WO2020170126A1

WO2020170126A1 - Glove and accessory for use with a glove

Info

Publication number: WO2020170126A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/051333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen John Quinlan
Original assignee: Stephen John Quinlan
Priority date: 2019-02-18
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2020-08-27
Also published as: US20220142275A1; GB2595834B; GB2595834A; GB202113162D0; AU2020226955A1; CA3130711A1

Abstract

Subject of this invention is a glove (10) for protecting fingers (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) of a wearer against impact from an object (22). The glove (10) includes a plurality of finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) for receiving the fingers of the wearer. Each finger portion defines a palm side (34) and a dorsal side (36). At least one substantially rigid force transferring element (38, 40, 42) is attached to at least one of the finger portions and extends at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side of such a finger portion. The force transferring element is configured, upon receiving a compressive impact force from the object on the dorsal side of the finger portion, to at least partially transfer the compressive force past the wearer's fingers. A palm side edge (44) of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from the palm side (34) of the finger portion (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) when the glove (10) is worn by the wearer.

Description

GLOVE AND ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH A GLOVE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from South African patent application number 2019/01014 filed on 18 February 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to protective gloves and accessories used with protective gloves.

More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a glove for protecting fingers or hand of a wearer against impact from an object during ball sports, goal sports or the like.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Protective gloves are used in a variety of sports to protect the hands and fingers of a wearer. This is particularly important in ball or puck sports played with bats or sticks. Well known examples of sports where protective gloves are required include cricket, hockey, ice hockey, baseball and lacrosse. These sports involve fast moving objects such as solid core balls, pucks, bats and sticks which pose a risk of injury to the hands and fingers of players. As a result, protective gloves have been developed over the years. These known protective gloves generally include padding on a dorsal side of the glove to protect against the objects. Padding is typically not provided on a palm side of these gloves, because that would interfere with the player’s feel and interaction with whatever sporting equipment is being used.

The known gloves are designed so that the pads absorb some of the energy of the striking ball or object. This padding comes in many shapes and sizes and is sometimes in the form of elongated sausage-like pads provided along the dorsal side of finger portions of the gloves. These are appropriately termed sausage-fingered gloves. Other types of protective gloves have a series of protective pads along the dorsal side of the glove and finger portions. Batting gloves, such as cricket batsman's or batswoman’s gloves, sometimes include soft padding along the length of the index finger on a side adjacent the thumb, to reduce the impact of a ball striking the index finger from that side. Notwithstanding these developments, injuries to players’ fingers and hands are still very common even when these known gloves are worn. A problem with known gloves is that when the pads are compressed by the ball, a significant portion of the ball’s energy is still transferred through the player's finger which is then compressed against the bat or handle, often causing injury or even fractured bones. During their careers, most professional batsmen in the game of cricket would have suffered broken bones in their fingers or hands as result of this type of compression injury at some point.

Other attempts at reducing these injuries have been made such as those disclosed in PCT application no. PCT/AU2013/001017, where a protective shield is provided directly on a handle of a cricket bat. However, this protective shield is bulky and prevents certain movements of the hands and bat that is natural to the game.

Accordingly, there is scope to address the aforementioned problems and limitations, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the known devices.

The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended only to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in the art as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a glove for protecting fingers of a wearer against impact from an object, the glove comprising:

a plurality of finger portions for receiving the fingers of the wearer, each finger portion defining a palm side and a dorsal side; and

at least one substantially rigid, planar force transferring element which is attached to at least one of the finger portions and extends at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side of such finger portion, the force transferring element being configured, upon receiving a compressive impact force from the object on the dorsal side of the finger portion, to at least partially transfer the compressive force past the wearer's fingers,

wherein a palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from the palm side of the finger portion when the glove is worn by the wearer.

Further features provide for the palm side edge to be configured to move towards the palm side of the finger portion upon receiving the compressive impact force from the object; for the force transferring element to be suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element may be operatively spaced away from a handle of sporting equipment held by the wearer in use; and for the flexible member to be compressed under the force of the object bringing the force transferring element into abutment with the sporting equipment, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or a hand of the wearer.

Still further features provide for the force transferring element to include a substantially rigid member extending at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side; and for the palm side edge of the force transferring element to be arranged to abut a handle of sporting equipment when held by the wearer upon receiving the compressive impact force.

Yet further features provide for the force transferring element to further include a dorsal surface; and for the dorsal surface to include a transversely extending wing or shield which extends at least partially across an adjacent finger portion; and for the dorsal surface itself to extend across one or more of the finger portions.

Further features provide for the force transferring element to be in the form of a u-shaped structure including two substantially rigid members extending at least partially between the palm side and the dorsal side; and for the u-shaped structure to include a dorsal surface facing away from the palm side, the dorsal surface extending across one, two, three or more than three of the finger portions.

Still further features provide for the force transferring element to be suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively suspended away from the handle of the sporting equipment and is configured to move into abutment with the sporting equipment upon receiving the compressive impact force from the object, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or other parts of the hand of the wearer; for the flexible member to be impact absorbing; and for the palm side edge to be suspended away from the sporting equipment in use, so that it enables the wearer to use the sporting equipment freely without the force transferring element or palm side edge coming into contact with the sporting equipment unless a significant impact is received on the dorsal side. Yet further features provide for the force transferring element to have a radial length which is greater than a diameter of the wearer's fingers, or an estimated diameter of the wearer’s fingers expected to use the glove; and for at least two force transferring elements to be provided between two or more of the finger portions.

Further features provide for the glove to include padding adjacent to, or forming part of the finger portions, or adjacent to a body of the glove; for the padding to include an inner pad which is on the dorsal side of the glove near the wearer’s fingers, and an outer pad which is on the dorsal side of the glove and outside the inner pad; for the inner pad to be provided, between the wearer’s finger and the outer pad, and for example, in the case of a u-shaped or winged force transferring element, for the dorsal surface of the element to extend between the inner and outer pads; or for the dorsal surface to extend across one or more of the finger portions between the inner and outer pads; for the inner pad to be arranged to space the u-shaped force transferring element away from the wearer’s hand or fingers, and away from the palm side of the finger portions, or away from the palm side of the glove; for the inner pad to be soft, so that the force transferring element is not perceived by the wearer; and for the inner pad or the finger portion to be configured such that when an impact is received on the dorsal side, one of the outer pad and the inner pad is compressed, until the palm side edge of the force transferring element comes into abutment with the sporting equipment, or with the handle thereof, thereby transferring at least part of the compressive force past the wearer’s fingers or past the wearer’s hand onto the handle or onto the sporting equipment; and for the force transferring element to form a protective chamber wherein the hand or fingers of the wearer are located in use, to inhibit injury from the compressive force of the object. The flexible member may be provided by the inner pad, or by a part of the glove.

Still further features provide for a distal end of the dorsal surface of the u-shaped force transferring element to extend past a tip of one of the wearer’s fingers in use; and for the distal end to be an open end; alternatively, for the distal end to include a substantially rigid closure or face that at least partially covers the tip of one or more of the wearer’s fingers in use.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a glove for protecting hands of a wearer against impact from an object, the glove comprising:

a glove body having a plurality of finger portions for receiving the fingers of the wearer, the glove body defining a palm side and a dorsal side; and

at least one substantially rigid force transferring element which is attached to the glove body and extends at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side of the glove, the force transferring element being configured, upon receiving a compressive impact force from the object on the dorsal side of the glove, to at least partially transferee compressive force past the wearer’s hands, wherein a palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from the palm side of the glove when the glove is worn by the wearer.

Further features provide for the palm side edge to be configured to move towards the palm side of the glove upon receiving the compressive impact force from the object; for the force transferring element to be suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element may be operatively spaced away from a handle of sporting equipment held by the wearer; and for the flexible member to be operatively compressed under the force of the object bringing the force transferring element into abutment with the sporting equipment, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or a hand of the wearer in use.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory for use with a glove to protect hands of a wearer against impact from an object, the accessory comprising: a substantially rigid force transferring element having a palm side edge and a dorsal surface; and

an attachment formation which is configured to be attached to a glove body such that the force transferring element extends at least partially between a palm side and a dorsal side of the glove in use, with the palm side edge operatively spaced away from the palm side of the glove.

A further feature provides for the attachment formation to be arranged to enable movement of the force transferring element to at least partially transfer a compressive impact force from the object past the wearer’s hands in use.

Still further features provide for the attachment formation to be arranged to be suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element may be operatively spaced away from a handle of sporting equipment held by the wearer; and for the flexible member to be arranged to compress under the force of the object bringing the force transferring element into abutment with the sporting equipment, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or a hand of the wearer in use.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a glove including a plurality of finger portions for protecting fingers of a wearer against impact from an object;

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view from a little finger side of the glove of Figure 1 , showing more detail of one of a plurality of force transferring elements provided on one of the finger portions for a little finger of a wearer;

Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view from a thumb side of the glove of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of another example embodiment of the glove as viewed from a palm side of the glove, showing a broader u-shaped force transferring element;

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view from a distal end of the glove of Figure 4, showing more detail of the broader u-shaped force transferring element;

Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view from a thumb side of the glove of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a three-dimensional view from a little finger side of the glove of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the glove of Figure 1 in use, while the wearer is holding a bat or stick;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to Figure 8, showing a compressive impact force being received by the glove from an object such as a ball, puck or stick;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the glove of Figure 4 in use, while the wearer is holding a bat or stick;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic sectional view similar to Figure 10, showing a compressive impact force being received by the glove from an object such as a ball, puck or stick;

Figure 12 is a top view of another example embodiment of a glove showing a winged force transferring element of the index finger's finger portion;

Figure 13 is a three-dimensional view from a thumb side of the glove of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a three-dimensional view of a distal end of the index finger’s finger portion of the glove of Figure 12, showing the glove being used to hold sporting equipment such as a bat or stick; and

Figure 15 is a three-dimensional view from a distal end of another embodiment of the glove, similar to Figure 5, which includes an angled force transferring element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

There is provided a protective glove for guarding the hand or fingers of a user of the glove, for example while the user is holding equipment such as sporting equipment. The glove includes a plurality of shielding members or accessories provided to inhibit damage to the user's fingers or hand. The shielding members may be made of a substantially rigid material such as, but not limited to, metal, carbon fibre, plastics, polymers (for example polycarbonate), composites or the like. The shielding members or accessories may be suspended by cushions which elevate or suspend the shielding members away from a gripping side of the glove while holding the equipment. When the glove receives a hit or strike from a ball, puck, bat, stick or any other object, a contact surface of one or more of the shielding members or accessories may be arranged to move and to make contact with the equipment, thereby directing at least part of the energy from the hit onto the equipment and beyond the user’s fingers or hand. This may protect the user’s hand or fingers from damage such as compression fractures and other injuries. An accessory or force transferring element for use with a glove may be provided and it may be retro-fitted to an existing glove.

An example embodiment of a glove is shown in Figures 1 to 3, another example embodiment of the glove is shown in Figures 4 to 7, yet another example embodiment of the glove is shown in Figures 12 to 14, and a further example embodiment of the glove is shown in Figure 15. Diagrammatic sectional views of the example embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, are shown in Figures 8 to 9; and diagrammatic sectional views of the example embodiment of Figures 4 to 7, are shown in Figures 10 to 11. Referring to Figures 1, 8 and 9, there is provided a glove (10) for protecting fingers (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) of a wearer against impact from an object (22). The glove (10) may include a plurality of finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) for receiving the fingers of the wearer. A first finger portion (24) may be provided for receiving the wearer’s thumb (12); a second finger portion (26) for the wearer's index finger (14); a third finger portion (28) for the wearer's middle finger (16); a fourth finger portion (30) for the wearer’s ring finger (18); and a fifth finger portion (32) for the wearer's little finger (20). Each of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) may define a palm side (34) and a dorsal side (36). The glove (10) may include a glove body (33) defining its palm side (34) and its dorsal side (36). The glove (10) may further include at least one substantially rigid, planar force transferring element (38, 40, 42) which may be attached to at least one of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) and may extend at least partially between the palm side (34) and dorsal side (36) of such finger portion. The force transferring element (38, 40, 42) may also be attached to the glove body (33) and may extend at least partially between a palm side (34) and a dorsal side (36) of the glove (10). The force transferring element may also be made separately and retro-fitted or attached to an existing glove, or attached to the glove during manufacturing of the glove.

In the example embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 8 to 9, a u-shaped force transferring element (38, 40) may be provided for the index finger's finger portion (26) and for the middle finger’s finger portion (28). The u-shaped force transferring element (38, 40) may be substantially planar, but may have some curved surfaces or edges as required. Curved or substantially flat planar force transferring elements (42) may be attached to the little finger’s finger portion (32). These are more clearly visible in Figure 2. More detail of the force transferring element (38) for the index finger’s finger portion (26) is shown in Figure 3. In the example embodiment of the glove (10), force transferring elements (38, 40, 42) may be omitted from the finger portions for the ring finger and thumb (24, 30), however embodiments are also possible where force transferring elements may be provided on each of the five finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32). Various arrangements are possible and the force transferring elements may be attached to different fingers than are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 8 and 9 show diagrammatic sectional views of the glove of Figures 1 to 3 in use while the wearer is holding a bat (46) or other sporting equipment. For exemplary purposes, in the sectional views in Figures 8 and 9, force transferring elements (48, 50) are also provided on the ring finger’s finger portion (30) and on the thumb's finger portion (24). A palm side edge (44) of the force transferring elements (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) may be operatively spaced away from the palm side (34) of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) when the glove (10) is worn by the wearer, as is indicated by distance (D). This may improve the“feel” of the bat (46) perceived by the wearer because the force transferring elements preferably do not make contact with a handle of the bat (46) while the wearer holds or uses it. Embodiments are also possible wherein the force transferring elements (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) are not operatively spaced away from the palm side (34) of the finger portions or from the palm side of the glove, and where they may operatively abut the bat (46) or its handle while the wearer is holding the bat. In Figure 9 is shown the glove (10) in use, when receiving an impact from the object (22). It will be appreciated that the object (22) may be any object that may cause harm to the wearer, including, but not limited to a ball, bat, stick, puck, etc. The palm side edge (44) of each of the force transferring elements (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) may be configured to move towards the palm side (34) of the relevant finger portion (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) upon receiving a compressive impact force (F) from the object (22) on the dorsal side (36) of that finger portion. In the example shown, the impact force (F) from the object (22) is received partially on the ring finger's finger portion (30) and partially on the little finger’s finger portion (32). The force transferring elements (42, 48) may at least partially transfer the compressive force (F) past the wearer’s ring and little fingers (18, 20) as indicated by the directional arrows (A). When the ball (22) strikes the glove from the dorsal side (36), the force transferring elements (42, 48), and their palm side edges (44) may be configured to move towards the bat (46), and towards the palm side edge (34), until they abut with the handle of the bat (46). Upon making contact with the bat (46), at least part of the force (F) or energy of the impact is transferred to the relatively hard surface of the bat (46) which may protect the wearer’s fingers (18, 20) or hand from injury. The bones (52) of the wearer’s fingers (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) (as well as other body tissue and cartilage of the hands and the fingers) may hence also be protected from compressive fractures or other damage, because a protective chamber may be formed by the force transferring elements. The ball (22) may contact the padding (56, 54) which may cause the force transferring element to move and the compressive force may hence be transferred through the force transferring element via the padding (for example, the ring finger’s finger portion (30), its padding (56, 54), and its force transferring element (48) in Figure 9). Alternatively, the ball may contact the force transferring element directly (for example force transferring element (42) in Figure 9), thereby transferring at least part of the impact force past the wearer’s hand and onto the handle of the bat (46).

Referring again to Figure 8, the force transferring elements may have a variety of shapes. For example, the force transferring elements (38, 40) for the index and middle fingers' finger portions (26, 28) may be a u-shaped structure and may each include two substantially rigid members

(38.1 , 38.2, 40.1 , 40.2) extending at least partially between the palm side (34) and the dorsal side (36) of those finger portions (26, 28). This u-shaped structure may also include a dorsal surface (38.3, 40.3) facing away from the palm side (34). Similar substantially rigid members and dorsal surfaces (48.1 , 48.2, 48.3, 50.1 , 50.2, 50.3) may be provided for the ring and thumb’s finger portions (30, 24). The dorsal surface (38.3) may extend across one, two, three or four (or more than three) of the finger portions. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 7, the dorsal surface extends across four of the finger portions, as is discussed in more detail below. The dorsal surface of each force transferring element may include one or more dorsal edges. It will be appreciated that for the little finger’s force transferring elements (42), the dorsal surface may be a dorsal edge of the force transferring element. With a wider or broader force transferring element, the dorsal surface may extend across one or more of the finger portions.

Still referring to Figure 8, the glove also includes padding (54, 56) which may form part of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32). The padding may include an inner pad (54) near the wearer’s fingers (12, 14, 16, 18, 20), which may be towards the dorsal side (36) of the glove (10). It should be appreciated that the dorsal side of the glove (10) may also include the dorsal sides (36) of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32). The padding may further include an outer pad (56) which may be provided on the dorsal side (36) of the glove (10), outside the inner pad (54). In the example embodiment, the inner pad (54) may be provided between the wearer’s finger (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) and the outer pad (56). In the case of a u-shaped force transferring element (38, 40, 48, 50), the dorsal surface (38.3, 40.3, 48.3, 50.3) of the respective element (38, 40, 48, 50) may extend between the inner and outer pads (54, 56). The inner pad (54) may have the functionality of improving the "feel” of the glove (10) to the wearer by creating a barrier between the wearer’s fingers (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) and the dorsal surface (38.3, 40.3, 48.3, 50.3) of the force transferring elements (38, 40, 48, 50). The inner pad (54), or the outer pad (56) may be arranged to space the u-shaped structure away from the wearer’s hand or fingers, and away from the palm side (34) of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32). The u-shape may be selected so that the“feel” of the glove (10) as perceived by the wearer is not substantially affected. The inner pad (54) may for example be manufactured from soft material so that the force transferring elements are not perceived by the wearer while wearing the glove (10). The inner pad (54), or the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) may be configured such that when an impact is received on the dorsal side (36), one or both of the relevant inner and outer pads (56, 54) are at least partially compressed until the palm side edge (44) of the force transferring element (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) comes into abutment with the sporting equipment (46), or with the handle thereof, thereby transferring at least part of the compressive force (F) past the wearer’s fingers (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) and hand directly onto the handle. The force transferring element may form a protective chamber wherein the hand or fingers of the wearer are located in use. A distal end (51) (shown in Figure 1 ) of the dorsal surface (38.3) of the u-shaped force transferring element (38) may extend past a tip (53) of any one of the wearer’s fingers. The distal end may be an open end, or alternatively, embodiments are possible wherein the distal end (51 ) may include a substantially rigid closure (an example of which is shown in Figure 15 and described below) that at least partially covers the tip (53) of the wearer’s finger in use.

Referring again to Figure 9, as the ball (22) impacts the dorsal side (36) of the glove (10), the little and ring fingers’ finger portions (30, 32) are at least partially compressed by the compressive force (F) of the ball. This is because the inner padding (54) and/or the outer padding (56) is at least partially compressed or deformed, which may cause the force transferring elements (42, 48) and the palm side edges (44) to move towards the palm side (34) of the glove (10) (or towards the palm side (34) of the finger portions), until it abuts with the handle of the sporting equipment (46). For finger portions (30, 32) the outer padding (56) may be compressed while the inner padding (54) may remain substantially in its normal shape (substantially un-compressed). The inner padding (54) may however move slightly towards the fingers (18, 20) of the wearer (without compressing them substantially) until the palm side edges (44) abut with the bat (46). The force transferring elements (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) may be suspended (D) by the padding (54, 56) away from the palm side (34) when not receiving an impact (as shown in Figure 8). The padding (54, 56) may thus provide a flexible member (which may preferably be impact absorbing) so that the palm side edges (44) of the force transferring elements are operatively suspended or elevated away from the handle (46) of the sporting equipment. This may enable the wearer to use the sporting equipment (46) freely without the force transferring elements (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) or palm side edges (44) coming into contact with the sporting equipment (46) during use and when not receiving an impact. The elevation or spacing of the palm side edge(s) away from the sporting equipment may also be provided by the way that the force transferring element is attached to the glove. The glove itself, or the finger portions may provide a flexible member which suspends the palm side edge(s) away from the sporting equipment until an impact is received from the object. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the flexible member may be compressed under the compressive or impact force of the object and this may, in turn, cause the palm side edge(s) to come into abutment with the handle of the sporting equipment to at least partially transfer the force past the wearer’s hand or fingers.

It should be appreciated that the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) of the glove (10) may also include finger receiving parts (25) which may be made of suitable material such as, but not limited to, cloth, leather, nylon etc. The finger receiving parts (25) of the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) may be attached to the padding (54, 56) for example by adhering, gluing or stitching or other attachment methods may be used. The force transferring elements (38, 40, 42, 48, 50) may for example be stitched, adhered or otherwise attached to the padding (54, 56) and/or to the finger portions (24, 26, 28, 30, 32) and/or to the finger receiving parts (25). It is further envisaged that the force transferring elements may include an attachment formation or attachment means for attaching each of the force transferring elements to the glove (in other words, retro-fitting it to an existing glove). Adhesives, gluing, stitching or other attachment or fastening methods or apparatuses may be used. The force transferring elements may have a radial length (L) which may be equal to or greater than a diameter of the wearer’s fingers, or an estimated diameter of a wearer’s fingers who is expected to use the glove.

Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 10 to 11 show another example embodiment (100) of the glove where the force transferring element may be in the form of a broader or wider u-shaped force transferring element (158) which may at least partially cover and protect more than one finger of the wearer. For example, four fingers (26, 28, 30, 32) (in this case the index, middle, ring and little finger of the wearer) may be protected by the broader u-shaped force transferring element (158). Similar to the u-shaped force transferring element (38) of Figure 1 , the broader force transferring element (158) may also have two substantially rigid members (158.1 , 158.2) extending at least partially between a palm side (162) and a dorsal side (164) of the glove (100). Stated differently, the two substantially rigid members (158.1 , 158.2) may extend at least partially between a palm side (162) and a dorsal side (164) of the relevant finger portions (26, 28, 30, 32). These substantially rigid members (158.1 , 158.2) may extend along the index finger’s finger portion (26) and along the little finger’s finger portion (32). The broader force transferring element (158) may also include a dorsal surface (158.3) facing away from the palm side (162). Other features of this embodiment may be similar to the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, Figures 8 to 9 or Figure 15 which is described below. Figures 10 and 11 are similar to Figures 8 and 9, but show the embodiment of the glove (100) of Figures 4 to 7 in use. A palm side edge (160) of the broader force transferring element (158) may be operatively spaced away from the palm side (162) of the finger portions (26, 28, 30, 32) when the glove (100) is worn by the wearer, as is illustrated by distance (DD). Inner and outer pads (154, 156) may be provided similarly to the inner and outer pads (54, 56) of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 8 to 9. In this example embodiment, the force transferring element (50) for the thumb’s finger portion may be omitted (for example, to possibly increase mobility of the wearer’s thumb), but it may still include inner and/or outer pads (154, 156). The broader force transferring element (158) may have a radial length (LL) which may be equal to or greater than a diameter of the wearer’s fingers, or an estimated diameter of a wearer's fingers who is expected to use the glove. The broader u-shape may also be selected so that the“feel” of the glove (100) as perceived by the wearer is not substantially affected.

Turning now to Figure 11 , upon receiving an impact from an object (22) and as result of a compressive force (FF), the force transferring element (158) and particularly its palm side edges (160) may move towards the palm side (162) of the glove (100) until one or both of them abut with the handle of the sporting equipment (46), thereby protecting the wearer’s fingers and hand by transferring at least part of the compressive force (FF) past the wearer’s fingers and onto the sporting equipment as is indicated by directional arrows (AA).

It may be advantageous to use the embodiment of the glove (100) with the broader force transferring element (158) of Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 10 and 11 on one hand of the wearer and the embodiment of the glove (10) of Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 8 to 9 on the other hand of the wearer. In the case of the glove (10, 100) being used in the game of Cricket, it may be advantageous for the broad u-shaped force transferring element (158) to be used on a leading hand or upper hand of a batsman (the leading or upper hand may be the left hand for a right- handed batsman, and the right hand for a left-handed batsman). For the other hand, a trailing or lower hand, it may be advantageous to provide the embodiment of the glove (10) with some u- shaped force transferring elements (38, 40, 48, 50) covering pre-selected ones of the fingers, and with substantially flat or curved force transferring elements (42) provided on other ones of the fingers, or optionally with some fingers only being provided with padding (54, 56). This may provide increased mobility in the trailing hand (which may require more mobility than the leading hand), while still providing protection for fingers that are often broken or damaged by fast balls or the like.

Referring to Figures 12 to 14, there is shown another example embodiment (200) of the glove. In this embodiment, a force transferring element (238) of an index finger’s finger portion (226) may include substantially rigid members (238.1 , 238.2) extending at least partially between a palm side (234) and dorsal side (236) of the glove (200). The force transferring element (238) may further include a dorsal surface (238.3), and this dorsal surface (238.3) may include a transversely extending wing (238.4) (which may also be referred to as a shield or winged formation) which may extend at least partially across an adjacent finger portion in use. The dorsal surface may include one or more dorsal edges. As is shown in Figure 14, the winged formation (238.4) may extend at least partially across a thumb’s finger portion (224) when the wearer is holding a bat (246). This may provide protection against objects, and may in particular also protect a distal part of the wearer’s thumb. Other embodiments are also possible wherein the wing extends partially or completely across one or more of the other finger portions as required. The wing (238.4) may protect the wearer’s thumb which may be subject to oncoming balls or other objects. It will be appreciated that the force transferring element (238) may otherwise be similar in functionality to the force transferring elements described above with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In this embodiment the force transferring element (238) may also be retro-fitted or attached to the glove and it may also include an attachment formation. For example, the attachment formation may be provided by one or more holes (247) in the dorsal surface (238.3), to facilitate the force transferring element to be stitched to the dorsal side of the glove or finger portions. The palm side edges of the force transferring element (238) may also move to abut with the handle of the bat when receiving an impact or compressive force from an object, to protect the wearer's hand and fingers. The wearer's thumb is particularly at risk in Cricket, because the distal end of the thumb faces directly at incoming deliveries. This embodiment may alleviate the aforesaid risk. Other embodiments are also possible where the wing extends over one or more other fingers, for example the force transferring element of the ring finger's finger portion may have a wing that extends at least partially over the little finger’s finger portion, etc. In Figure 14, the outer pads are omitted, but embodiments are possible where outer pads are provided on the dorsal surface similar to Figure 1. Figure 15 shows yet another embodiment (300) of the glove and force transferring elements, similar to the embodiment (100) shown in Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 10 to 11 , and which glove also includes a palm side (362). In this embodiment (300), the force transferring element (312) (and particularly a distal end thereof) may be angled. The distal end of the force transferring element (312) may define a distal surface (310) that partially covers one or more of the fingertips of the wearer. The distal end may be angled as shown, and it may extend across one or more of the fingertips of the wearer. At the little finger's finger portion the little finger's fingertip may be covered, the ring finger’s fingertip may be partially covered, the middle finger’s fingertip may be partially covered and the index finger’s fingertip may be substantially open towards a distal end thereof, defining an opening (328) in the force transferring element (312). This embodiment may include a separate rigid structure (320) or force transferring element, for example provided on a distal end of the index finger’s finger portion to protect the index finger against strikes from the distal end of the index finger. A palm side edge (322) of the separate rigid structure (320) or force transferring element may be operatively spaced from the palm side (362) of the glove, in a similar way as described above with reference to the other embodiments. A blocking device may also be provided to block movement of the separate rigid structure in the direction of the length of the wearer’s finger. The blocking device (not shown) may for example be provided on an inside of the u-shaped force transferring element (312) and may arrest movement of the rigid structure (320) to inhibit damage to that finger when the object hits it from the front of the relevant fingertip. The separate rigid structure (320) may also include an attachment formation for attachment to the glove body. Other features of the embodiment (300) of the glove may be similar to the embodiment (100) described above with reference to Figures 4 to 7 and Figures 10 to 11. Padding may also be provided for this embodiment if needed, or it may simply be covered by leather, synthetic material, cloth or the like. Combinations of features of the various embodiments depicted and described herein may also be possible. For example, the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 may include a distal surface similar to the distal surface (310) shown in Figure 15, or a distal surface that only covers one or more of the fingertips of the wearer. The distal surface may also be referred to as a front face of the force transferring element. The distal surface may extend to cover the fingertips of one or more of the finger portions, such as the middle finger’s finger portion and the ring finger’s finger portion.

The present disclosure may provide advantages over known devices, because the force transferring elements may provide at least two contact points arranged to abut with the sporting equipment upon receiving an impact from an object, irrespective of the orientation of the wearer’s hand relative to the sporting equipment. For example, with the embodiment shown in Figure 15, a first contact point or palm side edge (324) as well as a second contact point or palm side edge (326) may be arranged to abut with the sporting equipment when an impact is received from the object. Similarly, with the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , both the palm side edges (44) of the force transferring element (38) of the index finger may be arranged to both come into abutment or contact with the sporting equipment when receiving an impact force from the object. It will be appreciated that at least two contact points or palm side edges may also be provided for the other embodiments described herein. This may especially provide advantages for a bottom hand of a Cricket player, because typically only a few fingers of the wearer are used to hold the handle of the Cricket bat with the operatively lower hand.

For the example embodiment of Figure 15, if the wearer uses his index finger, middle finger and thumb of his hand to hold the handle of the bat, and an impact force is received from a ball onto a dorsal surface of the force transferring element (312), then both the first and second contact points (324, 326) or palm side edges may move towards the handle of the bat, make contact with the bat handle, and the force would therefore be at least partially transferred past the wearer’s fingers to protect them. The flexible member may be compressed by the impact force of the object. In other words, a flexible part of the glove to which the force transferring element is attached may flex or compress (or move) to bring the palm side edge into abutment with the sporting equipment. Alternatively, one or more of the pads may provide the flexible member as described above. The flexible member may also be a separate flexible member which is attached to the attachment formation of the force transferring element and to the glove. Referring again to Figure 15, an embodiment may also be possible wherein an opening (328) is provided on both sides of the u- shaped force transferring element (312) (i.e. at the index finger side and at the little finger side), with the front face (310) or substantially rigid closure extending between these two openings. Such an embodiment may provide an ambidextrous accessory or force transferring element which can be attached or retro-fitted to either a right-hand glove or a left-hand glove.

Having at least two contact points or palm side edges between the force transferring element and the sporting equipment upon impact from the object may be important, because if only one contact point is provided the object may still cause damage to the wearer’s fingers or hand as a result of the force transferring element pivoting or rotating upon receiving the impact. Having at least two contact points may thus provide a secure or stable structure which may be more effective at transferring force to the sporting equipment, because the force transferring element may be less likely to rotate or pivot when it contacts the sporting equipment at two or more separate locations. This advantage may be provided even if the wearer does not use all his or her fingers to hold the sporting equipment. There are known gloves have reinforcing parts provided in an upper layer of padding. However, these reinforcing parts are fixed into these gloves, and they are thus unable to move past the wearer's finger(s) to come into contact with the sporting equipment without causing significant compression to the wearer’s finger or hand. This is because a dorsal layer of these gloves prevents this movement, and/or because these reinforcing parts are usually too short to prevent injury. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are many variations to the invention as herein defined and/or described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For example, the inner and outer pads may be provided by a single pad. The force transferring element(s) may be provided only on one, or on more than one of the finger portions as required by the particular application. U-shaped force transferring elements, or generally flat, or generally curved, or generally elongated force transferring elements may be used or a combination of these as required. The force transferring elements may have any shape that includes projections that are longer than the thickness or diameter of the wearer’s fingers, or an estimated diameter of a wearer’s fingers who is expected to use the glove. The force transferring elements may be arranged to inhibit possible damage to the ball or object, for example by adding outer pads of a particular foam or other cushioning or shock absorbing materials. The palm side surface or edge of the force transferring elements may be a straight surface, or it may be a curved surface that is arranged to abut a round or oval handle. There may also be parts of the force transferring elements that are cut away to accommodate the wearer's fingers, particularly to accommodate the thumb as it wraps around the handle while the wearer is holding a bat. The force transferring elements may also be padded or lined (for example with leather or synthetic material), to limit wear on the glove and/or to improve the feel of the glove for the wearer and/or to alleviate damage to the ball. The force transferring elements, and particularly the outer pads may be arranged so that they have a shape that resembles a sporting glove of the particular sport, for example a Cricket glove. The padding or cushioning materials may be chosen so that it deflects the ball in a way that is familiar or known to players so that wearing the glove does not increase chances of being caught off the glove. The force transferring elements may have holes in them so that the other components of the glove may be stitched or otherwise attached to the force transferring elements. An example of these holes is shown in Figure 14, but the other embodiments may also include these holes or other types of attachment formations for attaching the force transferring element(s) to the glove body. Embodiments are also possible wherein the force transferring element and particularly the dorsal surface thereof may extend at least partially over a dorsal part of the wearer’s hand, for example to cover at least a part of the knuckles and/or at least a dorsal part of the hand between the knuckles and wrist of the wearer. This may enable other parts of the wearer’s hand to be protected. The force transferring elements may be manufactured from any substantially rigid material which may be a lightweight material to reduce the overall weight of the glove. Materials that may be used include, but are not limited to metals such as aluminium or titanium, other materials such as composites, carbon fibre, polymers (for example polycarbonate), plastics etc. It will further be appreciated that the various force transferring elements described herein (and/or the separate rigid structure in Figure 15) may be manufactured separately and then retro-fitted or attached to a glove. Each of the force transferring elements described herein may include at least one attachment formation which can be attached to a glove body. For example, the u-shaped force transferring elements may include the attachment formation on a side thereof which can then be attached to one of the finger portions, or to another part of the glove body. Alternatively, the attachment formation may be in the form of one or more holes in the force transferring element (as mentioned above), so that it can be stitched to the glove. Alternatively, the attachment formation may be the dorsal surface itself, of the force transferring element, which can be attached, glued or affixed to a dorsal side of the glove, or attached between the inner and outer pads as described above. Otherwise, the attachment formation may be a part of the force transferring element that partially extends from the dorsal side of the glove towards the palm side, and it may be attached to the glove or finger portion(s). The force transferring elements that are not u-shaped (for example those shown in Figure 1 for the little finger) may also include the attachment formation for attachment to the glove. This type of force transferring element may also be used or provided between other finger portions of the glove. In the embodiments described herein, the dorsal surface may be the dorsal edge of the relevant force transferring element. The force transferring element(s) may be attached to the glove by way of the attachment formation, and many types of attachment formations may be used. For example, attachment by way of hook- and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) or clips, snap-fit attachments, zip fasteners, glue or any other type of fastener may be used to attach the force transferring element to the glove, or to one or more of the finger portions.

There is thus provided an accessory (38, 40, 42, 48, 50, 158, 238, 312, 320) for use with a glove to protect hands of a wearer against impact from an object. The accessory may include a substantially rigid force transferring element having a palm side edge and a dorsal surface. An attachment formation may be configured to be attached to a glove body such that the force transferring element extends at least partially between a palm side and a dorsal side of the glove in use, with the palm side edge being operatively spaced away from the palm side of the glove (and spaced away from sporting equipment when held by the wearer while wearing the glove). The attachment formation may be arranged to enable movement of the force transferring element to at least partially transfer a compressive impact force from the object past the wearer's hands in use. The force transferring element may provide protection against injuries where the wearer's finger is compressed between the object and the sporting equipment, by transferring the force from the object to the sporting equipment. It should be appreciated that a substantial amount of the force or energy of the object is transferred or conveyed past the wearer’s hand or fingers. The force transferring element may thus form a protective chamber or cage wherein the wearer’s hand or finger(s) are located in use. The protective chamber may have a plurality of sides, for example three, or four sides: the dorsal side, a distal side (facing away from the distal tip of the relevant finger), a thumb side (facing towards the wearer’s thumb when the hand is outstretched) and a little finger side (facing away from the thumb when the hand is outstretched). This protective chamber may house any number of fingers or even parts of the hand of the wearer.

It should further be appreciated that the padding, including the inner and outer padding may be optional. In other words, the glove may include the force transferring element, whether u-shaped, straight, curved, angled, or winged, and this may protect the hands or fingers of the wearer without necessarily requiring padding. The inner pads may be provided merely for comfort (or“feel”), or merely to suspend the dorsal surface above the wearer’s fingers. The dorsal surface is typically substantially flat, but as shown in Figure 9 for the little finger, the dorsal surface may be a relatively small surface or dorsal edge of the force transferring element. These generally flat force transferring elements may also be used for the rest of the wearer’s fingers. Because the padding may be omitted, the glove may be made lighter and/or less bulky than known gloves that the applicant is aware of, without compromising protection. The hands may be enabled to be used more dexterously when wearing the glove and the glove may provide better cooling or better ventilation to the hand (which may also reduce the amount of sweat) because less padding or no padding at all is needed.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Finally, throughout the specification and accompanying claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word’comprise' or variations such as‘comprises’ or‘comprising’ will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A glove for protecting fingers of a wearer against impact from an object, the glove comprising:

at least one substantially rigid, planar force transferring element which is attached to at least one of the finger portions and extends at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side of such finger portion, the force transferring element being configured, upon receiving a compressive impact force from the object on the dorsal side of the finger portion, to at least partially transfer the compressive force past the wearer’s fingers, wherein a palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from the palm side of the finger portion when the glove is worn by the wearer.

2. The glove as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the force transferring element is suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from a handle of sporting equipment held by the wearer, and wherein the flexible member compresses under the force of the object bringing the force transferring element into abutment with the sporting equipment, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or a hand of the wearer in use.

3. The glove as claimed in as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force transferring element further includes a dorsal surface.

4. The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force transferring element is in the form of a u-shaped structure including two substantially rigid members extending at least partially between the palm side and the dorsal side.

5. The glove as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dorsal surface faces away from the palm side and extends across one, two, three or more than three of the finger portions.

6. The glove as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, further including padding adjacent to, or forming part of the finger portions, wherein the padding includes an inner pad which is on the dorsal side of the glove near the wearer’s fingers, and an outer pad which is on the dorsal side of the glove and outside the inner pad.

7. The glove as claimed in claim 6, wherein the dorsal surface of the force transferring element extends across one or more of the finger portions and between the inner and outer pads.

8. The glove as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner pad provides the flexible member that is arranged to space the force transferring element away from the palm side of the finger portions.

9. The glove as claimed in anyone of claims 6 to 8, wherein the inner pad of the finger portion is configured such that when an impact is received on the dorsal side, one of the outer pad and the inner pad is compressed, until the palm side edge of the force transferring element comes into abutment with the sporting equipment, or with the handle thereof, thereby transferring at least part of the compressive force past the wearer's fingers or past the wearer’s hand onto the sporting equipment.

10. The glove as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the dorsal surface includes a transversely extending wing which extends at least partially across an adjacent finger portion.

11. The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the force transferring element has a radial length which is greater than an estimated diameter of the wearer’s fingers.

12. The glove as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two force transferring elements are provided between two or more of the finger portions.

13. The glove as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the force transferring element is in the form of a u-shaped structure and wherein a distal end of the dorsal surface of the u-shaped force transferring element extends past a tip of one of the wearer’s fingers in use.

14. The glove as claimed in claim 13, wherein the distal end is an open end.

15. The glove as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the distal end includes a substantially rigid closure that at least partially covers the tip of one or more of the wearer’s fingers in use.

16. A glove for protecting hands of a wearer against impact from an object, the glove comprising:

at least one substantially rigid force transferring element which is attached to the glove body and extends at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side of the glove, the force transferring element being configured, upon receiving a compressive impact force from the object on the dorsal side of the glove, to at least partially transfer the compressive force past the wearer’s hands,

wherein a palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from the palm side of the glove when the glove is worn by the wearer.

17. The glove as claimed in claim 16, wherein the force transferring element is suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from a handle of sporting equipment held by the wearer, and wherein the flexible member compresses under the force of the object bringing the force transferring element into abutment with the sporting equipment, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or a hand of the wearer in use.

18. An accessory for use with a glove to protect hands of a wearer against impact from an object, the accessory comprising:

a substantially rigid force transferring element having a palm side edge and a dorsal surface; and

19. The accessory as claimed in claim 18, wherein the attachment formation is arranged to be suspended by a flexible member so that the palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from a handle of sporting equipment held by the wearer, and wherein the flexible member compresses under the force of the object bringing the force transferring element into abutment with the sporting equipment, thereby at least partially transferring the impact force from the object to the sporting equipment to protect one or more fingers or a hand of the wearer in use.