Glove Break-In Device

Abstract

A sports glove break-in device that is a mallet with a curved handle designed to provide a more efficient strike when breaking-in a softball or baseball glove. The sports glove break-in device comprises a body component that is configured in a curved shape to be used as a handle and a ball portion sized to represent a standard baseball or softball, attached at one end of the curvature. The body component has ridges on the end opposite the ball portion for easier handling and grip. Further, the ball portion can be easily switched between a softball and a baseball sized ball portion. The body component can also comprise a bungee strap which secures around the glove to keep the glove closed around the ball portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports glove break-in device that provides a user with a specialized mallet to break-in baseball and softball gloves, the sports glove break-in device comprising:
 a body component; and   a ball portion;   wherein the body component comprises a first end and a second end;   wherein the ball portion is secured to the second end of the body component; and   further wherein the ball portion and body component are used to break-in a sports glove.   
     
     
         2 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 1 , wherein the body component is configured in a curved shape for ergonomic purposes. 
     
     
         3 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the body component comprises ridges for easier handling and grip when in use. 
     
     
         4 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 3 , wherein the ball portion is sized and shaped to resemble a typical baseball or softball. 
     
     
         5 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 4 , wherein the ball portion can be interchanged, as needed, between a softball or a baseball. 
     
     
         6 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 5 , wherein the ball portion comprises a depression and the second end of the body component is inserted into the depression for use. 
     
     
         7 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 6 , wherein a size of the body component and the ball portion together provide a moment arm when the ball portion is pounded into a pocket of the sports glove. 
     
     
         8 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 7 , wherein the body component comprises a bungee strap which secures around the sports glove to keep the sports glove closed around the ball portion. 
     
     
         9 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 8 , wherein the body component comprises a loop component near the second end. 
     
     
         10 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 9 , wherein the bungee strap is threaded through the loop component and secured in a loop. 
     
     
         11 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 10 , wherein a conventional glove dressing material is used prior to forming the pocket in order to soften and condition a leather of the sports glove. 
     
     
         12 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 11 , wherein the body component and the ball portion are one single, solid molded design that cannot be separated. 
     
     
         13 . A sports glove break-in device that provides a user with a specialized mallet to break-in baseball and softball gloves, the sports glove break-in device comprising:
 a body component configured in a curved shape for ergonomic purposes; and   a ball portion sized and shaped to resemble a typical baseball or softball;   wherein the body component comprises a first end and a second end;   wherein the first end of the body component comprises ridges for easier handling and grip when in use;   wherein the ball portion is secured to the second end of the body component;   wherein the ball portion can be interchanged, as needed, between a softball or a baseball;   wherein the ball portion comprises a depression and the second end of the body component is inserted into the depression for use;   wherein the ball portion and body component are used to break-in a sports glove;   wherein a size of the body component and the ball portion together provide a moment arm when the ball portion is pounded into a pocket of the sports glove; and   further wherein the body component comprises a bungee strap which secures around the sports glove to keep the sports glove closed around the ball portion.   
     
     
         14 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 13 , wherein the body component comprises a loop component near the second end and the bungee strap is threaded through the loop component and secured in a loop. 
     
     
         15 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 13 , wherein a conventional glove dressing material is used prior to forming the pocket in order to soften and condition a leather of the sports glove. 
     
     
         16 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 13 , wherein the body component and the ball portion are one single, solid molded design that cannot be separated. 
     
     
         17 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 13 , wherein, in use, the sports glove is placed in one hand, and the sports glove break-in device is held by a user grasping the body component to repeatedly pound the ball portion into the sports glove, creating a pocket. 
     
     
         18 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 17 , wherein the sports glove is stored by securing the bungee strap around the sports glove with the ball portion inside the pocket. 
     
     
         19 . The sports glove break-in device of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         20 . A method of breaking-in a softball or baseball glove, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a sports glove break-in device comprising a body component and ball portion;   
       inserting either a softball or baseball sized ball portion on the body component;
 repeatedly positioning or pounding the ball portion of the device within a sports glove to create a pocket; and 
 securing the bungee strap around the outside of the sports glove to keep the glove closed around the ball portion.