PROTECTIVE GLOVE HAVING A GLOVE TIGHTENING SYSTEM

Abstract

A protective glove including a cable joined with a spool that is joined with the glove. At least one protective pad can be joined with the hand portion to protect the cable and a wearer's hand. The spool can include a rotatable dial to wind and/or unwind the cable onto or off from the spool to increase and/or decrease the tension applied to the cable. In turn, this adjusts at least one of a lateral dimension and a longitudinal dimension of the hand portion of the glove to custom fit the wearer's hand.

Claims

1. A protective sports glove, comprising: a hand portion including a hand palmar portion and an opposing hand dorsal portion defining an interior space for receiving a wearer's hand; a finger portion joined with and extending from the hand portion; a thumb portion joined with and extending from the hand portion; a cuff joined with and extending from the hand portion opposite the finger portion; at least one pair of retaining members joined with an exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion, each retaining member having an aperture; a spool joined with at least one of the hand portion and the cuff, the spool including a rotatable dial to wind and unwind a cable onto the spool; a cable threaded through the aperture of the at least one pair of retaining members and operably joined with the spool; and at least one protective pad joined with the hand portion and at least partially covering the cable and the at least one pair of retaining members to protect the cable and the wearer's hand from blows; wherein the dial is rotatable to increase or decrease the tension applied to the cable to increase or decrease a distance between the retaining members to adjust both a lateral dimension and longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion to fit a wearer's hand.

2. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of retaining members comprises a first pair of retaining members on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion in an upper portion thereof, adjacent the finger portion, and a second pair of retaining members disposed on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion in a lower portion thereof, adjacent the cuff, wherein the cable is routed through the first and second pairs of retaining members to form a criss-cross shape across the exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion.

3. The protective sports glove of claim 2, comprising: a third pair of retaining members adjacent the first pair and a fourth pair of retaining members adjacent the second pair, wherein the cable is routed through the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members to form a criss-cross shape across the exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion.

4. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of retaining members comprises at least one pair of opposing retaining members on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion, adjacent the cuff, comprising at least one additional retaining member longitudinally offset from the at least one pair of opposing retaining members, wherein the cable is routed through the at least one pair of opposing retaining members and the at least one additional retaining member to form a triangular shape across the exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion.

5. The protective sports glove of claim 1, comprising at least one guide wedge joined with the hand dorsal portion to guide the cable across the exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion.

6. The protective sports glove of claim 5, wherein the at least one guide wedge comprises two sides that intersect at an angle to form a tip, the two sides of the guide wedge parallel with adjacent sections of the cable, wherein additional sections of the cable cross over each other beyond the tip of the guide wedge.

7. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein the cuff defines a recess in an interior surface of the cuff configured to receive the spool at least partially therein.

8. The protective sports glove of claim 7, comprising a floating sub-cuff joined with at least one of the cuff and the hand portion and positioned underneath and protected by the cuff, wherein the floating sub-cuff includes a recess on the exterior surface opposite the spool on the cuff, and the spool is received in the recess between the cuff and the floating sub-cuff.

9. The protective sports glove of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective pad is configured to define an open space disposed under the at least one protective pad and over an exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion, wherein at least a portion of the cable extends over the exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion between the exterior surface and the at least one protective pad.

10. A protective sports glove, comprising: a hand portion including a hand palmar portion and an opposing hand dorsal portion defining an interior space for receiving a wearer's hand; a finger portion joined with and extending from the hand portion; a thumb portion joined with and extending from the hand portion; a cuff joined with and extending from the hand portion opposite the finger portion; a protective pad disposed over the hand dorsal portion, the protective pad located above a base layer of the hand dorsal portion that is disposed closer to the interior space than the protective pad, the protective pad and the base layer forming a cavity therebetween; a plurality of retaining members joined with the hand dorsal portion on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion, each retaining member defining an aperture, at least one of the plurality of retaining members disposed in the cavity; a cable threaded through the at least one retaining member, the cable movably disposed at least partially within the cavity; and a spool joined with at least one of the cuff and the hand portion for receipt of the cable, the spool including a rotatable dial to wind and unwind the cable onto the spool; wherein the dial is rotatable to increase or decrease the tension applied to the cable to increase or decrease a distance between the retaining members to adjust both a lateral dimension and longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion to fit a wearer's hand.

11. The protective sports glove of claim 10, wherein the plurality of retaining members comprises a first pair of retaining members on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion in an upper portion thereof, adjacent the finger portion, and a second pair of retaining members disposed on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion in a lower portion thereof, adjacent the cuff, wherein the cable is routed through the first and second pairs of retaining members to form a criss-cross shape within the cavity.

12. The protective sports glove of claim 11, comprising: a third pair of retaining members adjacent the first pair and a fourth pair of retaining members adjacent the second pair, wherein the cable is routed through the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members to form a criss-cross shape within the cavity.

13. The protective sports glove of claim 10, wherein the plurality of retaining members comprises at least one pair of opposing retaining members on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion, adjacent the cuff, and comprising at least one additional retaining member longitudinally offset from the at least one pair of opposing retaining members, wherein the cable is routed through the at least one pair of opposing retaining members and the at least one additional retaining member to form a triangular shape within the cavity.

14. The protective sports glove of claim 10, comprising at least one guide wedge joined with the hand dorsal portion to guide the cable within the cavity.

15. The protective sports glove of claim 14, wherein the at least one guide wedge comprises two sides that intersect at an angle to form a tip, the two sides of the guide wedge parallel with adjacent sections of the cable, wherein additional sections of the cable cross over each other beyond the tip of the guide wedge.

16. The protective sports glove of claim 10, wherein the cuff defines a recess in an interior surface of the cuff configured to receive the spool at least partially therein.

17. The protective sports glove of claim 16, comprising a floating sub-cuff joined with at least one of the cuff and the hand portion and positioned underneath and protected by the cuff, wherein the floating sub-cuff includes a recess on the exterior surface opposite the spool on the cuff, and the spool is received in the recess between the cuff and the floating sub-cuff.

18. The protective sports glove of claim 10, wherein the at least one protective pad is configured to define an open space disposed under the at least one protective pad and over an exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion, wherein at least a portion of the cable extends over the exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion, between the exterior surface and the at least one protection pad.

19. A protective sports glove, comprising: a hand portion including a hand palmar portion and an opposing hand dorsal portion defining an interior space for receiving a wearer's hand; a finger portion joined with and extending from the hand portion; a thumb portion joined with and extending from the hand portion; a cuff joined with and extending from the hand portion opposite the finger portion; a floating sub-cuff joined with one of the cuff or the hand portion, and positioned underneath and protected by the cuff; at least one pair of retaining members joined with an exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion on opposing lateral sides of the hand dorsal portion, each retaining member having an aperture; a spool joined with at least one of the floating sub-cuff, the cuff, and the hand portion, the spool including a rotatable dial to wind and unwind a cable onto the spool; a cable threaded through the aperture of the at least one pair of retaining members and operably joined with the spool; and at least one protective pad joined with the hand portion and at least partially covering the cable and the at least one pair of retaining members to protect the cable and the wearer's hand from blows; wherein the dial is rotatable to increase or decrease the tension applied to the cable to increase or decrease a distance between the retaining members to adjust both a lateral dimension and longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion to fit a wearer's hand.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top schematic view of a current embodiment of the glove;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of the glove with protective padding shadowed to illustrate an adjustment system for dimensionally adjusting fitment of the glove;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of the glove illustrating use of the adjustment system with the glove of FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the glove of FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of a first alternative embodiment of the glove illustrating a use of another adjustment system;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a top view of a wearer's hand;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of a current embodiment of the glove;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a top schematic view of the glove with protective padding shadowed to illustrate an adjustment system for dimensionally adjusting fitment of the glove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

[0023] A protective sports glove in accordance with a current embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and generally designated 10. While the drawing is illustrative of a right hand glove, the embodiments herein can be embodied in a left hand glove, which is generally a mirrored version of the right hand glove. Additionally, the glove 10 shown is designed for use in the game of lacrosse; however, it can be used in a variety of other sports or activities, such as hockey, or any activity where a user may move their hand about their wrist, optionally in the process of manipulating a game stick or other grasped item.

[0024] The description of the glove 10 can be aided by a brief discussion of hand anatomy, which is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6. In particular, a wearer's hand 320 generally includes a wrist 322, fingers 324 and a thumb 326. The hand further includes different sides, in particular, a dorsal side 330, a palmar side 332, an ulnar side 334 and a radial side 336. The hand further includes a lateral dimension 340 extending between the ulnar side 334 and radial side 336 and a longitudinal dimension 342 extending from the wrist 322 to the fingers 324.

[0025] Returning to FIGS. 1-4, and utilizing the above anatomical references, the protective glove can include a hand portion 12 including a back or dorsal portion 14 and a palmar portion 16, between which an interior space adapted to receive a wearer's hand is defined. The dorsal portion 14 can be configured so that it generally is adjacent the dorsal side 330 (FIG. 6) of the hand, while the palmar portion 16 can be adjacent the palmar side 332 of the hand.

[0026] The glove 10 can include a cuff portion 18 joined at one end of the hand portion 12 and a plurality of finger portions 20 extending from an opposite end of the hand portion 12, and a thumb portion 22 extending from a side of the hand portion 12. An optional floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be disposed under the cuff portion 16. A wrist guard 26 can be positioned over a junction 30 between the hand portion 12 and the cuff portion 18.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the hand portion 12 generally extends between the cuff portion 18 and the finger portions 20 and has a longitudinal dimension 36 defined between the cuff portion 18 and the finger portions 20 and a lateral dimension 38 defined between opposing ulnar and radial side edges of the hand portion 12. The hand portion 12 can include a hand dorsal portion 40 and an opposing hand palmar portion 42. The hand dorsal portion 40 optionally can include multiple protective portions, 44, such as padded portions, secured thereto to provide protection to a wearer's hand. The protective portions 44 can be constructed of foam, polyurethane, polymers or other suitable materials.

[0028] The protective portions 44 can terminate generally at a junction 46 located generally between the hand portion 12 and the finger portions 20. The junction 46 can allow the finger portions 20 to move with respect to the adjacent protective portions 44 as the junction 46 is generally disposed over a wearer's knuckle area, allowing the finger portions 20 to move as a wearer's fingers flex.

[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the protective portions 44 can be in the form of a pair of opposing elongated protective pads 50 disposed on opposite sides of the hand portion 12 and a center protective pad 52, generally having a Y shape, disposed across a center portion of the hand dorsal portion 40. One of the elongated protective pads 50 can extend longitudinally along the ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 40 and the other of the elongated protective pads 50 can extend longitudinally along the radial side of the hand dorsal portion 40 with the center protective pad 52 generally disposed between the pair of elongated protective pads 50. The elongated protective pads 50 and center protective pad 52 can be joined with the hand dorsal portion 40 adjacent the junction 30 between the hand portion 12 and the cuff portion 18 and the junction 46 between the hand portion 12 and the finger portions 20 and extend over the hand dorsal portion 40, generally defining a cavity therebetween.

[0030] Still referring to FIG. 1, the cuff portion 18 optionally can be divided into multiple or split cuff portions, such as a first cuff portion 60 and a second cuff portion 62 to increase flexibility of the cuff portion 18. The first and second cuff portions 60, 62 are joined with the hand portion 12 along the junction 30. The cuff portions 60, 62 can be designed to cover and protect substantial portions of a wearer's wrist and forearm. The split configuration of the cuff portions 60, 62 can provide protection to a wearer's wrist and forearm, and because the cuff portions 60, 62 can move with respect to one another, they can provide increased flexibility for a wearer's wrist as the wrist moves during play. Optionally, a split cuff portion that includes overlapping side edges can also be employed. The cuff portions 60, 62 can be secured to the hand portion 12 by an elastic sheet or strip (not shown) along the junction 30 between the cuff portion 18 and the hand portion 12 that allows the cuff portion 18 and the hand portion 12 to move and stretch with respect to one another. Optionally, instead of elastic, other stretchable or deformable materials, such as neoprene, can be utilized to connect the cuff portion 18 to the hand portion 12.

[0031] While the cuff portion 18 is illustrated as having split cuff portions 60, 62 that extend only partially around a wearer's wrist, alternative configurations of the cuff portion 18 can also be used depending on the application. For example, the cuff portion 18 can include multiple overlapping and/or non-overlapping portions that extend around the entire wrist of the wearer. Additional components, such as a lace that connects the multiple cuff portions can also be utilized.

[0032] The optional floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be joined with either or both the cuff portion 18 and the hand portion 12 generally adjacent the junction 30 between the between the cuff portion 18 and the hand portion 12 and is disposed interiorly of the cuff portion 18, i.e. closer to the wearer's wrist than the cuff portion 18. The sub-cuff portion 24 can optionally include a fastener on opposing ends, such as a hook-and-loop type fastener or a snap. In one example, the floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be joined with the cuff portion 18 by a flexible and/or stretchable strip of material. Additionally, or alternatively, the floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be joined with a liner disposed in the interior of the glove 10 that is joined with the hand portion 12. In yet another example, an optional sub-cuff portion 24 that can be used with the protective sports glove 10 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,636,951, issued Dec. 29, 2009, and entitled Protective Sports Glove with Floating Cuff Portion, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

[0033] Still referring to FIG. 1, the one or more finger portions 20 can extend generally from the junction 46 to a respective tip 66 of each finger portion 20. The finger portions 20 can include one or more protective portions 68 that are sewn into a durable cover material as desired. The thumb portion 22 can also include a plurality of protective portions 70 that extend to a tip portion 72 of the thumb portion 22. Optionally, each protective portion 68, 70 can be separated by a generally horizontal and/or vertical flex lines. The number of protective portions and corresponding horizontal and vertical flex lines on the finger and thumb portions 20, 22 can take on a variety of different configurations as desired.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a top view of a portion of the glove 10 shown with the elongated protective pads 50 and center protective pad 52 shown in a lighter line for the purposes of discussing components of the glove 10 disposed interiorly (beneath) the protective pads 50, 52. The hand dorsal portion 40 can include a base layer 78 defining an exterior surface of the hand dorsal portion 40. The base layer 78 can be a single layer of material or multiple layers that at least partially defines the interior of the glove 10.

[0035] One or more retaining members 80-84 can be joined with the base layer 78 of the hand dorsal portion 40 for guiding a cable 86 across the hand dorsal portion 40 within the cavity defined between the hand dorsal portion 40 and the protective pads 50, 52. The cable 86 can be in the form of a cord, rope, strand, flexible wire, or lace made from natural or synthetic material, or combinations thereof. The cable 86 can be a single length of material or multiple lengths of material woven together. In one example, the cable 86 can be in the form of polyethylene fibers or other synthetic fibers, multiple lengths of which can optionally be woven together to form the cable 86. In another example, the cable 86 can be made from woven steel with or without a polymeric coating.

[0036] Each retaining member 80-84 can include an aperture, either fully enclosed or partially enclosed, through which the cable 86 can be threaded. The retaining members 80-84, also referred to as ghillies herein, can be in the form of a loop of material that is folded back upon itself to form the aperture through which the cable 86 is threaded. In another example, the retaining members 80-84 can be in the form of Nylon webbing having an aperture. In yet another embodiment, the retaining members 80-84 can be small rings or loops fastened to the hand portion 12 in appropriate locations. The retaining members 80-84 can be joined with the base layer 78 by sewing the retaining members 80-84 to the base layer 78. In some examples, sewing the retaining member 80-84 to the base layer 79 also forms the aperture. Alternatively, the material used to form the retaining members 80-84 can be sewn to form the aperture and the thus formed retaining members 80-84 can then be sewn to the base layer 78. In yet another example, opposing ends of a piece of material can be joined with the base layer 78 by sewing and the piece of material and the portion of the base layer 78 between the sewn ends can define the aperture for receipt of the cable 86. Alternative designs for the retaining members 80-84 can also be used as desired. Each of the retaining members 80-84 can be the same or one or more of the retaining members 80-84 can be different than the others.

[0037] The retaining members 80-84 can be joined with the base layer 78 to guide the cable 86 in a desired route across the base layer 78. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a first pair of retaining members 80, 81 can be joined with the base layer 78 on the radial side of the hand dorsal portion 40 and a second pair of opposing retaining members 83, 84 can be joined with the base layer 78 on the ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 40, in a bottom portion of the hand dorsal portion 40 nearer to the cuff portion 18 than to the finger portions 20. Each of the pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84 can be disposed in the cavity beneath the pair of opposing elongated protective pads 50. A third retaining member 82 can be joined with the base layer 78 laterally centered, but longitudinally offset with respect to the first and second pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84. The third retaining member 82 can be longitudinally offset from the first and second pairs opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84 in a direction closer to the finger portion 20 of the glove 10. The third retaining member 82 can be disposed within the cavity beneath the center protective pad 52. The cable 86 can be threaded through the first pair of opposing retaining members 80, 81, through the third retaining member 82 and through the second pair of opposing retaining members 83, 84 to form a triangular shape on the base layer 78.

[0038] The glove 10 can optionally include one or more guide wedges 92 joined with the base layer 78 adjacent portions of the cable 86 routed through the retaining members 80-84. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a pair of opposing guide wedges 92 is disposed between each of the first and second pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84 and the third retaining member 82. Each guide wedge 92 includes at least a first side 94 that is disposed generally parallel with the path that the cable 86 traverses between the first pair of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and the third retaining member 82 and between the second pair of opposing retaining members 83, 84 and the third retaining member 82.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 2, each guide wedge 92 has a triangular shape in which the first side 94 intersects at an angle with a second side 96 to form a tip 98 that is disposed adjacent the third retaining member 82. The guide wedge 92 is not limited to the shape illustrated, but can have any desired geometric shape while still including the first side 94 that is disposed generally parallel with the path that the cable 86 traverses between the first pair of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and the third retaining member 82 and between the second pair of opposing retaining members 83, 84 and the third retaining member 82. The guide wedges 92 can project upward, away from the base layer 78, and into the cavity between the base layer 78 and the protective portions 44. The guide wedges 92 can optionally be disposed at least partially underneath the protective portions 44 or any other protective padding provided on the hand portion 12. The guide wedges 92 can optionally be made from material similar to the protective portions 44 to provide additional protection to the wearer's hand and to guide the cable 86.

[0040] Additional or fewer guide wedges 92 are also contemplated. For example, alternatively, or in addition, to the guide wedges 92 disposed outside the triangular shaped route defined by the cable 86, a guide wedge can be disposed inside the route defined by the cable 86, the guide wedge having a triangular shape that reflects the cable route.

[0041] While the first and second pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84 are illustrated as including two retaining members each, each pair of retaining members can be replaced with fewer or greater retaining members as desired. For example, a single retaining member can be provided on the radial and ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 40 in place of the first and second pairs of opposing retaining members 80, 81 and 83, 84. Similarly, the third retaining member 82 can be replaced with fewer or greater retaining members. Regardless of the number of retaining members used at each position, the retaining members will generally be configured to guide the cable 86 to form a triangular shape on the base layer 78.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 3, the cable 86 is operably joined with a spool 100 that includes a rotatable dial 102 to wind and unwind portions of the cable 86 onto the spool 100. The spool 100 and cable 86 can be part of a cable tightening system, such as the reel based lacing systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,138,030, issued Sep. 22, 2015, entitled Reel Based Lacing System, U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,181, issued Aug. 11, 2015, entitled Reel-Based Lacing System, U.S. Pat. No. 8,516,662, issued Aug. 27, 2013, entitled Reel Based Lacing System, WO 2007/081822, filed Jan. 8, 2007, entitled Rough and Fine Adjustment Closure System, and U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0007422, filed Jul. 2, 2014, entitled Tension Limiting Mechanisms for Closure Devices and Methods Therefor, all assigned to Boa Technology, Inc., and all of which are incorporated herein by reference in full. The spool 100 can be joined with the first cuff portion 60 on an interior surface 110 thereof, as illustrated. Alternatively, the spool 100 can be joined with the hand portion 12 or the optional floating sub-cuff portion 24, when present.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, the spool 100 can be joined with the first cuff portion 60 in a recess 112 to decrease the extent to which the spool 100 projects from the first cuff portion 60. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the recess 112 can be formed by opposing sidewalls 113 extending away from the interior surface 110 into an interior of the first cuff portion 60. The spool 100 can be joined with a bottom wall 115 of the recess 112 by a suitable mechanical and/or non-mechanical fastener, non-limiting examples of which include an adhesive, rivet, and sewing. A height of the sidewalls 113 can be selected based on the dimensions of the spool 100 such that the spool 100 does not project out of the recess 112 beyond a plane 117 defined by the interior surface 110 of the first cuff portion 60. In this manner, the recess 112 can facilitate the first cuff portion 60 lying generally flat against the adjacent floating sub-cuff portion 24 or the wearer's wrist, if the glove does not include a floating sub-cuff portion 24. The recess 112 can encompass both the spool 100 and the portions of the cable 86 passing over the interior surface 110, as illustrated. Alternatively, the recess 112 can encompass only the spool 100. The optional floating sub-cuff portion 24 can also include a recess 114 provided in an exterior surface 116 thereof (see FIG. 1) opposite the spool 100 to further facilitate the first cuff portion 60 lying flat against the floating sub-cuff portion 24.

[0044] The recess 112 can be partially or fully enclosed by the sidewalls 113. As can best be seen in FIG. 3, the recess 112 can be open on one side for receipt of the cable 86 such that the cable 86 does not project beyond the plane 117 defined by the interior surface 110 of the first cuff portion 60. Partially enclosing the recess 112 can also facilitate access to the dial 102. The dimensions of the bottom wall 115 of the recess 112 can also be configured to provide the desired access to the dial 102 for winding and unwinding the cable 86.

[0045] Optionally, at least a portion of the spool 100 and/or the cable 86 can be disposed outside the recess 112, above the plane 117. For example, at least a portion of the dial 102 can project beyond the interior surface 110 to facilitate access to the dial 102 for winding and unwinding the cable 86.

[0046] While the spool 100 is described as being joined with the first cuff portion 60, it will be understood that the spool 100 can alternatively be joined with the floating sub-cuff portion 24. In this alternative embodiment, the floating sub-cuff portion 24 can be provided with a recess which receives the spool 100 and the interior surface 110 of the first cuff portion 60 opposite the spool 100 can also optionally include a recess. In yet another alternative, the spool 100 can be joined with the hand portion 12, which may or may not include a recess for receiving the spool 100.

[0047] The cable 86 can pass from the exterior side of the hand dorsal portion 40 to the interior side of the cuff portion 18 through an aperture disposed in a connecting material (not shown) joining the hand dorsal portion 40 and the cuff portion 18 at the junction 30. Alternatively, an aperture can be disposed directly in the first cuff portion 60 for passing the cable 86 through to the interior side of the cuff portion 18. The aperture can also be used to pass the cable 86 in the alternative embodiment in which the spool 100 is joined with the floating sub-cuff portion 24. In the alternative embodiment in which the spool 100 is joined with the hand portion 12, when the spool 100 is joined with an exterior surface of the hand portion 12, the glove 10 need not include an aperture for passing the cable 86.

[0048] Operation

[0049] Referring again to FIG. 3, the dial 102 can be rotated to wind or unwind the cable 86 onto the spool 100 to increase or decrease the tension applied to the cable 86 to increase or decrease a distance between the retaining members to adjust both a lateral dimension and longitudinal dimension of the hand dorsal portion to fit a wearer's hand. In this manner, the protective glove 10 can be customized to the size of each wearer's hand or to the size of the wearer as the wearer grows, which can be particularly useful if the protective glove 10 is bought for a younger wearer who continues to play the sport as he/she grows.

[0050] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the dial 102 can be rotated, as indicated by arrow 130, to wind the cable 86 onto the spool 100 to increase the tension applied to the cable 86. Increasing the tension applied to the cable 86 draws the third retaining member 82 toward the cuff portion 18, as illustrated by arrow 132. Because the third retaining member 82 is joined with the base layer 78 of the hand dorsal portion 40, drawing the third retaining member 82 toward the cuff portion 18 decreases the longitudinal dimension 36 of the hand dorsal portion 40. Increasing the tension applied to the cable 86 also draws the first pair of retaining members 80, 81 toward the second pair of retaining members 83, 84, as illustrated by arrows 134, which decreases the lateral dimension 38 of the hand dorsal portion 40. Increasing the tension on the cable 86 can also draw retaining members 80 and 81 toward each other and draw retaining members 83 and 84 toward each other to facilitate decreasing the longitudinal dimension 36 of the hand dorsal portion 40. In this manner, the size of the hand portion 12 of the protective glove 10 can be decreased to decrease the interior space of the protective glove 10 to accommodate a wearer having a smaller hand, such as a younger child.

[0051] The dial 102 can similarly be rotated to unwind the cable 86 from the spool 100 to decrease the tension applied to the cable 86, which allows the base layer 78 of the hand dorsal portion 40 to be stretched to increase the longitudinal and later dimensions 36, 38 of the hand dorsal portion to increase the interior space of the protective glove 10 to accommodate a wearer having a larger hand, such as an older child. In this manner, the cable 86 can be wound and unwound to decrease and increase, respectively, the size of the protective glove 10 as a wearer grows.

[0052] While the protective glove 10 is suitable for the sports of hockey and lacrosse, the protective glove 10 optionally can be utilized in a wide variety of sports, or occupational activities, in which protection to the hand or wrist is desired.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT

[0053] A first alternative embodiment of the protective glove is shown in FIG. 5 and generally designated 410. This embodiment is similar in structure, function, and operation to the other embodiments described herein with several exceptions. For example, the configuration of the retaining members and the route of the cable across the hand dorsal portion differ. Therefore, elements of the glove 410 similar to those of the glove 10 are labeled with a prefix increased by 400.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 5, four pairs of retaining members 150-157 are joined with the base layer 478 generally at opposite corners of the hand dorsal portion 440. The retaining members 150-157 can be similar to those described above with respect to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-4. A first pair of retaining members 150, 151 and a second pair of retaining members 152, 153 are joined with the base layer 478 on the radial side of the hand dorsal portion 440 adjacent the cuff portion 418 and the finger portion 420, respectively. A third pair of retaining members 154, 155 and a fourth pair of retaining members 156, 157 are joined with the base layer 478 on the ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 440 adjacent the finger portion 420 and the cuff portion 418, respectively.

[0055] The cable 486 can be routed through the first pair of retaining members 150, 151 and cross over a central portion of the hand dorsal portion 440, between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492, to the third pair of retaining members 154, 155. The cable 486 is threaded through the third pair of retaining members 154, 155 and passes back across an upper portion of the hand dorsal portion 440 to the second pair of retaining members 152, 153 before being routed back between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492 to the fourth pair of retaining members 156, 157 to form a criss-cross shape across the hand dorsal portion 440. The cable 486 can cross over itself as it passes between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492 to form the criss-cross shape.

[0056] While the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157 are illustrated as including two retaining members each, each pair of retaining members can be replaced by fewer or greater retaining members as desired. For example, a single retaining member can be provided on the radial and ulnar side of the hand dorsal portion 440 in place of all or only a portion of the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157. In one example, the second and third pairs of retaining members 152, 153 and 154, 155 can be replaced by a single retaining member. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and fourth pairs of retaining members 150, 151 and 156, 157 can be replaced with a single retaining member. Regardless of the number of retaining members used at each position, the retaining members will generally be configured to guide the cable 486 to form a criss-cross shape on the base layer 478. In another example, an additional retaining member can be disposed on the base layer 478 between the tips 498 of the guide wedges 492 for receipt of the cable 486 as the cable 486 crosses over itself in the formation of the criss-cross shape.

[0057] The dial 502 can be rotated to wind and unwind the cable 486 onto the spool 500 to increase or decrease the tension on the cable 486 in a manner similar to that describe above for the first embodiment in FIG. 3. For example, the dial 502 can be rotated, as indicated by arrow 140 to increase the tension on the cable 486, which draws each member of the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157 toward its adjacent member to decrease the longitudinal dimension 436 of the hand dorsal portion 440, as illustrated by arrows 160. Increasing the tension on the cable 486 also draws the second pair of retaining members 152, 153 toward the first pair of retaining members 150, 151 and the third pair of retaining members 154, 155 toward the fourth pair of retaining members 156, 157 to decrease the longitudinal dimension 436 of the hand dorsal portion 440. Increasing the tension on the cable 486 also draws each of the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157 toward the center portion of the hand dorsal portion 440, as illustrated by arrows 162, to decrease the lateral dimension 438 of the hand dorsal portion 440. In this manner, the size of the hand portion 412 of the protective glove 410 can be decreased to decrease the interior space of the protective glove 410 to accommodate a wearer having a smaller hand, such as a younger child. The size of the interior space of the protective glove 410 can be increased, such as to accommodate the hand of the wearer as the wearer grows, in a similar manner to that described above with respect to the first embodiment of FIG. 3 by rotating the dial 502 to decrease the tension on the cable 486. Decreasing the tension on the cable 486 allows the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of retaining members 150-157 to be moved away from another as the base layer 478 is expanded to accommodate different hand sizes.

[0058] A second alternative embodiment of the protective glove is shown in FIGS. 7-8 and generally designated 610. This embodiment is similar in structure, function, and operation to the other embodiments described herein with several exceptions. For example, the configuration of the cuff portion and floating sub-cuff portion of this embodiment can differ from other embodiments. Therefore, elements of the glove 610 similar to those of the glove 10 are labeled with a prefix increased by 600.

[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the glove 610 can be similar to that of the glove 10 of FIG. 1 except that the cuff portion 618 is configured as a tri-cuff having first, second, and third cuff portions 660, 661, and 662, respectively, instead of the dual-cuff configuration of FIG. 1. The second cuff portion 661 can be disposed closer to the interior of the glove 610, with the first and third cuff portions 660 and 662 disposed exteriorly of the second cuff portion 661 and overlapping at least partially with the second cuff portion 661. Optionally, each of the first, second, and third cuff portions 660, 661, and 662 can be disposed within the same plane and/or may not overlap. As described above with the gloves 10 and 410, the floating sub-cuff portion 624 of the glove 610 is also optional.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 8, the configuration of the retaining members 680-684, the guide wedges 692, and the route of the cable 686 across the hand dorsal portion 640 can be similar to that of the glove 10 of FIG. 1 and configured to operate in the same manner. The cable 686 can be operably joined with the spool 700, which can be joined with any of the first, second, or third cuff portions 660-662. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the spool 700 is joined with and/or extend from the interior surface 710 of the second cuff portion 661.

[0061] The spool 700 can be joined with the second cuff portion 661 in the recess 712 provided in the interior surface 710 of the second cuff portion 661 to decrease the extent to which the spool 700 projects from the second cuff portion 661. In this manner, the recess 712 can facilitate the second cuff portion 661 lying generally flat against the adjacent floating sub-cuff portion 624 or the wearer's wrist, if the glove does not include a floating sub-cuff portion 624. Additionally, or alternatively, the optional floating sub-cuff portion 624 can include a recess 714 provided in an exterior surface 716 thereof (see FIG. 7) opposite the spool 700 to further facilitate the second cuff portion 661 lying flat against the floating sub-cuff portion 624. Optionally, the second cuff portion 661 and the optional floating sub-cuff portion 624 can be void of a recess for receiving the spool 700.

[0062] The dial 702 can be rotated to wind and unwind the cable 686 onto the spool 700 to increase or decrease the tension on the cable 686 in a manner similar to that describe above for the first embodiment in FIG. 3 in order to selectively adjust the lateral and/or longitudinal dimensions of the hand dorsal portion 614 to fit a wearer's hand.

[0063] While the tri-cuff glove 610 is described in the context of having a configuration of retaining members, guide wedges, and route of the cable across the hand dorsal portion similar to that of the glove 10 of FIG. 1, the tri-cuff glove 610 can also be configured to include the retaining members, guide wedges, and route of the cable across the hand dorsal portion similar to that described in connection with the glove 410 of FIG. 5.

[0064] All patents, patent applications, and literature references cited in this specification are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present description, including definitions, will control.

[0065] The above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. Any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles a, an, the or said, is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Any reference to claim elements as at least one of X, Y and Z is meant to include any one of X, Y or Z individually, and any combination of X, Y and Z, for example, X, Y, Z; X, Y; X, Z; and Y, Z.