Abstract: A baseball glove, mitt, or the like having a lace attached web-frame. The web-frame encloses a readily replaceable anti-glare shield insert. Preferably, the web-frame is cruciform, so that the insert is reinforced and protected, there still being four windows provided for viewing an airborne ball. The shield filters intense visual light to allow increased visual perception, through the web, of a high fly ball against a sunny background or against a stadium's artificial lighting.

Abstract: A protective glove pad for use by a baseball player configured to be positioned between the palm of the player's hand and the interior of a baseball glove to protect the palm of the hand from injury when catching a baseball comprising an enlarged palm pad portion of graduated thickness having an elongated finger pad portion extending outwardly therefrom to selectively position and retain the protective glove pad in the baseball glove.

Abstract: An athletic glove pocket-forming and shaping device has been invented which, in preferred embodiments, comprises a pocket formation bulbous member in a generally pear-shaped configuration, with a first large end for forming a pocket and a second smaller tapered end for forming a heel taper in the glove. The preferred embodiments also include a means for supplying heat from the device to a glove in which the device is placed, a conditioning fluid compartment inside the bulbous member and in fluid contact with a conditioning fluid applicator, a hinge-forming spine and a barrier ridge-forming spine on the surface of the bulbous member adjustably spaced from one another and one or more restraining straps for securing the athletic glove in a closed form around the bulbous member.

Abstract: A baseball or softball glove constructed to facilitate closure of the glove. The glove is designed readily to flex along a flex line extending up from the heel of the glove, generally midway between the sides of the glove, and through the ball-catching pocket of the glove. The heel of the glove has little or no padding at the flex line to facilitate closing of the glove along the flex line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a baseball batting glove adapted with a complementary hook and loop fastening means portion to the external back surface with a flap attached to the fastening means surface. This flap may be released from the fastening means surface and held by the batter in the palm of his batting gloved hand when running bases to reduce the likelihood of hand injuries.

Abstract: A batting glove for use in softball, baseball, or other games of the like wherein a wooden or metallic bat is used. The batting glove includes pads located between the first and second phalangeal joints and a palm pad located across the metacarpophalangeal joints of the hand in order to create a reminder groove or slot and encourage a proper grip of the bat by the batter. The glove also includes means for securing the glove to the wrist of the wearer such as velcro fasteners and the like. In addition, elastic materials sewn into or attached to the wrist area of the glove may also provide means for securing the glove around the wrist of the wearer.An alternate embodiment of the batting glove includes fluid filled compartments incorporated into certain areas of the palm side of the glove. The fluid compartments may be permanently filled and sealed with air, liquid, putty, or a gel.

Abstract: A baseball glove is utilized in combination with an anchor strap to maintain the baseball glove about an individual's wrist. The strap structure is formed of an L-shaped configuration having cooperating hook and loop fasteners to have a first strap directed about an individual's wrist, with a second strap secured to the associated baseball glove. A modification of the invention includes a rosin bag arrangement, as well as a wrist stiffener accommodated by the anchor strap structure.

Abstract: A protective device for the hand is disclosed in the form of an elastic band having a palm portion adapted to be fitted around and cover a portion of the palm of a wearer's hand. An elastic index portion extends upwardly from the palm portion and is adapted to be fitted around and cover a portion of the wearer's index finger. A resilient pad is affixed to the palm portion and extends into the index portion sufficiently to cover the knuckle of the wearer's index finger when the device is worn. The configuration is such that the pad serves to absorb impact forces and redistribute them over a greater area of the wearer's hand when the device is worn to reduce tissue trauma.

Abstract: A glove device for use in swinging a baseball bat and the like, including a back portion and palm portion joined together to form a hand conforming glove. Also included are digital sheaths attached to the glove and aligned to cover at least a portion of at least the thumb and the index finger. The device has a control spacer forming part of the palm and the digital sheaths, and has sufficient thickness to shift control over gripping a bat to the remaining fingers of the hand.

Abstract: A hand padding device comprising a pliable enclosure containing a flowable material. The device is designed to be inserted into a ball glove. Preferably, the padding device includes two convex surfaces.

Abstract: A game glove including a front and a back forming a major region for the fingers of the wearer and a minor region for the thumb of the wearer thereby defining a hand space therebetween; an opening at the lower edge of the glove for the passage of the hand of a wearer into the hand space; a bladder positioned in the hand space, the bladder having a major portion in the major region of the glove and a minor portion in the minor region for the glove; and a pump system to selectively inflate and deflate the bladder.

Abstract: A fielders glove, which comprises a hand receiving portion, a plurality of finger portions, a thumb portion, and a web portion extending between the finger portions and the thumb portion, at least one inflatable chamber in the hand receiving portion of the glove, a pump for manually forcing air into the inflation chamber, so that the inflated chamber softens the impact of a baseball making contact with the palm portion of the glove, and a valve to release the air from the chamber upon ball contact with the palm portion, or to manually release air from the air chamber, when desired.

Abstract: A ball-catching glove for use in baseball and softball. A hollow glove body has a ball-catching palm portion and a rear portion comprising a bilayer structure having inner and outer layers of leather. A plurality of shape-retaining members, which are made of a suitable material such as a synthetic resin or an elastomer, are integrally secured on the outer surface of the rear portion, while reinforcing members are interposed between that outer surface and the shape-retaining members. Further, a plurality of buffer members are disposed between the inner and outer layers of leather. This arrangement renders the ball-catching glove free from deformation, and capable of effectively protecting the user's hand.

Abstract: A glove having the thumb pocket connected to the finger portion so as to restrict movement of the thumb portion away from the rest of the glove thereby preventing damage to certain ligaments of the user's thumb should the thumb be bent abnormally.

Abstract: A protective device for the throwing hand of a baseball catcher. The device is used with a catcher's leg protector that is mounted on the catcher's leg that corresponds to his throwing hand. The device comprises at least one substantially rigid member that is supported on the leg protector and has as least one portion that extends away from the leg of the catcher to permit placement of at least part of the throwing hand of the catcher between the leg of the catcher and one portion of the device, so that such portion of the device is interposed between pitched balls and the throwing hand of the catcher.

Abstract: A support portion for a baseball glove which may be integrally formed with the glove or separately attached thereto, the support portion being attached to a back wall of the glove so as to extend a distance above and below the free lower edge of the front wall of the glove sufficient to cover a lower back portion of the user's hand, the back of the user's wrist, and a back portion of the user's forearm. The support portion includes a securing member adapted to wrap around a user's arm below the wrist. In use, the support portion serves the dual purposes of supporting the user's wrist against injurious bending and imparting a natural control and feel to the glove. The support portion may include indentations on each side to provide greater lateral and forward hand and wrist flexibility while still providing support for the backward motion of the hand and wrist. The strap portion may include an elastic member to provide a better fit on various sized user's wrists.

Abstract: The present invention entails a finger protector adapted to be secured to the backside of a baseball glove for receiving the normally exposed finger of the glove hand. In particular, the finger protector of the present invention is designed to be secured adjacent a finger opening formed in the back side of the glove through which the player's index finger extends. The finger protector of the present invention includes a relatively hard outer housing and internal padding material and wherein the housing and internal padding material form a finger receiving area that protects the player's finger when the finger is inserted within the housing.

Abstract: A catching device made of a flexible material made to fit on the thumb and forefinger of a hand having a web which extends between the thumb and forefinger which is capable of freely moving from an open position, where the thumb and forefinger are apart, to a closed position, where the thumb and forefinger are together, or touching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a baseball glove and an interior core covering thereof. Each fingerstall of each back member of the interior core covering and exterior covering constituting the baseball glove is formed by one back piece and two side pieces arranged on both sides thereof. The back piece is dimensioned longer than the side pieces; thus, it is easy to insert the hand and the fingerstall is curved concavely toward a ball catching face.

Abstract: A hollow, plastic sphere comprised of two equal halves fitted together with a strap protruding from within the hollow sphere. The sphere opens to allow storage of a baseball or softball and is placed into the pocket of a baseball or softball glove. The strap protruding from within the sphere is extended around the glove and tightened, snugly fitting the sphere in the pocket of the glove. The hollow sphere is strapped into the glove between uses of the glove to help protect and form the glove's pocket and allow for convenient storage of a baseball or softball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined seat cushion and baseball mitten comprising a flat padded body defining a seat section and a pair of spaced thigh sections integrally extending from the seat section. The body is divided into two substantially symmetrical portions by a foldline across the seat section with the thigh sections located on either side of the foldline so that the two portions can be folded one over the other. The two thigh sections are connected together by a web and a basket-like catching pocket is provided on one face of the body above the web, the pocket having an opening facing the web. There is also provided, on the other face of the body, a pair of hand-holding straps, each strap being located on one side over the foldline and therein being secured to the thigh sections so as to serve for holding the thumb and the other fingers of a user's hand, respectively.

Abstract: A protective pad for use by a baseball player and to be worn under a catcher's mitt or first baseman's glove, for example, and which is conveniently supported on the thumb of the user and extends across the palm to protect the palm from injury.

Abstract: Year round conditioning and shaping of a ball glove is accomplished through use of the conditioning bag which includes on its bottom wall straps which hold the glove in spaced relationship to the side walls which contain a foam liner containing conditioning oil. A conditioning fluid ball applicator is placed in the pocket of the glove to shape the pocket and also transfer conditioning oil to the leather material in the pocket. The conditioning fluid ball applicator may include a hollow substantially rigid ball disposed in a tube of conditioning fluid absorbent material. A portion of the tube may be positioned on the front and back sides of the web.

Abstract: A support portion for a baseball glove which may be integrally formed with the glove or separately attached thereto, the support portion being attached to a back wall of the glove so as to extend a distance above and below the free lower edge of the front wall of the glove sufficient to cover a lower back portion of the user's hand, the back of the user's wrist, and a back portion of the user's forearm. The support portion includes a securing member adapted to wrap around a user's arm below the wrist. In use, the support portion serves the dual purposes of supporting the user's wrist against injurious bending and imparting a natural control and feel to the glove.

Abstract: A baseball catching apparatus having an outer face member constituting a ball-catching face of a palm side of the apparatus, an inner face mamber to come into contact with a palm, holding means disposed at a predetermined position in between the outer face member and the inner face member, and shock-absorbing means to be accommodated in the holding means and adapted for relieving ball catching shock.

Abstract: A baseball glove, mitt, or the like having a thumb stall, a finger stall spaced from the thumb stall, and a web secured to and extending between the thumb and finger stalls, the web comprising two outer plies of a flexible material and an inner ply of a resilient material sandwiched between the outer plies. The outer plies have a plurality of aligned openings therein arranged in a pattern to define generally radially extending spokes and concentric generally annular crossmembers in the outer plies, the openings exposing the inner ply of resilient material. Stitching extends along the generally radial spokes and around the concentric generally annular cross members, securing the plies together.

Abstract: A sport glove construction and a method of using it, includes fastening together sheets of plastic material by rigid fastening device into a cup-shaped pocket configuration, forming a front ball receiving side and a rear hand receiving side having a cup-shaped pocket therein. A hand securing device is connected to the outer surface of the back side of the glove construction for proper ventilation purposes. A web device interconnects right and left portions of the front and rear sheets, to help define the pocket. Right and left elongated, resilient pads extend in a generally U-shaped configuration at the rim of the pocket, diverging away from one another at the lower portion of the sheets toward the web device. A plurality of pocket rigid fastening devices are arranged in a spaced apart manner within the pocket adjacent to the pads and secure together the front and rear sheets for helping rigidify flexibly the resulting glove construction.

Abstract: A support portion for a baseball glove, the support portion being attached to a back wall of the glove so as to extend a distance above and below the free lower edge of the front wall of the glove sufficient to cover a lower back portion of the user's hand, the back of the user's wrist, and a back portion of the user's forearm. The support portion includes a securing member adapted to wrap around a user's arm below the wrist. In use, the support portion serves the dual purposes of supporting the user's wrist against injurious bending and imparting a natural control and feel to the glove.

Abstract: Year round conditioning and shaping of a ball glove is accomplished through use of the conditioning bag which includes on its bottom wall straps which hold the glove in spaced relationship to the side walls which contain a foam liner containing conditioning oil. A conditioning fluid ball applicator is placed in the packet of the glove to shape the pocket and also transfer conditioning oil to the leather material in the pocket.

Abstract: A baseball catcher's mitt having front and back walls secured at the periphery of the mitt to form a mitt body. A back panel member is secured to the back wall of the mitt for substantially covering the back of the hand. The back panel member and body of the mitt having unconnected lower edge margins defining a hand opening at the bottom of the mitt through which the hand may be inserted up into the mitt between the back panel member and the back wall of the glove. A pair of laterally spaced slots extend up from the lower edge margin of the back panel member. These slots are expansible in width to enlarge the size of the hand opening and contractible in width to reduce the size of the hand opening. Independently operable quick-operating mechanisms are provided for adjusting the widths of the slots and for releasably maintaining the slots at their selected widths.

Abstract: The invention involves a baseball glove with a flexible heel construction. The glove comprises a front panel forming the front wall of the glove and a back panel forming the back wall of the glove, the front and back panels being secured together at peripheral margins of the glove to form a glove shell having finger and thumb stalls. A liner having a palm liner panel is disposed on the inside of the shell. The front panel and the palm liner panel of the glove have lower edge margins arranged so that the outside face of the front panel is in opposing face-to-face relation with the outside face of the palm liner panel. The edge margins are stitched together to form a flexible heel seam running across the bottom of the glove with the stitching being substantially concealed from view. A relatively thin flexible heel pad is disposed between the front panel and the palm liner panel above the heel seam.

Abstract: A baseball cap has a large flexible web extending across the full cross section of the cap and secured to the band with hand access to the space between the crown of the cap and the web being provided by openings at the rear of the cap both above and below the overlapping headsize adjusting straps whereby the web can serve as a glove for a hand inserted through either one of the openings.

Abstract: A child's baseball glove includes a hand member including a palm section, a finger section, a thumb section, and a webbing section connecting the thumb section to the finger section, and a padded pocket member which extends along the front side of the thumb section, across the base portion of the palm section, along the front side of the outer portion of the finger section and across the upper end portion of the front side of the finger section to substantially define the perimeter of a pocket in the glove. The glove preferably further includes an elongated padded retainer member which is detachably secured to opposite side portions of the pocket member and extends in outwardly spaced relation across the base portion of the palm section.

Abstract: A combination baseball cap and baseball glove forming an object-catching head covering. A mitt is attached to the crown of the cap preferably above the brim. The mitt can be in the shape of a rectangle, mitten or glove and fabricated from the same material used in making the cap, or from elastic material. An opening along the edge of the mitt is provided above the brim. The opening and the mitt are sized to allow the user to insert one hand into the opening to be held between the mitt and the crown. An elastic band may be attached to the mitt along the edge of the opening to aid in holding the cap in place on the hand. A logo can be place on the outside of the mitt. Padding may be used to further protect the user's hand while catching objects. The padding can be a flat sheet of energy absorbing material or may be shaped to approximate the function of a baseball glove.

Abstract: An athletic glove pocket retaining and former device comprising a ball like object having at least one bendable strap having means, such as Velcro, attached to the approximate middle of said strap joined to said ball like object, and having joining means, such as Velcro, attached to the terminal ends of said strap so as to permit the strap ends to be tightly joined together when the ball like object is placed in the pocket of the glove.

Abstract: The glove of this invention is characterized by protective, non-springy, shock-absorbing cushions which cover each inner finger from its base to, at least, the first joint, and the upper palm finger pads. Two optional cushions may be provided to cover: (1) the palm from the outer edge of the palm extending inward and upward toward the bottom of the upper palm finger pads cushion; and (2) the thumb pad and inner palm below the thumb. The cushions are attached to the glove and are covered by an outer layer of leather. This inner glove helps protect the critical areas of the fingers and palm, affected during catching of the ball, and reduces the incidence of injury, e.g., bone bruises that can occur during long hours of play.

Abstract: A baseball or softball glove comprising front and back walls joined together to form thumb and finger stalls, a web between the thumb and the first finger stall, upper lacing interconnecting the thumb stall, web and finger stalls at their upper ends, and lower lacing interconnecting the thumb stall, web and finger stalls between their upper and lower ends. The lower lacing comprises a plurality of reaches of lacing lying in generally parallel planes extending generally at right angles to the finger stalls and spaced at intervals along the finger stalls, each reach running continuously along a curvilinear path, as viewed from above the glove, through openings in the thumb stall, web and finger stalls. The depth of the web relative to the thumb stall and the first finger stall and the spacings between individual finger stalls are readily adjustable by tightening or loosening the reaches of lower lacing.

Abstract: A pair of batting gloves including a right hand glove (10) having a thumb stall (18) and a finger stall (20) accommodating a plurality of fingers and having a cushioned pad (40) thereon and an adjustable bat-engageable web (50) extending between the thumb stall (18) and the finger stall (20) and including a left hand glove having a thumb stall (68) and a finger stall (64) accommodating a plurality of fingers and having a cushioned pad (90) thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to hockey gloves having means to improve wrist movements. Such hockey gloves include a cushioned cuff portion having an opening in the side opposite the thumb defining an upper edge and a lower edge. A triangular shaped segment is defined by one such edge, the end of the glove and a seam joining such end and edge. The cushioned cuff portion can also be provided with a second triangular shaped segment on the opposite edge. The seam acts as a hinge.

Abstract: The disclosed invention consists in a baseball glove comprising a strap for receiving at least first to third fingers of a player. The strap is disposed at positions outside and spaced from inlets of finger pieces of the glove and is retained in position by a ply opposed to front faces of the strap.

Abstract: An improved wrist strap construction for a baseball glove, comprising a wrist strap extending transversely with respect to the glove on the back wall of the glove generally adjacent the bottom of the glove, and an elastic web securing the inner end of the wrist strap to the glove at one side of an extension of the hand opening at the bottom of the glove extending up toward the finger stalls of the glove.

Abstract: There is disclosed a holder for a baseball glove, particularly a fielder's glove and a training aid. The holder comprises a body with a scoop formed of a stiff, shape-retaining sheet material having a rear face with a convex contour conforming to the ball pocket of a fielder's glove. The glove is received over the rear face of the scoop and is retained in this assembly by a cover which fits over the rear of the glove. Preferably, the cover is a webbing which overlies the rear of the fingers of the glove and the sheet material is a resilient plastic thereby permitting the glove former to be used as a training aid which requires the player to use both hands when fielding a ball.

Abstract: A baseball catching means comprises a front ply defining a ball receiving area and a lining ply disposed over a back face of the front ply. The lining ply is provided with a padding material attached to a back face thereof.

Abstract: A cap, hat or similar headwear having an inner lining defining a pocket which has an opening along a portion thereof so as to permit a person to insert their hand within the pocket so that the headwear may be used as a glove.

Abstract: An athletic glove having a laminated cushion partially covering the underside of the hand. Two leather-like sheets are attached together with a thicker cushion layer sandwiched therebetween. The cushion layer is sized and shaped to completely cover the central portion of the palm of the hand and to partially cover the ball of the thumb, the heel of the hand, and the interdigital pads opposite the basal finger knuckles without extending all the way to the basal thumb crease line, the wrist crease line, and the basal finger crease lines in order to provide protection without interfering with the flexing of the hand, thumb and fingers. One of the leather-like sheets has an enlarged cross-sectional area and serves as an external cover member for snugly overlying the entire underside of the hand.

Abstract: A hand mounted player's protective palm pad has palm configured two piece pad and two fastening loops secured to the pad, one small loop and one much larger. The one small loop encircles the base of the user's forefinger; the much larger loop extends about the back of the user's hand. These two loops hold the player's protective palm pad constantly and securely in the desired position on the user's palm, remote from the user's thumb. In other embodiments the pad can be made larger or smaller; the comfiguration can be made different to provide more palm or finger protection; additional finger loops and/or hand loops may be secured to the pad; and the protective palm pad can be made to be worn on either hand.

Abstract: A protective glove 10 constructed of shock-absorbent material, comprising digital sheaths 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 anchored to a metacarpal sheath 14. The sheaths 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 extend to cover the second-innermost joint of each digit, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25. As a result, the glove 10 pads the critical area of wrap-around grasp--the metacarpals and the entire shaft of the proximal phalanx--yet permits unimpeded fingertip feel by exposing the distal phalanges. The glove 10 further preserves normal hand sensations during flexion and extension: by covering both the palmar curve and the dorsal surfaces of the second-innermost joints, the glove 10 exerts forces on the palmar surface and the aforesaid joints in proportion to the forces caused by normal compression and stretching at those respective positions on an unprotected hand.

Abstract: A ball glove includes a web between the thumb and forefinger which is provided with a plurality of slits to make the web more flexible and extensible so that the web does not require breaking in.

Abstract: A baseball protection device for attachment to a baseball glove includes a multi-layered shielding portion for protecting the wrist and lower forearm of one who wears the glove. It also includes a stretchable fabric sewn to outermost side edges of the shielding portion such that the shielding portion and fabric together encircle the wrist and forearm. The shielding portion is formed from two separate but attached sections sewn together along a seam extending lengthwise of the wrist and forearm. Each section has a pad of pliable, shock-absorbent material and a sheet of hard, semi-rigid material superimposed on top of the pad. The pad and sheet are encased in a durable material. The device is provided with a plurality of eyelets at a forward end thereof for detachably fastening the device to a heel portion of the glove using the existing glove lacing.

Abstract: The method of fabricating a baseball glove from a single sheet of paperboard, and the resulting baseball glove.