Article to protect thumb

The present invention is an article for supporting a thumb in a glove or sports glove having a circular main body, said body defining a thumb insertion cavity; a double curved surface of said body, said double curve having a first major curve being a concave curve surface portion, said concave curve terminating in and coupled with a convex curve surface portion; a support platform, generally on an upper edge of said main body; and a knuckle support, extending upward from said support platform; said article constructed and arranged such that the most distal thumb knuckle extends above a top ridge of said knuckle support.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

In baseball the position of catcher is one that requires a particularly elevated amount of skill. The catcher actually catches the baseball approximately 100 times or more in a given nine-inning game. This amount of catching a baseball thrown by a pitcher at elevated velocities presents particular physical difficulties for the catcher. Protective equipment has developed and evolved through the years. Most noteworthy is the appearance of the large padded catcher's glove. The catcher's glove formed with additional padding to protect the catcher's hand when catching baseballs thrown at high velocity. Although there have been great strides to provide protective equipment to protect a catcher, injuries at this position are still amongst the highest in any other position in baseball. One particular area of injury are injuries to the thumb on the catching hand. Although the catcher's mitt has additional padding around the thumb, ball of the thumb, and palm areas, there still are injuries caused by the movement of the thumb in directions that are adverse to normal anatomical motion. A great need exists to provide protection for the thumb while not interfering with the motion of the thumb. In the sport of soccer, it is common for the goalkeeper to wear a glove that prevents the four fingers (other than the thumb) from extending and bending in a backward or dorsal direction away from the palm of the hand. However, such a glove would not help in baseball because the thumb has such a wide degree of motion and the motion is required for the proper playing of the catcher position. Therefore, there is a need for some type of protective equipment that will protect the thumb from adverse movement and still allow a catcher to properly play the position.

Although the present invention was initially developed with baseball in mind, the invention is equally applicable to all sports where a glove is worn and particular degrees of thumb movement require protection. This would include, but not be limited to, hockey/soccer goalies, cricket, and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the need for a protective piece of equipment by providing movement of the thumb to a particular degree. The catcher will still be able to wear the article of the present invention and move the thumb as needed. However, movement of the thumb in a plane that is formed with the palm of a hand (this being referred to an “X” plane) will still be allowed to some extent. The article of the present invention will prevent a hyperextension of the thumb of in the “X” plane when the thumb is moving in an abduction movement. This being a radial abduction movement. As referred to herein, the “Z” plane is the plane substantially perpendicular to the “X” plane.

In one embodiment, the article of the present invention is constructed of a single unitary piece.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article for supporting a thumb in a baseball glove, sports glove, work glove, and the like, said article comprising:

a circular, said body defining a thumb insertion cavity;

a double curved surface of said body, said double curve having a first major curve being a concave curve surface portion, said concave curve terminating in and coupled with a convex curve surface portion;

a support platform;

a knuckle support;

said article constructed and arranged such that the most distal thumb knuckle extends above a top ridge of said knuckle support;

The article is preferably formed of a rigid material such as plastic or similar materials.

When the article is worn on the thumb of a user, radial abduction of said thumb is restricted by said article.

In one embodiment, when wearing the article, radial abduction of the thumb is restricted to an angle 80° or less, relative to an adjacent index finger, when the index finger is in a natural or extension position extending outward from a palm of a hand.

However, when the article is on the thumb of the user, palmer abduction of the thumb is substantially unrestricted.

Furthermore, when worn on the thumb, adduction of the thumb is substantially unrestricted when wearing said article.

Additionally, the article, when worn on the thumb, restricts extension of the thumb in the z plane.

In one embodiment, when wearing the article, extension of the thumb in the z plane is restricted to an angle of 45° or less relative to the x plane.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates generally to a support10to be worn by baseball players playing the position of catcher, soccer goalies, hockey goalies, and other environments where there is a desire to provide particularized restriction to thumb movement. The position of catcher presents unique difficulties in that the speed of a baseball pitched toward the catcher's glove is of much gi eater velocity than any other speed in the field of play in a game of baseball. Support10is constructed and arranged to be placed directly on the thumb of a catcher. Support10generally has an interior cavity12through which the thumb is placed. Support10has a generally vertical curved portion14and a convex curvature portion16. Convex curvature portion16extends a distance greater than half of the length of article10and terminates in a concave curvature portion18. Concave curvature18terminates and forms support platform20. The unique concave-convex combined curvature allows for the article to be particularly positioned, provide desired range of motion, and, as will be further discussed, restrict adverse motion in both the “X” and “Z” planes. Support platform20has integral therewith knuckle support22that terminates in an upper most ridge24. As best seen inFIG. 7thumb30extends outward from support10such that knuckle32is able to flex.

Although article10is shown configured for the left hand it can be constructed and arranged to work on either hand. In use article10is positioned on hand50by inserting a user's thumb30through interior cavity12of article10such that knuckle32protrudes outward from the top ridge24of knuckle support22. Although not an absolute requirement to practice the present invention, one preferred embodiment provides for the placement of a glove80over hand50that has article10attached thereto, as shown inFIG. 1. Glove80is commonly worn by baseball catchers inside a catcher's mitt (not shown) in order to provide additional support for a catcher.

As a frame of reference a flatly extended hand forms a substantial planer surface along the palm portion of the hand. This will be referred to as the “X” plane. Thumb30extends outward from the hand in an radial abduction manner and is restricted from fully extending. The extension is noted in degrees as shown by “X” degrees inFIG. 6. This prevents a hyperextension in the radial abduction movement in the thumb when catching a baseball. Using the same frame of reference as a “X” plane there is perpendicular to the “X” plane a “Z” plane. The thumb can extend in a dorsal manner away from the palm or “X” plane. This movement along the “Z” plane is shown inFIGS. 9 and 10. In use article10prevents hyper extensive motion of thumb30in either the “X” or “Z” plane. Article10thus prevents hyper extensive injuries from occurring in a variety of situations. It is additional noteworthy that although article10limits the radial abduction movement thumb30can be substantially completely adducted. Further, althoughFIG. 6shows limits radial abduction article10does not significantly inhibit palmar abduction. This is the movement of the thumb across the palm of the hand. It is important that palmar abduction not be constricted because the action of palmar abduction when wearing a baseball glove is in fact part of the mechanism by which one closes the baseball glove around the baseball being caught.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.