Ball catching tool

Abstract

To provide a ball catching tool that improves a fitting feeling during thumb insertion.SOLUTION: In a ball catching tool having a thumb insertion member within a thumb part, first and second string members 71 and 72 capable of making the thumb insertion member positionally adjustable along a length direction of the thumb part are provided. The thumb insertion member has a cylinder part 73 into which a thumb is to be inserted, and the first and second string members 71 and 72 that are provided at a longitudinal end of the cylinder part 73. The string members 71 and 72 function as positioning means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a ball-catching tool having a thumb insertion member inside the thumb portion.

Background Art

[0002] The thumb insertion member of such a ball-catching tool is generally provided in a baseball glove or the like disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. The thumb insertion member provided inside the thumb portion is where the thumb is inserted when using the ball-catching tool. The thumb insertion member has a cylindrical portion into which the thumb is inserted. In order to enhance the fitting feeling when inserting the thumb, adjustment means for increasing or decreasing the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion may be provided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is a desire to further improve the fitting feeling when inserting the thumb.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem thereof is to provide a ball-catching tool with an improved fitting feeling when inserting the thumb.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the ball-catching tool according to the present invention is In a ball-catching tool having a thumb insertion member inside the thumb portion, Position adjustment means is provided to make the thumb insertion member position-adjustable along the length direction of the thumb portion.

[0007] The operation and effects of the ball-catching tool with such a configuration will be described. According to this configuration, the thumb insertion member can be adjusted in position along the length direction of the thumb portion. Thereby, the thumb insertion member can be adjusted to a position corresponding to the preference of the user of the ball-catching tool, and the fitting feeling can be improved.

[0008] The thumb insertion member according to the present invention includes a cylindrical portion into which the thumb is inserted and a string member provided at a longitudinal end portion of the cylindrical portion, and it is preferable that the string member functions as the position adjusting means.

[0009] Thereby, when the string member is moved, the cylindrical portion moves, and the position of the cylindrical portion of the thumb insertion member can be adjusted to an appropriate position.

[0010] The thumb insertion member according to the present invention includes a cylindrical portion into which the thumb is inserted, a first string member provided at one longitudinal end of the cylindrical portion, and a second string member provided at the other longitudinal end, and it is preferable that these first string member and second string member function as the position adjusting means.

[0011] According to this configuration, by pulling the first string member or the second string member, etc., the cylindrical portion moves, and the position of the cylindrical portion of the thumb insertion member can be adjusted to an appropriate position.

[0012] In the present invention, it is preferable that the tip of the first string member is provided so as to be exposed to the outside through a hole formed at the tip of the little finger portion.

[0013] Thereby, the position of the thumb insertion member can be adjusted by pulling with the tip of the first string member.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the tip of the second string member is provided so as to be exposed to the outside through a hole formed at the base on the thumb side.

[0015] Thereby, the position of the thumb insertion member can be adjusted by pulling with the tip of the second string member.

[0016] Preferably, the cylindrical portion according to the present invention has folded-back portions formed at both longitudinal ends thereof toward the inside in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] By providing the folded-back portions, the feel when inserting the thumb can be improved.

[0018] In the present invention, a palm-side outer skin and a palm-side inner skin that form the palm side are provided. Two slits are formed in the palm-side inner skin along the thumb direction. Preferably, the cylindrical portion is attached in such a manner that a first support portion formed between the two slits is inserted therethrough.

[0019] With such a configuration, the thumb insertion member can be provided in a state where its position can be adjusted.

[0020] In the present invention, a palm-side outer skin and a palm-side inner skin that form the palm side are provided. Preferably, a part of the first string member and the second string member is disposed in a space formed between the palm-side outer skin and the palm-side inner skin.

[0021] Thereby, when a finger is inserted, the first string member and the second string member can be prevented from touching the palm or the nail.

[0022] In the present invention, a back-side outer skin and a back-side inner skin that form the back side are provided. Preferably, a second support portion provided on the back-side inner skin is inserted through the cylindrical portion.

[0023] With such a configuration, the thumb insertion member can be provided in a state where its position can be adjusted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] First, a preferred embodiment of the ball-catching tool according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external view of a baseball glove (hereinafter simply abbreviated as a glove), which is an example of the ball-catching tool according to the present invention, as viewed from the palmar side. FIG. 2 is an external view of the glove shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the dorsal side.

[0026] The glove includes a thumb portion 1, an index finger portion 2, a middle finger portion 3, a ring finger portion 4, and a little finger portion 5. A web 6 is provided between the thumb portion 1 and the index finger portion 2. A belt 7 is provided on the dorsal side, and a finger insertion portion 8 for inserting fingers into the glove is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, a pocket for catching a ball is formed by the palmar skin 10. Further, the palmar skin 10 constitutes the palmar surfaces of the thumb portion 1, the index finger portion 2, the middle finger portion 3, the ring finger portion 4, and the little finger portion 5.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view when looking inside the glove from the finger insertion portion 8. A leather 7a is provided at the edge of the belt 7. A palmar inner skin 11 is provided at the location where the palm contacts. The palmar skin 10 and the palmar inner skin 11 are connected by an appropriate string and constitute most of the palmar side of the glove.

[0028] Inside the thumb portion 1, a thumb insertion member 70 is provided, and the thumb is inserted therein. The present invention is provided with a position adjusting means for making the thumb insertion member 70 position adjustable along the length direction of the thumb portion 1 in order to enhance the fitting feeling when inserting the thumb. Details of the thumb insertion member 70 will be described later.

[0029] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the main members (units) that make up the interior of the glove. In this figure, the palm-side outer skin and the back-side outer skin are not shown. Also, Figure 4 is a view seen from the back side, and the members that make up the back-side inner skin are shown. Figure 5 is a view of the unit shown in Figure 4 seen from the palm side.

[0030] The index finger back-side inner skin 20, the middle finger back-side inner skin 30, the ring finger back-side inner skin 40, and the little finger back-side inner skin 50 are provided, and their boundary parts are joined by sewing. Also, on the tip side of each back-side inner skin 20, 30, 40, an index finger reinforcing member 21, a middle finger reinforcing member 31, and a ring finger reinforcing member 41 are provided, and they are formed of a material having higher strength than skin such as thermoplastic polyurethane. The tip parts of each back-side inner skin 20, 30, 40 are indicated by reference numerals 20a, 30a, 40a, and are located on the back side of each reinforcing member 21, 31, 41. No reinforcing member is provided at the tip part 50a of the little finger back-side inner skin 50. Note that the above configuration is also the configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-128.

[0031] A first thumb back-side inner skin 60 located on the base side of the thumb part 1 is provided, and a second thumb back-side inner skin 63 located on the tip side of the thumb part 1 is provided, and both are joined by sewing. The first thumb back-side inner skin 60 and the first index finger back-side inner skin 20 are also joined by sewing.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, the palm-side inner skin 11 has a thumb palm-side inner skin 111, an index finger palm-side inner skin 112, a middle finger back-side inner skin 113, a ring finger palm-side inner skin 114, and a little finger palm-side inner skin 115 (see also Figure 15). At the base part of the thumb palm-side inner skin 111, a cover 76 is joined to the palm-side inner skin 11 by sewing. The cover 76 can be formed of a cloth of the same material as the palm-side inner skin 11. A thumb insertion member 70 is provided on the back side of the cover 76. The first string member 71 and the second string member 72 that make up the thumb insertion member 70 protrude from both sides of the cover 76.

[0033] Each palmar endothelium 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 has a tip portion 111a, 112a, 113a, 114a, 115a. The positions of the tip portions 112a, 113a, 114a are substantially the same as the tip portions 20a, 30a, 40a on the nail side. The same applies to the tip portions 111a, 115a.

[0034] An index finger cushion member 22, a middle finger cushion member 32, and a ring finger cushion member 42 are provided. These cushion members are formed of an appropriate material such as styrofoam. These cushion members 22, 23, 24 are joined by sewing together with the nail-side endothelium 20, 30, 40 and the nail-side endothelium 21, 31, 41 on the nail side. Thereby, a space portion for inserting the index finger, middle finger, and ring finger is formed. The positions of the tip portions of the cushion members 22, 32, 42 are the same as the positions of the tip portions of the reinforcing members 21, 31, 41.

[0035] <Glove manufacturing procedure> Next, the outline of the glove manufacturing procedure will be described. FIG. 6 shows the members constituting the nail-side outer skin and is a view seen from the nail side. It has a first thumb nail-side outer skin 1a, a second thumb nail-side outer skin 1b that constitute the thumb portion 1, a first index finger nail-side outer skin 2a, a second index finger nail-side outer skin 2b that constitute the index finger portion 2, a first middle finger nail-side outer skin 3a, a second middle finger nail-side outer skin 3b that constitute the middle finger portion 3, a first ring finger nail-side outer skin 4a, a second ring finger nail-side outer skin 4b that constitute the ring finger portion 4, a first little finger nail-side outer skin 5a, a second little finger nail-side outer skin 5b that constitute the little finger portion 5. A hole 1d is formed in the nail-side outer skin 1a, and the second string member 72 is passed through it. A hole 5d is formed in the nail-side outer skin 5b, and the first string member 71 is passed through it.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a view seen from the nail side of the state where each nail-side outer skin is joined. The first thumb nail-side outer skin 1a and the second thumb nail-side outer skin 1b are joined by the overlap 1c. The other index finger portion 2, middle finger portion 3, ring finger portion 4, and little finger portion 5 are also joined by the overlaps 2c, 3c, 4c, 5c. The nail-side outer skin of the thumb portion 1 and the belt 7 are joined by sewing.

[0037] FIG. 8 shows a state before connecting the respective nail-side endoderms 20, 30, 40, 50, and is a view seen from the palmar side. The hole 50a is for passing a string. The slit 50b is for passing the string 80 (see FIG. 4).

[0038] FIG. 9 is a view showing the configuration of the first thumb nail-side endoderm 60, the second thumb nail-side endoderm 63, and the cover 62, and shows the shape seen from the palmar side. Also, the thumb direction is indicated by X. A rectangular hole 60a is formed in the nail-side endoderm 60 and is provided for attaching a thumb insertion member 70 described later. The cover 62 is made of resin and is provided to close the hole 60a. The nail-side endoderm 63 has a first portion 63b and a second portion 63c, and the second portion 63c is formed as an extended portion along the thumb direction X. The hole 63a is a hole for passing a string. The first portion 63b is sewn and connected to the nail-side endoderm 60, but the second portion 63c is not connected, so it has freedom of movement. The nail-side endoderm 63 has a substantially T-shaped planar shape. Cuts 63f are formed on the left and right at the base of the second portion 63c.

[0039] FIG. 10A is a view showing the process until the nail-side endoderm 63 is connected to the nail-side endoderm 60. FIG. 10A(a) shows a state turned over from the state shown in FIG. 9. There are cuts 63f, and using these, the left and right sides of the second portion 63c are folded back to form folded-back portions 63d, 63e. The state in which the folded-back portions are formed is shown in FIG. 10A(b). The shape of the nail-side endoderm 63 with the folded-back portions formed as seen from the palmar side is shown in FIG. 10A(c).

[0040] Figure 10B is a diagram showing the procedure up to the overall connection of the first thumb nail-side endothelium 60, the second thumb nail-side endothelium 63, and the cover 62. (a) is a view of the state where the first thumb nail-side endothelium 60 and the second thumb nail-side endothelium 63 are connected, seen from the nail side. (b) is a view of the same, seen from the palmar side. The first part 63b is connected to the nail-side endothelium 60 by sewing, but the second part 63c is not connected, so there is freedom. (c) is a diagram showing the state where the cover 62 is further connected. The cover 62 is connected to the nail-side endothelium 60 by sewing 62a, and the hole 60a is sealed. The presence of this hole 60a facilitates the connection operation between the end 74a and the end 74b of the cylindrical part 73 of the thumb insertion member 70 described later. After the connection (sewing) between the end 74a and the end 74b is completed, the hole 60a is sealed with the cover 62.

[0041] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a state where the second part of the second thumb nail-side outer skin is rolled up in a state where the first thumb nail-side endothelium, the second thumb nail-side endothelium, and the cover are connected. The second part 63c is exactly at a position covering the hole 60a.

[0042] Figure 12 is a diagram showing the state where each nail-side endothelium is connected, and is a view seen from the palmar side. The illustration of the palmar-side endothelium and the thumb insertion member 70 is omitted.

[0043] Figures 13A to 13D are diagrams showing the configuration of the thumb insertion member 70. Figure 13A is a developed view seen from the nail side. The thumb direction is indicated by X. The thumb insertion member 70 is formed by one cloth member and has a first string member 71, a second string member 72, a cylindrical part 73, folded-back parts 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d, and ends 74a, 74b.

[0044] Figure 13B shows the state where each of the folded-back parts 73a, 73b, 73c, 73d in Figure 13A is folded back to the back side. Figure 13C is a view of the folded-back state seen from the back side. By performing such folding, the end face of the cloth member does not appear on the end face of the cylindrical part 73, so the feel when inserting the thumb into the thumb insertion member 70 can be improved.

[0045] FIG. 13D is a diagram showing a state in which the end face 74a and the end face 74b are joined by sewing. As a result, a ring-shaped cylindrical portion 73 in which a thumb insertion space 75 is formed is formed.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the palmar endothelium 11 and the palmar endothelium arranged side by side. Two slits 116 are formed in the palmar endothelium 11 at two locations. Also, a slit 117 is formed at the base on the little finger side. The little finger insertion portion 80 has a well-known configuration and has two string members 800. The main body portion of the little finger insertion portion 80 is joined by sewing to the position of the little finger portion of the palmar endothelium 11. The string members 800 are inserted through two slits 50b formed in the dorsal endothelium 50, and are further inserted through a slit (not shown) formed in the dorsal outer skin, and are exposed on the outer appearance side of the glove. By adjusting the two string members 800, the inner diameter of the little finger insertion portion 80 can be adjusted.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in FIG. 5 excluding the cushion members 22, 32, and 42. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the attachment state of the thumb insertion member 70. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view seen from the palmar side with the cover 76 in a state not shown. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view similarly seen from the dorsal side.

[0048] Two slits 116 are formed in the palmar endothelium 11. When incorporating the thumb insertion member 70, the end portions 74a and 74b are inserted into the slits 116 respectively. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, by joining the end portions 74a and 74b, the cylindrical portion 73 is formed, and the thumb insertion member 70 is attached to the palmar endothelium 11. Since the length of the slit 116 is longer than the length of the cylindrical portion 73, the thumb insertion member 70 can move along the slit 116 (along the thumb direction X). This is a form of supporting the thumb insertion member 70 between the two slits 116, and this portion corresponds to the first support portion. This is a form in which the first support portion is inserted into the cylindrical portion 73.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 17, the second part 63c of the second thumb nail-side endothelium 63 is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical part 73 and corresponds to the second support part. That is, inside the cylindrical part 73, the first support part and the second support part are inserted along the thumb direction, supporting the cylindrical part 73 (thumb insertion member 70) and enabling movement along the thumb direction.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 17, folding parts 63d and 63e are formed on both sides in the width direction of the second part 63c. The thumb is inserted on the back side of the second part 63c, between the second part 63c and the nail-side endothelium 11, that is, between the first support part and the second support part.

[0051] The first string member 71 and the second string member 72 are arranged in the space between the palm-side endothelium 11 and the palm-side outer skin. The first string member 71 is inserted into a slit 117 formed in the palm-side endothelium 11 (see FIG. 14) and further pulled out to the outside through a hole 5d formed at the base of the little finger part 5 (see FIG. 7). The second string member 72 is pulled out to the outside through a hole 1d formed in the thumb part 1.

[0052] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the attached state of the thumb insertion member 70. The thumb insertion member 70 is supported in such a manner that the cylindrical part 73 is inserted into two slits 116 formed in the palm-side endothelium 11. Before the cylindrical part 73 is inserted into the slit 116, the end part 74a and the end part 74b are not connected. After being inserted through the slit 15, the end parts 74a and 74b are connected, and the thumb insertion member 70 is supported so as not to fall off from the palm-side endothelium 11.

[0053] Also, the second part 63c of the second thumb nail-side endothelium 63 is inserted into the inside of the cylindrical part 73. The thumb is inserted into the space between the palm-side endothelium 11 and the second part 63c. The folding parts 73a and 73b are folded back to the upper part of the cylindrical part 73, on the side where the end parts 74a and 74b are located. Therefore, the end faces of the end parts 74a and 74b do not come into contact with the thumb.

[0054] By operating the first string member 71 and the second string member 72 drawn out to the outside, the position of the cylindrical portion 73 of the thumb insertion member 70 along the thumb direction X can be adjusted. That is, the first string member 71 and the second string member 72 function as a position adjusting means for the thumb insertion member 70. Thereby, the user can perform position adjustment while confirming an appropriate position with the thumb inserted into the thumb insertion member 70. After the adjustment is completed, the positions can be fixed by tying the tips of the first string member 71 and the second string member 72 respectively (see Fig. 2).

[0055] Fig. 19 is a view showing the palmar outer skin 10 and the dorsal outer skin side by side. Fig. 20 is a view showing a state in which the palmar outer skin 10 and the dorsal outer skin are combined. Other members are omitted.

[0056] <Alternative Embodiment> In this embodiment, a baseball glove is cited as an example of the ball-catching tool, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of a baseball mitt. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to baseball but also to ball-catching tools used for softball and other sports.

[0057] The positions where the first string member 71 and the second string member 72 are drawn out to the outside of the glove are not limited to this embodiment, and may be set at other positions. The length, material, number, etc. of the string members can be set as appropriate. In this embodiment, the thumb insertion member is formed of a single cloth member, but it may be configured by combining a plurality of members. For example, the cylindrical portion and the string member may be manufactured as separate members and these may be combined to form the thumb insertion member.

[0058] The slit in the present invention may be merely a cut or may be formed in the form of a long hole having a width.

[0059] In this embodiment, means for adjusting the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 73 of the thumb insertion member 70 is not provided, but such means may be provided.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 Thumb portion 10 Palmar skin 11 Palmar endothelium 60 Inner skin on the nail side of the first thumb part 62 Cover 63 Inner skin on the nail side of the second thumb part 63a Hole 63b First part 63b Second part 63d, 63e Folded-back part 70 Thumb insertion member 71 First string member 72 Second string member 73 Cylindrical part 73a, 73b, 73c, 74d Folded-back part 74a, 74b End part 75 Thumb insertion space 76 Cover 111 Inner skin on the palm side of the thumb part 116 Slit 117 Slit X Thumb direction

Claims

1. In a ball-catching tool having a thumb insertion member inside the thumb part, a ball-catching tool characterized in that position adjustment means is provided to make the thumb insertion member adjustable in position along the length direction of the thumb part.

2. The thumb insertion member includes a cylindrical part into which the thumb is inserted and a string member provided at a longitudinal end of the cylindrical part, and the string member functions as the position adjustment means. The ball-catching tool according to claim 1.

3. The thumb insertion member includes a cylindrical part into which the thumb is inserted, a first string member provided at one longitudinal end of the cylindrical part, and a second string member provided at the other longitudinal end, and the first string member and the second string member function as the position adjustment means. The ball-catching tool according to claim 1.

4. The tip of the first string member is provided so as to be exposed outside through a hole formed at the tip of the little finger part. The ball-catching tool according to claim 3.

5. The tip of the second string member is provided so as to be exposed outside through a hole formed at the base on the thumb side. The ball-catching tool according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The cylindrical part is characterized in that folded-back parts are formed at both longitudinal ends in the longitudinal inner direction. The ball-catching tool according to claim 3.

7. It includes a palm-side outer skin and a palm-side inner skin that form the palm side, two slits are formed in the palm-side inner skin along the thumb direction, The cylindrical part is attached in a form in which a first support part formed between the two slits is inserted. The ball-catching tool according to claim 3.

8. It includes a palm-side outer skin and a palm-side inner skin that form the palm side, A part of the first string member and the second string member is arranged in a space formed between the palm-side outer skin and the palm-side inner skin. The ball-catching tool according to claim 3.

9. It includes a nail-side outer skin and a nail-side inner skin that form the nail side, A second support part provided on the nail-side inner skin is inserted through the cylindrical part. The ball-catching tool according to claim 3.

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