Patent Application
20100071108
Sports gloves are used in a variety of athletic activities, whether during competition or training. For example, baseball gloves are utilized in the sport of baseball to assist with catching a baseball and protect a hand from impact with the baseball; softball gloves are utilized in the sport of softball to assist with catching a softball and protect a hand from impact with the softball; hockey gloves are utilized in the sport of hockey to protect hands from sticks, impacts with ice, and when catching a puck; and soccer goalkeeper gloves are utilized in the sport of soccer to protect hands of a goalie from impact with a soccer ball or the feet of other players. Although each of these sports gloves have substantially different structures, these sports gloves serve a common purpose in protecting the hands of athletes.
A sports glove incorporating a system for attenuating impact forces is disclosed below. Although the configuration of the sports glove may vary significantly, the sports glove may include a pair of foam layers and a fluid-filled chamber located between the foam layers. In some configurations, the fluid-filled chamber is located in a portion of the sports glove corresponding with a metacarpophalangeal joint, and the metacarpophalangeal joint may be associated with an index finger.
The advantages and features of novelty characterizing aspects of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying figures that describe and illustrate various configurations and concepts related to the invention.
The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose a sports glove 100. Although sports glove 100 is depicted and discussed as having the general form of a baseball glove, further configurations of sports glove 100 may take the form of any sports glove, including softball gloves, hockey gloves, soccer goalkeeper gloves, as well as other kinds of gloves. Sports glove 100 may also have a configurations that is suitable for a particular position within a sport. In baseball, for instance, sports glove 100 may include features specific for a catcher, a first baseman, an infielder, a pitcher, or an outfielder. For example, in configurations where sports glove 100 has a structure suitable for an outfielder, sports glove 100 may be relatively large and include a deep pocket. In the configuration depicted in
As respectively illustrated in
Typically, dorsal portion 102 and ventral portion 104 may be attached on a periphery of sports glove 100. This can be accomplished by stitching, lacing, or through another manner known in the art. With this arrangement, dorsal portion 102 and ventral portion 104 may define an interior cavity for a hand of a wearer of sports glove 100. Preferably, sports glove 100 is configured to receive a hand of a wearer. In some configurations, sports glove 100 may include hand opening 103 configured to receive a hand of a wearer. With this arrangement, a hand can be inserted into an interior cavity of sports glove 100 through hand opening 103.
Sports glove 100 includes finger portions that can receive fingers of a hand inserted within sports glove 100. More particularly, sports glove 100 includes thumb portion 111, first finger portion 112, second finger portion 113, third finger portion 114 and fourth finger portion 115. Preferably, thumb portion 111, first finger portion 112, second finger portion 113, third finger portion 114 and fourth finger portion 115 may be respectively associated with a thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger of a wearer of sports glove 100.
Glove 100 also includes a webbing 105, which connects thumb portion 111 to first finger portion 112. Generally, webbing 105 may be configured in any manner known in the art. For example, in configurations where sports glove 100 is used for pitching, webbing 105 may have a closed web in order to hide a pitcher's grip on a ball prior to a pitch. In other configurations where a player may want to retrieve a ball quickly after catching the ball, webbing 105 may have an open webbing style.
In addition, sports glove 100 may also include palm portion 110. Palm portion 110 is disposed on ventral portion 104. In some cases, palm portion 110 may cover portions of a palm of hand. In other cases, palm portion 110 may cover an entirety of a palm of a hand. With this arrangement, palm portion 110 can provide some protection for a palm of a hand inserted within sports glove 100.
Typically, sports glove 100 is configured to assist a wearer in catching a ball. In particular, palm portion 110 and surrounding portions may form a pocket for catching a ball. This can allow a wearer to catch a ball within a pocket of sports glove 100. For purposes of clarity, only some portions of sports glove 100 are discussed in this configuration. It should be understood that sports glove 100 may include other provisions that are known in the art for assisting in catching a ball.
When catching a ball within a pocket of sports glove 100, the ball may apply a force to a hand. The force of the impact with a ball can cause pain and discomfort to a wearer of sports glove 100, particularly after repeated impacts. In some cases, some portions of a hand disposed beneath a pocket of sports glove 100 may be particularly vulnerable to the force of an impact with a ball. In particular, a bottom of an index finger may be vulnerable to a force from an impact with a ball. Accordingly, sports glove 100 includes provisions to attenuate the force of an impact with a ball in order to protect a wearer of sports glove 100 from pain or discomfort.
Ventral portion 104 may be incorporate materials that attenuate the forces from an impact with a ball. Generally, ventral portion 104 may include neoprene, slow recovery foams, leather, leather and foam, basic foam as well as other materials to provide protection during catching. In some cases, these materials may be used to form one or more pads that protect a hand during catching. For example, in one configuration, ventral portion 104 may include a heel pad adjacent to hand opening 103 to absorb an impact with a caught ball.
In configurations where a pre-designated portion of a hand may be exposed to impacts with a ball or other object, sports glove 100 may include additional provisions to help protect the pre-designated portion of the hand. In some cases, additional padding or foam can be associated with the pre-designated portion. In other cases, a fluid-filled chamber can be associated with the pre-designated portion to help attenuate forces. Additionally, a fluid-filled chamber can be used in cooperation with one or more padding layers.
As illustrated in a cut away view of dorsal portion 102 and a portion of ventral portion 104 in
Although only one fluid-filled chamber 150 is included in ventral portion 104 to protect a bottom portion of an index finger, more than one fluid-filled chamber 150 may be included to protect a hand from an impact in other configurations. In some cases, two fluid-filled chambers may cooperate to protect a portion of a hand from an impact with a ball. In other cases, more than two fluid-filled chambers may be configured to protect a portion of a hand from a force of an impact with a ball.
Generally, fluid-filled chamber 150 may be formed by any manner known in the art. As illustrated in an exploded view in
Peripheral bond 153 forms edge set 160, which includes first edge 161, second edge 162, third edge 163, fourth edge 164, fifth edge 165 and sixth edge 166. First edge 161 is connected to second edge 162 at first vertex 171. Similarly, second edge 162 is connected to third edge 163 at second vertex 172. Likewise, third edge 163 is connected to fourth edge 164 at third vertex 173. Fourth edge 164 is joined to fifth edge 165 at fourth vertex 174. In a similar manner, fifth edge 165 is joined to sixth edge 166 at fifth vertex 175. Finally, sixth edge 166 is connected to first edge 161 at sixth vertex 176. With this arrangement, edges of edge set 160 encircle fluid-filled chamber 150. Generally, edges 161-166 of edge set 160 can have various configurations. In some cases, edges of edge set 160 may be convex. In other cases, edges of edge set 160 may be concave. In still other cases, edges of edge 160 may be a mixture of concave and convex edges. Edges of edge set 160 may also be straight.
Fluid-filled chamber 150 is incorporated into sports glove 100 to reduce the force of an impact from a ball. Generally, any type of fluid can be used with fluid-filled chamber 150. In some configurations, fluid-filled chamber 150 may enclose a liquid to attenuate the forces of an impact with a ball. In other configurations, fluid-filled chamber 150 can enclose a gas (e.g., air, nitrogen) to attenuate the forces of an impact with a ball. In still other configurations, fluid-filled chamber 150 may enclose a gel to attenuate the forces of an impact with a ball.
Fluid-filled chamber 150 may be filled with a liquid, gas or gel to obtain various pressures above ambient pressure. This can be achieved by inserting a nozzle or needle connected to a pressure source into an inlet in fluid-filled chamber 150. For purposes of clarity, the inlet is not shown in this configuration. Fluid-filled chamber 150 may be filled to a pressure in the range of one to thirty-five pounds per square inch. In some cases, fluid-filled chamber 150 may be filled to a pressure of approximately twenty pounds per square inch. By filling fluid-filled chamber 150 to different pressures, the force attenuating features of fluid-filled chamber 150 may be tuned or otherwise adjusted to the preferences of the wearer.
A pressurized fluid-filled chamber can include provisions to strengthen the bond between first surface 151 and second surface 152. For example, fluid-filled chamber 150 may include internal connections between first surface 151 and second surface 152. In other words, first surface 151 can be connected to second surface 152 at portions other than peripheral bond 153. Generally, internal connections can be disposed in any arrangement to create a desired configuration for fluid-filled chamber 150. In this configuration, first surface 151 and second surface 152 may be connected at portions adjacent to peripheral bond 153 to increase the structural integrity of fluid-filled chamber 150. In particular, first surface 151 and second surface 152 are connected at first connection 181, second connection 182, third connection 183, fourth connection 184, fifth connection 185 and sixth connection 186. First connection 181 is disposed adjacent to first vertex 171. Likewise, second connection 182 is disposed adjacent to second vertex 172. Similarly, third connection 183 is adjacent to third vertex 173. Fourth connection 184 is disposed adjacent to fourth vertex 174. In a similar manner, fifth connection 185 is adjacent to fifth vertex 175. Also, sixth connection 186 is disposed adjacent to sixth vertex 176. In some cases, first surface 151 and second surface 152 may also be connected at central connection 180. With this arrangement, the connection between first surface 151 and second surface 152 may be reinforced.
Generally, fluid-filled chamber 150 may comprise any material known in the art including, but not limited to polyurethane, polyester, polyester polyurethane and polyether polyurethane. In some cases, first surface 151 and second surface 152 may each include alternating layers of thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,713,141 and 5,952,065, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference. In other configurations, first surface 151 and second surface 152 can be made of other materials. Other materials disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Number 2006/0230636 may also be utilized for fluid-filled chamber 150.
Furthermore, fluid-filled chamber 150 may be manufactured with any method known in the art. In some cases, fluid-filled chamber 150 may be manufactured by placing two thermoplastic polymer sheets in a mold as discussed in U.S. Patent Publication Number 2006/0230636. In other cases, other manufacturing methods known in the art may be used, including twin sheet molding and blow molding.
In sports glove 100, fluid-filled chamber 150 may be used in conjunction with other provisions to further attenuate the force of an impact with a ball and protect a hand. In some configurations, a pad may be disposed adjacent to fluid-filled chamber 150 to provide further protection from an impact with a ball. In other configurations, a single foam layer may be used with fluid-filled chamber 150 to further reduce the force transferred to a hand from an impact with a ball. In another configuration, a cushioning system can include a pair of foam layers surrounding fluid-filled chamber 150 in order to attenuate the force of an impact. By using a fluid-filled chamber surrounded by a pair of foam layers, the force from an impact with a ball may be substantially reduced.
Referring to
Cushioning system 300 includes a first foam layer 301 and a second foam layer 302 disposed on either side of fluid-filled chamber 150. In particular, first foam layer 301 is disposed between exterior layer 311 and first surface 151 of fluid-filled chamber 150. Similarly, second foam layer 302 is disposed between second surface 152 of fluid-filled chamber 150 and inner lining 312. With this arrangement, cushioning system 300 may protect a hand disposed adjacent to inner lining 312 of ventral portion 104 from an impact with a ball caught against exterior layer 311.
Generally, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 can comprise any material that can dampen a force of an impact with a ball including, but not limited to slow recovery foams, basic foams, urethane foams, as well as other materials. In some configurations, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 may comprise the same material. In other configurations, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 can comprise different materials. In further configurations, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 both comprise urethane foam. The thicknesses of one or more foam layers may also vary. In some configurations, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 may exhibit substantially similar thicknesses. In other configurations, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 may exhibit different thicknesses. In the configuration depicted in
The thickness of fluid-filled chamber 150 may also vary. As depicted in
Generally, foam layers 301 and 302 can be configured in any shape. Examples of different shapes include, but are not limited to square shapes, rectangular shapes, round shapes, elliptical shapes, triangular shapes, regular shapes, irregular shapes as well as other types of shapes. In some cases, each of foam layers 301 and 302 may be configured with a different shapes and sizes. As an example, first foam layer 301 may cover a greater area of a hand than second foam layer 302. In other cases, each of foam layers 301 and 302 may be configured with substantially similar shapes and sizes.
Cushioning system 300 is configured with first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 extending beyond peripheral bond 153 of fluid-filled chamber 150. This arrangement allows first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 to cover all portions of fluid-filled chamber 150. Furthermore, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 can attenuate a force of an impact on areas surrounding fluid-filled chamber 150 by extending beyond peripheral bond 153. In some cases, for example, first foam layer 301 and second foam layer 302 can extend over an entire palm portion of a sports glove. In other configurations, however, cushioning system 300 can be configured so that first foam layer 301 and/or second foam layer 302 do not extend beyond peripheral bond 153. In some cases, first foam layer 301 and/or second foam layer 302 may not cover an entirety of fluid-filled chamber 150. By manipulating the arrangement of first foam layer 301, fluid-filled chamber 150 and second foam layer 302, the force attenuating properties of cushioning system 300 can be tuned or otherwise adjusted for different areas of sports glove 100.
Cushioning system 300 provides increased force attenuating properties over previous designs. In particular, by using fluid-filled chamber 150 in combination with foam layers 301 and 302, cushioning system 300 can reduce the amount of force transferred directly to a hand from an impact with a ball during a catch. Furthermore, in other configurations, cushioning system 300 can attenuate forces applied by any other type of object. In other words, the effects of cushioning system 300 are not limited to attenuating forces applied to a glove by balls. For example, in configurations where concepts related to sports glove 100 are incorporated into a hockey glove, cushioning system 300 can help attenuate forces applied by a puck.
As previously discussed, cushioning system 300 is disposed adjacent to palm portion 110 and first finger portion 112 of ventral portion 104. This allows cushioning system 300 to protect a vulnerable portion of an index finger that may receive an impact from a ball caught within a pocket of sports glove 100. In particular, cushioning system 300 may be disposed to protect metacarpophalangeal joint 514 of index finger 512. metacarpophalangeal joint 514 connects metacarpal 510 with proximal phalanx 511. By covering metacarpophalangeal joint 514 and surrounding areas, cushioning system 300 may protect a vulnerable area where a ball is often caught.
In some cases, metacarpophalangeal joints of the remaining fingers of hand 500 may also be vulnerable to a force from an impact with a ball. Middle finger 513 includes metacarpophalangeal joint 524 that connects metacarpal 520 with proximal phalanx 521. Similarly, ring finger 504 includes metacarpophalangeal joint 534 that connects metacarpal 530 with proximal phalanx 531. Also, little finger 515 includes metacarpophalangeal joint 544 that connects metacarpal 540 with proximal phalanx 541. Finally, thumb 516 includes metacarpophalangeal joint 554 that connects metacarpal 550 with proximal phalanx 551. It is possible that any or all of these metacarpophalangeal joints can be vulnerable to an impact with a ball due to their close proximity to a pocket of sports glove 100.
In addition, the remaining bones and joints of fingers of hand 500 may also receive an impact from a ball. For example, each finger includes distal phalanges 590. Except for thumb 516, distal phalanges 590 are connected to middle phalanges 580 by distal interphalangeal joints 585, also referred to as DIP joints 585. On thumb 516, distal phalanx 591 is connected via interphalangeal joint 586, hereby referred to as IP joint 586, to proximal phalanx 551. In the other fingers, interphalangeal joints 576, here by referred to as IP joints 576, connect proximal phalanges with middle phalanges 580. Any of the joints and associated phalanges of the fingers of hand 500 can receive a force from an impact with a ball.
Furthermore, other bones and joints associated with hand 500 may also receive a force from an impact with a ball. For example, a palm of hand 500 includes carpus 570. Carpus 570 includes eight carpal bones but only seven carpal bones are visible in this illustration. A portion of carpus 570 and related joints are disposed directly beneath a pocket of sports glove 100. In some cases, carpus 570 can receive an impact from a ball.
Generally, fluid-filled chamber 150 of cushioning system 300 can be configured in any shape to protect any portion of a hand. Examples of different shapes include, but are not limited to square shapes, rectangular shapes, elliptical shapes, triangular shapes, regular shapes, irregular shapes as well as other types of shapes. In some cases, fluid-filled chamber 150 may be configured in a particular shape in order to provide protection for a portion of a hand. In other cases, fluid-filled chamber 150 can be configured in a particular shape for ease of manufacturing a plurality of fluid-filled chambers in that shape. In still other cases, fluid-filled chamber 150 can be configured in a particular shape that aligns with a portion of a glove and does not interfere with the flexibility of a sports glove to form a pocket to catch a ball.
A cushioning system can be configured with different sizes to protect various portions of a hand from a force of an impact with a ball.
In some cases, a cushioning system may be configured to protect metacarpophalangeal joints of an index finger and a middle finger. Referring to
In some configurations, a cushioning system may be configured to protect metacarpophalangeal joints of four fingers of a hand. Referring to
A cushioning system may also protect a palm portion of a hand from an impact with a ball. Referring to
It is also possible that a cushioning system can protect an entire palm side of a hand. Referring to
Generally, a cushioning system can include any number of fluid-filled chambers surrounded by a pair of foam layers to protect a hand within a sports glove. By combining a plurality of fluid-filled chambers configured with various sizes and shapes, a cushioning system can provide protection to any portion of a hand. In some configurations, a plurality of fluid-filled chambers of substantially similar size and shape can be disposed adjacent to each other between a pair of foam layers to protect a portion of a hand. For example, cushioning system 800 illustrated in
In other configurations, fluid-filled chambers of different sizes and/or shapes can be combined between a pair of foam layers to create a cushioning system that extends over a portion of a hand. For instance, cushioning system 900 illustrated in
The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying figures with reference to a variety of configurations. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the configurations described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
