Patent Application
20130283490
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a protective system for a glove, and more particularly to an insert for a baseball or softball glove that protects the thumb and/or fingers of a user.
2. Background of Related Art
A variety of ball gloves, such as baseball gloves and softball gloves, are known. The gloves are used, for example, to catch baseballs and softballs that are hit and/or thrown towards a user during a game. The gloves are also used to “tag out” players on the opposing team who are running the bases. To tag a player out, the user holds the ball in his glove and contacts the opposing player with the glove while the opposing player is not touching a base.
There are many circumstances where a player wearing a baseball or softball glove can be injured. More particularly, in several scenarios, the hand inserted into the glove (the “glove-hand”) can sustain injury. Catchers and first basemen, for example, catch hard-thrown balls several times during a game. If a ball is not caught in the middle pocket of the catcher or first baseman's glove, the impact of the ball hitting the glove can bend the player's thumb or fingers backward. This can cause hyperextension of the thumb or fingers, among other injuries.
In addition, in-fielders, i.e., first basemen, second basemen, third basemen, shortstops, and catchers, must often tag out base runners. These base runners are often wearing hard helmets instead of pliable baseball caps or softball visors. The base runners may also be wearing cleats with sharp, metal spikes to help grip the infield dirt. Both the helmets and spikes can come into contact with a player's glove as the player attempts to tag the base runner out. In some cases, this contact can be a hard, blunt impact, as with a helmet, or a sharp, stabbing impact, as with metal cleats. In either scenario, severe injury to the player's glove-hand, including broken bones and puncture wounds, can result.
Moreover, one of the most exciting plays in baseball or softball is a “play at the plate.” In these plays, a base runner attempts to score as the catcher catches the ball and tries to tag the base runner out. The base runner, however, can collide with the catcher and attempt to dislodge the ball from the catcher's glove. The base runner does this by running into and impacting the catcher at full speed. If the base runner succeeds at dislodging the ball, he or she will be “safe” at home and will register a run for his or her team. Unfortunately, these plays often result in violent impacts where the base runner, catcher, or both are injured. More specifically, the catcher's glove-hand is often injured because the catcher must contact the base runner with the glove during the collision. This creates a situation where the catcher's glove-hand can be aggressively hit by the base runner or compressed between the catcher's body and the base runner's body. Some of the most common injuries in this scenario are bending and impact injuries to the catcher's thumb and fingers.
In many cases, the injuries described above result because existing baseball and softball gloves do not provide sufficient protection to a user's glove-hand. Specifically, existing gloves provide insufficient protection to the user's thumb and fingers. While many gloves provide a leather backing (or “rear ply”) that covers the fingers, for example, the leather is not rigid, and does not protect against unwanted bending or violent impacts.
What is needed, therefore, is a system for protecting the thumb and fingers on a baseball or softball player's glove-hand. The system should protect against injuries that result from bending and impact to the glove-hand, as well as injuries that result from improperly catching a ball. It is to such a system that embodiments of the present invention are primarily directed.
The present invention can be a ball glove, such as a baseball or softball glove, with an insert that protects a user's thumb and/or fingers. The insert can be, for example and not limitation, a resilient sheet of plastic or metal that is disposed within the rear ply of the glove (or rear plies, if there is more than one). The insert can be sized and shaped to conform to the back of a user's thumb or fingers. The insert can also be arc-shaped so that it flexes on impact, absorbing force and protecting the user's thumb and fingers.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise a glove with one or more inserts. In some embodiments, for example, a glove can have one insert that protects the thumb of a user. In other embodiments, a glove can have multiple inserts to protect the thumb and one or more fingers of the user. Moreover, the inserts can have symmetric left and right sides so that one insert design can be used with both left-handed and right-handed gloves.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the insert can comprise a knuckle cover to protect the knuckle of a user. The insert can also comprise apertures to receive straps of a thumb loop. In some embodiments, the insert can be flexible enough to allow a user to bend his or her thumb or fingers, but rigid enough to provide sufficient protection from injuries. In other embodiments, the insert is sufficiently rigid to prevent a user from bending it.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise a ball glove that can comprise a rear ply. The rear ply can have an interior layer and an exterior layer. The ball glove can further comprise a thumb stall that can be at least partially defined by the rear ply. The ball glove can further comprise a protective insert that can be disposed at least partially between the interior layer and the exterior layer of the rear ply.
In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a plurality of apertures. In some embodiments, the ball glove can comprise a thumb loop, and a strap of the thumb loop can pass through at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures of the insert. In some embodiments, the insert can further comprise a separator section disposed between two apertures of the plurality of apertures of the insert.
In some embodiments, the ball glove can further comprise a thumb loop, and the insert can comprise four apertures. The ball glove can be configured such that a strap of the thumb loop can be inserted through a plurality of the four apertures to provide a user with a plurality of thumb loop arrangement options. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a knuckle cover, and the knuckle cover can be wider than the remainder of the insert.
In some embodiments, the insert can comprise an arc-shaped cross section. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise rounded corners and rounded edges. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a rough outer surface. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise hard plastic. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a left side and a right side that can be substantially mirror images of each other.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise a protective insert configured for use with a ball glove. The insert can have a substantially arc-shaped cross section. The insert can be configured to be disposed at least partially within a rear ply of the ball glove.
In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a plurality of apertures. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise a front pair of apertures and a back pair of apertures. In some embodiments, the insert can comprise polyethylene. In some embodiments, the arc-shaped cross section can vary in size along a length of the insert. In some embodiments, the insert can have a thickness of about 2 mm.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise a ball glove comprising a stall configured to accept at least one of a user's thumb and finger. The ball glove can further comprise a rear ply at least partially defining the stall. The ball glove can further comprise a protective insert that can have a substantially arc-shaped cross section, and the insert can be disposed around at least a portion of the stall.
In some embodiments, the insert can be separated from an area outside the glove by an exterior layer of the rear ply. In some embodiments, the ball glove can comprise a thumb loop, and the insert can comprise a plurality of apertures. The ball glove can be configured such that a strap of the thumb loop can pass through at least one of the plurality of apertures.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
a illustrates a front perspective view of a ball glove, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
b illustrates a back perspective view of a ball glove, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
a illustrates a top perspective view of a protective insert for a ball glove, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
b illustrates a side perspective view of the insert of
c illustrates a top view of the insert of
d illustrates a side view of the insert of
e illustrates a front view of the insert of
f illustrates a back view of the insert of
a illustrates a top view of a protective insert for a ball glove, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.
b illustrates a top/side perspective view of the insert of
The present invention relates generally to a protective system for a ball glove, and more particularly to an insert for a baseball or softball glove that protects the thumb or fingers of a user. In exemplary embodiments, the insert is used in conjunction with a catcher's glove or a first baseman's glove. The insert can be used, however, with any type of baseball or softball glove, including any infielder's glove, catcher's glove, or any outfielder's glove.
The system can comprise, among other things, a ball glove with a protective plastic insert. The insert can be disposed within the rear ply of the glove, over and at least partially around the user's thumb or fingers. In some embodiments, the insert can be disposed within the portion of the rear ply that defines a thumb stall or finger stall. The insert can also be shaped to substantially conform to the user's thumb or fingers. In some embodiments, the insert can be substantially rigid to provide maximum protection. In other embodiments, the insert can be flexible to allow improved movement while still offering sufficient protection from injuries.
To simplify and clarify explanation, the system is described below as a ball glove or gloves, such as a baseball or softball glove or gloves. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention is not so limited. The system can, for example and not limitation, with hockey gloves, lacrosse gloves, cricket gloves, and other types of sporting gloves. The system can also be non-athletic gloves, such as protective gloves for use when working on or lifting heavy objects.
The materials described hereinafter as making up the various components of the present invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.
As described above, a problem with conventional gloves is that they fail to provide adequate protection to the fingers of a user. This can be due to, among other things, a lack of protective material on the backside of the glove. This can result in various types of injuries when a user catches a ball or attempts to tag out a player on the opposing team. A user's thumb and/or fingers can be bent backwards, for example, when catching a ball. Further, a user's thumb and fingers can be impacted when the user attempts to tag out an opposing base runner, leading to a blunt force injury or a puncture-type injury. The present invention can prevent these injuries by providing protection to the user's thumb and/or fingers.
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In some embodiments, the insert 120 can be rounded, or arc-shaped, to generally match the profile of the user's thumb or fingers. Because people's thumbs and fingers tend to taper from the root to the tip, in some embodiments, the insert 120 can have a cross section that varies down the insert's 120 length. As shown in
As described above, one purpose of the insert 120 is to protect a user's hand and fingers when the user attempts to tag out an opposing player. The substantially arc-shaped cross section of the insert 120 can help provide this protection. When the glove 100 contacts an opposing player, or when the glove 100 contacts a base, home plate, or the ground, the insert 120 can protect the user's thumb or fingers by providing a substantially rigid barrier between the user and the impacting object. The insert 120 can therefore protect the user from blunt force impacts as well as puncture-type impacts (which can be caused by an opposing player's cleats, among other things). In addition, the arc-shape of the insert 120 protects the thumb or fingers from impacts at multiple angles, which is beneficial because it can be difficult or impossible to predict the angle or angles from which impacts can occur. The arc-shape also allows the insert 120 to flex slightly on impact, absorbing some or all of the force of the impact, and preventing the entire force from being transferred to the user's thumb and/or fingers.
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In some embodiments, a glove 100 can have one or more inserts 120. In some embodiments, for example and not limitation, a glove 100 can comprise only one insert 120 that protects the user's thumb. In other embodiments, a glove 100 can comprise one insert 120 to protect the thumb as well as one, two, three, or four inserts 120 to protect the user's fingers.
In some embodiments, the insert 120 can be long enough to substantially cover the user's thumb or finger. Moreover, inserts 120 can vary in length to ensure that the insert 120 provides adequate protection. A glove 100 can have a longer insert 120 to protect the middle finger of a user, for example, intermediate-length inserts 120 to cover the ring and pointer fingers, and shorter inserts 120 to cover the pinky and thumb.
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In some embodiments, the insert 120 can comprise one or more apertures 340 extending through and between the top and bottom sides 305, 310 of the insert 120. The apertures 340 can be sized and shaped, for example and not limitation, to receive the straps 710 of a thumb loop 130. The apertures 340 can enable the straps 710 to pass from the thumb stall 110 through the insert 120, through the rear ply 105, and to the outside of the glove 100, as shown in
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As described above, one of the advantages of the present invention is that the insert 120 can prevent injury to a user by preventing the user's fingers from bending backward during an impact, for example, or when catching a hard-thrown ball. In some embodiments, however, the insert 120 can be sufficiently flexible to allow a user to flex his or her thumb or finger forward, but still rigid enough to prevent the user from hyper extending his thumb or finger backward. In some embodiments, the insert 120 can also be sufficiently rigid to protect the user's thumb or finger when the user attempts to tag out an opposing player. Moreover, in some embodiments, notches 505 can provide a flex area 510 by creating a region of the insert 120 that is narrower than other portions of the insert 120, allowing the insert 120 to flex about this area 510. In some embodiments, the insert 120 can comprise flexible material at the flex area 510, or can have reduced material thickness at the flex area 510 instead of, or in addition to, notches 505. In alternate embodiments, the insert 120 can be sufficiently rigid to prevent a user from bending it in any direction.
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the insert 120 can be made from hard plastic, composite material, or fiber reinforced polymer. The plastic can be, for example, at least one thermoplastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and/or polyvinyl chloride. In some embodiments, the composite can be Kevlar®. In some embodiments, the fiber reinforced polymer can be fiberglass. In some embodiments, the insert 120 comprises polyethylene.
The insert 120 can have a variety of thicknesses. In some embodiments, for example, the insert 120 can be between about 0.5 and about 5 mm thick, preferably between about 1 and about 3 mm thick. In a preferred embodiment, the insert 120 is about 2 mm thick.
Embodiments of the present invention can comprise an insert 120 disposed within the rear ply 105 of the glove 100. In some embodiments, as shown in
In other embodiments, the glove 100 can lack a rear ply 105, and the insert 120 can be the only material located behind the user's thumb or finger. In yet other embodiments, the rear ply 105 can comprise an interior layer 135 but not an exterior layer 140. In these embodiments, the insert 120 can be separated from the user's thumb or finger by the interior layer 135, but can be exposed on the outside of the glove 100. In still other embodiments, the rear ply 105 can comprise an exterior layer 140 but not an interior layer 135. In these embodiments, the user's thumb can be exposed to the insert 120, but the insert 120 can be separated from the elements outside the glove 100 by the exterior layer 140.
In some embodiments, the insert 120 can have one or more rough outer surfaces. The rough outer surfaces can grip the inner surfaces of the rear ply 105, for example, to prevent the insert 120 from moving inside the rear ply. In this manner, the rough outer surfaces can eliminate the need to glue or otherwise adhere the insert 120 in place. The top side 305, bottom side 310, or both can comprise the rough outer surfaces.
In some embodiments, the corners of the insert 120 can be rounded. Moreover, the edges between the top side 305 of the insert 120 and the sidewall 395 of the insert 120, and the sidewall 395 of the insert 120 and the bottom side 310 of the insert 120, can also be rounded. The rounded corners and edges can prevent the insert 120 from cutting through the rear ply 105, for example, during an impact. In other embodiments, such as where the insert 120 is exposed, the rounded corners can prevent injury to the user or other players during an impact.
While several possible embodiments are disclosed above, embodiments of the present invention are not so limited. For instance, while several possible configurations have been disclosed (e.g., embodiments with apertures 340 for a thumb loop 130 and/or rough outer surfaces), other suitable materials and configurations could be selected without departing from the spirit of embodiments of the invention. In addition, the location and configuration used for various features of embodiments of the present invention can be varied according to a particular glove 100 or insert 120 that requires a slight variation due to, for example, the size or construction of the glove 100 or insert 120. Such changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention.
The specific configurations, choice of materials, and the size and shape of various elements can be varied according to particular design specifications or constraints requiring a device, system, or method constructed according to the principles of the invention. Such changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments, therefore, are considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/640,233, filed 30 Apr. 2012, the entire contents and substance of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth below.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61640233 | Apr 2012 | US |
