Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved disposable exercise glove. The device includes a latex glove with an opening for each finger section, a flock-lined interior, and a padded palm area. The flock lining enables a user to easily don the gloves, while the padding provides an enhanced grip when grasping exercise equipment. The gloves can be worn and disposed of after a single use or can be reused as desired. The present invention is substantially all in one piece, and is easy to put on and take off of the user&#39;s hand. The disposable exercise glove is composed of resilient material that not only readily adjusts itself to the user&#39;s hand when placed thereon, but snugly and tightly fits the same. The present invention provides a hygienic and protective barrier to make otherwise long or strenuous workouts more comfortable.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/870,611 filed on Aug. 27, 2013, entitled “Disposable Workout Glove.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to exercise gloves. More specifically, the present invention pertains to improved disposable exercise gloves that provide enhanced grip and padding suitable for various types of exercises. The exercise gloves of the present invention are designed for a single use or may be cleaned and reused as desired. 
         [0004]    Fitness or weightlifting gloves are used for protection and support during a rigorous workout. They are designed to prevent the blisters and calluses that can often result from repeatedly grabbing and gripping certain exercise equipment such as dumbbells, barbells, and pull-up bars. The exercise gloves act as a protective barrier to prevent the hands from feeling sore and raw. They can also protect the wrists from strain and provide cushioning for the palms. 
         [0005]    Traditional exercise gloves generally comprise leather or stretchable fabric such as Lycra. These gloves tend to be thick and bulky, and are offered in specific sizes. Many traditional exercise gloves are initially uncomfortable to wear, and require a user to break the gloves in to conform to the shape of the user&#39;s hand. The thickness of traditional exercise gloves also makes it difficult and uncomfortable for a user to properly grip thicker bars and equipment because the gloves add to the thickness of the bar. This decreases the user&#39;s grip strength on pulling exercises such as deadlifts, rows, or pull-ups. Traditional exercise gloves also prevent the user from developing a proper technique for various types of exercises. For instance, the thickness of traditional exercise gloves makes it more difficult to keep the bar close to the user&#39;s wrists on the bench press. When the bar is not kept close to the user&#39;s wrists, the user&#39;s wrists can roll backward and cause a wrist injury. 
         [0006]    The present invention provides a disposable exercise glove. The device includes a latex glove with a flock lining and padding in the palm area. The flock lining enables a user to easily don the gloves, while the padding provides enhanced grip when grasping various exercise equipment even when the hands perspire. In this way, the present invention helps to prevent the formation of calluses on hands and also provides a better grip for certain weight lifting routines. The present invention provides a convenient alternative to traditional exercise gloves that are bulky and heavy. The present invention is designed to offer a better fit for a variety of users and may be used for light to intense workouts. 
         [0007]    The present invention may be worn and preferably disposed of after a single use. Alternatively, the gloves may be cleaned and reused. The gloves prevent the user from directly touching various exercise equipment used by many people, which can harbor germs and bacteria. The present invention allows the user to use a new pair of exercise gloves during each visit to the gym or clean the gloves after each use, thereby facilitating practice of a good hygiene at the gym. 
         [0008]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0009]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to disposable gloves for various uses, including athletic, medical, and work uses. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to disposable gloves comprising resilient, flexible material. Some of these devices describe a single use nitrile glove with a woven or nonwoven material and grip protrusions on the palm of the glove. Other devices describe a chemical handling latex glove with a liquid-impervious shell and a flock lining having cut resistant properties. These devices, however, do not disclose a disposable fingerless glove having a breathable flock lining and a padded palm adapted for use during exercise. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0010]    Specifically, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2012/0030857 to Farago provides a disposable gym workout glove having a palm section made of nitrile, a woven material, or a nonwoven material. The glove further comprises grip protrusions that are located on the palm section and finger receiving members of the glove. The grip protrusions comprise grip stripes that are located parallel to each other on the palm area. Additionally, each grip stripe can be a series of bumps or a continuous stripe. While Farago discloses a disposable gym workout glove, the Farago device is limited in that it requires a user to insert an entire hand therein. Accordingly, the finger receiving members of Farago cover the entire length of the finger, enclosing the finger therein. This may be uncomfortable for users with longer finger nails, and the finger nails could pierce through the fingertip portion of the glove. Additionally, the grip stripes of Farago differ from the padding of the present invention. More specifically, the grip stripes are spaced apart parallel to each other and can dig into the palm of the user. In contrast, the padding of the present invention has a surface that spans a portion of the palm area of the glove. 
         [0011]    U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2006/0041991 to Sim discloses a unitary construction latex glove with a textured outer surface. The textured surface is disposed on the areas of the glove corresponding with the parts of fingers and palm used for gripping and holding. The textured surface comprises a raised diamond pattern texture that is integral to the glove surface. In this way, the Sim device provides increased friction to improve gripping. 
         [0012]    Similarly, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2011/0030121 to Smalls discloses a slip-resistant medical grip glove comprising a flexible, resilient material. The glove includes finger enclosures with fingertips, a hand portion with a palm surface and a backhand surface, and a wrist portion having an opening through which a user&#39;s hand is inserted. The glove features a variety of patterns of raised and/or textured section on the exterior surface of the glove to provide enhanced gripping capability to a wearer. The glove may also be sterilized and may be color-coded to identify the specific material on which a glove is fabricated. 
         [0013]    The foregoing Sim and Smalls devices are directed toward disposable gloves that include textured patterns that provide enhanced gripping capability to the user. These devices, however, do not comprise a fingerless portion and a padding that spans the palm portion of the glove. The present invention comprises a fingerless glove with a padding disposed on the palm portion of the glove, wherein the padding includes a high friction surface. The fingerless design of the present invention is advantageous where dexterity is required during exercise that traditional full gloves would restrict. The fingerless design of the present invention does not interfere with sensation or gripping when using exercise equipment. Additionally, the textured outer surfaces disclosed by Sim and Smalls do not provide cushioning to the user when the device is worn. The present invention provides padding in the palm area to avoid formation of blisters and calluses that result from repeatedly grabbing and gripping knurled handles of various exercise equipment. 
         [0014]    Another device, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2009/0077713 to Saunders discloses a chemical resistant glove having cut resistant properties. The glove comprises a cured, liquid-impervious polymeric latex shell. A cut resistant liner is slipped on the tacky adhesive coating and is infiltrated with a polymeric latex coating and cured to integrally attach the cut resistant liner with the cured polymeric coating. When a sharp edge contacts the glove while the glove is worn, a crease is formed due to slip at the tacky adhesive-cut resistant liner interface creating a geometry that reduces cut stress intensity at the sharp edge, thereby increasing the cut resistance of the glove. The purpose and design of the Saunders device, however, differs from the present invention. The primary purpose of the Saunders device is to protect the hands from surgical chemicals or disease and contamination during medical and surgical procedures. The present invention provides disposable gloves that are suitable for use during exercise. As such, the present invention includes padding that provides an enhanced grip when grasping exercise equipment. Additionally, the present invention includes a breathable flock lining for pulling moisture from the hands to the exterior of the gloves where it can evaporate more easily, thereby allowing users to easily take the gloves on and off. 
         [0015]    Finally, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2009/0235430 to Williams discloses a glove with gripping dots, wherein the dots are adapted to enhance the ability of the user to grip and manipulate a variety of differently configured objects. The gloves also allow a user to grip and manipulate objects between the thumb and the index finger. The glove comprises a multiplicity of elastomeric gripping dots on the palm side of the glove and on both sides of the thumb portion of the glove to enable the user to securely grip and manipulate various types of articles. The present invention provides a padding comprising a high friction surface that substantially spans the length of the palm area. The padding of the present invention is designed to prevent the blisters and calluses that result from repeatedly grabbing and gripping certain exercise equipment such as resistance training equipment and free weights. While the gripping dots of Williams may be slip-resistant, the dots fail to provide cushioning to the user&#39;s hands. 
         [0016]    The present invention provides a disposable fingerless workout glove comprising a rubber latex or non-latex material exterior and a light flock interior lining. The resilient and flexible nature of the exterior material and the construction of the glove allow the glove to conform to the contours of a user&#39;s hand to provide a snug fit. The palm portion of the glove includes a padded, high-friction surface that spans the length of the palm area. The padding is adapted to increase comfort to a user when gripping a weight or other exercise equipment. The device protects the user&#39;s hands and prevents blisters and calluses from constantly gripping the exercise equipment. The fingerless design of the glove comprises individual openings for each digit of the hand. In this way, the present invention does not interfere with sensation or gripping when holding various exercise equipment. 
         [0017]    It is submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing exercise gloves. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of disposable exercise gloves now present in the prior art, the present invention provides new and improved disposable exercise gloves wherein the same can be utilized for protecting hands during a workout, thereby providing comfort to the user and facilitating the practice of a good personal hygiene. 
         [0019]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that has a fingerless design to provide dexterity required during exercise. 
         [0021]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that has a strategically positioned padding on the palm area to guide exercise equipment into a proper hand position and provide comfort to the user. 
         [0022]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that has a high friction surface padding to provide an enhanced grip when grasping exercise equipment. 
         [0023]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that includes a flock lining to increase the ease of donning the glove. 
         [0024]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that conforms to the contours of a user&#39;s hand for a snug fit. 
         [0025]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that can accommodate a wide variety of hand sizes. 
         [0026]    A final object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved disposable exercise glove that can be worn and disposed of after a single use or can be reused as desired. 
         [0027]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  shows plan views of the front and back side of a pair of disposable exercise gloves of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the present invention as worn by a user. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the present invention as packaged before use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    References is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the disposable exercise glove. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for protecting hands during a workout. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there are shown perspective views of the disposable exercise glove  20  of the present invention, wherein the gloves  20  are provided for each hand. The exterior surface  29  of the glove  20  preferably comprises a light, flexible, and resilient material such as natural rubber latex or non-latex material having a unitary construction. The glove  20  has an interior volume adapted to receive a user&#39;s hand through a glove opening  23 . The glove  20  is designed to fit snugly to the user&#39;s hand so that it does not shift on the user&#39;s hand while the user is performing exercises that require lifting and pulling. Unlike traditional exercise gloves, the gloves  20  of the present invention do not require the user to break them because the resilient material of the gloves accommodate various sizes and conform to the hands of the user upon donning. 
         [0034]    The glove  20  preferably comprises a fingerless glove constructed to be worn on a user&#39;s hand so that the glove  20  spans from the user&#39;s wrist to the proximal phalanx or the middle of the fingers. The glove  20  includes an upper and a lower portion wherein the lower portion includes a glove opening  23 . The upper portion of the glove  20  includes individual cylindrical sections  26  with openings  24  adapted to receive fingers therethrough. Each finger is slid through a separate opening  24  on the glove  20 . The individual sections  26  of the glove  20  keep the fingers separate. The individual sections  26  are constructed to extend slightly above the user&#39;s knuckles so as to avoid interfering with sensation of gripping when using exercise equipment. 
         [0035]    The glove  20  further includes a palm surface  21  and a backhand surface  22 . The palm surface  21  includes a padding  27 , wherein the padding  27  comprises a textured surface  28 . The padding  27  may be rounded or may be shaped like a modified rectangle. The padding  27  may comprise a flat layer of silicone, rubber, foam, or gel padding adapted to provide cushioning. The padding  27  may comprise a single piece or may comprise a cover with an interior volume adapted to receive a padding material therein. The padding  27  may be sewn onto the palm surface  21  or mounted via epoxy thereon. The textured surface  28  may comprise a variety of patterns to provide traction for gripping. In the illustrated embodiment, the textured surface  28  comprises a raised diamond pattern. In other embodiments, however, the textured surface  28  may comprise other raised patterns such as dots, ridges, or stripes. The padding  27  has a rough, non-slip surface to allow a user to firmly and securely grip a barbell or other exercise equipment. 
         [0036]    The padding  27  spans over the upper palm area of the hand, and may be placed in strategic places on the palm surface  21 . In this way, the padding  27  may guide exercise equipment into a proper hand position to help improve the user&#39;s grip strength. The textured surface  28  allows for repeated repetitions of various workout routines without the weights slipping and sliding around the user&#39;s hands. Without the gloves  20  to protect the hands, sweat can interfere with grip, making for an uncomfortable and possibly dangerous situation as the weight can fall onto the user and cause injury. The ability to hold weights firmly in place is essential to proper execution of an exercise, which in turn prevents injuries caused by incorrect form or loss of control of the weights. 
         [0037]    The glove  20  further comprises an interior surface having a flock lining  25 , which facilitates taking the gloves on and off. The flock lining  25  is substantially coextensive with the exterior surface  29  of the glove  20 . Accordingly, the flock lining  25  is adapted to stretch and adjust with the exterior surface  29 . The flock lining  25  preferably comprises cotton or other suitable material that absorbs moisture and keeps hands dry. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a view of the present invention as worn by a user. The gloves  20  of the present invention provide immediate comfort and the gloves do not need to be broken in. During use, the gloves  20  act as a barrier against knurled and rigid edges of various exercise equipment. The glove  20  fits relatively securely to the hand, and therefore, the glove  20  will not tend to move or will only move relatively minimally against the hand as it is worn so that it will not excessively rub against the user&#39;s hand or irritate the user. 
         [0039]    The user inserts his or her hand through the glove opening  23  disposed along the lower portion of the glove  20  so that the palm surface  21  coincides with the user&#39;s palm and the backhand surface  22  coincides with the back of the user&#39;s hand. The opening  23  stretches to allow the user to insert his or her hand therein. The flock lining disposed in the interior surface of the glove  20  also allow the user to easily slip his or her hand in and out of the glove  20 . Once the gloves  20  are placed on the user&#39;s hands, the resilient nature of the glove material allows the glove  20  to wrap around the user&#39;s wrist without additional securing means as used for traditional exercise gloves. 
         [0040]    Moreover, the user inserts his or her fingers through the openings  24  disposed on the upper edge of each of the individual section  26 . Each of the individual sections  26  of the glove  20  is constructed to tightly hug each of the user&#39;s fingers. The individual sections  26  are dimensioned to extend up to approximately the middle of each of the fingers. In this way, the user&#39;s finger tips are exposed, allowing the user to move the fingers freely. The fingerless design of the present invention offers an improved air circulation and is more breathable than traditional workout gloves. The flock lining of the present invention also wicks moisture away from the hands, providing a cool and comfortable experience for the duration of a workout. 
         [0041]    When the gloves  20  are worn, the padding  27  is positioned on the upper portion of the user&#39;s palm. The padding  27  may comprise silicone, rubber, foam, or gel padding that may be attached to the palm surface  21  via epoxy or reinforced stitching around the palm area. The padding  27  may be positioned strategically to guide the weight or bar into the proper hand position. The padding  27  is adapted to absorb some of the pressure caused by holding a weight, thereby protecting and cushioning the hands and wrists, helping to make long or strenuous workouts more comfortable. The padding  27  also prevents blisters caused by contact with equipment, as it provides additional padding for increased comfort. Moreover, the textured surface  28  of the padding minimizes the exercise equipment from slipping and sliding around the user&#39;s hands. It is further submitted that while the present invention protects hands from many types of resistance training equipment and free weights, the gloves  20  of the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of other exercises or sports such as yoga, Pilates, racquetball, tennis, golf, or the like. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a view of the present invention as it is packaged. The gloves  20  of the present invention may be bulk packaged in a box  30  or individually packaged in an individual peel-open package  31 . The gloves  20  are packaged so that they are sterile and ready to use. The bulk package may be suitable for use in a gym or a fitness center. In this way, the present invention facilitates practicing good hygiene by reducing the user&#39;s contact with germs and bacteria on exercise equipment used by many people. 
         [0043]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0044]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.