US2304010A - Swimming mitt - Google Patents

Description

J. F. MYERS SWIMMING MITT' Dec. 1, 1942 Filed March 4, 1941 James Myer Patented Dec. 1 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWIMMING MITT James F. Myers, Oakdale, Pa. Application March 4, 1941, Serial No. 381,749.

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved swimming mitt.

Heretofore, most devices of this kind have not proven practical, due to the fact that the finger and thumb stalls become distended with water, resulting in a device of an annoyance and impediment, while also, when so distended with water, the device has tended to slip either partially or entirely off the hand to further impede swimming. These handicapshave been especially encountered in any instance where a webbed glove has been employed.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device characterized by its skeletonized structure and embodying only webbed, close-fitting thumb and finger stalls in conjunction with adequate means for retaining the stalls tightly in place.

A further object is to provide a device wherein, when applied to the hand, the palm will remain uncovered, and wherein freedom of movement and flexing of the hand and fingers will thus remain practically unimpaired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device wherein tabs will be provided at the base ends of the finger and thumb stalls, at the palm side, and wherein said tabs may be readily asped for pulling the tight-fitting stalls over the fingers and thumb downwardly into place without likelihood of injury to the mitt.

A further object is to provide a device wherein, at their inner margins next the palm of the hand, the webs between the finger and thumb stalls will be provided with aprons to overlie the crotches between the fingers and the thumb so that as the hand is moved forwardly in the water, flow or escape of water between the fingers and the thumb will be prevented to thereby increase will be found entirely efficient and a real aid. to

swimming.

Other and incidental objects of the invention will appear during the course of the following which shows a preferred embodiment of the conception:

Figure l is an elevation showing the palm side .of the device.

Figure 2 is an elevation showing the back of the device.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the draw ing, I have shown a mitt fashioned to fit the left hand. As will be understood, however, the devices will be furnished in pairs, one for the left hand and one for the right hand, but as, otherwise, the devices are identical, a description of the left-hand mitt will suffice for both.

In carrying the invention into effect, I employ finger stalls l0, one for each finger, and a'thumb stall ll, all of which may, if so desired be provided with openings at the back of the mitt, as shown, although this feature has been found not to especially contribute to efficiency. In the manufacture of vthe device, these stalls l0 and H will, of course, be made in different size, according to the size of the mitt, to suit different hands, ,the object being that said stalls shall more or less tightly fit the fingers and the thumb.

The stalls I0 and H are preferably of rubber and integral with or otherwise suitably connected to said stalls are intervening webs I2, also preferably of rubber and pleated to facilitate the folding thereof. At the outer margins of the webs H are binding strips l3 reinforcing the webs to prevent the accidental tearing or rupture thereof. These strips are, like the webs, preferably of rubber and may be in the nature of thickened, integral beads at the free edges of the webs, if so desired. Near the inner margins of the webs I! are provided like reinforcing strips l4 extending between the stalls l0 and H approximately at the crotches therebetween.

Integral with the stalls Ill and II, at the palm side thereof, are tabs 15 which overlie the palm of the hand at the base ends of the fingers and the thumb. These tabs are preferably edged with reinforcing strips l6 like thestrips l3 and I4, and extending between the strips of adjacent tabs at the crotches between the fingers and the thumb are connecting strips H, the parts being preferably integral. As will be perceived, the tabs l5 may be selectively grasped for pulling the stalls l0 and II over the fingers and the thumb so as to avoid possible fracture of said description and in the accompanying drawing 55 stalls,

It is now to be observed that the webs l2 are extended at the pahn side of the hand to provide preferably pleated aprons l8 lying between the tabs and integral therewith, These aprons are preferably edged by reinforcing strips it like those previously described and, as will be noted, are reinforced at the crotches between the stalls II and II by the integrally formed strips I4 and II. The aprons l8 overlie the palm of the hand and serve to close the crotches between said stalls so that, as the hand is moved forwardly in the water, fiow or escape of water between the stalls I and II at said crotches will be prevented. As will be appreciated, the emciency of the device is thus enhanced by the aprons.

Encircling the finger and thumb stalls ill and H at the base ends thereof are integral reinforcing strips 20. Between the finger stalls l0, adjacent strips are united and at the back of the mitt, the encircling portions of said strips respectively merge into a strap 2|, the structure being preferably of suitable rubber or rubber impregnated fabric or material.

Anchoring theseveral straps 2| is a preferably circular header 22 of rubber or rubber impregnated material. This header is fiat at its inner side to seat comfortably against the back of the hand and is preferably provided internally with a reinforcing ring 23 of wire or the like.

Preferably, the header 22, while being pliable and entirely capable of flexing to conform to the back of the hand is, nevertheless, somewhat more stiff and rigid than the other parts of the device, and formed in the encircling skirt of the header at its forward margin are slots 24 through which the straps 2| are engaged and firmly secured, the slots being so disposed that the straps radiate in natural position toward the base ends of the stalls l0 and I at the back of the hand.

Formed in the rear margin of the skirt of the I header 22, opposite the series of slots 24, are

spaced slots 2! and secured through the latter slots are tie strings 2', also preferably of rubber or the like. As will be observed, these strings are of a length to be crossed about the wrist at the inside of the hand and tied at the back of the wrist for securing the device in position.

Preferably, the tie strings 26 are highly elastic so as to exert a rearward anchoring pull upon the header 22. Similarly, the straps 2| are also preferably, highly elastic for exerting a rearward pull upon the thumb and finger stalls it and H. Thus, as will be seen, the anchoring pull of the strings 26 will be communicated to the header 22 which, in turn, will distribute said pull to the straps 2| and so to the finger and thumb stalls;

The finger and thumb stalls will thus be under constant tension tending to hold them tightly in may, of'course, be equipped with any appropriate snap fastening for detachably securing them together at their free ends about the wrist.

1. A swimming mitt including finger and thumb stalls having webs therebetween, reinforcing means encircling each stall near the base end thereof and terminating in a strap at the back of the mitt, a header anchoring all of said straps to radiate therefrom to the stalls, and means for securing the header against forward pull.

2. A swimming mitt including finger and thumb stalls having webs therebetween and provided at the base ends thereof at the palm side of the mitt with individual tabs free to be selectively grasped for pulling the stalls over the fingers and the thumb without rupture of said stalls or said webs, the webs being extended at the crotches between said stalls to provide aprons integral with the tabs to be sustained at their side margins thereby but free between the tabls to overlie the palm of the hand and close said crotches upon' propelling thrust of the hand in the water, and means for securing said stalls against forward slippage.

3. A swimming mitt including finger and thumb stalls having webs therebetween, a circular header at the back of the mitt having an encircling skirt provided with slots, reinforcing strips encirclingsaid stalls atv the base ends thereof and respectively merging into a strap, the several straps being engaged through certain of said slots to radiate from the skirt to said stalls at the forward side of the header, and tie strings engaged through certain other of said slots to radiate from the skirt at the rear side of the header and adaptedto be engaged about the wrist for securing the mitt upon the hand.

4. A swimming mitt including finger and thumb stalls having webs therebetween and provided at the base ends thereof at the palm side of the mitt with individual tabs free to be selectively grasped for pulling the stalls over the fingers and the thumb without rupture of said stalls or said webs, the webs being extended at the crotches between said stalls to provide aprons integral with the tabs to be sustained at their side margins thereby but free between the tabs to overlie the palm of the hand and close said crotches upon propelling thrust of the hand in the water, a circular header at the. back of the mitt having an encircling skirt, reinforcing strips encircling said stalls at the base ends thereof and respectively merging into a strap, the several straps being secured to the skirt to radiate from the skirt to the stalls at the forward side of the header, and'tie strings secured to the skirt to radiate therefrom at the rear side of the header and adapted to be engaged mat the wrist for securing the mitt upon the JAMES F. MYERS.

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