Abstract: A durable athletic glove with an enhanced range of motion is provided. The glove has a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. One or more rounded, strain-relieving cutouts are located on the palm portion at a location corresponding to the area of a user's hand where two adjacent fingers connect with the palm. A strain-relieving finger gusset connects each cutout to the finger sheaths and palm-side portion. A thumb gusset extends from the back portion, between the thumb sheath and index finger sheath, and to the palm-side portion. The strain-relieving cutouts and strain-relieving gussets distribute force applied where finger sheaths connect to minimize glove failure. The cutouts and gussets allow an increased range of motion and stretchability for the user.

Abstract: Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Abstract: A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.

Abstract: A protective device is disclosed that may have the configuration of a leg protector, for example. As a leg protector, the protective device includes a knee portion, a first thigh portion, and a second thigh portion. The first thigh portion is positioned adjacent the knee portion and has an elastic member. The second thigh portion is positioned adjacent the first thigh portion and opposite the knee portion. The knee portion, the first thigh portion, and the second thigh portion are secured relative to each other with at least one flexible strap that is attached to the knee portion, attached to the elastic member of the first thigh portion, and attached to the second thigh portion. The strap is unattached to the first thigh portion. In some embodiments, the first thigh portion does not include a restraint for securing the leg protector to the leg.

Abstract: A glove with a base layer of a flexible material which extends along at least a palm-side portion of the glove which includes a palm area and inner sides of a plurality of finger stalls and a thumb stall. The glove also has a second layer positioned on the palm-side portion and disposed on top of the base layer. The second layer includes a plurality of contact areas and a contact surface. Also, the glove has a plurality of siping grooves which conduct liquid away from the contact surface and a plurality of channels which direct liquid away from the contact areas.

Abstract: A glove with a base layer of a flexible material which extends along at least a palm-side portion of the glove which includes a palm area and inner sides of a plurality of finger stalls and a thumb stall. The glove also has a continuous second layer positioned on the palm-side portion and disposed on top of the base layer. The continuous second layer includes a plurality of contact areas and a contact surface. Also, the glove has a plurality of siping grooves which conduct liquid away from the contact surface and a plurality of channels which direct liquid away from the contact areas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cupped shoulder strap. In general, the cupped shoulder strap may be comprised of a cupped shoulder strap receiving section and a plurality of strap. The cupped shoulder receiving section may have a lateral portion and a medial portion. To form a cupped shape, the lateral portion may be affixed, in a nonparallel orientation, to the medial portion at a superior affixing point that is proximate superior ends of the lateral and medial portions. Further, the lateral portion may be affixed, in a nonparallel orientation, to the medial portion at an inferior affixing point that is proximate inferior ends of the medial and lateral portions.

Abstract: A durable athletic glove with an enhanced range of motion is provided. The glove comprises a palm-side portion and a back portion connected to form four finger sheaths, a thumb sheath, and an opening capable of receiving a human hand. One or more rounded, strain-relieving cutouts are located on the palm portion at a location corresponding to the area of a user's hand where two adjacent fingers connect with the palm. A strain-relieving finger gusset connects each cutout to the finger sheaths and palm-side portion. A thumb gusset extends from the back portion, between the thumb sheath and index finger sheath, and to the palm-side portion. The strain-relieving cutouts and strain-relieving gussets distribute force applied where finger sheaths connect to minimize glove failure. The cutouts and gussets allow an increased range of motion and stretchability for the user.

Abstract: An energy absorbing receiving glove constructed with a substrate having an exterior surface and a complementary interior surface. The substrate is used in constructing a palmar portion of the glove. The glove may incorporates a gripping layer of material affixed to the exterior surface of the substrate. Further, the glove may incorporate an energy absorbing layer of material affixed to the interior surface of the substrate. Additionally, the energy absorbing layer of material may have both a first thickness in a first location and a second thickness in a second location of the substrate. In an embodiment, the energy absorbing material is a silicone gel and the gripping material is a silicone material. Additionally, the varied thicknesses of the energy absorbing material may be effective for covering a palmar side of joints located on a hand wearing the glove.

Abstract: An ergonomic curved athletic glove is provided. The glove comprises palm and back portions as well as four finger sheaths and a thumb sheath, each sheath having a front and back finger portion and one or more gussets. The thumb, pinky, and index finger sheaths may incorporate a “seamless” design that avoids seams where the glove comes in contact with a sporting implement and reduces potential gripping interference. The palm portion of the glove may comprise multiple sections connected with a stretchable palm gusset to minimize bunching when a sporting implement is gripped. The length of each front finger portion is shorter than the length of the corresponding back finger portion to provide the glove with a gripping curve. Providing the glove with a gripping curve minimizes bunching of the front finger portions, front thumb portion, and palm portion while a received hand grips the sporting implement.

Abstract: A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.

Abstract: Lace designs for footballs are provided. The laces have geometries that improve the aerodynamic characteristics of the football during flight. Additionally, the placement of the laces on the football is selected to maximize aerodynamic performance of the football during flight.

Abstract: A protective device is disclosed that may have the configuration of a leg protector, for example. As a leg protector, the protective device includes a knee portion, a first thigh portion, and a second thigh portion. The first thigh portion is positioned adjacent the knee portion and has an elastic member. The second thigh portion is positioned adjacent the first thigh portion and opposite the knee portion. The knee portion, the first thigh portion, and the second thigh portion are secured relative to each other with at least one flexible strap that is attached to the knee portion, attached to the elastic member of the first thigh portion, and attached to the second thigh portion. The strap is unattached to the first thigh portion. In some embodiments, the first thigh portion does not include a restraint for securing the leg protector to the leg.

Abstract: A spheroidal ball includes a body having three grooves that define divisions on the ball. The ball includes a first color and a second color that contrasts with the first color. The second color may be applied in various regions, areas, or sections of the ball to enhance the visibility of the ball in use.

Abstract: A protective device is disclosed that may have the configuration of a leg protector, for example. As a leg protector, the protective device includes a knee portion, a first thigh portion, and a second thigh portion. The first thigh portion is positioned adjacent the knee portion and has an elastic member. The second thigh portion is positioned adjacent the first thigh portion and opposite the knee portion. The knee portion, the first thigh portion, and the second thigh portion are secured relative to each other with at least one flexible strap that is attached to the knee portion, attached to the elastic member of the first thigh portion, and attached to the second thigh portion. The strap is unattached to the first thigh portion. In some embodiments, the first thigh portion does not include a restraint for securing the leg protector to the leg.

Abstract: A prolate spheriodal ball includes first and second ends and first and second mid regions between the first and second ends and the tranverse axis, respectively. The ball is colored with a first color. First and second tips at first and second ends are colored to contrast with the first color. First and second mid regions include colored regions that are colored to contrast with the first color. The peripheries of the contrasting colored regions are continuous around the ball.

Abstract: A glove with a base layer of a flexible material which extends along at least a palm-side portion of the glove which includes a palm area and inner sides of a plurality of finger stalls and a thumb stall. The glove also has a second layer positioned on the palm-side portion and disposed on top of the base layer. The second layer includes a plurality of contact areas and a contact surface. Also, the glove has a plurality of siping grooves which conduct liquid away from the contact surface and a plurality of channels which direct liquid away from the contact areas.

Abstract: A glove with a base layer of a flexible material which extends along at least a palm-side portion of the glove which includes a palm area and inner sides of a plurality of finger stalls and a thumb stall. The glove also has a continuous second layer positioned on the palm-side portion and disposed on top of the base layer. The continuous second layer includes a plurality of contact areas and a contact surface. Also, the glove has a plurality of siping grooves which conduct liquid away from the contact surface and a plurality of channels which direct liquid away from the contact areas.

Abstract: A protective device is disclosed that may have the configuration of a leg protector, for example. As a leg protector, the protective device includes a knee portion, a first thigh portion, and a second thigh portion. The first thigh portion is positioned adjacent the knee portion and has an elastic member. The second thigh portion is positioned adjacent the first thigh portion and opposite the knee portion. The knee portion, the first thigh portion, and the second thigh portion are secured relative to each other with at least one flexible strap that is attached to the knee portion, attached to the elastic member of the first thigh portion, and attached to the second thigh portion. The strap is unattached to the first thigh portion. In some embodiments, the first thigh portion does not include a restraint for securing the leg protector to the leg.