QUICK ACCESS SHROUD FOR CONTAINING A SPORT GLOVE AND A BALL

Abstract

A quick access shroud at least partially encapsulates a sport glove and/or a ball for storage and portability, while enabling facilitated access to the glove and/or ball through two uniquely positioned fastening mechanisms. The shroud is formed in a general shape of the sport glove, such as a baseball glove. A first panel and a second panel join together at a perimeter region. A section of the perimeter region is not permanently fastened to enable passage of the glove and/or ball through a perimeter fastener. The first panel comprises a central portion that detachably attaches to a central region of the first panel. A hole forms in the first panel when the central portion is detached. The hole enables quick access to only the ball. A central fastener regulates passage through the hole. An oil may coat the inner surface of the panels to lubricate the glove.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a quick access shroud for storing and carrying baseball equipment, and more particularly relates to a quick access shroud that at least partially encapsulates both a sport glove and a ball for storage and portability, while enabling facilitated access to either the sport glove or ball through two uniquely positioned fastening mechanisms.

Description of the Related Art

It is known that baseball mitts or gloves can be used with either the left or the right hand by having a compartment formed between a removable padding and one of two sheets. The padding lies against the palm of the inserted hand. Typically, the stalls for the index and middle fingers are separated from the thumb stall by a relatively wide web of generally triangular shape and from the two remaining stalls, also joined together, by a similar but narrower web. It is also known to interconnect the front and rear sheets of a baseball glove by lacing which extends along the lateral sheet edges as well as along the peripheries of their extensions defining the finger stalls.

In the game of baseball, it is further understood that a baseball is a ball used in the sport of the same name, baseball. It is between 9 inches and 9¼ inches in circumference. The ball generally weighs eight ounces. A typical baseball has a spherical core and two identical pieces of leather sewn to the core. One composition of the core is cork and rubber mixed by solvent. The other composition of the core is a high-density cork filled in a hollow rubber center, and the center wound in yarn or the like. Either composition has materials of cork and rubber.

Typically, a baseball/softball team will generally carry gloves and baseballs to games. Numerous baseball gloves are required due to differing preferences of the players. Numerous balls are needed for warm-up purposes. Each player needs a baseball glove to catch the baseballs.

Typically, the baseball glove and baseball is loosely carried and stored in one or more duffle bags having a single compartment which allows the baseball equipment to be commingled, become disorganized, and difficult to readily locate. During the game, the baseball glove may be needed quickly. However, the baseball glove and baseball are often difficult to locate and sometimes misplaced in this way.

Baseball equipment bags have become more sophisticated with time. Some bags are an elongated duffel or roll-type bag having a zippered opening and an elongated storage compartment for storing the player's equipment. This type of bag is popular because of its soft-sided feature which makes it easy to store and transport. However, the plain elongated duffel or roll-type bag with one elongated compartment fails to keep the baseball glove and baseball in any semblance of organization in the equipment bag making it difficult for the player to keep items segregated and inconvenient for the player to find things within the bag.

Other proposals have involved baseball equipment storage containers. The problem with these containers is that they do not provide organized, quick access to the baseball glove and baseball, and they are not compactable for facilitated stowage and transport. Even though the above cited baseball equipment storage containers meet some of the needs of the market, a quick access shroud that encapsulates a sport glove and/or a ball for storage and portability, while enabling facilitated access to the sport glove and/or the ball through two uniquely positioned fastening mechanisms is still desired.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a quick access shroud for storing and carrying baseball equipment. Beneficially, such a shroud would at least partially encapsulate a sport glove and/or a ball for storage and portability, while enabling facilitated access to the sport glove and/or the ball through two uniquely positioned fastening mechanisms.

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available sporting equipment containers. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a shroud that is sufficiently sized and dimensioned to contain both a sport glove and a ball that is used with the sport glove in a variety of environments that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.

The quick access shroud is provided with a plurality of panels and fastening mechanisms configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of storing and carrying sports equipment, and especially a sport glove with an accompanying ball. The quick release shroud is configured to at least partially encapsulate a sport glove and/or a ball for storage and portability, while enabling facilitated access to the sport glove and/or the ball through two uniquely positioned fastening mechanisms.

In some embodiments, the shroud may be formed in a general shape of the sport glove. The sport glove may include, without limitation, a baseball fielder's glove, a baseball catcher's glove, a softball glove, a cricket glove, and any glove or mitten associated with a sport. The shroud provides sufficient volume to also contain the ball while it is in a nestled disposition in the glove. The shroud is most efficient when the ball is nestled into the glove during encapsulation. This organized disposition in the shroud saves space and provides a known reference point for the ball, so as to enable more efficient access.

In some embodiments, the shroud comprises a first panel and a second panel that are disposed generally coplanar and in alignment with each other. A cavity may form between the panels. The cavity is sized and dimensioned to snugly contain the sport glove and the ball. The panels join at their edges to form a perimeter region. A seam or other fastening means securely joins the perimeter region of the first and second panels together. A portion of the perimeter region is not permanently sealed, so as to form an opening for enabling access to the cavity. A perimeter fastener disposed at the opening regulates access to the cavity. Through manipulation of the perimeter fastener, the glove and/or the ball may be deposited and removed from the shroud in a quick, efficient manner.

The first panel includes a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface may be coated with an oil for lubricating the sport glove. The first outer surface may include a semi-rigid composition for enhanced protection. The first outer surface may also include logos, colors and color patterns. Likewise, the second panel includes a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface may be coated with an oil for lubricating the sport glove. The second outer surface may include a semi-rigid composition for enhanced protection. The second outer surface may also include logos, colors and color patterns. The oil may include, without limitation, petroleum jelly, olive oil, mink oil, and linseed oil.

In some embodiments, the first panel provides a unique configuration that enables quick access to only the ball, while leaving the sport glove in the shroud. This is useful when only the ball is needed. This is possible through a central portion of the first panel that detachably attaches from the first panel, leaving a hole. The hole is sized and dimensioned to enable passage of the ball. The central portion is disposed approximately in alignment with the ball, and specifically when the ball is nestled into the glove. The central portion is configured to detach from the first panel for depositing the ball into the glove. The central portion may then be attached and fastened over the hole with a central fastener to secure the ball within the shroud. The central portion is useful when only access to the ball is needed, and removing the glove is not necessary.

The shroud, in one embodiment, is configured to securely store and carry a sport glove and a ball.

The shroud is further configured, in one embodiment, to provide a small, lightweight carrying means for carrying sports equipment onto a field of play.

In a further embodiment, the shroud may be configured to enable quick access to the sport glove and/or ball.

In a further embodiment, the shroud may be configured to help lubricate the glove during storage with in the shroud through an oiled inner surface for the panels.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a quick access shroud viewed from a first panel, and with a sport glove and a ball contained in the shroud, in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view illustrating the quick access shroud viewed from a second panel, and with a ball removed from the shroud through detachment of a central portion, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a quick release shroud 100 that is encapsulating a sport glove 200 and a ball 202. The quick release shroud 100, hereafter, “shroud 100” is configured to at least partially encapsulate a sport glove 200 and/or a ball 202 for enabling storage and portability of the contained sports equipment. This storage capacity may be especially useful on a sports field or during a baseball game when quick access to the sport glove 200 and/or the ball 202 is necessary.

The shroud 100 utilizes two uniquely positioned fastening mechanisms to enable quick, efficient access to the sport glove 200 and/or the ball 202. The sport glove 200 and ball 202 may be accessed or deposited from either an opening 110 in the perimeter region 112 of the shroud, or by detaching a central portion 106 of the shroud 100. This dual region accessibility enables more efficient access to the sport glove 200 and ball 202.

In some embodiments, the shroud 100 may be formed in a general shape of the sport glove 200. The sport glove 200 may include, without limitation, a baseball fielder's glove, a baseball catcher's glove, a softball glove, a cricket glove, and any glove or mitten associated with a sport. The shroud 100 also provides sufficient volume to contain the ball 202 while it is in a nestled disposition in the glove 200.

The shroud 100 provides the most efficient storage capacity when the ball 202 is nestled into the glove 200 and both sports items 200, 202 are snugly contained within the shroud 100. This organized disposition in the shroud 100 saves space. The disposition of the ball 202 in the glove 200 provides a known reference point for the ball 202, so as to enable more efficient access to the ball 202. The ball 202 may include, without limitation, a baseball, a softball 202, a cricket ball 202, and a croquette ball 202.

Looking again at FIG. 1, the shroud 100 comprises a first panel 102 and a second panel 116 that are disposed generally coplanar and in alignment with each other. In one alternative embodiment, the panels 100, 102 are molded to receive a specifically sized and styled baseball glove. This unique mold may include panels 100, 102 having finger regions and a thumb region.

In another embodiment, the panels 100, 102 are sized and dimensioned to snugly contain the sport glove 200 and the ball 202 with minimal space for movement. For example, the panels 100, 102 may have a length about 15% longer than the sport glove 200 to compensate for expansion and movement of the sport glove 200.

In some embodiments, a cavity may form between the panels 100, 102. The cavity is sized and dimensioned to snugly contain the sport glove 200 and the ball 202. Suitable materials for the panels 100, 102 may include, without limitation, leather, canvas, cotton duck, polyester, cotton, a resilient polymer, an acrylic fabric, and a nonwoven material.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the panels 100, 102 join at their edges to form a perimeter region 112. At least one seam 108a, 108b, 108c securely joins the perimeter region 112 of the first and second panels 100, 102 together. The seam 108a, 108b, 108c is configured to permanently fasten a substantial portion of the perimeter region 112. An opening 110 forms in at least a section of the perimeter region 112 that is not permanently fastened by the seam 108b. In one embodiment, a first seam 108a forms at the edge of the panels 100, 102; a second seam 108b forms to reinforce the opening 110; and a third seam 108c forms centrally to conform to the shape of the sport glove 200. In some embodiments, the at least one seam 108a, 108b, 108c may include a woven thread.

In some embodiments, an opening 110 forms in at least a section of the perimeter region 112 that is not permanently fastened. This closable opening enables passage of the sport glove 200 and/or the ball 202 to the cavity. The portion of the perimeter region 112 that is not permanently sealed, and thus forms an opening 110 for enabling access to the cavity may be regulated by a perimeter fastener 124. Through manipulation of the perimeter fastener 124, the glove 200 and/or the ball 202 may be deposited and removed from the shroud 100 in a quick, efficient manner. The perimeter fastener 124 may include, without limitation, a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a button, a latch, a friction-fit mechanism, and a magnet.

The first panel 102 includes a first inner surface 120 and a first outer surface 104. The first inner surface 120 may be of a softer composition than the first outer surface 104. In one alternative embodiment, the first inner surface 120 is coated with an oil for lubricating the sport glove 200. The first outer surface 104 may be fabricated from a semi-rigid composition for enhanced protection of the sport glove 200 and ball 202. The first outer surface 104 may also include logos, colors and color patterns. Likewise, the second panel 116 includes a second inner surface 114 and a second outer surface 118. The second inner surface 114 may be coated with an oil for lubricating the sport glove 200. The second outer surface 118 may include a semi-rigid composition for enhanced protection. The second outer surface 118 may also include logos, colors and color patterns.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the first panel 102 provides a unique configuration that enables quick access to only the ball 202, while retaining the sport glove 200 within the cavity of the shroud. In this embodiment, a central portion 106 of the first panel 102 detachably attaches from the first panel 102, leaving a hole. The hole is sized and dimensioned to enable passage of the ball 202. The central portion 106 is disposed approximately in alignment with the ball 202, and specifically when the ball 202 is nestled into the glove 200.

The central portion 106 is configured to detach from the first panel 102 for depositing or retrieving the ball 202. After the ball 202 is deposited into the glove, the central portion 106 may be attached and fastened over the hole with a central fastener 122. The central fastener 122 secures the ball 202 within the confines of the panels 102, 116. The central portion 106 is useful when only access to the ball 202 is needed, and removing the glove 200 is not necessary.

In some embodiments, a central fastener 122 may be used to regulate access through the hole. The central fastener 122 may include, without limitation, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a button, a latch, a friction-fit mechanism, and a magnet

Thus, the shroud 100 provides a small, lightweight carrying means for carrying sports equipment, and specifically a sport glove 200 and a ball 202, onto a field of play. The shroud 100 may enables quick access to the sport glove 200 and/or ball 202 through the opening in the perimeter region 112, or access to only the ball 202 through the hole in the first panel 102. In a further embodiment, the shroud 100 may be configured to help lubricate the sport glove 200 during storage within the shroud 100 through the oiled inner surfaces 114, 120 of the panels 102, 116.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A quick release shroud for storage and carrying of a sport glove and a ball, the shroud comprising:

a first panel, the first panel comprising a first inner surface and a first outer surface, the first panel further comprising a central portion, the central portion configured to detachably attach to a generally central region of the first panel, whereby a hole forms in the first panel when the central portion is detached;

a central fastener, the central fastener configured to regulate passage through the hole in the first panel;

a second panel, the second panel disposed generally coplanar and in alignment with the first panel, the second panel comprising a second inner surface and a second outer surface, whereby the first panel and the second panel join at a perimeter region, whereby a cavity forms between the first panel and the second panel;

at least one seam, the at least one seam configured to permanently fasten a substantial portion of the perimeter region, whereby an opening forms in at least a section of the perimeter region that is not permanently fastened, so as to enable passage to the cavity; and

a perimeter fastener, the perimeter fastener configured to regulate passage through the section of the perimeter region that is configured to enable passage to the cavity.

2. The shroud of claim 1, wherein the shroud is configured to enable containment of a sport glove and a ball.

3. The shroud of claim 2, wherein the first panel is fabricated from a material that includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: leather, canvas, cotton duck, polyester, cotton, a resilient polymer, an acrylic fabric, and a nonwoven material.

4. The shroud of claim 3, wherein the second panel is fabricated from a material that includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: leather, canvas, cotton duck, polyester, cotton, a resilient polymer, an acrylic fabric, and a nonwoven material.

5. The shroud of claim 4, wherein the first inner surface is at least partially coated with an oil.

6. The shroud of claim 5, wherein the second inner surface is at least partially coated with the oil.

7. The shroud of claim 6, wherein the oil is configured to lubricate the sport glove.

8. The shroud of claim 7, wherein the central portion is generally circular.

9. The shroud of claim 8, wherein the hole in the first panel is configured to enable passage of the ball.

10. The shroud of claim 9, wherein the central fastener includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a button, a latch, a friction-fit mechanism, and a magnet.

11. The shroud of claim 10, wherein the section of the perimeter region that is not permanently fastened is configured to enable passage of the sport glove and/or the ball.

12. The shroud of claim 11, wherein the perimeter fastener includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a button, a latch, a friction-fit mechanism, and a magnet.

13. The shroud of claim 12, wherein the at least one seam includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a woven thread, an adhesive, a series of billets, a series of buttons, and a series of magnets.

14. The shroud of claim 13, wherein the sport glove is a baseball glove.

15. The shroud of claim 14, wherein the ball is a baseball.

16. A quick release shroud for storage and carrying of a sport glove and a ball, the shroud comprising:

a first panel, the first panel comprising a first inner surface and a first outer surface, the first inner surface comprising a coat of an oil, the first panel further comprising a central portion, the central portion configured to detachably attach to a generally central region of the first panel, whereby a hole forms in the first panel when the central portion is detached;

a second panel, the second panel disposed generally coplanar and in alignment with the first panel, the second panel comprising a second inner surface and a second outer surface, the second inner surface comprising a coat of the oil, whereby the first panel and the second panel join at a perimeter region, whereby a cavity forms between the first panel and the second panel, whereby the cavity is configured to enable containment of a sport glove and a ball;

a central fastener, the central fastener configured to regulate passage of the sport glove and the ball through the hole in the first panel;

at least one seam, the at least one seam configured to permanently fasten a substantial portion of the perimeter region, whereby an opening forms in at least a section of the perimeter region that is not permanently fastened, so as to enable passage to the cavity; and

a perimeter fastener, the perimeter fastener configured to regulate passage through the section of the perimeter region that is configured to enable passage of the sport glove and the ball.

17. The shroud of claim 16, wherein the sport glove is a baseball glove.

18. The shroud of claim 16, wherein the ball is a baseball.

19. The shroud of claim 16, wherein the section of the perimeter region that is not permanently fastened is configured to enable passage of the sport glove and/or the ball.

20. The shroud of claim 16, wherein the perimeter fastener includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a button, a latch, a friction-fit mechanism, and a magnet.