Golf Glove
A golf glove is disclosed, provided with an elasticated strap for releasable attachment thereto. Part of the strap is arranged or arrangable as a loop for placement over a user's hand or wrist to allow the glove to hang freely beneath the hand or wrist when not being worn. The strap may be located within a chamber so that it is held relatively taught against the glove and extends when a user inserts their hand into the loop formed by the strap, and retracts into the chamber when the hand is removed.
This Application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/GB2012/000811, filed Oct. 25, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and published as WO 2013/061018 on May 2, 2013, in English.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a golfing accessory, particularly a golf glove.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the game of golf great importance is placed on the golf grip as good contact between the hands and golf club is important in order to produce a good golf shot. It is for this reason that a golf glove is usually worn.
Golf gloves are invariably made from soft, pliable, tacky leather and designed to fit tightly around the hand, almost like a second skin. However there are a number of problems with conventional golf gloves that cause them to be less effective than is desirable. These are, in no particular order, explained below.
I—Golf Glove Becomes Overly Moist, Damp or Wet
Due to the absence of a suitable means for golfers to hold the glove in their hands in-between shots in such a manner that would allow their hands to remain free to carry out other functions, golfers are invariably forced to put their golf glove in their trouser pocket. This is often done in a crushed misshapen fashion, which denies the glove fresh air and the opportunity to dry naturally in a manner that would allow it to still maintain its correct shape.
Both the inside and outside of a golf glove are subject to excess water retention. As golf gloves are designed to fit tightly around the hand, the hand is prone to sweating, which is increased in hot and humid weather conditions, which makes the inside of the glove damp or wet.
In the case of the outside of a golf glove, because golf is an outdoor sport, golfers often play in damp rainy weather conditions. Under these circumstances, it is common for the grips of the clubs themselves to become wet, which in turn is transferred to the golf glove when the golfer grips the club.
When a golf glove becomes overly moist, damp or wet, the hand can slip and move, and any movement (however small) can have an adverse effect on the golf grip and the subsequent golf shot.
II—Golf Glove Loses its Moisture Content and Becomes too Dry
Having completed their game of golf, a golfer is faced with the dilemma of finding a suitable means of storing their potentially moist, damp or wet glove in a manner that would allow it to dry naturally and in turn help it to maintain its correct shape in readiness for when it is next needed.
Accordingly, a golfer is invariably inclined to store their glove in a pocket of their golf bag, thus denying the glove fresh air and the opportunity to dry fully and naturally.
Natural leather comes from animal skin and, like human skin, it also has pores that can dry out. When a moist, damp or wet golf glove is stored in an enclosed environment, such as the pocket of a golf bag, invariably in a crushed misshapen fashion, its pores find it hard to breathe and subsequently take in moisture.
This problem is further increased as the glove attracts dirt or dust that may be in the pockets of the bag. This can build up in the glove's pores and thereby block them.
With the pores now struggling to take in moisture, the glove dries in an unnatural fashion which may cause it to shrink, crack and stiffen, ultimately leaving the glove dry, tight and resistant to flexing.
III—Glove Becomes Overly Stretched and Loose
Due to the fact that golf gloves are designed to fit tightly on the hand, a certain degree of tugging of the cuff is required in order to pull the glove onto the hand in the direction of the wrist.
This, coupled with the constant flexing of the hand which in turn forces the glove to pull away from the wrist, results in the glove becoming overly stretched and loose. As a consequence, the glove is unable to offer the golfer the tight fit necessary for a good golf grip.
IV—Glove may be Misplaced
During the course of a game, the golfer will play up to a hundred intermittent shots. After each shot, a golfer will generally take off their glove which can be easily misplaced without a suitable means of attaching the glove to their hands or clothing.
V—Ball Marker Inaccessible
Conventional golf gloves usually have a press snap ball marker detachably fixed to the cuff of the glove. However, because golfers tend not to wear their glove when on the putting green (it being in their pocket) then the marker is not readily available for use. Although a number of prior art gloves are available having straps that in theory could be used to hang the glove from a user's hand and therefore improve on one or more of the aforementioned problems, such gloves are either not golf gloves and/or provide a strap that in practice would hang loose when the glove is being worn which would be distracting.
It would be beneficial to provide an improved golf glove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn a broad sense, there is provided a golf glove provided with an elongate strap, cord or web attached or attachable to the glove which in use allows the glove to rest or hang freely beneath the user's hand or wrist when it is not being worn. The strap may also be attached to a user's clothing or some other accessory such as a golf bag or trolley to rest or hang freely. In this way, the glove is easily accessible and can dry naturally with air circulating around and inside the glove, reducing or overcoming one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages, particularly I, II and IV.
At least part of the strap may be resiliently stretchable, for example by being formed of elastic material. The strap may be detachable from the golf glove, for example by means of one or a combination of a press stud system, a Velcro™ system and/or using one or more eyelets formed on or in the glove body. Alternatively, the strap may be an integral part of the golf glove.
The strap may be retained, along part of its length, against the glove by means of a closure tab of the glove which, as will be appreciated, is conventionally used to tighten the glove around a wearer's hand when worn. In one preferred (but optional) case, a double closure tab system is employed, with each tab being closable in the same general direction, and in another case, with each tab being closed in opposite directions which helps to gather excess material when the glove is secured over the user's hand to help alleviate problem III.
A releasable attachment mechanism may be provided at or near the free end of the strap to allow the strap (and glove) to be attached to a belt loop or a corresponding mechanism provided on clothing or a golf bag. This may be a loop mechanism, a direct press-stud system or a toggle-type system.
According to one aspect, there is provided a golf glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided with means for attachment over a hand or to another accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn.
The glove may further comprise a piece of material fixed to the glove and having at least one hole or eyelet through which the strap emerges from underneath the material and which is arrangeable to form a loop such that, in use, insertion of a user's hand within the loop causes a portion of the strap to emerge from the eyelet and retract back when the hand is removed. Two holes or eyelets may be formed in the material and the strap may be threaded through both from underneath to provide the loop. One end of the piece of material may be open to allow one or more of the strap ends to emerge from underneath the material in the direction of the glove's cuff. One of the strap ends may comprise a fastening means. The piece of material may comprise a box-like hollow strip formed of relatively-rigid material. The piece of material is preferably provided on or near the spine of the glove.
The strap is preferably arranged or is arrangable into a loop or hook for being located over a user's hand or wrist in use and in which the elastic is caused to stretch when the user's hand is inserted therein.
The glove may comprise a first closure tab for tightening the glove around the hand when worn by a user, the tab being arranged in use to hold or conceal part of the strap against the glove when the tab is closed.
Part of the first closure tab may be elasticated.
The glove may further comprise a second closure tab, adjacent the first tab, for tightening the glove when worn by a user in the substantially opposite direction to the first closure tab. Part of the second closure tab may also be elasticated.
The or each closure tab may include a hook and loop surface for attachment to a corresponding surface on the glove. One such example is a Velcro™ mechanism.
The strap may be detachably connected to the glove, for example by means of a press stud.
The loop or hook may be formed by means of one end of the strap being threaded through a first eyelet secured to or in the glove and said end being folded back on itself. The strap may comprise at least one male and one female press stud fastener arranged in use to be connected to one another to form the loop. The strap may further comprise means arranged to detachably hold a ball marker, thereby alleviating problem V. The means arranged to detachably hold a ball marker may comprise a further female press stud fastener. The strap may be arranged such that, when the male and female press stud fasteners are connected to form the loop, a free end of the strap remains on which the means arranged to detachable hold the ball marker is provided.
The folded back end of the strap may be connected to part of the glove or eyelet. The eyelet may be provided substantially adjacent the cuff region of the glove. Alternatively, insertion holes, e.g. slits, can be made in the glove.
The strap may be formed in two pieces, one piece being arranged to be secured or securable to the glove and the other piece being arranged to detachably connect to the first piece either to form a loop with the first piece or to provide a means of attachment to another accessory.
The golf glove may further comprise an elongate tab integrally formed with the glove at or near its cuff region and which extends away from the cuff region and has attachment means thereon to allow the elongate tab to be formed into a loop and/or connected in a direct or toggle-type manner to clothing or a golfing accessory. The attachment means on the elongate tab may comprise a male press stud fastener and a female press stud fastener so that the elongate tab can be formed into a loop. The attachment means on the elongate tab may comprise a button for connection to clothing or a golfing accessory in a direct or toggle-type manner. The button may be permanently attached to, or detachable from, the elongate tab.
Text, providing a message, may be printed or embroidered onto the stretchable part of the strap.
The glove may further comprise means for detachably holding a tee peg or other golfing accessory. This means may be provided on the closure tab, e.g. strategically located along the spine of the glove.
The glove may further comprise a cuff pull part in the form of a tab, loop or pocket attached to, or in the region of, the glove's cuff. The cuff pull tab serves to permit the wearer to secure the glove over their hand in a tight fit, thereby alleviating problem III. The cuff pull part can be a tab attached to, or attached in the region of the glove's cuff at two spaced apart locations to form a loop in which a user's fingers can be inserted. The cuff pull tab can have a press-stud fastener thereon.
Alternatively, the cuff pull part can be a loop of material, or a pocket, formed with a plurality of distinct regions. The cuff pull part with distinct regions permits the pulling of the glove in, for example, three directions/angles. The cuff pull part may work in conjunction with the double closure tab mechanism to further gather loose material once the glove has been fully drawn over the hand. The cuff pull part may also provide a means of securing the glove to clothing or equipment.
According to a second aspect, there is provided a golf glove provided with an elasticated strap for releasable attachment thereto, part of the strap being arranged or arrangable as a loop for placement over a user's hand or wrist to allow the glove to hang freely beneath the hand or wrist when not being worn, the glove comprising means for detachably securing the strap thereto and a first closure tab movable between a loose, open position and a closed, tightened position, in which part of the elasticated strap is concealed beneath the tab when closed and held against the body of the glove.
The securing means may comprise a first eyelet positioned on or in the glove in general alignment with the little finger portion of the glove around which the first end of the strap is in use looped.
A further, second closure tab may be provided on the glove so as to allow the glove to be tightened further in generally the same, or in an opposite direction to the first closure tab.
According to a third aspect, there is provided a golf glove comprising first and second closure tabs movable between opened positions and closed positions and arranged, in use, to permit tightening of the glove on a user's hand.
Each tab may comprise a fastening mechanism for fastening the tab to part of the glove. The fastening mechanism may comprise part of a hook-and-look mechanism, e.g. Velcro, for fastening teach tab to one or more other hook and look parts of a hook-and-loop mechanism provided on the glove.
In one embodiment, the tabs are configured to be moveable from their opened position to their closed position in substantially the same direction or orientation around the glove.
In another embodiment, the tabs are configured to be moveable from their opened position to their closed position in substantially opposite directions or orientations around the glove.
According to a further aspect, there is provided a golf glove comprising, at or near the spine, first and second eyelets through which is threaded an elasticated strap which is connected to the glove in such a way that the strap is held relatively taught against the glove and a part of which in use extends and retracts through one of the eyelets when a user's hand is inserted into and removed from the strap.
The glove of any of the above aspects may further comprising a cuff pull mechanism provided on the cuff part of the glove and comprising a loop or pocket of material to permit the glove to be pulled securely onto a wearer's hand. The cuff pull mechanism may be provided on the front part of the cuff/glove.
The cuff pull mechanism may comprise a plurality of distinct loops/pockets to permit the glove to be pulled securely onto a wearer's hand in different orientations or angles. For example, three distinct loops/pockets are provided.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:
Referring to
Referring now to
Provided with the glove 10, as part of an overall glove accessory, is an elongate strap 20 of flexible material for detachable connection to the glove. At least part of the strap 20 is elasticated, preferably at least the middle portion indicated ‘M’. At a first end 22 is provided a first, female press-stud fastener 23, the top surface of which is visible. The non-visible underside comprises a socket for detachable engagement to a corresponding male stud. At a second end 24 is provided a second, female press-stud fastener 25 which is the same or similar to the first fastener 23. Part way down the strap 20 from the second end 24 is a corresponding male stud 26. The second female press-stud fastener 25 can therefore be attached to the male stud 26 to form a loop at one end of the strap 20 which, in use, is employed to detachably connect the strap to the glove, as will be described later on.
Alternatively, the male stud 26 can be attached to the female fastener 23 to form a loop with the loose end 24 permitting a ball marker (not shown) to be connected to the female fastener 25.
On the glove 10 is provided a double cuff closure mechanism. This comprises a first closure tab 30 hingedly connected to the glove (e.g. by sewing) along one side of the slit 5 at the position indicated by reference numeral 31. The first closure tab 30 is similar to that shown in
A second closure tab 34 is also hingedly connected to the glove at substantially the same position 31 as the first 30, alongside the slit 5. The second closure tab 34 comprises on the underside, towards the free end, one part of a Velcro mechanism. A corresponding other part 38 of the Velcro mechanism is sewn or adhered to the glove body around the spine or front of the glove body to allow the second closure tab 34 to be connected thereto. This allows the glove 10 to be further tightened around the wrist of the user in the direction generally opposite to that of the first closure tab 30. A consequence of this is that tightening of the cuff around the wrist is spread more evenly and deformation of the glove which may occur due to tightening in one direction is reduced or avoided. A portion 35 of the second closure tab 34 is made of an elasticated material which allows it to gather any excess material underneath as the glove 10 is being tightened.
The aforementioned strap 20 can be detachably secured to the glove 10 by means of one or more loops or eyelets. A first eyelet 40 is formed by sewing or adhering a strip of material to the glove body on the spine of the glove just below the little finger region. The strip of material is attached by its widthways ends to provide an aperture through which the strap 20 can be threaded. A second eyelet 42 is similarly formed by sewing or adhering a strip of material on the spine of the glove adjacent the cuff 4. The apertures of both eyelets 40, 42 are aligned along the spine. On the upper surface of the second eyelet 42 is fixed a stud fastener 44.
Referring to
Still referring to
The loop provides a means by which the user can insert their hand and hold the glove 10 so that it can hang freely, typically beneath the hand or wrist of the user when they are not playing a shot. Due to the strap 20 being at least partially elasticated, when the user inserts their hand into the loop, the strap will extend to some extent out of the glove 10 to allow the hand to go within the loop. When the hand is removed from the loop, the elasticated strap 20 will return to its original position and therefore not overly hang or dangle out of the glove which may otherwise be distracting to the user.
Referring to
The cuff pull 80 is arranged to be movable from a stowed or non-use position, as shown in
Referring particularly to
The cuff pull 80 further permits the glove 10 to be carried by a user to aid drying between shots. The cuff pull 80 can be looped around a belt or trouser ring and/or the female stud socket 84 can be connected to a different male stud (not shown) provided on a user's trousers, belt or golf cart so that the glove 10 can be carried in the in-use position also.
The cuff pull 80 shown in
A second embodiment will now be described with reference to
Although not shown in the drawings, the glove 10 can include a holder for holding one or more golf accessories, including for example one or more tee pegs. This holder can be provided on one of the closure tabs previously mentioned, for example the second closure tab 34. Alternatively, or additionally, there may be provided a holder for holding one or more golf accessories along the spine of the glove which covers the side of the hand adjacent the little finger. Alternatively, or additionally, the cuff pull 80 may be arranged to hold an accessory, for example a ball marker. This may be by means of an aperture provided in the material.
Although not shown in the drawings, a so-called ‘swing thought’ message can be printed or embroidered onto the strap 20 with the purpose of helping the user focus on their next shot. Preferably, the text of the message is carried by the part of the strap which is hidden beneath the mid-section of the covering closure tab (e.g. mid-section 94 in the second embodiment) and revealed only when the user's hand is inserted through the end loop due to the extension of the elastic. Alternatively, or additionally, the underside of the closure tabs 34, 90 for example the mid-section parts 35, 94 shown in
A third embodiment will now be described with reference to
The strap 160 is, as before, configured for connection to a glove 170 as shown in
A press snap fastener 178 is provided near the cuff. A single cuff pull loop 180 is provided on the cuff but alternatives, described later on, could be used.
An alternative way of attaching the strap 160 to the glove 170 is by way of threading the strap through first and second loops, holes or eyelets 182, 184 provided on the side body of the glove, as shown.
Referring to
A fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to
Referring back to
In the Figure, the elasticated strap 240 is shown on the outside of the glove 220. If on the inside, eyelets can be used on the spine and the tab which in the Figure covers the elasticated strap 240 will not be necessary.
In an alternative arrangement, the elasticated strap 240 could take the form of a score counter strap, as is known in the art, or connected as a half loop with a score counter strap or watch to form a complete loop.
A fifth embodiment will now be described with reference to
A separate attachment strap 236 is provided for, comprising a web of material with an elasticated hole into which one part of a further cuff-link type device 250′ can be inserted to give the attachment member more weight. At each end, elasticated cord button holes 234, 235 are provided to allow the cuff-link device 250 to pass through.
The button holes 234, 235 can be used to attach the attachment member 236 to clothing or equipment in a choker-like manner.
A sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to
The glove 260 again has an integral elongate strap 262 having a lower press snap fastener and an upper elasticated hole for receiving a cuff-link device 272 in a detachable manner. The cuff link device 272 can be received in a cuff-link housing 266 as previously described.
Generally speaking, the use of a cuff-link or similar toggle-button type device can be used independently of the elasticated strap, and even on conventional golf gloves. For example, the cuff-link or similar device can replace the ball marker that is detachably secured to the press-snap type fastener at or near the wrist cuff to allow the glove to be connected to clothing or equipment, for example using the short strap shown in
With regard to the cuff-link housing 192 shown in
Referring to
A further embodiment will now be described with reference to
Referring to
An extended tab of material 308 is provided near the cuff-portion of the glove 300 to allow the glove to be pulled tight over the wearer's hand and to help with removal.
As mentioned above, as an alternative to forming the chamber using a patch of material, a separate two-ply member can be provided.
Referring to
The strap 314 may be provided as a single piece of material or in more than one piece that can form the loop by mechanical fastening means such as press studs which connect together to form the strap and loop. The strap 314 may be detachable from the chamber and in use threaded through the eyelets by the user, for example to replace it.
A cuff pull can be applied to the cuff region of the glove 300 using any one of the embodiments described herein to aid pulling the glove onto the hand and also securing the strap 314 over the user's hand and wrist.
Cuff Pull Variations
Returning to the provision of a cuff pull mechanism as introduced above with regard to
The cuff pull, when provided as a loop of material, can also be used to hold the glove over a player's finger or wrist, in the manner shown in
The term elastic and elasticated has been used throughout and is intended to mean any flexible material that can be stretched by user action and which will return substantially to its original shape or position when no force is applied by a user.
In summary, the embodiments allow the glove to be held on the wrist of the golfer or their fingers in-between shots leaving their hands free to carry out other functions. Alternatively, the glove can be attached to items of a golfers clothing or equipment such as their trousers, golf bag, trolley or the inside of a open umbrella.
This provides a means of airing the glove which helps to prevent it from becoming either overly moist or overly dry. It also helps the glove to maintain its natural shape.
When the golfer wishes to remove their glove, it can be taken off and put on to their wrist in one continuous movement and vice versa allowing the glove to be readily available to the golfer at all times, thus saving them the inconvenience of having to search the pockets of their trousers.
The double Velcro tab closer helps to both conceal the elasticated band and hold it in place. The Velcro tab closer's elasticated section compensates for the excess stretching of the glove by grabbing the excess material. In the case of the double Velcro tab closer, it does this in two directions.
The cuff tab pull gives the golfer sufficient grip and leverage necessary to pull the glove tightly onto the hand in the direction of the wrist both before and after fastening and ensures the cuff of the glove is prevented from being stretched and pulled out of shape. It can also be used as a alternative means of holding the glove on the fingers of the hand and as an alternative means of attaching the glove to items of a golfer's clothing or equipment.
In addition to aiding natural drying of the glove, the fact that it is able to hang freely and not placed in the user's pocket between shots also means that advertising carried on the glove is visible for a greater period of time.
A holder for detachably holding a ball marker is also provided, which can be on the strap itself and/or on the cuff of the glove.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure and/or the appended claims.
Claims
1-45. (canceled)
46. A glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided for attachment to a hand or other accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn, wherein the strap is formed of a primary piece and a secondary piece, the primary piece being arranged to be secured or securable to the glove and the secondary piece being arranged to connect to the first piece.
47. A glove according to claim 46, wherein the secondary piece is arranged to detachably connect to the first piece.
48. A glove according to claim 46, wherein the secondary piece is arranged in use either to form a loop or to provide a means of attachment to another accessory.
49. A glove according to claim 47, wherein the primary piece comprises one or more Velcro™ patches which can connect to the secondary piece
50. A glove according to claim 47, wherein the primary piece comprises one or more snap-press fasteners which can connect to the secondary piece.
51. A glove according to claim 47, wherein the primary piece comprises one or more eyelets attached to which can be connected the secondary strap.
52. A glove according to claim 47, further comprising a ball marker, a means for detachably holding a tee peg or another accessory that can be connected to the secondary strap.
52. A glove according to claim 46, wherein the primary strap is integrally formed with the glove.
54. A glove according to claim 46, further comprising an elongate tab integrally formed with the glove at or near its cuff region and which extends away from the cuff region.
55. A glove according to claim 54, wherein the elongate tab is formed in general alignment with the spine of the glove.
56. A glove according to claim 54, wherein the elongate tab has attachment means thereon to allow the elongate tab to be connected in a toggle-type manner to clothing or another accessory.
57. A glove according to claim 56, wherein the attachment means on the elongate tab comprises a button/clip/cufflink for connection to clothing or another accessory in a toggle-type manner.
58. A glove according to claim 56, wherein the attachment means on the elongate tab comprises a male press stud fastener and a female press stud fastener so that the elongate tab can be formed into a loop.
59. A glove according to claim 57, wherein the button/clip/cufflink is detachable from the elongate tab.
60. A glove according to claim 46, further comprising a cuff pull part attached to, or provided in the region of, the glove's cuff.
61. A glove according to claim 60, wherein the cuff pull part is provided in the form of a tab, loop or pocket.
62. A glove according to claim 46, wherein only one of the primary and secondary strap pieces is elasticated.
63. A glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided for attachment to a hand or other accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn, further comprising an elongate tab integrally formed with the glove at or near its cuff region and which extends away from the cuff region.
64. A glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided for attachment to a hand or other accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn, further comprising a cuff pull part attached to, or provided in the region of, the glove's cuff.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 25, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2014
Inventor: Russell Moss (Redhill)
Application Number: 14/354,477
International Classification: A63B 71/14 (20060101);