WO2018191665A1

WO2018191665A1 - Athletic glove

Info

Publication number: WO2018191665A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/027567
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Storelli; Thomas Vincent Marchesi
Original assignee: Storelli Sports, Inc.
Priority date: 2017-04-14
Filing date: 2018-04-13
Publication date: 2018-10-18

Abstract

An athletic glove that includes fingertips and/or finger grip elements that each extend concavely from an outer periphery thereof toward a central position thereof to maximize the contact surface area of the finger portions of the glove with an object to aid in gripping the object.

Description

ATHLETIC GLOVE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/485,459, filed April 14, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as part of the present disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a glove, and more specifically to an athletic glove that includes finger grip elements that at least in part are concavely contoured to maximize the contact surface area of the finger of the glove with an object (e.g., a soccer ball) and aid in gripping the obj ect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Various athletic gloves are commercially available that are designed to protect an individual's hand and/or aid in gripping an object. For example, athletic gloves that can be worn by a soccer goalkeeper are commonly designed so that the palm and finger portions or ventral side of the glove are covered by a sheet of material (e.g., foam), which is cut into the shape of the glove and then attached (e.g., sewn) to the palm and finger portions of the glove to create a smooth surface.

[0004] However, the smooth surface provides sub-optimal contact with the object (e.g., soccer ball). Even though the entirety of the palm and finger portions of the glove are covered by material, when an object contacts the glove and the individual wearing the glove attempts to catch the object, only the touch-points (e.g., fingertips) of the smooth surface will make direct contact with the object. The rest of the surface area of the glove covered by the material will not be in direct contact with the object making it challenging to grip the object. Additionally, the hand of the individual wearing such a glove cannot make direct contact with the object because it is fully covered by the material making it challenging to obtain a good feel for the object when attempting to grip it. Moreover, the hand of the individual wearing the glove, including their fingertips, can slide on the inside of the glove, especially when wet, which decreases the ability of the wearer to grip the object. For example, when the object contacts the glove, pressure is applied to the outside of the glove. If the wearer's fingers are wet, they may slide within the glove, precluding the wearer from being able to grip the object or lose grip of the object. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to an athletic glove that optimizes the ability to catch an object by including a finger construction that aids in maximizing the gripping capability between an individual's fingers, the glove and the object such as a soccer ball. Material can be fixed to an inner surface of the glove that has a high coefficient of friction to ensure an individual's hand does not substantially slide within the glove regardless of whether the hand and/or glove is wet or dry. Although the glove is designed for athletic purposes (e.g„ soccer goalkeepers), the glove can be worn and utilized for any other purpose where it may be beneficial for a user to protect their hand, increase contact and gripping capabilities of the individual's hand with the glove and an object. [0006] In an embodiment, the athletic glove comprises a body that includes a plurality of finger portions extending therefrom, at least one finger grip element that includes a first surface that is contactable with and fixed to at least one of the finger portions, a second surface that is spaced from the first surface and sidewalls that extend between the first surface and the second surface and delimit an outer periphery of the at least one finger grip element. The first surface extends concavely from an outer periphery thereof toward a central position of the at least one fingertip element. The first surface can be curved concavely between at least the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

[0007] The sidewalls can include a first sidewall, a second sidewall that is spaced from the first sidewall and that extends substantially parallel to the first sidewall, a third sidewall that extends between a first end of the first sidewall and a first end of the second sidewall and a fourth sidewall that extends between a second end of the first sidewall and a second end of the second sidewall. [0008] In an embodiment, an axis extends traverse to the first surface and the second surface, centrally between the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall. The first surface can be contoured concavely from the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall toward a position of the first surface that is offset from the axis.

[0009] In an embodiment, an axis extends traverse to the first surface and the second surface, centrally between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and offset from the fourth sidewall toward the third sidewall. The first surface can be contoured concavely from the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall toward the axis. [0010] In an embodiment, the at least one finger grip element is comprised of foam, which can be latex.

[0011] The at least one finger grip element can further comprise an opening that extends therethrough between the first surface and the second surface.

[0012] The at least one finger grip element can be a plurality of finger grip elements and the plurality of finger portions can include a first finger portion, a second finger portion, a third finger portion, a fourth finger portion and a fifth finger portion with one of the plurality of finger elements fixed to each of the first finger portion, the second finger portion, the third finger portion, the fourth finger portion and the fifth finger portion.

[0013] Grip fabric material can be affixed to an inner surface of the body of the glove that has a coefficient of friction that prevents substantial movement of fingers of a user when the material is wet and dry. In an embodiment, the grip fabric material can be non-woven brushed fabric that is comprised of polyester, nylon or a combination thereof.

[0014] The grip fabric material can be affixed to an inner surface of at least one of the finger portions of the glove or all of the finer portions. The grip fabric material can be affixed to an inner surface of the body of the glove that is contactable with a palm of a user's hand in addition to the finger portions or instead of the finger portions. Alternatively, the entire inner surface area of the glove can be covered by the grip fabric material. [0015] In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of forming an athletic glove that comprises the steps of forming the glove that includes a body that has a plurality of finger portions, forming a plurality of finger grip elements that have at least a concavely extending upper surface and affixing one of the plurality of finger grip elements to the plurality of finger portions. The method can further comprise the step of forming an opening in each of the finger portions and each of the finger grip elements, the opening of the finger portions and the opening of the finger grip elements being alignable with each other such that skin of an individual wearing the glove can make direct contact with an object. The method can further comprise the step of providing a material having a coefficient of friction that prevents substantial movement of a hand when inserted into a glove irrespective of whether at least one of the material is wet and dry and applying the material on an inside surface of the glove that is contactable with at least the finger portions of the glove and/or the inner surface of the glove where a palm of the individual wearing the glove is contactable with the inner surface of the glove. Alternatively, the entire inner surface area of the glove can be covered by the material. [0016] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed a finger grip element that comprises a base and a body that extends upwardly from the base and includes a first finger grip element and a second finger grip element spaced from and extending contiguous to the first finger grip element, the first finger grip element having a first top surface that is concavely curved between a first and second sidewall and the second finger grip element having a second top surface that is concavely curved between a first and second sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a first embodiment of an athletic glove of the present invention that includes an embodiment of concavely shaped fingertip grip elements affixed thereto; [0018] FIG. 2 is a first partial cutaway rear perspective view of the glove of FIG. 1 showing a grip lining fixed to an internal surface of the finger portions of the glove; [0019] FIG. 3 is a second partial cutaway rear perspective view of the glove of FIG. 1 showing a grip lining fixed to an internal surface of the finger portions of the glove and grip lining fixed to a palm portion of the glove;

[0020] FIGS. 4A-4E are various views of the first embodiment of the fingertip grip element; [0021] FIG. 4F is a sectional view of FIG. 4C taken along line A- A; [0022] FIG. 4G is a sectional view of FIG. 4C taken along line B-B;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of an athletic glove that includes a layer of material to protect the fingers of a user from both jamming and being bent backwards; [0024] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of an athletic glove that includes a layer of material to protect the fingers of a user from both jamming and being bent backwards;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a front, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a glove;

[0026] FIG. 8 is a rear, perspective view of the glove of FIG. 7;

[0027] FIGS. 9-13 are various view of an embodiment of a finger grip element that is affixable to a finger portion of a glove; and

[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of piece of material that is affixable to a palm of a glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODFMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0029] With reference now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1-14, embodiments of athletic gloves and fingertip and finger grip elements that can be affixable thereto of the present disclosure will be described.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an athletic glove 100 that includes a glove body 102 that has a plurality of finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and a palm portion 114. A plurality of fingertip grip elements 116 that are affixable to the exterior surface of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, respectively, of the glove body 102.

[0031] The finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 can each include an opening 118 and the associated fingertip grip elements 116 can also each include an opening 120 that are alignable with the openings 118 of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 to allow a region of the finger(s) of an individual wearer the glove 100 to not be covered by any material and be directly contactable with an object to enhance one's hand grip of the object. In an embodiment, the glove 100 can be configured such that each or only some of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and associated fingertip grip elements 116 include openings therein. Although the openings 118, 120 are shown as being substantially circular or elliptical, the openings 118, 120 can be of any shape and are not limited to the circular and/or elliptical shapes shown in the figures.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cutaway rear perspective view of the glove 100. A layer of grip material 122, which will be described in more detail below, can be affixed to an inner surface of at least one of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. Preferably, each finger portion 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 includes a layer of the grip material 122 affixed to an inner surface thereof.

[0033] FIG. 3 depicts another partial cutaway rear perspective view of the glove 100. In addition to the grip material 122 that can be affixed to an inner surface of at least one of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, grip material 122 can be affixed to a region 124 of the inner surface of the glove 100 that is contactable with a user's palm. In an embodiment, although grip material 122 is shown in FIG. 3 as being affixed to at least some of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and the palm region 124 of the glove 100, the grip material 122 can be applied just to the palm region 124 or just the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. Alternatively, the grip material 122 can be applied to the entire inner surface of the glove 100 or other portions of the inner surface of the glove 100.

[0034] The grip material 122 has a high coefficient of friction to ensure a user's finger(s) remain in static contact within the respective finger portion(s) 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and substantially prevents slippage and/or sliding of the user's finger(s) within a respective finger portion 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. The grip material 122 prevents such movement of a user's finger(s) regardless of whether the user's finger(s) and/or glove 100 is/are wet or dry. This is beneficial, for example, in the case of a goalkeeper to ensure the finger(s) of the goal keeper are in optimal position within the glove 100 when attempting to catch or block a ball. The grip material 122 can extend partially or fully over the inner surface of finger portion 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. [0035] In an embodiment, the grip material 122 is a nonwoven blend of polyester and nylon that is brushed. The blended fabric is heated and turned into a sheet of material that is then brushed to give the material nap. In an embodiment, the grip material 122 can be a fabric that is treated with at least one of glue and polyurethane to increase the fabric's resistance to heat due to friction and abrasion. [0036] In an embodiment, the coefficient of friction for the synthetic grip material 122 is at least about 0.65 μ and preferably between 0.65 μ and 0.95 μ. In an embodiment, the synthetic grip material 122 has a coefficient of friction in direct contact with an object (e.g., skin) that is between about 0.74 μ and 0.95 μ. In an embodiment, the synthetic grip material 122 has a thickness of less than about 2 mm and preferably less than about 1 mm. [0037] Under dry conditions, by including grip material 122 on at least a portion of the inner surface of the glove 100, the coefficient of friction between a hand of an individual and the glove 100 increases by 48% over standard glove designs. Under wet conditions, by including grip material 122 on at least a portion of the inner surface of the glove 100, the coefficient of friction between an individual's hand and the glove increases by 41% over standard glove designs. [0038] FIGS. 4A-4G depict various views of the fingertip grip element 116. The finger grip elements 116 are each configured to substantially encompass a distal region of at least one of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. As shown, the fingertip element 122 includes a rear surface 126, a front surface 128 and a plurality of sidewalls, including a first sidewall 130, a second sidewall 132, a third sidewall 134 and a fourth sidewall 136 that extends between the rear surface 126 and the front surface 128. The sidewalls 130, 132, 134, 136 in combination delimit the outer periphery of the fingertip grip elements 116. As can be seen, for example in FIG. 4A- 4F, the second sidewall 132 is spaced from the first sidewall 130 and extends substantially parallel to the first sidewall 130, the third sidewall 134 extends contiguously between a first end of the first sidewall 130 and a first end of the second sidewall 132 and a fourth sidewall 136 extends contiguously between a second end of the first sidewall 130 and a second end of the second sidewall 132.

[0039] The front surface 128 of each fingertip grip element 116 is concavely curved from the outer periphery thereof toward a central position 138 of the finger portion 102. In an embodiment where there is an opening 120 in a finger portion 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and a corresponding opening 120 in a fingertip grip element 116, the front surface 128 is of the fingertip grip element 116 is concavely curved from the outer periphery thereof toward the opening 120. In an embodiment, an axis 140 extends traverse the first surface 128 and the second surface 126, centrally between the first sidewall 130 and the second sidewall 132 and offset from the fourth sidewall 136 toward the third sidewall 134. Here, the first surface 128 is contoured concavely from the first sidewall 130, the second sidewall 132, the third sidewall 134 and the fourth sidewall 136 toward the axis 50.

[0040] The concave front surface 128 is designed to substantially match the curved surface of a ball (e.g., soccer ball) and allow for maximum contact between the glove 100 and in turn user's hand and the ball to allow the user to more easily grip the ball. As shown in FIG. 4D, in addition to the front surface 128 being concavely curved, the rear surface 126 can also be concavely curved to substantially confirm to the shape of a user's finger(s).

[0041] In an embodiment, the fingertip grip element 116 can be comprised of molded rubber (e.g., latex). However, other materials such an elastomer can be used instead of or in addition to form to form the fingertip grip element 116.

[0042] In an embodiment, to form the fingertip grip element 116, a sheet of material is cut into a desired shape. The front surface 128, as noted above, extends concavely from an outer periphery to a central location of the each fingertip grip element 116. To attached the fingertip grip elements 116 to the glove 100, the fingertip grip elements 116 are affixed by sewing, use of an adhesive or a combination thereof to at least one of the finger portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. The opening 118 of the portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and the opening 120 of the fingertip grip element 116 can be formed by punching, cutting or another known method. The grip material 122 can be applied to an inside surface of the glove 100 using an adhesive to bond the material 122 to the inner surface of the glove 100. [0043] FIGS. 5 and 6 depict embodiments of gloves 200, 300, respectively, that includes material 202, 302, respectively, that covers at least part of at least some of the finger portions 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 of the glove 200, 300, respectively, to reduce the risk of an individual wearing the glove 200, 300 from both jamming their finger(s) and bending their finger(s) backwards when contacting an object. The layer of material 202, 302 prevents at least some of the fingers 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 of an individual wearing the glove 200 or 300 from being struck in a way to ensure said fingers 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 would be compressed toward the palm of the individual's hand. Here, the object would contact the rigid material 202, 204 first, directing forces toward an area at the base of the at least some of the finger portions 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 of the glove 200, 200 to spread the force away from the individual's finger(s) and toward the main body 204, 304 of the glove 200, 300 and individual's hand.

[0044] In an embodiment, a layer of rigid rubber 202, 302 can be injected directly into the fabric that comprises the rear portion 205, 305 of the glove body 204, 304. The rubber 202, 302 can be, for example, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or Polybutylene. The rubber can have a durometer in a range of approximately between Shore A 60 to Shore A 80. The rubber 202, 302 is not pre-molded or fixed to the glove body 203, 304, for example, by an adhesive or stitching. The layer of material 202, 302 stiffens the rear portion 205, 305 of at least some of the finger portions 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314 the rear portion 205, 305 of the glove 200, 300.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, a layer of material 202 can be injected into the fabric of the glove 200 so as to substantially cover at least some of the finger portions 208, 210, 212, 214 of the glove 200 and the associated joints of an individual's fingers. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, to reduce weight and allow for more dexterity, the layer of material 202 can be injected into the fabric of the glove 300 in a geometric pattern (see FIG. 6) whereby the forces applied to the glove 300 are directed to the base 316 of at least some of the finger portions 308, 310, 312, 314 and the fingers of an individual wearing the glove 300. It should be noted that although the finger portion 214, 314 that cover's a thumb is not shown as included a layer of protective material 202, 302 in either FIG. 5 or 6, that the finger portion 214, 314 can also include such a layer of material that extends from the main layer of material 202, 302 or is independent of the main layer of material 202, 302.

[0046] In another embodiment, a protection element can be applied (e.g., injection, adhesive, etc.) to finger portions of a glove. The protection element can include a base and as plurality of projections that are adjacent to each other and flexible substantially in one direction to allow movement of finger of a hand. Such projections are nested in relation to each other. As such, the projections act in concert to prevent flexing in multiple directions and offer protection to the hand of an individual wearing a glove that includes such a feature.

[0047] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a front and rear perspective view, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a glove 400. The glove 400 includes molded finger portions 402, 404, 406, 408, 410. The finger portions 402, 404, 406, 408, 410 do not include sidewalls. Instead, material extends around the portions 402, 404, 406, 408, 410. The sidewalls are eliminated to allow the glove 400 to be sewn to a flat piece of fabric. Alternatively, the glove 400 can be manufactured by sewing pieces of material together then gluing fingertip elements thereon. [0048] FIGS. 9-13 depict various views of another embodiment of a finger grip element 500. The finger element 500 that is affixable to a finger portion of any of the gloves 100, 200, 300, 500 disclosed herein or another glove not included in this disclosure. As shown, the finger element 500 includes a rear surface 502 and a front surface 504. The front surface 504 of the finger element 500 includes a first top surface 522 and a second top surface 524. The top surfaces 522, 524 are spaced from each other by a depression or gap, but extend contiguously to each other. The first top surface 522 is affixable to a fingertip region of a glove and the second top surface 524 is affixble to the base of a finger portion of a glove. Each of the top surfaces 522, 524 are concavely curved from an outer periphery thereof away from the outer periphery such that the there is a depression on the top surfaces 522, 524. The top surface 522 also slopes downwardly from a top end toward the second top surface 524 and the second top surface 524 slopes away from the first top surface 522. The first top surface 522 is spaced from the base 501 a distance that is greater than the second top surface 524 such that, as shown in FIG. 13, the finger grip element 500 slopes from a top end of the front surface 504 to a bottom end thereof. As can be seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the rear surface 502 is concavely curved at least between a first sidewall 526 and a second sidewall 528 so as to contour a finger portion of a glove and ultimately a finger of an individual wearing the glove. The finger grip element 500, like the fingertip grip element 116, can include an opening or openings therein that match the opening or openings formed in the finger portions of a glove. [0049] It is noted that the concavity of the fingertip grip element and finger grip element can be shaped different from the shapes disclosed. For example, the fingertip grip element and finger grip element can include a major concave shape as shown, and then smaller patterns of concavity within that concave shape (e.g., embossed rings to add friction).

[0050] FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of that includes a plurality of finger grip elements 500 and material 600 that can be affixable to an upper region of the palm of a glove. The material 600 can be a molded piece(s) of rubber such as latex. The material 600 is intended to further aid in protecting the hand of an individual wearing a glove on which the material 600 is affixed as well as further enhance the ability of an individual wearing the glove to catch an object. The material 500 can be a single panel or a plurality of individual pieces of material 600 affixed to a glove just beneath the finger portions of a glove.

[0051] It is noted that although the fingertip grip element 116 is shown as being affixable to the glove 10 of FIG. 1. However, the fingertip grip element 116 can be affixable to any of the gloves 100, 200, 300, 400 disclosed herein or another glove not included in this disclosure. It is further noted that the grip material 202, 302 applied to the gloves 100, 200, respectively, of FIGS. 5 and 6 can be applied to the gloves 100 and 400 as well.

[0052] The foregoing description and associated images illustrate several embodiments of the invention and its respective constituent parts. However, other types of materials and patterns combining materials are possible. As such, the images are not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and accompanying images contain much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments, but merely as providing illustrations of some of embodiments of the present disclosure. The images and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiments and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the present embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An athletic glove, comprising:

a body including a plurality of finger portions extending therefrom;

at least one fingertip element including a first surface that is contactable with and fixed to an exterior surface of at least one of the finger portions, a second surface that is spaced from the first surface and sidewall s extending between the first surface and the second surface and delimiting an outer periphery of the at least one fingertip element, the first surface extending concavely from an outer periphery thereof toward a central position of the at least one fingertip element.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall that is spaced from the first sidewall and that extends substantially parallel to the first sidewall, a third sidewall that extends between a first end of the first sidewall and a first end of the second sidewall and a fourth sidewall that extends between a second end of the first sidewall and a second end of the second sidewall.

3. The glove of claim 2, wherein an axis extends traverse to the first surface and the second surface, centrally between the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall.

4. The glove of claim 3, wherein the first surface is contoured concavely from the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall toward a position of the first surface that is offset from the axis.

5. The glove of claim 2, wherein an axis extends traverse the first surface and the second surface centrally between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and offset from the fourth sidewall toward the third sidewall.

6. The glove of claim 5, wherein the first surface is contoured concavely from the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall toward the axis.

7. The glove of claim 1, wherein the at least one fingertip element is comprised of foam.

8. The glove of claim 1, wherein the at least one fingertip element further comprises an opening extending therethrough between the first surface and the second surface.

9. The glove of claim 1, wherein the first surface is curved concavely between at least the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

10. The glove of claim 1, wherein further comprising a material affixed to an inner surface of the body of the glove that has a coefficient of friction that prevents substantial movement of fingers when the material is wet and dry.

11. The glove of claim 10, wherein the material is affixed to an inner surface of at least one of the finger portions of the glove.

12. The glove of claim 10, wherein the material is affixed to an inner surface of the body of the glove that is contactable with a palm of a user's hand.

13. A method of forming an athletic glove, comprising:

forming the glove that includes a body that has a plurality of finger portions;

forming a plurality of at least one of fingertip grip elements and finger grip elements that have at least a concavely extending upper surface; and

affixing one of the plurality of the at least one of fingertip grip elements and finger grip elements to each of the plurality of finger portions.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of forming an opening in each of the finger portions and each of the at least one of fingertip grip elements and finger grip elements, the opening of the finger portions and the opening of the at least one of fingertip grip elements and finger grip elements being alignable with each other such that skin of an individual wearing the glove can make direct contact with an object.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of providing a material having a coefficient of friction that prevents substantial movement of a hand when inserted into a glove irrespective of whether at least one of the material is wet and dry and applying the material on an inside surface of the glove that is contactable with at least the finger portions of the glove.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the material is applied to the inner surface of the glove where a palm of the individual wearing the glove is contactable with the inner surface of the glove.

17. A finger grip element, comprising:

body including a first finger grip element and a second finger grip element spaced from and extending contiguous to the first finger grip element, the first finger grip element having a first top surface that is concavely curved between a first sidewall and a second sidewall and the second finger grip element having a second top surface that is concavely curved between a first and second sidewall.

18. The finger grip of claim 17, wherein the body includes second bottom surface and the bottom surface is curved concavely between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

19. The finger grip of claim 17, wherein the body slopes downwardly from the first finger grip element toward the second finger grip element.