EP0657190A1

EP0657190A1 - Webbed glove for controlling movement of a wearer's hand through a fluid

Info

Publication number: EP0657190A1
Application number: EP94600007A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Konstantine G. Bakalis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-13
Filing date: 1994-10-10
Publication date: 1995-06-14

Abstract

A glove includes webs (50) connecting adjacent phalange-covering sections (16) together. Each web (50) includes a groove (53) for increasing the flexibility of the webs (50) whereby a user can close his or her hand into a grasping fist and the webs (50) will bow outwardly to permit this movement. Fins (40) are on the glove are located to be on the back of the wearer's hand when the glove is in position on that hand. Each of the fins (40) is formed of one or more materials and can be formed of one or more sections and operate to guide movement of the hand through a fluid, such as water. A closure (20) is located on a wrist-covering portion of the glove and secures the glove snugly about the wearer's wrist. The glove includes ribs (72) on the palm side thereof, and the ribs can be multi-sectioned and/or formed of several different materials to increase the flexibility of the glove.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the general art of aquatics, and to the particular field of swimming.

Background of the Invention

The benefits of swimming have long been appreciated. Modern emphasis on physical fitness has increased the number of swimmers, both recreational and competitive. These swimmers often use various aids to increase either their enjoyment of the sport or to improve their swimming skills. These aids often take the form of added weight or added resistance or stroke-specific devices.
For this reason, the art includes many devices, such as wrist weights, kickboards, leg donuts, and the like, that are intended for use by swimmers to increase their swimming skills. However even with the wide variety of swimming accessories available, there is still room for further improvement.
Any device used to improve swimming skills should not be too difficult or strenuous to use. If it is, it will not enjoy wide commercial acceptance. Still further, if the device is too strenuous to use, it may create a danger of injury due to overtaxing the user's body.
Therefore, there is a need for a swimming skill improvement device that can be used by swimmers of all skill levels and which will improve the skill of the user without too much stress being placed on the swimmer's muscles or joints.
Still further, a useful swimming aid should encourage a proper stroke. Many known swimming aides may assist one portion of the overall stroke, such as the arm movement, while changing another portion of the stroke, such as body position, in an adverse manner. Therefore, there is a need for a swimming aid that will assist the swimmer in developing his or her skills, yet will not cause other portions of the swimming stroke to change in an adverse manner.
Still further, any swimming aid should not be susceptible to becoming loose or deteriorating after long periods of use. Some swimming aids tend to loosen or deteriorate after time due to the harsh effects of the water, especially heavily chlorinated water. Therefore, there is a need for a swimming aid that can be used for long periods of time without deterioration or degradation.
Still further, the inventor recognizes that some swimming aids will be used in situations that they may not be designed for. An example of such misuse may occur when a swimmer dives into a pool with a kickboard, or with pull buoys on. Therefore, any swimming aid should not endanger a user even if misused. Therefore, there is a need for a swimming aid that can be misused without unduly endangering the user.
The inventor also notes that competitive or recreational swimming is only a small portion of the overall field of aquatic-related sports. SCUBA, snorkeling, surfing and the like are also extremely popular activities. These activities, like the swimming activity discussed above, have the same constraints and requirements for perfecting proper stroke technique Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be used by swimmers as well as others engaged in various aquatic sports to improve their techniques without adversely affecting other portions of their strokes or placing too much stress on their bodies.
The inventor also notes that even skydivers require practice to develop proper techniques.
Still further, many people who use gloves of this sort, wear them while using their hands for purposes other than swimming. For example, a SCUBA diver may wish to examine a specimen that he or she discovers, or a swimmer may wish to grasp an object of some sort. for this reason, many gloves that are used in swimming are unpopular because these gloves inhibit the grasping of objects when the user is wearing the glove. Even if a user could grasp an object, the glove may be wet and slippery thereby increasing the possibility of dropping a grasped object. Still further, the glove should be flexible enough to permit a wearer to easily manipulate his or her hand. Heretofore, some gloves were not flexible enough to permit such action and thus were not commercially acceptable. Therefore, there is a need for a swimming glove that facilitates grasping and securely holding objects while wearing the glove.
Still further, many swimmers, especially SCUBA divers, often wish to carry objects, such as knives, depth matters, or the like, with them. Some of these objects may be carried during swimming, wile others, such as a watch, may be useful at other times. However, the elements used to carry these objects should not be cumbersome or overly-restrictive during swimming. Therefore, there is a need for a glove that can be worn during swimming and can accommodate accessories that may be useful to a swimmer without being overly cumbersome or restrictive.
It is noted that while the present invention will be disclosed in conjunction with swimming, it is to be understood that it is equally applicable to use by a person moving through any type of fluid where proper hand movements should be developed. Thus, it is to be understood that the disclosure of swimming is merely for convenience and is the best mode, but is not to be taken as limiting the scope and coverage of this disclosure to swimming alone.

Objects of the Invention

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used to develop and perfect hand movement as a user moves through a fluid.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be worn by a swimmer yet will permit that wearer to easily manipulate his or her hand
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be worn by a swimmer yet will permit that wearer to securely grasp and hold an object.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used to develop and perfect hand movement as a user moves through a fluid that is efficient and not overly- stressful to use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used to develop and perfect hand movement as a user moves through a fluid that will improve hand movement without adversely affecting other portions of a stroke.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used to develop and perfect hand movement as a user moves through a fluid that will improve hand movement and will not degrade after long use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used to develop and perfect hand movement as a user moves through a fluid that will improve hand movement that can be securely fastened to a user even after long periods of use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a swimming aid.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a swimming aid that will develop and perfect a swimmer's hand movements.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be used to develop and perfect hand movement as a user moves through a fluid that will improve hand movement yet will not unduly endanger a user if misused to dive into a body of water, for example.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device that can be worn by a swimmer and can also support other objects that might be carried by a swimmer without being overly-restrictive or cumbersome.

Summary of the Invention

These, and other, objects are achieved by a webbed glove that has flow control fins thereon and grooves defined therein in a manner that permits the glove to collapse to facilitate grasping an object. The glove further includes grasping enhancing means thereon for enhancing the ability of a wearer to hold onto an object that is being grasped.
The glove further includes size adjusting means that also tightly locks the glove onto the hand of the user yet is easily to manipulate. The fins are designed to encourage proper hand movement and proper resistance to hand movement whereby proper hand movement technique can be practiced without unduly taxing the swimmer. The fins are designed, located, sized and configured to induce proper hand movement without adversely affecting the rest of the arm movement or any other part of the swimming stroke, and designed to work with the grooves and the grasping enhancing means to not only enhance hand movement but also facilitate grasping.
In this manner, the swimmer can improve his or her hand movements without endangering any other portion of the stroke or placing too much resistance on the hand movements to unduly tax the swimmer, while also easily and securely grasping objects while still wearing the glove.
The webbed glove is formed of several piles of material whereby the fins are firmly anchored but can give if the swimmer dives into the water with the glove on, and the glove is durable yet comfortable for long wearing times. Alternatively, the fins can be one-piece with the rest of the glove. The glove also has size adjusting means that will permit a snug fit to be established even if the glove becomes slightly worn thereby lengthening the effective life of the glove.

Brief description of the drawing figures

Figure 1 illustrates the human hand for the purposes of orienting a reader to the terminology used herein.
Figure 2 is a front, top and side perspective view of a first form of the webbed glove of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front, top and side perspective view of a second form of the webbed glove of the present invention.
Figures 4a-4c show use of the closing means on the first form of the glove.
Figures 5a-5c show use of the closing means on the second form of the glove.
Figures 6a and 6b show the web with a groove defined therein, with Figure 6a showing the web in the fully extended position and Figure 6b showing the web in the closed position which will be assumed when a wearer closes his or her hand around an object, with the groove closing to permit the web to bulge thereby permitting a wearer to close his or her fingers into a grasping position.
Figure 7 shows a portion of the glove in the grasping, web, bulging, configuration.
Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Figure 2 showing the transverse configuration of a fin.
Figure 9 illustrates a side elevational view of a portion of a fin to show the sloping nature of the top edge thereof.
Figure 10a-10c show various forms for an irregular top edge of a fin.
Figures 11a-11c are palm side views of gloves showing grasping enhancing means thereon.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention

Shown in Figure 1 is a human hand H that includes a plurality of phalanges P, each of which includes a first, proximal row of phalanges SP connected by a joint (knuckle) K. The hand is joined to a forearm F at a wrist W where the forearm ulna and radius bones join the bones associated with the hand.
Shown in Figure 2 is a first form of a webbed glove 10 embodying the present invention. The webbed glove is intended to be worn on either hand or on both hands, and a right - handed glove is shown for the sake of convenience only. The preferred form of the glove covers the user's hand from above the wrist, over the palm and over the phalanges. The preferred form of the glove covers the first, or proximal row of phalanges, FP, but the glove can be extended to cover the second row of phalanges up to the join (knuckle) connecting those second row of phalanges to the third or distal row of phalanges, or can cover the entire hand so the distal ends of the fingers are covered. Thus the glove includes a body portion 12 having a wrist covering portion 14 on one end and a phalange covering portion 15 on the other end.
As shown in Figure 2, the glove includes a closure means 20 on the wrist portion. Closure means 20 includes a first hook-and-loop fastener section 22 that is mounted at its proximal end 22P on glove body 12 and has a distal and 22D spaced therefrom to move in a wrist-covering movement indicated by arrow WC. Section 22 cooperates with a second hook-and-loop fastener section 24 and another hook-and-loop section 24' to ensure a tight fit of the glove on a user's hand. Closure means 20 further includes a second strap 26 that is mounted at its proximal end 26P on body 12 and has a distal end 26D spaced therefrom. Hook-and- loop material 26H and 26L is located on the strap 26 and on strap 22, respectively, to fasten strap 26 to strap 22. Material 26L can be located on body 12 adjacent to proximal end 22P, if desired. The glove body includes a flexible portion 28 that can be pleated or simply made more flexible than the remainder of the glove body. During closing of closure means 20, portion 28 is compressed as indicated in Figure 2 to initially close the glove over the user's wrist. Distal end 26D of strap 26 is folded over and on to second hook-and-loop fastener section 24 and also either completely or partially over the other hook-and-loop section 24'. Strap 22 is then stretched over the user's wrist in direction WC and is attached to strap 26 as shown in Figures 4a and 4b. Thus, strap 22 is stretched over closed strap 26, as shown in Figure 4c, with fastener means 26H of strap 26 being connected to fastener means 26L of strap 22. In those cases where the distal end 26D is only partially disposed over the other hook-and-loop section 24', the fastener means 26L of strap 22 will also contact directly a portion of hook-and -loop section 24', as shown in Figure 4c. The combination of the hook-and-loop fastener sections and the compressible section 28 securely places the glove on a user's hand, and can be used to compensate for any degradation of the glove over time. The wrist portion extends up the user's wrist past area A indicated in Figure 1 and well beyond the ends of the ulna and radial bones shown in Figure 1 by carpals C, to add support to the wrist in the event the user dives into water while wearing the glove. The preferred form of the glove extends beyond the carpals by at least three inches. The added wrist support prevents injury to the wearer's wrist by supporting the hand from being bent backwards too far. The tight closure means also assists in this protection as it supports the wrist. Thus, the wrist-covering portion extends above the wearer's a wrist joint to partially cover the radius bone of the wearer's forearm above the first row of carpal bones in the wearer's hand.
An alternative form of closure means 20 is shown in Figure 3 in which strap 22' is located on the other side of the user's wrist with respect to strap 22, as shown in Figure 2, and moves in direction WC' or WC'' to close means 20. Hook-and-loop fastener means includes means 22H on strap 22' and means 22L on glove body 12. As shown in Figures 5a through 5c, strap 26 is closed after compressing portion 28 in the manner discussed above Then, strap 22' is moved in either direction WC' or WC'' and connected to glove body 12 using hook-and-loop closure means that are on the proper surface of strap 22' and either the glove body or the strap 26. The dual straps ensure tight, secure closing of the glove at all times. It is also noted that a pocket P (Figure 3) can be located on one of the straps to contain any suitable equipment or accessories, such as a watch, or the like, that a swimmer may desire to carry with him without making the glove overly cumbersome. The position of the pocket on the wrist permits the swimmer to carry these accessories in an easily accessible location that is also out of the way during swimming or other activities.
As can be best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the glove includes a plurality of fins 40 that, in one form, extend from adjacent a distal end of each phalange-covering section, such as section 42, to adjacent to closure means 20. The fins are located to be on the back of the wearer's hand when the glove is on the wearer. The orientation of the fins with respect to each other and with respect to the glove has been found to assist in further controlling hand movement through the water. The fins are formed of aluminium, preferably Aluminum alloy 3003-H14 or 6061-T6, and rise above outer surface 46 of the glove. Alternatively, the fins can be molded as one whole piece with the same material. The fins are streamlined, as best shown in Figures 8 and 9 to taper downwardly from an apex 4F to a foot 50, and rearwardly from a leading edge 48L to a trailing edge 50T. At the maximum height above the glove surface, the fins are tall enough, as measured between the apex and the foot, to control movement of a user's hand through a fluid, yet are flexible so undue control of that movement is not exercised. It has been found that a maximum fin height of 3/16 inch and a fin width as measured at the foot of the fin, of 2/16 inch achieves this desired result for the aluminum material. The fins can include an irregular top edge 51 that includes long waves, such as WL shown in Figure 10a, or serrated edges SE shown in Figure 10c. Of course, the top edge 51 can be smooth as shown in Figure 10b,or the top edge can be rounded as indicated at 51R in Figure 8.
Still further, the fins can extend from adjacent to distal end 42 or can terminate adjacent to any of the knuckle areas including area 15, SP or AP shown in Figure 1. These termination locations for terminal end T of the fins is selected to fit the desired flexibility of the glove. In fact, the fins can include a fist portion T1 that is flexible, such as cloth, and a second portion, such as T2 that is metal to further enhance the flexibility of the glove. Other shapes, forms and dimensions of the fins will occur to those skilled in the art based on the teaching of this disclosure, and the just-mentioned forms, shapes, dimensions and materials are merely the preferred form of the invention, and are not intended to exclude other materials, shapes, forms and dimensions to satisfy special needs and requirements , such as may be associated with various swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke), as will occur to those skilled in the art based on the teaching of this disclosure. The fins can be formed of a plurality of materials, including the materials disclosed above in combination with each other or in combination with other materials as is necessary to provide a glove that is flexible yet has guiding fins thereon.
As is also shown in Figures 2 and 3, the glove includes webs, such as web 50, connecting adjacent phalange-covering sections, such as sections 16a and 16b. All of the webs are similar, and thus only web 50 will be described. Web 50 is also shown in Figures 6a and 6b,and includes a body section 52 that, preferably is 2/16 inch thick, and has a flow hole 52A defined therethrough. As shown, each web also includes a groove 53 that extends from front end 50F to rear end 50R of each web. The grooves are all identical, so only groove 53 will be discussed. Groove 53 is contoured to be concave as viewed from the palm side of the glove and has a thickness that is thinner than the adjacent thickness of the web as can be seen by comparing thicknesses t1 and t2 in Figure 6a whereby groove 53 has an arcuate wall 52B on the top side of the web opposite to the palm side thereof. As shown, the web distal ends are curved and the proximal ends are V-shaped to match the contour of the glove between adjacent phalanges. The shape and orientation of the grooves permit the web to compress when a user makes a fist so that force is exerted on the groove from sides 50S towards the groove so the user can press his or her fingers together as shown in Figure 7 with the web popping up as shown. This facilitates grasping of objects. If desired, the flow holes can be omitted.
The preferred form of the glove includes a plurality of plies, or layers as was discussed in the parent Application, Serial Number 08/135,477, filed on 10/13/93, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. Preferably, the glove includes an inner layer of neoprene rubber covered with an outer layer of rubberized nylon. The material for the inner layer is selected to be comfortably worn on a user's skin for long periods without chaffing or the like. Fins 40 are anchored in inner layer and extend through outer layer. The glove can also be made with a neoprene material that has loose fibers mixed in it that will allow for maximum strength and also thinner layers. The material is mixed, compressed and molded to specification in a compression mold.
An alternative form of glove 10 is shown in Figures 11a-c as glove 10' and 10'' which are identical to glove 10, but include grasping enhancing means or rough areas 70 and smooth areas 71 for greater flexibility. As may be seen in Figure 11a, means 70 includes a plurality of irregular ribs, such as W-shaped rib 72, at various locations on the palm side of the glove. The ribs are preferably located in sections 72', 72'', 72''', 72^IV and 72^V. Other locations are also shown as indicated by the dotted areas, but these are the primary locations to facilitate grasping without unduly increasing stiffness of the glove. The W shape is shown in one orientation in Figure 11a, but other orientations can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown, and other means and designs within the scope of the present disclosure can be used, such as loop mesh material for the glove body, spaces between section T1 and T2, (Figure 6a), fins on the palm side of the glove and/or along the wrist portion thereof, and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, various methods of manufacturing the glove can be used, including compression molding, co-excursion, injection molding and dipping, and various materials, such as closed cell neoprene combined with loose fibers can be used. The flow holes can be circular or oval, as desired, with circular being preferred. Still further, the number of fins can be four, each running the full length of the top portion from the first finger joint nearest to the knuckle of each finger to the beginning of the wrist area of the glove. As indicated in Figure 11a, there can also be one or two fins on the bottom (f2) or side portion (F1) of the wrist area, thus allowing for more properly executed swimming strokes, while also acting as a rudder, and reducing drag. While the fins can be formed of several sections, they can also be formed of the single section and can include areas of differing flexibility and have slightly different edges to function and be used for dual purposes by the military. For example, the base portion of a fin, B in Figure 11a, can have more flexibility than a top portion T. As indicated in Figure 9, the fins can be constructed to rise at the knuckle area and taper at the beginning of the wrist area at 1/4'' or 1/2'' so as to not interfere with the wrist support when it is in place.
The construction of the glove can be achieved using a variety of different procedures. For example, compression molding, co - excursion molding, injection molding, dipping can all be used individually or in combination. The preferred from of the glove is one piece, that is, monolithic in construction, and whatever fabrication process that is necessary to achieve this result will be suitable. The preferred material is closed cell neoprene combined with loose fibers so the glove can be thin but durable and strong while still being efficient to manufacture. The uneven gripping surface on the palm side of the glove, such as indicated in Figure 11a can be generated by a process in which a photo sensitive material is placed on the interior of the mold in a preselected pattern. The mold is then etched with acid. The etching process is repeated until the final texture of the palm side of the glove is achieved.

Claims

A webbed glove for use in controlling hand movement through a fluid comprising :
A) a main portion that includes :
(1) a wrist-covering section,

(2) a body section, and

(3) a plurality of proximal phalange-covering sections;

B) webs connecting adjacent phalange- covering sections together;

C) a fluid flow hole defined through each web;

D) a plurality of fins extending on said body and on each of said phalange-covering sections, said fins being raised above the outer surface of said main portion;

E) a rims means on each web and extending adjacent to and past the flow hole in said each web for reinforcing each said web adjacent to the flow hole;and

F) closure means on said wrist-covering section for closing said wrist-covering section.
The glove defined in Claim 1 wherein said closure means includes a hook-and-loop fastener.
The glove defined in Claim 2 wherein said closure means further includes a buckle.
The glove defined in Claim 3 wherein said closure means includes a channel section on said hook-and-loop fastener corresponding to said buckle.
The glove defined in Claim 2 wherein said closure means further includes a zipper.
The glove defined in Claim 2 wherein said main portion includes two layers which include an inner layer and an outer layer.
The glove defined in Claim 6 wherein said inner layer is neoprene rubber, and said outer layer is rubberized nylon.
The glove defined in Claim 7 wherein said fins are aluminum and are connected to said inner layer and extend through said outer layer.
The glove defined in Claim 8 wherein said fins are 3/16 inch in height as measured between an apex thereof and a foot thereof.
The glove defined in Claim 9 wherein said fins are 2/16 inch thick as measured between the sides of each fin adjacent to the base of said fin.
The glove defined in Claim 10 wherein each web is 2/16 inch thick.
The glove defined in Claim 1 wherein each flow hole elongate.
The glove defined in Claim 12 wherein each flow hole is 1/16 inch long.
The glove defined in Claim 12 wherein each rib extends over one of said flow holes.
The glove defined in Claim 12 wherein each flow hole has an enlarged central section, and each rib intersects each flow hole at said central section.
The glove defined in Claim 15 wherein each web includes an arcuate edge.
The glove defined in Claim 1 wherein said wrist-covering portion extends above a user's wrist joint.
The glove defined in Claim 1 wherein said fins emanate from a common point located adjacent to said closure means.
The glove defined in Claim 12 wherein each rib is raised above a surface of said web adjacent to said flow hole.
The glove defined in Claim 12 wherein each of said flow holes includes a central section and two end sections that are smaller than said central section, and each flow hole is oriented transversely of said phalanges whereby each end section is located adjacent a phalange.
A webbed glove for use in controlling hand movement through a fluid comprising :
A) a main portion that includes :
1) a wrist-covering section,

2) a body section, and

3) a plurality of proximal phalange-covering sections;

B) Webs connecting adjacent phalange-covering sections together ;

C) a fluid flow hole defined through each web;

D) a plurality of fins extending on said body and on each of said phalange-covering sections, said fins being raised above the outer surface of said main portion;

E) a rib means on each web for reinforcing said each web, each rib means extending above the surface of said each web and including a first portion extending from adjacent to a base of the web adjacent to said body section to adjacent to the fluid flow hole defined in the web, and a second portion extending from adjacent to the fluid flow hole defined in the web to adjacent to a forward edge of the web; and

F) closure means on said wrist-covering section for closing said wrist-covering section.
The glove defined in Claim 1 wherein said rib means is triangular in cross-sectional shape.
A webbed glove for use in controlling hand movement through a fluid comprising:
A) a main portion that includes:
(1) a wrist-covering section,

(2) a body section, and

(3) a plurality of proximal phalange-covering sections;

B) webs connecting adjacent phalange-covering sections together, each web having a front edge, a rear edge, side edges, atop surface, a bottom surface and a web thickness measured between said top surface and said bottom surface;

C) a plurality of fins extending on said body and on each of said phalange-covering sections, said fins being raise above the outer surface of said main portion;

D) a groove defined in each web and extending from said front edge to adjacent to said rear end and being arcuate in shape and having a thickness that is less than said web thickness to fold when the web is compressed from the side edges to fold the web; and

E) closure means on said wrist-covering section.
The glove defined in Claim 23 wherein said closure means includes a hook-and-loop fastener.
The glove defined in Claim 24 wherein said closure means further includes a first strap attached at one end to said wrist-covering section and a second strip connected at one end thereof to said wrist-covering section at a location spaced from said first strap.
The glove defined in Claim 25 wherein said second strap covers said first strap when said straps are closed and attached to said wrist-covering section
The glove defined in Claim 24 wherein said closure means straps each include a proximal end located adjacent to each other.
The glove defined in Claim 24 wherein said main portion includes two layers which include an inner layer and an outer layer.
The glove defined in Claim 28 further including a pocket means on said closure means for releasably mounting accessories on said closure means.
The glove defined in Claim 29 wherein said fins include a top edge spaced from said main portion.
The glove defined in Claim 30 wherein said top edge includes an irregular surface.
The glove defined in claim 30 wherein said top edge is sloped.
The glove defined in Claim 29 wherein said fins include a plurality of sections.
The glove defined in Claim 29 wherein said fins extend on a top portion of said main portion.
The glove defined in claim 23 further including a flow hole in each web.
The glove defined in Claim 23 wherein said front edge is arcuate.
A webbed glove for use in controlling hand movement through a fluid comprising:
A) a main portion that includes:
1) a wrist-covering section,

2) a body section, and

3) a plurality of proximal phalange- covering sections;

B) webs connecting adjacent phalange-covering sections together;

C) a fluid flow hole defined through each web;

D) a plurality of fins extending on said body and on each of said phalange-covering sections, said fins being raised above the outer surface of said main portion;

E) a groove means on each web and extending adjacent to and past the flow hole in said each web for increasing the flexibility of said each web; and

F) closure means on said wrist-covering section for closing said wrist-covering section.
The glove defined in Claim 23 wherein said rib means is triangular in cross-sectional shape.
A process for forming a webbed glove for use in controlling hand movement through a fluid comprising a main portion that includes a wrist-covering section, a body section, and a plurality of proximal phalange-covering sections; webs connecting adjacent phalange-covering sections together, each web having a front edge, a rear edge, side edges, a top surface, a bottom surface and a web thickness measured between said top surface and said bottom surface; a plurality of fins extending on said body and on each of said phalange-covering sections, said fins being raised above the outer surface of said main portion; a groove defined in each web and extending from said front edge to adjacent to said rear end and being arcuate in shape and having a thickness that is less than said web thickness to fold when the web is compressed from the side edges to fold the web; and closure means on said wrist-covering section, comprising steps of combining closed cell neoprene with lose fibers and compression molding said materials together to from a one-piece glove.
The process defined in Claim 39 further including a step of etching the mold.