Abstract:
A sports glove, such as hockey, lacrosse and other sports gloves, includes a front palm portion having finger stalls for insertion of fingers therein, a back portion which is attachable to said front palm portion by a connector, such as a zipper, wherein the zipper connector is covered by a fly cover having an attachment end and a free end, wherein further lifting of the free end of the fly cover exposes the zipper for user engagement therewith.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a protective glove and its palm-fingers unit for hockey, lacrosse and other similar sports gloves. Specifically the invention relates to hockey, lacrosse and sports gloves in which the palm-finger unit for holding the shaft, stick, etc., can be easily removed and replaced quickly and easily while having a protective fly cover to cover a zipper attachment when it is installed in the glove. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    During hockey and lacrosse when a player uses a pair of gloves for a prolonged period of time, the palm-finger area of the glove gets worn, wet, and reduces the players ability to hold the shaft, stick etc. with a good sensitivity within the player&#39;s hand allowing a comfortable feeling between shaft, stick and the player fingers and palm. 
         [0005]    The players require this sensitivity to maintain skillful stick or ball handling which is essential in hockey and lacrosse. This all must be in a glove that is comfortable and not have exposed elements such as a zipper when the glove is being used. 
         [0006]    In hockey and lacrosse gloves, the portion on the back of the glove is usually protected with internal padding and is less susceptible to damage from the elements such as water, ice, grass and wear during conventional use. The front or palm-finger unit of the glove exhibits wear to a much greater extent during use due to constant engagement with the shaft, stick etc. Consequently, the palm-finger area of these hockey and lacrosse gloves is more likely to abrade and tear, or get brittle than the back of the glove. 
         [0007]    Therefore, the palm-finger area of a glove is generally the determining factor of the durability, life and or legality of wearing according to the rules of the hockey and lacrosse gloves and the like. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,639 to Aoki discloses an ice hockey glove which addresses some of these issues. The ice hockey glove in Aoki patent discloses a hockey glove with a removable palm area at peripheral edges of the glove. The attaching means is a zipper installed at peripheral edges of the ice hockey gloves front and back member. Having an a zipper at peripheral edges as shown suffers in the shape, and feel in the finger area, which becomes abnormal and the internal area which touches the fingers is bothersome—not comfortable. Another major problem is that it leaves exposure of the attachment zipper to outside elements. This leads to exposure from other sticks, shafts during play leading to quick failure. Another major failing of the Aoki patent is that it leaves exposure of the attachment zipper to other players which are undesirable in these sports. Additionally, the attachment of the back padding to the exterior side of the glove may lead to padding failure. This makes the back area less durable and susceptible to outside elements. This would also fail to conform to the configuration of the users hand as it gets damaged or comes off and possibly failing to adequately protect the users. Additionally the wrist closure mechanism suffers as it takes too long to use and has too many pieces that must be engaged before using. Additionally, if the player is required to (must) put their hand in the glove in order to close the cuff area, makes it more difficult and less desirable to operate and function. The time frame is also increased which is less desirable. In this case, one only has the ability to close the mechanisms with the opposite hand instead of the dexterity of using two hands. This suffers in function. It is also more costly to produce. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,117 to Latina discloses an ice hockey glove which addresses some of the issues. The hockey glove of the Latina patent discloses a hand receiver portion or an inner glove which is attached to a padded back portion at the ends of the finger stalls and the outer sides of the palm area, but otherwise remains detached from the inner glove. The inner glove is coupled to the padding through lacing. Consequently, when the face of the inner glove wears out, the lacings need to be withdrawn and a new inner glove installed, thereby allowing reuse the back padding. The Latina patent suffers from the disadvantage that it does not allow for quick replacement of the inner glove. Replacing the entire glove of the Latina patent is a time consuming procedure requiring the user to remove and replace all of the laces in the hockey glove. Additionally, the replacement of the entire inner glove portion in the Latina patent is not most efficient procedure since only the palm portion of the glove is generally damaged. Additionally, the attachment of the back padding to the glove at only distinct points may lead to the padding failing to conform to the configuration of the users hand and possibly failing to adequately protect the users in certain positions. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An object in the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. 
         [0011]    Additionally, an object of the present invention is to provide hockey, lacrosse players and the like, with a desirable, usable, quick efficient and economical glove with a palm-finger unit replacement that also has protection for the attachment means and protects the players from contact with the attachment means. 
         [0012]    Other objects which become apparent from the following description of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention is a new improved version of a two piece, connector joined sports glove, such as hockey, lacrosse and other sports gloves. The sports glove of the present invention features a joining connector, such as a zipper, set of snaps or other suitable attachment, covered by a fly cover. The zipper attaches the front palm with fingers portion to the glove portion. The fly cover protects the zipper attachment from damage caused by impact from the sports mentioned and protects the players in these sports from exposed zippers. 
         [0014]    This development also leads to a better feeling glove with more comfort, a normal look and a non exposed zipper. The fly cover can be the same material as the front palm-finger area or it can be different material. It can also be a combination of materials. It can be made of any suitable material used to make gloves or a combination of any suitable material or materials. 
         [0015]    In the preferred embodiment the fly cover can match the finger material or it can be different. The fly cover can be part of the front palm-finger portion in the sports glove such as hockey and lacrosse and the like. The fly cover can go from the glove portion (side) to the front palm side to cover the zipper. The fly cover can be a combination of the glove side and the front palm-finger side portions. The fly cover can be from the front palm side of the glove portion (side) to the glove portion. The percentage of each can be any percentage that can be feasible if one uses a combination of glove and front palm portions to form the fly cover. 
         [0016]    The fly cover can be different directions on different parts of the gloves if desired. The fly can overlap the nearest material that it is trying to meet. The fly can also be just shy of meeting the material it is trying to meet. 
         [0017]    The preferred embodiment would have the fly-cover cover the zipper as much as possible. Other embodiments may have less than the full coverage; however, anything covering at least 50 percent of the zipper would be preferable. 
         [0018]    The fly cover can go from left to right or right to left or any combination of these. The fly cover can go up to down or down to up or any combination of these. The fly cover can be any direction or a combination of directions. The fly cover can be any suitable material or a combination of suitable materials. 
         [0019]    The zipper can be made of any suitable material or materials. Examples include plastic, nylon, synthetic, polymer materials, metal, ferrous or non ferrous material, carbon fiber or any suitable material or combination of materials. The fly can be made from any suitable material or a combination of materials. The fly can be made from one piece of material or it can be made of multiple pieces. 
         [0020]    The fly cover material can be fabric type material, either synthetic or natural, such as leather, synthetic leather, suede, synthetic suede, Nash, micro fiber type material, VELCRO® hook and loop fastener, any natural or synthetic material or combination of materials and fibers that can be used in this industry for gloves. The fly cover can be any color or combination of colors. 
         [0021]    The zipper can be made from any suitable material or combination of materials. The fly can be cut, formed, molded, cast, forged, pressed, sewn or use any known manufacturing method or methods to make it. 
         [0022]    The zipper can be made from any suitable material or combination of materials. The zipper can be sewn, molded, pressed, cast, forged, formed, cut or be made by any known manufacturing method or combination of methods or manufacturing techniques. The attachment of the zipper and fly cover can be sewn, glued, bonded or use any suitable bonding technique or any combination of techniques. 
         [0023]    The zipper can be installed on the front palm unit in any feasible position-possible position. The preferred embodiment would have the zipper teeth at least slightly away from the back of the front palm units —finger receptacle edges. 
         [0024]    The zipper attachment on the glove side can be installed toward the middle of the fingers, toward the back of the fingers or toward the front of the fingers or any feasible position that will allow the operation and comfort for the fingers. On the preferred embodiment, the continuation of the zipper toward the sides of the hand and cuff would be toward the outer portion of the glove unit. The preferred embodiment would have some material between the edge of the finger unit and the zipper. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the zipper attached sports glove with fly cover protection of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a close up detailed view thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a close up detailed view of an alternative embodiment thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a detailed view of a further alternative embodiment thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective of another embodiment for one hand of a pair of a zipper-attached front palm units according to the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view thereof; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view thereof; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view thereof, 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  is a right side elevational view of a zipper portion thereof; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10  is a left side elevational view thereof, and, 
           [0036]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of the other hand of the other embodiment in  FIGS. 5-10  for one hand of a pair of zipper-attached front palm units according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    The stippling in the drawings represents texture. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    The present invention provides a hockey glove, lacrosse glove, sports gloves, with an easily replaceable front palm-finger unit while protecting the attachment means. 
         [0039]    The hockey glove  10  includes a back member  12  having a body portion  14 , a thumb portion  16  and a plurality of finger portions  18 . Padding members  60  are permanently internally encapsulated within the glove to protect the fingers, thumb, back and side portions of the glove and the cuff area  70 , thereby protecting the user&#39;s hand. A plurality of internal changeable front member units  40  is provided with each front member including a front palm portion, a thumb portion and a plurality of finger portions. The number of finger portions of the front member unit  40  corresponds to the number of finger portions in a corresponding back member in the preferred embodiment. There can also be a different number of finger elements or socket or receptacle from one to five, however, the preferred would match as stated. 
         [0040]    An attaching means removably couples one of the front members to the back member. 
         [0041]    The coupled front and back members cooperate to form a hand receiving portion which includes a palm, thumb stall and a plurality of finger stalls. 
         [0042]    The hockey and lacrosse gloves and sports gloves of the present invention include the glove to the users&#39; hand and wrist area. The protective element for the wrist area is known as the cuff  70  and  72  in  FIG. 1 . A wrist cuff closure mechanism for securely and easily fastening is provided. 
         [0043]    The wrist cuff includes a back portion  72  attached to the glove side and the front portion  70  which is attached to it as a continuation from the glove portion  72 . The wrist cuff is not fully sewn to form a continuously closed cuff around its perimeter. There is an open portion, so the cuff is not permanently closed. It allows the cuff to open and close. The two or more parts of the cuff have hinged action from the sewing or attaching the parts together while not permanently attaching the opposite side to the gloves back portion. The closure mechanism may include VELCRO® hook and loop type fasteners, and snaps or any other workable attachment means. The preferred closure has a VELCRO® hook and loop type fastener on the base of the palm at the wrist area and opposite on the cuff side  71 . These two areas coincide to form the attachment at these locations across the lower region of the palm area that meets it. The cuff only requires one snap  80 , which securely fastens the cuff together so it can&#39;t open easily in play. The snap is at the end or toward the end of the open portion, two parts that need to be joined to close the cuff. The snap has a male portion and a female portion, the male and female portion are positioned to meet from the two portions that are needed to close the cuff area.  FIG. 1  represents the area for the snap at reference numeral pairs  80 ,  74  or  80 ,  72  or a location in this area as described. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0044]    The hockey or lacrosse glove  10  of the present invention includes a back member  12 , shown in  FIG. 1 , which covers the back of the user&#39;s hand. The back member includes a body portion  14 , a thumb portion  16  and four finger portions  18 , although it should be noted that the glove may be formed with less than four finger portions  18 . 
         [0045]    Padding  60  is encapsulated between the body portion  14  and back portion  12  to protect the exterior side of the back member  12  and it substantially covers the exterior portion of the back member  12  to protect the user&#39;s hand. The padding  60  may be in the form of foam inserts into the areas needed to be protected such as the fingers and back of hand and side of hand and cuff area. The padding may also be in the form of a plurality of rolls, some of which extend across the back of the hand, generally on the back of the body portion  14 . Other of the rolls may be positioned longitudinally along the back area of the finger portions  18 . Similarly, another padding roll or insert may be provided which corresponds to the shape of the thumb portion  16 . Thumb portion  16  may also have a plastic insert along with foam padding adding further protecting the thumb. Additionally the padding may be tapered and or have any shape desired. 
         [0046]    The removable front palm unit  40 , shown in  FIG. 5 , covers the front portion of the players&#39; hand. A plurality of front finger members  44  may be provided for use with a single back member  12 . Each removable front palm units  40  includes a palm portion  42 , a thumb portion  46  and four finger portions  44 . The thumb portion is usually stitched to the remainder of the front palm portion. Fewer finger members  44  may be formed limited only in that the number of finger portions  44  of the front palm unit  40  is intended to correspond with the number of finger members  18  of the back member  12 . The front palm unit can be any thickness desired or any material desired or any combinations of material desired. It is contemplated that a plurality of front palm units with varying thicknesses and or materials can be attached to the same back member  12 . However, it is preferred that the front palm unit  40  have a thickness that allows greater feel by the player. This can be achieved using the desired material and thickness for the particular material. 
         [0047]    The size and material provide an effective hockey and lacrosse glove which maintains the appropriate flexibility and control for the player. Front palm unit may terminate at the very bottom of the wrist area. VELCRO® hook and loop type fastener or another closure material or device can be stitched to the base of the front palm unit to aid in the cuff closure. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the back member  12  and front palm unit  40  are attached together by a closure, such as a zipper  20  on the front palm unit and  22  on the glove unit, covered by fly  30  from front to back or fly  32  from back to front or fly  34  which forms in the middle to form a hand receiver portion which includes a thumb stall and a plurality of finger stalls. The zipper and fly extend around each finger and thumb unit and side of hand leading toward the cuff on the glove side and each finger and thumb and side of hand leading to the cuff on the palm side. Additionally the zipper and fly cover extend along the thumb  16  on the glove portion and  46  on the palm unit and finger portions  18  on the glove portion and  44  of the front palm unit, thereby connecting the front palm unit to the back member  14  forming a hand receiving unit. The zipper is preferably a thin, narrow, soft zipper with a lock, thereby allowing the zipper  20  on the front palm unit and  22  on the glove unit to effectively operate in the space provided between the finger walls and also the fly cover. 
         [0048]    The hockey and lacrosse glove or sports glove  10  of the present invention includes a wrist closure mechanism for securely fastening the glove at the users&#39; wrist. The wrist closure mechanism includes a first flap  70  attached, to one side of the of the body portion  14 . A hook and loop type fastener such as VELCRO®, is attached to the interior of flap  70  at or near the inside horizontal area at  71 . Additionally a snap  80  or other closure devise is attached to the flap  70 . The female portion of the snap can be on the inside of this flap. 
         [0049]    A second flap  72  can have the male portion which coincides with the snap on flap  70 . The preferred embodiment would have the male portion on the glove side next to the base of the zipper  74  attachment on the side of the glove. Near this area on the glove side can have the male portion of the snap. This may also be reversed to allow  72  or  74  to have the male side of the snap and the inside of flap  70  have the female portion to receive. The preferred embodiment would have the female portion of the snap on the  70  flap and the male portion of the snap on position  74 . The exterior side of the front palm unit base would also have VELCRO® hook and loop type fastener which coincides to the shape and size on the first flap at  71  for closure purpose. The snap or other closure devise is for a secure closure. 
         [0050]    In operation the wrist closure operates as follows: 
         [0051]    With or without the players hand in the glove  10 , the first flap  70  secures the VELCRO® hook and loop fastener on the inside of flap  70  coinciding with to the palm units VELCRO® hook and loop fastener type of attachment at coinciding areas or points as it closes and the snap  80  locks the cuff unit secure on position  74 . 
         [0052]    The zipper  20  on the palm unit and  22  on the glove portion is protected by the fly cover  30  which goes from front to back, or  32  which goes from back to front or  34  which goes in both direction toward the middle, allows for quick and easy replacement of the front palm unit  40 . The fly cover can be a combination of any direction from the palm unit or the glove portion or be any combination of the two. It can even be different ways of covering the zipper in different sections of the glove or palm unit. The zipper is in a position and protected by the fly cover so that it does not interfere with the operation and use of the hockey or lacrosse glove or other sports glove  10 . The zipper and fly cover extend around the portions of the players hand and fingers in which the hand fits into. The present invention allows a single back member  12  and a plurality of front palm units  40 , thereby extending the life and usefulness and function of the glove  10 . 
         [0053]    Another embodiment may have a gap between the base of the palm unit and cuff area. On this glove the cuff will not overlap the palm unit. There can be a gap between the cuff and the palm unit. The tab on the bottom of the zipper on each side may be covered by a piece of material coming off the glove or as part of the replaceable palm or a combination of both. 
         [0054]    This embodiment allows more freedom for the wrist to maneuver while having a replaceable palm unit. 
         [0055]    Another embodiment is a replaceable front palm unit  40  which has a zipper attachment  20  as shown in  FIG. 2  and a fly cover  30 ,  32 ,  34  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . The fly cover may be only a portion of a fly cover to cover the zipper attachment or cover a portion of the zipper attachment on the front palm unit. The fly cover may be able to cover the majority or even most of the zipper if not all of the zipper attachment on the front palm unit. Whatever percentage is needed or works best would be alright as the desired results are achieved. The front palm unit has a palm section, a thumb section and a plurality of finger portions which will coincide with the glove portion to form a hand receiving unit. The base of the front palm unit may have VELCRO® hook and loop type fastener to aid in the cuff closure when the palm of the glove is in the glove unit. There may be any number of finger portions or hand shapes—makeup to any desired form to form a hand receiving unit. The fly cover may be any portion of the total fly cover and can vary in thickness and shape or size or length if desired or be consistent if desired or any combination of percentages within the replaceable palm unit. 
         [0056]    On the preferred embodiment, the snap would be on the cuff flap  70  with the female portion being exposed on the inside of the cuff flap toward the end of the flap as shown on  FIG. 1 . The base of the side of the glove side opposite the cuff flap would have the male portion of the snap  74  as shown in  FIG. 1 . This would be next to the palm units&#39; zipper attachment&#39;s zipper. The snap could then be closed and secured from the wrist cuff flap to the glove side. 
         [0057]      FIG. 2  is a detailed close up view of the glove portion containing a portion of the zipper  20  from the palm unit and  22  from the glove unit. Fly cover  30  on the front palm unit covers both elements of the zipper attachments from the front palm unit and the glove unit. The fly cover is attached to the front palm unit and is made with material that is sewn and part of the front palm unit, thereby protecting the zipper attachment. The direction of the fly cover is from front palm unit towards glove unit. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3  is a close up view of an alternative embodiment. On this embodiment the fly cover  32  is part of the glove unit. The zipper  20  from the front palm unit attaches to the zipper  22  on the glove unit the fly cover  32  covers the zipper attachment as shown and describes with material that is attached to the glove unit. This protects the zipper attachment. 
         [0059]      FIG. 4  is a close up view of a further embodiment. This shows the zipper  20  from the palm unit joins zipper  22  from the glove unit. The fly cover  34  has material from both the palm unit and the glove unit. The fly cover covers the zipper attachment and protects the zipper. 
         [0060]    Another embodiment can have any combination of the above embodiments where the material used for the fly cover can come from either or both the front palm unit or glove unit or both. There can be another embodiment that has varying areas around or near the zipper portion were the material can come from one side or the other or both. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective of a zipper attached front palm unit  40  according to the present invention. This view shows the majority of the zipper element  20  as it goes from the side of the hand closest to the cuff  70 , around the plurality of finger elements  44  and around the thumb area  46  on the front palm unit  42 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of another embodiment for the zipper attached front palm portion  42  of a pair of front palm and back glove portions  40  and  12  respectively of sports glove  10  according to the present invention. This view shows how the zipper  20  goes from the side of the hand portion closest to the base of the unit continuously up toward and around each finger unit  44  and around the thumb member  46 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective of a zipper attached front palm unit  42  according to the present invention. This view shows the majority of the zipper element  20  as it goes from the side of the hand closest to the cuff, around the plurality of finger elements  44  and around the thumb member  46  on the front palm unit  40 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the front palm unit  42  of this invention. The zipper element  20  goes completely around the palm portion&#39;s periphery. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9  is a right side elevational view of the palm portion  42  and zipper portion  20 . The length of the zipper  20  is determined by the palm size and dimensions. There is a material component and teeth component to the zipper attachment  20 , which mates with rear zipper attachment  22  shown in  FIG. 1 . The material portion gets attached to the palm unit. 
         [0066]      FIG. 10  is a left side elevational view of the palm portion  42  and zipper portion  20 . The length of the zipper  20  is determined by the palm size and dimensions. There is a material component and teeth component to the zipper attachment  20 . The material portion gets attached to the palm unit. 
         [0067]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of the other hand of the front palm unit  42  of the pair of sports gloves  10 , as in  FIGS. 5-10  of this invention. The zipper element  20  goes completely around the palm portion  42 &#39;s periphery. 
         [0068]    The back glove unit  12  will have the matching portion of the zipper attachment  22 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , so the palm unit  40  with palm portion  42  can be joined with the back glove unit  12  to form a hand receiving sports glove unit  10  according to the present invention. 
         [0069]    In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0070]    It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.