Field of the invention: The present invention relates to a glove for sports or activities which require the use of hand-held shafts or elongated objects. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sporting glove for enhancing a force transfer, from a hand of a user of the glove, to a shaft held by said glove user. Background of the invention:

In the sport of ice hockey, as but one example of a sport requiring the use of hand-held shafts or elongated objects (other non-exhaustive examples being cricket, lacrosse, ringuette, baseball, field hockey, etc.), the following two factors often drive design of ice hockey gloves: 1 ) a need to protect a user's hand, and 2) a need to maintain or at least not compromise the user's "feel" of the shaft/puck (i.e., the user's ability to manipulate the shaft/puck and/or detect vibrations transmitted through a shaft in contact with a puck) or the performance of the hand. The first factor has been traditionally satisfied by providing ice hockey gloves with padding so as to protect different portions of the hand. The second factor has been traditionally satisfied by not padding the palm area of the glove because it is understood that too much padding would inhibit the user's feel of the shaft and his/her ability to respond accordingly.

The Applicant is aware of the following ice hockey gloves embodying these design considerations:

Canadian patent No. 2,328,337 to FULLUM et al. issued on July 1 1 ^th , 2006, relates to a protective sporting glove, specifically an ice hockey glove, which operates to protect the hand, wrist, thumb and fingers of the user. This document describes padding which also allows the thumb and flingers to flex, and also describes a rigid shell for the thumb. Canadian patent No. 2,554,826 to BELAND et al. issued on June 29 ^th , 2010, relates to an ice hockey glove which also operates to protect the hand, wrist, thumb and fingers of the user. This document describes thumb and finger gussets so as to allow greater freedom of movement of these digits. The gussets are backed by padding, and there is a gap between the padding and the gussets near the free end of the digit for enhancing the movement of said digit.

Canadian patent application No. 2,137,027 in the name of CARDINAL and made public on May 31 ^st , 1996, relates to an ice hockey glove having a padded thumb and fingers. In order to permit freer hand movement, this document describes padded digits formed with joints, the joints themselves provided with flexible webs so that when the digits are flexed, protection is still provided to their knuckles and joints.

The Applicant is also aware of the following documents which describe other features related to sporting gloves:

US Patent No. 5,802,614 in the name of MELONE and issued September 8 ^th , 1998, describes a universal sporting glove for supporting and stabilizing the wrist and hand during sports. The glove is provided with inner and outer gloves, and first and second wrist straps.

US Patent No. 7,003,806 B1 in the name of KLEINERT et al. and issued February 28 ^th , 2006, relates to a hockey glove with padding for shock absorption. The glove is provided with a padded wedge covering part of the palm side of the hand. Other examples of patent documents relating to gloves include the following: US 4,561 ,122; US 4,589,146; US 5,069,454; US 5,309,573; US 5,638,548; US 5,715,539; US 7,469,426 B2; US RE42,839 E; and US D537,21 1 S. Known gloves, being designed for protection and feel, do not typically address issues of force transfer between the hand and the shaft, which if addressed, could significantly enhance the user's overall performance, especially when striking, manipulating, controlling, or handling an object (ball, puck, etc.) or shaft. Also known in the art are drawbacks associated with some of the above- described conventional hockey gloves, for example: a) they often do not compensate for the force dampening or dissipation caused by a user's hand; b) they are often designed to merely not inhibit a user's performance, but are not designed to positively enhance the user's performance as it relates to parameters such as shot speed, control, and accuracy, for example; c) they often do not provide support for the hands when holding the shaft and this lack of support does not alleviate any "play", slippage, looseness, etc. that may exist between the glove and the shaft, which can result in a less accurate or weaker shot, or less control of the shaft; d) they often do not compensate for the loss of energy between the glove and the shaft created due to the natural and inherent "softness" of the human palm; e) etc.

Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for a sporting glove which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the aforementioned prior art problems.

Summary of the invention:

The object of the present invention is to provide a sporting glove, which by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and is thus an improvement over other related gloves known in the art. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sporting glove for enhancing a force transfer, from a hand of a user of the glove, to a shaft held by said glove user, the sporting glove comprising:

frontal and dorsal sections for respectively receiving palm and backside portions of the hand of the user;

thumb and finger sections, operatively connected to the frontal and dorsal sections, for respectively receiving thumb and finger portions of the user; and

at least one stiffening component disposed about the frontal section of the glove, and being positioned, shaped and sized with respect to the palm portion of the user for abutting against the shaft when held by the sporting glove, in order to reduce a compressive dampening effect between the hand and the shaft during use of the sporting glove, the at least one stiffening component comprising a contact surface being rigid with respect to that of a shaft-handling section of the frontal section, for enhancing force-transfer from the hand of the glove user to the shaft, via said at least one stiffening component of the sporting glove.

In some optional configurations, the sporting glove has more than one stiffening component, where the stiffening components are located at/on specific portions of the glove so as to stiffen these portions and so as to expand the surface of the glove in contact with the shaft, thus helping to improve the force transfer from a hand of a user via the glove to the shaft, and reducing the above-mentioned dampening effect. In so doing, the sporting glove may also provide additional support to the hands when force is applied to the shaft (i.e. when the user is taking a shot and/or using the shaft to manipulate a playing object, for example), thus reducing any "play" between the hand and the shaft that may arise when a torsional or other force is applied to the shaft by the hand.

In other optional configurations, the at least one stiffening component is located on a proximal surface of the glove, on a distal surface of the glove, and/or on any combination thereof. The stiffening component can project from the frontal section, or any other part, of the glove, and can take many forms which may correspond to the shape of the shaft to which force is being transferred. The stiffening component can be made of a suitably rigid material, or can consist of a defined volume of fluid contained within a deformable membrane, which when compressed, confers the necessary rigidity.

In yet other optional configurations, there is provided two sporting gloves, such as a pair of gloves consisting of left-handed and right-handed gloves, each glove having one or more of the stiffening components. Two such sporting gloves can be used together to further enhance the force transfer.

Optionally, the at least one stiffening component is located on a middle of the frontal section, between the proximal and distal surfaces of the glove.

The components, advantages and other features of the sporting glove will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some optional configurations, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with proximal and distal stiffening components, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a sporting glove provided with a proximal stiffening component defining a contact surface, according to an optional configuration of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a sporting glove provided with a distal stiffening component defining a contact surface, according to an optional configuration of the present invention. Figure 4 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with a stiffening component on a frontal section, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with a stiffening component disposed between proximal and distal stiffening components, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with discrete stiffening components disposed between proximal and distal stiffening components, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with discrete stiffening components disposed between proximal and distal stiffening components, according to another optional configuration of the present invention. Figure 8 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with a biasing backing, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Figure 9 is a rear view of what is shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a rear view of a sporting glove provided with a brace, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Figure 1 1 is a side view of a sporting glove provided with a securing mechanism cooperating with a cross-sectional view of a shaft, according to an optional configuration of the present invention. Figure 12 is a front view of a sporting glove closed about a shaft, according to an optional configuration of the present invention. Figure 13 is a front view of a sporting glove provided with a palm stiffener, according to an optional configuration of the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention: In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features of the sporting glove and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the sporting glove illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The optional implementations, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures are provided for exemplification purposes only. Furthermore, although the sporting glove was primarily designed for being used in sport, such as in ice hockey, for example, and is described in the context of its use with a shaft (or a "stick"), it is understood that it may be used with other elongated or hand-held objects, and in other activities. These other objects include, but are not limited to, the following: baseball bat, field hockey shaft, lacrosse shaft, cricket bat, ringuette shaft, polo shaft, etc. For this reason, expressions such as "ice", "hockey", "shaft", "stick", "player", etc. as used herein should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present sporting glove to the sport of hockey and/or hockey shafts in particular. These expressions encompass all other kinds of materials, objects and/or purposes with which the sporting glove could be used and may be useful. Broadly described, the sporting glove described herein is a glove which is intended to improve the force transfer from a hand of a user via the glove to a shaft, while still allowing the user to substantially maintain the "feel" of the shaft. Considering now the example of a hockey glove used with a hockey stick, and in contrast to conventional hockey gloves which often provide only one point of contact with the shaft (i.e. on the soft palm), the sporting glove herein described may provide multiple rigid points of contact with the hockey stick which can be located at the following non-limiting areas of the sporting glove: a) between the index finger section and thumb section; b) at a lower end of the palm section opposite the index finger section and the thumb section; c) near the middle of the palm section itself ; d) beyond the palm section, at distal and/or proximal ends; e) etc.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, and referring to Figure 1 , there is provided a sporting glove 10 (or simply "glove 10") for enhancing a force transfer from a hand of a user of the glove 10, to a shaft held by the glove user. The glove 10 can be any glove 10 used for handling a shaft during sporting, or other, activities. Some examples of such a glove 10 include hockey gloves, lacrosse gloves, cricket bat gloves, goaltender blockers, etc. The glove 10 enhances a force transfer from the hand of the user wearing the glove 10, to the shaft held in, and/or manipulated by, the glove-covered hand.

The term "enhance" as used to describe the force transfer can mean that the force transfer from the hand/glove 10 to the shaft is improved when compared to the force transferring occurring with known gloves. It is known that the palm of the user's hand is relatively soft, it being composed of soft tissue. Conventional gloves often do not attempt to counter this softness because to do so might affect the feel of the shaft for the user. The result is that when the user applies a force to the shaft via the palm of his/her hand, the palm acts as a force dampener and absorbs some of the force being transferred, thereby impeding an efficient or optimal transfer of the force from the hand to the shaft. Furthermore, when the user applies a torsional force to the shaft, the inherent softness of the palm of the user's hand may cause "rotational play", which can negatively affect shaft control and force transfer. There is thus a need to counter the dampening effect of the palm, and to generally improve, or "enhance", the transfer of force from the hand to the shaft. There is also a need to create a rigid contact between the front of the glove and the shaft, thus reducing "play". As explained further hereinafter, the below-described components and features of the glove 10 may address some of these needs, thereby enhancing the force transfer to the shaft.

The expression "force transfer" as used herein can mean the strength and/or energy transmitted by the user to the glove 10 and/or the shaft. Such a force transfer can take many different forms. For example, in the sport of ice hockey, the force transfer can occur when the user manipulates the shaft via the glove 10 so as to control the puck, or when using the glove 1 0 to apply the stick against the ice and/or puck when taking a shot. In another example, the force transfer can occur by simply holding the shaft with the glove 10, without necessarily using the shaft to apply the force to an object, such as when a goalie blocker glove 10 is used to manipulate a goalie stick. It is thus apparent that the expression "force transfer" as used herein is not limited to a transfer of a particular type of force (i.e. impulsive, discrete, prolonged, etc.), or to a particular value or duration of a force.

The expression "shaft" as used herein can be any elongated object which can be manipulated by the hand of the user via the glove 10. Some examples of such a shaft include an ice hockey stick, a goalie stick, a lacrosse stick, a cricket bat, a field hockey stick, etc. In non-sporting activities, the shaft can be, for example, a broom, a pole, an extendable rod, etc. Referring to Figure 1 , the glove 10 has a frontal section 20 and a dorsal section 22. The frontal section 20 may constitute the covering of the front of the glove 10 and/or the adjacent areas, such that it receives a palm portion of the user's hand therein. The frontal section 20 can be the principal section of the glove 10 through which the user is able to acquire a feel for the shaft. The frontal section 20 can extend to cover the entire palm portion, only part of the palm portion, or extend beyond the palm portion depending on numerous factors such as the final glove 10 design, the activity for which the glove 10 will be used, the materials available, etc. In some configurations, the frontal section 20 has a shape that is substantially similar to the palm portion of the user's hand. The frontal section 20 can be covered with a seamless cloth, or other similar material (i.e. leather), so as to provide a frictional engagement with the shaft.

The dorsal section 22, an example of which is also provided in Figure 9, can be in opposed relation to the frontal section 20. The dorsal section 22 may receive, and can cover, the backside portion of the user's hand. The dorsal section 22 can extend to cover the entire backside portion, only part of the backside portion, or extend beyond the backside portion depending on numerous factors such as those listed above in reference to the frontal section 20. In one optional configuration, the dorsal section 22 and the areas adjacent to it on the backside of the glove 10 have protective padding so as to provide protection to the backside portion of the user's hand, as is the case with conventional hockey gloves, for example.

In one optional configuration, the frontal section 20 and the dorsal section 22 join so as to form a proximal surface 1 6 and distal surface 18. The proximal surface 1 6 can refer to a part of the glove 10 which is adjacent to a first end of the glove 10. This first end and/or proximal surface 16 can be located near and/or adjacent to the side of the glove 10 where an index finger portion and a thumb portion of the hand are located. The distal surface 18 can be a part of the glove 10 which is opposed to the proximal surface 1 6, and be situated at a second end of the glove 10 which is near and/or adjacent to a pinky finger portion of the hand. The frontal and dorsal sections 20,22 can extend between, and connect at either end to, the proximal and distal surfaces 1 6,18. Conventional gloves often have a "ridge" or sewn seam, about a ¼" wide, of stitching that connects the frontal section to the rest of the glove. On the proximal side of the glove, this ridge can also span between the index and the thumb of the glove, connecting the two. On the distal side of the glove, this ridge may be located on the exterior of the palm of the glove. In an optional configuration of the glove 10, and in order to enhance the force transfer between the glove 10 and shaft, the ridge may be inverted, relocated, bypassed, etc. Such an "inverted ridge" and/or stitching may avoid the creation of the ridge, thus stabilizing the point of contact between the shaft and the glove 10 (i.e., no floppy ridge) and reducing any "dampening" effect caused by the ridge.

Still referring to Figure 1 , the glove 10 has a thumb section 14 and digit sections 12. The digit section 12 can be multiple digit sections 12, or a single digit section 12. The thumb section 14 and the digit sections 12 may each connect to both the frontal section 20 and the dorsal section 22, and they may receive the thumb portion and finger portions, respectively, of the hand of the user. The glove 10 can have other digit sections 12 corresponding to, and receiving, the index, middle, ring and pinkie finger portions. It is understood that the glove 10 can take on various other shapes and forms, such as a mitten and/or mitt, for example, where the at least one digit section 12 houses and protects all the user's finger portions. Also, the finger sections (thumb and digit sections) could be "open-ended" depending on what activities the glove 10 is being used for, etc.

The frontal and dorsal sections 20,22 may be in articulate connection with, or "operatively connected" to, the digit sections 12 and the thumb portion 14. These expressions can mean that the digit sections 12 connect to the frontal and dorsal sections 20,22 such that the digit sections 12 can articulate freely about the these sections 20,22 as fingers are known to do. For example, when considering a hockey glove 10 being used with a hockey stick, the stick can rest on the frontal section 20 and the user articulates his/her digit sections 12 and thumb section 14 around the stick, thus gripping the stick. In some optional configurations, the digit sections 12 and the thumb section 14 are covered in protective padding, as described above with respect to the dorsal section 22, so as to provide protection to the hand's finger and thumb portions. Still referring to Figure 1 , the glove 10 has at least one stiffening component 30 disposed about the frontal section 20 of the glove 10. The at least one stiffening component 30 provides a substantially rigid interface between the shaft and the part of the glove 10 where it is located, thereby allowing for the enhancement of force transfer from the glove 10 to the shaft. As used herein, the "stiffening component" 30 can be any object, structure, device, etc. that rigidifies or stiffens the portion of the glove 10 where it is located. Some examples of the stiffening component 30 include a block, a pad, a wedge, a fluid membrane, etc. For this reason, the term "stiffening" can be interchanged with similar terms such as "resilient", "reinforcing", "hard surface", "solid", "rigid", etc.

The stiffening component 30 is disposed about the frontal section 20 of the glove 10. The expression "disposed about" can mean that a stiffening component 30 can be located on the frontal section 20 itself, or on a part of the glove 10 near or adjacent to the frontal section 20. For example, a stiffening component 30 can be located on the proximal surface 1 6, which is adjacent to the frontal section 20 since the frontal section 20 joins with the dorsal section 22 so as to define the proximal surface 1 6. For similar reasons, as yet another example, a stiffening component 30 can be located on the distal surface 18. In some optional configurations, a stiffening component 30 can be located on the dorsal section 22, as this part of the glove 10 is adjacent, or near, the frontal section 20. It is thus apparent that the stiffening component 30 can be located on any part of the glove 10 which is near, about and/or adjacent to the frontal section 20.

The at least one stiffening component 30 is positioned, shaped and sized with respect to the palm portion of the user for abutting against the shaft when held by the glove 10. The expression "positioned, shaped and sized" as used herein can mean that a stiffening component 30 is configured in relation to the palm portion of the user's hand so as to contact the shaft when it is in the glove 10. For example, for certain shafts, it may be desirable to have a stiffening component 30 positioned on the distal surface 18, shaped to abut against a rectangular-profiled shaft, and sized so as to maximize contact with the shaft when it is held in the glove 10. As with the expression "disposed about" to describe the relation of a stiffening component 30 relative to the frontal section 20, the expression "with respect to" as used to describe the relationship of the at least one stiffening component 30 with the palm portion of the hand can mean that a stiffening component 30 can be located relative to the palm portion of the user's hand so as to abut against, or contact, the shaft when it is in the glove. The at least one stiffening component 30 can abut against the shaft 70, such as when the glove 10 is in a closed configuration, for example. One example of such a closed configuration is provided in Figure 12. Alternatively, the at least one stiffening component 30 can abut against the shaft when the glove 10 is in an open configuration, and/or when in any configuration in between.

Returning to Figure 1 , the at least one stiffening component 30 helps to reduce a compressive dampening effect between the hand and the shaft during use of the glove 10. The compressive dampening affect can result from the inherent softness of the palm portion of the hand, as discussed above, and as but one example. It may also result from other parts of the hand which have soft tissue. The dampening effect may occur when the hand portion is compressed, for example by the shaft when a force is applied thereto by the hand. By its position, shape, and size, the at least one stiffening component 30 may therefore reduce a loss of force being transferred from the glove 10 to the shaft, thereby enhancing the force transfer. In some configurations, the glove 10 itself may be stiff or rigid in some of its sections, and the combination of the at least one stiffening component 30 integrated with such a stiff glove 10 may reinforce the hand exerting the force.

The at least one stiffening component 30 also has a contact surface 35 which is rigid with respect to a shaft-handling section 26 of the frontal section 20. The contact surface 35 can be any part of the at least one stiffening component 30 which can contact at least a part of the shaft. The contact surface 35 is rigid, thereby allowing an efficient transfer of force from the hand via the glove 10 to the shaft. The rigidity of the contact surface 35 can be compared to the rigidity of the shaft-handling section 26 of the frontal section 20. The shaft-handling section 26 can be any part of the frontal section 20 which is in contact with the shaft and which can be used to manipulate the shaft. Some examples of the shaft-handling section 26 include the palm section on the frontal section 20, the shaft-facing parts of the finger sections 12, the shaft-facing parts of the lower thumb section 14, etc. As with other parts of the glove 10 in contact with the shaft, the frontal section 20 and the shaft-handling section 26 are typically not noticeably "stiff" because it is through these parts that the user is able to "feel" the shaft. It can thus be appreciated that the rigidity of the contact surface 35 is in marked contrast to the absence of rigidity of the shaft-handling section 26. It can also be appreciated that the transfer of a force applied by the user can occur via the following non-limiting pathways: i) the hand of the user applies the force to the glove 10; ii) the force is then transferred from the glove 10 to the at least one stiffening component 30; iii) the force is next transferred from the at least one stiffening component 30 to its contact surface 35; and iv) finally, from the contact surface 35, the force is transferred to the shaft upon the contact surface 35 abutting the shaft. Since much of the force is able to thus bypass the dampening components (i.e. the palm portion of the hand, the shaft-handling section 26, etc.), the force transfer is not diminished and is therefore enhanced. It should also be noted that step iii) can be avoided if the stiffening component 30 and its contact surface 35 are made integral to one another (i.e. same piece, same material), thereby further enhancing the force transfer between hand and shaft 70 via the glove 10.

Having discussed some of the principal components and features of the glove 10, some of the other optional configurations will be further discussed hereinbelow.

According to one optional configuration, and still referring to Figure 1 , the glove 10 can have at least two stiffening components 30. The first stiffening component, or "proximal" stiffening component 30a, can be located at the proximal surface 1 6 of the glove 10, between the index digit portion 12 and the thumb portion 14. In this position, the proximal stiffening component 30a can reinforce, or stiffen, one point of contact that the shaft can have with the glove 10 (i.e. between the index finger portion and the thumb portion). The proximal stiffening component 30a can extend into a crotch 1 1 area defined between the index finger section 12 and the thumb section 14, and is configured to maximize contact with the shaft at this point of contact. The second stiffening component, or "distal" stiffening component 30b, can be located at the distal surface 18 of the glove 10. The distal stiffening component 30b can be located at a lower area of the frontal section 20, below the pinkie digit portion 12. In this position, the distal stiffening component 30b may reinforce another point of contact that the shaft can have with the glove 10 (i.e. a lower end of the palm portion opposite the index finger portion and thumb portion). In another possible configuration, the glove 10 is provided with only proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30b. In yet another possible configuration, the glove 10 is provided with only one proximal stiffening component 30a, or only one distal stiffening component 30b. In yet another possible configuration, and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the proximal stiffening component 30a is disposed adjacent to the crotch 1 1 defined between the index digit section 12 and thumb section 14 of the glove 10 and the second, distal stiffening component 30b, is disposed adjacent to a base 13 of the frontal section 20. In another possible configuration, and as exemplified in Figure 4, there is provided another stiffening component 30 located substantially in the middle of the frontal section 20 itself. This middle stiffening component 31 can conform to the shape of the user's hand and to the profile of the shaft being used, so as to provide an optimized fit and force transfer between the glove 10 and shaft. The middle stiffening component 31 may thus reinforce yet another point of contact that the shaft can have with the glove 10 (i.e. with the palm section itself). Optionally, the glove 10 is equipped with only a middle stiffening component 31 , and no proximal or distal stiffening components 30,32. In another optional configuration, the glove 10 is provided with a middle stiffening component 31 and includes at least one of the proximal and/or distal stiffening components 30a, 30b.

Optionally, at least some stiffening components 30 can be integrated into the glove 10 so as to provide a smooth and aesthetically appealing strengthening of the glove 10. In the case of the proximal stiffening component 30a, it can be integrated into, and beneath, the web of material linking the thumb section 14 with the index digit section 12. For the distal stiffening component 30b, it can be integrated beneath the frontal section 20 at a lower area, as described above. Alternatively, the stiffening components 30 can be removable and/or permanent inserts 30d, which are inserted into the corresponding areas of the glove 10 by pockets, sleeves and/or pouches. Furthermore, any of the stiffening components 30 can be adjustable or resizable so as to allow the user to adjust the amount of stiffening, shape, disposition, span, etc. of the stiffening component 30 during use. Any and/or all of the stiffening components can be made of the following materials: plastics, foams, air packs, gels, composites and/or any known material that strengthens the glove 10 and/or does not compromise the feel or operation of the glove 10. Indeed, in one possible configuration, and as exemplified in Figure 4, the at least one stiffening component can consist of a defined volume of fluid which is contained within a deformable membrane. Such a fluid can be foam, air, gel, etc. and can be deformed when the membrane contacts the shaft. Certain stiffening components 30 can be made of one material, while other stiffening components 30 can be made of another material. For example, the proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30c can be plastic and/or composite, while the middle stiffening component 31 can be an air/gel pack. In one optional glove 10 configuration where there are only proximal and distal stiffening component 30a, 30b, both stiffening components 30a, 30b can be made of gel/air packs, which may be able to cover a larger part of the areas to reinforce than if the stiffening components 30a, 30c were made of plastics, composites and/or other harder materials. Alternatively, gel/air pack stiffening components 30 can be backed, supported, etc. by a plastic, hard foam, composite, and/or other hard material integrated within the glove 10.

Optionally, at least some stiffening components 30 can be adapted to conform to the surface of the shaft being used so as to minimise and/or eliminate any gap between the shaft and the glove 10 created by the stiffening components 30. In so doing, a single rigid contact surface 35 can be provided which may enhance the force transfer from the glove 10 to the shaft, and facilitates the distribution of force from the glove 10 over a larger area than simply the frontal section 20. This may further advantageously increase the feel the user has of the shaft, allowing easier and more accurate manipulation of the shaft.

In another possible configuration, and as exemplified in Figure 5, the stiffening component 30 can be a stiffening component strip 34 which is sized and positioned to at least conform to the part of the shaft abutting against the glove 10. The strip 34 may join the proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30b, creating a single unitary stiffening component 36, although the strip 34 can also be used without the proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30b. The strip 34 can further enhance the contact area between the hand and the shaft, and thus may enhance the force transfer between the hand and the shaft. The strip 34 can be a rounded and/or smooth protrusion and/or projection from the frontal section 20. The strip 34 may be a gel and/or air pack, which can compress within a defined volume in response to a pressure applied by the shaft and/or glove 10. The strip 34 can be about 0.75" wide, although other widths and/or lengths can be used depending on the shaft being manipulated. The strip 34 may be coated and/or covered with a material or substance which reduces the slip that the shaft may experience against the strip 34. Alternatively, the strip 34 can be integrated into the frontal section 20, and the frontal section 20 covered with materials for minimizing slip.

In an alternative optional configuration to a single strip 34, and as shown in Figure 6, the stiffening component 30 can be a plurality of discrete elements interspersed, either located between the proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30b, or not. These discrete stiffening components 38 can be made of the same materials discussed above regarding the strip 34, and can also be projecting from, or integrated within, the frontal section 20. The discrete stiffening components 38 may be positioned so as to conform to the areas at which the force transfer from the glove 10 to the shaft is in need of enhancement, and/or to optimise the grip of the user.

Figure 7 provides other examples of discrete stiffening components 38. They can also be a plurality of resilient striations, each striation spanning diagonally, horizontally, vertically, and/or any configuration therebetween from the top of the frontal section 20 to the bottom along a portion of the palm section. The striations 38 can be projections and/or protrusions from the frontal section 20, and can be made of a rigid material such as plastic, composite, hard foam, etc., and can be kinked and/or cut so that they are flexible when the glove 10 and/or palm flexes around the shaft. The striations can reinforce the points of the shaft in contact with the frontal section 20. The configuration of the striations is not limited to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and the striations may be angled, sized, shaped, configured, etc. differently so as to achieve the same functionality, namely, to enhance the force transfer from the glove 10 to the shaft, and/or to optimise the user's grip of the shaft. As but one example, there can be provided a long middle striation along an axis of the glove 10 which is in contact with the shaft, a plurality of shorter intermediate striations symmetrically spaced on either side of middle striation, and a plurality of other striations similarly symmetrically spaced adjacent to the intermediate striations. In yet another example, the striations can be projected from the glove 10 to various heights (i.e. a middle striation that is more extended than adjacent intermediate striations, etc.). Furthermore, the striations do not need to be configured in parallel, and can take a shape that conforms substantially to a circle, parallelogram, triangle, etc.

The use of fluid (i.e. gel/air) packs within a defined volume of a deformable membrane for any and/or all of the above-described stiffening components 30 can provide some advantages. Indeed, a gel/air pack may advantageously reinforce the frontal section 20 in contact with the shaft and improve the user's comfort, while also not compromising the user's feel of the shaft. The resilient compressibility provided by these packs may further allow the user to improve force transfer irrespective of the angle of the shaft in the frontal section 20. In contrast to a harder material, the gel/air packs may allow a stiffening component 30 to be integrated into a portion and/or all of the frontal section 20. For aesthetic and/or design purposes, the gel/air pack may be translucent. In another possible configuration, and as exemplified in Figures 2 and 3, the at least one stiffening component 30 can be a polyhedron, which projects from any of the frontal section 20, the proximal surface 1 6, the distal surface 18, and/or any other part of the glove 10. The polyhedron formed can have multiple sides, and at least one of these sides can include the contact surface 35. The contact surface 35 can take on many forms. Some of these forms include a trapezoidal, roundish, planar, rectangular, arcuate, etc. In some possible configurations, the shape of the contact surface 35 can match an outer profile of the shaft. One example of such a shape can be a groove, in the stiffening component 30 and/or the contact surface 35, for receiving the shaft. Such a groove can match the outer profile of the shaft so that the shaft is securely held therein. Alternatively, the stiffening component 30 and/or contact surface 35 can be made from a material that takes the shape of the outer profile of the shaft upon abutment. In another possible configuration, the contact surface 35 can be inclined or oriented at an angle with frontal section 20. Optionally, the stiffening components 30 can be placed on a pair of sporting gloves 10, such as one left-handed glove 10 and one right-handed glove 10. In one such optional configuration, there are two stiffening components 30, the first stiffening component 30 projecting from a distal surface 18 of the first sporting glove 10, and the second stiffening component 30 projecting from a distal surface 18 of the second sporting glove 10. In another optional configuration, each glove 10 has two stiffening components 30, the first stiffening component 30 of each glove 10 projecting from a distal surface 18, and the second stiffening component 30 of each glove 10 projecting from a proximal surface 1 6. Of course, numerous possible configurations are possible for the pair of gloves 10. Indeed, there may be one glove 10 provided with one or more stiffening components 30, whereas the other glove 10 has no stiffening components 30 at all, for example.

It is now understood how the above-described stiffening components 30 may advantageously stiffen the points of contact between the glove 10 and the shaft, thereby enhancing the force transfer between the glove 10 and the shaft, as well as the handling of the shaft. It may also desirable to further enhance the force transfer by providing stiffening on the back (or dorsal) side of glove 10, as explained in the optional configurations described below. In so doing, pressure can be applied to the back of the glove 10, thus further enhancing the force transfer to the shaft.

According to an optional configuration, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9, at least one stiffening component 30 connects to a biasing backing 60 spanning along the dorsal section 22 of the glove 10. The biasing backing 60 is configured for applying a compressive force to the dorsal section 22 and/or the stiffening component 30 when activated by an application of the force by the hand, which pushes at least the frontal section 20 into the shaft, thus increasing the force applied by the glove 10 against the shaft. Optionally, the backing 60 is charged with a biasing force (originating from a resilient or a biasing member, spring, component, etc.) when each and/or one stiffening component 30 abuts against the shaft. Once the stiffening component 30 is released from the shaft, or disengages the shaft, the biasing force can be released, thereby potentially adding to the force applied to the shaft. The biasing backing 60 is preferably integrated into the dorsal section 22. The biasing backing 60 can span from the proximal surface 1 6 to the distal surface 18 along a portion of the dorsal section 22, and connect to at least the proximal and distal stiffening components 30a,30b, thereby forming a "C"-shaped element. Neither the shape, configuration and/or operation of the backing 60 is limited to the configuration illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. Other shapes, configurations and operations of the backing 60 are possible so as to achieve its above-described functionality. In another possible configuration, the backing 60 can be a series of interconnected fluid (i.e. gel/air) packs. The gel/air pack on the dorsal section 22 can be activated by a pressure applied to the proximal, distal and/or strip stiffening components 30a, 30b, 34, thereby applying a pressure to the dorsal section 22. In a typical operation, a pressure by the shaft and/or glove 10 is applied to any of the stiffening components 30a,30b,34, which given the finite volume of the stiffening components 30a, 30b, 34, causes a pressure to be applied to the applicator 60, creating a "cinching" effect, thereby locking the glove 10 around the hand.

Another optional technique for strengthening the back of the hand and/or glove 10 lies in using a brace 50. Figure 10 provides an example of such a brace 50. The brace 50 can extend from the dorsal section 22 along a certain length of a wrist of the user. The brace 50 can advantageously provide stiffening to the wrist when the hand is manipulating the shaft via the glove 10. It is known in the art that the stronger the wrist, the stronger the force that it can apply. The brace 50 can also apply a force to the dorsal section 22 when the brace 50 applies pressure against the lower forearm and/or wrist (i.e. the dorsal section 22 is rotated toward the wrist). In a typical operation, the brace 50 can be loaded with a force when the user rotates his/her wrist backward and applies pressure to the brace 50 with the lower forearm and/or wrist. This additional "loaded" force can then be added to the force applied by the user when he/she takes a shot with the shaft, for example. Optionally, the brace 50 is integrated into the dorsal section 22 and/or the cuff of the glove 10 such that it does not interfere with the freedom of operation of the user's hand or his/her ability to remove the glove 10 quickly. Alternatively, a portion and/or all of the brace 50 can be exposed so as to create an aesthetically pleasing look and/or design. Preferably, the brace is made from materials selected from the group consisting of: air packs, gels, plastics, composites, carbon fibre, wood, etc.

According to another optional configuration, and as exemplified in Figure 1 1 , the glove 10 may be provided with a securing mechanism 40 for securing the shaft 70 within the glove 10 when the user closes the glove 10 around the shaft 70, thus reducing and/or eliminating any play. The securing mechanism 40 can include at least one digit reinforcement 42 located on at least one digit section 12, such as the index digit section 12, near the junction of the index digit section 12 with the frontal section 20. The at least one digit reinforcement 42 can also be located on a side of the digit section 12, such as on a part of the digit section 12 that is padded. The mechanism 40 can also include a thumb reinforcement 44 located on the thumb section 14 near the junction of the thumb section 14 with the frontal section 20. As with the digit reinforcement 42, the thumb reinforcement 44 can be located on a padded side of the thumb section 14. It is understood that the securing mechanism 40 can also include digit reinforcements 42 on other digit sections 12. During a typical operation, the user closes the glove 10 around the shaft such that the digit and thumb reinforcements 42,44, and the proximal stiffening component 30a, contact the shaft and secure it in its location, reducing slip and/or play when the user applies a force to the shaft. The digit and thumb reinforcements 42,44 can be made of any and/or all the same materials described above for the other stiffening components 30. According to another optional configuration, the glove 10 can be provided with proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30b that extend away from the frontal section 20 and away from the glove 10. These stiffening components 30a, 30b may be protrusions or projections from the exterior surface of the glove 10, although they may also be integrated therein. The stiffening components 30a, 30b can be made of the same materials listed above. In such a configuration, a non-reinforced frontal section 20 may augment the feel of the shaft for the user. Furthermore, the proximal and distal stiffening components 30a, 30b are located outside the glove 10, reinforcing the user's grip on the shaft and allowing him/her to apply additional force when taking a shot, for example. This configuration may advantageously also provide a "locking/stabilising effect" by reducing the potential play of the shaft in the hands of the user, and also reduce the possibility of the shaft rotating in the hands. Such a stabilising effect may be further enhanced with a palm stiffener 37, as exemplified in Figure 13, which can span from the at least one stiffening component 30 to an outer side of the front section 20 adjacent to a distal surface 18, thereby stiffening the outer side of the palm portion of the hand. The palm stiffener 37 may also form part of the stiffening component 30 itself, such as when the stiffening component 30 is located on the palm section of the glove 10, for example.

Furthermore, the glove 10 described herein can provide certain advantages. Indeed, the glove 10 can expand the surface area in contact with the shaft, enhance hand/glove control of the shaft by reducing any play between the hand and the shaft, provide additional support to the hands when resistance is applied to the shaft (i.e. during a slap shot in hockey), and enhance energy transferred from the hand to the shaft by reducing the dampening effect of the hand due to its inherent softness. Moreover, the above-described stiffening components can be an integral part of the glove 10 and can be located in a manner that does not directly interfere with the ability of the hands to grip the shaft. The stiffening components 30 may be advantageously located in the same areas for both right-handed and left-handed gloves 10, which facilitates the sale, use, and/or manufacturing of the gloves 10 for both right-handed and left-handed players. As the stiffening components 30 can be integrated within the glove 10 itself, they may not interfere directly with the contact of the hands with the shaft. The stiffening components 30 can be designed to complement and support the contact with the shaft. Furthermore, the glove 10 can have an ergonomic design that is comfortable and that fits the natural contours of the hand and shaft, which minimizes the impact on the feel of the shaft when the user is handling it.

The stiffening components 30 on the dorsal section 22 of the glove 10 (i.e. the biasing backing and the brace) may provide additional rigidity to the glove 10 and stiffen the wrists of the user. In addition, the use of gel/air packs for the stiffening components 30 may improve the comfort of the gloves 10 while still allowing for a wider distribution of the applied force. Furthermore, the softness of the gel/air packs can provide flexibility and allow a pack to run right across the palm, such as the stiffening component strip 34. The strip 34 can help to reduce and/or remove the natural gap created between the hand and the shaft, which enhances the contact surface between hand and shaft and therefore the transfer of energy between the hand and shaft. The use of gel/air packs may allow for a more pliable and less impactful feel than plastic or hard foam, for example. The integration of the gel/air pack can also advantageously avoid any seams or ridges that would compromise the feel of the shaft on the frontal section 20, or the user's ability to slide their hand along the shaft.

Another advantage may be provided by the biasing backing 60 and the brace 50. These features can enhance some lost energy due to the lack of strength in the user's wrist, thereby effectively locking the user's hand on the shaft during a shot and improving performance. The multiple and/or distributed points of contact created by the glove 10, and in contrast with conventional gloves, may help to reduce any play between the glove 10 and the shaft.

Thus, it can be appreciated that the sporting glove 10 can help a user improve shot control, speed, and accuracy, as well as augment the force applied to the shot, and can also aid in object handling over conventional sporting gloves. In addition, the glove 10 can enhance the user's performance, whereas conventional gloves are often designed merely not to inhibit performance. Moreover, the glove 10 may provide support for the user hands when holding the shaft, whereas conventional gloves often do not provide such support which can lead to play between the hand and the shaft resulting in a weaker and/or less accurate shot. In further contrast with conventional gloves, the glove 10 can compensate for the inherent softness of the hand and the loss of force transfer associated thereto.

Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.