Cycling glove

Abstract

A cycling glove having a number of pads on the palmar surface, two of the pads forming a groove approximately over and protecting the carpal tunnel nerve. The glove also has a fast release mechanism for removing the glove from the hand.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/755,905, filed Jan. 3, 2006, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a cycling glove, and in particular to a cycling glove with a fast release. The glove has particular application in situations where time is of the essence to remove hand protection, such as cycling patrols (police, fire, and emergency rescue workers) and in sports such as triathlons.

There is also a need for a cycling glove that reduces impact on the carpal tunnel nerve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cycling glove with a fast release.

A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that it can be removed quickly and easily from the hand in situations where time is of the essence to remove hand protection.

Another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that the glove also has a groove over the carpal tunnel nerve that reduces road shock and hand numbness even over long rides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of the palmar surface of the glove of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the dorsal surface of the glove of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dorsal surface of the glove of the present invention, illustrating the use of a finger of the opposite hand to open the glove.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, with the glove opened.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the palmar surface of the glove of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is generally shown in the Figures as reference numeral 10.

FIG. 1 is a palm side view of a first embodiment of a left-hand cycling glove 10 in accordance with the invention.

More specifically, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the side of glove 10 that is adapted to engage the handlebar of a bicycle. While cycling glove 10 is shown as having short fingers, the invention also finds utility in long finger gloves, including gloves that are constructed and arranged for use in winter temperatures.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the palm of glove 10 includes a plurality of pads that are each constructed and arranged in accordance with this invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first pad 12, the thumb pad, extends approximately from the wrist to the base of the thumb and is somewhat in the shape of a balloon. The second pad 16, is essentially parallel to and spaced apart from the first pad 12.

In the first embodiment, a third pad 14 extends across the palm at the base of the fingers.

FIG. 5 shows a palmar view of a second embodiment of the cycling glove 10. In the second embodiment, the third pad 14 is not present.

In both embodiments, the cycling glove 10 further comprises a carpal tunnel groove 15 between the first pad 12 and the second pad 16. This groove lies approximately over the carpal tunnel nerve and protects this nerve from road shock and hand numbness even over long rides.

FIG. 2 shows the dorsal or back surface 18 of the glove 10. Four finger sheaths 20, 22, 24, and 26 enclose the fingers from the back of the hand until approximately the middle of the first phalanx of each finger. The sheaths 20, 22, 24, 26 can be made of any flexible material but are preferably made from a flexible, stretchable material such as nylon or rayon.

The thumb is enclosed in a thumb sheath 30 extending approximately from the wrist to cover the first phalanx of the thumb and preferably over the part of the second phalanx of the thumb. Preferably, the thumb sheath 30 is made of a soft, absorbent material.

An opening 36 is formed in the dorsal surface of the glove to receive the hand. A portion of Velcro hook material 38 is attached to the back surface 18, suitably by stitching or by adhesive, along one margin 40 of the opening 36. A flap 44 closes the opening 36. A portion of Velcro loop material 42 is attached to the flap 44, suitably by stitching. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill that the locations of the hook material 38 and loop material 42 may be reversed.

The flap 44 may be quickly closed over the hand by bringing the Velcro loop portion 42 into engagement with the Velcro hook portion 38. Conversely, the flap may be quickly opened by pulling the Velcro loop portion 42 away from the hook portion 38. To expedite this operation, an aperture 46 may be constructed in the Velcro loop portion 42 into which a finger of the opposite hand may be inserted, as illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the glove after it has been opened.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A cycling glove comprising a fast release mechanism on the glove's dorsal surface, the dorsal surface further comprising an opening adapted to receive one hand of the wearer and a flap closing the opening about the hand, the fast release mechanism further comprising mating hook and loop material about the opening and about the flap, the flap further comprising an aperture therethrough adapted to be gripped by a finger of the opposite hand to ensure rapid opening of the flap.

2. The cycling glove of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pads on the palmar surface.

3. The cycling glove of claim 2, further comprising a first pad extending approximately from the wrist to the base of the thumb.

4. The cycling glove of claim 3, further comprising a second pad substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first pad, the first pad and second pad enclosing a groove therebetween.

5. The cycling glove of claim 4, wherein the groove is adapted to lie approximately over the carpal tunnel nerve in the hand.

6. The cycling glove of claim 4, further comprising a third pad extending across the palm at the base of the fingers.

7. The cycling glove of claim 1, further comprising four finger sheaths adapted to enclose the fingers from the back of the hand until approximately the first phalanx of each finger.

8. The cycling glove of claim 7, further comprising a thumb sheath adapted to enclose the thumb and extending approximately from the wrist to cover the first phalanx of the thumb.

9. The cycling glove of claim 8, wherein the thumb sheath extends to cover part of the second phalanx of the thumb.

10. A cycling glove having a palmar surface and a dorsal surface, the palmar surface further comprising a first pad extending approximately from the wrist to the base of the thumb, a second pad substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first pad, the first pad and second pad enclosing a groove therebetween, wherein the groove is adapted to lie approximately over the carpal tunnel nerve in the hand, and a fast release mechanism on the glove's dorsal surface, the dorsal surface further comprising an opening adapted to receive one hand of the wearer and a flap closing the opening about the hand, the fast release mechanism further comprising mating hook and loop material about the opening and about the flap, the flap further comprising an aperture therethrough adapted to be gripped by a finger of the opposite hand to ensure rapid opening of the flap.

11. The cycling glove of claim 10, further comprising a third pad extending across the palm at the base of the fingers.

12. The cycling glove of claim 10, further comprising four finger sheaths adapted to enclose the fingers from the back of the hand until approximately the first phalanx of each finger.

13. The cycling glove of claim 12, further comprising a thumb sheath adapted to enclose the thumb and extending approximately from the wrist to cover the first phalanx of the thumb.

14. The cycling glove of claim 13, wherein the thumb sheath extends to cover part of the second phalanx of the thumb.

15. A cycling glove having a palmar surface and a dorsal surface, the palmar surface further comprising a first pad extending approximately from the wrist to the base of the thumb, a second pad substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first pad, the first pad and second pad enclosing a groove therebetween, wherein the groove is adapted to lie approximately over the carpal tunnel nerve in the hand, a third pad extending across the palm at the base of the fingers, and a fast release mechanism on the glove's dorsal surface, the dorsal surface further comprising an opening adapted to receive one hand of the wearer and a flap closing the opening about the hand, the fast release mechanism further comprising mating hook and loop material about the opening and about the flap, the flap further comprising an aperture therethrough adapted to be gripped by a finger of the opposite hand to ensure rapid opening of the flap.

16. The cycling glove of claim 15, further comprising four finger sheaths adapted to enclose the fingers from the back of the hand until approximately the first phalanx of each finger.

17. The cycling glove of claim 16, further comprising a thumb sheath adapted to enclose the thumb and extending approximately from the wrist to cover the first phalanx of the thumb.

18. The cycling glove of claim 17, wherein the thumb sheath extends to cover part of the second phalanx of the thumb.