SPORTS IMPLEMENT GRIP AID DEVICE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/689,898, filed on Sep. 3, 2024, entitled “SPORTS IMPLEMENT GRIP AID”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of devices for enhancing an athlete's ability to securely grip a handheld sports implement, such as is used to strike a ball whether it be with a Golf Club, or Tennis Racquet, Squash Racquet, Racquetball Racquet, or Pickleball Racquet, or a Bat as used to strike a Baseball or a Softball, or a Stick used in Hockey or other similar sports. The device can be used as a training aid or during actual play.

BACKGROUND

When playing sports that use a shafted implement, such as golf, additional grip pressure is desirable.

The invention came about when the inventor suffered a hand injury while playing golf by striking a shallow tree root below the grass. The muscles and tendons inside the palm of the hand were badly injured and resulted in a reduced grip. The invention enhanced the inventor's grip and allowed him to play golf with this injury. He then discovered he was able to hit the ball longer distances and with improved accuracy.

By securing the hand to the implement, the device prevents accidental misalignment of the implement caused by grip slippage during a backswing, or downswing, or upon striking the ball.

The execution of a proper swing, as in golf, requires a golfer's wrists to be relaxed allowing for the golf club to hinge at the wrists at both the top of the backswing and bottom of the swing following the downward motion of the hands thereby increasing the centrifugal velocity of the club head. Other sports have similar requirements.

It is also imperative to hold the sports implement or club with sufficient force as to not allow it to slip out of the user's hands. The muscular coordination of gripping the sports implement or club with sufficient force, while maintaining loose wrists is difficult to achieve. Failure to hold the sports implement or club correctly prevents square contact of the club head and the ball, and the ball may not fly as desired. For example, for many golfers, the muscular tension of holding the club inadvertently causes the wrists to become stiff and prevents the implement from releasing at the bottom of the swing resulting in loss of distance, misalignment, erratic shots, slices, and hooks. The invention relieves the athletes muscular grip pressure energy allowing the wrists to flex freely and thus gaining acceleration and improving the execution of the motion.

It is similarly true for other sports where an implement is held tightly and the wrists must remain flexible, and the invention is equally applicable for those sports.

There are many patents claimed with similar goals and objectives, particularly for the game of golf. Most of these are modifications to a golf glove, where a device is stitched to some portion of the glove, or a strap is stitched to a glove, or a combination is used. Fastening systems in these inventions most often use hook and loop fasteners. A different modified glove is required of right-handed and left-handed athletes. In addition, the inventor recognizes that typical sports gloves, particularly golf gloves, wear out much more rapidly than the neoprene strap proposed. These examples of prior art are not cited, as they have similar goals but different implementations from this invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,374 to Briggs uses a sports glove, in this case a golf glove, but it also uses an independent neoprene strap that encircles the hands, enhancing grip. This strap is an independent device but uses hook and loop fabric to attach to similar fabric present on many normal golf gloves. It cannot be used without a glove and provides no wrist support. It cannot be folded out of the way when not in use.

There are examples of prior art that have a similar goal and use a strap of some sort to enhance the grip of a sports implement such as a golf club. The earliest patent granted without the requirement of a glove is U.S. Pat. No. 2,288,150 to Wyman where a leather strap is wrapped around the wrist, secured with a buckle and where a second strap secures the sports implement. The use of a strap with a buckle was also in U.S. Pat. No. 2,447,328 to Gerrits where the strap was mounted on a flap of material that wrapped around the athlete's forefinger. Neither of these devices secure any of the athlete's fingers and only provide loose support to the sports implement. The patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,343 to DaSilva is intended to add to grip support and does not require a glove. It is wrapped around the wrist as in this invention, but it is intended for sports such as weightlifting where underhanded support is required. It provides a palm pad that does not strengthen the athlete's grip on sports implements with a shaft, like a golf club. Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,883 to Garceau-Verbeck describes a wrist strap with hook and loop fasteners, and a palm pad to provide a stronger grip. The fingers are wrapped by another strap, at the base of the fingers, and small loops attach the palm pad to the athlete's middle and ring fingers.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,805 to Emerson describes a gripping aid with a wrist strap, retained by a hook and loop system, and another strap that encircles the hand to enhance the athlete's grip. This device completely restrains the fingers and does not permit the athlete to completely position their thumb and forefinger. In many sports, golf in particular, the flexibility of those two fingers is important for controlling the golf club. Emerson describes an alternate embodiment that uses buckles in addition to the hook and loop material and includes a small loop that wraps around the base of the middle finger.

Therefore, in light of the above-mentioned drawbacks of existing devices, a need exists for novel sports implement grip aid device which can provide additional grip pressure to a wearer when playing sports that use a shafted implement, such as in golf, in inclement weather such as rain or cold, and any other playing conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sports implement grip aid device is provided. In some embodiments, the device may include an elongated wrist band having an elongated length sufficient to wrap around the wearer's wrist when worn. The wrist band may have a first end, a second end, a first fastener, a second fastener, a third fastener, a band anterior surface, and a band posterior surface. The first fastener may be coupled to the band anterior surface proximate to the first end, and the second fastener may be coupled to the band posterior surface proximate to the second end. The third fastener may be coupled to the band posterior surface between the first end and the second end, and the first and second fasteners may be configured to be joined together for selectively securing the first and second ends of the wrist band together. A grip aid strap may be coupled to the wrist band. The grip aid strap may have an elongated length, a distal end, a fourth fastener, a strap anterior surface, and a strap posterior surface. The grip aid strap may be coupled to the elongated wrist band between the first end and the second end with the strap anterior surface coupled to the band anterior surface and with the strap posterior surface coupled to the band posterior surface. The distal end may be distal to the wrist band. The fourth fastener may be coupled to the strap anterior surface proximate to the distal end, and the elongated length may be of sufficient length to extend around one or more fingers of the wearer's hand while the wearer's hand is gripping a grip of a sports implement when the third and fourth fasteners are joined together.

The device may be used by a wearer when playing sports that use a shafted implement, and the device does not require the use of a modified glove, but a standard glove may be used if desired. If a glove is used, the glove is not attached to the invention in any way. The standard glove is not necessary. The device can be used by right handed and left-handed athletes, without modification. The device can be folded back without total removal when the athlete is not gripping a sports implement. The thumb and forefinger of the athlete's hand are free to be used to control the sports implement. The device may be used on either hand, such that a right-handed golfer may use the device on their left hand, and lefthanded golfers may use the device on their right hand. The device may be applied to the hand and strapped down in an alternate fashion depending on the handedness of the user.

Should the athlete use a golf glove, the glove can be removed from the hand without removal of the device. This is useful for golfers who need the extra grip provided by the device, but do not always want to wear a glove. The device preferably wraps around the golfer's wrist and fingers while gripping the golf club, or other sports implement with a shaft, permitting a tighter grip while also having loose wrists.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Some example objects of the present invention are listed below.

One object of the present invention is to provide a device having a grip aid strap that when anchored in place, enhances the golfer's grip, yet leaves the wrists free to hinge as is necessary to execute a proper golf swing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that may be used for golfing, in which the device does not impede the index finger of the hand allowing the golfer to freely use their preferred grip. For example, in golf they could choose the Interlock, Overlap (Vardon) or 10 Finger (Baseball) Grip.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a grip aid strap that when the athlete is not using an implement or club and no longer needs the strap to wrap around the fingers, it can be folded back and retained in place using the same hook and loop fasteners.

Another object is to provide a device that may be used by anyone to enhance their game play, such that the device also enables physically compromised athletes, such as elderly or disabled persons who are unable to achieve sufficient grip pressure to effectively operate the implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1—depicts an anterior plan view of an example of a sports implement grip aid device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2—illustrates a side elevation view of an example of a sports implement grip aid device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3—shows a posterior plan view of an example of a sports implement grip aid device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4—depicts a perspective view of an example of a sports implement grip aid device partially engaged to a wearer according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5—illustrates a first perspective view of an example of a sports implement grip aid device engaged to a wearer according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6—shows a second perspective view of an example of a sports implement grip aid device engaged to a wearer according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “rear,” “front,” “side,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 20% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, more preferably within about 5% of the actual desired value and even more preferably within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

A new sports implement grip aid device is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a sports implement grip aid device (“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. Although the device 100 may be used to gain grip strength in any sport that may use a sports implement that is gripped by a player. Example, sports implements 301 that may be used with the invention include, but are not limited to, golf clubs, baseball bats, polo mallets, etc.

The device 100 may be configured for use on the right or left hand 205 of a wearer. Preferably, the device 100 may be used by a wearer when playing golf and using a gold club type sports implement 301. A right-handed golfer requires support for their left hand 205 to execute an accurate swing and will use the device 100 on their left hand 205. The device 100 may also be used by a left-handed golfer who wants to secure their right hand 205, and this can be done with the same device 100, but where it is applied around the hand 205 in a slightly different manner (in a mirrored manner than as shown in FIG. 4-6).

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an elongated wrist band 11 having an elongated length (L1) (FIG. 1) sufficient to wrap around the wearer's wrist 201 when worn as shown in FIG. 5. and 6. The wrist band 11 may have a first end 12, a second end 13, a first fastener 14, a second fastener 15, a third fastener 16, a band anterior surface 17, and a band posterior surface 18. The first fastener 14 may be coupled to the band anterior surface 17 proximate to the first end 12, and the second fastener 15 may be coupled to the band posterior surface 18 proximate to the second end 13. The third fastener 16 may be coupled to the band posterior surface 18 between the first end 12 and the second end 13, and the first 14 and second 15 fasteners may be configured to be joined together for selectively securing the first 12 and second 13 ends of the wrist band 11 together. A grip aid strap 31 may be coupled to the wrist band 11. The grip aid strap 31 may have an elongated length (L2) (FIG. 1), a distal end 33, a fourth fastener 34, a strap anterior surface 35, and a strap posterior surface 36. The grip aid strap 31 may be coupled to the elongated wrist band 11 between the first end 12 and the second end 13 with the strap anterior surface 35 coupled to the band anterior surface 17 and with the strap posterior surface 36 coupled to the band posterior surface 18. The distal end 33 may be distal to the wrist band 11. The fourth fastener 34 may be coupled to the strap anterior surface 35 proximate to the distal end 33, and the elongated length (L2) may be of sufficient length to extend around one or more fingers of the wearer's hand 205 while the wearer's hand 205 is gripping a grip of a sports implement 301 when the third 16 and fourth fasteners 34 are joined together.

The device 100 may comprise a wrist band 11 and a grip aid strap 31 that may be coupled together via any suitable coupling method. In some embodiments, a wrist band 11 and a grip aid strap 31 that may be coupled together by being integrally formed together. In further embodiments, a wrist band 11 and a grip aid strap 31 that may be coupled together by heat bonding, adhesive, stitching, fasteners, etc.

In preferred embodiments, a wrist band 11 and/or a grip aid strap 31 may be made from or may comprise a flexible material that is able to wrap around and generally conform to the shape of a wearer's wrist 201, hand 205, etc. Example, flexible materials include synthetic materials and fibers such as nylon webbing, polypropylene webbing, polyester webbing, neoprene foam rubber, polyester fabrics, rayon fabrics, and from natural materials and fibers such as cotton webbing, flax webbing, other fabrics, such as flax, coir, cotton, hemp, jute, leather, linen, ramie, wool, silk or any other type of natural or synthetic fibers or materials including combinations of materials.

In preferred embodiments, a wrist band 11 and/or a grip aid strap 31 may be made from or may comprise a resilient material that may be a type of flexible material. A resilient material may be flexible to allow slight deformation and resilient so as to return to its original shape after deformation. Example resilient materials include natural and/or synthetic rubber material such as latex rubber, silicone foam, silicone rubber or polysiloxanes, rubber foam, urethane foam, plastic foam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, forms of the organic compound isoprene, Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene-acrylate Rubber, Polyester Urethane, flexible plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), or any other flexible material including combinations of materials.

In preferred embodiments, a wrist band 11 and/or a grip aid strap 31 may be made from or may comprise neoprene or a similar material that is generally stretchy or resilient, such as rubber or synthetic rubber, mated to a smooth cloth surface and not abrasive to the hand. The inventor has found that this type of material is desirable, as it provides a tight fit, is comfortable for users, and has strength and longevity. Alternatives to neoprene that might be used may be less likely to cause heat rash and some are hypoallergenic.

The device 100 may comprise an elongated wrist band 11 that may have a width (W1) (FIG. 1) sufficient to comfortably engage the wearer's wrist 201 when worn, such that the elongated wrist band 11 may be wrapped around the wearer's wrist 201 when worn. The wrist band 11 may be elongated in shape, having a first end 12 and an opposing second end 13 that may form the ends of its elongated length (L1). A wrist band 11 may be configured in any shape and size that may allow the elongated wrist band 11 to be wrapped around the wearer's wrist 201 when worn.

Preferably, a wrist band 11 may comprise a relatively thin thickness dimension (as perhaps best shown in FIG. 2) as compared to its width dimension (W1) and length dimension (L1). The wrist band 11 may comprise a band anterior surface 17 and a band posterior surface 18 which may be opposingly positioned or positioned on opposite sides of the wrist band 11.

A wrist band 11 may comprise one or more fasteners, such as a first fastener 14, a second fastener 15, and a third fastener 16. The first fastener 14 may be coupled to the band anterior surface 17 proximate to the first end 12, such as by having the portion of the first fastener 14 most distal to the second fastener 15 being positioned within 1.0 inches, and more preferably within 0.5 inches, of the first end 12. The second fastener 15 may be coupled to the band posterior surface 18 proximate to the second end 13, such as by having the portion of the second fastener 15 most distal to the first fastener 14 being positioned within 1.0 inches, and more preferably within 0.5 inches, of the second end 13. The third fastener 16 may be coupled to the band posterior surface 18 between the first end 12 and the second end 13. Preferably, the third fastener 16 may be coupled to the band posterior surface 18 and to the strap posterior surface 36. In preferred embodiments, the third fastener 16 may be coupled to the band posterior surface 18 so that the third fastener 16 may be substantially equidistant (within 10 percent of being equidistant) to the first end 12 and the second end 13.

The device may comprise a grip aid strap 31 that may be coupled to the wrist band 11. The grip aid strap 31 may be elongated in shape having an elongated length (L2) that may extend between the distal end 33 and the wrist band 11. A grip aid strap 31 may be configured in any shape and size having an elongated length (L2) sufficient to extend around one or more fingers of the wearer's hand 205 while the wearer's hand 205 is gripping a grip of a sports implement 301 when the third 16 and fourth fasteners 34 are joined together as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, the grip aid strap 31 may comprise a width dimension (W2) (FIG. 1), and the grip aid strap 31 may comprise a relatively thin thickness dimension (as perhaps best shown in FIG. 2) as compared to its width dimension (W2) and length dimension (L2). The grip aid strap 31 may comprise a strap anterior surface 35 and a strap posterior surface 36 which may be opposingly positioned or positioned on opposite sides of the grip aid strap 31.

The grip aid strap 31 may be coupled to the elongated wrist band 11 between the first end 12 and the second end 13 with the strap anterior surface 35 coupled to the band anterior surface 17 and with the strap posterior surface 36 coupled to the band posterior surface 18. The distal end 33 may be distal to the wrist band 11. The fourth fastener 34 may be coupled to the strap anterior surface 35 proximate to the distal end 33. Preferably, the fourth fastener 34 may be coupled to the strap anterior surface 35 proximate to the distal end 33, such as by having the portion of the fourth fastener 34 most distal to the wrist band 11 being positioned within 1.0 inches, and more preferably within 0.5 inches, of the distal end 33.

The fasteners 14, 15, 16, 34, of the device 100 may be coupled together to secure the device 100 to the hand 205 and wrist 201 of the wearer to support the wearer's hand 205 and wrist 201 and to extend around a grip 302 of a sports implement 301 being held by the wearer's hand 205. Preferably, the first 14 and second 15 fasteners may be configured to be joined together for selectively securing the first 12 and second 13 ends of the wrist band 11 together. Preferably, the third 16 and fourth 34 fasteners may be configured to be joined together for selectively securing the distal end 33 to the band posterior surface 18 between the first end 12 and the second end 13.

In preferred embodiments, the fasteners 14, 15, 16, 34, of the device 100 may comprise hook-and-loop type fasteners, e.g., Velcro® type fasteners, which may be repeatedly joined or coupled together and separated or uncoupled from each other. Hook-and-loop type fasteners generally comprise two complementary components: one with tiny hooks (hook fastener) and the other with soft loops (loop fastener). When pressed together, the hooks of the hook fastener catch the loops of the loop fastener, creating a secure but temporary bond. The fasteners can be separated by peeling or pulling the surfaces apart. In preferred embodiments, the first 14 and second 15 fasteners may comprise hook-and-loop type fasteners in which the first fastener 14 may comprise a loop fastener and the second fastener 15 may comprise a hook fastener. In further embodiments, the first 14 and second 15 fasteners may comprise hook-and-loop type fasteners in which the first fastener 14 may comprise a hook fastener and the second fastener 15 may comprise a loop fastener.

In preferred embodiments, the third 16 and fourth 34 fasteners may comprise hook-and-loop type fasteners in which the third fastener 16 may comprise a hook fastener and the fourth fastener 34 may comprise a loop fastener. In further embodiments, the third 16 and fourth 34 fasteners may comprise hook-and-loop type fasteners in which the third fastener 16 may comprise a loop fastener and the fourth fastener 34 may comprise a hook fastener.

In further embodiments, fasteners 14, 15, 16, 34, may comprise any other type of fastener or coupling method which may enable a first 14 and second 15 fastener to be coupled together and a third 16 and fourth 34 fastener to be coupled together, such as snap type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, etc. Any suitable coupling method may be used to couple fasteners 14, 15, 16, 34, to a wrist band 11 and/or grip aid strap 31, such as via stitching 41, 42, 43, 44, adhesive, heat bonding, etc. Preferably, a first fastener 14 may be coupled to the wrist band 11 via stitching 41, a second fastener 15 may be coupled to the wrist band 11 via stitching 42, a third fastener 16 may be coupled to the wrist band 11 and/or grip aid strap 31 via stitching 43, and a fourth fastener 34 may be coupled to the grip aid strap 31 via stitching 44.

In some embodiments, the wrist band 11 may comprise a band axis 71 which may be substantially parallel (plus or minus 10 degrees) to the elongated length (L1) of the wrist band 11 and which may extend through the first end 12 and the second end 13. Preferably, the band axis 71 may substantially bisect (plus or minus 10 percent) the width dimension (W1) of the wrist band 11. In some embodiments, the band axis 71 may extend through the first fastener 14 and the second fastener 15. In further embodiments, the band axis 71 may substantially bisect the first fastener 14 and the second fastener 15 (extends through the fasteners 14, 15, within plus or minus 10 percent of the center of the fasteners 14, 15).

In some embodiments, the grip aid strap 31 may comprise a strap axis 72 which may be substantially parallel (plus or minus 10 degrees) to the elongated length (L2) of the grip aid strap 31 and which may extend through the distal end 33 and the fourth fastener 34. Preferably, the strap axis 72 may substantially bisect (plus or minus 10 percent) the width dimension (W2) of the grip aid strap 31. In some embodiments, the strap axis 72 may extend through the third fastener 16 and the fourth fastener 34. In further embodiments, the strap axis 72 may substantially bisect the third fastener 16 and the fourth fastener 34 (extends through the fasteners 16, 34, within plus or minus 10 percent of the center of the fasteners 16, 34). In further embodiments, the strap axis 72 may substantially bisect (plus or minus 10 percent) the width dimension (W2) of the grip aid strap 31 and substantially bisect the fourth fastener 34.

In some embodiments, the strap axis 72 and band axis 71 may be angled between 60 and 80 degrees relative to each other as shown by angle A in FIG. 3, preferably with the distal end 33 angled towards the first end 12. In further embodiments, the strap axis 72 and band axis 71 may be angled between 68 and 72 degrees relative to each other as shown by angle A. In further embodiments, the strap axis 72 and band axis 71 may be angled substantially 70 degrees (plus or minus 0.1 degrees) relative to each other as shown by angle A.

The device 100 may be configured in a plurality of sizes to fit the wrist 201 and hand 205 of a plurality of sizes of human hands. In preferred embodiments, wrist band 11 may have an elongated length (L1) of approximately 25 cm (10 inches) long and a width dimension (W1) of approximately 5 cm (2 inches) wide. In preferred embodiments, grip aid strap 31 may have an elongated length (L2) of approximately 28 cm (11 inches) long and a width dimension (W2) approximately 5 cm (2 inches) wide. These dimensions may be for an average-sized hand 205 with a wrist 201 circumference of 18-19 cm (7.0 to 7.5 inches). The inventor contemplates a slightly smaller version for small hands with elongated length (L2) of approximately 25 cm (10 inches) and elongated length (L1) of approximately 22 cm (9 inches). For larger hands, the inventor contemplates elongated length (L2) of approximately 35 cm (12 inches) and elongated length (L1) of approximately 28 cm (11 inches). The width dimension (W1) and width dimension (W2) would decrease as the overall size of the device 100 is reduced. Preferably, portions of the grip aid strap 31 proximate to the wrist band 11 and coupled to the wrist band 11 may be slightly wider than width dimension (W2), by approximately 1.5 cm (0.5 inches).

FIG. 4-6 show an example of how the device 100 may be secured or engaged to a wearer's hand 205 and wrist 201 for enhancing the wearer's ability to securely grip a shafted sports implement 301 grip 302, such as golf club or tennis racquet. Generally, the device 100 goes around the wearer's hand 205 and wrist 201 while grasping the sports implement 301. Use of an unmodified sports glove is optional, but not required. When wrapped, the athlete's thumb and forefinger are exposed and can be used to help control the sports implement 301. When not in use, the grip aid strap 31 that entraps the fingers can be released and folded back on itself so that the hand is free for other purposes. The same device 100 can be used by left or right-handed people and by people with physically compromised grip strength. The device 100 can be used for training or gameplay.

FIG. 4 shows the wrist band 11 partially wrapped around the wearer's wrist 201 with the band anterior surface 17 contacting the wrist 201 and with the strap anterior surface 35 contacting the back of the hand 205. The first 14 and second fasteners 15 may then be joined together for selectively securing the wrist band 11 around the wearer's wrist 201 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. When the wearer desires to use a sports implement 301, the wearer may grip the grip 302 of the sports implement 301 and wrap the elongated length (L2) of the grip aid strap 31 around one or more fingers of the wearer's hand 205 while the wearer's hand 205 is gripping the grip 302 of the sports implement 301. The third 16 and fourth 34 fasteners may then be joined together thereby engaging the wearer's hand 205 and wrist 201 to the sports implement 301 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preferably, when the grip aid strap 31 is wrapped around the wearer's hand 205, the width dimension (W2) of the grip aid strap 31 may be configured so that the wearer's thumb 206 and forefinger 207 may be exposed and can be used to help control the sports implement 301.

While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the wrist band 11, grip aid strap 31, fasteners 14, 15, 16, 34, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.