S-Shaped Glove Support for Thumb Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand protection devices for skiers and snowboarders do not adequately prevent unnatural bending or backward exaggerated angles of the thumb, nor effectively restrict such movements during falls or impacts.

Innovation Solution

A hand cover with an integrated S-shaped support element that includes a distal thumb protective portion, a proximal wrist protective portion, and an S-shaped portion joining them, providing reinforcement to the thumb web area and extending from the index finger root to the forearm, with a binding portion to prevent unnatural thumb movement and enhance wrist stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wrist guard with thumb receiving member and straps is used, then thumb overextension is prevented, but the device complexity increases and proper fit requires multiple adjustable straps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethumb protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into distinct functional portions: a first portion for receiving the metacarpal area, a second portion for receiving the thumb, and a binding portion for reinforcing the thumb web connection. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific protective function while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines thumb protection, wrist support, and thumb web reinforcement into a single integrated support element. This merging eliminates the need for separate wrist guards and thumb splints, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple straps are added to ensure proper fit, then protection reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple protective functions (wrist support, thumb support, and thumb web reinforcement) are merged into a single support element that requires only one binding operation rather than multiple separate strap adjustments, improving ease of operation while maintaining protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If an S-shaped support element is used to cover from index finger root to forearm, then protection coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection coverage areaVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element employs an S-shaped curved configuration that naturally conforms to the anatomical contours of the hand and forearm. This curvature allows the single element to extend from the index finger root through the metacarpal area to the forearm, maximizing protection coverage area while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8312563B1Protective glove with thumb and wrist support

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 BURNS WALTER

AI summary

An apparel for protecting a hand and wrist of a user, which includes a hand cover and support element, is provided. The support element includes a first portion that receives a metacarpal area of the user's hand, a second portion that receives the thumb of the user, and a binding portion for reinforcing a thumb web connection between the first portion and the second portion.