Thumb protector for fishing and method of manipulating fishing line

Abstract

A thumb protector comprises an elongate wrist strap having two opposite ends; a thumb cup; and a thumb cup strap extending from the wrist band and attaching the thumb cup to the wrist band. The thumb cup is generally conical, and comprises leather, or a leather-like material.

1 . A thumb protector comprising:
 an elongate wrist strap having two opposite ends;   a thumb cup; and   a thumb cup strap extending from the wrist band and attaching the thumb cup to the wrist band;   wherein:   the thumb cup is generally conical, having an opening at its proximal end for receiving a wearer's thumb and tapering to its distal end, where it is closed;   the thumb cup is sized and shaped to receive the distal end portion of the wearer's thumb;   the thumb cup comprises leather, or a leather-like material.   
   
   
       2 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wrist band comprises nylon webbing.   
   
   
       3 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for fastening the two ends of the wrist band together.   
   
   
       4 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the thumb cup strap is formed of a flexible synthetic material.   
   
   
       5 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the thumb cup strap forms a portion of the thumb cup.   
   
   
       6 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a top portion of the thumb cup is formed by a distal end portion of the thumb cup strap, and is wedge-shaped, having a greater dimension at the proximal end of the thumb cup and a lesser dimension at the distal end of the thumb cup.   
   
   
       7 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a top portion of the thumb cup is wedge-shaped, having a greater dimension at the proximal end of the thumb cup and a lesser dimension at the distal end of the thumb cup;   a bottom portion of the thumb cup is wedge-shaped, having a greater dimension at the proximal end of the thumb cup and a lesser dimension at the distal end of the thumb cup;   two side portions of the thumb cup are wedge-shaped, having a greater dimension at the proximal end of the thumb cup and a lesser dimension at the distal end of the thumb cup.   
   
   
       8 . The thumb protector of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one pocket for objects.   
   
   
       9 . Method of manipulating fishing line, comprising:
 wearing a thumb protector comprising a thumb cup made substantially of leather.