Patent Publication Number: US-9409078-B2

Title: Sports glove with 3-dimensional finger portion

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to gloves. More particularly, the invention relates to protective sports gloves. Specifically, the invention relates to a sports glove that has finger members that each include a dorsal portion having a plurality of protective pads, an inner portion having one or more frictionally engaging surfaces; and sidewalls extending between the dorsal and inner portions that permit air to flow into the finger cavity. The dorsal and inner portions are connected to the sidewalls by spaced-apart seams that are situated within the interior of the finger cavity of the finger member and are positioned to fall inwardly away from the front and rear surfaces of the glove and along the sides of the athlete&#39;s fingers. 
     2. Background Information 
     There are a number of protective sports gloves currently used in high contact sports such as lacrosse and ice hockey. These gloves include a variety of features that aid in protecting the player&#39;s hands from impact during the game. Yet other features aid in making the gloves more comfortable for the player, such as through the provision of mechanisms for encouraging air circulation into the interior of the glove. Further features include specific solutions for strengthening the glove in certain areas to provide needed protection for specific parts of the player&#39;s hand, such as the thumb. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,069 to Morrow, for example, discloses a glove having a single wrist guard elastically coupled to the back portion. The wrist guard is a relatively narrow strip of protective padding at the base of the back of the glove. The strip is substantially uniform in width and therefore likely provides little additional protection to the wrist bones during active play. The glove also includes a number of vent holes in the back portion and mesh fabric in the palm portion to enhance air circulation in the interior of the glove. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,333 to Morrow et al discloses a glove for a lacrosse goalie that includes a cuff portion connected to a hand portion and a wrist guard that overlays a portion of the cuff. The glove also includes a flange that extends along one side. In this instance, the wrist guard is a relatively wide component that is suitable for a goalie as it provides adequate coverage of the wrist and forearm and therefore will protect the goalie&#39;s hand from impacts from balls and sticks. However, the size and shape of the wrist guard would substantially limit the range of motion a player&#39;s hand could go through and the glove would therefore be of little use to a player other than the goalie. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,813,780 to Morrow is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,069 and discloses a glove that includes the relatively narrow wrist guard that overlays a small area of the cuff portion, and includes the plurality of vents in the back portion of the glove. The glove also includes at least two flex lines to improve the mobility of the same. A first flex line runs horizontally across the glove. A second flex line runs across the glove at an angle to the horizontal. The vents in the back portion of the glove are disposed along one of the first and second flex lines. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,690 to Gait is directed to a glove that includes protective pads on the back of the glove, the fingers and the thumb portions. A cuff extends downwardly from the hand portion in a number of sections that run substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the glove. The cuff sections are disposed adjacent each other and do not overlap each other. The cuff sections are joined to each other and are somewhat pivotable relative to each other. Additionally, the cuff sections flare outwardly so that the range of motion of the player&#39;s hand is less restricted. A wrist guard is provided along an innermost edge of the cuff portion and is fixedly secured to the hand portion. The bottom edge of the wrist guard is contoured in an attempt to reduce the impact the fixed wrist guard will have on the motion of the player&#39;s hand. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,540 to Morrow is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,813,780 and discloses the same glove as discussed above. This patent also discloses a palm portion that is composed primarily of a durable material and includes a plurality of openings into the interior of the glove. At least one of the openings has a breathable material disposed therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,318,241 to Morrow is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,540 and additionally discloses that the glove has a palm portion made of two materials where at least one of the materials is designed to prevent bunching when the hand is flexed. The first material is a durable material and the second material is mesh. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,373 to Kohler discloses a glove that includes an elastic substrate that is used to secure protective pads together on those areas of a glove that typically include such pads, i.e., areas of the glove that are intended to cover a forearm, a wrist, a back of a hand, and finger and/or a thumb of the player. The elastic substrate is independently attached to different pad segments. Thus, when the player grasps a stick, for example, certain padded areas of the glove come under tension, and, in these areas, the substrate expands allowing the pads to move away from each other to a certain degree. When the player relaxes his hands, the elastic substrate allows the pads to move somewhat toward each other. Thus, the substrate increases the flexibility and mobility of the glove. 
     U.S. Publication No. 2009/0019618 to Winningham discloses a protective glove that includes a single, relatively broad wrist guard positioned over the dorsal region of the glove, specifically over the junction of the hand portion and cuff member. The wrist guard includes a contoured first edge facing toward the thumb and finger members and a second edge facing the edge of the cuff. The first edge may include a curvilinear portion where the first edge transitions from the dorsal region to the radial side of the glove. 
     Although all of these previously known gloves suit the purposes for which they were developed, there is always a need in the art for improvements to the same. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device of the present invention is a protective glove having a hand portion made up from a palmer region and a dorsal region which surround and define a cavity for receiving a player&#39;s hand. A finger portion and a thumb portion extend outwardly from the hand portion and a cuff portion is joined to the hand portion along a junction and extends outwardly from the hand portion in a direction opposite the finger portion. A wrist guard is disposed proximate the junction and is attached to the hand portion. The wrist guard is made up from a primary member and a secondary member. The primary member is attached to the hand portion and is disposed adjacent an area of the dorsal region proximate the junction. The type of attachment permits the primary member to pivot relative to the dorsal region. The secondary member is attached to the primary member and is free of attachments to both the hand portion and the cuff member. The secondary member is positioned so that it extends at least partially over the cuff portion. The attachment between the primary and secondary members is such that the secondary member is able to pivot relative to the primary member. Both of the primary and secondary members are also slidable along an exterior surface of the dorsal region and cuff portion of the glove. Thus, the wrist guard is an articulating protective member that is able to provide additional protection to the player&#39;s wrist and forearm as they flex and rotate their hand during play. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a glove having a palm portion that is comprised of three different materials that impart different properties to the glove. The majority of the palm region is made from a first material with a high coefficient of friction that aids the player in gripping the handle of a sporting implement. The first material also aids in reducing the tendency of the handle to rotate within the grip of the player during play. The second material is one that is breathable and encourages circulation of air into the interior cavity of the glove. The third material is an elastic fabric that permits the palm region to expand in width when the glove is pulled on or taken off but reverts to its original width when the glove is seated around the hand, thus keeping the glove snug on the player&#39;s hand. The elastic fabric may comprise a cuff at the base of the palmer region and a relatively small insert that is continuous with the cuff. Alternatively the elastic fabric may constitute the previously identified areas and a further region that covers approximately half of the palmer region and under lays the first fabric in that addition region. In a third embodiment, the elastic fabric under lays substantially all of the second fabric in addition to being provided in the cuff and in the small insert. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a glove having a protective thumb crotch disposed on the dorsal region and intermediate the thumb portion and finger portion. The thumb crotch includes a side wall and a top wall and incorporates a pad made from a shock absorbent material. The side wall is disposed on the dorsal region and the top wall extends between the finger and thumb portions. Both the side wall and top wall of the thumb crotch are covered with the same first material used on the palmer region. The top wall is arcuate and cradles the handle of the sporting implement and the first fabric thereon reduces the tendency of the handle to rotate in the player&#39;s hand during play. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a glove in which each of the finger members in the finger portion is 3-dimensional in shape. Each finger member includes a dorsal portion, an inner portion and a pair of sidewalls extending therebetween. A pair of seams join the dorsal and inner portions to the sidewalls and the seams are recessed inwardly so as to fall along the sides of an athlete&#39;s fingers when the glove is worn. Thus, none of the seams fall on the palmer surface of the glove. The dorsal portion includes a plurality of protective pads, the inner portion includes one or more frictionally engaging surfaces; and the sidewalls permit air to flow into the finger cavity. When viewed from the tip, the dorsal portion of each finger member is substantially straight. The side walls are substantially straight and disposed at right angles to the dorsal portion, and the inner portion is arcuate in shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is rear view of a glove in accordance with the present invention; with the glove shown being for a player&#39;s left hand; 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the glove; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the glove; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of the glove; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged rear view of the bottom end of the glove showing the cuff member and the primary and secondary members of the wrist guard; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged rear view of the bottom end of the glove with the primary and secondary members of the wrist guard removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional right side view of the bottom end of the glove taken through line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 , showing the wrist guard and cuff in an at-rest position; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional right side view of the bottom end of the glove taken through line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 , showing the glove in a flexed position; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged front view of the finger portion of the glove; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional top view of a single finger member taken through line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the glove showing a second embodiment of the palmer region including, in phantom, an elastic layer that is disposed inwardly behind the palmer region, and showing a portion of the elastic layer in the cut-away; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of the glove showing a third embodiment of the palmer region where the elastic layer is shown in the two cut-aways; 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of the glove showing the expansion of the palmer region when the glove is put onto or taken off of the player&#39;s hand; 
         FIG. 14  is a top perspective view of the glove being used to grasp a lacrosse stick handle, illustrating how the stick is cradled in a thumb crotch and is supported on specific areas of the palmer region that are made from a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the surrounding areas; and 
         FIG. 15  is a right side perspective view of the glove being used to grasp the stick handle and showing the handle cradled on the top wall of the thumb crutch. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of the ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-15 , there is shown a glove in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated at  10 . As is evident from the figures, glove  10  is designed to be worn on the left hand of a player. The glove for the right hand will be a mirror image of the one illustrated herein. For the purposes of this description only, the left hand side of the glove is referred to by the character  10   a  and the right hand side of the glove is referred to by the character  10   b.    
     Glove  10  includes a hand portion comprising a dorsal region  12 , a palmer region  14  ( FIG. 3 ), a finger portion  16 , a thumb portion  18 , a cuff portion  20 , and a wrist guard  22 . Glove  10  has a longitudinal axis “Y”. Dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  are joined to each other along their longitudinally aligned sides and they define a cavity  24  ( FIG. 7 ) therebetween. Dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  each have a first edge and a second edge that are disposed generally at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”. Finger portion  16  extends outwardly from the upper edges (not numbered) of dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14 . The lower edges thereof,  12   a  ( FIG. 6 ) and  14   a  ( FIG. 3 ), are disposed remote from finger portion  16  and define an opening  26  ( FIG. 3 ) into cavity  24 . The player will insert their hand “H” ( FIG. 7 ) into cavity  24  in hand portion through opening  26  and will likewise remove their hand therefrom. When hand “H” is inserted therein, the back of the player&#39;s hand will be disposed adjacent dorsal region  12  and the palm or front of the player&#39;s hand will be disposed adjacent palmer region  14 . The player&#39;s wrist and forearm “W’ will extend outwardly from opening  26 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , dorsal region  12  comprises a plurality of protective pads  28  that are separated from each other by valleys  30 . Each pad  28  preferably comprises a pocket formed one or more layers or pieces of a leather, composite leather, vinyl or some other durable material. Each pocket surrounds and retains a shock absorbent material  32  therein ( FIG. 7 ), such as a compressed foam material. Preferably, adjacent pockets are stitched or otherwise secured together and the stitches fall in the valleys  30 . In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the entire dorsal region  12  is substantially continuous and free of openings into cavity  24 . The valleys  30  are substantially V-shaped channels that are able to open and close as the player moves their hand “H” within glove  10 . Valleys  30  permit a greater degree of flexion and freedom for the player to move their hand “H” than would be the case if the valleys  30  were not present. The exact configuration of each pad  28  and valley  30  may be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Dorsal region  12  further includes a liner  34  ( FIGS. 6 &amp; 7 ) that is disposed interiorly of pads  28  such that the player&#39;s hand “H” will contact liner  34 . Liner  34  preferably is manufactured from a soft, preferably non-elastic material and is situated across substantially the entire dorsal region  12 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , liner  34  extends for a distance downwardly beyond lower edge  12   a  of dorsal region  12 . Liner  34  is secured to the material of the lowermost pads  28  adjacent lower edge  12   a  in a suitable manner, such as by stitches ( FIG. 7 ). Liner  34  may additionally be fixedly or detachably secured to one or more pads  28  other than those positioned proximate lower edge  12   a . Liner  34  thus effectively forms the interior surface of dorsal region  12 . The portion of the liner  34  that extends beyond the lowermost pads disposed proximate second edge  12  will be situated adjacent a region of the player&#39;s wrist “W” when they are wearing glove  10 . 
     The construction of dorsal region  12  is such that pads  28  are substantially fixed in position relative to each other and only move when the player flexes their hand “H” to the degree that the valleys  30  between adjacent pads are able to open and close. The shape and configuration of pads  28  and the placement of valleys  30  can be varied without departing from the spirit of the present invention. However, the configuration is one that allows for maneuverability of the dorsal region  12  as the player uses their hand. Additionally, the specific shape and placement of pads  28  and valleys  30  provides substantially equal protection for all regions on the back of the player&#39;s hand “H”. 
     A first embodiment of palmer region  14  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Palmer region  14  comprises a plurality of differently shaped areas that are secured to each other, preferably by stitching. Specifically, palmer region  14  comprises a first area  36  proximate finger portion  16 . First area  36  preferably is substantially horizontally oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis “Y” of glove  10  and extends from the join between dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  proximate first side  10   a  of glove  10  to the join between dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  proximate second side  10   b  of glove  10 . A second area  38  of palmer region  14  is substantially Y-shaped and includes a first leg  38   a  and a second leg  38   b . First leg  38   a  is substantially horizontally oriented with respect to the longitudinal axis “Y” and is secured along one edge to first area  36 . Second leg  38   b  is angled relative to first leg  38   a  and extends from proximate a middle region of first leg  38   a  angling downwardly toward a bottom corner of glove  10  proximate lower edge  14   a  of palmer region  14 . Second leg  38   b  terminates at the lower edge  14   a  of palmer region  14 . Preferably, a palmer cuff  40  is secured along the lower edge  14   a  of palmer region  14  and extends between thumb portion  18  and dorsal region  12 . Palmer cuff  40  may be omitted and the lower edge  14   a  of palmer region  14  will then effectively partially bound the opening  26  to cavity  24 . When provided, palmer cuff  40  effectively becomes the lower edge of palmer region  14  and at least partially bounds opening  26  to cavity  24 . Palmer cuff  40  will be discussed further hereinafter. A generally triangular third area  42  is disposed between and is connected to first and second legs  38   a ,  38   b  of second area  38 . Third area  42  terminates at the join between dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  at the first side  10   a  of glove  10 . Palmer region  14  further includes a generally Y-shaped fourth area  44  that comprises a first leg  44   a  and a second leg  44   b . First leg  44   a  extends substantially diagonally across the palmer region  14  and is secured to a portion of first leg  38   a  and a portion of second leg  38   b  of second area  38 . Both of first and second legs  44   a ,  44   b  of fourth area  44  extend downwardly toward lower edge  14   a  and terminate therein. First and second legs  44   a ,  44   b  are secured to palmer cuff  40 . A fifth area  46 , that is generally U-shaped, is secured between first and second legs  44   a ,  44   b  and to palmer cuff  40 . The nature of fifth area  46  will be discussed further hereinafter. A sixth area  48  that is generally triangular in shape originates proximate the join between the dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  at the second side  10   b  of glove  10  and terminates in palmer cuff  40 . Sixth area  48  is secured to a portion of first leg  38   a  of second area  38  and is secured to a portion of first and second legs  44   a ,  44   b  of fourth area  44 . Finally, a generally D-shaped seventh area  50  is provided between sixth area  48  and thumb portion  18 . Seventh area  50  is secured at a top end to one or both of second and sixth areas  34 ,  44 , is secured along to a portion of sixth area  48  and the remaining peripheral edges thereof are secured to thumb portion  18 . 
     In accordance with one of the specific features of the present invention, palmer region  14  preferably is constructed from three distinct materials having three different properties. The first material is a breathable mesh material. This material is used in first area  36  and seventh area  50  and allows air to flow into and out of cavity  24  in hand portion. The second material is a microfiber material that is used in second area  38 , third area  42 , fourth area  44 , and sixth area  48 . The microfiber material is durable and has a high coefficient of friction. The coefficient of friction of the microfiber material is higher than that of the material used on dorsal region  12 . The microfiber material enhances the gripping characteristics of glove  10  and aids in ensuring that the handle “S” ( FIGS. 14 &amp; 15 ) will not tend to slip and rotate within the glove when a shot is taken or a stroke is played. 
     The third material used in the construction of palmer region  14  is an elastic material. If palmer cuff  40  is not provided, then the lower edge  14   a  of palmer region will comprise portions of sixth area  48 , fourth area  44 , fifth area  46  and second area  38  and will extend from thumb portion  18  to dorsal region  12 . The lower edge will join dorsal region  12  at the side  10   a  of glove  10 . The lower edge  14   a  will have a length “L” measured between the connections to thumb portion  18  and dorsal region  12  when glove  10  is in a relaxed state and is not worn on a player&#39;s hand. In accordance with the present invention, fifth area  46  is made from the elastic material and is secured around its generally U-shaped peripheral edge to the rest of the areas that constitute an upper layer of palmer region  14 . Thus, the lower edge  14   a  of palmer region  14  includes a wedge of elastic material and this makes the length “L” of the lower edge  14   a  adjustable. If palmer cuff  40  is secured to lower edge  14   a , then palmer cuff  40  effectively becomes the lower edge of palmer region and has a length “L” when the glove is in the relaxed state. Palmer cuff  40  may be manufactured entirely from the elastic material, which is preferred, or may only include a section of elastic material along its length. In the latter instance, the elastic material on palmer cuff  40  should at least partially align with fifth area  46 . Consequently, no matter which of the above-mentioned constructions employed in the lower edge of palmer region  14 , the length “L” of that lower edge is adjustable because of the presence of the elastic material in one or both of fifth area  46  and palmer cuff  40 . The coefficient of friction of the microfiber material is also higher than the coefficient of friction of the elastic material. 
     In the first embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 3 , the elastic material is only provided in fifth area  46  and palmer cuff  40  and does not extend for more than a very short distance beyond the boundaries of these two regions. The elastic material allows the width of glove  10 , as measured from first side  10   a  to second side  10   b  thereof, to temporarily increase when the player&#39;s hand “H” is inserted through opening  26  and then to revert to its original width once the player&#39;s hand “H” is received in cavity  24 . Furthermore, when hand “H” is withdrawn from cavity  24 , the elastic material once again expands to permit hand “H” to be easily withdrawn from cavity  24 . This expandable property of fifth area  46  and palmer cuff  40  ensures that glove  10  maintains a snug fit around hand “H” but still enables the player to easy put the glove on and take it off. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 9 and 10 , finger portion  16  comprises four finger members  16   a - 16   d  that extend outwardly from the first edges of dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14 . Finger members  16   a - 16   d  are disposed generally aligned with longitudinal axis “Y” of glove  10 . When the glove  10  is worn on hand “H”, finger member  16   a  will receive the player&#39;s index finger therein, finger member  16   b  will receive the middle finger therein, finger member  16   c  will receive the ring finger therein, and finger member  16   d  will receive the little finger therein. Each finger member  16   a - 16   d  is substantially identical in construction. The following description references finger member  16   b  but applied equally to all four finger members. 
     Finger member  16   b  has an inner portion  52  ( FIG. 10 ), a dorsal portion  54  and a pair of sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  extending between inner and outer sides  52 ,  54 . Inner and outer sides  52 ,  54  and sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  surround and define a cavity  70  that is configured to receive the player&#39;s finger therein. Inner portion  52  will be disposed adjacent the front of the player&#39;s finger; dorsal portion  54  will be disposed adjacent the back of the player&#39;s finger, and sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  will be disposed adjacent the sides of the players&#39; finger. 
     Inner portion  52  preferably is made from an elongate piece of mesh material  52   a  onto which horizontal pieces of microfiber material  52   b  are stitched. (First area  36  may also be integral with the elongate lengths of mesh material used to form the inner portions  52  of the four finger members  16   a - 16   d .) Alternatively, smaller pieces of mesh material and microfiber material could be stitched together to form the elongate inner portion  52  of finger member  16   b . Mesh regions  52   a  preferably are located to fall adjacent the inner surfaces of the player&#39;s knuckles and microfiber regions  52   b  are located to fall adjacent the fleshy regions of the player&#39;s fingers. 
     Dorsal portion  54  is formed in much the same manner as dorsal region  12  of glove  10 . Consequently, dorsal portion  54  is manufactured from one or more pieces of a durable material, such as leather, that are constructed into a plurality of pads  58  ( FIG. 1 ) separated from each other by valleys  60 . Preferably, dorsal portion  54  includes three pads  58  separated from each other by two valleys  60 , where valleys  60  are disposed to fall adjacent the player&#39;s knuckles so that they can bend their fingers. (Finger member  16   d  includes only two pads  58  separated from each other by one valley  60 .) Each pad  58  preferably includes a plurality of layers of shock absorbent material  62  that are spatially separated from each other. Layers  62  may be secured together by an adhesive layer  63  or may be separated from each other by a gap  65 . The innermost layer  62   a  includes a curved inner surface  64  that is contoured to seat the back of the player&#39;s finger comfortably therein. The outermost surface  54   a  of dorsal portion  54  is generally planar and thus pad  58  presents a larger, flat contact surface to absorb blows to the fingers. Inner portion  52  is substantially arcuate in cross-sectional shape and extends arcuately away from the dorsal portion  54 . 
     As indicated previously, sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  extend between inner portion  52  and dorsal portion  54 . Sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  are made from breathable mesh material and preferably are integral with each other and form an arcuate tip  68  at the top of finger member  16   b . Thus, tip  68  is also formed from the breathable mesh. Tip  68  is substantially arcuate when glove  10  is viewed from either of the front or back. Tip  68  has a semi-circular shape and inner portion  52  curves toward tip  68 . Tip  68  further includes an arcuate tip that is generally perpendicular to the arcuate inner portion  52 . Sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  are substantially planar when the glove is in a relaxed state, such as in  FIG. 3 , and are generally perpendicular to outer surface  54   a  of dorsal portion  54 . Finger member  16   b  further comprises a first radius between one of the pair of sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  and inner portion  52  and a second radius between the other of the pair of sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  and inner portion  52 . Preferably, the first radius and the second radius are the same but they may differ from each other. Furthermore, the first radius and the second radius are continuous and form an angle of approximately 180 degrees. 
       FIG. 10  shows that the various materials, namely, the leather or vinyl that forms dorsal portion  54 , the mesh that forms sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  and mesh and microfiber that forms inner portion  52  are folded inwardly into the interior of the finger member and are secured together by stitching to form seams  66 . Seams  66  are disposed within finger cavity  70  and may be reinforced to ensure that they do not accidentally break. Additionally, seams  66  are spaced a distance inwardly from each of the dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  of glove  10 . The material of inner portion  52  therefore wraps partially around the sides of finger member and extends for a distance inwardly away from the front thereof. Similarly, the material of dorsal portion  54  warps partially around the sides of the finger member and extends for a distance inwardly away from the back thereof. Thus, the sides of each finger member include a first area comprised of the material that forms sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b , a second area comprised of the material that forms inner portion  52 , and a third area comprised of the material that forms dorsal portion  54 . In accordance with another specific feature of the present invention, sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  are spaced substantially the same distance away from dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14 . Seams  66  are therefore located such that they will be positioned adjacent the sides of the athlete&#39;s fingers. Furthermore, the location of seams  66  is such that they will fall a distance inwardly away from the front and back surfaces of the athlete&#39;s fingers. Thus, the material used to form inner portion  52  wraps for a distance around the sides of each finger. Similarly, the material used to form dorsal portion  54  of each finger member wraps for a distance around the sides of each finger. This type of 3D construction moves seams  66  off the athlete&#39;s palmer side of the fingers thereby allowing for more uninterrupted palmer contact with the stick. This construction also makes glove  10  more comfortable to wear, makes it more aesthetically appealing from the outside and aids in keeping seams  66  secure as the stitches therein are not exposed on the exterior of glove and are therefore less at risk for breakage. 
     In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the exterior surfaces of sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b  on the outside edges of finger members  16   a  and  16   d  also include protective patches  72  ( FIGS. 1, 2 &amp; 4 ) to aid in protecting the player&#39;s fingers. Patches  72  preferably are formed from pieces of leather or other durable material that is stitched or otherwise secured over the outer surface of the breathable mesh of sidewalls  56   a ,  56   b . A thin layer of a shock absorbent material may be disposed between each patch  72  and sidewall  56   a ,  56   b.    
     In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, an additional protective patch  74  may similarly be provided along the junction between the dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14  along side  10   a . Protective patch  74  is constructed from a durable material, such as leather, and preferably also includes at least a thin layer of shock absorbent material. Patch  74  is provided to protect the side of the player&#39;s hand that extends downwardly from the little finger. 
     Glove  10  further includes a reinforcement member  76  that extends across the bases of one or more finger members  16   a - 16   d  and connects the same to first area  36  of palmer region  14 . Preferably, reinforcement member  76  connects palmer region  14  and all of the finger members  16   a  through  16   d . Reinforcement member  76  is comprised of the microfiber material. 
     Various seams between the pieces of material that are used to construct glove  10  may be double stitched to reinforce the same. Such double stitching is provided on all the seams in reinforcement member  76 , on the seam joining first area  36  and second area  38  and the seam surrounding fifth area  46 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , thumb portion  18  includes an inner portion  78  and a dorsal region  80  that are joined together along their edges to define and internal thumb cavity (not shown). The player&#39;s thumb is received in the thumb cavity such that the back of the thumb is adjacent the dorsal region  80  and the front of the thumb is adjacent the inner portion  78 . Dorsal region  80  is constructed in a similar manner to dorsal region  12  and dorsal portion  54  of finger members  16   a - 16   d  and includes three pads  82  that are separated from each other by two valleys  84 . Pads  82  are constructed from a durable material, such as leather, that is formed into a pocket which retains a shock absorbing material therein. Valleys  84  are disposed on thumb portion  18  in a location that will fall adjacent the player&#39;s knuckle and joint and the base of the thumb so that the thumb portion  18  will be able to be bent and flexed with relative ease. Inner portion  78  of thumb is manufactured from a piece of microfiber material and is joined, preferably by a double stitched seam, to the seventh area  50  of palmer region. 
     In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, a thumb crotch  86  is provided in the area of the glove between thumb portion  18  and finger member  16   a . Thumb crotch  86  is situated in such a location that when the glove is on the player&#39;s hand, the thumb crotch  86  protects the area of soft tissue that is disposed between the player&#39;s thumb and index finger. Thumb crotch is manufactured from the microfiber material which covers a crush-resistant, shock absorbing pad. Thumb crotch  86  extends downwardly into dorsal region  12 , is generally triangular in shape, and includes a top wall  88  and sidewall  90 . The materials that form dorsal region  12 , finger portion  16  and thumb portion  18  are sewn so that valleys  92  separate thumb crotch  86  from pads  28 ,  58  and  82  on dorsal region  12 , finger member  16   a  and thumb portion  18 . 
     Thumb crotch  86  has an apex  90   a  disposed in a region that is about midway down the length of dorsal region  12  between the upper and lower edges. Apex  90   a  is disposed adjacent second side  10   b  of glove  10  and proximate a base of thumb portion  18 . As such, apex  90   a  falls in a region that will be proximate the base of the player&#39;s thumb when the player&#39;s hand “H” is in the glove. Apex  90   a  is disposed opposite top wall  88 . A first section  88   a  of top wall  88 , which extends between finger member  16   a  and thumb portion  18 , is concavely curved. Because of the crush-resistant pad present in thumb crotch  86 , top wall  88  is semi-rigid to rigid. The curved first section  88   a  of top wall  88  has a radius that is axially aligned with the side wall  90 . Furthermore, when stick “S” is held by the gloved hand of the player, it can be seen that the radius and shape of top wall  88  is substantially complementary to the shape and diameter of stick “S”. 
     A second section  88   b  of top wall  88  is substantially planar and extends outwardly away from the curved section  88   a  and onto finger member  16   a . Second section  88   b  is secured to finger member  16   a  in a location that will be disposed adjacent the base of an index finger of a player when glove  10  is worn. The width of the second section  88   b  is substantially equal to the width of sidewall  56  of finger member  16   a . Second section  88   b  serves to anchor thumb crotch  86  on finger portion  16  and provides a braced region of thumb crotch  86  during play so that the upper portion of thumb crotch  86  is not accidentally ripped off dorsal region  12  during play. The part of thumb crotch  86  secured to sidewall  56  of finger member  16   a  ensures that the knuckle bone at the base of the index finger is well protected from impacts. 
     Top wall  88  resists the possible compression of sidewall  90  by stick “S”. Additionally, the microfiber material utilized in thumb crotch  86  provides improved gripping characteristics relative to those that would be possible if the thumb crotch were manufactured from a material such as leather. As is best seen in  FIG. 15 , the curvature of first end  88  of thumb crotch  86  is designed so that it will enable the player to cradle the handle of stick “S”. Furthermore, the rigidity of top wall  88  aids in reducing the tendency of stick “S”, when retained between palmer region  14  and finger members  16   a - 16   d , to pivot in a direction toward sidewall. 
     Cuff portion  20  is comprised of at least one cuff member. In the embodiment shown in the attached figures, cuff portion  20  comprises a first cuff member  94 , a second cuff member  96  and a third cuff member  98 . One or more of cuff members  94 ,  96 ,  98  are fixedly secured to liner  34  and extend downwardly beyond the lower edges  12   a ,  14   a  of one or both of dorsal and palmer regions  12 ,  14 . Cuff members  94 ,  96 ,  98  are provided to protect the player&#39;s wrist and forearm “W” ( FIG. 3 ). First cuff member  94  and third cuff member  98  are both generally elliptical in shape and oriented generally at right angles to the longitudinal axis “Y” of glove  10 . Second cuff member  96  is generally rectangular in shape. Third cuff member  98  is larger than first cuff member  94  which, in turn, is larger than second cuff member  96 . Preferably, all of the corner regions of each of the first, second and third cuff members are rounded. 
     Each of the first, second and third cuff members  94 ,  96 ,  98  are similarly constructed. The following description relates to second cuff member  96 , shown in  FIG. 7 , but applies equally to the first and third cuff members. Second cuff member  96  comprises a pad  100  ( FIG. 7 ) which include a rigid, interior support and/or a shock absorbing material retained in a pocket. The exterior surface of the pocket is made from a durable material, such as leather, and the interior surface is made of a different material that is designed to be worn adjacent the skin. The exterior surface of the pocket forms the exterior surface  96   a  of second cuff member  96  and the interior surface of the pocket forms the interior surface  96   b  of second cuff member  96 . Preferably, interior surface  96   b  is made of the same material as is used for liner  34 . A border  96   c  extends around substantially the entire peripheral edge of second cuff member  96 . Border  96   c  is made from a third material such as a cotton fabric that will resist chaffing on the player&#39;s skin when cuff portion  20  is secured around their forearm. Second cuff member  96  has a first edge  96   d , a second edge  96   e , a first side  96   f  and a second edge  96   g . Referring to  FIG. 6  it can be seen that first side  96   f  originates generally along a midline of dorsal region  12 , where the midline passes generally through valley  30   a . Second side  96   g  is disposed substantially aligned with second side  10   b  of glove. 
     First cuff member  94  has an exterior surface  94   a , an interior surface  94   b , ( FIG. 3 ), a border  94   c , a first edge  94   d , a second edge  94   e , a first side  94   f  and a second side  94   g . The width of first cuff member  94 , as measured between first and second edges  94   d ,  94   e  is greater proximate second side  94   g  than proximate first side  94   f , and the first and second side edges are gently curved from proximate second side  94   g  to first side  94   f . First cuff member  94  extends laterally from proximate the midline on dorsal region  12 , around first side  10   a  of glove  10  and for a distance along palmer region  14 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , at least a portion of second side  94   g  of first cuff member  94  overlaps at least a portion of first side  96   f  of second cuff member  96 . First cuff member  94  terminates proximate a middle region of palmer cuff  40  on palmer region  14  of glove. At least one aperture  102  is provided proximate first side  94   f.    
     Third cuff member  98  has an exterior surface  98   a , an interior surface  98   b  ( FIG. 4 ), a border  98   c , a first edge  98   d , a second edge  98   e , a first side  98   f  and a second side  98   g . Third cuff member  98  originates proximate second side  10   b  of glove and extends for a distance under thumb portion  18  and along palmer region  14 . Third cuff member  98  is wider, as measured from first edge  98   d  to second edge  98   e , proximate first side  98   f  than proximate second side  98   g . First and second edges  98   d  and  98   e  taper in a curved fashion from proximate first side  98   f  to proximate second side  98   g . As shown in  FIG. 6 , at least a portion of first side  98   f  of third cuff member  98  overlaps at least a portion of second side  96   g  of second cuff member  96 . A portion of third cuff member  98  adjacent second side  98   g  thereof overlaps a portion of first side  94   f  of first cuff member  94 . At least one aperture  102  is provided proximate second side  98   g  of third cuff member  98 . Neither of first and third cuff members  94 ,  98  are secured to palmer region  14  or to palmer cuff  40  and, consequently, a gap  104  ( FIG. 3 ) exists between palmer cuff  40  and first and third cuff member  94 ,  98 . Gap  104  permits air to freely enter and exit opening  26  into cavity  24 . 
     In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, a portion of first cuff member  94  and a portion of third cuff member  98  are secured to liner  34  by any suitable method, such as stitching. Preferably, the securement between first and third cuff member  94 ,  98  and liner  34  is a non-elastic connection. Second cuff member  96  preferably is secured to liner  34  by a strap  106  ( FIG. 6 ). Strap  106  may be manufactured from an elastic material or from a non-elastic material. Alternatively, second cuff member  96  may be secured directly to liner  34  and the strap  106  may be omitted altogether. Additionally, first side  96   f  of second cuff member  96  is secured to second side  94   g  of first cuff member  96  and second side  96   g  of second cuff member  96  is secured to first side  98   f  of third cuff member  98 . In an alternative arrangement (not shown), cuff members  94 ,  96  and  98  may each be connected to liner  34  and be free of attachments to each other. In this latter instance, the adjacently disposed cuff members will also partially overlap each other to ensure that the player&#39;s wrist “W” and forearm is adequately protected by them. A lace  108  ( FIG. 3 ) is threaded through apertures  102  to secure first and third cuff members  94 ,  98  together. An adjustable locking member  110  is provided lock lace  108  in place. 
     In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the rounded edges of borders  94   c ,  96   c  and  98   c  cause a pair of vent openings  112  ( FIG. 6 ) to be formed between adjacent cuff members. Opening  108  permit air to circulate into cavity  24  but are positioned in a location that reduces the possibility that water will flow into cavity  24  if it is raining, for example. 
     In accordance with yet another specific feature of the present invention, wrist guard  22  is provided to cover and protect the junction between dorsal region  12  and cuff portion  20 . Wrist guard  22  comprises a primary member  114  and a secondary member  116 . Each of the primary and secondary members  114 ,  116  are oriented generally horizontally with respect to the longitudinal axis “Y”. Furthermore, members  114 ,  116  are disposed adjacent each other along the longitudinal axis “Y”. Primary and secondary members  114 ,  116  are constructed in a similar fashion to cuff members  94 ,  96 ,  98  and include a rigid support with a pad of shock absorbing material enclosed in a pocket. The exterior surface of that pocket is made from a durable material such as leather. The interior surface thereof that abuts dorsal region  12  and cuff portion  20  may be made of any type of fabric material but especially one that will permit primary and secondary members  114 ,  116  to slide along the exterior surfaces of dorsal region  12  and cuff portion  20 . 
     Primary member  114  has a first edge  114   a , a second edge  114   b  a first side  114   c  ( FIG. 3 ), a second side  114   d  ( FIG. 4 ), a front wall  114   e  ( FIG. 7 ) and a back wall  114   f . First edge  114   a  is disposed closest to finger portion  16  and second edge  114   b  is disposed remote from finger portion  16 . When viewed from the top, each of front wall  114   e  and back wall  114   f  are generally curved and C-shaped. First side  114   c  is connected by way of a connector  118  ( FIG. 3 ) to a front area of one or more of thumb portion  18  and palmer region  14 . Connector  118  may be a strap, tab, cord or any other suitable device that will permit primary member  114  to pivot or twist relative to and/or slide for a short distance along the outer surface of dorsal region  12 . Preferably, connector  118  is flexible connector such as an elastic strap. Primary member  114  extends horizontally across the lowermost end of dorsal region  12  and wraps around second side  10   b  of glove  10 . Second side  114   d  of primary member  114  is connected by way of a connector  120  ( FIG. 4 ) to first side  10   a  of glove  10 . Preferably, an additional connector  122  ( FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 ) connects back wall  114   f  of primary member  114  to one of liner  34  and lower edge  12   a  of dorsal region  12 . Connectors  120  and  122  preferably are similar in type and nature to connector  118 . Connectors  118 ,  120 , 122  are the only connections between primary member  114  and the rest of glove  10  and these connectors permit primary member  114  to flex, pivot and slide vertically relative to dorsal region  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , and in accordance with the present invention, first edge  114   a  of primary member  114  is substantially straight and extends generally horizontally relative to longitudinal axis “Y”. First edge  114   a  is substantially free of curves along its length. Second edge  114   b  of primary member  114  includes curves and is contoured such that the primary member  114  is of a substantially uniform width (measured between first and second edges  114   a ,  114   b ) from first side  114   c  to about midway across dorsal region  12 . Then, the width of primary member  114  increases gradually until proximate the join between dorsal region  12  and palmer region  14  at second side  10   b  of glove. The width then narrows once again from that point to second side  114   d . The width of primary member  114  at second side  114   d  is greater than the width thereof proximate first side  114   c . It should also be noted that second edge  114   b  is convexly curved relative to first edge  114   a , particularly in the region “B” shown in  FIG. 2 . This region “B” will be disposed over the player&#39;s wrist bone at the base of their thumb. Thus, primary member  114  adds extra padding and therefore protection for the player&#39;s wrist to that already provided by cuff member  98 . When the player flexes their hand, connectors  118 ,  120  and  122  permit the primary member  114  to pivot and/or slide relative to dorsal region  12 . Thus, primary member  114  moves with the glove to ensure that it is able to generally remain over the area of the player&#39;s wrist “W” and thus effectively remain in a position where it protects the wrist bone. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 &amp; 7 , secondary member  116  has a first edge  116   a , a second edge  116   b , a first side  116   c , a second side  116   d , a front wall  116   e  and a back wall  116   f . When viewed from the top, back wall  116   f  is generally curved and is C-shaped, being generally complementary in curvature to back wall  114   f  of primary member  114 . 
     First edge  116   a  of secondary member  116  is contoured generally complementary to second edge  114   b  of primary member  114  but is positioned so that an aperture  124  ( FIG. 5 ) is defined between second edge  114   b  and first edge  116   a  of primary and secondary members  114 ,  116 . This aperture  124  permits air to flow freely into the cavity  24  of glove as it is positioned proximate vent openings  112 . Second edge  116   b  of secondary member  116  is contoured in a manner opposite to second edge  114   b  of primary member  114 . Consequently, secondary member  116  is narrower proximate second side  10   b  of glove and is widest proximate first side  10   a  thereof. Preferably, second edge  116   b  is slightly concavely contoured proximate second side  116   d  so as to permit the player to flex their wrist more easily. The width of secondary member  116  as measured between first and second edges  116   a ,  116   b  is greatest in the area “C” ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 5 ) and this additional width ensures that the wrist bone of the player adjacent the little finger side of the hand is adequately protected during play. 
     A pair of connectors  126  ( FIG. 5 ) and  128  ( FIG. 7 ) connect secondary member  116  to primary member  114 . Connectors  126 ,  128  are of any type or material that will permit them to flex, pivot, twist or slide. A suitable material for connectors  126 ,  128  is an elastic strap. Connectors  126 ,  128  are spaced a distance horizontally apart from each other and define the outer edges of aperture  124 . There are no other connections between secondary member  116  and any other parts of glove  10  and secondary member  116  is therefore free to pivot and move as the player moves their wrist and flexes their hand. 
     Primary member  114  is pivotable about a horizontal axis disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis “Y” of glove  10 . When primary member  114  pivots about this horizontal axis and rotates toward finger portion  16 , primary member  114  imparts translational movement to secondary member  116 , and secondary member  116  slides vertically toward finger portion  16 . Similarly, when primary member  114  rotates in the opposite direction, it imparts translation motion to secondary member  116  and secondary member  116  slides away from finger portion  16 . In a similar fashion, if secondary member  116  pivots toward finger portion  16  when the player flexes their hand, secondary member  116  will impart translation motion to primary member  114  and the primary member will slide vertically toward finger portion  16 . When secondary member  116  pivots or rotates in the opposite direction, primary member  114  is caused to slide away from finger portion  16 . Additionally, the translational movement of primary member  114  may also cause primary member  114  to rotate about the horizontal axis. Dorsal region  12  limits the degree of rotation of the primary member  114  and, in turn, primary member  114  limits the degree of rotation of secondary member  116 . 
     The provision of the two members of the wrist guard  22  is advantageous in that it provides an additional layer of protection to a larger region of the player&#39;s wrist and forearm “W” than many previously known wrist guards but, at the same, time, does not limit the flexibility and mobility of the player&#39;s hand. The improved flexibility comes from the type of attachments between the primary and secondary members  114 ,  116 , the fact that only the primary member  114  is connected to the hand portion of the glove, and the fact the two components are able to move relative to each other, i.e. that the wrist guard articulates. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show two alternative embodiments of palmer region  14  to the first embodiment that was represented in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a second embodiment which includes the provision of a generally D-shaped elastic region  130  shown in phantom as extending as an inner layer disposed beneath parts of sixth area  48 , fourth area  44 , second area  38  and all of fifth area  46 . The leading edge of elastic region  130  is shown in the cut-aways in  FIG. 11 . Elastic region  130  extends inwardly from palmer cuff  40  toward finger portion  16  and the leading edge thereof terminates approximately at a mid-point between the upper and lower edges of palmer region  14 . 
     Elastic palmer cuff  40  is secured to elastic region  130  and may be integrally formed therewith. Elastic region  130  forms an inner layer of palmer region  14  and is secured to thumb portion  18  and dorsal region  12 . The microfiber fabric used to construct sixth area  48 , fourth area  44 , and second area  38  form an outer layer of palmer region  14 . The inner and outer layers preferably are secured together by a suitable means, such as stitching. Elastic region  130 , including palmer cuff  40 , at least partially bound and define a first region of cavity  24  together with a portion of dorsal region  12 . A second region of cavity  24  remote from palmer cuff  40  and adjacent finger portion  16  is not bounded by elastic region  130  and is substantially non-elastic. The second region of cavity  24  is larger than the first region thereof when elastic region  130  is in a relaxed state, i.e., when the glove  10  is ready to receive a player&#39;s hand therein. The first region of cavity  24  expands when the player inserts their hand “H” into glove  10  because of the expansion of elastic region  130 . The first region of cavity  24  reverts to substantially its original size once glove  10  is on the hand “H”. The shrinking of elastic region  130  back to its original size aids in keeping glove  10  on hand “H”. 
       FIG. 12  shows a third embodiment of the palmer region  14 . In this instance, an elastic region  132  forms an inner layer of palmer region  114  and extends inwardly from palmer cuff  40  toward finger portion  16  and underneath substantially all of the microfiber material used in second area  38 , third area  42 , fourth area  44 , and sixth area  48 . Elastic region  132  terminates substantially along a second edge of first area  36  and along a side edge of seventh area  50 . Only first area  36  and seventh area  50  are devoid of the elastic material. The fifth area  46  lacks the outer layer of microfiber material. The two cut-aways in  FIG. 12  show the extent of the elastic region  132 . Once again, elastic region  132  makes glove  10  stretchable and more flexible and therefore easier to put on and take off. Elastic region  132  also helps in keeping glove more snugly seated around the player&#39;s hand. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13-15 , glove  10  is used in the following manner. Prior to insertion of the player&#39;s hand “H” into glove  10 , the glove is in a relaxed condition and, in particular, the lower edge of palmer region  14  is in a relaxed condition. The length “L” is at an initial size. The player inserts their hand “H” into glove  10  by inserting their fingers and thumb through opening  26 , through the cavity (not shown in these figures) and into finger members  16   a - 16   d  and thumb portion  18 . As the player inserts their hand through opening  26 , the width of their hand initially forces fifth area  46  and palmer cuff  40 , if provided, to stretch in the manner indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 13 . If elastic regions  130  or  132  are provided, they too will stretch and expand in the manner indicated by the arrows. This stretching motion increases the width “D” of fifth area  46  and length “L” of the lower edge of palmer region  14 , therefore making it easier for hand “H” to slide into cavity  24 . When hand “H” is stretching fifth area  46  and palmer cuff  40 , the glove and the lower edge of palmer region  14  are in the expanded condition and length “L” is at its maximum size. Once hand “H” is inside glove  10 , the lower edge of palmer region  14  is positioned adjacent the player&#39;s wrist “W”. Since the player&#39;s wrist “W” is narrower than their hand “H”, glove  10  is once again in a relaxed condition and fifth area  46  and palmer cuff  40  decreases to their initial size. Thus, length “L” of lower edge of palmer region  14  is decreased to its initial size. 
     It should be noted that the provision of fifth area  46  assists greatly in permitting the player to insert their hand “H” into the glove. If only palmer cuff  40  was made from an elastic material, only the palmer cuff itself would stretch and increase in length. The rest of palmer region  14  would not stretch as it is made from a non-stretchable or non-elastic microfiber material. Fifth area  46  extends for a distance of about one third of the way between the upper and lower edges of palmer region  14 . Fifth area  46  therefore allows for about the lower one third of palmer region  14  to increase in width. Additionally, there is a greater width of elastic fabric in the bottom end of fifth area  46  proximate lower edge  14   a  than there is at the apex of the fifth area. Consequently, the bottom end of fifth area  46  permits the lower end  14   a  of palmer region  14  to stretch to the greatest extent, making it much easier for the player to insert their hand into the glove or remove it therefrom. 
     The player then tightens lace  108  so that first and third cuff members  94 ,  98  are drawn together around their wrist and forearm “W”. The player depresses button  134  on locking member  110  and slides locking member  110  toward cuff members  94 ,  98  to lock lace  108  in place. 
     The player then grasps the handle “S” of their sporting implement, in this instance a lacrosse stick. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the handle “S” of the stick is cradled in the curved top wall  88  of thumb crotch  86  and rests on the areas of palmer region  14  that are made from microfiber fabric, namely, second area  38 , third area  42 , portions of fourth area  44  and portions of sixth area  48 . The player closes their fingers and thumb around stick “S”. The microfiber areas in palmer region  14 , the inner portions  52  of finger members  16   a - 16   d , and inner portion  78  of thumb portion  18  and top wall  88  of thumb crotch  66  help the player grip stick “S” and aid in preventing rotational motion of stick “S” when so held. It should also be noted from  FIG. 14  that when the player is grasping stick “S”, the two regions of breathable fabric, namely first area  36  and seventh area  50  are not covered by the stick, thus leaving these areas open for air to flow into and out of cavity  24 . The rigidity of top wall  88  of thumb crotch  86  also aids in preventing the side wall  90  of the thumb crotch  86  from being crushed by pressure brought to bear upon it by stick “S” and at the same time aid the player in holding the stick in the optimum position for playing the game. Top wall  88  and sidewall  90  of thumb crotch  86  maintain an angle between thumb crotch  86  and stick “S” in a first direction and finger members  16   a - 16   d  and thumb portion  18  maintain an angle between thumb crotch  86  and stick “S” in a second direction. 
     As the player flexes their hand “H” and wrist “W” during play, the first and second guard portions  114 ,  116  move relative to dorsal region  12  and relative to each other as previously described herein and thus aid in providing substantially continuous protection to the player&#39;s hand and wrist. The pads  28 ,  58  and  82  provide protection for the back of the player&#39;s hand from impacts with other player&#39;s sticks. 
     When the player wishes to remove the glove  10 , they depress button  134  on locking device  110  and slide device  110  along lace  108  until a sufficient gap opens up to permit first and third cuff members  94 ,  98  to separate from each other. The player grasps palmer cuff  40  and pulling it outwardly to stretch the elastic material in palmer cuff  40  and fifth area  46 , and elastic regions  130  and  132  if provided, outwardly as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 13 . The player then slides their hand out of the glove. 
     Accordingly, the glove of the present invention is an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device that achieves all the enumerated objectives of the invention, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior art devices, systems, and methods, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. 
     Having now described the features discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the glove is construed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangement, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims.