Grip-enhancing material

Abstract

A grip-enhancing material for preventing two objects in contact with each other from slipping is disclosed herein. The grip-enhancing material of the present invention includes a plurality of recesses, such as suction cups, positioned on a base material. The suction cups may be connected to the base material by a stem or may be connected directly to the base material. The base material can be affixed to a first object and the grip-enhancing material engages a smooth surface of a second object upon contact through suction and/or friction forces. In one application, the grip-enhancing material may be applied to prevent heavy objects placed on smooth surfaces from slipping. In another application, the grip-enhancing material is used to enhance the frictional characteristics of gripping surfaces on certain objects. Further, the grip-enhancing material may be used on the exterior surfaces of gloves to enhance a person's ability to grip various objects.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A grip-enhancing material for preventing a first object and a second object in contact with each other from slipping, comprising: 
 a base material forming a plurality of recesses therein defining a depth, said recesses formed at a density of approximately 180 to 300 per square inch, wherein said depth of said recesses is approximately {fraction (1/64)} to {fraction (1/32)} of an inch, and wherein said first object contacts said base material and said grip-enhancing material engages a smooth surface of said second object upon contact through suction and friction forces.    
     
     
         2 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 1  wherein said recesses define diameters of approximately {fraction (1/64)} or greater inches.  
     
     
         3 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 1  wherein said base material is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         4 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 1  wherein said base material is constructed of polyurethane.  
     
     
         5 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 1  wherein said base material is affixed to said first object.  
     
     
         6 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 5  wherein said first object is an area rug and said second object is a floor.  
     
     
         7 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 5  wherein said first object is a kitchen appliance and said second object is a counter top.  
     
     
         8 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 1  wherein said first object is a user's hand and said second object is a crutch handle.  
     
     
         9 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 1  wherein said first object is a sheath and said smooth surface of said second object is a gripping surface.  
     
     
         10 . A grip-enhancing material for preventing a first object and a second object in contact with each other from slipping, comprising: 
 a base material;    a plurality of suction cups formed at a density of 4 to 7 per square inch, said suction cups defining diameters of approximately ¼ to ½ inches, wherein each of said plurality of suction cups is connected with said base material by a stem; and    wherein said first object contacts said base material, and said grip-enhancing material engages a smooth surface of said second object upon contact through suction and friction forces.    
     
     
         11 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 10  wherein said stems are flexible.  
     
     
         12 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 10  wherein said base material is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         13 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 10  wherein said base material is constructed of polyurethane.  
     
     
         14 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 10  wherein said base material is affixed to said first object.  
     
     
         15 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 14  wherein said first object is an area rug and said second object is a floor.  
     
     
         16 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 14  wherein said first object is a kitchen appliance and said second object is a counter top.  
     
     
         17 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 10  wherein said first object is a user's hand and said second object is a crutch handle.  
     
     
         18 . A grip-enhancing material for preventing a first object and a second object in contact with each other from slipping, comprising: 
 a base material;    a plurality of suction cups formed at a density of 14 to 18 per square inch, said suction cups defining a diameter of approximately {fraction (1/16)} to ¼ inches, wherein each of said plurality of suction cups is connected with said base material by a pedestal; and    wherein said first object contacts said base material, and said grip-enhancing material engages a smooth surface of said second object upon contact through suction and friction forces.    
     
     
         19 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 18  wherein said base material is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         20 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 18  wherein said base material is constructed of polyurethane.  
     
     
         21 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 18  wherein said base material is affixed to said first object.  
     
     
         22 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 21  wherein said first object is an area rug and said second object is a floor.  
     
     
         23 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 21  wherein said first object is a kitchen appliance and said second object is a counter top.  
     
     
         24 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 18  wherein said first object is a user's hand and said second object is a crutch handle.  
     
     
         25 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 18  wherein said first object is a sheath and said smooth surface of said second object is a gripping surface.  
     
     
         26 . A grip-enhancing material for preventing a first object and a second object in contact with each other from slipping, comprising: 
 a base material;    a plurality of suction cups, each of said plurality of suction cups defining a diameter of ⅛ to {fraction (3/16)} inches and arranged adjacent to at least one suction cup, wherein each of said plurality of suction cups has a concave side facing away from said base material and a convex side connected directly with said base material, and forming a plurality of voids between said convex sides of each of said plurality of suction cups and said base material; and    wherein said first object contacts said base material, and said grip-enhancing material engages a smooth surface of said second object upon contact through suction and friction forces.    
     
     
         27 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 26  wherein said base material is constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         28 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 26  wherein said base material is constructed of polyurethane.  
     
     
         29 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 26  wherein said base material is affixed to said first object.  
     
     
         30 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 29  wherein said first object is an area rug and said second object is a floor.  
     
     
         31 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 29  wherein said first object is a kitchen appliance and said second object is a counter top.  
     
     
         32 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 26  wherein said first object is a user's hand and said second object is a crutch handle.  
     
     
         33 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 26  wherein said plurality of suction cups are formed at a density of 28 to 64 per square inch  
     
     
         34 . The grip-enhancing material of  claim 26  wherein said first object is a sheath and said smooth surface of said second object is a gripping surface.