EP2974608A1

EP2974608A1 - Protective glove

Info

Publication number: EP2974608A1
Application number: EP15176583.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David Sheridan
Original assignee: Dainese SpA
Current assignee: Dainese SpA
Priority date: 2014-07-18
Filing date: 2015-07-14
Publication date: 2016-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-14
Also published as: EP2974608B1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a protective glove (10) including a glove body (12) of flexible material having an outer visible surface (14) and shaped to define an inner housing for accommodating a hand of a user. The glove body (12) includes, or defines, a plurality of covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18) adapted to cover respective metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23). The protective glove (10) includes at least three adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27) in the region of first, second and third areas (15, 16, 17, 18) covering the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23) adjacent to the covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18). The three adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27) are structurally independent of each other and a portion of the glove body (12) of flexible material situated between the adjacent protection elements (25, 26) acts as a connection zone or flexible connection bridge between the respective adjacent covering zones (15, 16, 17, 18).

Description

The present disclosure relates in general to a glove provided with rigid or semi-rigid protection elements.
In many sporting and non-sporting activities it is advisable to use gloves provided with protection elements arranged in predetermined positions in order to protect the user from accidental impacts which may occur while carrying out the activity. A typical example is that of the gloves used by motorcycling riders while riding, in particular at a professional level.
The gloves used in such cases must have protection elements arranged in particular in the region of the articulations of the fingers of the hand which are the zones most exposed to impact.
In order to protect the hand in the event of accidents of the type described, normally gloves provided with rigid or semi-rigid protection elements, such as plate elements, arranged on a rear side of the hand in the region of the finger articulations, are used. The palm of the hand is generally protected by means of padding elements which are essentially intended to dampen any impact.
Historically a protection glove for motorcycling use includes a glove body, namely a body made of a flexible material so that it may be adapted to the hand of a user and at the same have a sufficient tensile strength. The glove body defines a housing inside which the user's hand is accommodated.
Conventionally the glove body is made of leather and has in the region of the articulations of the fingers, such as the metacarpophalangeal articulations, namely the articulations situated between the metacarpal bones and the proximal phalanges, an insert made of carbon fibre or some other abrasion-resistant material. In other words, the glove body has one or more cavities in the leather in the region of the metacarpophalangeal articulations for accommodating an insert made of a material with a greater abrasion resistance. In fact it is known that most of the abrasions and the impacts occur in the region of the articulations, namely the zones of the hands which are also the regions most exposed in the event of a fall. Therefore the flexible material of the glove body is locally replaced by a material which is more resistant to abrasion, i.e. a carbon-fibre layer.
As a result, the glove body has an insert made of more rigid material, such the carbon-fibre layer.
This insert, however, has the drawback of making the glove excessively rigid and does not permit a suitable mobility of the hand when the glove is worn.
In particular, the author of the present disclosure has realized that this rigidity prevents a suitable movement of the fingers and the associated articulations.
The present disclosure proposes providing a protective glove which is able to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art and/or achieve further advantages, such as allow a suitable protection of the metacarpophalangeal articulations and, at the same time, sufficient mobility and operability of the fingers of the hand.
This is obtained by means of a protective glove according to the independent claim 1.
Particular embodiments forming the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.
The present disclosure is based on the recognition by the author of the present disclosure that, when a user grips the handlebars of a motorcycle, keeping the hand on the handlebar, he/she moves only some of the fingers in order to brake or press any buttons or other controls in order to impart a given command to the motorcycle. As a result, the articulations of the hand, and in particular the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (each situated between a proximal phalange and a respective metacarpal bone of a respective finger of the hand), move in a different manner from each other and in various directions.
For example, each metacarpophalangeal articulation may undergo:

a displacement in a transverse direction along the whole of the back of the hand to the right and/or to the left, namely along a line which ideally passes through two or more metacarpophalangeal articulation zones, during a movement away from or towards each other (expansion movement) - this occurs for example when the hand is first opened (namely extended) and then closed (fist clenched);
a rotary movement, along a line which ideally passes (more or less parallel to the metacarpal bones and to the phalanges) along a zone situated between two adjacent metacarpophalangeal articulation zones, i.e. between the respective fingers of the hand (rotary movement), causing a relocation of one or more metacarpophalangeal articulation zones with respect to the other ones - this occurs, for example, when the hand is closed (fist clenched) and the pulse rotated, for example when an acceleration operation is performed with one hand; or
a twisting movement about an axis which passes substantially vertically through the back of the hand in a zone situated between two adjacent metacarpophalangeal articulation zones - this occurs, for example, when the hand is closed (clenched fist) and the fingers of the hand are alternately raised, for example alternately the index finger and the middle finger and/or the middle finger alternately with the ring finger.

These movements may be performed normally by a motorcyclist, as mentioned, in order to impart commands to the motorcycle.
In fact, for example, when the fingers of the hand are raised all together in order to operate the brake, some of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones move towards each other, with a reduction in the distance between them; on the other hand, when the fingers are clenched together, some metacarpophalangeal articulation zones move away from each other (expansion movement).
When the wrist of the hand performs a twisting movement of the wrist in order to perform an acceleration operation on the handlebars of the motorcycle, the ring finger and the little finger are positioned together in a plane which is different, for example lower down, than that of the other fingers (relocation).
Also, on occasions, a motorcyclist raises only the index finger and lowers the other fingers, or vice versa, in order to perform an operation on the handlebars, for example change a gear or operate an indicator, resulting in twisting of the index finger with respect to the other fingers and vice versa, while the other fingers remain stationary.
Based on the above realization a glove has been developed such as to allow a relative movement, and therefore one of the abovementioned movements or other possible movements, of at least one zone of the glove body located in the region of, and designed to protect, a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone with respect to an adjacent metacarpophalangeal articulation zone. A first protection element, a second protection element and a third protection element connected together flexibly and non-rigidly are located in the region of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger, respectively. The third protection element is located in the region of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the little finger. This configuration of the protection elements allows the aforementioned movements of the hand to be performed and in any case the protection of the articulation zones to be maximized. Basically, on the basis of the present disclosure, in order to allow all the movements of the hand and ensure at the same time optimum protection, the inventor of the present disclosure has realized that it is necessary to diversify or differentiate between the first and second elements, each associated with a single metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the index finger and the middle finger, and the third element associated with two articulation zones of the ring finger and the little finger.
The term "adjacent" is understood as meaning a zone which is located in the immediate vicinity of the other zone. In other words, considering that, when the hand is closed as a clenched fist, the metacarpophalangeal articulations form humps separated by grooves or spaces between humps on the hand, a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone is to be regarded as adjacent to the other metacarpophalangeal articulation zone, when these two zones are separated by a single groove or space between humps.
In particular, a glove has been developed wherein each metacarpophalangeal articulation zone is protected and covered by a protection element or element suitable for protection against impacts and wherein a portion of material of the glove body situated between one area covering a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone and another area covering an adjacent metacarpophalangeal articulation zone acts as a flexible connection bridge, hinge or centre for possible rotation, so that the glove body may assist all the movements of the articulations of the fingers when a user grips the handlebars and must impart commands to a motorcycle from the handlebars.
At the same time, owing to the fact that the third element covers both the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the ring finger and the little finger, the glove is able to ensure optimum protection of these zones, in view also of the fact that the expansion movement of the two fingers (i.e. movement away from or towards each other) is insignificant, while the relocation movement of both fingers together is greater.
An optimum and effective protection for all the articulation zones as regards the respective movement is therefore obtained.
Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use forming the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example.
It is evident, however, that each embodiment forming the subject of the present disclosure may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.
Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a hand provided with rigid or semi-rigid protection elements;
Figure 2 shows a view of a glove with exploded parts according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 shows a view of a glove according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of an abutment element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 shows a view of the step of coupling together an abutment element and a rigid or semi-rigid protection element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 shows a view, on a larger scale, of a detail VI of Figure 3 relating to an abutment element and a rigid or semi-rigid protection element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 a shows a view, on a larger scale, of a detail VII of Figure 1;
Figures 8 and 9 show a view of a hand in two different positions highlighting an expansion movement of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the hand;
Figures 10 and 11 show a view of a hand in two different positions highlighting a relocation movement of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the hand;
Figures 11 and 12 show a view of a hand in two different positions highlighting a twisting movement of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the hand.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a glove according to the present disclosure is indicated by the reference number 10.
The protective glove 10 includes a glove body 12 of flexible material having an outer visible surface 14. The glove body 12 is shaped to define an inner housing for accommodating a hand of a user.
The expression "glove body" is understood as meaning within the scope of the present disclosure the set of one or more layers and one or more materials which provide the glove with a three-dimensional structure such as to define a housing for the hand. This structure has overall a flexibility and mobility such as to allow a suitable mobility and operability of the hand once the glove is worn.
The flexible material from which the glove body is made may be leather or imitation leather, a synthetic fabric or another suitable material known to the person skilled in the art for manufacturing a sports glove for a motorcyclist. The material may be understood as being a plurality of materials, or a plurality of layers, such as to provide the glove body with a sufficient flexibility and allow a suitable movement of the hand.
The expression "outer visible surface" is understood as meaning the surface or side of the glove which is visible from the outside by the user when the glove is worn. This "outer visible surface" may be made completely of the one or more flexible materials used to make the glove body or may include applications or inserts depending on the requirements.
The glove body 12 includes, or defines, a plurality of covering areas 15, 16, 17, 18 which cover a corresponding number of articulation zones 20, 21, 22, 23. In particular, the reference numbers 15, 16, 17, 18 refer to the covering zone which covers the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone, each situated between a proximal phalange and a respective metacarpal bone of a respective index, middle, ring or small finger. In the continuation of the present disclosure, the expression "articulation zone" may be understood as meaning, except where otherwise specified, any articulation zone of the fingers such as the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 20, 21, 22, 23 of a respective finger.
The term "covering area" 15, 16, 17, 18 is understood as meaning that the glove body and therefore the flexible material from which the glove body is made covers the respective articulation zone 20, 21, 22, 23.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure the protective glove includes at least two or more adjacent rigid or semi-rigid elements 25, 26, 27 which are fixed, for example on the visible outer surface 14, of a respective covering area.
Alternatively, the rigid or semi-rigid protection elements may be placed underneath the outer visible surface 14.
A first rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25 covers a first metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 20, a second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 coves a respective second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 21 adjacent to the first metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 20, and a third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 covers a respective third metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22 adjacent to the second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 21 and also a respective fourth metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 23 adjacent to the third metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22
The term "protection element" is understood as meaning a body which may be rigid or semi-rigid (namely partially rigid) and which may have a plate-like shape. This body is adapted to protect from knocks and impacts and/or abrasions the articulation zone of the hand. This element is called in the related jargon "protection".
Even more particularly, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 are plate-like elements, plate elements or similar protection elements with a rigid or semi-rigid consistency (namely only partially rigid) intended to perform an impact protection function. The one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 may have a concave or substantially spoon-like shape so as to adapt to the articulation zone of the hand which, as is known, when the hand is clenched, defines a projection or hump, as will be illustrated more clearly below. In one embodiment, such as that shown in the drawings, each rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25, 26 is associated with a respective articulation zone 20, 21 except for the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 which extends in bridge fashion over two articulation zones 22, 23 of the little finger and the ring finger.
The rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25, 26, 27 may be made of metallic material or any other material suitable for protection against impacts.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, two adjacent rigid or semi-rigid protection elements, such as for example the first rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25 and the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26, the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 and the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27, are elements which are structurally independent of each other. A portion of the glove body 12 of flexible material situated between the two adjacent rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26 or 26, 27 acts as a flexible connection zone or flexible bridge between the two respective areas 15, 16, 17 covering the respective metacarpophalangeal articulation zones 20, 21, 22, 23.
In other words, a portion of the glove body 12 of flexible material situated between a first area 15 covering a first metacarpophalangeal zone 20 and a second area 16 covering a second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 20 adjacent to the first covering area 16 (corresponding to the aforementioned grooves) acts as a connection zone which may vary, modify, and adapt to different conditions which may arise between the first covering area 15 and the second covering area 16, or between the second covering area 16 and the third covering area 17. The adjacent rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 are not rigidly connected to each other and therefore a relative movement of the first covering area 15 with respect to the second covering area 16 and/or of the second covering area 16 with respect to the third covering area 17 is allowed.
This flexible connection zone may be regarded as a hinge zone or relative twisting zone between the covering areas.
These possible movements are shown in Figure 8-13.
In order to facilitate this flexible connection, hinge or relative twisting function, the covering areas 15, 16, 17, 18 of the glove body 12 are made of the same flexible material as the portion of the glove body 12 situated between the two adjacent covering areas 15, 16, 17, 18. In other words, the layer of flexible material extends continuously in the region of the articulations of the fingers. In fact, the continuity of the flexible material favours this possibility of movement. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to obtain an improved mobility of the articulations of the fingers, each of the covering areas 15, 16, 17, 18 of the glove body 12 is devoid of an opening or surface discontinuity in the region of, or surrounding, the one or more articulations of the fingers, namely that opening which in conventional sports gloves was intended to receive a carbon-fibre insert.
In other words, the flexible material of the glove body 12 does not have any variation in material or surface discontinuity of the material in the covering area. The one or more layers of flexible material therefore extend continuously in the region of one or more metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the fingers 20, 21, 22, 23 so as to define one or more covering areas and in the region of the grooves. Still with reference to the analogy of humps and grooves, the flexible material extends continuously between the humps and grooves. There is therefore in the region of the one or more articulation zones 20, 21, 22, 23, or around the one or more articulation zones 12, no insert made of a material which has an abrasion resistance greater than the abrasion resistance of the flexible material, such as a carbon-fibre layer.
As a result, the material of the glove body 12 extends without discontinuity of material over the entire articulation, for example over the entire metacarpophalangeal articulation 20, 21, 22, 23 extending between a proximal phalange and a respective metacarpal bone.
For example, as mentioned, the flexible material may be leather or imitation leather or a synthetic fabric material.
The rotary movement may be around any axis of rotation, so as to allow a free movement of the fingers. However, in order to allow a specific movement of the fingers on the grip of the handlebars and in order to operate the controls of a motorcycle, the hinge axis or axis of rotation between the second covering area 16 and the third covering area 17 extends along the back of a hand in an intermediate zone between the middle finger and the ring finger as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The portion of the glove body 12 situated between the second covering area 16 and the third covering area 17 allows a relocation (vertical displacement, for example downwards) of the ring finger and the little finger (see Figure 11) with respect to the other fingers.
The torsional movement may instead be performed about a hinge axis or an axis of rotation between the first covering area 15 and the second covering area 16. This axis extends substantially vertically through the back of the hand (when the hand is closed so as to grip the handlebars) in an intermediate zone between the index finger and the middle finger as indicated in Figures 12 and 13. The portion of the glove body 12 situated between the first covering area 15 and the second covering area 16 allows twisting of the index finger with respect to the middle finger (see Figure 12 and Figure 13).
It is obviously to be understood that the glove body 12 as described may allow combinations of rotary and twisting movement of the second covering area 16 with respect to the third covering area 17 and the first covering area 16 with respect to the second covering area 16.
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown in the drawings, in order to allow the aforementioned movements, the first rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25, the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 and the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 are located in the region of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger, respectively. In other words, the single rigid protection elements are intended to cover singly the metacarpophalangeal articulation of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger, respectively, so as to allow the aforementioned expansion, relocation and twisting movements. Even more particularly, the first rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25, the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 and the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 are structurally independent elements.
Moreover, the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 is located not only in the region of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22 of the ring finger, but is configured to cover also a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 23 of the little finger.
In fact, it has been found that it may be sufficient to use a single rigid protection element for the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22 of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 23 of the little finger, since the expansion movement (or movement away and/or towards each other) of the two fingers is insignificant, while the relocation movement of both the fingers together is greater.
In order to favour all three movements, the first rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25 and the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 have an oblong shape, namely a shape elongated in a longitudinal direction so that there is sufficient intermediate space between the articulation zones 20, 21, 22.
Moreover, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown in the drawings, in order to optimize the protection, the rigid or semi-rigid protection element configured to cover the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 23 of the little finger has the form of a double lobe or double flap or of two lobes or flaps joined together by means of a joining area. Even more particularly, the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 has a profile including two protrusions 40, 42 or two extensions facing an end area of the hand on the opposing muscle of the little finger.
A gluing step may be envisaged in order to connect the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 to the outer visible surface 14 of the corresponding covering area 15, 16, 17, 18. In other words, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 may be glued to the outer visible surface 14 of the corresponding covering area 15, 16, 17, 18.
As an alternative to or in combination with gluing, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 may be fixed to the outer visible surface 14 of the corresponding covering area 15, 16, 17, 18 by means of mechanical coupling elements.
The one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 are therefore directly connected or bonded to the outer visible surface 14.
The mechanical coupling elements may be pin elements 28 (Figure 5) which are formed integrally with the respective one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27. These pin elements 28 are coupled for example with the glove body 12. In other words, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 include said mechanical coupling members 28.
Alternatively, the pin elements 28 may be fixed to coupling counter-elements 31.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure such as that shown in the drawings, the protective glove 10 includes a plurality of plate counter-elements or abutment elements 30 formed in the manner of a plate and located on an inner side of the glove body 12 hidden from sight in the region of a corresponding articulation of the fingers. The plate counter-element 30 is described in the Italian patent application 102014902280408 and in the European patent application claiming the priority thereof, filed on the same day by the same proprietor of the present application, both being incorporated herein by way of reference sources.
The one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 are fixed to a corresponding abutment element 30. As a result, the flexible material of the glove body 12 is located between the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 and the respective abutment element 30 (plate counter-element). The aforementioned coupling counter-elements may be holes 31 formed in said abutment element 30. The pin elements 28 are bent at an angle after insertion into the respective holes 31. The pin elements are formed on an inner side, directed towards the visible surface of the glove body, so as not to be visible and not interfere or create an inconvenience for the user when wearing the glove.
Each abutment element 30 may be provided with a raised edge 34, which acts as a retaining or containing frame for the corresponding rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25, 26, 27, and favour stabling coupling together.
Inside the glove, the glove body 12 may include a lining and/or a layer of expanded material which may act as a cushion and may minimize any discomfort for the user felt owing to the presence of the one or more plate abutment elements.
In a similar manner to the rigid or semi-rigid protection elements, the corresponding abutment elements 30 are elements which are structurally independent of each other so as to permit the aforementioned structural independence between the adjacent rigid protection elements.
The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are illustrated hereinbelow.

Claims

1. Protective glove (10) including a glove body (12) of flexible material having an outer visible surface (14) and shaped to define an inner housing for accommodating a hand of a user, wherein the glove body (12) includes, or defines, one or more covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18) adapted to cover respective metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23), wherein said protective glove (10) includes at least two or more adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27), or at least two or more adjacent elements (25, 26, 27) suitable for protection against impact, said at least two or more adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27) being associated with, or placed on, at least a first area (15) covering a first metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (20) and a second area (16, 17) covering a second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (21, 22, 23) adjacent to the first covering area (15); wherein the two or more adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27) are structurally independent of each other and a portion of the glove body (12) of flexible material situated between the two adjacent protection elements (25, 26) acts as a connection zone or flexible bridge between the two respective adjacent covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18), and wherein said two or more adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27) include at least three protection elements (25, 26, 27) structurally independent of each other and associated with respective at least three covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18), said three protection elements including:

- a first protection element (25) and a second protection element (26) connected together flexibly and located in the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (20, 21, 22) of the index finger and the middle finger, respectively; and

- a third protection element (27) connected to the second protection element (26) flexibly and located in the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (22) of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (23) of the little finger.

2. Protective glove according to claim 1, wherein the first protection element (25) and the second protection element (26) have an oblong shape or profile.

3. Protective glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the three adjacent protective elements (25, 26, 27) are not rigidly connected to one another, so as to allow a mutual movement selected from the group including:

- a rotary motion,

- a twisting motion and/or

- a movement of relocation of the first covering area (15) with the corresponding rigid or semi-rigid protection element (25, 26, 27) with respect to the second covering area (16, 17, 18) with the corresponding rigid or semi-rigid protection element (25, 26, 27) or a combination of these movements.

4. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first covering area (15) and the second covering area (16, 17, 18) of the glove body (12) are made of the same flexible material as the portion of the glove body located between the first covering area and the second covering area (15, 16, 17, 18).

5. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third protection element (27) configured to cover the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (22) of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (23) of the little finger has the form of a double-lobe, or double flap, or of two lobes or flaps joined by a joining area.

6. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third protection element configured to cover the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (22) of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (23) of the little finger has a profile including two protrusions (40, 42) or two extensions facing an end area of the hand on the opposing muscle of the little finger.

7. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18) of the glove body (12) are devoid of an opening or of a surface discontinuity in the region of, or surrounding, the one or more metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23), or wherein the layer of flexible material extends continuously in the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23).

8. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two or more protection elements (25, 26, 27) are fixed to the outer visible surface (14) of the glove body (12).

9. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two or more protection elements (25, 26, 27) are rigid or semi-rigid elements.

10. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one plate counter-element (30) located on an inner side of the glove body (12) and hidden from view in the region of a corresponding protection element, and wherein the flexible material of the glove body (12) is located and retained between the protection element (25, 26, 27) and the respective abutment element (30).

12. Protective glove (10) according to claim 11, including mechanical coupling means fixed to corresponding coupling counter-elements so as to join and fix the abutment element (30) to the respective protection element.

13. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 11 or 12, wherein the abutment elements (30) are elements structurally independent of each other or not rigidly connected to each other, so as to allow a flexible connection between the adjacent protection elements.