Patent Application
20200406121
The present invention relatesto sports apparatus and equipment, and uses thereof, used in playing the game of various sports. The present invention and its multi-sport embodiments enhance the overall performance in athletic tasks or execution during sports play and practice by creating gloves that allow golfers and basketball players better perform hand tasks.
An important goal in playing sports is to win. Often that means proper play execution, good ball control, good grip and feel, and proper form in the sports fundamentals. Gloves and other types of hand covers are permitted in most sports. Many individuals use gloves to enhance, in some way, their competitive edge. Indeed, gloves have become so important that different types of gloves have been created for different sports.
In the sport of golf, to be sure, there exists much prior art in the form of gloves for a golfer's weak (non-dominant) hand. In fact most active golf player swear a glove on their weak hand, and go without a glove for their strong hand (if one were to go to any major store to buy golf gloves, they would be sold and packaged in singles—one glove—not sold in pairs). Gloves are prevalent in golf largely because of the important role that hand grip and control play in a golfer's overall performance.
Although there are many types of gloves for a golfer's weak-hand, they all attempt to maximize a golfer's weak-hand grip without regard to a golfer's weak-hand feel, and hand coordination needs. It is no surprise, therefore, that prior art consists of full-fingered, closed palm (entire palm is covered) gloves. As a result, a typical golfer must rely on his or her weak-hand to provide all of the enhanced grip support from a golf glove, and on his strong-hand to provide all of the ‘feel’ in his golf swing. This of course is a significant weakness as it minimizes tactile sensitivities along the weak hand. Indeed, having direct skin-to-club contact at both ends of a standard, two handed golf grip using the overlapping or interlocking golf grip method would substantially increasing the golfer's ability to complete a proper, hand-unified golf swing.
There is, therefore, an opportunity to invent a device—and significantly improve prior art—that could offer some ‘feel’ ability for the weak-hand, without significantly diminishing that enhanced grip ability that hand covers offer. This new ability to feel the club with both hands—and therefore throughout the entire grip—would increase overall hand control as well as hand coordination of a golfer's club swing, and therefore greater success in competition.
The golf grip and hand coordination are of course very important in successful play execution. In a popular 1989 video titled “Golf for Juniors” by Billy Casper, a golf instructor states “with over 50 years golf experience the two points that we stress are, one, the grip. I firmly believe that the grip is the most important fundamental because it's the only contact that the body has with the golf club and the golf ball.” Coordination is a key aspect and could be enhanced by properly feeling the golf club throughout the entire golf swing.
New art would therefore significantly and substantially enhance golf performance by providing the ability to feel throughout the club grip, for a more stable feel and, equally if not more importantly, also allow a golfer to better feel if one part of the club improperly moves. For example, although prior art golf gloves offer grip capabilities on the fingers of the golfer, it also covers the entire palm area which therefore desensitizes the palm in feeling of any movement by the golf club during a golf swing. By offering a partially open-palm glove with a strategically placed large recess exposing only a portion of the palm would enable the wearer to feel if a slight movement has taken place during a golf swing by the golf club. Slight golf club movements indicate improper golf swing mechanics often resulting in poor golf performance. More specifically, the strongest grip points of a golf grip are around the thumb and forefingers of both hands, as well as along the golfer's metacarpophalangeal joints; these areas of the golfer's hand must therefore be covered by a sports glove to maintain heightened grip to control the golf club when swinging the golf club. A weaker area of a golfer's grip is often along the edge of the weak hand—principally on and around the pinkie finger metacarpal. In fact a common problem for golfers has to do with not being able to keep the golf club from slipping down the edge of the golfer's hand during the golf swing. When slippage happen, the result is a poor and unpredictable impact of the golf club on the golf ball. With this being a common and significant problem in golf, it is important for the golfer to first notice when the golf club slips down the pinkie finger metacarpal and then adjust accordingly. However, as poor ball contact in a golf club swing may be the result of several issues, such as improper golf stance or late unhinging of one's wrists, conventional golf gloves lack a structural feature that allows the wearer to notice whether a poor golf swing was the result of golf club slippage. The golfer is left with having to reflect on poor impact and memory to ponder whether the golf club may have slipped along the pinkie finger metacarpal as opposed to knowing with certainly and immediately when swinging the golf club.
Golf club slippage may occur for several reasons. For example, one performs a downswing by moving the golf club at very high speeds that increase in velocity by unhinging the wrist, all of which can result in a slight movement of the golf club during the golf club downswing. A simple test can more easily reveal this significant problem. Constant swinging of a golf club at real club swing speeds, for example, often results in soreness along and around the edge of the glove, principally on or around the pinkie finger metacarpal and ring finger metacarpal. This soreness can also come from the rubbing or slipping along the area between the club handle and the weak-hand grip before and through golf ball impact. This is especially important in the sport of golf because even the smallest of club slipping—during the golf swing or upon impact of the golf ball—can create enormous inconsistencies and inaccuracies, critical issues in determining overall performance in the sport of golf, for example.
The problem is compounded because prior art gloves completely cover the entire edge and entire palm of the weak hand, minimizing the ability to have much feel in that area, and therefore making it very difficult to notice if there was any movement of the golf club during the downswing of the golf swing.
Therefore, a significant ‘feel’ problem and opportunity currently exists to create a glove that can provide a golfer with the important ability to have a necessary feel of a golf club. Providing a glove that is substantially uncovered in only a select area of the palm—such as below and substantially parallel where the golf club shaft is properly held along the wearer's palm—while leaving other areas of the glove covered to maintain the important grip capabilities of the weak-hand—such as and especially the palm top portion which is defined as all of the wearer's five metacarpophalangeal joints—solves this problem. Creating this solution to the problem allows for high grip capabilities to be maintained where crucial while increasing overall feel, naturally resulting in a more productive performance in golf by, among other things, decreasing inconsistencies and inaccuracies, critical issues in determining overall performance.
In the sport of basketball, there is a significant void when it comes to grip enhancers that one can use to enhance performance, or even simply for aesthetic purposes or for use during actual game play. Although there are several generic multisport gloves in the market today, virtually none of the over 100 million basketball players around the globe use gloves when playing basketball. A primary reason why basketball players choose not to use gloves is that basketball players often need to be able to simultaneously both grip and feel the basketball. Although many hand tasks require a good grip, no art currently exists that would adequately provide these players with enhanced grip capabilities, or enhanced protection, without having to sacrifice the critical ability of being able to properly feel the basketball as well.
One clear hand task in basketball requiring this specific and particular grip and feel combination is in shooting the basketball with the intention of making a score or basket. Conventional jump-shot shooting form requires, among other things, that the player hold the basketball largely with the fingertips of both hands, and creating a small opening between the ball and the palm area of the player's strong-hand. This, in turn, requires that a portion of the palm area—hereinafter called a shooter's gap—remain untouched by the basketball. This shooters gap is especially important when properly shooting free throws as well.
There are several figures from those skilled in the art of basketball that emphasize the same areas where a basketball should be touched by the hand when using proper form. For example, the website dicksbasketballcamp.com, highlights the areas as primarily the fingertips (notably at least the entire distal phalanx of each of the four fingers), the top portion of the palm area (defined as the metacarpophalangeal joints of each of the four fingers), and part of the thumb bulge (notably at least the metacarpal of the thumb). In an authoritative training book, Play Better Basketball (Pruitt, 1982), the author also has essentially delineated the identical areas in its drawing (page 81, and as replicated in
No prior art exist that would increase the gripping abilities along the top portion of a basketball player's hand which touch a basketball when properly shooting the basketball while leaving the rest of the hand—especially the shooters gap region—uncovered and thus free to feel if the basketball is touching the palm area, indications that would mean that the player is improperly shooting the basketball.
Basketball players need to both grip and feel, especially if she misses a shot and needs to adjust accordingly. This need to feel is so important in shooting a basketball that virtually everyone chooses not to wear gloves and instead settles for lesser ball control primarily because they forego wearing a grip enhancing glove.
Referring again to the book Play Better Basketball (1982), Pruitt discusses proper shooting form. “Here are some of the basic things to check for proper form: Are you elevating the ball, i.e., shooting from your forehead and not from the chest, is the ball centered so your arms form a triangle, are you shooting the ball off the heels of your hand and not burying it in your palms or using just the fingertips . . . .” In other words, when using proper shooting form, the basketball touches her hand's heel pad, represented principally by the thumb bulge and the hypothenar eminence. And, by contrast, when using proper shooting form, the basketball should not touch the middle of the palm, principally on and around the middle finger metacarpal & ring finger metacarpal.
Prior art offers limited assistance in maintaining or learning to maintain this shooter's gap. For example there is the SHOTLOCK product that one places on one's hand, that looks and feels like brass knuckles, and is supposed to keep the basketball from touch the center of the palm by physically keeping the ball elevated and away from the palm center. This has major limitations, of course as the device hinders the development in properly developing muscles in the fingers to support elevated ball when not using the device.
Although offering some advantages using prior art, in the form of more generic multisport gloves, these gloves also create major disadvantages that often forces an individual to choose not to use any grip enhancing devices at all because the prior art gloves are not structurally useful. First, most gloves cover the entire palm area, making it impossible to be practically beneficial in the sport of basketball. Second, prior art gloves that offer recesses over the palm area also having significant disadvantages to the point that they too are not used by the millions of individuals playing the sport. Leaving the palm area open much wider than the shooters gap region, for example, significantly diminishes the usefulness and can actually distract a player. Some areas of the palm in fact should touch the ball when using proper shooting form, such as the top portion of the palm, and much of the thumb bulge. Basketball gloves therefore need to leave these areas covered by the glove so that the basketball player can increase the grip and control capabilities in these critical grip areas. There are also other grip products on the market which keep the palm off the basketball. The crucial problem is that some of these products also keep the player's shooting pads below her fingers off the ball. Most of these devices therefore teach a player an incorrect gripping procedure. Limited prior art exist that provide an athlete with the ability to have enhanced control when dribbling a basketball as well. Proper dribbling form is to rarely, if ever, look at the basketball while dribbling said ball—thus one of the critical reasons why one needs to be able to maintain high ‘feel’ ability. Without any extra grip enhancers however, it is difficult to maintain stable control of the basketball. Minimizing turnovers by offering better ball control while dribbling a basketball would dramatically enhance a player's performance. Those players playing the position of Guard may benefit from added grip support especially because they may need to dribble, at least briefly, with their strong hand as well as with their weak hand. Whereas many players would benefit from control enhancers for their strong (dominant) hand, most guards would certainly also benefit from control enhancers for their weak hand.
According to Wikipedia, ‘dribbling is the act of bouncing the ball continuously with one hand, and is a requirement for a player to take steps with the ball. To dribble, a player pushes the ball down towards the ground with the fingertips rather than patting the ball. This ensures greater control.’ Feel is critical if one is to try and not look at the ball while dribbling, and instead looking down the basketball court for opportunities to score. Individuals who play basketball also have to both ‘feel’ and grip a ball to perform properly, and although they too could significantly enhance performance in controlling a ball, prior art forces them to choose all feel as well, and go without any type of grip enhancers. This insoluble problem therefore also exists in dribbling and controlling a basketball, and these players would substantially benefit from developing a way to maintain ‘feel’ while increasing grip capabilities in select areas of the hand. More specifically, new art is needed that could offer enhancers in certain locations of the hand while leaving key areas of the palm uncovered and therefore being able to maintain necessary feel.
Although athletes playing the position of Forward or Center would also benefit by enhanced dribbling abilities, many of the turnovers caused by Forwards and Centers are often the result of dropping passes thrown to them, or from making a bad pass. Offering art that would enhance the ability to better pass or catch a basketball would therefore also enhance overall performance for anyone playing the sport of basketball. For example, there are some problems associated with wet or oily hands that could be solved with new art in the form of a more structurally specific glove for use in the sport of basketball. You often see players wearing cotton wrist bands to keep their hands dry. The conventional solution into either use these wrist bands or using powder on hands before a game starts, however there are clear indications that current remedies are inadequate. A typical game—even a professional game—often can have many turnovers, for example. The Los Angeles Lakers, in a 2011 New Year's Eve game against the Denver Nuggets had 20 turnovers alone, so offering art that would increase ball control while shooting, dribbling, passing or even catching a basketball would significantly enhance performance by, among other things, minimizing turnovers.
Clearly, there is significant and substantial need in inventing new art in the sport of basketball. New art would go a long way in offering a player the following benefits, and more:
The present invention has chiefly to do with the palm of the glove. It concerns a particularly located cutout portion of the palm area of the glove body palmar portion, making embodiments uniquely useful for individuals playing the sports of golf or basketball. This one palm opening recess may of course be of different shapes, dimensions and strategic locations in accordance with the scope of the present invention.
The present invention has a palmar portion overlaying the wearer's palm that has only one large recess of substantial size to enable the exposed palm skin to touch a basketball or golf club when the glove is worn.
The only one large recess extending over the wearer's palm of the present invention does not extend to expose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the pinkie finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger or the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger—also known and defined as the top portion of the glove body palmar portion of the present invention. In addition, the only one large recess is positioned along the glove body palmar portion such that it does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal when the glove is worn.
The present invention also has an open end at the wrist portion of the glove. The open end is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion has a fastener for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in basketball for example.
The unique combination results in maintaining or enhancing the necessary grip capabilities along the critical area of the top portion, while increasing tactile sensitivities along a specific area of the wearer's palm during sports play.
In some embodiments, the only one large recess is positioned principally along the middle of the glove palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a substantial portion of the wearer's middle finger metacarpal when the glove is worn.
In other embodiments the only one large recess is positioned near the edge of the glove body palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a portion of the pinkie finger metacarpal when the glove is worn.
Embodiments may also offer a grip-enhancing means to further enhance the coefficient of friction along select areas compared to the surrounding materials forming the glove body palmar portion. The grip-enhancing means may comprise of various materials forms and designs including, but not limited to, grooves, foams, fabrics, PVC dots, perimeter patching designs, a plurality of projections, a plurality of depressions or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the could comprise of thermal neoprene construction, neoprene coated latex to provide a non-slip grip in oily conditions, polyurethane-coated along the thumb bulge or the glove body palmar top portion for added grip, as these hand locations are important to maintain high grip capabilities. The grip-enhancing means create a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding glove material and thereby significantly increasing grip capabilities along that particular portion of the glove body when the glove is worn.
Embodiments may also provide micro recesses randomly disposed along the glove body dorsal portion, the palmar portion or the finger stalls, for ventilation and moisture management purposes. The micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly are not large enough to enable skin contact with a golf club or basketball as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
The glove body may be constructed with those standard in sport glove construction. Consideration should be given to appropriate materials that can offer moisture and perspiration resistance, such as a neoprene, a leather, or a cotton material. Flexibility and durability are also of importance, such as synthetic leather such as Cabretta leather, urethane and polyurethane materials, a polyester-urethane mesh or a flexible rubber for example. Nylon and spandex may also be considered in the construction of the present invention, such as in the forming of any finger segment stall for example.
One sport where the present invention will meet an unmet need is in the sport of golf. Embodiments significantly improve prior art because of its physical difference and function utility. Prior art do not allow a golfer to take complete advantage of his or her preferred grip, which is often selected to create a strong and complete coordinated golf swing.
An improved sports glove embodiment comprises a glove with one large recess along the palm area closely below and parallel where the golf club crosses along the wearer's palm when properly gripping a golf club. The one large recess is positioned along the glove body palmar portion creating an opening that exposes enough of the palm skin such that the now exposed skin is capable of touching the golf club through the large recess. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable the skin of the palm to touch a golf club when the glove is worn. If one were to compare the features that this invention offers to those of prior art one would immediately see the significant and substantial differences. The present invention provides an immediate feedback mechanism if someone is swinging a golf club improperly during the downswing by providing one large recess strategically located along this select area of the wearer's palm. As a result, the embodiment provides the opportunity of having a much more controlled, unified golf swing by increasing the ability of having the more hand coordinated golf swing and increase the performance in the sport of golf.
Much like there are three basic finger engaging grips when gripping a club (the interlocking, the overlapping and the full-fingered grip), there are also a few ways that the golf club should cross the palm area when gripping a golf club. The website http://perfectgolfswingreview.net/grip.htm, offers a basic description as well as a diagram (replicated in
A new method of swinging a golf club now exists whereby a golfer wears a golf glove embodiment having only one large recess of substantial size to allow the skin of the exposed palm area to touch a golf club, places the glove on the weak (non-dominant) hand and grips a golf club using his or her preferred grip manner, the golf club thereby extending across the glove body palmar portion and above the embodiment's one large recess. In other words, when the golf club resides across the golf glove, the golf club will be above the one large recess and thus will not be touching the skin exposed by the one large recess at the start of the golf swing. The golfer then swings the golf club making impact on a golf ball. Immediately and throughout the swinging of the golf club, the golfer can quickly and easily determine if he used proper golf swing form and not allow the golf club to touch the palm area exposed by the embodiment's one large recess during the golf swing. If the golf club did touch the exposed skin, this would mean that the golf club slipped down the edge of the wearer's hand at some point during the golf swing. When slippage happens, the result is a poor and unpredictable impact of the golf club on the golf ball. After determining that the position of the golf club was maintained throughout the golf swing by recalling if the exposed skin touched the golf club during anytime particularly during the downswing, the wearer can then continue to discern if other aspects of the golf swing form were properly executed such as properly unhinging, for example. If the golf club did touch his palm area principally along the pinkie finger metacarpal, the ring finger metacarpal, or both, exposed by the one large recess, he can quickly adjust his grip and try again because he would now realize that he swung the golf club using improper golf swing form. A critical benefit here is the ability to quickly & accurately assess his golf swing, and thereby being able to adjust accordingly. The result, among other things, is an increased control and better overall performance because, among other reasons, the golfer will be able to quickly identify a critical problem and focus his or her attention on resolving this problem of the golf club slipping during the golf swing.
Golf glove embodiments are significantly different than prior art because they provide a golfer with a glove that offers, among other things, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the edge of the golf glove, or conversely, it heightens the exposed palm skin along the edge (because of the open and exposed area principally along the edge of the palm), creating an extreme difference in tactile sensitivities with the exposed palm edge relative to the area surrounding the open area caused by the one large recess, which is covered by the material forming the glove body.
This, in turn, makes it possible to ‘feel’ if the individual is swinging the golf club using bad form and when he is using proper form; if the golf club touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed edge) then he used improper form but if the club did not touch the skin then proper form was executed.
In order to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a golf club, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the golf club can directly touch the now exposed skin.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be significantly larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the golf club does not touch the exposed skin unless the golf club has moved down the palm of the wearer's hand during the golf swing. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the golf club would touch the exposed skin even though the golf club is in fact being gripped properly. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because of the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin and the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove material; this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the golf club suddenly touches the exposed skin.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The forefinger metacarpophalangeal, for example, plays a major role in weak hand grip and control so exposing a portion of the forefinger metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would substantially diminish the present invention's intended function.
The present invention also provides substantial benefits than prior art generic open palm gloves by isolating and targeting a key area and thereby offering surprising results:
Embodiments of the present invention are also substantially and significantly unique as they have solved a previously insoluble problem with sport gloves, for example, thereby changing the way the sport of basketball can now be played.
Individuals who play basketball have to ‘feel’ as well as control a ball to perform effectively and although they too can significantly enhance performance in controlling a ball by using grip enhancers, prior art forces them to choose between all feel (and therefore, no glove) or no feel, and thereby being able to use a glove. These players would substantially benefit from developing a way to maintain feel while increasing grip capabilities in select areas of the hand, thereby solving this significant issue. This insoluble problem can now be solved by embodiments of the present invention.
One embodiment that would help a player to shoot better comprises a glove where the palm area of the hand is uncovered or open by the one large recess, but only in a specially located region of the middle palm area described above as the shooters gap. For all basketball players, but especially for those who cannot generally shoot a basketball very well, the partially-open palm glove—by providing only one large recess of substantial size to enable skin contact through the recess with a basketball—allows a wearer to feel when they're shooting incorrectly (if the basketball touches around the center of the palm area while attempting a shot at the basket, then there is no shooter's gap, and is therefore generally considered as using bad shooting form). This would especially be true when shooting a basketball from the free-throw line or outside of the perimeter. Eventually, these athletes may not need this embodiment for shooting once they understand and learn to maintain their shooter's gap throughout the basketball shot. The open palm from the only one large recess would also allow for some ventilation as well. The benefits of this glove include the ability to enhance the senses around the uncovered palm (relative to the other parts of the hand which are covered by glove body) so that the basketball player could more easily know when the basketball is touching the palm, generally indicating bad shooting form. The palm opening can vary in size and shape as long as it doesn't extend significantly beyond the middle of the palm area, thereby only exposing the shooter's gap region along the wearer's palm.
The glove is significantly different than prior art because it provides a basketball player with a glove that offers, among other things, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the shooter's gap region by covering it with the glove body, while heightening the palm skin located on the shooter' gap region (principally along the middle of the palm because of the open area caused by the only one large recess). The resulting tactile sensitivities differential creates an immediate feedback mechanism by making it possible to jeer when she is shooting a basketball using bad form and when she is using proper form; if the basketball touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed palm) then she used improper form but if the basketball did not touch the skin then proper form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area.
In order to perform the intended function in the sport of basketball it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a basketball, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the basketball can directly touch the now exposed skin.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be significantly larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the basketball should not touch the exposed skin unless the basketball has violated the shooter's gap region when preparing to shoot or when shooting the basketball. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the basketball would touch the exposed skin even though the basketball is in fact properly held and shot. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin and the surrounding palm area, which is cove red by the material forming the glove body; this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the basketball suddenly touches the exposed skin.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The forefinger metacarpophalangeal, for example, plays a major role in controlling and shooting a basketball so exposing the forefinger metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would substantially diminish the present invention's intended function.
Embodiments could have different lengths and shapes within the scope of the invention. For example, embodiments may have a lightbulb shape design, narrowing down through the heel crease (closely following the lifeline), the length of the embodiment may be close to 2 inches but the width would vary from about 1.5 inches, near but not exposing the top portion of the glove body palmar portion, and narrowing to practically 2 centimeters near the end of the wrist crease, for example.
One of the surprising results is that the glove will give the basketball player the ability to put more backspin on the basketball when shooting the basketball. More backspin would, of course, give the ball the ability of bouncing around the hoop if the basket is not initially made, and providing more of what is commonly known as ‘a shooters touch’. The ability of the wearer to have more backspin would be uniquely created by the glove palmar portion having a top portion that covers the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's fingers in their entirety thus creating increased grip capabilities along the joints that can create the backspin.
A new method of shooting a basketball is hereby asserted whereby a player can place an embodiment on her shooting hand, shoot a basketball in her preferred manner, and immediately upon shooting the ball, she can quickly and easily determine if she used proper shooting form by not allowing the basketball to touch the exposed middle area of her palm. After determining whether the shooters gap was maintained in her shot by recalling if the exposed skin touched the basketball anytime during her shot, she can then continue to discern if other aspects of her shooting form were properly executed such as follow-through, releasing the ball at the right moment, etc. If the basketball did touch her exposed palm skin, however, she would immediately know that she shot the basketball improperly, in which case she would adjust her shot and try again. A critical benefit here is the ability to quickly assess her shot and therefore able to adjust accordingly. The result, among other things, would be an increased shooting percentage and better overall performance because, not only would she be able to adjust her shot with more success, but she would also benefit from the grip enhancing ability that a glove would provide to the other areas of her hand that are now covered by a glove.
The glove is significantly different than prior art because it provides a basketball player with a glove that offers, among other things, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the shooter's gap region, or conversely, it heightens the exposed palm skin (because of the open area principally along the middle of the palm) relative to the area outside of the open area which is covered by the material forming the glove body, thereby making it easy to ‘feel’ if the individual is shooting, dribbling or catching a basketball using bad form. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area or that there be multiple large recesses of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm with the basketball. Multiple large recesses of this size would cause unnecessary confusion as the wearer would no longer know based on tactile feel whether improper basketball shooting form was performed, thus significantly diminishing its intended function.
One often sees basketball players using cotton wrist bands so that they can wipe their hands of perspiration during game play to better ensure that they will not mishandle the basketball, and affectionately be called ‘butterfingers.’ This is especially important in shooting a basketball. The present invention will now allow a wearer to play basketball with a glove thereby significantly diminishing the need to use cotton wrist bands by now allowing the basketball player to now wear a glove, thus solving a previously insoluble problem.
For example, as previously mentioned, proper shooting generally requires that one adheres to certain shooting mechanics. If the basketball touches the middle of the palm area during a shot, it is generally considered bad shooting form. With the basketball glove embodiments, a player could practice shooting with, say
Basketball players have also chosen not to use generic palmless gloves as well. If one were to compare the features that this invention offers, to those of prior art, such as Eyman or Mosley, one would immediately see the significant and substantial differences. The present invention provides an immediate feedback mechanism if someone is shooting improperly; Eyman and Mosley do not. The present invention provides an immediate feedback mechanism if someone is dribbling a basketball improperly; Eyman and Mosley do not. Eyman and Mosley do not offer these because they did not discover that, although a partial palmless glove could offer these benefits, it could only be done if one were to leave only a specific range of the palm open.
Embodiments also satisfy long felt needs when it comes to dribbling a basketball. According to the book “Basketball for High School Players and Coaches,” (1955) Carl Bachman describes proper fundamentals of basketball dribbling: “Certain fundamentals apply to all phases of ball handling: Looseness of finger and wrist action is important, practice spinning the ball on fingertips; a basketball should never touch the heel of the hand and seldom, if ever, touch the palm.” One embodiment of the present invention comprises of an all open-fingered, partially open palm glove for either the strong-hand or the weak-hand. Embodiments may have a radius of up to about 0.75 inches or so, with the midpoint in the exact middle of the palm (the inventors palm, for example, is 4 inches in length and approximately 3 inches in width. So the midpoint in the inventors hand would be 2 inches below the digital crease area and 1.5 inches across the edge of the palm). These embodiments could help a dribbler develop and use proper dribbling form, especially on her weak-hand. This embodiment would more generally help any player, and likely could be used, for example, by those playing the position of Guard while practicing proper dribbling on their strong-hand, as well as Forwards and Centers during actual game play for added support on their weak-hand.
Another embodiment for basketball play is in the form of an all partially-open fingered, partially open palm glove. The palm area would much more narrowly uncovered, say one inch in length and 0.5 inch in width. Additionally, it could have grip enhancing element along the top portion of the palm area. This embodiment would give a basketball player the ability to better catch a ball, thus eliminating the consistent problem often found in Forwards and Centers losing control of passes. The embodiment would also provide a player with a stronger grip on the ball when passing a ball as well as provide some moisture management control, thus minimizing turnovers often caused by passers, especially in Guards. The grip enhancers could comprise PVC dots to provide add grip support, while the shooters gap opening would still allow for sensitivities necessary in shooting success. The narrow or smaller opening would then alert the wearer that the shooters gap had been violated but only if the violation was severe (i.e., she was nearly palming the ball). This might also be a preferred embodiment for those players who already have superior shooting form. Lebron James, for example, is a professional basketball player who has superior shooting form. History shows, however, that in the fourth quarter of a game, even his shooting performance may wane, and he has to quickly assess what part of his shooting mechanics is not being properly executed. This embodiment would give Mr. James the necessary feeling required if he suddenly violates the shooters gap, but again only if the violation is fairly significant. Additionally, many players, including Mr. James, use talcum powder on their hands to ensure they can better catch and control a ball. This embodiment would be a significant improvement to the current method of talcum powder by offering a grip enhancer to the hand with this embodiment.
Among the many benefits that embodiments of the present invention offer are that they allow a wearer to:
Although the description of the present invention only discussed three sports, it is understood that other sports might benefit as well (such as in baseball and football). In addition, only some embodiments have been discussed and in no way is intended to limit all the various embodiments that the present invention provides, such as but not limited to, different designs and recess shapes. For example, embodiments can easily be developed for easy opening, where a part of the back of the hand opens up, using VELCRO. Additionally, these embodiments can be used by men and women, boys and girls, as well as those that whose dominant hand is the right hand or the left. Embodiments can be used in combination with each other. Additionally, the one large recess could be of different shapes and dimensions, according to the scope of the present invention, and could be constructed from different fabrics, for example, to offer a thin layered and light glove embodiment.
It is expressly understood that the following descriptions and drawing are for illustration purposes only, and in no way are intended to limit the scope of the present invention and its various embodiments. For example, the drawings are of drawings of embodiments for the right hand but can easily be created for the left hand, and can be used by men and women, boy and girls.
It is expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In
Substantially the middle of the palm is uncovered 13 by providing only one large recess or opening that is adapted to extend substantially along the middle of the glove body palmar portion and enabling skin contact of the now exposed skin with a basketball when the glove is worn. The recess 13 extending over the wearer's palm leaves uncovered the center of the palm 100 and extends all the way down to the heel crease area 14. The recess narrows down 116 as it approaches the wrist crease 101 such that the width at the distal end is at least about half of the width than the width at the proximal end of the recess. This embodiment leaves only one large recess 13, which could be used particularly during drills, whereby even a slight violation can be felt through the exposed skin by allowing the basketball to touch the palm area the exposed palm skin. This embodiment has a palmar portion that is reinforced 105 with a second material such as a synthetic leather or a urethane material along the top portion 104 of the palm—defined as the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's pinkie finger, ring finger, middle finger and forefinger 104—thereby significantly increasing control of a basketball. The reinforced second material does extend beyond the top portion, and may also comprise of a grip-enhancing of materials forms and designs such as, but not limited to, grooves, foams, fabrics or combinations thereof, creating a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding material forming the glove body palmar portion.
One of the surprising results of covering as well as reinforcing the top portion is that it will give the basketball player the ability to put more backspin on the basketball when shooting the basketball. More backspin would, of course, give the ball the ability of bouncing around the hoop if the basket is not initially made, and providing more of what is commonly known as ‘a shooters touch’. The ability of the wearer to have more backspin would be uniquely created by the glove palmar portion having a top portion that covers the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's fingers in their entirety thus creating increased grip capabilities along the joints that can create the backspin.
The novel features of this embodiment allow a player to focus her attention on maintaining a shooter's gap while attempting a shot, and provides for instant feedback if said shooter's gap region is breached and the shot violates the shooter's gap and touches the open area of the palm exposed by the one large recess 13. The palmar (front) view of the glove 1 is drawn in
In more technical terms, the embodiment glove body has a palmar portion 106 that overlays the wearer's palm and a dorsal portion 107 that overlays the back of the wearer's hand. The glove body palmar portion 106 has only one large recess 13 that exposes a portion of the palm of substantial size to enable the exposed palm skin to touch a basketball when the glove is worn. The only one large recess 13 extending over the wearer's palm of the present invention does not extend to expose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the pinkie finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger or the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger—also known and defined as the top portion 104 of the glove palmar portion of the present invention. In addition, the only one large recess is positioned along the glove palmar portion such that it does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal 108 when the glove is worn.
The only one large recess 13 is positioned to extend principally along the middle of the glove body palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a substantial portion of the wearer's middle finger metacarpal 109 when the glove is worn. A portion of the wearer's ring finger metacarpal 110 is also exposed by the one large recess along the glove body palmar portion.
The one large recess thereby exposes the middle area of the wearer's palm and is of substantial size to allow the now exposed skin to touch a basketball when the glove is worn.
By enabling the skin of the wearer's middle area of the palm, the sports glove now, as aforementioned, provides for instant feedback if the shooter's gap is breached. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm by a basketball when the glove worn. The only one large recess may extend out to abut but does not essentially expose the thumb bulge 111 of the wearer's palm. The one large recess may extend out to abut but does not expose any of the wearer's pinkie metacarpophalangeal joint, ring metacarpophalangeal joint, middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, and thumb metacarpophalangeal joint 104 when the glove is worn. The glove body palmar portion therefore overlays the thumb bulge 111 as well as the pinkie metacarpophalangeal joint, ring metacarpophalangeal joint, middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, and thumb metacarpophalangeal joint 104 when the glove is worn.
The glove is significantly different than prior art because it provides a basketball player with a glove that offers, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the shooter's gap region by covering it with the material forming the glove body, while relatively heightening the palm skin located on the shooter' gap region (principally along the middle of the palm) because of the open area caused by the only one large recess. The resulting tactile sensitivities differential creates an immediate feedback mechanism by making it possible to jeer when she is shooting a basketball using improper shooting form; if the basketball touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed palm) then that means she used improper form, but if the basketball did not touch the skin then proper shooting form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area of the shooter's gap region.
In order to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a basketball, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the basketball can directly touch the exposed skin of the middle of the palm.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be significantly larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the basketball should not touch the exposed skin unless the basketball has violated the shooter's gap region when preparing to shoot or when shooting the basketball. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the basketball would touch the exposed skin even though the basketball is in fact being held and shot properly. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin compared to the surrounding palm area, which is covered by the glove material (and thereby unable to touch the basketball); this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the basketball suddenly touches the exposed skin. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area or that there be more than a multiple large recesses of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm with the basketball. Multiple large recesses of this size would cause unnecessary confusion as the wearer would no longer know based on tactile feel whether improper basketball shooting form was performed, thus significantly diminishing its intended function.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal and thumb metacarpophalangeal, for example, can play a major role when control and shooting a basketball so exposing the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal or thumb metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would substantially diminish the present invention's intended function.
The embodiment may further comprise micro recesses along the glove body palmar and dorsal portions, for moisture management purposes as long as, of course, these micro recesses are not of substantial size to enable skin contact with a basketball. These micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with a basketball as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
Furthermore, the one large recess is preferably also reinforced, preferably by stitching or by hot sealing 112. Constant movement of the wearer's hand increases stress on the integrity of the glove by the continual rubbing and twisting of the one recess when engaging and disengaging a basketball. Therefore the stitching can encircle the one large recess along its edge in order to be effective at preventing tearing along the one large recess. Additionally or alternatively, the one large recess may be sealed. When cutting certain materials such as synthetic materials including synthetic leather it is virtually impossible to keep the edges from fraying and splitting, or from allowing atmospheric moisture to enter into the material through the formed edges, thereby eroding and destroying the glove material. Therefore it is preferable that the one large recess edge be stitched or permanently sealed, preferably by hot knife sealing. The industrial hot knife is preferably used to melt the fabric edge of the one large recess such that the one large recess is sealed thereby preventing fraying, fabric splitting, and atmospheric moisture from entering into the glove body material through the one recess. If the one large recess is not sealed this portion may fray or split eroding the integrity of the glove structure and its valuable and unique benefits to the wearer. Hot knife sealing will also create a smooth finish along the entire one large recess edge. Hot knife sealing can only be performed on certain materials such as synthetic leathers and plastics otherwise the material will burn and cause harm to the glove structure. Cotton material for example will burn and therefore hot knife sealing cannot be performed on that type of material in which case stitching may be more appropriate. Natural materials such as cotton and genuine leather will not hot knife seal well, burning the material and often destroying the glove. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge be formed of an appropriate material and considered.
If the glove body is formed of a rubber or neoprene material, then fraying may not be an issue or course and may not need reinforcement.
In addition, the embodiment has a highlighted area 113 along the perimeter 114 of the one large recess so that trainers can more easily see if a shooting violation is taking place. Preferably the entire perimeter of the one large recess is highlighted with a bright material or coating, such as a fluorescent coating 115, in order to be capable of being seen from a distance when a basketball is being properly held on the wearer's shooting hand when the glove is worn. The one large recess narrows down 116 as it approaches the wrist crease 101 so that it has a smaller width at the distal end 117 compared to at the proximal end 118. As such, the fluorescent portion, for example, can follow along in the same or generally similar pattern as long as it is near to the one large recess to thereby highlight the exposed area.
Additional descriptions of this embodiment, including glove body dorsal portion elements are provided in the description of
In
Furthermore, the embodiment may have a grip enhancing means or be reinforced by a second material across the top portion of the glove body palmar portion, or both, to increase grip and minimize erosion along the top of the wearer's palm. The grip enhancing means are adapted to provide a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding glove body surface. For example, the embodiment has a palmar portion that is reinforced 269 with a second material such as a synthetic leather or a rubber material along the top portion of the palm—defined as the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's pinkie finger, ring finger, middle finger and forefinger—thereby significantly increasing control of a basketball. The reinforced layer is further coated with a grip enhancing means, such as a PVC coating, a latex coating or a silicone coating 269 creates a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding glove body palmar portion, thereby increasing the grip capabilities of the wearer along said palmar top portion when the glove is worn. The grip enhancing means is adapted to not extend beyond said glove palmar top portion so that the remaining palmar portion is free of said grip enhancing means. The glove may also comprise of other grip-enhancing of materials forms and designs such as grooves, foams, fabrics or combinations thereof, creating a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding material forming the glove body palmar portion.
The one large recess is circular in shape 234 having a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge is adapted to abut but not expose a top portion of the wearer's palm, thereby not exposing the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's pinkie finger, ring finger, middle finger or forefinger when the glove is worn. The one large recess is the only large recess along the glove body palmar portion of substantial size to enable the wearer's palm to touch a basketball with the skin of the skin when the glove is worn.
This embodiment is useful with actual game play by its unique glove structure by exposing a critical portion of the middle of the wearer's palm as well as by exposing the wearer's finger tips. In other words, at least the distal phalanx of the pinkie finger, at least the distal phalanx of the ring finger, and at least the distal phalanx of the middle finger are each completely exposed when the glove is worn.
The palmar (front) view of the glove 2 is drawn in
The only one large recess 230 of the embodiment is positioned to extend principally along the middle of the glove body palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a substantial portion of the wearer's middle finger metacarpal 263 when the glove is worn. A portion of the wearer's ring finger metacarpal 237 is also exposed by the one large recess along the glove body palmar portion. The one large recess thereby exposes the middle area of the wearer's palm and is of substantial size to allow the now exposed skin to touch a basketball when the glove is worn.
By exposing the skin of the wearer's middle area of the palm, the sports glove now, as aforementioned, provides for instant feedback if the shooters gap is breached. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm when the glove worn. The only one large recess may extend out to abut but does not essentially expose the thumb bulge 280 of the wearer's palm, certainly not exposing any portion of the thumb metacarpal. The one large recess may extend out to abut but does not expose any of the wearer's pinkie metacarpophalangeal joint, ring metacarpophalangeal joint, middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, and thumb metacarpophalangeal joint 233 when the glove is worn. The glove body palmar portion therefore overlays the thumb bulge as well as the pinkie metacarpophalangeal joint, ring metacarpophalangeal joint, middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, and thumb metacarpophalangeal joint when the glove is worn.
The glove is significantly different than prior art because it provides a basketball player with a glove that offers an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the shooter's gap region by covering it with the material forming the glove body, while relatively heightening the palm skin sensitivities located within the shooter' gap region (principally along the middle of the palm) because of the open area caused by the only one large recess. The resulting tactile sensitivities differential creates an immediate feedback mechanism by making it possible to ‘feel’ when she is shooting a basketball using improper shooting form; if the basketball touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed palm) then that means she used improper form, but if the basketball did not touch the skin then proper form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area of the shooter's gap region.
In order to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a basketball, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the basketball can directly touch the exposed skin of the middle of the palm.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be significantly larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the basketball should not touch the exposed skin unless the basketball has violated the shooter's gap region when preparing to shoot or when shooting the basketball. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the basketball would touch the exposed skin even though the basketball is in fact being held and shot properly. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin compared to the surrounding palm area, which is covered by the glove material (and thereby unable to touch the basketball); this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the basketball suddenly touches the exposed skin.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal and thumb metacarpophalangeal, for example, can play a major role when control and shooting a basketball so exposing the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal or thumb metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would substantially diminish the present invention's intended function.
An additional surprising result resulting from the unique structure of the embodiment is that the glove will give the basketball player the ability to put more backspin on the basketball when shooting the basketball. More backspin would, of course, give the ball the ability of bouncing around the hoop if the basket is not initially made, and providing more of what is commonly known as ‘a shooters touch’. The ability of the wearer to have more backspin would be uniquely created by the glove palmar portion having a top portion that covers the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's fingers in their entirety thus creating increased grip capabilities along the joints that can create the backspin.
The embodiment may further comprise micro recesses along the glove body palmar and dorsal portions, for moisture management purposes as long as, of course, these micro recesses are not of substantial size to enable skin contact with a basketball. These micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with a basketball as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
Furthermore, the one large recess is preferably also reinforced, preferably by stitching 238 or by hot sealing. Constant movement of the wearer's hand increases stress on the integrity of the glove by the continual rubbing and twisting of the one recess when engaging and disengaging a basketball. Therefore the stitching can encircle the one large recess along its edge in order to be effective at preventing tearing along the one large recess. Additionally or alternatively, the one large recess may be sealed. When cutting certain materials such as synthetic materials including synthetic leather it is virtually impossible to keep the edges from fraying and splitting, or from allowing atmospheric moisture to enter into the material through the formed edges, thereby eroding and destroying the glove material. Therefore it is preferable that the one large recess edge be stitched or permanently sealed, preferably by hot knife sealing. The industrial hot knife is preferably used to melt the fabric edge of the one large recess such that the one large recess is sealed thereby preventing fraying, fabric splitting, and atmospheric moisture from entering into the glove body material through the one recess. If the one large recess is not sealed this portion may fray or split eroding the integrity of the glove structure and its valuable and unique benefits to the wearer. Hot knife sealing will also create a smooth finish along the entire one large recess edge. Hot knife sealing can only be performed on certain materials such as synthetic leathers and plastics otherwise the material will burn and cause harm to the glove structure. Cotton material for example will burn and therefore hot knife sealing cannot be performed on that type of material in which case stitching may be more appropriate. Natural materials such as cotton and genuine leather will not hot knife seal well, burning the material and often destroying the glove. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge be formed of an appropriate material. If the glove body is formed of a rubber or neoprene material, then fraying may not be an issue or course.
In addition, the embodiment has a highlighted area 239 along the perimeter of the one large recess so that trainers can more easily see if a shooting violation is taking place while she shoots the ball. Preferably the entire perimeter of the one large recess is highlighted with a bright material or coating, such as a fluorescent coating 241, in order to be capable of being seen from a distance when a basketball is being properly held on the wearer's shooting hand when the glove is worn. The one large recess is circular in shape, such as an oval 242. As such, the fluorescent portion, for example, can follow along in the same or generally similar pattern as long as it is near to the one large recess to thereby highlight the exposed area.
The glove has an open end 244 at the wrist portion 243 of the glove. The open end is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion has a strap means 246 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in basketball for example. The strap means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 247, 248, 249, 250 or other hook and loop structures, snap buttons for releasably securing the strap 251, for example, or other suitable closures thereon. For example, the strap means may comprise a flap which mechanically engages a flap capture mechanism to secure the glove to the wearers hand (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO). The strap means as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.
In basketball, it is becoming critical for players to be able to shoot the basketball from long distances, as shooting the basketball from the three point line is now commonplace for those playing the position of Guard as well as now for Forwards and even Centers. While aim is surely one important aspect of a successful three point shot, so is having stronger hand muscles. The embodiment provides a structural feature of a weight or weights 253, 254, 255, whereby the wearer can now strengthen hand muscles when the glove is worn. The at least one weight 253, 254, 255 may be constructed by any standard manner of making weights, such as made of iron for example. The at least one weight may be integral or manually removable 253, 254, 255 to the glove or using a compartment to hold the weights.
If the at least one weight is integral to the glove, then it is preferable that the embodiment further has an interior liner such that the at least one weight resides between the liner and the dorsal portion surface. In this way the wearer's skin will not touch and be cushioned by the liner 264. The liner material (or sleeve) may be comprised of standard lining materials, such as a smooth, flexible knitted fabric. The liner may also comprise of flexible and elastomeric material such as spandex or LYCRA. Other possible materials include a knit of polyester or simply the same material forming the glove. A soft cellular plastic could also be preferred. Additionally, the liner may provide added features to offer warmth and comfort such as by comprising of a fleece material, for example, especially useful when competing in harsher conditions or during extended practices on the golf range, for example. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other implementations of liners are possible.
If the at least one weight is manually removable 253, 254, 255, the weights may be secured by any standard fastening means, such as by a compartment 256, by magnetism or snap fastening, for example. The illustrated embodiment shows a compartment 256 on the dorsal portion of the glove body. The compartment 256 secures the weights by multiple pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 257, 258, by snap buttons, zippers 259, or other hook and loop structures for releasably securing a flap 260 such as by providing a flap 260 with a flap capture mechanism such as a hookable device such as a plastic bar 281 for example, and VELCRO 257, 258, along with a reinforced zipper mechanism 259 to enclose the weights in the compartment. The compartment of course must be of substantial size to enclose at least one weight in the compartment. The compartment 256 may be structured by any standard manner and can be constructed by any suitable materials, such as by the materials forming the glove embodiment, such as synthetic leather or Nylon, for example.
As the weights on the glove will increase the stress of movement, the embodiment has a strap means 246 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area whereby the strap is of substantial size to wrap around the entire wrist of the wearer when the glove is worn. The result of this unique feature reinforces the glove onto the wearer's hand and minimizes separation between the glove and the wearer's hand when dribbling or shooting a basketball. In other words, the extended strap has a structure that manually extends to overlay the glove body wrist portion palmar and dorsal portions. The extended strap preferably has hook and loop structure fastening interfaces 248, 249, 250 which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO on the front and back surfaces of the extended strap.
The glove body dorsal portion also has a slit 261. The slit allows the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove, and doing so very easily. The combined features of the slit with a strap means are especially valuable to wearers who play a sport of basketball for example, as they allow the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove so as not to disrupt the athlete's concentration, and doing so very easily. The strap is positioned to extend manually over the slit.
The glove also has a distal lateral edge, wherein the glove body palmar portion and the glove body dorsal portion meet at the distal lateral edge. One or a plurality of digital segments may project from the distal lateral edge of the body. A terminal edge 270 is formed at the distal lateral edge creating individual digital ringlets 271, 272, 273, 274 such that a finger can extend past the terminal edge to completely expose the finger when the glove is worn. A terminal edge formed at the distal lateral edge of the embodiment creates separate ringlets 271, 272, 273, 274 such that a forefinger 23, a middle finger 21, and a ring finger 26 can each individually extend past the terminal edge to completely expose the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie finger when the glove is worn. Preferably, each ringlet is stitched or hot sealed to keep the embodiment from fraying.
In
The glove body palmar portion overlaying the wearer's palm has only one large recess 45 that exposes a portion of the palm to enable the exposed skin to touch a golf club when the glove is worn. The only one large recess is positioned near the edge 461 of the glove body palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a portion of the pinkie finger metacarpal 447 when the glove is worn. The only one large recess extending over the wearer's palm of the embodiment does not extend to expose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the pinkie finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger and the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger—also known and defined as the top portion 445 of the glove palmar portion of the present invention. In addition, the only one large recess is positioned along the glove palmar portion such that it does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal 446 to maintain necessary grip capabilities along the top portion while increasing tactile sensitivities along the palm during sports play.
The glove body palmar portion has only one large recess 45 that exposes a portion of the palm of substantial size to enable the exposed palm skin to touch a golf club when the glove is worn.
By exposing a substantial portion of the skin of the wearer's pinkie metacarpal area of the palm to allow skin contact with a golf club, the sports glove now, as aforementioned provides for instant feedback if the golf club substantial slips down the pinkie finger metacarpal during a golfer's downswing and the re by touching the exposed skin, indicating poor golf swing execution. This is primarily due to the heightened tactile sensitivity of the exposed skin relative to the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove body. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm to touch a golf club when the glove worn.
The thumb 40, forefinger 41 and middle fingers 42 are essentially entirely covered when the glove is worn. The ring finger 43 and pinkie finger 44 are also completely covered when the glove is worn. Furthermore, the palm is partially open 45 with one large recess 45 of substantial size to enable the exposed skin by the recess to touch a golf club if the golf club moves during a golf swing. This embodiment is especially valuable to those golfers who grip a golf club positioned along the ‘N’ path 82 as shown in
The embodiment can comprise of various a weather-resistant and perspirant-resistant materials, forms and designs including, but not limited to, water-resistant materials or hole designs for moisture management, or combinations thereof and aforementioned. A suitable material would be Cabretta leather, for example.
Referring more technically to the embodiment drawing, the palmar (front) view of the glove is drawn in
Preferably, a portion of the ring finger metacarpal 448 is also exposed by the one large recess.
The one large recess therefore extends to expose the lower palm, and is adapted to extend between the hypothenar eminence 441 and the base of the middle finger 442, thereby defining the boundary and location of the palm opening. The glove body includes a thumb digital segment 40, a forefinger digital segment 41 and a middle finger digital segment 42 that enclose and completely cover the wearer's thumb, forefinger and middle finger in their entirety, including enclosing the fingertips.
The only one large recess along the glove body palmar portion also certainly does not extend out to expose the thumb bulge 460 of the wearer's palm when the glove is worn, and is therefore completely covered by the glove body palmar portion. The only one large recess extends diagonally 459 across the glove body palmar portion.
The embodiment may also provide micro recesses 463 randomly disposed along the glove body dorsal portion, the palmar portion or the finger stalls, for ventilation as is standard in golf gloves. The micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with the golf club as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
The golf glove embodiment is significantly different than prior art because it provides a golfer with a glove that offers, among other things, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the edge of the golf glove, or conversely, it heightens the exposed palm skin along the edge (because of the open and exposed area along and around the edge of the palm), creating an extreme difference in tactile sensitivities with the exposed palm edge relative to the surrounding area which is covered by the material forming the glove body. This, in turn, makes it possible to ‘feel’ only if the individual is swinging the golf club using bad form; if the golf club touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed edge) then he used improper form but if the club did not touch the skin then proper form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area.
In order to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a golf club, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the golf club can directly touch the now exposed skin.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be substantially larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the golf club does not touch the exposed skin unless the golf club has moved down the palm of the wearer's hand during the golf swing. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the golf club would touch the exposed skin even though the golf club is in fact being gripped properly. In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The forefinger metacarpophalangeal and middle finger metacarpophalangeal, for example, often playa major role in weak hand grip and control, so exposing of portion of the forefinger metacarpophalangeal or middle finger metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would therefore substantially diminish the wearer's ability to grip the golf club.
Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because of the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin and the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove material; this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the golf club suddenly touches the exposed skin. If the glove body palmar portion were to expose any of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's hand it would also diminish the embodiment's intended function and limit the wearer's ability to properly grip the golf club with the metacarpophalangeals as necessary.
Furthermore, the one large recess 45 is also preferably reinforced by stitching 449 or by hot sealing. Constant movement of the wearer's hand increases stress on the integrity of the glove by the continual rubbing and twisting of the one recess edge when engaging and disengaging a golf club. Therefore the stitching can encircle the one large recess along its edge in order to be effective at preventing tearing along the one large recess. Additionally, or alternatively, the one large recess may be sealed. When cutting certain materials such as synthetic materials including synthetic leather it is virtually impossible to keep the edges from fraying and splitting, or from allowing atmospheric moisture to enter into the material through the formed edges, thereby eroding and destroying the glove material. Therefore it is preferable that the one large recess edge be stitched or sealed, preferably by hot knife sealing. The industrial hot knife is preferably used to melt the fabric edge of the one large recess such that the one large recess are sealed thereby preventing fraying, fabric splitting, and atmospheric moisture from entering into the glove body material through the one recess. If the one large recess is not sealed or stitched this portion will likely fray or split eroding the integrity of the glove structure and its valuable and unique benefits to the wearer. Hot knife sealing will also create a smooth finish along the entire one large recess edge. Hot knife sealing can only be performed on certain materials such as synthetic leathers and plastics otherwise the material will burn and cause harm to the glove structure. Cotton material for example will burn and therefore hot knife sealing cannot be performed on that type of material. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge—the areas sealed—be formed of an appropriate material, such as a synthetic material. Natural materials such as cotton and genuine leather will not hot knife seal well, burning the material and often destroying the glove.
The glove has an open end 450 at the wrist portion 451 of the glove. The open end is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion has a strap means 452 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in golf for example. The strap means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 453, 454 or other hook and loop structures for releasably securing the strap, for example, or other structures aforementioned. For example, the strap means may comprise a flap 455 which mechanically engages a flap capture mechanism to secure the glove to the wearers hand (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO). The strap means as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.
The glove body dorsal portion also has a slit 456. The slit allows the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove, and doing so very easily as is important especially in the sport of golf. The combined features of the slit with a strap means are especially valuable to wearers who play a sport of golf for example, as they allow the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove so as not to disrupt the athlete's concentration, and doing so very easily. The strap is positioned to extend manually over the slit. In order to maximize securement of the embodiment around the wearer's hand an elastomeric band 462 is affixed around the glove wrist portion. The wrist portion may be formed integral with the glove or may be attached to the glove by standard methods, such as by sewing.
It is commonly known that wrist bands have been constructed with perspiration absorbing capabilities, allowing an athlete to wipe perspiration away from their face during competition. Where wrist bands are not commonly used, such as in golf play, the athletes are currently left deficient in this area unless they are handed a towel to wipe off the perspiration. As such, a moisture absorbent material 457 may be provided along the dorsal portion of embodiments allowing a wearer to wipe off perspiration commonly on a wearer's face during active sports play. The moisture absorbent material may be secured anywhere along the dorsal surface of the glove body. The moisture absorbent material may be formed of any moisture absorbent material aforementioned, such as, for example, about 1/12 inch terry cloth 458 or absorbent foam stitched onto the dorsal portion surface of the glove body.
This embodiment is very useful especially for those wearers who grip the golf club along the ‘D’ line 81, for example, which is represented in
The glove embodiment can be made of any glove forming material aforementioned, such as Cabretta leather 52, for example, to offer moisture and perspiration resistance. The thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger of the wearer's hand are all entirely covered by the glove thumb stall 53, forefinger stall 54, middle finger stall 55, ring finger stall 56, and pinkie finger stall 57, respectively.
As aforementioned, the glove body palmar portion has a large recess opening 50 positioned such that it exposes the palm 51 of the wearer and is opened closely below the glove body palmar top portion, extending diagonally across the pinkie finger metacarpal and the ring finger metacarpal. A critical portion of the wearer's palm is exposed there by creating heightened tactile sensitivities along the exposed palm area.
The length of the palm opening extends essentially parallel but below the ‘D’ path 151 as aforementioned, and can extend down up to 0.5 to an inch or so, the approximate diameter of a standard golf club shaft. The remaining portion of the wearer's palm is not exposed by the one large recess and is thus essentially covered by the glove body palmar portion including at least the majority of the wearer's hypothenar eminence 152 and is thus without said opening.
Continuing to describe the embodiment from a more technical perspective, the palmar (front) view of the glove embodiment is drawn in
The glove body palmar portion 59 has only one large recess 50 that exposes a portion of the palm of substantial size to enable the exposed palm skin to touch a golf club. As aforementioned, the only one large recess extending over the wearer's palm of the present invention does not extend to expose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the pinkie finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger or the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger—also known and defined as the top portion 545 of the glove palmar portion of the present invention. In addition, the only one large recess is positioned along the glove palmar portion such that it does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal 546 when the glove is worn. The glove body palmar portion material thus overlays the entire top portion as well as the entire thumb metacarpal.
The only one large recess is further positioned near the edge of the glove palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a portion of the pinkie finger metacarpal 547 when the glove is worn. At least a portion of the ring finger metacarpal 548 is also exposed by the one large recess.
By enabling the skin of the wearer's pinkie metacarpal & ring finger metacarpal areas of the palm, the sports glove now, as aforementioned, provides for instant feedback if the golf club substantial slips down the glove body palmar edge during a golfer's downswing, indicating poor golf swing execution. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm with a standard golf club when the glove worn.
The only one large recess also certainly does not extend out to expose the thumb bulge 525 of the wearer's palm when the glove is worn. The only one large recess extends 50 across the glove body palmar portion. Therefore, the material forming the glove body palmar portion also overlays and thereby covers the wearer's thumb bulge when the glove is worn. This is primarily due to the heightened tactile sensitivity of the exposed skin relative to the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove body as the one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm to touch a golf club when the glove worn. By specifically positioning the one large recess as aforementioned, the wearer is able to immediately feel if the golf club slipped below the ‘D’ path position during the golf downswing, indicating poor swing fundamentals.
The embodiment also provides micro recesses 563 randomly disposed along the glove body dorsal portion, the palmar portion or the finger stalls, for ventilation as is standard in golf gloves. These micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with the golf club as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
Golf glove embodiments are significantly different than prior art because they provide a golfer with a glove that offers, among other things, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the edge of the golf glove, or conversely, it heightens the exposed palm skin along the edge (because of the open and exposed area along and around the edge of the palm), creating an extreme difference in tactile sensitivities with the exposed palm edge relative to the area surrounding the large recess which is covered by the material forming the glove body. This, in turn, makes it possible to ‘feel’ only if the individual is swinging the golf club using bad form; if the golf club touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed edge) then he used improper form but if the club did not touch the skin then proper form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area.
In order for the embodiment to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a golf club, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the golf club can directly touch the now exposed skin.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be substantially larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the golf club does not touch the exposed skin unless the golf club has moved down the palm of the wearer's hand during the golf swing. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the golf club would touch the exposed skin even though the golf club is in fact being gripped properly. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because of the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin and the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove material; this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the golf club suddenly touches the exposed skin.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The forefinger metacarpophalangeal, middle finger metacarpophalangeal, ring finger metacarpophalangeal and pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal for example, often playa major role in weak hand grip and control so exposing of portion of the metacarpophalangeals of the wearer's hand would therefore substantially diminish the present invention's intended function and limit the wearer's ability to properly grip the golf club with the metacarpophalangeals as necessary.
Furthermore, the one large recess 50 is also preferably reinforced by stitching 549 or by hot sealing. Constant movement of the wearer's hand increases stress on the integrity of the glove by the continual rubbing and twisting of the one recess edge when engaging and disengaging a golf club. Therefore the stitching can encircle the one large recess along its edge in order to be effective at preventing tearing along the one large recess. Additionally or alternatively, the one large recess may be sealed. When cutting certain materials such as synthetic materials including synthetic leather it is virtually impossible to keep the edges from fraying and splitting, or from allowing atmospheric moisture to enter into the material through the formed edges, thereby eroding and destroying the glove material. Therefore it is preferable that the one large recess edge be stitched or permanently sealed, preferably by hot knife sealing. The industrial hot knife is preferably used to melt the fabric edge of the one large recess such that the one large recess are sealed thereby preventing fraying, fabric splitting, and atmospheric moisture from entering into the glove body material through the one recess. If the one large recess is not sealed or stitched this portion will likely fray or split eroding the integrity of the glove structure and its valuable and unique benefits to the wearer. Hot knife sealing will also create a smooth finish along the entire one large recess edge. Hot knife sealing can only be performed on certain materials such as synthetic leathers and plastics otherwise the material will burn and cause harm to the glove structure. Cotton material for example will burn and therefore hot knife sealing cannot be performed on that type of material. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge—the areas sealed—be formed of an appropriate material, such as a synthetic material. Natural materials such as cotton and genuine leather will not hot knife seal well, burning the material and often destroying the glove. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge be formed of an appropriate material.
The glove has an open end 559 at the wrist portion 560 of the glove. The open end is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion has a strap means 562 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in golf for example. The strap means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 553, 554 or other hook and loop structures for releasably securing the strap, for example, or other structures aforementioned. For example, the strap means may comprise a flap 555 which mechanically engages a flap capture mechanism to secure the glove to the wearers hand (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO). The strap means as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.
The glove body dorsal portion also has a slit 556. The slit allows the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove, and doing so very easily as is important especially in the sport of golf. The combined features of the slit with a strap means are especially valuable to wearers who play a sport of golf for example, as they allow the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove so as not to disrupt the athlete's concentration, and doing so very easily. The strap is positioned to extend manually over the slit. In order to maximize securement of the embodiment around the wearer's hand an elastomeric band 572 is affixed around the glove wrist portion. The wrist portion may be formed integral with the glove or may be attached to the glove by standard methods, such as by sewing.
The materials forming the illustrated embodiment comprise those discussed in reference to the present invention, such as primarily of a leather such as a synthetic leather. Likewise, any previously discussed methods of construction may be applied to this embodiment. This glove body dorsal portion also has a flexible material formed of a more elastic fiber such as spandex 557, along the metacarpophalangeal joints 558 of the wearer's forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger when the glove is worn. Providing a more flexible elastic material over the wearer's metacarpophalangeals allow the wearer to maximize her ability to flex her hand and grip a sports device such as a golf club.
The glove body palmar portion overlaying the wearer's palm has only one large recess 77 that exposes a portion of the palm that is of substantial size to enable the exposed skin to touch a golf club when the glove is worn. The only one large recess is positioned near the edge of the glove palmar portion and is adapted to expose at least a portion of the pinkie finger metacarpal 647 when the glove is worn. The only one large recess extending over the wearer's palm of the present invention does not extend to expose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the pinkie finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger and the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger—also known and defined as the top portion 645 of the glove palmar portion of the present invention. In addition, the only one large recess is positioned along the glove palmar portion such that it does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal 646 when the glove is worn to thereby maintain necessary grip capabilities throughout the wearer's five metacarpophalangeals while increasing tactile sensitivities along the wearer's palm during sports play.
Preferably, a portion of the ring finger metacarpal 648 is also exposed by the one large recess.
The one large recess does not extend to expose the forefinger metacarpal or the thumb metacarpal. By enabling the skin of the wearer's pinkie metacarpal area of the palm, the sports glove now, as aforementioned, provides for instant feedback if the golf club substantial slips down the pinkie finger metacarpal during a golfer's downswing, indicating poor golf swing execution. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm with a golf club when the glove worn.
The only one large recess also certainly does not extend out to expose the thumb bulge 659 or so certainly does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal 646 of the wearer's palm when the glove is worn. The only one large recess extends diagonally 660 across the glove body palmar portion.
By enabling the skin of the wearer's pinkie metacarpal area of the palm, the sports glove now, as aforementioned, provides for instant feedback if the golf club substantial slips down the glove body palmar edge during a golfer's downswing, indicating poor go If swing execution. The one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm with a standard golf club when the glove worn.
The only one large recess also certainly does not extend out to expose the thumb bulge 659 of the wearer's palm when the glove is worn. The only one large recess extends 77 across the glove body palmar portion. Therefore, the material forming the glove body palmar portion also overlays and thereby covers the wearer's thumb bulge when the glove is worn. This is primarily due to the heightened tactile sensitivity of the exposed skin relative to the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove body as the one large recess is the only recess of substantial size to enable skin contact of the wearer's palm to touch a golf club when the glove worn. By specifically positioning the one large recess as aforementioned, the wearer is able immediately feel if the golf club slipped below the ‘C’ path position during the golf downswing, indicating poor swing fundamentals.
This embodiment is especially useful for those uses who grip the golf club along the ‘C’ path line 83 as represented in
The glove includes a glove body whereby the thumb 61, forefinger 62 and middle finger 63 of the wearer's hand are all essentially completely covered when the glove is worn. The wearer's ring finger has its fingertip uncovered 64, therefore the wearer's distal phalanx is exposed. The wearer's pinkie finger top two joints are also uncovered 65, therefore the wearer's distal and middle phalanges are exposed. The glove body therefore includes a thumb stall 68, a forefinger stall 69, a middle finger stall 70, a ring finger stall 71, and a pinkie finger stall 72 each adapted to receive a thumb, forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie finger respectively, therein.
In the illustrated embodiment, the glove is constructed such that the thumb stall, the forefinger stall and the middle finger stall enclose the wearer's thumb, forefinger and middle finger in their entirety, including enclosing the fingertips. In other words, the distal, middle and proximal phalanges of the wearer's thumb, forefinger and middle fingers are all completely covered when the glove is worn.
Additionally, the glove further comprises of ring finger stall 71 that is designed to expose the wearer's fingertip when the glove is worn. The ring finger stall is therefore designed to overlay the proximal and middle phalanges of the wearer's ring finger but leaves the distal phalanx (the fingertip) uncovered. Additionally, the glove further comprises of pinkie finger stall 72 that is designed to expose the wearer's top two joints 65 when the glove is worn. The pinkie finger stall is therefore designed to overlay the wearer's proximal phalanx when the glove is worn.
Golf glove embodiments are significantly different than prior art because they provide a golfer with a glove that offers, among other things, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the edge of the golf glove, or conversely, it heightens the exposed palm skin along the edge (because of the open and exposed area along and around the edge of the palm), creating an extreme difference in tactile sensitivities with the exposed palm edge relative to the surrounding area which is covered by the material forming the glove body. This, in turn, makes it possible to ‘feel’ only if the individual is swinging the golf club using bad form; if the golf club touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed edge) then he know he used improper form but if the club did not touch the skin then proper form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area.
In order to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a golf club, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the golf club can directly touch the now exposed skin.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be substantially larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the golf club does not touch the exposed skin unless the golf club has moved down the palm of the wearer's hand during the golf swing. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the golf club would touch the exposed skin even though the golf club is in fact being gripped properly. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because of the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin and the surrounding palm area which is covered by the glove material; this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the golf club suddenly touches the exposed skin.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The forefinger metacarpophalangeal and middle finger metacarpophalangeal, for example, often playa major role in weak hand grip and control so exposing of portion of the forefinger metacarpophalangeal or middle finger metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would therefore substantially diminish the present invention's intended function and limit the wearer's ability to properly grip the golf club with the metacarpophalangeals as necessary. Likewise, it is therefore important to overlay all of the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints when the glove is worn.
Furthermore, the one large recess 77 is also preferably reinforced by stitching or by hot sealing 649. Constant movement of the wearer's hand increases stress on the integrity of the glove by the continual rubbing and twisting of the one recess edge when engaging and disengaging a golf club. Therefore the stitching can encircle the one large recess along its perimeter edge in order to be effective at preventing tearing along the one large recess. Additionally or alternatively, the one large recess may be sealed. When cutting certain materials such as synthetic materials including synthetic leather it is virtually impossible to keep the edges from fraying and splitting, or from allowing atmospheric moisture to enter into the material through the formed edges, thereby eroding and destroying the glove material. Therefore it is preferable that the one large recess edge be stitched or permanently sealed, preferably by hot knife sealing. The industrial hot knife is preferably used to melt the fabric edge of the one large recess such that the one large recess are sealed thereby preventing fraying, fabric splitting, and atmospheric moisture from entering into the glove body material through the one recess. If the one large recess is not sealed or stitched this portion may fray or split eroding the integrity of the glove structure and its valuable and unique benefits to the wearer. Hot knife sealing will also create a smooth finish along the entire one large recess edge. Hot knife sealing can only be performed on certain materials such as synthetic leathers and plastics otherwise the material will burn and cause harm to the glove structure. Cotton material for example will burn and therefore hot knife sealing cannot be performed on that type of material. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge—the areas sealed—be formed of an appropriate material, such as a synthetic material. Natural materials such as cotton and genuine leather will not hot knife seal well, burning the material and often destroying the glove. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge be formed of an appropriate material.
The embodiment may also provide micro recesses 663 randomly disposed along the glove body dorsal portion, the palmar portion or the finger stalls, for ventilation as is standard in golf gloves. The micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with the golf club as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
The glove has an open end 650 at the wrist portion 651 of the glove. The open end is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion has a strap means 652 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in golf for example. The strap means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 653, 654 or other hook and loop structures for releasably securing the strap, for example, or other structures aforementioned. For example, the strap means may comprise a flap 655 which mechanically engages a flap capture mechanism to secure the glove to the wearers hand (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO). The strap means as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.
In order to maximize securement of the embodiment around the wearer's hand an elastomeric band 662 is affixed around the glove wrist portion. The wrist portion may be formed integral with the glove or may be attached to the glove by standard methods, such as by sewing.
The glove body dorsal portion also has a slit 656. The slit allows the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove, and doing so very easily. The combined features of the slit with a strap means are especially valuable to wearers who play a sport of golf for example, as they allow the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove so as not to disrupt the athlete's concentration, and doing so very easily. The strap is positioned to extend manually over the slit.
The materials forming the illustrated embodiment comprise those discussed in reference to the present invention, such as primarily of a leather or synthetic leather. Likewise, any previously discussed methods of construction may be applied to this embodiment. This glove body dorsal portion may provide a flexible material formed of a more elastic fiber such as spandex 657, along the metacarpophalangeal joints 658 of the wearer's forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger when the glove is worn. Providing a more flexible elastic material over the wearer's metacarpophalangeals allow the wearer to maximize her ability to flex her hand and grip a sports device such as a golf club.
Therefore, the ring finger and pinkie fingers are both all completely uncovered when the glove is worn. In other words, the distal, middle and proximal phalanges of the wearer's ring and pinkie fingers are completely exposed.
The glove therefore also has a distal lateral edge, wherein the glove body palmar portion and the glove body dorsal portion meet at a distal lateral edge. One or more digital segments may project from the distal lateral edge of the body. A terminal edge 119 is formed at the distal lateral edge creating one or more of the individual digital ringlets 120, 121 such that a finger can extend past the terminal edge to completely expose the finger when the glove is worn. The terminal edge formed at the distal lateral edge of the embodiment create the separate ringlets 120, 121 on said distal ends such that a wearer's ring finger 16 and pinkie finger 12 individually extend through said glove and expose the entire ring finger and pinkie finger when the glove is worn.
The glove is therefore constructed such that the thumb digital segment 9 encloses the wearer's thumb in its entirety, including enclosing the fingertip. The glove therefore does not comprise of finger stalls for a wearer's ring finger or middle finger.
The glove has an open end at the wrist portion 123 of the glove. The open end 124 is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion 125 has a strap means 126 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in basketball for example. The strap means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 127, 128 or other hook and loop structures for releasably securing the strap, for example, or other structures aforementioned. For example, the strap means may comprise a flap 129 which mechanically engages a flap capture mechanism to secure the glove to the wearers hand (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO). The strap means as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.
The glove body dorsal portion also has a slit 140. The slit allows the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove, and doing so very easily. The combined features of the slit with a strap means are especially valuable to wearers who play a sport of basketball for example, as they allow the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove so as not to disrupt the athlete's concentration, and doing so very easily. The strap is positioned to extend over the slit.
It is commonly known that wrist bands have been constructed with perspiration absorbing capabilities, allowing an athlete to wipe perspiration away from their face during competition such as in basketball. However, as a basketball player is constantly moving her hand and wrist during play, the wrist bands often move up the wearer's wrists and can thus disturb the basketball player's focus during play. As such, a moisture absorbent material is provided along the glove body dorsal portion allowing the wearer to wipe off perspiration commonly on a wearer's face during active sports play. The moisture absorbent material may be secured anywhere along the dorsal surface of the glove body, preferably along the middle of the glove body dorsal portion 134, along the glove body dorsal portion overlaying the forefinger metacarpal 131, or both. The moisture absorbent material 132 may be formed of any moisture absorbent material aforementioned, such as, for example, about 1/12 inch terry cloth 133 or so, or an absorbent foam stitched onto the dorsal portion surface of the glove body.
As aforementioned, the glove may made of any appropriate materials aforementioned to offer moisture and perspiration resistance. Such as the glove body dorsal portion formed primarily of a polyester fiber while the glove body palmar portion formed primarily of a polyester & polyurethane combination, and may be coated with a silicone to increase grip if preferable.
More specifically, the grip-enhancing means of this embodiment is adapted to overlay the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger 331 when the glove is worn. The textured grip-enhancing means 236 does not extend beyond said metacarpophalangeal joints thereby leaving the rest of the palm free of said grip enhancing means. The grip enhancing means may comprise of a plurality of projections 336, such as PVC dots for example. Providing a grip enhancing means along this portion of the palm will significantly enhance grip capabilities for the wearer, and leaving the rest of the palm portion free of the grip enhancing means will allow the rest of the palm to more easily flex and stretch by not being burdened by the added texturing.
As aforementioned, the glove has one discreet opening created by one large recess 31, and this one opening is adapted to extend substantially in a middle of the palmar portion of the glove and is substantially in the middle of the glove palmar portion, positioned such that it exposes the middle of the wearer's palm when the glove is worn. The one large recess opening follows the edge of the thumb bulge but not on it 32. It is extremely important that the one palm opening of the embodiment is positioned to expose substantially only the middle of the wearer's palm and of a size such that it enables the skin of the wearer's palm to touch a basketball when the glove is worn, while simultaneously providing added grip along the thumb bulge by covering it.
The only one large recess along the glove body palmar portion is positioned principally along the middle of the glove palmar portion thereby exposing a substantial portion of the wearer's middle finger metacarpal when the glove is worn. The only one large recess extending over the wearer's palm of the present invention does not extend to expose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the pinkie finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the ring finger, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the middle finger and the metacarpophalangeal joint of the forefinger—also known and defined as the top portion 331 of the glove palmar portion of the present invention. In addition, the only one large recess is positioned along the glove palmar portion such that it does not extend to expose the thumb metacarpal when the glove is worn. Therefore, the glove body palmar portion overlays the entire pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint, the entire ring finger metacarpophalangeal joint, the entire middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, and the entire forefinger metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand 331 Additionally, the glove body palmar portion overlays the thumb bulge 32 including the entire thumb metacarpal of the wearer's hand when the glove is worn.
The glove is significantly different than prior art because it provides a basketball player with a glove that offers, an immediate feedback mechanism. The glove provides this feedback mechanism by lessening the skin sensitivities outside of the shooter's gap region by covering it with the material forming the glove body, while relatively heightening the palm skin located on the shooter' gap region (principally along the middle of the palm) because of the open area caused by the only one large recess. The resulting tactile sensitivities differential creates an immediate feedback mechanism by making it possible to ‘feel’ when she is shooting a basketball using improper shooting form; if the basketball touches the skin of the palm (via the exposed palm) then that means she used improper form, but if the basketball did not touch the skin then proper form was executed. Therefore, it is important that the one large recess not extend beyond the critical area of the shooter's gap region.
In order to perform the intended function it is critical that location and size of the one large recess be accurately considered. In other words, if the one large recess is not of substantial size for the now exposed palm skin to touch a basketball, the embodiment would be rendered unable to perform its intended function. The ability of the skin of the exposed area created by the one large recess allows the wearer to get immediate feedback by the heightened tactile sensitivities now that the basketball can directly touch the exposed skin of the middle of the palm.
Likewise, the one large recess cannot be significantly larger as it would also significantly diminish its unique capabilities captured from its unique combinations and synergies captured. For example, the strategically placed one large recess is such that the basketball should not touch the exposed skin unless the basketball has violated the shooter's gap region when preparing to shoot or when shooting the basketball. If the one large recess is substantially larger or positioned to extend along the wearer's metacarpophalangeal joints, then the basketball would touch the exposed skin even though the basketball is in fact being held and shot properly. Indeed, one of the surprising benefits of having immediate feedback has to do with heightened tactile sensitivities both because only a specific palm area is substantially exposed, as opposed to being covered by the glove material, and because the significant tactile differences between the exposed skin compared to the surrounding palm area, which is covered by the glove material (and thereby unable to touch the basketball); this major difference in tactile sensitivities make it possible to quickly sense if the basketball suddenly touches the exposed skin.
In fact, as aforementioned, it is important that the only one large recess not extend to expose any of the wearer's metacarpophalangeals when the glove is worn. The pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal and thumb metacarpophalangeal, for example, can play a major role when control and shooting a basketball so exposing the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal or thumb metacarpophalangeal of the wearer's hand would substantially diminish the present invention's intended function.
An additional surprising result resulting from the unique structure of the embodiment is that the glove will give the basketball player the ability to put more backspin on the basketball when shooting the basketball. More backspin would, of course, give the ball the ability of bouncing around the hoop if the basket is not initially made, and providing more of what is commonly known as ‘a shooters touch’. The ability of the wearer to have more backspin would be uniquely created by the glove palmar portion having a top portion that covers the metacarpophalangeal joints of the wearer's fingers in their entirety thus creating increased grip capabilities along the joints that can create the backspin.
The embodiment may further comprise micro recesses along the glove body palmar and dorsal portions, for moisture management purposes as long as, of course, these micro recesses are not of substantial size to enable skin contact with a basketball. These micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with a basketball as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
Furthermore, the one large recess is preferably also reinforced, preferably by stitching 238 or by hot sealing. Constant movement of the wearer's hand increases stress on the integrity of the glove by the continual rubbing and twisting of the one recess when engaging and disengaging a basketball. Therefore the stitching can encircle the one large recess along its edge in order to be effective at preventing tearing along the one large recess. Additionally or alternatively, the one large recess may be sealed. When cutting certain materials such as synthetic materials including synthetic leather it is virtually impossible to keep the edges from fraying and splitting, or from allowing atmospheric moisture to enter into the material through the formed edges, thereby eroding and destroying the glove material. Therefore it is preferable that the one large recess edge be stitched or permanently sealed, preferably by hot knife sealing. The industrial hot knife is preferably used to melt the fabric edge of the one large recess such that the one large recess is sealed thereby preventing fraying, fabric splitting, and atmospheric moisture from entering into the glove body material through the one recess. If the one large recess is not sealed this portion may fray or split eroding the integrity of the glove structure and its valuable and unique benefits to the wearer. Hot knife sealing will also create a smooth finish along the entire one large recess edge. Hot knife sealing can only be performed on certain materials such as synthetic leathers and plastics otherwise the material will burn and cause harm to the glove structure. Cotton material for example will burn and therefore hot knife sealing cannot be performed on that type of material in which case stitching may be more appropriate. Natural materials such as cotton and genuine leather will not hot knife seal well, burning the material and often destroying the glove. It is therefore preferable that at least the materials forming the one large recess edge be formed of an appropriate material.
If the glove body is formed of a rubber or neoprene material, then fraying may not be an issue or course.
The glove has an open end 337 at the wrist portion 338 of the glove. The open end is expansible so as to hold more securely to the wearer's wrist. The glove wrist dorsal portion has a strap means 339 for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, critical in sports activities where the wearer's hand moves very rapidly such as in basketball for example. The strap means may comprise two pads of cohesive-adhesive material such as VELCRO fasteners 340, 341 or other hook and loop structures for releasably securing the strap, for example, or other structures aforementioned. For example, the strap means may comprise a flap 342 which mechanically engages a flap capture mechanism to secure the glove to the wearers hand (e.g., a synthetic hook and loop fastening interface which adheres when pressed together, commonly using VELCRO). The strap means as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.
The embodiment also provides micro recesses randomly disposed along the glove body dorsal portion, for ventilation. This micro recesses are generally about 0.120 millimeters or so in diameter, but certainly not large enough to enable skin contact with the basketball as that would then make the embodiment unable to complete its intended function.
The glove body dorsal portion also has a slit 343. The slit allows the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove, and doing so very easily. The combined features of the slit with a strap means are especially valuable to wearers who play a sport of basketball for example, as they allow the wearer to quickly take off or put on the glove so as not to disrupt the athlete's concentration, and doing so very easily. It is therefore important that the strap is positioned along the glove body dorsal portion to extend manually over the slit.
It is commonly known that wrist bands have been constructed with perspiration absorbing capabilities, allowing an athlete to wipe perspiration away from their face during competition such as in basketball. However, as a basketball player is constantly moving her hand and wrist during play, the wrist bands often move up the wearer's wrists and can thus disturb the basketball player's focus during play. As such, a moisture absorbent material is provided along the glove body dorsal portion allowing the wearer to wipe off perspiration commonly on a wearer's face during active sports play. The moisture absorbent material 345 may be secured anywhere along the dorsal surface of the glove body, preferably along the middle of the glove body dorsal portion, along the glove body dorsal portion overlaying the forefinger metacarpal, or both. The moisture absorbent material may be formed of any moisture absorbent material aforementioned, such as, for example, about 1/12 inch terry cloth or so, or an absorbent foam stitched onto the dorsal portion surface of the glove body.
The materials forming the illustrated embodiment comprise those discussed in reference to the present invention, such as a synthetic leather or neoprene material. Likewise, any previously discussed methods of construction may be applied to this embodiment. This glove body dorsal portion also has a more flexible material, as compared to the surrounding material forming the glove body dorsal portion, formed of a more elastic fiber 352 such as spandex 353, along the metacarpophalangeal joints 354 of the wearer's forefinger, middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger when the glove is worn. Providing a more flexible elastic material over the wearer's metacarpophalangeals allows the wearer to maximize her ability to flex her hand and grip a sports device such as a basketball.
As aforementioned in the specification, a critical benefit here is the ability to quickly assess her shot and therefore being able to adjust accordingly by only exposing the shooter's gap region of the wearer's hand. The benefits of this glove include the ability to enhance the senses around the uncovered palm (relative to the other parts of the hand which are covered) so that the basketball player could more easily know when the basketball is touching the palm, generally indicating bad shooting form. The palm opening can vary in size and shape as long as it doesn't extend significantly beyond substantially the middle of the palm area. Having multiple openings or a much wider opening could diminish tactile sensitivities along the shooter's gap region, a principal objective and advantage of the present invention.
This application is a Continuation-in-Part to application Ser. No. 15/990,776, which is a Continuation-In-Part to application Ser. No. 14/544,887, which is a Continuation to application Ser. No. 13/374,868, filed on Jun. 20, 2012, in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13374868 | Jan 2012 | US |
| Child | 14544887 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15990776 | May 2018 | US |
| Child | 17016382 | US | |
| Parent | 14544887 | Mar 2015 | US |
| Child | 15990776 | US |
