Baseball or softball glove

The baseball or softball glove includes a thumb part, an index finger pan, and a web. The web includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion has a first through hole. The second protrusion has a second through hole. At least either the first through hole or the second through hole has an inclined edge that extends obliquely upward from a base of the thumb part or the index finger part on a peripheral edge forming the through hole. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are engaged with each other in a state where the first through hole and the second through hole are connected to each other in a chain shape.

This nonprovisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-178042 filed on Oct. 29, 2021 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a baseball or softball glove.

Description of the Background Art

Conventionally, a baseball or softball glove is required to be easy to close. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2021-29572 discloses a baseball or softball glove capable of improving ease of closing.

The baseball or softball glove disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No, 2021-29572 includes a web. The web includes a first protrusion protruding from a thumb part toward an index finger part and a second protrusion protruding from the index finger part toward the thumb part. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are configured to be relatively movable by opening and closing the baseball or softball glove. Thus, when the baseball or softball glove is closed, a distance between the thumb part and the index finger part can be decreased without stress. Accordingly, the thumb part and the index finger part can be sufficiently brought close to each other. Therefore, the ease of closing of the baseball or softball glove can be improved.

There is a room for improvement in a movable range of the web in the baseball or softball glove disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2021-29572.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a baseball or softball glove capable of expanding a movable range of a web.

A baseball or softball glove of the present invention is intended to be worn on a hand of a wearer. The baseball or softball glove includes a thumb part, an index finger part, and a web. The thumb part is configured to receive a thumb of the hand of the wearer. The index finger part is configured to receive an index finger of the hand of the wearer. The web is disposed between the thumb part and the index finger part. The thumb part and the index finger pan include a base part and a fingertip part. The web includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion has a first through hole. The second protrusion has a second through hole. At least either the first through hole or the second through hole has an inclined edge that extends obliquely upward from a base of the thumb part or the index finger part on a peripheral edge forming the through hole. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are engaged with each other in a state where the first through hole and the second through hole are connected to each other in a chain shape.

The baseball or softball glove of the present invention can expand a movable range of the web.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference signs, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

First Embodiment

With reference toFIGS.1to4, a configuration of a baseball or softball glove1according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment of the present invention, a baseball or softball glove is exemplified as baseball or softball glove1, but baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be a catcher's mitt, a first base mitt, or the like.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn on a hand100of a wearer (user). Baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a finger part2, a body3, a web4, a plurality of ball glove laces5, and a hand insertion hole6.

Finger part2is configured to receive each finger of hand100of the wearer. That is, finger part2is configured to be receive a thumb101, an index finger102, a middle finger103, a ring finger104, and a little finger105of hand100of the wearer. Finger part2includes a thumb part21, an index finger part22, a middle finger part23, a ring finger part24, and a little finger part25.

Thumb part21is configured to receive thumb101of hand100of the wearer. Thumb part21and index finger part22include a base part BF and a fingertip part FT. Base part BF is disposed at a base of thumb pan21. Fingertip part FT is disposed at a fingertip of thumb part21. Index finger part22is configured to receive index finger102of hand100of the wearer. Middle finger part23is configured to receive middle finger103of hand100of the wearer. Ring finger part24is configured to receive ring finger104of hand100of the wearer. Little finger part25is configured to receive little finger105of hand100of the wearer.

Each of thumb part21, index finger part22, middle finger pan23, ring finger part24, and little finger part25has a bag shape so as to receive each of thumb101, index finger102, middle linger103, ring finger104, and little finger105of hand100of the wearer.

Body3is configured to receive and hand100of the wearer. Body3has a bag shape so as to receive hand100of the wearer. Body3is connected to thumb part21, index finger part22, middle finger part23, ring finger part24, and little finger part25.

Body3includes a palm part31disposed on a palm106of hand100of the wearer and a back of the hand part32disposed on a back of the hand107of hand100of the wearer.

Palm part31is connected to finger part2. That is, palm part31is connected to thumb part21, index finger part22, middle finger part23, ring finger part24, and little finger part25. Palm part31is configured to cover palm106of the wearer.

Back of the hand part32is connected to finger part2. That is, back of the hand part32is connected to thumb part21, index finger part22, middle finger part23, ring finger part24, and little finger part25. Back of the hand part32is configured to be along back of the hand107of hand100of the wearer.

Web4is disposed between thumb part21and index finger part22. Web4is configured to cover at least a part of a region between thumb part21and index finger part22. Web4has a movable structure at its center.

Web4includes a first protrusion41and a second protrusion42. First protrusion41protrudes from thumb part21toward index finger part22. First protrusion41is formed integrally with thumb part21. Note that first protrusion41may be formed separately from thumb part21. First protrusion41has a first through hole H1. First protrusion41has a substantially E-shape. First protrusion41has a first tip T1. First tip T1is located close to index finger part22, and is an outer edge of a first bent part C1and a third bent part C3described later. First tip T1is disposed closer to index finger part22than a second tip T2. First protrusion41is not fixed to second protrusion42. That is, first protrusion41is not fixed by, for example, being sewn to second protrusion42.

Second protrusion42protrudes from index finger part22toward thumb part21. Second protrusion42is formed integrally with index finger part22. Note that second protrusion42may be formed separately from index finger part22. Second protrusion42has a second through hole112. Second protrusion42has a substantially U-shape. Second protrusion42has second tip T2. Second tip T2is located close to thumb part21, and is an outer edge of a second bent part C2described later. Second tip T2is disposed closer to thumb part21than first tip T1.

At least either first through hole H1or second through hole H2has an inclined edge that extends obliquely upward from a base of thumb part21or index finger part22on a peripheral edge forming the through hole. The peripheral edge is a part surrounding at least either first through hole H1or second through hole H2. The inclined edge is a part extending obliquely upward from the base of thumb part21or index finger part22. In the present embodiment, the inclined edge is provided on the peripheral edge forming first through hole H1. First protrusion41and second protrusion42are engaged with each other in a state where first through hole H1and second through hole H2are connected to each other in a chain shape.

First protrusion41and second protrusion42are configured to be relatively movable by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1. First protrusion41and second protrusion42are configured to be locked to each other. The substantially E-shape of first protrusion41and the substantially U-shape of second protrusion42are configured to be inserted into and engaged with each other.

First tip T1and second tip T2are configured to e relatively movable by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1. A distance between first tip T1and second tip T2is configured to be changeable by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1. Specifically, the distance between first tip T1and second tip T2are configured to be closer when baseball or softball glove1is opened, and to be farther when baseball or softball glove1is closed.

First protrusion41includes a first extension E1and first bent part C1. First extension E1extends from thumb part21toward index finger part22. First extension E1extends linearly from thumb part21toward index finger part22. First bent part C1is bent from first extension E1. First bent part C1is bent from first extension E1toward the region between thumb part21and index finger part22.

Second protrusion42includes a second extension E2and second bent part C2. Second extension E2extends from index finger part22toward thumb part21. Second extension E2extends linearly from index finger pan22toward thumb part21. Second bent part C2is bent from second extension E2. Second bent part C2is bent from second extension E2toward the region between thumb part21and index finger part22.

First bent part C1is disposed closer to index finger part22than second bent part C2. First bent part C1is disposed closer to a back surface8than second extension E2.

Second bent part C2is disposed closer to thumb part21than first bent part C1. Second bent part C2is disposed closer to back surface8than a third extension E3.

First bent part C1and second bent part C2are configured to be locked to each other by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1. First bent part C1and second bent part C2are configured such that an inner end of first bent part C1located dose to thumb part21and an inner end of second bent part C2located close to index finger part22can be locked to each other.

First bent part C1may be disposed closer to a ball receiving surface7than second extension E2.

The shapes of first protrusion41and second protrusion42may be opposite to the shapes described above. That is, first protrusion41may have a substantially U-shape of second protrusion42, and second protrusion42may have a substantially E-shape of first protrusion41.

Second extension E2includes a tapered part TP inclined from index finger part22toward thumb part21. Tapered part TP has a tapered shape whose width decreases from index finger part22toward thumb part21. Tapered part TP is disposed on a distal end of web4of second extension E2. The distal end of web4is a part of web4dose to the fingertip. That is, tapered part TP is disposed on second extension E2on an opposite side of second through hole H2.

Tapered part TP is configured to be slidable on at least either first extension E1or first bent part C1by opening and dosing baseball or softball glove1. Tapered part TP is configured to be slidable on at least either an inner end of first extension E1close to a base of web4or an inner end of first bent part C1close to the base of web4. The base of web4is a part of web4close to body3.

First protrusion41includes third extension E3. Third extension E3extends from thumb part21toward index finger part22. Third extension E3extends linearly from thumb part21toward index finger part22. Third extension E3is connected to first bent part C1. Third extension E3is connected to first bent part C1closer to the base of web4than first extension E1.

Third extension E3extends obliquely with respect to an extending direction D1in which thumb part21extends from base part BF toward fingertip part FT, and extends away from base part BF from thumb part21toward first bent part C1in extending direction D1.

Second protrusion42includes a fourth extension E4. Fourth extension E4extends from index finger part22toward thumb part21. Fourth extension E4extends linearly from index finger part22toward thumb part21. Fourth extension E4is connected to second bent part C2. Fourth extension E4is connected to second bent part C2closer to the base of web4than second extension E2.

Second protrusion42is inserted into first through hole H1. At least either second extension E2or second bent part C2is inserted into first through hole H1. First through hole H1is surrounded by thumb part21, first extension E1, first bent part C1, and third extension E3.

First protrusion41is inserted into second through hole H2. At least either third extension E3or first bent part C1is inserted into second through hole H2. Second through hole H2is surrounded by index finger part22, second extension E2, second bent part C2, and fourth extension E4. Second through hole H2has a substantially rectangular shape.

Since first protrusion41is inserted into second through hole H2and second protrusion42is inserted into first through hole H1, first protrusion41and second protrusion42are connected to each other so as to be relatively movable.

Second protrusion42is configured to be movable in first through hole H1, and first protrusion41is configured to be movable in second through hole H2by opening and closing the baseball or softball glove.

Web4is configured such that a distance between an end of first protrusion41dose to index finger part22and index finger part22and a distance between an end of second protrusion42close to thumb part21and thumb part21can be changed by first protrusion41moving in second through hole H2and second protrusion42moving in first through hole H1.

Second extension E2has a smaller width than first through hole H1. That is, in a direction from first extension E1toward third extension E3across first through hole H1, the width of second extension E2is smaller than a hole diameter of first through hole H1.

Third extension E3has a smaller width than second through hole H2. That is, in a direction from second extension E2toward fourth extension E4across second through hole H2, the width of third extension E3is smaller than a hole diameter of second through hole H2.

First protrusion41includes the third bent part C3and fifth extension E5. Third bent part C3is bent from third extension E3. Third bent part C3is bent from third extension E3to an opposite side of first bent part C1.

Third bent part C3is disposed closer to index finger part22than second bent part C2. Third bent part C3is disposed closer to back surface8than fourth extension E4.

Third bent part C3and second bent part C2are configured to be locked to each other by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1. Third bent part C3and second bent part C2are configured such that an inner end of third bent part C3located dose to thumb part21and an inner end of second bent part C2located dose to index finger part22can be locked to each other.

Fifth extension E5extends from thumb part21toward index finger part22. Fifth extension E5extends linearly from thumb part21toward index finger part22. Fifth extension E5is connected to third bent part C3. Fifth extension E5is connected to third bent part C3closer to the base of web4than third extension E3.

First protrusion41has a third through hole H3closer to base part BF than first through hole H1. Second protrusion42is inserted into third through hole H3. At least either fourth extension E4or second bent part C2is inserted into third through hole H3. Third through hole H3is surrounded by thumb part21, third extension E3, third bent part C3, and fifth extension E5.

Second protrusion42is configured to be movable in third through hole H3by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1. In the present embodiment, second protrusion42is configured to be movable in first through hole H1or third through hole H3by opening and closing baseball or softball glove1.

On a distal end of first protrusion41, third through hole H3has a larger width than first through hole H1. On a connecting part between first protrusion41and thumb part21, third through hole H3has a smaller width than first through hole H1.

Third through hole H3is disposed closer to hand insertion hole6than first through hole H1. That is, first through hole H1is disposed close to the distal end of web4, and third through hole H3is disposed close to the base of web4.

First protrusion41has first extension E1above first through hole H1, third extension E3below first through hole H1, and fifth extension E5below third through hole H3. Second protrusion42has second extension E2above second through hole H2and has fourth extension E4below second through hole H2. Second extension E2is inserted into first through hole H1. Third extension E3is inserted into second through hole H2. Fourth extension E4is inserted into third through hole H3. First protrusion41and second protrusion42are engaged with each other in a state where third extension E3and second through hole H2between first through hole H1and third through hole H3are connected to each other in a chain shape. There is an inclined edge at first through hole H1, close to base part BF.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of through holes is provided in thumb part21and first protrusion41, but only one through hole may be provided. Although one through hole is provided in index finger part22and second protrusion42, a plurality of through holes may be provided.

Some of ball glove laces5among the plurality of ball glove laces5are disposed across thumb part21, index finger part22, and web4. The other ball glove laces5of the plurality of ball glove laces5are disposed across adjacent finger parts from index finger part22to little finger part25. In baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of ball glove laces5has a string shape. Note that the configuration of each of the plurality of ball glove laces5is not limited to this, and may have two crossing string shapes. In addition, ball glove laces5need not be provided. In this case, finger part2may be integrally formed.

Hand insertion hole6is an insertion port for inserting hand100of the wearer into baseball or softball glove1. Hand insertion hole6is configured to be inserted by hand100of the wearer. Hand insertion hole6is provided at an end of body3. Specifically, hand insertion hole6is provided at an end of each of palm part31and back of the hand part32on an opposite side of finger part2. Hand insertion hole6is provided along a wrist108of hand100of the wearer.

Ball receiving surface7is disposed on palm106of hand100of the wearer. Ball receiving surface7is for receiving a ball. Ball receiving surface7includes parts of finger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5, disposed on palm106of hand100of the wearer. Palm part31of body3constitutes a part of ball receiving surface7.

Back surface8is disposed on back of the hand107of the wearer. Back surface8includes parts of finger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5, disposed on back of the hand107of the wearer. Back of the hand part32of body3constitutes a part of back surface8.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, finger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5include resin. Specifically, finger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5are integrally produced by using resin. Here, being integrally produced means being produced with one member.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is sufficient that web4includes resin. Finger part2and web4may include resin. Finger part2, body3, and web4may include resin.

The resin may be made of a single material. The resin may be made of a plurality of materials.

The resin may be made of an elastomer that is extensible by 100% or more when a tensile test is performed with reference to the conditions of a tensile test of JIS K 6251. Here, being extensible by 100% or more means being extensible by 100% or more until the resin (sample) is broken in the tensile test.

Specific examples of the resin include a polyurethane-based elastomer, a polyamide-based elastomer, polyester-based elastomer, a polystyrene-based elastomer, a polyolefin-based elastomer, a vinyl chloride-based elastomer, a polybutadiene-based elastomer, and a silicone rubber. The resin may be, for example, a foam of a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) or polyethylene, a foam or a thermosetting resin such as polyurethane (PU), or a foam of a rubber material such as natural rubber or synthetic rubber. As the synthetic rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, a styrene-butadiene copolymer, an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, an ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer, an ethylene-propylene copolymer, polychloroprene, an isobutylene-isoprene copolymer, and the like can be used.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, since finger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5are integrally produced by using resin, there is no seam for sewing each of finger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, in a state where baseball or softball glove1is not worn on hand100of the wearer, finger part2and body3are curved from the wrist to the fingertip of the wearer so as to protrude from palm106to back of the hand107. That is, in a state where baseball or softball glove1is not worn on hand100of the wearer, an arch shape of back surface8is maintained so as to bulge toward the back surface from the wrist to the fingertip of the wearer as indicated by a double-headed arrow inFIG.3. By appropriately selecting a thickness, hardness, and the like of the resin, it is possible to maintain the arch shape of back surface8so as to bulge toward the back surface from the wrist to the fingertip of the wearer.

As shown inFIGS.2and4, in a state where baseball or softball glove1is not worn on hand100of the wearer, finger part2and body3are curved from the thumb101to little finger105of the wearer so as to protrude from palm106to back of the hand107. That is, in a state where baseball or softball glove1is not worn on hand100of the wearer, the arch shape of back surface8is maintained so as to bulge toward the back surface from thumb101to little finger105of the wearer as indicated by a double-headed arrow inFIG.4. By appropriately selecting the thickness, hardness, and the like of the resin, it is possible to maintain the arch shape of back surface8so as to bulge toward the back surface from the thumb101to little finger105of the wearer.

Next, a method of manufacturing a baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention is manufactured by a 3D printer (three-dimensional forming apparatus). A method of forming by the 3D printer is not limited. Examples of the method of forming by the 3D printer include material extrusion, material jetting, powder bed fusion, binder jetting, and vat photopolymerization.

The material extrusion is a method in which a filamentary thermoplastic resin (formation material) is melted in a nozzle, and the molten formation material is injected from the nozzle and laminated. The material extrusion is commonly called fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF).

The material jetting is a method in which a photocurable resin is sprayed from a head and laminated while being cured with ultraviolet rays. The material jetting is commonly called ink jet type, material jetting, or MultiJet Printing (MJP).

The powder bed fusion is a method in which a laser beam is applied to spread powder to sinter and laminate the powder. The powder bed fusion is commonly called powder sintering, selective laser sintering (SLS), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), electron beam melting (EBM), or selective laser melting (SLM).

The binder jetting is a method in which a binder (adhesive) is sprayed and fixed to spread powder and laminated. The binder jetting is commonly called ink jet type, binder jet, or color jet printing (CJP).

The vat photopolymerization is a method in which a laser beam is applied to a pool containing a liquid photocurable resin, and the resin is cured and laminated. The vat photopolymerization is commonly called optical shaping or (stereolithography) SLA.

Although an example in which linger part2, body3, web4, and ball glove laces5including resin has been described above, the material is not limited to resin. The material may be, for example, leather.

Next, opening and closing of baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

With reference toFIG.2, the distance between first tip T1and second tip T2becomes closer by opening baseball or softball glove1. The distance between first tip T1and second tip T2becomes closest by most fully opening baseball or softball glove1.

With reference toFIG.5, when baseball or softball glove1is closed, first protrusion41and second protrusion42move independently so as to overlap each other. Specifically, third extension E3of first protrusion41moves in second through hole H2, and second extension E2and fourth extension E4of second protrusion42move in first through hole H1and third through hole H3. Thus, first tip T1of first protrusion41moves so as to approach index finger part22, and second tip T2of second protrusion42moves so as to approach thumb part21. Therefore, the distance between first tip T1and second tip T2becomes farther as baseball or softball glove1is closed. The distance between first tip T1and second tip T2becomes farthest by most fully closing baseball or softball glove1.

With reference toFIGS.6to9, a movable range of web4of baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in comparison with a comparative example.FIGS.6to9schematically show web4, thumb part21, and index finger part22.

With reference toFIG.6, in web4of baseball or softball glove1of the comparative example, third extension E3extends in a horizontal direction D2orthogonal to extending direction D1When thumb part21and first protrusion41move in horizontal direction D2, a movable range A of web4is equal to a length of third extension E3. Movable range A of web4is a movable range of first protrusion41with respect to second protrusion42.

With reference toFIG.7, in practice, when baseball or softball glove1of the comparative example is closed, thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate with respect to index finger part22and second protrusion42. That is, thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate as compared with when baseball or softball glove1is opened. Thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate at a rotation angle θ. Thus, in baseball or softball glove1of the comparative example, movable range A of web4is smaller than in a case where thumb part21and first protrusion41move in horizontal direction D2orthogonal to extending direction D1.

With reference toFIG.8, in baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, third extension E3extends obliquely with respect to extending direction D1, and extends away from base part BF (seeFIG.1) from thumb part21toward first bent part C1in extending direction D1. That is, third extension E3extends obliquely along a rotation direction of thumb part21and first protrusion41with respect to horizontal direction D2orthogonal to extending direction D1.

With reference toFIG.9, when baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention is closed, thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate at rotation angle θ with respect to index finger part22and second protrusion42. That is, thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate at rotation angle θ as compared with when baseball or softball glove1is opened. Thus, baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention can prevent movable range A of web4from being smaller than in a case where thumb part21and first protrusion41move in horizontal direction D2. Therefore, baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention can expand movable range A of web4as compared with baseball or softball glove1of the comparative example.

Next, operational effects of baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, at least either first through hole H1or second through hole H2has an inclined edge that extends obliquely upward from the base of thumb part21or index finger part22on the peripheral edge forming the through hole. First protrusion41and second protrusion42are engaged with each other in a state where first through hole H1and second through hole H2are connected to each other in a chain shape. In the present embodiment, third extension E3extends obliquely with respect to extending direction D1in which thumb part21extends from base part BF toward fingertip part FT, and extends away from base part BF from thumb part21toward first bent part C1in extending direction D1. Accordingly, the movable range of web4can be expanded. Thus, the distance between thumb part21and index finger part22of baseball or softball glove1can be easily reduced. This configuration makes it easy to open and dose baseball or softball glove1.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, first protrusion41and second protrusion42are engaged with each other in a state where third extension E3and second through hole H2between first through hole H1and third through hole H3are connected to each other in a chain shape. In the present embodiment, second protrusion42is inserted into third through hole H3. Therefore, the ball can be prevented from passing between first protrusion41and second protrusion42as compared with a case where second protrusion42is inserted only into first through hole H1.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment of the present invention, on the distal end of first protrusion41, third through hole H3has a larger width than first through hole H1. Therefore, when thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate by dosing baseball or softball glove1, the movable range of web4can be expanded.

Second Embodiment

Baseball or softball glove1according to a second embodiment of the present invention has a similar configuration and operational effects to those of baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

With reference toFIGS.10to12, baseball or softball glove1according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment mainly in a shape of third extension E3.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the second embodiment of the present invention, third extension E3is curved so as to protrude toward fingertip part FT in extending direction D1in which thumb part21extends from base part BF toward fingertip part FT. Third extension E3is curved in an arc shape. Third extension E3is curved along the rotation direction of thumb part21and first protrusion41when baseball or softball glove1is closed.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the second embodiment of the present invention, third extension E3is curved so as to protrude toward fingertip part FT in extending direction D1. Therefore, when thumb part21and first protrusion41rotate by dosing baseball or softball glove1, the movable range of web4can be expanded along the rotation of thumb part21and first protrusion41. Thus, when baseball or softball glove1is opened and closed, thumb part21and index finger part22can be smoothly moved. This configuration makes it possible to smoothly open and close baseball or softball glove1.

Third Embodiment

Baseball or softball glove1according to a third embodiment of the present invention has a similar configuration and operational effects to those of baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

With reference toFIGS.13and14, baseball or softball glove1according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different from baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment mainly in the shape of third extension E3.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the third embodiment of the present invention, third extension E3is curved so as to protrude toward back surface8of web4. Third extension E3is curved in an arc shape. Third extension E3is curved along the arch shape of back surface8of web4.

When the shapes of first protrusion41and second protrusion42are opposite to those described above, third extension E3is curved so as to protrude toward ball receiving surface7of web4.

In baseball or softball glove1according to the third embodiment of the present invention, third extension E3is curved so as to protrude toward back surface8or ball receiving surface7of web4. Therefore, when baseball or softball glove1is closed, the movable range of web4can be expanded along back surface8or ball receiving surface7of web4. Thus, when baseball or softball glove1is opened and closed, thumb part21and index finger part22can be smoothly moved. This configuration makes it possible to smoothly open and close baseball or softball glove1.

Fourth Embodiment

Baseball or softball glove1according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention has a similar configuration and operational effects to those of baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.FIGS.15to19schematically show first protrusion41and second protrusion42.

With reference toFIGS.15to19, baseball or softball glove1according to the tough embodiment of the present invention and baseball or softball glove1according to Modifications 1 to 4 of the present embodiment are different from baseball or softball glove1according to the first embodiment mainly in the shapes of first protrusion41and second protrusion42.

A start point SP of the inclined edge is located at any point between thumb part21and index finger part22, close to base part BF on the peripheral edge of first through hole H1or second through hole H2. An end point EP of the inclined edge only needs to be located closer to the fingertip than start point SP, and to be located at any point between base part B and fingertip part FT. The inclined edge may include not only a complete inclined part but also a flat region. The inclined edge need not be a straight line.

The above embodiments can be appropriately combined.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are included in the present invention.