Golf Glove

Abstract

A golf glove is disclosed, provided with an elasticated strap for releasable attachment thereto. Part of the strap is arranged or arrangable as a loop for placement over a user's hand or wrist to allow the glove to hang freely beneath the hand or wrist when not being worn. The strap may be located within a chamber so that it is held relatively taught against the glove and extends when a user inserts their hand into the loop formed by the strap, and retracts into the chamber when the hand is removed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/GB2012/000811, filed Oct. 25, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety and published as WO 2013/061018 on May 2, 2013, in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golfing accessory, particularly a golf glove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the game of golf great importance is placed on the golf grip as good contact between the hands and golf club is important in order to produce a good golf shot. It is for this reason that a golf glove is usually worn.

Golf gloves are invariably made from soft, pliable, tacky leather and designed to fit tightly around the hand, almost like a second skin. However there are a number of problems with conventional golf gloves that cause them to be less effective than is desirable. These are, in no particular order, explained below.

I—Golf Glove Becomes Overly Moist, Damp or Wet

Due to the absence of a suitable means for golfers to hold the glove in their hands in-between shots in such a manner that would allow their hands to remain free to carry out other functions, golfers are invariably forced to put their golf glove in their trouser pocket. This is often done in a crushed misshapen fashion, which denies the glove fresh air and the opportunity to dry naturally in a manner that would allow it to still maintain its correct shape.

Both the inside and outside of a golf glove are subject to excess water retention. As golf gloves are designed to fit tightly around the hand, the hand is prone to sweating, which is increased in hot and humid weather conditions, which makes the inside of the glove damp or wet.

In the case of the outside of a golf glove, because golf is an outdoor sport, golfers often play in damp rainy weather conditions. Under these circumstances, it is common for the grips of the clubs themselves to become wet, which in turn is transferred to the golf glove when the golfer grips the club.

When a golf glove becomes overly moist, damp or wet, the hand can slip and move, and any movement (however small) can have an adverse effect on the golf grip and the subsequent golf shot.

II—Golf Glove Loses its Moisture Content and Becomes too Dry

Having completed their game of golf, a golfer is faced with the dilemma of finding a suitable means of storing their potentially moist, damp or wet glove in a manner that would allow it to dry naturally and in turn help it to maintain its correct shape in readiness for when it is next needed.

Accordingly, a golfer is invariably inclined to store their glove in a pocket of their golf bag, thus denying the glove fresh air and the opportunity to dry fully and naturally.

Natural leather comes from animal skin and, like human skin, it also has pores that can dry out. When a moist, damp or wet golf glove is stored in an enclosed environment, such as the pocket of a golf bag, invariably in a crushed misshapen fashion, its pores find it hard to breathe and subsequently take in moisture.

This problem is further increased as the glove attracts dirt or dust that may be in the pockets of the bag. This can build up in the glove's pores and thereby block them.

With the pores now struggling to take in moisture, the glove dries in an unnatural fashion which may cause it to shrink, crack and stiffen, ultimately leaving the glove dry, tight and resistant to flexing.

III—Glove Becomes Overly Stretched and Loose

Due to the fact that golf gloves are designed to fit tightly on the hand, a certain degree of tugging of the cuff is required in order to pull the glove onto the hand in the direction of the wrist.

This, coupled with the constant flexing of the hand which in turn forces the glove to pull away from the wrist, results in the glove becoming overly stretched and loose. As a consequence, the glove is unable to offer the golfer the tight fit necessary for a good golf grip.

IV—Glove may be Misplaced

During the course of a game, the golfer will play up to a hundred intermittent shots. After each shot, a golfer will generally take off their glove which can be easily misplaced without a suitable means of attaching the glove to their hands or clothing.

V—Ball Marker Inaccessible

Conventional golf gloves usually have a press snap ball marker detachably fixed to the cuff of the glove. However, because golfers tend not to wear their glove when on the putting green (it being in their pocket) then the marker is not readily available for use. Although a number of prior art gloves are available having straps that in theory could be used to hang the glove from a user's hand and therefore improve on one or more of the aforementioned problems, such gloves are either not golf gloves and/or provide a strap that in practice would hang loose when the glove is being worn which would be distracting.

It would be beneficial to provide an improved golf glove.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad sense, there is provided a golf glove provided with an elongate strap, cord or web attached or attachable to the glove which in use allows the glove to rest or hang freely beneath the user's hand or wrist when it is not being worn. The strap may also be attached to a user's clothing or some other accessory such as a golf bag or trolley to rest or hang freely. In this way, the glove is easily accessible and can dry naturally with air circulating around and inside the glove, reducing or overcoming one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages, particularly I, II and IV.

At least part of the strap may be resiliently stretchable, for example by being formed of elastic material. The strap may be detachable from the golf glove, for example by means of one or a combination of a press stud system, a Velcro™ system and/or using one or more eyelets formed on or in the glove body. Alternatively, the strap may be an integral part of the golf glove.

The strap may be retained, along part of its length, against the glove by means of a closure tab of the glove which, as will be appreciated, is conventionally used to tighten the glove around a wearer's hand when worn. In one preferred (but optional) case, a double closure tab system is employed, with each tab being closable in the same general direction, and in another case, with each tab being closed in opposite directions which helps to gather excess material when the glove is secured over the user's hand to help alleviate problem III.

A releasable attachment mechanism may be provided at or near the free end of the strap to allow the strap (and glove) to be attached to a belt loop or a corresponding mechanism provided on clothing or a golf bag. This may be a loop mechanism, a direct press-stud system or a toggle-type system.

According to one aspect, there is provided a golf glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided with means for attachment over a hand or to another accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn.

The glove may further comprise a piece of material fixed to the glove and having at least one hole or eyelet through which the strap emerges from underneath the material and which is arrangeable to form a loop such that, in use, insertion of a user's hand within the loop causes a portion of the strap to emerge from the eyelet and retract back when the hand is removed. Two holes or eyelets may be formed in the material and the strap may be threaded through both from underneath to provide the loop. One end of the piece of material may be open to allow one or more of the strap ends to emerge from underneath the material in the direction of the glove's cuff. One of the strap ends may comprise a fastening means. The piece of material may comprise a box-like hollow strip formed of relatively-rigid material. The piece of material is preferably provided on or near the spine of the glove.

The strap is preferably arranged or is arrangable into a loop or hook for being located over a user's hand or wrist in use and in which the elastic is caused to stretch when the user's hand is inserted therein.

The glove may comprise a first closure tab for tightening the glove around the hand when worn by a user, the tab being arranged in use to hold or conceal part of the strap against the glove when the tab is closed.

Part of the first closure tab may be elasticated.

The glove may further comprise a second closure tab, adjacent the first tab, for tightening the glove when worn by a user in the substantially opposite direction to the first closure tab. Part of the second closure tab may also be elasticated.

The or each closure tab may include a hook and loop surface for attachment to a corresponding surface on the glove. One such example is a Velcro™ mechanism.

The strap may be detachably connected to the glove, for example by means of a press stud.

The loop or hook may be formed by means of one end of the strap being threaded through a first eyelet secured to or in the glove and said end being folded back on itself. The strap may comprise at least one male and one female press stud fastener arranged in use to be connected to one another to form the loop. The strap may further comprise means arranged to detachably hold a ball marker, thereby alleviating problem V. The means arranged to detachably hold a ball marker may comprise a further female press stud fastener. The strap may be arranged such that, when the male and female press stud fasteners are connected to form the loop, a free end of the strap remains on which the means arranged to detachable hold the ball marker is provided.

The folded back end of the strap may be connected to part of the glove or eyelet. The eyelet may be provided substantially adjacent the cuff region of the glove. Alternatively, insertion holes, e.g. slits, can be made in the glove.

The strap may be formed in two pieces, one piece being arranged to be secured or securable to the glove and the other piece being arranged to detachably connect to the first piece either to form a loop with the first piece or to provide a means of attachment to another accessory.

The golf glove may further comprise an elongate tab integrally formed with the glove at or near its cuff region and which extends away from the cuff region and has attachment means thereon to allow the elongate tab to be formed into a loop and/or connected in a direct or toggle-type manner to clothing or a golfing accessory. The attachment means on the elongate tab may comprise a male press stud fastener and a female press stud fastener so that the elongate tab can be formed into a loop. The attachment means on the elongate tab may comprise a button for connection to clothing or a golfing accessory in a direct or toggle-type manner. The button may be permanently attached to, or detachable from, the elongate tab.

Text, providing a message, may be printed or embroidered onto the stretchable part of the strap.

The glove may further comprise means for detachably holding a tee peg or other golfing accessory. This means may be provided on the closure tab, e.g. strategically located along the spine of the glove.

The glove may further comprise a cuff pull part in the form of a tab, loop or pocket attached to, or in the region of, the glove's cuff. The cuff pull tab serves to permit the wearer to secure the glove over their hand in a tight fit, thereby alleviating problem III. The cuff pull part can be a tab attached to, or attached in the region of the glove's cuff at two spaced apart locations to form a loop in which a user's fingers can be inserted. The cuff pull tab can have a press-stud fastener thereon.

Alternatively, the cuff pull part can be a loop of material, or a pocket, formed with a plurality of distinct regions. The cuff pull part with distinct regions permits the pulling of the glove in, for example, three directions/angles. The cuff pull part may work in conjunction with the double closure tab mechanism to further gather loose material once the glove has been fully drawn over the hand. The cuff pull part may also provide a means of securing the glove to clothing or equipment.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a golf glove provided with an elasticated strap for releasable attachment thereto, part of the strap being arranged or arrangable as a loop for placement over a user's hand or wrist to allow the glove to hang freely beneath the hand or wrist when not being worn, the glove comprising means for detachably securing the strap thereto and a first closure tab movable between a loose, open position and a closed, tightened position, in which part of the elasticated strap is concealed beneath the tab when closed and held against the body of the glove.

The securing means may comprise a first eyelet positioned on or in the glove in general alignment with the little finger portion of the glove around which the first end of the strap is in use looped.

A further, second closure tab may be provided on the glove so as to allow the glove to be tightened further in generally the same, or in an opposite direction to the first closure tab.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a golf glove comprising first and second closure tabs movable between opened positions and closed positions and arranged, in use, to permit tightening of the glove on a user's hand.

Each tab may comprise a fastening mechanism for fastening the tab to part of the glove. The fastening mechanism may comprise part of a hook-and-look mechanism, e.g. Velcro, for fastening teach tab to one or more other hook and look parts of a hook-and-loop mechanism provided on the glove.

In one embodiment, the tabs are configured to be moveable from their opened position to their closed position in substantially the same direction or orientation around the glove.

In another embodiment, the tabs are configured to be moveable from their opened position to their closed position in substantially opposite directions or orientations around the glove.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a golf glove comprising, at or near the spine, first and second eyelets through which is threaded an elasticated strap which is connected to the glove in such a way that the strap is held relatively taught against the glove and a part of which in use extends and retracts through one of the eyelets when a user's hand is inserted into and removed from the strap.

The glove of any of the above aspects may further comprising a cuff pull mechanism provided on the cuff part of the glove and comprising a loop or pocket of material to permit the glove to be pulled securely onto a wearer's hand. The cuff pull mechanism may be provided on the front part of the cuff/glove.

The cuff pull mechanism may comprise a plurality of distinct loops/pockets to permit the glove to be pulled securely onto a wearer's hand in different orientations or angles. For example, three distinct loops/pockets are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional golf glove, viewed from the rear side;

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear-side view of a golf glove, including a detachable elasticated strap, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear-side view of the golf glove shown in FIG. 2 with the elasticated strap being connected to the glove;

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear-side view of the golf glove shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with the elasticated strap connected to the glove and partially covered by a closure tab;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a user's hand in which the golf glove shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is shown with the strap looped over, in a first position, a user's finger and, in a second position, the user's wrist;

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear-side view of the golf glove shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 with a free end of the connected elasticated strap being threaded through a ring provided on a user's trousers;

FIG. 7 is a perspective front-side view of the golf glove shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, showing a cuff pull tab;

FIG. 8 is a perspective rear-side view of a golf glove according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows views of a golf glove and attachment system according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows views of a golf glove and attachment system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows views of a golf glove and attachment system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows views of a golf glove and attachment system according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 shows various methods by which a primary strap can be attached to a glove;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a golf glove and attachment system according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 15 shows perspective views of alternative attachment systems for the FIG. 14 embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a conventional golf glove 1 which may be useful for understanding the invention. It is made of a pliable leather or suitable synthetic material. The conventional golf glove comprises a body portion 2, finger portions 3, and a cuff 4. A slit 5 extends from the cuff 4 part way into the body portion 2 in the direction of the finger portions 3 and aligned with the major axis of the glove from cuff to finger tips. Adjacent one side of the slit 5 is provided a closure tab 6 which is formed of a relatively rigid material and which is hingedly connected onto the glove so that it can be moved between open and closed positions; on the lower (visible) face of the closure tab 6 is provided one part of a hook and loop closure system (e.g. a Velcro system) so that, in use, the closure tab can be extended over the slit 5 and secured onto the corresponding other surface 7 of the hook and loop closure system to tighten the glove in place over a user's hand.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a golf glove 10 according to a first embodiment is shown. It is similar to the FIG. 1 glove in that it is made of a pliable leather or suitable synthetic material, has body and finger portions, a cuff and a slit 5.

Provided with the glove 10, as part of an overall glove accessory, is an elongate strap 20 of flexible material for detachable connection to the glove. At least part of the strap 20 is elasticated, preferably at least the middle portion indicated ‘M’. At a first end 22 is provided a first, female press-stud fastener 23, the top surface of which is visible. The non-visible underside comprises a socket for detachable engagement to a corresponding male stud. At a second end 24 is provided a second, female press-stud fastener 25 which is the same or similar to the first fastener 23. Part way down the strap 20 from the second end 24 is a corresponding male stud 26. The second female press-stud fastener 25 can therefore be attached to the male stud 26 to form a loop at one end of the strap 20 which, in use, is employed to detachably connect the strap to the glove, as will be described later on.

Alternatively, the male stud 26 can be attached to the female fastener 23 to form a loop with the loose end 24 permitting a ball marker (not shown) to be connected to the female fastener 25.

On the glove 10 is provided a double cuff closure mechanism. This comprises a first closure tab 30 hingedly connected to the glove (e.g. by sewing) along one side of the slit 5 at the position indicated by reference numeral 31. The first closure tab 30 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 in that it is made of a relatively rigid material and has, on its underside, one part of a Velcro mechanism. A corresponding other part 32 of the Velcro mechanism is sewn or adhered to the glove body to allow the first closure tab 30 to be connected thereto. In use, therefore, the first closure tab 30 allows the glove to be tightened around the wrist of the user when the glove is worn.

A second closure tab 34 is also hingedly connected to the glove at substantially the same position 31 as the first 30, alongside the slit 5. The second closure tab 34 comprises on the underside, towards the free end, one part of a Velcro mechanism. A corresponding other part 38 of the Velcro mechanism is sewn or adhered to the glove body around the spine or front of the glove body to allow the second closure tab 34 to be connected thereto. This allows the glove 10 to be further tightened around the wrist of the user in the direction generally opposite to that of the first closure tab 30. A consequence of this is that tightening of the cuff around the wrist is spread more evenly and deformation of the glove which may occur due to tightening in one direction is reduced or avoided. A portion 35 of the second closure tab 34 is made of an elasticated material which allows it to gather any excess material underneath as the glove 10 is being tightened.

The aforementioned strap 20 can be detachably secured to the glove 10 by means of one or more loops or eyelets. A first eyelet 40 is formed by sewing or adhering a strip of material to the glove body on the spine of the glove just below the little finger region. The strip of material is attached by its widthways ends to provide an aperture through which the strap 20 can be threaded. A second eyelet 42 is similarly formed by sewing or adhering a strip of material on the spine of the glove adjacent the cuff 4. The apertures of both eyelets 40, 42 are aligned along the spine. On the upper surface of the second eyelet 42 is fixed a stud fastener 44.

Referring to FIG. 3, in order to attach the strap 20 to the glove 10, the second end 24 of the strap is threaded through the second and then the first eyelets 42, 40 and looped back on itself (in the manner shown) with the press stud parts 25, 26 then being connected together behind the strap of the first eyelet 40. As FIG. 3 shows, the second closure tab 34 can be folded over the first closure tab 30 during insertion. When folded back and secured to the glove 10 by means of the Velcro mechanism 38, the middle part (M) of the strap 20 is thereby concealed and held against the glove body by the elasticated section 35 of the second closure tab 34. This is more clearly shown in FIG. 4. This is useful for aesthetic purposes and also serves to protect this part of the strap from dust, dirt and moisture. It also prevents this part of the strap 20 from becoming loose which may distract the user when they are playing a shot.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the first end 22 of the strap 20 is arrangable into a loop or hook. In this case, the loop is created by means of connecting the stud fasteners 23, 44 together. In this sense, the term ‘loop’ does not require the strap 20 to be connected to itself. However, in an alternative implementation, this can be done by connecting the stud fastener 44 to the strap and creating the loop in a similar manner to the other end of the strap.

The loop provides a means by which the user can insert their hand and hold the glove 10 so that it can hang freely, typically beneath the hand or wrist of the user when they are not playing a shot. Due to the strap 20 being at least partially elasticated, when the user inserts their hand into the loop, the strap will extend to some extent out of the glove 10 to allow the hand to go within the loop. When the hand is removed from the loop, the elasticated strap 20 will return to its original position and therefore not overly hang or dangle out of the glove which may otherwise be distracting to the user.

FIG. 5 shows the loop when located over the user's hand in two different locations, one being over the wrist of the user and the other being over the user's finger.

FIG. 6 shows how the loop can also be threaded through a ring 70 attached to the user's trousers. Accordingly, there may be provided a clothing range, for example including trousers, having a dedicated ring 70 of this type for the purpose of allowing the glove accessory described herein to be attached thereto. Similarly, a ring 70 of this type may be provided on a golf bag to allow the glove to dry naturally. Alternatively, a press stud (not shown) can be provided on the clothing or bag to which may be attached the golf glove by means of the press stud fastener 23.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is also provided on the glove 10, particularly on the cuff portion 4, a cuff pull 80 in the form of a U-shaped loop of flexible material which is stitched to the cuff portion at two spaced-apart locations. In use, the user inserts one or more fingers into the aperture 82 and pulls the glove 10 backwards over the other hand. The cuff pull 80 allows a user to pull the glove 10 fully onto their hand in such a way as not to substantially stretch or distort the glove which can affect its shape over time. This is because the cuff pull 80 is attached at different spaced-apart points around the cuff portion 4 and therefore spreads the pulling force applied by the user more evenly than if the user were to pull from a single point on the cuff portion, as is conventional.

The cuff pull 80 is arranged to be movable from a stowed or non-use position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an in-use position, as shown in FIG. 7.

Referring particularly to FIG. 7, on the upper part of the cuff pull 80 is provided part of a clip or fastening mechanism, here in the form of a female stud socket 84, which can be releasably attached to a co-operating male stud 86 provided on the cuff portion 4. The cuff pull 80 is in the stowed position when the stud 86 is connected to the socket 84. When released, the cuff pull 80 is in the in-use position to enable the glove to be pulled over the user's hand. Further, by ensuring that the excess glove material around the heel of the user's hand can be pulled tightly, e.g. after each shot, the second closure tab 34 is able to grab a larger area of material when fixed in the closed position to ensure a tight overall fit around the wrist.

The cuff pull 80 further permits the glove 10 to be carried by a user to aid drying between shots. The cuff pull 80 can be looped around a belt or trouser ring and/or the female stud socket 84 can be connected to a different male stud (not shown) provided on a user's trousers, belt or golf cart so that the glove 10 can be carried in the in-use position also.

The cuff pull 80 shown in FIG. 7 is just one possible configuration. Further configurations are described later on and any configuration can be applied to any of the glove embodiments described herein.

A second embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 8. This embodiment is similar to the first, save for there being just one closure tab 90 rather than two. The closure tab 90 is sewn along its width towards the front side of the glove 10 and is hingedly movable between open (as shown in FIG. 8) and closed positions. In the closed position, a Velcro underside portion 92 connects with a corresponding Velcro surface 96 on the other side of the slit in order to tighten the cuff portion around the user's wrist. As with the first embodiment, a mid-section 94 (which doesn't necessarily carry a Velcro surface) in use conceals part of the strap 20 when the closure tab 90 is closed and holds it in position against the body of the glove 10. It can be elasticated.

Although not shown in the drawings, the glove 10 can include a holder for holding one or more golf accessories, including for example one or more tee pegs. This holder can be provided on one of the closure tabs previously mentioned, for example the second closure tab 34. Alternatively, or additionally, there may be provided a holder for holding one or more golf accessories along the spine of the glove which covers the side of the hand adjacent the little finger. Alternatively, or additionally, the cuff pull 80 may be arranged to hold an accessory, for example a ball marker. This may be by means of an aperture provided in the material.

Although not shown in the drawings, a so-called ‘swing thought’ message can be printed or embroidered onto the strap 20 with the purpose of helping the user focus on their next shot. Preferably, the text of the message is carried by the part of the strap which is hidden beneath the mid-section of the covering closure tab (e.g. mid-section 94 in the second embodiment) and revealed only when the user's hand is inserted through the end loop due to the extension of the elastic. Alternatively, or additionally, the underside of the closure tabs 34, 90 for example the mid-section parts 35, 94 shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 may carry a printed message, whether a swing thought message or advertising.

A third embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 9. Referring to FIG. 9(a), this embodiment utilises an elongate strap 160 which is preferably elasticated and comprises two pairs of Velcro patches 162, 164 at each end thereof which can be connected together to form either a complete loop or a half loop, meaning that it forms half of a loop the other half of which is formed by a further strap member or accessory, such as a shot counter or watch. The use of Velcro patches is preferred, but alternative methods such as the use of snap-press fasteners can be used. If elasticated, the strap section 160 allows for different lengths to be achieved. Again, personalisation can be applied to the first strap section 160 in the form of a swing thought message or a sponsorship image.

The strap 160 is, as before, configured for connection to a glove 170 as shown in FIG. 9(b). The glove 170 has a first closer tab 172 with an elasticated portion which is connected to the glove along a seam 174. A tab 176 is provided which extends around the spine of the glove 170 towards its front side having the purpose of securing, and to some extend spreading, the aforementioned elasticated elongate strap 160 in place against the glove. This tab 176 can be permanently stitched to the glove 170 at both ends, or have a free end detachably secured by means of Velcro meaning that the tab can act as a closer-type tab. This would be appropriate if the strap 160 is intended to be detachable.

A press snap fastener 178 is provided near the cuff. A single cuff pull loop 180 is provided on the cuff but alternatives, described later on, could be used.

An alternative way of attaching the strap 160 to the glove 170 is by way of threading the strap through first and second loops, holes or eyelets 182, 184 provided on the side body of the glove, as shown.

Referring to FIGS. 9(c)-(e), this embodiment further includes a system for enabling the glove 170 to be secured to a player or equipment. FIG. 9(c) shows examples of cuff-link like devices 190, 190′ that can attach to themselves, to a button hole or to the glove 170, e.g. by means of the press snap fastener 178, and be used in conjunction with a so-called cuff-link housing 192 shown in FIG. 9(d). The cuff link housing 192 comprises a generally rectangular tray with a slot 196 extending part-way down from the upper edge of a front wall 194. The cuff-ink housing 192 may be connected to trousers, clothing or equipment, for example. In use, therefore, the user can connect one end of the cuff-link device 190 to the glove 170 and locate the other boss-like end within the slot 196 so that the glove will rest within the housing 192 and is easily accessible during play. In an alternative form, indicated by the dotted lines 198, the slot 196 may extend all the way down the front wall 194; in this case, as shown in FIG. 9(e), a ball-bearing 200 is provided within the housing in alignment with the slot 196 and is biased by a spring towards the front wall 194. Therefore, in use, the cuff-link device 190 may rest on top of the ball-bearing 200 when held within the slot 196 so that it does not fall through. When the player needs to take the glove 170 from the housing 192, they simply pull the glove downwards through the slot 196 which causes the ball-bearing to deflect against the spring and the cuff-link device 190 slides through the slot and out of the bottom end.

A fourth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 10. Referring to FIG. 10(a), this embodiment comprises a glove 220 having an integral elongate strap 222 extending generally upwards from the cuff portion and generally parallel to the finger portions, as shown. This strap 222 may be elasticated. Provided on the integral strap 222 are first and second press stud fasteners 224, 226. The upper fastener 224 is in this case female and the lower fastener 226 is male, although this can be reversed. Again, this allows the glove 220 to be formed into a loop (which can be aided by providing a crease 228 between the fasteners) for attachment to a player's clothing or equipment in a loop or toggle-like manner.

FIG. 10(b) shows a separate attachment strap 230 for connection to a player's clothing (e.g. a belt) or equipment and to which the integral elongate strap 222 can be connected. The attachment strap 230 comprises a web of material having a split ring 232 at one end, a larger ring 234 at the other end and a press snap fastener 236 located on the web. FIG. 10(c) shows a side view. The integral elongate strap 222 can be connected to the attachment strap 230 by means of connecting the press snap fastener 224 to the fastener 236. Alternatively, the strap 222 can be looped over the larger ring 234.

Referring back to FIG. 10(a) an elasticated strap 240 is shown attached to the spine of the glove 220, which can be on the inside (e.g. through holes or eyelets) or the outside (under a cuff pull tab, as shown) and can be connected into a full loop or half-loop as mentioned previously. Velcro or press-snap fasteners can be used as the connection means and these also allow a swing thought message or some form of personalisation to be provided and also for a ball marker to be attached, if press-snap fasteners are used.

In the Figure, the elasticated strap 240 is shown on the outside of the glove 220. If on the inside, eyelets can be used on the spine and the tab which in the Figure covers the elasticated strap 240 will not be necessary.

In an alternative arrangement, the elasticated strap 240 could take the form of a score counter strap, as is known in the art, or connected as a half loop with a score counter strap or watch to form a complete loop.

A fifth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 11(a), this embodiment comprises a glove 242 having a strap 244 which is in this case forms a complete loop held under a tab which allows the strap to be detached therefrom by means of the tab being secured on the front side with Velcro. An integral elongate strap 246 is again provided which has a lower press snap fastener 247 and, above it, an elasticated hole 248 into which a cuff-link type device 250 can be inserted. The cuff-link type device 250 has on one face a corresponding press snap fastener 251 meaning that, when it is inserted and held within the hole 248, a loop can be formed by connecting the fastener to the lower press snap fastner 247. The cuff-link type device 250 can be rounded or half-rounded.

A separate attachment strap 236 is provided for, comprising a web of material with an elasticated hole into which one part of a further cuff-link type device 250′ can be inserted to give the attachment member more weight. At each end, elasticated cord button holes 234, 235 are provided to allow the cuff-link device 250 to pass through.

The button holes 234, 235 can be used to attach the attachment member 236 to clothing or equipment in a choker-like manner.

A sixth embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 12. This embodiment comprises a glove 260 with a primary short strap 264 attached to the spine of the glove and which has Velcro patches at either end, although other means of attachment can be provided, e.g. press snap fasteners. A secondary strap, or accessory, is used to complete the loop by means of the corresponding attachment system, i.e. Velcro or press snap fasteners. For example, a mechanical or electronic score counter 270 can be used to complete the loop, or a timepiece, or other fashion accessory.

The glove 260 again has an integral elongate strap 262 having a lower press snap fastener and an upper elasticated hole for receiving a cuff-link device 272 in a detachable manner. The cuff link device 272 can be received in a cuff-link housing 266 as previously described.

Generally speaking, the use of a cuff-link or similar toggle-button type device can be used independently of the elasticated strap, and even on conventional golf gloves. For example, the cuff-link or similar device can replace the ball marker that is detachably secured to the press-snap type fastener at or near the wrist cuff to allow the glove to be connected to clothing or equipment, for example using the short strap shown in FIG. 10(b) or by alternative means.

With regard to the cuff-link housing 192 shown in FIG. 9(d) and short strap 230 shown in FIG. 10(b), these are both suitable for attachment to players' clothing, for example on trousers, clothing or equipment. A dedicated clothing range may be provided.

Referring to FIG. 13, examples are shown as to how a primary elasticated strap 280 described in previous embodiments can be attached to the spine of the various glove.

FIG. 13(a) shows how a primary strap 280 is connected beneath a closer tab 282, fixed at position 284, and has pairs of Velcro patches at either end which allow the strap to attach to itself in a loop when no secondary strap is attached.

FIG. 13(b) shows how a primary strap 286 is connected beneath a closer tab 282, again fixed at position 284, and has metal or plastic eyelets attached at each end into which can be connected a secondary strap or score counter or other accessory.

FIG. 13(c) shows how a primary strap 288 is connected beneath a closer tab 282, again fixed at position 284, and has at one end a press snap fastener 290 which is attached to the spine of the glove and hinged to be used (1) as an attachment option and/or (2) to hold a ball marker. An eyelet 291 or press snap fastener on the tab also provides for attachment of a secondary strap. At the other end of the primary strap 288, a press snap fastener 292 can either attach to another press-snap fastener to prevent flapping or be tucked under the tab 282 when no secondary strap is attached.

A further embodiment will now be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. The elasticated strap described in previous embodiments may be distracting when the glove is worn, and so this embodiment provides a strap that extends from, and retracts into, a protective chamber attached to the spine of the glove. In this way, the elasticated strap is retained relatively tight against the glove when not being used and is further protected from external wear and tear.

Referring to FIG. 14, a golf glove 300 is provided with a chamber 304 on its spine. The chamber 304 can be a patch of material sewn or otherwise adhered to the glove 300 along its perimeter, or a separate box-like member as will be described below. The chamber has two eyelets or holes 305 through which an elasticated strap 306 is threaded to provide a loop. Said strap 306 is preferably fixed either to the glove 300 or the chamber 304 and is held taught against the glove so that when the user inserts their hand through the strap loop, its length is extended so that more of the strap emerges from the chamber 304. When the user removes their hand from the loop, the strap material automatically retracts into the chamber 304 and hence there is no distracting flap of material that might otherwise distract the wearer. A portion of the strap 306 is also protected by means of the chamber 304.

An extended tab of material 308 is provided near the cuff-portion of the glove 300 to allow the glove to be pulled tight over the wearer's hand and to help with removal.

As mentioned above, as an alternative to forming the chamber using a patch of material, a separate two-ply member can be provided. FIG. 15 shows two such separate members 310, 320 that could be attached to the glove 300 at the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 14. Attachment may be by means of sewing or gluing at the time of manufacture or the chamber can be provided as a separate member for attachment to the glove 300 by the user, e.g. using mechanical press stud fasteners or Velcro. The chamber could in theory be used with other products, such as handbags or purses.

Referring to FIG. 15(a) the chamber is formed by a relatively thin box 312 of plastic or card material with a hollow interior. The chamber is effectively a separate box-like structure. Two eyelets are provided near opposite ends of the box through which the elasticated strap 314 is threaded to enable a user to insert and remove their hand within the loop formed thereby. The strap 314 is sewn to the interior of the box 312 (e.g. at point 328) so that the strap is held relatively taught against the box. The box 312 can be sewn or glued to the glove 300 in the direction indicated by arrow 315.

FIG. 15(b) is similar to the FIG. 15(a) embodiment but has an open slotted-end 322 from which emerges one or, in this case, the two ends of the strap 314. A first, upper end 324 of the strap 314 is provided with a press stud fastener for attachment to a corresponding fastener provided on the upper surface of the box 312. In this way, a loop can be formed to allow the glove to be connected to the user's clothing or an accessory. Alternatively, this end 324 can be provided with a hole to allow attachment to clothing or accessories by means of a cuff-link fastener, or provided with a rigid clip as a further attachment means. A second, lower end 326 provides a tab which can be used for pulling the glove 300 tightly onto the user's hand, meaning that the tab 308 shown in FIG. 14 is not necessary.

The strap 314 may be provided as a single piece of material or in more than one piece that can form the loop by mechanical fastening means such as press studs which connect together to form the strap and loop. The strap 314 may be detachable from the chamber and in use threaded through the eyelets by the user, for example to replace it.

A cuff pull can be applied to the cuff region of the glove 300 using any one of the embodiments described herein to aid pulling the glove onto the hand and also securing the strap 314 over the user's hand and wrist.

Cuff Pull Variations

Returning to the provision of a cuff pull mechanism as introduced above with regard to FIG. 7, alternative configurations may include a relatively simple loop of material as shown in FIG. 9(a), or a piece of webbing or a pocket sewn within the hem of the glove's cuff, as shown in FIG. 10(a). With regard to the FIG. 10(a) configuration, the pocket 229 is formed within the interior of the cuff and has a plurality of distinct regions within which the user's fingers can be inserted to pull the glove firmly and tightly over the hand from spaced apart locations to distribute the force more evenly and prevent distortion of the glove. Any of the cuff pull configurations can be used with any of the glove embodiments described.

The cuff pull, when provided as a loop of material, can also be used to hold the glove over a player's finger or wrist, in the manner shown in FIG. 5.

The term elastic and elasticated has been used throughout and is intended to mean any flexible material that can be stretched by user action and which will return substantially to its original shape or position when no force is applied by a user.

In summary, the embodiments allow the glove to be held on the wrist of the golfer or their fingers in-between shots leaving their hands free to carry out other functions. Alternatively, the glove can be attached to items of a golfers clothing or equipment such as their trousers, golf bag, trolley or the inside of a open umbrella.

This provides a means of airing the glove which helps to prevent it from becoming either overly moist or overly dry. It also helps the glove to maintain its natural shape.

When the golfer wishes to remove their glove, it can be taken off and put on to their wrist in one continuous movement and vice versa allowing the glove to be readily available to the golfer at all times, thus saving them the inconvenience of having to search the pockets of their trousers.

The double Velcro tab closer helps to both conceal the elasticated band and hold it in place. The Velcro tab closer's elasticated section compensates for the excess stretching of the glove by grabbing the excess material. In the case of the double Velcro tab closer, it does this in two directions.

The cuff tab pull gives the golfer sufficient grip and leverage necessary to pull the glove tightly onto the hand in the direction of the wrist both before and after fastening and ensures the cuff of the glove is prevented from being stretched and pulled out of shape. It can also be used as a alternative means of holding the glove on the fingers of the hand and as an alternative means of attaching the glove to items of a golfer's clothing or equipment.

In addition to aiding natural drying of the glove, the fact that it is able to hang freely and not placed in the user's pocket between shots also means that advertising carried on the glove is visible for a greater period of time.

A holder for detachably holding a ball marker is also provided, which can be on the strap itself and/or on the cuff of the glove.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more examples, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure and/or the appended claims.

Claims

1-45. (canceled)

46. A glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided for attachment to a hand or other accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn, wherein the strap is formed of a primary piece and a secondary piece, the primary piece being arranged to be secured or securable to the glove and the secondary piece being arranged to connect to the first piece.

47. A glove according to claim 46, wherein the secondary piece is arranged to detachably connect to the first piece.

48. A glove according to claim 46, wherein the secondary piece is arranged in use either to form a loop or to provide a means of attachment to another accessory.

49. A glove according to claim 47, wherein the primary piece comprises one or more Velcro™ patches which can connect to the secondary piece

50. A glove according to claim 47, wherein the primary piece comprises one or more snap-press fasteners which can connect to the secondary piece.

51. A glove according to claim 47, wherein the primary piece comprises one or more eyelets attached to which can be connected the secondary strap.

52. A glove according to claim 47, further comprising a ball marker, a means for detachably holding a tee peg or another accessory that can be connected to the secondary strap.

52. A glove according to claim 46, wherein the primary strap is integrally formed with the glove.

54. A glove according to claim 46, further comprising an elongate tab integrally formed with the glove at or near its cuff region and which extends away from the cuff region.

55. A glove according to claim 54, wherein the elongate tab is formed in general alignment with the spine of the glove.

56. A glove according to claim 54, wherein the elongate tab has attachment means thereon to allow the elongate tab to be connected in a toggle-type manner to clothing or another accessory.

57. A glove according to claim 56, wherein the attachment means on the elongate tab comprises a button/clip/cufflink for connection to clothing or another accessory in a toggle-type manner.

58. A glove according to claim 56, wherein the attachment means on the elongate tab comprises a male press stud fastener and a female press stud fastener so that the elongate tab can be formed into a loop.

59. A glove according to claim 57, wherein the button/clip/cufflink is detachable from the elongate tab.

60. A glove according to claim 46, further comprising a cuff pull part attached to, or provided in the region of, the glove's cuff.

61. A glove according to claim 60, wherein the cuff pull part is provided in the form of a tab, loop or pocket.

62. A glove according to claim 46, wherein only one of the primary and secondary strap pieces is elasticated.

63. A glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided for attachment to a hand or other accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn, further comprising an elongate tab integrally formed with the glove at or near its cuff region and which extends away from the cuff region.

64. A glove provided with an elongate strap attached or attachable to the glove at a first location, the strap being elasticated and provided for attachment to a hand or other accessory so that in use the glove may rest or hang freely on the hand or other accessory when it is not being worn, further comprising a cuff pull part attached to, or provided in the region of, the glove's cuff.