Abstract:
The invention relates to an athletic glove for supporting a hand of a wearer. The soccer glove improves performance through the use a three dimensional finger cap which forms at least a portion of at least one digit of the wearer&#39;s hand. The athletic glove also comprises an open wrist feature which allows for a greater degree of support, adjustability, comfort, and ease of access and removal

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation application of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/194,112, filed Jul. 29, 2005 the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a supportive glove for receiving the hand of a wearer for use in athletics. More particularly, the invention relates to a soccer goalkeeper&#39;s glove. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The gloves used by soccer goalkeepers, otherwise known as goalies, typically include a dorsal element and a palmar element, both being fashioned from latex foam, and an element for securing the glove to the goalkeeper&#39;s wrist. Although goalkeeper gloves are similar in these respects, there are various modes of goalkeeper glove design that vary with respect to durability, flexibility, and seam placement, thereby affecting the fit and feel of the glove along with the goalkeeper&#39;s ability to control the soccer ball. 
         [0004]    Goalkeeper glove characteristics are affected by the pattern from which the dorsal and palmar elements are cut and the securing mechanism used to attach the glove to the goalkeeper&#39;s wrist. Unlike traditional gloves fashioned from leather, cloth, or a knitted yarn, latex foam is the material of choice among goalkeeper glove designers because of its flexible and protective qualities. The use of latex foam, although having desirable characteristics, affects glove design by necessitating a dorsal and palmar element with multiple seams that may interfere with ball control or reduce durability. 
         [0005]    As noted, the pattern from which the dorsal and palmar elements are cut affects glove characteristics. The majority of goalkeeper gloves employ a variety of patterns for the dorsal and palmar elements including: the traditional cut, the gunn cut/rolled finger cut, the rifle cut pattern, or a negative/reuse stitch pattern 
         [0006]    In a traditional cut glove  10 , shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , a dorsal element  11  and a palmar element  12  are each fashioned from a single section of latex foam material, with only palmar element  12  having an attached thumb region. Supplemental elements (not shown), formed from a flexible material, connect dorsal and palmar elements  11  and  12  in the second through fifth digit regions, thereby creating an interior space for each digit. In addition, the union of dorsal and palmar elements  11  and  12  with the supplemental elements creates a dorsal seam  13  and a palmar seam  14  on the periphery of dorsal and palmar elements  11  and  12 , respectively. The dorsal thumb region includes a separate, flexible supplemental element  15  sewn to the edge of the thumb area of palmar element  12  and to dorsal element  11 . This combination of elements gives traditional cut glove  10  a relatively flat, paddle-like configuration and palmar seam  14  limits the goalkeeper&#39;s control of the ball and reduces glove durability. 
         [0007]    A gunn cut glove  20 , shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , includes a dorsal element  21  and a palmar element  22  that are each fashioned from a single section of latex foam material including regions for the first, second, and fifth digits and dorsal element  21  including regions for the second through fifth digits. The second and fifth digit regions of palmar element  22  have a greater width than corresponding regions of dorsal element  21 . To form the glove regions for the second and fifth digits, the wider palmar regions are flexed to meet the edges of the second and fifth digit regions of dorsal element  21  and then sewn, the flexed material defining a recess for the goalkeeper&#39;s digits. The dorsal thumb region is formed from a separate, flexible supplemental element  24  sewn to the edge of the thumb region of palmar element  22  and to dorsal element  21 . 
         [0008]    Unlike traditional cut glove  10 , gunn cut glove  20  contains only one seam  25  joining dorsal and palmar elements  21  and  22  in the digit regions due to the lack of supplemental elements. The flexing of the second and fifth digit regions of palmar element  22  and the resulting smooth palmar surface embodies the primary advantage of the gunn cut pattern over the traditional cut pattern. The digit regions of gunn cut glove  20  are rounded and lack seams on the palmar surface that may interfere with ball control. However, the gunn cut glove is more complex and costly to manufacture. Moreover, seam  26  at the base of the third and fourth digits may be uncomfortable and lack durability. 
         [0009]    In a rifle cut glove  30 , shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , a dorsal element  31  and a palmar element  32  are each formed from a single section of foam material, with palmar element  32 , shown separately in  FIG. 8 , including only the first, second, fourth, and fifth digit regions and dorsal element  31  including the second through fifth digit regions. The second digit region of palmar element  32  has a greater width than the corresponding region of dorsal element  31 . A single, separate section  33  of latex foam material, also shown in  FIG. 8 , forms the third digit region of palmar element  31  and is sewn to palmar element  31  at the base of the third digit region. Supplemental elements (not shown), formed from a flexible material, connect edges of the dorsal and palmar elements in the third, fourth, and fifth digit regions, thereby creating an interior space for each digit. The union of dorsal and palmar elements  31  and  32  with the supplemental elements creates seams  34  and  35  on the periphery of the dorsal and palmar elements, respectively. To form the glove regions for the second digit, the wider palmar region is flexed to meet the edges of the second digit region of dorsal element  31  and then sewn, the flexed material thereby defining a recess for the goalkeeper&#39;s second digit. The dorsal thumb region includes a separate, flexible supplemental element  36  sewn to the edge of the thumb region of palmar element  32  and to dorsal element  31 . 
         [0010]    The primary advantage of rifle cut glove  30  lies in the rounded palmar surface of the second digit. Like gunn cut glove  20 , rifle cut glove  30  is more complex and costly to manufacture than traditional cut glove  10 . In addition, seam  37  at the base of the third digit may cause discomfort and represent an area of low durability. 
         [0011]    The traditional cut, gunn cut, and the rifle cut pattern goalkeeper gloves have similar wrist securing apparatus which includes a wrist element  50  ( FIGS. 1-7 ) comprising a circumferential band of elastic material. The goalkeeper inserts his/her hand into the circumferential band of material to secure the glove. The circumferential band is sewn to the palmer and dorsal portions of the glove. A strap  52  is attached to wrist element  50  to surround and releasably attach a substantial portion of the circumference of wrist element  50 . However, use of wrist element  50  provides a hindrance to securing the goalkeeper&#39;s hand quickly. In addition, the wrist element  50  provides a goalkeeper with adequate flexibility in wrist area of the glove. 
         [0012]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for a goalkeeper&#39;s glove that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art gloves and provides a goalkeeper with a glove that gives a greater degree of flexibility and fit, is easy to put on, and exhibits superior ball control characteristics. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The invention relates to an athletic glove for supporting and receiving a hand of a wearer. The glove includes a palmar element and a dorsal element. The palmar element is formed of a first shock-absorbing material and is located to substantially cover a palmar metacarpal area of the wearer&#39;s hand and a palmar side of a first digit, a second digit, a third digit, a fourth digit, and a fifth digit of the wearer&#39;s hand. The palmar element also has at least one additional section that wraps around a medial or a lateral side of at least one of the second through fifth digits to cover at least a portion of a dorsal side of the digit wrapped by the at least one additional section. The dorsal element is located opposite the palmar element and substantially covers a dorsal metacarpal area of the wearer&#39;s hand and at least a portion of the dorsal side of the second digit, the third digit, the fourth digit, and the fifth digit that are not covered by the at least one additional section of the palmar element. 
         [0014]    The athletic glove further includes at least one three dimensional finger cap which forms at least a portion of at least one digit of the wearer&#39;s hand. The athletic glove also comprises an open wrist feature which allows for a greater degree of adjustability or fit. Furthermore, the open wrist feature allows for better support and the ability to adjust tightness of the glove. The palmar element of the glove includes two wing portions that attach to a stretchable material to secure the glove to the wrist of the wearer. 
         [0015]    The advantages and features of novelty characterizing the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to the invention. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the dorsal side of a traditional cut glove. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the palmar side of the traditional cut glove. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the dorsal side of a gunn cut glove. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the palmar side of the gunn cut glove. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a first portion of the pattern from which the palmar element of the gunn cut glove is formed. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the dorsal side of the rifle cut glove. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the palmar side of the rifle cut glove. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the patterns from which the palmar element of the rifle cut glove is formed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the palmar side of the soccer glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is an additional plan view of the palmar side of the soccer glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the dorsal side of the soccer glove in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of the use of multiple finger caps in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  illustrates an open wrist portion in accordance with an aspect of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring to the accompanying figures, a goalkeeper&#39;s glove in accordance with various aspects of the invention is disclosed. The figures illustrate only the glove intended for use on the right hand of a wearer. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that a left glove, such glove being a mirror image of the right glove, is included within the scope of the invention. In distinguishing portions of the glove or the hand received by the glove, reference will be made to areas of the hand, including a dorsal, palmar, lateral, and medial side; the five digits; and an area corresponding to the metacarpal bones. Such references are not intended to demarcate precise areas. Rather, they are intended to delineate general areas to aid in discussion. 
         [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 9-13 , a goalkeeper&#39;s glove according to the present invention is illustrated, wherein the primary elements of a glove  300  include a dorsal element  202  ( FIG. 11 ) and a palmar element  302  ( FIG. 9 ). Dorsal element  202  and palmar element  302  may be formed of any suitable material or combination of suitable materials, including a shock-absorbing, lightweight, foamed, natural latex rubber, ranging in thickness from two to five millimeters, bonded to a lightweight scrim of poly-based cells of approximately two to three millimeters. In addition, a textile layer may be bonded to the interior surface of palmar element  302  to provide enhanced comfort. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9-10  illustrate palmar element  302  in an aspect of the invention. Palmar element  302  may be designed to cover a substantial portion of the palmar area of the wearer&#39;s hand. In addition, palmar element  302  may form a continuous section of material. 
         [0032]    Palmar element  302  may include a palmar metacarpal area  303  for covering the palmar metacarpal bones and the joints between the metacarpals and phalanges of the second through fifth digits and palmar digit areas  304   a - 304   e  for covering the palmar areas of the first through fifth digits, respectively. One skilled in the art will realize that the term first digit conventionally refers to the thumb, the term second digit conventionally refers to the index finger, the term third digit conventionally refers to the middle finger, the term fourth digit refers to the ring finger, and the fifth digit refers to the pinky finger. 
         [0033]    Extending from palmar digital areas  304   a ,  304   b , and  304   e  are additional sections  306   a ,  306   b , and  306   e , respectively which are part of the material comprising palmar element  302 . The purpose of additional sections  306  are to wrap around digits, thereby creating a seamless surface that extends from the palmar area, around the sides of the digits, and to the dorsal area. A seamless surface on the medial side of the fifth digit and on lateral sides of the first and second digit create a configuration wherein the digital regions of the glove do not have seams that may interfere with ball control while catching, handling, and throwing. 
         [0034]    With respect to the first digit, additional section  306   a  may wrap over line  310   a  so as to cover the lateral side of the first digit and at least a portion of the dorsal portions of the first digit. Additional section  306   a  may be sewn to palmar digital area  304   a  and first supplemental element  402  to create a cavity for the first digit. A V-shaped cut  308   a  in palmar element  300  may form a flex notch  321   a  ( FIG. 10 ) generally at the junction of palmar metacarpal area  302  and first palmar digital area  304   a.    
         [0035]    In forming a cavity for receiving the second digit, additional section  306   b  may wrap over line  310   b  so as to cover the lateral side of the second digit and dorsal portions of the second digit. Additional section  306   b  may be sewn to palmar digital area  304   b  along the medial side and tip area, and abuts dorsal digital area  204   b  ( FIG. 11 ) across the dorsal surface of the second digit. A straight cut  308   b  in palmar element  300  may form a flex notch  321   b  ( FIG. 10 ) generally at the junction of palmar metacarpal area  302  and palmar digital area  304   b.    
         [0036]    Similarly, additional section  306   e  may wrap over line  310   e  so as to cover the medial side of the fifth digit and dorsal portions of the fifth digit. Additional section  306   e  may be sewn to palmar digital area  304   e  along the lateral side and tip area and abuts dorsal digital area  204   e  ( FIG. 11 ) across the dorsal surface of the fifth digit. A straight cut  308   e  in palmar element  300  may form a flex notch  321   e  ( FIG. 10 ) generally at the junction of palmar metacarpal area  302  and palmar digital area  304   e.    
         [0037]      FIG. 11  illustrates the dorsal side of glove  300 . Dorsal element  202  may include a dorsal metacarpal area  203  for covering the dorsal metacarpal bones and the joints between the metacarpals and phalanges of the first through fifth digits and dorsal digit areas  204   a - 204   e  for covering the dorsal areas of the first through fifth digits, respectively. Dorsal element  202  may also comprise a first finger cap  1101 , a second finger cap  1105 , a stretchable material  1110 , and an intermediate material  1115 . In an alternative embodiment, the first digit may include a secondary stretchable material (not shown) that may be used to cover the dorsal area of the first digit. The secondary stretchable material may be sewn to the stretchable material  1110 . 
         [0038]    In an aspect of the invention, the union of additional section  306   b  with dorsal digital area  204   b  is accomplished by sewing additional section  306   b  and dorsal digital area  204   b  such that the edge of additional section  306   b  abuts dorsal digital area  204   b . This configuration forms a flexible joint in the dorsal surface. The union of additional section  306   e  with dorsal digital area  204   e  is accomplished in a similar manner and creates a second flexible joint. As noted, the seamless surface created by the wrapping of additional sections  306  around digits enhances ball control. The joints in the dorsal surface of the second and fifth digits promote this goal through increased flexibility in these digits. In other aspects of the invention, the possibility of using one or more additional sections to wrap an individual digit are not limited by the particular digit. 
         [0039]    Finger cap  1101  and  1105  may be molded from a polymer such as polyethylene, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, or vinyl. The molding process may produce a three dimensional representation of any of the first through fifth digits or portions thereof. For example, finger cap  1101  along with stretchable material  1110  and intermediate material  1115  may form the dorsal portion of a third digit such as digit area  204   c . Portions of finger cap  1101  may be sewn to stretchable material  1110  and intermediate material  1115 . Finger cap  1101  and intermediate material  1115  may be sewn to palmar digit area  304   c  to create a cavity for the third digit. Similarly, finger cap  1105  along with stretchable material  1110  and intermediate material  1115  may be sewn together to form the dorsal portion of a fourth digit. Finger cap  1105  and intermediate material  110  may be sewn to palmar digit area  304   d  to create a cavity for the fourth digit. 
         [0040]    Those skilled in the art will realize that finger caps may be molded for use on any of the first through fifth digits. For example,  FIG. 12  illustrates the use of finger caps  1205 - 1225  on each of the digits of the wearer. Finger caps may provide a goalie&#39;s fingers a greater degree of performance and support due to the use of a molded shock-absorbent material. The finger caps may mimic the natural anatomy of a wear&#39;s digits due to the molded three dimensional shapes of the finger caps. The molded three dimensional shapes may provide a greater degree of performance. In addition, the use of the finger caps provides the goalie with a greater degree of ball control due to additional finger flexibility given to the various fingers inserted in the finger caps and the reduction of seams on the palmar portion of the glove. In an aspect of the invention, the molded three dimensional finger caps may also include some surface indentations or different size panels representing various areas of a wearer&#39;s digits. 
         [0041]    Both the stretchable material  1110  and the intermediate material  1115  may comprise an elastic material. The stretchable material  1110  and the intermediate material  1115  may deform in the presence of a tensile force, thereby stretching to accommodate wearers with various finger dimensions. The stretchable material  1110  and the intermediate material  1115  may be any material with the ability to substantially return to an original size and shape following deformation. In addition, the stretchable material  1110  and the intermediate material  1115  may be made from various lightweight, breathable materials. 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  illustrates an open wrist portion  1305  in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 13 , palmar element  302  includes a first wing portion  1310  and a second wing portion  1315 . The first wing portion  1310  attaches to stretchable material  1110  through the use of a hook and loop fastener system. The second wing portion  1315  overlaps the first wing portion  1110  to form a cylinder that encircles a wrist of the hand of the wearer. The second wing portion  1315  may be connected to the first wing portion  1310  using a hook and loop fastener system. Those skilled in the art will realize that other fastener systems may be utilized to connect the wing portions and the stretchable material  1110  to provide a releasable fastener system. 
         [0043]    The open wrist portion  1305  may provide a goalkeeper with adequate flexibility in the wrist area of the glove. In addition, the glove  300  may be easier to place on the hand or remove from the hand of the wearer. The open wrist design provides ease of slipping a hand into or out of glove  300 . The ease of placement and removal of the glove from the hand of the wearer may provide for a longer lasting glove. 
         [0044]    Moreover, the open wrist portion  1305  may allow for better support and provide the wearer with a greater ability to adjust tightness of the glove as the wings may provide for greater variability of support. Furthermore, the open wrist portion  1305  may allow for greater air circulation throughout the glove  300  providing greater comfort for wearer and reduction of possible mildew formation in glove  300 . 
         [0045]    The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.