Abstract:
A pair of gloves with integral weights on the back of the hand and on the back of the fingers is provided to provide muscle strengthening for specific tasks, such as in practicing a musical instrument. Such use gives the user the perception of lighter hands resulting in quicker hand movement and increased dexterity.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 467,873 filed on Jan. 13, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to gloves and apparatus for strengthening the hand and fingers and, more particularly, to a practice glove and practice method for training in the playing of musical instruments. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the related art, a common sight during a baseball game is that of the oncoming batter swinging a bat around with donut-shaped weights on it. This practice not only helps condition and loosen muscles before batting, it also gives the illusion of a lighter bat when the weights are removed. Thus when the batter does bat, hopefully he or she will be able to swing the bat quicker and more precisely due to its perceived weight decrease. This practice could be useful in any task that requires a quickness in speed. 
     One of these tasks is the playing of a musical instrument in which hand and finger quickness play an important part, such as the playing of a piano, a drum set, or any stringed instrument or horn. However the task of weight conditioning one&#39;s hand or finger area is extremely difficult do to the smallness of size. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     The following patents disclose an exerciser for the finger, hand, wrist, and forearm. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,710 issued in the name of Williams; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,019 issued in the name of Harris. 
     The following patents describe a weighted exercising glove: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,200 issued in the name of Hoffman; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,418 issued in the name of Hoffman; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,433 issued in the name of Walker et al.; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,883 issued in the name of Tiktin; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,660 issued in the name of Tiktin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,227 issued in the name of Hoffman discloses an exercise apparatus for strapping weights to a user&#39;s hands. 
     The following patents describe an orthopedic exercising device: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,360 issued in the name of Carr, Jr.; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,231,910 issued in the name of Tegland 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method by which hands and fingers can be strengthened and toned by the strategic placement of weights. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for strengthening the hand and fingers. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved practice glove and practice method for training in the playing of musical instruments. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of gloves with integral weights on the back of the hand and on the back of the fingers is disclosed. Appearing like pair of conventional gloves, integral weights are sewn into the glove on the back of the hand as well on the back of each finger near the base of the fingernail. One would wear the gloves while performing everyday tasks and/or while practicing musical instruments that rely heavily on finger movements such as a piano, drums, a stringed instrument or any type of horn. Not only will the invention provide muscle strengthening, but when removed immediately before a performance, they will give the user the perception of lighter hands resulting in quicker hand movement and increased dexterity. 
     The use of the present invention allows users the ability to strengthen their hand and finger muscles in a quick, easy and effective manner so that increased dexterity and speed can be realized when playing a musical instrument. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that its use increases strength and dexterity of hand and finger muscles. 
     Other advantages of the present invention is that its use develops stamina, provides for better timing, and helps users to play faster. 
     Similarly, the present invention may also help typists or others engaged in dexterous repetitive motions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a musical instrument practice glove according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 a  is perspective view of a position adjustment strap for use therewith; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a perspective view of a palm position urging appliance for use therewith; 
     FIG. 3 c  is a side elevational view of a first wrist support position appliance for use therewith; 
     FIG. 3 d  is a side elevational view of a second wrist support position appliance for use therewith; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a side elevational view of a user wearing a musical instrument practice glove of the present invention while playing a musical instrument; and 
     FIG. 4 b  is a front elevational view of a user wearing a musical instrument practice glove of the present invention while playing a musical instrument. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the FIGS. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a musical instrument practice glove  10  is shown, according to the present invention, for aiding a user in developing strength, speed, and stamina in the muscles of the hand utilized while playing a musical instrument. Accordingly, although an individual glove  10  is shown for use with the user&#39;s left hand, it is anticipated that a symmetric pair of such gloves  10  would be utilized herein. Each glove  10  has a hand mitt portion  12  formed of a backhand portion  14  (as shown in FIG. 1) and a palm portion  16  (as shown in FIG.  2 ). Extending from the distal end of each mitt  12  are four finger sleeves  20  and a thumb sleeve  22 . Extending from the proximal end of each mitt  12  is a tubular wrist collar  24 . A hand mitt hinge aperture  30  is formed within the backhand portion  14  at the connection point of each finger sleeve  20  and hand mitt  12 , as well as at the connection point of each thumb sleeve  22  and hand mitt  12 . It is anticipated that such a hand mitt hinge aperture  30  allows for free movement of the fingers without restriction of the knuckles of the hand. 
     Each finger sleeve  20  forms a first finger sleeve collar  20 a and a linearly aligned second finger sleeve collar  20   b  extending linearly and laterally therefrom, and forming a finger sleeve hinge aperture  32  therebetween both on the backhand side as well as the palm side. A first digit weight  34  is housed and supported within each first finger sleeve collar  20   a . A second digit weight  36  is housed and supported within each second finger sleeve collar  20   b . It is anticipated that both the first digit weight  34  and second digit weight  36  are housed and supported on the backhand side of the glove  10 . Further, an adjustment strap finger connection means  40  affixed to each second finger sleeve collar  20   b , as will be described in greater detail below. 
     Further, and in a similar fashion, each thumb sleeve  22  has a thumb weight  38  is housed and supported therein. Within the backhand portion  14  of the hand mitt  12  is formed and supported a hand weight  42 . And, within the wrist collar  24  is formed and supported a wrist weight  44 . 
     Referring in greater detail to FIG. 2, the palm portion  16  supports a plurality of adjustment strap palm connection means  46 , as will be described in greater detail below. Further, a palm posture urging means receiving pouch  48  and a wrist support receiving conduit  49  are formed within the palm portion  16 . 
     In conjunction with FIG. 3 a - 3   d , various accessories are shown for use with a musical instrument practice glove  10  of the present invention. In detail, FIG. 3 a  depicts a position adjustment strap  50 , of which a plurality are anticipated to be used. Each position adjustment strap  50  forms a linearly elongated strap body  52  having a connection means  54  at each end. Each connection means  54  is anticipated as being removably affixable to any adjustment strap finger connection means  40  or adjustment strap palm connection means  46  as was described above. Shown herein is a snap type connection means; however, any conventionally available connector, such as buttons, hook and loop fastener, or the like is anticipated as being of equivalent functionality and can perform a similar, if not identical functionality within the improvement of the present invention. Finally, a length adjustment means  56  is incorporated within the strap body  52  that allows a user to adjust and fix the linearly length of each position adjustment strap  50 . 
     According to FIG. 3 b , a palm posture urging appliance  60 , shown as a lightweight but rigid spherical member such as a ping-pong ball, is provided for positioning within and retention by the palm posture urging means receiving pouch  48 . By insertion of this appliance  60  within the pouch  48  a gently rolling structure can urge and support the user&#39;s wrist into the preferred hand and palm positioning as will be described in greater detail below. 
     Finally, according to FIG. 3 c  and FIG. 3 d , a first wrist support appliance  70  and second wrist support position appliance  72  are shown, respectively. Designed to be used alternatively, either wrist support appliance  70 ,  72  is placed within the wrist support receiving conduit  49  formed within the palm portion  16 , and further urge and support the user&#39;s wrist into the preferred hand and palm positioning as will be described in greater detail below. As shown, the first wrist support appliance  70  is shown as a linearly elongated, rigid and straight element, while the second wrist support position appliance  72  is shown similar, but having a lateral offset  74  positioned therein. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 a  and  4   b , the glove  10  is used while practicing any instrument. While shown herein as used in practicing a wind instrument  80 , it is felt that the benefits of the present invention will inure to the user of any instrument, be it wind, percussion, string, or what not. By using the glove  10  with weights positioned on the wrist and fingers, the muscles of the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers are conditioned. By positioning the appropriate wrist support positioning appliance  70 ,  72 , or palm posture urging appliance  60 , the proper hand, palm, and arm posture can be developed and reinforced. Placement of the position of the fingers, in lateral respect to one another, can be achieved by application of position adjustment straps  50  with various length adjustment means  56  positioned accordingly. 
     Continued use of the present invention, while practicing, will build the appropriate speed, strength, and stamina that will remain even without the use of the gloves during performances. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.