Abstract:
A ball glove has an index finger pad construction which reduces the impact force on the hand and allows exact fit and a perfect position of fingers of wearer. The ball glove includes a palm side skin forming a front wall of the glove, a back side skin forming a back wall of the glove coupled to the palm side skin to define a hand cavity, a webbing coupled to an index finger section and a thumb section, a back lining secured to the back side skin, and a palm lining comprising an index finger section and a palm section. The palm section is substantially secured to the palm side skin and the index finger section of the palm lining is extended from a finger opening formed in the back side skin and secured on a back wall side of the back side skin.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a ball glove for baseball, softball and other sports. In particular, the present invention relates to a ball glove having an index finger pad construction that allows exact fit and a perfect position of fingers of wearer and provides firm grip and control. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A ball glove is designed to provide a wearer protection from an impact of a ball being caught in the glove. As indicated in  FIG. 5 , a ball impact zone X of the ball glove is located at the base of the index finger section. Accordingly, the index finger of the wearer of the ball glove receives a hard impact when a ball is caught unless the ball is caught solely by the webbing provided between the thumb and index finger of the glove. 
         [0003]    Over the years, players discovered that impact force on the hand can be reduced by placing the index finger on the outside of the ball glove, rather than in the hand cavity. Therefore, it is quite common practice for players to extend their index finger from their glove and rest it on the back wall of the ball glove. This provides the back side skin of the ball glove as an additional layer of padding between the index finger and the ball, so as to minimize and avoid the impact when catching a thrown or hit baseball or softball. However, the back of most ball gloves is usually made of smooth leather and does not provide much traction or grip to the index finger. A player&#39;s index finger may slip and slide across the back of a typical ball glove and reduce or eliminate control of the glove. Thus, this practice may not only reduce the impact of the ball on the hand but also reduces the performance of the ball glove, as it is hard to stabilize the index finger position. 
         [0004]    A ball glove is designed to be worn by placing fingers in a finger region of the hand cavity formed by a back side skin and a palm side skin of the ball glove. The finger region comprises a plurality of finger sections including an index finger section. As shown in  FIG. 1 , removing the index finger of wearer from the finger section and resting the index finger on the back wall of the ball glove requires the index finger to be bent back substantially. Further, the wearer&#39;s index finger lies across on a binding channel on a proximal edge of the finger region. This causes not only discomfort to the wearer but also negatively impacts to the ball glove performance. 
         [0005]    Another important function of a ball glove is its ability to close and open the glove to secure and to release the ball. A traditional glove is designed to respond to movement of the wearer&#39;s fingers in the finger sections. However, as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , when the wearer&#39;s finger rests on the backside of the glove it is substantially bent which causes the index finger not to lay flat on a palm lining while the other three fingers lay flat on the palm lining. This creates a space between the index finger and the palm lining. This space between the wearer&#39;s index finger and the palm lining prevents proper communication between the index finger and a palm side skin on which the palm lining is secured and the ball is contacted. 
         [0006]    As a result, the traditional glove does not provide the comfort and control which players are seeking, if the index finger of the players is removed from the finger section. 
         [0007]    In order to accommodate the practice of removing the index finger from the finger section, an approach chosen so far in the art has been primary to provide an index finger section of the palm lining on a back wall side of the back side skin, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . However, this approach does not address the comfort and performance issues caused by the players extending the index finger from their glove and rest on the back wall of the glove. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a ball glove that allows the wearer to comfortably extend the index finger from the index finger section without sacrificing the glove&#39;s performance. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the above mentioned situation, various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a ball glove with an index finger pad construction that allows the wearer to extend the index finger from the index finger section and provides exact fit, comfort, and a perfect position of fingers of the wearer for firm grip and control. 
         [0010]    According to the present invention, the ball glove comprises a palm side skin forming a front wall of the glove and a back side skin forming a back wall of the glove. The back side skin is coupled to the palm side skin to define a hand cavity and to form a finger region comprising a plurality of finger sections including an index finger section and a thumb section configured to align with an index finger and a thumb, respectively, of wearer of the glove. 
         [0011]    The index finger section and the thumb section are coupled with webbing. A back lining is secured to the back side skin. A palm lining comprising an index finger section and a palm section is substantially secured to the palm side skin. The palm section of the palm lining is substantially secured to the palm side skin and the index finger section of the palm lining is extended from a finger opening formed in the back side skin through the back lining and secured on a back wall side of the back side skin. 
         [0012]    The ball glove has distal and proximal ends. The hand cavity is defined by the backside skin and the palm side skin has an opening to insert wearer&#39;s hand in the proximal end of the ball glove and the finger region is located on distal end of the ball glove. The palm lining may further comprise additional finger sections aligned with respective finger section of the back side skin. The palm lining may also be one continuous piece. The palm lining may further comprise an index finger ring thereon at the index finger section to secure the index finger of wearer of the glove. 
         [0013]    Instead of the index finger section of the palm lining, the other finger section of the palm lining, which aligned with wearer&#39;s mid finger, may be extended from a finger opening formed in the back side skin through the back lining and secured on a back wall side of the back side skin. 
         [0014]    The ball glove may further comprise padding material between the back side skin and the palm lining at the index finger section. The padding material has a rectangular cuboidal shape. The padding material may also have a triangle shape in longitudinal section such that the padding material forms a hump so as to fill the space between the palm lining and the index finger of wearer of the glove. 
         [0015]    In one of embodiments, the back side skin may further comprise a strap extending from the thumb section. A distal edge of the strap and a proximal edge of the finger region of the back side skin define an internal opening. The index finger section of the palm lining extends from the internal opening to be secured on the back wall of the back side skin. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, the back side skin may further comprise a strap extending from the thumb section. A distal edge of the strap and a proximal edge of the finger region of the back side skin define an internal opening. The index finger section of the palm lining extends from a finger opening formed in the finger region of the back side skin. The finger opening formed in the finger region of the back side skin may be a slit aperture. The finger opening is located on distal side of the proximal edge of the finger region of the back side skin and the back side skin between the proximal edge of the finger region of the back side skin and the finger opening formed in the finger region of the back side skin forms an index finger slot cover. The index slot cover prevents the wearer&#39;s index finger from slipping and sliding across the back side skin. The index slot cover may further comprise a folded piece for a cleaner finish and to stabilize the finger opening as well. 
         [0017]    The foregoing and other objectives and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiment may be utilized and the structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplification of the invention. Accordingly, the following detail description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, showing by way of illustration a particular embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated embodiment is merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view of traditional glove showing an index finger position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  illustrate a space between the index finger and the palm lining of the traditional glove. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates index finger section of the palm lining applied on a back wall side of the traditional glove. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a ball glove in an open position in accordance with some of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   a  is a back perspective view of the ball glove in accordance with some of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6   b  is a back perspective view of the ball glove in accordance with some of embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates positional relationship between wearer&#39;s hand and a palm lining in accordance with one of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  illustrates an index finger construction in accordance with one of embodiments of the present invention 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  illustrates an index finger construction in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  illustrates a sectional view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0029]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate an index finger padding material structure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  illustrates a palm lining with an index finger ring. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a back perspective view of the ball glove in accordance with one of embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Hereafter, the ball glove of the present invention will be described in detail by way of preferable embodiment shown in the attached drawings. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one skill in the art. In the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a through understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and mechanism have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6   a  and  FIG. 6   b  illustrate a front and a back perspective view of a ball glove  1  in accordance with some of embodiments of the present invention, respectively.  FIG. 6   a  illustrates a fastback style and  FIG. 6   b  illustrates regular style. The figures are shown in a left-handed glove. However, the present invention is not limited to the left-handed glove. A right-handed glove would be substantially identical to the left-handed glove. The ball glove  1  has distal and proximal ends. The hand cavity define by the backside skin  6  and the palm side skin  2  has an opening for a hand cavity  24  to insert wearer&#39;s hand in the proximal end of the ball glove and the finger region  10  is located on distal end of the ball glove  1 . 
         [0034]    The ball glove  1  comprises a palm side skin  2  forming a front wall  4  and a back side skin  6  forming a back wall  8  of the ball glove  1 . The back side skin  6  is coupled to the palm side skin  2  to define the hand cavity  24  and to form a finger region  10  comprising a plurality of finger sections  14 ,  16 ,  18 , including an index finger section  12  and a thumb section  20  configured to align with an index finger and a thumb, respectively, of wearer of the glove. The index finger section  12  and the thumb section  20  are coupled with webbing  22 . The back side skin  6  may further comprise a finger opening  30 . The palm side skin  2 , the back side skin  6 , and the webbing  22  can be made of any suitable material or materials known in the art, whether natural or synthetic, which include but are not limited to rubber, leather or synthetic leather, preferably cowhide leather. 
         [0035]    A back lining  46  (not shown in the figures) is secured to the back side skin  6 . A palm lining  34  (not shown in the drawings) comprising an index finger section  38  and a palm section  36  is secured to the palm side skin. The palm lining  34  may further comprise additional finger sections  40 ,  42 ,  44 , aligned with respective finger section  14 ,  16 ,  18 , of the back side skin  6 . The palm lining may be one continuous piece. The palm section  36  of the palm lining  34  is substantially secured to the palm side skin  2 . However, unlike traditional ball glove, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the index finger section  38  of the palm lining  34  of the present invention is extended from the finger opening  30  formed in the back side skin  6  through the back lining  46  and secured on a back wall side of the back side skin  6 . The back lining  46  and the palm lining  34  can be made of any suitable material or materials known in the art, whether natural or synthetic, which include but not limited to rubber, leather or synthetic leather, preferably cowhide or pigskin. More preferably, tacky or non-slip material is used for the palm lining  34  to provide traction or grip to the wearer&#39;s index finger. 
         [0036]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , with the traditional glove, when players extend their index finger from their glove and rest it on the back wall of the glove, the index finger is substantially bent backward and touching the edge of the finger region where usually covered by a binding channel. In this manner, it is hard to stabilize the index finger position and causes discomfort not only by the bent position of the index finger but also by touching the bumpy binding channel. On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the index finger section  38  of the palm lining  34  of the present invention stays with the index finger of the wearer and prevents the discomfort of touching the binding channel. 
         [0037]    Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , with the traditional glove, the space is formed between the wearer&#39;s index finger and the palm lining, while the index finger of the wearer of the claimed ball glove  1  stays with the index finger section  38  of the palm lining  34 . Accordingly, the claimed ball glove  1  responds to a movement of the index finger promptly so that proper communication between the index finger and the palm side skin can be achieved. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates one of embodiments of the present invention. The back side skin  6  further comprises the strap  26  extending from the thumb section  20 . The distal edge of the strap  26  and the proximal edge of the finger region  10  of the back side skin  6  define the internal opening  28 . The index finger section  38  of the palm lining  34  extends from the internal opening  28 , and is secured on a back wall side of the back side skin  6 . No finger opening  30  is formed in this configuration. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The back side skin  6  further comprises a strap  26  extending from the thumb section  20 . The distal edge of the strap  26  and the proximal edge of the finger region  10  of the back side skin  6  define an internal opening  28 . The finger opening  30  is formed in the finger region of the back side skin, more specifically, formed on distal side of the proximal edge the finger region  10  of the back side skin  6 . The finger opening  30  formed in the finger region  10  of the back side skin  6  may be a slit aperture. 
         [0040]    The back side skin  6  between the proximal edge of the finger region  10  of the back side skin  6  and the finger opening  30  formed in the finger region  10  of the back side skin  6  forms an index finger slot cover  32 . The index finger section  38  of the palm lining  34  extends from the finger opening formed in the finger region  10  of the back side skin. The index finger slot cover  32  stabilizes the index finger position and provides protection. As indicated in  FIG. 10 , the index slot cover  32  may further comprise a folded piece  48  for a cleaner finish and to stabilize the finger opening  30 . A numeral  54  indicates the binding channel. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the ball glove  1  may further comprise padding material  50  between the back side skin  6  and the palm lining  34  at the index finger section  12 . The padding material can be any foam body such as a urethane. The padding material can be in a rectangular cuboidal shape. The padding material is  50  preferably in a tapered shape having a triangle shape in longitudinal section such that the padding material  50  foam a hump which leaves no space between the palm lining  34  and the index finger of wearer of the ball glove  1  and provide a tight fitness, as illustrated in  FIG. 11   a.  The size of the padding is not limited, however, preferably the maximum height H of 10 mm and minimum height h of 5 mm, as indicated in  FIG. 11   b . Although,  FIG. 10  suggests the embodiment having the slot cover  32 , the padding material  50  is applicable to the embodiments without the slot cover  32 . 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the palm lining  34  may also further comprise an index finger ring  52  thereon at the index finger section  38  of the palm lining  34  to secure the index finger of wearer of the glove. The index finger ring  52  can be made of any suitable material known in the art, whether natural or synthetic, which include but are not limited to fabric, leather, or synthetic leather, preferably elastic material such as rubber. The index finger ring  52  secures the position of the index finger of the wearer. 
         [0043]    Further as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , instead of the index finger section of the palm lining, the other finger section of the palm lining, which aligned with wearer&#39;s mid finger, may be extended from a finger opening formed in the back side skin through the back lining and secured on a back wall side of the back side skin. 
         [0044]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific examples of the embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.