Reticulated Digit Shield Living Hinge for Thumb Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective sports gloves fail to adequately protect the thumb from high-impact injuries such as sprains caused by fast-moving pucks and stick checks, as they often impede thumb movement and do not effectively distribute impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A protective digit shield with a reticulated energy-absorbing frame and hard chassis portions, forming a living hinge to articulate with the thumb, which absorbs and distributes impact forces while allowing full range of motion, incorporating an elastomeric layer and optional elastomeric brace for enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional foam pads and hard plastic elements are used in protective gloves, then protection against impact is improved, but thumb movement and flexibility are impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The protective shield is divided into multiple hard chassis portions (proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the shield to maintain structural protection while enabling thumb articulation and flexibility during gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic protection system where the hard chassis portions can move relative to one another through living hinge joints. This dynamic structure adapts to thumb movement during gameplay while maintaining impact protection, resolving the contradiction between rigid protection and flexible movement.
2Strength
If rigid hard plastic elements are incorporated into the glove, then impact resistance is improved, but the glove becomes heavier and less comfortable
Solution Approach 1:
Hard chassis portions are strategically positioned only at critical impact zones (thumb tip, proximal phalanx area) rather than covering the entire thumb. This localized application of rigid material provides maximum protection where needed while minimizing overall weight and maintaining comfort in non-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective shield combines hard chassis portions made of rigid material with soft reticulated foam material. This composite structure provides impact resistance through the hard portions while the soft foam portions reduce weight and enhance comfort, creating a balanced protective system.
3Strength
If multiple foam pads are sewn together with fabric layers, then protection coverage is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and less articulated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protective elements (hard chassis portions, reticulated foam, and fabric cover) are merged into a single integrated shield structure that moves as one articulated unit. This consolidation simplifies the overall glove construction while maintaining comprehensive protection coverage through the coordinated movement of integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated shield structure incorporates living hinge joints that enable dynamic articulation between hard chassis portions. This dynamic design allows the complex multi-component structure to move smoothly and coordinately, maintaining simplicity in operation despite the complexity of the protective components.
4Reliability
If the protective shield is made more rigid to prevent hyperextension, then injury prevention is improved, but natural thumb motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is segmented into multiple hard chassis portions connected by living hinge joints. This segmentation allows the structure to provide rigid protection against hyperextension while permitting natural articulation movements within safe ranges, achieving both injury prevention and maintained adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The living hinge joints act as intermediary elements between the hard chassis portions. These joints serve as mediators that allow controlled movement and articulation while maintaining the overall structural integrity and protection against excessive motion, balancing rigidity and flexibility.
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 solution effectively reduces thumb injuries by absorbing and dissipating impact forces, preventing hyperextension and counter-rotation, while maintaining the player's ability to use their thumb and fingers freely during gameplay.
Implementation Method 1
a reticulated energy-absorbing frame portion partially bounding the hard chassis portions and forming a living hinge element between the chassis portions
Implementation Method 2
A resilient, energy absorbing layer of elastomeric material is over-molded along at least a portion of the longitudinal edges of both the proximal and distal hard chassis portions
Data Source
AI summary
A protective digit shield for a protective sports glove, the shield having a hard chassis portion and an energy absorbing portion forming a hinge. The chassis portion provides an arcuate channel in which the thumb/digit is received. The chassis is segmented along the longitudinal axis to provide a proximal portion and a distal portion corresponding generally with the proximal and distal phalanx bones of the thumb/digit. A resilient, energy absorbing element along the channel provides separation between the chassis and forms a living hinge such that the chassis can rotate. The energy absorbing element may also include a damping element along opposing edges at the segmented joint to absorb and dissipate forces and prevent hyperextension. In an alternate embodiment, the energy absorbing element is replaced with a connection cable for connecting the portions of the chassis.