U.S. patent application number 15/412988 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for gripping glove.
The applicant listed for this patent is Claiborne Bailey. Invention is credited to Claiborne Bailey.
Application Number | 20170127739 15/412988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54354186 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170127739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bailey; Claiborne |
May 11, 2017 |
Gripping Glove
Abstract
This disclosure describes a gripping glove with a gripping aid
to increase the grip span of a user. In some implementations, the
gripping aid may be composed of a crush resistant, flexible
material and further include a crest or fulcrum to increase the
speed, strength and/or torque of each swing of a tool (e.g., a
baseball bat, sledge hammer, or the like). In some implementations,
the gripping aid may also provide a reduction in vibrations and
superficial hand traumas normally caused when the tool strikes an
object.
Inventors: |
Bailey; Claiborne; (Addy,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bailey; Claiborne |
Addy |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54354186 |
Appl. No.: |
15/412988 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14701311 |
Apr 30, 2015 |
9549579 |
|
|
15412988 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/148 20130101;
A63B 71/143 20130101; A63B 60/54 20151001; A41D 2400/80 20130101;
A63B 2209/00 20130101; A41D 2600/20 20130101; A41D 2600/10
20130101; A63B 71/146 20130101; A41D 19/01564 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/015 20060101
A41D019/015; A63B 71/14 20060101 A63B071/14 |
Claims
1. A glove for a human hand comprising: a gripping aid secured to
the glove to substantially span a location from a first portion of
a first digit of the human hand to a second portion of a second
digit of the human hand, the gripping aid having a crest
substantially spanning a length on a surface of the gripping aid
facing away from the human hand, the crest provides a fulcrum for a
tool manipulated by the human hand.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/701,311, entitled "Gripping
Glove," filed Apr. 30, 2015, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C
.sctn.119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/986,965
filed May 1, 2014, entitled "Improved Gripping Glove," each of
which are incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Human hands are used to accomplish many tasks and therefore
are susceptible to vibration, bone bruises, blisters, fatigue,
and/or other discomfort. This is particularly true when a user must
grip and manipulate a tool with a handle (e.g., ax, hammer, shovel,
baseball/softball bat, lacrosse stick, rowing oar, or the like). In
these instances, because of the lack of support within the thumb
web area of the hand, the user must exert maximum gripping effort
with their hand(s) to properly control the tool. However, such
maximum gripping effort may result in various injuries to the hand
such as blisters and/or bruises caused by vibrations transferred to
the hand when the tool contacts an object (tree, nail, ball, or the
like). Furthermore, the generally round diameter of tool handles
for multiple tool applications does not provide an ideal shape for
maximizing grip span and/or user comfort. In addition, round handle
shapes do not provide the ideal leverage point needed for
maximizing the efficiency, control, power, speed, and/or strength
of a user manipulating the tool. As such, there remains a need for
a comfortable gripping glove that provides ergonomically placed
support for comfort and minimizes potential damage to a user's
hand(s) by reducing vibrations, bone bruises, blisters and fatigue,
while simultaneously providing a fulcrum to maximize the
efficiency, control, power, speed, and/or strength as the user
manipulates the tool.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a glove for the human
hand which may be worn to improve a user's grip on an item. In some
implementations, this disclosure describes an improved gripping
glove as it relates to a swingable tool with a rigid handle (i.e.,
cylindrical, elliptic cylinder, polyhedral cylinder with n-gonal
sides, or the like) such as a hammer, ax, shovel, baseball bat,
softball bat, golf club, oar, paddle, or the like. Furthermore,
this disclosure relates to a gripping aid which may act as a shaped
support along a portion of the thumb webbing on the palmar side of
a hand that may enhance biomechanical functions and capabilities of
the user's hand while gripping. In some implementations, the
gripping aid integrated with the glove may be a continuous piece of
material from a joint on a first digit (e.g., thumb) of a hand to a
joint on a second digit (e.g., index finger) of the hand. In some
implementations, the gripping aid may act as a shaped support which
may be a crush resistant compound such a silicon rubber, ethylene
propylene rubber, or the like. In some implementations, the shaped
support may provide a buffer zone to help position the tool away
from a portion of the hand. In this instance, the gripping aid may
reduce or eliminate the rotational forces upon the hand as the tool
is manipulated and, ultimately, reduce or eliminate the incidence
of superficial skin trauma (e.g., abrasions and/or blisters) to the
hand.
[0004] Furthermore, this disclosure describes a gripping aid that
places the hand in the optimal gripping position by increasing the
grip span, which enhances grip strength. Additionally, in some
implementations, this disclosure describes the gripping aid which
may also include a crest (i.e., pivot ridge, crown, or fulcrum)
that allows the hand to more efficiently and effectively manipulate
the tool as it is swung. For instance, the crest may act to speed
the centripetal force of a distal end of tool as the user grips and
swings a proximal end of the tool. In some implementations, the
crest shape of the gripping aid may increase momentum or torque of
the tool as it is swung and thus lower the moment of inertia
without reducing the power created by the swing. In this instance,
the gripping aid may help maximize the efficiency and/or speed of
each swing of the tool. As such, the gripping aid described herein
may increase output forces upon the tool, enhance comfort, reduce
grip tension, reduce vibration, and reduce overall fatigue of a
user swinging the tool. In other implementations, the gripping aid
described herein may be used independently of other aids or as an
integral part of other gripping aids, for example gloves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items or
features.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an example environment for a user of the gripping
glove.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an example of a gripping glove with a gripping aid
positioned over the lateral aspect of the human hand.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of the example gripping glove of FIG.
2 in a neutral hand position.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of example gripping gloves,
both having a gripping aid.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of the example gripping glove of FIG.
2 in the flexed position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example gripping aid with
a concave surface.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the example gripping aid
shown in FIG. 6.
[0013] FIGS. 8-10 are cross-sectional or profile views of example
gripping aid with different crests.
[0014] FIGS. 11A-11D are various views of an example gripping aid
having a contoured shape and taper with varying widths and
thicknesses.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example gripping
aid having hinges.
[0016] FIG. 13 include various views of yet another example
gripping aid having a uniform width and hinge notches.
[0017] FIG. 14 is another example glove with a gripping aid that
runs from the tip of the first digit to a tip of a second
digit.
[0018] FIG. 15 is an example process for assembling the gripping
glove with a gripping aid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] This disclosure describes embodiments of a glove with a
gripping aid or support for providing maximum grip control, force,
torque, acceleration, rotation, and/or leverage without requiring a
user to provide maximum grip or squeezing effort. Furthermore, the
glove with the gripping aid may further reduce incidences of
superficial skin trauma (e.g., abrasions and/or blisters) caused by
the rotational forces associated with a swing and/or reduce
vibrations caused when the tool strikes an object.
[0020] In some implementations, the gripping aid may be
incorporated within a portion of a glove. For instance, the
gripping aid may be a single shaped support that extends
continuously between the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint or the
proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the index finger and the
interphalangeal (IP) joint of the thumb along the thumb
webbing/thenar webbing which is the "skin web" that extends between
the thumb and index finger. In some implementations, the gripping
aid is more specifically offset toward the lateral aspect of the
area between a joint on the index finger and a joint on the thumb.
In this implementation, each joint of the index finger and each
joint of the thumb may be permitted to flex without significant
impediment from the gripping aid.
[0021] The gripping aid may be formed or molded from a crush
resistant, vibration dampening, flexible material such as silicone
rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, or other elastomers. In some
implementations, the hardness of the gripping aid may be from about
10 to about 90 using a Shore A durometer. In addition, the gripping
aid may be resistant to crushing deformation such that the overall
thickness of the gripping aid may be maintained even when a user is
securely gripping the tool and is applying a squeezing force to the
gripping aid. In this implementation, the gripping aid may
generally fill the gap between the handle of the tool and the thumb
webbing of the user and provide a support to transfer an
oppositional force between the user's hand and the tool at the
thumb webbing.
[0022] In some implementations, the gripping aid may be
pre-contoured to fit the thumb webbing of a user's hand and/or
include a hinge (e.g., parametric kerf pattern, living hinge,
lattice hinge, zipper joint, or rib joint) to maximize the
flexibility of the gripping aid. Furthermore, the thickness and/or
shape of the gripping aid may vary. For instance, the thickness of
the gripping aid may taper as the gripping aid approaches a joint
of the index finger and/or thumb. In some implementations, a side
of the gripping aid toward a user may include a contoured or
concaved surface to better conform to the finger(s), thumb, and
thumb webbing of the user.
[0023] In other implementations, the glove may include more than
one gripping aid or shaped support. For instance, in one
implementation, a first, more soft or supple, support may be
located between the user's hand(s) and attached to a second, more
resilient support configured to interface with the tool. In other
implementations, a glove may include more than one gripping aid in
more than one location of the palmar side of the glove. In these
implementations, the hardness of the multiple gripping aids may be
in a range of about 0 as measured using a Shore A durometer to
about 90 using a Shore D durometer.
[0024] A thickness of the gripping aid may position the hand in the
optimal gripping span for optimal gripping strength. In some
implementations, the shape of the gripping aid may also concentrate
gripping pressure about and along a top surface of the gripping aid
while the gripping aid's resistance to crushing causes an upper
crest/crown portion of the gripping aid to function as a fulcrum
about which the gripped portion (i.e., handle) of the tool pivots
during a swing.
[0025] The concentrated gripping pressure or tension may lead to
decreased user hand fatigue, increased comfort, and increased
control for the specific task using the handled tool. Furthermore,
the specific placement of the gripping aid may allow unrestricted
motion of the fingers and hand joints by keeping the support away
from the center axis of rotation for each specific joint, thereby
creating momentum.
[0026] In some implementations, the gripping aid may have different
sizes and shapes while maintaining a domed or apical shape with a
crest/crown and thicknesses, depending on the size of the user's
hand and/or the application of the tool. For instance, the
thickness of the gripping aid may be about 1 millimeter to about
25.5 millimeters. In some implementations, the thickness of the
gripping aid may be at least 0.5 millimeter. In some
implementations, the thickness of the gripping aid may be from
about 6 millimeters to about from 12 millimeters. In other
implementations, the thickness of the gripping aid may be from
about 0.5 millimeters to about from 5 millimeters.
[0027] Furthermore, the gripping glove may be constructed in any
number of sizes to fit the hands (left and/or right) of various
users. For instance, a smaller glove with a smaller gripping aid
may be constructed for use by a younger user with a smaller
hand(s). Conversely, a larger glove with a larger gripping aid
spanning an area to substantially cover the thumb webbing of a
larger hand(s) may be constructed for an older user.
[0028] The term "about" or "approximate" as used in context of
describing example gripping gloves is to be construed to include a
reasonable margin of error that would be acceptable and/or known in
the art.
[0029] As used herein, the terms "a," "an," and "the" mean one or
more.
[0030] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "comprises," and
"comprise" are open-ended transition terms used to transition from
a subject recited before the term to one or more elements recited
after the term, where the element or elements listed after the
transition term are not necessarily the only elements that make up
the subject.
[0031] As used herein, the terms "having," "has," "contain,"
"including," "includes," "include," and "have" have the same
open-ended meaning as "comprising," "comprises," and "comprise"
provided above.
[0032] The present description may use numerical ranges to quantify
certain parameters relating to the invention. It should be
understood that when numerical ranges are provided, such ranges are
to be construed as providing literal support for claim limitations
that only recite the lower value of the range as well as claim
limitations that only recite the upper value of the range. For
example, a disclosed numerical range of 1 to 10 provides literal
support for a claim reciting "greater than 1" (with no upper
bounds) and a claim reciting "less than 10" (with no lower bounds)
and provides literal support for and includes the end points of 1
and 10.
[0033] This overview is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below. The
overview is provided for the reader's convenience and is not
intended to limit the scope of the claims, nor the proceeding
sections.
Example Environment
[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 for the use of
the gripping glove. FIG. 1 shows a user 102, such as a batter,
wearing gripping gloves 104(1) and 104(2) on a left and right hand,
respectively. As shown, the user 102 is also holding a bat 106 at a
position P.sub.1 corresponding to a set, ready position prior to
starting a swing. In other implementations, depending on the user
preference and/or application of the gripping glove, the user 102
may wear a glove on only one hand.
[0035] In initiating a typical swing of the bat 106 (shown at
P.sub.1), the user 102 manipulates his/her body by rotating his/her
hips, spine, shoulders, and arms to move the hands toward the
object intended to be struck (e.g., baseball 108). Such rotation
generates significant centripetal force at the distal end of the
bat 106 (i.e., the bat head). Generally, the amount of force
generated during this rotation will be translated into a power at
the contact point of the baseball 108 (shown at P.sub.2).
[0036] While not specifically shown in FIG. 1, the gloves 104(1)
and 104(2) include the gripping aid as described above. In some
implementations, the gripping aid includes the crest, pivot ridge,
or fulcrum continuously running between the proximal
interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the index finger and the
interphalangeal (IP) joint of the thumb along the thumb webbing. In
some implementations, the gripping aid and the crest may allow for
a freedom of motion of the bat 106 over the apex of the crest. In
some implementations, at or near portion P.sub.2, the crest may
allow for the bat 106 to move more quickly as the bat fulcrums over
the apex of the crest while the user 102 swings the bat 106. This
may result in increased centripetal force at the head of bat 106
which may result in an increase in power transfer to baseball 108
(and thus more exit speed of the baseball off the bat 106) without
requiring the user 102 to significantly alter his/her grip
strength, grip position, and/or swing speed.
[0037] In some implementations, the gripping aid within gloves
104(1) and 104(2) may reduce the vibrations caused when the bat 106
makes contact with baseball 108. Generally, the force of the
baseball 108 striking the bat 106 will cause mechanical oscillation
or vibrations in the material of the bat. Such vibrations may
travel down the shaft of the bat and into the hands of the user
102. As mentioned above, the thickness of the crush resistant,
vibration dampening, flexible material of the gipping aid may
absorb and/or deflect a portion of the vibrations before they reach
the palm of the user 102.
[0038] While FIG. 1 does not illustrate the specific features of
the gripping glove, it is to be understood that the gripping gloves
104(1) and 104(2) may also provide the additional features such as,
for example, increased comfort, skin trauma reduction, and/or
increased grip span as described above and below.
Example Gripping Glove
[0039] FIGS. 2-13 illustrate example embodiments or example
components of a gripping glove. FIG. 2 illustrates an example
embodiment of the gripping glove (hereinafter, "glove") 200. As
shown, glove 200 is placed on a right hand of a human. However, in
other embodiments, the glove 200 (or any other glove described
herein) may be configured to be placed on a left hand of a
human.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates that a gripping aid 202 may be place
along the thumb webbing 204 between the thumb 206 and index finger
208. As shown, the gripping aid 202 may form a continuous support
along the thumb webbing 204 from a first end 210 beginning on the
index finger 208 at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint to the
second end 212 on the thumb at the interphalangeal (IP) joint of
the thumb. In other implementations, the first end 210 may begin at
the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the index finger
208.
[0041] As shown, the gripping aid may be secured to the glove 200
by placing one or more pieces of fabric over the gripping aid 202.
In some implementations, the fabric may be leather, synthetic
leather, or any other natural or synthetic material which may be
integrated with glove 200. FIG. 1 shows that the periphery of the
fabric is sewn directly to glove 200. However, in other
implementations, the fabric may be integrated with glove 200 by
other methods (e.g., glue, sonic welding, etc). Additionally or
alternatively, the gripping aid 202 may attached directly to the
glove 200 without the fabric. In these implementations, gripping
aid 202 may be glued, sewn, or otherwise bonded directly to the
glove 200.
[0042] While FIG. 2 illustrates the gripping aid 202 positioned
along the thumb webbing between the index finger and the thumb, it
is to be understood that the gripping aid may be placed between any
other joint on other fingers.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows the gripping aid 202 which may be offset toward
the lateral aspect of the thumb webbing between a joint on the
index finger and a joint on the thumb. For instance, the gripping
aid 202 may be affixed to the glove 200 from about 30 degrees to
about 60 degrees from a medial surface 302 of the index finger 208
toward the lateral surface 304 of the index finger 208. In other
implementations, the gripping aid may be equidistance from the
medial surface 302 of the index finger 208 toward the lateral
surface 304 of the index finger 208.
[0044] In some implementations, the lateral offset may reduce an
amount of restriction of flexibility of each joint adjacent to the
gripping aid when, for example, the index finger 208 of glove 200
is curled toward the palm of glove 200 as shown below in FIG. 5. In
addition, the lateral offset may position a crest 306 (which is
shown running a substantial portion of the apex of the gripping aid
202) in a position to maximize a speed of a handled tool as it is
swung by a user wearing the glove 200.
[0045] The lateral offset of the gripping aid 202 as shown in FIG.
3 may also increase the grip span of a user wearing glove 200. That
is, the thickness of the gripping aid extending toward the lateral
aspect may increase the gripping surface of the user's hand which
may allow the hand of the user to cover more surface of the
gripping handle of a tool. One skilled in the art is generally
aware of the positive correlation between an increase in grip span
and an increase in grip strength. Thus, the glove 200 with the
gripping aid 202 which increases the grip span of one or more
user's hand may increase the user's grip strength without altering
the user's existing grip and/or requiring a tighter grip.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates right-handed glove 200 as described above
in addition to a left-handed glove 400 (collectively hereinafter,
"gloves"). As shown, the gloves are in the initial stages of
gripping a handle of a tool-in this instance, a handle portion of a
baseball bat 402. The handle portion of the baseball bat 402 (or
any other handled tool) is configured to abut or rest in the thumb
webbing of each hand wearing the gloves. Next, in some
implementations, the each finger of the glove would wrap around the
handle portion of the baseball bat 402.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the gripping aid 202 integrated with the
glove 200 may be configured to bend when the user wraps each finger
around the handle portion of the baseball bat. In some
implementations, the gripping aid 202 in glove 200 may be
constructed of a flexible material such as silicone rubber,
ethylene propylene rubber, or other elastomers. The gripping aid
202 may be a constructed to a thickness from about 1 millimeter to
25.5 millimeters such that the gripping aid 202 remains pliable
along the gripping aid's longer axis while resisting crushing or
deformation along the gripping aid's shorter axis.
[0048] In some implementations as illustrated below in FIGS. 12 and
13, the gripping aid 202 may be jointed and/or hinged to help the
gripping aid flex along the longer axis. For instance, the gripping
aid 202 may include a parametric kerf pattern, a living hinge, a
lattice hinge, a zipper joint, a rib joint, or a combination
thereof. In some implementations, the gripping aid 202 may be
pre-contour before the gripping aid is integrated with glove 200
and depending on the size of glove 200. For instance, the gripping
aid 200 may be molded or formed to fit the thumb webbing from a
joint on the index finger to a joint on the thumb along of a
particular size hand at a resting position (such as the hand
position shown in FIG. 1 or 2). In other implementations, the
gripping aid may be unmolded to contour to a user's hand or may be
molded to contour to other positions of the user's hand (e.g.,
molded to fit a particular handle diameter as it would be gripped
by a user's hands).
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates an example perspective view of a gripping
aid 600 which may be integrated with a glove as described above. In
some implementations, gripping aid 600 may be integrated on an
exterior portion of a glove. However, in other implementations,
gripping aid 600 may be integrated on an interior portion of the
glove proximate to the glove wearer's skin. As described above,
gripping aid 600 may be composed of a flexible elastomer such as
silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, for example.
Furthermore, the gripping aid 600 may be configured to conform to a
surface of a user's hand. As shown in FIG. 6, a first portion 602
may be configured to substantially cover a surface of a user's hand
between the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and the
metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the index finger. While a second
portion 604 may be configured to cover to a surface of a user's
hand between the interphalangeal (IP) joint and the
metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the thumb. Finally, in the
implementation shown in FIG. 6, a third portion 606 may be
configured to substantially cover the thumb webbing while the user
wears the glove with the gripping aid 600.
[0050] Gripping aid 600 may be flexible such that when the user
places the glove on his/her hand, the gripping aid 600 generally
conforms to the contour of the user's hand. Furthermore, the
flexibility of the gripping aid 600 may permit the first end 608 on
the index finger and the second end 610 on the thumb to curve
towards one another as the user grips the handle of a tool.
[0051] In some implementations, the thickness of gripping aid 600
may be uniform or the same from the first end 608 to the second end
610. However, in other implementations, the thickness of the
gripping aid 600 may be less at the first end 608 and the second
end 610. In this implementation, the thickness of the gripping aid
600 may gradually increase from each end toward the third portion
606 covering the thumb webbing.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the gripping aid 600 may be configured
to contour to the portion of the user's hand. For instance, the
gripping aid 600 may include a concave surface 612 configured to
curve around a portion of the user index finger, thumb, and/or
thumb webbing. In some implementations, the gripping aid 600 may
have a uniform width from the first end 608 to the second end 610.
However, in other implementations as shown below, the gripping aid
may have a width that varies.
[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of an example
gripping aid 700. In this implementation, the gripping aid 700 has
a symmetrical shape with a width 702 that is equal distance from a
centerline of the gripping aid 700. As shown, the gripping aid 700
may include a concave surface with a depth shown at 704. As
described above, the concave surface may allow for the gripping aid
700 to securely conform to the various parts of the user's
hand.
[0054] FIG. 7 also shows a thickness 706. As shown, the thickness
706 of the gripping aid 700 may be thickest at a point 708. Point
708 may correspond to the apex of the gripping aid 700. As
described above, the point 708 may provide the crest, pivot ridge
or fulcrum which allows the gripping tool to more rapidly be
manipulated as the handle of the tool crests the point 708.
[0055] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate alternative example profile shapes of
a gripping aid. FIG. 8 shows a profile shape of a gripping aid 800.
Gripping aid 800 may be composed of two separate pieces. For
instance, a first domed piece 802 to provide the crest as described
in the implementation above. In addition, gripping aid 800 may
include a second piece 804 which may be positioned between the
first piece 802 and a portion of the user's hand. In some
implementations, the first piece 802 and the second piece 804 may
be composed of the same material. However, in other
implementations, each piece may be composed of a different
material. For instance, the first piece 802 may be composed of a
hard plastic while the second piece may be composed of a softer,
flexible, vibration-dampening plastic as described above. In some
implementations, the first piece 802 and the second piece 804 may
be attached to one another by conventional methods.
[0056] FIG. 9 illustrates another example profile shape of an
implementation of a gripping aid 900 with an enhanced crest 902. As
shown, the crest 902 is more prominently elevated from the body of
the gripping aid 900 (at least as compared with the profile of the
gripping aid 700 shown in FIG. 7). In some implementations, the
more prominent crest 902 may enhance the benefit described above of
the crest. For instance, the more prominent crest may increase the
speed and/or strength at which the tool is being swung without
requiring the user to adjust the swing speed and/or grip of the
tool handle.
[0057] FIG. 10 illustrates yet another example profile of an
implementations of a gripping aid 1000 with a more pointed crest
1002. For similar reasons to those mentioned above with regard to
FIG. 9, the pointed crest 1002 may help increase the tool speed as
the tool crest the crest 1002. In addition, the pointed crest 1002
may increase the grip span of the user holding the handle of the
tool begin swung. In this instance, the increased grip span may
increase the grip strength of the user without requiring the user
to alter his/her existing grip.
[0058] FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate, respectively, a top, a
perspective, a left side, and a front view of an example
implementation of a gripping aid 1100. FIG. 11A shows the gripping
aid 1100 having a pre-molded contour to secure mask the lateral
aspect of a user's hand along the thumb webbing between a joint on
the index finger and a joint on the thumb. In addition, FIG. 11A
shows the crest 1102 formed by the apex or ridge on the side of the
gripping aid 1100 configured to interact with the handle of the
tool. In some implementations, the crest 1102 runs the entire
length of the gripping aid 1100. However, in other implementations,
the crest 1102 may be positioned over a portion of the gripping aid
1100. For instance, the crest 1102 may be disposed over a surface
opposite the thumb webbing of the user.
[0059] FIG. 11B illustrates a perspective view of the gripping aid
1100 while showing the concave surface 1104 of the gripping aid
1100. As described above, the concave surface 1104 may be
configured to contour to a surface of the user's hand (e.g., the
lateral aspect of the index finger, thumb webbing, and/or thumb).
As shown, the width and depth of the concave surface 1104 may vary
based on the size of the surface of the user's hand that is to be
contoured. In some implementations, the width and depth of the
concave surface 1104 may vary based on a corresponding thickness of
the gripping aid 1100. For instance, a thicker portion of a
gripping aid may correspond to the concave surface 1104 with a
greater depth.
[0060] FIG. 11C illustrates the gripping aid 1100 with a variable
width. In some implementations, a variable width may increase
comfort and/or increase a range of motion of the user's hand as the
glove with the gripping aid is squeezed. As shown, the gripping aid
1100 has a first width at the first end 1106. The first end 1106
corresponds to a portion of the gripping aid 1100 configured to
interact with the index finger of the user which is generally less
wide that the thumb of the user. In this implementation, a second
end 1108 may include a second width which is wider than the width
at the first end 1106. The second end may be configured to contour
a portion of the user's thumb. Further, the gripping aid 1100 may
include yet another width such as the third width shown at a thumb
portion 1110. As shown, the third width at the thumb portion 1110
may be the widest portion of the gripping aid 1100. In some
implementations, the width at the thumb portion 1110 may increase
the overall stability of the gripping aid 1100 and provide a better
base for the gripping aid 1100 to remain securely in place on the
user's hand as the user manipulates a handled tool.
[0061] FIG. 11D illustrates a front view of the gripping aid 1100.
Generally, the front view shows the variation in the width of the
first end 1106 (width 1112) and the second end 1108 (width 1112).
FIG. 11D also illustrates a reduction in thickness (i.e., taper
1116) toward the first end 1106 and the second end 1108. In some
implementations, the reduction in thickness may increase comfort of
the gripping aid 1100. Furthermore, the reduction of thickness at
each end may increase the tactile sensation that the user may
perceive which may in turn increase an amount of control of the
handle that the user perceives. While FIG. 11D illustrates a
consistent reduction in thickness at each end 1106 and 1108,
respectively, it is understood that each end may taper at a
different severity or include no taper at all.
[0062] FIG. 12 illustrates an example gripping aid 1200 with
multiple hinges 1202(1)-(5). In some implementations, the gripping
aid 1200 may include the hinges 1202(1)-(5) to facilitate the
flexible elastomeric plastic in bending. As shown, the hinges
1202(1)-(5) may be located on the portions of the gripping aid 1200
opposite the index finger and/or thumb. The hinges 1202(1)-(5) may
be living hinges such as scored seams in the gripping aid 1202 that
when the gripping aid is bend, the seams provide a bend point on
the gripping aid 1200. While FIG. 12 illustrates five hinges, it is
understood that more or fewer hinges may be used in other
implementations. For example, one hinge or ten hinges. Furthermore,
in other implementation, any number of other hinges may be used in
place of or in combination with the scored seams described above.
For instance, the hinges may be a parametric kerf pattern, a
partially scored seam, a living hinge, a lattice hinge, a zipper
joint, and/or a rib joint.
[0063] FIG. 13 illustrates various views of an example gripping aid
1300 which may be used with a glove to provide the benefits
described above. As shown, the gripping aid 1300 has a uniform
width from a first end 1302 to a second end 1304. Furthermore, the
views of FIG. 13 illustrate various example dimensions of the
gripping aid 1300. For instance, the gripping aid shown the index
finger portion having three areas separated by a score line. Each
portion having a different length. For instance, the end portion
having a length of 25 millimeters, the middle portion having a
length of 20 millimeters, and the inner portion having a length of
22 millimeters.
[0064] Gripping aid 1300 may also include one or more hinges as
described above. However, as shown in FIG. 13, gripping aid 1300
may include a score line on the inner surface of the aid while the
top surface and bottom surface may include a notch at the score
line. The score line and corresponding notch may improve the
flexibility of the gripping aid in the designated locations.
Furthermore, such a hinge may restrict unwanted flexibility of the
gripping aid in the opposite direction. Finally, the hinge may
allow the gripping aid to withstand a greater amount of torque
without tearing or otherwise breaking.
[0065] In some implementations, the lines on the gripping aid 1300
may be formed to be gaps in the gripping aid. The gaps may be
configured to be located over the joints of the user's digits. In
other implementations, the gaps may be configured to be a specific
width such that it coordinates with a specific location of a user's
index finger. For instance, the gap may be located along the
gripping aid such that a portion of the gripped tool fits within
the gap.
[0066] FIG. 14 illustrates another implementation of a gripping
glove 1400. As shown, the glove 1400 includes a gripping aid 1402
which may be an implementation of a gripping aid describe above.
For instance, gripping aid may include any thickness or width
depending on user's comfort and/or the task the user desires to
perform while wearing glove 1400. In this implementation, gripping
aid 1402 may be integrated with glove 1400 starting at a tip (or
from about 1/2 inch from the tip) of a first digit 1404 (i.e.,
thumb) and travel along the thumb webbing to end at a tip (or from
about 1/2 inch from the tip) of a second digit 1406 (i.e., index
finger).
[0067] The gripping aid 1402 may be composed of crush resistant
material and include a crest to provide the benefits of the glove
and gripping aid as described above. In some implementation, the
gripping aid 1402 may include a taper on both ends of the gripping
aid 1402 as the gripping aid 1402 approaches each of the tip of
first digit 1404 and the second digit 1406. In some
implementations, the taper at both ends may be substantially the
same. However, in other implementation, the taper at each end may
be different from one another,
[0068] FIG. 14 also illustrate that the gripping aid may be
integrated with glove 1400 without the external stitching as shown
in the implementations above. In this implementation, the gripping
aid 104 may be inserted on the interior portion of the glove
1400.
Example Process
[0069] FIG. 15 illustrates an example process 1500 for assembling
an example gripping glove as described above. The process 1500 is
illustrated as a logical flow graph. The order in which the
operations or steps are described is not intended to be construed
as a limitation, and any number of the described operations can be
combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the process
1500.
[0070] The process 1500 for assembling a gripping glove begins at
1502 where a size of a glove may be determined. As described above,
the gripping glove may be constructed in numerous sizes to fit
various sizes of a human hand (e.g., extra-small, small, medium,
large, and extra-large, etc).
[0071] At 1504, a gripping aid may be determined. In some
implementations, the determination of the gripping aid may be based
on the determined size of the glove. In some implementations, the
determining the gripping aid may further comprise determining the
size and/or shape (e.g., thickness, taper, crest profile, width,
and/or material) of the gripping aid.
[0072] At 1506, a location for placement of the gripping aid on the
determined glove may be determined. In some implementations, the
location may correspond to the lateral aspect on the glove running
from a joint on the index finger through the thumb webbing and
ending at a joint on the thumb. Furthermore, the location may be an
exterior portion of the glove. In other implementations, the
location may be determined to be an inner portion of the glove when
the gripping aid is directly in contact with the glove wearer's
skin.
[0073] At 1508, the gripping aid may be placed on the determined
glove at the determined location. Finally, at 1510, the gripping
aid may be secured or attached to the glove. For instance, the
gripping aid may be secured by one or more pieces of fabric
attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc. . . . ) over the gripping aid.
In other implementations, the gripping aid may be secured (e.g.,
sewn, glued, adhered, sonic welded, etc. . . . ) directly to the
exterior or interior determined location on the glove.
CONCLUSION
[0074] Although the disclosure describes embodiments having
specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to
be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the
specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features
and acts are merely illustrative some embodiments that fall within
the scope of the claims of the disclosure.
* * * * *