Granted Patent B2

US 7,117,536 · App. 10/718,080 · Granted Oct 10, 2006

Abstract

Claims (49)

1. A hand protector and grip enhancer, comprising:

a generally C-shaped body defining an interior region including a plurality of ribs that bridge across a hinge region and extend generally perpendicularly from the hinge region towards a first end and a second end of the C-shaped body;

a finger receiving pocket at said first end of said C-shaped body;

a thumb receiving pocket at said second end of said C-shaped body;

wherein said C-shaped body is flexible about said hinge region between said first and second ends; and

wherein said C-shaped body is symmetrical about said hinge region.

2. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said C-shaped body is made of a material having low thermal conductivity.

3. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 2 , wherein said material possesses an inherent anti-slip characteristic.

4. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said C-shaped body is heat resistant.

5. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 4 , wherein said C-shaped body is formed from silicone.

6. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 4 , wherein said C-shaped body comprises at least one of elastomeric material and rubber.

7. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said hinge region is shaped to substantially conform to a user's palm.

8. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said hinge region has a substantially convex outer surface shape.

9. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of ribs define said convex outer surface shape of said hinge region.

10. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said hinge region has a substantially flat outer surface shape.

11. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein a length of said C-shaped body from said hinge region to said first end is sized to generally conform to a length of a user's hand from a palm region to finger tips.

12. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said finger receiving pocket and said thumb receiving pocket includes holes to permit air flow and drainage.

13. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said each pocket includes a flap.

14. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 13 , wherein said flap is integrally formed with said C-shaped body.

15. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of ribs run along a first wall and a second wall extending from said hinge region.

16. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 15 , wherein at least two of said plurality of ribs are of different lengths.

17. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 15 , wherein a surface of said first and second wall comprises a plurality of bumps and ridges.

18. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 17 , wherein said surface of said first and second wall further comprises a plurality of discrete protuberances.

19. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said thumb receiving pocket further comprises a thumb receiving stall.

20. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said C-shaped body further comprises a strap mechanism wherein at least one said pocket is defined by a strap.

21. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 20 , wherein said C-shaped body further comprises finger guards attached to said first and second ends of said C-shaped body.

22. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said finger receiving pocket and said thumb receiving pockets are substantially similar in shape.

23. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said first and second ends have a substantially flat tip shape.

24. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 23 , wherein the substantially flat tip shape of said first and second ends enable said hand protector and grip enhancer to free stand in an upright position.

25. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 1 , wherein said interior region possesses a grip enhancing surface extending at least partially along a first interior wall and a second interior wall from said hinge region.

26. The hand protector and grip enhancer of claim 25 , wherein a surface of said first and second interior wall comprises a plurality of bumps.

27. A hand protector and grip enhancer, comprising:

a generally C-shaped body defining an interior region including a plurality of ribs that bridge across a hinge region and extend generally perpendicularly from the hinge region towards a first end and a second end of the C-shaped body;

a finger receiving pocket at said first end of said C-shaped body;

a thumb receiving pocket at said second end of said C-shaped body;

wherein said C-shaped body is flexible about said hinge region between said first and second ends; and

wherein a length of said finger receiving pocket extending from said hinge region to said first end is substantially similar to a length of said thumb receiving pocket extending from said hinge region to said second end.

28. A hand protector and grip enhancer, comprising:

a generally C-shaped body;

a finger receiving pocket at a first end of said C-shaped body;

a thumb receiving pocket at a second end of said C-shaped body;

a hinge region towards a center of said C-shaped body, wherein a length of said finger receiving pocket extending from said hinge region to said first end is not substantially similar to a length of said thumb receiving pocket extending from said hinge region to said second end;

wherein said generally C-shaped body defines an interior region having a plurality ribs that bridge across said hinge region and extends generally perpendicularly from said hinge region towards said first and second ends of said C-shaped body; and

wherein at least two of said plurality of ribs are of different lengths.

29. A hand protector and grip enhancer, comprising:

a generally C-shaped body defining an interior region including a plurality of ribs that bridge across a hinge region and extend generally perpendicularly from said hinge region towards a first end and a second end of the C-shaped body;

a finger receiving pocket at said first end of said C-shaped body;

a thumb receiving pocket at said second end of said C-shaped body; and

wherein said plurality of ribs increase in length and height towards a center of said hinge region of said C-shaped body.

Assignments (9)