Protective Glove With Angled Rigid Pads for Finger Hyperextension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective gloves do not effectively prevent hyperextension of the fingers while allowing sufficient flexibility and movement, as they primarily focus on energy absorption or flexibility enhancement rather than restricting backward flexion.

Innovation Solution

A protective glove design featuring rigid pads positioned to abut phalangeal joints, with angled edges to restrict backward flexion and allow limited backward movement, while permitting forward flexion, using materials like high-density foam or leather.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid pads are added to prevent hyperextension, then finger protection against hyperextension is improved, but glove flexibility and ease of movement deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger protection against hyperextensionVSAvoidglove flexibility and ease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dorsal portion is divided into multiple separate padded segments (first padded segment, second padded segment, third padded segment) positioned at different finger locations. These segments are detached from each other and from the dorsal portion, allowing independent movement and flexibility while providing targeted protection at specific joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Padding is applied locally only at specific high-risk areas (knuckle area and finger joint areas) rather than covering the entire glove. The padded segments are strategically positioned to protect vulnerable joints while leaving other areas flexible and unrestrictive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If padding is made rigid for protection, then impact protection is improved, but finger flexibility and range of motion worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact protectionVSAvoidfinger flexibility and range of motion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective padding is segmented into multiple independent pieces rather than one continuous rigid structure. Each padded segment can move independently with the finger joints, maintaining protection while allowing natural finger flexion and extension movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The padded segments are designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing them to move and flex with the finger joints during natural hand movements. This enables the padding to adapt to changing finger positions while maintaining protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250318593A1Protective glove with restrictive pads

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SPENCER JACOB

AI summary

A protective glove for a human hand has a metacarpus portion comprising a palm side attached to an opposing dorsal side which together cover the metacarpals of the human hand, and four finger portions attached to the metacarpus portion, each finger portion having a bottom side and a top side which together surround one of the fingers of the human hand. A plurality of rigid pads are attached to the top side of at least one of the finger portions, wherein the rigid pads have end surfaces that abut each other, and are positioned so that the end surfaces are positioned over one of the phalangeal joints while being worn. When the finger portions are straightened, the rigid pads restrict any backward flexion. At least one rigid metacarpus pad is attached to the dorsal side, having a side edge positioned over the metacarpophalangeal joint and formed at an angle to the end surface of the adjacent rigid pads. The angle is between approximately 10-50 degrees, so that limited backward flexion is allowed.