Elastomeric Athletic Glove with Segmented Finger Stalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports gloves do not effectively combine increased grip strength of the fingers by pairing them together using elastomeric material while allowing freedom of movement to enhance performance in specific sports, and they lack comprehensive protection and support for the hands.
Innovation Solution
A sports glove formed from a single piece of stretchable elastomeric material with finger stalls and a thumb aperture, reinforced with additional material and stitching for durability, featuring a blend of elastic and non-elastic materials, and optional friction-enhancing materials for improved grip and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fingers are paired together using elastomeric material to increase grip strength, then grip strength is improved, but finger mobility and freedom of movement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is divided into separate finger stalls for each finger, with individual elasticity zones that allow independent finger movement while maintaining overall grip strength through the connected elastomeric material structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the glove have different material properties - the elastomeric material provides stretch and grip enhancement in specific zones, while other areas maintain structural integrity and flexibility to allow natural finger movement and dexterity
2Reliability
If reinforcement material and stitching are added to enhance durability, then durability is improved, but glove complexity and manufacturing difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement strip is integrated into the thumb aperture structure itself, combining the aperture function with the reinforcement function in a single structural element, thereby enhancing durability without significantly increasing overall glove complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement strip is pre-positioned and stitched to the thumb aperture during the glove manufacturing process, ensuring durability is built-in from the start rather than requiring post-manufacturing reinforcement or complex assembly steps
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glove enhances grip strength, protects the hands from injury, and allows for the freedom of movement, thereby improving athletic performance by providing a balance of support and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the stretchable material of the glove is formed from 20% to 24% SPANDEX® and from 76% to 80% nylon
Implementation Method 2
a friction enhancing material is attached to the front surface
Data Source
AI summary
A glove formed from a stretchable material for the purpose of increasing grip strength and protecting and supporting the wearers hand. The glove has a first finger stall, a second finger stall, and a thumb aperture, and is formed from a stretchable material that keeps the fingers in the first finger stall and the second finger stall tightly compressed to protect each from injury, and to increase the strength of two fingers being tightly compressed together. The thumb extends out of the thumb aperture and is free to move independently of the first finger stall and the second finger stall in order to allow the thumb freedom of movement and not be locked together with either of the finger stalls.