PROCESS FOR MAKING AN EXERCISE GLOVE

Abstract

A process for making an exercise glove includes the following steps, not necessarily in order. First, forming a surface into an outer flap and an inner flap. The inner flap is mechanically coupled to the outer flap by a hook and fastener. Next, applying a palm pad and a palm grip to the surface. This includes the following steps: first, mixing a silk screen ink compound into a mold. Then, heating the silk screen ink compound until it becomes hard. After that, permitting the mold to cool. Following that, placing the mold immediately adjacent to the surface. Next, subliming the silk screen ink compound to the surface. Then, permitting the glove to cool. The silk screen ink surface provides substantial grip permitting a user to better grip items by hand.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 13/548,443 filed on Jul. 13, 2012, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

This invention pertains generally to processes for making gloves and, more particularly, to a glove for use by a person engaging in an activity such as weightlifting and other activities in which an object is gripped by the hand.

Prior art exercise gloves are slippery and bunch up causing calluses and hand fatigue. The hands become tired before the target muscle, which can result in dropping weight, inefficient muscle use, loss of focus, or injury.

Current technology in exercise gloves on the market cause inefficient use of the hand. This can lead to hard calluses, strained tendons, poor use of target muscles, exposure to germs, lack of a continuous grip on an object, and sweat build-up.

The invention described here reduces the effort required to use the small finger flexor muscles of the forearm, thereby allowing the user to accomplish the task and hold onto and carry the weight (or bar, dumbbells, floor, etc). This results in maximum development and isolation of the larger muscles in the body. The glove also does not cover the thumb which provides more leverage for the lone opposable digit on the hand.

SUMMARY

A process for making an exercise glove includes the following steps, not necessarily in order. First, forming a surface into an outer flap and an inner flap. The inner flap is mechanically coupled to the outer flap by a hook and fastener. Next, applying a palm pad and a palm grip to the surface. This includes the following steps: first, mixing a silk screen ink compound into a mold. Then, heating the silk screen ink compound until it becomes hard. After that, permitting the mold to cool. Following that, placing the mold immediately adjacent to the surface. Next, sublimating the silk screen ink compound to the surface. Then, permitting the glove to cool. The silk screen ink surface provides substantial grip permitting a user to better grip items by hand.

In some embodiments, the silk screen ink compound can further comprise: an NPT screen printing ink, a spandesol stretch non-phthalate specialty finished ink, and a C-3 dye and a viscosity reducer. The viscosity reducer can be a plastisol thinner. The viscosity reducer can be more than 30% by weight of the silk screen ink compound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of an embodiment of the invention taken along a line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of an embodiment of the invention taken along a line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view and inside of palm view of an embodiment of the invention of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a rear view and a front view of the exercise glove in use. Material 26 is mechanically coupled to decorative trim 18 by stitching 20. The exercise glove is worn by sliding user's fingers through slots in material 26 separated by stitching 20. Note that the bottom of the exercise glove is mechanically coupled to palm grip 22 and that the exercise glove does not cover the thumb. Once worn, a user can lift weights more easily because of the increased friction in the palm grip and does not cover the thumb which allows for increased flexibility in the lone opposable digit in the body.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of the invention. Outer flap 10 comprises material 26 mechanically coupled to hook fastener 14. Inner flap 12 comprises material 26 mechanically coupled to loop fastener 16. To wear the exercise glove a user inserts fingers into slots as indicated above and then mechanically couples outer flap 10 to inner flap 12 with a hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section view of the exercise glove. The layers shown combine to form a surface. Material 26 is mechanically coupled to palm pad 24 and palm grip 22.

A neoprene sheet is cut to fit the shape of hand in an open knuckle design. Fabric thread is for stitching 20 decorative trim 18, made from lace to the edge of the exercise glove. Holes for fingers are secured by sewing stitching 20. Hook fastener 14 and loop fastener 16 are sewn to both ends of the exercise glove to provide an adjustable fastener. Together, the neoprene palm pad 24 is added to inside of the palm and a silicone liquid mixture is heat transferred with a mold ‘to outside’ of the palm to create a comfortable ‘no slip’ grip. When the exercise glove is used, the user maximizes their muscle potential and minimizes hand fatigue.

FIG. 5 shows a rear elevation view and inside view of the exercise glove. Material 26 is mechanically coupled to decorative trim 18 by stitching 20. Neoprene palm pad 24 is mechanically coupled to material 26 by stitching 20. Material 26 is further mechanically coupled to hook fastener 14.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the exercise glove. Finger slots are sewn with stitching 20. Palm grip 22 is heat treated onto material 26 as noted above. Loop fastener 16 is mechanically coupled to material 26.

While many materials and designs can be used to accomplish the purpose of the exercise glove, the following method has proven particularly effective. In this embodiment, material layer 26 is neoprene, palm pad 24 is a neoprene and palm grip 22 is no slip silicone elastic sealant, preferably a silk screen ink compound molded by heat transfer to form a user defined design. The no slip silicone elastic sealant should be treated with an antimicrobial disinfectant in its liquid state before being allowed to cool to prevent the spread of infection.

In one embodiment, the silk screen ink compound further comprises, an NPT screen printing ink, a spandesol stretch non-phthalate specialty finished ink, and a C-3 dye and a viscosity reducer such as a plastisol thinner. It is the plastisol thinner that permits the silk screen ink to be sufficiently rigid in order accommodate lifting weights without permitting the weights to move.

EXAMPLE

1000 kg of Plastisol, 600 kg NPT Chino Base, 1600 kg, Spandesol Stretch Clear, and 10 kg Black C-3 dye were mixed together into a liquid mixture and poured into a metal mold. The mold is placed on a hot plate for 10-15 minutes until the liquid mixture becomes hard. The mold is then allowed to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, the glove is stretched over a carving of the hand. After this the metal mold is placed on the palm of the glove. A sublimation machine is used at 320-400 degree range depending on thickness of neoprene for 60-80 seconds to bond the mixture to the glove. The glove is then permitted to cool for 10 minutes before being removed from the mold. The glove provides a superior grip.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A process for making an exercise glove, the process comprising:

forming a surface into an outer flap and an inner flap; wherein the inner flap is mechanically coupled to the outer flap by a hook and fastener; and

applying a palm pad and a palm grip to the surface; further comprising: mixing a silk screen ink compound into a mold; heating the silk screen ink compound until it becomes hard; permitting the mold to cool; placing the mold immediately adjacent to the surface; subliming the silk screen ink compound to the surface; and permitting the surface to cool;

wherein the silk screen ink compound provides substantial grip permitting a user to better grip items by hand.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the silk screen ink compound further comprises: an NPT screen printing ink, a spandesol stretch non-phthalate specialty finished ink, and a C-3 dye and a viscosity reducer.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the viscosity reducer is a plastisol thinner.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the viscosity reducer is more than 30% by weight of the silk screen ink compound.