GB2608097A

GB2608097A - Protective glove

Info

Publication number: GB2608097A
Application number: GB2104550.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sharp Matthew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-03-30
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2022-12-28
Also published as: GB202104550D0; WO2022208413A1

Abstract

A protective glove, in particular a protective inner glove for use in boxing, comprises a wrist section 1200 for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove and a hand section 1300 attached to an end of the wrist section, the hand section for protecting the hand of a wearer of the glove. The hand section comprises a knuckle section 1304 for protecting the knuckles of a wearer of the glove. A knuckle compressor is configured to compress the knuckle section; wherein the knuckle compressor comprises at least one compression strap 1801 extending between a palm side of the hand section and a back side of the hand section. The at least one compression strap is configured to compress the knuckle section. A support splint 1900 is included for providing support to a back of the hand of the wearer; wherein the support splint extends at least partially along the length of the hand section. The compression strap may comprise at least one support splint.

Description

PROTECTIVE GLOVE

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a protective glove, in particular to a protective inner glove for use in boxing.

Background

Hand wraps are conventionally used in boxing and other combat sports to protect the hand and wrist against injuries induced by punching. A hand wrap comprises a strip of cloth wrapped securely around the wrist and palm of a boxer and worn under a boxing glove. The hand wrap serves to align joints and compress the tissue of the hand.

Although hand wraps are considered to provide the best combination of comfort and protection, it can be very difficult for individual boxers to apply the wrap themselves and can take several minutes. Amateur boxers in particular are unlikely to have a trainer available to apply the wrapping for them on a daily basis.

To overcome this problem, one-size-fits-all type under-gloves have been used. However, these gloves are not customisable, so therefore do not replicate the secure fit of traditional hand wraps nor provide the necessary protection needed. A good fit is important for minimising the chance of injury.

GB2550628 provides an example of a training protective glove/hand wrap hybrid that provides compression to the knuckle area of a user when worn whilst also being easier and quicker to apply to a hand than traditional straps.

A further example of a similar glove is shown in GB2559006. This application further describes the use of supportive splints at a wrist section and also splints that run parallel to the knuckles of the user when worn. Whilst these provide support to the knuckles of the user, they provide no support to metacarpals of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to at least ameliorate the above defined issues with the existing prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the invention there is provided a protective glove comprising: a wrist section for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove; a hand section attached to an end of the wrist section, the hand section for protecting the hand of a wearer of the glove, wherein the hand section comprises a knuckle section for protecting the knuckles of a wearer of the glove; a knuckle compressor configured to compress the knuckle section, wherein the knuckle compressor comprises at least one compression strap extending between a palm side of the hand section and a back side of the hand section, the at least one compression strap configured to compress the knuckle section; and a support splint for providing support to a back of the hand of the wearer, wherein the support splint extends at least partially along the length of the hand section The compression applied by the knuckle compressor may be adjustable by the wearer of the glove. Compressing the knuckle section with the knuckle compressor tightens the knuckle section around the knuckles, providing better protection during an impact. Allowing the wearer to adjust the amount of compression applied ensures that the knuckle section fits tightly around that particular wearer's hand, and provides a protection suitable for their needs. Furthermore the at least one compression strap once secured significantly limits any unwanted movement of the fabric, preventing sores and blistering in-between the fingers.

The at least one compression strap may extend from a knuckle side of the hand, and down through a hoop on the palm side of the hand where it is pulled to a desired compression and then held in place, e.g. fixed back with a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro (RTM) on the backside/knuckle side of the hand. The strap may be any elongate material, such as a cord, lace or a wire.

The support splint advantageously provides additional rigidity to the hand section. The support splint is oriented along the back of the hand section perpendicular to the knuckles (i.e. parallel to the metacarpals of a wearer). Advantageously, this orientation provides improved protection for the hand of a wearer. The support splint will bear some of the load imparted to the glove on contact, reducing the impact on the hand of a wearer. Additionally, any contact to the back of the hand of a wearer will be reduced by virtue of the support splint providing an additional protective layer across the back of the hand. The support splint may be visible along the back of the hand section or may be concealed from the wearer.

The support splint may additionally extend at least partially along the length of the wrist section of the glove.

The hand section and wrist section of the glove may form one integrated body of the glove.

Advantageously, the support splint bridges the wrist joint, providing additional support to the wearer. The rigidity of a support splint can help reduce the likelihood of the wrist of a wearer moving unnaturally during use. Examples of unnatural movement that may be reduced by the presence of a splint include overcxtension of the wrist. The support splint may advantageously improve the comfort of the glove for a wearer.

The at least one compression strap may be adjustably attached to the hand section or the wrist section, and the compression applied to the knuckle section may be adjustable by adjusting the attachment of the compression strap to the hand section or the wrist section.

The at least one compression strap may configured to compress the knuckle compressor in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support splint.

This configuration advantageously provides greater comfort to a wearer of the glove. The configuration may further improve the ease of application of the compression straps.

The at least one compression strap may comprise a plurality of compression straps, and optionally the plurality of compression straps are may be coupled to an attachment means configured to adjustably attach to the back side of the glove.

The attachment means may be an attachment strap configured to adjustably attach to the back side of the glove along a direction parallel to the length of the support splint.

Advantageously, a single attachment strap improves the case and speed at which a wearer can put on the protective glove. A single larger strap is easier to grip and apply than a plurality of smaller ones.

In some embodiments the knuckle section may comprise a pad of protective material adapted to protect the knuckles of a wearer. For example the protective material may comprise a non-Newtonian fluid. The pad of protective material provides extra protection for the knuckles, dampening the impact of a punch. A non-Newtonian fluid is particularly advantageous as a protective material. During the impact of a punch, the non-Newtonian fluid hardens, protecting the knuckles. At other times the non-Newtonian fluid is flexible, providing a more comfortable and better fitting glove.

Some embodiments of the glove may further comprise an adjustable fastener for tightening the wrist section around wrist of a wearer. The adjustable fastener provides a further level of customisation to the glove. A wearer can tighten the wrist section so that it comfortably fits their wrist. A comfortable and customised fit is important for providing optimal support to the wrist.

In some embodiments the wrist section may comprise a wrist covering having a first wrist covering edge and a second wrist covering edge, the wrist covering adapted to extend partially around the wrist of a wearer. The adjustable fastener may connect the first wrist covering edge and the second wrist covering edge and may be operable to pull the first wrist covering edge and second wrist covering edge towards each other to tighten the wrist section around the wrist of a wearer.

The adjustable fastener may comprise: a lace passing through at least one lace guide on the first wrist covering edge and at least one lace guide of the second wrist covering edge; and a lace fastener preventing movement of the lace through the lace guides. In particular, a first plurality of lace guides may be attached to the first wrist covering edge, and a second plurality of lace guides may be attached to the second wrist covering edge. The lace may pass from a first lace guide of the first plurality to a first lace guide of the second plurality, and then to a second lace guide of the first plurality, and then to a second lace guide of the second plurality of lace guides, for example in the manner of shoe laces In some embodiments, the adjustable fastener is operable to tighten the wrist section and the hand section. Just as a comfortable, custom fit of the wrist section is important for protecting a wrist, so a comfortable, custom fit of the hand section is important for protecting the hand. In these embodiments a wearer may tighten both the wrist section and the hand section using the same adjustable fastener. The glove is therefore highly customisable, whilst also being easy to operate, which is important if the wearer is putting the glove on without assistance, in alternative embodiments, the glove may comprise a first adjustable fastener and a second adjustable fastener: the first adjustable fastener operable to tighten the wrist section; and the second adjustable fastener operable to tighten the hand section.

In some embodiments, the hand section may comprise a hand covering having a first hand covering edge and a second hand covering edge. The hand covering may be configured to extend partially around the hand of a wearer. The adjustable fastener may connect the first hand covering edge and the second hand covering edge of the hand section, and may be operable to pull the first hand covering edge and second hand covering edge of the hand section towards each other. The lace of the adjustable fastener may pass through at least one lace guide on the first hand covering edge of the hand covering, and through at least one lace guide on the second hand covering edge of the hand covering.

The first hand covering edge and second hand covering edge of the hand covering meet to define a continuous hand covering edge. For example the first hand covering edge and the second hand covering edge of the hand section may form a single, substantially circular edge. The first hand covering edge of the hand section may be attached to the first wrist covering edge of the wrist section, and the second hand covering edge of the hand section may be attached to the second wrist covering edge of the wrist section. The lace may pass from a last lace guide (i.e. nearest the hand section) of the first plurality of lace guides on the first wrist covering edge of the wrist section to a first lace guide (i.e, nearest the wrist section) of a third plurality of lace guides on the first hand covering edge of the hand section. The lace may pass from the first lace guide of the third plurality through each of the lace guides of the third plurality in turn. The lace may pass from the final lace guide (i.e. furthest from the wrist section) of the third plurality to a first lace guide (i.e. furthest from the wrist section) of a fourth plurality of lace guides on the second hand covering edge of the hand section. The lace may pass from the first lace guide of the fourth plurality through each of the lace guides of the fourth plurality in turn. The lace may pass from the last lace guide (i.e. nearest the wrist section) of the fourth plurality to the last lace guide (i.e. nearest the hand section) of the second plurality of lace guides on the second wrist covering edge of the wrist section. The lace may pass through a lace guide on the tongue when passing between a lace guide of the wrist section and a lace guide of the hand section.

In some embodiments the glove may predominantly be formed of a breathable material, and/or the tongue may be a breathable material. In particular the breathable material may be spacer fabric, such as poly fibres. This may provide some additional protection for the hand of the user.

The adjustable fastener comprises a wrist strap configured to wrap around the wrist of a user and removably attach to the wrist section, and for securing the wrist section onto a wrist of a wearer. The wrist section and wrist strap may each comprise corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners, configured to removably attach the wrist strap to the wrist section.

Advantageously, the wrist strap allows a wearer to adjust the tightness of the glove around the wrist, improving the comfort of the glove. Hook-and-loop fasteners improve the ease with which a user can make this adjustment. The fasteners can be detached and reattached easily, whilst being a durable enough attachment to maintain the desired tightness during use In some embodiments the glove may be an inner glove for boxing.

According to an alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective glove comprising: a wrist section for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove; a hand section attached to an end of the wrist section, the hand section for protecting the hand of a wearer of the glove, wherein the hand section comprises a knuckle section for protecting the knuckles of a wearer of the glove; a knuckle compressor configured to compress the knuckle section, wherein the knuckle compressor comprises at least one compression strap extending between a palm side of the hand section and a back side of the hand section, the at least one compression strap configured to compress a back side of the knuckle section, and the at least one compression strap being releasably attached to the back side of the knuckle section.

In some embodiments the glove may further comprise a semi-rigid wrist-support tongue moveable along the wrist section towards the hand section to a position selected by the wearer, the tongue held in use at least in part by the wrist section.

By moving the tongue, a wearer can customise the support provided to the wrist. Some wearers may prefer the tongue to be positioned higher up towards or into the hand section. This may for example prevent the wrist bending, and so provide more support. Other wearers may prefer the tongue to be lower down, away from the hand section. The moveable tongue allows the glove to be customised to provide a comfortable and protective fit for the wearer, which is not provided by the one-sizefits-all style gloves.

According to a further alternative aspect of the present invention, there is provided a glove for protecting hands, said glove comprising: a wrist section for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove; a hand section attached to an end of the wrist section, the hand section for protecting the hand of a wearer of the glove, wherein the hand section comprises a mouthed knuckle section for receiving fingers of the wearer and for protecting the knuckles of the wearer of the glove; and a plurality of compression straps dividing the mouthed knuckle section at least partially into individual finger sections, said compression straps releasably attachable to the glove to compress the mouthed knuckle section.

It can be appreciated that although described above and below as releasably attachable to the back-side of the glove, the compression straps may be releasably attached to the inner side of the glove.

In embodiments, the glove further comprises a compressive thumb strap for securing the thumb of a wearer. In use, the compressive thumb strap helps to secure the thumb against the fingers of the wearer when the wearer forms a closed fist. The compressive thumb strap may comprise an elasticated thumb loop for receiving the thumb of a wearer.

In embodiments, the compression strap may comprise the or at least one of the support splints. In this manner the splints may be placed by the user where needed whilst substantially running perpendicular to the knuckle section.

Accordingly, in an aspect there is provided a protective glove comprising: a wrist section for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove; a hand section attached to the wrist section for protecting a hand of the wearer of the glove, wherein the hand section comprises a knuckle section for protecting knuckles of the wearer of the glove; a knuckle compressor configured to compress the knuckle section wherein the knuckle compressor comprises at least two compression straps extending from a palm side of the hand section to divide a mouthed section of the glove into finger dividers, and wherein said at least two compression straps are affixed to a back side of the hand section perpendicular to the knuckle section, and wherein the compression strap comprises at least one support splint for providing support to a back of the hand of the wearer, such that the support splint extends at least partially along the length of the hand section.

Typically the support splints may be embedded within the compression straps. The knuckle compressor may further comprise a wrist wrap connected to the support splint for wrapping around a wrist of the user to hold the support splint against the back side of the hand of the user when in use.

It can be appreciated that all described gloves of any aspect may be worn underneath boxing gloves.

Embodiments of the aspects may comprise any element of any embodiment of the other aspects of the invention.

Detailed Description

The invention is described in further detail below by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:

figure I shows an prior art glove;

figure 2 shows an alternative prior art glove; and

figures 3a and 3b show an alternative prior art glove figures 4a, to 4f show an embodiment of a glove according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a known protective glove 100. Glove 100 comprises a wrist section 200 and a hand section 300. The wrist section 200 comprises a wrist covering 201 adapted to wrap partially around a wearer's wrist. In use, the wrist covering 201 primarily covers and protects the top side of a wearer's wrist, In the illustrated example, a hand section 300 comprises a hand covering 301 configured to form a continuous, generally circular, hand covering around a palm of a wearer's hand.

The glove 100 further comprises a semi-rigid tongue 500. The tongue 500 extends partially along the wrist of a wearer, and wraps partially around the wrist, particularly covering a gap between, and extending under, a first wrist covering edge and a second wrist covering edge of the wrist covering 201. in use the tongue 500 supports a wearer's wrist upon compression (such as when the wrist is bent downwards).

Advantageously, tongue 500 is free to move relative to the wrist covering 201. A wearer can customize the glove 100 by moving the tongue 500. Some wearers may prefer the tongue 500 to be placed higher up, towards or into the hand section 300. Other wearers may prefer the tongue section 500 to be further away from the hand section 500.

As is best shown in figures 2 and 3, hand section 300 also comprises a knuckle section 304. The knuckle section 304 comprises a mouthed section for receiving fingers of a wearer. Finger dividers may be provided and/or compression straps 801 used to secure and compress the knuckle section 304 such that the compression straps 801 act as finger dividers. Typically 3 compression straps are provided, although 1 or 2 may be provided. By a mouthed section it is intended to mean that the knuckle section forms a hoop or ring of material that surrounds the knuckles of a wearer and the upper portion of a wearer's palm, below the fingers, whilst allowing fingers to pass through the hoop.

The knuckle section 304 comprises a padded area, providing extra protection for a wearer's knuckles during a punch. In particular, knuckle section 304 may comprises a pad of protective material, such as a non-Newtonian fluid, which solidifies upon impact, thus protecting the knuckles during a punch whilst still allowing flexibility at other times.

The glove 100 further comprises a knuckle compressor 800. The knuckle compressor 800 compresses the knuckle section 304. Compressing the knuckle section provides increased protection for the knuckles. The knuckle compressor comprises at least one -three in the illustrated example -compression strap 801. The compression straps 801 extend from the palm side to the back side of the knuckle section 304 (i.e. from the side of the knuckle section adapted to be adjacent to the palm of a wearer's hand to the side of the knuckle section adapted to be adjacent to the back of a wearer's hand). In the example illustrated in figure 2 the compression straps 801 are fixedly attached to the palm side of the knuckle section 304. The fixed attachment of compression straps 801 to the palm side of the knuckle section 304 is shown for example in figure 1 The compression straps 801 are adjustably attached to the back side of the knuckle section 304. In alternative examples the compression straps may adjustably attach to any part of the back side of the glove 100, for example the hand section 300 or the wrist section 200. The attached compression straps 801 compress the part of the knuckle section 304 between their attachment to the palm side of the knuckle section 304 and their adjustable attachment. In alternative examples the compression straps 801 may be fixedly attached to the back side of the glove 100 and adjustably attached to the palm side of the glove 100, or may be adjustably attached to both sides of the glove 100.

The adjustable attachment may be provided by a hook and loop fastener -for example an elongate hook fastener on the compression straps 801 and a correspondingly positioned elongate loop fastener on the back side of the glove 100. As the fasteners are elongate; the compression straps 801 can be attached to the back side of the glove in a range of positions. A wearer may therefore customize the compression applied to the knuckle section 304 by altering the relative positions of each compression strap 801.

The knuckle section 304 wraps fully around a wearer's hand, forming an opening at the far end of the glove 100. The opening may be considered to be the mouthed section of the knuckle section A wearer's fingers pass through this opening. The compression straps 801 stretch across the opening, and are spaced along the opening so that in use the compression straps 801 pass between the wearer's fingers 801.

Typically it is only the fingers of the wearer that pass through the opening at the end of the knuckle section 304. The thumb passes through the gap between a first hand covering edge and second hand covering edge of the hand section 300. Typically the thumb is separate from the knuckle section 304. A separate compressive wrap may then be used to secure and protect the thumb Said wrap may be wrapped around the glove 100 to provide further securing.

Figures I to 3 also shows a wrist strap 204 fixedly attached at one end to the wrist covering 201. The wrist strap can be wrapped around the wrist and adjustably attached to either the wrist covering 201 or a topside of the strap 204 itself The wrist strap 204 further secures the wrist section 200 around a wearer's wrist. The wrist strap 204 may for example comprise a hook or loop fastener on its lower side, and a corresponding loop or hook fastener may be located on the wrist covering 201 or on the topside of the wrist strap 204 itself. Figure 4 shows an alternative view of the glove 100 on a hand, with the wrist strap 204 wrapped around the wrist. The wrist strap 204 may also be used to wrap around the entire outer surface of the glove in a similar manner to the thumb strap as described above. In this manner the wrist strap acts akin to a conventional wrapping and provides further support for the hand. An additional outer wrist strap may be used in addition or instead of the integrated wrist strap 204 described above.

Knuckle compressor 800 comprises a plurality of compression straps 801, configured to compress the knuckle section 304. The compression straps 801 conjoin into a further attachment strap 802. Attachment strap 802 can be adjustably attached to the back side of the glove 100.

In the illustrated example, the attachment strap 802 adjustably attaches to the wrist strap 204. The wrist strap 204 comprises a hook or loop fastener 205. A corresponding elongate loop or hook fastener (not shown) on the attachment strap 802 engages the fastener 205. The attachment strap 802 can be attached to the fastener 205 in a range of positions. In particular, pulling the attachment strap 802 away from the hand section 300 also pulls compression straps 801, compressing the knuckle section 304 under the compression straps 801. The extent to which the attachment strap 802 is pulled away from the hand section 300 determines the amount of compression applied to the knuckle section 304 The attachment strap 802 may be attached to the fastener 205 in the pulled down position, locking the compression straps 801 in the compression position The hook or loop fastener 205 also acts as a fastener for the wrist strap 204. A corresponding loop or hook fastener 205 on the opposite side of the strap 204 to the fastener 205 can engage with fastener 205 to secure the strap 204 around the wrist.

The compression and attachment straps 801, 802 may run across the back side of the glove 800, as shown in figure 5. Alternatively they may pass into the interior of the glove 100, so that they are not visible in use. Such an example is shown in figure 6. The compression straps 801 pass into the interior of the hand section 300 through holes 804. The compression straps 801 combine to form attachment strap 802 within the material of the glove 100. The attachment strap 802 passes out of the interior through hole 805, so that the wearer can adjust the attachment strap 802 and attach it to the fastener 205.

Figures 3a and 3b show an alternative embodiment of glove 100, comprising a further alternative knuckle compressor 900. The other features of the glove, in particular the hand section 300, wrist section 200, adjustable fastener 400 and tongue 500 are similar to those features shown in figure 2 and described above.

Figure 3a shows a palm side view of glove 100, and figure 3b shows a back side view of glove 100. Similarly to knuckle compressor 600, knuckle compressor 800 comprises one or more (three in the illustrated embodiment) compression straps 901.

One end of each compression strap 901 is fixedly attached to the back side of the knuckle section 903 In use, the compression straps 901 extend from the back side to the palm side of the knuckle section 903, and then wrap around the palm side of the knuckle section and extend to the back side of the knuckle section 304, 903, to which a second end of each strap is adjustably attached as described above for compression straps 601. Compression straps 901 may thus double back on themselves, and compress the palm side of knuckle section 304, 903 by wrapping around it. The ends of the compression straps 901 which are fixedly attached to the back side of the knuckle section 304 may comprise an adjustable fastener for receiving the reciprocal second end of the compression strap 901 -i.e. the adjustably fastened ends of a compression strap 901 may attach to the compression strap 901 itself, rather than directly to the back side of knuckle section 903. Hook and loop fasteners can be used to releasably affix the compression straps.

Compression traps 901 may also act as finger dividers, separating the fingers and providing a degree of protection against the fingers colliding against each other. Once fastened, the light pressure the compression straps 901 create in-between the knuckles supports the knuckle structure, forcing the material of the knuckle section 304 to fill the cavity in-between the knuckles. This acts to mitigate damage and bruising to the knuckles caused from the knuckles colliding into each other, which is the primary cause of knuckle damage, rather than from impact.

It may also be considered that the compression straps act to divide the knuckle section into finger sections. The knuckle section typically comprises a mouthed hoop or ring of material through which fingers of the wearer are placed. The compression straps act as a stop, preventing the fingers from advancing and securing the glove into place on the user's hand.

It may also be appreciated that &though described and shown as extending from a back side of the glove, over the back side of the knuckle section, around the palm side of the knuckle section and secured to the back side of the glove (typically at the back side of the knuckle section), the compression straps may secure to the palm side of the knuckle section from the rear side of the knuckle sect on, or they may start at the palm side of the knuckle section and secure to the rear side of the knuckle section.

The compression straps 801 and 802, or 901 may be any elongate material, such as cord, lace, wire, or string. Elastic materials may also be used that provide a compression against the knuckle section 301.

The wrist covering 201 and hand covering 301 are referably formed of a breathable material, such as spacer fabric. Spacer fabric is breathable and does not retain sweat.

In some embodiments the glove, for example glove 100, may comprise splints extending laterally across the back side of the glove, for example across the back side of the hand covering 301 parallel to the knuckles of the user across the metacarpals. The splints may comprise a flexible rubber coating. The splints may act as an exoskeleton, providing extra support to the hand during impact. The splints may particularly be arranged to protect the metacarpals of the wearer, reducing the risk of injury during impact.

Splints may also be provided in the wrist support area 200, such splints may run along the length of the wrist and provide rigidity to the wrist support 200 and protection for the user.

In further embodiments the tongue 500 may be dispensed with and an extended elasticated portion may be used. in such embodiments the comfort and custom fit available with the moveable tongue portion 500 is absent, however the fixed tongue or elasticated cuff provides moderate compression to the wrist and reduces the cost of the overall glove.

Figures 4a to 4f show an alternative embodiment of a glove 1000. Glove 1000 comprises a wrist section 1200 and a hand section 1300. The wrist section 1200 comprises a wrist strap 1204 fixedly attached at one end to the wrist section 1200. The wrist strap 1204 can be wrapped around the wrist and adjustably attached to either the wrist section 1200 or a topside of the strap 1204 itself. The wrist strap 1204 further secures the wrist section 1200 around a wearer's wrist. As illustrated in Figures 8b and Sc, the wrist strap 204 comprises a fastener 1205 on its lower side, and a corresponding fastener 1205 on the topside of the wrist strap 1204 itself (e.g. corresponding hook and loop fasteners). Additional fasteners 1206 are present to secure the end of the wrist strap 1204 to the wrist section 1200.

Similar to the examples illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, hand section 1300 also comprises a knuckle section 1304. The knuckle section 1304 comprises a mouthed section for receiving fingers of a wearer. As with these illustrated examples, the glove 100 further comprises a knuckle compressor 1800. The knuckle compressor 1800 compresses the knuckle section 1304. Compressing the knuckle section provides increased protection for the knuckles. The knuckle compressor 1800 comprises at least one -three in the illustrated example -compression strap 1801. The compression straps 1801 extend from the palm side to the back side of the knuckle section 1304 (i.e. from the side of the knuckle section adapted to be adjacent to the palm of a wearer's hand to the side of the knuckle section adapted to be adjacent to the back of a wearer's hand). In the example illustrated, most clearly depicted in Figure 8c, the compression straps 1801 are fixedly attached to the palm side of the knuckle section 1304, and adjustably attached to the back side of the knuckle section 1304 (Figure 4a).

In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 4a to 4f, the compression straps 1801 conjoin and/or are coupled to a further attachment strap 1802. Attachment strap 1802 can be adjustably attached to the back side of the glove 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, attachment strap 1802 is attached to the back side of the glove 1000 prior to the wrist strap being wrapped around the wrist of a wearer. The attachment strap 1802 can be attached to the glove 1000 in a range of positions, determining the extent of compression applied to the knuckle section. As discussed previously, pulling the attachment strap 1802 away from the hand section 1300 also pulls compression straps 1801, compressing the knuckle section 1304 under the compression straps 1801. The attachment strap 1802 is attached to the glove 1000 in the pulled down position, locking the compression straps 1801 in the compression position.

Glove 1000 further comprises a support splint 1900. The support splint 1900 is oriented along the back of the hand section 1300 perpendicular to the knuckles (i.e. parallel to the metacarpals of a wearer). The support splint 1900 may be visible along the back of the hand section or may be concealed from the wearer. The support splint 1900 may be in addition to or in place of an exoskeleton of splints as discussed with relation to Figures 3a and 3b. In the illustrated embodiment, the support splint 1900 additionally extends at least partially along the length of the wrist section 1200 of the glove 1000. In the illustrated embodiment, the hand section 1300 and wrist section 1200 of the glove 1000 form one integrated body, rather than distinct sections.

In sonic embodiments the support splints 1900 are provided in the compression straps 1801 and/or the attachment strap 1802. This allows the support splints to be placed where needed by the user. The attachment strap 1802 may further include a wrist wrap extending beyond the connection point to the back of the hand. The wrist wrap may be used to wrap around the wrist to secure the attachment strap and/or any splints against the hand of the user.

It can be appreciated that the various embodiments described above contain complimentary features that may be combined depending upon the need of the user. Accordingly, the gloves 100 described herein therefore provide a customizable and comfortable alternative to hand wrapping for use in combat sports.

Other embodiments are intentionally within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims

Claims

CLAIMSA protective glove comprising: a wrist section for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove; a hand section attached to the wrist section for protecting a hand of the wearer of the glove, wherein the hand section comprises a knuckle section for protecting knuckles of the wearer of the glove; a knuckle compressor configured to compress the knuckle section, wherein the knuckle compressor comprises at least one compression strap extending between a palm side of the hand section to a back side of the hand section, the at least one compression strap configured to compress the knuckle section; and a support splint for providing support to a back of the hand of the wearer, wherein the support splint extends at least partially along the length of the hand section.
2. The protective glove of claim 1, wherein the support splint additionally extends at least partially along the length of the wrist section.
3. The glove of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compression applied by the knuckle compressor is adjustable by selectively securing the at least one compression strap to the back side of the glove to compress the back side of the knuckle section.
4. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one compression strap is adjustably attached to the hand section or the wrist section, and wherein the compression applied to the knuckle section is adjustable by adjusting the attachment of the strap to the hand section or to the wrist section.
5. The protective glove of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one compression strap is configured to compress the knuckle compressor in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support splint.
6. The protective glove of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one compression strap comprises a plurality of compression straps.
7 The protective glove of claim 6, wherein the plurality of compression straps are coupled to an attachment means configured to adjustably attach to the back side of the glove.
8. The protective glove of claim 7, wherein the attachment mean is an attachment strap configured to adjustably attach to the back side of the glove along a direction parallel to the length of the support splint.
9. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the knuckle section comprises a pad of protective material adapted to protect the knuckles of a wearer.
10. The glove of claim I. wherein the glove further comprises a wrist-support tongue moveable along the wrist section towards the hand section to a position selected by the wearer, the position of the tongue held during use at least in part by the wrist section.
11. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the wrist section comprises a wrist covering having a first wrist covering edge and a second wrist covering edge.
12. The glove of any preceding claim, further comprising an adjustable fastener for tightening the wrist section around a wrist of a wearer.
13 The glove of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the wrist section comprises a wrist covering having a first wrist covering edge and a second wrist covering edge, the wrist covering adapted to extend at least partially around the wrist of a wearer, and wherein the adjustable fastener connects the first wrist covering edge and the second wrist covering edge.
14. The glove of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the hand section comprises a hand covering having a first hand covering edge and a second hand covering edge, the hand covering configured to extend partially around the hand of a wearer, and wherein the adjustable fastener connects the first hand covering edge and the second hand covering edge and is operable to pull the first hand covering edge and second hand covering edge towards each other.
The glove of claim 14, wherein the first hand covering edge and second hand covering edge of the hand covering meet to define a continuous hand covering edge.
16 The glove of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the adjustable fastener comprises a wrist strap configured to wrap around the wrist of a user and removably attach to the wrist section.
17 The glove of claim 16, wherein the wrist section and wrist strap each comprise corresponding hook-and-loop fasteners, configured to removably attach the wrist strap to the wrist section.
IS. The glove of any preceding claim, further comprising one or more splints extending laterally across the back side of the hand section.
19. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the glove is predominantly formed of a breathable material, optionally wherein the breathable material is spacer fabric.
20. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the wrist section comprises an elasticated cuff.
21. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one compression straps divide the knuckle section into sections for receiving fingers of the wearer.
22. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one compression straps extend from a back side of the knuckle section, down through a hoop in the knuckle section to the palm side of the hand, pulling the knuckle section to a desired compression, and arc then held in place on the back side of the glove.
23 The glove of any preceding claim, wherein knuckle section comprises a mouth for receiving fingers of the wearer and for protecting the knuckles of the wearer of the glove; and wherein the at least one compression straps at least partially divide the mouth into individual finger sections
24. The glove of any preceding claim, wherein the compression strap comprises the or at least one of the support splints.
25. A protective glove comprising: a wrist section for protecting a wrist of a wearer of the glove; a hand section attached to the wrist section for protecting a hand of the wearer of the glove, wherein the hand section comprises a knuckle section for protecting knuckles of the wearer of the glove; a knuckle compressor configured to compress the knuckle section, wherein the knuckle compressor comprises at least two compression straps extending from a palm side of the hand section to divide a mouthed section of the glove into finger dividers, and wherein said at least two compression straps are affixed to a back side of the hand section perpendicular to the knuckle section; and wherein the compression strap comprises at least one support splint for providing support to a back of the hand of the wearer, such that the support splint extends at least partially along the length of the hand section.
26. The glove of claim 25, wherein the support splints are embedded within the compression straps.
27 The glove of claim 26, wherein the knuckle compressor further comprises a wrist wrap connected to the support splint for wrapping around a wrist of the user to hold the support splint against the back side of the hand of the user when in use.