Tennis glove

Abstract

An athletic glove for racquet sports in specific for the game of tennis, which includes a elastic straps permanently fixed at one end between the thumb and index finger and non-permanently fixed at the other end to the rear wrist cuff. The glove covers the thumb and index finger, leaving the middle finger, ring finger and little finger uncovered whereby, giving the player tactility in feeling the racquet and not hinder the game, at the same time giving the stability to the wrist of player. The glove extends slightly over the palm and back of the hand and is secured to the hand around the wrist area by a strap of the like.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to gloves, particularly gloves used for playing the game of tennis. More particularly, the present invention relates to a glove having only a thumb and index finger portion and having elastic straps permanently fixed at one end between the thumb and index finger portions and non-permanently fixed at the other end to the rear wrist cuff. Having the thumb and index finger covered while leaving the other three fingers uncovered and having the palm and back of hand partially exposed, allows for tactile feel between the racquet and player whereby control over the stroke is maximized.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Various types of gloves have been created with unique strap configuration for a particular activity. Straps have been used to hold the hand firmly to the handles of golf clubs and others to hold securely the fingers and thumb of hand. Billiard gloves have been designed to cover the thumb and first two fingers. Golf glov...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]The present invention is a athletic glove for racquet sports which is designed to provide support for the wrist by reducing the vertical forces felt when holding the racquet in a standard handshake position. The vertical forces are reduced on the wrist by two elastic straps permanently secured onto glove. The elastic straps simulate the muscles which are responsible for moving the wrist, such as the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis and extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The first elastic is called the longus elastic strap and is permanently attached between the thumb and the index finger to simulate the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis muscles. The second elastic strap is called backhand elastic strap and is also permanently attached between the thumb and index finger to simulate the backhand muscle that is responsible for the hand to be pulled up and out whereby aiding in the single handed backhand stroke.

[0004]The free end of longus elastic strap affixes on the wrist cuff of glove between the thumb and index finger portion in an adjustable way to give varying degree of support of the wrist and hand. The free end of the backhand elastic support strap also affixes on the wrist cuff of glove on the palm side of the little finger for adjustment to give varying degrees of support of the wrist and hand. Once the elastic support straps are securely attached to the wrist cuff the hand is pulled up and out whereby cocking the wrist up, therefore when holding the racquet the head weight of racquet is reduced on the wrist and hand. The elastic straps do not inhibit the natural forehand and backhand strokes in anyway, it only enhances playability. The support straps does not change or inhibit the natural strokes but only re-enforces the natural strokes and reduces the vertical force of racquet on wrist and gives added spring like support to all the strokes.

[0005]The athletic glove of the present invention includes a glove having the thumb and index finger covered and leaving the middle finger, ring finger and little finger uncovered and partially covering a palm portion joined with a partially covered back portion, a rear wrist cuff, and elastic straps permanently secured on one end between the thumb and index figure and non-permanently secured on the other end to a rear wrist cuff. The placement of the permanently secured strap can be thought of as a natural extension of the muscle of the hand and wrist, which is responsible in moving the hand. The glove preferably has a vent extending lengthwise from the wrist cuff part way thorough the length of the glove to the open palm. A fastener, such as a tab secured to the glove on one side of the vent having a hook and loop fastener, such as a VELCRO fastener engaging the other side of the vent, permitting the fit of the glove to be adjusted.

[0008]To protect the hand completely and to obtain a standard feel of the glove, the whole hand can be covered by the glove. All the fingers, the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger and thumb can be covered, as well as, a full palm and full back piece. The longus elastic strap and the backhand elastic strap can be permanently attached underneath the glove between the thumb and index finger while traveling underneath on the inside of glove and protrude out near the site of attachment such that the end portion non-permanently attaches onto the wrist cuff. To protect the hand and prevent blisters to the palm and still retain the natural feel of the game, the palm and back piece have full coverage while leaving the little finger, ring finger and middle finger uncovered and fully covering only the index finger and thumb.

[0009]Therefore, in accordance with present invention the athletic glove for racquet sports reduces the vertical force produced by the head of racquet and in direct relation improves the backhand and forehand strokes, volleys, backhand returns and backhand slices. The player is less likely with the glove to make an error due to a weak wrist or fatigue due to a long duration of the game, which may compromise the correct form of the strokes.

Problems solved by technology

Tennis is a demanding game and requires a lot of wrist strength.

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