Goalkeeper catching glove

Abstract

A goalkeeper catching glove being movable between an at rest position and a closed position. A front portion of the glove has: an outer member; and an inner member connected to the outer member. In the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove, a portion of the outer member in the palm region has a first radius of curvature. In the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove, a portion of the inner member in the palm region has a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature. In the at rest position of the goalkeeper glove, the portion of the outer member having the first radius of curvature is spaced from the portion of the inner member having the second radius of curvature.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 19 / 057,654, filed Feb. 19, 2025, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 555,240, filed Feb. 19, 2024, the entirety of both of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present technology relates to goalkeeper catching gloves.BACKGROUND

[0003] To assist them in blocking and catching hockey pucks shot toward a hockey net, hockey goalkeepers wear a goalkeeper blocker on one hand and a goalkeeper catching glove on the other. The blocker is worn on the hand holding the goalkeeper stick and is used to block hockey pucks. The catching glove is used to catch hockey pucks shot in the air and to smother and stop hockey pucks on the surface of the ice. A right-handed goalkeeper typically wears the blocker on their right hand and the catching glove on their left hand.

[0004] Most catching gloves come in a single size for adults. They are designed to fit most hands. As a result, goalkeepers with large hands will have to position their hands inside the catching glove differently than goalkeepers with small hands in order to be comfortable. This may not result in a biomechanically ideal position for applying force to close the catching glove to catch hockey puck.

[0005] To protect the hand of the goalkeeper, the front portion of the catching glove has pieces of rigid material provided in the cuff, thumb, finger, and palm regions of the catching glove that are connected to each other by flexible padding for permitting the closing of the catching glove. This assembly is complex and time intensive to manufacture. Additionally, the combination of rigid material and flexible padding tends to push the hand of the goalkeeper out of the catching glove when the catching glove is closed. As a result, a goalkeeper will often push the end of their catching glove against their hip, thigh, or blocker hand between saves in order to push their hand back in a proper position inside the catching glove. Some catching gloves will include additional straps inside the catching glove to help keep the hand inside the catching glove. Some goalkeepers have also been known to add their own straps and other type of retention means in order to prevent their hand from being pushed out of the catching glove.

[0006] In order to catch a hockey puck, the goalkeeper catching glove is folded to a closed position by the hand of the goalkeeper inside the catching glove along a line in the palm region of the catching glove that is often referred to as the break. When the catching glove is not closed, the at rest position of the catching glove, it is still partially closed due to the manner in which the catching glove is constructed and assembled. The at rest position of the catching glove is the position of the catching glove when no external force is applied to it. In other words, the at rest position is the position of the catching glove when the hand of the goalkeeper inside the catching glove does not apply any force to close or open the glove. As such, in the at rest position, the catching glove does not cover the greatest surface area that it is capable of. In order to cover the greatest possible surface area with the catching glove, which is desirable to increase the likelihood of catching a hockey puck, the goalkeeper needs to force their hand open in order to open the catching glove by unfolding the catching glove from the at rest position. This brings fatigue to the hand of the goalkeeper, and it is not possible for the goalkeeper to keep the catching glove wide open for long periods of time.

[0007] Also, to help keep a puck in the catching glove, catching gloves are provided with a trap extending between the thumb region and the finger region. The trap includes a webbing. In cases where the shot hockey puck is not caught directly in the trap, and instead hits the thumb, finger, or palm regions of the catching glove, it is possible for the hockey puck to bounce out of the catching glove and back in to play. This can lead to a quick return shot from the opposing team that can be harder to stop by the goalkeeper than the initial shot. As such, goalkeepers have to be accurate in positioning the catching in order to align the trap with the hockey puck, and if this fails, they have to be very quick in closing the catching glove to prevent the hockey puck from bouncing out of the catching glove.

[0008] Therefore, there is a desire for a goalkeeper catching glove that can overcome at least some of the above-described drawbacks.SUMMARY

[0009] It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a goalkeeper catching glove having a front portion defining a cuff region, a thumb region, a finger region, and a palm region. The palm region is concave. The palm region extends between the thumb region and the finger region, and between the cuff region and the finger region. The front portion has a unitary impact resistant member. The unitary impact resistant member spans at least a majority of the thumb region, at least a majority of the finger region, and at least a majority of the palm region. The goalkeeper catching glove also has rear portion connected to the front portion, the front portion and the rear portion defining therebetween a space for receiving a hand of a goalkeeper; and a trap connected to at least one of the front portion or the rear portion, the trap extending between the thumb region and the finger region.

[0011] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member spans at least 95 percent of the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

[0012] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member spans the cuff region, the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

[0013] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is foldable between a rest position and a plurality of folded positions. The unitary impact resistant member is normally biased toward the rest position.

[0014] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is made from plastic.

[0015] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is made from one of: polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PC-ABS blend, polyketone (PK), PC siloxane copolymer, PC blend, thermoplastic, thermoplastic composite, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0016] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is made from PC.

[0017] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is a molded unitary impact resistant member.

[0018] In some embodiments, the front portion also has a facing connected to a front of the unitary impact resistant member.

[0019] In some embodiments, the facing is laminated on the front of the unitary impact resistant member.

[0020] In some embodiments, the facing is made from synthetic polyurethane.

[0021] In some embodiments, the front portion also has a foam backing connected to a back of the unitary impact resistant member.

[0022] In some embodiments, the foam backing is laminated on the back of the unitary impact resistant member.

[0023] In some embodiments, the front portion also has an inner member connected to the unitary impact resistant member. The inner member is disposed between the unitary impact resistant member and the rear portion.

[0024] In some embodiments, the inner member is made from foam.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a goalkeeper catching glove having: a front portion defining a cuff region, a thumb region, a finger region, and a palm region, the palm region being concave; a rear portion connected to the front portion, the front portion and the rear portion defining therebetween a space for receiving a hand of a goalkeeper; and a trap connected to at least one of the front portion or the rear portion, the trap extending between the thumb region and the finger region. The goalkeeper catching glove is movable between an at rest position and a closed position. The goalkeeper catching glove is normally biased toward the at rest position. The goalkeeper catching glove has a perimeter. A projection of the perimeter of the goalkeeper catching glove in the at rest position onto a plane disposed in front of the goalkeeper catching glove having an at rest surface area. The at rest surface area is at least 90 percent of a maximum surface area. The maximum surface area corresponds to a projection of the perimeter of the goalkeeper catching glove onto the plane in a position of the goalkeeper catching glove providing a largest possible surface area.

[0026] In some embodiments, the at rest surface area is at least 95 percent of the maximum surface area.

[0027] In some embodiments, the at rest surface area is the maximum surface area.

[0028] In some embodiments, the front portion is shaped such that in the at rest position the hand of the goalkeeper received in the space is in a relaxed position.

[0029] In some embodiments, the front portion has an impact resistant member. The impact resistant member is disposed at least in the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region. The impact resistant member biases the goalkeeper catching glove toward the at rest position.

[0030] In some embodiments, the impact resistant member is made from plastic.

[0031] In some embodiments, the impact resistant member is a molded unitary impact resistant member.

[0032] In some embodiments, the front portion also has a facing connected to a front of the impact resistant member.

[0033] In some embodiments, the front portion also has a foam backing connected to a back of the impact resistant member.

[0034] In some embodiments, the front portion also has an inner member connected to the impact resistant member. The inner member is disposed between the impact resistant member and the rear portion.

[0035] In some embodiments, the inner member is made of from foam.

[0036] In some embodiments, the impact resistant member is a unitary impact resistant member. the unitary impact resistant member spans at least a majority of the cuff region, at least a majority of the thumb region, at least a majority of the finger region, and at least a majority of the palm region.

[0037] In some embodiments, a hand covering is disposed in the space. The hand covering is configured for receiving the hand of the goalkeeper. The hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the front portion.

[0038] In some embodiments, the hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the front portion via hook and loop fasteners.

[0039] In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove having four finger stalls and one thumb stall.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a goalkeeper catching glove having: a front portion defining a cuff region, a thumb region, a finger region, and a palm region, the palm region being concave; a rear portion connected to the front portion, the front portion and the rear portion defining therebetween a space for receiving a hand of a goalkeeper; and a trap connected to at least one of the front portion or the rear portion, the trap extending between the thumb region and the finger region. The goalkeeper catching glove is movable between an at rest position and a closed position. The front portion has a puck reflection area. The puck reflection area is at least 80 percent of a total outer surface area of the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region. The puck reflection area is shaped such that, in the at rest position, for each incident line being normal to a plane defined by a front surface of the cuff region and passing through the puck reflection area: a corresponding reflection line extends through the trap, the reflection line extends from a point of intersection between the incident line and the puck reflection area; the reflection line is at a first angle to a normal line; the normal line is normal to the puck reflection area at the point of intersection; the incident line is at a second angle to the normal line; and the first angle and the second angle are equal.

[0041] In some embodiments, the puck reflection area is at least 90 percent of the total outer surface area of the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

[0042] In some embodiments, the puck reflection area is at least 95 percent of the total outer surface area of the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

[0043] In some embodiments, the puck reflection area corresponds to the total outer surface area of the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

[0044] In some embodiments, the puck reflection area has a generally parabolic cross-section.

[0045] In some embodiments, a vertex of the parabolic cross-section is disposed on a finger side of a glove length line. The pocket length line is a shortest line extending from a heel of the goalkeeper catching glove to a point on the trap being furthest from the heel and following a contour of the front portion and the trap.

[0046] In some embodiments, the front portion has an impact resistant member. The impact resistant member is disposed at least in the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region. The impact resistant member biases the goalkeeper catching glove toward the at rest position. The impact resistant member defines a shape of the puck reflection area.

[0047] In some embodiments, the impact resistant member is made from plastic.

[0048] In some embodiments, the impact resistant member is a molded unitary impact resistant member.

[0049] In some embodiments, the front portion also has an inner member connected to the impact resistant member. The inner member is disposed between the impact resistant member and the rear portion.

[0050] In some embodiments, the inner member is made of from foam.

[0051] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the trap is inserted between the impact resistant member and the inner member.

[0052] In some embodiments, a hand covering is disposed in the space. The hand covering is configured for receiving the hand of the goalkeeper. The hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the front portion.

[0053] In some embodiments, the hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the front portion via hook and loop fasteners.

[0054] In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove having four finger stalls and one thumb stall.

[0055] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a goalkeeper catching glove having: a front portion defining a cuff region, a thumb region, a finger region, and a palm region, the palm region being concave; a hand covering configured for receiving a hand of a goalkeeper, and the hand covering being selectively removably connected to an inner side of the front portion. The hand covering has at least one finger stall and a thumb stall. The at least one finger stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the front portion along the finger region. The thumb stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the front portion along the thumb region. The goalkeeper catcher glove also has a rear portion connected to the front portion. The rear portion has a finger cover for selectively covering the at least one finger stall and a thumb cover for selectively covering the at least one thumb stall. The finger cover is movable between a finger covering position and a finger donning position. In the finger covering position, the finger cover covers the at least one finger stall. In the finger donning position, the finger cover is positioned such that the at least one finger stall is uncovered. The thumb cover is movable between a thumb covering position and a thumb donning position. In the thumb covering position, the thumb cover covers the thumb stall. In the thumb donning position, the thumb cover is positioned such that the thumb stall is uncovered. A trap is connected to at least one of the front portion or the rear portion. The trap extends between the thumb region and the finger region.

[0056] In some embodiments, the hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the front portion via hook and loop fasteners.

[0057] In some embodiments, the hook and loop fasteners has at least one first fabric strip and a plurality of second fabric strips. The at least one first fabric strip has one of hooks and loops. The plurality of second fabric strips has an other one of hooks and loops. The at least one first fabric strip is connected to the inner side of the front portion along the finger region and the thumb region. The plurality of second fabric strips includes at least one second fabric strip connected to the at least one finger stall and at least one second fabric strip connected to the thumb stall.

[0058] In some embodiments, the at least one first fabric strip is connected to the inner side of the front portion along the palm region. The hand covering has a palm portion. The plurality of second fabric strips includes at least one second fabric strip connected to the palm portion.

[0059] In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove; the at least one finger stall is four finger stalls; the at least one second fabric strip connected to the at least one finger stall is at least four second fabric strips connected to the four finger stalls, with each of the four finger stalls having at least one second fabric strip of the at least four fabric strips connected thereto.

[0060] In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove; and the at least one finger stall is four finger stalls.

[0061] In some embodiments, the at least one finger stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the front portion along the finger region at any finger position of a plurality of finger positions; and the thumb stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the front portion along the thumb region at any thumb position of a plurality of thumb positions.

[0062] In some embodiments, an edge of the thumb cover is connected to the thumb region of the front portion; and the thumb cover pivots between the thumb covering position and thumb donning position.

[0063] In some embodiments, a buckle fastens the thumb cover in the thumb covering position.

[0064] In some embodiments, an edge of the finger cover is connected to the finger region of the front portion; and the finger cover pivots between the finger covering position and finger donning position.

[0065] In some embodiments, a flap selectively connects the finger cover in the finger covering position.

[0066] In some embodiments, the flap selectively connects to the finger cover via hook and loop fasteners.

[0067] In some embodiments, a cuff pad is connected to the inner side of the front portion along the cuff region.

[0068] In some embodiments, the rear portion has a cuff cover connected to and movable with the finger cover.

[0069] In some embodiments, the front portion has an impact resistant member. The impact resistant member is disposed at least in the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region. The impact resistant member biases the goalkeeper catching glove toward an at rest position.

[0070] According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a goalkeeper catching glove being movable between an at rest position and a closed position. The goalkeeper catching glove has: a front portion defining a cuff region, a thumb region, a finger region, and a palm region, the palm region being concave, the palm region extending between the thumb region and the finger region, and between the cuff region and the finger region. The front portion has: an outer member; and an inner member connected to the outer member. In the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove, a portion of the outer member in the palm region has a first radius of curvature. In the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove, a portion of the inner member in the palm region has a second radius of curvature. The first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature. In the at rest position of the goalkeeper glove, the portion of the outer member having the first radius of curvature is spaced from the portion of the inner member having the second radius of curvature. The goalkeeper catching glove also has: a rear portion connected to the front portion, the front portion and the rear portion defining therebetween a space for receiving a hand of a goalkeeper, the inner member being disposed between the outer member and the rear portion; and a trap connected to at least one of the front portion or the rear portion, the trap extending between the thumb region and the finger region.

[0071] In some embodiments, the outer member includes a unitary impact resistant member spanning the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

[0072] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member biases the goalkeeper catching glove toward the at rest position.

[0073] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is made from plastic.

[0074] In some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member is a molded unitary impact resistant member.

[0075] In some embodiments, the front portion also has a facing connected to a front of the unitary impact resistant member.

[0076] In some embodiments, the front portion also has a foam backing connected to a back of the unitary impact resistant member.

[0077] In some embodiments, the inner member is made of from foam.

[0078] In some embodiments, a hand covering is configured for receiving the hand of the goalkeeper. The hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the inner member. The hand covering has at least one finger stall and a thumb stall. The at least one finger stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the inner member along the finger region. The thumb stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the inner member along the thumb region.

[0079] In some embodiments, the hand covering is selectively removably connected to the inner side of the front portion via hook and loop fasteners.

[0080] In some embodiments, the hook and loop fasteners have at least one first fabric strip and a plurality of second fabric strips. The at least one first fabric strip has one of hooks and loops. The plurality of second fabric strips have an other one of hooks and loops. The at least one first fabric strip is connected to the inner side of the inner member along the finger region and the thumb region. The plurality of second fabric strips includes at least one second fabric strip connected to the at least one finger stall and at least one second fabric strip connected to the thumb stall.

[0081] In some embodiments, the hand covering is a glove; the at least one finger stall is four finger stalls; and the at least one second fabric strip connected to the at least one finger stall is at least four second fabric strips connected to the four finger stalls, with each of the four finger stalls having at least one second fabric strip of the at least four fabric strips connected thereto.

[0082] In some embodiments, the rear portion is movable between a covering position and a donning position. In the covering position, the rear portion covers the hand covering. In the donning position, the rear portion is positioned such that the hand covering is uncovered.

[0083] In some embodiments, the inner member is shaped such that in the at rest position the hand of the goalkeeper received in the space is in a relaxed position.

[0084] In some embodiments, a cuff pad is connected to an inner side of the front portion along the cuff region.

[0085] In the context of the present specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, the words “first,”“second,”“third,” etc. have been used as adjectives only for the purpose of allowing for distinction between the nouns that they modify from one another, and not for the purpose of describing any particular relationship between those nouns.

[0086] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,”“an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0087] As used herein, the term “about” in the context of a given value or range refers to a value or range that is within 20%, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of the given value or range.

[0088] As used herein, the term “at least a majority” should be understood as meaning more than 50%.

[0089] As used herein, the term “and / or” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. For example, “A and / or B” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) A and B, just as if each is set out individually herein.

[0090] Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and / or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and / or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

[0091] Additional and / or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

[0093] FIG. 1 is a front view of a goalkeeper catching glove according to the present technology;

[0094] FIG. 2A is a front view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 showing the goalkeeper catching glove in an at rest position;

[0095] FIG. 2B is a front view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 showing the goalkeeper catching glove in a closed position;

[0096] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1;

[0097] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 showing various components of goalkeeper catching glove disassembled;

[0098] FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sections taken through line 5-5 of FIG. 1 of a front portion of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 illustrating an outer member and an inner member of the front portion in the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove (FIG. 5A) and in a closed position of the goalkeeper catching glove (FIG. 5B);

[0099] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the outer member of the front portion of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 taken through line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

[0100] FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a prior art goalkeeper catching glove in an at rest position in solid lines and showing a wide-open position in dotted lines;

[0101] FIG. 7B is a front elevation view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 in the at rest position and showing a wide-open position in dotted lines;

[0102] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-section of a puck reflection area of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 taken along line P of FIG. 7B;

[0103] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1 illustrating various incident lines passing through the puck reflection area with corresponding normal lines and reflection lines;

[0104] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an incident line with its corresponding normal line and reflection line;

[0105] FIG. 11 is a front view of the outer member of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1, with a facing of the outer member being omitted;

[0106] FIG. 12A is a rear view of the outer member of FIG. 11;

[0107] FIG. 12B is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a unitary impact resistant member of the outer member of FIG. 12A;

[0108] FIG. 12C is a bottom view of the unitary impact resistant member of FIG. 12B;

[0109] FIG. 13 is a front view of the inner member of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1;

[0110] FIG. 14 is a rear view of the inner member of FIG. 13;

[0111] FIG. 15 is a view taken from a thumb region side of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1, with a finger cover being in a finger donning position and a thumb cover being in a thumb covering position;

[0112] FIG. 16 is a rear view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1, with the finger cover being in the finger donning position and the thumb cover being in the thumb covering position;

[0113] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the goalkeeper catching glove of FIG. 1, with the finger cover being in the finger donning position and the thumb cover being in a thumb donning position;

[0114] FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D are rear views of various hand coverings to be used with the goalkeeper catching glove; and

[0115] FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C and 19D are front views of the hand coverings 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D respectively.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0116] The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising”, or “having”, “containing”, “involving” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as, optionally, additional items. In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements.

[0117] The present technology will be described with reference to a goalkeeper catching glove 10 configured to be worn on a left hand 12 (schematically shown in FIG. 1) of an ice hockey goalkeeper. A goalkeeper catching glove that is a mirror image of the goalkeeper catching glove 10 and that is configured to be worn on a right hand of an ice hockey goalkeeper is also contemplated. It is also contemplated that aspects of the present technology could be applied to goalkeeper catching gloves for sports other than ice hockey. A goalkeeper can also be referred to as a goalie, a goaltender, a netkeeper and a netminder. A catching glove can also be referred to as a catcher, a catch glove, and a trapper.

[0118] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the goalkeeper catching glove 10, hereinafter the catching glove 10, has a front portion 14, a rear portion 16 connected to the front portion 14, and a trap 18 connect to the front portion 14. It is contemplated that the trap 18 could alternatively be connected to the rear portion 16 or to both the front and rear portions 14, 16. The front and rear portions 14, 16 define a space therebetween for receiving the hand 12 of the goalkeeper.

[0119] With reference to FIG. 1, the front portion 14 defines a cuff region 20, a thumb region 22, a finger region 24 and a palm region 26. The boundaries between these regions are illustrated by dash-dot lines in FIG. 1. The cuff region 20 is the region of the front portion 14 that is configured to generally cover a front of at least part of a wrist 28 of the goalkeeper, and a distal portion of the forearm 30 of the goalkeeper. The thumb region 22 is the region of the front portion 14 that is configured to generally cover a front of at least part of a thumb 30 of the hand 12 of the goalkeeper. The finger region 24 is the region of the front portion 14 that is configured to generally cover a front of at least part of an index finger 32, a middle finger 34, a ring finger 36 and a pinky 38 of the hand 12 of the goalkeeper. For purposes of the present application, the thumb 30 is not considered to be a finger. The thumb 30, the index finger 32, the middle finger 34, the ring finger 36 and the pinky 38 are all digits, but only the index finger 32, the middle finger 34, the ring finger 36 and the pinky 38 are fingers. The palm region 26 is the region of the front portion 14 that is configured to generally cover a front of at least part of a palm 40 of the hand 12 and the wrist 28 of the goalkeeper. As can be seen, the palm region 26 extends between the thumb region 22 and the finger region 24, between the cuff region 20 and the thumb region 22, and between the cuff region 20 and the finger region 24. The palm region 26 is concave. By moving their fingers 32, 34, 36, 38 toward the thumb 30, the goalkeeper can move the catching glove 10 between an at rest position (shown in FIG. 1) and a closed position (schematically shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2B). The at rest position is the position of the catching glove 10 when no external force is applied to it. When the catching glove 10 is in the at rest position, the hand 12 is in a relaxed position and the goalkeeper does not need to apply any force with their thumb 30 and fingers 32, 34, 36, 38 to achieve this position of the catching glove 10.

[0120] With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 15 to 17, the front portion 14 has an outer member 42 and an inner member 44. The inner member 44 is disposed between the outer member 42 and the rear portion 16. A cuff pad 46 is connected via fasteners (not shown) to the inner side of the inner member 44 along the cuff region 20. The cuff pad 46 is made of compressible foam. The cuff pad 46 and the cuff region 20 of the inner member 44 are inserted into a pouch 48 connected to a back of the cuff region 20 of the outer member 42. The outer member 42 and the inner member 44 will be described in more detail below.

[0121] The trap 18 extends between the thumb region 22 and the finger region 24 and is partially inserted between the outer member 42 and the inner member 44. Laces 49 fasten the outer member 42 to the inner member 44 and fasten the trap 18 to the outer member 42 and the inner member 44. The trap 18 has webbing 50 to which a double-T reinforcement strip 52 is connected. The strip 52 is referred to as “double-T” since it has two vertical portions connected to one horizontal portion (with respect to the orientation shown in FIG. 4). It is contemplated that alternatively the trap 18 could have a single-T reinforcement strip (i.e., with a single vertical portion). The trap 18 also has an edge piece 54 covering the exposed peripheral edge of the reinforcement strip 52. The trap 18 is assembled flat as shown in FIG. 4 and gets its pocket-shape when connected to the front portion 14.

[0122] The rear portion 16 includes a finger cover 56, a cuff cover 58 and a thumb cover 60. An edge of the finger cover 56 is connected to the finger region 24 of the front portion 14 such that the finger cover 56 can pivot between a finger covering position, shown in FIG. 3 and a finger donning position, shown in FIGS. 15 to 17. As seen in FIG. 3, the edge of the finger cover 56 is connected to the front portion 14 via buckles 62 and strips of hook and loop fasteners 64. It is contemplated that the finger cover 56 could be connected differently to the front portion 14 in order to move between the finger covering position and the finger donning position. The finger cover 56 includes impact resistant material and / or padding to protect the portion of the hand 12 that the finger cover 56 covers when in the finger covering position.

[0123] The cuff cover 58 is connected to the finger cover 56 so as to move with the finger cover 56 as it moves between the finger covering position and the finger donning position. The cuff cover 58 includes impact resistant material and / or padding to protect the wrist 28 and forearm 30 of the goalkeeper when the finger cover 56 is in the finger covering position. A cuff piece 66 is connected along an edge to the cuff cover 58. The cuff piece 66 includes a wrist pad 68, best seen in FIG. 4. The cuff piece 66 extends along a back of the pouch 48, such that when the goalkeeper inserts their hand 12 inside the catching glove 10, the cuff piece 66 is between the wrist 28 of the goalkeeper and the pouch 48.

[0124] A flap 70 extends from the cuff piece 66. The flap 70 connects to the finger cover 56 via hoop and loop fasteners 72 when the finger cover 56 is in the finger covering position. A buckle 74 and a strip of hook and loop fasteners 76 connect the finger cover 56 to the front portion 14 when the finger cover 56 is in the finger covering position. A strap 77 and a buckle 78 connected to the cuff piece 66 are used to fasten the cuff piece 66 to the wrist 28 and / or forearm 30 of the goalkeeper such that the cuff cover 58 and the cuff piece 66 will move with the wrist 28 and / or forearm 30 of the goalkeeper as it moves during use of the catching glove 10. It is contemplated that the strap 77 and the buckle 78 could be omitted or replaced by other means of fastening to the wrist 28 and / or forearm 30 of the goalkeeper. It is contemplated that the finger cover 56 could be connected differently to the flap 70 and / or the front portion 14 when in the finger covering position.

[0125] An edge of the thumb cover 60 is connected to the thumb region 22 of the front portion 14 such that the thumb cover 60 can pivot between a thumb covering position, shown in FIG. 15 and a thumb donning position, shown in FIG. 17. As seen in FIG. 17, the edge of the thumb cover 60 is connected to the front portion 14 via stitching. It is contemplated that the thumb cover 60 could be connected differently to the front portion 14 in order to move between the thumb covering position and the thumb donning position. A buckle 80 and a strip of hook and loop fasteners 82 connect the thumb cover 60 to the front portion 14 when the thumb cover 60 is in the thumb covering position. The thumb cover 60 includes impact resistant material and / or padding to protect the portion of the thumb 30 that the thumb cover 60 covers when in the thumb covering position.

[0126] Along the break line of the catching glove 10 (i.e., the line along which the palm region 26 folds when closing the catching glove 10), in the at rest position of the catching glove 10, portions the outer member 42 of the front portion 14 have radii of curvature that are greater than radii of curvature of portions of the inner member 44 with which they are aligned. The difference between the radii of curvature of the outer member 42 and the inner member 44 gets smaller as the break line extends from the portion of the palm region 26 that is next to the trap 18 to the heel 84 of the catching glove 10. As can be seen in FIG. 5A for the cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, in the at rest position of the catching glove 10, a portion of the outer member 42 of the front portion 14 has a radius of curvature that is greater than a radius of curvature of a portion of the inner member 44 with which it is aligned. As such, at least along the break line, in the at rest position of the catching glove 10, the outer member 42 is spaced from the inner member 44. As a result, when the goalkeeper moves the catching glove 10 to the closed position, as the front portion folds along the break line, the outer member 42 moves toward the inner member 44 thereby reducing the space between the outer member 42 and the inner member 44, as can be seen in FIG. 5B for the portion of the front portion 14 corresponding to the cross-section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1. As the hand 12 of the goalkeeper abuts the inner member 44, it is not pushed out of the catching glove 10 by the movement of the outer member 42 as the catching glove 10 is moved to the closed position.

[0127] With reference to FIGS. 1, 6, 11 and 12, the outer member 42 will now be described in more detail. The outer member 42 includes a unitary impact resistant member 100. It is contemplated that a unitary impact resistant member 100 could be a single part forming a whole, such as a molded plastic part using a single plastic, or could be made from different parts that are integrally formed to form a unit, such as different plastics that are injected simultaneously or sequentially into one or more molds to form a unitary part. In the present embodiment, the unitary impact resistant member 100 spans an entirety of the cuff region 20, the thumb region 22, the finger region 24 and the palm region 26. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member 100 could span less than the entirety of one or more of these regions 20, 22, 24, 26 such that unitary impact resistant member spans a majority of the cuff region 20, a majority of the thumb region 22, a majority of the finger region 24 and a majority of the palm region 26. For example, it is contemplated that in some embodiments the unitary impact resistant member 100 could span at least 95 percent of the cuff region 20, the thumb region 22, the finger region 24, and the palm region 26. It is contemplated that for some aspects of the present technology in embodiments where the unitary impact resistant member 100 does not cover an entirety of the regions 20, 22, 24, 26, that additional impact resistant members and / or impact absorption members could be provided to cover the area of these regions 20, 22, 24, 26 not covered by the impact resistant member 100. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the unitary impact resistant member 100 could not extend in the cuff region 20 and that one or more separate impact resistant members could be provided in the cuff region 20. In the present embodiment, the unitary impact resistant member 100 is made from plastic that is molded. In one embodiment, the plastic is polycarbonate (PC). Other examples of plastics that could be used for making the unitary impact resistant member 100 include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), PC-ABS blend, polyketone (PK), PC siloxane copolymer, other PC blends, thermoplastic, thermoplastic composite, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It is contemplated that the unitary impact resistant member 100 could be made from other material, such as composite materials for example. It is contemplated that the unitary impact resistant member 100 could be molded by thermoforming, compression molding, pressure molding, or injection molding. It is also contemplated that the unitary impact resistant member 100 could be made by a process other than molding, such as, for example, machining and 3D printing.

[0128] The unitary impact resistant member 100 can be folded from a rest position shown in FIG. 11, which corresponds to the position of the unitary impact resistant member 100 when the caching glove 10 is in the at rest position, to a plurality of folded positions as the catching glove 10 is moved to its closed position, such as the folded position that the unitary impact resistant member 100 has when the outer member 42 is folded as shown in FIG. 5B. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a strip of fabric 102 is bonded or otherwise connected to a front of the unitary impact resistant member 100 along the break line to help improve resistance to fatigue wear resulting from the multiple cycles of folding and unfolding of the unitary impact resistant member 100 resulting from the catching glove 10 being opened and closed. It is contemplated that another strip of fabric could be bonded or otherwise connected to a back of the unitary impact resistant member 100 along the break line instead of or in addition to the strip of fabric 102. It is contemplated that the strip of fabric 102 could be omitted.

[0129] A facing 104 is connected to a front of the unitary impact resistant member 100. In the present embodiment, the facing 104 is made from synthetic polyurethane and is laminated on the front of the unitary impact resistant member 100. As such, text and images can be printed on the facing 104. It is contemplated that the facing 104 could be made from a material other than synthetic polyurethane. It is also contemplated that the facing 104 could be connected to the front the unitary impact resistant member 100 by means other than lamination.

[0130] A foam backing 106 having a shape complementary to the shape of the unitary impact resistant member 100 is connected to the back of the unitary impact resistant member 100. In the present embodiment, the foam backing 106 is laminated to the back of the unitary impact resistant member 100. It is contemplated that the foam backing 106 could be connected to the back of the unitary impact resistant member 100 by means other than lamination.

[0131] A foam backing 108 is connected to the back of the foam backing 106 over part of the finger region 24 and part of the palm region 26. A foam backing 110 is connected to the back of the foam backing 106 over part of the cuff region 20, part of the thumb region 22, and part of the palm region 26. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the area of the foam backing 106 around the break line is not covered by the foam backing 108, 110.

[0132] FIGS. 12B and 12 C illustrate a unitary impact resistant member 200 that is an alternative embodiment of the unitary impact resistant member 100 described above. In the unitary impact resistant member 200, the laterally outer portions 202 are thicker than the central portion 204 that includes the break line. Intermediate portions 206 located between the central portion 204 and the laterally outer portion 202 provide a transition from the thickness of the central portion 204 to the thickness of the laterally outer portion 202. The thinner central portion 204 makes it easier to close the catching glove 10. In one embodiment, the laterally outer portions 202 have a thickness T1 of 2 mm and the central portion 204 has a thickness T2 of 1 mm, but other thicknesses are contemplated. In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the intermediate portions 206 could be omitted, that the central portion 204 could extend up to the laterally outer portions, that the central portion 202 is thinnest at the break line and gradually increase in thickness up to the laterally outer portions 202.

[0133] In another alternative embodiment of a unitary impact resistant member (not shown), the unitary impact resistant member is made from different parts that are integrally formed to form a unit, such as different plastics that are injected simultaneously or sequentially into one or more molds to form a unitary part. In such an embodiment, the central portion of the unitary impact resistant member (corresponding to the central portion 204 described above) is made from a material that is more flexible than the material used for the laterally outer portions of the unitary impact resistant member (corresponding to the laterally outer portions 202 described above). In such an embodiment, it is contemplated that the laterally outer portions and the central portion could have the same thickness as in the unitary impact resistant member 100, or could have different thicknesses as in the unitary impact resistant member 200.

[0134] Turning now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner member 44 will be described in more detail. The inner member 44 has a body 112 made from foam. It is contemplated that in alternative embodiments, the inner member 44 could be made from felt, infused fabric, or gel or polymer infused foam. Strips of fabric 114 are stitched to a front and back of the body 112 along the break line to help improve resistance to fatigue wear resulting from the multiple cycles of folding and unfolding of the body 112 resulting from the catching glove 10 being opened and closed. It is contemplated that the strips of fabric 114 could be connected to the body 112 by means other than stitching. It is contemplated that the strip of fabric 114 on the front or on the back of the body 112 could be omitted. It is also contemplated that the strips of fabric 114 could be omitted. A fabric strip 116 is connected to the back of the body 112 over part of the finger region 24 and part of the palm region 26. Another fabric strip 118 is connected to the back of the body 112 over part of the thumb region 22, and part of the palm region 26. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the area of the body 112 around the break line is not covered by the fabric strips 116, 118. The fabric strips 116, 118 are stitched to the body 112, but it is contemplated that they could be connected to the body 112 by other means. The fabric strips 116, 118 have hooks of hook and loop fasteners used to selectively removably connect a hand covering 120B to an inner side of the front portion 14 as will be described in more detail below. A fabric edge piece 122 is stitched around a contour of the body 112.

[0135] With reference to FIGS. 18B and 19B, the hand covering 120B is a glove 120B configured to receive the hand 12 of the goalkeeper. The glove 120B has four finger stalls 124 to receive the fingers 32, 34, 36, 38 of the hand 12, a thumb stall 126 for receiving the thumb 30 of the hand 12 and a palm portion 128 for receiving the palm 40 of the hand 12. The finger stalls 124 can move independently from each other. Four fabric strips 130 are connected to the front of the four finger stalls 124. It is contemplated that more than one fabric strip 130 could be provided for each finger stall 124. It is contemplated that only one, two or three the finger stalls 124 could be provided with a fabric strip 130. A fabric strip 132 is connected to the front of the thumb stall 126. It is contemplated that more than one fabric strip 132 could be provided for the thumb stall 126. A fabric strip 134 is connected to the front of palm portion 128. It is contemplated that more than one fabric strip 134 could be provided for the palm portion 128. It is also contemplated that the fabric strip 134 could be omitted. The fabric strips 130, 132, 134 have loops of hook and loop fasteners used to selectively removably connect the glove 120B to the inner side of the front portion 14 as will be described in more detail below. More specifically, the fabric strips 130 of the finger stalls 124 selectively connect to the fabric strip 116, the fabric strip 132 of the thumb stall 126 selectively connects to the fabric strip 118, and the fabric strip 134 of the palm portion 128 selectively connects to one or both of the fabric strips 116, 118 depending on how the glove 120B is positioned on the back of the inner member 44. It is contemplated the fabric strips 116, 118 could have the loops of the hook and loop fasteners and that the fabric strip 130, 132, 134 could have the hooks of the hook and loop fasteners. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, means other than hook and loop fasteners could be used to removably selectively connect the glove 120B to the inner member 44.

[0136] To put on the catching glove 10 for the first time, the goalkeeper moves the finger cover 58 in the finger donning position and the thumb cover 60 in the thumb donning position. The goalkeeper puts their hand 12 in the glove 120B that has been detached from the inner member 44. The goalkeeper then puts their gloved hand 12 against the back of the inner member 44 such that the fabric strips 130, 132, 134 engage the fabric strips 116, 118 as described above. As the area of the fabric strip 116 is larger than the area of the fabric strips 130 of the finger stalls 124, the goalkeeper can place the finger stalls 124 in a plurality of finger positions. Similarly, as the area of the fabric strip 118 is larger than the area of the fabric strips 132 of the thumb stall 126, the goalkeeper can place the thumb stall 126 in a plurality of thumb positions. As a result, the goalkeeper can attach the glove 120B to the inner side of the front portion 14 such that their hand 12 is in a comfortable position. The inner member 44 is shaped such that the goalkeeper can attach the glove 120B in a position where their hand 12 is in a relaxed position when the catching glove 10 is in the at rest position. As shown in FIG. 17, at this step, with the finger cover 56 in the finger donning position, the finger stalls 124 of the glove 120B are uncovered, and with the thumb cover 60 in the thumb donning position, the thumb stall 126 is uncovered. The goalkeeper can then fasten the strap 77 around their wrist 28 and / or forearm 30. Finally, the goalkeeper moves the thumb cover 60 to the thumb covering position to cover the thumb stall 126, moves the finger cover 56 to the finger covering position to cover the finger stalls 124 and the palm portion 128, and then fastens the thumb cover 60 and the finger cover 56 in their respective covered positions using the buckles 74, 80 and strip of hook and loop fasteners 76, 82. The hand 12 of the goalkeeper and the glove 120B are now inside the space defined between the front portion 14 and the rear portion 16 and the catching glove 10 is ready to use by the goalkeeper.

[0137] To remove the catching glove 10, the goalkeeper can repeat the steps described above in the reverse order. However, the goalkeeper can keep the glove 120B attached to the inner member 44 and slide their hand 12 out of the glove 120B such that the glove 120B will already be in the desired position for the next time the catching glove 10 is to be used. It is also contemplated that, alternatively, the goalkeeper could simply loosen the strap 77 and possibly the strip of hook and loop fasteners 76 used to fasten the finger cover 56 and slide their hand 12 out of the glove 120B and catching glove 10, thus leaving the glove 120B attached to the inner member 44.

[0138] By removably connecting the glove 120B to the inner member 44, the glove 120B can be easily removed for cleaning. The removable attachment method also allows different hand coverings to be used in the catching glove 10 without having to change the other parts of the catching glove 10. For example, catching gloves that are of the same type as the catching glove 120B but being of a different size could be used to fit different hand sizes. Different kinds of hand coverings, such as for example the hand coverings 120A, 120C and 120D shown in FIGS. 18A, 18C, 18D, 19A, 19C and 19D, could also be used without having to change the other parts of the catching glove 10.

[0139] The hand coverings 120A, 120C and 120D will now be described. For simplicity, the elements of the hand coverings that are similar to those of the glove 120B have been labeled with the same reference numerals as those of the glove 120B and will not be describe again in detail. The hand covering 120A is a glove 120A that is similar to the glove 120B, but has additional padding 136 provided on the back of the finger stalls 124, the thumb stall 126 and the palm portion 128. The hand covering 120C is a glove 120C in which three finger stalls 124 are connected to each other. The leftmost finger stall 124 (with reference to the orientation in FIG. 18C) is sized to receive both the ring finger 36 and the pinky 38. In the glove 120C, as single strip of fabric 138 covers the three finger stalls 124 and a single strip of fabric 140 covers the thumb stall 126 and the palm portion 128. The hand covering 120D is a glove 120D that is larger in size than the glove 120B. The hand covering 120D has a shroud 142 on a back thereof and a loop of fabric 144 connected to the palm portion 128. In another embodiment not illustrated herein, the hand covering is a mitten. The mitten is similar to the glove 120C, but instead of having three finger stalls 124, the mitten has a single large finger stall in which all four fingers 32, 34, 36, 38 can be inserted.

[0140] Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, differences between an at rest position of a prior art catching glove 300 and the at rest position of the catching glove 10 will be described. For purposes of the present explanations, although they are constructed differently, it is considered the that the catching glove 300 and the catching glove 10 have the same perimeter. As would be understood, the catching glove 300 is illustrated in a smaller scale than the catching glove 10. The perimeter is to be measured as indicated in Rule 11.6 of the 2021-2022 Official Rules of the National Hockey League® (National Hockey League (2021) Official Rules 2021-2022). A projection of the perimeter of the catching glove 300 in the at rest position (shown in solid lines in FIG. 7A) onto a plane disposed in front of the catching glove 300 has an at rest surface area. A projection of the perimeter of the catching glove 300 onto the plane in a position of the catching glove 300 providing a largest possible surface area corresponds to a maximum surface area of the catching glove 300. The maximum surface area of the catching glove 300 is bound by the dotted line 302 in FIG. 7A. A projection of the perimeter of the catching glove 10 in the at rest position (corresponding to the catching glove in FIG. 7B) onto a plane disposed in front of the catching glove 10 has an at rest surface area. A projection of the perimeter of the catching glove 10 onto the plane in a position of the catching glove 10 providing a largest possible surface area corresponds to a maximum surface area of the catching glove 10. The maximum surface area of the catching glove 10 is bound by the dotted line 150 in FIG. 7B. The planes disposed in front of the catching gloves 300, 10 onto which the perimeters of the catching gloves 300, 10 are projected correspond to the drawing page in this case. As can be seen in FIG. 7A, the prior art catching glove 300 has an at rest surface area that is significantly smaller that the maximum surface area of the catching glove 300. The prior art catching glove 300 has an at rest surface area that is 85% or less than the maximum surface area of the catching glove 300. As such, in order to increase the likelihood of catching, or at least blocking, a hockey puck, a goalkeeper using the catching glove 300 needs to force the catching glove 300 open by forcing their hand open in order to try and put the catching glove 300 in the position that will provide the maximum surface area. As previously explained, this brings fatigue to the hand of the goalkeeper. However, as can be seen in FIG. 7B, the catching glove 10 has an at rest surface area that is 100% of the maximum surface area of the catching glove 10 (i.e., the at rest surface area and the maximum surface area are the same). As such, the goalkeeper does not need to exert any force to put the catching glove 10 in the position that will provided the maximum surface area as this is the at rest position of the catching glove 10. It is contemplated that in some alternative embodiments, the at rest surface area of the catching glove 10 is at least 90 percent of the maximum surface areas of the catching glove 10. It is contemplated that in some alternative embodiments, the at rest surface area of the catching glove 10 is at least 95 percent of the maximum surface areas of the catching glove 10. Even in these embodiments where the at rest surface area of the catching glove 10 is smaller than the maximum surface area of the catching glove 10 by 10 percent or less, the goalkeeper does not have to extend their hand 12 by as much as in the prior art to get the maximum surface area, and even in cases where the goalkeeper keeps the catching glove 10 in the at rest position, the at rest position is still a good position for catching or blocking a hockey puck since the at rest surface area is close to the maximum surface area.

[0141] In addition to the catching glove 10 having an at rest surface area that is the same as or very close to the maximum surface area, the unitary impact resistant member 100 normally biases the catching glove 10 toward the at rest position of the catching glove 10. The material used in the construction of the unitary impact resistant member 100 is resilient and, as such, acts like a spring causing the catching glove 10 to “pop open” to the at rest position after the goalkeeper has closed the catching glove 10 with their hand 12 and releases the closing force. Therefore, in addition to not exerting the hand 12 of the goalkeeper to keep the catching glove in the position providing the maximum surface area, the construction of the catching glove 10 also helps the goalkeeper to return the catching glove 10 to this position (i.e., the at rest position). It is contemplated that in alternative embodiment, instead of having the unitary impact resistant member 100, the catching glove 10 could have a multi-part construction providing impact resistance similar to that of the prior art, but having a resilient impact resistant member extending from one side of the break line to the other that biases the catching glove 10 toward the at rest position. It is also contemplated that instead of or in addition to the impact resistant member 100 biasing the catching glove 10 toward the at rest position, a rear resilient member disposed in the rear portion 16 could bias the catching glove 10 toward the at rest position. In one such embodiment, the rear resilient member extends in both the finger cover 56 and the thumb cover 60.

[0142] Turning now to FIGS. 8 to 10 a shape of the front portion 14 of the catching glove 10 will be described in more detail. The front portion 14 is shaped to define a puck reflection area 160, bound by dotted line 162 in FIG. 9. A shot hockey puck making contact with the front portion 14 inside the puck reflection area 160 has a high likelihood of being reflected into the trap 18 to be caught, hence the name puck reflection area 160. In the present embodiment, the shape of the puck reflection area 160 is defined by the unitary impact resistant member 100. In the at rest position of the catching glove 10, the puck reflection area 160 has a generally parabolic cross-section as illustrated by line P in FIGS. 7B and 8. As can be seen in FIG. 7B, in the at rest position of the catching glove 10, the vertex V of the parabolic cross-section taken along line P is disposed on a finger side of a glove length line L of the catching glove 10 (i.e. on a same side of the glove length line L as the finger region 24). The glove length line L is the shortest line extending from the heel 84 of the catching glove 10 to a point M on the trap 18 being furthest from the heel 84, with the length line L following a contour of the front portion 14 and the trap 18, with the catching glove 10 being in the at rest position.

[0143] The puck reflection area 160 is shaped such that, in the at rest position of the catching glove 10, for each incident line 164 being normal to a plane defined by a front surface of the cuff region 14 and passing through the puck reflection area 160, a corresponding reflection line 166 extends through the trap 18. The reflection line 166 extends from a point of intersection 168 between its corresponding incident line 164 and the puck reflection area 160. For each trio of an incident line 166, its corresponding reflection line 166 and its corresponding normal line 170, the three lines 164, 166, 170 are in a common plane. The incident line 164 and its corresponding reflection line 166 are at equal angles from a corresponding normal line 170 that is normal to the puck reflection area 160 at the point of intersection 168.

[0144] In FIG. 9, the catching glove 10 is illustrated in the at rest position and has been oriented such that the plane defined by the front surface of the cuff region 14 corresponds to the drawing page. Three examples of incident lines 164A, 164B and 164C are shown. Since the incident lines 164A, 164B, 164C are perpendicular to the drawings page, they have been shown by X′s, with the lines 164A, 164B, 164C being at the centers of the X′s. Each of the incident lines 164A, 164B, 164C has a corresponding reflection line 166A, 166B, 166C respectively, a corresponding point of intersection 168A, 168B, 168C respectively, and a corresponding normal line 170A, 170B, 170C respectively. As can be seen, each of the reflection lines 166A, 166B, 166C extends through the trap 18. For ease of understanding, FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the lines 164A, 166A, 170B in their common plane. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the angle A1 between the reflection line 166A and the normal line 170A is equal to the angle A2 between the incident line 164A and the normal line 170A.

[0145] It is understood that during use of the catching glove 10, hockey pucks will often not be shot onto the puck reflection area 160 along an incident line that is normal to the plane defined by the cuff portion 20. It is also understood that even for a hockey puck shot onto the puck reflection area 160 along an incident line that is normal to the plane defined by the cuff portion 20, the hockey puck will likely not reflect along a reflection line 166 as described above, but will deviate from the reflection line 166 due to impact absorption by the front portion 14 and due to the orientation of the hockey puck when it impacts the puck reflection area 160. However, by shaping the front portion to have an outer surface providing a puck reflection area 160 as described above, the likelihood of the hockey puck being reflected into the trap 18 is high.

[0146] In some embodiments, the puck reflection area 160 is at least 80 percent of a total outer surface area of the thumb region 22, the finger region 24 and the palm region 26. In some embodiments, the puck reflection area 160 is at least 90 percent of the total outer surface area of the thumb region 22, the finger region 24 and the palm region 26. In some embodiments, the puck reflection area 160 is at least 95 percent of the total outer surface area of the thumb region 22, the finger region 24 and the palm region 26. In some embodiments, the puck reflection area 160 corresponds to the total outer surface area of the thumb region 22, the finger region 24 and the palm region 26.

[0147] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A goalkeeper catching glove being movable between an at rest position and a closed position, the goalkeeper catching glove comprising:a front portion defining a cuff region, a thumb region, a finger region, and a palm region,the palm region being concave,the palm region extending between the thumb region and the finger region, and between the cuff region and the finger region,the front portion having:an outer member; andan inner member connected to the outer member,in the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove, a portion of the outer member in the palm region having a first radius of curvature,in the at rest position of the goalkeeper catching glove, a portion of the inner member in the palm region having a second radius of curvature,the first radius of curvature being greater than the second radius of curvature,in the at rest position of the goalkeeper glove, the portion of the outer member having the first radius of curvature being spaced from the portion of the inner member having the second radius of curvature;a rear portion connected to the front portion, the front portion and the rear portion defining therebetween a space for receiving a hand of a goalkeeper, the inner member being disposed between the outer member and the rear portion; anda trap connected to at least one of the front portion or the rear portion, the trap extending between the thumb region and the finger region.

2. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 1, wherein the outer member includes a unitary impact resistant member spanning the thumb region, the finger region, and the palm region.

3. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 2, wherein the unitary impact resistant member biases the goalkeeper catching glove toward the at rest position.

4. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 2, wherein the unitary impact resistant member is made from plastic.

5. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 2, wherein the unitary impact resistant member is a molded unitary impact resistant member.

6. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 2, wherein the front portion further comprises a facing connected to a front of the unitary impact resistant member.

7. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 2, wherein the front portion further comprises a foam backing connected to a back of the unitary impact resistant member.

8. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 1, wherein the inner member is made of from foam.

9. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 1, further comprising a hand covering configured for receiving the hand of the goalkeeper; andwherein:the hand covering is selectively removably connected to an inner side of the inner member;the hand covering has at least one finger stall and a thumb stall;the at least one finger stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the inner member along the finger region; andthe thumb stall is selectively connected to the inner side of the inner member along the thumb region.

10. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 9, wherein the hand covering is selectively removably connected to the inner side of the front portion via hook and loop fasteners.

11. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 10, wherein:the hook and loop fasteners comprise at least one first fabric strip and a plurality of second fabric strips;the at least one first fabric strip having one of hooks and loops;the plurality of second fabric strips having an other one of hooks and loops;the at least one first fabric strip being connected to the inner side of the inner member along the finger region and the thumb region; andthe plurality of second fabric strips including at least one second fabric strip connected to the at least one finger stall and at least one second fabric strip connected to the thumb stall.

12. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 11, wherein:the hand covering is a glove;the at least one finger stall is four finger stalls; andthe at least one second fabric strip connected to the at least one finger stall is at least four second fabric strips connected to the four finger stalls, with each of the four finger stalls having at least one second fabric strip of the at least four fabric strips connected thereto.

13. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 9, wherein:the rear portion is movable between a covering position and a donning position,in the covering position, the rear portion covers the hand covering, andin the donning position, the rear portion is positioned such that the hand covering is uncovered.

14. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 1, wherein the inner member is shaped such that in the at rest position the hand of the goalkeeper received in the space is in a relaxed position.

15. The goalkeeper catching glove of claim 1, further comprising a cuff pad connected to an inner side of the front portion along the cuff region.

Images