Abstract:
An athletic glove for racquet sports in specific for the game of tennis, which includes a elastic straps permanently fixed at one end between the thumb and index finger and non-permanently fixed at the other end to the rear wrist cuff. The glove covers the thumb and index finger, leaving the middle finger, ring finger and little finger uncovered whereby, giving the player tactility in feeling the racquet and not hinder the game, at the same time giving the stability to the wrist of player. The glove extends slightly over the palm and back of the hand and is secured to the hand around the wrist area by a strap of the like.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gloves, particularly gloves used for playing the game of tennis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a glove having only a thumb and index finger portion and having elastic straps permanently fixed at one end between the thumb and index finger portions and non-permanently fixed at the other end to the rear wrist cuff. Having the thumb and index finger covered while leaving the other three fingers uncovered and having the palm and back of hand partially exposed, allows for tactile feel between the racquet and player whereby control over the stroke is maximized. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of gloves have been created with unique strap configuration for a particular activity. Straps have been used to hold the hand firmly to the handles of golf clubs and others to hold securely the fingers and thumb of hand. Billiard gloves have been designed to cover the thumb and first two fingers. Golf gloves have been designed to cover the fingers and expose the palm to obtain greater feel of the swings. There has not been a glove designed for racquet sports particularly for tennis which has adjustable elastic straps on the glove to reduce the head weight of racquet while having the glove cover the thumb and index finger and partially covers the palm and back of hand while leaving the other three fingers and bottom portion of the palm and back of hand exposed. The present invention is designed for racquet sports such as tennis. Tennis is a demanding game and requires a lot of wrist strength. The wrist has to be strong enough to withstand the force of the ball as well as the force of gravity working on the racquet during the duration of the activity. Thus it is desirable to provide an athletic glove, which allows the wearer to withstand the forces affecting the wrist and allowing the player to maintain the tactile feel of the game and not be inhibited by the glove. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a athletic glove for racquet sports which is designed to provide support for the wrist by reducing the vertical forces felt when holding the racquet in a standard handshake position. The vertical forces are reduced on the wrist by two elastic straps permanently secured onto glove. The elastic straps simulate the muscles which are responsible for moving the wrist, such as the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis and extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The first elastic is called the longus elastic strap and is permanently attached between the thumb and the index finger to simulate the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis muscles. The second elastic strap is called backhand elastic strap and is also permanently attached between the thumb and index finger to simulate the backhand muscle that is responsible for the hand to be pulled up and out whereby aiding in the single handed backhand stroke. 
     The free end of longus elastic strap affixes on the wrist cuff of glove between the thumb and index finger portion in an adjustable way to give varying degree of support of the wrist and hand. The free end of the backhand elastic support strap also affixes on the wrist cuff of glove on the palm side of the little finger for adjustment to give varying degrees of support of the wrist and hand. Once the elastic support straps are securely attached to the wrist cuff the hand is pulled up and out whereby cocking the wrist up, therefore when holding the racquet the head weight of racquet is reduced on the wrist and hand. The elastic straps do not inhibit the natural forehand and backhand strokes in anyway, it only enhances playability. The support straps does not change or inhibit the natural strokes but only re-enforces the natural strokes and reduces the vertical force of racquet on wrist and gives added spring like support to all the strokes. 
     The athletic glove of the present invention includes a glove having the thumb and index finger covered and leaving the middle finger, ring finger and little finger uncovered and partially covering a palm portion joined with a partially covered back portion, a rear wrist cuff, and elastic straps permanently secured on one end between the thumb and index figure and non-permanently secured on the other end to a rear wrist cuff. The placement of the permanently secured strap can be thought of as a natural extension of the muscle of the hand and wrist, which is responsible in moving the hand. The glove preferably has a vent extending lengthwise from the wrist cuff part way thorough the length of the glove to the open palm. A fastener, such as a tab secured to the glove on one side of the vent having a hook and loop fastener, such as a VELCRO fastener engaging the other side of the vent, permitting the fit of the glove to be adjusted. 
     To obtain an aesthetic look to a glove the longus elastic strap and the backhand elastic strap are permanently attached underneath on the inside of glove between the thumb and index finger. The longus elastic strap and the backhand elastic strap travel underneath the glove and protrudes out near the site of attachment such that the end portion is non-permanently attached onto the wrist cuff. 
     To obtain varying degree of support, there may be a plurality of the longus elastic straps and a plurality of the backhand elastic straps, which can be composed of plurality of materials. The materials may have different degree of elastic properties from very elastic to non-elastic. Increased support may be obtained by adjusting the non-permanently attached end of the elastic strap before or during a game by pulling the elastic strap tightly or loosely and attaching it to the wrist cuff by means of a hook and loop fastener on the elastic strap and wrist cuff. 
     To protect the hand completely and to obtain a standard feel of the glove, the whole hand can be covered by the glove. All the fingers, the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger and thumb can be covered, as well as, a full palm and full back piece. The longus elastic strap and the backhand elastic strap can be permanently attached underneath the glove between the thumb and index finger while traveling underneath on the inside of glove and protrude out near the site of attachment such that the end portion non-permanently attaches onto the wrist cuff. To protect the hand and prevent blisters to the palm and still retain the natural feel of the game, the palm and back piece have full coverage while leaving the little finger, ring finger and middle finger uncovered and fully covering only the index finger and thumb. 
     Therefore, in accordance with present invention the athletic glove for racquet sports reduces the vertical force produced by the head of racquet and in direct relation improves the backhand and forehand strokes, volleys, backhand returns and backhand slices. The player is less likely with the glove to make an error due to a weak wrist or fatigue due to a long duration of the game, which may compromise the correct form of the strokes. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustrations only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not limitative of the present invention, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevated view of glove with elastic straps disengaged in a handshake position; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the backside of glove with elastic straps engaged; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the palm side of glove with elastic straps engaged; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevated view of glove with elastic straps engaged in a handshake position; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of backside of glove with elastic straps disengaged and wrist cuff open; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic view of glove with the hand gripping the handle portion of a tennis racquet; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the backside of glove; 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of the palm side of glove; 
         FIG. 9  is an elevated view of glove elastic straps disengaged and attached to the underside of glove; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of backside of glove with elastic straps disengaged and attached to the underside of glove; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of backside of glove with elastic straps engaged and attached to the underside of glove; 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of the palm side glove with elastic straps engaged and attached to the underside of glove; 
         FIG. 13  is a plan view of backside of glove with a partially covered back and palm with one finger and thumb covered fully with elastic straps engaged and attached to the wrist cuff of glove; 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view of palm side of glove with a fully covered palm with one finger and thumb covered fully with elastic straps engaged and attached to the wrist cuff of glove; 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view of back side of glove with a fully covered back with one finger and thumb covered fully with elastic straps engaged and attached to the wrist cuff of glove; 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of backside of glove with a partially covered palm and back with the thumb and index finger having no coverage; 
         FIG. 17  is a plan view of back side of glove with a fully covered back and palm with the thumb and index finger having no coverage. 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view of back side of glove with all the fingers, thumb, palm and back fully covered with the elastic straps engaged and attached to the wrist cuff. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the depictions are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same.  FIG. 1  is an elevated view of a glove  10  of the present invention. Glove  10  is generally composed of a palm piece  60 , a back piece  62 , a longus elastic straps  30 , a backhand elastic strap  34  and a wrist cuff  42 . Glove  10  is adapted to snugly fit the human hand such that palm piece  60  in  FIG. 3  lies tightly against the palm of hand while back piece  62  in  FIG. 2  lies tightly against the back of hand. Palm piece  60  and back piece  62  are preferably joined by at least one seam, a seam  24 , in a conventional continuous manner around the glove as depicted in  FIG. 1 . When palm piece  60  and back piece  62  are joined, a wrist edge  40  and a index finger portion  20  and a thumb portion  22  are provided in a conventional manner in  FIG. 1 . It will be understood that although the half-finger portion glove is illustrated, the half finger portion could be replaced with full finger portion, no finger portion or a variety in-between. 
     The palm piece  60  and back piece  62  only cover a portion of the palm the back of hand in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . This partial covering of the palm allows tennis player the natural feel of the tennis racquet when holding it. The exposed middle finger, ring finger and little finger are referred to as the gripping finger in tennis and are responsible for a strong stable grip in holding the racquet. The index finger and the thumb are referred to as the pinching fingers and are not responsible for the strong grip. The exposed gripping fingers and the partial exposed palm and back is what allow the tennis player to feel the natural feel of the tennis racquet while having the benefits of the snug feel and stable wrist of wearing glove  10 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts the elevated view of glove  10  in which the elastic straps are engaged. 
     Backhand elastic strap  30  and longus elastic strap  34  are permanently fixed at a point  38  between index finger portion  20  and thumb portion  22 .  FIG. 1  depicts the free end of longus elastic strap  34  comprises a loop element  36  of a hook and loop fastener, such as a VELCRO fastener, sewn to the bottom side thereof. Loop element  36  is for adjustable engagement with a hook element  50  sewn on the outside of wrist cuff  42  between the index finger portion  20  and thumb portion  22 . Backhand elastic strap  30  comprises a loop element  32  of a hook and loop fastener, such as a VELCRO fastener, sewn to the bottom side thereof. Loop element  32  is for adjustable engagement with a hook element  52  located on the palm side closer the open side of palm and sewn on the outside of wrist cuff  42  in  FIG. 3 . Once longus elastic strap  34  is engaged the player will feel the vertical support against gravity of the longus elastic strap  34  whereby the wrist is slightly pulled upward and backward. This added tension caused by longus elastic strap  34  will give increased support to the wrist of the player when holding the racquet, which can be seen and felt by the stretching of longus elastic strap  34 , acting like a loaded spring helping the player lift the racquet quickly and stabilizing the wrist. Once backhand elastic strap  30  is engaged the player will feel the backhand support of backhand elastic strap  30  whereby slightly pulling the back of hand back. This added tension caused by backhand elastic strap  30  will give increased support to the wrist of the player when the player takes the racquet back for a backhand swing and bends the wrist slightly forward or inward to hit the backhand shot, which can be seen and felt by the stretching of backward elastic strap  30  which acts like a loaded spring flicking the wrist back. 
       FIG. 5  depicts wrist cuff  42  which forms the lower portion of glove  10  adjacent to the hand opening on both the palm side and back side, and is constructed of elastic and non-elastic material to provide stability to the wrist. Glove  10  has a slit  43  therein which extends from wrist cuff  42  short way through the length of glove on the opposite side of thumb portion  22  and between palm piece  60  and back piece  62 . Wrist cuff  42  includes a lateral tab  44  sewn directly to the palm portion of the wrist cuff along a lengthwise seam of the split. Tab  44  comprises a loop element  48  of a hook and loop fastener, such as a VELCRO fastener, sewn to the inside thereof. Loop element  48  is for adjustable engagement with a hook element  49  sewn to the outside back portion of wrist cuff  42 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagrammatical view of a hand wearing glove  10  and holding the racquet with the backhand elastic strap  30  and longus elastic strap  34  engaged. The glove allows for a spring like support of the racquet being held and reduces the vertical gravitational force of the racquet being held.  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  represents glove  10  without the elastic straps attached to glove. This type of glove configuration allows the player the natural feel of the racquet and the firm support of a glove supporting the wrist and hand. Glove  10  has the index finger portion  20  and the thumb portion  22  with the partial covered back piece  62  and the partial covered palm piece  60  and the wrist cuff  42  with the wrist tab  44  for adjustable engagement comprising of a hook and loop fastener.  FIG. 9  is an elevated view of glove  10  with the backhand elastic strap  30  and longus elastic strap  34  attached inside of glove  10  at a location  39  between the index finger portion  20  and thumb portion  22 . Longus elastic strap  34  runs along the inside of glove and come out of a longus opening  46  and attach to the hook fastener  50  located on wrist cuff  42  by loop fastener  36  permanently attached to longus elastic strap  34 .  FIG. 10  depicts the backside of glove  10  with backhand elastic strap  30  and longus elastic strap  34  disengaged. Backhand elastic strap  30  travels along the inside of glove  10  and come out of a backhand opening  48  located on the back piece  62 .  FIG. 11  depicts the fastening of longus elastic strap  34  to the hook element  50  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42 .  FIG. 12  depicts the fastening of backhand elastic strap  30  to the hook element  52  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42  on the palm piece  60 . 
     Another embodiment of glove  10  is  FIG. 13  representing the glove covering the index finger and thumb completely with a full finger  70  and a full thumb  72  with the fastening of longus elastic strap  34  to the hook element  50  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42 . 
     Yet another embodiment of glove  10  is  FIG. 14  representing the glove fully covering the backhand and palm with a full palm piece  80  and the full finger  70  and full thumb  72  with backhand elastic strap  30  engaged to the hook element  52  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42 .  FIG. 15  represents the glove with a full back piece  81  and the full finger  70 , full thumb  72  with the fastening of longus elastic strap  34  to the hook element  50  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42 . 
       FIG. 16  is another embodiment of glove  10  with the partially covered back and palm piece with the thumb and index finger not covered depicting the partial covered back piece  62 . The longus elastic strap  34  is fastened to the hook element  50  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42 . Yet another embodiment of glove  10  is  FIG. 17  with the fully covered palm and a full back piece  81  and having no coverage of the thumb and index finger with the longus elastic strap  34  engaged to the hook element  50  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42 . 
     Yet another embodiment of glove  10  is  FIG. 18  representing the glove fully covering all the fingers, full finger  70 , full middle finger  74 , full ring finger  76 , full little finger  78  and full thumb  72  with a fully covered back piece  81 .  FIG. 18  depicts the fastening of longus elastic strap  34  to the hook element  50  of a hook and loop fastener located on wrist cuff  42  and the engagement of the backhand elastic strap  30  to wrist cuff  42 .