U.S. patent application number 13/689715 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-29 for sports glove with independently movable layer of protection.
This patent application is currently assigned to EASTON SPORTS, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is EASTON SPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Dmitry Rusakov, Allan Kar Kee Wong.
Application Number | 20140143924 13/689715 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50771976 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140143924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rusakov; Dmitry ; et
al. |
May 29, 2014 |
SPORTS GLOVE WITH INDEPENDENTLY MOVABLE LAYER OF PROTECTION
Abstract
A sports glove, such as a hockey or lacrosse glove, includes an
inner glove and an outer protective layer positioned over the rear
surface of the inner glove. The inner glove and the outer
protective layer are attached to each other via a plurality of
gussets or other connectors. The connectors generally are located
along the perimeter or edge regions of the sports glove, such as at
the distal ends of the finger sections, along the sides of the
finger sections, along the edges of the wrist region, and so forth.
The inner surface of the outer protective layer is not secured, or
is substantially not secured, to the inner glove, such that a space
or void is provided between the outer protective layer and the
inner glove. As a result, the outer protective layer is movable
independently of the inner glove.
Inventors: |
Rusakov; Dmitry; (Pasadena,
CA) ; Wong; Allan Kar Kee; (Aberdeenshire,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EASTON SPORTS, INC. |
Van Nuys |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EASTON SPORTS, INC.
Van Nuys
CA
|
Family ID: |
50771976 |
Appl. No.: |
13/689715 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/10 20130101;
A63B 71/143 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/16 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/08 20060101
A41D013/08 |
Claims
1. A sports glove, comprising: an inner glove, configured to fit
closely on a wearer's hand, comprising a palm section and a rear
section; an outer protective layer positioned over the rear section
and connected to edge regions of the inner glove such that a void
is provided between an outer surface of the rear section and an
inner surface of the outer protective layer.
2. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein the outer protective layer
is attached to the inner glove via a plurality of strips of
material.
3. The sports glove of claim 2, wherein the plurality of strips are
permanently or detachably attached to the inner glove.
4. The sports glove of claim 2, wherein the plurality of strips are
attached to an outer edge of the palm section.
5. The sports glove of claim 2, wherein the inner glove includes a
plurality of finger sections, and wherein an end-strip of material
is attached to a distal end of each of the finger sections.
6. The sports glove of claim 5, wherein each of the end-strips
comprises an inelastic portion at a tip region of the finger
section, and an elastic portion at a side region of the finger
section.
7. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein the rear section and the
palm section are connected to each other via a plurality of
gussets.
8. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein the outer protective layer
comprises a plurality of rear pads.
9. The sports glove of claim 8, wherein the outer protective layer
further comprises a plurality of side pads.
10. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein the rear section comprises
a breathable material.
11. The sports glove of claim 1 wherein the inner glove includes a
main region from which a plurality of finger sections extend,
wherein the void resides between the inner surface of the outer
protective layer and the main region, and between the inner surface
of the outer protective layer and the finger sections.
12. A sports glove, comprising: an inner glove comprising a palm
section and a rear section; and a padded, outer protective layer
positioned over the rear section and movably connected to the inner
glove such that the outer protective layer is movable relative to
the inner glove.
13. The sports glove of claim 12, wherein the outer protective
layer is attached to the inner glove via a plurality of
gussets.
14. The sports glove of claim 13, wherein at least some of the
gussets are attached to an outer edge of the palm section.
15. The sports glove of claim 13, wherein a gusset is attached at
the distal end of each finger section.
16. The sports glove of claim 12 wherein the inner glove includes a
main region from which a plurality of finger sections extend,
wherein a void resides between an inner surface of the outer
protective layer and the main region, and between the inner surface
of the outer protective layer and the finger sections.
17. A sports glove, comprising: an inner glove comprising a palm
section and a rear section; an outer protective layer positioned
over the rear section; means for attaching the inner glove to the
outer protective layer such that the outer protective layer is
movable independently of the inner glove.
18. The sports glove of claim 17 wherein the inner glove includes a
main region from which a plurality of finger sections extend.
19. The sports glove of claim 18 wherein a void resides between an
inner surface of the outer protective layer and the main
region.
20. The sports glove of claim 18 wherein a void resides between an
inner surface of the outer protective layer and the finger
sections.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Sports gloves used in contact sports, such as hockey and
lacrosse gloves, commonly include thick padding that covers the
back of the hand and fingers of a wearer to protect the hand and
fingers from stick-slashing and other violent contact. Multiple
blocks of this padding material, which may be made of foam or
another suitable impact-absorbing material, are typically encased
in nylon or another fabric material that is stitched together at
the base regions of the padding blocks. These gloves tend to be
somewhat bulky and also allow for substantial movement of a
wearer's hands within the gloves, such that the palm and finger
sections of the gloves typically do not fit closely to the wearer's
hands. As a result, while sports gloves with thick padding provide
protection to a wearer's hands, they also generally provide a loose
fit that is prone to twisting and movement, compromising stick
control and feel.
SUMMARY
[0002] A sports glove, such as a hockey or lacrosse glove, includes
an inner glove and an outer protective layer positioned over the
rear surface of the inner glove. The inner glove and the outer
protective layer are attached to each other via a plurality of
gussets or other connectors. The connectors generally are located
along the perimeter or edge regions of the sports glove, such as at
the distal ends of the finger sections, along the sides of the
finger sections, along the edges of the wrist region, and so forth.
The inner surface of the outer protective layer is not secured, or
is substantially not secured, to the inner glove, such that a space
or void is provided between the outer protective layer and the
inner glove. As a result, the outer protective layer is movable
independently of the inner glove. Other features and advantages
will appear hereinafter. The features described above can be used
separately or together, or in various combinations of one or more
of them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates
the same element throughout the views:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the rear side of a sports
glove, according to one embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the palm side of the sports
glove shown in FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a sports glove, according to
one embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 4A is a side view of one of the finger sections of the
sports glove shown in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 4B is a side view of the finger section shown in FIG.
4A with the outer gusset shown in transparency.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Various embodiments of the invention will now be described.
The following description provides specific details for a thorough
understanding and enabling description of these embodiments. One
skilled in the art will understand, however, that the invention may
be practiced without many of these details. Additionally, some
well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in
detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant
description of the various embodiments.
[0010] The terminology used in the description presented below is
intended to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even
though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description
of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Certain terms may
even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be
interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and
specifically defined as such in this detailed description
section.
[0011] Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also
include the plural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless
the word "or" is expressly limited to mean only a single item
exclusive from the other items in a list of two or more items, then
the use of "or" in such a list is to be interpreted as including
(a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list,
or (c) any combination of items in the list.
[0012] Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate
a sports glove 100, according to one embodiment. The sports glove
100 described herein may be used in a variety of sports, including
hockey, lacrosse, and other contact sports. For ease of
description, these gloves will generally be referred to as "sports
gloves" or "hockey gloves."
[0013] The sports glove 100 includes an inner glove 110 and an
outer protective layer 120. According to the embodiments described
herein, the inner glove 110 is configured to fit closely to a
wearer's hand to improve stick control and feel. The inner glove
110 includes a main region or "central region" 140 from which a
plurality of finger sections 130a and a thumb section 130b extend
for receiving a wearer's fingers and thumb. For ease of
description, the finger sections 130a and thumb section 130b may
collectively be referred to herein as "finger sections."
[0014] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the inner glove 110 includes a
top (or dorsal) layer 150 and a palm layer 160. The top layer 150
and palm layer 160 are stitched or sewn together by at least one
outer seam, forming the central region 140 and the finger sections
130a, 130b. The top layer 150 and palm layer 160 optionally may be
connected via one or more inner gussets, as described below. The
palm layer 160 may be made of any durable material suitable for
gripping hockey or lacrosse sticks or other athletic equipment such
as leather, suede, microfiber, or polyester. The palm layer 160 may
include openings, perforations, or breathable material in one or
more regions to provide ventilation to a wearer's hand. The top
layer 150 may be made of a similar durable material or of a
stretchable, breathable material, such as Lycra.RTM., neoprene,
mesh, or spandex.
[0015] The outer protective layer 120 has an external side and an
internal side (not shown). In one embodiment, the outer protective
layer 120 includes a series of pads 170 to protect the top or rear
region of the wearer's hand. The pads 170 may be made of an open
cell, urethane foam (e.g., Poron.RTM.), a PVC nitrile foam, or of
another suitable impact-absorbing material. The pads 170 optionally
are encased in a fabric material, such as nylon, polyester,
polyurethane film, leather, suede, or another suitable
material.
[0016] The pads 170 may be attached to the external side or the
internal side of the outer protective layer 120, and may be
arranged in any suitable manner to protect the back of the hand and
fingers of a wearer. In one embodiment, the pads over the wearer's
knuckle region may be arranged to form a zigzag pattern 180 to
accommodate knuckle movement when the wearer grips a hockey stick,
a lacrosse stick, or other athletic equipment.
[0017] In one embodiment, the outer protective layer 120 also
includes one or more side pads or padding to protect the sides of a
wearer's fingers and hands that are exposed while gripping a piece
of athletic equipment. Such side pads or padding may be positioned,
for example, over the lateral or outer side of the index finger,
the medial or outer side of the pinky finger, the medial or lateral
sides of the thumb, or the lateral (or radial) or medial (or ulnar)
sides of the hand or wrist.
[0018] The outer protective layer 120 is attached to the inner
glove 110 via a plurality of fabric strips, straps, bands, unpadded
gussets, or padded gussets, collectively referred to herein as
"outer gussets" 190, positioned along the outer perimeter or edges
of the sports glove 100. The outer gussets 190 may be located at
the finger sections 130a, 130b, the central region 140, or the
wrist section 200. The outer gussets 190 may permanently attach
(e.g., by stitching, sewing, or swaging) or detachably connect
(e.g., by magnets, snaps, buttons, ties, or hook-and-loop material)
the outer protective layer 120 to the inner glove 110. In one
embodiment, at least two of the sports glove layers (e.g., the
outer protective layer 120, the inner-glove top layer 150, or the
inner-glove palm layer 160) are permanently or detachably connected
via gussets or other connectors. Alternatively, any of the sports
glove layers may be permanently or detachably connected to each
other directly via stitching or via another suitable
connection.
[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, in one embodiment, the outer
gussets 190 attach the outer protective layer 120 to the
inner-glove palm layer 160. The inner-glove top layer 150 is
attached to the inner-glove palm layer 160 via a plurality of inner
gussets 220. The outer gussets 190 and inner gussets 220 may be
continuous along the length of the finger sections 130a, 130b and
the other portions of the glove 100, or they may include a series
of discrete connectors spaced apart from one another to provide
increased breathability and comfort.
[0020] The outer gussets 190 each have an upper edge 230 and a
lower edge 240, and may be located at the distal ends or side
regions of the finger sections 130a, 130b, or at the side regions
of the hand or wrist sections. In the illustrated embodiment, the
upper edge 230 of each outer gusset 190 is attached to the outer
protective layer 120, while the lower edge 240 of the outer gusset
190 is attached to the inner-glove palm layer 160. In an
alternative embodiment, the lower edge 240 of the outer gusset 190
may be attached to the inner-glove top layer 150.
[0021] While the perimeter or edge regions of the outer protective
layer 120 are connected to perimeter or edge regions of the inner
glove 110, the inner surface of the outer protective layer 120 is
not secured to the top layer 150 of the inner glove 110. Thus, a
space or void is provided between the outer protective layer 120
and the inner glove 110, which allows the outer protective layer
120 to move independently or "float" above the inner glove 110.
This floating arrangement provides increased hand-movement,
flexibility, and breathability, while also allowing the user to
securely grip a hockey stick, lacrosse stick, or other athletic
equipment.
[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, an exemplary finger
section 130a includes an inner-glove section 110a and an outer
protective layer 120. The inner-glove section 110a includes an
inner-glove top layer 150 connected to an inner-glove palm layer
160 (at an upper seam 250 and a lower seam 260) via an inner gusset
220. In an alternative embodiment, the top layer 150 may be
stitched or sewn directly to the palm layer 160. The inner-glove
section 110a is connected to the outer protective layer 120 via an
outer gusset 190 at the distal end of the finger section 130a. In
one embodiment, the upper edge 230 of the outer gusset 190 is
connected to the outer protective layer 120, while the lower edge
240 of the outer gusset 190 is connected to the inner-glove palm
layer 160 at the lower seam 260. In an alternative embodiment, the
lower edge 240 of the outer gusset 190 may be connected to the
inner-glove top layer 150.
[0023] According to one embodiment, the outer gussets 190 at the
distal end of each finger section 130a include an inelastic portion
270 and an elastic portion 280. The inelastic portion 270 is at the
most distal or fingertip region, and may be made of any suitable
durable material (e.g., leather, suede, or microfiber) to prevent
or minimize separation between the outer protective layer 120 and
the inner glove 110. The elastic portion 280 extends from the
inelastic portion 270 along the medial and lateral sides of the
finger section 130a, and may be made from any suitable elastic or
stretchable material (e.g., Lycra.RTM., latex, or spandex). The
stretchable material allows the outer protective layer 120 to be
closely coupled to the inner glove 110, while also providing some
slack between the two components to facilitate flexing of the
finger sections 130a into a closed or gripping position.
[0024] In one embodiment, the sports glove 100 includes one or more
interconnected, outer wrist pads 290. The outer wrist pads 290 may
be connected to an external surface of the outer protective layer
120 or to the top layer 150 of the inner glove 110. The sports
glove 100 may also include one or more interconnected, inner wrist
pads 300 connected to the palm layer 160 of the inner glove 110.
The connections between the outer and inner wrist pads 290, 300 and
the proximal end of the sports glove 100 (i.e., the proximal end of
the outer protective layer 120, the top layer of the inner glove
150, or the palm layer of the inner glove 160) may be made using a
suitable stretchable material (e.g., elastic, Lycra.RTM., or
neoprene) to allow for wrist flexibility.
[0025] The sports glove 100 may include an adjustable cuff 310 that
provides additional protection and allows the wearer to tighten the
sports glove 100 around the wearer's wrist. In one embodiment, the
adjustable cuff 310 may also serve as an attachment between the
outer protective layer 120 and the inner glove 110.
[0026] The sports glove 100 described herein provides several
advantages. For example, because the inner glove 110 and the outer
protective layer 120 largely move independently of each other, the
sports glove 100 facilitates improved hand-movement, while also
providing a close fit that allows for excellent feel and control of
a hockey stick, lacrosse stick, or other athletic equipment.
Further, because the outer protective layer 120 is spaced from, and
moves independently of, the inner glove 110, the sports glove 100
exhibits excellent breathability and comfort.
[0027] Any of the above-described embodiments may be used alone or
in combination with one another. Further, the sports glove may
include additional features not described herein. While several
embodiments have been shown and described, various changes and
substitutions may of course be made, without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. The invention, therefore, should
not be limited, except by the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *