Abstract:
A cycling glove having a number of pads on the palmar surface, two of the pads forming a groove approximately over and protecting the carpal tunnel nerve. The glove also has a fast release mechanism for removing the glove from the hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/755,905, filed Jan. 3, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present application relates to a cycling glove, and in particular to a cycling glove with a fast release. The glove has particular application in situations where time is of the essence to remove hand protection, such as cycling patrols (police, fire, and emergency rescue workers) and in sports such as triathlons.  
         [0003]     There is also a need for a cycling glove that reduces impact on the carpal tunnel nerve.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention is a cycling glove with a fast release.  
         [0005]     A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it can be removed quickly and easily from the hand in situations where time is of the essence to remove hand protection.  
         [0006]     Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that the glove also has a groove over the carpal tunnel nerve that reduces road shock and hand numbness even over long rides. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the palmar surface of the glove of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the dorsal surface of the glove of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the dorsal surface of the glove of the present invention, illustrating the use of a finger of the opposite hand to open the glove.  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3 , with the glove opened.  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the palmar surface of the glove of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0012]     The present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral  10 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a palm side view of a first embodiment of a left-hand cycling glove  10  in accordance with the invention.  
         [0014]     More specifically,  FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the side of glove  10  that is adapted to engage the handlebar of a bicycle. While cycling glove  10  is shown as having short fingers, the invention also finds utility in long finger gloves, including gloves that are constructed and arranged for use in winter temperatures.  
         [0015]     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the palm of glove  10  includes a plurality of pads that are each constructed and arranged in accordance with this invention.  
         [0016]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first pad  12 , the thumb pad, extends approximately from the wrist to the base of the thumb and is somewhat in the shape of a balloon. The second pad  16 , is essentially parallel to and spaced apart from the first pad  12 .  
         [0017]     In the first embodiment, a third pad  14  extends across the palm at the base of the fingers.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a palmar view of a second embodiment of the cycling glove  10 . In the second embodiment, the third pad  14  is not present.  
         [0019]     In both embodiments, the cycling glove  10  further comprises a carpal tunnel groove  15  between the first pad  12  and the second pad  16 . This groove lies approximately over the carpal tunnel nerve and protects this nerve from road shock and hand numbness even over long rides.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows the dorsal or back surface  18  of the glove  10 . Four finger sheaths  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  enclose the fingers from the back of the hand until approximately the middle of the first phalanx of each finger. The sheaths  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be made of any flexible material but are preferably made from a flexible, stretchable material such as nylon or rayon.  
         [0021]     The thumb is enclosed in a thumb sheath  30  extending approximately from the wrist to cover the first phalanx of the thumb and preferably over the part of the second phalanx of the thumb. Preferably, the thumb sheath  30  is made of a soft, absorbent material.  
         [0022]     An opening  36  is formed in the dorsal surface of the glove to receive the hand. A portion of Velcro hook material  38  is attached to the back surface  18 , suitably by stitching or by adhesive, along one margin  40  of the opening  36 . A flap  44  closes the opening  36 . A portion of Velcro loop material  42  is attached to the flap  44 , suitably by stitching. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill that the locations of the hook material  38  and loop material  42  may be reversed.  
         [0023]     The flap  44  may be quickly closed over the hand by bringing the Velcro loop portion  42  into engagement with the Velcro hook portion  38 . Conversely, the flap may be quickly opened by pulling the Velcro loop portion  42  away from the hook portion  38 . To expedite this operation, an aperture  46  may be constructed in the Velcro loop portion  42  into which a finger of the opposite hand may be inserted, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows the glove after it has been opened.  
         [0024]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.