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(11) | EP 0 685 176 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Glove and method of producing same |
| (57) The outer edge 26a of the little finger bag portion 24 and the little finger - associated
edge 26b of the glove base portion 16 are formed by the folding of a cut material
10. Seam allowances 34a and 34b are sewn together in a region of the back side of
the glove base portion 16 which is associated with the fingertip side rather than
with the slit 36, whereby the ends of the cut material 10 are joined together. Thereby,
the slit 36 is formed on the back side of the glove base portion 16 to extend from
the insertion opening toward the fingertip side. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a glove, particularly a glove suitable for golf, produced by using a sheet - like material as a main material, and having at least a glove base portion and finger bag portions, with a slit formed in the back side of the glove base portion and extending from an insertion opening toward the fingertip side, and a method of producing the same.
[0002] In order to ensure satisfactory fitting of a glove on the hand and prevent it from inadvertently slipping off the hand, it is often practiced in golf gloves and the like, as shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, to form a slit c extending from an insertion opening b toward the fingertip side in the back side of a glove base portion, the width of said slit c being adjustable. Thus, the slit c is widened during putting on and taking off a glove A, and narrowed during wearing. The reason for locating the slit c in the back side is to avoid arousing a feeling of incompatibility in the user. The slit c is made adjustable in width by providing, for example, a tongue p on one side, which is equipped with an attaching member, such as a surface fastener or snap fastener, adapted to be removably fastened to the other side, or by, with no tongue or the like provided, providing an attaching member such as a surface fastener or snap fastener capable of removably connecting the opposite sides of the slit, or by providing an elastic member, such as a elastic cord or band, which extends across the opposite sides of the slit c.
Conventionally, when it is desired to produce a glove A having such slit c by using a sheet - like material, such as natural leather or synthetic leather, as a main material, it has been common practice to use, for example, a cut material B, as shown in Fig. 11, which has been cut out from a sheet-like material. This cut material B has been cut out to include a glove base portion a and finger bag portions exclusive of a thumb bag portion d and is shown in the state in which the back side A1 and palm side A2 of the glove A are joined along the thumb - associated edge f of the forefinger bag portion e and glove base portion a. The middle finger bag portion g, medical finger bag portion h and little finger bag portion i are divided to belong to the back side A1 and palm side A2, and the outer edges of the little finger bag portions i of the back side A1 and palm side A2 and the little finger - associated edges of the glove base portion a are each provided with a seam allowance m. Further, at a position where the thumb bag portion d is to be provided, there is a thumb bag hole j. Further, the back side A1 of the glove base portion a is provided with a slit c extending from an insertion opening b corresponding to the lower region in Fig. 11 toward the fingertip side.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a sewn glove A worn on the hand, with the slit c narrowed and the tongue p stuck to the other side, the hand being lightly clenched. Fig. 13 is a side view showing only the little finger bag portion i and glove base portion a. Sewing the glove A shown in Figs. 12 and 13 by using said cut material B requires at least the following steps.
· Folding the thumb - associated edge f of the forefinger bag portion e and glove base portion a. There is no need to form a crease.
· Sewing the outer edges of the little finger bag portions i and the little finger - associated edges of the glove base portion a together in the seam allowances m.
· Sewing the thumb bag portion d in position.
· Sewing the tips of the finger bag portions exclusive of the thumb bag portion d, and sewing finger bag side elements n between the back side A1 and the palm side A2 at the middle finger - associated sides of the forefinger bag portions e, the opposite sides of the middle finger bag portions and medical finger bag portions, and the medical finger - associated sides of the little finger bag portions i, thereby forming the respective finger bag portions.
· Providing a tongue p on the little finger - associated side of the slit c and providing a surface fastener (not shown) adapted to fasten the tongue p to the other side, thereby making the slit c adjustable in width.
In such conventional glove A, since a sewn portion k having the seam allowance m in the inside thereof is present in the outer edge of the little finger bag portion i and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion a, the portion in question does not fit so well on the user's hand when the glove is put on. Particularly, since the sewn portion k having the seam allowance m in the inside thereof is present in the outer edge of the little finger bag portion i and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion a which correspond to the outer edge of the little finger and the little finger - associated side of the hand base portion, respectively, which are most important for gripping a golf club, a feeling of incompatibility is likely to be aroused in the user when he, wearing the glove, grips the grip of a golf club or the like.The present invention, which has been accomplished with the above problems taken into consideration, is intended to provide a glove having on its back side a slit extending from an insertion opening toward the fingertip side, wherein the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion fit well on the hand, the efficiency of glove production being high, and a method of producing the same.
[0003] A glove according to the present invention is a glove produced by using a sheet - like material as a main material, and having at least a glove base portion and finger bag portions, with a slit formed in the back side of the glove base portion and extending from an insertion opening toward the fingertip side,
wherein the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion are formed by the folding of the sheet - like material, and the ends of the sheet - like material are joined together in a region of the back side of the glove base portion which is associated with the fingertip side rather than with the slit, whereby the slit is formed.
Further, a glove according to the present invention may be a glove including a little finger bag portion, a medical finger bag portion and a middle finger bag portion, and a forefinger exposing hole and a thumb exposing hole which respectively expose the forefinger and thumb from the glove base portion. Further, a grove producing method according to the present invention is a method of producing a glove by using a sheet-like material as a main material, said glove including at least a glove base portion and finger bag portions, with a slit formed in the back side of the glove base portion and extending from an insertion opening toward the fingertip side,
said method comprising the steps of forming the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion by the folding of the sheet- like material, and joining the ends of the sheet-like material together in a region of the back side of the glove base portion which is associated with the fingertip side rather than with the slit, whereby the slit is formed.
[0004] In the present invention, the outer edge of the little finger bag portion of the glove and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion are formed not by the ends of the sheet - like material being joined together as by sewing or the like but by the folding of the sheet - like material; therefore, when the glove is put on, those portions well fit on the user's hand.
Particularly, there is nothing superfluous, such as a sewn portion having the seam allowance therein, in the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion which correspond to the outer edge of the little finger and the little finger - associated edge of the hand base portion which are most important for gripping a golf club. Therefore, when the user puts on the glove and grips the grip of a golf club or the like, the fitness obtained is superior and the touch of the grip can be accurately perceived.
The joining of the ends of the sheet - like material is effected in a region of the back side of the glove base portion which is associated with the fingertip side rather than with the slit, there being no need to effect it for the slit; therefore, as compared with the case of forming the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion by sewing over the entire length thereof, the amount of sewing operation is minimized and, furthermore, this procedure results in forming the slit in the glove without taking the trouble of forming it in the sheet - like material as in the prior art. Thus, the production efficiency is very high.
[0005] Fig. 1 is a front view of a cut material for a glove as a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the glove. Fig. 3 is a side view showing only a little finger bag portion and glove base portion of the glove. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the glove.
Fig. 5 is a front view of a cut material for a glove as a second embodiment of the invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the glove.
Fig. 7 is a front view of a cut material for a glove as a third embodiment of the invention. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the glove.
Fig. 9 is a front view of a cut material for a glove as a fourth embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the glove.
Fig. 11 is a front view of a cut material for a glove as a prior art. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the glove. Fig. 13 is a side view showing only a little finger bag portion and a glove base portion of the glove.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
Figs. 1 through 4 relate to a left - hand side glove as a first embodiment of the invention. Of course, in the case of a right - hand side glove, it will be symmetrical thereto with respect to a vertical line. This is applicable to the other embodiments to be later described.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a cut material 10 obtained by cutting a sheet - like material, such as natural leather, synthetic leather (including artificial leather), a woven fabric, knitted fabric, non - woven fabric, net - like material, or synthetic resin material. For example, in the case of a golf glove, it is desirable that the glove develop a sufficient slip - preventing effect when the grip of a golf club or the like is gripped and that a material having sufficient durability be used. Further, in the case of a golf glove, various known means for increasing the slip - preventing effect, such as a number of small through - holes or projections, can be applied to the areas of the finger bag portions and bag base portion which contact the grip of a golf club. Further, the finger bag portions and glove base portion 16 in the back side 12a of the glove 12 can be provided with, e.g., small through - holes 14 or the like for ventilation as shown in Figs. 2.
This cut material 10 includes a glove base portion 16 and finger bag portions exclusive of a thumb bag portion 18 and is shown in the state in which the back side 12a and palm side 12b of the glove 12 are joined along the thumb - associated edge 22 of the forefinger bag portion 20 and glove base portion 16, the outer edge 26a of the little finger bag portion 24, and the little finger - associated edge 26b of the glove base portion 16. The term "glove base portion 16" refers to the portion of the glove 12 exclusive of the finger bag portions. In addition, at the position where the thumb bag portion 18 is to be provided, there is a thumb bag hole 28.
The finger bag portions project upward from the glove base portion 16 located in the lower region in Fig. 1. Of the finger bag portions, the leftmost portion is the back side of the forefinger bag portion 20, and the palm - associated side of the forefinger bag portion 20 is joined to the right-hand side thereof over substantially the entire length. Adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the palm side of the middle finger bag portion 30, the palm side of the medical finger bag portion 32, and the palm side of the little finger bag portion 24, in the order mentioned, and the back side of the little finger bag portion 24 is joined to the right-hand side thereof. And adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the back side of the medical finger bag portion 32 and the back side of the middle finger bag portion 30, in the order mentioned.
The upper half at the left - hand side of the glove base portion 16 (the region extending from a vertically intermediate position to the left - hand side base of the forefinger bag portion 20 on the back side in Fig. 1) is formed with a seam allowance 34a projecting to the left. Further, the upper half at the right - hand side of the glove base portion 16 (the region extending from a vertically intermediate position to the right - hand side base of the middle finger bag portion 30 on the back side in Fig. 1) is formed with a seam allowance 34b projecting to the right.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a sewn glove 12 worn on the hand, with the slit 36 narrowed and the tongue 38 stuck to the other side, the hand being lightly clenched. Fig. 3 is a side view showing only the little finger bag portion 24 and glove base portion 16. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the slit 36 in its widened state with the tongue 38 not stuck to the other side.
Sewing the glove 12 shown in Figs. 2 through 4 by using said cut material 10 requires at least the following steps.
· Folding the thumb-associated edge 22 of the forefinger bag portion 20 and glove base portion 16. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Folding the outer edge 26a of the little finger bag portion 24 and the little finger - associated edge 26b of the glove base portion 16. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Sewing the seam allowances 34a and 34b, whereby the slit 36 is formed in a region closer to the insertion opening 39. The ends of the cut material 10 (sheet - like material) are joined by a sewn portion 41 which extends, in the back side of the glove base portion 16, between the finger fork 40, which is disposed between the forefinger bag portion 20 and the middle finger bag portion 30, and the slit 36.
· Joining the ends of the cut material 10 (sheet - like material).
· Sewing the thumb bag portion 18 in position.
· Sewing the tips of the finger bag portions exclusive of the thumb bag portion 18, and sewing finger bag side elements 42 between the back side and the palm side along the middle finger - associated sides of the forefinger bag portions 20, the opposite sides of the middle finger bag portions 30 and medical finger bag portions 32, and the medical finger - associated sides of the little finger bag portions 24, thereby forming the respective finger bag portions.
· Providing a tongue 38 on the forefinger - associated side of the slit 36 and providing surface fastener elements 44a and 44b adapted to fasten the tongue 38 to the other side, thereby making the slit 36 adjustable in width.
[0007] In addition, hemming 46 is applied to the peripheries of the insertion opening 39 and slit 36. Further, besides sewing and stitching, it is possible to use bonding by adhesive agents or welding by heat or chemicals, so as to join the individual materials. This applies also to embodiments to be later described.
[0008] Since the outer edge 26a of the little finger bag portion 24 and the little finger - associated edge 26b of the glove base portion 16 of the glove 12 are formed by the folding of the cut material 10 (sheet - like material), the portion in question well fits on the user's hand when the glove is put on. Particularly there is nothing superfluous, such as a sewn portion having the seam allowance therein, in the outer edge 26a of the little finger bag portion 24 and the little finger - associated edge 26b of the glove base portion 16 which correspond to the outer edge of the little finger and the little finger - associated edge of the hand base portion which are most important for gripping a golf club.
Therefore, when the user puts on the glove 12 and grips the grip of a golf club or the like, the fitness obtained is superior and the touch of the grip can be accurately perceived. This applies also to embodiments to be later described.
The joining of the ends of the cut material 10 (sheet - like material) is effected in a region of the back side of the glove base portion 16 which is associated with the fingertip side rather than with the slit 36, there being no need to effect this joining for the slit 36; therefore, as compared with the case of forming the outer edge 26a of the little finger bag portion 24 and the little finger - associated edge 26b of the glove base portion 16 by sewing over the entire length thereof, the amount of sewing operation is minimized and, furthermore, this procedure results in forming the slit 36 in the glove 12 without taking the trouble of forming it in the cut material 10 (sheet - like material) as in the prior art, and hence the efficiency of production is very high.
Further, since the sewn portion 41 extends from the front end of the slit 36 to the finger fork 40 in the back side of the glove base portion 16, the fitting quality felt by the hand is good irrespective of the presence of the seam allowances 34a and 34b on the inside of the back side of the glove base portion 16. This applies also to embodiments to be later described.
Further, in the conventional golf glove shown in Fig. 12, when the tongue p is stuck to the back side of the other side of the slit c, the tongue p extends from the little finger to the forefinger, with the result that when the user wearing the glove 12 grips the grip of a golf club and addresses the golf ball, the tongue p and the end of the surface fastener obstruct the view. With the golf glove 12 of this embodiment, however, when the tongue 38 is stuck to the back side of the little finger - associated side of the slit 36 by the surface fastener elements 44a and 44b, the tongue 38 extends from the forefinger to the little finger. Therefore, when the user wearing the glove 12 grips the grip of golf club and addresses the golf ball, the tongue 38 does not obstruct the view, a situation which is suitable for calmly holding the golf club addressing the golf ball.
Figs. 5 and 6 relate to a glove for the left hand. showing a second embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 5 is a front view of a cut material 50 cut out from a sheet - like material similar to that used in the first embodiment. This cut material 50 also includes a glove base portion 54 and finger bag portions exclusive of a thumb bag portion 56 and is shown in a state in which the back side 52a and palm side 52b of a glove 52 are joined along the thumb - associated edge 60 of the forefinger bag portion 58 and glove base portion 54, the outer edge 64a of the little finger bag portion 62, and the little finger - associated edge 64b of the glove base portion 54. Disposed at the position where the thumb bag portion 56 is to be provided is a thumb bag hole 66.
Of the finger bag portions, the leftmost portion in Fig. 5 is the back side of the medical finger bag portion 68, and adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the back side of the middle finger bag portion 70 and the back side of the forefinger bag portion 58 in the order mentioned. Joined to the right - hand side thereof is the palm side of the forefinger bag portion 58, and adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the palm side of the middle finger bag portion 70, the palm side of the medical finger bag portion 68 and the palm side of the little finger bag portion 62, in the order mentioned, and joined to the right - hand side thereof is the back side of the little finger bag portion 62.
The upper half at the left - hand side of the glove base portion 54 is formed with a seam allowance 72a projecting to the left. Further, the upper half at the right - hand side of the glove base portion 54 is formed with a seam allowance 72b projecting to the right.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a sewn glove 52 worn on the hand, with the slit 74 narrowed and the tongue 76 stuck to the other side, the hand being lightly clenched. Sewing the glove 52 shown in Fig. 6 by using said cut material 50 requires at least the following steps.
· Folding the thumb-associated edge 60 of the forefinger bag portion 58 and glove base portion 54. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Folding the outer edge 64a of the little finger bag portion 62 and the little finger - associated edge 64b of the glove base portion 54. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Sewing the seam allowances 72a and 72b, whereby the slit 74 is formed in a region closer to the insertion opening 78. The ends of the cut material 50 (sheet - like material) are joined by a sewn portion 81 which extends, in the back side of the glove base portion 54, between the finger fork 80, which is disposed between the medical finger bag portion 68 and the little finger bag portion 62, and the slit 74.
· Sewing the thumb bag portion 56 in position.
· Sewing the tips of the finger bag portions exclusive of the thumb bag portion 56, and sewing finger bag side elements 82 between the back side and the palm side along the middle finger - associated sides of the forefinger bag portions 58, the opposite sides of the middle finger bag portions 70 and medical finger bag portions 68, and the medical finger - associated sides of the little finger bag portions 62, thereby forming the respective finger bag portions.
· Providing a tongue 76 on the little finger - associated side of the slit 74 and providing a surface fastener (not shown) adapted to fasten the tongue 76 to the other side, thereby making the slit 74 adjustable in width.
Figs. 7 and 8 relate to a glove for the left hand, showing a third embodiment of the invention.Fig. 7 is a front view of a cut material 90 cut out from a sheet - like material similar to that used in the first embodiment. This cut material 90 also includes a glove base portion 92 and finger bag portions exclusive of a thumb bag portion 94 and is shown in a state in which the back side 96a and palm side 96b of a glove 96 are joined along the thumb-associated edge 100 of the forefinger bag portion 98 and glove base portion 92, the outer edge 104a of the little finger bag portion 102, and the little finger - associated edge 104b of the glove base portion 92. Disposed at the position where the thumb bag portion 94 is to be provided is a thumb bag hole 106.
Of the finger bag portions, the leftmost portion in Fig. 7 is the back side of the middle finger bag portion 108, and adjoining to right-hand side thereof is the back side of the forefinger bag portion 98. And joined to the right - hand side thereof is the palm side of the forefinger bag portion 98. Adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the palm side of the middle finger bag portion 108, the palm side of the medical finger bag portion 110 and the palm side of the little finger bag portion 102 in the order mentioned. And joined to the right - hand side thereof is the back side of the little finger bag portion 102. Further, adjoining to the right - hand side thereof is the back side of the medical finger bag portion 110.
The upper half at the left - hand end of the glove base portion 92 is formed with a seam allowance 112a projecting to the left. Further, the upper half at the right - hand end of the glove base portion 92 is formed with a seam allowance 112b projecting to the right.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a sewn glove 96 worn on the hand, the hand being lightly clenched with snap fastener elements 116a and 116b on the opposite sides of the slit 114 being left unfastened, the slit 114 being opened. Sewing the glove 96 shown in Fig. 8 by using said cut material 90 requires at least the following steps.
· Folding the thumb - associated edge 100 of the forefinger bag portion 98 and glove base portion 92. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Folding the outer edge 104a of the little finger bag portion 102 and the little finger - associated edge 104b of the glove base portion 92. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Sewing the seam allowances 112a and 112b, whereby the slit 114 is formed in a region closer to the insertion opening. The ends of the cut material 90 (sheet - like material) are joined by a sewn portion 118 which extends, in the back side of the glove base portion 92, between the finger fork 110, which is disposed between the middle finger bag portion 108 and the medical finger bag portion 110, and the slit 114.
· Sewing the thumb bag portion 94 in position.
· Sewing the tips of the finger bag portions exclusive of the thumb bag portion 94, and sewing finger bag side elements between the back side and the palm side along the middle finger - associated sides of the forefinger bag portions 98, the opposite sides of the middle finger bag portions 108 and medical finger bag portions 110, and the medical finger - associated sides of the little finger bag portions 102, thereby forming the respective finger bag portions.
· Providing snap fastener elements 116a and 116b on the forefinger - associated side and little finger - associated sides of the slit 114, thereby making the slit 114 adjustable in width.
Figs. 9 and 10 relate to a glove for the left hand, showing a fourth embodiment of the invention.Fig. 9 is a front view of a cut material 120 cut out from a sheet - like material similar to that used in the first embodiment. This cut material 120 is shown in a state in which the back side 122a and palm side 122b of a glove 122 are joined along the thumb - associated edge 126 of the glove base portion 124, the outer edge 130a of the little finger bag portion 128, and the little finger - associated edge 130b of the glove base portion 124. Disposed in the thumb inserting portion is a hole 131.
The finger bag portions project upward from the glove base portion 124 disposed in the lower region in Fig. 9. Of the finger bag portions, the leftmost portion is the palm side of the middle finger bag portion 132, and adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the palm side of the medical finger bag portion 134 and the palm side of the little finger bag portion 128, in the order mentioned. And joined to the right - hand side thereof is the back side of the little finger bag portion 128. And adjoining to the right - hand side thereof are the back side of the medical finger bag portion 134 and the back side of the middle finger bag portion 132, in the order mentioned.
The upper half at the left - hand end of the glove base portion 124 is formed with a seam allowance 136a projecting to the left. Further, the upper half at the right - hand end of the glove base portion 124 is formed with a seam allowance 136b projecting to the right.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a sewn glove worn on the hand, with the slit 138 being narrowed and the tongue 140 stuck to the other side, the hand being lightly clenched. Sewing the glove 122 shown in Fig. 10 by using said cut material 120 requires at least the following steps.
· Folding the thumb - associated edge 126 of the glove base portion 124. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Folding the outer edge 130a of the little finger bag portion 128 and the little finger - associated edge 130b of the glove base portion 124. However, there is no need to form a crease.
· Sewing the seam allowances 136a and 136b, whereby the slit 138 is formed in a region closer to the insertion opening 142. The ends of the cut material 120 (sheet like material) are joined by a sewn portion 144 which extends, in the back side of the glove base portion 124, between the finger fork, which is disposed between the middle finger and the medical finger, and the slit 138.
· Sewing an insertion portion 146 in position through which the root of the thumb 145 is inserted. A thumb exposing hole 148 is formed in the front end of the insertion portion 146 for exposing the thumb 145.
· Sewing the tips of the finger bag portions, and sewing finger bag side elements between the back side and the palm side along, the opposite sides of the middle finger bag portions 132 and medical finger bag portions 134, and the medical finger - associated sides of the little finger bag portions 128, thereby forming the respective finger bag portions. Thereby, a forefinger exposing hole 152 is formed for inserting the forefinger 150 therethrough to expose it from the glove base portion 124.
· Providing a tongue 140 on the thumb - associated side of the slit 138 and providing a surface fastener (not shown) for removably attaching the tongue 140 to the other side, thereby making the slit 138 adjustable in width.
In addition, the vertical positional relations, the sizes, number, material, shape, and relative position of parts mentioned in the above embodiments are not intended to restrict the scope of the invention unless otherwise specified; they are illustrative examples only.wherein the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion are formed by the folding of the sheet - like material, and the ends of the sheet - like material are joined together in a region of the back side of the glove base portion which is associated with the fingertip side rather than with the slit, whereby the slit is formed.
said method comprising the steps of forming the outer edge of the little finger bag portion and the little finger - associated edge of the glove base portion by the folding of the sheet - like material, and joining the ends of the sheet - like material together in a region of the back side of the glove base portion which is associated with the fingertip side rather than with the slit, whereby the slit is formed.