HAND COVERINGS WITH DIRECTIONAL INDICATORS

Abstract

Hand coverings, such as a gloves or mittens include directional indicators, showing left and right hand directions, on the hand covering. The hand coverings may be equestrian gloves or mittens that have both directional indicators and rein placement markings and wear areas. The hand coverings of the present invention may provide education assistance for students with riding instructors, or continually with anyone who has issues with left-right confusion or dyslexia, whether a child or adult. The hand covering may include a heating element to help keep the hands warm, thereby providing a more enjoyable riding experience with better response with the use of the rider's hands.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/426,741, filed Dec. 23, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand coverings, such as gloves and mittens and, more particularly, to equestrian training and/or showing gloves with visual indicators depicting right (R) and left (L) as well as rein placement.

Left-right confusion is a difficulty some people have, especially in young children, in distinguishing the difference between left and right. According to research by John R. Clarke (Drexel University), left-right confusion afflicts about 15% of the adult population. These people can usually perform daily activities, such as driving according to signs and navigating according to a map, but will often take a wrong turn when told to turn left or right and may have difficulties performing actions that require precise understanding of directional commands.

The correct positioning of the horse's reins are a key element when learning to ride a horse. Many people are not sure of the proper placement of the reins.

As can be seen, there is a need for gloves or mittens that may mitigate left-right confusion. Moreover, there is a need for gloves or mittens that help with the correct positioning of the horse's reins when riding horses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a hand covering comprises a directional indicator disposed on an exterior surface of the hand covering, wherein the directional indicator is visible to a user when the hand covering is worn by the user.

In another aspect of the present invention, a hand covering comprises a directional indicator disposed on an exterior surface of the hand covering, wherein the directional indicator is visible to a user when the hand covering is worn by the user; a first set of rein placement markings disposed on an exterior surface of a ring finger portion and an exterior surface of a little finger portion; a second set of rein placement markings disposed on an exterior surface of a first finger portion and an exterior surface of a thumb portion; and a palmar grip area disposed on a palm portion of the hand covering.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective back-hand side view of a glove according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective palm side view of the glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective back-hand side view of a glove according to another embodiment of the present invention showing a stylized hand indicator;

FIG. 4 is a perspective back-hand side view of a glove according to another embodiment of the present invention showing a symbolized hand indicator;

FIG. 5 is a perspective back-hand side view of a glove according to another embodiment of the present invention showing a warming pocket;

FIG. 6 is a perspective back-hand side view of a mitten according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective palm side left hand glove according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective palm side right hand glove according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides hand coverings, such as a gloves or mittens that have directional indicators, showing left and right hand directions, on the hand covering. The hand coverings may be equestrian gloves or mittens that have both directional indicators and rein placement markings and wear areas. The hand coverings of the present invention may provide education assistance for students with riding instructors, or continually with anyone who has issues with left-right confusion or dyslexia, whether a child or adult. The hand covering may include a heating element to help keep the hands warm, thereby providing a more enjoyable riding experience with better response with the use of the rider's hands.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an equestrian glove 10 (also referred to as glove 10) may be manufactured from materials typically utilized when horseback riding, such as cotton, leather, knitted wool, synthetic suede, nylon, neoprene, cloth, latex, rubber or the like. The glove 10 may be generally a standard glove design, utilizing a material covering all five finger digits, but may alternatively have fewer digits and more closely resemble a mitten design, as described below.

A directional indicator 12 may be affixed to the glove 10. The directional indicator 12 may be disposed at the base of the thumb digit area on the back-hand side of the glove 10. The primary indicators may be an “L” or an “R”, referring to left and right hand gloves and directions. The directional indicators 12 may be of various fonts, sizes, colors, material, style or shape. For example, phosphorescent materials may be used for the directional indicators 12. The directional indicator 12 may be utilized, for example, for proper rein placement when riding a horse, with the knowledge that the letters “L” and “R” are significant visual cues for understanding which way is right and which way is left, when the rider looks down at their hands while riding a horse. The directional indicators 12 may be sewn by thread into the gloves or mittens, but may also be affixed by other means, such as thermosetting, hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, an adhesive, a snap device, an applique or by any other means or method.

A first set of rein placement markings 14 may be affixed to the gloves or mittens. The first set of rein placement markings 14 may be disposed between the little finger and the ring ringer of the left or right hand. In other words, the first set of rein placement markings 14 may highlight the left side portion of the digitus annularis (ring finger) and the right side portion of the digitus minimus manus (little finger) of the left hand of the glove or mitten and the right side portion of the digitus annularis and the left side portion of the digitus minimus manus of the right hand glove or mitten. This area may be specific to the proximal phalanges base area, above the knuckle and the metacarpal area, with slight overlap from the interior of the fingers to the top of the fingers, to allow for enhanced perspective of the rein placement area for the rider.

The first set of rein placement markings 14 may be formed in various sizes, shapes, colors, materials and styles. A phosphorescent material may be utilized for the first set of rein placement markings 14 to ensure the area markings are clearly visible to a rider during the early morning or late evening hours. One purpose of the first set of rein placement markings 14 is when a child or adult utilizes proper rein placement when riding a horse, the first set of rein placement markings 14 provides a significant visual cue for understanding proper rein placement when they look down at their hands while riding a horse.

The first set of rein placement markings 14 may be generally sewn by thread into the gloves or mittens, but may be affixed by other methods, such as thermosetting, hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, patches, adhesives, snap devices, appliques or the like. The first set of rein placement markings 14 may be the same or may be of a dissimilar material than the rest of the glove. Moreover, the first set of rein placement markings 14 may be formed from a thicker material to help protect the hands of the wearer and minimize wear and tear caused by rein friction from repeated contact with the glove.

A second set of rein placement markings 16 may be affixed to the gloves or mittens. The second set of rein placement markings 16 may highlight rein placement between the index finger of the right and left hands, and the thumb of the right and left hands. In other words, the second set of rein placement markings 16 highlights the right side portion of the digitus secundus manus (index finger) and the left side portion of the opposable thumb of the left hand of the glove or mitten; and the left side portion of the digitus secundus manus and right side portion of the opposing thumb of the right hand glove or mitten. This area is specific to the proximal phalanges base area of the index finger(s) and thumb(s), above the knuckle and the metacarpal area, with slight overlap from the interior of the finger and thumb, approximately 1 in width to the top of the finger and thumb, to allow for enhanced perspective of the rein placement area for the rider. The second set of rein placement markings 16 may further extend downward across the palm of the glove or mitten, specifically covering the metacarpal or palmar region, as described below with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The second set of rein placement markings 18 could be in any type, size, color, material, style or shape. The second set of rein placement markings 18 may include the utilization of phosphorescent materials. The second set of rein placement markings 18 may be used to show when a child or adult utilizes proper rein placement, that the highlighted indicator area provides a significant visual cue when they look down at their hands while riding a horse.

The second set of rein place markings 18 may generally be sewn by thread into the gloves or mittens, but may be affixed by various other methods, such as thermosetting, hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, patches, adhesives, snap devices, or appliques. This area may also be of the same or of a dissimilar material than the rest of the glove, and may also be a thicker material that helps protect the hands of the wearer and wear and tear caused by rein friction.

Referring to FIG. 3, a glove 20 may include a stylized directional indicator 22. The stylized directional indicator 22 may be, for example, the letter

“R” or “L” in various fonts or shapes, for example. Referring to FIG. 4, a glove 24 may include a symbolic directional indicator 26. The symbolic directional indicator 26 may include, for equestrian gloves, a horse head, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a glove 28 may include a pocket or pouch 30 located, for example, in the metacarpal area, specifically the dorsum area on top of the glove or mitten. The pocket or pouch 30 may include some type of flap that will allow for sealing shut the aperture opening of the pocket or pouch 30. The flap may be closed by, for example, a zipper, snap device, a hook and loop fastener, or some other closure mechanism. The pocket or pouch 30 may permit some type of heating element, such as readily available commercial products that create exothermic reactions utilizing iron powder, salt, water, an absorbent material and activated carbon, or a battery powered warming device, to be disposed therewithin. The warming device may permit the rider to extend their time on the horse and better focus on riding.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a mitten 32 may have similar features as described above. For example, the mitten 32 may include a first set of rein placement markings 38, disposed in a space between the user's little finger and ring finger. The mitten 32 may further include a second set of rein placement markings 34, disposed between the first finger and thumb. Further, the mitten 32 may include a directional indicator 36, as described above.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the glove 10 may include a palmer grip area 18 located on a palm side of the glove 10. The palmer grip area 18 may generally cover most of the palm region of the glove and can be a patch area of varying length and widths. This area may be of various colors, materials, textures, styles and designs.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a glove 40 may have a palmer grip area 42 that extends from and merges with a second set of rein placement markings between the thumb and first finger. Similar to the gloves described above, the glove 40 may further include a first set of rein placement markings 44 disposed between the ring finger and little finger. Further, the glove 40 may include a directional indicator (not shown), as described above.

While the above description describes equestrian gloves, some or all of the above described features may be utilized in other types and styles of gloves where directional indication may be important. For example, the gloves may be used by pilots or operators of moving vehicles. In further embodiments, the gloves of the present invention may be used wherever gloves are normally worn. For example, the gloves of the present invention may find use in sports, such as skiing, football, hockey, boxing and the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A hand covering comprising:

a directional indicator disposed on an exterior surface of the hand covering, wherein the directional indicator is visible to a user when the hand covering is worn by the user.

2. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising a first set of rein placement markings disposed on an exterior surface of a ring finger portion and an exterior surface of a little finger portion.

3. The hand covering of claim 2, wherein the first set of rein placement markings are disposed on a left side portion of the exterior surface of the ring finger portion and a right side portion of the exterior surface of the little finger portion of a left-hand hand covering, and the first set of rein placement markings are disposed on a right side portion of the exterior surface of the ring finger portion and a left side portion of the exterior surface of the little finger portion of a right-hand hand covering, when viewed from a palm-down position.

4. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising a second set of rein placement markings disposed on an exterior surface of a first finger portion and an exterior surface of a thumb portion.

5. The hand covering of claim 4, wherein the second set of rein placement markings are disposed on a left side portion of the exterior surface of the thumb portion and a right side portion of the exterior surface of the first finger portion of a left-hand hand covering, and the second set of rein placement markings are disposed on a right side portion of the exterior surface of the thumb portion and a left side portion of the exterior surface of the first finger portion of a right-hand hand covering, when viewed from a palm down position.

6. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising a pouch or pocket disposed in a metacarpal area of the hand covering, the pouch or pocket adapted to hold a heating element.

7. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the hand covering is a glove.

8. The hand covering of claim 1, wherein the hand covering is a mitten.

9. The hand covering of claim 1, further comprising a palmar grip area disposed on a palm portion of the hand covering.

10. A hand covering comprising:

a directional indicator disposed on an exterior surface of the hand covering, wherein the directional indicator is visible to a user when the hand covering is worn by the user;

a first set of rein placement markings disposed on an exterior surface of a ring finger portion and an exterior surface of a little finger portion;

a second set of rein placement markings disposed on an exterior surface of a first finger portion and an exterior surface of a thumb portion; and

a palmar grip area disposed on a palm portion of the hand covering.