Abstract:
A glove, particularly for golf, is provided with a gusset of expandable material which extends along the finger stalls of the glove from the web between the finger stalls to a selected distance from the distal end of the fingers, the glove having a non-expandable material wrap around the fingers thereby providing an expansion zone that extends along the length of the fingers to a selected distance from the tip end of the distal phalanxes of the fingers.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (a) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to gloves for the human hand which are particularly useful in participating in activities which require a snug fit of the glove at the distal end of the fingers. More particularly, this invention relates to a glove specifically designed to provide expandable zones along the lateral sides of the finger stalls of the gloves just distal to the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers thereby allowing a glove to expand at the proximal interphalangeal joints providing a snug fit at the distal ends of the fingers. 
         [0003]    (b) Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Glove construction for protection of the human hand is well known. Moreover, there are a number of patents which teach gloves and glove construction useful for specific sporting activities, as well as work gloves, dress gloves and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,226 teaches a glove construction with selected portions of the glove including expansion zones to accommodate hands of different sizes, as well as enlargement of selected areas when bending and flexing the fingers of the wearer. This reference teaches leather or a relatively inelastic palmar side section and an elastic dorsal side section with outwardly extending finger and thumb stalls. The longitudinally extending edges or sides along the finger stalls include an expansion zone of knitted material which extends from the web between the index finger stall and the thumb stall along the entire length of the index finger. 
         [0005]    Moreover, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,188 teaches a golf glove wherein the longitudinal extending areas along the sides of the finger stalls of the glove are made of a material possessing only slight extensibility, such as leather, and the other areas of the finger stalls are made of an extensible, elastic material. 
         [0006]    Although, hand protection from direct shock and abrasions is found in gloves of the present art, what is needed is a glove which provides improved grip, comfort and performance by providing a glove with finger stalls which expand at the proximal interphalangeal joint providing with a snug fit at the distal ends of the fingers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a glove which allows expansion at the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers and a snug fit at the distal ends of the fingers. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf glove having materials of construction in preselected areas of contact with the fingers of the human hand to provide a snug fit glove for the use in gripping the handle of a golf club. 
         [0009]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a golf glove having expansion materials extending along the finger stalls of the glove from the web between the finger stalls to a selected distance from the distal end of the fingers. 
         [0010]    More particularly, the present invention provides a glove having a gusset of expandable material extending in a web of the glove between adjacent finger stalls and positioned to terminate between the proximal interphalangeal joints and the distal interphalangeal joints of fingers to be received in adjacent finger stalls. 
         [0011]    Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a bottom schematic anatomical view of the bones of the left side human hand showing the palmar-side details; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a bottom schematic anatomical palmar-side view of the bones, and selected details of the pulleys and tendons of a left side human hand; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the glove of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a palmar-side view of the glove of  FIG. 4  showing the palmar side details and overlaying the skeletal structure of a left-palmar side human hand; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  showing a selected location for a gusset of the glove of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic anatomical view of the bones of a left human hand  10  looking at a palm side. Shown are the radius  20 , ulna  21 , radiocarpal joint (RC)  23 ′, distal radio ulnar joint (DRUJ)  22 , wrist  12 , thumb  64 , index finger  65 , long finger  66 , ring finger  67 , small finger  68 , and the carpus  69 . The carpus  69  comprises eight carpal bones, seven of which are shown in  FIG. 1 , and includes the hamate bone  71  with its hook-like protrusion, the scaphoid  24 ′ and the lunate  25 . 
         [0020]    The thumb  64  is comprised of the distal phalanx  51 , the interphalangeal joint (IP)  46 , proximal phalanx  41 , diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′, metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36 , metacarpal  31 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  26 . 
         [0021]    The index finger  65  is comprised of the distal phalanx  60 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  56 , middle phalanx  52 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  47 , proximal phalanx  42 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  37 , metacarpal  32 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  27 . 
         [0022]    The long finger  66  is comprised of the distal phalanx  61 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  57 , middle phalanx  53 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  48 , proximal phalanx  43 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  38 , metacarpal  33 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  23 . 
         [0023]    The ring finger  67  is comprised of the distal phalanx  62 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  58 , middle phalanx  54 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  49 , proximal phalanx  44 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  39 , metacarpal  34 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  24 . 
         [0024]    The small finger  68  is comprised of the distal phalanx  63 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  59 , middle phalanx  55 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  50 , proximal phalanx  45 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  40 , metacarpal  35 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  30 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows the skeletal anatomy, pulley system, and flexor tendons of the thumb  64  and fingers  65 - 68  of the right hand  10 . The thumb  64  includes the flexor tendon (flexor pollicis longus)  200  and the three pulleys  220 - 224  of the thumb  64 ; an A1 pulley  220 , A2 pulley  222 , and A3 pulley  224 . The A2 pulley  222  is the most important for function and is attached to the proximal phalanx  41  of the thumb  64 . The respective pulleys  230 - 238  are also shown for each of the: index finger  65 , long finger  66 , ring finger  67 , and small finger  68 . Each finger  65 - 68  has five pulleys  230 - 238 ; an A1 pulley  230 , A2 pulley  232 , A3 pulley  234 , A4 pulley  236 , and A5 pulley  238 . The A2 pulley  232  and A4 pulley  236  are considered to be the most important for function. The A2 pulley  232  is attached to the proximal phalanx  42 - 45 . The A4 pulley  236  is attached to the middle phalanx  52 - 55 . The A1 pulley  230  is near the MCP joint  37 - 40 , the A3 pulley  234  is near the PIP joint  47 - 50  and the A5 pulley  238  is near the DIP joint  56 - 59 . 
         [0026]    The flexor tendons  202 - 208  are shown as one unit for each finger  65 - 68 , but actually there are two flexor tendons to each unit. They are the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus (shown as one,  202 - 208 ). These tendons  202 - 208  travel underneath the pulleys  230 - 238  and the flexor digitorum profundus tendon attaches to the distal phalanx  60 - 63  of each finger  65 - 68 . The tendons  202 - 208  move back and forth below the pulleys  230 - 238 , via muscles (not shown) attached to the proximal end of the tendons. This movement of the tendon  202 - 208  produces finger  65 - 68  flexion. The pulleys  230 - 238  prevent the flexor tendons  202 - 208  from bowstringing or moving away from the bone with finger  65 - 68  flexion. If the pulleys  230 - 238  are damaged and no longer function, the tendons  202 - 208  may bowstring with a resultant significant loss of finger motion as well as grip strength. As such, pulleys  230 - 238 , especially the A2 pulley  232  and the A4 pulley  236 , are very important and must be preserved and protected as much as possible. As shown in  FIG. 5 , protective padding for each finger  65 - 68  is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the A2 and A4 pulley regions. When the A2 and A4 pulleys  232  and  236  are preserved, adequate finger  65 - 68  motion and grip strength is maintained. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an exemplary golf glove  100  is shown for a left human hand  10 . Even though the glove  100  is shown for a left hand, it is realized that a glove for a right hand utilizes symmetrical placement of elements, materials, and the like as those shown for a left hand glove  100 . In  FIG. 3  is shown a dorsal side  101  of a golf glove  100  to cover a human hand  10  and  FIG. 4  shows the palmar side  103  of the same glove. The glove  100  also includes finger stalls  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108  to receive fingers  65 ,  66 ,  67  and  68 , respectively therein. A thumb stall  110  is also provided to receive the thumb  64  therein. 
         [0028]    The glove  100  is provided with a dorsal side covering  112  for covering the back side or dorsal side  101  of the hand  10 , as well as the dorsal sides of the thumb stall  110  and finger stalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 . The dorsal side covering  112  is usually a synthetic material such as, for example, JANEC SUPER® or leather or the like. Preferably, the dorsal side  101  is also provided with an expansion zone  132  which is positioned to cover the metacarpophalangeal joints of the small finger  68 , the ring finger  67  and the long finger  66  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and an expansion zone  134  is positioned to cover the metacarpophalangeal joint  37  of the index finger. The expansion zones  132  and  134  are usually an elastomeric material, such as, for example, 2-way SPANDEX® or LYCRA®. Expansion zones  132 ,  134  in the area of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand  10  allows flexibility or movement of the joints when in use, such as for bending the fingers to grip a golf club. Moreover, padding  136  along the inside of the thumb may also be provided for comfort and shock absorbing protection when hitting a golf ball or the like. On the dorsal side  101  of the glove is also provided a fastening device, as illustrated by the numeral  90 , which may be any fastening device, such as a hook and loop fastener, which is well known in the art. 
         [0029]    Also provided in the web area of the glove  100  between the finger stalls  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  are gussets  120 ,  122  and  124 , respectively, wherein gussets  120 ,  122 ,  124  extend along the inner sides of the stalls. The gussets  120 ,  122  and  124  generally include expansion materials, such as LYCRA® or the like. Expansion material may also be provided to cover the proximal interphalangeal joints  47 - 50  and the distal interphalangeal joints  56 - 59  of each of the fingers  65 - 68  which are received within the finger stalls  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108 . The elastomeric material disposed to cover the proximal interphalangeal joint  48  of the long finger  66  is identified by the numeral  142  whereas the elastomeric material to cover the proximal interphalangeal joint  49  of the ring finger  67  is identified by the numeral  146  and the elastomeric material for covering the proximal interphalangeal joint  50  of the small finger  68  is identified by the numeral  150 . Similarly, elastomeric material  140  covers the distal interphalangeal joint  57  ( FIG. 1 ) of the long finger  66 , elastomeric material  144  covers the distal interphalangeal joint  58  ( FIG. 1 ) of the ring finger  67  and the elastomeric material  148  covers the distal interphalangeal joint  59  ( FIG. 1 ) of the small finger  68 . The addition of the elastomeric materials at the aforementioned joints improves the flexibility of the fingers at these joints when gripping a golf club or the like. The golf glove  100  may also be provided with an elastomeric material, identified by the numeral  116 , which extends along the index finger over the proximal interphalangeal joint  47  and the distal interphalangeal joint  56  of the index finger  65 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the palmar side of the glove is provided with a palmar side panel  114  which covers the palm side of a hand  10  as well as the finger elements to be received within the finger stalls  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108 , and the thumb stall  110 . The palmar side  103  of the glove  100  may also include a shock absorbing pad  138  which extends across preselected portions of the palm area of the glove. 
         [0031]    As best shown in  FIG. 5 , shock absorbing pads  154 ,  158 ,  162  and  166  are provided to protect and overlie the A2 pulleys  232  of the fingers  68 ,  67 ,  66  and  65 . And, shock absorbing pads  152 ,  156 ,  160  and  164  are provided to protect and overlie the A4 pulleys  236  of the fingers  68 ,  67 ,  66  and  65 . The shock absorbing pads  154 ,  158 ,  162 ,  166  covering the A2 pulleys of the proximal phalanxes  45 ,  44 ,  43  and  42  of the finger  68 ,  67 ,  66  and  65  terminate proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers. Moreover, the shock absorbing pads  152 ,  156 ,  160  and  164  covering the A4 pulleys are disposed between the proximal interphalangeal joint and the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers with the proximal interphalangeal joints and the distal interphalangeal joints of the fingers being absent of shock absorbing padding. 
         [0032]    Gussets  120 ,  122  and  124  are disposed between the webs of the finger stalls  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108  extend along the proximal phalanxes  42 ,  43 ,  44  and  45  and the middle phalanxes  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  with a terminating end between the proximal interphalangeal joints and the distal interphalangeal joints. And, as best shown in  FIG. 6 , the gusset  120  has a terminating end  180  along the middle phalanx  52  proximal to the shock absorbing pad  164 .  FIG. 6  shows the sectional view illustrating the terminating end of the gusset  120  along the inside of the index finger stall  102  and, the terminating end of the gussets along the other finger stalls  104 ,  106  and  108  terminate at substantially the same location. That is, the gussets extend along the phalanxes of each of the fingers terminating between the proximal interphalangeal joints and the distal interphalangeal joints. Moreover, the gussets  120 ,  122  and  124  terminate proximal to the A4 pulleys thereby allowing the glove to expand at the proximal interphalangeal joints providing for a snug fit and eliminate play of the fingers within the glove at the distal end of the fingers. Furthermore, as best illustrated in  FIG. 6 , by the positioning of the gusset  120  and the pad  164 , the pad  164  wraps around the A4 pulley of the middle phalanx and fills in the “valley” between the proximal interphalangeal joint and the distal interphalangeal joints of the index finger, which assists in elimination of play at the distal end of the finger when holding a golf club or the like. As noted previously, even though only the gusset of the index finger has been shown in  FIG. 6 , it is realized that the gussets in the webs between the other finger stalls terminates along the middle phalanxes at substantially the same point and in combination with the shock absorbing pads  152 ,  156 , and  160  also eliminates play in the other fingers when in a bent and use condition. 
         [0033]    The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for the modifications will become obvious for those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.