U.S. patent application number 10/905720 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for method of cheerleading and cheerleading gloves.
This patent application is currently assigned to KEYSTONE VENTURES, LTD.. Invention is credited to McLin, Donna Louise.
Application Number | 20050155134 10/905720 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34632730 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050155134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McLin, Donna Louise |
July 21, 2005 |
METHOD OF CHEERLEADING AND CHEERLEADING GLOVES
Abstract
A method of cheerleading includes providing a pair of gloves.
The gloves have a palm and a back portion. The palm is made of a
material that is made of a thin palm material. The palm material
may be made from natural leather or synthetic leather. The gloves
are applied to a cheerleader's hands and the cheerleader performs
cheerleading activities.
Inventors: |
McLin, Donna Louise;
(Rockford, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN DYKE, GARDNER, LINN AND BURKHART, LLP
2851 CHARLEVOIX DRIVE, S.E.
P.O. BOX 888695
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49588-8695
US
|
Assignee: |
KEYSTONE VENTURES, LTD.
Suite 304, Arion Commercial Center 2-12 Queen?apos;s Road
West
Hong Kong
HK
|
Family ID: |
34632730 |
Appl. No.: |
10/905720 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60481930 |
Jan 21, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/161.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 19/01547 20130101;
A41D 19/01523 20130101; A41D 19/0031 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/161.6 |
International
Class: |
A63B 071/14; A41D
019/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of cheerleading, comprising: providing a pair of
gloves, said gloves having a palm and a back portion, said palm
made of a material that is made of a thin palm material, said palm
material chosen from at least one of natural leather and synthetic
leather; applying the gloves to a cheerleader's hands; and
performing cheerleading activities.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said palm material is laminated
with a substantially moisture-impervious material to reduce
moisture migration to the cheerleader's hands.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said palm material is embossed to
improve grip.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said palm material is embossed to
improve grip.
5. The method of claim 1 including a form-fitting pattern on said
palm.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said back portion is made of a
material selected for wind-blocking properties.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said back portion is made of a
material selected for at least one of heat-insulating properties
and wind-blocking properties.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said back portion is made of a
stretch fabrication.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said stretch fabrication comprises
at least one of a spandex, a neoprene, a leather and a synthetic
leather.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said back portion is treated with
a water-repellant material.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein said back portion defines a
display field for displaying indicia.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said display field is of a size
sufficient to display an indicia that can be viewed from a
distance.
13. The method of claim 1 including an elastic wristband having a
non-metallic closure.
14. The method of claim 1 including a fourchette material between
said palm and said back portion.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said fourchette material is made
of a stretch fabrication.
16. A cheerleading glove, comprising: a palm and a back portion;
said palm made of a thin palm material, said palm material chosen
from at least one of natural leather and synthetic leather; and a
form-fitting pattern defined on said palm that is adapted to be
taut across a wearer's palm.
17. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 including an elastic
wristband having a non-metallic closure.
18. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said palm material
is laminated with a substantially moisture-impervious material to
reduce moisture migration to the cheerleader's hands.
19. The cheerleading glove of claim 8 wherein said palm material is
embossed to improve grip.
20. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said palm material
is embossed to improve grip.
21. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said back portion is
made of a stretch fabrication.
22. The cheerleading glove of claim 21 wherein said stretch
fabrication comprises at least one chosen from a spandex, a
neoprene, a leather and a synthetic leather.
23. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said back portion
defines a display field for displaying indicia.
24. The cheerleading glove of claim 23 wherein said display field
is of a size sufficient to display an indicia that can be viewed
from a distance.
25. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 including a fourchette
material between said palm and said back portion.
26. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said fourchette
material is made of a stretch fabrication.
27. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said back portion is
made of a material selected for at least one of wind-blocking
properties and heat-insulating properties.
28. The cheerleading glove of claim 16 wherein said palm material
extends from said palm to an area on the inside of the thumb.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 60/481,930, filed on Jan. 21, 2004, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a method of
cheerleading including the use of gloves on the hands of the
cheerleader. The present invention is directed to such a method
utilizing a specialized glove that enhances the ability to maintain
an appropriate grip so that cheerleading and spirit squad stunts
can be performed in damp and wet conditions as well as minimizing
the loss of the audible noise of a clap that otherwise occurs from
the use of conventional gloves. The present invention provides a
glove worn by spirit squads (cheerleaders) when leading cheers to
motivate fan participation and involvement during athletic events
and competitive events.
[0003] Many athletic events are held in outdoor venues, exposing
cheerleading and spirit squads to environmental conditions. When
damp or wet environmental conditions occur, such as dew on grassy
surfaces and rain, a cheerleader's hands will become wet and
slippery. These environmental conditions lead to a halting of
athletic stunts that are integral to the sport. Since these
environmental conditions occur on a regular basis, there is a large
percentage of time that cheerleaders are limited in their
activities. Towel drying hands is not a practical solution to the
problem since the moisture is often available on an on-going basis,
such as in the event of rain.
[0004] Delivering a glove whose anti-slip features are not
significantly compromised when moisture is present in the
environment would provide a tremendous benefit to the cheerleading
activity.
[0005] Cheerleading may also involve routines during which the
cheerleader claps his or her hands. It is well known that most
gloves will muffle or reduce the audible sound produced by a
handclap, particularly when the material content of the glove is a
knit textile product. The ability to produce an audible handclap is
an integral part of the cheering activity. The handclap, when
combined with vocal activity, serves to motivate both spectators
and athletes; the primary goal of the cheerleading activity.
[0006] Current items marketed to this consumer leverage the use of
"school colors" as the key feature without any consideration to the
performance needs of the consumer. Most items marketed as
"cheerleading gloves" are knit, loosely fitting versions which
cannot be worn during skilled tumbling maneuvers; an integral part
of this activity. Currently, cheerleaders avoid the use of gloves
for two reasons--loss of the audible sound of the clap and the
loosely constructed gloves currently marketed to them are unsafe
when performing stunts and tumbling activities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a method of cheerleading and,
in particular, to a method for minimizing the loss of an audible
noise of a clap while covering the hands of the cheerleader. The
present invention also provides a glove that addresses those
concerns and objections; delivering a glove that can be worn during
the cheerleading activity without sacrificing the ability to
generate an audible applause and overcoming a dramatic change in
the coefficient of friction of various materials, including human
skin resulting from the introduction of liquids, such as rain, dew,
snow and other environmental conditions. Overcoming this
environmental drawback with the use of a glove device is a solution
to the problem. However, the material selected for the palm area of
the glove should provide a significantly greater enhancement in
anti-slip feature than is obtainable without the use of a
glove.
[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention utilizes thin
synthetic leather on the palm side of the glove to deliver the
performance required. In addition, a digital print on the surface
of the material, which provides a slightly uneven surface, will
further improve the anti-slip quality. The internal surface of the
synthetic leather may be joined with a laminate that minimizes the
ability for moisture to migrate from the external side of the glove
on to the surface of the hand. This feature helps to keep the hand
dry and comfortable.
[0009] All embodiments utilize a hand-conforming fit and materials
that allow for a full range-of-motion, critical to the cheerleading
activity. These materials used for the back of the hand may
include, but are not limited to, spandex, neoprene, leather or
synthetic leather.
[0010] A method of cheerleading includes providing a pair of
gloves. The gloves have a palm and a back portion. The palm is made
of a material that is sufficiently thin to minimize attenuation of
a handclap. The gloves are applied to a cheerleader's hands and the
cheerleader claps the cheerleader's hands.
[0011] Among the many benefits provided by a glove specifically
designed to meet one or more needs of spirit squads (cheerleaders
and dance squads) include:
[0012] 1. providing warmth when the outside temperatures require
protection from the cold elements,
[0013] 2. enhanced protection of the hand when performing tumbling
routines,
[0014] 3. enhanced grip when routines require joining of hands with
other squad members.
[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, in order to
overcome the considerable loss of the audible sound of the clap, a
material that is both taut and closely resembles the qualities of
skin is utilized for the palm portion of the glove. This is best
accomplished with the use of a thin natural leather or synthetic
material. In addition to the material selection, a form-fitting
pattern is used to allow for a close, hand-conforming fit that
keeps the palm material taut across the wearer's palm. It is the
material selection and hand-conforming fit that delivers a handclap
with minimal loss in the audible sound quality.
[0016] The leather or synthetic leather palm side portion of the
glove may be combined with the form-fitting back portion of the
glove. Another embodiment may continue the use of leather or
synthetic leather from the palm portion to the back of the hand. In
addition to the palm and back portion, a glove, according to the
invention, features an elastic wrist closure with a non-metallic
closure apparatus, such as Velcro.
[0017] These and other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will become apparent upon review of the following
specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the palm side of a glove,
according to the invention, which uses a digital print, or
embossed, synthetic leather material;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the backside of the glove in
FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2 of an alternative
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 4 is the same view as FIG. 1 of another alternative
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 5 is the same view as FIG. 2 of yet another alternative
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 6 is the same view as FIG. 1 of yet another alternative
embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 2 of the glove in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] For the purposes of this application, the term "cheerleader"
is used in a broad sense of the term. Those with knowledge of these
activities understand that spirit squad participants may include a
broader audience beyond cheerleaders to such groups as dance teams,
flag corps, bands, and others whose purpose is to motivate fans and
participants in athletic competitions. The need exists for all of
these groups to use a glove that allows for a clap without
significant reduction in the audible sound quality and level.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a cheerleading glove 10 includes a
palm 12 made of a thin palm material that will be a thin leather,
thin synthetic material, or the like. Palm 12 may be formed in a
form-fitting configuration with a pattern that will provide for a
more natural and hand-conforming fit. The material should be thin,
such as 0.8 millimeters (mm) or less, and extend generally along
the entire palm side of the glove from a wristband 14 to the tips
of the fingers. In one embodiment, the material for palm 12 has a
thickness that ranges from approximately 0.5 to 0.6 mm. In another
embodiment, the material for palm 12 has a thickness that ranges
from 0.6 to 0.7 mm. Palm 12 uses a patterned synthetic leather
material. The pattern shown is for illustrative purposes, the
actual pattern used could be similar or different from the one
shown in this illustration. FIG. 1 illustrates the form-fitting
nature of the pattern, which will provide for a more natural and
hand-conforming fit. A palm 112 (FIG. 4) that is non-patterned
could also be used. The same material used for palm 12 may extend
to the inside 24 of the thumb in order to enhance the joining of
hands, such as during performances involving more than one
cheerleader.
[0027] To insure a snug fit of the fingers, a stretch fabrication
material may be used in a fourchette area 17 of the glove. A
stretch fabrication utilizes at least some yarn with elasticity
properties. An example of a stretch fabrication is spandex. The
fourchette area runs along the sides of the fingers. Glove 10
further includes a back portion 16 covering the back of the hand of
the cheerleader. The material used for the back of the hand should
provide a hand-conforming fit and adequate flexibility to perform
skills associated with cheerleading. Back portion materials may
include, but are not limited to, a stretch fabrication, such as a
spandex, neoprene, leather, and synthetic leather. If an
elasticized fabric, such as spandex or neoprene, is used for the
back of the hand, the fourchette material may be the same or a
different material as the back of the glove. The back portion 16 of
the glove may utilize various materials to meet the design,
performance and aesthetic appeal desired. For example, one
embodiment may feature materials with wind blocking or insulating
properties, while another embodiment may feature lightweight,
breathable fabrications. The configuration of the glove allows for
different embodiments particularly in the design and materials of
the back portion of the glove. A back portion 116, 316 may be made
of a material that covers both the back of the hand as well as the
back of the fingers (FIGS. 3 and 5). Back portion 16 may also
define a defined display field 22, 122, 222 that is suitable for
display of the team's logo, mascot, or other indicia. The display
field may be of a size that facilitates a school logo indicia that
can be viewed at a distance, such as by the team fans.
[0028] To maintain a smooth, close-to-hand fit at the wrist area,
glove 10 utilizes an elastic wristband 14 with a non-metallic
closure 20. The non-metallic nature of the closure minimizes the
risk injury to the wearer or squad mates when performing tumbling
or gymnastic-like skills. The elastic wristband and non-metallic
closure can take on different embodiments, such as closure 120
(FIG. 5).
[0029] Damp and wet environmental conditions significantly alter
the way in which cheerleading activities can be conducted. Concerns
for safety often results in the halting of the stunt, tumbling and
lifting aspects of the sport when the hands become damp or wet.
Because of the frequency of these conditions, the need exists for a
glove product that will maintain a significant coefficient of
friction as to allow for the continuation of these activities. In
addition to delivering a glove product that provides an anti-slip
feature in damp or wet conditions, the glove should also be
designed in such a way as to not interfere with hand movement and
flexibility.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a glove which provides anti-slip features
in damp and wet conditions. Cheerleading glove 130 includes a palm
212 made of a thin palm material, such as a synthetic leather. In
the illustrative embodiment, palm 212 uses a polyurethane material,
but other synthetic materials that yield the desired coefficient of
friction may also be used. The palm material should be thin, such
as 0.8 millimeters (mm) or less, and extended along the entire palm
side of the glove from the wristband 14 to the tips of the fingers.
The material selected should also feature an embossed digital
pattern that will provide for a slightly uneven surface area. This
feature delivers the needed friction to minimize slipping. The
pattern shown is for illustrative purposes, the actual pattern used
may be similar or different from the one shown in this
illustration. Palm 212 should be constructed in a form-fitting
manner that minimizes excess material in the palm area.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows that the same material used for the palm 212
may be extended to the inside 24 of the thumb to enhance the
anti-slip feature when two hands are joined together, a common
occurrence in cheerleading activities. Material selection for the
back side 416 should be a material that allows for a
hand-conforming fit. Back portion materials may include, but are
not limited to, a stretch fabrication such as spandex, neoprene,
leather or synthetic leather. The fourchette area 117 of the glove
may utilize the same or different material as those used for the
back of the hand. The fourchette area runs along the sides of the
fingers. The back portion 416 of the glove may utilize various
materials to meet the design, performance and aesthetic appeal
desired. Also, the back side may be treated with a water-repellant
material, such as Scotchgard.TM., in order to resist penetration by
liquids.
[0032] Thus, it is seen that the preferred embodiment of this
invention provides for a glove to be used by spirit squads
comprising a palm and back side, joined along the edges of each
material, which utilizes a palm material made of thin leather or
synthetic leather material designed in such a manner as to yield a
minimal loss to the audible sound of a handclap. The material
selected for the back side may vary from embodiment-to-embodiment
to meet specific climatic performance or aesthetic needs.
[0033] The present invention provides a significantly more
advantageous product to the cheerleading or spirit squad market by
providing the end-user with an item that has been engineered to
enhance grip over the bare hands alone especially in the presence
of liquids and which meets the needs of their activity without
sacrificing a significant reduction in the audible noise produced
by a handclap. This invention provides a glove product that
conforms closely to the size and shape of the user's hand in a
manner that allows for comfort without loss of flexibility and hand
movement. It is the combination of materials selected and the
construction that allow for a tight, yet comfortable fit. A
performance glove is provided that has minimal, if any, impact on
the audible sound produced by a handclap when compared to the sound
produced without the use of a glove. A form-fitting design
minimizes the bunching or gathering of the palm material when the
fingers are curved for a handclap.
[0034] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the
principles of the invention which is intended to be limited only by
the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the
principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *