SECURING APPARATUS FOR A HAND PROTECTIVE DEVICE
The present invention relates to a securing apparatus and method for securing a hand protective device about the wrist of the wearer. The apparatus provides a mechanism that allows a wearer to single-handedly secure a glove or hand protective device on their other hand, even when the wearer has taped hands for contact sports. The invention allows for the glove or hand protective device to be secured in a manner that eliminates gaps or twisting about the wearer's wrist.
Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/224,768, entitled “SECURING APPARATUS FOR A HAND PROTECTIVE DEVICE” filed Jul. 10, 2009, contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSecuring or tightening a glove or hand protective device onto one wrist with the other hand usually leads to a loose fitting glove or hand protective device. This problem is exacerbated when a person has their hands taped for a competition, and/or they are wearing a glove or hand protective device on the hand they are using to secure it to the other hand. The glove or hand protective device will not allow the wearer's taped hands to be inserted into the glove. And the glove or hand protective device being secured or tightened twists or gaps during this process. A poorly fitting or loose glove or hand protective device is a potential hazard for activities relying upon the glove or hand protective device to protect and support the hand and wrist of the wearer.
This problem becomes even greater when the gloves or hand protective devices are those that are used in contact sports, fighting, boxing, or martial arts. In these sports, it is common to find another person requiring to secure the glove or hand protective device to the wearer's hand and wrist over the taped hand. Due to the possibility for the glove or protective device to come off during use, the securing device is usually wrapped with several layers of athletic tape.
Numerous types of sporting gloves and hand protective devices exist. Almost all of them have the common features of a finger restraining element, a covering for the back of the hand, a place to receive the thumb, and a securing device. Additionally, these gloves or hand protective devices have an opening or area to receive the hand of the wearer. Because the sporting gloves unsuccessfully attempt to provide a good fit to the wearer, sliding the glove on when the wearer's hands are taped is nearly impossible for a proper fitting glove or hand protective device.
To address the fit issue, a large number of the existing gloves or hand protective devices have a single strap or strap-like device to secure the glove. Usually, the single strap is used to secure the glove or hand protective device to the hand and/or wrist of the wearer. In an effort to minimize twisting actions, some gloves or hand protective devices utilize a cinch type of strap to reverse the direction of movement of the glove or hand protective device. Regardless of the type of strap, none of the gloves or hand protective devices provides the ability to secure it to the hand or wrist of the wearer without creating a gap or inducing a twisting motion.
A need exists for glove or hand protective device having a securing system and a method that efficiently allows singled handed securing of a glove or hand protective device on the hand or wrist of a wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a system and method for securing a contact sports glove or hand protective device to a wearer's wrist.
In one embodiment, the invention provides an improved contact sports glove having a palm-side panel and a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, thereby forming an opening to receive a hand at a wrist-edge. A flap is defined by the palm-side panel and the opening. The flap carries a first portion of a two-part closure device that is positioned near the wrist-edge. A strap carrying a second portion of the two-part closure device is included. The strap is secured to the glove. A restraining device is secured to the glove, the restraining device being capable of contacting and covering the strap when the strap is attached to the flap.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an improved contact sports glove having a palm-side panel and a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, thereby forming an opening to receive a hand at a wrist-edge. A finger restraint is positioned on a front-side panel and opposite of the wrist-edge. A thumb receiver is positioned near the thumb-edge. A flap is defined by the palm-side panel and the opening. The flap carries a first portion of a hook and loop closure device, wherein the first portion of the closure device is positioned near said wrist edge. A strap carrying a second portion of the closure device is included. There is a first end and a second end of the strap. The first end is secured to the glove and the second end carries the second portion of the closure device. The strap is elastic. A restraining device is secured to the glove, the restraining device being capable of tightly covering the strap when the restraining device is secured into a closed position.
In another embodiment, the invention provides an improved hand protective device having a front-side panel and a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge. The front-side panel has a finger restraint positioned near a finger-edge and opposite of a wrist-edge. A flap is secured to the thumb-edge. The flap carries a first portion of a two-part closure device, wherein the two-part closure device is positioned near the wrist-edge. A strap having a first end secured to the hand protective device and a second end carrying a second portion of the closure device is included. The first end of the strap is secured to the hand protective device at an edge opposite of the flap. A restraining device is secured to the hand protective device and is capable of contacting and covering the strap when the strap is attached to the flap.
In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method for securing a contact sports glove. The inventive method comprises the steps of:
a. inserting a first hand into the contact sports glove;
b. positioning a flap on a wrist of a first hand using a second hand, the flap being defined by a palm-side panel, the palm-side panel is secured to an edge of the contact sports glove;
c. grasping a strap using the second hand, the strap having a first end secured to an edge of the contact sports glove and a free second end;
d. attaching the second end of the strap to the flap, the attaching step using a two-part closure device, wherein a first portion of the two-part closure device is carried by the flap and a second portion is carried by the strap at the second end;
e. grasping a restraining device using the second hand, the restraining device connected to either of the edges;
f. wrapping the restraining device around the wrist, thereby contacting the strap with the restraining device; and
g. securing the restraining device on the contact sports glove along an edge near the wrist.
Numerous objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate such embodiments.
Referring to the drawings, the inventive securing device is illustrated and generally designated by the numeral 10. As shown by the drawings and understood by those skilled in the art, securing device 10 and components thereof are designed to be associated with sports glove 12 or hand protective device 14.
Glove 12 generally includes palm-side panel 16, front-side panel 17, back-side panel 18, thumb-edge 20, outer-edge 22, wrist-edge 24, finger-edge 25, palm pad restraint 26, finger restraint 28, and thumb receiver 30. Front-side panel 17 and back-side panel 18 are secured together along all edges and often have some padding secured therebetween. Palm-side panel 16 is positioned in front of front-side panel 17 and generally secured to back-side panel 18 at thumb-edge 20 and outer-edge 22. The preferred secured edges are made by stitching the components together; however, other methods for joining glove material together known to those skilled in the art will perform satisfactorily. An embodiment depicted in
Referring to
In one preferred embodiment depicted in
Strap 38 of securing device 10 may be manufactured out of an elastic or inelastic material. When strap 38 is elastic, it preferably has a stretching capacity between about 25% to about 50% of its un-stretched length. Depending upon the desired configuration of glove 12, an elastic embodiment of strap 38 will generally have an un-stretched length of about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) to about 3 inches (8 centimeters). When strap 38 is substantially inelastic, it generally has a length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) to about 4 inches (10 centimeters).
Restraining device 40 is secured to glove 12 along thumb-edge 20 or outer-edge 22. Preferably, restraining device 40 is capable of wrapping around glove 12 near wrist-edge 24 to cover and protect strap 38 after strap 38 is attached flap 42.
The length of restraining device 40 is a design choice. In one embodiment depicted in
Still referring to
Strap 38 and flap 42 are designed to be attached to each other. Two-part closure device 44 is capable of attaching securing strap 38 to flap 42. In this embodiment, one-half of two-part closure device 44 is attached to strap 38, and one-half of two-part closure device 44 is attached to flap 42.
Two-part closure device 44 is any two-part closure device allowing two elements to be attached. Two-part closure device 44 may be selected from the group consisting of hook and loop, buttons, snaps, hooks, laces, and combinations thereof. In the preferred embodiment, two-part closure device 44 is a hook and loop closure device.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
In operation, as depicted in
Referring to
As shown in
In this embodiment, thumb protector 36 is secured to hand protective device 14 along thumb-edge 20. Thumb protector 36 may be externally padded, wherein the external portion 50 of thumb protector 36 is positioned next to back-side panel 18.
In this embodiment, strap 38 of securing device 10 is also positioned opposite of flap 42. Securing device 10, which includes strap 38, flap 42, two-part closure devices 44 and restraining device 40, all function identically on hand protective device 14 as described for glove 12 above.
As shown in
During operation of glove 12, once strap 38 is attached, restraining device 40 is wrapped around the wrist of the wearer in a direction that it will contact and tightly cover strap 38, thereby preventing any inadvertent separation between strap 38 and flap 42. The number of wraps that restraining device 40 is able to do is based upon its length. Restraining device 40 is secured to the back of hand protective device 14 and/or to itself along wrist-edge 24.
EmbodimentsSeveral different embodiments are shown in
Other embodiments of the current invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing specification is considered merely exemplary of the current invention with the true scope thereof being defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. An improved contact sports glove comprising:
- a palm-side panel and a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, thereby forming an opening to receive a hand at a wrist-edge;
- a flap defined by said palm-side panel and said opening, said flap carrying a first portion of a two-part closure device that is positioned near said wrist-edge;
- a strap secured to said glove at an edge opposite of said flap, said strap carrying a second portion of said two-part closure device, said strap removably attachable to said flap when said first portion of said two-part closure has been joined to said second portion of said two-part closure, the configuration of said flap and said strap requires movement of said flap under said strap to join said first and second portions of said two-part closure device; and
- a restraining device secured to said glove, said restraining device having a length sufficient to wrap around said glove thereby covering said strap when said strap is attached to said flap.
2. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said strap has elasticity.
3. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said strap has elasticity and is capable of stretching between about 25% and about 50% of its un-stretched length.
4. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said strap has an un-stretched length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 3 inches (8 centimeters).
5. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said strap is substantially inelastic and has a length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 4 inches (10 centimeters).
6. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said two-part closure device is a hook and loop closure device.
7. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said restraining device is capable of being secured to itself.
8. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said restraining device is attached to said glove near said outer-edge.
9. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said restraining device is attached to said glove near said thumb-edge.
10. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein said opening extends from said wrist-edge to a point along said outer-edge, said point positioned so that a portion of said palm-side panel remains secured to said outer edge.
11. An improved contact sports glove comprising:
- a palm-side panel and a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, thereby forming an opening to receive a hand at a wrist-edge;
- a finger restraint positioned on a front-side panel and opposite of said wrist-edge;
- a thumb receiver positioned near said thumb-edge;
- a flap defined by said palm-side panel and said opening, said flap carrying a first portion of a hook and loop closure device, wherein said first portion of said closure device is positioned near said wrist-edge;
- a strap carrying a second portion of said closure device, said strap is elastic;
- a first end and a second end of said strap, said first end is secured to said glove at an edge opposite of said flap, and said second end carrying said second portion of said closure device, said strap has sufficient elasticity to permit removable attachment of said strap to said flap when said first portion of said two-part closure has been joined to said second portion of said two-part closure, the configuration of said flap and said strap when attached to one another precludes movement of said flap; and
- a restraining device secured to said glove, said restraining device having a length sufficient to wrap around said glove thereby tightly covering said strap when said restraining device is secured into a closed position.
12. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said strap has elasticity and is capable of stretching between about 25% and about 50% of its un-stretched length.
13. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said strap has an un-stretched length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 3 inches (8 centimeters).
14. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said restraining device is capable of being secured to itself.
15. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said restraining device is secured to said glove near said outer-edge.
16. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein said restraining device is secured to said glove near said thumb-edge.
17. An improved hand protective device for contact sports comprising:
- a front-side panel and a back-side panel secured to each other at a thumb-edge and an outer-edge, said front-side panel having a finger restraint positioned near a finger-edge and opposite of a wrist-edge;
- a flap secured to said thumb-edge, said flap carrying a first portion of a two-part closure device, wherein said two-part closure device is positioned near said wrist-edge;
- a strap having a first end secured to said hand protective device and a second end carrying a second portion of said two-part closure device, said first end of said strap is secured to said hand protective device at an edge opposite of said flap, said strap removably attachable to said flap when said first portion of said two-part closure has been joined to said second portion of said two-part closure, the configuration of said flap and said strap when attached to one another precludes movement of said flap; and
- a restraining device secured to said hand protective device, said restraining device having a length sufficient to wrap around said glove thereby capable of contacting and covering said strap when said strap is attached to said flap.
18. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, further comprising a thumb protector secured to said thumb-edge.
19. The improved hand protective device of claim 18, wherein said thumb protector is integrated with said flap.
20. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said strap has elasticity.
21. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said strap has elasticity and is capable of stretching between about 25% and about 50% of its un-stretched length.
22. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said strap has an un-stretched length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 3 inches (8 centimeters).
23. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said strap is substantially inelastic and has a length between about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) and about 4 inches (10 centimeters).
24. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said closure device is a hook and loop closure device.
25. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said restraining device is capable of being secured to itself while covering said strap.
26. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said restraining device is secured to said hand protective device near said outer-edge.
27. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said restraining device is secured to said hand protective device near said thumb-edge.
28. The improved hand protective device of claim 17, wherein said restraining device is sufficiently long-enough to wrap around said hand protective device at least once.
29. A method of securing a contact sports glove to a hand comprising the steps of:
- inserting a first hand into said contact sports glove;
- positioning a flap on a wrist of a first hand using a second hand, said flap being defined by a palm-side panel, wherein said palm-side panel is secured to an edge of said contact sports glove;
- grasping a strap using said second hand, said strap having a first end and a free second end, said first end secured to an edge of said contact sports glove opposite of said flap wherein said flap carries a first portion of a two-part closure device and said strap carries a second portion of a two-part closure device;
- attaching said second end of said strap to said flap by applying a force to said strap thereby moving said flap and said strap towards one another until said flap is under said strap;
- joining said first portion of said two-part closure to said second portion of said two-part closure thereby precluding movement of said flap;
- grasping a restraining device using said second hand, said restraining device secured to either of said edges;
- wrapping said restraining device around said wrist, thereby contacting said strap with said restraining device; and
- securing said restraining device on said contact sports glove along an edge near said wrist.
30. The improved contact sports glove of claim 1, wherein the configuration of said flap and said strap requires movement of said strap and said flap towards one another to join said first and second portions of said two-part closure device.
31. The improved contact sports glove of claim 11, wherein the configuration of said flap and said strap requires movement of said strap and said flap towards one another to join said first and second portions of said two-part closure device.
32. The improved contact sports glove of claim 17, wherein the configuration of said flap and said strap requires movement of said strap and said flap towards one another to join said first and second portions of said two-part closure device.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 9, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 3, 2013
Inventors: Richard Norton (Midwest City, OK), Darshan Rane (Midwest City, OK), Shaw Furukawa (Midwest City, OK), Jeffery Woodson (Midwest City, OK)
Application Number: 13/383,158