Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD
moll The present innovations generally addresses athletic gloves for use
in inclement
weather, and more particularly, includes, an Athletic Glove With Enhanced
Tactile Feel.
BACKGROUND
[own] Many sports are played in inclement weather and as seasons lengthen
and training
extends throughout all weather conditions, even those athletes playing
traditionally warm weather
sports are more frequently faced with extreme weather conditions, including
freezing or near
freezing temperature. These conditions hinder and impair the athlete's ability
to perform at the
highest level and create increased risks of injuries.
[0003] Baseball is one such sport meant to be played and practiced in
pristine conditions,
ideally warm weather with no precipitation. More recently, however, baseball
and other fair
weather sports are often played and practiced at all different temperatures in
all different types of
inclement weather. Indeed, Major League Baseball games in the United States,
which begin in
early April and can extend into November, have been played more and more
frequently in sub-
freezing temperatures.
[0004] In the context of baseball, throwing is critical. In cold
conditions the hand loses
mobility and functionality as the ligaments, tendons and muscles are subjected
to the elements.
Sub-freezing and even sub-mild temperatures cause the fingers to loose optimal
feeling as well.
These conditions makes feeling the baseball and throwing it with accuracy
increasingly difficult.
[0005] While athletes and players can wear traditional athletic gloves to
try to keep the
muscles, ligaments and tendons warm in sever conditions, all of the known
solutions severely
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impair and degrade an athlete's ability to throw the ball, and none are
especially adapted for use
in fielding and throwing a ball. Specifically, known athletic gloves either
lack the tactile feel a
player needs to accurately throw the ball, or do not isolate the tactile
portions of the glove to the
key contact points between the athlete's hand and the game ball.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure solves the above needs and deficiencies with
known athletic
gloves which have not been developed or adapted to be worn on a player's
throwing hand. The
present disclosure provides an athletic glove with a selectively enhanced grip
and improved range
of motion allowing games such as baseball to be played and practiced,
effectively and comfortably
in inclement weather conditions.
[0007] The enhanced athletic glove may include a front and back portions
joined to form
the body of the glove, four finger portions, a thumb portion and an opening
for receiving the hand,
as well as, a strap, cinch or other mechanism for holding the glove on the
hand. The glove may be
composed of a primary layer of flexible material with a low coefficient of
friction or low adhesive
properties, and tactile portions or layers with a high coefficient of friction
or high adhesive
properties on the front and/or side portions of the throwing fingers, whereby
an athlete may achieve
a natural tactile feel while wearing the glove.
[0008] For example, a glove for use by a baseball player may include high
coefficient of
friction materials on the thumb, pointer, and middle fingers while the palm
and remaining digits
are of a low coefficient of friction material with respect to the game ball
material. A baseball glove
may additionally include high coefficient of friction material on the inner
side of the ring finger
and thumb where the ring finger and thumb, respectively, contact a baseball.
In other forms, a
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softball glove where all fingers are used in throwing may include a high
friction material on the
front portion of the thumb and four fingers and have a low friction material
on the palm. The
athletic glove may also include channels such as striations, furrows or pits
in the high coefficient
of friction areas to improve tactile feel in wet playing conditions.
[0009] While the benefits and advantages of the athletic glove disclosed
herein are
generally described with respect to a baseball glove, the disclosed concepts
have a broad range of
uses, including other sports and activities where different grip patterns may
be advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
mom The accompanying drawings illustrate various non-limiting,
examples, innovative
aspects in accordance with the present descriptions:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of the Error!
Reference
source not found.;
[0012] FIG. 2a shows a front view of one embodiment of the Error!
Reference source
not found.;
[0013] FIG. 2b shows a back view of one embodiment of the Athletic Glove
illustrative a
thumb grip.
[0014] FIG. 3a shows a front view of a single phalange embodiment of the
Error!
Reference source not found.;
[0015] FIG. 3b shows a front view of a double phalanges embodiment of the
Error!
Reference source not found.;
,
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[0016] FIG. 4a shows a back view of an embodiment of the Error! Reference
source not
found. in a closed position;
[0017] FIG. 4b shows a back view of an embodiment of the Error! Reference
source not
found. in a open position;
[0018] FIG. 5a shows a front view of a double phalanges embodiment of the
Error!
Reference source not found. for softball; and
[0019] FIG. 5b shows a front view of a triple phalanges embodiment of the
Error!
Reference source not found. for softball.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Introduction
[0020] In simplified overview, an athletic glove is described herein for
improving athletic
performance in less than ideal or adverse weather conditions. For example, in
inclement weather
during baseball games, the hand, a volatile extremity loses mobility and
functionality as the
ligaments, tendons and muscles are subjected to the elements. Freezing and sub-
mild temperatures
cause the fingers to loose optimal feeling as well. This makes feeling and
throwing a game ball,
such as a baseball, with accuracy increasingly difficult. The disclosure
herein solves these
problems.
[0021] Specifically, the disclosed athletic glove creates an essential and
necessary
covering to keep the hand at an optimal temperature for mobility and
performance while
maintaining an enhanced tactile feel. In one embodiment, the enhanced
performance athletic glove
may be achieved by a glove made of an insulating material with an exterior
surface having a
,
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generally low coefficient of friction, wherein preferably only the pressure
point contacts of the
glove are enhanced with a higher coefficient of friction material, such as,
silicone. For example,
a synthetic skin substitute, on the front of the fingers (e.g., pointer finger
and middle finger) as
well as on the thumb may be used to enable the athlete to touch the ball with
a tactile, skin-like
material, while also keeping the hand warm.
[0022] In one example, in the context of a baseball glove for protecting
the throwing hand
from the elements while maintaining a natural tactile feel on the ball, the
glove may have silicone
or other high coefficient of friction material at the point contacts with a
baseball. These point
contacts are preferably restricted to a high coefficient of friction material
contact or exterior
surface, such as silicone, on the pad of the thumb which also wraps around the
side of the thumb
up toward the cuticle of the thumb nail, the inside portion of the ring
finger, and in various
configurations the pads or distal phalanges of the front of the middle and
index finger. In
alternative embodiments, the high coefficient of friction surfaces may also
cover the proximal and
medial phalanges of the middle and index finger.
[0023] While the disclosure herein is presented in the context of a
baseball glove and with
respect to particular materials by example, it will be understood by those of
ordinary skill in the
art that the concepts may be applied to other sport gloves where a natural
tactile feel is necessary
to maintain a high level of skill and performance and to the use of other
materials. With the
foregoing overview in mind, specific details will now be presented, bearing in
mind that these
details are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be
exclusive.
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Cold Weather Baseball Glove
[0024] FIG.
1, illustrates in simplified form, one example arrangement of the athletic
glove described herein for use by baseball players or other games using a
baseball sized game ball.
As shown in FIG. 1, an athletic glove is provided that is capable of being
worn on the throwing
hand of an athlete and engaging with a game ball, such as a baseball.
[0025] The
glove shape is preferably in the form of a traditional glove, having a front
portion (see FIGS. 3a and 3b) covering the ventral portion of the hand
including palm (160), the
pinky (110), ring (120), middle (130), and index (140) fingers and thumb
(150), and a back portion
(see FIGS 4a and 4b) covering the dorsal portion of the hand including the
back of the hand
opposite the palm (260) and the dorsal portions of the pinky (210), ring
(220), middle (230), and
index (240) fingers, and thumb (250). The front ventral portion mates with and
engages the back
dorsal portion to form a glove having an interior surface (not shown) which
rests against the hand
and an exterior surface (shown in all Figures) exposed to the elements. At one
end of the glove is
an opening (190) for receiving a hand and which is arranged around the
player's wrist when the
glove is being worn. The glove may also include a mechanism (180) to secure
the glove to a
player's hand. The securing mechanism may be of any known type including a
cinch cord, Velcro
type strap, snap or elastic.
[0026] The
body or base of the glove is preferably made from an insulating material such
as neoprene but may include any material suitable for a glove including such
materials as leather
or leather like substitutes (sheep or goat skin), cotton, wool, or spandex,
nylon, polyester or other
synthetic fibers, or combinations thereof. The glove is preferably made from
woven material for
breathability and typically has an exterior surface with a low coefficient of
friction against sports
balls such as neoprene on a baseball, softball or football made of leather or
synthetic leather
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materials such as vinyl. The woven material may be cut to shape and sewn to
form the glove, or
may be woven into the glove shape. Alternatively, in other embodiments the
glove could be
molded to shape.
[0027] The enhanced athletic glove preferably includes high coefficient of
friction
materials at the typical contact points on a player's hand that engage with
the ball when throwing.
Referring to FIG. 2a, these contact points may include the ventral or front
surfaces of the middle
finger (132, 134, 136) and index finger (142, 144, 146), as well as, the front
thumb portion (152)
and inside or inwardly facing thumb portion (154). FIG. 2b illustrates the
glove with the thumb
extended to depict the positioning of the high coefficient of friction area
(154) around the side of
the thumb. In addition, referring back to FIG. 1, it is preferable to include
a high coefficient of
friction material on the inside or inwardly facing portion (122) of the ring
finger (120). As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the thumb and fingers are arranged and illustrated in
the gripping position for
throwing the baseball wherein the contact or pressure points discussed above
are arranged in the
spherical shape of a ball.
[0028] It is preferable that the high coefficient of friction material be
confined to these
primary contact points and not extend to other areas outside of the contact
region and immediate
vicinity that may graze the ball during the throwing motions and provide
unnatural friction against
the ball. For example, in a baseball glove, it is preferable that the front or
ventral surface of the
pinky finger (110) and ring finger (120) and palm (160) have an exterior
surface of low friction
material.
[0029] Referring back to FIG. 1, in one preferred embodiment the high
coefficient of
friction material covers the front of all three phalanges of the middle finger
(130) and index finger
(140). This material is illustrated by high coefficient of friction pads (132,
134, 136, 142, 144,
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,
146). FIGS. 3a and 3b, illustrate alternate embodiments of the disclosure
which restricts the
presence of high coefficient material to the primary pressure point contacts
in the example of a
baseball glove. In FIG. 3b, the high coefficient of friction material is
present only on the distal
and medial phalanges (132, 134, 142, 144) of the middle and index finger, and
in FIG. 3a the high
coefficient of friction material is limited to the distal phalanges (132, 142)
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b, it is preferably that
the high coefficient of
friction material not extend over the joint area between the phalanges where
the fingers flex or
bend. The absence of material from this area beneficially relieves strain or
compressive opposition
to movement that would potentially arise if additional material were placed in
the region. The
absence or reduction of high coefficient material from the area is therefore
preferred to improve
mobility while not detracting from the enhanced grip and tactile feel. Such
benefit may also be
achieved by adding a detent or cut away in the joint region.
[0031] The high coefficient of friction material is preferable a
silicone or rubber based
material or substance. The material may comprise a fabric or other woven base
which permits it
to be cut or sewn in place, or may be formed by adhesion or application
directly to the glove base
or low coefficient of friction material or substrate. While silicone based
materials provide a
preferred tactile feel and grip, it is possible to use other materials which
have a similarly high
coefficient of friction against the material of a baseball. These material may
include those with
high coefficients of friction or strong adhesion, as well as, other that have
improved adhesive or
friction properties when wet.
[0032] In wet or damp weather conditions, the coefficient of
friction between the glove
and game ball can be reduced with adverse consequences. Accordingly, in some
embodiments the
high coefficient of friction areas or portions may be further enhance with
channels (170), such as,
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pits, grooves, furrows or the like. The addition of channels in the material
helps shed water and
moisture to maintain a high coefficient of friction, and maintain the player's
grip and tactile feel
on the ball. The texture of the channels or grip pattern may be of a variety
of shapes or
arrangements. In one embodiment the channels or grip pattern is in the form of
two small
perpendicular channels that form a plurality of v-shaped pits. While this is
one exemplary shape,
it will be appreciated that there are many shapes that can also increase grip
in wet weather
conditions, including channels or pits with shape edges or ridges at the
surface contact with the
ball.
[0033] In some embodiments the enhanced athletic glove also includes a
securing
mechanism to help secure the glove to the player's hand. Referring to FIGS. 4a
and 4b, the back
or dorsal side of one embodiment of the enhanced athletic glove is shown,
including dorsal side of
fingers (210, 220, 230, 240) and thumb (250), as well as, the high coefficient
of friction area (154)
extending around the inwardly or inside facing side of the thumb portion.
Referring to FIG 4a, a
Velcro type securing mechanism is illustrated in a secure position for
securing the glove to the
player's hand. FIG. 4b shows the securing mechanism in an open position. While
in this
embodiment a Velcro type strap is shown, it will be appreciated that other
mechanisms may be
used to secure the glove, including, a cinch cord, Velcro type strap, snap or
elastic.
Cold Weather Softball Glove
[0034] FIG. 5a and 5b, depict yet another embodiment of the enhanced
athletic glove in
which the pressure point contacts of high coefficient of friction material
have been expanded to
match the point contacts of a softball. In these embodiments, the high
coefficient of friction
material is extended to the pinky finger (110) and ring finger (120). In FIG
5a, the distal phalanges
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(112, 122, 132, 142) and medial phalanges (114, 124, 134, 144) of the fingers
are covered with
high coefficient of friction material, as well as, the thumb pad (152) and
thumb side (154). In the
alternative embodiment in FIG 5b, the high coefficient of friction material
has been extended to
the proximal phalanges (116, 126, 136, 146).
[0035] In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 5a and 5b, the enhanced
athletic glove
provides softball players with improved warmth, grip and tactile feel in cold
or inclement weather
conditions. This embodiment may also include the additional feature described
above in the
context of the baseball glove, including, channels in the high coefficient of
friction material and a
securing mechanism. Similarly, those of skill in the art will appreciate that
all of the materials and
means of construction discussed above are equally applicable to other glove
variants including the
softball glove.
[0036] It should be understood that this description (including the
figures) is only
representative of some illustrative embodiments. For the convenience of the
reader, the above
description has focused on representative samples of all possible embodiments,
and samples that
teaches the principles of the invention. The description has not attempted to
exhaustively
enumerate all possible variations. That alternate embodiments may not have
been presented for a
specific portion of the invention, or that further undescribed alternate
embodiments may be
available for a portion, is not to be considered a disclaimer of those
alternate embodiments. One
of ordinary skill will appreciate that many of those undescribed embodiments
incorporate the same
principles of the invention as claimed and others are equivalent.
