Patent Publication Number: US-9890997-B2

Title: Boxing glove drying and disinfecting device and method therefor

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/839,078, filed Jun. 25, 2013, in the name of the same inventor and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to sporting equipment, and more particularly to a device which stretches out and opens up a boxing glove to allow one to remove moisture and dry out the boxing glove. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Athletic or sports gear (hereinafter sports gear) that is in constant contact with an athlete&#39;s body (like sport specific gloves and footwear) become most with perspiration from the athlete. In some sports, such as boxing, other matter such as blood or other bodily fluid may also contribute to the moisture build-up. If the moisture is not properly removed, the accumulated moisture can damage and or ruin the sports gear. Furthermore, the moisture may become a breeding ground for germs, which results in a foul scent and potential infectious disease such as staff infections. 
     In general, it is fairly easy to remove moisture from the exterior surface of most sports gear. A towel or other item may be used to gentle wipe the exterior surface of the sports gear to remove the moisture. However, removing the moisture from the interior of the sports gear is generally more difficult. This is due to the narrow interior spaces formed in most sports gear. For some items such as shoes, the interior may be dried by removing the laces and opening up the shoe to allow air to circulate within the shoe and dry the interior. However, for items such as boxing gloves, there is generally no way to remove moisture from the interior. Boxing gloves generally have a closed interior which prevents air from circulating therein. While air may reach the opened end of the boxing glove, the curved top section of the boxing glove prevents air from every reaching the distal end of the boxing glove. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device and method that overcomes the above. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A boxing glove drying device has a body member. The body member has an open end and a closed end. The closed end is curved and configured for inserting into a boxing glove. A plurality of openings is formed in the body member. 
     A boxing glove drying device has a body member configured for inserting into a boxing glove and to open up the boxing glove. A plurality of openings is formed in the body member. 
     A boxing glove drying device has a body member configured for inserting into a boxing glove. A plurality of openings is formed in the body member. 
     The features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed to be characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures can be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The application itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device to allow one to remove moisture and dry out a boxing glove; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a first side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a second side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1  placed in a boxing glove; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a device to allow one to remove moisture and dry out a boxing glove; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 9   
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of the device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 9  placed in a boxing glove. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION 
     The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the application and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present application can be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the application in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this application. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , one embodiment of a boxing glove drying device  10  (hereinafter device  10 ) is shown. The device  10  may be inserted into a boxing glove  15  to stretch out and opens up the boxing glove  15  to allow one to remove moisture and dry out the boxing glove  15 . The device  10  may be comprised of a body member  12 . The body member  12  may be a tubular body member  12 . The tubular body member  12  may be oval in shape. However, the above is given as one example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The body member  12  may be formed out of different types of material. In general, a sturdy but lightweight material such as a hardened plastic, carbon-fiber, aluminum or the like may be used. However, the above mentioned materials are given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The body member  12  is configured so that a member  14  may extend from a top surface of the body member  12 . The member  14  may be curved to conform to a shape of the body member  12 . The member  14  may be used to extend into a top section  15 A of the boxing glove  15  where the fingers of a boxer may be positioned when in use. When the device  10  is inserted into the boxing glove  15 , the member  14  may extend into the finger area of the interior of the boxing glove stretching open the interior of the boxing glove  15 . 
     A rounded lip member  16  may extend from a distal end of the member  14 . In the embodiment shown in the  FIGS. 1-7 , the rounded lip member  16  may extend downward. The rounded lip  16  may be used to conform to an interior of the boxing glove  15 . The rounded lip member  16  may prevent damage to the interior of the boxing glove  15 . 
     The body member  12  and the member  14  may have a plurality of openings  18  formed there through. In the body member  12 , the openings  18  may be formed around the entire perimeter of the body member  12 . The openings  18  may be used to allow air to circulate within the boxing glove in order to remove moisture within the boxing glove when the device  10  may be inserted into the boxing glove  15 . 
     In operation, the device  10  may be inserted into an interior of a boxing glove  15 . Once inserted, the rounded lip member  16  may push against a top interior section of the boxing glove  15 . This may extend the finger section of the boxing glove  15  slightly upward to open up the interior section of the boxing glove  15 . Once the finger section of the boxing glove  15  is extended upward to open up the interior of the boxing glove  15 , a disinfectant and or water removal aerosol may be sprayed into the device  10 . The openings  18  formed in the device  10  may allow the disinfectant and or water removal aerosol to disperse throughout the interior of the boxing glove  15  as well as to allow air to circulate within the boxing glove  15  in order to remove moisture within the boxing glove  15 . Once the disinfectant and or water removal aerosol is dispersed throughout the interior of the boxing glove, the boxing glove  15  is allowed to sit. The device  10  allows air to circulate within the boxing glove  15  in order to remove any moisture within the boxing glove  15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-15 , another embodiment of a boxing glove drying device  10 ′ (hereinafter device  10 ′) is shown. The device  10 ′ may be inserted into a boxing glove to stretch out and opens up the boxing glove to allow one to remove moisture and dry out the boxing glove. The device  10 ′ may be comprised of a body member  12 ′. The body member  12 ′ is generally a tubular body member  12 ′. The tubular body member  12 ′ may be oblong in shape. However, the above is given as one example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The body member  12 ′ may have an open end  13 A′ and a closed end  13 B′. The body member  12 ′ may be slightly tapered as body member  12 ′ progresses towards the closed end  13 B′. The body member  12 ′ may also be slightly curved towards the closed end  13 B′. The body member  12 ′ may be curved to angle away from a centerline running from a centerpoint of the open end  13 A′. The body member  12 ′ may be slightly curved to conform to a shape of a boxing glove. The slightly curved closed end  13 B′ of the body member  12 ′ may be used to extend into a top section of the boxing glove where the fingers of a boxer may be positioned when in use. When the device  10 ′ is inserted into the boxing glove  15 ′, the slightly curved closed end  13 B′ of the body member  12 ′ may extend into the finger area of the interior of the boxing glove  15 ′ stretching open the interior of the boxing glove  15 ′. 
     The body member  12 ′ may be formed a single member or alternatively, the body member  12 ′ may be formed of a pair of detachable pieces  12 A′ and  12 B′. Each of the pair of pieces  12 A′ and  12 B′ may have a connector  17 ′ formed therein. The connectors  17 ′ may be used to secure the pair of pieces  12 A′ and  12 B′ together to form the body member  12 ′. The connectors  17 ′ may be clips, male/female connectors, or the like. The above listing is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The body member  12 ′ may be formed out of different types of material. In general, a sturdy but lightweight material such as a hardened plastic, carbon-fiber, aluminum or the like may be used. However, the above mentioned materials are given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
     The body member  12 ′ may have a plurality of openings  18 ′ formed there through. In the body member  12 ′, the openings  18 ′ may be formed around the entire perimeter of the body member  12 ′. The openings  18 ′ may be used to allow air to circulate within the boxing glove in order to remove moisture within the boxing glove. 
     In operation, the device  10 ′ may be inserted into an interior of a boxing glove  15 ′. Once inserted, the curved closed end  13 B′ pushes against a top interior section of the boxing glove  15 ′. This extends the finger section of the boxing glove  15 ′ slightly upward to open up the interior section of the boxing glove  15 ′. Once the finger section of the boxing glove  15 ′ is extended upward to open up the interior of the boxing glove  15 ′, a disinfectant and or water removal aerosol may be sprayed into the device  10 ′ through the open end  13 A′. The openings  18 ′ formed in the device  10 ′ may allow the disinfectant and or water removal aerosol to disperse throughout the interior of the boxing glove as well as to allow air to circulate within the boxing glove in order to remove moisture within the boxing glove. Once the disinfectant and or water removal aerosol is dispersed throughout the interior of the boxing glove  15 ′, the boxing glove  15 ′ is allowed to sit. The device  10 ′ allows air to circulate within the boxing glove  15 ′ in order to remove any moisture within the boxing glove  15 ′. 
     While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.