Glove with visco-elastic foam

Abstract

A glove having a first and a second layer of material wherein the first and second layers of material define opposing sides of the glove. The glove defines a palm portion, a dorsal portion, a thumb portion and four finger portions. A visco-elastic foam layer is coupled with the glove and extends over a substantial majority of the palm portion of the glove and at least a portion of the thumb portion and each of the finger portions. The visco-elastic foam layer cushions impacts and assists the wearer in maintaining a grip on an object such as a golf club or a baseball bat. The glove is well suited for use as a golf glove and is particularly beneficial for individuals having arthritic hands.

1 . An item of apparel for wearing on a human hand, said apparel item comprising:
 a glove having a first and a second layer of material, said first and second layers of material defining opposing sides of said glove, said glove defining a palm portion, a dorsal portion, a thumb portion and four finger portions; and   a visco-elastic foam layer coupled with said glove and extending over a substantial majority of said palm portion of said glove and at least a portion of said thumb portion and each of said finger portions.   
   
   
       2 . The apparel item of  claim 1  wherein said visco-elastic foam layer is a single contiguous layer of foam. 
   
   
       3 . The apparel item of  claim 1  wherein said visco-elastic layer of foam is a polyurethane visco-elastic foam layer. 
   
   
       4 . The apparel item of  claim 1  wherein said visco-elastic layer of foam is an open-cell polyurethane visco-elastic foam layer. 
   
   
       5 . The apparel item of  claim 1  wherein said visco-elastic layer of foam has a density of at least about 4.5 pounds per cubic foot. 
   
   
       6 . The apparel item of  claim 1  wherein said visco-elastic layer of foam has a thickness of between approximately ⅛ inch and ⅜ inch. 
   
   
       7 . The apparel item of  claim 1  further comprising a third layer of material, said third and second layers of material defining a pocket therebetween wherein said pocket extends along said palm portion and at least a portion of said thumb portion and each of said four finger portions; and wherein said visco-elastic foam layer is disposed within said pocket. 
   
   
       8 . The apparel item of  claim 7  wherein said pocket defines an outer perimeter and wherein said first, second and third layers of material are joined together at a common seam for at least a portion of said outer perimeter of said pocket. 
   
   
       9 . The apparel item of  claim 8  wherein said first, second and third layers of material are layers of leather material. 
   
   
       10 . The apparel item of  claim 7  wherein said visco-elastic foam layer is a single contiguous layer of foam having a substantially constant thickness when unstressed. 
   
   
       11 . The apparel item of  claim 10  wherein said foam layer is non-adhesively and non-attachedly retained within said pocket. 
   
   
       12 . The apparel item of  claim 1  wherein said opposing sides of said glove define a palm side and a dorsal side and wherein said visco-elastic foam layer is coupled with said palm side of said glove. 
   
   
       13 . The apparel item of  claim 12  wherein said visco-elastic foam layer extends over at least approximately 70% of said palm portion of said glove and at least approximately 70% of said palm side of said thumb portion and each of said four finger portions. 
   
   
       14 . An item of apparel for wearing on a human hand, said apparel item comprising:
 a glove having a first and a second layer of material, said first and second layers of material defining opposing sides of said glove, said glove defining a palm portion, a dorsal portion, a thumb portion and four finger portions; and   a third layer of material, said second and third layers of materials defining a contiguous pocket therebetween, said pocket extending over a substantial majority of said palm portion of said glove and at least a portion of said thumb portion and each of said finger portions; and   a visco-elastic foam layer disposed within said pocket, said foam layer having a contiguous configuration with a central portion extending over a substantial majority of said palm portion of said glove and five projections extending respectively along at least a part of said thumb portion and said four finger portions of said glove.   
   
   
       15 . The apparel item of  claim 14  wherein said visco-elastic foam layer is a polyurethane visco-elastic foam layer having a substantially constant thickness when unstressed. 
   
   
       16 . The apparel item of  claim 14  wherein said thumb portion and each of said four finger portions of said glove has a dorsal side and a palm side, said pocket being disposed on said palm side of said thumb portion and each of said four finger portions. 
   
   
       17 . The apparel item of  claim 14  wherein said foam layer is non-adhesively and non-attachedly retained within said pocket. 
   
   
       18 . The apparel item of  claim 14  wherein said five projections of said foam layer respectively extend for a substantial majority of an outwardly extending length of each of said thumb portion and said four finger portions. 
   
   
       19 . The apparel item of  claim 18  wherein said thumb portion and each of said four finger portions of said glove have a dorsal side and a palm side, said pocket being disposed on said palm side of said thumb portion and each of said four finger portions and wherein said five projections of said foam layer have an area that extends over a substantial majority of said palm side of said thumb portion and said four finger portions. 
   
   
       20 . The apparel item of  claim 19  wherein said central portion of said foam layer has an area that is at least approximately 70% of an area of said palm portion of said first layer and wherein said five projections of said foam layer have an area that is at least approximately 70% of said palm side of said thumb portion and said four finger portions.