# Patent

## Title
Glove with hook-and-loop fastener having plural hook and/or loop sections

## Abstract

A glove includes a main body that defines an interior space that is operable to receive at least a portion of the hand of the wearer. The main body includes an opening that divides the main body into a first portion and a second portion. The glove also includes a hook-and-loop fastener that includes a hook member and a loop member. The hook member and the loop member are operable to removably attach to each other. One of the hook member and the loop member is operably supported on the first portion of the main body, and the other of the hook member and the loop member is operably supported on the second portion of the main body. At least one of the hook member and the loop member is divided into a plurality of respective sections that are separated at a distance from each other.

## Background
FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a glove and, more particularly, to a glove with a hook-and-loop fastener having plural hook and/or loop sections.
BACKGROUND
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
There are several types of gloves for a wide variety of uses. For instance, many athletes wear gloves when participating in particular sports activities. Baseball players, for example, wear batting gloves when at-bat to improve the grip on the bat and to thereby improve batting performance. Golfers wear similar gloves to improve the grip on the golf club. Other athletes involved in other sports wear gloves for other reasons as well (e.g., to maintain warm hands, etc.).
Many gloves can include a closure or fastener used to selectively tighten and secure the glove to the hand. The fastener can include buttons, snaps, buckles, or other types. In some cases, the fastener can be a hook-and-loop fastener (i.e., pile tape), such as VELCROTM. The hook member of the fastener can removably attach to the loop member by layering the portions over each other and pressing the portions together. The portions can be pulled and peeled apart to detach the hook and loop members. The portions can be quickly and repeatedly attached and detached without significantly compromising the closure. As such, the closure can be a convenient and effective means for securing the glove to the wearer's hand.
The fastener typically includes a single, elongate, continuous strip of the hook member and a corresponding single, elongate, continuous strip of the loop member. The hook and loop members often have the same length and width.
The fastener can have a degree of rigidity such that the fastener resists bending about the wearer's hand. As such, the hook and loop fastener can detrimentally affect the fit of the glove to the wearer's hand. Furthermore, the fastener can be bulky, can significantly increase the weight of the glove, and/or can negatively affect the aesthetics of the glove.
SUMMARY
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
A glove is disclosed that is operable to be worn on a hand of a wearer. The glove includes a main body that defines an interior space that is operable to receive at least a portion of the hand of the wearer. The main body includes an opening that divides the main body into a first portion and a second portion. The glove also includes a hook-and-loop fastener that includes a hook member and a loop member. The hook member and the loop member are operable to removably attach to each other. One of the hook member and the loop member is operably supported on the first portion of the main body, and the other of the hook member and the loop member is operably supported on the second portion of the main body. At least one of the hook member and the loop member is divided into a plurality of respective sections that are separated at a distance from each other.
Additionally, a glove that is operable to be worn on a hand of a wearer is disclosed. The glove includes a main body that defines an interior space that is operable to receive at least a portion of the hand of the wearer. The main body includes a first portion and a second portion. The glove further includes a hook-and-loop fastener that includes a hook member and a loop member. The hook member and the loop member are operable to removably attach to each other. One of the hook member and loop member is operably supported on the first portion of the main body, and the other of the hook member and the loop member is operably supported on the second portion of the main body. At least one of the hook member and the loop member is divided into a plurality of sections that are separated at a distance from each other. The plurality of sections are aligned in a row, and each of the plurality of sections has a width. The widths are progressively smaller along the row.
Still further, a baseball batter's glove that is operable to be worn on a hand of a wearer is disclosed. The baseball batter's glove includes a main body that includes a wrist region operable to receive a wrist of the wearer, a metacarpal region operable to cover at least a portion of a metacarpal area of the wearer, and a finger region operable to receive at least a portion of a finger of the wearer. The main body defines an interior space that is operable to receive the wrist, metacarpal, and finger of the wearer. The main body also includes an elastic band and an elongate strap that define the wrist region. The elastic band includes an edge, and the main body includes a slit that extends from the edge, across the wrist region, and into the metacarpal region where the slit terminates. The slit defines a space between the resiliently elastic band and the elongate strap. Additionally, the glove includes a hook-and loop fastener that includes a hook member and a loop member. The hook member and the loop member are operable to removably attach to each other. One of the hook member and the loop member is a continuous strip that is fixed to the elongate strap, and the other of the hook member and the loop member is divided into a plurality of sections that are separated at a distance from each other on the resiliently elastic band. The plurality of sections are aligned in a row, and the row defines a direction that points away from the slit. Each of the plurality of sections have a width, and the widths are progressively smaller along the row in the direction pointing away from the slit. The elongate strap is operable to selectively extend across the slit to removably attach the hook member and the loop member together.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.



DRAWINGS
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a back view of a glove according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the glove includes a hook-and-loop fastener that is shown in a secured position;
FIG. 2 is a back view of the glove of FIG. 1, wherein the hook-and-loop fastener is shown in an unsecured position;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the glove of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 4 is an end view of the glove of FIG. 1, wherein the fastener is shown in a secured position.



Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a glove 10 is illustrated according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The glove 10 can generally include a main body 12 that defines an interior space 13 that is operable to receive at least a portion of a hand of a wearer (not shown). The glove 10 can also include a hook-and-loop fastener 14 having a hook member 16 and a loop member 18 (see FIG. 2). The hook member 16 can removably and selectively attach to the loop member 18 to secure the glove 10 to the wearer's hand. In some embodiments, the hook-and-loop fastener 14 (i.e., pile tape, hook tape, loop tape, etc.) can be VELCROTM, which is commercially available from Velcro USA, Inc.
As will be discussed in detail below, at least one of the hook member 16 and loop member 18 can be divided into a plurality of respective sections 20a, 20b, 20c that are separated at a distance from each other. For instance, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the loop member 18 can be divided into a plurality (e.g., three) sections 20a, 20b, 20c. It will be appreciated that there can be any number of sections 20a, 20b, 20c. It will also be appreciated that the hook member 16 could be divided into sections 20a, 20b, 20c instead of, or in addition to, the loop member 18.
Also, by including a plurality of separate sections 20a, 20b, 20c, the hook-and-loop fastener 14 can make the glove 10 more comfortable to wear. This is because the sections 20a, 20b, 20c can allow the glove 10 to more closely conform to and wrap about the wearer's body. Also, the glove 10 can more securely fit to the wearer's hand such that the glove 10 can be used more effectively (e.g., by providing better gripping capabilities, etc.).
It will be appreciated that the glove 10 can be of any suitable type. For instance, the glove 10 can be a baseball batter's glove, which enhances the wearer's ability to grip a baseball bat. However, the glove 10 can be a golfing glove for enhancing a grip on a golf club, a soccer goalie's glove, or another type of glove 10 for another type of sports-related activity. The glove 10 can also be unrelated to sports and can be worn for keeping the wearer's hands warm, for keeping the wearer's hands clean, or for any other suitable activity.
Furthermore, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the glove 10 as being wearable on a left hand. However, the glove 10 can be modified to be wearable on the right hand without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, embodiments of the glove 10 will be discussed in greater detail. In the embodiments illustrated, the glove 10 is intended to be worn over substantially an entirety of the wearer's hand, including the wrist. As such, the main body 12 of the glove 10 can include a wrist region 22 operable to receive and to at least partially cover a wrist or carpal bones (not shown) of the wearer's hand. The main body 12 can also include a metacarpal region 27 operable to receive and at least partially cover the metacarpal area (i.e., palm and back of the hand) of the wearer. Furthermore, the main body 12 can include a finger region 30 operable to receive and at least partially cover at least one of the wearer's fingers.
The wrist region 22 can include an edge 23 (i.e., terminal edge) that defines a passage 24 (see FIG. 4). The passage 24 can allow movement of the wearer's hand into and out of the interior space 13 of the glove 10. The wrist region 22 can be elongate so as to wrap around both the front and back of the wearer's wrist.
The metacarpal region 27 can include a palm region 26 (FIG. 3) for covering the palm (i.e., front) of the wearer's hand. The metacarpal region 27 can also include a back region 28 for covering the back of the wearer's hand.
The finger region 30 can include a plurality of tubes (e.g., five tubes) that extend from the metacarpal region 27 and that are closed at one end. Accordingly, the finger region 30 can receive one or more of the wearer's fingers, including the thumb. It will be appreciated that the finger region 30 can be configured to receive less than all of the fingers of the wearer's hand, and the metacarpal region 27 can include one or more corresponding holes (not shown) through which uncovered fingers can extend out.
In some embodiments, the main body 12 can be made out of one or more sheets of leather, faux-leather, polyester, mesh material, tacky or otherwise high-friction material, or any other suitable material. The material can be flexible to bend, fold, and bunch for fitting about the wearer's hand and to allow natural movement of the wearer's fingers, metacarpals, and wrist. The main body 12 can also include stitching, adhesives, or other means of interconnection of the different portions of the main body 12. The material of the main body 12 can be ventilated or can be otherwise “breathable” to allow the wearer's perspiration to evaporate away from the hand. Also, the main body 12 can be insulated for keeping the wearer's hand warm. In some embodiments, one or more portions the material of the main body 12 can be resiliently elastic to stretch about the wearer's hand, or the material can be non-elastic in some embodiments as well. Furthermore, the palm region 26 and/or other portions of the main body 12 can include bumps 31 (FIG. 3), surface roughness, high-friction material, or other similar features for increasing friction thereon. Accordingly, the glove 10 can improve the wearer's gripping capabilities.
The main body 12 can additionally include a resiliently elastic band 32. The elastic band 32 can be made from a woven elastic material. The elastic band 32 can be elongate and can include a first end 34 and a second end 36. The elastic band 32 can define a majority of the wrist region 22 of the glove 10 and can be fixed to the metacarpal region 27 via stitching, adhesives, or other means. The elastic band 32 can also define the edge 23 of the glove 10 described above. Thus, the elastic band 32 can define the passage 24 into and out of the glove 10. Accordingly, the resiliency and elasticity of the band 32 can allow the size of the passage 24 to be varied. For instance, FIGS. 1-4 can illustrate a “neutral position” of the band 32, and when a hand is inserted through the passage 24, the band 32 can resiliently extend and stretch over the hand to allow passage. Once the hand has moved fully into the interior space 13, the band 32 can recover resiliently toward its “neutral position” to fit snugly about the wearer's wrist. The band 32 can similarly resiliently stretch when the hand is removed from the interior space 13.
Furthermore, the main body 12 of the glove 10 can include a strap 42. The strap 42 can be flat and elongate and can include an inner side 43 and a back side 45. In some embodiments, the strap 42 can be flexible but non-elastic such that the strap 42 has a substantially fixed length. The strap 42 can be fixed to the second end 36 of the elastic band 32 and can extend freely therefrom. In some embodiments, the strap 42 can include a free end 41 that tapers substantially to a point. The pointed free end 41 can be disposed adjacent the edge 23 of the wrist region 22.
Additionally, the glove 10 can include an opening 38 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) that divides the main body 12 into first and second portions. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 38 can be a slit 40 that divides the first end 34 of the elastic band 32 (“first portion” of the main body 12) from the second end 36 of the band 32 and the strap 42 (“second portion” of the main body 12). The slit 40 can extend from the edge 23 and across the wrist region 22, and the slit 40 can terminate in the back region 28 of the metacarpal region 27. However, it will be appreciated that the opening 38 can be a through-hole or another type, and the opening 38 can be included anywhere on the glove 10 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, as will be discussed, the strap 42 can extend across the slit 40 for securing the glove 10 to the hand.
In the embodiments illustrated, the loop member 18 of the hook-and-loop fastener 14 is fixed on the first end 34 of the elastic band 32 via stitching, adhesives, etc. Also, in the embodiments illustrated, the hook member 16 of the fastener 14 is fixed on the inner side 43 of the strap 42 via stitching, adhesives, etc. It will be appreciated, however, that the loop member 18 could be attached to the strap 42 while the hook member 16 could be attached to the elastic band 32.
As shown in FIG. 2, the hook member 16 can be a continuous, elongate strip of hook material that substantially covers an entirety of the inner side 43 of the strap 42. Thus, the hook member 16 can taper down substantially to a point along its length.
Moreover, as mentioned above, the loop member 18 can be divided into a plurality of sections 20a, 20b, 20c that are separated at a distance from each other. The sections 20a, 20b, 20c can be aligned in a row along the wrist region 22. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the widths of the sections 20a, 20b, 20c can get progressively smaller along the row in a direction moving away from the slit 40. In some embodiments, the tapering width of the sections 20a, 20b, 20c can substantially match the tapering width of the strap 42 and the tapering width of the hook member 16.
Use of the glove 10 will now be discussed. Assuming that the glove 10 is in the unsecured position shown in FIG. 2 and the user wishes to put on the glove 10, the user can move a hand through the passage 24 until the wrist, metacarpal, and finger region 22, 27, 30 cover the respective areas of the hand. Then, the user can bend and pull the strap 42 toward the loop member 18 to extend the strap 42 across the slit 40 and to removably attach the hook and loop members 16, 18 together. In so doing, the user can draw the slit 40 at least partially closed to thereby tighten the glove 10 to the hand. Once the hook and loop members 16, 18 are removably attached, the glove 10 can fit snugly and securely on the wearer's hand.
To remove the glove 10, the wearer can peel the hook and loop members 16, 18 away from each other by grasping the strap 42 and moving the strap 42 away from the first end 34 of the elastic band 32. This can result in widening the slit 40, and can allow the wearer to pull the glove 10 from the hand.
Accordingly, the glove 10 can be quickly and conveniently secured to and unsecured from the wearer's hand. Also, the glove 10 can fit more securely and more comfortably on the wearer's hand. More specifically, by dividing the loop member 18 into sections 20a, 20b, 20c, the loop member 18 is less likely to resist bending about the wearer's wrist. As such, the elastic band 32 can better conform and more comfortably fit about the wearer's wrist. Furthermore, the glove 10 can more securely fit to the hand and is more likely to remain in an intended position on the hand.
Additionally, the sections 20a, 20b, 20c can allow the elastic band 32 to stretch further in the longitudinal direction as compared to a single continuous strip. This is because portions of the band 32 between the sections 20a, 20b, 20c can resiliently stretch. Accordingly, the band 32 can stretch further to accommodate a larger variety of hands.
Still further, because the hook-and-loop fastener 14 is split partially into the sections 20a, 20b, 20c, the hook-and-loop fastener 14 can have a lower weight and can be less bulky than those of the prior art. Accordingly, the glove 10 can allow the wearer to move the hand more quickly or otherwise improve performance.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

## Claims

1. A glove that is operable to be worn by a wearer, the glove comprising:
a main body that defines an interior space that is operable to receive a body part of the wearer, the main body including a continuous region having a first end and a second end, the continuous region extending continuously between the first end and the second end, the continuous region having an inner surface that faces the interior space and an outer surface that faces away from the interior space, the continuous region configured to extend over the body part along a curved path, the continuous region being elastic and extendable;
a strap that extends from the second end of the continuous region, the strap having an attached end that is attached to the second end and a free end that is spaced apart from the attached end, the strap including a first surface and a second surface that face in opposite directions, the strap being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the continuous region;
an opening that is defined between the first end and the second end; and
a hook-and-loop fastener that includes a first member and a second member, the first member being one of a hook member and a loop member, the second member being the other of the hook member and the loop member;
wherein the first member is supported on the outer surface of the continuous region and the second member is supported on the first surface of the strap;
wherein the first member and the second member are operable to removably attach to each other to secure the strap in the first position; and
wherein the strap, in the first position, substantially follows the curved path from the attached end to the free end;
wherein at least a portion of the strap, in the first position, overlays the continuous region with the first surface facing the interior space and the second surface facing away from the interior space;
wherein the strap, in the second position, is spaced apart from the continuous region such that the first member and the second member are detached;
wherein the first member is divided into a first section with a first peripheral edge and a second section with a second peripheral edge, wherein the first and second peripheral edges are separated apart at a distance from each other, wherein the first section and the second section are configured to cooperatively attach to the second member to removably attach the strap to the continuous region in the first position;
wherein the first member is divided into the first section, the second section, and a third section with a third peripheral edge;
wherein the second section is disposed between the first section and the third section; and
wherein the second peripheral edge is separated apart at a distance from the first peripheral edge and the third peripheral edge.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a terminal edge that defines a passage, the passage operable to allow movement of a hand of the wearer into and out of the interior space, the opening being a slit that extends from the terminal edge.

3. The glove of claim 2, wherein the continuous region includes a resiliently elastic band that defines the terminal edge, the resiliently elastic band being resiliently extendable to vary a size of the passage.

4. The glove of claim 3, wherein the first section and the second section are operably supported on the resiliently elastic band, the first section configured to move away from the second section as the elastic band elongates resiliently.

5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the second member has a first width that tapers along the strap;
wherein the first section and the second section are aligned in a row that extends along the continuous region;
wherein the row has a second width that generally tapers along the continuous region; and
wherein the tapering of the first width substantially corresponds to the tapering of the second width.

6. The glove of claim 1, wherein the continuous region includes a wrist band that is configured to extend along the curved path to at least partially cover both a front side and a back side of a wrist of the wearer.

7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the continuous region includes a resiliently elastic band that is resiliently extendable, and wherein the strap has a substantially fixed longitudinal length.

8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a wrist region operable to receive a wrist of the wearer, a metacarpal region operable to cover at least a portion of a metacarpal area of the wearer, and a finger region operable to receive at least a portion of a finger of the wearer.

9. The glove of claim 8, wherein the opening is a slit that divides the first end from the second end, the first end being adjacent the second end when the strap is in both the first position and in the second position;
wherein the slit extends from an edge of the wrist region, across the wrist region, and into the metacarpal region where the slit terminates, the continuous region defined on the wrist region, the strap operable to selectively extend across the opening to bring the first member and the second member into contact with each other.

10. A glove that is operable to be worn by a wearer, the glove comprising:
a main body that defines an interior space that is operable to receive a body part of the wearer, the main body including a wrist region operable to receive a wrist of the wearer, a metacarpal region operable to cover at least a portion of a metacarpal area of the wearer, and a finger region operable to receive at least a portion of a finger of the wearer, the wrist region including a band that extends continuously between a first end and a second end, the band configured to extend over the body part along a curved path, the band being elastic and extendable, the band having an inner surface that faces the interior space and an outer surface that faces away from the interior space;
a slit that extends from the band into the metacarpal region toward the finger region, wherein the slit extends between the first end and the second end, the slit dividing the wrist region and the metacarpal region into two zones of the glove;
a strap having an attached end that is attached to the second end of the band and a free end that is spaced apart from the attached end, the strap having a first surface and a second surface that face in opposite directions, the strap being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the band; and
a hook-and-loop fastener that includes a first member and a second member, one of the first member and the second member being a hook member and the other being a loop member, the first member being operably supported on the outer surface of the band of the main body, the second member being operably supported on the first surface of the strap, the first member and the second member operable to removably attach to each other to removably attach the band to the strap in the first position;
at least a portion of the strap, in the first position, overlaying the band with the first surface facing the interior space and the second surface facing away from the interior space;
the strap, in the first position, substantially following the curved path from the attached end to the free end;
the strap, in the second position, being spaced apart from the band such that the first member and the second member are detached;
wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is divided into a first section with a first peripheral edge and a second section with a second peripheral edge, wherein the first and second peripheral edges are separated at a distance from each other,
wherein the first section and the second section are configured to cooperatively attach to the other of the first member and the second member;
wherein the second member has a first width that generally tapers along the strap;
wherein the first section and the second section are aligned in a row that extends along the band, wherein the row has a second width that generally tapers along the band; and
wherein the tapering of the first width substantially corresponds to the tapering of the second width.

11. The glove of claim 10, wherein the slit extends from an edge of the band, the strap operable to selectively extend across the slit to bring the first member and the second member into contact with each other.

12. The glove of claim 10, wherein the first member is divided into the first section and the second section; and
wherein the first section is configured to move away from the second section as the band elongates elastically.

13. The glove of claim 10, wherein the band is configured to extend along the curved path to at least partially cover both a front side and a back side of a wrist of the wearer.

14. The glove of claim 10, wherein the strap has a substantially fixed longitudinal length.

15. The glove of claim 10, wherein only one of the first member and the second member is divided into the first section and the second section.

16. The glove of claim 10, wherein the first member is divided into the first section, the second section, and a third section with a third peripheral edge;
wherein the second section is disposed between the first section and the third section; and
wherein the second peripheral edge is separated apart at a distance from the first peripheral edge, and the second peripheral edge is separated apart at a distance from the third peripheral edge.

17. A baseball batter's glove that is operable to be worn on a hand of a wearer, the baseball batter's glove comprising:
a main body that includes a wrist region operable to receive a wrist of the wearer, a metacarpal region operable to cover at least a portion of a metacarpal area of the wearer, and a finger region operable to receive at least a portion of a finger of the wearer, the main body defining an interior space that is operable to receive the wrist, metacarpal, and finger of the wearer, the main body also including:
a resiliently elastic band that extends continuously between a first end and a second end within the wrist region, the elastic band including a terminal edge, an inner surface that faces the interior space, and an outer surface that faces away from the interior space, the elastic band configured to extend over both a front side and a back side of the wrist along a curved path,
an elongate strap with an attached end that is attached to the second end, the strap including a free end that spaced apart from the attached end in the wrist region, the strap having a first surface and a second surface that face in opposite directions, the strap being movable between a first position and a second position relative to the band; and
a slit that extends from the terminal edge, across the wrist region, and into the metacarpal region where the slit terminates, the slit dividing the first end and the second end of the band and defining a space between the resiliently elastic band and the elongate strap; and
a hook-and loop fastener that includes a first member and a second member, one of the first member and the second member being a hook member and the other being a loop member, the second member being a continuous strip that is fixed to the first surface of the elongate strap, the first member being divided into a first section with a first peripheral edge and a second section with a second peripheral edge, wherein the first and second sections are fixed to the outer surface of the resiliently elastic band, and wherein the first and second peripheral edges are separated at a distance from each other,
at least a portion of the strap, in the first position, overlaying the band with the first surface facing the interior space and the second surface facing away from the interior space;
the strap, in the first position, substantially following the curved path from the attached end to the free end;
the strap, in the second position, being spaced apart from the band such that the first member and the second member are detached;
wherein the first section and the second section are configured to cooperatively attach to the other of the first member and the second member;
wherein the first member has a first width that generally tapers along the strap;
wherein the first section and the second section are aligned in a row that extends along the band, wherein the row has a second width that generally tapers along the band; and
wherein the tapering of the first width substantially corresponds to the tapering of the second width.

18. The baseball batter's glove of claim 17, wherein the elongate strap has a substantially fixed length.