Golf gloves

Abstract

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 golf. Primarily because of its unique finger configurations, and/or grip enhancers, and/or apertures, the present invention makes a glove more operable in various sports activities, including for those who play Golf using the conventional interlocking grip.

Claims

1. A partial-fingered glove, comprising: a glove body having connected dorsal and palmar portions adapted to overlay a back and a palm of a wearer's hand, respectively, wherein said dorsal and palmar portions have distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments projecting from the distal ends, said plurality of digital segments comprises: a thumb digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire thumb of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a middle finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire middle finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a ring finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire ring finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a pinkie finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire pinkie finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a forefinger digital segment, whereby said forefinger digital segment is adapted to cover a proximal phalanx of a forefinger of the wearer's hand and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion leaving uncovered the wearer's forefinger distal phalanx; and wherein said digital segments further comprise micro-recesses along dorsal portions of the ring finger digital segment and the pinkie finger digital segment as well as along the dorsal portion of the thumb digital segment designed to provide ventilation; and, wherein the forefinger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying a proximal phalanx of the wearer's forefinger is free of said micro-recesses; and wherein the middle finger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying a proximal phalanx of the wearer's middle finger is free of said micro-recesses.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the micro-recesses are throughout the dorsal portion of the pinkie finger digital segment, throughout the dorsal portion of the ring finger digital segment, and throughout the dorsal portion of the thumb digital segment.

3. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body dorsal portion material overlaying the back of the wearer's hand has a cut out portion along a metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's middle finger.

4. The glove of claim 1, wherein said forefinger digital segment is designed to cover a middle phalanx of the forefinger of the wearer's hand when the glove is worn.

5. The glove of claim 1, wherein said forefinger digital segment is designed to cover the entire proximal phalanx and at least a portion of a middle phalanx of the forefinger of the wearer's hand when the glove is worn.

6. The glove of claim 1, wherein said micro-recesses are throughout the dorsal portion of the ring finger digital segment; and, wherein said forefinger digital segment does not cover the fingertip of the wearer's finger when the glove is worn.

7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove body palmar portion further comprises of a grip enhancing means that is designed to create a higher coefficient of friction along said glove body palmar portion.

8. The glove of claim 1, wherein said glove body palmar portion further comprises a grip enhancing means; wherein said grip enhancing mean comprises an anti-slip coating.

9. The glove of hand cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dorsal portion overlaying a middle phalanx of the wearer's middle finger is free of micro-recesses to thereby reducing moisture from contacting an overlapping finger.

10. The glove of claim 1, wherein said forefinger digital segment adapted to cover the entire proximal phalanx and at least a portion of a middle phalanx of the forefinger of the wearer's hand; and, wherein said forefinger digital dorsal portion is free of said micro-recesses.

11. A partial-fingered glove, comprising: a glove body having connected dorsal and palmar portions adapted to overlay a back and a palm of a wearer's hand, respectively, wherein said dorsal and palmar portions have distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments projecting from the distal ends, said plurality of digital segments comprises: a thumb digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire thumb of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a middle finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire middle finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a ring finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire ring finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a pinkie finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire pinkie finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a forefinger digital segment, whereby said forefinger digital segment is adapted to cover a proximal phalanx of a forefinger of the wearer's hand when the glove is worn leaving uncovered the wearer's forefinger distal phalanx; and wherein said digital segments further comprise micro-recesses along dorsal portions of the ring finger digital segment, the pinkie finger digital segment, and the thumb digital segment designed to remove moisture and provide ventilation; and wherein the forefinger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying a proximal phalanx of the wearer's forefinger is free of said micro-recesses; and wherein the middle finger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying a proximal phalanx of the wearer's middle finger is free of said micro-recesses; and, wherein said glove further comprises of a wrist portion that is expansible for holding securely a wrist of the wearer when the glove is worn; said wrist portion further comprising of an elastic material affixed alone said wrist portion; said wrist portion further comprising of a strap with a flap or hook and loop fastener designed to allow the wearer to secure said glove to the hand of the wearer.

12. The glove of claim 11, wherein the forefinger digital segment has a palmar and dorsal portion adapted to overlay a middle phalanx of the wearer's forefinger; wherein said forefinger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying the wearer's middle phalanx is also free of any said micro-recesses.

13. The glove of claim 11, wherein the glove body palmar portion is adapted to entirely overlay a metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's forefinger; wherein said palmar portion overlaying the wearer's forefinger metacarpophalangeal comprises of a grip enhancing means designed to create a higher coefficient of friction along the glove body palmar portion.

14. The glove of claim 11, wherein the glove body includes an interior, said interior comprising of a liner.

15. The glove as claimed in claim 11, wherein said forefinger digital segment adapted to cover the entire proximal phalanx and at least a portion of a middle phalanx of the forefinger of the wearer's hand; wherein said forefinger digital segment does not extend to cover an entire distal phalanx of the wearer's forefinger, thereby exposing at least a fingertip of the wearer's forefinger when the glove is worn; wherein said forefinger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying the wearer's middle phalanx is also free of said micro-recesses.

16. The glove of claim 11, wherein the glove body palmar portion comprises a grip enhancing means designed to create a higher coefficient of friction along said glove body palmar portion.

17. A partial-fingered glove, comprising: a glove body having connected dorsal and palmar portions adapted to overlay a back and a palm of a wearer's hand, respectively, wherein said dorsal and palmar portions have distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments projecting from the distal ends, said plurality of digital segments comprises: a thumb digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire thumb of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a middle finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire middle finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a ring finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire ring finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a pinkie finger digital segment that is adapted to enclose an entire pinkie finger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion; a forefinger digital segment, whereby said forefinger digital segment is adapted to cover a proximal phalanx of a forefinger of the wearer and has a dorsal portion and a palmar portion, leaving uncovered the wearer's forefinger distal phalanx; and wherein said digital segments further comprise micro-recesses along dorsal portions of the ring finger digital segment, the pinkie finger digital segment, and the thumb digital segment are designed to remove moisture and provide ventilation; and wherein the forefinger digital segment dorsal portion overlaying the wearer's proximal phalanx is free of said micro-recesses; and, wherein said glove body dorsal portion overlays a forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's hand; and, wherein said glove body comprises of micro-recesses along the glove body dorsal portion overlaying the forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's hand; wherein said glove further comprises of a wrist portion that is designed to be expansible for holding securely a wrist of the wearer; wherein said wrist portion further comprises of an elastic material in the form of an elastomeric band affixed along said wrist portion; and, wherein said wrist portion further comprises of a strap with a hook and loop fastener designed to allow the wearer to secure said glove to the hand of the wearer.

18. The glove as claimed in claim 17, wherein the glove body dorsal portion material overlaying the back of the wearer's hand has a cut out portion, said cut out portion extending across a metacarpophalangeal joint of the wearer's middle finger.

19. The glove of claim 17, wherein the strap comprises of a compartment on the strap.

20. The glove of claim 17, wherein the strap comprises of a compartment on the strap; said compartment comprising of a fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWING

(1) It is expressly understood that the following descriptions and drawings are for illustration purposes only, and in no way are intended to limit the scope of the present invention and its various embodiments. For example, the drawings are of embodiments for the left hand but can easily be created for the right hand.

(2) FIG. 1 is a drawing of the palmar (front) view of an embodiment. The glove completely covers the thumb, middle finger, ring finger and pinkie finger. The glove also has a finger segment that covers the forefinger's proximal phalanx but does not extend to cover the forefinger's middle or distal phalanges.

(3) FIG. 2 is a drawing of the embodiment as described in FIG. 1, showing the dorsal (back) view.

(4) FIG. 3 is a drawing of the palmar view of a second embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 shows the top and bottom view of a panel which creates a higher friction surface on an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3.

(6) FIG. 5 is a drawing of the embodiment as described in FIG. 3, showing the dorsal view.

(7) FIG. 6 is a drawing of the palmar view of a third embodiment, shown as a partial-fingered glove. The glove has a forefinger segment that covers the forefinger's proximal and middle phalanges but does not extend to cover the forefinger's distal phalanx.

(8) FIG. 7 is a drawing of the embodiment as described in FIG. 6, dorsal view.

(9) FIG. 8 is an alternative dorsal segment to FIG. 3.

(10) FIG. 9 is an alternative dorsal segment to FIG. 6.

(11) FIG. 10 shows a typical interlocking grip using a conventional prior art glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(12) It is expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention is shown and designated as 10. The palmar view of a left-handed glove is drawn in FIG. 1 and the dorsal view of the same glove is drawn in FIG. 2. This partial-fingered embodiment provides a glove having a dorsal portion 11, a palmar portion 12 for overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, said dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said distal ends. The glove includes a glove body having a back portion covering the back of the hand 11, and a front portion covering the palm or front of the hand 12. The glove body includes finger stalls (or digital segments) and a thumb stall (digital segment) each adapted to receive a finger or thumb, respectively, therein.

(14) In the illustrated embodiment the glove is constructed such that the thumb 13 digital segment encloses said thumb, including enclosing the fingertips. The glove has a middle finger digital segment 14 that encloses the middle finger, including the fingertips, a ring finger digital segment 15 that encloses the ring finger, including the fingertips, and a pinkie finger digital segment 16 that covers the pinkie finger, including the fingertips of a user. In addition, the glove has a forefinger digital segment 17 that covers only the proximal phalanx 18, in its entirety, but does not extend to cover any portion of a user's middle or distal phalanges of the forefinger, therefore defining the forefinger segment's terminal edges.

(15) The palmar section also covers the palm segment overlaying the palm of the hand 12; the dorsal section also covers the back of the hand 11. The glove also has a wrist portion that surrounds the wrist of a user.

(16) The thumb stall 13 is defined by a dorsal portion 19 and a palmar portion 20. The forefinger stall 17 is defined by a dorsal portion 21 and a palmar portion 22. The middle finger stall 14 is defined by a dorsal portion 23 and a palmar portion 24. The ring finger stall 15 is defined by a dorsal portion 25 and a palmar portion 26. The pinkie finger stall 16 is defined by a dorsal portion 27 and a palmar portion 28.

(17) The wrist portion is preferably expansible so as to hold more securely to the user's wrist. Therefore the embodiment also has an expandable opening means 29 at a wrist end 30 adapted to receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises an elastic material along the wrist portion, such as an elastomeric band 29 fixed around the wrist. If desired, the opening means may comprise a strap means at the open end of the glove body for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area, or a combination thereof. The strap may have two pads of cohesive-adhesive material for releasably securing the strap. The strap as well as this wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove, for example.

(18) This embodiment further shows how the present invention may comprise a grip enhancing means. Although the embodiment now provides a higher coefficient of friction on a golfer's weak hand, one may now further increase grip areas by adding a grip enhancing means on select areas or on the entire palmar surface of the glove.

(19) In the illustrated embodiment, the grip enhancing means comprises a high friction surface 31 formed on the entire palmar surface of the glove 12, including the palmar surfaces of the thumb segment 20 and any existing finger segments 22, 24, 26 and 28. Preferably, the high friction surface is formed from a PVC material, a nitrile material, a latex material, or a rubber material (as shown) 35. The surface may include a depression or projection pattern formed from the high friction material. Formed on the illustrated material is a plurality of square-like projections 32 that are applied to the entire palmar surface area by any standard means, as aforementioned. These square-like projections preferably are spaced apart to allow for added grip and flexibility. The rubber palmar surface can then be conjoined to the dorsal surface, thus creating the glove. Preferably, the heights of the embodiment's projections are such that the gap formed by the projections allow for some movement of the palmar surfaces thereby increasing the grip capabilities of the user. The height can generally begin at about one hundred micrometers to several millimeters or more. For example, these projections are about two hundred micrometers in height, about two millimeters in width and four millimeters in length.

(20) The dorsal surface may comprise of a different material than the palmar surface, such as a more durable fabric, but would preferably also be rather flexible. If the dorsal surface is comprised of more durable fabrics, such as synthetic leather, then some added elasticity capabilities may be also preferable, though not required, on select area of the dorsal surface, in particular around the metacarpophalangeal joints. For example, the dorsal surface may comprise of an aperture on the forefinger's metacarpophalangeal joint, the middle finger's metacarpophalangeal joint, the ring finger's metacarpophalangeal joint, and on the pinkie finger's metacarpophalangeal joint. Alternatively, embodiments may simply comprise of a more elastic material, such as any of those aforementioned such as spandex, on the dorsal surface overlaying said metacarpophalangeal joints, or seams or slits, while the rest of the dorsal surface is comprised of a more durable material. The elastic material could be stitched onto those areas, and therefore replacing the more durable materials along those select areas.

(21) The palmar and dorsal surfaces, and any wrist portions, may then be conjoined on any finger and thumb portions, dorsal and palm portions and a wrist portion using any standard methods, such as by stitching, thus defining a pocket for receiving a user's hand.

(22) As aforementioned, this embodiment provides users with several benefits, in multiple sports. For example, those playing the sport of Golf may use this embodiment on their weak hand thereby allowing the golfer significantly more grip capabilities while simultaneously being able to have heightened tactile abilities at the same time on key areas of the interlockedand partially uncoveredforefinger.

(23) By way of example, baseball pitchers may also find this embodiment beneficial over their strong (pitching) hand primarily because it offers grip enhancing capabilities on the fingertips on select digital segments while allowing the pitcher to maintain heightened feel by simultaneously providing the pitcher with the ability to touch the baseball with the skin of his or her forefinger.

(24) Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a second embodiment of the athletic glove of the present invention is shown and designated as 40. The palmar (front) view of a left-handed glove is drawn in FIG. 3 and the dorsal (back) view of the same glove is drawn in FIG. 5. This partial-fingered embodiment provides a glove having a dorsal portion 41 and a palmar portion 42 for overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, said dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said distal ends. The glove includes a glove body having a back portion covering the dorsal surface of the hand 41, and a front portion covering essentially the entire palm surface of the hand 42. The glove body includes finger segments and a thumb segment each adapted to receive a finger or thumb, respectively, therein.

(25) In the illustrated embodiment, the glove is constructed such that the thumb 43 digital segment encloses said thumb, including enclosing the fingertips. The glove also has a middle finger digital segment 44 that covers the middle finger, including the fingertips, a ring finger digital segment 45 that covers the ring finger, including the fingertips, and a pinkie finger digital segment 46 that covers the pinkie finger, including the fingertips of a user. This embodiment does not have a forefinger digital segment 47 therefore a user's forefinger is completely uncovered.

(26) The palmar surface of this glove embodiment therefore essentially covers the rest of the front of the hand, including the entire palm of the hand 42; the dorsal section covers most of the rest of the back of the hand 41, allowing for possible micro-recesses for ventilation.

(27) The thumb stall 43 is defined by a dorsal portion 48 and palmar portion 49. The middle finger stall 44 is defined by a dorsal portion 50 and a palmar portion 51. The ring finger stall 45 is defined by a dorsal portion 52 and a palmar portion 53. The pinkie finger stall 46 is defined by a dorsal portion 54 and a palmar portion 55. There is no forefinger stall so there is no dorsal or palmar portion defining the forefinger stall.

(28) The glove also has an expandable opening means at a wrist end portion 56 adapted to receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises an expandable opening means comprised of an elastic material such as an elastomeric band 57 fixed around the wrist to expand and contract for easier glove application onto a hand. The wrist portion is preferably expansible so as to hold more securely around the user's wrist. As with other embodiments, the glove may alternatively, or additionally, have a strap means at the open end of the glove body for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap means may be unitary with the glove body and may include VELCRO fasteners, buttons, and the like or other suitable closure means thereon.

(29) This embodiment further shows how the present invention may also comprise a grip enhancing means. Although the embodiment now provides a higher coefficient of friction on a golfer's weak hand hand, one may now further increase grip areas by adding a grip enhancing means on select areas.

(30) The pinkie finger digital segment 46 of this embodiment has a grip enhancing means, in the form of PVC dots 59, on at least a portion of the palmar pinkie finger segment. The PVC dots preferably project out at least about seven hundred micrometers. The PVC dots located on the palmar section of the pinkie finger stall are throughout said stall. Similar embodiments may have a grip enhancing means also along the thumb segment, or combinations thereof, to maximize grip abilities on the fingertips of the thumb and pinkie finger. This will allow for greater golf club grip retention throughout the golf swing including during impact with the golf ball.

(31) The grip enhancing means of the present invention may be integral to the glove or may be affixed to the glove using any standard methods. For example, this embodiment comprises grip enhancing means that is integral to the glove pinkie finger stall, using any standard method known in the art. For example, the PVC dots can be imparted by any standard methods, such as, for example, by molding. The heights of the PVC dots in this embodiment are all the same height, and are in rows. Other embodiments could of course offer different heights, non-uniform heights, and have a more random pattern on the top surface.

(32) The locations of the grip enhancing means may vary on several factors of course, such as personal preference and preferred degree of enhanced grip. This added grip configuration will be useful especially to golfers and baseball pitchers for reasons described herein. Other grip enhancing configurations and locations may of course be preferred.

(33) The embodiment's grip enhancing means can also comprise of a high friction surface, such as creating crisscross projections 60, to the glove area beginning at the digital creases and extending to overlay the forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, the middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, the ring finger metacarpophalangeal joint, and the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint. The grip enhancing means portion overlaying the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint may preferably not extend over the upper-palmar crease, however, to provide optimal flexibility, although some embodiments may extend to cover the entire pinkie joint.

(34) The grip enhancing means can also comprise of a high friction surface by applying a non-slip coating, such as a latex, a nitrile or PVC coating, along described locations of this embodiment. The coating could of course also be applied to the entire palmar portion of the glove.

(35) This grip enhancing means may be affixed to the glove. In general, as aforementioned, a grip enhancing means may be either formed on or applied to any palmar portion, such as the palm or any thumb or any existing finger stalls, using any standard methods. The embodiment's gripping means can comprise of a high friction surface, such as creating crisscross grooves 60 that are depressions onto a rubber surface panel 61, for example, then attaching said panel onto a portion of the gloves palmar surface area. The panel is attached to the palmar surface of the glove by any standard methods of attachment, such as by adhesion or stitching.

(36) The panel may be is attached to the glove area, for example, beginning at the digital creases and extending to overlay the forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, the middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, the ring finger metacarpophalangeal joint, and the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint, 62. The panel portion overlaying the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal preferably does not extend over the upper-palmar crease, however, to provide optimal flexibility. This form of attachment may additionally be used to affix a grip-enhancing means over the thumb stall, any existing finger stalls and/or along the area between the forefinger and thumb stalls, in part or in their entirety.

(37) The panel may generally be comprised of any flexible material, for example, a plastic material having a top surface comprising the grip enhancing area formed by a plurality of depressions, such as, for example, ridges.

(38) A preferred depth of the crisscross depressions would be such that the gap formed by the depressions would allow for some movement of the newly formed top surface edges thereby increasing the grip capabilities of the user. This grip enhancing means could have a preferred depth beginning about six hundred micrometers, and can be imparted by, for example, embossing or standard mechanical treatments.

(39) Alternatively, this grip-enhancing means may be attached, affixed or otherwise placed to select areas 62 of the glove by standard methods and forms of attachment such as by creating a textured surface on a silicone-based layer and then hot melting said silicone surface onto the palmar portion of the glove, thus providing a high friction surface on the embodiment. The panel could also be bonded to, and become a part of the palmar portion of the glove, by any other standard method.

(40) It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other implementations of creating and applying panels to sports gloves are possible.

(41) The grip enhancing surface would provide an effective coefficient of friction, preferably of at least a Shore A Durometer of two or greater.

(42) The locations of the grip enhancing means may vary on several factors of course, such as personal preference and preferred degree of enhanced grip. Additionally, the depressed designs may vary, such as being in the form of non-linear or crisscross lines, for example. Finally, the depths may vary as well.

(43) A plurality of micro recesses of about 0.120 millimeters in diameter may be randomly disposed about the front, back and finger and thumb stalls of the glove, thereby providing added comfort and more ventilation. The illustrated embodiment has micro recesses along and throughout the pinkie finger segment 63 and ring finger segment 64. Additionally, there are micro recesses along only the distal 65 and middle phalanges 66 of the middle finger segment. As important aspect of this embodiment is that there are no micro recesses along the proximal phalanx 67 of the middle finger. When a user of this embodiment grips a golf club using the interlocking grip, the strong hand's pinkie finger interlocks with the completely uncovered forefinger thereby providing heightened tactile sensitivities throughout the interlocked fingers. However, as can be seen in FIG. 10, the strong hand's pinkie finger also comes into contact with the weak hand's middle finger segmentspecifically with the middle finger's proximal phalanx. Providing micro-recesses along the middle finger's proximal phalanx would therefore be counterproductive because the golfer needs a relatively stable contact between the middle finger and the strong hand's pinkie finger. Therefore, this embodiment would also solve an unrecognized configuration problem with prior art.

(44) As aforementioned, the present invention, including this embodiment may be constructed using standard materials and methods of construction known in the art of making sports gloves. For example, construction of this embodiment may be accomplished by standard methods, such as, by designing the dorsal and palmar sections to meet along a conjoining lateral edge to define a pocket for receiving the eminence of a user's hand. Said dorsal and palmar sections could be conjoined by sewing, for example.

(45) This embodiment further shows how the present invention may comprise of essentially the same materials to construct both the palmar and dorsal surface. This particular glove can be made of a polyester and cotton blend for superior comfort, say about seventy percent polyester. The polyester thread, for example, could be spun with the cotton yarns to produce the composite. Other materials that could comprise these glove embodiments include, but are not limited to woven materials that include natural, synthetic or blends of natural and synthetic yarns, flexible plastics, and thermoextruded or thermoset rubbery embodiments including those made from thermoplastic elastomers. Examples of synthetic yarns include nylon, polyester, and spandex (polyurethane) yarns, and LYCRA. Alternatively, the embodiment may simply comprise of standard synthetic leather and lycra.

(46) Additionally, embodiments such as this one, may be completely coated with a with a water repellant substance, such as a synthetic resin 68 on the palmar surface or throughout the entire glove.

(47) The benefits of this configuration allows a user to have maximum retention of tactile sensation along the weak hand's forefinger, allowing the skin of said forefinger to touch not only the dominant hand's pinkie finger, but also the actual golf club, along the forefinger's uncovered proximal phalanx. The uncovered forefinger portion is allow the user to maximize hand coordination, for example, crucial in completing a successful golf swing. This unique offering will significantly increase a user's ability to control a golf club and also therefore a golf swing and golf ball.

(48) Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, what is shown is the top (front) and bottom (back) portions of a panel which creates a higher friction surface on an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, shown is a panel overlaying much of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the forefinger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie finger stalls 62.

(49) In general, as aforementioned, a grip enhancing means may be either formed on or applied to any palmar portion, such as the palm or any thumb or any existing finger stalls, using any standard methods.

(50) This embodiment shows a gripping means comprising of a high friction surface, such as creating crisscross grooves 60 that are projections onto a rubber surface panel 61, for example, then attaching said panel onto a portion of the gloves palmar surface area. The bottom portion of the panel 69 is attached to the palmar surface of the glove by any standard methods of attachment, such as by an adhesive 70 or stitching.

(51) Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an athletic glove of the present invention is shown and designated as 80. The palmar (front) view of a left-handed glove is drawn in FIG. 6 and the dorsal (back) view of the same glove is drawn in FIG. 7. This partial-fingered embodiment provides a glove having a dorsal portion 81, a palmar portion 82 for overlaying respective back and palm regions of a human hand, said dorsal and palmar portions having distal and proximal ends with a plurality of digital segments (or stalls) projecting from said distal ends. The glove includes a glove body having a back portion covering the back of the hand 81, and a front portion covering the palm or front of the hand 82. The glove body includes finger stalls and a thumb stall each adapted to receive a finger or thumb, respectively, therein.

(52) In the illustrated embodiment, the glove is constructed such that the thumb segment 83, middle finger segment 84, ring finger segment 85 and pinkie digital segment 86 enclose said thumb, middle finger, ring finger, and pinkie fingers including enclosing the fingertips, respectively. The glove also has a forefinger segment that covers the forefinger's proximal 87 and middle phalanges 88 but does not extend to cover the entire forefinger's distal phalanx; a user's forefinger's fingertips are therefore exposed.

(53) The palmar section covers the entire palm of the hand 82 and the dorsal section covers the back of the hand 81. The glove also has a wrist portion that surrounds the wrist of a user.

(54) The thumb stall 83 is defined by a dorsal portion 89 and a palmar portion 90. The middle finger stall 84 is defined by a dorsal portion 91 and a palmar portion 92. The ring finger stall 85 is defined by a dorsal portion 93 and a palmar portion 94. The pinkie finger stall 86 is defined by a dorsal portion 95 and a palmar portion 96. The forefinger stall 97 is defined by a dorsal portion 99 and a palmar portion 100.

(55) The wrist portion is preferably expansible so as to hold more securely to the user's wrist. Therefore the embodiment also has an expandable opening means at a wrist end 102 adapted to receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises an elastic material along the wrist portion, such as an elastomeric band 103 fixed around throughout the wrist. In addition, the opening means comprises a strap means 104 at the open end of the glove body for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap means may be unitary with the glove body and may include VELCRO fasteners 105, 106, buttons, and the like or other suitable closure means thereon.

(56) This embodiment further shows how the present invention may comprise a grip enhancing means. Although the glove now provides a higher coefficient of friction on a golfer's weak hand, for example, one may now further increase grip capabilities by adding a grip enhancing means along the palmar surface of the glove.

(57) The grip enhancing means can comprise of a high friction surface by applying a non-slip coating, such as a latex, a nitrile 107 or PVC coating, along described locations of this embodiment, such as on the forefinger's metacarpophalangeal joint segment. Those using the interlocking grip would find this grip enhanced location especially useful when trying to maintain golf club control along the forefinger's metacarpophalangeal joint, the area just below where the weak hand's forefinger interlocks with the dominant hand's pinkie finger.

(58) The coatings could of course also be applied to the entire palmar portion of the glove.

(59) The grip enhancing surface would provide an effective coefficient of friction, preferably of at least a Shore A Durometer of two or greater.

(60) The locations of the grip enhancing means may vary on several factors of course, such as personal preference and preferred degree of enhanced grip. This added grip configuration will be useful especially to those playing the sport of Golf for reasons described herein. Other grip enhancing configurations and locations may of course be preferred.

(61) Having a gripping enhancing means along these areas will significantly increase a user's ability to control an object such as a golf club by creating an even higher coefficient of friction.

(62) The embodiment's grip enhancing means can also comprise of a high friction surface, such as creating crisscross projections, to the glove area beginning at the digital creases and extending to overlay the forefinger metacarpophalangeal joint, the middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint, the ring finger metacarpophalangeal joint, and the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint. The grip enhancing means portion overlaying the pinkie finger metacarpophalangeal joint preferably does not extend over the upper-palmar crease, however, to provide optimal flexibility. The height of the projections may vary, as aforementioned. These projections are about millimeter in height.

(63) A plurality of micro recesses of about 0.120 millimeters in diameter may be randomly disposed about the front, back and finger and thumb stalls of the glove, thereby providing added comfort and more ventilation. The illustrated embodiment provides micro-recesses throughout the thumb 137 as well as the pinkie finger 108 and ring finger digital segments 109. Additionally, no micro-recesses are provided on the embodiment's middle finger segment but may be provided along said segment's middle or distal phalanx segment, if preferred. A cut out aperture is provided along the middle finger metacarpophalangeal joint segment 110 to allow moisture to escape the middle finger segment without disturbing the interlocked finger area.

(64) Finally, no micro-recesses are provided along the forefinger digital segment in order to maintain a more moisture-free forefinger dorsal segment where the dominant hand's pinkie finger interlocks with the weak hand's forefinger 111. Micro-recesses are provided, however, along the forefinger's metacarpophalangeal joint segment 112, which, along with the uncovered distal phalanx, will provide a more strategic moisture management system for golf glove embodiments.

(65) The embodiment is suitably a substantially conventionally constructed golf glove, modified as aforementioned. This particular glove can be made of a synthetic leather latex coated glove for added durability. Other materials that could comprise these glove embodiments include, but are not limited to woven materials that include natural, synthetic or blends of natural and synthetic yarns, thermoextruded or thermoset rubbery embodiments including those made from thermoplastic elastomers, and cloths. Examples of synthetic yarns include nylon, polyester, and spandex (polyurethane) yarns. Additionally, embodiments such as this one, may be coated with a with a water repellant substance, such as a synthetic resin throughout the entire outer surface of the glove.

(66) As aforementioned, the present invention, including this embodiment may be constructed using standard materials and methods of construction known in the art of making sports gloves. For example, construction of this embodiment may be accomplished by standard methods, such as, by designing the dorsal and palmar sections to meet along a conjoining lateral edge to define a pocket for receiving the eminence of a user's hand. Said dorsal and palmar sections could be conjoined by sewing, for example. One could use any standard method of manufacture and assembly or construction.

(67) The rest of the palmar and dorsal segments could cover the rest of the hand, including the palm.

(68) This embodiment may also comprise a detachable ball marker 113. A ball marker is often used when playing golf. During certain times, such as when reaching the green or when obstructing another player's direct path to the golf hole, the golfer may pick his ball and place a ball marker directly behind the golf ball; the golfer can then pick up the golf ball. The embodiment provides a convenient, detachable ball marker on the glove. The detachable ball marker in this embodiment is a small circular object with a design that points to where the golf ball exactly is located.

(69) The detachable ball marker is secured by any standard fastening means, such as by a compartment, by magnetism or snap fastening, for example. The illustrated embodiment shows a compartment 114 within the strap on the dorsal segment of the glove. The compartment secures the ball marker by VELCRO fasteners 115, 116, but other commonly known fasteners will work just as well. The ball marker may be circular or non-circular in design. Additionally, embodiments may a liner which is fixed to the interior of the glove using methods known in the art, such as stitching. The liner 117 may be integrally formed on the glove. For example, the liner (or sleeve) could be attached to the glove by standard methods, such as by conventional stitching about the perimeter of the dorsal segment, the palmar segment or both.

(70) The lining material (or sleeve) may be comprised of standard lining materials, such as a smooth, flexible knitted fabric. The liner may also comprise of flexible and elastomeric material such as spandex or LYCRA. Other possible materials include a knit of polyester or simply the same material forming the glove. A soft cellular plastic could also be preferred. Additionally, the liner may provide added features to offer warmth and comfort such as by comprising of a fleece material, for example, especially useful when competing in harsher conditions or during extended practices on the golf range, for example.

(71) It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other implementations of liners are possible.

(72) FIG. 8 shows an alternative dorsal segment to FIG. 3. Embodiments may also preferably comprise an aperture 120 along the middle finger segment, such as on any or all of middle finger's proximal phalanx. This embodiment shows an aperture that resides only on the middle finger's proximal phalanx, large enough such that the skin of the middle finger may touch or be touched by the pinkie finger of the dominant hand, for example, while gripping a golf club. As shown, the aperture resides primarily on the dorsal portion extending to the side of said middle finger segment.

(73) In addition, the embodiment also has an expandable opening means 121 at a wrist end 122 adapted to receive the user's hand. The expandable opening means comprises a strap means 123 at the open end of the glove body for fastening the glove body secure about the wrist area. The strap means may be unitary with the glove body and may include VELCRO fasteners 124, 125, buttons, and the like or other suitable closure means thereon. The strap may have two pads of cohesive-adhesive material for releasably securing the strap, for example. The strap as well as the wrist portion may be sewn onto the glove.

(74) This embodiment also comprises a detachable ball marker 126. A ball marker is often used when playing golf. During certain times, such as when reaching the green or when obstructing another player's direct path to the golf hole, the golfer may pick his ball and place a ball marker directly behind the golf ball; the golfer can then pick up the golf ball. The embodiment provides a convenient, detachable ball marker on the glove. The detachable ball marker in this embodiment is a small circular object 126. The detachable ball marker is secured by any standard fastening means, such as by snap fastening 127, by a VELCRO fastening compartment, or by magnetism.

(75) The embodiment also provides micro recesses along the portion of the thumb stall 128, the ring finger segment 130 and pinkie finger segment 129, for ventilation, as is standard. However, while offering micro-recesses along the middle and distal phalanges of the middle finger segment 131 there are no micro recesses along any remaining proximal phalanx segment of the middle finger 132.

(76) The materials forming the illustrated embodiment may comprise those discussed in reference to the present invention. Likewise, any previously discussed methods of construction may be applied to this embodiment. This dorsal segment may be constructed as many standard golf gloves, made primarily of a durable but flexible material, such as synthetic leather, while providing a much more elastic fiber such as spandex 133, along the metacarpophalangeal joints of the four fingers.

(77) As discussed, the partially uncovered fingers as well as the aperture along the middle finger segment offer maximum retention of tactile sensation. The uncovered finger portions allow the user to maximize hand coordination, for example, while the aperture allows the user to maintain maximum feel ability on the golf clubboth crucial aspects in completing a successful golf swing. This unique offering will significantly increase the golfer's ability to control a golf club and also therefore a golf swing and golf ball.

(78) FIG. 9 shows an alternative dorsal segment to FIG. 6. Embodiments may also preferably comprise an aperture 140 along the middle finger, such as on any or all of middle finger's proximal phalanx. This embodiment shows an aperture that resides only on the middle finger's proximal phalanx, thereby defining its terminal edges, but is large enough such that the skin of the middle finger may touch or be touched by the pinkie finger of the dominant hand, for example, while gripping a golf club. As shown, the aperture resides on the dorsal portion of said middle finger proximal phalanx segment leaving uncovered about ninety percent of said dorsal proximal phalanx.

(79) The materials forming the illustrated embodiment may comprise those discussed in reference to the present invention. Likewise, any previously discussed methods of construction may be applied to this embodiment.

(80) FIG. 10 is a drawing of a typical interlocking grip using prior art. As can be seen, the dominant hand's pinkie finger interlocks with the user's weak hand forefinger. The golfer is using a conventional golf glove on the weak hand. The pinkie is clearly exposed to moisture by the micro-recesses provided on the proximal phalanges of the middle finger and forefinger.