Goalkeeper glove assembly

Abstract

A goalkeeper glove assembly is provided to improve grip, protection, and comfort during soccer play. The assembly includes an outer glove with a palmar side, dorsal side, and wrist portion, along with a wrap and fastener that allow adjustable securing around the wrist. The outer glove features finger sleeves and a thumb sleeve, each incorporating grip patches near the fingertips for enhanced ball control. A reinforcement patch located on the palmar side adds cushioning and impact protection. An inner glove may be positioned within the outer glove and includes its own set of finger sleeves with integrated compression elements designed to apply support to the user's fingers. The inner and outer gloves can be permanently joined at the wrist portions to form a single, unified structure. This configuration enhances ease of use and alignment, helping to maintain consistent glove performance while reducing discomfort and slippage during activity.

Claims

1. A goalkeeper glove assembly comprising: an outer glove having: an outer glove palmar side; an outer glove dorsal side; and, an outer glove wrist portion, wherein the outer glove palmar side, the outer glove dorsal side and the outer glove wrist portion together define an outer glove interior; a plurality of outer glove finger sleeves including: a first finger sleeve; a second finger sleeve; a third finger sleeve; a fourth finger sleeve; and, a thumb sleeve; wherein each outer glove finger sleeve is integral with the outer glove palmar side and the outer glove dorsal side and terminates in a closed end; a wrap having: a first end affixed to the outer glove dorsal side at a location adjacent both the fourth finger sleeve and the thumb sleeve; and, a free end extending from the outer glove, the wrap having a length enabling the wrap to encircle the outer glove a plurality of times; a fastener disposed on the wrap and configured to secure the wrap at a user-adjustable tightness; a reinforcement patch located on the outer glove palmar side adjacent to the wrap and positioned on an enhanced gripping material of the outer glove palmar side, the reinforcement patch being configured to provide additional cushioning and protection; a plurality of grip patches on the outer glove palmar side, each of the plurality of grip patches being disposed adjacent to a respective fingertip of the first, second, third, and fourth finger sleeves and the thumb sleeve, each of the plurality of grip patches comprising a discontinuous patch of enhanced gripping material that is one of: a laser etching of latex of the enhanced gripping material, or a bonded patch of the enhanced gripping material affixed to the outer glove palmar side; and, an inner glove disposed within the outer glove interior and having: an inner glove palmar side; an inner glove dorsal side; and, an inner glove wrist portion with an open end; and, a plurality of inner glove finger sleeves including: a first inner finger sleeve; a second inner finger sleeve; a third inner finger sleeve; a fourth inner finger sleeve; and, a thumb inner sleeve; wherein each inner glove finger sleeve terminates at a respective open end to expose a respective fingertip of a user to a respective one of the plurality of outer glove finger sleeves' closed ends, when worn; and, a plurality of finger compressions comprising: a first finger compression; a second finger compression; a third finger compression; a fourth finger compression; and, a thumb compression; and, each of the plurality of finger compressions encircling a respective one of the inner glove finger sleeves adjacent the respective sleeve's open end, each of the plurality of finger compressions comprising elastic material and being positionable over an interphalangeal joint to apply a protective compression force when worn; first padding located on the inner glove palmar side subjacent to the thumb compression and second padding located on the inner glove palmar side subjacent to the first finger compression, the padding configured to provide additional cushioning and protection at points adapted to be commonly used; and, wherein the inner glove wrist portion and the outer glove wrist portion are permanently affixed to each other to form a unified glove assembly that is configured to simplify donning and doffing and maintain alignment of the inner glove and the outer glove during play.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present device will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of the goalkeeper glove assembly 10, including an outer glove 15 and an inner glove 40 prior to be worn, according to a preferred embodiment of the present device;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the outer glove 15, according to a preferred embodiment of the present device;

(4) FIG. 3 is a rear view of the outer glove 15, according to a preferred embodiment of the present device;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front view of the inner glove 40, according to a preferred embodiment of the present device;

(6) FIG. 5 is a rear view of the inner glove 40, according to a preferred embodiment of the present device; and,

(7) FIG. 6 is an environmental view of the goalkeeper glove assembly 10 being worn by a user 50, according to a preferred embodiment of the present device.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

(8) 10 goalkeeper glove assembly 15 outer glove 16 outer glove interior 17a outer glove palmar side 17b outer glove dorsal side 18a outer glove first finger sleeve 18b outer glove second finger sleeve 18c outer glove third finger sleeve 18d outer glove fourth finger sleeve 18e outer glove thumb sleeve 19 outer glove wrist portion 20 wrap 22 fastener 30 reinforcement 31a first padding 31b second padding 33a first finger grip 33b second finger grip 33c third finger grip 33d fourth finger grip 33e thumb grip 40 inner glove 41 inner glove interior 42a inner glove palmar side 42b inner glove dorsal side 43a inner glove first finger sleeve 43b inner glove second finger sleeve 43c inner glove third finger sleeve 43d inner glove fourth finger sleeve 43e inner glove thumb sleeve 44a first finger compression 44b second finger compression 44c third finger compression 44d fourth finger compression 44e thumb compression 45 inner glove wrist portion 50 user 55 soccer ball
1. Description of the Device

(9) The best mode for carrying out the device is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 5 with an intended method of wearing and use depicted in FIG. 6. However, the device is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the device are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the device and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this device. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present device can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present device, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

(10) The terms a and an herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

(11) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the goalkeeper glove assembly 10 generally comprises two (2) disparate elements, an inner glove 40 capable of being worn on either hand of a user 50, and an outer glove 15 capable of being worn over the inner glove 40 and also capable of being worn on either hand of the user 50. The outer glove 15 is capable of retaining a gripping and a cushioning effect when catching or deflecting a soccer ball 55. The inner glove 40 provides enhanced dexterity and comfort to the user 50, while also providing compression action to the fingers of the user 50.

(12) Referring more closely to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is shown that an outer glove 15 comprises an outer glove wrist portion 19 with an open end. The outer glove 15 further includes an outer glove palmar side 17a and an outer glove dorsal side 17b, each an extension of and integral with the outer glove wrist portion 19. The outer glove palmar side 17a may further have an enhanced gripping material, such as latex, attached to the base material. A wrap 20 is used to snugly removably affix the outer glove 15 to the user 50 when worn (either independently or in combination over a already currently worn inner glove 40). Such a wrap 20 may be similar in size and configuration as a boxing glove wrap. The wrap 20 has a first end affixed to the outer glove dorsal side 17b, located adjacent to the outer glove fourth finger sleeve 18d and outer glove thumb sleeve 18e. The wrap 20 further has a fastener 22 (e.g., hook-and-loop-type) to secure the desired tightness of the outer glove 15. The wrap 20 may have a length enabling it to encircle the outer glove 15 a plurality of times. A patch of reinforcement 30 is located on the outer glove palmar side 17a adjacent to the wrap 20 and is configured to provide additional cushioning and protection to the user 50. The patch of reinforcement 30 is preferably located on the enhanced gripping material. Any or all of the outer glove 15 material may be knitted for extra durability, comfort, and lightweight properties.

(13) An outer glove first finger sleeve 18a (i.e., a pinky sleeve), an outer glove second finger sleeve 18b (i.e., a ring sleeve), an outer glove third finger sleeve 18c (i.e., a middle sleeve), an outer glove fourth finger sleeve 18d (i.e., a pointer sleeve), and an outer glove thumb sleeve 18e, are each an extension of and integral with the outer glove palmar side 17a and outer glove dorsal side 17b and each terminates in a closed end. Defined within the outer glove 15 is an outer glove interior 16, capable of being worn by and conforming to the wrist, hand, and fingers of a user 50. At least one (1) first finger grip 33a may be located on the outer glove first finger sleeve 18a adjacent the tip thereof. At least one (1) second finger grip 33b may be located on the outer glove second finger sleeve 18b adjacent the tip thereof. At least one (1) third finger grip 33c may be located on the outer glove third finger sleeve 18c adjacent the tip thereof. At least one (1) fourth finger grip 33d may be located on the outer glove fourth finger sleeve 18d adjacent the tip thereof. At least one (1) thumb grip 33e may be located on the outer glove thumb sleeve 18e adjacent the tip thereof. The finger and thumb grips 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e may be located above the outer glove palmar side 17a. The finger and thumb grips 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e may be laser etchings of the latex of the gripping material of the outer glove palmar side 17a, or they may be bonded thereto. The finger and thumb grips 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e may provide enhanced durability and gripping functions. In the exemplary embodiment, the finger and thumb grips 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e each comprise discontinuous patches of gripping material.

(14) Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner glove 40 comprises an inner glove wrist portion 45 with an open end. The inner glove 40 further includes an inner glove palmar side 42a and an inner glove dorsal side 42b, each an extension of and integral with the inner glove wrist portion 45. The inner glove palmar side 42a may further have a patch of first padding 31a located subjacent to the thumb compression 44e and a patch of second padding 31b located subjacent to the first finger compression 44a and is configured to provide additional cushioning and protection to the user 50 at commonly used points. The inner glove 40 may comprise material suitable for flexibility, light weight properties, and to minimize frictional contact.

(15) An inner glove first finger sleeve 43a, an inner glove second finger sleeve 43b, an inner glove third finger sleeve 43c, an inner glove fourth finger sleeve 43d, and an inner glove thumb sleeve 43e, each an extension of and integral with the inner glove palmar side 42a and inner glove dorsal side 42b and each terminating in an open end to expose the fingers of the user 50 when worn. Defined within the inner glove 40 is an inner glove interior 41 capable of being worn by the wrist, hand, and fingers of a user 50. A first finger compression 44a may be located on the inner glove first finger sleeve 43a adjacent the open end thereof. A second finger compression 44b may be located on the inner glove second finger sleeve 43b adjacent the open end thereof. A third finger compression 44c may be located on the inner glove third finger sleeve 43c adjacent the open end thereof. A fourth finger compression 44d may be located on the inner glove fourth finger sleeve 43d adjacent the open end thereof. A thumb compression 44e may be located on the inner glove thumb sleeve 43e adjacent the open end thereof. When the inner glove 40 is worn, the finger and thumb compressions 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e may be located above any or all of the interphalangeal joints of the fingers to provide a protective compression force thereupon. The finger and thumb compressions 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e may each encircle the respective finger sleeve 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, 43e and may be attached, affixed, bonded, or integral therewith. The finger and thumb compressions 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e comprise material that is elastic and provides a compression force to the parts of the user 50 (e.g., fingers) that they contact.

(16) In an alternate embodiment, the goalkeeper glove assembly 10 may consist of an integrated design where the inner glove 40 and outer glove 15 are permanently affixed to each other along the inner glove wrist portion 45 and the outer glove wrist portion 19. In this configuration, the inner glove 40 is seamlessly bonded within the outer glove 15, creating a single unified glove assembly that simplifies donning and doffing for the user 50. The inner glove 40 retains its compression features through finger compressions 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e and provides cushioning through strategic padding 31a, 31b, while the outer glove 15 enhances grip and protection with the finger grips 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e and reinforcement 30. This embodiment ensures that the enhanced dexterity and comfort offered by the inner glove 40 are consistently aligned with the protective and gripping functions of the outer glove 15, thereby offering a streamlined solution for goalkeepers seeking both performance and ease of use in a single product. The integrated glove assembly would maintain the individual characteristics and benefits of each glove component, while eliminating the need for separate assembly or adjustment, thus enhancing the overall user experience and reducing the likelihood of misalignment or slippage between the inner and outer gloves during play.

(17) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present device have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the device to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the device and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the device and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.