Flexible finger system for hockey glove

A flexible finger system for a hockey glove. The flexible finger system includes at least one finger access hole in at least one of the fingers of the hockey glove. The flexible finger system includes an additional glove finger extending about and from each finger access hole. The additional glove finger is formed by an additional finger section attached to the sides of the glove and a finger tab extending from one of the fingers of the bottom of the glove and attached to the additional finger section. The additional finger section includes a glove section and a flexible finger section. The glove section attaches to the sides and the flexible finger section attaches to the finger tab. Wherein the attachment of the flexible finger section and the finger tab naturally forms the finger access hole to the additional glove finger.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to hockey gloves. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hockey glove that includes a flexible finger system of one or more independently flexible fingers to allow an improved grip on a hockey stick.

Hockey gloves are used for the protection of hands of a hockey player, while playing the sport of hockey. Hockey gloves are a requirement in many hockey leagues, including the National Hockey League played in Canada and the United States. Current hockey gloves on the market comprise an upper layer and lower layer, which together form a hand area to receive the hand of a player. The lower layer is glove shaped and is made of leather and other fabric type materials. The lower layer includes a bottom and sides. The bottom includes a palm section. Extending from the palm section are four fingers in a finger section and a thumb in a thumb section. The sides extend between the sections of the bottom and the upper layer. The sides run along the outside shape of a hand and in between each of the fingers and the thumb. The bottom and sides cover the bottom and sides of the hand of a player. The upper layer is a protective layer attached to the top of the sides, whereby the bottom of the sides is attached to the bottom of the lower layer. The protective layer includes a foam layer attached to the sides of the lower layer and covers the outside top portions of the hand for the protection of the hands. The foam layer is usually covered with a leather or vinyl type covering for durability. During movement of the hand in the hockey glove, such as grasping a hockey stick, the player pulls all the foam portions of the hockey glove about the stick, during movement of the hand. This produces an unnatural and tight feel to the hand of the player, but does not really give the player the same grip or feel, as compared to using bare hands to grip the stick. Some players will cut a hole in one or more of the fingers of the hockey glove, so that they can insert a bare finger out of the hole and improve their grip on the stick. This is not a legal practice in most hockey leagues.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hockey glove with at least one flexible finger to improve the grip on a hockey stick when using a hockey glove.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A flexible finger system for a hockey glove. The flexible finger system includes at least one finger access hole in at least one of the fingers of the hockey glove. The flexible finger system includes an additional glove finger extending about and from each finger access hole. The additional glove finger is formed by an additional finger section attached to the sides of the glove and a finger tab extending from one of the fingers of the bottom of the glove and attached to the additional finger section. The additional finger section includes a glove section and a flexible finger section. The glove section attaches to the sides and the flexible finger section attaches to the finger tab. Wherein the attachment of the flexible finger section and the finger tab naturally forms the finger access hole to the additional glove finger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1is a perspective view of four additional glove fingers of a flexible finger system on a hockey glove according to the present invention;

FIG. 2is a side view of an additional glove finger according to the present invention;

FIG. 3is a perspective view of an additional glove finger according to the present invention;

FIG. 4is a perspective view of an additional glove finger with a finger inserted according to the present invention;

FIG. 5is a schematic view of a bottom of a hockey glove according to the present invention;

FIG. 6is a side and front view of an unassembled additional glove finger according to the present invention;

FIG. 7is a side and front view of a partially assembled additional glove finger according to the present invention;

FIG. 8is a side and front view of an assembled additional glove finger according to the present invention; and

FIG. 9is a perspective view of a restraining strap attached to an additional glove finger according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a flexible finger system10for a hockey glove12, as shown inFIGS. 1-9. The flexible finger system10is an additional glove finger(s)14extending from the palm section16of the hockey glove12. The hockey glove12shown retains the traditional fingers18and thumb20which extend from the palm section16and are protected by the foam protective upper-layer22. In addition to the traditional construction, the flexible finger system10includes a finger access hole24for each additional glove finger14which is added to the hockey glove12.FIG. 1shows four additional glove fingers14.FIGS. 2-4show an additional glove finger14positioned to receive an index finger.FIG. 3shows the finger access hole24.FIG. 4shows a finger26of a player in the additional glove finger14. The additional glove finger(s)14allows the player to place the finger or fingers of the player into the additional glove finger(s)14. The additional glove finger(s)14allows the finger or fingers of the player to close around the hockey stick without pulling on the foam portions of the protective upper layer22. The additional glove finger14allows the finger of the player to be independently flexible from just above the lower finger joint28, while still being covered by the protective upper layer22and protected by the foam and cladding of the hockey glove12. The use of the flexible finger system10gives the player a more natural feel as though the player was holding the stick with bare hands, without sacrificing any protection. The player has the option of using the flexible finger system10or using the hockey glove as though it was a hockey glove without the flexible finger system10.

The flexible finger system10can be manufactured in numerous ways and is meant to provide a better feeling fit and comfort for the hockey player, as well providing an improved grip on the hockey stick.FIGS. 5-8show one method of manufacturing the additional glove fingers14on a hockey glove12.FIG. 5shows the typical parts to the bottom30of a hockey glove12, which include the palm section32, thumb section34and finger section36that are sewn together to form the bottom30. Additionally shown inFIG. 5is a finger tab38on the finger section36and an additional finger section40. Whereby, the finger tab38and additional finger section40form the additional glove finger14of the flexible finger system10. The additional finger section40includes a glove section42and a flexible finger section44.FIG. 6shows the finger section36with the finger tab38and the additional finger section40just before attachment to the sides46of the hockey glove12.FIG. 6shows the finger tab38folded downward and the flexible finger section44folded upward.FIG. 7shows the finger section40sewn with stitches48to the sides46of the hockey glove12with the finger tab38folded downward and unattached.FIG. 7also shows the glove section42of the additional finger section40sewn with stitches48to the sides46of the hockey glove12and the flexible finger section44folded upward.FIG. 8shows the flexible finger section44and the finger tab38sewn together with stitches48to form the additional glove finger14, whereby the finger access hole24is naturally formed by the additional finger section40and the finger tab38.FIG. 9shows a optional restraining strap50attached between the top of glove section42and the top of the flexible finger section44of the additional finger section40. The restraining strap50retains the additional glove finger14in close proximity to the foam protective upper layer22.

While different embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to the embodiments could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements are illustrative only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention that is to be given the full breadth of any and all equivalents thereof.