Patent Application
20170165557
The present invention relates to a protective glove and, more particularly, to a protective sports glove having a glove tightening system that adjusts one or more dimensions of the glove to fit different hand sizes.
In many contact sports, such as lacrosse or hockey, sticks are elements of the game. A player's hands, wrists, and lower arms are especially vulnerable to injury when being checked by another player's stick. For this reason, players typically wear padded gloves to protect their hands, wrists and lower arms during play.
Typical gloves for such contact sports generally include a hand portion joined with finger portions and a thumb portion. The hand portion, finger portions, and thumb portion each have a respective palm portion and a dorsal portion which is usually covered with multiple protective pads. The protective pads typically protect the dorsal side of the hand from forceful impacts. The gloves also can include a protective cuff that is elastically joined with a lower edge of the hand portion. This usually extends up the wearer's wrist and forearm. The protective pads that protect the dorsal side of the hand usually are formed in such a way so as to allow the wearer to grasp a game stick, yet still provide protection against impact.
Many times, such gloves are manufactured in only one or two selected sizes and configurations. Thus, some players who do not have corresponding hand sizes and configurations might not be able to comfortably and consistently wear such gloves.
A protective glove is provided so that its size and configuration is selectively variable to accommodate the hands of a variety of different users in a custom manner.
In one embodiment, the protective glove is a protective sports glove including a hand portion, a cuff joined with and extending from the hand, at least one pair of retaining members joined with an exterior surface of the hand portion, a spool joined with at least one of the hand portion and the cuff, where the spool includes a rotatable dial to wind and/or unwind a cable onto the spool. The cable can be constrained by at least one pair of retaining members and operably joined with the spool. At least one protective pad can be joined with the hand portion and can at least partially cover the cable to protect the cable and the wearer's hand from blows. The dial can be rotatable to increase and/or decrease the tension applied to the cable, which can, in turn, increase and/or decrease a distance between the retaining members. With such movement, the lateral dimension and/or longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion can be adjusted to fit a wearer's hand.
In another embodiment, the protective sports glove can include a hand portion including a hand palmar portion and an opposing hand dorsal portion defining an interior space for receiving a wearer's hand, a cuff joined with and extending from the hand portion opposite the finger portion, and a protective pad disposed over the hand dorsal portion. The protective pad can be located above a base layer of the hand dorsal portion that is disposed closer to the interior space than the protective pad, with the protective pad and the base layer forming a cavity therebetween. One or more retaining members can be joined with the hand dorsal portion on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion, each retaining member having an aperture. At least one of the retaining members can be disposed in the cavity. A cable can be threaded through the at least one retaining member and movably disposed at least partially within the cavity. The cable can be received by a spool joined with at least one of the cuff and the hand portion. The spool can include a rotatable dial to wind and/or unwind the cable onto or off from the spool. The dial is rotatable to increase and/or decrease the tension applied to the cable to increase and/or decrease a distance between one or more retaining members to adjust at least one of a lateral dimension and a longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion to fit a wearer's hand.
In another embodiment, the protective sports glove can include a floating sub-cuff joined with one of the cuff or the hand portion, and positioned underneath and protected by the cuff. The spool can be joined with at least one of the floating sub-cuff, the cuff, and the hand portion.
In yet another embodiment, the protective sports glove can include a hand portion and one or more protective pads disposed above a base layer. The one or more protective pads can include one or more elongated pads joined with a hand dorsal portion on opposing lateral sides, and a central pad joined with the hand dorsal portion. The central pad can extend longitudinally across a center portion of the hand dorsal portion. Optionally, the central pad can be a “Y” shaped pad. When viewed with respect to the hand dorsal portion, the one or more protective pads can be disposed above the base layer, farther away from the interior space of the glove than the base layer, and a cavity can be defined between the one or more protective pads and the base layer. The cavity can be disposed closer to the interior space of the glove than the one or more protective pads, but farther from the interior space than the base layer. One or more retaining members can be joined with the base layer of the hand dorsal portion and extend into the cavity and can include at least one pair of opposing retaining members on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion and at least one additional retaining member longitudinally offset from the at least one pair of opposing retaining members. A cable can be threaded through the plurality of retaining members. The cable can be movably disposed at least partially within the cavity and joined with a spool. The spool can include a rotatable dial to wind and/or unwind the cable onto the spool.
In another embodiment, at least one guide wedge can be joined with the hand dorsal portion to guide the cable within the cavity, the at least one guide wedge including at least one side wall disposed at an angle with respect to the lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion and parallel with an adjacent section of the cable.
In still another embodiment, an aperture can be provided in at least one of the cuff and the hand dorsal portion through which the cable passes to the spool and a recess can be provided in an interior surface of the cuff and configured to receive the spool at least partially therein. The cable can be routed through the at least one pair of opposing retaining members and the at least one additional retaining member to form a triangular shape within the cavity. The dial can be rotatable to increase and/or decrease the tension applied to the cable to increase and/or decrease a distance between the one or more retaining members to adjust at least one of a lateral dimension and a longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion to fit a wearer's hand.
The protective glove of the current embodiments can easily be adjusted to fit the dimensions of many wearers' hands, regardless of age, stature, or skill.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.
A protective sports glove in accordance with a current embodiment is illustrated in
The description of the glove 10 can be aided by a brief discussion of hand anatomy, which is schematically illustrated in
Returning to
The glove 10 can include a cuff portion 18 joined at one end of the hand portion 12 and a plurality of finger portions 20 extending from an opposite end of the hand portion 12, and a thumb portion 22 extending from a side of the hand portion 12. An optional floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be disposed under the cuff portion 16. A wrist guard 26 can be positioned over a junction 30 between the hand portion 12 and the cuff portion 18.
As shown in
The protective portions 44 can terminate generally at a junction 46 located generally between the hand portion 12 and the finger portions 20. The junction 46 can allow the finger portions 20 to move with respect to the adjacent protective portions 44 as the junction 46 is generally disposed over a wearer's knuckle area, allowing the finger portions 20 to move as a wearer's fingers flex.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Still referring to
While the cuff portion 18 is illustrated as having split cuff portions 60, 62 that extend only partially around a wearer's wrist, alternative configurations of the cuff portion 18 can also be used depending on the application. For example, the cuff portion 18 can include multiple overlapping and/or non-overlapping portions that extend around the entire wrist of the wearer. Additional components, such as a lace that connects the multiple cuff portions can also be utilized.
The optional floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be joined with either or both the cuff portion 18 and the hand portion 12 generally adjacent the junction 30 between the between the cuff portion 18 and the hand portion 12 and is disposed interiorly of the cuff portion 18, i.e. closer to the wearer's wrist than the cuff portion 18. The sub-cuff portion 24 can optionally include a fastener on opposing ends, such as a hook-and-loop type fastener or a snap. In one example, the floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be joined with the cuff portion 18 by a flexible and/or stretchable strip of material. Additionally, or alternatively, the floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be joined with a liner disposed in the interior of the glove 10 that is joined with the hand portion 12. In yet another example, an optional sub-cuff portion 24 that can be used with the protective sports glove 10 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,636,951, issued Dec. 29, 2009, and entitled “Protective Sports Glove with Floating Cuff Portion,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
Still referring to
One or more retaining members 80-84 can be joined with the base layer 78 of the hand dorsal portion 40 for guiding a cable 86 across the hand dorsal portion 40 within the cavity defined between the hand dorsal portion 40 and the protective pads 50, 52. The cable 86 can be in the form of a cord, rope, strand, flexible wire, or lace made from natural or synthetic material, or combinations thereof. The cable 86 can be a single length of material or multiple lengths of material woven together. In one example, the cable 86 can be in the form of polyethylene fibers or other synthetic fibers, multiple lengths of which can optionally be woven together to form the cable 86. In another example, the cable 86 can be made from woven steel with or without a polymeric coating.
Each retaining member 80-84 can include an aperture, either fully enclosed or partially enclosed, through which the cable 86 can be threaded. The retaining members 80-84, also referred to as ghillies herein, can be in the form of a loop of material that is folded back upon itself to form the aperture through which the cable 86 is threaded. In another example, the retaining members 80-84 can be in the form of Nylon webbing having an aperture. In yet another embodiment, the retaining members 80-84 can be small rings or loops fastened to the hand portion 12 in appropriate locations. The retaining members 80-84 can be joined with the base layer 78 by sewing the retaining members 80-84 to the base layer 78. In some examples, sewing the retaining member 80-84 to the base layer 79 also forms the aperture. Alternatively, the material used to form the retaining members 80-84 can be sewn to form the aperture and the thus formed retaining members 80-84 can then be sewn to the base layer 78. In yet another example, opposing ends of a piece of material can be joined with the base layer 78 by sewing and the piece of material and the portion of the base layer 78 between the sewn ends can define the aperture for receipt of the cable 86. Alternative designs for the retaining members 80-84 can also be used as desired. Each of the retaining members 80-84 can be the same or one or more of the retaining members 80-84 can be different than the others.
The retaining members 80-84 can be joined with the base layer 78 to guide the cable 86 in a desired route across the base layer 78. As illustrated in
The glove 10 can optionally include one or more guide wedges 92 joined with the base layer 78 adjacent portions of the cable 86 routed through the retaining members 80-84. In the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
Additional or fewer guide wedges 92 are also contemplated. For example, alternatively, or in addition, to the guide wedges 92 disposed outside the triangular shaped route defined by the cable 86, a guide wedge can be disposed inside the route defined by the cable 86, the guide wedge having a triangular shape that reflects the cable route.
While the first and second pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84 are illustrated as including two retaining members each, each pair of retaining members can be replaced with fewer or greater retaining members as desired. For example, a single retaining member can be provided on the radial and ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 40 in place of the first and second pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84. Similarly, the third retaining member 82 can be replaced with fewer or greater retaining members. Regardless of the number of retaining members used at each position, the retaining members will generally be configured to guide the cable 86 to form a triangular shape on the base layer 78.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The recess 112 can be partially or fully enclosed by the sidewalls 113. As can best be seen in
Optionally, at least a portion of the spool 100 and/or the cable 86 can be disposed outside the recess 112, above the plane 117. For example, at least a portion of the dial 102 can project beyond the interior surface 110 to facilitate access to the dial 102 for winding and unwinding the cable 86.
While the spool 100 is described as being joined with the first cuff portion 60, it will be understood that the spool 100 can alternatively be joined with the floating sub-cuff portion 24. In this alternative embodiment, the floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be provided with a recess which receives the spool 100 and the interior surface 110 of the first cuff portion 60 opposite the spool 100 can also optionally include a recess. In yet another alternative, the spool 100 can be joined with the hand portion 12, which may or may not include a recess for receiving the spool 100.
The cable 86 can pass from the exterior side of the hand dorsal portion 40 to the interior side of the cuff portion 18 through an aperture disposed in a connecting material (not shown) joining the hand dorsal portion 40 and the cuff portion 18 at the junction 30. Alternatively, an aperture can be disposed directly in the first cuff portion 60 for passing the cable 86 through to the interior side of the cuff portion 18. The aperture can also be used to pass the cable 86 in the alternative embodiment in which the spool 100 is joined with the floating sub-cuff portion 24. In the alternative embodiment in which the spool 100 is joined with the hand portion 12, when the spool 100 is joined with an exterior surface of the hand portion 12, the glove 10 need not include an aperture for passing the cable 86.
Operation
Referring again to
For example, as illustrated in
The dial 102 can similarly be rotated to unwind the cable 86 from the spool 100 to decrease the tension applied to the cable 86, which allows the base layer 78 of the hand dorsal portion 40 to be stretched to increase the longitudinal and later dimensions 36, 38 of the hand dorsal portion to increase the interior space of the protective glove 10 to accommodate a wearer having a larger hand, such as an older child. In this manner, the cable 86 can be wound and unwound to decrease and increase, respectively, the size of the protective glove 10 as a wearer grows.
While the protective glove 10 is suitable for the sports of hockey and lacrosse, the protective glove 10 optionally can be utilized in a wide variety of sports, or occupational activities, in which protection to the hand or wrist is desired.
A first alternative embodiment of the protective glove is shown in
As illustrated in
The cable 486 can be routed through the first pair of retaining members 150, 151 and cross over a central portion of the hand dorsal portion 440, between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492, to the third pair of retaining members 154, 155. The cable 486 is threaded through the third pair of retaining members 154, 155 and passes back across an upper portion of the hand dorsal portion 440 to the second pair of retaining members 152, 153 before being routed back between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492 to the fourth pair of retaining members 156, 157 to form a criss-cross shape across the hand dorsal portion 440. The cable 486 can cross over itself as it passes between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492 to form the criss-cross shape.
While the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157 are illustrated as including two retaining members each, each pair of retaining members can be replaced by fewer or greater retaining members as desired. For example, a single retaining member can be provided on the radial and ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 440 in place of all or only a portion of the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157. In one example, the second and third pairs of retaining members 152, 153 and 154, 155 can be replaced by a single retaining member. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and fourth pairs of retaining members 150, 151 and 156, 157 can be replaced with a single retaining member. Regardless of the number of retaining members used at each position, the retaining members will generally be configured to guide the cable 486 to form a criss-cross shape on the base layer 478. In another example, an additional retaining member can be disposed on the base layer 478 between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492 for receipt of the cable 486 as the cable 486 crosses over itself in the formation of the criss-cross shape.
The dial 502 can be rotated to wind and unwind the cable 486 onto the spool 500 to increase or decrease the tension on the cable 486 in a manner similar to that describe above for the first embodiment in
A second alternative embodiment of the protective glove is shown in
As illustrated in
Referring now to
The spool 700 can be joined with the second cuff portion 661 in the recess 712 provided in the interior surface 710 of the second cuff portion 661 to decrease the extent to which the spool 700 projects from the second cuff portion 661. In this manner, the recess 712 can facilitate the second cuff portion 661 lying generally flat against the adjacent floating sub-cuff portion 624 or the wearer's wrist, if the glove does not include a floating sub-cuff portion 624. Additionally, or alternatively, the optional floating sub-cuff portion 624 can include a recess 714 provided in an exterior surface 716 thereof (see
The dial 702 can be rotated to wind and unwind the cable 686 onto the spool 700 to increase or decrease the tension on the cable 686 in a manner similar to that describe above for the first embodiment in
While the tri-cuff glove 610 is described in the context of having a configuration of retaining members, guide wedges, and route of the cable across the hand dorsal portion similar to that of the glove 10 of
All patents, patent applications, and literature references cited in this specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present description, including definitions, will control.
The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as “at least one of X, Y and Z” is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62267327 | Dec 2015 | US |
