Identification Of Baseball Gloves

Abstract

A baseball glove that has an inner portion that is capable of containing an identifier of the glove.

Description

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new form of identifier of baseball gloves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball gloves are used in sports and usually belong to participants. They can be costly but can increase in value as collectibles. Participants like to have their names on gloves to confirm their ownership. Accordingly, there are reasons to mark gloves with their owner's names.

A preferred identification of owners of baseball gloves who want their names on the gloves is a laborious procedure. The procedure typically involves the disassembling of the glove in order to remove a leather panel from it. The name is individually embroidered onto the leather by a specialist. At present, it usually takes between eight and ten weeks for a glove to undergo this procedure. This service is offered by Custom Embroidery Service and is incorporated by reference.

Another method of identifying the glove is to mark the name on an iron-on custom glove decal. Such a decal is offered at Etsy and measures ⅝ inch tall and about 4 inches wide. A disadvantage of this method is that the identification will fade with use of the glove.

Another method is a label identifying the owner which is attached to the glove.

A further method of identifying the glove that is less time consuming is to apply the name with a permanent marker to the exterior of the glove. This method has a disadvantage of damaging the value of the glove by the marking itself. The marking has a further disadvantage as it is hard to remove if there is a change in ownership of the glove.

All of these methods comprise the affixing of the name of the owner of the glove to an external surface of the glove or as an attachment near the glove. As noted above, these methods have the disadvantage that the name fades through use of the glove and may constitute a problem due to a change in ownership of the glove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to use a process to provide a glove that can be identified without delay. It is a further object of this invention to provide a glove that can have a change of ownership identified without delay.

It is a further object of this invention that avoids subjecting the glove to marking on the surface of the glove.

It is a further object to avoid loss of identification by an erosion of the identifier by use.

These objectives are accomplished by creating on a part of the glove an inner portion capable of holding an identifier of the glove. The inner portion of the glove creates an opening in which the identifier such as a label, card or even an embroidered name can be placed. A window portion provides a cover that protects the identifier and surface of the glove.

In summary, the glove can hold an identifier of the owner of the glove. The inner portion protects that portion of the glove and identifier from damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baseball glove showing an inner portion of the glove with an illustration of the marking of an identifier.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a baseball glove showing the same portion of a glove but without the illustration of the marking of the identifier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspectives of baseball gloves with the portion of the glove that has an inner portion. The preferred location of the inner portion of the glove is where the glove has a continuous surface.

Turning to FIG. 1, the hatched areas of the glove identify an inner portion of the glove and illustrate the marking of an identifier.

The step of adding the inner portion creates a relatively small opening that is sufficient to contain the identifier. The size of the opening may be no more than two inches by three inches. The inner portion is incorporated in the glove to form a tight seal that protects the inner portion from moisture and wear due to usage of the glove. The portion should have a recess on the outer surface that can be opened to allow replacement of one identifier with another. The portion of the glove must be extremely durable and capable of absorbing an impact of a baseball without damage to the identifier or the glove. The outer surface of the portion or window may be made of several materials including plastic. It is preferable that the window is transparent to allow easy access to the information on the identifier. Normally the window covers an area that is inside the glove.

FIG. 2 is identical to FIG. 1 without any hatched areas.

Claims

1. A baseball glove that has an inner portion capable of holding an identifier of the glove wherein the window containing the identifier protects the identifier from damage.

2. The baseball glove according to claim 1 wherein the identifier of the glove is a label contained in a space formed by the window portion of the glove.

3. The baseball glove according to claim 1 wherein the inner portion is covered by a window made of plastic.

4. The baseball glove according to claim 1 wherein the window is transparent.

5. A baseball glove that has an identifier that is contained inside of the glove.

6. The baseball glove according to claim 5 wherein the identifier of the glove is a label contained in a space inside the glove.

7. The baseball glove according to claim 5 wherein the identifier is held within a portion of the glove containing a window made of plastic.

8. The baseball glove according to claim 5 wherein the window portion is transparent.