US20200268080A1

US20200268080A1 - Glove with structural finger reinforcements

Info

Publication number: US20200268080A1
Application number: US16/834,384
Authority: US
Inventors: Marc Schmidt; Robert Newman; Doug Guenther; Anton Sutovsky; Mitch Hinrichsen
Original assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Co Inc
Current assignee: Rawlings Sporting Goods Co Inc
Priority date: 2019-02-25
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2020-08-27

Abstract

An assembly is provided for use in a sports glove for use in baseball or softball. The assembly includes finger extension members that align with a wearer's thumb and fingers when worn. The finger extension members are made of a lightweight material such as a polymer and include at least one lattice portion. By including the more lightweight finger extension members, a glove including the assembly may have a lower moment of inertia about the heel to allow a fielder to more easily and quickly move his or her glove during play.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/713,602 filed on Dec. 13, 2019, entitled “Glove with Structural Finger Reinforcements,” currently pending, claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/809,832, filed on Feb. 25, 2019, entitled “Glove with Structural Finger Reinforcements,” the entire disclosures of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports equipment and, more particularly, to a glove for batted ball sports such as baseball or softball. The present invention is specifically directed to a lightweight and structurally reinforced glove for baseball or softball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional gloves for baseball or softball generally comprise a front panel forming the front wall of the glove and a back panel forming the back wall of the glove. The front and back panels are secured together at peripheral margins of the glove by various fastening means to form a glove shell having a top, bottom, and opposite sides. The fastening means may include, but are not limited to, stitching, cords, clasps, rivets, and glue. The glove shell generally defines one inner thumb stall and four inner finger stalls. The glove includes a thumb and four fingers that form the thumb and the finger stalls, respectively. The fingers are conventionally joined by cross-bracing and form a conjoined finger region. The cross-bracing may include, but is not limited to, cords and the like. Further, the cords of any fastening means or cross-bracing are preferably and commonly made of leather or leather-like material. A web is located between and secured to the thumb and fingers by a fastening means such as leather or a leather-like material.
Conventional gloves for baseball or softball may further comprise a liner. With respect to the glove shell, the liner comprises a palm liner panel on the inside face of the front panel. The front panel and the palm liner have lower edge margins generally in line with one another to form a heel of the glove extending between the opposite sides of the glove. The front panel has an outside face forming the front surface of the glove and an inside face. The outside face of the front panel has a central portion forming a ball-catching pocket located above the heel of the glove and below the web and the fingers. The back panel has an outside face enclosing the thumb stall and finger stalls. The lower edge of the back panel defines an opening for receiving the wearer's hand and may further comprise a sometimes adjustable strap or thong that extends across the opening. The front and back panels are preferably constructed of relatively thick, dense, and stiff material for structural integrity and shock absorbing purposes.
Gloves constructed in conventional fashion are heavy, have a high moment of inertia about the heel, and lack adequate structural reinforcements. Generally, conventionally constructed gloves are comprised entirely or mostly of leather and/or leather-like materials, which are generally relatively dense materials. Use of such dense material creates a relatively heavy glove, especially for gloves for catchers or outfielders that comprise additional padding or lengths of materials.
Further, known gloves for baseball or softball comprise extra or superfluous material for purposes of meeting desired specifications and dimensions, and until now, there has been no lightweight substitution for such material that is capable of at least meeting the same desired specifications and dimensions athletes have come to know and appreciate. For example, the thumb and fingers of known gloves comprise dense leather or leather-like material, internal padding, structural support, fastening means, and cross-bracing, which adds to the overall weight of the glove.
When a wearer inserts his or her hand into a glove for baseball or softball, the wearer's fingers extend only partially into the thumb stall or finger stalls, and at least fifty percent (50%) of the thumb or fingers of conventional gloves for baseball or softball are designed for purposes other than receiving the wearer's fingers. It is those portions of thumb and fingers that comprise the extra or superfluous material, especially at the distal portions of the glove, which increases the glove's weight and limits the ease of use of such gloves. Additionally, gloves constructed for baseball or softball for professional-level competition generally may include even more leather or leather-like materials to provide additional length, padding, and structural support, including at the distal portions of glove.
Traditionally, the internal padding and structural support comprise the same or similar material or materials that comprise the glove generally that is often formed, rolled, and compressed to achieve the desired result. The internal padding and structural support may comprise compressed wool or polyethylene. Such additional material further increases the glove's weight and moment of inertia about the heel, and limits the ease of use of such gloves.
Therefore, a need exists for a lightweight glove with low moment of inertia about the heel to optimize utility of the glove and use less material as compared to known gloves that have long been used in sport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lightweight glove for baseball or softball that generally comprises lightweight structural finger reinforcements. The reduced overall weight of the glove is reduced by the lightweight structural finger reinforcements. The glove with reduced weight thus provides superior ease of use, as well as other advantages. In particular, the reduction of weight at the distal portions of the glove—for example, at the thumb and fingers of the glove and the tips thereof—has the further benefit of reducing the glove's moment of inertia about the heel. A reduced moment of inertia about the heel provides further ease of use, as well as other advantages.
In general, the finger reinforcements or extensions are designed to replace the dense, extra, and/or superfluous materials generally comprising known gloves. Further, the finger reinforcements or extensions may be separate or integrated and preformed. The finger extensions may be customizable with respect to size, stiffness, and the like. That way, an individual athlete may have a glove that is customized to his or her preferences and/or style of play.
The objects of this invention are as follows: (i) to provide a lightweight glove, (ii) to provide a glove with a low moment of inertia about the heel, (iii) to provide improved structural reinforcements for gloves, and (iv) to provide a glove that utilizes less material compared to known gloves. Other advantages and objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a glove inner liner including a thumb finger extension member and four finger extension members, constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a first finger extension member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the first finger extension member of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the first finger extension member of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the first finger extension member of FIGS. 2-4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a thumb pad member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the thumb pad member of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the thumb pad member of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a thumb extension member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a second finger extension member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the second finger extension member of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a first perspective view of a glove constructed according to the teachings hereof.

FIG. 13 is a second perspective view of the glove of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a third perspective view of the glove of FIGS. 12 and 13.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures. It will be understood that any dimensions included in the figures are simply provided as examples and dimensions other than those provided therein are also within the scope of the invention.
The description of the invention references specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and the description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a glove for baseball or softball with (i) a reduced weight, (ii) a low moment of inertia about the heel, (iii) improved structural reinforcements, and (iv) less materials compared to known gloves. Further, another objective of the present invention is to provide a glove for baseball or softball that is an improvement over known gloves for baseball or softball.
The present invention is directed to a glove for baseball or softball that is designed to be lightweight and generally comprises flexible and/or rigid structural finger extension members, wherein such extension members comprise a lightweight material or combination of lightweight materials. Some of the finger extension members may be comprised of a generally rigid, non-pliable, and strong structural material or combination of materials with limited flexibility, including, but not limited to, carbon fiber, polyurethane, and the like. Other finger extension members may generally be flexible and as such be comprised of a pliable material such as a rubber or flexible plastic.
The finger extension members may define a variable or non-uniform cross-section over the width or the length of each of the thumb or fingers of the glove. For example, in some embodiments, the material or combination of materials may form a finger extension member with a generally uniform composition and a variable or non-uniform cross-section over the width or the length of the subject thumb or finger of the glove. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the material or combination of materials may form a finger extension member with a variable or non-uniform composition and a variable or non-uniform cross-section over the width or the length of the subject thumb or finger of the glove.
The finger extension members are designed as extensions to replace a significant portion or majority of the dense, extra, and/or superfluous materials comprising the internal padding, structural support, fastening means, and/or cross-bracing of the thumb stall, the finger stalls, the thumb, and the fingers of known gloves. The finger extension members are generally designed to coincide and generally define the perimeter of the thumb and fingers of the glove, including the lateral perimeter of the thumb or the fingers. Further, the finger extension member may extend substantially around the lateral perimeter of the thumb or the fingers of the glove, and may be designed to form the shape of the thumb or the fingers and hold any leather or leather-like material between the extension members to be generally taut. The finger extension members may be generally designed to limit lateral, rotational, and other orientations of movement of the thumb or the fingers.
Turning first to FIG. 1, an inner glove assembly 1 is illustrated that includes a number of finger extension members and a palm liner 5 to which the finger extension members are attached. More particularly, the inner glove assembly 1 includes three finger extension members 10, a thumb extension assembly 15, and a pinky finger extension member 20. The assembly 15 and the extension members 10, 20 may be attached to the palm liner 5 in a variety of manners including, but not limited to, being sewn, stitched, glued, riveted, or attached (e.g., by hook and loop fastener systems) to the palm liner 5. In FIG. 1, a finger extension member 10A associated with a wearer's ring finger, a finger extension member 10B associated with a wearer's middle finger, and a finger extension member 10C associated with a wearer's index finger are all illustrated. As set forth below, the finger extension members 10 are customizable and tunable to a wearer's preference and as such are interchangeable to a certain degree.
In use, the inner glove assembly 1 including the palm liner 5 may be assembled into a glove such as those known in the art and described herein so as to form a ball glove that may be used for baseball or softball. In such a glove (not illustrated), while the glove assembly 1 itself may be made of materials such as plastic, rubber, etc., the glove may be made of a conventional material such as leather so that the exterior of the glove may perform in a manner substantially similar to that which players have grown accustomed to. In alternative embodiments, the glove may be made of a synthetic polymer or other foreseeable or known material.
Turning to FIGS. 2-5, the finger extension member 10A of FIG. 1 is illustrated in greater detail. The finger extension member 10A is substantially similar to the other finger extension members 10B and 10C in many ways. However, unlike the finger extension members 10B, 10C, the finger extension member 10A includes an oval shaped protrusion 25 that projects outwardly from a front face 30 of the finger extension member 10A. The protrusion 25 serves a number of purposes, including acting as an additional stiffener on the inner glove. In addition to the front face 30, the finger extension member 10A includes a rear face 35. When attached to the palm liner 5 and in use, the front face 30 preferably faces away from a wearer and toward a ball to be caught whereas the rear face 35 faces a wearer when the glove is in use. However, in alternative embodiments, and as finger extension members 10B and 10C are shown, the finger extension member 10A could be flipped to face the other direction. The finger extension member 10A also includes each of an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 45.
Notably, the finger extension member 10A near its upper end 40 is generally comprised of a lattice structure 50. The lattice structure 50 penetrates all the way through the thickness of the finger extension member 10A and thus it is visible on each of its front face 30 and its rear face 35. The lattice structure 50 may be formed as a regular or irregular geometrical arrangement of polymer, including strands of polymer, over the finger extension member 10A or a portion thereof. The lattice structure 50 may be comprised of a plurality of slots 55 that may take on a nearly limitless number of shapes and sizes. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots 55 include some slots 55 that are substantially horizontal, some that are angular, and some which are smaller that appear more closely to holes or apertures 60. In the illustration, only the lattice structure 50 that is located on the front face 30 and the rear face 35 of the finger extension member 10C is illustrated. However, multiple layers of lattice structure 50 may be located between the front face 30 and the rear face 35.
In a preferred embodiment, the lattice structure 50 includes three layers, though in alternative embodiments, more or fewer lattice structures 50 may be provided. Because the lattice structure 50 includes the slots 55 and the holes 60, less material may be used in creating the finger extension members 10A. Less material being used to create the finger extension members 10A preferably reduces the overall weight of each finger extension member 10A thus reducing the overall weight of the assembly 1 that is provided and illustrated in FIG. 1, and a glove when the assembly 1 is integrated into a glove. The finger extension member 10A may be manufactured using a plurality of methods. However, in order to create a lattice structure such as the lattice structure 50, additive manufacturing such as 3D printing may be necessary.
A thickness 65 of the finger extension member 10A preferably decreases from the upper end 40 to the lower end 45 in a tapered manner. The reduction of thickness 65 toward the lower end 45 of the finger extension member 10A reduces the overall weight of the finger extension member 10A and thus the assembly 1 and a glove. It also allows a wearer to better move his or her fingers when the glove is in use since there is less thickness to affect his or her ability to do so near the lower end 45 of the finger extension member 10A.
It should be noted that the lattice structure 50 of the finger extension member 10A may be made from a polymer material as a specifically tuned lattice structure. The lattice structure and its cell and strut size may be varied so as to increase or decrease flexibility and stiffness in particular areas of a finger extension member. The lattice structure such as a lattice structure 50 may be customizable and/or tunable to meet the performance expectations of any given athlete. Similarly, while the finger extension member 10A is formed as a flexible rubber-like polymer, if a user desired more stiffness in the finger extension member 10A (or the finger extension members 10B, 10C), a stiffer material such as a plastic polymer may be used in place of the rubber-like polymer. While many stiffness measures may suffice, preferably the materials may have a stiffness-to-weight ratio near 4:1. The thumb assembly 15 and the pinky finger assembly 20 may make use of such a stiffer material.
On each of the front face 30 and the rear face 35 of the finger extension member 10C, the lattice structure 50 narrows as it approaches the lower portion 45 of the finger extension member 10C. The narrowing provides margin portions 67 that do not include the lattice structure 50. The absence of the lattice structure 50 at the margin portions 67 preferably facilitates the finger extension member 10C (or 10A or 10B) being sewn to the palm liner 5, at least in one embodiment.
Turning to FIGS. 6-8, a thumb pad member 70 is illustrated that makes up part of the thumb extension assembly 15. The thumb pad member 70 includes each of a proximal end 75 and a distal end 80. The thumb pad member 70 further includes each of a front face 85 and a rear face 90. When the thumb pad member 70 is integrated into the assembly 1 as shown in FIG. 1, the thumb pad member 70 is preferably positioned such that its proximal end 75 is located near the thumb of a wearer, and the distal end 80 of the thumb pad member 70 is near the pinky finger of a wearer, and thus the pinky extension member 20. The thumb pad member 70 is preferably designed to substantially align with the lower portion of a wearer's palm. The thumb pad member 70 may be made of a variety of materials, though in alternative embodiments it is constructed of a rubber-like polymer. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front face 85 of the thumb pad member 70 is substantially smooth and flat, though in alternative embodiments, it may include some texture.
Near the proximal end 75 of the thumb pad member 70, a step down portion 90 is preferably provided that is thinner than the remainder of the thumb pad member 70. At the step down portion 90, a protrusion member 95 may also be provided that projects outwardly from the step down portion. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the protrusion 95 includes a plurality of apertures 100 that are triangular in shape to form a lattice structure 105. The lattice structure 105 like the lattice structure 50 may take on a nearly limitless number of shapes and structures. The lattice structure 105 may further aid in reducing the overall weight of the thumb pad member 70 and thus the overall weight of the assembly 1 and a glove in which the assembly 1 is installed. The protrusion 95 is preferably of a size and shape that may be able to retain a thumb extension member (not illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, but described and illustrated in FIG. 9 herein below).
At the rear face 90 of the thumb pad member 70 illustrated in FIG. 8, a plurality of recessed slots 110 may be provided that extend toward the front face 85 of the thumb pad member 70. The recessed slots 110 help allow the thumb pad member 70 to flex. It is important that the thumb pad member 70 be able to flex because when a glove that includes the assembly 1 is used, a user may close and open his or her hand in order to catch a ball. When he or she does so, inevitably the lower portion of his or her palm (not illustrated) similarly flexes as it opens and closes. Thus, some degree of flexibility may be necessary for the thumb pad member 70. The addition of the recessed slots 110 may help to facilitate this opening and closing.
As shown in FIG. 8, the rear face 90 of the thumb pad member 70 may also include a lattice structure 115. The lattice structure 115 includes a plurality of triangular shaped holes or apertures 120. As was the case for the lattice structures 50, 105, the lattice structure 115 may take on a nearly limitless configuration. Moreover, the lattice structure 115 may be customizable and/or tunable for particular athletes so that the thumb pad member 70 and thus the glove may function in a manner that aligns with his or her performance standards. At the proximal end 75 of the thumb pad member 70, the thumb pad member 70 is preferably provided with a curvilinear edge portion 125. The edge portion 125 is preferably of such a curvilinear shape that it may complement an end portion of a thumb extension member 130, which is illustrated in FIG. 9.
Together, the thumb pad member 70 and the thumb extension member 130 make up the thumb assembly 15. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the thumb extension member 130 includes each of a proximal end portion 135 and a distal end portion 140. At the proximal end portion 135, the thumb extension member 130 may include a tab member 145 that extends therefrom. The tab member 145 preferably includes an aperture 150 that extends through the tab member 145. The aperture 150 is preferably of a size and shape that is able to receive and retain the protrusion 95 from the thumb pad member 70 when they are aligned with one another. The engagement between the protrusion 95 and the aperture 150 is further solidified by the edge portion 125 of the thumb pad member 70 mating with an edge portion 155 at the proximal end 135 of the thumb extension member 130. The curve of the end portion 155 preferably substantially matches the curved end portion 125 of the thumb pad member 70. As set forth above, when attached to one another, the thumb pad member 70 and the thumb extension member 130 together form the thumb assembly 15 of FIG. 1.
The thumb extension member 130, like the extension members 10 and the rear face 90 of the thumb pad member 70, is generally made up of a lattice structure 160. The lattice structure 160 has a similar pattern to the lattice structure 70 of the finger extension member 10A. In a preferred embodiment, both sides of the thumb extension member 130 include the lattice structure 160 and slots 165 and apertures 170 that make up the lattice structure 160. In a preferred embodiment, there are three layers of the lattice structure 160 within the thumb extension member 130. In some embodiments, more or fewer layers may be provided, and the lattice structure 160 may take on a limitless number of configurations. The configuration and the size and shape of the lattice structure 160 may also be customizable or tunable to further conform to weight, size, or other preferences of a wearer.
Unlike the finger extension member 10A, the thumb extension member 130 is preferably comprised of a stiffer polymer that more closely resembles a plastic. This is because players generally prefer a stiffer glove where baseballs or softballs strike the location of the thumb extension member 130. The presence of the lattice structure 160 on the thumb extension member 130 may reduce the glove's overall weight and thus its moment of inertia about the palm of the glove. Near the distal end 140 of the thumb extension member 130, two circular apertures 175 are provided. The circular apertures 175 may be used when assembling a glove to thread a leather or leather-like material therethrough to assemble a glove.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front face 180 of the pinky finger extension member 20, and FIG. 11 illustrates a rear face 185 of the pinky finger extension member 20. As provided in each of FIGS. 10 and 11, the front face 180 and the rear face 185 of the pinky finger extension member 20 includes a lattice structure 190. Like other lattice structures described throughout the specification, the lattice structure 190 includes each of slots 195 and apertures 200. The lattice structure 190 may vary greatly in alternative embodiments and may include a different arrangement than that illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. Furthermore, the lattice structure 190 may be customizable and/or tunable to meet performance expectations of a wearer. Like other elements of the assembly 1, the pinky finger extension member 20 may include three layers of lattice structure 190 in a preferred embodiment. However, in alternative embodiments, more or fewer layers of lattice structure 190 may be provided. At a distal end portion 205 of the pinky extension member, two holes or apertures 210 may be provided. The holes or apertures 210 may be substantially similar to the holes or apertures 175 of the thumb extension member 130. A leather or leather-like lace may be threaded through the holes or apertures 210 to attach the pinky finger extension member 20 to the finger extension member 10A or to another location on a glove. Like the thumb extension member 130, the pinky extension member 20 is preferably made of a stiffer polymer that has plastic-like qualities. However, in alternative embodiments, the pinky extension member 20 may have more flexibility.
In alternative embodiments, the finger extension members 10, 20 and the thumb assembly 15 may be separate or integrated and attach to the body at various locations, including internal or external to the glove shell, and on a front panel, back panel, or any peripheral margins of a glove.
Although the present invention is discussed and depicted here as particular embodiments, it will be understood that the present invention can apply to all gloves for baseball or softball, including, but not limited to, gloves or mitts for pitchers, catchers, first basemen, infielders, outfielders, and the like.
It should be noted that the overall performance of gloves that include the finger extension members 10, 20 and/or the thumb assembly 15 perform well. More particularly, there is low fatigue on the finger extension members 10, 20 and/or the thumb assembly 15. Furthermore, the specific strength or strength-to-weight ratio may even improve with the latticed finger extension members 10, 20 and/or thumb assembly 15.
Even moreover, any finger extension member itself may replace the finger of a glove and actually comprise an external portion of the glove itself, rather than being sewn to the liner. In that case, the size and scale of the finger extension members may vary depending on the type of glove being used, and for which position on the field.
It should also be noted that other gloves that incorporate a lattice portion into its structure are envisioned. More particularly, all or part of a glove's shell, wrist strap, inner palm, connections between fingers including pockets and webbing, etc. may include a lattice portion, polymer otherwise. Including such lattice portions may generally contribute to reducing the weight of a glove and thus be customizable or tunable to meet a particular player's performance standards.
For example, in FIGS. 12-14, a glove 215 is illustrated that is made entirely of a lattice structure. The glove 215 is preferably entirely manufactured using 3D printing technology. More particularly, each of a glove back 220, fingers 225, and even connecting lacing 230 of the glove 215 may be made from a polymer lattice structure. This allows the structure of the glove 215 to be optimizable for strength and weight, by varying the lattice density in specific areas. For example, the glove palm may be made more flexible by decreasing lattice density along desired closure lines, while the fingers 225 may be made stiffer by increasing lattice density. Such customization could vary finger-by-finger, or even on a finer scale. This also allows the ability for true customization since each part can be unique without the use of specific patterns. Another benefit is air flow and breathability through the lattice structure that forms the glove 215.
The lattice structure that makes up the glove 215 in FIGS. 12-14 may vary depending on the preference of a wearer or manufacturer. Furthermore, it may include more or fewer layers of lattice structure.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the various embodiments of the present invention are well adapted to attain all the objectives and advantages hereinabove set forth together with still other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the present structures. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations of the present embodiments are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Since many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is also to be understood that all disclosures herein set forth or illustrated in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. The various constructions described above and illustrated in the drawings are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the concepts, principles and scope of the present invention.
Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sports glove, the sports glove comprising:

at least one of a glove back, one or more fingers, and connecting lacing; and

wherein at least one of the glove back, one or more fingers, and connecting lacing includes a lattice portion.

2. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein at least two of the glove back, one or more fingers, and connecting lacing includes a lattice portion.

3. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein each of the glove back, one or more fingers, and connecting lacing includes a lattice portion.

4. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein the sports glove is manufactured using 3D printing technology.

5. The sports glove of claim 1, wherein the lattice portion is customizable.

6. A sports glove, the sports glove comprising:

at least one 3-D printed lattice portion, the at least one 3-D printed lattice portion being customizable.

7. The sports glove of claim 6, wherein the sports glove includes a glove back that includes the at least one 3-D printed lattice portion.

8. The sports glove of claim 6, wherein the sports glove includes one or more fingers that include the at least one 3-D printed lattice portion.

9. The sports glove of claim 6, wherein the sports glove includes connecting lacing that includes the at least one 3-D printed lattice portion.

10. The sports glove of claim 6, wherein the sports glove includes a glove back, one or more fingers, and connecting lacing, each including an at least one 3-D printed lattice portion.