U.S. patent application number 11/093395 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for baseball glove.
Invention is credited to Timothy E. Brown.
Application Number | 20060218689 11/093395 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37053946 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060218689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Timothy E. |
October 5, 2006 |
Baseball glove
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a new and improved baseball
glove. The glove includes an outer shell that contains a finger
portion, a thumb portion, and a palm portion. The finger portion
comprises two or three finger holsters, the outermost holster
accommodates two or three fingers, the remaining finger holster(s)
accommodates one or two fingers. One or more finger separator(s)
reside within the outermost finger holster to prevent discomfort of
the fingers. A web portion is attached between the finger portion
and the thumb portion. A protective padding strip is located within
the surrounding area immediately adjacent to the web portion. The
finger portion and thumb portion are spaced apart to minimize the
impact of a caught ball with the user's hand. A web-reinforcement
patch is located over a variable region surrounding the
intersection of the lower region of the web portion and the outer
shell.
Inventors: |
Brown; Timothy E.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD D. CLARKE;LAW OFFICE OF RICHARD D. CLARKE
3755 AVOCADO BLVD., #1000
LA MESA
CA
91941-7301
US
|
Family ID: |
37053946 |
Appl. No.: |
11/093395 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/143
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/019 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20060101
A41D013/08 |
Claims
1. A baseball glove comprising: a) an outer shell, said outer shell
comprising a front surface and a back surface shaped to form a
finger portion, a thumb portion, and a palm portion, said outer
shell having an opening below said palm portion created by an
unjoined region of said front surface and said back surface, said
finger portion containing three finger holsters, wherein the
outermost finger holster is capable of receiving two fingers of a
user; b) a web portion located between said finger portion and said
thumb portion; c) a finger separator located within said outermost
finger holster for the purpose of preventing discomfort and rubbing
of a user's fingers; and d) a padding strip located within said
outer shell, said padding strip substantially surrounding said web
portion for the purpose of protecting a user's index finger region
and thumb region from contact with a ball whereby to use the glove
a user inserts a hand into said glove opening placing the pinky and
ring fingers into said outermost finger holster with one finger on
each side of or through said finger separator, the middle finger
into the middle finger holster, the index finger into the innermost
finger holster, and the thumb into said thumb portion.
2. The baseball glove of claim 1, further comprising a
web-reinforcement patch removably fixed over a variable region
surrounding the intersection of the lower region of said web
portion and said outer shell, for the purpose of protecting against
separation of said web portion from the baseball glove.
3. The baseball glove of claim 1, further comprising a
web-reinforcement patch fixed over a variable region surrounding
the intersection of the lower region of said web portion and said
outer shell, for the purpose of protecting against separation of
said web portion from the baseball glove.
4. The baseball glove of claim 1, wherein said finger separator is
comprised of a portion of flexible material, one side of said
portion of flexible material of being attached to the inner side of
said front surface, the other side of said portion of flexible
material being attached to the inner side of said back surface.
5. The baseball glove of claim 1, wherein said finger separator is
comprised of a strip of leather formed in a loop, whereby a user
places one finger through the loop.
6. The baseball glove of claim 1, wherein said padding strip is
substantially comprised of a gel-like material.
7. The baseball glove of claim 3, wherein said web-reinforcement
patch is comprised of soft and flexible leather for the purpose of
facilitating the trapping of the ball in said web region.
8. A baseball glove comprising: a) an outer shell, said outer shell
comprising a front surface and a back surface shaped to form a
finger portion, a thumb portion, and a palm portion, said outer
shell having an opening below said palm portion created by an
unjoined region of said front surface and said back surface, said
finger portion containing two finger holsters within said outer
shell, wherein the outermost finger holster is capable of receiving
three fingers of a user; b) a web portion located between said
finger portion and said thumb portion; c) two or more finger
separators located within said outermost finger holster for the
purpose of preventing discomfort and rubbing of a user's fingers;
and d) a padding strip located within said outer shell, said
padding strip substantially surrounding said web portion for the
purpose of protecting a user's index finger region and thumb region
from contact with a ball whereby to use the glove a user inserts a
hand into said glove opening placing the pinky, ring, and middle
fingers into the outermost finger holster with one finger on each
side of or through each finger separator, the index finger into the
remaining finger holster, and the thumb into said thumb
portion.
9. The baseball glove of claim 8, further comprising a
web-reinforcement patch removably fixed over a variable region
surrounding the intersection of the lower region of said web
portion and said outer shell, for the purpose of protecting against
separation of said web portion from the baseball glove.
10. The baseball glove of claim 8, further comprising a
web-reinforcement patch fixed over a variable region surrounding
the intersection of the lower region of said web portion and said
outer shell, for the purpose of protecting against separation of
said web portion from the baseball glove.
11. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein each of said two or more
finger separators is comprised of a portion of flexible material,
one side of said portion of flexible material of being attached to
the inner side of said front surface, the other side of said
portion of flexible material being attached to the inner side of
said back surface.
12. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein each of said two or more
finger separators is comprised of a strip of leather formed in a
loop, whereby a user places one finger through the loop.
13. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein said padding strip is
substantially comprised of a gel-like material.
14. The baseball glove of claim 8, wherein said web-reinforcement
patch is comprised of softer and more flexible leather for the
purpose of facilitating trapping of the ball in said web
region.
15. A baseball glove comprising: a) an outer shell, said outer
shell comprising a front surface and a back surface shaped to form
a finger portion, a thumb portion, and a palm portion, said outer
shell having an opening below said palm portion created by an
unjoined region of said front surface and said back surface, said
finger portion containing three finger holsters, wherein the
outermost finger holster is capable of receiving three fingers of a
user; b) a web portion located between said finger portion and said
thumb portion; c) a finger separator located within said outermost
finger holster for the purpose of preventing discomfort and rubbing
of a user's fingers; and d) a padding strip located within said
outer shell, said padding strip substantially surrounding said web
portion for the purpose of protecting a user's index finger region
and thumb region from contact with a ball; and e) a
web-reinforcement patch fixed over a variable region surrounding
the intersection of the lower region of said web portion and said
outer shell, for the purpose of protecting against separation of
said web portion from the baseball glove whereby to use the glove a
user inserts a hand into said glove opening placing the pinky and
ring fingers into said outermost finger holster with one finger on
each side of or through said finger separator, the middle finger
into the middle finger holster, the index finger into the innermost
finger holster, and the thumb into said thumb portion.
16. The baseball glove of claim 15, wherein said web-reinforcement
patch is removably fixed over a variable region surrounding the
intersection of the lower region of said web portion and said outer
shell, for the purpose of protecting against separation of said web
portion from the baseball glove.
17. The baseball glove of claim 15, wherein said finger separator
is comprised of a portion of flexible material, one side of said
portion of flexible material of being attached to the inner side of
said front surface, the other side of said portion of flexible
material being attached to the inner side of said back surface.
18. The baseball glove of claim 15, wherein said finger separator
is comprised of a strip of leather formed in a loop, whereby a user
places one finger through the loop.
19. The baseball glove of claim 15, wherein said padding strip is
substantially comprised of a gel-like material.
20. The baseball glove of claim 15, wherein said web-reinforcement
patch is comprised of softer and more flexible leather for the
purpose of facilitating trapping of the ball in said web
region.
21. The method of making a baseball glove, comprising the steps of:
a) providing an outer shell comprising a front surface and a back
surface shaped to form a finger portion, a thumb portion, and a
palm portion, said outer shell having an opening below said palm
portion created by an unjoined region of said front surface and
said back surface, said finger portion containing three finger
holsters, wherein the outermost finger holster is capable of
receiving two fingers of a user; b) providing a web region to be
attached to said outer shell between said finger portion and said
thumb portion; c) attaching said web region to said outer shell
between said thumb region and said finger region; d) providing a
finger separator for location within said outermost finger holster
for the purpose of preventing discomfort and rubbing of a user's
fingers; e) attaching said finger separator within said outermost
finger holster for the purpose of preventing discomfort and rubbing
of a user's fingers; f) providing a padding strip for location
within said outer shell so as to substantially surround said web
portion for the purpose of protecting a user's index finger region
and thumb region from contact with a ball; and g) attaching said
padding strip within said outer shell so as to substantially
surround said web portion for the purpose of protecting a user's
index finger region and thumb region from contact with a ball.
22. The method of making a baseball glove according to claim 21,
the method further comprising the steps of: a) providing a
web-reinforcement patch for attachment over a variable region
surrounding the intersection of the lower region of said web
portion and said outer shell for the purpose of protecting against
separation of said web portion from the baseball glove; and b)
attaching said web-reinforcement patch over a variable region
surrounding the intersection of the lower region of said web
portion and said outer for the purpose of protecting against
separation of said web portion from the baseball glove.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of sports equipment.
More specifically, this patent deals with a new and improved
baseball glove designed to minimize the pain and discomfort caused
by the impact of a baseball with the user's hand, and to provide
the user with a stronger and more controlled closing action of the
glove.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The game of baseball has become more advanced since its
inception. In the last several decades alone, improvements in the
design of the bats and baseballs combined with the more rigorous
strength and conditioning programs undertaken by the players has
significantly elevated the level of competition. Today's athletes
from all levels of play--high school, college, semi-professional,
and professional baseball--not only hit the ball harder and
farther, but also throw the ball with more velocity than in years
past. This evolution in the game can also be recognized in the
changes that have manifested in the design of baseball gloves.
[0003] Early baseball gloves were designed the same regardless of
the fielding position played, generally resembling a mitten with a
web portion loosely attached between the finger and thumb portions
for receiving the ball. The finger portion was typically one large
compartment that housed all of the user's fingers. As time
progressed, gloves were designed with more than one finger portion
that could accommodate one or more fingers of the user. This
enabled the user to close the glove around the ball with a quicker,
stronger motion than the glove with one finger compartment. With
the realization that all of the positions in the field were not
identical in either the frequency or velocity in which the baseball
was caught, baseball gloves were later designed for use with
specific positions on the field. Examples of the different types of
gloves that now exist are the catcher's glove, the first basemen's
glove, the infielder's glove, and the outfielder's glove.
Additional improvements in the design of baseball gloves included
affixing the web portion of the glove more tightly and securely to
the rest of the glove to allow for the safe catching of baseballs
traveling at higher velocities.
[0004] Another more recent baseball glove feature to compensate for
the catching of baseballs traveling at higher velocities was the
addition of an opening in the back portion of the glove that could
enable the wearer to remove the index finger from the inner portion
of the glove. This feature was incorporated into the glove to
provide the wearer with an extra layer of padding for the index
finger region, an area that typically receives a substantial amount
of contact with a baseball when the ball is received into the
glove.
[0005] Several gloves have been designed to relieve the wearer of
the pain and discomfort in the index finger region caused by
catching a baseball traveling at high velocities, while
simultaneously allowing for a stronger and more controlled closing
action. Whether or not successful, these attempts have fallen short
of the mark in several aspects of glove design, as described
herein.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,414,004 granted to A. J. Turner describes a
baseball glove comprising a palm portion, a pair of adjacent finger
stalls, and a thumb stall. The finger stalls are each designed to
accommodate two adjacent fingers of the wearer. The spacing of the
thumb stall from the nearer finger stall is greater than the
diameter of a standard baseball and the angular relations and
relative positions of the thumb and finger stalls are such that the
wearer's thumb and is normally spread away from the rest of the
hand.
[0007] This patent describes a baseball glove designed to form a
pocket for catching a ball without absorbing the impact of the ball
flatly against a portion of the wearer's hand. Additionally, the
glove attempts to provide a stronger gripping action by utilizing
different finger placement within the glove. However, the
separation of the ring and pinky fingers from the middle and index
fingers, combined with the joining of the middle and index fingers,
creates a glove closing angle that causes discomfort and
awkwardness. Similarly, the wide separation of the finger stalls
and the thumb stalls causes the wearer's thumb to be spread farther
away from the rest of the hand than normal, resulting in further
discomfort. Also, the location of where the fingers are separated
and joined reduces the quickness and strength available to the
wearer for closing the glove around the ball. Further, the lack of
a finger separation device in each finger stall results in an
uncomfortable cramping and stiffness of the wearer's fingers during
use of the glove.
[0008] Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide a flexible
baseball glove that can be comfortably worn by intermediate and
more advanced players, that significantly minimizes the pain,
swelling, and discomfort caused by the impact of a caught ball with
a user's hand, and allows for a stronger, quicker, and more natural
glove closing action.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,436 to Robert B. Jones describes a
center-webbed baseball glove which utilizes the natural fold of the
human hand and folds into two equal halves increasing the
utilizable surface area. The glove is comprised of a central
pocket, a set of outer finger slots, and a set of inner finger
slots. The glove is worn by placing the pinky and ring fingers into
the left outer finger slot, the middle and index fingers into the
left inner finger slot, and the thumb into either the outer or
inner right finger slots. The glove can also be worn on the right
hand by placing the thumb in the left inner or outer finger slots
and placing the remaining fingers in the left finger slots of the
glove.
[0010] This patent describes a centered-webbed baseball glove that
utilizes adjustable finger holds to enable a user to wear the glove
on either hand. While the symmetrical nature of the glove allows
for "reversibility", it does not fully accommodate the needs of
more advanced players in several respects. First, due to the
centralized web design, the glove "cups" the ball in a "trapping"
motion. This leaves the wearer with little room for error in
fielding a ball. This symmetrical design similarly allows for the
ball to easily slip out of either the top or the bottom of the
glove, during infield or outfield use, due to the lack of palm
barrier that is present in the typical non-symmetrical baseball
glove designs. Furthermore, the centralized web design necessarily
restricts the size of the webbing. This causes the fingers to be
more closely located to the webbing, which increases the likelihood
a user will feel pain and discomfort when catching a ball traveling
at high velocity.
[0011] Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide a flexible
baseball glove that can be comfortably worn by intermediate and
more advanced players, that significantly minimizes the pain,
swelling, and discomfort caused by the impact of a caught ball with
a user's hand, and allows for a stronger, quicker, and more natural
glove closing action.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,515 granted to Robert M. Fous is
directed to an ergonomic fielding glove with at least one finger
portion, a thumb portion, and a web joining the thumb portion and
the nearest finger portion. The glove also includes a mitten-shaped
compartment that holds all four fingers of the wearer, and is fixed
at an angle of 90 degrees from a thumb-shaped compartment that
holds the wearer's thumb. An adjustable thumb strap is added within
both the finger compartment and the thumb compartment for added
leverage and comfort of a particular sized hand.
[0013] This patent describes a still another baseball glove
designed to reduce the surface area where a hit or thrown ball
impacts the user's hand. However, this design causes awkwardness of
the hand angle by locating all of the fingers on one extreme end of
the glove and the thumb on the other extreme, resulting
uncomfortable strain and stiffness. A similar result of this hand
positioning makes for an uncomfortable and awkward angle of the
hand when fielding a ground ball. The design puts a substantial
amount of strain on the wrist and effectively teaches an improper
way of fielding a ground ball in the process. Further, cramming all
of the fingers into the mitten compartment, with no finger
separation device, causes a continuous rubbing of the fingers,
resulting in an uncomfortable fit.
[0014] Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide a flexible
baseball glove that can be comfortably worn by intermediate and
more advanced players, that significantly minimizes the pain,
swelling, and discomfort caused by the impact of a caught ball with
a user's hand, and allows for a stronger, quicker, and more natural
glove closing action.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,046 to Lawrence J. Gilligan describes a
baseball glove with a front and back shells joined together to form
a finger portion, a heel portion, a thumb portion. A web portion is
disposed between the finger portion and the thumb portion. The
finger portion comprises at least to finger stalls, with the first
of the at least two finger stalls closed so that the fingers of the
user cannot be received into that stall. The glove also comprises a
first and second hinge assemblies located along the heel portion.
One of the hinge assemblies is closer in proximity to the thumb
portion of the glove, while the other hinge assembly is closer in
proximity to the finger portion of the glove.
[0016] This patent describes yet another baseball glove designed to
facilitate better control and ease of use by the player using the
glove. However, this glove design creates an unbalanced weight
distribution between the thumb stall and the non-closed finger
stall(s), which results in a stronger closing action for the thumb
portion of the glove and a weaker closing action for the finger
portion of the glove. Uneven closure of the glove can cause the
ball to deflect out of the glove, resulting in a missed catch.
Also, the addition of a "closed" finger stall to the glove
unnecessarily increases the bulk of the glove, further delaying the
quickness of the glove closing action. Moreover, this glove design
does not incorporate substantial features to effectively minimize
the pain and discomfort to the wearer's index finger region caused
by the impact of a ball with the wearer's hand.
[0017] Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide a flexible
baseball glove that can be comfortably worn by intermediate and
more advanced players, that significantly minimizes the pain,
swelling, and discomfort caused by the impact of a caught ball with
a user's hand, and allows for a stronger, quicker, and more natural
glove closing action.
[0018] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The principal advantage of this invention is to provide a
baseball glove designed to minimize pain and discomfort caused by
the impact of a caught ball with the user's hand.
[0020] Another advantage of this invention is to provide a baseball
glove that can be comfortably used by intermediate and more
advanced players, such as high school, collegiate,
semi-professional, and professional players.
[0021] Another advantage of this invention is to provide a baseball
glove that positions a user's hand in such a manner so as to enable
a quicker, stronger, and more efficient closing action of the glove
around the baseball.
[0022] And still another advantage of this invention is to provide
a baseball glove that can be effectively used at several fielding
positions.
[0023] And yet another advantage of this invention is to provide a
new and unique catching apparatus that can be used in a variety of
different sporting events to enhance the comfort in catching
high-velocity projectiles.
[0024] The present invention is directed to a new and improved
baseball glove. The glove includes an outer shell that contains a
finger portion, a thumb portion, and a palm portion. The finger
portion comprises three finger holsters, the outermost holster
proportioned to accommodate two fingers of the user, the remaining
finger holsters proportioned to each accommodate one finger. A
finger separator is located within the outermost finger holster to
prevent discomfort of the fingers. A web portion is attached
between the finger portion and the thumb portion. A protective
padding strip is located within the surrounding area immediately
adjacent to the web portion. The finger portion and thumb portion
are spaced apart to minimize the impact of a caught ball with the
user's hand. A web-reinforcement patch is located over a variable
region surrounding the intersection of the lower region of the web
portion and the outer shell.
[0025] An alternative embodiment of the baseball glove is intended
to be used by first basemen. This embodiment includes an outer
shell that contains a finger portion, a thumb portion, and a palm
portion. Two finger holsters are located within the finger portion,
the outermost holster is proportioned to accommodate three fingers
of the wearer, and the remaining finger holster is proportioned to
accommodate one finger. Two or more finger separators are located
within the outermost finger holster to prevent uncomfortable
rubbing of the fingers. A thumb restraint is located within the
thumb portion to enable a quicker, stronger, and more controlled
closing action of the glove. A web portion is attached between the
finger portion and the thumb portion. A protective padding strip is
located within the surrounding area immediately adjacent to the web
portion of the glove. The finger portion and thumb portion are
spaced apart to minimize the impact of a caught ball with the
user's hand. A web-reinforcement patch is located over a variable
region surrounding the intersection of the lower region of the web
portion and the outer shell.
[0026] Another embodiment of the baseball glove is intended to be
used by catchers. This embodiment includes an outer shell that
contains a finger portion, a thumb portion, and a palm portion. Two
finger holsters are located within the finger portion, the
outermost holster is proportioned to accommodate three fingers of
the wearer, and the remaining finger holster proportioned to
accommodate one finger. Two or more finger separators are located
within the outermost finger holster to prevent uncomfortable
rubbing of the fingers. A thumb restraint is located within the
thumb portion to enable a quicker, stronger, and more controlled
closing action of the glove. A web portion is attached between the
finger portion and the thumb portion. A protective padding strip is
located within the surrounding area immediately adjacent to the web
portion of the glove. The finger portion and thumb portion are
spaced apart to minimize the impact of a caught ball with the
user's hand. A web-reinforcement patch is located over a variable
region surrounding the intersection of the lower region of the web
portion and the outer shell.
[0027] With respect to the above description it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly, and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as
illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further,
since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention
to the exact construction and operation shown and described.
Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents fall within
the scope of the present invention.
[0028] These, together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty, which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. There has thus
been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are
additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention and together with the description, serve to explain the
principals of this invention.
[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a partially cut away front view of the
preferred embodiment of the baseball glove, showing the
web-reinforcement patch located thereon, the placement of the
user's hand into the glove, as well as the finger separator located
within the glove, constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a horizontal cross-section of
the finger portion of the baseball glove, constructed in accordance
with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a planar cross-section of a
prior art baseball glove, showing the padded regions of the
glove;
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts a front view of a planar cross-section of the
preferred embodiment of the baseball glove, showing the padded
regions of the glove, constructed in accordance with the present
invention, constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 5 depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of
the baseball glove, showing the placement of the hand into the
glove as well as the web-reinforcement patch located thereon,
constructed in accordance with the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a horizontal cross-section of
the baseball glove extending from the thumb portion to the
innermost finger holster, constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a vertical cross-section of
the web region and the area beneath the web region of the preferred
embodiment of the baseball glove, constructed in accordance with
the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 8 depicts a front view of an alternative embodiment of
the baseball glove, showing in particular the web-reinforcement
patch located thereon, the placement of the hand into the glove,
the placement of the protective padded region, and the placement of
the finger separators located therein, constructed in accordance
with the present invention; and
[0038] FIG. 9 depicts a front view of another alternative
embodiment of the baseball glove, showing in particular the
web-reinforcement patch located thereon, the placement of the hand
into the glove, the placement of the protective padded region, and
the placement of the finger separators located therein, constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are
identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a
partially cut away front view of the preferred embodiment of
fielder's glove 10, in place on the hand of a user. As those
familiar with gloves will recognize based on its size and shape,
fielder's glove 10 is a standard fielder's glove. Fielder's glove
10 has an outer shell 20 composed of a front surface 22 and a back
surface 24 (not shown). Outer shell 20 has an opening 25 at the
lower portion of fielder's glove 10. Front surface 22 and back
surface 24 are joined together at various parts of opening 25 by
lacing 26, to form a glove opening 28. Outer shell 20 is shaped to
form a palm portion 30, finger portion 40, and thumb portion 50. A
web region 60 is located between finger portion 40 and thumb
portion 50. A web-reinforcement patch 62 is attached over the
intersection of the lower portion of web region 60 and outer shell
20. It should be recognized that web-reinforcement patch 62 is not
limited in size and can be situated on fielder's glove 10 to cover
a variable region immediately surrounding the intersection of the
lower portion of web region 60 and outer shell 20, including the
areas directly above, below, and on both sides of the
intersection.
[0040] A user inserts his or her hand 70 into glove opening 28 to
use fielder's glove 10. Finger portion 40 is comprised of finger
holster 41, finger holster 42, and finger holster 43. Finger
holster 43 is sized to accommodate two fingers of a user. To use
fielder's glove 10 a user inserts thumb 72 into thumb portion 50,
index finger 74 into finger holster 41, middle finger 76 into
finger holster 42, and ring finger 78 and pinky finger 79 into
finger holster 43. It is to be recognized that thumb portion 50 can
also contain a thumb tab for the purpose of securing thumb 72 into
thumb portion 50. Thumb tabs are standard in many modern baseball
gloves, and typically consist of a strip of leather formed in a
loop within the thumb region, with the two ends of the strip of
leather protruding from the outer shell of the glove and tied
together into a knot. Standard thumb tabs can be adjusted by
loosening the knot and either increasing or decreasing the amount
of leather used to form the loop. Ring finger 78 and pinky finger
79 are separated in finger holster 43 by a finger separator 44.
Finger separator 44 can be comprised of a strip of conditioned
leather, fabric, cloth, or other type of soft and flexible material
that will not cause discomfort when contacting ring finger 78 and
pinky finger 79.
[0041] It is to be recognized that fielder's glove 10 can embody
both an infielders glove and an outfielder's glove. In the
infielder's glove embodiment, web region 60, finger portion 40, and
thumb portion 50, will be shorter in height than in the
outfielder's glove embodiment.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 2, there is seen a top view of a
horizontal cross-section of finger portion 40, including finger
holster 41 containing index finger 74, finger holster 42 containing
middle finger 76, and finger holster 43 containing both ring finger
78 and pinky finger 79 separated by finger separator 44. Finger
separator 44 can be attached to the inside of the back surface 24
and to leather separator 80. Such attachment can occur by any
means, including, but not limited to stitching, sewing, and gluing.
In an alternative embodiment, fielder's glove 10 can use a finger
separator comprised of a strip of leather formed in a loop,
whereby, depending on the positioning of the finger separator
within finger holster 43, a user inserts either ring finger 78 or
pinky finger 79 through the loop. Leather separator 80 serves to
provide a comfort barrier between hand 70 and finger and thumb
padding 82. Leather separator 80 is joined at various parts to
outer shell 20 by lacing 26.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 3, there is seen a front view of a
planar cross-section of a prior art baseball glove, showing the
finger and thumb padding indicated by the cross-hatched region.
[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 4, there is seen front view of a
planar cross-section of fielder's glove 10, showing the finger and
thumb padding 82 as well as protective padding strip 90 located
within outer shell 20 and substantially surrounding web region 60.
It should be recognized that protective padding strip 90 can be
disposed within outer shell 20 to completely or partially surround
web region 60. Protective padding strip 90 can be comprised of
various types of material, including but not limited to standard
glove padding, cloth, fabric, sponge, leather, gel-like substances,
or any other type of suitable padding material.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 5, there is seen a front view of the
preferred embodiment of fielder's glove 10 with web-reinforcement
patch 62 located thereon and user's hand 70 shown in phantom,
including thumb 72 and index finger 74.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 6, there is seen a top view of a
horizontal cross-section of fielder's glove 10 extending from thumb
portion 50 to finger holster 41, including web region 60,
web-reinforcement patch 62, and protective padding strip 90. Finger
and thumb padding 82 is located within thumb portion 50 between
thumb 72 and leather separator 80, and within finger holster 41
between index finger 74 and leather separator 80.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 7, there is depicted a side view of a
vertical cross-section of web region 60 and the area beneath the
web region 60, including web-reinforcement patch 62, hand 70
situated between front surface 22 of outer shell 20 and back
surface 24 of outer shell 20, and protective padding strip 90.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 8, there is a front view of first
baseman's glove 100. First baseman's glove 100 embodies the same
invention as fielder's glove 10, but is different in size, shape,
and padding configuration to specifically meet the needs of the
first base position. First baseman's glove 100 has an outer shell
102 composed of a front surface 104 and a back surface 106 joined
together at various parts by lacing 108. Front surface 104 and back
surface 106 are not joined together at the lower portion of first
baseman's glove 100, so as to form a glove opening 110. Outer shell
102 is formed to include a palm portion 120, finger portion 130,
and thumb portion 140. A web region 150 is located between finger
portion 130 and thumb portion 140. A web-reinforcement patch 152 is
attached over the intersection of the lower portion of web region
150 and outer shell 102. It should be recognized that
web-reinforcement patch 152 is not limited in size and can be
situated on first baseman's glove 100 to cover a variable region
immediately surrounding the intersection of the lower portion of
web region 150 and outer shell 102, including the areas directly
above, below, and on both sides of the intersection.
[0049] A user inserts his or her hand 170 into glove opening 110 to
use first baseman's glove 100. Finger portion 130 is comprised of
finger holster 132 and finger holster 134. Finger holster 132 and
finger holster 134 are located within outer shell 102. Finger
holster 134 is sized to accommodate three fingers of a user. To use
first baseman's glove 100 a user inserts thumb 172 into thumb
portion 140, index finger 174 into finger holster 132, and middle
finger 176, ring finger 178 and pinky finger 179 into finger
holster 134. It is to be recognized that thumb portion 140 can also
contain a thumb tab for the purpose of securing thumb 172 into
thumb portion 140. Thumb tabs are standard in many modern baseball
gloves, and typically consist of a strip of leather formed in a
loop within the thumb region, with the two ends of the strip of
leather protruding from the outer shell of the glove and tied
together into a knot. Standard thumb tabs can be adjusted by
loosening the knot and either increasing or decreasing the amount
of leather used to form the loop. Middle finger 176 and ring finger
178 are separated in finger holster 134 by finger separator 136.
Ring finger 178 and pinky finger 179 are separated in finger
holster 134 by a finger separator 138. Finger separator 136 and
finger separator 138 can both be comprised of a strip of
conditioned leather, fabric, cloth, or other type of soft and
flexible material that will not cause discomfort when contacting
middle finger 176, ring finger 178, and pinky finger 179. Finger
separator 136 and finger separator 138 can both be attached within
first baseman's glove 100 in a similar manner as finger separator
44 is attached in fielder's glove 10. In an alternative embodiment,
first baseman's glove 100 can use finger separators each comprised
of a strip of leather formed in a loop, whereby the positioning of
the finger separators within finger holster 134 determines which
fingers a user inserts through each loop.
[0050] A protective padding strip 160 is located within outer shell
102 and surrounding web region 150. It should be recognized that
protective padding strip 160 can be disposed within outer shell 102
so as to completely or partially surround web region 150.
Protective padding strip 160 can be comprised of various types of
material, including but not limited to standard glove padding,
cloth, fabric, sponge, leather, gel-like substances, or any other
type of suitable padding material.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 9, there is a front view of catcher's
glove 200. Catcher's glove 200 embodies the same invention as
fielder's glove 10, but is different in size, shape, and padding
configuration to specifically meet the needs of the catcher's
position. Catcher's glove 200 has an outer shell 202 composed of a
front surface 204 and a back surface 206 joined together at various
parts by lacing 208. Front surface 204 and back surface 206 are not
joined together at the lower portion of catcher's glove 200, so as
to form a glove opening 210. Outer shell 202 is formed to include a
palm portion 220, thumb portion 230, and finger portion 240. A web
region 250 is located between thumb portion 230 and finger portion
240. A web-reinforcement patch 252 is attached over the
intersection of the lower portion of web region 250 and outer shell
202. It should be recognized that web-reinforcement patch 252 is
not limited in size and can be situated on catcher's glove 200 to
cover a variable region immediately surrounding the intersection of
the lower portion of web region 250 and outer shell 202, including
the areas directly above, below, and on both sides of the
intersection.
[0052] A user inserts his or her hand 270 into glove opening 210 to
use catcher's glove 200. Finger portion 240 is comprised of finger
holster 242 and finger holster 244. Finger holster 242 and finger
holster 244 are located within outer shell 202. Finger holster 244
is sized to accommodate three fingers of a user. To use catcher's
glove 200 a user inserts thumb 272 into thumb portion 230, index
finger 274 into finger holster 242, and middle finger 276, ring
finger 278 and pinky finger 279 into finger holster 244. Thumb 272
is disposed in thumb portion 230 by thumb tab 235. Middle finger
276 is disposed in finger holster 244 by finger tab 246. Ring
finger 278 is disposed in finger holster 244 by finger tab 248.
Pinky finger 279 is disposed in finger holster 244 by finger tab
249. Thumb tab 235, finger tab 246, finger tab 248, and finger tab
209 can each be comprised of a strip of conditioned leather,
fabric, cloth, or other type of soft and flexible material that
will not cause discomfort when contacting thumb 272, middle finger
276, ring finger 278, and pinky finger 279. It is to be recognized
that thumb tab 235, finger tab 246, finger tab 248, and finger tab
209 can be attached using various techniques, including but not
limited to sewing, stitching, and gluing. A protective padding
strip 260 is disposed within outer shell 202 and surrounding web
region 250. It should be recognized that protective padding strip
260 can be disposed within outer shell 202 so as to completely or
partially surround web region 250. Protective padding strip 260 can
be comprised of various types of material, including but not
limited to standard glove padding, cloth, fabric, sponge, leather,
gel-like substances, or any other type of suitable padding
material.
[0053] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
* * * * *