GOLF GLOVE AND METHOD OF USING SAME

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a golf glove including an inelastic panel connecting the thumb and the first finger, and methods of using same.

Description

BACKGROUND

While golf gloves have been in use in various forms for decades, no commercially available golf gloves properly restrict separation of the thumb and first finger of either (or both) of a golfer's hands.

The present disclosure describes golf gloves and methods of using golf gloves that meet that need.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to golf gloves, and in particular golf gloves for use on a golfer's trailing hand (e.g., a right-handed golfer's right hand, or a left-handed golfer's left hand).

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a golf glove comprising a palm side portion; a back portion coupled to the palm side portion; a finger coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving an index finger; a thumb coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving a thumb; and an inelastic panel connecting the thumb and the finger.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf glove comprising a palm side portion; a back portion coupled to the palm side portion; a finger coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving an index finger; a thumb coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving a thumb; and an inelastic panel connecting the thumb, the finger, and the palm side portion, wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a first knuckle of the finger, and wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a first knuckle of the thumb.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf glove comprising a palm side portion; a back portion coupled to the palm side portion; a finger coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving an index finger; a thumb coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving a thumb; and an inelastic panel connecting the thumb, the finger, and the palm side portion, wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a second knuckle of the finger, and wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a second knuckle of the thumb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of a golf glove according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B shows a rear perspective view of the golf glove of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A shows a front perspective view of a golf glove according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows a rear perspective view of the golf glove of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A shows a front perspective view of a golf glove according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B shows a rear perspective view of the golf glove of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A shows a front perspective view of a golf glove according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B shows a rear perspective view of the golf glove of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A shows a top perspective view of a golf glove according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in use by a golfer.

FIG. 5B shows a top perspective view of two golf gloves according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in use by a golfer.

The figures depict various embodiments of this disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-5B, the present disclosure provides golf gloves 10 and methods of using same.

Generally, golf gloves 10 consistent with the present disclosure include an inelastic panel 500 connecting the thumb 400 and the first finger 300, thus restricting the extent to which the thumb 400 and the first finger 300 may be separated by a user.

Golf Gloves

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1A-4B, golf gloves 10 according to the present disclosure generally comprise a palm side portion 100, a back portion 200 coupled to the palm side portion 100, a finger 300 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving an index finger, a thumb 400 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving a thumb, and an inelastic panel 500 connecting the thumb 400 and the finger 300.

The palm side portion 100 and the back portion 200 may be formed of any suitable material, such as leather, vinyl, fabric, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

The golf glove 10 may include at least one finger 300, such as one finger, two fingers, three fingers, or four fingers. In embodiments wherein the golf glove 10 includes less than three fingers, at least one finger 200 must be for receiving the index finger of a user. The at least one finger 300 may be formed of any suitable material, for example without limitation: leather, vinyl, fabric, or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing. The at least one finger 300 may include a second knuckle portion 310 that covers the second knuckle (i.e., the proximal inter-phalangeal joint) of the user's index finger, and/or a third knuckle portion 320 that covers the third knuckle (i.e., the distal inter-phalangeal joint) of the user's index finger.

The golf glove 10 includes a thumb 400 for receiving a thumb of a user. The thumb 400 may be formed of any suitable material, for example without limitation: leather, vinyl, fabric, or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing. The thumb 400 may include a first knuckle portion 410 that covers the first knuckle (i.e., the metacarpophalangeal joint) of the user's thumb, and/or a second knuckle portion 420 that covers the second knuckle (i.e., the interphalangeal joint) of the user's thumb.

The finger(s) 300 and thumb 400 of the golf glove 10 may be formed integrally with the palm side portion 100 and the back portion 200, for example such that the finger(s) 300 and thumb 400 are formed when the palm side portion 100 and the back portion 200 are coupled together. In other embodiments, the finger(s) 300 of the golf glove 10 may each be formed of an independent piece(s) of material that is/are coupled to the palm side portion 100 and the back portion 200. In some embodiments, such as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-4B, the thumb 400 of the golf glove 10 is coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10.

The inelastic panel 500 joins the thumb 400 and the finger 300 nearest the thumb 400 (i.e., the index finger), and serves to limit the degree to which the thumb 400 and the index finger 300 may be separated by the user. The term “inelastic” as used herein merely indicates that the inelastic panel 500 resists significant stretching, essentially does not stretch, or does not stretch, in a direction transverse to the thumb 400 and first finger 300, but is still flexible (e.g., bendable) to wrap at least partially around a golf club handle. The inelastic panel 500 may be attached to the thumb 400 and the finger 300 by any suitable means including, for example, stitches 510. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the first knuckle portion 410 of the thumb 400 (i.e., to at least the portion of the thumb 400 that covers the first knuckle—the metacarpophalangeal joint—of the user's thumb). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle portion 420 of the thumb 400 (i.e., to at least the portion of the thumb 400 that covers the second knuckle the interphalangeal joint of the user's thumb). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle 310 of the index finger 300 of the golf glove 10 (i.e., to at least the portion of the finger 300 that covers the second knuckle the proximal inter-phalangeal joint of the user's index finger). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the third knuckle 320 of the index finger 300 of the golf glove 10 (i.e., to at least the portion of the finger 300 that covers the third knuckle—the distal inter-phalangeal joint of the user's index finger). In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the inelastic panel 500 extends (a) from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the first knuckle 410 of the thumb 400, and (b) from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle 310 of the index finger 300. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends (a) from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle 420 of the thumb 400, and (b) from the palm side portion 100 of the golf glove 10 to at least the third knuckle 320 of the index finger 300.

In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 is attached to the back portion 200, the thumb 400, and the index finger 300. In such embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the back portion 200 of the glove 10 to at least the first knuckle portion 410 of the thumb 400 (i.e., to at least the portion of the thumb 400 that covers the first knuckle the metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's thumb). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle portion 420 of the thumb 400 (i.e., to at least the portion of the thumb 400 that covers the second knuckle—the interphalangeal joint—of the user's thumb). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle 310 of the index finger 300 of the golf glove 10 (i.e., to at least the portion of the finger 300 that covers the second knuckle—the proximal inter-phalangeal joint—of the user's index finger). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the third knuckle 320 of the index finger 300 of the golf glove 10 (i.e., to at least the portion of the finger 300 that covers the third knuckle the distal inter phalangeal joint of the user's index finger). In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends (a) from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the first knuckle 410 of the thumb 400, and (b) from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle 310 of the index finger 300. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends (a) from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the second knuckle 420 of the thumb 400, and (b) from the back portion 200 of the golf glove 10 to at least the third knuckle 320 of the index finger 300.

The inelastic panel 500 may enable the user to spread the thumb 400 and index finger 300 by not more than about 45°, not more than about 44°, not more than about 43°, not more than about 42°, not more than about 41°, not more than about 40°, not more than about 39°, not more than about 38°, not more than about 37°, not more than about 36°, not more than about 35°, not more than about 34°, not more than about 33°, not more than about 32°, not more than about 31°, or not more than about 30°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 enables the user to spread the thumb 400 and index finger 300 by not more than about 36°.

The inelastic panel 500 may be formed of any material that does not stretch or that stretches only insignificantly (e.g., by not more than about 5%, by not more than about 4%, by not more than about 3%, by not more than about 2%, or by not more than about 1%). For example and without limitation, the inelastic panel 500 may be formed of leather, vinyl, plastic, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 may be formed of an elastic material that stretches only insignificantly in the transverse dimension across the thumb 400 and the first finger 300. For example and without limitation, the inelastic panel 500 may be formed of an elastic mesh material that may optionally stretch in a dimension parallel to the thumb 400 and the first finger 300, but stretches insignificantly (e.g., by not more than about 5%, by not more than about 4%, by not more than about 3%, by not more than about 2%, or by not more than about 1%) in the transverse dimension across the thumb 400 and the first finger 300.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1A-1B, a golf glove 10 according to the present disclosure may include an inelastic panel 500 that is a distinct piece of material, and that is attached to the thumb 400, the first finger 300, and the palm side portion 100 by stitching 510.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, a golf glove 10 according to the present disclosure may include an inelastic panel 500 that is a distinct piece of material, and that spans the thumb 400 and the first finger 300, wherein the inelastic panel 500 is secured between the palm side portion 100 and the back portion 200.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3A-3B, a golf glove 10 according to the present disclosure may include an inelastic panel 500 that is integral to the palm side portion 100. In such embodiments, the inelastic panel may be secured to the thumb 400 by stitches 510.

In the embodiment specifically shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, a golf glove 10 according to the present disclosure may include an inelastic panel 500 that is integral to the thumb 400. In such embodiments, the inelastic panel may be secured to the first finger 300 by stitches 510.

In some embodiments, the back portion 200 includes a securing portion 600 that may include a flap 610 that can be mated with a flap receiver 620 to help secure the golf glove 10 to the user's hand. In some embodiments, the flap 610 and the flap receiver comprise hook and loop fastener materials (e.g., VELCRO).

In some embodiments, the present embodiment provides a golf glove 10 comprising: a palm side portion 100; a back portion 200 coupled to the palm side portion 100; a finger 300 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving an index finger; a thumb 400 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving a thumb; and an inelastic panel 500 connecting the thumb 400 and the finger 300. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 is attached to the palm side portion 100. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 is attached to the back portion 200. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a second knuckle (proximal inter-phalangeal joint) 310 of the finger 300. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a third knuckle (distal inter-phalangeal joint) 320 of the finger 300. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a first knuckle (metacarpophalangeal joint) 410 of the thumb 400. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a second knuckle (interphalangeal joint) 420 of the thumb 400.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf glove 10 comprising: a palm side portion 100; a back portion 200 coupled to the palm side portion 100; a finger 300 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving an index finger; a thumb 400 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving a thumb; and an inelastic panel 500 connecting the thumb 400, the finger 300, and the palm side portion 100, wherein the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a second knuckle (proximal inter-phalangeal joint) 410 of the finger, and wherein the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a first knuckle (metacarpophalangeal joint) 410 of the thumb 400.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a golf glove 10 comprising: a palm side portion 100; a back portion 200 coupled to the palm side portion 100; a finger 300 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving an index finger; a thumb 400 coupled to the palm side portion 100 and to the back portion 200 and for receiving a thumb;

and an inelastic panel 500 connecting the thumb 400, the finger 300, and the palm side portion 100, wherein the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a third knuckle (distal inter-phalangeal joint) 320 of the finger 300, and wherein the inelastic panel 500 extends from the palm side portion 100 to at least a second knuckle (interphalangeal joint) 420 of the thumb 400.

Methods of Use

The present disclosure provides methods of using a golf glove 10 as disclosed herein to, for example, improve a user's grip on a golf club C and/or for improving the user's golf swing.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5A, a golf glove 10 of the present disclosure may be worn on the trailing hand TH of the user. In such instances, the trailing hand TH is the user's dominant hand. For example, a right-handed golfer typically swings a golf club from right-to-left, such that the user's left arm and left leg are closer to the target, while the user's right arm and right leg are farther from the target. Accordingly, the user's left hand is considered the leading hand LH, while the user's right hand is considered the trailing hand TH. Conversely, a user swinging a golf club left-handed (e.g., left-to-right) adopts the opposite configuration as described above. A left-handed user therefore considers the right hand to be the leading hand LH and the left hand to be the trailing hand TH.

In embodiments consistent with FIG. 5A, the user places the trailing hand TH into a golf glove 10 consistent with the present disclosure. Thereafter, the user grips a golf club handle CH with the trailing hand TH and the leading hand LH. The inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the index finger 300 and the thumb 400 of the trailing hand TH beyond a maximum amount, such as not more than about 45°, not more than about 44°, not more than about 43°, not more than about 42°, not more than about 41°, not more than about 40°, not more than about 39°, not more than about 38°, not more than about 37°, not more than about 36°, not more than about 35°, not more than about 34°, not more than about 33°, not more than about 32°, not more than about 31°, or not more than about 30°.

Accordingly, as shown representatively in FIG. 5A, a user properly wearing and using a golf glove 10 of the present disclosure is prevented from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond a maximum amount, e.g., not more than about 36°. By limiting the separation of the thumb 400 and the index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH, the user is prevented from spreading his or her thumb and first finger too far. By limiting the extent to which the thumb and first finger can be separated, the golfer gains significantly more control and consistency in his or her swing. For example and without limitation, a golfer wearing a golf glove 10 on his or her trailing hand TH may prevent the golf club C from swiveling up and down (e.g., towards the viewer of FIG. 5A and away from the viewer of FIG. 5A). By limiting or eliminating the swiveling, the golfer may significantly increase consistency in the golf club head's contact with the golf ball (e.g., reduced incidence of “topping” and “digging”) and, in turn, injuries and loss of power from unclean contact with the golf ball. In addition, limiting or eliminating the swiveling improves stability of the golf club's orientation in the golfer's hand(s), which increases the golfer's power (e.g., maximum distance the golfer can project a golf ball) and accuracy (e.g., proximity of the struck ball to the golfer's intended target, and/or repeatability of same over a plurality of golf ball striking iterations).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of gripping a golf club handle CH, the method comprising: placing a golf glove 10 consistent with the present disclosure on a trailing hand TH of a user by inserting a thumb of the trailing hand TH into the thumb 400 of the golf glove 10, and by inserting an index finger of the trailing hand TH into the finger 300 of the golf glove 10; and gripping the golf club handle CH with the trailing hand TH such that the inelastic panel 500 contacts the golf club handle CH, wherein the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH to its maximum spreadable extent. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 45°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 40°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 38°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 36°, In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing the golf glove 10 to the user.

In other embodiments, shown representatively in FIG. 58, a user properly wearing and using a pair of golf gloves 10 of the present disclosure is prevented from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH and the leading hand LH beyond a maximum amount, e.g., not more than about 36°. By limiting the separation of the thumb 400 and the index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH and of the leading hand LH, the user is prevented from spreading his or her thumbs and first fingers too far. By limiting the extent to which the thumbs and first fingers can be separated, the golfer gains significantly more control and consistency in his or her swing. For example and without limitation, a golfer wearing a golf glove 10 on his or her trailing hand TH, and a second golf glove 10′ on his or her leading hand LH may prevent the golf club C from swiveling up and down (e.g., towards the viewer of FIG. 5B and away from the viewer of FIG. 5B). By limiting or eliminating the swiveling, the golfer may significantly increase consistency in the golf club head's contact with the golf ball (e.g., reduced incidence of “topping” and “digging”) and, in turn, injuries and loss of power from unclean contact with the golf ball. In addition, limiting or eliminating the swiveling improves stability of the golf club's orientation in the golfer's hand(s), which increases the golfer's power (e.g., maximum distance the golfer can project a golf ball) and accuracy (e.g., proximity of the struck ball to the golfer's intended target, and/or repeatability of same over a plurality of golf ball striking iterations).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of gripping a golf club handle CH, the method comprising: placing a golf glove 10 consistent with the present disclosure on a trailing hand TH of a user by inserting a thumb of the trailing hand TH into the thumb 400 of the golf glove 10, and by inserting an index finger of the trailing hand TH into the finger 300 of the golf glove 10; placing a second golf glove 10′ consistent with the present disclosure on a leading hand LH of a user by inserting a thumb of the leading hand LH into the thumb 400′ of the golf glove 10′, and by inserting an index finger of the leading hand LH into the finger 300′ of the golf glove 10′; and gripping the golf club handle CH with the trailing hand TH and the leading hand LH such that the inelastic panels 500,500′ each contact the golf club handle CH, wherein the inelastic panel 500 of the golf glove 10 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH to its maximum spreadable extent, and wherein the inelastic panel 500′ of the second golf glove 10′ prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400′ and index finger 300′ of the leading hand LH to its maximum spreadable extent. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 45°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 40°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 38°.

In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500 prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the trailing hand TH beyond about 36°. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing the golf glove 10 to the user. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500′ of the second golf glove 10′ prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the leading hand LH beyond about 45°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500′ of the second golf glove 10′ prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the leading hand LH beyond about 40°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500′ of the second golf glove 10′ prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the leading hand LH beyond about 38°. In some embodiments, the inelastic panel 500′ of the second golf glove 10′ prevents the user from spreading the thumb 400 and index finger 300 of the leading hand LH beyond about 36°. In some embodiments, the method further comprises providing the second golf glove 10′ to the user.

Claims

1. A golf glove comprising: a palm side portion;a back portion coupled to the palm side portion;a finger coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving an index finger;a thumb coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving a thumb; andan inelastic panel connecting the thumb and the finger.

2. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the inelastic panel is attached to the palm side portion.

3. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the inelastic panel is attached to the back portion.

4. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a second knuckle (proximal inter-phalangeal joint) of the finger.

5. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a third knuckle (distal inter-phalangeal joint) of the finger.

6. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a first knuckle (metacarpophalangeal joint) of the thumb.

7. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the inelastic panel extends from the palm side portion to at least a second knuckle (interphalangeal joint) of the thumb.

8. A golf glove comprising: a palm side portion;a back portion coupled to the palm side portion;a finger coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving an index finger;a thumb coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving a thumb; andan inelastic panel connecting the thumb, the finger, and the palm side portion,

9. A golf glove comprising: a palm side portion;a back portion coupled to the palm side portion;a finger coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving an index finger;a thumb coupled to the palm side portion and to the back portion and for receiving a thumb; andan inelastic panel connecting the thumb, the finger, and the palm side portion,

10. A method of gripping a golf club handle, the method comprising: placing a golf glove of claim 1 on a trailing hand of a user by inserting a thumb of the trailing hand into the thumb of the golf glove, and by inserting an index finger of the trailing hand into the finger of the golf glove; andgripping the golf club handle with the trailing hand such that the inelastic panel contacts the golf club handle,

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the inelastic panel prevents the user from spreading the thumb and index finger of the trailing hand beyond about 45°.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the inelastic panel prevents the user from spreading the thumb and index finger of the trailing hand beyond about 40°.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the inelastic panel prevents the user from spreading the thumb and index finger of the trailing hand beyond about 38°.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the inelastic panel prevents the user from spreading the thumb and index finger of the trailing hand beyond about 36°.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising providing the golf glove to the user.