Abstract: A protector for the under finger of a quilter is made from flexible vinyl having a slightly roughened upper surface and a thickness of about 13 mil. The back of the protector is provided with an adhesive so that it may be attached to the under finger easily. In the preferred embodiment, a number of protectors are provided on a strip from which a single protector may be detached.

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 nursing shield for mothers who wish to nurse an infant discreetly or camouflage the act of nursing in a public setting. In a preferred embodiment, the nursing shield comprises a stiff yet flexible padded and covered panel which attaches to the back side of either the left or right forearm of a nursing mother and stands outward therefrom during use. Left hand and right hand finger-loops are provided to enable a nursing mother to flex the nursing shield with either hand for the purpose of increasing privacy. The inner side of the forearm attached to the nursing shield is free to directly contact the infant, and the mother's remaining arm and hand are free to prepare for nursing, make changes or adjustments during nursing, and generally comfort the infant. The nursing shield is washable and it may be folded for alternate use as a clutch bag, or laid flat on a supporting surface for use as a diaper changing pad.

Abstract: A protective pad assembly especially shaped to fit over the palm of the hand to protect the median nerve. A pair of straps extend in opposite directions from opposite edges of the patch and can be folded behind the hand to hold the patch against the palm. One or more flexible resilient pad units are positioned flush against and in register with the patch. Fastener means are provided on the opposing faces of the patch and pad units for releasably securing those elements in face-to-face contact so that they form a compact sandwich structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glove for use in rock climbing. The glove includes a pad that, in the preferred embodiment, is made from a climbing rubber and adapted to cover the back and lower peripheral palm portioins of the climber's hand.

Abstract: A hand accessory contoured to fit into the webbed portion of the hand between the base of the thumb and the base of the forefinger, to overlie that area and to extend down into the palm to enable the handle of a piece of sport equipment or of a tool to be gripped snugly by the hand and to be swung to impact with a ball or other object without substantial movement of the web area of the hand before or at impact relative to the remainder of the hand. This enables full force to be transmitted from the hand to the handle. The hand accessory may be located in a glove mounted directly onto a handle or connected to the hand by releasable straps or other similar attachment.

Abstract: A dual mode athletic glove that includes an outer shell contoured to define a body section having finger sections radiating therefrom, the front surface of the body section forming a palm zone. Disposed within the outer shell and conforming thereto is an inner liner. A relatively stiff, flexible plate, interposed between the outer shell and the inner liner, is placed behind the palm zone as a backing therefor, whereby when the glove is worn by a player, then in its catching mode an incoming ball can be received in the palm zone and grasped by the finger sections of the glove. In the whacking mode of the glove, the finger sections are outstretched and the incoming ball is struck by the plate-backed palm zone which then functions as a paddle.

Abstract: An apparatus having a portion of shock absorbing material disposed adjacent to front side of a joint. The shock absorbing material can be configured and dimensioned so as to cushion the respective movements of the bones immediately next to the joint towards each other. In a preferred embodiments the shock absorbing material is attached to a glove and a disposed adjacent a middle joint of one or more forefingers. An apparatus comprising a portion of rigid material disposed adjacent a back side of a joint, wherein the rigid material is provided a bending means so as to allow the rigid material to bend in a manner approximating the natural bending of the joint and the bending means is configured and dimensioned so as to prevent bending of the rigid material to an extend which would be an unnatural bending of the joint. The shock absorbing material and the rigid material can be disposed adjacent opposite sides of the same joint.

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: A one piece multi-purpose hand-cushioning device providing protection to the palm area of the hand from trauma associated with athletic and job-related activities. The device embodies a grip enhancement feature useful in many activities requiring prolonged use of the hands, such as driving, carpentry, etc., and may be used as a therapeutic aid for users with physical limitations due to crippling effects of arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and other diseases effecting the joints and muscles of the hands and fingers. The pad is manufactured from die cut neoprene with a bonded nylon backing, with or without an additional bonded raised cushion in the palm area. Four finger holes are provided thus eliminating the requirement for any type of fasteners. The object to be gripped is thus held between the fingers and the pad more securely and with less effort than with the hand alone. Because of its symmetrical design, the pad may be worn on either hand.

Abstract: A safety glove for use by people engaged in active sports or in industrial job activities to protect against hyperextension of ligaments and tendons in the wrist. The glove includes a body having palm and back portions joined to fit about the hand. An inelastic wrist strap is attached at its proximal end to the body and extends along a length sufficient to wrap about the person's wrist in the range of one and one-half to substantially three turns, depending upon the requirements of the particular sports or job activity. Finger receptacles are formed for receiving the thumb and fingers of the person's hand. In one embodiment the strap tapers from an enlarged proximal end to a smaller width at the distal end. In another embodiment the strap is of substantially uniform width along its length.

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 golf hand pad device has a hand pad for positioning in a golfer's hand adjacent the base of the small finger. The hand pad has an elongated groove for receiving the grip portion of a golf club shaft; an attachment positions and maintains the hand pad on the hand. In one embodiment, this attachment is a resilient ring fixed to the hand pad, which slips over the golfer's small finger of his upper hand for a golf swing. The hand pad includes a rounded portion for contacting the hand at the bottom of the little finger with a groove positioned at an angle thereto which receives the golf club shaft.

Abstract: A sports glove is described for playing the game of handball or racquetball. The glove is uniquely padded to protect the topsides of the little finger and adjacent ring finger, because it has been found that this particular side of these two fingers are most likely to contact the floor or walls of a playing court when a player makes a diving attempt to return a shot, or when hitting a ball in close proximity to one of the walls of the court. The padding is formed of a soft cushioning material for absorbing the shock upon contact with a wall or floor. The padding of the little finger can be extended to cover the main knuckle between the little finger and palm of a person wearing the glove.

Abstract: A combination wristband and back of the hand flap or pad for absorbing and wiping perspiration from the forehead and face of the wearer comprises a circumferential wristband made of an absorbent, fabric material which is elastic and stretchable in a circumferential direction. A flap or pad extends from one end of the wristband, with the flap or pad being an integrally formed extension of the wristband and made of the same absorbent, stretchable, fabric material as the wristband. The flap or pad lies substantially flatwise against the back of one's hand when the wristband is being worn.

Abstract: A protective web for use in the manufacture of garments to reinforce parts of the garments corresponding to parts of the human body most likely to be exposed to scratching or fleshing of the skin or muscles. This web is characterized in that it comprises a piece of fabric that may be a woven, knitted or non-woven textile or yet be made of synthetic material. A plurality of small rigid platelets capable of resisting wear and abrasion are secured over this piece of fabric. The small platelets are so uniformly distributed and spaced over the piece of fabric as to allow the web to yield under all movements of the body of the garment wearer. According to a preferred embodiment, the rigid platelets are made of polymeric thermoplastic or thermosetting material and are secured to the fabric by gluing, compression molding or yet by welding in the case where the fabric used is made of synthetic material.

Abstract: This mitt is designed to protect a mixologist from getting a callous in the palm of the hand when opening a great many bottles of beer in a busy bar. Primarily, it consists of a flexible body with ventilation openings, and the palm portion engages with the palm of the user for protection of the user's palm. Forward straps are provided for receiving the forefinger and the little finger of the hand of the user, and rear wrist straps are provided and include hook and loop pile fasteners for securing the mitt to the hand of the user.

Abstract: A cushioning pad for relieving the strain of carrying luggage, which pad is removable and attachable to a plurality of luggage pieces by means of a pair of stretchable elastic bands provided in the cushioning pad by through holes positioned at each end thereof. The cushioning pad of the present invention can be used on hand-held luggage, as well as luggage using a strap for carrying the luggage over the shoulder, such as garment bags. The stretchable elastic bands are used to not only secure the cushioning pad to the luggage handle or strap, but are also used to join a plurality of luggage pieces using the same cushioning pad. A plurality of hangers contained within one garment bag can also be joined together by one of the pair of elastic bands, with the other one of the pair of elastic bands used to secure the cushioning pad to the handle of the garment bag.

Abstract: Gripper pads for hands include a pad covering the palm area of a hand and finger loops on the pad through which four fingers extend for securing the gripper pad to a user's hand. The gripper pad is preferably made of a rubber material which has a relatively high coefficient of friction for maintaining a relatively non-slip grip on whatever is being held by the user.

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 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: Disclosed is a thumb support for the human hand comprising a support piece having a cradle portion installable around the thenar eminence and the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and a tab portion wrappable over the thumb/index web space. When the cradle portion and tab portion are properly installed, they create a frustoconically shaped cone portion which acts to enclose the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and isolate the index finger and the thumb and support the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

Abstract: A glove-like waste disposal system comprises a relatively thick, heat-insulating, flexible inner glove which is placed over the hand of a user. An outer glove is then placed over the inner glove, the outer glove being made of a thin, flexible, disposable material. In use, the waste material is picked up by the user whose hand is contained within the inner glove, the outer glove is peeled or stripped off to an inside-out pouch-forming configuration which contains the picked-up waste material therein, and the outer glove with the waste material therein is disposed. The inner glove is reusable, and serves to insulate the user's hand from the temperature and "feel" of the waste material. Absorbant layers may be attached to the inner (palm) or outer (back of hand) side of the outer flexible disposable glove to absorb moisture.

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: The present invention relates to apparel which can be worn during breakdancing as an aid to the dancer in performing the breakdance movements and for distributing impact and torsional loads encountered by the dancer during the breakdance. The breakdance apparel of the present invention in its simplest form is apparel in which those portions of the apparel which contact the support structure have a relatively low coefficient of friction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparel is provided with resilient regions having an external surface with a relatively low coefficient of friction. In one embodiment the breakdance apparel of the present invention may be in the form of a jacket, jump suit or vest which has been provided with elements having a relatively low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A vented racing glove suitable for motorcycle use in which a flexible protective pad is attached over the top of the gloove. The pad has various integrally formed upstanding air scoops which receive air when the glove is in motion to provide positive ventilation to its interior, and protect the wearer's hand in case of a fall. Ventilation grills are also provided in the pad in the form of parallel upstanding ribs with vent openings in the pad between adjacent ribs. The grills likewise provide both ventilation and protection. The fingers of the pad include forward facing air scoops behind the finger joints and rearward facing air scoops forward of the finger joints, with the air inlets of both scoops facing forward when the wearer grips a motorcycle hand grip.

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 protective hand pad fabricated from a sleeve of elastic fabric, and a preformed pad element. The sleeve is initially cut from an endless tube of the elastic fabric. A thumb hole is cut into the sleeve adjacent one end, and the preformed pad element is inserted into the sleeve so the desired outer surface of the pad element is visible through the thumb hole. The sleeve is then stitched to the opposite ends of the pad element along its end edges, as well as along its side edges, so that the pad element is joined to the sleeve but so that the sleeve remains open at both ends. The sewn together sleeve and pad is then turned inside out so that the desired outer surface of the pad element is exposed as an exterior surface of the protective hand pad. In use, a wearer inserts his hand into the sleeve so that the pad element is oriented above or on top of the back of the wearer's hand, and so that the wearer's thumb extends through the thumb hole in the sleeve.

Abstract: A hand glove comprising a body, an outside pad and an inside cushion. The outside pad and the inside cushion are secured to outside and inside surfaces of the body respectively and are adapted to terminate below the fingers and inside the thumb and to fit over a major portion of the palm, the wrist, and a portion of the forearm. The inside cushion and the outside pad cushion the palm and the wrist without restricting flexing of the wrist, the thumb, or the fingers.

Abstract: An improved lacrosse glove having a hand receiving portion and a cuff or gauntlet connected by a novel flexible connecting means comprising a padded portion attached at one edge to the inside of the hand receiving portion and at the other edge to an elastic portion which is in turn attached to the inside of the cuff. The padded portion provides protection in the opening between the hand receiving portion and the cuff, while the elastic portion, which is inside the cuff, provides flexibility and maximum motion in the area of the user's wrist.

Abstract: In a protective mitten made of a metal ring fabric, at least one portion of the fabric is embedded in an elastomeric anti-skid material so that a firmer grip can be exerted with the mitten.

Abstract: An elbow or knee pad and a method of making the same are disclosed. The pad includes an elasticized sleeve to surround the joint to be protected and a pad assembly fastened to the sleeve. The pad assembly includes a fabric covering over a polyurethane foam backing. A recess is formed in the polyurethane by pressing a hot die into it and a dense, modified polyurethane is cast in the recess. The combination of polyurethane foam and dense, modified polyurethane provides superior shock absorption and protection from impact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a padded glove (1) whose back is fitted with at least one padding. The outer portion of the back of a glove consists of an integral layer (2) which is made of a soft material, preferably cellular plastic and which is designed with at least one protrusion (3-7) jutting out of the level of said layer (2).

Abstract: A contact sport protective glove adapted to cover the back of the hand comprising a flexible member which has a smooth hand-contacting, inner membrane and a tough outer protective membrane having a plurality of discrete foam-filled, protective protrusions spaced from one another by thin, narrow areas.

Abstract: This invention provides a bowler's wrist support that includes a flexible body adapted to be wrapped around the hand and wrist with straps to hold it in position. A rigid reinforcement may be included to prevent bending of the wrist. The body includes a pocket within which fits a pad which is positioned at the palm of the hand when the device is worn. The pocket is larger than the pad, so that the pad may be moved around to the optimum position. The contour of the pad follows the shape of the hand so as to not interfere with movement of the hand or to cause discomfort.

Abstract: A palm guard (20, 40, 60) for use in manually inserting a stay (16) into the ground (12) for securing a resin tube (14) about a tree (10) in reforestation projects comprising a base (22, 42, 62) attachable to a user's hand (17), and a rim (24, 44, and 64) attached to the base and forming a pocket (37, 57, 77) for receiving the end of the stay.

Abstract: This mitt, which is completely free of asbestos fibers, comprises hand and thumb sections, each of which is made from a wood knit liner enclosed in a layer of woven material made from temperature-resistant aromatic polymide fibers which are sold under the trademark "Kevlar". Layers of aluminum foil and flexible fiberglass are incorporated between the inner and outer layers of the hand section to increase its protective properties. Secured to the outer surface of each section is a pleated pad of flexible material woven from fiberglass yarns. Alternate pleats in each pad overlie intervening pleats, thereby forming spaced, parallel, raised surfaces which come into direct contact with the hot product handled by the person wearing the mitt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a padded, flexible football glove which includes a wrist protecting portion and a hand protecting portion. The hand protecting portion is provided with individual elastic finger and thumb receptacles. The finger receptacles are connected via a common restraining strip of material to restrain excessive stretching of the finger receptacles while the thumb receptacle is provided with its own restraining strip. The thumb pad is webbed to the finger pad to limit the movement of the thumb pad. The glove is further provided with a plurality of transverse flexible joints to permit its flexing and securing means at both the hand protecting portion and the wrist protecting portion to secure the glove in position.

Abstract: A casing formed of flexible and durable plastic or leather forms an enclosed compartment having therein a filling of sand or other finely-divided material. The casing is elastically deformable and the sand is redistributed within the compartment to substantially conform to the contoured area of a wheel cover at a site selected to receive an impact force for installing the cover onto a wheel rim of an automobile or the like. The casing defines a force-receiving area approximately corresponding to the size of a human hand. A strap member is used for retaining support of the casing by the human hand.

Abstract: The combination with a cast iron cooking utensil of the type having an integral handle extending radially therefrom, of a two-part insulating housing enclosing the handle to achieve lower temperatures for manual handling. The hollow housing, with inner walls spaced from the handle, is made of low heat-transferring material. The handle is secured in place in the housing by a pair of locking plates, at the inboard end of the housing, with paired jaws gripping the handle, and by a medial key with a necked center engaged in the slot in the handle, which slot is elongated longitudinally of the handle. The locking plates extend between upper and lower housing parts and countersunk bolts tense the jaws on the handle. A plate in the outboard portion of the housing holds the parts apart, which are secured to the plate by countersunk fasteners. A baffle, depending from the inboard end of the housing, directs heat away from the housing.

Abstract: A hand protector comprising a flexible pad with enlarged end portions and a narrow intermediate portion and with mutually divergent pairs of straps that connect the end portions to a wrist band to maintain the enlarged end portions overlying areas of the palm and backside of the hand with the intermediate portion stretched across the crotch between two fingers used in holding hair ends for trimming with scissors.

Abstract: The hitting mitt comprises a flexible pad structure formed into a tube shape having opposite end openings and including a hole formed through the side wall of the tube shape. A person can insert either his right or left hand into one of the end openings and orient the tube shape so that his thumb can extend through the hole with his fingers extending out the opposite end opening, the pad covering both the palm and back of his hand. The hitting mitt provides protection while playing volleyball, four square, tether ball and many other games.

Abstract: A protective glove, particularly for use in skateboarding, wherein the risk of falling is great. At the palm portion between a leather cover and an inner liner, is secured a thick resilient pad disposed to overlie the heel of the palm to absorb shock from impact, when one attempts to break his fall with extended hands. At the base of the glove is secured heavy elastic wrist band to protect against sprains as a result of such impact, and to co-act with the pad and glove leather in transferring and distributing impact forces from the palm pad and glove to the arm of the wearer.

Abstract: For football, a hard foam rubber pad is affixed to the back of a lightweight cotton glove. The pad extends over the knuckles, (metacarpo-phalangeal joint), of a hand inserted in the glove. The pad is molded so as to force the fingers to naturally curl without conscious effort, but allowing the fingers to be straightened with conscious effort. By curling the fingers, the probability that the fingers will be bent backward over the back of the hand with resultant injury is greatly reduced. The pad also protects the back of the hand from direct injury. In addition, latex rubber affixed to the fingers, thumb, and palm of the glove enables an athlete to grip a ball with greater facility.

Abstract: A heat resistant glove for use in foundries or the like and for use in handling extremely hot objects such as molten metal ladles or the like. The glove has an insulating portion which fits between the liner of the glove and the outside glove. More particularly, the insulating porton is comprised of one piece and which is formed as a double pocket so that it can be simply slipped over both the index finger and the thumb of the liner before the liner is inserted in the outer glove. Thus, the gripping area of the hand is provided with additional insulative protection as are both the index finger and thumb. The double pocket portion is thus firmly secured between the glove liner and the outer glove without the need for sewing the insulating material in place or otherwise affixing it to the liner or the glove.

Abstract: A reversible, ambidextrous glove having a sleeve operable to cover a portion of the palm, back and knuckles of a hand is disclosed. The sleeve extends from about the interstices of the fingers to a location above the thumb. A flap attached to the sleeve by a web defining at least one finger receiving aperture is arranged to be fastened to the sleeve to secure the glove to the hand.

Abstract: A bowling glove and wrist support having a palm plate and back plate for engaging, respectively, the front and back portions of the hand, wrist and forearm. An adjustable palm prop overlies a digital end portion of the palm plate to engage a bowling ball. Adjustable strap means are provided on the bowling glove and wrist support for fastening the glove to different sizes and shapes of hands wrists and forearms.