of sports gloves that can comprise the body portion 20A of the
sports glove 20, components thereof, and features therefore,
include, but are not limited to, those that are described in the
following U.S. patent publications: U.S. Des. 340,793; U.S. Des.
426,922; U.S. Des. 462,810; U.S. Des. 464,178; U.S. Des. 471,674;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,963; U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,651; U.S. Pat. No.
5,184,353; U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,188; U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,372; Pat.
No. 5,450,628; U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,773; U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,979;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,022; U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,172; U.S. Pat. No.
6,154,885; U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,380 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,445 B1;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,247 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,350 B2; U.S. Pat.
No. 6,513,165 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,166 B1; U.S. Pat. No.
6,519,776 B1; U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,058 B2; U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,599
B2; U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,575 B1; U.S. 2003/0167553 A1; and Pat. No.
6,625,815 B2. However, it is not necessary that the sports glove
have the patented features described in these publications.
[0032] The fastener 38 can comprise any suitable type of fastener,
including but not limited to adhesive fasteners, mechanical
fasteners, and other types of fasteners. Mechanical fasteners can
include, but are not limited to any type of fastener suitable for
the purpose of providing a closure. Suitable mechanical fasteners
include, but are not limited to snap fasteners and hook and loop
fasteners. In one embodiment, the fastener 38 comprises a hook and
loop material, such as VELCRO.RTM. fastening material. VELCRO.RTM.
fastening material typically comprises a substrate material that
has a plurality of small hook elements joined thereto or extending
therefrom, and a complementary material comprising a substrate
having a plurality of small loops of material joined thereto or
extending therefrom.
[0033] The term "joined", as used herein, encompasses
configurations in which an element is directly secured to another
element by affixing the element directly to the other element;
configurations in which the element is indirectly secured to the
other element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s)
which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations
in which one element is integral with another element, i.e., one
element is essentially part of the other element. The term "joined"
includes both those configurations in which an element is
temporarily joined to another element, or in which an element is
permanently joined to another element.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the loop material 40 is typically joined
to a first underlying material, such as an extension 42 of the back
22 of the glove. The first underlying material may be referred to
as "underlying" since such material will be underlying the loop
material 40 when the loop material is facing upward, even though in
the embodiment shown, it overlies the loop material 40 when the
loop material 40 is facing downward. When the term "underlying" is
used herein, it refers to this convention--that of a configuration
in which the fastening material is facing upward. The loop material
40 mates with a complementary hook material 44. The hook material
44 is joined to a second underlying portion, such as a portion 46
on the back of the glove. Any suitable portion of the substrates,
including the entire surfaces thereof, may be covered with the loop
material and the hook material, respectively.
[0035] In other embodiments, if the components of the fastening
system 38 are provided with sufficient integrity to withstand the
forces of use, the loop material 40 and the hook material 44 may be
joined to the desired portions of the glove without having portions
of the glove completely underlie the same. In such embodiments,
portions of the glove may underlie any suitable percentage of the
surface area of the loop material 40 and/or the hook material 44.
For instance, portions of the glove may underlie less than or equal
to about 10%, 20%, 30%, . . . , etc., up to 100% of the surface
area of the loop material 40 and/or the hook material 44. In other
embodiments, the loop material 40 and/or the hook material 44 can
be joined to the desired portions of the glove in regions adjacent
to the edges of the loop material and hook material. The joined
components in such an embodiment will form more of an abutting
joint (or butt joint, rather than a structure that is more in the
nature of a laminate. In other embodiments, loops and/or hooks can
be formed directly on the desired portions of the glove. That is,
portions of the glove can serve as a substrate for the loops and/or
hooks.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sports glove 20 has a
fastener 38 which is made from a breathable material. The term
"breathable" refers to a material that is pervious to air and
moisture (such as water vapor or perspiration). In other
embodiments, the fastener 38 may only be pervious to air or
moisture. The unnumbered arrows in FIG. 1 show that moisture can
pass through the fastener 38, away from the back of the wearer's
hand. In this embodiment, or in other embodiments, any other
portion or portions of the sports glove (including, but not limited
to the back portion, the palm portion, and the entire glove) can
also be breathable. Such portion or portions can have any
properties of the breathable fasteners described herein.
[0037] The fastener 38 may be, but need not be, breathable over its
entire surface area. The fastener 38 may be breathable through all
or any portion of the overall surface area of the fastener. For
example, the breathable portion of the fastener 38 can comprise
greater than or equal to about 5%, 10%, 15%, . . . , etc., up to
less than about 100% of the surface area of the fastener 38.
[0038] The fastener 38, or breathable portion thereof, can be
provided with any suitable amount of breathability. In certain
embodiments, the breathability of the fastener 38, or breathable
portion thereof, can be expressed in terms of the Frazier air
permeability of the fastener, or breathable portion thereof.
Frazier air permeability is a well-known test for measuring the air
permeability of materials, which utilizes a Frazier Air Permeometer
available from Frazier Precision Instrument Co., Inc. of
Hagerstown, Md., U.S.A. The test is designed to measure the air
flow rate (unit volume of air per unit flow area per unit time)
through the sample under a pressure differential driving force of
1/2 inch (1.25 cm) of water. The sample is conditioned at standard
laboratory conditions, and the test is run under these conditions.
The test should be run according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
[0039] The Frazier air permeability properties of various materials
and structures formed therefrom are described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,648,876 issued to Becker, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,104 B1
issued to Lasko, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,292 B1 issued to
Strack, et al. In certain embodiments, the fastener 38, or
breathable portion thereof, may have a Frazier air permeability in
the range of microporous materials, or in the range of macroporous
materials. In some embodiments, the fastener 38, or breathable
portion thereof, may have a Frazier air permeability of less than
or equal to zero ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min (e.g., less than or equal to
about 0.5, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, . . . , etc. ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min). In
some embodiments, the fastener 38, or breathable portion thereof,
may have a Frazier air permeability of less than or equal to about
zero mm.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min, or less). In other embodiments, the
fastener 38, or breathable portion thereof, may have a Frazier air
permeability of greater than zero ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min (e.g.,
greater than or equal to about 5, 10, 15, . . . , etc. up to
greater than or equal to about 75 ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min, or more,
e.g, 80, 85, 90, . . . , etc. ft.sup.3/ft.sup.2/min). In some
embodiments, the fastener 38, or breathable portion thereof, may
have a Frazier air permeability in a range that falls within any
two of the values specified above. In some embodiments, the
fastener 38, or breathable portion thereof, may have different
regions with any of the different Frazier air permeability values
or ranges described herein.
[0040] When the breathability of the fastener, or breathable
portion thereof, is discussed herein, it may be specified that this
refers to the breathability of the entire fastener, or breathable
portion thereof, when the components are in an overlapping
condition, as they may be during use (if this is the way they are
intended to function). Thus, the fastener 38, or breathable portion
thereof, may be breathable through all of the following: any
fastener components (such as hook and loop components); any
portions of the body portion of the glove to which the fastener
components are attached; and any materials (e.g., adhesive or
stitching) used to affix the fastener components to portions of the
body portion of the glove. In other cases, the breathability of any
fastener components (such as hook and loop components); any
portions of the body portion of the glove to which the fastener
components are attached; and any materials (e.g., adhesive or
stitching) used to affix the fastener components to portions of the
body portion of the glove, may be specified separately, or in
combination.
[0041] The fastener 38 can be provided with breathability in any
suitable manner. In one embodiment, hook and loop fastener
components can be made of a breathable material, such as
VELCRO.RTM. Brand Loop 152 and VELCRO.RTM. Brand Hook 088 available
from Velcro USA Inc., or the fastener described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,373,712 issued to Yamamoto, et al. Alternative types of hook and
loop fasteners (to VELCRO brand fasteners) can be used. Alternative
types of fasteners are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,645 issued
to Peck, et al., and the references cited on the first and second
pages thereof and incorporated by reference therein. In other
embodiments, the substrate for the hook and loop material can be
made of a breathable material, which may include, but is not
limited to GORTEX.RTM. material or COOLMAX.RTM. material available
from DuPont. In some embodiments, the hook and/or loop fasteners
may comprise a non-knit material, or a knit material with apertures
other than rectangular or square apertures, formed therein.
Alternatively, the hook and/or loop fasteners may comprise
substantially closed knit materials that have apertures therein
that are not formed by a knitting process. Alternatively, the hook
and/or loop fasteners may comprise open knit materials having
apertures, at least some of which do not correspond to openings in
the knit materials.
[0042] In any of these embodiments, it may be desirable to attach
one or more of the fastener components (such as the hook and loop
fastener components) to the desired portions of the glove in a
manner that does not completely negate the breathability of the
fastener 38. In some embodiments, the hook and/or loop fastener
component can be fastened to the desired portions of the glove
exclusively by sewing (stitched threads), by adhesive applied in an
intermittent (non-continuous) pattern, by a combination of stitched
threads and adhesive applied in an intermittent pattern, or by some
other suitable type of attachment. For example, in these or other
embodiments, one or more of the fastener components can be at least
partially attached to the desired portions of the glove using
ultrasonic welds. The fastener component(s) can be ultrasonically
welded in any suitable manner. For instance, it is possible to
place an ultrasonically weldable material, such as a polymeric
material on the other side of the portions of the glove to which
the fastener components will be attached, and to weld through the
glove. The polymeric material can be apertured, or it can be in the
form of a nonwoven web, a scrim, strips of material, or any other
suitable configuration. This would eliminate the need for sewing,
and would provide a greater variety of possible bonding patterns,
including bonding patterns that could at least partially encircle
at least some of the apertures in the fastening component(s), or
completely encircle all of the apertures to prevent portions of the
fastener component(s) from peeling away from the portion of the
glove to which they are attached, especially during opening of the
fastener 38 on the glove.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a sports glove 20 in which the
fastener 38 is apertured. This can reduce the build-up of heat in
the region of the back of the wearer's hand. The apertures 48 can
be macroscopic, microscopic, or a combination thereof. There can be
any number of apertures 48. The number of apertures 48 can be
greater than or equal to: 1, 2, 3, . . . , etc. up to a virtually
infinite number of apertures. The apertures 48 can be of any size
and shape. It may be desirable for the apertures 48 to have a shape
that provides for a passageway through all the layers of the
fastener and the glove regardless of the degree to which the
components of the fastener 38 are overlapped to close the same. It
may, therefore, be desirable for some of the apertures 48 to be
longer in one direction than in the other direction. The apertures
48 may, for example, be longer in the direction that the fastener
38 is peeled in order to open the same (direction of peeling). In
other embodiments, the apertures 48 may be longer in any other
direction. Such other directions include, but are not limited to in
a direction perpendicular to the direction of peeling. In one
non-limiting embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, at least some of the
apertures 48 may be oblong. The apertures 48 can have rounded
portions, such as at the ends thereof such as is shown in FIG. 4,
to resist tearing when the fastener 38 is opened and closed, or for
any other purpose. In some embodiments, at least some of the
apertures may be non-rectangular.
[0044] The apertures 48 can also be disposed in any suitable
arrangement. FIG. 4 shows one non-limiting embodiment of how the
portions of the glove and fastener 38 can be configured to provide
apertures 48 that can align to provide a passageway through all the
layers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the apertures 48 are
arranged in rows of spaced apart apertures, and the components of
the fastener 38 (the hooks and loops) comprise material between
adjacent apertures. The apertures 48 in some different rows, such
as in adjacent rows, are staggered relative to each other. This
pattern of distribution of apertures can be used to provide the
fastener 38 with at least some breathability regardless of how the
components thereof are overlapped. Numerous other patterns of
distribution of the apertures 48 are possible. It is understood
that all or any portion (that is, percentages of the surface area
described above) of the fastener can comprise such apertures 38. In
some embodiments, for example, the apertures 48 can be provided
over substantially the entire surface area of the components of the
fastener 38.
[0045] The apertures 48 can be formed or created in any suitable
manner. Suitable manners for forming or creating apertures in the
fastener 38, or the components thereof, include, but are not
limited to by: punching, die cutting, and forming the materials for
the components with pores or the like therein. Forming materials
for the components with pores or the like therein includes, but is
not limited to forming the components out of nonwoven materials,
woven materials, and knit materials. Such materials will typically
be formed out of fibers, yarns, or other structural members, and
will be assembled such that there are pores or openings between the
fibers, yarns, or the other structural members comprising the same.
The apertures 48 can have edges that range from those that have
relatively poorly-defined edges to those that have well-defined
edges. An example of the former might be the pores in a nonwoven
fastener component material. Nonwoven fastener component materials
may have a first surface and a second surface, and a plurality of
pores that are located between the first and second surfaces, but
the pores often do not form a direct path between the first and
second surfaces. Such pores may, for example, form a tortuous
passageway between the first and second surfaces. An example of the
latter might be apertures that are created by punching holes into a
fastener component material. Fastener component materials having
apertures created by punching holes into the same may have a first
surface and a second surface, wherein the apertures form a direct
path or passageway or "through holes" between the first and second
surfaces. An example of knit material for a surface fastener which
has vents therein is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,712,
Yamamoto, et al. Currently, certain sports gloves such as golf
gloves have fastener components that are joined to a portion of the
leather material that forms the body of the glove.
[0046] In some embodiments, one or more of the components of the
fastener 38 may be comprised of a material that has apertures 48
that have both relatively poorly-defined edges and apertures 48
that form a direct path or passageway or "through holes" between
the first and second surfaces of such a material. In such an
embodiment, the through holes may or may not correspond in location
and/or size to the other openings or pores in the material. If the
through holes do not correspond in location of the openings or
pores in such a material, the through holes may pass at least
partially through at least some of the structural members of such a
material. The same may apply if one of the components of the
fastener 38 is comprised of more than one layer of material, and at
least one of such layers has pores or openings therein that are of
the non-"through hole" variety. The through holes in these
embodiments may be the same size as the openings or pores in the
material, or they may be smaller or larger than the openings or
pores of such a material. In certain embodiments, the through holes
may be of more than one size. For example, the material may have
through holes that are of a size selected from the group consisting
of through holes that are: smaller than; larger than; the same size
as; or any combination of such sizes relative to the pores or other
openings in the material.
[0047] In other embodiments, it is also possible for one portion of
the fastener (such as the hook portion, or the loop portion) to be
provided with breathability in one manner, and another portion of
the fastener to be provided with breathability in another manner.
For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, it may be desirable to
aperture the hook component and make the loop component with a
material having a breathable backing material, or vice versa.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a sports glove 20 in
which a container 50 for the glove is provided on the glove. The
container 50 can be used for storing the glove after use. In some
embodiments, the container 50 can be air permeable, moisture
permeable, or both. In other embodiments, the container 50 can be
impermeable to air, moisture, or both. For example, the container
50 can be a plastic bag that is joined to the glove, and if
desired, folded such as along the fold lines 52 shown, to make it
smaller in size. In one instance, after the glove 20 is used on a
hot day and has perspiration on the same, the glove can be folded
and inserted into the plastic bag 50. The bag 50 can be sealed so
that after remaining in the bag, the glove remains soft. The bag
can be sealed in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the bag 50
can be provided with a ZIPLOCK.RTM. snap and seal closure, or other
type of closure.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a sports glove 20 in
which the glove is provided with several regions 60 comprising
extensible material. The regions of extensible material 60 can be
located on any suitable portions of the glove, and are not limited
in location to those regions shown in FIG. 6. The locations of the
regions of extensible material 60 shown in FIG. 6, however, are
believed to comprise some of the regions in which the glove 20
becomes baggy after use. Such regions include, but are not limited
to, the portions on the back 22 of the glove that correspond to the
wearer's knuckles. The glove 20 can be provided with one or more of
the regions of extensible material, and is not limited to
embodiments having all the regions of extensible material shown in
FIG. 6.
[0050] The extensible regions 60 can be of any size and shape. The
extensible regions 60 can be discrete regions that are not
connected to each other, or they can comprise one or more
continuous regions, at least two of which are connected together.
Any two or more extensible regions 60 shown in FIG. 6 can be
connected to form a single contiguous extensible region. The
extensible material can be any suitable type of extensible
material. In certain embodiments, it is desirable for the
extensible regions 60 to comprise discrete pieces or patches of
extensible material, rather than strips of elastic that are joined
to a less extensible material, or generally inextensible material
(or substantially less extensible material, such as leather)
comprising the body 20A of the glove. In other words, the material
comprising the extensible regions 60 may have an inherent
extensibility. Such extensible material can comprise any suitable
extensible material, including but not limited to SPANDEX.RTM.
material and LYCRA.RTM. material.
[0051] The extensible regions 60 may, but need not be a structure
formed by a combination of a less extensible material that is
gathered by a more extensible material that is joined thereto, such
as in the case of structures in which the less extensible material
underlies the entirety of the more extensible material. The
extensible material may only underlie a portion of the surface area
of the extensible material. Alternatively, the extensible material
may be joined to the body 20A of the glove in an abutting
relationship so that the less extensible material does not underlie
any of the extensible material, and is only joined to the body of
the glove at the perimeter of an opening therein. Thus, the
extensible material may span an opening in a less extensible
material.
[0052] The pieces or patches of extensible material may also have
dimensions that differ from those of elastic strips, which
generally have a length that greatly exceeds their width. For
instance, the pieces or patches of material can have widths that
are greater than or equal to any of the following amounts, about:
1/8 inch; 1/4 inch; 1/2 inch; and 1 inch, or one tenth or an inch
or any multiple of one tenth of an inch, or their metric
equivalents. Additionally, or alternatively, the dimensions of the
pieces or patches of extensible material may be expressed in terms
of ratios of one dimension to another. This may be referred to as
the "aspect ratio" of the pieces or patches of extensible material.
The aspect ratio may, for example, be expressed as that of the
ratio of the width to the length (or vice versa) of the extensible
material, or the ratio of one dimension to another dimension that
is oriented perpendicular thereto (for example, in the case of
circular, square, or other shapes of pieces or patches of material
that do not have a well-defined length and width). The pieces or
patches of extensible material may have any suitable aspect ratio.
Suitable aspect ratios of the smallest dimension to the largest
dimension of the pieces or patches of extensible material include,
but are not limited to about: 1:1; 1:1.1; 1:1.2; 1:1.3, . . . etc.
The aspect ratio may be expressed as being less than or equal to
any of these ratios (above 1:1); greater than or equal to any of
these ratios; and the same with respect to any ratio in a
continuation of the progression of numbers set out in the preceding
sentence. (Any other progressions of numbers provided herein will
similarly include continuations of the same.)
[0053] It may be desirable for the extensible material to be
elastically extensible so that it will tend to relax or contract
back to a shortened condition after it has been extended. It may
also be desirable for such an elastically extensible material to be
joined to the body 20A of the glove in an at least partially
extended condition so that the extensible material will tend to
retract before, during, and after the glove is worn. In other
words, the extensible material may be stretched beyond its
equilibrium condition to a stretched condition and joined to the
body of the glove in a stretched condition. It is believed that
currently available gloves in which extensible pieces of material
are joined to the body thereof, may have such pieces of material
joined to the body of the glove in an equilibrium condition. The
elastically extensible material can retract in any suitable amount,
including but not limited to greater than or equal to about 1%, 3%,
5%, 10%, . . . , etc. up to greater than or equal to about 50%,
55%, or 60%, or more, of its extended length when the forces
associated with putting on the glove and wearing the glove are
removed. If the extensible material is attached in an at least
partially extended condition, the extensible material may cause the
adjacent materials to which it is attached to gather at least
slightly, especially when the glove is not worn. This may provide
the glove with a closer fit over time, since it may retract to
offset any stretching of the leather that leads to bagginess in
certain areas of the glove.
[0054] The extensible material can be extensible in one direction,
in more than one direction, or in all directions (for example,
extensible material may be omni-directionally extensible in the
plane of the same). If the extensible material is extensible in
less than in all directions, the orientation of the direction of
extensibility may be in any desired direction for any of the
regions of extensibility 60. Such directions of extensibility
include, but are not limited to directions generally parallel to a
line drawn across the wearer's knuckles, generally perpendicular to
such a line, or at any angle thereto. The regions of extensibility
60 may be extensible in the same direction or directions, or in
different directions.
[0055] The region(s) of extensibility 60 may be provided with any
suitable amount(s) of extensibility. The region(s) of extensibility
60 may, for example, be extensible in an amount that falls within a
range of an additional extension of from greater than or equal to
about 1%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, . . . , etc. to greater than about 100%
of its original unextended length (or dimension) under the forces
associated with putting on and wearing the glove 20. The region(s)
of extensibility 60 may be extensible in any amount that falls
within the above range, including but not limited to an additional
length or dimension that is within a range of from greater than or
equal to about 3% to less than or equal to about 97%, or greater
than or equal to about 5% to less than or equal to about 95% of its
original unextended length or dimension under such forces. The
region(s) of extensibility 60 may all have the same degree of
extensibility (that is, they may be extensible in the same amount
under a given force). In other embodiments, glove 20 may have
different regions of extensibility that have differing degrees of
extensibility under a given force.
[0056] The extensible material can be joined to the body 20A of the
glove in any suitable manner, including but not limited to sewing.
One way of joining material to a body of a glove is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,184,353 issued to Goldwitz. If desired, the extensible
material may also be breathable and/or apertured as specified for
the fastener.
[0057] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a glove 20 in which regions of
extensibility 60 are provided on the front 24 of the glove. As in
the case of the other embodiments described herein, the glove shown
in this figure is for purposes of illustration. It is not necessary
that the glove 20 have all of the features (e.g., regions of
extensibility) shown. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to
provide extensible regions with greater extensibility on the back
portion 22 of the glove, and extensible and/or retractable regions
with greater contractability on the front portion 24 of the glove
so that the glove 20 will better adapt to the forces exerted on the
same when it is worn and the user is clenching their hand to grip
an article such as a golf club, baseball bat, etc.
[0058] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the glove 20 is provided
in a pre-formed curved configuration when viewed from the side.
This may allow the glove to better fit the wearer's hand when the
glove is in use such as when gripping sporting equipment, such as a
golf club or baseball bat. This may also reduce the stresses acting
on the sports glove so that the glove has a reduced tendency to
become baggy and poor fitting after several uses. The portions of
the glove 20 that can be provided in a curved configuration can
comprise any suitable portion or portions of the glove, including,
but not limited to the back portion 22, the front portion 24, and
any of the finger portions. These portions of the glove 20 can be
provided with such a curvature in any suitable manner. These
portions of the glove can be provided with a curvature by cutting
the pieces of material (such as leather and/or synthetic material)
that are joined together, such as by sewing, or the like, to form
the glove 20 in a manner such that the portions on the front
portion of the glove are shortened relative to those that will form
the back of the glove. Another way that the glove, or portions
thereof, can be provided with curvature is by providing at least
one extensible region on the back portion 22 of the glove 20 to
make the back portion 22 more extensible than the front portion 24.
Another manner of providing the glove 20 with a pre-formed
curvature is to provide at least one region on the front portion 24
of the glove that contracts the front portion of the glove 20
relative to the back 22 of the glove. Numerous other methods for
providing the glove with such curvature are possible.
[0059] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a glove in which the
fastener 38 is extensible. The fastener 38 can comprise a hook and
loop material, such as VELCRO.RTM. fastening material, but the
substrate for the hook and loop material can be made of an
extensible material. Alternatively, an extensible material can be
joined to a portion of one or more of the components of the
fastener 38. Such extensible material may include, but is not
limited to, SPANDEX.RTM. material and LYCRA.RTM. material. The
fastener 38, or any portion thereof, can be configured so that it
comprises an elastically extensible material that can exert a
retractive force and/or can retract during wear, or after it is
worn. This may be used to form a tighter closure.
[0060] FIGS. 10-12 show another embodiment in which the fastener 38
or the glove 20 can be provided with a structure that can be
extended and/or retracted (for example, gathered) to provide the
fastener with additional adjustability. The fastening systems on
sports gloves, particularly those having a body portion made of
leather, will often lose their ability to be adjusted after an
initial period of wear. This may be due to the tendency of the
leather portions thereof to stretch slightly in a non-elastic
manner over time. In addition, other portions of the gloves, such
as in the areas of the knuckles on the back 22 of the glove 38,
will become baggy. Such an embodiment can be used to provide
greater adjustability to tighten the glove 20 if it becomes baggy.
Other purposes for such an embodiment are also possible, including
but not limited to provide a line of gloves where fewer sizes are
needed to fit different hand sizes, or to provide a "one size fits
all" glove.
[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12, the proximal portion
42A of the extension 42 on the back 22 of the glove 20 can be
provided with an adjustment system, such as a gathering system 62.
The gathering system 62 can provide the ability to further adjust
the glove 20, particularly after the fastener 38 loses its ability
to be adjusted. In the embodiment shown, the gathering system 62
comprises a fastening system comprised of complementary fastener
components. The complementary fastener components can comprise any
suitable fastener components including, but not limited to
mechanical fasteners, adhesive fasteners, or other types of
fasteners. The complementary fastener components can comprise a
combination of male/female fastening components. If mechanical
fasteners are used, they can comprise any suitable type of
mechanical fasteners including, but not limited to snap fasteners,
and hook and loop fasteners. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the
components of the fastening system, such as the extension 42 on the
back of the glove forms a flap that has a free end that at least
partially overlaps the hook material 44 that is joined to a portion
46 on the back of the glove. The gathering system 62 in the
embodiment shown can be used to lengthen or, alternatively, to
shorten (or "foreshorten") the length of the flap formed by the
extension 42 on the back of the glove. Thus, the adjustment system
serves as a supplemental adjustment system, or as a fine "tuning"
or "fine adjustment system" to the primary fastening system 38,
which may be thought of as the "coarse adjustment system".
[0062] In the embodiment shown, the gathering system 62 comprises a
hook fastener material 64 and a complementary loop fastener
material 66. In this embodiment, the hook fastener material 64 and
the loop fastener material 66 are located on the back of the
extension 42 of the glove 20. The gathering system 62 can further
comprise fold lines, or creases, therein, such as fold lines 68 and
70 on the extension 42 of the glove 20. These can be used to assist
the folding and gathering of the desired portions of the gathering
system 62. FIG. 11 shows the gathering system 62 in a non-gathered
configuration. FIG. 12 shows the gathering system 62 in a folded
and secured configuration. As shown in FIG. 12, the extension or
flap 42 of the fastener 38 is folded back onto itself to form a
pleated structure that shortens the flap 42 in order to allow
additional adjustment, especially to allow the fastener 38 to be
further tightened.
[0063] In other embodiments, a gathering system 62 can be located
on other portions of the glove, or components thereof. For example,
in one non-limiting embodiment, such a gathering system 62 may be
located on the body of the glove 20. For instance, the gathering
system 62 may be located on a portion of the back 22 of the glove
20 that is between the position of the gathering system shown in
FIGS. 10-12 (that is, on the extension 42 on the back of the glove)
and the edge of the glove 20 that is worn adjacent to the outside
of the wearer's pinkie finger.
[0064] The fastening components of the gathering system 62 can be
provided with any suitable characteristics. The components of the
gathering system 62 can be breathable, or have any of the other
characteristics specified herein for the primary fastening system
38. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the fastening
components of the gathering system 62 to form a stronger bond with
each other than the components of the primary fastener 38 on the
glove so that the gathering system 62 will remain in a gathered or
retracted configuration when the primary fastening system 38 is
adjusted. Such a stronger bond could be provided by using more
tenacious fastener components for the fastening components of the
gathering system 62. That is, these components could comprise a
material that has a second, higher resistance to peeling forces
than (first) resistance to peeling forces of the components of the
primary fastening system 38.
[0065] Numerous other types of modifications can be made to the
fastener 38 to allow the fastener 38 to be adjusted in a similar
manner to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12. For example, in
other embodiments, the body of the glove, and any portion of the
extension 42, including the proximal portion 42A (and/or the distal
portion 42B) of the extension 42 on the back 22 of the glove 20 can
be provided with an adjustment feature of the same type that is
found on adjustable baseball caps. In other embodiments, any
alternative type of adjustment system can be used.
[0066] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the glove 20 is
provided with a feature that allows the glove 20 to be adjusted in
other regions and/or directions. Sports gloves are often only
provided with a fastener 38 that forms an adjustable closure on the
portion of the glove that is worn adjacent to the back of the
wearer's hand. Such closures typically only provide adjustability
in a direction that runs generally perpendicular to the fingers of
the glove. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the sports glove 20
is provided with an additional (or alternative) adjustment system
74 that provides the ability to adjust the fit of the glove 20 in a
different direction. In this particular embodiment, the additional
adjustment system provides the glove 20 with the ability to adjust
the fit of the glove in a direction that is oriented generally in
the same direction in which the fingers extend (such as parallel to
the fingers of the glove).
[0067] The additional adjustment system 74 can be provided in any
suitable form. It should be understood that although such an
adjustment system may be described as the "additional adjustment
system", in some embodiments, such an adjustment system may
comprise an alternative adjustment system to the primary adjustment
system, fastener 38. Thus, instead of merely being in addition to
the primary adjustment system, it may be configured to serve as the
primary adjustment system. This additional adjustment system may be
configured so that it provides the ability to adjust any portion of
the glove in any direction, and at any angle relative to the finger
portions of the glove 20 from 0.degree. to 360.degree.. In some
cases, it may be desirable for the additional adjustment system to
be configured and located so that it is capable of adjusting the
glove in a direction that is different from that of the primary
adjustment system. If desired, the additional adjustment system 74
can span regions of extensibility 60 to adjust the same.
[0068] In some embodiments, the additional adjustment system can be
constructed similarly to the primary fastening system 38. For
example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the additional adjustment
system may be comprised of complementary fastening components. FIG.
13 shows that in one version of such an embodiment, the additional
adjustment system 74 can comprise an optional opening, such as vent
76, which can function similarly to the V-shaped notch used in the
primary fastening system 38. The additional adjustment system 74
can comprise an adjustment strap 78 to adjust the glove in the
direction of the fingers of the glove. The adjustment strap 78 may
have one component of a complementary fastening system located on
its underside. The component on the underside of the adjustment
strap 78 may releasably engage with a complementary fastening
component 80 located on the opposite side of the vent 76 from the
proximal or attached end 78A of the adjustment strap 78. This
complementary fastening component 80 serves as a landing zone for
the component on the underside of the adjustment strap 78.
[0069] FIG. 14 shows a sports glove 20 that has at least one
extensible region 60 with an alternative configuration. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the sports glove 20 can be provided
with one or more extensible regions on the back, sides, front of
the fingers, or any combinations thereof. Two extensible regions 60
are shown for simplicity. It should be understood that additional
extensible regions can be provided at any suitable location on any
of the fingers of the glove. The extensible regions 60 can be
extensible in any suitable direction(s), including, but not limited
to: in the direction of either of the arrows shown; in the
directions or both sets of arrows; in one or more other directions;
or in multiple directions; or omni-directions. The extensible
regions 60 can have a length, L, that is longer than the distance
between the portions of the fingers of the glove that will be worn
adjacent to the wearer's knuckles. The extensible regions 60 can
have any suitable dimensions. In some non-limiting embodiments, for
example, the length, L, of the extensible regions 60 can be greater
than the width, W, of the extensible regions. In some cases, the
length, L, of these extensible regions can be any number of times
greater than the width, W, thereof, including, but not limited to:
1.1; 1.2; 1.3; . . . , etc. The extensible regions 60 can be formed
in any of the manners described for the other embodiments discussed
herein, including but not limited to by stretching and attaching
extensible material to the body of the glove. The extensible
regions 60 can be used to reduce or eliminate bagginess on the
fingers and/or thumb portion of the glove, or for other
purposes.
[0070] In any of the embodiments described herein, any of the
regions the glove that are extensible can also be breathable. It
may also be desirable to make other regions of the glove
breathable, even if they are not extensible. For example, as shown
in FIG. 6, it may be desirable to provide the thumb portion 34 of
the glove 20 with breathability, especially in the area 72 where
the other hand is placed on top thereof in the case of a golf
glove. In any of the embodiments in which the glove is provided
with apertures 84, the surrounding portions of the portion 86 of
the glove may be configured such as is shown in FIG. 15 so that the
apertures 84 have a shape that is one-directional (e.g.,
funnel-shaped) to transport moisture away from the wearer's skin.
These apertures 84 can be provided with tapered side walls that are
more narrow in locations that are disposed away from the side
adjacent to the wearer's skin. This may reduce the chance that the
moisture will come back through the glove. In these or other
embodiments, the glove may be provided with one or more vents in
key places, or other places. As shown in FIG. 16, the glove 20 may
be provided with a substance, or protuberances or projections 88 on
at least a portion 90 of the inner surface of the glove 20 to space
portions of the wearer's hand away from the glove material. This
latter embodiment can be used to reduce perspiration, if
desired.
[0071] The disclosure of all patents, patent applications (and any
patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published
foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout
this description are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is
expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents
incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present
invention.
[0072] It should be understood that every maximum numerical
limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower
numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were
expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given
throughout this specification includes every higher numerical
limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly
written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this
specification includes every narrower numerical range that falls
within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical
ranges were all expressly written herein.
[0073] While particular embodiments of the subject invention have
been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications of the subject invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In addition, while the present invention has been described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not by way of
limitation and the scope of the invention is defined solely by the
appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior
art will permit.
* * * * *