Stiffening device for a glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove, and a method for its manufacture

Abstract

The invention relates to a stiffening device (12) for a glove (10), in particular for a goalkeeper glove (10). The stiffening device (12) comprises at least one elongated, flexible support band (14) and a plurality of elements (16) arranged in a row on one side of the support band (14). The mutually facing surfaces (18) of the adjacent elements (16) are provided as stop surfaces (18). The stop surfaces (18) of the adjacent elements (16) are in contact when the support band (14) is extended. The stop surfaces (18) of the adjacent elements (16) are spaced apart from each other when the support band (14) is bent. The elements (16) have at least one closed or open cavity (20; 28). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the stiffening device (12), wherein the stiffening device (12) is manufactured using 3D printing technology.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stiffening device for a glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a stiffening device for a glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove.

[0002] In many ball sports, such as soccer, goalkeepers usually wear gloves to make it easier to catch or defend balls at high speed. Goalkeeper gloves are also designed to protect the hands from injury. In particular, the fingers should be protected from bending backward during a very powerful shot. For this purpose, goalkeeper gloves typically feature stiffening devices on the outer parts of the fingers. These stiffening devices can be strips or elongated molded plastic parts, for example.

[0003] Numerous stiffening devices for goalkeeper gloves are known. The known stiffening devices are usually manufactured using injection molding. Injection molding processes have the disadvantage that the production of the injection mold is complex and costly. For complex shapes, the production of the injection mold is particularly time-consuming and expensive. A relatively long time elapses before prototypes can be produced. After the injection mold is completed, minor adjustments are possible at best, but no significant changes to the injection mold. With an injection mold, customized stiffening devices can be provided simply by selecting the raw material; however, customization of the size, shape, or design of the stiffening device is not possible.In addition, parts manufactured by injection molding are solid and therefore relatively heavy. Finally, it's not possible to produce parts of any shape using the injection molding process.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a stiffening device for a glove, in particular a goalkeeper's glove, and a method for producing the same, wherein the stiffening device has sufficient stiffness with low weight and the production method can be carried out with little effort.

[0005] With regard to the device, this object is achieved by the subject matter according to patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

[0006] According to the invention, the stiffening device for a glove, in particular for a goalkeeper glove, comprises the following: - at least one elongated flexible carrier strip, and - a plurality of elements arranged in a row on one side of the carrier tape, wherein - the mutually facing surfaces of the adjacent elements are provided as stop surfaces, and wherein - the stop surfaces of the adjacent elements are in contact when the carrier strip is stretched, and - the stop surfaces of the adjacent elements are spaced apart from each other in the bent state of the carrier strip, and wherein - the elements have at least one closed or open cavity.

[0007] The core of the invention is the closed or open cavities in the stiffening device. On the one hand, the cavities contribute to a weight reduction of the stiffening device and, on the other hand, increase the flexibility of the stiffening device. The arrangement of the open cavities can, for example, define possible bending edges that facilitate the natural movement of the fingers. It is provided that the stiffening devices are embedded between two layers of the outer hand part or are attached, for example glued, to the outside of the outer hand part. In this case, the carrier band faces the outsides of the fingers and thumb, while the elements are arranged on the side facing away from the hand. The side of the stiffening device facing the hand is referred to as the underside, while the side facing away from the hand is referred to as the top side of the stiffening device.

[0008] Furthermore, at least one element can have an internal structure with a plurality of cavities. The cavities result in a weight reduction. The internal structure can be designed such that the strength and rigidity of the elements are not compromised.

[0009] For example, at least one element comprises a honeycomb structure with a plurality of cavities. The honeycomb structure provides sufficient stiffening of the elements and the stiffening device.

[0010] In particular, at least some of the elements have side surfaces configured as parallelograms, so that the elements have an undercut. Preferably, the remaining surfaces of the elements are configured as flat rectangles. The undercut increases the stability of the stiffening device against bending in an undesired direction. The side surfaces extend perpendicular to the main plane of the outer handle.

[0011] Furthermore, at least some of the elements have a recess between the stop surface and the carrier strip, so that a triangular prism is formed between two adjacent elements and the carrier strip, the longitudinal axis of which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier strip. Preferably, the elements are essentially cuboid-shaped. The recess increases the flexibility of the stiffening device during natural finger movement.

[0012] Furthermore, at least some of the elements can have at least one recess, so that a pattern is formed on the upper side of the stiffening device. Preferably, at least one recess is elongated. The pattern on the elements can support a design that is displayed on the outside of the outer hand part. If the stiffening devices are attached to the outside of the outer hand part, the pattern on the elements can be used to design the goalkeeper glove.

[0013] For example, at least some of the elements have the shape of a truncated pyramid, which is cut at least in the areas of the stop surfaces. Preferably, the truncated pyramid is also cut on the side surfaces.

[0014] In particular, at least one element comprises a passage extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier band, wherein the passage is formed between the element and the carrier band. Preferably, the passage has a triangular cross-section. The passage increases the flexibility of the stiffening device during natural finger movement.

[0015] Finally, the stiffening device can be formed as a single piece. The stiffening device can be manufactured in a single operation. Alternatively, the carrier strip and the elements can be manufactured separately and then welded together.

[0016] With regard to the method, the object of the invention is achieved by the subject matter according to patent claim 11.

[0017] According to the invention, the above-described stiffening device for the glove, in particular goalkeeper glove, is or is produced by means of a 3D printing technology or additive manufacturing, preferably from a plastic material or a polymer material.

[0018] The stiffening device can be manufactured quickly using a 3D printer. Even stiffening devices with complex geometries can be produced quickly and with minimal effort. For example, laser sintering can produce complex geometries and thin-walled structures. The production time for prototypes and final stiffening devices is significantly reduced. Injection molding tools, which are complex to develop and manufacture, are no longer required.

[0019] 3D printing technology also enables custom-made products with minimal effort. By measuring the hands and then adjusting the geometry of the stiffening devices, customized solutions can be created.

[0020] 3D printing technology makes it possible to economically manufacture the elements with their internal structure and numerous cavities. The internal structure, especially the honeycomb structure, with its numerous cavities within the elements, could not be produced at all using an injection molding process, for example. 3D printing technology also enables the production of lightweight structures.

[0021] Furthermore, 3D printing technology generates significantly less material waste than conventional manufacturing processes. The material used is used entirely for the manufactured product. Unused material powder can be reused for other purposes.

[0022] Finally, 3D printing technology enables decentralized production. This also reduces transportation routes. Warehousing is unnecessary, as products can be manufactured on demand at short notice. Changes and variations can also be provided quickly.

[0023] Further features, special embodiments and advantages are the subject of the subclaims.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, each of which shows a schematic representation: Fig. 1 a plan view of an outer hand part for a goalkeeper glove with stiffening devices according to a first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the stiffening device according to the first embodiment of the invention in a stretched state, Fig. 3 a side view of the stiffening device according to the first embodiment of the invention in a bent state, Fig. 4 a plan view of a section of the stiffening device according to the first embodiment of the invention in the bent state with a cut-open element, Fig. 5 a side view of the stiffening device according to a second embodiment of the invention in the stretched state, Fig. 6 a side view of the stiffening device according to the second embodiment of the invention in the bent state, Fig. 7 a plan view of the stiffening device according to the second embodiment of the invention in the stretched state, Fig. 8 is a plan view of the stiffening device according to a third embodiment of the invention in the stretched state, Fig. 9 a side view of the stiffening device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in the bent state, and Fig. 10 a plan view of the stiffening device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention in the stretched state.

[0025] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a plan view of an outer hand part for a goalkeeper glove 10 with stiffening devices 12 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The stiffening devices 12 are preferably embedded between two layers of the outer hand part and are thus not visible. It is also conceivable for the stiffening devices 12 to be attached, for example, glued, to the outer side of the outer hand part.

[0026] The goalkeeper glove 10 has five stiffening devices 12 located in the areas of the finger joints. The stiffening devices 12 are elongated and bendable in only one direction, corresponding to natural finger movements. The stiffening devices 12 counteract the bending of the fingers toward the outside of the hand.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows a side view of the stiffening device 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention in an extended state. The stiffening device 12 comprises a carrier strip 14 and a plurality of elements 16. The carrier strip 14 is elongated and bendable. The elements 16 are arranged in a row on one side of the carrier strip 14. The elements 16 have a cuboid-like shape, with the two opposite side surfaces of the elements 16 being formed as parallelograms and the remaining surfaces as rectangles. Thus, each element 16 has an undercut.

[0028] The mutually facing surfaces 18 of the adjacent elements 16 are provided as stop surfaces 18. The stop surfaces 18 of the adjacent elements 16 are in contact when the carrier strip 14 is in the extended state. In contrast, the stop surfaces 18 of the adjacent elements 16 are slightly spaced apart when the carrier strip 14 is in a bent state.

[0029] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of the stiffening device 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention in the bent state. The stop surfaces 18 of the adjacent elements 16 are slightly spaced apart from one another in the bent state of the stiffening device 12 and arranged in a V-shape relative to one another. The elements 16 and their structure allow the carrier band 14 to bend only toward the side facing away from the elements 16. Bending in the opposite direction, however, is blocked by the elements 16. This prevents the fingers and thumb from bending toward the outside of the hand.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a section of the stiffening device 12 according to the first embodiment of the invention in the bent state with a cut-open element 16. The cut-open element 16 shows the internal structure of the elements 16. The elements 16 have a honeycomb structure 22 with a plurality of cavities 20. The honeycomb structure 22 enables sufficient strength of the elements 16. The cavities 20 contribute to weight savings in the elements 16 and thus in the entire stiffening device 12.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a side view of the stiffening device 12 according to a second embodiment of the invention in the extended state. The elements 16 are cuboid-shaped, with a recess 24 with a triangular cross-section formed between the carrier strip 14 and two adjacent elements 16. In this way, an open cavity in the shape of a triangular prism is formed between the adjacent elements 16 and the carrier strip 14, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier strip 14.

[0032] Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the stiffening device 12 according to the second embodiment of the invention in the bent state. The recesses 24 increase the flexibility of the carrier band 14 for bending during natural finger movement.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 7 shows a plan view of the stiffening device 12 according to the second embodiment of the invention in the extended state. The stop surfaces 18 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier strip 14. The recesses 24 increase the flexibility of the carrier strip 14.

[0034] The elements 16 according to the second embodiment also have the honeycomb structure 22 with the plurality of cavities 20, which are arranged in Fig. 4. The cavities 20 contribute to the weight savings of the elements 16 and the stiffening device 12. The honeycomb structure 22 ensures sufficient strength of the elements 16.

[0035] Fig. Figure 8 shows a plan view of the stiffening device 12 according to a third embodiment of the invention in the stretched state. The stiffening device 12 according to the third embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in that a pattern is formed on the elements 16. In this example, two elongated recesses 26 are formed on each element, extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape 14. The pattern on the elements 16 can support a design displayed on the outer side of the outer hand part. If the stiffening devices 12 are applied to the outer side of the outer hand part, the pattern on the elements 16 can be used to define the design of the goalkeeper glove 10.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 9 shows a side view of the stiffening device 12 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in the bent state. The elements 16 in the fourth embodiment have approximately the shape of a truncated pyramid with a cut-off edge and a passage 28. The passage 28 extends between the element 16 and the carrier strip 12 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier strip 14. The passage 28 is a hollow space open on both sides, which contributes to the weight savings of the elements 16 and the stiffening device 12, as well as to the flexibility of the stiffening device 12.

[0037] Fig. Figure 10 shows a plan view of the stiffening device 12 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention in the extended state. Despite the passage 28, which contributes to weight savings and flexibility, the stiffening device 12 according to the fourth embodiment has a particularly high degree of rigidity.

[0038] The four embodiments of the stiffening device 12 can also be combined with one another. For example, the stiffening device 12 can have several sections in which the elements 16 have different shapes.

[0039] Preferably, the stiffening device 12 according to the invention is manufactured using 3D printing technology.

[0040] The stiffening device 12 can be manufactured very quickly using a 3D printer. Even stiffening devices 12 with complex geometries can be manufactured quickly and with little effort. With 3D printing technology, complex geometries and thin-walled structures can be produced, for example, by laser sintering. The complex development and manufacture of injection molding tools is eliminated with 3D printing technology. The production time for prototypes and final stiffening devices 12 is significantly reduced.

[0041] 3D printing technology enables custom-made products with minimal effort. Individual solutions can be created by measuring the hands and then adjusting the geometry of the stiffening devices 12.

[0042] The production of the elements 16 with the inner structure 22 containing the numerous cavities 20 is only made possible by 3D printing technology. The inner structure 22, in particular the honeycomb structure 22, with the numerous cavities 20 in the elements 16, could not be produced at all by an injection molding process. 3D printing technology enables the production of lightweight structures.

[0043] 3D printing technology generates significantly less material waste than conventional manufacturing processes. The material used is used entirely for the finished product. Unused material powder can be reused for other purposes.

[0044] 3D printing technology enables decentralized production. This also reduces transportation routes. Warehousing is unnecessary, as products can be manufactured on demand at short notice. Changes and variations can also be provided quickly. List of reference symbols 10 goalkeeper gloves 12 stiffening device 14 Carrier tape 16 elements 18 Stop surface 20 cavity 22 Honeycomb structure 24 recess 26 Deepening 28 passage

Claims

[1] Stiffening device (12) for a glove (10), in particular for a goalkeeper's glove (10), comprising: - at least one elongated flexible carrier strip (14), and - a plurality of elements (16) arranged in a row on one side of the carrier tape (14), wherein - the mutually facing surfaces (18) of the adjacent elements (16) are provided as stop surfaces (18), and wherein - the stop surfaces (18) of the adjacent elements (16) are in contact when the carrier strip (14) is in the stretched state, and wherein - the stop surfaces (18) of the adjacent elements (16) are spaced apart from one another in the bent state of the carrier strip (14), and wherein - the elements (16) have at least one closed or open cavity (20, 24; 28). [2] Stiffening device according to claim 1, characterized bythat at least one element (16) has an internal structure (22) with a plurality of cavities (20). [3] Stiffening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that at least one element (16) has a honeycomb structure (22) with a plurality of cavities (20) in the interior. [4] Stiffening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least in some of the elements (16) the side surfaces are designed as a parallelogram, so that the elements (16) have an undercut, wherein preferably the remaining surfaces of the elements (16) are designed as flat rectangles. [5] Stiffening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least some of the elements (16) have a recess (24) between the stop surface (18) and the carrier tape (14), so that a triangular prism (24) is formed between two adjacent elements (16) and the carrier tape (14), the longitudinal axis of which prism extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape (14), wherein preferably the elements (16) are formed substantially cuboid-shaped. [6] Stiffening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least some of the elements (16) have at least one recess (26) so that a pattern is formed on the upper side of the stiffening device (12), wherein preferably at least one recess (26) is elongated. [7] Stiffening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least some of the elements (16) have the shape of a truncated pyramid which is cut at least in the areas of the stop surfaces (18), wherein preferably the truncated pyramid is also cut on the side surfaces. [8] Stiffening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that at least one element (16) has a passage (28) which extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape (14), wherein the passage (28) is formed between the element (16) and the carrier tape (14), and wherein preferably the passage (28) has a triangular cross-section. [9] Stiffening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the stiffening device (12) is formed in one piece. [10] Stiffening device (12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the stiffening device (12) is manufactured by means of 3D printing technology. [11] Method for producing a stiffening device (12) for a glove (10), in particular a goalkeeper glove (10), according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the stiffening device (12) is manufactured by means of 3D printing technology.

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