SWEAT MANAGING FISTBAND

Abstract

A tubular absorbent fistband, having a stretchy absorbent cloth which connects to an elastic mesh band body. The absorbent cloth can be repeatedly compressed by closing the hand of the wearer without losing shape, dispensing accumulated moisture wiped off wearer. The band is referred to as a fistband because it is engaged in a fist. The fistband is constructed with a peripheral pocket in which fingertips are received. The mesh body covers the users' knuckles while the absorbent cloth covers the user's palm. Wiping the absorbent cloth across a sweat laden body part, such as a forehead, will absorb the sweat. Squeezing the absorbent cloth in a fist releases the absorbed sweat.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 12/931,530 filed Feb. 3, 2011, which is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/337,418, filed Feb. 4, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to sweat absorbent articles, and, more particularly, to a cushioned absorbent band with a peripheral pocket that surrounds a wearer's palm, receives the wearer's fingertips in the pocket and can be swiped across a sweat laden body part such as a forehead to absorb sweat.

BACKGROUND

Athletic stores and sporting good companies commonly supply consumers with sweat absorption products such as, sweatbands and wristbands. These traditional sweatbands absorb moisture, but can't be dried quickly, often remaining saturated for hours. They do not typically allow moisture to dispense; they are cumbersome, not attractive, retain heat in warm weather, soak easily (adding weight), leave tan lines, and aren't accurate at wiping. These products are not preferred by runners because of these negative factors. Most runners in humid and rainy climates have a variety of home-made solutions—towels, hats, sponges, and their own shirts—to remove perspiration.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,366 Inventor Michael J. Pratt Granted Mar. 7, 1989, discloses a towel attached to the back of a wristband, addressing the need for an accurate wipe as well as a desire to dry off sweat. This item does not deliver, as it is a complicated massive accessory. The towel may drape to the side, missing the face all together. The towel may snag or get caught. The jarring motion of a joggers head leaning to wipe while searching for the towel or wristband can also interfere with performance.

U.S. patent 2008/0168593 Inventor Val Parker Granted Jul. 17, 2008, shows a glove and/or glove insert that absorbs moisture in the hand. This does not provide moisture relief to other parts of the body and gloves typically leave the wearer hotter than desired. Gloves also lessen the ease of dexterity for hands and fingers. This product is difficult to put on as well.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,652 Inventor Mark E. Kuwahara Granted Jul. 4, 1989, teaches of a glove that absorbs but traps moisture in the hand and eventually contributes to a very hot, wet hand if worn during exercise. It is bulky and dexterity is lost once again.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,521 Inventor Lee Haney Granted Jan. 13, 1998, reveals a glove that contains absorbent pads for gathering perspiration yet is only effective for minimal perspiration gathering, does not dispose moisture and is difficult to put on as well. This bulky item is not preferred for endurance sports and is designed more for wrist protection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,470 Inventor William D McKay Granted Apr. 26, 1994, shows a wristband with optional ice and heat inserts. This device continues the trend of wrist focused sweat wipe relief yet fails again to advance the effort of better sweat management. All of these suffer a number of disadvantages:

• • (a) These items are inaccurate and haphazard in their attempt to remove perspiration/moisture/debris. In a general way they accomplish their goal, however they provide only an inferior, incomplete solution. They are un-attractive for athletes and the general public.
  • (b) They become increasingly heavy as they accumulate moisture. This causes a significant disadvantage for highly competitive athletes where every ounce of weight is critical. Commonly used sweatbands also absorb moisture that can weigh several ounces, negatively impacting an athlete attempting to be as light and quick as possible.
  • (c) They can cause constriction of blood flow. Blood flow constriction is a major flaw and drawback during a competitive race. Most would-be wearers simply don't like the lack of blood flow they feel from wearing wrist or head style sweat absorption devices or sweatbands.
  • (d) They are cumbersome. Head type sweat absorption systems are cumbersome, not easy to put on and once in place, the user simply hopes moisture is found by the headband.
  • (e) They do not deal effectively with removal of dirt or debris. Sweatbands and wristbands cannot be easily used to remove dirt or debris which may strike the users face.
  • (f) They are not easily marked. The ability to add embroidery, iron-on, heat transfers, messages, communication numbers, identifiers, transmitters, and electronics is limited and is often awkward in appearance and usage.

Most sweat absorbing solutions have been designed for use on the wrist and forehead.

The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, a sweatband comprised of a tube shaped band is provided. The band is referred to as a fistband because it is engaged in a fist. The fistband combines a soft absorbent cloth and a comfort mesh band body. The fistband is constructed with a peripheral pocket in which fingertips are received. The mesh body covers the users' knuckles while the absorbent cloth covers the user's palm. Wiping the absorbent cloth across a sweat laden body part, such as a forehead, will absorb the sweat. Squeezing the absorbent cloth in a fist releases the absorbed sweat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows the front view of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the back view.

FIG. 3 shows the band looking through the center.

FIG. 4 shows liquid being dispensed from one embodiment.

FIG. 5 sectional view with sponge exposed.

FIG. 6 view of band looking through center, having protrusion, in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 view of band back view with tacky pads attached.

FIG. 8 shows the front view with open pocket in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a similar embodiment wherein the band is smaller to fit around users' finger(s).

FIG. 10 view of band from the back wherein inner portion of band body has opening pocket for fingertips.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the specific components, configurations, shapes, relative sizes, ornamental aspects or proportions as shown in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

One embodiment of the band is illustrated in FIG. 1 (front view), FIG. 2 (back view), and FIG. 3 (side view). The thin band consisting of a flexible sheet of mesh material 10 which can be repeatedly stretched and relaxed without weakening. A connecting sheet of stretch absorbent terry cloth type material 14 is fastened to the band body. In the preferred embodiment FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the absorbent material 14 has an absorbent foam insert 16 sewn inside. This preferred embodiment may have two 12 color piping strands sewn in the seam of the top and bottom of outer band body.

A user, having accumulated moisture in the absorbent area, may form fist FIG. 4 thus dispensing water.

Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. In FIG. 6 a securely attached protrusion 18 has various possibilities as it may be filled with liquid, air, or a rubbery gel. FIG. 7 shows pads 20 attached to inner band body that is protective, sticky, tacky or even slippery. In FIG. 8 the band has a pocket 30 and optional reclosing flap 40 to secure any number of items that may be placed inside. FIG. 9 shows a smaller version of the embodiment which may be configured to slide on users thumb and/or fingers. FIG. 10 shows the back of the band body 14 with an opening tri-fold pocket 50 which sandwiches the inserted finger tips of the wearer. FIG. 10 may also easily be adapted to place a removable penalty flag, flexible ice pack, flexible heat pack, leash, or wearers' supplementary items.

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my fistband become evident.

• • (a) The motion of wiping sweat from the brow clears the face of debris, moisture and perspiration in one effort.
  • (b) Accuracy of wiping the necessary area on the wearers' body is improved.
  • (c) The fistband can quickly and efficiently be put onto the hand.
  • (d) Wearers will preserve dexterity and have free finger and hand movement.
  • (e) A much lighter sweatband is found in this embodiment after exercise since sweat may be expelled by simply forming a fist.
  • (f) Users head will not have to lean awkwardly sideways in search of moving wristband, the head can stay steady, looking straight ahead as the hand naturally comes to wipe the brow.
  • (g) Embroidery and Heat transfer for safety or advertising will gain easier adherence.
  • (h) Reflective materials are readily applied to the band body enabling higher visibility for wearers.
  • (i) Streamlined aerodynamic band body is always an athletes' favorite.
  • (j) Wearers that experience a fall will have greater palm protection as their hands strike the ground.
  • (k) Air flow to allow faster drying is punctuated on this band.
  • (l) The multiple accessories that can be placed inside will greatly benefit the wearer yet will be a huge revenue source for licensed manufacturers.

While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the components and steps of the invention, including variations in order, form, content, function and manner of operation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The above description and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A sweatband comprising an annular tubular band of elastic mesh, said annular band having a distal surface, a proximal surface and an interior compartment between the distal surface and the proximal surface, an absorbent terrycloth panel attached to the distal surface of the annular band, and an absorbent foam in the interior compartment, said absorbent foam being in fluid communication with the annular band and the terrycloth panel.

2. The sweatband according to claim 1, said annular tubular band including a first edge and an opposite second edge, a fingertip pocket being formed in the first edge between the distal surface and the proximal surface, said pocket being sized to receive a wearer's fingertips, when the sweatband is worn around a wearer's palm and the wearer's fingertips are bent towards the wearer's wrist.

3. The sweatband according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distal surface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbent terrycloth panel.

4. The sweatband according to claim 1, further comprising a gel filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distal surface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbent terrycloth panel.

5. The sweatband according to claim 2, further comprising a fluid filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distal surface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbent terrycloth panel.

6. The sweatband according to claim 2, further comprising a gel filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distal surface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbent terrycloth panel.