[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to a glove provided with rigid or semi-rigid
protection elements.
[0002] In many sporting and non-sporting activities it is advisable to use gloves provided
with protection elements arranged in predetermined positions in order to protect the
user from accidental impacts which may occur while carrying out the activity. A typical
example is that of the gloves used by motorcycling riders while riding, in particular
at a professional level.
[0003] The gloves used in such cases must have protection elements arranged in particular
in the region of the articulations of the fingers of the hand which are the zones
most exposed to impact.
[0004] In order to protect the hand in the event of accidents of the type described, normally
gloves provided with rigid or semi-rigid protection elements, such as plate elements,
arranged on a rear side of the hand in the region of the finger articulations, are
used. The palm of the hand is generally protected by means of padding elements which
are essentially intended to dampen any impact.
[0005] Historically a protection glove for motorcycling use includes a glove body, namely
a body made of a flexible material so that it may be adapted to the hand of a user
and at the same have a sufficient tensile strength. The glove body defines a housing
inside which the user's hand is accommodated.
[0006] Conventionally the glove body is made of leather and has in the region of the articulations
of the fingers, such as the metacarpophalangeal articulations, namely the articulations
situated between the metacarpal bones and the proximal phalanges, an insert made of
carbon fibre or some other abrasion-resistant material. In other words, the glove
body has one or more cavities in the leather in the region of the metacarpophalangeal
articulations for accommodating an insert made of a material with a greater abrasion
resistance. In fact it is known that most of the abrasions and the impacts occur in
the region of the articulations, namely the zones of the hands which are also the
regions most exposed in the event of a fall. Therefore the flexible material of the
glove body is locally replaced by a material which is more resistant to abrasion,
i.e. a carbon-fibre layer.
[0007] As a result, the glove body has an insert made of more rigid material, such the carbon-fibre
layer.
[0008] This insert, however, has the drawback of making the glove excessively rigid and
does not permit a suitable mobility of the hand when the glove is worn.
[0009] In particular, the author of the present disclosure has realized that this rigidity
prevents a suitable movement of the fingers and the associated articulations.
[0010] The present disclosure proposes providing a protective glove which is able to overcome
the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the prior art and/or achieve further
advantages, such as allow a suitable protection of the metacarpophalangeal articulations
and, at the same time, sufficient mobility and operability of the fingers of the hand.
[0011] This is obtained by means of a protective glove according to the independent claim
1.
[0012] Particular embodiments forming the subject of the present disclosure are defined
in the corresponding dependent claims.
[0013] The present disclosure is based on the recognition by the author of the present disclosure
that, when a user grips the handlebars of a motorcycle, keeping the hand on the handlebar,
he/she moves only some of the fingers in order to brake or press any buttons or other
controls in order to impart a given command to the motorcycle. As a result, the articulations
of the hand, and in particular the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (each situated
between a proximal phalange and a respective metacarpal bone of a respective finger
of the hand), move in a different manner from each other and in various directions.
[0014] For example, each metacarpophalangeal articulation may undergo:
- a displacement in a transverse direction along the whole of the back of the hand to
the right and/or to the left, namely along a line which ideally passes through two
or more metacarpophalangeal articulation zones, during a movement away from or towards
each other (expansion movement) - this occurs for example when the hand is first opened
(namely extended) and then closed (fist clenched);
- a rotary movement, along a line which ideally passes (more or less parallel to the
metacarpal bones and to the phalanges) along a zone situated between two adjacent
metacarpophalangeal articulation zones, i.e. between the respective fingers of the
hand (rotary movement), causing a relocation of one or more metacarpophalangeal articulation
zones with respect to the other ones - this occurs, for example, when the hand is
closed (fist clenched) and the pulse rotated, for example when an acceleration operation
is performed with one hand; or
- a twisting movement about an axis which passes substantially vertically through the
back of the hand in a zone situated between two adjacent metacarpophalangeal articulation
zones - this occurs, for example, when the hand is closed (clenched fist) and the
fingers of the hand are alternately raised, for example alternately the index finger
and the middle finger and/or the middle finger alternately with the ring finger.
[0015] These movements may be performed normally by a motorcyclist, as mentioned, in order
to impart commands to the motorcycle.
[0016] In fact, for example, when the fingers of the hand are raised all together in order
to operate the brake, some of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones move towards
each other, with a reduction in the distance between them; on the other hand, when
the fingers are clenched together, some metacarpophalangeal articulation zones move
away from each other (expansion movement).
[0017] When the wrist of the hand performs a twisting movement of the wrist in order to
perform an acceleration operation on the handlebars of the motorcycle, the ring finger
and the little finger are positioned together in a plane which is different, for example
lower down, than that of the other fingers (relocation).
[0018] Also, on occasions, a motorcyclist raises only the index finger and lowers the other
fingers, or vice versa, in order to perform an operation on the handlebars, for example
change a gear or operate an indicator, resulting in twisting of the index finger with
respect to the other fingers and vice versa, while the other fingers remain stationary.
[0019] Based on the above realization a glove has been developed such as to allow a relative
movement, and therefore one of the abovementioned movements or other possible movements,
of at least one zone of the glove body located in the region of, and designed to protect,
a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone with respect to an adjacent metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone. A first protection element, a second protection element and a third
protection element connected together flexibly and non-rigidly are located in the
region of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the index finger, middle finger
and ring finger, respectively. The third protection element is located in the region
of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone of the little finger. This configuration of the protection elements
allows the aforementioned movements of the hand to be performed and in any case the
protection of the articulation zones to be maximized. Basically, on the basis of the
present disclosure, in order to allow all the movements of the hand and ensure at
the same time optimum protection, the inventor of the present disclosure has realized
that it is necessary to diversify or differentiate between the first and second elements,
each associated with a single metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the index finger
and the middle finger, and the third element associated with two articulation zones
of the ring finger and the little finger.
[0020] The term "adjacent" is understood as meaning a zone which is located in the immediate
vicinity of the other zone. In other words, considering that, when the hand is closed
as a clenched fist, the metacarpophalangeal articulations form humps separated by
grooves or spaces between humps on the hand, a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone
is to be regarded as adjacent to the other metacarpophalangeal articulation zone,
when these two zones are separated by a single groove or space between humps.
[0021] In particular, a glove has been developed wherein each metacarpophalangeal articulation
zone is protected and covered by a protection element or element suitable for protection
against impacts and wherein a portion of material of the glove body situated between
one area covering a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone and another area covering
an adjacent metacarpophalangeal articulation zone acts as a flexible connection bridge,
hinge or centre for possible rotation, so that the glove body may assist all the movements
of the articulations of the fingers when a user grips the handlebars and must impart
commands to a motorcycle from the handlebars.
[0022] At the same time, owing to the fact that the third element covers both the metacarpophalangeal
articulation zones of the ring finger and the little finger, the glove is able to
ensure optimum protection of these zones, in view also of the fact that the expansion
movement of the two fingers (i.e. movement away from or towards each other) is insignificant,
while the relocation movement of both fingers together is greater.
[0023] An optimum and effective protection for all the articulation zones as regards the
respective movement is therefore obtained.
[0024] Further advantages, characteristic features and modes of use forming the subject
of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description
of embodiments thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example.
[0025] It is evident, however, that each embodiment forming the subject of the present disclosure
may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required
that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.
[0026] Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
- Figure 1 shows a plan view of a hand provided with rigid or semi-rigid protection
elements;
- Figure 2 shows a view of a glove with exploded parts according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
- Figure 3 shows a view of a glove according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
- Figure 4 shows a plan view of an abutment element according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
- Figure 5 shows a view of the step of coupling together an abutment element and a rigid
or semi-rigid protection element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
- Figure 6 shows a view, on a larger scale, of a detail VI of Figure 3 relating to an
abutment element and a rigid or semi-rigid protection element according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure;
- Figure 7 a shows a view, on a larger scale, of a detail VII of Figure 1;
- Figures 8 and 9 show a view of a hand in two different positions highlighting an expansion
movement of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the hand;
- Figures 10 and 11 show a view of a hand in two different positions highlighting a
relocation movement of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the hand;
- Figures 11 and 12 show a view of a hand in two different positions highlighting a
twisting movement of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the hand.
[0027] With reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodiment of a glove according to
the present disclosure is indicated by the reference number 10.
[0028] The protective glove 10 includes a glove body 12 of flexible material having an outer
visible surface 14. The glove body 12 is shaped to define an inner housing for accommodating
a hand of a user.
[0029] The expression "glove body" is understood as meaning within the scope of the present
disclosure the set of one or more layers and one or more materials which provide the
glove with a three-dimensional structure such as to define a housing for the hand.
This structure has overall a flexibility and mobility such as to allow a suitable
mobility and operability of the hand once the glove is worn.
[0030] The flexible material from which the glove body is made may be leather or imitation
leather, a synthetic fabric or another suitable material known to the person skilled
in the art for manufacturing a sports glove for a motorcyclist. The material may be
understood as being a plurality of materials, or a plurality of layers, such as to
provide the glove body with a sufficient flexibility and allow a suitable movement
of the hand.
[0031] The expression "outer visible surface" is understood as meaning the surface or side
of the glove which is visible from the outside by the user when the glove is worn.
This "outer visible surface" may be made completely of the one or more flexible materials
used to make the glove body or may include applications or inserts depending on the
requirements.
[0032] The glove body 12 includes, or defines, a plurality of covering areas 15, 16, 17,
18 which cover a corresponding number of articulation zones 20, 21, 22, 23. In particular,
the reference numbers 15, 16, 17, 18 refer to the covering zone which covers the metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone, each situated between a proximal phalange and a respective metacarpal
bone of a respective index, middle, ring or small finger. In the continuation of the
present disclosure, the expression "articulation zone" may be understood as meaning,
except where otherwise specified, any articulation zone of the fingers such as the
metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 20, 21, 22, 23 of a respective finger.
[0033] The term "covering area" 15, 16, 17, 18 is understood as meaning that the glove body
and therefore the flexible material from which the glove body is made covers the respective
articulation zone 20, 21, 22, 23.
[0034] According to an aspect of the present disclosure the protective glove includes at
least two or more adjacent rigid or semi-rigid elements 25, 26, 27 which are fixed,
for example on the visible outer surface 14, of a respective covering area.
[0035] Alternatively, the rigid or semi-rigid protection elements may be placed underneath
the outer visible surface 14.
[0036] A first rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25 covers a first metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone 20, a second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 coves a respective
second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 21 adjacent to the first metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone 20, and a third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 covers
a respective third metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22 adjacent to the second
metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 21 and also a respective fourth metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone 23 adjacent to the third metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22
[0037] The term "protection element" is understood as meaning a body which may be rigid
or semi-rigid (namely partially rigid) and which may have a plate-like shape. This
body is adapted to protect from knocks and impacts and/or abrasions the articulation
zone of the hand. This element is called in the related jargon "protection".
[0038] Even more particularly, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25,
26, 27 are plate-like elements, plate elements or similar protection elements with
a rigid or semi-rigid consistency (namely only partially rigid) intended to perform
an impact protection function. The one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements
25, 26, 27 may have a concave or substantially spoon-like shape so as to adapt to
the articulation zone of the hand which, as is known, when the hand is clenched, defines
a projection or hump, as will be illustrated more clearly below. In one embodiment,
such as that shown in the drawings, each rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25,
26 is associated with a respective articulation zone 20, 21 except for the third rigid
or semi-rigid protection element 27 which extends in bridge fashion over two articulation
zones 22, 23 of the little finger and the ring finger.
[0039] The rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25, 26, 27 may be made of metallic material
or any other material suitable for protection against impacts.
[0040] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, two adjacent rigid or semi-rigid
protection elements, such as for example the first rigid or semi-rigid protection
element 25 and the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26, the second rigid
or semi-rigid protection element 26 and the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element
27, are elements which are structurally independent of each other. A portion of the
glove body 12 of flexible material situated between the two adjacent rigid or semi-rigid
protection elements 25, 26 or 26, 27 acts as a flexible connection zone or flexible
bridge between the two respective areas 15, 16, 17 covering the respective metacarpophalangeal
articulation zones 20, 21, 22, 23.
[0041] In other words, a portion of the glove body 12 of flexible material situated between
a first area 15 covering a first metacarpophalangeal zone 20 and a second area 16
covering a second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 20 adjacent to the first covering
area 16 (corresponding to the aforementioned grooves) acts as a connection zone which
may vary, modify, and adapt to different conditions which may arise between the first
covering area 15 and the second covering area 16, or between the second covering area
16 and the third covering area 17. The adjacent rigid protection elements 25, 26,
27 are not rigidly connected to each other and therefore a relative movement of the
first covering area 15 with respect to the second covering area 16 and/or of the second
covering area 16 with respect to the third covering area 17 is allowed.
[0042] This flexible connection zone may be regarded as a hinge zone or relative twisting
zone between the covering areas.
[0043] These possible movements are shown in Figure 8-13.
[0044] In order to facilitate this flexible connection, hinge or relative twisting function,
the covering areas 15, 16, 17, 18 of the glove body 12 are made of the same flexible
material as the portion of the glove body 12 situated between the two adjacent covering
areas 15, 16, 17, 18. In other words, the layer of flexible material extends continuously
in the region of the articulations of the fingers. In fact, the continuity of the
flexible material favours this possibility of movement. In one embodiment of the present
disclosure, in order to obtain an improved mobility of the articulations of the fingers,
each of the covering areas 15, 16, 17, 18 of the glove body 12 is devoid of an opening
or surface discontinuity in the region of, or surrounding, the one or more articulations
of the fingers, namely that opening which in conventional sports gloves was intended
to receive a carbon-fibre insert.
[0045] In other words, the flexible material of the glove body 12 does not have any variation
in material or surface discontinuity of the material in the covering area. The one
or more layers of flexible material therefore extend continuously in the region of
one or more metacarpophalangeal articulation zones of the fingers 20, 21, 22, 23 so
as to define one or more covering areas and in the region of the grooves. Still with
reference to the analogy of humps and grooves, the flexible material extends continuously
between the humps and grooves. There is therefore in the region of the one or more
articulation zones 20, 21, 22, 23, or around the one or more articulation zones 12,
no insert made of a material which has an abrasion resistance greater than the abrasion
resistance of the flexible material, such as a carbon-fibre layer.
[0046] As a result, the material of the glove body 12 extends without discontinuity of material
over the entire articulation, for example over the entire metacarpophalangeal articulation
20, 21, 22, 23 extending between a proximal phalange and a respective metacarpal bone.
[0047] For example, as mentioned, the flexible material may be leather or imitation leather
or a synthetic fabric material.
[0048] The rotary movement may be around any axis of rotation, so as to allow a free movement
of the fingers. However, in order to allow a specific movement of the fingers on the
grip of the handlebars and in order to operate the controls of a motorcycle, the hinge
axis or axis of rotation between the second covering area 16 and the third covering
area 17 extends along the back of a hand in an intermediate zone between the middle
finger and the ring finger as shown in Figures 10 and 11. The portion of the glove
body 12 situated between the second covering area 16 and the third covering area 17
allows a relocation (vertical displacement, for example downwards) of the ring finger
and the little finger (see Figure 11) with respect to the other fingers.
[0049] The torsional movement may instead be performed about a hinge axis or an axis of
rotation between the first covering area 15 and the second covering area 16. This
axis extends substantially vertically through the back of the hand (when the hand
is closed so as to grip the handlebars) in an intermediate zone between the index
finger and the middle finger as indicated in Figures 12 and 13. The portion of the
glove body 12 situated between the first covering area 15 and the second covering
area 16 allows twisting of the index finger with respect to the middle finger (see
Figure 12 and Figure 13).
[0050] It is obviously to be understood that the glove body 12 as described may allow combinations
of rotary and twisting movement of the second covering area 16 with respect to the
third covering area 17 and the first covering area 16 with respect to the second covering
area 16.
[0051] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown in the drawings,
in order to allow the aforementioned movements, the first rigid or semi-rigid protection
element 25, the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 and the third rigid
or semi-rigid protection element 27 are located in the region of the metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger, respectively.
In other words, the single rigid protection elements are intended to cover singly
the metacarpophalangeal articulation of the index finger, middle finger and ring finger,
respectively, so as to allow the aforementioned expansion, relocation and twisting
movements. Even more particularly, the first rigid or semi-rigid protection element
25, the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 and the third rigid or semi-rigid
protection element 27 are structurally independent elements.
[0052] Moreover, the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 is located not only
in the region of the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22 of the ring finger,
but is configured to cover also a metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 23 of the
little finger.
[0053] In fact, it has been found that it may be sufficient to use a single rigid protection
element for the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 22 of the ring finger and the
metacarpophalangeal articulation zone 23 of the little finger, since the expansion
movement (or movement away and/or towards each other) of the two fingers is insignificant,
while the relocation movement of both the fingers together is greater.
[0054] In order to favour all three movements, the first rigid or semi-rigid protection
element 25 and the second rigid or semi-rigid protection element 26 have an oblong
shape, namely a shape elongated in a longitudinal direction so that there is sufficient
intermediate space between the articulation zones 20, 21, 22.
[0055] Moreover, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown in the drawings,
in order to optimize the protection, the rigid or semi-rigid protection element configured
to cover the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal
articulation zone 23 of the little finger has the form of a double lobe or double
flap or of two lobes or flaps joined together by means of a joining area. Even more
particularly, the third rigid or semi-rigid protection element 27 has a profile including
two protrusions 40, 42 or two extensions facing an end area of the hand on the opposing
muscle of the little finger.
[0056] A gluing step may be envisaged in order to connect the one or more rigid or semi-rigid
protection elements 25, 26, 27 to the outer visible surface 14 of the corresponding
covering area 15, 16, 17, 18. In other words, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid
protection elements 25, 26, 27 may be glued to the outer visible surface 14 of the
corresponding covering area 15, 16, 17, 18.
[0057] As an alternative to or in combination with gluing, the one or more rigid or semi-rigid
protection elements 25, 26, 27 may be fixed to the outer visible surface 14 of the
corresponding covering area 15, 16, 17, 18 by means of mechanical coupling elements.
[0058] The one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 are therefore
directly connected or bonded to the outer visible surface 14.
[0059] The mechanical coupling elements may be pin elements 28 (Figure 5) which are formed
integrally with the respective one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements
25, 26, 27. These pin elements 28 are coupled for example with the glove body 12.
In other words, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more rigid
or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 include said mechanical coupling members
28.
[0060] Alternatively, the pin elements 28 may be fixed to coupling counter-elements 31.
[0061] In an embodiment of the present disclosure such as that shown in the drawings, the
protective glove 10 includes a plurality of plate counter-elements or abutment elements
30 formed in the manner of a plate and located on an inner side of the glove body
12 hidden from sight in the region of a corresponding articulation of the fingers.
The plate counter-element 30 is described in the Italian patent application
102014902280408 and in the European patent application claiming the priority thereof, filed on the
same day by the same proprietor of the present application, both being incorporated
herein by way of reference sources.
[0062] The one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements 25, 26, 27 are fixed to a
corresponding abutment element 30. As a result, the flexible material of the glove
body 12 is located between the one or more rigid or semi-rigid protection elements
25, 26, 27 and the respective abutment element 30 (plate counter-element). The aforementioned
coupling counter-elements may be holes 31 formed in said abutment element 30. The
pin elements 28 are bent at an angle after insertion into the respective holes 31.
The pin elements are formed on an inner side, directed towards the visible surface
of the glove body, so as not to be visible and not interfere or create an inconvenience
for the user when wearing the glove.
[0063] Each abutment element 30 may be provided with a raised edge 34, which acts as a retaining
or containing frame for the corresponding rigid or semi-rigid protection element 25,
26, 27, and favour stabling coupling together.
[0064] Inside the glove, the glove body 12 may include a lining and/or a layer of expanded
material which may act as a cushion and may minimize any discomfort for the user felt
owing to the presence of the one or more plate abutment elements.
[0065] In a similar manner to the rigid or semi-rigid protection elements, the corresponding
abutment elements 30 are elements which are structurally independent of each other
so as to permit the aforementioned structural independence between the adjacent rigid
protection elements.
[0066] The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference
to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating
to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection
of the claims which are illustrated hereinbelow.
1. Protective glove (10) including a glove body (12) of flexible material having an
outer visible surface (14) and shaped to define an inner housing for accommodating
a hand of a user, wherein the glove body (12) includes, or defines, one or more covering
areas (15, 16, 17, 18) adapted to cover respective metacarpophalangeal articulation
zones (20, 21, 22, 23), wherein said protective glove (10) includes at least two or
more adjacent protection elements (25, 26, 27), or at least two or more adjacent elements
(25, 26, 27) suitable for protection against impact, said at least two or more adjacent
protection elements (25, 26, 27) being associated with, or placed on, at least a first
area (15) covering a first metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (20) and a second
area (16, 17) covering a second metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (21, 22, 23)
adjacent to the first covering area (15); wherein the two or more adjacent protection
elements (25, 26, 27) are structurally independent of each other and a portion of
the glove body (12) of flexible material situated between the two adjacent protection
elements (25, 26) acts as a connection zone or flexible bridge between the two respective
adjacent covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18), and wherein said two or more adjacent protection
elements (25, 26, 27) include at least three protection elements (25, 26, 27) structurally
independent of each other and associated with respective at least three covering areas
(15, 16, 17, 18), said three protection elements including:
- a first protection element (25) and a second protection element (26) connected together
flexibly and located in the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (20, 21, 22) of
the index finger and the middle finger, respectively; and
- a third protection element (27) connected to the second protection element (26)
flexibly and located in the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (22) of the ring
finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (23) of the little finger.
2. Protective glove according to claim 1, wherein the first protection element (25)
and the second protection element (26) have an oblong shape or profile.
3. Protective glove (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the three adjacent protective
elements (25, 26, 27) are not rigidly connected to one another, so as to allow a mutual
movement selected from the group including:
- a rotary motion,
- a twisting motion and/or
- a movement of relocation of the first covering area (15) with the corresponding
rigid or semi-rigid protection element (25, 26, 27) with respect to the second covering
area (16, 17, 18) with the corresponding rigid or semi-rigid protection element (25,
26, 27) or a combination of these movements.
4. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first
covering area (15) and the second covering area (16, 17, 18) of the glove body (12)
are made of the same flexible material as the portion of the glove body located between
the first covering area and the second covering area (15, 16, 17, 18).
5. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third
protection element (27) configured to cover the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone
(22) of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (23) of the
little finger has the form of a double-lobe, or double flap, or of two lobes or flaps
joined by a joining area.
6. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third
protection element configured to cover the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (22)
of the ring finger and the metacarpophalangeal articulation zone (23) of the little
finger has a profile including two protrusions (40, 42) or two extensions facing an
end area of the hand on the opposing muscle of the little finger.
7. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each
of the covering areas (15, 16, 17, 18) of the glove body (12) are devoid of an opening
or of a surface discontinuity in the region of, or surrounding, the one or more metacarpophalangeal
articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23), or wherein the layer of flexible material extends
continuously in the metacarpophalangeal articulation zones (20, 21, 22, 23).
8. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
at least two or more protection elements (25, 26, 27) are fixed to the outer visible
surface (14) of the glove body (12).
9. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
at least two or more protection elements (25, 26, 27) are rigid or semi-rigid elements.
10. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, including at
least one plate counter-element (30) located on an inner side of the glove body (12)
and hidden from view in the region of a corresponding protection element, and wherein
the flexible material of the glove body (12) is located and retained between the protection
element (25, 26, 27) and the respective abutment element (30).
12. Protective glove (10) according to claim 11, including mechanical coupling means
fixed to corresponding coupling counter-elements so as to join and fix the abutment
element (30) to the respective protection element.
13. Protective glove (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 11 or 12, wherein
the abutment elements (30) are elements structurally independent of each other or
not rigidly connected to each other, so as to allow a flexible connection between
the adjacent protection elements.