ENHANCED VISIBILITY BASEBALL GLOVE

Abstract

Baseball gloves with enhanced visual perceivability are described. In embodiments, the baseball glove comprises a glove body having visual indicia positioned on the glove body. The visual markers on the glove body can have a substantially contrasting color to that of the glove body. The color of the visual marker can also me substantially contrasting to the anticipated physical background of the wearer of the glove. The anticipated physical background may depend on the field position of the wearer of the baseball glove. The color of the visual markers may be selected to provide the maximum contrast between the anticipated physical background and the visual markers, thereby enhancing a fielder's ability to detect the glove using his or her peripheral vision.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Summary

Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed-description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In sporting activities involving catching and fielding a ball, a player is required to track the movement of the ball and simultaneously perceive the edges of a fielding glove, to ensure the glove is placed properly to catch the ball. A fielder focusing on a moving ball must use his or her peripheral vision the see the edges of the glove. Perceiving the edges of the glove may prove extremely difficult when a ball is bouncing and when the fielder's physical surroundings inhibits his or her ability to peripherally discern the glove in space.

Embodiments of the present invention provide baseball gloves with visibility enhancing coloration. In various embodiments, the baseball glove may have a glove body having a particular color. In these embodiments, visual markers may be positioned on the glove body, the visual markers having a substantially contrasting color to that of the glove body.

Superior visibility for gloves in accordance with the present invention can be provided by appropriate selection of colors for various sections of the glove. For example, in various embodiments a baseball glove may include a shell section, a web section and visual markers positioned on portions of the shell and/or web sections. The web or shell section may include a front and back exterior having a spectral reflectance associated with a first color of a pair of enhanced-visibility colors (EVCs). The visual markers positioned on the web or shell sections may have a spectral reflectance associated with a second color of the EVC pair. The first color and the second color may have a spectral reflectance associated with substantially contrasting colors. For example, the color coordinate locations of the first color and second color on the CIE 1931 color space chromaticity diagram may be spectrally opposite with respect to the color coordinate of white light.

In addition to enhancing the visual perceivability of a glove based on the contrast between the glove body and the visual markers positioned thereon, the visual perceivability of the glove may be improved by increasing the contrast between the glove and the anticipated physical background for viewing the glove. The color of the anticipated physical background may vary based on the position of the fielder. For example, the anticipated physical background of an outfielder may involve a blue sky, grass, white clouds, domed ceiling, or stadium seating. The anticipated physical background of an infielder may include playing surfaces such as grass, dirt or turf. The color of the visual markers may be selected to provide the maximum contrast between the anticipated physical background and the visual markers, thereby enhancing a fielder's ability to detect the glove using his or her peripheral vision.

In further illustrative aspects, the placement of the visual markers on the glove body is determined by the fielding position of the wearer. For example, an outfielder's glove may include visual markers along the thumb and middle fingers of the back surface of the shell section of the glove. A shortstop's glove may include visual markers along the thumb and middle fingers of the front surface of the shell section of the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a rear elevation view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front elevation view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts another front elevation view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts yet another front elevation view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a CIE chromaticity diagram illustrating selection of enhanced-visibility colors; and

FIG. 6 is a another diagram of a CIE chromaticity diagram illustrating selection of enhanced-visibility colors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Although the terms “step” and/or “block” or “module” etc. might be used herein to connote different components of methods or systems employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.

Embodiments of the present invention provide baseball gloves with enhanced visual perceivability to enable a wearer to more clearly see the edges of the baseball glove in his or her peripheral field of vision. While embodiments discussed herein refer to baseball gloves, it will be understood that embodiments are not limited to any particular style or type of fielding glove. For example, other embodiments may include infielder gloves, outfielder gloves, catcher's mitts, softball gloves, cricket gloves and the like with enhanced visual perceivability.

Visual perceivability generally refers to the spatial resolving capacity of the visual system. A number of factors may be associated with improved perception including an objects reflectance, illumination, and contrast. Reflectance refers to the ratio of the total amount of light reflected by a surface relative to the total amount of light incident on the surface of the object. An objects illumination is the total amount of visible light incident upon a point on the surface of the object from all directions above the surface. Contrast refers to the degree of difference between the colors and/or luminance between visual zones. Varying the reflectance, illumination and contrast of an object may provide visual stimuli that may increase the visual system's ability to discern the object and its orientation and position in space. For central vision or peripheral vision, luminance, contrast and object detail can be used to provide an appropriate visual stimulus. Luminance describes the amount of light leaving an objects surface in a particular direction, and can be thought of as the measured brightness of a surface as seen by the eye. For central vision, an object's color characteristics can be used as a visual stimulus. Color characteristics can be used for peripheral vision as well but generally tend to be somewhat less effective due to reduced peripheral color sensitivity. As such, visual stimuli based on reflectance and contrast typically provide superior results for increased visual perceivability. Visual stimuli can be provided using texture, color, gray level, patterning, surface reflectivity, fluorescence, iridescence, or other visually observable surface properties.

Embodiments of the present invention provide baseball gloves having increased visual perceivability via visibility enhancing coloration and the placement of visual markers/indicia along various sections of the glove. In various embodiments, the baseball glove may have a glove body having a particular color. In these embodiments, visual indicia may be positioned on the glove body, the visual markers having a substantially contrasting color and/or luminance to that of the glove body. The visual perceivability of the glove may also be improved by increasing the contrast between the glove and the anticipated physical background for viewing the glove. The method for selecting colors for the glove body and visual markers positioned on the baseball glove is similar to the procedure for preparing enhanced visibility sporting equipment detailed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/770,862, entitled “CHROMATIC ARCHITECTURE FOR SPORTS EQUIPMENT” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the present invention, an exemplary baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability is described below.

Referring to the drawings in general and FIGS. 1-4 in particular, an exemplary baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability is depicted in various views. Throughout this specification, as previously stated, the term baseball glove is intended to include various types of fielding gloves including, but not limited to, catcher's mitts, softball gloves and the like. The depictions in the drawings are for exemplary purposes only and are in no way meant to limit the scope of the present invention to any particular type of fielding glove or any particular glove configuration. Further, the materials used to create the baseball gloves with enhanced visual perceivability, as well as the material properties of the paint or dye used to color the visual markers on the gloves are well known in the art and will not be discussed in further detail herein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a rear view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated generally as reference numeral 100. Baseball glove 100 includes a web region 102, a fingerstall region 104, laces 106, a heel region 108, a thumb visual marker 110, a finger visual marker 112, webbing 114, a web bridge 116, a thumb region 118 and an exterior back surface 120. Baseball glove 100 can be any type of material for use in a fielding glove including leather and synthetic materials such as vinyl or plastic. On the exterior 120 of baseball glove 100 are visual indicia 110 and 112. Visual indicia 110 and 112 can be any type of material for use in a sporting glove and may be placed on exterior 120 by painting, stitching, gluing, RF welding, ultrasonic welding, or any other technique.

Exterior 102 can be dyed, coated, constructed of appropriately colored materials, or otherwise colored using various spectral reflectances to be peripherally noticeable to players when the baseball glove is in use. The dye, coating, or other coloring may include various combinations, including, but not limited to, a combination of a tan, black or brown exterior 102 with, a combination of substantially contrasting colors, and/or a combination of colors with specific spectral properties for increased visibility for the visual indicia 110 and 112. Luminance may also be important to the visibility of the sporting glove. Luminance may be particularly important when the sporting glove is used at night, under stadium lights. By way of example, without limitation, various embodiments of the present invention may include a dark glove body that reflects less light than one or more light visual indicia positioned on the glove body such that the luminance of the sporting glove remains high.

Examples of color selections that may be used in accordance with the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 5-6, although other color combinations beyond those described may be used. Various color combinations are contemplated and within the scope of the present invention and, therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to a particular color scheme. In various embodiments, the baseball glove will contain generally two colors, a dark color and a light color. Additional colors may, however, be used for graphics (for example identifying the manufacturer of the glove, the league using or authorizing the glove, etc.). Moreover, more than two colors may be used to enhance the visibility of a glove in accordance with the present invention.

In addition to the enhancing the visibility of baseball glove 100 based on the color contrast of exterior 120 with visual indicia 110 and 112, the placement of visual indicia 110 and 112 may increase a fielder's ability to perceive the glove. The placement of the visual indicia 110 and 112 on the baseball glove 100 may be determined by the fielding position of the wearer. Outfielders attempting to catch fly balls over the waist typically have their gloved hand pointed up with the web bridge 116 pointing upward. A fielder attempting to catch a ball right at the waist may crouch down with the glove pointed up. An infielder may also catch pop-up balls with his or her gloved hand pointed up. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a fielder's glove may have a visual indicator 110 on the thumb region 118 of the exterior surface 120 of the glove. The placement of indicator 110 may increase the fielder's ability to detect the outer-edge of the web section 102 when the fielder is looking upward at a fly or popup ball. Visual indicator 112 may be positioned on the fingerstall section 104 of the glove 100, and increase the wearers ability to detect the center of the glove pocket (not shown) when attempting to catch a fly or popup ball. Visual indicator 112 may be placed on the index finger or middle finger of the fingerstall section 104.

A fielder attempting to catch a ball below the waist, typically points his or her gloved hand downward with the palm facing the approaching ball. Accordingly, a baseball glove with visual markers on the exterior palm surface of the glove may increase a players ability to peripherally perceive the glove. Turning now to FIG. 2, a front view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability embodying features of the present invention is illustrated and designated generally as reference number 200. Baseball glove 200 includes a fingerstall region 202, web region 204, an exterior front surface 206, a heel region 208, a thumb visual marker 210, a finger visual marker 212, and a pocket region 214, and a thumb stall region 216. The combination of fingerstall region 202, heel region 208, pocket region 214, and thumb stall region 216 may be generally referred to as the shell section of the baseball glove. Visual indicia 210 and 212 may be position on exterior surface 206 on either side of web region 204. In particular, indicia 210 and 212 may be placed along the thumb and middle fingers of the front surface of glove 200. Visual indicia 210 and 212 may increase a fielder's ability to perceive the baseball receiving pocket region 214 of glove 200 when catching a ball.

In FIG. 3 a front view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated generally as reference number 300. Baseball glove 300 includes a fingerstall region 302, web region 304, visual indicia 306, 308, 310 and 312 and an exterior front surface 314. Visual markers 306 and 310 may be placed respectively along the thumb and pinkie edges of baseball glove 300. Marker 308 may be positioned on the periphery of the heel region of glove 300. Marker 312 may be located along the top edges of fingerstall region 302 and web region 304. Baseball gloves as illustrated in FIG. 3 may increase a fielder's ability to peripherally perceive the glove when catching a ball with the glove 300 in a downward position. Additionally, indicia 306, 308, 310 and 312 may increase a fielder's ability to perceive the glove when fielding a ground ball. Visual indicia 308, 308, 310 and 312 may be of a substantially contrasting color from the exterior surface 314. This visibility enhancing coloration may increase a fielder's ability to discern the periphery of the glove while focusing on a moving ball.

Turning now to FIG. 4, yet another front view of a baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated generally as reference number 400. Baseball glove 400 includes a fingerstall region 402, web region 404, visual indicia 406, 408, 410 and 412, an exterior front surface 414 and a heel region 416. Visual indicia 408 and 410 may be positioned on exterior surface 414 on either side of web region 404. In particular, indicia 408 and 410 may be placed along the thumb and middle/index fingers of the front surface of glove 400. Visual marker 406 may enhance the visibility of the top of glove 400 by highlighting the top edges of fingerstall region 402 and web region 404. Marker 412 may highlight the heel region of glove 400. By way of example, glove 400 may be used in various infielder positions such as first base, second base, third base and the shortstop positions. Glove 400 may be particularly useful when catching balls below the waist of the fielder and for fielding ground balls.

A substantial contrast between the colors of the glove body and the visual indicia can make the glove easier to detect in a player's peripheral field of vision. Visual indicia colors associated with enhanced visibility can be selected to be substantially spectrally opposite or contrasting as shown on a CIE 1931 color space chromaticity diagram. Selection of opposite colors for a visual marker and glove body can offer significant visual contrast. The visual contrast of the glove can be further enhanced by associating the glove body and visual markers with contrasting luminance values.

Furthermore, selection of contrasting indicia/glove body colors can provide aesthetically superior visual appearance of, for example, a baseball glove or other item. In addition, selection of these contrasting colors can be based on the anticipated physical background for viewing the glove. The color of the anticipated physical background may vary based on the position of the fielder. For example, the anticipated physical background of an outfielder may involve a blue sky, grass, white clouds, domed ceiling, or stadium seating. Accordingly, for a high visibility baseball glove that is to be used in the outfield, colors of the visual indicia are preferably selected to enhance mutual contrast between the glove body and the visual indicia plus the contrast between the visual indicia and the blue sky, grass, white clouds, domed ceiling, or stadium seating. The anticipated physical background of an infielder may include playing surfaces such as grass, dirt or turf. Accordingly, for a high visibility baseball glove that is to be used in the infield, colors of the visual indicia are preferably selected to enhance the contrast between the visual indicia and the playing surface. In other examples, contrast based on a different background such as blue sky, cloud cover, stadium seating, or other immediate surrounding to a playing surface such as trees, playground structures, or spectator clothing can be selected.

A representative selection of visibility-enhancing coloration for a CIE 1931 chromaticity diagram based on selection of enhanced-visibility contrasting colors is illustrated in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, spectral references 514 and 516 are associated with surface areas that appear tan and blue, respectively. Contrasting colors for the visual indicia and glove body can have CIE X-Y coordinate locations that are widely separated and opposite with respect to the location of a standard white illuminant on a CIE plot. For reference, a location 512 of a standard white (sunlight or illuminate D65) is also shown. The CIE Z-coordinate that is associated with luminance is not shown on the chromaticity diagram 500. The coordinate locations 514 and 516 are widely separated and opposite with respect to a location 512 associated with white illumination, but in other examples, colors associated with color coordinates that are not opposite with respect to the location 512 may be used. As shown in FIG. 5, blue visual indicia at coordinate location 516 are spectrally opposite to a tan glove body at coordinate location 514. Thus, blue visual indicia can offer significant visual contrast and render the glove discernable in a fielder's peripheral field of vision. A blue and tan contrasting indicia/glove body baseball glove may not be appropriate for outfielders that typically catch fly balls with a blue sky as a visual background. However, a blue and tan high visibility glove may be desirable for infielders who typically catch ground balls with the dirt of the infield as a visual background. Additional representative examples of substantially contrasting spectral reflectance pairs include magenta and green, cyan and red, as well as additional blue/yellow combinations.

Another representative selection of visibility-enhancing coloration for a CIE chromaticity diagram based on selection of enhanced-visibility contrasting colors is illustrated in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 6, spectral reference 614 is associated with a blue visual background such as a blue sky. Spectral reference 616 is associated with visual indicia that appear magenta. Contrasting colors for the visual indicia and glove body can have CIE X-Y coordinate locations that are widely separated with respect to the location of a standard white illuminant on a CIE plot. For reference, a location 612 of a standard white (sunlight or illuminate D65) is also shown. The CIE Z-coordinate that is associated with luminance is not shown on the chromaticity diagram 600. The coordinate locations 614 and 616 are widely separated with respect to a location 612 associated with white illumination, but in other examples, colors associated with color coordinates that are not opposite with respect to the location 612 may be used. As shown in FIG. 6, magenta visual indicia at coordinate location 616 are spectrally separated to a blue visual background at coordinate location 614. Thus, magenta visual indicia can offer significant visual contrast and render a glove discernable in a fielder's peripheral field of vision where the fielder is facing a blue visual background. Magenta visual indicia are also spectrally separated from the tan color of the glove body, rendering the increased visual contrast between the indicia and the glove body. Accordingly, a glove having magenta visual indicia may be desirable for outfielders that typically catch fly balls with a blue sky as a visual background.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Claims

1. A baseball glove with visibility-enhancing coloration, the baseball glove comprising:

a shell section;

a web section; and

one or more visual indicia positioned on at least one of the shell section and the web section, the one or more visual indicia having a color that differs from colors of the shell section and the web section, wherein the colors of the shell section, web section and visual indicia are based on a color contrast of the visual indicia relative to the shell and web sections.

2. The baseball glove of claim 1, wherein the shell section and the web section are a first color, and wherein the one or more visual indicia is a second color.

3. The baseball glove of claim 2, wherein the first color and the second color are substantially contrasting.

4. The baseball glove of claim 3, wherein the first color and the second color are spectrally opposite with respect to a color coordinate location associated with white illumination.

5. The baseball glove of claim 3 wherein the first color and the second color are associated with a luminance contrast of greater than about 50%.

6. The baseball glove of claim 3, wherein the first color is substantially yellow and the second color is substantially blue.

7. The baseball glove of claim 3, wherein the first color and the second color are spectrally opposite with respect to a color coordinate location associated with white illumination and wherein the first color and second color are spectrally opposite with respect to a color coordinate location of a color associated with an anticipated physical background of a wearer of the baseball glove.

8. A baseball glove with enhanced visual perceivability to enable a wearer to more clearly see the baseball glove in the periphery of the field of vision of the wearer, the baseball glove comprising:

a glove body having a finger stall region, a thumb region, a web region, a heel region and a pocket region; and

one or more visual indicia positioned on the glove body, the one or more visual indicia having a color that differs from the color of the glove body, wherein a color contrast between the one or more visual indicia and the glove body enhances an ability of the wearer to perceive the glove body via peripheral vision, wherein the placement of the visual indicia on the glove body depends upon one or more visual cues that are received by the wearer.

9. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein the color of the one or more visual indicia is based on the color contrast of the visual indicia relative to the anticipated physical background of the wearer when fielding a ball.

10. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein the glove body is a first color, and wherein the one or more visual indicia is a second color.

11. The baseball glove of claim 10, wherein the first color and the second color are substantially contrasting.

12. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein the one or more visual cues that are received by the wearer depend upon the fielding position of the wearer of the baseball glove.

13. The baseball glove of claim 9, wherein the anticipated physical background includes at least one of an immediate surrounding to a playing surface, dirt, grass, a blue sky, stadium seating, and turf.

14. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein the placement of the visual indicia includes placing the visual indicia on a back exterior surface of the baseball glove.

15. The baseball glove of claim 14, wherein the placement of the visual indicia includes placing the visual indicia along an edge of the thumb region and along a middle finger of the finger stall region.

16. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein the placement of the visual indicia includes placing the visual indicia on a palm exterior surface of the baseball glove.

17. The baseball glove of claim 16, wherein the placement of the visual indicia includes placing the visual indicia along an edge of the thumb region and along a middle finger of the finger stall region.

18. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein the placement of the visual indicia includes placing the visual indicia on a palm exterior surface of the baseball glove, along an edge of the thumb region, along a pinkie edge of the finger stall region, along a top edge of the web and finger stall region and along an edge of the heel region.

19. A baseball glove with visibility-enhancing coloration to enable a wearer to more clearly see the edges of the sporting glove in the periphery of the field of vision of the wearer, the sporting glove comprising:

a glove body having a first color;

one or more visual indicia positioned on the glove body, the one or more visual indicia having a second color that differs from the color of the glove body, wherein the first color and the second color are substantially contrasting and spectrally opposite with respect to a color coordinate location associated with white illumination.

20. The baseball glove of claim 19, wherein the first color is substantially yellow and the second color is substantially magenta.