Patent Publication Number: US-2018035735-A1

Title: Grip Enhancement and Protection for the Hands

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Individuals engaged in activities having equipment that must come into contact with the hands must periodically attempt to grasp an item, such as a ball, racket, glove, wire rim, or other equipment associated with the athletic endeavor with their hands. In many activities, some items of equipment can be moving very quickly, and in others it is the individual whose hands are moving quickly when coming into contact with an item of game equipment. Consequently, considerable impact forces may be imposed on the hands of an individual as they come into contact with the game equipment. Also, a ball or other item may be spinning as well as moving quickly, which further complicates the action of retaining the item in the individual&#39;s grasp once the item has come into contact with the hands. 
     In the game of football for example, a ball may be thrown a considerable distance at considerable speed, in the game of basketball, a ball is thrown with great force and players hands may come into contact with the wire rim of a basketball goal, and, in the game of Lacrosse, balls impact a racquet with great force, transmitting that force to the hands of the athlete that grip the racquet, causing grip issues. Additional examples of forceful impacts on an individual&#39;s hands from items of sports equipment may be found in baseball, tennis, and other sports, although these examples should in no way be considered limiting. Players may attempt to come into contact with the game equipment, such as a ball, while running, which further complicates the issue of establishing and maintaining a grip on the item to be controlled or used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference to the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of the of the cylindrical compression base layer material worn on the fingers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the compression base layer and one additional performance layer consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the compression base layer and up to 3 additional performance layers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the compression base layer overlain with up to 3 additional performance layers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of the compression base layer overlain with additional performance layers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the compression base layer with performance layers positioned on portions of the hand consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. 
     The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
     Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation. 
     In a non-limiting embodiment, athletes, especially professional athletes, work in a complex, dynamic environment where items of sports equipment are routinely moving at velocities that not only may impart significant force on the hands of an athlete as they attempt to capture the item, but also may be difficult to capture in the first place due to the variations in vectors between the hands of the athlete and the item to be captured or gripped by the hands. However, athletes are only one group of individuals to whom grip enhancement and protection are important. Individuals who make a living grasping and gripping moving objects, such as workers in industrial settings who must select, grab, and remove substandard items from a moving assembly line are equally interested in making sure that a grip is not only effective, but also that grasping an item will not cause damage to hands at the moment of contact. 
     The constituent material of each layer may be for example a woven or unwoven fabric composed of any of a plurality of yarns, threads, or unwoven materials. The fabric may be air permeable, thereby enabling each layer of the apparatus to “breathe”, or to dissipate perspiration from the skin of a user through layers of the apparatus to ambient air. The fabric layers of the apparatus may comprise artificial fibers such as nylon, rayon, polyester, and others, or natural fibers such as cotton, wool, linen, or still other types of natural and synthetic fibers, and fabrics that are blends and combinations of these fibers. The selected fibers may be resistant to deterioration by exposure to perspiration, or sweat resistant. 
     When referring to a compression base layer, this refers to thermal reactive yarns that contain antimicrobial properties and infrared reflective technology to create one or more layers of compression base layer materials. These yarns and the compression action of these materials when woven into cloth-like coverings help stabilize finger ligaments, increase circulation, wick sweat, prevent microbial growth, increase grip strength, and return energy back to the cells of the user&#39;s skin. The compression base layer material may be composed of a gripping agent to create the desired elasticity and compression. The compression base layer material adds additional support to the finger ligaments to help stabilize them and reduce the likelihood of an injury and may aid in the recovery of an already injured finger that may occur as the result of an impact or improperly gripping an item. When formed into a material layer, the compression base layer is seamless so there are no weak or uneven areas. 
     The present invention provides an apparel apparatus having a compression base layer that may be worn on the hands which addresses those issues which pertain to activities in which grip enhancement, protection and physical protection of the hands are important. The apparel portion may include cylindrical elements composed of at least one compression base layer material and one or more performance material layers, having a cross section consistent with the cross section of a finger or one or more portions of a hand. The compression base layer may be complemented by additional layered external structure(s) that are performance layers placed in contact with the compression base layer. The compression base layer and any added performance layers may be combined to form a single structure placed in contact with the fingers, thumb, or other portions of the hand of the user. The apparel portion may not be cylindrical in cross-section but may, instead, be substantially contoured to be placed upon one or more portions of the hand where the compression base layer and performance layers combine to provide grip enhancement, impact resistance, shock absorption and/or other pre-determined functions to the entirety of a finger, thumb, or other portion of the hand, or to sections of the finger, thumb, or other portion of the hand. 
     These performance layers may be composed of materials that may improve frictional characteristics to enhance the grip of the hands through added friction, tackiness, or adhesion capability, materials to aid in shock absorption, materials to aid in impact resistance, materials having anti-microbial properties, materials having an embedded Bluetooth, rfi, or other near-field communication capability, and/or materials aiding in energy absorption and reflection back to the hands of the user. The performance layers may be placed in contact in an overlayment construction so as to combine the functions of each performance layer to provide for one or more of the functions as previously described in a single apparatus. In this manner, each performance layer may add a separate performance characteristic such that the completed apparatus may have differing characteristics in accordance with the performance layers chosen to be placed in contact with one another and the entire performance layer construct overlain on the compression base layer. It should be apparent that the compression base layer may be overlain, and connected to, any additional performance layer, or combination of performance layers, to provide for multiple protection and/or grip enhancement purposes. The performance layers may assist in gripping or handling a moving object without impacting grip strength and dexterity of the hands. 
     The combination of the compression base layer and performance layers that form the apparel apparatus may extend the full length of the finger, or only along a more limited extent of the finger, or cover a side, back or palm portion of the hand. Finger tips may be either exposed or covered by the combined apparel apparatus portions having a cylindrical cross section. Additional apparel portions may be configured to encircle a hand portion, attach to other portions of the hand, such as the palm or back of the hand, or be built into another garment for wear during work or sports activities without negatively impacting the grip or dexterity of the hands of the user. Additionally, the apparel apparatus portions may be used in the absence of or with conventional gloves or other hand coverings, including plaster casts which may be provided for medical purposes. 
     In an additional embodiment, the compression base layer may be contoured and designed to fit around and/or adhere to the fingers, sides, back, or palms of the hands of the user. As stated previously, the compression base layer designed to protect the fingers may consist of one or more cylinders that cover the entire length of the fingers or thumb, or any portion of the finger, either covering or leaving the fingertips uncovered, when worn. The cylindrical finger portions may have sections upon which additional performance layers of protective and/or grip enhancement materials may be installed in structural contact with the cylindrical finger portions. Additionally, an internal gripping agent, and energy capture capability and/or an energy reflection capability may be built into the structure of the material of which the compression base layer is constructed. The combined apparel apparatus, consisting of the compression base layer and all performance layers, may be fashioned to fit other portions of the hand including the palm, the back, or sides of the cylindrical finger portions, or any combination of these surfaces. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , this figure presents a view of the of the cylindrical compression base layer material worn on the fingers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, there is shown an apparel apparatus  100  for the fingers and thumb of a wearer. The apparel apparatus  100  may comprise a compression base layer configured in a cylindrical, flat, or other contoured shape. Each contoured, shaped portion may share characteristics of the compression base layer. 
     The cylindrical shaped portion is dimensioned and configured to be worn on a finger or thumb of the wearer. The cylindrical shaped portion may comprise a compression base layer permitting slight to moderate constriction having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, and an external surface portion comprising a multi-layer component consisting of performance layers consisting of one or more materials having impact resistance, shock absorption, adhesion, moisture wicking, and/or anti-microbial as well as other characteristics such as the inclusion of Bluetooth, radio frequency (rfi) tags, or any other near field communication capability tags or circuitry. The multi-layer performance layer component may cover less than the full extent of the external surface of the cylindrical shaped compression base layer portion, leaving one or more zones which may be devoid of the multi-layered performance layer portion. 
     Description of the cylindrical shaped compression base layer portion is intended to convey that this portion fully encircles any one finger or the thumb along at least part of the length of the finger or thumb, but does not necessarily imply a circular cross section since the material is fairly pliable and will not maintain any one cross sectional configuration to the exclusion of any other, but will conform to a wearer&#39;s hand. 
     The constituent material of the cylindrical shaped compression base layer portion may be for example a woven or unwoven fabric having compression characteristics and which is air permeable, thereby enabling the apparel apparatus to “breathe”, or to dissipate perspiration from the skin through the cylindrical shaped portion to ambient air. In additional exemplary embodiments, the constituent compression base layer material may also have energy reflection and energy capture capabilities to assist in capturing any energy emitted by a user&#39;s hands, either through movement of the user&#39;s hands or generated as a result of normal body heating functions. This compression base layer constituent material may comprise artificial fibers such as nylon, rayon, polyester, and others, or a natural fiber such as cotton, or still other types of natural and synthetic fibers, and blends or combinations of these fibers. The selected fibers will be resistant to deterioration by exposure to perspiration, and may be sweat resistant. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , this figure presents a view of the compression base layer and one additional performance layer of the exemplary apparel apparatus consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparel apparatus presents the compression base layer  200  that is formed in a cylindrical cross-section that may be placed on the finger or thumb of a user. In this exemplary embodiment, the compression base layer  200  may be worn by the user to provide additional support to the finger ligaments to help stabilize them and reduce the likelihood of an injury or to aid in the recovery of an already injured finger. The compression base layer  200  may be sized to cover the entire length of a finger or thumb, including the end or tip of the finger or thumb, or may be sized to cover a portion of a finger or a thumb. The functional capability of the compression base layer  200  may be enhanced by the addition of a performance layer  204  that may provide for grip enhancement, or may provide a different enhancement to the compression base layer  200  such as grip enhancement, shock absorption, impact resistance, microbial protection, moisture wicking, or additional functions. The performance layer  204  may be attached to the structure of the compression base layer  200  as a separable structure, or may be integrated into the compression base layer  200  as an integral portion of the combined compression base layer  200  and performance layer  204 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , this figure presents a view of the compression base layer and additional performance layers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, a compression base layer  300  is presented that may have a substantially cylindrical cross section and may be sized to permit a user to place the compression base layer  300  in contact with a finger or thumb such that the finger or thumb is inside the compression base layer  300  and the finger or thumb is entirely encircled by the compression base layer  300 . The length of the compression base layer  300  is variable and may be of a sufficient length to enclose any portion of the finger or thumb, and may also have an open proximate end and a closed distal end such that the tip of the finger or thumb is entirely enclosed by the compression base layer  300  and the base of the finger or thumb extends from the proximate end of the compression base layer  300 . In this non-limiting example, the compression base layer  300  is formed as a closed cylinder. 
     In association with the compression base layer  300 , one or more performance layers ( 304 ,  306 ,  308 ) may be attached to, or constructed in association with, the compression base layer  300 . In a non-limiting example, a performance layer  304  may be constructed of materials that enhance the impact resistance of the combination of the performance layer  304  and the compression base layer  300 . Additionally, a performance layer  306  that is constructed of materials that may improve shock absorption, and a performance layer constructed of materials that enhance grip  308  may be placed into contact such that all three layers are attached to, or are constructed in association with, the compression base layer  300 . Additional performance layers may be contemplated, such as a performance layer that assists in wicking moisture from the compression base layer  300  to the outside air, or additional functions that may be of importance to a user. The performance layers ( 304 ,  306 ,  308 ) may be attached to, or constructed in association with, one or more compression base layer  300  forms so as to protect fingers, thumbs, palms, sides, and the backs of a user&#39;s hands when worn by a user. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , this figure presents a view of the compression base layer overlain with up to 3 additional performance layers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, a compression base layer  400  may be overlain with multiple performance layers  404  so as to create a compound item of apparel that may be customized for particular attributes desired by a user. In this non-limiting example, the compression base layer  400  is depicted as basically cylindrical, however, this should in no way be considered limiting as a compression base layer  400  that is configured to be worn on portions of the hand other than the fingers or thumb may also have a multiple performance layer  404  portion created for that hand portion and installed as a portion of the compound item of apparel. In this non-limiting example, the multiple performance layer  404  component may be composed of layers that provide grip enhancement, shock absorption, impact resistance, microbial resistance, perspiration wicking and diffusion, and other functions as necessary, and may be customized by a user to include any combination of these features in any layer order. The multiple performance layer  404  may be a separate construction that is attached to the compression base layer  400 , or the multiple performance layer  404  may be manufactured as a portion of the process of manufacturing the compression base layer  400  such that it is integrated into the compression base layer  400  forming a single apparel apparatus structure that is composed of the compression base layer  400  and the customized multiple performance layer  404 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4A , this figure presents a side view of the compression base layer overlain with additional performance layers consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the compression base layer  400  may have a cylindrical cross-section for placement on a finger or a thumb. The compression base layer  400  may be of sufficient length to cover the entirety of a finger or a thumb, or a pre-determined portion of a finger or thumb. In this non-limiting example, a compression base layer  400  may have a length that is less than the length of a finger or thumb and the proximate portion  408  and distal portion  410  of the compression base layer  400  are open to permit a finger or a thumb to be inserted through the compression base layer  400  in a manner such that the tip of the finger or thumb may extend above the distal portion  410  of the compression base layer  400 . In additional non-limiting examples, the compression base layer  400  may have a closed distal portion  410  such that this portion forms a covering over the tip of a finger or thumb, or the compression base layer may not have a cylindrical cross-section, but instead may be formed to be placed on the palm, back, or sides of the hand. In each exemplary configuration, the compression base layer may be overlain with a multiple performance layer  404  that may be composed of one or more performance layers that assist with grip enhancement, impact resistance, shock absorption, microbial resistance, heat resistance, or any other performance enhancement that may be desired to protect the hands of a user from external contacts while not interfering with a user&#39;s grip objects, catch objects, or otherwise interfere with the user&#39;s ability to use their hands in pursuit of sports, work, or other activities. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the performance layers may be combined in such a way as to overlay one or more performance layers in a multiple performance layer  404  where the performance layers form an addition to the compression base layer  400 . This multiple performance layer  404  is shown in profile as being in full contact with the outer surface of the compression base layer  400 . However, this should in no way be considered limiting as the multiple performance layer  404  may be composed of performance layers that are interwoven, or otherwise integrated, into the structural outer surface of the compression base layer  400 . As seen in this profile view, the multiple performance layer  404  is in full contact with the compression base layer  400  so as to cover a portion of the compression base layer  400  that will protect a pre-determined section or impact point on the hands of a user. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , this figure presents a view of the compression base layer with performance layers positioned on portions of the hand consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a view of the versatility of the apparel apparatus is presented. A user&#39;s hand  500  has multiple portions that may benefit from the attachment of the apparel apparatus. The apparel apparatus may, consequently, be configured and manufactured for a close fit for various portions of the user&#39;s hands. In a non-limiting example, at  502  the apparel apparatus may be configured to fit over a finger of the user but not cover the entire length of the finger. 
     In an alternative example, at  504  the apparel apparatus may be configured with a cylindrical cross-section that will fit over the finger of a user and be of sufficient length to cover the entire finger, from the base of the finger to the tip of the finger. The apparel apparatus may consist of the compression base layer and one or more performance layer portions placed upon the exterior surface of the compression base later and positioned in such manner that one performance layer portion may enhance and/or protect one section of a user&#39;s finger and other performance layer portions may be position in such a manner as to protect a completely different section of a user&#39;s finger, as shown in  504 . 
     In yet another non-limiting example, at  506  the apparel apparatus may be sized sufficiently to fit on the bottom portion of a finger, while leaving the upper portion of the finger, including the tip of the finger, outside of the compression base layer of the apparel apparatus. In the non-limiting example at  506 , an additional performance layer may also be positioned on a portion of the apparel apparatus that is most conducive to the user&#39;s needs. As has been stated previously, the apparel apparatus may also be constructed to conform to portions of the user&#39;s hands other than the fingers and thumb. This configuration is presented at  508  where a contoured example of the apparel apparatus has been affixed to a portion of the palm of the user&#39;s hand to provide protection and/or grip enhancement to that portion of the user&#39;s hand. 
     As is shown in these non-limiting examples, the apparel apparatus may be constructed in a plurality of contours, configurations, and cross-sectional portions to permit the apparel apparatus to be affixed to fingers, thumb, palm, back, or the sides of a user&#39;s hands. The apparel apparatus may also be composed of a plurality of performance layers that may be attached to or integrally constructed with a compression base layer. The performance layers may be constructed in a pre-determined configuration of layers, or they may be constructed in conformance to a user&#39;s specification for grip enhancement, shock absorption, impact resistance, microbial protection, moisture wicking, or additional functions that may be considered important to include in the apparel apparatus. The apparel apparatus in any configuration will be constructed so as to be worn by a user without impacting the user&#39;s ability to grip objects, catch objects, or otherwise interfere with the user&#39;s ability to use their hands in pursuit of sports, work, or other activities. 
     In an embodiment, the apparel apparatus may have communications capability through use of Microchips, Radio Frequency IDs (RFIDs), Electromagnetic Fields generation, Bluetooth, NFC, and/or Accelerometer technology embedded into the apparel apparatus. These technological capabilities may be embedded as an additional performance layer, or may be integrated into the compression base layer. This technological capability permits the apparel apparatus to collect data to track players&#39; performance and transmit the collected data servers and processors to permit digital storage and data analysis of all collected data. By way example and not of limitation, in basketball sensors may be placed in the ball, the rim and the apparel apparatus which will automatically record assist, rebounds shots, velocity of passes, impact of the ball or a fall, speed, location, distance covered, and additional performance characteristics. In a more advanced data collection capability, the product would be able to detail frequency, duration, intensity time of release (of an object), height of release, patterns of movement, quality of rest, and calories expended. Each player would wear the technologically enhanced apparel apparatus containing one or more of the Microchips, RFIDs, Electromagnetic Field generators, Bluetooth chip, NFC chip, or Accelerometers. In other non-limiting examples, equipped with additional sensors, the apparel apparatus could track the path, acceleration, distance covered and time that distance was covered in, in any activity. This could permit the technologically enhanced apparel apparatus to perform as the primary source of data collection or data distribution in a plurality of sports activities. 
     While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.