Patent ID: 12220009

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Golf gloves of the present invention include one or more layers which have at least one radar detectable mark disposed on a surface thereof. Particularly suitable radar detectable materials for forming the mark include, but are not limited to, electrically conductive inks comprising a base resin and an electrically conductive material. The ink may be water-borne or solvent-borne. The ink may be a 1-component or 2-component ink. The ink may be cured with an isocyanate-based curing agent, UV cure, and/or thermal cure. The ink and the mark formed therefrom may be transparent or opaque. In a particular embodiment, the base resin of the ink is selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, urethane polymers, acrylic polymers, epoxy polymers, silicone polymers and combinations of two or more thereof. In another particular embodiment, the electrically conductive material of the ink is selected from the group consisting of silver, conductive carbon, aluminum, graphene, nanotubes, nanometals, and combinations of two or more thereof. Particularly suitable inks are those capable of producing a mark having a resistivity of between about 0.1 Ohms and 2,500 Ohms, and preferably between 0.5 Ohms and 25 Ohms, and most preferably, between about 5 Ohms and 20 Ohms. Non-limiting examples of suitable commercially available inks are Ink Lab 303 silver conductive ink, commercially available from ITW Trans Tech; silver inks, conductive carbon inks, aluminum inks, silver/carbon blend inks, and aluminum/carbon blend inks, commercially available from Creative Materials Inc. In embodiments of the present invention wherein the golf glove includes more than one radar detectable mark on a layer, the radar detectable material used to form one mark may be the same as or different from the radar detectable material used to form another mark. In embodiments of the present invention wherein the golf glove includes at least two layers having one or more radar detectable marks disposed therebetween, the radar detectable material used to form a mark on one layer may be the same as or different from the radar detectable material used to form a mark on another layer.

Radar detectable material is applied to the surface of a layer using any suitable technique. In a particular embodiment, a mark is formed by applying radar detectable material to a surface of a golf glove layer by pad printing. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the pad printed mark has a film thickness of at least 0.5 μm and a film thickness of 5 μm or less. Preferably the mark has a film thickness within a range 0.5 μm and 5 μm.

The surface on which one or more radar detectable marks are disposed can be any surface of any portion of a golf glove. While the invention is not meant to be limited to the placement of one or more marks, golf gloves of the present invention are designed to allow for the optional placement of radar detectable marks on a surface other than the outer surface of the glove because it is beneficial to some golfers to be able to obtain reliable data using a golf glove that looks the same on the outside as a conventional golf glove. Thus, in a particular embodiment, one or more radar detectable marks are disposed on any surface other than the outermost surface. For example, the radar detectable marks may be applied to an outer surface of the leather or synthetic leather that forms the glove such that the radar detectable mark does not contact the skin of the user. Moreover, the radar detectable marks are preferably located in areas that can have a second layer disposed over the marks. In a preferrable embodiment, the glove is comprised of a hook and loop closure mechanism. The hook or loop layer can be located as an outside layer of the closure, away from the hand surface, and the radar detectable mark can be placed on an outside surface of the outside closure layer. The radar detectable mark can then be covered by a logo surface or the like such that the radar detectable mark is not visible to the user.

In yet another embodiment, a radar detectable mark is located on the outer surface of the glove leather at a location that can then be covered by a decorative member made of natural or synthetic material.

For purposes of the present disclosure, a mark is considered to be disposed on the surface of a layer regardless of whether a coating has previously been applied to the surface. In other words, if an adhesive coating is applied to a surface of a layer, and a mark is then applied on top of the adhesive coating, the mark is considered to be disposed on the surface of the layer, even though an adhesive coating is present therebetween. Likewise, if a coating is present between two layers of the glove, the layers are still considered to be adjacent to each other, even though a coating may be present therebetween.

In a particular embodiment, golf gloves of the invention include an adhesive coating applied to a layer on which at least one radar detectable mark is disposed, before and/or after application of the mark(s) onto the layer. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, at least one mark is disposed on a surface of a golf glove closure layer and an adhesive coating is applied to the layer and on top of the mark(s).

Each radar detectable mark has a shape selected from a variety of suitable shapes, including regular shapes and irregular shapes. Suitable examples of regular shapes include, but are not limited to, circles, rings, crescents, squares, triangles, rectangles, chevrons, and other regular polygons, irregular polygons, and basic nonpolygonal shapes. Suitable examples of irregular shapes include, but are not limited to, intersecting shapes, including, but not limited to, a series of intersecting stripes, wherein the length and width of each stripe within the series of intersecting stripes may be different than or substantially the same as that of the other stripe(s) within the series. For purposes of the present disclosure, stripes have substantially the same length and/or width if their respective lengths and/or widths differ by no more than 10%.

In a particular embodiment, the golf glove includes at least one radar detectable mark having an irregular shape defined by a series of intersecting rectangular stripes. In a particular aspect of this embodiment, the mark having an irregular shape additionally has one or more of the following properties:a) the series of intersecting stripes consists of two rectangular stripes, or the series of intersecting stripes consists of three rectangular stripes, or the series of intersecting stripes comprises at least four rectangular stripes;b) the series of intersecting stripes includes a first stripe and a second stripe, and the first and second stripes are substantially equal in length;(i) a plane bisecting the first stripe and a plane bisecting the second stripe are separated by an angle of between about 60° and 150° and more preferably between about 75° and 1105°;(ii) the first and second stripes are substantially equal in width; and(iii) the first and second stripes have a length of between about 0.5 inches and 5 inches and more preferably between about 1.0 and 2.5 inches; and(iv) the series of intersecting stripes additionally includes a third stripe and a fourth stripe, and a plane bisecting the third stripe and a plane bisecting the fourth stripe are separated by an angle of between about 30° and 150° or more preferably between about 60° and 120°;c) each of the stripes within the series of intersecting stripes has a width of 0.2 inches or less and a width of 0.03 inches or greater. Preferably the intersecting stripes have a width of from 0.05 inches to 0.15 inches;d) the series of stripes includes a first stripe, a second stripe, and a third stripe, each of the first and second stripes having a length of between about 1.5 and 3.0 inches and the third stripe having a length of from 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches; ande) the series of stripes includes a first stripe, a second stripe, a third stripe, and a fourth stripe, the fourth stripe having a length that is less than that of the first and second stripes and greater than that of the third stripe.

Referring toFIG.1, a glove100is preferably comprised of a back portion102that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion104that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions106that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion108that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion110that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism112. The closure mechanism112extends across a slit114that extends from the cuff portion110toward the finger portions106.

The wearer places one hand into the glove100and uses the other hand to grasp the flap116and pull it over the slit114. Then, the flap116is fastened to the opposing section of the glove back portion102to tighten and secure the glove100on the wearer's hand. Preferably, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners are used to lock the flap116in place. More particularly, the flap116has an outer surface118and interior (not shown) surface. Tiny hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the interior surface of the flap116and complementary hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the opposing section of the back portion102of the glove100. When the flap116is pulled over the slit114, it is releasably attached to the opposing portion of the back portion102of the glove100by mating the complementary hook/loop fasteners together. The wearer of the glove may release the flap116by simply pulling on it in an upward direction, and then his/her hand may be removed easily. It is recognized that other closure systems (for example, snap-on buttons, ties, buttons/button holes, buckles, elastics, and the like) may be used in addition to or in place of a hook/loop fastening system.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark120is comprised of one or more stripes located on the cuff portion110. Preferably, the detectable mark120extends at least from the closure mechanism112to at least the edge portions126(on the thumb side) and128(on the pinky side) on both sides of the slit114such that every 0.025 inch wide path longitudinally up the glove on the back of the golfer's hand intersects the mark. In this configuration, the detectable mark120is preferably applied on the material forming the cuff portion110prior to the cuff portion being folded and sewn to the remainder of the glove100such that the detectable mark120is located on the inside surface of the cuff portion110and is not visible to a user wearing the glove100.

Referring toFIG.2, a glove200is preferably comprised of a back portion202that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion204that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions206that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion208that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion210that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism212. The closure mechanism212extends across a slit214that extends from the cuff portion210toward the finger portions206.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark220(a) and220(b) is comprised of two or more stripes located on the cuff portion210and along an edge portion216(as shown) or228. Preferably, the detectable mark220(a) extends at least from the closure mechanism212to at least the edge portions226and228on both sides of the slit214such that every 0.025 inch wide path longitudinally up the glove on the back of the golfer's hand intersects the mark220(a). A second portion of the detectable mark220(b) is preferably located at the edge portion216or228and intersects the detectable mark220(a) at an angle α of between 30° and 120°, and more preferably at about 90°. Thus, the second portion of the detectable mark220(b) can assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing. Preferably, the second portion of the detectable mark220(b) has a length of at least 0.5 inches and more preferably between about 0.5 inches and 3 inches. In this configuration, the detectable mark220(a) is preferably applied on the material forming the cuff portion210prior to the cuff portion being folded and sewn to the remainder of the glove200such that the detectable mark220is located on the inside surface of the cuff portion210and is not visible to a user wearing the glove200. Similarly, the second portion of the detectable mark220(b) is preferably applied to an inside surface of the glove200such that it is not visible to the user, and more preferably a portion of the palm material or other material covers the detectable mark220(b) on the inside of the glove200such that the detectable mark220(b) does not touch the user's hand when the glove200is worn.

Referring toFIG.3, a glove300is preferably comprised of a back portion302that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion304that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions306that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion308that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion310that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism312. The closure mechanism312extends across a slit314that extends from the cuff portion310toward the finger portions306and includes a flap316that closes the slit314. When closed, the flap316is fastened to the opposing section of the glove back portion302to tighten and secure the glove300on the wearer's hand. Preferably, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners are used to lock the flap316in place. More particularly, the flap316has an outer surface318and interior (not shown) surface. Tiny hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the interior surface of the flap316and complementary hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the opposing section of the back portion302of the glove300.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark320is comprised of a plurality of stripes320(a),320(b) and320(c) located in the closure mechanism312. Preferably, the detectable mark320is applied between the hook/fastener layer on the flap316and the outer surface318of the flap316such that the detectable mark320is not visible to the wearer. Stripe320(a) extends along a back edge portion of the flap316and stripes320(b) and320(c) extend along the top portion and bottom portions of the flap316, respectively. Preferably, stripes320(b) and320(c) intersect stripe320(a) at an angle α of between 30° and 120°, and more preferably, between 75° and 105°. Each of the stripes320(a),320(b) and320(c) are preferably about 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches, and more preferably, between about 1 inch and 2 inches. In a preferred embodiment, each of the stripes320(a),320(b) and320(c) have a different length in order to assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing.

Referring toFIG.4, a glove400is preferably comprised of a back portion402that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion404that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions406that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion408that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion410that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism412. The closure mechanism412extends across a slit414that extends from the cuff portion410toward the finger portions406and includes a flap416that closes the slit414. When closed, the flap416is fastened to the opposing section of the glove back portion402to tighten and secure the glove400on the wearer's hand. Preferably, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners are used to lock the flap416in place. More particularly, the flap416has an outer surface418and interior (not shown) surface. Tiny hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the interior surface of the flap416and complementary hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the opposing section of the back portion402of the glove400.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark420is comprised of a plurality of stripes420(a) and420(b) located in the closure mechanism412and along the least one of the edge portions426(on the thumb side) and428(on the pinky side), respectively. Preferably, the detectable mark320(a) is applied between the hook/fastener layer on the flap416and the outer surface418of the flap416such that the detectable mark420(a) is not visible to the wearer. Preferably, stripe320(a) extends along a back edge portion of the flap416or extends along the top portion or bottom portion (as shown) of the flap416. Preferably, stripe420(b) of the detectable mark420is preferably applied to an inside surface of the glove400such that it is not visible to the user, and more preferably, a portion of the palm material or other material covers the stripe420(b) on the inside of the glove400such that the detectable mark420does not touch the user's hand when the glove400is worn. In this embodiment, stripe420(a) does not intersect stripe420(b). However, extensions of the stripes420(a) and420(b) would intersect at an angle α of between 30° and 120°, and more preferably, between 75° and 105°. Each of the stripes420(a) and420(b) are preferably about 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches, and more preferably, between about 1 inch and 2 inches. In a preferred embodiment, each of the stripes420(a) and420(b) have a different length in order to assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing.

Referring toFIG.5, a glove500is preferably comprised of a back portion502that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion504that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions506that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion508that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion510that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism512. The closure mechanism512extends across a slit514that extends from the cuff portion510toward the finger portions506and includes a flap516that closes the slit514. When closed, the flap516is fastened to the opposing section of the glove back portion502to tighten and secure the glove500on the wearer's hand. Preferably, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners are used to lock the flap516in place. Tiny hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the interior surface of the flap516and complementary hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the opposing section of the back portion502of the glove500.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark520is comprised of a plurality of stripes520(a) and520(b) located across the back portion502of glove500. Preferably, the detectable mark520is applied such that every 0.025 inch wide path longitudinally up the glove on the back of the golfer's hand intersects the mark520. More preferably, the detectable mark520is comprised of more than one stripe520(a) and520(b) that similar in length but spaced apart from each other by at least 0.1 inch in order to assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing. Moreover, the detectable mark520is preferably applied to an inside surface of the glove500such that it is not visible to the user. In a preferred embodiment, the glove500may include an elastic strip530that extends from the thumb side edge526to the pinky side edge528. The detectable mark520can be applied to the inside surface of the glove back portion502, adjacent to the elastic strip530such that the elastic strip can cover the inside surface of the detectable mark and prevent it from touching the user's hand. As shown, stripes520(a) and520(b) extend along the top edge and bottom edge of the elastic strip, respectively. Each of the stripes520(a) and520(b) have a length of about 1 inch and 6 inches. The stripes520(a) and520(b) can be continuous or can be sectioned into a plurality of smaller stripes and can alternate with each other in order to assist the radar detector in determining the orientation of the glove.

Referring toFIG.6, a glove600is preferably comprised of a back portion602that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion (not shown) that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions606that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion608that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion610that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism612. The closure mechanism612extends across a slit614that extends from the cuff portion610toward the finger portions606and includes a flap616that closes the slit614. When closed, the flap616is fastened to the opposing section of the glove back portion602to tighten and secure the glove600on the wearer's hand. Preferably, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners are used to lock the flap616in place. More particularly, the flap616has an outer surface618and interior (not shown) surfaces. Tiny hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the interior surface of the flap616and complementary hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the opposing section of the back portion602of the glove600.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark620is comprised of a plurality of stripes620(a) and620(b) located in the closure mechanism612. Preferably, the detectable mark620is applied between the hook/fastener layer on the flap616and the outer surface618of the flap616such that the detectable mark620is not visible to the wearer. Stripe620(a) preferably extends in a circular shape around a logo on the flap616and stipes620(b) is an arcuate shape that extends around the periphery of the flap612. In this embodiment, stripes620(a) and620(b) do not intersect. Each of the stripes620(a) and620(b) are preferably about 1 inch and 5 inches, and more preferably, between about 1 inch and 4 inches.

Referring toFIG.7, a glove700is preferably comprised of a back portion702that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion (not shown) that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions706that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion708that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion710that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist and a closure mechanism712. The closure mechanism712extends across a slit714that extends from the cuff portion710toward the finger portions706and includes a flap716that closes the slit714. When closed, the flap716is fastened to the opposing section of the glove back portion702to tighten and secure the glove700on the wearer's hand. Preferably, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro® fasteners are used to lock the flap716in place. More particularly, the flap716has an outer surface718and interior (not shown) surface. Tiny hook/loop fasteners are coupled to the interior surface of the flap716and complementary hook/loop fasteners are arranged on the opposing section of the back portion702of the glove700.

In this embodiment, the detectable mark720is comprised of a plurality of stripes720(a),720(b) and720(c) located in the closure mechanism712. Preferably, the detectable mark720is applied between the hook/fastener layer on the flap716and the outer surface718of the flap716such that the detectable mark720is not visible to the wearer. Stripe720(a) extends from the thumb side of the flap716toward the pinky sides or the flap716. Stripes720(b) and720(c) intersect the end of stripe720(a) and extend toward the bottom portion and top portion of the flap716, respectively. Preferably, stripes720(b) and720(c) intersect stripe720(a) and form an angle α1of between 30° and 90°. Each of the stripes720(b) and720(c) also form an angle α2and α3with stripe720(a), respectively, of between about 90° and 150°. In a preferred embodiment, α1, α2and α3are different in order to assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing. Moreover, stripes720(a),720(b) and720(c) preferably have a length of about 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches, and more preferably, between about 1 inch and 2 inches. In a preferred embodiment, each of the stripes720(a),720(b) and720(c) have different lengths in order to assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing.

Referring toFIG.8, a glove800is preferably comprised of a back portion (not shown) that covers a back portion of a user's hand, a palm portion804that covers a palm portion of a user's hand, finger portions806that cover one or more of the fingers of a user's hand, a thumb portion808that covers the thumb of a user's hand, a cuff portion810that surrounds a substantial portion of a user's wrist. The glove further includes a radar detectable mark820located adjacent to the cuff portion810on the palm portion804of the glove. In this embodiment, the detectable mark820is comprised of a plurality of stripes820(a),820(b) and820(c) that can surround a logo832located on the palm portion804, adjacent the cuff810. Preferably, the detectable mark820is applied between the logo832and the outer surface834of the palm portion804such that the detectable mark820is not visible to the wearer. Preferably, the detectable mark820is applied on the inner surface the logo832or the outer surface834of the palm portion804. Stripe820(a) extends along a top edge portion of the logo832and stripes820(b) and820(c) extend along the side portions from the cuff portion810and intersect stripe820(a). Preferably, stripes820(b) and820(c) intersect stripe820(a) at an angle α of between 30° and 120°, and more preferably, between 75° and 105°. Each of the stripes820(a),820(b) and820(c) are preferably about 0.25 inch to 2.5 inches, and more preferably, between about 0.5 inch and 2.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, each of the stripes820(a),820(b) and820(c) can have the same length or a different length in order to assist a radar detector to determine the orientation of the user's hand throughout the swing. Moreover, the embodiment discussed with respect toFIG.8, or other radar detectable marks can be used on the palm portion804in conjunction with radar detectable marks located on the back portion of the glove (not shown) such as those discussed above with reference toFIGS.1-7. In particular, a radar detectable mark located in the cuff810on the palm portion804or back portion (not shown) are particularly useful with the radar detectable mark820under a logo832on the palm portion804.

In another particular aspect of this embodiment, the golf glove includes at least one additional radar detectable mark, each of the additional radar detectable mark(s) having a shape independently selected from irregular shapes and basic, regular shapes. Suitable examples of basic, regular shapes include, but are not limited to, circles, rings, crescents, squares, triangles, rectangles, chevrons, and other regular polygons, irregular polygons, and basic nonpolygonal shapes. It is also contemplated that any of the embodiments set forth above can be used in conjunction with radar detectable marks such as a plurality of dots located on the back portion of the finger portions. For example, the dots could be preferably between about 0.05 inch and 0.5 inch in diameter and can be the same or different diameters. In a particular embodiment, it is contemplated that each of the finger portions have one or more dots of between about 0.05 inch and 0.5 inch. In yet another embodiment, the pinky finger and ring finger each contain a radar detectable mark such as one or more dots.

In a particular embodiment, the radar detectable mark(s) have a total surface coverage of less than 20%, and greater than about 0.5%, of a total surface coverage of the back portion of the glove.

While the illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described with particularity, it will be understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the examples and descriptions set forth herein, but rather that the claims be construed as encompassing all of the features of patentable novelty which reside in the present invention, including all features which would be treated as equivalents thereof by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Moreover, the examples set forth above have been described with respect to golf gloves. However, it is clear that the technology discussed above can be used with baseball gloves, football gloves and the like.