Golf Finger Sleeves

Abstract

A protective device for a wearer's digit features a flexible sleeve wearable with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve. The tubular sleeve has a dorsal face defined by a multi-way stretchable material to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, and a palmar face defined by a second less stretchable material to be worn on a palm side of the digit. Each end of the tubular sleeve is shaped to form an inwardly curved end of the palmar face that curves inwardly along the axis toward a centerline of the palmar face from opposite sides thereof. This beveled configuration of the sleeve ends avoids bunching of material in joint crevices. In longer sleeves, the first material spans uninterruptedly over a full length of the sleeve to fully cover a joint of the digit.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/489,484, filed May 24, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to finger sleeves to provide skin protection at particular areas of the user's fingers where protection is required, for example while participating in golf or other sports, without unnecessarily covering other areas of the hand, as occurs when wearing conventional gloves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many golfer's typically wear a glove on the “power hand”, which is the higher of the two hands in the golfer's grip on the golf club handle (e.g. a right handed golfer's power hand is the left hand). A glove is not typically worn on the other, lower “trailing hand”. The ungloved trailing hand can sometimes experience discomfort without the protection afforded by a glove, and for example may experience blistering or other skin irritation, particularly for new or infrequent golfers who may tend to grip the club handle too tightly. While wearing of a glove on the trailing hand may provide protection by covering the entire hand, including the particular problem areas, it can reduce the user's feel for the club handle, and thus may act as a further hindrance to a proper, comfortable grip.

Prior art glove alternatives or grips aids for golf and other sporting activities include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,483,595, 2,474,030, 4,590,625, 6,049,022, and 6,839,905, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 2004/0045071.

Several of these prior art reference make use of finger sheaths, bandages or tubes placed over the user's fingers. In some cases, multiple tubes for multiple fingers of the same hand are held together by webbing or other connection between adjacent tubes, while in other cases individual units are worn separately on a per-finger basis where protection is required.

The applicant has developed a finger sleeve design offering unique, advantageous features not shown in the aforementioned prior art, thus offering and improved solution to the forgoing problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a protective device for protection of a wearer's digit, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's digit between joints thereof with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the digit and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, wherein each end of the tubular sleeve is shaped to form an inwardly curved end of the palmar face that curves inwardly along the axis toward a centerline of the palmar face from opposite sides thereof.

Preferably there is provided a stretchable first material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable material distinct from the first material at the palmar face.

The first material may be a mesh material.

Preferably the first material and the different material are sewn together in a direction along the axis of the sleeve at opposite sides of the first material.

Preferably the sleeve comprises antibacterial agent present at one or both of the first stretchable material and the different less stretchable material.

Preferably the first stretchable material comprises a moisture wicking material.

Preferably the different material spans at least half of a circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

Preferably the different material spans more than half of the circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

Preferably the different material defines at least as much of the sleeve as the first material.

Preferably the different material defines more of the sleeve than the first material.

Preferably an axial length of the sleeve between the ends thereof is sufficient to span from adjacent one joint of a wearer's finger past a next joint of the wearer's finger, and the mesh material spans uninterrupted from adjacent one end of the sleeve to adjacent the other end of the sleeve.

Preferably there is provided at least one ribbed end the sleeve that exceeds an intermediate portion of the sleeve in thickness.

Preferably opposing ends of the sleeve are each ribbed to exceed an intermediate portion of the sleeve between said opposing ends in thickness.

Preferably each ribbed end of the sleeve comprises a folded over end portion of the sleeve.

Preferably each ribbed end of the sleeve comprises a hemmed end portion of the sleeve.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a protective device for protection of a wearer's digit, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's digit between joints thereof with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the digit and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, wherein the sleeve comprises a first stretchable material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable material distinct from the first material at the palmar face, and the different material spans at least half of a circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a protective device for protection of a wearer's digit, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's digit between joints thereof with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the digit and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, wherein the sleeve comprises a first stretchable material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable material distinct from the first material at the palmar face, and the different material defines at least as much of the sleeve as the mesh material.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a protective device for protection of a wearer's finger, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's finger between joints thereof with a distal end of the finger projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the finger and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the finger, wherein the sleeve comprises a first stretchable material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable distinct from the mesh material at the palmar face, and wherein an axial length of the sleeve between the ends thereof is sufficient to span from adjacent one joint of the wearer's finger past a next joint of the wearer's finger, and the first material spans uninterrupted from adjacent one end of the sleeve to adjacent the other end of the sleeve.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a protective device for protection of a wearer's digit, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's digit between joints thereof with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the digit and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, wherein the sleeve comprises a multi-direction stretch material at the dorsal face and a different material distinct from the multi-direction stretch material at the palmar face.

Preferably the different material is less stretchable than the multi-direction stretch material.

The multi-direction stretch is preferably stretchable in at least three different directions, and more preferably may be an eight-way stretch material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf finger sleeve of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an anti-bacterial golf finger sleeve of the present invention

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tapered golf finger sleeve of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are underside plan and side elevational views of a bevel-hemmed golf finger sleeve of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are palmar and side views of a long finger sleeve of the present invention as worn on the proximal and middle phalanges of a user's index finger.

FIG. 6 are palmar and side views of a short finger sleeve of the present invention as worn on only the proximal phalanx of a user's index finger.

FIGS. 7 to 9 are palmar views of various combinations of short and long finger sleeves of the present invention as worn on different fingers of a user.

FIG. 10 is a palmar view of a combination of short and long finger sleeves of the present invention as worn on both hands of a user.

FIG. 11 is a palmar view of another combination of short and long finger sleeves of the present invention worn on both hands of a user.

FIG. 12 is a palmar view of short finger sleeves of the present invention as worn on only the middle phalanges of a user's index, middle and ring fingers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is designed to be used in the game of golf, for example in lieu of a golf glove on the “power” hand, or on the “trailing hand” in conjunction with a gloved power hand. The sleeve acts as a protective device reducing friction points on certain key areas of the fingers. These friction points will vary from player to player, and thusly the “Sleeves” are designed for selective wearing at any of a number of different positions on the hand to target only those areas alleviating irritation, blistering and calluses without hindering or detracting from the “feel” or sensitivity of the execution of the golf swing. The device also promotes a softer touch and looser grip, which is particularly beneficial for the novice golfer who tends to “choke” the club with the trailing hand. Yet the sleeve can add club head stability, which is critical for accuracy, due to the additional glove-like material creating more frictional grip in key areas on the fingers, the specific locations of which are unique to each and every individual player.

The device is provided in a “Short Sleeve” and “Long Sleeve” format to allow the player to customize his or her particular needs to cover the critical friction points which will vary player to player without detracting from the essential need for “feel” and control. The device is also particularly beneficial for those players with arthritis; the gripping pressures required in holding the club will agitate the joints inducing addition pain to an already painful situation. Because the “Sleeves” promote a softer grip without sacrificing club head stability, the user will find less joint agitation resulting from less pressure required to achieve the same “grip” due to the increased frictional points on the required fingers while not detracting from mobility or “feel”.

In the construction of the device it is desirable that restricting factors or feelings experienced by the wearer are avoided or minimized, the feel ideally being transparent to the point where the player may forget the device is being worn. Also desirable is that the device be able to “breathe” so as not to create and trap perspiration between the skin of the finger and the device being worn, which may result in discomfort and agitation.

In the illustrated embodiments, the tubular shape of each sleeve is comprised of two pieces of material 10, 12 connected together end-to-end to cooperatively close around the axis X of the resulting tubular shape; each of the materials contributes to the overall functionality of the unit, whether in the “Short Sleeve” or “Long Sleeve” versions. The material 10 on the upper or dorsal half, being the portion which is on top side of the unit covering the upper section (dorsal side) of the finger (and interphalangeal joint in the long sleeve version) is a three way stretch material of a mesh design allowing unrestricted motion of the fingers and joints yet with enough elasticity to enhance the motions of the muscles and tendons when wearing a “long sleeve” across a joint (making the joint feel tight and supported, much like a tensor bandage worn around a knee or ankle, which is particularly helpful to those with arthritis or other finger pain), while always returning to a taut position when at rest. The mesh configuration is incorporated into the design to allow the skin to aerate to avoid perspiration build up.

The material 12 on the lower or palmar half, being the portion which is on bottom side of the unit covering the palm section of the finger (and interphalangeal joint, in the long sleeve version) may be a natural or synthetic material similar to kid leather in feel, texture and thickness, thereby contributing to a frictional gripping factor between the wearer's fingers and the club handle. In addition, the bottom material should have a breathable quality, allowing the palm side of the fingers to aerate to avoid perspiration build up, which can result in irritation of the skin, leading to chaffing, abrasions, sores, cuts or blistering. The material on the lower portion on the unit may also have an anti-bacterial nature or function, for example from application of an antibacterial treatment, to avoid or minimize odours which might result from the unit becoming damp or wet. FIGS. 1 and 2 show untreated and treated sleeves, demonstrating the substantially unnoticeable effect on the general appearance of the product. Examples of possible materials for the palmar side include kid leather, Cabretta leather, Sheepskin leather, PU Leather/synthetic leather, goatskin leather, and deerskin leather.

The units have a tubular design tapering over their length to be narrower or smaller in diameter at one end 14 than the other 16 so as to generally follow the natural contour of the finger (see FIG. 3), providing a conforming fit that is like a “second skin” in feel and comfort. At the distal tip end 14 and proximal base end 16 of the unit, a hem has a beveled nature to avoid material bunching in the crevices of the finger joints, which otherwise could result in restricting motion. These beveled ends 14, 16 of the sleeve thus contribute to the improved design and comfort of the “Sleeve” (see FIGS. 4A & 4B). Each end of the sleeve is beveled in a direction such that, at a longitudinal mid-plane cutting centrally through the mesh and non-mesh pieces along the longitudinal axis X of the tubular sleeve, the mesh piece is longer than the non-mesh piece. With reference to FIG. 4A, the exposed edge 12a, 12b of the non-mesh piece at each end 14, 16 thereof thus curves inwardly along the longitudinal axis X toward the centerline of this piece at the longitudinal mid-plane from both sides thereof. On the mesh side the end edge of the sleeve may extend straight across or curve outward along the axis X.

The illustrated sleeve embodiments can be categorized as two different versions, particularly “Long Sleeves” (see FIGS. 5A & 5B) and “Short Sleeves” (see FIGS. 6A & 6B), for the reason that the user can then choose to only wear the units where they are required on friction points of any digit or digits to enhance, and not restrict or detract from, feel or mobility. For the reason that every individual is different, any combination can be used on any number of digits to suit that particular user's needs (see FIGS. 7 through 9). Also, the present invention is not limited or restricted to use of the “Sleeve/Sleeves” for wearing on only on the trailing hand, as it may be left to a personal preference as to whether units are worn on one or both hands in any combination of “Long Sleeve” or “Short Sleeve” on as many digits as individuality dictates (see FIGS. 10 & 11).

With reference to FIG. 5, each long sleeve has a sufficient length along its axis X so as to substantially cover both the proximal and intermediate phalanges of a finger when the larger end 16 of the sleeve is slid over the finger's distal end (finger tip) down to the knuckle joint at the proximate end of the proximal phalange. Here, the end of the mesh 10 reaches to, or near to, the knuckle on the dorsal side of the finger, while the shorter non-mesh material 12 on the palmar side stops short of the fold line F1 where the finger's skin meets the skin of the palm. Accordingly, the material 12 doesn't get bunched in this skin fold during movement of the finger. Similarly, at the smaller distal end 14 of the sleeve nearer the fingertip, the beveled end of the sleeve stops the non-mesh material 12 on the palmar side of the finger from reaching the skin's fold F2 line at the distal interphalangeal joint.

Sleeves are manufactured in different sizes in order to accommodate the various hand sizes of different users, and preferably are grouped by user category and size that closely follow the fit of commercially available golf gloves (e.g. men's, ladies/women's and junior's categories; each having a further selection among small, medium, large, etc. sizes). Accordingly, a golfer who wears a ladies medium glove will likely find a suitable fit in selecting a ladies medium sleeve, or ladies medium set of sleeves. In one embodiment, there is only a single sleeve-length within any given category and size combination, the single sleeve length being suitable to fit between joints of any one of the index, middle and ring fingers of most customers of that size, since the little or pinky finger of the trailing hand is often linked between the index and middle finger of the power hand when gripping a golf club, and thus has minimal exposure to the club handle and little or no need for sleeve protection. In such an embodiment, a user wanting to wear a thumb sleeve may find it necessary to move up to a higher sleeve size for a comfortable fit around the larger circumference of the thumb. In other embodiments, there may additionally be further sub-classification by finger type to provide different sleeve dimensions for different fingers among a given category and size combination, whether one-on-one (e.g. index, middle, ring, little finger and thumb sleeves) or in another ratio (e.g. “long finger” sleeves for index, middle and ring fingers with one or both of differently dimensioned little finger and thumb sleeves). However, limiting or minimizing different sleeve sizes is preferred with the intention of likewise limiting or minimizing manufacturing and inventory costs. Sizing and categorization schemes other than the examples presented above may alternatively be employed.

With reference to FIG. 6, each short sleeve has substantially the same structure as the long sleeve, but is shorter in length so that when likewise placed adjacent the knuckle on the proximal phalanx, it extends only up to near the proximal interphalangeal joint (and not therepast to the intermediate phalanx like the long sleeve), again with the tapered ends preventing material bunch-up in the skin folds at the joints concerned. The beveling of the ends of the tubular sleeve into planes oriented oblique to the tubular axis X to project the outer/dorsal mesh outward past the corresponding inwardly curving non-mesh end thus presents an advantage over prior art sleeve designs by better avoiding bunching of the sleeve material at the joints of the finger.

FIGS. 7 through 12 illustrate how short sleeves can be employed between adjacent joints at either the proximal or intermediate phalanx of any finger, or even on the proximal phalanx of the thumb between the knuckle (metacarpophalangeal) joint and proximate interphalangeal joint. Long sleeves can be employed on the proximal and inter intermediate phalanges of any finger. Accordingly, each individual user of sleeves of the present invention employ a selected set of sleeves according to an understanding of their own particular club-gripping points on one or more digits of one or both hands.

In the illustrated embodiments, the non-mesh material 12 of each sleeve makes between ⅓ and ¾, of the sleeve's tubular closure around its longitudinal axis X, more preferably between ½ and ¾, and approximately ⅔ in a particularly preferred embodiment, with the mesh material 10 completing the rest of the sleeve's circumference around the axis. The non-mesh material thus wraps around the better part of the finger, giving an improved feel and performance level. Prototypes with greater amounts of stretchable mesh material were found to be insufficiently tight around the finger, giving the sleeve a sloppier, non-conforming, uncomfortable feel. In addition, mesh material in the prototypes didn't seem to fold well when located on the inside of a joint. The mesh performs better when pulled over a joint (i.e. to the outside thereof) vs. being folded into (on the inside) of a finger joint.

In the illustrated embodiments, the mesh material 10 of each sleeve extends substantially uninterrupted both along its length, from adjacent one end of the sleeve to adjacent the other end, and across its width, thus providing a continuous full-length span of mesh material on the dorsal side of the sleeve, thus fully covering the outside of the interphalangeal joint in the use of a “full-sleeve”. This full coverage of the three-way stretch mesh across the joint provides a tight feel at the joint, much like a tensor bandage, hence the lack of any knuckle-accommodating hole in the preferred embodiments of the present invention. This also improves the overall durability and wear of the sleeve, as the continuous run of mesh contributes to the second-skin feel and prevents the sleeve from being stretched out after several games of play. A hole in the mesh compromises these aspects and loses the tensor quality of the sleeve.

At each end of the sleeve, the mesh and non-mesh materials are each folded over and stitched to themselves inside or outside the sleeve to form a hem, which by effectively doubling the sleeve thickness, creates a thickened rib-like rim around the end of the sleeve compared to the thinner intermediate portion of the sleeve between these ribbed ends. Such an arrangement serves two purposes. Firstly, it adds durability to the sleeve, and secondly, when the sleeve is just the right length for a finger, the rib lines up closely with the skin fold on the palmar side of the joint to fill a void left between the palmar skin of the phalangeal finger portions connected by the joint when the joint is bent to a degree wrapping around the circumference of a golf club handle, thereby improving the feel or comfort of the sleeve.

Although the use of mesh material on the upper or dorsal half of the sleeve is described above, other sleeves having been produced with an eight-way stretch fabric in place of the mesh, which has been found to provide optimal hugging, contouring and stretching over the joint, with moisture-wicking functionality to draw sweat away from the skin, and an antibacterial quality to help minimize sweat related odors. In addition to being more stretchable than the leather or similar material used on the lower or palmar half of the sleeve, the eight-way stretch fabric is also more breathable than the leather or similar palmar material.

In summary with golf being a game in distance, accuracy and skill; the fluidity and precision of the golf swing being the most quintessential aspect to the game, every little nuance helps beginning with the grip of the club. Pressures used in holding the club can affect everything from club head speed to distance and accuracy therefore addressing the very fundamentals such as gripping the club is absolutely imperative to the essence of the game itself.

Although described above with particular reference to the sport of golf, it will be appreciated that the protective sleeves of the present invention may be useful in other applications, for example in various sports or activities, particularly those involving gripping of, or other frictional contact, with an implement or other equipment, for example including baseball, tennis, racquet ball, squash, badminton, rodeo riding, and climbing. Other possible applications include workplace, home, industrial or service settings, particularly those involving including gripping of tools, implements or equipment, such as yard-work (snow shoveling, digging, hoeing, ice scraping, leaf raking, sweeping, etc.), carpentry (gripping of hammers, manual screwdrivers, other tools), automotive service and repair, ladder/tower/pole climbing, etc. Another example is use of sleeves in a bartending environment to prevent injury, soreness or irritation caused by repeated manipulation of twist-off bottle caps by wearing a short sleeve on the thumb in combination with a long sleeve on the index finger.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A protective device for protection of a wearer's digit, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's digit between joints thereof with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the digit and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, wherein each end of the tubular sleeve is shaped to form an inwardly curved end of the palmar face that curves inwardly along the axis toward a centerline of the palmar face from opposite sides thereof.

2. The protective device of claim 1 wherein comprising a stretchable first material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable material distinct from the first material at the palmar face.

3. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the different material spans at least half of a circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

4. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the different material spans more than half of the circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

5. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the different material defines at least as much of the sleeve as the first material.

6. The protective device of claim 2 wherein the different material defines more of the sleeve than the first material.

7. A protective device for protection of a wearer's digit, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's digit between joints thereof with a distal end of the digit projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the digit and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the digit, wherein the sleeve comprises a first stretchable material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable material distinct from the first material at the palmar face, and the different material spans at least half of a circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

8. The protective device of claim 7 wherein the different material spans more than half of the circumference of the sleeve around the axis.

9. The protective device of claim 7 wherein the different material defines at least as much of the sleeve as the mesh material.

10. The protective device of claim 9 wherein the different material defines more of the sleeve than the first material.

11. The protective device of claim 2 wherein an axial length of the sleeve between the ends thereof is sufficient to span from adjacent one joint of a golfer's finger past a next joint of the golfer's finger, and the first material spans uninterrupted from adjacent one end of the sleeve to adjacent the other end of the sleeve.

12. A protective device for protection of a wearer's finger, the protective device comprising a flexible sleeve closing around an axis passing therethrough and sized to be wearable around a wearer's finger between joints thereof with a distal end of the finger projecting out from the tubular sleeve and the wearer's palm unobstructed by the sleeve, the tubular sleeve having a palmar face to be worn on a palm side of the finger and a dorsal face to be worn on a dorsum side of the finger, wherein the sleeve comprises a first stretchable material at the dorsal face and a different less stretchable distinct from the mesh material at the palmar face, and wherein an axial length of the sleeve between the ends thereof is sufficient to span from adjacent one joint of the wearer's finger past a next joint of the wearer's finger, and the first material spans uninterrupted from adjacent one end of the sleeve to adjacent the other end of the sleeve.

13. The protective device of claim 1 comprising at least one ribbed end the sleeve that exceeds an intermediate portion of the sleeve in thickness.

14. The protective device of claim 1 wherein opposing ends of the sleeve are each ribbed to exceed an intermediate portion of the sleeve between said opposing ends in thickness.

15. The protective device of claim 13 wherein each ribbed end of the sleeve comprises a folded over end portion of the sleeve.

16. The protective device of claim 13 wherein each ribbed end of the sleeve comprises a hemmed end portion of the sleeve.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)