WO2003082036A1

WO2003082036A1 - First baseman's mitt

Info

Publication number: WO2003082036A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/009409
Authority: WO
Inventors: James M. Kleinert
Original assignee: Hillerich & Bradsby Co.
Priority date: 2002-03-28
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2003-10-09
Also published as: US20020108161A1; US6668379B2; AU2003218422A1

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 (437) of the index finger (465). One layer of padding (522a, 522b) is a slow release foam material and the other layer of padding (530a, 530b) 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 (465) and long fingers (466).

Description

FIRST BASEMAN'S MITT by

JAMES M. KLEINERT, 3422 Glenview Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40222, USA

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This PCT International Application is a Paris Convention filing of U.S. Patent Application No. 10/108,815, filed on March 28, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of and

claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 09/867,084, filed on May 29, 2001,

now U.S. Patent No. 6,389,601, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Patent

Application Serial Number 09/491,742 filed January 27, 2000, now U.S. Patent No.

6,253,382.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gloves for the human hand which are worn when playing

sports such as baseball, Softball, and the like. In one aspect, this invention relates to a batting

glove specifically designed to improve grip, comfort, protection, and performance of a

wearer. However, this invention has broader implications and may be advantageously

employed in other applications requiring protection of the hands. More particularly, this

invention relates to a first baseman's mitt which includes additional padding in selected areas

to provide additional protection of the hand during use by the wearer.

Glove construction for protection of the human hand is well known. In addition, there

are a number of patents which teach gloves claimed to be particularly useful as batting gloves. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3.175.226 teaches a dress glove construction which completely covers the fingers and which includes resiliently expandable materials in selected areas to

accommodate hands of different sizes. In contrast, U.S. Patent No. 4.561.122 teaches a

protective glove which has a wrap around construction for a protective glove which leaves the thumb and fingers ends exposed. U.S. Patent No. 5.345.609 teaches a protective glove which includes shock absorbing cells disposed at selected portions along the top of the glove. U.S.

Patent No. 5,790,980 teaches a hand glove with a polyurethane foam pad in the palm portion of the glove. Other references attempt to provide a sport glove for supporting and stabilizing

the wrist and hand. Current gloves protect the bony prominence areas of the hand. Although hand protection from direct shocks and abrasions is found in gloves of the current art, what is

needed is a batting glove which provides improved grip, comfort and performance by

unloading bony prominences, unloading pulleys and tendons, and improving finger and

knuckle motion of the hand of a wearer by providing preselected thicknesses of preselected materials specifically chosen to protect the wearer from injury from distributed shocks in

hitting a ball with a bat, and the attendant risk of long-term injury to the aforementioned

bones, ligaments, pulleys, tendons, etc., by repetitive swinging of bats and hitting of balls.

Also, first baseman's mitt for use in baseball and fast pitch softball are well known. These mitts are generally constructed wherein the mitts are of generally circular configuration

with a cut-out between a portion to receive a thumb of a wearer and the fingers of a wearer

with webbing disposed between the thumb section and the finger section. Mitts are generally

constructed to include padding to protect the hand of the wearer. However, very little consideration has been given to specific anatomical portions of the human hands to protect

those anatomical portions which are more susceptible to injury when the wearer receives a

hard thrown ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the development of gloves, several key elements are utilized in the design. First, on

the dorsal side of the glove, the motion zones are determined by the center axis of rotation of the individual thumb, finger, hand, and wrist joints. These motion zones have been applied to specific joint locations for the particular uses of a designed glove. This helps the flexibility of the glove in relationship to its use. As such, the motion zones are selected in various combinations or even individually depending on the specific task or function of the glove.

Secondly, on the palm side of the glove there are additional motion zones. Again,

these motion zones, which also function to decrease glove impedance and improve the breath- ability of the glove, are located specifically in relationship to the center axis of rotation of the

fmger joints.

Thirdly, again on the palm side of the glove, there are specific areas of padding. The

location of the padding is determined by the bone and joint anatomy of the hand, fingers, and

thumb. For the hand, the palm pad is placed above the center axis of rotation of the wrist

(i.e., just above or distal to the hook of the hamate) and just below the center axis of rotation of the metacaφal heads. These bony landmarks are actually quite prominent in relationship to

the surface of the hand. By placing the pads between the bony prominences, these areas of

the hand are unloaded. The type of pad chosen for the palm is specific to its function. Other

applications require some adjustments to the pad, but the basic premise still remains to unload the bony prominences of the hand in relationship to the required object to be held.

The pads for the fingers are placed again between the bony prominences of each

specific fmger bone (phalanx). The individual pads of the digits are placed over the relatively

flat portion of the phalanx and as such, between the joints that are present on each side of the

respective phalanx. The pad does not cover the area near the center axis of rotation. Again,

this unloads these bony areas and leads to more even distribution of force across the digit. In other words, decreased areas of concentrated pressure, i.e, over the bony prominences and

individual phalanxes will experience less discomfort. Of course, improved comfort leads to better grip and performance of the specific task in question. The pads on the fingers are placed over the proximal and middle phalanx of each digit. Because of the relative bony and

flexor tendon pulley anatomy, these regions correlate with the A2 and A4 pulleys specifically. Furthermore, this placement allows for unrestricted motion of the various finger and hand

joints by precisely keeping the pads away from the center axis of rotation (for each specific

joint). Depending on the use of the glove, various combinations, or even independent use of these pads could be utilized in glove construction. Additionally, the pads may have different sizes and shapes depending on the application. However, the pads would still be centered

primarily between the bony prominences and away from the center axis of rotation for each

joint.

The pad for the thumb is placed between the bony prominences of the first phalanx,

primarily on the lateral (side) region. Again, the pad is located above the center axis of

rotation of the metacaφalphalangeal joint of the thumb and below the center axis of rotation

of the inteφhalangeal joint of the thumb. Other applications to this pad placement are quite numerous. Even this pad could be an application in combination with all, some, one, or none of the finger and palm pads depending on the task.

Optionally, pads may also be placed over the distal phalanx of each digit, just beyond

the bony prominences. This pad would be above (distal) the center axis of rotation of the

distal inteφhalangeal joint of the respective finger. As such, three pads could be placed over

each finger depending on the use required for the glove.

The motion zone for the wrist area is also determined by the center axis of rotation of

the wrist joint. This allows for essentially full motion of the wrist, while at the same time,

avoiding dislodgement of the glove from the player's hand. Not all gloves require or benefit

from a wrist motion zone. However, a combination of the finger, thumb, hand, and wrist motion zones determined by the joints center axis of rotation may be utilized for various glove applications.

An object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove which takes stress off of selected parts of the human hand. Another object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove having preselected materials of construction in different areas of contact with the human hand.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove having

preselected thicknesses of preselected materials of construction in different areas of contact

with the human hand.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a batting glove which uses

different materials to allow wrist motion, unload bony prominences, improve finger and

knuckle motion, and protect the back of the hand.

Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a first baseman's mitt which

takes stress off of selected parts of the human hand when the mitt is in use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a first baseman's mitt with

additional padding added to selected areas of the mitt for protecting selected anatomical

portions of the human hand.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a batting glove including preselected

material in preselected thicknesses to fill in the soft spots surrounding the bony prominences of the hand, to unload the pulleys and tendons, and to take stress off of selected parts of the

hand. Specifically, 2-Way SPANDEX® materials are used in the wrist motion zone of the

glove; thin elastic material such as LYCRA® is used in the area of the finger joints and

knuckles; synthetic material such as JANEC SUPER® is used in the area of the dorsal side of

the fingers; a cabretta skin protective covering is used for selected parts of the hand, rubber

foam protective padding is placed at selected contact areas, and soft padding such as terry cotton is placed inside the glove in selected areas. More particularly, the present invention provides a baseball (softball) first baseman's

mitt which includes a top portion and a bottom portion secured along outer peripheries of

each portion to define a mitt body with an opening therebetween to receive a human hand with a thumb stall and a plurality of finger stalls for receiving a thumb and fingers of the

human hand. A first and a second layer of protective padding is attached at selected areas

along the index fmger and the long fmger, these selected areas being defined by the location

of anatomical parts of the human hand when inserted into the mitt. The first and the second layer of padding includes a first area adapted to be above and a second area adapted to be

below the center axis of rotation of a metacaφalphalangeal joint of the index finger. The first

layer of protective padding, which is usually a slow release polyurethane foam or another

slow release type foamed material, also includes an extension of the first area to include an

area above and an area below the center axis of rotation of a proximal inteφhalangeal joint

and the distal inteφhalangeal joint of an index finger as well as the areas above and below the

center axis of rotation of the metacaφalphalangeal joint, the proximal inteφhalangeal joint,

and the distal inteφhalangeal joint of the long finger. Other areas of the first layer of

protection may be added above the center axis of rotation of the wrist and just below the

center axis of rotation of the metacaφal heads. The second layer of protective padding,

which is usually a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric materials,

is generally confined only to the areas above and below the center axis of rotation of the

metacaφalphalangeal joint of the index finger.

It is realized that in describing the instant invention as a baseball first baseman's mitt, such term includes, for example, a softball first baseman's mitt as well. And, further objects

and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description and appended

claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts into several views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to

like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a bottom schematic anatomical view of the bones of a right-side human hand showing the palm-side details;

Fig. 1A is a bottom schematic anatomical palm-side view of the bones, and selected

details of the pulleys and tendons of a right-side human hand;

Fig. 2 is a top view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present

invention showing the dorsal-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-

dorsal-side human hand;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present

invention showing the palm-side details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right- palm-side human hand;

Fig. 3 A is a bottom view of another batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the

present invention showing relevant palm-side details;

Fig. 4 is a radial side view of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present

invention showing relevant details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a right-side human hand;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of some of the major components of a batting glove of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of a first baseman's mitt with selected portions of the human hand and padding used in the mitt shown in phantom lines;

Fig. 7 is a bottom schematic anatomical view of a left human hand showing the palm- side detail; Fig. 7A is a bottom schematic anatomical side view of the bones and selected details

of the pulleys and tendons of a left human hand;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of a first preferred embodiment of a first baseman's mitt showing the location of a first layer of padding overlaying the skeletal structure of a left-

palmar-side human hand inserted into the first baseman's mitt with a second layer of padding

and the anatomical outline of the bones in a left human hand shown in phantom lines;

Fig. 8 A is the bottom view of Fig. 8 with the first layer of padding removed;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 6 showing selected locations for

protective padding in a first baseman's mitt;

Fig. 10 is a radial side view of a first baseman's mitt of the first preferred embodiment

of Fig. 8 showing relevant details and seen overlaying the skeletal structure of a left human

hand;

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a first baseman's mitt showing

the location of a first layer of padding overlaying the skeletal structure of a left/palmar side

human hand inserted in a mitt with a second layer of padding shown in phantom lines; and,

Fig. 11 A is the bottom of Fig. 11 with the first layer of padding removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A. BATTING GLOVE

Fig. 1 is a schematic anatomical view of the bones of a right human hand 10 looking

at a palm 18 side. Shown are the radius 20, ulna 21, radiocaφal joint (RC) 23', distal radio ulnar joint (DRUJ) 22, wrist 12, thumb 64, index finger 65, long fmger 66, ring finger 67, and

small finger 68. The caφus 69 comprises eight caφal bones, seven of which are shown in Fig. 1 and includes the hamate bone 71 with its hook-like protrusion, the scaphoid 24' and the lunate 25. The thumb 64 is comprised of the distal phalanx 51, the inteφhalangeal joint (IP) 46, proximal phalanx 41, diaphysis of proximal phalanx 41', metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP)

36, metacaφal 31, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 26.

The index fmger 65 is comprised of the distal phalanx 60, distal inteφhalangeal joint

(DIP) 56, middle phalanx 52, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 47, proximal phalanx 42, metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 37, metacaφal 32, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 27.

The long fmger 66 is comprised of the distal phalanx 61, distal inteφhalangeal joint (DIP) 57, middle phalanx 53, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 48, proximal phalanx 43,

metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 38, metacaφal 33, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 23.

The ring finger 67 is comprised of the distal phalanx 62, distal inteφhalangeal joint

(DIP) 58, middle phalanx 54, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 49, proximal phalanx 44,

metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 39, metacaφal 34, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 24.

The small finger 68 is comprised of the distal phalanx 63, distal inteφhalangeal joint

(DIP) 59, middle phalanx 55, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 50, proximal phalanx 45,

metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 40, metacaφal 35, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 30.

Fig. 1A shows the skeletal anatomy, pulley system, and flexor tendons of the thumb

64 and fingers 65-68 of the right hand 10. The thumb 64 includes the flexor tendon (flexor

pollicis longus) 200 and the three pulleys 220-224 of the thumb 64; an Al pulley 220, A2 pulley 222, and A3 pulley 224. The A2 pulley 222 is the most important for function and is

attached to the proximal phalanx 41 of the thumb 64. The respective pulleys 230-238 are also

shown for each of the: index finger 65, long finger 66, ring finger 67, and small finger 68.

Each finger 65-68 has five pulleys 230-238; an Al pulley 230, A2 pulley 232, A3 pulley 234, A4 pulley 236, and A5 pulley 238. The A2 pulley 232 and A4 pulley 236 are considered to

be the most important for function. The A2 pulley 232 is attached to the proximal phalanx 42-45. The A4 pulley 236 is attached to the middle phalanx 52-55. The Al pulley 230 is near the MCP joint 37-40, the A3 pulley 234 is near the PIP joint 46-50 and the A5 pulley

238 is near the DIP joint 56-59.

The flexor tendons 202-208 are shown as one unit for each finger 65-68, but actually

there are two flexor tendons to each unit. They are the flexor digitorum superficialis and the

flexor digitorum profundus (shown as one, 202-208). These tendons 202-208 travel

underneath the pulleys 230-238 and the flexor digitorum profundus tendon attaches to the distal phalanx 60-63 of each fmger 65-68. The tendons 202-208 move back and forth below

the pulleys 230-238, via muscles (not shown) attached to the proximal end of the tendons.

This movement of the tendon 202-208 produces finger 65-68 flexion. The pulleys 230-238

prevent the flexor tendons 202-208 from bowstringing or moving away from the bone with

finger 65-68 flexion. If the pulleys 230-238 are damaged and no longer function, the tendons

202-208 will bowstring with a resultant significant loss of finger motion as well as grip strength. As such, pulleys 230-238, especially the A2 pulley 232 and the A4 pulley 236, are

very important and must be preserved and protected as much as possible. As shown in Fig. 4,

protective padding 102 for each finger 65-68 is placed in an anatomically designed fashion

over the A2 and A4 pulley regions. When the A2 and A4 pulleys 232 and 236 are preserved, adequate finger 65-68 motion and grip strength is maintained.

In Figs. 2-5, a preferred batting glove 80 is provided for either a right, left, or both

human hand(s) 10, as desired. A glove 80 for a left hand 10 utilizes symmetrical placement

of the elements, materials, and thicknesses herein described.

Fig. 2 shows details of a dorsal side of a batting glove 80 to cover a human hand 10

and seen overlaying the skeletal structure and skin outline of a right-dorsal-side human hand The batting glove 80 has a plurality of finger elements 82, a thumb element 84, a top portion 86, and a lower portion 88 (see Figs. 3-5), wherein the finger elements 82 cover

fingers 65-68. The thumb element 84 covers a thumb 64, and the top portion 86 covers a back side 16 of the hand 10. The lower portion 88 covers the palm side 18 of the hand 10.

An elastic band 90 is attached to the top portion 86 and to the lower portion 88. The elastic band 90 includes a securing means in the form of a hook 92 and loop 94 fastener for

retention above a human wrist 12.

The top portion 86 includes elastic material 96, preferably 2-WAY SPANDEX® in the

vicinity of the wrist 12 out to the vicinity of the metacaφalphalangeal joints (MCP) 37-40 of the fingers 65-68 of the hand 10. Additionally, a protective covering 98 is centrally located to

cover the back side 16 of the hand 10.

The fmger elements 82 each include an upper portion 83 which includes synthetic

material 100 with openings formed therein to receive thin elastic material 116 attached to

cover the proximal inteφhalangeal joints (PIP) 47-50, and the distal inteφhalangeal joint (DIP) 56-59 of each finger 65-68. As shown in Fig. 3, a lower portion 85 of the finger

elements 82 includes protective covering 98. In addition, protective padding 102 is affixed

beneath the protective covering 98 and adjacent to the fingers 65-68, in preselected areas. As

shown in Figs. 3 and 4, protective padding 102 and protective covering 98 cover the middle

phalanx 52-55 - specifically the A4 pulley 236 region, and the proximal phalanx 42-45 -

specifically the A2 pulley 232 region, of each finger 65-68. Openings are formed in the lower

portion 85 to receive thin elastic material 116 attached to cover the palm-side 18 of the

proximal inteφhalangeal joints (PIP) 47-50, and the distal inteφhalangeal joints (DIP) 56-59 of each finger 65-68.

The thumb element 84 includes protective covering 98 which surrounds the distal phalanx 51, metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 36, proximal phalanx 41, metacaφal 31, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 26 of the thumb 64. As shown in Fig. 2, an opening is formed in the protective covering 98 to receive thin elastic material 116 attached to cover the

inteφhalangeal joint (IP) 46 of the thumb 64. Another opening is formed in the protective covering 98 over the metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 36 to receive thin elastic material

116. As shown in Figs. 2-5, a piece of protective padding 102, which is itself covered by thin

elastic material 116, is affixed to an area on the thumb element 84 and centered on an ulnar

border (inside) of the thumb 64 over the diaphysis of proximal phalanx 41' of the thumb 64. The diaphysis of proximal phalanx 41' is found between the metacaφalphalangeal joint

(MCP) 36 and inteφhalangeal joint (IP) 46 of the thumb 64.

Referring again to Fig. 3, the bottom portion 88 includes elastic material 96 in the

vicinity of the wrist 12. Out from the wrist 12 area, the bottom portion 88 includes protective

covering 98 continuing out to the vicinity of the metacaφalphalangeal joints (MCP) 36-40 and located to cover the palm 18 of the hand 10. A piece of protective padding 102 is affixed

to a central palm 18 area underneath the protective covering 98 and placed at a preselected

distance below a center axis of rotation of the metacaφalphalangeal joints (MCP) 37-40 and

extending to a preselected distance above the hook of the hamate 71.

As shown in Fig. 3 A, another preferred embodiment of the batting glove 80 is similar

to the glove 80 of Fig. 3, but is distinguished wherein a central portion 103 of the central

palm 18 area is provided having no protective padding 102 and abutting two separate

sections, a first section 105, and a second section 107. Both the first section 105 and the

second section 107 include affixing protective padding 102 underneath the protective covering 98. The central portion 103 includes protective covering 98, but no protective

padding 102. When viewed as in Fig. 3A, an overall outline of the central palm 18 area is

similar to that of the glove of Fig. 3, except that the central portion 103 appears to be relieved or depressed in relation to the first section 105 and the second section 107. Referring back to Fig. 3, a first web 120 is formed in the area where the thumb

element 84 is in proximity to the index finger 65. An additional piece of protective covering

98 (thereby creating a double thickness of protective covering 98) is affixed over the first web

120. A piece of protective padding 102 covered by thin elastic material 116 is affixed over the additional piece of protective padding 98 over the first web 120 to cover an area which is contacted by protective padding 102 of the thumb element 84. When the glove 80 is worn by

a wearer, the bottom portion 88 contacts the remainder of the palm 18.

Referring to Fig. 5, the bottom portion 88 is attached to the top portion 86 to enable an

entire covering of the palm 18 and the back side 16 of the hand 10 along an outer periphery having at selected locations a plurality of finger openings 110, a thumb opening 112, and a

main opening 130. Second, third and fourth webs, 122, 124, and 126, respectively, are

formed between adjacent fingers 65-68. The finger elements 82 are fixedly attached to each

of the finger openings 110. The batting glove 80 further provides the finger elements 82 with elastic webbing material 104 affixed laterally therebetween beginning at a tip of the index

finger 65 down to the second web 122, running up to the long finger 66 and continuing likewise terminating at the tip of the small finger 68 just past the fourth web 126. Soft

padding 99 such as terry cotton is placed as desired inside of the batting glove to cover the

thicker protective padding 102, preferably in the areas of the palm 18 and pulleys of the fingers 65-68, and to provide for the comfort of the wearer.

Materials used in manufacture are preselected to achieve various goals as follows:

Synthetic material 100, such as, for example, JANEC SUPER® is used dorsally over the fingers 65-68 of the hand 10;

2-Way Elastic material 96, such as, for example, 2-WAY SPANDEX® is used in motion zones of the hand 10 to allow glove 80 movement; Thin elastic material 116, such as, for example, LYCRA^® is used to cover areas on the

glove 80 based on centers of axes of rotation of all joints of the fingers 65-68 and thumb 64

of the hand 10;

Protective covering 98, such as, for example, cabretta skin (Indonesian sheep skin) is

used to provide for protection from abrasion and direct shock applied to the hand in gripping

a bat (not shown) and hitting a ball (not shown) with the bat; and,

Protection padding 102, such as, for example, rubber foam of 1/16" in thickness, is used to enhance a gripping surface of he fingers 65-68, specifically the regions of the A2

pulley 232 and A4 pulley 236, and in the palm 18 and first web 120 in order to reduce the

most severe of shocks transmitted to the hand 10.

The disclosure given is applicable not only to batting gloves, but also to gloves intended for use in various other activities such as, for example, golf, and working in the

outdoors to include gardening. Protection for the hands 10 during use in such activities is

achieved by measures such as, for example, varying quantity, placement, thickness,

dimensions, and elastic qualities of pads, coverings, elastic materials and openings, as appropriate.

B. First Baseman's Mitt

Fig. 7 is a schematic anatomical view of the bones of a left human hand 410 looking

at a palm side 418. Shown are the radius 420, ulna 421, radiocaφal joint (RC) 423', distal

radio ulnar joint (DRUJ) 422, wrist 412, thumb 464, index finger 465, long finger 466, ring

finger 467, and small finger 468. Also shown is a caφus 469 which comprises eight caφal bones, seven of which are shown in Fig. 7. This includes the hamate bone 471 with its hooklike protrusion, the scaphoid 424' and the lunate 425. The thumb 464 is comprised of the distal phalanx 451, the inteφhalangeal joint (IP)

446, proximal phalanx 441, diaphysis of proximal phalanx 441', metacaφalphalangeal joint

(MCP) 436, metacaφal 431, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 426.

The index finger 465 is comprised of the distal phalanx 460, distal inteφhalangeal

joint (DIP) 456, middle phalanx 452, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 447, proximal

phalanx 442, metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 437, metacaφal 432, and caφometacaφal

joint (CMC) 427.

The long finger 466 is comprised of the distal phalanx 61, distal inteφhalangeal joint

(DIP) 457, middle phalanx 453, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 448, proximal phalanx

443, metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 438, metacaφal 433, and caφometacaφal joint

(CMC) 423.

The ring finger 467 is comprised of the distal phalanx 462, distal inteφhalangeal joint

(DIP) 458, middle phalanx 454, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 449, proximal phalanx

444, metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 439, metacaφal 434, and caφometacaφal joint

(CMC) 424.

The small finger 468 is comprised of the distal phalanx 463, distal inteφhalangeal

joint (DIP) 459, middle phalanx 455, proximal inteφhalangeal joint (PIP) 450, proximal

phalanx 445, metacaφalphalangeal joint (MCP) 440, metacarpal 435, and caφometacaφal joint (CMC) 430.

Fig. 7A shows the skeletal anatomy, pulley system, and flexor tendons of the thumb

464 and fingers 465-468 of the left hand 410. The thumb 464 includes the flexor tendon

(flexor pollicis longus) 600 and the three pulleys 620-624 of the thumb 464; an Al pulley 620, A2 pulley 622, and A3 pulley 624. The A2 pulley 622 is the most important for function and is attached to the proximal phalanx 441 of the thumb 464. The respective pulleys 630- 638 are also shown for each of the: index finger 465, long finger 466, ring finger 467, and small finger 468. Each fmger 465-468 has five pulleys 630-638; an Al pulley 630, A2 pulley 632, A3 pulley 634, A4 pulley 636, and A5 pulley 638. The A2 pulley 632 and A4 pulley

636 are considered to be the most important for function. The A2 pulley 632 is attached to the proximal phalanx 442-445. The A4 pulley 636 is attached to the middle phalanx 452-455.

The Al pulley 630 is near the MCP joint 437-440, the A3 pulley 634 is near the PIP joint

446-450 and the A5 pulley 638 is near the DIP joint 456-459.

The flexor tendons 602-608 are shown as one unit for each finger 465-468, but

actually there are two flexor tendons to each unit. They are the flexor digitorum superficialis

and the flexor digitorum profundus (shown as one, 602-608). These tendons 602-608 travel

underneath the pulleys 630-638 and the flexor digitorum profundus attaches to the distal phalanx 460-463 of each fmger 465-468. The tendons 602-608 move back and forth below

the pulleys 630-638, via muscles (not shown) attached to the proximal end of the tendons.

This movement of the tendon 602-608 produces finger 465-468 flexion. Protective padding,

as discussed hereinafter, is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the A2 and A4

pulley regions. When the A2 and A4 pulleys 632 and 636 are preserved, adequate finger

motion and grip strength is maintained.

In Figs. 6, 8, 8 A, 9 and 10, a first preferred baseball mitt 500 is provided for the left

human hand, particularly useful for a player playing first base in both baseball and softball.

The mitt 500 includes a top and bottom wall designated 502 and 504, respectively, of suitable material, such as leather. The top and bottom walls are secured along the outer periphery of

the mitt, usually by lacing. A webbing 501 is attached to the mitt body 508, also in a conventional and well known manner.

A top panel member 510 is secured, usually by stitching, to the bottom wall 504 of the mitt 500 for covering the back of the hand. This panel member 510 is formed in the shape of

a hand and in conjunction with the top wall 502 includes finger stalls 514, 516, 518, and 520, for receiving the fingers of a hand and a thumb stall 512 for receiving the thumb. It is

realized that the finger stalls 514, 516, 518 and 520 may be separated individually or in some

instances a plurality of the finger stalls may be provided in a single stall to receive a plurality

of fingers therein. The finger stalls 514, 516, 518, and 520 are designed for the location of the fingers of the human hand when inserted into the mitt 500.

Panel member 510 is usually a flexible sheet material, such as leather, and may comprise a plurality of pieces sewn together or may be of unitary construction and sewn

together to form the stalls with a hand opening 536 (Fig. 6) in which the hand may be inserted

between the top panel member 510 and the top wall 502 with the fingers being received in the

fmger stalls 514, 516, 518, 520 and the thumb in the thumb stall 512.

In the first preferred mitt as shown in Figs. 8-10, a first layer of padding, which is

generally a slow release polyurethane foam or other slow release type foamed material, is

positioned to overlie at least a first area above and a second area below the center axis of rotation of the metacaφalphalangeal joint of the index finger. As shown in Fig. 8, the first

layer of padding is shown in two areas, identified by the numerals 522a and 522b. Area 522b

overlies the distal half of the index finger and long finger metacaφals 432, 433. Area 522b of

the first layer of padding does not extend over the distal ends of the metacaφal 432, 433

which is adjacent the metacaφalphalangeal joints 437, 438 (Fig. 7) as this area defines a

primary motion zone 532. Also, as shown in Fig. 8, area 522a of the first layer of padding

overlies the proximal phalanxes 442 and 443 of the index and long finger as well as the

middle phalanxes 452 and 453 of the index and long fingers excluding the proximal

inteφhalangeal joints 447, 448 (Fig. 7) which defines a secondary motion zone 534. Area 522a of the first layer of padding also extends over the distal phalanxes 460 excluding distal inteφhalangeal joints 456, 457 (Fig. 7) which defines a tertiary motion zone 536. Padding for the mitt in the first layer 522a, 522b is generally about 1/4" (5 to 10 mms.) thick and the second layer 530a, 530b, usually a foam rubber, neoprene, or other foamed elastomeric

material is about 1/8" (3 to 5 mms.) thick, as best shown in Fig. 9. Moreover, a bottom panel 502a is provided to hold the two layers of padding in place.

As shown in Fig. 10, the first layer of protective padding 522a and 522b, for the

fingers 465 and 466, is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the Al, A2 and A4

pulley regions with the primary, secondary and tertiary motion zones 532, 534 and 536, respectively, being left free. The second layer of protective padding 530a and 530b for the fingers 465 and 466 is placed in an anatomically designed fashion over the Al and A2 pulley

regions with the primary motion zone 532 being left free. This enables the movement of the

fingers and thumb without any adverse effects in use as a first baseman's mitt.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 11 A, a second embodiment of a mitt of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment the first layer of padding is shown overlaying the

same pulley regions as in Figs. 8 and 8 A thereby leaving the primary, secondary and tertiary

motion zones 532, 534 and 536, respectively, free of padding. The difference in this

embodiment from the one shown in Figs. 8, 8A is the second layer of padding 530 overlies

the Al and A2 pullies and is cut in the shape of a "doughnut" with the cut-out in the "doughnut" excluding the metacaφalphalangeal joint 437 leaving the primary motion zone

532 free of padding. Again this enables the movement of the fingers and thumb without any

adverse effects in the use as a first baseman's mitt.

The detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no

unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications will become

obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A first baseman's mitt comprising: a top wall and a bottom wall secured along each wall's outer periphery to define a mitt body;

a top panel member secured to the top wall with an

opening therein to receive a human hand, said top panel member sized to cover a back of said hand and in conjunction

with said top wall providing a thumb stall and a plurality of fmger stalls for receiving a thumb and fingers of said human

hand;

said mitt body having a first layer of protected padding

disposed between said top wall and said bottom wall and a

second layer of padding disposed between said first layer of

padding and said top wall;

said first layer and said second layer of protective

padding attached at selected areas thereof, said selected areas

being defined by the location of anatomical parts of the human

hand when inserted into said mitt, said first and said second

layer of padding including a first area adapted to be above and a

second area adapted to be below the center axis of rotation of a

metacaφalphalangeal joint of an index finger, said metacaφalphalangeal joint of said index finger being absent of said first and said second layer of padding.

2. The mitt of claim 1, said first layer of padding also being adapted to be above

and adapted to be below the center axis of rotation of the metacaφalphalangeal joint of a long fmger.

3. The mitt of claim 1, said first layer of protective padding also being adapted to

be above and below the proximal inteφhalangeal joint of the index finger and the long finger.

4. The mitt of claim 3, said first layer of protective padding being adapted to be

above and below the center axis of rotation of the distal inteφhalangeal joint of the index finger and long f ger

5. The mitt of claim 1, said first layer of protective padding being a slow release

material.

6. The mitt of claim 5, said slow release material being a slow release polyurethane foam material.

7. The mitt of claim 5, said slow release material being approximately 5 mms to

10 mms. in thickness.

8. The mitt of claim 1, said second layer of protective padding being a foam rubber, neoprene, or foamed elastomeric material.

9. The mitt of claim 8, said second layer of protective padding being

approximately 3mm to 5mms in thickness.

10. The mitt of claim 1, said second layer being of doughnut shape.

11. In a baseball first baseman's mitt having a top wall and a bottom wall defining

a mitt body and a top panel member secured to the top wall with an opening therein to receive a human hand, the top panel member and the top wall providing a thumb stall and a plurality of finger stalls for receiving a thumb and fingers of the human hand, the improvement comprising: a first layer and a second layer of protective padding attached to selected areas thereof, said selected areas being

defined by the location of anatomical parts of the human hand

when inserted into said mitt, said first and said second layer of padding including a first area adapted to be above and a second

area adapted to be below the center axis of rotation of a

metacaφalphalangeal joint of an index finger.

12. The mitt of claim 11, said first layer of padding also being adapted to be

above and adapted to be below the center axis of rotation of the metacaφalphalangeal joint of a long finger.

13. The mitt of claim 11, said first layer of protective padding also being adapted to be above and below the proximal inteφhalangeal joint of the index finger and the long

finger.

14. The mitt of claim 13, said first layer of protective padding being adapted to be

above and below the center axis of rotation of the distal inteφhalangeal joint of the index

finger and long finger

15. The mitt of claim 11, said first layer of protective padding being a slow release material.

16. The mitt of claim 15, said slow release material being a slow release

polyurethane foam material.

17. The mitt of claim 15, said slow release material being approximately 5 mms to 10 mms. in thickness.

18. The mitt of claim 11, said second layer of protective padding being a foam rubber, neoprene, or foamed elastomeric material.

19. The mitt of claim 18, said second layer of protective padding being approximately 3mm to 5mms in thickness.

20. The mitt of claim 11 , said second layer being of doughnut shape.