CA2683608C - Cycling hand glove - Google Patents
Cycling hand glove Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2683608C CA2683608C CA2683608A CA2683608A CA2683608C CA 2683608 C CA2683608 C CA 2683608C CA 2683608 A CA2683608 A CA 2683608A CA 2683608 A CA2683608 A CA 2683608A CA 2683608 C CA2683608 C CA 2683608C
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- Prior art keywords
- cushioning
- section
- glove
- thumb
- little finger
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/08—Arm or hand
- A41D13/081—Hand protectors
- A41D13/082—Hand protectors especially for the inner part of the hand
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D19/00—Gloves
- A41D19/015—Protective gloves
- A41D19/01523—Protective gloves absorbing shocks or vibrations
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
- A63B71/14—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the hands, e.g. baseball, boxing or golfing gloves
- A63B71/141—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the hands, e.g. baseball, boxing or golfing gloves in the form of gloves
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D2600/00—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes
- A41D2600/10—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes for sport activities
- A41D2600/104—Cycling
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/16—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for cycling, i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Gloves (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
A cycling hand glove including: a main glove element having a palm surface with a lower section with a little finger section and an opposed thumb section; and at least one palm pad provided in the lower section of the palm surface, the at least one palm pad being thicker in the little finger section and thinner in the thumb section.
Description
CYCLING HAND GLOVE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention The invention relates to an athletic hand glove and, more particularly, to a cycling hand glove having palm-located pads for use over a bicycle handlebar. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing cycling hand gloves including cushioning pads in the palm area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1) Field of the Invention The invention relates to an athletic hand glove and, more particularly, to a cycling hand glove having palm-located pads for use over a bicycle handlebar. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing cycling hand gloves including cushioning pads in the palm area.
2) Description of the Prior Art When riding a bicycle, a cyclist usually grasps the handlebar with his hands.
It is critical that the cyclist's hands have a good command and control of the handlebars, as they provide, inter alia, directional control of the bicycle, center of gravity stability control of the cyclist and bicycle assembly, proper positioning and access for actuating the wheel braking system if need arises.
Cyclists tend to use hand gloves for improved comfort. Some of these hand gloves include pads inside the palm of the glove for comfort cushioning between the palm of the hand and the handlebar. Moreover, they provide protection to the hands of the cyclist in the case of a fall, and they minimize abrasion to the hands of the cyclist.
As the cyclist pedals to maintain the bicycle in motion in upright dynamic stability condition over ground, corresponding muscular exercise is generated, and thus bodily heat and perspiration levels increase. In particular, perspiration levels tend to increase substantially at the ends of the limbs, i.e. at the feet and hands.
Cushioning pads are relatively thick members and do not allow the escape of moisture located between the cyclist hand and the cushioning pads, especially when the gloves engage the handlebar. Therefore, moisture build-up between the cyclist hand and the cushioning pads tends to be most acute. There is thus a need for a hand glove which combines both properties, i.e. cushioning where needed and sufficient aeration.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 1-SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an aspect of the invention to improve comfort of cyclists wearing hand gloves with cushioning pads.
One aspect of the invention provides a cycling hand glove comprising:a main glove element having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section; and at least one cushioning pad attached to the main glove element in the lower section of the palm surface, the at least one cushioning pad being thicker in the little finger section and thinner in the thumb section.
Another aspect of the invention provides an athletic glove comprising: a glove material having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section; and at least one cushioning pad attached to the glove material in the lower section of the palm surface, extending from the little finger section to the thumb section, and having a decreasing thickness from the little finger section towards the thumb section.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method to manufacture an athletic glove, the method comprising: manufacturing at least one cushioning pad with at least one thick cushioning section and at least one thin cushioning section; and mounting the at least one cushioning pad to a glove material, the at least one cushioning pad being located in a lower section of a palm surface of the glove with the at least one thick cushioning section being located in a little finger of the glove and at least one thin cushioning section being located in an opposed thumb section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
Fig 1. is a side elevation view of a cycling hand glove engaged with a portion of a bicycle handlebar;
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 2-Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a cycling hand glove in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein the glove includes five cushioning pads of various thicknesses located in the lower section of the glove and an aeration window located in the central palm section;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment, wherein the glove includes four cushioning pads of various thicknesses located in the lower section of the glove and two cushioning pads located in the upper section of the glove;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the cushioning pads located in the lower section includes apertures and aeration channels defined therein;
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the lower section of the glove palm includes a single cushioning pad with a variable thickness, Fig. 5 includes Fig. 5a which is a cross-sectional view along section line A-A of Fig. 5;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the cushioning pads extend in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the arm and hand axis and have mesh materiel extending therebetween;
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the lower section of the glove palm includes a single cushioning pad with a variable thickness and ventilation channels extending in the cushioning pad, Fig. 7 includes Fig. 7a which is a cross-sectional view along section line A-A of Fig. 7;
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the cycling hand glove engaging a hybrid bicycle handlebar; and OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 3-Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cycling hand glove engaged with a road bicycle handlebar.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an embodiment of an athletic glove 10 for both male and female uses, for example, cycling gloves that improve the comfort and the protection of the hands of a male/female riding a bicycle.
The hand glove 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a right-hand cycling glove, adapted to engage the handlebar B of a bicycle. The bicycle can be a road bicycle with a curved handlebar (Figs. 1 and 9) or a mountain or hybrid bicycle with a substantially straight handlebar (Fig. 8).
Fig. 2 shows the palm surface 12 of the glove 10. The palm surface 12 of the hand glove 10 can be divided into three main sections: the lower section 14, close to the wrist, the upper section 16, close to the fingers, and the central palm section 18, extending between the lower and the upper sections 14, 16. The lower section 16 can be further divided into three sections: the thumb section 20, close to the thumb, the little finger section 22, close to the little finger, and the middle section 24 extending between the thumb and the litter finger sections 20, 22. It is appreciated that the location and division between the various sections can slightly vary from the one shown in the embodiment.
The five finger portions 26 of the hand glove 10 are cut at the second phalanx, as is known in the art, so that the finger tips (not shown) be free and be able to freely engage the bicycle handlebar B. The finger portions 26 of the hand glove 10 can be lined with the synthetic material LYCRATM. They can also include mesh material, any other appropriate material or any appropriate material combination. Overlock stitches or OR File No. 05015920-104CA -4-rubber pullers, such as silicon pullers, can form the annular ends of each open finger end portion mouth.
A hook and loop fastener band assembly (VELCROTM) can releasably close the wrist end of the hand glove 10 around the wrist of the cyclist.
The palm surface 12 of the glove 10 is formed of a main element 28 made from a combination of different materials. The lower and the central palm sections 14, 18 are made from suede (natural or synthetic), like Amara suede, while the upper palm section is made from mesh material.
It is appreciated that the main element 28 can be made of one or several materials. For instance, the main element 28 can be formed from any relatively thin and flexible fabric or combination of fabrics. It can include mesh material, i.e. a synthetic or fabric-like perforate flexible material whose perforation units are each of a size and shape enabling free bodily heat release and free humidity escape therethrough from the hand.
It can also include leather, suede or nubuck (natural or synthetic). It can include a pattern of small diameter through holes that provide ventilation to a user's hand.
Fig. 2 also shows parts of the well-known anatomy of the human hand.
Particularly, the human hand includes two nerves, the Median nerve M and the Ulnar nerve U, which extend down the arm and wrist and terminate in the palm of the hand.
Compression of the Ulnar and Median nerves M, U, which can occur during bicycling, can cause damage to these nerves. Therefore, padding is applied to the lower section of the palm surface of the glove to protect these nerves.
As it will be described in more details below, when holding a handlebar B, the compression force applied to the little finger section 22 of the glove 10 is more important than the compression force applied to the thumb section 20. Therefore, the little finger section 22 requires an increased cushioning effect in comparison with the thumb section 20.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 5-In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the lower section 14 of the palm surface 12 includes five individual cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, or palm pads, which are strategically-located. The cushioning pads 30 are mounted to the main element 28 of glove 10, peripherally to the central section 18. The cushioning pads 30 are strategically located on the palm surface 12 of a user's hand to facilitate the bending of the glove 10, as the user's hand grasps an object such as the handlebar B of a bicycle. The cushioning pads 30 are substantially in the same orientation than the finger portions 26, i.e. they are substantially perpendicular with the folding axis of the cyclist's hand when grasping the handlebar B or substantially parallel to the arm and hand axis A.
The surface area of the cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c located in the thumb section 20 and the middle section 24 is smaller than the surface area of the cushioning pads 30d, 30e located in the little finger section 22.
To increase the cushioning effect in the little finger section 22 and reduce the heat and moisture build-up between the glove and the cyclist's hand, the cushioning pads 30 have different thicknesses. The thicknesses of the cushioning pads 30 decrease from the cushioning pad 30e, close to the little finger, to the cushioning pad 30a, close to the thumb. Thus, the Ulnar nerve U is protected with thicker cushioning pads 30d, 30e while the thumb section 20 is protected with thinner cushioning pads 30a, 30b to reduce heat and moisture buildup. In the embodiment shown, the cushioning pads 30 have a thickness ranging between 3 mm (cushioning pad 30a) to 5 mm (cushioning pad 30e) with the thickness of cushioning pads 30b, 30c, 30d ranging in-between.
In an alternate embodiment, the cushioning pads 30d, 30e could have the same thickness, for instance 5 mm, while the cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c could have the same thickness, for instance 3 mm. It is appreciated that the glove can include any combination of thicker cushioning pads in the little finger section and thinner cushioning pads in the thumb section.
An appropriate shape and pattern of cushioning pads 30 minimize flexing discomfort when the glove 10 is inserted into a cyclist's hand. As it will be described in more details OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 6-below, the pattern and the shape of the cushioning pads 30 can differ from the one shown in Fig. 2.
The cushioning pads 30 have a cushioning section 31, thicker than the main element 28. The cushioning pads 30 include a plurality of aeration openings 32, or aeration apertures, surrounded by the cushioning section 31. Each aeration opening 32 is defined by an inner edge of the cushioning pad 30. The aeration apertures 32 extend entirely though the cushioning pad 30 and expose the cyclist's hand. The aeration openings 32 provide a ventilation channel between the palm section of the hand, covered by the cushioning pad 30, and the exterior of the hand glove 10. It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aeration apertures 32 can expose a section of the main element 28 or any other fabric. The aeration apertures 32 provide ventilation to the cyclist's hand during use of the hand glove 10.
Such ventilation cools the cyclist's hand while using the hand glove 10 and enables moisture evacuation to keep the cyclist's hand dry. Additionally, the aeration apertures 32 provide increased flexibility of the hand glove 10, thus enhancing comfort to the cyclist.
The cushioning pads 30 are spaced-apart from one another and hinge lines or ventilation channels 33 extends between the pads 30. The ventilation channels 33 are thinner than the cushioning pads 30 in the cushioning section 31. In an embodiment, the main element 28 is exposed in the ventilation channels 33. They provide flexibility and ventilation to the hand glove 10. In the embodiment shown, the channels 33 are narrower than the cushioning pads 30 along an axis substantially perpendicular to the arm and hand axis A. However, it is appreciated that the channels 33 can be larger than the pads 30. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the channels 33 are substantially rectilinear but, it is appreciated that the channels can have any shape.
The air and moisture circulation is easier and faster through thinner cushioning sections.
The combination of thinner cushioning sections and aeration apertures 32 in the cushioning pads provides both comfort cushioning between the hand palm and the handlebar B and release of moisture from the hand palm perspiration, even under the cushioning pads 30.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 7-To further improve aeration, in the central section, the main element 28 includes aeration apertures 34 and an aeration window 36. The aeration window 36 exposes a piece of mesh material 38 having perforations therein for an increased air and moisture exchange between the user's palm and the exterior of the glove 10. The aeration apertures 34 provided in the main element 28 expose the cyclist's hand. It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aeration window 36 can expose the cyclist's hand or any other fabric and/or the aeration apertures 34 can expose mesh material or any other fabric.
The cushioning pads 30 can be mounted to the main element 28 with stitching lines provided at the perimeter of the pads 30 or with any other appropriate technique, as it will be described in more details below.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), aperture border sections, or recesses, surround the aeration apertures 32. The aperture border sections are contiguous to the cushioning section 31 and are thinner than the latter. The aeration apertures 32 are resultantly seated at a substantially planar base of the cushioning pads 30, such that the aeration apertures 32 are surrounded by a portion of the reduced thickness part of the cushioning pads 30 which forms the aperture border sections. The aeration apertures 32 are inset into the cushioning pads 30.
According to one embodiment, the aeration apertures 32, 34 are larger than the unit perforation in mesh material. The aeration apertures 32, 34 could, for instance, be circular or ovoidal in shape as shown in Fig. 2. The aeration apertures 32 allow free heat release and moisture escape from the palm area 12 of the glove 10, under the cushioning pads 30. The warm air and the moisture generated by the user's hand under the cushioning pads 30 can escape freely through the aeration apertures 32 provided inside the cushioning pads 30. Moreover, fresh air intake can reach the user's hand under the cushioning pads 30 through the aeration apertures 32. Therefore, the comfort of the user is improved without reducing the protection offered by the gloves 10.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 8-The aeration apertures 32, 34 can be disposed regularly across the surface of the cushioning pads 30 and the surface of the main element 28. Alternatively, the aeration apertures 32, 34 can be disposed randomly or in predetermined concentrated groupings across the cushioning pads 30 and the main element 28.
Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the cycling hand glove 10 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 100 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiment. The hand glove 110 includes four lower cushioning pads 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d located in the lower section 114 of the palm 112 and two upper cushioning pads 140a, 140b located in the upper section 116 of the palm 112. The lower cushioning pads 130 are oriented in a direction corresponding substantially to the finger portions, i.e. oriented substantially along the arm-hand axis A. On the opposite, the upper cushioning pads 140a, 140b are substantially perpendicular to the lower cushioning pads 130, i.e. they are substantially parallel to the folding axis of the cyclist's hand or substantially perpendicularly to the arm-hand axis A.
To increase the cushioning effect in the little finger section 122 and reduce the heat and moisture build-up between the glove 110 and the cyclist's hand, the cushioning pads 130, 140 have different thicknesses. The thicknesses of the lower cushioning pads 130 decrease from the cushioning pad 130d, close to the little finger, to the cushioning pad 130a, close to the thumb. Thus, the Ulnar nerve U is protected with thicker cushioning pads 130c, 130d while the thumb section 120 is protected with thinner cushioning pads 130a, 130b to reduce heat and moisture buildup. In the embodiment shown, the cushioning pads have a thickness ranging between 3 mm (cushioning pad a) to 5 mm (cushioning pad 130d) with the thickness of cushioning pads 130b, 130c ranging in-between. The upper cushioning pad 140b, close to the fingers (3 mm), is thinner than the cushioning pad 140a, close to the central palm section 118 (5 mm).
In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning pads 130c, 130d could have substantially a similar thickness and the cushioning pads 130a, 130b could also have substantially a similar thickness, thinner than the thicknesses of the cushioning pads 130c, 130d.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 9-The cushioning pads 130 are spaced-apart from one another and hinge lines or ventilation channels 133 extends between the pads 130. The main element 128 is exposed in the ventilation channels 133.
Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a cycling hand glove 210 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 200 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. The hand glove 210 includes three lower cushioning pads 230a, 230b, 230c located in the lower section 214 of the palm 212. The lower cushioning pads 230 are oriented in a direction corresponding substantially to the finger orientation, i.e. substantially parallel to the arm-hand axis A. As for the previous embodiment, the thicknesses of the cushioning pads 230 decrease from the cushioning pad 230c, close to the little finger, to the cushioning pad 230a, close to the thumb.
The cushioning pads 230 are provided with aeration apertures 232 which expose either the main element 228 or the cyclist's hand.
The central cushioning pad 230b is also provided with a plurality of moisture escape channels 250, each moisture escape channel 250 opening on a first end on a border section of an aperture 232 and on a second end either on the perimeter section of the pad or on another border section of an aperture 230. The moisture escape channels 250 provide a fluid communication between the aeration apertures 232 and the exterior of the cushioning pad 230b. The moisture escape channels 250 facilitate the fluid exchanges between the user's palm and the exterior of the hand glove 210.
The distance between the opposite facing edges defining the moisture escape channels 250 should be wide enough to provide an adequate ventilation between the aeration apertures 232 and the exterior of the glove 210, but sufficiently close so as to prevent the bicycle handlebar B to undesirably come into sealing contact with the aeration apertures 232.
Moreover, the main element 228 includes aeration apertures 234 provided between the cushioning pads 230 in the lower section 214, i.e. in the ventilation channels 233.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 10 -Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a cycling hand glove 310 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 300 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. The hand glove 310 includes a single cushioning pad 330 located in the lower section 314 and having a substantially U-shape. The cushioning pad 330 is provided with aeration apertures 332 which expose the cyclist's hand. It is appreciated that the shape and the design of the aeration apertures can differ from the one shown. The cushioning pad could also be aeration aperture free.
To the opposite of the previously described embodiments, the cushioning pad 330 does not have a uniform thickness within the pad 330. Within the cushioning pad 330, the thickness varies. The cushioning pad 330 is thicker in (or close to) the little finger section 322 and thinner in (or close to) the thumb section 320, as shown in the sectional view A-A.
This variable thickness within the cushioning pad 330 allows to increase the cushioning effect in the little finger section 322 and reduce the heat and moisture build-up between the glove 310 and the cyclist's hand by reducing the thickness of the pad 330 proximate to the thumb, where less cushioning effect is required.
Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a cycling hand glove 410 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 400 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. The hand glove 410 includes three lower cushioning pads 430a, 430b, 430c located in the lower section 414 of the palm 410 and a single cushioning pad 440 located in the upper section 416 of the palm 410. All the cushioning pads 430, 440 are oriented in a direction corresponding substantially to the folding axis of the cyclist's hand, i.e.
substantially perpendicular to the arm-hand axis A.
As for the previously described embodiments, the cushioning pads 430 do not have a uniform thickness within the pad 430. Within each cushioning pad 430, the thickness OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 11 -varies. The cushioning pads 430 are thicker in (or close to) the little finger section 422 and thinner in (or close to) the thumb section 420.
The cushioning pads 430 are provided with aeration apertures 432 which expose either the main element 428 or the cyclist's hand. To further enhance the glove breathability, mesh material 460 extends in the ventilation channels 433 between the cushioning pads 460 in the lower section 414.
Referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen another embodiment of the cycling hand glove 510 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 500 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. As for the cycling hand glove shown in Fig. 5, the hand glove 510 includes a single cushioning pad 530 located in the lower section 514 and having a substantially U-shape. The cushioning pad 530 is provided with aeration apertures 532 which expose the cyclist's hand.
The cushioning pad 530 does not have a uniform thickness within the pad.
Within the cushioning pad 530, the thickness varies. The cushioning pad 530 is thicker in the little finger section 522 and thinner in the thumb section 520, as shown in the sectional view B-B.
The cushioning pad 530 includes a plurality of thin, heat/pressure formed, hinge lines 570, or reduced thickness channels, that lie internal of the cushioning pad 530, and that travel across the area of the cushioning pad 530, so as to divide the cushioning pad 530 into a number of relatively thick areas 572, i.e. cushioning sections, that are joined or outlined by the thin hinge lines 570; i.e., the relatively thick cushioning pad 530 is embossed by operation of the thin hinge lines 570 that traverse the cushioning pad 530.
Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown the hand glove 110 (Fig. 3) being engaged with the handlebar B of a hybrid bicycle. The ventilation channels extending between the cushioning pads 130, 140 promote ventilation of the hand glove 110. When holding a handlebar B, in the hand position shown, the compression force applied to the little finger section 122 of the glove 110 is more important than the compression force applied to the thumb section 120. Therefore, the thicker cushioning pads 130c, 130d OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 12 -provided in the littie finger section 122 provides an increased cushioning effect for enhanced comfort. More particularly, it provides a reduction of pressure points to the Ulnar and Median nerves while preventing road vibration, and providing direct feeling from the bicycle. The thinner cushioning pads 130a, 130b provided in the thumb section 120 provide a combination of reduced heat and moisture build-up and cushioning.
When engaged with the handlebar B, the cyclist's hand defines an angle ranging between 5 and 35 , with most cyclists having an angle ranging between 15 and 30 . The angle is outwardly oriented, i.e. more weight is applied on the little finger section 122 of the palm surface and the thumb section 120 can be slightly raised relatively to the handlebar B.
Similarly, Fig. 9, shows the hand glove 10 (Fig. 2) engaged with the handlebar B of a road bicycle. The ventilation channels extending between the cushioning pads 30, the aeration apertures 32, 34, and the aeration window 36 promote ventilation of the hand glove 10. As for the hybrid handlebar, when holding the road handlebar B, in hand position shown, the compression force applied to the little finger section 22 of the glove 10 is more important than the compression force applied to the thumb section 20.
Therefore, the thicker cushioning pads 30d, 30e provided in the little finger section 22 provide an increased cushioning effect. The thinner cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c provided in the thumb section 20 and in the middle section 24 provide a combination of reduced heat and moisture build-up and cushioning.
The padding layer can include a partly compressible material for added comfort, for example, open cell and/or closed cell foams. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of both existing equivalent foam members and after developed equivalent foam members. Examples of existing and equivalent foam members include, but are not limited to, gel-filled foam members, liquid-filled foam members, air-filled foam members, memory foam members, bio-gel members and combinations thereof.
Even if in the embodiments described above, the cushioning pads include a relatively thick and intermediate padding layer, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 13 -cushioning pads can or cannot include the padding layer. For example, the cushioning pads can include only a relatively thick reinforced fabric (not shown) whose function is to reinforce a selected area of the palm of the glove or a substantially incompressible soft material, for example, a bundle of fabric. Depending on the material used for the cushioning pads, it is possible that they include solely one layer, for example, a relatively thick reinforced fabric.
The hand glove can include any number of layers in any potential combination thereof as desired for achieving the comfort properties and padding provided by the hand glove.
Further, it shall be understood that the layers composing the hand glove may individually be formed of a uniform, monolithic material construction or, alternatively, such layers can themselves be composed of a plurality of material layers. Thus when describing and reciting 'a layer' of the hand glove herein, any of these constructions are contemplated, as well as combinations and variations thereof.
According to an embodiment of the glove, the thickness of the cushioning pads can vary for example between 1 and 13 millimeters (mm), but preferably in the range of approximately 2 to 8 mm, and still more preferably between 3 to 6.5 mm.
As mentioned above, the cushioning pads of various thickness can be applied to the main element. In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning pad has a variable thickness. The variable internal thickness of the cushioning pad can be created while cutting the pad or during a thermoforming operation, for instance.
There is a relatively important difference between the thickness of the hand glove in the aeration apertures and in the cushioning section of the cushioning pads, especially when it includes a padding layer. In the embodiment shown, the main element is directly exposed in the aeration apertures. No other material layer is laminated on the main element in the aeration apertures. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that another material than the material of the main element can be exposed or that the user's palm can be directly exposed in the aeration apertures. Moreover, the main element can include several materials connected to one another. Therefore, the OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 14 -material of the main element exposed in the aeration apertures can differ from the one exposed in the central palm area.
It is appreciated that, in an embodiment, the cushioning pad(s) can extend from close to the little finger section towards the thumb section without being located in either the little finger section or the thumb section.
It will also be understood that the finger portions of the hand glove can be cut anywhere along the length of cyclist's fingers. While cycling hand gloves are shown as having short fingers, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the cycling hand glove can be long finger gloves, including hand gloves that are constructed and arranged for use in colder temperatures.
While the embodiments described above making reference to the cycling hand glove wherein the cushioning pads are located on the palm side of the hand glove, one skilled in the art will appreciate that for another athletic activity which requires hand gloves with cushioning pads, the cushioning pads can be located on the back side of the athletic glove, or on both the back side and the palm side of the athletic glove.
The hand glove including the cushioning pads of various thickness provides an improved combination of cushioning and breathability comfort. The cushioning pads support, protect, dampen and absorb shock, and reduce the occurrence of numbness of the hands of a cyclist. Moreover, since the thickness of the cushioning pads is selected based on the disposition of the pad, the comfort of the cyclist is improved.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only.
Obviously, the number, size and shape of the cushion pads can vary in still other alternative cycling gloves, without restricting the scope of the present invention. Other gloves can be envisioned, not illustrated in the drawings. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 15 -
It is critical that the cyclist's hands have a good command and control of the handlebars, as they provide, inter alia, directional control of the bicycle, center of gravity stability control of the cyclist and bicycle assembly, proper positioning and access for actuating the wheel braking system if need arises.
Cyclists tend to use hand gloves for improved comfort. Some of these hand gloves include pads inside the palm of the glove for comfort cushioning between the palm of the hand and the handlebar. Moreover, they provide protection to the hands of the cyclist in the case of a fall, and they minimize abrasion to the hands of the cyclist.
As the cyclist pedals to maintain the bicycle in motion in upright dynamic stability condition over ground, corresponding muscular exercise is generated, and thus bodily heat and perspiration levels increase. In particular, perspiration levels tend to increase substantially at the ends of the limbs, i.e. at the feet and hands.
Cushioning pads are relatively thick members and do not allow the escape of moisture located between the cyclist hand and the cushioning pads, especially when the gloves engage the handlebar. Therefore, moisture build-up between the cyclist hand and the cushioning pads tends to be most acute. There is thus a need for a hand glove which combines both properties, i.e. cushioning where needed and sufficient aeration.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 1-SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an aspect of the invention to improve comfort of cyclists wearing hand gloves with cushioning pads.
One aspect of the invention provides a cycling hand glove comprising:a main glove element having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section; and at least one cushioning pad attached to the main glove element in the lower section of the palm surface, the at least one cushioning pad being thicker in the little finger section and thinner in the thumb section.
Another aspect of the invention provides an athletic glove comprising: a glove material having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section; and at least one cushioning pad attached to the glove material in the lower section of the palm surface, extending from the little finger section to the thumb section, and having a decreasing thickness from the little finger section towards the thumb section.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method to manufacture an athletic glove, the method comprising: manufacturing at least one cushioning pad with at least one thick cushioning section and at least one thin cushioning section; and mounting the at least one cushioning pad to a glove material, the at least one cushioning pad being located in a lower section of a palm surface of the glove with the at least one thick cushioning section being located in a little finger of the glove and at least one thin cushioning section being located in an opposed thumb section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
Fig 1. is a side elevation view of a cycling hand glove engaged with a portion of a bicycle handlebar;
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 2-Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a cycling hand glove in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, wherein the glove includes five cushioning pads of various thicknesses located in the lower section of the glove and an aeration window located in the central palm section;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment, wherein the glove includes four cushioning pads of various thicknesses located in the lower section of the glove and two cushioning pads located in the upper section of the glove;
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the cushioning pads located in the lower section includes apertures and aeration channels defined therein;
Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the lower section of the glove palm includes a single cushioning pad with a variable thickness, Fig. 5 includes Fig. 5a which is a cross-sectional view along section line A-A of Fig. 5;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the cushioning pads extend in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the arm and hand axis and have mesh materiel extending therebetween;
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the cycling hand glove in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein the lower section of the glove palm includes a single cushioning pad with a variable thickness and ventilation channels extending in the cushioning pad, Fig. 7 includes Fig. 7a which is a cross-sectional view along section line A-A of Fig. 7;
Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the cycling hand glove engaging a hybrid bicycle handlebar; and OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 3-Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cycling hand glove engaged with a road bicycle handlebar.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an embodiment of an athletic glove 10 for both male and female uses, for example, cycling gloves that improve the comfort and the protection of the hands of a male/female riding a bicycle.
The hand glove 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a right-hand cycling glove, adapted to engage the handlebar B of a bicycle. The bicycle can be a road bicycle with a curved handlebar (Figs. 1 and 9) or a mountain or hybrid bicycle with a substantially straight handlebar (Fig. 8).
Fig. 2 shows the palm surface 12 of the glove 10. The palm surface 12 of the hand glove 10 can be divided into three main sections: the lower section 14, close to the wrist, the upper section 16, close to the fingers, and the central palm section 18, extending between the lower and the upper sections 14, 16. The lower section 16 can be further divided into three sections: the thumb section 20, close to the thumb, the little finger section 22, close to the little finger, and the middle section 24 extending between the thumb and the litter finger sections 20, 22. It is appreciated that the location and division between the various sections can slightly vary from the one shown in the embodiment.
The five finger portions 26 of the hand glove 10 are cut at the second phalanx, as is known in the art, so that the finger tips (not shown) be free and be able to freely engage the bicycle handlebar B. The finger portions 26 of the hand glove 10 can be lined with the synthetic material LYCRATM. They can also include mesh material, any other appropriate material or any appropriate material combination. Overlock stitches or OR File No. 05015920-104CA -4-rubber pullers, such as silicon pullers, can form the annular ends of each open finger end portion mouth.
A hook and loop fastener band assembly (VELCROTM) can releasably close the wrist end of the hand glove 10 around the wrist of the cyclist.
The palm surface 12 of the glove 10 is formed of a main element 28 made from a combination of different materials. The lower and the central palm sections 14, 18 are made from suede (natural or synthetic), like Amara suede, while the upper palm section is made from mesh material.
It is appreciated that the main element 28 can be made of one or several materials. For instance, the main element 28 can be formed from any relatively thin and flexible fabric or combination of fabrics. It can include mesh material, i.e. a synthetic or fabric-like perforate flexible material whose perforation units are each of a size and shape enabling free bodily heat release and free humidity escape therethrough from the hand.
It can also include leather, suede or nubuck (natural or synthetic). It can include a pattern of small diameter through holes that provide ventilation to a user's hand.
Fig. 2 also shows parts of the well-known anatomy of the human hand.
Particularly, the human hand includes two nerves, the Median nerve M and the Ulnar nerve U, which extend down the arm and wrist and terminate in the palm of the hand.
Compression of the Ulnar and Median nerves M, U, which can occur during bicycling, can cause damage to these nerves. Therefore, padding is applied to the lower section of the palm surface of the glove to protect these nerves.
As it will be described in more details below, when holding a handlebar B, the compression force applied to the little finger section 22 of the glove 10 is more important than the compression force applied to the thumb section 20. Therefore, the little finger section 22 requires an increased cushioning effect in comparison with the thumb section 20.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 5-In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the lower section 14 of the palm surface 12 includes five individual cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e, or palm pads, which are strategically-located. The cushioning pads 30 are mounted to the main element 28 of glove 10, peripherally to the central section 18. The cushioning pads 30 are strategically located on the palm surface 12 of a user's hand to facilitate the bending of the glove 10, as the user's hand grasps an object such as the handlebar B of a bicycle. The cushioning pads 30 are substantially in the same orientation than the finger portions 26, i.e. they are substantially perpendicular with the folding axis of the cyclist's hand when grasping the handlebar B or substantially parallel to the arm and hand axis A.
The surface area of the cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c located in the thumb section 20 and the middle section 24 is smaller than the surface area of the cushioning pads 30d, 30e located in the little finger section 22.
To increase the cushioning effect in the little finger section 22 and reduce the heat and moisture build-up between the glove and the cyclist's hand, the cushioning pads 30 have different thicknesses. The thicknesses of the cushioning pads 30 decrease from the cushioning pad 30e, close to the little finger, to the cushioning pad 30a, close to the thumb. Thus, the Ulnar nerve U is protected with thicker cushioning pads 30d, 30e while the thumb section 20 is protected with thinner cushioning pads 30a, 30b to reduce heat and moisture buildup. In the embodiment shown, the cushioning pads 30 have a thickness ranging between 3 mm (cushioning pad 30a) to 5 mm (cushioning pad 30e) with the thickness of cushioning pads 30b, 30c, 30d ranging in-between.
In an alternate embodiment, the cushioning pads 30d, 30e could have the same thickness, for instance 5 mm, while the cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c could have the same thickness, for instance 3 mm. It is appreciated that the glove can include any combination of thicker cushioning pads in the little finger section and thinner cushioning pads in the thumb section.
An appropriate shape and pattern of cushioning pads 30 minimize flexing discomfort when the glove 10 is inserted into a cyclist's hand. As it will be described in more details OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 6-below, the pattern and the shape of the cushioning pads 30 can differ from the one shown in Fig. 2.
The cushioning pads 30 have a cushioning section 31, thicker than the main element 28. The cushioning pads 30 include a plurality of aeration openings 32, or aeration apertures, surrounded by the cushioning section 31. Each aeration opening 32 is defined by an inner edge of the cushioning pad 30. The aeration apertures 32 extend entirely though the cushioning pad 30 and expose the cyclist's hand. The aeration openings 32 provide a ventilation channel between the palm section of the hand, covered by the cushioning pad 30, and the exterior of the hand glove 10. It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aeration apertures 32 can expose a section of the main element 28 or any other fabric. The aeration apertures 32 provide ventilation to the cyclist's hand during use of the hand glove 10.
Such ventilation cools the cyclist's hand while using the hand glove 10 and enables moisture evacuation to keep the cyclist's hand dry. Additionally, the aeration apertures 32 provide increased flexibility of the hand glove 10, thus enhancing comfort to the cyclist.
The cushioning pads 30 are spaced-apart from one another and hinge lines or ventilation channels 33 extends between the pads 30. The ventilation channels 33 are thinner than the cushioning pads 30 in the cushioning section 31. In an embodiment, the main element 28 is exposed in the ventilation channels 33. They provide flexibility and ventilation to the hand glove 10. In the embodiment shown, the channels 33 are narrower than the cushioning pads 30 along an axis substantially perpendicular to the arm and hand axis A. However, it is appreciated that the channels 33 can be larger than the pads 30. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the channels 33 are substantially rectilinear but, it is appreciated that the channels can have any shape.
The air and moisture circulation is easier and faster through thinner cushioning sections.
The combination of thinner cushioning sections and aeration apertures 32 in the cushioning pads provides both comfort cushioning between the hand palm and the handlebar B and release of moisture from the hand palm perspiration, even under the cushioning pads 30.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 7-To further improve aeration, in the central section, the main element 28 includes aeration apertures 34 and an aeration window 36. The aeration window 36 exposes a piece of mesh material 38 having perforations therein for an increased air and moisture exchange between the user's palm and the exterior of the glove 10. The aeration apertures 34 provided in the main element 28 expose the cyclist's hand. It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aeration window 36 can expose the cyclist's hand or any other fabric and/or the aeration apertures 34 can expose mesh material or any other fabric.
The cushioning pads 30 can be mounted to the main element 28 with stitching lines provided at the perimeter of the pads 30 or with any other appropriate technique, as it will be described in more details below.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), aperture border sections, or recesses, surround the aeration apertures 32. The aperture border sections are contiguous to the cushioning section 31 and are thinner than the latter. The aeration apertures 32 are resultantly seated at a substantially planar base of the cushioning pads 30, such that the aeration apertures 32 are surrounded by a portion of the reduced thickness part of the cushioning pads 30 which forms the aperture border sections. The aeration apertures 32 are inset into the cushioning pads 30.
According to one embodiment, the aeration apertures 32, 34 are larger than the unit perforation in mesh material. The aeration apertures 32, 34 could, for instance, be circular or ovoidal in shape as shown in Fig. 2. The aeration apertures 32 allow free heat release and moisture escape from the palm area 12 of the glove 10, under the cushioning pads 30. The warm air and the moisture generated by the user's hand under the cushioning pads 30 can escape freely through the aeration apertures 32 provided inside the cushioning pads 30. Moreover, fresh air intake can reach the user's hand under the cushioning pads 30 through the aeration apertures 32. Therefore, the comfort of the user is improved without reducing the protection offered by the gloves 10.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 8-The aeration apertures 32, 34 can be disposed regularly across the surface of the cushioning pads 30 and the surface of the main element 28. Alternatively, the aeration apertures 32, 34 can be disposed randomly or in predetermined concentrated groupings across the cushioning pads 30 and the main element 28.
Referring to Fig. 3, there is shown another alternative embodiment of the cycling hand glove 10 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 100 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiment. The hand glove 110 includes four lower cushioning pads 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d located in the lower section 114 of the palm 112 and two upper cushioning pads 140a, 140b located in the upper section 116 of the palm 112. The lower cushioning pads 130 are oriented in a direction corresponding substantially to the finger portions, i.e. oriented substantially along the arm-hand axis A. On the opposite, the upper cushioning pads 140a, 140b are substantially perpendicular to the lower cushioning pads 130, i.e. they are substantially parallel to the folding axis of the cyclist's hand or substantially perpendicularly to the arm-hand axis A.
To increase the cushioning effect in the little finger section 122 and reduce the heat and moisture build-up between the glove 110 and the cyclist's hand, the cushioning pads 130, 140 have different thicknesses. The thicknesses of the lower cushioning pads 130 decrease from the cushioning pad 130d, close to the little finger, to the cushioning pad 130a, close to the thumb. Thus, the Ulnar nerve U is protected with thicker cushioning pads 130c, 130d while the thumb section 120 is protected with thinner cushioning pads 130a, 130b to reduce heat and moisture buildup. In the embodiment shown, the cushioning pads have a thickness ranging between 3 mm (cushioning pad a) to 5 mm (cushioning pad 130d) with the thickness of cushioning pads 130b, 130c ranging in-between. The upper cushioning pad 140b, close to the fingers (3 mm), is thinner than the cushioning pad 140a, close to the central palm section 118 (5 mm).
In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning pads 130c, 130d could have substantially a similar thickness and the cushioning pads 130a, 130b could also have substantially a similar thickness, thinner than the thicknesses of the cushioning pads 130c, 130d.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 9-The cushioning pads 130 are spaced-apart from one another and hinge lines or ventilation channels 133 extends between the pads 130. The main element 128 is exposed in the ventilation channels 133.
Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a cycling hand glove 210 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 200 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. The hand glove 210 includes three lower cushioning pads 230a, 230b, 230c located in the lower section 214 of the palm 212. The lower cushioning pads 230 are oriented in a direction corresponding substantially to the finger orientation, i.e. substantially parallel to the arm-hand axis A. As for the previous embodiment, the thicknesses of the cushioning pads 230 decrease from the cushioning pad 230c, close to the little finger, to the cushioning pad 230a, close to the thumb.
The cushioning pads 230 are provided with aeration apertures 232 which expose either the main element 228 or the cyclist's hand.
The central cushioning pad 230b is also provided with a plurality of moisture escape channels 250, each moisture escape channel 250 opening on a first end on a border section of an aperture 232 and on a second end either on the perimeter section of the pad or on another border section of an aperture 230. The moisture escape channels 250 provide a fluid communication between the aeration apertures 232 and the exterior of the cushioning pad 230b. The moisture escape channels 250 facilitate the fluid exchanges between the user's palm and the exterior of the hand glove 210.
The distance between the opposite facing edges defining the moisture escape channels 250 should be wide enough to provide an adequate ventilation between the aeration apertures 232 and the exterior of the glove 210, but sufficiently close so as to prevent the bicycle handlebar B to undesirably come into sealing contact with the aeration apertures 232.
Moreover, the main element 228 includes aeration apertures 234 provided between the cushioning pads 230 in the lower section 214, i.e. in the ventilation channels 233.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 10 -Referring to Fig. 5, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a cycling hand glove 310 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 300 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. The hand glove 310 includes a single cushioning pad 330 located in the lower section 314 and having a substantially U-shape. The cushioning pad 330 is provided with aeration apertures 332 which expose the cyclist's hand. It is appreciated that the shape and the design of the aeration apertures can differ from the one shown. The cushioning pad could also be aeration aperture free.
To the opposite of the previously described embodiments, the cushioning pad 330 does not have a uniform thickness within the pad 330. Within the cushioning pad 330, the thickness varies. The cushioning pad 330 is thicker in (or close to) the little finger section 322 and thinner in (or close to) the thumb section 320, as shown in the sectional view A-A.
This variable thickness within the cushioning pad 330 allows to increase the cushioning effect in the little finger section 322 and reduce the heat and moisture build-up between the glove 310 and the cyclist's hand by reducing the thickness of the pad 330 proximate to the thumb, where less cushioning effect is required.
Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown another alternative embodiment of a cycling hand glove 410 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 400 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. The hand glove 410 includes three lower cushioning pads 430a, 430b, 430c located in the lower section 414 of the palm 410 and a single cushioning pad 440 located in the upper section 416 of the palm 410. All the cushioning pads 430, 440 are oriented in a direction corresponding substantially to the folding axis of the cyclist's hand, i.e.
substantially perpendicular to the arm-hand axis A.
As for the previously described embodiments, the cushioning pads 430 do not have a uniform thickness within the pad 430. Within each cushioning pad 430, the thickness OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 11 -varies. The cushioning pads 430 are thicker in (or close to) the little finger section 422 and thinner in (or close to) the thumb section 420.
The cushioning pads 430 are provided with aeration apertures 432 which expose either the main element 428 or the cyclist's hand. To further enhance the glove breathability, mesh material 460 extends in the ventilation channels 433 between the cushioning pads 460 in the lower section 414.
Referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen another embodiment of the cycling hand glove 510 wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the 500 series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiments. As for the cycling hand glove shown in Fig. 5, the hand glove 510 includes a single cushioning pad 530 located in the lower section 514 and having a substantially U-shape. The cushioning pad 530 is provided with aeration apertures 532 which expose the cyclist's hand.
The cushioning pad 530 does not have a uniform thickness within the pad.
Within the cushioning pad 530, the thickness varies. The cushioning pad 530 is thicker in the little finger section 522 and thinner in the thumb section 520, as shown in the sectional view B-B.
The cushioning pad 530 includes a plurality of thin, heat/pressure formed, hinge lines 570, or reduced thickness channels, that lie internal of the cushioning pad 530, and that travel across the area of the cushioning pad 530, so as to divide the cushioning pad 530 into a number of relatively thick areas 572, i.e. cushioning sections, that are joined or outlined by the thin hinge lines 570; i.e., the relatively thick cushioning pad 530 is embossed by operation of the thin hinge lines 570 that traverse the cushioning pad 530.
Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown the hand glove 110 (Fig. 3) being engaged with the handlebar B of a hybrid bicycle. The ventilation channels extending between the cushioning pads 130, 140 promote ventilation of the hand glove 110. When holding a handlebar B, in the hand position shown, the compression force applied to the little finger section 122 of the glove 110 is more important than the compression force applied to the thumb section 120. Therefore, the thicker cushioning pads 130c, 130d OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 12 -provided in the littie finger section 122 provides an increased cushioning effect for enhanced comfort. More particularly, it provides a reduction of pressure points to the Ulnar and Median nerves while preventing road vibration, and providing direct feeling from the bicycle. The thinner cushioning pads 130a, 130b provided in the thumb section 120 provide a combination of reduced heat and moisture build-up and cushioning.
When engaged with the handlebar B, the cyclist's hand defines an angle ranging between 5 and 35 , with most cyclists having an angle ranging between 15 and 30 . The angle is outwardly oriented, i.e. more weight is applied on the little finger section 122 of the palm surface and the thumb section 120 can be slightly raised relatively to the handlebar B.
Similarly, Fig. 9, shows the hand glove 10 (Fig. 2) engaged with the handlebar B of a road bicycle. The ventilation channels extending between the cushioning pads 30, the aeration apertures 32, 34, and the aeration window 36 promote ventilation of the hand glove 10. As for the hybrid handlebar, when holding the road handlebar B, in hand position shown, the compression force applied to the little finger section 22 of the glove 10 is more important than the compression force applied to the thumb section 20.
Therefore, the thicker cushioning pads 30d, 30e provided in the little finger section 22 provide an increased cushioning effect. The thinner cushioning pads 30a, 30b, 30c provided in the thumb section 20 and in the middle section 24 provide a combination of reduced heat and moisture build-up and cushioning.
The padding layer can include a partly compressible material for added comfort, for example, open cell and/or closed cell foams. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the use of both existing equivalent foam members and after developed equivalent foam members. Examples of existing and equivalent foam members include, but are not limited to, gel-filled foam members, liquid-filled foam members, air-filled foam members, memory foam members, bio-gel members and combinations thereof.
Even if in the embodiments described above, the cushioning pads include a relatively thick and intermediate padding layer, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 13 -cushioning pads can or cannot include the padding layer. For example, the cushioning pads can include only a relatively thick reinforced fabric (not shown) whose function is to reinforce a selected area of the palm of the glove or a substantially incompressible soft material, for example, a bundle of fabric. Depending on the material used for the cushioning pads, it is possible that they include solely one layer, for example, a relatively thick reinforced fabric.
The hand glove can include any number of layers in any potential combination thereof as desired for achieving the comfort properties and padding provided by the hand glove.
Further, it shall be understood that the layers composing the hand glove may individually be formed of a uniform, monolithic material construction or, alternatively, such layers can themselves be composed of a plurality of material layers. Thus when describing and reciting 'a layer' of the hand glove herein, any of these constructions are contemplated, as well as combinations and variations thereof.
According to an embodiment of the glove, the thickness of the cushioning pads can vary for example between 1 and 13 millimeters (mm), but preferably in the range of approximately 2 to 8 mm, and still more preferably between 3 to 6.5 mm.
As mentioned above, the cushioning pads of various thickness can be applied to the main element. In an alternative embodiment, the cushioning pad has a variable thickness. The variable internal thickness of the cushioning pad can be created while cutting the pad or during a thermoforming operation, for instance.
There is a relatively important difference between the thickness of the hand glove in the aeration apertures and in the cushioning section of the cushioning pads, especially when it includes a padding layer. In the embodiment shown, the main element is directly exposed in the aeration apertures. No other material layer is laminated on the main element in the aeration apertures. However, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that another material than the material of the main element can be exposed or that the user's palm can be directly exposed in the aeration apertures. Moreover, the main element can include several materials connected to one another. Therefore, the OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 14 -material of the main element exposed in the aeration apertures can differ from the one exposed in the central palm area.
It is appreciated that, in an embodiment, the cushioning pad(s) can extend from close to the little finger section towards the thumb section without being located in either the little finger section or the thumb section.
It will also be understood that the finger portions of the hand glove can be cut anywhere along the length of cyclist's fingers. While cycling hand gloves are shown as having short fingers, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the cycling hand glove can be long finger gloves, including hand gloves that are constructed and arranged for use in colder temperatures.
While the embodiments described above making reference to the cycling hand glove wherein the cushioning pads are located on the palm side of the hand glove, one skilled in the art will appreciate that for another athletic activity which requires hand gloves with cushioning pads, the cushioning pads can be located on the back side of the athletic glove, or on both the back side and the palm side of the athletic glove.
The hand glove including the cushioning pads of various thickness provides an improved combination of cushioning and breathability comfort. The cushioning pads support, protect, dampen and absorb shock, and reduce the occurrence of numbness of the hands of a cyclist. Moreover, since the thickness of the cushioning pads is selected based on the disposition of the pad, the comfort of the cyclist is improved.
The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only.
Obviously, the number, size and shape of the cushion pads can vary in still other alternative cycling gloves, without restricting the scope of the present invention. Other gloves can be envisioned, not illustrated in the drawings. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
OR File No. 05015920-104CA - 15 -
Claims (22)
1. A cycling hand glove comprising:
a main glove element having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section and close to a wrist end of the hand glove;
at least one little finger cushioning pad mounted to the palm surface of the main glove element in the little finger section of the lower section;
at least one thumb cushioning pad mounted to the palm surface of the main glove element in the thumb section of the lower section; and at least one cushioning pad mounted to the palm surface of the main glove element between the at least one little finger cushioning pad and the at least one thumb cushioning pad and spaced-apart from the at least one little finger cushioning pad and the at least one thumb cushioning pad with reduced thickness channels extending therebetween, the reduced thickness channels being substantially oriented along an arm and hand axis and the at least one little finger cushioning pad being thicker than the at least one thumb cushioning pad.
a main glove element having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section and close to a wrist end of the hand glove;
at least one little finger cushioning pad mounted to the palm surface of the main glove element in the little finger section of the lower section;
at least one thumb cushioning pad mounted to the palm surface of the main glove element in the thumb section of the lower section; and at least one cushioning pad mounted to the palm surface of the main glove element between the at least one little finger cushioning pad and the at least one thumb cushioning pad and spaced-apart from the at least one little finger cushioning pad and the at least one thumb cushioning pad with reduced thickness channels extending therebetween, the reduced thickness channels being substantially oriented along an arm and hand axis and the at least one little finger cushioning pad being thicker than the at least one thumb cushioning pad.
2. A cycling hand glove as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushioning pads have a substantially progressively increasing thickness from the thumb section to the little finger section.
3. A cycling hand glove as claimed in one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the cushioning pads comprise at least one padding layer and the reduced thickness channels are formed of a compressed portion of the at least one padding layer and the cushioning pads are formed of an at least partially uncompressed portion of the at least one padding layer.
4. A cycling hand glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one thumb cushioning pad is thicker than the reduced thickness channels.
5. A cycling hand glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a width of the reduced thickness channels, defined between two consecutive cushioning pads, is narrower than a width of the consecutive cushioning pads.
6. A cycling hand glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising aeration apertures extending through the main glove element in at least one of the reduced thickness channels.
7. A cycling hand glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cushioning pads are elongated and substantially oriented along the arm and hand axis.
8. A cycling hand glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least one cushioning pad mounted to the main glove element in an upper section of the palm surface, close to finger portions of the glove.
9. A cycling hand glove as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one cushioning pad located in the upper section is substantially oriented perpendicularly to the arm and hand axis and substantially perpendicularly to the cushioning pads located in the lower section.
10. A cycling hand glove as claimed in one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the at least one cushioning pad located in the upper section comprises an upper cushioning pad and a lower cushioning pad, the lower cushioning pad of the upper section being thicker than the upper cushioning pad of the upper section.
11. An athletic glove comprising:
a glove material having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section and close to a wrist end of the glove; and at least one cushioning pad attached to the glove material in the lower section of the palm surface and including a little finger cushioning section located in the little finger section; a thumb cushioning section located in the thumb section, and an intermediate cushioning section located between the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section and spaced-apart from the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section with reduced thickness channels extending therebetween and substantially oriented along an arm and hand axis, the cushioning sections having a decreasing thickness from the little finger section towards the thumb section.
a glove material having a palm surface with a lower section extending from a little finger section to an opposed thumb section and close to a wrist end of the glove; and at least one cushioning pad attached to the glove material in the lower section of the palm surface and including a little finger cushioning section located in the little finger section; a thumb cushioning section located in the thumb section, and an intermediate cushioning section located between the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section and spaced-apart from the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section with reduced thickness channels extending therebetween and substantially oriented along an arm and hand axis, the cushioning sections having a decreasing thickness from the little finger section towards the thumb section.
12. An athletic glove as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one cushioning pad has a substantially continuously progressively decreasing thickness from the little finger section towards the thumb section.
13. An athletic glove as claimed in one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the cushioning pad comprises at least one padding layer and the reduced thickness channels are formed of a compressed portion of the at least one padding layer and the cushioning sections are formed of an at least partially uncompressed portion of the at least one padding layer.
14. An athletic glove as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the thumb cushioning section is thicker than the reduced thickness channels.
15. An athletic glove as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein a width of the reduced thickness channels defined between two consecutive cushioning sections is narrower than a width of the consecutive cushioning sections.
16. An athletic glove as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the cushioning sections are substantially oriented along the arm and hand axis.
17. An athletic glove as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, comprising aeration apertures extending though the main glove element in at least one of the reduced thickness channels.
18. An athletic glove as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, comprising at least one cushioning pad attached to the main glove element in the upper section of the palm surface, close to finger portions of the glove.
19. An athletic glove as claimed in claim 18, wherein the at least one cushioning pad located in the upper section is substantially oriented perpendicularly to the arm and hand axis and substantially perpendicularly to the at least one cushioning pad located in the lower section.
20. An athletic glove as claimed in one of claims 18 and 19, wherein the at least one cushioning pad located in the upper section comprises an upper cushioning pad and a lower cushioning pad, the lower cushioning pad of the upper section being thicker than the upper cushioning pad of the upper section.
21. A method to manufacture an athletic glove, the method comprising:
manufacturing at least one cushioning pad including a little finger cushioning section, a thumb cushioning section thicker than the little finger cushioning section, and an intermediate cushioning section;
and mounting the at least one cushioning pad to a glove material, the at least one cushioning pad being located in a lower section of a palm surface of the glove, close to a wrist end of the glove, with the little finger cushioning section being located in a little finger section of the glove, the thumb cushioning section being located in an opposed thumb section, and the intermediate cushioning section being located between the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section, the intermediate cushioning section being spaced-apart from the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section with reduced thickness channels extending therebetween and substantially oriented along an arm-hand axis.
manufacturing at least one cushioning pad including a little finger cushioning section, a thumb cushioning section thicker than the little finger cushioning section, and an intermediate cushioning section;
and mounting the at least one cushioning pad to a glove material, the at least one cushioning pad being located in a lower section of a palm surface of the glove, close to a wrist end of the glove, with the little finger cushioning section being located in a little finger section of the glove, the thumb cushioning section being located in an opposed thumb section, and the intermediate cushioning section being located between the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section, the intermediate cushioning section being spaced-apart from the little finger cushioning section and the thumb cushioning section with reduced thickness channels extending therebetween and substantially oriented along an arm-hand axis.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said manufacturing further comprises substantially continuously progressively increasing a thickness of the cushioning sections from the thumb cushioning section to the little finger cushioning section.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2683608A CA2683608C (en) | 2009-10-28 | 2009-10-28 | Cycling hand glove |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2683608A CA2683608C (en) | 2009-10-28 | 2009-10-28 | Cycling hand glove |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2683608A1 CA2683608A1 (en) | 2010-04-13 |
| CA2683608C true CA2683608C (en) | 2011-02-15 |
Family
ID=42110384
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2683608A Active CA2683608C (en) | 2009-10-28 | 2009-10-28 | Cycling hand glove |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2683608C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD680276S1 (en) | 2012-07-26 | 2013-04-16 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Glove |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10123578B2 (en) | 2000-01-27 | 2018-11-13 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Multi-purpose glove |
| US9572383B2 (en) * | 2011-03-07 | 2017-02-21 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Cycling glove |
| US20140325740A1 (en) * | 2011-05-09 | 2014-11-06 | Louis Garneau Sports Inc. | Athletic hand glove |
| USD671274S1 (en) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-11-20 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Wrist wrap |
| USD669640S1 (en) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-10-23 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Glove with wrist wrap |
| US9884242B2 (en) | 2012-07-26 | 2018-02-06 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Glove with expansion zones along sides of fingers |
| US11130043B2 (en) | 2015-05-21 | 2021-09-28 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Glove with expandable finger stall |
| IT201800004631A1 (en) * | 2018-04-17 | 2019-10-17 | DEVICE FOR PIANO EXERCISE |
-
2009
- 2009-10-28 CA CA2683608A patent/CA2683608C/en active Active
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD680276S1 (en) | 2012-07-26 | 2013-04-16 | Hillerich & Bradsby Co. | Glove |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2683608A1 (en) | 2010-04-13 |
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| EEER | Examination request |