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[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/409,355 filed Sep. 6, 2002.
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for improving the gripping ability of user, and more specifically relates to glove-like devices that can be worn over one or more of the user's fingers as an aid in holding equipment with elongated handles such as golf clubs, or for handling hard to grip items such as balls or drinking glasses.
[0003] Grip aids are devices that provide for improved gripping ability, such as by providing a more ergonomic handle or by the positioning of traction improving materials between a user's hand an object to be gripped. In general, grip aids can be grouped into those that 1) improve the handle of the product to be gripped, and 2) are applied to the user's hand, for example as a glove.
[0004] In general, modification to handles does improve the ability to grip, but handle designs are not versatile enough to cover all conceivable uses or provide a perfect fit for the different hand sizes of different user's. Providing better handles is also an expensive way of improving the ability of a user to grip a device. Grip aids that are applied to the hand has the potential to be better tailored to different users, but has other problems. For example, gloves can be bulky and they reduce the sense of touch. Gloves also often cover a large portion or all of the hand, making them both cumbersome and hot to wear. An alternative approach is the application of tapes to the hand. These offer a customizable, topical application but lack proper adhesion to the user under most physical activities and often result in unwanted glue residue.
[0005] In summary, prior grip devices have problems that prevent them be being generally useful. These problems include the lack of general applicability, for example as with an ergonomic handle being useful only for some people or for a small range of motion, the loss of sensitivity, for example with a glove, or by being uncomfortable, as in the case of adhesive grip aids. What is needed is a versatile grip that is relatively topical and that will stay on the finger with little, or no, glue. Preferably, the a grip should provide improved gripping for the user through increased friction with a gripped product and should not greatly reduce the sensitivity of the users fingers.
[0006] The present invention solves the problems prior art grip aids by providing a sleeve of thin, resilient, elastomeric material that a user fits over one or more fingers. The sleeve preferably has a hole cut in it for a knuckle. In one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve may extend the entire length of the finger from palm to tip, encapsulating the entire finger in compression, except for the hole cut for the knuckle. In another embodiment, the sleeve may only cover a segment of the finger, including a knuckle. The grip aid may also include tightening device, such as wings that wrap around the top of the finger near the knuckle opening. These sleeves may also include textured surfaces to further enhance frictional potential of the device.
[0007] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a finger grip aid that includes a tapered sleeve of a elastomeric material having a first opening at the end thereof and an intermediate opening. The sleeve is so dimensioned as to fit over a user's finger with the first opening at the base of the user's finger and with the intermediate opening centered over a second knuckle of the user's finger. When the sleeve is placed on the user's finger, at least a portion of the sleeve including the first opening compresses the user's finger, and the second knuckle of the user's finger is exposed through the intermediate opening. In one embodiment, the sleeve has a second opening to expose the upper portion of the finger, including the tip. In another embodiment, the sleeve cover the length of the finger. The grip can also include one or more integral tightening elements across said side opening, and can have an outer surface that is textured.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a finger grip aid that includes a tapered sleeve of a elastomeric material having a first opening at the end thereof and an intermediate opening. The said sleeve has the approximate shape of a finger from the base of the finger, at the first opening, to at least a region about the second knuckle of the finger, at said intermediate opening.
[0009] It is one advantage of the present invention to provide an improved grip for a user with a finger grip aid that will survive most strenuous activities.
[0010] It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a grip aid that can be applied only in the areas needed without sacrificing touch, dexterity, comfort, or the adverse affects of glue residue.
[0011] It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a finger grip aid that is useful for holding equipment with elongated handles, such as golf clubs, or for gripping with hard to hold items like balls and drinking glasses.
[0012] A further understanding of the invention can be had from the detailed discussion of the specific embodiment below. For purposes of clarity, this discussion refers to devices, methods, and concepts in terms of specific examples. However, the inventive grip may be constructed using materials or using methods other than those described herein, and may be used to grip a wide variety of types of devices. It is therefore intended that the invention not be limited by the discussion of specific embodiments.
[0013] Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of preferred embodiments set forth below.
[0014] Additional advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:
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[0022] FIGS.
[0023] The present invention relates to a finger grip aid for use while holding equipment with elongated handles like golf clubs or, with hard to grip items like balls and drinking glasses. To facilitate its description, the invention is described below in terms of embodiments having specific configurations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
[0024] A first embodiment of the present invention is described in relation to FIGS.
[0025] In
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[0027]
[0028] Wing
[0029] Various alternative embodiments include, but are not limited to, various lengths of sleeves, 2 or more sets of wings, or the use of textured surfaces to enhance friction. Finger grips can be tailored to fit on any of the fingers, including the thumb. Any type of friction enhancing elastomer could be utilized for the invention, however, latex rubber has been found to be a very good material. Amount of friction, size and thickness of the sleeve may vary by use and user.
[0030] Having disclosed exemplary embodiments, modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention as described by the following claims.