Abstract:
An athletic glove with an integral weight system is herein disclosed, comprising a plurality of pockets on the back of the glove which holds either sand or metal shot to add weight. The amount of weight will vary per glove model, but is envisioned to be approximately three (3) to five (5) pounds per glove, depending on user preference. The glove is secured around a wrist during use by a hook-and-loop fastener. The glove with the integral weight system is intended to strengthen the hand, arm and upper body areas during workouts, exercise or everyday activities. The glove is expected to be introduced in both right-hand and left-hand configurations and to be presented as a pair.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Jun. 22, 2007, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a weighted exercise glove and, more particularly, to said glove comprising a plurality of weighted enclosures thereon a backhand side and a weighted fist grip thereon a palm side which provide additional resistance to arm and shoulder conditioning training while leaving the hands free for use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One of the common sights 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 loosens 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 and technique is useful for any physical conditioning activity but requires the user to physically hold the weight in their hands. This obviously does not allow the use of the hands for other activities and therefore does not find widespread use due to the amount of dedicated time it requires. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which hands, arms and upper body areas can be strengthened and toned by the strategic placement of weights that do not require a dedicated effort to use by the wearer. The development of the invention herein disclosed fulfills this need. 
     The present invention is a pair of athletic gloves with an integral weight system. The glove is equipped with a plurality of pockets on the back of the glove which holds either sand or metal shot and a tubular shaped fist grip for an additional weight. The amount of weight will vary per model of glove, but is envisioned to be approximately three (3), four (4), or five (5) pounds per glove, dependent on user preference. The gloves are secured during use by a strap system around the wrist with uses hook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro®. The invention is intended to strengthen the hand, arm and upper body area during workouts, exercise, or just plain everyday activities. The use of the present invention allows users the ability to strengthen their hand and upper body area in a quick, easy and effective manner so that increased dexterity and speed can be realized during other sporting activities. 
     Several attempts have been made in the past to provide weighted exercise training gloves. U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,097, issued in the name of Schwartz, describes a variable weight aerobic exercise glove. The glove comprises a single mitten type enclosure of the fingers, a palm enclosure, and two pockets on the backhand side of the glove which allow for various interchangeable weight plates to be inserted. However, unlike the present invention, the Schwartz glove does not allow for optimum mobility or use of the hands while worn and the inserted weights are likely to fall out during intense workouts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,433, issued in the name of Walker et al., describes a weighted athletic glove comprising a plurality of tiny weights attached to the backhand side of a glove body. However, unlike the present invention, the Walker glove has a limited weight capacity and the plurality of small weights is unsuitable for boxing or other sparring type activities. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,200, issues in the name of Hoffman describes a weighted exercise glove having webbed fingers. The Hoffman glove comprises a glove body with a pocket on the backhand side thereof in which a weight is inserted, two (2) straps which wrap around the hand and the weight to secure the weight, and webbed finger connections. However, unlike the present invention, the Hoffman glove is intended for adding weight resistance while swimming and the inserted weights are likely to fall out during intense workouts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,008 issued in the name of McBride et al., discloses a martial arts training glove comprising a padded training glove intended to provide protection to the hand of a wearer when striking an object. The McBride glove comprises enclosures thereon the backhand side of the glove which are filled with granular material to protect outer portions of the hand during common martial arts strikes. However, unlike the present invention, the McBride glove lacks a means to equally distribute the granular material within the enclosure making it likely that said material will collect near a bottom portion of the enclosure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,574 issued in the name of Hall et al., discloses a weighted therapeutic glove comprising a pockets on the backhand side and palm side of the glove intended for removably receiving insertable weights. However, unlike the present invention, the Hall glove is unsuitable for vigorous exercise or sparring type training where the weighted material needs to be securely attached to the glove. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,689 issued in the name of Thellmann, discloses a weighted soccer goalie glove comprising an ordinarily shaped soccer goalie&#39;s glove with particular enhancements such as additional weight and a ball gripping surface. The additional weights are removably inserted into pockets located on the backhand portion of the glove. However, unlike the present invention, the Thellmann glove is intended for improving the strength and agility of a soccer goalie and is not suitable for a sparring or a fight type training routines. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for weighted exercise gloves provided, particularly, U.S. Pat. No. D 387,503. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     The prior art appears to disclose various weighted exercise training gloves. However, none of the prior art particularly describes a weighted exercise glove comprising a plurality of weighted enclosures thereon a backhand side and a weighted fist grip thereon a palm side which provide additional resistance to arm and shoulder conditioning training while leaving the hands free for use that the instant invention possesses. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which hands, arms and upper body areas can be strengthened and toned by the strategic placement of weights that do not require a dedicated effort to use by the wearer that operates without the disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for a weighted exercise glove comprising a plurality of weighted enclosures which distribute the weight evenly and a weighted fist grip which provides additional fist stability while performing condition training or other activity. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a weighted exercise glove comprising a glove body, a backhand enclosure, a knuckle enclosure, four (4) finger enclosures, and a fist grip. 
     A further object of the present invention is to have a glove body comprising a backhand side, a palm side, and five (5) finger portions and providing a means of covering the hand of a wearer and an attachment surface to the plurality of enclosures and fist grip. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention if to have a glove body comprising a wrist opening located at the lower end of the glove body through which the hand of a wearer is inserted. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have five (5) elongated finger portions which extend outward from the upper portion of the glove body with each comprising a digit aperture on a truncated distal end through which the end of the finger will protrude when the glove is worn. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a wrist strap located on the lower portion of the glove body which provides a means of tightening the weighted glove around the wrist of a wearer. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to have a wrist strap which provides a means of removably connecting two (2) communicating sides of a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a backhand enclosure located on a first rear outside surface of the backhand side of the glove body wherein the area between provides a means of containing weighted material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a knuckle enclosure located on the first rear outside surface of the backhand side of the glove body at a first knuckle surface wherein the area between provides a means of containing weighted material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have four (4) finger enclosures located on the first rear surface of the backhand side of the glove body at a second knuckle surface wherein the area between provides a means of containing weighted material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a weighted material comprising an amount of granulated metal or sand. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a backhand enclosure comprising an internally-stitched grid pattern which provides a means for maintaining and uniformly distributing the weighted material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a knuckle enclosure comprising an internally-stitched grid pattern which provides a means for maintaining and uniformly distributing the weighted material. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have fist grip which is attached to the second rear outside surface of the palm side of the glove body comprising a weighted member and a fist grip pad. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a fist grip pad which provides a means of enclosing and attaching the weighted member to the second rear outside surface of the glove body. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a fist grip which provides a means for additional weight and improved grip and control of the weighted glove when worn. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a weighted member comprising a cylindrical steel member. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a weighted glove made of leather, vinyl, or nylon. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a weighted glove which is available in both a left hand and a right hand embodiment. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a weighted glove which provides a means for strengthening the hands, arms, and upper body of a wearer during exercise and other activities. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to have a weighted glove comprising various weights of the weighted member and various amounts of weighted material such that the total weight of the glove may vary. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is providing a method for utilizing a weighted exercise glove. 
    
    
     
       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 rear perspective view of a weighted exercise glove  10 , depicting the backhand side according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a weighted exercise glove  10 , depicting the palm side according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of a finger portion of a weighted exercise glove  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is section view taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 2 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  weighted exercise glove 
               20  glove body 
               22  digit aperture 
               24  backhand side 
               26  palm side 
               28  first rear outside surface 
               29  second rear outside surface 
               30  backhand enclosure 
               31  grid pattern 
               32  knuckle enclosure 
               34  finger enclosure 
               36  backhand surface 
               38  first knuckle surface 
               39  second knuckle surface 
               40  wrist strap 
               41  wrist opening 
               42  hook-and-loop fastener 
               50  fist grip 
               52  fist grip pad 
               60  stitching 
               62  weighted material 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a device and method for a weighted exercise glove (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for strengthening the hand, arm, and upper body areas during exercise activities. The device  10  comprises an athletic glove body  20  with an integral weight system comprising a plurality of inner reservoirs on the back side of said glove body  20  which hold a predetermined amount of weighted material  62  depending on the model. The device  10  is expected to be introduced as a pair comprising both a right-hand and a left-hand configuration and be offered in a variety of weights and sizes. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a rear perspective view of the device  10  depicting the back hand side, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a glove body  20  preferably made of a durable textile or other material such as leather, vinyl, nylon or the like. The glove body  20  comprises features common to other conventional exercise and fighting gloves such as a backhand side  24 , a palm side  26 , five (5) digit openings, a wrist opening  41 , padding, and the like with truncated finger portions which allow each finger of a user to protrude therethrough a digit aperture  22 . The glove body  20  further comprises a backhand side  24  which further comprises a first rear outside surface  28 , a backhand surface  36 , a first knuckle surface  38 , and a second knuckle surface  39 . The first rear outside surface  28  comprises the glove body and covers the backhand portion and lower finger portions of the hand. The backhand surface  36  located thereon a lower portion of the first rear outside surface  28  comprises a backhand enclosure  30 . The first knuckle surface  38  located thereon a middle portion of the first rear outside surface comprises a knuckle enclosure  32 . The second knuckle surface  39  located thereon an upper portion of the first rear outside surface comprises four (4) finger enclosures  34 . The backhand enclosure  30 , the knuckle enclosure  32 , and the four (4) finger enclosures  34  are preferably made of a durable material such as leather, vinyl, or the like and which provide a reservoir means for an integral weight system for said device  10  (see  FIG. 3 ). The backhand enclosure  30  is envisioned comprising an internally-stitched grid pattern  31  which provides a means for the uniform distribution of an internal weighted material  62  and is located on an outside surface of the backhand and thumb portion of the glove body  20 . The knuckle enclosure  32  is envisioned comprising an internally-stitched grid pattern  31  and is located on an outside surface of the knuckle portion of the glove body  20 . The finger enclosure  34  is located on a back outside surface of a second knuckle section of each finger. The device  10  further comprises a wrist strap  40  preferably made of a flexible durable material which provides a means for said device  10  to be tightened thereto the wrist of a user and as a wrist stabilizer and support member. The wrist strap  40  is envisioned to wrap therearound the wrist of a user and be secured via cooperation between two (2) opposing sides of a hook-and-loop fastener  42 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front perspective view of the device  10  depicting the palm side, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The palm side  26  of the device  10  comprises a fist grip  50  which further comprises a cylindrical member, preferably a weighted metal such as steel which provides additional weight and a means for improved grip and control when using said device  10 . The fist grip  50  is located thereon a second rear outside surface  29  thereunder and parallel to the base of the proximal end of the fingers and is enclosed therewithin a fist grip pad  52 . The fist grip pad  52  provides a means of attaching said fist grip thereto the glove body  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view of a finger portion of the device  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. This view illustrates the relationship therebetween the glove body  20  and the finger enclosure  34  which provide a containing means for an amount of weighted material  62  enclosed therewithin. The weighted material  62  is envisioned as an amount of granulated weighted material such as metal, sand, or the like. The finger enclosure  34  attaches thereto the glove body  20  via common textile manufacturing techniques such as adhesion and multi-thickness stitching. The backhand enclosure  30  and knuckle enclosure  32  provide a similar function and attach by a similar means thereto the glove body  20  as the finger enclosure  34 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a section view taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 2 ) according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. This view illustrates the relationship therebetween the glove body  20  and the fist grip pad  52  which provide a containing means for the fist grip  50  enclosed therewithin. The fist grip  50  is bisected on a center-line with one half (½) below and one half (½) above the contact surface of the fist grip pad  52  and the glove body  20 . The fist grip pad  52  comprises a section of preferably durable material and is envisioned as attaching thereto the glove body  20  through adhesives and durable stitching  60 . 
     The device  10  is envisioned to be introduced in both a left hand and a right hand embodiment. The device  10  is also envisioned to be introduced in variably weighted embodiments by controlling the type and amount of weighted material  62  therein the enclosures  30 ,  32 ,  34 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: retrieving either a left hand or a right hand embodiment or both in a desired weight and size of the device  10 ; placing the left hand embodiment thereon the left hand of the user by inserting said left hand therein the wrist opening  41  thereof the glove body  20  allowing the fingers of the user to protrude therethrough the digit apertures  22 ; tightening the device  10  by wrapping the wrist strap  40  therearound the left wrist of the user; engaging the two (2) cooperative ends of the hook-and-loop fastener  42 ; placing the right hand embodiment thereon the right hand of the user by inserting said right hand therein the wrist opening thereof the glove body  20  allowing the fingers of the user to protrude therethrough the digit apertures  22 ; tightening the device  10  by wrapping the wrist strap  40  therearound the right wrist of the user; engaging the two (2) cooperative ends of the hook-and-loop fastener  42 ; enclosing the fingers on each hand therearound the fist grip  50 ; exercising as normal through shadow boxing, bag work, or the like; and, benefiting from increased and improved strength, speed, and stamina afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     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 and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and 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 understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.