AU2022323537A1 - Glove, rigid guard structure for a glove and a method of manufacturing a glove - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective glove (100) is provided which comprises a glove body (102), outer padding (200) configured to be attached to the glove opposite a dorsal side (104) thereof and a guard structure (300) shaped to be operatively interposed between the outer padding (200) and the dorsal side (104) of the glove body (102) and to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side (104). The guard structure (300), glove body (102) and outer padding (200) are configured to be secured together in a sandwiched configuration so that the glove body (102) and/or outer padding (200) can be attached to the guard structure (300) with first and/or second securing systems incorporating a plurality of socket (406) and fastening lug formations (404).

Description

GLOVE, RIGID GUARD STRUCTURE FOR A GLOVE AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A GLOVE

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from South African provisional patent application number 2021/05661 on 5 August 2021 , which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to protective gloves. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a glove for protecting the fingers or hand of a wearer against impact from an object during ball sports, goal sports or the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Protective gloves are used in a variety of sports to protect the hands and fingers of a wearer. This is particularly important in ball or puck sports played with bats or sticks. Well known examples of sports where protective gloves are required include cricket, hockey, ice hockey, baseball and lacrosse. These sports involve fast moving objects such as solid core balls, pucks, bats and sticks which pose a risk of injury to the hands and fingers of players. As a result, protective gloves have been developed over the years. These known protective gloves generally include padding on a dorsal side of the glove to protect against the objects. Padding is typically not provided on a palm side of these gloves, because that would interfere with the player’s feel and interaction with whatever sporting equipment is being used.

The known gloves are designed so that the pads absorb some of the energy of the striking ball or object. This padding comes in many shapes and sizes and is sometimes in the form of elongated sausage-like pads provided along the dorsal side of finger portions of the gloves. These are appropriately termed sausage-fingered gloves. Other types of protective gloves have a series of protective pads along the dorsal side of the glove and finger portions. Batting gloves, such as cricket batsman’s or batswoman’s gloves, sometimes include soft padding along the length of the index finger on a side adjacent the thumb, to reduce the impact of a ball striking the index finger from that side. Notwithstanding these developments, injuries to players’ fingers and hands are still very common, even when these known gloves are worn. A problem with known gloves is that when the pads are compressed by the ball, a significant portion of the ball’s energy is still transferred through the player’s finger which is then compressed against the bat or handle, often causing injury or even fracturing bones. During their careers, most professional batsmen in the game of cricket would have suffered broken bones in their fingers or hands as result of this type of compression injury at some point in their careers.

Solutions to the aforementioned problems are proposed in the applicant’s PCT application no. PCT/IB2020/051333 (“PCT’333”), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. PCT’333 discloses a glove having finger portions and at least one substantially rigid, planar force transferring element. This force transferring element is arranged to, at least partially, transfer a compressive impact force past the wearer’s fingers to protect them in use.

While PCT’333 provides certain advantages, the applicant considers there to be room for improvement. In particular, securing a force transferring element as described in PCT’333 between a glove body and outer padding poses unique challenges. The parts of conventional protective gloves are typically stitched together. When stitching one side of a force transferring element to a glove body or outer padding, the other side is blocked for stitching from the other side by the force transferring element, as the force transferring element is typically manufactured from ridged plastic. To stich the two substantially flexible parts of the glove (the glove body and outer padding) with the rigid force transferring element in between requires access to the two inner sides of the glove adjacent to the rigid element. These two sides can be stitched with limited access and with one thread passing through the rigid plastic layer. This is, however, time consuming, messy, and if the thread breaks the entire glove may unravel.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a glove comprising: a glove body having a palm side and a dorsal side; outer padding configured to be attached to the glove body near the dorsal side thereof; and a guard structure shaped so as to be operatively interposed between the outer padding and the dorsal side of the glove body to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side, the rigid guard structure having formations associated with at least one of first and second fixing systems, with cooperating formations provided in either or both of the glove body and the outer padding, the first and second fixing systems being configured to fasten the guard structure to one or both of the glove body and the outer padding.

The guard structure may be substantially rigid or may be manufactured from a, or a combination of, materials that presents rigidity on impact from an external object. The guard structure may have a dorsal side and a palm side. The palm side of the guard structure may be releasably attachable to the dorsal side of the glove body. The dorsal side of the guard structure may be releasably attachable to the outer padding. The formations of the first and second fixing systems may include at least one of a socket and a fastening lug, with the corresponding formations on either or both of the glove body and outer padding being one or more corresponding sockets or fastening lugs.

The guard structure may have the socket therein capable of accommodating the fastening lug. In an embodiment, the fastening lug may extend from the dorsal side of the glove body. The fastening lug in the dorsal side of the glove body may be releasably attachable to the socket in the guard structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the fastening lug may be provided on, and extend from the guard structure, for example away from the palm side thereof, or generally in line with either the palm or dorsal sides. In such an embodiment, the corresponding socket may be provided in the dorsal side of the glove body.

The outer padding may have a dorsal side operatively facing away from the glove body, and a palm side, operatively facing towards the glove body.

In yet another embodiment, the fastening lug may be provided on and/or extend from the palm side of the outer padding, with a corresponding socket provided in the guard structure so that the outer padding may be releasably attachable to the guard structure. Alternatively, the fastening lug may be provided on the guard structure and/or extend away from its dorsal side, with a corresponding socket provided in the palm side of the outer padding.

The guard structure may be generally u-shaped. The guard structure may be configured to, at least partially, transfer a compressive force past the wearer’s fingers, for example when the compressive force occurs at or near the dorsal side of the glove body. The guard structure may include a guard body having at least one force transferring structure that extends transversely to the palm and dorsal sides of the guard body. The force transferring structure may be configured to, at least partially, transfer a compressive force imparted on impact, past the wearer’s fingers and onto the handle.

The glove may also include inner padding at or near the dorsal side of the glove body. The inner padding may be integral with the dorsal side of the glove body. The guard structure may be interposed between the inner padding and the outer padding in use.

The fastening lug and socket may act as a clip or holding mechanism to fasten the glove body to the guard structure, or to fasten the outer padding to the rigid guard structure, or both as the case may be.

A plurality of fastening lugs may be provided and a plurality of corresponding sockets may be provided. The plurality of fastening lugs may for example be provided on the dorsal side of the glove body, with the plurality of corresponding sockets provided in the guard structure, or the other way around. Similarly, a plurality of fastening lugs and/or corresponding sockets may be provided in or on either or both of the outer padding and the guard structure.

In an embodiment, a plurality of fastening lugs may be provided by an array of clips. The array of clips may for example be provided at or near the dorsal side of the glove body. Each clip may have one or more fastening lugs extending therefrom that are receivable inside corresponding sockets in the guard structure. A clip may be provided for each of a number of finger portions of the glove body. For example, each of four finger portions of the glove body may have a clip with fastening lugs thereat.

Similarly, an array of clips with fastening lugs may be provided in the palm side of the outer padding, with the fastening lugs operatively extending toward the dorsal side of the guard structure. Corresponding sockets may be provided in the guard structure, or in the clips near the dorsal surface of the glove body.

The clips with fastening lugs may be embedded inside the finger portions, or inside the dorsal side of the glove body. The clips with fastening lugs may be embedded inside the inner padding near the dorsal side of the glove body. The clips with fastening lugs may alternatively, or in addition, be embedded inside the outer padding, with the fastening lug(s) extending outside the padding toward the dorsal side of the guard structure.

In an embodiment, the guard structure may be stitched or permanently fastened to the dorsal side of the glove body. In such an embodiment, the outer padding may be fastened to the rigid guard structure as described above by using the first or second fixing system. Alternatively, the outer padding may be stitched to the guard structure and the guard structure may be fastened to the glove body as described above by using the first or second fixing system.

In another embodiment, the guard structure may be fastened to the outer padding by bolts and nuts, or by rivets, in a more permanent way. The palm side of the guard structure may then be releasably attachable to the dorsal side of the glove body by the first or second fixing system. The guard structure may alternatively be fastened to the dorsal side of the glove body more permanently, for example by way of bolts and nuts, or by rivets, with the dorsal side of the guard structure being releasably attachable with the first or second fixing system to the outer padding.

In the case of one or more sockets being provided in the guard structure, the sockets may be one or more apertures in the rigid guard structure.

Each of the one or more clips may include a base and one or more fastening lugs that extend away from the base.

Each of the one or more clips may be flexible, or at least its base may be flexible.

A pair of opposing lugs may be provided, with a first lug at one end of each clip and a second lug at an opposing end of the clip.

A pair of sockets may be provided in the guard structure to correspond to the pair of fastening lugs of a clip. The plurality of sockets may be arranged in pairs, so as to cooperate with pairs of clips with fastening lugs.

The pair of sockets may be spaced slightly closer to one another than their corresponding lugs on the clip.

The base of each clip may be flexible so as to be capable of bending to bring the opposing lugs closer to one another in order to fit through or engage with the sockets in the guard structure, thereby fastening the glove body to the guard structure, or the outer padding to the guard structure, or both, as the case may be, upon returning to their normal position under their resilience.

The fastening lug(s) may be shaped as fastening hooks. The fastening lugs may be t-shaped. The t-shaped fastening lugs may each have two transverse prongs that may be fastened in a corresponding socket.

Each of the socket(s) may be a slot or a slotted aperture. The slot(s) may be arranged to receive the fastening lug(s) or fastening hook(s) or t-shaped fastening lug(s) therein. Each of the socket(s) may be a t-shaped aperture for receiving the t-shaped fastening lug(s) therein.

One or more of the clips may have a socket therein for cooperating with a corresponding fastening lug of another clip, or for cooperating with a fastening lug that extends from the guard structure. For example, a socket may be provided in the base of one of the clips.

In an embodiment, one or more clips are provided with their bases embedded in the outer padding and one or more clips with their bases embedded in the inner padding or lining near the dorsal side of the glove body. The fastening lugs of the clips may be capable of cooperating with sockets in the guard structure, or with sockets in the other clips, so as to hold, retain or fasten the outer padding, the guard structure and the glove body to one another.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a glove, the method including the steps of: utilising a rigid guard structure shaped to be interposed between outer padding and a dorsal side of a glove body to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side, the guard structure providing at least one of a socket and a fastening lug; providing the glove body and embedding one or more sockets or fastening lugs in a dorsal side of the glove body; providing the outer padding and embedding one or more sockets or fastening lugs in a palm side of the outer padding; and fastening the outer padding, the rigid guard structure and the glove body to one another using the one or more fastening lugs and corresponding sockets.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a glove, the method including the steps of: utilising a guard structure shaped to be interposed between outer padding and a dorsal side of a glove body, the guard structure being shaped and dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side of the glove body; securing the guard structure to one or both of the glove body and outer padding using one or both of first and second fixing systems.

The fixing systems may include one or more sockets and complementary fastening lugs provided on the glove body, guard structure and outer padding, respectively (possibly on clips as described above). The method may also include securing one or more clips to the glove body and/or outer padding, each clip defining one or more sockets or fastening lugs configured to cooperate with complementary clips and/or fastening lugs provided on the guard structure.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a guard structure for a glove, the guard structure comprising: a guard body having a palm side and a dorsal side and at least one force transferring structure that extends substantially transversely to the palm and dorsal sides of the guard body; and one or more sockets defined by the guard body and configured to cooperate with at least one of fastening lugs of a glove and fastening lugs of outer padding for a glove, so as to releasably fasten the rigid guard structure to at least one of the outer padding and the glove.

The rigid guard structure may include an array of sockets, with at least one socket provided for each of a number of finger portions of a glove.

The rigid guard structure may include pairs of sockets for receiving pairs of fastening lugs of either the glove or the outer padding, as the case may be.

The guard structure may include one or more fastening lugs configured to cooperate with sockets associated with one or both of the glove body and outer padding.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an exploded three-dimensional view of an exemplary glove showing a rigid guard structure, outer padding and an array of fastening lugs provided on clips;

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of exemplary outer padding of the glove of Figure 1 , as viewed from a palm side thereof, and showing examples of a different type of fastening clip that may be used;

Figure s is the exemplary rigid guard structure of Figure 1 , also showing enlarged portions designated “A” and “B” to illustrate exemplary sockets of the guard in more detail;

Figure 4 shows an exemplary clip that may be used to attach components of the glove together;

Figure 5 shows another exemplary clip;

Figure 6 is an exemplary assembled view of the glove of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a sectional view through one of the finger portions of the glove of Figure

6; and

Figure 8 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of manufacturing a glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of a glove and a rigid guard structure is shown in the accompanying Figures. The glove may be a protective glove arranged to protect the hand or fingers of a wearer, for example during ball or puck sports played with bats or sticks. This includes sports such as cricket, baseball, hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse and the like.

Referring to the exploded view in Figure 1 , there is shown a glove (100) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The glove (100) includes a glove body (102) having a dorsal side (104) or dorsal surface and a palm side (106) or palm surface. The glove body may be configured to receive a hand of a user or wearer (not shown). In the present embodiment, the glove (100) also includes outer padding (200) configured to be attached to the glove body (106) near the dorsal side (104) thereof. The glove (100) may also include a rigid guard structure (300) that is shaped so as to be operatively interposed between the outer padding (200) and the dorsal side (104) of the glove body (102) so as to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side (104). The rigid guard structure (300) may have at least one of a socket (406) and a fastening lug (404). In the present embodiment, the rigid guard structure (300) includes a plurality of sockets (406) that are t-shaped. However, other sockets of other shapes may also be possible. In the example embodiment, a plurality of fastening lugs (404) are also provided by the rigid guard structure, and in this case the fastening lugs (404) are protrusions inside apertures or further sockets of the rigid guard structure (300).

In the example embodiment, corresponding sockets or fastening lugs (510, 512) may be provided in either of the glove body (102) and the outer padding (200), or both. The socket(s) and fastening lug(s) may be configured to releasably fasten the rigid guard structure (300) to either or both of the glove body (102) and the outer padding (200). It will be appreciated that the rigid guard structure may include a single socket or a plurality of sockets, with one or more corresponding fastening lugs or sockets being provided on the glove body and the outer padding.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a plurality of fastening lugs (510, 512) are provided near the dorsal side (104) of the glove body, and these fastening lugs (510, 512) are provided on clips (506) which will be described in more detail below. The clips may be embedded inside the dorsal side (104) of the glove body. For example, a layer of material or lining may extend over a base (508) of each clip (506) with the fastening lug(s) (510, 512) extending through said material. The material is not shown, for the sake of clarity. It will be appreciated that the material may be leather, cloth, synthetic material or any other material from which the glove body (102) is to be manufactured.

The outer padding (200) may also be referred to as a first protective component, and the rigid guard structure (300) together with its corresponding fastening lugs or sockets (including those of the glove or outer padding) may be referred to as a guard arrangement.

The glove body (102) may include finger portions (108) for index, middle, ring and pinkie fingers of the user, and a finger portion (110) for the user’s thumb. The dorsal side (104) may preferably include inner padding (112), or inner padding may be provided near the dorsal side (104). The inner padding (1 12) may also be referred to as a second protective component. The inner padding or second protective component may be integral with the body (102) of the glove (100), or it may be provided near the dorsal side (104). The second protective component or inner padding may extend across the dorsal side (104) so as to, at least partially, cover the dorsal side (104) of the glove body (1 12). The inner padding may be integral with the dorsal side of the glove body. As shown in the assembled view in Figure 6, the rigid guard structure (300) may be interposed between the inner padding (112) and the outer padding (200) in use.

The outer padding (200) or second protective component may include a body (202), with an operatively inner surface (204) and an opposing outer surface (206). The operatively inner surface (204) may also be referred to as a palm side (204) of the outer padding (200). The operatively outer surface (206) may also be referred to as a dorsal side of the outer padding (200). The body (202) of the outer padding may include shock absorbing members (208) or pads. In use, the dorsal side (206) may face away from the glove body (102), and the palm side (204) may face towards the glove body (102).

The rigid guard structure (300) may include a guard body (400) which may be releasably fixed to the glove body (104) by way of the sockets (406, 404) and complementary fastening lugs (512, 510). Some of the sockets may also include fastening lugs (404) as will be described in more detail below. The sockets and fastening lugs may be referred to as a first fixing system (500). The first fixing system (500) may be arranged to releasably fix or attach the rigid guard structure (300) to the glove body (102).

The outer padding (200) or protective component may be releasably attachable to the rigid guard structure (300) by way of a second fixing system (600). As shown in Figure 2, fastening lugs (610) may be provided on the palm side (204) or inner surface of the outer padding (200). These will be described in more detail below.

In an example embodiment, the fastening lug (610) may be provided on and extend from the palm side (204) of the outer padding (200), with a corresponding socket (404) provided in the rigid guard structure (300) so that the outer padding may be releasably attachable to the rigid guard structure. Alternatively, the fastening lug (404) may be provided on the rigid guard structure (300), with a corresponding socket (650) provided in the palm side (204) of the outer padding (200).

The rigid guard structure (300) may have a dorsal side (410) and a palm side (408). The palm side (408) of the rigid guard structure may be releasably attachable to the dorsal side (104) of the glove body. The dorsal side (410) of the rigid guard structure (300) may be releasably attachable to the outer padding (200). The rigid guard structure may have at least one socket (404, 406) therein that may be capable of accommodating the fastening lug (510, 512, 610). In the example embodiment, a fastening lug (510, 512) extends from the dorsal side (104) of the glove body (102), and another fastening lug (610) extends from the palm side of the outer padding (200) or protective component. The fastening lug (510, 512) in the dorsal side of the glove body may be releasably attachable to the socket (406, 404) in the rigid guard structure (300). Embodiments are also possible wherein this socket (650) is also t-shaped or slotted, to receive a fastening lug, and to retain the fastening lug of another clip to the clip (606).

The rigid guard structure (300) may be generally u-shaped. The rigid guard structure may be configured to, at least partially, transfer a compressive force past the wearer’s fingers, for example when the compressive force occurs at or near the dorsal side (104) of the glove body (102). The rigid guard structure (300) may include at least one force transferring structure (402) that extends transversely to the palm and dorsal sides (408, 410) of the guard body (400). The force transferring structure may be configured to, at least partially, transfer a compressive force past the wearer’s fingers. The rigid guard structure may form a protective shell or box arranged to protect the dorsal side (104) of the glove (100), and in particular to protect the finger portions (108). The rigid guard structure may include apertures (404) and (406), formed in the guard body (400). The apertures (404) and (406) may also be referred to as sockets. The sockets are configured to interact with the first fixing system (500) and the second fixing system (600). Components of the first fixing system and the second fixing system may interlock to fasten the components of the glove (100) as an assembly.

The fastening lug (510, 512, 610) and socket (404, 406, 650) may act as a clip, holder, or holding mechanism to fasten the glove body (102) to the rigid guard structure (300), to fasten the outer padding (200) to the rigid guard structure (300), or both as the case may be. One or more sockets may also be provided in the dorsal side of the glove body (not shown), e.g. in a base (508) of the clips (506). The fastening lugs, or clips may also be referred to as retaining clips.

Referring again to Figure 1 , a plurality of fastening lugs (510, 512) may be provided with a plurality of corresponding sockets (406, 404) in the rigid guard structure (300). Similarly, a plurality of fastening lugs (610) and/or corresponding sockets (404) may be provided in or on either of the outer padding and the rigid guard structure. In the example embodiment, the first fixing system (500) may include a first array (502) of clips (506). Each clip (506) may include a base (508) and clipping formations (510) and (512) or fastening lugs extending from the base.

Figure 2 shows an example of the second fixing system (600) which presently includes a second array (602) of clips (606). Each clip (606) may include a base (608) and clipping formations or fastening lugs (610, 612) extending from the base. A first fastening lug may be a t-shaped fastening lug (610), and a second fastening lug may be a retaining formation (612). The first fixing system (500) and the second fixing system (600) are, in the present embodiment configured to cooperate to secure and retain the glove (100), the rigid guard structure (300) and the first protective component (200) or outer padding together and secured relative to each other during use.

In use, the rigid guard structure (300) may be secured to the finger portions (108) or sleeves of the glove (100) by securing the clips (506) to the apertures (404) and (406). The base (508) of each clip (506) may be embedded or located inside an outer liner of the inner padding (112) of each finger portion (108). The clip formations or fastening lugs (510, 512) may protrude from the liner or lining in the dorsal side (104) of the glove body (102). A pair of opposing lugs (510, 512) may be provided, with a first lug at one end of each clip and a second lug at an opposing end of the clip. A first fastening lug (510) may be arranged to cooperate with a corresponding socket (404) in the rigid guard structure (300). A pair of sockets (404, 406) may be provided in the rigid guard structure (300) to correspond to and/or to cooperate with the pair of fastening lugs (510, 512) of a clip (506). The plurality of sockets may be arranged in pairs, so as to cooperate with pairs of clips with their fastening lugs.

Each pair of sockets (404, 406) may be spaced slightly closer to one another than their corresponding lugs (510, 512) on the clip (506). The base (508) of each clip may also be flexible so as to be capable of bending to bring the opposing lugs (510, 512) closer to one another in order to fit through or engage with the sockets (404, 406), thereby fastening the glove body (102) to the rigid guard structure (300).

Each of the socket(s) (404, 406) may be a slot or a slotted aperture. The slot(s) may be arranged to receive the fastening lug(s) (510, 512) or fastening hook(s) or t-shaped fastening lug(s) therein. Each of the socket(s) may be a t-shaped aperture for receiving the t-shaped fastening lug(s) therein. The first and second fastening lugs (510, 512) may also be t-shaped, or shaped as fastening hooks. In the present embodiment, the t-shaped fastening lugs may each have two transverse prongs that may be fastened in a corresponding socket. For example, the first fastening lug (510) may be passed through the socket (404) and the prongs may engage with a fastening lug or projection (404) of the socket, on the dorsal side (410) of the rigid guard structure (300). The base (508) may then be bent slightly, so as to bring the second lug (512) closer to the first lug (510) and the second fastening lug (512) may then be passed through a second aperture (406) or socket. Once the base then straightens out again, the clip (506) and fastening lugs (510, 512) may be secured or clipped to the rigid guard structure (300). In a secured condition, the lugs (510) may be biased so as to engage their corresponding sockets, in order to retain the rigid guard structure (300) to the glove body (102) in a releasable manner. In the present embodiment, two sockets (404, 406) are provided for each finger portion. The first socket (404) may be recessed in the dorsal surface (410) so as to accommodate the prong(s) of the first fastening lug (510). In the secured condition, the lugs may be biased so that they slidably engage the sockets, so that the lugs (510, 512) are located in narrower portions of the sockets (404, 406). To release the clips (506) from the rigid guard structure, a reverse procedure may be followed. The fastening lugs (510, 512) may be flexed to one another by flexing the base (508), so as to move the clips (506) to a released condition, to allow the fastening lugs (510, 512) to be removed from their corresponding sockets (404, 406). The fastening lugs (610, 612) of the clips (606) of the outer padding may function in a similar way.

Hence, the clip formations (510, 512) may be configured to clip into corresponding complementary apertures or sockets (404, 406). The first protective component or inner padding (200) may be secured to the rigid guard structure (300) by affixing the clips (506) to the apertures or sockets (404), or to corresponding sockets in the outer padding, as will be described below.

Referring again to Figure 2, the base (608) of a clip (606) may be embedded or located in an outer liner or lining of the inner surface (204) of each shock absorbing member (208) or pad. The fastening lugs or clipping formations (610, 612) may protrude from the liner or material from which the outer padding’s inner surface (204) is made. This liner or material is omitted in Figure 2 for the sake of clarity. Leather, cloth, synthetics or other materials may be used. Each clipping formation (610) or fastening lug may be configured to fasten or clip into a corresponding aperture or socket (404) of the rigid guard structure (300) in a similar way as described above with reference to the clips (506) of the glove. The clips (606) used for the outer padding may be similar to the clips (506) of the glove, or they may be different. In the present embodiment, the clips (606) of the outer padding (200) have a first fastening lug (610) which is t-shaped, and a second, opposite, fastening lug which is straight, and which functions as a retaining formation. The second fastening lug (612) may extend through the second socket or aperture (406) and abut with the second fastening lug (512) of the clip (506) on the corresponding finger portion (108), so as to urge the fastening lug (512) to slot into the narrow portion of the socket (406). Alternatively, the second fastening lug (612) may also be hooked or t-shaped, and it may be arranged to hook onto or clip onto the socket (406), or onto a corresponding fastening lug of the clip (506) of the finger portion (108). In this way, the shock absorbing member or part (208) of the outer padding may be releasably fastened to the rigid guard structure (300) and/or to the glove body (102) (e.g. via the clip (506) in the finger portion (108)). Components of the glove (100) may be made from a shock absorbing material, such as a high- density foam. In particular, the inner padding (112) and the outer padding (200) may be made from foam or other shock absorbing material. The rigid guard structure (300) may, on the other hand, be made from a strong, rigid or resilient material such as metals, composites, polymers, plastics, or the like. The rigid guard structure may even be manufactured so as to partially break or fracture and to absorb as much energy as possible, for example when receiving an impact from an object such as a ball, bat or stick. The shock absorbing members (208) may also be configured to compress upon impact to provide additional protection to the hand of a wearer. The rigid guard structure may be easily replaceable, by way of releasing the fastening lugs, and fastening a new rigid guard structure to the glove and outer padding. This may provide a modular glove which includes replaceable components.

The body (400) of the rigid guard structure may be made of an incompressible material, and it may be configured to transfer or redirect the energy of a compressing force generated by an impact on the first protective component (200), thereby transferring the force through the force transferring element(s) (402) to the sporting equipment held by the wearer, or to a handle thereof. This may allow a substantially reduced compressing force to be transferred to the second protective component (112) or inner padding, thereby inhibiting or preventing damage to the wearer’s hands.

Figure 3 shows the rigid guard structure (300) in more detail. The rigid guard structure (300) has a first palm side (408) and a second dorsal side (410). In use, the palm side (408) receives the first fixing system (500) and the second side (410) receives the second fixing system (600). In the present embodiment, the rigid guard structure or guard (300) includes a guard body (400) made from a rigid material such as, but not limited to, metal, carbon fibre, plastics, polymers (for example polycarbonate), composites and the like. The body (400) is shaped to fit over the finger portions (108) of the glove (100) to protect a wearer’s digits. The guard (300) is shown fitted to the glove in the assembled view in Figure 6. The guard (300) is preferably configured to straddle the digits within the finger portions (108) and has a proximal edge (412) and a distal edge (418) or nose. Although not entirely shown, the nose (418) may be lengthened, so as to cover fingertips of the wearer, i.e. the distal tips of the fingers may be protected. However, embodiments are possible wherein the fingertips are more open.

Opposed straddling portions (402, 414) or force transferring structures extend substantially transverse to the plane of the dorsal side (410). These force transferring structures may be arranged to partially cover the sides of the little finger and index finger of the wearer. The force transferring structures may also be arranged to transfer a compressive impact force as described herein.

The dorsal side (410) may define a surface (420) which is divided into four elongate sections (422) which are separated from each other by ridges (424). The apertures or sockets (404, 406) are preferably formed in the dorsal surface (420) of the body (400) of the guard (300). The apertures or sockets (404, 406) are provided in four pairs, each pair positioned within a section (422). The apertures or sockets (404, 406) are displaced from one another longitudinally within each section (422).

Each aperture (406), as shown in the detail view marked (A), is in the form of a keyed aperture or t-shaped aperture with a slot (426) and a narrower portion (428) extending from the slot (426). Each aperture or socket (404), as shown in the detail view marked (B), has a similar structure and includes a receiving gap or aperture (430) and a slot (432) extending from the receiving gap (430). The socket (404) may also include fastening lugs (404.1 , 404.2) formed in the dorsal side (420) of the rigid guard structure (300) and adjacent to the slot (432). The other sockets (406) may be similar, but they may have their fastening lugs on the opposite, palm side of the rigid guard structure. These fastening lugs (404.1 , 404.2) may engage with the prongs of the fastening lugs (510, 512, 610, as the case may be) of the clips (506, 606).

Figures 4 and 5 show exemplary embodiments of clips (506, 706) that may be used by embodiments of the glove according to the present disclosure. Either of the clips (506, 606, 706) shown in the drawings may be used for any of the first fixing system (500) and the second fixing system (600). The clip formation (510) or fastening lug may include a neck (514) terminating in a head (516) having opposing prongs. Shoulder formations (518) or prongs adjacent the head (516) and the neck (514) give the clip formation (510) or fastening lug a T-shaped profile in the exemplary embodiment. However, as mentioned before, other hooked formations may also be implemented, and the t-shaped profile is optional.

The clip formation (512) or fastening lug may include a buttress structure (520) or bevelled portion or neck terminating in a head (522). Undercut formations (524) or prongs adjacent the head (522) and the buttress structure (520) may also give the clip formation or fastening lug (512) a T-shaped profile. The base (508) and the clip formations or fastening lugs (510, 512) may be integrally formed. The base (508) may be resiliently deformable or flexible to allow for slight bending or compression of the base (508).

T o connect a clip (506) to the palm side (408) of the rigid guard structure (300), the head (516) of the clip (510) is passed through the receiving gap (426) and the neck (514) is moved into the slot (428), with the undercut formations (518) or prongs bearing against the dorsal side (410) of the rigid support structure (300), thereby to retain the clip formation (510) in the slot (428) of the aperture or socket (406). The base (508) is then bent or compressed, under an applied force, to align the head (522) with the receiving gap (430) and the buttress structure (520) with the slot (432). The fastening lugs may hence be bent slightly towards one another as described above. The head (522) of the fastening lug (512) is then inserted in the gap (430) and the buttress structure (520) is inserted into the slot (432). Upon release of the force that is being applied to the base (508), the buttress structure (520) is advanced deeper into the slot (432) under the resilience of the base (508). The buttress structure protrudes from the slot (432) to form a ridge on the dorsal side (410) upon which the head (522) is supported. By connecting each clip (506) in the array (502) to the rigid guard structure (300), the first fixing system (500) may be utilised to fasten the glove body (102) to the rigid guard structure (300).

The sequence in which the clip formations (510) and (512) is slotted into position is not important to the current invention and the above-described procedure may be done in a different sequence, where a clip formation (512) is slotted in position in an aperture (406) before the corresponding clip formation (510) is inserted the aperture (406) by compressing or bending the base (508), and slotting the fastening lug(s) in position by releasing the base to take its original form.

As shown in Figure 2, the second fixing system (600) may include an array (602) of clips (606), each including an elongate base (608). Clip formations or fastening lugs (610, 612) are supported on the base (608) and are displaced from each other, longitudinally, relative to the base (608). The clip formation or fastening lug (610) may include a neck terminating in a head with prongs, similar to those described above with reference to Figure 4, also giving it a T-shaped profile.

Another exemplary embodiment of a clip (706) or fastening device is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the clip formation or fastening lug (710) is t-shaped, similar to the other fastening lugs described above, with opposing prongs (718), neck (716) and flexible, resilient base (708). However, on an opposite side, this clip (706) includes two formations (720) or prongs extending from the base (708), in substantially the same plane as the base (708). The formations (720) define a slot (722) between them. These formations and slot (722) may form a second type of fastening lug (712). Similar, albeit slightly different prongs (613) are shown in the embodiment (606) shown in Figure 2, and may have a similar functionality. The base (608, 708) and the clip formations or fastening lugs (610, 612, 710, 712) may be integrally formed. The base (608, 708) is resiliently deformable to allow for slight bending or compression of the base (608, 708).

T o connect a clip (606, 706) to the palm or dorsal side (408, 410, as the case may be) of the rigid guard structure (300), the head (616, 716) of the clip (606, 706) is passed through the receiving gap (426, 430) and the neck (714) is moved into the slot (428, 432), with the prongs (618, 718) bearing against the dorsal side or palm side (408, 410), as the case may be, of the rigid guard structure (300), thereby to retain the clip formation or fastening lug (610, 710) in the slot (428, 432) of the socket (404) in a similar way as described above. The clip formation or fastening lug may be retained in the slot. The base (608, 708) may then be bent or compressed, under an applied force, to align the slot (622, 722) with a neck of another clip, such as the neck or buttress (520) of the clip (506) which may be attached from an opposite side of the guard (300). Upon release of the force that is being applied to the base (608, 708), the slot is advanced under the resilience of the base (508) to receive the ridge of the buttress structure (520) between the formations or prongs (613, 720), with undercut formations or pongs (524) of the head (522) and buttress structure (520) bearing against the formation (613, 720) to retain the clips (506, 706 or 606, as the case may be) in relative position and preventing or inhibiting dislodgement of the assembled guard arrangement shown in Figure 6. By connecting each clip (606) in the array (602) to the rigid guard structure (300), the second fixing system (600) is implemented to fasten the outer padding (200) to the guard (300).

The sequence in which the clip formations or fastening lugs (610, 612) are secured may be varied, depending on the particular implementation, and the above-described procedure may be done in a different sequence, where a clip formation or fastening lug is slotted in position in the slot before the cooperating clip is inserted into the aperture by compressing or bending the base, and then slotted in position by releasing the base to take its original form. As shown in the sectional view in Figure 7, the clips (506, 706) may interlock or cooperate to retain the components of the glove together, i.e. the outer padding (200), the guard (300) and the glove body (102).

It will be appreciated that the fixing system(s) described leads to some unique advantages. A notable advantage is that the assembly is not friction fitted. Instead the parts can be clipped together without a tool, but may require a tool or some other method of breaking the clips in order to release the parts. This is not the norm for conventional “slotted” assemblies. Normally slotted assemblies can be you can slotted in and out in opposite directions. With the system described, because the bottom (glove body) clip attaches to the top (outer padding) clip and not only with the guard structure, the bottom clip cannot be removed without first removing the top clip and the top clip has a misaligned slot that can only be accessed by bending the clip forcefully on assembly. Once the clip does attach it is recessed into the top of the rigid plastic guard structure, making it difficult, if not impossible to release without a tool or without breaking off the clips.

An additional advantages of using the clip system as described is that the clips are thin. There is little or no space in the required assembly to use a press stud or friction fit clip that will be able to withstand the forces involved in the use of such a glove. To withstand such forces would require a much thicker friction surface. In addition, the bending of the clip base to gain access to the slightly miss -aligned slots and then the natural curve of the rigid guard means that the clip is kept tensioned after assembly, thus allowing the use of a narrow clip. This also stops the assembled glove from becoming undone. A force acting on the slot in the direction of the opening will not cause the clip to release itself because of this misalignment of the clip and the slot, which is only accessed by bending the clip prior to installation. This effectively means that the fixing system described is self-locking despite having no access to the clips on installation. On assembly the tip of the finger may be bent once the first slot of the top hand has been inserted. This bending locates the slot and it drops through the ridged layer and on release of the tip of the finger, slots into place, remaining locked. The only way to release the assembly is with a tool and forcing the now abutted clip and rigid force transferring element up and bending the clip to realign the slots thus releasing the clip, or to permanently snap of the clips. The force of the ball striking the glove will not cause the clip to bend up and thus will not release on impact. Similarly, the force of bending the fingers will not allow the clip to bend as it is abutted with the substantially rigid force guard structure and therefore despite the thin and flexible nature of the clip they will not release during normal use.

The dorsal side (410) may be curved in such a way that a surface (420) thereof is concave, to hold the digits, located in the finger portions (108) of the glove (100) in a comfortable natural bend. Conversely, the surface (420) of the palm side (410) may be convex or inwardly domed. Thus, the clips (606), which may be attached to the surface (420) may be slightly deformed and, due to their resilience, the clip formation (612, 712) may be bearing against the undercut formations or prongs (524).

During manufacture of the glove (100), each clip (506) from the array (502) may be inserted under the liner of the dorsal side (104) of the finger portions (108). In one embodiment, an opening, or openings may be made in the liner, and the base (508) may be inserted into the opening, with the clip formations (510) and (512) protruding from the opening(s). The opening(s) may subsequently be closed, if required, by stitching or any other suitable technique. It is also a possibility that the clips (506) are provided on a body of the glove prior to application of the of the outer liner.

During manufacture of the protective component (200) or outer padding, each clip (606) may be inserted under the liner of the inner surface (204) of each shock absorbing member (208) of the protective component (200). Openings may be made in the liner, and the base (608) may be inserted into the opening, with the clip formations (610) and (612) protruding from the opening. The opening(s) may subsequently be closed, if required, by stitching or any other suitable technique. It is also a possibility that the clips (606) are provided on a body of each shock absorbing member (208) of the protective component (200) prior to application of the outer liner.

With the base (508) of each clip preferably firmly embedded in the dorsal sides of the finger portions, the guard (300) can be firmly fixed to the dorsal side (104) of the glove (100) using the first fixing system (500).

In an embodiment, the rigid guard structure may be stitched or permanently fastened to the dorsal side of the glove body. In such an embodiment, the outer padding may be fastened to the rigid guard structure as described above by using fastening lug(s) and corresponding socket(s). Alternatively, the outer padding may be stitched to the rigid guard structure and the rigid guard structure may be fastened to the glove body as described above by using fastening lug(s) and corresponding socket(s). In another embodiment, the rigid guard structure may be fastened to the outer padding by bolts and nuts, or by rivets, in a more permanent way. The palm side of the rigid guard structure may, on the other hand, be releasably attachable to the dorsal side of the glove body by fastening lug(s) and socket(s). The rigid guard structure may alternatively be fastened to the dorsal side of the glove body more permanently, for example by way of bolts and nuts, or by rivets, with the dorsal side of the rigid guard structure being releasably attachable by fastening lug(s) and socket(s) to the outer padding. It should therefore be appreciated that one or two fixing systems as described herein may be utilised to secure the glove body and/or outer padding to the guard structure, respectively.

Each shock absorbing member (208) may be received in a designated section (422) defined on the surface (420). The high-density shock absorbing material of each shock absorbing member (208) may be deformable and access can preferably be gained to each clip (606) to release it from the guard (300). It may therefore be possible to remove the protective component (200) from the guard (300), for example, to replace it.

The glove assembly of the current invention may be useful for a player in sports such as cricket, baseball, hockey, ice hockey or lacrosse, in which an object such as a ball or puck is flying, at high velocities, towards a bat or club held in a hand of the player. If the object misses its target and the player is hit on the glove, the guard arrangement may substantially dissipate or transfer the compressive force (which would otherwise have transferred to the hand or fingerrs), thereby reducing or preventing injury to the hand. The present invention relates to a guard arrangement used in a protective glove for sports such as cricket, baseball, hockey, ice hockey or lacrosse. In particular, the guard arrangement provides a system for fixing a guard member to a glove. A second fixing system may be provided to fix a protective component to the guard member. To this end, there is provided a protective glove assembly which incorporates a glove, a guard arrangement, and a padded protective component. The body of the glove defines a padded dorsal side and an opposed palmar side, with digit sleeves extending from the body. The guard arrangement may include a guard member and first and/or second fixing systems. The guard member may be attached to the dorsal side of the body, using the first fixing system. The guard member may be positioned on the dorsal side to encapsulate the sleeves. The protective padded component may be attached to an outer surface of the guard member, using the second fixing system. The first fixing system may include an array of clips that may each include an elongate base from which two clip formations extend. The base of each clip may be embedded in or otherwise secured to the dorsal side of a respective sleeve, with the clip formations protruding from a liner of the glove. The clip formations may be complementary to corresponding apertures formed in the guard member. The guard member may be attached to the dorsal side by clipping each clip formation into the corresponding aperture.

The second fixing system may include an array of clips each including an elongate base from which two clip formations may extend. The base of each clip may be embedded in or otherwise attached to an operatively inner surface of the protective component, with the clip formations protruding from a liner of the protective component. The clip formations of each clip in the second fixing system may be aligned with corresponding clip formations of a clip in the first fixing system and may be either complementary to the corresponding apertures formed in the guard member or configured to engage with a corresponding clip formation. The protective component may be fixed to the guard member by clipping the clip formations into the corresponding apertures of the guard member or by fixing the clip formation of a clip in the second fixing system to a corresponding clip formation of a clip in the first fixing system.

T o fix the accessory or guard to the glove, and the high-density padding to the accessory or guard, hand stitching techniques may also be used. Further apertures may be provided in the guard to facilitate stitching through the guard, to fasten the guard to either the glove body, or to the outer padding, as the case may be. Automated stitching techniques may also be used in some embodiments. Use of an adhesive to fix the accessory or guard to the glove and the high-density padding or outer padding to the accessory or guard may also be used. Glue, or hook and loop fasteners such as those marketed as Velcro ® may also be used to attach the outer padding to the rigid guard structure, or to attach the rigid guard structure to the glove body. In an embodiment, a plurality of fastening lugs may be provided by an array of clips. The array of clips may for example be provided at or near the dorsal side of the glove body. Each clip may have one or more fastening lugs extending therefrom that are receivable inside corresponding sockets in the rigid guard structure. A clip may be provided for each of a number of finger portions of the glove body. For example, each of four finger portions of the glove body may have a clip with fastening lugs thereat. Similarly, an array of clips with fastening lugs may be provided in the palm side of the outer padding, with the fastening lugs operatively extending toward the dorsal side of the rigid guard structure. Corresponding sockets may be provided in the rigid guard structure, or in the clips near the dorsal surface of the glove body. The clips with fastening lugs may be embedded inside the finger portions, or inside the dorsal side of the glove body. The clips with fastening lugs may be embedded inside the inner padding near the dorsal side of the glove body. The clips with fastening lugs may alternatively, or in addition, be embedded inside the outer padding, with the fastening lug(s) extending toward the dorsal side of the rigid guard structure.

In an alternative embodiment, the fastening lug may be provided on, and extend from the rigid guard structure, for example away from the palm side thereof, or generally in line with either the palm or dorsal sides. In such an embodiment, the corresponding socket may be provided in the dorsal side of the glove body.

One or more of the clips, for example clip (606) shown in Figure 2, may have a socket therein for cooperating with a corresponding fastening lug of another clip, or for cooperating with a fastening lug that extends from the rigid guard structure. For example, a socket may be provided in the base of one of the clips. The fastening lugs of the clips may be capable of cooperating with sockets in the rigid guard structure, or with sockets in the other clips, so as to hold, retain or fasten the outer padding, the rigid guard structure and the glove body to one another.

There is also provided a method (1000) of manufacturing a glove. An exemplary method is shown in the flow diagram in Figure 8. The method may include forming, providing or simply utilising (1012) a rigid guard structure shaped to be interposed between outer padding and a dorsal side of a glove body to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side, guard structure including or defining at least one of a socket and a fastening lug. The method may further include providing (1014) the glove body and embedding one or more sockets or fastening lugs in a dorsal side of the glove body. The method may also include providing (1016) the outer padding and embedding one or more sockets or fastening lugs in a palm side of the outer padding. Optionally, the method may include fastening (1018) the outer padding, the guard structure and the glove body to one another using the one or more fastening lugs and corresponding sockets. A method of manufacturing a glove may also include utilising a guard structure shaped to be interposed between outer padding and a dorsal side of a glove body, the guard structure being shaped and dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side of the glove body. The method may include securing the guard structure to one or both of the glove body and outer padding using one or both of first and second fixing systems, wherein the first and second fixing systems include one or more sockets and complementary fastening lugs provided on the glove body, guard structure and outer padding, respectively. The method may also include securing one or more clips to the glove body and/or outer padding, each clip defining one or more sockets or fastening lugs configured to cooperate with complementary clips and/or fastening lugs provided on the guard structure.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a rigid guard structure (300) for a glove (100). The rigid guard structure may include a guard body (400) having a palm side (408) and a dorsal side (410) and at least one force transferring structure (402) that extends transversely to the palm and dorsal sides of the guard body. One or more sockets (404, 406) may be defined by the guard body (400) and configured to cooperate with at least one of fastening lugs (510, 512) of a glove and fastening lugs (610) of outer padding (200) for a glove (100), so as to releasably fasten the rigid guard structure to at least one of the outer padding and the glove. The rigid guard structure (300) may include an array of sockets, with at least one socket provided for each of a number of finger portions of a glove. The rigid guard structure may include pairs of sockets for receiving pairs of fastening lugs of either the glove or the outer padding, as the case may be.

It is also foreseen that the guard structure may be a composite structure and not formed or moulded as a unit. The substantially transverse force transferring element may be separate from the rigid horizontal section which covers the dorsal side of the glove body. The force transferring element(s) may be manufactured separately, optionally from a materially that is not necessarily rigid at all times, but which becomes substantially ridged only on impact. Such materials could utilise a rapid response foam such as, for example, D30®, ULTRASTOP® , Poron XRD®. Such composite guard structures having more flexible force transferring elements may also remove or reduce noise resulting from two rigid, hard force transferring elements bumping or rubbing together on adjacent hands of a user, thus making the gloves incorporating the guard structures more comfortable to wear. The horizontal, dorsal side section of the guard structure could also be manufactured from the same rapid response foam material. Noise can also be reduced by attaching a noise reducing material to the outside of the rigid force transferring elements.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention set forth in any accompanying claims. Finally, throughout the specification and any accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’ or variations such as ‘comprises’ or ‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A glove comprising: a glove body having a palm side and a dorsal side; outer padding configured to be attached to the glove opposite the dorsal side of the glove body; and a guard structure shaped to be operatively interposed between the outer padding and the dorsal side of the glove body to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side, the guard structure having formations associated with at least one of first and second fixing systems with cooperating formations provided in either or both of the glove body and the outer padding, wherein the first and second fixing systems are configured to fasten the guard structure to one or both of the glove body and the outer padding.

2. The glove as claimed in claim 1 , wherein formations of the first and second fixing systems include at least one of a socket and a fastening lug, with the cooperating formations on either or both of the glove body and outer padding being one or more cooperating sockets or fastening lugs.

3. The glove as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guard structure defines one or more sockets therein capable of accommodating fastening lugs associated with the glove body and/or outer padding.

4. The glove as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fastening lugs extend from a palm side of the outer padding and cooperate with the sockets in the guard structure so that the outer padding may be attachable to the guard structure.

5. The glove as claimed in claim 2, which includes inner padding at or near the dorsal side of the glove body, the inner padding being integral with the dorsal side of the glove body and wherein the guard structure is interposed between the inner padding and the outer padding in use.

6. The glove as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening lugs and sockets act as a clip or holding mechanism to fasten the glove body to the guard structure, to fasten the outer padding to the rigid guard structure, or both.

7. The glove as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of fastening lugs are provided by an array of clips, the clips being provided at or near the dorsal side of the glove body and wherein

24 each clip has one or more fastening lugs extending therefrom that are receivable inside cooperating sockets in the guard structure.

8. The glove as claimed in claim 7, wherein an array of clips defining fastening lugs are provided on a palm side of the outer padding, the fastening lugs operatively extending toward a dorsal side of the guard structure for cooperation with sockets in the guard structure and/or in opposing clips on the dorsal surface of the glove body.

9. The glove as claimed in claim 7, wherein clips with fastening lugs are embedded inside one or more of: the finger portions of the glove body, the dorsal side of the glove body, the inner padding near the dorsal side of the glove body and the outer padding with the fastening lugs extending toward the dorsal side of the guard structure in use.

10. The glove as claimed in claim 7, wherein the clips include a base and one or more fastening lugs that extend away from the base and wherein the base is at least partially and resiliently flexible.

1 1 . The glove as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clips include a pair of opposing lugs with a first lug at or near one end of each clip and a second lug at or near an opposing end of the clip, and wherein a pair of cooperating sockets are provided in the guard structure to correspond to the pair of fastening lugs of each clip.

12. The glove as claimed in claim 1 1 , wherein each pair of sockets in the guard structure are spaced slightly closer to one another than the cooperating lugs on the clip, and wherein the base of each clip is resiliently flexible so as to be capable of bending to bring the opposing lugs closer to one another in order to fit through or engage with the cooperating sockets and fastening the glove body to the guard structure, or the outer padding to the guard structure, or both, upon returning to their normal position under their resilience.

13. A method of manufacturing a glove, the method including the steps of: utilising a guard structure configured to be interposed between outer padding and a dorsal side of a glove body, the guard structure being shaped and dimensioned to cover at least a portion of the dorsal side of the glove body; and securing the guard structure to one or both of the glove body and outer padding using one or both of first and second fixing systems including one or more sockets and complementary cooperating fastening lugs provided on the glove body, guard structure and outer padding, respectively.

14. The method as claimed in claim 14, which includes securing one or more clips to the glove body and/or outer padding, each clip defining one or more sockets or fastening lugs configured to cooperate with complementary clips and/or fastening lugs provided on the guard structure.

15. A guard structure for a glove, the guard structure comprising: a guard body having a palm side and a dorsal side and at least one force transferring structure that extends substantially transversely to the palm and dorsal sides of the guard body; and one or more sockets defined by the guard body and configured to cooperate with at least one of fastening lugs of a glove body and fastening lugs of outer padding for a glove, so as to releasably fasten the rigid guard structure to at least one of the outer padding and the glove.