Finger Cots and Sports Sleeves

Abstract

According to the various features, characteristics and embodiments of the present invention which will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the present invention provides reusable grip enhancing tubular members for the arm area, in particular sports sleeves for the arm and forearm, and reusable grip enhancing tubular members for the hand, in particular sports finger cots for the hand, and the uses thereof, and methods thereof, intended to increase the performance in arm and/or hand task activities.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A new sports sleeve comprising:
 A tubular member having a body adapted to fit around the arm and receive a human hand, wherein the body comprises:   a palmar portion;   a dorsal portion;   a distal end, wherein said distal end has a first open end;   a proximal end comprising a second open end opposite the first open end, wherein said body longitudinally extends from said distal end to said proximal end;   a distal portion positioned to overlay a bicep of the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn,   wherein the distal portion comprises:   the distal end;   a slit at the distal end;   a strap with a hook and loop fastener affixed on the distal end and positioned to enable the user to extend the strap across the slit and secure the sports sleeve snugly around the user's arm; and   a proximal portion positioned to overlay a forearm of the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn, and wherein the proximal portion comprises:   the proximal end; and   a first grip enhancing means disposed on an exterior surface of the palmar portion of the proximal portion,   wherein said grip enhancing means creates a higher coefficient of friction along the palmar portion of said sports sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , further comprising of a second strap; said second strap affixed on the proximal end and positioned to enable the user to thereby secure the sports sleeve snugly around b both the distal end and the proximal end of the sports sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said grip enhancing means consists one of a latex coating, a neoprene coating, a PVC coating, and non-slip coatings that are configured to provide a Shore A Coefficient of Friction of at least 1, thereby providing a wearer with greater control of a ball or sport object. 
     
     
         4 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said grip enhancing means comprises a plurality of projections; and wherein said projections have a height such that a gap is formed between the projections enabling some movement by the plurality of projection on the palmar surface, thereby increasing the grip capabilities of the wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said sports sleeve further comprises a middle portion that longitudinally extends between the distal portion and the proximal portion, and
 wherein the middle portion comprises:   a second grip enhancing means disposed on the palmar portion of the middle portion; and   wherein said grip enhancing means comprises a vinyl material, a PVC material, a neoprene material, a neoprene coating, or a latex coating.   
     
     
         6 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said grip enhancing means comprise a grip enhancing panel;
 wherein said grip enhancing panel is affixed near said first end of the sports sleeve.   
     
     
         7 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said sports sleeve proximal end further comprises of a terry cloth material affixed to an exterior surface area of said proximal end when the sports sleeve is worn and is adapted to enable the user to wipe perspiration from a face of the user during active sports play. 
     
     
         8 . A new sports sleeve comprising:
 A tubular member having a body adapted to fit around and receive an arm of a user the arm of a human hand, wherein the body comprises:   a palmar portion;   a dorsal portion;   a distal end, wherein said distal end has a first open end;   a proximal end comprising a second open end opposite the first open end, wherein said body longitudinally extends from said distal end to said proximal end;   a distal portion designed to overlay a bicep of the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn,   wherein the distal portion comprises:   the distal end;   a strap with a hook and loop fastener affixed on the distal end and positioned to enable the user to mechanically secure the sports sleeve snugly around the user's arm;   a middle portion designed to overlay an elbow region of the sports sleeve when the sports sleeve is worn, and   wherein the middle portion comprises:   an aperture along a dorsal portion that is position to expose the user's elbow, thereby providing added flexibility while using the sports sleeve; and   a proximal portion designed to overlay a forearm of the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn, wherein the middle portion longitudinally extends between the distal portion and the proximal portion, and   wherein the proximal portion comprises:   the proximal end; and   a first grip enhancing means disposed on an exterior surface of the palmar portion of the proximal portion,   wherein said grip enhancing means creates a higher coefficient of friction along said proximal portion of said sports sleeve.   
     
     
         9 . The sports sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said strap is constructed of the same materials forming the sports sleeve or of a flexible plastic or rubber material. 
     
     
         10 . The sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve further comprises a slit at the distal end, whereby a wearer can quickly and easily apply and disengage said sleeve from the arm of said wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said grip enhancing means comprises of a plurality of depressions. 
     
     
         12 . The sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve further comprises of a second strap and strap capture mechanism;
 wherein said second strap and strap capture mechanism is affixed at said second open end, whereby a wearer can secure said sleeve onto said wearer's arm to fit snugly around said arm, thereby providing straps at both open ends and minimizing sleeve movement at both ends of said sleeve.   
     
     
         13 . The sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve further comprises of a liner. 
     
     
         14 . The sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve further comprises of a liner;
 wherein said liner is infused with aloe.   
     
     
         15 . The sleeve of  claim 8 , wherein said sleeve body is formed of synthetic leather and nylon. 
     
     
         16 . A new sports sleeve for a wearer's arm comprising:
 A tubular member having a body adapted to fit around and receive an arm of a user the arm of a human hand, wherein the body comprises:   a palmar portion;   a dorsal portion;   a distal end, wherein said distal end has a first open end;   a proximal end comprising a second open end opposite the first open end, wherein said body longitudinally extends from said distal end to said proximal end;   a distal portion positioned to overlay a bicep of the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn,   wherein the distal portion comprises:   the distal end;   a proximal portion positioned to overlay a forearm of the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn, and wherein the proximal portion comprises:   the proximal end; and   a first grip enhancing means disposed along an exterior surface on the palmar portion of the proximal portion,   wherein said grip enhancing means creates a higher coefficient of friction than a material forming said sports sleeve and enables the user to better grip a ball or sports device during active sports play; and,   wherein said sports sleeve proximal end further comprises of a terry cloth material affixed to an exterior surface area of said proximal end—and is adapted to enable the user to wipe perspiration away from said user's face during active sports play.   
     
     
         17 . The sports sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein said sports sleeve further comprises a middle portion that longitudinally extends between the distal portion and the proximal portion, and
 wherein the middle portion comprises:   an aperture along a dorsal portion that is positioned to expose the user's elbow, thereby providing added flexibility while using the sports sleeve.   
     
     
         18 . The sports sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein said first open end further comprises a strap with a hook and loop fastener affixed on the distal end; and
 wherein said distal end further comprises of a slit;   wherein said strap and said hook and loop fastener are positioned to enable the user to extend the strap across the slit and secure the sports sleeve snugly around the user's arm when the sports sleeve is worn.   
     
     
         19 . The sports sleeve of  claim 16 , wherein said grip enhancing means comprises of a plurality of projections. 
     
     
         20 . The sports sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein said terry cloth material is affixed at on the dorsal portion of said sports sleeve and is designed to provide a higher moisture absorbent capability than the surrounding material forming the dorsal portion.