Goaltender Glove Hinge Line for Consistent Cavity Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hockey goaltender catching gloves lack a defined hinge line, resulting in imprecise and variable closing motions, which can impair performance over time as the glove wears in.
Innovation Solution
A hockey goaltender glove design featuring a palm protective member with a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) edge that defines a single hinge line, allowing the finger section to bend in relation to the palm section from an open to a closed configuration, enhancing precision and consistency in closing the puck-receiving cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional goalie glove design without a defined hinge line is used, then the glove provides flexibility and comfort, but the closing motion becomes imprecise and variable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The glove is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid palm protective member with a defined hinge line, a flexible finger section, and a pocket section. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the hinge line provides precise pivoting while the finger section maintains flexibility for natural movement and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the glove have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The palm protective member features a rigid structure with a defined hinge line for precision, while the finger section uses softer, more flexible materials to accommodate natural finger movement and provide comfort during wear
2Reliability
If the glove structure is made more complex to define a hinge line, then closing motion consistency improves, but manufacturing and design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge line is pre-defined during manufacturing as a specific pivot point on the palm protective member. This preliminary structuring ensures that the glove consistently returns to the same closed position with each use, providing reliable and repeatable closing motion without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The defined hinge line acts as an intermediary element between the rigid palm protective member and the flexible finger section. It mediates the transition between these two zones, providing a controlled pivot point that ensures consistent closing motion while allowing the finger section to maintain its flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A hockey goaltender glove includes a front side defining a puck-receiving cavity, a rear side, a palm section extending from a glove opening and a finger section extending from the palm section. A hand-receiving space is defined between the front side and the rear side and communicating with the glove opening. A palm protective member, between the front side and the hand-receiving space, includes a wrist edge proximate the opening, a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) edge opposite the wrist edge, and curved portion ending at the MCP edge. The MCP edge is located between the glove opening and the glove end and proximate to MCP joints of the hand of the wearer. The MCP edge defines a single hinge line about which the finger section bends in relationship to the palm section, when the glove is moved from an open configuration to a closed configuration to close the puck-receiving cavity.