Patent Application
20110314588
The present invention generally relates to horseback riding training gloves, and more particularly to horseback riding training gloves that allow the rider's fingers to hold the reins correctly in the proper position.
Horseback riding is a popular recreational activity and sport. One of the most difficult aspects of horseback riding is maintaining the proper position of the fingers when gripping the reins. Correct position of the fingers about the reins is important to maintain effective control and communication over a horse. Having the proper finger position about the reins will also aid the rider in also keeping their hands in the correct position.
Furthermore, in training for the sport of competitive horseback riding, a rider trains for many hours to learn to guide a horse through a series of complex maneuvers by slight movements of the rider's body and hands. Judges of competitive horseback riding award points to the rider for the precise movements of the body and hands. To develop the proper riding techniques and achieve higher scores in competition, the rider must learn the proper position of the fingers about the reins.
In almost every instance of recreational and competitive horseback riding, the rider wears gloves to protect their hands when gripping the reins. The conventional horseback riding glove has a thick outer layer for protection and wear resistance, and a softer inner layer that provides a better feel against the rider's hands.
One drawback of traditional horseback riding gloves is the difficulty for the rider to feel that their fingers are in the proper position when riding, especially for new or inexperienced riders. For example, new or inexperienced riders tend to open or rotate their fingers about the reins. When the fingers are open and loose, the rider will have poor control of the horse. Furthermore, when the fingers are out of position, the rider's hands and wrists will invariable not be in the proper position.
Attempts have been made to teach the correct position of the rider's fingers about the reins, but have drawbacks. For example, a horseback riding training glove is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,721 and includes a glove having visual indicators on the glove to quickly relay information to an instructor about whether the rider's hands are in the proper position. However, the training glove does not include any means for a physical attachment of the glove to itself.
Another horseback riding training system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,590 and includes a training rein system in which a pair of gloves is worn by the rider with each glove having a mechanical fastener so that when the rider grasps the reins while wearing the gloves, the gloves and thus the rider's hands, are mechanically fastened to the reins. This invention only teaches how to keep the rider's hand secured to the reins. The invention does not teach how the correct finger position about reins.
Another type of horseback riding glove includes a traditional horseback riding glove, where the entire front surface is covered with a tacky substance to achieve a better contact with the reins. However, the tacky horseback riding glove does not teach a rider the correct position of the fingers about the reins, or provide any indication that the rider's finger position is correct.
Conventional horseback riding training gloves are thus ill-suited for physically keeping the rider's fingers in the proper position about the reins while allowing the rider to easily disengage for safety.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, a glove for training a horseback rider may generally include an inner layer and an outer layer. In other embodiments, the glove may include only a single layer. The glove may further include a plurality of fingertip sections having at least one engagement mechanism positioned on each fingertip section; a thumbtip section, having at least one engagement mechanism positioned on the thumbtip section; a side index finger section, having at least one engagement mechanism positioned on the side index finger section; and a palm section, having at least one engagement mechanism positioned on the palm section. The engagement mechanisms positioned on the plurality of fingertip sections releasably connect with the second plurality of engagement mechanisms positioned on the palm section and wherein the engagement mechanism positioned on thumbtip section releasably connects with the engagement mechanism positioned on the side index finger section.
In certain embodiments, the engagement mechanisms may be positioned on the outer surface of the outer layer. Alternatively, the engagement mechanisms may be positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer.
The release force of the engagement mechanisms should be selected so that the engagement mechanisms stay connected when the rider is riding, but allow the rider to disconnect the engagement mechanisms by the rider spreading out their fingers.
In certain embodiments, the glove may have at least a portion of the outer layer removed so that the engagement mechanisms positioned on each fingertip section can directly connect with the engagement mechanisms positioned on the palm section and the engagement mechanisms positioned on the thumbtip section can directly connect with the engagement mechanism positioned on the side index finger section.
In other embodiments, the glove may further include a cover layer positioned over the engagement mechanisms. The cover layer may then be attached to the outer layer of the glove. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the cover layer may be removed so that the engagement mechanisms positioned on each fingertip section can directly connect with the engagement mechanisms positioned on the palm section and the engagement mechanisms positioned on the thumbtip section can directly connect with the engagement mechanism positioned on the side index finger section.
In still further embodiments, the engagement mechanisms may be encased within a pocket, and the pocket may then be attached to the glove. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the pocket may be removed so that the engagement mechanisms positioned on each fingertip section can directly connect with the engagement mechanisms positioned on the palm section and the engagement mechanisms positioned on the thumbtip section can directly connect with the engagement mechanism positioned on the side index finger section.
In certain embodiments, the plurality of fingertip sections, the thumbtip section, the side index finger section, and the palm section may be debossed to form an indentation in the inner layer, outer layer, or both. The engagement mechanisms may then be attached to the inner layer, outer layer, or both within the indentations.
The glove may further include a padding layer positioned between the engagement mechanisms and a rider's finger.
The glove may further include engagement mechanisms that are a different color than the outer layer of the glove.
Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated by consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
Referring now to
The palm section 16 may include a plurality of engagement mechanisms 22. For example, as illustrated in
When gripping the reins, the reins are preferably positioned between the engagement mechanism 24 positioned on the thumbtip section 14 and the engagement mechanism 26 positioned on the side forefinger section 18. As such, the engagement mechanism 26 positioned on the side index finger section 18 may be larger than the thumbtip section 14 so that the reins may be releasably secured between the thumbtip section 14 and the side index finger section 18 while also pinching the reins.
In certain other embodiments, as more particularly illustrated in
Alternatively, the thumbtip section 14 may be configured substantially similar to the side index finger section 18 described above. For example, as illustrated in
In still further embodiments, the thumbtip section 14 may include two engagement mechanisms 24 positioned on the side of the thumbtip section 14. In this arrangement, the rider may be able to put greater direct pressure on the reins with their thumb, but still have their thumb releasably connected to the side index finger section 18 in the proper position.
It is to be understood that the arrangement of engagement mechanisms on the thumbtip section and the side index finger section described in
The glove 10 may be constructed in any configuration known to one of skill in the art. For example, the glove 10 may be constructed with an inner layer 30 and an outer layer 32. The outer layer has an inner surface connected to the inner layer and an outer surface that contacts the reins. The outer layer 32 may be thick to allow for wear and cushioning of the rider's hands against the reins. The inner layer 32 may be softer and provide a better feel against the rider's hands. Alternatively, as discussed in greater detail below, the glove 10 may be constructed with a single layer.
The glove 10 may be constructed by any material known to one of skill in the art. For example, the inner layer 30 and the outer layer 32 may be constructed from a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, leather, suede, microfiber or any combination thereof. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to a particular material used for the inner layer 30 or the outer layer 32 of the glove 10.
The engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 may be any mechanism that allows the glove 10 to releasably connect to itself and hold a rider's fingers securely in the proper position. The rider should be able to disconnect the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 by spreading apart their fingers. For example, the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 may be magnets, hook and loop attachments (e.g. Velcro® type attachment means) snaps, adhesive strips, or any combination thereof. Regardless of the specific type engagement mechanism used, the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 should have a sufficient release force that will allow the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 to stay connected while the rider is performing maneuvers, but also allow the rider to disconnect the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 by spreading out their fingers. This way, the rider can safely keep their fingers attached to the glove 10 at the proper position, but still easily disconnect the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 if the rider begins to fall off the horse or needs to use their hands for stability.
The specific release force properties of the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 may be customized to the strength of the rider. For example, a glove configured for an adult may require a stronger release force than a glove configured for a child. Each different engagement mechanism 20, 22, 24, 26 may have the same release force, or may have a different release force.
When the engagement mechanisms are magnets, all of the engagement mechanisms may be magnets. Alternatively, one of the engagement mechanisms may be a magnet, while the opposing engagement mechanism may be any material capable of being attracted to a magnet, for example iron.
The engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 may be secured to the glove 10 in any arrangement known to one of skill in the art. For example, as shown in
In another embodiment, as more particularly illustrated in
In another illustrated example, as particularly shown in
In this arrangement, there will be no discernable difference to an observer from a traditional riding glove, except for a slight bulge in the outer layer 32 from the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26. Furthermore, the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 should have an attractive force sufficient to connect the corresponding engagement mechanisms through the outer layer 32 of the glove 10. In this arrangement, it is preferable for the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 to be magnets, which will allow the engagement mechanisms 20, 24 to releasably connect to their corresponding engagement mechanisms 22, 26 through the outer layer 32 of the glove 10.
In another embodiment, as particularly illustrated in
In another embodiment, as more particularly illustrated in
The cover layer 34 may be attached to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10 by any means known to one of skill in the art. For example, the cover layer 34 may be attached by sewing the cover layer 34 to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10. Alternatively, the cover layer 36 may be attached to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10 by an adhesive. Furthermore, the cover layer 34 may be attached to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10 by thermal bonding.
In another embodiment, as more particularly illustrated in
Referring now to
The pocket 36 may be attached to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10 by any means known to one of skill in the art. For example, the pocket 36 may be attached by sewing the pocket 36 to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10. Alternatively, the pocket 36 may be attached to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10 by an adhesive. Furthermore, the pocket 36 may be attached to the outer layer 32 of the glove 10 by thermal bonding.
In another embodiment, as more particularly illustrated in
In another embodiment, as particularly illustrated in
In another embodiment, as particularly illustrated in
Referring now to
The padding layer 42 may help to protect the rider's hands from chaffing against the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26. The padding layer 42 may be any material known to one of skill in the art to cushion an impact between the engagement mechanisms 20, 22, 24, 26 and the rider's hands. For example, the padding layer 42 may be a nonwoven material. Alternatively, the padding layer 42 may be a foam material. Furthermore, the padding layer 42 may be a gel material.
It is to be understood that a padding layer 42 may be positioned anywhere between a rider's finger and the engagement mechanisms and may be employed with any embodiment disclosed herein.
Referring now to
In yet another embodiment, the engagement mechanisms in any example disclosed herein may also be differentiated from the glove by using a different color for the engagement mechanisms than the glove. Thus, when the rider's hands are in the correct position, and the engagement mechanisms are engaged, the differentiated color of the engagement mechanisms will not be able to be seen. This differentiation may also aid the rider in placing the fingertip sections in the correct position on the palm section and the thumbtip section on the correct position on the side index finger section when engaging the engagement mechanisms. Furthermore, the color differentiation may also provide a quick reference to the rider to ensure that their hands have not moved into an improper position. Moreover, an instructor may be able to quickly see if the rider's hands have moved out of position.
Alternatively, the engagement mechanisms may be the same color as the glove. This arrangement would provide a glove that appears to be a standard glove.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations may be made in the systems and methods of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
For example, although the present invention has been described with one engagement mechanism in each section, the present invention could be configured to include more than one engagement mechanism per section in any number of configurations or patterns.
Furthermore, although the present invention has been described with a glove having one or two layers, the present invention could be configured to include a glove having more than two layers.
Moreover, although the present invention has been described in terms of a horseback riding training glove, the present invention could be configured to include training gloves for other sports, such as golf, or other activities where the ability of the user to keep their fingers in a specific position would be helpful.
