Abstract: A baseball glove is provided with improved flexibility for the use in the catching of baseballs and the like. The improved flexibility for the baseball glove includes an expandable material which extends over the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb and longitudinally towards a web section of the glove and then transversely across the metacarpalphangeal joints of the fingers. The webbing of the glove between the thumb stall and an index finger stall of the glove is provided with a thumb side web section and an index finger web section which are connected with a hinge member which runs along and spaced from the longitudinal side of the thumb stall and the index finger stall.

Abstract: A glove that includes a glove closure apparatus in the form of a closure channel that allows the glove to be more easily closed or compressed without requiring extensive breaking-in procedures. In one embodiment the glove includes one or more closure channels near the palm portion of the front side of the glove. The closure channels are U-shaped closure channels or gaps that allow the glove to be compressed significantly easier than if the material were otherwise in the channel area. A plurality of closure channels may be formed at specific locations on the front side of the glove to reduce the amount of force that is required to close and open the glove. In addition, the one or more closure channels may include a cover material to prevent debris from entering into an interior region of the glove.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back glove portions, first, second and third elongate reinforcing members, and a webbing. The front glove portion is coupled to the back glove portion to define a hand cavity and to form first, second, third and fourth finger stalls and a thumb stall. Each finger stall includes a front stall portion and a back stall portion, and each back stall portion includes a distal region and a proximal region. The first, second, and third elongate reinforcing members are coupled to the back stall portions of the first, second and third finger stalls, respectively. The first reinforcing member is positioned at the distal region of the back stall portion of the first finger stall, and the second and third members extend along the distal and proximal regions of the back stall portions of the second and third finger stalls, respectively.

Abstract: A glove for baseball or softball includes a thumb stall receiving a thumb, an index finger stall receiving an index finger, a middle finger stall receiving a middle finger, a ring finger stall receiving a ring finger, a little finger stall receiving a little finger, a back portion located on a back surface and covering the back of a hand, a web portion provided between the thumb stall and the index finger stall, and a hand inserting portion for inserting a hand into the glove. On the back surfaces of the index finger stall, the middle finger stall and the ring finger stall, thin leather portions are provided, which are curved toward the thumb stall on the back portion.

Abstract: A ball catching tool includes an outer leather member and an inner leather member inserted in the outer leather member. The inner leather member is formed by coupling a palm-side inner leather portion and a back-side inner leather portion to each other, and has a plurality of thumb and finger portions receiving the thumb and the fingers respectively. An interdigital extensional member is mounted on at least one portion between the bases of the finger portions. Thus, the extensional portion is provided between the bases of desired ones of the thumb and finger portions of the inner leather member for increasing the interval between the bases.

Abstract: A ball catching tool includes an outer leather member and an inner leather member inserted in the outer leather member. The inner leather member is formed by coupling a palm-side inner leather portion and a back-side inner leather portion to each other, and has a plurality of thumb and finger portions receiving the thumb and the fingers respectively. An interdigital extensional member is mounted on at least one portion between the bases of the finger portions. Thus, the extensional portion is provided between the bases of desired ones of the thumb and finger portions of the inner leather member for increasing the interval between the bases.

Abstract: A work glove particularly useful for gardening, automobile mechanical work and any other type of use which brings the palmar side of the hand in contact with work or the like which may result in stinging, bruising, or blistering of the fingers, thumb and palm of a human hand is provided with protective padding disclosed or positioned for overlying at least the distal halves of the index finger and long finger metacarpals excluding the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the index finger and the long finger. Preferably, the glove also includes protective padding disposed along a thumb stall of the glove at a location adapted to be along an ulnar border as well as the A2 pulleys of the thumb's proximal phalanx between the metacarpalphalangeal joint and the interphalangeal joint.

Abstract: An improved ball capturing sports glove incorporating a web attachment between the thumb and forefinger is disclosed. The web preferably consists of a unitary relatively thin sheet of material forming an extension of the palm portion of the glove and may be comprised of a variety of materials that facilitate the capturing and holding of a thrown ball including rough surfaced and tacktified leather.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back portions, at least one notch, and at least one elastic strip. The front and back portions have front and back lower edges, respectively. The back portion is coupled to the front portion to form a hand cavity. The front and back portions are separated along the front and back lower edges to define a hand-receiving opening. The notch is formed into the back portion and upwardly extends from the back lower edge. The at least one elastic strip extends across the notch generally parallel with the back lower edge. The strip at least partially fills the notch and is fixedly secured to the back portion. The at least one elastic strip enables the hand-receiving opening to resiliently expand to receive a user's hand and then to generally conform to the user's wrist.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back glove portions, first, second and third elongate reinforcing members, and a webbing. The front glove portion is coupled to the back glove portion to define a hand cavity and to form first, second, third and fourth finger stalls and a thumb stall. Each finger stall includes a front stall portion and a back stall portion, and each back stall portion includes a distal region and a proximal region. The first, second, and third elongate reinforcing members are coupled to the back stall portions of the first, second and third finger stalls, respectively. The first reinforcing member is positioned at the distal region of the back stall portion of the first finger stall, and the second and third members extend along the distal and proximal regions of the back stall portions of the second and third finger stalls, respectively.

Abstract: A glove for baseball or softball includes a thumb stall receiving a thumb, an index finger stall receiving an index finger, a middle finger stall receiving a middle finger, a ring finger stall receiving a ring finger, a little finger stall receiving a little finger, a back portion located on a back surface and covering the back of a hand, a web portion provided between the thumb stall and the index finger stall, and a hand inserting portion for inserting a hand into the glove. On the back surfaces of the index finger stall, the middle finger stall and the ring finger stall, thin leather portions are provided, which are curved toward the thumb stall on the back portion.

Abstract: A ball glove is disclosed having an open area on a dorsal side of the glove, the open area including a matrix that enhances the flexibility of the glove. The matrix may be formed of an elastomeric material having a plurality of interconnected segments that define open spaces between the segments. The matrix may also define a wrist opening that provides access for a hand of a wearer and surrounds a wrist of the wearer when the glove is worn, or the matrix may extend around the wrist. The ball glove may also include a lining formed of an air-permeable material that surrounds the hand.

Abstract: A ball glove such as a baseball or softball glove is provided. The ball glove includes digit stalls extending outwardly from a palm portion of the ball glove. The digit stalls include linkages therein which are adapted to couple with the digits of the human hand. The linkages extend from the digits of the human hand to the ends of the digit stalls. The linkages are operative to provide the digits of a human hand with increased sensitivity to the impact of balls contacting the ends of the ball glove. The ball glove may further include high friction grip portions adjacent the palm side surfaces of the digit stalls for assisting in maintaining a grip on a ball. The ball glove may further include a heel bumper for deflecting a ball traveling outwardly of the glove toward the heel portion of the glove.

Abstract: A generally circular, thin, laminated, high color contrast, flexible target sheet member is affixed to a central pocket portion of a baseball glove by a peel-away pressure sensitive formed upon the backing of the target member. This simple and inexpensive single (one piece) targeting member can be mail-ordered or otherwise sold directly, particularly to millions of young “Little League” players in need of an aid in improving their throwing accuracy. No detrimental modifications of the gloves already in possession of the players is required. An advertising logo of a sponsor can be added, enabling its use as a give-away item. Alternatively, a team logo can be printed on the target.

Abstract: A conventional baseball (softball) first baseman's mitt includes two layers of protective padding in the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. One layer of padding is a slow release foam material and the other layer of padding is a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric material. Additional protective padding may extend to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of other joints of the index and long fingers.

Abstract: A leather baseball glove that complies with the code of rules for baseball has a front face of two suede leather material portions, each having a nap with a smooth direction and a resistant direction, the smooth directions facing each other tending to facilitate movement of a ball into the glove pocket and tending to impede movement of a ball away from the pocket and/or out of the glove to enhance ball retaining characteristics of the glove. A method of making a glove includes attaching plural glove portions, at least one of which has a nap with a smooth and braking directions, and orienting such nap to provide preferred smooth and braking directions to enhance ball retention. Use of nap characteristics to enhance holding the shaft of an implement or other device. A method of retrofitting a device for enhanced retention characteristics.

Abstract: A baseball mitt having a construction such that the mitt's front and back shells, internal padding member(s), and its web-type panel, create four peripheral padding zones. Two of the peripheral padding zones closest to, and on either side of, the web-type panel, are greater in thickness then the thickness of the mitt at the pocket, but are smaller in thickness then the thickness of the other two peripheral padding zones that extend down toward the heel of the mitt. The mitt further has a double-hinge assembly to facilitate easier folding of the mitt around a caught baseball. The mitt also has at least one extra finger hammock for securing at least two fingers and a thumb of the user of the mitt. In addition, the mitt has a stress wedge located so as to protect the soft web portion of a user's hand located between the index finger and thumb of the user's hand, along with the remaining palm of the user's hand.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back glove portions, first, second and third elongate reinforcing members, and a webbing. The front glove portion is coupled to the back glove portion to define a hand cavity and to form first, second, third and fourth finger stalls and a thumb stall. Each finger stall includes a front stall portion and a back stall portion, and each back stall portion includes a distal region and a proximal region. The first, second, and third elongate reinforcing members are coupled to the back stall portions of the first, second and third finger stalls, respectively. The first reinforcing member is positioned at the distal region of the back stall portion of the first finger stall, and the second and third members extend along the distal and proximal regions of the back stall portions of the second and third finger stalls, respectively.

Abstract: A ball glove including front and back portions, at least one notch, and at least one elastic strip. The front and back portions have front and back lower edges, respectively. The back portion is coupled to the front portion to form a hand cavity. The front and back portions are separated along the front and back lower edges to define a hand-receiving opening. The notch is formed into the back portion and upwardly extends from the back lower edge. The at least one elastic strip extends across the notch generally parallel with the back lower edge. The strip at least partially fills the notch and is fixedly secured to the back portion. The at least one elastic strip enables the hand-receiving opening to resiliently expand to receive a user's hand and then to generally conform to the user's wrist.

Abstract: A ball glove includes a concave webbing which forms a ball-receiving pocket. The webbing is secured to spaced-apart finger and thumb sections of the glove and is formed from a plurality of flat panels. The combined area of the flat panels is greater than the area of the space between the finger and thumb sections. The panels have curved side edges which are secured together so that the panels assume a concave configuration before the panels are secured to the finger and thumb sections.

Abstract: A ball glove includes an inner lining which includes a plurality of finger stalls which provide finger openings. Each finger stall is formed by a front palm lining and a back lining. The front palm lining is curved to provide a concavely curved front wall for each finger opening, and the back lining provides a back wall for each finger opening. The front palm lining includes side edges for each finger stall, and the back lining is secured to the side edges by lines of stitching which are spaced rearwardly from the curved front wall.

Abstract: A conventional baseball (softball) glove includes at least one layer of protective padding in the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. Preferably, two layers of padding are used. One layer of padding is a slow release foam material and the other layer of padding is a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric material. Additional protective padding may extend to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of other joints of the index finger as well as joints of other fingers.

Abstract: A flexible baseball glove is provided. The glove comprises front and back shells which are joined together both along the periphery of the glove and selectively at internal portions of the glove, in such a manner as to form a finger portion, a heel portion and a thumb portion thereof. A web-type panel is disposed between the finger portion and thumb portion and at least two finger stalls and one thumb stall are formed within the glove, between the joined front and back shells. A first finger stall of the at least two finger stalls is closed, so that fingers of the users hand cannot be received into that stall. The glove also comprises first and second hinge assemblies located along the heel portion, wherein one of the hinge assemblies is closer in proximity to the thumb portion of the glove, while the other hinge assembly is closer in proximity to the finger portion of the glove.

Abstract: A ball glove for use in games such as baseball and softball wherein the webbing of the glove is suspended in the crotch of the glove through the use of at least one energy absorbing connector. The energy absorbing connector being capable of absorbing more energy from an impacting ball than a traditional rigid connector can absorb. The energy absorbing connector may absorb energy through a plurality of mechanisms whether mechanical, electrical, chemical or others. In particular, an energy absorbing connector which dissipates energy through resisted motion is discussed.

Abstract: A ball catching tool including a joint outer leather portion for blocking and jointing an outer leather portion on a hand inserting side and a main outer leather portion on a finger side, wherein the joint outer leather portion includes a plurality of strip-like outer leather pieces with longitudinal directions of the respective pieces being aligned to extend from the main outer leather portion on the finger side to the outer leather portion on the hand inserting inlet side to be entirely aligned in width directions of the hand and with respective outer leather pieces being fixed at both ends in longitudinal directions of the pieces without being tightly bonded in width directions of the hand.

Abstract: A ball-catching piece comprises a main body of the above-mentioned ball-catching piece, a thumb-supporting piece provided in a thumb stall in the above-mentioned main body of the above-mentioned ball-catching piece to allow the position of a thumb to be fixed and to allow a fixed position of the above-mentioned thumb to be free, and a band provided in the above-mentioned main body of the above-mentioned ball-catching piece to allow a push to be exerted on a hand and to allow the push to be eliminated in the hand-width direction along which the backside of the above-mentioned hand is received and supported.

Abstract: A baseball glove including a ball receiving member, a back member and a back covering member is provided, in which the back covering member is extended from right and left side portions of a hand receiving portion to an outer side portion of a thumb base and an outer side portion of a little finger base of the back member, and extended in at least one of the directions toward a central line of each finger portion and toward the intervening space between finger portions of the back member from the hand receiving portion.

Abstract: A baseball glove including a ball receiving member, a back member and a back covering member is provided, in which the back covering member is extended from right and left side portions of a hand receiving portion to an outer side portion of a thumb base and an outer side portion of a little finger base of the back member, and extended in at least one of the directions toward a central line of each finger portion and toward the intervening space between finger portions of the back member from the hand receiving portion.

Abstract: A conventional baseball (softball) first baseman's mitt includes two layers of protective padding in the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. One layer of padding is a slow release foam material and the other layer of padding is a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric material. Additional protective padding may extend to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of other joints of the index and long fingers.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a lining element for a baseball glove and a baseball glove in which this lining element is used so that the bottom end portions of the thumb glove element and of the index finger glove element of the outer glove element cannot tear due to the impact when a ball is caught. Furthermore the present invention provides a lining element for a baseball glove, which is hand-shaped and comprises a front sheet to which finger parts are provided so as to extend from the bottom end portion, and a back sheet which is positioned on the back of the respective finger parts of the front sheet and forms the finger glove elements, wherein a fitting portion having through-holes for passing through a lace is provided between the thumb and index finger glove elements of said lining element.

Abstract: An athletic glove pocket forming device for facilitating the formation of a pocket in an athletic glove. The athletic glove pocket forming device includes an elastomeric panel member having a plurality of coupling members on opposing edges such that the panel member is designed for being wrapped around an athletic glove having a ball in the pocket portion for the purpose of better forming a pocket portion or protecting the glove from the environment.

Abstract: A conventional baseball (softball) catcher's mitt includes an additional layer of protective padding in the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joint of the index finger. Additional protective padding may extend to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints of the long ring, and small fingers as well as the bony prominences of the thumb.

Abstract: A ball glove includes an outer shell which is formed from textile or fabric reinforced compression molded rubber. The rubber extends into mesh openings in the textile and is mechanically integrated with the textile. The textile strengthens the rubber and reduces the possibility that the rubber will tear at holes for stitches or laces.

Abstract: A batting glove includes a plurality of finger elements, a thumb element, a top portion, and a lower portion. The finger elements cover fingers, the thumb element covers a thumb, the top portion covers a back side of the hand, and the lower portion covers a palm of the hand. Preselected thicknesses of preselected materials are included in order to protect the bones, ligaments, pulleys, tendons, etc. of a wearer from direct shock, and to distribute stress along the hand.

Abstract: A baseball glove. The baseball glove includes a rough skin on the inner surfae of its thumb and finger sections. In the baseball glove, the rough skin is formed by regularly, repeatedly and shallowly cutting the inner surface of the thumb and finger sections to form several rows of arc-shaped and dense cuts, each including a groove and a ridge. The rows of cuts are oriented along a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the thumb and finger sections. The grooves of the cuts are inclined toward the finger tips of the glove, thus allowing each ridge to have an arc shape curved towards the palm and to be raised up from the skin of the glove so as to brake the rotating action of the ball in addition to preventing an unexpected slipping of the ball out of the glove when catching the ball.

Abstract: A baseball mitt for fielding ground balls. The baseball mitt comprises a front shell having a unitary planar finger portion terminating with four fingertips, and a palm portion positioned below and coextensive with the planar finger portion. A thumb portion extends from the palm portion and adjacent to the planar finger portion, and a heel portion is positioned below and coextensive with the palm portion and the thumb portion. A web is disposed between the thumb portion and the planar finger portion. Additionally, a back shell covers the front shell and front and back shells are attached to one another about a peripheral edge of the respective shells.

Abstract: A ball catching tool comprising a ball catching tool body provided with a band in a direction of a hand width for receiving and supporting a back of a hand, the band being capable-of being fastened and unfastened from the hand, wherein the band has such a structure that one of both ends opposite to a thumb bag portion side of the ball catching tool body is connected to an outer cover on a back face side of the ball catching tool body through flexible means and can prevent constriction force of the band from acting on the outer cover to be curved and deformed with a ball catching operation.

Abstract: A batting glove includes a plurality of finger elements, a thumb element, a top portion, and a lower portion. The finger elements cover fingers, the thumb element covers a thumb, the top portion covers a back side of the hand, and the lower portion covers a palm of the hand. Preselected thicknesses of preselected materials are included in order to protect the bones, ligaments, pulleys, tendons, etc. of a wearer from direct shock, and to distribute stress along the hand.

Abstract: A batting glove includes a plurality of finger elements, a thumb element, a top portion, and a lower portion. The finger elements cover fingers, the thumb element covers a thumb, the top portion covers a back side of the hand, and the lower portion covers a palm of the hand. Preselected thicknesses of preselected materials are included in order to protect the bones, ligaments, pulleys, tendons, etc. of a wearer from direct shock, and to distribute stress along the hand.

Abstract: The invention is a souvenir baseball mitt made of laminated foam which is utilized to display team logo and also includes a cavity in the back portion of the mitt to accommodate a spectator's hand to catch a baseball in the event a baseball is hit or thrown in the direction of the spectator.

Abstract: A tool for catching a ball having an enhanced function to protect a thumb. A part into which the thumb is inserted is formed as a bag-shaped portion which fits a size of the thumb and which surrounds an entire periphery of the thumb. As another embodiment, a thumb insertion hole can be formed at a location which is on a side of a back of a hand and which corresponds to a joint part of the thumb, and a cover can be installed so as to fit a periphery on the side of the back of the thumb which extends outside from the thumb insertion hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable baseball glove that allows the user to catch foul or home run balls while attending a baseball game in a safe and effective manner. Constructed of a plastic or rubber material similar to that used to construct inflatable beach balls, water toys and the like, the inflatable glove is inexpensive to produce, nevertheless having the durability to withstand repeated use. The rubber/plastic construction of the glove is conducive to the printing of team colors or logos thereon as a promotional, souvenir-type item.

Abstract: A glove for baseball or softball according to the present invention includes back leather (1) having five finger portions (29), ball receiving leather (2) having five finger portions (29) to be sewed together or/and adhesively joined with back leather (1), and upper surface leather (3) sewed to back leather (1) to form a hand inserting portion. The length (L2) of ball receiving leather (2) in the direction in which the finger portion of ball receiving leather (2) extends is in the range from 95% to 100% of the length (L1) of back leather (1) in the direction in which the finger portion of back leather (1) extends.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a lining element for a baseball glove and a baseball glove in which this lining element is used so that the bottom end portions of the thumb glove element and of the index finger glove element of the outer glove element cannot tear due to the impact when a ball is caught. Furthermore the present invention provides a lining element for a baseball glove, which is hand-shaped and comprises a front sheet to which finger parts are provided so as to extend from the bottom end portion, and a back sheet which is positioned on the back of the respective finger parts of the front sheet and forms the finger glove elements, wherein a fitting portion having through-holes for passing through a lace is provided between the thumb and index finger glove elements of said lining element.

Abstract: An insert for a catching glove is easily insertable into and easily removable from a catching glove defining at least two finger sleeves. The insert consists essentially of an essentially non-resilient flexible material such as leather. It defines a palm protector and at least two finger protectors. The palm protector is configured and dimensioned to extend over a wearer's palm and the knuckle joints of the wearer's fingers. Each finger protector extends outwardly from the palm protector and is configured and dimensioned to extend within a respective finger sleeve over at least one joint of a finger in the respective finger sleeve. The at least two finger protectors cooperatively stabilize the insert within the glove against accidental relative slipping. The insert lessens finger sting and palm pain behind the insert when the insert is present in the glove, without introducing ball bounce.

Abstract: A fielding glove has an outer shell having at least one finger portion, a thumb portion, and a web joining the thumb portion and the nearest finger portion; a mitten compartment that holds all four fingers, positioned and fixed upon or within the outer shell at an angle of approximately 40 degrees in relation to the upright finger portion(s) of the outer shell of the glove, and a thumb compartment that is rotated forward in a approximately 20 degree arc from the plane of the finger portions of the mitten, and maintains a fixed angle between the thumb and index finger within said mitten of approximately 90 degrees. In addition, to accommodate the ergonomic alignment of the mitten portion, the entrance for the hand into the mitten compartment, on or within the glove must also align at the same approximately 40 degrees, from the upright “finger” portion of the glove.

Abstract: A baseball glove includes a thumb stall to receive a thumb. An incision is provided at the back leather of the thumb stall and the tip portion of the thumb is allowed to stick out from the incision on the back leather and the knuckle of the thumb is covered with back leather.

Abstract: A baseball glove, having a rough skin on the inner surface of its thumb and finger sections, is disclosed. In the baseball glove of this invention, the rough skin is formed by regularly, repeatedly and shallowly cutting the inner surface of the thumb and finger sections to form several rows of arc-shaped and dense cuts, each consisting of a groove and a ridge. The rows of cuts are oriented along a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the thumb and finger sections. The grooves of the cuts are inclined toward the finger tips of the glove, thus allowing each ridge to have an arc shape curved toward the palm and to be raised up from the skin of the glove so as to brake the rotating action of the ball in addition to preventing an unexpected slipping of the ball out of the glove when catching the ball. Each of the cuts is not longer than 2 cm, with intervals between the cuts in each row and intervals between the rows of cuts being not wider than 1 cm.

Abstract: Baseball gloves are provided that include an adjustable ball pocket. Some baseball gloves include a quick release adjustment device and a lacing pattern that allow the depth of the ball pocket to be easily adjusted by a wearer of the glove.

Abstract: In a pattern used to manufacture a palm member for a baseball glove, the central lines of all the thumb and finger portions cross on a ball receiving surface. A palm member is formed by cutting a material based on pattern and the palm member and a back member are combined to manufacture a baseball glove.