GB2403395A

GB2403395A - Golf glove

Info

Publication number: GB2403395A
Application number: GB0315580A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Parsons
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-03
Filing date: 2003-07-03
Publication date: 2005-01-05
Also published as: GB0315580D0

Abstract

A golf glove comprises a main body 1 formed of a thin, flexible, smooth material, having four finger portions 2, a thumb portion 3, a palm portion 6 and a cuff portion 7. On the outer surface of the glove, patches 4, 5, of a frictional material such as synthetic rubber, are provided at positions corresponding to the inner surfaces of the fingers, thumb and palm of the wearer. The frictional material may be a textured material, while the flexible smooth material may be leather. The frictional property of the patches is not significantly reduced when wet, so that the gloves can be used in wet weather. The patches may be stitched onto the main body of the glove or alternatively attached using an adhesive material.

Description

Golf Glove This invention relates to a glove for use during a game of

golf.

It is well known for a golfer to wear a glove during a game of golf in order to assist in the correct gripping of a golf club and to prevent the golf club from slipping out of the golfer's hand during a swing. Conventional golf clubs are generally made of thin, highly flexible leather or similar material, which creates friction between itself and the grip of a golf club.

However, during wet weather, when the glove and/or the grip of the golf club become wet, most of this friction is lost, such that the golfer is unable to maintain a stable grip, and therefore control, on the golf club. Many different means of overcoming this problem have been proposed in the past, including covers for a golf bag (to prevent the golf clubs from getting wet) and towels (for use by a golfer to dry his hands andlor the golf clubs).

I have now devised an alternative arrangement.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a golf glove comprising a glove which is principally formed of a thin, highly flexible, relatively smooth material, at least a portion of the outer surface of the glove which covers the front of the hand, when in use, being provided with a layer of frictional material which does not significantly lose its frictional qualities when wet.

The frictional material is preferably rubber, and more preferably synthetic rubber, such as that used to make washing-up gloves, and the like. The frictional material is preferably textured. This material is preferably provided in patches corresponding to some or all of the fingers (and the thumb) of the glove. A patch is preferably also provided on the palm region of the glove. The textured pattern of the material may be provided by small, globular or raised portions on the material. The smooth material is preferably thin, highly flexible leather.

The textured portion(s) may be fixed to the main body of the glove by means of adhesive material, or it may be stitched on.

During wet weather, the textured material does not lose its frictioncreating properties to the same extent as the smooth material. Thus, during wet weather, a wearer will still be able to grip a (wet) golf club in a controlled and stable manner, without fear that the club will slip out of his hand. In addition, because the synthetic parts of the glove tend to be more durable than the remaining parts, the glove is likely to last longer than conventional glove.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic front view of a golf glove according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Thus, referring to the drawing, a golf glove according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has a main body 1 formed of thin, highly flexible leather and having four finger portions 2 and a thumb portion 3. A cuff portion 7 to surround a user's wrist, in use, is also provided. On the outer surface of the glove which corresponds with the front of a user's hand, there is provided a patch 4 of textured synthetic material on each of the finger portions 2 and the thumb portion 3 of the glove. Another, larger, patch 5 is provided on the palm portion 6 of the glove. The patches 4, 5 are preferably (but not necessarily) stitched onto the main body I of the glove.

Thus, in summary, the present invention provides a golf glove for use in wet weather conditions, during which a golfer would otherwise lose control of his golf club using a conventional golf glove. The golf glove of the present invention provides the ability to grip a golf club and maintains its ability to maintain contact with the club during a swing. It can be used in the very wettest of conditions, and therefore solves the problem of trying to keep club grips and gloves dry during such conditions. The thumb, four fingers and palm area of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are covered or otherwise provided with a synthetic, textured rubber material similar to that used in a washing-up glove, which maintains the soft feel of a conventional glove. In addition, because of the durability of the rubber areas, the glove is likely to last longer than a conventional golf glove. Golf gloves according to the present invention can, of course, be made available in either a right- or left-hand version.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example only and it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made to the described embodiment, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A golf glove comprising a glove which is principally formed of

a thin, highly flexible, relatively smooth material, at least a portion of the outer surface of the glove which covers the front of the hand, when in use, being provided with a layer of highly frictional material which does not significantly lose its frictional properties when wet.
2. A golf glove according to claim 1, wherein the frictional material is textured.
3. A golf glove according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said frictional material is rubber.
4. A golf glove according to claim 3, wherein the frictional material is synthetic rubber.
5. A golf glove according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein the frictional material is provided in patches corresponding to some or all of the fingers (and/or the thumb) of the glove.
6. A golf glove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a patch of frictional material is provided on the palm region of the glove.
7. A golf glove according to claim 2, wherein the frictional material is provided with a textured pattern in the form of small, globular or raised portions on the material.
8. A golf glove according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the smooth material is thin, highly flexible leather.
9. A golf glove according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said frictional material is fixed onto portions of said smooth material by means of adhesive material or stitches. -s -
10. A golf glove substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.