May 26, DE witt A. PORTAL 2,284,300 BOXING, GLOWE - E E -2 - E E INVENTOR. As W/r/ a7, AoA7 a.4- BY rear

Transcription

1 May 26, DE witt A. PORTAL 2,284,300 BOXING, GLOWE Filed Feb. 1, Sheets-Sheet l - E E -2 - E E INVENTOR As W/r/ a7, AoA7 a.4- BY rear

2 May 26, Dewitt A. Portal 2,284,300 BOXING GLOWE Filed Feb. 1, Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Aaf terraaera, BY 47%. zeal ATTORNEY.5

3 May 26, DE WITT A. PORTAL 2,284,300 BOXING GLOVE Filed Feb. 1, Sheets-Sheet 3 4 (SNS A3 S. SSSSSSSSSSSSS INVENTOR A Wr af, Azeraa, BY TTORNEYs

4 Patented May 26, ,284,300 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims. This invention relates to boxing gloves, and has for its objects, an improved, thumbless boxing glove provided with a hand grip in the hand pocket in the glove, which grip is relatively resil ient so as to partially absorb the shock of a blow delivered by the fist gripping the said grip, thus protecting the hand against injury, and which grip is also shaped to give to the group of fingers of the closed fist a contour across the hitting portion of said group that Will distribute theim pact of a blow by the fist relatively uniformly, rather than to localize the greatest force of the impact at One or only several of the group. Another object of the invention is a boxing glove so shaped and padded as to substantially eliminate the serious injuries to the fingers and fist, that are prevalent With use of conventional gloves. A still further advantage is a boxing glove constructed to substantially eliminate the in juries to the boxers, as now results from the thumb portions of gloves being thrust into their eyes during a bout, and from the hard lacing on the palm and Wrist side of gloves being scrubbed over the skin, where intentional or unintentional "heeling' occurs. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description and in the drawings. In the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my improved glove as seen from the palm side, the closed fist being indicated in dotted line in position in the glove..... Fig. 2 is a side elevation view from the thumb side.. Fig. 3 is a side elevational view from the side opposite that shown on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a normally closed fist and Fig. 5 shows the same fist gripping my improved hand grip that is in the glove, illus trating the manner in which the hand grip func tions to level the striking surface of the fist. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the manner in which the fist appears in the glove, as Well as showing the construction of the glove and ar rangement of padding. Figs. 7, 8 are plan views of the blanks from which the hand grip may be developed. Fig. 9 is a sectional view through an assembled hand grip. Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line O-O of Fig. 9 and Figs. 11, 12 respectively are perspective and sectional views of a modified form of the invention. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a conventional boxing glove having my invention therein. In boxing, the legal hitting surfaces of gloves generally include all surfaces except that on the side of fist and wrist opposite the thumb side of the glove. The injuries that occur in boxing Application February 1, 1941, Serial No. 36,983. (C. 2-18) generally come from the use of a 'hook' in which the thumb side of the glove is a striking sur face, and in a jab or straight blow in which the impact occurs over the proximal phalanges. One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of improved means for preventing in jury to the hand due to the fact that the prox imal phalanges of the index and middle (medius) digits or fingers of a normally closed fist; with out a hand grip, or with a hand grip in which the sides are substantially parallel, generally pro 50 ject axially of the forearm a greater distance OutWardly than the proximal phalanges of the ring (annularis) and little (minimus) fingers.. 55 Thus in a straight blow, the impact or force is localized on either the proximal phalanges of the index or medius digits or both. One hard blow of the closed fist may almost incapacitate a boxer from obtaining the most out of the fist thereafter, and it is a common occurrence for the hand to swell up after a bout over that portion of the hand carrying the metacarpal bones con 60 necting with the proximal phalanges of the index and medius digits, due to the localization of the hitting area of the fist to said phalanges. My invention provides a member within the fist enclosing pocket in the glove that is shaped to level off the proximal phalanges of all the four digits, other than the thumb or pollux, so that these phalanges will be dropped along a line sub stantially perpendicular to the axis of the fore arm, as indicated by line Y-Y in Fig. 5. In Fig. 4 the line X-X indicates its normal line along which these phalanges are disposed. Where a substantially parallel sided hand grip is employed substantially the same position of the fingers is assured as is shown in Fig. 4, and this is true irrespective of whether the axis of the grip is perpendicular to the normal axis of the forearm. Where such parallel sided grip is secured in the hand receiving pocket in the glove in a position Substantially perpendicular to the axis of the forearm under actual butting, the hand grip is turned by the hand about an axis 5 set right angles to its longitudinal axis, to lie parallel to line X-X (Fig. 5) but by making the thickness of the hand grip greater in that por tion grasped by the ring finger (annularis) and little finger (minimus), the proximal phalanges Of these latter fingers lie on the same line Y-Y (Fig. 5) with the proximal phalanges of the index and middle fingers, and the force of a straight blow delivered axially of the forearm, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, Will be dis tributed substantially equally among all of the phalanges of the hand, thus practically eliminat ing all injury to the hand. Preferably, the sides of the hand grip, are divergent from the end nearest the thumb, in direction toward the end adjacent the little finger, as indicated in dotted

5 2 2,284,300 line in Fig. 5, so as to provide a natural grip for the hand and at the same time bringing the prox imal phalanges of the hand out to the desired line. This hand grip is a construction Sufi ciently resilient to cushion the force of a blow against the fingers. I have found a horse hair filling, or other substance having resiliency, most desirable for this purpose. But whatever ma- - - terial is used, it should be relatively light and fairly resistant to deterioration by perspiration, and should not pack, but should resume its nor-- mal shape when the grip of the hand is released. The cover of the hand grip may be of any suitable material such as leather, fabric or a composition material. Another feature of my invention is a structure in which the hand grip may be secured within the hand receiving pocket in the glove Without injury to the lining of said pocket during use of the glove and without objectionably distort ing said lining. Such structure also is of a char acter whereby the hitting surface of the phalanges will be kept close to the packing in the outer end of the glove so that under re peated blows there will be no objectionable loose ness between said hitting surface and the end of the pocket adjacent said phalanges. This structure will be described in greater detail here inafter, as well as the provision for retaining the padding of the glove in the desired positions therein to minimize injury to both the Wearer and to his opponent. In detail, my improved glove comprises a main body portion, having a padded Wrist portion 2 connected therewith. The wrist portion defines the sides of the opening for insertion of the fist 4 into the pocket 5 within the glove, with Said wrist portion extending several inches over the forearm when the fist is in pocket 5. A lining 6 within the glove supports the padding 7 of horse hair, or the like, therein between the leather outer side 8 of the glove, and said lining. The pocket formed by lining 6 is shaped to closely receive the closed fist of a hand, So as to insure against objectionable looseness of the fist within the glove, and the side of the Wrist. portion 2 of said, glove that is substantially di rectly below the little finger is provided with a lace or 'zipper' 9 for closing the Wrist portion of the glove about the Wrist. The provision of the lace or "zipper' along the side of the Wrist portion, as described above, Sub stantially precludes the manipulation of the glove by the wearer in a manner that will injure his opponent, as by "heeling' or scrubbing the laces. over the face of such opponent. It is to be noted. that the side of the glove on which the lacing is positioned is an illegal hitting Surface under pres ent rules of boxing, whereas the palm side of the glove is a legal hitting surface. The fist in my glove is held by the hand grip against turning, hence the lacing will always be positioned on the desired side below the little finger. - Referring now to the hand grip, one form of construction is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10. The 65 hand grip, or portion thereof that is adapted to be gripped by the hand, may beformed from a blank: 15 (Fig. 8), which blank may be of leather, fabric, or the like. Said blank has two divergently ex tending opposite edges so that an elongated frusto-conical roll or grip will be formed when O the blank is rolled to bring margins 6 along said divergent edges together. The other two edges of the blank may be substantially similarly curved longitudinally thereof with the margin 40 4.ir along said latter edge slit at spaced points, as in dicated at T, to enable folding said margins out wardly or inwardly, after the blank is rolled to tubular form, for sewing of tabs 8 that are be tween said slots, to closure elements for closing the ends of the tubular hand grip, These closure elements may comprise portions of an elongated strap, generally indicated at 9 (Fig. 8), which strap is relatively wide at 20, be tween its ends 2. Said ends 2 may be reduced in width to about the width of margins 16, and the width of the tabs f 8' that are in extension of said margins. In assembling the strap and blank, the margins 6 are brought to overlying relation with each other, and on the ends 2 of strap 9 is placed over the margins in a position extending longi tudinally of the latter so that the juncture of portions 20, 2 of said strap, at said one end of the latter, is disposed about on a line with the bases of slits 7 that are at the Smaller width end of blank 9. After this, the said one end 2 and the margins 6 may be stitched or secured together, so that ventilating openings 22 in said margins 6 and openings 23 in the portjon 2 fare in registration. After the above is done, the strap 9 is brought over the smaller diameter end of the tubular or conically-shaped hand grip, in which position the said Smaller end of the grip Will be in the position indicated at 24, in dotted line (Fig. 8), and said end will be closed by the strap. Tabs 8 may be folded outwardly, as indicated, and stitched to the portion of strap 9 around the smaller end of the hand grip. The hollow, tubular grip, formed as above de scribed, is packed full of horsehair 25, or other packing, and the upper end strip 2 is secured to overlapping margin f6, with holes 22 in said margin in register with the holes 23 of said op posite end portion. TabS 8, 8 at the larger end of the hand grip are secured to strap 9 in the same manner as already described for the Smaller end, and when this is done, the larger end of Said tubular grip is in the position indicated by dotted line 24' in Fig. 7. Then the strap 9 and grip 5 are assembled, as described, the wide central portion 20 of said strap extends fully over the proximal phalanges of the hand and knuckles, after the grip is tightly gripped in the fist, and as the overlapping mar gins 6 are on the side of the grip toward the wrist, they do not chafe the hand in any way. The Space between portion 20 of the strap if 0 and the side of the hand grip adjacent thereto, is such that the fingers are snugly held between said strip and said side without appreciable looseness. Thus, a blow against strap 20 will be directly transmitted to the fist without any material play between the strap and fist. The assembly described above is now positioned in the hand receiving pocket 5 in the glove, at its outer end of the pocket, and may be stitched or cemented to the lining 6, as desired. It is mani fest, of course, that the hand grip may be secured directly to the lining, but the assembly, as de scribed, facilitates fitting the hand in the space between the grip and strap, even though there may be a slight variation in the size of the hand receiving pocket. Also since the strap and grip are a unit, and the impact of blows is directly transmitted to the strap, the possible distortion or injury to the lining in the hand receiving pocket is practically eliminated. The securement of the strap. 20 to its lining, being ahead cf the

6 ends of the hand grip, will not cause a direct pull on the lining at the ends of the grip, although in certain instances the strap may be extended to Cover the thumb side of the fist, as will be later described. Another feature of my invention, is the pro vision of ventilating openings 26 in the outer cov ering of the glove at the side adjacent lace 9 (Fig. 3). Thumbless gloves having padding on all sides, preferably require such openings, to permit drying and to relieve air pressure that is in the glove when a blow is delivered. The outer covering 8 of the glove is preferably formed with a closed end along line 27 (Figs. 1, 2) where said end is stitched or secured to padded. portion 28 that is over the thumb, and a line of stitching 29 may be extended from one end of line 29 to the Wrist adjacent the thumb side of the glove, which stitching extends through the padding to the lining so as to hold the padding in position over the thumb, inasmuch as this padding tends to be rolled away from the thumb knuckle at the juncture of the proximal phalanx and the metacarpal. The stitching through the padding may also be along line 30 down the palm Side (Fig. 1), but it must be understood that the pad ding, although compressed along the lines of stitching 29, 30, still covers the fist at said lines, and offers full protection. m 2,284, maining sides are tapered toward the wrist, as best indicated in Figs, 6 and 12. By the structure described, the padding in my glove is where most protection is afforded to the fist, and by the same arrangement, the opponent of the user is protected against injury by pos sible illegal tactics or unintentional illegal blows, Such as by "thumbing' an opponent in the eye, or "heeling' with the palm side of the glove at 10. the Wrist lacing. - The hand grip may be constructed in various ways, but in any event it must be shaped to level off the proximal phalanges of the four fingers, while maintaining as nearly as possible the line of Said phalanges across their hitting surface at about right angles to the axis of the forearm. In order to do this the trip must be of increasing thickness from the index finger toward the little finger. This is one of the most important fea tures of my invention. The use of a straight, Substantially parallel sided hand grip will not accomplish the desired results. Also it is prefer able that the hand grip be covered at its ends by padding and that the grip be relatively re silient, and not so hard as to prevent some ab Sorption of the shock on the fingers resulting from a hand blow delivered by the fist. The connection of the hand grip to the covering over the proximal phalanges and knuckles, is also highly desirable as has already been explained, Referring to FigS. 11, 12, I show a slightly modified form of construction, in which the main since there should be no substantial looseness body of the glove is substantially identical with between the proximal phalanges of the hand the structure already described. This modified gripping the hand grip and the outer end of the form also includes the tapered hand grip, in hand receiving pocket in the glove dicated at 5', and the strap 3 to which the 35 In thumbless boxing gloves of the type de ends of Said grip are Secured, and Which strap scribed, the naturally closed fist brings the thumb extends over the proximal phalanges of the in overlapping relation to the index-finger, as fingers, other than the thumb. However, in this illustrated in Fig. 5, which relationship is de form of the invention there is an extension 32 Sirable and is not possible in conventional gloves on strap 3 that is adapted to cover the thumb, 40 having a thumb socket. The construction of a including the proximal phalanx of the latter and lacing or to a "zipper' on the Wrist portion might the juncture of the latter with the metacarpal. obviously be substituted by elastic, as in con The strap 3 and extension 32 are both covered Ventional boxing gloves, thus enabling the gloves With a resilient padding Secured thereto, which to be quickly Sipped on and off. Also the thumb padding may be of sponge rubber and the mar less feature eliminates the possibility of a boxer 45 gin of the strap and extension may be Sewed to holding his opponent, as is done where thumb the lining to Secure them in position. With the portions are now used and which is illegal. padding in the body of the glove adjacent Such Finally, I wish to point out that while the rubber slightly decreased in thickness to form a tapered hand grip is most effective in the thumb sort of pocket for the rubber in the lining where 50 less glove, as described, it is valuable even in the rubber is positioned. Of course the rubber conventional gloves, where it could be substituted itself may be secured to both the lining and to for the Ordinary roll in the palm side of a glove, Such cylindrical roll being shown in United the strap and extension. In some instances, as in Schools, where the States patent to Bridgewater 1,534,906, dated gloves must be used for long periods of time, it 55 April 21, 1925, and as illustrated in Fig. 13 on a is preferable that the covering over the thumb conventional glove at 49. w be free from Securement to the lining, but Having described my invention, I claim: stiffened against a tendency to roll up when the 1. In a boxing glove, an elongated element hand is inserted in the glove, and in such case, a Secured to Said glove in a position to be sub stiffener in Said extension 32, Such as a piano Stantially enclosed by the fingers of a closed fist 60 wire 33, may be used, which wire is, of course, when Such fist is fitted in said glove, the por Secured on the Outer Side of the extension 32 be tion of Said element adapted to be enclosed by tween the rubber padding 34 and the extension. the ring and little fingers of such fist being The padding of rubber 35 on the strap 3 may be greater in thickness than the portion adapted to co-extensive with padding 34. This padding 34, be enclosed by the remaining fingers, whereby 65 35, being secured to the strap 3 and extension the proximal phalanges of said ring and little 32, and in a recess in the pocket defined by the fingers will be supported by said first mentioned lining, also functions to prevent stuffing of the portion in a plane nearer to a plane at right padding in the body of the glove outwardly of angles to the longitudinal axis of the forearm the rubber, which is highly important. 70 Carrying Said fist than the plane in which said In appearance, my improved glove does not phalanges are normally disposed when the fingers vary greatly from conventional gloves, when the of Such fist are clenched free from said element. fist is closed in the latter type, but the padding 2. In a boxing glove, an elongated element over the outer end of the glove is greatest, with Secured to Said glove in a position to be sub a greater fullness over the thumb, and the re- 75 stantially enclosed by the fingers of a closed fist 3

7 4 when such fist is fitted in said glove, said ele ment being substantially frusto-conical in shape with its end portion of greater thickness posi tioned for gripping by the little finger of Such fist. 3. In a boxing glove having a fist receiving pocket or cavity formed therein arranged and adapted to relatively closely receive the closed fist of a wearer, an elongated element extending across Said pocket and secured therein at its op posite ends in a position for gripping by the fin gers of such fist, said element terminating at its ends adjacent the outer sides of the little and index fingers of such fist and being of progres sively increased thickness from the end thereof that is adapted to terminate adjacent said index finger in direction toward its opposite end. 4. A hand-grip for grasping by the fingers of a clenched fist of a boxer comprising an elongated element of generally frusto-conical shape and of a length substantially the width of such fist in direction across the palm from the little to the index finger, the thickness of said element at its larger end being such that the little and ring fingers of such fist will partially encircle the same with the proximal phalanges of said ring and little fingers supported on a plane substan tially nearer to a plane at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the forearm carrying such fist than the plane in which said phalanges are disposed when the fingers are clenched free from said grip, when said grip is in a clenched fist with the Smaller end adjacent the index finger. 5. In a construction as defined in claim 14, means for securing said hand grip to said fist comprising a relatively wide strap secured to said element at its opposite ends arranged and adapted to extend across the backs of the proxi mal phalanges of the index to little fingers of said fist, and a padding of resilient materialse cured to said strap substantially covering the Sale In a construction as defined in claim 4, means for Securing said hand grip to said fist comprising a relatively. Wide strap Secured to said element at its opposite ends arranged and adapted to extend across the backs of the proxi mal phalanges of the index to little fingers of said fist, a piece of flexible, sheet material se cured to said hand grip adapted to extend over 5). the thumb side of Such fist when the hand grip is grasped by the fingers of Said fist, said flexible sheet material including padding of resilient material secured thereto and Substantially cov ering the Same In boxing glove having a lining therein defining a fist receiving cavity, a hand grip fitter within said cavity including an elongated ele ment arranged and adapted to be gripped within a closed fist by the fingers of such fist with the 60 opposite ends of said element terminating at the opposite sides of such fist adjacent the index and little fingers; and a relatively wide strap secured to the ends of said element arranged and adapted to extend over the proximal phalanges 65 of the index to little fingers, inclusive, in rela tively close engagement with said phalanges when said element is gripped within Said fist, and means securing said strap to said lining for Se curing said hand grip in Said cavity. 8. In a construction as defined in claim 7, an extension secured to said strap arranged and adapted to extend over the thumb side of said fist including the knuckle of said thumb when 75 2,284, the element is gripped within said fist with said strap extending over said proximal phalanges. 9. In a boxing glove having a lining therein defining a fist receiving cavity, a hand grip fitted Within Said cavity including an elongated ele ment adapted to be gripped within a closed fist by the fingers of such fist with the opposite ends of said element terminating at opposite sides of such fist adjacent the index and little fingers; a relatively-wide strap secured to the ends of said element arranged and adapted to extend over the proximal phalanges of the index to little fingers, inclusive, in relatively close engagement with said phalanges when said element is gripped within said fist, an extension on said strap ex tending over the thumb side of said fist, and a padding of resilient material covering said Strap and said extension, and means Securing said strap to said lining for securing said hand grip in said cavity. 10. A thumbless boxing glove including a lin ing forming a hand receiving pocket and an outer covering substantially surrounding said lining; padding between said lining and said pocket and substantially completely surrounding the former; a ventilating opening in said outer cover positioned. On the palm side of said glove - but adjacent the edge of the body of a hand to -be positioned in said pocket below the little fin iger of such hand, and means secured within said pocket arranged and adapted to be grasped in a clenched hand therein for supporting said glove in a position with said ventilating opening in said position. v ll. In a boxing glove, an elongated element se cured to said glove in a position to be grasped by the fingers of the hand of a Wearer in said glove when the fingers are closed to form a closed fist; said element extending transversely of the lon gitudinal axis of Such glove, said glove being pro vided with a hand receiving opening at its wrist encircling end and the Side. Of Said element fac ing outwardly of said opening being positioned to engage the palm sides of the proximal pha langes of said fingers When the said element is grasped by said fingers; Said side of Said element extending slantingly longitudinally of said ele ment from one end to the other thereof relative to said axis with the portion of said side to be engaged by the little and ring fingers of said hand being disposed more remote from Said wrist portion than the portion of said side to be engaged by the index finger of said hand whereby the back sides of the proximal phalanges of the fingers of said hand Will be supported in a line substantially at right angles to the said axis when said fingers are in Said pocket grasping said element In a boxing glove including a layer of pad ding of substantial thickness covering the thumb and little finger sides of Said glove and extending over the thumb and littlefinger sides of a hand disposed within said glove, an elongated element secured to said glove in a position to be substan tially enclosed by the fingers of such hand when said hand is within Said glove and is closed to form a closed fist, said element being of a mate rial relatively flexible and compressible in said hand to yield under the force of a blow delivered by said fist and the said padding extending over the opposite ends of said element to cushion the ends of said element against the force of blows delivered by the thumb and little finger sides of Said glove DE WITT A. PORTAL,