WO2016015083A1

WO2016015083A1 - Multi-directional striking glove

Info

Publication number: WO2016015083A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/050183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sama ALEXUS
Original assignee: Alexus Sama
Priority date: 2014-07-28
Filing date: 2014-08-14
Publication date: 2016-02-04

Abstract

A glove for use in body contact sports, and vocations requiring body contact training. The glove includes a generally spherical exterior surface configured to minimise disproportionate impact against a target due to irregular surface shape, and an internal handle having a gripping surface around a majority of the central longitudinal axis of the handle.

Description

MULTI-DIRECTIONAL STRIKING GLOVE

Field of the invention

[0001 ] The present invention relates generally to improvements in boxing gloves or focus mitts for use in sporting activities and as a training aid for fitness and coordination, particularly for fitness training, cross fit training, persona! training, and physical contact training sports such as boxing and/or martial arts.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Conventional gloves used in body contact sports often have an irregular exterior shape, such as a boxing glove, which may cause a disproportionate impact against a target device or person. In some sports, such as Taekwondo, paddles are used as a training device, but these do not simulate impact force very well. What is needed is a glove or mitt which is better suited to training conditions, particularly in physical contact sports, and vocations that may practice physical contact training, such as security organisations, law enforcement, and armed forces.

Summary

[0003] In one preferred aspect, the present invention is directed to a multidirectional striking glove. The glove can be punched, elbowed, kicked, headbutted, kneed, and also struck with a baton and the like, from any direction, and can also be used as a sparring glove with two or more people. Two people who are both wearing the gloves can simultaneously use them to receive or take hits, without having to change gloves for traditional focus mitts (where-as in traditional boxing/ focus mitt training where one person holds the focus mitts, and the other person is doing the hitting).

[0004] With two people wearing the gloves, the pair may form a partnership where one person can be the "mitt holder" as well as the "mitt striker". These roles can be

interchanged and alternated to create an interesting and unique training dynamic. The mitt can be comfortably struck at high level or low level, and the round shape more closely simulates the shape of a human head. [0005] With kicking, traditionally with a kicking sport such as Taekwondo, paddles are used, but these do not simulate resistance or impact force very well. In one embodiment of the present invention, because the users hand is "inside" the mitt and holding on to a handle - the resistance provided to the kicker is much more realistic, and would provide more interesting and unique dynamic kicking drills due to the resistance factor and multidirectional nature of the mitt.

[0008] Beginners would greatly benefit from the mitt in a preferred embodiment as it requires less fine motor skill than holding a traditional focus mitt. With boxing training, thumb injuries are also quite common with traditional boxing gioves, as the thumb is the least padded digit. The mitt would provide more protection for the user - whether the user is at beginner or advanced level.

[0007] The present invention in one preferred aspect provides for a glove for use in body contact sports, and vocations requiring body contact training. The glove includes a hollow, cushioned body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the body having an aperture sized and configured to permit entry of a wearer's hand

therethrough. The body has a generally spherical exterior surface configured to minimise disproportionate impact against a target due to irregular surface shape.

[0008] In another preferred aspect, the present invention provides a glove for use in body contact sports, and vocations requiring body contact training. The glove includes a hollow, cushioned body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the body having an aperture sized and configured to permit entry of a user's hand therethrough. The glove also includes a handle extending from at least a portion of the interior surface, the handle having a central longitudinal axis and a circumference therearound, the handle having a gripping surface extending around a majority of the circumference of the central longitudinal axis.

[0009] it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed, in the present specification and claims, the word

"comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers, but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. [0010] The claims as filed and attached with this specification are hereby incorporated by reference into the text of the present description,

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Brief Description of the Figures

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-directional striking glove in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the glove of Fig. 1.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the glove of Fig. 2 with a wearer's hand shown gripping an interior handle in shadowed outline.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a cross sectional bottom view of the glove of Fig. 1 taken along lines 4—4 in Fig. 3.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a cross sectional perspective view of the glove of Fig. 1.

[0017] Fig. 8 is a cross sectional top view of the glove of Fig. 1 with a top portion of the glove folded away.

[0018] Fig. 7 is an exploded side view of the glove of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figs. 1 to 7 show an embodiment of a glove or mitt 100 having a body 102 with an exterior surface 104 and an interior surface 108. Exterior surface 104 is preferably generally spherical in shape. The preferred elements of glove 100 and their interrelationships are described below, [0021] Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, body 102 includes an aperture 108 sized and configured for passage of a wearer's hand therethrough. Glove 100 preferably includes a sleeve or cuff 110 connected to body 102 proximate aperture 108. Sleeve 110 is preferably sized and configured to cover at least the wrist of the wearer. Preferably, aperture 108 is the only aperture or opening leading to the hollow interior of body 102.

[0022] As shown in Figs 4 to 7, interior surface 106 of body 102 forms a hollow interior 112. Interior surface 106 is preferably configured for engagement with a wearer's hand. To facilitate hand engagement, interior 112 preferably includes a handle 114. Handle 114 has a first end 116, a second end 118, and a gripping surface 120 preferably extending along the length of handle 114 and around a majority, preferably the entire circumference around the central longitudinal axis of handle 114.

[0023] Handle 114 is preferably formed by attaching a first end 122 of a strap 124 at one point along interior surface 106, sliding a tubular member 126 along the strap, then attaching a second end 128 of strap 124 at another point along interior surface 106. Preferably, the attachment points of the strap with the interior surface are directly opposite one another so that the centra! longitudinal axis of handle 114 passes proximate the centroid of interior 112 of body 102, more preferably, passes through the centroid of interior 112 of body 102. Both strap 124 and tubular member 126 are preferably flexible so that handle 114 is flexible along its length. The ends of strap 124 may be permanently attached to interior surface 106 by stitching and/or an adhesive such as glue, or may be removeably attached with a fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or slide mechanisms.

[0024] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, interior surface 106 preferably includes a surface contour 130 configured to accommodate the size and shape of a hand of most wearers. It will be appreciated that the interior surface may be formed without surface contours if desired.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, aperture 108 is preferably circular in cross section to accommodate entry and exit of the hand of a wearer into the interior of glove 1 GO. It will be appreciated that the size and shape of the aperture may be varied as desired without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the aperture may be oval-shaped.

[0026] Figs. 1 to 3 show exterior surface 104 having a surface deviation, such as a seam 132, which is formed by the joinder of portions of body 102 via stitching 134. Exterior surface 104 may be formed to be devoid of surface deviations if desired so as to present a smooth surface uniformly around the body.

[0027] Referring now to Figs. 4 to 7, body 102 is preferably formed from a soft material that provides a dampening effect when a force is applied thereto. Body 102 preferably has a minimum thickness between exterior surface 104 and interior surface 106 in the range of 0.8 cm to 10.0 cm, more preferably in the range of 1.0 cm to 2.0 cm, and most preferably at least 1.0 cm. The body of the glove preferably has a minimum diameter in the range of 10.0 cm to 20.0 cm, more preferably in the range of 14.0 cm to 17.0 cm, most preferably at least 15.0 cm. Handle 114 preferably has a length sized and configured to accommodate the width of the wearer's fist, and more preferably has a length in the range of 8.0 cm to 16.0 cm, most preferably in the range of 11.0 to 14.0 cm. It will be understood that the aforementioned ranges are exemplary and may be varied depending upon the anticipated size of the wearer's hand.

[0028] Glove 100 may be manufactured by using a dye mould to create a round hollow sphere. The body is formed by injecting a foam into the mould. The handle is attached after the foam has set. Referring to Fig. 6, two halves are then attached to one another to form body 102. The spherical shape of the body is covered with a flexible skin which preferably has sleeve 110 attached thereto.

[0029] Referring to Figs. 1 , 3, 4 and 7, in use a wearer inserts their hand into sleeve 110, through aperture 108, and into interior 112 of body 102. The wearer grips handle 114. Sleeve 110 may be adjustably tightened to the wearer's wrist by a suitable adjustment means such as hook and loop fasteners. The process is repeated on the wearer's other hand until the wearer is ready to train, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0030] The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example only, though a spherical outer surface is preferred, it will be appreciated that the glove may be formed in a non-spherical shape depending upon the intended use. Other types of handles may be used. For example, the handle may be a non-flexible member projecting from the interior surface. The handle may be connected to the interior surface only at one end. The handle may be a solid member connected to the interior surface. The grip surface may include finger indentations. Alternatively, the handle may be omitted if desired. For example, the interior surface may be formed with surface deviations or one or more indents to permit the wearer to engage the interior.

[0031 ] In one or more preferred embodiments, the glove provides advantages of being a more realistic training aid, and permitting multi-directional striking. For example, where the glove is spherical, the shape, configuration and mass of the glove provide a more realistic target for kicking exercises.

[0032] The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A glove for use in body contact sports, and vocations requiring body contact training, the glove comprising: a hollow, cushioned body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said body having an aperture sized and configured to permit entry of a wearer's hand therethrough, said body having a generally spherical exterior surface configured to minimise disproportionate impact against a target due to irregular surface shape.

2. The glove of claim 1 , wherein said aperture is the only aperture leading to said interior surface.

3. The glove of either claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sleeve extending from said aperture, said sleeve being sized and configured to cover a wrist of a wearer of the glove.

4. The glove of any one of the above claims, wherein said aperture is generally circular in cross section.

5. The glove of any one of the above claims, wherein said body has a minimum thickness between said exterior surface and said interior surface of at feast 1 cm.

6. The glove of any one of the above claims, wherein said interior surface is generally spherical.

7. The glove of any one of the above claims, wherein said body has a minimum diameter of at least 15 cm.

8. A glove for use in body contact sports, and vocations requiring body contact training, the glove comprising: a hollow, cushioned body having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said body having an aperture sized and configured to permit entry of a user's hand therethrough; and a handle extending from at least a portion of said interior surface, said handle having a central longitudinal axis and a circumference therearound, said handle having a gripping surface extending around a majority of the circumference of the central longitudinal axis.

9, The glove of claim 8, wherein said aperture is the only aperture leading to said interior surface.

I.0. The glove of either claim 8 or 9, further comprising a sleeve extending from said aperture, said sleeve being sized and configured to cover a wrist of a wearer of the glove.

I I , The glove of any one of claims 8-10, wherein said aperture is generally circular in cross section.

12. The glove of any one of claims 8-11 , wherein said body has a minimum thickness between said exterior surface and said interior surface of at least 1 cm.

13. The glove of any one of claims 8-12, wherein said body has an interior width, said handle having a length extending along a majority of the interior width of said body.

14. The glove of any one of claims 8-13, wherein said handle includes two opposed ends, each of said opposed ends being attached to opposed portions of said interior surface of said body.

15. The glove of any one of claims 8-14, wherein said handle has a length, said handle being flexible along its length.

16. The glove of any one of claims 8-15, wherein said body has an interior with a centroid, said handle being positioned within said interior so that the longitudinal axis of said handle passes proximate the centroid of said interior of said body.

17. The glove of any one of claims 8-15, wherein said body has an interior with a centroid, said handle being positioned within said interior so that the longitudinal axis of said handle passes through the centroid of said interior of said body.

18. The glove of any one of claims 8-15, wherein said gripping surface extends completely around the circumference of the longitudinal axis of said hand!e.

19. The glove of any one of claims 8-18, wherein said exterior surface is generally spherical.