US20190223527A1 - Gripping glove - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gripping glove with a gripping attachment disposed on the palm of the glove. To provide flexibility and friction enhancement, the gripping attachment can be a natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties, such as rubber. The gripping attachment is structured and arranged to wrap at least partly around an elongated object when the elongated object is grasped. The elongated object can be a piece of sports equipment, such as a golf club or a handle of a racquet or a paddle, a handle of a tool such as a hammer, a chisel, or a file, etc.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a glove with an attachment for ensuring a proper grip of an elongated object.
2. Description of the Related Art
• In many cases, it is important to hold an elongated object such as a piece of sports equipment properly to obtain a desired effect or outcome. As an example, in golf, the golfer must carefully grasp the golf club to ensure that the club head hits the ball in such a way that the ball reaches the intended target. A common problem is that the club handle is either held too tightly or loosely, or at the wrong angle. Similarly, in other sports, such as racquetball and tennis, holding the handle of the racquet or paddle properly is critical. Additionally, there are many other endeavors where proper form is important when gripping an elongated object.
• Traditionally, various types of gloves are available to be worn to address grip and comfort. In golf, for example, players sometimes wear a thin leather golf glove. Similarly, baseball and tennis players are sometimes seen wearing gloves, as are construction workers and artisans who work with various tools. Although such gloves can be better suited than one's own bare hands, they do not improve technique or form.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• One aspect of the disclosure relates to a gripping glove with a gripping attachment disposed on the palm of the glove. To provide flexibility and friction enhancement, the gripping attachment can be a natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties, such as rubber. The gripping attachment is structured and arranged to wrap at least partly around an elongated object when the elongated object is grasped. The elongated object can be a piece of sports equipment, such as a golf club or a handle of a racquet or a paddle. In other embodiments, the elongated object can be the handle of a tool such as a hammer, a chisel, or a file. In other embodiments, the elongated object can be the handle of a vehicle such as a motorcycle or bicycle. In still other embodiments, the elongated object can be another type of object other than these examples.
• In an embodiment, the gripping attachment can be sewn, stapled, or bonded to the glove using an adhesive or the like. In other embodiments, the gripping attachment is removable from the glove, e.g., using a hook-and-loop fastener. It still other embodiments, the gripping attachment is integral with the glove without using an attachment mechanism. For example, the glove and the glove attachment could be molded together, or printed using a 3D printer (using the same or different materials for the component parts).
• In an embodiment, the gripping attachment includes a roughly flat middle area surrounded on two opposite sides by elevated structures (ridges). In an embodiment, the ridges curve upwardly on sides facing the middle area forming concave structures on those sides. Additionally, the gripping attachment can include a plurality of extension pieces that extend onto portions of a plurality of respective finger coverings of the glove. In an embodiment, the gripping attachment includes a first ridge and a second ridge, wherein the first ridge is continuous, and the second ridge is discontinuous and includes extension piece extending onto several of the glove's finger coverings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary glove with a gripping attachment, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the gripping attachment itself, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a fitting of the exemplary glove with gripping attachment, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 4 illustrates usage of the exemplary glove with gripping attachment, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a top view of the gripping attachment, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a portion of the gripping attachment, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a gripping attachment, according to another embodiment.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a gripping attachment, according to yet another embodiment.
• FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary glove with the gripping attachment ofFIG. 8 attached thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring toFIG. 1, anexemplary gripping glove100, according to an embodiment, is illustrated. As shown, thegripping glove100 includes agripping attachment50 that is attached to the palm of aglove80 usingstitching51. To provide flexibility and friction enhancement, thegripping attachment50 can be an elastomer such as a natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties, such as rubber. In an embodiment, thegripping attachment50 can be sewn (such as is illustrated), stapled, bonded, or otherwise permanently fastened to theglove80. In other embodiments, thegripping attachment50 is removably attached to theglove80, e.g., using a hook-and-loop fastener. It still other embodiments, thegripping attachment50 is integral with theglove80 without an attachment mechanism. For example, theglove80 and thegripping attachment50 could be formed in the same mold or printed together using a 3D printer.
• Referring toFIG. 2, theexemplary gripping attachment50 is illustrated. Thegripping attachment50 includes a roughly flat middle area58 (valley) surrounded on opposite sides by two elevated structures (ridges), i.e.,ridge55 on one side andridges53 and54 on the other side. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst ridge55 is continuous and the second ridge (comprising theridges53 and54) is discontinuous. In the illustrated embodiment, theglove80 is a 5-finger glove that covers the entire hand and individually the fingers (includingindex finger112,middle finger113,ring finger114,pinkie115, and thumb116). However, in other embodiments, theglove80 does not entirely cover each of the fingers112-116 individually. In the shown embodiment, the ridges53-54 and55 curve upwardly on sides facing themiddle area58 formingconcave structures53L,54L, and55B, respectively. At the top ofridges53 and54 are substantiallyflat portions53M and54M, respectively. At the back end ofridge55 is a downwardly slopingportion55A. Notably, thegripping attachment50 includes a plurality of extension pieces (seeFIG. 1) that extend onto portions of a plurality of respective finger coverings of the glove. In an embodiment, the extension pieces extend to part of the glove'sindex finger112,middle finger113, andring finger114 coverings. In the shown embodiment, the extension pieces are theridges53 and54, and anextension piece52 which is part of themiddle area58.
• Referring toFIG. 3, a fitting of the exemplary glove withgripping attachment100, according to an embodiment, is illustrated. Advantageously, thegripping attachment50 is structured and arranged to wrap at least partly around an elongated object when the elongated object is grasped. As shown, theglove80 is a golf glove and theelongated object90 being fitted into the grippingattachment50 is a golf club. As shown, the elongated object90 (golf club) is placed into themiddle area58.
• FIG. 4 illustrates usage of the exemplary glove with grippingattachment100. As the user closes his or her hand, thegripping attachment50 closes at least partly around the elongated object90 (golf club). More particularly, theconcave structures53L,54L, and55B conform to the curvature of the outer surface of the elongated object (golf club90), causing a tight grip. Notably, because thegripping attachment50 will preferably be aligned at an angle suitable for a golf hand posture, the result will be an improved grip. Moreover, as the golfer repeatedly uses thedevice100, the proper golf club grip should be imprinted into the golfer's long-term memory (“muscle memory”).
• FIG. 5 is a top view of thegripping attachment50, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a portion of thegripping attachment50, according to an embodiment. As shown, thebottom portion55L of theridge55 includes a plurality ofsupports56 that provide structural integrity to theridge55 to ensure that this section of thegripping attachment50 is sturdy. These supports can be formed in a suitable mold used during the fabrication process.
• In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, the elongated object held by the gripping glove can be a piece of sports equipment, such as a golf club (as illustrated above) or a handle of a racquet or a paddle. In other embodiments, the elongated object can be the handle of a tool such as a hammer, a chisel, or a file. In still other embodiments, the elongated object can be the handle of a motorcycle or bicycle. In still other embodiments, the elongated object can be some other object. Notably, the structure of the gripping attachment and its orientation on the glove can vary depending on the object and usage of the gripping device.
• FIG. 7 illustrates agripping attachment150, according to another embodiment. Thegripping attachment150 can be attached to a suitable glove (not shown) and used for gripping the handlebars of a motorcycle or the like. Thegripping attachment150 is similar to thegripping attachment50 discussed above except most notably thegripping attachment150 includes an extra extension piece and thegripping attachment150 would be arranged on a glove differently such that thegripping attachment150 conforms to the handlebar when the driver grasps the handlebar during operation of the vehicle. As shown, thegripping attachment150 includes a roughly fiat middle area158 (valley) surrounded on opposite sides by two elevated structures (ridges), i.e.,ridge155 on one side andridges153,154 and156 on the other side. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst ridge155 is continuous and the second ridge (comprisingridges153,154 and156) is discontinuous. In the shown embodiment, the ridges curve upwardly on sides facing themiddle area158 formingconcave structures153L,154L,156L and155B, respectively. At the back end ofridge155 is a downwardly slopingportion155A. Notably, thegripping attachment150 includes a plurality of extension pieces that extend onto portions of a plurality of respective finger coverings of a glove (not shown). The extension pieces are theridges154,153 and156 and an extension piece52 (which is part of the middle area158), extending to glove finger coverings for the index finger, middle finger, pinkie, and thumb, respectively.
• FIG. 8 illustrates agripping attachment250, according to yet another embodiment.FIG. 9 illustrates aglove280 with thegripping attachment250 attached thereto. Thegripping attachment250 can be used for gripping thehandle290 of ahammer295 or the like. As shown, thegripping attachment250 includes a roughly flat middle area258 (valley) surrounded on opposite sides by two elevated structures (ridges), i.e.,ridge255A on one side and ridge25513 on the other side. In the illustrated embodiment, theridges255A and255B are continuous. In the shown embodiment, the ridges curve upwardly on sides facing themiddle area258 formingconcave structures255L. Notably, thegripping attachment150 includes a plurality ofextension pieces254,253, and256 that extend onto portions of a plurality of respective finger coverings of theglove280. Theextension pieces254,253, and256 can include extensionpiece friction enhancers247, which can include raised bumps or the like to increase friction with thehandle290. Additionally,friction enhancers246 can be included in themiddle area258 or elsewhere.Such friction enhancers246 can include indentations (as shown) or raised bumps, etc.
• While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

What is claimed is:

1. A gripping glove, comprising:

a glove; and

a gripping attachment disposed on the palm of the glove;

wherein the gripping attachment is structured and arranged to wrap at least partly around an elongated object when the elongated object is grasped by the gripping glove.

2. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the gripping attachment is made of an elastomer.

3. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated object is sports equipment.

4. The gripping glove ofclaim 3, wherein the sports equipment is a golf club.

5. The gripping glove ofclaim 3, wherein the sports equipment is a racquet or a paddle.

6. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the gripping attachment includes a middle area with a roughly planer surface surrounded on two opposite sides by ridges.

7. The gripping glove ofclaim 6, wherein the ridges include concave structures facing the middle area.

8. The gripping glove ofclaim 6, wherein the gripping attachment includes a plurality of extension pieces.

9. The gripping glove ofclaim 8, wherein the plurality of extension pieces extend to finger coverings of the glove.

10. The gripping glove ofclaim 9, wherein the extension pieces extend to the glove's index finger, middle finger, and ring finger coverings.

11. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the gripping attachment includes a middle area with a roughly planer surface surrounded on two opposite sides by a first ridge and a second ridge, respectively;

wherein the first ridge is continuous, and the second ridge is discontinuous and includes extension pieces extending onto fingers of the glove.

11. The gripping glove ofclaim 11, wherein the extension pieces extend onto the glove's index finger, middle finger, and ring finger coverings.

12. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the grip attachment is sewn onto the glove.

13. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the grip attachment is bonded to the glove.

14. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the grip attachment is made integral with the glove without using an attachment mechanism.

15. The gripping glove ofclaim 1, wherein the gripping attachment includes concave structures that conform to the curvature of the outer surface of the elongated object.

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