Training glove

A training glove, and methods of using the same are provided. The training glove includes a glove portion, wherein the glove portion includes a first protective portion disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior of a user's hand when worn by the user. The training glove further includes a blocker portion, wherein the blocker portion is secured to the glove portion and includes a second protective portion disposed to cover a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. The training glove further includes a retention system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to sports training devices, and more particularly to a training glove with a glove portion and blocker portion.

BACKGROUND

Boxing and other combat sports such as kickboxing and mixed martial arts require intense physical training. For many years, individuals training in these sports have used hand protection in the form of boxing and sparing gloves. Boxing gloves protect the hands of the boxer and the body and face of the trainer by cushioning the punches thrown by the boxer at the trainer. Various boxing gloves have been developed over the years that include different closure systems amounts and types of padding, and changes to the outer materials from leather and natural fabrics to plastics and other synthetics.

During boxing training, an athlete may deliver substantial force when delivering a punch directed towards the trainer. In certain aspects, the trainer may want to use their hands as a target to receive the punches thrown by the athlete. In this case, it is common to desire additional hand protection to receive those punches. Thus, trainers commonly use specialized pads (or hand blockers) on their hands to cushion and receive the punches thrown by the athlete during training to minimize the force received by the trainer.

In other sports such as kickboxing, different types of strikes are permissible (e.g., kicking, knees, elbows, etc.). These different types of strikes typically use different types of training equipment. For example, when an athlete is practicing kicking strikes with a trainer, a trainer may use a larger pad (or kick blocker) to cushion the kicks thrown by the athlete rather than the relatively smaller hand blockers, as kicking generally tends to be less accurate and often delivers more force than a punch.

Kick blockers are typically rectangular pads that are attached to a user's posterior forearm (e.g., using straps, a handle, or a combination there of) to protect the back of the user's arm when receiving strikes from the training athlete. Other kick blockers have emerged that generally take the form of padding on a long wooden or plastic handle, or a large torso-sized blocker that requires both hands to operate effectively.

In nearly all combat sports, an athlete should not only be a proficient striker, but they should also be well versed in how to receive and avoid counter strikes given from their opponent.

While a typical boxing glove allows a trainer to comfortably deliver counter punches to an athlete they are training, it fails to provide sufficient hand padding for the trainer to cushion incoming strikes thrown by the athlete that are received in a portion of the palm region of the trainer's hand. Moreover, a boxing glove also fails to provide sufficient forearm padding for the trainer to receive kicks or other strikes from the athlete.

An example of a typical boxing glove is shown inFIG.1. It will be appreciated that about the palm area120of boxing glove100is not well suited for receiving strikes from an athlete when those strikes are generally received in the palm area120of the user as traditional boxing gloves are designed with a relatively thin palm area120. As further shown inFIG.1, boxing glove100does not have padding for a user's forearm below about wrist area130. Padding110is disposed to generally protect the posterior of a user's hand when worn.

Hand blockers allow a trainer to comfortably receive punches with the palm of their hands that are thrown from the athlete at the trainer. An example of a typical hand blocker is shown inFIG.2. Hand blockers are not ideal for delivering counter punches to the athlete (e.g., because the padding is too dense/hard to be used against the athletes face and or body; because they prevent the trainer from striking with their first as the fingers remain straightened, etc.).

It will be appreciated that hand blockers, such as hand blocker200inFIG.2, prevent the user of the hand blocker (e.g., the trainer, etc.) from generally curling their finger into a first or partial fist. While hand blocker200provides substantial padding for the palm of the user's hand compared to boxing glove100inFIG.1, it will be appreciated that there is not substantial padding on the posterior of the user's hand (e.g., at glove section220) or along the users forearm which would extend below the bottom the hand blocker200. The combination of at least the lack of the ability of a user to form a fist, the lack of padding on the posterior of the user's hand/the density of edge210, the shape of edge210, etc. make hand blockers undesirable for delivering safe counter blows to a training athlete. Further, while a trainer may use a hand blocker to block kicks, it will be appreciated that it is poorly suited for kick training as kick blockers provide more robust padding of the trainer's arm and are generally a larger target for the athlete to engage. However, kick blockers have their own drawbacks.

FIG.3shows kick blocker300. Kick blocker300allows the trainer to block strikes thrown from the athlete, but it is poorly suited for delivering counter strikes as it does not protect the posterior of a user's hand or the anterior of a user's forearm. Kick blocker300is worn by a user by placing the blocking portion on the posterior forearm of the user, gripping handle320and securing straps330around the anterior forearm. Kick blocker300is typically used to block kicks with the posterior forearm with the trainer's arm(s) traversed across the front of their body such that the pad side of kick blocker300is presented to an athlete being trained by the trainer.

It will be appreciated that because both hand blockers and kick blockers are commonly constructed with more robust padding than boxing gloves (e.g., thicker, denser, larger, etc.) they are undesirable for striking the athlete as the transfer of force may exceed the desirable range for comfortable but effective training (e.g., with edge210of hand blocker200inFIG.2, edge310of kick blocker300inFIG.3).

Thus, there exist a need for a more versatile training device that allows for more dynamic training of an athlete by allowing the athlete to safely practice various strikes (e.g., punches, kicks, knees, elbows, etc.) while allowing the trainer to safely deliver counter punches to the athlete during the same training session and without having to switch training devices (e.g., switch between boxing gloves, hand blockers, and kick blockers). Such a dynamic training device and methods of using the same are disclosed herein as set forth in more detail below. Other objects of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description which includes the attached and incorporated figures.

SUMMARY

A training glove and methods of using the same are provided. The training glove includes a glove portion, wherein the glove portion includes a first protective portion disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior of a user's hand when worn by the user. The training glove further includes a blocker portion, wherein the blocker portion is secured to the glove portion and includes a second protective portion disposed to cover a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. The training glove further includes a retention system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that depending on the particular application at hand, many modifications, substitutions and variations can be made in, and to, the materials, apparatus, configurations, and methods of using the device(s) of the present disclosure. The innovations herein are not limited to any of the particular embodiments that are illustrated and described herein. The description below is merely an explanation by way of some examples thereof that should be fully commensurate with that of the claims appended hereafter and their functional equivalents, and merely serves to inform one of ordinary skill in the art how to make and use the innovations disclosed herein and to provide the basic fundementals needed to enable the same.

FIG.4shows a blocker-side view of training glove400. Training glove400includes a glove portion410and a blocker portion420and a retention system (not visible).

The glove portion410of training glove400shown inFIG.4includes a first protective portion412which is disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior (back) of the user's hand (e.g., the back side of all, or a portion of, the back of the hand and fingers) when worn by the user.

In certain aspects, the first protective portion412covers more than a portion of the user's hand when worn (e.g., the first protective portion extending from about the fingertips of a user to about the wrist of the user when worn by a user of training glove400(e.g.,FIG.4andFIG.5). In other aspects, the first protective portion only cover a portion of the posterior of the user's hand (e.g., a portion of the posterior of the phalanges and/or metacarpals (e.g., only the intermediate phalanges, only the proximal phalanges, etc.)). In other aspects, the first protective portion extends to cover a portion of the posterior forearm.

In certain aspects, the first protective portion412is similar in padding (e.g., density, layers, material, etc.) to that of a common boxing glove. It will be appreciated that using a similar padding to that of a common boxing glove may allow a user of the training glove400to have a familiar feel (e.g., similar to a boxing glove) when delivering counter punches to an athlete they are training. Similarly, the training athlete will receive punches that feel similar to getting hit with a boxing glove. Blocker portion420is secured to the glove portion (e.g., glue, fabric, sewn, integrated construction, etc.) and comprises a second protective portion disposed to cover a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. In certain aspects, the blocker portion420and the second protective portion are congruent. In other aspects, the second protective portion is less than all of blocker portion420. Blocker portion420is shown extending from about the palm region and extending to cover a majority of the anterior forearm when worn by a user. In certain aspects, the blocker portion may be shorter (e.g., 100 mm, etc.) or longer (e.g., 500 mm, etc.) than what is shown inFIG.4.

It will be appreciated that relatively harder materials (e.g., denser, heavier, less compressible, etc.) may be used for padding in a portion, or all, of glove portion410or blocker portion420of training glove400. It will be further appreciated that relatively softer materials (e.g., less dense, lighter, more compressible, etc.) may also be used for padding a portion, or all, of glove portion410or blocker portion420of training glove400.

FIG.5shows a glove-side view of training glove400fromFIG.4. Training glove400inFIG.5includes glove portion410, blocker portion420, and retention system430.

The glove portion410of training glove400shown inFIG.4includes a first protective portion412which is disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior of the user's hand when worn by the user. It will be appreciated that in certain aspects, the first protective portion412covers more than a portion of a user's hand when worn. In other aspects, the first protective portion412only covers a portion of the posterior of the user's hand. In certain aspects, the first protective portion412is similar in density to that of a common boxing glove.

It will be appreciated that glove portion410may be discontinuous in construction (e.g., be made from mesh, made with vent holes, have a different stylistic design, etc.) without deviating from the scope of the disclosure. In certain aspects, glove portion410may comprise narrow padding across a portion of the posterior of a user's hand, while the remaining portions of glove portion410are not padded and/or entirely open (not shown). In yet other aspects, glove portion410may appear to extend all the way down to the bottom of the training glove400(e.g., to about bottom440) for example when retention system430is a material sleeve that is continuous from glove portion410to about bottom440(not shown).

In certain aspects, retention system430is a hook and loop strap system as shown inFIG.5. Retention system430includes strap432and434and metal guides436and438. Straps432and434and metal guides436and438are shown attached by a combination of stitching and rivets, but it will be appreciated that any suitable attachment mechanism may be used (e.g., glue, thread, rivets, hook and loop, molded, cut material as part of blocker portion420(e.g., same piece of leather, synthetic material, etc.), etc.).

InFIG.5, straps432and434are shown riveted and sewn to the back side of blocker portion420and below glove portion410. In certain aspects, a user (e.g., a trainer, etc.) may insert their hand into glove portion410at access414and then securely attach their forearm to the device using retention system430(e.g., by wrapping straps432and strap434over the posterior of their forearm, though metal loop436and metal loop438, and then fastened by hook and loop to strap432and strap434, thereby securing the training glove400to the user. In certain aspects, both straps may be used, but in other aspects, only one strap may be used (e.g., based on time, comfort, body size, etc.). In yet other aspect, more than two straps may be used for retention system430.

It will be appreciated that other dimensions for training glove400are contemplated herein and in certain aspects dimensions may be altered based on information known in the art (e.g., athlete sizing, impact strength, material properties, etc.) without deviating from the scope of the disclosure.

FIGS.6A through6Fshow certain aspects of the training glove400shown inFIGS.4and5. More specifically6A shows a glove-side view of training glove400.FIG.6Bshows a blocker-side view of training glove400.FIG.6Cshows a thumb-side view of training glove400.FIG.6Dshows a small finger-side view of training glove400.FIG.6Eshows a bottom view of training glove400. As shown inFIGS.6C and6D, first protective portion412of glove portion410of training glove400extends above and over a top surface426of blocker portion420without extending past an anterior surface424of blocker portion420.

Further shown inFIG.6Eis recessed area650wherein recessed area650is of sufficient depth so that a portion of a user's arm may fit below the level652of the blocking portion on the glove side of the training glove when the training glove400is worn by a user. While training glove400is shown with recessed area650of a certain depth (about 15 mm), recessed area650may be of any sufficient depth (e.g., a shallow depth (between 0 mm and 20 mm), or a deep depth (between 20 mm and 60 mm) etc.). It will be appreciated that recessed area650may add stability to the training glove400(e.g., by changing the center of mass and/or moment of inertia of the training glove, etc.).FIG.6Fshows a top view of training glove400.

FIG.7shows training glove700with retention system730that may be used in accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure. Retention system730includes straps732and734which may be secured using hook and loop fastening or another suitable fastening system (e.g., buttons, clasps, tied, etc.). In certain aspects retention system730may be preferable to retention system430ofFIG.4(e.g., as there is less metal components included in training glove700).

FIG.8shows training glove800in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Training glove800includes a glove portion810, a blocker portion820, and a retention system830.

The glove portion810of training glove800shown inFIG.8includes a first protective portion812which is disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior of the user's hand (e.g., the back side of all, or a portion of the hand and fingers,) when worn by the user.

The first protective portion812inFIG.8includes open portions814and816(e.g., to vent heat, improve comfort and/or be more aesthetically pleasing, etc.). The first protective portion812inFIG.8is similar in construction to a hockey glove wherein the protective portion812includes padding disposed in separated sections across the posterior or a portion of a user's hand, when worn by a user (e.g., a portion of the posterior of the phalanges and/or metacarpals (e.g., only the intermediate phalanges, only the proximal phalanges, etc.)). In certain aspects, the first protective portion812is similar in density to that of a common boxing glove. In other aspects, the density is similar to the density of a common hockey glove, a mixed martial arts glove, or comprises multiple densities. In other aspects, training glove800may not separate each finger (e.g., having two sections or three sections compared to the four shown inFIG.8or the one shown inFIG.6).

It will be appreciated that using a similar padding to that of a common boxing glove may allow a user of the training glove800to have a familiar feel (e.g., similar to a boxing glove) when delivering counter punches to an athlete they are training. Similarly, the training athlete will receive counter punches that feel similar to getting hit with a common boxing glove. In other aspects, using a similar padding to that of a thinner mixed marshal arts glove may allow a user of the training glove800to have a familiar feel (e.g., similar to a mixed marshal arts glove) when delivering counter punches to an athlete they are training. Similarly, the training athlete will receive counter punches that feel similar to getting hit with a mixed marshal arts glove.

It will be appreciated that relatively harder materials (e.g., denser, heavier, less compressible, etc.) may be used for padding in a portion, or all, of glove portion810of training glove800. It will be further appreciated that relatively softer materials (e.g., less dense, lighter, more compressible, etc.) may also be used for padding a portion, or all, of glove portion810of training glove800.

FIG.8further includes a blocker portion820. Blocker portion820is secured to the glove portion810and includes a second protective portion disposed to cover a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. It will be appreciated that the blocker portion820and the second protective portion may be congruent, or in other aspects, the second protective portion may be less than the entire blocker portion820(e.g., using grid padding, padding only certain portions of blocker portion820.)

As shown inFIG.8, blocker portion820includes cutouts822. Cutouts822may be of various shapes and sizes so long as the second protective portion is disposed to cover at least a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. It will be appreciated that the blocker portion820of training glove800inFIG.8may be preferable over the blocker portion420of training glove400inFIG.4because it may be lighter and/or more aesthetically pleasing.

Training glove800includes retention system830that includes straps832and834, which are hook and loop type retaining components.

FIG.9shows a glove-side view of training glove900in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Training glove900includes a glove portion910, blocker portion920, and retention system930.

The glove portion910of training glove900shown inFIG.9includes a first protective portion912which is disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior of a user's hand when worn by the user. The first protective portion912inFIG.9includes a portion916of different density padding (e.g., a denser padding (e.g., to alter the protection on selected portions of the hand), etc.). The first protective portion912inFIG.9is similar in construction to a boxing glove wherein the first protective portion912includes padding disposed across a portion of the posterior of a user's hand, when worn.

FIG.9further includes a blocker portion920. Blocker portion920is secured to the glove portion910and includes a second protective portion disposed to cover a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. It will be appreciated that the blocker portion920and the second protective portion may be congruent, as is shown inFIG.9. In other aspects, the second protective portion may be less than the entire blocker portion920.

As shown inFIG.9, blocker portion920is tapered, wherein the blocker portion920is narrower at the bottom end950than the top end960of blocker portion920. The taper between the bottom end950of blocker portion920and the top end960of blocker portion920may vary (e.g., bottom end950and top end960are substantially similar in width and thickness, bottom end950is larger than top end960in width and/or thickness, bottom end950is smaller than top end960in width and/or thickness, etc.).

It will be appreciated that a user of training glove900may quickly insert their hand into glove portion910by inserting their hand first though retention system930, wherein retention system930generates sufficient force to keep blocker portion920substantially secure during use. In certain aspects, one or more components, or portions of components, may be removable (e.g., removing one or more components (e.g., the retention system, blocker portion, glove portion, padding, cover, etc.) (e.g., to aid in washing, replacement parts, etc.).

FIG.10shows a small-finger-side view of training glove1000in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Training glove1000includes a glove portion1010, blocker portion1020, and retentions system1030.

The glove portion1010of training glove1000shown inFIG.10includes a first protective portion1012which is disposed to cover at least a portion of the posterior of a user's hand when worn by the user. It will be appreciated that the glove portion1010and the first protective portion may be congruent, as is shown inFIG.10. In other aspects, the first protective portion may be less than the entire glove portion1010.

FIG.10further includes a blocker portion1020. Blocker portion1020is secured to the glove portion1010and includes a second protective portion disposed to cover a portion of a user's anterior forearm when worn by the user. It will be appreciated that the blocker portion1020and the second protective portion may be congruent, as is shown inFIG.10. In other aspects, the second protective portion may be less than the entire blocker portion1020.

As shown inFIG.10, blocker portion1020is curved away from the anterior forearm when worn by a user of training glove1000. In other aspects, blocker portion1020is curved towards the anterior forearm when worn by a user of training glove1000. It will be appreciated that there need not be symmetry to the glove portion1010, blocker portion1020, or retention system1030.

In certain aspects the bottom end1050of blocker portion1020and the top end1060of blocker portion1020are substantially similar in width and thickness. In other aspects, bottom end1050is larger than top end1060in width and/or thickness. In yet other aspects, bottom end1050is smaller than top end1060in width and/or thickness.

The training gloves disclosed herein (e.g., training gloves400-1000as shown inFIGS.4through10) may be used for training using the method of wearing a training glove; and training a person using the training glove. In certain aspects, the method includes receiving a strike from a person while wearing the training glove. In other aspects, the method includes delivering a strike to a person or object person while wearing the training glove. In certain aspects, the method of wearing a training glove in accordance with the present invention includes inserting a hand into the glove portion of a training glove (e.g., training glove400-1000as shown inFIGS.4through10) and securing a blocker portion of the training glove to the anterior forearm using a retention system.

In certain aspects, the reference to the singular form of a word may also refer to the plural, and a reference to the plural form of a word may refer to the singular thereof. While some of the advantages of the roundnet disclosed herein are provided, the advantages are not limited to those described herein, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate more advantages and embodiments than those explicated listed or described herein.