Abstract:
A protective sports glove worn by athletes during training or for use in a combative event to protect against injury and increase performance (including but not limited to total force generation, grip strength, striking force and speed, muscular endurance, time to contraction, etc.). These gloves are engineered with a dorsal splint system and a cooperating adjustable dual strapping wrist tie system to secure the gloves to the contour of the hands, to ensure they remain tight and fixed, and to support the wrist from excessive bending. The dual strapping system with the dorsal splint system provides increased wrist/hand rigidity mirroring a tightness of hand wrap bandages for maximal bone and tendon support of the hands and wrists, and this novel tie system increases the transfer of force generation to the point of impact.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/031,964 filed 22 Feb. 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a combat sports glove designed for improved fit and function. More specifically, the invention relates to a combat sports glove having an adjustable dual system wrist support system and/or a dorsal splint system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Combat athletes, especially mixed martial arts (MMA) practitioners, use gloves that generally are cumbersome, thick, non form-fitting and lack in adequate wrist and hand support that quickly, with repetitive use, lose the ability to maintain proper fit and function. This can lead to a decrease in force generation and related hand and first functioning and can also lead to injury. A shortcoming of these conventional combat gloves is that when the glove strikes a target or opponent the hand can be loose and the wrist can be unstable. It can therefore be appreciated that force loss and injury can be experienced by the athlete during training and during a competitive event. Maintaining maximal force production in relation to striking force and grip strength are key factors in support performance during stand up or ground combat. Injury prevention is also of great importance to these athletes especially specific to protection related to the hands and fists. In particular, through repeated use and wear, the glove fit may become lose and inadequate to function properly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Various embodiments of the present invention provide a combat sports glove having improved fit and function comprising a body having a dorsal portion, having a dorsal splint system, a volar portion, a finger portion, and a wrist portion having a dual strap closure with a primary support strap and a secondary support strap. The primary support strap first fastens around the wrist, followed by, in the opposing direction, the secondary support strap. In one embodiment—of the invention, at least one of the straps of the dual strap closure comprises a non-stretch material. In one aspect of this embodiment, the strap not having a non-stretch material comprises an elastic portion. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary support strap comprises a non-stretch material and the primary support strap comprises an elastic portion. In another embodiment, the dorsal portion comprises a splint system that includes at least two individual support elements. In another aspect, the splint system includes more than two individual support elements. 
         [0005]    An embodiment of the present invention provides a glove having a dual strap closure as thus described, the glove comprising a body having a dorsal portion having a dorsal splint system, a volar portion, a finger portion, and a wrist portion, wherein the finger portion comprises two separate cavities, one for containing the thumb and another for containing the second, third, fourth, and fifth fingers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are not intended to be limiting. Throughout the drawings, like elements are referred to by like numerals. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a palmer view of a glove having both straps secured in a closed configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a dorsal view of the glove shown in  FIG. 1  having both straps in an unsecured or unfastened opened position according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  with the glove having the primary strap in a secured or fastened position according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to the glove shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  showing both straps in a secured or fastened position according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section sequence view along line A-A of  FIGS. 2 through 4  showing the sequence of securing the primary and secondary straps according to another embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a dorsal view of the glove showing the dorsal splint system according to to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    While the various embodiments of the present invention are herein described with specific examples, those examples are not intended to be limiting, and those of skill in the art will appreciate and recognize other embodiments and advantages of the present invention. 
         [0014]    Referring now to the figures, in which like parts are identified by like numerals throughout all figures, a glove according to a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail. 
         [0015]    It should be noted that commonly accepted anatomical names are used to refer to parts of the hand and corresponding parts of the gloves according to various embodiments of the present invention. The term, dorsal, refers to the back or top of the hand. The term, volar, refers to the bottom or palm-side of the hand. The thumb is understood to be considered the first finger but is most commonly herein referred to as the thumb. The remaining fingers, proceeding from the first finger, are herein referred to as the second, third, fourth, and fifth fingers. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a glove  10  is shown in palmer view. Glove  10  has a dorsal portion (not visible in this view) having a dorsal splint system, a volar portion  30 , a thumb portion  32 , a finger portion  40 , and a wrist portion  50 . Wrist portion  50 , in the embodiment shown is formed with a gap  52 , having a thumb-side edge  52 A and an opposing-side edge  52 B. A primary support strap  54  is attached to the thumb-side edge  52 A (not visible in  FIG. 1 ) and a secondary support strap  56  is attached to the opposing-side edge  52 B at  56 A. The opposing-side edge  52 B contains a slot  57  through which primary support strap  54  passes through. 
         [0017]    In use, an individual places their hand inside glove  10 . When the primary support strap  54  and the secondary support strap  56  are unsecured, the gap  52  allows for the wrist portion  50  and the volar portion  30  to open and accommodate the hand, the hand being larger in circumference in some regions than the wrist. The individual&#39;s thumb passes into the thumb portion  32  and their second, third, fourth, and fifth fingers pass into finger portion  40 . Primary support strap  54  is passed through the slot  57  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows the opposite side (dorsal) of the glove  10  shown in  FIG. 1  with the primary support strap  54  passed through the slot  57  (not shown) and also showing dorsal portion  20  having both straps in the open position. As shown in the drawings, the dorsal portion  20  contains two individual support elements  22 , together forming a dorsal splint system that extend from the finger portion  40  down to the wrist portion  50  such that the support straps overlay a portion of the support elements  22 . Primary strap  54  is pulled tightly in the direction of the block arrow shown in  FIG. 3 . In one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the primary support strap  54  has an elastic portion, preferably near the thumb-side attachment  54 A (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). As the primary support strap  54  is pulled, it narrows or closes the gap  52  tightly conform to the wearer&#39;s hand and wrist, thereby producing a tight, supportive fit. The dorsal side of wrist portion  50  may include a region  58  having means to accommodate reversible fastening of the strap closure system, in particular the primary support strap  54 , which in turn also contains a means to facilitate reversible fastening (of the secondary support strap  56 ). The means to facilitate reversible fastening are preferably hook-and-loop type fastening, such as Velcro®. 
         [0018]    Next, now referring to  FIG. 4 , the secondary support strap  56  is pulled tightly in the direction of the block arrow shown back in the opposite direction relative the primary strap, across over the dorsal side of wrist portion  50  and securely fastened to over the primary support strap  54  at region  58  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a sequence of cross-sections (I, II, and III) of the glove  10  are taken from configurations shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4  along line A-A through the wrist portion  50  showing the region where the primary support strap  54  and secondary support strap  56  overlap a portion of the two individual support elements  22  forming the dorsal splint system. The block arrows of  FIG. 5  I, II, and III correspond to the block arrows of  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , respectively, and show the direction of strap movement. To facilitate reversible fastening, secondary support strap  56  has mean to facilitate fastening. To secure secondary support strap  56 , it is, from the unsecured position (shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 I, and  5 II), first pulled tightly in the direction of the block arrow shown across the volar side of wrist portion  50 , then around to the dorsal side of wrist portion  50  and then across the dorsal side of wrist portion  50  and fastened overtop the secured primary support strap  54 —the primary support strap  54  already being secured to region  58 . In once aspect, the primary support strap  54  has reversible fastening means on both sides to facilitate fastening to region  58  and to facilitate fastening of the secondary support strap  56 . In another aspect, the secondary support strap  56  contains at least a portion of a non-stretch material. Preferably, the non-stretch material is nylon. Most preferably, the non-stretch nylon is 420D nylon. Thus, the glove  10 , in a secured and/or closed configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 III, provides wrist support through the interaction of the dorsal splint system, and the individual support elements  22 , thereof, interacting with the primary  54  and the secondary  56  support straps, which when secured at wrist portion  50 , function as a single reinforcing structure  25  shown in FIG.  5 III. 
         [0020]    Gloves in accordance with the present invention provide improved wrist closure and support for improved fit and function by providing a dual cross directional strap system for use in conjunction with a dorsal splint system to provide protection for the back of the hand and the wrist. It has been found that gloves not made in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention would become loose due to stretching of the wrist closure within about 2 months of regular use. Advantageously, gloves in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention seek to avoid this rapid loosening and maintain proper fit and function for longer time. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the dorsal splint system, according to one aspect of the present invention, is comprised of multiple sections of support material  22  incorporated into the dorsal side of the glove. The dual strap closure system secures over the region of the dorsal splint system support material distal relative to the fingers. The dorsal splint system comprises multiple separate sections, preferably two. The gloves according to this aspect limit movement of the wrist and are therefore intended to be used primarily for striking activities. When the glove is not being worn and the dual strap system is loosened, the multiple sections of the dorsal splint system are free to move and bend relative to one another, and the multiple sections allow the gloves to be easily applied to the hand of the wearer and allow wrist movement. Once the dual strap system is secured, the straps encircle a portion of each of the dorsal splint support sections over the wrist of the wearer, thereby causing the multiple sections to engage and support one-another, thereby providing support for the wrist and protection for the back of the hand—this support and protection is greater than what would result from a single dorsal support section. 
         [0022]    The gloves according to various embodiments may be constructed of material commonly used to manufacture combat sport gloves. Such materials include leather, cotton, vinyl, polyester, and combinations of different materials. Synthetic leather such as poly urethane may be used. Materials such as, acrylic and poly vinyl chloride, and microfiber, cellulose, including rayon, modal, lyocell, polyamide nylon, petroleum (PET) or polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) polyester, phenol-formaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl alcohol fiber (PVOH), polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC), polyolefins (PP and PE), or acrylic polymers, acrylic fiber, carbon fibers and PF fibers, aromatic nylons, such as Kevlar™ and Nomex™. Fibers that have strong bonding between polymer chains (e.g., aramids), or extremely long chains (e.g., Dyneema™ or Spectra™). Elastomers may also be used, e.g., spandex. The padding, including the pads of the dorsal splint system may be constructed of commonly known material such as nylon, cotton, foam, rubber, plastic, silicone, polyurethane, polyethylene, polyborosiloxine, ethylvinylacetate and polyvinylchloride. The padding may also be constructed as composites or layers of different materials. The specific material and thickness will depend on the amount of impact protection and the desired rigidity to resist unwanted bending of the wrist. 
         [0023]    The specific features herein described may be used in a variety of specific glove types. For example the features may be incorporated into gloves commonly worn in specific combat sports such as boxing, kick-boxing, and mixed martial arts, which each may use gloves of different weight including, but not limited to, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, 18 oz, and 20 oz but are best-suited to 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, and 18 oz gloves