Goalkeeper glove with an extension

Abstract

A glove, in particular a goalkeeper's glove, comprising one or more glove fingers with finger compartments for receiving fingers. At least one glove finger has an extension on the back of the hand that projects beyond the front end of the corresponding finger compartment and is traversed by a stabilizing element that is supported in a metacarpal area.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove with an extension on the back of the hand.

[0002] Gloves, especially goalkeeper gloves, are known from the prior art. To protect the finger joints, particularly from hyperextension caused by excessive force, for example from the kinetic energy of footballs, it is known to provide goalkeeper gloves with stiffening devices. Such stiffening devices are known, for example, from EP 1 697 010 B1. The stiffening device consists of several interconnected elements arranged such that it can be bent from a stretched state through a forward movement into a bent state and back again into a stretched state, but further backward movement from the stretched state is prevented by stops. The stiffening device is incorporated into the back of the glove and extends from an area around the fingertip into the back of the hand.Thus, the stiffening device also covers an area around the first finger joint at the base of the finger. The stiffening device protects all finger joints against hyperextension under strong force and effectively prevents hand injury.

[0003] Furthermore, fingertip padding is known for goalkeeper gloves, as described, for example, in EP 0 875 191 A1. The fingertip padding comprises a fingertip cap, which is specifically designed as a hat-shaped padding that only partially encloses the finger after insertion. The hat-shaped padding is formed as a molded part made of a porous rubber material, inserted into the finger areas of the glove, and applied to the palm area, while the back of the hand has no padding.

[0004] Sports grip gloves, particularly basketball grip gloves, with finger extensions are known from the prior art. Children, in particular, often have difficulty gripping basketballs with one hand due to the size of their hands. For this reason, US Patent 5,970,521 proposes incorporating finger extensions to increase the gripping area of ​​a basketball, thus facilitating one-handed gripping. The finger extensions are attached to the individual fingers, enclosing and lengthening them. The finger extensions are made of a polymer foam, such as foam rubber. They can also include a stiffening element made of plastic or metal, which is encased in the finger extension and extends from the back of the fingers beyond the fingertips.

[0005] For goalkeepers, reach is crucial, especially for deflecting precisely struck balls past the goal. Often, mere centimeters can make the difference between a shot going wide and a shot going in. Hard-hit footballs possess considerable kinetic energy, which is transferred to the glove upon contact. Furthermore, it is essential for the goalkeeper to be able to catch and hold the ball securely without the glove interfering.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove, which increases the wearer's reach and at the same time enables a secure grip on sports balls.

[0007] The present problem is solved by a glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0008] The glove according to the invention, in particular a goalkeeper glove, has one or more glove fingers with finger compartments for receiving fingers. At least one glove finger has an extension on the back of the hand that projects beyond the front end of the corresponding finger compartment. The extension is traversed by a stabilizing element that is supported in a metacarpal area.

[0009] The applicant recognized that extending the backhand of the glove can increase the reach of a glove wearer, particularly a goalkeeper, without negatively impacting their ability to grip and catch balls. Specifically, only the backhand of each individual glove finger is extended, not the palm of the glove finger, which features a gripping surface. On gloves, the palmar side is also referred to as the inside. The gripping surface, located on the inside of the glove when worn, rests on the palm of the wearer's hand. The opposite, dorsal side of the glove is also called the top. The backhand of the glove is located on the top. The distance between the top and inside of the glove narrows, particularly from the finger pocket area to the extension.Thus, the individual glove fingers in the area of ​​the finger pocket, designed to accommodate the wearer's finger, have a greater height from the inside to the top of the glove than at the extension. The extension can therefore preferably be considered to be recessed on the inside.

[0010] Preferably, the upper material of the backhand extends into the extension, forming an extended backhand. The upper material of the backhand can continue continuously, and the extension preferably forms a single unit with the glove finger on the upper side. In a top view of the backhand, it may not be possible to distinguish where the finger pocket ends and where the extension begins, as they form a single unit as the extended backhand. Preferably, the upper surface of the finger pocket has no step, crease, or material transition at the junction with the extension.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the upper material of the extension is folded over at a front end of the extension, forming a pocket. Preferably, the folded material is guided back to the finger pocket and is connected there, for example, to the upper material of a palm. Furthermore, the two lateral edges of the upper material can be joined together to form a pocket. In particular, the two lateral edges are joined together by a twisted seam or a twisted adhesive bond.

[0012] Preferably, the stabilizing element is arranged in the pocket of the extension. More preferably, the stabilizing element is arranged in a receiving pocket on the upper side of the glove. In particular, this creates a continuous receiving pocket for the stabilizing element on the upper side of the glove, extending from a front end of the extension to the palm area of ​​the glove. For this purpose, an additional layer of material, especially a textile, is arranged on the upper side between the outer material and the finger pocket itself, particularly in the area of ​​the finger pocket. This layer separates the receiving pocket from the finger pocket. In the palm area, the receiving pocket can be continued separately from a single glove finger. Alternatively, in the palm area, the receiving pockets of several glove fingers can be combined into a single receiving pocket.

[0013] The stabilizing element is preferably removable from the pocket. For this purpose, the pocket preferably has an opening at its rear end, which is particularly closable. The opening is preferably located at the rear end of the upper material of the back of the hand, for example, at the transition to a cuff around the wrist or a cuff of the glove. The pocket can be closed, for example, by means of a zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, or an elastic band. Alternatively, the pocket opening can also be left open. The stabilizing element is preferably fixed in the pocket by means of a hook-and-loop fastener. Alternatively, the stabilizing element can also be held in its position in the pocket by a form-fit connection. In an alternative embodiment, the stabilizing element is not removable, i.e., it cannot be removed without damaging the glove.The mounting pocket is closed, in particular by seams and / or adhesives, especially all around. Alternatively, the stabilizing element can be sewn, overlocked, or glued to the outer material or the additional layer of material.

[0014] By creating a continuous pocket extending from the extension to the metacarpal region, a continuous stabilizing element can be inserted within it. Preferably, the stabilizing element extends from the metacarpal region to the extension, particularly to the anterior end of the extension.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the stabilizing element is designed to absorb forces acting perpendicularly on the inside of the glove or the stabilizing element. The inside of the glove comprises, in particular, the palm and the inside of the extension. The forces acting on the inside, and especially on the inside of the extension and on the glove fingers, are absorbed by the stabilizing element and supported in the midhand area. This allows, for example, balls striking the inside of the extension to be redirected by the extension. The stabilizing element can be designed such that force absorption only occurs in a specific position of the stabilizing element, for example, in a home position.

[0016] Preferably, the stabilizing element comprises a bending element that is bendable from its initial position in a first direction and is bend-resistant from that initial position in a second direction opposite to the first. Particularly preferably, the bending element is bendable towards the inside of the glove. The bending element is preferably designed such that the initial position from which it is bend-resistant in a second direction is essentially a straight position. An essentially straight initial position is understood to mean that the bending element lies in a plane. Alternatively, the initial position can also be designed such that the bending element has a curve or kink in it. From the initial position, the bending element can be bent in the first direction and then back again to its initial position in the second direction.Only further bending in a second direction beyond the initial position is prevented by design. Therefore, the bending element is stable in the second direction when in its initial position.

[0017] The bending element is preferably made of plastic. Preferably, the bending element also comprises individual links that lock into place in the home position when moved in the second direction. For this purpose, the individual links are preferably connected on their inner sides by a hinge or are tiltable relative to each other. On their outer sides, the individual links lock into place in the home position, thus preventing further movement or bending in the second direction.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, projections are arranged on the inside of the extension, in particular projections that extend away from the inside in a third direction and are configured to deform in a fourth direction, the fourth direction having a component perpendicular to the third direction. The projections are arranged on the inside of the extension, which is preferably set back towards the top of the palm, in particular towards the area of ​​the glove fingers. The projections extend away from the inside in a third direction, the third direction being essentially the same as the first direction. The fourth direction in which the projections can deform preferably extends either towards the front end of the extension or towards the finger pocket, i.e., in particular in a distal or a proximal direction. For this purpose, the projections are in particular inclined, i.e.,They have at least one surface inclined inwards. The deformation of these projections, particularly upon contact with a ball, can influence the ball's trajectory after contact in a specific direction, or deflect the ball in a particular direction. Preferably, the projections are made of silicone, latex, or polyurethane (PU).

[0019] The upper material of the backhand can be polyester, latex, neoprene, or textile. Particularly in designs where the upper material forms an extended backhand and is folded over at the front end of the extension, so that the upper material is also positioned on the inside of the extension, high abrasion resistance of the upper material is preferred. The backhand may feature additional applications such as logos, protrusions, or the like.

[0020] Preferably, the palm of the glove is made of latex. Thus, the upper material on the palm, specifically in the gripping area, is made of latex, providing a high coefficient of friction with the ball. This ensures a secure grip on the ball. Furthermore, the palm may have additional materials, such as silicone, to further improve the coefficient of friction.

[0021] The upper material of the back of the hand and that of the palm can be directly connected, i.e., sewn or glued together. Alternatively, at least in certain areas, additional upper materials, such as gussets, can be arranged between the upper material of the back of the hand and the palm.

[0022] According to one aspect, the extension can have a length of at least one quarter, preferably at least one third, and more preferably at least half the length of the respective finger compartment. This significantly increases the reach available to the wearer, particularly the goalkeeper, while wearing the glove. Simultaneously, the force can be reliably supported in the midhand area, enabling the extension to redirect the ball's trajectory. Furthermore, with a suitable length or the design according to the invention, it is ensured that the extension does not interfere with other activities, such as catching the ball.

[0023] Preferably, each of the index, middle, ring, and little fingers of the glove has the extension according to the invention. Thus, each of the fingers that are typically used to deflect a ball when shooting at the goal, especially during penalty kicks, has an extension. Preferably, each extension has a separate stabilizing element. The stabilizing elements, for example, rod- or band-shaped stabilizing elements, can be arranged side by side in the palm area and extend from there into the individual glove fingers or extensions. Alternatively, stabilizing elements of at least two glove fingers or extensions can be connected to each other in the palm area and extend from there radially into the respective glove fingers or extensions.

[0024] Further advantages, details and embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These show: Figure 1: A palm of a goalkeeper glove according to the invention; Figure 2: A back of a goalkeeper glove according to the invention; Figure 3: A side view of a goalkeeper glove according to the invention; Figure 4: A detail view of extensions according to the invention in a goalkeeper glove; Figure 5: A sectional view along line II in Figure 2 Figure 6a A side view of a stabilizing element according to the invention, and Figure 6b An oblique view of a stabilizing element according to the invention. Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a goalkeeper glove 1 according to the invention from the inside, so that the palm 40 is visible. The upper material 61 of the palm 40 is made of latex. The goalkeeper glove 1 is designed in the area of ​​the wrist of the wearer as a close-fitting cuff 2, to which a band 3 is attached. The cuff 2 can be made of a textile material.

[0025] In the Figure 2 The view shown of the upper side of the goalkeeper glove 1 with a backhand 20 shows a hook and loop fastener element 5 on the cuff 2 for attaching a strap. The upper material 62 of the backhand 20 can be made of a polyester material.

[0026] The second, third, fourth, and fifth glove fingers 12, 13, 14, 15 each have an extension 21 of the back of the hand 20. For this purpose, the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 is extended and forms an extended back of the hand 22. The extension 21 is particularly evident in the Figure 1The extension 21 is evident in the difference between the glove fingers 10 and the upper fingers 60 of standard gloves, due to a different upper material. The extensions 21 lengthen the second to fifth glove fingers by approximately 50%. The first glove finger 11, which serves as the thumb, does not have an extension 21.

[0027] In the second to fifth glove finger 12 to 15, a gusset 4, which preferably consists of a textile material, is formed between the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 and the upper material 61 of the palm 40.

[0028] Out of Figure 3 and the detailed view in Figure 4It becomes apparent that, to form the extension 21, the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 was extended to create an extended back of the hand 22 and folded over at one front end of the extension 23. In addition, the two lateral edges of the extension 21 were each sewn together, forming a pocket 24. The folded-over area of ​​the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 is sewn to the upper material 61 of the palm 40 at one front end of a finger pocket 17. This is particularly evident from the detailed view in Figure 4It becomes apparent that only the back of the hand 20 is extended. The palm 40, however, is not extended. A step is present in the area of ​​the front end of the finger pocket 17, where the glove wearer's fingers are located when wearing the goalkeeper glove. Thus, the extension 21 can be considered to be set back from the palm 40 towards the back of the hand 20. The extension 21 is therefore not designed as an extended glove finger 10 that exceeds the usual length of the glove fingers 10, which depends on the glove size. Rather, the extension 21 is distinguishable by the design of the finger pocket 16.

[0029] To stabilize the extension 21, the goalkeeper glove 1 has a stabilizing element 30. An example of such a stabilizing element is shown in the Figures 6a and 6bThe stabilizing element 30 consists of a plurality of links 33. The links 33 are connected to each other on an inner side 31 of the stabilizing element 30. On an outer side 32 of the stabilizing element 30, the links 33 can be tilted away from each other, thus allowing the stabilizing element 30 to bend in a first direction A towards its inner side 31. If the stabilizing element 30 is bent in a second direction B towards the outer side 32 beyond a predefined bend, two adjacent links 33 bind together, so that bending is only possible up to a predefined shape. Typically, the individual links 33 bind together when the stabilizing element 30 is in a plane, i.e., the stabilizing element 30 is straight. The straight position of the stabilizing element 30 is shown in Figure 6aThe line is shown with a dashed line. Thus, the stabilizing element 30 can be bent from a preferably straight position in a first direction A, as shown by the arrows. The position shown in Figure 6a However, the stabilizing element 30 does not represent the final position, but can be bent further, so that the bending radius decreases.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment of the stabilizing element 30, a hook-and-loop fastener 34 is arranged along the entire length of the inner surface 31. This allows the stabilizing element 30 to be fixed in the glove 1 and, in particular, in the pocket 24. Furthermore, the hook-and-loop fastener 34 is folded over the stabilizing element 30 at both opposite ends, so that the end regions of the upper surface 32 are also provided with a hook-and-loop fastener 34.

[0031] Figure 5 shows an example of a cross-section along section line II in Figure 2through the fifth glove finger 15 for the little finger. In the finger compartment 16, the finger 6 of a wearer is shown with a dashed line. The analogous cross-sections through the first, second, and third glove fingers show a corresponding design, although the dimensions are adapted to the finger that is to receive the respective glove compartment 16. The position and extent of the individual stabilizing elements 30 in the glove 1 are also shown in Figure 2 The individual stabilizing elements 30 are shown schematically by the dashed lines. The stabilizing elements 30 extend from a front end of the extension 23 at a lateral end to the metacarpal area 50 of the glove at a medial end. The metacarpal area 50 of the glove 1 represents the area in which the wearer's metacarpals are located when wearing the glove. In the Figure 2In the glove 1 shown, the midhand area 50 is essentially limited medially by the transition from the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 to the cuff 2.

[0032] In the Figure 5The cross-section shown shows that the stabilizing element 30 is arranged in the receiving pocket 24. The receiving pocket 24 is formed by the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 or the extended back of the hand 22, which is folded over at the front end 23 of the extension 21 and is also sewn together on both opposite lateral sides. The upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20 is connected or sewn to the upper material 61 of the palm 40 in the area of ​​the front end 17 of the finger pocket. In addition, an extra textile is arranged or sewn in between the finger pocket 16 and the receiving pocket 24 on the back of the hand 20 of the finger pocket 16 as a separating material 18, which extends into the metacarpal area 50. Thus, the receiving pocket 24 extends medially into the midhand area 50, in particular to the medial end of the upper material 62 of the back of the hand 20. In the midhand area 50, i.e.Behind the individual glove fingers 16, the pockets 24 of the individual glove fingers 10 can be formed separately, i.e., separated from each other by seams, for example, or combined into a single pocket.

[0033] Several projections 70 are arranged on an inner surface 25 of the extension 21. These projections extend away from the upper material 60 of the extension 21 in a third direction C and also have an extension direction towards the front end of the extension 23, i.e., they are inclined. The projections are preferably made of silicone and thus increase friction or grip with a soccer ball. Due to their inclined design, the contact surface with a ball can be increased because the inclined projections 70 deform along an inherent bending direction, which represents a fourth direction D. This can also influence the ball's trajectory in a specific direction. Reference symbol list

[0034] 1 Goalkeeper glove 2 Cuff 3 Cuff 4 Layer 5 Hook and loop fastener for strap 6 Wearer's finger 10 Glove finger 11 First glove finger for thumb 12 Second glove finger for index finger 13 Third glove finger for middle finger 14 Fourth glove finger for ring finger 15 Fifth glove finger for little finger 16 Finger pocket 17 Front end of finger pocket 18 Separator material 20 Back of hand 21 Extension 22 Extended back of hand 23 Front end of extension 24 Pickup pocket 25 Inside of extension 30 Stabilizing element 31 Inside of stabilizing element 32 Top of stabilizing element 33 Link 34 Hook and loop fastener 40 Palm 50 Midhand area 60 Upper material 61 Upper material of the palm 62 Upper material of the back of the hand 70 Extension First direction Second direction Third direction Fourth direction

Claims

1. Glove (1), in particular goalkeeper glove, comprising one or more glove fingers (10) with finger compartments (16) for receiving fingers, wherein at least one glove finger (10) has an extension (21) on the back of the hand (20) which extends beyond the front end of the corresponding finger compartment (17) and is traversed by a stabilizing element (30) which is supported in a metacarpal area (50).

2. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that an upper material (60, 62) of the upper hand (20) extends into the extension and forms an extended upper hand (22).

3. Glove (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that a top material (60) of the extension (21) is bent over at its front end (23) and forms a receiving pocket (24).

4. Glove (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the stabilizing element (30) is arranged in the receiving pocket (24).

5. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the stabilizing element (30) is located in the receiving pocket (24) on the top of the glove.

6. Glove (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by the fact that the stabilizing element (30) of the receiving pocket (24) is removable and is preferably fixed in it by means of a Velcro fastener (34) or the stabilizing element (30) is sewn, overlocked or glued in the receiving pocket (24).

7. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the stabilizing element (30) extends from the mid-hand area (50) to the extension (21).

8. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the stabilizing element (20) is designed in such a way that it can absorb forces acting perpendicularly on an inside.

9. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe stabilizing element (30) has a bending element which is bendable in a first direction and is bendable in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein in particular the bending element is bendable towards the inside.

10. Glove (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the bending element (30) is made of plastic and in particular has individual links (33) which come to rest against a block when moving in the second direction.

11. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that Projections (70) are arranged on the inside of the extension, in particular projections (70) which extend away from the inside in a third direction and are designed to deform in a fourth direction which has a component perpendicular to the third direction, wherein the projections (70) are preferably made of silicone, latex or PU.

12. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the upper material (62) of the upper hand (20) is a polyester material, a latex material, a neoprene or a textile.

13. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that The inner hand (40) of the glove (1) is made of a latex material.

14. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the extension (21) has a length of at least one quarter, preferably at least one third, further preferably at least half the length of the respective finger compartment (16).

15. Glove (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that Each of the index, middle, ring and little finger glove fingers (15, 14, 13, 12) has the extension (21) and in particular each extension (21) has a separate stabilizing element (30).

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