Patent Application
20110219509
In golf, the ability of a golfer to precisely and accurately hit the ball requires a repeated controlled swing of the club. The swing itself is a complex rotation of the body aimed at accelerating the club head to a great speed while orienting the face of the club in a desired direction at the moment of impact with the ball. To achieve precision and accuracy the golfer must be able to repeat a series of complex motions while maintaining alignment of the club face. Cold weather may affect a player's grip upon the club, numbing the hands, wrists and arms thus reducing the player's tactile feedback and decreasing the player's likelihood of being able to obtain a precise and accurate shot. Cold weather constricts blood vessels in the wrists and forearm, reducing blood flow further increasing the numbing sensation in the hand. While a golf glove is widely used by players to prevent callus formation, increase comfort and aid in control of the club, use of traditional mittens or insulating gloves further inhibit the player's tactile feedback, preventing use of mittens or insulating gloves during play. Wet weather also may affect a player's grip by modifying the frictional qualities of the grip, reducing the player's ability to adequately control the club during the swing.
The present invention allows the user to keep his hands, wrists and forearms comfortably warm and dry and allows use of one or more additional gloves if desired while not inhibiting the user's tactile sensation of the grip. While the preferred embodiment envisions the invention's use while golfing, it is to be understood that the invention may be used in other activities and sports including baseball batting and fishing.
An object of the present invention is to protect a user's hands from cold weather conditions while allowing the user to experience the same tactile sensations experienced as when not using the invention by providing an insulating covering that envelops both hands of the user and the handle or grip of the object manipulated.
A second object of the present invention is to protect a user's hands from wet weather conditions while allowing the user to experience the same tactile sensations experienced when not using the invention by providing a water repellant covering that envelops both hands of the user and the handle or grip of the object manipulated.
A third object of the present invention is to protect a user's hands from cold and wet weather conditions while allowing the user to experience the same tactile sensations experienced when not using the invention by providing an insulating and water repellant covering that envelops both hands of the user and the handle or grip of the object manipulated.
A fourth object of the present invention is to protect a user's wrists and lower forearms from cold and/or wet weather conditions by providing an insulating and/or water repellant covering that possesses sleeved hand openings for covering the wrists and lower forearms.
A fifth object of the present invention is to allow ingress an egress of the user's hands into the invention by providing sleeved openings of sufficient width and length to accommodate the user's hands, wrists and forearms.
A sixth object of the present invention is to allow ingress and egress of the handle of the object to be manipulated by providing an opening of sufficient width and length to accommodate the handle of the object to be manipulated.
A seventh object of the present invention is to allow viewing of the user's grip while protecting the user's hands from adverse elements by providing a transparent window in the protective covering.
An eighth object of the present invention is to protect a user's hands from cold and/or wet weather conditions and give visual guidance of proper hand positioning by providing a transparent window in the protective covering with visible markings for hand and/or finger position guidance.
A ninth object of the present invention is protect a user's hands from cold weather conditions while allowing the user to experience the same tactile sensations experienced when not using the invention by providing a covering with an interior pocket for securing a chemical, electric or fuel hand warmer, the invention enveloping both hands of the user and the handle or grip of the object manipulated.
The two handed protective covering may be used in cold and wet weather during a variety of activities where the user desires to maintain the same tactile sensation as when it is not in use in warm dry weather conditions. Such activities may include recreational activities such as golf, baseball, or fishing.
The protective covering includes a central hand portion, a first sleeve portion and a second sleeve portion. The protective covering possesses at least three openings, a first opening for ingress and egress of a user's first hand, a second opening for ingress and egress of a user's second hand and a third opening for ingress an egress of the handle of an object to be manipulated by the user. The first and second sleeve portions extends from the first and second openings respectively.
The central portion is of sufficient size to allow a user to comfortably grip the handle of an object to be manipulated without restricting hand movement during intended use of the handled object. The central hand portion is of sufficient length to envelope both hands while allowing the user to properly grip the handle with both hands, generally one hand positioned slightly further down the handle than the other. The central hand portion may also have a transparent window for viewing the handle and hand position of the user.
Each first and second opening and sleeve portion is of sufficient diameter to allow ingress and egress of the user's hand into the central hand portion of the covering while resisting entry of moisture and preventing loss of heat from the central hand portion. Each sleeve is of sufficient length to cover and protect the user's wrists and lower forearms from cold or wet weather. For instance, when used to keep the user's hands, wrists and forearms warm and dry while playing golf, the sleeves should be of sufficient length to cover the lower forearm during initial set-up of the swing and during swing and in the finish position. In the preferred embodiment, the sleeves of the two handed protective covering will touch or overlap the user's long sleeved sweater or jacket during all phases of swing.
The two handed covering is constructed from materials selected to achieve desired wind resistance, breathability, water resistance and insulating characteristics. In the preferred embodiment, the two handed covering is constructed from an insulating hydrophobic material such as synthetic fleece. Other flexible materials and fabrics, including nylon, polypropylene, polyester, and leather may be used to construct the covering. Two or more layers of fabric may be used to achieve the desired insulating and water repellant qualities, such as using a water repellant nylon outer shell combined with an insulating polar fleece inner layer. Various coatings and/or treatments may be applied to the material used to construct the two handed covering, including silicone, polyurethane, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to increase the material's water and/or wind resistance.
A pocket may optionally be positioned in the interior of the central hand portion to hold a hand warmer to generate additional warmth for the user. The pocket should be of sufficient size to accommodate a commercially available chemical, electric, or fuel powered hand warmer. A closure fastener, such as a snap, zipper, or hook-and-loop closure, secures the hand warmer in place to prevent its movement inside the two handed covering during use.
A transparent window is optionally positioned between the first and second opening and the third opening to permit view of the user's grip. The window is preferably constructed of a transparent material, such as plexiglass, polycarbonate, or vinyl. The window may be attached to the central portion in a permanent manner including bonding, gluing or sewing the window in place. Alternatively the window may be removably attached so that it can be removed and replaced when desired. The window may be removably attached with any removable fastener, including snaps, hook-and-loop material, buttons, zipper, magnetic fasteners, hook and eye, and slot and tab type fasteners.
Optionally a visual aid is included to help the user achieve a proper grip. In one embodiment markings upon the window visually help the user to obtain a proper grip. In a preferred embodiment, a golf grip is printed upon the window with markings indicating the proper position of the left and right hand thumbs and forefingers such that the golfer can be reminded of where the hands should be placed on the grip of the golf club. This window will allow the user to see his or her grip upon the handle in addition to feeling it. Alternatively, where a window is permanently attached to the two handed covering, a separate visual aid for the user's reference may be positioned over the permanently attached window.
The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
The drawings illustrate an apparatus that enable a user to grip the handle of object they intend to manipulate, particularly a golf club, while keeping the user's hands, wrists, lower forearms, and handle of the object warm and dry.
The protective covering 11 is constructed from a fabric chosen for the desired thermal and/or water resistance properties. The protective covering 11 may be lined or left unlined, and the fabric selected may possess multiple bonded layers to achieve the desired thermal retentive or water resistance properties.
