Patent Publication Number: US-7908672-B2

Title: Glove having weight-receiving features and weighted features

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gloves and, more particularly, to sports training gloves. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many different types of gloves, which are used while playing sports and participating in other activities. These sports can include football, tennis, racquetball, golf, baseball, basketball, and boxing. The gloves are generally designed to improve performance and/or to provide protection while playing. 
     Among the various types of sports, the sports of golf, baseball, boxing, tennis, racquetball, and others, utilize gloves for protecting the hand or hands of a user. To become increasingly skilled and proficient at such sports, Weight or resistance training is a common component of a well-rounded training regimen. Although traditional weight training is often the primary means of gaining muscle and joint strength, sports-specific resistance training often provides highly beneficial results. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an improved glove having weight receiving features and weighted features that that may be used during sports training activities for providing sports-specific resistance training benefits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a glove consists of a glove body including opposing dorsal and palmar side panels, opposing proximal and distal ends, a wrist portion formed in the proximal end, and finger stalls formed in the distal end. An elongate strap has an inner end secured to the wrist portion of the glove body and an opposed free outer end, and a plurality of weight-receiving pockets formed in the elongate strap between the inner end of the elongate strap and the outer end of the elongate strap. Corresponding engagement and complemental engagement elements are carried by the elongate strap. The elongate strap is adjustable between a first position extending away from the wrist portion and a second position wrapped about the wrist portion engaging the engagement element to the complemental engagement element of the engagement pair securing the elongate strap in the second position. The pockets each include a closed end and an opposed open end for installing and removing a weight relative to the pocket. A flap is secured to the elongate strap, and is movable between an open position exposing the open ends of the pockets and a closed position extending across and closing the open ends of the pockets. The flap is elastically constrictive biasing the flap in the closed position. The engagement element is formed proximate to the inner end of elongate strap and the complemental engagement element is formed proximate to the outer end of the elongate strap. In a particular embodiment, the engagement element consists of one of a hook medium and a loop medium, and the complemental engagement element consists of the other of the hook medium and the loop medium. The dorsal side panel is severed forming a first portion of the dorsal side panel toward the proximal end of the glove body and a second portion of the dorsal side panel toward the distal end of the glove body, in which the second portion of the dorsal side panel capable of displacing between a first position away from the first portion of the dorsal side panel and a second position toward the first portion of the dorsal side panel. Protective knuckle padding is formed in the second portion of the dorsal side panel. The first portion of the first portion of the dorsal side panel is formed with weights. 
     According to the invention, a glove consists of a body including opposing dorsal and palmar side panels, opposing proximal and distal ends, a wrist portion formed in the proximal end, and finger stalls formed in the distal end. An elongate strap has an inner end secured to the wrist portion of the glove body and an opposed free outer end. Weights are carried by the elongate strap between the inner end of the elongate strap and the outer end of the elongate strap. Corresponding engagement and complemental engagement elements are carried by the elongate strap. The elongate strap is movable between a first position extending away from the wrist portion and a second position wrapped about the wrist portion engaging the engagement element to the complemental engagement element securing the elongate strap in the second position. The engagement element is formed proximate to the inner end of elongate strap and the complemental engagement element is formed proximate to the outer end of the elongate strap. The engagement element consists of one of a hook medium and a loop medium, and the complemental engagement element consists of the other of the hook medium and the loop medium. The dorsal side panel is severed forming a first portion of the dorsal side panel toward the proximal end of the glove body and a second portion of the dorsal side panel toward the distal end of the glove body, in which the second portion of the dorsal side panel is capable of displacing between a first position away from the first portion of the dorsal side panel and a second position toward the first portion of the dorsal side panel. Protective knuckle padding is formed in the second portion of the dorsal side panel. Weights are carried by the first portion of the dorsal side panel. 
     Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the Drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a palmar side perspective view of a glove constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention and shown as it would appear worn, the boxing training glove including a glove body including opposed proximal and distal ends, a wrist portion formed in the proximal end of the glove body, finger stalls formed in the distal end of the glove body, and an elongate strap wrapped about the proximal end of the glove body; 
         FIG. 2  is a palmar side plan view of the glove of  FIG. 1  shown as it would appear worn; 
         FIG. 3  is a dorsal side plan view of the glove of  FIG. 1  showing the elongate strap unwrapped relative to the proximal end of the glove body; 
         FIG. 4  is a palmar side plan view of the glove of  FIG. 1  showing the elongate strap unwrapped relative to the proximal end of the glove body; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the glove of  FIG. 1  illustrating the elongate strap unwrapped relative to the proximal end of the glove body and weight-receiving pockets formed in the elongate strap; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the glove of  FIG. 1  shown as it would appear worn with the elongate strap unwrapped relative to the proximal end of the glove body; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a glove constructed and arranged in accordance with the an alternate embodiment of the invention and shown as it would appear worn and disposed in a splayed configuration, the glove including a glove body having opposed dorsal and palmar side panels, opposed proximal and distal ends, a wrist portion formed in the proximal end of the glove body, finger stalls formed in the distal end of the glove body, and an elongate strap wrapped about the proximal end of the glove body, in which the palmar side panel is severed forming a first portion of the dorsal side panel toward the proximal end of the glove body and a second portion of the dorsal side panel toward the distal end of the glove body; 
         FIG. 9  is a view very similar to that of  FIG. 8  illustrating the glove as it would appear in a fisted configuration displacing the second portion of the dorsal side panel relative to the first portion of the dorsal side panel; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged fragmented dorsal side perspective view of the glove of  FIG. 8  shown with the elongate strap unwrapped relative to the proximal end of the glove body; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged fragmented dorsal side perspective view of the glove of  FIG. 8  shown with the first and second portions of the dorsal side panel pulled apart relative to each other illustrating a protective knuckle pad formed in the second portion of the dorsal side panel; and 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  in which there is seen a glove  20  constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. In the present embodiment, glove  20  is a right hand glove. However, a glove constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention can be fashioned as a left hand glove without departing from the invention. 
     Glove  20  consists of a glove body  21  for receiving a human hand. Glove body  21  includes a dorsal side panel  22  and an opposing palmar side panel  23  and, as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a proximal end  24  and an opposing distal end  25 . Referencing  FIG. 7 , proximal end  24  is formed with a wrist portion  26 , which bounds an opening  27  into glove body  21  for receiving a hand  28  of a person. Finger stalls are formed in distal end  25  as seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , which include a thumb stall  30 , an index finger stall  31 , a middle finger stall  32 , a ring finger stall  33 , and a pinky finger stall  34 . Glove body  21  also defines opposed sides  35  and  36 , in which side  35  is the thumb side of glove body  21  and side  36  is the pinky side of glove body  21 . 
     A wrist strap  40  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5  and  7  characterizes wrist portion  26 . Wrist strap  40  is preferably formed of elastic material and has opposed ends  40 A and  40 B, and encircles and defines opening  27  referenced in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . Referencing  FIGS. 4 and 5 , wrist strap  40  is fashioned with an engagement element  41  carried by end  40 A and a complemental engagement element  42  carried by end  40 B used to open and close wrist strap  40 . Engagement element  41  and complemental engagement element  42  are used to open and close wrist strap  40  by engaging and disengaging ends  40 A and  40 B relative to one another and adjust the dimension of opening  27 . In the present embodiment, engagement element  41  is a hook medium and complemental engagement element  42  is a loop medium, although this arrangement can be reversed, if desired. The hook medium forming engagement element  41  and the loop medium forming complemental engagement element are exemplary of a hook and loop fastener. The hook and loop medium are preferably of the type sold under the trademark Velcro®. In other examples, engagement and complemental engagement elements  41  and  42  can include other types of fasteners to provide closure, such as complementary snap fasteners, button fasteners, clasp fasteners, etc. 
     Engagement and complemental engagement elements  41  and  42  are repeatedly moveable between an engaged position as shown in  FIG. 7  and a disengaged position shown in  FIG. 4  to provide opening  27  referenced in  FIGS. 5 and 7  with a desired dimension. In this way, engagement and complemental engagement elements  41  and  42  are adjustable to adjust the force that wrist strap  40  exerts against wrist  29  of hand  28  as referenced in  FIG. 7 . In this example, the force is adjustable by changing the overly between ends  40 A and  40 B of wrist strap  40  in a well-known manner. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 3-5 , glove  20  incorporates a strap  50  having an inner end  51  secured to proximal end  24  of glove body  21  and an opposed free outer end  52 . Strap  50  is elongate, broad, and flat, and includes an outer face  53  referenced in  FIGS. 1-3  and  7 , and an opposed inner face  54  referenced in  FIGS. 4-7 , a proximal edge  55 , and an opposed, parallel distal edge  56 . Looking to  FIG. 7 , in the preferred embodiment disclosed herein inner end  51  of strap  50  attached to proximal end  24  of glove body  21  extends along glove body  21  from adjacent to opening  27 , along wrist strap  40  of wrist portion  26  to base  30 A of thumb stall  30 . 
     Strap  50  is formed with weighted features, and weight receiving features, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Looking to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a plurality of pockets are formed in strap  50  between inner end  51  of strap and outer end  52  of strap  50 . Pockets are each denoted generally at  60 , are formed on outer face  54 , and extend along outer face  54  of strap in a parallel row between inner end  51  and outer end  52  of strap  50 , and extend between proximal and distal edges  55  and  56  of strap  50 . Pockets  60  are substantially equal in size, although they may be constructed of varying sizes, if desired. 
     Pockets  60  are formed by a cooperation between a substrate  61  and outer face  54  of strap  50 . Substrate  61  is an elongate piece of material applied to outer face  54  of strap  50 , such as by sewing, gluing, or the like. As seen in  FIG. 6 , substrate  61  is joined to outer face  54  of strap  50  at substantially equally spaced apart parallel engagement points  65  extending in a parallel row from proximate to inner end  51  of strap  50  to outer end  52  of strap forming a pocket between each opposing pair of engagement points  65 . For each pocket  60  the length of substrate  61  between the opposed engagement points  65  is much greater than the distance between the opposed engagement points  65  thereby forming a pocket as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Pockets  60  consist of alternating closed and open pockets. The closed pockets are each referenced with the reference number  60 A, and the open pockets are each referenced with the reference number  60 B. In the present embodiment as illustrated, pockets  60  consist of alternating closed and open pockets  60 A and  60 B, in which there are five closed pockets  60 A and four open pockets  60 B. Closed pockets  60 A are each identical in structure, and open pockets  60 B are each identical in structure. Accordingly only the structure of one closed pocket  60 A and one open pocket  60 B will be discussed in detail, with the understanding that the foregoing discussion of a closed pocket applies to each closed pocket and that the foregoing discussion of an open pocket applies to each open pocket. For reference purposes and ease of discussion, in  FIG. 6  one of the closed pockets is denoted at  60 A′ and one of the open pockets is denoted at  60 B′. 
     Closed pocket  60 A′ is elongate and as referenced in  FIG. 5  has a closed proximal end  66  directed toward proximal edge  55 , a closed distal end  67  directed toward distal edge  56 , and opposed sides extending therebetween defined by engagement points  65  formed on either side of closed pocket  60 A′ as referenced in  FIG. 6 . Proximal and distal ends  66  and  67  of closed pocket  60 A′, and the opposed sides of pocket  60 A′ defined by engagement points  65  formed on either side of closed pocket  60 A′ together define the perimeter of closed pocket  60 A′, which is secured to outer face  54 , such as by sewing or gluing or the like, thereby forming closed pocket  60 A′ between substrate  61  of outer face  54  defining and enclosing an enclosed space  70  as referenced in  FIG. 6 . Enclosed space  70  is filled with weighted material  71 , which, in this instance, consists of a mass or population of small-diameter metal beads. Any suitable weight or weighted material may be enclosed in closed pocket  60 A′ 
     Open pocket  60 B′ is elongate and as referenced in  FIG. 5  has an open proximal end  76  directed toward proximal edge  55 , a closed distal end  77  directed toward distal edge  56 , and opposed sides extending therebetween defined by engagement points  65  formed on either side of open pocket  60 B′ as referenced in  FIG. 6 . Proximal and distal ends  76  and  77  of open pocket  60 B′, and the opposed sides of pocket  60 A′ defined by engagement points  65  formed on either side of open pocket  60 B′ together define the perimeter of open pocket  60 B′, whereby the perimeter of open pocket  60 B′ along closed distal end  77  and the opposed sides of open pocket  60 B′ defined by engagement points formed on either side thereof are secured to outer face  54 , such as by sewing or gluing or the like leaving proximal end  76  open leading into a space  78  formed by open pocket  60 B′ as referenced in  FIG. 6 . 
     Open pocket  60 B′ is sized to receive a weight, which, in this preferred embodiment, consists of an elongate, cylindrical bar  80  of steel, iron, or other weighted material or combination of weighted materials. To install bar  60  relative to open pocket  60 B′, bar  80  is taken up, such as by hand, and simply inserted end first into space  78  defined by open pocket  60 B′ through open proximal end  76 . Bar  80  may easily be removed from open pocket  60 B′ simply by reversing the operation utilized to install or otherwise insert bar  80  into open pocket  60 B′. 
     The weighted material  71  carried by closed pockets  60 A imparts weight to strap  50 . Inserting a weighted bar  80  into one or more of open pockets  60 B′ also imparts weight to strap  50 . The overall weight applied to strap  50  may be adjusted simply by varying the number of weighted bars  80  applied to open pockets  60 B. 
     Referencing  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a flap  90  is applied to outer face  54  of strap  50 . Flap  90  is broad, flat, and elongate, and is elastically constrictive being constructed of elastic or elasticized material. Flap  90  has opposed inner end edges  91  and  92 , and opposed proximal and distal edges  93  and  94 . Inner edge  91  is secured to strap  50  between inner end  51  and the innermost one of pockets consisting of innermost pocket  60 A″, outer edge  92  is secured to strap  50  between outer end  52  and the outermost one of pockets consisting of outermost pocket  60 A′″, and proximal edge  93  is secured to and extends along proximal edge  55  of strap  50 . Inner edge  91 , outer edge  92  and proximal edge  93  are secured with sewing, glue, or the like. Inner edge  91  extends from proximal edge  55  of strap  50  along outer face  54  and then along substrate  61  terminating at an intermediate point between proximal and distal edges  55  and  56  of strap  50 . Outer edge  92  extends from proximal edge  55  of strap  50  along outer face  54  and then along substrate  61  terminating at an intermediate point between proximal and distal edges  55  and  56  of strap  50 . Distal edge  94  extending between inner and outer edges  91  and  92  is a free edge. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , flap  90  extends along outer face  54  of strap  50  from adjacent to inner end  51  of strap  50  to outer end  52  of strap  50 , and distal edge  94  extends outwardly over pockets  60  between the proximal ends  66  and  76  of pockets  60  and distal ends  67  and  77  of pockets  60 , such that flap  90  overlies pockets  60  covering proximal ends  66  and  76  of pockets  60 . Proximal ends  66  and  76  of pockets  60  are not illustrated in  FIG. 4  because flap  90  is extending across and covering them in  FIG. 4  and thereby closing open proximal ends  76  of open pockets  60 B′. 
     Flap  90  is movable from a normal, resting, or closed position as shown in  FIG. 4  overlying proximal ends  66  and  76  of pockets  60 , and an open position as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In the open position illustrated in  FIG. 5 , distal edge  94  of flap  90  is taken up and drawn or otherwise pulled away from proximal ends  66  and  76  ends of pockets  60  revealing proximal ends  66  and  76  of pockets  60  and, with respect to open pockets  60 B, thereby opening open proximal ends  76  of open pockets  60 B allowing bars  80  to be easily installed and removed relative to open pockets  60 B. To move flap  90  from the normal, resting, or closed position thereof as in  FIG. 4  to the open position as illustrated in  FIG. 5  distal edge  94  need only be taken up, such as by hand, and pulled away from pockets  60  in a direction toward proximal edge  55  of strap  50 . The elastically constrictive characteristic imparted by flap  90  causes flap to move from the open position thereof as shown in  FIG. 5  to the normal, resting, or closed position thereof as shown in  FIG. 4  simply by releasing the force applied to flap  90  to open flap  90 . With one or more bars  80  disposed in one or more of open pockets  60 B, flap  90  disposed in the closed position as in  FIG. 4  closes open proximal ends  76  of open pockets  60 B preventing each installed bar  80  from falling away from its respective open pocket  60 B, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Referencing  FIG. 6 , strap  50  is fashioned with an engagement element  100  and a complemental engagement element  101 . Engagement element  100  is applied to outer face  54  of strap at inner end  51  between the innermost pocket  60 A″ and glove body  21 , and complemental engagement element  101  is applied to inner face  53  of strap  50  at outer end  52  between the outermost pocket  60 A′″ and outer end  52  of strap  50 . 
     Strap  50  is movable between a first or open position extending away from proximal end  24  and wrist portion  26  of glove body  21  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and a second, closed or wrapped position wrapped about proximal end  24  of glove body  21 , including wrist portion  26  and wrist strap  40  characterizing wrist portion  26  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In the second or wrapped position of strap  50 , engagement element  100  is brought into engagement with complemental engagement element  101  thereby securing strap  50  in the second or wrapped position. 
     Engagement element  100  and complemental engagement element  100  are used to open and close strap  50  by engaging and disengaging inner and outer ends  51  and  52  of strap relative to one another in the wrapped position of strap  50 . In the present embodiment, engagement element  100  is a loop medium and complemental engagement element  101  is a hook medium, although this arrangement can be reversed, if desired. The loop medium forming engagement element  100  and the hook medium forming complemental engagement element  101  are exemplary of a loop and hook fastener. The loop and hook medium are preferably of the type sold under the trademark Velcro®. In other examples, engagement and complemental engagement elements  100  and  101  can include other types of fasteners to provide closure, such as complementary snap fasteners, button fasteners, clasp fasteners, etc. 
     In the wrapped position of strap  50 , engagement and complemental engagement elements  100  and  101  are repeatedly moveable between an engaged position securing strap  50  in the wrapped position and a disengaged position allowing strap  500  to be unwrapped and moved into the first or unwrapped position as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The engagement and complemental engagement elements  100  and  101  are adjustable to adjust the force that strap  50  exerts about proximal end  24 , including wrist portion  26 , wrist  29  of hand  28  as referenced in  FIG. 7 . In this example, the force is adjustable by changing the overly between ends  40 A and  40 B of wrist strap  40  in a well-known manner. 
     Strap  50  is wrapped inwardly relative to proximal end  24  of glove body  21  juxtaposing inner face  53  about proximal end  24  of glove body  21  including wrist portion  26  and wrist strap  40 , whereby engagement element  100  disposed along outer face  54  of strap  50  proximate inner end  51  is brought into engagement with complemental engagement element  101  disposed along inner face  53  of strap  50  proximate outer end  52 . In the wrapped position of strap  50  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , pockets  60  project outwardly from outer face  54  of strap  50 , flap  90  is disposed in the closed position thereof closing open proximal ends  76  (not referenced in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of open pockets  60 B′ preventing any weighted bars from dislodging relative to strap  50 , and flap  90  is elastically stretched tightly across outer face  54  and pockets  60  thereby preventing flap  90  from moving out of its closed position, in accordance with the invention. 
     In use, glove  20  is applied to and worn by hand  28  in the normal manner as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wrist strap  40  ( FIG. 7 ) is tightened about the wrist, and strap  50  is wrapped about proximal end  24  of glove body  21 , including wrist portion  26  and wrist strap  40 . So worn, a user may utilize glove  20  for a selected purpose, whereby the weight supported by strap  50  as provided by any bars  80  applied to open pockets  60 B and the weight applied to the closed pockets  60 A provides weight resistance providing resistance training benefits, namely, for improving muscle strength. 
     Glove  20  can be used for any desired purpose or action, but is particular suitable as a boxing training glove, in which the weight resistance provided by the weight applied to strap  50  provides resistance training benefits specific for boxing. Although not shown, dorsal side panel  22  is provided with protective knuckle padding toward distal end  25  of glove body  21  for overlying and protecting the user&#39;s knuckles during boxing practice activities. 
     Again, the weight imparted to strap  50  may be varied by varying the number of bars  80  applied to strap  50 . Closed pockets  60 A containing weighted material  71  provide strap  50  with a fixed amount of weight thereby imparting a baseline level of weight to strap  50 . Open pockets  60 B are used to increase the weight imparted to strap  50  above the baseline weight imparted to strap by weighted material  71  in closed pockets  60 A by simply adding one or more bars  80  to open pockets  60 B as may be desired in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Glove  20  can be constructed using many different materials and utilizing fabrication methods standard within the art. Glove body  21  and strap  50  are preferably constructed with elastic material designed to stretch slightly to allow glove  20  to fit many different sizes of hands and to place a slight bias on the person&#39;s hand to hold it firmly in place. An example of suitable materials that may be used to construct glove  20  include leather, cotton, polyester, neoprene, or the like. Glove body  21  can be constructed as a single integral piece, or may be constructed of multiple pieces that are attached together such as by sewing, gluing, etc. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , in which there is seen a glove  110  constructed and arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. In common with glove  20 , glove  110  shares glove body  21 , dorsal side panel  22 , palmar side panel  23 , proximal end  24  including wrist portion  26  and wrist strap  40  as shown in  FIG. 10 , distal end  25  formed with finger stalls, opposed sides  35  and  36 , and strap  50 . Glove  110  is a left hand glove, but is otherwise the same as glove  10  with the exception of the differences to be discussed below. Glove  110  may be constructed as a right hand glove if desired. 
     Unlike glove  20 , dorsal side panel  22  of glove  110  is longitudinally from side  35  of glove body  21  to side  36  of glove body  21  at a point between proximal and distal ends  24  and  25  of glove body  21  forming a first or proximal portion  115  of dorsal side panel  22  toward proximal end  24  of glove body  21 , and a second or distal portion  116  of dorsal side panel  22  toward distal end  25  of glove body  21 . In this embodiment, proximal portion  115  somewhat overlaps and overlies distal portion  116 , although this can be reversed. Because dorsal side panel  22  is severed, proximal and distal portions  115  and  116  are capable of displacing relative to each other in response to the hand  28  of user wearing glove  110  moving between a splayed position as shown in  FIG. 8  placing glove  110  in a splayed position and a fisted position as shown in  FIG. 9  placing glove  110  in a fisted position. In other words, in the splayed position of glove  110  as shown in  FIG. 8  distal portion  116  is directed toward proximal portion  115 , and in the fisted position of glove  110  as shown in  FIG. 9  distal portion  116  is displaced away from proximal portion  115  thereby allowing the user to easily assume a fist while wearing glove  110 . The severed characteristic of dorsal side panel  22  allows proximal and distal portions  115  and  116  of dorsal side panel  22  to move or otherwise displace toward and away from each other allowing the hand of a user wearing glove  110  to easily move between splayed and fisted positions, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Like glove  20 , glove  110  can be used for any desired purpose or action, but is particular suitable as a boxing training glove, in which the weight resistance provided by the weight applied to strap  50  provides resistance training benefits. As seen in  FIG. 11 , distal portion  116  of dorsal side panel  22  is provided with protective knuckle padding  117  toward distal end  25  of glove body  21  for overlying and protecting the user&#39;s knuckles during boxing practice activities. The same type of knuckle padding is provided with glove  20 . 
     Referencing  FIGS. 10 and 12 , equally spaced-apart parallel closed pockets  120  containing weighted material  121  are formed in proximal portion  115  of dorsal side panel  22 . Pockets  120  extend in a parallel row across proximal portion  115  of dorsal side panel  22  from side  35  of glove body  21  to side  36  of glove body  21 , and provide weight resistance to glove  110  for providing added weight resistance characteristics in addition to the weight resistance characteristics provided by strap  50 . Any number of pockets  120  containing weighted material  121  can be used in connection with glove  110 . If desired, proximal portion  115  of dorsal side panel  22  may be fashioned with one or more open pockets each for removably receiving a weight consistent with the teachings relating to strap  50 . In this embodiment, weighted material  121  contained in each pocket  120  consists of a mass or population of small-diameter metal beads. Pockets  120  containing weighted material  121  will naturally impart a certain amount of rigidity to proximal portion  115  of dorsal side panel  22 . As a result, the severed characteristic of dorsal side panel  22  allows proximal and distal portions  115  and  116  of dorsal side panel  22  to move or otherwise displace toward and away from each other allowing the hand of a user wearing glove  110  to easily move between splayed and fisted positions notwithstanding the rigid characteristic imparted to proximal portion  115  of dorsal side panel  22  imparted by pockets  120  containing weighted material  121 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. The weighted material  121  carried by each pocket  120  may be considered a weight. Because glove  110  incorporates a plurality of pockets  120  each containing weighted material  121 , proximal portion  112  carries a plurality of weights. 
     The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.