U.S. patent application number 14/664808 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-09 for partial fingered glove.
The applicant listed for this patent is John C. Ramirez. Invention is credited to John C. Ramirez.
Application Number | 20150189929 14/664808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51059801 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150189929 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramirez; John C. |
July 9, 2015 |
Partial Fingered Glove
Abstract
According to the various features characteristics and
embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as
the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides
partially fingered gloves and the use of said gloves, intended to
increase the overall performance in sports activities including but
limited to football and golf. Because of its unique finger
configurations, grip enhancers, and/or its hand protective
properties, the present invention makes a glove now operable on for
football quarterback's throwing hand and golfers, for example.
Inventors: |
Ramirez; John C.; (Redlands,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ramirez; John C. |
Redlands |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51059801 |
Appl. No.: |
14/664808 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13694794 |
Jan 8, 2013 |
9003569 |
|
|
14664808 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/16 ;
2/161.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/141 20130101;
A41D 19/01547 20130101; A41D 19/0013 20130101; A41D 19/01523
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/00 20060101
A41D019/00; A41D 19/015 20060101 A41D019/015; A63B 71/14 20060101
A63B071/14 |
Claims
1. A glove having dorsal (back) and palmar (front) portions for
overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, and
dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a
plurality of digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said
distal ends; said glove including a glove body having a back
portion covering the back of the hand, and a front portion covering
substantially all of the palm of the hand; said glove body
including at least one finger stall (or finger digital segment) and
a thumb stall (or thumb digital segment) each adapted to receive a
finger or thumb, respectively, therein; said glove body being
configured such that the thumb and forefinger digital segments
fully enclose said thumb and forefinger, including enclosing the
fingertips; said glove leaves essentially completely uncovered the
ring finger; said glove leaves essentially completely uncovered the
pinkie finger; said glove leaves uncovered, fully enclosing or
partially covering the middle finger; said glove improvement
comprising a grip enhancing means which is located on a portion or
portions along any thumb and finger stalls, along any portion of
any metacarpophalangeal joints, and/or between the thumb and
forefinger area, generally defined by the metacarpal of the
forefinger and extending up along the metacarpal of the thumb, and
therebetween, or combinations thereof.
2. The glove as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle finger is
essentially completely enclosed.
3. The glove as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grip enhancing
means only overlays a portion or portions of any thumb and finger
stalls, along any portion of any metacarpophalangeal joints, and/or
between the thumb and forefinger area, generally defined by the
metacarpal of the forefinger and extending up along the metacarpal
of the thumb, and therebetween, or combinations thereof.
4. The glove as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
shock-absorbing member or members, including but not limited to a
padded layer or layers, on at least a portion or portions of the
dorsal area of said glove.
5. A glove having dorsal (back) and palmar (front) portions for
overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, and
dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a
plurality of digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said
distal ends; said glove including a glove body having a back
portion covering the back of the hand, and a front portion covering
substantially all of the palm of the hand; said glove body
including at least one finger stall (or finger digital segment) and
a thumb stall (or thumb digital segment) each adapted to receive a
finger or thumb, respectively, therein; said glove body being
configured such that the thumb and forefinger digital segments
fully enclose said thumb and forefinger, including enclosing the
fingertips, said glove leaves essentially completely uncovered the
ring finger; said glove leaves essentially completely uncovered the
pinkie finger; said glove leaves uncovered, fully enclosing or
partially covering the middle finger; said glove improvement
comprising a grip enhancing means on at least a portion or portions
of the surface area of the glove; said glove improvement further
comprising a shock-absorbing member or members on at least a
portion or portions of the dorsal area of said glove.
6. The glove as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of
said middle finger's distal phalanx is uncovered.
7. The glove as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a
grip-enhancing means along any portion of the palmar surface of
said glove, including but not limited to any portion overlaying any
area on or between the thumb and forefinger area, generally defined
by the metacarpal of the forefinger and extending up along the
metacarpal of the thumb, and therebetween, and/or any portion of
any existing finger stalls, and/or any portion overlaying any of
the metacarpophalangeal joints, or combinations thereof.
8. The glove as claimed in claim 5, wherein said dorsal segment has
one or a plurality of discrete protrusions.
9. The glove as claimed in claim 5, wherein any portion of the
metacarpal of any of the four fingers and/or the thumb, and
therebetween, and/or any portion of the thumb or any existing
finger stalls further comprises a shock-absorbing member or
members, in part or in their entirety.
10. The glove as claimed in claim 5, wherein a shock-absorbing
member or members overlays any portion of the wrist area, including
any of the carpometacarpal joints, extending up to as much as about
five inches along the carpal bone of the wrist, in part or in its
entirety.
11. The glove as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an
expandable opening means at a wrist end adapted to receive the
user's hand.
12. The claim as claimed in claim 5, wherein said shock-absorbing
member or members are attached to the dorsal surface of said glove
by standard methods of attachment.
13. The claim as claimed in claim 5, wherein said shock-absorbing
member or members are integrally formed on the dorsal segment of
said glove, said glove also comprising a liner.
14. A method of gripping a football comprising the following steps:
a. a glove having dorsal (back) and palmar (front) portions for
overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, and
dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a
plurality of digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said
distal ends; said glove including a glove body having a back
portion covering the back of the hand, and a front portion covering
substantially all of the palm of the hand; said glove body
including at least one finger stall (or finger digital segment) and
a thumb stall (or thumb digital segment) each adapted to receive a
finger or thumb, respectively, therein; said glove body being
configured such that the thumb and forefinger digital segments
fully enclose said thumb and forefinger, including enclosing the
fingertips, said glove leaves completely uncovered the ring finger;
said glove leaves completely uncovered the pinkie finger; said
glove leaving uncovered, fully enclosing or partially covering the
middle finger; said glove improvement comprising a grip enhancing
means on at least a portion or portions of the surface area of the
glove; said glove improvement further comprising a shock-absorbing
member or members on at least a portion or portions of the dorsal
area of said glove; b. Placing said glove on the dominant hand; c.
Gripping a football with said dominant hand.
15. A glove having dorsal (back) and palmar (front) portions for
overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, and
dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a
plurality of digital segments (or stalls) from said distal ends;
said glove including a glove body having a back portion covering
the back of the hand, and a front portion covering substantially
all of the palm of the hand; said glove body including at least one
finger stall (or finger digital segment) and a thumb stall (or
thumb digital segment) each adapted to receive a finger or thumb,
respectively, therein; said glove body being configured such that
the thumb and forefinger digital segments fully enclose said thumb
and forefinger, including enclosing the fingertips of said thumb
and forefinger of a user, said glove leaves essentially completely
uncovered the ring finger; said glove leaves essentially completely
uncovered the pinkie finger; said glove leaving uncovered, fully
enclosing or partially covering the middle finger; said glove
improvement further comprising a shock-absorbing member or members
on at least a portion or portions of the dorsal area of said
glove.
16. The glove as claimed in claim 15, further comprising of micro
holes along any portions of the glove, generally used on golf
gloves and football gloves for ventilation or moisture management
purposes; said micro holes generally being about 0.120 millimeters
or so in diameter.
17. The glove as claimed in claim 15, wherein said middle finger is
completely enclosed.
18. The glove as claimed in claim 15, wherein the middle finger is
essentially completely uncovered.
19. The glove as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of
said middle finger's distal phalanx is uncovered.
20. The glove as claimed in claim 15, wherein said dorsal segment
has one or a plurality of discrete protrusions.
21. The glove as claimed in claim 15, wherein any portion
overlaying any portion of the metacarpal of any of the four fingers
and/or the thumb, and therebetween, further comprises a
shock-absorbing member or members, in part or in their entirety,
wherein the shock-absorbing member overlays any portion of the
thumb and/or on any existing fingers stalls, in part or in their
entirety.
22. The glove as claimed in claim 15, wherein a shock-absorbing
member or members overlays any portion of the wrist area, including
any of the carpometacarpal joints, extending up to as much as about
five inches along the carpal bone of the wrist, in part or in their
entirety.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to sports apparatus and
equipment, and uses thereof, used in playing the game of various
sports. The present invention and its multi-sport glove embodiments
enhance the overall performance in athletic tasks and/or execution
commonly associated during sports play, particularly in, but not
limited to, football and golf by configuring to meet the specific
requirements of a football quarterback's throwing hand and a
golfer's dominant hand, for example. The present invention finger
configurations completely cover the thumb and forefinger of a
user's hand. Additionally, the present invention leaves essentially
completely uncovered the user's ring finger and pinkie finger. The
middle finger may be completely covered, partially covered, or
essentially completely uncovered.
[0002] Furthermore, the present invention offers improvements in
the form of grip enhancers on the palm area, the thumb segment
and/or on any existing finger segments. Additionally, the present
invention may offer protective properties on the dorsal segment of
the glove.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An important goal in playing sports in to win. Often that
means proper play execution, good ball control, good grip and feel,
and proper form in the sports fundamentals. Gloves and other types
of hand covers are permitted in most sports. Many individuals use
gloves to enhance, in some way, their competitive edge. Indeed,
gloves have become so important that different types of gloves have
been created for different sports. Even within a sport, different
types of gloves have been invented to, among other things, maximize
performance in specific tasks.
[0004] In football, for example, there are gloves that offensive
and defensive Tackles can wear, that have thick padding around part
of the hand. Offensive Receivers can purchase more expensive, all
closed-finger, thin gloves to enhance their ability to catch and
grip a football.
[0005] The use of gloves in football is so widespread that nearly
every football player uses them, with the notable exception of
football quarterbacks. You rarely see a quarterback wear gloves,
even if just to keep warm. Most quarterbacks choose to play
football without gloves, especially on their dominant (throwing)
hand. This is largely because prior art consists of generic
full-fingered gloves which are uncomfortable and burdensome on a
quarterback's throwing hand, particularly on those fingers a
quarterback places over the football laces. In addition, the
full-fingered gloves prevent a quarterback to have any significant
`feel` of the football.
[0006] This ability to feel is critical when playing the position
of quarterback. When the quarterback receives the ball from the
teammate playing the Center position, the quarterback especially
during a pass play, has to quickly find the laces on the football
by feeling and not looking at the football. The quarterback has to
look for an open player to pass to, and cannot therefore look down
at the football to find the football laces.
[0007] This need to `feel` a ball with a hand has therefore
resulted in quarterbacks having to make a difficult choice.
Although clearly these players would benefit from added grip
enhancers on the throwing hand to increase their passing receptions
or to decrease fumbles, for example, prior art gloves force a
quarterback to choose between all feel and no feel. Virtually all
quarterbacks have chosen to maintain feel and therefore sacrifice
the ability to better grip the football. It is no surprise that
quarterback fumbles remain a significant problem in football, even
at the highest performance levels, and currently remains an
insoluble problem in the sport for amateurs and professionals
alike.
[0008] Playing the position of quarterback without the help of
gloves, however, can also be an inferior choice. The website
Wikihow.com provides a good description of the conventional way to
hold and throw a football. "Throwing the football is simple. Put
your non-throwing side foot in front of you. Have your pinkie, ring
and middle fingers around the laces with your Index [forefinger]
finger on the strap. Put the other hand up on the ball. Put the
ball up by your ear. Twist your hips toward the front foot. Throw
the ball at the receiver."
[0009] Whereas the fingers over the laces have a solid grip on the
ball--primarily due to the football laces on the ball--the two
fingers off the laces (forefinger and thumb) are virtually
unsupported and therefore have a relatively weaker grip, creating a
weak overall grip on the football (see FIG. 7 for an example of how
a quarterback typically grips a football).
[0010] This weak overall grip becomes more pronounced when added
stress is placed on the thumb or forefinger. When a quarterback,
intending to pass the football suddenly has to scramble, for
example, or if the quarterback `pumps` the ball (goes through all
the motions and speed of throwing the ball but doesn't actually
release the ball), the grip strength of the thumb and forefinger
can determine whether or not a quarterback fumbles the
football.
[0011] Unfortunately, one need only view the statistics to see that
fumbles persist as an insoluble problem, even at the professional
level today. In the 2010 National Football League (NFL) season,
there were only ten players who had 9 or more fumbles in the
season. All ten players were quarterbacks (The Official NFL Record
& Fact Book, 2011).
[0012] Under the `tips` section of Wikihow.com, it further
describes proper football throwing form: "A proper throw will feel
like it's only utilizing the thumb, Index [forefinger], and middle
finger. Good release will `roll` off of your Index and middle
finger, to impart more spin; you may snap your wrist through as you
follow through to the hip. The other three fingers on your hand
stabilize the ball as its being flung. They should not be used to
impart spin on the ball. The most important finger to throwing a
spiral is the Index finger; it is the finger that holds the most
leverage in putting spin on the ball" [Emphasis added]. The
conventional way of playing the position of quarterback therefore
requires an ability to have solid grip and control with the
forefinger, a finger that is not able to be placed over the
football laces; the resulting glove-less grip creates a strong hold
on the ball by all the fingers except the thumb as well as the
forefinger--the most important finger when throwing a football. On
a wet football field, during extreme weather conditions (hot or
cold), that weaker or looser grip makes for a much more difficult
completed pass, less success at throwing a spiral, and
inconsistency and inaccuracy in passing.
[0013] Passing the ball is a significant part of the sport of
football, sometimes throwing as much as 103 times in a single game
(e.g., Seattle vs. San Diego, 2002). Thus, developing a solution to
enhance one's ability of better controlling a football and
completing a pass reception would substantially impact the
sport.
[0014] There have been some attempts through the years to solve the
problems of inconsistencies and turnovers in the sport of football.
For example, changes have been made to the actual football in order
to make the ball easier to handle. Changes to the shape and size,
as well as the addition of grip enhancing materials to the
ball--such as the addition of PVC dots--have made it possible to
make the ball more grippable. The ability of the quarterback to
maintain control of the football was still problematic because of
the lack of any grip enhancing device for the player to use; gloves
that could be placed on the throwing hand such that the football
quarterback could now more significantly control a ball with his
arm, thereby creating an overall grip of the football throughout
the football. As a result of this unmet need, inconsistencies and
turnovers were still high in the sport.
[0015] The introduction and subsequent proliferation in the use of
gloves found some success but even with these advancements,
however, fumbles and incompletes still persist today, partly
because none of the prior art gloves could be useful, and are
therefore inoperable, to quarterbacks.
[0016] Consequently, there is also a need for a sport glove of some
kind which permits the quarterback to hold a football more
securely. These problems may be addressed by providing a new sports
glove that is configured to properly address the grip and feel
requirements of the throwing hand of a quarterback.
[0017] Quarterbacks are also now starting to intentionally run more
(hereinafter called `rushing`) with the football creating an even
greater need to configure a glove to meet the specific needs of a
quarterback. New art is required that can offer superior grip
enhancing abilities, critical not only in ball control, but also in
quarterback rushing successes.
[0018] Quarterback injuries can also become a big problem in the
sport. Protecting the quarterback from injury is so important that
rules have been established to try and minimize those injuries.
Gloves have proved useful in protecting other users, but prior art
gloves have not been configured for use by quarterbacks. To be
sure, many quarterback injuries take place on the quarterback's
throwing hand, primarily on the back portion of the hand, on the
side of the hand or palm area, or on the fingers of the throwing
hand.
[0019] Prior art configuration problems cease to protect a
quarterback's throwing hand. As is well known, repeated exposure to
hand injury can cause damage to the systems of the hand, such as
the nervous system, the muscular system or the skeletal system.
Therefore, there is not only an opportunity for new art, but there
an increasing concern and need to solve this configuration problem,
not only for professionals but also for children and teenagers
playing this football position. Consequently, there is also a need
for a protective sport glove of some kind which permits the
quarterback to hold a football securely and still provide adequate
protection of the throwing hand against impacts from opposing
players.
[0020] Over the last decade or two, quarterbacks have increasingly
chosen to rush for yardage and act more like a running back at
times. The top five NFC Conference quarterbacks, for example,
rushed for a total of 1,562 yards in the 2010 season. It is also no
surprise, therefore, that there were a total of 731 fumbles in the
NFL that season, and fully over 25% of those fumbles were
attributed to quarterbacks (2010 NFL Season). As this trend
continues, especially with more popular offensive formations such
as `the wildcat` and `spread` formation, these grip-enhancing
shortcomings will undoubtedly be more pronounced. Previous failures
of others to create gloves to support a quarterback's grip, not
only while throwing the football but also while rushing with the
football, is becoming a growing significant problem in need of a
solution.
[0021] Given the fact that fumbles and incomplete passes persist at
the professional level and therefore certainly at the collegiate
and amateur levels, one can see that past attempts to solve these
problems have had limited success, at least partly because prior
art still have not solved the configuration problems. There is
therefore a need for significant advances in the sport of football
to assist quarterbacks, a position that touches and controls the
football more than any other position in the sport. New art needs
to be offered, such as the present invention, to meet the needs of
quarterbacks by developing a glove that is configured to meet the
unique needs of that position.
[0022] In the field of Golf, to be sure, there exists much prior
art in the form of gloves for a golfer's weak (non-dominant) hand.
In fact, most active golf players wear a glove on their weak hand,
and go without a glove for their strong hand (if one were to go to
any major store to buy golf gloves, they would be sold and packaged
in single--one glove--not sold in pairs). Gloves are prevalent in
golf largely because of the role that hand grip plays in a golfer's
overall performance.
[0023] Whereas weak-hand support products seem to be crowded in the
sport of Golf, there is a long existing need for a device that
could offer added support for a golfer's strong hand without
significantly diminishing its ability to adequately feel the golf
club. Inventing a solution to this problem could, among other
things, allow for greater golf swing control and consistency, and
create an entirely new market to support a golfer's
strong-hand.
[0024] There is therefore, an opportunity to invent a device that
could offer some `feel` ability for the dominant hand, while
significantly enhancing the grip ability of that same hand. This
would increase overall hand control of a golfer's club swing by
allowing a golfer to have added grip capabilities on both hands,
and therefore greater success in competition.
[0025] In Golf magazine's April 2005 article titled "Fix Your
Grip," golf instructor Charlie King provides an overview of how to
grip a golf club. "Good golf starts with your grip. The proper hold
on the club helps you do three crucial things: Hinge your wrists,
control the clubface at impact and support the club throughout the
swing. Here are three simple grip tips." As King continues, his
third tip is "both hands; solid at the top. An effective grip sets
the face square at the top, with the shaft parallel to the target
line. You should feel most of the club's weight in your left thumb
and right forefinger. Now you're ready to turn it loose." Although
prior art seems to be crowded in offering a glove for the weak-hand
to support and better control the club weight placed on the thumb
of the weak hand, there remains an unmet need for added support on
or around the forefinger of the strong (dominant) hand.
Additionally, constant swinging of a golf club at real swing speeds
often results in soreness on and between the thumb and forefinger
of a golfer's strong hand wearing no glove. This soreness can often
also come from the rubbing or slipping between the club handle and
the portion between the thumb and forefinger of the strong hand,
suggesting a need to find a way to increase the grip of a golfer's
strong hand. This is especially important in the sport of golf
because even the smallest of slipping--during the golf swing or
upon impact of the golf ball--can create enormous inconsistencies
and inaccuracies, critical issues in determining overall
performance in golf.
[0026] A further reason why golfers are not using gloves on their
dominant hand has to do with the fact that golf gloves are not
uniquely configured to best conform to a golfer's preferred golf
grip. For example, golfers are not using gloves on their dominant
hand because the dominant hand's pinkie finger is often used to
touch and feel the non-dominant hand when holding the golf club
using the traditional overlap grip; this is done to help with the
coordination of movement of both hands to preferably act in unison
throughout the golf swing. Therefore, at least a portion of the
dominant hand's pinkie finger must be uncovered in order to
maintain necessary feel. Because the dominant hand is responsible
for most of the feeling in the golf swing, it also becomes
necessary to maintain some level of high sensitivities on a portion
of the dominant hand's ring finger and middle finger as well. A
preferred configuration for the golfer's strong would be, for
example, a glove which could increase the grip capabilities of the
dominant hand's thumb and forefinger, while offering some level of
feel along the middle finger, the ring finger and the pinkie
finger, thus offering the ability of a wearer to simultaneously
have significant grip and feel of a sports apparatus such as
football or golf club.
[0027] Consequently, there are clear indications that an entirely
new market exists for a device that could support a golfer's strong
hand. In particular, there remains an unmet need that would provide
multiple benefits, such as better overall grip and more
coordination with both hands during the practice or play of golf,
and in various other sports activities. The present invention
solves the above mentioned problems by, among other things,
providing a glove configured for use on the dominant hand that can
increase grip abilities on areas primarily responsible for the
gripping a golf club, improving prior art gloves by offering grip
enhancers along critical areas of the glove, while allowing
portions of the other fingers to be uncovered and able to maintain
necessary feeling capabilities.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention provides a glove having dorsal (back)
and palmar (front) portions for overlaying respective back and palm
regions of a human hand, and dorsal and palmar portions having
distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments (or
stalls) projecting from said distal ends. The glove includes a
glove body having a back portion covering the back of the hand, and
a front portion covering substantially all of the palm of the hand.
The glove body includes at least one finger stall (or finger
digital segment) and a thumb stall (or thumb digital segment) each
adapted to receive a finger or thumb, respectively, therein. The
glove body is configured such that the thumb and forefinger digital
segments fully enclose said thumb and forefinger, including
enclosing the fingertips. Additionally, the ring finger and pinkie
finger are both essentially completely uncovered.
[0029] In one preferred aspect, the middle finger is completely
enclosed. In another embodiment, the middle finger is completely
uncovered. Preferably, at least a portion of the middle finger's
proximal phalanx is covered.
[0030] In another preferred aspect, the present invention also
comprises a grip enhancing means, such as for example, PVC dots, on
a portion or portions of the palmar surface area of the glove, such
as for example, on any thumb and finger stalls, along any portion
of any metacarpophalangeal joints, and/or between the thumb and
forefinger area, generally defined by the metacarpal of the
forefinger and extending up along the metacarpal of the thumb, and
therebetween.
[0031] In at least one embodiment, the entire palmar surface
comprises a grip enhancing means throughout. The grip enhancing
means permits the individual, for example, to better grip a ball or
an object or device, and can create, for example, a higher
coefficient of friction on the palmar portion of the glove. This
could give, for example, a football quarterback or a golfer
multiple benefits such as increased control of a ball or device
thereby enhancing performance and overall success at performing a
sports task.
[0032] Accordingly, embodiments provide a novel glove with added
features that enhances overall control in sports performance.
[0033] In another preferred aspect, the present invention also
comprises protective properties to protect a user from injury or to
protect an injury. These protective properties can be in the form
of a thicker dorsal segment or in stronger material that comprises
the dorsal segment of the glove. Additionally or alternatively, a
shock-absorbing member or members, such as a padded layer or layers
may be used so that the glove can be used to protect an injury or
to protect an area from being injured, for example.
[0034] The shock-absorbing member or members are generally located
on the dorsal segment of the glove, preferably covering at least a
portion of the metacarpal of any of the four fingers and/or the
thumb, and/or on substantially the dorsal portions of the thumb
and/or on any existing finger segments, where many football
injuries occur as a quarterback throws a football and is
immediately hit by an opposing player. Also, some embodiments may
have a shock-absorbing member or members near and around the wrist
area, extending up to as much as about five inches along the carpal
bone of the wrist. The shock-absorbing member may generally be
affixed to the outer surface of the glove dorsal segment or may be
integrally formed on the glove. If integrally formed, at least one
embodiment may therefore include a liner.
[0035] The thickness and dorsal surface locations of the shock
absorbing members may vary, of course, depending on preference. In
at least one embodiment the entire dorsal segment comprises a
shock-absorbing member, and the shock-absorbing member can be one
uniform cushion, for example, mirroring the design of the dorsal
segment of the glove.
[0036] Accordingly, embodiments also provide a novel glove with
added protective features that enhances protection of a previously
unprotected quarterback's throwing hand, for example, including the
back of the hand, the thumb and fingers, and wrist areas, and
combinations thereof.
[0037] The glove may also have an expandable opening means at a
wrist end adapted to receive the user's hand. This may comprise of
a wrist portion with a securement opening means, such as but not
limited to a flap which mechanically engages a flap capture
mechanism to secure the glove to the users hand (e.g., a synthetic
hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed
together, commonly using VELCRO). In this case the flap could
overlay a small slit or opening along a portion of the back of the
hand to allow the glove to widen when a user places the glove on to
the hand. Alternatively, the opening means may comprise of other
standard used mechanisms of allowing a user to apply and disengage
the glove, such as an elastic band material along the wrist
portion.
[0038] Embodiments may also comprise of micro holes along any
portions of the glove, generally used on golf gloves and football
gloves for ventilation or moisture management purposes. These micro
holes are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter.
[0039] Construction of the present invention may be accomplished by
standard methods, such as, for example, by designing the dorsal and
palm sections to meet along a conjoining lateral edge to define a
pocket for receiving the eminence of a user's hand, and sewing said
sections together.
[0040] One sport where the present invention will clearly enhance
performance is in the sport of football. As previously discussed,
wearing a glove can be very advantageous, and is used by most
athletes in most sports activities. Prior art gloves, as previously
configured however, were essentially inoperable on a football
quarterback's throwing hand, or on a golfer's dominant hand. Using
embodiments of the present invention now allow a football
quarterback to place his covered thumb and forefinger on the
football and increase the grip by the glove embodiment and its
targeted grip enhancers, and be able maintain maximum tactile
abilities by leaving unencumbered his middle finger, ring finger
and pinkie finger, for example. This configuration and other
embodiments allow the quarterback the ability to place the
uncovered middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger over the
football laces unencumbered and also able to maintain significant
feel on the football, by not being covered by a glove. This and
other new features now essentially make the sports glove more
operable, novel and significantly superior to prior art in these
areas.
[0041] This finger configuration will allow a quarterback to
increase his grip and overall control of a football while
simultaneously allowing some finger feel of the football. The rest
of the hand, front and back, could be completely covered by the
glove. Additionally, the embodiment will have a palmar and dorsal
portion overlaying at least a portion of the wrist area. For
example, the wrist portion could be stitched on the glove and be
made of an expandable composition whereby the glove would expand
when being placed on a hand, and then naturally readjust to fit
snugly around the user's wrists.
[0042] This glove will take into account the benefits of the laces
on a football and give a quarterback the unique ability to grasp a
football over the football laces with the comfort and feel of not
having a glove, while adding the support that a glove provides over
the thumb and forefinger, particularly over the fingertips of the
thumb and forefinger. Improvement in throwing accuracy and overall
performance will result from this unique type of support provided
by the new art.
[0043] This embodiment could also find significant usefulness in
golf as well. When placed on a golfer's dominant hand, the golfer
can then use the overlapping grip, for example, and still maintain
the necessary feel between the dominant hand's pinkie finger which
would remain uncovered and which overlays and is in direct contact
with the non-dominant hand's forefinger. One of the added benefits
of using the embodiment is that the user would now have enhanced
grip on the dominant hand's thumb and forefinger, which is
currently glove-less. The dorsal surface and the palmar surface of
the glove would essentially mirror each other in configuration,
thereby making conjoining relatively simple to form the glove.
[0044] Another embodiment could support a less popular, but still
effective quarterback hand grip whereby only two fingers are over
and grip the football laces, leaving the thumb, forefinger and
middle finger not touching the laces and therefore virtually
unsupported. This embodiment, for example, comprises a body glove
that has a thumb segment that covers the entire thumb, a forefinger
segment that covers the entire forefinger, and a middle finger
segment that covers the entire middle finger. The ring finger would
remain essentially completely uncovered, and the pinkie finger
would remain essentially completely uncovered. Additionally, the
embodiment could comprise a grip enhancing means overlaying the
entire metacarpophalangeal joints of the pinkie finger, ring
finger, middle finger and forefinger, a critical area in
controlling a ball or sport device. For example, this grip
enhancing means may be defined by the four finger digital creases
and extending down about three centimeters (width), enough to cover
the entire metacarpophalangeal joints of said fingers in their
entirety. The length would be defined by the two opposing sides of
the palm, say about seven to ten centimeters in general. This area
would then include, for example, a high friction surface or a
textured surface, as the grip enhancing means. The grip enhancing
means could be comprised of a beaded surface pattern projecting out
at least 1/2 millimeter, and which could be integral to the glove
material and would preferably extend throughout the entire
designated surface area, but could certainly be provided on at
least one centimeter by one centimeter along the designated outer
surface to provide added grip support, such as, for example, only
on the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger. The
grip-enhancing means would thereby offer significant improvements
to prior art partial fingered gloves.
[0045] The embodiment could also offer a grip enhancing means on
the palmar side of the existing finger stalls as well as the thumb
stall, preferably on a portion of one or any of the proximal
phalanges of the finger and thumb stalls, thus defining the
terminal edges of the grip enhancing means for the embodiment.
[0046] In general, the grip enhancing means of the present
invention may be integral to the glove or may be affixed by forming
a grip enhancing panel and applying the panel onto a portion of the
glove. The finger grip-enhancing means of this embodiment could
comprise, for example, a high friction textured surface with a more
narrow width, say about 1.5 to three centimeters. This and other
embodiments may include a plurality of projections on the surface
as the gripping means formed from, for example, one of a vinyl
material, a rubber material, or a neoprene material, creating a
grip enhancing panel. The material forming the panel could then be
applied to said stalls using any standard bonding methods, such as
adhesion or stitching. The projections would preferably be
provided, for example, on at least one centimeter by one centimeter
of any finger stalls. The projections could preferably extend out
less than 1/10 of a centimeter, but could range generally from 1/20
of a centimeter to several centimeters.
[0047] The present invention can now provide glove embodiments that
can also protect a user's hand such as a quarterback's throwing
hand. The embodiment described above, can further comprise, for
example, a shock-absorbing member along the dorsal portion
overlaying the metacarpals and/or on the dorsal area of the
existing finger and thumb stalls. The shock-absorbing member of
this and other embodiments could comprise of a pad or pads, such as
any foam or cotton-based fabric, for example that provides a
cushion to protect the selected areas of the hand. The padding can
extend along at least a portion of the dorsal segment of the glove.
This embodiment, for example, comprises foam padding that overlay
and is bounded by the four metacarpals of the pinkie finger, the
ring finger, the middle finger and the forefinger. Additionally,
this embodiment comprises foam padding that overlay and is
separately bounded by the proximal phalanx of the forefinger, thus
defining its terminal edges (the phalanx and generally the dorsal
surface of the glove). The shock-absorbing members can be operably
attached to the glove, for example. The foam pads each can be about
six millimeters in height, each encased in separate, preferably
flexible materials, such as flexible plastics or synthetic
cottons.
[0048] Other embodiments may have various heights, of course. The
encased pad, for example, can then be stitched on to their
respective locations, as described. Each of the encased paddings
can be one or a plurality of small cushions. The paddings can be
stretchable and elastic.
[0049] The present invention solves the configuration challenges of
prior art and now makes the athletic glove operable for use by
quarterbacks using conventional methods of controlling a football.
The present invention now therefore also offers a new method of
playing the position of quarterback. When throwing a football, for
example, the quarterback will first place the present invention
partial-fingered glove on his throwing hand. After receiving the
football from the Center, he will look down the football field
while using primarily his uncovered fingers to feel and locate the
football laces on the football. After locating the football laces,
he will quickly place the uncovered portion of his ring finger,
pinkie finger and perhaps his middle finger over the football
laces, thus creating a solid grip over the top and distal half of
the football. The quarterback will place his now covered forefinger
and thumb on the closer half of the football, thus creating a solid
grip throughout the entire football. The quarterback then locates a
teammate to throw the football and proceeds to throw the football.
The quarterback's forefinger, supported by a glove and its
grip-enhancers, will now be able to more properly release the
football--or more properly spin the football with his now grip
enhanced forefinger--and deliver the football to the intended
target more accurately.
[0050] In addition to offering greater throwing accuracy and
consistency, these and other embodiments should also help minimize
quarterback fumbles by adding support when `pumping` the ball, when
scrambling from being tackled, and when rushing and throwing the
football. When in `shot gun` formation especially, a quarterback
must quickly look down field at his receivers and `feel` for the
football laces. The present invention will allow a quarterback to
maintain a heightened sense of feel in his middle finger and ring
finger, while increasing the grip support on his thumb and
forefinger. This significant and substantial feature will, among
other things, enhance grip and control while maintaining or even
enhancing overall feel. With quarterback fumbles reaching as high
as 23 fumbles in a single season (Kerry Collins, 2001) these and
other grip enhancing embodiments for football quarterbacks will
significantly impact the sport of football.
[0051] If preferred, for example, embodiments may provide added
grip capabilities along the palmar portion on and between the thumb
stall and the forefinger stall. By providing added grip support in
this area, a quarterback will have further increased control of the
football to better perform common tasks. For example, when a
quarterback wants to throw the football but has to temporarily run,
or scramble, to avoid being tackled the quarterback most often
relies primarily on only the dominant hand to hold on to the
football. This added grip enhancers now allow the quarterback to
more securely hold the football in the throwing position while
scrambling by providing added grip capabilities in select areas,
and can throw the football with greater precision while scrambling
if necessary.
[0052] The targeted grip enhances may also preferably overlay any
thumb or finger, any of the metacarpophalangeal joints, or on any
portion between the thumb and forefinger, and may be separately the
only grip enhancers on the embodiment, may be used in combination,
or may be throughout the palmar surface.
[0053] This and other embodiments offer superior grip capabilities,
critical not only in overall ball control and passing the football,
but also in quarterback rush attempts. Over the last decade or two,
quarterbacks have increasingly chosen to rush for yardage and at
times act more like a running back. Throughout his years in the
NFL, for example, professional football quarterback Michael Vick
has attempted over 650 rushes. More recently, NFL quarterback Tim
Tebow had 43 rush attempts in a season, with an average of over
3.16 yards per carry.
[0054] Clearly, the trends suggest that the successful quarterback
will be required to rush more with the football, the result will
often mean getting hit on his dominant hand, which is usually
covering to protect the football. Largely because of this,
individuals playing the position of running back almost all wear
gloves to be able to maintain control of the ball during impact and
not fumble the football; now with quarterbacks starting to become
the second leading rushers on their respective teams (Tebow, Denver
Broncos, 2010) the need for the quarterback to wear the present
invention on his dominant hand grows even higher. Embodiments may
also offer critical added protection over the dominant hand of a
quarterback, for example, for several reasons such as being better
able to absorb impact by opposing players.
[0055] Embodiments of the present invention offer football
quarterbacks many benefits including:
[0056] stronger overall grip
[0057] higher completed pass accuracy
[0058] more success at throwing a spiral
[0059] higher consistency and performance in ball handling and
control
[0060] better control resulting in less fumbles
[0061] greater success at quarterback play execution
[0062] added protection, by the shock-absorbing member, on select
areas of the hand.
[0063] greater success when a quarterback runs/rushes with a
football
[0064] grip enhancers on the throwing hand of the quarterback
[0065] targeted grip enhancers specifically designed to maximize
quarterback performance
[0066] significant enhanced and vital protection to a quarterbacks
throwing hand
[0067] protection on the throwing hand when the quarterback rushes
with the football
[0068] In football, unstable or weak ball control can, among other
things increase fumbles, increase incompletes and thereby increase
turnovers and decrease performance. The above features offer
significant and substantial benefits which properly address the
concerns currently facing those many athletes, such as football
quarterbacks.
[0069] Another sport where the present invention will fulfill an
unmet need is in the sport of Golf. Embodiments of the present
invention can be configured to meet the unique requirements of a
golfer's strong hand thereby providing new art. A preferred
embodiment comprises a glove with a thumb stall that covers all of
the thumb finger, and a forefinger stall that covers all of the
forefinger. Additionally, the middle finger is partially uncovered,
1/3rd the way. The ring finger and pinkie finger are both
completely uncovered thereby maintaining the necessary feel in a
preferred grip method.
[0070] This embodiment will now allow a golfer to use his
conventional golf glove on his non-dominant hand, as is currently
done, while now using the embodiment on his dominant hand as well.
The uncovered pinkie finger allows the golfer to maintain
heightened feel in the pinkie finger, necessary in coordinating
both hands throughout the golf swing while using any of the
conventional club gripping methods, such as the overlapping,
interlocking or even the full-fisted method.
[0071] When using the conventional overlapping method, for example,
the pinkie finger of the dominant hand is placed over the
forefinger and middle finger of the non-dominant hand, so using
this embodiment will allow the user to maintain maximum tactile
sensation of the pinkie finger and properly coordinate a golf
swing. The partially covered middle finger will offer both feel
capabilities on the uncovered distal phalanx, while offering added
grip along the covered proximal joint to more securely hold the
golf club. Additionally, the golfer will now also have added grip
capabilities along the covered thumb and forefinger of the dominant
hand. A grip enhancing means could also be formed on said finger
stalls or along the metacarpophalangeal joints if preferred, thus
providing added grip capabilities along the area where the club is
gripped. For the same reasons, this embodiment would significantly
assist golfers using any of the interlocking or full-fisted methods
as well.
[0072] Among the benefits of the present invention include the
ability to offer greater golf consistency and accuracy by solving
an unrecognized problem in prior art. Using this embodiment on the
dominant hand in conjunction with a standard golf glove on the
non-dominant hand will allow the user to maximize grip at both ends
of the club while maintaining feel capabilities to coordinate swing
and feel if the golf club moves during a golf swing. For example,
the grip enhancing means may comprise of stripes, for example,
projecting out about 600 micrometers, along any of the designated
areas.
[0073] A significant improvement to this embodiment may also
comprise a grip enhancing means along any or all of the
metacarpophalangeal joints, and/or on any of the thumb, forefinger
and pinkie stalls, and/or on any region between the thumb and
forefinger. When using the interlocking grip method the grip
enhancing means may comprise a non-slip latex coating, for example,
and would be especially useful along the pinkie finger's
metacarpophalangeal joint, the area just below where the weak-hand
forefinger interlocks with the strong hand pinkie finger defining
the terminal edges of this grip enhancing means. The thumb and
forefinger stalls could also comprise tiny recesses or holes
generally used on golf gloves, for ventilation or moisture
management purposes.
[0074] This embodiment could be in the form of a standard synthetic
leather golf glove, with the dorsal and palmar surface areas
essentially covering all five metacarpals, with the only exception
of a slit along the dorsal surface which allows the golfer to
insert the hand into the glove, and micro recesses along a portion
of the glove to allow for ventilation.
[0075] Many using the interlocking grip generally do so to maximize
feel and hand coordination, thereby interlocking their weak-hand's
forefinger with their strong-hand's pinkie finger. This embodiment,
and others, can allow a golfer to use the interlocking method to
provide added grip capabilities of the dominant hand without losing
necessary tactile sensations in coordinating hand movements. This
embodiment, for example, would provide significantly enhanced grip
capabilities thereby creating a more unison golf swing. The
partially uncovered middle finger will allow the golfer to still
have significant feel on said finger, while still being able to
increase the overall grip along the palmar portions of the
metacarpophalangeal joints, and the thumb and forefinger areas.
Configuring a golf glove for the strong hand will, among other
things, create a solid grip throughout both hands, thus satisfying
an unmet need. This embodiment, of course would also prove useful
for football quarterbacks for the reasons aforementioned.
[0076] The grip enhancing means of the present invention generally
creates a higher coefficient of friction on the palmar segment of
the glove, and can be comprised of various grip-enhancing
materials, forms, coatings, and designs, including but not limited
to, foams, fabrics, PVC dots, perimeter patching designs, linear
and non-linear grooves, or combinations thereof, high friction
surfaces, textured surfaces, a plurality of regular or irregular
projections, a plurality of regular or irregular depressions,
non-slip materials and coatings, such as PVC coatings and latex
coatings, and designs creating coarse surfaces such as eighty grit
emory cloth for example, as well as pebbled or beaded surfaces,
convex or concave bumps, striations, cross-hatches, convex or
concave linear and non-linear lines, angled ribs, random
structures, convex or concave ridges, crevices, elongated segments,
and the like. Preferably, the depths of the depressions and/or
heights of projections would be such that the gap formed by the
depressions or projections would allow for some movement of the
palmar surfaces thereby increasing the grip capabilities of the
user. The height or depth ranges can generally begin at about 100
micrometers to several millimeters or more.
[0077] The grip enhancing means may further comprise a plurality of
spaced apart stripes or striped projections formed from a high
friction material, such as a PVC material, for example. Preferably
the stripes comprise raised or projecting stripes and are arranged
to extend generally parallel to the axis of any existing finger
stalls. Stripes and other forms may be uniformly spaced or spaced
at varying intervals. Similarly, stripes and other forms may have
varying thicknesses, heights or depths, depending on preference.
The thickness ranges generally can begin at about 100 micrometers
to several millimeters or more. These grip-enhancers may create a
pattern, may be in rows or randomly placed, and may form circular
and non-circular shapes, such as spherical, cylindrical or
elongated. Additionally, they may be individually separated or
interconnected.
[0078] In general, a palmar surface of an embodiment can have a
variety of finishes, one portion of the surface can have a smooth
finish, for example, and another portion can have a textured
surface. The textured portion could create a coefficient of
friction, or grip enhancer, on the surface.
[0079] The grip enhancing means can be formed on the glove by any
standard method, for example, embossing, stamping or molding a
portion of the glove to create the gripping means. For example, the
grip-enhancing means can comprise regular projections of say, about
300 micrometers in height, but may vary in height depending on
preference. The projections may all be the same height, and may be
in rows. They may be embossed elongated shapes that are
interconnected, thus creating a high coefficient of friction
throughout the entire palmar surface area of the glove. Other
embodiments could of course offer different heights, non-uniform
heights, and have a more random pattern on the palmar portions
forming the glove.
[0080] Alternatively, the grip-enhancing means may be attached,
affixed or otherwise placed to select areas of the glove by
standard methods and forms of attachment such as by overlaying a
panel to select areas of the glove. This may be accomplished, for
example, by creating a textured surface on a silicone-based layer
and then hot melting said silicone surface onto the bottom surface
of the most proximal end of the middle finger stall, thus providing
a high friction surface on the embodiment. The grip enhancing means
may be affixed to the glove by any other standard methods of
attachment, such as by stitching or adhesion.
[0081] The grip enhancing means is generally located on the palmar
portion of the glove. Within that parameter, preferably, the grip
enhancing means can be on any portion of any thumb stall or finger
stall where a finger stall exists, any portion of the
metacarpophalangeal joints, and any portion between the thumb stall
and forefinger stall, generally defined by the forefinger
metacarpal, the thumb metacarpal, and the glove segment between
said metacarpals. The grip enhancing means can therefore be
specifically positioned to provide enhanced grip and a higher
coefficient of friction along select aspects of primarily the
palmar segment of the glove. Of course, users may prefer any
combination of the aforementioned. In at least one embodiment all
of the above mentioned comprise of a grip enhancing means including
all of the metacarpals. In at least one embodiment, the palmar
segment itself comprises a grip-enhancer means, thereby covering
the entire palmar segment of the glove.
[0082] The grip enhancing means should provide an effective
coefficient of friction, preferably of at least a Shore A Durometer
of about three or greater.
[0083] Some embodiments, of course, will not have a grip enhancing
means on any part of the glove. These embodiments absent of any
grip enhancing means will have a shock-absorbing member along the
dorsal segment.
[0084] The shock-absorbing member (or members) can comprise of any
material that could provide added protection to a user's thumb,
fingers, hand, wrist, or combinations thereof. In general, the
shock-absorbing member can comprise conventional materials for
dissipating pressure across a surface area, can have varying
densities and thicknesses, and can be in the form of a layer or
multiple layers. Embodiments may comprise a shock-absorbing member
with or without a grip-enhancing means.
[0085] The shock-absorbing member may be flexible, compressible
and/or resilient. The shock-absorbing member can comprise of any
foam or cotton-based fabrics, cloth paddings, such as a cushion,
foams such as a polyurethane foam pad, and flexible plastics, and
the like, to absorb impact received from opposing players or from
hitting the ground. The shock-absorbing member can comprise
foam-filled segments, such as polyethylene foam pads or it can be
of cotton or cloth, or encased gels. For example, the
shock-absorbing member may comprise of a unitary pad or pad
segments, and may comprise any open cell or closed cell foam, such
as BOLLARD foam, polyolefin foam and the like. The shock-absorbing
member may also be made of any common materials used in providing
glove padding, including natural or synthetic rubber, natural or
synthetic rubber foams, encased gels, polyester fiber, or cotton or
other natural or synthetic wadding materials. Additionally, the
shock-absorbing member may possess a substantially uniform cell
distribution or polyvinyl chloride foam plastic. The
shock-absorbing member may comprise of cushions or pads which can
be implemented as any of a variety of conventional padding
material, such as foam rubber of varying densities and thicknesses,
layers of fabric of various types and thicknesses, conventional
encased gel or plastic material, liquid-holding compartments, or
other types of conventional materials. The shock-absorbing member
may also be fabricated from more rigid materials such as plastics
or fiberglass materials. It will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that many other implementations of pad
construction are possible.
[0086] The shock-absorbing member need not be very thick but can
be, beginning from about 600 micrometers to several inches. The
thickness may vary according to location, such as finger versus
metacarpal areas, and degree of desired protection. The thickness
of similar embodiments may vary depending on several factors, such
as for example, user preference. In other words, embodiments may be
configured to absorb more or less by the thickness of the shock
absorbing member. The embodiment can thus create a cushioning
effect to, for example, protect an injury. Additionally, for
example, quarterbacks who rarely rush with the football may only
require a thinner pad, say 0.25 inch or less, as opposed to
quarterbacks who more often need to run with the ball.
[0087] The shock-absorbing member is primarily located on the
dorsal portion of the glove. Within that parameter, preferably, the
shock-absorbing member can overlay any portion of any thumb and/or
finger where a finger stall exists, and/or any portion of the five
metacarpals. In at least one embodiment, the entire dorsal segment,
comprises a shock-absorbing member, therefore mirroring the dorsal
segment's design or structure of the glove.
[0088] Preferably, embodiments can also have a shock-absorbing
member along the dorsal surface overlaying the wrist area, provided
a segment overlaying the wrist exists. The shock-absorbing member
overlaying the carpals on the wrist area may extend to also cover
up to about five inches, and may do so as separate padding
segments, for example, to allow for significant wrist flexibility,
or may be configured as one pad.
[0089] The shock-absorbing member can be constructed on the glove
using standard techniques placing paddings on gloves, such as by
stitching for example, or may alternatively be integrally formed on
the glove. For example, the shock-absorbing member may be encased
in a compartment or compartments that are then attached to select
areas of the glove. Alternatively, said member may be integrally
formed on the glove and the shock-absorbing member could be
interposed in the glove with one compartment such as a liner, or
within a plurality of discreet shock-absorbing protective
compartments such as protrusions projecting out from the glove. The
construction of these compartments may comprise of any flexible
material, such as rubber, or may be of the same material that form
the glove. Said compartment or compartments could house and allow
said shock-absorbing member to project out, for example, to provide
protection in desired areas along generally the dorsal surface of
the glove.
[0090] By way of example, if the shock-absorbing member is placed
onto the outer surface of the dorsal segment, it is envisioned that
the pad could be sewn, bonded or otherwise attached atop the dorsal
segment of the glove. A shock-absorbing member could include an
outer layer of material which encapsulates the pad and enables the
outer periphery of the pad to be positioned without damaging the
pad. For example, it is envisioned that the pad may include an
outer layer made of the same material as the rest of the glove, or
may be a heavier, thicker material, such as synthetic leather. The
shock-absorbing member, in this case a pad, is then inserted into
the compartment. The encased pad can then be sewn, adhered to or
otherwise secured on the glove, such as deposed adjacent the dorsal
segment of the thumb stall.
[0091] The shock-absorbing member may also be integrally formed on
the glove. For example, the shock-absorbing member may be located
between the inner surface of the dorsal segment of the glove, and a
liner or sleeve. The liner (or sleeve) material would therefore be
positioned between the shock-absorbing member and a user's hand.
The liner could be attached to the glove by standard methods, such
as by conventional stitching about the perimeter of the dorsal
segment, whereby the padded layer would be inserted and then
sealed.
[0092] A similar method if the shock absorbing member is integrally
formed from the sports glove comprises a flexible, preferably
integrally molded dorsal member which has a tougher outer
protective surface and a smooth hand contacting, inner material,
such as a liner or sleeve, being connected together around the
peripheral edge of the molded member. The outer member may have a
plurality of discrete shock-absorbing protective protrusions
whereby the shock-absorbing members could be housed. The
protrusions may be in a variety of heights and shapes, and of
sufficient dimensions to house each shock-absorbing member.
[0093] The lining material (or sleeve) may be comprised of standard
lining materials, such as a smooth, flexible knitted fabric. The
liner may also comprise of flexible and elastomeric material such
as spandex or LYCRA. Other possible materials include a knit of
polyester or simply the same material forming the glove. A soft
cellular plastic could also be preferred. Additionally, the liner
may provide added features to offer warmth and comfort such as by
comprising of a fleece material, for example, especially useful
when competing in the rain or snow. It will be apparent to one of
ordinary skill in the art that many other implementations of lining
are possible.
[0094] These novel features will give a quarterback added
protection from the abrasion from hitting his fingers against the
helmet of an opponent, for example, or when wrapping his throwing
hand around the football when rushing. The shock-absorbing member
sections of the present invention offer the unique ability of being
able to protect an injury while maintaining grip capabilities in
select areas by offering padded layer or layers, a significant and
substantial advancement to prior art, such as bandages and
BAND-AID, thus providing a solution to a long-felt need of being
able to protect a quarterback's throwing hand.
[0095] Some embodiments, of course, will not have a shock-absorbing
member on any part of the glove. These embodiments that are absent
of any shock-absorbing member will be useful and significantly
beneficial to football quarterbacks but also especially to those
playing the sport of golf, primarily because the unique finger
configurations of the glove, as well as because of any
grip-enhancing means on embodiments.
[0096] Embodiments may also comprise of a wrist securement opening
means to secure the glove to the user's hand. The opening means may
be, for example, an elastic means or a flap which mechanically
engages a flap capture mechanism (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop
fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly
using VELCRO). The wrist portion opening means may alternatively
comprise an elastomeric band fixed around the wrist aperture. The
wrist portion may be formed integral with the glove or may be
attached to the glove by standard methods, such as by sewing.
[0097] The finger segments of embodiments would preferably be
designed to fit snugly around a user's fingers, as are typical
sports gloves. In addition, some embodiments may have material
treated by a moisture repellant, for example SCOTCH GUARD or a
synthetic resin, extremely useful during the Winter months, usually
during the football playoffs. Additionally, embodiments may also
comprise various weather-resistant and perspirant-resistant
materials, forms and designs including, but not limited to,
water-resistant materials or micro-recesses along any portion of
the glove, for moisture management, or combinations thereof.
[0098] The present invention may be made and manufactured using
standard materials and methods in developing sports gloves.
Materials that could comprise these glove embodiments include, but
are not limited to, woven materials such as natural, synthetic or
blends of natural and synthetic yarns, thermoextruded or thermoset
rubbery embodiments such as those made from thermoplastic
elastomers. Examples of synthetic yarns include nylon, polyester,
and spandex (polyurethane) yarns. Embodiments may also comprise
stretch materials and designs, mesh fabrics, recycled and flexible
materials, cottons, polyester, rayon, spandex, leathers and
synthetic leathers, rubbers, plastics, woven fabrics, non-woven
fabrics, cloths, LYCRA, a vinyl material, a neoprene material, a
fleece material, or combinations thereof.
[0099] The thickness of the dorsal and palmar segments can
generally begin anywhere from 0.005 inches to 0.040 inches, for
example, depending on several factors such as comfort and
durability preferences. Some embodiments may offer more durable
material for the dorsal surface thus requiring an even thicker
dorsal segment. Of course, the more durable the material for more
protection the glove may naturally provide.
SUMMARY
[0100] As described herein, the present invention overcomes the
limitations of the prior art in a number of significant ways. In
general, embodiments of the present invention can generally be used
in conjunction with any type of hand task activity and/or sports
play. As discussed, embodiments offer an individual with the
opportunity to increase overall hand task performance. Maintaining
or increasing overall control, for example, can provide many
benefits to a user of these, and other embodiments. These and other
embodiments:
[0101] offer the ability to grip as well as feel a ball, such as a
football
[0102] offer the ability to grip as well as feel a sports device,
such as a golf club
[0103] provide a unique solution for players who desire better grip
capabilities in select areas
[0104] offer basic benefits that standard gloves offer, now offered
also to quarterbacks
[0105] offer a more stabilizing overall grip of a ball or object,
by conveying grip-enhancers to select locations of the hand
[0106] provide grip enhancers along the connecting area between the
thumb and forefinger
[0107] allow an individual to maintain or increase control of a
ball or object along the metacarpophalangeal joints
[0108] permit the ability to use a glove on dominant hand
configured to meet the unique needs of your preferred golf grip
[0109] improve performance in hand task execution
[0110] improve stability of overall grip throughout the hands
[0111] offer more control capabilities throughout a sports task, a
valuable feature when striking a golf club with greater
velocity
[0112] afford more control throughout a football task, such as when
throwing a slippery football or when under duress
[0113] allow more hand coordination by adjusting enhancers to match
one particular golf swing
[0114] make for less football mishandles
[0115] create more safety in playing the position of quarterback
especially for the youth in our country
[0116] finally give quarterbacks the necessary protection already
offered to others who rush with the football, such as running
backs
[0117] These are among the many benefits of the present invention,
and are not to be construed as limitations of the benefits nor
their legal equivalent
[0118] Although the description of the present invention only
discussed two sports, it is understood that individuals playing
other sports might benefit as well, such as baseball, volleyball
and basketball. Additionally, although embodiments have generally
been discussed for a particular sport, it is only by way of
example. In other words, the embodiments discussed related to
football may also easily be used in golf, and vice versa. In
addition, the term `overlay` is not meant to limit how the grip
enhancing means or the shock-absorbing member will be created on
embodiments of the present invention. Indeed, as has been
demonstrated, the grip enhancing means and shock-absorbing member
may be integrally formed of many of these embodiments. Therefore,
use of the term `overlay` may be defined more broadly, as "applied,
affixed, formed on or otherwise created on."
[0119] In addition, only some embodiments have been discussed and
in no way is intended to limit all the various embodiments and
other embodiments that the present invention provides, such as but
not limited to, different designs. Embodiments can of course be
used by men and women, boys and girls, professional athletes or
amateurs, as well as for those whose dominant hand is the right
hand or the left.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING
[0120] It is expressly understood that the following descriptions
and drawing are for illustration purposes only, and in no way are
intended to limit the scope of the present invention and its
various embodiments. For example, the drawings are of embodiments
for the left hand but can easily be created for the right hand.
[0121] FIG. 1 is a drawing of the palmar (front) view of an
embodiment. The thumb and forefinger are completely covered. The
ring finger and pinkie finger are essentially completely uncovered.
The middle finger is completely covered.
[0122] FIG. 2 is a drawing of the embodiment as described in FIG.
1, showing the dorsal (back) view.
[0123] FIG. 3 is a drawing of the palmar view of a second
embodiment. The thumb and forefinger are completely covered. The
ring finger and pinkie finger are essentially completely uncovered.
The middle finger is completely uncovered.
[0124] FIG. 4 is a drawing of the embodiment as described in FIG.
3, showing the dorsal view.
[0125] FIG. 5 is a drawing of the palmar view of a third
embodiment, shown as a partial-fingered glove. The thumb and
forefinger are completely covered. The ring finger and pinkie
finger are essentially completely uncovered. The middle finger is
partially covered.
[0126] FIG. 6 is a drawing of the embodiment as described in FIG.
5, showing the dorsal view.
[0127] FIG. 7 is a picture of a famous football quarterback's
football grip.
[0128] FIG. 8 is a drawing of an alternative dorsal segment to FIG.
1.
[0129] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, showing a
liner.
[0130] FIG. 10 is a drawing of an alternative dorsal segment to
FIG. 5.
[0131] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, showing a
liner and protrusions.
[0132] FIG. 12 is a side view of the glove embodiment comprised of
FIG. 10 (dorsal segment) and FIG. 5 (palmar segment).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0133] It is expressly understood that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
[0134] Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an athletic glove of the
present invention is shown and designated as 10. The palmar (front)
view of a left-handed glove is drawn in FIG. 1 and the dorsal
(back) view of the same glove is drawn in FIG. 2. This
partial-fingered embodiment provides a glove having a dorsal
portion 11, a palmar portion 12 for overlaying respective back and
palm regions of a human hand, said dorsal and palmar portions
having distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital
segments (or stalls) projecting from said distal ends. The glove
includes a glove body having a back portion covering the back of
the hand 11, and a front portion covering substantially all of the
palm or front of the hand 12. The glove body includes finger stalls
and a thumb stall each adapted to receive a finger or thumb,
respectively, therein.
[0135] In the illustrated embodiment, the glove is constructed such
that the thumb 13 and forefinger 14 digital segments enclose said
thumb and forefinger, including enclosing the fingertips. The glove
has a finger segment that also encloses the middle finger,
including enclosing its fingertips. The ring finger and pinkie
finger are both completely uncovered.
[0136] The palmar section covers the entire palm of the hand 12;
the dorsal section covers most of the back of the hand 11, allowing
only for any micro recesses along the dorsal surface, typically
used to provide ventilation. The glove also has a wrist portion
that surrounds the wrist of a user.
[0137] The thumb stall 13 is defined by a dorsal portion 18 and a
palmar portion 19. The forefinger stall 14 is defined by a dorsal
portion 20 and a palmar portion 21. The middle finger stall is
defined by a dorsal portion 22 and a palmar portion 23. An opening
is provided for the ring finger 25. An opening is provided for the
pinkie finger 27. The wrist portion is preferably expansible so as
to hold more securely to the user's wrist. Therefore the embodiment
also has an expandable opening means 28 at a wrist end 29 adapted
to receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises
an elastic material along the wrist portion, such as an elastomeric
band 28 fixed around the wrist. If desired, the opening means may
comprise a strap means at the open end of the glove body for
fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap
means may be unitary with the glove body and may include VELCRO
fasteners, buttons, and the like or other suitable closure means
thereon.
[0138] This embodiment further shows how the present invention may
comprise a grip enhancing means. Although the glove now provides a
higher coefficient of friction on the throwing hand of a
quarterback or on a golfer's dominant hand, one may now further
increase grip capabilities by adding a grip enhancing means along
the palmar surface of the glove.
[0139] The thumb and forefinger digital segments of this embodiment
have a grip enhancing means, in the form of PVC dots, on the thumb
and forefinger segments. The PVC dots preferably project out at
least about seven hundred micrometers. The PVC dots located on the
palmar section of the thumb 30 and forefinger stalls 31 are
throughout said stalls. Similar embodiments may have a grip
enhancing means along only the thumb segment overlaying the distal
phalanx or the forefinger's distal phalanx, or combinations
thereof, to maximize grip abilities on the fingertips of the thumb
and forefinger.
[0140] The grip enhancing means may be integral to the glove or may
be affixed to the glove using any standard methods. For example,
this embodiment comprises grip enhancing means that are integral to
the glove thumb and forefinger stalls, using any standard method
known in the art. For example, the PVC dots can be imparted by any
standard methods, such as, for example, by molding. The heights of
the PVC dots in this embodiment are all the same height, and are in
rows. Other embodiments could of course offer different heights,
non-uniform heights, and have a more random pattern on the top
surface.
[0141] The locations of the grip enhancing means may vary on
several factors of course, such as personal preference and
preferred degree of enhanced grip. This added grip configuration
will be useful to quarterbacks and golfers for reasons described
herein. Other grip enhancing configurations and locations may of
course be preferred.
[0142] For example, a quarterback who often rushes with the
football may prefer a grip enhancer throughout any existing finger
stalls, whereas a quarterback who often throws the football may
prefer a grip enhancing means on the fingertips of the thumb and
forefinger segments, and along the area between the thumb and
forefinger metacarpophalangeal joints (See FIG. 3). Having a
gripping enhancing means along these areas will significantly
increase the quarterback's ability to control the football
throughout a throw or rush attempt by creating an even higher
coefficient of friction.
[0143] A golfer may have similar grip enhancing preferences as
those discussed. An individual using the interlocking grip method
may additionally desire a grip enhancing means overlaying the
palmar surface area of the pinkie finger's metacarpophalangeal
joint, in part or in its entirety. The resulting grip enhancing
configurations would offer the golfer added control on the dominant
hand's thumb, forefinger, and along the area where the golfer's two
hands interlock. Additionally, the partially uncovered fingers
would offer maximum retention of tactile sensation along uncovered
finger portions. This unique offering will significantly increase
the golfer's ability to control a golf club and also therefore a
golf swing.
[0144] The embodiment's grip enhancing means can also comprise of a
high friction surface, such as creating crisscross depressions, to
the glove area beginning at the digital creases and extending to
overlay the forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint; the middle finger
metacarpophalangeal joint, the ring finger metacarpophalangeal
joint, and the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint, 34. The
grip enhancing means portion overlaying the pinkie finger
metacarpophalangeal joint preferably does not extend over the
upper-palmar crease, however, to provide optimal flexibility.
[0145] The grip enhancing means can also comprise of a high
friction surface by applying a non-slip coating, such as a latex,
nitrile, or PVC coating, along described locations of this
embodiment. The coating could of course also be applied to the
entire palmar portion of the glove.
[0146] A plurality of tiny recesses of about 0.120 millimeters in
diameter may be randomly disposed about the front, back and finger
and thumb stalls of the glove, thereby providing added comfort and
more ventilation.
[0147] As aforementioned, the present invention, including this
embodiment may be constructed using standard materials and methods
of construction known in the art of making sports gloves. For
example, construction of this embodiment may be accomplished by
standard methods, such as, by designing the dorsal and palmar
sections to meet along a conjoining lateral edge to define a pocket
for receiving the eminence of a user's hand. Said dorsal and palmar
sections could be conjoined by sewing, for example.
[0148] This embodiment further shows how the present invention may
comprise of the same materials to construct both the palmar and
dorsal surface. This particular glove can be made of a polyester
and cotton blend for superior comfort, say about seventy percent
polyester. The polyester thread, for example, could be spun with
the cotton yarns to produce the composite. Other materials that
could comprise these glove embodiments include, but are not limited
to woven materials that include natural, synthetic or blends of
natural and synthetic yarns, flexible plastics, and thermoextruded
or thermoset rubbery embodiments including those made from
thermoplastic elastomers. Examples of synthetic yarns include
nylon, polyester, and spandex (polyurethane) yarns, and LYCRA.
Additionally, embodiments such as this one may be completely coated
with a water repellant substance, such as a synthetic resin 33.
[0149] This embodiment also may comprise a grip enhancing means
that is affixed to the glove. In general, as aforementioned, a grip
enhancing means may be either formed on or applied to any palmar
portion, such as the palm or any thumb or any existing finger
stalls for example, using any standard methods. The embodiment's
gripping means can comprise of a high friction surface, such as
creating crisscross grooves 34 that are depressed onto a rubber
surface panel 35, for example, then attaching said panel onto a
portion of the glove palmar surface area. The panel is then
attached to the palmar surface of the glove by any standard methods
of attachment, such as by adhesion or stitching.
[0150] The panel may be is attached to the glove area, for example,
beginning at the digital creases and extending to overlay the
forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, the middle finger
metacarpophalangeal joint, the ring finger metacarpophalangeal
joint, and the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint, 34. The
panel portion overlaying the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal 36
preferably does not extend over the upper-palmar crease, however,
to provide optimal flexibility. This form of attachment may
additionally be used to affix a grip-enhancing means over the thumb
stall, any existing finger stalls and/or along the area between the
forefinger and thumb stalls, in part or in their entirety, for
example.
[0151] The panel may generally be comprised of any flexible
material, for example, a plastic material 35 having a top surface
comprising the grip enhancing area formed by a plurality of
depressions 34 such as, for example, ridges. A preferred depth of
the depressions would be such that the gap formed by the
depressions would allow for some movement of the newly formed top
surface edges thereby increasing the grip capabilities of the user.
This grip enhancer could have a preferred depth beginning about six
hundred micrometers, and can be imparted by, for example, embossing
or standard mechanical treatments. The grip enhancing surface would
provide an effective coefficient of friction, preferably of at
least a Shore A Durometer of three or greater. The panel would then
be bonded to, and become a part of the top surface of a portion of
the glove, by any standard method such as, for example, cementing
or hot melt gluing.
[0152] Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a second embodiment of
the athletic glove of the present invention is shown and designated
as 40. The palmar (front) view of a left-handed glove is drawn in
FIG. 3 and the dorsal (back) view of the same glove is drawn in
FIG. 4. This partial-fingered embodiment provides a glove having a
dorsal portion 41 and a palmar portion 42 for overlaying respective
back and palm regions of a human hand, said dorsal and palmar
portions having distal and proximal ends with a plurality of
digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said distal ends. The
glove includes a glove body having a back portion covering
essentially the entire dorsal surface of the hand 41, and a front
portion covering essentially the entire palm surface of the hand
42. The glove body includes a finger segment and a thumb segment
each adapted to receive a finger and thumb, respectively,
therein.
[0153] The glove is constructed such that the thumb 43 and
forefinger 44 digital segments completely enclose said thumb and
forefinger, including enclosing the fingertips. The middle finger,
ring finger and pinkie finger are all completely uncovered.
[0154] The palmar surface of the glove essentially covers the rest
of the front of the hand, including the entire palm of the hand 42;
the dorsal section covers most of the back of the hand 41, allowing
only for micro recesses for ventilation 24, and for a slit on the
wrist portion for an opening to more easily insert a hand. The
thumb stall 43 is defined by a dorsal portion 48 and palmar portion
49. The forefinger stall 44 is defined by a dorsal portion 50 and a
palmar portion 51. An opening is provided for the middle finger 53,
the ring finger 54, and the pinkie finger 55.
[0155] The glove also has an expandable opening means at a wrist
end portion 59 adapted to receive the user's hand. The expandable
opening means comprises a strap means 56 at the open end 57 of the
glove body for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist
area. The strap means may be unitary with the glove body and may
include VELCRO fasteners 58, buttons, and the like or other
suitable closure means thereon. The wrist portion is preferably
expansible so as to hold more securely around the user's wrist. The
dorsal surface of the glove therefore has an uncovered portion
along the wrist area 57. As with other embodiments, this glove may
alternatively have an expandable opening means comprised of an
elastic material to expand and contract for easier glove
application onto a hand, as previously described.
[0156] This embodiment further shows how the present invention may
comprise a grip enhancing means. Although the embodiment now
provides a higher coefficient of friction on the throwing hand of a
quarterback or on a golfer's dominant hand, one may now further
increase grip areas by adding a grip enhancing means on select
areas.
[0157] The illustrated embodiment has a grip enhancing means on
select areas of the front of the hand, specifically along the two
digital segments as well as along the region between the thumb and
forefinger segments. The grip enhancing means comprises ovals
depressions 60, each having a depth of at least about five hundred
micrometers, and are further grouped in diamond shaped clusters 68
to allow for greater hand flexibility and movement.
[0158] The plurality of ovals 61 located on the palmar section of
the thumb stall 49 and forefinger stall 51 are throughout said
stalls. Similar embodiments may have a grip enhancing means along
only the distal phalanx of the thumb segment or the distal phalanx
of the forefinger, or combinations thereof, to maximize grip
abilities primarily on the fingertips of the thumb and
forefinger.
[0159] A grip enhancing means is also on the palmar portion of the
glove overlaying the area between the thumb and the forefinger
segments 64, generally defined by the portion overlaying the
forefinger metacarpal, the thumb metacarpal 66 and the area between
said metacarpals extending to the edge of the palm 67. The grip
enhancing means can also comprise of a high friction surface by
applying a non-slip coating, such as a latex, nitrile or PVC
coating, along described locations of this embodiment 49, 51, 64.
The coating could of course also be applied to the entire palmar
portion of the glove 42.
[0160] The locations of the grip enhancing means may vary on
several factors of course, such as personal preference and
preferred degree of enhanced grip. Additionally, the depressed
designs may vary, such as being in the form of non-linear or
crisscross lines, for example. Finally, the depths may vary as
well.
[0161] As discussed, the grip enhancing means may be integral to
the glove or may be affixed to the glove using any standard
methods. For example, this embodiment can comprise grip enhancing
means that are integral to the glove, using any standard method to
accomplish this, such as stamping ovals on described portions of
the glove. As mentioned, the grip enhancing means can also comprise
of a high friction surface by applying a non-slip coating, such as
latex, nitrile or PVC coating. These coatings may be a preferable
choice when applying a grip enhancing means on any
metacarpophalangeal joints. For example, a similar embodiment may
comprise a grip enhancing means, such as an anti-slip coating over
the palmar portion of the pinkie finger's metacarpophalangeal
joint. This would be especially useful for golfers using the
interlocking grip or football quarterbacks, for example, by
providing added grip along critical grip areas.
[0162] As aforementioned, the present invention, including this
embodiment may be constructed using standard materials and methods
of construction known in the art of making sports gloves. For
example, construction of this embodiment may be accomplished by
standard methods, such as, by designing the dorsal and palmar
sections to meet along a conjoining lateral edge to define a pocket
for receiving the eminence of a user's hand. Said dorsal and palmar
sections could be conjoined by sewing, for example. One could use
any standard method of manufacture and assembly or construction
known in the art.
[0163] The embodiment is suitably a substantially conventionally
constructed sports glove, modified as aforementioned. This
particular glove can be made of a polyester and cotton blend for
superior comfort or of a synthetic leather latex coated glove for
added durability. Other materials that could comprise these glove
embodiments include, but are not limited to woven materials that
include natural, synthetic or blends of natural and synthetic
yarns, thermoextruded or thermoset rubbery embodiments including
those made from thermoplastic elastomers, and cloths.
[0164] Examples of synthetic yarns include nylon, polyester, and
spandex (polyurethane) yarns. Additionally, embodiments such as
this one may be coated with a with a water repellant substance,
such as a synthetic resin throughout the glove 40.
[0165] Referring now to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a third embodiment of
the present invention is shown and designated as 70. The palmar
view of a left-handed glove is drawn in FIG. 5 and the dorsal view
of the same glove is drawn in FIG. 6. This partial-fingered
embodiment provides a glove having a dorsal portion 71, a palmar
portion 72 for overlaying respective back and palm regions of a
human hand, said dorsal and palmar portions having distal and
proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments (or stalls)
projecting from said distal ends. The glove includes a glove body
having a back portion covering the back of the hand 71, and a front
portion covering the palm or front of the hand 72. The glove body
includes finger stalls (or digital segments) and a thumb stall
(digital segment) each adapted to receive fingers and a thumb,
respectively, therein.
[0166] In the illustrated embodiment, the glove is constructed such
that the thumb 73 and forefinger 74 digital segments enclose said
thumb and forefinger, including enclosing the fingertips. The glove
has a finger segment that covers the middle finger's proximal
phalanx 75 but does not extend to cover any portion the middle
finger's distal phalanx. The ring finger and pinkie finger are both
essentially completely uncovered.
[0167] The palmar section covers the palm of the hand 72; the
dorsal section covers the back of the hand 71. The glove also has a
wrist portion that surrounds the wrist of a user.
[0168] The thumb stall 73 is defined by a dorsal portion 78 and a
palmar portion 79. The forefinger stall 74 is defined by a dorsal
portion 80 and a palmar portion 81. The middle finger stall 75 is
defined by a dorsal portion 82 and a palmar portion 83. An opening
is provided for the ring finger 76, and the pinkie finger 77. The
wrist portion is preferably expansible so as to hold more securely
to the user's wrist. Therefore the embodiment also has an
expandable opening means 88 at a wrist end 89 adapted to receive
the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises an elastic
material along the wrist portion, such as an elastomeric band 88
fixed around the wrist. If desired, the opening means may comprise
a strap means at the open end of the glove body for fastening the
glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap may have two pads
of cohesive-adhesive material for releasably securing the strap.
The strap as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the
glove.
[0169] This embodiment further shows how the present invention may
comprise a grip enhancing means. Although the embodiment now
provides a higher coefficient of friction on the throwing hand of a
quarterback or on a golfer's dominant hand, one may now further
increase grip areas by adding a grip enhancing means on select
areas or on the entire palmar surface of the glove.
[0170] In the illustrated embodiment, the grip enhancing means
comprises a high friction surface 90 formed on the entire palmar
surface of the glove 72, including the palmar surfaces of the thumb
segment 79 and any existing finger segments 81 and 83. Preferably,
the high friction surface is formed from a PVC material, a latex
material, or a rubber material. The surface may include a
depression or projection pattern formed from the high friction
material. Formed on this material is a plurality of square-like
projections 91 that are applied to the entire palmar surface area
by any standard mechanisms. These square-like projections
preferably are spaced apart to allow for added grip and
flexibility. The rubber palmar surface can then be conjoined to the
dorsal surface, for example, thus creating the glove.
[0171] The dorsal surface may comprise of a different material than
the palmar surface, such as a more durable fabric, but would
preferably also be rather flexible. If the dorsal surface is
comprised of more durable fabrics, such as synthetic leather, then
some added elasticity capabilities may be also preferable, though
not required, on select area of the dorsal surface, in particular
around the metacarpophalangeal joints. For example, the dorsal
surface may comprise of an aperture on the forefinger's
metacarpophalangeal joint, the middle finger's metacarpophalangeal
joint, the ring finger's metacarpophalangeal joint, and on the
pinkie finger's metacarpophalangeal joint (as seen 93 and 94 on
FIG. 12). Alternatively, embodiments may simply comprise of a more
elastic material of the dorsal surface overlaying said
metacarpophalangeal joints while the rest of the dorsal surface is
comprised of a more durable material. Additionally, said joints may
simply have protrusions molded into the dorsal surface thereby
allowing added flexibility along select areas of the hand (as seen
166 on FIG. 11).
[0172] Embodiments may also preferably comprise of a
shock-absorbing member (or members) along any portion of the dorsal
surface, such as any or all existing finger or thumb stalls, along
the dorsal surface overlaying any or all of the metacarpals, along
any of the carpometacarpal joints, or combinations thereof. In at
least one embodiment a shock-absorbing member is secured along
substantially the entire dorsal segment. The shock-absorbing member
would then essentially mirror the dorsal surface design, and can be
configured as a one pad segment. Other embodiments may preferably
cover the dorsal segment as separate padding segments, for example,
to allow for significant finger flexibility by having one pad
overlaying only the proximal phalanges, a second pad overlaying
only the distal phalanges, and a third pad overlaying the
metacarpals of any existing finger segments. A separate pad segment
may also overlay the wrist portion, such as a crescent shaped pad
surrounding the metacarpalcarpal joints or the carpal bone, in part
or in their entirety.
[0173] The illustrated embodiment has shock-absorbing members along
substantially the dorsal surface overlaying the forefinger 80. The
shock-absorbing member overlaying only the forefinger's proximal
phalanx is in the pattern of a rectangle 85, and is configured as a
one pad segment 87. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the
forefinger's proximal interphalangeal joint area is in the pattern
of a square 84, and is configured as a one pad segment 86. Other
embodiments may prefer to combine the entire area as one padding
segment, for example, to allow for added protection throughout the
forefinger.
[0174] As mentioned, the shock-absorbing member may be affixed to
the glove by any standard methods of attachment, such as by
stitching or adhesion. For example, it can be in the form of
pouches 122 or attachments to the glove, said pouches containing
the padding, and then bonding said pouches to the back of the
glove, using heat sealing or other standard methods. The pouches
may be constructed using standard material, such as flexible rubber
or plastics, or made of the same material forming the dorsal
surface of the glove.
[0175] The shock-absorbing members may alternatively be integral
with the material that form the glove, and may be applied to the
glove by standard methods and forms of attachment methods as
aforementioned.
[0176] The thickness of the padding in this embodiment may vary,
beginning at about 1/4 inch or more, and made of any material
aforementioned. The length of the embodiment shock-absorbing
members are generally restricted to the length of the forefinger
segment extending from the glove and, as mentioned, the dorsal
surface area of the forefinger segment--allowing for the
shock-absorbing member to extend circumferentially along the sides
of the forefinger segment but not extending onto the palmar surface
of the forefinger segment.
[0177] The palmar and dorsal surfaces, and any wrist portions, may
be joined together using any standard methods, such as by
stitching, thus defining a pocket for receiving a user's hand.
[0178] Referring now to FIG. 7 is a picture of John Elway's hall of
frame football grip and captures a standard method of preparing to
throw a football. As one can see, Elway's glove-less throwing hand
has his middle finger and ring finger overlaying the football
laces, while his thumb, forefinger and pinkie fingers are holding
the football as best they can.
[0179] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show an alternative dorsal segment to FIG.
1. Embodiments may also preferably comprise of a shock-absorbing
member along any portion of the dorsal surface, such as any or all
existing finger or thumb stalls, along the dorsal surface
overlaying any or all of the metacarpals, along any of the
carpometacarpal joints, or combinations thereof. In the illustrated
embodiment, a shock-absorbing member is secured along substantially
all of the dorsal surface overlaying the thumb 18. The
shock-absorbing member overlaying the thumb is in the pattern of a
diamond 100, and is configured as a one pad segment 101. Other
embodiments may prefer to may do so as separate padding segments,
for example, to allow for significant finger flexibility by having
one pad overlaying only the proximal phalanx, and a second pad
overlaying only the distal phalanx of the thumb. By not covering
any of the thumb joints you have added flexibility but less
protection.
[0180] The length of the shock-absorbing member of this embodiment
is further restricted to the length of the thumb segment extending
from the glove 102 and 103 and, as mentioned, the dorsal surface
area of the thumb segment 18--allowing for the shock-absorbing
member to extend circumferentially along the sides of the thumb
segment but not extending onto the palmar surface of the thumb
segment, therefore not extending over one hundred and eighty
degrees of the digital segment.
[0181] This embodiment also has a shock-absorbing member along
substantially all of the dorsal surface overlaying the forefinger
20. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the forefinger is in the
pattern of a rectangle 104, and is configured as a one pad segment
105. Other embodiments may prefer to may do so as separate padding
segments, for example, to allow for significant finger flexibility
by having one pad overlaying only the proximal phalanx, a second
pad overlaying only the middle phalanx, and a third pad overlaying
only the distal phalanx of the forefinger. By not covering any of
the forefinger joints you have added flexibility but less
protection.
[0182] The length of the shock-absorbing member of this embodiment
is further restricted to the length of the forefinger segment 106
and 107 extending from the glove and, as mentioned, the dorsal
surface area of the forefinger segment 20--allowing for the
shock-absorbing member to extend circumferentially along the sides
of the forefinger segment but not extending onto the palmar surface
of the forefinger segment. The thickness of this and other padding
in this embodiment may vary, beginning at about 1/4 inch or more,
and made of any material aforementioned.
[0183] This embodiment also has a shock-absorbing member along
substantially all of the dorsal surface overlaying the proximal
phalanx of the middle finger but does not extend to cover any
portion the middle finger's middle phalanx. The shock-absorbing
member overlaying the middle finger is in the pattern of a square
108, and is configured as a one pad segment 109. The length of the
shock-absorbing member would further be restricted to the length of
the middle finger's proximal phalanx segment 110 and 111 extending
from the glove and, as mentioned, the dorsal surface area of the
middle finger segment 22--allowing for the shock-absorbing member
to extend circumferentially along the sides of the middle finger
segment but not extending onto the palmar surface of the middle
finger segment. This embodiment also has a second shock-absorbing
member along the dorsal surface overlaying the middle phalanx of
the middle finger but does not extend to cover any portion the
middle finger's distal phalanx. This shock-absorbing member is in
the pattern of a diamond 112, and is configured as a one pad
segment 112. The length of the shock-absorbing member would further
be restricted to the length of the middle finger's middle phalanx
segment extending from the glove and, as mentioned, the dorsal
surface area of the middle finger segment--allowing for the
shock-absorbing member to extend circumferentially along the sides
of the ring finger segment but not extending onto the palmar
surface of the ring finger segment.
[0184] This embodiment also has a shock-absorbing member along
substantially all of the dorsal surface overlaying the metacarpals
of the four fingers 115. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the
four metacarpals is in the pattern of a rectangle 116, and is
configured as a one pad segment 117. Other embodiments may prefer
to comprise of padding segments overlaying this area, for example,
to allow for significant finger flexibility by having one pad
overlaying only the top half of the metacarpals--the portion
closest to the fingers, and a second pad overlaying the bottom half
of the metacarpals--the portion closest to the wrist area. The
length and width of the shock-absorbing member of this embodiment
is generally restricted to the dorsal portion of the glove
overlaying the metacarpal bones of the hand 118, 119, 120, and 121,
in part or in their entirety. Of course, users may prefer any
combination of the aforementioned, and may also include a
shock-absorbing member secured to the thumb metacarpal bone. The
thickness of this padded segment may preferably be 1/2 inch or more
to provide more protection than over the digital segments,
especially if a quarterback rushes relatively often.
[0185] The shock-absorbing members of this embodiment may comprise
of a polyester fiber 101, 105, 109, 112, and 115, for example, of a
neoprene material, or of any other material aforementioned.
[0186] As mentioned, the shock-absorbing member may be affixed to
the glove by any standard methods of attachment, such as by
stitching or adhesion. For example, it can be in the form of
pouches (as seen 122 of FIG. 6) or attachments to the glove, said
pouches containing the shock-absorbing member, and then bonding
said pouches to the back of the glove, using heat sealing or other
methods. The pouches may be constructed using standard material,
such as flexible rubber or plastics, or made of the same material
forming the dorsal surface of the glove.
[0187] As illustrated, the shock-absorbing member is integral with
the material that form the glove, and may be applied to select
areas of the glove by standard methods such as, for example, by the
dorsal segment 11 comprising of a vinyl sheet material with a
stretch nylon backing and the liner (or sleeve) 123 made of a knit
of polyester. The liner is positioned along the inner surface of
the dorsal segment 125 of the glove whereby the padded layer 105 or
layers would be inserted and then sealed. The cushions may also be
secured to the glove by conventional stitching 124.
[0188] The liner 123 can be interposed between the shock-absorbing
member and the interior of the glove, and separate the
shock-absorbing member from the user's hand, fingers, thumb and
metacarpals, such as disclosed above, and allow easy insertion of
the user's hand. Preferably, the liner is fixed to the dorsal
segment interior using methods known in the art, such as stitching,
to fix the shock-absorbing member to the glove. The liner secures
the shock-absorbing member between the user's hand and the dorsal
segment. Of course, other methods of attachment that are known in
the art may be used.
[0189] The shock-absorbing member will give the user added
protection from the abrasion from hitting the hand against the
helmet of an opponent, for example. As shown, the present invention
can offer the unique ability of being able to protect a hand while
maintaining grip capabilities by offering padded layer or layers, a
significant and substantial advancement to prior art, such as
bandages and BAND-AID, thus providing a solution to a long-felt
need of being able to protect a quarterback's throwing hand.
[0190] The illustrated dorsal segment may be constructed of the
same material as that of FIG. 2, or may be of a thicker, more
durable material, such as a synthetic leather for added protection,
or may be constructed with any other material aforementioned. The
dorsal segment may be joined to the palmar segment, as described in
FIG. 1 by methods known in the art such as by sewing, to form an
opening for receiving the user's hand.
[0191] The wrist portion is preferably expansible so as to hold
more securely to the user's wrist. Therefore the embodiment also
has an expandable opening means 28 at a wrist end 29 adapted to
receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises an
elastic material along the wrist portion, such as an elastomeric
band 28 fixed around the wrist. If desired, the opening means may
comprise a strap means at the open end of the glove body for
fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap
means may be unitary with the glove body and may include VELCRO
fasteners, buttons, and the like or other suitable closure means
thereon.
[0192] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, showing the
liner. Specifically, the illustration shows the forefinger stall
20, whereby the shock-absorbing member 105 lies between the inner
surface 125 of the dorsal segment 11 and the liner 123. The
thickness of the shock-absorbing member 105 can vary by user
preference. The thickness of this embodiment may be about 1/4 inch
for example. The shock-absorbing member may be constructed with
known material as those aforementioned, such as cotton, for
example. Preferably, the liner is fixed to the dorsal segment
interior using methods known in the art, such as stitching, to fix
the shock-absorbing member to the glove.
[0193] FIG. 10 is an alternative dorsal segment to FIG. 5.
Embodiments may also preferably comprise of a shock-absorbing
member along any portion of the dorsal surface, such as any or all
existing finger or thumb stalls, along the dorsal surface
overlaying any or all of the metacarpals, or combinations thereof.
In the illustrated embodiment, the glove is constructed such that
the thumb 78 and forefinger 80 digital segments enclose said thumb
and forefinger, including enclosing the fingertips. The glove has a
finger segment that covers the middle finger's proximal phalanx 82
but does not extend to cover any portion the middle finger's middle
phalanx.
[0194] The dorsal section covers most of the back of the hand 71.
The glove also has a wrist portion that surrounds the wrist of a
user.
[0195] This embodiment has a shock-absorbing member along
substantially all of the proximal phalanx 130 dorsal surface
overlaying the thumb 78. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the
thumb is in the pattern of a rectangle 131, and is configured as a
one pad segment 131. Other embodiments may prefer to offer
additional separate padding segments, for example, with a second
pad overlaying only the distal phalanx of the thumb. The length of
the shock-absorbing member is further restricted to the length of
the protrusion 133 along the proximal phalanx of the thumb stall,
and, as mentioned, the dorsal surface area of the thumb segment
78--allowing for the shock-absorbing member to extend
circumferentially along the sides of the thumb segment but not
extending onto the palmar surface of the thumb segment, therefore
not extending over one hundred and eighty degrees of the digital
segment.
[0196] This embodiment has a shock-absorbing member 150 along
substantially all of the dorsal surface overlaying the forefinger
80. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the forefinger is in the
pattern of a rectangle 151, is an elongated pad, and is configured
as a one pad segment 151, and is defined by the length and width of
the forefinger segment's dorsal surface.
[0197] This embodiment has a second layer shock-absorbing member
along substantially all of the proximal phalanx 136 dorsal surface
overlaying the forefinger 80. The shock-absorbing member overlaying
the forefinger is in the pattern of a square 137, and is configured
as a one pad segment 137. Other embodiments may prefer to offer
additional separate padding segments, for example, with a second
pad overlaying only the middle phalanx, and a third pad overlaying
only the distal phalanx. The length of the second layer
shock-absorbing member is further restricted to the length of the
protrusion 139 along the proximal phalanx on forefinger stall and,
as mentioned, the dorsal surface area of the forefinger segment
80--allowing for the shock-absorbing member to extend
circumferentially along the sides of the thumb segment but not
extending onto the palmar surface of the thumb segment, therefore
not extending over one hundred and eighty degrees of the digital
segment.
[0198] This embodiment has a shock-absorbing member along
substantially all of the proximal phalanx dorsal surface overlaying
the middle finger 82. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the
middle finger is in the pattern of a rectangle 143, and is
configured as a one pad segment 143. Other embodiments may prefer
to offer additional separate padding segments or layers over the
proximal phalanx.
[0199] The length of the shock-absorbing member is further
restricted to the length of the protrusion 145 along the proximal
phalanx of the middle finger stall and, as mentioned, the dorsal
surface area of the middle finger segment--allowing for the
shock-absorbing member to extend circumferentially along the sides
of the middle finger segment but not extending onto the palmar
surface of the middle finger segment, therefore not extending over
one hundred and eighty degrees of the digital segment.
[0200] This embodiment also has a shock-absorbing member along
substantially all of the dorsal surface overlaying the metacarpals
of the four fingers. The shock-absorbing member overlaying the four
metacarpals is in the pattern of a rectangle 163, and is configured
as a one pad segment 162. Other embodiments may prefer to may do so
as separate padding segments, for example, to allow for significant
finger flexibility by having one pad encased and protruding from
only the top half of the metacarpals--the portion closest to the
fingers, and a second pad encased and protruding from the bottom
half of the metacarpals--the portion closest to the wrist area. The
length and width of the shock-absorbing member is generally
restricted to the protrusion on the dorsal portion of the glove
overlaying the metacarpal bones of the hand, and can also include
the thumb metacarpal, in part or in its entirety. Of course, users
may prefer any combination of the aforementioned.
[0201] Finally, the wrist portion also comprises a shock-absorbing
member that protrudes on the dorsal segment 164 and 159, along the
carpals about one inch 165. This will give the user added
protection from the abrasion along the carpometacarpal joints when
hitting the ground or while the quarterback rushes with the
football.
[0202] The shock-absorbing members may comprise any type of cloth
fabric, like a cushion, or foam, such as an open cell foam 150. The
shock-absorbing member need not be very thick, say beginning from
about six hundred micrometers 150 to 1/2 inch 167 or more. The
thickness of pads for example may vary on several factors, of
course, such as degree of preferred protection (e.g., the more a
quarterback rushes with the football, the thicker padding he may
desire) & location of the pads (e.g., padding on only the
pinkie metacarpal where many quarterback hand injuries occur). Each
shock-absorbing member may comprise of one foam pad or a plurality
of small pads to maximize flexibility. A second layer
shock-absorbing member may also be offered. The second (or
multiple) layer may preferably be of the same material but also may
be thicker or more resilient to better protrude.
[0203] The shock-absorbing member may be stitched on or may be
integral to the glove. This can be done by standard methods. The
illustration shows the shock-absorbing member integrally formed on
the glove. For example, the dorsal segment of the glove 71
comprises preferably a flexible, integrally molded member which has
a tougher outer protective membrane 71 and a smoother
hand-contacting inner membrane, such as a liner 170 or sleeve,
membranes 71 and 170 being connected together around the peripheral
edge of the member 172. Inner membrane 170 is generally flat and
outer membrane has one or a plurality of discreet shock-absorbing
protective protrusions, 133, 139, 145, 159, 163, 164, and 166.
[0204] For example, the shock-absorbing member may comprise a thick
layer of resilient plastic foam material, such as 1/2 inch
polyethylene foam sheet, which is interposed between outer membrane
and inner membrane to provide a composite laminated sheet which is
then molded. Outer membrane is of a suitable plastic material such
as vinyl sheet material with a stretch nylon backing. Inner
membrane is preferably of double knit polyester or other suitable
textile material to minimize abrasion of hand. The composite
laminate sheet can then be molded to form the spacing between
protrusions, by pressing outer membrane toward inner membrane. The
dimensions of the compartments (or protrusions) would be of
sufficient manner to house the pads.
[0205] The wrist portion is preferably expansible so as to hold
more securely to the user's wrist. Therefore the embodiment also
has an expandable opening means 88 at a wrist end 89 adapted to
receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises an
elastic material along the wrist portion, such as an elastomeric
band 88 fixed around the wrist. If desired, the expandable opening
means may comprise a strap means at the open end of the glove body
for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap
means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material for
releasably securing the strap, for example. The strap as well as
the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove.
[0206] Additionally, this embodiment is configured such that a
second protrusion exists on the proximal interphalangeal joint of
the forefinger's dorsal surface 166. This protrusion does not
contain a second shock-absorbing member thus providing the user
with added flexibility capabilities along the interphalangeal joint
of the forefinger, especially beneficial if the dorsal segment is
generally constructed with a more durable material, such as a
leather latex glove.
[0207] Furthermore, embodiments such as this may be coated with a
water repellant substance throughout the glove, such as a synthetic
resin, for example. This feature will further enhance a user's
ability to maintain control of a football during rainy
conditions.
[0208] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, showing the
liner and protrusions. Specifically, the illustration shows the
forefinger stall 80, whereby the shock-absorbing member 150 lies
between the inner surface 172 of the dorsal segment 71 and the
liner 170. The thickness of the shock-absorbing member can vary by
user preference, such as about 1/4 inch for example. The
shock-absorbing member may be constructed with known material and
those aforementioned, such as cotton, for example. Preferably, the
liner is fixed to the dorsal segment interior using methods known
in the art, such as stitching, to fix the shock-absorbing member to
the glove.
[0209] This embodiment has a second layer shock-absorbing member
along, and is bounded by, the proximal phalanx 136 dorsal surface
overlaying the forefinger 80. The shock-absorbing member overlaying
the forefinger is in the pattern of a square 137, and is configured
as a one pad segment 138. Other embodiments may prefer to offer
additional separate padding segments, for example, with a second
pad overlaying only the middle phalanx, and a third pad overlaying
only the distal phalanx. The length of the second layer
shock-absorbing member is further restricted to the protrusion 139
along the proximal phalanx on forefinger segment, say about 0.20
inch or more in height for example and, as mentioned, the dorsal
surface area of the forefinger segment 80--allowing for the
shock-absorbing member to extend circumferentially along the sides
of the thumb segment but not extending onto the palmar surface of
the thumb segment, therefore not extending over one hundred and
eighty degrees of the digital segment.
[0210] Additionally, the embodiment is configured such that a
second protrusion exists on the proximal interphalangeal joint of
the forefinger's dorsal surface 166. This protrusion does not
contain a second shock-absorbing member thus providing the user
with added flexibility capabilities along the interphalangeal
joint, especially beneficial if the dorsal segment is generally
constructed with a more durable material, such as a leather latex
glove.
[0211] Also, the liner may be made of a fleece material 170 thus
offering additional comfort and warmth for the user, especially
during rainy conditions.
[0212] FIG. 12 is a side view of the glove embodiment comprised of
FIG. 10 (dorsal segment) and FIG. 5 (palmar segment). The
illustration shows the protrusion on the thumb stall 133, the
protrusions on the forefinger stall 139 and 166, the protrusion on
the middle finger stall 145, the protrusion on the four finger
metacarpals 163, and the protrusions on the wrist segment 159 and
164. The protrusions may have various dimensions of course. The
illustrated protrusions have a height of about 0.20 of an inch, for
example. As mentioned, this embodiment could also prove beneficial
with the apertures on the knuckles 93, 94, 95, and 96.
* * * * *