Abstract:
An information display system for a golfer in which a display module in wireless communication with an electronic device, such as a mobile phone with a golf GPS application, is worn by a golfer on the back of a golf glove, so that the golfer can very conveniently check on the golfer&#39;s distance to various targets on the golf course. The display module is removeably attached to the glove by at least one releasable connection, such a threaded fastener and/or a magnet.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a system for conveniently displaying information to a user while playing a game or engaging in exercise, and, in particular, a way of holding a display device to an item of apparel, such as a glove, to provide a user with a convenient way of obtaining data. 
       2. Description of the Related Art 
       [0002]    The use of GPS locating systems for golfers is well known, and a number of suppliers make products available to help golfers determine how far they are from a target, commonly the pin and hole, but also from landing areas, or from a hazard, such as water or sand. Available products include hand-held, stand-alone display modules, such as the Bushnell Neo-Ghost device, see http://bushnellgolf.com/GPS-Rangefinders/NEO-Ghost-Green; units that are worn like a watch, see Garmin&#39;s wearable products at https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/wearables/c10002-p0.html; products sold by Sky Caddie, see http://web.skygolf.com/en-GB/products/SkyCaddie-SW2; and clip-on units sold under the name Golf Buddy, see http://www.golfbuddyglobal.com/products/VS4.asp?pType=3. 
         [0003]    In addition, there a numerous apps for smartphones, examples of which are discussed at http://gps.about.com/od/sportsandfitness/tp/Best_iPhone_Golf_GPS_Apps.htm. An example of a patent that is directed to a method and device which includes a location-determining component to assist a golfer is U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,761 (Trenkle et al). 
         [0004]    Patents in the golf glove field include U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,447 (Arganese) which shows a watch and glove combination, and U.S. Publ. No. 2013/0276206 which shows a golf with an magnet used to hold a ferrous ball marker for convenient use by a golfer. In the field of general purpose gloves, U.S. Publ. No. 2011/0043496 (Avalani) shows a display module attached to a glove permanently (glued or stitched) or removeably via a hook and loop fastener strip or suction cups. 
         [0005]    Similarly, a number of watch-like systems exist for providing exercise information to a user. EP Patent No. 2,750,120 A1 is an example. The information displayed may be obtained directly from a user, such as number of steps taken, heart rate and/or body temperature. Alternatively, the exercise data may be positional in nature, such as may be obtained using a cell phone and a location-determining component (e.g., GPS) to provide information on distance traveled or distance to a destination. Separate, hand-held displays for use by golfers can be cumbersome because they need to be accessed from a pocket or a golf cart. Watch-type or wearable information displays are convenient, but require the user to put on an additional item, beyond the golf glove. Thus, there is a need for an information display module small enough to be carried by a golf glove, and attached to the glove in a way that allows the module to be removed and attached onto another or a replacement golf glove. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present application describes a golf glove and system for mounting a display module to an item of apparel such as a golf glove, whereby the module is securely but removeably attachable to a back portion of the glove. In one example, two separate attachment techniques are used, including a sleeve on the back of the glove through which a small bolt extends, with the bolt engaging two points on the module to form a hinge connection; and a second magnetically coupled connection that uses a magnet embedded into a strap or other portion of the back of the glove. The advantages of the structures described herein include the ability to securely attach a display module to an item of apparel for convenient viewing, while making the display module removeable, so that it can be attached to another item of apparel. While the system described herein is particularly well suited for use by golfers, it has application for a variety of activities, such as fitness activities and other sports, where it is useful to have information displayed in a convenient way. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an information display system including a base device and a remote display module carried by a golf glove; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the display module shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the underside of a display module and the portion of the glove to which it is attached; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of display module and a bolt used to connect the module to a glove; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of a display module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a golfer&#39;s right hand  8  holding a base telecommunications device in the form of a typical mobile phone  10 , which is operating an app and displaying information about a golf course.  FIG. 1  also shows a golfer&#39;s left hand  7  holding a golf club  6 . A glove  12  has a display module  16  attached to the back of the glove  12 , and in particular the module  16  is affixed to a strap  14  that employs a hook and loop connection (not shown) to adjustably tighten the glove  12  to the golfer&#39;s hand. The display module  16  is in communication with the phone  10  via a wireless communication technology, such as a Bluetooth® system, and a portion of the information about the location of the phone  10  relative to an area of the golf course is visible on the screen  22  of the display module  16 . The use of GPS systems to provide golfers with location information based on the golfer&#39;s location relative to areas of a golf course is common, and such systems may include software and one or more location-determining components in the base telecommunications device, or in the module itself. The system described herein allows convenient display of location or other information without the need for a user to wear any additional item (such as a separate watch-type band) beyond a glove, since the display module  16  is carried by the back portion of the glove. 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the upper portion of the glove  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . The information shown on the screen  22  of the display module  16  is controlled by buttons  24  and  26 . The display module  16  is connected to glove  12  in two ways. First, a hinge  19 , including a sleeve  18  and hinge pin or bolt  20  is disposed at the base of the strap  14 , and is connected to the back of the glove  14 . The hinge  19  is comprised of a hinge pin or bolt  20  that passes through the sleeve  18 , which is joined to the glove at the intersection of the strap  14  and the back panel  17  of the glove  12 . The sleeve  18  is preferably made of fabric, but may be plastic or other material. 
         [0014]      FIGS. 3-5  show the details of the two separate connections that are used to hold the display module  16  to the strap  14  of the glove  12 . The hinge pin or bolt  20  has threads  21  at one end and an enlarged head  27  at the opposite end. The head  27  preferably has knurls on its exterior to facilitate hand-turning of the hinge pin or bolt  20 . In addition the hinge pin or bolt has an drive structure, which is preferably a hex drive, but may be a Phillips, slotted or other drive structure. The hinge pin or bolt  20  extends through an unthreaded bore in the ear  25 , then through sleeve  18  and finally into a threaded bore in ear  23 . The hinge pin or bolt  20  is then tightened to form a hinge connection  19  between the display module  16  and the glove  12 . 
         [0015]    A second connection between the display module  16  and the strap  14  is formed by a magnetic couple in which a magnet  28  is sewn into a pocket in the flap  14  and a ferrous piece of material  30  is carried on the underside of the module. The ferrous piece of material  30  may be the rear cover of the module, or may be a separate piece adhered to the rear cover of the module  16 . The back  30  of the module is preferably removeable, so that a battery that powers the module  16  can be replaced. When the ferrous back cover  30  of the module  16  is rotated about the hinge pin or bolt  20  into close proximity to the magnet  28 , a magnetic coupling occurs due the attractive force between the magnet and the ferrous piece of material  30 . Instead of a ferrous back  30 , the magnetic couple may include a second magnet affixed to or integral with the rear cover  30  of the module  16 , and if the module has a replaceable battery, the magnet integral with the back  30  will likely need to be designed to allow its removal. 
         [0016]    While the connections between the module  16  and the glove  12  are intended to be secure, so that they can withstand rapid and jarring movements (such as occurs during a golf swing), the connections are also releasable, so that the module  16  can be used on another glove, for example if a glove becomes wet, damaged or worn out. 
         [0017]    While the system for providing information to a person involved in physical activity is shown herein in the context of a golfer being provided with information about the distance between his or her location and a target on the golf course, the mounting and system components and their structures may be used for any of several contexts, such exercise (e.g., heart rate information) and other sporting activities where feedback of various sorts can enhance an experience or improve performance. Other applications include gloves that are used in cycling or fitness adapted to mount a display of information on progress toward a goal in terms of heart rate or travel to or from a location. Still other applications include mounting a display on items of apparel other than a glove, such as a shirt sleeve. 
         [0018]    Realization of the information system has been described in the context of a particular embodiment, i.e., a golf glove with a display of information about a golf course. This embodiment is meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible and may fall within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims that follow. The inventions claimed below are not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described above.