Method of cheerleading and cheerleading gloves

Abstract

A method of cheerleading includes providing a pair of gloves. The gloves have a palm and a back portion. The palm is made of a material that is made of a thin palm material. The palm material may be made from natural leather or synthetic leather. The gloves are applied to a cheerleader's hands and the cheerleader performs cheerleading activities.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 481,930, filed on Jan. 21, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to a method of cheerleading including the use of gloves on the hands of the cheerleader. The present invention is directed to such a method utilizing a specialized glove that enhances the ability to maintain an appropriate grip so that cheerleading and spirit squad stunts can be performed in damp and wet conditions as well as minimizing the loss of the audible noise of a clap that otherwise occurs from the use of conventional gloves. The present invention provides a glove worn by spirit squads (cheerleaders) when leading cheers to motivate fan participation and involvement during athletic events and competitive events. [0003] Many athletic events are held in outdoor venue...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention provides a method of cheerleading and, in particular, to a method for minimizing the loss of an audible noise of a clap while covering the hands of the cheerleader. The present invention also provides a glove that addresses those concerns and objections; delivering a glove that can be worn during the cheerleading activity without sacrificing the ability to generate an audible applause and overcoming a dramatic change in the coefficient of friction of various materials, including human skin resulting from the introduction of liquids, such as rain, dew, snow and other environmental conditions. Overcoming this environmental drawback with the use of a glove device is a solution to the problem. However, the material selected for the palm area of the glove should provide a significantly greater enhancement in anti-slip feature than is obtainable without the use of a glove.

[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention utilizes thin synthetic leather on the palm side of the glove to deliver the performance required. In addition, a digital print on the surface of the material, which provides a slightly uneven surface, will further improve the anti-slip quality. The internal surface of the synthetic leather may be joined with a laminate that minimizes the ability for moisture to migrate from the external side of the glove on to the surface of the hand. This feature helps to keep the hand dry and comfortable.

[0012] 1. providing warmth when the outside temperatures require protection from the cold elements,

[0013] 2. enhanced protection of the hand when performing tumbling routines,

[0014] 3. enhanced grip when routines require joining of hands with other squad members.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, in order to overcome the considerable loss of the audible sound of the clap, a material that is both taut and closely resembles the qualities of skin is utilized for the palm portion of the glove. This is best accomplished with the use of a thin natural leather or synthetic material. In addition to the material selection, a form-fitting pattern is used to allow for a close, hand-conforming fit that keeps the palm material taut across the wearer's palm. It is the material selection and hand-conforming fit that delivers a handclap with minimal loss in the audible sound quality.

Problems solved by technology

When damp or wet environmental conditions occur, such as dew on grassy surfaces and rain, a cheerleader's hands will become wet and slippery.

Since these environmental conditions occur on a regular basis, there is a large percentage of time that cheerleaders are limited in their activities.

Towel drying hands is not a practical solution to the problem since the moisture is often available on an on-going basis, such as in the event of rain.

Currently, cheerleaders avoid the use of gloves for two reasons—loss of the audible sound of the clap and the loosely constructed gloves currently marketed to them are unsafe when performing stunts and tumbling activities.

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