The present invention relates to textile articles and clothing such as outdoor garments, indoor garments, and commercial protective wear exposed to contact mixtures of water and oil, swimwear and winter wear exposed to mixtures of water and air. At least part of these textile articles possess a surface provided with at least one of 1) a high surface area, 2) hierarchical pattern, 3) contact angles such that hydrophilic portion of a contact mixture possesses a high contact angle and the hydrophobic portion of a contact mixture possesses a low contact angle, and 4) hysteresis angle greater than 5 degrees. Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic contact mixtures of the present invention can be surfaces where water and or ice are present in combination with oil and or air. The textile articles of the present invention resist slippage on surfaces possessing hydrophobic/hydrophilic contact mixtures.

Sleeves for improving performance and control are disclosed. The sleeves are constructed for use on the fingers, wherein each sleeve is constructed in some embodiments with grip zones that match areas of the finger to ensure improved grip while maintaining flexibility, compression, protection, and material durability. Each grip zone is positioned to ensure that fingers are able to naturally bend without impeding grip performance. A spine on a rear of the sleeve ensures material durability, limits over extension, and provides padding and protection.

A glove for a goalkeeper includes a base knit and a plurality of fingers. Two or more of the fingers can include a compression knit area configured to be located circumjacent the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fingers of a wearer. A wrist collar with a compression knit area can be configured to be located circumjacent the radiocarpal joint of a wearer. The compression knit areas of the fingers and the wrist collar can be configured to provide support to the fingers and wrist of a wearer, respectively, in a manner similar to athletic tape.

The present invention relates to textile articles and clothing such as outdoor garments, indoor garments, and commercial protective wear exposed to contact mixtures of water and oil, swimwear and winter wear exposed to mixtures of water and air. At least part of these textile articles possess a surface provided with at least one of 1) a high surface area, 2) hierarchical pattern, 3) contact angles such that hydrophilic portion of a contact mixture possesses a high contact angle and the hydrophobic portion of a contact mixture possesses a low contact angle, and 4) hysteresis angle greater than 5 degrees. Hydrophobic/Hydrophilic contact mixtures of the present invention can be surfaces where water and or ice are present in combination with oil and or air. The textile articles of the present invention resist slippage on surfaces possessing hydrophobic/hydrophilic contact mixtures.

A grip assist apparatus for weightlifting that includes a gripping portion with spine insert that is sufficiently pliable to be bent to allow a user to reach the end with their fingers and wrap the gripping portion around an axle bar but sufficiently resilient to substantially return to its starting position after the gripping portion is released.

A mold for casting a micro-scale dry adhesive structure includes an upper surface including a first cavity having a first depth, a negative pattern for an array of micro-scale structures defined in a surface of the first cavity, and at least one second cavity having a second depth defined in the cavity outside of the negative pattern for the array of micro-scale structures, the at least one second cavity defining a negative pattern for a standoff of the micro-scale dry adhesive structure.

This disclosure describes a gripping aid to improve the hand-to-handle interface. The gripping aid increases the grip span of a user by bridging the anatomical gaps in the user's finger and thumb. The gripping aid provide a structure along the thumb web to oppose the gripping force of the fingers/thumb to increase grip strength. In some implementations, the gripping aid may be composed of a crush resistant and further include a fulcrum point to add instability to increase the speed and/or torque of each swing of a handle. In some implementations, the gripping aid may also provide a reduction in vibrations and superficial hand traumas normally caused when the handle strikes an object.

According to the various features characteristics and embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides partially fingered gloves intended to increase the overall performance in sports activities including but limited to football and golf. Primarily because of its unique finger configurations, and/or grip enhancers, and/or hand protective properties, as well as providing an strategically located aperture exposing a portion of a user's forefinger, the present invention makes a glove more operable in various sports activities.

An Athletic Glove with an Enhanced Grip and Range of Motion provides for improved play in cold weather conditions. The glove may be comprised of a primary layer of flexible material with a low coefficient of friction and low adhesive properties, and tactile layers with a high coefficient of friction or high adhesive property layer on the front portions of the throwing fingers, whereby an athlete may achieve a natural tactile feel while wearing the glove. For example, a baseball glove may include high coefficient of friction material on the thumb, pointer, and middle fingers while the palm and remaining digits are of a low coefficient of friction material. A baseball glove may additionally include high coefficient of friction material on the inner side of the ring finger where the ring finger contacts the baseball. The athletic glove may also include striations or furrows in the high coefficient of friction areas to improve tactile feel in wet playing conditions.