Finger protecting device and method for protecting at least one finger
A finger protecting device for protecting at least one finger against chafing resulting from rubbing against the shaft when practicing a sport with the shaft, such as golfing. The device comprises a sleeve for the thumb. The sleeve has front and rear surfaces, the front surface being positioned before a digital area of the thumb for acting as a barrier between the thumb and the shaft. The sleeve has first and second opposite ends, the second end being open-ended for allowing the thumb to be inserted into the sleeve. The device comprises fastening means connected to the sleeve for selectively adjusting and fastening the sleeve onto the thumb. The device may comprise extension portions, as well as additional sleeves for other fingers of the hand, the other sleeves exposing the fingertips of the fingers to enable a better feel for the shaft.
1. A finger protecting device for use on a hand of a golfer, the golfer's hand having a wrist, a thumb, at least two other fingers and a palm located on a front side of the golfer's hand, each of the at least two other fingers including a proximal finger portion extending between a first knuckle and a second knuckle of the corresponding finger, the device comprising:
a wristband portion shaped and sized to fit around the wrist of the golfer's hand;
at least one open-ended finger sleeve shaped and sized to cover only the proximal finger portion of a corresponding one of the at least two other fingers of the golfer's hand, the at least one open-ended finger sleeve having opposite front and rear surfaces, the front surface of the at least one open-ended finger sleeve including a front edge disposed at a junction between the palm and a base of the corresponding finger when the device is on the golfer's hand;
a closed-ended thumb sleeve shaped and sized to cover the thumb of the golfer's hand, the closed-ended thumb sleeve having opposite front and rear surfaces; and
an extension portion connecting together the wristband portion, the closed-ended thumb sleeve and the at least one open-ended finger sleeve, the extension portion including a front section having a front edge disposed at a junction between the palm and a base of the thumb and extending from the base of the thumb to said wristband portion when the device is on the golfer's hand;
whereby the wristband portion, the at least one open-ended finger sleeve, the closed-ended thumb sleeve and the extension portion are configured and disposed to leave the palm of the golfer's hand entirely exposed for a direct contact with a golf club while protecting the thumb and at least one of the proximal finger portions of the golfer's hand against chafing.
2. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises only one open-ended finger sleeve.
3. The finger protecting device according to claim 2 , wherein the finger of the golfer's hand covered by the single open-ended finger sleeve is an index finger.
4. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises only two open-ended finger sleeves.
5. The finger protecting device according to claim 4 , wherein the fingers of the golfer's hand covered by the only two open-ended finger sleeves are an index finger and a middle finger.
6. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the front surface of at least one of the sleeves is padded with an additional layer of material.
7. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sleeves is made of a stretchable material.
8. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sleeves is made of a breathable material.
9. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the wristband portion comprises means for selectively adjusting and fastening the wristband portion onto the wrist of the golfer's hand.
10. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the wristband portion is operable between opened and closed configurations, the wristband portion comprising first and second end members removably connectable to one another.
11. The finger protecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a pulling tab securely affixed to the rear surface of the at least one open-ended finger sleeve.