Windsurfing palm harness

Abstract

A harness for use in windsurfing which includes an adjustable wrist strap for securing the harness to the wrist of the wearer, a grip support which includes a rigid support structure which is curved for comfort and for securing the grip of a generally round or oval boom, and the grip support further including an adjustable finger securer. The rigid support structure is further curved for providing easy release of the boom, when necessary, by the lifting of the fingers being secured by the finger securer. The adjustable finger securer allows the wearer to extend the fingers being secured for resting the wearer's hands while still being in control of the boom. The harness transfers some or all of the force required to keep the boom engaged to the wears wrist, thereby enabling the wearer to participate in the sport for a longer period of time.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A palm harness for use in windsurfing comprising: 
 a wrist strap extending between first and second ends interconnected and spaced apart by first and second sides;    a grip support having a first end secured to said wrist strap, and a second distal end;    said grip support including a preformed, generally rigid and curved support structure extending at least partially between said first and second ends for removably engaging a generally cylindrical object and a finger securer positioned between said first and second ends for controlling movement of said grip support and providing easy disengagement of said harness from the object.    
     
     
         2 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said wrist strap includes a securing device for adjustably securing said first and second ends of said wrist strap together.  
     
     
         3 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said wrist strap includes a turning loop for receiving said first end of said strap therethrough and turning said wrist strap back upon itself to provide adjustability and tension to said wrist strap.  
     
     
         4 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said finger securer includes a first strap and a second strap, each strap including a mating portion of a securing device for adjustably securing said grip support to at least one finger.  
     
     
         5 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said finger securer is positioned adjacent the apex of the curved portion of said support structure for controlling movement thereof and providing easy removal of said palm harness from the equipment and providing for the extension of at least one finger.  
     
     
         6 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said second distal end of said grip support includes a cooperating portion for removably attaching said second distal end to said wrist strap.  
     
     
         7 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said wrist strap includes a securing tab having a cooperating portion for engaging with said cooperating portion of said grip support and attaching said second distal end to said wrist strap.  
     
     
         8 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said grip support includes an inner layer and an outer layer secured together to form a pocket therebetween.  
     
     
         9 . A palm harness as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said support structure is defined by a J-shaped insert positioned in said pocket and fixedly secured between said inner and outer layers.