U.S. patent application number 15/451482 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-13 for protective glove with a wrist guard including an integral cuff.
The applicant listed for this patent is Warrior Sports, Inc.. Invention is credited to Geoffrey P. Frampton, JR., Adam D. Paquette.
Application Number | 20180255849 15/451482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63446292 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180255849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Paquette; Adam D. ; et
al. |
September 13, 2018 |
PROTECTIVE GLOVE WITH A WRIST GUARD INCLUDING AN INTEGRAL CUFF
Abstract
A protective glove includes a hybrid wrist guard with an
integral cuff. The glove can include a hand portion, a cuff portion
joined with the hand portion and defining a cuff opening, and a
wrist guard joined with the hand portion, the wrist guard including
an elongated band and a secondary wrist guard cuff extending
rearward from the elongated band and covering the cuff opening. The
wrist guard can include a wrist guard tertiary backhand panel
extending forward from the elongated band and covering a dorsal
opening defined by the backhand of the hand portion. The wrist
guard provides enhanced flexibility to the glove, particularly
during wrist extension, and can reduce the overall weight of the
glove by combining different structural features in the wrist
guard.
Inventors: |
Paquette; Adam D.; (Royal
Oak, MI) ; Frampton, JR.; Geoffrey P.; (Northville,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Warrior Sports, Inc. |
Warren |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63446292 |
Appl. No.: |
15/451482 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/143
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 19/015 20060101
A41D019/015; A63B 71/14 20060101 A63B071/14; A41D 27/28 20060101
A41D027/28; A41D 19/00 20060101 A41D019/00 |
Claims
1. A protective glove, comprising: a hand portion including a hand
palmar portion and an opposing hand dorsal portion, the hand
portion including a lateral side and a medial side, the hand
portion including a hand portion rearward edge, the hand dorsal
portion defining a dorsal opening spanning from the hand portion
rearward edge toward a finger portion joined with and extending
from the hand portion; a thumb portion joined with and extending
from the hand portion; a first cuff panel extending rearward from
the hand portion substantially only on the lateral side, the first
cuff panel including a first cuff panel forward edge that is
flexibly joined at a first joint with the hand portion rearward
edge; a second cuff panel extending rearward from the hand portion
substantially only on the medial side, the second cuff panel
including a second cuff panel forward edge that is flexibly joined
at a second joint with the hand portion rearward edge at a location
distal from the first joint so that the first cuff panel and second
cuff panel can move independently of one another, the first cuff
panel and second cuff panel define a cuff opening therebetween; and
a wrist guard joined with the hand portion, the wrist guard
including a first elongated band extending toward the lateral side
and covering the first joint, the wrist guard including a second
elongated band extending toward the medial side and covering the
second joint, the wrist guard including central portion between the
first and second elongated bands, the central portion having a
rearward part; a secondary wrist guard cuff extending rearward from
the rearward part of the central portion a first distance over the
cuff opening so that the secondary wrist guard cuff protects a
wrist when the wrist is under the cuff opening.
2. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein the secondary wrist
guard cuff includes a medial side edge and a lateral side edge,
wherein the medial side edge is elastically joined with an interior
edge of the second cuff panel, wherein the lateral side edge is
elastically joined with an interior edge of the first cuff
panel.
3. The protective glove of claim 2, wherein the medial side edge is
joined with the interior edge of the second cuff panel via an
elastic strap.
4. The protective glove of claim 1, comprising a floating cuff
disposed under the first cuff panel, the second cuff panel and the
secondary wrist guard cuff.
5. The protective glove of claim 1, comprising: a tertiary backhand
panel extending from a forward edge of the wrist guard, opposite
the secondary wrist guard cuff, wherein the tertiary backhand panel
extends over and at least partially covers the dorsal opening.
6. The protective glove of claim 4, wherein the secondary wrist
guard cuff includes a medial side edge and a lateral side edge,
wherein the medial side edge and lateral side edge are each
disposed closer to a longitudinal axis of the glove than the first
cuff panel and the second cuff panel.
7. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein the wrist guard
includes a plurality of pads covered by a common cover, wherein the
secondary wrist guard cuff includes a secondary pad, separately and
independently constructed from the plurality of pads, wherein the
cover extends rearward over the secondary pad.
8. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein the secondary wrist
guard cuff is joined with the rearward part of the central portion
of the wrist guard at an articulating joint configured to enable
the secondary wrist guard cuff to articulate downward upon
extension of a wrist of a wearer of the glove.
9. A protective glove, comprising: a hand portion including a
rearward edge and a backhand portion defining a dorsal opening; a
cuff portion joined with the hand portion along a joint at the
rearward edge, the cuff portion including first and second cuff
panels separated from one another by a cuff opening in the cuff
portion; a wrist guard joined with the hand portion, the wrist
guard having an elongated band portion extending substantially
around a wrist portion of the hand portion, a secondary wrist guard
cuff extending rearward from the elongated band portion and
covering the cuff opening in the cuff portion and configured to
thereby protect a wrist of a wearer lying directly under the
secondary wrist guard cuff, the wrist guard including a wrist guard
tertiary backhand panel extending forward from the elongated band
portion and covering the dorsal opening.
10. The protective glove of claim 9, wherein the hand portion
includes a binding that extends forward from the rearward edge,
wherein the binding connects a lateral backhand pad and a medial
backhand pad, the lateral backhand pad and medial backhand pad
being separated by the dorsal opening.
11. The protective glove of claim 10, wherein the binding is
secured to the wrist guard between the lateral backhand portion and
the medial backhand portion.
12. The protective glove of claim 11, wherein the hand portion
includes no pads over the dorsal opening between the lateral
backhand portion and the medial backhand portion, wherein the wrist
guard tertiary backhand panel of the wrist cuff is the only element
covering the dorsal opening.
13. The protective glove of claim 9, wherein the first cuff panel
includes a first cuff panel forward edge that is flexibly joined at
a first joint with a hand portion rearward edge of the hand
portion, wherein the second cuff panel includes a second cuff panel
forward edge that is flexibly joined at a second joint with the
hand portion rearward edge of the hand portion, wherein the wrist
guard covers the first joint and the second joint and a binding
extending between the first joint and the second joint.
14. A protective glove, comprising: a hand portion; a finger
portion joined with the hand portion; a cuff portion joined with
the hand portion along a joint, the cuff portion including a
forward edge and a rearward edge, the cuff portion defining a cuff
opening extending from the forward edge to the rearward edge; and a
wrist guard joined with the hand portion, the wrist guard including
an elongated band portion and a secondary wrist guard cuff
extending rearward from the elongated band portion and covering the
cuff opening, wherein the secondary wrist guard cuff extends from
adjacent the joint to the rearward edge so that the secondary wrist
guard cuff, first cuff panel and second cuff panel cooperatively
protect a wrist of a wearer lying directly under the secondary
wrist guard cuff, the first cuff panel and the second cuff panel,
wherein the secondary wrist guard cuff does not substantially
overlap the first cuff panel or the second cuff panel adjacent the
cuff opening.
15. The protective glove of claim 14, wherein the hand portion
defines a dorsal opening; wherein the wrist guard includes a wrist
guard tertiary backhand panel extending forward from the elongated
band portion and covering the dorsal opening.
16. The protective glove of claim 15, wherein the wrist guard
tertiary backhand panel is joined with an upper dorsal pad, wherein
the wrist guard tertiary backhand panel extends at least half a
distance between the elongated band and the upper dorsal pad.
17. The protective glove of claim 14, wherein the cuff portion
includes first and second cuff panels that are attached to the
secondary wrist guard cuff via at least one elastic strap.
18. The protective glove of claim 15, wherein the first cuff panel
includes a first interior edge, wherein the second cuff panel
includes a second interior edge, wherein the first interior edge is
anchored to the secondary wrist guard cuff with a first elastic
strap and the second interior edge is anchored to the secondary
wrist guard cuff with a second elastic strap.
19. The protective glove of claim 14, wherein the secondary wrist
guard cuff is a trapezoidal shape with a forward portion adjacent
the elongated band portion and a rearward portion, that is wider
than the forward portion, distal from the elongated band
portion.
20. The protective glove of claim 15, wherein the cuff portion
includes a lateral first cuff panel and a medial second cuff panel,
wherein the lateral first cuff panel includes a first width,
wherein the medial second cuff panel includes a second width,
wherein the first width is less than the second width.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to protective equipment, and
more particularly to a protective glove having a wrist guard having
an integral rearward extending cuff that cooperates with spaced
apart cuff panels to provide enhanced flexibility and protection,
and to promote ergonomic movement.
[0002] In many contact sports, such as lacrosse and hockey, sticks
are elements of the game. A player's hands, wrists, and lower arms
are vulnerable to minor and sometimes significant 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 of the sport.
[0003] An issue with most padded sports gloves, however, is that
they can impede natural movement of the hand and wrist, thereby
making stick control difficult, and in some cases not as
fine-tuned. This movement impairment is particularly prevalent in
some gloves having wrist "tri-cuffs." Tri-cuffs usually include
three pads, with two pads overlapping and covering a third pad.
These three pads collectively overlay the upper part of a user's
wrist, and that are attached directly to the back hand of the
glove. These tri-cuffs provide decent mobility during wrist flexion
and extension; however, because the tri-cuff moves with the back of
the glove, it might not provide maximum protection to a wearer's
wrist when the wrist is flexed forward. In such a case, the exposed
wrist can be struck by a stick.
[0004] The tri-cuff and its movement also can be complicated by a
wrist guard associated with the glove, located where the tri-cuff
and hand portion of the glove meet over the wrist. This wrist guard
usually is of a uniform thickness or width from end to end. In some
cases, when the tri-cuff is extended or bent forward during
flexion, the wrist guard binds against it, making the glove feel
rigid so movement of the wrist and hand is impaired. Thus, while
conventional tri-cuffs and wrist guards provide enhanced
protection, they also can reduce wrist mobility and can impair
efficient stick handling in some cases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a glove including a hybrid
wrist guard having an integral rearward extending wrist guard cuff
that cooperates with adjacent, spaced apart cuff panels to provide
enhanced flexibility and protection, and to promote ergonomic
movement.
[0006] In one embodiment, the glove can include a hand portion
joined with a cuff portion. The cuff portion can define a cuff
opening between spaced apart cuff panels. The wrist guard can be
joined with the hand portion, and can include an elongated band and
a secondary wrist guard cuff extending rearward from the elongated
band and covering at least a portion of the cuff opening.
[0007] In another embodiment, the wrist guard can include a
tertiary pad extending forward from the elongated band. The
tertiary pad can cover a dorsal opening defined by the backhand of
the hand portion. With this construction, a part of the wrist guard
can cover the backhand, negating additional material and padding in
the hand portion backhand.
[0008] In another embodiment, the glove, and in particular, the
cuff portion can include a first cuff panel and a second cuff
panel, distal from one another, and extending rearward from a
rearward edge of the hand portion. The first and second cuff panels
can be disposed opposite one another, across a longitudinal axis of
the glove, on respective lateral and medial sides of the glove, and
across the cuff opening from one another. These cuff panels can
cooperate with the secondary wrist guard cuff to form a complete
cuff pad covering the rear of a wearer's wrist.
[0009] The glove of the current embodiments, with its hybrid wrist
guard having an integral secondary wrist guard cuff, provides
enhanced flexibility to a wearer of the glove, particularly during
wrist extension, and can be configured to ride up a wearer's
forearm during such wrist extension to provide increased coverage
of the forearm. In addition, the hybrid wrist guard can provide a
minimal amount of padding about wrist, yet still provide enhanced
protection, flexibility and mobility to the wrist.
[0010] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by
reference to the description of the current embodiment and the
drawings.
[0011] Before the embodiments of the invention 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of a dorsal side of a glove including a
hybrid wrist guard according to a current embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a palmar side of the glove;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of a medial side of the glove, while
the glove is in a neutral mode;
[0015] FIG. 4 is side view of a lateral side of the glove, while
the glove is in a neutral mode;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the glove and its interior;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the glove when in an extended
mode;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the glove when in the extended
mode;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the glove when the
glove is in a flexed mode; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a side view of the glove when in the flexed
mode.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENTS
[0021] A protective glove in accordance with a current embodiment
is illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 and generally designated 10. While the
drawings are illustrative of a left hand glove, the current
embodiments can be incorporated into a right hand glove, which is
generally a mirrored version of the left hand glove. Additionally,
the glove 10 as illustrated is designed for use in the game of
lacrosse, however, the glove can be used in a variety of other
sports or other activities, such as ice or field hockey, or any
other activity where a user may move their hand about their wrist,
optionally in the process of manipulating a game stick or other
grasped item. For example, the glove can be incorporated into
protective gear used by law enforcement, military or in other
occupational or commercial endeavors.
[0022] The description of the glove 10 can be aided by brief
discussion of anatomy and movement of a hand, wrist and forearm.
Generally, as used herein, the wrist can refer to the wrist and/or
the lower forearm. The wrist can include a posterior side, a
lateral side, a medial side and an anterior side, as defined by
conventional anatomy. The hand itself of a wearer can generally
include fingers and a thumb. The hand can be delineated into a
dorsal side, that is, the back of the hand, a palmar side, that is,
the front or palm of the hand, an ulnar side, which corresponds to
the side of the hand near which the ulna bone in the forearm is
disposed, and a radial side, which corresponds to the side of the
hand near which the radius bone in the forearm is disposed.
Generally, the wearer's wrist can flex and extend to and from a
neutral position. An example of a wrist in a neutral mode with the
glove on a wearer is shown in FIG. 3, while an extended mode of the
wrist is shown in FIG. 6, and a flexed mode of the glove is
illustrated in FIG. 9. Varying degrees of the neutral mode, the
flexed mode and the extended mode are possible.
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protective glove 10 can
include a hand portion 11 which can be configured to enclose
different portions of the hand, such as the palmar side, dorsal
side, ulnar side, radial side and/or fingers of the wearer when the
glove is applied to the hand. The protective glove 10 can include a
back portion 12 and a palm portion 14, between which an interior
space adapted to receive a wearer's hand is defined. The back
portion 12 can be configured so that it is generally adjacent a
dorsal side of the wearer's hand when the hand is inserted into the
glove, while the palmar portion 14 of the glove can be adjacent a
palmar side of the hand when the hand is inserted into the glove.
The back portion 12 and its various components generally can be
referred to as the hand dorsal portion of the glove.
[0024] The hand dorsal portion 12 optionally can include multiple
protective elements 17, which can be in the form of padded portions
secured thereto that provide padding and protection to a wearer's
hand. The protective portions can be constructed of one or more
layers of foam, polyurethane, polymers or other suitable materials.
These individual protective portions can further be covered with a
covering such as leather, plastic or other material to protect any
internal foam or other padding therein. The multiple protective
portions 17 can be sewn to a protective outer material such as a
cloth, spandex or the like. Each of the protective portions 17 can
define one or more flex lines there between, which allow the glove,
and in particular, the hand dorsal portion, to move as the wearer's
hand moves to provide a better fit and comfort during play. Flex
lines could take on a variety of different configurations and
placements as desired.
[0025] The hand dorsal portion can include upper dorsal pads 17U
that are located at an upper end of the dorsal portion of the
glove, optionally adjacent and transitioning to the finger portions
13. These upper dorsal pads can be located immediately below the
finger joint 13J, which is where the fingers can flex relative to
the hand portion 11. The upper dorsal pads can extend downward from
adjacent the finger joint toward the cuff 40. Optionally, the upper
dorsal pads can terminate at about 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2 the length L of
the hand portion down from the finger joint.
[0026] The hand dorsal portion 12 also can include lateral dorsal
pads 17L and medial dorsal pads 17M, which cooperate with the upper
dorsal pads 17U to cover a portion of the hand dorsal portion of
the glove. The dorsal hand portion 12 and these components in
general can cooperatively define a dorsal opening DO in the
backhand. This dorsal opening can be a complete through hole in the
backhand of the glove such that no part of the dorsal portion, for
example, its pads, covers the dorsal portion of a hand of a wearer
donning the glove. As explained below, a portion of the wrist guard
can cover all or part of the dorsal opening DO to cover and protect
the underlying dorsal side of the wearer's hand. Optionally, where
that portion of the wrist guard is not present, or there are
openings or apertures between that portion of the wrist guard and
other parts of the dorsal hand portion, the dorsal side of a
wearer's hand is exposed, unconcealed and in plain view when the
glove is on the wearer's hand.
[0027] The dorsal opening can include one or more widths W1, W2.
Width W1 can be a width closer to the wrist guard 50 than width W2,
which can be closer to the upper dorsal pads. Width W1 can be less
than, the same as or greater than width W2, depending on the
application and the desired shape of the dorsal opening. As shown,
width W1 is less than width W2.
[0028] Openings or apertures in the backhand can form one or more
vents, for example, V1, V2 and V3. These vents or openings can
enable air to circulate freely into and out from the wearer's hand
thereby providing a cooling effect to improve comfort during
extended periods of play. The shape and number of vents of course
can vary, and can be formed between and/or within different
components. For example, vent V1 can be formed in the tertiary cuff
portion 53 of the wrist guard 50; vent V2 can be formed between the
tertiary cuff portion 53 and the lateral dorsal pad 17L; and the
vent V3 can be formed between the tertiary cuff portion 53 and the
medial dorsal pad 17M.
[0029] Optionally, the backhand of the dorsal portion 12 of the
hand portion 11 can be outfitted with a particular type of padding
that can reduce hyperextension of the wrist. Such a construction is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,769,720 to Aoki, entitle "Lacrosse
Glove," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0030] The hand portion 12 can include optional finger portions 13
as mentioned above, which can correspond to the number of fingers
on a user's hand. The number of finger portions can vary depending
on the particular sport and/or activity. In addition, although
shown with a thumb portion 15, which generally encloses or houses a
thumb, the glove can be void of this thumb portion in certain
applications.
[0031] The glove 10 can define a longitudinal axis LA which is best
shown in FIG. 1. The longitudinal axis LA can bisect the glove 10
down its center. On one side of the longitudinal axis LA is a
medial side M, which can correspond to a medial side of the
wearer's wrist when the glove is worn by the wearer. Opposite the
medial side is a lateral side L, which can correspond to a lateral
side of a wearer's wrist. The length L of the hand portion can be
measured along this longitudinal axis. The widths W1 and W2 of the
dorsal opening DO can be measured perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the hand portion 11 is joined with a
cuff portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the hand portion 12 can
define a rearward edge 12R. This hand portion rearward edge 12R can
generally extend and/or circumferentiate the wearer's hand and/or
wrist when the glove is worn. The rearward edge 12R can form
portions of different parts of the hand portion 12. For example,
the rearward edge 12R can form an end of the dorsal hand portion of
the glove, the palmar hand portion of the glove, as well as lateral
and medial portions 17M and 17L of the glove.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the rearward edge 12R of the hand dorsal
portion can be in the form of or can include a binding 12B. This
binding can secure ends of pads, covers and other materials in the
respective parts of the hand portion. This binding can include a
piece of material that is wrapped, stitched, glued or otherwise
fastened to, abutted and/or overlapped ends the respective dorsal
hand portion parts. The binding can extend forward from and
generally wrap around or be placed adjacent the rearward edge 12R.
The binding optionally can connect the lateral backhand pad 12L and
a medial backhand pad 12M across a portion of the dorsal opening
DO. The binding 12B optionally can be the only element connecting
the pads 12M and 12L at the lowermost part of the dorsal opening
DO. In this case, the binding can also form a support member to
maintain the dimensions and structure of the dorsal portion of the
hand portion of the glove. In some cases, the binding can span
across the dorsal opening with other remnants or portions of
materials, such as parts of covers, pads, foam or fabrics of the
dorsal backhand. In this case, these other elements can add to the
support provided by the binding. Further, the binding 12B in the
region between the lateral and medial backhand pads can form a
connecting bridge between these elements and other elements of the
glove depending on the application and precise location of the
binding.
[0034] Optionally, the binding also can serve as an anchor point on
the dorsal hand portion for the wrist guard 50. For example, the
wrist guard 50 can be tethered to the binding 12B via an elastic
anchor strap 12AS. This strap can be elastic, and can extend from
the portion of the binding located between the lateral and medial
backhand pads, to the underside or interior facing surface of the
wrist guard 50 as shown in FIG. 5. Of course, in some cases, the
elastic strap can overlap the binding where the binding overlaps
the medial and lateral backhand pads.
[0035] As mentioned above, the hand portion is joined with the cuff
portion 40. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the glove 10 can include
first 41 and second 42 cuff panels joined with the hand portion 11.
These panels can be joined with the hand portion rearward edge 12R
of, and in particular, portions of the rearward edge that extend to
the lateral 12L and medial 12M parts of the glove 10. The first and
second cuff panels can be similar in size, connection and
dimension. The first cuff panel 41, also referred to as the lateral
cuff panel, can be disposed on a lateral side L of the glove, while
the second cuff panel 42, also referred to as a medial cuff panel,
can be disposed on the medial side M of the glove, distal from the
first cuff panel. The cuff panels optionally can be unattached to
one another, and only attached to the hand portion, for example,
the rearward edge 12R or biding 12B.
[0036] Optionally, the second cuff panel 42 can be dimensioned
slightly larger than the first cuff panel due to the placement of
the second cuff panel on the medial side M of the wrist. This
location on the medial side M of the wrist, under the thumb, can
generally be subject to increased number of slashes and/or hits by
an opponent's stick, as that thumb side or medial side 12M of a
glove more frequently faces upward than the lower side 12L of the
glove during maneuvering of a game stick. In some cases, the second
cuff panel optionally can be 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or greater in
size than the first cuff panel. In some cases, the first cuff panel
can be eliminated altogether. If desired, both cuff panels can be
absent from the glove.
[0037] Generally, the components of the first cuff panel 41 and
second cuff panel 42 can be similar and/or identical, and therefore
only the first cuff panel will be described in further detail here.
To begin, the first cuff panel again generally is disposed on the
lateral side of the wrist L when the glove is donned by a wearer,
while the second cuff panel is disposed on the medial side of the
wrist M when the glove is donned by the wearer. As shown in FIGS.
5-7, the first cuff panel can include a first cuff panel exterior
41E and a first cuff panel interior 411. Likewise, the second cuff
panel 42 can include an exterior 42E and an interior 421. The
exteriors 41E and 42E of the respective panels can face outward and
form visible outer surfaces of the cuff portion 40, which can be
unconcealed by other elements of the glove. The interior 411 of the
cuff elements can face inward toward the wearer's wrist W as shown
in FIG. 7.
[0038] Returning to FIGS. 5 and 7, the first cuff panel 41 can
include a first cuff panel interior edge 43, and the second cuff
panel can include a second cuff panel interior edge 44. This
interior edge 43 of the first cuff panel can transition or project
toward the hand portion 11, and more particularly, the rearward
edge 12R and/or binding 12B of the hand portion 11. Likewise, the
interior edge 44 of the second cuff panel can transition and can
extend toward the rearward edge 12R of the hand portion 11.
Collectively and cooperatively, the rearward edge 12R and/or
binding 12B, first cuff panel interior edge 43 and second cuff
panel interior edge 44 can define a cuff opening CO as shown in
FIG. 1. More generally, the first cuff panel 41 and second cuff
panel 42 of the cuff 40 can define the cuff opening therebetween.
This opening optionally can be unoccupied by any portion of the
dedicated cuff panels 41, 42.
[0039] In some embodiments, the glove can include a floating cuff
30. The floating cuff 30 can be disposed immediately under the
first and second cuff panels. Optionally, the floating cuff can be
similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,636,951 to Morrow et
al, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The
floating cuff can be interposed on a wrist of the wearer, located
generally between the cuff portion 40 and the wearer's wrist W.
Optionally, the floating cuff can extend under the cuff opening CO,
as well as the cuff panels and secondary wrist guard cuff.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, the first and second cuff panels 41 and
42 can extend rearward and terminate at a respective first panel
rear edge 41R and a second panel rear edge 42R. These rear edges
can form the limits or rearmost boundaries of the cuff panels.
Opposite the respective rear edges can be a connecting edge 41C of
the first cuff panel and a second connecting edge 42C of the second
cuff panel 42. These connecting or forward edges or portions edges
can be bound, stitched, fused, welded, glued or otherwise attached
to the hand portion, for example the rearward edge 12R of the hand
portion and/or the binding 12B. These connecting edges 41C and 42C
can be connected to the rearward edge 12R or binding 12B distal
from one another and disposed primarily on the respective medial M
and lateral L sides of the wrist. Optionally, the connecting edges
are not joined with the binding 12B in the location that it forms a
connecting bridge between the lateral and medial dorsal pads.
Further optionally, the connecting edges can be flexibly joined
with the hand portion so as to form a first lateral joint 41LJ
between the first cuff panel and the hand portion, and to form a
second medial joint 42MJ between the second cuff panel and the hand
portion. With these joints, the panels can be flexible relative to
the hand portion. For example, the cuff panels can fold, freely
hinge or move relative to the hand portion about respective pivot
axes or folding regions of the respective joints. These joints can
be bolstered with extra material if desired to withstand the
multiple bending actions during the life of the glove.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first and second cuff panels
41 and 42 can be separated from one another approximately the width
of the cuff opening CO. For example, near the binding 12B, the cuff
panels 41, 42 can be separated by a first width W3 of the cuff
opening from one another at their inner edges 43, 44. Near the rear
edges 41R and 42R, these panels can be separated from one by a
second width W4 of the cuff opening from one another at their inner
edges 43, 44. The second width can be greater than the first width,
or optionally the same as or less than the first width. These first
and second cuff panels can be dedicated to primarily protecting the
lateral side L and medial side M of the wrist respectively, without
substantially extending upward over the posterior 201 of the
wearer's wrist W. Again, this is because the floating cuff 40 can
cooperate with the wrist guard 50 as described below to offer
substantial protection, without the aid of other panels, pads or
protective layers.
[0042] As mentioned above, the glove 10 also includes a hybrid
wrist guard 50. The wrist guard can be disposed adjacent the hand
portion 11 and adjacent the cuff portion 40, optionally straddling
both of those portions. The wrist guard 50 can further be
positioned so that it covers the rearward edge 12R and binding 12B
of the glove. The wrist guard can include an elongated band 55.
This band can include a forward edge 55F and a rearward edge 55R.
The band 55 can be configured to include a first elongated band 51
extending toward the lateral side L and optionally covering the
first joint 41LJ, and a second elongated band 52 extending toward
the medial side M and optionally covering the second joint 42MJ. In
some applications, the first and second elongated bands can be
formed from separately and independently constructed pads that are
disposed in a common cover disposed over the bands.
[0043] Optionally, the band 55 can circumferentiate optionally at
least 40%, further optionally at least 50%, and even further
optionally at least 60% or more of a wearer's wrist. The ends of
the first and second band portions can be secured to the hand
portion 11 with a fastening element 55F. This fastening element can
be in the form of an elastic strap, a fabric web, a hook-and-loop
fastener, such as Velcro.TM., buttons, latches, strings or the
like. Where the fastening element is an elastic strap, it can be
elastic or stretchable enough to enable the wrist guard to float
over the backhand yet stay generally centered over the user's
wrist.
[0044] The band 55 or the wrist guard 50 can also include a central
portion 53. This central portion can be disposed between the ends
of the first and second elongated bands 51, 52, and/or can be
incorporated into the respective first and second elongated bands.
The central portion 53 can include a rearward part 53R, which can
coincide or be aligned with a portion of the rearward edge 55R of
the band. The wrist guard 50 can include a secondary wrist guard
cuff 54 extending rearward from the rearward part of the central
portion 53. The secondary wrist guard cuff 54 can be joined with
the rearward part 55R of the central portion of the wrist guard at
an articulating joint configured to enable the secondary wrist
guard cuff 54 to articulate downward upon extension and flexion of
a wrist of a wearer of the glove 10. This joint can be the result
of the pads of the elongated band being separately and
independently constructed from a pad that is included in the
secondary wrist guard cuff. Further, the cover over the elongated
band pads and the secondary wrist guard cuff pads can be flexible
or thinned where the secondary wrist guard cuff is joined to the
band at the joint, so as to promote the flexibility of the cuff
relative to the band.
[0045] The secondary wrist guard cuff 54 can extend a first
distance D1 out and over or into the cuff opening CO so that the
secondary wrist guard cuff substantially fills or covers that cuff
opening. Generally, the cuff opening can be of a length L2, and the
distance D1 can be greater than the length L2. In turn, this
secondary wrist guard cuff can protect a wrist when the wrist is
under the cuff opening CO.
[0046] The secondary wrist guard cuff 54 can include a medial side
edge 54M and a lateral side edge 54L, on the respective lateral L
and medial M sides of the axis LA. These side edges can be closer
to the longitudinal axis than the first and second cuff panels in
some cases. In others, these elements can be the same distance from
the longitudinal axis. Optionally, these side edges can be
substantially parallel to the outermost lateral and medial
boundaries of the cuff opening so as to adequately and cleanly
cover the same. Further, the width of the secondary wrist guard
cuff can be greater than the respective widths of the cuff opening
in corresponding locations. For example, near the rear edge of the
wrist guard cuff 54, the width of that cuff 54 can be greater than
the width W4 of cuff opening CO when the glove is in a neutral
mode. Near the forward edge of the wrist guard cuff, the width of
the cuff can be greater than the width W3 of cuff opening CO of the
opening when the glove is in a neutral mode.
[0047] The secondary wrist guard cuff 54 medial side edge 54M and a
lateral side edge 54L can be tethered or anchored to the first and
second cuff panels in some applications. For example, as shown in
FIG. 5, the medial side edge 54M can be elastically coupled to the
interior edge of the second cuff panel 42 via an elastic element,
such as a second elastic strap 42S. The lateral side edge 54L can
be elastically coupled to the interior edge of the first cuff panel
41 via an elastic element, such as a first elastic strap 41S. These
elastic straps can be tethered to the respective cuff panels at the
seams of the respective cuff panels and secondary wrist guard cuff
if desired.
[0048] The secondary wrist guard cuff 54 can be disposed and
movable within the cuff opening CO. Optionally, the secondary wrist
guard cuff 54 substantially fills the cuff opening, spanning from
the first cuff panel interior edge 43 to the second cuff panel
interior edge 44. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, neither the first cuff
panel nor the second cuff panel substantially overlaps the
secondary wrist guard cuff 54. In this manner, the wrist guard cuff
is free to move upward and bend, as shown in FIG. 8, thereby
facilitating mostly free extension of the wrist without the wrist
guard cuff engaging or being bound or impeded in its movements by
the respective first cuff panel 41 and/or second cuff panel 42. In
some cases, during the upward extension as further described below,
these first and second cuff panels will flex outward away from the
longitudinal axis LA of the glove to permit the desired amount of
extension and/or flexion of the wrist.
[0049] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, the secondary wrist guard
cuff 54 can form an uppermost or highest protective layer covering
a posterior side 201 of a wearer's wrist W. This secondary wrist
guard cuff can be uncovered or not overlapped above the posterior
side 201 of the wearer's wrist W by any other additional padding
layers or protective layers. The secondary wrist guard cuff,
however, can itself extend over an underlying floating cuff 30, if
the same is included in the glove.
[0050] The respective edges of the secondary wrist guard cuff 54
and the first and second cuff panels 41, 42 can be oriented so that
they abut or are adjacent one another, with the secondary wrist
guard cuff slightly covering or disposed over the interior edges of
the cuff panels when the glove is in the neutral mode as shown in
FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. When these components, that is, the cuff panels
and the secondary wrist guard cuff move during flexion and/or
extension of the wrist, the respective panels move relative to one
another as further described below to provide the desired mobility
of the wrist W.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the wrist guard 50 can
include and/or be joined with a wrist guard tertiary backhand panel
56 extending from the forward edge 55F of the band 55. This
tertiary backhand panel 56 can be located adjacent and connected to
a forward portion of the central portion 53. The panel itself can
be flexibly coupled to the central panel of band so that the panel
can flex and move with the glove. The wrist guard tertiary backhand
panel can be disposed on the central portion 53, opposite the
secondary wrist guard cuff 54 extending from the rear edge of the
band.
[0052] Generally, the tertiary backhand panel 56 extends over and
at least partially covers the dorsal opening DO. In the glove 10,
there optionally are no pads of the hand portion or the associated
dorsal portion that extend over the dorsal opening between the
lateral backhand portion 17L and the medial backhand portion 17M.
Put another way, the tertiary backhand panel 56 of the wrist cuff
optionally can be the only element covering all or a substantial
portion of the dorsal opening.
[0053] The wrist guard tertiary backhand panel 56 can include a
first end 56A joined with the front edge 55F, and a second end 55B
joined with or adjacent the upper dorsal pads 17U. The tertiary
backhand panel 56 thus is generally disposed between the elongated
band 55 and the upper dorsal pads 17U. The tertiary backhand panel
can extend at least half a distance D3 between the elongated band
and the upper dorsal pad as shown. In other applications, the
tertiary backhand panel can extend optionally at least 3/4, further
optionally at least %, even further optionally 1/3, yet further
optionally 1/4 or other proportions of the distance D3.
[0054] As mentioned above, the tertiary backhand panel can define
one or more vent openings, for example, vent opening V1, which
extends completely through that panel. Of course, in some cases,
the vent openings can be covered with a breathable material such as
mesh or a fabric. The lateral 56L and medial 56M edges of the
tertiary backhand panel can be separated from the lateral and
medial backhand pads 17L and 17M respectively. In turn, this can
form additional vent openings V2 and V3 in the dorsal portion of
the hand. Generally, these openings can be contiguous with and/or
overlap the dorsal opening DO.
[0055] As shown, the tertiary backhand panel can include one or
more pads therein, that are covered by a cover of material. The
pads in this panel can be separately constructed from and
independent from the pads of the band and/or the secondary wrist
guard cuff. Of course, in some cases, all of the pads can be
contiguous and integral, formed as a single pad.
[0056] As mentioned above, the hybrid wrist guard 50 and the glove
10 in general are operable in a neutral mode, an extended mode and
a flexed mode. These modes correspond to the neutral position of
the wrist, the extended position of the wrist and the flexed
position of the wrist. In the neutral mode, shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and
4, when the glove is on the wearer's hand, the hybrid wrist guard
50 generally encircles the wearer's wrist W. The secondary wrist
guard cuff 54 extends rearward from the band 55, and is disposed on
or over the posterior 201 of the wearer's wrist. The secondary
wrist guard cuff in this configuration operates to cover a majority
if not all of the cuff opening CO in the cuff portion 40. Indeed,
this wrist guard cuff 54, in combination with the lateral and
medial cuff panels 41 and 42, generally form the cuff portion
40.
[0057] The lateral and medial cuff panels 41 and 42 flank the
secondary wrist guard cuff 54, and are disposed on the respective
lateral 203 and medial 204 sides of the wrist W. In this neutral
mode, the lateral 54L and medial 54M side edges of the secondary
wrist guard cuff 54 can be disposed adjacent the interior edges 43,
44 of the respective lateral and medial cuff panels 41 and 42.
Indeed, these edges can slightly overlap the exterior surfaces of
these panels in this configuration. Further, in this configuration,
the lateral edge 54L can form an acute angle A with the rear edge
55R of the band 55, and the medial edge 54M can form another acute
angle B with the rear edge 55R of the band 55. These acute angles
optionally can be less than 90.degree., further optionally less
than 85.degree., even further optionally less than 80.degree., and
yet further optionally less than 75.degree.. Of course, in some
cases the angles can be obtuse or right angles, depending on the
configuration of the band and/or the secondary wrist guard
cuff.
[0058] The glove 10 can transition from a neutral mode shown in
FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 to an extended mode shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. There,
the wrist is extended upward so that the hand moves upward as well.
In this manner, the orientation of the hand relative to the wrist
and forearm changes. When the hand moves to the extended position
as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cuff 54 moves relative to the hand
portion 11 of the glove. As an example, the secondary wrist guard
cuff angles or rotates upward to an angle D relative to the wrist W
or the floating cuff 30. Generally, even when so rotated up, the
cuff 54 covers a substantial portion of the cuff opening. In this
extended mode, the cuff 54 may move away from the lateral and
medial cuff panels 41, 42, as well as the optional floating cuff
30. The elastic straps, where included, can optionally stretch, yet
can maintain the orientation of these elements, and prevent them
from separating completely. This can maintain adequate protection
of the wrist via the cuff portion 40. During this flexing, the
tertiary panel 56 extending from the forward edge of the band 55
also maintains coverage of the dorsal opening DO.
[0059] The glove 10 also can transition from the neutral mode to
the flexed mode shown in FIGS. 8-9. As shown there, when the wrist
W flexes, the secondary wrist guard cuff 54 remains on the wearer's
wrist, encircling it and protecting it, and in particular, the
posterior 201 of the wearer's wrist. In this configuration, the
first cuff panel 41 and second cuff panel 42 can flex or
dynamically move slightly outward a distance D5. The amount of
outward movement the distance D5 can be limited by the elastic
straps 41S and 42S, which can prevent the cuff panels from opening
too large a gap between one another. With this optional outward
movement of the respective first and second cuff panels, movement
of the wrist guard cuff 54 is relatively free.
[0060] In the flexed mode, the wrist guard can also move in other
ways. For example, as mentioned above the wrist guard includes the
tertiary panel 56 extending over the dorsal opening DO. In the
flexed mode, shown in FIG. 9, the secondary wrist guard cuff can be
pushed forward slightly by the wearer's wrist. This in turn can
cause the band 55 to move slightly forward in direction P as well.
Because the band 55 is joined with the tertiary panel 56, it can
move that panel. For example, the band can push on the rearward
part of the panel 56. Because the forward part of the panel is
fixed to the upper dorsal pads 17U, the tertiary backhand panel 56
can be configured to arch upward in direction N over the dorsal
opening. This in turn further opens up the vent holes V2 and V3 on
the sides. With this motion, the tertiary backhand panel can enable
the wrist to flex more than with a rigid, stationary backhand set
of panels, thereby improving mobility of the wrist and hand, all
while the wrist guard tertiary panel 56 maintaining protection over
the dorsal opening DO.
[0061] Directional terms, such as "vertical," "horizontal," "top,"
"bottom," "upper," "lower," "inner," "inwardly," "outer" and
"outwardly," are used to assist in describing the invention based
on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations.
The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the
invention to any specific orientation(s).
[0062] 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
any number of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y,
Z.
* * * * *