WO2021005430A1

WO2021005430A1 - Glove with damping inserts

Info

Publication number: WO2021005430A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/055654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Remigio Berlese
Original assignee: Abe Sport Group S.R.L.
Priority date: 2019-07-08
Filing date: 2020-06-17
Publication date: 2021-01-14
Also published as: IT201900011118A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a glove (100) comprising a frontal first section (102) and a dorsal second section (104) opposite to the frontal first section (102) and joined to each other so as to receive and cover a hand in which the frontal first section (102) is adapted to operatively receive the palm of the hand. The glove (100) comprises at least one damping insert (114) formed distinct from the frontal first section (102) and fixed operatively to the latter by joining means (116), and the damping insert (114) comprises a support layer (118) having a first face (118a) and a second face (118b) opposite to the first face (118a), and a damping layer (120) that is operatively interposed between the frontal first section (102) and the first face (118a) of the support layer (118). Specifically, the damping layer (120) is formed adherent in a overlapping relationship only to the first face (118a) of the support layer (118), and the damping layer (120) being also formed with elastomeric polymeric material.

Description

Title of Invention:“GLOVE WITH DAMPING INSERTS”

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a glove for sporting or working activities, comprising damping inserts, and to a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] In the prior art are well-known gloves that are adapted to protect the hands of a user during specific activities, such as, for example, sporting or working activities, and that at the same time guarantee good wearability and freedom of movement of the hands and the fingers.

[0003] For sporting activities, such as for example cycling, the glove is provided with

damping inserts that are arranged opposite the palm of the hand and are adapted to protect the hand that grips the handlebars from shocks and/or vibrations, such as an impact of the bicycle wheel in a pothole, and/or vibrations caused by the bumpiness of the road. In fact, shocks and/or vibrations limit the riding comfort and, if the condition is prolonged, they can cause temporary or chronic pain on the hand and/or the wrist, and/or on the arm of the user.

[0004] The same problems may occur in other sports activities that require the gripping of certain articles, such as a tennis racket, a golf club and similar items, or in working ac tivities involving the handling of devices that generate vibrations, such as for example electric screwdrivers, sanders, pneumatic hammers, etc.

[0005] Thus, depending on the cause of the impact and/or the vibrations, the damping inserts of a glove are configured so as to attenuate, or dampen, impacts and/or vibrations and reduce their transmission below a certain desired threshold.

[0006] With reference to Figs. 1A to ID, a glove of known type 10 is shown provided with damping inserts 12. Specifically, the glove 10 is provided with damping inserts 12 formed separately and applied subsequently on the surface of the lining 14 of the glove 10 in appropriate parts of the frontal section, adapted to operatively receive the palm of the hand (see Fig. 1A) that is opposite the dorsal section (see Fig. IB), which is typically not provided with damping inserts 12.

[0007] The damping inserts 12 are fixed to the surface of the lining material 14 by using joining means 16, such as for example stitches (shown in Figs. 1A and 1C with broken lines), that are formed along the peripheral edges of each damping insert 12.

[0008] Referring in particular to Fig. 1C, which shows the glove 10 partially not assembled, each damping insert 12 typically comprises a support layer 18 and a damping layer 20 that are provided separate from each other. [0009] Specifically, the damping layer 20 is arranged so as to be operatively interposed between the support layer 18 and the external surface of the lining material 14 of the glove 10 (as indicated by the heavy broken-line arrows in Fig. 1C). Subsequently, the support layer 18 is fixed along its peripheral edge to the lining material 14, through the joining means 16, to form the glove 10 shown in Fig. 1A.

[0010] In this state, referring in particular to Fig. ID, which shows a cross section of the glove 10 along line A-A in Fig. 1A, the damping layer 20 is held, or contained, within a cavity defined by the support layer 18 and by the surface of the lining material 14, which are joined to each other by the joining means 16.

[0011] Typically, the damping layer 20 is formed with foam rubber, that is, with a foam material, to dampen impacts and/or vibrations, and is appropriately shaped to cover the corresponding portion of the palm of the hand meant to be protected. Moreover, the support layer 18 is formed with a material appropriately chosen on the basis of the ap plication of the glove 10, such as for example the same material as the lining material 14 to maintain a surface of the glove 10 aesthetically uniform on its frontal section. Al ternatively, the support layer 18 is formed with a material that is different from the lining material 14 so as to give the glove 10 further characteristics, such as for example an improved resistance to wear, improved gripping of an article, and the like.

[0012] Although the glove 10 of known type provided with the damping inserts 12 having the structure previously described offers important advantages, it still has some drawbacks that must be overcome.

[0013] In fact, it is probable that in the conditions of use the damping layer 20 becomes displaced with respect to the support layer 18 and the lining material 14, thus degrading the impact and/or vibration cushioning characteristics of the corresponding damping insert 12 of the glove 10. In other words, when the damping layer 20 moves with respect to the support layer 18 and to the lining material 14, it is probable that the corresponding portion of the palm of the hand is not properly protected from shocks and/or vibrations.

[0014] Moreover, the damping layer 20 is provided separately from the support layer 18 and the lining material 14. In this state, during the process of manufacturing the glove 10 it is necessary to precisely carry out a first step of positioning and maintaining the damping layer 20 on the lining material 14, and a subsequent second step of po sitioning and maintaining the support layer 18 on the lining material 14 and on the damping layer 20, before forming the stitches 16. These steps demand skill from an operator, when carried out manually, or require complex devices for handling, po sitioning and maintaining the components in an appropriate relative arrangement, with consequent increases in the costs of manufacturing the glove 10. In fact, during these steps a relative displacement is likely to occur between the layers that form the damping insert 12 and, moreover, with respect to the lining material 14. These steps must be carried out in a precise manner because, in both the sports and work fields, es pecially at the professional level, an ever greater homogeneity of the characteristics among different lots of glove production is required to guarantee their quality.

[0015] Furthermore, the damping layer 20, such as for example a layer formed with foam rubber, is typically supplied in sheets of predefined and generally constant thicknesses. Thus, the thickness of the damping layer 20 is limited to the standardized thicknesses in which it is supplied and cannot be adjusted on the basis of the application of the glove 10 and/or of the part of the palm of the hand it protects. This problem could be solved by further shaping the sheets of foam rubber to adjust their thickness; however, this would increase the number of steps in the process of manufacturing the glove 10, with a consequent increase in the times and costs of production, and would also result in an undesirable amount of waste.

[0016] Moreover, the damping layer 20, such as for example a layer formed with foam

rubber, cushions operatively any shocks and vibrations, distributing the forces applied, or the pressures, in a direction perpendicular to the faces of the support layer 18 and of the damping layer 20 of the damping insert 12, that is, in a direction parallel to the thickness of the damping layer 20. Thus, to guarantee adequate characteristics provided by the damping insert 12, it necessary for the damping layer 20 to have a relatively large thickness. However, in this state it is probable that the damping layer 20 interferes undesirably with the mobility, prehensility and tactile sensibility of the hand and/or the fingers in the frontal section of the glove 10 that receives the palm of the hand. This problem cannot be tolerated in gloves for sporting or working activities, especially at the professional level, in which it is necessary to guarantee comfort, mobility, prehensility and tactile sensibility of the hand and/or the fingers.

[0017] Finally, it is probable that the damping layer 20 deteriorates due to the friction of both its faces on the support layer 18 and on the lining material 14 of the glove 10, thus reducing its durability, or its functionality. This drawback is particularly relevant when the damping layer 20 is made of foam rubber, which implies an expanded structure, because it is likely to break and/or twist due to its relative movement with respect to the support layer 18 and to the lining material 14 of the glove 10.

[0018] As a consequence, it is necessary to manufacture a glove comprising damping inserts that overcomes the previously described drawbacks, and also to provide a method for making the same.

Summary of Invention

[0019] An objective of the present invention is to manufacture a glove comprising damping inserts adapted to effectively cushion impacts and/or vibrations, and also having a structure that is simple to achieve. In this state is guaranteed an adequate quality of the product and is also simplified the method for manufacturing the glove.

[0020] In the scope of the above objective, one purpose of the present invention concerns a glove comprising damping inserts and a method for manufacturing the same, in which the damping layer is formed adhering, that is, joined, to the layer supporting the damping inserts. In this state, there is a reduced probability, in use conditions, for the damping layer to become displaced with respect to the frontal section of the glove on which the respective damping insert is fixed.

[0021] A further purpose regards the production of a glove comprising damping inserts and a method for manufacturing the same in which the damping layer is formed adherent to the damping inserts in an easy and precise manner, using known methods.

[0022] A further purpose concerns the production of a glove comprising damping inserts and a method for manufacturing the same in which the damping layer of the damping insert has a thickness that is easily adjustable in the design phase. In this state, it is easy to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the damping insert based on the application of the glove and/or of the region of the palm of the hand that it is meant to protect.

[0023] A further purpose concerns the production of a glove comprising damping inserts and a method for manufacturing it in which the damping layer is formed with a material adapted to effectively distribute the stresses caused by impacts and/or vibrations in further directions in addition to the direction parallel to the thickness of the damping layer of the damping insert. In this state, the damping layer can have a relatively minor thickness, or can be thin, and, consequently, it is unlikely to undesirably interfere with the mobility, prehensility and tactile sensibility of the hand and/or the fingers.

[0024] The task and purposes indicated above, and other that will become more evident in the following description, will be achieved with a glove comprising damping inserts as defined in claim 1, and with a method of manufacturing the same as defined in claim 9.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The further characteristics and advantages of the glove comprising damping inserts of the present invention and of the method of manufacturing the same will become more evident in the description which follows relative to an embodiment given purely by way of example, without limitations, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

- Fig. 1A is a plan view of a frontal section of a prior art glove comprising

damping inserts;

- Fig. IB is a plan view of a dorsal section of the glove of Fig. 1 A;

- Fig. 1C is a partially exploded view of the glove of Fig. 1A in which can be seen layers comprised in one of the damping inserts; - Fig. ID is a cross section of the glove of Fig. 1 A seen along the line A-A;

- Fig. 2A is a plan view of a frontal section of a glove comprising damping inserts in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Fig. 2B is a plan view of the dorsal section of the glove of Fig. 2A;

- Fig. 2C is a partially exploded view of the glove of Fig. 2A wherein can be seen layers comprised in one of the damping inserts;

- Fig. 2D is a cross section of one of the damping inserts of Fig. 2C seen along line C-C;

- Fig. 2E is a cross section of one of the damping inserts in Fig. 2C along the line D-D;

- Fig. 2F is a cross-sectional view of the glove in Fig. 2A seen along line B-B.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0026] Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, a glove 100 is shown in a preferred embodiment

according to the present invention. The glove 100 comprises a frontal first section 102 and a dorsal second section 104, opposite the frontal first section 102. The frontal first section 102 and the dorsal second section 104 are substantially symmetrical and are joined to each other, preferably by means of stitches (not shown in the figures) formed at their peripheral edges so as to leave free a third entrance section 106 adapted to allow the insertion of a hand into the glove 100. This embodiment however is not limitative, and the frontal first section 102 and the dorsal second section 104 may be joined to each other by means of other methods, such as for example ultrasound welding, or they can be formed joined to each other in a single piece.

[0027] The frontal first section 102 and the dorsal second section 104 each comprise a hand receiving portion 108, a finger-receiving portion 110 and a thumb-receiving portion 112. Specifically, the hand-receiving portion 108 of the frontal first section 102 is adapted to operatively receive the palm of the hand, as a whole or only one portion of the same, while the hand-receiving portion 108 of the dorsal second section 104 is adapted to operatively receive the back of the hand, as a whole or only a portion of the same. In fact, as is well known, some types of gloves, particularly in the sports context, sheathe one portion of the palm, the back, the fingers and the thumb, and/or some types of gloves cover only some of the fingers and/or the thumb, depending on their use.

[0028] From the hand-receiving portion 108 branch off the finger-receiving portion 110, adapted to operatively receive the fingers of the hand, such as generally the index, the ring, the medium and the little finger, and the thumb-receiving portion 112, adapted to operatively receive the thumb. In this preferred embodiment, the glove 100 sheaths on the whole the palm, the back, the thumb and all the fingers of the hand.

[0029] Moreover, the frontal first section 102 and the dorsal second section 104 of the glove 100 are formed with a lining material adapted to the specific use of the glove, which, generally, is a pliable material that allows the movement of the hand and its fingers. In this preferred embodiment, the lining material is synthetic leather, such as Clarino®; however, this embodiment is not limitative, and with the term“lining material” is meant a plurality of materials of different types. As is well known, the materials used to make the frontal first section 102 and the dorsal second section 104 of the glove 100 are typically natural leather, fake leather, that is synthetic leather and the like, or are fabrics made with a web of yarns consisting of natural materials, synthetic materials or a combination thereof. Finally, as is well known, the frontal first section 102 and the dorsal second section 104 of the glove 100 may be made from a plurality of layers coupled to each other and each formed with a different material.

[0030] With reference to Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C, the glove 100 also includes damping inserts 114 arranged on the surface of the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100 and typically formed with pliable materials to allow the movements of the hand and the fingers.

[0031] In this embodiment, the damping inserts 114 are positioned in particular surface positions of the hand-receiving portion 108, of the finger-receiving portion 110, and of the thumb receiving portion 112 of the frontal first section 102 (see Fig 2A). The position and the number of the damping inserts 114 are determined on the basis of the design of the glove 100 and its use. Specifically, the damping inserts 114 are fixed on the surface of the frontal first section 102 with joining means 116, such as for example stitching (shown in Figs. 2A and 2C with a broken line), that are preferably formed along the peripheral edge of each damping insert 114.

[0032] Referring in particular to Fig. 2C, for the sake of clarity one of the damping inserts 114 is shown not applied to the corresponding area of the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100 which it operatively covers, or protects. Moreover, for the sake of clarity in Fig. 2C the damping insert 114 not applied is shown turned upside down with respect to its operative arrangement on the frontal first section 102 when it is fixed on the latter through the joining means 116 (as indicated by the heavy, twisted and dotted arrow in Fig. 2C).

[0033] Referring to Fig. 2C, together with Fig. 2D which is a cross sectional view along line C-C in Fig. 2C, each damping insert 114 comprises a support layer 118 and a damping layer 120.

[0034] Specifically, the support layer 118, having substantially a plate-like shape appro priately shaped on the basis of the area of the palm of the hand that it protects, comprises a first face 118a operatively facing the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100, and second face 118b opposite to the first face 118a which, in this embodiment, is the external surface and operatively in view of the damping insert 114.

[0035] The damping layer 120 is advantageously formed adherent in an overlapping rela- tionship to the first face 118a of the support layer 118. The damping layer 120 comprises a first face 120a, formed adherent to the first face 118a of the support layer 118, and a second face 120b opposite the first face 120a and separated from the latter by a thickness of the damping layer 120. Note that in the present invention, by the term “adherent” is meant“joined”. Thus, in the present invention, the damping layer 120 is formed on the first face 118a and permanently joined thereto. In other words, during the step of forming the damping layer 120, in a specific shape, the latter is joined, that is, it adheres, to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 of the damping insert 114.

[0036] The damping layer 120 is formed as having an appropriate shape based on the part of the palm of the hand that it is meant to protect and so as to leave preferably a pe ripheral portion 122 of the first face 118a free from the damping layer 120, and the function of which will be explained later.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with reference to Fig. 2C

together with Fig. 2E which is a cross-section view along the line D-D in Fig. 2C, the damping layer 120 preferably comprises through holes 124 formed so as to pass through the thickness of the damping layer 120. In other words, the damping layer 120 comprises through holes 124 that communicate the first face 120a, formed joined to the first face 118a of the support layer 118, with the second face 120b of the damping layer 120.

[0038] The through holes 124 are appropriately arranged in the body of the damping layer 120 so as to improve the comfort of the glove 100 and improve the cushioning charac teristics of the damping layer 120, as will be explained later.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 2F, which is a view in cross section of the glove 100 taken long the line B-B in in Fig. 2A, the damping insert 114 is fixed to the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100, in the region of the palm of the hand that it operatively protects, so that the damping layer 120 becomes interposed between the frontal first section 102 and the first face 118a of the support layer 118. Specifically, the damping insert 114 is fixed to the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100 through its peripheral portion 122 by means of the joining means 116, such as for example stitches. Advan tageously, the peripheral portion 122 of the first face 118a, being free from the damping layer 120, reduces the probability of generating aesthetic defects on the edge of the damping insert 114 during its fixing to the frontal first section 102 by means of the joining means 116.

[0040] In this state, the damping layer 120 adheres to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 and abuts against the frontal first section 102, or is separated from the latter as a function of the design of the glove 100. In other words, the damping layer 120 is formed adhering in an overlapping relationship only to the first face 118a of the support layer 118. [0041] In this preferred embodiment, the support layer 118 is formed with the same material as the frontal first section 102 and as the dorsal second section 104, that is, it is formed with synthetic leather, such as Clarino®. Specifically, in this preferred embodiment, the support layer 118 is formed with the same material as the frontal first section 102 to maintain a surface of the glove 100 aesthetically uniform. However, this em bodiment is not limitative and the support layer 118 may be formed with other synthetic or non-synthetic materials, or with fabrics or the like.

[0042] Advantageously, the damping layer 120 is formed with an elastomeric polymeric material and is advantageously formed adherent in an overlapping relationship to the first face 118a of the support layer 118. In this state, the damping layer 120 is adapted to attenuate, that is, cushion, impacts and/or vibrations applied to the glove 100 and is formed integral with the support layer 118. Thus, in the operative conditions, the damping layer 120 does not move with respect to the support layer 118 and, con sequently, it is improbable that there will be a degradation of the characteristics of cushioning impacts and/or vibrations of the glove 100 caused by a displacement of the same with respect to the support layer 118 and the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100.

[0043] In the most preferred embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed adherent to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 by injection over-molding. Advantageously, in this state, it is easy to form the damping insert 114 by means of an over- molding of the damping layer 120, having a proper extension and/or thickness, on the support layer 118. Specifically, the forming method by means of injection over-molding allows simple adjustments in the design phase, for example by means of a variation of the outline of the shaping mold, based on the characteristics of the support layer 118 and of the damping layer 120. In other words, by appropriately designing the shaping mold, in the forming phase of the damping layer 120 adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118, it is easy to precisely define its extension, so as to adjust the con figuration of the peripheral portion 122, and/or its thickness, so as to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the damping layer 120 of the damping insert 114.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed with an elastomeric polymeric material having a hardness between 1 and 30 on the Shore A scale, preferably included between 1 and 15 on the Shore A scale, and still more preferably included between 1 and 7 on the Shore A scale, as measured according to the method of the ISO 868 test.

[0045] In the most preferred embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed with an

elastomeric polymeric material having a very low hardness comprised between 30 and 85 on the VLRH scale, preferably included between 30 and 75 on the VLRH scale, and still more preferably included between 30 and 60 on the VLRH scale as measured according to the IS027588 test method (that is, ISO 48-3) on a sample 6 mm thick.

[0046] Without being tied to the theory, advantageously the low hardness of the material allows, through the deformation of the damping layer 120, the distribution of the forces caused by impacts and/or vibrations in further directions in addition to the direction parallel to the thickness of the damping layer 120 of the damping insert 114. In fact, advantageously, the low hardness of the material facilitates a compression of the material at relatively low forces, increasing the probability of deforming the damping layer 120 along directions at least partially perpendicular to the direction parallel to its thickness distributing in this manner the forces along directions at least partially per pendicular to the direction parallel to the thickness of the damping layer 120. Thus, it is possible to provide adequate damping characteristics, maintaining the thickness of the damping layer 120 relatively small, that is, thin, compared to the case in which other materials are used, such as foam rubber. Moreover, the low hardness of the material guarantees a pliability of the damping layer 120 that does not interfere with the mobility, prehensility and tactile sensibility of the hand and/or the fingers.

[0047] In a further embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed with thermoplastic

material. Advantageously, with this type of material it is easy to form the damping layer 120 adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 by means of injection over-molding. Moreover, advantageously, this type of material provides the hardness intervals previously described, preferably comprised between 30 and 60 on the VLRH scale. Moreover, this type of material provides a wide interval of mechanical properties, such as an elongation at break greater than 800% (ISO 38), which guarantee the durability of the damping layer 120 in use conditions.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed with gel. Advantageously, with this type of material it is easy to form the damping layer 120 adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 by means of injection over-molding. In addition, ad vantageously, this type of material provides the previously described hardness intervals, preferably included between 30 and 60 on the VLRH scale, and provides excellent mechanical properties, such as an elongation at break greater than 800% (ISO 37), which guarantee durability of the damping layer 120 in use conditions. In addition, advantageously, this type of material provides excellent adhesion characteristics during the injection over-molding to a wide range of, preferably synthetic, materials used to form the support layer 118. Specifically, this type of material provides excellent char acteristics of adhesion during the overmolding phase to synthetic leather, such as for example“Clarino®” or“Alcantara®”.

[0049] Moreover, in a further embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed with an

elastomeric polymeric material that does not envisage a foam structure, that is, it is compact. Advantageously, this type of material provides excellent mechanical properties, such as an elongation at break (ISO 37) and/or a tear strength (ISO 34), that further guarantee a durability of the damping layer 120 in use conditions, above all with respect to materials that envisage a foam structure with equal thickness of the damping layer 120.

[0050] Advantageously, with reference again to Figs. 2C and 2E, in the preferred em

bodiment of the present invention in which the damping layer 120 includes through holes 124, appropriately arranged, the comfort of the glove 100 and the cushioning characteristics of the damping layer 120 are enhanced.

[0051] In fact, the through holes 124 guarantee an adequate ventilation, or transpiration, through the damping layer 120 of the damping insert 114 which otherwise would be unlikely because the damping layer 120 is formed with elastomeric polymeric material, preferably compact.

[0052] In addition, the through holes 124, properly arranged according to the design of the damping insert 114, make it possible to increase the probability of distributing the forces caused by impacts and/or vibrations in other directions, in addition to the direction parallel to the thickness of the damping layer 120. In fact, the low hardness of the material makes it possible, through the deformation of the damping layer 120 along directions at least partly perpendicular to the direction parallel to its thickness, to also distribute the deformation to the surfaces of the through holes 124.

[0053] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs from 2A to 2F, will be described a method for making the glove 100 comprising damping inserts 114 in the preferred embodiment previously described.

[0054] Firstly, the support layer 118 of a damping insert 114 is provided, comprising the first face 118a and the second face 118b opposite the first face 118a. In the preferred embodiment, the support layer 118 is prearranged in an appropriate recess, that is, a mold-insert, within the cavity of a mold of an injection press in which the overmolding of the damping layer 120 will be carried out.

[0055] Next, the damping layer 120 is formed adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118. In the preferred embodiment, the damping layer 120 is formed in the cavity of the mold, by means of injection over-molding, so that it will adhere during its formation to the first face 118a of the support layer 118.

[0056] In this state is obtained the damping insert 114 distinct from the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100, wherein the damping layer 120 is formed adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118.

[0057] Then, the damping insert 114 is fixed my means of the joining means 116 to the

frontal first section 102 of the glove 100 so that the damping layer 120 is interposed between the frontal first section 102 and the first face 118a of the support layer 118. In the preferred embodiment, the joining means 116 are stitches and are formed along the peripheral portion 122 of the first face 118a of the support layer 118 which is free of the damping layer 120.

[0058] It is clear that different modifications can be carried out on the glove 100 comprising damping inserts 114 and on the method for making the same, previously described, without departing from the scope of patent protection as defined by the independent claims 1 and 9.

[0059] In the previously described embodiment, the damping inserts 114 are fixed to the frontal first section 102 by means of the joining means 116, such as stitching.

However, it is possible to provide a glove 100 in which the joining means 116 are areas joined by heat- welding between the damping insert 114 and the frontal first section 102 obtained by, for example, ultrasonic welding. Specifically, when the materials that form the frontal first section 102 and the support layer 118 can be heat- welded to each other, it is possible to fix the damping inserts 114 to the frontal first section 102 through the peripheral portion 122 of the support layer 118 by means of heat-welding induced, for example, by ultrasounds.

[0060] In addition, in the foregoing description the damping inserts 114 provide one

damping layer 120 formed adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118. However, it is possible to provide a glove 100 in which the damping layer 120 is formed by a plurality of layers of elastomeric polymeric material, possibly each having mutually different characteristics, such as hardness, and formed, for example, with a plurality of consecutive over- molding injections.

[0061] Moreover, in the foregoing description the damping inserts 114 are provided with a damping layer 120 formed adhering to the first face 118a of one support layer 118. However, it is possible to provide a glove 100 in which the support layer 118 is formed by a plurality of layers of materials that may be different from each other, in which one of them has a first face 118a on which is formed the adhering damping layer 120.

[0062] In addition, in the preceding description the damping inserts 114 are provided with a damping layer 120 having a constant thickness. However, it is possible to provide a glove 100 in which the damping layer 120 is formed by providing advantageously parts having different thicknesses, so as to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the damping layer 120 of the damping insert 114, depending on the configuration of the region of the palm of the hand that they protect.

[0063] In addition, in the foregoing description the damping insert 114 is provided with a peripheral portion 122 of the first face 118a of the support layer 118 that is free of the damping layer 120. However, it is possible to provide a glove 100 in which the damping layer 120 is formed adhering to all the surface of the first face 118a of the support layer 118.

[0064] From what was described heretofore it is evident that important results have been obtained, overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, making it possible to obtain a glove 100 comprising damping inserts 114 adapted to effectively attenuate impacts and/or vibrations and having, moreover, a structure that is easy to achieve.

[0065] Specifically, the damping layer 120 is formed adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 of the damping inserts 114, and in this state is decreased the probability that the damping layer 120 is operatively displaced with respect to the frontal first section 102 of the glove 100.

[0066] Moreover, the simple structure of the insert 114, in which the damping layer 120 is formed adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118, is advantageous because it simplifies the phases of production of the glove 100 by reducing the number of components that must be coupled to each other to fix the damping inserts 114 to the frontal first section 102. In other words, the simple structure of the damping insert 114, provided with the damping layer 120 formed adherent to the support layer 118, makes it easy and precise to handle, position and maintain the relative arrangement of the same with respect to the frontal first section 102 on which it is fixed.

[0067] In addition, the damping insert 114, comprising the damping layer 120 formed

adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118, has a simple structure and, con sequently, it is easy to make with a precise configuration using prior art methods, such as injection molding.

[0068] Moreover, the damping layer 120 is formed adhering to the first face 118a of the support layer 118 by providing a thickness that is easily adjustable in the design phase. In this state, it is possible to adjust the cushioning characteristics of the damping insert 114 to suit the application of the glove 100 and/or the configuration of the region of the palm of the hand that it protects.

[0069] Furthermore, the elastomeric polymeric material, having a low or very low hardness, is adapted to effectively distribute, in use conditions, the forces, or pressures caused by impacts and/or vibrations in additional directions beside the direction parallel to the thickness of the damping layer 120 of the damping insert 114. Thus, it is possible to provide appropriate damping characteristics, while maintaining the thickness of the damping layer 120 relatively small, compared with other materials, such as foam rubber. This characteristic is particularly advantageous because it lowers the probability that the damping inserts 114 interfere with the mobility, prehensility and tactile sensibility of the hand and/or the fingers in the frontal first section 102 that receives the palm of the hand.

[0070] Naturally, the materials and the equipment used to implement the present invention, as well as the shape and dimensions of the individual components, can be the most suitable according to the specific requirements.

Claims

[Claim 1] A glove (100) comprising a frontal first section (102) and a dorsal second section (104) opposite to said frontal first section (102) and joined each other so as to receive and cover an hand wherein said frontal first section (102) is adapted to operatively receive the palm of said hand,

said glove (100) further comprising at least a damping insert (114) formed distinct from said frontal first section (102) and operatively fixed to the latter by means of joining means (116),

said at least a damping insert (114) comprising a support layer (118) having a first face (118a) and a second face (118b) opposite to said first face (118a), and a damping layer (120) operatively interposed between said frontal first section (102) and said first face (118a) of said support layer (118),

characterized in that

said damping layer (120) is formed adhering in an overlapping rela tionship only to said first face (118a) of said support layer (118) and said damping layer (120) being formed with elastomeric polymeric material.

[Claim 2] The glove (100) according to claim 1, wherein said damping layer

(120) is formed adhering to said first face (118a) of said support layer (118) by injection over-molding.

[Claim 3] The glove (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said damping layer

(120) is formed with gel.

[Claim 4] The glove (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said

damping layer (120) is formed with a thermoplastic elastomer.

[Claim 5] The glove (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said

elastomeric polymeric material has an hardness comprised between 1 and 30, or comprised between 1 and 15, or comprised between 1 and 7 on the Shore A scale as measured according to the ISO 868 test method.

[Claim 6] The glove (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said

elastomeric polymeric material has an hardness comprised between 30 and 85, or comprised between 30 and 75, or comprised between 30 and 60 on the VLRH scale as measured according to the IS027588 test method on a 6 mm thick sample.

[Claim 7] The glove (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said damping layer (120) is formed adhering to said first face (118a) of said support layer (118) so as to leave free at least a peripheral portion (122) of said first face (118a),

said at least a peripheral portion (122) being adapted to be fixed to said frontal first section (102) by means of said joining means (116).

[Claim 8] The glove (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said

damping layer (120) comprises at least a through hole (124) formed so as to pass through the thickness of said damping layer (120).

[Claim 9] A method for manufacturing a glove (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a support layer (118) of a damping insert (114), said support layer (118) comprising a first face (118a) and a second face (118b) opposite to said first face (118a),

b. forming a damping layer (120) adherent to said first face (118a) of said support layer (118), said damping layer (120) being formed with elastomeric polymeric material,

c. fixing by means of joining means (116) said damping insert (114) to said frontal first section (102) of said glove (100) so that said damping layer (120) is interposed between said frontal first section (102) and said first face (118a) of said support layer (118).

[Claim 10] The method for manufacturing a glove (100) according to claim 9, wherein in step b) said damping layer (120) is formed adhering to said first face (118a) of said support layer (118) by injection over- molding.

[Claim 11] The method for manufacturing a glove (100) according to claim 9 or

10, wherein in step c) said damping insert (114) is fixed to said frontal first section (102) of said glove (100) through a peripheral portion (122) of said first face (118a) of said support layer (118) which is free from said damping layer (120).