US20160082342A1 - Protective sports glove - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a protective sports glove having a novel combination of liner sections, breathable mesh sections, stretch joints, and shock absorbing cushions to provide maximum protection to the user's fingers, hands, wrists, and lower forearms while maintaining as much flexibility within the glove and tactile feel on both palmar and dorsal sides of the glove as possible. The pattern and construction employs strategically-placed stretch zones, strategic padding placement, and a variety of improved padding constructions all for more flex without compromising protection.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
• The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/080,097 filed 14 Nov. 2013, which in torn derives priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/730,256 filed 27 Nov. 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates generally to lacrosse gloves and, more particularly, to a protective sports glove and padding for the same that provides improved flexibility, breathability, maneuverability and finer tactile feel without compromising protection.
• 2. Description of the Background
• Protective sports gloves are commonly used and, indeed, are required to be used in many organized sports such as lacrosse, hockey, and other contact sports. Such gloves protect the wearer from impact of lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, balls, pucks, skates, and other players.
• Protective sports gloves include padding to protect the player's fingers, hands, wrists and lower forearms. Despite their protective function, such gloves must balance other design factors such as weight, feel and flexibility. For example, the handling of a lacrosse stick requires a player to hold and control a lacrosse stick handle in specific ways, with many different combinations of hand placement over the length of the handle. A lacrosse player constantly moves his hands along the handle in multiple positions.
• In executing game skills, lacrosse players must be able to grip and control the lacrosse stick handle, e.g., “stick handling.” Effective stick handling requires a player to constantly reposition his hands along the handle to control the head of the lacrosse stick. For effective stick handling, a lacrosse player needs to maintain utmost flexibility of the hand, a sure grip, and a precise tactile feel for the stick. However, the hand also needs protection and so players typically wear padded gloves to protect their hands and wrists. These gloves usually include foam padding or other protective padding covering the hack of a wearer's hand, fingers, and thumb.
• Some conventional sports gloves have pad segments (e.g., made of foam) that are covered with leather or synthetic leather and, in the breaks between the segments, are affixed to one another and to a liner material (also known as the scrim), such as a woven fabric. In these conventional gloves individual foam pads are typically sandwiched between two fabric layers and the layers are sewn together, and to the liner, between breaks in adjacent pads. However, this conventional construct is fairly rigid in design and compromises flexibility and tactile feel for protection. When such a protective athletic glove undergoes deformation due to normal use by a wearer, adjacent pads come into contact with each other and. this arrests/resists farther motion. In addition, the inflexibility of the fabric layers and liner resist stretching and further arrests/resists motion, all counter to comfort and ease of movement in all directions.
• Even with gaps or breaks between the protective pads to allow for flexibility, there is a limitation to how far adjacent pads can move relative to each other and still maintain adequate protection of a player. What is needed is a protective sports glove and padding for the same that provides improved flexibility, adequate protection, and finer tactile feel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• In one aspect, a protective glove includes a hand receiving portion that includes a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, a metacarpal portion and a wrist portion. The hand receiving portion includes a dorsal side and a palm side. The dorsal side of the hand receiving portion includes an inner liner and a plurality of protective elements attached to an exterior surface of the inner liner. The palmar side of the hand receiving portion includes an inner liner. Between the dorsal and palm side, a thin liner pad, also known as a comfort pad, made of pliable material can extend all or part of the glove's length and optionally extend beyond the glove's length to connect to a generally circular wrist guard or sub-cuff. In accordance with the invention, the protective elements include a novel floating knuckle pad on the dorsal side of the glove that improves protection, flexibility and breathability. In addition, venting is provided to set up airflow in conjunction with the floating knuckle pad. The vents in conjunction with the floating knuckle pad promote airflow through the glove interior for improved ventilation/cooling.
• In another aspect, a novel cuff tongue is provided for seating and centering the cuff attached below the hand receiving portion. The cuff tongue is both protective and adds maneuverability where prior cuff elements resisted wrist or hand movement in certain directions.
• Optional storage options are also provided such as a comfort pad pocket for heat/cold pack retention and a cuff pocket or slot for securing miscellaneous player items such as a mouth guard that players regularly remove between play and frequently misplace. The disclosed combination of liner sections and shock absorbing cushions provide suitable protection to the user's fingers, hands, wrists, and lower forearms while maintaining as much flexibility, breathability and maneuverability as possible. The pattern and construction employs strategically-placed padding with a variety of improved padding constructions to increase flexibility where needed without compromising protection. Flexibility is desired by the wearer so as to impart freedom of movement to the fingers, hand, wrists and lower forearms, all needed for lacrosse, hockey or other stick sports.
• The present invention is described in greater detail in the detailed description of the invention, and the appended drawings. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the dorsal side of aprotective sports glove2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 2(A)-2(E) collectively illustrate the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1.FIG. 2(A) is a back view of the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2.FIG. 2(B) is a back view of knuckle-pad20.FIG. 2(C) is a side view ofknuckle pad20.FIG. 2(D) is a cross-section ofknuckle pad20.FIG. 2(E) is a front view ofshock absorbing cushions133.FIG. 2(F) is a side view of twoshock absorbing cushions133.FIG. 2(G) is a side cross-section of twoshock absorbing cushions133.
• FIGS. 3(A)-3(C) collectively illustrate an alternate embodiment of thefloating knuckle pad20 ofFIGS. 1-2,FIG. 3(A) is a front view of theknuckle pad20,FIG. 3(B) is a side view ofknuckle pad20.FIG. 3(C) is a side cross-section ofknuckle pad20.
• FIGS. 4(A) -4(C) collectively illustrate another alternate embodiment of the floating knuckle pad ofFIGS. 1-2.FIG. 4(A) is a front view of theknuckle pad20.FIG. 4(B) is a side view ofknuckle pad20.FIG. 4(C) is a side cross-section ofknuckle pad20.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1 with inset showing thecuff tongue70 construction.
• FIG. 6(A) shows the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1 with a comfort pad27 (dotted lines) fitted within the interior ofglove2.
• FIG. 6(B) shows the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1 with an exemplary hot/cold pack retention pocket15 (dotted lines).
• FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1 with inset showing an exemplary cuff pocket orslot40.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of the dorsal side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1 with inset showing an exemplary side vent50 which, in conjunction with the floating knuckle pad promote airflow through the glove interior for improved ventilation/cooling.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration of the palmar side of theprotective sports glove2 ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration of the palmar side ofglove2 includingoptional fingertip padding156.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
• Lacrosse, hockey and other stick-wielding sports players need to be able to flex in all directions freely in order to grip their stick and engage in necessary wrist action while still maintaining an acceptable level of protection. However, as discussed above, conventional glove design limits the amount of flex that is available to a player when they are manipulating a lacrosse or hockey stick. Specifically, conventional protective sports gloves have, by virtue of their padding constructions, limited flexion and extension as well as difficult radial and ulnar deviation, and poor dorsiflexion. The padding intended to protect a user's knuckles and the pads intended to protect a user's wrist in conventional gloves are examples of overly restrictive padding. Described herein is a protective sports glove and padding for the same that increases flexibility without compromising protection, thereby affording more overall glove comfort for greater user satisfaction.
• An embodiment of the present invention provides a protective sports glove closely fitted to the hand using a particular pattern of different material sections including liner sections (formed of leather, synthetic woven, knit materials or the like), breathable mesh sections, stretch joints formed of elastic Lycra™ for other stretch nylon, polyester, Daeron™, neoprene or suitable material), and shock absorbing cushions that provide general protection against strikes and blows to the player's hand. The shock absorbing cushions are attached to the glove only over certain defined areas and sewn or otherwise attached thereto in a particular pattern as described herein so as to cover dorsal portions of both hand and wrist,
• With reference toFIG. 1, the protectiveathletic glove2 includes ahand receiving portion22 covering all five digits and the carpometacarpal joints of the hand and extending down approximately to the wrist crease, and a lower wrist/forearm portion24 extending down from the wrist crease to a distance from one to three inches.Glove2 inclusive of bothhand receiving portion22 and lower wrist/forearm portion24 has both a palmar side and a dorsal side (FIG. 1). The junction of thehand receiving portion22 and lower wrist/forearm portion24 is partially encircled by an off-centered, irregularly-shaped cuff inclusive of awrist cushion25 that partially surrounds the dorsal side and anadjustable collar26 that extends below thehand receiving portion22 andwrist cushion25 and which may be tightened across the palmar side by hook-and-loop pads. Thehand receiving portion22 further includes a first (little finger) receivingportion30, second (ring), third (middle) and fourth (index)finger receiving portions28, and a fifth (thumb) receivingportion29.
• Thehand receiving portion22 inclusive of finger andthumb receiving portions28,29,30, as well as lower wrist/forearm portion24 are formed with layers of liner, breathable mesh sections, stretch joints, and shock absorbing cushions. The particular pattern of liner sections, breathable mesh sections, stretch joints, and shock absorbing cushions is designed to provide maximum protection to the user's fingers, hands, wrists, and lower forearms while maintaining as much flexibility within the glove and tactile feel on the palmar side ofglove2 as possible. Flexibility is desired by the wearer so as to impart freedom of movement to the fingers, hand, wrists and lower forearms needed to properly participate in lacrosse, hockey or other sports while protection is required to reduce injury from normal stick checking.
• FIG. 2 illustrates this pattern on the dorsal side ofglove2. Each of thelinger receiving portions28,30 andthumb receiving portion29 are folly encapsulated in a liner section of fabric and all bear a plurality of shock absorbing cushions on the dorsal side sewn to the liner section beneath. Theliner material21 is also known as the “scrim”. Shock absorbing cushions can be made of one or more blocks of micro-cellular foam, preferably open cell, urethane foam (e.g., Poron™, PVC nitrite foam, or another suitable impact-absorbing closed cell foam material). As shown inFIG. 2(G), the shock absorbing blocks maybe encased in a fabric material, such as Nylon™ or other suitable fabric material. The various cushions on the dorsal side are separated from one another bybreaks23 that provide flexibility between the cushions when a wearer's hand is flexed during routine stick handling. As described below, this particular array of shock absorbing cushions with different seam constructions enhances flexibility.
• Specifically, the smallfinger receiving portion30 can bear two or moreshock absorbing cushions133 preferably comprising multiple discrete foam blocks encased in fabric material and sewn peripherally around and between the cushions to theunderlying liner21, thereby forming asingle break23 there between as shown inFIG. 2(E). Theshock absorbing cushions133 may extend along a majority of the length of the dorsal side of smallfinger receiving portion30. The second (ring)finger receiving portion28 can also bear multipleshock absorbing cushions133 as above, in this case extending approximately along the first and second phalanges.
• The smallfinger receiving portion30 may (optionally) bear awart pad136 comprising a covered or uncovered single foam block or other protective element protruding sidelong from the third phalange and sewn peripherally to the underlying liner section.Wart pad136 provides protection from sideward impact to the small finger.
• Similarly, the indexfinger receiving portion28 may (optionally) have one ormore wart pads137 comprising a covered or uncovered single foam block or other protective element protruding sidelong along its length and sewn peripherally to the underlying liner section. Wart pad(s)137 provide protection from sideward impact to the index finger.
• In addition, the second (ring) linger receivingportion28 can bear one or moreshock absorbing cushions134 comprising one or more foam block(s) or other protective element(s) encased in fabric material and sewn peripherally around the block to the underlying liner, thereby forming an “island”cushion134. Theisland cushion134 may extend approximately along the third phalange of the dorsal side of second (ring)finger receiving portion28.
• The third (middle) and fourth (index)finger receiving portions28 may also bear anisland cushion134 extending approximately along the third phalanges of the dorsal side of the third and fourthfinger receiving portions28.
• In addition, the third and fourthfinger receiving portions28 may also each bear multipleshock absorbing cushions135 comprising at least two discrete foam blocks or other protective element encased in fabric material aid joined by a unique “overlapped tab” construction to increase flexibility.
• FIG. 2(E-F) illustrates the overlapped tab doubleshock absorbing cushions135 as per above, with top view at (1) and side views at (2). As seen therein, each piece/plate of thin padding includingshock absorbing cushions135 and other portions of padding formed on the dorsal portion ofglove2 may be formed or made in any conventional manner, including by two thin sheets offoam179A,179B and one thin-gauge piece of polyethylene (PE)board179C, all cut to the desired shape and encased in vinyl fabric179D. The sheets of foam range in durometer from highest (atop) at179C to lowest (at bottom)179A in the stack. Each plate of padding may he sewn to the underlying liner, and all are separated by breaks located to accommodate flex points at each phalangeal and metacarpal joint when aplayer wearing glove2 wraps his hand around a stick during play.
• The overlapped tab cushions135 comprising two (or more) discrete foam blocks or other protective element may be covered by two discrete sections of fabric material each cut substantially in a cross-shape to define four protruding tabs. The bottoms of the foam blocks are not covered. The three outlying tabs of each block are sewn to the underlying liner as shown. However, the two adjoining tabs (between blocks) are overlapped. Specifically, one adjoining tab (tab1) (FIG. 2E) is tucked under its block, and the other tab (tab2) (FIG. 2E) is tucked undertab1. Note that the tuckedtab2 is preferably longer so as not to dislodge. These adjoining tabs (1 and2) are not sewn, but remain free to shift as the finger is flexed. This overlappedtab cushion135 increases flexibility compared to tabs that are sewn to an underlying liner and constrict movement of the blocks when stretched during gripping action. Moreover, the overlapped tab cushions135 are optionally extended approximately along the second and first phalanges of the dorsal side of the third and fourthmid-finger receiving portions28, but can be anywhere along the dorsal side offinger receiving portions28 to increase flexibility where needed. FIGS.2(A)-(B) show the preferred shape ofknuckle pad20, which is roughly a convex irregular pentagon. Referring toFIG. 2(B),knuckle pad20 has atop edge60 that spans the bottoms of all fourfinger receiving portions28,30 ofglove2. In use, thetop edge60 ofknuckle pad20 sits just, above the wearer's knuckles, i.e. at the bottom of the wearer's proximal phalanges.Knuckle pad20 further has abottom edge63 that crosses at approximately a midpoint of the wearer's proximal phalanges on the dorsal side of the wearer's hand while in use. As seen inFIGS. 2(A) and 2(B),bottom edge63 is contoured away fromtop edge60 at a lateral location approximately even to thefinger receiving portions28 for the third (middle) and fourth (index) fingers of the wearer's hand.
• Top edge60 andbottom edge63 are connected by outer61 and inner62 edges, which generally trace the outer edges of the dorsal portion of the glove corresponding to the outer edges of the dorsal portion of the wearer's hand. Thus, in top view as shown inFIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) and as traced by top60, bottom63, inner62, and outer61 edges,knuckle pad20 has a roughly rounded rectangular shape with anarched bottom edge63 such that the pad is widest in the middle and tapered to either side.
• Knuckle pad20 preferably has a semi-hollow or concave underside, with a hollow section represented by reference character64 (FIG. 2(D)). In one preferred, embodiment,knuckle pad20 comprises a dual-density compression molded elastomeric foam member, which may include a thin-gauge, high-density upper layer and high-performance, low-density foam pad segment(s) compression molded onto the upper layer. The optional dual-density molding ofknuckle pad20 and other dual-density foam blocks described herein may be accomplished by injection molding, which process comprises the steps of sequentially injecting one of the two different foam formulations into a mold, curing, and then injecting the second foam formulation. As is known in the art,knuckle pad20 and any additional pads inglove20 may be manufactured using other methods for foam-based parts, such as compression molding or co-molding. As is known, any dual-density foam blocks described herein, includingknuckle pad20, may be comprised of two (2), three (3), or four (4) layers of foam with varying densities using any of the foam molding processes described above. Similarly, the herein-described foam blocks may be comprised of a protective material other than foam. Further, the number of layers within the herein-described foam blocks, their composition and their densities, including the order of the different densities as they are stacked from lowest to highest within the foam pad, may be varied to accomplish desired performance characteristics.
• A front view ofknuckle pad20 is shown inFIG. 2(C). As can be seen therein, the center portion ofknuckle pad20 between inner62 and outer61 edges is arched up away from thescrim layer21 ofglove2 and from the dorsal surface of the wearer's hand while in use. An end cross section view ofknuckle pad20 is shown inFIG. 2(D), in which the top ofknuckle pad20 faces to the left of the page as depicted therein.
• Knuckle pad20 may comprise a unitary molded quadrilateral open-bottom enclosure142 formed in an elongate concave configuration as shown inFIG. 2(C). In a first embodiment, theentire knuckle pad20 may be surrounded by aperipheral flange144 that provides a frame for stability and also allows stitching through theflange144 such thatknuckle pad20 can be sewn to theunderlying scrim21. A lacrosse glove artisan t would understand that the flange may be comprised of any or all of the layers that make up the foam pad, the order of which may be changed depending on desired performance characteristics. In one preferred embodiment, the flange is comprised of every layer within the foam pad, where said layers are compressed or molded Into a minimal thickness near the base of the pad. The flange and/or surrounding margin may be attached or adhered to theunderlying scrim21 using any suitable attachment method, including stitching. The inherent elasticity of the material and the bubble-like concave configuration of theknuckle pad20 provide excellent shock absorption capabilities against direct impact. In addition, the bubble-like configuration increases the flexibility of theknuckle pad20 along its length and allows for easier curling of the knuckles as they naturally raise into the concave configuration as the wearer grips a lacrosse stick handle, for example. The underside of theknuckle pad20 proximate to its connection with the underlying scrim/liner21 may further have a concave innerdomed shape145 such that the portion of theknuckle pad20 that is not attached to theflange144 is carved so as to not directly contact theflange144 when the hand is in a resting position. This configuration further increases the comfort and flexibility of the knuckle portion of the glove.
• With reference toFIG. 2(B). it can be seen that, in a first preferred embodiment, theflange144 at inner62 and outer61 edges ofknuckle pad20 extends further away from the bottom edge of the open-bottom portion142 ofknuckle pad20. Preferably, this extended portion offlange144 provides an attachment point forknuckle pad20 to scrim21 at the inner62 and outer61 edges only. Thus, in this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2(B) and 2(D), top60 and bottom63 edges are left unattached fromscrim21 to provide even more freedom of movement in the dorsal side ofglove2 as well as improved venting along the unattached edges. Theunderlying scrim21 to whichknuckle pad20 is sewn may contain a slit or opening (not shown) along a portion of its length and beneathknuckle pad20, thereby further increasing the flexibility of the knuckle portion of the glove during flexing and allowing the passage of air underneathknuckle pad20 to the wearer's skin, thereby reducing heat in the interior ofglove2.
• In alternate embodiments ofknuckle pad20, however, eithertop edge60, or bothtop edge60 andbottom edge63 are also attached to scrim21 through sewing or some other attachment means across all or portions of the length ofedges60 and63. In these embodiments, edges60 and63 maybe attached directly to scrim21 or a fabric gusset (not shown).
• In another preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS.3(A)-(C),flange144 on thetop edge60 ofknuckle pad20 comprises one (1) ormore tabs5, each corresponding in location to one of thefinger receiving portions28,30 ofglove2 under which knucklepad20 is situated when applied to the dorsal side ofglove2. Preferably,flange144 on thetop edge60 ofknuckle pad20 is shaped to include four (4)tabs5 extending away from thetop edge60 ofknuckle pad20 and corresponding to thefinger receiving portions28,30 for all four fingers of theglove2.Tabs5 are preferably more narrow and slightly shorter than the pad covering the proximal phalanges of each finger (eithershock absorbing cushions133 and tabbedcushions135 as shown inFIG. 2(A)). This way,tabs5 may be received underneath the lowest foam pads onfinger receiving portions28,30, or between thescrim21 and bottom ofcushions133,135. For example, thebottommost cushions133,135 onfinger receiving portions28,30 can be at least partially unattached to scrim21 at their lower edge such thattabs5 can slide there between and be couched betweencushions133,135 andscrim21 at the base of eachfinger receiving portion28,30. Where cushions133,135 comprise protrudingtabs1,2 as shown in FIGS.2(E)-(F), the tab facingknuckle pad20 may either he received on top oftab5 ofknuckle pad20 or may be eliminated to allowtab5 to slide freely underneathcushion133,135. In addition,knuckle pad20 may also be attached to scrim20 viaflange144 on inner62 and outer61 edges ofknuckle pad20. Thebottom edge63 ofknuckle pad20 may either he unattached to scrim21, attached along all or a portion of its length to scrim21, or attached to scrim21 via a fabric gusset (not shown). Although four (4)tabs5 are present in the illustrated embodiment, where less than four (4) tabs are utilized,top edge60 ofknuckle pad20 may also be attached at one or more points along its length to scrim21 via one or more of the attachment means described above.
• Referring now to FIGS.4(A)-(C), yet another attachment means forknuckle pad20 is shown. In this embodiment,knuckle pad20 is either partially or fully enclosed in a fabric pocket such thatknuckle pad20 “floats” above the dorsal side ofglove2 over the wearer's knuckles with only the fabric covering being attached toscrim21. In an alternate embodiment,flanges144 on inner62 and outer61 edges of knuckle pad20 (shown in dotted lines inFIGS. 4(A) and (C)) protrude from the fabric pocket surrounding the remainder ofknuckle pad20 and are attached to theunderlying scrim21 or, alternatively, to a side gusset or the palm. Where theknuckle pad20 is fully encapsulated in fabric, extended portions offlanges144 at inner62 and outer61 edges ofknuckle pad20 may be eliminated to enableknuckle pad20 to fit more compactly into the fabric pocket. In addition, either thescrim21underlying knuckle pad20, the bottom layer of fabric forming the pocket to encloseknuckle pad20, or both, may have one or mote slits therein to allow better flexibility and ventilation for theglove2.
• Referring again toFIG. 2,protective pad150 is sewn to the dorsal side of thehand receiving portion22 of theglove2 and can be the same basic composition as any other protective pad ofglove2 described herein. It will be understood thatprotective pad150, likeknuckle pad20 and any or all other molded foam parts on the glove, may be formed using the variations described above with respect to theknuckle pad20 as to method of formation, number, density and composition of layers, order of layer densities within the pad, composition of the surrounding margin and/or flange and method of attachment of the pad to the glove. The interstitial areas of the lower layer orscrim21 between the laminated pad segments form hinges for flexibility. In the illustrated embodiment,protective pad150 forms the shape of an elongate wedge extending roughly between thebottom edge63 of knuckle pad at the inner side of the dorsal portion ofglove2 and downward to the bottom edge of thehand receiving portion22 ofglove2 in an area corresponding to the outer edge of a wearer's wrist. The bottom edge ofprotective pad150 follows the top edge of the wrist cushion25 (to be described in more detail below), which generally circumscribes an area of theglove2 corresponding to the wrist of the wearer in the wrist/forearm section of theglove2, and extends upward towardsfinger receiving portions28,30 towards an inner edge ofglove2. At an outer edge ofglove2, a roughly triangularly-shapedprotective pad151 fits between thebottom edge63 ofknuckle pad20 and the top edge ofprotective pad150. Anotherprotective pad152 can sit at the outer edge of the dorsal side ofglove2 along the edge ofpads150 and151 and drape over the outer edge of the hand at the metacarpals to provide sidelong impact protection.Protective pads150,151,152 andcuff25 are preferably formed of low-density (LD) foam.
• Thumb receiving portion29 is formed separately from the rest of the glove, and may be attached to the glove by a circumscribedstretch zone180 made of Lycra™ or other suitable stretch material, as described below. With reference toFIGS. 2(A) and 9, the dorsal side of the thumb-receivingportion29 contains three (3) or more, and preferably six (6), plates ofpadding133,153,154,155 as shown, all sewn to the underlying scrim/liner21, and all separated by breaks to accommodate flex points at each phalangeal and metacarpal joint when aplayer wearing glove2 wraps his hand around a stick during play.
• The lower wrist/forearm portion24 is defined by a cuff attached below thehand receiving portion22, the cuff comprising awrist cushion25 that partially surrounds the dorsal side and anadjustable collar26 that extends below thewrist cushion25 and which may be tightened across the palmar side by hook-and-loop pads. The cuff is eccentric, being both off-centered on the dorsal side, and formed with an irregular shape. Bothwrist cushion25 andadjustable collar26 may be formed of die cut or injection molded dual-density compression molded foam, or using other foam types and manufacturing methods described herein or known in the art. It will be understood that thewrist cushion25, likeknuckle pad20 and any or all other molded foam parts on the glove, may be formed using the variations described above with respect to theknuckle pad20 as to method of formation, number, density and composition of layers, order of layer densities within the pad, composition of the surrounding margin and/or flange and method of attachment of the pad to the glove.
• Thewrist cushion25 is attached to the dorsal side of the glove by a gusset, which may be an inset strip of material such as Lycra™ or other stretch material that provides a limited degree of expansion. In another preferred embodiment,wrist cushion25 may be stitched directly to the dorsal side of the glove without the use of a gusset. Similarly, theadjustable collar26 is preferably attached to acomfort pad liner27 as described below that extends from the glove interior or, alternatively, it may be attached to thewrist cushion25 at a second gusset e.g., joined by Lycra™ or other stretch material, such as elastic.Collar26 is tightened upon itself and fastened by hook-and-loop pads (visible inFIG. 9), or alternatively a tether across the palmar side.Wrist cushion25 may also have a channel or opening along a portion of its length, adding flexibility and airflow for cooling. The stretch material by whichcollar26 is attached to thecomfort pad27 orwrist cushion25 is of a particular size and shape (e.g. an oblong annulus), so that it performs as intended when a player's wrist bends forward during play. That is, when, thecollar26 is fastened tight and a player's wrist bends or flexes forward, the stretch material does not inhibit a player's movement and simultaneously allows theadjustable collar26 to remain in place to cover the player's wrist. Thewrist cushion25 andadjustable collar26 provide a degree of caterpillar-like flexibility for a wearer during play. Moreover, thewrist cushion25 is joined to thehand receiving portion22 at an angled joint as illustrated, and a gusset is provided at this angled joint as described above. As a result of the angled joint and stretch zone, the prior art separate “cuff roll” extending over the cuff/glove joint can be eliminated, allowing for a more streamlined, unrestricted glove.
• When gussets are used, each may be formed by attaching two opposing (caterpillar-like) segments using Lycra™ or other stretch-fabric. More specifically, the optional gusset betweencollar26 andwrist cushion25 may be formed by attaching a strip of Lycra™ or elastic stretch-fabric underneath the edges ofwrist cushion25 to the adjoining liner/scrim or to a lower edge ofcomfort pad27 as will be described. Similarly, the gusset betweenwrist cushion25 andhand receiving portion22 is formed by attaching a strip of Lycra™ stretch-fabric underneath the edges of adjoiningcollar26 andwrist cushion25.
• In addition to gussets as described above, theglove2 is preferably equipped withstretch zones180 in the thumb-metacarpal of the hand as depicted inFIG. 2(F). Each of the bordering plates of padding171-176 are modified so that the middle sheet179B is slightly larger than upper orlower sheets179A,179C such that it protrudes outward further. In effect, once encased in vinyl fabric179D, this rounds the facing edges of each of the bordering plates of padding171-176 and provides an abutting joint there between to maintain coverage. Preferably, the bordering plates ofpadding150,153,154 and25 are modified in this “jointed” fashion in order to facilitate theupper stretch zone180, and allpads20,25-26,150-155 may be jointed as such. In addition, jointed plates of padding may have a strip of Lycra™ stretch-fabric sewn beneath them (seeFIG. 2(F)). The combination of jointed plates of padding173,174 and176 in astretch zone180 configuration substantially closes the break between the bordering plates of padding173,174 and176 (since the rounded edges of plates173,174,176 overhang the break closing it off). The friction reduction between jointed plates173,174,176 as they pivot provides increased flexibility and improved tactile feel.
• Another feature of the disclosure,cuff tongue70, is shown with reference toFIG. 5.Cuff tongue70 is provided for seating and centeringhand receiving portion22 andwrist pad25 attached below the hand receiving portion. Thecuff tongue70 also adds protection and additional maneuverability.Cuff tongue70 generally comprises a shock absorbingtongue pad cushion10, which maybe made of micro-cellular foam, preferably open cell, methane foam (e.g., Poron™, PVC nitrile foam, or another suitable impact-absorbing closed cell foam material) encased in a fabric material, such as Nylon™ or other suitable fabric material, to provide shock absorption to the inner portion of the dorsal side of the wrist/forearm portion24 ofglove2. As shown inFIGS. 2(A) and 5,tongue pad10 is generally oval or eye shaped and fits into a concave recess on the bottom edge ofwrist cushion25 such that the bottom edges of the remainder ofwrist pad25 and oftongue pad10 form an even line perpendicular to the direction of thefinger receiving portions28,30 across the wrist/forearm portion24 ofglove2.Tongue pad10 is attached to the base of thehand receiving portion22 ofglove2 via two “legs”6,7 each having attachment points along a seam at the base of thehand receiving portion22 ofglove2 indicated byreference character11 and preferably corresponding to a joint betweenwrist cushion25 andprotective pad150.Legs6,7 may be formed of a similar material totongue pad10 or maybe made of more elastic material, but are preferably thinner to allowtongue pad10 to seat within the recess left by the concave bottom portion ofwrist cushion25 as described in more detail below. As shown in the inset toFIG. 5,legs6,7 are thin strips of material joined to either side of the top edge oftongue pad10. Preferably,legs6,7 are also joined by a thin strip of material at their base at the top edge oftongue pad10 such that the entire top edge oftongue pad10 is evenly joined tolegs6,7. Reference character9 in the inset toFIG. 5 indicates a void where no material exists betweenlegs6,7 proximate their joinder to thehand receiving portion22 ofglove2. This configuration provides a more flexible joint betweentongue70 andglove2 superior in comfort and maneuverability over the prior art solid piece of material without voids9.
• Tongue pad10 may be joined toglove2 vialegs6,7 in one of several ways. In apreferred embodiment legs6,7 extend underneathwrist cushion25 where they are attached to an interior portion ofscrim21 at approximately the joint11 betweenwrist cushion25 andprotective pad150. Alternatively,legs6,7 may be attached to an exterior portion of joint11 and extend over the top ofwrist cushion25, in which case the thickness oftongue pad10 preferably extends towards the interior ofglove2 to encouragetongue pad10 toabut collar26 in the recess left by the concave bottom portion ofwrist cushion25. In yet another embodiment,legs6,7, may instead be attached only at their respective ends toglove2, but may optionally also attach along their entire lengths to the top surface ofcuff26 or a bottom surface of wrist cushion25 (when placed underneath wrist cushion25), or to a top surface of wrist cushion25 (when placed over top of wrist cushion25). Alternatively, the distal ends oflegs6,7 maybe attached at a point further towards the center ofhand receiving portion22 ofglove2 whether received underneath or abovewrist cushion25. All of these configurations allowtongue pad10 to move into receiving negative cuff space provided under the convex recess of wrist cushion12 when the wearer flexes his or her wrist backwards, providing consistent low profile coverage of the dorsal portion of the wearer's wrist.
• Yet another feature of the present invention is shown with reference to FIGS.6(A)-(B), in which comfortpad27 and the attachment ofcuff26 to pad27 can be seen. As seen in FIGS.6(A)-(B), acomfort pad27 may be a sleeve-like liner designed to fit within the interior ofglove2 to provide an additional element of padding between the dorsal side of the wearer's hand and thescrim layer21 ofglove2 to which the dorsal padding is secured. The position ofcomfort pad27 on the interior portion ofglove2 is illustrated in dotted line inFIG. 6(A).Comfort pad27 is preferably formed of a low-density, flexible foam material and may be adhered to the interior portion ofglove2 at the interior side ofscrim21 by sewing or like means. Preferably,comfort pad27 is only affixed to scrim21 at the distal ends of finger andthumb receiving portions28,29,30 to allow free movement and ventilation betweenscrim21 andcomfort pad27, howevercomfort pad27 may be secured to scrim21 at additional locations per design preference. Also in preferred embodiments, comfort pad is perforated to further encourage air flow to the surface of the wearer's hand.Comfort pad27 may be in the shape of a fitted glove such that it fully surrounds the wearer's hand when placed insideglove2, or may be a flat or curved element designed to fit between only the dorsal surface of the wearer's hand andscrim21 or to wrap around the dorsal side and the edges of the wearer's hand, respectively. As shown inFIGS. 6(A)-6(B), all or a portion of the top edge ofcuff26 preferably attached directly to the lower edge ofcomfort pad27 via sewing or other known attachment means, or attaches to the lower edge ofcomfort pad27 via a strip of elastic material as described above.
• FIGS. 6(A)-6(B) also show another feature of the present invention, a heat/cool pack retention means15 which may be situated in an interior portion ofglove2, preferably at a dorsal side thereof to prevent interference between the palmar side of the wearer's hand and his or her lacrosse or hockey stick. Pack retention means15 may take the form of either a fabric pooch or pocket a strap or straps, a clip, hook & loop fastening means such as Velcro®, or any other adhesion methods known in the art capable of retaining a hot or cold pack (not shown) within the interior ofglove2. The retention means may either be attached to the underside ofpadding150,151,20,153,25, attached to thecomfort pad27 at either an interior or exterior surface, or suspended betweenscrim21 andcomfort pad27, preferably in a way such that the pack retention means15 may be pulled out from the interior ofglove2 to adjust or replace the hot or cold pack inside theglove2. For example, in a preferred embodiment, pack retention means15 is secured to an exterior portion ofcomfort pad27, which is attached to the interior of the glove as described above, but which, unlike thescrim21, is somewhat movable within the glove, enabling access to a temperature pack pocket, or slot located on the outer surface ofcomfort pad27.
• Another feature of the present invention is shown with reference toFIG. 7, which illustrates acuff storage slot40 on an interior portion ofcuff26.Cuff storage slot40 preferably comprises a loop or section of material41 which is sewn either to die interior or the exterior of a dorsal portion ofcuff26, optionally at the location indicated by the dotted lines inFIG. 9 along one (1), two (2) or three (3) sides. Preferred dimensions forcuff storage slot40 are 15 mm-40 mm wide by 50 mm-80 mm long. In a preferred embodiment, material41 is attached to the interior ofcuff26 withstitching42 along two edges in a direction substantially parallel to the main axis ofglove2. This configuration allows for items such as a player's mouth guard to be secured betweencuff26 andcuff storage40 as indicated by arrow4 inFIG. 7. Alternatively, material41 may also be stitched on a bottom edge proximate the lower edge ofcuff26 so as to form a pocket for smaller items. In yet another alternative embodiment, material41 may itself form a loop, the ends of which are both attached at one point in the interior of the cuff to allow certain items having hooks or clips to be affixed thereto. Instead of stitching,cuff storage40 may be attached to cuff26 by welding, gluing, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, or other fastening means known in the art.Cuff storage40 is preferably made of an elastic fabric such as Lycra® but may be formed of any elastic or non-elastic material capable of forming an attachment with the interior or exterior portion ofcuff26.
• Another feature of the disclosure is now described with reference toFIG. 8. As illustrated therein, aside vent50 can comprise a thin panel of hard but resilient material such as polyethylene (PE) board cut or molded to the desired Paramecium shape and with one ormore openings51 located in and through theside vent50.Side vent50 may also be constructed of compression molded foams, injected molded foams or die-cut materials having impact absorption properties.Side vent50 is located at the outer edge of theglove2 between thedorsal side2B andpalmar side2A ofglove2 just above the wrist crease.Side vent50 is sewn peripherally to either a gusset, the palm or thescrim layer21, orscrim layer21 directly beneathside vent50 may be omitted or comprise a slit or opening therein to encourage air flow, represented by arrows3, into the interior ofglove2 for ventilation and cooling. In use, side vent50 works in conjunction with the floating knuckle pad ofFIGS. 1-2 to promote airflow completely through the glove interior. This is especially true for the dorsal side of the glove where maximum airflow runs across the entire dorsal surface of the user's hand from side vent50 to floating knuckle pad, significantly improving ventilation and cooling.
• In another aspect, as shown inFIG. 10, the palmar side ofglove2 may includefingertip padding156 adhered via stitching and/or welding to the palmar side of the glove between the distal end and approximately the distal inter-phalangial joint, or over an area commonly known as the “finger pad”, with a curved bottom edge and a top edge having a shape defined by the outer outline of the palmar side ofglove2. The thickness of the fingertip material may be up to 0.8 mm. The thickness of the material making up the remainder of the outer palmar side ofglove2 maybe from 0.2-10 mm.
• It should now be apparent that the above-describedprotective sports glove2 allows a user to flex the hand in all directions freely, to grip a lacrosse, hockey or other type of sports stick, and to maintain accurate tactile feel at every necessary wrist inclination, all while maintaining an suitable level of protection. Theglove2 allows freer flexion and extension, as well as radial and ulnar deviation, and dorsiflexion.
• The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims, and by their equivalents.

Claims (34)

What is claimed is:

1. A protective sports glove, comprising;

a hand portion for covering a user's hand inclusive of fingers, thumb and carpometacarpal joints and configured to extend down approximately to a wrist crease of said user's hand, said hand portion including a palmar side, a dorsal side, a little finger receiving portion, ring finger receiving portion, middle finger receiving portion, index finger receiving portion, and thumb receiving portion, said hand portion comprising a fabric liner;

a lower wrist portion configured to extend down from said user's wrist crease, said lower wrist portion comprising a protective pad attached to said hand portion;

a cuff portion below said protective pad and configured to partially encircle a lower wrist of said user's hand;

a pliable comfort pad occupying an interior of and extending below said hand portion, wherein said cuff portion is attached to said comfort pad;

a plurality of shock absorbing cushions attached to said hand portion, wherein at least one of said shock absorbing cushions is a single knuckle pad configured to cover all of the knuckles of said user's little, ring, middle and index fingers.

2. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said knuckle pad has a top edge adjacent to a base of each of said little finger receiving portion, ring finger receiving portion, middle finger receiving portion, and index finger receiving portion, and a bottom edge roughly parallel to said top edge, wherein said top and bottom edges are joined by inner and outer edges configured to be located at inner and outer edges, respectively, of said dorsal side of said hand portion, and wherein said top and bottom edges are farthest apart towards said inner edge.

3. The protective sports glove according toclaim 2, wherein said knuckle pad is attached to said hand portion only at said inner and outer edges.

4. The protective sports glove according toclaim 2, wherein said knuckle pad is attached to said hand portion only at said inner edge, said outer edge, and said top edge.

5. The protective sports glove according toclaim 2, wherein said knuckle pad is attached to said hand portion along said inner, outer, top and bottom edges.

6. The protective sports glove according toclaim 3, wherein the remainder of said knuckle pad other than said inner and outer edges is encapsulated in a fabric pocket.

7. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said knuckle pad is fully encapsulated in a fabric pocket, and wherein said fabric pocket is attached to said hand portion.

8. The protective sports glove according toclaim 2, wherein said top edge of said knuckle pad comprises one or more tabs corresponding in location to at least one of said little finger receiving portion, ring finger receiving portion, middle finger receiving portion, or index finger receiving portion, and wherein said one or more tabs is configured to be received underneath one or more shock absorbing cushions on at least one of said little finger receiving portion, ring finger receiving portion, middle finger receiving portion, or index finger receiving portion.

9. The protective sports glove according toclaim 8, wherein said knuckle pad is attached to said hand portion at said inner and outer edges.

10. The protective sports glove according toclaim 8, wherein said knuckle pad is additionally attached to said hand portion along all or part of said bottom edge.

11. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said knuckle pad comprises a dual-durometer molded foam block.

12. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said knuckle pad comprises a unitary molded concave shape surrounded by a peripheral flange that is sewn to said liner fabric.

13. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said fabric liner underlying said knuckle pad comprises an opening.

14. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of shock absorbing cushions includes:

a first foam block covered by a first fabric section, said first fabric section being sewn along three contiguous margins to said liner to encapsulate said first foam block there between, and said first fabric section including a fourth unsewn marginal tab; and

a second foam block covered by a second fabric section, said second fabric section being sewn along three contiguous margins to said liner to encapsulate said second foam block there between, and said second, fabric section including a fourth unsewn marginal tab;

the marginal tab of said first fabric section being longer than the marginal tab of the second fabric section and tucked therebeneath.

15. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of shock absorbing cushions includes a wart pad on said index finger receiving portion configured to cover approximately a third phalange of said user's hand, sewn peripherally to one of said fabric liner, said palmar side or a gusset.

16. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said cuff portion comprises a wrist cushion partially surrounding the dorsal side of said hand portion and an adjustable collar extending below the hand receiving portion, said collar comprising mating hook-and-loop pads.

17. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said thumb receiving portion is attached to said hand receiving portion by a section of stretch material.

18. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of shock absorbing cushions includes:

a first section of thin-gauge foam;

a second section of thin-gauge foam overlying said first section of thin-gauge foam;

a third second section of polymer sheet overlying said second section of thin-gauge foam: and

a fabric material at least partially encapsulating said first section, second section, and third section in a sandwich configuration.

19. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said lower wrist portion is attached to said hand portion on said dorsal side by stitching a first gusset comprising a strip of stretch material.

20. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said lower wrist portion is attached to said hand portion on said dorsal side by stitching.

21. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said cuff portion is attached to said comfort pad via a second gusset comprising a strip of stretch material.

22. The protective sports glove according toclaim 16, wherein said cuff portion is attached to said comfort pad by stitching said cuff portion directly into a distal end of said comfort pad.

23. The protective sports glove according toclaim 16, wherein said cuff portion further comprises a cuff storage slot, said cuff storage slot comprising a section of material affixed to an interior or exterior portion of said cuff portion along at least one side of said section of material.

24. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said comfort pad further comprises a heat or cool pack retention means.

25. The protective sports glove according toclaim 24, wherein said heat or cool pack retention means is selected from the group consisting of: fabric pocket, strap, clip, hook and loop fastener.

26. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of shock absorbing cushions includes a foam pad sewn to said fabric liner and configured to extend along the outside of the metacarpal bone for the user's pinky finger.

27. The protective sports glove according toclaim 26, wherein said foam pad configured to extend along the outside of the metacarpal bone for the user's pinky finger further comprises one or more through holes therein capable of allowing air to pass into the interior of said sports glove.

28. The protective sports glove according toclaim 1, wherein said comfort pad is attached to an interior portion of said hand receiving portion.

29. A protective sports glove, comprising:

a hand portion for covering a user's hand inclusive of fingers, thumb and carpometacarpal joints and extending down approximately to a wrist crease of said user's hand, said hand portion including a palmar side, a dorsal side, a little finger receiving portion, ring finger receiving portion, middle finger receiving portion, index finger receiving portion, and thumb receiving portion, said hand portion also including a fabric liner;

a lower wrist portion attached to said hand portion and extending down from said wrist crease;

a cuff portion partially encircling the lower wrist portion; and

a plurality of shock absorbing cushions attached to said hand portion;

wherein said lower wrist portion comprises at least first and second distinct shock absorbing wrist cushions, and wherein at least said second wrist cushion is attached to said hand portion by one or more flexible legs.

30. The protective sports glove according toclaim 29, wherein said second wrist cushion is sized to fit into a concave recess at a distal edge of said first wrist cushion, wherein said distal edge of said first wrist cushion is the edge of said second wrist cushion farthest from said hand portion.

31. The protective sports glove according toclaim 29, wherein said legs are attached to an interior portion of said glove at a junction of said hand portion and said wrist portion.

32. The protective sports glove according toclaim 29, wherein said legs are attached to an exterior portion of said glove at a junction of said hand portion and said wrist portion.

33. The protective sports glove according toclaim 29, wherein said legs are attached to an interior portion of said cuff portion.

34. The protective sports glove according toclaim 29, wherein said legs are attached to an exterior portion of said cuff portion.

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