GLOVE FEATURING AN ENHANCED TEXTURIZED INNER SURFACE

Abstract

Various embodiments of this invention relate to gloves that provide an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand through a plurality of projections on the inner surface of the glove. The invention discloses an improved glove for gripping objects because the movement of the hand within the glove is minimized by the application of the plurality of projections to the inner glove.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

Various embodiments of this invention relate, generally, to gloves; more particularly, to gloves that feature a texturized inner surface for enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand.

BACKGROUND

The art of glove design has employed texturized surfaces on the outer surface of gloves in order to increase the friction grip with objects coming into contact with the outer surface of the gloves. In applications where gloves are used to carry or tightly hold onto objects, a firm grip by the outer surface of the gloves is highly desirable. Gloves featuring texturized surfaces on the outer surface of the glove are useful, for example, for package handlers, where a good grip on the object is essential to the work because the handler must securely hold onto the package. Also, in sports, such as golf and motorcycle riding, a texturized outer surface of the glove enhances the wearer's ability to securely hold onto objects used in the sport. Thus, texturized outer surfaces are extensively used in glove design in order to enhance the glove's grip on objects that come into contact with the glove.

Gloves, despite the good grip on objects, however, slide against the wearer's hand and compromise the hand's grip on the object. While texturized surfaces have enhanced the glove's ability to make a strong friction grip on objects, very few enhancements have been make to improve the glove's friction grip on the inside of the glove, where it comes into contact with the hand of the wearer. In the common method known in the art, gloves are constructed from tightly tailored elastic materials in order to improve the glove's grip on the wearer's hand. Also, the gloves may feature one or more straps to tighten them to the hand. However, neither of these methods perfectly ensures that the hand does not slide within the glove.

As a result, in some instances, gloves featuring a texturized exterior surface may experience a stronger friction grip on the objects they hold onto than with the wearer's hand. In these instances, the hand will slide along the inner surface of the glove. This problem is exacerbated when the inner glove surface becomes moist from perspiration, for example, when the glove is worn for a long period of time. Ultimately, these effects have the undesirable effect of decreasing the wearer's grip on objects that the glove contacts because the hand's grip to the inside of the glove is compromised.

While texturized inner glove services have been employed for some time, none has been developed for countering the problem discussed above. U.S. Pat. No. 723,348 to Wilkens, for example, discloses a glove that is lined with a perforated fabric in order to confine air in the spaces adjacent to the hand and, thereby, increase the warmth of the glove.

Another texturized glove is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,033 to DeLeo. DeLeo's patent discloses a thin elastic rubber glove that features ribs on the outer portion of the glove, corresponding to depressions on the inner glove. The ribs allow the user to quickly identify the thumb and pinky fingers of the glove, in order that the user may quickly orient the glove for wearing.

Another such texturized inner glove surface is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,266 to Han. Han's patent discloses a glove that is made with a thin latex or rubber material, whose inner layer features projections or granules that reduce the contact surface between the glove and the wearer's hand. Han's glove, thus, improves upon common latex gloves by creating minute air pockets at the inner glove that are directed towards increasing the glove's comfort for the wearer.

Another glove featuring a texturized inner surface is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,395 to Lei. Lei's patent discloses a glove whose texturized inner surface is designed to heighten the sense of touch and feel of the glove. The glove achieves increased touch and feel through stimulation to the sensory neurons of the hand by the raised texture at each pressure point where contact is made.

While certain other patents have been directed towards texturizing the inner surface of gloves, such as surgical gloves, none of these patents are directed towards work gloves. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,069,965; 5,620,663; and 6,345,394 to Esemplare, Nash, and Nakamura et al., respectively, disclose systems and methods for texturizing the surfaces of rubber gloves through chemical coatings and preparations. These systems and methods, however, are not applicable to work gloves, which are conventionally manufactured from cloth, leather, vinyl, or other relatively robust materials.

While the above patents disclose means for texturizing the inner surface of a glove, none discloses means for improving the glove's grip to the wearer's hand. Such an enhanced grip is highly desirable because, by improving the glove's grip to the hand, the hand's grip to objects is also improved. In order to address this and other issues, there remains a long felt need in the art for a glove that features a texturized inner surface that improves the glove's grip to the wearer's hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards overcoming the above shortcomings by disclosing a glove design that improves the glove's friction grip with the wearer's hand through a plurality of projections that create a texturized inner surface of the glove. Unlike many conventional gloves, which only feature texturized surfaces on the outer surface of the glove, various embodiments of the invention further feature textured surfaces on the inner surface of the glove. Thus, various embodiments of the invention minimize the hand's ability to slide within the glove. In this manner, the invention improves upon related-art gloves by improving the glove's friction grip to the wearer's hand and, thereby, improving the hand's grip to objects.

A glove with an effective grip is highly desirable in gloves such as work gloves, sports gloves, medical gloves, and other such glove types. In the area of work gloves, for example, gloves are often worn by package handlers in order to improve the wearer's grip on the package and to reduce fatigue in the hand. The enhanced grip between the glove and the wearer's hand, achieved by the invention, improves upon conventional gloves by improving the hand's grip on the package. Similarly, in sports such as golf, a firm grip is often desirable. The invention allows for improved grip, for example, to a golf club, by improving the hand's friction grip to the glove itself. The improvements allowed by the invention, however, are not limited to these examples and may be used with many of the various glove types known in the art.

The plurality of projections, forming a texturized surface on glove's inner surface, may be achieved by any of the various means known in the art for texturizing gloves and other garments. In various embodiments of the invention, the texture is achieved through the addition of raised, silicone projections in certain areas, such as the fingers of the glove. Various other materials, such as plastics, rubbers, and leathers may also be used to construct the projections and texturized sections of the glove. The texturized pattern may be placed only in specific areas, such as the fingers, on the palm, or over the entire inner surface of the glove. The textured area creates a tread that improves the hand's friction grip to the glove.

The glove's textured pattern may comprise any of the various shapes known in the art for such patterns. In one embodiment of the invention, the projections comprise a series of ovals that cover the finger and thumb portions of the inner glove. Various textured patterns of projections are known within the art and remain within the contemplation of the invention.

Also, multiple patterns may be used within a single glove in order to enhance grip at different sections of the hand in varying ways. For example, in various embodiments of the invention, the glove features a first and second texturized area, each bearing a different texturized pattern. These areas may be located, for example, over the finger and palm sections of the glove, respectively.

It remains within the contemplation of the invention to be used with varying types of gloves and gloves constructed of varying materials. Various specific embodiments are not specifically disclosed but remain within the contemplation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an illustration from a top view of the outer surface of the glove in one particular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is an illustration from a bottom view of the outer surface of the glove in one particular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration from a top view of the inner surface of the glove in one particular embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, one or more embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and/or components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of embodiments of the invention.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, the reference or non-reference to a particular embodiment of the invention shall not be interpreted to limit the scope the invention. Various embodiments of the invention remain useable in tandem or combination of one another.

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. For instance, “glove” refers to any of various coverings for the hand designed to provide protection and/or improve the grip; “clothlike material” refers to any vinyl, canvas, fabric, plastic, rubber, leather, knit, fiber, or polymer-based material, or other material commonly used in glove construction; and “silicone” refers to any silicone, rubber, leather, fabric, fiberglass fabric, knit, fibers or polymers, and any other such materials known in the art to improve friction on gloves and other garments.

FIG. 1A is an illustration from a top view of the outer surface of the glove in one particular embodiment of the invention. A glove 100 is shown that features many of the conventional means for improving grip to the wearer's hand such as tightly tailored finger sections 105, elastic construction, and an adjustable cuff strap 110. The glove also features some of the conventional means for improving the grip between the glove and other objects such as silicone thumb pads 115 and a textured silicone pattern 120 along the palm of the outer glove.

FIG. 1B is an illustration from a bottom view of the outer surface of the glove in one particular embodiment of the invention. A glove 100 is shown that features many of the conventional means for improving grip to the wearer's hand such as tightly tailored finger sections, elastic construction, and an adjustable cuff strap 110. The glove also features some of the conventional means for improving the grip between the glove and other objects such as silicone finger pads 115 and a textured silicone pattern 120 along the palm of the outer glove.

FIG. 2 is an illustration from a top view of the inner surface of a glove in one particular embodiment of the invention. A glove 200 is shown with the improvements that improve the glove's grip to the wearer's hand, including a textured silicone section at the inner thumb area 215 of the glove and textured silicone sections at the inner finger areas 220 of the glove.

Claims

1. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand, comprising:

an outer surface and an inner surface,

said inner surface being comprised of one or more generally clothlike materials and featuring a plurality of projections on said inner surface,

said plurality of projections being configured to increase the friction between said inner surface and the wearer's hand such that the glove provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand, wherein the plurality of projections comprises oval rings.

2. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of projections is configured to form a texturized pattern that provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand.

3. (canceled)

4. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 2, wherein said texturized pattern appears only on the fingers of said inner surface of the glove.

5. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a different material than the one or more generally clothlike materials used in constructing the inner surface.

6. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: silicone, plastic, rubber, vinyl, leather, fabric, fiberglass fabric, knit fibers, or polymer-based materials.

7. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand, comprising:

a generally clothlike material, said generally clothlike material having an outer surface and an inner surface,

said inner surface being comprised of one or more generally clothlike materials and featuring a plurality of projections on said inner surface,

said plurality of projections being configured to increase the friction between said inner surface and the wearer's hand such that the glove provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand, and

said plurality of projections being configured to form one or more texturized patterns comprising a series of oval rings that provide enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand;

wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a different material than the one or more generally clothlike materials used in constructing the inner surface.

8. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 7, wherein a first texturized pattern is located, generally on the fingers of said inner surface and a second texturized pattern is located, generally, on the palm of said inner surface.

9. (canceled)

10. A glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: silicone, plastic, rubber, vinyl, leather, fabric, fiberglass fabric, knit fibers, or polymer-based materials.

11. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand, comprising:

applying a plurality of projections on to the inner surface of generally clothlike material having an outer surface and an inner surface and that is used to construct said glove,

said plurality of projections being configured to increase the friction between said inner surface and the wearer's hand such that the glove provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand, wherein the plurality of projections comprises oval rings.

12. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of projections is configured to form a texturized pattern that provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand.

13. (canceled)

14. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 12, wherein said texturized pattern appears only on the fingers of said inner surface of the glove.

15. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a different material than the one or more generally clothlike materials used in constructing the inner surface.

16. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: silicone, plastic, rubber, vinyl, leather, fabric, fiberglass fabric, knit fibers, or polymer-based materials.

17. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand, comprising:

applying a plurality of projections on to the inner surface of generally clothlike material having an outer surface and an inner surface and that is used to construct said glove,

said plurality of projections being configured to increase the friction between said inner surface and the wearer's hand such that the glove provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand, wherein the plurality of projections comprises oval rings;

wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a different material than the one or more generally clothlike materials used in constructing the inner surface.

18. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of projections is configured to form a texturized pattern that provides enhanced friction grip between said glove and the wearer's hand.

19. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 18, wherein said texturized pattern appears only on the fingers of said inner surface of the glove.

20. A method for producing a glove that provides an enhanced friction grip between the glove and the wearer's hand according to claim 17, wherein said plurality of projections are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: silicone, plastic, rubber, vinyl, leather, fabric, fiberglass fabric, knit fibers, or polymer-based materials.