Patent Publication Number: US-6666795-B2

Title: Gymnastics grip and process for making same

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to apparatus for use in performing gymnastics routines, and more particularly to a gymnastics grip suitable for use on, for example, the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gymnastics is an increasingly popular and highly competitive sport that is actually the aggregation of a number of different exercises and gymnastic routines performed on a variety of apparatus. Some of the most challenging gymnastic routines are performed on the uneven bars, the high bar, and the rings. While performing these different routines, a gymnast holds onto one or more bars or rings, as appropriate, while swinging his or her arms and body about same or in relation thereto. The gymnast typically applies a slipping agent, such as a chalk dust, a powder, or the like, to his or her hands to allow for their easy sliding in relation to the bar(s) or rings in question, and to reduce the potential friction therebetween. As such, the high degree of strain that would ordinarily be imposed upon the gymnast&#39;s forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers in performing such a routine is, in fact, further exacerbated by the increased pressure that must, at times, be utilized by a gymnast in order counter the slipping agent applied to the gymnast&#39;s hands, so as to maintain a firm grip upon the apparatus when desired. Common problems experienced by gymnasts in practising for and performing uneven bar, high bar, or ring routines can include any or all of the following: loss of grip on the apparatus; muscle fatigue in the forearms, wrists, hands or fingers; the development of callouses on the fingers or hands; and improper technique or improper grip on the apparatus. 
     Only in recent times have gymnastics grips been developed with the aim of overcoming one or more of these problems. A conventional gymnastics grip for use on the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings typically includes a leather palm portion that, when worn, extends from the wrist to the fingertips of the gymnast, a strap attached to a wrist end of the palm portion for securing same to the gymnast&#39;s wrist, two or three holes at a finger end of the palm portion for insertion of fingers therethrough, and a transverse dowel, rib, or rod member fixedly attached to a palm face of the palm portion, near its finger end, by glue, a stitched sleeve, or some combination thereof. An example of such a gymnastics grip can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,001 (Goodson) for a Gymnastics Safety Grip Apparatus. It should be noted that the Goodson patent also discloses an additional feature which is not relevant to the present invention, namely, an elastic strap attached near the finger end of the palm portion, directed to preventing the grip&#39;s release from the gymnast&#39;s fingers during use. Notwithstanding this feature, gymnastics grips of this general type are well-known in the art to slow the formation of callouses, to encourage proper technique, to improve a gymnast&#39;s hold on the apparatus, and to reduce muscle fatigue and the strain imposed upon the gymnast&#39;s forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers. 
     In fact, dowels, ribs, and rod members are used in sports grips for other uses. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,279 (Fritschen et al.) suggests a grip, for use in the sport of water skiing, having a palm portion and a terminal finger end thereof which is folded over a transverse rib and stitched to itself to secure the rib in place. U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,831 (Rietz) is also for use in water sports and specifically contemplates a transverse rib or dowel that is tightly secured, by stitching and adhesive, inside a pocket formed by a tuck or fold in a palm portion of a glove. U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,903 (Swanson) illustrates a similar design for a golf glove, having a cord or rod member positioned on the palm portion of the glove, which rod member is secured in place, either by a tuck in the palm of the glove material which is wrapped around the cord and closed by stitching, or by covering the cord with a strip or sleeve of similar material, which material is then joined to the palm of the glove by a row of stitching running around the perimeter of the cord. The Swanson patent contemplates that an adhesive might also be used in place of the stitching. 
     A problem common to all of the prior art, including each of the above listed references, which problem is particularly acute in respect of gymnastics grips, is that of inadequate securement of the dowel to the palm portion of the grip. Specifically, in the gymnastics context, dowels secured inside pockets formed in the material of the grip, whether by stitching, adhesive or a combination of both, are known to frequently become detached from the grip. Likewise, dowels secured within a sleeve or flap attached to the grip by adhesive are known to be subject to unravelling. As well, because of the magnitude and direction of the forces applied by a gymnast performing on the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings, stitching that is exposed wristward of a dowel secured thereby is prone to excessive strain that is commonly known to rend and unravel an otherwise enduring seam. All of these deficiencies in the prior art have the effect of lessening the useful lifetime and reliability of a grip. Moreover, should a gymnastics grip actually fail while in use by a gymnast, serious injury and/or embarrassment to the wearer may occur. 
     The primary object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip is for use by a gymnast on the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings, and has a dowel member that is not prone to unravelling or detachment. 
     Another object of one aspect of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip eliminates any stitching exposed wristward of the dowel member, so as to decrease the forces directly at work upon the stitching. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip has an increased durability, strength and useful lifetime. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip aids the gymnast in maintaining his or her hold on the apparatus. 
     Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip provides the gymnast with a more comfortable grip upon the uneven bars, the high bar, or the rings. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip reduces the predisposition for callous formation on the fingers and hands of the gymnast. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip encourages the gymnast&#39;s use of proper technique and proper grip on the apparatus. 
     Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip reduces muscle fatigue in the forearms, wrists, hands and fingers of a gymnast. 
     Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip reduces the risk of serious injury to the gymnast. 
     Still yet a further object of the invention is to provide a gymnastics grip, and a process for making same, which gymnastics grip is relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a gymnastics grip and a process for making same, in which the gymnastics grip has a palm portion, defining a longitudinal axis, and a substantially cylindrical dowel member, defining a dowel axis. The palm portion of the grip has a palm face, a wrist end portion, means for securing the wrist end portion to a wrist of a gymnast, a finger end portion, and means for securing the finger end portion to at least one finger of the gymnast. The dowel member is attached to the palm face adjacent the finger end portion, with the dowel axis in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the palm portion. In order to so attach the dowel member, a flap member is secured adjacent to the palm face by one or more first rows of stitching passing through the flap member and the palm face in substantially parallel relation to the dowel axis. The dowel member is positioned adjacent to the one or more first rows of stitching with the dowel axis in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis, as aforesaid. A first flap portion of the flap member extends in a first direction from the one or more first rows of stitching to substantially surround the dowel member in first encircling relation, without intervening between the one or more first rows of stitching and the dowel member. The first flap portion is secured adjacent a free end thereof to the palm face by one or more second rows of stitching passing through the free end and the palm face in substantially parallel relation to the first row of stitching. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the flap member may also have a second flap portion which extends in a second direction opposed to said first direction from the one or more first rows of stitching to substantially surround the dowel member in second encircling relation, such that the first flap portion substantially surrounds both the dowel member and the second flap portion in first encircling relation. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, the one or more second rows of stitching pass through the palm face at a position located between the finger end portion and the one or more first rows of stitching. 
     According to a still further aspect of the present invention, an adhesive may be used on an inner face of the flap member. 
    
    
     Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which are briefly described hereinbelow. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a gymnastics grip according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a finger end portion of the gymnastics grip of FIG. 1, shown in a first assembly configuration. 
     FIG. 2A is a left side elevational view of the gymnastics grip of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the finger end portion of the gymnastics grip of FIG. 1, shown in a second assembly configuration and showing a dowel member in phantom outline. 
     FIG. 3A is a left side elevational view of the gymnastics grip of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the finger end portion of the gymnastics grip of FIG. 1, shown in a third assembly configuration and showing a second flap portion in phantom outline. 
     FIG. 4A is a left side elevational view of the gymnastics grip of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the finger end portion of the gymnastics grip of FIG. 1, shown in a fourth assembly configuration and showing a first flap portion in phantom outline. 
     FIG. 5A is a left side elevational view of the gymnastics grip of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the finger end portion of the improved gymnastics grip of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a gymnastics grip  20  comprising a palm portion  22  and a dowel member  24 . The palm portion  22  is of the conventional type for use by a gymnast on the uneven bars or the rings, being constructed from leather, defining a longitudinal axis “A”, and comprising a palm face  26 , a wrist end portion  28 , means  30  for securing the wrist end portion  28  to a wrist of the gymnast, a finger end portion  32 , and means  34  for securing the finger end portion  32  to two fingers of the gymnast. The finger end securing means  34  comprises the shaping of the finger end portion  32  so as to define two finger holes  35 . The wrist end securing means  30  comprises a strap  36  attached to the wrist end portion  28 . The strap  36  is provided with means for self closure, preferably comprising a buckle frame  39  and a Velcro™ hook  38   a  and loop  38   b  closure system  38 . 
     The dowel member  24  is also of the conventional type, being substantially cylindrical and defining a dowel axis “B”. The dowel member  24  is preferably constructed from a semi-rigid plastics material selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and neoprene. 
     According to the invention, and with specific reference to FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3  and  6 , the gymnastics grip  20  is provided with means  40  for attaching the dowel member  24  to the palm face  26 , adjacent the finger end portion  32 , with the dowel axis “B” in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis “A”. The dowel attaching means  40  comprises a flap member  42  secured adjacent to the palm face  26  by two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 , which two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 , while not being directly visible in either of FIGS. 1 or  6 , are clearly discernable in both FIGS. 2 and 3, the latter figures showing the dowel attaching means  40  respectively in a first and a second assembly configuration. The two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  pass through the flap member  42  and the palm face  26  in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis “A” and in substantially parallel relation to the dowel axis “B”. The flap member  42  may optionally have an adhesive applied to an inner face  54  thereof. 
     A first flap portion  44  of the flap member  42  extends in a first direction (as indicated by arrow “C” in FIG. 2) from the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  to substantially surround, in first encircling relation, both the dowel member  24  and a second flap portion  46  of the flap member  42 . The second flap portion  46  extends in a second direction (as indicated by arrow “D” in FIG.  2 ), opposed to the first direction “C”, from the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  to substantially surround the dowel member  24  in second encircling relation. It is essential that the first flap portion  44  must not intervene between the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  and the dowel member  24 , but the second flap portion  46  may or may not do so, depending on the precise positioning of the dowel member  24  relative to the flap member  42 . 
     As seen most clearly in FIG. 6, the first flap portion  44  is secured adjacent a free end  48  thereof to the palm face  26  by a second row of stitching  52  passing through the free end  48  and the palm face  26  in substantially parallel relation to the dowel axis “B” (and the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 ). In the preferred embodiment shown, the dowel attaching means  40  is oriented such that the second row of stitching  52  is positioned between the finger end portion  32  and the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 . 
     In use, the gymnast places the palm face  26  of the gymnastics grip  20  adjacent a palm of his or her hand and inserts a middle and a ring finger of that hand into the two finger holes  35 , to snugly fit their tips therein. The gymnast then secures the gymnastics grip  20  to his or her corresponding wrist by wrapping the wrist end portion  28  thereabout, folding the strap  36  back over itself after feeding an end thereof through the buckle frame  39 , and then wrapping the strap one or more times around the wrist until a first part of the hook  38   a  and loop  38   b  closure system  38  securably engages with a second complementary part of the hook  38   a  and loop  38   b  closure system  38  in removable relation. With the gymnastics grip  20  so removably secured to the wrist and fingers of the gymnast, the substantially cylindrical dowel member  24  is positioned in substantially transverse relation to the gymnast&#39;s fingers and to the longitudinal axis “A”. 
     In performing a gymnastics routine on the uneven bars or the rings, the gymnast naturally aligns the dowel axis “B” of the gymnastics grip  20  in substantially parallel relation either with a longitudinal axis of one of the uneven bars, or with a plane passing through three cross-sectional centers of a single one of the rings, as appropriate, thereby encouraging use of proper technique and grip on the apparatus, with the concomitant advantage of reducing muscle fatigue in the forearms, wrists, hands and fingers of the gymnast. Also, with the dowel axis “B” being aligned as aforesaid relative to the apparatus, the positioning of the dowel member  24  allows the gymnast to exert an increased pressure on the apparatus when desired, thereby helping the gymnast to maintain his or her hold thereon. 
     As is evident from the preceding description, and unlike the prior art, the preferred embodiment of the present gymnastics grip  20  does not have any stitching exposed wristward of the dowel member  24 ; the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  are instead protected within the flap member  42  thereby decreasing the forces directly at work upon same. Accordingly, the flap member  42  of the gymnastics grip  20  is less prone to unravelling and detachment, with the dowel member  24  being likewise protected, thus providing the gymnastics grip  20  of the present invention with an increased durability, strength and useful lifetime. As such, the gymnastics grip  20  of the present invention is less likely to fail mid-routine. This fact, combined with the grip&#39;s function in helping the gymnast to maintain his or her hold on the apparatus, greatly reduces the risk of serious injury to gymnasts using the gymnastics grip  20  of the present invention. Furthermore, because the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  are not in direct contact with the palm or fingers of the gymnast, a more comfortable grip upon the apparatus is provided that reduces the predisposition for callous formation on the gymnast&#39;s fingers and hands. 
     According to the invention, there is also disclosed a process for making the gymnastics grip  20 . FIGS. 2 through 5A depict a number of assembly configurations, each corresponding to the completion of an individual step to be performed successively in the process disclosed herein for making the gymnastics grip  20 . In FIGS. 2 and 2A, the first assembly configuration is shown. This first assembly configuration is arrived at by securing the flap member  42  adjacent to the palm face  26  of the palm portion  22 , and adjacent to the finger end portion  32 , through the application of the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 , each passing through the flap member  42  and the palm face  26  in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis “A”. According to the preferred process for making the gymnastics grip  20 , the flap member  42  is oriented relative to the palm portion  22 , such that the first flap portion  44  extends from the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  in a substantially wristward direction, being substantially towards the wrist end portion  28  of the palm portion  22 , with the first direction “C” accordingly being oriented in a likewise manner. Conversely, also in the preferred process, the second flap portion  46  extends in a substantially fingerward direction, being substantially towards the finger end portion  32  of the palm portion  22 , with the second direction “D” being similarly oriented. After so attaching the flap member  42  to the palm face  26 , an adhesive may optionally be applied to the inner face  54  of the flap member  42  to aid in securing the dowel member  24  to the palm portion  22 . 
     The second assembly configuration, shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, is then arrived at by moving the substantially cylindrical dowel member  24  from a detached position (shown in phantom outline in FIG.  3 ), in a third direction (indicated by arrow “E” in FIG.  3 ), to a position adjacent to the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  with the dowel axis “B” in substantially transverse relation to the longitudinal axis “A”, and with the dowel axis “B” in substantially parallel relation to the first two rows of stitching  50 ,  50 . 
     With specific reference to FIGS. 4 and 4A, a third assembly configuration, shown therein, is next arrived at by moving the second flap portion  46  of the flap member  42  from an initial second flap position (shown in phantom outline), in a fourth direction (as indicated by arrow “F”), so as to substantially surround the dowel member  24 . In the third assembly configuration, the second flap portion  46  extends from the first two rows of stitching  50 ,  50  in second encircling relation about the dowel member  24 . 
     In order to arrive at a fourth assembly configuration, shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the first flap portion  44  is moved from an initial first flap position (shown in phantom outline in FIGS.  5  and  5 A), in a fifth direction (as indicated by arrow “G”), so as to substantially surround both the dowel member  24  and the second flap portion  46 . In the fourth assembly configuration, the first flap portion  44  extends from the first two rows of stitching  50 ,  50  in first encircling relation about both the dowel member  24  and the second flap portion  46 , without intervening between the first two rows of stitching  50 ,  50  and the dowel member  24  (as is most clearly illustrated in FIG.  5 A). The first flap portion  44  is then secured adjacent the free end  48  thereof to the palm face  26  by applying a second row of stitching  52  passing through the free end  48  and the palm face  26  in substantially parallel relation to the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 . According to the preferred process for making the gymnastics grip  20 , the second row of stitching  52  passes through the palm face  26  at a position located between the finger end portion  32  and the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50 . 
     According to the preferred process disclosed herein, a first additional step, comprising the shaping of the finger end portion  32  so as to define the two finger holes  35 , may be performed prior to, concurrent with, or following the performance of any one of the individual steps corresponding with the various assembly configurations discussed above. 
     Further, a second additional step may be performed prior to, concurrent with, or following the performance of the first additional step or any one of the individual steps corresponding with the various assembly configurations discussed above. In the second additional step, the strap  36  is attached to the wrist end portion  28 . The strap  36  is provided with means for self closure comprising, in the preferred embodiment, a buckle frame  39  and a Velcro™ hook  38   a  and loop  38   b  closure system  38 . 
     The process described in the preceding paragraphs is relatively easy to perform, requiring only such stitching skills as are already common in the industry, such that the gymnastics grip  20  to be made thereby is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the gymnastics grip  20 , and the process for making same, according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the accompanying claims. For example, the gymnastics grip  20  may be provided with three finger holes, rather than two, so as to allow its use on the high bar. In another example, the second row of stitching  52  might pass through the palm face  26  at a position located between the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  and the wrist end portion  28 , rather than between the two first rows of stitching  50 ,  50  and the finger end portion  32 . Likewise, the flap member  42  might be provided without a second flap portion  46  altogether, such that the first flap portion  44  would surround only the dowel member  24  in first encircling relation. Further, the wrist end securing means  30  might instead comprise two or more straps. As a still further example of a modification or alteration which may be used in the design and manufacture of the gymnastics grip  20 , and the process for making same, according to the present invention, the means for self closure of the strap  36  might comprise the shaping of the strap  36  so as to define a number of strap holes therethrough, together with the provision of a buckle tongue, attached to the buckle frame  39 , for secure and removable engagement with the strap holes.