Ergonomic gripping activities glove

Abstract

An ergonomic glove, fingered or fingerless, is provided for use with devices that require gripping such as ski poles, dumbbells, and bicycle handlebars. The glove shape is of a sports-fitted glove with built-up areas on the thumb, fingers, and palm, whereby when the wearer grips an item, the thumb is supported and the hand and wrist are in a neutral position generally aligned with the forearm. A thumb retainer is provided to position and support the thumb while bent. The glove is also provided with a padded insert or exsert of two different constructions, both having three portions, which insert or exsert acts to restrict the contraction of the successive fingers at a gradual rate. The insert/exsert causes the knuckles to be in linear alignment. The glove promotes improved alignment and stabilization of the user's body parts and in particular shoulders, hips, legs, etc., for greater stability and movement efficiency.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An ergonomic glove made of fabric, leather or other suitable material shaped to and sized for the user's hand having an outer layer and an optional lining,
 said glove having a thumb retainer for supporting the thumb and an insert both being disposed interiorly from the outer layer,   said insert having three portions; a first palm portion, a second intermediate or motion limiting portion, and a third finger portion,   said insert being formed as a unitary flexible structure whereby when an item is gripped by a glove wearer, the thumb is bent and the hand and wrist are maintained in a neutral position aligned with the wearer's forearm.