DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE VISIBILITY OF HAND SIGNALS

Abstract

A device for covering a portion of a finger of a hand is provided. A pad that is sized and shaped to be positioned on a fingernail of the finger is releasably affixable to the fingernail. An adhesive applied to the lower surface of the pad has sufficient strength to keep the pad affixed to the fingernail when the pad is applied to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail. The upper surface of the pad is reflective such that the visibility of hand signals given while the pad is affixed to the fingernail is improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not affixed to the finger nail.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application the claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/491,848 titled HAND SIGNAL ENHANCING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND PROCESS, filed on May 31, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

In situations where audible communication is not feasible or not desirable, hand signals may be used to exchange information. In the game of baseball, for example, it is common for catchers at home plate to call the game by using hand signals to communicate proposed pitches and plays to the pitcher at the pitching mound. In order to shield these hand signals from the opposing team, catchers typically position their hands between their legs while calling the game.

Due to the distance between home plate and the pitching mound, however, pitchers may have difficulty seeing the finger positions and finger motions of the catcher. Additionally, the visibility of hand signals from the catcher may be further obscured by shadows caused by, for example, large stadium venues and artificial lighting during night games.

Various approaches have been attempted to improve the visibility of hand signals from the catcher. Some catchers, for example, have attempted to improve the visibility of their hand signals by wrapping tape around their fingers. Taped fingers, however, can interfere with throwing the ball and other types of ball handling due to the tape being positioned on both the upper and under side of the fingers. Other catchers, as another example, have attempted to improve the visibility of their hand signals by painting correction fluid (e.g., Wite-Out®, Liquid Paper®, etc.) onto their fingernails. Painted fingernails, however, take time and effort to prepare and clean. Cleaning painted fingernails may require time-consuming scraping or a heavy-duty dissolvent. Other finger accessories such as cosmetic fingernail decals or general purpose stickers may be insufficiently durable to withstand intense athletic activity. Moisture (e.g., water, sweat, etc.) can cause decals and stickers to deteriorate making them unsuitable for rigorous athletic activity such as baseball.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved approach to enhancing the visibility of hand signals.

SUMMARY

A device for covering a portion of a finger of a hand is provided. A pad that is sized and shaped to be positioned on a fingernail of the finger is releasably affixable to the fingernail. An adhesive applied to the lower surface of the pad has sufficient strength to keep the pad affixed to the fingernail when the pad is applied to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail. The upper surface of the pad is reflective such that the visibility of hand signals given while the pad is affixed to the fingernail is improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not affixed to the finger nail.

The adhesive applied to the lower surface of the pad may be a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive, and the pad may be formed of a moisture-resistant vinyl material that repels moisture while the pad is affixed to the fingernail. The vinyl material the pad is formed of may also be white in color to provide a visual contrast between the pad and the area surrounding the pad. Additionally, the pad may include a planar body bounded by a straight top edge having a length of around 0.25 inches, a bow-shaped bottom edge having an arc length of around 0.279 inches, a bow-shaped left edge having an arc length of around 0.158 inches, and a bow-shaped right edge having an arc length of around 0.158 inches.

A method for improving the visibility of hand signals is also provided. A device for covering a portion of a finger of a hand is positioned over the fingernail of the finger. The device includes a pad that is sized and shaped to be positioned on the fingernail. The pad is oriented over the fingernail such that the reflective upper surface of the pad is presented in a direction away from the top side of the finger nail. The pad is lowered onto the fingernail such that an adhesive applied to the lower surface of the pad bonds with the top side of the fingernail and affixes the pad to the fingernail. The adhesive has a sufficient strength to keep the pad affixed to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail. The upper surface of the pad is displayed when giving hand signals such that the visibility of the hand signals given while the pad is affixed to the fingernail is improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not affixed to the fingernail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout different views.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of an implementation of a device for improving the visibility of hand signals.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the device for improving the visibility of hand signals of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a procedure for applying the device for improving the visibility of hand signals of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of multiple devices for improving the visibility of hand signals respectively applied to the fingers of a hand.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating an example method of use of a device for improving the visibility of hand signals.

FIG. 5B is a close-up view illustrating the example method of use in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is another perspective view illustrating the example method of use of a device for improving the visibility of hand signals.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an example of an implementation of a device for improving the visibility of hand signals.

FIG. 7 is a top view of another example of an implementation of a device for improving the visibility of hand signals.

DESCRIPTION

A device and method for improving the visibility of hand signals is provided. While the device and method are described below in the context of improving the call signs from a baseball catcher, it will be understood that the device and method may be employed in any situation where hand signals are given to communicate information. For example, baseball players at defensive positions may employ the device to improve the visibility of hand signals given from the field to communicate defensive plays and other information. Participants in other sports—e.g., softball, football, basketball, volleyball, etc.—may also employ the device to improve the visibility of hand signals given during game play. In general, individuals may employ the device for improving hand signals in any situation where hand signals are used to communicate information.

Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of an example of an implementation of a device 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals is shown. The device 100 is designed to cover a portion of a finger of a hand. As used in this description, “finger” refers to the five digits of a hand including the thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger. The device 100 includes a pad 102 that is sized and shaped to be positioned only on the fingernail portion of the finger, i.e., the top side of the finger. Because the pad 102 is applied only on the top side of the finger, the pad does not interfere with, e.g., throwing a baseball or other ball handling activities.

The pad 102 may be formed of a flexible material so that the pad may conform to the shape of the fingernail when the pad is applied to the fingernail. The pad 102 may also be formed of a moisture-resistant material that repels moisture (e.g., water, sweat, etc.) while the pad is affixed to a fingernail. For example, the pad 102 may be formed of a vinyl material. A suitable vinyl material for the pad 102 may be available from FLEXCon of Spencer, Mass. as product FLEXmark® V 325 F WHITE V-465 8 PT TAG REMOISTURIZE. A vinyl material may also provide durability for the pad 102 allowing the pad to withstand wear and tear caused by rigorous activity.

As seen in FIG. 1, the pad 102, in this example, includes a planar body 104 bounded by four edges 106, 108, 110, and 112. The planar body 104 of the pad 102 shown by way of example in FIG. 1 is bound by a straight top edge 106, an arcuate (i.e., bow-shaped) bottom edge 108, an arcuate left edge 110, and an arcuate right edge 112. It will be understood that the shape of the pad 102 of the device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is by way of example only and other shapes for the pad of the device may be selectively employed.

The upper surface 114 of the pad 102 is reflective to improve the visibility of hand signals. The reflectivity of the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 thus improves the visibility of hand signals given while the pad is applied to a fingernail relative to hand signals given while the pad is not applied to the fingernail. A reflective material applied to the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 may provide the reflective quality for the upper surface. For example, a layer of paint applied to the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 may provide a shiny reflective finish. Other types of additives may be applied to the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 to provide the reflectivity of the upper surface. Materials that may be applied to the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 to provide reflectivity include, for example, chrome, silver, retroreflective materials, phosphorescent materials (i.e., glow-in-the-dark materials), fluorescent materials, and the like.

The color of the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 may also facilitate the improvement of the visibility of hand signals. The color of the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 may provide a visual contrast between the pad and the area surrounding the pad, e.g., the skin pigment of the finger the pad is attached to, shadows surrounding the finger and hand, etc. Examples of colors that may provide the visual contrast between the pad 102 and surrounding area include, for example, brilliant white, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent orange, and fluorescent green. Other examples colors such as pink, blue, and red may also be employed. Additionally, some colors for the upper surface 114 of the pad 102 may be better suited for particular situations and circumstances. Various factors that may be considered when selecting a color for the pad 102 include, for example, the skin tone of the individual wearing the device, whether the device will be worn during the day or at night, whether the device will be used indoors or outdoors, the lighting conditions in which the pad is used, and the amount of shadows surrounding the device during use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a bottom view of the device 100 of FIG. 1 is shown. An adhesive 116 is applied to the lower surface 118 of the pad 102 for releasably affixing the pad to a fingernail. The adhesive 116 has a strength sufficient to keep the pad 102 of the device 100 affixed to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail. In other words, the adhesive 116 is strong enough to keep the pad 102 of the device 100 affixed to the fingernail during rigorous activity until an individual decides to remove the pad—i.e., the pad is removable on demand. A suitable adhesive 116 may be a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive that may also be available from FLEXCon of Spencer, Mass. The adhesive may be, for example, a Super-Tac adhesive.

A procedure for applying the device 100 to improve the visibility of hand signals is shown in FIG. 3. To apply the device 100, the pad 102 of the device is positioned over a fingernail 120 of a finger 122. The pad 102 is oriented over the fingernail 120 such that the reflective upper surface 114 of the pad is presented in a direction away from the top side 124 of the fingernail 120. The pad 102 of the device 100 may also be oriented relative to the fingernail 120 such that the arcuate bottom edge 108 of the pad is positioned next to the cuticle 126 of the fingernail and the straight top edge 106 of the pad is positioned next to the distal edge 128 of the fingernail. It will be understood that other orientations of the edges of the pad 102 may be selectively employed.

The pad 102 is then lowered onto the fingernail 120 such that the adhesive 116 on the lower surface 118 of the pad bonds with the top side 124 of the fingernail 120. The adhesive 116 thus releasably affixes the pad 102 to the fingernail 120. As discussed above, the adhesive 116 on the lower surface 118 of the pad 102 has a strength sufficient to keep the pad affixed to the fingernail 120 until the pad is manually removed, for example, by peeling the pad off of the fingernail. The pad may be removed by peeling back the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, or the right edge in order to unbond the adhesive on the lower surface of the pad from the fingernail. In this way, the device 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals advantageously provides a relatively easy and relatively quick method of application and removal. With the pad 102 applied to the fingernail 120, the reflective upper surface 114 of the pad may be displayed while giving hand signals. In this way, the visibility of hand signals given while the pad 102 is applied to the fingernail 120 is advantageously improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not applied to the fingernail.

FIG. 4 is a top view of multiple devices 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals respectively applied to the fingers 122 of a hand 130. As seen in FIG. 4, each finger 122 of the hand 130 includes at least one pad 102 applied to the respective fingernails 120. If the fingernails 120 of the hand 130 are particularly large, an individual may apply multiple pads 102 to the finger 120. The thumb 132 of the hand 130 shown by way of example in FIG. 4 includes two pads 134 and 136 for improving the visibility of hand signals layered on top of one another on the fingernail 120 of the thumb (i.e., thumbnail). Individuals may apply and layer multiple pads 102 if a fingernail 120 is relatively large. Additionally, an individual may apply respective pads 102 to one or more fingers 122, e.g., only one finger, each finger, or any subset of fingers.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-C, an example method of use of the device 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals is shown. In this example, a baseball catcher 138 has applied a pad 102 of a device 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals to each of four fingers 122 of his hand 130 as seen in the close-up view of FIG. 5B. In this way, the devices 100 improve the visibility of hand signals given by a catcher 138 when viewed by a baseball pitcher 140 as shown by way of example in FIG. 5C. As discussed above, it will be understood that the devices 100 may be employed in any situation where hand signals are used to communicate information in order to improve the visibility of those hand signals.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an example of an implementation of a device 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals. The device 100 shown in FIG. 6 has the same shape as the device shown in FIG. 1. As discussed above, the pad 102 of the device 100 may include a straight top edge 106, and arcuate bottom edge 108, an arcuate left edge 110, and an arcuate right edge 112. The pad 102 may have a width W, a top edge length L1, and a bottom edge length L2.

As seen in FIG. 6, the arcuate edges 108, 110, and 112 of the pad 102 of the device 100 may conform to a circular arc of a circle. For example, the bottom edge 108 of the pad 102 may conform to a circular arc of a circle C₁ having a radius R₁, the left edge 110 of the pad may conform to a circular arc of a circle C₂ having a radius R₂, and the right edge of the pad may conform to a circular arc of a circle C₃ having a radius R₃. In this example, the arcuate bottom edge 108 of the pad 102 has an arc length A₁, the arcuate left edge 110 of the pad has an arc length A₂, and the arcuate right edge 112 of the pad has an arc length A₃. Also in this example, the arcuate bottom edge 108 of the pad 102 has a depth (i.e., a sagitta) D₁, the arcuate left edge 110 of the pad has a depth D₂, and the arcuate right edge 112 of the pad also has a depth D₃.

Two example embodiments of a device for improving the visibility of hand signals are described. It will be understood that the dimensions given are approximate and rounded to the thousandth unit of measurement. Units of measurement are given in both inches (in.) and centimeters (cm). It will be understood that the two embodiments described below are by way of example only and other embodiments may have alternative dimensions.

In one example embodiment, the pad 102 has a width W around 0.153 in. (0.389 cm); a top edge length L₁ around 0.250 in. (0.635 cm); and a bottom edge length L₂ around 0.270 in. (0.686 cm). In this example embodiment, the arcuate bottom edge 108 conforms to a circular arc of a circle C₁ having a radius R₁ around 0.333 in. (0.846 cm); the arcuate left edge 110 conforms to a circular arc of a circle C₂ having a radius R₂ around 0.197 in. (0.500 cm); and the arcuate right edge 112 conforms to a circular arc of a circle C₃ having a radius R₃ around 0.197 in. (0.500 cm). Also in this example, the arcuate bottom edge 108 has an arc length A₁ around 0.279 in. (0.709 cm) and a depth D₁ around 0.028 in. (0.071 cm); the arcuate left edge 110 has an arc length A₂ around 0.158 in. (0.401 cm) and a depth D₂ around 0.016 in. (0.041 cm); and the arcuate right edge 112 has an arc length A₃ around 0.158 in. (0.401 cm) and a depth D₃ around 0.016 in. (0.041 cm).

In another example embodiment, the pad 102 has a width W around 0.460 in. (1.168 cm); a top edge length L₁ around 0.750 in. (1.905 cm); and a bottom edge length L₂ around 0.810 in. (2.057 cm). In this example embodiment, the arcuate bottom edge 108 conforms to a circular arc of a circle C₁ having a radius R₁ around 1.013 in. (2.573 cm); the arcuate left edge 110 conforms to a circular arc of a circle C₂ having a radius R₂ around 0.592 in. (1.504 cm); and the arcuate right edge 112 conforms to a circular arc of a circle C₃ having a radius R₃ around 0.592 in. (1.504 cm). Also in this example, the arcuate bottom edge 108 has an are length A₁ around 0.849 in. (2.156 cm) and a depth D₁ around 0.084 in. (0.213 cm); the arcuate left edge 110 has an arc length A₂ around 0.457 in. (1.161 cm) and a depth D₂ around 0.047 in. (0.119 cm); and the arcuate right edge 112 has an arc length A₃ around 0.457 in. (1.161 cm) and a depth D₃ around 0.047 in. (0.119 cm).

Referring now to FIG. 7, another example of a device 100 for improving the visibility of hand signals is shown. In this example, multiple pads 102 are releasably affixed to a transfer sheet 142. The transfer sheet 142 supports the pads 102 for relatively easy storage until an individual desires to use the pads in order to improve the visibility of hand signals. The transfer sheet 142 may be opaque or transparent and be formed of paper, plastic, or other material suitable to support the pads 102 releasably affixed to the surface 144 of the transfer sheet. As seen in the example device 100 shown in FIG. 7, the pads 102 are uniform in size and are arranged on the transfer sheet 142 in multiple rows 146, which include multiple pads. Each row 146 may include five pads 102 that respectively correspond to the five fingers 122 on a hand 130 of an individual as shown by way of example in FIG. 7.

The foregoing description of an implementation has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. Note also that the implementation may vary between devices. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for covering a portion of a finger of a hand comprising:

a pad releasably affixable to a fingernail of the finger, the pad is sized and shaped to be positioned on the fingernail of the finger;

an adhesive applied to a lower surface of the pad, the adhesive having sufficient strength such that, when the pad is applied to the fingernail, the adhesive keeps the pad affixed to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail; and

wherein an upper surface of the pad is reflective such that visibility of hand signals given while the pad is affixed to the fingernail is improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not affixed to the fingernail.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the pad is formed of a moisture-resistant material that repels moisture while the pad is affixed to the fingernail.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the moisture-resistant material is a vinyl material.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the pad comprises a planar body bounded by a straight top edge, an arcuate bottom edge, an arcuate left edge, and an arcuate right edge.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein:

the pad is sized to be positioned only on the fingernail of the finger;

the top edge has a length of around 0.250 inches;

the bottom edge has an arc length of around 0.279 inches;

the left edge has an arc length of around 0.158 inches; and

the right edge has an arc length of around 0.158 inches.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein:

the bottom edge conforms to a circular arc of a circle having a radius of around 0.333 inches;

the left edge conforms to a circular arc of a circle having a radius of around 0.197 inches; and

the right edge conforms to a circular arc of a circle having a radius of around 0.197 inches.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the pad is colored white such that a visual contrast between the pad and an area surrounding the pad is provided.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a transfer sheet that the pad is releasably affixed to wherein the transfer sheet supports the pad until the pad is manually removed from the transfer sheet.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein:

a plurality of pads are releasably affixed to the transfer sheet and arranged on the transfer sheet in one or more rows; and

individual rows include five pads respectively corresponding to five fingers of the hand.

11. A device for covering a portion of a finger of a hand comprising:

a pad releasably affixable to a fingernail of the finger, the pad sized to be positioned only on the fingernail of the finger;

a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive applied to a lower surface of the pad, the adhesive having sufficient strength such that, when the pad is applied to the fingernail, the adhesive keeps the pad affixed to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail;

wherein an upper surface of the pad is reflective such that visibility of hand signals given while the pad is affixed to the fingernail is improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not affixed to the fingernail;

wherein the pad is formed of a white-colored, moisture-resistant vinyl material that repels moisture while the pad is affixed to the fingernail and that provides a visual contrast between the pad and an area surrounding the pad; and

wherein the pad includes a planar body bounded by a straight top edge having a length of around 0.250 inches, an arcuate bottom edge having an arc length of around 0.279 inches, an arcuate left edge having an arc length of around 0.158 inches, and an arcuate right edge having an arc length of around 0.158 inches.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

a transfer sheet a plurality of pads are releasably affixed to, the transfer sheet supports the plurality of pads until individual pads of the plurality of pads are manually removed from the transfer sheet;

wherein the plurality of pads are arranged on the transfer sheet in one or more rows; and

wherein individual rows include five pads respectively corresponding to five fingers of the hand.

13. A method for improving the visibility of hand signals comprising:

positioning a device for covering a portion of a finger of a hand over a fingernail of the finger, the device including a pad sized and shaped to be positioned on the fingernail;

orienting the pad over the fingernail such that a reflective upper surface of the pad is presented in a direction away from a top side of the fingernail;

lowering the pad onto the fingernail such that an adhesive applied to a lower surface of the pad bonds with the top side of the fingernail and affixes the pad to the fingernail, the adhesive having a sufficient strength to keep the pad affixed to the fingernail until the pad is manually removed from the fingernail; and

displaying the upper surface of the pad when giving hand signals such that visibility of the hand signals given while the pad is affixed to the fingernail is improved relative to hand signals given while the pad is not affixed to the fingernail.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising removing the pad from a transfer sheet that the pad is releasably affixed to wherein the transfer sheet supports the pad until the pad is manually removed from the transfer sheet.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein:

the pad is formed of a moisture-resistant vinyl material that repels moisture while the pad is affixed to the fingernail; and

the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising removing the pad from the fingernail by manually peeling back one of the top edge, the bottom edge, the left edge, or the right edge such that the adhesive on the lower surface of the pad unbonds from the fingernail.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the pad comprises a planar body bounded by a straight top edge, an arcuate bottom edge, an arcuate left edge, and an arcuate right edge.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein:

the pad is sized to be positioned only on the fingernail of the finger;

the top edge has a length of around 0.250 inches;

the bottom edge has an arc length of around 0.279 inches and conforms to a circular arc of a circle having a radius of around 0.333 inches;

the left edge has an arc length of around 0.158 inches and conforms to a circular arc of a circle having a radius of around 0.197 inches; and

the right edge has an arc length of around 0.158 inches and conforms to a circular arc of a circle having a radius of around 0.197 inches.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein the hand signals are given by a baseball catcher to a baseball pitcher while the catcher calls a baseball game.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising affixing a pad to each respective fingernail of the fingers of the hand.