FORM-FITTING STICK SPORTS GLOVES

Abstract

Improved stick spot gloves are described. Such gloves are form-fitting and thus better conform to a player's hands. They also provide superior grip, and are lighter and smaller than corresponding conventional lacrosse and hockey gloves.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 61/859,234 and 61/859,273 (each filed 27 Jul. 2013; attorney docket numbers TCC-0200-PV and TCC-0200-PV2, respectively) and entitled “Form-Fitting Stick Sports Gloves”, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for any and all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention concerns sports gloves, particularly sports gloves worn by players of stick sports, for example, lacrosse and hockey.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Introduction

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any such information is prior art, or relevant, to the presently claimed inventions, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

2. Background

Protective gloves are required equipment for players that compete in competitive stick sports, including lacrosse and hockey. In the context of this invention, a “stick sport” refers to hockey or lacrosse, in which a player holds a stick fashioned for carrying and throwing a lacrosse ball, in the case of lacrosse, or contacting a puck, in the case of hockey.

Currently available gloves worn by stick sport players generally are heavily padded to offer adequate hand, wrist, and forearm protection but, as a result, sacrifice mobility and articulation due not only to the size and arrangement of the padding on exposed, outer portions of the gloves but also because of the way padding is attached to the glove. Briefly, modern padded stick sport gloves essentially have three components (see FIG. 1), an upper portion that contains substantial protective padding (FIG. 1, elements 1, 2, 4-7, and 9), which covers the top, side, and wrist portion of the glove; a palm (or lower) portion of the glove (e.g., FIG. 1, element 10), which is typically substantially planar yet flexible and is made of mesh fabric and leather or some similar, durable synthetic material; and a mesh sidewall (e.g., FIG. 1, element 8), which connects the palm of the glove to the padding.

The problem with this kind of construction, i.e., using a sidewall (e.g., FIG. 1, element 8) to connect the upper and palm portions, is that it creates a non-ergonomic volume for a player's hand, including her/his fingers and thumb, which generally renders such gloves ill-fitting. In other words, such constructions create more of a fingered bag into which a player puts her/his hand than a well-fitted glove that slides on and conforms to the player's hand to provide optimum dexterity and tactile sensation. Furthermore, the material(s) with which the palm of conventional stick sport gloves is(are) made, often natural or synthetic leather, does not improve a player's ability to grip or control her/his stick during play. Accordingly, there remain long-standing, unmet needs for improved lacrosse and hockey gloves.

3. Definitions

Before describing the instant invention in detail, several terms used in the context of the present invention will be defined. In addition to these terms, others are defined elsewhere in the specification, as necessary. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, terms of art used in this specification will have their art-recognized meanings In the event of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

The term “forearm” refers to that part of a person's arm extending from the elbow to the wrist.

The term “hand” means the end portion of a person's arm beyond the wrist, and includes the palm, fingers, and thumb. The term “fingers” may include thumb. The term “lower forearm” refers to that portion of the forearm that extends from the wrist to about 2 cm to up to about 20 cm above the wrist, preferably from about 2 cm to up to about 12 cm above the wrist, even more preferably from about 2 cm to up to about 12 cm above the wrist.

The present invention provides patentable articles of manufacture, namely foldable watercraft fins, such as surfboard fins, as well as watercraft employing such fins, in addition to methods of making and using such fins and watercraft. A “patentable” composition, process, machine, or article of manufacture according to the invention means that the subject matter satisfies all statutory requirements for patentability at the time the analysis is performed. For example, with regard to novelty, non-obviousness, or the like, if later investigation reveals that one or more claims encompass one or more embodiments that would negate novelty, non-obviousness, etc., the claim(s), being limited by definition to “patentable” embodiments, specifically exclude the unpatentable embodiment(s). Also, the claims appended hereto are to be interpreted both to provide the broadest reasonable scope, as well as to preserve their validity. Furthermore, the claims are to be interpreted in a way that (1) preserves their validity and (2) provides the broadest reasonable interpretation under the circumstances, if one or more of the statutory requirements for patentability are amended or if the standards change for assessing whether a particular statutory requirement for patentability is satisfied from the time this application is filed or issues as a patent to a time the validity of one or more of the appended claims is questioned.

A “plurality” means more than one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention addresses the needs for improved stick sport gloves by providing a well-fitting protective glove with padding affixed directly to the glove, without the need for or inclusion of a sidewall to connect the palm portion to the upper portion or to provide ventilation, as well as a palm that enhances a player's ability to grip her/his lacrosse or hockey stick. Of course, in some embodiments, a sidewall portion may be included in the glove to connect the palm portion to the upper portion of the glove, although in such embodiments the sidewall, palm, and upper portions are designed to yield a glove that, unlike a conventional stick sport glove, closely conforms to a player's hand while the glove is being worn. The gloves of the invention can also be made, if desired, using padding made from fewer pieces of padding, preferably 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 piece(s) of padding.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention concerns a protective stick sports glove that includes a complete glove portion for a player's hand and padding affixed directly to the top, sides, and wrist of the glove to provide the desired level of protection to the player's hand, wrist, and lower forearm. The glove portion comfortably conforms to a player's hand and allows for maximum flexion of the joints of the player's wrist and hand, including the palm, fingers, and thumb. The surface of the palm portion of the glove preferably includes a tacky or grip-enhancing outer surface to enhance a player's ability to grip and control her/his lacrosse or hockey stick while wearing such a glove, preferably on each hand. As those in the art will appreciate, instead of having a substantially planar palm connected to the upper, padded portion via a mesh sidewall, a complete form-fitting glove would mitigate the loss of dexterity and tactile sensation inherent in conventional hockey and lacrosse gloves. Moreover, a stick sports glove having a tacky or grip-enhancing outer surface on the palm portion (or those portions thereof intended to come into contact with a lacrosse or hockey stick while the stick is being held by a player during a practice or game) will improve a player's ability to grip and control her/his stick during play. The gloves of the invention are also lighter and easier to break in (or loosen up after a prior use) than a comparable conventional stick sport glove.

A second aspect of the invention concerns stick sport gloves wherein the padding is contiguous over each finger, over the fingers and back of the hand, over the fingers, back of the hand, and wrist, or over the fingers, back of the hand, wrist, and lower forearm.

Another aspect of the invention concerns kits that include one or more form-fitting stick sports gloves of the invention packaged for retail distribution and sale. Such kits will allow stick sports players to acquire such gloves for use in playing and practicing the desired stick sport, such as lacrosse or hockey.

Still other aspects concern methods of making and using form-fitting stick sports gloves according to the invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following drawings, detailed description, and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a conventional men's lacrosse glove viewed from above (showing the dorsal or back side of the glove).

FIG. 1B is an illustration of the same conventional men's lacrosse glove as depicted in FIG. 1A, except that in FIG. 1B, the illustration shows a view from below (showing the palmar or palm side of the glove).

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a top view of a form-fitting lacrosse glove according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a view of the palm and underside of the form-fitting lacrosse glove according to the invention that is illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an illustration from above (showing the dorsal surface) of the form-fitting lacrosse glove according to the invention that is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an illustration from below (showing the palmar surface) of the form-fitting lacrosse glove according to the invention that is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 6A depicts a cutaway side view of conventional lacrosse glove finger with a human finger inserted.

FIG. 6B depicts a cutaway side view of a conventional lacrosse glove finger with a finger inserted in the respective finger sleeve of the glove finger shown.

FIG. 6C depicts a cutaway side view of lacrosse glove finger according to the invention, also showing a finger inserted therein in close, form-fitting association with the finger sleeve of the glove finger shown.

FIG. 6D depicts a cutaway side view of a lacrosse glove finger and a form-fitting glove finger according to the invention, gripping the handle of a lacrosse stick, with a finger inserted in the respective finger sleeve of the glove finger shown.

FIG. 7A (100) shows a cross section of a form-fitting glove finger of a form-fitting stick sports glove according to the invention.

FIG. 7B (101) shows a cross section of a glove finger of a conventional men's lacrosse glove.

FIG. 8A (200) shows a cross section of a form-fitting glove finger of a form-fitting stick sports glove according to the invention wherein the finger sleeve is made from two components (223, 223).

FIG. 8B (201) shows a cross section of a form-fitting glove finger of a form-fitting stick sports glove according to the invention wherein the finger sleeve is made from three components (223, 223, 224)

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a top view of a contiguous pad body embodiment for a form-fitting lacrosse glove according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration that shows a perpendicular cross-section of a finger portion of a pad body for a form-fitting lacrosse glove of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration that shows a perpendicular cross-section of a finger portion of a conventional lacrosse glove.

FIG. 12 is an illustration that shows a longitudinal cross-section of the padding in a finger portion of conventional lacrosse glove.

FIG. 13 is an illustration that shows a longitudinal cross-section of a finger portion of a contiguous pad body for a form-fitting lacrosse glove of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1. Introduction

As those in the art will appreciate, the following detailed description describes certain preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, and is thus only representative and does not depict the actual scope of the invention. Before describing the present invention in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects and embodiments described, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

2. Form-Fitting Stick Sport Gloves

A padded, form-fitting stick sports glove, specifically for use in lacrosse, hockey, and other sports in which attacks on players' hands and wrists with a stick, club, etc. are permitted, is comprised of a form-fitted glove for the hand on top of which is affixed padding over the backside of the hand and connected to which is a guard covering the wrist and lower arm. The part of the glove into which a hand fits is form-fitting, which, as those in the art will appreciate, differs from traditional lacrosse and hockey gloves that are comprised of a palm piece connected to the glove padding by a strip of mesh or cloth. In this way, the form-fitting stick sport gloves of the invention provide increased tactile sensation, increased articulation and movement of fingers, and a more appropriate fit for different hand sizes as compared to conventional lacrosse and hockey gloves.

In preferred embodiments, the palm portion of the glove comprises a rubberized grip-enhancing material that permits better control of the stick, club, etc., and also reduces the necessity of grip tape, pine tar, and other materials used to add grip to equipment, which could reduce the overall weight of equipment. The top portion of the glove preferably is sufficiently ventilated, made, in part or whole, of a meshed or similar material, so as to permit air circulation over the hand. The materials used to form the gloves of the invention will also be less susceptible to drying out after being dampened by water or sweat, which occurs with gloves made of leather. With the elimination of leather and other cloth portions of the glove (as compared to conventional stick sport gloves), and the reduced volume of the gloves of the invention, due to a more secure, conforming fit, the overall weight of the gloves described herein is reduced.

The gloves of the invention, being of a more secure fit, also offer increased protection because the padding is more closely associated with the player's fingers and hands, which reduces or eliminates gaps between the padding and the hand, which with conventional equipment undesirably exposes the fingers and hands to injuries from attacking sticks, clubs, etc. that may bypass or render ineffective the padding.

As described, this invention concerns protective stick sports gloves that include a complete glove portion for a player's hand and padding affixed directly to the top, sides, and wrist of the glove to provide the desired level of protection to the player's hand, wrist, and lower forearm. The glove portion of each glove includes five finger sleeves, one for each finger (and thumb) and a palm portion. Each finger sleeve is constructed to that it closely conforms to the finger inserted into the sleeve. Preferably, as a finger is inserted into its corresponding sleeve, the sleeve expands so as to allow the finger to be completed inserted into the finger sleeve. “Complete” insertion into a finger sleeve means that the finger is inserted into the sleeve such the webbing between that finger and at least one of the adjoining fingers (e.g., an index finger and a thumb or middle finger) contacts a portion of the perimeter of the base of that finger sleeve. The palm portion forms a cavity for the palm of the hand, which closely conforms to the palm when the hand is placed in the glove. Preferably, as the hand is inserted into the glove, the palm portion expands, allowing it conform the palm as the hand is pushed into the glove. A hand is completely pushed, placed, or otherwise positioned in a glove when the webbing between the hand's fingers contact the material that forms the perimeters of the bases of the finger sleeves.

The form-fitting stick sport gloves of the invention comfortably conform to a player's hand and allow for maximum flexion of the joints of a player's wrist and hand, including the palm, fingers, and thumb. The anterior or lower surface of the palm portion of the glove preferably includes a tacky or grip-enhancing outer surface to enhance the player's ability to grip and control her/his lacrosse or hockey stick while wearing a glove according to the invention, preferably on each hand. As those in the art will appreciate, instead of having a substantially planar palm connected to the upper, padded glove portion via a mesh sidewall, a complete form-fitting glove would mitigate the loss of dexterity and tactile sensation inherent in conventional hockey and lacrosse gloves. Moreover, a stick sports glove having a tacky or grip-enhancing outer surface on the palm portion (or those portions thereof intended to come into contact with a lacrosse or hockey stick while the stick is being held by a player during a practice or game) will improve a player's ability to grip and control her/his stick during play. The gloves of the invention are also lighter and easier to break in (or loosen up after a prior use) than a comparable conventional stick sport glove.

In the context of the invention, “form-fitting” means that article, e.g., a glove of the invention, a finger sleeve of such a glove, etc., tightly follows the contours of the part of the body being covered. Preferably, form-fitting ability is a feature provided by the material used to produce the article. Such materials are generally elastic, and when deformed by an external force (e.g., insertion of finger having diameter greater than that of the internal diameter of the finger sleeve, at least in that portion of the finger sleeve in contact with the particular portion of the finger being considered) experience internal forces that oppose the deformation and allow the material to return it to its original state (or shape) upon removal of the external force (e.g., by withdrawal of a finger from a finger sleeve). It will also be understood that because finger length differs greatly from person to person, in some cases even though a finger sleeve form-fits over a finger some portion of the distal end of the finger sleeve may not be occupied because the finger is not long enough to engage the far end of the finger sleeve.

The degree of fitment can also be assessed by degree of contact and/or volumetrically. With regard to degree of contact, a “form-fitting” article, for example, a finger sleeve, means that the portion of the article that is “form-fit” to the corresponding body part (e.g., a finger) makes contact with more than about 85%, preferably more than about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% or more of the surface of the corresponding part in those regions where the article and body part are in close association. Volumetrically, “form-fitting” means that the body part occupies at least about 90%, preferably at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% or more of the internal volume of the article in that portion where the article and body part are in close association.

In preferred embodiments, the gloves of the invention can also be made, if desired, to include fewer pieces of padding, preferably 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 piece(s) of padding, as compared to conventional stick sport gloves. Gloves having a contiguous pad body, molded, printed or otherwise formed to emulate the ergonomics of a player's hands and fingers and suited to be covered with a fabric or sealing material, can be made. As will be appreciated, a glove of the invention can be protected with one or more contiguous pad bodies, arranged appropriately to provide protection to the hand and fingers. Gloves that include padding made from contiguous pad bodies, as opposed to individual multi-layer pads for particular phalanges common in today's gloves, will use less material, require less labor, and thus be less expensive to manufacture. Moreover, the resulting gloves will have decreased bulk and weight as compared to conventional hockey and lacrosse gloves while still affording adequate and appropriate hand and wrist protection for players.

The glove portion can be made from any suitable material, or combinations of materials, preferably synthetic fibers that provide the desired degree of elasticity, ventilation, and moisture wicking

The padding used in the gloves of the invention can also be made from any suitable material, or combination of materials, that provides the desired degree of protection.

3. Representative Embodiments

The following is a description of several representative embodiments of various aspects of the invention. These embodiments, and the following description, is merely representative of these aspects, and is non-limiting with respect the full scope of this specification.

In the Figures, like elements are given the same number, unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a representative embodiment of a form-fitting lacrosse glove according to the invention. In describing the embodiment represented in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, reference is also made to FIG. 1, which is an illustration of a conventional lacrosse glove. In these figures, the gloves include finger padding (1) segmented at each knuckle. Such padding is typically composed of larger soft pads with a thin harder pad on top, which assembly is then covered by fabric. The glove shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 also includes peripheral padding (2) adjoined to the sides of the first and fourth fingers to provide protection for the otherwise exposed sides of fingers. The glove includes ventilation holes (3). The main body of padding (4) is designed to cover and protect the back of a player's hand. Typically the main padding body is made in same style as finger pad components (1). Wrist protection (5) is also provided, which is composed of separate, overlapping pads that encompass the wrist and lower forearm. Additional wrist protection (6) secures to wrist to help the glove stay on and also ensure coverage of the wrist during moments of articulation. Wrist joint protection (7) is also included.

Unlike the conventional glove depicted in FIG. 1, which includes ventilated mesh (8) for joining the palm of glove (10) to the padding of the glove (and adds additional and unnecessary height to the finger sleeves (11) and contributes to the limited mobility and finger articulation of conventional gloves), the glove shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 does not include ventilated mesh (8). Instead, ventilation is provided by the material used to form the finger sleeves (11) and palm portion (12) of the glove. The thumb of the glove (9) is usually covered in thicker, wider padding than other fingers. The palm (11) of the glove of the invention, which is affixed to and beneath the padding of the gloves (1, 2, 4), is made of a durable and grip-aiding material, unlike in the conventional glove (FIG. 1), where the palm and bottom portions of the finger elements are made of natural or synthetic leather strips (10) sewn to a base fabric. As shown in FIG. 3, the palm (12) of the glove is contiguous with finger sleeves (11), and preferably is made with grip-aiding material.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are drawings of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6A-D compare a form-fitting stick sport glove of the invention (lower panels) to a conventional lacrosse glove. The drawings are side view cutaways. As shown in the drawings on the left, a player's finger (43) is inserted into a finger sleeve of the corresponding glove. The finger sleeve of the conventional lacrosse glove includes a lower portion (44) attached to a mesh side wall (42), while in the glove of the invention, the finger sleeve (45) is made from elastic material(s) that closely conforms to the player's finger (43). Segmented padding (41) is attached to the top of the finger sleeve. In the drawings on the left, the gloved finger is shown griping the handle of a lacrosse stick (47, 49). In the upper drawings, which depicts the conventional glove, a large void space or air pocket (46) can be seen, which typically results because the finger sleeve does not closely conform to the wearer's finger. As a result, the wearer's finger pulls away from the padding at the distal end of the finger sleeve (compare the air gap (46) in the upper drawings), exposing the upper part of the tip of the wearer's finger to being struck by another player's stick. In contrast, because the finger sleeve of the glove of the invention closely conforms to the wearer's finger over its entire length, no appreciable air gap or space occurs when the wearer grips her/his lacrosse stick (49).

FIGS. 7A and 7B contain two cutaway illustrations taken through two different glove finger. The drawing on the left depicts a finger of a lacrosse glove according to the invention (100); the drawing on the right, a finger from a conventional lacrosse glove (101). The finger on the left (100) is made from a form-fitting, finger-conforming fabric (125). The interior area (126) of the finger sleeve of the glove finger (100) is smaller than the area of the finger to be inserted (not shown). A pad element (122) is attached the upper surface of the finger-conforming fabric (125) to provide protection against stick blows to a player's hand. The pad element (121) includes pad material (120) housed in a pad compartment formed by suitable fabric (121). Given the conforming nature of the glove finger, the lower portion of the pad element (120) preferably has a slight concavity to facilitate conforming association with a finger inserted into the finger sleeve of the glove finger.

In contrast, the conventional glove finger (101) depicted in FIG. 7 is not form-fitting. Instead, the finger sleeve (133) is made from a mesh panel (130) bounded above by fabric (132) and below by stick-contacting material (131), typically a natural or synthetic leather stitched to an underlying fabric layer, and is topped by a conventional pad element (134) that contains a pad (136) inside a pad housing (135). As can be seen, the two glove finger configurations (100, 101) are very different, with only that of the instant invention being adapted to receive and closely conform the shape of an inserted finger.

FIGS. 8A and 8B contain two cutaway illustrations taken through two different glove fingers (200, 201), both of which are of glove fingers according to the invention but which differ in the construction of the finger sleeve. The finger sleeve of the finger (200) shown in the left panel is made of two materials (222, 223), and upper material (222) and a lower material (223). The upper material (222) provides ventilation and moisture wicking, while the lower material (223) provides for enhanced grip. In the finger sleeve of the finger (201) shown in the right panel, the sleeve is made of three elements (222, 223, 224), a breathable, wicking material (222) bounded above and below by different materials (223, 224). The materials (223, 224) above and below the breathable, wicking material (222) may be the same or different. Regardless of the materials used to form the finger sleeve in either embodiment depicted in this Figure, the finger sleeve is form-fitting.

FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a contiguous pad body for a form-fitting stick sport glove according to the invention. The contiguous pad body can be attached to a glove portion (not shown) of a glove according to the invention. Joints or hinges (27) that allow for flexion and articulation of the glove are shown, as is a wrist protector (28), which augments protection at a point of exaggerated articulation. Wrist shields (29) are also provided, allowing for free articulation of the wrist and augmenting protection at the wrist and lower forearm. The contiguous pad body can be formed from a single piece of foam or other suitable padding material (or combination of materials) using any suitable technique, including molding, printing, etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perpendicular cross-section of finger portion of a contiguous pad body as shown in FIG. 9. The finger-protecting pad element (24) of the contiguous pad body includes a supplemental protective element (23), which can be applied to areas of particular vulnerability (e.g., the fingers). The supplemental protective element (23) can be a pad or a hard protective element (e.g., a piece of plastic), as examples. As is the case for many preferred embodiments of the invention, the lower surface of the finger-protecting pad element (24), is shaped to conform the shape of a finger so as to facilitate close association of the pad, once attached to a glove portion (not shown) with a finger.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show perpendicular and longitudinal cross sections, respectively, of the finger portion of a conventional lacrosse glove. As shown, conventional lacrosse gloves include many individual small pad sections stitched together to form the padding used for the glove. Each pad section contains padding (21), often composed of two or more stacked padding materials. These stacked materials form a pad (21) that is then enclosed within a fabric housing or covering (22) that is upholstered over each individual pad cell (21). The pad sections are then connected, typically by stitching (26), as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 shows a longitudinal cross section of the finger-covering portion (24) of a contiguous pad body of the invention. If desired, supplemental protection (23) can be applied to one or more areas of particular vulnerability (e.g., the fingers). Joints or hinge regions (27) to facilitate bending of pad body are also shown.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of”, and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

All of the articles and methods described and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and equivalents apparent to those skilled in the art, whether now existing or later developed, are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A form-fitting stick sport glove, comprising (a) a glove portion that comprises at least one, and preferably five, form-fitting finger sleeves and a form-fitting palm portion and (b) padding affixed to posterior portions of the finger sleeves and palm portion.

2. A glove according to claim 1 wherein the padding is contiguous padding.