Method and apparatus for protecting hands and improving grip

• US 6,367,081 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark A. Harris
• Original Assignee: Mark A. Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Calvert, John J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, James G
• Application Number:
  US09/846,997
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 2 1/6, 216/7
• US Class Current: 2/16
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/082 especially for the inner part of the hand

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for protecting and improving the grip of hands are disclosed. According to the invention, an abrasion-resistant material having an adhesive on one side is affixed to a hand of a user, such that the palm of the hand is protected. Tabs may be provided for protecting the sides of the hand and the thumb, and for securing the device to the hand. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the device is asymmetrical, and is supplied in left and right hand versions. The device may be constructed from cloth having an adhesive backing. The present invention protects the hands from abrasion, while promoting grip and avoiding overheating and bunching. In addition, the device of the present invention is inexpensive, and therefore a device in accordance with the invention may be discarded after use.

Claims

1. A device for protecting hands, comprising:

an abrasion resistant material comprising;

a body portion, having a width sufficient to extend at least from an ulnar side of a palm of a human hand to a radial side of a palm of said human hand, wherein at least an upper extent of said body portion is curved;

a first tab at a first end of said body portion,

a second tab at a second end of said body portion, wherein said second tab is adapted to extend between a thumb and a forefinger of said human hand; and

an adhesive on at least portions of a side of said abrasion resistant material.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a third tab at said second end of said body portion, wherein said second tab and said third tab define a thumb aperture.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is for use in protecting a right hand, and wherein said adhesive is placed on a first side of said abrasion resistant material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is for use in protecting a left hand, and wherein said adhesive is placed on a second side of said abrasion resistant material.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said abrasion resistant material is asymmetrical.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said abrasion resistant material is formed from a flat piece of material.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said abrasion resistant material is formed from adhesive-backed cloth tape.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein a top extent of said body portion is curved.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said first tab is rounded.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said second tab has a length sufficient to allow said second tab to extend across substantially all of a back of said human hand.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein said third tab comprises a base portion and a distal portion, and wherein said distal portion is offset from and substantially parallel to said base portion.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said first tab has a length sufficient to allow said first tab to cover a substantial portion of an ulnar side of said human hand.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said abrasion resistant material is breathable.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a layer of padding interposed between said adhesive and said abrasion resistant material.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising an antibacterial compound.

16. A method for protecting a hand, comprising:

adhering a body portion of an abrasion resistant material to at least a portion of a palm of said hand, wherein at least an upper extent of said body portion is curved;

wrapping a first tab of said abrasion resistant material about an ulnar side of said hand and adhering said tab on back of said hand;

extending a second tab of said abrasion resistant material between a forefinger and a thumb of said hand; and

wrapping said second tab about a radial side of said hand and adhering said second tab to a back of said hand, wherein said at least a portion of said palm of said hand is protected from abrasion.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising wrapping a third tab about said thumb.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said abrasion resistant material comprises an adhesive backed tape.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said tape is a cloth tape.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising disposing of said abrasion resistant material after use.

21. A device for protecting hands, comprising:

a plat piece of abrasion resistant material, comprising;

a body portion;

a first tab at a first end of said body portion;

a second at a second end of said body portion;

a third tab at said second end of said body portion, wherein an aperture is formed between said second tab and said third tab; and

an adhesive on at least portions of one side of said device for adhering said device to a hand.