EP3756740A1 - Finger protector for goalkeeper glove - Google Patents

Abstract

A finger protector (10) for a sports glove, in particular for a goalkeeper glove, comprises an essentially flat base section (12) from which a plurality of essentially flat strips (14), assigned to the fingers of a hand, extend which are integral with the base section ( 12) are formed. The strips (14) are precurved to a predetermined extent following a natural finger curvature in a longitudinal direction (A) of the strips (14). The strips (14) have areas of increased flexibility.

Description

The invention relates to a sports glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove.

From the DE 200 11 652 U1 a sports glove with a cut-out for the back of the hand is known which contains an integrally punched-out plate made of impact-resistant plastic. The plate, which extends from the fingertips to the wrist, can be bent elastically in diametrically opposite spatial directions.

The EP 1 632 273 A1 proposes a finger protector for a sports glove with a circuit board that is integrally connected to strips that can be assigned to several fingers of a hand. Each strip consists of a beam of integrally interconnected links with openings running transversely to the direction of the beam and a link belt with nipples that are buttoned into the openings.

The EP 2 108 411 A1 shows a finger protector for a sports glove with a circuit board that is connected to elongated strips that can be assigned to the fingers of a hand. The strips have interconnected links which are movable in two opposite directions. The finger protector also includes tensioning means which ensure that the strips are pre-curved.

The object of the invention is to create a stable finger protector for a sports glove, in particular a goalkeeper glove, with increased flexibility, which can be manufactured inexpensively.

This object is achieved by a finger protector with the features of claim 1. Advantageous and useful embodiments of the finger protector according to the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The finger protector according to the invention is intended for a sports glove, in particular for a goalkeeper glove, and comprises an essentially flat base section from which a plurality of essentially flat strips, which can be assigned to the fingers of a hand and are formed in one piece with the base section, extend. The strips are pre-curved to a predetermined extent in a longitudinal direction of the strips following a natural finger curvature. The strips have areas of increased flexibility.

The invention is based on the knowledge that the finger protector constructions which are already known and which are very advantageous in terms of safety can be improved even further, in particular with regard to the comfort with certain hand or finger movements. For this purpose, the strips, which adapt in a pleasant manner to the natural curvature of the fingers, have the areas of increased flexibility according to the invention at suitable points. As a result, the athlete can move his fingers more easily in the sports glove without the general protective function provided by the finger protector being impaired. Additional measures or components are not required for this. The production of the finger protector according to the invention is thus limited to a single component thanks to the one-piece design of the base section and the strips. The flat design of the strips and the base section also allow the finger protector according to the invention to be very light.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the strips, in relation to the respectively assigned finger, are tapered in their width in the area of a metacarpal joint and / or in the area of a middle finger joint. These tapers ensure that the athlete does not have to use as much force to spread their fingers.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the strips have material recesses in the area of a metacarpal joint and / or in the area of a middle finger joint or an ankle, based on the respectively assigned finger. The material recesses are preferably designed in the form of transverse grooves. The material recesses make it easier for the athlete to stretch and curve the fingers, especially when forming a fist, e.g. B. before Fisting away a ball. Due to the targeted use of material recesses, when using the finger protector, there are no or only negligible pressure zones, especially on the knuckles.

According to a further advantageous aspect of the invention, the pre-curvature in the longitudinal direction is determined solely by the shape of the finger protector according to the invention. Additional clamping means or the like are therefore not required for pre-curvature, which has a positive effect on the manufacture and weight of the finger protector.

It has been found that most athletes find a pre-curvature to be pleasant, in which the extent of the pre-curvature in the longitudinal direction is specified so that the highest point of the finger protector is in a range of 20 to 30 mm, preferably in an area from 23 to 26 mm, above a level on which the finger protector rests in an unloaded state. Such a pre-curvature essentially corresponds to the natural hand curvature. It is neither too strong nor too weak, so that the athlete can maintain a natural hand position for a long time without exertion.

Referring to the above definition of the preferred curvature of the finger protector according to the invention, the highest point is on one of the strips, based on its assigned finger, in the area of a first phalanx or in the transition area between a first and a second phalanx.

In addition to the longitudinal curvature, the finger protector according to the invention can, following a natural hand curvature, also be pre-curved to a predetermined extent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strips. This curvature also contributes significantly to comfort.

For a targeted increase in the stability of the finger protector according to the invention at selected points, the strips can have reinforcement zones which, starting from a basic structure, extend upwards from the back of the hand. The “basic structure” is to be understood here as the entire finger protector according to the invention with the exception of the reinforcement zones. Through the Reinforcement zones, the finger protector becomes a little thicker in the corresponding places, but still remains a flat structure overall.

The reinforcement zones, based on the respectively assigned finger, are preferably located in the area of a first and a second phalanx which are particularly worth protecting.

In view of the required stability, the reinforcement zones should be made of a harder material than the basic structure. A carbon fiber structure is preferred for this.

Further reinforcement zones can be provided on the base section.

In order to achieve a further weight reduction, the finger protector according to the invention can have recesses on the palm side. This saves material in the basic structure of the finger protector.

The depressions are preferably arranged opposite reinforcement zones, since these are stable enough, even without an underlying basic structure, to meet the safety requirements.

The flexibility of the finger protector according to the invention is largely determined by the material of the basic structure. According to a first embodiment, the basic structure of the finger protector according to the invention consists of a polymer, preferably of polycaprolactam. Despite the high flexibility, this material ensures very high stability.

According to a second embodiment, the basic structure of the finger protector according to the invention consists of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. With sufficient stability, this material offers even greater flexibility.

The finger protector according to the invention is preferably produced by an injection molding process.

The reinforcement zones, if provided, can be subsequently injected onto the basic structure or formed with the basic structure in a two-component injection molding process.

• Figur 1 eine Draufsicht (Handrückenseite) auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Fingerprotektor für einen Sporthandschuh;
• Figur 2 eine Unteransicht (Innenhandseite) des Fingerprotektors aus Figur 1; und
• Figur 3 eine Seitenansicht des Fingerprotektors aus Figur 1.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. In the drawings show:

• Figure 1 a plan view (back of the hand side) of a finger protector according to the invention for a sports glove;
• Figure 2 a bottom view (palm side) of the finger protector from Figure 1; and
• Figure 3 a side view of the finger protector Figure 1 .

The finger protector 10 shown in the figures, which is provided for use in a sports glove, in particular in a goalkeeper glove, is designed overall as a flat, one-piece plastic part. The finger protector 10 has a base section 12 which is essentially assigned to the metacarpal of a hand. From the base section 12 extend four elongated strips 14, which are to be assigned to the fingers of a hand, more precisely the index finger, the middle finger, the ring finger and the little finger.

As in particular in Figure 3 As can be seen, the base section 12 and the strips 14 are pre-curved in their longitudinal direction A, following the natural curvature of the fingers. The pre-curvature is based solely on the shape of the strips 14. Tensioning means or the like are not provided for this.

The preferred curvature of the finger protector 10 can be characterized as follows: If the finger protector 10 as in FIG Figure 1 shown lies unloaded on a plane so that the back of the hand faces upwards, a highest point of the finger protector 10 can be determined. This highest point is located on one of the four strips 14, based on the assigned finger, in the area of the first phalanx or in the transition area between the first and second phalanx. The highest point is in a range from 20 to 30 mm, preferably in a range from 23 to 26 mm above the plane.

In addition, the finger protector 10 is also pre-curved to a predetermined extent in the direction B which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction A of the strips 14, following the natural curvature of the hand.

Starting from a flat basic structure, the strips 14 have zones 16 which, as shown in FIG Figure 1 extend upwards from the back of the hand. These zones 16, which preferably consist of a carbon fiber structure, serve to reinforce the strips in areas and offer additional protection for the athlete's fingers. In relation to the respectively assigned finger, the reinforcement zones 16 are located in particular in the area of the first and second phalanx. Further reinforcement zones 16 are also provided on the basic structure of the base section 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the reinforcement zones 16 merge into one another, but can also be formed at a distance from one another.

The mobility of the strips 14 is increased in several places, as will be described below.

On the one hand, in relation to the assigned finger, the strips 14 are each tapered in their width in the area of the metacarpophalangeal joint and the central finger joint. The tapers in particular reduce the resistance to spreading the fingers.

On the other hand, the strips 14 have material recesses 18 in these areas on the back of the hand in the reinforcement zones 16, if any. In the illustrated embodiment, the material recesses 18 are designed as transverse grooves. The material recesses 18 make it easier to curve the fingers, in particular when forming a fist. In the area of the ankle, several material recesses 18 are provided in order to ensure a particular flexibility there. This avoids disturbing pressure zones on the knuckles as far as possible.

In Figure 2 it can be seen that the finger protector 10 has several depressions 20. The depressions 20 are located in particular in the area of the reinforcement zones 16 on the opposite side of the palm. In relation to the assigned fingers, no depressions 20 are provided in the areas of the finger joints.

The finger protector 10 is produced in an injection molding process. If a different material than the material for the basic structure is used for the reinforcement zones 16 is used, the reinforcement zones 16 are either injected subsequently, or the finger protector 10 is produced in a 2K injection molding process with only one tool in one operation.

In a first embodiment of the finger protector 10, apart from the reinforcement zones 16 described above, it consists of a polymer, preferably of polycaprolactam (also polyamide 6 or PA6), which gives the finger protector 10 good stability while being light and thus optimal protection and, in the case of a goalkeeper's glove, ensures optimal catch safety.

In a second embodiment of the finger protector 10, apart from the reinforcement zones 16, it consists of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC), which gives the finger protector 10 an even greater flexibility compared to the first embodiment, but still sufficient for the athlete Offers protection and catch safety.

The finger protector 10 according to the invention is integrated into the back of the hand section of a sports glove in such a way that it is surrounded on all sides by a soft foam layer or a foamed textile composite layer. It can be foamed and / or sewn in, or it can be embedded in the back of the hand section of the glove in a detachable and exchangeable manner, so that it can be replaced at any time by another finger protector, e.g. B. has a different flexural rigidity or a different hardness.

The finger protector 10 can be supplemented by a thumb protector molded onto the base section 12 or a separate thumb protector.

Reference list

10

Finger protector

12th

Base section

14th

Stripes

16

Reinforcement zones

18th

Material recesses

20th

Indentations

Claims (15)

Finger protector (10) for a sports glove, in particular for a goalkeeper glove, with an essentially flat base section (12) from which a plurality of essentially flat strips (14), which can be assigned to the fingers of a hand and are integral with the base section (12 ) are formed, wherein the strips (14) following a natural finger curvature in a longitudinal direction (A) of the strips (14) are pre-curved to a predetermined extent, and wherein the strips (14) have areas of increased flexibility. Finger protector (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the strips (14), in relation to the respectively assigned finger, are tapered in their width in the area of a basic finger joint and / or in the area of a middle finger joint. Finger protector (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the strips (14) have material recesses (18) in the area of a metacarpophalangeal joint and / or in the area of a mid-finger joint or an ankle, preferably in Shape of transverse grooves. Finger protector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pre-curvature in the longitudinal direction (A) is determined solely by the shape of the finger protector (10). Finger protector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extent of the pre-curvature in the longitudinal direction (A) is predetermined so that the highest point of the finger protector (10) is in a range of 20 to 30 mm, preferably in a Area from 23 to 26 mm, located above a level on which the finger protector (10) rests in an unloaded state. Finger protector (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the highest point on one of the strips (14), based on its assigned finger, is in the area of a first phalanx or in the transition area between a first and a second phalanx. Finger protector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the finger protector (10), following a natural hand curve, is also pre-curved to a predetermined extent in a direction (B) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (A) of the strips (14). Finger protector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strips (14), starting from a basic structure, have reinforcement zones (16) which extend upwards from the back of the hand. Finger protector (10) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the reinforcement zones (16) are located in the area of a first and a second phalanx, based on the respectively assigned finger. Finger protector (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the reinforcement zones (16) are formed from a harder material than the basic structure, preferably from a carbon fiber structure. Finger protector (10) according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that further reinforcement zones (16) are provided on the base section (12). Finger protector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the finger protector (10) has depressions (20) on the palm side. Finger protector (10) according to one of Claims 8 to 11 and Claim 12, characterized in that the depressions (20) are arranged opposite reinforcement zones (16). Finger protector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a basic structure of the finger protector (10) consists of a polymer, preferably of polycaprolactam, or of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, the finger protector (10) preferably made by an injection molding process is. Finger protector (10) according to one of claims 8 to 11 and claim 14, characterized in that the reinforcement zones (16) are subsequently attached to the Base structure injected or formed in a 2K injection molding process in one operation with the base structure.

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