EP0064432A1 - Gloves for cyclists - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided inside the glove (2) a trim element (1) disposed between the hand of the cyclist and the wall of the glove (2), said trim element (1) having a part (3) conforming to the contours of the palm of the hand and a neck-shaped part (5) having an opening (6) on one side delimiting the space between the thumb (7) and the index finger (8), when the hand is in semi-closed position. The invention is used for the production of cyclist gloves.

Description

The present invention relates to an improvement in cyclist gloves.

Cyclist gloves must allow the hand to effectively tighten the handlebars, in all positions during a competition, especially when the hand is placed at the top of the handlebars, at the brake pads and at the bottom of the handlebars; this requires a certain flexibility of material which constitutes the glove and limits its admissible thickness.

On the other hand, these gloves must protect the hand from jolts and repeated shocks transmitted to the handlebars by the front wheel, especially on paved passages and bad roads. They must also, even if the pavement is of good quality, prevent the palm of the hand from suffering from the effects resulting from the continual pressure generated by the weight of the body which rests at 40% on the handlebars and 60% on the saddle in most cases.

The traditional cyclist glove therefore has a reinforcement, most often in leather, at the palm level, which provides an extra thickness which counteracts the closing of the hand when the handlebars have to be tightened. Furthermore, this reinforcement absorbs vibrations only slightly.

According to the present invention, there is provided inside the glove a lining element arranged between the hand of the cyclist and the wall of the glove, said lining element having a part conforming to the contours of the palm of the hand and a part neck-shaped with an opening on one side, delimiting the space between the thumb and forefinger, when the hand is in the semi-closed position, the lining element protecting the hand from shock, vibration and attenuating the effects of prolonged pressure due to body weight. The glove is thus preformed in a position which facilitates the tightening of the handlebars by the hand of the cyclist. This trim element is made of an elastic, anti-vibration and shock-absorbing material, which not only increases the comfort of the hand and reduces the impact of repeated impact on the arms and shoulders, but also facilitates the tightening of the handlebars by hand and reduces the risk of slipping.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective de l'élément de garniture vu de l'intérieur;
• - la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'élément de garniture vu de dessus;
• - la figure 3 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2;
• - la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un gant muni de l'élément de garniture suivant l'invention;
• - la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de l'utilisation d'un gant perfectionné sur un guidon de bicyclette.

Other features and advantages of the invention t _i it will be better understood from reading the following description of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

• - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the trim element seen from the inside;
• - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the trim element seen from above;
• - Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2;
• - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a glove provided with the lining element according to the invention;
• - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the use of an improved glove on a bicycle handlebar.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a packing element 1 which is disposed inside a glove 2 (Figures 4 and 5) between the hand and the wall of the glove.

The packing element 1 consists of a molded piece of elastomer, in particular an elastic antivibration and shockproof material. This trim element 1 has a part 3 whose face 3a (Figure 3) follows the contours of the palm of the hand 4 (Figure 4). Part 3 of element 1 is extended on one side by a neck-shaped part 5 (Figures 1, 2) having on one side an opening 6 and delimiting a space between thumb 7 and index finger 8 from the hand.

This arrangement allows part 3 of the trim element to come between the bar 9 of the handlebar 10 and the palm of the hand, while the neck-shaped part 5 is engaged on the bar 9 of the handlebar 10 to clamp it between thumb 7 and index finger 8.

As shown in Figure 3, the part 3 of the element 1 is thinned on its edges 3b and has a greater thickness in its middle part.

Of course, the description is not limiting and those skilled in the art may make modifications to it without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. Improvement to cyclist gloves, characterized in that there is provided inside the glove (2) a lining element (1) disposed between the hand of the cyclist and the wall of the glove (2), said element lining (1) having a part (3) matching the contours of the palm of the hand and a part (5) in the form of a collar having an opening (6) on one side, delimiting the space between the thumb (7 ) and the index finger (8), when the hand is in the semi-closed position. 2. Improvement to gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that the lining element (1) is made of elastic anti-vibration and shock-absorbing material. 3. Improvement to gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that the lining element (1) is obtained by molding an elastomer. 4. Improvement in gloves according to claim 1, characterized in that the part (3) in contact with the palm of the hand has thin edges (3b) and a middle part of greater thickness.

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