U.S. patent application number 15/149660 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-01 for ball glove thumb guard device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gustavo Amado Guerrero. Invention is credited to Gustavo Amado Guerrero.
Application Number | 20160249693 15/149660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56798556 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160249693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guerrero; Gustavo Amado |
September 1, 2016 |
BALL GLOVE THUMB GUARD DEVICE
Abstract
In some embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device is provided
which may be coupled to a ball glove having a thumb slot for
receiving the thumb of a user and the device may include a body
having a distal end and a proximal end. A thumb depression may
extend between the distal end towards the proximal end such as from
the distal end towards the proximal end. The body may be positioned
within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of
the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove. The
body may also comprise a securement aperture, and the body may be
coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the
securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled or configured to
be coupled to the ball glove.
Inventors: |
Guerrero; Gustavo Amado;
(Bedford, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Guerrero; Gustavo Amado |
Bedford |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56798556 |
Appl. No.: |
15/149660 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14530664 |
Oct 31, 2014 |
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15149660 |
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61899137 |
Nov 1, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/087 20130101;
A63B 2102/18 20151001; A63B 71/14 20130101; A63B 2102/182 20151001;
A63B 71/143 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20060101
A41D013/08; A63B 71/14 20060101 A63B071/14 |
Claims
1. A ball glove thumb guard device, the device comprising: a body
having a distal end and a proximal end; a thumb depression
extending from the distal end towards the proximal end; a
securement aperture; and a cushion coupled to the body along the
thumb depression.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises an extension
region that extends past the tip of the thumb of the user.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the body is
angled 10 to 25 degrees relative to the proximal end of the
body.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein an encasement surrounds a portion
of the body and the cushion.
5. A ball glove thumb guard device to be coupled to a ball glove
having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user, the device
comprising: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a thumb
depression extending from the distal end towards the proximal end;
a securement aperture, wherein body is coupled to the ball glove by
inserting lacing through the securement aperture in which the
lacing is coupled to the ball glove; and wherein the body is
positioned within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm
side of the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball
glove.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the body is configured and
dimensioned to extend within the thumb slot past the tip of the
thumb of a user that is positioned in the respective thumb
slot.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the body comprises an extension
region that extends past the tip of the thumb of the user.
8. The device of claim 5, wherein the distal end of the body is
angled 10 to 25 degrees relative to the proximal end of the
body.
9. The device of claim 5, wherein a cushion is coupled to the
body.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein an encasement surrounds a
portion of the body and the cushion.
11. The device of claim 5, wherein the body is substantially planar
in shape having a width, a length, and a height, and wherein the
height is less than the width and the length.
12. A ball glove thumb guard device, the device comprising: A ball
glove having a thumb slot for receiving the thumb of a user; a body
having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the body is coupled
to the ball glove; a thumb depression extending from the distal end
towards the proximal end; a securement aperture, wherein body is
coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the
securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled to the ball
glove; and wherein the body is positioned within the thumb slot of
the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of the user and
the thumb slot of the ball glove.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the body is configured and
dimensioned to extend within the thumb slot past the tip of the
thumb of a user that is positioned in the respective thumb
slot.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein the body comprises an extension
region that extends past the tip of the thumb of the user.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the distal end of the body is
angled 10 to 25 degrees relative to the proximal end of the
body.
16. The device of claim 12, wherein a cushion is coupled to the
body.
17. The device of claim 17, wherein the cushion comprises a
resilient material selected from the group consisting of silicone
foams, rubber foams, urethane foams, plastic foams, neoprene foam,
latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials
such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, and
silicone rubbers.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein an encasement surrounds a
portion of the body and the cushion.
19. The device of claim 12, wherein the body comprises a rigid
material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal, hard
rubber, wood, carbon fiber, and fiber glass.
20. The device of claim 12, wherein the body is substantially
planar in shape having a width, a length, and a height, and wherein
the height is less than the width and the length.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/530,664, filed Oct. 31,
2014, entitled "Baseball Glove Thumb Guard Splint", which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/899,137, filed on Nov. 1, 2013, entitled "Baseball Glove Thumb
Guard Splint", the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by
reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This patent specification relates to the field of ball
catching gloves. More specifically, this patent specification
relates to a thumb guard which is configured to be secured within
the thumb slot of a ball glove.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Ball gloves for use in baseball, softball, and other sports
are well known. Ball gloves typically include a front panel coupled
to a corresponding back panel to form a hand cavity. The front and
back panels typically generally resemble the shape of a human hand
and when assembled form five slots for receiving the thumb and four
fingers of a user's hand. Ball gloves also include a hand opening
at the lower edge of the glove, and the back panel typically
includes a strap or a lower region that generally conforms to the
wrist of the user. Webbing is typically connected between the thumb
slot and the index finger slot of the ball glove.
[0004] A user of a ball glove will wear the glove on their hand and
use it to increase their ability to catch baseballs, softballs, and
the like. The ball glove is also designed to protect the hand of
the user from the impact of a ball that is caught in the glove. In
order to allow current ball gloves to be flexed and actuated by the
user, flexible materials are used to form the glove. Unfortunately,
these current gloves are unable to protect from injury and reduce
the shock and pain to the users thumb from the forceful impact of
receiving a ball. Additionally, the flexible materials used in
current ball gloves can reduce the grip strength that the user is
able to impart onto a ball through the glove.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for novel devices which are able to
protect the thumb of a user of a ball glove. There is a further
need for novel ball glove thumb guard devices which may be secured
only to a ball glove and not to the hand of the user. Finally,
there exists a need for novel ball glove thumb guard devices that
can increase the grip strength that the user is able to impart onto
a ball through the glove.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A ball glove thumb guard device is provided which is able to
protect the thumb of a user by reducing shock, pain, and injury to
the user's thumb from the forceful impact of receiving the
baseball. It also reduces and prevents flexion of the users thumb
joints from extension and flexion upon impact from catching the
baseball, preventing pain and injury to the users thumb and thumb
joints. The ball glove thumb guard device also assists the user in
leveraging and enhancing a more efficient closure of the baseball
glove upon receiving the ball making for a more secure capture of
the ball. It extends the effective range of the thumb for more
power to close and secure the ball in longer gloves such as
catchers, outfielder's gloves and first baseman's gloves.
[0007] In some embodiments, the ball glove thumb guard device may
include: a body having a distal end and a proximal end; a thumb
depression extending from the distal end towards the proximal end;
a securement aperture; and a cushion coupled to the body along the
thumb depression.
[0008] In further embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device is
provided which may be coupled to a ball glove having a thumb slot
for receiving the thumb of a user and the device may include a body
having a distal end and a proximal end. A thumb depression may
extend between the distal end towards the proximal end such as from
the distal end towards the proximal end. The body may be positioned
within the thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of
the thumb of the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove. The
body may also comprise a securement aperture, and the body may be
coupled to the ball glove by inserting lacing through the
securement aperture in which the lacing is coupled or configured to
be coupled to the ball glove.
[0009] In still further embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard
device is provided which may include a ball glove having a thumb
slot for receiving the thumb of a user and a body having a distal
end and a proximal end. A thumb depression may extend between the
distal end towards the proximal end such as from the distal end
towards the proximal end. The body may be positioned within the
thumb slot of the ball glove between the palm side of the thumb of
the user and the thumb slot of the ball glove. The body may also
comprise a securement aperture, and the body may be coupled to the
ball glove by inserting lacing through the securement aperture in
which the lacing is coupled or configured to be coupled to the ball
glove.
[0010] In even further embodiments, the body of a ball glove thumb
guard device may be coupled to the ball glove with any other
suitable fastener such as which may be coupled to or engaged with a
securement aperture.
[0011] An additional novel feature of the ball glove thumb guard
device is that when the device is secured to the glove within the
thumb slot of the glove by the one or more securement apertures,
the glove may be configured to take most of the twisting force or
sway back force caused by a ball impacting the glove instead of the
thumb or hand so that the device when struck through the glove by
ball impact on the upper portion of the device or thumb, the bottom
part of the device pivots or sways back against the interior of the
thumb slot of the glove where it is attached forcing the bottom end
of the device to push against the bottom of the glove where it is
attached to the glove. This is opposed to other thumb protection
devices, including medical splits and splint-like devices, that are
worn on the hand which rely only on the hand or thumb to provide
resistance to ball impact causing more flexion to the thumb.
[0012] In still further preferred embodiments, the ball glove thumb
guard device may be configured so that the device does not encircle
the thumb of the user when the user's thumb is in the thumb slot of
a ball glove. Preferably, the device may be configured to contact
palm side portions of the user's thumb and not back-of-the-hand
portions of the thumb. This is opposed to currently available thumb
protection devices, including medical splits and splint-like
devices, which are worn on the hand and which cover the whole thumb
back side and front side or around the whole thumb thereby adding
bulkiness and discomfort.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as
an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements
and in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example of a ball
glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments described
herein.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example of
a ball glove thumb guard device further comprising an exemplary
ball glove according to various embodiments described herein.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an example of a
ball glove thumb guard device further comprising an exemplary ball
glove according to various embodiments described herein.
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of
a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments
described herein.
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of an alternative example
of a ball glove thumb guard device according to various embodiments
described herein.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a sectional, through line 6-6 shown in FIG. 5,
elevation view of an alternative example of a ball glove thumb
guard device according to various embodiments described herein.
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts a sectional, through line 7-7 shown in FIG.
5, elevation view of an alternative example of a ball glove thumb
guard device according to various embodiments described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As
used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended
to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof.
[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present
disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0023] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a
number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has
individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with
one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed
techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description
will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the
individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the
specification and claims should be read with the understanding that
such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention
and the claims.
[0024] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper",
"lower", "left", "right", "rear", "front", "side", "vertical",
"horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations and step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the
attached drawings, and described in the following specification,
are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined
in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other
physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed
herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims
expressly state otherwise.
[0025] New devices which are able to protect the thumb of a ball
glove user are discussed herein. In the following description, for
purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without these specific
details.
[0026] The present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or
description below.
[0027] The present invention will now be described by example and
through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and
alternative embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a ball
glove thumb guard device ("the device") 100 according to various
embodiments. In this example, the device 100 comprises a body 11
having a distal end 12 and a proximal end 13. A thumb depression 14
may extend from the distal end 12 towards the proximal end 13, and
one or more securement apertures 15, 16, may be positioned
proximate to the proximal end 13. A cushion 17 may be coupled to
the body 11 along the thumb depression 14. Preferably, the body 11
may be coupled within a ball glove 50 (FIGS. 2 and 3) so that the
body 11 may be positioned between the ball glove 50 and the palm
side 212 (FIG. 3) of the thumb 211 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of a user that
is received within the ball glove 50.
[0028] The device 100 may further comprise a thumb contact surface
41 and a ball glove contacting surface 42. A thumb contact surface
41 may be configured to contact portions of the thumb 211 of a
user, such as the palm side 212 of the thumb 211, when the device
100 is positioned and coupled within a thumb slot 51 of a ball
glove 50. The thumb contact surface 41 may be formed by the body
11, an optional cushion 17, and/or an optional encasement 18. A
ball glove contacting surface 42 may be configured to contact
portions of the ball glove 50 within the thumb slot 51, such as the
palm side of the thumb slot 51, when the device 100 is positioned
and coupled within a thumb slot 51 of a ball glove 50. The ball
glove contacting surface 42 may be formed by the body 11, an
optional cushion 17, and/or an optional encasement 18.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5-7, in some embodiments,
the body 11 may be substantially planar in shape having a width W
(FIG. 5), a length L (FIG. 5), and a height H (FIG. 7). In
preferred embodiments, the height H may be less than the width W
and also less than the length L. In further embodiments, the body
11 may be configured with a flat planar shape, curved planar shape,
or combination of flat and curved planar shapes. In alternative
embodiments, the body 11 may be configured as a cylindrical or
other hollow shape into which portions of a thumb 211 may be
inserted.
[0030] In preferred embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a width W
that is approximately 0.1 to 0.5 inches greater than the width of
the thumb 211 of the user. When the device 100 is positioned within
the thumb slot 51 and in contact with the thumb 211 of a user, the
width W that is greater than the width of the thumb 211 of the user
of device 100 may increase the effective power of the thumb for
more power to close and secure the ball in a glove 50. Since thumb
width vary from individual to individual, the body 11 may comprise
a width W that may be configured in a plurality of sizes to
accommodate any size or range of thumb sizes. In alternative
embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a width W that is between
1.0% to 200% greater than the width of the thumb 211 of the user.
In further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a
width W that is generally equal to the width of the thumb 211 of
the user. In still further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may
comprise a width W that is less than the width of the thumb 211 of
the user.
[0031] In some embodiments, the body 11 may be made from or
comprise a rigid material. In preferred embodiments, a rigid
material may include hard plastics, such as nylon, acrylic, uPVC,
HDPE, melamine, cardboard, metal and metal alloys, wood, hard
rubbers, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, such as epoxy resin,
polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of
materials. In further embodiments, the body 11 may be made from or
comprise any rigid material that is able to substantially resist
deformation which may be caused by the impact forces of a ball,
such as a baseball, softball, and the like, which may be
transferred through a ball glove 50 to which the body 11 is
coupled.
[0032] The device 100 may comprise a first securement aperture 15
and a second securement aperture 16 which may be positioned
anywhere on the device 100, such as proximate to the proximal end
13 of the body 11, which may be used to couple the body 11 to a
ball glove 50. A securement aperture 15, 16, may be configured to
receive a fastener, such as lacing, rope, string, rivet type
fasteners, clip type fasteners, removable fasteners, non-removable
fasteners, and the like, which may be used to couple the body 11 to
a ball glove 50. In preferred embodiments, a securement aperture
15, 16, may be configured to receive leather or other durable
material lacing 62 which may be laced to a ball glove 50 thereby
coupling the body 11 to the ball glove 50. In further embodiments,
a securement aperture 15, 16, may be formed by molding or otherwise
coupling a fastener into the body 11 so that the securement
aperture 15, 16, forms the junction between the fastener and the
body 11. For example, by molding or otherwise coupling a clip type
fastener which may be configured to be coupled to a ball glove 50
into the body 11, a securement aperture 15, 16, may be created
which forms the junction between the fastener and the body 11.
[0033] In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more
cushions 17 which may be coupled to the body 11. A cushion 17 may
be made from or comprise a resilient material that may form a point
of contact between the device 100 and the thumb 211 (FIGS. 3 and 4)
of a user. In further embodiments, a cushion 17 may be made from or
comprise a resilient material such as silicone foams, rubber foams,
urethane foams including ARTiLAGE foams and Poron foams, plastic
foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber,
or elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone,
elastic rubbers, silicone rubbers, or any other suitable elastomer
or resilient material including combinations of materials. A
cushion 17 may be coupled anywhere on the body 11 such as along all
or portions of a thumb depression 14.
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a ball glove thumb guard
device further comprising an exemplary ball glove 50 which may be
used in ball handling sports including baseball, softball, and the
like according to various embodiments described herein. A ball
glove 50 may be configured to accept the hand 200 of a user so that
portions of a user's hand may be inserted into portions of the ball
glove 50. For example, the ball glove 50 may comprise: a thumb slot
51 configured to receive portions of the thumb 211 of a user; an
index finger slot 52 configured to receive portions of the index
finger 201 of a user; a middle finger slot 53 configured to receive
portions of the middle finger 202 of a user; a ring finger slot 54
configured to receive portions of the ring finger 203 of a user;
and a little finger slot 55 configured to receive portions of the
little finger 204 of a user. A ball glove 50 may be made to fit the
right hand or the left hand of a user and therefore be formed as
mirrored configurations of each other.
[0035] In some embodiments, a ball glove thumb guard device 100 may
comprise a ball glove 50 having a thumb slot 51 for receiving the
thumb 211 of a user. A body 11, having a distal end and a proximal
end, may be coupled to the ball glove 50. The body 11 may also
comprise a thumb depression 14 extending from the distal end 12
towards the proximal end 13 and a first securement aperture 15. The
body 11 may be coupled to the ball glove 50 by inserting lacing 62,
that is coupled to or configured to be coupled to the ball glove
50, through the securement aperture 15. The body may be positioned
within the thumb slot 51 of the ball glove 50 between the palm side
212 of the thumb 211 of the user and the thumb slot 51 of the ball
glove 50.
[0036] As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the
body 11 may comprise an extension region 31 that may extend past
the tip 213 of the thumb 211 of the user. In further embodiments,
the body 11 may be configured and dimensioned with a length L (FIG.
5) allowing the body 11 to extend within the thumb slot 51 past the
tip 213 of the thumb 211 of a user that is positioned in the
respective thumb slot 51 with the body 11. In preferred
embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension
region 31 that is approximately one to two inches greater than the
length of the thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb
slot 51. Since thumb lengths vary from individual to individual,
the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that
may be configured in a plurality of sizes up to accommodate any
size or range of thumb sizes. In alternative embodiments, the body
11 may comprise a length L and/or extension region 31 that is
between 1.0% to 200% greater than the length of the thumb 211 of
the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51. In further
alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a length L and/or
extension region 31 that is generally equal to the length of the
thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51. In
still further alternative embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a
length L and/or extension region 31 that is less than the length of
the thumb 211 of the user when inserted into the thumb slot 51.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4 an exploded perspective view of an
example of a ball glove thumb guard device 100 according to various
embodiments described herein is depicted. In this example, the
device 100 comprises a body 11 having a distal end 12 and a
proximal end 13. A thumb depression 14 may extend from the distal
end 12 towards the proximal end 13, and one or more securement
apertures 15, 16, may be positioned proximate to the proximal end
13. A cushion 17 may be coupled to the body 11 along the thumb
depression 14. Optional lacing 62 may be inserted through one or
more securement apertures 15, 16, which may be used to couple the
body 11 to a ball glove 50 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0038] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an alternative example of a ball glove
thumb guard device 100 according to various embodiments described
herein. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an
encasement 18 which may surround a portion of the body 11 and/or
the cushion 17. In preferred embodiments, an encasement 18 may
surround portions of the body 11 and/or the cushion 17 which may
contact portions of the thumb 211, such as the palm side 212 of the
thumb 211, of the user. In further embodiments, an encasement 18
may surround portions of the body 11 and/or the cushion 17 which
may or may not contact portions of the thumb 211, such as the palm
side 212 of the thumb 211, of the user.
[0039] An encasement 18 may be made from a preferably resilient
material, such as latex, rubber, leather, or any other material
which may provide a suitable surface for contacting portions of the
thumb 211 of a user and portions of the thumb slot 51 of a ball
glove 50 for added comfort, increased grip and to aid shock
absorption. As show in FIGS. 5-7, the encasement 18 may cover or
surround the majority of the body 11 and optional cushion 17 while
not covering portions of the proximal end 13 having securement
apertures 15, 16. In alternative embodiments, the encasement 18 may
cover or surround all or portions of the body 11 and optional
cushion 17 including portions of the proximal end 13 having
securement apertures 15, 16, so that the securement apertures 15,
16, are formed into or extend through the encasement 18. In
alternative embodiments, an encasement 18 may serve the function of
and take the place of a cushion 17.
[0040] With respect to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the distal end
12 of the body 11 may be angled 1 to 45 degrees relative to the
proximal end 13 of the body 11 as shown by angle A. In further
embodiments, angle A may be between 10 and 20 degrees. Preferably,
the proximal end 13 may comprise a proximal terminus 23 and the
distal end 12 may comprise a distal terminus 22. When the body 11
is coupled to a ball glove 50, the proximal end 13 and proximal
terminus 23 may be generally aligned with portions of the wrist
opening 56 of the ball glove 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. By
angling the distal end 12 of the body 11 relative to the proximal
end 13 of the body 11, the distal end 12 may extend into the thumb
slot 51 which also may be angled away from the finger slots 52, 53,
54, 55, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0041] Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7, in preferred
embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a thumb depression 14. A
thumb depression 14 may comprise a depression or recess into which
portions of the palm side 212 of the thumb 211 may be received by
the device 100. A thumb depression 14 may be formed in a plurality
of shapes and sizes such as generally the same size or larger shape
than the thumb 211 of the user. The thumb depression 14 may extend
along the body 11 between the proximal 13 and distal 12 ends. In
some embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may extend from the
proximal end 13 to the distal end 12. In other embodiments, a thumb
depression 14 may extend from the distal end 12 towards the
proximal end 13. In still other embodiments, a thumb depression 14
may extend from the proximal end 13 towards the distal end 12. In
some embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may be formed into the body
11, cushion 17, and an encasement 18 as shown in FIG. 7. In
alternative embodiments, a thumb depression 14 may be formed into
the cushion 17 and/or into an optional encasement 18.
[0042] While some materials have been provided, in other
embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 such as the
body 11, optional cushion 17, optional encasement 18, optional ball
glove 50, and/or any other element discussed herein may be made
from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and
metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced
plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other
suitable materials including combinations of materials.
Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise
durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics,
silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including
combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the
elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected
together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type
fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type
fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining
method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that
comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by
being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such
as hook and loop type or Velcro.RTM. fasteners, magnetic type
fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove
fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type
fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection
method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type
connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method
as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the
same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements
that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of
connected to and integrally formed with another element of the
device 100.
[0043] Although the present invention has been illustrated and
described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and
specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may
perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such
equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope
of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are
intended to be covered by the following claims.
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