Protective Glove System

Abstract

A protective glove system featuring built-in adjustable straps to secure the digits of the wearer's hand in a manner similar to “buddy taping” of the fingers to restrain and support an injured finger and “thumb spica” taping to protect an injured thumb. Several variations of gloves featuring dual finger stalls with integral straps above and below the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the wearer's fingers, and an integral thumb spica loop are disclosed which are appropriate for securing the digits of the wearer's hand to prevent re-injury and promote healing, or to prevent injury. Baseball fielding gloves having dual finger stalls compatible with the glove system are also disclosed, along with other features.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sprains and dislocations of the digits of the hand are a frequent problem for athletes and others whose hands encounter impact forces, torsion, or other stresses from falls, catching or throwing fast-moving or heavy objects, or attempting to grip or restrain moving people, animals or objects. Among professional football players in the National Football League (“NFL”), a epidemiological study published in 2008 examining injuries to the hand, fingers and “first ray” (or thumb) found that most of the 1385 injuries (48%) were to the fingers, with these injuries most commonly involving the proximal interphalangeal joint (often abbreviated as “PIP joint”) of the finger, which is the joint located approximately in the middle of the finger, between the knuckle (or metacarpal phalangeal joint, or “MCP joint”) and the fingertip joint (distal interphalangeal joint, or “DIP joint”). Injuries to the thumb were found to be the next most common category of the injuries (30%), with more than a third of thumb injuries (36%) being sprains, second only to fractures (48%). These sorts of sprains and dislocations in football and other sports are a significant cause of lost playing and practice time. In other fields, injuries such as these can result in lost time from work.

A common treatment for PIP joint injuries is termed “buddy taping,” in which the injured digit is secured to an adjacent uninjured digit by a wrapping of adhesive tape above and below the PIP joint, so as to restrain and support the injured digit, and allow the uninjured digit to assist in moving the injured digit. Athletes with existing finger injuries may use buddy taping in order to help prevent re-injury while continuing to play during their recovery, and athletes without such injuries may buddy tape their fingers as a preventative measure, so as to offer additional protection against hyperextension or dislocation of the joint.

Similarly, taping of the thumb to help protect an existing injury, or to help prevent sprains or dislocation is a common practice as well, using a taping pattern called a “thumb spica.” In the thumb spica, strips of adhesive tape are looped around the thumb in a figure “8,” beginning in the web between the thumb and the hand, and crossing on the lateral side of the thumb, anchored to a band of tape wrapped around the wrist.

Taping of the digits in this way is awkward and difficult for an individual to perform for themselves, requires a lot of disposable adhesive tape, and takes time to perform correctly. It also prevents the individual whose fingers or thumb are taped from wearing ordinary sports gloves or other protective gloves that they would be able to wear if their digits were not taped. A need therefore exists in the art for a system of gloves that provides the advantages of taping to athletes and others who need to tape their digits for protection of existing injuries and prevention of new injuries, while enabling the user to quickly secure the protection themselves, and which is reusable, eliminating the waste, time, and expense associated with repeated applications of disposable tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a dual finger stall for securing the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing the palm side of a full-fingered glove having a tackified palm surface, and illustrating a dual finger stall for securing the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 2, illustrating a typical internal arrangement of the layers of the dual finger stall, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a dual finger stall for securing the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a dual finger stall for securing the middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove having a pair of dual finger stalls for securing the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, and the middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the back side of a half-fingered glove, and illustrating a full-length dual finger stall for securing the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back side of a half-fingered glove, and illustrating a full-length dual finger stall for securing the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the back side of a half-fingered glove, and illustrating a full-length dual finger stall for securing the middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10a is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a thumb stall having an internal spica for securing the thumb, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10b is a perspective cutaway view similar to FIG. 10a. showing the internal spica for securing the thumb, and illustrating the overlapping ends of the spica, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11a is a perspective view of the palm side of a baseball fielding glove having a dual finger stall for receiving the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11b is a perspective view of the palm side of a baseball fielding glove having a dual finger stall for receiving the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11e is a perspective view of the palm side of a baseball fielding glove having a dual finger stall for receiving middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 100 Single finger stall
• 102 Dual finger stall
• 110 Outermost layer
• 120 Glove shell
• 122 Glove shell outer face
• 124 Glove shell inner face
• 126 Cinch strap sleeve
• 128 Cinch strap openings
• 130 Cinch straps
• 132 Cinch strap attachment point
• 134 Cinch strap free end
• 136 Cinch strap hook-and-loop closure
• 140 Palm portion
• 142 Tackified outer surface
• 144 Palm portion inner face
• 150 Memory foam
• 160 Interior lining
• 170 Wrist strap
• 172 Wrist strap hook-and-loop closure
• 180 Cuff
• 182 Cuff hook-and-loop layer
• 190 Thumb stall
• 192 Spica strap opening
• 200 Thumb stirrup
• 202 Spica attachment point
• 204 Spica loop
• 206 Spica back strap
• 208 Spica palm strap
• 210 Double-sided hook-and-loop fastener
• 220 Baseball glove dual finger stall
• 222 Baseball glove single finger stall
• 224 Finger lacing
• 226 Glove

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a dual finger stall 102 for securing the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. Built-in cinch straps 130, located above and below the PIP joints of a user's fingers inserted in the dual finger stall 102, are attached within the glove shell 120, and encircle the fingers, beginning at an attachment point beneath the glove shell 120 on the back side of the dual finger stall 102 (as shown in FIG. 3), passing beneath the glove shell 120 across the back sides of the fingers, passing beneath the glove shell 120 and wrapping around the fingers towards the palm side of the glove, passing under the palm portion 140 on the palm side of the dual finger stall 102, and emerging from cinch strap openings 128 at the side of the dual finger stall 102. The free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 are then secured to the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 using hook and loop closures 136. The cinch straps 130 may be adjusted snugly by pulling on the free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 and then pressing the hook and loop layer located on the free end 134 of the cinch strap 130 against a patch of the complementary hook and loop layer located on the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 on the back side of the dual finger stall 102 proximate to the cinch strap opening 128. The built-in cinch straps 130 provide support to, and secure the two fingers within the dual finger stall 102 in a manner analogous to “buddy taping.” A wrist strap 170, secured with a hook-and-loop closure 172 may be provided at the cuff 180 of the glove, for adjusting the fit of the glove at the user's wrist, as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the palm portion 140 may be composed of goatskin leather or other suitable durable flexible material, having an exterior surface laminated, coated or treated with polyurethane or other suitable tackifying agent. The glove shell 120 in a preferred embodiment may be composed of one or more of the following: polyester, neoprene, spandex, nylon, or other suitable durable flexible material. The cinch straps 130 and wrist strap 170 in a preferred embodiment may be composed of leather or other suitable durable flexible material. Although a glove for the user's left hand is illustrated in this and the subsequent figures, it should be understood that the glove system according to the present invention may include gloves constructed in both right hand and left hand versions for all of the variations shown, and that illustration of the left hand glove only is solely for ease of comparison. Hook and loop fasteners (136, 172, 182, 210) as shown in this and subsequent figures are preferred, however other suitable repositionable fastening means may be substituted.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the palm side of a full-fingered glove having a tackified palm surface, and illustrating a dual finger stall 102 for securing the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. A glove having a tackified palm surface enables a user to more securely grip objects, as is well known. In a preferred embodiment, a tackified palm surface is provided by means of a palm portion 140 having a tackified outer surface 142 on the palm side of the glove. The cinch straps 130 may be configured to pass beneath the palm portion 140 on the palm side of the dual finger stall 102 so as not to interfere with the tackified outer surface 142.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 2, illustrating a typical internal arrangement of the layers of the dual finger stall 102, according to an embodiment of the invention. Within the outermost layer 110 of the dual finger stall 102, which is formed from glove shell 120 material at the back side of the dual finger stall 102 and from the palm portion 140 at the palm side of the dual finger stall 102, a cinch strap 130 may be attached at an attachment point 132 on the inner face 124 of the glove shell 120. In a preferred embodiment, the cinch strap 130 is configured to slide within a cinch strap sleeve 126, which may be formed of a strip or flap of glove shell material attached at its long edges to the outermost layer 110 of the dual finger stall 102. The cinch strap sleeve 126 may be formed by stitching and/or gluing the long edges of the strip or flap of glove shell material to the inner face 124 of the glove shell 120 and the inner face 144 of the palm portion 140. The cinch strap 130 passes within the cinch strap sleeve 126 across the back sides of the fingers, wrapping around the fingers towards the palm side of the glove, across the palm side of the fingers, and emerges from the cinch strap sleeve 126 through a cinch strap opening 128 in the outermost layer 110 at the side of the dual finger stall 102. The free end 134 of the cinch strap 130 may then be secured to the outer face of the glove shell 122 using hook and loop closures 136. A layer of viscoelastic memory foam 150 may be formed within the dual finger stall 102 to provide padding to the fingers, and an interior lining 160 within the memory foam layer 150 may be provided for comfort and protection and to reduce friction between the memory foam layer and the fingers. In a preferred embodiment, the viscoelastic memory foam is a polyurethane viscoelastic foam of a thickness and density that permits flexibility of the dual finger stall, while providing comfort, cushioning, and shock absorption to the fingers within. The interior lining in a preferred embodiment may be of a natural or synthetic fiber, or blends thereof, such as cotton, silk, polypropylene, nylon, or other suitable material that provides such desired features as increased comfort, moisture wicking, and reduced friction between the user's skin and the glove's inner surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a dual finger stall 102 for securing the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. Various configurations may be produced to accommodate different pairs of fingers within the dual finger stall 102 portion of the glove, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6. The dual finger stall 102 as shown here is constructed in the same manner as shown in the preceding figures, having built-in cinch straps 130, located above and below the PIP joints of a user's fingers inserted in the dual finger stall 102, which are attached within the glove shell 120, and encircle the fingers, beginning at an attachment point beneath the glove shell 120 on the back side of the dual finger stall 102 (as shown in FIG. 3), passing beneath the glove shell 120 across the back sides of the fingers, passing beneath the glove shell 120 and wrapping around the fingers towards the palm side of the glove, passing under the palm portion 140 on the palm side of the dual finger stall 102, and emerging from cinch strap openings 128 at the side of the dual finger stall 102. The free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 are then secured to the outer face 124 of the glove shell 120 using hook and loop closures 136. The cinch straps 130 may be adjusted snugly by pulling on the free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 and then pressing the hook and loop layer located on the free end 134 of the cinch strap 130 against a patch of the complementary hook and loop layer located on the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 on the back side of the dual finger stall 102 proximate to the cinch strap opening 128. The built-in cinch straps 130 provide support to, and secure the two fingers within the dual finger stall 102 in a manner analogous to “buddy taping.” A wrist strap 170, secured with a hook-and-loop closure 172 may be provided at the cuff 180 of the glove, for adjusting the fit of the glove at the user's wrist, as is known in the art.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a dual finger stall 102 for securing the middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. Various configurations may be produced to accommodate different pairs of fingers within the dual finger stall 102 portion of the glove, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 6. The dual finger stall 102 as shown here is constructed in the same manner as shown in the preceding figures, having built-in cinch straps 130, located above and below the PIP joints of a user's fingers inserted in the dual finger stall 102, which are attached within the glove shell 120, and encircle the fingers, beginning at an attachment point beneath the glove shell 120 on the back side of the dual finger stall 102 (as shown in FIG. 3), passing beneath the glove shell 120 across the back sides of the fingers, passing beneath the glove shell 120 and wrapping around the fingers towards the palm side of the glove, passing under the palm portion 140 on the palm side of the dual finger stall 102, and emerging from cinch strap openings 128 at the side of the dual finger stall 102. The free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 are then secured to the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 using hook and loop closures 136. The cinch straps 130 may be adjusted snugly by pulling on the free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 and then pressing the hook and loop layer located on the free end 134 of the cinch strap 130 against a patch of the complementary hook and loop layer located on the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 on the back side of the dual finger stall 102 proximate to the cinch strap opening 128. The built-in cinch straps 130 provide support to, and secure the two fingers within the dual finger stall 102 in a manner analogous to “buddy taping.” A wrist strap 170, secured with a hook-and-loop closure 172 may be provided at the cuff 180 of the glove, for adjusting the fit of the glove at the user's wrist, as is known in the art.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove having a pair of dual finger stalls 102 for securing the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, and the middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. The pair of dual finger stalls 102 illustrated here are constructed in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 4 & 5, each having built-in cinch straps 130, located above and below the PIP joints of a user's fingers inserted in the dual finger stalls 102, which are attached within the glove shell 120, and encircle the fingers, beginning at an attachment point beneath the glove shell 120 on the back side of each dual finger stall 102 (as shown in FIG. 3), passing beneath the glove shell 120 across the back sides of the fingers, passing beneath the glove shell 120 and wrapping around the fingers towards the palm side of the glove, passing under the palm portion 140 on the palm side of each dual finger stall 102, and emerging from cinch strap openings 128 at the side of each dual finger stall 102. The free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 are then secured to the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 using hook and loop closures 136. The cinch straps 130 may be adjusted snugly by pulling on the free ends 134 of the cinch straps 130 and then pressing the hook and loop layer located on the free end 134 of the cinch strap 130 against a patch of the complementary hook and loop layer located on the outer face 122 of the glove shell 120 on the back side of each of the dual finger stalls 102 proximate to the cinch strap opening 128. The built-in cinch straps 130 provide support to, and secure the two fingers within each dual finger stall 102 in a manner analogous to “buddy taping.” A wrist strap 170, secured with a hook-and-loop closure 172 may be provided at the cuff 180 of the glove, for adjusting the fit of the glove at the user's wrist, as is known in the art.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the back side of a half-fingered glove, and illustrating a full-length dual finger stall 102 for securing the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. Half-fingered gloves are sometimes preferred in order to provide the user with increased tactile feedback and improved fine dexterity by comparison to full-fingered gloves. The dual finger stall 102 illustrated here is constructed in the same manner as the dual finger stall shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The single finger stalls 100 are approximately half the full-length, and are constructed with open ends to allow the fingertips to protrude. Construction of the single finger stalls 100 in both the half-fingered glove shown here and the full-fingered gloves shown in the preceding figures is as otherwise known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the single finger stalls in both the half-fingered and full-fingered gloves are not padded, though they may include an interior lining.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the back side of a half-fingered glove, and illustrating a full-length dual finger stall 102 for securing the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. The full-length dual finger stall 102 illustrated here is constructed in the same manner as the full-length dual finger stall shown in FIG. 4. The single finger stalls 100 in the half-fingered gloves are approximately half the full-length, and are constructed with open ends to allow the fingertips to protrude. Half-fingered gloves are sometimes preferred in order to provide the user with increased tactile feedback and improved fine dexterity by comparison to full-fingered gloves. Construction of the single finger stalls 100 in the half-fingered glove shown here is as otherwise known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the single finger stalls 100 are not padded, though they may include an interior lining.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the back side of a half-fingered glove, and illustrating a full-length dual finger stall 102 for securing the middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. The full-length dual finger stall 102 illustrated here is constructed in the same manner as the full-length dual finger stall shown in FIG. 5. The single finger stalls 100 in the half-fingered gloves are approximately half the full-length, and are constructed with open ends to allow the fingertips to protrude. Half-fingered gloves are sometimes preferred in order to provide the user with increased tactile feedback and improved fine dexterity by comparison to full-fingered gloves. Construction of the single finger stalls 100 in the half-fingered glove shown here is as otherwise known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the single finger stalls 100 are not padded, though they may include an interior lining.

FIG. 10a is a perspective view showing the back side of a full-fingered glove, and illustrating a thumb stall 190 having an internal spica for securing the thumb, according to an embodiment of the invention. The spica back strap 206 emerges from the glove shell 120 by means of a spica strap opening 192 near the cuff 180, and is secured beneath the wrist strap 170 by a hook and loop closure 172 (as shown in FIG. 10b). The protective glove system of the present invention contemplates that the internal thumb spica shown in this and the following figure (FIG. 10b) may be combined with the dual finger stalls shown in the preceding figures, or used separately in particular glove configurations of the system.

FIG. 10b is a perspective cutaway view similar to FIG. 10a. showing the internal spica for securing the thumb with the outermost layer of the glove removed, and illustrating the overlapping ends of the spica, according to an embodiment of the invention. A user's thumb is inserted into a thumb stirrup 200, which is attached to a spica loop 204 at an attachment point 202 on the ulnar side of the thumb stirrup 200 nearest the hand. The internal spica has a back strap 206 and a palm strap 208 which form the spica loop 204, crossing each other at a point opposite the spica loop attachment point 202. The back strap 206 extends towards the user's wrist across the back side of the glove, and has a double-sided hook-and-loop fastener 210 at its end, the bottom surface of which is secured to a complementary hook-and-loop layer at the cuff 182. The palm strap 208 extends away from the thumb and towards the wrist across the palm side of the glove, wrapping around the heel of the hand and towards the back of the glove, where it emerges from the glove shell by means of a spica strap opening 192 located proximate to, and beneath the wrist strap 170. The palm strap 208, like the back strap 206, also has a double-sided hook-and-loop fastener 210 at its end, the bottom surface of which may be overlapped and secured to a complementary layer of hook-and-loop fastener on the top surface of the back strap 206. Alternatively, the bottom surface of the double-sided hook-and-loop fastener 210 at the end of the palm strap 208 may be overlapped and secured to the complementary hook-and-loop layer at the cuff 182, and the bottom surface of the double-sided hook-and-loop fastener 210 on the end of the back strap 206 secured to the complementary top surface of the double-sided hook-and-loop fastener 210 on the end of the palm strap 206. The bottom surface of the wrist strap 170 has a complementary hook-and-loop layer to the top surfaces of the double-sided hook-and-loop fasteners 210 on the ends of the back strap 206 and palm strap 208, and may be secured to cover the ends of the spica in either overlapping configuration, in addition to adjusting the fit of the glove at the user's wrist, as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the thumb stirrup 200 portion of the spica is constructed from a durable and flexible natural or synthetic material like leather or nylon, and the back strap 206 and palm strap 208 is constructed of a durable and flexible material having elastic properties, such as spandex. In use, the ends of the spica are pulled towards each other and overlapped as described above, causing the user's thumb to be adducted medially towards the hand, and providing protection to the user's thumb against sprains and dislocation, similar to the “thumb spica” taping method.

FIG. 11a is a perspective view of the palm side of a baseball fielding glove having a dual finger stall 220 for receiving the middle and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. Standard baseball gloves having only single finger stalls are not well suited for use with the glove system of the present invention, so baseball gloves, such as fielding and catcher's gloves having a dual finger stall 220 corresponding to, and configured for receiving the dual finger stall 202 of a particular glove 226 in use are contemplated by the glove system of the present invention. A dual finger stall 220 of a baseball glove may be attached to the adjoining single finger stalls 222 of the glove by finger lacing 224, as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the baseball fielding glove is constructed of materials used in the construction of standard baseball gloves, such as natural or synthetic leathers, and other natural and synthetic materials, such as wool, nylon, urethane, or polyether block amide.

FIG. 11b is a perspective view of the palm side of a baseball fielding glove having a dual finger stall 220 for receiving the little (or “pinky”) and ring fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. The baseball glove illustrated here is configured for use with the corresponding full-fingered or half-fingered glove as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.

FIG. 11c is a perspective view of the palm side of a baseball fielding glove having a dual finger stall 220 for receiving middle and index (or “pointer”) fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention. The baseball glove illustrated here is configured for use with the corresponding full-fingered or half-fingered glove as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9.

Claims

1. A protective glove system comprising:

at least one glove; said at least one glove comprising a glove shell comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said glove shell configured to cover the back of a wearer's hand; a palm portion comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said palm portion configured to cover the palm side of a wearer's hand, said palm portion being joined to said glove shell and defining a plurality of finger stalls, a thumb stall, a wrist opening, and a space for receiving a wearer's hand; said plurality of finger stalls comprising at least one dual finger stall configured to substantially enclose two adjacent fingers of a wearer's hand, said at least one dual finger stall comprising a first cinch strap opening; a first cinch strap substantially encircling two adjacent fingers of a wearer's hand between the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints thereof, said first cinch strap having a first end and a second end, said first end of said first cinch strap attached to said inner surface of said glove shell and said second end of said first cinch strap emerging from said at least one dual finger stall through said first cinch strap opening, said second end of said first cinch strap removably attached to said outer surface of said glove shell by a first repositionable fastening means; a second cinch strap opening; and a second cinch strap substantially encircling two adjacent fingers of a wearer's hand between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints thereof, said second cinch strap having a first end and a second end, said first end of said second cinch strap attached to said inner surface of said glove shell and said second end of said second cinch strap emerging from said at least one dual finger stall through said second cinch strap opening, said second end of said second cinch strap removably attached to said outer surface of said glove shell by a second repositionable fastening means.

2. The protective glove system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of finger stalls comprises one dual finger stall and two single finger stalls, each of said single finger stalls substantially enclosing a single finger of the wearer.

3. The protective glove system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of finger stalls comprises one dual finger stall and two single finger stalls, each of said single finger stalls being configured to permit a fingertip of the wearer to protrude therefrom.

4. The protective glove system of claim 1, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a first cinch strap sleeve substantially enclosing said first cinch strap and configured to permit the second end of said first cinch strap to be drawn through said first cinch strap opening; and a second cinch strap sleeve substantially enclosing said second cinch strap and configured to permit the second end of said second cinch strap to be drawn through said second cinch strap opening.

5. The protective glove system of claim 1, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a lining layer comprising a viscoelastic padding material and an interior lining.

6. The protective glove system of claim 4, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a lining layer comprising a viscoelastic padding material and an interior lining.

7. The protective glove system of claim 2, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a first cinch strap sleeve substantially enclosing said first cinch strap and configured to permit the second end of said first cinch strap to be drawn through said first cinch strap opening; and a second cinch strap sleeve substantially enclosing said second cinch strap and configured to permit the second end of said second cinch strap to be drawn through said second cinch strap opening.

8. The protective glove system of claim 3, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a first cinch strap sleeve substantially enclosing said first cinch strap and configured to permit the second end of said first cinch strap to be drawn through said first cinch strap opening; and a second cinch strap sleeve substantially enclosing said second cinch strap and configured to permit the second end of said second cinch strap to be drawn through said second cinch strap opening.

9. The protective glove system of claim 7, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a lining layer comprising a viscoelastic padding material and an interior lining.

10. The protective glove system of claim 8, wherein said at least one dual finger stall further comprises a lining layer comprising a viscoelastic padding material and an interior lining.

11. The protective glove system of claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the palm portion of said at least one glove further comprises at least one tackified area.

12. The protective glove system of claim 10, wherein the outer surface of the palm portion of said at least one glove further comprises at least one tackified area.

13. The protective glove system of claim 9, further comprising at least one baseball fielding glove having at least one dual finger stall configured to receive the at least one dual finger stall of the gloved hand of the wearer of said at least one glove.

14. The protective glove system of claim 10, further comprising at least one baseball fielding glove having at least one dual finger stall configured to receive the at least one dual finger stall of the gloved hand of the wearer of said at least one glove.

15. The protective glove system of claim 1, further comprising

at least one spica glove comprising a glove shell comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said glove shell configured to cover the back of a wearer's hand; a palm portion comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said palm portion configured to cover the palm side of a wearer's hand, said palm portion being joined to said glove shell and defining a plurality of finger stalls, a thumb stall, a wrist opening, and a space for receiving a wearer's hand; said thumb stall comprising an internal spica for securing the thumb of the wearer.

16. The protective glove system of claim 15 wherein the at least one spica glove further comprises a first spica strap opening located in the glove shell of said at least one spica glove substantially near said wrist opening;

a second spica strap opening located in the glove shell of said at least one spica glove substantially near said wrist opening; and

wherein said internal spica comprises a thumb stirrup configured to substantially encircle the wearer's thumb; a spica loop, said spica loop comprising an attachment point defining a palm strap and a back strap; said thumb stirrup attached to said spica loop at said attachment point near the ulnar side of the wearer's thumb; said palm strap and said back strap of said spica loop crossing on the radial side of the wearer's thumb opposite to said attachment point; said palm strap extending towards the wrist of said at least one spica glove across and within the palm portion thereof, said palm strap passing through said first spica strap opening and being secured by a first repositionable fastening means substantially near the wrist opening of said at least one spica glove; and said back strap extending towards the wrist of said at least one spica glove across and within the glove shell, said back strap passing through said second spica strap opening and being secured by a second repositionable fastening means substantially near the wrist opening of said at least one spica glove.

17. The protective glove system of claim 1, wherein said thumb stall of said at least one glove further comprises an internal spica for securing the thumb of the wearer.

18. The protective glove system of claim 17, wherein said at least one glove further comprises a first spica strap opening located in the glove shell of said at least one glove substantially near said wrist opening;

a second spica strap opening located in the glove shell of said at least one glove substantially near said wrist opening; and

wherein said internal spica comprises a thumb stirrup configured to substantially encircle the wearer's thumb; a spica loop, said spica loop comprising an attachment point defining a palm strap and a back strap; said thumb stirrup attached to said spica loop at said attachment point near the ulnar side of the wearer's thumb; said palm strap and said back strap of said spica loop crossing on the radial side of the wearer's thumb opposite to said attachment point; said palm strap extending towards the wrist of said at least one glove across and within the palm portion thereof, said palm strap passing through said first spica strap opening and being secured by a first repositionable fastening means substantially near the wrist opening of said at least one glove; and said back strap extending towards the wrist of said at least one glove across and within the glove shell, said back strap passing through said second spica strap opening and being secured by a second repositionable fastening means substantially near the wrist opening of said at least one glove.

19. A protective glove system comprising:

at least one spica glove comprising a glove shell comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said glove shell configured to cover the back of a wearer's hand; a palm portion comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said palm portion configured to cover the palm side of a wearer's hand, said palm portion being joined to said glove shell and defining a plurality of finger stalls, a thumb stall, a wrist opening, and a space for receiving a wearer's hand; said thumb stall comprising an internal spica for securing the thumb of the wearer.

20. The protective glove system of claim 19 wherein the at least one spica glove further comprises a first spica strap opening located in the glove shell of said at least one spica glove substantially near said wrist opening;

a second spica strap opening located in the glove shell of said at least one spica glove substantially near said wrist opening; and

wherein said internal spica comprises a thumb stirrup configured to substantially encircle the wearer's thumb; a spica loop, said spica loop comprising an attachment point defining a palm strap and a back strap; said thumb stirrup attached to said spica loop at said attachment point near the ulnar side of the wearer's thumb; said palm strap and said back strap of said spica loop crossing on the radial side of the wearer's thumb opposite to said attachment point; said palm strap extending towards the wrist of said at least one spica glove across and within the palm portion thereof, said palm strap passing through said first spica strap opening and being secured by a first repositionable fastening means substantially near the wrist opening of said at least one spica glove; and said back strap extending towards the wrist of said at least one spica glove across and within the glove shell, said back strap passing through said second spica strap opening and being secured by a second repositionable fastening means substantially near the wrist opening of said at least one spica glove.