Glove with Segmented Outer Panel for Grip Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gloves used for weightlifting and similar activities often experience material bunching or gathering between the hand and the object, preventing a firm, continuous grip.
Innovation Solution
A glove design featuring an inner glove with a non-stretchable lower palm section and a stretchable upper palm section, combined with an outer panel that is either elastic or non-stretchable, allowing the hand to be pre-tensioned and maintaining grip without friction, and incorporating grip-enhancing pads filled with moldable or resilient materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a glove uses stretchable material for the entire palm section, then the glove conforms well to the hand shape, but material bunching occurs between the hand and the object during gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The palm section is divided into different zones with different material properties: a lower portion with non-stretchable material for grip stability and an upper portion with stretchable material for hand conformity. This local differentiation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without causing material bunching.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer panel is detached from the inner glove along at least one side, creating separate movable segments. This segmentation allows the outer panel to move independently during gripping, preventing material bunching while maintaining continuous grip contact with the object.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the outer panel is attached along all margins to the inner glove, then the glove structure is stable, but friction and material gathering occur during hand movement and gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The outer panel is detached from the inner glove along at least one side margin, creating a segmented attachment pattern rather than complete perimeter attachment. This allows the outer panel to move freely relative to the inner glove during gripping, reducing friction and preventing material gathering while maintaining sufficient structural stability through attachment at other margins.
3Reliability
If the outer panel is made of non-stretchable material, then grip stability is improved, but the glove cannot adapt to different hand positions and gripping angles
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the glove use different material stretchability characteristics: non-stretchable material in areas requiring grip stability and stretchable material in areas requiring adaptability to hand movement. This local material differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detached outer panel creates a segmented structure where rigid and flexible components work together, allowing the glove to maintain grip stability while adapting to various hand positions and gripping angles through the relative movement between segments.
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 provides a secure, continuous grip on objects without material bunching, protecting the hand and enhancing grip performance by pre-tensing the palm and allowing the outer panel to move freely, reducing friction and improving fit.
Implementation Method 1
the outer panel is fabricated of elastic material that draws the hand toward a closed position for gripping the object
Data Source
AI summary
A glove for gripping an object having an inner glove with a lower palm section of relatively non-stretchable material and an upper palm section of relatively stretchable material that overlie the palm side of the hand of person wearing the glove, a back section that overlies the back of the hand, and stalls for receiving the fingers and thumb. An outer panel overlies substantially the entire palm section and is attached to the inner glove along the upper margin of the outer panel and partially or wholly detached from the inner glove along at least one side of the outer panel. The lower margin of the outer panel is also attached to the inner glove in some embodiments, and in others it is secured to the wrist separately from the inner glove. In some disclosed embodiments, the outer panel is fabricated of elastic material that draws the hand toward a closed position for gripping the object. In others, it is fabricated of a relatively non-stretchable material that is attached at one end to the base portion of the palm section and extends beyond the finger stalls, with a distal end portion of the panel being rolled back and attached to the front sides of the stalls so that it can flatten out and extend farther up the fingers when the hand is curled about the object.