GB2088729A

GB2088729A - Boxing gloves

Info

Publication number: GB2088729A
Application number: GB8136844A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: RENNIES Manufacturing CAPE PROD
Current assignee: RENNIES Manufacturing CAPE PROD
Priority date: 1980-12-09
Filing date: 1981-12-07
Publication date: 1982-06-16
Also published as: AR227696A1; JPS57142274A; DE3147997A1; AU7817781A; SE8107361L; FR2495478A1

Abstract

A boxing glove has internal padding which is constituted by a preformed body (40) of resilient material such as rubber or a foamed polymeric material. The body is formed with a flat portion (42) to protect the wrist of the wearer's hand and a curved section (44) extending around the wearer's hand when made into a fist. The flat portion may include a semi-rigid insert (46) for extra protection of the wrist and a thumb pad (58) may be omitted. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boxing gloves BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION: This invention relates to boxing gloves.

The conventional boxing glove consists essentially of two parts: (a) the main body of the glove which is adapted to accommodate the hand as such, the fingers (excluding the thumb) and the wrist. In some gloves this main body is also adapted to accommodate the lower forearm.

(b) The thumb compartment which is adapted to accommodate the thumb alone and which is attached to the main body of the glove at its base.

In addition, in the conventional boxing glove the protective padding generally consists of horsehair, coir or other similar fibrous material. As a rule, the padding extends over the tips of the fingers to the base of the hand but does not as a rule cover the wrist. This padding is not able to be adjusted scientifically to a desirable level. In addition, because of its disperser and impaction properties, repetitive compacts will be progressively less cushioned.

There is an apparently high incidence of injury to the hands of boxers and substantial numbers of deaths have also been reported in boxing. Eye injuries are also common including detached retina. As a result, 100 consecutive hand injuries were recently assessed in an investigation into the protective properties of conventional boxing gloves by the inventor who is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries.

During this investigation the hand was divided into three areas: (a) Area I-The thumb including the arpometacarpal joint and the scaphoid.

(b) Area Il-The base of the metacarpals 2 to 5 and including the wrist joint.

(c) Area Ill-The phalanges and the rest of the metacarpals excluding their bases and the thumb.

AREA I 39% of the injuries occurred here. A breakdown of the injuries showed that 23% had varying degrees of tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint of the thumb.

10% had injury to the carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb. This ranged pathologically from traumatic synovitis to frank dislocation usually with associated fracture (Bennett's).

There were 2% fractured scaphoids one of which presented with non-union.

The remaining 4% were fractures one each of base of proximal phalynx and shaft of metacarpal and two fractures of the base of the metacarpal.

AREA II Here the carpo-metacarpal joint was mostly injured. Of the 35 injuries seen in this area 1 2 had inflammation of the joint. Another 1 2 had persistant subluxation of one or more metacarpal bases. One had a dislocation of the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal bases and one had a fracture dislocation of 2nd, 3rd and 4th metacarpal bases. There were 6 fractures of the base of the metacarpals and 3 sprained wrists with diffuse swelling and tenderness and negative radiology.

AREA 111 26 injuries were seen in this group. 1 2 cases had painful hypertrophy of the soft tissues of the knuckle area. This usually involves the skin as well as the underlying extensor expansion and synovium. One has observed many cases of similar hypertrophy which is pain free. This appears to be natural adaptation to repetitive impact on the knuckles. This is maximal over the second and third metacarpals. Fractures of the neck of the 5th metacarpal was seen in 6 cases. 2 cases had a fracture of the neck of the 4th metacarpal.

There were 3 fractures involving the shaft of the metacarpal 2 of the 2nd metacarpal and 1 of the 3rd. There were 3 fractures of the proximal phalynx.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved boxing glove which should reduce the injuries referred to above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: In a boxing glove according to the invention the protective padding comprises a preformed coherent body of resilient material which is shaped to cover the knuckles, fingers and thumb of the wearer's hand to reduce impact force.

Further according to the invention the preformed coherent body is so shaped also to protect the wrist of the wearer's hand.

Further according to the invention the preformed coherent body comprises a first elongated flat portion adapted to extend over the wrist of the wearer's hand and a second curved portion extending around the wearer's hand when made into a fist.

Further according to the invention a separate strip of suitable protective material is embedded in the first portion of the preformed coherent body to provide additional protection to the wrist of the wearer to prevent excessive flexion and extension.

Further according to the invention the preformed coherent body is made of rubber.

Further according to the invention the preformed coherent body is made of a suitable polymeric material.

Further according to the invention the polymeric material is selected from polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene and ethyl vinyl acetate and is expanded into a closed cell foam.

In one example of the invention the boxing glove incorporates a first compartment adapted to accommodate the fingers (excluding the thumb) and hand of the wearer and a second compartment adapted to accomodate the thumb of the wearer's hand, the second compartment being connected along substantially its entire length to the first compartment to prevent movement of the thumb relative to the other fingers. The second compartment may lie substantially behind the curved section of the second portion of the preformed coherent body to protect the thumb.

In a second example of the invention the boxing glove incorporates a single inner compartment adapted to accommodate the entire hand including fingers and thumb of the wearer, when made into a fist.

Further according to the invention a gripping element is secured within and extends across the inner compartment, so that, on being gripped in the wearer's hand, rotation of the glove around the fist is prevented.

Further according to the invention the inner compartment is lined with a suitable fabric and the ends of the gripping element are secured to the fabric.

Further according to the invention an additional protective element extends along the thumb side of the inner compartment further to prevent injury to the thumb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: In order to illustrate the invention, two examples thereof will now be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate a first example of the boxing glove and Figs. 7 to 12 illustrate a second example. A right hand glove is shown in all drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the right hand side of the glove; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the left hand side of the glove; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the preformed protective padding used in the glove; Figure 4 is a sectional elevation along the line 4:4 in Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a side elevation of the glove from the right hand side thereof; and Figure 6 is a sectional plan along the line 6:6 in Fig. 5.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the right hand sfde of the glove; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the left hand side of the glove; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the preformed protective padding used in the glove; Figure 10 is a sectional elevation along the line 10:10 in Fig. 9; Figure ii is a side elevation of the glove from the left hand side thereof; and Figure 12 is a sectional plan along the line 12:12 in Fig. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI MENT: With reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the drawings which illustrate a right hand glove of the first example, the glove includes a preformed body 10 of a suitable resilient material such as rubber or a polymeric material. The body is preferably made of polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene or ethyl vinyl acetate which has been expanded into a closed cell foam to improve the cushioning properties thereof. Impact force can be reduced to a desirable scientifically adjustable level for single or multiple blows without any appreciable reduction ("fade") of its cushioning ability.

The body consists of a first rear portion 1 2 which is adapted to extend over the wrist of the wearer and a second curved portion 14 which is adapted to extend around the wearer's hand when made into a fist. A sheet of semi-rigid protective material 1 6 is embedded in the first rear portion 1 2 to provide additional protection to the wrist of the wearer. A separate protective strip of protective material 1 8 may be used to protect the side of the hand opposite the thumb.

The preformed body 10 is encased in a leather or other suitable housing 20 and is lined internally with an appropriate selected lining 22.

The glove is divided into a first compartment 24 adapted to accommodate the fingers (excluding the thumb) and hand of the wearer and a second compartment 26 adapted to accommodate the thum of the wearer's hand.

The second compartment 26 is connected along substantially its entire length to the first compartment to prevent any movement of the thumb relative to the other fingers. In addition, the second or thumb compartment 26 is so designed as to lie substantially behind the curved second portion 14 of the preformed body 10 further to protect the thumb.

The thumb is still further protected by an additional body of padding material 28 which extends around the outer edge of the second or thumb compartment 26.

The glove described above offers the following advantages: 1. The thumb of the wearer which is the commonest site of boxing injuries will receive very much greater protection by virtue of the protective padding surrounding it and the fact that the thumb is constrained (by the second compartment 26) from moving relatively to the fingers of the wearer's hand.

2. Protection for both the wearer's hands and his wrists will be greatly improved by the better cushioning of the preformed body 10.

Unlike conventional padding, the material of the preformed body 10 will not disperse during the fight to minimise the cushioning effect.

3. The protection of the bones and joints of the metacarpals (hand bones) and carpals (wrist bones) will also be greatly improved by the protective material 1 6.

4. The thumb being constrained, will not allow the action of "thumbing" to occur. This will protect the opponent from eye injuries caused by a mobile thumb.

5. The use of scientifically adjustable cushioning material in the pre-formed body will significantly reduce impact forces to the brain of the opponent greatly helping to prevent brain damage.

With reference to Figs. 7 to 1 2 of the drawings which illustrate a right hand glove of the second example, the glove also includes a preformed body 40 substantially the same as the body 10 in Figs. 1 to 6. The body 40 also therefore consists of a first rear portion 42 which is adapted to extend over the wrist of the wearer and a second curved portion 44 which is adapted to extend aroung the wearer's hand when made into a fist. As in the first example, a sheet of semi rigid protective material 46 is embedded in the first rear portion 42 to provide additional protection to the wrist of the wearer and a separate strip of protective material 48 is used to protect the side of the hand opposite the thumb.

The preformed body 40 is encased in a leather or other suitable housing 50 and is lined internally with an appropriate lining 52.

The glove is so designed as to provide a compartment 54 adapted to accommodate the entire hand including the fingers and thumb of the wearer when made into a fist. In order to prevent the glove from rotating about the wearer's hand, a gripping bar 56 is located within and extends across the compartment 54. The ends of the gripping bar are suitably attached to the lining 52 on opposite sides of the compartment 54. In use, the hand is inserted into the compartment 54 and the gripping bar 56 is grasped in the fist. In order still further to prevent rotation of the glove, an internal thumb pouch may be provided in the compartment.

Another body of padding material 58 extends along the thumb side of the compartment 54 to provide additional protection for the thumb.

The glove of the second example has the feature that the wearer's hand can be made into a proper fist by positioning the distal phalynx of the thumb on to the middle phalanges of the index and middle fingers. This is not possible in conventional gloves due to the interposition of padding material between the thumb and other fingers of the hand. This is a very significant advantage as the ability to make a proper fist prevents abduction of the thumb. It will also minimise direct exposure of the thumb to direct and indirect trauma.

Claims

1. A boxing glove incorporating padding for protecting the hand of the wearer, the padding comprising a preformed coherent body of resilient material which is shaped to cover the knuckles, fingers and thumb of the wearer's hand to reduce impact force.

2. A boxing glove as claimed in Claim 1 in which the preformed coherent body is shaped also to protect the wrist of the wearer's hand.

3. A boxing glove as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the preformed coherent body comprises a first elongated flat portion adapted to extend over the wrist of the wearer's hand and a second curved portion extending around the wearer's hand when made into a fist.

4. A boxing glove as claimed in claim 3 in which a separate strip of suitable protective material is embedded in the first portion of the preformed coherent body to provide additional protection to the wrist of the wearer to prevent excessive flexion and extension.

5. A boxing glove as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the preformed coherent body is made of rubber.

6. A boxing glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the pre-formed coherent body is made of a suitable polymeric material.

7. A boxing glove as claimed in Claim 6 in which the polymeric material is selected from polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene and ethyl vinyl acetate and is expanded into a closed cell foam.

8. A boxing glove as claimed in any of the above claims and incorporating a first compartment adapted to accommodate the fingers (excluding the thumb) and hand of the wearer and a second compartment adapted to acommodate the thumb of the wearer's hand, the second compartment being connected along substantially its entire length to the first compartment to prevent movement of the thumb relative to the other fingers.

9. A boxing glove as claimed in claim 8 in which the preformed coherent body comprises a first elongated flat portion adapted to extend over the wrist of the wearer's hand and a second curved portion extending around the wearer's hand when made into a fist, and the second compartment lies substantially behind the second curved portion to protect the thumb.

10. A boxing glove as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 incorporating a single compartment adapted to accommodate the entire hand including fingers and thumb of the wearer, when made into a fist.

11. A boxing glove as claimed in claim 10 in which a gripping element is secured within and extends across the inner compartment, so that, on being gripped in the wearer's hand, rotation of the glove around the fist is prevented.

1 2. A boxing glove as claimed in claim 11 in which the inner compartment is lined with a suitable fabric and the ends of the gripping element are secured to the fabric.

13. A boxing glove as claimed in any of claims 10 to 1 2 in which an additional protective element extends along the thumb side of the inner compartment further to prevent injury to the thumb.

14. A boxing glove substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Figs 1 to 6 or Figs. 7 to 1 2 of the accompanying drawings.