Goalkeeper Glove Open Arch Fingertip Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Goalkeepers experience frequent and painful finger injuries due to jamming, and existing gloves do not adequately protect against these injuries while also failing to extend reach effectively during gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A goalkeeper's glove with a palmar surface, dorsal surface, and lateral side that includes a body portion and glove fingers, featuring an open arch construction with attachment legs at the fingertip to create an air gap, acting as a crumple zone to absorb impact energy and extend reach by directing it along the finger length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solid fingertip caps are used to protect against jamming injuries, then finger protection is improved, but the glove adds significant bulk and weight that can hinder performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an open arch construction with porous or mesh-like material that provides protective function while maintaining breathability and minimizing weight. The open structure allows air circulation and reduces material density compared to solid caps, thereby protecting fingers without adding significant weight that would hinder goalkeeper performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingertip protection is divided into separate arch segments rather than using a single solid cap. The open arch construction consists of multiple structural elements that can independently absorb and distribute impact forces, providing effective protection while reducing overall material usage and weight compared to conventional solid fingertip caps.
2Reliability
If solid fingertip caps are used to protect against jamming injuries, then finger protection is improved, but the glove adds bulk that can affect dexterity and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The open arch construction utilizes porous or mesh materials that provide protective coverage without creating a bulky solid structure. The porous nature allows the material to conform closely to the finger shape, minimizing added volume while maintaining protective integrity during impact events.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the fingertip protection into separate arch elements rather than using a solid continuous cap, the design reduces overall volume while maintaining protective functionality. The segmented structure can compress and conform to the finger, minimizing bulk appearance and comfort impact.
3Reliability
If traditional goalkeeper gloves are used, then basic hand protection is provided, but they fail to adequately protect against jamming injuries and extend reach effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The open arch construction is pre-configured on the glove fingertips before use, creating a built-in protective structure that automatically activates upon impact. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures jamming injury protection is already in place without requiring additional accessories or adjustments, thereby enhancing adaptability across different playing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The open arch construction serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects against jamming injuries, extends finger reach, allows breathability, and maintains dexterity. This multi-functional design enhances the overall versatility of the goalkeeper glove, addressing multiple performance requirements with a single integrated structure.
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 open arch construction effectively reduces the risk of jamming injuries and enhances the goalkeeper's ability to make saves by providing enhanced protection and increased reach without adding significant bulk or weight.
Implementation Method 1
the air gap acts as a crumple zone in absorbing and dissipating the energy of the impact away from the fingertip
Implementation Method 2
absorbing and dissipating the energy of the impact
Implementation Method 3
the arch construction ensures that the energy from the impact will be directed along the attachment legs along the length of the finger instead of the fingertip
Data Source
AI summary
A goalkeeper's glove with a glove body portion and glove fingers attached to and in communication with the body portion for enveloping a wearer's hand includes an open arch extension with attachment legs on at least one glove finger to protect the finger from jamming injuries and to extend the reach of the wearer. The arch of the extension creates an air gap between the extension tip and the tip of the finger that acts as a crumple zone in absorbing and dissipating the energy of the impact away from the fingertip to prevent a jamming injury. The arch construction ensures that the energy from the impact will be directed along the attachment legs along the length of the finger instead of the fingertip.