GOLF GLOVE WITH CLEANING MEMBERS
A golf glove employing a cleaning member includes a palm portion and an opposing back portion. The cleaning member may be fixedly or detachably connected to the back portion of the glove. A flap member attached to the back portion of the glove is positionable between a closed position, in which the flap member overlays at least a portion of the cleaning member, and an open position in which the flap member is displaced from the back portion of the glove to provide access to the cleaning member.
It is common for golf equipment, including golf balls and clubs, to accumulate dirt and debris during use. Accumulated dirt and debris may adversely affect the performance of the equipment. This may be avoided by cleaning the equipment at various times during a round of golf. A towel may be used to remove the accumulated dirt and debris from the equipment. To provide convenient access, the towel may be attached to the user's golf bag or some other conveniently accessible location, such as a golf cart. While this may make the towel accessible for cleaning a golf club after a golf shot, it may not be particularly convenient in instances where it may be desirable to clean a golf ball that is in play on a green. In that situation the golfer must remember to remove the towel from the bag or cart and carry it with them to the green. As can be expected, that does not always occur, causing the golfer to return to their bag to retrieve the towel or use other means to clean the ball, including rubbing the ball on the ground or the golfers clothing, neither of which may be particularly effective or desirable.
The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which:
With reference to
The glove 10 may further include a palm portion 28 and an opposing back portion 30 that connects to the palm portion 28. The back portion 30 extends along a back of a user's hand when worn. The back portion 30 may include a slit 32 that separates a first back section 34 from a second back section 36. For purposes of discussion, the slit 32 is illustrated positioned near an edge of the back portion 30, but may also be positioned at other locations on the glove 10. The slit 32 enables a hand opening 38 of the glove 10 to be enlarged to allow a user's hand to more easily be inserted into the glove.
With continued reference to
The releasable fastener 46 may have any of a variety of configurations, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. Other configurations of releasable connectors may also be employed. An example of a releasable fastener configuration may include a hook-and-loop fastener having a loop portion and hook portion that cooperatively engages the loop portion and which enables the two fastener portions to be repeatedly connected and disconnected from one another. When utilizing a hook-and-loop type fastener, the first fastener member 48 may include the loop portion of the fastener and the second fastener member 50 may include the hook portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions may alternatively be reversed, such that the first fastener member 48 includes the hook portion and the second fastener member 50 includes the loop portion. An advantage of a hook-and-loop style fastener is it enables the flap member 40 to be attached to the second back section 36 of the glove in various positions, thereby providing the user greater control over the “fit” of the glove.
With the flap member 40 detached from the back portion 30 of the glove (i.e., in an open position), for example, as shown in
Continuing to refer to
The first fastener member 48 may be positioned along the interior surface 44 of the flap member 40 so as to generally coincide with the second fastener member 50 when connecting the flap member 40 to the second back section 36 of the glove 10. Although the first fastener member 48 is illustrated as a continuous strip extending along a perimeter 53 of the flap member 40, the first fastener member 48 may alternatively be configured to extend over a larger portion of the interior surface 44 of the flap member 40, and may cover the entire interior surface. Rather than being configured as one continuous uninterrupted strip, the first fastener member 48 may also include multiple discrete fastener members arranged along the interior surface 44 of the flap member 40 at locations appropriate for engaging second fastener member 50 when attaching the flap member 40 to the second back section 36 of the glove 10.
The cleaning member 12 may include various elements depending, at least in part, on the design and performance requirements of a particular application. For example, with particular reference to
The cleaning member 12 may also include a liquid barrier 56 positioned between the liquid retaining member 54 and the second back section 36 of the glove 10. The liquid barrier 56 provides a barrier to generally prevent liquid from passing between the liquid retaining member 54 and the back portion 30 of the glove 10. The liquid barrier 56 may be sized to generally conform to the shape of the liquid retaining layer 54, such that an outer perimeter 58 of the liquid barrier 56 generally corresponds to an outer perimeter 59 of the liquid retaining member 54. Alternatively, the liquid barrier 56 may be sized larger than the liquid retaining member 54.
To enhance the cleaning capability of the cleaning member 12, a scrubbing member 60 may be positioned adjacent the liquid retaining member 54 along a side opposite the back portion 30 of the glove 10. The scrubbing member 60 may have a generally porous configuration to allow liquid to pass through the scrubbing member. The scrubbing member 60 may have various configurations, which may include, for example, generally upstanding bristles arranged to form a brush or multiple strands woven together to form a pad. The scrubbing member 60 may be constructed from any of a variety of materials that are generally resistant to wear and tear that the cleaning member may encounter. Although illustrated as having the same general size as the liquid retaining member 54, in practice the scrubbing member 60 may also be sized larger or smaller than the liquid retaining member 54.
It is not necessary that the cleaning member 12 include each of the retaining member 54, liquid barrier 56 and scrubbing member 60, and may include fewer than all three components. The cleaning member 12 may also include additional components.
With particular reference to
With reference to
For example, the cleaning member 64 may include the liquid retaining member 54 positioned between the liquid barrier 56 and the scrubbing member 60. It is not necessary that the cleaning member 64 include each of the retaining member 54, liquid barrier 56 and scrubbing member 60, and may include fewer or more than all three components. The liquid retaining member 54, liquid barrier 56 and scrubbing member 60 may be configured as previously described.
The cleaning member fastener 66 may be configured similar to releasable fastener 46 used to releasably connect the flap member 40 to the second back section 36 of the glove 10 (see
The cleaning member fastener 66 may include a first cleaning member fastener 68 that cooperatively engages the second fastener member 50 attached to the second back section 36 of the glove 10, and a second cleaning member fastener 70 that cooperatively engages the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40. The first cleaning member fastener 68 may include the loop portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener 70 may include the hook portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions of the cleaning member fastener 66 may alternatively be reversed, such that the first cleaning member fastener 68 includes the hook portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener 70 includes the loop portion. In this latter configuration, the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40 will include the hook portion of the hook-and-loop connector and the second fastener member 50 attached the second back section 36 of the glove 10 will include the loop portion.
The first cleaning member fastener 68 may at least partially extend under the cleaning member 64 and may be attached to a backside 74 of the cleaning member 64. The first cleaning member fastener 68 cooperatively engages the second fastener member 50 attached to the second back section 36 of the glove 10. The second cleaning member fastener 70 may extend beyond an outer perimeter 72 of the cleaning member 64 to enable to the second cleaning member fastener 70 to releasably connect to the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40 when attaching the flap member to the second back section 36 of the glove 10.
The cleaning member 64 may be selectively detached from the back portion 30 of the glove 10 by pulling the cleaning member 64 away from the back portion 30 to disengage the first cleaning member fastener 68 from the second fastener member 50 attached to the second back section 36 of the glove 10. Similarly, the flap member 40 may be selectively detached from the cleaning member 64 by pulling the flap member 40 away from the cleaning member 64 to disengage the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40 from the second cleaning member fastener 70.
With reference to
With continued reference to
It is not necessary that the cleaning member 76 include each of the liquid retaining member 54, liquid barrier 56 and scrubbing member 60, and may include fewer than all three components. The cleaning member 76 may also include additional components. The liquid retaining member 54, liquid barrier 56 and scrubbing member 60 may be configured as previously described.
The cleaning member 76 may include a releasable cleaning member fastener 82 for attaching the cleaning member 76 to the second back section 36 of the glove 10. The cleaning member fastener 82 may be attached to an outer perimeter 84 of the cleaning member 76. The releasable cleaning member fastener 82 may include any of a variety of configurations, including but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. Other configurations of releasable connectors may also be employed. For purposes of discussion, the illustrated exemplary configuration utilizes a hook-and-loop style connector for releasably connecting the cleaning member 76 to the second back section 36 of the glove 10.
The cleaning member fastener 82 may include a first cleaning member fastener 86 that cooperatively engages the second fastener member 50 attached to the second back section 36 of the glove 10, and a second cleaning member fastener 88 that cooperatively engages the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40. The first cleaning member fastener 86 may include the loop portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener 88 may include the hook portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions of the cleaning member fastener 82 may alternatively be reversed, such that the first cleaning member fastener 86 includes the hook portion of the connector and the second cleaning member fastener 88 includes the loop portion. In this latter configuration, the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40 will include the hook portion of the hook-and-loop connector and the second fastener member 50 attached the second back section 36 of the glove 10 will include the loop portion.
The cleaning member 76 may be selectively detached from the back portion 30 of the glove 10 by pulling the cleaning member 76 away from the back portion 30 to disengage the first cleaning member fastener 86 from the second fastener member 50 attached to the second back section 36. Similarly, the flap member 40 may be selectively detached from the cleaning member 76 by pulling the flap member 40 away from the cleaning member 76 to disengage the first fastener member 48 attached to the flap member 40 from the second cleaning member fastener 88.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The extendable drying member 96 may include a first portion 98 and a second portion 100 extending from the first portion 98. The first and second portions 98 and 100 may be configured as a single uninterrupted component, or as separate members interconnected, for example, along a common edge 102. The first and second portions 98 and 100 of the extendable drying member 96 may be similarly configured as drying members 78, 90, 92 and 94.
To provide compact storage when not in use, the second portion 100 of the extendable drying member 96 may be folded onto the first portion 98 in overlaying fashion, for example, as illustrated in
The extendable drying member fastener 104 may include a first drying member fastener 106 positioned adjacent the first portion 90 of the extendable drying member 96 and a second drying member fastener 108 positioned adjacent the second portion 100. One or more of the first and second drying member fasteners 106 and 108 may be attached to the interior surface 44 of the flap member 40. The first drying member fastener 106 may releasably engage the second drying member fastener 108. The first drying member fastener 106 may include the hook portion of the connector and the second drying member fastener 108 may include the loop portion. The arrangement of the hook and loop portions of the fastener may alternatively be reversed, such that the first drying member fastener 106 includes the loop portion of the connector and the second drying member fastener 108 includes the hook portion.
With particular reference to
The flap member 40 may be releasably attached to the second back section 36 of the glove 10 in a similar manner as previously described, depending in part on the configuration of the cleaning member being employed. Various releasable fasteners may be used to connect the flap member 40 to the second back section 36, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, hooks, and magnets, to name a few. For example, when employing cleaning member 12, which may be fixedly attached to the second back section 36 of the glove 10, a connector similar to releasable fastener 46 (see
In the exemplary configuration illustrated in
While recited characteristics and conditions of the invention have been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
Claims
1. A glove comprising:
- a palm portion and an opposing back portion;
- a cleaning member attached to the back portion of the glove; and
- a selectively detachable flap member attached to the back portion of the glove, the flap member positionable between a closed position in which the flap member overlays at least a portion of the cleaning member, and an open position in which the flap member is displaced from the back portion of the glove to provide access to the cleaning member.
2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member includes a liquid retaining member.
3. The glove of claim 2, wherein the cleaning member further includes a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid retaining member and the back portion of the glove.
4. The glove of claim 3 further comprising a second liquid barrier attached to an interior surface of the flap member, wherein the second liquid barrier overlays at least a portion of the liquid retaining member.
5. The glove of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member comprises:
- a scrubbing member; and
- a liquid retaining member positioned between the scrubbing member and the back portion of the glove.
6. The glove of claim 5 further comprising a liquid barrier positioned between the liquid retaining member and the back portion of the glove.
7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is selectively detachable from the back portion of the glove.
8. The glove of claim 7, wherein the cleaning member comprises:
- a liquid retaining member; and
- a drying member positioned adjacent the liquid retaining member; and
- a substantially liquid impermeable member positioned between the liquid retaining member and the drying member.
9. The glove of claim 8, wherein the cleaning member further comprises a scrubbing member, the liquid retaining member positioned between the scrubbing member and the liquid impermeable member.
10. The glove of claim 1, wherein the cleaning member comprises a drying member attached to an interior surface of the flap member.
11. The glove of claim 10, wherein the drying member includes at least a first portion and a second portion selectively positionable adjacent the first portion in overlaying fashion when the flap member is arranged in the closed position.
12. The glove of claim 11, wherein cleaning member further comprises a liquid retaining member attached to the back portion of the glove, the second portion positioned between the first portion and the liquid retaining member when the flap member is arranged in the closed position.
13. The glove of claim 11, wherein the second portion is at least partially displaceable from the first portion when the flap member is arranged in the open position.
14. The glove of claim 1 further comprising a liquid retaining member attached to an exterior surface of the flap member.
15. The glove of claim 1 further comprising a drying member attached to the back portion of the glove.
16. A cleaning member configured for selective attachment to a glove having a palm portion and an opposing back portion, the cleaning member comprising:
- a liquid retaining member; and
- a fastener attached to liquid retaining member and engageable with a corresponding fastener on the glove.
17. The cleaning member of claim 16 further comprising a scrubbing member positioned adjacent the liquid retaining member.
18. The cleaning member of claim 16 further comprising a liquid barrier positioned adjacent the liquid retaining member, the scrubbing member and the liquid barrier positioned on opposing sides of the liquid retaining member.
19. The glove of claim 18, wherein the cleaning member further comprises a drying member positioned adjacent the liquid barrier, the liquid retaining member and the drying member positioned on opposite sides of the liquid barrier.
20. The glove of claim 16, wherein the fastener is engageable with a corresponding fastener attached to the back portion of the glove and a corresponding fastener attached to a flap member of the glove.
21. The glove of claim 20, wherein the fastener extends beyond an outer perimeter of the liquid retaining member.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2013
Publication Date: Mar 26, 2015
Inventors: Matthew Nicholas Wiseman (Farmington Hills, MI), Staci Lynn Hayman (Farmington Hills, MI)
Application Number: 14/037,524
International Classification: A63B 71/14 (20060101); A63B 57/00 (20060101); A41D 19/00 (20060101);