Abstract:
A hockey glove system is disclosed having asymmetrical upper and lower hockey gloves, each being optimized for its particular role and position. The lower glove has only three finger gussets and is adapted for the last two fingers of the wearer&#39;s hand to be together in one gusset in order to maximize power and control. The upper glove has four finger gussets and is adapted to maximize the player&#39;s grasp on the hockey stick and enable a stable pivot point. Each glove has padding adapted and arranged to protect the portions of the wearer&#39;s hands most vulnerable in their respective positions. Each glove further has an articulated thumb skeleton disposed in the thumb member. The thumb skeleton comprises a plurality of sections pivotably joined together to enable the thumb to articulate between open and closed positions. A locking mechanism is provided for preventing the thumb skeleton sections from bending backwards, thereby preventing hyperextension of the wearer&#39;s thumb.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from Provisional Application No. 60/107,357, filed on Nov. 6, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of protective outer gear, and more particularly to protective gloves for use in playing hockey. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hockey is a fast-moving, competitive game involving extensive contact between players and implements. Thus, hockey players wear padding and protective gloves while playing. Because of the thick padding required to absorb repeated impact with sticks, players and walls, hockey gloves tend to be bulky, and cumbersome and can restrict desired finger and hand movement. 
     For example, a hockey player&#39;s thumb tends to receive much physical contact from opposing players, sticks, walls, etc. Accordingly, the thumb of a hockey glove is heavily padded. Also, during play, impact may tend to hyperextend the player&#39;s thumb. Accordingly, hockey gloves usually have a stiffened member provided in the thumb padding in order to prevent such hyperextension. However, the stiffened member usually substantially constricts normal articulated movement of the player&#39;s thumb. Thus, the thumb tends to have awkward and uncomfortable movement during play because of the glove. This may affect a player&#39;s performance. 
     To facilitate thumb movement, some gloves have a loop formed on the palm side to create a thumb pocket for alternative placement of the wearer&#39;s thumb in the glove. This thumb pocket allows the thumb to move with more freedom, being less connected to the padding and the stiffened member. However, such an arrangement provides less complete padding protection and exposes the thumb to dangerous impact from sticks, etc. Also, since the thumb pocket is still joined to the thumb padding, the stiffened member still restricts movement of the thumb even when the wearer&#39;s thumb is in the pocket. 
     Hockey players generally hold the hockey stick with an upper hand near the butt of the stick and a lower hand gripping the shaft nearer the blade. A typical right-handed hockey player will use his left hand to grasp the stick near the butt of the shaft. This left hand is the main hand for grasping the stick and acts to provide stability to the player&#39;s grip. Also, this upper hand acts as a pivot point when the player shoots or passes the puck. A right-handed hockey player generally positions his right hand on the handle of the shaft but closer to the blade. This lower hand acts as the main power generator and controller of the hockey stick. The player uses this lower hand to generate power during shots and slashing movements, as well as during passing, receiving, and advancement of the puck. This lower hand is also the main controller of the player&#39;s grip on the stick. 
     Because of their differing positions and purposes, the upper and lower hands tend to grip the hockey stick from different perspectives. For instance, during play, the lower hand is wrapped around the stick with the palm facing generally upward and slightly to the side, while the upper palm generally faces downward. Because of these opposing orientations, the upper and lower hands tend to be impacted in different places. 
     Although each hand of a hockey player has a different function or role during a hockey game and different protection needs, traditional hockey glove pairs have included symmetrical right and left gloves. These glove pairs ignore the differences between the grasping/pivot role of the upper glove and the power/control role of the lower glove. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system of hockey gloves that facilitates articulated movement of the thumb and includes upper and lower gloves that are specially adapted for their particular roles and positions on the hockey stick. 
     An object of the current invention, therefore, is to provide a hockey glove having an articulated thumb that is less restrictive to natural movement of the wearer&#39;s thumb, but still protects the wearer&#39;s thumb from impact and hyperextension. Another object of the current invention is to provide a hockey glove system wherein the upper and lower gloves are each configured to maximize their suitability for their respective functions. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a hockey glove thumb member is provided having articulated stiffening sections that roughly correspond to the sections of a players thumb. These sections are stiffened to absorb and protect the thumb from impacts and are pivotably connected so as to allow them to rotate relative to each other and articulate in a manner similar to a human thumb. However, adjoining segments have stops or locks disposed therebetween to prevent the sections from rotating to such a degree that would cause hyperextension of the wearer&#39;s thumb. At each junction, a section that is closer to the tip of the thumb overlaps an adjoining base section. A notch is formed in the base section and an extension extends from this base section beyond the notch. The tip segment overlaps this extension of the base segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed. Accordingly, the tip is rotatable relative to the base section. However, this rotation is only possible in the rotational direction facilitating normal, articulated thumb movement similar to that incurred when closing a fist. If the tip section is rotated in an opposite direction (i.e., a direction towards hyperextension of the thumb), then the tip section will contact a stop formed by the notch in the base section. This stop prevents further rotation of the tip section in that direction. 
     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a hockey glove system comprising upper and lower gloves that are asymmetric from each other. The upper glove&#39;s main roles are to protect the player&#39;s hand, help the player grasp the stick near its butt end, and provide stability and a pivot point for shots and slashing motions, etc. The lower glove&#39;s main roles are to protect the player&#39;s hand while grasping the hockey stick along the shaft but closer to the blade, and provide power and control when the player shoots, slashes, passes, catches or otherwise advances the puck. 
     To facilitate improved control and minimize padding interference with a player&#39;s grip or hand movement, the lower glove is arranged so that the last two fingers, i.e., the pinky and ring fingers of the hockey player&#39;s hand, are kept together in one finger gusset of the control glove. Thus, the control glove is considered a three-fingered glove, the pinky and ring fingers being disposed together in one glove finger. The upper glove, on the other hand, facilitates use of all of the player&#39;s fingers to maximize the player&#39;s grasp over that portion of the stick, and thus maximize stability of grip. Accordingly, the grasp glove has four fingers. 
     Because the upper and lower hands tend to grip the hockey stick in a somewhat different manner, the palm reinforcement strips of each glove also differ according to function. In the upper glove, the palm strip extends generally diagonally across the palm from the index finger to the outside base of the palm. In the lower glove, the palm reinforcement strip extends generally perpendicularly to the fingers. 
     The upper and lower gloves preferably have differing padding arrangements. The upper glove, which generally grasps the hockey stick with the palm facing downward and requires forward movement of the wrist to facilitate its role as a pivot point, is heavily padded along the cuff on the outer wrist to protect the hand and wrist, but lightly padded on the palm side of the wrist to facilitate the pivoting motion. The lower glove, which generally grasps the hockey stick with the palm facing upward, is heavily padded along the cuff along the palm side and base of the thumb. Thus, the most vulnerable areas are more heavily padded. 
     In another aspect, the present invention provides a hockey glove comprising a palm, a protective back extending over the palm, a thumb portion, and a plurality of finger gussets. The back has at least one foam segment adapted to provide padding for a wearer&#39;s hand disposed within the glove. The thumb portion has a base communicating with the palm and the back. The finger gussets are adapted to accommodate the wearer&#39;s fingers. At least one of the finger gussets is adapted to accommodate more than one finger. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect, the above hockey glove is combined with a second hockey glove having a separate finger gusset for each of the wearer&#39;s fingers. 
     In accordance with a still further aspect, the present invention provides a hockey glove system comprising an upper and lower glove. Each glove comprises a palm and a protective back extending over the palm. The protective back has at least one foam segment adapted to provide padding for a wearer&#39;s hand disposed within the glove. The upper and lower gloves have asymmetrical construction relative to each other. The lower glove includes means for grasping a hockey stick in a manner to emphasize enhancement of stick control. In a still further aspect, the upper glove includes means for grasping a hockey stick in a manner to emphasize enhancement of the upper glove&#39;s pivot-point function. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a hockey glove is provided having a thumb member. The thumb member is padded and comprises a rigid articulating skeleton. The skeleton comprises at least two sections pivotably joined together. The sections are adapted to be rotatable relative to each other to allow rotation between a closed position and an open position. A stop is provided to prevent rotation in an open direction beyond the open position. 
     In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a hockey glove is provided having a thumb member. The thumb member is padded and comprises a rigid articulating skeleton. The skeleton comprises at least two sections pivotably joined together. The sections are adapted to be rotatable relative to each other to allow rotation between a closed position and an open position. Locking means is provided for preventing rotation of the sections in an open direction beyond the open position. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described herein above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. 
     All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hockey upper glove having features of the present invention, viewed with the palm side down. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hockey upper glove having features of the present invention, viewed with the palm side up. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hockey lower glove having features of the present invention, viewed with the palm side down. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a hockey lower glove having features of the present invention, viewed with the palm side up. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an articulated thumb skeleton disposed about a wearer&#39;s thumb. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the thumb skeleton of FIG. 5 in an open position. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the thumb skeleton of FIG. 5 in a closed position. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a base section of the thumb skeleton of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the middle and tip sections of the skeleton of FIG. 5 shown joined and with their top surfaces partially cut away. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the sections of FIG. 9 taken along line  10 — 10  and the base section of FIG. 8 taken along line  10   a — 10   a,  with the sections assembled. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the adjoining middle and tip sections of FIG. 9 taken along line  11 — 11 . 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an articulated thumb skeleton having features of the present invention and shown in an open position. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the thumb skeleton of FIG. 12, shown in a closed position. 
     FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a finger of the upper glove of FIG. 1 taken along line  14 — 14 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With first reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a hockey upper glove  10  having features in accordance with the present invention is shown. The glove  10  generally comprises a body  12  and a cuff  14 . The body  12  has a palm portion  16 , fingers  20 , a thumb  30 , and a back  40 . Finger gussets  22  are formed in the fingers  20  for receiving the wearer&#39;s fingers therein. 
     The upper glove  10  is adapted to be worn on a wearer&#39;s upper hand which grasps the hockey stick shaft near the stick&#39;s butt end. The upper hand&#39;s main purposes are to maintain a firm grasp on the stick and to act as a pivot point during shots. When grasping the stick, the upper hand is typically oriented so that the palm is facing generally downward. 
     The palm portion  16  of the body  12  extends to cover the fronts of the thumb and fingers of the wearer&#39;s hand. The palm  16  is preferably formed of split leather or synthetic leather selected for durability and comfort. Preferably, reinforcing gripping sections  18  of material, such as textured synthetic leather, are provided on the palm to improve gripping ability and to provide reinforcement. 
     A reinforcing strip  17  of material is preferably provided and extends generally diagonally across the palm from about the index finger to the heel of the palm  16  on the pinky finger side of the glove. The orientation and positioning of the reinforcing member  17  is customized for the typical positioning of the wearer&#39;s upper hand on the hockey stick. During play, the upper hand typically grasps the stick at an angle. The reinforcing member  17  is preferably oriented to run generally parallel to the stick during this angular grasping. This orientation aids grip and reduces fatigue by reducing the glove&#39;s resistance to grasping the stick at such an angle. 
     The thumb member  30  of the upper glove  10  has a loop  32  formed at the palmfacing side. The loop  32  creates a pocket for alternative placement of the wearer&#39;s thumb. 
     The finger gussets  22  are preferably formed of leather or another natural or synthetic material selected for softness and durability and may also include holes for ventilation. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,506, titled HOCKEY GLOVE WITH VENTILATION HOLES, which is also owned by Assignee and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIG. 14 presents a cross sectional view of one of the fingers  20  of the upper glove  10  of FIG.  1 . As shown, tabs  26  of split leather are preferably provided over the tips of the finger gussets  22  for greater abrasion resistance, improved gripping ability, and extended wear of the glove  10 . 
     Continuing with reference also to FIG. 14, the back  40  of the glove  10 , including the backs of the fingers  20 , includes foam segments  42  formed of relatively thick foam sandwiched between an inner liner  44  and an outer cover  46 . These segments  42  are preferably formed by waffle-type foam material processed in any known manner. The inner liner  44  typically comprises about ⅛ inch foam covered on both sides by nylon. The foam segments  42  are preferably between about ¼ to one inch thick for providing adequate protection of the hand. Preferably, the outer cover  46  is leather, or a suitable synthetic material such as woven nylon cordura. 
     The foam segments  42  of the back  40  are formed and grouped to substantially conform to the shape of the back of the hand and fingers of a wearer. The segments  42  on the fingers  20  are preferably formed to curve slightly to imitate a relaxed position of the wearer&#39;s hand. 
     A padded cuff  14  of the upper glove  10  has back, side, and palm portions  14   a,    14   b,    14   c.  The back and side portions  14   a,    14   b  are wider than the palm portion  14   c.  Thus, bending of the wearer&#39;s wrist forwardly, at the palm portion  14   c  of the cuff, is less restricted than bending of the wearer&#39;s wrist backwardly. 
     A padded cuff roll  15  is disposed about the cuff  14 . The cuff roll  15  is wider. along the back  40  of the glove  10  than on the palm side. Preferably, the cuff roll  15  along the back  40  of the glove  10  has a rigid insert disposed therein, such as a polyethylene plate or another suitable material. 
     The above-described padding arrangement focuses padding on areas of the upper hand most likely to be exposed to impacts during hockey play. However, forming the cuff smaller on the palm side facilitates the forward wrist pivoting action required by the wearer&#39;s upper hand during play. It is to be understood that padding may be added to this upper glove  10  in other areas made vulnerable by its position when gripping a hockey stick. For example, extra padding may be desirably added to the side portion of the pinky finger of the glove  10 . 
     With reference next to FIGS. 3 and 4, a hockey lower glove  110  is shown generally comprising a body  112  and a cuff  114 . The body  112  has a palm portion  116 , fingers  120 , a thumb  130 , and a back  140 . Finger gussets  122  are formed in the fingers  120  for receiving the wearer&#39;s fingers therein. The lower glove  110  is adapted to be worn on a wearer&#39;s lower hand, which is positioned on the hockey stick shaft between the stick&#39;s butt end and the blade. The lower hand&#39;s main purpose is to provide aim, control and power when advancing or controlling the hockey puck. When grasping the stick, the lower hand is oriented with the palm generally facing up. 
     The lower glove  110  shares similar structure with the upper glove  10  in many respects. For example, the palm portion  116 , the thumb member  130 , the foam segments  42  and their associated arrangements are similar to the corresponding members described with reference to the upper glove  10  and have thus been similarly numbered in the figures. However, the lower glove  110  has some key differences. For instance, a double-fingered gusset  124  is preferably formed on the lower glove  110  and is adapted to receive both the wearer&#39;s pinky and ring fingers therein. Accordingly, the lower glove  110  has only three fingers  120 , wherein the upper glove  10  has four fingers  20 . 
     The double-finger gusset  124  has been found to decrease the glove&#39;s interference with the wearer&#39;s stick control. Additionally, this decreased interference has also been found to enable players to focus more power into shooting the puck. Thus, the double-fingered gusset  124  can increase the wearer&#39;s control and shooting power. 
     A reinforcing section  117  of material is preferably provided and extends across the palm  116  generally perpendicularly to the fingers  120 , though slightly diagonally. As with the upper glove  10  discussed above, the orientation of the reinforcing section  117  is adapted to follow the grip of the lower hand on the stick. The lower hand typically grasps the hockey stick with the hand generally perpendicular, but slightly diagonal, to the stick. The reinforcing section  117  is oriented so that it will be generally parallel to the stick shaft, thus providing a better grip by reducing grip resistance and increasing grip surface area in contact with the stick. 
     The cuff  114  is adapted to encircle the wearer&#39;s wrist. A padded cuff roll  115  is disposed about the cuff  114 . The cuff roll  115  is preferably wider along the base of the thumb member  130  and palm  116  of the glove  110  than on the back side  140 . Preferably, the cuff roll  115  along the base of the thumb  130  and palm  116  has a rigid insert disposed therein, such as a polyethylene plate or other suitable material. 
     It is to be understood that padding may be added to this lower glove  110  in other areas made vulnerable by its position when gripping a hockey stick. For example, extra padding may be desirably added to the side portion of the index finger of the glove. Such padding should consider the lower glove&#39;s purpose of providing necessary protection and optimal functionality when oriented in a generally palm-up position. 
     The thumb member  30 ,  130  of both gloves  10 ,  110  preferably comprises a substantially rigid articulated skeleton  50 . With next reference to FIGS. 5-11, a preferred embodiment of an articulated skeleton  50  having features of the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the articulated skeleton  50  is arranged within the glove and adapted to fit over the wearer&#39;s entire thumb to protect the thumb from impacts to the thumb area  30 ,  130  of the glove  10 ,  110 . In order to follow the natural anatomy of the user&#39;s hand, the thumb skeleton.  50  is preferably oriented at an angle θ relative to the wearer&#39;s palm of about 30-40° and more preferably about 35°. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the articulated thumb skeleton  50  preferably comprises a base section  52 , a middle section  54 , and a tip section  56  joined to each other at pivot points  62 . The base and middle sections  52 ,  54  each have a notch  60  formed therein and, as depicted in FIGS. 8-10, an extension  64  extends beyond the notch  60 . The pivoting connection between the tip section  56  and middle section  54  is preferably similar to the pivotal connection between the middle section  54  and base section  52 . Thus, the preferred pivotal connection between the tip section  56  and middle section  54  will be described below as typical of such a connection. 
     With specific reference to FIGS. 9-11, the extension portion  64  of the middle section  54  is overlapped by the adjoining tip section  56 . The two sections are joined at the pivot point  62  in a manner allowing the sections  56 ,  54  to rotate relative to one another. Such a connection may be constructed using pins, rods or any other manner known in the art. FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the tip segment  56  overlapping the extension  64  of the middle section  54  and further demonstrates that the articulated skeleton  50  preferably has an arcuate cross section, allowing the skeleton  50  to more closelyfit at least partially around the wearer&#39;s thumb to provide protection while maintaining a low profile. 
     When the sections  52 ,  54 ,  56  of the articulated skeleton  50  are pivotably joined together, the skeleton  50  may articulate and move from the open position shown in FIG. 6 to the closed position shown in FIG.  7 . The closed position roughly follows the position of a thumb while grasping a hockey stick. Thus, the sections of the articulated skeleton move with the wearer&#39;s thumb as it grasps the stick. As a result, the wearer&#39;s grasp is improved and fatigue during grasping is minimized. 
     Pivoting of the thumb sections in the opposite direction beyond the open position is undesirable because of the danger of thumb hyperextension. To prevent possible hyperextension of the thumb, rotation is stopped when the tip section  56  comes into contact with the notch  60  of the middle section  54 . Similarly, rotation is stopped when the middle section  54  comes into contact with the notch  60  of the base section  52 . Thus, pivoting in a closed direction is enabled, but pivoting in the opposite, open direction beyond the open position is prevented. 
     It is to be understood that other methods and apparatus known in the art for constructing the skeleton may be employed to achieve the locking mechanism. For example, a post, wall, or ridge near the front end of each section may prevent rotation beyond the desired open position. Also, even if a notch is not employed, the adjacent sections may still be arranged to overlap each other and can be adapted so that contact between the overlapping sections prevents undesired rotation. 
     The middle section  54  preferably, has a bend  68  formed therein. This bend  68  helps the skeleton  50  to more closely approximate the normal position of the wearer&#39;s thumb within the glove in a relaxed position. However, this bend  68  is not required and need not be employed in other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate another preferred embodiment of an articulated skeleton  150  having three adjoining sections including a base section  152 , a middle section  154 , and a tip section  156 . The base and middle sections  152 ,  154  have notches  160  formed therein and extensions  164  extending beyond these notches  160 . The sections  152 ,  154 ,  156  are rotatably connected to each other at pivot points  162 . The skeleton  150  preferably articulates in a manner similar to the skeleton  50  embodiment discussed above. 
     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.