The present invention relates to boxing gloves, and more particularly to boxing gloves for use in training regimens in conjunction with mixed martial arts (MMA) activities.
Currently, for athletes performing a mixed training regimen between conventional boxing and MMA sparring, the athlete must take time between events in order to change the gloves worn for each of these events. This can lengthen the time required to complete a training regimen and also allows the athlete time to rest between. However, in order to increase athletic stamina, it is desirable to for the athlete to switch gloves for the respective modes with a minimum of rest time between events.
With conventional techniques the athlete needs to take the larger boxing gloves off and put the smaller MMA gloves on their hands and vice versa. With MMA gloves the athlete typically has to tape the smaller MMA gloves so as not to scratch their sparring partner with Velcro in the gloves.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved boxing glove to readily switch between boxing and MMA gloves.
In one aspect of the present invention a boxing glove for wear over an MMA glove is disclosed. The boxing glove includes a padded mitt defined at a distal end of the glove that is dimensioned to receive the fingers and a gloved hand of a wearer. A wrist pad is defined at a proximal cuff end of the glove. The wrist pad is dimensioned to encircle a majority of the wearer's wrist. A gap is defined between an inner and an outer terminal end of the wrist pad. A strap is attached to one of the inner or the outer terminal ends of the wrist pad. The strap and the wrist pad are configured with a cooperating fastener to cinch the wrist pad about a wrist of the wearer. A padded thumb pocket is dimensioned to receive a thumb of the wearer. The boxing glove has an open palmar region of the glove.
In some embodiments, a cooperating hook and a pile fastener is attached to an inside surface of a free end of the strap and an outside surface of the wrist pad at a terminal end of the wrist pad opposite the strap.
In other embodiments, an outer surface of the padded thumb pocket is coextensive with an outer surface of the padded mitt to provide a smooth padded striking face of the boxing glove.
In other embodiments, a fabric material is disposed across an interior face of the padded mitt to define a pocket at the distal end of a palmar face of the boxing glove and an opening at a proximal end of the palmar face. The fabric material may extend to a line proximal to the knuckle joints of the wearer's hand, such that the opening is defined between the finger joints and the gap at the wrist pad.
In other aspects of the invention, a boxing glove includes a padded mitt defined at a distal end of the glove that is dimensioned to receive the fingers and a gloved hand of a wearer. A wrist pad is defined at a proximal cuff end of the glove, the wrist pad is dimensioned to encircle a majority of the wearer's wrist, with a gap defined at a palmar face of the wrist pad. A strap is configured with a cooperating fastener to cinch the wrist pad about a wrist of the wearer. A padded thumb pocket is dimensioned to receive a thumb of the wearer. The glove also has an open palmar region.
In some embodiments, a cooperating hook and a pile fastener is attached to an inside surface of a free end of the strap and an outside surface of the wrist pad at a terminal end of the wrist pad opposite the strap.
In other embodiments, an outer surface of the padded thumb pocket is coextensive with an outer surface of the padded mitt to provide a smooth padded striking face of the boxing glove.
In other embodiments, a fabric material defines a palmar face of the padded mitt. The fabric material extends to a line proximal to the knuckle joints of the wearer's hand, such that the opening is defined between the finger joints and the gap at the wrist pad.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a boxing glove that may be donned and worn over an MMA glove, requiring little time to switch from one to another during a sparring session.
As seen in reference to the drawings of
The boxing glove includes a wrist pad 12 at a proximal cuff end of the glove. The wrist pad 12 encircles a majority of the wearer's wrist and is dimensioned to receive the wearer's wrist while wearing the MMA glove 24. The wrist pad 12 has a gap defined between an inner and an outer terminal end of the wrist pad 12.
A strap 14 may be attached to and extends from one of the inner or the outer terminal ends of the wrist pad 12. An inside surface of a free end of the strap 14 and an outside surface of the wrist pad at a terminal end opposite the strap 14 are provided with a cooperating fastener, such as a hook and a pile material. The strap 14 may be adjustably fitted to cinch the wrist pad 12 about the wrist of the wearer.
A padded thumb pocket 20 is provided to receive a thumb of the wearer. An outer surface of the padded thumb pocket 20 is coextensive with an outer surface of the padded mitt 10 to provide a smooth padded striking face of the boxing glove 10. An interior face of the padded mitt 10 includes a fabric material 22 to form a pocket at the distal end of a palmar face of the boxing glove and an opening at a proximal end of the palmar face.
The material 22 extends to a line proximal to the knuckle joints of the wearer, so that the palmar face is open between the finger joints and the gap at the wrist pad 12 to facilitate receiving the wearer's hand when wearing the MMA glove 24.
With the improved boxing glove of the present invention, the athlete can participate in boxing or kickboxing rounds with 16 oz. gloves on. Immediately following a round or a designated break, the athlete can readily remove the boxing gloves by unfastening the strap 14 and removing their hand that will still be wearing the smaller 4 oz mixed martial arts gloves. Once the boxing gloves are removed, the athlete may resume training or sparring with the MMA gloves 24.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.