Patent Publication Number: US-9901130-B2

Title: Fitness support and storage accessory

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/030,347 filed on Jul. 29, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fitness gloves. More specifically, the present invention is a fitness support and storage accessory having a glove and sleeve to support a user&#39;s hand and forearm, and a plurality of storage compartments for retaining items such as a phone, identification card, and keys. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fitness gloves are a common sight in gyms and weight rooms. The reasons for the fitness gloves are to protect an individual&#39;s hand from the weights and to prevent calluses on the palms of the hands. Though this problem has been solved, there is still another problem that individuals face at the gym. People have yet to find a convenient method to store items such as phones, cards, keys, and other small items all together. There are arm bands that are successful in containing smart phones or mp3 player and perhaps other thin items, however, they do not provide storage for other items. Other than the known arm bands, people still must carry multiple items throughout the gym, increasing the chances of losing items. Additionally, this leads to having pockets full of items, or a having a handful of items to carry around while trying to work out. 
     Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a fitness support and storage accessory that is designed to support to a user&#39;s hand and forearm while working out in addition to providing a number of storage options for securing everyday items. The present invention has a glove with a hand portion being configured as either a fingerless glove or a boxing glove. The glove is attached to a sleeve that is positioned around the user&#39;s forearm. A plurality of storage compartments is integrated into the glove and the sleeve, providing the user with multiple options for storing various items, such as keys, money, an identification card, a credit card, or a phone. The present invention provides a convenient and efficient means for storing items, giving individuals at the gym peace of mind while working out, knowing that all of their personal belongings are safely secured on his or her arm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the present invention, wherein a smartphone is positioned within the phone holder. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the present invention, wherein the hook fastener of the proximal strap and the distal strap is engaging the loop fastener of the proximal strap and the distal strap, respectively. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention, depicting the detachable nature of the glove and the sleeve. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the hand portion of the glove is a boxing glove. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the sleeve, showing the hook fastener and the loop fastener of the proximal strap and the distal strap. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention is a fitness support and storage accessory that is designed to provide support to a user&#39;s hand and forearm while working out, in addition to providing a number of storage options for securing everyday items. The fitness support and storage accessory comprises a glove  1 , a sleeve  2 , and a plurality of storage compartments  3 . The glove  1  and the sleeve  2  provide support to the user&#39;s hand and forearm, respectively, in addition to support around the user&#39;s wrist. The plurality of storage compartments  3  is integrated into the glove  1  and the sleeve  2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , and provides the user with a number of options for storing and securing items such as a phone, identification card, credit card, or keys. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the glove  1  comprises a hand portion  10 , a wrist portion  16 , and a sleeve connector  17 ; the hand portion  10  covering the user&#39;s hand and the wrist portion  16  extending around the user&#39;s wrist. The wrist portion  16  is adjacently connected to the hand portion  10 , while the sleeve connector  17  is perimetrically connected to the wrist portion  16  opposite the hand portion  10 . The sleeve connector  17  allows the glove  1  to be removably attached to the sleeve  2 . This is beneficial, as some workout routines do not require gloves, thus allowing the user to still benefit from the support of the sleeve  2  and the storage options integrated into the sleeve  2 . The sleeve connector  17  also allows the user to easily attach or detach the glove  1  mid workout. 
     In reference to  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hand portion  10  comprises a palm section  11 , a plurality of open finger sections  12 , a plurality of knuckle pads  13 , a palm pad  14 , and an at least one pull tab  15 . The palm section  11  is positioned in between the wrist portion  16  and the plurality of open finger sections  12 , wherein the palm section  11  covers the user&#39;s palm. Meanwhile, the plurality of open finger sections  12  cover a portion of the user&#39;s fingers. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of open finger sections  12  terminates at a half finger length around the first knuckle of each finger, however, it is possible for each of the plurality of open finger sections  12  to cover more or less of the user&#39;s fingers in other embodiments of the present invention. 
     Both the plurality of knuckle pads  13  and the palm pad  14  provide the user with additional grip by providing a material surface with a higher coefficient of friction. Additionally, the plurality of knuckle pads  13  and the palm pad  14  enhance the comfort of the user. In reference to  FIG. 3 , the plurality of knuckle pads  13  is adjacently connected to the plurality of open finger sections  12 , wherein the plurality of knuckle pads  13  is positioned along the plurality of open finger sections  12  opposite the palm section  11 ; the plurality of knuckle pads  13  being positioned around the first knuckle of each finger when the user&#39;s hand is inserted into the glove  1 . Preferably, each of the plurality of knuckle pads  13  is a stretchable rubber, such that the plurality of knuckle pads  13  conform and constrict around the user&#39;s fingers for a tight fit, while providing increased friction with contact surfaces. 
     In further reference to  FIG. 3 , the palm pad  14  is adjacently connected to the palm section  11  providing enhanced comfort and grip about the user&#39;s palm when the user&#39;s hand is inserted into the glove  1 . Preferably, the palm pad  14  is a gel type pad, such that the palm pad  14  is able to sufficiently reform for gripping various shaped objects. However, it is also possible for other materials to be used such as a rubber type pad, or for a combination of materials to be used, such as a rubber coated gel pack. Furthermore, the palm pad  14  is vented in order to allow airflow through the palm section  11 , ensuring that the user&#39;s hand is well ventilated to prevent overheating. 
     In yet further reference to  FIG. 3 , the at least one pull tab  15  provides a means for easily removing the glove  1  from the user&#39;s hand. The at least one pull tab  15  is adjacently connected to the plurality of open finger sections  12 ; more specifically, each of the at least one pull tab  15  is positioned in between a pair of finger sections from the plurality of open finger sections  12 . Each of the at least one pull tab  15  is a length of material terminally connected at each end to the plurality of open finger sections  12 , wherein the user can grasp or hook each of the at least one pull tab  15  with the opposite hand. In the preferred embodiment, the at least one pull tab  15  is specifically two pull tabs; one pull tab being positioned in between the index finger and middle finger, and another pull tab being positioned in between the ring finger and the pinky finger. 
     The hand portion  10  and the wrist portion  16  are preferably constructed from a stretchable material such that the hand portion  10  is form fitting and is sufficiently tight around the user&#39;s hand to prevent slipping. Furthermore, the hand portion  10  and the wrist portion  16  are preferably constructed from a breathable material, allowing for maximum airflow through the material. This enhances the comfort of the user while utilizing the present invention and helps prevent the user&#39;s extremities from becoming overheated. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the hand portion  10  is a boxing glove, as depicted in  FIG. 5 . This provides the user with the functionality of a boxing glove, along with the storage ability of the present invention. Furthermore, the detachable nature of the glove  1  from the sleeve  2  allows the user to interchange the glove  1  depending on the workout routine. For example, a boxer may switch between weightlifting routines and sparring practice. If the boxer has a glove  1  configured as a boxing glove and a glove  1  having the plurality of open finger sections  12 , then the boxer can interchange the glove  1  that is currently being used with the sleeve  2  depending on the specific workout routine. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2-3 , the sleeve  2  comprises a forearm cuff  20 , a glove connector  22 , a proximal strap  23 , and a distal strap  24 . The forearm cuff  20  is a tapered sleeve  2  designed to fit around and conform to the user&#39;s forearm. Preferably, the forearm cuff  20  is constructed from a breathable material to allow for proper ventilation and a stretchable material such that the forearm cuff  20  constricts and conforms to the user&#39;s forearm. The forearm cuff  20  comprises an accessibility zipper  21  that is positioned along the cuff, preferably beginning at the larger end of the forearm cuff  20 . The accessibility zipper  21  may travers along the entirety of the forearm cuff  20  or only a portion of the forearm cuff  20 . The accessibility zipper  21  allows the forearm cuff  20  to be spread open, allowing the sleeve  2  to be attached to or removed from the user&#39;s forearm with less effort. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , the glove connector  22  is perimetrically connected to the forearm cuff  20  and terminally positioned on the forearm cuff  20  about the smaller end of the forearm cuff  20 , located adjacent to the user&#39;s wrist when the user&#39;s arm is inserted into the sleeve  2 . The glove connector  22  is adjacently attached to the sleeve connector  17 ; the glove  1  being removably attached to the sleeve  2  through the sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22  are a set of interlocking teeth (i.e. a zipper). The sleeve connector  17  being a first set of teeth and the glove connector  22  being a second set of teeth. 
     If the sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22  are a set of interlocking teeth, then the present invention further comprises a slider, a pin box, and an insertion pin. The slider, the pin box, and the insertion pin can be configured in two ways. In one configuration the slider is slidably connected to the first set of teeth, wherein the slider also engages the second set of teeth. Meanwhile, the pin box is terminally connected to the first set of teeth, while the insertion pin is terminally connected to the second set of teeth, wherein the insertion pin is positioned into the pin box. In the second configuration the slider is slidably connected to the second set of teeth, wherein the slider also engages the first set of teeth. Meanwhile, the pin box is terminally connected to the second set of teeth, while the insertion pin is terminally connected to the first set of teeth, wherein the insertion pin is positioned into the pin box. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22  are magnets with opposing magnetic fields. The nature of the opposing magnetic fields allows the sleeve connector  17  to be magnetically attached to the glove connector  22 . The sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22  can each be a single magnet or a plurality of magnets positioned around the wrist portion  16  and the forearm cuff  20  respectively. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22  are opposing hook and loop fasteners. At least one hook fastener and at least one loop fastener allow the glove  1  and the sleeve  2  to be removably attached to each other. If the sleeve connector  17  is the at least one hook fastener, then the glove connector  22  is the at least one loop fastener. Alternatively, if the glove connector  22  is the at least one hook fastener, then the sleeve connector  17  is the at least one loop fastener. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the glove  1  may be permanently connected to the sleeve  2  about a single edge. In this way, the glove  1  can be folded back on the sleeve  2  along the single edge when not in use; the sleeve connector  17  and the glove connector  22  fully attaching the glove  1  to the sleeve  2  when needed. In order to keep the glove  1  folded back on the sleeve  2 , the glove  1  may further comprise a first attachment point, while the sleeve  2  comprises a second attachment point. The first attachment point is positioned along the glove  1  opposite the sleeve connector  17  and preferably on one of the plurality of open finger sections  12 . The second attachment point can be positioned on the proximal strap  23  or on the forearm cuff  20 , adjacent to the proximal strap  23 . The first attachment point engages the second attachment point in order to temporarily connect the glove  1  to the sleeve  2  in the folded back position; any type of locking/connecting mechanism may be utilized. 
     The proximal strap  23  and the distal strap  24  are both adjacently connected to the forearm sleeve  2  and allow the user to tighten the sleeve  2  around the user&#39;s forearm to prevent slippage. The proximal strap  23  is positioned adjacent to the glove connector  22 , while the distal strap  24  is positioned along the forearm cuff  20  opposite the proximal strap  23 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the proximal strap  23  and the distal strap  24  are stretchable and each comprises a hook fastener  25  and a loop fastener  26 , as depicted in  FIG. 6 ; the hook fastener  25  of the proximal strap  23  engaging the loop fastener  26  of the proximal strap  23  and the hook fastener  25  of the distal strap  24  engaging the loop fastener  26  of the distal strap  24 . In this way, the proximal strap  23  or the distal strap  24  can be stretched and then fastened in order to achieve the desired tightness around the user&#39;s forearm. 
     In reference to  FIG. 4 , the sleeve  2  may further comprise an at least one breathable opening  27 . The at least one breathable opening  27  traverses through the forearm cuff  20 , resulting in an absence of material for a section of the forearm cuff  20 . The at least one breathable opening  27  maximizes ventilation of the user&#39;s forearm while leaving enough material of the forearm sleeve  2  to adequately support the plurality of storage compartments  3  and the user&#39;s forearm. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1-2 , the plurality of storage compartments  3  is integrated into both the glove  1  and the sleeve  2  and allows the user to store and secure a variety of common items while working out. The plurality of storage compartments  3  comprises a card holder  30 , a phone holder  31 , and a pouch  33 , wherein each of the plurality of storage compartments  3  comprises compartment closure  34  and a lateral edge  35 . The compartment closure  34  is positioned along the lateral edge  35  for each of the plurality of storage compartments  3 , allowing the individual compartment to be sealed shut and thus preventing the items inside from falling out. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compartment closure  34  is a zipper that traverses along the lateral edge  35  and thus is able to effectively close the individual compartment completely and securely. In other embodiments of the present invention, the compartment closure  34  may be a hook and loop fastener, magnet, or other type of closure. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1 , the card holder  30  is integrated into the hand portion  10  of the glove  1 , being positioned adjacent to the wrist portion  16 . Furthermore, the card holder  30  is positioned on the top half of the glove  1 , opposite the palm section  11 . The lateral edge  35  of the card holder  30  is positioned adjacent to the wrist portion  16  and is parallel to the wrist portion  16 . The card holder  30  allows the user to conveniently store an identification card, credit card, or other type of card securely. The location of the card holder  30  on the top of the glove  1  does not interfere with the user while working out and allows for convenient and easy access to the cards stored within. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1-2 , the phone holder  31  is positioned along the sleeve  2  and is adjacently connected to the forearm cuff  20 . The phone holder  31  is designed to store and secure a smartphone and may be designed to fit a specific type of smartphone or a variety of smartphone types. In the preferred embodiment of the present, the lateral edge  35  of the phone holder  31  is positioned adjacent to the distal strap  24 , however, in other embodiments of the present invention, the lateral edge  35  of the phone holder  31  may be positioned adjacent to the proximal strap  23  or in between the proximal strap  23  and the distal strap  24 . The phone holder  31  comprises a transparent cover  32  that is positioned about the phone holder  31  opposite the forearm cuff  20 , such that the transparent cover  32  is positioned adjacent to the screen of the smartphone when the smartphone is positioned within the phone holder  31 . The transparent cover  32  allows the user to view the touchscreen of the smartphone and also interact with the touchscreen through the transparent cover  32 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 1 , similar to the phone holder  31 , the pouch  33  is integrated into the sleeve  2 . The pouch  33  is positioned adjacent to the phone holder  31 , wherein the phone holder  31  is positioned along the top of the user&#39;s forearm and the pouch  33  is positioned on one of the sides of the user&#39;s forearm when the sleeve  2  is worn. The pouch  33  is a small compartment that allows the user to store and secure small items such as keys, money, etc. In some embodiments of the present invention, the pouch  33  may be integrated into the distal strap  24 . Ideally, the lateral edge  35  of the pouch  33  is positioned adjacent to the phone holder  31 , however, the lateral edge  35  of the pouch  33  may be positioned otherwise. 
     To use the present invention, the user&#39;s hand is inserted into the larger opening of the sleeve  2 , through the entirety of the sleeve  2 , and into the glove  1 , wherein the user&#39;s fingers extend through the plurality of open finger sections  12 . With the user&#39;s forearm positioned within the sleeve  2 , the accessibility zipper  21  is closed and the proximal strap  23  and the distal strap  24  are tightened and secured. The proximal strap  23  and the distal strap  24  may be pulled until the user feels comfortable. Alternatively, the sleeve  2  and the glove  1  can first be attached to the user individually and then the glove  1  can be attached to the sleeve  2 . 
     Once the present invention is secured on the user&#39;s forearm, the user may choose to insert items into the plurality of storage compartments  3 . The user may put a card into the card holder  30  by opening the compartment closure  34  of the card holder  30 , and then secure the card by closing the compartment closure  34  of the card holder  30 . Similarly, the user may choose to insert a smartphone into the phone holder  31  by opening the compartment closure  34  of the phone holder  31 , and then secure the smartphone by closing the compartment closure  34  of the phone holder  31 . The user can then interact with the touchscreen of the smartphone through the transparent cover  32 . Any keys, money, or other small items can be stored in the pouch  33  by opening the compartment closure  34  of the pouch  33 , inserting the items, and then securing the compartment closure  34  of the pouch  33  closed. 
     All the storage units may be engaged at the same time and may be filled with contents at the same time. The user may then move freely throughout his or her workout without worrying about personal belongings falling out of his or her pockets, or losing items in general, while having easy access to his or her phone. The user&#39;s hands are free to move and lift heavy weights, with each of the plurality of storage compartments  3  being positioned as to not interfere with the user while working out. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of storage compartments  3  may further comprise a variety of other storage compartments that do not disturb the user&#39;s workout routine. Such other storage compartments may come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and may or may not be designed to secure specific items. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.