Athletic Training Glove

Description

BACKGROUND

The sport of volleyball requires the ball to be volleyed between players over a net using their hands or arms. The majority of points scored in a game happen in the form of kills from hits, blocks over the net, and unreturnable serves. All of these offensive attacks require the ball to come into contact with the player's open palm and for the arm of that player to be swung with a quick motion. Players that exert more force and control over the ball have a higher likelihood of scoring points and being successful in the game of volleyball. A common issue, especially in younger players, is closing the hand or hitting the ball with all of their fingers together. This lessens the amount of surface area the player has on the ball and subjects the ball to less speed and direction.

SUMMARY

A glove including a body having a wrist end, a palm side, and a back side joined to the palm side at a side edge, a thumb finger part, an index finger part, a middle finger part, a ring finger part, a pinky finger part, wherein the body encloses a hand and fingers. A webbing portion disposed between each finger part. A spacer connected to each webbing portion, each spacer separates the finger parts a fixed distance apart to restrict lateral movement of each finger, the spacers position fingers of the user such that an angle of a thumb and a pinky finger is 90-135 degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings presented herein show illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. They do not illustrate all embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition to or instead of the illustrative embodiments. Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save space or for more effective illustration. Some embodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/or without all the components or steps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in different drawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements and are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the glove according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the glove according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3a-3d show a component of the glove according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a component of the glove according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows how a hand would be positioned without use of the glove of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows how a hand would be positioned with use of the glove of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without all of the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well-known features may not have been described so as not to obscure the disclosure with unnecessary detail regarding known features.

As used herein, the term “and/or” is to be interpreted broadly and is to be understood to refer to all or some of the elements. For example, “at least one of (a) and/or (b)” means the teaching pertains only to element (a), or only to element (b), or to both element (a) and element (b). In another example, “at least one of (a), (b), and/or (c)”, means the teaching pertains to only element (a), or only to element (b), or only element (c), or to elements (a) and (b), elements (a) and (c), elements (b) and (c), or to all of (a), (b) and (c).

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a structured and adjustable sports glove for improving hand extension and finger spacing during training drills.

The present disclosure includes a glove 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, glove 10 includes a body 12 having a wrist end 14, a palm side 16, and a back side 18 joined to the palm side at a side edge 20. Glove 10 further includes a thumb finger part 30, an index finger part 32, a middle finger part 34, a ring finger part 36 and a pinky finger part 38. The body 12 is configured to enclose the hand and fingers of the wearer.

Glove 10 includes a webbing portion disposed between each finger part, for example, webbing portion 40 is disposed between thumb finger part 30 and index finger part 32. Webbing portion 42 is disposed between index finger part 32 and middle finger part 34. Webbing portion 44 is disposed between middle finger part 34 and ring finger part 36. Webbing portion 46 is disposed between a ring finger part 36 and pinky finger part 38.

A spacer is connected to each webbing portion. For example, a spacer 50 is attached with webbing portion 40 disposed between thumb finger part 30 and index finger part 32. A spacer 52 is attached with webbing portion 42 disposed between index finger part 32 and middle finger part 34. A spacer 54 is attached with webbing portion 44 disposed between middle finger part 34 and ring finger part 36. A spacer 56 is attached with webbing portion 46 disposed between a ring finger part 36 and pinky finger part 38.

Each spacer 50, 52, 54, 56 is fastened to the respective webbing portion via an attachment mechanism, for example, a rivet. In some embodiments, other fastening means can be employed, for example, a bolt, pin, snaps, adhesive, tabs, screw, thread, pockets, etc.

As shown in FIG. 3a, spacer 52 includes a width W1 and a first side edge 60 and a second side edge 62. Edge 60 includes a length L1 and edge 62 includes a length L2. Length L1 is less than length L2. Edge 60 and Edge 62 are angled such that width W1 increases from webbing portion 42 towards a tip of the finger. Edge 60 and edge 62 merge at webbing portion 42 forming an angle A1. Angle A1 is between 15-30 degrees. Spacer 52 is oriented such that edge 60 abuts the inside of the index finger and edge 62 abuts the inside of the middle finger and separates the index finger and the middle finger at angle A1 and at a fixed distance apart to restrict lateral movement.

As shown in FIG. 3b, spacer 54 includes a width and a first side edge 70 and a second side edge 72. Edge 70 includes a length L3 and edge 72 includes a length L4. Length L1 is equal to length L2. Edge 70 and Edge 72 are angled such that width W2 increases from webbing portion 44 towards a tip of the finger. Edge 70 and edge 72 merge at webbing portion 44 forming an angle A2. Angle A2 is between 15-30 degrees. Spacer 54 is oriented such that edge 70 abuts the opposite inside of the middle finger and edge 72 abuts the inside of the ring finger and separates the middle finger and the ring finger at angle A1 and at a fixed distance apart to restrict lateral movement.

As shown in FIG. 3c, spacer 56 includes a width W3 and a first side edge 80 and a second side edge 82. Edge 80 includes a length L5 and edge 82 includes a length L6. Length L5 is greater than length L2. Edge 80 and Edge 82 are angled such that width W3 increases from webbing portion 46 towards a tip of the finger. Edge 80 and edge 82 merge at webbing portion 46 forming an angle A3. Angle A3 is between 15-30 degrees. Spacer 56 is oriented such that edge 80 abuts the opposite inside of the ring finger and edge 82 abuts the inside of the pinky finger and separates the ring finger and the pinky finger at angle A3 and at a fixed distance apart to restrict lateral movement.

As shown in FIG. 3d, spacer 50 includes a width W4 and a first side edge 90, a second side edge 92, and a third side 94. Edge 90 and Edge 92 are angled such that width W4 decreases from webbing portion 40 towards a tip of the index finger. Edge 90 and edge 92 merge towards the tip of the index finger forming an angle A4. Angle A4 is between 25-40 degrees. Spacer 50 is oriented such that edge 90 abuts the inside of the index finger and edge 94 abuts the inside of the thumb finger and separates the index finger and the thumb finger at angle A4 and at a fixed distance apart to restrict lateral movement. Spacers 50, 52, 54, 56 position the fingers such that an angle A5 of a thumb finger and a pinky finger is 90-135 degrees, as shown in FIG. 4.

Spacer 50 is configured with an opening, for example, a slot 100 positioned adjacent edge 92 and a slot 102 positioned adjacent edge 94. An attachment mechanism, for example, a hook and loop strap 104 is inserted through slot 102 such that strap 104 can be wrapped about the thumb finger to releasably fix the thumb finger with spacer 50.

Spacer 52 is configured with an opening, for example, a slot 110 positioned adjacent edge 60 and a slot 112 positioned adjacent edge 62. A hook and loop strap 114 is inserted through slot 100 and slot 110 such that strap 114 can be wrapped about the index finger to releasably fix the index finger with spacer 50 and spacer 52.

Spacer 54 is configured with an opening, for example, a slot 120 positioned adjacent edge 70 and a slot 122 positioned adjacent edge 72. A hook and loop strap 124 is inserted through slot 112 and slot 120 such that strap 124 can be wrapped about the middle finger to releasably fix the middle finger with spacer 52 and spacer 54.

Spacer 56 is configured with an opening, for example, a slot 130 positioned adjacent edge 80 and a slot 132 positioned adjacent edge 82. A hook and loop strap 134 is inserted through slot 122 and slot 130 such that strap 134 can be wrapped about the ring finger to releasably fix the ring finger with spacer 54 and spacer 56.

A hook and loop strap 144 is inserted through slot 132 such that strap 134 can be wrapped about the pinky finger to releasably fix the pinky finger with spacer 56.

As shown in FIG. 5 a person striking a volleyball has a tendency to close their hand or hitting the ball with all of their fingers together. This hand position lessens the amount of surface area the player has on the ball and subjects the ball to less speed and direction. Glove 10 allows players to practice drills with the ideal open hand extension. Glove 10 can be put on the dominant hitting hand or on both hands for blocking drills. Glove 10 maintains the angle of each finger at the ideal space away from the other fingers. Wearing the glove during drills will strengthen the players muscle and memory to come into contact with the ball with a wide and strong hand.

Glove 10 can be made with any glove made of a fabric, leather, or combination of materials. The glove can utilize a wrist strap for customizable adjustment for the user as well as an area for branding. The construction of the glove can include micro perforations or stretch material over the joints to increase mobility and sweat resistance.

The spacers can be sewn on or permanently constructed to the glove. The spacers can be made with a variety of plastics or acrylics and be changed in shape to fit desired extension, size, or attachment. The straps can be made of fabric, elastic, hook and loop, or a variety of other materials.

The volleyball glove can be removed by pulling it off with the non-dominant hand. The glove can come in a variety of sizes, colors, and designs. All with the same goal of keeping the fingers splayed during practice drills.

While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated and can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,’ ‘an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term plurality“ includes two or more referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the disclosure may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the disclosure be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”, unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or step is explicitly recited in the claims.