US3605120A

US3605120A - Football glove

Info

Publication number: US3605120A
Application number: US869827A
Authority: US
Inventors: Homer B Hobbs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-10-27
Filing date: 1969-10-27
Publication date: 1971-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-20

Abstract

AN ATHLETIC GLOVE FOR HOLDING THE FINGERS OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS CLOSED TO ENCOURAGE PROPER TACKLING INCLUDES A FINGER RECEIVING POCKET WHICH IS MAINTAINED IN FOLDED POSITION WITH A FREE FORWARD END FOLDED BACK ADJACENT A FRONT PORTION COVERING THE PALM.

Description

H. B. HOBBS FODTBALL GLOVE Sept. 20, 1971 Filed Oct. 27. 1969 IIIIiJulI lllllFlll .8 7 m m E no N w R w m N T I /A R a E E M. o a Hg w. B

United States Patent Ofice 3,605,120 FOOTBALL GLOVE Homer B. Hobbs, P.O. Box 323, Lithia Springs, Ga. 30057 Filed Oct. 27, 1969, Ser. No. 869,827 Int. Cl. A41d 13/10, 19/00, 19/02 US. Cl. 2--159 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An athletic glove for holding the fingers of football players closed to encourage proper tackling includes a finger receiving pocket which is maintained in folded position with a free forward end folded back adjacent a front portion covering the palm.

This invention relates to athletic equipment and particularly to a glove for encouraging a football player, especially a lineman, to tackle properly.

The importance of a football player tackling with the arms and body avoiding efforts to grasp with the fingers has long been recognized. This is especially important to linemen, and if the fingers are clenched it helps to encourage the proper stance initiating a football play. In other words, it encourages a lineman to assume the three point position and then tackle with the body and arms. Of course, the invention would be important for all players especially those concerned with defense, and'where tackling is involved.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an athletic glove which maintains the fingers clenched, but permit free movement of the thumb of a football player.

Another important object of the present invention is to encourage a football player to assume the proper stance at the initiation of a play in football.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention Will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the glove in position on the hand of a wearer,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view further illustrating the glove of the present invention preparatory to receiving the hand of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 1, but without the hand illustrating the parts in folded position for packaging, and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 44 in FIG. 3.

The drawing illustrates an athletic glove including a rear portion A extending across the back of a users hand. A front portion B extends across the palm of the hand. Means C join a forward marginal portion of the rear portion to a superposed forward marginal portion of the front portion forming a finger receiving pocket 20, the pocket having a forward end. A side opening D below the pocket on at least one side between the rear portion and the front portion allows a thumb to freel extend therethrough. Means E secures said pocket in folded position with the forward end thereof folded back adja- 3,605,120 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 cent an end of the front portion remote from the forward marginal portion thereof. Means F secure the rear portion and the front portion snugly about a wrist. Thus, the fingers of a football player may be pinned down to encourage proper tackling. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 the pocket 20 tapers inwardly and forwardly.

It will be noted that the glove is preferably constructed of textile material, and that the means F for securing the rear portion and the front portion about the wrist may be in the form of laces, such as shoe laces. The rear portion A has sides folded .over as at 10 and secured down by stitching 11. The front portion has similar sides folded over as at 12 and secured by stitching 13. The means C for forming the pocket 20 includes stitching and it will be noted in FIG. 4 that the stitching serves as an addition to the means E in securing the pocket in folded position. The means E includes an elongated strip of textile material, the sides of which are folded over as at 10a and secured down by stitching 11a. The opening D for the thumb is formed by terminating the stitching C and permitting an opening between the

marginal portions

10 and 12.

The glove illustrated has been constructed especially to accommodate the left hand since the side opposite the opening D is also illustrated as being open, but such may be designed for use on the right hand, or each glove may be used on either hand. It will be noted that the portion E has a downwardly folded portion 14 at the top which forms a loop 15 on one side for receiving the laces or means F. The means F for securing the rear portion and the front portion snugly about the wrist of the wearer includes the laces 17 and the

loops

15 and 16.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1 the laces are passed about the wrist of the wearer in opposite directions and fastened together as by a bow 18. The glove is folded, pulling in the laces 17, to the position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and is unfolded, pulling the rear and front portions A and B to open position, but shown in FIG. 2, wherein, the laces are pulled partially out as illustrated. A loop 16 is formed on the other side and forms a part of the means F for accommodating the laces 17 of the means F.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An athletic glove comprising a fiat flexible rear portion extending across the back of a users hand, a fiat flexible front portion extending across the palm of the hand, means joining a forward marginal portion of said rear portion to a superposed forward marginal portion of said front portion forming a finger receiving pocket, said pocket having a forward end, a side opening below said pocket on at least one side between the rear portion and the front portion allowing a thumb to freely extend therethrough, means permanently securing said pocket in folded position with the forward end thereof folded back adjacent an end of the front portion remote from the forward marignal portion thereof, and means securing the rear portion and the front portion snugly about a wrist, whereby the fingers of a football player may be pinned down to permit assumption of the proper three point position and proper tackling.

2. An athletic glove as set forth in claim 1, wherein said finger receiving pocket tapers inwardly and forwardly.

(References on following page) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Monaghan 2-158X Kessler 2158X Broderick 218 Bitting 2158X Sweet et a1. 2--18 Barry 2-159 FOREIGN PATENTS 5 G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2-16