GOLF GLOVE WITH REINFORCEMENT MATERIAL FOR WEAR RESISTANCE

Abstract

A golf glove is provided with reinforcement material for wear resistance. The reinforcement material is provided along areas which tend to wear which includes allowing a part of a thumb portion and a part of an index portion spanning from the palmar side to the dorsal side. Advantageously, the wear resistant material is stitched to the golf glove.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/754,249, filed Dec. 29, 2005 (which is hereby incorporated by reference).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to golf gloves and, in particular, to a golf glove with reinforcement material for wear resistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf gloves are worn by golfers when holding and swinging a golf club. Typically, golf gloves are made of leather, such as Cabretta or a synthetic material suitable for making gloves. Most often, golf gloves are made of a single layer of Cabretta leather which is a thin, soft leather that allows the user a substantial amount of sensitivity to feel the grip of the club. Unfortunately, one drawback to conventional golf gloves is that the material, although more durable than synthetic material, often wears out quickly, creating holes in the glove. For example, friction between a user's hand and a golf club grip tends to cause damage to various stress or wear points on the golf glove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf glove with an additional layer of material strategically placed on certain portions of the golf glove which tend to wear during use. The reinforcing material can be an additional layer of Cabretta leather or synthetic material which comprises the body of the golf glove. Alternatively, the reinforcing material may be specially designed wear resistant material. The reinforcement material providing wear resistance is applied or placed at strategic points on the golf glove which tend to wear thereby extending the life of the golf glove. The material can be placed on top of the primary outer layer which comprises the body of the glove. Alternatively, the additional material can be placed under the primary outer layer of the glove.

The present invention in one form relates to a golf glove comprising a glove body having a coronal plane defining a palmar side and a dorsal side. The golf body has a palm portion and a plurality of finger portions. The plurality of finger portions comprise an index finger, middle finger, ring finger, pinky finger and thumb portions. Each finger portion has a respective palmar side and a dorsal side defined by the coronal plane which bisects the glove body including the respective finger portions. At least one additional layer of material is affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the thumb portion and at least an additional layer of material is affixed to at least a part of the index finger spanning the coronal plane from the palmar side to the dorsal side. The additional material can be placed on top of a primary outer layer of the glove or under the primary outer layer of the glove. In either case, the additional material can either be stitched along seams of the glove or the material can be stitched to one of the respective finger portions. Optionally, adhesive can be applied between the respective finger portions and the additional material to provide an additional bond therebetween.

In one specific form, the golf glove has additional material on the ring finger, pinky finger and on the palm portions of the golf glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the palmar side of a golf glove in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dorsal side of the golf glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the golf glove of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another golf glove in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures and in particular FIGS. 1-3, golf glove 10 comprises a golf body comprising a palmar side 12 and dorsal side 14 defined by coronal plane A-A, which bisects the glove body including the finger portions into respective dorsal and palmar sides.

The golf glove 10 includes a plurality of finger portions namely index finger portion 16, middle finger portion 18, ring finger portion 20, pinky finger portion 22, and thumb portion 24. The golf glove 10 is made of Cabretta leather which is sewn together along stitch 26 (FIG. 3). The golf body is composed of a single primary outer layer 28 composed of leather material.

Reinforcing material is applied to areas on the golf glove body which tend to wear which includes index finger reinforcing material 17, middle finger reinforcing material 19, ring finger reinforcing material 21, pinky finger reinforcing material 23, thumb reinforcing material 25, and palm reinforcing material 27.

The reinforcing material 17,19, 21, 23, 25, 27 is either affixed to the glove body on top of the primary outer layer 28 or below the primary outer layer 28. The reinforcing material is stitched to the golf body using either a single stitching or double stitching. For example, the reinforcing material 27 is secured to palm portion 29 by stitching 30 and the reinforcing material 17 is secured to the index finger portion 16 by stitching 30 as well as being double stitched by stitching 26 (FIG. 3). Optionally, in order to provide a better bond between the reinforcing material 17,19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and the primary outer layer 28, an adhesive is provided between the respective finger portions 16, 20, 22, 24, and palm portion 29; and the reinforcing material.

Advantageously the reinforcing material 17,19, 21, 23, 25, 27 is either an additional layer of Cabretta leather or a suitable wear resistant synthetic material known in the art which is adaptable for use in accordance with the present disclosure. The reinforcing material 17,19, 21, 23, 25, 27 is appropriately sized and of a sufficient thickness to provide the desired wear resistance to the golf glove 10, while providing a desired level of sensitivity or feel. For example, the reinforcing material can be, but is not limited to being half, three-quarters or equal to the thickness of the primary outer layer 28. Further, the reinforcing material can be between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm thick.

The reinforcing material 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 are on the palmar side of the glove 10. Although not shown, if desired, the reinforcing material 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 can extend onto the dorsal side by spanning the coronal plane A-A.

The index finger reinforcing material 17 spans the coronal plane A-A and therefore is present on both the palmar side 12 and dorsal side 14 (see FIG. 3). Advantageously, the index finger reinforcing material 17 lies adjacent to a golfer's index finger second phalanx 40 and upper portion of the third phalanx 42 when worn by a golfer as this is an area on the index portion of the golf glove 10 which is prone to wear during use.

A plurality of vents or perforation holes 50 are provided on both the dorsal side and palmar side of the golf glove 10 to improve circulation and to provide ventilation. Elastic material 52 is placed in a region around the knuckles 53 and elastic material 54 is placed on the wrist portion 55 of the golf glove 10 to improve fit and comfort for the user. A fastener such as a loop and hook fabric fastener such as Velcro® 60 is on the dorsal side 14 of the glove 10 to facilitate slipping the glove 10 on and off the user's hand and to provide a comfortable fit.

Lycra material may be placed at certain points on the glove 10 to increase circulation, e.g., between the fingers or near the knuckles 53 to decrease the retention of heat for use in warmer weather conditions.

In an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, where like elements to those of glove 10 are increased by 100, FIG. 4 depicts an alternative golf glove 110 which is similar to golf glove 10 except that glove 110 does not have a dorsal side seam 26. The reinforcing material 117 is secured to the index finger portion 116 by stitching 130.

It will now be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present golf gloves provide features and advantages not found in prior golf gloves. The deliberate location of reinforcing material providing wear resistance in specific portions or parts along the golf glove which tend to wear due to repetitive contact and friction mitigates against damage which may occur during use. For example, in accordance with the present invention, an additional layer of material is affixed to a golf glove in specific wear prone areas, including the most common stress, or wear points, located on the lower outside portion of the palm, the thumb, as well as the index, ring and pinky fingers of the user's hand, as sections of the thumb, the palm and the index finger are most vulnerable to damage, followed by the pinky and ring fingers.

Yet another feature of the present golf glove is a durable golf glove that is compliant with the Rules of Golf of the United States Golf Association regarding the use of reinforcement material on golf gloves, in which the Rules authorizing the use of a plain glove permit a golf glove with additional material to provide wear resistance, but not padding.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with respect to preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations, apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A golf glove comprising:

a glove body having a coronal plane defining a palmar side and a dorsal side, the glove body having a palm portion and a plurality of finger portions;

the plurality of finger portions comprising an index finger, middle finger, ring finger, pinky finger and a thumb portions, each finger portion having a respective palmar side and a dorsal side defined by the coronal plane, and

at least one additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the thumb portion, and at least one additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the index finger, spanning the coronal plane from the palmar side to the dorsal side.

2. The golf glove of claim 1, further comprising an additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the pinky finger portion.

3. The golf glove of claim 1, further comprising an additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the ring finger portion.

4. The golf glove of claim 3, further comprising an additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palm portion.

5. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the additional layer of material comprises wear resistant material.

6. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the additional layer of material is stitched along seams of the glove.

7. The glove of claim 6, further comprising an adhesive between the respective finger portions and the additional material.

8. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the additional layer of material is double stitched to the respective finger portions.

9. The glove of claim 8, further comprising an adhesive between the respective finger portions and the additional material.

10. The golf glove of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable strap to fasten the glove to a hand of a user.

11. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body and finger portions are composed of leather.

12. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body and finger portions are composed of a synthetic material.

13. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the additional material is affixed on top of a primary outer layer which comprises the glove body.

14. The golf glove of claim 1, wherein the additional material is affixed under a primary outer layer which comprises the glove body.

15. A golf glove comprising:

a glove body having a coronal plane defining a palmar side and a dorsal side, the glove body having a palm portion and a plurality of finger portions;

a plurality of finger portions comprising an index finger, middle finger, ring finger, pinky finger and a thumb portions, each finger portion having a respective palmar side and a dorsal side defined by the coronal plane, and

at least one additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the thumb portion, at least a part of the index finger spanning the coronal plane from the palmar side to the dorsal side, and at least part of the palm portion.

16. The golf glove of claim 15, further comprising an additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the pinky finger portion.

17. The golf glove of claim 16, further comprising an additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the ring finger portion.

18. The glove of claim 15, further comprising an adhesive between the respective finger portions and the additional material.

19. The golf glove of claim 15, wherein the additional layer of material is double stitched to the respective finger portions.

20. The glove of claim 15, further comprising an adhesive between the respective finger portions and the additional material.

21. The golf glove of claim 15, further comprising an adjustable strap to fasten the glove to a hand of a user.

22. The golf glove of claim 15, wherein the additional material is affixed on top of a primary outer layer which comprises the glove body.

23. The golf glove of claim 15, wherein the additional material is affixed under a primary outer layer which comprises the glove body.

24. A golf glove comprising:

a glove body having a coronal plane bisecting the glove body and defining a palmar side and a dorsal side, the glove body having a palm portion and a plurality of finger portions;

a plurality of finger portions comprising an index finger, middle finger, ring finger, pinky finger and a thumb portions, each finger portion having a respective palmar side and a dorsal side defined by the coronal plane, and at least one additional layer of material affixed to at least a part of the palmar side of the thumb portion, at least a part of the index finger spanning the coronal plane from the palmar side to the dorsal side, at least part of the palm portion, at least a part of the palmar side of the pinky finger portion, at least a part of the palmar side of the middle finger portion, and at least a part of the ring finger portion.

25. The golf glove of claim 24, wherein the additional layer of material is between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm thick.