Patent Publication Number: US-2015082513-A1

Title: Golf glove with cleaning members

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     It is common for golf equipment, including golf balls and clubs, to accumulate dirt and debris during use. Accumulated dirt and debris may adversely affect the performance of the equipment. This may be avoided by cleaning the equipment at various times during a round of golf. A towel may be used to remove the accumulated dirt and debris from the equipment. To provide convenient access, the towel may be attached to the user&#39;s golf bag or some other conveniently accessible location, such as a golf cart. While this may make the towel accessible for cleaning a golf club after a golf shot, it may not be particularly convenient in instances where it may be desirable to clean a golf ball that is in play on a green. In that situation the golfer must remember to remove the towel from the bag or cart and carry it with them to the green. As can be expected, that does not always occur, causing the golfer to return to their bag to retrieve the towel or use other means to clean the ball, including rubbing the ball on the ground or the golfers clothing, neither of which may be particularly effective or desirable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an exemplary golf glove employing a cleaning member; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 1  with a flap member of the glove arranged in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternatively configured exemplary glove including a detachable cleaning member; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the glove of  FIG. 4  with the detachable cleaning member removed from the glove; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the cleaning member of  FIG. 4  with a the flap member arranged in the closed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternatively configured exemplary glove employing a detachable cleaning and drying member; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the glove of  FIG. 8 , with the detachable cleaning and drying member removed from the glove; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the glove and detachable cleaning and drying member of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the detachable cleaning and drying member with the flap member arranged in the closed position; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of an alternatively configured exemplary glove employing a drying member attached to the flap member of the glove; 
         FIG. 13  is a is a partial cross-sectional view of the glove and drying member of 
         FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an alternatively configured exemplary glove employing a drying member attached to an outside surface of the glove; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of an alternatively configured exemplary glove employing a drying member attached to an interior surface of the flap member; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view of the drying and cleaning members of  FIG. 15  with the flap member arranged in the closed position; 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of an alternatively configured glove employing an extendable drying member attached to the interior surface of the flap member; and 
         FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional view of the expandable drying and cleaning members of  FIG. 17 , with the flap member arranged in the closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a golf glove  10  may include an exemplary cleaning member  12  for removing dirt and debris from golf equipment, and in particular, golf balls. The golf glove  10  may include an anatomically contoured cover  14  that generally conforms to a user&#39;s hand. The glove  10  may include four finger covers  16 , 18 , 20 , 22  and a thumb cover  24 . Although illustrated as including complete finger covers  16 , 18 , 20 , 22  and thumb cover  24 , one or more of the finger and thumb covers may include a partial cover. The glove  10  may include openings  26  in the cover  14  to provide ventilation. 
     The glove  10  may further include a palm portion  28  and an opposing back portion  30  that connects to the palm portion  28 . The back portion  30  extends along a back of a user&#39;s hand when worn. The back portion  30  may include a slit  32  that separates a first back section  34  from a second back section  36 . For purposes of discussion, the slit  32  is illustrated positioned near an edge of the back portion  30 , but may also be positioned at other locations on the glove  10 . The slit  32  enables a hand opening  38  of the glove  10  to be enlarged to allow a user&#39;s hand to more easily be inserted into the glove. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a flap member  40  may be provided to secure the glove  10  around the user&#39;s hand and wrist. The flap member  40  may be attached to the first back section  34  on one side of the slit  32  using various permanent or detachable connection techniques, such as sewing, snaps, hooks, adhesives and zippers, as well as other techniques. The flap member  40  includes an exterior surface  42  and an interior surface  44  (see  FIG. 3 ). A releasable fastener  46  may be employed for connecting the flap member  40  to the second back section  36  on the other side of the slit  32 . The releasable fastener  46  may include a first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40 . A corresponding second fastener member  50 , which cooperates with the first fastener member  48 , may be attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . 
     The releasable fastener  46  may have any of a variety of configurations, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. Other configurations of releasable connectors may also be employed. An example of a releasable fastener configuration may include a hook-and-loop fastener having a loop portion and hook portion that cooperatively engages the loop portion and which enables the two fastener portions to be repeatedly connected and disconnected from one another. When utilizing a hook-and-loop type fastener, the first fastener member  48  may include the loop portion of the fastener and the second fastener member  50  may include the hook portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions may alternatively be reversed, such that the first fastener member  48  includes the hook portion and the second fastener member  50  includes the loop portion. An advantage of a hook-and-loop style fastener is it enables the flap member  40  to be attached to the second back section  36  of the glove in various positions, thereby providing the user greater control over the “fit” of the glove. 
     With the flap member  40  detached from the back portion  30  of the glove (i.e., in an open position), for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the edges of the slit  32  may be spread apart to allow the user to place the glove  10  on their hand. The first back section  34  may then be drawn toward the second back section  36  by pulling the flap member  40  away from the first back section  34  and toward the second back section  36 . This adjusts a “fit” of the glove  10  about the user&#39;s wrist and hand. To maintain the desired fit, the flap member  40  may be attached to the second back section  36  of the glove, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , by engaging the first fastener member  48  with the second fastener member  50 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1-3 , the cleaning member  12  may be attached to the back portion  30  of the glove in a location that enables the flap member  40  to at least partially cover the cleaning member  12  when the flap member  40  is attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 , for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . This arrangement provides protection for the cleaning member  12  and helps retain liquids that may be present in the cleaning member  12 . The cleaning member  12  may be fixedly attached to the second back section  36  of the glove using any of a variety of connection techniques, including but not limited to stitching and adhesives. The second fastener member  50  may be positioned along an outer perimeter  52  of the cleaning member  12 , but need not extend around the entire perimeter. The second fastener member  50  may be configured as a single uninterrupted fastener, or may consist of multiple fasteners positioned at various locations around the perimeter  52  of the cleaning member  12 . A portion of the second fastener member  50  may extend under the cleaning member  12  and between the second back section  36  and the cleaning member  12 . 
     The first fastener member  48  may be positioned along the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40  so as to generally coincide with the second fastener member  50  when connecting the flap member  40  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . Although the first fastener member  48  is illustrated as a continuous strip extending along a perimeter  53  of the flap member  40 , the first fastener member  48  may alternatively be configured to extend over a larger portion of the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40 , and may cover the entire interior surface. Rather than being configured as one continuous uninterrupted strip, the first fastener member  48  may also include multiple discrete fastener members arranged along the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40  at locations appropriate for engaging second fastener member  50  when attaching the flap member  40  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . 
     The cleaning member  12  may include various elements depending, at least in part, on the design and performance requirements of a particular application. For example, with particular reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cleaning member  12  may include a liquid retaining member  54  capable of absorbing and temporarily retaining a liquid, such as water or an aqueous solution. The liquid retaining member  54  may consist of a porous or semi-porous material made from any of a variety of materials, such as cellulose wood fibers, sodium sulphate crystals, hemp fibers or foamed plastic polymers, as well as other materials, and may include low-density polyether, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyester. The liquid retaining member  54  may be constructed from interwoven fibers or may have another construction. The precise configuration and material formulation of the liquid retaining member  54  may be varied so long as the resulting material is capable of absorbing and at least temporarily retaining a liquid. Applying pressure to the liquid retaining member  54  will cause at least a portion of the absorbed liquid to be released from the liquid retaining member  54 . 
     The cleaning member  12  may also include a liquid barrier  56  positioned between the liquid retaining member  54  and the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . The liquid barrier  56  provides a barrier to generally prevent liquid from passing between the liquid retaining member  54  and the back portion  30  of the glove  10 . The liquid barrier  56  may be sized to generally conform to the shape of the liquid retaining layer  54 , such that an outer perimeter  58  of the liquid barrier  56  generally corresponds to an outer perimeter  59  of the liquid retaining member  54 . Alternatively, the liquid barrier  56  may be sized larger than the liquid retaining member  54 . 
     To enhance the cleaning capability of the cleaning member  12 , a scrubbing member  60  may be positioned adjacent the liquid retaining member  54  along a side opposite the back portion  30  of the glove  10 . The scrubbing member  60  may have a generally porous configuration to allow liquid to pass through the scrubbing member. The scrubbing member  60  may have various configurations, which may include, for example, generally upstanding bristles arranged to form a brush or multiple strands woven together to form a pad. The scrubbing member  60  may be constructed from any of a variety of materials that are generally resistant to wear and tear that the cleaning member may encounter. Although illustrated as having the same general size as the liquid retaining member  54 , in practice the scrubbing member  60  may also be sized larger or smaller than the liquid retaining member  54 . 
     It is not necessary that the cleaning member  12  include each of the retaining member  54 , liquid barrier  56  and scrubbing member  60 , and may include fewer than all three components. The cleaning member  12  may also include additional components. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the glove  10  may include a liquid barrier  62  located along the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40 . Similar to liquid barrier  56 , liquid barrier  62  may be configured to generally prevent liquid from passing between the liquid retaining member  54  and the flap member  40 . The liquid barrier  62  may be sized to generally conform to the size and shape of the liquid retaining member  54 . The liquid barrier  62  may be attached to the flap member  40  using a variety of techniques, for example, stitching and adhesives. The liquid barrier  62  may alternatively be sized larger than the liquid retaining member  54 . At least a portion of the first fastener member  48  may be positioned outside an outer perimeter  63  of the liquid barrier  62  so as to be accessible for connecting to the second fastener member  50  attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-7 , the glove  10  may include a detachable cleaning member  64 . A fastening mechanism may be provided for detachably connecting the cleaning member  64  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . The ability to selectively detach the cleaning member  64  from the glove  10  enables the cleaning member  64  to be cleaned or replaced, as may be required, without having to replace the entire glove. The cleaning member  64  may be similarly configured as the cleaning member  12 , but also includes a releasable cleaning member fastener  66  that cooperates with corresponding fasteners attached to the second back section  36  of the glove and the flap member  40 . 
     For example, the cleaning member  64  may include the liquid retaining member  54  positioned between the liquid barrier  56  and the scrubbing member  60 . It is not necessary that the cleaning member  64  include each of the retaining member  54 , liquid barrier  56  and scrubbing member  60 , and may include fewer or more than all three components. The liquid retaining member  54 , liquid barrier  56  and scrubbing member  60  may be configured as previously described. 
     The cleaning member fastener  66  may be configured similar to releasable fastener  46  used to releasably connect the flap member  40  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ). The cleaning member fastener  66  may include any of a variety of configurations, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. Other configurations of releasable connectors may also be employed. For purposes of discussion, the illustrated exemplary configuration utilizes a hook-and-loop style connector for releasably connecting the cleaning member  64  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10  and the flap member  40 . 
     The cleaning member fastener  66  may include a first cleaning member fastener  68  that cooperatively engages the second fastener member  50  attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 , and a second cleaning member fastener  70  that cooperatively engages the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40 . The first cleaning member fastener  68  may include the loop portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener  70  may include the hook portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions of the cleaning member fastener  66  may alternatively be reversed, such that the first cleaning member fastener  68  includes the hook portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener  70  includes the loop portion. In this latter configuration, the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40  will include the hook portion of the hook-and-loop connector and the second fastener member  50  attached the second back section  36  of the glove  10  will include the loop portion. 
     The first cleaning member fastener  68  may at least partially extend under the cleaning member  64  and may be attached to a backside  74  of the cleaning member  64 . The first cleaning member fastener  68  cooperatively engages the second fastener member  50  attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . The second cleaning member fastener  70  may extend beyond an outer perimeter  72  of the cleaning member  64  to enable to the second cleaning member fastener  70  to releasably connect to the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40  when attaching the flap member to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . 
     The cleaning member  64  may be selectively detached from the back portion  30  of the glove  10  by pulling the cleaning member  64  away from the back portion  30  to disengage the first cleaning member fastener  68  from the second fastener member  50  attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . Similarly, the flap member  40  may be selectively detached from the cleaning member  64  by pulling the flap member  40  away from the cleaning member  64  to disengage the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40  from the second cleaning member fastener  70 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8-11 , an alternately configured cleaning member  76  may include a drying member  78  for drying an article being cleaned, for example, a golf ball. The cleaning member  76  may be similarly configured as the cleaning member  12 , but also includes the drying member  78  attached to a backside  80  of the cleaning member  76 . The drying member  78  may be accessed by detaching the cleaning member  76  from the glove  10 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 8-11 , the cleaning member  76  may be similarly configured as the cleaning member  12 , and may include the liquid retaining member  54  positioned between the liquid barrier  56  and the scrubbing member  60 . The drying member  78  may be positioned adjacent the liquid barrier  56 , such that the liquid retaining member  54  and the drying member  78  are arranged on opposite sides of the liquid barrier  56 . The drying member  78  may have any of a variety of configurations, and may generally be constructed of a liquid absorbent material that absorbs moisture through direct contact. The drying member  78  may be constructed from various natural and synthetic materials. 
     It is not necessary that the cleaning member  76  include each of the liquid retaining member  54 , liquid barrier  56  and scrubbing member  60 , and may include fewer than all three components. The cleaning member  76  may also include additional components. The liquid retaining member  54 , liquid barrier  56  and scrubbing member  60  may be configured as previously described. 
     The cleaning member  76  may include a releasable cleaning member fastener  82  for attaching the cleaning member  76  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . The cleaning member fastener  82  may be attached to an outer perimeter  84  of the cleaning member  76 . The releasable cleaning member fastener  82  may include any of a variety of configurations, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. Other configurations of releasable connectors may also be employed. For purposes of discussion, the illustrated exemplary configuration utilizes a hook-and-loop style connector for releasably connecting the cleaning member  76  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 . 
     The cleaning member fastener  82  may include a first cleaning member fastener  86  that cooperatively engages the second fastener member  50  attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 , and a second cleaning member fastener  88  that cooperatively engages the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40 . The first cleaning member fastener  86  may include the loop portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener  88  may include the hook portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions of the cleaning member fastener  82  may alternatively be reversed, such that the first cleaning member fastener  86  includes the hook portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener  88  includes the loop portion. In this latter configuration, the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40  will include the hook portion of the hook-and-loop connector and the second fastener member  50  attached the second back section  36  of the glove  10  will include the loop portion. 
     The cleaning member  76  may be selectively detached from the back portion  30  of the glove  10  by pulling the cleaning member  76  away from the back portion  30  to disengage the first cleaning member fastener  86  from the second fastener member  50  attached to the second back section  36 . Similarly, the flap member  40  may be selectively detached from the cleaning member  76  by pulling the flap member  40  away from the cleaning member  76  to disengage the first fastener member  48  attached to the flap member  40  from the second cleaning member fastener  88 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the glove  10  may include a drying member  90  attached to the exterior surface  42  of the flap member  40 . The drying member  90  may be fixedly or releasably attached to the exterior surface  42  using various permanent or detachable connection techniques, such as sewing, hook-and-loop connectors, snaps, hooks, adhesives and zippers, as well as other techniques. For purposes of discussion the drying member  90  is illustrated fixedly attached to the exterior surface  42  of the flap member  40 , but may also be releasably attached to the flap member. The drying member  90  may be similarly configured as drying member  78 . The glove  10  may employ any of the previously described cleaning members  12 ,  64  and  76 , as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1-11 . Glove  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13  as including cleaning member  76 , but may also employ cleaning member  12  and  64 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , the glove  10  may include a drying member  92  attached to the back portion  30  of the glove. The drying member  92  may be fixedly or releasably attached to the back portion  30  of the glove  10  using various permanent or detachable connection techniques, such as sewing, hook-and-loop connectors, snaps, hooks, adhesives and zippers, as well as other techniques. In the illustrated exemplary configuration the drying member  92  is fixedly attached to back portion  30  of the glove  10 , but may also be releasably attached. The drying member  92  may be similarly configured as drying members  78  and  90 . The glove  10  may employ any of the previously described cleaning members  12 ,  64  and  76 , as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1-11 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the glove  10  may include a drying member  94  attached to the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40 . The drying member  94  may be fixedly or releasably attached to the interior surface  44  using various permanent or detachable connection techniques, such as sewing, hook-and-loop connectors, snaps, hooks, adhesives and zippers, as well as other techniques. In the illustrated exemplary configuration the drying member  94  is fixedly attached to the interior surface  44 , but may also be releasably attached. The drying member  94  may be similarly configured as drying members  78 ,  90  and  92 . The glove  10  may employ any of the previously described cleaning members  12 ,  64  and  76 , as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1-11 . Glove  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16  as including cleaning member  64 , but may also employ cleaning members  12  and  76 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the glove  10  may include an extendable drying member  96  attached to the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40 . The extendable drying member  96  may be fixedly or releasably attached to the interior surface  44  using various permanent or detachable connection techniques, such as sewing, hook-and-loop connectors, snaps, hooks, adhesives and zippers, as well as other techniques. For purposes of discussion the extendable drying member  96  is illustrated fixedly attached to the interior surface  44 , but may also be releasably attached. 
     The extendable drying member  96  may include a first portion  98  and a second portion  100  extending from the first portion  98 . The first and second portions  98  and  100  may be configured as a single uninterrupted component, or as separate members interconnected, for example, along a common edge  102 . The first and second portions  98  and  100  of the extendable drying member  96  may be similarly configured as drying members  78 ,  90 ,  92  and  94 . 
     To provide compact storage when not in use, the second portion  100  of the extendable drying member  96  may be folded onto the first portion  98  in overlaying fashion, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 17  illustrates the extendable drying member  96  arranged in an open or extended position, and  FIG. 18  illustrates the extendable drying member  96  arranged in a folded or stored position. An extendable drying member fastener  104  may be provided for securing the first portion  98  to the second portion  100  when the extendable drying member  96  is arranged in the folded position, as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 18 . The extendable drying member fastener  104  may include any of a variety of configurations, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. Other configurations of releasable connectors may also be employed. In the illustrated exemplary configuration a hook-and-loop type connector is utilized for releasably connecting the first portion  98  of the extendable drying member  94  to the second portion  100 . 
     The extendable drying member fastener  104  may include a first drying member fastener  106  positioned adjacent the first portion  90  of the extendable drying member  96  and a second drying member fastener  108  positioned adjacent the second portion  100 . One or more of the first and second drying member fasteners  106  and  108  may be attached to the interior surface  44  of the flap member  40 . The first drying member fastener  106  may releasably engage the second drying member fastener  108 . The first drying member fastener  106  may include the hook portion of the connector and the second drying member fastener  108  may include the loop portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions of the fastener may alternatively be reversed, such that the first drying member fastener  106  includes the loop portion of the connector and the second drying member fastener  108  includes the hook portion. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 18 , the glove  10  may employ any of the previously described cleaning members  12 ,  64  and  76 , as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 1-11 . By way of example, glove  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 18  as employing cleaning member  64 , but may also employ the cleaning members  12  and  76 , as well as other differently configured cleaning members. 
     The flap member  40  may be releasably attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10  in a similar manner as previously described, depending in part on the configuration of the cleaning member being employed. Various releasable fasteners may be used to connect the flap member  40  to the second back section  36 , such as hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. For example, when employing cleaning member  12 , which may be fixedly attached to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 , a connector similar to releasable fastener  46  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ) may be employed. Alternatively, when using the detachable cleaning members  64  and  74 , connectors similar to releasable fasteners  66  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and  82  (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) may be employed. 
     In the exemplary configuration illustrated in  FIG. 18 , hook-and-loop type connectors are used for attaching the cleaning member  64  and the flap member  40  to the second back section  36  of the glove  10 , although other configurations of releasable connectors may be used. In the illustrated exemplary configuration a first releasable connector  112  may be connected to the second back section  36  of the glove  10  and may include the hook portion of the connector. A cleaning member fastener  114 , which includes the loop portion of the connector, is attached to the cleaning member  64  and may detachably engage the first releasable connector  112 . Attached to the flap member  40  is a second releasable connector  116  that includes the hook portion of the connector and which detachably engages the cleaning member fastener  114 . Other combinations of releasable fasteners may also be employed. 
     While recited characteristics and conditions of the invention have been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.