Functional control/grip-enhanced sports glove for bowling

Abstract

The present invention is a modified glove with control / grip-enhancing and perspiration retention properties, offering the bowler a range of functions and options specific to the individual bowler's abilities, equipment selection (i.e. bowling ball), and the lane conditions faced. An elastomeric, control / grip-enhancing material circumferences the fingertips of at least one finger, providing a similar shape and feel to the commonly used, cylindrical inserts / grips; the glove designed to be used in lieu of finger inserts. The present glove invention can be interchangeable between right and left-handed bowlers of approximately the same hand size. The perspiration retentive fabric combined with the elastomeric, control / grip-enhancing material eliminates or significantly reduces perspiration from an otherwise naked inserted finger, which normally has contact with the hole(s) of a bowling ball. Consequently, the present glove invention results in more consistent control and release of the ball off the hand, increased ball energy, increased ball motion and revolution potential, a higher impact between ball and pins, leading to more lively pin scattering, all of which ultimately results in higher scoring potential. Functionality and performance characteristics of various embodiments of the glove invention provide the bowler a range of control / grip-enhanced, textured and non-textured surface materials at the fingertip area of the glove. Likewise, the control / grip enhanced material of the palm area of the glove works to grip the surface of the bowling ball. The ball position in the cupped and gloved hand is maintained even though the bowler moves his / her hand slightly either away from towards or laterally with respect to the bowling ball. Embodiments of the glove invention offer the bowlers a variety of options for the fingers, as well as for support around the wrist area.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES[0001]This case is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29 / 320,939, filed Jul. 8, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 373,809, filed Mar. 10, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,657, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 661,417, filed on Mar. 14, 2005, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to gloves worn on the hands, and more specifically, to gloves used in various activities, especially sporting activities such as bowling that are benefited by a grip-enhancing surface covering at least a portion of the palm and / or finger regions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The fundamental process behind the activity and game of “bowling” is for the bowler to insert the thumb and at least two (2) fingers of the bowling hand, usually the ring and middle fingers, into their respective holes of a bowling ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]Surrounding the fingertips of at least the two middle fingers is an elastomeric, control / grip-enhanced, abrasion-resistant material, which may be used alone or in combination with neoprene, a coated or laminated fabric or, a similar material. Excellent examples of such tactile materials possessing control / grip-enhancing and abrasion-resistant properties are typically found in various types of urethane, PVC, polyurethane, vinyl, rubber and silicone-rubber compounds and substrates, however, any suitable material is contemplated by the present invention. This control / grip-enhanced, elastomeric material is cylindrically shaped, in one embodiment, to contour around the tips of the fingers either directly or in combination with neoprene, a coated or laminated fabric and / or a similar material, sized to fit snugly into the bare 31 / 32″ drilled finger holes of a bowling ball, providing the bowler with the feeling, as well as performance characteristics comparable to inserts. Additionally, the elastomericity, range and thickness / thinness properties of the control / grip-enhanced material used alone or in combination with neoprene, a coated or laminated fabric or, a similar material also possessing various thickness / thinness properties, allow for various embodiments of the present glove invention, especially around the covered fingertips to fit snugly in drilled finger holes of sizes other than 31 / 32″. Therefore, it is to be understood that the material surrounding and covering the fingertip area of at least the two middle fingers can be fabricated to any desired length, thickness or diameter and, with various surface textures to meet bowler's demands. In one embodiment, the elastomeric, grip-enhanced material either used alone or in combination with neoprene, a coated or laminated fabric and / or a similar material may provide a predetermined level of compressibility and deformability to provide a snug, yet comfortable, secure reception of a bowler's fingertips without the risk of the bowler “sticking” or “hanging-up” in the finger holes of the bowling ball upon release of the ball unto the lane.

[0044]In one embodiment, as the present glove invention is interchangeable for use by either left or right-handed bowlers, an additional feature of the present glove invention related to the strap is that as this strap is removable, the strap could conceivably be wrapped from front to back or from back to front and, secured anywhere along or around the circumference of the center of the hand, depending on the user's preference and ease of securing the present glove invention to the bowling hand. Whichever method is used for wrapping the strap around the glove, the strap is secured to itself with a hook and loop-type closure system; secured with a material such as VELCRO®. A good example of such a hook and loop clasp is sold under the trademark VELCRO®. In one embodiment, this strap is interlaced and joined via at least two (2) incisioned slits on the palm area of the glove. The slits serve three (3) purposes. First, the slits allow the bowler to adjust, position and secure the strap around the center of the hand where it feels most comfortable to the individual bowler, and not uncomfortably pinching the bowler's hand, especially around the tendon area connecting the thumb to the forefinger (i.e. fold of the hand) and, around the “Knife edge” of the hand, which is to say, the meaty area running along the side of the pinky finger. Second, the incisioned slits allow the bowler to “tug” on the glove if necessary, making minor adjustments to the glove position on the hand to maintain a consistent feeling around the covered fingertip area, without disturbing the position of the tension strap from where the strap had been originally secured around the center of the bowler's hand. Third, as the present glove invention is interchangeable, able to be worn by either left or right-handed bowlers, the slits allow the bowler the option and personal preference to take this detachable tension strap and to intertwine and reposition the strap with the hook and loop closure system on either the left or right side of the hand.

Problems solved by technology

The nemesis of perspiration, resulting in reduced ball control and inconsistent or ineffective ball revolution is usually blamed on the two middle fingers inserted into the bowling ball.

If inserts were a genuine solution to increased ball control and increased revolution potential, the need for perspiration-retention products would be redundant and thus, unnecessary.

On the contrary, inserts have been demonstrated in fact not to be a solution to perspiration, which perspiration has a direct and detrimental effect on ball control, ball revolutions, roll consistency and ultimately, scoring potential.

Images