Patent Publication Number: US-2012023632-A1

Title: Hand protecting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Ser. No. 12/012,289 filed on Feb. 1, 2008 for “Hand Protecting Device,” the full disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein, and priority of which is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gloves have been used since the beginning of time and serve numerous functions such as to warm, decorate or protect the hand. Protective gloves provide an impenetrable barrier between toxic materials and the human skin or serve as a shield against abrasions, bruises, cuts and calluses. Throughout the centuries, gloves have been manufactured in a variety of materials such as rubber, latex, leather, or cloth and for a variety of purposes, for instance, surgery, gardening, defense against cold weather, as well as gloves developed for sports such as baseball, golf, hockey and weightlifting. 
     While there are many athletic and stress-reducing gloves available, many problems arise from their current designs. They can be confining, blocking the air circulation to the outside of the hand as well as the majority portion of the inside of the hand, creating heat buildup and hence, sweat; this can impair traction, which is especially important in weightlifting and other activities where a cylindrical—often heavy—object is repetitively lifted. Numerous gloves have had cutaways to solve this problem, however when the cutaway occurs, the normal amount of material that would be available for grasping the item that is being gripped by the hand and lifted is also diminished. 
     Conventionally, when a user is lifting weights or performing other prolonged strenuous activities related to gripping a cylindrical object, for instance weightlifting, digging and shoveling dirt or snow, swinging a baseball bat or the like, the hands undergo a tremendous amount of stress. If barehanded, the user will develop unwanted and unhealthy calluses on the hand where the weights are most commonly gripped. The stress of repetitive, irritating motion pulls the skin in the juncture of the fingers (at the metacarpal phalanx joint) and the hand, causing sores and blisters. Sweat and dirt may inflame these open sores and make further exercise painful or impossible. 
     Unfortunately, most of the currently available gloves for this type of activity do not lessen the likelihood of discomfort and calluses. Specifically, calluses may still form where confining material bunches up and sweat is trapped between the skin of the user&#39;s hand and the material of the glove. If the glove is not effective, the user is more likely to not use it and to perform the activity barehanded, bringing us full cycle back to the original problems associated with this kind of activity. 
     A number of patents have been issued on different designs of hand-protecting gloves. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,499 discloses a gripper pad for providing a non-slip grip on a weightlifting bar. However, the pad extends beyond the edges of the palm and covers a large portion of the hand, which could make it uncomfortable and unwieldy on the user&#39;s hand. U.S. Pat. No. D546,954 discloses an orthopedic device to shield the hands, which appears to be bulky, covering most of the fingers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,802 teaches grip-gloves to absorb shock during weightlifting. However, the single strap to secure the grip glove to the hand may not provide the utmost protection and may easily break. The surface of the glove itself, while flexible, appears to be stiff and covers the entirety of the palm, which may be uncomfortable to the hand and discourage the user from wearing. U.S. Pat. No. D465,617 discloses a weightlifting glove that provides loops and holes for the fingers as well as the thumb. It has a baseball “mitt”-like appearance and thus it appears that the glove will interfere with the repetitive motion of weightlifting. U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,621 discloses a general utility handgrip assist pad that is manufactured from Neoprene with a thicker portion at the heel of the hand that appears to be cumbersome when the user grips an object. The pad is affixed to the hand with finger holes, but it appears that the band would slip out of place on the hand and the user would be forced to concentrate extra attention to keeping it in place or would likely not use the device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,853 discloses an orthopedic glove that wraps securely around the user&#39;s hand and this will strangle the hand&#39;s ability to breath, for the skin to contact the air. The material of the glove will not conform to both the hand and the object to be lifted which may restrict the traction between the hand and the object. U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,963 teaches a protective band for the hand that resembles a catcher&#39;s mitt or boxing glove. This glove is entirely unsuitable for the lifting of cylindrical objects and the size and shape of the glove will restrict both the motion of the hand and airflow. 
     Still another example of a prior design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D363,146, where a hand protector is secured by opposing tabs which connect at the back of the hand while the pad of the protector covers the entire palm. However, because there is nothing to secure the pad to the fingers, the user will find that the device shifts up towards the fingers and down towards the palm, especially as the strenuous repetitive motion loosens the opposing tabs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,715 discloses a palm protector that covers the entirety of the lower palm and thumb, but leaves free and unprotected the crucial finger and palm juncture that specifically curls around the object to be lifted. The base of the user&#39;s palm will be protected, but is likely to overheat in the enclosed protector. 
     While the patented devices may work satisfactory in many environments, they still leave an area for improvement, especially where the user engages in repetitive weightlifting activity. 
     The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior designs and provision of a hand-protecting band that is particularly adapted for use in weight-lifting activity or where a user lifts circular objects, around which a hand is curled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a hand-protecting device for supporting and protecting the user&#39;s hand during strenuous activity. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand-protecting device that allows freedom and flexibility of use without constraining the movements. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand-protecting device that allows air circulation to cool the hand during strenuous activities. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand-protecting device that is flexible enough to allow the user to curl finger around a cylindrical object and still cushions the palm and fingers of the user&#39;s hand. 
     It still a further object of the invention to provide a hand protecting device that has a non-slip surface which contacts an object being lifted. 
     These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a hand protection device, which comprises a flexible resilient gripping pad having a peripheral edge and a bottom surface, said bottom surface being sized and configured to cover at least an area of a palm of a human hand between a metacarpal bone zone and a phalanges without extending over distal phalanges. 
     A finger-engaging band is secured to the upper surface of the gripping pad for engaging fingers of a user, said finger engaging band dividing the gripping pad into a forward part and a rear part. The finger-engaging band has a plurality of spaced-apart finger loops configured to receive user&#39;s fingers therein. A first resilient compressible cushion is fitted to the upper surface of the gripping pad in the rear part of the gripping pad. A second resilient compressible cushion fitted to the upper surface of the gripping pad in the forward part of the gripping pad. The cushions are made of an elastomer, dry polymer or polymer gel. 
     The gripping glove of this invention supports and protects the hand of a weightlifter or other user performing an activity that is strenuous to the hand. The gripping glove cushions the junction of the fingers and palm without constricting flexibility or airflow to the skin. The gripping pad may be of varying sizes to best support both male and female hands as well as juvenile and adult hands. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the hand-protecting device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the device in accordance with the present invention showing the end view of the device. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the hand protecting device of the present invention engaged on a human hand. 
         FIG. 6  is bottom view of the device of the present invention showing a slip-resistant surface. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of the device of the present invention positioned on a user&#39;s hand, with the gripping pad being flatly positioned on a horizontal surface. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of the device of the present invention positioned on a user&#39;s hand and contacting an object being lifted. 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the critical areas on the user&#39;s hand, which the band of the present invention protects. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of the device protecting the palm of the user&#39;s hand curled around a cylindrical object. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral  10  designates the hand-protecting device of the present invention. The device  10  comprises a flexible, resilient bottom gripping pad  12  having a peripheral edge defined by a first elongated side  14 , a second elongated side  16 , a first end  18  and a second end  20 . The pad has a forward part and a larger rear part separated by a finger band, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter. 
     The pad  12  has a bottom surface  24 , which is configured with grooves  23 , which can be randomly formed, in a criss-cross fashion about the entire bottom surface  24 . If desired, the grooves  23  can form a pattern, such a honeycomb pattern in the bottom surface  24 . The upper surface  25  of the pad  12  can be formed substantially planar and smooth. 
     The groves or indentations  23  increase friction characteristics of the bottom surface  24  and resist slipping of the gripping pad  12  when the user engages an object. The pad  12  can be formed from a number of materials, one of the preferred materials being a synthetic rubber, such as Neoprene. 
     As can be seen in the drawings, the gripping pad  12  has a generally elongated oval configuration, where the sides  14  and  16  are connected to the ends  18  and  20  by curved corners  25 ,  26 ,  27 , and  28 . Of course, other configurations can be selected for the bottom pad  12 , if desired. The pad  12  is sized to cover substantially a large part of a palm  70  of the user&#39;s hand  80 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . In one aspect, the pad  12  covers a part of the metacarpals  72 , proximal phalanges  73  and intermediate phalanges  74 . In one aspect of the invention, the bottom pad  12  leaves the distal phalanges  75  and a large portion of the thumb  71  uncovered. 
     A first flexible, compressible, resilient cushion  30  is affixed to the upper surface  25  of the pad  12  in the rear part of the pad  12 . The first cushion  30  has a generally oval configuration and is configured to fit within the peripheral borders of the pad  12 . If desired, an indentation can be formed in the upper surface  25  of the pad  12 , and the first cushion  30  can be fitted into the indentation. The first cushion  30  is can be made of elastomer, polymer gel material or dry-polymer gel material suitable to be secured to the pad  12 . The first cushion  30  has a top surface  32 , which is exposed to contact by the human hand  80 . The first cushion  30  resiliently flexes and bends together with the pad  12  as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . 
     Secured to the upper surface  25  of the pad  12  is a finger band  50 , which can be formed integrally with the pad  12 . The finger band  50  is provided with a plurality of finger loops  52  that are sized and configured to receive fingers of the user&#39;s hand therein. The finger band  50  can be formed from a band of flexible stretchable resilient material such as Neoprene, similar to the pad  12 . Alternatively, the finger band  50  can be formed from an elastic band made of braid elastic, latex and the like. The finger band  50  can be secured to the upper surface  25  of the pad  12  by adhesive, by heat or any other suitable method. 
     The finger loops  52  are separated from each other by bridges  54  formed from the solid portion of the band  50 . In this manner, each phalange of the user&#39;s hand  80  is separately protected by the device  10 . 
     The finger band  50  is sized to extend at least between the area  60  along the metacarpal bone zone and the proximal phalanges zone  62 , as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The finger loops  52  are positioned to engage at least a part of the proximal phalanges  73 . It is preferred that the band  50  and the pad  12  do not extend over the distal phalanges  75 , leaving the ends of the fingers free to articulate. Since the finger band  50  does not engage the opposing thumb  71 , the device  10  does not interfere with the normal articulation of the hand. 
     A second cushion  40  is affixed to the upper surface  25  of the pad  12  adjacent the first elongated side  14  in the forward part of the pad  12 . The second cushion  40 , similar to the first cushion  30 , can be made of elastomer, polymer gel material or dry-polymer gel material suitable to be secured to the pad  12 . The second cushion  40  has a top surface  42 , which is exposed to contact by the human hand  80 . The second cushion  30  resiliently flexes and bends together with the pad  12  as can be seen in  FIG. 10 . In one aspect of the invention, the second cushion  40  has a crescent configuration, which follows the general outline of the first elongated side  14 . 
     The first cushion  30  and the second cushion  40  extend above the upper surface  25  of the gripping pad  12 , providing an additional cushioning effect when the user engages a heavy object. Similarly to the first cushion  30 , the second cushion  40  can be imbedded into an indentation formed in the upper surface  25  of the pad  12 , if desired. 
     In use, a person inserts the fingers in the loops  52 , with the palm of the person&#39;s hand contacting the cushions  30  and  40 . The person can then grip a cylindrical object  54 , with the bottom surface  24  contacting the cylindrical object  54  and frictionally engaging the object  54 . The bottom surface  24  provides a non-slip surface, thereby facilitating lifting of the object  54 . The thumb  71  is free to engage the object  54 , as well. 
     Although the drawings illustrate a hand-protecting device made for the human right hand, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a mirror image device can be made for positioning on the user&#39;s left hand. 
     The device of the present invention protects the user&#39;s hand from calluses and tears due to the stress of lifting the object. The elastic finger band ensures that the gripping pad  12  does not slip out of place or off the hand. The device  10  is sized to cover the critical areas involved in lifting of weights and allows the rest of the hand to be exposed so that the skin may breathe. The particular advantage of the instant device is that it does not interfere with the fingers&#39; articulation, allowing the user to curl the hand around an object and securely grip the object during lifting. 
     Other workout gloves may cover a larger portion or the entire hand and are often unsatisfactory to users. They do not allow the hand breathing room, which causes the hand to sweat atypically and can make the glove uncomfortable or unwieldy. The gripping hand-protecting device of the instant invention protects the pertinent area of the hand, but still allows much of the hand to be free to breathe and to flex as needed. In the instant device, only the portion of the hand crucial to gripping is covered, allowing the majority of the hand freedom of movement. 
     It will be understood that the particular shapes and materials of the outer shell, the gel insert and finger loops are exemplary and can be easily modified depending on the requirements of the user&#39;s hand. For instance, the gripping glove may be smaller to fit the hand appropriately for women and adolescents or larger to fit the hand of males and adults. Also, the material may be decorated with designs that may be glued, sewn or otherwise incorporated, such as a camouflage pattern for the particular use of sportsmen, or the school mascot of a specific sports team. 
     Many other changes and modifications may be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.