Abstract:
A work glove particularly useful for gardening, automobile mechanical work and any other type of use which brings the palmar side of the hand in contact with work or the like which may result in stinging, bruising, or blistering of the fingers, thumb and palm of a human hand is provided with protective padding disclosed or positioned for overlying at least the distal halves of the index finger and long finger metacarpals excluding the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the index finger and the long finger. Preferably, the glove also includes protective padding disposed along a thumb stall of the glove at a location adapted to be along an ulnar border as well as the A2 pulleys of the thumb&#39;s proximal phalanx between the metacarpalphalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to and benefit from, currently U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/001,325 filed Oct. 25, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,530, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to and benefit from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,084 filed May 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,601 issued on May 21, 2002, which is a continuation of and claims priority to and benefit from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/491,742 filed Jan. 27, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,382 issued on Jul. 3, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to gloves for the human hand which are worn when playing sports such as baseball, softball, or working and the like. In one aspect, this invention relates to a batting glove specifically designed to improve grip, comfort, protection, and performance of a wearer. However, this invention has broader implications and may be advantageously employed in other applications requiring protection of the hands. More particularly, this invention relates to a work glove which includes padding in selected areas to provide protection of the hand during use by the wearer. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Glove construction for protection of the human hand is well known. In addition, there are a number of patents which teach gloves claimed to be particularly useful as batting gloves. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,226 teaches a dress glove construction which completely covers the fingers and which includes resiliently expandable materials in selected areas to accommodate hands of different sizes. In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,122 teaches a protective glove which has a wrap around construction for a protective glove which leaves the thumb and fingers ends exposed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,609 teaches a protective glove which includes shock absorbing cells disposed at selected portions along the top of the glove. U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,980 teaches a hand glove with a polyurethane foam pad in the palm portion of the glove. Other references attempt to provide a sport glove for supporting and stabilizing the wrist and hand. Current gloves protect the bony prominence areas of the hand. Although hand protection from direct shocks and abrasions is found in gloves of the current art, what is needed is a batting glove which provides improved grip, comfort and performance by unloading bony prominences, unloading pulleys and tendons, and improving finger and knuckle motion of the hand of a wearer by providing preselected thicknesses of preselected materials specifically chosen to protect the wearer from injury from distributed shocks in hitting a ball with a bat, and the attendant risk of long-term injury to the aforementioned bones, ligaments, pulleys, tendons, etc., by repetitive swinging of bats and hitting of balls. 
     Also, hockey goaltender&#39;s blocker gloves for use, particularly in ice hockey and other sports which require the player to protect his arm from high flying objects, such as pucks or the like are well known. These blocker gloves are provided on the back or dorsal side of the hand with a blocker pad, usually of substantially rectangular shape which extends longitudinally of the glove covering the back of the hand as well as the forearm. These blocker pads are designed to control the reflective direction of a hockey puck which is directed towards the goal wherein the goaltender prevents the puck from entering the goal. The blocker pad generally has a thick leather skin at the facing thereof and has thereunder a plurality of layers of padding material. On the palmar side of the blocker glove is a stick glove portion designed to receive the thumb and fingers of the hand and to grip a hockey stick. However, there have been problems in the design of the palmar side of the blocker glove in providing protection against “stingers” and yet maintain flexibility of the fingers and rotational movement of the joints. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the development of gloves, several key elements are utilized in the design. First, on the dorsal side of the glove, the motion zones are determined by the center axis of rotation of the individual thumb, finger, hand, and wrist joints. These motion zones have been applied to specific joint locations for the particular uses of a designed glove. This helps the flexibility of the glove in relationship to its use. As such, the motion zones are selected in various combinations or even individually depending on the specific task or function of the glove. 
     Secondly, on the palm side of the glove there are additional motion zones. Again, these motion zones, which also function to decrease glove impedance and improve the breath-ability of the glove, are located specifically in relationship to the center axis of rotation of the finger joints. 
     Thirdly, again on the palm side of the glove, there are specific areas of padding. The location of the padding is determined by the bone and joint anatomy of the hand, fingers, and thumb. For the hand, the palm pad is placed above the center axis of rotation of the wrist (i.e., just above or distal to the hook of the hamate) and just below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpal heads. These bony landmarks are actually quite prominent in relationship to the surface of the hand. By placing the pads between the bony prominences, these areas of the hand are unloaded. The type of pad chosen for the palm is specific to its function. Other applications require some adjustments to the pad, but the basic premise still remains to unload the bony prominences of the hand in relationship to the required object to be held. 
     The pads for the fingers are placed again between the bony prominences of each specific finger bone (phalanx). The individual pads of the digits are placed over the relatively flat portion of the phalanx and as such, between the joints that are present on each side of the respective phalanx. The pad does not cover the area near the center axis of rotation. Again, this unloads these bony areas and leads to more even distribution of force across the digit. In other words, decreased areas of concentrated pressure, i.e., over the bony prominences and individual phalanxes will experience less discomfort. Of course, improved comfort leads to better grip and performance of the specific task in question. The pads on the fingers are placed over the proximal and middle phalanx of each digit. Because of the relative bony and flexor tendon pulley anatomy, these regions correlate with the A 2  and A 4  pulleys specifically. Furthermore, this placement allows for unrestricted motion of the various finger and hand joints by precisely keeping the pads away from the center axis of rotation (for each specific joint). Depending on the use of the glove, various combinations, or even independent use of these pads could be utilized in glove construction. Additionally, the pads may have different sizes and shapes depending on the application. However, the pads would still be centered primarily between the bony prominences and away from the center axis of rotation for each joint. 
     The pad for the thumb is placed between the bony prominences of the first phalanx, primarily on the lateral (side) region. Again, the pad is located above the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the thumb and below the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Other applications to this pad placement are quite numerous. Even this pad could be an application in combination with all, some, one, or none of the finger and palm pads depending on the task. 
     Optionally, pads may also be placed over the distal phalanx of each digit, just beyond the bony prominences. This pad would be above (distal) the center axis of rotation of the distal interphalangeal joint of the respective finger. As such, three pads could be placed over each finger depending on the use required for the glove. 
     The motion zone for the wrist area is also determined by the center axis of rotation of the wrist joint. This allows for essentially full motion of the wrist, while at the same time, avoiding dislodgement of the glove from the player&#39;s hand. Not all gloves require or benefit from a wrist motion zone. However, a combination of the finger, thumb, hand, and wrist motion zones determined by the joints center axis of rotation may be utilized for various glove applications. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove which takes stress off of selected parts of the human hand. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove having preselected materials of construction in different areas of contact with the human hand. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove having preselected thicknesses of preselected materials of construction in different areas of contact with the human hand. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove which uses different materials to allow wrist motion, unload bony prominences, improve finger and knuckle motion, and protect the back of the hand. 
     Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a goaltender&#39;s blocker glove which takes stress off selected parts of the human hand when the glove is in use. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey goaltender&#39;s blocker glove with padding added at selected areas of the hand for protecting selected anatomical portions of the human hand and yet allow the fingers and the joints of the hand to have flexibility and mobility. 
     Even a further object of the present invention is to provide a work glove with padding added at selected areas of the hand for protecting selected anatomical portions of the human hand and yet allow the finger and joints of the hand to have flexibility and mobility. As used herein the word “work glove” applies to, but is not limited to, for example, gloves for gardening, automobile mechanic gloves, sports glove for use when riding bicycles, motorcycles, automobile racing and the like. 
     In one aspect, the present invention provides a batting glove including preselected material in preselected thicknesses to fill in the soft spots surrounding the bony prominences of the hand, to unload the pulleys and tendons, and to take stress off of selected parts of the hand. Specifically, 2-Way SPANDEX® materials are used in the wrist motion zone of the glove; thin elastic material such as LYCRA® is used in the area of the finger joints and knuckles; synthetic material such as JANEC SUPER® is used in the area of the dorsal side of the fingers; a cabretta skin protective covering is used for selected parts of the hand, rubber foam protective padding is placed at selected contact areas, and soft padding such as terry cotton is placed inside the glove in selected areas. 
     More particularly, the present invention provides a hockey goaltender&#39;s block glove which includes a glove segment and a blocker pad. The glove segment has a dorsal side and a palmar side with a top glove panel covering the palmar side of the human hand which includes the palm, thumb and fingers and a bottom glove panel sized to cover the back, thumb and fingers of the dorsal side of the human hand. The top and bottom panels which make up the glove segment are secured along each panel&#39;s periphery to define a glove body with an opening therein to receive a human hand. The blocker pad is provided with a front face and an opposed back wherein the dorsal side of the glove segment is attached to the blocker pad back. Particularly, the glove segment is provided with a thumb and fingers section for receiving a thumb and fingers of the human hand. Shock absorbing pads are provided to overlie selected areas defined by the location of anatomical parts of the human hand when inserted into the glove. Specifically, the shock absorbing padding, which is usually a foam rubber or another foam elastomeric material of approximately ¼″ in thickness, overlies at least the A 2  pulley region of the thumb which is between the metacarpalphalangeal joint and the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint of the thumb. Other areas of shock absorbing padding may be added to overlie the middle phalanx of the index finger above the proximal interphalangeal joint and below the center axis of rotation of the distal interphalangeal joint, to overlie the proximal phalanx of the long finger above the metacarpalphalangeal joint and below the center axis of rotation of the proximal interphalangeal joint, as well as overlying the proximal phalanx of the ring finger and the small finger above the metacarpalphalangeal and below the center axis of rotation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. Additionally the shock absorbing padding may overlie areas of the metacarpals of the index, long, ring, and small fingers below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints. 
     Even more particularly, the present invention provides a work glove having a dorsal side panel and a palmar side panel wherein the dorsal side panel is sized to cover the back, thumb, and fingers of the dorsal side of a human hand and the palmar side panel is sized to cover the palmar side of the human hand, including the palm, thumb and fingers. The dorsal side panel and the palmar side panel are secured along each panel&#39;s outer periphery to define a glove body with an opening therein to receive a human hand. Particularly, the glove body is provided with a thumb and fingers section for receiving a thumb and fingers of the human hand. Shock absorbing pads are provided to overlie selected areas defined by the location of anatomical parts of the human hand when inserted into the glove. Specifically, the shock absorbing padding, which is usually a foam rubber or another foam elastomeric material of approximately ¼″ in thickness, is disposed to overlie at least the distal halves of the index finger and long finger metacarpals excluding the metacarpal joints of the index finger and the long finger. Furthermore, and preferably, a thumb ulnar protective padding is disposed along the thumb stall at a location to be along an ulnar border of the thumb proximal phalanx between the metacarpalphalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint as well as padding over the A 2  pulley of the proximal phalanx between the metacarpalphalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like references designate corresponding parts into several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom schematic anatomical view of the bones of a right-side human hand showing the palm-side details; 
         FIG. 1A  is a bottom schematic anatomical palm-side view of the bones, and selected details of the pulleys and tendons of a right-side human hand; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the dorsal-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-dorsal-side human hand; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the palm-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-palm-side human hand; 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of another batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing relevant palm-side details; 
         FIG. 4  is a radial side view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing relevant details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-side human hand; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of some of the major components of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a blocker glove of the present invention with a goaltender shown in phantom lines; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the blocker glove of  FIG. 6  showing the palm side of the glove; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of a preferred hockey goaltender&#39;s blocker glove showing the palmar-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-palmar-side human hand inserted into the glove showing location for shock absorbing pads; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the hockey goaltender&#39;s blocker glove; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view taken along line  10 — 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view taken along line  11 — 11  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a palmar side view of a glove of the present invention showing relevant details and seen overlying the skeletal structure of a right hand; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view taken along line  13 — 13  of  FIG. 12 ; and, 
         FIG. 14  is a sectional view taken along line  14 — 14  in FIG.  12 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A. BATTING GLOVE 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic anatomical view of the bones of a right human hand  10  looking at a palm  18  side. Shown are the radius  20 , ulna  21 , radiocarpal joint (RC)  23 ′, distal radio ulnar joint (DRUJ)  22 , wrist  12 , thumb  64 , index finger  65 , long finger  66 , ring finger  67 , and small finger  68 . The carpus  69  comprises eight carpal bones, seven of which are shown in FIG.  1  and includes the hamate bone  71  with its hook-like protrusion, the scaphoid  24 ′ and the lunate  25 . 
     The thumb  64  is comprised of the distal phalanx  51 , the interphalangeal joint (IP)  46 , proximal phalanx  41 , diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′, metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36 , metacarpal  31 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  26 . 
     The index finger  65  is comprised of the distal phalanx  60 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  56 , middle phalanx  52 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  47 , proximal phalanx  42 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  37 , metacarpal  32 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  27 . 
     The long finger  66  is comprised of the distal phalanx  61 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  57 , middle phalanx  53 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  48 , proximal phalanx  43 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  38 , metacarpal  33 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  23 . 
     The ring finger  67  is comprised of the distal phalanx  62 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  58 , middle phalanx  54 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  49 , proximal phalanx  44 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  39 , metacarpal  34 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  24 . 
     The small finger  68  is comprised of the distal phalanx  63 , distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  59 , middle phalanx  55 , proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP)  50 , proximal phalanx  45 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  40 , metacarpal  35 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  30 . 
       FIG. 1A  shows the skeletal anatomy, pulley system, and flexor tendons of the thumb  64  and fingers  65 - 68  of the right hand  10 . The thumb  64  includes the flexor tendon (flexor pollicis longus)  200  and the three pulleys  220 - 224  of the thumb  64 ; an A 1  pulley  220 , A 2  pulley  222 , and A 3  pulley  224 . The A 2  pulley  222  is the most important for function and is attached to the proximal phalanx  41  of the thumb  64 . The respective pulleys  230 - 238  are also shown for each of the: index finger  65 , long finger  66 , ring finger  67 , and small finger  68 . Each finger  65 - 68  has five pulleys  230 - 238 ; an A 1  pulley  230 , A 2  pulley  232 , A 3  pulley  234 , A 4  pulley  236 , and A 5  pulley  238 . The A 2  pulley  232  and A 4  pulley  236  are considered to be the most important for function. The A 2  pulley  232  is attached to the proximal phalanx  42 - 45 . The A 4  pulley  236  is attached to the middle phalanx  52 - 55 . The A 1  pulley  230  is near the MCP joint  37 - 40 , the A 3  pulley  234  is near the PIP joint  47 - 50  and the A 5  pulley  238  is near the DIP joint  56 - 59 . 
     The flexor tendons  202 - 208  are shown as one unit for each finger  65 - 68 , but actually there are two flexor tendons to each unit. They are the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus (shown as one,  202 - 208 ). These tendons  202 - 208  travel underneath the pulleys  230 - 238  and the flexor digitorum profundus tendon attaches to the distal phalanx  60 - 63  of each finger  65 - 68 . The tendons  202 - 208  move back and forth below the pulleys  230 - 238 , via muscles (not shown) attached to the proximal end of the tendons. This movement of the tendon  202 - 208  produces finger  65 - 68  flexion. The pulleys  230 - 238  prevent the flexor tendons  202 - 208  from bowstringing or moving away from the bone with finger  65 - 68  flexion. If the pulleys  230 - 238  are damaged and no longer function, the tendons  202 - 208  will bowstring with a resultant significant loss of finger motion as well as grip strength. As such, pulleys  230 - 238 , especially the A 2  pulley  232  and the A 4  pulley  236 , are very important and must be preserved and protected as much as possible. As shown in  FIG. 4 , protective padding  102  for each finger  65 - 68  is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the A 2  and A 4  pulley regions. When the A 2  and A 4  pulleys  232  and  236  are preserved, adequate finger  65 - 68  motion and grip strength is maintained. 
     In  FIGS. 2-5 , a preferred batting glove  80  is provided for either a right, left, or both human hand(s)  10 , as desired. A glove  80  for a left hand  10  utilizes symmetrical placement of the elements, materials, and thicknesses herein described. 
       FIG. 2  shows details of a dorsal side of a batting glove  80  to cover a human hand  10  and seen overlaying the skeletal structure and skin outline of a right-dorsal-side human hand  10 . 
     The batting glove  80  has a plurality of finger elements  82 , a thumb element  84 , a top portion  86 , and a lower portion  88  (see FIGS.  3 - 5 ), wherein the finger elements  82  cover fingers  65 - 68 . The thumb element  84  covers a thumb  64 , and the top portion  86  covers a back side  16  of the hand  10 . The lower portion  88  covers the palm side  18  of the hand  10 . 
     An elastic band  90  is attached to the top portion  86  and to the lower portion  88 . The elastic band  90  includes a securing means in the form of a hook  92  and loop  94  fastener for retention above a human wrist  12 . 
     The top portion  86  includes elastic material  96 , preferably 2-WAY SPANDEX® in the vicinity of the wrist  12  out to the vicinity of the metacarpalphalangeal joints (MCP)  37 - 40  of the fingers  65 - 68  of the hand  10 . Additionally, a protective covering  98  is centrally located to cover the back side  16  of the hand  10 . 
     The finger elements  82  each include an upper portion  83  which includes synthetic material  100  with openings formed therein to receive thin elastic material  116  attached to cover the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP)  47 - 50 , and the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)  56 - 59  of each finger  65 - 68 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a lower portion  85  of the finger elements  82  includes protective covering  98 . In addition, protective padding  102  is affixed beneath the protective covering  98  and adjacent to the fingers  65 - 68 , in preselected areas. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , protective padding  102  and protective covering  98  cover the middle phalanx  52 - 55 —specifically the A 4  pulley  236  region, and the proximal phalanx  42 - 45 —specifically the A 2  pulley  232  region, of each finger  65 - 68 . Openings are formed in the lower portion  85  to receive thin elastic material  116  attached to cover the palm-side  18  of the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP)  47 - 50 , and the distal interphalangeal joints (DIP)  56 - 59  of each finger  65 - 68 . 
     The thumb element  84  includes protective covering  98  which surrounds the distal phalanx  51 , metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36 , proximal phalanx  41 , metacarpal  31 , and carpometacarpal joint (CMC)  26  of the thumb  64 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , an opening is formed in the protective covering  98  to receive thin elastic material  116  attached to cover the interphalangeal joint (IP)  46  of the thumb  64 . Another opening is formed in the protective covering  98  over the metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36  to receive thin elastic material  116 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , a piece of protective padding  102 , which is itself covered by thin elastic material  116 , is affixed to an area on the thumb element  84  and centered on an ulnar border (inside) of the thumb  64  over the diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′ of the thumb  64 . The diaphysis of proximal phalanx  41 ′ is found between the metacarpalphalangeal joint (MCP)  36  and interphalangeal joint (IP)  46  of the thumb  64 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the bottom portion  88  includes elastic material  96  in the vicinity of the wrist  12 . Out from the wrist  12  area, the bottom portion  88  includes protective covering  98  continuing out to the vicinity of the metacarpalphalangeal joints (MCP)  36 - 40  and located to cover the palm  18  of the hand  10 . A piece of protective padding  102  is affixed to a central palm  18  area underneath the protective covering  98  and placed at a preselected distance below a center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints (MCP)  37 - 40  and extending to a preselected distance above the hook of the hamate  71 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , another preferred embodiment of the batting glove  80  is similar to the glove  80  of  FIG. 3 , but is distinguished wherein a central portion  103  of the central palm  18  area is provided having no protective padding  102  and abutting two separate sections, a first section  105 , and a second section  107 . Both the first section  105  and the second section  107  include affixing protective padding  102  underneath the protective covering  98 . The central portion  103  includes protective covering  98 , but no protective padding  102 . When viewed as in  FIG. 3A , an overall outline of the central palm  18  area is similar to that of the glove of  FIG. 3 , except that the central portion  103  appears to be relieved or depressed in relation to the first section  105  and the second section  107 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , a first web  120  is formed in the area where the thumb element  84  is in proximity to the index finger  65 . An additional piece of protective covering  98  (thereby creating a double thickness of protective covering  98 ) is affixed over the first web  120 . A piece of protective padding  102  covered by thin elastic material  116  is affixed over the additional piece of protective padding  98  over the first web  120  to cover an area which is contacted by protective padding  102  of the thumb element  84 . When the glove  80  is worn by a wearer, the bottom portion  88  contacts the remainder of the palm  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the bottom portion  88  is attached to the top portion  86  to enable an entire covering of the palm  18  and the back side  16  of the hand  10  along an outer periphery having at selected locations a plurality of finger openings  110 , a thumb opening  112 , and a main opening  130 . Second, third and fourth webs,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , respectively, are formed between adjacent fingers  65 - 68 . The finger elements  82  are fixedly attached to each of the finger openings  110 . The batting glove  80  further provides the finger elements  82  with elastic webbing material  104  affixed laterally therebetween beginning at a tip of the index finger  65  down to the second web  122 , running up to the long finger  66  and continuing likewise terminating at the tip of the small finger  68  just past the fourth web  126 . Soft padding  99  such as terry cotton is placed as desired inside of the batting glove to cover the thicker protective padding  102 , preferably in the areas of the palm  18  and pulleys of the fingers  65 - 68 , and to provide for the comfort of the wearer. 
     Materials used in manufacture are preselected to achieve various goals as follows:
         Synthetic material  100 , such as, for example, JANEC SUPER® is used dorsally over the fingers  65 - 68  of the hand  10 ;       

     2-Way Elastic material  96 , such as, for example, 2-WAY SPANDEX® is used in motion zones of the hand  10  to allow glove  80  movement; 
     Thin elastic material  116 , such as, for example, LYCRA® is used to cover areas on the glove  80  based on centers of axes of rotation of all joints of the fingers  65 - 68  and thumb  64  of the hand  10 ;
         Protective covering  98 , such as, for example, cabretta skin (Indonesian sheep skin) is used to provide for protection from abrasion and direct shock applied to the hand in gripping a bat (not shown) and hitting a ball (not shown) with the bat; and,       

     Protection padding  102 , such as, for example, rubber foam of 1/16″ in thickness, is used to enhance a gripping surface of he fingers  65 - 68 , specifically the regions of the A 2  pulley  232  and A 4  pulley  236 , and in the palm  18  and first web  120  in order to reduce the most severe of shocks transmitted to the hand  10 . 
     The disclosure given is applicable not only to batting gloves, but also to gloves intended for use in various other activities such as, for example, golf, and working in the outdoors to include gardening. Protection for the hands  10  during use in such activities is achieved by measures such as, for example, varying quantity, placement, thickness, dimensions, and elastic qualities of pads, coverings, elastic materials and openings, as appropriate. 
     B. BLOCKER GLOVE 
     The goaltender&#39;s blocker glove identified by the numeral  300  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . A blocking pad  302  covers a major portion of the hand, wrist, and forearm of the goalie and may be of any conventional shape but is shown as being rectangular with a preselected thickness of padding material  314  ( FIG. 10 ) within the cover provided, the cover being an enclosed sewn construction including a back cover portion  316  and a face cover portion  318 . The cover may be made of any conventional durable and flexible material with one preferred embodiment being of a nylon that exhibits both superior abrasion and tear resistance and easily conventionally cut and sewn in the manner of any fabric material. A glove  304  is shown affixed by any well known means to the back cover  316  and includes a thumb portion  306 , an index finger portion  307 , a long finger portion  308 , a ring finger portion  309 , and a small finger portion  310 . The thumb portion  306  extends around the finger portions and wrist to provide extra padding over the sensitive wrist found in the index finger regions and is folded over to protect the wrist and lower portion of the palmar side of the hand. Additional wrist padding may also be provided to fit over the wrist portion of the user and the glove may be of any conventional size and shape known in the art. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 8-11 , a preferred hockey goaltender blocker glove  300  is provided for the right human hand. The glove  304  includes a covering  320  which may be of either unitary construction or include a plurality of sections to cover the finger sections  307 - 310 . The glove covering is made of any suitable material known in the art, such as leather, or the like. Along the bottom portion of the covering  320  is attached a plurality of shock absorbing pads positioned at specific areas to protect, particularly, the A 2  pulley region  222  ( FIG. 1A ) and the proximal phalanx  41  of the thumb above the metacarpalphalangeal joint  36  and below the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint  46 . Additional padding may be provided to cover the middle phalanx  52  of the index finger above the proximal interphalangeal joint  47  and below the center axis of rotation of the distal interphalangeal joint as indicated by the numeral  56 , as well as the proximal phalanxes  43 ,  44 , and  45 , of the long finger, ring finger and small finger, respectively. The shock absorbing padding  195  is provided over the thumb in the A- 2  pulley region of the proximal phalanx  41  between the metacarpalphalangeal joint  36  and the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint  46 , as shown in FIG.  2 . Padding  190  is positioned above the proximal interphalangeal joint  47  and below the center axis of rotation of the digital interphalangeal joint as indicated by the numeral  56 . Padding  191  is positioned above the metacarpalphalangeal joint  38  and below the center axis of rotation of the proximal interphalangeal joint as indicated by the numeral  48 . Padding  192  is positioned to overlie the proximal phalanx  44  and is positioned between the metacarpalphalangeal joint  39  and the center axis of rotation of the proximal interphalangeal joint as indicated at the numeral  49 . Padding  193  is positioned to overlie the proximal phalanx  45  of the small finger above the metacarpalphalangeal joint  40  and below the center axis of rotation of the proximal interphalangeal joint as indicated at the numeral  50 . Shock absorbing pad  194  may also be provided to overlie the metacarpals  32 ,  33 ,  34  and  35  of the index finger, the long finger, the ring finger and the small finger. Shock absorbing pad  194  overlies metacarpals  32 ,  33 ,  34 , and  35  and is positioned between the carpometacarpal joints  27 ,  23 ,  24 , and  30  ( FIG. 1 ) and the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints of each of the fingers  65 ,  66 ,  67 , and  68  also as shown in FIG.  1 . The protective shock absorbing padding is placed in the aforementioned anatomically designed fashion as shown in cut-away of the index finger section in  FIG. 10  to illustrate the pulleys and tendons regions protected with the motion zones defined by the center axis of rotation of the appropriate joints being left free. This enables the movement of the fingers and thumb without adverse effects when in use. 
     C. WORK GLOVE 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 12-13 , a preferred glove  400 , particularly useful as a work glove including gardening, is provided for the right human hand. The glove  400  outlined in phantom lines, includes a palmar side panel  402  and a dorsal side panel  404 . The two panels are generally stitched together along their outer periphery as indicated by the numeral  401  and are sized to define a plurality of finger stalls and a thumb stall. The finger stalls are identified by the numerals  410  for the index finger,  412  for the long finger,  414  for the ring finger and  416  for the small finger. The thumb stall is identified as  408 . The glove  400  is also provided with an opening  403  to receive the human hand therein. The glove panels  402 ,  404  are made of any suitable material known in the art, such as leather, or the like. Along the bottom portion of the palmar side panel  402  is attached at least a palmar protective padding  424  which overlies at least the distal halves of the index finger and long finger metacarpals  32  and  33 , respectively, and may include the metacarpals  34  and  35  of the ring finger and the little finger also. In a preferred embodiment, an ulnar protective pad  422  is provided along the thumb stall at a location adapted to be along an ulnar border of the thumb proximal phalanx  41  between the metacarpalphalangeal joint  36  and the interphalangeal joint  46  as well as a thumb A 2  pulley protective padding  423  disposed along the thumb stall of the thumb proximal phalanx  41  between the metacarpalphalangeal joint  36  and the interphalangeal joint  46 . Padding  423  is below the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint  46 . Even though padding  422  and  423  are shown as separate padding it is realized that padding  422 ,  423  may be unitary. Additional padding  426  may also be provided to cover the proximal phalanx  42  above the metacarpalphalangeal joint  37  and below the center axis of rotation of the interphalangeal joint  47 . Other padding may also include shock absorbing padding  427 ,  428  and  429  which are placed over the proximal phalanxes  43 ,  44  and  45  of the long finger  66 , the ring finger  67 , and the small finger  68 , respectively. The padding will be positioned above the metacarpalphalangeal joints  38 ,  39  and  40 , respectively, and below the center axis of rotation of 30 the proximal interphalangeal joints  48 ,  49  and  50 , respectively. Even additional shock absorbing padding may be placed over the middle phalanxes  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  and identified as  436 ,  437 ,  438  and  439 , respectively. The paddings  436 ,  437 ,  438  and  439  are positioned above the proximal interphalangeal joints  47 ,  48 ,  49  and  50  and below the center axis of rotation of the distal interphalangeal joints as indicated by the numerals  56 ,  57 ,  58  and  59 , respectively. The protective shock absorbing padding being placed in the aforementioned anatomically designed fashion protects the pulleys and tendons of the fingers and thumb while leaving the center axis of rotation of the appropriate joints free. This enables the movement of the fingers and thumb without adverse effects when in use. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an additional pad identified as  444  may be located to overlie the thumb metacarpal  31  between the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint  36  and the carpometacarpal joint  26 . 
     The detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.