FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports equipment and, more particularly, to a glove for baseball or softball. The present invention is specifically directed to a lightweight glove for baseball or softball with an elastic backfinger that provides a conforming fit to the wearer's hand so as to increase the glove's comfort.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As provided inFIG. 1, a conventional glove100for baseball or softball generally comprises a thumb portion105and four finger portions110. The finger portions110are conventionally joined by cross-bracing and form a conjoined finger region. The cross-bracing may include, but is not limited to, cords and the like. A web is located between and secured to, by fastening means, the thumb portion105and finger portions110. A front panel (not shown) forms the front wall of the glove100and a back panel115forms the back wall of the glove100. The front and back panels are secured together at peripheral margins of the glove100by various fastening means to form a glove shell120having a top, bottom, and opposite sides. The fastening means may include, but are not limited to, stitching, cords, clasps, rivets, glue, and other fastening means.

The lower edge of the back panel115includes an opening125for receiving the wearer's hand and may further comprise an adjustable strap or thong130that extends across the opening125. The adjustable strap or thong130typically comprises a hook-and-ring type fastener, a pull strap, a Velcro strap, or the like for selectively securing the wearer's hand in the glove100during use. The front and back panels being preferably constructed of relatively thick, dense, and stiff material for structural integrity and shock absorbing purposes.

As provided inFIG. 2, the glove shell120generally defines an inner thumb stall135and inner finger stalls140. The thumb stall135is formed within the thumb portion105, and the finger stalls140are formed within the finger portions110.

Conventional gloves100for baseball or softball further comprise a liner145. The liner145, which is traditionally made from a leather material include a thumb liner150for receiving the thumb of the hand of the wearer and finger liners155for receiving the fingers of the hand of the wearer. With respect to the shell120, the liner145comprises a palm liner panel on the inside face of the front panel, and the thumb liner150and finger liners155may generally reside in the thumb stall135and finger stalls140, respectively, of the glove shell120.

Certain gloves do not contain a liner145or conventional thumb liner150and finger liners155defined thereby. Instead, such gloves comprise a single compartment or stall for receiving at least one of the wearer's fingers to allow for the provision of additional material and padding to cover the wearer's hand and palm. Such gloves are generally adapted for use by catchers or first basemen and provide desirable shock-absorbing effects. However, such gloves have not been effectively applied to gloves worn by other players, including, without limitation, gloves for pitchers, catchers, first basemen, infielders, outfielders, and the like.

The front panel and the palm liner have lower edge margins generally in registry with one another to form a heel of the glove100extending between the opposite sides of the glove100. The front panel has an outside face forming the front surface of the glove100and an inside face. The outside face of the front panel has a central portion forming a ball-catching pocket located above the heel of the glove100and below the web and the finger portions110. The back panel115has an outside face enclosing the thumb stall135and finger stalls140of the glove shell120. The back panel115may also cover the thumb portion105and finger portions110and generally form a backfinger160. The backfinger160typically comprises a continuous piece of material or composite material that may generally be defined by an interior (not illustrated) of the back panel115.

Gloves constructed in conventional fashion are heavy, lack adequate breathability, and do not provide adequate means for conforming the glove to the wearer's hand during use. Generally, conventionally constructed gloves are comprised entirely or mostly of leather and/or leather-like materials, which are generally relatively dense and stiff materials. Use of such dense material or materials in the construction of a glove for baseball or softball creates a relatively heavy glove, especially for gloves that comprise additional padding or lengths of materials, such as gloves for catchers or outfielders. Additionally, in general, the leather and/or leather-like materials are not adequately breathable and limit the flow of air onto and around the wearer's hand when the glove is in use.

Further, known gloves for baseball or softball comprise extra or superfluous material for purposes of meeting desired specifications and dimensions. For example, the finger elements corresponding with the thumb stall and finger stalls of known gloves comprise dense leather or leather-like material, internal padding, structural support, fastening means, and cross-bracing, which adds to the overall weight of the glove. When a wearer inserts his or her hand into a glove for baseball or softball, the wearer's fingers extend only partially into the thumb stall or finger stalls, and at least fifty percent (50%) of the thumb or fingers of conventional gloves for baseball or softball are designed for purposes other than receiving the wearer's fingers. It is those portions of thumb and fingers that comprise the extra or superfluous material, which increases the glove's weight and limits the ease of use of such gloves. Additionally, gloves constructed for baseball or softball for professional-level competition generally may include even more leather or leather-like materials to provide additional length, padding, and structural support.

Further, the backfinger, the back panel, the liner, and other elements of known gloves comprise stiff material that generally inhibits the optimal fit and breathability of the gloves. For example, the backfinger or the back panel of known gloves comprise leather or leather-like material that has limited flexibility and does not permit adequate flow of air onto and around the wearer's hand. Further, although the leather or leather-like material of the front panel of known gloves may become less stiff over time through the process of breaking in the palm or forming the pocket of the glove, the material of the backfinger and back panel of known gloves generally remains relatively stiff over the lifetime of the glove.

Therefore, a need exists for a breathable, lightweight glove with a conforming fit to optimize utility of the glove while also using fewer materials compared to known gloves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lightweight glove for baseball or softball that generally comprises a lightweight and elastic backfinger and provides a conforming fit to the wearer's hand. The reduced weight of the glove provides superior ease of use, as well as other advantages. Further, the conforming fit of the glove provides improved utility and performance, among other advantages.

In general, the elastic backfinger comprises an elastic material, a combination of elastic materials, or a combination of elastic and inelastic materials. The elastic backfinger can be achieved by at least partially replacing the backfinger, the back panel, the liner, and/or other elements of the glove with the elastic material, combination of elastic materials, or combination of elastic and inelastic materials.

The objects of this invention are as follows: (i) to provide a lightweight glove, (ii) to provide a glove with an improved fit for the wearer, (iii) to provide a glove with improved breathability, and (iv) to provide a glove that utilizes fewer materials compared to known gloves. Other advantages and objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

