Size-Adaptable Golf Glove With Orthogonal Stretch Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current size-adaptable golf gloves are complex and costly to manufacture, often causing skin irritation and structural weaknesses due to wide strips of stretch fabric and stitching, leading to a loss of club feel and increased torque failures.
Innovation Solution
A size-adaptable golf glove with a single leather panel for the palm side and unidirectional stretch oriented to length, combined with different stretch directions in the palm and back, and the use of narrow, overlapping expansion slits to accommodate varying hand sizes without compromising durability or grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple small leather panels and wide stretch fabric strips are used to create size-adaptable gloves, then the glove can accommodate various hand sizes, but the construction complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate panels into a single integrated leather panel that forms the entire palm side of the glove. This single panel includes the palm region and all four fingers as one continuous piece, eliminating the need for multiple separate panels and reducing construction complexity while maintaining size adaptability through strategic stretch fabric placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent strategically segments the stretch fabric application by placing narrow strips only at critical locations (between finger panels and palm panel, and between thumb panel and palm panel) rather than using wide strips across the entire glove. This segmented approach provides necessary size adaptability while minimizing construction complexity and manufacturing cost
2Adaptability or versatility
If wide strips of stretch fabric are used to accommodate hand size variations, then the glove becomes size-adaptable, but skin irritation and loss of club feel occur due to ridges on the palm surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using narrow stretch fabric strips only where specifically needed for size adaptation (between panels) rather than wide strips across the entire palm. This localized application provides necessary stretch while minimizing surface disruption, preventing skin irritation and maintaining club feel in the critical grip areas
3Adaptability or versatility
If wide strips of stretch fabric and multiple panels are used for size adaptability, then various hand sizes are accommodated, but structural weaknesses and torque failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strengthens structural integrity by merging multiple panels into a single continuous leather panel for the palm side. This eliminates the structural weaknesses and potential failure points created by multiple panel joints and wide fabric strips, while still providing size adaptability through narrow strategically-placed stretch fabric sections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of stretch fabric width from wide (1/4 inch or greater) to narrow strips, and changes the orientation of stretch to be longitudinal (to length) rather than lateral. This parameter change maintains size adaptability while significantly improving structural integrity and reducing torque failures in the high-stress palm region
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple panels and wide stretch fabric strips are used to create size-adaptable gloves, then the glove fits various hand sizes, but manufacturing costs increase due to hand labor and complex construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by merging multiple separate panels into a single integrated leather panel. This eliminates the need for extensive hand sewing of multiple small panels and reduces material waste, while still achieving size adaptability through the strategic use of narrow stretch fabric strips at critical locations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces skin irritation, maintains club feel, and enhances structural integrity by minimizing ridges and structural weaknesses, while allowing for adjustable fit without increasing manufacturing complexity or costs.
Implementation Method 1
the stretch in the one-piece palm is oriented to length, rather than to width as in conventional single-size or size-adaptable golf gloves
Implementation Method 2
the use of narrow, overlapping expansion slits to accommodate varying hand sizes
Data Source
AI summary
A size-adaptable golf glove comprises a palm side, having a first direction of stretch and a back side, having a second direction of stretch, wherein the first direction of stretch and the second direction of stretch are orthogonal to one another, one being directed to length and the other to width.