Abstract:
A thumb protector comprising an upper layer attached to a lower layer at first distal ends with an attachment mechanism to connect second distal ends of the upper and lower layers is provided. The second distal ends of the layers form an aperture and have a circumference smaller than a thumb circumference to retain the thumb protector on the thumb. The lower layer is soft and elastic to disperse pressure applied to an external surface of the lower layer to thereby reduce pressure applied to the thumb to prevent soreness and callous formation while still imparting a natural sense of feel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to a thumb protector placed over an area of skin which is prone to soreness, developing callous formation, or experience slipping, and more particularly to a human thumb protector being fabricated with an elastic material to disperse compressive forces when playing a video game controller.  
         [0004]     Callous is an additional layer of skin that develops on an area of the skin that is subject to repetitive frictional forces and pressures. Frequently, people develop callous when they are engaged in activity for a long duration of time. One particular area of activity where people are prone to develop callous is related to video games. Today, video games are increasing in popularity and with such popularity, video game players are playing the games for longer periods of time. Exemplary of such well-known game systems include XBOX, Playstation and Game Cube, all of which offer a wide variety of game choices that can provide countless hours of entertainment. Along these lines, the controllers for these games require that the player control the game action with a controller gripped and manipulated by their hands and fingers. As such, the hand and its fingers are subjected to long hours of repetitive frictional forces and pressures due to the manipulation of the game controller and, as such, are prone to develop callous on the hand and fingers. Generally, the most common places where such callous develop upon such individuals is the thumb.  
         [0005]     To deal with the callous formation, game players may remove the callous after it has formed. In this regard, the health care industry markets many different types of callous removers. One common callous remover is a pumice stone which is gently rubbed against the callous and physically removes callous from the surface of the skin. This process is time consuming and generally not accepted by younger individuals most likely to play video games.  
         [0006]     The only viable alternative to avoid a callous formation is to abstain from playing video games. As is well known, however, to refrain from such activity defeats the utility of the video game and further detracts from a player&#39;s ability to improve his or her performance. As such, there is a tremendous need in the art for a device and method of preventing callous formation on fingers and may be used during callous causing activity. The present invention attempts to eliminate callous formation by dispersing excessive pressures that may form on the fingertips, and especially the thumb, and has a unique method of retaining a protector on a finger or thumb of a user/wearer.  
         [0007]     In addition to such objective, the present invention is further operative to address problems associated with prolonged use of game controllers and the like. Specifically, the present invention is operative to eliminate soreness in the thumb, as well as possibly other digits, that can arise from prolonged handling of video game controllers. In this regard, it is well-known that separate and apart from callous formation, the excessive application of a compressive force by the thumb and other digits, plus repetitious movement by the tip of the thumb can cause substantial soreness. Such soreness can be aggravated further to the extent a game controller is utilized over a prolonged period of time. As is well-known, prolonged use of game controllers can cause rubberized coverings over plastic parts to wear down and make the controller more difficult to operate, thus requiring a greater expenditure of force. In some cases, the loss of rubberized covering can cause plastic parts to cut into the thumb by virtue of the sharpened surfaces that become exposed as the controller parts are worn down.  
         [0008]     Along these lines, a yet further complication that can arise through prolonged playing of game controllers that is alleviated by the present invention is the difficulty in operating a game controller when a user&#39;s hands become sweaty or if the controller surfaces actuated by the thumb become slippery. As is well-known amongst game users, often times playing video games creates tremendous amounts of stress, especially when playing at higher levels of a particularly challenging video game, particularly those that have consequences to the extent the games objectives are not achieved. In this regard, any inadvertent actuation of a game controller can cause a player to lose a game, which can and frequently does lead to intense frustration. Advantageously, however, the present invention is adapted to address such issues.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the present invention is directed to a device for preventing callous formation on the fingers and thumb of a user/wearer to thus enable such individual to engage in an activity, and in particular the manipulation of a game controller for video games, to thus protect the individual&#39;s digits during prolonged periods of play. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a protector comprising a lower layer, upper layer and an attachment mechanism. The lower layer is positioned over the area of the thumb skin that is prone to develop callous or cause soreness. The lower layer prevents the formation of callous and provides a cushion that resists soreness over that area of the skin by dispersing any concentrated pressure applied to that area and by preventing frictional forces from rubbing against that area. In particular, the lower layer may be fabricated from a soft elastic material that is sufficiently thick. The soft elastic characteristic of the lower layer material allows the lower layer to adapt itself into the shape of the user&#39;s thumb when the protector is worn to eliminate concentrated pressure on the thumb while at the same time providing a natural sense of feel to the user. And, the thickness of the material is operative to disperse the concentrated pressure applied to the lower layer over a greater surface area on the thumb itself. Hence, the excessive pressures that the thumb may be subjected to without the appendage protector may be reduced to a great extent so as to prevent the formation of callous on the thumb.  
         [0010]     The lower layer may define a contact area on its external surface which is a corresponding area to the thumb that is prone to develop callous. The lower layer will preferably include an external surface that, by virtue of being sufficiently padded, substantially reduces the soreness that can be experienced by thumb during prolonged periods of play. In one embodiment, the lower layer may be oversized to provide an extended reach. Moreover, the lower layer will preferably be provided with a contact area that resists slippage when engaged with the actuatable parts of a game controller to thus enable a player to correctly manipulate the device to the extent the user&#39;s hands, and particularly the thumb and/or digits become sweaty. To that end, it is contemplated that the contact area will have a texturized surface that resists slipping. The contact area of the lower layer may optionally have a tacky material or rubber or leather patch placed thereon to provide ideal friction. The tacky material may have the same coefficient of friction as that of a human skin. Or, in the alternative, the tacky material may have a coefficient of friction greater than that of the human skin to increase the gripping ability of the user. Preferably, the tacky material may be removed from the contact area of the lower layer and replaced with a fresh tacky material. This may be accomplished by either placing a washable tacky material on the contact area or by placing an adhesive layer to the contact area that may later be removed after use.  
         [0011]     The lower layer may be connected to an upper layer at first distal ends of the lower and upper layer. The first distal end is located at the user&#39;s fingertips when the protector is worn. The upper layer is operative to form a cavity in which the thumb may be received so as to retain the lower layer at the proper position in relation to a contact area of the thumb. To form the cavity, edges of the lower and upper layers may be sown together, or may otherwise be held together through a variety of conventional means, such as by laces, zippers, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or any other devices and techniques well-known in the art. In one embodiment, the lower and upper layers are not sown together but only the first distal ends of the lower and upper layer are connected as well as second distal ends of the lower and upper layer. The latter embodiment allows for increased air flow over the contact area of the thumb and the upper side of the thumb to thereby aerate the thumb of any moisture that may be excreted from the thumb between the upper and lower layers.  
         [0012]     As stated above, the lower layer is connected to the upper layer at the second distal ends of the layers. The connection is operative to form an aperture or opening to receive the thumb. Preferably, the opening is smaller than a diameter of the thumb to retain the protector on the thumb so that the protector may be continuously worn during the activity which would otherwise cause the callous. The opening or aperture may be smaller than the circumference of the thumb due to the elastic nature of the lower and upper layer. Simply put, the opening will stretch to the size of the user&#39;s thumb when worn.  
         [0013]     Moreover, the opening is preferably positioned beyond the first joint of the thumb. In this way, the protector may not slip or dislodge from the thumb during the callous causing activity. The opening may be smaller than the circumference of the thumb and positioned beyond the first joint of the thumb because of the unique attachment mechanism of the present invention. The attachment mechanism connects the upper and lower layers at the corners of the second distal ends. In particular, the lower layer may have a first strap portion and a second strap portion. The first and second strap portions extend out from a longitudinal axis of the lower layer and its length is sufficient to wrap the strap portions starting from the underside of the thumb to the upper side of the thumb and onto each other.  
         [0014]     The attachment mechanism may be strips of hooks and loops connected to the first and second straps and the upper layer. Accordingly, the straps may be adjustably wrapped around the thumb with the hooks and loops. In the alternative, the attachment mechanism may be snaps which may be connected to the first and second strap portions and the upper layer. In this embodiment, the opening circumference is not adjustable compared to the prior hooks and loops attachment mechanism but is fixed. Nonetheless, the elastic characteristic of the upper and lower layers allow the thumb protector to fit a range of large and small thumbs. Both types of attachment mechanisms are merely illustrative of the various types of attachment mechanism that may accomplish the task of connecting the upper and lower layers, and are not the exclusive methods to accomplish the same. For example, the attachment mechanism may be a button with corresponding button hole or buckle.  
         [0015]     In further refinements of the invention, the thumb protector may be fabricated to bear a unique logo or design, or may otherwise be fabricated to be aesthetically pleasing. It is also contemplated that the thumb protector may be utilized in a variety of applications outside of video gaming, and may have utility as a general thumb protector for use in a variety of applications that involve prolonged use of the thumb. Along these lines, it is contemplated that the thumb protector may further be adapted for use by each individual digit of a user and likewise utilized for a variety of applications where it is necessary to protect the distal most ends of the digits. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a person holding a video game controller with one thumb wearing a thumb protector with free edges and with the other thumb exposed to greater pressure and frictional forces compared to the thumb wearing the thumb protector;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 1  with hooks and loops;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front view of  FIG. 2  showing that the hooks and loops may be adjustably engaged;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 1  with hooks and loops in an engaged position around the thumb;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a front view of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 1  with disengaged hooks and loops;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a person holding a video game controller with one thumb wearing a thumb protector with stitched edges and with the other thumb exposed to greater pressure and frictional forces compared to the thumb wearing the thumb protector;  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the thumb protector  FIG. 8  with snaps;  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is a front view of  FIG. 9  indicating that a first snap receptacle is offset to a corresponding first snap protrusion;  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 8  with first and second snap receptacles and protrusions in an engaged position around the thumb;  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  is a front view of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 8  with disengaged snaps; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the thumb protector of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIGS. 1 and 8  illustrate a perspective view of a person holding a video game controller  10  wherein only one of the thumbs  12   a  of the person is wearing a thumb protector  14 . The thumb protector  14  which is the subject matter of the present invention may be referred to as an appendage protector  14  within this detailed description. The present invention i.e., the thumb protector  14 , is directed to a device which protects skin of a human thumb from developing callous as well as prevents/resists soreness that can arise from prolonged manipulation of a video game controller. The present invention even though directed to a thumb  12  may be adapted to fit other human appendages, such as other fingers.  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the appendage protector  14  includes an upper layer  16 , lower layer  18 , and an attachment mechanism  20 . And, the upper and lower layers  16 ,  18  each define first and second distal ends  22 ,  24  and opposed edges  26   a ,  26   b  (see  FIGS. 6 and 13 ). As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 10 , at the second distal ends  24  of the layers  16 ,  18 , the layers  16 ,  18  may define first and second strap portions  28 ,  30 . The first and second strap portions  28 ,  30  may extend out from a longitudinal axis  32  (see  FIGS. 6 and 14 ) of the lower layer  18 , and preferably extends out perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis  32  of the lower layer  18 . The layers  16 ,  18  additionally define internal and external surfaces  34 ,  36  (see  FIGS. 6, 7 , and  10 ). The lower layer  18  and upper layer  16  define an open position  38  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) and a closed position  40  (see  FIGS. 4, 5  and  11 ,  12 ). The layers  16 ,  18  are in the closed position  40  when the internal surfaces  34  are facing each other.  
         [0033]     The first distal ends  22  of the upper and lower layers  16 ,  18  may be connected to each other. In one embodiment, the first distal ends  22  may be connected to each other by forming the upper and lower layers  16 ,  18  from a unitary material, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In the alternative, the first distal ends  22  may be connected to each other by forming the upper and lower layers  16 ,  18  in two pieces and then subsequently joining the pieces to each other by sowing, stitching or other joining methods, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . The attachment methods described to join the first distal ends  22  are merely illustrative and not exclusive of the method of attaching the first distal ends  22 , rather, any methods suitable to attach the first distal ends  22  may be employed so long as the attachment method is compatible with the material(s) of the layers  16 ,  18 .  
         [0034]     The first distal ends  22  may have a completely curved configuration such that the thumb  12  may fit snug within the protector  14  when the layers  16 ,  18  are folded upon each other. Alternatively, the first distal ends  22  may be curved on both sides of the first distal ends  22  with a flat apex (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). The flat apex may be formed when the upper and lower layers are folded on each other (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ).  
         [0035]     The width and length  42 ,  44  (see  FIGS. 6 and 13 ) of the lower layer  18  may cover a contact area  46   a  (see  FIGS. 4,5  and  11 ,  12 ) of the thumb  12  which is the area of the thumb  12  that is subject to the greatest degree of stress, soreness and/or callous formation. Preferably, the lower layer length  44  is greater than the first distal phalanx bone  48  of the thumb or at least extends beyond the first joint  50  of the thumb  12  when the protector  14  is placed on the thumb  12  (see  FIGS. 2 and 9 ).  
         [0036]     As stated above, the lower layer  18  may cover the contact area  46   a  of the thumb  12 , and in this regard, the lower layer  18  additionally defines a contact area  46   b  of the lower layer which correlates to the thumb contact area  46   a . The lower layer contact area  46   b  may be fabricated from a resilient and elastic material which may be accomplished by fabricating the complete lower layer  18  from material with the desired characteristics. Alternatively, the contact area  46   b  may be fabricated from a resilient and elastic material by sowing an additionally layer with the desired characteristics to the lower layer  18  at the respective area. Along these lines, it is contemplated that the contact area  46   b  may be fabricated to be enlarged or provide an extended reach to thus enable certain users, such as younger users, to have an extended reach to manipulate the various controls of a game controller. The lower layer contact area  46   b  may also have placed thereon a tacky material to provide additional gripping beyond the amount of gripping that the lower layer material may be capable of independently providing. The contact area  46   b  of the lower layer  18  may be cleanable in that the tacky material may be repetitively removed and fresh tacky material placed thereon. In all embodiments, however, it is preferred that the thumb protector be designed to impart a natural feel to the user to thus enable the user at all times to maintain control and have a natural feel while manipulating the controller.  
         [0037]     The upper layer  16  and the lower layer  18  may be fabricated from identical material or different material. Preferably, the layers  16 ,  18  are fabricated from elastic or stretchable and/or resilient material. The layers  16 ,  18  are preferably fabricated from material that is comfortable on the wearer and will thus enable the protector to be worn comfortably for prolonged periods of time.  
         [0038]     As stated above, the upper and lower layers  16 ,  18  define the edges  26  which extend from the first distal ends  22  to the second distal ends  24  thereof. The edges  26   a ,  26   b  of the upper and lower layers  16 ,  18  may be sown to each other or connectable to one another by laces, zippers, hook and loop fasteners and the like to accomplish a more snug fit between the protector  14  and thumb  12  (see  FIG. 8 ) compared to a protector  14  wherein the edges  26  are not sown to each other (see  FIG. 1 ). If the edges  26  are not sown together then the edges form an aperture  52  (see  FIG. 1 ) on opposed sides of the thumb  12  to provide an escape for any moisture that may be excreted from the thumb  12 .  
         [0039]     The protector  14  may also comprise a set of snaps (see  FIG. 9 ), or hooks and loops (see  FIG. 3 ; commonly sold under the trademark “Velcro”). The snaps and hooks and loops will be referred to in this detailed description as the attachment mechanism  20  which includes a locking member  54  and a receptacle  56 . In this regard, a receiving snap may be equivalent to the receptacle  56  and a protrusion snap may be equivalent to the locking member  54  (see  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). Similarly, the hooks may be equivalent to the receptacle and the loops may be the locking members (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). This detailed description of the present invention will discuss the attachment mechanism  20  in relation to snaps and hooks and loops but the present invention is not limited to these types of attachment mechanism  20 . For example, the attachment mechanism  20  may be hooks and loops, buttons and button holes, buckle, snaps, or other attachment mechanisms  20 .  
         [0040]     In an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment mechanism  20  may be hooks and loops. In this regard, a first strip of loops  58  may be attached to the external surface  36  of the upper layer  16  at the second distal end  24  (see  FIG. 6 ). The first strip of loops  58  may be attached to the upper layer  16  at a position greater than a first joint  50  of the thumb  12 . And, a first strip of hooks  60  (see  FIG. 7 ) and second strip of hooks  62  (see  FIG. 6 ) may be may be attached to the first strap portion  28  on the internal and external surfaces  34 ,  36 , respectively. The first strap portion  28  and the first strip of hooks  60  are located such that the first strips of hooks  60  may fold over to engage the first strip of loops  58  (see  FIG. 3 ). Additionally, a second strip of loops  64  may be attached to the second strap portion  30  (see  FIG. 7 ). The second strap portion  30  may be folded over such that the second strip of loops  64  may engage the second strip of hooks  62  (see  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0041]     The first and second strips of hooks and loops  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 , when engaged, connect the second distal ends  24  of the layers  16 ,  18  (see  FIG. 4 ). The second distal ends  24  now form an opening  66   a  which is sized and is configurable to fit over the thumb  12 . The hooks and loops allow the opening  66   a  to be adjustable so that a single protector  14  may fit over large and small thumbs  12 . Additionally, the elastic characteristic of the layers  16 ,  18  allows the protector  14  to fit over large and small thumbs  12 . The opening  66   a  defines a circumference and is preferably smaller compared to an outside diameter of the first joint of the thumb  12 . In this way, a retainment force is created which circumscribes the thumb  12 . The retainment force may be created because the material is elastic and will stretch to fit (i.e., configurable) around the thumb  12 . The frictional forces between the thumb skin and the layer material provide frictional forces so that the protector  14  is retained on the thumb  12 . Additionally, the strips of hooks and loops are positioned on the layers  16 ,  18  such that it will be positioned beyond the first joint  50  of the thumb  12  when engaged and the protector  14  is placed on the thumb  12 . The opening  66   a  must enlarge beyond the size of the first joint  50  to remove the protector  14  after the loops and hooks are engaged which further provides additional retainment forces to retain the protector  14  on the thumb  12 .  
         [0042]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the attachment mechanism  20  may be snaps. On the second distal end  24  of the upper layer  16 , a first receiving snap  68  (see  FIG. 13 ) may be attached thereto. And, on the internal surface  34  of the first strap portion  28 , a first protrusion snap  70  may be attached thereto and positioned such that the first receiving snap  68  and the first protrusion snap  70  may be engaged (see  FIG. 12 ). On the external surface  36  of the first strap portion  28 , a second receiving snap  72  may be attached thereto. And, on the internal surface  34  of the second strap portion  30 , a second protrusion snap  74  (see  FIG. 13 ) may be attached thereto such that the second protrusion and receiving snaps  74 ,  72  may be engaged after the first receiving and protrusion snaps  68 ,  70  are engaged (see  FIG. 12 ).  
         [0043]     The first receiving snap  68  is positioned and attached to the first strap portion  28  such that the first strap portion  28  may have to stretch slightly prior to engagement with the first protrusion snap  70 . The stretch of the first strap portion is better viewed by comparing  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12 . In  FIG. 10 , the first protrusion snap  70  is not capable of engaging the first receiving snap  68  when the first strap portion  28  is in the unstretched condition. In contrast, in  FIG. 12 , the first protrusion snap  70  is engaged with the first receiving snap  68  when the first strap portion  28  is in the stretched condition. Similarly, the second protrusion snap  74  is positioned and attached to the second strap portion  30  such that the second strap portion  30  may have to stretch slightly prior to engagement between the second protrusion snap  74  and the second receiving snap  72 . The strap portions  28 ,  30  stretch around the thumb  12  to retain the thumb protector  14  on the thumb  12 .  
         [0044]     This embodiment of the present invention also defines an opening  66   b  (see  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) at the second distal ends  24  of the layers  16 ,  18 . The opening  66   b  is sized and configurable to fit over large and small thumbs. The extent to which the opening  66   b  may receive different size thumbs  12  is limited by the elasticity of the layers  16 ,  18 . The opening  66   b  defines a circumference and is preferably smaller compared to an outside diameter of the thumb  12 . In this way, a retainment force is created which circumscribes the thumb  12 . The retainment force may be created because the material is elastic and will stretch to fit (i.e., configurable) around the thumb  12 . The frictional forces between the thumb skin and the layer material provide frictional forces so that the protector  14  is retained on the thumb  12 . Additionally, as discussed above, the receiving and protrusion snaps  68 ,  72 ,  70 ,  74  are positioned on the layers  16 ,  18  such that when engaged and the protector  14  is placed on the thumb  12 , the first and second strap portions  28 ,  30  will be positioned beyond the first joint  50  of the thumb  12 . In this regard, the circumference of the opening  66   b  may have to be enlarged to a greater extent than the first joint  50  for the protector  14  to dislodge from the thumb  12  and provides an added force to retain the protector  14  on the thumb  12 .  
         [0045]     Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, it should be understood that the protector of the present invention may be fabricated in a variety of colors or otherwise made to bear ornamental designs, logos, web addresses, trademarks, phone numbers or other types of indicia to make the same more visually appealing. Along these lines, it is contemplated that the protector may be packaged and marketed as a collectors item or otherwise offered in connection with specific video games or video systems. Moreover, it is contemplated that the protector of the present invention may be fabricated in a variety of standardized sizes to thus enable the same to fit a specific type of digit, and in particular a variety of thumb sizes. Still further, the protector may be provided with one or more apertures to facilitate ventilation within the protector. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention.