Abstract:
A gamer&#39;s glove having finger and thumb tubes for the gamer&#39;s fingers and thumb to extend outwardly thereof, a palm portion defining at least a central aperture, whereby the glove being worn during grasping operation of a game controller flexes the palm portion causing air to communicate into and out of the glove for controlling perspiration.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to gloves. More particularly the present invention relates to gloves worn by a game player for wicking cooling grasp of a game controller by a player during play of game. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, computerized, interactive games such as XBOX, PS3, and WIT, for example, have become popular entertainment devices. The games operate with a microprocessor that executes instructions for displaying scenes and actions on a video display. The games use a variety of handheld controller devices for providing input instructions by a player to control actions during play of the games. The game controller devices have a variety of forms but have a common feature of selectively-activated buttons, switches, levers, and the like for the selective operation of features and actions during play of the game. 
     Playing of the game may become intense, particularly as a player plays the game for a long period of time. While a player may suspend operation of a game for providing an opportunity for relaxing, the hand muscles often become cramped and hands sweat. This combination makes it difficult for a player to hold the game controller for operating the game. 
     While ergonomic attention may have been considered in the design of the controller devices, for example, the relative spacing and positioning of switches, buttons and lever controls and the grip of a player&#39;s hand during use of the controller, common controllers are not generally suitable for all sizes of hands. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a glove that meets the need for a comfortable, wicking glove to enable players to hold, handle and operate a game controller during game operation over extended periods of time. It is to such that the present invention is directed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a game glove comprising a hand-receiving envelope with a palm portion and an opposing back portion, an open portion on a wrist side of the envelope for receiving a gamer&#39;s hand therethrough and into the envelope, four finger tubes extend from the envelope opposing the wrist side, and a thumb portion extends at an oblique angle from a side portion of the envelop, the finger tubes and thumb tube are open-ended, and extend a respective first distance, whereby a respective finger and thumb of the gamer&#39;s hand for being received therethrough such that the finger tubes and thumb tube cover a first portion of the respective fingers and thumb, leaving a respective distal portion free outwardly of a distal end thereof. The palm portion defines a plurality of spaced-apart apertures disposed proximate the finger tubes with surrounding lands. The glove being worn flexes by movement of the player&#39;s hand operating the game controller for communicating air through the aperture for assisting in evaporation of perspiration. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a game glove, comprising a hand-receiving envelope with a palm portion and an opposing back portion, a wrist portion extends from a wrist side of the envelope for receiving a gamer&#39;s hand through the wrist portion and into the envelope, four finger tubes extend from the envelope opposing the wrist portion, and a thumb portion extends at an oblique angle from a side portion of the envelop, the finger tubes and thumb tube are open-ended, and extend a respective first distance, whereby a respective finger and thumb of the gamer&#39;s hand for being received therethrough such that the finger tubes and thumb tube cover substantially all of a first segment of the respective fingers and thumb, leaving a respective distal portion free. The palm portion defines a plurality of arcuately-aligned spaced-apart apertures proximate the finger tubes. A resilient pad attaches to the palm portion proximate a lateral portion from which the thumb tube and the immediately adjacent finger tube extends, whereby the pad cushions the action of the of the player&#39;s thumb while operating the game controller. The glove being worn flexes by movement of the player&#39;s hand operating the game controller for communicating air through the apertures for assisting in evaporation of perspiration. 
     Objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a palm portion of a game glove in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of a palm portion of an alternate embodiment of a game glove in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of an opposing back portion of the game glove illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of a palm portion of a game glove in an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to the drawings in which like parts have like reference numerals,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate in plan view a game glove  10  in accordance with the present invention for use by a person playing video games. The game glove  10  includes a palm portion  12  and a back portion  14  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The palm portion  12  and the back portion  14  cooperatively define an envelope  16  for receiving a hand of a game player through a wrist portion generally  18 ,  20 . A band  22  attaches at on end to a first side of the wrist portion  18 . A loop  24  attaches to an opposing side of the wrist portion. A first engaging material  23  attaches to a first portion of the band  22  and a second engaging material  25  attaches to a distal portion of the band. When the band  22  is pulled through the loop  24 , the first engaging surface  23  and the second engaging surface  25  detachably engage in order to secure the wrist portions  18 ,  20  around the wrist of the game player. It is to be appreciated that other closing members or devices may gainfully be used for securing the wrist portion encircling the wrist of the player. 
     Four finger tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  extend from the envelope  16  opposing the wrist portion  18 . A thumb tube  34  extends from the envelope at an oblique angle from a side portion. The finger tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and the thumb tube  34  are open to the envelope  16  and each tube has a respective open distal end. Each tube  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  extends a respective first distance. It is contemplated that a respective finger and thumb of the gamer&#39;s hand extends through the open wrist portion  18 , into the envelope  16 , and through a respective one of the finger and thumb tubes. The finger tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and thumb tube  34  extend the respective first distance sufficiently to cover substantially all of a first segment of the respective finger and thumb extending through the tubes. The respective first distance is selected to be sufficient to cover substantially all of the first segment of the respective finger or thumb to about the first joint. This allows flexible movement of the fingers and thumb for selective operation of the buttons, switches, and levers on the game controller being held and operated by the game player. 
     A pad  36  attaches in a side portion of the palm portion  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pad  36  attaches proximate a lateral portion of the envelope  16  from which the thumb tube  34  and the immediately adjacent finger tube  32  extend from the palm portion  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pad  36  is an elongated, egg-shaped resilient member disposed with a longitudinal axis lateral of a longitudinal axis of the thumb tube  34  and at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the immediately adjacent finger tube. The pad  36  provides a slip-resistant surface to contact the game controller to facilitate holding the game controller. 
     The palm portion  12  in the illustrated embodiment further defines a plurality of apertures  38  proximate a central portion of the palm portion  12 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the palm portion  12  defines the apertures  38  proximate the initial extension of the four finger tubes  32  from the envelope  16 . The palm portion  12  thereby has lands  37  about the apertures  38 . In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures  38  are oval shaped but may be other shapes, such as circular, rectangular, or irregular. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the palm portion  12  defines the apertures  38  proximate a central portion with adjacent lands  37 . The apertures  38  are depicted as oval shaped but may be other shapes, such as circular, rectangular, or irregular. The apertures  38  extend along respective lines radiating from the central point  39 . 
     Further,  FIG. 2  illustrates an optional disposed plurality of grip nubs or dots  40  that attach to and extend from the palm portion  12 . The grip dots  40  in the illustrated embodiment are disposed proximate the initial extension of the four finger tubes  32  from the envelope  16 . The grip dots  40  are made of a non-slip material such as PVC, silicon, rubber, or other resilient material. The grip dots  40  cooperate with the pad  36  for holding the game controller during use for play of a game. It is to be appreciated that the grip dots  40  may be applied optionally to the palm portion  12  for gainful use with the other illustrative embodiments. The grip dots  40  may be dome shaped nubs, oval shaped, elongated lines, or other shape. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates yet another alternate embodiment. The apertures  38  are aligned generally arcuately relative to the substantially central midpoint  39  of the palm portion  12  and are spaced intermediate the initial extension of the four finger tubes  32  from the envelope  16  and a central point  39  of the palm portion. 
     The apertures  38  in this embodiment extend along an arc line extending from a palm edge aligned with the finger tube  26  to an edge of the envelope  16  between the thumb tube  34  and the finger tube  32 . There may be 3 to 5 of the apertures  38 , but a number and opening size are sufficient to meet the need for communicating air inwardly of the glove  10  during use as discussed below. An alternate embodiment may have at least one aperture  38 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a plan view of the back portion  14  of the envelope  16  from which the finger tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and the thumb tube  34  extend. The back portion  14  defines an aperture  42 , which is the illustrated embodiment has an elongated oval shape exposing the back of the player&#39;s hand. The aperture  42  dominates the area of the back portion  14  and has an opposing thumb apex  44  and little finger apex  46 . The thumb apex  44  is proximate a line defined by an outer edge of the finger tube  26  adjacent the thumb tube  34 . The little finger apex  46  is intermediate lines defined by the opposing sides of the little finger tube  26 . In the illustrative embodiment, the wrist portion  20  optionally displays a symbolic indicia  48 . 
     The aperture  42  may be open or alternatively may be covered with a patch of an elastic stretchable breathable fabric  42   a  (partially illustrated). 
     The gamer&#39;s glove  10  may be made with a hydrophilic cloth or sheet material, that may be form-fitting, stretchable, and breathable, with wicking properties. The material provides for absorption of perspiration from the player&#39;s hand within the glove  10  during play of games and operation of game controller devices. The sheet material may include wicking properties for drawing moisture away from the player&#39;s hand and into the body of the sheet that forms the game glove  10 . 
     The resilient pad  36  may be a unitary resilient material such as PVC, silicon, rubber, foam, or a fluidal, resilient material held within an envelope attached to the palm portion  14 . The resilient pad  36  may attach by adhering material such as glue or adhesive, heat bond, or may have a perimeter flange for stitching or sewing the resilient pad to the palm portion  12 . In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the palm portion  12  includes a pocket that receives the resilient pad  36 . 
     The game glove  10  of the present invention is used by a game player for holding game controllers during operation or play of games. The player loosens the band  22  and inserts his hand through the wrist portion  18 ,  20  into the envelope  16 . The player pulls or tugs the wrist portions  18 ,  20  for seating the hand within the envelope  16  and while also extending the player&#39;s fingers through the finger tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and through the thumb tube  34 . The player pulls the wrist portion to seat the hand fully within the envelope  16  with the fingers and thumb extending freely beyond the distal ends of the respective tubes. The player threads the band  22  through the loop  24  and then, holding the distal free end of the band, pulls the band laterally to secure the wrist portions  18 ,  20  about the wrist of the player. The first and second engaging materials  23 ,  25  on the band  22  contact and detachable engage to hold the band about the wrist of the player. In an alternate embodiment, the band  22  may be elastic or may be a band that defines openings through which a pin extends to fix the band in position. 
     During operational play of a game, the player wearing the game glove  10  handles the game controller normally. The pad  36  provides a buffering cushion for flexible, pivoting movement of the player&#39;s thumb relative to the controller. The optional grip dots  40  cooperate with the pad  36  for holding the game controller. The fingers and thumb of the game player extending through the respective tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  allows the player to make selected flexible movement of the extended fingers and thumb in operating the game controller. 
     The covered portions of the hand, fingers and thumb within the envelope and the tubes are in contact with the wicking or absorbent material of the game glove  10 . Perspiration moisture and sweat from the hand wicks or absorbs into the sheet material. The glove allows the player to have a more secure grip on the game controller and, thus, facilitates longer and more satisfactory game play. Further, the flexible movement of the fingers and thumb of the player and the arcing of the player&#39;s hand during operation of the controller device forms a varying gap in situ between the palm of the player&#39;s hand and the palm portion  12  of the glove. The flexing motion of the lands  37  changes the volume of the gap relative to the palm portion  12 . This allows air to enter under the envelope  16  and tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  through the apertures  38 , and thereby assist with the cooling the hand or absorbing the perspiration moisture of the hand. The resilient pad  36  may facilitate a bearing point for the game controller. The arching lateral movement of the player&#39;s hand allows the palm portion of the envelope to flex back and forth inwardly and outwardly relative to the palm of the player&#39;s hand. The lands of the palm portion thereby communicates air through the aperture  38  inwardly and outwardly of the gap between the palm and the palm portion of the glove envelope. In an alternate embodiment, the palm portion  12  is a stretchable breathable woven fabric with interstices as apertures for communicating air. 
     It is to be appreciated that the glove  10  may include ornamental features. For example, the distal portions of the tubes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  and  34  may have ornamental or patterned stitching  47  and the wrist portions  18 ,  20  may likewise have such stitching. The symbolic indicia  48  on the band  22  may be a brand logo, a sports symbol, an image of a character of a video game, or other symbol or image. 
     Accordingly, the illustrated embodiment of the present invention provides a game glove comprising a hand-receiving envelope with a palm portion and an opposing back portion. A wrist portion extends from a wrist side of the envelope for receiving a gamer&#39;s hand through the wrist portion and into the envelope. Four finger tubes extend from the envelope opposing the wrist portion. A thumb portion extends at an oblique angle from a side portion of the envelope. The finger tubes and thumb tube are open-ended, and extend a respective first distance, whereby a respective finger and thumb of the gamer&#39;s hand extends therethrough and beyond. The finger tubes and thumb tube cover substantially all of a first segment of the respective fingers and thumb, leaving a respective distal portion free. The palm portion defines a plurality of spaced-apart apertures (centrally disposed in the palm portion, or arcuately-aligned spaced-apart apertures proximate the finger tubes, or in an alternate embodiment, a combination of such apertures.) A resilient pad attaches to the palm portion proximate a lateral portion from which the thumb tube and the immediately adjacent finger tube extends. The pad cushions the action of the of the player&#39;s thumb while operating the game controller. The back portion defines an aperture having a dominant space of the back portion. A band attached to a side of the wrist portion extends through a loop on an opposing side whereby the band may be tightened for securing the wrist portion about the wrist of the player. While wearing the glove  10  and during operation of the game controller, air communicates through the apertures  38  for assisting in perspiration absorption. Moisture also wicks from the hand into the material of the glove  10 . The material of which the glove  10  is made may allow washing of the glove, such as by hand or by machine, for cleaning. 
     The glove  10  accordingly provides a covering over the hand for gripping of the game controller yet provides air communication apertures proximate the palm of the game player&#39;s hand which apertures defined by lands of the palm portion of the covering that upon operation of the game controller flex to vary the gap between the lands and the plan for cooling and perspiration control, with an embodiment that may have a wicking feature to further assist with cooling and perspiration control, and with an embodiment that may provide the opposing aperture that dominates the back portion  14  of the covering. 
     The foregoing has disclosed an improved game glove for gamers providing cooling grasp of the game controller during play of games. It should be understood that the above-described embodiments merely illustrate principles and features of the invention. Many modifications, additions, and deletions may, of course, be made thereto without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.