Abstract:
A glove formed from a stretchable material for the purpose of increasing grip strength and protecting and supporting the wearers hand. The glove has a first finger stall, a second finger stall, and a thumb aperture, and is formed from a stretchable material that keeps the fingers in the first finger stall and the second finger stall tightly compressed to protect each from injury, and to increase the strength of two fingers being tightly compressed together. The thumb extends out of the thumb aperture and is free to move independently of the first finger stall and the second finger stall in order to allow the thumb freedom of movement and not be locked together with either of the finger stalls.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to gloves for supporting the hand and improving grip strength and to enhance protection for the fingers and hands. Or particularly, the gloves of the present invention are designed to help athletes maximize their grip strength while enhancing the support of the fingers and hand. 
         [0002]    There are numerous gloves designed to support the hand and fingers, and to enhance grip strength especially in sports. Generally, individually designed gloves are targeted to specific sports such as football, baseball, hockey, martial arts, wrestling, cycling and other sports. Many glove designs provide support and protection to the athletes hands to prevent injury such as when throwing or catching a baseball, throwing or catching a football, blocking or grasping in football, weight lifting, or throwing punches in martial arts or boxing. Other glove designs improve grasping power by increasing the friction of the outer surface of the glove. None of the prior art gloves combines the features of increasing the grip strength of the fingers by pairing the fingers together using an elastomeric material, and allowing the freedom of the fingers and the hand to move in order to enhance performance in a particular sport. The present invention meets these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a glove, and more particularly a sports glove, formed from a single piece of elastomeric material that provides an increase in grip strength as well as protecting the fingers and hands from injury. In one embodiment, the glove is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface and a back surface. A first finger stall and a second finger stall extend from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture exists in both the first finger stall and the second finger stall. The thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched in place. A slit in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, an active seam or overlock seam is used to close the slit. In one embodiment, the front surface is attached to the back surface by a single side seam. At least one of the first finger stall and the second finger stall is tapered with the narrower end near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of or both of the first finger stall and the second finger stall are formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, the front surface and back surface extend to form a wrist portion, which also can have a double thickness of the elastic material to support the wrist area. Transverse stitching reinforces the double thickness material in the wrist portion. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall and the second finger stall have transverse stitching to reinforce the first or second finger stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material is attached to the front surface. 
         [0004]    The stretchable material forming the glove includes a blend of an elastic material and a non-elastic material. In one embodiment, the blend of material consists of 5% to 40% of the elastic material and 60% to 95% of the non-elastic material. In one embodiment, the stretchable material of the glove is formed from 20% to 24% SPANDEX® and from 76% to 80% nylon, and having a weight in the range from 190 GSM to 250 GSM. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the glove is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface and a back surface. A first finger stall extends from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture exists in the first finger stall. A second finger stall and a third finger stall extend from the front and back surface and are substantially shorter in length than the first finger stall. The index finger and middle finger go into the first finger stall, the ring finger goes into the second finger stall, and the pinky finger goes into the third finger stall. The thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched in place. A slit in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, an active seam or overlock seam is used to close the slit. At least one of the first finger stall and the second finger stall is tapered with the narrower end near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall and the third finger stall are formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, or the third finger stall have transverse stitching to reinforce the first or second finger stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material is attached to the front surface. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the glove is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface and a back surface. A first finger stall, a second finger stall, and a third finger stall extend from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture exists in each stall. The first finger stall receives the index finger, the second finger stall receives the middle finger, and the third finger stall receives both the ring and pinky fingers. The first and second finger stalls are substantially shorter in length than the third finger stall. The thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched in place. A slit in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, an active seam or overlock seam is used to close the slit. At least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall and the third finger stall is tapered with the narrower end near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall is formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall has transverse stitching to reinforce the stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material is attached to the front surface. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the glove is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface and a back surface. A first finger stall, a second finger stall, and a third finger stall extend from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture exists in each stall. The first finger stall receives the index finger, the second finger stall receives the middle finger and ring finger, and the third finger stall receives the pinky finger. The first and third finger stalls are substantially shorter in length than the second finger stall. The thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched in place. A slit in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, an active seam or overlock seam is used to close the slit. At least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and third finger stall is tapered with the narrower end near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall is formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall have transverse stitching to reinforce the stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material is attached to the front surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the glove showing a thumb aperture, and first stall for receiving the index and middle fingers, and a second finger stall for receiving the ring finger and pinky finger. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the glove prior to being folder together and sewn along a side seam to form the finger stalls and the thumb aperture as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the back surface of the glove depicting the first finger stall and the second finger stall. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the front surface of the glove depicting the first finger stall, the second finger stall and the thumb aperture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the left side of the glove depicting a side seam for connecting the front surface to the back surface. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the right side of the glove depicting the first finger stall and a partial view of the thumb aperture. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the glove depicting the first finger stall and the second finger stall as well as the front and back surfaces. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view looking thru the bottom of the glove towards the finger stalls and depicting the first finger stall and the second finger stall as well as the front and back surfaces. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the front surface of the glove depicting a first finger stall and apertures for the ring finger and the pinky finger as well as a thumb aperture. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the glove depicting a second finger stall and finger apertures for the index finger and the middle finger as well as the thumb aperture. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the glove depicting a single finger stall for receiving the middle and ring finger. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    In keeping with the invention as shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , a glove  20 , and more particularly a sports glove, is formed from a single piece of elastomeric material  22  that provides an increase in grip strength as well as protecting the fingers and hands from injury. In one embodiment, the glove  20  is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface  24  and a back surface  26 . A first finger stall  28  and a second finger stall  30  extend from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture  32  is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture  34  exists in both the first finger stall and the second finger stall. The index finger  29  and middle finger  31  go into the first finger stall  28  and extend out of the exit aperture  34 . The ring finger  33  and the pinky finger  35  go into the second finger stall  30  and extend out of exit aperture  34 . The thumb aperture  32  is positioned on the front surface  24  of the glove directly below the first finger stall  28  and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. It is intended that the entire thumb  37  extend out of the thumb aperture  32 . In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material  36  is folded over the rim  38  of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched  40  in place. A slit  42  in the front surface  24  extends from the rim  38  forming the thumb aperture  32  to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed  44  in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, any of an active seam  46 , cover stitch or overlock seam is used to close the slit. In one embodiment, the front surface  24  is attached to the back surface  26  by a single side seam  58 . At least one of the first finger stall and the second finger stall is tapered  48  with the narrower end  50  near the exit aperture  34 . In one embodiment, the front surface and back surface extend to form a wrist portion  51 , which also can have a double thickness of the elastic material to support the wrist area. Transverse stitching reinforces the double thickness material in the wrist portion. In one embodiment, at least one of or both of the first finger stall and the second finger stall and the wrist position  51  are formed from a double thickness  52  of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall and the second finger stall have transverse stitching  54  to reinforce the first or second finger stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material  56  is attached to the front surface either by stitching it to the front surface or by using an adhesive. The friction enhancing material will help prevent the glove from sliding on a wrestling mat for example, and will increase the friction between the glove and any contact surface, including human body parts. The friction enhancing material can include any well-known material such as silicone, urethane, or rubber material. 
         [0020]    The stretchable material forming the glove  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-8  includes a blend of an elastic material and a non-elastic material. In one embodiment, the blend of material consists of 5% to 40% of the elastic material and 60% to 95% of the non-elastic material. In one embodiment, the stretchable material of the glove is formed from 20% to 24% SPANDEX® and from 76% to 80% nylon, and having a weight in the range from 190 GSM to 250 GSM. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , it may be desirable to reinforce the finger stalls to add more support. Optionally, support strips  57  are attached to the glove  20 , and in particular on the first finger stall and the second finger stall  30 . The support strips wrap all the way around the finger stalls and are positioned between where the knuckles are on the fingers. In other words, the support strips are not intended to wrap around the knuckles so that the fingers can bend freely. In one embodiment, the support strips crisscross to enhance support. The support strips can be formed from any material such as cloth, or the same material from which the glove is formed. The support strips can be permanently attached to the glove by stitching or be removable using VELCRO® or a similar material. The support strips can be made from an elastomeric material similar to that forming the glove in order to locally increase compression in the finger stalls. 
         [0022]    As shown more clearly in  FIG. 5 , a single side seam  58  is used to join the front surface  24  and the back surface  26 . The single side seam can be any of a cover stitch  59 , active seam or overlock seam. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the glove  60  is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface  62  and a back surface. A first finger stall  64  extends from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture  66  is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture  68  exists in the first finger stall. A second finger stall  70  and a third finger stall  72  extend from the front and back surface and are substantially shorter in length than the first finger stall. The index finger  74  and middle finger  76  go into the first finger stall, the ring finger  78  goes into the second finger stall, and the pinky finger  80  goes into the third finger stall. The thumb aperture  66  is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall  64  and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material  82  is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched  84  in place. A slit  86  in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, any of an active seam  88 , cover stitch or overlock seam is used to close the slit. At least one of the first finger stall  64  and the second finger stall  70  is tapered  90  with the narrower end  92  near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall and the third finger stall are formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall and the second finger stall have transverse stitching  94  to reinforce the first or second finger stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material  96  (similar to that in  FIG. 4 ) is attached to the front surface. 
         [0024]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the glove  100  is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface  102  and a back surface. A first finger stall  104 , a second finger stall  106 , and a third finger stall  108  extend from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture  110  is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture  112  exists in each stall. The first finger stall receives the index finger  114 , the second finger stall receives the middle finger  116 , and the third finger stall receives both the ring finger  118  and pinky finger  120 . The first and second finger stalls are substantially shorter in length than the third finger stall. The thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material  122  is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched  124  in place. A slit  126  in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, any of an active seam  128 , cover stitch or overlock seam is used to close the slit. At least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall or the third finger stall is tapered  130  with the narrower end  132  near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall is formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall has transverse stitching  134  to reinforce the stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material  136  is attached to the front surface. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the glove  140  is formed from a stretchable material and has a front surface  142  and a back surface. A first finger stall  144 , a second finger stall  146 , and a third finger stall  148  extend from the back surface and the front surface, and a thumb aperture  150  is positioned on the front surface. An exit aperture  152  exists in each stall. The first finger stall receives the index finger  154 , the second finger stall receives the middle finger  156  and ring finger  158 , and the third finger stall receives the pinky finger  160 . The first and third finger stalls are substantially shorter in length than the second finger stall. The thumb aperture is positioned on the front surface of the glove directly below the first finger stall and no portion of the thumb aperture is positioned on the back surface of the glove. In order to enhance the strength and durability of the thumb aperture, a strip of material  162  is folded over the rim of the thumb aperture to sandwich the rim of the thumb aperture with the strip of material, which is then stitched  164  in place. A slit  166  in the front surface extends from the rim forming the thumb aperture to enable the strip of material to be added to the thumb aperture. The slit is then stitched closed in order to add strength and durability to the surrounding area. In one embodiment, any of an active seam  168 , cover stitch or overlock seam is used to close the slit. At least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and third finger stall is tapered  170  with the narrower end  172  near the exit aperture. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall is formed from a double thickness of the stretchable material. In one embodiment, at least one of the first finger stall, the second finger stall, and the third finger stall have transverse stitching  174  to reinforce the stall. In another embodiment, a friction enhancing material  176  is attached to the front surface. 
         [0026]    In the preceding detailed description, reference to specific embodiments were described. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.